Series B Continues to Grow

Ratings

Pros

• Great bass, reminiscent of an IEMS.
• Remarkable sense of openness, facilitating a wide and surrounding scene.
• Good cable, best choice of 4.4mm balanced plug.

Cons

• The very smooth surface of the capsules causes the foams to slip and come off.
• Although the cable is good and thick, it can be a bit stiff.

Purchase Link

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008044005942.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNW336S6

Link to the WEB

https://nicehck.com/products/b80

Introduction

NiceHCK is an Aliexpress shop known for its audio products. It is an expert in cables and accessories, as well as IEMS and, of course, headphones. And continuing with its B series (B40 and B70), now comes the NiceHCK B80, headphones that still feature the classic small PK capsule, this time with a 14.8 mm dynamic driver with a diaphragm that combines biomaterials with PU and a topological design to reduce distortion from the vibrations of the diaphragm itself. N52 high-performance magnets. They use an OFC cable mixed with silver-plated OFC and three plug options: 3.5mm SE, 3.5mm SE with microphone and the expected 4.4mm BAL plug. The B80s have been handcrafted with black baked-on paint and are powder-coated with gold dust on the surface, even the cable has traces of gold dust on its sleeve. The anime girl on the cover and the brand’s signature good accessories remain, of course. Let’s dive deeper into its content, sound and other issues in this review.

Specifications

• Driver Type: Dynamic with 14.8mm TopologyBio PU diaphragm.
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz.
• Sensitivity: 114db/mW.
• Impedance: 20Ω.
• Jack connector: choice of SE 3.5mm, SE 3.5mm + mic, BAL 4.4mm.
• Cable material: OFC + Silver Plated OFC.
• Starting price: $32.99

Packaging

NiceHCK are presented in a medium-sized, horizontal box measuring 148 x 107 x 41 mm. NiceHCK continues to illustrate the boxes with an anime girl. On the top left is the brand logo and on the right the model and a product description in brown lettering. On the back are the product specifications, the brand’s contact details and other details. The outer cardboard slides horizontally to reveal a black box with interlocking circular lines in glossy black. In the centre, the model name can be read in white letters. Lifting the lid, we find a card with the anime girl of the box in a silver frame. Underneath is the brand’s classic zipped case in light grey with a fabric surface. Inside is the product and various accessories. In brief, the complete contents are as follows:

• NiceHCK B80 earbuds with 4.4mm BAL cable.
• One zipped case.
• Three pairs of full black foam earbuds.
• Three pairs of black foam donuts.
• Velcro strip for cable management.
• User’s guide.
• Warranty certificate card.
• Card with links to social networks.

The headphones are packaged in a clear plastic zipped pouch. The 4.4mm connector is protected by a custom plastic sleeve. The foams come in sealed white plastic bags. The zippered case is the usual branded case, very good and appropriate. Six pairs of foams of both types are fine. The foams are of decent quality.

Construction and Design

There is not much to say about the design of the B80s, as they use the classic PK capsule, one of my favourites for its great comfort. The difference between the two models is usually in the rim, which is a bit thick and rounded. In this case, the rim is flat. NiceHCK wanted to highlight the model and, to do so, they have handmade it using black baked paint. In addition, they are coated with gold powder all over, even the cable has traces of gold powder on its black PVC sheath. The capsules have two horizontal openings at the back and a grey lettering indicating the channel near the cable outlet. The cable is black, has two coiled strands and has traces of gold dots on its surface. The plug sleeve is a metal cylinder coated with the gold dust, with the brand name inscribed lengthwise in white letters. The cable outlet is secured by a small rubber cylinder of the same colour. The 4.4mm BAL plug is gold-plated. The splitter piece is the same, a smaller gold powder coated metal cylinder, I would say half the size. The pin is identical, but about one third the size of the divider piece. It has a plastic inner part with a figure-eight hole through which the two wires pass. Although the sliding is smooth, it is also firm when it comes to securing the fit.
As I say, the shape of the capsule is the classic PK with NiceHCK sprinkling a bit of ‘gold’ on the surface. The cable seems to be good and the plug sleeves are of superior quality. One of the things I appreciate the most is the option to choose a 4.4mm balanced plug. Bravo!

