Premium Evolution

Ratings

Pros

• Very wide, full, dense, complex, rich and extensive warm sound.
• Low end emphasised in the sub-bass, very natural and deep.
• Huge mids.
• Soft treble.
• Big, dense, wide, lateral, wall-mounted presentation.
• Very good level of construction, with MMCX cable.
• Improved ergonomics allowing for a variety of adjustments.
• Outstanding zippered case.

Cons

• Perhaps the treble could be a little sharper and the bass a little wider and more powerful to be one of the most complete earbuds.
• Packaging too big and insufficient to keep the earbuds in place.

Purchase Link

https://nicehck.com/products/nicehck-ebx25ti-flagship-flathead-hifi-earbuds

Link to the WEB

https://nicehck.com

Introduction

The well-known AliExpress shop NiceHCK not only sells audio products, but is also an expert in cables and accessories, and has been creating its own IEMS and Earbuds for a few years now. I’ve reviewed more than 20 of the brand’s products and it has many more, so it’s no anecdote when NiceHCK brings a new product to market. They often combine budget products with high-end products, but always within a maximum price range. I recently reviewed the IEMS NX8, which is currently priced at $199, and the B80 headphones, which cost $33. This time, NiceHCK returns to the EBX series, which houses the brand’s high-end headphones. If in the past it was the EBX21, now it’s the turn of the EBX25, but with the addition of titanium as a construction material. The model is the EBX25Ti. This new high-end model from the brand is an earbud constructed of aircraft-grade titanium alloy with a 14.2 mm diameter beryllium-plated dynamic driver with a beryllium-plated diaphragm dome. It uses a detachable MMCX cable and a mixed 6N OCC and silver-plated copper conductor with 3.5 mm SE and 4.4 mm BAL terminations. The cable is covered with black textile fabric, while the fixed parts are metallic in the same colour. Of course, the brand has designed extensive packaging that includes the usual accessories for this type of product and a high-quality round zippered case. But what does this new high-end product sound like? I will try to discuss all this and more in this review.

Specifications

• Driver Type: 14.2mm diameter beryllium-plated dynamic dome driver.
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz.
• Sensitivity: 117dB/mW.
• Impedance: 32Ω.
• Jack Connector: Choice of 3.5mm SE or 4.4mm BAL.
• Cartridge Connection Type: MMCX.
• Cartridge Material: Titanium alloy.
• Cable Material: Mixed 6N OCC and silver plated copper.
• Starting Price: $329.

Packaging

The NiceHCK EBX25Ti comes in a large black box measuring 214x143x110mm. On the main side you can see the model name written in large white letters. On the top side is a short description of the model and on the bottom side is the brand logo. On the back side are the model specifications in Chinese and English. There are also the brand indications and the logos certifying the product specifications. Removing the outer carton reveals a black cardboard box with a textile-like texture and the model name in small black letters in the centre. The box is box-like and is combined with a bottom drawer that can be removed with a black ribbon. At the top are the capsules inside a black foam mould with another black fabric strap to lift it out. In the bottom drawer is the round zippered case made of good, soft leather, plus a black cardboard box with the accessories. Inside the case is the cable and inside the box are the other accessories in small sealed white plastic bags. The complete contents are as follows:

• The two EBX25Ti capsules.
• The MMCX cable with 4.4mm plug in my case.
• Three pairs of full black foams.
• Three pairs of black donut foams.
• One cleaning brush.
• Two rubber rings to enlarge the diameter of the earbuds or to secure the anchorage.
• A clip for easy removal of the cable.
• A leather-like magnetic tape to wrap the cable.

The box is too big. Also, when I opened it, the capsules were out of place and banging all over the box. It is clear that they came out during transport. I can think of two other reasons: the weight of the capsules and the low to medium firmness of the capsules inside the mould. I think that a high-end product should have a packaging that protects the product more efficiently.
I have no complaints about the cable, it is quite good; perhaps the 4.4 mm diameter plug is a bit too small and can be a bit soft when inserting it into the dishes. On the other hand, the zippered case is excellent, both in feel and in the smoothness with which it opens and closes. Three pairs of full, donut-shaped foams are classic, but the pair of extendable rubber rings, the brush and the magnetic strip, which is a brand classic, are appreciated.

