The Hidizs MS2 is a US$79 hybrid dual-driver IEM with 1DD+1BA and lightweight resin shells.

Hidizs official website: https://www.hidizs.net/

Disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own based on my experience with the product.

Hidizs MS2

Specifications

• Drivers Configuration: Knowles RAD-33518 Balanced Armature x1 + 10.2mm Dynamic Driver x1
• Impedance: 18Ω
• Sensitivity: 112 dB
• Frequency Response Range: 20-40khz
• Earphone Connector: 0.78mm 2pin
• Plug Options: 3.5mm Gold-Plated Plug
• Cable: 1.2m, Mixed Braiding of Quad-Core Wires(2×High Purity Silver Wires & 2×OFC Wires)

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Packaging & Accessories

The Hidizs MS2 arrives in a small but attractive box. There’s an image of an earpiece on the front and a list of specifications on the back. Inside the box are the earphones, a detachable cable, 6 pairs of silicone eartips, a carrying case, some documentation and a warranty card.

The included carrying case is a nice surprise. It’s made from plastic but has a brushed aluminium plate attached to the top with the Hidizs logo on it. The inside of the box has silicone lining that adds a layer of protection for the IEMs and the lid has a firm magnetic seal. Not only is this an original design, but it’s also higher quality than most cases we’re used to seeing at this price point.

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Design

Inside the MS2 is a 10.2mm dynamic driver plus a Knowles 33518 balanced armature. The shells are made from transparent acrylic that gives a clear view of the drivers within. The faceplates have a speckled, glittery appearance that changes colour depending on the angle of the light. There’s a subtle Hidizs logo flush in the middle of the faceplates.

Aluminium nozzles with protective mesh are attached to the resin shells. They have a solid lip that keeps eartips held securely in place. The earpieces are very lightweight and have excellent build quality.

I find the MS2 to be a very comfortable IEM and I can easily wear them for hours at a time. The shells are reasonably small so they should be fine for people with smaller ears as well. Passive noise isolation is slightly below average for this type of shell but is still sufficient for normal everyday situations, such as commuting or sitting in a busy café.

Cable

The included 4-core 0.78mm cable is an interesting mix of 2 silver wires intertwined with 2 Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) wires. A clear PU sheath covers the wires and gives a clear view of the 2 different colours beneath.

There’s a metal chin slider that’s the same rose gold colour as the matching Y-split and straight 3.5mm plug. In terms of handling, this is a really comfortable and pleasant to use cable. It’s supple, lightweight and has no microphonics. In addition, there is no memory or kinks in the wire.

Sound

Gear used for testing includes:

• PC -> iFi Zen DAC
• Shanling M5s
• iPhone -> Hilidac Beam 2

The Hidizs MS2 has a light V-shaped sound signature with a good balance between the bass, treble and mids. It has a slightly boosted bass, a mostly neutral midrange with a touch of warmth and an airy, smooth treble. This is an efficient IEM and can be comfortably driven from any source, including phones.

Bass

The bass is lifted a little bit but nothing in the extreme. There’s slightly more mid-bass than sub-bass but having said that, the MS2 can most certainly get some nice visceral rumble going. Although people (and manufacturers) praise the control of metal shells, in some cases I really like acrylic as the lower bass notes become more physical and can be not only perceived but physically felt.

The MS2 achieves this but at the same time, the bass is still fast and well-controlled. In H a r m o n i c’s “Positive Shadow Negative Light”, the synth bass is perfectly audible and can be literally felt resonating through the shells. Yet there’s no bloat or bleed present and there’s also no bass dominance – it remains perfectly balanced with the mids and treble.

Mids

MS2 has a fairly neutral midrange band, albeit one that inherits some warmth from the bass. Clarity is really good throughout, yet the upper-midrange glare that often comes with budget ChiFi IEMs is thankfully absent here. One thing that stands out with the MS2 is its detail retrieval which is definitely above average for this price range.

Instrument separation is above average too, which results in the MS2 having good midrange resolution. It’s uncommon for a sub 100 USD IEM to have good detail retrieval and resolution but the MS2 has a good deal of both.

