intro
NICEHCK has a wide range of in-ears, starting from 10 € up to a three-digit range. This one has a single-dynamic driver, which is more likely to be found in Ear-Buds. The sound is similar, because Ear-Buds do not sit in the ear canal but on it, so they don't have much bass and are tuned more neutral. Due to the design with the short nozzles, I would rather call the EP35 a hybrid between Ear-Bud and In-Ear.
Handling
Unfortunately it is immensely important with the EP35 how well it sits in the ear to get a good sound result. This is harder than expected. The in-ear is very flat and has short nozzles. These are also unusually oval in shape. This leads to the fact that you have problems getting a secure hold with the included silicone tips, because they don't reach deep enough into the ear canal, so that a proper isolation is given.
Double silicone tips, which have not only one but two lamellas, are longer and therefore there is a chance to get them deeper into the ear, help here.
Otherwise, a silver-plated 8-core MMCX cable is included, which unfortunately produces some cable noise when moving.
The included transport box is very high quality and a nice addition!
Sound
In the budget class in which we generally operate here, you won't find many comrades-in-arms who are as neutral as the EP35. To be mentioned here are the HIFI-WALKER A1, or the TIN AUDIO T2.
From a 14mm driver you expect basically more bass. While the bass is present and does an accurate job, the sub-bass drops too fast and is too tight. The mid-bass gives the neutral tuning some warmth and works very cleanly. It may be a bit more, but in this case it fits well into the overall sound of the EP35. As already mentioned, this also depends very much on what kind of fit you get in your ear.
The mids are super clear and tonal very clean. Voices have a pleasant presence and position themselves well in the sound field. A little more body could not hurt, but that would also reduce neutrality. I like it a bit fuller and warmer, but I could also get a lot out of the T2, although it is superior to the EP35 in all aspects and so the price difference can be justified.
The instrument separation is good and the stage is pleasantly wide and airy.
This is due to the high frequencies, which are slightly raised. They sound open, clear and rich in detail. You also never get the feeling to miss anything in the high frequency ranges, because they play very linearly into the inaudible range.
It is unpleasant at very high volume levels at most, but due to the high impedance these in-ears are naturally quieter compared to many others.
All in all, the frequency response from 40/50 Hz up to the top is very balanced and it is relaxed to listen to music with the EP35, even if they are too bright for me from time to time.
Outro
The EP35 is certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but it's extremely pleasing when you like a neutral tuning and natural reproduction of your music. Here and there the highs are a bit too prominent, but you quickly get used to the signature. A good fit is absolutely necessary in order not to have to completely do without bass. This doesn't make the EP35 easy for you, but you will be rewarded.
The cable could also be better, as it makes the sound a little brighter and is not noise-free.
Fans of neutrality should rather go for the TIN AUDIO T2, which also has more to offer musically, due to the difficult to overcome weaknesses in the design.
___________________________________________________
more reviews at:
https://david-hahn.wixsite.com/chi-fiear
NICEHCK has a wide range of in-ears, starting from 10 € up to a three-digit range. This one has a single-dynamic driver, which is more likely to be found in Ear-Buds. The sound is similar, because Ear-Buds do not sit in the ear canal but on it, so they don't have much bass and are tuned more neutral. Due to the design with the short nozzles, I would rather call the EP35 a hybrid between Ear-Bud and In-Ear.
Handling
Unfortunately it is immensely important with the EP35 how well it sits in the ear to get a good sound result. This is harder than expected. The in-ear is very flat and has short nozzles. These are also unusually oval in shape. This leads to the fact that you have problems getting a secure hold with the included silicone tips, because they don't reach deep enough into the ear canal, so that a proper isolation is given.
Double silicone tips, which have not only one but two lamellas, are longer and therefore there is a chance to get them deeper into the ear, help here.
Otherwise, a silver-plated 8-core MMCX cable is included, which unfortunately produces some cable noise when moving.
The included transport box is very high quality and a nice addition!
Sound
In the budget class in which we generally operate here, you won't find many comrades-in-arms who are as neutral as the EP35. To be mentioned here are the HIFI-WALKER A1, or the TIN AUDIO T2.
From a 14mm driver you expect basically more bass. While the bass is present and does an accurate job, the sub-bass drops too fast and is too tight. The mid-bass gives the neutral tuning some warmth and works very cleanly. It may be a bit more, but in this case it fits well into the overall sound of the EP35. As already mentioned, this also depends very much on what kind of fit you get in your ear.
The mids are super clear and tonal very clean. Voices have a pleasant presence and position themselves well in the sound field. A little more body could not hurt, but that would also reduce neutrality. I like it a bit fuller and warmer, but I could also get a lot out of the T2, although it is superior to the EP35 in all aspects and so the price difference can be justified.
The instrument separation is good and the stage is pleasantly wide and airy.
This is due to the high frequencies, which are slightly raised. They sound open, clear and rich in detail. You also never get the feeling to miss anything in the high frequency ranges, because they play very linearly into the inaudible range.
It is unpleasant at very high volume levels at most, but due to the high impedance these in-ears are naturally quieter compared to many others.
All in all, the frequency response from 40/50 Hz up to the top is very balanced and it is relaxed to listen to music with the EP35, even if they are too bright for me from time to time.
Outro
The EP35 is certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but it's extremely pleasing when you like a neutral tuning and natural reproduction of your music. Here and there the highs are a bit too prominent, but you quickly get used to the signature. A good fit is absolutely necessary in order not to have to completely do without bass. This doesn't make the EP35 easy for you, but you will be rewarded.
The cable could also be better, as it makes the sound a little brighter and is not noise-free.
Fans of neutrality should rather go for the TIN AUDIO T2, which also has more to offer musically, due to the difficult to overcome weaknesses in the design.
___________________________________________________
more reviews at:
https://david-hahn.wixsite.com/chi-fiear