No 3 Without DB2

Ratings

Pros

• Natural and sensory bass at the low end. This ensures realistic bass reproduction, as well as power, volume, good control and texture.
• Projected, leading female vocals.
• Clear, vivid and sparkling upper-midrange.
• Good technical performance, with remarkable definition and resolution, separation and scene size.
• Good set of accessories for its low price.
• Design inherited from much more expensive models, with the same level of construction and ergonomics as those models.
• The cable is very acceptable and does not scream «change me» from the first moment.

Cons

• Unevenness in the midrange, the first half is lean and feels distant.
• First treble is nuanced and less homogeneous.
• If the whole ensemble offered a more rounded profile with fewer peaks and valleys, the sound would be superior and less polarised.

Purchase Link

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005006457118526.html

Link to the Store

https://es.aliexpress.com/store/1825606

Introduction

The popular AliExpress shop specialising in portable audio products has re-released a new low-budget IEMS model. It is a hybrid model with a dynamic driver and a BA driver. The dynamic driver has a 10mm titanium-plated graphene diaphragm. The BA driver is integrated into the mouthpiece channel, to reduce any loss of high frequencies. A PCB board with an electronic frequency divider is included. A similar process to the top model NX7 MK4 has been used for its manufacture. The front panel is made of drop-moulded resin, with an aluminium alloy bezel and a PC (polycarbonate) capsule. It comes in a choice of three finishes (blue, purple and black) and is wired with or without a microphone. Let’s see what this new model, priced at less than $20, has to offer.

Specifications

• Driver Type: 1DD 10mm with titanium plated graphene diaphragm + 1BA.
• Frequency Response: 20-20kHz.
• Sensitivity: 107dB/mW.
• Impedance: 16Ω
• Capsule material: PC+aluminium alloy.
• Jack Connector: SE 3.5mm
• Capsule Connection Type: 2Pin 0.78mm
• Cable Material: High purity OFC.

Packaging

The NiceHCK DB2 comes in a white box decorated with an anime girl, something that is becoming a classic in many brands. Its size is medium and its dimensions are 177x121x39mm. On the main side, on the top left is the logo of the brand and on the right the model. On the back side, this information is repeated, as well as the model specifications. There is a short description of the product, as well as the date of manufacture of the product (2023-11-24). There are also the brand’s branding and the icons of the specifications it meets, all in Chinese and English. After opening the box, you can see a card with the anime girl at the bottom. On top, inside a white foam mould, are the capsules. Underneath is a black leatherette purse, which contains the rest of the accessories. In summary, the complete contents are as follows:

• The two DB2 capsules.
• A card with the anime girl.
• An instruction manual.
• A certificate of quality.
• A card with the social networks.
• One high purity OFC cable with 3.5mm SE jack and 2Pin 0.78mm connection.
• A set of silicone tips model «NiceHCK 07» sizes S, M-(black), M (blue), M (White), L.
• A set of grey silicone tips, sizes SxMxL.
• A purse type bag in black imitation leather.

Actually, the amount of accessories is not bad for the price and includes a complete set of silicone tips model 07, whose separate price is more than 5$. It also includes a cable which is not bad for its low stiffness. It is clear that the sleeves are made of plastic, but it consists of 4 rolled strands which are not bad. On the other hand, the leather-like pouch has the brand’s logo engraved on it and has a closure with two flexible metal sheets, like a coin purse.
The packaging is not as compact as I would have liked, but that’s almost the least of it for the price of the set.

Construction and Design

As the brand itself says, the DB2s have the same design as the NX7 MK4. Perhaps the outer plate is the difference, not as refined as the top model. The front panel is made of drop-moulded resin, with an aluminium alloy bezel and a PC (polycarbonate) capsule. The shape of the face is classic African continental, but with rounded edges. The inside is also very rounded, transparent, not very thick. There is a hole in the centre of the DD, on the inner side. The whole is light and midrange in size. On this occasion, the gilt rim has no engraving. There is a rectangular, shallow plate, which contains the 2PIN 0.78mm female connection. The cable is fitted to match this plate. The nozzles are made of gold-plated brass and have two diameters, the inner and smallest is 4.8mm. The outer crown is 6mm.
The wire is made of four soft coiled strands. The material is high purity OFC copper. It is lightweight, mouldable and copper coloured. The sleeves of the 2Pin 0.78mm connectors are clear angled pieces with the channel letters inscribed on the outside. The plug sleeve is angled and made of white plastic. The plug is 3.5mm SE. The splitter is made of transparent plastic and is in the shape of an elongated trapezoid. It does not have a pin, but does have fairly tight, but low-rigidity, over-ear guides.
This is a design used by the brand itself in superior models, which combines a certain beauty, simplicity, fairly good ergonomics and low weight, as well as high durability.
There is a choice of three colours, blue, purple and black. The cable can be chosen with or without microphone.

