HIDIZS MS3

𝑯𝑰𝑫𝑰𝒁 𝑴𝑺3 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈

|| 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ||

HIDIZ released the MS3 a few months ago, and a more expensive seemingly better version from which the MS3 is watered-down from was released named the MS5. Both sport almost the same design, similar swappable nozzles albeit with a slight change and even the cable is the same..

The MS3 is priced at around $109 as of the time of writing. This price point is one of the most crowded sections of the market. It is equipped with 2BA+1DD combo and the balanced armature this time is made by Knowles unlike the Sonion BAs that were present on the MS5.



This was a long-postponed review of the MS3 of which I am only getting time for it right now. Spoiler alert, I do think this is still a nice option considering I find this much better than the MS5 even after months from its release.

The MS3 is under the same series as the MS5, and considering that they are both released
almost right after another and having tested them both, I will be comparing the MS3 to the MS5 just because.

|| 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 ||

I am in no way, shape, or form affiliated with the brands I review and do not give out preview privileges.

This set is sent in exchange for an honest review. There is no material or financial incentive for me to do this review and I guarantee no exchange has been done by both parties to influence or sway our opinions on this product.

My thoughts and opinions are of my own. My experience will entirely differ from everybody else. The contents of this review should not be considered factual as this hobby heavily leans on subjectivity. YMMV.

I don’t do rankings or tier lists as they can get outdated immediately as a reviewer can change their thoughts of a product to a certain extent. If you do want a recommendation then feel free to reach out so I can help out

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𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗭 𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆.
𝗢𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻, 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗭 𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝘀. 𝗭𝗼𝗶𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁. 𝗜 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀.

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| 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗨𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 |

Unlike the packaging on the MS5, the MS3 comes in a more modest yet still nice looking black box. It still has the render of the IEM themselves in the front with text, information, and branding all over. It is a hard-shell box and can easily withstand and protect the item during logistics.



Remove the top cover and you will be greeted by the MS3 drivers surrounded by dense foam. Underneath that is where the accessories are located.

𝗜𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻:
Paperwork
MS3 Drivers
4-core OFC 2-pin cable(3.5mm)(4.4mm is available)
Tuning nozzles (bass/treble/balanced)
3 pairs of “vocal eartips“ (S/M/L)
3 pairs of “bass eartips“ (S/M/L)
3 pairs of “balanced eartips“ (S/M/L)
Magnetic carrying pouch

The difference in accessories of the MS5 and the MS3 is that the MS3 has a lower core count cable and instead of a zipper hard case of the MS5, the MS3 has a magnetic pouch instead. These changes don't matter as I really didn’t like how thick and heavy the MS5 stock cable is and the pouch is good enough to hold the MS3.



The cable is still quite stiff and heavy for my liking though, but that is personal preference.

All in all, a great selection of accessories in itself. It has more than enough eartips to get you started and the fact that they still kept the ability to have tuning nozzles is a great add. Definitely one of the more kitted out IEMs especially at this price point.


| 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 & 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 |

The MS3 kept the metal build present on it’s older brother but is lighter in general. This made the MS3 feel like it weighed down on my ears. It feels really great in the hands with a great amount of heft to make it feel sturdy.


The body is made out of metal that is painted black, while the face plate has this rose gold trim. The design is reminiscent of the MS5’s design but without the opening/ vent. This results in the MS3 looking quite low-key and minimal compared to its older sibling which I like.

The tuning nozzles are quite a bit shorter compared to the previous iteration, but it still works in my opinion and holds eartips well despite the shorter stature. You can easily twist one out to swap it with a different one. Beside the said nozzle is a singular vent and at the top is the protruding 2-pin slot.

The overall shape and form of the MS3 looks the same as the MS5, which is a generally universal fit with no extreme grooves and curves, but feels less chunky and bulky compared to the later.

As mentioned earlier, the MS3 sports a 2BA+1DD diver configuration. The balanced armature in question is made by Knowles unlike the MS5’s Sonion divers. Generally,

Sonion drivers are well-regarded to be good, but I find that isn’t entirely true when it’s about the MS5. This configuration is quite common in the market even beyond or under the $100 price point that the MS3 sits at.


| 𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 |

It isolates just as well as any IEM. The passive isolation provides a decent enough isolation given that you have a good seal. It easily blocks out most of the unwanted noise of the real world.


| 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 |

It is comfortable to use for long hours in general unlike the MS5, this partly because of the lighter and less bulky body of the IEM. The nozzles too aren’t obtrusive whilst still being able to give me a snug fit. The occlusion effect is still present and is about average on the MS3


** 𝗛𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗭 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 | 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝘇𝘇𝗹𝗲 | 𝗭𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝟭(𝗘𝗦𝗦) | 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲(𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴)**


| 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 |

It is very easy to drive, however it somewhat distorts when the gain is too high or when you are at a high volume.


|| 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 ||

First and foremost, this is not a warm set. It is very reminiscent of the MS5 in terms of sound but with a few tweaks that made me prefer this over that. I find the balanced nozzle to be the perfect choice out of the three.

The bass nozzle just makes the bass smeary and out of control, whilst the treble nozzle just makes the MS3 sound similar to the MS5 which I was not keen on.


| 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝘀 |

Subbass is minimal, you can barely feel the rumble even when pushing the volume. It has a good amount of midbass though. Midbass kicks have fast attack and quick decay but not as abundant as other competing sets like the Quartet. Because of the less bass forwardness, you can hear a hint of bass tuck during playback


| 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘀 |

Both male and female vocals are clear and distinct in the playback, whoever that lack of low-end makes the sound not as warm and thick as other warmer sets in the price range. Because of this it can make female vocals thin sounding along with a hint of sibilance.

Midrange in general have a good sense of air. Instruments are clear and precise sounding but still not the thickest sounding. It doesn’t sound metallic but it can sound a bit plasticky and lean


| 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘀 |

Highs is probably the forte of the MS3. It is quite forward, details are great and well extended, however it can really sound harsh. Even though this is supposed to be a tamer version of the MS5, it still has that treble-forward sound. This has what people call “sparkle” but at the cost of potential sounding harsh depending on one’s treble tolerance.

| 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 |

Because of the treble-focused sounding, imaging is great and layering is amazing. The staging is okay but not as astounding as imaging and layering. It’s not the widest but does not sounding intimate either.

This can be an easy recommendation for analytical use and competitive gaming. Movies and roleplaying games where immersion is more of a priority may find the lack of subbass to be an issue.


|| 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ||

I find this to be much better of a value than the MS5 with it basically being the same thing but with lesser and more bearable treble and comfort. You can easily make this sound close a MS5 by using the silver nozzle included.

As for its standing compared to other competitors around the $100 price point, I find the Sonus to be a much better overall package purely because of the sound that it produces, but the MS3 is no slouch either, especially if you’re looking for a treble-focused sound.

DISCLAMER

All the impressions described below are my true feelings and I agree with them completely. The fact that I think something is special should be taken to mean that it is special to me, and not necessarily to you, dear reader. Please treat the admiration or disappointments I have expressed, with “a grain of salt” and remember that each of us is a little different, both in culture, and anatomy, as well as in preferences, experiences, and expectations. Please take this into account.



INTRODUCTION

I have to start by saying that at the time I had the MS3 to review, I also had two other iems to review and I was a bit upfront that the MS3 would suit me the least. Well, here is further proof that we should never be guided by what we think before our ears verify it. So when I started listening I was pleasantly surprised by the technical abilities of these headphones, but also by the powerfully energizing sound, far from boring. Admittedly, there were some reservations quite quickly, but it was still better than I expected. Once I had the review almost "written" in my head, another surprise happened, one I hadn't yet had the opportunity to experience - perfect synergy with the source. When I connected the MS3 to the SONY NW-A55 DAP (Mr. Walkman firmware) the headphones changed so much that I can't imagine not evaluating these combinations separately, so I decided to separate the review into one with the standard pairing and one that I personally consider exceptional - the synergy with the NW-A55. However, I won't hide the fact that I will devote most of the review to my observations of the MS3's cooperation with the A55, since the MS3 reviews already on Head-Fi largely coincide with my feelings about this set in the standard pairing. As for the headphones themselves, I had the opportunity to test them courtesy of HIDIZS, but at no point in the conversation was my review pointed in any direction.

PRESENTATION





The headphones came in a black, three-tiered package. Layer one is the headphones, followed by three sets of tips, with a set of sizes (S, M, L) and 2 sets of interchangeable filters for changing the tuning (plus a set already installed). By default, my set had gold filters, otherwise known as BALANCE, installed, but additionally included was a set of BASS (red) and TREBLE (silver). After seeing the sound that the headphones presented on the gold filter, and reviewing the frequency response graphs for the other filters, I decided to stick with the gold ones, since from what I saw the others offer an experience I'm unlikely to be interested in. Just in case, I also did a quick test, which confirmed my suspicions.



Layer three of the package is the cable (high purity, oxygen-free copper with four conductors, in a mixed braid (192 cores), in my case terminated with a 4.4mm jack. The cable is of good quality, with a solid feel, which is further enhanced by an addition that, in my opinion, works against the presence of the headphones. I am referring here to the strange fang, a plastic claw in the vicinity of the 2-pin connector. I suspect that someone wanted to add drabness to it, but unfortunately, it reached a level of cheapness straight from cheap plastic children's toys - unnecessary embellishment IMHO. The final pieces of packaging are a set of paperwork and a leather (or rather, imitation leather) pouch with a metal (weird) closure system, which I didn't use at all because I have a feeling it would quickly stop looking nice. I don't hide the fact that some kind of hard case would be more welcome, but without exaggeration, here it's all about the sound.

BUILD



The headphones strongly resemble the Fiio FH5 model, but nevertheless, the black color, with a gold band encircling the faceplate in my opinion adds to their mysterious and dark character, which I personally like very much. Despite the rather light weight of the headphones themselves, the construction is solid and does not raise concerns about excessive vulnerability. I won't reiterate here the information on the drivers used, but I would like you to pay attention to the relatively low impedance (18 Ohms), and high sensitivity (112 dB), which in practice translates into very easy driving of these headphones, even directly from a phone. Also at the right level is the level of passive isolation, which allows for comfortable listening. Although among the included tips I could not find a set that satisfied me in terms of fit and comfort, I have successfully used such tips on them as : Whizzer SS20, BVGP W01, or ePro EP01 (most recommended).

SOUND

As described in the introduction, I will split my impressions between:

1. based on standard pairing
2. based on pairing with the SONY NW-A55L (neutral tuning)

Ad 1. Standard pairing



The listening, which I'm calling standard pairing here, involves pairing with DACs such as the MuseHifi M1, Moondrop Dawn Pro (3.5mm and 4.4mm), Fiio e07k , and as a direct output of the Realme GT 5G phone.

Immediately, just after a few notes, it was noticeable that the headphones presented a lively sound, with a solid portion of bass and treble. I also liked the fact that the midrange is not recessed. I would call the tuning a solid “W”, with strongly exposed ends. The vocals sound great. The bass is strong and has a clear texture, and the notes have a lot of weight. It also became clear fairly quickly that the technicalities here stand at a very high level, exceeding the standard of the price range that was set for this set. The instruments are very nicely separated, and details I hadn't heard before appear as if out of nowhere enriching the listening experience. The stage is wide, but not somehow exceptionally deep (although at times, such as when Tom Waits, in the track "A Sweet Little Bullet From a Pretty Blue Gun" strikes the muffled strings with his hand, the sound of the strike flies...... until it disappears somewhere in the distance, like a stone in a well). Male vocals are close and clear.

My thought: this set sounds powerful!

Unfortunately, as I continued to listen, some inconveniences began to occur to me. The bass, which as I wrote is very strong, rather focused on the mid-bass, at times began to tire me with its weight and may even have been the cause of a slight headache after several hours of continuous listening. The treble and upper-midrange added claw to the energetic tracks, but also at times approached, or perhaps even slightly exceeded, the limit of my comfort. All those details pulled from the depths of the mix, those sounds of sliding fingers across the string, every time they appeared encouraged me to turn the volume up, so I could immerse myself in them, but unfortunately, as the dynamics of the song increased, the bass became too strong and the treble too irritating, and I was forced to turn the music down with regret. There were also times when the sound of the upper mids and trebles took on an uninteresting metallic tone, often attributed to balanced armature drivers.

I must add here that all the inconveniences indicated above, in no way disqualify this set. I still consider the MS3 to be a very good headphone, worth its price, and if I had to rate it within this subsection only, it would be 4.5 / 5.0, especially since a large part of these inconveniences can be removed by minor adjustments in any EQ program (for my part, I always recommend WAVELET).

To be honest, this is what this review was supposed to look like. I already had a rating established, my thoughts written down and the good and bad points written out. My SONY NW-A55 had been lying around unused for quite a long time because somehow it never showed exceptional pairing qualities with my iem, but one day I thought it wouldn't hurt to plug it in and see how it played.


Ad. 2 Pairing with SONY NW-A55l, with ePro EP01 tips and a replacement cable, with a budget cable from LS equipped with a single bundle of copper, with crystals, coated with silver (Since my SONY WN-A55L has a 3.5mm input).



HOW DOES IT PLAY? !!!!

I have never had any headphones change their characteristics so much when changing the source.

The first word that came to mind was: BALANCE.

The bass is no longer over-boosted, and the treble, or upper-midrange no longer irritated me at all. As time goes by, I'm inclined to say that the tuning is now a more balanced W (L even), with a slightly boosted mid-bass - quite warm, but not overly so. Detail, my beloved details, came out of the background to the front enriching every song I listened to - I no longer had to turn anything down as all sounds were at the same level.

Another thing I noticed was a significant improvement in the naturalness of the sound, which may be related precisely to making the details visible and moving them to the front. Instruments began to sound convincing and organic. Everything became so very real, tangible. It also became clear that we are dealing here with analytical listening. The mixes are breaking down on their own. Electronic music into samples, acoustic music into component instruments. Nothing was drowned out, each instrument/sample lived its own life.

When I heard this, I couldn't get it together. I fell in love.



...., but okay, one step at a time:

BASS

The bass focuses on the mid-bass. Sub-bass is there, but it doesn't dominate, appearing more when called for. The bass texture is strongly defined, but it's softer than with regular pairing, so it's also more pleasant. The extracted details wonderfully complement the sound of the bass guitar, as, for example, more than once I could hear the twitching of a finger on the bass strings, or the vibration of a string against the fret when releasing finger pressure (such a bassist's perversion, I guess). The analytical bass sound is so detailed that at times you can distinguish the type of strings, i.e. whether round wound or flat wound. I like this very much. Here I will immediately add that this is not a set for bassheads. The bass is there, even slightly boosted in relation to the other registers, but it is not the main star of the show.

MID

The midrange is not recessd. Vocals are close and both male and female vocals sound very good. Once again, I'll use the word balance here, because, to my satisfaction, the midrange registers are on par with the others (and maybe even slightly forward). Despite the warm tonality, I don't hear the bass bleeding over into the midrange either. There's no lack of dB in the high-mid area either, so guitars on overdrive sound powerful and clear, which especially in rock and metal works very well. At the same time, I don't notice an excess of energy here, which would translate into excessive harshness. The midrange is clear, but not exaggerated. In my opinion, however, the mids gained the most from the pairing with the SONY, as the extracted details enriched these very registers the most. This is where you can hear the vocalist swallowing his saliva before starting to sing, it’s where the string plucks, hands clap, and other snaps are. So rich and lush registry. It's great (IMHO)

TREBLE

Well, and here it is also very good. Thanks to great technical capabilities, the dance of the sticks on the drum cymbals can be easily followed and enjoyed throughout the songs. There is also no fear of some metallic sounds, because, as I wrote earlier, along with the great synergy came the naturalness of the sound of the instruments.

STAGE, SEPARATION, IMAGING

The stage is not very deep, but it is instead very wide. Sounds appear from many sides and at different depths, but the presentation should nevertheless be classified as close - a bit in the style of "in your face", but also " all around". Imaging and separation delighted me. The hybrid design of the headphones certainly helps with sound separation, but comparing the effect to other hybrids I've tested, the MS3+A55 does something special. I can track any instrument, from any range of the frequency spectrum, without the slightest problem. If one, like me, enjoys hearing how songs are built, one will fall in love with the sound of these Sony DAP-powered headphones.

Small addendum here:

I don't want to hype this set, any set.
I, for one, was enthralled by this synergy.
None of the sets I've had the opportunity to listen to so far have given me as much as the MS3+A55.
Why such a synergy? I don't know. Maybe the reason is the low impedance of the headphones, combined with the high sensitivity and low output power of the DAP ( rumored to be an almost legendary phenomenon at SONY). Maybe the sound, which is a result of the bright sound of the headphones and the warm sound of the DAP simply fits my preferences best. I don't know.

Back to the review:...

LISTENING IMPRESSION ON SELECTED SONGS

I guess that from the description alone it's hard to imagine what distinguishes MS3+A55 from other sets, so I figured I'd pick a few tracks and describe what I hear. Maybe if someone compares his feelings on the same tracks, he will understand me more.


The first thing that struck me was that the piece begins with a classical guitar. For someone who plays an instrument, it's pretty obvious when you think about it, but normally you don't think about it, and here suddenly....., out of nowhere a thought: those are nylon strings! You can hear that characteristic crunch. Then the piano and catch-ups of acoustic guitar. Vocals appear, with some affection, and after a while a bass. Slowly the percussion elements appear, the drum cymbal resounds, and in the bridge and chorus, when the instruments are playing all at once, you can hear those keyboards pressed in. A lot is going on, but nothing gets drowned out.


Separation is the word that immediately pops into your head. Every musician has their own to playing here. Guitar, Keyboard, maracas (?), bass, and of course Amy. All as equals. No one is too quiet, no one too loud, and everyone is in their place. I close my eyes and can, without the slightest problem, not only listen to the bass guitar line and, for example, catch the moment when the string pulls away from the neck and buzzes on the fret. For me, as an unfulfilled, no longer practicing bass player, this is a real feast for the ears.


There is no introduction, we are immediately presented with the main melodic line. Bass (probably played with a pick on muffled strings) and keyboard lead the way, accompanied by snare, hi-hat, and bass drum. In the background, on the sides, from time to time, alternating sounds can be heard from afar, as if pieces of wood were being gently struck together. Jamie's vocals lead the stanza, until a thickened hi-hat introduces the chorus. After the bridge, a new sound appears, as if some kind of guitar chord, but here I'm not so sure what I'm hearing anymore, because the sound makes for a background and at times it becomes a background. This time we are introduced to the chorus by the sound of bongos. I know it sounds a bit like a deconstruction of the song, but that's exactly what this set allows you to do, which personally gives me a ton of fun.


The piano leads the track, the electric bass plays its line, the electric guitar plays the overdubs, and the clarinet (I think) plays the main melody line. This track best demonstrates how the MS3+A55 handles the high registers, as the entire track is a constant avalanche of sticks hitting the drum cymbals. And how does it handle? And it handles superbly. The clicks of different tonalities can be heard around your head, and the placement of each element is according to the way they were recorded and is constant throughout the song. If you listen closely, you won't lose any sound. If you listen to the bass guitar, you can notice the effect of articulation on the sound, because at times, when the other instruments are also playing, the bass is clear and full, while at the end of the song, when everything quiets down, the bass is just the gentle tinkling of the guitar strings.

I could go on like this for a long time, and I wouldn't even have to particularly focus on the selected songs, because almost everyone discovered something before me, something I hadn't heard before, or hadn't paid attention to. , e.g.:

- Marcus Miller's "Power" - at one point you can hear a keyboard pretending to be a violin
- Pantera "Revolution is my name" - during the intro the bass on the "sustain" effect lasts a long time and does not mute, while the electric guitars sound raw and powerful
- Prince "When the light go down" - how those drums sound!

Here is a note: All percussion elements sound sensational on this set.

I have not been able to find a genre of music in which the MS3+A55 would not sound great.

... and here we come to an important question:

Is there anything to dislike?

Of course, there is.

Listening to music is based on satisfying one's preferences, and these vary.

The main element that can affect the different feelings of listeners is the sound characteristics themselves. A close, highly detailed presentation of a song may not appeal to every listener. Listening is very engaging and, because of the proximity of the sounds, quite imposing. This is not relaxing playing. Although I personally find this set melodic, the amount of detail may bother some people. Another thing you may not like is the fact that messily cleaned samples expose their imperfections and can spoil the listening experience. Situations of this type have usually occurred while listening to electronic music, but not too often (as far as I remember Mr. Norman Cook does not revel in high-quality samples) .

Okay, I think that's it.

Below I have still prepared a table with the main differences between the standard pairing and what I have called here "Perfect synergy":

Thank you for your attention and best regards

Please find few photos of this det below

Hi everyone this is my first review on Head-fi after a plenty of review on my country facebook group. Today I’ll review about this Hidizs MS3 which is the improved version of the well-known MS1 galaxy.

Specification sheet
Drivers: 1DD + 2BA (Hybrid 3 drivers)
Dynamic driver: 10.2mm dual magnetic circuit, dual cavity (Hidizs 3rd generation PEEK+PU polymer composite diaphragm driver)
BA driver: Knowles SWFK-31736
Appearance: CNC integrally formed all-aluminum alloy cavity
Replaceable Sound filter: 3 types
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40kHz
Sensitivity: 112 dB
Impedance: 18Ω
Cable: High-purity oxygen-free copper 4-strand mixed braiding, 1.2m in length
Earphone connector: 0.78mm 2-pin Gold-plated socket with replaceable cable design
Plug: Gold-plated plug
Weight: approx. 15gm (excluded earphone cable)

Disclaimer: This Hidizs MS3 IEM was sponsored by Hidizs official. I was given this MS3 for free in exchange for my honest review about this IEM. I am not the professional reviewer, but I'll do my best to share my opinion on this IEM for everyone who reading this review.

