Hidizs SD2
Hello audio lovers, I have with me today a fine little dongle dac from the audio brand
Hidizs named the Hidizs SD2. I am always looking forward to any Hidizs release, as Hidizs is always bringing something new to the table. Just recently I reviewed the Hidizs S9 Pro Plus (
S9 Pro Plus Review) and gave it very high marks for its solid build, sleek and slick design and wonderful sound. So, I was thrilled to learn that Hidizs was trying to tackle a sort-of untapped area of the market. The SD2 is a tiny device constructed at a 45-degree angle that connects directly to your mobile phone, tablet or to your computer etc. through the type-c port. Not many devices take on this form, and if they do, they don't have 70mW of output and they don't have such a high quality dac chip and on, and on. Of course, Hidizs was going to outfit the SD2 with some very good tech and abilities. Nothing is ever just… Vanilla, with this company.
Hidizs
In top of the Hidizs S9 Pro Plus, I've also reviewed a number of earphones from Hidizs. I reviewed the Hidizs MS5 (
MS5 Review), the Hidizs MS3 (
MS3 Review), Hidizs MS1 Galaxy (
MS1 Review) as well as the wonderful Hidizs MP145 (
MP145 Review). I felt that none of these iems were misses. Each one is well thought out, with its own personality and flavor. Each set has a unique design and each stakes a claim in their respective price points. Every brand hits a snag every once in a while, but I haven't really seen that yet from Hidizs over the course of the last couple years. With all that said I'm happy to review the Hidizs SD2, let's give it a look…
Non-Affiliated Purchasing Links:
-Retail Price: $39.99
Special Price: $31.99 (Limited to 200 units)
((5% exclusive discount code: CHRIS5OFF))
Purchase here:
Hidizs.net
[Amazon Link] (20% discount code: CHRISLOVESD2)
Purchase here:
Amazon
Gear used for testing
-Hidizs MS3
-Hidizs MP145
-Celest Phoenixcall
-Simgot EA500LM
Unboxing / Build / Design / Internals
Unboxing
Not much to report here. You get a small black box that when opened reveals the Hidizs SD2 in all its glory. Apart from that Hidizs added a usb-c to usb-a adapter. They also kindly added in a usb-c to lightning short cable for older IOS users. Not much more to add folks. As expected.
Build Quality
This is an area that surprised me. Very light, coming in at only 6 grams the SD2 will not weigh down your usb-c port in our device. Let's just get that worry off the table. Also, in no way was I expecting an all-aluminum body, but that's exactly what the SD2 has. Hidizs also went with a hard plastic trim around the SD2. It is very well built and sturdy. The male usb-c is plenty long enough to fit in most phone cases and so you shouldn't be burdened by a device that cannot even plug into your phone. The 3.5 single ended female port sits at a 45-degree angle from your phone. I didn't know how nice this was until I used it. Hidizs did a nice job here. You'll notice an indicator light which tells you some info that I'll explain later. Honestly, there isn't much else to say. It's built like a brick folks. Very nice Hidizs.
Design
Now, the design has been an area of much concern. I can't say that I didn't have the same concerns either. Granted those concerns were gone once I started using SD2. At any rate, the SD2 is simply a small square brick that plugs into your device. It kind of hangs there and the fear is that if hit the right way could destroy your phone's usb-c port. This is a legitimate concern depending on how you use the SD2. What I do is attach the SD2 to my phone and then put my phone in my front pocket upside down. I never even had a slight issue folks. It sits in my front pocket perfectly. Nothing snags it, nothing came close to breaking it either. Anyway, the SD2 has a futuristic look to it as both sides have an almost sci-fi theme going on. It's a cool look. Also, it comes in three different colorways, Black, White, & Gray. Obviously, mine is the black version. It's a dope looking little device. I know it won't be everyone's cup o’ tea, but I can dig it.