Adjustment and Ergonomics

It is clear that sometimes NiceHCK experiments with its designs and ergonomics can suffer, as with its F1 planar model. This time it has played it safe and used a fairly universal shape from its low-budget models, but raised the construction bar by using the construction of its top model NX7 MK4. Its rounded, depressed inner shape barely touches the outer parts of the ear. The weight is very light and I had no problem using my large, foam-filled silicone tips. The fit is precise and immediate, no additional fitting is required, it fits right out of the box. The seal is quite occlusive. There is no movement, no rotation, the shape of the outer face contributes positively to this. The size is medium-small and gives a floating feeling, although the anchorage works very well. The mouthpiece has a good slope and, although it is not very long, the insertion could be shallow to medium.
Although there doesn’t seem to be any innovation, the design performs excellently in this area.

Sound

Profile

The NiceHCK DB2s have a V-shaped profile, tending towards W. The sub-bass starts off excited to reach a sunken midrange (around 600-800Hz), which then quickly emancipates from 2-4kHz. The treble starts with the classic control zone, not too pronounced, but just enough to smooth out the high end. Even so, a little more extension is gained thanks to later lifts in the treble-midrange and air zone.
On the other hand, the DB2s are easy to move and have very good sensitivity to be driven by low power sources.

Bass

The low end is focused on the sub-bass, but extends slightly into the low-midrange. The descent into the midrange is gentle and that encourages the lower range to feel rounded. The speed of execution is quite good for sub-$20 IEMS, but it has enough elasticity to offer a rubbery feel that gives it a fun, fuller character. This is not a bass cannon, firstly because there is good control and secondly because the loudness extends into the audible low end. And in this respect, the DB2s are quite natural. It is true that there is some roughness and somewhat forced texture on their surface, something that also gives them a more playful and entertaining appearance. But that does not detract from the fact that the hits have a corresponding forcefulness, dryness, good recovery and, above all, natural depth. This behaviour is endorsed in the very low-frequency pure tone test. The low end performs quite sensorially, a realistic behaviour that shows darkness and auditory perception in equal measure. This says a lot about the DB2s, it even performs better than other more expensive IEMS I have tested recently. There is hardly any colouring and pure tones are executed almost canonically, as a good dynamic driver knows how to do. Its translation to real music means effective and accurate reproduction of bass lines, complex bass and unfiltered bass. In this sense, the behaviour is positive and logical, without any aberration or overtones. On top of that, it has some ability to control the complexity of the bass, improving the simple performance, maintaining control (except in extreme cases), only generating a more noticeable reverberation. Even so, the bass is deep, with good sensitivity, occupies a good volume and offers a remarkable sense of fullness without losing realism and naturalness.

Mids

The midrange begins with a certain warmth that gives it a slightly rounded lower range. However, the male vocals are not as full, but are relatively lean and are observable in the half-distance. In this respect, the first half of the midrange is not very dense and the instrumentation in this area remains in that no-man’s land. The timbre is good and leans towards the soft, somewhat romantic and musical side. But this distanced ambience makes the music of this opening section, somewhat relegated in its base and ornamental perception. The male voices are soft, without veering towards brilliance or detail. In that respect they are pleasant but not starring. If the recording places the male voices on a closer plane, the DB2s improve and a good interpretation of them can be appreciated, as well as of the instruments. But it is the female voices that get the favour of these IEMS. The projection between 2 and 4khz raises their prominence, as well as that of guitars and other elements in this range. This elevation enhances the sense of transparency and clarity, but without offering an overly sibilant appearance, nor to put the ornamentation above the base. In this respect, the DB2s are safe, they do not fall into the obvious of chasing light at all costs, and they capture more of the goodness of this tuning than its possible negative effects. In any case, it is a classic midrange in a controlled V, which does not abandon the initial phase and, despite its exaltation in the second half, is not as split as on other occasions.

Treble

And I think that the treble and the control zone at the beginning of it are very much to blame for this. I should also comment on the fact that this is a hybrid model. In this respect, it seems that the BA drivers, even in this budget range, have improved. It is difficult to see its metallic character and in no case does it have hard edges. And I again think that favour is gained from the controlled treble presentation. True, there is a certain amount of splashy character, but it is controlled and not overly energetic. The treble notes are fine but not piercing, trimmed to a sweet spot that is felt and enjoyed, but without crowding, or cutting. Their incidence in the music is not predominant, but they do have a suitably explicit character. It is not a nuanced range, nor omitted, the treble is always there, but tuned in a quiet, but exposed way, after all. It’s true that it’s not the fullest range, but the energy is distributed in a classic way, albeit enhanced by the good work of its BA driver and effective crossover filtering. There is even a good amount of air that volatilises the higher notes and the final harmonics.

Soundstage, Separation

The NiceHCKs offer a fairly frontal scene, with good laterality and stereo feel. They have a remarkable depth representation, even some height. No congestion is felt and separation is good. Although in many cases the half-distance is predominant, the details remain in that area, being somewhat more complex to perceive in their entirety. Even so, the sound has good transparency, it is sufficiently separated and clear, to observe medium detail, without reaching the micro detail, although sometimes you can sense it when you know the songs perfectly. In that sense, the definition feels remarkable for the price range, without overwhelming and without leaving a realistic musical smoothness, although slightly accentuated by the more critical aspect of its BA driver.
The imaging and positioning of the elements is moderately accurate, given the commented performance of both drivers and their resolution capability. This means a modest, but ultimately natural, flawless recreation.

