Hidizs MP145

Intro 

Hello everyone, this is my full written review from one of Hidizs latest iems, the Hidizs MP145. The MP145 is a Planar Magnetic earphone with an MSRP of $199 (limited early bird Kickstarter offer of $109 HERE) and the first from the good people of Hidizs. Friends, Hidizs has been on a landslide tear through the Audioverse with absolute contenders in many different price brackets. Recently I reviewed the Hidizs MS5 (MS5 Review HERE), as well as the Hidizs MS3 (MS3 Review HERE) and truly have enjoyed them and if I’m being honest… “lauded” each set for their individual appeal and unapologetically unique tunings, build, design and the accessories… really the whole nine yards. Hidizs has covered it all. This is one of those audio companies who seeks to impress in every regard and that is always refreshing to see.

WDC

Of course, the Hidizs MP145 actually begins as a “Kickstarter” program. However, this isn’t any regular ole Kickstarter as Hidizs has actually partnered with the “WDC” (Whale & Dolphin Conservation). I think this is the first time I’ve seen an audio company partner with a charity organization, and I find it commendable and a great cause to further help fund. I told y’all, Hidizs is “Different”! The WDC is fighting the good fight in many ways for Dolphins and Whales of all types by pushing to end captivity of these beautiful creatures, by fighting to stop any “whaling” and killing of these species, and by cleaning up the seas which house these animals. Truly a great cause to get behind and a nice vote of confidence that your dollar will not only buy you a great set of earphones, but also will go to helping some very precious and majestic marine animals. 

The MP145 fights for relevance in a very loaded price point with a mountain of solid planar magnetic earphones, not to mention the other great iems with different driver configurations. I do hope I can help you to narrow that field a bit and also help you figure out if the MP145 is something that makes sense for your rotation. So, I think I’m going to cut this intro a bit short and get into it, the Hidizs MP145 everyone…

One more thing before the review, please check out the KICKSTARTER at the link provided below and make sure to sign up for a special offer for the Hidizs MP145: 👇👇

–  MP145 Kickstarter early bird sign up

Save the whales, save the world.
Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) is the leading global charity dedicated to the protection of whales, dolphins, and their ocean homes. As the design of the MP145 was inspired by whales, we’re proudly supporting WDC’s Green Whale work and helping to raise awareness about the vital role whales play in the health of our oceans, and ultimately our planet. Learn more about these amazing animals here, and follow us on social media to get updates about our partnership.

Hidizs Promotional

MP145 Pros

-WDC Partnership

-Price to performance (especially at the early bird price) 

-Exceptional Build Quality 

-Gorgeous Design Aesthetic

-Accessories are all very nice

-Tuning nozzles which do help to change up the sound

-Macro-dynamics for days

-Transient attack/decay

-Thick authoritative Bass (darn near basshead depending on tuning options) 

-Lush and detailed midrange

-Snappy treble with great extension 

-Soundstage is enormous

-Crazy Layering ability

MP145 Cons

-These earphones are enormous, they may not work for smaller ears

-Fit may be an issue

-Needs Burn-in (my opinion)

-The earhooks don’t exactly always go behind my ears

-Honestly, I can’t think of another “Hard Con” 

Gear used for testing

–Ifi Go Blu

–Hidizs S9 Pro

–Moondrop Dawn 4.4 

–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2 

–Shanling M6 Ultra 

Packaging / Accessories 

Hidizs put together another nice packaging yet a bit less wasteful and in step with their environmental involvement with the WDC. The box which arrived at my home is a small rectangular box, best guess is 6″ x 2.5″. You see a picture of the beautiful MP145 on the front sleeve as well as some logos and a few other details that you can simply see by looking at my pics. Anyways, as you slide off the sleeve, you’ll notice a black fully plastic inner box (no this isn’t the carrying case). Take off the lid and the MP145 will be staring right back at you as they are set in some cardboard covered foam cut-outs. Next to the earphones is a small box which houses the carrying pouch. By the way, the pouch actually has the beautiful cable inside as well as the tuning nozzles which are given a cute little case to store them in. So, once you take off the box and the foam, you’ll notice all the nice tips in a very neat holder with labels explaining the tuning for each.

I absolutely love the choice of accessories that Hidizs decided upon as well as the quality of the accessories. Hidizs kept this box compact, small and not even slightly wasteful. I won’t call this Hidizs most lavish unboxing to date but for the price being asked the MP145’s packaging is truly up there with some of the best. 

Carrying Pouch

As far as a carrying case goes, Hidizs left that one out in the accessory count as they instead opted for a pocket friendly storage bag. The bag itself is black in color with what appears to be a faux leather type material covering it. The opening mechanism is done by pinching the sheet metal ends together and releasing to close. An actual case would’ve been nice, but also… who cares? I don’t even use them anyways. I will say that the pouch that is provided is perfectly pocketable and is able to just hold the MP145 along with the cable. The material seems durable and nicely stitched. 

Eartips

Hidizs provides a total of nine pairs of eartips. Actually, they provide three sets of three (S, M, L) and each set of tips renders the overall sound in a way that confirms the validity of the labels given for each set of tips (Vocal, Balanced, Bass). The “Bass” tips are a longer style gray silicone with a narrow bore and a firm stem. The “Balanced” tips are a white silicone tip with a black stem. These tips are similar to something like the KBear 07’s having a medium-wide bore. The last set is the “Vocal” tips. These ones have a wide bore, shallow fit, firm flange and are very nice indeed. Each set does very well with effecting the sound and each set is quality, not just some random tips thrown in for good measure. 

Tips make a difference

Let me offer a bit of direction when choosing tips for the MP145. This is one set which truly makes nice changes through the use of tip-rolling. In fact, the sound is affected enough that I didn’t stop at the included tips but in fact went through just about every tip in my arsenal. Now if I was choosing any of the included tips, I’d use the large sized “Balanced” tips. However, in my tip-rolling escapades I found that the Dunu S&S tips performed the best of any set of tips I tried out. In my opinion. The MP145 and S&S tips will reward you with their wider bore and the S&S tips also have a deeper fit. With them installed the bass tightened, the stage grew, and the treble had a bit more bite and weight to it. So be sure to check out every tip you can to make the sound perfect for you. 

