Nicehck Rockies VS Fiio FX17

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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.

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Fiio FX17 packs a wild driver stack—8x EST plus 1x dynamic and 4x BA—and a price that hovers around $1,500–$1,700. The shells are large and a little heavy, yet comfortable with solid isolation; the matte-steel finish looks slick but is a fingerprint magnet. MMCX sockets sit in a blue-ringed collar, and the included cable is genuinely nice: chin-slider equipped with swappable 4.4 / 3.5 / USB-C ends. Packaging is classic Fiio with a generous spread of ear tips (including SpinFits). Overall fit and finish scream audio-jewelry, in both the good and the pricey senses.

Sonically, this is a very wide, “open” presentation with impactful bass and noticeable warmth—sometimes veering toward mud rather than cleanliness. Upper-mids energy is restrained, while the 8 kHz region pops, and treble air extends well; the net effect leans neutral / deadpan-neutral with a slightly warm tilt and not a ton of bass heft. The tonality mirrors Truthear Pure more than many top-end sets, which will delight listeners who crave that profile but leaves others wanting more sub-bass punch and less incisive 8k. Technicals—detail, slam, and stage—are strong, yet the value is debatable when alternatives like Fiio FA19 / FX19 (more bass, less 8k bite), Dunu Glacier (more sub-bass and fun without losing correctness), Softears RSV / RSV MK2 (similar upper-mids with calmer 8k), Aful Dawn X (less warmth, better air for the price), or NiceHCK Rockies (cleaner treble) exist for less. Recommended for those chasing Fiio’s neutral house with a grand soundstage; everyone else may want EQ (a gentle clean-up of warmth/8k) or to shop the cheaper powerhouses.

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NiceHCK Rockies lands as a $500 tribrid (1DD+2BA+2EST) that mirrors the Mega5-EST’s tuning with subtle tweaks. The unboxing is generous—three styles of tips (including AET07-style and tacky “medical” silicone), a large puck case, and a swappable 3.5/4.4 screw-lock plug. Build feels premium with a real pietersite stone faceplate; fit is comfortable but shell geometry is generic, so stability depends on tips. The stock cable looks nice but is stiff and, notably, has no chin slider.

Sonically, Rockies follows a tilted diffuse-field / “new meta” balance with slightly less bass and a touch more lower-treble than Mega5-EST—on the order of ~1 dB each way. That shift tightens the low end and improves separation/imaging, making the set feel more technical; however, it also trims warmth and depth, leaving the presentation a bit dry/brittle at times. Bass quality is clean and controlled rather than showy; treble reads clear without obvious harshness on the 711 rig readout, though it can edge lean.

Against peers, Mega5-EST stays the easier, warmer listen with slightly “thuddier” bass, while DUNU’s Brain Dance is the pick for maximum excitement and staging (more clinical up top). Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk (analog use) offers stronger imaging and notably satisfying bass execution at a lower price. Rockies ends up a very good, balanced all-rounder that some will prefer over Mega5-EST for its tidier bass and clarity, but the trade for brightness and dryness is real—final verdict: 3/5.

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The Fiio FX17 emerges as a worthy flagship and a significant improvement over its predecessor, the FA19. This tribrid IEM boasts a unique driver configuration of one dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and a staggering eight electrostatic drivers, all housed within a solid, lightweight titanium shell. While its aesthetic is considered a bit plain, the build quality is excellent. The package is loaded with a massive assortment of accessories, including seven different styles of ear tips and a cable with a clever built-in DAC adapter for smartphones.

Sonically, the FX17 delivers a warm, powerful, and engaging sound signature. Its bass is a particular standout, described as meaty, well-textured, and highly engaging without bleeding into the mids. The overall tonality is natural yet contrasty, offering a dynamic and punchy listen. The treble provides excitement and definition, though it can be slightly aggressive or "crashy" for those with high sensitivity, making it far from a "safe" tuning.

In direct comparisons, the FX17 is deemed superior in every way to the FA19, which was criticized for its bloated bass and splashy treble. It trades blows with competitors like the Dunu Glacier and ThieAudio Monarch Mk IV, offering a denser, more tactile experience than the Monarch's airy presentation and a more natural vocal tonality than the Glacier's more exaggerated V-shape. Ultimately, the FX17 is declared not only Fiio's best IEM to date but a compelling and engaging option in the high-end market.

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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.