Overall review (with balanced ear-tips + balanced tuning filter)
Building: Aviation Aluminum Alloy Integral Molding Shell
Fitting: Pretty good – very light IEM and comfortable wearing
Tone: Energetic U-shaped sound signature
Sound quality: Decent
Soundstage: Average


Package (Box)
The package is quite large in size, but proper with the items inside. When open the box you’ll see a pair of IEM (MS3) lay inside, then the next cover is for the eartips which come in 3 sizes (S, M, L) and 3 types (balance, bass, and vocal), and you’ll see the tuning filter at bottom right which is red, and silver (the rose gold one was already in the IEM). The last layer in the box is warranty card and carry magnet (leather) pouch where Sharkfin cable lies inside.





Building quality
The body was made from Aviation Aluminum Alloy integrated together which gives the strength, durability, and very light to the IEM at the same time. The shell is matted black which gives you the good feeling when touch it and not slippery, and more importantly hard to leave the scratch mark on it. I, personally, like the feeling of this matted surface very much (more than silvery-mirror shell).




Fitting
The IEM was not too small or too big into my ears. The size was perfect. When I inserted the IEM in my ears in lies comfortably with very light. There are 2 vents can be seen on the IEM which can prevent overpressure in your ear canal and makes you feel comfort while listening to music. In the sound isolation part it’s still not that good for me (depended on the eartips use too).



Cable “shark fin”
The cable is Oxygen-free Copper Multi-conductor comes with 4-wire-braided. The cable is soft and easy to use. There is a reason why this cable was called “Sharkfin” it’s because the 2-pin side was made into the shape of sharkfin (clear colorless), I just noticed that after a few days later lol. You can choose the plug for the IEM whether 3.5mm or 4.4mm plug before purchasing.




SOUND
The sound profile the system I used to test this pair of IEM is:
Desktop DAC: SMSL-SU9
Desktop Amp: xDuoo TA-20 (Vaccuum tube is 12AT7 x2)
IEM: Hidizs MS3 with balance eartips & Rose gold (balance) nozzle
Favorite tone: Personally, I quite like the Harman-tuning, but I also prefer the balance with bass boost tuning so the review could be biased from my preference here too.

Bass (4.2/5)
The bass quantity was good amount, clean note with some of impact. The subbass and midbass are dominant over upperbass. The bass speed was fast cold tone. Not bloated to mid or high frequency.

Mid (4.5/5)
In the lower mid, the drum part was very well-tuned. It got impactful on drum kick, snare or even tom. It has lively sound with clear note. If you like the drum sound, I bet you’ll love it. The guitar sound and timbre are good, not thin sounding at all. I’m really into the mid frequency of this MS3.

Vocal (3.8/5)
The male vocal is good with lush character. By the same time, the female vocal was quite forward even without hiss sound, but some people might feel a bit too spicy in the female vocal or mid-high frequency. The vocal image was clean but not that crystal clear. Overall I’m quite satisfied with the vocal part.

Treble (4/5)
Treble is sparkle with good extension but not too bright, the edge of the note is smooth and safe for your ears, not too forward and not too spicy. For me I think the treble part was carefully tuned to not to be too exaggerated.

Sound quality (3.5/5)
The sound quality is decent to the price, not better than expected and not bad. The note is not sharp or precise that much but it worth the price point.

Nozzle:
RED nozzle: You’ll get more bass quantity from this nozzle but not the quality, the mid is recessed, and the treble became more relaxed (less spicy).
SILVER nozzle: From what I can noticed, the bass quantity is the same, but the treble frequency became a little brighter, and gain some more sparkles and extension

Summary – The MS3 is one of the best all-rounders in its price bracket. If you like the bass sound and the drum part (but not into kind of basshead) without any recessed frequency (not the V-shape type). The MS3 is the right choice in the price bracket, because there’s 3 types of eartips and 3 kinds of tuning filter so you can modify the sound a bit into your style, plus the original cable is already good sounding. If you’re basshead and into the V-shaped person I think the other IEM would do the job than MS3

Test tracks

• Avenged Sevenfold – Save Me
• My First Story – Leader
• Nightwish – The poet and the pendulum
• ONE OK ROCK – Deeper Deeper
• ONE OK ROCK – Neon
• Paris match – Sandstorm
• Post Malone – Circles
• Sawano Hiroyuki – CRYst-Alise
• Sayuri x My first story – Reimei
• Susan Wong – Vincent
• T-square – Magic
• T-square – Truth
• The weekend – Blinding lights
• Unison square garden – Sugar song and Bitter step
• Yoasobi – Seventeen
• Yoasobi - あの夢をなぞって
• Yorushika – カトレア (Cattleya)
• Yorushika - 雲と幽霊 (The Clouds and the Ghost)

That’s all for my review on this Hidizs MS3, thank you!

I'd just like to say upfront I believe we are all biased when giving our subjective thoughts about IEMs be it a particular type of signature that works with our music library or how an IEM looks and feels in our ears. On the subject of ears everyone's ear anatomy is different and this effects fit and seal which in turn effects the perception of bass response so I recommend finding the right ear tips that suit your ears to get the best of any IEM. I would like to thank HIDIZS for the review sample of the MS3. They didn't ask for any input to my opinion on them and will be seeing this review at the same time as you.

When I started out on this crazy journey into the audiophile world I bought the Hidizs MD4 my first "quality" iem I loved it so much I bought it twice, my step son still uses it today plugged into a Fiio btr5.
When I was contacted over X(twitter) and asked if I wanted to give the MS3 a try, I jumped at the opportunity.
I'm not a follower of graphs and technical jargon so I leave that to the manufacturer

Dual Magnetic Circuits Dual Cavities Dynamic Driver

HIDIZS MS3 HiFi In-Ear Monitors Earphone uses a 10.2mm dynamic driver with dual magnetic circuits and dual cavities independently developed by Hidizs, and its diaphragm is a bio-nanofiber composite diaphragm. The dual magnetic circuits and dual cavities composite diaphragm dynamic driver has higher magnetic induction than the ordinary dynamic driver. Under the action of higher magnetic induction, the diaphragm can obtain additional acoustic energy, thereby improving the transient performance of the dynamic driver and higher energy conversion efficiency. Dual magnetic circuits make the work of the diaphragm more stable. The dual cavities are based on the design of the dual magnetic circuits to form two relatively independent cavities, which brings many advantages such as strong and flexible low-frequency dive, clearer and purer image of the human voice and intermediate frequency. Dual magnetic circuits and dual cavities complement each other like light and shadow, bringing a pleasant acoustic experience.



Features:
- 10.2mm Dual Magnetic Circuit Dual Cavity Dynamic Driver
- Knowles SWFK-31736 Composite Balanced Armature Driver
- Aviation Aluminum Alloy Integral Molding Shell
- Three Hidizs Pneumatic Tuning Filters
- Oxygen-free Copper Multi-conductor Cable with 192 Ultra-small Wires
- Highly Approaching the H-2019 Target Curve, and HIDIZS Art Styles
- "Shark Fin" 0.78mm/2PIN Cable Plug
- Hidizs Customized Storage Bag

available to buy here on the Hiizs webshop

What's in the box? a beautifully designed iem with superb build quality and 3 tuning filters (I used the Red as the others were a little too bright and shouty for me) with a really nice 2pin cable available in 3.5mm SE or 4.4mm balanced termination. Unfortunately there's no case just a synthetic leather pouch a trend I'm not very keen on, I much prefer the rigid cases that give better protection to my valuable iems.

The MS3 2BA+1DD is placed in a very saturated price bracket with strong contenders from single DD and Planar iem's making it difficult to stand out. The MS3 sounds good with a solid bass foundation with forward upper mids and lower treble. Is it a stand out sound signature? No, but its a terrific all round signature that works really we with Pop, Rock and edm. what sets it appart from all the other pretenders is its design language, superb build quality, fit and very nice cable.​

I listened with my collection of DAPs and Dongles

1. Hidizs AP80 ProX
2. Shanling M3X
3. Hiby R6 111
4. Hiby R8
5. Sony ZX507
6. shanling H2
7. Fiio M15
8. Cayin Ru6
9. Hidizs DH80S

I didn't notice any real change in the sound quality with the different sources other than a little warmth from the Sony and Shanling. This is good news as I would say the combination of MS3 and AP 80proX makes a very compelling everyday carry,
The bass while not bass head is satisfying with decent thump and texture reasonable sub-bass extension not reaching the lowest notes the mids are slightly recessed, not thin or warm just smooth. Vocals are well presented perhaps lacking a little detail but fine for pop music overall they give a pleasant playback to most genres. The area which could be an issue for some are the spicey upper mids and lower treble, I personally enjoy a little spice in the area to give a bit of bite to guitars.

Tonality
They have a pleasant slightly warm tone with slightly bright top end

Clarity
One of the high points of this set is the way they present the music with with unveiled clarity not a usual attribute at this price point.

Soundstage
Not one of the widest iems I've heard in the price range but its adequate for the price point

Separation
I was able to follow instruments in most songs without it becoming congested or confused so again decent

some of the music listened to

1. Lorde - Royals
2. Queen - Another one bites the dust
3. Delta Saints - Some times I worry
4. Thin Lizzy - Dancing in the moonlight
5. Adele - Hello
6. Dire Straits - Private investigations
7. Lady Blackbird - Black acid soul
8. Ed Sheeran - Make it rain
9. Santana - Stormy
10. Steely Dan - Black cow

I was neither disappointed or excited by the playback it was just nice. I did find there was a hint of ba timbre at higher volumes but at safe listening volumes it was not a problem.

I could wear them for hours with no discomfort or fatigue and never felt the need to turn them down or give my ears a rest. It may appear that I'm not impressed by the MS3 but that's not the case I found that as a companion on walks and traveling on public transport with the Hidizs AP80 ProX they were the perfect pocketable solution, Infinitely better than the multitude of TWS on the market. They're not built for critical listening just enjoying some tunes especially on the move.
For the money asked, I think they are worth a listen especially if you want iems built to stand up to day to day rigours of life on the move while looking stylish and sounding pretty darn good especially for Harman fans.

Hidizs MS3

Affordable Nice and Spicy IEM

Video Review


MS3 is a recently released 3 driver IEM. Made up of 1 DD and 2 BA, it promises a sound that matches Harmen 2019 target curve closely. Coming in at $119 at the point of writing, it seems to be an entry level IEM. Does it sound good? Today we will take a look at it!

Specs
Driver: 1 DD + 2 BA
Sensitivity: 112 DB
Impedance: 18 ohms
Frequency Response: 20Hz - 40kHz
Connection: 0.78mm 2 Pin

Rating
Tonality: 7/10
Technicality: 8/10
Enjoyment: 7/10
Build: 4/5
Comfort: 4.5/5

Total: 30.5/40

Note:
This was provided to me by Hdizs for review. However they did not have a say in what goes into the review.

TLDR
The MS3 is a pretty good IEM, especially for its price. A clear step up from the below $100 IEM, it provides noticeable improvement in technical performance such as clarity and separation over the cheaper alternatives. The bass was great and the overall slightly warm signature makes vocals enjoyable for me. The only issue is it is still a touch too bright for me in some tracks and the sound stage is a tad small, making it a IEM that I have to be more selective in what I listen to. That said, overall it is still a great value considering its price of $119 USD.



Introduction:
Hidizs approach me recently to do a review of their IEM, the MS3. This is a IEM that fits the Harman 2019 target quite closely. I have to honestly say, I am both excited yet with a slight dread as most of the time H2019 IEM tends to be bright for me. However with the ability to tune it with filters and tips, this IEM turned out to be pretty enjoyable.

Package and Build
The MS3 comes with a variety of items. It has 3 set of tips with label of Vocal, Balanced and bass. Additional to that, theres also 3 filters which is balanced, high frequency and low frequency. Hidizs labeled clearly on how to tune the IEM and I enjoyed the process to finding what I want. The IEM itself are made of metal with a matte black coating. The design on the front plate I felt was quite decent but definitely not something that will wow others when they do see you wear this IEM. The braided cable provided feels premium with a nice dark coating, relatively thick but still flexible. It does not get easily tangled. The cable comes only in 3.5mm or 4.4mm, not the multi adapter type seen in more premium IEMs today.



Comfort
The IEM is comfortable. The size is quite small and fits flush with my ear. The weight is relatively low at 7.5g per side and is molded to the shape of the ear cavity. It does mean that it fits snugly without much movement and supported by the ear itself rather than the canal and hook, which is something I pretty much prefer. This prevents it from dropping out when moving around yet still being comfortable all day long. The cable does have a memory plastic that hooks around the ear. Overally, this is one of the more comfortable IEM I have tried and my score above reflects it.

Sound Quality

Songs Used
Ultima (FF14 soundtrack)
The Witch from Mercury (The Witch from Mercury Soundtrack)
Suzume (Radwimps)
Shatter Me (Lindsey Stirling)
The Brave (Yoasobi)
Avid (Sawano Hiroyuki)
Ibara (ADO)



Filter and Tips
For this review, I used the balanced filter (Rose Gold) and vocal tips. I felt this combination was the best as the earphone was on the spicy side for the upper mids and treble, as such the high frequency filter (silver) was out. The low frequency filter (Red) makes the bass a little too bloated for me and the vocals recessed while not addressing the spiciness much compared to the balanced filter. Vocal tips were used as the default balance tip makes the mids a little too laid back and far for me, the vocals tips bring it up to a more balanced tone.

Tonality
The general tonality to me was a slightly warm type with spiciness up top. The overall sound felt slightly elevated bass and treble. I won’t call it V shaped as the bass itself isn’t that strong but the frequency around the 5-8k point seems to be elevated causing some sibilance in female vocals and also some percussion instruments for the point of impact sound. Overall the tonality and balance seems to fit most songs, except those with a mix of female vocals + certain bass instruments and higher pitched string mixed songs. An example was Shatter Me which I felt quite fatiguing to listen to on long sittings.

Clarity and Detail
Even though it's slightly warm and smooth sounding, general clarity and details is really good. Partially due to slightly elevated higher frequency, vocals and instruments are really clear and detailed. Its multi driver design help the bass to maintain the details like in Witch of Mercury on the softer drums never getting lost. One Wing Angel which displayed an array of instruments was also really clear and detailed throughout.

Soundstage
Soundstage is a little small for this IEM. It is still slightly larger and taller than say the truthear zero series of IEM, but it is still quite small with most of the sound stretching not much further than my ears.

Separation and Position
Separation is pretty good with the MS3. The instruments in tracks like Suzume could easily be followed even though there's probably vocals + bass + multiple other instruments playing. It doesn't get easily congested. Positioning is however quite limited as the soundstage as there seems to be only 3 positions, slight left, center, slight right. Unless an instrument is playing on only one channel, the rest kinda falls into the 3 positions.

Bass
The bass overall has a good amount of quantity. Both sub bass and mid bass are significant in all tracks I listened to but never to the point of overwhelming. The sub bass has good texture as I can hear the ripples in bass instruments such as AVID and Ultima. The mid bass impact is good but the initial impulse felt a touch loose.

Mids
Mids are a little pushed back compared to the other frequencies. It feels a touch laid back but still relatively focused. Overall mids are a touch warm. Vocals are clear and smooth. Instruments in the mids are clear, and proper sounding, with some emphasis on the higher note frequencies. Higher mid instruments and vocals may get sibilant in certain songs, but that only happens for a handful of songs for me. On general the instruments are still relatively realistic and correct as long as they don’t break into the harsh sounding part of things.

Treble
The treble is a little spicy, bordering on harsh for me. For most songs, this spiciness gives a bite and sparkle especially for cymbals and small bells. On some songs like Shatter Me, it causes fatigue. So if you dislike any sibilance or brightness in sound, this is probably not a good match for you.



Amplification
Good amplification reduces harshness for the MS3. However the rest of the sound largely sounds the same. As such any decent amplification is pretty ok with this. My favourite combination is with the Fiio M17. The MS3 is not flat impedance, which means that sound signature will change if powered by a current amp like the Enleum HPA-23RM or Bakoon. For more information on amplification, do view the video,

Conclusion
The MS3 is a pretty good IEM overall. Its tonality and spiciness may not make it the top pick for me, but the entire package and considering the price, it is an upgrade above the more affordable models below it. The H2019 target is not really of my taste, but if you like it, then this is a really good deal considering what is being offered in almost every parameter except soundstage. With the price at the point of this review, this is definitely what I considered as value for money.s

How I review: (See Previous Reviews)
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Model: Hidizs MS3
Price: £93.49 - Hidizs direct
Review Reference: RC121

Manufacturer Specification:

• Brand: Hidizs
• Model: Mermaid MS3
• Driver: 10.2mm Dual Magnetic Circuit Dual Cavity Gen3 PEEK+PU Dynamic Driver and 2 x Knowles SWFK-31736 Composite Balanced Armature Driver
• Tuning: Three filters - Gold, Silver and Red
• IEM Weight: 7.41g
• IEM Dimensions: 22.6mm (height) x 19.1mm (width) x 24mm (max depth)
• Shell: Aviation Aluminium Alloy CNC Integral Molding Shell
• Impedance: 18Ω±15% (at 1kHz)
• Sensitivity: 112dB/Vrms (at 1kHz)
• Frequency Response Range: 10Hz-50kHz
• Effective Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz
• Cable: High Purity Oxygen-Free Copper 4-Strand Mixed Braiding 1.2m
• Connector: 0.78 2 Pin Gold Plated Socket

Includes:

1 x Pair IEM
1 x Detachable Oxygen-Free Copper Cable
9 x Pair spare tips (3 x vocal SML, 3 x bass SML, 3 x balanced SML)
1 x User Manual
1 x Hidizs Branded Carry Pouch

YouTube Review:



Introduction

Firstly, happy new year to everyone here at Headfi, and a big up to me for my 100th Headfi review! Today we're taking a look at the HIDIZS MS3. HIDIZS are, in their words "an acoustic brand focused on recreating natural and authentic sound, capturing the essence and emotions of musical performances". Having been founded by a musician with expertise in psychoacoustics, their approach claims to 'recognize that each listener has a unique auditory perception, aiming to respect those differences, focusing not just on technical excellence, but also perceived sound, too.'. Thank goodness for that!!

This approach has clearly paid dividends though, earning three consecutive VGP 'golden prize' awards in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and generally being recognised here at Headfi and in the wider market as a brand you can trust. Whether it's IEMs, DAPs, DACs or amps, their products tend to be characterised by high quality craftsmanship, operating at the less budget-conscious end of the market, augmented by a strong market position courtesy of over a decade establishing the HIDIZS brand.

The Mermaid MS3 have been around a little while - released almost 6 months ago now - but they probably haven't quite had the fanfare they deserve, despite killer 'shark fin' aesthetics theming the plates and connectors, and outrageous build quality accompanying a competitive launch price that has now been reduced even further. At time of writing, the MS3 are available from HIDIZS direct for just £78.99 - an absolute steal given their impressive hardware. (EDIT - price has gone back up to £93.49 - still a great deal!)

Whilst much has already been said about the MS3 already in the below reviews here on Headfi, we've since seen some very popular IEM releases perhaps stealing the limelight from the MS3 somewhat, so now seems like an opportune moment to revisit and see how well they've aged, and assess whether and to whom they offer a good option in this uber-competitive space.

Unboxing



The Mermaid MS3 come in an impressively-authoritative outer enclosure which oozes understated quality. There's no wild mermaid-or-otherwise-theming - instead you get a sharp image of the MS3 and a brief summary of the driver arrangement. It's a pretty large, heavy enclosure which provided the contents with ample protection on their long journey over to the UK!



Inside, on the first floor you get a pretty nice selection of eartips and a first glimpse of the other two replaceable pneumatic sound tuning filters. The stock-fitted rose gold are listed as 'balanced', reflecting Hidizs' signature style, and are targeted at listeners of pop and folk. 'Charm Red' is their bassy, energetic filter, better suited for rock and metal, whereas 'Quiet Silver' is marketed for classical music lovers. I'll go into more detail on whether these are accurate representations in the Audio & Sound Signature section.

The eartips are all actually pretty usable. They're targeted at comfort over isolation and are very soft, unravelling when you remove them. I guess the best compliment is I didn't switch them out straight away, and have been using the vocal tips without complaint throughout my testing regime and beyond.



The MS3 also come with a carry pouch, and thankfully, a cable! The cable is incredibly impressive - probably the best freebie cable I've ever seen with a sub $200 set - it's a 4 core, 192 strand OFC cable at the standard length of 1.2m. It's so thick that the thumb pull barely budges over the top of it! The cable terminates to either 3.5 or 4.4mm depending on how you order, and at the other end you've got red and blue marked 'shark fin' detachable 0.28mm 2pin plugs.

The pouch is OK, although a little less impressive. It comes in faux leather effect material with metallic hinges keeping it shut. It's serviceable, but isn't going to offer your tuning filters any real protection.

Overall it's a pretty decent unboxing experience that aligns to its price. It will satisfy those who don't have a load of accessories already in their inventory, but for those of us with hefty existing collections, we aren't going to see too much in the way of tangible benefit, the excellent cable aside.

Design & Build Quality



If the unboxing was arguably a shade underwhelming, the same cannot be said for the design and build quality of the MS3, which tick every box as far as aesthetics and ergonomics go. If an IEM could ever be sexy, then the MS3 is probably the one you'd get permission to break your marital vows for! Granted, it bears more than a passing resemblance to their big brother, the MS5, but they aren't just a lift-and-shift - despite being a fraction of the cost, for me the MS3 are a better look and fit.

Working in the aviation industry, I was intrigued to see that the MS3 are crafted from 'aviation aluminium alloy' shells, carved by five-axis CNC. The panel is particularly eye-catching, with its black oxidation treatment and three-dimensional 'flame' style design.



