Hidizs EP-3 High Fidelity Quality Professional HiFi In-Ear Earphone

REVIEW: Hidizs EP-3
 

 
 
 
Specifications
 

1. Driver type : 10mm dynamic
2. Frequency range : 20 -30000HZ
3. Sensitivity : 106dB
4. Impedance : 16Ω
5. Cable length:1.2m

 
 
 
Price: U$D 40 from Penonaudio - LINK
 

 

 
 
Accessories
 

1. 3 pairs of eartips (S/M/L)
2. Carrying case

 
 

 
 
Design
 
 
The design on the EP-3 is quite plain and discreet; and to be honest, it looks very boring. The earpieces take an over-ear shape, made completely of semi-translucent (supposedly) resin material that allows to see the dynamic driver inside. For a single dynamic based IEM it is a bit large and the nozzle is short resulting in a shallow fit over-ear fit. Comfort is fine, the earpieces don’t disappear but don’t present any sharp corner on them. However, the provided eartips are not very comfortable, and trying extra ones is strongly recommended for the EP-3. Cable is simple as well, a bit thin and lacks strain relief everywhere, shells, y-split and plug. Overall, the build quality is about average at best.
 
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
Sound
 
 
This second IEM model from Hidizs takes a different path from the previous Ex01 and has a very different sound presentation that many contenders at its sub $50 price range. In terms of quantity, the EP3 is well leveled in all the frequencies from lows to highs without particularly lacking or overdoing anything specific. While not completely neutral, it won’t be neither a V-shaped nor a mid-centered signature. It still has a slight sense of warmness with a very little bright touch at the upper mids still remaining laid-back overall.
 
Bass is punchy, well rounded but very soft in impact and lacks in depth and body. Not too thin, but mid-bass is not really felt even with heavier tracks. Sub-bass is very small and somehow reminiscent of low-budget single BA based IEMs. It definitely lacks layering and rumble, though it is very clean and fairly tight and very controlled.
 
Midrange is very neutral, a bit dry with just a faint hint of sweetness for voices. Detail level is just average, not lacking but not meant to impress anyone soon. Vocals are given some priority over instruments but not really forward. Separation is decent but the EP3 lacks in depth, emotion and texture. It’s a kind of midrange that may need some time to appreciate.
 
Treble is just a bit more prominent in the lowest-treble region though remains pretty much neutral and fairly smooth. Extension is average to decent at best, and the EP3 lacks some sparkle and crispiness and the top. There’s a bit of grain and can even sound a tad dull and very average in resolution. Stage is average in width and height, but depth is what the EP3 really lacks even compared to cheaper sets such as the A&D D2 or Vsonic VSD2S. At a similar price, the Auglamour R8 beats the EP3 in most of its audio aspects, but the R8 is a very unique pair.
 

(Vsd2s, EP-3, VSD3s)
 
Value
 
Overall, the EP-3 offers a less common sound tuning than could be expected for just a ~$40 IEM. While most of the earphones at this price usually bring a warm and bass driven sound or more lively and v-shaped signature, the Hidizs EP-3 is more leveled in its whole frequency range without a real strength. However, the audio and whole design quality are about average and there’s still room for improvement in various aspects for the EP-3 to be considered as a real contender.

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Hidizs is a Chinese company and was founded early in 2009. They're mostly known for their DAPS but seem to be venturing into other areas as well. In Jan 2014, Hidizs’ first pocket HiFi audio player AP100 was officially launched at CES, Les Vegas. Today I'll be reviewing the Hidizs EP-3. Read on to learn more.
 
Disclaimer:
 
This sample was sent to me for the purpose of an honest review. I’m not affiliated with the company and all opinions and observations here are my own, based on my experience with the product. I’d like to thank Penon Audio for the opportunity to test the EP-3..
 
Penon Audio website
 
Hidizs EP-3 at Penon Audio
 
Specifications:
 

1. Earphone cavity: Resin alloy ( PC + ABS )
2. Drive type : 10mm dynamic driver
3. Frequency range : 20 -30000HZ
4. Impedance : 16Ω
5. Sensitivity : 106dB
6. Max output:10mw
7. Cord Length:1.2m
8. Core material: Kevlar core of conductor encased by TPE
9. Headphone plug:3 . 5 mm Gold-plated plug
10. Weight : 159g

 
Packaging and accessories:
 
The EP-3 comes in a plain but stylish black box, similar to that of the EX-01 which I recently reviewed here. On the front is the easily recognizable Hidizs logo and an image of the IEM in purple. They also come in black and white colors and the one I received is black. On the back are some specifications and a list of the package contents which includes:
 

1. EP-3 IEM
2. 3 pairs of silicone ear tips
3. Carry case

 

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Once you open the box you're presented front and center with the IEMs secured in black foam in typical, classy Hidizs fashion. At the bottom is a cardboard box containing the tips and underneath the foam is the Hidizs carry case which I find to be the perfect size for convenience. It's small enough to fit in your pocket but there's still ample room for the earphones inside.
 

