Nice HCK Himalaya VS Kiwi Ears Septet
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Nice HCK Himalaya and Kiwi Ears Septet use 1DD and 1DD+4BA+1Planar+1PZT driver setups respectively. Nice HCK Himalaya costs $329 while Kiwi Ears Septet costs $269. Nice HCK Himalaya is $60 more expensive. Nice HCK Himalaya holds a clear 0.7-point edge in reviewer scores (8 vs 7.3). Nice HCK Himalaya has significantly better mids with a 3.1-point edge, Nice HCK Himalaya has significantly better treble with a 2.4-point edge, Nice HCK Himalaya has significantly better dynamics with a 1.7-point edge and Nice HCK Himalaya has significantly better soundstage with a 1.3-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Nice HCK Himalaya | Kiwi Ears Septet |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 7.5 | 7.3 |
| Mids | 8.1 | 5 |
| Treble | 7.4 | 5 |
| Details | 7.6 | 7.3 |
| Soundstage | 8.3 | 7 |
| Imaging | 8.1 | 7.3 |
| Dynamics | 7.7 | 6 |
| Gaming capabilities | 7.5 | 7.1 |
Nice HCK Himalaya Aggregated Review Score
Nice HCK Himalaya Average Reviewer Scores
Kiwi Ears Septet Aggregated Review Score
Kiwi Ears Septet Average Reviewer Scores
Nice HCK Himalaya Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Neutral with mild V-shape
Price (Msrp): $329
Support our free service! Buying through our affiliate links costs you nothing extra:
Kiwi Ears Septet Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA+1Planar+1PZT
Tuning Type: Neutral-bright
Price (Msrp): $269
Support our free service! Buying through our affiliate links costs you nothing extra:
Nice HCK Himalaya User Review Score
Nice HCK Himalaya Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!
Kiwi Ears Septet User Review Score
Kiwi Ears Septet Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!
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
AKiwi Ears Septet 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-Nice 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.
Kiwi Ears Septet Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A-- Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.
Average Technical Grade
A-- Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
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.
Kiwi Ears Septet Reviews
Kiwi Ears Septet reviewed by: Jays Audio
7
Reviewer Score
Bright-leaning with slight warmness - has an unique sparkly/lush, airy, and spacious sound. Great tech for the price, treble is not overly harsh or peaky (at mid volume), pretty smooth with the extra mid-bass balancing out the treble boost. Vocals are pushed back/not fully extended and not as prominent. Mid-volume set, doesn't scale well. Gets spicy with energetic genres past mid-volume. Great for instrumentals, acoustics, indie, classical, etc. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Septet reviewed by: Jaytiss
6.8
Reviewer Score
Kiwi Ears Septet reviewed by: IEMRanking AI
8
Reviewer Score
The Kiwi Ears Septet delivers a neutral-bright sound signature characterized by clear vocals and a notably forward treble that enhances detail retrieval, particularly in female vocals and acoustic instruments. Its bass response is neutral and controlled, lacking the weight of closed-back designs but offering tight, fast decay. While this tuning excels with well-recorded tracks, it can become fatiguing with bright or poorly mastered material due to its upper-midrange and treble emphasis. The open-back design contributes to an airy presentation, though it reduces isolation significantly.
Technically, the Septet showcases a wide soundstage with precise imaging and strong microdynamics, allowing subtle instrumental textures to shine. Its seven-driver quadbrid configuration (dynamic, balanced armature, planar, and piezoelectric) integrates cohesively through a sophisticated 5-way crossover. However, the low sensitivity (95dB) demands powerful sources to avoid dynamic compression, and the open-back design makes it less suitable for noisy environments despite its comfortable fit.
Nice HCK Himalaya User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
- Example pro 2
Cons
- Example con 1
- Example con 2
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewBuy Nice HCK Himalaya on Aliexpress
Ad
Price: $342
Buy Nice HCK Himalaya on Aliexpress
Kiwi Ears Septet User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
- Example pro 2
Cons
- Example con 1
- Example con 2
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own review