Construction and Design

The design is quite classic and simple, but very well thought out. It is a micro-textured, cone-shaped capsule, attached to a spike that starts cylindrical at the base of its MMCX connection. As it approaches the apex of the cone, the top face flattens out. The capsules are made of aircraft grade titanium alloy. On the side of the spike, the model name EBX25 is written in gold lettering, while the letters Ti are enclosed in an oval of gold paint. On the inner side of the capsule, on the underside, there are a series of relatively large holes, nine in total. The outer side of the sound outlet has concentric holes and the inner side is protected by a clear membrane/grille. On the MMCX connection there are red and blue rings to determine the channel of the capsule. Furthermore, on the inner side of the spigot, next to the connection, there are R and L markings.
The cable has MMCX connections with red and metallic blue rings to distinguish the channel. The cylinder is then tapered to a very slight conical shape. The cable outlet is not shielded. The sleeve of the 4.4 mm gold-plated connector is a cylinder with two faces sectioned to be flat. At the exit of the black textile coated double cable there is a small black rubber. The divider has the same shape as the connector sleeve, but is shorter. The adjustment pin is a cylindrical ring with an oval hole inside. The hole is just right, neither too tight nor sliding completely free. I would have liked it to be a little smaller. Both the cable and the metal parts are black with microtexture. The whole thing is highly elegant and functional.

Adjustment and Ergonomics

And this is where that simple but effective design comes into its own. The EBX25Ti is one of the most comfortable earbuds I’ve tried. They have precise dimensions that fit my ear perfectly. I can wear them both with the earbud all the way down, which would be normal. But you can also turn the earbud towards your face, placing them more horizontally to open up the sound and enhance the bass. The height of the cone allows such a rotation to be efficient and the ear-tip to be adjusted to the earlobe for a secure fit. It’s simple and effective, and outstanding for getting the best sound from the EBX25Ti.
NiceHCK has evolved from its previous EBX21s. While they may initially appear similar, both the cone and earpiece are more streamlined, allowing for a superior fit and a fuller, more consistent listening experience. The EBX21’s larger spike and more slippery capsule made the bass less noticeable despite the driver’s potential. This is not the case here, but is resolved and improved.

Sound

Profile

While the fit of earbuds may seem simple, a small variation can make a big difference to the perception of sound. The EBX25Ti have a warm, even and full profile. The first sensation I had when wearing them was fullness, from the bass to the mids. The first two bands sound very full, while the treble is perceived, albeit softened, with a slight initial sparkle and good extension. The result is a well-represented sound at all frequencies, with a natural, analogue character and sweetness at the top end.

Bass

Believe it or not, the focus of the bass is in the sub-bass, even if its emphasis does not reach the lowest note. The second sensation I had with the EBX25Ti is that the bass is deeper and fuller than I expected. I was surprised by their power, presence, darkness, volume, depth and sub-bass leaning sonority. I think this is the key to the sound quality. Rather than fostering or developing the mid-bass, boosting the lower frequencies has generated midrange separation, improved bass control and avoided excessive warmth in the transition to the midrange. In the very low frequency pure tone test, the above can be clearly seen. While the first tones are somewhat lighter, subtly coloured and oscillatory, at 30 Hz the shift towards the true power of the driver takes place, with 40 Hz being the paradigm of the EBX25Ti’s subwoofer behaviour: well executed, quite fast, with a quite natural timbre, very little coloured and a realistic, deep, volumetric and clean sonority. The translation to real music is a fairly well-resolved bass for earbuds, full in volume, with good punch, texture, presence in the environment, darkness and depth. Technically it’s good, it doesn’t have the speed of a good IEMS, but it’s quite compact, slick and has a remarkable recovery. What lingers in the room is a mix of darkness, volume and depth provided by the subwoofer.
In the dirty, complex and unfiltered bass test, the great tuning work to shift the focus to the sub-bass is apparent. At this lower point, the situation is very well controlled, with no unwanted vibrations, and it shows cleanliness, security and skill in the separation of frequencies, layers, bass lines and bass drums. Only some subtle colouring escapes in the transition between sub-bass and mid-bass. Nevertheless, it demonstrates remarkable technical ability, dynamics, resolution and definition.

