Moondrop Variations VS NiceHCK Rockies
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Moondrop Variations and NiceHCK Rockies use 1DD+2BA+2EST and 1DD+2Knowles BA+2Sonion EST driver setups respectively. Moondrop Variations costs $550 while NiceHCK Rockies costs $469. Moondrop Variations is $81 more expensive. NiceHCK Rockies holds a decisive 1-point edge in reviewer scores (7.5 vs 8.5). User ratings place Moondrop Variations at 7.8 and NiceHCK Rockies at 8.4. NiceHCK Rockies has significantly better bass with a 1.7-point edge, NiceHCK Rockies has significantly better mids with a 2.1-point edge, NiceHCK Rockies has significantly better treble with a 1.3-point edge, NiceHCK Rockies has significantly better dynamics with a 1.5-point edge and NiceHCK Rockies has significantly better soundstage with a 1.8-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Moondrop Variations | NiceHCK Rockies |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 7.3 | 9 |
| Mids | 7.4 | 9.5 |
| Treble | 7.7 | 9 |
| Details | 7.3 | 7.3 |
| Soundstage | 8.3 | 10 |
| Imaging | 7 | 7 |
| Dynamics | 6.5 | 8 |
| Gaming capabilities | 7.1 | 8.5 |
Moondrop Variations Aggregated Review Score
Moondrop Variations Average Reviewer Scores
NiceHCK Rockies Aggregated Review Score
NiceHCK Rockies Average Reviewer Scores
Moondrop Variations Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+2BA+2EST
Tuning Type: harman
Price (Msrp): $550
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NiceHCK Rockies Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+2Knowles BA+2Sonion EST
Tuning Type: Natural with bass emphasis
Price (Msrp): $469
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Moondrop Variations User Review Score
Moondrop Variations Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
7.8Strongly Favorable
NiceHCK Rockies User Review Score
NiceHCK Rockies Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
8.4Very Positive
Moondrop Variations Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.1Gaming Grade
A-NiceHCK Rockies Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
8.5Gaming Grade
S-Moondrop Variations Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.
Average Technical Grade
A- Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
NiceHCK Rockies Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
S-- Highly polished technical execution. Excellent frequency synergy creates an immersive experience. Enhances musical content.
Average Technical Grade
S-- Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Moondrop Variations Reviews
Moondrop Variations reviewed by: Smirk Audio
7
Reviewer Score
Great tuning, neutral timbre, and a satisfying bass with a sub-bass focus. Solid all-rounder.
Moondrop Variations reviewed by: Super* Review
8*
* score normalized
Moondrop Variations reviewed by: Jays Audio
7.5
Reviewer Score
Very clear with lots of detail. Sub-bass has a nice rumble and texture. Amazing treble extension and stage air. Female vocals are vibrant and shines. Mid-bass cut is real, affecting some genres and male vocals. Note-weight can be light. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Moondrop Variations reviewed by: Tim Tuned
7.5
Reviewer Score
Great separation and details Thin lower midrange Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Moondrop Variations reviewed by: Jaytiss
8.3
Reviewer Score
The more I listen the more perfect I find it. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Moondrop Variations reviewed by: Precogvision
7
Reviewer Score
A more refined B2 Dusk with better bass texture and treble extension. Precogvision Youtube Channel
Moondrop Variations reviewed by: Gizaudio Axel
8
Reviewer Score
A solid benchmark. Great sub-bass, Harman tuning, and excellent detail. Can sound thin.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
Moondrop Variations reviewed by: Crin
8
Reviewer Score
Sub-bass-focused signature with Moondrop's clean tuning makes this one of the best $500 tribrids. Crin Youtube Channel
Moondrop Variations reviewed by: Shuwa-T
7.3
Reviewer Score
Comment: Too much subbass, dry sounding lower mids. Clarity Subbass overpowers lower mids
Moondrop Variations reviewed by: Nymz
6.7
Reviewer Score
Resolution king for the price point with a fun tuning. Great sub-bass and treble. Lack of mid-bass bass and somewhat thin mids murdered it for my library. Can see the appeal for others tho.