The immediate first impression of the MS3 is its unmistakeable quality. The shells, despite weighing over 7g, do not feel especially heavy thanks to their well-proportioned, ergonomic dimensions, but they do feel incredibly well made. The faceplate measures 19mm wide and just over 22mm high - sure, they aren't quite as dainty as something like the Simgot EA1000, but they're still small enough to barely be noticed in the ear. Their teardrop-shaped profile rests subtly against the antihelix and around the concha, and combines tastefully with the polished rose-gold outer edge to present an alluring visual experience. The look is enhanced further by the self-styled shark-fin connectors - a fairly minor inclusion but one that doesn't go unnoticed. There's only a very slight reinforcement in the ear hook, which works well in preventing it from pulling when you're on the move and doesn't cause any discomfort or irritation.



The insides of the IEM feature a very shallow graduation upwards and outwards from the nozzle. The curvature is so slight that it's quite hard to see without the spotlight, but it's enough optimise the balance of fit and the need to create sufficient isolation. The depth of the IEM tops out at just under 24mm, and whilst this makes it a little deeper insertion than some of the competition, the whole belies the part - there's very little feeling of presence or occlusion. There's a tuning hole on the inside, and a plastic shield protecting the connectors - and it is this attention to detail that is quite symbolic when it comes to the MS3 - everything about the design is very deliberate and thoughtful.



With the nozzle undressed, you get a little glimpse of the balanced armature. The filters are quite small and fiddly, but unscrewing and replacing them isn't too much of an ordeal.



The filters, complete with o-ring to optimise sound delivery, are a bit fiddly, but again HIDIZS' attention to detail is reflected here, with orings around the edge to optimise the seal. All three filter types use differing thicknesses of what appears to be black foam on the inside.



The fit, at least for my odd-shaped ears and shallow ear canals, is quite perfect. HIDIZS have absolutely nailed the ergonomics, and it helps that they look pretty good too.

Audio & Sound Signature



The MS3 is a fun, energetic IEM which showcases HIDIZS' own take(s) on Harman, and its certainly enough to give them their own, vibrant character.

The MS3 boasts a hybrid driver configuration of a single DMDC 3rd Generation PEEK driver handling the bass, and two Knowles SWFK-31736 composite balanced armatures dealing with the mids and highs. HIDIZS redesigned the the crossover point, using tantalum capacitors for their higher frequency response and lower equivalent series resistance, with the aim of delivering higher resolution, better, more accurate treble extension and wider sound field performance ability, but despite this, driver cohesion steps aside in favour of powerful, slightly boomy lower frequencies, crispy trebles (sometimes a little too crispy), dynamics and quite impressive technicalities.

With a judicious sub-bass extension, the MS3 provides low-frequency physicality without one-note boom, benefitting tracks leaning on synthetic or acoustic bass texture alike. It's definitely not in the basshead realms, but there's enough power to lend bass guitars increased resonance and electronic kick drums a floor-shaking 'first few rows' immersion. That power tends to linger and then disperse a little inconsistently though - whilst the initial impact is certainly there, it can dissipate a tad unsatisfyingly.

There is plenty of midbass presence, categorised by a little bleed from the upper bass regions into the midrange - enough to add warmth and richness to the sound, but it can sometimes border on a little sloppy. On more bassy reproductions, the power and resonance can sound a shade uncontrolled, especially with wider bore tips and on lower quality sources, blurring it a little. It does improve somewhat after a lengthy burn-in and with careful tip selection. Bass is energetic, fun and enjoyable, more than it is clean and textured.

Departing the bass region, the MS3 midrange begins a smooth downward slope, crossing the Harman target at 400Hz. The trajectory continues descending further, reaching a +4dB valley at 800Hz relative to target before rising back upwards.

The prolonged dip through the lower mids provides a relaxed warmth. Male vocals have fair depth and texture, but join cellos and horns in a set-back, mildly recessed staging. Acoustic guitars, pianos and strings for the most part sound lifelike and enjoyable, although violins can extend to strident in solo. The mid-mids see a quantifiable recession, before an elevated upper midrange presents. The lift at 1.5kHz injects crisp presence to higher guitar tones and adds clarity and presence to female voices, which are much more forward than male vocals, although they do fall short in depth and sweetness compared to some of the smoother sets on the market. On female vocals and percussive tracks, you do get a little taste of the BA timbre, with a little splash to cymbals too. Depending on the vocalist, the sound can thin out a tad. Vocals are probably not the strong suit of the MS3, but the mids are generally well-done with good note weight and, for the most part, decent transparency.

Ascending into upper frequencies beyond 3kHz the MS3 Gold takes a decisively assertive stance, at times crossing +10dB over the Harman Target, opening out the sound and bringing crunchiness and energy to percussive elements. This begins mildly at 5kHz before aggressive elevation persists spanning from 7kHz to 15kHz - no relaxation or restraint here. The fulsome lower and middle treble emphasis adds substantial shimmer and detail portrayal to guitar work, but notes don't always decay with crisp decisiveness - it is, for the most part, a clean treble delivery, but its slightly peaky nature, whilst adding bite to accentuate transients, can sometimes also present a metallic sheen over percussive elements. This is especially evident on tribal house and funk tracks layered with drums.

The mid treble is more intense than most Harman-inspired sets, and whilst not always orthodox-sounding, the MS3 is one of the more resolving sets around the $100 mark. Detail retrieval is very strong at this price bracket, and imaging is also excellent. Instrument separation is better in the mid and higher frequencies, as you would expect, and the positioning, imaging and layering are all very strong. Staging is a tad constrained, although wider than it is deep, and the MS3 have good dynamics. HIDIZS have struck a nice balance here between delivering detail and precision, whilst at the same time bringing a healthy dose of warmth, fun and energy.



The MS3 comes with two other 'funny' filters to offer alternative sound signatures - one slightly more than the other! The silver nozzle doesn't seem to be a particularly wide deviation from the stock rose gold, but its an even brighter sound, adding further detail and punchiness to the trebles, but also thinning out vocals more. It's a hotter sound, and on higher volumes, this filter does reveal a bit too much low level sibilance though. If you're treble sensitive this is probably one to avoid, but does certainly strut its stuff with classical music on mid volumes.

The red filter is a far bigger deviation, boosting the bass, smoothing out the 5k peak and moving and enhancing the 7.5kHz peak to 8kHz. It shifts the tone a bit from bright to slightly darker and loosens the reigns even further. Basslines are richer (although less controlled) but not as punchy as the Gold filter. The note weight is a bit thicker and the sound overall a little smoother, with a more intimate presentation. I particularly enjoyed this filter with vocal jazz, soul and melodic techno where the warmer sound smooths out the vocals and the trebles are much more rounded and less edgy.

It's always nice to get very usable filter options - and all three are definitely that - but the stark deviation from red to gold has me wondering what a filter somewhere in the middle of the two would have offered. As always seems to be the case!



The Simgot EM6L are another hybrid driver option at around a similar price, sporting 4 BA's as opposed to 2. They also retail at $109 - roughly the launch price of the MS3. Putting the audio to one side, the build quality of the MS3 feels a bit more sturdy and more premium. The EM6L are slightly smaller and more lightweight, but both wear equally comfortably. Both are straightforward to drive, although the EM6L definitely benefit from a bit more oomph.

The EM6L sound is a bit smoother and warmer throughout. With the centre point of the bass at around 45Hz rather than 80Hz, the EM6L has a little more rumble. Both models bleed a little into the midrange, although it's perhaps a little more obvious on the MS3. With its more recessed midrange, vocals are a bit thinner and at times shoutier on the MS3, which is more susceptible to low treble sibilance, regardless of filter. The mids are more transparent on the EM6L - they are a bit more natural and musical than the MS3. Trebles are safer on the EM6L, remaining a little truer to Harman throughout the upper registers. The EM6L have a slightly faster transient response, but the MS3 are more fun and energetic. The MS3 have three filter options, whereas with the EM6L you're stuck with its default sound - not that that is a bad thing, mind. Both models punch above their weight in technical performance though, with the EM6L offering arguably slightly better imaging and the MS3 a marginally wider sound field.

Both are great choices, but the MS3 at the current price might represent a more competitive value proposition for those who value the added versatility. If you prefer a more natural tone and timbre, you'll probably favour the EM6L.

Summary

The HIDIZS MS3 has aged pretty well, faring well against the competition especially at their current reduced price. The unboxing and overall presentation is very good, albeit a carry case would have added gloss. The build quality of the IEM is first class and punches well above its category. It is a very versatile and comfortable IEM that offers good isolation and is straightforward to drive.

The sound represent HIDIZS' take on Harman nicely with a well-done v-shape and triple driver crossover. The bass is more about power than precision, and its energy and vibrance lend itself well across genres, particularly to pop and EDM. The midrange is recessed, but the thicker note weight and added warmth presents well on soul and RnB. If you prefer classical music, you'll probably be less enamoured. The elevated upper mid register gives pianos and strings crispness and detail. The trebles are reasonably clean and not overdone, with good exclamation to percussion and cymbals - but the BA timbre is definitely tangible here. The technical performance of the MS3 is a particular highlight, with great imaging and separation for a sub $100 set.

MS3 is a good choice in its price bracket, and the three very usable filters bring added versatility. If you seek a balance of a wider soundstage, good technicalities and energy, and favour this over a natural tone and timbre, then this might be one to add to your collection. Given this retailed at $169 at one point, the current offer price at HIDIZ is an absolute steal.

no.SOUND presenta...
SOMETHING CLASSIC
HIDIZS MS3

SETUP. 10.2mm Dual Cavity & Magnetic Circuit DD – 2BA (Knowles SWFK-31736)
SEN & IMP. 112dB/mW | 18Ω
PRICE. 120€ (sample for review, can be purchased on HIDIZS STORE or AMAZON UK)

Click to expand...

RATING A-
Without a doubt, this headset could be the FiiO FH3 for someone new to the hobby, it has everything, it performs correctly, and although it exceeds in some aspects, it is surprising in terms of performance-per-euro invested. It reminds me a lot to "best seller" FiiO, which it shares much more than its configuration. The fit in the ear, the musicality it transmits, the highlight of the upper area, but it is even more technical in the lower area. If the S12 doenst exist in this price range, it´s an easy piece of equipment to recommend.

It has some errors, but without a doubt, it has some technical aspects of more expensive headphones, in fact, as the analysis ended, I was just thinking about the immense nature of the scene, and after having tried more expensive equipment, which perform better in timbre and restraint, I would say that the HIDIZS is better in scene, spatiality and agility.

I don't know if it is the configuration of the internal Balance Armature, or the double-cavity Dynamic, which, as I have defended several times (hi! NF AUDIO NA2) , I believe is the maximum exponent of the 10mm drivers in iems on 100€ price range, because of how much they extend without losing nothing of agility. Perhaps in the tuning they have not risked much, looking once again at HARMAN, but it is true that they do better things than more expensive counterparts and with fewer drivers that have the same curve...

A good Christmas gift for anyone, no matter what musical style your favorite is, it will surprise you without a doubt. HIDIZS, just give the design a twist, put a little more effort into the accessories... the packaging... and you have it. I'm looking forward to tasting the MP145, I don't rule out giving it to myself later.

Impact & forcefulness in the subbass
Agile & fast in the rest of the lower area
No bleeding on the mids
Surprising feeling of space
Treble scales with volume
You get details on the mid-highs, but something is missing in the previous area
Packaging dont reach the level of the price
Too dry in the presentation
Voices excessively on the front
Timbre & naturalness below average

Overall rating: 4/ 5

Aesthetic:
Build Quality: 4/5
Design: 4/5
Accessories: 4.5/5

Sound Rating:
Timbre: 3.5/5
Bass: 4/5
Midrange: 3.5/5
Treble: 3.5/5
Technicalities: 4/5

DISCLAIMER

- The review equipment is a demo unit sent by Hidizs as a part of a tour review. Regardless, all opinions remains original ideas, thus there is zero influence from any 3rd party or external opinions.
- No EQ or filter presets were used during the entire review period.
- Sound evaluation are kept neutral and does not include 3rd party accessories (ie; eartips, cable, reversible mods).
- Burn-in was done for 100 hours prior to review.

Introduction:

It is not long ago Hidizs just released the MP145 whale inspired planar IEM and Hidizs S9’s successor, the S9 Pro Plus Martha. But in today’s review, we will go back to the past. Hidizs MS3 was released in June 2023, and whoever listened to the MS3, instantly praising it until it took over the hype by storm. How is it going to hold its place in this everchanging Chi-Fi market? Let us find out.

Unboxing:

The unboxing experience is rather satisfying. The box itself is huge, but Hidizs did a good job for not wasting any spaces by stuffing multiple sets of eartips and a storage pouch. A very friendly gesture for the audiophile beginners. In this box you will get:
- 3 pairs of vocal (wide-bore) silicone eartips
- 3 pairs of bass (narrow-bore) silicone eartips
- 3 pairs of balanced silicone eartips
- Storage pouch
- Cable
- 3 tuning nozzles (silver, red and rose gold)
- high-purity oxygen-free copper cable. 192 threads in 4 strands mixed braiding.

Specification:
- Drivers: 1DD(10.2mm dual magnetic circuit, dual cavity) + 2BA drivers (Knowles SWFK-31736)
- Fr Response at 20hz-40khz
- 112db Sensitivity
- 18 ohms Impedance

Design & Build Quality:

The MS3 boasts the matte black anodized texture of the face plate, making it hard to leave fingerprints. Design is subjective to every person, but I find the black and rose gold color combination is interesting. The wave motives on the faceplate have different hierarchy to create a rhythmic pattern, as a compliment to their naming of this IEM (Mermaid MS3). Build quality is top notch, without any flaws or flimsy feeling when shaking the 2pin connections.

Drivability:

It is easy to drive. It does not need any efforts to keep the background silent and it handles the noise floor very well. I have tried to connect it into the 3.5mm termination of Fiio K11 desktop dac/amp and it excels quickly with the dark background.

My music (don’t judge me xD) :
- Yoasobi - idol (24bit/96khz)
- Joji Nectar Album (24bit/96 kHz)
- Kamado Tanjiro no Uta (16bit/44.1 kHz)
- ReoNa - Human, Alive, Seimeisen, till the end (24/96 khz)
- Taylor Swift - We are never ever getting back together (DSD 5644kbps/ 2.8MHz)
- Radwimps - Suzume (24bit/96 kHz)
- And whole album of Kessoku Band
- G.E.M – GLORIA (24bit/96 kHz)
- Martin Garrix – In the Name of Love (24bit/44.1kHz)
- Jacky Cheung – Kiss goodbye (24bit/96kHz)
- Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra - "Kimetsu no Yaiba" Orchestra concert -Kimetsu no Kanade- (24bit/96 kHz)

Source used:
- VE Avani plugged into iPad Air
- Aune Flamingo DAC plugged into PC
- Hidizs XO dongle DAC plugged into PC
- Jcally AP10 plugged into Android/ PC
- Fiio KA13 plugged into Oneplus 6T
- Tempotec Sonata BHD plugged into iPhone 12

Sound Performance:

In short, Hidizs MS3 has a bright balanced V shaped tuning, and it leans toward the fun side. Despite being not the most natural sounding set, Hidizs has turned the MS3 into a technical monster.

Bass:
The bass of the Hidizs MS3 has a lot of authorities and punches hard. The lower extension is deep, and it does give massive impact. I will not call this as bass-head tuned but the bass is enough to make your heart pound hard.

Sub-bass of the Hidizs MS3 gives out a fair amount of rumble energy and reverberation, while not disturbing the rest of the elements. Towards the mid-bass is satisfying, while giving out a hint of warmth with the percussions especially with the drum snares. The speed and decay of the bass is faster than average, which makes it suitable for electronic tracks.

Midrange:
The midrange is recessed, which is common with most V-shaped IEM. The vocals sound veiled but does not overshadow by the sub-bass. Vocal heads may look somewhere else. The instruments such as bass guitars has notes almost in-line with the vocals, hence the mid-bass bleed. Instrument sounds quite resolving and slightly lifted, with all the macro & micro dynamics captured within tracks.

The female vocals are shining with presence than the male counterparts. The tonality of the MS3 steer towards the technical side. Lower mids will have a tinge of metallic timbre, which may sound unnatural for some. Luckily towards the upper mids, there are none. The transients are fast and give out shimmering playback in female voices.

Treble:
The upper extension is doing a good job raising the spectrum, making the MS3 sounded airy and energetic. However, the shimmering up top has brought some slight sibilance that may be the dealbreaker for treble sensitive people. I noticed it the first time when I started to play Bochi the Rock’s tracks. Tuning aside, treble has some bites that able to capture micro-details fairly. BA timbre still exist but I am okay with it. Does not need to be very natural when you have this kind of resolution coming into your ears.

Soundstage & Technicalities:
Has an intimate soundstage with enough width and depth to determine the separations and imaging. The width being the wider spectrum, make transients fast enough to create macro and micro-dynamics. The 1DD+2BA drivers synergies well thus create layered separations. You can hear the riffing of the bass guitar on the side and vocals in the middle. Imaging has no problem with me as I can pinpoint the sound of instruments quickly.

Extra:
RED NOZZLE: The “Bass” nozzle, allow MS3 to allocate more bass to sound thicker with every note played. Though you must make sacrifice on the bass quality and loose sounding bass. The midrange got more recessed than usual, making the separation harder to notice. Preferably if you are opting for a smoother and warmer tone listening for long hours.

ROSE GOLD NOZZLE: My favorite tuning nozzle in the bunch. It gives what I was expecting about this IEM: Fun and energetic, with the emphasize on upper midrange and treble. As a bright sets lover, the upper region captured my ears, and it has bite that I wished for and it has minute changes in clarity!

SILVER NOZZLE: Bright, just fully bright. The nozzle makes vocals and instrument sounds too thin and sibilant at times. The good side is the treble punches a lot and comes with a lot of micro-details, slightly more than the balanced out rose-gold nozzle.

Comparison:
Dunu Kima Classic (1DD)
Mild V-shaped tuned IEM by Dunu, offers delicate female vocals as well as good presence of treble. It excels in every genre of music, like Hidizs MS3. The bass of Dunu Kima Classic is more natural and boomy, with a tinge of warmth. While MS3 has more resolution in bass and the decay is faster, thus snappy.

Kima Classic sounds forwardly, and has good amount of warmth to sound natural and transparent. Hidizs MS3 vocals are recessed, does not have the naturalness of single DD but it has better clarity in vocals and instruments.

Both have good treble energy, and MS3 has more bite to sound exciting. Kima Classic has controlled treble extension to make sure it has enough airiness, but MS3 literally uplift it and make it sounds open and transparent, allowing more resolution up top.

Both MS3 and Kima Classic has good technical chops, with the MS3 takes the slight edge in the separation. MS3 can create distinctive layer of details while the Kima Classic has more coherent sound and smoother presentation.

Kiwi Ears Quarter (2DD+2BA)
Another fun tuning set by Kiwi Ears, which has a resin build and purple aesthetic. The fun part of Quartet is the switches to tune the sound signature according to tracks. MS3 has 3 tuning nozzles, making it the more versatile one.

The Quartet focus more on the mid-bass, with a touch of warmth in the spectrum. The warmth is extended into the midrange and treble to sound musical and natural. In the same breath, the MS3 went to the opposite pole. I understand that both the sets have different target audiences, so the choice is yours.

Technical wise, the MS3 is superior in every aspect. From the soundstage to imaging, Hidizs MS3 checked all the boxes with ease.

Conclusion:
The Hidizs MS3 is a daring set to pull the resolution out of every track I have thrown into. With the accessories comes with it, and the clarity offered in this price range is unmatched. Despite it is quite dated compared to all the newcomers in the $150 segment, the technicalities it offers are still worthy to keep up a good fight.

Hidizs MS3 is on sale right now in their official website at $99, unaffiliated link is attached below:
https://www.hidizs.net/.../hidizs-ms3-2ba-1dd-hybrid-3...

Disclaimer

• Huge thanks to Hidizs for providing the opportunity for me to review the Hidizs MS3 through a tour. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.
• Please take this review with only a grain of salt, as everyone's hearing, fit, and gears may differ, so our experience may be different.

Price(MSRP)

• $169.90

Source(s)

• FiiO KA13
• Truthear Shio
• Jcally JM6 Pro
• Hidizs XO

Ear tips

• Dunu S&S
• Final E

Packaging

• MS3 with the Gold nozzle attached
• Soft, leather textured pouch
• Good selection of ear tips.
  • 3 pairs of generic bass silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
  • 3 pairs of generic vocal silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
  • 3 pairs of generic balanced silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
• Tuning nozzles
  • Red
  • Silver
• Oxygen-free Copper Multi-conductor Cable with 192 Ultra-small Wires
  • Feels very premium and comfortable, one of the best stock cable in this price range, doesn't tangle easily.
  • However, there is a sharp, pointy edge on the connector.

Build Quality

• Excellent build quality, has a metal shell.

Fit

• Nozzle length is average, but it is slightly on the wider side
• Fit is really good for me, fits very comfortably.

Tonality

• V shaped.
• Gold nozzle
  • Bright tilted V shaped. Upper midrange becomes a lot more forward and the treble gets noticeable brighter.
• Silver nozzle
  • A bit similar to the gold nozzle but with a touch more brightness.
  • I wish the silver nozzle can be replaced with another nozzle that can further tame the peaky treble instead ... I honestly don't see the point of further enhancing the already bright and energetic treble.
• Red nozzle
  • My preferred style, upper midrange and treble becomes smoother and tamed, and it becomes a more balanced V shaped tonality, perhaps with a very slightly emphasis on the lower end.
  • My review below will be based on this red nozzle.

Bass

• Mid bass is a bit more prominent than sub bass.
• Thumps and slams quite well, which makes it fairly fun and engaging.
• Very well textured and has a fairly natural decay that is neither too quick or lingers too long.
• Doesn't have a very deep rumble but it is present, it also sounds quite full with a good amount of body and density.
• However, the bass is not very well controlled, which bleeds into the midrange a little.
• Quantity is on the bassier side especially on the red nozzle.
• Overall, the bass has a solid performance for the price, my only nitpick is the bass bleed.

