In-Ear Fidelity

NiceHCK NX7 Pro: Unboxing

Introduction

I don’t even know how to introduce the NiceHCK brand. It’s one of those “if you know, you know” things that’s kind of weird to explain because they’ve existed in this limbo of hype and obscurity, wherein they have amassed a legion of die-hard fans yet remain practically hidden to the greater audiophile crowd.

If you haven’t read my Moondrop S8 cliffnotes, I’d suggest you to do so because it gives a bit of background on what I’m about to say. NiceHCK, in my eyes, have always been the stereotypical “shoot from the hip” kind of chifi company, churning out vast quantities of mediocre products that makes me question their competency and even lose respect for the chifi industry as a whole.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the DZ7. Or the DT600. Or the DB3. Maybe the NK10. Or the DZ12, the DN4 or the Bro. More likely than not, you don’t even know a single one of these products and I’m just a madman rattling off random alphabets and numbers, not realising that one of those names was something that I made up on the spot.

My point is, there has been a reason why NiceHCK IEMs have horrible longevity in the IEM world. A vast majority of their products are these mediocre to average IEMs that simply cannot stand up to the tests of time, and their lack of brand presence compared to the new kids on the block such as BGVP and Tin HiFi are just testaments to that.

Now I don’t know if you’ve heard of the original NX7, because I sure haven’t. So imagine my surprise when I was offered the Pro edition for review. Was I supposed to know about the NX7? I thought to myself as I made a quick Google search, realising that the NX7 was actually released very recently (just mid of last year). An update less than half a year later was not a good sign in my books.

I go into this review skeptical and ready for critique. I sure hope this is NiceHCK’s redemption.

Product page: https://hifigo.com/products/nicehck-nx7-pro-7-driver-hifi-earphone-4ba-dual-cnt-piezoelectric-hybrid

MSRP: $132

Driver configuration: 4BA + 2DD + 1Piezo

This NX7 Pro was kindly provided by HiFiGo.

NON-AUDIO OPINIONS

My unboxing posts are pretty much the only times I’ll ever talk about build quality, accessories and the like. I’m not really the person to ask about these things as I don’t really care about them that much.

Accessories:

  • Zipper case
  • Tips
  • Interchangeable sound filters
  • Interchangeable faceplates
  • Screwdriver

Cable: 16-core round-ish braid. Pretty soft and pliable with little stiffness and good skinfeel.

Connection: semi-extruded 2-pin, almost like classic UE but with a way shorter extrusion. It’s a weird connection by today’s standards but is relatively secure. 

Regular 2-pin cables still work with the NX7 Pro, but it will be in a flush configuration when done so.

Build: plastic shell with metal faceplate, feels sturdy but nothing out of the ordinary for these kinds of IEMs.

Fit: pseudo-custom fit, not the most secure but it’ll do if I’m staying relatively still.

Isolation: pretty decent, can see it being usable on public transportation.

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

  • Surprisingly solid detail retrieval and transients. Technical, but at the same time not boring and sterile with its decidedly-liberal bass boost and treble emphasis.
    • There’s a significant amount of bass but it’s done pretty well. Clean hits with minimal smearing and bleed into the midrange, very capable.
  • The NX7 Pro actually gets midrange tonality right for the most part. It is one of the most tonally correct IEMs I’ve heard in the sub-$100 range.
    • The red filter is pretty bad though. I don’t recommend using it at all.
  • Treble is the biggest dealbreaker. The NX7 Pro presents it sharp, hot and piercing. The double whammy of the 7kHz spike and the 14-15kHz harmonic octave is devastating to anyone with treble-sensitive hearing.
  • So close to being a truly outstanding pair, but tripped at the finish line. 

The final review will be done on both the stock and blue filters, which were my favourites.

Measurements

Comparison courtesy of the Graph Comparison Tool

Individual graphs are also available on the dedicated graph page

Support me on Patreon to get access to tentative ranks! My usual thanks to all my current supporters and shoutouts to my big money boys:

“McMadface”
“Desertscrub”
Rahul
Denis
Nicholas
Alexander
Galactus

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