Artisans of the bass
Ratings
Pros
- Comfort and ergonomy.
- Suitable for long listening because of their soft, not fatiguing response.
- Possibility of modifying the response in the lower zone by making a simple mod.
Cons
- Lack of extension in the upper zone, which limits the rest of the sound in detail, air and definition.
Purchase link
Store link
https://es.aliexpress.com/store/1727211?spm=a219c.12010108.0.0.64663e61Vrr4DV
Specifications
- Driver Type: 2BA + 1DD
- Frequency response: 20 – 40.000Hz
- Sensitivity:106 ± 2 dB/mW
- Impedance: 12Ω
- Cable length: 1.2m
- Jack connector: 3.5mm in L, gold coating.
- Earphone interface: MMCX
Packaging
The P3 comes in the classic zippered box typical of the NiceHCK store, with no other wrapping or cardboard box to cover it.
In its interior comes
- NiceHCK P3.
- 2m long two-wire MMCX cable with 3.5mm L-jack connector.
- 3 pairs of black silicone eartips and wide channel.
- 2 pairs of bi-flange silicone eartips of the same size, white and translucent blue.
- 1 pair of foam eartips.
The content is very close to the minimum and the only thing to be thankful for is a little more variety in the eartips.
Again the same cable that came with the NiceHCK M6. The construction quality of the cable looks good, but its sound quality was not adequate for those M6. In this case I haven’t noticed almost any difference after replacing the cable with another one with the P3.
Construction and design
The shape is reminiscent of custom type IEMs, but made of hard plastic, translucent blue inside. Meanwhile, on the outside, the plaque simulates a blue mother-of-pearl, with the name of the brand engraved in gold, in lower case letters, whose font recalls handwriting.
The nozzles are metallic and gold colour. Both have a fine, non-metallic mesh filter that is not rigid either.
On the inside of the IEMs, the letters L and R are engraved to identify the side of each capsule. There is also a small hole in an area close to the center of the dynamic driver.
Because they are transparent, all drivers can be clearly identified. In this case, the BA drivers are not in the nozzles, but almost in the same plane as the dynamic driver.
The MMCX connector of each capsule is embedded in them and is metallic, gold plated.
Adjustment and ergonomics
In this case, and this is a success, the nozzles are not short. Although the insertion cannot be considered deep, the fit is almost perfect: the outer body fits very well in the anatomy of the ear, while the inside barely rubs, remaining as if floating but remarkably tight, thanks to the precise length of the nozzles.
This type of capsule is part of the select group of capsules almost excellent comfort.
Sound
The sound of the P3s is balanced, but dull, with some darkness, rather diffuse because it is too soft and lacking in detail because of the evident fall of its highs. After a few listenings with it, it doesn’t seem to stand out in anything in particular, it has separation, no stridency, but no brightness. I miss more air at the treble, more punch at the bass and more definition in the mids.
And when something is missing you have to see how to fix it, either by changing cables, changing eartips or looking for the possibility of making some mod. I tried to cover with tape a small hole located above the dynamic driver. So, the bass response has changed drastically. Even too.
I have tried three types of adhesive tape and tried to pierce the tape at the point of the hole, in order to lighten the presence of the bass. Finally I have been able to adjust the amount of bass to an acceptable point, but almost at Bass-Head level.
Bass (Bass Mod)
Once the bass mod has been realized, the low zone grows, perhaps even too much. The energy the bass gets is high. The negative point is that maybe it rumbles a little more, which subtracts some depth, quality and stratification in them. But for those, like me, who like bass, the sound changes for the better and becomes a party.
With the mod the bass can become massive, it may not be of a very high quality at the level of precision or speed, but they do not become fats or blurred and with little recovery.
By using various types of tapes and plugging the hole to a greater or lesser degree, it is possible to regulate the amount of bass generated. Thus, one can play by modifying the sound in this area until it is to his liking.
Mids (Bass Mod)
Thanks to the Bass Mod, the mids also grows in its central area. This enhances the proximity of female voices and helps to clarify the sound. The absence of sibilances is absolute. The voices have a quite natural colour, they do not sound muddy or nasal, but they enjoy a warm point and quite a body. The problem is a certain lack of resolution in this area, absence of brightness, nuances, transparency and greater separation. The mids are somewhat dry, safe, pleasant, but not exciting.
Treble
The highs, even for me, are somewhat insufficient. The area in general is quite polished, reduced in extension, even before desirable. This fall drags away the rest of the sound, which lacks sufficient air and detail.
Scene, soundstage
Despite the shortcomings in the upper zone, the scene is neither narrow nor claustrophobic. The multiple drivers work in favor at this point and are able to generate an instrumental recreation certainly satisfactory, although the depth is not great. The separation is simply good, taking into account all that has been said about the trebles so far.
Comparisons
KZ ZS10 (Bass Mod)
Direct comparison reveals quite a few differences, the ZS10 offers a cooler, sharper and faster sound. But it lacks the warmth, mid-body and bass power of the P3 with Bass Mod. The ZS10 is able to reveal more detail where the P3 is only soft, offering a longer sound and clearly less trimmed from above.
ZhiYin Z5000
In my opinion, the Z5000 have a somewhat unbalanced profile. The energy of the bass is superb, so much so that it becomes lacerating in a short time. But the mids sounds more than hollow, somehow unreal, unnatural, with a very particular sonority. The P3 with Bass Mod are not able to move as much air as the Z5000, but they have a more balanced and natural sound, much less strange.
Conclusion
The P3 are very comfortable IEMs, very suitable for long listening, both for its ergonomics, as for its tonal balance and treble not fatiguing at all. Well built and very pleasant to the eyes, they are ideal to carry around in their box and be used in public transport, as well as very suitable for listening to the radio.
But they have a particularity that can make them more attractive: how the lows grow after applying a simple mod. Just by covering some holes with tape, these IEMs reach Bass-Head levels. It is even easy to modify the presence of the lower zone, using different types of tape or plugging these holes to a lesser degree.
In the most negative aspect, we find the lack of extension in the high zone and its fast drop.
Sources used during the analysis
- Sabaj DA3