NiceHCK M6

techinblack

New Head-Fier
Pros: Modular design
Build quality
Sound
Accessories
Superb value for the price
Cons: Too close to DMG
Still a little bit sibilant
You can find this earphone on the NiceHCK AliExpress store (thanks Jim), here: https://it.aliexpress.com/item/NICE...HIFI-Metallo-del-Trasduttore/32955034092.html

And here you can find my Italian, more detailed, review on my website: https://www.techinblack.it/audio/2019/1/29/recensione-nicehck-m6

P1020874.JPG
P1020876.JPG
P1020877.JPG

open

open

open


Specifications:
  • Frequency response: 20-40k Hz
  • Impedance: 17 Ohm
  • Sensitivity: ca. 106 dB/mW
  • Driver: 4 balanced armatures + 1 dynamic driver (with double diaphragm)
  • Price: 105$
open


First thing I noticed is how similar these IEMs are to the BGVP DMG, that I got in black from Linsoul. I got the M6 in gray, to be neutral on the colour side and here you can see the differences between the two. I don’t know if I can call them a “dupe” or this is a rebrand or something. However, the experience between them is very similar.

P1020888.jpg

open

open


Unboxing and first impressions
There are a lot of accessories: a good number of eartips (3 pairs wide bore, 3 SpinFit style, 1 memory foam), 3 pairs of tuning filters, a MMCX cable already attached to the buds, everything put inside a carrying pouch, similar to the **** one. It’s very good and it makes the accessories more complete than the DMG ones. The fit is really good, one of the best I’ve ever tried. There’s fortunately a chin slider which helps with the stability. I think that there’s an additional vent on the front of the earphones that DMG lack; I honestly didn’t find the sound different because of that, but there’s something they do better (I’ll tell after, “sound” section). I like the cable (this is also similar to the DMG one, but doesn’t seem to have metal inserts), but the colour is not my favourite. It doesn’t suffer of microphonics nor it tangles too easily.

P1020878.jpg

open

open


Sound
My sources: FiiO M7, Dodocool DA106, Audirect Whistle with Xiaomi Mi MIX 2, Focusrite 2i2 with MacBook Pro 2012. Files: DSD (Pink Floyd), FLAC 24/92 (Queen, Jack Garratt, …), FLAC 16/44 (Bon Iver, Greta Van Fleet, Jacob Collier, …), ALAC (Sia), MP3 320 (Jamie Cullum, Niccolò Fabi, Everything Everything, …).

Sound is neutral. On a warmer side, with a gentle U-shaped signature. Bass is good (sub-bass is not the best, mid-bass a little bit enhanced), pretty fast and detailed; mids are great: voices are clear, instrument separation is good, nothing to dislike; treble is relaxed, and I like it, with less sibilance than DMG. That’s what I can discern about the two earphones. Soundstage is honest, but you may expect something better for that price – that’s even higher on the DMG. I tried the ADVANCED M4 and for 50$ I found a much larger soundstage than every In Ear I’ve tried under 200$. But imaging is realistic and the overall sound signature is never fatiguing. These are actually my everyday earphones. Isolation is also good enough for me: I take trains almost every day and I’ve never felt the need to have something better on that way.
And the filters? I didn't notice any consistent difference between the threes. Even with the silver ones (treble enhancing) the sound remains warm. I suggest going with the balanced (stock), because they assure the most neutral experience.

P1020884.jpg
P1020900.jpg

open

open


Conclusions
I can't deny that I found these IEMs pretty identical to the DMGs. That's not a bad thing: I love DMG because I can listen to them without being fatigued for a really long time. I like the frequency response, I like the instrument separation, they're airy enough, and fit is very comfortable. Those are all points I also appreciate on the M6. If you have to choose between these two, there's only two things to consider: accessories (personally, I find them better on M6, because you get a carrying pouch and tips, while being less, are well thought) and colours (emerald green or gray for M6; red, blue or black for DMG). And DMG have a microphone version. The average price of DMGs is about 25$ higher.

P1020886.jpg
O
OleOlafOle
Off-Topic. I see you have the Dodocool DA106 as well. It's my first and only DAP so far and I'm pretty impressed by the sound and output power. Can drive my AKG712 very nicely. I was lucky to get a Cowon Plenue D for just 130 buck, it hasn't arrived yet though (I'm in Costa Rica, it will take forever, lol). I'm wondering, just sound wise, what DAPs you use would you consider an upgrade to the Dodocool (and/or Cowon)? Not many have the Dodocool and can make a comparision like you :)

P.S.: Gonna get myself a NICEHCK IEM myself, just a different one. Your review and others gave me an idea of the NICEHCKs house sound. Perhaps it will be a 12driver unit, that can be named :p

LMka

100+ Head-Fier
Pros: Great price-performance, warm, customizeable, sibilance free, harsh free, comfortable, pairs well with mobile devices and entry to mid level DAPs.
Cons: Bass might sound a bit loose at times, might lack some air in high region depending on source. Not for those who loves "sparkly" highs..
Pic2.jpg

Introduction:

I have fallen into NiceHCK M6 and BGVP DMG hype train and ordered a pair last year. I have decided to go for NiceHCK M6 solely because of price and experience I have already had with Jim NiceHCK and that I know how things commonly work in "Chi-FI". There was a drama you are probably aware about it and I personally think that these IEM are either identical or share only a minor audible difference.

There are several detailed reviews already available with frequency response measurements and package reviews so I will skip these parts and try to add extra information on top of that. Here are highlights of major parts of my review for your convenience so you won't have to read the same stuff all over again.

Sources:

- M6 pairing with Astell&Kern A&Norma SR15
- M6 pairing with Astell&Kern JR
- M6 pairing with LG G6 (ESS SABRE ES9218)

Comparison:

- Comparison with Kinera Idun Deluxe Limited Edition,
- Comparison with Ibasso IT04
- Comparison with Kinera Odin,
- Comparison with 12 BA iem which cannot be named.

Sound impressions:

Tonality:

The best part about these IEM is that these are absolutely fatigue free and in a very good way. There are many IEMs and DAPs which tend to make their products sound a bit brighter to retrieve more detail out of your sound material but it ends up being a bad scenario when both IEM and DAP are "a bit on a bright side".

M6 is tuned in a way which fits great with most of the modern daps. It does not matter if it is ESS Sabre based devices or Astell&Kern ones M6 sounds comfortable and never fatiguing in any way. There are no signs of sibilance or harshness so I'd say that they are very comfortable for long time listening.

There are several filters available so it might be a little different once you swap default ones. You will find more detail further on :)

Lows:

There are 2 dynamic drivers and they are decent. If you tried some TOTL IEM then It won't be the best bass you have heard but in it's price range it is good. It has weight and dynamic softness so if you like bass you sure won't miss it in these.

It is not perfect though so it might sound a bit loose or boomy at times but again this comes from a person who used IEMs which cost several times more than M6 and it is not a fair competition.

Also if you are a basshead I recommend you swapping grey filter for gold filter and then you might end up in basshead budget friendly heaven :)

Mids and Highs:

Considering that you have 4 BA for mid and high regions you get decent amount of detail and separation. Dynamic drivers may sometimes overshadow lower mids region or tend to drag more attention but if you prefer more mids you can either equalize bass a little bit or try a different filter.

Silver filters make high mids / highs to be more prominent but they also can be a little bright with some devices. Personally I prefer them for some intstrumental or classic music.

Also I would like to mention that with bright sounding DAPs like Astell Kern Junior default grey filters still feel the best because it works great with DAP tuning and balances each other just right.

These might lack some air or extra sparkle in high region but there is no magic and you can't have both sparkling and fatigue free comfortable IEM especially in M6 price range. They do not sound dull or boring at all they sound just right to be comfortable and sibilance free.

Comfort, Cable, Filters:

Despite having 6 drivers their shell is not big so they are very comfortable and can be used by people who have small ears. I have read that some other reviewers recommended changing cable for them so I have also tried 2.5mm iBasso balanced cable. Indeed it makes a decent improvement to overall clarity and across whole sound spectrum in terms of separation but I would say that it is a bit of an overkill to use high priced cables. If you manage to find some decent ~30-50 USD cable then I'd say that you should go for it other than that they have quite a decent one bundled with them. It is comfortable and good looking one so I believe it will be more than fine for most of the audience.

I believe that you will get more prominent difference if you swap filters for different sound genres to get the best out of M6. Changeable filters are an extra benefit you may use to your liking in addition to EQ and changeable cables so I recommend you try doing it before any extra upgrades.

Source Pairing:

Pic3.jpg

Astell Kern Junior:

This DAP pairs really well with NiceHCK M6 and I would say that it works best with them across all other models I currently have in my posession. It is a bit bright by it's nature and M6 tuning works in a synergetic way which works well with any genre. AK Jr also a bit bass light by it's sound signature so M6 being a bit bass heavy balance it out good as well.

Astell&Kern A&Norma SR15:


This one feels like an overkill for M6 and in fact it is but I've decided to try it anyway since I have an ability to do so :). It brings some extra detail and clarity and almost completely removes a veil M6 have sometimes with default grey filter but it does not worth the price difference in comparison with good mobile devices with DACs or Astell Kern Junior. NiceHCK M6 are a 100 USD region great performer and 700 USD DAP as I said is an overkill.

Mobile devices, Meizu MX4 Pro, LG G6 (ESS SABRE ES9218):

M6 pairs good with mobile devices and in fact I believe that it pairs even better with ESS based ones. Most of ESS 9018K2M / 9218 implementations tend to be a little bright or even harsh with some IEM and they are never harsh with M6. They end up compensating each other in a similair way with AK JR, Bass is tamed a bit by DAP and high mids / highs are tamed by M6.

