EarphonesHmmMid PriceReview

NiceHCK M6 Review (2) – For Those Who Like Fat Bottoms

NiceHCK M6—archetypal multi-driver has many virtues, but is ultimately betrayed by its syrupy lowend. Build and aesthetics are unremarkable for the price point and isolation so-so, but comfort is very good. Gently U-shaped, with a neutral-to-warm, very natural-sounding tonality and a spacious, enveloping stage; imaging is very impressive and instrument placement accurate. 

Bass is very prominent but, as Jurgen observes, lacks deep impact and definition and has a slow, leaden quality which bleeds into the lower mids. (Note that switching to the gold “bass” filters does tighten the low-end, but dulls the higher frequencies, while the green reference filters seem to maintain the best balance of oomph and detail). Midrange is slightly pushed back but is full-bodied and very clear, while treble is reasonably extended and detailed yet silky, without shrillness; attack transients are resolved very quickly. Driver integration is pretty good although, again, the wooly bass mars the overall presentation

Overall, the M6 (which is alleged to a clone of the BGVP DMG) sounds like a beta model, with subsequent iterations like the DM6 presumably correcting the bass tuning. As is, the M6 is about 80% of a very good IEM, but there are many others in the $100 range that’ll get you closer to your sonic nirvana.

Disclaimer: borrowed from Durwood, who claims that he paid for them with his own, presumably hard-earned cash.

Note by the editor: the NiceHCK does not sound good without the $6 3rd-party filters. You have to click on that second review depicted above to learn more about it.

You find an INDEX of all our earphone reviews HERE.

Author

  • Loomis T. Johnson (Chicago, USA)

    Head-Fier since 2014. Based in Chicago, Loomis T. Johnson is a practicing attorney, failed musician, and lifelong music fanatic and record collector. He has frequently contributed to such review sites as Headfi, Sound Advocate, and Asian Provocative Ear (as well as many other far less interesting non-musical periodicals). A former two-channel and vintage gear obsessive, he has sheepishly succumbed to current trends in home theater and portable audio. He’s a firm believer that the equipment should serve the music and that good sound is attainable at any budget level.

Loomis T. Johnson (Chicago, USA)

Head-Fier since 2014. Based in Chicago, Loomis T. Johnson is a practicing attorney, failed musician, and lifelong music fanatic and record collector. He has frequently contributed to such review sites as Headfi, Sound Advocate, and Asian Provocative Ear (as well as many other far less interesting non-musical periodicals). A former two-channel and vintage gear obsessive, he has sheepishly succumbed to current trends in home theater and portable audio. He’s a firm believer that the equipment should serve the music and that good sound is attainable at any budget level.

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