NiceHCK has been around for a while in the Chi-Fi space, and this 10th Anniversary set feels like a throwback to classic flathead earbuds. It's simple, lightweight, and made for casual listeners.
There are a few variants available: a blue color option, and different configurations including USB-C (with and without mic) and 3.5mm (with and without mic). My unit is the red USB-C version with a mic.
If you've used flatheads before, you already know the tradeoffs. If you haven't, expect that this isn't a bass beast.
Disclaimer: I'm not an audiophile, and this review focuses on personal listening impressions rather than technical analysis.
This unit was provided by NiceHCK. All opinions are my own. Audio is subjective, so your experience may vary.
Price: $12 USD (~₱ 800 PHP)
Link: https://www.nicehck.com/products/yuandao-10th
Pros
- Very light and comfortable for long sessions
- Open design keeps you aware of surroundings
- Clear vocals and easy listening tuning
- USB-C version is convenient for phones
- App support for EQ customization
- Cheap entry into flatheads
Cons
- Fit can feel loose without foams, easy to accidentally pull off
- Limited bass due to lack of seal
What's in the box
- The earbuds with attached cable
- Foam covers
- Documentation
Pretty barebones, which makes sense for the price.
Shell Design
The shells are plastic and very lightweight. The whole set weighs around 17.4g with the cable, and each earbud is roughly about ~2.8g, so you barely feel them in your ears.
The design is pretty eye-catching, it uses a translucent red shell that lets you see some of the internal structure, paired with a yellow face that gives it a bit of a retro vibe. You will likely not be seeing that yellow face again since you'll be covering it with foam.
There are also gold/yellow prints on the shell. On the sides, you get a small horse logo, likely referencing the Year of the Horse for 2026. At the back, it has "YUANDAO" printed in the same gold color.
The face area is about 16.6mm wide, but in my case it feels a bit loose. It doesn't fall out on its own, but if you accidentally tug the cable, yeah… it's going to get yeeted out of your ears.
Comfort is great though. Since there's no seal, there's no pressure buildup, and you can wear these for hours without fatigue.
Stock Cable
Cable is fixed and lightweight, nothing fancy. Since this is the USB-C version, it's plug-and-play with phones, and it even works with the NiceHCK app for some basic customization.
It's thin but doesn't feel like it'll break immediately. Still, it's better to be cautious when handling the cable.
Stock Eartips (foams)
Foams were included, but mine arrived flattened. Took a bit of effort to properly open them up and get them usable. They were elastic enough that I didn't tear them while putting them on the earbuds, but thick and comfortable for my ears.
Once fixed, they help with comfort and tame the treble. They also improve the fit and help keep the earbuds from falling out.
App Support
NiceHCK also has an app available on their website: https://www.nicehck.com/pages/app
It's available on the Google Play Store, iOS App Store, and as an APK download. The USB-C version works with the app.
The app lets you customize EQ for your NiceHCK devices. Just keep in mind EQ has its limits like EQ cannot fix hardware limitations like lack of bass extension, driver resolution, or staging. Pushing EQ too far can also introduce distortion or make the sound unnatural.
All sound impressions in this review are based on the stock sound, not EQ-ed.
General Usage Impressions
Fit is okay but not the most secure. You'll want to be mindful when moving around or if the cable snags on something.
Because there's no seal, you'll hear everything around you. This is actually a big plus in certain situations like working, commuting, or just not wanting to be completely isolated.
These are good for general and casual media consumption, but don't expect immersion due to the lack of seal.
The mic works fine for basic calls and voice chats. It's usable, but nothing special.
Sound Impressions
- Tuning: Slightly warm with a more relaxed presentation. It's not fatiguing at all.
- Bass: It's a flathead. Bass is there, but it's light. Don't expect rumble or depth.
- Mids: Vocals are warm and slightly forward. Male and female vocals sound smooth and natural without sounding shouty.
- Treble: Inoffensive and generally smooth. Does not get sibilant most of the time
- Technicalities: Feels open because of the design, but imaging is not super precise, you just get the general direction. More "wide-ish" than accurate.
- Gaming: OK for casual gaming to be completely honest. For competitive use though, you're going to want something that gives you more precise positioning. The lack of isolation doesn't help but you could try pumping up the volume. It is excellent for long gaming sessions.
NiceHCK 10th Anniversary Earbuds vs Venture Electronics Monk SL Plus ($10 USD)
After doing some A/B testing, these sound very similar to the Monk SL Plus overall.
Both have that typical flathead presentation with light bass, open staging, and smooth vocals. The main difference I noticed is that the Monk SL Plus has slightly more natural-sounding mids, while the 10th Anniversary Earbuds is a bit warmer in comparison.
The differences are minor enough that preference will likely come down more to tuning preference, fit, design, and convenience than outright technical performance.
Do note that this comparison was done with foam covers installed on both sets. The VE Monk SL Plus uses thinner foams than the NiceHCK, which may affect the sound slightly.
Final Thoughts
The NiceHCK 10th Anniversary earbuds are a simple, affordable flathead set that focuses on comfort and casual listening.
If you're going to get this, know that you're trading bass and isolation for comfort and awareness, and if that's what you want, this makes sense. It's not a technical monster, especially at this price point.
All in all, good enough for the price. If you want something light, easy to wear, and usable for everyday media, this does the job. But if you value isolation and immersion, get a pair of good IEMs instead.
Thanks to Moca of NiceHCK for sending the 10th Anniversary Earbuds for me to review!
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