Tanchjim Origin VS Nicehck Rockies

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Tanchjim Origin gets the “Legendary” treatment for good reason: it’s a clarity-first single-DD that puts finesse over flash. The full-metal shells feel premium but can be slippery and a bit tricky to seat; expect some tip-rolling. Build notes include a semi-recessed 2-pin, a well-cut nozzle, and finish wear that can show with time—ergonomics are fine, just not as contoured as newer designs.

Tuning skews neutral and mid-focused: bass is clean with a light, non-exaggerated thump and controlled mid-bass, so no boom. The midrange is the star, while the treble brings smooth extension and a surprisingly refined sparkle. Technicals impress—pristine resolution, tidy separation, and standout imaging—but there’s no “thunder” down low; some listeners may notice a touch of brightness in the mid-treble. Swappable filters exist, yet their effect is subtle.

Reception has been bullish: Zeos called it obsessively neutral and nearly perfect; Timmy praised it as one of the year’s best with lovely, smooth treble; Super* Review rates it among the better sets under ~$260 while preferring the Chopin. In today’s field—with value picks like Tanchjim Bunny (to sample the signature cheaply) and modern darlings like Softears Volume S—Origin still stands as a refined, resolving choice under $300. Verdict: an A+ recommendation for listeners chasing cleanliness, mids, and imaging; bassheads should look elsewhere.

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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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Tanchjim Origin targets a balanced and clean tuning with a sprinkle of mid-bass. Dynamics come across smooth like the EA500LM but a touch cleaner; low-end is punchy, textured, and well separated, just not as tactile in attack as EA1000. The spotlight is vocals: female voices sound sweet, open, and extended without thinness or shout, though there’s less chest depth and a desire for a bit more sparkle. Stage feels tidy rather than expansive—EA1000 projects a more open headspace—so the Origin reads as “very correct,” not showy.

Treble is smooth, clean, and well-extended with no harshness; not Helios-level airy, but enough. Resolution sits close to EA500LM, while EA1000 delivers sharper transients and a slightly more resolving edge. Character map: Origin = balanced/clean, EA1000 = slightly bright/sparkly, EA500LM = warmest/bassiest. All three are mid-volume listens stock. With mods, EA1000 proves the most flexible and gains that engaging “special sauce” with more tactile bass and vocal energy; Origin is easier to dull or darken; LM can tip into too much bass with added damping.

In today’s market the Origin sits in a tough spot: EA1000 beats it on price, engagement, and mod scaling, while EA500LM undercuts it with better bass texture and value. With contenders like Nova, Chopin, Quintet, and Hype 2 swirling around, Origin makes the most sense if a balanced, smooth single-DD is wanted without a mid-bass scoop. The extra nozzles don’t meaningfully change things, and a price near $150 would feel far more justified. Otherwise, waiting for the next wave may be the smarter play.

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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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Tanchjim Origin shows up with grown-up design, a slick logo, and a surprisingly nice stock cable—though it’s only 3.5 mm. Under the hood: a single dynamic driver and interchangeable nozzles. The “Dynamic” nozzle thickens the bass into a chewy, fun thump; the “Light” nozzle unlocks the magic—shockingly clean, near-neutral tuning with a tight low end. Tip rolling pays off (foam-filled silicone adds a touch of seal and snap), and the shells feel like proper adult jewelry. The carry case is comically huge, and the 2-pin posts are long, but build is otherwise dialed.

Sonically, Origin hits that “how is this this clean?” tier: vocals are dead-on, the treble stays smooth without bite, and the low end sits ~a hair north of flat for just the right weight. Staging isn’t stadium-wide—image arcs just behind the eyes—but layering, punch, and overall polish scream high-end without needing a mega amp. Swap to the Light nozzle, get a good seal, and it’s a full send: one of the best-sounding single-DD sets in this bracket, the kind that could still be recommended even at a higher tag. Call it a 9/10—dock a point for the non-modular cable and oversized case—but the tuning and refinement are spectacular for the price.

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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.