HIDIZS MS3

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

Intro/Disclaimer:

Before starting this review I would like to thank HIDIZS and her employees Zoie & Bella for this review unit. I’m not an audiophile guy, i’m just a guy that likes to test out different IEMs/DACs and pays a lot of time listening to music.
So I’m not going to use super technical words to review it but I will do my best to describe them.

The MS3 It will be released on the 4th July at a promotional price of 113 USD (169USD normal price).

1. Hidizs official store link: :

• Hidizs Official Site

2. Amazon link:

• MS3 3.5MM on Amazon.de
• MS3 4.4MM on Amazon.de
• MS3 3.5MM on Amazon.fr
• MS3 4.4MM on Amazon.fr

MS3 Configuration:

• 10.2mm Dual Magnetic Circuit Dual Cavity Dynamic Driver with Bio-nanofiber composite diaphragm
• 1 Knowles SWFK-31736 Composite Driver Dual tweeter
• 18Ohm impedance
• 112db Sensitivity

This driver setup looks like a really good choice.

First Impression:

Those are the younger brother of the MS5 but I don't think their sound is less mature.
The package is cheaper but still high quality and full of accessories like those of the MS5.

Package and accessories:

• Hidizs MS3
• PU lather bag
• 3 different sets of ear tips
• 3 Sets of Hidizs Tuning Filter
• A really nice 4.4mm Balanced Cable, high-purity oxygen free copper 4 strand mixed braiding
• Warranty card /instruction

At this price you have one of the greatest stock high-purity oxygen-free copper cable manufactured by UP-OFC technology. The entire cable is composed of 192 oxygen-free copper wires, using 4-strand mixed braiding. See above my macros!



Design:
Hidizs didn't hold back! The younger sister enjoys the same build quality as the big sister. The materials are the same, The shell cavity and panel of the MS3 are made of aviation aluminum alloy, which is carved by five-axis CNC.
Obviously the shell has the same shape but is less massive as there are fewer drivers. It also changes the faceplate that looks like a wave.

The anodized finish gives that extra touch of class and does not retain fingerprints.
However the tuning filters have undergone a change! They are smaller and also more difficult to handle.

Unlike the big brother, here we no longer have tuning sponges inside them but they use meshes of different textures.

In addition, they have a very small o-ring around them.

Eartips are the same as MS5.


Initial sound impressions:
I had initially struggled to get used to the sound of the MS5. What many had noticed was congestion and the highs were somewhat sharp, in short, a sometimes complex and perhaps slightly incoherent sound.
I don't know if it's the burn-in or my ears but I'm currently totally used to the sound of the MS5.
These MS3 just worn were pure pleasure!

They are certainly not natural sounding iem but they maintain the style of the older brother, however a more mature sound is immediately noticeable.
Every detail is exactly where it should be. Very present bass but less full-bodied than the MS5 and the highs are even better they are not harsh.

However, at least 100 hours of burn-in by Hidizs are recommended. I didn't find them necessary but I still wanted to make them.
I think it's mostly my ears getting used to it.


Final Sound Impression:

Equipment used for testing above.

Device:

• iMac
• Redmi Note 7 (MIUI Based)

Software:

• Foobar2000 24bit 192khz (iMac)
• Amazon music UHD 24bit 96khz (Both)

DAC:

• Hidizs XO 2.5mm Balanced (Dual ESS)
• EPZ TP20 4.4 mm Balanced (Dual Cirrus)

I’m not listing the tracks because they're too much.
I was very happy with the vocal tips and balanced gray nozzle so I used those to write the review.
You don't need anything powerful to drive them but if you have a balanced output DAC they will perform at their best.



Tonality, Details and Soundstage:

The MS3 maintain an impressive level of detail especially if we consider the price at which they will be launched.
This isn’t a natural sounding iem. The sound is balanced yet fun and enjoyable. It’s a well done harman tune.
It has a really wide soundstage and layering. You can hear all the smallest details in the recording.
The female vocals are on a whole other level that some songs almost sound like an ASMR recording.
They sound very natural in tone but the result is very enveloping.
I can confidently state that there is no trace of harshness or sibilant trebles.
In this set the tuning is fabulous and I dare say even better than the MS5.

I don't know if it's better because its structure/configuration is less complex or because of a lucky pairing of components but these will certainly sell a lot.
Let me be clear, I don't want to create unjustified hype but these seriously deserve it and I hope they are valued even better by more experienced reviewers than me.

When I had just landed in this hobby I sincerely regret that I wasted money on cheap iems (with bad QC) when saving money I could have directly taken a similar product and enjoyed it so much. I know it's hard to resist the temptation to buy any cheap headphones on the market, I'm the first to do it, but save up and buy these instead.

Tuning filters
Here the filters seem to work better. As i said before they use meshes with different densities.


I don't have the ability to produce graph but I'm sure other reviewers will post them soon.
I personally use the balanced nozzle as you get the best frequency response with vocal tips. Pure pleasure!

Treble
The Knowles SWFK-31736 Composite Driver it is positioned directly in the nozzle! Despite this it sounds divine, it proves that Hidizs managed to do a great job with the tuning.
The treble range is absolutely balanced and doesn't let you lose any kind of detail.

Midrange
Vocals and instruments are all where they should be. Neither is covered by the other. All this gives an exceptional sense of space.
The guitars especially sound so great that you can almost feel the plucking of the strings.
Female voices certainly have a much higher yield than male ones but the difference is really minimal and negligible.

Bass
The bass are very full-bodied and rich, slightly lower than the MS5 where, however, they were very covered by the other frequencies and that slight congestion. Here the drivers are less compressed in the shell and the difference is noticeable.

MS3 vs HE10

In comparison with Whizzer HE10, MS3 seems to come out on top! HE10 has a different tuning even if always inspired by Harman, I would say less resolute especially as regards the treble. The sound comes out darker than MS3 which succeeds in all frequencies.
I love them both even if they are very different from each other, but I have to admit that MS3 is completely on another level in terms of sound detail.

MS3 vs MS5

MS3 is essentially MS5 with a slightly smaller soundstage, less micro-details, fewer layers. Obviously it is not sibilant or congested. What many didn't like about MS5 has been improved with these. At 1/3 the price you have a set that is currently outstanding value for money.
Obviously they are also more comfortable because they are smaller and lighter.

Conclusion:

This is a really nice Harman tuned one! With a super affordable price you can get a nice pair of IEM with an extremely good tuning.
With a similar price I struggled a lot to find cons in this set.
To make this review more credible I should find a few more cons but I really struggle to find any.
If you take into consideration the quality / price ratio it is very difficult to have regrets.
I don't have as much knowledge as the more experienced reviewers, but if a set that costs just over 100 USD allows you not to miss any detail of a track, I think it deserves Hype and 5 stars.
If you enjoy genres like dance music, electronic music, pop, jazz, or R&B, I believe the MS3 would be an excellent choice for you.
Paired with the Hidizs XO on a 2.5mm balanced output they perform at their best however they don't require much power to drive well.
I believe that the MS3 will generate a considerable amount of hype, and in this case, it is truly justified.

I hope you enjoy my review!

HIDIZS MS3 1DD + 2BA (Knowles)
Launch Price : $113
Normal Price : $169

if you wanted to support me after reading this review, please do make purchase from here (affiliated) : https://tinyurl.com/ltms3
Discount Code 5% OFF : LITTLENEZT (can be used for other item as well)

Thanks to Hidizs for sending the MS3 for this review, rest assured, my review is 100% my honest opinion and Hidizs didn't have any input on this review at all.

Hidizs the brand that instantly clicks with great value - performance ratio in my mind.

Unboxing:
Build Quality

the IEM itself is built like a tank, though I must mention that on my particular unit, I do found excess glue around the nozzle but it can be easily wiped with alcohol wipes.

now Hidizs use all metal to its construction compared to the MS5 resin faceplate.

The design is also changed to be a bit wavy not like the MS5 helmet like design (sorry someone mentioned the MS5 to be looking like a bicycle helmets and now I cannot unthink it)

MS3 also has removable filter like its older brother.

You can easily swap the filter to tune the MS3 to be more of your preference, you can change the bass and treble quantity and the vocal placement to some degree with the tuning filter, pretty neat feature I'd say.

There is also plenty of Eartips choice that also can be used to changed the sound to some degree, though personally myself found the MS3 to be the best using aftermarket tips such as Moondrop Spring Tips



As for the cable, it is THICC but more manageable and comfortable compared to the MS5 super duper over mega thicc heavy cable.

It is also possible to choose what type of cable jack you need (3.5mm or 4.4mm).

Fitting

FINALLY, Hidizs create a good balance between looks and comfort of the cable, I can easily wear the MS3 for hours without getting my ears hurt like the MS5.

the IEM shell is also thinner compared to the MS5 and it sits more flush to your ears.


Sound

Tested using : Smartphone, iFi Go Blu, Hidizs AP80 PRO-X, Stock Cable, Stock Eartips, All Filters, Aftermarket Eartips
Music mostly from Apple Music (J-Pop, J-Rock, Jazz, Anisong, Metal, EDM, Rap)

The tonality of MS3 is really dependent on which filter is used, the Rose Gold and Quiet Silver filter gives you a more balanced yet fun sound, while the Charm Red filter gives you more traditional V-Shaped tuning.

Charm Red : Closer to V-shaped tuning, the warmest, musical and safest of all three nozzle, though technicalities on this nozzle is a bit reduced / blunted / softened.

I found the bass to be more pleasing with the red nozzle, it has the most punch and weight compared to the silver and gold nozzle,

Midrange positioning on this nozzle is a bit pushed back, with more weight compared to both gold and silver filter.

If you're vocal lovers you need to be carefull not to push the volume too high to compensate for the pushed back mids, it can make the treble to be too hot for your ears.

Treble is smoothed out compared to silver and gold filter, but it still has a bit of peak around 8khz, not really a problem if you listen at moderate volume, though treble definition is a bit blunted / not as detailed if compared to the silver and gold filter.


Rose Gold : Closer to harman modified tuning (extra midbass + treble + extension) / bassy harman with extra sparkle up top

The gold nozzle sounded almost like the silver nozzle with reduced upper mids so less shout and not too forward on the placement.

Bass on gold filter is not as punchy and weighty like on the red one, it has more speed and can keep up pretty well with your metal tracks and double pedal.

Mids on this filter is forward, but not too forward, it has decent note weight, though it is on the leaner side, vocal and violin sounded very good without getting overly intense.