Cable

The included cable is a very nice-looking wire which looks very handsome offsetting the silver of my MP145’s. One thing Hidizs is very well aware of is our love for a solid cable. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “cables matter“… quite a lot actually. A good cable is the dressing on the salad, the sauce on the steak… actually… These are terrible analogies. It doesn’t matter though because Hidizs gets it. We are visual creatures, and we love to see that fly lookin cable just… dripping off our earphones. I can’t tell you how many cables I’ve purchased just for this purpose. So, how nice is it that Hidizs adds in cables that complement the product? Both in auditory joy and visually? Pretty cool Hidizs! 

The cable I’m referring to is a 0.78mm 2-Pin cable which comes in either a 3.5 single ended variant or a 4.4 balanced which you can choose when ordering. The cable is a beautiful 4 strand 99.9999% high purity, single-crystal “oxygen-free” copper cable with silver plating. Hidizs promises an ultra-low resistance transmission… Ya know what, let’s hear it from the horse’s mouth… 

“Crystal Clear Connectivity: The Uncompromising Signal Cable
Equipped with a signal cable crafted from a blend of four strands of 99.9999% high-purity single-crystal oxygen-free copper silver-plated wire, the MP145 ensures a amorphous low-resistance and high-tensile listening experience. 
This exceptional cable allows for greater driving current with its low-resistance transmission, while the silver-plated layer enhances the conductivity of the single-crystal copper rod’s surface, minimizing signal loss. 
The result is enhanced resolution in the mid-to-high frequencies, delivering astonishingly clear vocals and making it an essential feature of high-end headphone signal cables.”

Quality materials 

To me, the included cable is much more like a very nice upgrade cable. Hidizs uses quality materials in this cable, and it has a very nice feel to it. Now, this cable isn’t as beefy as the MS3 cable and not even close to as fat as the MS5 cable, but it is a good size for this set. I don’t have any microphonic effects when rubbing it against my shirt and for the most part the cable is pliable and rolls up nicely without becoming a spiderweb of cable mess. Also, I love the subtle white gloss on the insulation cover of this cable. It really pops next to the MP145. 

Earhooks

However, I should also add (full transparency) that the cable which comes with the MP145 does fit on my ears, kinda funny. Almost as though the female 2-Pin is a little bit too far back and up on the MP145. Every now and again the earhooks come out from behind my ears as they are simply too high on the ear. Understand, I do think it is mostly my ear anatomy that is the issue but something worth noting. 

You’ll notice that I used the Hidizs MS3 cable for some of the pictures as I went back and forth between the two. I found that the “shark fin” style 2-pin connectors of the MS3’s cable were just enough to fix where the earhooks sat behind the ear. Another cable which works nicely is the KBear Chord 4.4 oddly enough. Obviously, this won’t affect everyone. Also, the included cable is very nice and looks great and this likely won’t be an issue for everyone. 

Build / Design / Internals / Fit / Drivability 

Build Quality 

Now we get into the meat of this review! This is where things begin to get really interesting. I say this because the build quality of the Hidizs MP145 is absolutely THROUGH THE ROOF GOOD!!! Pick these up and feel them in your hand and I promise you’ll have zero choice whether you are impressed or not. The actual milling of the Shells was done using advanced molding and five-axis CNC machining & carving of aviation grade aluminum. To build the faceplates it took them 12 steps of milling to complete the “whale tail” design. The build is phenomenal and should not go understated. I do think this is the best build in the price point and I give that distinction without any internal pushback. The Shells are very solid. 

Bravo! 

You’ll notice some very large vents on the faceplates on either side of the “whale tail” and another smaller vent near the nozzle. We have slightly deeper fitting nozzles as well, so take that into account. Also, these shells are absolutely enormous, like, bigger than the KZ AS24 shells. Their large, so smaller ears may want to try before you buy if that is feasible. Now, I realize that I just told you that the MP145’s are enormous but I also have to add that they are 100% ergonomic in design. Meaning, even though they are large, they fit fantastic, but I’ll cover that later. One more thing, the aluminum used provides a reasonably lightweight earphone at under 9.5 grams. All in all, Hidizs… Bravo! Truly an exceptional build! I do hope those who designed and built the MP145 know how well they did. 

Tuning Nozzles

Hidizs adopted many tuning methods used in the creation of the MP145. There is nine to be exact when you figure in the eartips as well as the tuning nozzles. There are three female threaded tuning nozzles which I must say that I appreciate. Usually, tuning nozzles have the male threads on the tuning nozzle which makes them small and easy to lose. Not with the MP145. Hidizs actually reversed it, it makes the nozzle diameter a hair larger, but it is 1000% easier to install the tuning nozzles. Like I said, there are three nozzles labeled “Low Frequency” (Charm Red), “Balanced” (Rose Gold), & “High Frequency” (Quiet Silver). 

What do they do?

I’ll be honest, you are not getting three different earphones in one, but you are getting substantial changes to the target tuning that relates to the naming scheme of each tuning nozzle. Also, be aware that also using the tuning eartips included in the packaging adds even more to the tuning nozzle’s efficacy. I am quite surprised at how well these options are implemented. Let me complete a very quick and general look at how the sound is affected using each tuning nozzle. 

Low Frequency Nozzle (Charm Red) 

The “low frequency” nozzle adds some warmth by dropping the ear gain in the upper mids/lower treble along with some obvious bump in the sub-bass. I find the bass nozzle (as I’ll call it) does add some meat to the sound, note weight gets a bump, yet also there is increased softness at note definition with this nozzle. I find the speed of attack/decay lingers a bit longer and the snappiness is slightly flattened a pinch, but I do like this version of a bass replay from a tuning option. That said, the bass nozzle adds a nice chunk of real bass density and gain. This all gets more inflated if you couple the bass nozzle with the bass eartips. Please trust me, the MP145 becomes a flat-out BASS CANON! Hidizs wasn’t lying when they said they had nine different options as they picked the perfect tips to affect the sound. 