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Build, fit and isolation:
 
When I first saw these I couldn't help but think that they look remarkably similar to the new BA IEMs from Brainwavz. They're almost exactly the same shape but the Hidizs is noticeably larger. The casing is translucent so in good light you can see the driver inside. These are a lightweight, over-ear design so are perfect for mobility.
 
The nozzles are thinner than average meaning you might be a bit limited for choice of ear-tips. The provided tips were all too small for me and had some trouble finding some that fit because of the narrow nozzle.
 
The cable is non-detachable and is a rubberized type common with most budget IEMs. The strain reliefs are present and should do a good job of protecting the cable in the case of accidental tugs etc. There's a single button inline control with microphone that worked well with my FiiO X1ii and smartphone. The cable terminates in a straight 3.5 mm plug which is metallic and very smooth which makes removing it from your device a little tricky as it can be pretty slippery to get a hold of. It retains memory so still has kinks in it after weeks of use and never really sits straight or flat and tends to bounce around and look a bit messy.
 
Comfort-wise they're not bad as they're light weight and don't have any sharp edges but for some reason I can never get a stable fit with them, probably due to the angle of the nozzle or the angle the cable comes out at. For isolation I found these to be below average for this type of over-ear style with elongated shell but they block enough noise to be used in noisy environments.

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Sound:
 
Sources:
 
FiiO X1ii
PC/MusicBee > Micca OriGen+
PC/JRiver Media Center > JDS Labs The Element
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
 
The EP-3 is easy to drive and I did not notice any real benefit from amping but despite its 16 ohm impedance and 106dB sensitivity I found I had to bump the volume up pretty high to reach my normal listening level. The best pairing for me was the Note 5 because of its inherent warm sound.
 
The sound is very neutral across the board, with no emphasis on any particular frequency with slightly recessed mids and non-fatiguing presentation.
 
The bass is very fast with a short decay but has very little weight to it. Kick drums have a well defined edge and texture but they never really give a sense of 'thump' and although I dislike bloated mid-bass, for my personal preference there's not enough of it here to drive the music along. Sub-bass has a little more emphasis and extends well but I find myself wishing that carried over a little more to the mid-bass. Because of its neutrality the bass does not cause any bleed into the midrange.
 
Midrange is neutral again  with perhaps the slightest hint of added warmth. As a result the details are fairly good, as is instrument separation but sometimes it feels like they lack body and musicality. Male vocals occasionally sound thin and the lower mids fail to stimulate the senses due to their dryness but the clarity is there and tonality sounds fairly natural.
 
At the top end is a well extended but smooth treble that is fairly relaxed and non-fatiguing. There was no sign of sibilance and I could listen to the EP-3 for extended periods without any discomfort. There's a hint of airiness to the treble but not any energizing sparkle to be found. Timbre is on par with cymbals and chimes sounding accurate and lifelike.
 
Soundstage is neither particularly wide or deep but there is a sense of space that's consistent with what you'd expect from IEMs in this price range.
 

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Comparisons:
 
EP-3 vs Hidizs EX-01 ($35 USD):
 
The EX-01 is a very small IEM with angled nozzles that for me is very comfortable and easy to get a good fit with. Physically the EX-01 looks and feels more premium with its gold accents and glossy ceramic finish. The cable on the EX-01 also seems slightly more supple though it still has that "bouncy" element to it. The biggest difference in the sound is the bass which is very light on the EP-3 but plays a big part in the sound of the EX-01. For build and comfort the EX-01 is superior but when it comes to sound it comes down to personal preference and would depend if you want something with a good dose of bass or prefer to go for a neutral presentation.
 
EP-3 vs Brainwavz Jive ($28 USD):
 
Physically the EP-3 can't compete with the Jive with it's aluminium casing and sterling aesthetic finish. Accessories included are more generous with the Jive though there's not a great deal in difference between the two. Personally I find the Jive much easier to wear and get a good seal due to its standard shape. When it comes to sound I feel the EP-3 comes off as too flat sounding and not a very exciting listen but it could appeal to those looking for absolute neutrality. The Jive has a more V-shaped sound but as a result has a fuller bass and more extended treble with more warmth overall. For sound the winner would depend on your own preferences but I think that for build quality and comfort the Jive definitely has superiority here.
 
Conclusion:
 
The Hidizs EP-3 is a competent earphone with a more mature kind of presentation which is balanced and neutral without the usual emphasis on bass that you find in the majority of budget IEMs. It's a lightweight over-ear design which is ideal for mobility and things like walking or using at the gym and comfortable for long periods. I'd like to see Hidizs improve their cables a bit by making them a little more supple so they sit flat and I'd also be happy to see them start including regular style larger silicone tips for compatibility with more ear shapes. The bottom line is if you want a neutral, balanced sounding earphone then the EP-3 can be found for as low as $32 and is worth taking a look at.
 

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