Treble on the gold filter is just like the silver one with a touch more smooth and a bit less analytical presentation to it.

I found the gold filter to be my favorite because the tonality is more flexible and can accomodate a lot of genre compared to silver and red filter.


Quiet Silver : Same as gold, closer to harman modified tuning (extra midbass + treble + extension) / bassy harman bright

The silver nozzle is the brightest of all three, it has the most open sounding characteristic and most analytical one, if you want to listen for all kind of details (or more like analyze the song) this is the filter for you.

Bass on this filter is the speediest of all three, but has the leanest presentation / less weighty of all three.

Mids on this filter to my ears is sounding a bit too forward and can get too intimate, if you listen at louder volume, it also can get shouty and a bit nassal sounding.

Treble on this filter is bright, too bright for my treble sensitive ears, it has the most definition and edge of all three, the micro detail on this filter is mindblowing for the price of only ($113/$169 USD)


Technicalities :

Stage : Most open sounding and widest using the silver filter, with the gold and red filter, stage size is reduced a bit. I found the MS3 to be symmetrical in width and depth and is very good for gaming.

Imaging : One of the strong point of MS3, it sounded almost holographic and is pretty good for its price, sound is not 2D sounding and have body and you can easily image the sound if that make sense at all.

Positioning and Separation : Even though the MS3 is bass boosted, the left right panning is really good, tested for gaming I can easily pinpoint from which direction enemy is coming from. separation is also above average, tested on nZk tracks, Plini, I can easily discern what sound is playing on the background.

Detail Retrieval : Also one of the strong point of MS3, the detail retrieval for its price is simply amazing, it has a lot of micro details and pretty good edge of sound. Though with red filters the detail retrieval and micro detail is softened / reduced a bit.

Pairings
If you wanted to make the MS3 to be more analytical, paired with the AP80 PRO-X, with its more sterile - analytical profile, you can have a great budget setup that is balanced yet fun and good technicalities, especially its detail retrieval.


If you wanted a more musical presentation, try using stuff from iFi Audio, though I must mention that the MS3 is very easy to drive and is very sensitive to hiss, so, if your source is not that good at managing background noise, there will be some hiss noticeable with the MS3.
with the iFi Go Blu, I get crazy hiss on the 4.4mm balanced, and little hiss on its 3.5mm port.

Comparison

FiiO FH3 :
Probably the inspiration of the MS3 existence, the FH3 is more focused on the sub-bass, lack of mid-bass punch, more lean sounding, not as resolving and has a hazzy treble, while the MS3 has more generous bass shelf that is very satisfying without muddying up the midrange and treble that are more resolving with lots of details.

Hidizs MS5 :
The Older brother of MS3, it has more unique U-Shaped love-hate tonality to it, the MS5 noticeably has better technicalities if compared directly to the MS3, though MS3 is superior on its timbral accuracy especially on the treble region.
For the price of only 1/3 or 1/2 of the MS5, I could say you get around 85% of its technical capabilities, not bad!

KZ AS24 :
Also priced around $100, the KZ build quality is a bit meh, its made from what I believe to be acrylic, it can scratch very easily, my unit has hairline swirl scratch just the day its arrived.
Sound wise, the AS24 has 8 tuning switches (yes you read that right, 8) the tonality of the AS24 is also dependent on what configuration you set the tuning switches, my favorite one with the AS24 is the classic midbass boosted harman tuned, it sounded smooth, cohesive (YES, it has 12 driver per ears but KZ manage to make it sound cohesive)
but with less detail retrieval and technical capabilities compared to the MS3.

the AS24 strong point is its musicality and vocal centric and its better timbral accuracy compared to the MS3, while the MS3 easily beats the KZ in the technical department with only 3 drivers.

Conclusion

So... do I recommend the Hidizs MS3? it depends really on what you're looking for in an IEM.
The Hidizs MS3 offers balanced yet fun tonality with pretty good technicalities especially its detail retrieval and resolving capabilities.

At the end of the day, it is only you who can decide if it is worth it or not, I'm here as a reviewer just giving out extra data or reference on the Internet for you.

That's all from me for now, thanks for reading this far.

Just in case you're Indonesian or understand Bahasa Indonesia, here is my video review in Bahasa Indonesia


-littlenezt

HIDIZS MS3 REVIEW​

Hidizs MS3 ($169)​

Intro​

Today I am presenting to you my full written review of the Hidizs MS3. The MS3 is Hidizs brand new hybrid (1DD/2BA) iem which launches under the $200 price point at around $169. I have only had good experiences with Hidizs products. I was recently part of the infamous “Public Review” of the Hidizs MS5 “Dark Angel” which just so happens to be Hidizs flagship iem and one that I was pretty smitten with (MS5 Review HERE) myself. The MS5 has a unique tuning which didn’t follow the cookie cutter approach that most earphones seem to be created with. Despite my affinity for the MS5, it certainly wasn’t a love affair across the board. Something which should be expected from a more particular tuning and considering at the price it is set at.

I’ve also reviewed one of Hidizs’ budget sets, the Hidizs MM2, which I was also quite happy with (MM2 Review HERE) as it is another very unique design that is wholly dynamic and fun. The MM2 also has a prototypical type of tuning filter system which works wonderfully. I actually consider the MM2 one of the better iems under $75. Hidizs has a penchant for an “out of the ordinary” approach, and by all accounts this is a company that doesn’t launch a product until it is actually complete and ready to be shoved into the audioverse. Hidizs takes some risks, they take some chances. I can respect this, and I love that nothing seems to be designed in the “assembly line” mindset that most iem makers seem to cling to. Hidizs obviously tries to be “set-apart” and distinct in their approach at creating audio products.

Hidizs​

The audio company Hidizs was actually founded in 2009 and have been engrained within the audio community going on 14 years. Which, if you have been paying attention to the scene…this is not the norm. Obviously, they’re doing something right. Beginning roughly around 2012, the R&D Team within Hidizs took three long years of extensive research into the global Hi-Fi market with a team of audio professionals, R&D specialists and personalities to finally launch their first digital audio player (DAP) the Hidizs AP100 in October of 2014. This was a smashing success.

Just three years later they released their first Android music player the Hidizs AP200 on Kickstarter which raised quite a lot of funds at the time. Since then, there has been no stopping Hidizs as they have successfully ventured into the iem world with many releases that proved successful. Of course, Hidizs has further dialed in their small Daps and are at the forefront of the market in that regard. Also, they’ve created some extremely successful dongle dacs in the Hidizs S8, Hidizs S9, and Hidizs S9 Pro. Hidizs always incorporates a premium feeling and build into every product they create, and this latest iem, the Hidizs MS3 is no exception.

Thank you​

I want to thank Bella and Hidizs for providing the Hidizs MS3 in exchange for a full written review as well as a feature at mobileaudiophile.com. It has been my pleasure to review the MS3 and get the opportunity to spend quality time with it. As you read on, I will go into the build quality, design, internals, drivability and sound quality as well as a couple comparisons. The two real questions I had going into this little venture was…”How does the MS3 stack up to the MS5, and how does the MS3 stack up to the competition in its price point?” I promise to do my absolute best to try to figure these questions out. The Hidizs MS3 everyone…

Gear used for testing​

–Ifi Go Blu
–Hidizs S9 Pro
–Moondrop Dawn 4.4
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
–Shanling M6 Ultra

-Later Comparisons: Hidizs MS5 / Aful Performer 5

Full review HERE

Packaging / Accessories​

Unboxing​

I have to hand it to Hidizs, they have truly dialed into what us “hobbyists” enjoy with an unboxing experience. Especially considering the price tag of $169. First off, the box isn’t huge. It’s a smaller cube of a box with a graphic of the MS3 earphone on the cover as well as some specs on the back. Nothing wasted here as Hidizs managed to create a classy looking unboxing with minimal waste. Also, the box is not sealed like “Fort Knox” as some iem boxes come in. Inside of the box you’ll notice there are different tier levels.

Upon opening the box, you will see the bold looking MS3 earphones in all their tough looking glory as they’re sit pretty inside of some cardboard covered foam cut-outs. Lift off that layer and you’ll find the tray of eartips and tuning nozzles. Under that layer is a thin box which contains the carrying pouch and inside that carrying pouch is the beautiful cable. There is also a nozzle cleaning tool and Velcro cable wrap. The only omission that Hidizs left out is the carrying “case”. I would have liked to see that but everything else is fantastic. This is a nice unboxing; I do like the layered approach with the smaller footprint, and I like that everything is so neatly arranged. You find more goodies as you peel away the layers.

Ear tips​

Hidizs includes a bountiful nine pairs of ear tips in total. They provide three pairs (S, M, L) of white “Balanced” tips which have a semi-wide bore and semi-firm flange. Three pairs (S, M, L) of white “Vocal” tips that have a shallow fit with a wide bore and are actually quite nice. The last set of tips are the “Bass” tips which are dark gray and have a firm flange and a narrow bore. Each set of tips actually does what their names imply, which may be a first.

All the included tips are of good quality and each set does help to tune the MS3 to your liking. However, for sealing purposes I did end up using KBear 07 ear tips which fit me like a glove. I had no real issues with the included tips, but I did have to fiddle a little bit to get a perfect seal. I think the KBear 07’s hit a sweet spot with their semi-wide bore and ultra firm flange and stem and the MS3 seems to react very well to them. A couple other suggestions for 3rd party ear tips that I found to be very nice paired with the MS3 are the Moondrop Spring Tips, the Dunu S&S Tips, the Tenmak Whirlwind tips and Symbio hybrid foam and silicone tips. For me personally I choose the KBear 07 tips in the end.

Carrying Pouch​

One thing I would’ve liked to have seen is a carrying “case” but Hidizs did provide a Pouch instead. Honestly the pouch that Hidizs gives in the packaging is pretty slick. It’s an all-black, all-leather pouch with enough room for the earphones and has a metal pinch top to close the pouch tight. I never really utilize any of the carrying cases that I’ve received with any earphones, but I would much sooner take a pouch with me when out and about. Pouches are better anyways, they fit in your pocket nicely and you can still protect your earphones. Saying that, it’s still somehow nice to see a solid case. Despite this, I’d much sooner like it if Hidizs (or any company) just puts the extra money into the earphones. Still, all things considered…it’s a nice pouch.