Balanced Nozzle (Rose Gold) 

The balanced nozzle is the most balanced of any of the tuning options as the name suggests. What we have is an increase from the bass nozzle in the ear gain by a few dBs and the difference is very easy to hear. The bass doesn’t really lose any emphasis with this nozzle, but the increased ear gain does add some levity to the sound with an increased punch in the bass region and better note definition. Macro-dynamics seem to get a boost with this nozzle as well. I like the openness of this balanced nozzle paired with either the balanced or vocal tips, or like I said earlier, with the Dunu S&S tips. Just so you are all aware, this is the nozzle that I used for the majority of critical listening. 

High Frequency Nozzle (Quiet Silver) 

I actually enjoy this filter as well, but you do lose a bit of thunder in the bass region. Don’t get me wrong it isn’t a huge loss but when you couple that with the increased lower treble energy than what you have is a more neutral sounding set. The treble filter has a snappier sound across the board, and this is the most detail friendly of any of the nozzle configurations. The sound is still very musical but just a pinch less dynamic as a whole and a touch more analytical too. I feel the stage flattens out a hair with this nozzle but that is certainly debatable. I think that many hobbyists will enjoy this sound. 

Design

This is one area that I may gush a bit hard. I have to be totally honest with you, that I am crushing a little bit over the look of the MP145! Good Lord… look at this set people! Hidizs! My word whoever designed this set deserves some sort of a trophy. The design is stunning. You see the pictures and I can promise that not even one of them does this set even the slightest bit of justice. 

Again, the MP145 is crafted entirely out of aviation grade aluminum and has one of the most intricate and imaginative design concepts. The faceplate area is actually supposed to mimic the look of a whale tail. One person on Facebook also remarked that the design on the faceplate resembles more of a shark tooth… I do agree with that assessment. Anyways, I digress, the MP145 from Hidizs may just be the best design of the year within the price point. 

Whale Inspired Design
With WDC’s(Whale and Dolphin Conservation) assistance, we drew inspiration from whales’ biological features for Hidizs MP145 in-ear monitors. By seamlessly incorporating whale tail and rorqual pleat characteristics, we achieved a smooth, ergonomic shape that fits the human ear canal perfectly. Utilizing advanced molding and five-axis CNC carving, the earphone panel is divided into 3 parts with a twelve-layer milling pattern, resembling whale tail fins and pectoral flippers.

Hidizs Promotional

Color choices

The MP145 actually comes in three (actually four) of the best colors Hidizs could’ve chosen. They come in “Blue” which is more like a navy blue. It’s a very bold looking marine type of color which certainly fits the motif. The next color is “Titanium” which is tinted closer to a sandy tan if I were to try to describe it. Just beautiful. The last “regular” color is the “Silver” set that you see in the pictures. Honestly, I don’t know which I like the best. When Bella asked what color, I wanted it was kind of a nail biter. 

Golden Special Edition

I do have one more thing to add to this review as far as color choices; Hidizs will also be offering a limited number of “Gold” colored MP145’s which Hidizs aptly named the “Golden Titanium Edition”. There will be 199 units available to be exact. These will be a limited edition and I have to be honest; they look like jewelry.

Again, the whale tail itself took 12 steps of milling and carving to create that look and each step is finely laid out. One thing that I love is that Hidizs chose not to put any logo on the faceplate which is a classy move and it paid off because the design speaks for itself. Who needs logos and names? The rest of the design language is smooth lines and feels premium from the 2-Pin connectors all the way to the nozzles. Truly a beautiful set that deserves some praise. In the same breath I’m sure there will be those who don’t enjoy this look as much as I do. 

Internals

Hidizs decided upon a massive Planar Magnetic Driver for the Hidizs MP145 and they happened to name this Driver… “Fast”. Yes, it’s a strange name but I’m not here to judge my friends. If it’s any consolation, it’s nice that they named the Driver after one of its many attributes… Speed. To be exact, “Fast” is a 14.5mm Planar Driver with a fully symmetrical magnetic array with 7+7 N52 magnets which achieve up to 1 Tesla at the magnetic gap. Hidizs states that this configuration ensures a lower harmonic distortion as well as magnetic circuit efficiency. I can actually attest that distortion is not in the MP145’s vocabulary. This is a solid Driver folks. 

What is “FAST”
“FAST”is the secret code of Hidizs’s customized Ultra-large Planar Magnetic Driver. It features a symmetrical planar magnetic driver with a 14.5mm diaphragm diameter. This large diaphragm size offers inherent advantages in audio information and dynamic range compared to other driver types. FAST is also the code name for the largest radio telescope on Earth. We used the same code to pay tribute to this groundbreaking achievement in astronomy.

Hidizs Promotional

Drivability 

Planar Magnetic earphones have come a very long way as far as Drivability is concerned. It used to be the case that you’d need a good and strong amp to power any Planar to bring them to good fidelity. However, nowadays this isn’t so much of the case. As far as the MP145, it can jam out at decently low power. Still, before I get into this section just know, the MP145 definitely scales with power. 

Mobile listening 

The MP145 is rated with an impedance of 30 ohms and a sensitivity of 104db’s which makes it pretty darn sensitive on paper. I did try out one 3.5 single ended cable with my iPad 6th gen and that was short lived. Not that it couldn’t bring the MP145 to volume, but it couldn’t bring out the dynamics in this set. So, I stopped playing that game and figured, “Anyone purchasing the MP145 must have at least a decent Dongle Dac at their disposal”. So, I next went to the IFi Go Blu and easily drive the MP145. The sound was bold, big and the MP145 reacted to the CS43131 dac chip and strong amping power under 4.4 balanced very well. 

