NiceHCK is an online retail store that I sometimes purchase
items from on Ali Express. They carry other brands, but occasionally release
their own branded products at typically very competitive prices. I’ve had
bought a few of their ear buds in the past that feel and sound better than
their bargain basement pricing.
In this review, I will be reviewing their new in-ear monitor (IEM), the NX7 Pro, which was provided to me by Hifigo.com.
Accessories & Comfort
The NX7 Pro comes with a multitude of accessories in its
package. There’s a small heather gray soft zippered case and within that is a
series of tips, 2 additional sets faceplates and 2 additional sets of filters
and a tool to remove and install the screws for the faceplates. The NX7 Pro can
be modified to appear blue, red, or silver or any combinations of the colors
provided. I chose to make mine blue and red. These specific color plates match
the filters which add bass, add treble, or keep it in its default
configuration.
In addition, the NX7 Pro comes with a choice of 2.5mm, 3.5mm
or 4.4mm 2-pin style cables. I chose to get the 4.4mm version and it is made of
a copper colored 16 core braid. The metal Y-splitter, chin strap, and
connectors on it are very nice and the cable is really soft and easy to handle.
In terms of fit, I found the NX7 Pro to fit comfortably and
easily. The plastic shell is a little on the cheap-looking side of things and
contrast to the nice shiny metal faceplates, but they are lightweight and do
their job.
Sound
The default tuning on the NX7 Pro is definitely a V-shape.
It has a large emphasis in both the bass and treble regions, and are much more
than I normally prefer. The midrange is still present and isn’t totally lost in
the mix. In general, I find this tuning fun, but just a little unnatural, and
it’s more to do the large lift in the upper frequencies than anything else.
The bass can be thunderous on this IEM. When I put on
“Bullet with Butterfly Wings” from The Smashing Pumpkins, the kick drum and bass
guitar power through and slam with authority. The snare drums hit natural
timbre and the overall decay sounds on point and is controlled enough even
through the busiest portions of the chorus, with other instruments not over
shadowed by the bass and lower mid-range emphasis.
Massive Attack’s “Angel” thumps with raw power while
sounding controlled throughout the track, even as other instruments come into
play. Again, the bass does overpower a bit and takes a lot of the command, but
for a song like this, it’s fun, and it’s welcomed.
Bouncing around a bit, to the treble region; the cymbals on
“Angel” don’t sound as shrill and harsh as some other songs. They aren’t
heavily focused either, and not as forward in the track as the pounding bass
attack, so it works pretty well on the NX7 Pro.
On Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams”, the harmonics of the snare drum
and the cymbals can become a little fatiguing with the treble region gain on
the NX7 Pro as they sound very forward. Stevie Nick’s vocals are also forward,
though I do not find them distorted or unnatural. The extra splash of the
cymbals and hi-hats bother me a little bit, as well as the acoustic guitar
strumming in my left ear during the bridge and chorus.
Beach House’s “Lemon Glow” sounds really fun on the NX7 Pro
with a heavy bass and lower mid-range focus. The bass slams with authority, and
Victoria LeGrand’s lower range vocals sound very full bodied and works well.
Unfortunately, when her pitch raises, the NX7 Pro’s enhanced upper mid-range
and treble and upper treble spikes add sibilance, shrill, and unnatural
extension to her voice.
I found the NX7 Pro works well for music that stray away a
bit from the upper frequency bands – rock music led by male vocals and dance
music excelling in terms of a fun wow factor, and I surprisingly really enjoyed
the elevated bass response for the most part. If you’ve read my reviews or know
me any bit at all, you’ll know I tend to stray away from heavy bass headphones,
but some things surprise me.
I think the NX7 Pro’s biggest flaw is it’s treble tuning.
It’s just too bright. The filters don’t help this either unfortunately. The Red
filter makes the upper mid-range and lower treble even more bright, while
reducing bass a tad bit, and the blue filter makes the bass even more powerful.
I preferred the default tuning.
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