Midrange

• Midrange is quite recessed, which pushes back vocals and instruments a fair bit.
• Lower midrange is affected from the bass bleed which makes it very warm, lush and rich. It is a bit too much for me, so it sounds a bit bloated to me.
• Upper midrange on the other hand sounds rather smooth, with just enough emphasis so they don't sound drowned by the lower end, but suffers with some slight huskiness from the excessive warmth.
• Timbre is not the best as expected for this kind of signature.
• Overall note weight and density is thick and heavy on the lower and upper midrange but is thin in the middle.

Treble

• Treble has enough sparkle to shine and balance out the lower end energy even on the red nozzle.
• However, the 8k peak is very noticeable to me and I had to turn down the volume most of the time because it gets fatiguing too easily.
• Treble extension is decent, which adds a little airiness to it.
• Details can be perceived quite easily as the treble is quite revealing even though it is quite smooth other than the 8k peak.

Technicalities

Resolution

• Resolution and detail retrieval is good for a hybrid in this price bracket.

Soundstage

• Soundstage is decent in terms of width and depth but nothing outstanding. At least it doesn't sound narrow and cramped.

Imaging

• Imaging and accuracy is good, I am able to pinpoint positions quite easily and accurately.

Separation

• Separation and layering is good as well, nothing really sounds congested.
• Instruments and vocals are spaced out and separated among each other well.

Conclusion

• Overall, I don't think the Juzear Clear is a very impressive or competes very well in this price bracket at all.
• Overall, I think the Hidizs MS3 is a pretty decent offering in this price bracket that consists of a fun, energetic V shaped tonality with tuning nozzles that is effective. It also offers very solid technicalities for the price as well!
• However, the Hidizs MS3 will not be suitable if you're looking for a clean, natural and mid centric signature as the midrange of the MS3 tends to be recessed and muddy. The treble is also peaky to me even with the Red nozzle, Final E ear tips and Truthear Shio combination.
• From what I observed, Hidizs have sales going on quite often, the MS3 is already a decent buy at MSRP but if you can get it at a lower price, I absolutely recommend it, but keep the cons in mind before making a decision.

Non Affiliated Link

• If you are interested after reading the article, feel free to check out the non affiliated link below.
• https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-ms3-2ba-1dd-hybrid-3-drivers-hifi-in-ear-monitors

Thanks for reading!

This is a review of the Hidizs MS3 which retails for $119 and you can buy it from Hidizs online shop.



The Hidizs MS3 is a hybrid in-ear monitor with two BA and a single dynamic driver. It also features the replaceable pneumatic sound tuning filter design that allows the user to experience three slightly different sound profiles by just changing the nozzle filters.

Build quality and fit

The Hidizs MS3 design resembles that of the Hidizs MS5. It is a beautiful, stylish and extremely well made earphone. The ear-shells are anatomically shaped and help to achieve a comfortable and stable fit that doesn't cause fatigue even after prolonged time of use. Passive noise attenuation is also very good.

Technical performance

With 18Ω impedance and 112dB of sensitivity, the Hidizs MS3 is pretty easy to drive and also immune to source noise. The use of a high quality USB DAC dongle like the Hidizs XO or S9 pro is highly recommended because the MS3 can follow source upgrades up to a certain level.

Sound performance

The Hidizs MS3 is not just a cheaper version of the MS5 with the same kind of tuning and lesser technicalities but a totally different sounding earphone with its own unique personality. The MS3 is more balanced and naturally tuned when compared to the MS5 which has a low-end prominence and a darker sound profile. Actually the Hidizs MS3 is one of the most natural and balanced sounding earphones of the category while it has a great technical foundation that makes it suitable for both casual and critical listening.

With the balanced filter attached, the low-end has plenty of presence and extension to satisfy with bass intense music without becoming dominant while it can reproduce all the low pitched instruments of the symphony orchestra with accurate tonality and without further coloration of their timbre. The mid-bass that follows a natural tuning curve, is well defined and crystal clear without bleeding into the mids. The technicalities are impressive for the category, the bass is resolving, tight and controlled with great clarity and excellent layering. The dynamic driver is very agile with fast recovery time so it can pass from silence to climax instantaneously without producing undesirable echoes or loss of control. The MS3 is very dynamic but not as impactful and visceral as the MS5, it is slightly lacking in weight and the texture is a touch leaner but thankfully not dry or thin.

The mid-range is rather balanced with a touch of upper-mids emphasis but not that pronounced to add sibilance or cause some kind of listener fatigue. It does give some extra presence and clarity but without making the instruments sound too thin or out of tune. The overall timbre is natural, the MS3 is musical, engaging and organic with plenty of colorful harmonies to display. The mids have a striking realism that punches well above the category and they are surprisingly resolving and finely articulated. Note weight is also good, the texture retains the same kind of intensity together with the low-end without the usual loss of body that a lot of hybrid earphones exhibit when the frequency transitions from the dynamic to the BA drivers.

The treble is energetic and exciting, luminous and brilliant but without sounding bright, harsh or aggressive. The MS3 is again more transparent and resolving that someone would expect from the category with great clarity and detail retrieval. The transition from the mids to the treble is even, there is no loss of texture intensity or any weird tonal shifts. The timbre is kept quite natural in accordance with the other parts of the frequency range while artificiality is kept quite low even at higher listening levels.

The soundstage is a real treat, wide and spacious with surprisingly good positioning accuracy and imaging. There is plenty of space around the performers and the overall presentation is grand with lots of ambient information.

You can use the interchangeable filters to fine tune the sound. The bass fitter enhances the low-end up to the mid-range but it also subdues a part of the upper mid-range, drastically changing the stock tuning of the Hidizs MS3 to the point that we can talk about a totally different sounding earphone. Now you have an MS3 with a considerably more prominent low-end which also sounds darker, warmer and less present in the upper-mid range. The overall clarity and transparency are reduced a little and the MS3 becomes smoother and more forgiving with plenty of bass.

The silver filter has a more minimal impact on the frequency response of the MS3, the only thing it does is to just add a bit of extra brilliance and bite to the upper mids, giving a touch of a brighter and sharper character to the earphone.

Conclusion

The Hidizs MS3 represents one of the best values in the market right now and an excellent choice for everyone looking for a balanced tuned IEM that can be further customized with the tuning filters.

(The review sample was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review)

Visit my website in my signature for the full review.

HIDIZS MS3
The joyful one....

Pros:
+ Engaging Listen.
+ Good dynamic-range
+ Good detail retrieval.
+ Great instrument separation with dark background.
+ Impressive left to right imaging. Sharp and Vivid.
+ Great sound clarity from lows to highs.
+ High price : performance value.
+ Premium quality stock cable.
+ Well built & light metal housing.
+ Easy to drive but very transparent to source.

Cons:
- Subbass roll-off, rumbling texture is less defined.
- Chesty male vocal lacking oomph.
- Not great on high volume, Peaky treble starts to pop-up.
- Percussion hits can sound too loud in the mix (around mid-bass & upper treble region)
- Sibilance tendencies though not piercing.
- Stage lacking depth which affects front to back imaging & layering.
- Apparent BA timbre.
- Not a safe tuning but unique in its own way.
- Will only sound brilliant when you get the right synergy (tips,source) & listening volume.
- Stock cable ear-hook is on the aggressive side which can cause discomfort.

[MY PERSONAL HEAD-FI GRADING]
1 ★ - Appalling! Please Avoid This!
2 ★★ Subpar Offering, There Are Better Options Out There!
3 ★★★ Decent With Some Caveats! You Should Consider This !
4 ★★★★ Not Perfect But Solid Choice ! This Should Be In Your Shortlist.
5 ★★★★★ Class Leading! You Should Go Right Ahead & Buy One!

Hidizs MS3 4 ★★★★​

SOUND SIGNATURE:
The MS3 is a hybrid setup that is tuned to be more musical than analytical. It has a v-shape tuning which tilted to towards the treble region with a nice mid-bassy low-end that is rather fun and engaging to listen. The mid-range/vocal is recessed but not in a bad way.

BASS/LOW-END:
The bass is tastefully done to my ears. It does not come across being too aggressive but it is still an engaging listen. It will only sound very bassy only when your music is mastered in said manner. The mid-bass has a greater emphasis on the low-end which bleeds ever so slightly onto the mid-range, in a good way. The sub-bass though present is quite polite. Despite the rolled-off, the sub-bass still gives adequate sense of rumbling and droning. It resonates and vibrates in a way that you can still feel it. They’re mostly well textured, nicely decayed and have good level of sustain which also lend an added sense of ambience to your music. The mid-bass carries great authority to the kick, slam and thump. Percussion instrument that lies in this region like bass guitar, kick drums, drum snare have very satisfying reproduction. The note hits are very distinct; It’s got good impact, nicely weighted that decay just about right. Bass-drops and ghetto bass replay are quite impressive as well. They sound clean and does not linger unnecessarily. The downsides are, on some rare occasion, the mid-bass can smear the rendition of female vocals. And you might find the sub-bass to be lacking on density on some genres. A hardcore bass-head might find the bassline to be on the tamer side. The overall bass detailing and layering is average at best. The bass attributes are more quantitative than qualitative which is what you would expect for this tier. All and all, it is still a proper and engaging bass to listen to.

MID-RANGE/VOCAL
The mid-range is noticeably recessed but not exceedingly so, with a hint of warmth and brilliance coming from both ends of the spectrum. From a v-shape perspective, the vocals sound quite rich and lush overall. They vocal texture is on the smooth side with adequate presence on stage. Female vocals will sound more pronounce in the mix and tend to offer more rewarding performance versus its male counterpart. Some male vocals that live on the lower section can lack abit of body and presence which most likely due that slight dip on lower mid-range. Thankfully, it has none of that edgy, gritty or metallic sheen on vocal transient. And it handles shouty vocals surprisingly well. Alas, it does have the tendencies to sound sibilance but it is never piercing [YMMV]. Instruments like piano, xylophone, strings (guitar, electric guitar, violin, viola), flute performs brilliantly on this set. They sound very distinct in the mix. The overall replay comes with great transient with mildly quick decay and adequate sustain. The notes are nicely weighted as well. That being said, this is set is not for vocal lovers. If you want a more transparent, less coloured mid-range/ vocal replay then you should look elsewhere.

TREBLE/HIGHS
Treble presence is definitely elevated in an unconventional way. One would even woed upon looking at the measurement. But in reality, it is not that bad. It has good extension up top with reasonable amount of air presence. It is bright but oddly enough, it is not piercing at all. Yes, the treble response is not the most even in its class and some of the peaks will become apparent on higher volume. But as long you keep it around low to mid volume, it should be palatable. What impresses me the most is how clear and clean the treble sounds. There is not even a layer of grain, haze or any form of low-noise distortion that can ruin its clarity. The treble could use with a bit more bite. The attack definition on some instrument and synthetic noise are abit blunted or perhaps has a rounded edge to them. The initial hits of hi-hats and cymbal strikes are somewhat smoothed-out while electronic zing and shimmer are missing its edginess. In a sense that you hear it but you don’t necessarily feel it. Some percussions like drum hits sounds unnaturally too loud at times. The treble in general is forward, a tad peaky but not highly detailed, lacking that final touch in texture which defines the treble. The balance is tilted towards smoothness rather than crispiness when it comes to texturing. This somewhat explained my experience of not having fatigue despite it carrying a strong level of treble energy. Sadly, despite having a crystal-clear response, it not the most well-defined treble in its class. Perhaps I am asking too much as I am using a higher tier set as a benchmark. But for the price, It is not fair to nit-pick this much which to say that it is not bad at all.


TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE:
- The sound-field of the MS3 is average at best. It’s got decent width, adequate head-room and the depth can be lacking depending on tracks. The vocals/mid-range will sound slightly pushed back. Despite that, the vocalist still appears centered surrounded by images of instrument. The stereo-imaging is pretty sharp and precise from left to right but due it’s disadvantage in depth, the front to back projection cues is not as great.

- Instrument separation and layering on the MS3 is surprisingly good. Every instrument has adequate spaces between them and due it’s blacker background, it gives them a clearer cut. As a result, there is hardly any congestion issue.

- Detail retrieval is solid for the price. It is not a detail-monster but it is never lacking by today’s standard. Nuances from musical score or non-musical element such as artifact can still be heard but not clearly distinct. However, it has good dynamic-range to back it up. Due to that, it makes it such engaging listen.

- The overall timbre is not the most organic in the grand scheme of things. But since it's a fun set, the BA timbre is forgivable. It’s got good transient for the most part, but the decay rate and sustain level could use some work to achieve better depth and extension on instrument hits especially on upper-harmonics.

- The cross-over between drivers are well done but it is not the most cohesive sounding hybrid I’ve heard. You do notice a slight timbre contrast when transitioning from bass to mid-range but it is never jarring which is a good thing. And it has no driver-flex problem unlike some of its rival.

Tuning Nozzle Options :
Red Nozzle : Nerfing the treble brilliance for added bass presence.
Silver Nozzle : Sounds too bright, give rise to unbearable sibilance.
Rose-Gold Nozzle : The best tonal balance. Minimize treble issue with minimal compromise [My Personal Pick]

" SYNERGY, VOL.SCALING, POTENTIAL TWEAKS "

- DAC/AMP: The MS3 does react with different source very well which could affect your experience heavily. Hence one’s experience may vary ever so slightly from others. It is best to pair with something that has more forward mid-range which in my case is the Tanchjim SPACE. With the SPACE it tones down some of the treble peaks without running it’s dynamic. Paring with something that has a flatter mid-range like the Hidizs XO will sacrifice its mid-range body and warmth. And some of the dynamics is seemingly compressed. Hence if you ever find its mid-range is lacking and the treble is too peaky, please check and swap your source.

- EARTIPS: It is one the sets that is very tips dependant due to its non-conventional tuning. I’d recommend using the Spinfit CP100 which helps to mitigate some of the treble issue. Or you could use Tangzu Sancai if you think it has too much mid-bass. Regardless, be sure to do tip-roll, it does improve your experience quite a lot.

- CABLE: Its stock cable is very premium in build and have good sound quality as well. The only issue I had is the earhook angle can be abit too aggressive. You might need to use a hair-dryer to alter the earhook angle. Now, if you ever find the sub-bass to be lacking, I’d suggest getting a thicker 4-core or 8-core pure copper cable to boost its low-end subs while nerfing its mid-bass just tad for better bass balance.

- VOLUME SCALING: It does not scale with volume that well. Well listening at higher volume, the treble peaks will start to emerge and the mid-bass bump can sound abit much. As a result, some percussions hits will come across abit too loud in mix. Hence it is best to listen at a lower to mid volume.

So how it fairs against my long time favorite hybrid ?

~ SHORT COMPARISON~
vs Tanchjim PRISM x Hiclass Gold Flagship x CP100 (M)
They both have the same driver configuration but they have different tuning in mind. The PRISM is more along the lines of warm-harman whereas the MS3 is more on the mid-bassy, bright v- shape sound.

The bass quality on the PRISM is superior. It has better balance between sub-bass and mid-bass presence with excellent attack, decay and sustain level. It is one the most natural sounding bass performance I’ve heard.

The mid-range is not their strongest point, but the PRISM has a slight edge in presenting vocals be it male or female. It’s sound more intimate, fuller bodied and better textured.

The treble is not as clear and clean as the MS3. It can sound abit grainy or hazy at times. But the PRISM offers a smoother response and the notes has slightly better bite to them.

As for technical aspect, mainly detail retrieval, they do trade blows. Depending on what you want to hear, they can out-trade each other. As for the stage, they both have just about the same width but the PRISM provides more headroom and depth in listening experience. But when it comes to Instrument separation, the MS3 has the edge, the gap between instruments is nigh identical. However, due to the blacker background, it gives the separation a clearer cut. And the MS3 does it with a greater consistency regardless of passages.

The instrument replay on the PRISM is better to my ears. The MS3 may impresses you initially with its transient but something about the decay and sustain level of the PRISM that makes it sound more correct. Every hit just sounds more distinct and trailing end of notes just sounds more complete. The PRISM is the better all-rounder set when playing all walks of genres.

On top of that, the PRISM sounds more cohesive when transitioning from bass to treble. The cross-over between drivers just sounds more coherent. And PRISM jewellery shell is drop-dead gorgeous! You could even enjoy looking at it. Yes, the PRISM is slightly better in many ways but it is 7-8 times more expensive (as tested).

In reality, the performance of the MS3 is closer to the PRISM than you might think which says a lot about the MS3. This makes the PRISM in a bad spot when it comes to value. But then again, I’ve enjoyed the PRISM for nearly 2 years now. I’ve tried, bought and sold many sets in the past but for some reason I kept going back to the PRISM. The MS3 does a lot things very well but the PRISM will sound more special to my ears. Yes, it has a lot flaws but I still love it till this day.



FINAL THOUGHTS
To sum up then, the Hidizs MS3 is just simply musical, fun and expressive. It is not for people who seek naturalism or correctness in sound but mainly for people who wants to enjoy their music. It plays modern genres very well. There are a lot to like about this set and there is not much to hate about it. It will not out-perform those gate-keeper from upper region but you will be surprised how much enjoyment it can bring to your music. I recently reviewed the Hidizs MP145, technically speaking, the MS3 is inferior to the MP145 but I had more fun listening to the MS3 which does says something.
I would totally recommend readers to shortlist the MS3 if you’re cross-shopping for a hybrid, assuming your budget is just around this price point. I am pretty you’ll enjoy it as much as I do. I'd love to own one someday....

[IEM-SCORING-BOARD]​

RATING
1: Trash (F)
2: Horrible (E)
3: Bad (D)
4: Subpar (C)
5: Decent/Average (B)
6: Good (A-)
7: Great (A)
8: Superb. (A+)
9: Masterclass/Top-Drawer (S)
10: Perfection (P)

Hidizs MS3 [1DD-2BA]
Tuning: Birght V-Shape.
= Quality =
Bass: 6/10 Mids: 5.5/10 Treble: 5.5/10
Male/Female: 5/5.5
= Technicalities =
Detail & Resolve: 5.5/5.5
Instrument Timbre/Note Definition: 6/6
Dynamic-Range : 6.5/10
Layering & Separation: 7/10
Head-stage [W-H-D]: 6-5-5
Stereo Imaging 7/10
Ambience : 6/10
Cleanliness: 9/10
Build/Comfort: 8/8
Value: 9/10 [AS TESTED]
Personal Enjoyment: 6/10

SETUP (As tested)
Stock Cable 3.5 SE
Spinfit CP100 (M)
Tanchjim SPACE (Main)/ Hidizs XO

TANCHJIM PRISM + [1DD-2BA]
Tuning: Warm-Harman
= Quality =
Bass: 8/10 Mids: 6/10 Treble: 6/10
Male/Female: 6/6
= Technicalities =
Microdetail & Resolve: 6/6
Instrument Timbre/Note Definition: 7/7
Layering & Separation: 6/10
Head-stage [W-H-D]: 6-6-6
Dynamic-Range : 7/10
Stereo Imaging 7/10
Cleanliness: 6/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value : 4/10 [AS-TESTED]
Build/Comfort: 10/6
Personal Enjoyment: 8/10

SETUP (As tested)
Hiclass Gold Flagsip 4.4 BAL (Customized Hakugei Time Machine Accessory)
Spinfit CP100 (M)
Tanchjim SPACE (Main)/ Hidizs XO

Pros:
+ Warm laid-back bass with engaging upper-mids.
+ Pleasant and enjoyable listen for all walks of genres.
+ IMHO, one of the most natural bassline in it's price point. Realistic attack/decay/sustain with excellent bass layering.
+ Great dynamic-range.
+ Impressive imaging prowess.
+ The stage is not the widest but it's one of those set that actually have depth.
+ Cohesive sound, DD-like phasing with minimal timbre contrast
+ Jewelry level of build.

Cons:
- Microdetail/Resolve is lacking for the asking price.
- Midrange/vocals may lacks transparency vs it's price-rival.
- Can exhibit a hint of micro-grain on vocal/treble depending on tracks/tips.
- Very unforgiving to low-fi or bad recording.
- High noise-floor sensitivity (source/sound-chain)
- Only enjoyable when the tracks are cleanly mastered.
- Pour price/performance ratio. Average micro-detail retrieval and separation prowess for the price.
- Require a cable upgrade to perform better.
- Scratch/Fingerprint magnet.
- Quite a heavy shell. Potential fit and comfort issue.