IEM comparison:

Pic1.jpg

Kinera Idun Deluxe Limited Edition:

If you pay 2x times more and go for Kinera Idun Deluxe LE you will get a different overall signature - less bass, more mids and highs focus. You will lose changeable filters but get some more refinement across whole region. Does it worth 2x times price difference? It is for you to decide. Idun Deluxe LE might occasionally be a little bright here and there while M6 never tend to do so. I have also provided both of these to another person for blind comparison and he told that despite he feels that Idun Deluxe are overall technically better he prefers M6 because they are comforable and free of any harshness.

Ibasso IT04 :

If you pay 5x times more you might end up with Ibasso IT04 which are also a hybrid but provide a different approach. IT04 are more refined and musical but they require a good DAP to shine and are in another league price wise.

Kinera Odin:

If you pay 8x times more you might end up with Kinera Odin which have a similair tuning to Idun Deluxe LE but improved across the whole spectrum. It is absolutely unfair to compare these two but there is still one thing where M6 win - again, harsh free :) Odins might be bright and fatiguing sometimes while M6 you can use for several hours long without any discomfort.

And last goes an IEM which cannot be named which consists of 12 drivers. I have had only a brief listening experience with them and even though they win in many areas I had a very strong feeling that M6 win in MID region. Either I have not accostumized to them but I feel that M6 sound just fine while this 12 BA model sounds veiled and aritifical in mid region. That's the reason I would like to mention this comparison in a first place.

Conclusion:

I'd say that NiceHCK M6 is a great budget performer and one of the best IEMs in 100 USD price region. They are not perfect, they are not TOTL killers but they sound comfortable, harsh free and even more important customizable to your preference. Sometimes they are sold for even less than 100 USD on quarterly sales and I'd say that these are price / performance champion. I personally have not heard anything better around 100 USD price region and which can give benefits of separation and detail 6 drivers provide. I recommend M6 for entry level DAPs and for Mobile Phones which have separate DACs, I do not have iPhones in my posession but I bet they will end up pairing really well with it's cirrus logic mobile dac implementations as well.
  • Like
Reactions: Dsnuts

NymPHONOmaniac

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Excellent imaging and layering, Immersive holographic soundstage, warm engaging sound, bass impact, great vocal, non fatiguing sound, excellent construction, ultra comfy, good price value
Cons: Stock cable tend to make the sound too bassy and warm, iem design isn't unique, stocks ear tips aren't the best sinergy, changeable nozzle is kind of vain
NiceHCK M6 review:

SOUND: 9/10
CONSTRUCTION: 9/10
DESIGN: 9/10
PRICE VALUE: 8.5/10


P1090490.JPG


HCK have been quite busy in 2018, creating numerous new IEM including this 2 dynamic drivers plus 4 balanced armature beautiful metal universal custom call NiceHCK M6.

Having been disapointed lot of time lately by budget multi drivers IEM, I decide to take the plunge and buy these little more expensive chi-fi beauties once on sale in Aliexpress, at 100$ my expectation was way higher than with sub-50$ iem I buy and I didn’t want to deal with an immature or experimental soundsignature that sacrifice overall musicality with a lack of engineering knowledge often found in this hypetrophied audio market...because let admit it : chifi earphones rarely are know for masterfull multi drivers treble calibration. Well, the M6 isn’t perhaps the final words in term of treble management but it sure is a well made and must of all musical, dynamic and alive sounding one.


CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN & ACCESSORIES :

P1090476.JPG




The M6 come with all the basics we need, including a case and lot of extra eartips. But about eartips, I would have love some silicone one with bigger hole, so it fit exact size of iem nozzle and permit to the sound to breath better, for this result I use the KZ starline eartips, wich give the best result for sound and fit.

P1090489.JPG

As said before by other M6 users, cable is underwhelming in quality, more a mimic of a good cable thant a real one, as well, it tend to warm the sound and push the bass more fowards, I prefer using any cheap SPC cable over the included one.


P1090487.JPG P1090484.JPG P1090485.JPG P1090486.JPG

For the iem construction, it is top notch as well as extremely similar to the BGVP DMG. Perhaps its an OEM of those that have same or different drivers configuration (2DD+4BA) but I can’t say for sure as I did not try the DMG and some people report the sound is different. Anyway, these are the type of iem that feel confident in hands with its solid heavy alluminium-magnesium housing that feel thick and organic in its form. Design of housing is excellent and give extremely good fit and comfort-it slide there and stay there.

The M6 are among the must comfy earphones I have and I can even use smaller tips because it do not tend to fall from my ears, thanks to the super solid but light housing.

P1090483.JPG P1090482.JPG

About TIPS, there a bunch of different one included but I find the KZ Starline to be the best, because the eartips hole is bigger and same size as nozzle hole of M6 and IMO it open the sound and give proper fit too because of a thickest silicone that do not slide out of ears.

All in all, the M6 feel and look as an above 100$ IEM even if the cable is just average.


SOUND :

P1090491.JPG


SOUNDSTAGE
is perhaps not the more vast and airy I ever heard, but it sure is above average in term of widness and especially deepness because of a very well made imaging that give illusion of 3D sound space. Yep, not a lot of air between every instrument but at least its clear and precise and feel at the right placement and never congested, this is like being in a great audiophile room with 2 speakers at each side and a sub in the middle and its a real treat. Instrument layering with M6 is just phenomenal for its price range.


SOUNDSIGNATURE is the U shape, with and extra push in the middle, so, more a W I would say. Weighty punchy low with wide fowards and well detailed mid and smooth but well extended treble that do not hide details but will not show it like if you pass your music trough an IRM.


AMPING : At 17ohm, these are VERY easy to drive, it do not benifit from amping, just from a good clear trustable source with basic stable amping (yep, even a phone can do it right here but not if the sound is colored with pumped up bass).


FIT TRICK : I like these insert DEEP into my ears, so I use medium KZ starline and not the large size as im use too.

OFFICIAL GRAPHIC RESPONSE:

HTB1haWjazvuK1Rjy0Faq6x2aVXaK.jpg



BASS is more the punchy way than the boomy way, it have lot of weight in mid bass and dig low but do not have a pumped up sub that will make shake your skull with your trap rap collection, still, yeah, it sound freaking good with trap music, but try DnB or IDM, man, thats a killer mix! M6 give a warm, punchy, thick and energic bass, that isn’t ultra detailed but have good attack and decay and especially a right placement in sound space where it do not mix badly with other frequencies, we have barely a little mid bass echo that float under the mids and I like this warm caress that give a little more body to them.



MIDS are the sweet miracle of these IEM, by miracle I mean its a vast and wide presentation for such an energic bassy soundsignature, even if it slightly have upper bass bleed its not to veil the mids but to uplift them with a hint of warm, wich give more body to vocal and do not stole anything really. I even test these with choral ensemble (Trio Medieval) to be sure vocal are impressive and man its a delight, all voice of ensemble are layered clearly and do not feel mixed up, it isnt too textured and bright, and have very good sirupy body that is perfect for laidback immersive listening. With solo violin it surpass my expectation another time, delivering a weighty musicality where we can feel the bow attack that give proper note decay to the instrument, for me, this is call pure musicality but not in a critical listening approach more an avid music lover one that know how instruments should be feel. Great layering help the mid to breath even if I wouldn't call the M6 an airy sounding iem cause of a little lack of dept and air between instrument, its more appropriate for small to medium instrumental music group than a full symphony or ultra crowded music.



HIGHS aren’t fowards and bright, they are smooth with extended treble that do not have harsh peaks anyhow and is perfect for treble sensitive people. This refreshing approach proove a maturity in sound engineering where you aren’t force to find a compromising sinergy to enjoy full sound palette. In sub-100$ iem, I feel there too often highs colouring to push the microdetails fowards to give easy wow effect wich became annoying when you discover how unbalanced certain songs can became or upper mids or highs can be grainy, shooty, splashy or way too agressive. Music should be healing, especially when its about beauty, so when highs are sharped like trowing knifes I feel betray by the IEM and just can’t stand this anymore, thanks god the M6 don’t take this easy road and offer plenty of micro details that can be found under multiple music layers as it should be, if you crave you will find them easily but its not trow at you like noisy stone. I tremondesly enjoy this approach, where percussion have great decay and natural timbre and never sound artificial, too metallic or splashy. No details porn here, but lot of complex and mysterious musical eroticism to undress for sure!

P1090488.JPG


COMPARAISON :


With Kinera H3 : At 100$ H3 feel like a pimped joke that sound like a failed prototype, the bass feel weak, thin and grainy, mids way too harsh in upper mids and highs kind of erratic compare to a well rounded M6 sound where everything feel right in place even if it give a more bassy soundsignature that strangely offer better and more vast mids too. Its less detailed but just in upper highs because well, it sound right compared to the H3.


With MACAW GT600S : At 80-100$ these do not sound bad and have a wider soundstage than M6, but thats about it because it sound veiled and trebly too and lack weight and impact in low and mids. M6 sound seriously from another league here with a better layering and clearer sound that have as well more energy and attack-decay. Mids are very annoying and harsh with the GT600S, so who need a wider trebly soundstage? Not me.


