Disclaimer:

Hello Readers, after a long time, Hidizs is back producing an IEM from the Mermaid series. The brand new Hidizs MS2 Pro is completely new and different from the MS2s of the past. This product has a hint of the MECHA design already seen on the SD2 dongle. It doesn’t feature any major innovations, but rather a unique design hybrid IEM.

However, the review will still be 100% honest and in no way biased.

I’m not an audiophile; I’m just a guy who likes to test out different IEMs and DACs and spends a lot of time listening to music.

So I’m not going to use super technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.

Tech Specs:

• 10.2mm Dual-Magnetic Circuit & Dual-Cavity Hybrid Driver
• 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
• Target H-2019 Curve & HIDIZS Style Professional Tuning

Packaging:

Classic Hidizs package, very well made, with a fairly satisfactory standard equipment:

• Pouch bag
• 2 sets of tips
• 3 Tuning Nozzles
• Balanced cable
• Manual & Warranty Card

What I can see is that the standard equipment is fairly standard for all Hidizs, but the quality of the case and, in some cases, the quantity of eartips vary depending on the price. In this case, the cable is a bit thin but still of good quality.

Design/Build Quality:

Hidizs has undoubtedly improved the Mermaid series with the MS2 Pro. For those who remember, the Hidizs MS2 undoubtedly had good sound, but they weren’t as well-made in comparison. They had plastic shells, while here we’ve moved on to more premium products. If it weren’t for the brand, I might mistake them for a Simgot or MUSE HIFI product. The zinc alloy shells of the Hidizs MS2 Pro are molded, which doesn’t make them extremely light, but they are certainly very durable and offer excellent noise isolation. The mirror finish is not free from fingerprints and scratches. The faceplates feature a colored leather insert that gives the IEMs a unique touch. As you can see, there’s a large ventilation hole with a gold grille. We also have interchangeable nozzles, although we’ll talk about that later.

Overall, the build quality is remarkable.

Initial sound impression:

The first listen didn’t completely convince me, and I think my reason is that I was coming off listening sessions with the Kefine Quatio (extremely smooth and warm) and the energetic-sounding Kiwi Ears Etude (and a unique bass). In some ways, the Hidizs MS2 Pro is truly several steps ahead of the MS2 and probably currently competes more in the $100+ range. They currently retail for $69, and I think that’s a great price for a similar product, but there are other options at higher prices. What didn’t convince me was perhaps the bass emphasis, which is a bit too strong. Especially with certain musical genres or deep vocals, it takes away a bit of energy from the vocals. In my opinion, there’s also a slight bleed of bass above the mids.

Perhaps moving from higher-end IEMs, I would have expected something of the same level, but I assure you, they sound very good. Especially with R&B and slower-paced tracks, they perform wonderfully, creating a deep, rich, and dense reproduction.

Comfort/Fit:

Despite the slightly angular shape of the Hidizs MS2 Pro, they are absolutely not similar to the MUSE HIFI EAST 6. They are certainly heavier than others, but overall, they are not heavy, at least in my ears. However, I believe a lot depends on a correct selection of eartips and keeping the original cable because it is lightweight. In my cable, I tried the Hidizs Anemone, the EPZ M100, and the Divinus Velvet. The final choice falls on the Divinus Velvet because it reduces, or rather, smooths out, the bass and makes it rounder.

Equipment used for testing above:

Device:

• OSX
• Poco M4 Pro

Software:

• Amazon Music UHD 24bit 96kHz (Both)

DAC:

• Fosi Audio K7

Final sound impression:

The Hidizs MS2 Pro is an IEM with a strong personality. You should always consider the price point of this IEM before making a final assessment. Once you get used to it, things improve. It doesn’t have the same sound quality as a Hidizs MK12, to be clear, but it’s not bad at all. The bass is indeed boosted, with a noticeable push and emphasis, but it somehow manages to be clean and detailed. Occasionally, there’s a bit of bleed, but it depends a lot on the track. Vocals have a bass influence, and you can hear how, especially male voices, have a tangible density and audible warmth.

Tuning nozzle:

The tuning nozzles on this model are much smaller, which I don’t find very convenient as a technical solution, but those who want to make their IEMs warmer or brighter can do so.

They are distinguished by the gaskets on the thread, and based on their color, we have:

Charm Red

The most balanced nozzle and the one that delivers the sound as Hidizs intended, undoubtedly the most suitable because it finds the right balance between bass and treble.

Crystal Clear

Here you start to push the treble too far, adding sparkle and glare, and in some cases, you notice how difficult it becomes to listen to. This is never the kind of nozzle I use, and I confirm this theory once again. Besides, the BA is right in the middle of the nozzle, and a filter is necessary.