Treble

MS2’s treble is relatively forward but at the same time, it’s slightly softened and rounded. This results in an airy, crisp treble that’s smooth and inoffensive but still maintains a natural timbre. This is achieved with a significant dip between 5kHz-7kHz that takes most of the harshness out of the lower treble area, followed by a resurgence in the upper treble.

Yet despite its smooth nature, the MS2 treble still provides excellent detail retrieval and has sufficient extension. There’s a little bite resulting from the peak at 8kHz but it doesn’t rear its head very often. Occasionally it shows signs of sibilance on vocals but generally only when it’s inherent in the recording.

Soundstage

The soundstage is reasonably large and extends slightly more to the sides than it does to the front. Instrument separation is good so sounds emerge from a mostly black background with fairly precise positioning. The stage position is neutral with a solid centre image that’s neither too intimate nor distant. Vocals and instruments have convincing density and natural note size.

Comparisons

Whizzer HE01 (US$79 USD)

The Whizzer HE01 is a single dynamic driver IEM. It has a similar tuning as the MS2 but is slightly more V-shaped. HE01’s bass is a little more pronounced but has a similar medium-paced attack and decay. Sub-bass rumble is more intense and a little thicker on the HE01.

As a result, the HE01’s midrange is slightly less forward as it makes room for that extra bass. Midrange notes are thicker on the HE01, making them warmer and smoother but at the cost of a little clarity. This is due not only to the extra bass but also because the HE01’s treble is more laid back compared to the MS2 which gives it a slightly darker overall tone.

While the MS2 can rarely show hints of sibilance, it’s non-existent on the HE01. So the Whizzer would definitely better suit those who are treble sensitive. The soundstage is a bit smaller and instrument separation isn’t quite as good as it is on the MS2.

Moondrop Aria (US$79 USD)

The Moondrop Aria is a single dynamic driver IEM. It has a similar overall tonality as the MS2 with a couple of key differences. First is the bass response, where Aria puts more weight in the sub-bass and slightly less on the upper bass. This gives Aria its authoritative low frequencies without smearing the lower midrange.

Arias midrange is less forward and in addition has less clarity compared to the MS2. This is due mostly to Arias rolled-off treble coupled with a warmer bass. However, Aria has excellent bass control and metal housings so is able to match the MS2’s overall resolution. But the MS2’s additional treble gives it an edge when it comes to detail retrieval.

Soundstage size is similar on both IEMs. It’s wider on the MS2 but because of the forwardness of the vocals it doesn’t have as much depth. On the other hand, Aria’s stage is a bit longer in the front but not as wide.

Hidizs MS1 Rainbow (US$65 USD)

The Hidizs MS1 Rainbow has a single 10.2mm dynamic driver. It follows a very similar frequency curve as the MS2 except for the bass where the MS1 is significantly boosted. MS1 reaches towards basshead level and gets a really physical rumble going.

The midrange is slightly more recessed and not as upfront as the MS2. The clarity is still good although there is some bass bleed from its elevated low frequencies. MS1 has more lift in the upper midrange and lower treble which is there to counterbalance the extra weight of the bass. MS2 in comparison moves the emphasis further up the scale to the core and upper treble.

As a result, the MS1 sounds thinner and can get shouty in the upper mids. MS1’s treble is denser and has less extension. The result is a more contrasted treble but one with less air and sparkle. The MS1 is still a good option for those on a tight budget who want a powerful bass but still have good clarity and detail.

Conclusion

With its clarity, detail retrieval and tonal balance, the Hidizs MS2 places itself firmly among the best budget earphones you can get right now at its price range. Furthermore, the resin shells are attractive and comfortable. The fact that it comes with a high-quality cable, excellent storage case and good selection of eartips makes the overall bundle really good value. So much so that the MS2 gets a spot on our best IEMs list and our recommended award.

We have a promo code for anyone interested in the MS2 or other Hidizs products. Use this link and the codes below to redeem your discount!

• Discount code：PAREVIEWS5 (5% off for AP80/AP80 pro/(DH80s/80)/MS2/MS4/S9 pro/MS1/H2 and bundles)
• Discount code：PAREVIEWS3 (3% off for S8/MS1 rainbow/Seeds/H1/BT01)