With FIIO F5 : F5 are quite good IEM, especially if we think of whole package we get for 60$ (now) and they are the more serious contender among 3 iem I compare the M6 too. Soundstage feel wider and more around your head than M6, mids are a little more recessed but quite clear and enjoyable even if bass bleed is more problematic due to a single dynamic drivers. As well, highs are more sharp and can be problematic for treble sensitive people but this give a more sparkling upper range than M6. M6 has way better layering and more deep and 3D soundstage. Even if M6 isn’t colored in highs as much than F5 it have more details due to a fuller frequencies response and no extra treble that can hide some details to the cost of other micro ones. When it come to whole price value perhaps the F5 win because of all accessories that come with the product (including 2 mmcx cable-1balanced-1 with mic) and a great sturdy metal construction, and as said, the sound is really good too, even more with a SPC cable. BUT if sound and only sound is your priority, for 50$ more I’ll say the upgrade is not far from 40% better, wich is exceptional in this price range where 50-100$ iem can sound kind of in same league must of the time.

P1090477.JPG

CHANGEABLE NOZZLE is more a gimmick than a proper soundsignature switcher, because lets be honnest, filtering can only tame or open some very limited frequencies range, its not like an EQ and even if yes it give a hint more treble in upper mids or some more DB in lower bass, its very very subtil and not really thinked for a pristine result so as always with changeable nozzle I stick to the standard one wich is the green and surely the one used by audio engineer to calibrate the whole sound.



CONCLUSION :


P1090480.JPG

Even if I humbly admit that I did not have try more than 10 chifi iem pairs in above 100$ price range - but sure alot more with overpriced other iem brands like Sennheiser, Audio technica or Westone- it do not stop my overwhelming enthusiasm about this incredible NiceHCK M6. For me, it hit all the right sound corners, and that with a weighty dynamic sound that is very revealing of its sound layers with a beautifull and natural transient response in all frequencies range. Even the slightly coloured sound in mid bass do not feel artificial or too much bassy for me, this punch is quite needed in fact and is far from a boomy approach even if critical listener would have perhaps prefer a more linear rendering, the fact is that this punch help the M6 to be the perfect all arounder in sub-200$ iem world. As well, if you need extra treble in upper mids, the changeble nozzle kind of do the trick, less so for bass but you have anyway 3 slightly different soundsignature to play with (if you have time to loose). Construction as well as engineering is Top Notch for this price and if M6 are the same as the BGVP DMG (but I heard M6 are less trebly-sibilant) I really now understand the big hype around it, because yes, this is a IEM that stand appart from the crownd and will sure be a keeper for a long long time if your a collector or it could be the perfect first daily hifi 100$ IEM for real music enthusiast with diversify taste in music, for this lucky consumer, it could be the end game and a welcome elexir to a bothersome quest for the utopical perfect IEM. Because even if M6 isn’t perfection in term of supreme clarity and details, I now know too that an Hifiman RE-2000 is very far from this type of perfection and offer a warm musicaly addictive sound at 2000$ that cannot sound as versatile than M6. Yes, NiceHCK M6 is THAT goooooood and if you search a more than capable non fatiguing IEM that will never sound boring and be able to offer an above average lively imaging with plenty of energy and weight, search no further : the M6 is Magnificently Muscular & Musical.

Attachments

  • P1090479.JPG
    P1090479.JPG
    1.1 MB · Views: 0
NeonHD
NeonHD
"Music should be healing, especially when its about beauty, so when highs are sharped like trowing knifes I feel betray by the IEM and just can’t stand this anymore"

I could not agree more with this statement, so damn true.

cqtek

1000+ Head-Fier
Pros: Sound profile.
- Remarkable scene and image, clarity, separation and detail.
- Very natural mid region.
- Excellent quality/price ratio.
- System of filters to modify the sound.
Cons: The cable does not allow the potential to be extracted from the EMIs.
- The low range could improve in sub-bass extension, linearity and decay.
- The filter system is not exploited: only part of the frequency range is modified
Purchase link:

https://es.aliexpress.com/store/product/NICEHCK-M6-In-Ear-Earphone-4BA-2DD-Hybrid-6-Unit-HIFI-Metal-Earphone-Earbud-Headset-Monitor/1825606_32955034092.html

Link to the Store:

https://es.aliexpress.com/store/1825606

2018-11-29_20-43-45_.jpg


Presentation and personal preferences

I've been an electronic technical engineer for 20 years. I studied that career because my great passion was Hi-Fi. But for more than 15 years I have been working as a programmer of production control systems based on artificial vision.

The sound profile I like could be represented as ¬. I like bass (the sub bass above all), forward voices and soft trebles, but that provides a lot of clarity, separation and detail. I like the natural sound, full of air and nuances, as well as enjoying a great stage and three-dimensional recreation. I prefer the warm profile to V-profiles or mid-centric. And I run away from brilliant profiles.

Disclaimer

The AliExpress NiceHCK store, represented by Jim, offered me this IEM model with a big discount, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product.

Specifications:

· Driver Type: 2 Dynamic Drivers 10mm + 4 Balanced Armature

· Frequency response: 20-20000Hz

· Sensitivity: 106 ±dB/mW

· Impedance: 17 Ω

· Jack connector: 3.5mm in L

· Cable length: 1.2m

· Earphone interface: MMCX

Packaging

2018-11-29_20-27-57_.jpg 2018-11-29_20-28-45_.jpg 2018-11-29_20-31-34_.jpg 2018-11-29_20-31-52_.jpg


The M6 comes in a shiny brown box completely sealed in plastic. The logo of the brand is engraved in silver. Behind it only comes a white sticker with the minimum specifications. Inside is the classic NiceHCK zipper box. In it are the IEMs with the connected cable and a pair of medium silicone eartips. He is accompanied by 4 more bags. One with three pairs of narrow diameter yellow core silicone eartips, sizes S-M-L. Another one with two pairs of black silicone eartips with wider core, sizes S-L (the pair M comes in the IEMs). A bag with two foam eartips and finally another bag with two pairs of filters Gold and Silver. The third pair is screwed to the IEMs and is the same color as them.

It is a similar presentation to other NiceHCK products but with a more attractive box and a well-protected interior made to measure.

2018-11-29_20-32-17_.jpg

Construction and design

The capsules are metallic and lightweight, smaller in size than they appear. They are IEMs, which simulate the internal shape of our ears, very rounded and pleasant. The construction seems quite robust although they are very light. The MMCX connectors have good quality and the adjustment with other cables is done in a firm way and without looseness.

2018-11-29_20-33-21_.jpg

The IEMs have interchangeable nozzles. After they have been unscrewed, they can be replaced by another pair in order to modify their sound. The standard installed pair is the body color of the IEMs and provides the reference sound. Gold-plated mouthpieces offer softer treble and silver-plated mouthpieces with more treble.

They are designed to be worn with the cable over the ear.

The cable is composed of two thick wires of dark copper covered with transparent plastic. Both wires are braided to the splitter. Behind it there is a pin to help the adjustment under the chin. After the splitter, the cables reach the connectors smoothly. In the over-ear section they are covered by a slightly thicker plastic sheath that provides the necessary rigidity to maintain the fit. The jack is L-shaped in a combination of metal and plastic. The cable looks of a good quality that presages a good sound. In the end this is not fulfilled, being the weakest link of the whole, because the sound of the IEMs, after being replaced, clearly improves.

2018-11-29_20-33-54_.jpg

Adjustment and ergonomics

The shape tries to be ergonomic, but for me anatomy remains halfway to the perfect fit, due to its compact size. I still think it's personal. However this has not been such a negative point because I have only felt some discomfort after a long time with them on.

2018-11-29_20-34-50_.jpg

Sound

The sound is delicious to my ears. I've been trying out headphones for a long time and looking for something that will make me forget the idea of analyzing their sound. This time the M6 has done it, once fitted with the right eartips, when the sound has started to flow, any hint of critical judgment has disappeared and I've just concentrated on the music. Music, finally! And so a few days have passed.

Now I have to think about its sound and I feel lazy. Why try to describe a pleasant listening sensation?

2018-11-29_20-34-58_.jpg

There is part of the sound that fits the personal preferences described at the beginning of this review: The bass is wide and large, suitable to my tastes. Perhaps I would have preferred something more sub bass or something more precise and faster decay. The treble is very soft to my ears and in the most sibilant recordings has been very far from causing me any discomfort. The voices are quite complete but somewhat behind the gain of the bass, which interferes with a point in the mids. They are not analytical headphones nor with great precision, but they tend more towards the warm and musical side. In my personal opinion I think that their sound is very soft, comfortable and pleasant, in these aspects they move away from an extremely high level of detail.

Profile

Warm V profile.

2018-11-29_20-36-16_.jpg 2018-11-29_20-36-30_.jpg

Bass

The bass is wide and warm, its great presence begins in the mid bass and extends in gain to the mids, where it meddles a little. This area reminds me a little in the presence of the Toneking TK12s, without reaching their level, but giving a pinch of that massive sound that characterized it.

The sub-bass extend with enough presence up to 40Hz, below which the gain drops significantly. While at the other end it remains quite linear up to 100Hz to slowly fall towards the midrange. So the bass is not the deepest nor does it have a great precision, but it is a little diffuse and not very laminated. As for the speed would be above average, although the decay is not so good, getting to mix a point with the mids.

2018-11-29_20-39-06_.jpg

Mids

The lower mids start with quite a gain from the lower zone, descending smoothly, which makes male voices have a very good presence. Moreover, at no time do I find any hint of mud in them, but they are warm, with a very musical and natural timbre, a fairly sweet and soft texture. The female voices are a little behind, but they keep their same characteristics.

In spite of being IEMs in V the mids shine, but not by the presence of the treble, but by themselves, by their own exuberance and wealth. The resolution of the area is remarkable and exceeds in definition, detail and clarity to the bass area.