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The FiiO FX17 is a mind-bending flagship IEM priced at $1,500, packing an absolutely hilarious 13-driver configuration per side: one dynamic for bass, four balanced armatures for midrange control, and a staggering eight electrostatic drivers for the highs. The sheer number of electrostats isn't a gimmick; FiiO explicitly states they're necessary to achieve sufficient sound pressure and avoid being mere "decoration," throwing serious shade at competitors. The result is nothing short of wild. Forget typical soundstage descriptions – the music doesn't feel like it's coming from two points in your ears or even from speakers in a room. Instead, it creates an entirely internalized, coherent performance happening inside your head, like the band is set up within your skull. It’s a cognitive living experience prioritizing placement and realism over simple frequency response graphs.

This psychoacoustic magic translates into pure, infectious enjoyment. Tracks feel aggressively present yet controlled, with kick drums hitting the back of your eyewall and intricate details like tap dancing percussively located behind your eyes. The separation and realism are phenomenal, making everything from the Beastie Boys to complex techno feel immediate and utterly engaging. While physically large with a fingerprint-prone mirrored finish and using the less-favored MMCX connectors, the FX17 is surprisingly comfortable and not overly heavy. Criticisms like the connector type are dismissed as irrelevant noise compared to the sonic achievement. Plugged into anything from a high-end stack to the included USB-C dongle DAC, the FX17 delivers its unique, immersive magic consistently.

The unboxing experience screams flagship, absolutely justifying the price tag visually. It arrives in a luxurious British Racing Green case with magnetic closure, featuring gold-accented packaging, a wooden storage plaque (unit 240 shown), a cleaning cloth, MMCX tool, ear wax brush, magnetic cable clip, and a mind-boggling 22 pairs of various eartips. Add in a very nice cable with interchangeable terminations (3.5mm & 4.4mm included, 2.5mm adapter not included) and the aforementioned USB-C dongle, and the package feels comprehensive and premium. Ultimately, the FX17 stands out dramatically in the crowded $1,500 IEM field. It’s declared worth every penny of $2,000, delivering a unique, transformative listening experience that prioritizes how the sound is presented over traditional audiophile checkboxes. It earns full, emphatic marks as FiiO's best audio reproduction product to date.

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The FiiO FX17 packs a hybrid 13-driver configuration featuring one dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and eight EST drivers, priced around $1,500. Unboxing reveals a generous accessory suite: a premium leather case with magnetic closure, an MMCX removal tool, cleaning brush, cleaning cloth, and a magnetic cable holder. The highlight is the included modular cable with 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations plus a specialized USB-C dongle enabling parametric EQ and firmware updates. Buyers also receive a staggering 22 pairs of ear tips – including SpinFits, liquid silicone, foam, bass-enhancing, vocal-focused, balanced, and double-flanged options – neatly organized across two cases. The cable itself earns praise for being soft, tangle-free, well-behaved, and featuring a functional chin slider.

Built from chunky titanium shells, the FX17 feels premium but substantial. While weight distribution prevents ear fatigue for some, its large size may cause fit issues for those with smaller ears, making a demo advisable. The nozzle diameter is 6.1mm. Sonically, the FX17 delivers a powerful, mid-bass focused slam described as punchy and meaty, though sub-bass rumble takes a backseat. The mid-range is warm, lush, and slightly relaxed, offering surprising clarity and excellent detail retrieval without shoutiness. Treble stands out as smooth, highly detailed, and non-fatiguing, providing ample air and shimmer without sibilance. Technical performance is strong, with great detail and separation, but the true star is the exceptionally wide, immersive, and realistic soundstage, particularly noticeable in the upper mids and treble.

Compared to the FiiO FA19, the FX17 offers a significant upgrade in bass physicality, smoother treble refinement, and superior soundstage. It also surpasses the Unique Melody MEST MKIII CF in detail, separation, stage width, and bass weight/texture. Against the pricier Elysian Apostle, the FX17 is warmer and more relaxed; the Apostle boasts tighter bass, clearer vocals, and sparklier treble, while the FX17 counters with a wider stage. This IEM is strongly recommended for mid-bass lovers seeking physical slam, listeners desiring warm, lush, non-fatiguing mids with clarity, treble enthusiasts wanting detail without harshness, and soundstage aficionados. It's not ideal for those with small ears due to shell size, listeners prioritizing deep sub-bass rumble over mid-bass impact, or anyone seeking a neutral or bright tuning. The FX17 earns a four-star rating for its standout qualities.