Disclaimer:

Good morning, MBA readers. Today, we have a pair of earbuds from NICEHCK. Specifically, we have the NICEHCK Yundao 10th anniversary edition, a very affordable and old-school earbud. I received the one in a special color for the Year of the Fire Horse. I’ve used these earbuds often in the past with various artisanal models and VE Monk ones. You can’t expect in-ear performance, but they have their own charm.

However, the review will still be 100% honest and in no way biased. I’m not an audiophile; I’m just a guy who likes to test out different IEMs and DACs and spends a lot of time listening to music.

So I’m not going to use super technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.

Tech Specs:

• Driver Unit 15.4mm Dynamic Driver
• Diaphragm Material: High-Quality PET Diaphragm
• Magnet N52 High-Performance Neodymium Magnet
• Impedance 32ohm @1kHz
• Frequency Response 20Hz-20kHz
• Plug Type 3.5mm/Type-C
• Sensitivity 120dB/Vrms @1kHz
• Housing Material ABS+PC
• Cable Material Oxygen-Free Copper Core

Packaging:

The packaging is basic and minimal. This is exactly what you’d expect for a product like this. In fact, inside we find just some basic information and two foam pads. Perhaps a few more foam pads would have been nice.

Design/Build Quality:

Like all earbuds of this type, the materials are very standard: ABS and PC. Except for a few rare cases of slightly more premium models, there aren’t many variables. The shells are transparent, allowing you to glimpse the 15.4mm driver. The cable is unremarkable and non-removable. I have nothing else to add on this matter.

Initial sound impression:

At first listen, they reminded me a bit of the R4YS and perhaps some VE Monks; the sound is excellent, very rich and harmonious, but as with all these models, there are insurmountable structural limitations. In fact, the bass is noticeable, but the extension completely drops off as if falling into a ravine. The driver is capable of handling very high volumes with very little distortion, a sign of a good driver. The sound immediately struck me as rich and dense, especially in the midrange, with good tonality and musicality.

Comfort/Fit:

In reality, even though they’re the simplest model on the market, they still create some unexpected pressure; it depends a lot on the shape of your ears. The vast majority of them are very comfortable, they’re very light, and you can use them without completely blocking out external noise. I think they’re an excellent model for those who enjoy casual use, perhaps just commuting around town. They’re not the best for runners, given their lack of stability.

Equipment used for testing above:

Device:

• OSX
• Redmi Note 14 Pro 4G

Software:

• Amazon Music UHD 24bit 96kHz (Both)

DAC:

• Fosi Audio K7

Final sound impression:

The NICEHCK Yundao 10th Anniversary earbuds are very capable, especially in the midrange. You could say they’re mid-centric: they manage to reproduce a very musical, energetic midrange. The high-end extension is contained but adequate for relaxed, enjoyable listening for several hours. Details are easy to identify, and their directionality is also accurate. Separation is also excellent, and I think it’s above average among similar models I’ve tried. As for bass, the driver tries; there’s punch, but it’s a bit dry in the background; it can’t go lower. Specifically, the bass is present, but this type of structure fails to create a sealed environment between the driver and the eardrum, thus losing these frequencies. This is completely normal; in fact, to be honest, the midrange is very dense and rich for this type of earbud. These are excellent earbuds with a warm, rich sound that’s still capable of entertaining you for hours with a variety of sounds.

Soundstage and Imaging:

With the partial sealing, some aspects of the soundstage are lost, but the sound is quite developed in height rather than depth; in fact, it’s not a very wide soundstage, but it’s satisfying enough. Imaging and separation of the various elements are performed quite well, at least in my version with the 3.5mm connector.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I can say that the NICEHCK Yundao 10th Anniversary is definitely a very interesting earbud, offered at a low price. The sound is very natural, slightly warm and dense, but very rich in nuance and detail. If you love vocals and therefore prefer mid-centric headphones, this is a product worth trying for how it enhances them. Excellent product.

7,7/10

Pros: 

• Pretty good sounding
• mid-centric, natural, warm, dense
• Mid-Bass is definitely audible 
• Slightly Warm
• Easy to drive

Cons: 

• Bass extensions
• Noise isolation
• Accessories

More Information: