Hidizs MS3
Intro
Today I am presenting to you my full written review of the Hidizs MS3. The MS3 is Hidizs brand new hybrid (1DD/2BA) iem which launches under the $200 price point at around $169. I have only had good experiences with Hidizs products. I was recently part of the infamous “Public Review” of the Hidizs MS5 “Dark Angel” which just so happens to be Hidizs flagship iem and one that I was pretty smitten with (MS5 Review HERE) myself. The MS5 has a unique tuning which didn’t follow the cookie cutter approach that most earphones seem to be created with. Despite my affinity for the MS5, it certainly wasn’t a love affair across the board. Something which should be expected from a more particular tuning and also when you consider the price it is set at.
I’ve also reviewed one of Hidizs’ budget sets, the Hidizs MM2, which I was also quite happy with (MM2 Review HERE) as it is another very unique design that is wholly dynamic and fun. The MM2 also has a prototypical type of tuning filter system which works wonderfully. I actually consider the MM2 one of the better iems under $75. Hidizs has a penchant for an “out of the ordinary” approach, and by all accounts this is a company that doesn’t launch a product until it is actually complete and ready to be shoved into the audioverse. Hidizs takes some risks, they take some chances. I can respect this, and I love that nothing seems to be designed in the “assembly line” mindset that most iem makers seem to cling to. Hidizs obviously tries to be “set-apart” and distinct in their approach at creating audio products.
Hidizs
The audio company Hidizs was actually founded in 2009 and have been engrained within the audio community going on 14 years. Which, if you have been paying attention to the scene…this is not the norm. Obviously, they’re doing something right. Beginning roughly around 2012, the R&D Team within Hidizs took three long years of extensive research into the global Hi-Fi market with a team of audio professionals, R&D specialists and personalities to finally launch their first digital audio player (DAP) the Hidizs AP100 in October of 2014. This was a smashing success.
Just three years later they released their first Android music player the Hidizs AP200 on Kickstarter which raised quite a lot of funds at the time. Since then, there has been no stopping Hidizs as they have successfully ventured into the iem world with many releases that proved successful. Of course, Hidizs has further dialed in their small Daps and are at the forefront of the market in that regard. Also, they’ve created some extremely successful dongle dacs in the Hidizs S8, Hidizs S9, and Hidizs S9 Pro. Hidizs always incorporates a premium feeling and build into every product they create, and this latest iem, the Hidizs MS3 is no exception.
Thank you
I want to thank Bella and Hidizs for providing the Hidizs MS3 in exchange for a full written review as well as a feature at mobileaudiophile.com. It has been my pleasure to review the MS3 and get the opportunity to spend quality time with it. As you read on, I will go into the build quality, design, internals, drivability and sound quality as well as a couple comparisons. The two real questions I had going into this little venture was…”How does the MS3 stack up to the MS5, and how does the MS3 stack up to the competition in its price point?” I promise to do my absolute best to try to figure these questions out. The Hidizs MS3 everyone…
Check out Mahir’s review of the MS3 HERE
Purchase Links:
Early Bird sale price: $113 (only on the official website “Hidizs.net”)
Original price: $169
MS3 Pros
-Price
-Unboxing experience
-One of the best cables in the price point if not the absolute best
-Accessories
-Fantastic Build (top notch in the price point)
-Design is fantastic (reminiscent of some early Fiio flagships)
-Fantastic V-shaped sound
-Very easy to drive but scales to the source
-Deep and tight bass
-Silky, detailed and vivid midrange
-Energetic Treble which is mostly non-offensive
-Great details per the tuning
-Soundstage
-Overall Sound Quality is very nice and will resonate with many people
MS3 Cons
-Perhaps too much bass for some
-Slight sibilance depending on which nozzle you choose
-5k peek (it doesn’t bother me though it will bother some folks)
-Needs burn-in to reach peak sound (I’d say at least 50 Hrs)
-Cable may be too fat for some (somehow, some folks will not like this, but I love this cable)
-No fancy holder to store the tuning nozzles
Left to right: Qudelix 5k / Shanling M6 Ultra / Hidizs S9 Pro / iBasso DX240 / Ifi Go Blu
Gear used for testing
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
-Later Comparisons: Hidizs MS5 / Aful Performer 5
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
I have to hand it to Hidizs, they have truly dialed into what us “hobbyists” enjoy with an unboxing experience. Especially considering the price tag of $169. First off, the box isn’t huge. It’s a smaller cube of a box with a graphic of the MS3 earphone on the cover as well as some specs on the back. Nothing wasted here as Hidizs managed to create a classy looking unboxing with minimal waste. Also, the box is not sealed like “Fort Knox” as some iem boxes come in. Inside of the box you’ll notice there are different tier levels.
Upon opening the box, you will see the bold looking MS3 earphones in all their tough looking glory as they’re sit pretty inside of some cardboard covered foam cut-outs. Lift off that layer and you’ll find the tray of eartips and tuning nozzles. Under that layer is a thin box which contains the carrying pouch and inside that carrying pouch is the beautiful cable. There is also a nozzle cleaning tool and Velcro cable wrap. The only omission that Hidizs left out is the carrying “case”. I would have liked to see that but everything else is fantastic. This is a nice unboxing; I do like the layered approach with the smaller footprint, and I like that everything is so neatly arranged. You find more goodies as you peel away the layers.
Eartips
Hidizs includes a bountiful nine pairs of eartips in total. They provide three pairs (S, M, L) of white “Balanced” tips which have a semi-wide bore and semi-firm flange. Three pairs (S, M, L) of white “Vocal” tips that have a shallow fit with a wide bore and are actually quite nice. The last set of tips are the “Bass” tips which are dark gray and have a firm flange and a narrow bore. Each set of tips actually does what their names imply, which may be a first.
All the included tips are of good quality and each set does help to tune the MS3 to your liking. However, for sealing purposes I did end up using KBear 07 eartips which fit me like a glove. I had no real issues with the included tips, but I did have to fiddle a little bit to get a perfect seal. I think the KBear 07’s hit a sweet spot with their semi-wide bore and ultra firm flange and stem and the MS3 seems to react very well to them. A couple other suggestions for 3rd party eartips that I found to be very nice paired with the MS3 are the Moondrop Spring Tips, the Dunu S&S Tips, the Tenmak Whirlwind tips and Symbio hybrid foam and silicone tips. For me personally I choose the KBear 07 tips in the end.
Carrying Pouch
One thing I would’ve liked to have seen is a carrying “case” but Hidizs did provide a Pouch instead. Honestly the pouch that Hidizs gives in the packaging is pretty slick. It’s an all-black, all-leather pouch with enough room for the earphones and has a metal pinch top to close the pouch tight. I never really utilize any of the carrying cases that I’ve received with any earphones, but I would much sooner take a pouch with me when out and about. Pouches are better anyways, they fit in your pocket nicely and you can still protect your earphones. Saying that, it’s still somehow nice to see a solid case. Despite this, I’d much sooner like it if Hidizs (or any company) just puts the extra money into the earphones. Still, all things considered…it’s a nice pouch.
Cable
I love a good cable! In fact, I get just as jacked up and thrilled at receiving a good upgrade cable in the mail as I do a set of earphones. Well lucky for me, Hidizs just so happened to include one of the best cables in the price point, if not thee best. The included cable is a beefy, beautiful, metallic brown and it’s a thicky-thicky my friends. The cable measures in at 6mm in width based on Hidizs promotional material (I think that measurement is a bit conservative). In my opinion the included cable exceeds the type of cables that we usually see included with earphones under $200. Heck, I’d probably say $300 or more. I like this new trend by Hidizs as the MS5 cable is fantastic as well.
Hidizs seems to be quite proud of the cable that they’ve offered with the MS3, and I don’t blame them one bit. The packaged cable comes in either 4.4, or 3.5 terminations depending on what one chooses at purchase. The cable I chose was the 4.4 balanced and I love the way it pairs aesthetically with the MS3. I don’t think Hidizs could’ve picked a more suitable partner. The cable itself is a 2-pin connection with the stylish and ergonomical “Shark-Fin” 2-Pin plugs which is unique. It’s also very easy to distinguish left to right but most importantly the included cable looks flat-out sweet! Constructed with high-purity oxygen-free-copper, using 192 wires with a four-strand mixed braiding. I actually like this type of braiding rather than the tighter braided and thicker MS5 cable.
Synergy
The best part about this particular cable is how it matches sonically to the MS3 and was made specifically for it. Due to the driver configuration of two Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers (SWFK-31736) and the dual-cavity Dynamic Driver with the dual-magnetic structure and the combined impedance value, this particular cable actually has a lower impedance and is a high efficiency cable. Supposedly this cable is made to pair to the MS3, Hidizs actually states it like this…
“It effectively reduces reflection and attenuation, ensures the clarity and accuracy of the signal, and restores the pure and natural sound.”
Hidizs Promotional
The Brown coloring is a nice combo with the MS3 and fits the overall aesthetic perfectly in my opinion. You won’t get any microphonic sounds either, from rubbing the cable on your clothes and the cable isn’t so big and hefty that it weighs down on me. All in all, great cable and a nice addition for the price. Kind of unexpected actually.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit / Drivability
Build Quality
Just hold the MS3 in your hand and it’ll tell you everything you are wanting to know about the build quality. Just like the Hidizs MS5, Hidizs put the same craftsmanship and premium materials into the creation of the MS3. Made of aviation grade aluminum, the actual structure of the MS3 is very smooth & solid in hand. Hidizs also added an anodized coating and finish to the outside of the MS3 for better cleanliness over time. Hidizs uses CNC engraving to etch out the actual shells as well as the “Black Fire” Faceplate. Speaking of the Faceplate, it has a raised surface which was meant to mimic flames and I’d say that Hidizs succeeded in the vision. From the back of the housing to the nozzle tips the MS3 is made of premium materials and is crafted with obvious precision.
Design
As far as design and aesthetic is concerned the MS3 has a pretty radical look. Again, Hidizs came up with a design language that is as masculine and tough as one could imagine. The faceplates mimic black flames for crying out loud! Again, Hidizs used CNC engraving to carve out the flames and truthfully, they nailed it. One of the cooler looking sets anywhere near the price point.
The colorway is black on gold with gold trim surrounding the black faceplates and subtle accents of either rose gold, red or silver used for the tuning nozzles. To be honest the look isn’t very complicated and is actually quite plain, yet in that plain look it is anything but utilitarian and bland. To be frank… The MS3 looks badass! It’s a class act, it’s a minimalist design, it isn’t flashy or steampunk or colorful or crazy. It’s simply cool. I actually find the look to be very reminiscent of some earlier Fiio flagship iems…just better.
Tuning nozzles
Once again Hidizs chose tuning nozzles to dial in the sound to your unique preferences. Tuning nozzles are simply male threaded nozzles which screw onto the female nozzle piece of an earphone. With these particular nozzles we do see alterations to a core tuning of the MS3 which is always a nice addition. I mean, they actually work! In essence, tuning nozzles are simply “sound tweaks” and in the case of the MS3’s tuning nozzles I do like how Hidizs made sure to have a significant enough impact to warrant having them in the first place. Hidizs labels the nozzles as “Balanced (Rose Gold), Bass (Charm Red), & Treble (Quiet Silver)”. Obviously, each nozzle reacts to their respective name they were given, and they do so better than most.
Balanced
I won’t go into crazy detail on each tuning nozzle (this review will already be long), but I will assure you that each one has a distinct difference to it. For me I enjoy the balanced nozzle the most as I find it gives me the most balanced sound (who woulda’ thunk it) out of the three. The bass nozzle is quite nice but it’s a little too warm against the other two for me. You may love the sound. Next, I find the treble nozzle to have a slight bit too much treble activity, but the timbre and details are actually very good. Again, you may love the treble nozzle. For me it’s the balanced nozzle as it’s a happy medium with sweet tonality and details and an explosive sound. I’m curious what some of you like the most. Leave a comment about what works best for your listening.
Quiet Silver Nozzle:
The silver nozzle is a bit more on the bright side with the least impressive bass response of all the nozzles. However, the low-end still has adequate impact and a nice concrete edge to it using the silver nozzle. With this nozzle the sound has the most amount of air and openness. I did find sibilance to occur slightly more as well. The plus is that micro-details show off the best using this nozzle and treble punch and crispness is in the most abundance with the silver nozzle. Note weight slightly thins out and the sound isn’t as whetted, but I do enjoy the silver nozzle and I’m sure many will pick this one.
Rose Gold Nozzle:
My favorite nozzle of the three, the balanced nozzle sits right between the red and silver nozzles and is exactly as Hidizs claims it will sound. I find this nozzle to have a perfect mix of warm and bright, low-end emphasis and top end emphasis. I find this nozzle to have adequate air up top with a nice and tight low end and a nicely smooth and rich midrange. Truthfully this nozzle isn’t much different than the Silver nozzle but it does have a slight bit less upper-mid / lower treble rise.
Charm Red Nozzle:
The red nozzle which is aptly named the “Bass” nozzle does exactly what the name implies. The bass gets a boost however it also loses some sharpness, and the punch is very slightly softened, yet the impact and density are greater. The upper midrange and treble also gets tamped & damped down. The midrange gets pulled back slightly as a whole as well. The entire spectrum gains a warm cast over it all while never coming across veiled. Detail retrieval slightly suffers, and the sound has less separation. Still, this is a great thing for those who prefer a warmer, smoother, non-fatiguing, and easy listen without a chance at sibilance or anything peaky. I foresee many hobbyists choosing this nozzle.
The only downside to these tuning nozzles (in my opinion) is the size. These nozzles are rather short, and this may pose a couple issues. For one, the size makes it more difficult to actually screw on & off. Especially if you have fat fingers. It may take a couple times playing around with them to get the threads lined up perfectly. Also, don’t try forcing them on as anyone who has spent any time around threaded fittings can tell you…it’s easy to screw up the fine threads. Second, it is really easy to drop these nozzles as you are fiddling with them trying to mate the opposing threads, and just as easy to lose them. So, be patient and swap them out over a large surface that is easy to find if you drop them. Lastly, it would have been nice to have one of those fancy nozzle filter holders.
Internals
Hidizs decided to use a Hidizs developed 10.2 mm Dynamic Driver with a Dual-magnetic circuit and a Dual Cavity structure. The Diaphragm is actually a Bio-Nanofiber Composite material which is promised to have a higher magnetic induction than most dynamic drivers. Hidizs states that this Driver has a better shot of having quicker and tighter transients due to the material and the higher magnetic induction, which makes sense in theory. I will corroborate this theory with actual experiential knowledge, this driver is obviously a fantastic unit. The dual-magnetic circuits also help to make the actual usage of the driver more stable. Hidizs also states that this driver is especially well able to accurately replay the sound and tone of a human voice. From what I understand the Dynamic Driver takes on the low-end as well as the midrange leaving the highs to the BA’s.
Balanced Armatures
Hidizs went an especially cool route in the upper regions using two Knowles Composite Balanced Armature Drivers SWFK-31736 to take on the treble and upper treble frequencies. Knowles is obviously a very well-known brand who’ve created Balanced Armature Drivers for years, but they must be used in a way that coherency is not an issue. Something we often see in hybrid unit iems. Thankfully Hidizs made sure to tune the MS3 in a way that coherency is not an issue.
Drivability
As far as driving the MS3 to proper volume and fidelity I can accurately report that the MS3 is a very easy set to drive. With an 18-ohm impedance and a sensitivity of 112 db’s I find the MS3 to get loud quickly with most any source. This is fantastic. You don’t need some special high-powered amp to push this set to good fidelity.
Mobile Listening
Listening on the IFi Go Blu Bluetooth dac amp and it’s CS43131 dac chip I was immediately impressed with how well the MS3 takes to this unit. I was walking down the sidewalk of my town listening to Biggie Smalls “Juicy” and I promise the MS3 just took to the Go Blu like a “hand to a glove”. This was the first source I used the MS3 with and I would soon find that the MS3 would go well with just about everything I own. I wouldn’t call it a chameleon but the MS3 is very well adept to simply sound good with every source I have at my disposal. This cannot be understated and is pretty cool and a good thing to see. Even the much more expensive MS5 was very particular with the source and wanted and desired a lot of power. Not the MS3.
Dongle Dacs
Moving onto my dongle dacs, I was so impressed with the Hidizs own “S9 Pro” together with the MS3 that it was difficult to use another source. This is no joke. Of course, I could not use the included 4.4 cable with the S9 Pro and had to go with one of my good 2.5 balanced cables but, I’m a reviewer so thankfully I have many cables lying around.
The S9 Pro with its Sabre ES9238Q2M dac chip reacts nicely giving the MS3 a more strident and tidy approach to my music. The S9 Pro has an awesome resolving ability and while it’s a year or so old at this point it still sits pretty at the top of the dongle dac food chain. I don’t know if it’s because they come from the same family, but I’ve had a hard time connecting the MS3 to any other source… if I’m being completely honest. It’s one of those moments where synergy just seems perfect.
