Hidizs MS1 earphone review
- expatinjapan
Hidizs MS1 and MS4 Kickstarter page:
*Scroll down the Hidizs Kickstarter page for the MS1 information,
but stay a while near the top of the page to check out the MS4 also.
`In the Mermaid series, we also designed the earphones featured the single dynamic driver.
It was built by the same diaphragm as the MS4,
we also used the Hi-Fi grade material for this product.
The sound is beautiful, the quality is designed as the Hi-Fi quality,
it's a super good product for the junior enthusiasts.`
The new earphone series from Hidizs is quite a surprise production from this dap company.
Earlier products such as the AP60 and the later AP200 and AP80 built upon earlier builds and improved the sonics experience as is to be expected.
Hidizs has finally gone into the earphone arena with a well received pair (MS1 and MS4) by reviewers that was available for mainly early review, feedback and development purposes.
Hidizs has taken a jump into the lower mid fi end with their MS4 model (1 DD, 3BA) and also the entry level end with the MS1 with their new DD earphone.
Placed at US $99 - $129 on Kickstarter (Later increasing to $149 - $268). The Hidizs MS1 when combined with a decent dap certainly emerges as an earphone that produces a pleasant performance.
Coming with a durable oxygen-free copper cables which are composed of 4 strands two pin standard single ended 3.5mm for starters. There is also the option to add more cables as perks, Such as a 5.0 bluetooth receiver or a Type-C DAC cable , or a 2.5mm balanced cable. And there is also a 4.4mm option upon request.
Unboxing Hidizs MS1 (MS1 basic kit).
*See further down for full Specifications.
You can not go wrong with lots of tips to choose from.
A nice, solid plastic case for transportation and protection.
More details of the tips so you can tailor the sound to your liking.
The build as you can see is excellent, and much more than I expected.
`Finely crafted aluminum cavity`
Hidizs MS1 and Hidizs AP80
Price
I think it is best to browse their Kickstarter for all the various options and perks (especially the cable add-on options).
Scroll down from the MS4 initially to the MS1 mid way down their Kickstarter page.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/873263862/ms4-epic-hybrid-quad-drivers-hifi-in-ear-monitor-e/description
*4.4 mm balanced change connector is an add-on, you can get it at only $10 USD ($ 78 HKD).
Expected mass production is scheduled for February with shipping planned for April 2019.
Stunning to see, touch and comfortable to use.
Sound
Various Daps, volume matched with a SPL meter, and FLAC tracks were used in the listening and testing).
I used the Stock Balanced tips for most of my listening (thick silicone and with a small bore)
The Hidizs MS1 dynamic driver earphone is certainly a decent first effort. My expectations were admittedly low, this being their first earphone (that I know of).
The Hidizs MS1 takes a turn from the earlier favored V shapes of late 2017/early 2018 of other brands to a more neutral, linear and bright sound, echoing to some degree the ever popular DD sound that one enjoys to listen to.
Vocals are sweet and not too forward and complement the music rather than overwhelm it.
The sub bass is present but not overcoming, the bass being a main feature whilst complementing the mids and highs. The response is fast and aggressive. Typical of most dynamic drivers.
The mids have a nice bump in their lower regions to please and complement the vocals, especially female vocals.
The highs are refined and are generally ok. Some sibilance or over extension on the odd rock track.
They generally have a nice reach without becoming fatiguing with the right pairing of music.
Overall it is
The fit is comfortable and I could easily get a good seal. I did not really need to change to any after market tips and achieved excellent isolation and increased body overall from the stock offerings.
I did sample my recent favorites such as the Symbio Peel W and JVC Spiral tips and enjoyed the more controlled overall sonics, clean delivery and tamed highs of the JVC versus the stock balanced tips.
The balanced tips are good overall and fairly even.
The Vocal tips are bit more sedated on the lows and highs, creating a more emphasis on upper mids and vocals.
The Bass tips do not seem to produce huge bass, but its adequate and they seem to have a more airy effect due to their larger bore and thin silicone.
The Balanced tips or the Foam tips appear to be the stock winner here. Solid sound, nice lows and vocals, usual drop in the highs of course.
Imaging is above average and I could enjoy the instrument placement, and the sound stage is as like in a medium hall.
The performance is a varied range as can be seen below. Dependent on the music listened to and the tips paired i suppose. Some time is does not seem coherent, or maybe lacking some low end, or treble and bit sharp (bear in mind this is only with the Balanced tips).
I found changing the gain from low to mid improved the performance overall, and would recommend it.
Bear in mind this a US100 earphone at its roots, the build is excellent and the sound fits within and above that price bracket.
With stock balanced tips:
Norah Jones, Massive Attack, The Fugees, Daft Punk, Beethoven, Jeff Buckley, Kruder and Dorfmeister, David Bowie, Neil Young, Gnarls Barkley, Joy Division, Velvet Underground, Mazzy star are a good match,... The Pixies, Morcheeba, Ramones, Portishead, The Jesus and Marychain, Hole are ok,.... Slayer so-so,.... Richard Ashcroft, Blur, lana Del Rey is not.
With a bit of gain added I felt there to be some improvements as the dynamic driver had more power to satisfy it.
Take the above with a grain of salt, Lana del Rey for example was ok with the JVC Spiral Tip.
Overall it is not an all rounder at low gain, but moves closer to it when more gain is added. I would also recommend playing around with the tips a bit to get the right sonic experience for yourself and to do some tip rolling with whatever tips you have lying around. Have a play.
Its a generally, smooth, easy listening experience and enjoyable earphone.
Overall
The Hidizs MS1 marks a point of maturity of Hidizs as a company as they perhaps move closer to the dream of a totl IEM.
A more neutral style earphone, nice body, decent fast low end with warm floaty mids and a at times bright high end. Sound stage is medium.
I would recommend trying out all the tips and even try other tips.
Medium or high gain seemed to satisfy the drivers the most.
The cable is decent and I did not bother with cable swapping to yield some incremental improvements as I was generally satisfied with the stock cable.
The MS1 has a linear, naturalness combined with body, clarity, detail and power.
We look forward to Hidizs next earphone project.
`Consider that before long you will be nobody and nowhere, nor will any of the things exist that you now see, nor any of those who are now living. For all things are formed by nature to change and be turned and to perish in order that other things in continuous succession may exist.`
- Marcus Aurelius
Thank you to Hidizs for sending Head pie the Hidizs MS1 for review.
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