Cable​

The MS3 cable is one of the better cables in the price point
I love a good cable! In fact, I get just as jacked up and thrilled at receiving a good upgrade cable in the mail as I do a set of earphones. Well lucky for me, Hidizs just so happened to include one of the best cables in the price point, if not thee best. The included cable is a beefy, beautiful, metallic brown and it’s a thicky-thicky my friends. The cable measures in at 6mm in width based on Hidizs promotional material (I think that measurement is a bit conservative). In my opinion the included cable exceeds the type of cables that we usually see included with earphones under $200. Heck, I’d probably say $300 or more. I like this new trend Hidizs as the MS5 cable is fantastic as well.

Hidizs seems to be quite proud of the cable that they’ve offered with the MS3, and I don’t blame them one bit. The packaged cable comes in either 2.5, 4.4, or 3.5 terminations depending on what one chooses at purchase. The cable I chose was the 4.4 balanced and I love the way it pairs aesthetically with the MS3. I don’t think Hidizs could’ve picked a more suitable partner. The cable itself is a 2-pin connection with the stylish and has the ergonomical “Shark-Fin” 2-Pin plugs which is unique. It’s also very easy to distinguish left to right but most importantly the included cable looks flat-out sweet! Constructed with high-purity oxygen-free-copper, using 192 wires with a four-strand mixed braiding. I actually like this type of braiding rather than the tighter braided and thicker MS5 cable.

Synergy​

The best part about this particular cable is how it matches sonically to the MS3 and was made specifically for it. Due to the driver configuration of two Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers (SWFK-31736) and the dual-cavity Dynamic Driver with the dual-magnetic structure and the combined impedance value, this particular cable actually has a lower impedance and is a high efficiency cable. Supposedly this cable is made to pair to the MS3, Hidizs actually states it like this…

“It effectively reduces reflection and attenuation, ensures the clarity and accuracy of the signal, and restores the pure and natural sound.”
Hidizs Promotional

Click to expand...

The Brown coloring is a nice combo with the MS3 and fits the overall aesthetic perfectly in my opinion. You won’t get any microphonic sounds either, from rubbing the cable on your clothes and the cable isn’t so big and hefty that it weighs down on me. All in all, great cable and a nice addition for the price. Kind of unexpected actually.

Build / Design / Internals / Fit / Drivability​

Build Quality​

Just hold the MS3 in your hand and it’ll tell you everything you are wanting to know about the build quality. Just like the Hidizs MS5, Hidizs put the same craftsmanship and premium materials into the creation of the MS3. Made of aviation grade aluminum, the actual structure of the MS3 is very smooth & solid in hand. Hidizs also added an anodized coating and finish to the outside of the MS3 for better cleanliness over time. Hidizs uses CNC engraving to etch out the actual shells as well as the “Black Fire” Faceplate. Speaking of the Faceplate, it has a raised surface which was meant to mimic flames and I’d say that Hidizs succeeded in the vision. From the back of the housing to the nozzle tips the MS3 is made of premium materials and is crafted with obvious precision.

Design​

As far as design and aesthetic is concerned the MS3 has a pretty radical look. Again, Hidizs came up with a design language that is as masculine and tough as one could imagine. The faceplates mimic black flames for crying out loud! Again, Hidizs used CNC engraving to carve out the flames and truthfully, they nailed it. One of the cooler looking sets anywhere near the price point.

The colorway is black on gold with gold trim surrounding the black faceplates and subtle accents of either rose gold, red or silver used for the tuning nozzles. To be honest the look isn’t very complicated and is actually quite plain, yet in that plain look it is anything but utilitarian and bland. To be frank… The MS3 looks badass! It’s a class act, it’s a minimalist design, it isn’t flashy or steampunk or colorful or crazy. It’s simply cool. I actually find the look to be very reminiscent of some earlier Fiio flagship iems…just better.

Tuning nozzles​

Once again Hidizs chose tuning nozzles to dial in the sound to your unique preferences. Tuning nozzles are simply male threaded nozzles which screw onto the female nozzle piece of an earphone. With these particular nozzles we do see alterations to a core tuning of the MS3 which is always a nice addition. I mean, they actually work! In essence, tuning nozzles are simply “sound tweaks” and in the case of the MS3’s tuning nozzles I do like how Hidizs made sure to have a significant enough impact to warrant having them in the first place. Hidizs labels the nozzles as “Balanced (Rose Gold), Bass (Charm Red), & Treble (Quiet Silver)”. Obviously, each nozzle reacts to their respective name they were given, and they do so better than most.

Balanced​

I won’t go into crazy detail on each tuning nozzle (this review will already be long), but I will assure you that each one has a distinct difference to it. For me I enjoy the balanced nozzle the most as I find it gives me the most balanced sound (who woulda’ thunk it) out of the three. The bass nozzle is quite nice but it’s a little too warm against the other two for me. You may love the sound. Next, I find the treble nozzle to have a slight bit too much treble activity, but the timbre and details are actually very good. Again, you may love the treble nozzle. For me it’s the balanced nozzle as it’s a happy medium with sweet tonality and details and an explosive sound. I’m curious what some of you like the most. Leave a comment about what works best for your listening.

Quiet Silver Nozzle:​

The silver nozzle is a bit more on the bright side with the least impressive bass response of all the nozzles. However, the low-end still has adequate impact and a nice concrete edge to it using the silver nozzle. With this nozzle the sound has the most amount of air and openness. I did find sibilance to occur slightly more as well. The plus is that micro-details show off the best using this nozzle and treble punch and crispness is in the most abundance with the silver nozzle. Note weight slightly thins out and the sound isn’t as whetted, but I do enjoy the silver nozzle and I’m sure many will pick this one.

Rose Gold Nozzle:​

My favorite nozzle of the three, the balanced nozzle sits right between the red and silver nozzles and is exactly as Hidizs claims it will sound. I find this nozzle to have a perfect mix of warm and bright, low-end emphasis and top end emphasis. I find this nozzle to have adequate air up top with a nice and tight low end and a nicely smooth and rich midrange. Truthfully this nozzle isn’t much different than the silver nozzle, but it does have a slight bit less upper-mid / lower treble rise.

Charm Red Nozzle:​

The red nozzle which is aptly named the “Bass” nozzle does exactly what the name implies. The bass gets a boost however it also loses some sharpness, and the punch is very slightly softened, yet the impact and density are greater. The upper midrange and treble also gets tamped & damped down. The midrange gets pulled back slightly as a whole as well. The entire spectrum gains a warm cast over it all while never coming across veiled. Detail retrieval slightly suffers, and the sound has less separation. Still, this is a great thing for those who prefer a warmer, smoother, non-fatiguing, and easy listen without a chance at sibilance or anything peaky. I foresee many hobbyists choosing this nozzle.

The only downside to these tuning nozzles (in my opinion) is the size. These nozzles are rather short, and this may pose a couple issues. For one, the size makes it more difficult to actually screw on & off. Especially if you have fat fingers. It may take a couple times playing around with them to get the threads lines up perfectly. Also, don’t try forcing them on as anyone who has spent any time around threaded fittings can tell you…it’s easy to screw up the fine threads. Second, it is really easy to drop these nozzles as you are fiddling with them trying to mate the opposing threads, and just as easy to lose them. So, be patient and swap them out over a large surface that is easy to find if you drop them. Lastly, it would have been nice to have one of those fancy nozzle filter holders.

Internals​

Hidizs decided to use a Hidizs developed 10.2 mm Dynamic Driver with a Dual-magnetic circuit and a Dual Cavity structure. The Diaphragm is actually a Bio-Nanofiber Composite material which is promised to have a higher magnetic induction than most dynamic drivers. Hidizs states that this Driver has a better shot of having quicker and tighter transients due to the material and the higher magnetic induction, which makes sense in theory. I will corroborate this theory with actual experiential knowledge, this driver is obviously a fantastic unit. The dual-magnetic circuits also help to make the actual usage of the driver more stable. Hidizs also states that this driver is especially well able to accurately replay the sound and tone of a human voice. From what I understand the Dynamic Driver takes on the low-end as well as the midrange leaving the highs to the BA’s.

Balanced Armatures​

Hidizs went an especially cool route in the upper regions using two Knowles Composite Balanced Armature Drivers SWFK-31736 to take on the treble and upper treble frequencies. Knowles is obviously a very well-known brand who’ve created Balanced Armature Drivers for years, but they must be used in a way that coherency is not an issue. Something we often see in hybrid unit iems. Thankfully Hidizs made sure to tune the MS3 in a way that coherency is not an issue.

Drivability​

As far as driving the MS3 to proper volume and fidelity I can accurately report that the MS3 is a very easy set to drive. With an 18-ohm impedance and a sensitivity of 112 db’s I find the MS3 to get loud quickly with most any source. This is fantastic. You don’t need some special high-powered amp to push this set to good fidelity.

Mobile Listening​

Listening on the IFi Go Blu Bluetooth dac amp and it’s CS43131 dac chip I was immediately impressed with how well the MS3 takes to this unit. I was walking down the sidewalk of my town listening to Biggie Smalls “Juicy” and I promise the MS3 just took to the Go Blu like a “hand to a glove”. This was the first source I used the MS3 with and I would soon find that the MS3 would go well with just about everything I own. I wouldn’t call it a chameleon but the MS3 is very well adept to simply sound good with every source I have at my disposal. This cannot be understated and is pretty cool and a good thing to see. Even the much more expensive MS5 was very particular with the source and wanted and desired a lot of power. Not the MS3.

Dongle Dacs​

Moving onto my dongle dacs, I was so impressed with the Hidizs own “S9 Pro” together with the MS3 that it was difficult to use another source. This is no joke. Of course, I could not use the included 4.4 cable with the S9 Pro and had to go with one of my good 2.5 balanced cables but, I’m a reviewer so thankfully I have many cables lying around.

The S9 Pro with its Sabre ES9238Q2M dac chip reacts nicely giving the MS3 a more strident and tidy approach to my music. The S9 Pro has an awesome resolving ability and while it’s a year or so old at this point it still sits pretty at the top of the dongle dac food chain. I don’t know if it’s because they come from the same family, but I’ve had a hard time connecting the MS3 to any other source… if I’m being completely honest. It’s one of those moments where synergy just seems perfect.

More dongle dacs​

The same can be said when I used the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 using a Cirrus Logic CS43131 dac chip (same as the IFi Go Blu). The Dawn is tuned more analytical yet has such an organic, wholesome, punchy and crisp sound and the MS3 reciprocated by jiving nicely with it. Both dongles I used either 3.5 single ended or balanced (mostly balanced) and either way there was way more than enough power for the MS3. I am partial to the S9 Pro between the two, but I enjoy both quite a bit.