More dongle dacs
The same can be said when I used the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 using a Cirrus Logic CS43131 dac chip (same as the IFi Go Blu). The Dawn is tuned more analytical yet has such an organic, wholesome, punchy and crisp sound and the MS3 reciprocated by jiving nicely with it. Both dongles I used either 3.5 single ended or balanced (mostly balanced) and either way there was way more than enough power for the MS3. I am partial to the S9 Pro between the two, but I enjoy both quite a bit.
Daps
Stepping up to my iBasso DX240 with the Amp8 MK2 installed incorporating a beast of a dac chip in the ES9038 Pro flagship. The bass tightened up from an already tight approach with a more physical sound, the stage opened a hair and details shined through effortlessly.
Speaking of effortless, my favorite method of listening was done with the Shanling M6 Ultra. I cannot say enough how nicely the MS3 married to this dap. The M6 Ultra also uses an absolute beast of a dac chip in the AK4493SEQ. The mixture of a more analog, organic, warmish and resolving M6 Ultra coupled with the Hidizs MS3 just pairs so well. I find using the MS3 on medium gain is more than enough to bring out the best in this set.
Easy to drive, easy to pair
I don’t think you need anything more than a decently powered dongle dac. You could probably get away with simply using a smartphone. Ya know, I’m not a big believer in the auditory scaling ability of iems with power, in that, the extra power gives a set any extra resolving ability or timbre changes etc. I much more believe that some sets simply need extra driving power and thus they sound better. However, I absolutely believe that some sets scale to the source sound. The MS3 is a perfect example of this. Subtle changes in tonality of dac chips do make a big difference and should always be considered when purchasing a set of earphones.
This is why I try to always add all my different sources with different tonalities. Fortunately, the MS3 is awesome with every source I have, even some I have’t named here like the Shanling UA2, Fiio KA3, Fiio UTWS5, Fiio Q1 MK2 among others. So, rest assured you should be okay with what you got. The MS3 is easy to drive and does well with most pairings. Obviously, some are better than others, but you should be happy with what you have.
Sound Impressions
Note: Just a few things that must be stated before reading anything past this point. First, the MS3 in my opinion needs at least 50 hours of burn-in (I gave them about 100). Next, all of my critical listening was done using the balanced nozzle. I use all flac files or better which are stored on my devices and usually use Uapp, though at times I use Hiby player, Shanling Music or Poweramp depending on my source.
Pint Sized Sound Impressions
If I were to describe the sound of the Hidizs MS3 in one word, that word would be “full”. Of course, one word is a horrible way to describe anything with nuance, and this hobby is all about nuance. I could also use saturated, deft, clean, detailed, dynamic, tidy… The list could go on and on. I can say with complete confidence that the Hidizs MS3 does everything quite nice. Perhaps I could accurately state that the MS3 is ‘very good at much’ but a ‘master of none’ type situation.
Anyways, the sound is full of bodacious macro-dynamics that jump out at you and encompass the psycho-acoustic image in my mind. Multiple layers, holographic and vibrant. The sound is completely dynamic, dynamically balanced, musical, detailed per the tuning and able to play many genres very well. In fact, I find the price to be very generous for what you get, and I do believe that this “may” be the set to beat under $200 if the tuning resonates with you. Oh relax…. I said it “may” be the set to beat!
Each 3rd
The bass region hits hard, it’s impactful, authoritative, hard edged and tight in transient behavior. The midrange is lush, nicely weighted, natural in tonality, and great for vocals and instrumentation. The treble comes across punchy, expressive, extended and has a nice and controlled treble sheen. The soundstage is almost holographic with nice depth and a wide stage. Detail retrieval is very well accomplished as I can pick up on almost any of the finer things in my music.
All things considered; the sound has a great dynamic balance, in that, the greatest dynamic expression in each 3rd of the mix (bass, mids, treble) has a balance to it. You won’t miss much with this set. Of course, some may prefer less bass. Some may want more or less treble activity. There will also be some who want a more neutral sound, so not everyone will always be a fan. As for me… I dig this set! Great job Hidizs! Let’s get into each 3rd of the mix…
Bass Region
The Hidizs MS3 has a tasteful yet fun emphasis added to this region. The focus is primarily in the sub-bass area of the low-end, but the mid-bass has plenty of emphasis as well. I also don’t find the bass region to be too accentuated when I look at the entire frequency as a whole, as the bass doesn’t dominate anything unless the track being played has a dominant bass presence. Basically, the bass is not intrusive and only makes its presence greatly felt when it is called upon. If the track you’re listening to has a ton of bass than that is what you will get and vice-versa. Granted there is some warmth in the lower-mids brought on by the subtle spill over from the mid-bass, but with all things considered; the low-end of the Hidizs MS3 is done in a classy way without ruining the entire spectrum in bloat.
Sub-bass
The lowest of the lows has good density, or, satisfying density, the kind of guttural drone that vibrates in a way that you can feel. What I like is that Hidizs didn’t overdo the sub-bass (or mid-bass for that matter) and bump it up so grossly that it hinders the low-end with too much unnatural coloration. It seems that Hidizs “understands” that it’s nice to add a touch of good and fun physical meat… without drowning the entire mix in it. The sub-bass has a nice texture to it with a nice transient attack. The leading surface edge hits mildly quick with a nicely concrete depth to it and a decay that keeps things atmospheric. Basically, this sounds like good DD bass. It isn’t so snappy that you lose that organic affectability but it’s rumbly, clean and taught in the process.