The right part of the V is represented by the classic enhancement in the high mids, without this implying something negative. Contrarily this peak is fully controlled and conveniently smoothed. The result of this is the delicacy with which the mids is executed and its richness in nuances and details. It’s, therefore, that soft V that characterizes the profile of the M6.

2018-11-29_20-42-53_.jpg

Treble

The treble start their fall, almost free, from 6kHz. Did I tell you that I like polished highs? Here they are: absence of wheezing, penetrating trebles, knives, crystals, needles. The only thing I could miss is some more air to gain in detail and precision.

Scene, soundstage

Wide and high scene, good depth and instrumental positioning. The drivers do a great job on the directionality of the sound and the stereo image takes advantage of such virtues.

The sound is clear and detailed, but it is not until the micron, its analytical capacity does not reach such a point, because it is not its profile. But for all the warmth offered by the level of precision is remarkable.

Filters

The filter whose color coincides with the body of the IEM, the reference one, offers the sound that I like the most. The sound described above has been produced with this filter.

The Silver filters soften the bass and enhance the high mids, gain with them some more definition and cut the overall warmth of the set. They are a good choice for those who find the M6 too soft, as they bring something more sparkle and liveliness to the sound.

The Golden filters, on the other hand, reduce high mids. And although they seem to be designed to provide greater gain in bass, I don't find that to be the case with reference filters, but almost the opposite. I think bass is reduced to a certain degree. But the biggest difference is in the gain cut in the upper mids. Some might like the result, but I think that with this filter some virtues of the M6 are lost because it produces a sound with less spark, perhaps more balanced, but also more boring.

2018-11-29_20-43-07_.jpg

Comparisons

1More Triple Driver

Within the price range the 1More are other warm W-profile headphones. When I bought them I placed a lot of hope in their sound. The first negative point I found in them was their fit, their wide channel made it difficult to fit in my ears with the standard eartips. There began a long search that has ended not long ago with my homemade hybrid eartips. The second negative point was the mids, I expected that having 3 drivers the mids would gain in presence and details. But that was not the case. The Triple Drivers are warm headphones that offer greater darkness than the M6, this aspect is perceived instantly. There is a big difference in the mids, the 1More are more backward, more diffuse and more congested. They even have less brightness in high mids, with the level of detail being lower. At the only point that would highlight the 1More above the M6 would be in the lower zone, I think they extend more deeply.

The scene is more claustrophobic in the 1More, they have less clarity and detail. The image is not as open as in the M6.

Ultimately the M6 are like I expected them to be the 1More.

RHA MA750

Other classic IEMs in warm profile are the MA750. The first thing you notice after trying some and others is that the MA750 are somewhat more aggressive in the high mids area, have less bass, less scene and separation and are less warm. There is more transparency in the M6 but it is true that they look somewhat dark, offering a more bassy profile. The voices seem more advanced in the MA750 but are somewhat more aggressive and strident, less controlled. At higher volumes or in passages with greater dynamics, the MA750 sound less precise and more aggressive.

Really the mids is not that they are more or less backward, the difference is that the central part of the bass is more prominent, almost more so, in the M6 with respect to the MA750, for that reason it gives the sensation of distance in the voices.

The treble in the MA750 is sharper and more penetrating, offering that more aggressive sound, somewhat more unpleasant in comparison.

The sub-bass below 40Hz is somewhat more audible on the MA750, but when that barrier is overcome upwards, the M6 show their power in that area.

In general, the MA750 offers a simpler, more focused sound with fewer nuances. The M6 offers more richness in sound, more complexity, more detail, more amplitude, more resolution. The scene is clearly widened and the positioning of the instruments is focused, being more precise. The definition of sound in the M6 clearly beats the MA750. In conclusion, one could say that the MA750 sound more 2D, while the M6 sound more 3D.

Although the sound of the M6 is generally more bassy, the evolution is clear and the most amount of drivers is noticeable enough in the final sound.

Dunu DN-1000

Other great classics, this time also with three drivers, are the DN-1000. From output the DN-1000 are less deep in sound, narrower, more congested, somewhat more balanced from bass to mids. They also have a more linear bass, which lowers more and does not have that hump that the M6 do have. The bass extends more to sub bass level, is perceived more balanced, very good quality, faster and with better decay. While in the M6 are not perceived as complete.

As for mids, they sound more hollow, less natural, with a certain veil, cut out in brilliance. Voices lack the spark, extension and realism found in M6. The sound in these media is flatter. The M6 enjoys a greater richness of nuances and details, omitted or excessively softened in the DN-1000.

The high mids end up quite filed in the DN-1000 but there is a peak in the highs around 9-10kHz that makes the cymbals sound somewhat strident, somewhat unnatural. While the high-mids are more prominent on the M6 without becoming sibilant at all. This provides the highest level of detail. On the contrary the M6 lack peaks in the treble that produce undesirable effects.

Again, in this case, it can be concluded that the greater number of drivers in the M6 produces a positive effect offering greater detail, clarity, separation, width and depth in the sound, as well as three-dimensionality, compared to DN-1000. In my opinion the only thing that the Dunu surpasses the M6 is in the low frequencies.

Conclusion

The NiceHCK M6 are the IEMs I have that best suit my personal preferences, that's why they deserve 5 stars. Are they perfect? No. Can they be improved? Of course, the bass could be more linear and extend more towards the sub bass and not be so prominent. The mid and high treble could also have some more presence...With these improvements, a better cable that doesn't limit its potential and a more complete packaging, the M6 could cost twice as much and compete in another league. But they cost about $100 and in that range I haven't heard anything I like more yet. And I can say that I've heard of higher priced and perhaps technically better IEMs, but for now none of them fit my profile as well as these. That means two things: one, that I have yet to try many other IEMs, and two, the M6 are magnificent IEMs.

Sources used during the analysis

- xDuoo X3 MkII

- Audiodirect Beam

darmanastartes

500+ Head-Fier
Pros: Build quality, large soundstage, stellar separation and imaging, natural midrange, extended but non-fatiguing treble, overall clarity and detail retrieval
Cons: Overbearing bass, filters are of limited utility, driver flex
INTRODUCTION/DISCLAIMER
DSC00222.JPG
The Nicehck M6 is a hybrid (2 dynamic drivers, 4 balanced armatures) in-ear monitor that retails for approximately $111 at the time of this review. The M6 is sold by the NiceHCK Audio Store on AliExpress, which provided me with a sample M6 in exchange for this review. Nicehck offers promotional pricing on the M6 for Head-Fiers, so if you plan on purchasing the M6, be sure to mention that you are a Head-Fier in your order notes before paying. My thoughts about the M6 are my own and I will strive to review the M6 objectively.
This review can also be read on my blog here.

SOURCES
DSC00240.JPG
I have used the Nicehck M6 with the following sources:

Hidizs AP60II > Nicehck M6

Windows 10 PC > JDS Labs The Element > Nicehck M6

Windows 10 PC > Hidizs AP60II > Nicehck M6

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Global > Nicehck M6

I have tested these headphones with local FLAC, Spotify Premium (256/320 kbps Ogg Vorbis), Youtube Music (256 kbps AAC), and Google Play Music (320kbps MP3).

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES
DSC00271_1.JPG
The Nicehck M6 comes in a rectangular gold box with the manufacturer’s logo embossed on the front. A sticker on the back indicates the product model, earphone type, driver configuration, cable connection type, and color. Inside this box is the familiar Nicehck-branded semi-rigid zippered carry case, which contains the IEMs, MMCX cable, filter set and eartip selection. The Nicehck M6 comes with three set of silicone eartips (S, M, L) and one set of foam eartips.

BUILD QUALITY / DESIGN
DSC00254.JPG
Like the Nicehck EP35, the Nicehck M6 uses an “original manufacturer design” (ODM) which is sold with Nicehck branding. Based on comparisons done by other Head-Fiers, the M6 appears to be identical to the BGVP DMG. The housings are made of anodized aluminum, available in green or gray. Each housing has three vents: a circular vent on the ear-facing surface, an circular vent on the exterior face, and a rectangular vent below the MMCX connector along the seam between housing pieces. Despite these vents, I noticed moderate driver flex when inserting the M6 with certain eartips, including the larger stock ones.
DSC00266.JPG
The stock cable is a two strand design, using silver-plated copper with a plastic sheath. The left and right side cables are entwined with each other up to the Y-split in a simple braid. The cable has an L-shaped 3.5mm jack with strain relief, pre-formed plastic earguides, and a chin-adjustment choker that can be raised up to the bottom of the earguides. The MMCX connectors have blue and red markings to indicate the left and right sides.

COMFORT / FIT / ISOLATION
DSC00273_1.JPG
The M6 is intended to be worn cable-up only. The housings are fairly large but are exceptionally ergonomic, using a design that invites comparison to custom-fit in-ear molds, with no sharp edges on any of the ear-facing surfaces. Because of this design, the M6 is very comfortable for extended periods of use. The M6 sits securely in the ear and resists movement. Isolation is above average.

SOUND
DSC00282.JPG
The following impressions were taken while using the stock silicone eartips and a FiiO LC-3.5B upgrade cable, which I prefer for aesthetic reasons. I did not notice a difference in sound quality between the upgrade cable and the stock cable.

The Nicehck M6 has a warm V-shaped tuning. Sub-bass extension is good but is overshadowed by an imposing mid-bass hump which is most pronounced in the transition between sub-bass and mid-bass. The prominence of this region results in a bass response with more rumble than slam. Bass attack is quick but decay is slower, creating a lingering dull rumble in fast or complicated passages. Despite this, bass is highly textured.