Daps​

Stepping up to my iBasso DX240 with the Amp8 MK2 installed and incorporates a beast of a dac chip in the ES9038 Pro flagship. The bass tightened up from an already tight approach with a more physical sound, the stage opened a hair and details shined through effortlessly. Speaking of effortless, using my favorite method of with the Shanling M6 Ultra I cannot say enough how nicely the MS3 married to this dap. The M6 Ultra also uses an absolute beast of a dac chip in the AK4493SEQ. The mixture of more analog, organic, warmish and resolving M6 Ultra with the Hidizs MS3 just pairs so well. I find using the MS3 on medium gain is more than enough to bring out the best in this set.

Easy to drive, easy to pair​

I don’t think you need anything more than a decently powered dongle dac. You could probably get away with simply using a smartphone. Ya know, I’m not a big believer in the auditory scaling ability of iems with power, in that, the extra power gives a set any extra resolving ability or timbre changes etc. I much more believe that some sets simply need extra driving power and thus they sound better. However, I absolutely believe that some sets scale to the source sound. The MS3 is a perfect example of this. Subtle changes in tonality of dac chips do make a big difference and should always be considered when purchasing a set of earphones.

This is why I try to always add all my different sources with different tonalities. Fortunately, the MS3 is awesome with every source I have, even some I have’t named here like the Shanling UA2, Fiio KA3, Fiio UTWS5, Fiio Q1 MK2 among others. So, rest assured you should be okay with what you got. The MS3 is easy to drive and does well with most pairings. Obviously, some are better than others, but you should be happy with what you have.

​

Sound Impressions​

Note: Just a few things that must be stated before reading anything past this point. First, the MS3 in my opinion needs at least 50 hours of burn-in (I gave them about 100). Next, all of my critical listening was done using the balanced nozzle. I use all flac files or better which are stored on my devices and usually use Uapp, though at times I use Hiby player, Shanling Music or Poweramp depending on my source.

Pint Sized Sound Impressions​

If I were to describe the sound of the Hidizs MS3 in one word, that word would be “full”. Of course, one word is a horrible way to describe anything with nuance, and this hobby is all about nuance. I could also use saturated, deft, clean, detailed, dynamic, tidy… The list could go on and on. I can say with complete confidence that the Hidizs MS3 does everything quite nice. Perhaps I could accurately state that the MS3 is ‘very good at much’ but a ‘master of none’ type situation.

Anyways, the sound is full of bodacious macro-dynamics that jump out at you and encompass the psycho-acoustic image in my mind. Multiple layers, holographic and vibrant. The sound is completely dynamic, dynamically balanced, musical, detailed per the tuning and able to play many genres very well. In fact, I find the price to be very generous for what you get, and I do believe that this “may” be the set to beat under $200 if the tuning resonates with you. Oh relax…. I said it “may” be the set to beat!

Each 3rd​

The bass region hits hard, it’s impactful, authoritative, hard edged and tight in transient behavior. The midrange is lush, nicely weighted, natural in tonality, and great for vocals and instrumentation. The treble comes across punchy, expressive, extended and has a nice and controlled treble sheen. The soundstage is almost holographic with nice depth and a wide stage. Detail retrieval is very well accomplished as I can pick up on almost any of the finer things in my music.

All things considered; the sound has a great dynamic balance, in that, the greatest dynamic expression in each 3rd of the mix (bass, mids, treble) has a balance to it. You won’t miss much with this set. Of course, some may prefer less bass. Some may want more or less treble activity. There will also be some who want a more neutral sound, so not everyone will always be a fan. As for me… I dig this set! Great job Hidizs! Let’s get into each 3rd of the mix…

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Bass Region​

The Hidizs MS3 has a tasteful yet fun emphasis added to this region. The focus is primarily in the sub-bass area of the low-end, but the mid-bass has plenty of emphasis as well. I also don’t find the bass region to be too accentuated when I look at the entire frequency as a whole, as the bass doesn’t dominate anything unless the track being played has a dominant bass presence. Basically, the bass is not intrusive and only makes its presence greatly felt when it is called upon. If the track you’re listening to has a ton of bass than that is what you will get and vice-versa. Granted there is some warmth in the lower-mids brought on by the subtle spill over from the mid-bass, but with all things considered; the low-end of the Hidizs MS3 is done in a classy way without ruining the entire spectrum in bloat.

Sub-bass​

The lowest of the lows has good density, or, satisfying density, the kind of guttural drone that vibrates in a way that you can feel. What I like is that Hidizs didn’t overdo the sub-bass (or mid-bass for that matter) and bump it up so grossly that it hinders the low-end with too much unnatural coloration. It seems that Hidizs “understands” that it’s nice to add a touch of good and fun physical meat… without drowning the entire mix in it. The sub-bass has a nice texture to it with a nice transient attack. The leading surface edge hits mildly quick with a nicely concrete depth to it and a decay that keeps things atmospheric. Basically, this sounds like good DD bass. It isn’t so snappy that you lose that organic affectability but it’s rumbly, clean and taught in the process.

Listening to “Abracadabra” by Young Thug (feat. Travis Scott) on the MS3 is a grizzly and rumbly affair right out of the gate. There is a very palpable and tactile boom here. The MS3 totally does this song justice. Or a more obviously sonorous track like “Paradigm” by The Head and Heart. The MS3 doesn’t just fill my entire mind space in rumble, but instead it takes this bassline (which any iem can rumble to) and has some depth to the modulation in the rumble all the while never drowning out the lead’s voice. In fact, I hear perfect separation and no muddiness. It simply sounds nice. Another track I go to routinely is “Heavy is the Ocean” by Bush (off their latest album). Again, there is some detailed depth while digging very deep with this robust and dirty bassline which sets the entire tone of the track.

Mid-bass​

The mid-bass follows suit of the sub-bass and keeps it clean with bass drops, kick drums, bass guitars etc. while never interfering into any other part of the mix in a detrimental way. The MS3 has authority in the slam it produces yet never is overdone in my opinion. I feel the MS3 simply replays what’s asked of it while keeping things fun. After listening to the MS5 I would have thought that we would hear more of a basshead type sound but that simply isn’t the case. Now I do think that bass bois will find gratification in the MS3’s portrayal of the mid-bass but I wouldn’t call it a basshead replay at all.

Listening to “Groove” by Ray Wylie Hubbard, the MS3 displays a grizzly bass guitar riff that sounds up front and very edgy with a fullness to it. I feel like I can hear all sides of the bass. Or the thunderous successive kick drum booms in the song “Billie Jean” by Weezer (Michael Jackson cover). The sound is deft, nimble, solid and round. There is almost an echo which quickly follows the fundamental boom and the tightly textured thud of the drum. “Rich Off Pain” by Lil Baby and Lil Durk is an example of a bass drop done right without simply throwing bass at a hip-hop track but instead the MS3 keeps a rewarding, tidy, and reverberant slam.

Downsides to the Bass Region​

I’m really pushing it to call this a con, but for those who cannot stand a little bit of bass than the MS3 may not be the set for you as there is definitely a bass presence. This bass is not in any way a con for me, but it may be for some of those who are reading this.

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Midrange​

The midrange can be summed up in at least a few words… musical, rich and vibrant. The brunt of all music usually rests solidly in this region where we find the fundamental frequencies of much of the instrumentation in most genres. The midrange is primarily where we find male and female vocals residing as well. So, getting this region right can usually make or break a set of earphones for most people. I did say “most”. Like I’ve stated, In the case of the Hidizs MS3 I find this set to have a nice dynamic balance across all three general portions of the frequency, which in turn renders the midrange pretty melodious and technically adept as well.

I don’t find the MS3’s midrange to be overly recessed as I hear good presence and amplitude in the midrange. The graph will tell you there is a small dip of recession in the midrange, but I don’t really hear it. I definitely wouldn’t call it mid-centric as the sound has more of a balance, but I would say that the midrange is a “pro” on the MS3. The midrange is more on the lush side of the scale with a smoother overtone however this doesn’t mean the MS3 doesn’t have a detailed midrange. In fact, I find the MS3 to have a nicely resolving sound in this region, even with the lusher sound. Of course, this is not a dry and analytical detail monster in the Mids but the MS3 is very well done and ultimately very clean and with nice pacing, timing and transient behavior.

Lower-midrange​

Male voices come across with nice body to them which in turn sounds more natural to life. The MS3 has a nice ability to come across organic with all types of male voices. Listening to the track “The Gambler” by Home Free (Kenny Rogers cover) you’ll hear every type of men’s vocals. Listening with the MS3 paired with the Shanling M6 Ultra each of those voices will come across distinct and nicely weighted with a tidy note outline to each as well. This song is a testament to the MS3’s nice balance of warmth and cleanliness. Males are in a good place on the stage, not too up front and in your face, but also not pushed back and distant. They highlight the track without overshadowing anything else.

A higher pitched male vocal like the lead’s voice in the track “Casual Party” by Band of Horses comes across nicely etched out around the canopy of instruments around him in this energetic song. Or a deeper vocal, like bass singer Avi Kaplan (from Pentatonix) in the song “First Place I Go” actually sounds sonorous and forward with a nice warmth and crisp note outline.

Upper-Midrange​

Female vocals have more energy than males and are closer in the stage as well. There is an evident shimmer in females while listening with the MS3. Something I enjoy quite a lot. To go along with the running them of the MS3, females have good note weight. Females have this effervescent quality to them on the MS3. For instance, “Half In Half Out” by Gabrielle Aplin has such a sweet and eurythmic inflection to her voice which whispers soft in a subtle moment yet is crisp and resounding when she opens up her voice. The thing which always remains is the distinct and clean outline to her voice and the uplifted tone to her voice. The MS3 really does do females nicely without specializing in them.

Another example is Jess Williamson in “Stampede“. I have to remark on how well the MS3 is able to highlight her voice as well as highlight instrumentation while keeping everything separated. I can concentrate on any one instrument if I’d like to as separation is very well composed along with great imaging. Jess has a voice very close to an artist like Jewel and the MS3 replays her very well. Females come come across nicely on the MS3, no matter the pitch or tone either.

Instruments​

The upper-midrange is slightly elevated as a whole with enough transient speed and control in the midrange to really create a nicely drawn out and imagined stage. I find all instruments to sound mostly natural as well. Piano is nice, strings sound detailed and transparent, percussion comes across buoyant, round and impactful and instruments like trumpets sound prominent and thickened, and the list goes on. I haven’t heard an out-and-out weakness yet. The fundamental body of a cymbal strike is a nice exclamation with good body and tone. Snares pang with energy. Again, the list goes on. I’m sure that some will find something to complain about but for $169 I’m finding it difficult to nitpick.

