CLICK HERE TO JOIN US now in Project A3's Official Telegram group for exclusive news and more.
Sound Review by Audiophiliac
Disclaimer: Hidizs has graciously provided us with this sample unit in exchange for an honest review. The views discussed below are a reflection of Project A3's thoughts surrounding the product. The sample has been run-in for at least 50 hours prior to reviewing in order to achieve an accurate representation of the product.
Introduction:
Hidizs is no stranger to the portable-audio scene, having manufactured and sold a wide consortium of audio-related products. Having launched several projects on the Kickstarter platform, from the widely celebrated AP80 Digital Audio Player (DAP) to the Mermaid MS1 and MS4 earphones, Hidizs is more than just a proof of concept, with the AP80 collectively earning 20 times their goal, with the MS4 receiving 10 times the targeted amount.
In the spirit of prior successes, The MS1 Rainbow is looking to capitalize on that success. Priced at $65.00 USD, the MS1 Rainbow touts a 10.2mm bio-cellulose driver. Given the reasonable price-tag, will the Hidizs MS1 Rainbow carry on Hidizs' winning streak? Available at Hidizs and Aliexpress.
Specification:
· Hidizs 10.22mm dynamic driver with macromolecule bio-diaphragm
· Frequency Respnse: 20-40kHz
· Support call and wire control functon
· German high-ensity and skin-friendly resin housing (colorful and fashionable)
· 4 core silver-coated OFC cables
· Two pins 0.78mm plugs and support cable replacement
· 3.5mm gold plated plug
· SPL: 112dB
· Impedance: 20 ohms
· Weight: About 6g
Gear Used & Tracklist:
| Dethonray DTR 1| Creative Super X-fi Dongle|
Unboxing:
The Hidizs MS1 Rainbow comes stashed in an attractive, rectangular box. Inside the box, you'll find a leatherette pouch, the MS1's themselves without the the cable attached to them, several silicon eartips and a few instruction manuals.
The MS1 Rainbow satisfies most of the pre-requisites I would expect from an earphone out of the box, but a hard-zippered case would have been a nice touch. However, I am thoroughly satisfied with what I have received.
Scalability:
All the sources that I own have high output power, and the Hidizs MS1 is an earphone that isn't power or current hungry. With a given impedance rating of 20 ohms, the MS1 is easily driven by both my Super X-Fi DAC, at 12 steps out of 100. Furthermore, the Dethonray DTR 1 (on low gain), reaches adequate listening levels at approximately 30 steps out of a 100.
The Hidizs MS1 is an IEM that doesn't require a high-powered source for it to sound great. The in-line microphone is a clear signal that the MS1 Rainbow was targeted at an "on-the-go audience".
However, because of this, the MS1 doesn't scale exponentially with higher-end gear. Audible improvements made by changing the source gear doesn't result in large changes. Your mileage may vary.
Fit:
The shells are feather-light, coming in at a minuscule 6 grams. It sits flush in my medium-sized ear canals, and I don't see or feel any unfinished surfaces. However, the seam that separates the shell from the face-plate isn't finished or sealed with lacquer.
Using the MS1 Rainbow was a comfortable experience. I never felt any discomfort, and I barely noticed its presence in my ears on the bus-ride to school.
Isolation is above-average, but like all dynamic-driver based earphones, small vents are a necessary evil to release air-pressure generated dynamic driver's back-waves. Because of that fundamental feature, wind has a tendency to generate unwanted noise, significantly affecting its ability to isolate well.
Lastly the cables are well-braided, with a smooth cable sleeve. The hardware utilized for the Y-split, the in-line microphone and the 3.5mm jack are well-finished and feature custom tooling, with their brand name printed onto the 3.5mm jack. It rolls-up nicely, without forming a tangled mess.
Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Destroyer- Crimson Tide
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu- Invader Invader
Destroyer- Crimson Tide
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu- Invader Invader
The Hidizs MS1's low-end is bloated, with a sub-bass rumble that outweighs its mid-bass. The enormity of its sub-bass can be a fun listen on "bass cannon" tracks, but its wonky and imbalanced low end can be too overpowering.
Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Spoon- Inside Out
The Stooges- TV Eye
Spoon- Inside Out
The Stooges- TV Eye
Detail is what the MS1 specializes in, with an obvious upper-mid boost, alongside an energetic treble response. Audibly, it results in immense vocal clarity and lyrics are easily discernible. However, the scoop in the lower-mids results in obvious imbalances.
Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Lau-Far from Portland
Alex Cameron- Miami Memory
Destroyer- Crimson Tide
Dry the River- Chamber and the Valves (Acoustic)
Kamasi Washington- Clair De Lune
Skylar Spence- I can't be your Superman
Sarah Siskind- Novel
Carole King- It's too Late
Bruce Lee Band- If I could only listen to your Heart
New Order- Perfect Kiss
Lau-Far from Portland
The MS1's highs carry a similar sonic character to the upper-mids. Vocals (especially female vocals) sound wonderful on the MS1, with its intoxicating ability to render the upper-registers with life-like realism. However, it is still unforgiving and a poor pairing with dynamically compressed music.
Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Alex Cameron- Miami Memory
Do not expect vast levels of head-room or an out-of-head experience. There are obvious limitations, taking its price into account. It however, does a good job at reproducing a coherent soundstage.
Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Destroyer- Crimson Tide
Dry the River- Chamber and the Valves (Acoustic)
Kamasi Washington- Clair De Lune
The MS1 does a fine job with acoustic tracks. It was never difficult, identifying each instrument or vocalist. The upper-mid boost gives each element more than enough breathing room to sound distinct from one another. But, on songs like Claire de Lune, the larger sound-scape results in the MS1 struggling to identify the large portfolio of instruments.
Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Destroyer- Crimson Tide
Mayer Hawthorne-Designer Drug
Neko Case- Night Still Comes
Iggy Pop- No Fun
Mayer Hawthorne-Designer Drug
Neko Case- Night Still Comes
Iggy Pop- No Fun
The MS1's contrasting bass from its extended highs is the perfect complement to modern-pop songs that favor a lively production as compared to a balanced one. But, if you're expecting cabin-like levels of intimacy, the MS1's thin sound doesn't give oldies and older recordings a fair go.
Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Skylar Spence- I can't be your Superman
Sarah Siskind- Novel
Vocals are allowed to extend upwards, resulting in great detail. But because of the scooped out lower-mid band, it can sound hollow on some songs.
Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Carole King- It's too Late
Bruce Lee Band- If I could only listen to your Heart
New Order- Perfect Kiss
The MS1, because of airy upper-mid band, fares well with wind instruments like the trumpets. However, string instruments like the violin sound slightly coarse because of its extended highs and forward upper-mids. The missing lower-mid base also affects reverb-heavy oldies negatively. Without the lower-mid presence, songs can sound unnatural.
Comparison Chart
How we compare: We chose other similarly priced earphones or similar offerings from the same brand that Project A3 has reviewed in the past, to ensure that we remain as impartial as possible in our comparisons.
Conclusion
I am enamored by the MS1. I foresee a hype-train forming around this product. It is an incredibly engaging earphone, with a vivid signature that is hard not to tap your toes too. This is a fine example of smart-tuning on a budget.
Be sure to follow Project A3 on Facebook for more reviews*.
*All ratings are accurate as of date of publication. Changes in price, newer models may affect Project A3's views on the performance and value of the reviewed product.
Comparison Chart
How we compare: We chose other similarly priced earphones or similar offerings from the same brand that Project A3 has reviewed in the past, to ensure that we remain as impartial as possible in our comparisons.
Conclusion
I am enamored by the MS1. I foresee a hype-train forming around this product. It is an incredibly engaging earphone, with a vivid signature that is hard not to tap your toes too. This is a fine example of smart-tuning on a budget.
Be sure to follow Project A3 on Facebook for more reviews*.