The mid-bass bleeds noticeably into the lower mids, which creates an intimate yet murky presentation. The lower mids are gently recessed but are conveyed with a realistic and natural tonality. Male vocals are clear and intelligible. Upper-mids are emphasized, conveying excellent presence without coming across as too aggressive.

Treble is extended but smooth. Clarity is stellar. There is a fair amount of air. Transients are realistic. I would prefer slightly more sparkle.

Imaging and instrument separation are exceptional. Soundstage size is larger than average.
DSC00287.JPG
EQ: The biggest problem with the M6’s stock tuning is its mid-bass hump, which bleeds into the mid-range and makes the overall presentation murkier. Cutting the mid-bass dramatically improves definition of the midrange and global clarity. These improvements are possible with limited EQ options, like the 5-band graphic EQ on my smartphone. A 2db cut anywhere between 60 and 150 hz will help.
DSC00365.JPG
A note on filters: I did most of my listening with the green “balanced” filters. There is very little difference between the green filters and the silver “treble enhanced” filters. In fact, my listening impressions and measurements indicate that the difference between the green and silver filters is not in the treble but in the upper midrange. The silver filters make the upper midrange a tad more aggressive than the green filters, at the cost of being peakier. Similarly, the gold “bass” filters do not alter the bass response but instead significantly reduce upper midrange energy. I think most listeners will be best served by sticking with the green filters and experimenting with mild EQ.

MEASUREMENTS
M6 Green.jpg
Green Filters
M6 Gold.jpg
Gold Filters
M6 Silver.jpg
Silver Filters
M6_L.jpg
All filters compared
My measurements were conducted with a Dayton iMM-6 microphone using a vinyl tubing coupler. The measurements are compensated to pseudo-IEC specifications using a mic cal file provided by Crinacle. This mic cal file is designed to be used with a 9k resonance peak, however, for the sake of consistency I have conducted all my measurements at the same insertion depth using foam eartips, so there may be a dip at 9k that is not actually there.

AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCE PAIRING
DSC00322.JPG
I do not feel the Nicehck M6 benefits noticeably from dedicated amplification. However, a dedicated DAP may be useful if it provides more EQ options than the average smartphone. The M6 does hiss to varying degrees depending on the source.

COMPARISONS
Nicehck M6 (green filters, no EQ) vs Meeture MT3
MT3 vs M6.jpg
MT3 (red) vs M6 (yellow)
The M6 and MT3 have similar warm v-shaped sound signatures, with a few key differences. The MT3 has more sub-bass quantity relative to the midbass. The M6 has a more prominent mid-bass hump. The MT3 has slightly quicker bass decay, though the M6 has more textured bass. The M6’s bass bleeds into the lower midrange more than the MT3’s does. The two IEMs have similarly recessed lower midranges. The MT3 has a more aggressive upper midrange. The treble on the M6 is more energetic. The M6 has a larger soundstage, better imaging, and significantly better instrument separation. The MT3 is slightly harder to drive from a smartphone. Neither benefit noticeably from dedicated amplification.

Nicehck M6 (green filters, no EQ) vs Mee Audio Pinnacle P1
P1 vs M6.jpg
P1 (red) vs M6 (yellow)
The M6 is uniformly warmer than the P1 across the bass region. The P1 has faster bass. The M6 has slightly more textured bass. The two IEMs have similarly recessed lower midranges. The P1 has slightly more upper midrange energy. The P1 and the M6 have similar lower treble dips but the P1 has a much more energetic upper treble region. The P1 has a slightly smaller soundstage. The M6 has slightly better imaging and instrument separation. The P1 is much harder to drive. The P1 benefits from dedicated amplification while the M6 is more source-independent.

CLOSING WORDS
DSC00302.JPG

The M6 is an impressive earphone that shines on technicalities. Recommended for bassheads and audiophiles who aren’t afraid of EQ.

Wiljen

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: great build quality with solid sound signature and some tuning options with filters.
Cons: cable does not match quality of earpieces, filters do nothing to signature below 1.5kHz.
NiceHCK-M6-ears2-800x445.jpg


Introduction

The M6 was recommended by Jim at NiceHCK to me suggesting it had mid-fi sound quality while maintaining a price point near the $100 mark. This is getting to be a more crowded market segment all the time and I was interested in seeing how the M6 compared. I purchased the NiceHCK M6 at a discount for the purpose of this review. Jim at NiceHCK has offered a head-fi discount on them that brings the retail down to $88. If you wish to purchase, use the bank transfer method and put a note on them to price adjust for Head-fi. Once price is adjusted it will allow you to change payment methods. I am aware of some contention between the makers of the M6 and the DMG as they share a very similar shell. I have no interest in the politics of this and will be reviewing both products as I would any other in-ear.

Unboxing/Packaging

The M6 comes shipped in the same un-assuming brown/gold pressboard box with the NiceHck logo on the front and a few details (Model #) on the rear. Inside the box is the standard NiceHck Soft case which is a nice rubberized case but borders on too small in this instance with all the tips and filters etc crammed inside. Under the soft case is the warranty card while all other accesories are inside the soft case.



Accessories

Inside the soft case are two sets of silicone tips (SML), one wide bore and one medium, a set of foam tips (1 single large size pair), two filters (Silver and gold, the third comes pre-installed and matches the color of the IEM body). and the cable. My sample does not have a microphone or remote but that option is available.



Build/Fit

Build is first rate with anodized aluminum shells and filters anodized to match. Size is medium but shape is such that it rides in the ear like a smaller design and was very comfortable for long periods of wear. This is probably also due to the rounding off of all sharp edges on the shell. All edges are beveled and then anodized with a slight grain left that helps keep the earpiece from shifting once inserted. Overall, I rank these 3rd behind the Eartech Custom (I know – duh), and the Magaosi K5 for best shaped in-ear for long wear. Three vents are present in the shell as shown in the photos below. One on the internal surface, one on the faceplate and one just below the MMCX connector. I did find that I could at least partially obstruct the inner vent depending on how I position the M6 in my ear and could impact the bass response by doing so. The filter is hidden by the tip in pictures below but threads onto the body very positively and while it could possibly work loose, I found no tendency to do so. I suspect that as long as these are not subject to harsh treatment, they should last very well as they are very solid in hand.





Cable

The cable appears to be the new standard for NiceHCK as the same cable is shipped with the P3 as well. While well enough constructed, it is somewhat tangle prone. The Jack is a 90º 3.5mm TRS of two part construction. The lower half is metal while the upper portion is black plastic and provides ample strain relief. The cable exits the strain relief as two wire twisted pair in a fairly loose braid and runs to the splitter as such. At the splitter the two strands separate and run to their respective earpieces. In comparing the P3 cable to the M6 version, the only difference appears to the be P3 or M6 printed on the splitter. A small chin slider is nested to the top of the splitter in matching matte black finish. The earpiece has a pre-formed earhook and terminates with a metal shelled mmcx connector with a blue or red disk (depending on side) immediately adjacent to the connector for easy left/right recognition.







Tips

I found the M6 to be somewhat tip sensitive and ended up trying several before finding that mid-bore tips seemed to be the best compromise for me. I have heard good things about the pairing of symbio tips with the M6 but didn’t have any on hand to test with. Of what I had on hand, the Shure Olives were the best compromise as they took a bit away from the bass but were better for treble response than the standard tips provided with the M6. I found the foams to be a bit of a trainwreck as they altered the signature way too much for my liking.

Sound

Sound notes are all done with the Stock large tip and while I would encourage tip rolling, I have stuck with the provided tips here for those that will do so if they purchase the M6 and don’t have other options on hand.

Lows

Sub-bass is well extended but a rise beginning about 60Hz obscures some of the lower tones a bit. Mid-bass continues to build on the 60Hz rise and pushes the mid-bass well forward of the rest of the signature. Bass is an odd dichotomy on the M6 with good attack and a clean lead edge, but somewhat slow decay and a bit sloppy at times. It is almost as if one DD is tuned for speed and the other is much more laid back and the two are in a constant fight to see who wins. On the plus side, it provides a very full/warm tone and adds a bit of thickness to the overall. On the downside, it can get overwhelmed and a bit murky on really busy tracks. As a result, the M6 is best paired with a source that is slightly bass recessed (aka Shanling/Hidizs) and not with sources that lean toward a bit of warmth anyway (Opus/Cayin). I found the M6 more enjoyable when pairing the Opus with the xDSD than when using the Opus internal DAC as the Opus is a bit warmer than the xDSD. The AK70Mk2 was a better match than the Opus #1s alone.

Mids

If there is one thing the M6 gets absolutely right, this is it. Mids have a stellar timbre and are as natural sounding as anything I have in my collection. They are on par with or better than the Magaosi K5 which is saying a lot. There is minor mid-bass bleed that sometimes detracts a bit, but otherwise the mids are well rendered and well shaped. A slight climb of the upper mids pushes the presence region forward and helps with vocal energy. All in all, the mids are what mids should be and I would encourage the use of the M6 for orchestral or Piano concertos as it does a great job of rendering the piano and the cello both of which can be difficult for any headphone/earphone to get right.

Treble

The bump of the upper mids is carried into the lower treble without ever getting far enough forward to be harsh (when using the neutral filter). If replaced with the silver filter the treble climbs an additional dB or two and then some stridency becomes evident. In this regard, the filter is very evident. Treble extension is good but upper treble begins to fall again above about 9kHz. Air and sparkle are present but again somewhere between the green and silver filters is the best possible answer for cymbals as they sound a little flat with the neutral filter and a little metallic with the silver. (Here I find the black LZ A5 filter near perfect).