Downsides of the midrange​

However, if I were to nitpick, I would make mention of the slight bit of sibilance in tracks which are more prone to it. At times you’ll hear an “SS” or “ZZ” sound linger a hint longer than natural. Also, for those who want a more analytical, dry and neutral sound, they may want to look past this set. Truthfully, it’s hard to nitpick on a set like this.

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Treble Region​

The treble is uplifted quite a bit, even using the “balanced” nozzle, and even more so using the “treble” nozzle. Still, any less emphasis and the balance would be off, and the tonal color would slip left into more warmth. Possibly sounding less open and airy. In my humble opinion. Thankfully the treble seems to uplift the entire spectrum with added snappiness and even treble bite. The treble is nicely done and adds a nice zing to the upper regions and does well to illuminate some of the minutiae in a track. The treble does well to come across smooth and palatable but can also come across very crisp when called upon. Timbre up top sounds close to natural to my ears and there is really nice energy up top.

I hear nice extension in the upper treble region with some added brilliance. There is plenty of information out past 10k that is easily heard and accounted for. The secondary harmonics of a cymbal strike don’t sound tizzy or splashy to me and mostly sound full of a nice “chisk”. Strings sound clean and bouncy. Piano has a nicely mellifluous and harmonic reverb and echo. That’s all that my notes have but from what I recall there isn’t anything that was a “red flag” to me in the treble region.

Examples​

Listening to Billy Strings song “Secrets” I was impressed with the MS3’s ability to keep up with every note of Billy’s rapid-fire banjo play while also doing a great job of highlighting Billy’s vocals. The MS3 picks up every little gradation, finger slide, and scrape. I found that either the balanced nozzle or the treble nozzle handles this track with a nice crispness that exposes the variations between each instrument. The MS3 handles chaos pretty well.

Another track that the MS3 absolutely slayed on was Yusef Lateef‘s song “Bishop School“. This is a track that I use for treble response in testing as there is a slew of treble activity that creates utter chaos on a less qualified iem. The MS3 is actually able to undress this song and bring to light each and every last instrument. I can distinctly hear the flute play, bass, congas, drums, electric bass, electric guitar, percussion, trumpets, strings and piano play as well. Some are easier than others as the recording isn’t perfect. Many of those instruments listed reside ‘at’ or ‘near’ the treble region.

Great at details​

I will cover this later in slightly more detail but the upper regions present micro-details very well for the price point. I would go harder but I’m trying to keep my cool here. The treble is very resolving and transparent for a V-shaped tuning. There is the slightest bit of BA treble occurring but nothing that annoys and for the most part the treble is pretty natural. What I Don’t hear is anything shrill, or peaky, or any tizziness, and only a very slight metallic “BA treble” which is fantastic. For all intents and purposes, the MS3 does micro details nicely up top, all the while not causing any great fatigue. Of course, not much causes offense to my ears.

Downside to the treble region​

There is some slight sibilance but nothing which was a bother to me at all. I suppose the treble region could use a bit more of a snappy punch and crispness when called upon for some folks. Truthfully, the only real issue would be a subjective issue for those who simply need more or less treble activity and emphasis. As far as the technical chops in the treble region or the actual “quality” of the treble… it isn’t bad at all, and very good for this price point. There are sets which specialize in this area, but they also can lack in other areas. The MS3 on the other hand has the ability to do it all pretty well.

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Technicalities​

Soundstage​

The soundstage has a nice size to it for the price point which is actually quite a compliment considering that there are many in this range that have great stage sizes. I hear a wider stage with a lot of spaciousness. I hear a nicely wide stereo image that expands well. One thing I noticed is that the sound at the farthest reaches of the stage comes across just as voluminous as those which reside in the center. The height is above average as well. The best part is the good depth that I hear which leads to nice layering of sounds. I am impressed with the large stage that still has good macro-dynamics across the mix. I hear a more 3D or holographic type mental image when listening to my music which is nice to hear but other iems can do so equally or even better.

Separation / Imaging​

Separation is really great. Even on complicated tracks you can very easily perceive that the drivers embedded inside the MS3 are of good quality. When you have nicely tight and controlled transient responses from each area of the mix, a more transparent sound, as well as a balanced sound you will more than likely also have pretty good separation of elements on an imaginary stage. Imaging is spot on in every track in my “technicalities” Playlist which has every type of music you can think of from acoustic to completely complicated. I found the MS3 to separate and partition off each and every element of every track so long as the recording was of good quality. Basically, what you feed this set… It’ll play my friends. Perhaps there are some sets which do so better but for this type of dynamic sound the MS3 is very well accomplished here.

Details​

Is the Hidizs MS3 tuned and created to be a detail oriented iem? I don’t think so. The MS3 has a dynamism to it, bigger basses, plump midrange, smoother treble. The MS3 is a fun sounding set with a very expressive and vivacious sound. However, both macro and micro details shine through despite this. With a set like the MS3 I think you have the luxury of a dynamic performance with a fine-tuned and detailed replay as well. To be honest, the detail retrieval kind of surprised me. The stage is wide, deep, and tall, all the while the sound is clean, and tight, with a transient response which is perceivably pretty rapid and controlled. These attributes compose a recipe for detail success to at least a slight degree. Also, there is ample separation and great imaging which also helps to draw-out the finer details.

Comparisons​

Note: The comparisons in this review are not a duel to the death. I have zero want or need to establish if one thing is better than the other. I use comparisons as a tool to hopefully better explain the iem that I’m reviewing.

Hidizs MS5 ($399)​

The Hidizs MS5 (MS5 Review HERE) is a Hidizs flagship level iem that was either loved or… not loved. I for one adore the sound, as it is a different and fun take on my musical library. The MS5 is a five-driver hybrid consisting of a fantastic Liquid Silicone Dynamic Driver and four Sonion Balanced Armature Drivers. Truly a fantastic iem but there were certainly mixed reviews. As for myself I consistently listen to the MS5 and have the perfect tracks for my listening. One thing the audioverse was waiting on was how Hidizs would respond to the nitpicks from reviewers on this latest set, the Hidizs MS3. The MS5 costs quite a bit more. In fact, if original price is taken into account ($499) than the MS5 costs almost three times as much. Let’s try to compare the two now.

Ergonomics / Aesthetic​

Both iems are very ergonomic but I find the newer MS3 to have a better fit for me. Many people complained of ear pain from the fit of the cable, but I can tell you right now that this issue has been given special attention to on the MS3. As far as looks are concerned, both of these iems are fantastic looking sets. The accessories are about the same although the MS5 does come with a carrying case. I will say that I like the newer cable which comes with the MS3 better than its more expensive older sibling. Although the MS5’s cable is absolutely beautiful. I think the difference is in the newer cable’s usability, as it’s a little easier to use in everyday listening.

Sound​

The Hidizs MS5 is a much warmer sounding iem yet with much more of a treble rise and spike as well. Some complaints towards the MS5 were that its treble was too shrill and too far boosted. I didn’t think so (depending on nozzle choice and tip selection), but I understood what these reviewers were saying. The MS3 seems to be a much more balanced effort with equal parts in each area of the mix. The MS3 is closer to warm/neutral depending on the nozzle setup whereas the MS5 is dark/bright in tonal color. I find the tuning nozzles of the MS3 to have a greater effect on the sound as well. I should also add that the MS3 is much easier to drive to good fidelity. Much easier! The MS3 can run off a simple dongle dac and the MS5 wants as much juice as you can give it.

Bass Region​

Both sets can flat-out bump, but the MS5 does have a slightly more robust low-end with a more taught sounding bass region. This is not to take anything away from the MS3 as I adore the bass on the MS3. However, the note outline and leading edges on the MS5 are a hint harder lined. This can be changed a bit by switching nozzles but mostly the MS5 outperforms the MS3 by a hair in this area. To be honest I debate this to myself, and it took quite a lot of listening to come to this conclusion. Who knows, by the time I was done I may have dreamed this up. Both sets sound fantastic down low.

Midrange​

The midrange is much better tuned on the newer MS3 if you ask me. Perhaps the MS5 has a touch better detailed midrange but as far as musicality is concerned… It’s the MS3 all day long. The MS3 has much sweeter female vocals and better controlled male vocals while showing off better separation and imaging in this region. The sound is much easier to stomach without nearly as much sibilance as would occur on the MS5 at times. This is not a clear win across the board though. The MS5 does have a lusher note weight with a more forward sounding midrange and is very nice for vocals. That said, the MS3 is more musical and simply more realistic to my ears and can play more genres better.

Treble Region​

The MS5 is much brighter, even with the MS3’s treble (silver) nozzle installed. The timbre up top is simply better on the MS3. The MS5 has some forced resolution up top with a drastically enhanced treble region but the MS3 has a much more natural and organic type of replay up top. Micro-details do show through on the MS5 a hair better as the treble is very resolving. Again, this one could easily be debated. I think Hidizs did a fantastic job tuning the MS3’s treble and it’s a marked improvement over its older sibling as far as timbre and tonality. Both offer nice details. Some may enjoy the more pronounced treble of the MS5 but speaking for myself, I feel the MS3 is better.

Technicalities​

As far as technicalities are concerned, I feel that both sets offer a large stage size, and neither is far and away better in this area. Both sets have nice depth of sound field, and both are clearly above average in the stage size department. Details are a hair easier to discern on the MS5 in the treble region, but the midrange belongs to the MS3 in my opinion. More organic and natural timbre and with more air in the midrange. It should also be stated that neither set is abysmal in the detail retrieval department. Both sets present all the tiny little subtleties very well.

In the end​

In the end I think that more people will generally enjoy the MS3 over the MS5. Just due to its more recognizable and mature tuning. The balance is better, timbre is better, musicality across the board is a bit better and the MS3 is more palatable to more people I would think. Truthfully, I find the MS3 to be one of the better iems in its price point, period. The MS5 has its great selling points and is a very good iem in many facets but the tuning is more particular whereas the MS3s’ tuning fits a broader range of musical genres, which in turn means it’ll likely suit a vaster number of hobbyists.