Dongle Dacs

Listening with the MP145 attached to the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 is where things get even more fun. Again, the Dawn 4.4 has a CS43131 as well, but it is tuned much differently than the Go Blu. The Dawn is a snappy, neutral sounding dongle with loads of energy and macro-dynamics. The MP145 does very well paired with a sound like this. I briefly used the Hidizs S9 Pro and came to a very nice conclusion as well, but I had to use a 2.5 balanced cable which was cumbersome to keep switching out, so I stuck with the Dawn 4.4. Synergy is very nice between these two and the amping power of the Dawn really begins to draw out the vivacity and macro-dynamics of the MP145 and the musicality. 

Daps

Stepping up to my Daps I always begin with the iBasso DX240 which carries a flagship level ES9038Pro dac chip and about 1W of power. I use the MP145 on either medium or high gain and didn’t see much of a difference between the two. These two-sound nice but I did detect a hint of odd timbre in the upper regions for whatever reason. However, nothing paired as well with the MP145 as did my Shanling M6 Ultra. The M6 Ultra is in my opinion the best dap under 1k, and it showed itself true as the lush yet ultra resolving sound played through the MP145 was the golden ticket. That velvet AK4493SEQ Flagship dac chip along with the rest of the tech housed within the M6 Ultra strikes such a nice balance against the tonality of the MP145. 

The least you’ll need 

In the end, not everyone has a Dap or even a $100 dongle dac at their disposal. I think what it really boils down to is this… Make sure to have a well powered dongle dac, it doesn’t have to be ultra expensive. There are many on the market that you can get relatively cheap. Honestly, the MP145 paired pretty well with every source I used so I truly don’t think you’ll have a synergy problem. 

An IEM for Everyone: Perfect Match with Any Dongle DACs/Music Players/Smart Devices
With its 104dB high sensitivity, it can be easily driven to the optimal volume when paired with a cell phone, dongle DAC, or music player. Mild audiophiles and music lovers will find it perfect to match with a small dongle DAC, or any smart devices. While hard-core HiFi audiophiles will enjoy pairing it with a music player or a powerful amplifier. Experience fast response, excellent dynamic range, and impressive frequency characteristics.
Even when listening to music on streaming platforms and playing games on multiple devices, the Hidizs MP145 will deliver a unique and exceptional audio experience.

Hidizs Promotional

Sound Impressions 

Note: I feel I need to preface this entire portion of my review with this; all impressions are done after extensive burn-in. I’m talking up to 175-200 hrs. I simply let this set play for days and days friends without thinking about it. Of course I don’t think it necessarily needs this much. You should be fine with probably 25 to 50 hrs I’m sure. Without question this paid off. However, I don’t think it’s mandatory because this set does sound very good out the gate. Listen-in should be perfectly fine and probably what I would’ve done if I actually purchased this set. Also, all impressions are based off of the price point and against other planar sets. This is how I went into this review; I believe it makes the most sense as well. All listening was done using my devices, 4.4 balanced, high gain, using Dunu S&S eartips and flac files stored on my devices. 

The Hidizs MP145 comes across as a Harman inspired V-shaped set which can double as an almost U-shaped, or even triple as a soft W-shaped set too… depending on what tuning nozzle and eartips are used. The sound is mostly warm with a spritz of neutrality and it comes across very clean, controlled, dynamic & snappy. Yet it’s also lush, weighted, authoritative and bold. I find the MP145 to be a very musical set which isn’t something that I easily say about most Planar earphones. It has a very nice timbre throughout and is a “stand-out” in the “technicality” department. The stage is enormous, vast, with good depth. Layering is fantastic. Detail retrieval is great with a tuning that is well adept to pick out the subtle things in my music, even with the bass emphasis. 

Between the 20’s

If this is all that you read just know this, the MP145 can flat out BANG! The bass can be BIG and can be pretty boomy under the right conditions. Generally, I find the bass to be punchy, deep enough and pretty fast to keep up with complex basslines. The midrange comes across more smoothly yet doesn’t skimp on separation and note definition. Vocals of both males and females sound nicely weighted yet still airy and I also like how well the imaging is in this region. The treble has nice note weight, punch, and there is adequate bite to treble notes with very nice extension. In total the sound is actually great, truly. I am impressed that this is a planar earphone, and I don’t hear that annoying planar timbre but instead hear a nicely organic sound that has fantastic macro-dynamics. 

Bass Region 

Let’s talk about the bass. One of my favorite subjects. I love good bass, in fact I listen for it, wait for it, and when I hear it done well… I may get a little giddy. What’s a hobby without some childlike joy? So, I’m just going to preface this entire section with this… The MP145, without the shadow of a doubt, has some very nice planar bass. The low-end is clean, nicely deep with pleasurable extension as well, ranging from moderate to Bass Boi levels depending on your nozzle and tip situation as well as the track being played. What I like about the bass is the speed of the bass per the quantity as well as the note definition. Nothing pillowy, nothing fuzzy, nothing hollow at all and truthfully, the MP145 doesn’t even sound like a planar completely. Of course a good DD will have a slight bit more organic oomph, but it’s very close.

Sub-bass 

Again, using the Rose gold nozzle I feel the sub-bass can get low with very nice extension. The MP145 is very close to DD type levels of haptic energy and controlled resonant vibration. When I listen to “Don’t Look At It” by Ashnikko I feel every last note down low. The best part is the precise energy and attack that the MP145 is able to deliver. The sub-bass has very nice agility with an almost ductile ability to stay composed in most any musical arrangement. This track is not my favorite but it’s a great tool to show off the MP145’s abilities. The leading edge of attack provides good note definition in the lowest of lows. Not perfectly clean note outline but very well contoured and controlled.

