NiceHCK F1 Pro

Name: NiceHCK F1 Pro
Brand: NiceHCK

The planar that sanded off the 8 kHz sting — and got argued about anyway.

The second-generation planar, not the original F1 — and the “Pro” does not mean more adjustable: it drops the F1's three swappable tuning nozzles for one fixed tuning. Sold with a choice of 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm stock cable; the braided Cyan cable people photograph it with is a paid extra.

OverreviewIn-Ear Monitor17 sourcesas of 2026-07-27

NiceHCK spent a decade known for cables. When the sub-$150 planar war broke out in 2022, they joined it late and quietly: first the F1, then, at the end of 2023, this — a 14.2 mm planar in a small blue aluminium shell for $99. It arrived into a field already crowded by the 7Hz Timeless, the LetShuoer S12 and the Kefine Klanar, all promising the same thing: dynamic-driver bass with electrostatic speed, at a price that made the gamble cheap.

What makes the F1 Pro worth the argument is that reviewers agree almost completely on what it is — a V- or U-shaped planar with deep sub-bass, scooped lower mids and an energetic top — and then split cleanly on whether each of those things is a virtue. The measurements are unusually useful here, because two of the loudest disagreements turn out to be two honest descriptions of the same curve.

The overview

A $99 single-planar IEM built on a 14.2 mm driver, sold without the tuning nozzles its predecessor had. Sources converge on the shape — V- or U-shaped, sub-bass forward, lower mids set back, upper mids and lower treble lifted — and on the package: small all-metal shells, an unusually good stock cable, twelve pairs of tips, easy to drive, average isolation, and imaging and separation that punch above the price. They divide on almost every judgement that follows. Whether the bass has real physical impact or only depth, whether the midrange is rich or hollow, and whether the treble is the safest planar tuning at this price or a set treble-sensitive listeners should avoid, are all live disputes with serious reviewers on both sides. One thing nearly everyone reports independently: sibilance on female vocals, including reviewers whose overall treble verdict is positive.

Where they agree

The shape is settled: a coloured V or U, sub-bass forward, lower mids set back, upper mids and lower treble lifted.
Sibilance on female vocals is real and widely reported — even by reviewers who otherwise call the treble smooth.
It is measurably and audibly tamer up top than the LetShuoer S12 it gets compared to, which is most of its appeal.
Imaging and instrument separation are the standout technical strength; it stays organised on busy tracks.
The shells are small for a 14.2 mm planar and comfortable for long sessions.
The package over-delivers at $99 — metal shells, a genuinely good stock cable, twelve pairs of tips and a zippered case.
Unlike the original F1, there are no tuning nozzles. What you hear out of the box is the only tuning there is.
It is easy to drive; a dongle or phone is enough, though a cleaner source is audible.
Isolation is average, as it is for most vented planars — tips and seal do the work.
The planar timbre is still there. It is milder than most rivals', but acoustic instruments and vocals sound a little synthetic to a lot of listeners.

Where they split

Bass: the highlight of the set, or depth without real physical impact? The sub-bass shelf is normal for a planar but the mid-bass is the lowest of its direct rivals.
Midrange: rich, natural and full-bodied, or thin, hollow and metallic — the split that decides whether you like it.
Treble: the safest planar tuning at this price, or bright enough that treble-sensitive listeners should stay away.
Character: called warm and forgiving by some, cold and analytical by others, and simply balanced by one.
Soundstage: the widest thing at the price with surprising depth, or plainly average for the class.
Resolution: excellent for $99 by impression, merely good when A/B'd against named references.
Dynamics: thrilling attack, or fast but weightless notes that stop short of slam.
Isolation: average for most, better than its rivals' for a few.
Whether the missing tuning nozzles make the “Pro” a downgrade from the original F1 in versatility, even as it beats it technically.

The verdict, mappedEvery aspect on one axis — criticized to praised. Hover a point for its spread; click to jump.

CriticizedNeutralPraised

By aspect — in detail

Bass

Contested · 13 src

Everyone describes the same low end — deep, fast, clean, sub-bass-led — and then splits on whether it actually hits. One camp calls it the highlight; the other says it trades slam for speed and leaves bass-driven music underfed. The measurements suggest both are right about different parts of the curve.

