Hidizs MS2 PRO – great aesthetics and solid hybrid performer
Hidizs has already brought us hybrid IEMs built on 1 in-house dynamic and 1 Knowles 33518 BA driver with good price to performance ratio couple of years ago. Today I would review their latest offering – MS2 Pro – which, while sharing the similar 1 DD + 1 BA hybrid formula, is further ahead with its design, materials and technical construction of both drivers. Dynamic driver uses their latest 10.2mm PU+PEEK Composite Diaphragm and the BA is not from Knowles, but Hidizs’ own Silvercore unit (not much known about it yet, apart from it being a part of the IEMs itself). Moreover, as a standard feature for all the latest Hidizs offerings – MS2 Pro IEMs come with the possibility of personal sound tuning with the bundled pneumatic filters. Official description of the product mentions lots of effort invested by Hidizs team into the initial process of factory sound refinement through the design of the shells, choice of materials and endless hours of tweaks in a quiet room (which they have, indeed). Quite good background for the success…
What I can tell for sure – I like MS2 PRO from the first glance and mostly due to its design choices. Sound-wise – look for the impressions below in this article.
The specs:
Some highlighted features:
- 10.2mm Dual-Magnetic Circuit & Dual-Cavity Hybrid Driver
- Powerful Energy Dynamic Driver for Deep Bass
- HIDIZS Silvercore BA™ High-Frequency Balanced Armature Driver
- Aerospace-Grade PU+PEEK Composite Diaphragm with Nano-Scale DLC Coating
- N52-Grade Internal and External Dual-Magnetic Circuits
- Rhino-Inspired Design
- ZA12 Zinc Alloy Integrated Molding
- Mirror-Finish Shell Design with Leather Panel
- High-Purity Silver-Plated OFC Hybrid Wire Cable
- HIDIZS Pneumatic Sound Tuning Filter
- 111dB Sensitivity | 17Ω Impedance | 109dB Dynamic
- 3.5mm or 4.4mm Cable Optional
- 0.78mm 2-Pin Detachable Connector
- Ergonomics Design with Comfortable Extended Wear
- Ergonomics Liquid Silicone Ear Tips
- Customized Pouch for MS2 PRO
- Target H-2019 Curve & HIDIZS Style Professional Tuning
- Hi-Res Certified
In the box:
Traditionally for Hidizs latest products, MS2 Pro comes in a small black neat box with high-quality prints and full list of specs. The box is wrapped in a transparent layer of plastics which protects it from scratches and dirt.
Inner compartment has couple of layers – soft foam holding IEMs on top and all of the accessories stored at the bottom. The cable (3.5mm or 4.4mm option), soft pouch with magnetic mechanism, 2 sets of ear tips and 3 pair of tuning filters are included.
Design and ergonomics:
The very first that I like about the new IEMs – its design. For me, personally, polished and shiny edges combined with leather is a win. Looks distinctive and fresh. I’ve got black leather version, among the three choices that would be available, the most uniform and strict. But I wouldn’t mind to go with either of those and have more accent on its looks with orange or blue options. All look great. And this additional and functional element on the faceplate, covered with bronze grill, is an accurate and precisely crafted opening for dynamic driver movement compensation really makes IEMs look very unique.
Sound output nozzles don’t protrude too far from the shells but in combination with universally ergonomic form and flexible ear guides on the cable – MS2 Pro fit quiet nice and shouldn’t give any trouble to the vast majority in this respect. I wouldn’t recommend it for workouts since there are openings on the back as well, but activities with no incoming sweat or moisture should be totally fine fit-wise.
Cable is traditionally braided, equipped with aluminum audio jack and splitter housings, bending protection, flexible ear guides, channel indication and standard 2pin, 0,78mm detachable connector with transparent resin housings. Never had an issue with audio cables from Hidizs, but if someone would like to switch to something as thick as the elephant foot – you’re welcome. I bet this connector type would handle 🙂
Now, the sound:
Tested with Hidizs AP80 Pro / Motorolla RAZR 50 Ultra and neutral sound filters.
MS2 PRO IEMs are definitely easy to drive, no matter the source. 111dB sensitivity and 17Ohms impedance combination is an easy obstacle even for a smartphone with the bare audio output and no pre-amplification. It would also mean high volume levels, enough for the loud environment and more dynamics with low-powered sources. This is an advantage for the casual listening on the go, but I would prefer more tough load in case if I want the best possible quality when combined with high-powered amplifier at home. My tube amp is driving MS2 Pro mad even at 15% volume with gain set to low.
What i really like in MS2 Pro sound is how well it handles lows together with the energetics of mid bass. There is an apparent V-shaped curve, not very dipped though. Just enough to bring up moderately deep bass which enriches mids and makes the stage wider. And the best part is that the treble, despite being generated by BA driver, is served well for the sound to be complete, but not cold or bright. It really helps mid bass with the dynamics, mids/volcal/strings with resolution but the whole sound doesn’t get clinical or shouty. Neither it is prone to unpleasant sibilants.
My only 2 concerns for the sound of MS2 Pro are the lack of deep overtones in mids that would contribute to warm timbre which I love in Hidizs MP145 or MP143 planar IEMs, for instance. And that MS2 Pro, being easy to drive and equipped with BA unit, are very susceptible to the lower recording quality – all tiny imperfections are picked and delivered right to your ears.
As to the imaginary stage – it is moderately wide and deep, with good amount of instrument and channel separation, their obvious dimensional placement but on slightly congested virtual stage.
In overall, MS2 Pro sound quite neutral in timbre, not cold or warm, with slight tendency towards lows and upper mids (V-shape) and slightly recessed but detailed treble. I did enjoy listening to every music genre, apart from classics which requires more flat tuning to exhibit all instruments more even.
Conclusion:
Personally, I treat Hidizs MS2 Pro as a win concerning the design, materials, initial sound tuning and bundled accessories. I love the appearance and ergonomics as much as I admire its thorough and accurate initial sound tuning. It is a decent performer, especially for everyday use in a combination with regular audio sources like a smartphone or portable USB amp. High volume level, slightly V-shaped AFR, universal for different music genres, sounding quite neutral – good option to go easy on ears all day long. As for the serious music fans or audiophiles – there are some limitations to consider if to be paired with more powerful equipment.
Link to the official Hidizs store: LINK
Availability and pricing:
Launch Date: August 7th, 10:30 AM EST
Available: HIDIZS Official Website & Amazon (US, CA, JP, UK, FR, ES)
On hidizs.net
Limited Flash Deal: $69 (MSRP: $99) – 30% OFF
Launch Promo: $79 (MSRP: $99) – 20% OFF
Purchase Link
On Amazon
US : $75.99 LINK
CA : CA$104.39 LINK
JP : ¥11,339 LINK
UK : £62.99 LINK
FR : €80.99 LINK
ES : €80.99 LINK
