Nice HCK Himalaya VS CrinEar Meta
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Nice HCK Himalaya and CrinEar Meta use 1DD and 1DD+2BA driver setups respectively. Nice HCK Himalaya costs $329 while CrinEar Meta costs $250. Nice HCK Himalaya is $79 more expensive. Nice HCK Himalaya holds a clear 0.6-point edge in reviewer scores (8 vs 7.4). Nice HCK Himalaya has better bass with a 0.5-point edge, Nice HCK Himalaya has better mids with a 0.6-point edge, Nice HCK Himalaya has better dynamics with a 0.7-point edge, Nice HCK Himalaya has better details with a 0.6-point edge and Nice HCK Himalaya has significantly better imaging with a 1.1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Nice HCK Himalaya | CrinEar Meta |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 7.5 | 7 |
| Mids | 8.1 | 7.5 |
| Treble | 7.4 | 7.5 |
| Details | 7.6 | 7 |
| Soundstage | 8.3 | 7.4 |
| Imaging | 8.1 | 7 |
| Dynamics | 7.7 | 7 |
| Gaming capabilities | 7.5 | 7.5 |
Nice HCK Himalaya Aggregated Review Score
Nice HCK Himalaya Average Reviewer Scores
CrinEar Meta Aggregated Review Score
CrinEar Meta Average Reviewer Scores
Nice HCK Himalaya Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Neutral with mild V-shape
Price (Msrp): $329
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CrinEar Meta Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+2BA
Tuning Type: n/a
Price (Msrp): $250
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Nice HCK Himalaya User Review Score
Nice HCK Himalaya Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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CrinEar Meta User Review Score
CrinEar Meta Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Nice HCK Himalaya Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.5Gaming Grade
ACrinEar Meta Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.5Gaming Grade
ANice HCK Himalaya Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A+- Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.
Average Technical Grade
A- Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
CrinEar Meta 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.
Nice HCK Himalaya Reviews
Nice HCK Himalaya reviewed by: Z-Reviews
8.5
* score normalized
The NiceHCK Himalaya is a spectacular flagship IEM featuring a titanium alloy cavity that feels premium and has a beautiful sheen. It comes loaded with extras: a gorgeous purple and grey-blue braided cable (with interchangeable 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm terminations), a sturdy soft-hard case, various tips, and crucially, three interchangeable nozzle filters – gold, black, and blue. Remarkably, all three nozzles sound excellent, a rare feat where subtle tuning changes cater to different preferences without any duds; the blue nozzles deliver a particularly intense, club-like bass that feels physical.
Sonically, these are everything great about a dynamic driver: clean, open, wide, and smooth. They offer impressive bass weight and rumble, especially with the blue nozzles or Render tips, creating a sound reminiscent of a dark German dance club. The tuning flexibility is fantastic, allowing a shift from a cleaner presentation to a more intense, bass-forward signature. The ergonomic fit is comfortable, and the soundstage is expansive, drawing comparisons to the soundstage of the iKKO OH5 combined with the bass of the OH10, but with a superior stock cable. They handle different amps and tips well, proving to be happy go-lucky workhorses.
While minor quibbles exist – like the fiddly nozzle storage (they come in a bag, not a secure plate) and the potential to misalign the MMCX connectors – these are overshadowed by the overall excellence. The Himalaya delivers a powerful, immersive listening experience perfect for closing your eyes and getting lost in the music. For $300, they represent outstanding value, earning high praise as a goddamn yes and a strong contender, leaving little to disappoint.
Nice HCK Himalaya reviewed by: IEMRanking AI
2025-09-07
7.5
Reviewer Score
The NiceHCK Himalaya is a single 10 mm CNT dynamic driver (1DD) IEM housed in a titanium-alloy shell, paired with a modular cable offering 3.5/4.4/2.5 mm plugs and replaceable tuning nozzles (grey/gold/blue). Official listings show a current price of $269 with a regular price of $329, positioning it in the mid-range segment; core specs include 22 Ω impedance and 110 dB/mW sensitivity.
Sonically it leans neutral to mildly V-shaped depending on the nozzle: the blue filter reduces upper-mid energy for a smoother, warmer tilt, while gold sounds more W-shaped and grey adds upper energy and clarity. Reviewers note good staging and layering for a single DD, with clear separation and a generally controlled, non-fatiguing treble (though not for treble-seekers).
