In Hidizs ‘ fell in love with the idea of collecting pre-orders for their new products through Kickstarter. After a very successful campaign for the player Hidizs ‘ AP80, they decided to repeat it for headphones, running crowdfunding for two models at once. About the youngest of them we will discuss today.
Both versions of headphones, which received the code name of the mermaid (or Mermaid) are very similar to each other both in appearance and in package delivery. The difference is that the MS1 is otnekivalsya “Dyne”, and MS4, which, unfortunately, to me the review does not fall, add to this 3 emitter with a balanced anchor. Both models can be pre-order in three versions: basic, with one “bonus” to choose from and with all the “additives”. Among most of these bonuses include: balanced cable high quality Bluetooth adapter and a cable with USB-DAC (if it is the same as in Hidizs ‘ Sonata, this is probably the best option).
Prices neatly exhibited “middle-market” low-end model starts from $ 150 (100 during crowdfunding), the eldest is planned to be sold for about $300, but now its price tag starts at $220.
Specifications
- Emitter: 10.2 mm dynamic
- Frequency range: 20 Hz – 40 kHz
- Sensitivity: 109 dB/mW
- Impedance: 18Ω
- Cable: interchangeable with 0.78 mm connectors
- Weight: 16 gr.
Packing and delivery
The headphones came in a standard for Hidizs ‘ box of rough cardboard, with silver stamping. The insides are very similar to FiiO’s flagship model, judging by the space in the box did them on one plant. Inside, besides the headphones, is a cord, a plastic storage bag and 12 pairs of nozzles, four types of 3 pairs of foam, “bass”, “balanced” and treble-oriented, modestly called “vocal”.
In the older model is likely to be the case better (the pictures flickers a variant of leather). Also, eating more options, they will be included in the package.
In General, the set of accessories more than good for this price category.
Design and comfortable wearing
Appearance finally dispels doubts related to the FH5, with the exception of faceplates, headphones almost the same. The enclosures are made of high quality metal, shape — traditional styling of the “universal version of the custom bikes”. You can choose from three colors: dark gray, blue and red. In my gray version the design is effectively complemented by the shiny box on the outside of the headphones. Of additional “adornments” are the company name and logo.
Thanks to an ingenious form MS1 sit well in the ears, although the owners of small ears they may be a little too big, but you need to be quite so “unlucky”. The sound channel has a normal length that provides sound insulation slightly better than average and comfortable wearing for any length of time.
Behind-the-ear headphones designed for wearing, and put them cable down is unlikely to succeed, even changing the included cable. The latter, of course, is made removable, are used dukenuly connectors (apparently, the developers don’t want to run into problems with MMCX, as is sometimes the case among their colleagues). The wire itself is quite simple, at least in the version MS1: normal “silicone” insulation, ear-hook no memory effect, after fanout — twisted “spiral” to the plug. Performance properties, however, normal: wire hardens a little from the cold, almost microphonic and resistant to tangling.
Overall build quality is good, no problems or flaws here. Headphones look respectable and strict, which adds to their score in the piggy Bank appeal.
Sound
To listen following equipment was used.
- Yulong DA9 and Resonessence Labs Concero HP in the role of DAC and amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as the source
- Fidelia in the role of player
- Lotoo Paw Gold Touch, theBit OPUS#2, Astell&Kern, A&ultima SP1000 and the role of other portable players
- Recording high-resolution Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky have The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening headphones were heated for 48 hours, the change in sound was observed for approximately three hours.
When testing this model, I kept catching myself thinking about what MS1 is “half” of a hybrid earphone. In fact, this is a very good dynamic model that will really benefit from a properly attached reinforcement emitters, and I hope that MS4 in the company it did.
NCH is, perhaps, the first thing that draws attention to itself. The bass here has good depth and density, which will please fans of rumble and rescatistas. Of course, it’s not reinforcing bass resolution, but for the speaker the speed is not bad, giving decent textures and nuances. Quantitatively, the bass is balanced and well controlled, not drowning.
MIDs bear the traces of “snapping” under a typical V-shaped frequency response with emphasis on the “macro” part. The upper half of the midrange is practically not satisfactory: slightly accented by submission with a normal resolution ensures the expressiveness of the female voice, the aggression of the guitars and all the other “chips” accented WSC. The lower half of the range sometimes you want to add a little “presence” fortunately, it’s not audible on all tracks. The imaginary scene is average in width and slightly less than the average in depth, but the division of plans and a stiffness in the sound.
The upper frequencies are a bit accented, though not to excess, but if you are sensitive to treble, headphones costs before you purchase to hear. Attack with attenuation slightly shorter than the “norm”, the length is good, but not extraordinary, resolution treble good, and with the task of balancing the bass they cope well.
Because models in this price category very much for the comparison I was limited to just a few models, trying to choose the most popular.
Ostry KC09 Where do without them? Ostry a little smoother in the midrange, they have a little less bass and treble, while MS1 differ also a little more depth of bass.
Whizzer A15 Pro is Also slightly more solid model with a little better resolution, but less weight and depth of bass.
iBasso IT01 More aggressive flow, even more accentuates the upper part of the range, while the bass in the headphones a little faster than the MS1, but less in depth.
Compatibility
MS1 is very “balanced” in terms of impedance and sensitivity, so they have no problem swinging any source. Since their supply has taste color — a top player for them is clearly not necessary.
Stylistically headphones are more suited for genres that need a good and tight bass, from pop to something like a jazz bass. The recording quality of the model is not particularly critical, somewhere in the 5 points out of 10.
Several traditional tracks for example
Röyksopp — Alpha Male (Live 2) do Not particularly like the live recordings, but sometimes there are exceptions that break the rule about knee and throw it aside with a cry of “FATALITY”. And this track is a clear example of this with MS1 it will not only be a spectacular rhythm section, but the immersion in the atmosphere of the concert.
Pat Metheny — And I Love Her This is, of course, “Wichita falls”, but still a brilliant example of jazz guitar. Of course, for full wagering such tracks need headphones abruptly (may MS4, who knows?) but the heroes of today’s review of the show quite well, largely thanks to the right balance of weight.
The Handsome Family — Far from Any Road To my shame, I know nothing about this team. Of course, I could go to Google and be enlightened quickly, but for some reason I don’t want to do that, anonymity makes this a spectacular vocal duet a certain charm, even if it is subjective for me. MS1 and an excellent job with the transfer of emotions and instrumental accompaniment.
Insights
While I was writing this review, the headphones in several times around put on Kickstarter “goal”, again proving the success of the ideas of crowdfunding. However, time still to spare, and if you are looking for a great earphone at a good price, Hidizs ‘ Mermaid could be one of options for consideration.
Buy Hidizs ‘ MS1
