Symphonium Audio Meteor VS Nicehck Rockies

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Warm-tilted and unapologetically bassy, Symphonium’s 4BA Meteor aims for a thick, relaxed presentation that still feels refined up top. The bass carries notable mid-bass weight—authoritative for BA, if not as tactile or tight as the best DD sets—while the overall picture favors cohesion over knife-edge separation. What elevates it is the treble: impressively extended, smooth, and free of glare, adding micro-contrast and vocal texture that keeps the warmth from turning soupy. Imaging is only so-so, headstage feels enveloping rather than wide, and tonal clarity takes a back seat to body—but the tuning “hits different” in an inviting way.

Build and ergonomics mark a clear step up from Helios: a smaller, medium-sized metal shell with comfortable ingress/egress and generally easy fit, though security is merely average and the faceplate print/finish can look a bit rough under certain light. Accessory details may vary, but the package shown included a nice pocketable case and a well-behaved cable (watch polarity on 2-pin). At $600, it positions itself as Symphonium’s most approachable entry, boutique quirks and all.

Against peers, Dunu’s SA6 reads cleaner and more neutral with crisper imaging (its bass can be hit-or-miss), while Shuoer EJ07M “Kind of Lava” feels the most technical here—superb DD bass and slightly tame treble with a narrower stage. The Meteor carves its own lane: a warm-neutral, meaty signature with standout treble quality and a cozy stage that’s easy to live with. Verdict: a confident 4/5—not for clarity chasers, but a uniquely satisfying alternative for those who want rich warmth done right.

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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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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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Thick, meaty mid-bass steals the spotlight here: kick drums and bass guitars hit with authoritative punch, driving songs forward with head-bobbing momentum. Despite being BA, the low end doesn’t sound like BA—impact is heavy, rumble is extended, and separation/texturing are fantastic, especially on instrumental tracks and Western artists with rhythm-heavy mixes. The treble surprises too: airy cymbal strikes cut through the warmth, violins/flutes glow with a smooth, non-fatiguing shine, and overall dynamics/scale impress—turn it up and it gets better.

Trade-offs show up in the midrange. That generous mid-bass can mask vocals on busier tracks, pushing them a bit distant and making textures harder to pick out versus cleaner sets like OG Monarch or QKZ x HBB’s DSP-tuned rivals. Note weight is more natural (never thin), but the set is warm-tilted rather than neutral, so vocal-centric ballads and mid-forward mixes can feel too cozy. As a targeted recommendation: for poly-rhythmic, low-end-driven genres it can be a grand slam; for all-rounder use, consider a slight EQ dip to the mid-bass to unmask vocals and open the mids—doing so keeps the Meteor’s energy intact while restoring clarity.

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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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Packaging and accessories go hard: a wild Nightjar cable that actually behaves, a tiny waterproof case, foam and silicone tips, even a burlap sack. The shells are much smaller than other Symphoniums and easy to fit with the right tips (xElastic/SpinFit helped). Build and unboxing feel premium and the cable ergonomics are spot-on.

Tonally, this is a U-shaped, boombastic, in-your-face tuning—big bass, crisp treble, recessed mids—designed to shove the music right into the bubble. It’s energetic and aggressive, doesn’t change much with amplification, but can get prickly with some tips and then oddly dull up top with others. The treble lacks excitement, mid clarity feels veiled, and soundstage is limited; “bass-bass-bass” dominates while detail and air don’t keep up.

At $600, the value proposition is the sticking point. Back-to-back swaps against cheaper sets reveal clearer vocals, cleaner highs, and even better bass texture elsewhere, which makes this Meteor hard to justify. For those chasing slam, sparkle, and space, there are multiple sub-$200 options that do more with less. Verdict: stylish presentation and fun punch, but too pricey for the performance—many alternatives simply outshine it.