Measured

The bass shelf measures about +9.8 dB at 20 Hz and +8.3 dB at 50 Hz relative to 500 Hz — a normal planar shelf, within half a decibel of the LetShuoer S12 and the 7Hz Timeless on the same rig, and about 2 dB under the Kefine Klanar. But at 100 Hz it reads +5.5 dB, the lowest mid-bass of those four.

⚠ vs. listeners — That single number reconciles the argument. The sub-bass really is there — the trace holds within 1.5 dB from 50 Hz down to 20 Hz — so “goes very deep” is accurate. What is relatively missing is the 100–200 Hz region that carries kick-drum thump and note weight, which is where “physical impact” actually lives. Both camps are describing the same curve from different ends of it.

Where it splits

the highlight — genuine rumble with planar speed and texture56%

“Every beat has a crisp attack edge and pleasing physical impact above “neutral” without overpowering the rest of the frequencies.”
NKT, In-ear Gems

depth without weight — not enough physical impact for bass-driven music44%

“It’s not basshead’s material for sure, so beware of this”
based-1, Head-Fi

Mids

Contested · 13 src

The most divided aspect in the set, and the one that decides whether you like it. Sources agree the lower midrange is set back and the upper midrange pushed forward; they disagree sharply on the result, which is described as either rich, natural and full-bodied, or thin, hollow and metallic — by equally careful listeners.

Measured

There is a real scoop: the response falls from +5.5 dB at 100 Hz to +2.6 dB at 200 Hz and 0 dB at 500 Hz before ear gain lifts it to +10.1 dB at 2.42 kHz. Two details matter — that ear-gain peak sits low (most in-ear targets centre it nearer 2.7–3 kHz), and it is followed by a dip to +5.9 dB at 4 kHz.

⚠ vs. listeners — An early, narrow ear-gain peak with a dip just above it is the standard recipe for vocals that read energetic and clear but short on body. That is precisely the split: the camp praising “clarity” and the camp complaining of “hallowness” are hearing the same two features and weighting them differently.

Where it splits

hollow and scooped — vocals lack body, and the planar timbre shows58%

“no matter how I try, I cannot convince myself to enjoy the vocals due to the ever-so-slightly cold and stiff reproduction”
NKT, In-ear Gems

rich and natural — the recession never costs the voices42%

“Excellent midrange, with a lot of personality, realism, neutrality and good timbre.”
cqtek, Hi End Portable

Treble

Contested · 13 src

The reason to audition before buying. It is measurably tamer than the LetShuoer S12 it is always compared to, and a substantial group calls it the safest planar tuning at this price. An equally substantial group hears real brightness and warns treble-sensitive listeners off. Both are describing an 8 kHz peak that is smaller than its rivals' but still a peak.

Measured

The response peaks at +12.9 dB around 7.95 kHz relative to 500 Hz, then drops to +3.3 dB by 10 kHz and -4.7 dB at 12 kHz. On the same rig the S12 peaks higher (+14.3 dB) and stays far hotter afterwards (+7.6 dB at 10 kHz); the Timeless peaks lower (+11.0 dB). So the F1 Pro genuinely sits between them, and its fast fall-off past the peak is what makes it read smoother than the S12 despite similar energy.

⚠ vs. listeners — Part of that 12.9 dB is the measuring rig, not the earphone: baskingshark, measuring on his own IEC-711 coupler, captions his F1 Pro graph “8 kHz is a coupler peak.” Every IEC-711-style coupler resonates near 8 kHz, so the true peak is smaller than the number — which is one reason careful listeners can look at the same graph and disagree about how hot the top actually is.

Where it splits

bright and sharp-edged — treble-sensitive listeners should be careful62%

“Interestingly, I found F1 Pro to be more sibilant than the notorious Gaea in this track.”
NKT, In-ear Gems

the safest planar treble at the price — smooth and non-fatiguing38%

“Nor do I find it as fatiguing as the S12, even though it is very similar in its treble energy level.”
cqtek, Hi End Portable

Tonality

Moderate · 12 src

Broad agreement on the shape: a coloured V or U with bass and treble pushed forward, occasionally described as a shallow W. The label people reach for afterwards is not agreed at all — the same tuning is called warm and forgiving by some and cold and analytical by others, and one review calls it simply balanced.

