Overview

NICEHCK, founded in 2015 in China, released the Tears in late 2025 as a budget open-back in-ear monitor positioned within the brand’s entry-level Yuandao (YD) series. Three variants are available: 3.5mm without microphone (28.99 USD), 3.5mm with microphone (29.99 USD), and USB-C Type-C with microphone (31.99 USD) [1]. The USB-C variant integrates a DAC supporting up to 32-bit/384kHz and 8-band parametric EQ via the NiceHCK companion app, with EQ settings stored on the cable. All variants use a standard 0.78mm 2-pin detachable cable connector. The shell is injection-molded ABS in black-red or white-gold colorways.

Scientific Validity

Third-party frequency response measurements from AudioReviews.org [2] (calibrated DIY rig: Dayton iMM-6 microphone, SPL and soundcard calibrated, no compensation or smoothing applied) show Harman-adjacent tuning with a mild bass lift and a pinna gain of approximately 7dB in the 1–2kHz region — a notably conservative figure compared to many budget IEMs. The manufacturer specifies THD below 0.1% at 1kHz [1]; no independent third-party THD measurement has been published for the Tears as of this review. This THD figure falls within an acceptable range for the earphone category, though it remains unverified by independent testing.

The semi-open housing with three visible rear vents is the principal limiting factor. The open-back construction inherently produces passive isolation well under 10dB — inadequate for use in typical portable environments — as confirmed by reviewer accounts [2]. The acceptable frequency response tuning and manufacturer-claimed THD are substantially offset by the poor passive isolation from the open-back design, yielding an average overall performance result.

Technology Level

The Tears incorporates five core technologies: a 10mm dual-magnet dynamic driver with a dual-chamber acoustic labyrinth rear cavity, a semi-open shell with three rear vents, a silver-plated OFC cable, and — in the USB-C variant only — an integrated DSP cable supporting 32-bit/384kHz with 8-band app-controlled parametric EQ [1]. NICEHCK describes its products as self-developed and designed with no identified OEM/ODM arrangement [5].

By late 2024, the entire technology stack is well-established in the budget IEM segment. Dual-magnet dynamic driver IEMs proliferated in the market from approximately 2020. Acoustic labyrinth and maze-chamber rear cavity designs spread broadly across competitors from 2022–2024. Open-back budget IEMs reached mainstream production by 2023–2025. USB-C cable-integrated DSP with companion app parametric EQ has been widespread in the budget market since 2022. No proprietary patents were identified for any component, and all technologies are freely replicable by competitors without licensing. In-house design origin earns a positive adjustment, but the fully commoditized technology stack and the absence of any sustained competitive differentiation constrain the overall score.

Cost-Performance

This site evaluates based solely on functionality and measured performance values, without considering driver types or configurations.

The NICEHCK Tears (3.5mm no-mic variant) is priced at 28.99 USD [1]. This variant provides 3.5mm SE wired output, a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable, no DSP or EQ functionality, and no integrated microphone. Manufacturer-specified THD is below 0.1% at 1kHz [1] and frequency response covers 20Hz–20kHz. Third-party FR measurement shows Harman-adjacent tuning with approximately 7dB pinna gain at 1–2kHz [2]. Passive isolation from the open-back housing is estimated well under 10dB.

The Truthear HOLA [3] at 18.99 USD is the identified cheapest product with equivalent-or-better user-facing functions and measured performance. Equipped with 3.5mm SE wired output and 0.78mm 2-pin detachable cable (no DSP, no integrated microphone, matching the base Tears variant), THD (manufacturer specification ≤0.1% at 1kHz) and frequency response coverage (20Hz–20kHz, Harman-adjacent tuning) are provisionally equivalent-or-better. Performance comparison:

• THD: HOLA ≤0.1% at 1kHz at 94dB SPL (manufacturer specification) [3] vs. Tears <0.1% at 1kHz (manufacturer specification) [1] — equivalent
• Frequency response: HOLA shows pinna gain approximately 6dB centered at approximately 4kHz (AudioReviews.org same calibrated rig [2]; Crinacle/IEF graph database confirmed [4]) vs. Tears approximately 7dB pinna gain at 1–2kHz [2] — both Harman-adjacent, equivalent tuning
• Passive isolation: HOLA (closed-back design) vs. Tears (semi-open housing, well under 10dB) — HOLA is better

This comparison is provisional: neither product has published independent third-party THD measurements; FR comparison relies on calibrated DIY rig measurements and the Crinacle graph database.