“Take” by Westerman is another solid example of a track in which I can 100% feel the vibrational energy from the bass guitar which is the running undercurrent of this song. If you enjoy a solid sub-bass RUMBLE & DRONE, then you’ll like the MP145 in this regard. What’s great is that the sub-bass never seems to impede on the rest of the mix. It stays in its lane, so to speak. There is a depth to the rumble, a concrete solidity that stays relatively solid, undistorted even at high volumes and is always in control it seems. Another track is “Down by Law” by Killer Mike off his latest album where I can definitely feel that dirty sub-bassline which is great to see from a planar set. 

Mid-bass 

The mid-bass is also in good control and holds a tight edge and also with nice note definition that doesn’t sound flabby and doesn’t negatively affect any other area of the mix. Though I’m quite positive some will not want as much emphasis. This is not the type of mid-bass that slams and lingers too long either. Meaning, it isn’t that slow and intrusive type mid-bass. It’s moderately tight for its size, it’s impactful and makes its presence felt & heard. “Uncle M” by Young Thug is a good example of the MP145’s ability to attack with authority and with a nicely concrete edge and then decay and release relatively quickly, or appropriately. Let’s put it this way, when the MP145 needs to be speedy it can easily handle that. Yet in a more atmospheric bass track the MP145 doesn’t disappoint either, at least for me it doesn’t. 

I also enjoy the texture and tactility of the mid-bass and the fact that this is not at all a one-noted affair. It isn’t so boomy-bland and over saturated that it brings upon any veil to the rest of the mix. Like I’ve said a few times… This is a clean mid-bass for its size which helps the overall sound to be much more satisfying. Not every set can pull off such an emphasized sound without coming across as intrusive or overbearing. Also, not every planar can pull off decent texture while sounding as robust as the MP145. Let’s also dispel any thoughts about planars not being able to thump with some real gusto because the MP145 can be an absolute BEAST when it is called upon to do so. 

Audiophile Basshead? 

Bass guitars have a full growl and I hear bulbous kick drums with a solid and hollow boom and a tacky edge on attack. Really the MP145 should make fans of Hip-Hop, R&B, EDM, metal etc. very happy. The low-end can handle multiple basslines with ease and never seems to be over matched in complexity of my musical library. The thing I like the best is that the low-end is very technical as well as authoritative which isn’t usually something which goes hand-in-hand with each other. My only real question is this… Is this an “Audiophile Basshead” or a “Mature-Bass Boi”? 

Downsides to the Bass Region 

The only downside that I can come up with is that not everyone will enjoy the emphasis. Of course, they can always opt for a different nozzle situation or simply EQ the low-end down a few db’s. The Bass can at times take center stage over other instruments, but this is a rare occurrence on the MP145. In truth… this is a great bass if you like a bigger bass section. Perhaps at times on extremely bass heavy songs some of the details may be overshadowed, of course I don’t know who’s seeking out the finer details in ultra heavy bass jams.

Midrange

The mids have a decent smoothness which isn’t always a quality of planar sets. Many times, there will be a certain coarseness to the sound on a planar. Not as much on the MP145, it’s smooth, semi-lush yet rich. However, it’s not so smoothed over that it dulls and flattens note definition or covers over details in a bad way. One nice feature is that the MP145 has less “Planar timbre” than most other planar iems. It is a very rare occurrence that I hear that metallic type of electrical sounding note outline like many planars. Though it can happen at rare times. The only other planar set which succeeded in this regard was the Hook-X (that I’ve heard). Truly the MP145 is a very well-tuned and very well-designed set, and the midrange is just another example of this. 

Lower-midrange 

In the low-mids we have a very slight recession, but this only helps this set to sound more correct to me. Males have nice weight to their vocals, and they carry a very nice presence in the mix. In “Jake’s Piano” by Zach Bryan the MP145 creates a beautifully emotional experience by sounding more natural and organic than anything. The instrumentation around Zach is very well executed as well. People, I really do enjoy male vocals listening with this set. There is just enough warmth from the low-end for nice body yet enough of a crispness when needed too.  

Jason Isbel sounds very melodic and the timbre to his voice can be captivating in a track like “Cover Me Up“. In his more vulnerable lines, he sounds soft yet clean and very much stalwart in the more aggressive chorus lines where he really goes for it. Thankfully in those passages the MP145 doesn’t kill my ears in fatigue like other sets can with this track. I will say that in the more aggressive passages of music you may get the slightest sense of planar effects in the timbre but this shouldn’t bother anyone.

Upper-Midrange 

That resolute delivery is even more evident when listening to females, and this can be heard on the track “Want You Back” by Maisie Peters. She sounds forward, but not in your face. She sounds rightly vibrant and crisp when the articulation in her voice requires that out of the MP145. However, for the most part females have a smoother timbre and body, yet also have plenty of shimmer and glow as well. The MP145 has a nice ability to highlight a female voice without causing the sound to be too forward or too hot which is something that is a common tuning theme of late. Thankfully Hidizs tuned the MP145 to be held in check in the ear gain area yet still come across vibrant and emotionally dynamic. If that makes sense.

Honestly, I feel the MP145 does everything very well and female vocals are not an exception. The MP145 can sound dulcet, birdsweet, and songfully smooth yet just as easily sound exuberant, symphonic and rotund in a ballad. For instance, Sierra Ferrell sounds angelic listening to “Whispering Waltz” on the MP145. There’s this haunting type of sweet longing presented in this track which can only be truly appreciated on a set that can adequately replay that emotional feeling. Please trust me, not every set can do it. The MP145 displays the secondary harmonics of a female voice very well and the fundamental body of a female note has yet to sound “off” to me. In fact, I’d argue it’s the exact opposite. 

Instruments 

I don’t hear any instruments that sound completely unnatural or odd in any way. Most instrumentation isn’t overly colored which is something I’d think the low-end emphasis would have done. However, this isn’t really the case and any coloration that we do have, I think helps the sound altogether. 