Midnight Black

Since the low end is already really emphasized, there’s no need to add more. It’s more tolerable than the Crystal Clear. The balance is a bit lacking by removing some air so in my opinion, unless you listen to certain genres of music, I would not mount this type of nozzle.

Bass

Hidizs has pushed the bass quite a bit, making it not a basshead but still a set with a lot of bass enjoyment. I find them fun, and I’m really satisfied with what I hear. I also push the subbass hard, and all this emphasis makes the bass perhaps a little lazy compared to the competition. We must also be honest and admit that there are IEMs with a more precise, fast, and detailed performance. As already mentioned, there is a slight bleed in some tracks. To give you an example, even reducing the bass by 5 decibels still has a massive presence.

Mids

The mids are colored by the bass. Yes, exactly as you read, the mids take on a warm and dense color from the bass. The vocals sound very dense and thick with a great presence of air. In some ways, the bass also makes the vocals (especially male ones) very rich in air, a bit like you can hear their breath. Despite their purely fun orientation, the IEMs are truly enjoyable for both vocals and musical instruments.

Treble

The highs are handled by a balanced armature developed by Hidizs, and I must say it’s divinely tuned without being harsh or sibilant. However, each nozzle has its own musical genre. If you listen to electronic music with the white nozzle, it might be tiring.

The presence of air and detail is well-defined; macro and micro details are there and easy to pick up.

Soundstage and Imaging:

The soundstage is well-developed, perhaps thanks to the presence of air across the entire spectrum, giving a sense of depth but also a bit of width. Imaging is quite well-defined, and each sound is perceived as distinct and separate. Compared to the old MS2, the qualitative leap is evident. Layering is also quite precise.

Comparison:

I believe there have been and still are endless choices in terms of IEMs in this price range. We can talk about the EPZ Q5, the Simgot Ew200, the Muse Hifi East 6, and many others. I’ll focus on the most recent ones.

Vs. Hidizs MS2

Compared to the older Hidizs MS2, we already know that there are many visual differences; there’s no real connection between the two. They’re two completely different products, separated by several years of innovation and technological improvements. Everything changes, both in terms of materials and sound.

Vs. Kefine Klean

Kefine is working hard in this market segment, producing truly excellent products with very smooth, peak-free tuning. I think they’re an excellent benchmark for the category and price. The Kefine Klean is an excellent IEM that demonstrates how a single driver can sometimes be enough. Obviously, the Hidizs MS2 Pro offers a better soundstage, more emphasis on bass, and better frequency separation.

 Vs. Simgot EW200 & Simgot EW300

The Simgot EW200 is perhaps the most formidable competitor. It’s currently priced around $40, which is so low you can’t help but buy it without thinking twice. It offers more analytical tuning without too much coloration, but if you’re looking for something more advanced, there’s the EW300 at the same price as the MS2 Pro.

The Simgot EW300 has a more fascinating yet truly interesting configuration. Considering the same price, this is Hidizs’ true rival.

I think it really depends on your musical preferences here; you can’t choose based solely on the number of drivers, but rather on a careful reading of reviews and frequency response graphs.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I must say that I wasn’t expecting this series to return. After having churned out a masterpiece like the Hidizs MK12 Turris, this MS2 Pro isn’t quite on the same technical level. It’s obvious that this is the case, but I want to point out that they aren’t at all similar. The Hidizs MS2 Pro is an IEM with a mild V-shaped, sometimes U-shaped, tuning due to the rather pronounced mids. The choice of emphasized bass makes it a less technical but more fun IEM that, however, manages to maintain a fairly natural sound signature thanks to the mid-highs with a natural tone. In my opinion, on some tracks, the emphasis on the low range bleeds a bit into the mids, but it really depends on the music track. At the $69 they’re currently offered at, they’re certainly a good product, but the real problem is the absurd saturation that occurs in this price range, where practically all manufacturers participate. What is certain is that the Hidizs MS2 Pro has an above-average note density that makes every track particularly satisfying and, in a certain sense, as if it were new.

8.2/10

Pros: 

• Zinc Alloy shell – Tank build quality 
• MECHA design style
• Mild V-shaped
• Pretty good sounding
• Tuning Nozzles
• Great soundstage
• Well extended Trebles, Deep & Powerful Bass, Nice vocals.
• Easy to drive

Cons: 

• More Eartips should be included in the box
• Bass presence could be too much in some cases – too much emphasis 
• Treble can be spicy

More Information:

• Hidizs Official Site