By Nick Smith, 21st July 2024
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
I’ve been using NiceHCK cables for years now, and with models like AceOrpheus, MeetAlice, OurLaura, DearOrpheus, 1950saga & FirstTouch its clear they note the successes of their competitors, especially those of PWAudio.
As a hobbyist & consumer I’m all for performance trickling down to lower price brackets, and regard the cheeky names as an amusing bonus.
Which brings me to the cable I’m reviewing today – NiceHCK DragonScale 2 is a follow-up to NiceHCK’s original DragonScale, and you’ll be excused for thinking both look eerily similar to cables from PWAudio.
I happened to purchase a used OG DragonScale last year but wasn’t entirely enamoured with it, so when NiceHCK sent me a DragonScale 2 in exchange for my thoughts I wondered how they’d compare.
Ready for the full story? I hope you won’t need to imitate enthusiasm while I flatter you with the details!
Packaging
The NiceHCK DragonScale 2 arrives in an unassuming small cardboard box, and inside is a brown PU carry case containing the cable.
I own several of these NiceHCK cases and use them with my more expensive IEMs. They aren’t real leather, but the quality is surprisingly good and the size is perfect for a set of IEMs ensconced in NiceHCK’s mesh carry bags with a beefy cable like this one attached.
The whole package is minimalist given this isn’t a cheap cable, but the genuine usefulness of the case mitigates disappointment I’d otherwise express. I actually prefer these to those round IEM puck cases.
Ergonomics & Build Quality
At 46 grams DragonScale 2 is far from the heaviest cable I’ve tested, weighing a bit less than most chunky 8 wire cables for instance, but isn’t quite what I’d call a lightweight.
Flexibility isn’t an issue either. The cable is very supple above the Y-split, below NiceHCK have used what looks like black nylon sheathing which renders this area very slightly stiffer – but it’s still far more flexible than most ‘shielded’ cables. The fabric exterior results in slightly more prevalent microphonics, but nothing too dramatic there either.
DragonScale 2’s hardware utilises a matte grey aluminium, very much the antithesis of the flashy connectors we’ve seen from many cable brands in the past. Build quality feels solid without being spectacular, and I personally prefer this more toned-down look.
DragonScale 2 can be ordered with a 4.4mm or 3.5mm plug & 2pin or MMCX terminations.
Page 1 – Introduction, Packaging, Ergonomics & Build Quality
Page 2 – Sound Impressions & IEM Comparisons
Page 3 – Cable Comparisons
Page 4 – Conclusion
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