The fundamental tone of a cymbal strike provides a full “chisk” with plenty of meat or body to them. Of course, this greatly depends on the track. Not all recordings are created equal my friends. I am speaking in generalizations here. Anyways, most percussion has a nicely wet edge, like snares, which have a snappy “pang” and a quick decay. Piano is mellifluous and charming for the most part. Strings sound nice and in my opinion have good secondary harmonics, especially in acoustic tracks where you can single those out. I like that I can easily hear the finger slides, or the fact that I can hear each individual string when listening to an artist strum his guitar. Even electric guitar is nice and held in check and without that piercing glare which can so easily occur. Violin has a very nice sound as well on the few test tracks that I have using the instrument.

It’s the structure

I won’t go through every instrument and to be fair; I haven’t heard every instrument through the MP145. Furthermore… these are only “MY” opinions of the sound I’m hearing so try to be understanding of that. Still, for the most part, the MP145 does very well with instruments in this region. I think the best part of the instruments isn’t simply the tone & timbre though, I think it’s actually the structure of the sound, the cadence of the sound, and the atmosphere surrounding the instruments. Also, layering is through the roof as if each instrument can give you a 3D vision with sound from every side of it. Separation results from the wider stage and the clean playback of resolving notes. All the while the sound is lusher than it isn’t, more smooth than crisp, and more timbre-accurate than it is processed sounding. 

Downsides to the midrange

Honestly, I would say that if there was a downside to this region it would be that some DD sets can come across more organic and even more natural sounding. Please believe me that I’m splitting hairs here or I’m grasping for faults. I would say the midrange’s biggest issue is probably the timbre. In the same breath, the timbre is fantastic for a planar… No doubt about it! There is the faintest hint (and I do mean faintest) of planar timbre towards the upper-mids but much less than most any other planar.

Hidizs did a wonderful job with this set. I don’t hear any sibilance at all, no glare or shout either and trust me I searched for it with a Playlist specially designed to listen for these things. I’m excluding a lot here guys and gals. If you saw my listening notes, you’d be happy I am. Trust me, this review would be twice as long and so I have to pick and choose to keep the word count down. In the end, the midrange is musical, lush, clean, detailed and expressive… what more could you ask for at $109, heck even at $199?

Treble Region 

The treble has a nice snap to it, some precision, some pep. It’s intricate, articulate and at the same time the treble is nicely bodied and weighted. Treble sections are always the shorter of the sound sections being that there is simply less to say most of the time, but I really do appreciate the tuning of the highs. Timbre is very well done with the right amount of treble rise to accommodate different instruments in this region. It isn’t over-cooked or shrill, not even in the slightest. Even on treble heavy tracks and at high volumes I really don’t hear any sibilance up top, and I also don’t hear any odd planar timbre either. The treble is well extended into the highest of highs with plenty of info easily heard out past 10k. In truth, I’m finding it hard to knock this set for what it’s being sold for. 

Examples 

Listening to my “Treble Playlist” and the track “Keel Over and Die” by Old Crow Medicine Show the first thing I noticed was how distinct the fiddle play was apart from everything else. The great thing was that the fiddle can really move extremely quick which on most sets sounds a bit more mashed together. With the MP145, each note has its own lifespan of attack through sustain. I’m not saying this is the best treble I’ve ever heard but I am saying that I’m surprised by how well rounded this set is. Truly! 

Another track is Billy Strings song “Secrets” which displays his rapid-fire banjo play extremely well. Each pluck is so well rounded and clean. So very clean. I hear the entire soundstage filled with treble activity and every other frequency and each blistering note is palpable, distinct, definite, and transparent. “Satisfaction Feeling” by Stick Figure is another track where the treble play stands out well against the canopy of the rest of the mix including some nice and heavy bass play. 

Must be the driver

This driver is very fast when it needs to be, and it is evident the difference between a good planar and something like a BA or DD. I still think a good EST Driver can manifest a bit better treble play but that is absolutely debatable. The MP145’s Driver comes across controlled and picks up every last little detail in my music providing the recording is a decent one. 

Downsides to the Treble Region 

As far as downsides in the treble, if I’m being picky I would say that I’d like a bit more of an etched out note definition with more feel to treble notes. In all truth, I don’t really think that is a real downside, however. Perhaps treble heads would like even more of an emphasis, maybe more of a forced resolution up top? I find it hard to put down such a well-rounded effort from a company who isn’t trying to price gouge when clearly, they could’ve sold this set for quite a bit more and I wouldn’t bat an eye over it. 

Technicalities 

Soundstage 

The stage size is absolutely one of the “Pros” of the MP145. It’s pretty large for an in-ear. Not just in width either and not like 90% of planar iems where the stage is a flat wall in front of the listener. The depth of field is fantastic, height fills my head space, and the width reaches outward past my ears all the while retaining the integrity of each note, no matter where it resides in the sound field. Do yourself a favor and put on any track from Stick Figure or Home Free and you’ll notice that they use every square inch of the psycho-acoustic stage in damn near every track. Stick figure uses instruments while Home Free fills it with male vocals. The point is that you’ll notice the sheer size right away when you put on the MP145. It isn’t a coliseum or the size of a good set of over-ears but for an iem the stage is very well done on the MP145. 

Separation / Imaging 

For the most part while listening with the MP145, the separation of elements of an imaginary stage within my library has proven to be quite good. The sound comes through pretty transparent, the stage is big, resolution is great, depth of field is fantastic which corresponds to the layering abilities. All of these attributes combine to help the MP145 in its ability to separate and create a clear and precise image of the stage as well as partitioned off pieces to the band or music in front of the listener. Separation is a “Pro” and so is the MP145’s imaging ability. Imaging is very good friends. Walking step by step with separation, the imaging has all the tools, meaning left to right, front to back and every angle in between. 