“Tonally, the F1 Pro boasts of a V-shaped profile, which is pretty all-rounded for most consumer preferences.”
baskingshark, Head-Fi

“The NiceHCK F1 pro follow a U-shaped signature with some emphasis on the lower range and low-mid treble.”
based-1, Head-Fi

“The overall tuning and signature is thus rather cold and analytical in nature.”
Audiophile Heaven

“The F1 Pro has a balanced sound signature with a warm bass, a neutral midrange and a laid-back treble.”
David Becker, Prime Audio

“The F1 Pro has that classic bright shimmery planar sound.”
Altrebelle, r/iems via RedditRecs

Measured

The trace is a textbook shallow V: +9.8 dB at 20 Hz, a floor around 500–700 Hz, then a climb through +10.1 dB of ear gain to a +12.9 dB upper-treble peak. Nothing in it supports a flat or neutral reading, and nothing supports added warmth in the mid-bass either.

Soundstage

Moderate · 9 src

Mostly praised, with a real minority calling it ordinary. Several reviewers rate it the widest thing they have heard at the price and single out depth as the surprise; others measure it against better sets and land on “average size” or “not holographic.” Depth draws more praise than width does.

“It’s not only enviably wide, even by the standards of earphones worth hundreds of dollars, but demonstrates a surprising amount of depth.”
Nick Smith, Soundly Musical

“The F1 Pro firstly has a soundstage that is IMHO superior to all the sub $100 planar based sets I have heard.”
Kingnubian, Head-Fi

“Soundstage is quite deep and tall, with above average width.”
baskingshark, Head-Fi

“It does not spread the instruments out and push the background far enough to create a holographic sensation”
NKT, In-ear Gems

“Soundstage is of average size but there’s no direction that sacrifices another and this is good news”
based-1, Head-Fi

Imaging

Strong consensus · 10 src

The most consistent technical strength, and the one thing sources of every stripe agree on. Instrument placement and separation are called accurate and spacious, and the set is repeatedly said to stay organised on busy tracks where cheaper IEMs collapse. The only reservations concern layering and height rather than placement.

“We have very fair micro-detailing and accurate imaging, with spacious instrument separation.”
baskingshark, Head-Fi

“Insanely technical set with superb separation and layering”
kesobie, AudioNotions

“it performs the instrument definition and separation so well that I needed to stop my listening session to bring out the “big guns” for comparison”
NKT, In-ear Gems

“its layering present appears to be in two-layer rather than the standard four layers”
Zerstorer_GOhren, Head-Fi

Measured

One caveat the graphs add: left and right channels diverge by up to 2.01 dB, worst around 5.7 kHz. Below the treble the two track each other closely, so the centre image holds, but this is not the sub-1 dB matching the best sets at this price now manage.

Detail

Moderate · 12 src

Well regarded, with the enthusiasm scaling inversely to how carefully it was A/B tested. Reviewers working from impressions call the resolution excellent for $99; the two who compared it head-to-head against named references put it at “good” and note it is not a detail monster. Nobody calls it weak.

“Resolution is excellent considering its a single driver doing all the work”
Nick Smith, Soundly Musical

“Very good amount of detail, nuances, definition, resolution, without sounding analytical.”
cqtek, Hi End Portable

“Despite having noticeably more emphasis on the attack edge of all musical notes, F1 Pro does not offer stronger clarity or separation than Blessing 2.”
NKT, In-ear Gems

“It’s decently detailed, I can’t call the F1 Pro a detail monster, but a smooth and rich-sounding one.”
gadgetgod, Head-Fi

Dynamics

Moderate · 10 src

Speed is universally acknowledged — the planar driver starts and stops fast, and percussion benefits. What splits opinion is whether that speed comes with weight: some hear it as thrilling attack, others as thin, weightless notes and a presentation that could punch harder.

“This IEM excels at reproducing percussive instruments such as drums and pianos with clear note attacks.”
NKT, In-ear Gems

“Acoustic instruments have a sense of weightlessness and overly rapid transients, but it is not the worst offender in this department”
baskingshark, Head-Fi

“Dynamics and imaging are both very solid without jumping out as strong attributes.”
Nick Smith, Soundly Musical

“although dynamic presentation could be better”
kesobie, AudioNotions

Comfort

Moderate · 12 src

One of the smallest planar IEMs of its generation and, for most people, an easy all-day wear — several reviewers name it the most comfortable set in its class. Two dissents keep this short of a firm consensus: one calls the fit merely average and entirely tip-dependent, another finds the metal shell less comfortable than resin.