Filters

Filters are often a mixed bag with some being more gimmick than others. Unfortunately, the M6 filters fall into the minimally effective category and if you don’t like the default signature, you probably aren’t going to suddenly fall in love by changing the filter. To my ear the green (neutral) filter had the best overall signature but slightly veils the treble which I found annoying. The silver filter (Oxymoron as it is a pass-through tube with no filter) is better for treble as the veil is lifted but it is replaced by a hard edge that will make the treble shy run for the aisles. The gold filter that is advertised as a low frequency enhancer is actually a treble-cut filter and drops the energy of everything over 1.5kHz by about 2.5dB. So for me, the best filter was somewhere between green and silver. Luckily such a filter does exist, but it will cost you $20 to get it. Penon Audio carries the LZ A5 replacement filter sets and they fit the M6 like a charm. I found the black filter that is advertised as the mild treble boost filter to be exactly split the difference in the green and silver stock filters. For the treble shy, the red LZ filter is also a cleaner cut filter than the gold stock filter and is worth investigating if you find the provided filters don’t suit your needs.


Stage and Imaging

This is another thing the M6 gets right. The stage is three dimensional with good height in addition to width and depth. The m6 doesn’t sound concert hall huge, but it does consistantly place the user in about the 3rd row from the stage at dead center. Imaging is superb with movement of instruments on the stage easily audible. I found it quite possible to close my eyes and position nearly every instrument on the stage for orchestral pieces and most if not all were in exactly the seating arrangement expected. This is tough for any earphone to reproduce and well beyond expectations at the $100 price point.

Comparisons

This is harder than expected because in one regard I want to compare to things at roughly the same price point and in another regard, the M6 doesn’t behave like other things at its price point so it doesn’t really make a very good comparison.

IBasso IT01:
The low end on the ibasso wins hands down, but everything from the lower mids up the M6 wipes the floor with the IT01. Imaging and staging are way better on the M6 and detail retrieval is not even close. The level of detail on the M6 is easily in the same range with the IT03 and well beyond what the IT01 can deliver. Overall, if you are a basshead, the IT01 is still likely to tick more of the right boxes for you but otherwise the M6 is the clear winner.

BQEYZ BQ3: These two share a lot of similarities with the difference being a matter of degrees. Sound signature is similar with bass decay being a bit better on the BQ3, while the m6 has more natural mids with a bit better detail retrieval. Both have good high-end extension but again the M6 manages to edge out the BQ3 in timbre and detail. If you like one of these two chances are you’ll enjoy both, if you don’t like one – don’t buy the other.

Fiio FH5: Bass is similar but a bit better rendered on the FH5 than on the M6 while mids are a bit more natural sounding the M6 leaving the FH5 feeling a bit artificial. Treble is good on both but smoother on the M6 and detail retrieval is similar on both. Imaging I’d give a slight edge to the M6 in the respect that the stage is a bit better proportioned and more 3 dimensional. Oh and just as a reminder the FH5 is nearly 3 times the price tag.

Magaosi K5: This is the one I keep coming back to when comparing the mids on the M6. True the bass is entirely different as the M6 goes for bass depth while the K5 is all about control at the expense of some extension. Treble is slightly better on the M6 in both extension and timbre, but what both have in spades is the mids. To date, the K5 has been the standards bearer for what mids should be in an IEM for things in its price bracket and the M6 represents the first serious challenge to that.



Final thoughts

Jim recommended I try the M6 as he thought it was going to be a popular item. I think Jim got it absolutely correct. While it is easy to nitpick in the comparisons, we have to remember that I am comparing a couple IEMs that cost $200 and nearly $300 to one that can be had on sale for as little as $88. When you have to go into a different price bracket to find able competitors, that tells you something. What would Mayweather’s record look like today if he had decided to fight Fury or Klitschko? No, the M6 isnt perfect and the bass could use a little refinement in generation 2, but it does mids as well as anything I’ve heard and treble better than most and with the addition of the $20 set of LZ A5 filters, still costs less than $140. This is one of the better spends in in-ears as 2018 comes to a close and well worth a listen if you get the chance.
Otto Motor
Otto Motor
Good one! And I agree on the cable, it is a weird compromise in this class (but it is still fancier than any Sennheiser cable in higher-end models). Compare our bass description - I think we got that one nailed - same with our ibasso comparison etc. As to the price, as I understand the $88 are only valid for Christmas and new year.
Otto Motor
Otto Motor
I also agree that it is a great value if you can live with the bass. I don't know many more expensive models but the M6 doesn't reach the UE900S, most notably at the low end.

Otto Motor

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Beautiful imaging; great resolution and detail; smooth sound.
Cons: Soft, prominent lower end is not for everyone; filters can come loose.
You also find this review and much more on my blog audioreviews.org


intro.jpeg


Executive Summary

The NiceHCK M6 is a warm-sounding, somewhat low-end-heavy earphone with a V-shaped signature that nevertheless excels by its excellent midrange (voice reproduction, natural timbre), soundstage, resolution, and layering. It is quite a step above the $40–50 earphone fare I have reviewed recently.



Disclaimer


I was asked by Jim NiceHCK to review this earphone and purchased it for $1. I thank Jim for our ongoing discussion, patiently accepting my criticisms and suggestions and his absolute non-interference with my work.

It is my goal to give the reader a concise, thorough, and accurate account of the earphone – and how the earphone fits the big picture. Packaging and cable shape are of limited importance to me and will not get much attention here. In terms of visualization, I aim to focus on the relevant characteristic features of the earphone including details such as vents, lips, connectors etc. Most photos and diagrams can be enlarged by clicking on them.

After reading my previous reviews, it should be clear that I prefer a neutral leaning tuning with a tight and dry bass – and certainly not a V-shaped flavour. The higher the price of an earphone, the flatter of a frequency response I expect with the mids moving forward and becoming successively more intimate and natural.

As always, I tested the M6 over an ever growing cross section of music that provided a broad coverage of the frequency spectrum, including naturally generated sounds such a voices and classical instruments.

Frequency response curves are now one of my standard staples of information in this price class. As to the graphs displayed here: the measuring coupler was two pieces of plastic tubing on the end of a Dayton iMM-6 microphone. No compensation or smoothing was applied. These measurements should not be directly compared to other measurements except those done on the same device, for example the ones I have posted before.


Introduction

NiceHCK is a company that – among other things – sells “original manufacturer design” (ODM) items under their own branding. Recent NiceHCK earphone models include the EP10, EP35, EB2 earbuds, and the P3. The M6 is a higher-priced model and the most upscale iem I have reviewed so far. Therefore let’s explore together what makes the M6 better and more valuable than, let’s say, the $50 class.

The M6 is a six-driver earphone (2DD + 4BA) with a four-way crossover that was designed and tuned by a “famous” (however mysterious) ODM factory in Guangdong. It appears to be technically identical with the BVGP DMG as both share the same sound description and frequency response. They come most likely from the same assembly line.


Specifications
  • Product Name: Original NICEHCK M6 In Ear Metal Earphone
  • Brand: NICEHCK
  • Model: M6
  • Earphone Type: In-ear
  • Driver Unit: 4 BA + 2 DD (4 Balanced Armature + 2 Dynamic) hybrid driver unit
  • Crossover: 4-way
  • Impedance: 17Ω
  • Earphone Sensitivity: 106 ± 2 dB/mW
  • Frequency range: 20 - 20000Hz
  • Plug Type: 3.5mm L-shaped
  • Cable Length: 1.2m ± 3cm
  • Vailable Colours: Green, Gray
  • Cable Connector: MMCX
  • Remote/Mic: No
  • Price: $88 for Head-Fiers

  1. Purchase Link: NiceHCK Audio Store

1. Select your earphone (colour, cable etc.)
2. Leave a note for the seller in that textbox that you want the $88 head-fi discount.
3. Check out...push "other payments"...DO NOT pay
4. When you go back to "my orders" in the toolbar, you see your order with the comment "awaiting payment"
5. The seller will manually adjust the price...and you will receive an email..or check back from time to time
6. Once the price is to your liking, you finalize the payment

content.jpeg
Click image to enlarge.

Packaging and Accessories


The content comes in a factory-sealed box that contains the standard NiceHCK earphone case will all goodies inside, packaged in a series of small plastic baggies. The content is laid out in the photo.


Physical Appearance, Haptic, and Build Quality

The rounded shells are made of aviation-grade aluminum in a top end “computer numerical control” (CNC) process [according to Jim NiceHCK] and feel smooth and high quality. The shells have a front vent and a back vent, and a third, square one by the connector. The braided MMCX cable is soft and flexible with an L-shaped 3.5 mm connector – and is appearance wise and haptically somewhere between the new KZ cables and the fancier third-party cables. Everything is of good quality.


Ergonomics, Comfort, Isolation, and Fit

The earpieces fit me well and were comfortable over longer periods of time. Isolation was average but the bassy tuning counteracts the low outside noise frequencies that are hard to filter out (see below).


Source and Eartips

I listened with the iphone 5S with the audioquest dragonfly black dac/amp attached to it. Although easy to drive with the iphone alone, the M6 greatly benefitted from the dragonfly. The largest included wide-bore tips worked well for me.

tips and filters.jpg
Click to enlarge.

