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NiceHCK HK6 Review – Ruthlessly Revealing

NiceHCK HK6polarizing IEM has been lauded for its giant soundstage and ruthlessly revealing presentation and criticized for its overemphasized midbass; both viewpoints have considerable validity. Unlike most “referenced-tuned,” flatter high-dollar pieces, the HK6 really pushes the  thick, energetic 100-300 Hz region forward, which highlight voices and acoustic guitars and enlivens folk and jazz. Heavier rock, esp. songs using synthetic instruments, can sound slightly unnatural and/or sibilant; bad digital recordings sound like bad digital recordings. Stage, as stated, is very wide and deep, albeit with limited height—there’s a great sense of space between performers, and layering is first-rate. Subbass isn’t especially deep, but is quite sculpted and, compared to the Hisenior B5+ or UE900s, has considerable impact. Treble is less prominent than the mids but very well extended and detailed; it can get piercing at the extremes and these are not warm or smoothed over.

Very tip-dependent; double flanges or wide silicons tend to maximize bass impact and quality. Build is okay but not premium-looking; isolation is good, not great though fit and comfort are just fine. Overall, their somewhat exaggerated midbass gives them a slight incoherence and keeps them from endgame status, although they are definite keepers which excel with certain genres.

Author

  • Loomis

    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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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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