NICEHCK 10th Anniversary Earbuds Review: Budget Audio King

NICEHCK 10th Anniversary Earbuds Review: Can a $12 Open-Back Actually Sound This Good?

Released to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the NICEHCK brand, this model inherits the economic design and open-back structure of the previous YD30, while significantly improving hardware specifications and tuning precision. My specific unit—the Tranquil Deep Sea Blue 3.5mm version—truly excels when paired with a quality DAC, allowing you to fully enjoy the spacious openness characteristic of open-back earbuds.

Packaging and Contents

The packaging focuses on minimalism and practicality, featuring a paper blister card design with character illustrations. The package includes the earphones (with an integrated cable), a user manual, a warranty card, and a single pair of black foam covers. Notably, there is no leather pouch or strap included, reflecting a “no-frills” approach to keep costs low.

Design

The 10th Anniversary Edition adopts a classic open-back design that evokes nostalgia, tracing back to the days of vintage Walkmans and following the lineage of the YD30, YDSmall, and Traceless models. The housing uses transparent material, offering a glimpse of the internal driver structure. While the 10th-anniversary branding on the side might be subjective, the comfort is undeniable. Unlike in-ear models, these create no pressure inside the ear canal, making them ideal for long office sessions or listening while resting. The units are lightweight, and the standard 15.4mm size ensures a stable fit for most adult ears.

Sound Performance

• Bass: Due to the limitations of the open-back structure, the sub-bass lacks deep rumble. However, the mid-bass punch is lively, providing a solid foundation for the overall sound. The subtle vibrations transmitted through the plastic shell actually add a pleasant sense of impact to the low end.
• Mids: This is the strongest point of the set. Vocals are positioned front and center, sounding natural and warm. Male vocals and YouTube voice content remain crisp and clear. However, the warmth might make some female vocals sound slightly husky.
• Treble: The tuning leans toward a smooth profile that suppresses harsh peaks. While high-frequency enthusiasts might find a lack of extension, the fatigue-free sound is perfect for long-term, comfortable listening.
• Resolution: For roughly $12, the resolution is surprisingly competent. Unlike cheap bundled earbuds that turn into a muddy mess, these maintain a distinct separation between instruments, even in content-heavy tracks.
• Soundstage: Thanks to the open-back architecture, the soundstage is wide and airy, preventing that “trapped in your head” feeling common with in-ear monitors.

Pros

• Great Value: Excellent balance and sound quality that punches well above the $12 entry price.
• Vocals & Soundstage: Mid-range emphasis provides clear vocals and an expansive, open atmosphere.
• Comfort: Lightweight units ensure very low ear fatigue during extended sessions.

Cons

• Physical Limitations: Typical open-back issues, including weak sub-bass and minimal noise isolation.
• Fixed Cable: The cable cannot be replaced, so it requires careful handling to avoid breakage.
• Resolution Limits: Complex tracks with high information density may suffer from minor separation issues.

Usage Guide

To mitigate the loss of bass, I personally use donut-shaped foam tips. They improve the seal between the driver and the ear while letting through enough frequency detail to provide a tighter, punchier low end.

Since I have several portable DACs, I chose the 3.5mm model to take advantage of high-quality analog signal transmission. This configuration is better suited for entry-level audiophiles looking to maximize sound quality with dedicated equipment.

For general users without dedicated audio gear, I recommend the USB-C version. It includes a built-in DAC for high-resolution audio and offers the convenience of DSP tuning via apps, allowing you to adjust the sound to your preference without needing extra hardware.

Verdict

While they won’t outperform high-end earbuds costing ten times as much, these are the ultimate “daily drivers.” For an affordable price, they offer a wide soundstage, natural timbre, and incredible versatility across genres—from pop to classical.

NICEHCK 10th Anniversary Earbuds Purchase Link

NICEHCK 15.4mm DD PET Diaphragm N52 Magnet Earbud with 3.5mm/Type-C Plug HD Mic OFC Cable – AliExpress