Details

This is one area where there is a bit more dependance on the type of recording and even the genre to some extent. I will certainly say that no matter what you are listening to, the detail retrieval is very well done. However, providing there isn’t a ton of complexity, mixed with a ton of bass, you will have extremely good detail retrieval. Also, bad recordings will show their fruit, or lack thereof. So, as long as the track isn’t a bass heavy and bass obliterated banger, or the track isn’t so complex that hearing the subtleties is just impossible, then you’ll like what you hear if detailed listening is your bag. In any other track I’d say that macro-details as well as micro-details come through pretty darn well. Now, the sound is a hair lusher in some areas of the midrange and so there are some caveats but for the most part you aren’t missing anything in your music. 

Comparisons

Note: I just wanted to note prior to these comparisons that these will be ultra-condensed “pint-sized” comparisons. I will be very generic in my verbiage and will speak in generalities. This will not be like my usual 2000-word comparisons. Also, any comparison I perform is not supposed to be a duel to the death but simply a way to better explain the set I’m reviewing. However, this shorter form may sound like more of a duel. One more thing, all comparisons will be completed using the “balanced” nozzle on the MP145 so you can imagine how these comparisons would change when you decide to go with another tuning nozzle. 

Tangzu Wu-Zetian  ($149)

The “Zetian Wu” or “Wu Zetian” is one of those sets that just exploded onto the scene right in the middle of the planar wars and quite literally stole the show. We were in the middle of obsessing about the 7Hz Timeless when all of a sudden, this set comes along and (in my opinion) renders the Timeless… pointless. The Zetian Wu also has a large sized 14.5 mm Planar Magnetic Driver. 

Differences

As far as build is concerned, let’s face it… This is no competition. Obviously the MP145 is superior. Also, I would say in the looks department the MP145 is also vastly superior as well. Accessories are mostly equal except Hidizs does provide the better cable. Both sets are on the warmer side and both sets are fantastically tuned sets with a nice balance across the frequencies. The MP145 is a hair easier to drive but both sets are pretty sensitive and simple to drive. 

Sound Differences 

The MP145 has a punchier and deeper bass region with a denser slam and better low-end details as well. The Zetian-Wu can still slam pretty good but there is a hint of fuzz at note ends that the MP145 simply doesn’t have. As far as the midrange, I find both sets really perform well here, however the Zetian Wu has a bit of Planar timbre while the MP145 sounds more clean in the timbre. I do like vocals a bit better on the MP145 as they have the lusher presentation, and it also has the more detailed sound in this region. In the treble region the MP145 has more emphasis but this is very close between the two. However, the MP145 carries better details, and the treble has better bite. Although, once again, both sets do very well here. Basically, as far as sonics are concerned, the price differential is warranted as the MP145 is “in a nutshell” the more refined unit with grander & more expressive macro-dynamics and sound density throughout. Not taking anything away from a great tuned set in the Zetian Wu.

Technicalities 

The stage size of the MP145 is grander in every direction, coming across more 3D. The MP145 also has superior separation, imaging and details. I would say that transient attack on the Zetian Wu is a hint more atmospheric and a hair slower. Which by the way, is not a bad thing, but it is a preference thing. The MP145 and the Zetian Wu are very clean across the mix but the MP145 has a bit better resolution throughout. Neither set is plain bad in the technicalities department and both sets are truly fantastic iems in their respective price points.

There you have it, my ultra condensed “pint-sized” comparison. I squeezed as much as I could in as few words as possible for an a/b comparison which lasted well over three hours long and a ton of notes. Really this comes down to what is best for you. Honestly, I do feel that the MP145 outclasses the Zetian Wu in almost every category. I suppose that this doesn’t really tell the tale though because the Zetian Wu is a very nice set which has many redeeming qualities which doesn’t get translated in this format very well. It’s one of those sets that sounds amazing as it is, a set you have to judge as a whole and not broken down into fragmented attributes like I have here. Nevertheless, if it was me choosing, I’d take the MP145 all day long, even at the increased price. 

Letshuoer S12 Pro ($169)

Ya know, I could’ve added any planar to this list, but I chose the sets for these comparisons which made the most sense to me. One set that is wildly underrated and an absolute Kingpin in the Audio game at its price point is the Letshuoer S12 Pro (My S12 Pro Review HERE). I felt it was a very nice upgrade from the OG S12 and honestly one of the dopest looking sets at any price. That blue folks! Anyways, not that the Zetian Wu isn’t a great set, it certainly is. However, it ain’t the S12 Pro my friends! The S12 Pro is another step up the ladder in my humble opinion. Naturally it lands on this list which should tell you at least a little bit on how I feel about the MP145. Now, the S12 Pro utilizes an even larger 14.8mm Planar Magnetic Driver and can seriously jam out! Let’s check out some differences. 

Differences 

To begin, there is a bit of a price difference, and that price difference is definitely suitable in my opinion. However, as far as construction, both of these sets are built like absolute studs. Both made out of metal alloy, both gorgeous and unique in design, only the MP145 is much larger and much more intricate in its build. Still, both sets are absolutely striking and very robust and durable with a premium feel. They are both easy to drive with the MP145 being a hair easier and both sets will reward you with more power. Both sets have the same harmanish yet dynamically pregnant sound and both sets are very clean in replay. 

Sound differences

Honestly these two are way more alike than they are different (as a whole) when speaking about the sound. Literally they both follow the same tuning philosophy as well. I do think the macro-dynamics of the MP145 are more stirring and fervent. As far as the bass, both sets have about the same amount of rise down low but there is still a bit rawer density in the MP145’s replay. The MP145 is a bit punchier as well but that is seriously close. Perhaps a bit more slam in the S12 Pro but the sound is still cleaner on the MP145, better detailed and separated.

The midrange of both sets is close to identical with some small deviations. The MP145 has better resolution and is a bit more forward in the upper-mids. This is evidenced in many of my tracks. Note weight is about the same on both and there is a hint more shimmer and vibrance on the MP145. The treble is more pronounced on the S12 Pro by the tiniest of margins with seemingly better extension past 10k but that could simply be my brain dreaming it up. The MP145 has the snappier, punchier, and better-rounded treble region. Again, splitting hairs. 

