NiceHCK Rockies - EndGame Potential
‼️DISCLAIMER:
This unit was purchased directly from NiceHCK at a discounted price. My thoughts are my own and I already made video review of the Rockies. Since the unit in my review was only a loaner unit, I did not really have a lot of time to write a written review of them,
I like the set so much that I decided to get one and make this review in written form. My opinions have not change in comparison to my video review.
check my video review here:
⚜️WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
The packaging is quite nice on the Rockies. You get good accessories for what you pay for. In the box, you get a nice circular carrying case, 3 types of ear tips in different sizes. You get the nicehck blue ear tips, regular 07 tips and nicehck co4 liquid silicone ear tips. Eartips storages are also included. You also get interchangeable cable termination and nice thick 7NN OCC Silver plated cable.
The iems are made of resin shells with pure pietersite faceplate that is handcrafter. Each faceplate has a unique design pattern, and I like how mine looks! The driver configuration is 1 dynamic driver handling the bass and lower mids, knowles dual BAs for them mids and lower treble and 2 ESTs for the high treble
⚜️BUILD and COMFORT
Fit and comfort is okayish. I mean, they are okay but not the best fit in this price range. To my ears, Aful fit is superior, and this isn't really in that level. I sometimes feel a bit of strain around the antitragus area if i listen to them for extended periods.
⚜️SETUP:
-Shanling M3X, Fii M33, Fiio JM21 using UAPP, Hiby and stock player
⚜️SOUND PROFILE
The tonality of the Rockies can be described as a balanced leaning a bit on the brighter side. It has some emphasis on the upper treble in which the EST drivers come into play. I have always been a fan of properly implemented EST treble. I know some people cannot discern it, but as a drummer, the cymbal strikes are for sure “striking” and addicting to listen to
Bass is just enough for my preference. When I say this, it means it does not give you a lot of midbass. Bassheads might find this lean, and neutral heads might fight this a bit forward. It carries enough authority to make tracks engaging. The speed and decay is decent, and I did not have any concerns listening to metal tracks and even when practicing drum covers.
Mids on these is closer to a META sound. If you are not familiar with this target, this presents a different tonality that makes mids sound clean especially female vocals. Some people find this target to be thin-sounding and not as organic as the older Crinacle target. I myself am not a fan of this target, but this is one of the exceptions. The execution of mids is well done, and its sounds very open. Instruments sound natural and organic and I didn't notice any timbral inaccuracies.
The Treble might be a mix bag. I like the implementation of the ESTs but at the same time, they can be too forward in some tracks, especially on cymbal heavy ones. I do find them to be very detailed and nuanced. There is a good balance of micro dynamics that doesn't overpower the signature. But keep in mind, I described its tonality to be bright leaning, so if you are treble sensitive, the rockies might not be for you
As for the technicalities, I get above average separation, great imaging and decent perceived 3D space. For me, technicalities is not about details, but how real instrument sounds in comparison to real life. They are natural and believable enough, especially for it’s price range. The decay on hi hats is exceptional and I think this can go toe to toe with some TOTL in terms of sonic performance.
"The Morning Revelation "
The midrange of the rockies is something to look forward to every morning listening session. Although sharing almost 98% of tonality, thought that the execution of the rockies is much better than the MEga5EST. It seems to have a proper EST implementation. I am not sure if they also DD and BA’s, but the Rockies seem to find that sweet sport in matching the drivers. this sound just has to be a sound from a TOTL set no doubt. And you know the best part? You don't even have to spend TOTL price
"Just a Phase "
No pun intended. But listening to just a phase by incubus is incredible. The guitars sound natural, timbre is on spot, drums sounded great, cymbals sounded very realistic in decay. All the great things needed to say on an IEM is here lol.
The rockies intricately carry that balanced sound with a bit of emphasis on the treble. When the bass guitar starts around 2 minutes and 10 seconds mark, it showed me that it can also do proper bass texture. It had enough midbass to make everything organic sounding and without too clinical. And those vocals from brandon? Yeahh it's just a phase
⚜️COMPARISONS
Hisenior Mega7
The mega 7 is much brighter in the treble and leaner in the bass. The midrange is identical, but the mega7 will appear cleaner in presentation due to the above mentioned tonality. There is more nuance on the rockies especially int the texture of instruments like cymbals and crashes
Thie Audio Hyp4 mkii
The hype 4 mk2 has that special sauce in the vocals and mids. I must give the mids on the hype4 mkii because it has that forwardness that gives me chills every time i listen to them. The mids on the rockies is drier. However, depending on your age and sensitivity, the treble might not be for you. I prefer the treble on the rockies since the hype4 mkii can be too forward and fatiguing in long listening sessions.
Binary EP321
The tonality is a bit different in a way that the ep321 can be warmer in the lower mids and bass. The bass on the rockies is cleaner in attack. The two sets have a certain character to them, especially that the ep321 MEMS has a different flavor in the treble. It isn't particularly peaky to my ears but I perceive it to be revealing in detail, it may not be the most natural in the treble timbre but again, i think this is a different kind of flavor. If you are leaning on a fun sound and a bit cheaper, the ep321 is compelling.
🤔FINAL THOUGHTS
This Rockies offers a tremendous value of 499 dollars. Not only that it has EST drivers, it offers great tonality, balance and cleanliness to its sound that leaves the listener wanting more time with it.
I found myself reaching out to the rockies more often than I should, and it is a distraction for me as a reviewer since I got lots of backlogs to clear!
But it is a compromise I am willing to take every single day. Because at the end of the day, behind the reviewer mask, is just another hobbyist enjoying his own time, with his own music, and with his own gear.
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