Aful Performer 5 ($219)​

The Aful Performer 5 came along like a brush fire of hype and hope. For a hot minute this set had the attention of the entire audio community. However, after some “up and down” reviews, it was obvious that some of those positive thoughts may have been honeymoon hype. With that said, I really enjoy the Performer 5 and do consider it one of the better iems in its price point. Like anything, it has subjective little flaws, but nothing which jumps out at me. In fact, the P5 is a pretty darn well tuned set. The P5 is a one DD + four BA hybrid set which is made completely out of resin and has a stylistic look. Costing about $50 more than the MS3, the P5 should be much better and if we’ve learned anything from the mS5 comparison… We shall see.

Ergonomics / Aesthetic​

Both of these sets offer a very ergonomically friendly design meant for long listening sessions. I do seem to get a better seal on the P5 but both sets fit like a glove in my ears. As far as look goes, although this is very subjective and personal to a person, the MS3 are possibly the better-looking set (my opinion) and the better built set. To be honest, I don’t think there is even a comparison here. One is made of resin, and one is made of aviation grade aluminum. One is orange, brown, and yellow and the other (MS3) is just flat-out DOPE! Was that an objective answer? Anyways, yes, the MS3 is the more durable iem of the two, I don’t think there can be much of an argument against that.

Sound​

I love the sound of both of these iems but they are quite different in terms of replay. The P5 comes across neutral to the ear with a very resolving sound and the MS3 has a touch more warmth and dynamism. Both sets are easy to drive but the MS3 is the easier of the two to drive to good fidelity.

Bass Region​

Both sets can bang. However, the MS3 has the tighter bass with a much more controlled presentation. I find the MS3 to have more slam and impact with a punchier sound. The P5 on the other hand has a deeper extension into the lowest of lows yet when it comes to its leading edge on attack through sustain there is a softness that can sound sligtly flabby to a degree, especially when compared to a set like the MS3. I hear a more densely robust sound on the MS3 with notes that can come and go more rapidly.

Midrange​

Both midrange replays are subtly different. The P5 has more forward female vocals whereas the MS3 has more forward male vocals. The MS3 has much more of a lush and smooth approach to the dryer sounding P5. That said, the P5 is also more resolving in this area. Granted both sets offer a resolute playback, but the P5 is quite literally known for this attribute. Details in the midrange come across a bit easier on the P5. In the same breath the MS3 has a much more musical and emotional sound. There is simply a more dynamic and present sound on the MS3. Still, the P5 is a very nice set for vocals. Pick your poison, I guess.

Treble Region​

This is the greatest difference between the P5 and the MS3. The MS3 has a much more emphasized treble region and thus a much better detailed sound with a lot more treble punch and snappiness. The P5 has a softer treble region and is actually a very safe tuning up top. Of the two the MS3 is much more shimmery and vivacious up top with a lot more energy.

Technicalities​

As far as the stage, the MS3 has the bigger stage in almost all directions. I say that but the P5 is no slouch and has a great stage. Separation and imaging sound slightly better on the P5 but it’s by such a small margin that it probably isn’t worth noting. For the most part, details can be picked up a bit better on the MS3. These two trade blows quite a bit, but to see that the MS3 not only holds its own but even overtakes the P5 in multiple key metrics is saying something. Hidizs isn’t playing around anymore fellas and ladies. It appears they are going for the under $200 crown and for what it’s worth …it also appears they are going straight for the jugular.

In the end​

In the end these are both two stellar iems and are each relatively close in price at a $50 difference. I can’t say one is better than the other as that is a very subjective statement, but I can say that one (Hidizs MS3) is more fun sounding, more spirited, lively and vigorously zippy and simply built better. The P5 has its own glorious attributes and is cemented in my rotation for its silky-smooth delivery, clarity, non-offensive airiness and great vocals.

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Is it worth the asking price?​

This is one of the easiest answers I’ve ever had to give. Absolutely the Hidizs MS3 is worth the $169 asking price. What’s even crazier is that the MS3 is being offered for $113 for a limited time. One thousand percent… Yes, the Hidizs MS3 is worth every penny.

The why…​

Let’s see, the build is exceptional, the look is ridiculously cool, and the tuning is awesome for a V-shaped set. The bass digs deep and stays in good control while not overstepping its position in the mix. The mids are clean and energetic and the treble is very vibrant and shimmery without causing fatigue for most people. The stage is large and wide and holographic, and my music sounds great through the MS3. The cable alone is the best in the price point! The accessories are fantastic for $169 (minus a carrying case, nice pouch though) as well. I think this is an absolute no brainer at the price being offered my friends. I will always give you my exact thoughts and I truly believe that the MS3 is one of the best buys under $200.

Can’t deny​

Listen, not everyone will be a fan. I don’t expect that. As a reviewer there has been a litany of times that I’ve loved something that somebody else emphatically does not enjoy. That’s life. However, the intangibles are there on the MS3. Nobody can say that the MS3 is a technical slouch. Nobody can say it isn’t dynamic and fun. Also, nobody can say that it isn’t accessorized to the nines. I don’t expect everyone to be a fan, but I think those people will be very few and very far in between. Basically, the MS3 is a very good iem that seems strategically placed at the price it’s at. This is a nice set in my humble opinion.

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Ratings (0-10)​

Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles. In the case of the Hidizs MS3 ratings below, that would be $125-$200 iems in any configuration. Please remember that “ratings” don’t tell the whole story. This leaves out nuance and a number of other qualities which make an iem what it is. A “5” is exactly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $125-$200 US is a small pool in the grand scheme of things and so seeing ratings above a “9” is understandable. Especially if the iem in question is something like the Hidizs MS3.

Aesthetic ​

-Build Quality: 10.0

-Design: 9.8

-Accessories: 9.5

–Overall: 9.8

Sound Rating​

-Timbre: 9.4

-Bass: 9.5

-Midrange: 9.2

-Treble: 9.6

-Technicalities: 9.5

Overall: 9.5
Full review HERE

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Conclusion​

To conclude this review, I want to state that I’ve had a blast both critically listening, and casually listening to the Hidizs MS3. Truly it is a competitor in the price point that the MS3 rests at and I must repeat that from my perspective it is a no-brainer purchase. Hidizs has really stepped up their already impressive game with a set that should make a mark within a loaded sea of iems.

I dont want you to simply take my word for it. I am only a man my friends and I only can share my authentic thoughts. Please read, listen to, or watch other reviews of the Hidizs MS3 and take in other perspectives so that you will have a better idea of what the MS3 is all about. We all have different likes and dislikes, different hearing abilities, different gear and we all haven’t been down the same audio journey. It’ll only help you to make an informed decision.

I want to send out a very special thanks to Bella and to Hidizs as well for providing the Hidizs MS3 in exchange for a full review and feature at mobileaudiophile.com. They have been so very helpful in answering any question that I have, and I am so very impressed. So, Bella…thank you! With that I want to also say thank you to anyone who takes the time to read any word that I write. I do hope it helps you in making a purchasing decision. Please take care and stay safe…God Bless!

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.

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

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

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

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

Click to expand...

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.

Click to expand...

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.

Click to expand...

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

Click to expand...

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

Click to expand...

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…

General/Build/Comfort/Packaging
Hidizs is a brand that most audiophiles are familiar with, they are mostly well known for their source rather than IEMs, but they’re looking to change the perspective and they’re coming up hot with their recent releases. The MS5 which features a 1DD+4 Sonion BAs and the little brother which I have with me today, the MS3 which features 1DD+2 Knowles BA.



Build quality is solid, which retains most of the bigger brother’s design with the exception of a different faceplate. The packaging is very premium looking as well, along with the bundled accessories, this time around, instead of a hard storage case, a faux leather like storage pouch is provided instead, which is totally understandable in order to bring down the cost. This time around, there’s an option for either single ended termination or 4.4 balanced, a great move by Hidizs. Kudos! The cable is 4 strands OFC mixed braided, it is not stiff nor thick, just nice in terms of weight and practical.



Gears used for this review

• Earmen Angel Dac/Amp
• Earmen ST-Amp
• Earmen Colibri
• Sony WM1A
• Hidizs MS3 stock cable and eartips (Bass Tip)

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression (Balanced Filter)
MS3 has a slight cool tonality and energetic treble, bass is quite punchy and sub bass rumbles when the track calls for it. Timbre sounds natural most of the time, but certain instruments do have slight BA timbre to it, not really a cons to me. One thing to note is that MS3 is fairly sensitive, depending on source, it may or may not hiss, paired with WM1A, it doesn’t hiss, whereas with higher powered source such as Angel, Colibri, and ST-Amp, it hisses, unless if you are using iFi’s IEMatch, then there won’t be any hisses at all, also, due to the MS3 being fairly sensitive, things can get loud pretty fast



Let’s take a look at the breakdown below:

Bass

• Bass has very good texture and punches hard when the track calls for it (Metallica's Lux Aeterna)
• Sub bass does rumble but slightly lacking in terms of extension, sufficient quantity and quality to enjoy EDM to my ears
• Good speed and control for the bass
• It doesn’t bleed into the mids

Mids

• The mids are not recessed nor overly forward, it’s just right and musical
• Lush sounding with good details across this range
• Male vocal in general sounds alright, doesn’t sound thin but slightly lacking in terms of texture, female vocal however sounds very rich and pleasant, possibly due to the slight emphasis on the upper midrange, but never came across as shouty to my ears
• As i mentioned earlier, due to the slight emphasis on the upper midrange/pinna gain, those who are sensitive to this region might find it shouty, so YMMV

Treble

• The trebles are slightly boosted even on the balanced filter, but it doesn’t sound harsh or sibilant in anyway, i find it to be nicely done and blend in very well across the frequency range
• There are a good amount of air that are present in this range which also contributes to a good soundstage
• Detail retrieval is very good for the asking price, micro details are nicely presented without causing any fatigue
• In comparison to its bigger brother the MS5, the treble region is slightly tamer compared to the MS5, which can be a little “spicy” at times depending on tracks

Soundstage/Imaging

• The soundstage is nicely done in my opinion especially for this price point, it is wide, a little out of your head and good enough height, a little lacking in terms of depth, but that’s acceptable given the asking price and the overall technicalities that MS3 offers
• Instruments can be pinpointed easily on where it’s coming from, HRTF is relatively good based on my listening experience

Sound Impression on other nozzle
Bass Nozzle

• Bass nozzle, as the name suggested, boost the bass by quite a bit, also add some warmth to the overall presentation
• The upper mid is slightly tamer compared to the balanced nozzle, a safer approach
• Mids are slightly recessed as well
• Treble is slightly darker on this nozzle

Treble Nozzle

• The trebles are elevated even more compared to the balanced nozzle, very energetic and crisp treble, treble head will like this presentation
• Mids are also a little bit more forward, a slight gain on the upper mids, female vocals are very energetic, and depending on the vocal range, some artist might come off as shouty
• Slight sibilant on certain track