Comparisons

Simgot EW100P

The Simgot EW100P is a $20 IEMS in the same price range as the NiceHCK DB2. They come in an eye-catching silver box, but with an inferior set of accessories to the DB2: they only come with a set of generic tips and no storage bag. The DB2 comes with a good set of tips with 5 different sizes and another set of 3 more generic tips. In addition, a small leatherette pouch is included. The cable of the EW100P is not bad, two quite soft and manageable flat strands, which do not present low stiffness. The DB2 cable is more classic, with 4 coiled strands, but also has a low stiffness and softness. Here the aesthetics of each can decide the balance, because the connector sleeves are very similar in plastic, both angled. As it happens, both do not have a locking pin.
In terms of ergonomics, both are very good and fit my morphology very well. But even the EW100P are smaller and fit deeper and more firmly in my ears. In addition, they are smaller in size and slightly lighter in weight. That’s why the EW100P are a step ahead.
Los DB2 son más fáciles de mover que los EW100P.
The DB2’s profile is more V-shaped than the EW100P. The Simgot is darker and smoother on top, but also has a more restrained, dry and smooth bass. The DB2s have a rougher bass, with more texture, body, physicality and volume, as well as more power and presence in the overall sound. The EW100Ps perform well in the very low-frequency pure tone test, but their sub-bass is barely audible or sensitive. Both models do frankly well in this test, but the DB2s perform more fully across that extreme range, but their greater impact on the sound, as well as power, can be more susceptible to the feeling of losing control when the song has an unwieldy amount of bass.
In the midrange one feels the more V-shaped profile of the DB2s, offering a more distant, slightly leaner and less full first range. The EW100Ps offer that first half with a little more body and balance. But they are also darker and less projected. Male vocals are perhaps more grounded, but their presence remains in the middle distance. The greater vivacity of the DB2s brings those voices closer, even if they don’t have that rounded body.
The second half of the midrange is livelier on the DB2s, something that gives it extra light and clarity. It also has better definition, as opposed to the warmer smoothness of the EW100Ps. The DB2s are more sparkling and splashy than the EW100Ps. Thus, female vocals and guitars are more prominent on the DB2s, while on the Simgot they are still more controlled and have less energy than on the DB2s. At times, this can be an advantage, in terms of hiss and sibilance. But at other times, the greater closeness and flare invigorates the DB2 sound, leaving the EW100P’s sound more nondescript.
The treble of the EW100P has a decreasing energy that makes it more even. The DB2s are more uneven and give and take energy at different points in the early treble. The initial sparkle of the DB2s is more nuanced and less natural sounding. It limits that energy at that midrange to treble changeover point and loses that bit of realistic sparkle that the EW100P’s do have. There is a second, more explicit point, but I find the EW100P’s treble sonority more coherent. Although the DB2s are more precise, finer and with more resolution. This is where the DB2s outperform the EW100Ps. The DB2s have better definition, more separation, more space, with a larger, airier and more extended scene. Details are clearer and more evident. The EW100P are darker and more shaded. They don’t have bad resolution or detail for their price. But the DB2s are more technical. Perhaps, the DB2’s flaw is its V-profile which gives it some unevenness or hollowness in sound. Whereas the EW100P are more rounded. Although the DB2s are thinner than the EW100Ps, they are also deeper and wider, despite the aforementioned unevenness. Also, being more accurate, the image is more reliable in the DB2s.

Conclusion

The NiceHCK DB2 is a very well-built V IEMS, with a design inherited from more expensive big brothers, but with a very affordable price. They also offer a comparatively good accessory package, including a bag. In terms of sound performance, they have a remarkable, well-executed low end, which only suffers at very critical moments. Otherwise, their reproduction is more than remarkable, reaching the low end very fluently and realistically, generating natural and sensory notes in equal measure. The midranges have that typical IEMS V-notch unevenness. But the female vocals and guitars stand out, as well as the light, clarity, definition and resolution it possesses. In the upper part, the beginning is restrained and nuanced, a soft approach to the treble, which tries to compensate in the second half. The result can contrast with the naturalness of the low end. But the BA driver does a good job of shaping the notes to give them an attractive finesse and dryness, despite the control of their energy. The nuance of the top end is noticeable, but avoids that metallic feel that such drivers might offer. In that sense, NiceHCK has done a good job in this aspect, combining the sound coherence of the whole, rather than harmonising a more continuous and homogeneous profile. Finally, it is remarkable the technical level for its price, offering remarkable resolution, definition, separation, depth, width in its scene, even height and a good sensation of musical volatility.

Sources Used During the Analysis

• Hidizs SD2.
• Hidizs S9 Pro Plus.
• ifi hip dac 3.
• Aune Yuki.
• Tempotec V3.
• Burson Audio Playmate 2.
• Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + EarMen ST-Amp.