Internals
Moving onto the inside of the Hidizs SD2 is where things begin to get interesting. Hidizs used an ESS9270 dac chip which I come to find out is a very well talented chip. It has fantastic compatibility as users of Windows, IOS, Android and Harmony OS users can enjoy this little guy. The SD2 can achieve up to 32bit / 384khz PCM and DSD 128. This chip has an inbuilt Sabre amplifier which can get you up to 70mW @32ohms of output power through the 3.5 single ended jack. It has a THD+N 0.0015%, an SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) of 118 db's, and Crosstalk separation at roughly 64dbs. It is promoted to have a 20hz to 40khz Ultra-wide frequency range. It's able to support many different audio apps sound effects and EQ. This chip is actually equipped with a patented 32bit Hyperstream II Quad DacTM. That all said, another nice thing is that this device has the functionality to bypass Androids SRC integrated audio processing which can assure you that you are actually getting bit perfect audio quality. Not that we haven't seen these specs before because we certainly have. However, at this price it is not the norm my friends. I am overly satisfied with this little dongle dac and what Hidizs chose to use for its chip.
Revolutionary Multi-Purpose HiFi Audio DAC & Amplifier
Introducing the Hidizs SD2, a versatile HiFi Dongle DAC Type-C to 3.5mm Adapter equipped with the independent ES9270 chip.Supporting up to 32 bit 383kHz PCM decoding and native 128 DSD decoding, it delivers powerful performance. Seamlessly decode and play lossless Hi-Res music, making it a user-friendly, simply plug-and-play gadget for music enthusiasts. -Hidizs Promotional
Features
I've pretty much covered everything that isn't sound related. I would say the best features of the Hidizs SD2 is the angle of the 3.5 port, the good output power for such an inexpensive dongle dac. Having up to 70mW is more than enough for sensitive iems to bring them to good fidelity. I was even able to drive the Hidizs MP145. More on that in a bit. The SD2 also gives the user the ability to use a microphone if your cable has one. I never used this and so I cannot speak on it but the SD2 gives full controls. Hidizs also states that any mic attached can convert the sound to hi-res audio. Another nice feature is the sample light indicator which will inform you of the sample rate of the files you are listening to. Red color means PCM 44.1-48kHz and the blue color shows PCM 88.2-384kHz & DSD128. I've already spoken on the SRC bypassing which is fantastic. The specs are very good across the board. Again, not stuff we haven't seen before. But also again… not at this price.
In-line Control and HD Microphone Support
The Hidizs SD2 not only supports in-line control but also features a high-definition microphone. Plugging it in enables SD2 to convert microphone audio streams to 24-bit, 48 kHz, ensuring clear voice transmission. It serves as an essential portable mini audio decoding device, enhancing audio experiences and delivering Hi-Res music in various usage scenarios. Hidizs Promotional
Drivability
I'll be pretty quick but the Hidizs SD2 is basically created to drive sensitive iems or headphones. No you aren't going to be able to drive less sensitive headphones and iems either. However, just about every iem that I own was easily driven with the SD2. I should also add that I had some decent headroom too depending on the set. Heck, I even drove Hidizs own Hidizs MP145 to good fidelity. Obviously, the MP145 does like a bit more juice to bring it to its potential but it sounded great with good dynamic range and macro-dynamics with the SD2 over 3.5 single ended. As you saw, the grmear I used was the Hidizs MS3, Hidizs MP145, Celest Phoenixcall and the Simgot EA500LM. Whay did I choose these sets you ask? Well, for one I wasn't going to exclude Hidizs iems and honestly, I just love the sound of the Phoenixcall and the EA500LM attached to the SD2. They are really great pairings. At the end of the day, the SD2 is able to drive comfortably most any iem with relative ease. Maybe some planars and sets like the Final E4000/E5000 will be a tougher thing to drive, but apart from those I think you'd be okay with whatever iem you own.
Sound Impressions
I'll be pretty short here as there is only so much one could say about the sound quality. The Hidizs SD2 comes across warmish-neutral with a very clean response. Folks, this really surprised me. I don't know what I was expecting but I wasn't expecting something as refined. What you have is a very balanced, almost linear sound across the mix without any real color doctoring your iems. I don't hear any one area claiming dominance over the frequency to my ears. I hear a more organic quality to the timbre (depending on your iems/headphones) which is less colored than other dongle dacs. It's a natural sound in this way. Like I said, maybe slightly north of neutral as there is a very slight warmth which to me sounds very realistic and great for the price. Also, this is a smooth sounding dongle dac which has far less of an abrasive note edge. I hear no glare or shout added to my iems and I don't hear added sibilance.
