NiceHCK NX7 Review (1) – Another Piezo My Heart

You find some photos of the NiceHCK NX7 HERE. More info is on the product page. Another review of the NiceHCK NX7 by Jürgen is HERE.

NiceHCK NX7—not that Ineededanother IEM, but the high (55ohm) impedance and 7-driver/piezoelectric array was interesting + HCK’s prior, flawed piezo, the N3, showed enough promise to push me to buy the NX7. Unboxing, accessories are aesthetics underwhelming for the $100 tab (recently reduced to $70 or so); headshells are very reminiscent of the much cheaper KZ ZSN/CCA C10, although design is ergonomic and fit is good. Although the rated impedance suggests a challenging load, my LG V30 (in high impedance mode) drove them capably, and amping didn’t materially change their character. Isolation is surprisingly subpar.

The NX7 immediately registers as a very bright, very detailed phone which, like the N3, has a treble-forward, reverse L-shape which deemphasizes lowend; as with the N3 it’s an atypical tuning which many may find overly analytical at first. Notes are lean and crisp, with very quick transients; there’s a sizzly, energized quality to the presentation which occasionally gives a ringing unnatural effect to the music. Soundstage seems rounded and relatively compact, with more depth than width, while stereo imaging is accurate. In sharp contrast to the N3, and notwithstanding the oddball driver arrangement, the NX7 has good coherence and other than a conspicuous dip in the midbass region there’s no audible disconnect between the different frequencies.

Highs are manifestly the focus here—very extended and very, very revealing; inner details like fingernails and drumheads are reproduced very clearly and approximate the eerily lifelike resolution of high-dollar custom IEMs. Mids are likewise forward and defined, although the lower mids and particularly midbass seem less emphasized and guitars can sound too trebly; the midrange timbre is thinner than I prefer. Bass is perceived somewhat curiously—these actually extend quite low and have moderate impact and thump (acoustic bass strings and kick drums are very lifelike); however the hot, hyperdetailed high end tends to distract and make these sound flatter than they measure—Complys do dial up subbass and alter the balance for the better, and these would probably respond well to EQing in the 40-100hz region.

My favorite IEMs tend to a warmer signature, with richer notes and a more enhanced low-end; the NX7 is virtually the antithesis. That said, the NX7 is an intriguing proposition—they’re highly revealing without being audiophile-boring and energetic without stridency; my reservations are in large part a function of the fact that my brain is  unfamiliar with processing such an unprecedented amount of musical information (these would be amazing for gaming, but I don’t game). Further study is definitely warranted.

Non disclaimer—I bought these. Photo and measurements by JK. About our measurements.