Mids

It is also clear that, apart from the fit, the use of full or donut-type foams can improve the sense of transparency of the sound of the earbuds. In my case, I preferred the full foams to enjoy more fullness in the low end. The result is a slightly warmer, but still fuller midrange. That fullness is the third surprise of these EBX25Ti. This model does not have a V-tuning, but the transition between bass and midrange is smoother, with a fairly full midrange presence. So much so that male vocals are perceived as leading and quite full. They are never muddy despite the good amount of base they possess. Starting from a warm body, with a good physical presence, they are very complete even in harmonics, demonstrating that great presence in the three stripes that the EBX25Ti have. It is true that the instrumentation is a step behind and is not as exuberant. Even so, it is full, homogeneous, without being dense or clumpy.
The mids come across as more organic and natural, not bright or sharp. Still, there is a good sense of clarity, speed and transparency, but without losing the organic and warm feeling that earbuds provide. Thus, I could say that the EBX25Ti have one of the fullest and most homogeneous mid-ranges I’ve ever heard in an earbuds. This is evidenced by the great prominence that female voices also get, which are quite clear, even in their highest nuances, confirming the good presence of details and high range.
Overall, both the lower and midrange generate a sense of a wall of sound that is difficult to appreciate in earbuds, where hollowness between bass and midrange, peaks in the upper midrange and early treble are the norm. This is not the case here with the EBX25Ti, which have a volumetric, dark and deep subwoofer that merges with a large, full, complex, dense, full, powerful, rich, homogeneous, warm and musical mid-range. My feeling when listening to them in this respect is that I’m enjoying good IEMS, but with that classic, more open and extended sound that you don’t get with the earbuds.

Treble

As I have mentioned in the previous sections, the EBX25Ti is very well represented in all bands. Although the high end is perhaps the softest, it does not lack presence or extension. Far from it, the umpteenth surprise is the extension of the treble, as well as the combination of finesse, precision and smoothness of the high end. The treble feels very well represented in the harmonics of the rest of the frequencies and that generates a great musical richness. But it is also a range that can shine on its own, as it has enough influence to stand out without losing the smoothness and not being piercing, but subtly incisive. Therein lies the grace.
And as for the sibilance, the EBX25Ti is quite adept with it, expressing it, but not accentuating it; it shows brightness, but also control. I think it’s a step beyond neutral. Quite good.

Soundstage, Separation

I can’t say I’m surprised here, because if there’s one thing I expect from a brand’s top-of-the-range earbuds, it’s a great sound stage. And it is, and it is backed up by a voluminous and deep sound coming from the bass. The result is a soundstage that gains in distance, length, width and height, and achieves greater surround projection. It doesn’t quite generate a spherical sound, but stays more in an upper plane that slightly surrounds the head, but with enough punch that it doesn’t appear gassy or volatile. It has good layering ability, but without being excellent, something that is demonstrated in the background details, which remain somewhat more stuck than with an IEMS. Thus, micro-detail is expressed, but you have to try to look for it, as it is not so explicitly felt. This is how the sound is descriptive, but not analytical, and remains musical, quite rich, but not ultra-detailed. The initial presence of the treble can mark a more evident macro detail that can attenuate the nimble nuances. The combination with closer layered recreation makes that micro detail somewhat less visible, though still perceptible. Horizontal separation is better and so the sound is more transparent and cleaner, despite the warmth and use of full foams.
The imaging is obvious, the positioning effective and the stereo feel very pronounced, thanks to the great laterality and spaciousness of the sound, which offers very pronounced dynamics in this respect.