Trade-offs include a heavier shell and relatively short nozzles that may affect fit for some ears; treble can feel soft with certain filters. Still, the Himalaya provides coherent single-DD timbre, solid imaging, and practical accessories at its price, with easy drivability from portable sources.
CrinEar Meta Reviews
CrinEar Meta reviewed by: Z-Reviews
2025-08-29
7
* score normalized
CrinEar Meta lands as a limited-run, $250 bass-tilted collab that’s already sold out—and feels like a “little baby bass monster” in the best way. Build is clean and understated: aluminum shells with rose-gold accents, a nice interchangeable cable, and an overbuilt hard case that embarrasses most sets at this price. The nozzles are chunky (think Chronicle’s Red/Daybreak vibes), so foam or “render”-style tips help with seal and comfort. Specs are oddly opaque—driver configuration isn’t listed anywhere—yet the package still screams more value than expected.
Tonally this is unapologetically V-shaped: elevated bass that punches on cue, crisp treble that reaches in and gets attention, and a clear midrange that can read V because the ends are lively. The stage is intimate/narrow, giving a “small loud room” energy that’s exciting but can trend fatiguing over long sessions. Crucially, it passes the body-movement test—put on a groove and there’s immediate “wiggly-wigglies”—where a safer, cleaner sibling like Daybreak can feel a bit too polite. Meta sounds less filtered, more gusto, more fun; Daybreak is the seat-belted version.
Chain matters: with spatial enhancement (think soundstage wideners on a fancy DAC), the main gripes fade and the presentation breathes, though even stock the tuning remains engaging and lively. Net take: this is the version of Daybreak many wish existed—more out of the box, more toe-tapping—so it gets the nod on sheer enjoyment. New? It was a steal at $250. Used around $200? No-brainer collector keep if that energetic, bass-forward V is the target.
CrinEar Meta reviewed by: Super* Review
8*
* score normalized
Versus similar priced IEMs this is probably the IEM I would be buying. Very nice IEM and a little bit on the contrasty side.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
CrinEar Meta reviewed by: Smirk Audio
7.1
Reviewer Score
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CrinEar Meta reviewed by: Jays Audio
7.5
Reviewer Score
Bright-leaning all-rounder with sparkly treble sauce. Great tech for price and great accessories. Good coloration that's not vanilla and safe as other crin collabs. Can be fatiguing at higher volumes, tip dependent, rec sancai wide/regular or Softear Ultra Clear/EPZ clear tips. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
CrinEar Meta lands as a clean, balanced, slightly bright-leaning all-rounder with a distinctly sparkly treble. The top end carries a “special sauce” — sharp attack, quick decay, airy cymbal splash and strong micro-detail — creating an open sense of space with tidy separation and layering at around mid-volume (~65 dB). Bass and vocals sit at a “normal” distance: clear and resolving but not emphasized; expect punch rather than deep sub-bass rumble or chesty slam. Fit is tip-dependent: stock silicones can sound peaky; clear soft EPZ tips keep the shimmer without harshness, while “white” Tongu Senai tips smooth the treble further.
Technically, Meta punches above its $250 bracket, hanging with sets like Dusk 3.5 and Estrella for resolution and imaging despite not using ESTs. Timbre stays natural and the build/accessories feel solid. Trade-offs appear when cranking volume: the treble rise can turn fatiguing past ~75–80 dB, especially on bright, electronic-leaning tracks. Genre picks lean toward pop, J-/K-pop, rock, metal, and indie instrumentals at mid-volumes, where the upper-mid cut reins in hot mixes and the sparkle makes cymbals addictive; for hip-hop/rap/EDM, some will want more rumble, slam, and note weight.
Versus Ziigaat Estrella, it’s apples to oranges: Estrella brings more low-end authority and smoother treble with vocals popping forward, while Meta counters with a brighter, sparklier presentation better for K-/J-pop and bands. Against other bright-neutral sets (Dusk, P5+2, Brain Dance), Meta sounds fuller in the low end with a more natural, less sizzly treble; compared to Canon Pro, it’s the more energetic and less laid-back choice. For pure vocals, Volume S, EPZ P50, or Cadenza 4 remain stronger. Scaling champs like Ziigaat Odyssey and AFUL Explorer take higher volumes better but trade away some of Meta’s detail sparkle. Limited-run caveat aside, this is an easy recommendation for listeners wanting a balanced daily driver with distinct, glittery treble at sensible listening levels.
Nice HCK Himalaya User Reviews
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CrinEar Meta User Reviews
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