SOURCE & GEARS​

Native FLAC Files [44.1Khz 16bits-96Khz 24bits]
Foobar2000 [Laptop] [Ugreen USB C Adapter]
Huawei P20 PRO [Phone][ App- Foobar2000]
Dongle DAC/AMP only :
Moondrop DAWN 4.4
Tanchjim SPACE
Hidizs XO

PLAYLIST (AS TESTED)​

1982 Chicago – Hard to say I'm sorry.
2003 NARUTO Original Soundtrack I – Wakiagaru Toushi
2008 K.will (케이윌) – 소원 (Great King Sejong OST Part.1)
2009 Maksim – Exodus
2010 Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou (OST) – Kokoro no Oku De Ha
2014 Grabbitz – Here with you now.
2014 BoA – MASAYUME CHASING
2014 Hyolyn – 안녕 Good bye
2015 K MISSING KINGS (OST) - New Kings
2016 K RETURN OF KINGS (OST) - Return of Kings
2016 K RETURN OF KINGS (OST) - If you die.
2017 Namie Amuro – Hope
2019 K SEVEN STORIES (OST) - In Pursuit Of
2019 K SEVEN STORIES (OST) - Lost Small World
2019 Blade & Soul (OST) – Half-Moon Lake
2019 CAROLE & TUESDAY VOCAL COLLECTION Vol.1 – Light a Fire
2020 Paradox Live Opening Show (1st E.P) – BAE – BaNG!!!
2020 Paradox Live Opening Show (1st E.P) – cozmez – Where They At
2020 倖田來未 (Kumi Koda) – GET NAKED (Kiyoshi Sugo Remix)
2020 倖田來未 (Kumi Koda) – again (MATZ Remix)
2020 premiere fleurs – プリンシパル
2020 Love Live! Nijigasaki – 朝香果林 (Karin Asaka) – VIVID WORLD
2020 Fujii Kaze – へでもねーよ”／Hedemo Ne-YoSeishun Sick
2020 King Gnu – 三文小説 ／Sanmon Shosetsu
2021 OWV – Fifth Season
2021 加藤　ミリヤ (Miliyah) feat. Yoshida Brothers – この夢が醒めるまで
2021 Official髭男dism – Cry Baby
2021 Chanmin BIJIN 美人 – Morning Mood
2021 門脇更紗 (Sarasa Kadowaki) – きれいだ
2021 Mirei Touyama – 美忘録
2021 SELECTION PROJECT Vol.1 – Only one yell -天沢灯ソロver.-
2022 Belle (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Million Miles Away (ENG vers.)
2022 rei (E-girls) – Dark Hero.
2022 rei (E-girls) – IDNY
2022 I can fly (Special Edition) – Bleecker Chrome - You will shine
2022 I can fly (Special Edition) – YOSHIKI EZAKI x Bleecker Chrome - UP
2022 BEAST TAMER (OST) – じんわり感じている幸せ
2022 Ado – 会いたくて
2022 Ado – 踊
2023 La prière - Sweet Dreams
2023 Bungou Stray Dogs 4th Season ED – Luck Life – しるし
2023 Genjitsu no Yohane – Far far away
2023 Genjitsu no Yohane – Hey, dear my friends
2023 Anna – 花のように (Hana no You ni)
2023 riria. – 貴方の側に (Anata no Soba ni)

Do take my words for what it’s worth. Afterall, I am just one man.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING! HAVE A GOOD DAY WHEREVER YOU ARE! TAKE CARE!

Disclaimer:
- This is a loaner unit from Hidizs Tour Malaysia . Big thanks to the @Bella Juan & the team for making this possible!
- If you're interested to own an MS3, Checkout the links below (non-affiliated)
[Global]
https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-ms3-2ba-1dd-hybrid-3-drivers-hifi-in-ear-monitors
[Malaysia-Shopee]
https://shopee.com.my/Hidizs-MS3-2B...-OFC-Gold-plated-Cable-i.59463211.22273606666
If you like me to review your IEM/DAC/AMPS please hit me up:
https://www.facebook.com/DevaPainAkatsuki/


Extra Photos

Hidizs is one of the better established audio companies from China. Their DAPs, portable DACs and amplifiers are highly popular. They also had several IEMs earlier, which unfortunately I have never tried but, lately they have been storming the market with release after release.

Hidizs MS3 has been out for months now and this review was supposed to be released much earlier but the first unit I got had a slight problem. After I contacted Hidizs, they sent me another unit after I sent the first one back, so I’m kind of late to the party.



MS3 is Hidizs' last hybrid, but they have released two other IEMs since then. It has a 1 dynamic driver and 2 Knowles balanced armatures configuration and 3 tuning options. The MSRP for them is $169 but it can be bought for $119 from several places.

Disclaimers​

Hidizs MS3 was provided to me by Hidizs for review. As I always say, everyone is biased one way or another so take everything you read with a grain of salt. Also I will try to be more concise and to the point in my reviews from now on without worrying about the word count etc. If you have any questions, please ask me in the comments and I will try to answer them to the best of my abilities.

Build and Accessories of Hidizs MS3​

The MS3 has a metal shell and faceplate. It looks very similar to their own MS5 but this time the finish is matte rather than glossy which I prefer. Also it doesn’t have the same openings on the faceplate. Shells are not very big and they fit comfortably in my ears. I mostly despise multi driver IEMs with huge shells but MS3 is not one of them. They feel pretty hefty but not overly heavy.



As I mentioned earlier Hidizs MS3 has 3 different tuning options and they can be changed by replacing nozzle filters. When you remove the nozzle you can see one of the balanced armatures is situated in the nozzle. I don’t have any particular opinion about it but some people think it is a bad idea, so that you know.

Apart from their usual three sets of silicone tips, they come with a rather thick cable terminating with either 3.5 mm single ended or 4.4 mm balanced. I especially loved the angle of the earhook, it is neither too aggressive nor too loose. Your mileage may vary of course. Lastly the Hidizs provides a leather pouch rather than a case. Some people prefer cases but I like pouches better since they are more pocketable and believe me in Hidizs’ case, it is not some cheap drawstring pouch. It has a very strong metal spring mechanism that closes as soon as you stop applying pressure. I love it!

They are very sensitive to drive so you don’t need anything powerful for the MS3 but they can also reveal the noise floor of your source so you might want to use something decent to listen to these.

Sound of Hidizs MS3​

Tonality​

The MS3 has a V-Shaped sound signature with noticeably recessed mids. Before I received the unit, their representative said they are going for a highly technical house sound and I can attest to that. Semblance to their earlier MS5 is very apparent. I only tried the MS5 for a short period of time but from what I can remember, MS3 is much more balanced. In a vacuum, you wouldn’t easily notice anything wrong with it although it is not one of the most natural sounding IEMs.

With rose gold balanced filters, the MS3 has a prominent but somewhat loose bass and some bleed into the mids. It has good extension and decent rumble in the subbass. Because of the bass bleed, lower mids are rather warm and overall IEMs have a thick note weight.

Mids are recessed like I mentioned earlier. You probably wouldn’t have any problem with rock and metal but for vocals and songs with acoustic passages you might find yourself raising the volume only to lower later on the same song’s more lively part. To be honest I’m not a big fan of this.

The MS3 has a lively treble. There are lots of sparkles, lots of nuances and details. It is not harsh per se, but there is not much headroom for pushing the volume more or it can get sibilant and piercing easily. I’m mostly a low volume listener so I didn’t really have much problem.



With red bass filters, tonality becomes a little more tame. On the other hand, the already loose bass goes out of control and it does more harm than good. Upper mids also backs down so if you have any problem with shoutyness, not that they are shouty to begin with, you might prefer these filters. However it doesn’t do much to the treble so any sibilance and harshness that appear on the other filters remains on bass filters as well.

The silver treble filters are pretty similar to the balanced ones. It increases the technical capability of the IEMs a little but they might get harsh even if they weren’t with balanced filters.

Technicalities​

As I stated earlier, Hidizs MS3 is a highly resolving and very detailed IEM. The quality of the balanced armature drivers really shows itself. They sound fairly spacious. Also the imaging and the layering of the different sounds are both very good. Timbre is mostly fine, just not the best out there. More on that in the Comparisons part.

Comparisons

I used rose gold balanced filters on MS3 in comparisons and volume matched the IEMs I compared at 500 Hz both since sound signatures are vastly different, it yielded an interesting result which I will explain later.

Hidizs MS3 vs. Xinhs HS3​

Xinhs HS3 is also another 1+2 IEM that is similarly priced with MS3. It is tuned by another fellow reviewer Akros, who also had his own version: Erasmus at some point. I reviewed Erasmus earlier and thought it would be a fair comparison although sound signatures are significantly different.



Xinhs HS3 is more relaxed and easier to listen to. Compared to that, MS3 is more engaging and emotional. MS3 sounds clearer and more detailed. MS3 is more sparkly and airy but also more aggressive and can get sibilant. HS3 has no sibilance whatsoever.

HS3 has a tighter bass that is although less prominent, hits harder. MS3 is warmer, thicker but also feels wetter and looser. MS3 also rumbles more but it can be caused by the looseness of the bass generally.

Both male and female vocals are more distant and kind of muffled on HS3. On MS3 they are closer and also clearer. Male vocals are chestier and female vocals are livelier on MS3.

Bass guitars don't sound satisfying on Xinhs, on MS3 they sound much better. Xinhs is more suitable for loud listening, MS3 isn’t.



Mids are recessed on MS3. HS3 is much more balanced and sounds more neutral. If you raise the volume on Xinhs, like you volume matched at 2 KHz for example, it scales very well and closes the gap I mentioned above. So overall MS3 is much more lively and dynamic but HS3 is more neutral and natural.

Timbre is better on Xinhs, though in a vacuum MS3 timbre is not that bad. MS3 is much more spacious. Imaging and layering is also better on MS3.

Hidizs MS3 vs. Truthear Hexa​

Hexa feels like it is reaching deeper into the subbass and rumbles more but again MS3 feels looser and has a little more reverb I think. Hexa’s bass is tighter and more satisfying. MS3’s bass looser, so it bleeds and warms up the lower mids.



Hexa’s mids closer to what I perceive as neutral therefore feels more natural. MS3’s mids are noticeably recessed.
Vocals are mostly closer on Hexa. But they don’t sound particularly clearer because of the darker tonality.

Treble is much more prominent on MS3 and it gets sibilant very easily. Hexa doesn't have any issues when it comes to sibilance but it leaves much to be desired when it comes to lively presentation. You can say it has a more relaxed tonality.

I don’t like the treble on Hexa, I can’t really put my finger on it but it sounds wonky and kind of blunted. Although MS3’s treble is more aggressive, it sounds more satisfying. It is lively, sparkly and “edgy”.



MS3 is technically much more capable than Hexa. Timbre is mostly better on Hexa except cymbals and high-hats. MS3 is more resolving and detailed. It also feels more spacious and extends wider and deeper. Imaging and layering is also better on MS3 and it handles complex passages better.

Conclusions​

Hidizs MS3 is a “technicalities first” kind of IEM. Although I’m not particularly a fan of this kind of tuning, I’m not bothered by it either. By itself it gave me a satisfying experience and showed its shortcomings only when I compared it to other IEMs. I don't like having to give things a score but for better context, If I had to give a score to the MS3 I’d give the tuning 3 stars and technicalities 5 stars, especially for the price. If you want to have a taste of what you can get at a higher price point you can try Hidizs MS3.

Hidizs Mermaid MS3 – One Pedantic, Alluring Mermaid​

---

INTRODUCTION:​

Hello fellow audiophiles, I'm thrilled to kick off this review with a little heads-up. Life, as we all know, has a way of keeping us on our toes. Balancing the demands of a pregnant wife in need of constant care, nurturing a new talent in my band, meeting tight recording deadlines with the pressure to churn out two tracks per week, all while juggling my beloved hobby – it's a symphony of chaos. As a result, I've decided to switch gears from my usual lengthy reviews to concise, no-nonsense mini-reviews. I'm serving up only the juiciest bits, leaving out anything that doesn't hit the audiophile sweet spot.

Today, I'm diving into the sonic realm of the Hidizs MS3, and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to my friend and fellow reviewer, Eiji Romero, for hooking me up with this unit through Hidizs. The MS3 has been making waves in the audio community, and my take on it aligns with the chorus of praise it has received. So, let's cut to the chase and stick to that brief prelude I just gave you.

FOREWORD:​

• The gear on hand has undergone at least 10-15 hours of use before it was assessed.
• No EQ is ever applied in my reviews.
• For the sake of convenience, I try my best to use a stock setup. Not everyone has access to personal ear tips or cables. If personal ear tips, cables, or accessories are used, you will be notified.
• As I try to be objective, my claims inevitably will be subjective and biased to my personal preference. I cannot stress more that you should take this with a grain of salt for we have different perceptions to sound and what we hear.

SPECIFICATIONS:​

Hidizs Mermaid Series IEMs
Model: MS3
Configuration: 1DD(10.2mm dual magnetic circuit, dual cavity) + 2BA drivers (Knowles SWFK-31736)
Material: CNC formed all aluminum alloy cavity
FR Response: 20hz-40khz
Sensitivity: 112db
Impedance: 18 ohms

PACKAGING:​

The Hidizs MS3 arrives in an understated matte black packaging, sized somewhere between compact and moderately proportioned, boasting a substantial thickness. The design exudes a sense of minimalistic elegance. On the rear, you'll find essential information that suffices even for those embarking on a blind purchase. However, one notable omission is the absence of a frequency graph, which would have been music to the ears of those who revel in deciphering sonic signatures from visual representations.

Cable:​

The cable accompanying the Hidizs MS3 is a testament to quality, crafted from high-purity oxygen-free copper, featuring a 4-strand mixed braiding, and boasting a generous length of 1.2 meters.

As a devoted audiophile with a penchant for warmer sound signatures, I must say, I have a soft spot for copper materials. This cable carries a weight that resonates with my sonic sensibilities, all while ensuring a comfortable listening experience. Its robust construction left an indelible mark on me, providing the reassurance that even during a hectic commute, this cable won't falter or snap under pressure.

The termination plug, in my case, is a 3.5mm connector, and the connection utilizes the industry-standard 0.78mm 2-pin configuration. Adding to its allure, the cable sports a lustrous dark brown chrome finish, exuding an elegant charm that perfectly aligns with my personal audio aesthetics.

Pouch:​

I fully acknowledge that when a product like the Hidizs MS3 comes with an asking price of approximately $120, cost-cutting measures are inevitable. In this case, it's evident that they've made concessions in the accessories department. Instead of an elaborate case, you receive a practical pouch. It's a trade-off that enhances portability; this pouch effortlessly slips into a pocket or a small bag, albeit at the cost of comprehensive protection.

The materials chosen for this pouch are commendable, featuring quality synthetic leather and a snappy metal mechanism that securely cradles your cherished MS3. However, I'd like to emphasize a crucial consideration – be cautious about where you stow it within your bag. Despite the pouch's merits, the softness of its material means that your precious IEMs could still be susceptible to damage if exposed to excessive pressure.

Ear Tips:​

Hats off to Hidizs for their generous offerings in the ear tips department – a triple whammy of variety! Now, that's what I call flexibility. They've truly outdone themselves in this regard. The ear tip ensemble, available in S, M, and L sizes, covers the vocal, bass, and balanced preferences. What's even more commendable is that these tips are not exclusive to the pricier MS5; they grace the MS3 as well. It's a testament to Hidizs' commitment to delivering a consistent experience across their lineup, irrespective of the price gap.

Despite the generosity of these stock tips, I found myself gravitating towards my personal favorites, the Final Audio type E ear tips. While the stock tips are undoubtedly of good quality, they have a somewhat generic character that didn't quite align with my discerning taste.

Tuning filters:​

I must confess; I'm not one to dabble in the myriad of tuning options. Give me one choice, and I'll stick with it. However, I appreciate that for many audiophiles, these options aren't just gimmicks; they can genuinely impact the listening experience. In the course of this review, I remained steadfastly loyal to the gold (balance) filters.

Graph courtesy of @baskingshark Thanks mate!

But for those of you who relish the notion of tweaking and enhancing your sound, Hidizs has you covered with the red filter for a bass boost and the silver filter for an elevation in treble. These filters open up a world of sonic possibilities, allowing you to tailor your MS3 to your exact preferences.

Appearance:​

The Hidizs MS3 offers a visual experience that's both elegant and sophisticated. Its matte finish prompts my imagination to conjure images of mermaid scales, a shimmering and mythical aesthetic that seems as if I've glimpsed it in reality. To complement this mesmerizing design, a rose gold border encircles the faceplate, a choice of color that transcends gender boundaries and can make a striking fashion statement for both men and women. On the flip side, the base plate maintains an understated matte finish, devoid of intricate designs, yet exuding an aura of sheer elegance.

COMFORT:​

Wearing the Hidizs MS3 is a seamless experience in terms of both comfort and ease. Achieving a secure seal is a breeze, thanks to their lightweight construction that feels practically weightless once they grace your ears. The ear hooks on the cable embrace my ears with a gentle touch, ensuring they stay in place without causing any discomfort. Moreover, the cable's weight never raised any concerns during my listening sessions, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the music even with extended listening hours.

INTERNALS:​

The inner workings of the Hidizs MS3 truly earn my commendation, especially the inclusion of Knowles drivers. For those well-versed in the world of balanced armature (BA) drivers, Knowles has secured a prestigious position. But it's not just BA drivers that steal the spotlight here; the dynamic driver (DD) deserves a mention too. With a mere 0.2mm extension, it gains a tad more room to vibrate, and I firmly believe this minor tweak significantly influences the sonic character. For those craving a more in-depth dive into the specifics of these drivers, you can always revisit the 'specification' segment for a more detailed breakdown.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS:​

Here we stand at the heart of this review, where we delve into the auditory landscape of the Hidizs MS3.

In my pursuit of auditory excellence, I partnered the MS3 with my tried-and-true sources, including the Fiio M11 plus LTD, Cayin RU6, Centrance Dacport HD, and Fiio K9, all linked via the stock 3.5mm cable, adorned with my trusty Final Audio Type E tips.

Starting with the soundstage, it doesn't evoke a sense of claustrophobia, yet it doesn't venture into the realm of extraordinary spatiality either. The MS3 gracefully offers a 2D presentation rather than the immersive 3D experience some audiophiles crave.

When it comes to imaging, the MS3 hits the mark; every sonic element finds its rightful place within the soundscape, making it easy to trace their movements across the stage. While it's undoubtedly a desirable quality given its price point, it doesn't ascend to the ranks of top-tier or even midrange killers.

Timbre remains predominantly faithful to realism, with very few flaws to pinpoint, considering the MS3's hybrid configuration. If I were to nitpick, a mere 5% deduction could be attributed to an occasional hint of unnatural thinness.

Speed and transients display remarkable agility, never succumbing to sluggishness, even when confronted with complex and intricate compositions. They navigate busy tracks with ease.

Separation deserves recognition, providing instruments with the breathing room they need. Once again, it doesn't reach the stratospheric levels of top-tier gear but can undoubtedly be an enlightening experience for the casual listener.

Detail retrieval stands at a commendable medium-high level. While there are no glaring flaws, it doesn't quite venture into the realm of extraordinary detail retrieval. Perhaps this is merely a reflection of my exposure to higher-tiered audio equipment.

So, does the MS3 outperform its asking price? Perhaps it does, but let's continue onward, for the true magic lies in its tuning.

BASS:​

The bass response of the Hidizs MS3 is nothing short of impressive, delivering a punchy, tight, and snappy performance that commands attention with unwavering authority. It undeniably adds a touch of color to the sonic palette, making it an enticing option for those who lean towards the mild end of the basshead spectrum. However, for those seeking a more neutral audio journey, you might want to explore alternative options.

When I immersed myself in tracks from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Bobby Caldwell, and the Alan Parsons Project, I couldn't help but notice the MS3's knack for injecting an extra dose of vitality into the music. It shines brightly in its ability to amplify the engagement factor, enticing listeners to groove and sway to the rhythm. Even within my primary genre, jazz, the MS3 managed to captivate me. While it may not deliver an utterly faithful representation of what a jazz track should sound like, it imparts a flavor that's incredibly easy to embrace and desire.

The MS3 also works its magic with orchestral compositions, bestowing them with a fuller, more luxurious richness. The rumbling depths of contrabasses, cellos, and low-frequency rumbles offer a truly satisfying listening experience. As for rock enthusiasts, tracks from the likes of RATM, Linkin Park, and Red Hot Chili Peppers receive an added punch that's practically an invitation to start headbanging.

MIDRANGE:​

The upper mids of the Hidizs MS3 offer a rich, full, dense, and utterly non-offensive listening experience. It's a welcomed departure from the challenges I encountered with the MS5, which, at a higher price point (around $400), struggled in this sonic territory. Fortunately, the MS3 has been cured of that particular affliction. My jazz and orchestral tracks truly came to life with the MS3 in the equation. Pianos exhibited newfound fullness, string sections bathed in a luscious sonic landscape, Rhodes keys delivered creamy textures, and guitars, especially acoustic ones, carried an added weight that enriched their timbre.

Listening to the various guitars in the iconic 'Hotel California' by the Eagles became an absolute delight. In comparison to more neutral sets, which can sometimes introduce a dry presentation, the MS3 bestows its midrange in a 'wet' manner. This approach is both inoffensive and maintains a delightful touch of smoothness while never compromising on the finer details and nuances that discerning audiophiles crave.

TREBLE:​

The treble performance of the Hidizs MS3 is a study in being inoffensive, steering clear of sibilance, and boasting a commendable reach without ever teetering on the precipice of piercing and discomfort. The MS3 confidently maintains its energy in the upper registers, never veering into the territory of thinness. While cymbal strikes could benefit from a touch more bite, grit, and raspiness, the MS3 strikes an admirable balance, catering to both treble enthusiasts and those with more sensitive ears. It's worth noting that a friend of mine found these a tad spicy during his trial with the MS3, so I'd recommend that individuals with heightened sensitivity audition them first to ensure they can embrace this flavor of spiciness.

When it comes to rock genres and tracks with bright mixes, the MS3 truly shines, thanks to its extended treble reach. My Earth, Wind & Fire tracks, particularly 'Boogie Wonderland' and 'September,' burst forth with an abundance of energy, offering a satisfyingly entertaining listening experience.

COMPARISONS:​

versus Tangzu Fudu​

This matchup is indeed a thrilling encounter, as these two IEMs share the same driver configuration and fall within a very similar price range.

When it comes to tuning, the Fudu takes a path that exudes warmth and gentleness, catering especially to those with sensitive ears. What pleasantly surprised me was that despite this warmer signature, the Fudu manages to excel in separation and imaging, qualities often traded off by such signatures. On the other hand, the MS3 ventures into spicier territory in the upper frequencies, embracing an energetic sound signature with snappier transients. If precision and lively dynamics are your calling, then the MS3 stands as the prime choice. However, if you seek a more laid-back, relaxed listening experience, the Fudu beckons as the preferred option.