Listening to “Abracadabra” by Young Thug (feat. Travis Scott) on the MS3 is a grizzly and rumbly affair right out of the gate. There is a very palpable and tactile boom here. The MS3 totally does this song justice. Or a more obviously sonorous track like “Paradigm” by The Head and Heart. The MS3 doesn’t just fill my entire mind space in rumble, but instead it takes this bassline (which any iem can rumble to) and has some depth to the modulation in the rumble all the while never drowning out the lead’s voice. In fact, I hear perfect separation and no muddiness. It simply sounds nice. Another track I go to routinely is “Heavy is the Ocean” by Bush (off their latest album). Again, there is some detailed depth while digging very deep with this robust and dirty bassline which sets the entire tone of the track.
Mid-bass
The mid-bass follows suit of the sub-bass and keeps it clean with bass drops, kick drums, bass guitars etc. while never interfering into any other part of the mix in a detrimental way. The MS3 has authority in the slam it produces yet never is overdone in my opinion. I feel the MS3 simply replays what’s asked of it while keeping things fun. After listening to the MS5 I would have thought that we would hear more of a basshead type sound but that simply isn’t the case. Now I do think that bass bois will find gratification in the MS3’s portrayal of the mid-bass but I wouldn’t call it a basshead replay at all.
Listening to “Groove” by Ray Wylie Hubbard, the MS3 displays a grizzly bass guitar riff that sounds up front and very edgy with a fullness to it. I feel like I can hear all sides of the bass. Or the thunderous successive kick drum booms in the song “Billie Jean” by Weezer (Michael Jackson cover). The sound is deft, nimble, solid and round. There is almost an echo which quickly follows the fundamental boom and the tightly textured thud of the drum. “Rich Off Pain” by Lil Baby and Lil Durk is an example of a bass drop done right without simply throwing bass at a hip-hop track but instead the MS3 keeps a rewarding, tidy, and reverberant slam.
Downsides to the Bass Region
I’m really pushing it to call this a con, but for those who cannot stand a little bit of bass than the MS3 may not be the set for you as there is definitely a bass presence. This bass is not in any way a con for me, but it may be for some of those who are reading this.
Midrange
The midrange can be summed up in at least a few words… musical, rich and vibrant. The brunt of all music usually rests solidly in this region where we find the fundamental frequencies of much of the instrumentation in most genres. The midrange is primarily where we find male and female vocals residing as well. So, getting this region right can usually make or break a set of earphones for most people. I did say “most”. Like I’ve stated, In the case of the Hidizs MS3 I find this set to have a nice dynamic balance across all three general portions of the frequency, which in turn renders the midrange pretty melodious and technically adept as well.
I don’t find the MS3’s midrange to be overly recessed as I hear good presence and amplitude in the midrange. The graph will tell you there is a small dip of recession in the midrange, but I don’t really hear it. I definitely wouldn’t call it mid-centric as the sound has more of a balance, but I would say that the midrange is a “pro” on the MS3. The midrange is more on the lush side of the scale with a smoother overtone however this doesn’t mean the MS3 doesn’t have a detailed midrange. In fact, I find the MS3 to have a nicely resolving sound in this region, even with the lusher sound. Of course, this is not a dry and analytical detail monster in the Mids but the MS3 is very well done and ultimately very clean and with nice pacing, timing and transient behavior.
Lower-midrange
Male voices come across with nice body to them which in turn sounds more natural to life. The MS3 has a nice ability to come across organic with all types of male voices. Listening to the track “The Gambler” by Home Free (Kenny Rogers cover) you’ll hear every type of men’s vocals. Listening with the MS3 paired with the Shanling M6 Ultra each of those voices will come across distinct and nicely weighted with a tidy note outline to each as well. This song is a testament to the MS3’s nice balance of warmth and cleanliness. Males are in a good place on the stage, not too up front and in your face, but also not pushed back and distant. They highlight the track without overshadowing anything else.
A higher pitched male vocal like the lead’s voice in the track “Casual Party” by Band of Horses comes across nicely etched out around the canopy of instruments around him in this energetic song. Or a deeper vocal, like bass singer Avi Kaplan (from Pentatonix) in the song “First Place I Go” actually sounds sonorous and forward with a nice warmth and crisp note outline.
Upper-Midrange
Female vocals have more energy than males and are closer in the stage as well. There is an evident shimmer in females while listening with the MS3. Something I enjoy quite a lot. To go along with the running them of the MS3, females have good note weight. Females have this effervescent quality to them on the MS3. For instance, “Half In Half Out” by Gabrielle Aplin has such a sweet and eurythmic inflection to her voice which whispers soft in a subtle moment yet is crisp and resounding when she opens up her voice. The thing which always remains is the distinct and clean outline to her voice and the uplifted tone to her voice. The MS3 really does do females nicely without specializing in them.
Another example is Jess Williamson in “Stampede“. I have to remark on how well the MS3 is able to highlight her voice as well as highlight instrumentation while keeping everything separated. I can concentrate on any one instrument if I’d like to as separation is very well composed along with great imaging. Jess has a voice very close to an artist like Jewel and the MS3 replays her very well. Females come come across nicely on the MS3, no matter the pitch or tone either.
Instruments
The upper-midrange is slightly elevated as a whole with enough transient speed and control in the midrange to really create a nicely drawn out and imagined stage. I find all instruments to sound mostly natural as well. Piano is nice, strings sound detailed and transparent, percussion comes across buoyant, round and impactful and instruments like trumpets sound prominent and thickened, and the list goes on. I haven’t heard an out-and-out weakness yet. The fundamental body of a cymbal strike is a nice exclamation with good body and tone. Snares pang with energy. Again, the list goes on. I’m sure that some will find something to complain about but for $169 I’m finding it difficult to nitpick.
