F1 Pro

NiceHCK F1 Pro. Criminally underrated.

I WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE WITH YOUR POINTS: https://preview.redd.it/vwxf7i53neye1.jpeg?width=2377&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9aafdf70e38f01e9e6e88692e4c7f79caca103d8 This is MY collection...and I'm very early in the journey. I don't have the budget, knowledge or experience to blind buy a 500USD+ set of in ears that may or may not fit my ears or my preferences. While my journey doesn't completely fit OP's blueprint...I have/had the same thought process regarding purchasing IEMs. Not pictured are the Moondrop Chu 2 and 7Hz Sonus. I started with the Chu 2, 7Hz Zero 2 and Kiwi Ears Cadenza. From listening, watching and reading reviews...I was able to learn about all the terms, labels, and vocabulary to describe what I like or don't like. I threw money at the Wyvern Abyss...I mean...LOOK AT THEM😂. The Kz Castor Bass was a curiosity buy...want to hear if a set touting bass response was really that bassy. My next steps were the NiceHCK F1 Pros, Kiwi Ears Canta and the 7Hz Sonus. The F1 Pros and the Sonu were on sale at the time of purchase...good value and able to narrow things down more for myself. I knew I liked the planar sound...I have a set of open ear planar cans. The F1s felt disappointing (until I tip rolled) The Sonus was about much for my taste (in the mids) The Cantas were quite nice for me. By this point...I had a good grasp of what I was looking for and the direction (s) I want to go in. AFUL Performer 5+2 is currently my go-to...for all around listening. Sourced from R2R DAC lined out into a desktop tube amp. It's like a warm blanket on crisp bright and snowy winter day. I picked up the Hexa because I wanted to hear the hype...and yes...they definitely fulfill the hype and then some. I've EQed my IEMs... especially the planar. They can mimic the sound...but it's only a part of the equation. I now rotate through 3-4 sets at my desktop listening station. The cheapo ones all have 3.5mm out for around the house or for bed. If they break...ill decide if I want to replace. Tip rolling is a journey of itself. Some tips can dramatically change an IEM and rescue it from the bottom of the pile. My Planars now sport foam tips...easing off the treble was huge. Anyway...long post...if you got this far thanks for sticking with my diarrhea of words. TLDR: I agree with the OP

I like BOTH the Divine and Diablo tuning. They are DIFFERENT. Those cables are certainly not my cup of tea. They were immediately replaced as soon as I unboxed the sets. I also have the ET142...the versatility (nozzle tuning) of that set puts it in a different spot compared to ALL the others. I have others "older" planar and planar hybrids. The only one that doesn't hold up (to me) is the F1Pro.... especially when compared to the Divine. The issues (for me) of the F1 Pro can be managed with EQ and tip rolling.

I think some folks (me included) get surprised with the quality and amount of bass a planar IEM can bring. Typically people hear planar and they associate the shimmery almost metallic treble. Add-in the fact that most planars are often associated with open back cans...which steers people toward open and bright (thank you HiFiMAN) Truth is planar drivers are EXTREMELY versatile. They take EQ like a champ! I have one planar only set and several planar hybrids. The F1 Pro (NiceNCK) can give me the rumble if I put on a nice bass shelf. The ET142 (Simgot) is a hybrid planar that can get plenty warm with a nozzle change AND a attenuation foam insert. Not quite Explorer level warmth...but warm nonetheless. Am excited to get my hands on the pair of 7Hz x Crinacle collabs that just came out. They both seem right in my sweet spot for the music I listen to

The F1 Pro has that classic bright shimmery planar sound. It's a set that's slips under the radar (IMO) Think as planar (in IEM) matures...the tuning gets smoother

I use the zero 2 since they give me a very good seal but if I feel like listening a little more critically then I use my f1 pro’s. Regardless they both kick ass!

I just purchased the F1 pros - absolutely love them - along with an Nk1 Max. Would love to own the NX8s and a dedicated dac 

The NX8 are the most beautiful looking, but the F1 Pro definitely appeal to minimalist looks. In my case I prefer detailed IEMs like the NX8.

NiceHCK F1 Pro and ARTTI T10. Have also tried KZ PRX, Letshuoer S08, and Kiwi Ears Aether.

NiceHCK F1 Pro, ARTTI T10, Aful Explorer, and at just above that range at $159, Meze Alba (I found an open box set for $99).

I think the NiceHCK F1 Pro is great planar IEM. I’ve never heard the S12/S12 Pro, but I believe reviewers have said that F1 Pro’s treble is smoother and less harsh that the treble on the S12 line. At any rate, I haven’t had any issues with the F1 Pro’s treble, and I love its bass presentation and just its overall sound.

I already have and love the F1 Pro, so it would be awesome to have a chance to try out the NX8.

Luckily, I figured that out at 1/10th the cost as I quickly realized that almost everything over $200 ranges from a little on the large side to outright boulder sized. I only have 2 IEMs over $200 (I didn’t pay anywhere near that much for either of them) and I’m not going any further until I can be sure that anything new I get both sounds good to me and is small and comfortable. My current favorite IEMs are the Meze Alba and the NiceHCK F1 Pro because they combine really good sound with great comfort.

Meze Alba, Aful Explorer, NiceHCK F1 Pro.

I listen to a lot of post-rock and have the T10 and the F1P. I am in love with the T10. I’ll plug the F1P back in for a few days and let you know if anything has changed for me.