Driveability

• MS3 is very easy to drive, Apple’s Lightning Dongle is sufficient to maximise its potential to my ears (using ddHifi’s 4.4F to 3.5M adapter)
• It doesn’t benefit much from amping, i do find the MS3 sounds a little harsh when fed with too much power
• It pairs fairly well with Hidizs’s in house source such as the XO and AP80 Pro-X
• Personally, i find the MS3 to have good synergy with warmer source such as Sony’s WM1A, it does add a little bit of body/texture to the overall presentation

Comparison (SeeAudio Yume II)

• Yume II has slightly thinner note weight
• Bass is fast on the Yume II, but slightly lacking texture compared to MS3
• Bass quantity is lesser on the Yume II
• Treble is slightly smoother on the Yume II
• MS3 has more air compared to Yume II, hence contributing to a slightly wider soundstage
• Yume II has better imaging compared to MS3
• Build quality wise, packaging, comfort wise, both are good and nothing much to nitpick

Final Thoughts
All in all, having tested several IEMs from Hidizs, it's clear to me that they definitely take the feedback seriously, it can be seen from MS3, which I believe the engineers did take some of the feedback from MS5 and work their magic on MS3. The tuning filter works and the differences are perceivable, not a gimmick at all. Out of the box, it is a technical beast and it does sound better against the competition which shares similar driver configuration and is priced higher. I think this time they got it right and i definitely look forward to see more new offerings from Hidizs in the near future



*A big thanks to Hidizs for sending this over for the purpose of this review, I received no compensation for writing this review.

Head over to their official store if you are interested in getting a pair, at the time of writing, it is currently on sale at 113$ which is a STEAL in my opinion, the price will be back to 169$ after 17th July, that is quite a lot of savings if you ask me

Hidizs MS3 - Non affiliated

Hidizs MS3

Cómo empezaremos esto?, quizás hablando un poco del origen de este IEM, para empezar, sigue la misma línea de su hermano el MS5, los colores y el diseño son muy parecidos, un color negras con franjas doradas en sus laterales, un diseño muy parecido al de algunos modelos de la marca Fiio, pero claramente con una propuesta diferente, cabe resaltar que este modelo también comparte similitud en cuanto a la tecnología su hermano mayor y no estoy hablando de los drivers, sino de los filtros, pero a diferencia del MS5 los cambios se notan más, el MS3 cuenta con tres filtros, uno rojo (frecuencias bajas), uno gris (Frecuencias altas) y uno Rosa (frecuencias balanceadas), por defecto el IEM viene con el filtro balanceado y la firma que nos ofrece tener estar muy cerca, pero la firma que nos ofrece es una en U corta,lo que quiere decir que tiene unos graves un poco elevados, medios presentes y agudos no tan elevados, pero más adelante estaremos hablando del audio que nos ofrece el MS3, por el momento vamos a enfocarnos en sus componentes, adicional a los filtros, también contamos con varios juegos de puntas o almohadillas, en total uno 9 juegos, muy similares a los filtros, contamos con almohadillas para frecuencias bajas, para frecuencias altas y balanceadas, mi recomendación es usar el IEM con las almohadillas balanceadas y las que ayudan a las frecuencias altas , adicional de las almohadillas también nos encontramos con una funda que simula piel, esta es de color negro y es lo suficientemente amplia como para guardar los IEM y eso sería todos los aditamentos que nos ofrece, ahora sí, vamos a pasar al audio,para esto vamos a dividirlo entras parte y aclaro que no me voy a extender en esto ya que no suele ser muy técnico y explicar el comportamiento de un IEM es subjetivo y créanme, muchos intentamos ser objetivos, pero cada persona interpreta de forma diferente el audio , quizás para mí lo que está bien, para otros no lo estás.



Frecuencias Bajas

Nos encontramos con un IEM en el que las frecuencias Bajas estas muy presentes, no al punto de meterse en las demás frecuencias, aun con los ajustes que llegues a realizar estas no se perderán, podemos decir que son extensas y se disfrutan, carecen un poco de detalle, sin embargo, esto puede mejorar cambiando de filtro, el golpe en las tumbas es fuerte y notan exagerado, contrata bien con las otras frecuencias, esto quiere decir que no se pierde y que está bien separado y si te preguntas si es un grave exagerado, te confirmo que no es así, se disfruta y apetece seguir escuchándolo, creo que el 90% de las personas no tendrán problemas con estas frecuencias y si le agregamos que puedes ajustarlas a tus gustos, posiblemente tendrás la misma opinión,dentro de las cosas que no me gustan es que dependiendo de los ajustes que se realicen estas o ganan potencia y pierden detalle o ganan detalle y pierden potencias, algo obvio si estos cambian de filtros o almohadillas, tal vez llegas a un punto en el que no te suele quedar muy convencido y recalco esto es algo subjetivo, me agrada que la música tenga cuerpo, que se sienta y se note cada instrumento, en especial esos que hacen que te retumben los tímpanos, claro, con moderación, pero siendo sinceros, no todo se puede lograr.en especial esos que hacen que te retumben los tímpanos, claro, con moderación, pero siendo sinceros, no todo se puede lograr.en especial esos que hacen que te retumben los tímpanos, claro, con moderación, pero siendo sinceros, no todo se puede lograr.



Frecuencias Medias

Entramos a un terreno un poco complicado, no porque sea malo, sino que tienes que ajustar varias cosas, pero antes de hablar de eso, hablaremos de forma general, estas frecuencias son el punto débil del IEM, son las que más cambios sufren al momento de realizar ajustes, generalmente son frecuencias que se sienten algo atrasadas, que en un principio puedes mejorar subiendo el volumen, sin embargo esto no debería ser así, no carecen de detalle y manejan muy bien la separación instrumental, pero las voces son las que pagan el precio y hablo de las voces principales, ya que las voces de los coros no se sienten atrasadas, cabe aclarar que los coros se encuentran entre los altos, lo cual las medios ayuda en gran medida,todo esto se soluciona cambiando las almohadillas (en el filtro balanceado) y usando el filtro para frecuencias altas con las almohadillas balanceadas y aclaro esto puede ser diferente en tu caso, ahora bien si ya realizaste algunas configuraciones para mejorar los medios, no encontraremos con medios muy claros y detallados, con un campo muy amplio de información, tanto de instrumentos como de voces, se nota un escenario musical amplio, entre los instrumentos que mejor se escuchan encontramos a los instrumentos de cuerda, disfrutas cada nota y sientas el rasgueo por cada cuerda, en general, las frecuencias medias al igual que en las bajas dependen de la combinación o ajustes que hagas, estas ofrecen detalle y contraste ante cada instrumento.ahora bien si ya realizaste algunas definiciones para mejorar los medios, nos encontraremos con medios muy claros y detallados, con un campo muy amplio de información, tanto de instrumentos como de voces, se nota un escenario musical amplio, entre los instrumentos que mejor se escuchan Encontramos a los instrumentos de cuerda, disfrutas cada nota y sientas el rasgueo por cada cuerda, en general las frecuencias medias al igual que en las bajas dependen de la combinación o ajustes que hagas, estas ofrecen detalle y contraste ante cada instrumento.ahora bien si ya realizaste algunas definiciones para mejorar los medios, nos encontraremos con medios muy claros y detallados, con un campo muy amplio de información, tanto de instrumentos como de voces, se nota un escenario musical amplio, entre los instrumentos que mejor se escuchan Encontramos a los instrumentos de cuerda, disfrutas cada nota y sientas el rasgueo por cada cuerda, en general las frecuencias medias al igual que en las bajas dependen de la combinación o ajustes que hagas, estas ofrecen detalle y contraste ante cada instrumento.disfrutes cada nota y sientas el rasgueo por cada cuerda, en general las frecuencias medias al igual que en las bajas dependen de la combinacion o ajustes que hagas, estas ofrecen detalle y contraste ante cada instrumento.disfrutes cada nota y sientas el rasgueo por cada cuerda, en general las frecuencias medias al igual que en las bajas dependen de la combinacion o ajustes que hagas, estas ofrecen detalle y contraste ante cada instrumento.



Frecuencias Altas



Creo que estas son las mejor trabajadas, a diferencia del MS5, estas frecuencias no son tan altas, manejan mejor los agudos, te ofrecen detalle sin llegar al micro detalle, caso contrario del MS5, sin embargo, el detalle que te ofrecen superan a otros IEM del mismo costo y eso que estamos hablando de un IEM que considera que es divertido y no analítico, ahora bien, si llegamos a realizar algún ajuste en estas frecuencias considera que las mejores almohadillas serían las balanceadas, no te preocupes si eres sensible a los agudos, solo tienes que colocar las almohadillas correctas y ya está, contamos con varias combinaciones que pueden ayudar a mejorar los agudos, se acoplan correctamente con las demás frecuencias y aportan un poco de brillo, no llegan a colorear al IEM y eso se agradece,contamos con un trabajo exquisito que con cada mejora ajusta su desempeño, hasta el momento no encuentro algo malo y eso me sorprende, porque este suele ser un punto que se tiene que tocar con pinzas en la mayoría de los IEM.



Filtros

Si hablamos de cada filtro y sus combinaciones, podemos decir que los cambios son sustanciales, no hablamos de que los cambios son sutiles, son cambios que se notan con cada ajuste que se realizan, es agradable que tienes varios oídos en uno solo, los filtros neumáticos, son una tecnología que no había probado y por lo visto funcionan, pero no todo es bueno, hay que resaltar que al tener cambios tan notorios, puede llegar a no agradarte tanto, ya que si solo necesitas algunos ajustes que no sean solo por cambiar las almohadillas, puedes encontrarte con el problema de que la firma de sonido no te llegue a agradar, pero si solo necesitas cambias de almohadillas esto puede ser perfecto, aun así puedes estar jugando con cada combinación para encontrar la ideal.

Conclusión: es un IEM que vale la pena, tienes varios IEM en uno, los filtros funcionan, el ajuste en cada driver es el correcto, el precio es competitivo, los materiales son de calidad, el diseño es elegante y el sonido es competitivo y divertido.

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!

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...

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

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank Hidizs for providing this review unit.