Tonality

The M6 comes with three sets of filters but no manual describing the differences between them. The ones in the shells’ colour (green in my case) are the standard filters: they had to do for me – I don’t like fiddling with filters – and were used for my sound description. According to JimNiceHCK, the golden filters “improve the low frequencies” and the silver ones “improve the high frequencies”. My measurements show no difference between filters up to 1 kHz – but lots of variation between 2 and 6 kHz where the gold filters produce substantially less energy – and the silver filters slightly more – compared to the green reference filters.

m6 all filters.jpg

It has been claimed that the M6 sounds better with a more expensive third-party cable (one user reported a tighter bass and another a thicker bass, possibly using the same copper cable). I tried the M6 with five difference cables. If there were any sonic differences, they were minimal – and not based on differences in frequency responses as per my measurements. If an earphone does not work with the stock cable, it is not good imo.

M6_5_cables_1.jpg

M6 green filters.jpg
NiceHCK M6 frequency response with the green reference filters. Click diagram to enlarge.

The M6 is a warm sounding earphone with a V-shaped signature and a pronounced, thick low end. The frequency response is rather linear which results in an overall smooth sound. Unfortunately, the low end and midrange do not harmonize but rather work against each other.

The sub-bass is well extended but overshadowed by a broad bass (sensu stricto) hump peaking between 60 and 90 Hz. The bass has a reasonably fast attack but a rather slow decay which can make it soupy, soft, and possibly overwhelming to some ears while not being overly impactful – and it is certainly not part of an “audiophile” tuning which I expect in this price range. To me the bass is the sonically weakest point and I wonder what the tuner did to the two DDs. The benefit of such a bass, on the other hand, is added richness to deeper male voices and a good “shield” against the low-frequency travel noise that is not filtered out by the isolation (city bus, airplane). Another advantage of the bass is when combined with a bass-weak dap such as the Shanling M0 (I perceive this player as not very bassy). The M6 introduces some life to the Shanling's low end. It still does not make the low end any more accurate but certainly generates some fun.

The midrange is simply great and makes up for the bass: although slightly recessed, voices have an incredibly natural timbre and richness. I have yet to hear better. The bass, however does occasionally smudge into the mids. As to the upper midrange: there is a smaller hump in the 2-4 kHz area than in most cheaper models (e.g. TRN V80, BQEYZ KZ2): this shows that the drivers have enough quality not having to rely on this excess energy that also can cause fatigue through harshness and hardness. The effect in the M6 is that there is no crowding in busy instrumentations but a good flow in these frequencies.

The treble tags on seemlessly to the mids and they are well extended. High notes are smoothly reproduced without any sibilance or other unpleasant surprises. In “Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen”, a grandiose aria from Wolfman Mozart’s opera “Die Zauberflöte”, the “Queen of the Night” hits her high notes firmly and with ease. High quality listening in the uppermost levels.

Soundstage, sense of space, instrument separation, layering, resolution, and detail are all absolutely superb – although this depends to some degree on the bass presence. I listened to my standard dummyhead spoken-word test tracks and the accuracy of the placement of voices and background sounds was mindboggling. Choir performances and singers on the piano also sounded fantastic. Again, I have not heard an earphone that beats the M6 in this respect – but my experience with pricy current models is limited. Adding a strong bass section reduces these qualities.


Select Comparisons

There are not many earphones in this price category I know. I feel that the M6 is unique enough not to rely on detailed comparisons. It should be very clear from my descriptions and the reviews by others whether it is for you.

iBasso IT01 (~$100): a known bass and sub-bass canon with a generally accepted superb low-end quality that is not even remotely touched by the M6. The M6, on the other hand, smokes the iBasso in the midrange in terms of timbre and richness as well as in overall imaging and resolution. The iBasso comes with a really fancy looking cable.

M6 and iBasso.jpg
Frequency responses IT01 and M6. Click to enlarge.

Hill Audio S8 ($60): its 2 BA + 1 DD produce a V-shape and warm signature with an soft, bloated bass and a good midrange similar to the M6 but an overall slightly leaner image. The M6 is better resolving with more subtle details and its midrange is fuller, smoother, and less crowded. The S8 is not far behind the M6, sound wise. The S8’s shells are smaller and may be better fitting for some ears. If you like the S8, you will like the M6 (and the other way round).

M6 and S8.jpg
Frequency responses S8 and M6. Click to enlarge.

Brainwavz B200 v1 (~$110; discontinued): this 2 BA earphone has a tight bass, not quite as well extended into the sub-bass as in the M6, a slimmer, cooler sound than M6 and S8, but it lacks the rich, natural midrange of the M6. Build is soso at best but the fit of the small earpieces is magical. Technically less competent than the M6 it may nevertheless have attracted many purists.

M6 and B200.jpg
Frequency responses B200 v1 and M6. Click to enlarge.

BCEYZ KC2 (~$50): this 2 + 2 hybrid has a slimmer, faster bass but is also leaner and less natural in the voice department and less smooth/shouty in the upper midrange. The M6 offers simply “more sound and soundstage” and a better resolution. The KC2, while a respectable earphone, is the least capable of this mix.

M6 and KC2.jpg
Frequency responses KC2 and M6. Click to enlarge.


Concluding Remarks

The M6 is a good, technically competent earphone that is well worth its asking price [the current asking price of $88 is ridiculously low] but it could be a killer if the tuner tightened up the rustic low end. The all-important midrange is of such a high quality that even the small recession can’t take much away from it. Nevertheless, focusing and reducing the bass would bring out even more clarity, detail, and resolution and add balance to the sound signature. I asked Jim to forward my suggestions to his “famous” ODM factory hoping for a second, alternatively tuned version as offered, for example, by Etymotic.

Summing up, the NiceHCK M6 is like a large luxury SUV: roomy and comfortable, offering a smooth ride on a soft suspension. While some of us like this, others prefer the tighter suspension of a sports car. Nevertheless does the ride remain much slicker and more comfortable with the M6 than with a $50 SUV. The road appears to be wider and more open to the driver.

In the end, it comes down to a matter of taste. Looking at the FR graph alone may be a deal-maker or -breaker for the informed reader.

You can get the NiceHCK M6 only here!

UPDATE 2019-01-31:
I added these third-party filters which removed a lot of bass quantity -- but it preserved the bass's slow decay. This brought the mids forward and improved the balance immensely. The overall sound is still pretty meaty and analog.

FMCNvcJ.jpg


outro.jpeg[/size][/size]
Usuarionow
Usuarionow
Hi, it's a great review. The ue900 is a good reference, precisely that and deliberating between those or some other Chi Chi Fi that exceeds them in a range of 250 usd, if it were not for the criticism of their veiled means that 900 would already be at home, should I take the ue900? Or do you suggest a chi fi? Is the soundstage of the M6 higher than the ue900? (I give priority to the soundstage and the clarity)
Otto Motor
Otto Motor
Not sure where I mentioned the Ultimate Ears 900s, but they are the better earphone and particularly excel on their low end and in their resolution. But they are shoddily built with infancy cables. In the end, it all comes down to price. If you can handle the M6's spongey low end, they are a steal at this price (which actually may go up again). The UE900S, on the other hand, at exactly twice the price, are a classic and a keeper. Check their review by HifiChris here on Head-Fi.
NeonHD
NeonHD
Thank you for linking those third-party filters, glad to know there's a way to reduce the bass now.

Dsnuts

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Good base hybrid sound. Excellent build w mmcx, 3 tuning nozzle filters begging to be tinkered with. Very ergonomic and comfy for hours of use. Eye catching green. A case.
Cons: Stock cable severely limits the true sonics of the M6. Tip selection is limited.
A big thanks goes out to Jim and very hard working folks at NiceHCK. It is Jim and more Jim all the time always. If you have any questions about any NiceHCK products. Please reach out to Jim at NiceHCK. His last name should be NiceGuy. Cus that is what he is. Very Nice. Jim has graciously provided a review sample of the M6 in exchange for how I am hearing this product. Even though the product was provided for the purpose of a review I have always told folks I get review samples from that I have no problems sending back the items I review. The NiceHCK M6 can be purchased here.

DSC06543[1].JPG

This is a review about an earphone that has got a few faces. What you are seeing looks like the well reviewed BGVP DMG earphones in a different color. More than this. NiceHCK has got their own version of these 6 driver hybrid earphones. Simply called the M6. This green version reminds me of another green earphone that has been highly regarded here on the threads. These were sourced from the same manufacturer that made the DMGs for BGVP. Therefor not a dupe or anything like that. There are similarities in the design and sound but in the end I found the M6 to be a better value over the DMGs.

DSC06558.JPG

Color is everything. Once You realize my Electric Green color is cooler than yours. Then you might just get jealous. But fear not. The M6 consists of 4BAs unspecified, which take on the duties of mids to treble and a dual dynamic, which takes care of the bass duties. What your seeing is very similar to the DMGs. However with a few key differences, being the extra vent on the back of the M6 housing which tightens the treble of the M6 version. Owning the older version of the DMGs. I actually prefer NiceHCK’s version due to this minor revision with a cleaner treble end of the M6.Not to mention actually being a bit cheaper. Who don't like that. In hindsight I believe it is due to this aspect that has the M6 sounding even better as they adapt to newer parameters in cables and tips. More on that later.


Here we have the specs.