Technicalities 

The stage of both sets is rather large but the MP145 does have the S12 Pro beat as far as height and depth goes with a more holographic presentation. Not to take anything at all away from the S12 Pro as it has a very well laid-out stage. I find layering of the sound field to be better on the MP145, to a slight degree, but still good on both sets. I also feel that detail retrieval goes to the MP145 with its very clean sound though you aren’t missing much with the S12 Pro. The transient response is about the same on both sets, but separation and imaging seem to be easier to discern on the MP145. 

In the end

To me, I know which set I think is better, but you have to look at pricing as well. Now, the MP145 will be about $30 more unless you get the initial Kickstarter deal of a ridiculous $109. Honestly your choice may just come down to the size of the earphones. In my humble opinion, after a couple hours spent going back and forth between the two, there is enough of a separation sonically to justify the price difference of $30. I do feel the MP145 is a slight degree of refinement above the S12 Pro. It’s close, but to me the MP145 is a hair more dynamically vivid with fuller macro-dynamics. Plus it has better technicalities across the board. Both sets have a nice timbre for planars. It’s actually hard to adequately describe all the differences in this short comparison model I’m trying out. However, I love both sets and I truly enjoyed the couple hours of comparisons between these two. 

Is it worth the asking price? 

This is always a poignant question to answer in any review and it’s one I do take seriously. I don’t feel comfortable deciding what is, or what isn’t “worth” your hard earned money, especially in this day and age. So, I answer this question for “Me”. The regular MSRP of the MP145 is set at $199 which is a bit higher than many planar magnetic iems on the market and also lower than some sets as well. Now, if we are talking about the $109 early bird offer then that is a no brainer for anyone. However, even at $199 I think the MP145 is actually a very good price for what you are getting and I still think it is a deal at the full price.

Competition 

Of course, you do have some very nice planar iems priced lower than the MP145 like the BASN ASONE (ASONE Review HERE), Letshuoer S12 & S12 Pro (My S12 Pro Review HERE), Tangzu Heyday, Zetian Wu, and the 7hz Dioko. These are just to name a few. There are also some heavyweights like the Raptgo Hook-X (Hook-X Review HERE), Raptgo X-HBB Hook-X or the Dunu Talos among others. So, as you can easily see, the MP145 has some serious competition. I haven’t heard them all, but I have heard most, and I simply want to state that the MP145 may be the best one yet for many hobbyists. This is a loaded statement and I am very well aware of that as I sat here for a very long time debating if I should even write those words. I wish I would’ve had time to compare the Hook-X but simply fell short. Perhaps I will edit it in at a later date.

The Why… 

The reason that the Hidizs MP145 is worth the $199 that Hidizs is asking for begins with the build. This is without question the best built planar iem in the price point and truthfully, I think it is the best built set of any driver configuration as well within the price point. Of course, that is highly subjective. It is a gorgeous set too. Again, subjective but… show me a better-looking set. The accessories are nice too, but the number one reason that the MP145 is worth every last penny is the sound quality. Truly, the MP145 absolutely charmed me! What a well done iem. In fact, my “Cons” that I list are blind stretches at best. This is a no hype place here friends and so any excitement you see from me is as genuine as it gets. The Hidizs MP145 is truly a contender at its price and worth every penny!

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 with the unique parameters of my choosing. In the case of the Hidizs MP145 ratings below, that would be $100-$220 planar iems. 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. $100 – $220 US is a small scope of iems and so seeing a 9 is easy to understand. My ratings are never the same and each set of ratings tells a different story. Each time you read one of my ratings it will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me. 

Aesthetic 

-Build Quality:        10.0                

-Look:                      9.8

-Accessories:           8.7

–Overall:               9.5                                 

Sound Rating     

-Timbre:                  9.9              

-Bass:                     9.8          

-Midrange:              9.5               

-Treble:                   9.5            

-Technicalities:        9.6                                                                   

–Overall:               9.7

Ratings Summary:

Due to the enormous size of this review, I will keep this short. Basically, I can keep it short because every Rating is pretty self-explanatory and there aren’t any ratings that I feel questionable about. Looking at any planar set between $100 – $220 US isn’t the largest pool of iems and so those high scores are very much understandable considering that I truly feel the MP145 is the best planar in that price point (in my opinion).  I’m sure that some folks will feel differently and that is what makes this hobby truly special and completely personal. 9.5 in “Aesthetic” and a 9.7 in “Sound Rating” sounds about right to me but I’d love to hear your comments about it.

Conclusion 

To conclude my full written review of the Hidizs MP145, I want to graciously thank the truly awesome people of Hidizs. In fact, I want to brag on these people and this company for a spell. I have never dealt with a brand who encourages me to speak my truth about a set. Most companies will simply not say anything and then ghost you when you are a bit too harsh. And that is okay by me, fair enough. Not Hidizs. Hidizs stands by their product and truly believes in their products and always encourages me and every other reviewer to speak their mind and then they simply live with the results. Also, no company has sent their review units to more regular people, not just established reviewers. A genius move to incorporate the “internet” and their social media reach to promote their products. 

This is all good stuff, and I am happy to sing their praises. To say it was a “treat” to receive this set from Hidizs is a massive understatement and I want to thank Bella, Zoie, Rainie and everyone at Hidizs that I’ve dealt with leading up to the release of this set. The people I have dealt with represent their company in a new and fresh way which is…refreshing. So here is my small thank you to some extremely professional and extremely sweet people. Thank you. 

Thank you reader

Also, thank you to anyone who has read this review. I spend a ton of time on this and truly enjoy and love the process. I do hope this review helps at least a little bit. Please comment under this review any questions you may have, or misunderstandings and I will surely get back to you. Please don’t stop at my review. I urge you to seek out other opinions about the MP145. It will only educate you further and help you to make an educated decision. Please take care, stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!