“The F1 Pros’ small aluminium alloy shells are extremely light, and thanks to their smoothly sculpted form are extremely comfortable in the ear”
Nick Smith, Soundly Musical

“Despite the shells lying on the larger side, I found their ergonomics to be quite agreeable, with no discomfort on using the F1 Pro for longer listening sessions.”
baskingshark, Head-Fi

“Due to the shape of the F1 Pro, your fit and comfort would depend almost entirely on your choice of ear tips.”
NKT, In-ear Gems

“Metallic shell not quite as comfortable as resin options”
Audiophile Heaven

“My current favorite IEMs are the Meze Alba and the NiceHCK F1 Pro because they combine really good sound with great comfort.”
BellGeek, r/iems via RedditRecs

Isolation

Moderate · 7 src

Ordinary, as it is for most vented planars — the majority verdict is a flat “average.” A minority rates it above its rivals, and one reviewer points out the physical reason it cannot do better: a small shell puts very little mass in the ear canal. Tips do most of the work.

“This is a vented IEM, and isolation is bang average.”
baskingshark, Head-Fi

“Isolation levels are decent, but suffer because there isn’t a lot of mass blocking the ear canal compared to larger, multi-driver IEMs.”
Nick Smith, Soundly Musical

“F1 PRO offers a higher passive noise isolation, and is less dependent on the source quality compared to EM6L.”
Audiophile Heaven

Build

Strong consensus · 13 src

The least controversial thing about it. Small CNC-machined aluminium shells, a stock cable reviewers keep calling better than it needs to be, twelve pairs of tips and a zippered case — repeatedly described as over-delivering for $99. The one shared complaint is a design decision, not a defect: the Pro lost the original F1's swappable tuning nozzles.

“It is built like a tank, and I've no complaints regarding the external chassis.”
baskingshark, Head-Fi

“Indeed their finish & aesthetic qualities are such I wouldn’t baulk if their price were considerably higher.”
Nick Smith, Soundly Musical

“The build quality is excellent and the F1 Pro is comfortable too, even during prolonged listening sessions.”
David Becker, Prime Audio

“It no longer has tuning filters like its previous model.”
cqtek, Hi End Portable

“The cable is a little weird because it feels like it wasn’t made for the IEM, but it’s well built and pretty damn comfy.”
kesobie, AudioNotions

Value

Strong consensus · 13 src

Strong agreement that $99 buys a lot here, tempered by how quickly this bracket moves. Reviewers who benchmark it against named rivals are the most measured — calling it an incremental improvement rather than a leap — but even they recommend it, and community sentiment runs about six-to-one positive.

“If you can live with their weaker tonality & fairly prominent treble, the resolution, coherency & technical performance they deliver for $99 is stunning.”
Nick Smith, Soundly Musical

“I would say that the F1 Pro is a better example of this tech than any at its price range.”
Kingnubian, Head-Fi

“the F1 Pro is not perfect, but is certainly not a bad set to consider”
baskingshark, Head-Fi

“Value Proposition: Top of the 3.5/5 class”
NKT, In-ear Gems

“The only one that doesn't hold up (to me) is the F1Pro.... especially when compared to the Divine.”
Altrebelle, r/iems via RedditRecs

Best for

A first planar IEM — this is the mainstream, all-rounder entry point to the driver type.
Electronic, hip-hop and other sub-bass-led music, where the deep shelf and fast decay both pay off.
Gaming and dense mixes, where separation and placement matter more than note weight.
Small ears — it is one of the most compact planars of its generation, and reviewers with fit trouble elsewhere name it.
Anyone who wanted an S12 but bounced off its treble.
Phone and dongle listeners: it needs no amp, though it responds to a clean one.

Skip if

Vocals and acoustic music are your priority — the scooped lower mids and planar timbre are the most-criticised things here.
You are sibilance-sensitive. It shows up on female vocals often enough that nearly every reviewer mentions it.
You want mid-bass thump and slam rather than sub-bass depth.
You want to tune the sound yourself out of the box — there are no nozzles, no dial and no app.
You need real isolation for commuting; a small vented shell can only do so much.
You already own an S12, Timeless or Klanar. Every reviewer who compared them calls this a lateral move with a different treble, not an upgrade.