Comparisons

Rose Martini

It is clear that the Rose Martini is the perfect rival for the EBX25Ti. With a very special design, the Martini are made of heavy metal, even more so than the NiceHCK. Their cable is not detachable, but fixed, with a textile covering and a 4.4 mm balanced finish. The cable is practically the same. They are similar in accessories, although the Rose only comes with full foams and a pair of elongated cases. I prefer the NiceHCK’s double set of full foams and doughnuts, plus their better round zippered case. Design-wise, the Rose’s are beautiful, somewhat unique with that bass-boosting double tube design, with gold and silver finishes. The EBX25Ti are a little more traditional, but have very well thought-out ergonomics.
In terms of sound, the Martini has a more V-shaped sound, with a more accentuated bass in the mid-range. The treble is also immediately noticeable. On the other hand, I find the EBX25Ti softer at the bottom, but also more homogeneous in the middle. The NiceHCKs are a little easier to move and, for the same power, get more sound pressure. For the comparison, full foams have been used in both models.
The bass of the EBX25Ti is deeper and darker, with more sub-bass presence. On the Rose, the bass is fuller, reaches further and is more predominant and punchy in the mid-bass. It is punchier and more powerful. In the very low-frequency pure tone test, the EBX25Ti’s natural superiority in the lower tones is apparent. There is hardly any wave character and the sonority is much more real, physical, dark and natural. The Rose’s have a distinct oscillatory component that sounds rather than feels and adds an unrealistic colour to those sub-bass tones. They only surpass the sub-bass when loudness and timbre become natural, but the EBX25Ti’s have already beaten the realism game. The translation to reality is not as drastic and the Rose’s show more punch, power, punchiness and overall presence in the bass, with a very good technical quality. However, I find the EBX25Ti to have a very well calibrated bass, more technical and realistic, but also softer and more neutral in comparison.
In the mid-range, the Rose’s sinking is noticeable and it is difficult to match the presence of both earbuds. Although the timbre is similar in both, the distance is much greater in the Martini. The midrange fullness of the EBX25Ti is very clear and superior. The EBX25Ti’s clearly give the Rose’s a run for their money in the midrange, which shows that the NiceHCK’s are much more midcentric than the Rose’s. But they are also more complete in all three ranges. But they are also more complete in all three ranges. Only the male vocals may be denser and more grounded on the EBX25Ti, although it is possible that someone might prefer the sonority of the male vocals on the Martini. The homogeneity, fullness and density of the EBX25Ti is the only thing that may detract from the clarity and transparency of the ensemble.
As a good V-earphone, the Martini has a clear, crisp, sparkling, crunchier, thinner and more evident treble. The EBX25Ti has a smoothed, extended and also more nuanced high end.
Both are very good at recreating the scene, although the approach is different in each. Both have great laterality: there is more volume in the bass of the Martini, but more distance in the mids. The EBX25Ti’s are denser in the mids and cohesive between the bass and midrange. This gives them a more unified, homogeneous, panoramic, wide and extended soundstage. The Martini are somewhat clearer, crisper and more transparent, also more ethereal, separated and volatile. The EBX25Ti’s scene is more frontal, wide and wall-like. Whereas the Martini presents a more oval scene, farther out in the centre, but more relaxed, not as horizontally expanded.
The Martini offers better and sharper separation, also sharper macro detail, although the micro detail is as good or better in the EBX25Ti.

Conclusion

NiceHCK has taken a step in the right direction in its search for the best earbuds, creating a very complete, high quality and very enjoyable product, clearly premium. It has focused its attention on the lower sub-bass zone, generating a realism and naturalness in this area that is not within the reach of just anyone. With a solid and not inconsiderable base, the EBX25Ti begins its triumphant entry into the midrange, where it proclaims itself as the big star, where the two adjacent strips work to generate the fullest range. The treble does not fall short in extension and demonstrates the great presence that the EBX25Ti’s have in all bands, but really feels softer and more relaxed, to provide a totally pleasurable, natural, organic, wide, spacious and extended listening experience. Without a doubt, NiceHCK has created earbuds with the soul of IEMS, but with the stage and openness that only the best earbuds have.

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.