In the realm of accessories, it's a tale of reliability versus premium touches. The MS3 boasts a more dependable cable, while the Fudu shines in its inclusion of high-quality ear tips. I attribute this to Tangzu's introduction of the new Sancai ear tips and Fudu's collaboration with Divinus.

versus Seeaudio Rinko (to be updated)​

TEST TRACKS:​

Here are some tracks I usually listen to when reviewing:

That’s the way of the World by EWF
Africa by TOTO
The Girl in the Other Room by Diana Kral
Balmorhea album All is wild, All is Silent
Sila by Sud
Smooth Escape by D’Sound
Never too Much by Luther Vandross
P.Y.T by Michael Jackson
Ain’t no Sunshine by Eva Cassidy
Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC
Another one bites the Dust by Queen
Good times bad times by Edie Brickell
Alice in Wonderland by Bill Evans
Ain’t it Fun by Paramore
Redefine by Incubus
Far Away by Nickelback
Lovesong by Adele
Lingus by Snarky Puppy
Harvest for the World by Vanessa Williams
Love Bites by Def Leppard
No Such Thing by John Mayer
As by Stevie Wonder
Whip Appeal by Babyface
Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan
Futures by Prep
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Every Summertime by NIKI
SADE tracks
AC/DC tracks
Queen tracks


And many more… I always listen to High resolution format, being the least quality 16bit/44khz FLACS be it offline or online.

VERDICT:​

When Hidizs unveiled the MS5 a month or two ago, it felt like a leap of faith. Truth be told, the only aspect that truly resonated with me regarding the MS5 was its technical prowess.

Personally, I view the MS3 as a redemption story. This should have been the MS5's tuning from the beginning. Even in terms of aesthetics and build quality, my preference leans toward the MS3. It's truly astonishing to discover hybrids in this price range delivering performance that can rival IEMs twice their price.

The MS3 is by no means a challenger to the top-tier IEMs nor does it claim to topple midrange champions. As I concluded this review, I switched to my midrange benchmark, the Aful P8, and immediately noticed a discernible difference in performance. However, within their respective price range, the MS3 stands as a commendable contender worthy of both praise and recommendation. Its engaging and punchy lows, mids exhibiting minimal BA timbre, impressive top-end energy (although treble-sensitive individuals should exercise caution), and quick-footed transients are among its standout facets. These characteristics had my toes tapping and delivered an enjoyable listening experience.

I have one Hidizs product in my collection, the AP80 Pro, my first DAP, which was highly regarded as one of the best portable DAPs in its price bracket. When I initially reviewed the MS5, I couldn't help but wonder if Hidizs should have stuck to their DAPs. However, the MS3 has proven me wrong in the most delightful way. I must commend Hidizs for their responsiveness and ability to embrace feedback constructively, resulting in the birth of a wonderful, commendable, and affordably priced product that I can confidently recommend to fellow musicians and audiophiles alike.

I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to Eiji Romero for orchestrating this tour and to Hidizs for their generous support. I hope you find this review helpful, and as always, remember to take it with a grain of salt. Until next time, cheers!

Disclaimer: This IEM is provided by Hidizs, but this impression is honestly from my own opinion without any interference in any form.

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APPEARANCE:

This mini MS5 model IEM is made of aluminum with a matte black faceplate.

Physically, it's smaller than MS5 yet MS3 is heavier even though the MS3 only consists of 1DD + 2 BA Knowles.

According to the description, the MS3 is targeting Harman 2019 but to my ears, it sounds more like a mild V Shape.

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Bass:

BALANCE NOZZLE:

The bass is emphasized in the mid bass, so it's more of a thump than a sub bass rumble.

For comparison, the bass is a bit like Moondrop Kato's.

Although the mid bass is quite big, the speed is quite good though I do feel like it’s gonna be struggling a bit in double pedal songs.

Usually, big mid basses like to make other freqs get covered up, but this one doesn't at all.

My only complaint is that the sub bass is a bit lacking so in songs that play sub bass, it doesn't feel enough.

For those who like bass? Definitely!
For those who are bassheads? Yes, perhaps.
Basshead closet? Nope.


Vocal:

Vocals tend to be thin, lacking a little weight for my preference.

Thin vocals tend to make singing articulation more defined.

In comparison, it's more or less like Truthear Hexa (as I recall) but with a typical BA sound which is rather metallic.

There's a hint of sibilance in songs that emphasize the letter S like Eminem's songs.

The sibilance in J-pop songs is also sometimes occured but not to the point of being overwhelming. Most noticeably in Eminem songs.

Good transparency, no feeling of veiled by any means.

For male vocals, it has a good texture, but it is less organic.
Female vocals are better, but tend to be too thin overall.

Vocals are MS3's weakest point, I think.



Treble:



The treble is really crisp.

Rather than just quantity, I feel more quality here.
In treble-dominant songs, the treble feels like it's extending high up.

I think this is one of the most satisfying types of treble.
Even though it's high, I don't feel any piercing.

Sounds of cymbals does feel a bit metallic but not that disturbing.




NOZZLE TUNING DIFFERENCE:

Balance/Rose gold:

The impression above uses the rose gold nozzle as the main comparison.

Genre: All rounder, J-pop, k-pop, pop, hip hop.

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Bass/Red nozzle:

The quantity of bass doesn't increase, but because the air is greatly reduced, it makes the bass feel more dominant. It really reduces the sibilance that occasionally appears when using the Balance nozzle. Rather than for bassheads, this nozzle is more suitable for the treble sensitive.

Vocals are also noticeably thicker and closer to natural.

Genre: Pop, EDM, Hip Hop

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Treble/Silver nozzle:

Noticeably brighter. The vocals are thinner and feel more airy.

The treble also feels more crisp and has more quantity.

Not recommended for listening at high volume.

Tends to be piercing and sibilance but this is not as bad as MS5.

This one can still be enjoyed except for people who are treble sensitive.

Genre: Classical

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TECHNICALS:

The soundstage is W I D E. Because of the effect of the treble soaring upwards, the overall soundstage feels spacious, especially vertically upwards.

Separation is also very good, in fact, really damn good.
Imaging feels appropriate for the price, but I don't think it's the spotlight.

The spotlight is on the layering, no joke.

Whether MS5 or MS3, the layering is superb, the depth is great.

Especially in songs with good mastering.

Synergy:

QP1R: With a neutral source, the MS3 feels more controlled in the treble with good vocal transparency.

Also QP1R is a bit cold tonally, so there's less bass.

I think the treble is more controlled but crisp.

Feels satisfying!

Hidizs XO:

Hidizs XO is also one of the items provided by Hidizs for synergy check, the impression of XO is warm with a little emphasis in the upper midrange.

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Compared to the QP1R which emphasizes quality in the treble, I feel that using the XO adds more quantity,but not as crisp as the QP1R.

I also felt more sibilance using the XO.

But the advantage of XO is in the reverb feel, like a natural echo.

The dynamic is also very good, all freqs feel vibrant bright and clear.



—



FINAL WORDS

This IEM simply fits my taste.

Hidizs MS3 is an all rounder with the best genres being acoustic, rock, and orchestra.

Not gonna lie, acoustic guitar strumming feels crispy and electric guitar feels ferocious, there is no smoothness so it's more powerful.

The downside of the Hidizs MS3 is that the vocals are less natural. It feels too thin at times.

Songs used:

• Wonder girls-Nobody
• Kyouran Hey Kids
• Canon rock
• Hans Zimmer – Pirates of the carribean
• Blackpink – Typa Girl
• 50 Cent – In da Club
• Nao Touyama – off
• Utada Hikaru – Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence
• AoT OST. – Call your name
• Eminem – Till I collapse
• Versailles – Philharmonic Quintet – Silent Knight
• And many more…

Intro
Hidizs recently reduced the price of the MS3 by a whopping 30%! It is already a very competent performer at it’s original retail price so getting this is really a no brainer. But hey, I digress, this is not a place for sales pitch, then again, read my review and you will know what I meant.
Here is the link to the product:

https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-ms3-2ba-1dd-hybrid-3-drivers-hifi-in-ear-monitors



DISCLAIMER
Hidizs’s Zoie was kind to suffice me a copy of the iems for my honest review and the opinions are mine and HIdizs have not set any conditions.



SPECIFICATIONS

Impedance: 18Ω

Earphone sensitivity: 112dB

Frequency range: 20-40000Hz

Driver type: Single PU+PEEK Dynamic Driver, 2 Knowles BA

Plug Type: choice of 3.5mm or 4.4mm

Earphone interface: 2 Pin 0.78 type







ACCESSORIES
3 sets of bass, balanced and wide bore ear tips
192 core OFC cable
Soft pouch
3 tuning nozzles

While the stock ear tips come supplied aplenty, they are generally too soft. So I stick to my BGVP small-medium AET07 ear tips (Accoustune clones) and also tested with W01 wide bore tips. The copper cable is lovely, very well built, thick rubber-like insulation wrap without feeling too sticky, the chin slider doesn’t move freely so it is easy to adjust to any desired length and it’ll stay right there. My copy comes with 4.4mm termination, it is so good I did not bother to roll cable. I also think the cable must have taken up a good chunk of the product costs.




BUILD/COMFORT
At 15g it feels substantial in the hand and is good enough to stay in my ears without sliding out over time.

The nozzle is long enough, and the bore is not to wide to cause any discomfort and so the seal is quite good.



DRIVABILITY

Followings were used to test the iem:
- iphone and PC with Spotify and Tidal
- JCally AP90
- Cayin RU6
- Fiio BTR7
- Fiio Q11
- Ifi Hip-dac 2
- Topping G5
- Tempotec BHD Pro
- KMERJ KM01
- S.M.S.L. DL200


Although the iem is quite easy to drive, it scales well with 4.4mm termination and more power.



SOUND & TECHNICALITIES


General sound characteristics and technicalities

The driver is Hidizs’ own 10.2mm dual magnet circuit dual cavity dynamic unit, slightly larger than average drivers giving that bigger than usual solid bass thump. Two Knowles SWFK-31736 BAs catering for the high and extremely high frequencies with lots of details to boot. I would consider this a mild U or W shaped sound signature, there is focus on mids on both ends.

There are three pairs of tuning nozzles provided, the usual Low Frequency (Charm Red), Balanced (Rose Gold) and High Frequency (Quiet Silver). This is a sparkly bright iem so with the treble nozzle it can sound overwhelming, so I do not use it much. Strangely, the standard nozzle focuses too much upper mid frequencies resulting in sounding less airy than the bass nozzle. Yes, I hear more treble extensions with the bass nozzle with not much more elevation in the bass region than the balanced nozzle. Thus, I suspect what the bass nozzle does is to bring down some mid treble sparkle with a pleasant side effect of much better airiness and treble extension! So, most of the review is based on the bass nozzle.

Bass

The DD drives hard, but it mainly focuses on the mid bass so there is sharp roll-off in the sub bass region making this ideal for EDMs, trance and rap music. Listening to Ghost Rider’s Can’t Sleep, the bass is grand, enveloping, and fast thanks to it’s fast sub bass roll-off. The extra bass gives body to bass guitars, this is quite apparent in Blank & Jones’ Coastline adding a level of atmospheric satisfaction. Similarly electrifying is Lizzo’s About Damn Time. Fat Larry’s Band’s Act Like You Know bass now sounds decisive with good elasticity. The fast bass bleeds very little into the mid giving vocals ample room to breathe.



Mid

This iem is mid forward so vocals are clear and precise, partly thanks to the clean bass. Sleeping At Last’s To Be Enchanted and Some Kind of Heaven has the right tonality with the singer’s voice placed in the forefront with the weighty piano positioned just a touch behind, though I would love a little more warmth in the vocal which is my preferred taste, this clinical trait is most apparent in Diana Krall’s Album Turn Up The Quiet. While the voice is crystal clear, breathing can be clearly heard and good airiness, her contralto sexy voice is not presented with this iem.



Treble

The treble is the part of the frequency range that splits camps, or at least this is how I feel. The BAs are detail monster, so good that details are laid bare for scrutiny. Well recorded music will rejoice with intricacies and nuances brought to fore. But of course everything has a double edge sword and this is no difference; badly recorded music will sound really bad, especially pop songs from the 80s and 90s (even newer tracks) sounding brittle and flat. Kanye West’s Power is a fine example of bad mastering exposed. The iem is mid treble focused, although the bass nozzle helps to tame the mid treble, this region is still much emphasized comparing to most Harmanish tuned iems. While lots of details are revealed, it can sound congested with busy tracks like Lady Gaga’s Born This Way (starting from 2:07min). Therefore, despite good quality drivers which do not distort easily at higher volumes, these are not iems for longer listening sessions.



COMPARISONS

I only have the KZ AS24 at hand (hopefully my Celest Phoenixcall arrive in time to add to the party) to compare with in this price category although they do not have similar driver setups. Moreover, AS24 has tuning switches with at least one configuration suiting my listening tastes.



KZ AS24

KZ has come a long way from producing fun, bass heavy V-shaped sounding iems to more sophisticated tuning the likes of AS24. My favourite settings for the AS24 are: Main, Down, Up, Up, Up. Auxiliary, Up, Down, Up, Down.

Drivability, both are comparable. On S.M.S.L. DL200, both are at a comfortable volume level set to 20.

Bass, the MS3 is clearly the bassier one. While AS24 will provide bass when needed, the approach is more of complimenting the other frequency spectrum. The MS3, on the other hand, thumps confidently in abundance.

Mid, the MS3 reproduces clear and crisp vocals while the AS24 is a little more laid back and relaxed.

Treble, AS24’s treble is smooth, mature and sophisticated. The MS3 is more forward mainly due to elevated mid treble which can be exciting to listen to EDMS when listening to alone. But when listening with AS24 side by side, it can sound brash at times. AS24 is also a lot more forgiving while careful pairing with MS3 is recommended.




PAIR WITH…

Fiio Q11

The Q11 is a very neutral dongle with tilt to the bright side. Interestingly, the MS3 pairs very well with the Fiio. Perhaps because the Q11 has emphasis in the upper treble, it brings out a nicer balance in the overall treble. The Q11 is also powerful when connected to the 4.4mm jack and the MS3 likes it.



S.M.S.L. DL200

The MS3 clearly loves power. The Dl200 churns out 1.5w worth of power at 4.4mm and the MS3 not only delivers all frequency spectrum effortlessly, but as if there are rooms to spare, no doubt making them the best pair.




CONCLUSIONS

Detail, detail, detail; this is the first impression comes across your mind (yes, even with the Charm Red nozzle) when putting these iems in their ears. Indeed, this is a detail monster which also makes it a specialist because it will not tolerate badly mastered recordings and is fussy with sources. Conversely, once paired with the right sources, it transforms into a helluva iem you just cannot put down!

The bass is no slouch either: Impactful and textured. The dynamic driver is definitely not from one of those a dime a dozen diaphragms.

Half point is shaved off from an otherwise excellent iem for its niche target group.
another half a point would have been shaved off for it's soft pouch, which, although feels premium, is not something you will want to bring along for traveling. Then again this is a personal preference. &#128512

Mermaids are an aquatic-type of folklore creatures whose features are female humans with a tail of a fish on their lower torso. They are known to sing beautifully to attract and charm human beings, especially men in open seas or coastal areas just like their avian counterparts or cousins, the Sirens.

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HIDIZS MS3 is the latest model of their Mermaid Series line-up. It looks like it serves as an accompaniment model for the HIDIZS MS5 Dark Angel but it caters more on the entry-level segment. Like most of its sistren, it has a hybrid driver set-up and it takes some features from its older sister, The MS5. The aforementioned features that are implemented on the MS3 are the detachable nozzle system with specific tuning filters and its design cues.



There are two types of drivers that were used by MS3, these are dynamic driver and balanced armature driver. The dynamic driver is a 10.2mm dual-concentric and magnetic circuit one with bio-nanofiber composite diaphragm which also has similar properties with the older paper cone technology specifically to handle the low frequencies. The dual balanced armature driver model is a SWFK-31736 made by Knowles, one of the premium companies that offers top-notch audio solutions out there, and this specific driver will handle the midrange and high frequency to have clean and well-detailed vocals and then a clear and bright treble quality. These drivers are also connected to a rework crossover circuit board with tantalum capacitors for better clarity and accuracy on its sonic qualities.



These drivers are housed in a shell chassis made of aviation-grade aluminium alloy that undergoes a CNC-milling process. The shape and contours of the shell is eerily similar to the MS5 with some slight changes like it omits the gold panel on the face plate to simplify its manufacturing process, a smaller build frame and placement of vent holes. It still has its detachable nozzle system which HIDIZS coined as "HIDIZS Pneumatic Sound Tuning Filters". The detachable nozzles give the MS3 a versatility to change some of its sonic profiles as these nozzles have specific tuning filters to target a certain target curve. There are three types of nozzles that you can choose from based on our preferences. HIDIZS still implemented a proven 0.78mm 2-pin connector on this one which is a good decision.




As for its fitting and comfort, since it takes some design contours from the shells of the MS5 albeit a tad smaller profile, it also offers a very comfortable wear into my lugholes with less heft on it compared to the MS5. I don't experience any wearing issues and somehow, it manages to block some external noises from the outside surroundings.




Regarding its stock cable, it is indeed a high quality as it is a rigid, sufficiently thick and well-braided one. It is a 4-core, high purity oxygen-free copper conductor in an UP-OFC technology. This composition of materials has a low resistance and it will deliver a seamless transmission of signal from the transducers to give an accurate and clarity of signal output. It retains a "shark fin" design form on its 2-pin receptacle plug from the previous MS5, There are two available options to choose from when it comes to its termination plug, either a 3.5mm single ended or 4.4mm balanced termination.



As for product packaging, HIDIZS MS3's product packaging is quite well-presented and its inclusion were loaded in black-coloured, stocky rectangular box. The inclusions are placed in a three-layered arrangement. The pair of IEM transducers at the top, a plentiful amount of ear tips and tuning filters at the middle compartment and at the bottom, there's a box for cable and some paperwork.



Here are the following contents included inside the box:

■ A pair of HIDIZS MS3 IEMs.
■ Stock cable in a 3.5mm termination plug.
■ Polyurethane faux-leather IEM pouch with rebounding opening clasp.
■ 3 pairs of vocal ear tips in different standard sizes.
■ 3 pairs of bass ear tips in different standard sizes.
■ 3 pairs of balanced ear tips in different standard sizes.
■ a pair of red coloured tuning filters.
■ a pair of silver coloured tuning filters.
■ Some paperwork like instruction manual and warranty card.



The HIDIZS MS3 is an easy to amplify set that only needs a decent amount of power output from its sources as it scales well to all multimedia devices like smartphones, laptops, PCs and DAPs.



Regarding its tonality, since it has a detachable filter nozzle system, HIDIZS MS3 offers different kinds of sonic profiles. Here are the following setting based on its specific tuning filters:


Red Colour Tuning Filter - It gives a V-shaped sound signature, it elevates mid bass while attenuating the upper mids to the presence part of the treble region.

Rose Gold Colour Tuning Filter - it takes a more U-shaped sound profile as it tries to balance its overall frequency range spectrum. It reminds me of some Harmanish-type of tuning with added more texture.

Silver Colour Tuning Filter - a U-shaped type of tuning with more emphasis on treble region. This is the brightest among its tuning filter set-up.




LOWS/BASS:

This is the one of the most prominent parts of MS3's overall frequency range. It is quite an impacting, incisive and vigorous bass response as I try to determine the differences of nozzle tuning filters in its low end frequencies. Sub basses have a constant presence in all types of tuning filters. I discerningly felt those rumbling and reverberations from synthesisers, octabasses, low tone bass guitars and drum machines.

Red Colour - A more boomy bass response as it gives a tad excessive texture on its note weight that it occasionally smears on other parts of the frequency range. Bass guitars have a more broader and weighty sound as it growls from strumming on its strings, a thunderous and authoritative bass kick drums as I listened to John Bonham's drum work on "The Rover" and "When the Levee Breaks". Then on bass baritone vocals, it has that more dark, monotone and gravelly tone from the voices of Barry White and Peter Steele.

Rose Gold Colour - it makes the bass response more punchy and thumpy yet cleaner compared to the Red nozzle one. Bass guitars sound more resonant albeit a tad sombre one while bass kick drums have thudding and sustaining sound characteristics as I listen to fast double kicks from Fleshgod Apocalypse's "The Betrayal" and Slayer's " Raining Blood". On bass baritone vocals, it still has depth and dark tone with a cleaner sound.

Silver Colour - In general, It has similar characteristics with Rose Gold Colour. A cleaner one as it separates the low frequencies from other frequency regions.



MIDRANGE:

The midrange presentation of this one is definitely recessed to varying degrees. But it is still well-texture, linear and detailed to sound more natural and tonally correct. Depending on tuning filters it gives more emphasis on the midrange region that really affects the tonality of vocals and instruments.

Red Colour - due to the bass smearing, it emanates a more warmth sound that it gives more texture on vocals, mostly on male voice type and contraltos and lower mezzo-sopranos on female vocals. It also added some note weight on instruments like brasses and percussives. It gives more depth and power on baritones to sound more lush and warmth albeit overstated in my opinion, a richer and darker chesty tone from contraltos as I listen to Tracy Chapman and Annie Lennox. Lower types of mezzo-sopranos like dramatic ones have a smooth and a hint of dusky tone. On instruments, mainly on brasses, trumpets have fuller and darker timbres while trombones have rounded and powerful sound with a hint of metallic tone and horns have a very robust and rounded one. Percussive like field drums have a booming and duller tone while marimbas have an earthy and rounded sound.