At a glance

↳Consensus

80 / 100weighted mean across 17 sources — an aggregate, not a single verdict

↳Type

IEM

↳Sources

17 · 5 classes

↳As of

2026-07-27

↳Owner rating

4.2/5 · 16small, self-selected sample — skews high

Where to buy

Sources17 reviews across 5 classes. Weight reflects expertise × independence; echoes collapsed.

s1NiceHCK F1 Pro — raw frequency-response exports, left and right channels (IEC-711-style coupler)Paul Wasabii squig.link databaseMeasurement2024-07-17w1.00
s2NiceHck F1 Pro - Entertaining (3.5/5; own IEC-711 measurements, A/B tested against Blessing 2 and Andromeda 2020)NKT, In-ear GemsEditorial2024-01-03w0.95
s3NiceHCK F1 Pro review (4/5; own IEC-711 graph, compared against the original F1, S12 Pro and Klanar)baskingshark, Head-FiCommunity2024-01-04w0.90
s4NiceHCK F1 Pro English Review — Planar Pro (4.5/5)cqtek, Hi End PortableEditorial2024w0.85
s5NiceHCK F1 Pro - The imperfect planar bargain (4/5; five comparison sets)based-1, Head-FiCritical2024-02-20w0.85
s6NiceHCK F1 Pro Review (5 pages; four IEM comparisons, cable tests)Nick Smith, Soundly MusicalEditorial2024-02-19w0.80
s7NICEHCK F1 PRO: Musicality As It Desires (3.5/5)Zerstorer_GOhren, Head-FiCritical2024-04-20w0.75
s8BEHIND THE BOX: NiceHCK F1 Prokesobie, AudioNotionsCritical2024-10-24w0.70
s9NiceHCK F1 Pro Review (4.5 score)David Becker, Prime AudioEditorialaffiliate2024-02-01w0.70
s10One of my favourite planars and costs 100€ (4.5/5)SenyorC, Head-FiCommunity2024-02-18w0.70
s11NiceHCK F1 Pro — r/iems comment aggregation (85% positive across 39 impressions; #31 in IEMs)RedditRecsCommunityaffiliate2026-07-25w0.70
s12NiceHCK F1 Pro: The Safest Tuned Planar Out There? (4/5)gadgetgod, Head-FiCommunity2024-01-11w0.65
s13NiceHCK F1 Pro - Planar Evolution.....Continued (4/5)Kingnubian, Head-FiCommunity2024-01-30w0.65
s14NiceHCK F1 PRO Planar IEMs - Actually Sounds Nice Enough (compared against EM6L, MS3 and Klanar)Audiophile HeavenEditorialaffiliate2024-05w0.60
s15NiceHCK F1 Pro — Head-Fi showcase star aggregate (15 ratings averaging 4.07/5, range 3.5–5.0)Head-Fi showcaseOwnerunknown2026w0.55
s16NICEHCK F1 Pro Amazon US listing — owner aggregate (4.2/5 from 16 ratings), 4.4 mm SKUAmazonOwnerunknown2026-07-27w0.50
s17NICEHCK F1 Pro: In-Depth Analysis (the maker's own write-up, a reworded reprint of s7)NiceHCKEditorialsponsored2024-06-04w0.10

Limitations & method

This is a read of where the reviews landed as of July 2026, for a set that came out at the end of 2023. The sub-$150 planar bracket turns over fast, and the F1 Pro is cross-shopped constantly against the LetShuoer S12 and S12 Pro, the 7Hz Timeless, the Kefine Klanar and the pricier Hidizs MP145.
Owner star ratings come mostly from people who chose to buy the thing, so they skew positive — and the 4.2 average here rests on 16 ratings, which is a small sample. The written impressions are worth more than the number.
Nearly every reviewer received a free unit from NiceHCK. Most say so plainly, and several are pointedly critical anyway, but it is worth knowing that almost nobody in this set paid for theirs.
How the treble lands depends a lot on your ears and your tips, and measurement rigs make it harder rather than easier — every IEC-711-style coupler adds a resonance right where this earphone's peak sits, so the graphs read hotter than the earphone is.
Tips matter more than usual. Reviewers report the bass, the stage width and the fit all shifting noticeably between the three tip styles in the box, and they do not all end up preferring the same one.
The $99 that every review quotes is now a range: the 3.5 mm version turns up nearer $90, the 4.4 mm one nearer $109, and NiceHCK's own store has stopped listing it, so the buying experience depends on which retailer you find.

Consensus-of-sources synthesis · as of 2026-07-27 · not a measurement verdict or ground truth.