The MS3 can be gotten here (no affiliate links):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7GMHGXM (4.4 mm cable version)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7GMQCL1 (3.5 mm cable version)
https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-ms3-2ba-1dd-hybrid-3-drivers-hifi-in-ear-monitors




SPECIFICATIONS

• Driver configuration: 10.2 mm dual magnetic circuit dual cavity PEEK + PU polymer composite DD and 2x Knowles SWFK-31736 composite BAs
• Impedance: 18 Ohms
• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz
• Sensitivity: 112 dB
• Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm, oxygen-free copper wire
• Tested at $169 USD (currently on special price of $113 USD)

ACCESSORIES

Apart from the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of vocal (wide-bore) silicone eartips
- 3 pairs of bass (narrow-bore) silicone eartips
- 3 pairs of balanced silicone eartips
- Carrying pouch
- Cable
- 3 tuning nozzles

Other than the lack of foam tips and perhaps a modular cable, the accessories are pretty generous for a USD $100ish set.



A wide array of eartip variants grace the packaging. The vocal (wide-bore) tips furnish greater treble extension and improved soundstaging, whereas the bass (narrow-bore) ones boost bass with the compromise of some compression in soundstage. The balanced tips are a mid-point between the above two tips in sonics. There should be something amongst these 3 tips to suit your preferences, so do explore tiprolling.




Hidizs has included a high-purity oxygen-free copper cable from UP-OFC technology. There are 192 wires within this cable, with the diameter each core measuring 0.08 mm within a 4-stranded mixed braiding. The cable is one of the best stock cables I've encountered, being quite tangle-free with good suppleness and excellent braiding. There's a smattering of microphonics, but thankfully a chin cinch is added to assist in grip.

When placing an order, one can opt for a 4.4 mm or 3.5 mm port, depending on which sources you use. This cable has an angel wing sheath at the distal terminal - this was also found in the predecessor Hidizs MS5 Dark Angel's cable - but isn't as heavy as the MS5's cable. There's a red and blue dot on each of these sheaths to delineate the right and left terminals respectively.




A PU-material pouch with a rebounding-clamp opening is included. While I would have preferred a semi-rigid case, this pouch is quite serviceable to store IEMs on the go.


The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock balanced tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.


BUILD/COMFORT

The MS3's housings are fashioned from 5-axis CNC aviation-grade aluminum alloy with surface anodization. The shells are built like a tank and will probably survive a drop (don't try this at home!). There's a flame-like motif on the faceplate, which is quite unique compared to the usual silverish or matte black competitors.



Weighing in at 15 g apiece, the earpieces are light. Ergonomics are also top-notch, with no weird protrusions on the internal aspects to poke the ears, and the earpieces are very smooth to the touch.




The air pressure equilibrilization on this IEM seems to have been thoughtfully designed, with no driver flex noted. Despite being vented, isolation is average and the MS3 is quite usable for outdoor activities.


DRIVABILITY

I tested the Hidizs MS3 with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Colorfly CDA M1 DAC/AMP dongle
- Creative Sound Blaster X5
- E1DA DAC/AMP dongle
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 DAP
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone

The MS3 is one of the easiest IEMs to drive. Amplification is not truly essential, and even a weak smartphone should be able to optimally power it. Unfortunately, the high sensitivity does generate some hiss with sources with poor noise floor control.

The MS3 is one of the more sensitive IEMs when it comes to volume played at (AKA Fletcher Munson curve). As we will discuss below, on the gold and silver nozzles, the treble can be overemphasized at very loud volumes. This, this IEM is best used at moderate volumes.


INTERNALS

The MS3 is a three driver hybrid.

A 10.2 mm dual magnetic circuit dual cavity PEEK + PU polymer composite DD handles the bass. 2 Knowles SWFK-31736 composite BAs handle the rest of the frequencies.

These drivers utilize crossovers with tantalum capacitors - these capacitors are marketed to have higher frequency response and lower ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance), which theoretically translates to improved clarity.




SOUND & TECHNICALITIES

The MS3's selling point is none other than the tuning nozzles, which provide 3 different sound signatures, increasing its versatility greatly. Unlike some other "tunable" IEMs which have very subtle - or in some cases, no sonic changes on graphs - I'm glad to report the MS3's nozzles do work, as per the independently measured graphs below.


Graph of the Hidizs MS3 with the various tuning nozzles via IEC 711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.


Silver nozzle

The silver nozzle is the brightest of the lot. It imparts a cold neutral bright tonality. Resolution, imaging and micro-details are the best on this configuration, soundstage width is expansive, though note weight is thin and the MS3 comes across as sterile.

With the silver nozzle installed, there's a fast bass of neutral quantity, with rapid bass lines heard with zero mid-bass bleed. The upper mids are a tinge shouty and nasal though, and treble may be on the brighter side for treble sensitive folk, with splashy cymbals and high-hats heard, in addition to sibilance. BA timbre is also apparent in the higher registers, and the silver nozzle is undoubtedly one for trebleheads and folks wanting to analyze the music for critical listening.




Red nozzle

The red nozzle is a polar opposite, in providing the darkest/warmest tone. It grants a V-shaped laid-back signature with a thicker note weight. This is a safe tuning, with big bass that is north of neutral but not at basshead levels. Rumble at the sub-bass is good with deeper extension. The bass is not too textured, with some smearing and mid-bass bleed, but this adds warmth to the signature. Upper mids are very safe, no shoutiness or fatigue is found, though vocals are pushed back in the mix. Treble is quite safe other than a slight 8 kHz peak (superimposed on coupler artefact peak).

Timbre is quite decent on this setting. The red nozzle setup is the least technical of the nozzles - soundstage is compressed with blunted imaging and loss of micro-detailing. The red nozzle is the hardest to drive among all the configs (probably due to increased damping inside the filter).

This option is suitable for consumers wanting a less analytical (ie more fun sounding) signature, or for something to chill and kick back to.


Gold nozzle

The gold nozzle is a midpoint between the above 2 tunings, but sounds closer to the silver nozzle. It is a compromise between the above 2 tunings, in offering a neutral bright signature with good air and sparkle, which is just a tinge less technical than the silver nozzle, but with less sibilance/upper mids glare. Soundstage is still very decent (especially for width), with great imaging and a tight, fast and textured bass.

While the gold nozzle still lies on the brighter side, with some nasalness to vocals, the ear gain here is about 7 dB, so vocals are forwards without being shouty, and this is my preferred tuning nozzle.

Of note, on both the gold and silver nozzles, the MS3 is a very analytical and technical IEM, and showcases good soundstage (especially in width), imaging, micro-detailing, clarity and instrument separation. Indeed, it is one of the more technical IEMs at the $100ish range with these nozzles installed.


COMPARISONS

Comparisons were made with other tunable hybrids at the $100 - 200 USD band. Planars, single DDs and pure BA types were left out of the equation as the different transducers have their pros and cons.

Additionally, the bigger brother Hidizs MS5 - this IEM is also tunable via nozzles - is added inside the mix even though it retails at a higher price bracket. Consumers will inevitably ask how the younger upstart compares against the grizzled older sibling, so this has been added.

These comparisons are with the balanced (gold nozzle) installed on the MS3.


Kiwi Ears Quartet

The Quartet is a tunable 2 DD + 2 BA hybrid that has 2 tuning switches on each earpiece, allowing 4 tuning options, from L-shaped to a balanced V-shaped tone.

The MS3 kills the Kiwi Ears Quartet in technicalities, and the Quartet is a few leagues behind in imaging, soundstage and micro-detailing. Verily, the Quartet sounds quite low res and veiled in comparison. Of note, the soundstage is quite claustrophobic on the Quartet, and the MS3 sounds way more expansive and open on A/B testing.

With the gold nozzle in place, the MS3 is brighter and has greater air and sparkle, compared to the sedate and laid back Quartet, though the Quartet has more bass, and slightly better timbral accuracy.


TRI Starsea

The TRI Starsea is a 1 DD + 2 BA hybrid. It has 4 tuning options via 2 switches, though the tuning switches give less of a difference in sound compared to the MS3's nozzles.

With a 9.5 Ohm impedance, the Starsea is very fussy when it comes to source pairing, and it should ideally be paired with sources with an output impedance of <1 Ohm, otherwise the frequency response will be skewed.

The Starsea has weaker soundstage, micro-detailing and imaging, and also has less air and sparkle.

Additionally, there is driver flex and a suction sensation in the ears for the Starsea, unlike the MS3, which can cause Starsea users some discomfort.


Hidizs MS5

The bigger brother MS5 costs 2 - 3 times more, but the MS5 is not even 2 times better. While the MS5 has slightly better instrument separation, soundstage and micro-detailing, the younger MS3 is actually better in imaging and edge definition.

Additionally, the MS5 is less versatile, as its 3 tuning nozzles give very subtle differences to the frequency response, with most of the sound remaining as a neutral bright/U-shaped signature. The MS3 has more marked differences in sound, with the red nozzle in particular sounding quite different from the gold and silver ones.

The MS3 also addresses the comfort/fit issues of the MS5, in addition to being less sibilant and more restrained in the treble for the more technical tuning nozzle configurations. Hence, even though the MS3 is a cheaper sequel, it actually does some areas better than its more expensive sibling!


CONCLUSIONS

The $100ish USD market is very competitive, and I'm glad that Hidizs has released a valued contender in the MS3 to breach this cut-throat price segment. The MS3 has the usual audiophile-demanded bells and whistles, such as nice accessories, solid build and thoughtful ergonomics, in addition to being one of the most easy IEMs to drive.

Where the MS3 stands out, is in its versatility, in having 3 tuning options on tap; these tuning nozzles are also no gimmick, in providing a spectrum of audibly different soundscapes, from a more sedate and laid-back smooth V-shaped tone (red nozzle), to the more energetic and technical neutral bright sonics of the silver and gold nozzles. In fact, the gold and silver nozzles confer one of the best technical chops for a hybrid at the $100ish segment, and the MS3 shines in this department.



Nothing is perfect, and there are perhaps some small compromises among the MS3's tuning nozzles - with the red nozzles too dampened in technicalities when pursuing a more laid-back sound, and the silver and gold nozzles may lie on the brighter side, especially for treble sensitive folk. But by and large the MS3 actually fixes some of the flaws of the predecessor MS5 in tonality and fit, and actually provides superior value proposition, as the younger sibling is much cheaper.

As of the time of writing, the MS3's original price of $169 USD is already quite competitive, but with the current introductory pricing at $113 USD, it is a no-brainer purchase. The MS3 handily beats some similarly priced tunable IEMs such as the Kiwi Ears Quartet and TRI Starsea, and it is kind of getting 3 IEMs in one with the working tuning nozzles bringing different signatures to the CHIFI table.