Downsides of the midrange
However, if I were to nitpick, I would make mention of the slight bit of sibilance in tracks which are more prone to it. At times you’ll hear an “SS” or “ZZ” sound linger a hint longer than natural. Also, for those who want a more analytical, dry and neutral sound, they may want to look past this set. Truthfully, it’s hard to nitpick on a set like this.
Treble Region
The treble is uplifted quite a bit, even using the “balanced” nozzle, and even more so using the “treble” nozzle. Still, any less emphasis and the balance would be off, and the tonal color would slip left into more warmth. Possibly sounding less open and airy. In my humble opinion. Thankfully the treble seems to uplift the entire spectrum with added snappiness and even treble bite. The treble is nicely done and adds a nice zing to the upper regions and does well to illuminate some of the minutiae in a track. The treble does well to come across smooth and palatable but can also come across very crisp when called upon. Timbre up top sounds close to natural to my ears and there is really nice energy up top.
I hear nice extension in the upper treble region with some added brilliance. There is plenty of information out past 10k that is easily heard and accounted for. The secondary harmonics of a cymbal strike don’t sound tizzy or splashy to me and mostly sound full of a nice “chisk”. Strings sound clean and bouncy. Piano has a nicely mellifluous and harmonic reverb and echo. That’s all that my notes have but from what I recall there isn’t anything that was a “red flag” to me in the treble region.
Examples
Listening to Billy Strings song “Secrets” I was impressed with the MS3’s ability to keep up with every note of Billy’s rapid-fire banjo play while also doing a great job of highlighting Billy’s vocals. The MS3 picks up every little gradation, finger slide, and scrape. I found that either the balanced nozzle or the treble nozzle handles this track with a nice crispness that exposes the variations between each instrument. The MS3 handles chaos pretty well.
Another track that the MS3 absolutely slayed on was Yusef Lateef‘s song “Bishop School“. This is a track that I use for treble response in testing as there is a slew of treble activity that creates utter chaos on a less qualified iem. The MS3 is actually able to undress this song and bring to light each and every last instrument. I can distinctly hear the flute play, bass, congas, drums, electric bass, electric guitar, percussion, trumpets, strings and piano play as well. Some are easier than others as the recording isn’t perfect. Many of those instruments listed reside ‘at’ or ‘near’ the treble region.
Great at details
I will cover this later in slightly more detail but the upper regions present micro-details very well for the price point. I would go harder but I’m trying to keep my cool here. The treble is very resolving and transparent for a V-shaped tuning. There is the slightest bit of BA treble occurring but nothing that annoys and for the most part the treble is pretty natural. What I Don’t hear is anything shrill, or peaky, or any tizziness, and only a very slight metallic “BA treble” which is fantastic. For all intents and purposes, the MS3 does micro details nicely up top, all the while not causing any great fatigue. Of course, not much causes offense to my ears.
Downside to the treble region
There is some slight sibilance but nothing which was a bother to me at all. I suppose the treble region could use a bit more of a snappy punch and crispness when called upon for some folks. Truthfully, the only real issue would be a subjective issue for those who simply need more or less treble activity and emphasis. As far as the technical chops in the treble region or the actual “quality” of the treble… it isn’t bad at all, and very good for this price point. There are sets which specialize in this area, but they also can lack in other areas. The MS3 on the other hand has the ability to do it all pretty well.
Technicalities
Soundstage
The soundstage has a nice size to it for the price point which is actually quite a compliment considering that there are many in this range that have great stage sizes. I hear a wider stage with a lot of spaciousness. I hear a nicely wide stereo image that expands well. One thing I noticed is that the sound at the farthest reaches of the stage comes across just as voluminous as those which reside in the center. The height is above average as well. The best part is the good depth that I hear which leads to nice layering of sounds. I am impressed with the large stage that still has good macro-dynamics across the mix. I hear a more 3D or holographic type mental image when listening to my music which is nice to hear but other iems can do so equally or even better.
Separation / Imaging
Separation is really great. Even on complicated tracks you can very easily perceive that the drivers embedded inside the MS3 are of good quality. When you have nicely tight and controlled transient responses from each area of the mix, a more transparent sound, as well as a balanced sound you will more than likely also have pretty good separation of elements on an imaginary stage. Imaging is spot on in every track in my “technicalities” Playlist which has every type of music you can think of from acoustic to completely complicated. I found the MS3 to separate and partition off each and every element of every track so long as the recording was of good quality. Basically, what you feed this set… It’ll play my friends. Perhaps there are some sets which do so better but for this type of dynamic sound the MS3 is very well accomplished here.
Details
Is the Hidizs MS3 tuned and created to be a detail oriented iem? I don’t think so. The MS3 has a dynamism to it, bigger basses, plump midrange, smoother treble. The MS3 is a fun sounding set with a very expressive and vivacious sound. However, both macro and micro details shine through despite this. With a set like the MS3 I think you have the luxury of a dynamic performance with a fine-tuned and detailed replay as well. To be honest, the detail retrieval kind of surprised me. The stage is wide, deep, and tall, all the while the sound is clean, and tight, with a transient response which is perceivably pretty rapid and controlled. These attributes compose a recipe for detail success to at least a slight degree. Also, there is ample separation and great imaging which also helps to draw-out the finer details.
Comparisons
Note: The comparisons in this review are not a duel to the death. I have zero want or need to establish if one thing is better than the other. I use comparisons as a tool to hopefully better explain the iem that I’m reviewing.
