NICEHCK YUANDAO TEARS – PANORAMIC IMMERSION

INTRODUCTION:

NiceHCK as a brand is based in China and has expertise in manufacturing high quality IEM’s, cables, Dongles DAC etc. I haven’t tested out their previous IEM collections and this being my first product from their lineup I’m pretty much excited to check it out. The NiceHCK Yuandao Tears is priced right under 30USD and man! This surprised me a lot! This stacks up even against IEM’s that’s priced higher! Let’s check in detail why am I hyping this thing up in this review.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Driver: Single 10mm Dynamic Driver with PET Diaphragm (Open Back Design)

Connector: 0.78 2-pin

Effective FR: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Impedance: 20 Ω @ 1 kHz

Sensitivity: 127 dB/Vrms @ 1 kHz

Housing: ABS

Plug: 3.5 mm or Type-C (Optional)

Cable Material: High-Purity Oxygen-Free Copper plated with Silver

DISCLAIMER:

This unit was provided to me by NiceHCK in exchange for my honest opinion regarding the product. Despite this being a sponsored review, the views are not influenced by any means and is purely based on my observations.

Unaffiliated Purchase link: https://www.nicehck.com/products/nicehck-nicehck-tear-in-ear-earphone

DESIGN AND FIT:

The single dynamic driver is enclosed in a plastic shell that looks symmetrical and aesthetic. Despite the material choice, the build feels solid exhibiting premium finish lines decorated by coloured rings. The branding is done on top of the earpiece in a subtle way that doesn’t pop out. The acoustic open back chamber is nicely embedded onto the inner aspect for an airy presentation. The included stock cable and the pouch is justifiable for its price and feels practical. 

SOUND IMPRESSIONS:

Setup: Type C variant + Hiby Music + Pop Preset (Sounds more balanced with no added bumps)

BASS PROFILE:

• Enriched with both quality and quantity that makes even the bass heads nod their heads to their favourite tracks.
• Sub bass emphasis over the mid bass makes this sound more mature and controlled throughout its presentation.
• Attack and Decay slide on to the precise side that’s fast enough for a clutter free presentation at the same time slow enough to provide the needed fullness.
• The rumbles show up with confidence while the kick drums present itself subtly without mixing and losing its impact.

MID PROFILE:

• A slightly recessed warm lower mid-section with slight elevation in the upper mid is what been showcased here.
• Despite the recession, the lower mid-profile replays with clean background, rich male vocals and adequate fullness.
• The upfront upper mid brings the female vocals into the light representing a vivid and lively presentation.
• The laidback presentation gives listeners the needed peace while maintaining the details without losing it.

TREBLE:

• A noticeable elevation is appreciated that never shows unwanted sharpness and spikes in its replay.
• A natural timbre response is observed here that brings out the trumpets and cymbal crashes in a natural way with precise attack and decay.
• The acoustic chambers help the Tears in incorporating immense amount of air that complements its airy presentation.

TECHNICALITIES:

STAGING AND IMAGING: Tears get a holographic stage presence that exhibits adequate width and height for an immersive listening. The instruments are precisely locked onto their placed for an accurate imaging response.

DETAIL RETRIEVAL: Decent detail retrieval is seen in the Tears extracting essential nuances with ease. For its price this aspect is too much to be asked yet it performs well in its category.

APP FUNCTIONALITY:

NiceHCK app is available for both Android and Apple users that can be downloaded directly from their website. Surprisingly, this one is clutter and bug free that’s practical to use without any issues.

Straightaway, this gives access to EQ the earphones with their custom EQ presets or the individualised band. The settings get stored within the DSP that gives user the freedom to enjoy their desired EQ even after switching devices.

VERDICT:

Tears from the house of NiceHCK priced at 30USD with its bigger 15.4mm Dynamic Driver enclosed in a unique semi open back design (acoustic labyrinth chamber) delivers a clean sound with an expansive stage presence. Things are done well starting from its packaging till the sonic output by incorporating the best in its segment.

Aesthetically, they are symmetrical with minimal branding for a cleaner overall outlook. Plastic is seen all over its construction, yet the finishing is kept smooth with a nice touch of coloured rings (red and gold) in the intersection area to enhance its look. Interestingly, the vents are provided onto the inner plate as an open back design in contrast to the conventional faceplate vents. The stock cable is of good quality and available in all the terminations (3.4, 4.4, Type C) for practical usage. The included PU leatherette pouch comes with a magnetic clip secures the IEM’s from accidental damages.

SONIC VERDICT:

Unit: Type C DSP Version

Equaliser: Pop (Preset) – Since it has the most balanced sound curve.

App Support: One of the well implemented apps that I have seen with an IEM. It’s practical and bug free. Get’s all the options right in front of you to EQ the IEM to your ideal signature.

Tears showcases a mild V shaped sound profile with a gentle lift in the sub bass section for an elevated dynamism. Tonally, it’s neutral with a transparent background for a natural sound. A fast and precisely paced bass response takes control of the presentation allowing the mid-section to shine without exhibiting clumsiness. The controlled warmth is appreciated in its mid-section showcasing bodied lower mid and open sounding upper mid profiles. Treble got adequate energy to exhibit its airiness and vivid feel to the presentation. Technically, the Tears got holographic staging with adequate height, depth and width, a big thanks to the acoustic labyrinth chamber for allowing immense air to move. The strategically designed acoustic chamber resonates deeper with faster transients, providing an ethereal environment and extracts the essential nuances with ease.

For its price, there’s aren’t any negatives that’s nitpick in the Tears with its mild V shaped signature. Again, with the Type C variant you got that versatility of choosing your own EQ which solves whatever the cons you see with it.  A well-designed product with spectacular sound for cheap bucks is something that should be adored and praised. It drags the listeners into a PANORAMIC IMMERSION zone that makes the TEARS a versatile option in every audiophile’s collection.

POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES:

Pros:

1. Mature Bass Response (Sub bass Focussed)
2. Elevated Upper Mid Profile
3. Airy and Vivid Presentation (acoustic labyrinth chamber)
4. Natural Tonality with added warmth
5. Inbuilt DSP (Type C) with App Functionality
6. Value for Money

Cons:

1. Slightly recessed Lower Mid Profile