CP = 18.99 USD / 28.99 USD = 0.6547, rounded to 0.7.

Reliability & Support

The Tears carries a one-year manufacturer warranty for units priced above 20 USD, covering manufacturing defects [1]. A 30-day free return or exchange window applies for manufacturing defects; customers pay inbound shipping for warranty claims, with NICEHCK covering return shipping for approved repairs. Post-warranty maintenance may be available on request. The one-year warranty period falls below the two-year market average.

The physical construction is structurally simple: a single-driver shell in injection-molded ABS with a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable. The detachable cable eliminates the most common IEM failure point, and single-driver construction minimizes internal component count. No documented hardware defects, recalls, or elevated failure rates have been identified for the Tears. NICEHCK provides direct manufacturer support globally through the official store and distributor network, with a 30-day exchange window and post-warranty service options. No dedicated service centers or on-site repair services are offered.

Rationality of Design Philosophy

The Tears follows a cost-performance-focused design philosophy with costs allocated primarily toward functional audio components. The dual-magnet driver, acoustic labyrinth cavity, open-back shell, and USB-C DSP cable option each serve genuine engineering purposes. The USB-C variant’s 8-band parametric EQ via companion app represents a software-driven approach that directly enables measurable, user-adjustable frequency response modification [1].

The silver-plated OFC cable included as a standard accessory implies that cable construction material meaningfully affects audio output. No controlled blind testing has demonstrated audible differences between cables meeting standard electrical specifications, making this a cost allocation without scientific basis.

Marketing language for the Tears employs subjective descriptors (“flagship bass,” “authentic timbre,” “spatial sound”) rather than published measured data, reflecting limited emphasis on measurement transparency. Core product decisions — single dynamic driver, cavity-based acoustic tuning, app EQ integration — follow standard acoustic engineering practices. No pseudoscientific claims are identified for primary product functions.

Advice

The NICEHCK Tears is a budget open-back IEM at 28.99 USD with Harman-adjacent frequency response confirmed by third-party measurement [2] and acceptable manufacturer-claimed THD. The open-back design is the defining practical constraint: passive isolation is well below adequate levels for commuting or noisy environments, restricting practical use to quiet indoor settings.

Buyers seeking equivalent wired IEM performance at a lower price should consider the Truthear HOLA at 18.99 USD [3], which provides comparable frequency response tuning and equivalent manufacturer-specified THD in a closed-back design with greater passive isolation. The approximately 10 USD premium of the Tears over the HOLA is not supported by measured performance advantages in the base analog variant.

Buyers specifically requiring DSP-enabled parametric EQ should evaluate the Tears Type-C variant at 31.99 USD [1], which adds 8-band PEQ via companion app — functionality the analog HOLA does not provide. In that specific use case, the Tears Type-C should be compared against other DSP-equipped IEMs priced in a similar range rather than against the HOLA.

References

[1] NICEHCK - Tears Official Product Page - https://www.nicehck.com/products/tears - accessed 2026-06-15

[2] AudioReviews.org - NICEHCK Tears Review - https://www.audioreviews.org/nicehck-tears-review/ - accessed 2026-06-15 - Test conditions: calibrated DIY rig (Dayton iMM-6 microphone, inner 10mm vinyl water pipe tubing + outer 20mm PVC pipe, SPL and soundcard calibrated, no compensation or smoothing applied, medium tips used consistently)

[3] Truthear - HOLA Official Product Page - https://truthear.com/products/hola - accessed 2026-06-15

[4] Crinacle/In-Ear Fidelity - Truthear HOLA FR Graph - https://crinacle.com/graphs/iems/truthear-hola/ - accessed 2026-06-15

[5] NICEHCK - About Us - https://www.nicehck.com/pages/about-us - accessed 2026-06-15

(2026.6.18)