4BA drivers+2Dynamic w 4 way crossovers

Sensitivity of 106 dbs@ 1mW

Range of 20hz-20Khz

Impedance of 17 Ohms

Interface: mmcx

Sound tuning: 3 filters, treble, balanced, bass

Cable: 5N OCC SPC cable in brown,3.5mm single

Included: Case, 2 sets of silicones, 1 pair foams

DSC06547.JPG

NiceHCK always include a solid clam shell standard zip up case for just about every earphone they make and sell on their website. Something you didn't get with the DMGs. Then there is the build on the M6s. The housing is made of a solid CNC aluminum very ergonomic shell, in electric green I like to call it. The other option is a darker grey in color. Very specific colors just for NiceHCK. Why green? Most of the earphones I own are all darker colored variety so a bit of color is not a bad thing. In fact I was pleasantly surprised just how good looking the smooth finish and the green pops to your attention. Looks actually more attractive in person than in pics

DSC06551.JPG

The color of the standard cable is brown which houses a silver coated copper variety for the cable. While functionable, it is not all that different from your standard cables included in most earphones at this price point. Cable is soft and has very minimum microphonics. Which helps you enjoy what your listening to without any added noise.


Ok so what about the sound? You read about the DMGs and probably skipped over these for their 5 BA flagship model DM6. I am gonna tell you these can hold their own in fact. These have potential you have no idea about. As an enthusiast that love to not leave good enough alone. I will show you how you can get your M6 earphones to the best sound it can throw out and will not only be competitive in the price range for earphones but might actually sound better than your higher end earphones with a few tweeks.


These are a very capable and a proper sounding hybrid. Mids and highs have better transition here vs the bass to the rest of the sound. They do sound coherent for the most part but don’t expect top level coherency from a $100 level hybrid earphone. As they are, sound is best described as a mild v shaped in character with a fairly clean spacious sound. I think there is a misconception of the classic V tuning we read about on the threads due to the elevated mid bass and proper treble emphasis just about every earphone even neutral ones will have a mild V shaped Fr. However what is important to me is how the overall sound is portrayed.
DSC06552.JPG

Mids on the M6 do not suffer from recession or being too laid back in the overall mix. While it is not a forward sounding mid section. I never thought mids were a weak point on the sound. What it does portray is a clean fairly well thought out mids design where vocals and instruments have a good degree of definition imagery and presence. Sure mids could have been done better with a slightly more organic fuller tone to it but for what it is on here. Mids are good but not great. With the bass filter I notice a warmer lower mid section which adds to a more robust musical tone in the mids in general which is my filter of choice. Timbre of sound is only average for in ears at this level but this aspect changes completely with a cable swap. More on this later.


The M6 was recently sold for the sale price of $98. Currently sold for standard price on NiceHCK for $125 at the time of writing.At this price these are an excellent deal. Even better considering the DMGs are sold at $140. I encourage current owners and curious enthusiasts alike to read what I am about to put on this read that changes the stock sound. Onward and upward.

DSC06557.JPG

Treble has a solid amount of even emphasis and reach even for guys that love their treble, especially using the silver treble filters. The OEM that made these earphones tuned and retuned these things to represent each portion of the Fr but not to the point of fatigue or too much of anything which is how proper earphones should be tuned. They come with 3 nozzle filters. Silver has no dampening material so all the treble energy the M6 throws out is represented in full. Due to the more energy in the treble region the bass has less of an effect on the overall sound design. Upper mids give a touch more brighter tone due the treble energy.

DSC06556.JPG

The stock colored filter. Meaning if your DMG/M6 was let's say black,come with a black colored nozzle filter. For the M6 it was green like the housing. These represent balanced sound meaning with an added dampening material on the nozzle this tames a bit of the treble emphasis creating a more balanced and stock base sound of the M6. Bass emphasis is slightly affected. I find the the differences from the stock filter to the bass filter, gold on both the DMG and M6. Is very subtle. Bass emphasis is similar between the balanced and gold filter.
DSC06555.JPG

The gold has a slight warmer thicker tone out of the filters due to the most dampening of the treble and not due to an actual raise in the bass. The filter system in itself actually encourages some tinkering on their sound. There is a new 4th filter out in the nets. A shout out goes to B9Scrambler for his review on the DMG and his discovery of how the LZ A5 filters work on these too for even more variations on the sound tuning.

HTB1gd_MXsvrK1Rjy0Feq6ATmVXa4.jpg


This new filter is supposed to clean up the treble and mids with a new vent in it. I have one on order so I will update my review here once I get the filter.


The stage of the earphones are medium wide for earphones and while it does not have the widest of stages for earphone does make good use of the stage. Depth of sound is good but could use a bit more. Overall the imagery for stage gives a nice horizontal oval sound giving them a nice spacious feel for the sound. Zero congestion of sound is perceived due to the ample spaciousness on the sonics. Micro treble detail you get from BA earphones has their place in the sound and these will catch you off guard on occasion with treble that shimmer out side your head. Overall the roomy shell makes for good added space for the drivers to do their work for the sound. The ergonomic design of the shell is one of the better designed universal shells I have put into my ears. They fit snug and is very comfortable for my medium sized ears for hours of carefree listening.


Bass of the M6 is not spectacular in quality or quantity but does have a good dynamic punch element with decent extension. While bass has your standard roll off below 50hz I don’t find the bass presence lacking or being the weak link on the M6. The bass of the M6 does a good job of representing the low end and while not the tightest or the most textured. Has no problems reaching the lowest of the low notes or being forward when needed for bassy genres. Bass gets an average mark here in speed, quality and quantity given their price point but it certainly does not detract from the overall picture of the sound. Taken as the whole the bass don't take away from the tune but it don’t really add to it either. My bass tracks I tested with the M6 actually was able to pull off a decent bass but again it is not the be all of bass quality. At the given price point it is to be expected. Considering how good the graphene bass is on my old cheaper DM5 earphones. I was expecting a bit more from the bass driver on the M6.


The potential of 4BAs and a dual dynamic. On paper that will get anyone excited about the possibilities. I am just gonna say it. The stock sound is not exactly the best of what you get here. It is certainly a capable sound and with an amp sounds outstanding with standard cable that is on the M6. If your on a budget and you can only afford to get the M6. They will be a great sounding earphone for you but if your like me. Don’t let good enough alone the next segment is for you.


Mmcx and filters. What does this say to you? For me it says please put on a pure OCC copper cable on them to see what that does for the sound. I did this literally after hearing 3 tunes with the stock cable. That was when I knew these had more potential than what is presented in their stock sound. I ordered a cable from NiceHCK to use with these on the suggestion of Jim.
DSC06548.JPG

Can be purchased here.

This cable brings out the true capabilities of the M6. In fact once I get done with my write up here I am gonna ditch the stock cable these came with and will probably collect dust from this point forward. I didn’t stop there. Owning a few higher end cables that came with my Andromeda S and Solaris. I ended up trying both Alo litz and super Litz cables on the M6 just for fun and grins.

With the NiceHCK OCC cable. Resolution and clarity increases to a different level across the sound. Better tighter more defined bass. Greater accuracy in the mids, even better cleaner timbre in the treble region.

DSC06549.JPG
With Alo litz cable these sounded nothing like the stock sound. They sounded more closer the andromeda they came from. No joke. Better treble sparkle and bass fullness.
DSC06550.JPG

It was the thicker super Litz Alo cable that really brought out something special I was not expecting. Fuller thicker more detailed beefier sound. The M6 seriously went up another tier of earphone after these cable changes. More authority in all regions of sound with added boldness in every region. Tips are a given in that you should always experiment with tips for your earphones but this time I have been using the included foam tips which is a first for me to actually use the included tip. In fact. I have become a huge fan of the foam tip they included on these. I believe the DMG also includes one of these foam tips. These foam tips are a bit different than your garden variety foams in that they have a silicone like finish on the foams. Pliable and isolating like foams but retains the sonics of silicones. By far the best sounding and isoting foams I have ever used.


So in the end. The stock sound is a good one and you will most certainly get your money worth in sonics and function, but a quick cable swap and these will be competitive with your nicer higher end earphones. I know guys are skeptical of cables and what they do. But I am only reporting on pure sonic changes for from good to excellent that comes along with changes on a cable swap. Going from the Alo super litz to the stock cable to do this review was not a minor downgrade.

Sure it makes little sense to spend $200 on a cable on a $125 earphone. But the NiceHCK OCC cable while it is a bit more spendy in cost vs your standard $20 variety of cables. Will make you glad you spent a bit of extra on these. I would first advise you trying out your other cables that came with your other earphones. If your happy with the stock sound. Be happy. What is the chance the resolution and sonics goes up dramatically with a nicer cable? That my friends is up to you to find out. Just know as good as what your hearing using the stock cable believe it or not is limiting the sonic abilities of these excellent earphones. Tinker away my friends. I empower you. I encourage you. I am an enabler. Why not get the best out of your equipment? Find out yourselves. M6 has untapped potential. Waiting for you. Mr. Tinkerer!

A cable swap to the M6 is like turbocharging your car engine. Why not turbo charge your M6? Thanks for reading and go enable yourself! You will thank me later.
cqtek
cqtek
Hi @Nymphonomaniac. Really @Dsnuts is right to say that the stock cable is not good. I've tried using an 8-core TRN cable and the sound really improves, and it only costs 8€. And I've always been really skeptical about the sound improvement due to changing cables. It may be that the stock cable is not very good then.
Dsnuts
Dsnuts
I tried 5 different cables ranging from $20-$200 cables and all of them change the stock sound for the much better on these. That just tells me how limiting the stock cable is.
NymPHONOmaniac
NymPHONOmaniac
Well, I believe you guys, but I find this sad at this price to have to deal with the ''KZ cable problem'' hehe My ZS5v1 sound like garbage with stock cable, my VIDO too and I need to recable them to understand the hype, lot of example for sure...perhaps we need some scientist to mesure cable current or something, cause chifi cable aren't trustable AT ALL! I order a balanced one at 11/11, will try it the the M6 on its way....got a bunch of cable too, especially MMCX.
  • Like
Reactions: cqtek
Back
Top