We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-19 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a proper HiFi DAC/amp cable that upgrades the sound of the wired IEMs or headphones you already own, choose NICEHCK NK1; if you need a complete USB-C headset with its own mic and ear hooks for calls, gaming and everyday listening, choose HGCXING USB C Headphone.
• NICEHCK NK1 biggest strength: a dual-chip CX31993 + MAX97220 DAC/amp section rated for 63mW@32Ω output, 115dB SNR and 32bit/384kHz lossless decoding, wired through an upgraded 8-strand silver-plated OCC cable.
• NICEHCK NK1 biggest trade-off: it is a dongle cable, not a headset — there are no earbuds, no ear hooks and no built-in microphone in the box, so it only makes sense if you already own the headphones you want to listen with.
• HGCXING USB C Headphone biggest strength: a complete plug-and-play headset — in-ear earpieces on over-ear hooks, a built-in HD mic, in-line button controls and sound-isolating tips, all in one purchase.
• HGCXING USB C Headphone biggest trade-off: it is an everyday listening and calling headset rather than a dedicated audio converter, so there is no swappable cable or DAC hardware to upgrade later.
• Who each pick is for: NK1 for the listener who already has good wired earphones and wants to squeeze more out of them; HGCXING for the buyer who just wants one USB-C headset that does music, calls and gaming out of the box.
The NK1 is best understood as an audio upgrade for hardware you already own. Its entire job is to take the digital USB-C signal from your phone or laptop and convert it as cleanly as possible before it reaches your headphones. NICEHCK pairs a CX31993 DAC with a MAX97220 op-amp and quotes 63mW@32Ω of output, 115dB SNR and support for 32bit/384kHz lossless files. In plain terms, that combination is aimed at giving sensitive in-ear monitors and moderate-impedance headphones enough clean power to sound layered rather than flat. The upgraded 8-strand silver-plated OCC conductor is the other half of the story — a thicker, lower-loss cable than the standard NK1, which NICEHCK says translates to fuller bass, a smooth midrange and treble that stays clean instead of turning harsh and sibilant.
Physically it is a small, portable piece of kit. The CNC aluminum shell is anodized in pale silver, with a transparent window over the chip area, and it weighs just over an ounce. That is light enough to live permanently on the end of a cable in a pocket or bag, and the anti-scratch finish matters if it is going to be thrown around. The Silver variant ships with a matching transfer cable and a USB conversion adapter, so you can go straight from unboxing to listening. Compatibility is broad on paper: iPhone 16 series, a long list of Galaxy S and A models and Tabs, Pixel phones, iPads, OnePlus, MacBooks and Windows laptops, plus car stereos without Bluetooth and home speaker or amplifier inputs. It also handles music playback, hands-free calls and inline volume adjustment through the connected headset.
HGCXING USB C Headphone: Who It's For
The HGCXING is the opposite kind of purchase: everything you need in one box, nothing to add. It is a wired USB-C in-ear headset with over-ear hooks, a built-in HD mic, in-line button controls and a dynamic driver paired with an onboard DAC chip. HGCXING describes the sound as 3D HiFi lossless surround audio built to make games, music streaming, movies and video feel immediate. The listed driver specs are 32 ohm impedance, 105dB sensitivity and a 2000Hz frequency response figure — meaning it is a low-impedance, easy-to-drive design that does not need extra amplification to get loud from a phone or laptop port.
The design is clearly aimed at staying put. Over-ear hooks in ultra-soft skin hold the earpieces in place, which HGCXING pitches specifically at working, studying, gaming, broadcasting and online learning — situations where a headphone that shifts or falls out is a real annoyance. The in-ear fit also provides sound isolation, cutting down surrounding noise so you can hear calls and audio without cranking the volume. Controls are handled by a push-button remote on the cable: volume adjustment, track skipping, play/pause, answering and ending calls, and waking the voice assistant. It ships as a kit with replacement eartips, a cable fixer clip, and a zippered storage case, and it carries an 8-month warranty. Compatibility covers iPhone 17/16/15 series including 16e, Galaxy S26 through S21 plus the A-series and Tabs, Pixel 10a down through older models, OnePlus, MacBook Pro, iPad and Moto G phones.
Who should buy it: the person who wants one cable, one purchase, and a headset that handles a work call, a commute playlist and an evening gaming session without extra gear. Students and anyone doing online classes or voice chat will get the most from the hook design and mic. Who should skip it: if you already own high-end IEMs and care about swapping cables or higher-resolution decoding, the HGCXING's fixed design and single dynamic driver are not the upgrade path you are looking for.
• Best for upgrading headphones you already own → NICEHCK NK1. The dual-chip DAC/amp and silver-plated OCC cable exist purely to improve what you plug into them.
• Best for a complete one-box solution → HGCXING USB C Headphone. Earbuds, mic, controls and case are all included.
• Best for calls and voice chat → HGCXING USB C Headphone. It has a built-in HD mic and in-line call controls; the NK1 only passes calls through from whatever headset you connect.
• Best for higher-resolution music playback → NICEHCK NK1. It decodes 32bit/384kHz lossless audio with a quoted 115dB SNR.
• Best for workouts, studying and gaming without earbuds falling out → HGCXING USB C Headphone. The soft over-ear hooks are designed for exactly that.
• Best for noise isolation out of the box → HGCXING USB C Headphone. The in-ear fit and isolating tips reduce surrounding sound without any extra purchase.
• Best for car stereos and home hi-fi without Bluetooth → NICEHCK NK1. A phone-to-3.5mm aux connection is one of its core use cases.
• Best for portability and durability of the connector itself → NICEHCK NK1. The anodized CNC aluminum shell and transparent chip window are built for long-term pocket carry.
In my opinion, the HGCXING USB C Headphone is the safer buy for most people, simply because it is a finished product: plug it in and you have music, a microphone, controls and a case. The NK1 only wins if you already own wired earphones or headphones you like and want to feed them a cleaner, more powerful signal — in that case the dual-chip DAC/amp and silver-plated cable make it the more interesting piece of hardware. Buy the HGCXING if you need a headset; buy the NK1 if you need an upgrade for the headset you already have. Before deciding, check the current price on Amazon for both, since that is the one variable this comparison cannot settle for you.
FAQ
It is a USB-C to 3.5mm DAC/amp cable, not a headset. You plug your own wired earphones or headphones into it — there are no earbuds, ear hooks or microphone included.
HGCXING lists support for USB-C audio devices including iPhone 17/16/15 series such as the 16e, and Galaxy S26 through S21 plus A-series and Tab models, along with Pixel, OnePlus, iPad and MacBook Pro.
The HGCXING, in my opinion. Its built-in mic, in-line call and volume buttons, and sound-isolating in-ear fit are designed for talking and gaming, while the NK1 is purely a listening-side converter.
No — the HGCXING is a complete wired headset with its own USB-C plug, so there is nothing for the NK1's DAC cable to attach to. The NK1 is for headphones that end in a 3.5mm plug.
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