NiceHCK Rockies Reviews
NiceHCK Rockies reviewed by: Jaytiss
2025-09-03
9.5
Reviewer Score
Trebble so nice. Feels faultless and amazing. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
NiceHCK Rockies lands in the ~$500 bracket with a 1DD+2BA+2EST setup and a surprisingly premium package. The hollow resin shell feels solid, with a metal nozzle, slightly recessed 2-pin, good isolation, and comfy fit. The swappable-termination cable is thick, pliant, and lays flat—no chin slider out of the box, but easy to add—and the excellent case and tip kit push the accessories into “above class” territory.
Tonally, Rockies goes for tight, controlled bass and a natural midrange, capped by upper-treble that’s sparkly yet refined—detailed without getting shouty or brittle. The graph reads largely flat with a tasteful treble lift, translating to a clean, clear presentation that stays engaging rather than fatiguing. It comes across as an “instant classic” tuning: lively, airy, but still grounded.
Compared with brand siblings (DB2 too upper-midsy; F1 Pro/NX8 fine but not special), Rockies feels like the step up. Versus peers, it splits the difference: more air and delicacy than RSV MK2 (which is bassier/darker), less sizzle than sets that chase treble for effect, and broadly similar endgame vibes to “good” units of Mega5-EST—variance there being the rub. Net: a high-value pick at its price, worthy of a Gold Star—not a universal “benchmark,” but a sweet, natural, clear listen that many will prefer, especially with the standout accessories.
NiceHCK Rockies reviewed by: Jays Audio
2025-08-28
8.5
Reviewer Score
Balanced, clean, airy, with a slight treble emphasis, good EST implementation, great overall package and accesories at the price. Similar to TOP PRO but with ESTs and not as vocal centric. Easy rec if you want something balanced and airy. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
The NiceHCK Rockies have a balanced tuning with standout treble extension from its ESTs. Vocals are tamer with a cut in the upper mids, trading sparkle-forward presence for a smoother, airier presentation; staging feels more open because bass and vocals sit slightly back, while cymbal decay lingers with a pleasing airiness. Technical performance is very good for the price—punching above many $500–$600 peers—and the unboxing/accessories package adds to the overall value.
Low end is grounded and tidy rather than slammy; texture and separation are solid, but this isn’t for bassheads or those wanting vocal-forward excitement (sets like Top Pro or Volare cover that better). The Rockies excel with rock/metal/indie/classical where the extra air, layering, and controlled upper energy shine; they scale best at mid volumes, and tip rolling should avoid options that over-boost or dull the treble—the stock tips already hit a sweet spot. Net: a confident recommendation at ~$500–$600 for listeners prioritizing treble quality, detail, and spaciousness, with the main trade-off being a more restrained bass and laid-back vocal emphasis.
NiceHCK Rockies reviewed by: Tim Tuned
2025-07-16
8.5
Reviewer Score
The Mega5EST but a slight bit more technical and bright Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
NiceHCK Rockies reviewed by: IEMRanking AI
2025-07-19
7.5
Reviewer Score
The NiceHCK Rockies deliver a cohesive sound signature centered around a powerful yet controlled bass response that avoids bleeding into the mids. Its natural midrange ensures vocals and instruments retain authenticity without artificial thickening or thinning, though upper mids lack some forwardness for absolute vocal clarity. The overall presentation leans musical rather than analytical, making it forgiving with various recording qualities.
Treble extension is smooth and non-fatiguing, contributing to long listening sessions, though it may lack the last degree of air and sparkle for those seeking extreme detail retrieval. The balanced technical presentation offers respectable soundstage width and precise imaging, handling complex passages without significant congestion. While not class-leading in raw resolution, its strength lies in a well-blended driver integration that avoids the disjointedness sometimes heard in tribrid designs.
Comfort is a highlight, with lightweight resin shells and ergonomic shaping enabling secure fit during extended use, aided by the included quality cable with interchangeable terminations. The Pietersite gemstone faceplates offer visual distinction, though build materials otherwise align with the price tier. At its launch discount, it presents solid value, but near its full MSRP, competition in the sub-$500 bracket intensifies significantly.
Moondrop Variations User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewThis was one of my first IEMs. I loved it and hated it. It is still the cleanest sounding IEM I own - also compared to something much more expensive.
Pros
Very clean sound signature combined with a satisfying amount of sub-bass. Sounds great with the right songsCons
Thin mids and poor note weight in some songsNiceHCK Rockies User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewLively tribrid with engaging low end and airy detail that still sounds cohesive. Strong technical performance for the price without losing musicality.