Rose Gold Colour - This type of tuning filter is the most balanced and more organic sound as it almost encompasses the tonality of vocals and instruments in a very versatile manner. It has a rather sufficient note weight not to sound too lean nor excessively thick. It gives more emphasis on tenors, countertenors, mezzo-sopranos and sopranos to sound more sweet, melodious and captivating as we listen to some singer's vocal quality. Tenors have that resonant voice as they sound brassy and strong as I listen to the great three operatic tenors, Prince, Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant on his Led Zeppelin days. Mezzo-sopranos and countertenors have that velvety and smooth sound as the MS3 able to deliver those pitches almost perfectly. Sopranos seems to have that silvery and silky tone especially on lyric, dramatic and soubrette-types as they give that euphonic and insouciant feel as I listen to Tarja Turunen and Alison Krauss. Regarding on instruments, strings like guitars either acoustic or electric types have a balanced to ceiling on how it defines its plucking and strumming notations while a fuller and lustrous sounds of the violins on every strokes on its bow string and fingering techniques like trills, stops and tremolos. Percussives like snare drums have a hard and clear tone on every strike. Chordophone like piano have a flexible range of note key to have a balanced sound on either sufficiently warm or adequately bright not to sound too strident.

Silver Colour - it gives a more shimmering and expressive sound on female vocals particularly on lyric and coloratura types of sopranos as they are brimming with energy as they have these bell-like and gleaming characteristics on singers like Mariah Carey, Coco Lee (R.I.P) and Diana Damrau but there are some caveats on this type tuning that it sound sharp and fatiguing in a long listening session. On instruments it gives a more crisp and presence on acoustic guitars then a sparkling and metallic sound of violins, it gives more character on woodwinds as flute sounds bright and light while the piccolos has a brilliant and penetrating sound, then on clarinets and saxophones, they have these reedy and forceful sound on them.



HIGHS/TREBLE:

Bright, engaging, sufficiently airy and snappy, those are my observations on its treble quality especially on gold and silver tuning filters. The bright gives a crisp and detailed definition on some vocal and instruments that some of us, especially treble heads that they will find enjoyable to listen to. There are some accentuate peaks and gains on upper-mids and in the presence part in the treble region that might be a little bit an issue to some treble sensitives, there some instances of sibilances but it will most occur in sibilant-laden tracks.

Red Colour - it will somehow dampens and veiled a bit on upper mids to presence as it even out some peaks to have that smoothness but at the expense of detail and shimmer as it dulls a bit the quality of .cymbals as they sound rather soughing and too undulating in my liking but it gives tonally correct sound on hi hats as it has the shortened buzzing sound. This type of tuning also lessens the treble air extension on this one as it dampens the sparkle and gives an indistinctive harmonics on it.

Rose Gold and Silver Colours - they share almost the same treble registers as they highlight those upper mids up to the brilliance part of treble regions to give a crisper and more detail sound but it give some instances of being screechy, blaring and a tad piercing especially on the treble-sensitive sensitives. It give more shimmer and sizzle on cymbals, more tingling sound on triangles and brilliant and piercing tones on glockenspiels. It also have a sufficient air and sparkle on the brilliance region.



SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

Its overall sound field dimensions gives me a rather average to above average on lateral points, a good height reach and good depth on between from front to back to give me an immersive yet sufficient head room within my aural sphere.

On imaging, it presents a concave presentation as I was able to perceive the placement of instruments and vocals within the confines of its spatial field. It has an excellent separation and layering performance as it is able to give a sufficient gap and spacing of each instrument and vocals with each specified tonal and frequency layers on its sonic canvas.These remarkable technical performance will perform well on more complex tracks even for its price.

The cohesive performance of its hybrid drivers set-up seems to perform well, although on the Red tuning filters,it looks like there's a hint of being a tad sluggish particularly the behaviour of its dynamic driver. Overall, it's performs pretty well on other tuning filters

There's also good contrasting on projecting resolution between macro-dynamics and its micro-details capabilities. It is solid and vivid on projecting its macro-dynamics while the micro-detail retrieval is quite sharp as it is able to extract some nuances and overtones of datas from audio tracks. The tonality tends to be natural albeit it is more in coloured side of the spectrum.



PEER COMPARISONS:

SEE AUDIO YUME

● They are in the same price range and both of them have similar driver set-up. While MS3's shell chassis are made of metal alloy, the Yume's shell's have a medical grade resin material on its cavity base and a metal alloy on its nozzle. Both of their product presentations are remarkable with a substantial amount of inclusions.

● While the MS3 has three distinctive types of tuning to make it more versatile, Yume has only a single sonic profile and its a balanced-neutral tuning. It is more focused on sub bass as it is a tad leaner mid bass. a more transparent, detailed and forward presentation of vocals and some instruments. Then a sufficiently bright and more refined treble response but compared to MS3's Gold and Silver tuning filter modes, it is less airy and less sparkling.

● As for technicalities, the sound/speaker stage of the Yume is rather average in size but its imaging presentation is somewhat an immersive 3D-feel spatial cues. Both separation and layering aspects of both devices are quite similar.


KIWI EARS QUARTET

● Another set with similar driver set-up with the MS3 but it has an additional dynamic driver. Its shells are made of high quality medical grade resin and it is also noted that it has toggle switches to change its tonality. As for product packaging and quality of the inclusions, while the MS3 has a better stock cable, This set has a much better IEM case for storage.

● Tonality-wise, they are quite similar on sound signatures given that the QUARTET has tuning switches to some specific frequency spectrum by adjusting its impedance output in its drivers. It presents a warmer tonality that somewhat veils the quality of details and timbre on vocals and instruments. Even with red tuning filters on MS3, QUARTET has still a more boomy bass that really smears across to other frequency ranges.

● In general, technical performance of QUARTET is way inferior to the MS3 from sound/speaker stage dimensions up to the resolution capabilities. Technical capabilities was indeed its chink of its armour as I mentioned it on my review of the QUARTET before.



Before I conclude the assessment of this product, Its older midrange sister, the HIDIZS MS5 reception in the audio community seems more of a mixed bag as some were quite impressed on its technical capabilities while the others question and are critical of its tuning choices. The MS3 seems to mitigate some of those issues when it comes to tuning to make some refinements of its tuning and HIDIZS seems to deliver it properly. In my opinion, I'm still impressed by the technical performance of the MS5 albeit its sound stage width is average and it presents a tad congested head room.


If you want a fun, engaging and musical set with good technical capabilities, then HIDIZS MS3 is perfectly for you.


HIDIZS MS3 is now available on HIDIZS' official site. You can order it down in the provided unaffiliated link below.


★★HIDIZS MS3 - OFFICIAL★★


And also, please check out my reviews of other HIDIZS products.

■ HIDIZS S9 PRO

■ HIDIZS XO

■ HIDIZS MS5

SPECIFICATION:


MODEL: HIDIZS MS3
IMPEDANCE: 18Ω
SENSITIVITY: 112dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 40KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + (2) BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVERS



Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)


Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *

P.S.

I am not affiliated to HIDIZS nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.

Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to ZOIE HELLO of HIDIZS for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.

TONALITY: 7.8/10
TECHNICALITIES: 8.5/10
TIMBRE: 7/10
SPATIALITY: 8.5/10
TUNING VERSATILITY: 8.8/10
SOUND VALUE: 8.5/10


INTRO

Hidizs is a well known ''touch everything'' audio products company from China. They are known for popular DAP release like AP80 serie, dongle like S9pro and variety of hybrid IEMs like their last release the MS5.

Today I will review their latest hybrid IEM, the MS3.

Priced 170$ (with special launching price of only 120$), the MS3 is an hybrid IEM using 1x 10.2mm Dual Magnetic Circuit Dual Cavity Dynamic Driver and dual Knowles SWFK-31736 Composite Balanced Armature Driver. As well, it have 3 tuning filter for different sound signature.

It seem Hidzs get inspire by harman target 2019 for MS3 tuning, as stated in their product description.

Let see in this review if the MS3 will stand apart in overcrowded sub-200$ hybrid IEMs market.

CONSTRUCTION&ACCESSORIES



While the design aesthetic is a matter of personal taste and will be hit or miss depending of consumer preference, the construction quality of MS3 is excellent and very impressive at this price range. Its all made of high quality alloy alluminium with a black mate finish. Their no fault to be found in craftmanship precision and the 2pin connector feel very sturdy as well as overall durability of the shell.



In fact, i do prefer both design and construction material choice of MS3 over MS5 that have a glossy plastic back plate perhaps more prompt to damage if we drop it on hard floor. I prefer more sober design too.



The cable is another big plus, we can select the plug type between 3.5mm single ended or 4.4mm balanced. Their no other cable on the market with these ''shark fin like'' 2pin connector, which add an extra value to it.
Its a thick ''oxygen free copper cable with 192 cores'' and i dont feel the urge to upgrade this cable whe i use it with MS3.



Then the packaging is minimal but well presented. I like how the eartips are arrange, and the Balanced one seem very appropriate to achieve an open and dynamic musicality. Sure i would have prefer a good quality carrying case over a false leather pouch, but this is nit picking. Accessores are of great quality and this is what count for me.


SOUND IMPRESSIONS




The MS3 offer 3 slightly different tonal balance with its tuning nozzle.

Stock one is the golden which offer the most balanced W shape signature, with warm bass and vivid but softed in edge treble.

Red one is more bass focused, and the darker and warmer tuning nozzle, it's the most different too and deliver a gently bright U shape tonality, with dark mids and dry treble.

The Silver nozzle mesh is the brightest and most treble centric balance, Its similar to Gold nozzle but edgier, cleaner and more open sounding, but more trebly and prompt to shoutyness and hearing fatigue.

We can say overall tonality sit between U and W shape, Red nozzle offer crisper more transparent and technical performance, Gold nozzle the most balanced with slightly thicken-smoothen mid range timbre and Red is bassiest, warmest, darkest with softer thicker timbre and most blurry attack edge of definition.

For this review I will focus on the stock Golden nozzle, including extra info about different nozzle too.



The bass is boosted but mellow in impact whatever nozzle choice, it have a warm and wide resonance to it that slip on lower mid range without thickening it. It's not very tactile, nor very chunky and round, the impact is felt but not well define. The speed is good, but the control is diffuse.
Bass line are more extract and present than the kick drum. Kick drum is more a ''oomph'' hit than a proper instrument here.
Contrabass is a bit excited, and lack a proper linear extension, it blossom in dense resonance quite loud too affecting micro definition of the drum.
Overall timbre is dry to very warm and airy with Red nozzle.
Cello are brighten in presence but sound like violin with boosted low harmonic out of an amplifier. The full harmonic presence isn't unify as a meaty whole and their timbral imbalance pushing too fowards micro details of the string texture.
All in all, the bass is both too excited in sub dynamic and too damped in mid bass proper impact, so we have more quantity than quality here even if the bass bleed act as a ''patchwork'' with mids and treble due to balanced armature extra sound layering.

The mid range is bright, crisp, open and offer good transparency even if not the cleanest one depending of number of bass instrument in your music.
The instrument attack of violin is edgy, boosted in texture and presence but thin in timbre and sometime it can be strident or victim of balanced armature slightly metallic timbre.
Saxophone feel a bit compressed in presence, and tend to be overly loud too, it can be fast and agile but in a peaky way.
Piano is lively, have good attack heft with warmed and resonant sustain-release in lower mids, lower register tend to play louder and dominate mid range note when playing togheter, it's less clear and precise in attack too, from mid to high pitch note the playing is ultra centered, a bit compressed in energy, their no natural resonance in this range. In other words: piano playing is colored and can go from warm to bright with inconsistancy in dynamic restitution. Again, peaky.
The the vocal and what people care the most about, they are quite OK, especially female vocal are fowards and presence is open this time, bright but breathy too, it's not plain thin and it seem Hidizs tuner give great care to this vocal type restitution. But it's not perfect, its not lush and we have slightly too much upper mids acidity, it's not very smooth nor buttery, BA timbre is discernable again and add fuzz to the timbre.
Male vocal are slightly warmer and thicker, the presence is open and lean, not super fowards nor recessed, it's better rounded but less fowards than female vocal, it's rich in texture info too but at least with Califone singer it sound good enough.
With the red filter, their no more risk of sibilance, but definition delimitation is a bit darker, still male and female vocal gain a bit of lushness and smoothness. Its the opposite for Silver nozzle, male vocal are edgier and more recessed and female vocal more fowards, wider in presence.

The treble is center of the show with all filters. Its crunchy, edgy, snappy and open sounding, with good details retrieval and a tendancy to extract and brighter texture without adding density to the timbre.
Violin sound quite beautifull, clean in restitution, edgy in attack lead wich add sens of immediacy and speed to fast playing, the pizzicato will lack a bit of brilliance and sparkle, i can say the same of acoustic guitar which are sharp but dry with a mettalic sheen that doesn't deliver it's natural brilliancy because it come from balanced armature diaphragm.
As well, those guitar note can be blurred by low harmonic resonance.

Percussions is really what stand out in term of presence and energy, its more fowards than the rest and more define and snappy too, it can create distraction when its very complex jazz, but it can be amazing too, like with the whole album ''Hyperreal'' from Aki Rissanen, since the bass is made with a synth, it's not problematic in it's release resonance and kick drum gain proper slam singularity, then the sax is well centered and layered, with a fast and edgy and clear playing, the percussions are speedy, precise, sharp in definition and not splashy nor extremely brilliant, but the piano is fowards enough to permit a very lively and immersive musicality.

We can say MS3 is a very technical set even if the bass isn't as speedy and controlled as the BA, the presentation is near analytical and micro details are put fowards, its a very energic and lively treble we have, not the most refined or sparkly but level of micro details for the price is excellent as well as layering, imaging and attack speed-control.

Soundstage is wide and tall, but deep enough too, it sound open but not gigantic hall like. It sound out of your head.

Imaging is quite good due to nice transparency of timbre and multi sound layering of 3 drivers used. Alas bass can darken the definition edge as well as stole air and separation clarity between instrument, but with instrumental music the positioning is accurate enough and above average for the price.


COMPARISONS



VS ISN H30 (1DD+1 sonion BA+1 Knowles BA-130$)

H30 is smoother, leaner and more neutral.
The bass is thicker, better rounded and more define in mid bass punch but not as rumbly in resonant and big in slam headroom. Tone is more creamy and natural, as well as cohesive with rest of BA, cello and contrabass dont move air compared to bassier MS3 and sub bass feel more rolled off with H30 too.
Mids are fuller, thicker, lusher and more focused than brighter MS3. Tone is more natural, timbre is more organic and polished, buttery and liquid in edge.
MS3 have more upper mids dryness and it's more agressive, it's thinner but more open and less intimate. Saxophone and woodwinds sound fuller and lusher with H30, not wonky as MS3.
Treble is darker, thicker and more rolled off on top with the H30 that lack sens of air and openess of MS3.
MS3 is more agressive and spiky on top, it extract the percussions in a sharper and more fowards way, so it feel more speedy and snappy but while the H30 can sometime feel mid centric, the MS3 feel treble centric.
Soundstage is just sligthly wider and taller with the H30, but notably less deep due to more fowards and intimate center stage (mids).
Imaging is better with the MS3 since resolution is more boosted, sens of air add space between percussions to pin point other instrument better while H30 feel thicken in warmth, macro way.

Here, i would tend to say the technical performance of MS3 is just a notch superior to the H30 in term of resolution and transparency, but to the cost of being less pleasant and accurate tone and timbre wise, less well balanced due to more spiky treble and notably thinner and less mid centric. Treble head might find the MS3 more exciting, while vocal, saxophone and piano lover will prefer more natural musicality of H30.

VS HIDIZS MS5 (1DD+4sonion BA-400$)

The MS5 is more U shape and a notch bassier.
Bass is very similar but a hint thicker and less resonant. The slam is louder and have more rumble sustain and vibrancy.
Mids are thinner, more recessed and lean, piano lack dynamic, note weight is lighter to than MS3.
Upper mids are more fowards, more prompt to cause sibilance with female vocal than MS3.
Treble is thicker, less edgy in definition and less snappy, it can dig more micro details yet can go more saturated and blurry in micro definition.
Soundstage is again wider and taller, just slightly less deep.
Imaging is even less clean and clear as a whole so its underline more BA can be negative sometime even in layering if too compressed like the MS5.

All in all, ironically: the MS3 is both superior in balance and technical performance. But sound even thinner than MS5.

CONCLUSION


I'm truely impress by how fast Hidizs evolve in term of IEM tuning, performance and sound value.

While im not sure its a good strategy to offer an ''MS5 upgrade'' for at least 230$ less, it's certainly a proof the experience they gain with higher end hybrid translate in positive result for their IEM to come.

The MS3 is very competitive in plain technical performance for it's price range, and don't feel over priced in that regard. The fact we have at least 2 very different signature with tuning nozzle is another big plus, and will please both basshead and treble head due to this special feature.

Sure, i tend to pinpoint and underline ''non musical'' aspect of an IEM, and as you see I wasn't the most gentle with MS3 due to slightly too bright and thin mids for my taste, as well, i wish the bass have less resonance, but this judgement would have been the same for a 2K$ IEM, when i go critical mode i tell it like it is to my subjective ears, then judge overall sound value as a whole and here we are in rather high sound value territory.

The question is: will you enjoy this tonality and timbre?

And your lucky: you have 3 different soundsig ticket for this very task.

Recommended!!


---------------------------------


PS: I want to thanks Hidizs for sending me this review sample. As always, i publish my review without showing it to anyone and these are my unbiased yet subjective sound impressions.

You can order the MS3 for 120$ (early birds deal) here: https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-ms3-2ba-1dd-hybrid-3-drivers-hifi-in-ear-monitors

It’s been a while since the last review posted on this blog due to extended logistics. Sending items for the review to Ukraine is quite cumbersome lately, thanks God it arrives undamaged. Hidizs has made quite an effort on assuring that their new MS3 IEMs would finally reach in here, even resending the package twice. Anyway, MS3 are with me now and I can acknowledge the audience of this blog with my own impressions.

Last pair of IEMs reviewed by me were quite peculiar and unusual – KZ ZEX with electrostatic driver in its schematics and Dethonray Tender 1 pure planar IEMs. I’ve had enough time to rest from dynamic/armature hybrid combination and Hidizs MS3 would be the first in series after this pause. Most of the time I am using pure 1 dynamic driver IEMs either from Hidizs/Tanchjim or HiBY since it is the most engaging sound for me, especially when driving IEMs with tube amp. Although, armature/dynamic hybrid IEMs have obvious advantages for some genres and in some aspects that build my interest to find out how technically good the new Hidizs product is.



Hidizs MS3 have been released just a month ago and already have generated a positive wave of impressions by the first owners and reviewers. Promising in the declared features, seems that MS3 really have the potential of becoming a great bargain in less expensive niche comparing to its highly ranked MS5 many-driver flagship predecessor. Good formula applied here by Hidizs – consider the buzz around the flagship product, borrow the most important virtues from it and project it on the less expensive product… Let’s see if the new star was born.

Here is the declared specs:






Features:

– 10.2mm Dual Magnetic Circuit Dual Cavity Dynamic Driver
– Knowles SWFK-31736 Composite Balanced Armature Driver
– Aviation Aluminum Alloy Integral Molding Shell
– Three Hidizs Pneumatic Tuning Filters
– Oxygen-free Copper Multi-conductor Cable with 192 Ultra-small Wires
– Highly Approaching the H-2019 Target Curve, and HIDIZS Art Styles
– “Shark Fin” 0.78mm/2PIN Cable Plug
– Hidizs Customized Storage Bag
– Hi-Res Certification



Back to the shipping set and build impression before jumping to the sound experience:

As said before, thanks to quite stiff Hidizs box, this package arrived undamaged. Box carries full product information, product image and manufacturer info. Inner compartment consists of three inserts: foam holding IEMs, foam holding all filters and ear tips and the additional box with audio cable and some papers. Truthfully speaking, Hidizs MS3 are one of the best IEMs in terms of set of accessories. 9 pairs of ear tips, 3 pairs of filters, storage bag, cable – can’t imagine what else might have been included to make anyone totally satisfied… Perhaps, IEMs Fortunately, they are also included.



Build quality is great all around. IEMs look and feel perfect, great choice of materials, precise finishing and construction. No gaps between elements, no rattling. Design is quite complex and very neat and beautiful at the same time. Attracting combination of black body with gold edging. Similarly excellent quality of audio cable: unexpectedly thick, consisting of 4 twisted strands, ending with aluminum 3.5SE or 4.4BL plug housing at one side and transparent easy to pull “shark fin design” 0.78 2pin connectors on the other side. This is probably the thickest cable for IEMs I’ve encountered in my reviewing career. Feels durable and makes an impression of being able to last for ages.



Ear tips are all silicone-type but 9 pars divided to 3 sizes and 3 groups of vocal, low and high frequency oriented use. The changes might be subtle depending of its final fit but accompanied by Hidizs special tuning filters that would add more evident changes to the sound. Filters have different types of mesh to cross out / pass some frequencies that would end up in more lows, mіds or treble-tending tonality: silver – more treble, rose – balanced, red – more lows. Here is how Hidizs measured the changes produced by all 3 pairs:

• 
• 
• 

My personal opinion about how effective those filters are: yes, there are audible changes in the sound, especially between red (low) filters + lows-oriented ear tips and silver/rose filters with the respective ear tips. The difference between rose/silver is less obvious due to highly pronounced armature nature in treble/upper mids segment.



The sound:

Consisting of 2 high-quality armature Knowles drivers + single but mighty dynamic driver, MS3 IEMs produce rich and engaging sound. The tonality feels bright which is an outcome of armature driver outstanding capabilities that goes far beyond human perception abilities on treble and some accent placed on upper mids as the consequence. V-shaped tuning is evident, although not distracting since the treble is quite expended, full of nuances and details. On the other side of the range single DD does a good job on mid bass dynamics and presence of lows. The extension of bass is limited but the amount on lows, speed and tightness of mid bass are perfectly enough. Sometimes lows might bleed in and desynchronize with treble and upper mids since it is slower on changes but mostly on such genres as energetic metal/punk rock and only if the quality of the recording/track file is low.