Bass Region
The bass region comes across a hair north of neutral adding only a slight shade of warmth to the sound but not overly emphasized. It is still in good balance with the midrange and treble. This device will not add to the quantity of any iem (at least not that I noticed) but it's got a nice transient swiftness and short decay which comes across tight, punchy and realistic.
Midrange
The midrange is another area that has nice transients. Snappy, controlled yet doesn't come across dry. I heard no real difference in note weight for any of my iems but if I had to comment on it I'd say the SD2 has a lean profile with very good presence against the rest of the frequency. The midrange has very nice clarity too. I noticed the SD2 will not cast any veil across the mix or congested the sound field at all. The SD2 will help a warmer and thicker sounding set to come across slightly cleaner, tighter and less veiled in this area, to a degree. The midrange has a more forward presence with good dynamics and a nicely technical replay as well. Yet just the same, the SD2 has a musical quality to it too. The midrange has an openness to it (depending on your iems/headphones) which can evoke a sense of air to the sound.
Treble Region
Listening to the Hidizs SD2 and using the Celest Phoenixcall I never felt the treble was any more emphasized. Instead, it came across snappy, with nice bite and decent extension. Obviously the SD2 cannot compete with much more expensive dongle dacs etc. But I still find the treble resolving to a degree. Well, as much as one can tell. It isn't the easiest thing discerning sound Differences between source devices. However, the SD2 is nice. I never hear anything too sharp in the treble, and just the same I also wouldn't call it relaxed or reserved. I think the balance across the mix holds true in the treble region and so one could say that it's a good part to a good whole.
Technicalities
The soundstage seems to be pretty wide. As far as I can tell. There is most certainly an open feeling to my music. That's without question. In no way do I hear my iems sounding more congested. It isn't stuffy either, not in the slightest. Hidizs did a nice job of making sure there was adequate separation giving a sense of air between instruments and vocals. Again, as far as I can tell. Obviously, your iems and headphones will affect the sound as well so keep that in mind when I'm explaining the SD2. So the stage is open & wide with good spatiality for such a low cost. Imaging seems to help rather than hinder my iems ability to properly lay out a psycho-acoustically rendered stage. Also, I wouldn't call the SD2 a detail oriented dongle dac, but in the same breath I find the SD2 is actually pretty well detailed. Especially paired with a more detail oriented iem or headphone. Honestly I am very impressed folks. Really the SD2 does a whole lot better than I would've ever thought. Very nice.
Is it worth the asking price?
This is one of the easiest questions to answer. Absolutely the Hidizs SD2 is worth every penny of the price that Hidizs is asking. One thing which jumps out at you when spending time with the SD2 is the sound value for the money. Truly for the simple cost of Mcdonalds for four you can own a truly hi-res listening experience that can fit in your pocket with relative ease. I really mean it that I take this little guy with me all over the place. It is just so convenient and simple, all the while the SD2 is also more complex when you look at all the features that are on offer. To be 100% honest, the SD2 is a no-brainer if this type of device makes sense for your life. Absolutely the Hidizs SD2 is worth every penny.
Conclusion
I want to thank Hidizs for providing the Hidizs SD2 for a full review and feature at mobileaudiophile.com. It is alway an honor to check out the audio devices from this brand. Ya know, I waited a little while for the hype dust to settle to actually publish this review. This enabled me to take my time and really get a feel for this little device. My takeaway is this; There really isnt another device out there which can do what the SD2 can do, sound as good as it does and cost this little. This is an easy rec from me folks. So, thanks again to the awesome people of Hidizs Audio and I do hope this review has helped you to make a purchasing decision.
Other Perspectives
Please don't simply take my word for it. Take some time and read and watch other reviews as it’ll help you get a good understanding of the SD2 from many other perspectives. Not everyone has the same likes & dislikes, hearing abilities, and many other variables that can dictate how each person hears their music. This ultimately can lead to slightly different thoughts. So, please check some others out. With that, I think I’m done. Please take good care, stay as safe as possible and always…God Bless!