Hidizs MS5 ($399)
The Hidizs MS5 (MS5 Review HERE) is a Hidizs flagship level iem that was either loved or… not loved. I for one adore the sound, as it is a different and fun take on my musical library. The MS5 is a five-driver hybrid consisting of a fantastic Liquid Silicone Dynamic Driver and four Sonion Balanced Armature Drivers. Truly a fantastic iem but there were certainly mixed reviews. As for myself I consistently listen to the MS5 and have the perfect tracks for my listening. One thing the audioverse was waiting on was how Hidizs would respond to the nitpicks from reviewers on this latest set, the Hidizs MS3. The MS5 costs quite a bit more. In fact, if original price is taken into account ($499) than the MS5 costs almost three times as much. Let’s try to compare the two now.
Ergonomics / Aesthetic
Both iems are very ergonomic but I find the newer MS3 to have a better fit for me. Many people complained of ear pain from the fit of the cable, but I can tell you right now that this issue has been given special attention to on the MS3. As far as looks are concerned, both of these iems are fantastic looking sets. The accessories are about the same although the MS5 does come with a carrying case. I will say that I like the newer cable which comes with the MS3 better than its more expensive older sibling. Although the MS5’s cable is absolutely beautiful. I think the difference is in the newer cable’s usability, as it’s a little easier to use in everyday listening.
Sound
The Hidizs MS5 is a much warmer sounding iem yet with much more of a treble rise and spike as well. Some complaints towards the MS5 were that its treble was too shrill and too far boosted. I didn’t think so (depending on nozzle choice and tip selection), but I understood what these reviewers were saying. The MS3 seems to be a much more balanced effort with equal parts in each area of the mix. The MS3 is closer to warm/neutral depending on the nozzle setup whereas the MS5 is dark/bright in tonal color. I find the tuning nozzles of the MS3 to have a greater effect on the sound as well. I should also add that the MS3 is much easier to drive to good fidelity. Much easier! The MS3 can run off a simple dongle dac and the MS5 wants as much juice as you can give it.
Bass Region
Both sets can flat-out bump, but the MS5 does have a slightly more robust low-end with a more taught sounding bass region. This is not to take anything away from the MS3 as I adore the bass on the MS3. However, the note outline and leading edges on the MS5 are a hint harder lined. This can be changed a bit by switching nozzles but mostly the MS5 outperforms the MS3 by a hair in this area. To be honest I debate this to myself, and it took quite a lot of listening to come to this conclusion. Who knows, by the time I was done I may have dreamed this up. Both sets sound fantastic down low.
Midrange
The midrange is much better tuned on the newer MS3 if you ask me. Perhaps the MS5 has a touch better detailed midrange but as far as musicality is concerned… It’s the MS3 all day long. The MS3 has much sweeter female vocals and better controlled male vocals while showing off better separation and imaging in this region. The sound is much easier to stomach without nearly as much sibilance as would occur on the MS5 at times. This is not a clear win across the board though. The MS5 does have a lusher note weight with a more forward sounding midrange and is very nice for vocals. That said, the MS3 is more musical and simply more realistic to my ears and can play more genres better.
Treble Region
The MS5 is much brighter, even with the MS3’s treble (silver) nozzle installed. The timbre up top is simply better on the MS3. The MS5 has some forced resolution up top with a drastically enhanced treble region but the MS3 has a much more natural and organic type of replay up top. Micro-details do show through on the MS5 a hair better as the treble is very resolving. Again, this one could easily be debated. I think Hidizs did a fantastic job tuning the MS3’s treble and it’s a marked improvement over its older sibling as far as timbre and tonality. Both offer nice details. Some may enjoy the more pronounced treble of the MS5 but speaking for myself, I feel the MS3 is better.
Technicalities
As far as technicalities are concerned, I feel that both sets offer a large stage size, and neither is far and away better in this area. Both sets have nice depth of sound field, and both are clearly above average in the stage size department. Details are a hair easier to discern on the MS5 in the treble region, but the midrange belongs to the MS3 in my opinion. More organic and natural timbre and with more air in the midrange. It should also be stated that neither set is abysmal in the detail retrieval department. Both sets present all the tiny little subtleties very well.
In the end
In the end I think that more people will generally enjoy the MS3 over the MS5. Just due to its more recognizable and mature tuning. The balance is better, timbre is better, musicality across the board is a bit better and the MS3 is more palatable to more people I would think. Truthfully, I find the MS3 to be one of the better iems in its price point, period. The MS5 has its great selling points and is a very good iem in many facets but the tuning is more particular whereas the MS3s’ tuning fits a broader range of musical genres, which in turn means it’ll likely suit a vaster number of hobbyists.
Aful Performer 5 ($219)
The Aful Performer 5 came along like a brush fire of hype and hope. For a hot minute this set had the attention of the entire audio community. However, after some “up and down” reviews, it was obvious that some of those positive thoughts may have been honeymoon hype. With that said, I really enjoy the Performer 5 and do consider it one of the better iems in its price point. Like anything, it has subjective little flaws, but nothing which jumps out at me. In fact, the P5 is a pretty darn well tuned set. The P5 is a one DD + four BA hybrid set which is made completely out of resin and has a stylistic look. Costing about $50 more than the MS3, the P5 should be much better and if we’ve learned anything from the mS5 comparison… We shall see.
Ergonomics / Aesthetic
Both of these sets offer a very ergonomically friendly design meant for long listening sessions. I do seem to get a better seal on the P5 but both sets fit like a glove in my ears. As far as look goes, although this is very subjective and personal to a person, the MS3 are possibly the better-looking set (my opinion) and the better built set. To be honest, I don’t think there is even a comparison here. One is made of resin, and one is made of aviation grade aluminum. One is orange, brown, and yellow and the other (MS3) is just flat-out DOPE! Was that an objective answer? Anyways, yes, the MS3 is the more durable iem of the two, I don’t think there can be much of an argument against that.