Adjustment and Ergonomics

The PK capsule is one of my favourite capsules in terms of fit and ergonomics. Its small diameter and thin spike are a design achievement, combining minimalism, simplicity and practicality. In this case, the thickness of the lid is the only thing that could limit the comfort of these capsules.
The cable is another point that may influence the overall comfort of the set. It consists of two coiled strands of a certain thickness, which have a slight stiffness. Perhaps this is the only critical point, it is a good cable that can become stiffer over time.

Sound

Profile

It’s been over a year since I’ve tried new earbuds and it can be a surprise to hear a new model again. They say it’s the first impressions that matter. When I tried the new NiceHCK, I was surprised by the power and cleanness of the bass. And, of course, the openness and richness of their sound. The NiceHCK B80s are warm, dense and smooth on top, but with enough clarity to appreciate good separation, which bodes well for a wide stage and powerful sound. The B80s make me believe that the loudness of the earbuds is close to that of the IEMS, and without feeling that full contact inside the canal that gives them that sensory advantage.

Bass

Bass is always tricky in earbuds, but the B80s impart a sense of presence, punch, energy and power without sounding dark or sluggish. Bass is much more technical than you’d expect from such a small, open, space-constrained capsule. The very low frequency pure tone test is usually not appropriate for this type of headphone and demonstrates some physical limitations of the PK capsule in reproducing very low frequency continuous bass. However, the B80s tolerate a remarkable level of energy and are able to reproduce LFO from 30 Hz onwards in a very realistic and natural way. Below this value, the behaviour is more vibratory and audible than sensory. Nevertheless, I find it quite satisfactory. But the most surprising thing is that above 30 Hz, the tones are audible, clearly discernible and powerful. Admittedly, there is some subtle colouration, but it is compensated by the remarkable physical sensation they give off. Thus, the result is a very accomplished low-end, with strength and physicality, and a presence that does not muddy the rest of the sound.
The very dirty, unfiltered bass test is perhaps the most complex test for headphones. But even here, the B80s have shown control in keeping bass in check, avoiding the distortion, vibration and reverberation that their small capsules could produce. In this way, the B80s demonstrate control, discipline and the ability to follow difficult bass lines without being facile or simplistic, generating a good level of texture, retrieval and moderate punch despite the level of power on display. They are very enjoyable.

Mids

It is true that the PK capsule has some endemic shortcomings, such as its propensity to have a somewhat muddy first half. And it’s true that the B80s don’t try to avoid that feeling altogether. What is true is that their sound is clearer and more open to compensate for this perception. Thus, the first part of the mids feels dense, although it does not totally dominate. The male vocals have a large base, but they get thinner as the frequencies increase. In this way, the sensation is that of a firm substratum that thins and dilutes until it ends in a sweeter, finer and more delicate way. Thus, male voices do not feel completely dense or impenetrable, but more graceful and detailed, maintaining a good level of warmth and body. However, unlike the voices, the lower strings can experience this impression that clouds them and shifts them to a less natural level of projection. In this respect, one misses a little more finesse in the tuning of this first half.
Female vocals are perceived as warm and maintain that characteristic body and thickness of these capsules. But it’s worth noting that the sense of separation and openness greatly decongests the sound, giving it the necessary, even life-saving, amount of air. In this way, larger and more spacious mids are appreciated, with a superior facility for showing detail, without the notes ending up thin, but rather average.
Finally, the upper mids are controlled, there is a point of excitement that attracts cleanliness and clarity. But it is a softened profile at that point. Even so, there remains a glimmer of transparency, clarity and liveliness that brightens the sound within the projection of the mids.

Treble

The first treble has two flares and a marked control zone. In this way, a double expression is created: a more highlighted base and a later flare joined by a central softness. It is like a spark and a flash, two small controlled flashes. Admittedly, this may be commonplace, but in this case that sensation seems more apparent, so that controlled but sparkling treble is achieved.
There is a slight air fringe as the extension weakens after that point.