Apart from that, MS3 sound impressive, especially on layering and instrument separation. Every sound is laid out on its shelve, each instrument sounds exposed. Resolution grows with the frequency, treble is the most resolved, upper mids and vocals have great clarity and texturing, whereas the lows are well-exposed but slightly lagging behind in detalization. In overall, MS3 sound great technically. Especially for the slower genres, songs and with high-quality recordings. Musically, it is on the brighter side with excellent overall detalization, layering and mid bass performance but limited on the lowest bass register.



Fit:

MS3 are designed so that it would fit most without any problems. Such shape, pretty long nozzles, over-the-ear hooks and variety of ear tips would allow almost anyone to use it comfortably, even during the active workouts.



Conclusion:

Hidizs MS3 hybrid IEMs posses all the necessary qualities to become a bargain for many audio enthusiasts and even for some demanding audiophiles. Technically MS3 are sounding great – impressive overall resolution and treble extension, great layering and articulation, excellent and tight mid bass. Build quality, feel and especially the possibility of the additional tuning are all exceptional. Musically, MS3 would be great for those who love V-shaped tuning and brighter sound, bass heads would rather stick to some more bass-oriented options. Nevertheless, Hidizs MS3, considering its price, bundle and sound quality, set the bar pretty high for its rivals on the market. Definitely a great option to save some funds and be totally satisfied at the same time. Well done, Hidizs! Anxious to see would be the next product under this brand…

Hidizs MS3 IEMs on sale: Official Hidizs store

Hidizs MS3 IEMs on sale: Amazon

Hidizs MS3 IEMs on sale: AliExpress

Introduction

In my humble opinion, the Hidizs MS2 has been one of the brand's best hybrids and, now that they are available at a better price, a great choice in analytical profile sound. Now, Hidizs has released the MS3, adding one more driver. In fact, especially on the outside, the MS3's look much more like the recent MS5's, than the earlier MS2's. As a dynamic driver Hidizs has used a 10.2mm driver with dual magnetic circuits and dual cavities developed independently by Hidizs. Its diaphragm is a bio-nanofibre composite. It also uses a Knowles SWFK-31736 composite balanced armature driver. They are responsible for the high-frequency and extremely high-frequency output. This is a very classic Knowles composite BA unit. The capsule and the panel of the IEMS are made of aluminium alloy, CNC milled with a five-axis CNC. The capsule has been anodised and its shape adjusted to the ergonomics of the human ear. The design of the outer panel is recognisable with the three-dimensional shape similar to the MS5. The MS3 is also equipped with three types of interchangeable pneumatic sound tuning filters: Balanced - Rose Gold, High Frequency - Quiet Silver, Low Frequency - Charm Red. With them, Hidizs approaches the Harman 2019 standard curve. Finally, it uses an oxygen-free copper multi-conductor cable with 192 ultra-small wires (UP-OFC) and is finally available in 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL terminations. Let's see what else Hidizs' new IEMS has to offer.



Specifications

• Driver Type: 1DDD with 10.2mm dual magnetic circuit, dual cavity (Hidizs 3rd generation PEEK+PU polymer composite diaphragm driver) + 2BA Knowles SWFK-31736.
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-40kHz.
• Sensitivity: 112dB.
• Impedance: 18Ω.
• High purity oxygen-free copper cable, 4-wire mixed stranding, 1.2m length.
• Jack connector: selectable between SE 3.5mm and BAL 4.4mm.
• Capsule Connection Type: 2Pin 0.78mm
• Approx. weight: 15g.

Packaging

The Hidizs MS3 comes in a black, square case reminiscent of its big brother MS5 in type and presentation. It does not have such golden motifs, being somewhat more earthy and less ambitious (more sobriety is appreciated). The dimensions of the case are 127x128x83mm. On the main side you can see a capsule on the outside panel and its cable around it. In the upper left corner is the brand logo, in gold. At the bottom you can see the Hi-Res Audio and Knowles logos, as well as a short description of the model. Finally, in the bottom right corner is the model name, inside a rectangle with rounded corners.
On the back side are the specifications in several languages.
After lifting the lid, the IEMS are embedded in a foam mould protected by black cardboard. Underneath is the model name, in holographic ink, and the brand slogan. Under this first layer is the template with three sets of silicone tips and the tuning filters. On the bottom layer is another black cardboard box, with the brand logo in the middle. In it are the rest of the accessories. To sum up:

• Hidizs MS3 capsules.
• Three pairs of white silicone tips (vocal ear tips), sizes SxMxL.
• Three pairs of black silicone tips (bass ear tips), sizes SxMxL.
• Three pairs of white silicone and black core tips (balanced ear tips), sizes SxMxL.
• Three pairs of tuning filters (Balanced - Rose Gold, High frequency - Quiet Silver, Low frequency - Charm Red).
• One oxygen-free copper multiconductor cable with 192 ultra-small wires (UP-OFC).
• Leatherette pouch.
• User manual.
• Social media card.

Very good presentation, this time more compact. The 3 pairs of tips for tuning the sound are very welcome. But some silicone tips are missing. What I liked the least is that there is no hard case with a zip. Instead there is a little black leather pouch with metal plates as a closure. I don't think this is the best case for IEMS of this level.



Construction and Design

The capsule design borrows from its big brother MS5. The outer panel has the black, three-dimensional structure of the fallen angel wings, but this time, without holes. The outer face is opaque and sealed. Its rim is metallic and has that pinkish-gold touch. The outer shape is similar, with a more stylised lower apex African continent profile. The 2Pin connection is on an oval translucent plastic plate and its connections are gold-plated. The inner surface is black, micro-sandblasted, with a touch between matt and glossy. There is a hole in the centre, in the skirt of the nozzles. There is another hole on the shorter edge. Above it is the model name and the white mole with the lettering indicating the channel.
The nozzles are metallic, matching the pinkish-gold colour. Their length is 5mm. The inner diameter is 5.6mm and the interchangeable nozzles have a diameter of 6.2mm. All nozzles have metal grids and a plastic washer.
The cable is also very reminiscent of its big brother and has the 2Pin connector embedded in a shark-shaped sleeve. On each is a red letter R and a blue letter L. The cable consists of 4 strands of high-purity oxygen-free copper wire, manufactured with UP-OFC technology. The diameter of a single core is 0.08mm. The cable has a diameter of 6mm and a length of 1.2 metres. It is equipped with a gold-plated headphone jack with a choice of SE 3.5mm and BAL 4.4mm.
The plug sleeve is a shiny black cylinder with a gold-coloured ring near the end. On the ring that returns to its colour, next to the cable outlet, the brand name is written in white letters. The splitter piece is a dark gold, smooth, medium-sized, shiny and polished metal cylinder. Less than half its length is the latch ring, of the same colour. It has semi-rigid transparent guides on the ear.
The design is inspired by the look and appeal of its big brother. These capsules are smaller and more ergonomic. The cable is improved with a choice of 4.4mm BAL connector.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

The fact that it is smaller than the MS5 improves the initial ergonomics. They fit very easily and their surface is smooth and skin-friendly. The fit is fast, firm, durable, non-rotating and sits well in the pinna. The insertion is superficial, with the possibility of becoming medium, depending on the morphology of each individual. Tip interchangeability is not critical and an entertaining game can be obtained by interchanging the standard tips, as well as others from our collection. The nozzles have an adequate width, although I would have preferred a few millimetres more length. In any case, the result is quite ergonomic and the comfort is long-lasting.
On the other hand, the cable still has a good degree of stiffness and the sleeving of the connectors, especially the plug, makes it a bit heavy. The best thing is that, on this occasion, the shark shape of the sleeve on the 0.78mm 2Pin plugs doesn't get in the way.



Sound

Profile

The brand makes this task easy, stating that the MS3s are based on the Harman 2019 response. For my part, I could say that the mid profile of the MS3s, with the Rose Gold and Quiet Silver nozzles, has a W tendency, while with the Charm Red filter the peaks are filed down and it approaches a more V response. With regard to the curve, the peak in the centre of the V is striking, something that presages this profile as a basic one.
I always say that I love bass, but I couldn't live without midrange either. On many occasions, the filter that provides the most bass is usually my favourite. On this occasion, I'll stick with the filter that provides the most balanced sound, the Rose Gold. With the Quiet Silver filter, the differences are not like night and day, but there is a tuning of the notes, a thinning of the voices, especially the male ones, as well as a softening of the bass. Silver seems to make the MS3s lose weight, volume and density, becoming thinner and sharper. But it is also more abrupt and penetrating. The MS3s with the Quiet Silver filter sit on the subtle edge that separates analytical enjoyment from a more exposed, explicit and demanding sensation, requiring a more permissive listener willing to endure a more exalted and powerful brilliance. I must comment that such a demand may be too much for some more sensitive ears. For others, it may only be a more ephemeral sensation, while there may always be those who enjoy this profile. To be honest, I am not among them. But, clearly, there is an audience for this filter and for them, enjoyment is assured. Returning to the Rose Gold is like sweetening the sound, the regime is over and we return to a more natural line, with rounder curves, but recovering exuberance, above all, in the first half of the frequency response. The treble is not as bold and now feels supported by a higher, denser and more perceptible volumetric feel. Texture is more pronounced and descriptive. The weight of the notes has been lifted and their profile is now rounder. The treble still has edge, power and presence, but it no longer feels as prominent, with more body behind it.
The MS3s with the Charm Red filters assume a higher sound distance. The difference between these filters and the others is quite pronounced. There is hardly any of the explicit brightness left in the treble, it is now much softer and quieter. I would go so far as to say that the sound is now even muted, there is no trace of that characteristic sparkle, everything is more rounded, bland and restrained. There is no sparkle and detail is minimised. With this filter there is also another effect, and that is a loss of sensitivity, the sensation that you hear more bass. It seems as if you have to turn up the volume of the source to regain the presence of the mid-highs and highs. However, it is the bass that swells, becomes heavier and tends to take up more space, displacing the mids and losing a more precious balance that exists with the Rose Gold nozzles.
Sometimes filters do not make much difference. Sometimes they focus on a small part of the spectrum. On this occasion there are two similar filters that complement each other quite well. If the third one, the Charm Red, had followed the same pattern between these differences, it would have been very interesting and useful. However, the distance is much greater, so much so that it even seems to be a different model, losing the surprise that it would have provided a filter subtly softer than the Rose Gold at the top and with a little more punch at the bottom.
There is one thing I would like to criticise or comment on, related to the filter models. They are hardly ever perfected. A brand releases a set of nozzles with filters and rarely rectifies or improves them with a second batch. In this case, a filter that would slightly tilt the Rose Gold towards the bass and soften the mid-high and treble would be very welcome. The essence of the MS3s would not be lost, and there would be a gain in balance and a preference for a gentler, even warmer profile, more suitable for long listening.

The following description of the bands has been made using the Rose Gold filter.



Bass

After going back from the Charm Red filters to the Rose Gold filters, the bass gains speed and loses the rubberiness that slowed down the base punch. The slimming diet works and the low end is stylised, gaining precision, agility and resolution. A more accurate and descriptive texture returns. Even the impact, being cleaner and drier, becomes more perceptible, better integrated into the sound. It is no longer a volumetric mass that masks, even engulfs the other frequencies, but is now perceived as a reference band, enriching the sound, rather than overpowering it. Of course, the sound gains in dynamics and the bass in recovery. Everything is naturally more in tune, even if it's not the more technical lower range that you might see in some rivals.
In the very low-frequency pure tone test, the dynamic driver is outstanding, as far as natural performance is concerned. The sound is real and powerful at 40Hz, while below that it loses punch and becomes less noticeable. This means that the bass is not as deep, and there is also a loss of viscerality at the lower end. On the other hand, the mid-bass has a remarkable behaviour, conforming to a regular and logical, accurate pattern that produces a fairly full feeling, with a juicy, slightly explicit texture. Overall, the sub-bass is not as sensory as I would like, but the ratio of fullness, power, punch and presence is on par with good dynamic drivers, gently above neutral. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bass ensemble, although the low-end extension means they have mass, volume, extension and a degree of nice clean warmth. The MS3s won't be anaemic with electronic music and will show that they have meat, power and punch, but they won't make your fillings pop, because that's not what they're about, but an extended range, with good presence, but polite, after all.



Mids

The relaxed, fairly linear and extended bass curve of the MS3s stretches into the mids, introducing flesh and mass to the low end. This is where the key body and physicality is gained for the instruments in this part, as well as for the male vocals. Though it's not overdone so that the density is great, nor too bulky, but adds a point of warmth that doesn't tarnish and feels counterbalanced by the sparkle and clear lift, both physical and technical, of the upper-mids. In this way, one feels the weight of the notes in the strings, basses, as well as an enriching texture full of detail, nuance and light. The central cut is very clear and that inflection point can generate some sensation of hollowness in certain songs, while, in many others, the result is more satisfactory and adequate, managing, on the one hand, to maintain presence and body, on the other, exhibiting clarity, light, the spark needed to expand the sound, separate it, fill it with resolution and a striking, even evident, technical level.
I insist again on the idea that the central range could be polarised, because of its V tendency and its indisputable rise towards the treble. But somehow a balance is found between the weight of the notes and the persistence of the detail. This step is overdone with the Quiet Silver filter and it is here that I miss a filter that softens the top end a notch and adds a degree more base in the first half of the mids. The result could be very satisfactory.
The performance with the Rose Gold filter is a mid-range that enjoys a good foundation, spiced up with a well-resolved canopy gain boost. There are times when the upper band could be splashy, high, even noticeable, reaching a sibilant limit. But, I stress again that the extension of the bass and the weight of the first half of the central range manage to neutralise the negative aspects of this effect. On the contrary, and as I have already indicated, a sense of clarity, light and explicit brightness prevails, treasuring detail and micro-matices, but without reaching an analytical or cold performance. At times, it can border on that aspect, especially with the Quiet Silver filter. But it is due to the forced and obvious product of mid-high and treble extension and power.
In conclusion, Hidizs has managed to combine two ambivalent effects, to give the mids an initial strength that gives them a physical part, with weight and texture, with another energetic and powerful high part, which gives them clarity, light, sparkle, detail, resolution and a remarkable technical ability.



Treble

Without a doubt, the treble is the most explicit part of the MS3, except with the Charm Red filter, which practically mutilates it. The energy level is evident and persistent in the first and second half of the upper range and only loses strength in the air zone. In this respect, the proximity of the driver in the nozzle can add to the sense of presence and tenacity of the treble, as well as its BA timbre. But the choice of Knowles for these drivers is a guarantee of realistic treble balance. Although its leaning towards the light may even be excessive for some (the Quiet Silver filter enhances this sensation), the high range is crisp, explicit, subtly penetrating, clean, clear and evident. It is not completely dry, nor does it possess a clinical or surgical resolution that separates them individually. MS3 don't quite get there, but they come closer, by energy and projection, than by superior technical skill. I'm not saying they don't, for the price, the level of detail is evident in many situations, as I've already mentioned. However, it can also feel a little forced by the superior exaltation of this range, being able to isolate it from the rest of the notes, in a demanded or imposed way, which takes away a point of realism and naturalness, both in the recreation of the nuances, and in the timbre, with more tendency towards brightness and excitement, than to calmness and realism.



Soundstage, Separation

The scene is wide and volatile, while lacking a certain depth, if one is strict in this sense. The sound appears more holographic and three-dimensional than extended on the frontal axis. The width is expanded by the good laterality of the image, as well as by the expansion of detail, something that helps the sound to be ethereal and vaporous. Somehow, it doesn't have as much of a basis for demonstrating a powerful foundation that offers a sense of a wall of sound or a more cohesive image. On the contrary, the music has a subtle tendency to escape from the head, though without completely surrounding it or generating a 360° image. In this way, it is implied that there is a high level of separation, the notes have a remarkable level of resolution, the sound is clean, the background is discernible and dark, and the details are very well represented. At the limit, some micro detail can be missed in the central area, perhaps due to tuning effects. But even if the technique feels subtly forced, also because of this tuning, there is no doubt that the MS3 possesses a remarkable technical department, as well as an ability to satisfy the most demanding ears in these qualities. They also excel in the dynamic and transient response aspects, from the mids onwards, thanks to their speed. Not so much in the low end, though.



Comparisons

KiiBOOM Evoke

The KiiBOOM Evoke is one of my favourite IEMS that I have reviewed this year. There are several similarities with the Hidizs MS3: their starting price is the same, $169. Although it is true that the MS3s have had an excellent initial promotional price, lower than the Evoke. On the other hand, the Evoke has three versions, one of which is priced at $199, although this is only because of the capsule design, the rest is the same. Another major similarity is the driver configuration. The Evoke uses 1DD+2BA, where the BA drivers are also Knowles, although they are separate: one is for the mid frequencies and the other for the upper treble. Meanwhile, the Hidizs MS3 use 1DD+2BA, where the BA drivers are from Knowles, being a composite driver whose model is SWFK-31736. I don't know the model used for the Evoke.
In terms of external construction, the Evoke are resin and the MS3 are metal, obviously heavier. Seen from the outside, they have an almost similar silhouette in size, but the Evoke is thicker and bulkier, with a slightly more projected nozzle. Despite their larger size, their ergonomics are excellent, with a superior and very stable anchor, as well as a lighter weight that makes them win the battle against the MS3's good performance in this aspect. Where the Evoke gets a puncture is in the accessories, they come with a huge and unusable box, with only a set of silicone tips. Despite this, the cable is outstanding, in silver, unlike the MS3's also excellent copper cable.
In terms of frequency response there are clear differences. The Evoke's are more emphasised in the sub-bass, while the mid-bass is softer, with a faster decay towards the mids. This improves the cleanliness of the bass, reducing its bloat, as well as freeing up the mids. The MS3s have more energy in the mid-bass, extending the lower range to a greater degree, although the dip at the inflection point is more pronounced. The Evoke is smoother and more balanced in all bands and the differences between the ranges are more homogeneous. The MS3s have a thicker and more voluminous lower band, more polarised mids and more present, energetic and extended highs. Perhaps, the treble is the biggest difference between the two models, due to this difference in energy and extension, in favour of the MS3.
In terms of sensitivity, the MS3s are far superior; you have to turn up the volume to get the Evoke to the same sound pressure level.
In the low end the bass representation is as seen in the FR: the bass drums are more extended in the MS3s, both in space and in time. Their texture is rougher, they feel more boommy, more developed, their volume is higher and their timbre more audible. On the Evoke they sound drier, they finish earlier, their timbre is more sensory and their texture is smoother, not as pronounced. Everything is shorter on them, they are faster and dissipate sooner. They are also deeper and somewhat darker. I think the bass in the Evoke is more technical and in the MS3 more fun. Although they have a similar level of presence, the greater volume and extension of the MS3s into the mid-bass makes them seem to have more of it.
In the mid-range, the male voices of the MS3s have more body, density and sound more grounded. There is more cleanness in the Evoke, but less physicality. There seems to be more complexity in the MS3 male voices, with a bit more texture and descriptiveness. However, the Evoke is able to create a sense of a generalised wall of sound in the mids, due to its greater homogeneity and balance in this area. On the other hand, the MS3s can suffer from a certain hollowness caused by the deeper apex in the centre of the mids, as well as the greater rise towards the upper-mids. At this point, female vocals have a higher level of projection in the MS3s, achieving a more affected clarity and light. Detail is more exalted and also polarised. The timbre enjoys that ambivalence, a good base tinged by a superior energy in the treble. In the Evoke all this is more balanced, generating a more calm and natural timbre.
In the treble of the MS3 there is more energy, a sparkle, clarity and wider extension. The BA timbre is arguably more pronounced, but the treble is sharper, finer, more explicit, providing more information and balancing the final timbre. The Evoke's softer first treble and the control zone at the beginning of the second treble create a quieter, but also more nuanced, even biased, upper range. It controls sibilance, but obscures the treble projection, relatively speaking. Actually, there is a middle way, which would be ideal. In the extreme, the Evoke doesn't lose as much air as the MS3 and stretches slightly more, but in a subtly perceptible way.
The perception of the scene is different in both IEMS. The Evoke has a more oval representation, with more depth and is softer. The MS3s are more focused, the extremes are more in the foreground and the mids recede in their centre. Both bass and treble jump out and polarise the image, but also volatilise it to a greater degree, becoming more ethereal. On a net level, I think the Evoke's soundstage is larger, though just barely, the concave, more natural feel, as well as the greater width, length and that higher height point gives it this sense of a larger, fuller sounding soundstage. However, the level of detail is more explicit and finer in the MS3s. In the background, I don't miss detail in the Evoke, but it is more discernible and evident in the MS3, also a bit more forced. Separation is a notch higher on the Hidizs due to the more effective cut-off and clearer resolution.



Conclusion

Perhaps Hidizs has had time to experiment with the IEMS and has decided to make an effort on a known and more successful basis, such as the Harman-2019 profile, on which he has based the tuning of these MS3s. He has also done his part to generate some differences, by means of the 3 pairs of filters. The result is brilliant on the one hand and shaded on the other. In the centre is the best response. Building on the beautiful design of its big brother MS5 and finally providing a balanced cable as a purchase option, the Hidizs MS3 stands as a classic triple-driver adapted to the current demands of its price range. Without a doubt, this is a purchase that will not disappoint, because the quality is clear and explicit. It has a sharper V-profile in the centre, but with an extended, powerful and textured bass. The midrange is well represented and both male and female voices have a great impact on the sound. Finally, the treble is really crisp and extended, with a level of energy that does not surpass the pleasing sound, but asserts its presence. Technically, they are skilled and their level of detail appreciable, even when compared to other greats in the same league. In the end, it may all depend on tuning and, in this respect, Hidizs could make more use of its filter system, to gain versatility in an FR that has everything. An unmitigated success.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Hidizs AP80 PRO-X Red Copper LE.
• Hidizs DH80S.
• Hidizs S9 Pro.
• Hidizs XO.
• Tempotec MARCH III.
• Burson Audio Playmate II.
• Aune M1p.

Purchase Link



You can read the full review in Spanish here