Sound
I love the sound of both of these iems but they are quite different in terms of replay. The P5 comes across neutral to the ear with a very resolving sound and the MS3 has a touch more warmth and dynamism. Both sets are easy to drive but the MS3 is the easier of the two to drive to good fidelity.
Bass Region
Both sets can bang. However, the MS3 has the tighter bass with a much more controlled presentation. I find the MS3 to have more slam and impact with a punchier sound. The P5 on the other hand has a deeper extension into the lowest of lows yet when it comes to its leading edge on attack through sustain there is a softness that can sound sligtly flabby to a degree, especially when compared to a set like the MS3. I hear a more densely robust sound on the MS3 with notes that can come and go more rapidly.
Midrange
Both midrange replays are subtly different. The P5 has more forward female vocals whereas the MS3 has more forward male vocals. The MS3 has much more of a lush and smooth approach to the dryer sounding P5. That said, the P5 is also more resolving in this area. Granted both sets offer a resolute playback, but the P5 is quite literally known for this attribute. Details in the midrange come across a bit easier on the P5. In the same breath the MS3 has a much more musical and emotional sound. There is simply a more dynamic and present sound on the MS3. Still, the P5 is a very nice set for vocals. Pick your poison, I guess.
Treble Region
This is the greatest difference between the P5 and the MS3. The MS3 has a much more emphasized treble region and thus a much better detailed sound with a lot more treble punch and snappiness. The P5 has a softer treble region and is actually a very safe tuning up top. Of the two the MS3 is much more shimmery and vivacious up top with a lot more energy.
Technicalities
As far as the stage, the MS3 has the bigger stage in almost all directions. I say that but the P5 is no slouch and has a great stage. Separation and imaging sound slightly better on the P5 but it’s by such a small margin that it probably isn’t worth noting. For the most part, details can be picked up a bit better on the MS3. These two trade blows quite a bit, but to see that the MS3 not only holds its own but even overtakes the P5 in multiple key metrics is saying something. Hidizs isn’t playing around anymore fellas and ladies. It appears they are going for the under $200 crown and for what it’s worth …it also appears they are going straight for the jugular.
In the end
In the end these are both two stellar iems and are each relatively close in price at a $50 difference. I can’t say one is better than the other as that is a very subjective statement, but I can say that one (Hidizs MS3) is more fun sounding, more spirited, lively and vigorously zippy and simply built better. The P5 has its own glorious attributes and is cemented in my rotation for its silky-smooth delivery, clarity, non-offensive airiness and great vocals.
Is it worth the asking price?
This is one of the easiest answers I’ve ever had to give. Absolutely the Hidizs MS3 is worth the $169 asking price. What’s even crazier is that the MS3 is being offered for $113 for a limited time. One thousand percent… Yes, the Hidizs MS3 is worth every penny.
The why…
Let’s see, the build is exceptional, the look is ridiculously cool, and the tuning is awesome for a V-shaped set. The bass digs deep and stays in good control while not overstepping its position in the mix. The mids are clean and energetic and the treble is very vibrant and shimmery without causing fatigue for most people. The stage is large and wide and holographic, and my music sounds great through the MS3. The cable alone is the best in the price point! The accessories are fantastic for $169 (minus a carrying case, nice pouch though) as well. I think this is an absolute no brainer at the price being offered my friends. I will always give you my exact thoughts and I truly believe that the MS3 is one of the best buys under $200.
Can’t deny
Listen, not everyone will be a fan. I don’t expect that. As a reviewer there has been a litany of times that I’ve loved something that somebody else emphatically does not enjoy. That’s life. However, the intangibles are there on the MS3. Nobody can say that the MS3 is a technical slouch. Nobody can say it isn’t dynamic and fun. Also, nobody can say that it isn’t accessorized to the nines. I don’t expect everyone to be a fan, but I think those people will be very few and very far in between. Basically, the MS3 is a very good iem that seems strategically placed at the price it’s at. This is a nice set in my humble opinion.
Ratings (0-10)
Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles. In the case of the Hidizs MS3 ratings below, that would be $125-$200 iems in any configuration. Please remember that “ratings” don’t tell the whole story. This leaves out nuance and a number of other qualities which make an iem what it is. A “5” is exactly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $125-$200 US is a small pool in the grand scheme of things and so seeing ratings above a “9” is understandable. Especially if the iem in question is something like the Hidizs MS3.
Aesthetic
-Build Quality: 10.0
-Design: 9.8
-Accessories: 9.5
–Overall: 9.8🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Sound Rating
-Timbre: 9.4
-Bass: 9.5
-Midrange: 9.2
-Treble: 9.6
-Technicalities: 9.5
Overall: 9.5🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Conclusion
To conclude this review, I want to state that I’ve had a blast both critically listening, and casually listening to the Hidizs MS3. Truly it is a competitor in the price point that the MS3 rests at and I must repeat that from my perspective it is a no-brainer purchase. Hidizs has really stepped up their already impressive game with a set that should make a mark within a loaded sea of iems.
I dont want you to simply take my word for it. I am only a man my friends and I only can share my authentic thoughts. Please read, listen to, or watch other reviews of the Hidizs MS3 and take in other perspectives so that you will have a better idea of what the MS3 is all about. We all have different likes and dislikes, different hearing abilities, different gear and we all haven’t been down the same audio journey. It’ll only help you to make an informed decision.
I want to send out a very special thanks to Bella and to Hidizs as well for providing the Hidizs MS3 in exchange for a full review and feature at mobileaudiophile.com. They have been so very helpful in answering any question that I have, and I am so very impressed. So, Bella…thank you! With that I want to also say thank you to anyone who takes the time to read any word that I write. I do hope it helps you in making a purchasing decision. Please take care and stay safe…God Bless!