Soundstage, Separation

The strong point is the sense of openness, the scenery is wide and open, there is great laterality and it is accompanied by a gaseous, volatile and enveloping point. The level of definition and detail is somewhat more complex. The good feeling of openness and separation favours the detection of macro detail. The lack of density and finer sparkle and thinner notes prevents micro-detail from being more evident. The use of doughnut-type foams can enhance the perception of the tiniest detail, but I feel that the level of resolution is tight. A little more layering capability and a cleaner, sharper, more evident background is lacking.

Comparisons

ISN Rambo

Almost five years have passed between the two models. Both are the same in design, same PK capsule with the same cover, but the surface of the B80s is polished, while that of the ISN Rambo is microrough. The cable is different: thick, two-stranded black PVC-coated cable on the B80s, and four thin silver wires on the Rambo. The Rambo’s cable is more flexible and manageable, but feels a little thin and delicate when it splits in two towards the capsules. The metal parts of the cable are small and flashy on the ISNs, while on the B80s they are large, regular and gold-plated, more solid and heavy. I like the minimalism of the Rambo. As for the accessories, both are very similar: both have zippered cases and six pairs of full foams. The difference is that the B80s have three pairs of full foams and three pairs of donuts. The ISNs come with a small carabiner and a black plastic clip. The starting price of the B80 is $33, while the Rambo was $65 and can still be found for $49.
Although the glossy, satin-finish surface of the B80s is the same, their fit is slippery. In contrast, the Rambo’s fit better and are more secure thanks to their micro-texture.
For the audio tests I used the same full foams that came with the B80s. The Rambo’s are harder to move than the B80s. They also sound muddier and more distant, with less clarity and brightness.
In the low end, the excellent improvement in bass reproduction of the new B80s is noticeable. Bass sounds with authority, presence, power, realism, depth, darkness and naturalness. You can even feel the sub-bass. In contrast, the Rambo’s bass is rather coloured, less natural sounding, displaced, there is no sense of sub-bass and it vibrates less realistically. The only advantage is that their punch is drier, but their sonority and behaviour are unnatural. The great virtue of the B80s is that their low end is reminiscent of an IEMS, which is very surprising.
In the midrange, the lack of bass makes the first half of the midrange feel more sterile, less physical and more nasal in the Rambo. There is a noticeable hollowness in this area, creating a comparative gap between the two models. The sound of the B80s is much fuller and fuller, with no trace of nasal feel, although this first half is more exalted. On the Rambo, male voices tend to sound more nasal and thinner. The same is true of the female voices, which are perceived as displaced and coloured in the ISNs. The perception of both voices on the B80s is much more in line with reality, despite the slightly ‘pushed’ impression given by the headphones. The mids are denser, fuller, fuller and more balanced on the B80s. Although female vocals may sound a little sharper and more appropriate on the ISNs.
The only place where the Rambo seems to outdo the B80s is in the highs; their initial sparkle is brighter, a little thinner, not as smooth and nuanced as on the B80s. That sparkle lends more energy and naturalness to the high end.
Isolating detail, neither wins the battle with clarity, as both are dark and struggle to be resolute and defined in the deep layers. It is difficult to distinguish micro-detail in both. Perhaps there is a point of brightness in the ISNs that helps them to be more defined in some areas, while the greater sense of separation and more open scene of the B80s helps at other times. It is difficult to distinguish layers in both models or to discern a clear, sharp background. On the other hand, it is easy to get a fuzzy feeling on both models, although again, the higher spark point improves the perception of nuance on the Rambo.

Conclusion

The NiceHCK B80s successfully revisit the PK capsule. With a spectacular low end, full, deep, punchy, energetic, full, dense and dark, worthy of a good IEM, the B80s achieve a very well grounded, open, wide sound with excellent lateral envelopment. It is a warm profile, in which the notes are perceived well separated and with sufficient clarity, while the treble is smooth and nuanced. On the other hand, NiceHCK has adapted to market trends and offers a thick cable and a balanced 4.4 mm plug to achieve the best result thanks to the extra power provided by this connection. Last but not least, the price and the level of own-brand accessories also make it a key model in its price range.

Sources Used During the Analysis

• EPZ TP50.
• ifi GO Link Max.
• iFi GO bar Kensei.
• Tempotec V3.
• Burson Audio Playmate 2.
• Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + EarMen ST-Amp.