With all the brands of audiophiles surging out around the globe, Hidizs is one of the main forefront and they are on a streak of amazing releases this year with successful releases such as the ST2 Nebula and the awesome MK12 Turris, they are coming back once again with a revival of the famed Mermaid Series, introducing the all new MS2 Pro ‘Rhino’ that is equipped with a single dynamic driver alongside a Silvercore balanced armature which is a debut driver developed by Hidisz. Based on the everlasting Rhino, it is a solid, hefty zinc alloy built with a piece of Rhinohide leather on the faceplate and they do stand out in the design department.
A huge thanks to the team of Hidizs for sending out a pair of the MS2 Pro for an honest take and we couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity. How will they fare with this new facelift and tuning? We shall find out here.
Functions & Specifications
Before we start the review, here are the specifications of the Hidizs MS2 Pro;
- 10.2mm Dual-Magnetic Circuit & Dual-Cavity Hybrid Driver + HIDIZS Silvercore BA™ High-Frequency Balanced Armature Driver
- ZA12 Zinc Alloy Integrated Molding
- HIDIZS Pneumatic Sound Tuning Filter
- 111dB Sensitivity | 17Ω Impedance | 109dB Dynamic
- 3.5mm or 4.4mm Cable Optional
- 0.78mm 2-Pin Detachable Connector
The Hidizs MP143 Salt can be purchased directly from Kickstarter with an early bird deal for now or will be available on many other platforms soon.
Packaging & Accessories
Similar to most of Hidizs products style of packaging, it is packaged in a compact, well accessorized with minimal wastage. Here is the list of accessories.
1 x MS2 PRO
3 Pairs x Pneumatic Sound Tuning Filters
3 Pairs x Ergonomics Silicone Black Ear Tips (Balanced)
3 Pairs x Ergonomics Silicone White Ear Tips (High Frequency)
1 x 3.5mm or 4.4mm Earphone Cable
1 x User Manual
1 x Warranty Card
1 x HIDIZS Pouch Bag
Design
The design is another unique, rather new style that is based on the Rhino’s horn and it has a robust feel that has some weight to it. It is casted from ZA12 type of zinc alloy that from my experience, it has better scratch resistance for their 5 times strength compared to aluminum alloy and has a 98% resonance absorption for a purer sound . It has a mirror finish and fitted in 2 parts with a clean, smooth surface that shows amazing craftsmanship from them. The faceplate is fitted with a piece of Rhinohide leather which is a synthetic leather material commonly used in car high end car seats, known to be tough and they are water resistant. The Rhinohide leather on the MS2 Pro comes in blue, orange or black and the ones with me now are the black variant. The look is futuristic, robust and uniquely original without going with any of the current meta build.
The MS2 Pro is a hybrid IEM that is equipped with an all new self developed balanced armature by Hidizs named the Silvercore and they are a high frequency balanced armature that promises a strong yet controlled highs that is airy and detailed. The dynamic driver here is a 10.2mm PU (Polyurethane) + PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) with nano diamond like carbon coating (DLC) diaphragm. The dynamic driver has a dual cavity setup with N52 magnets in a dual magnetic circuit.
Hidizs has also included another self developed Pneumatic Sound Tube Technology nozzle filters in 3 colour coded O-ring where the red (charm) is for balanced frequency, silver (crystal clear) for high frequency and black (midnight black) for the low frequency. This new style of O-ring coloured types is actually harder to distinguish but it is fine as I do not swap nozzles as much. The nozzle filters work by altering the air flow output to make changes in the music flow. The nozzle is different from the others of Hidizs products as they are now a halfway length screw in to accommodate the Silvercore balanced armatures situated at the nozzle part. My favourite nozzle is actually the black O-ring nozzle that gives the overall sound a thicker feel and they are definitely more fun. This review is done by using the stock red nozzle.
Both types of ear tips come in a unique style with a hook to carry them and both of the eartips come in 3 various sizes. Both of these eartips are made from medical grade silicone and the black ones have a smaller bore while the clear one has a wider bore.
The pouch is made from PU leather with a cinch on top and they are very soft and high quality but really provide impact protection.
The MS2 Pro has a standard flush type of 0.78mm connection that is slightly tight which is great.
The back vent is a rather large rectangular hole with metal mesh and another vent is situated near the nozzle. No driver flex is present which usually indicates a well vented product.
The cable provided is a rather thin 2 core silver plated copper with metal splitter, jacks and a chin slider. Despite the thin cable, it actually looks quite nice with a unique horn inspired 0.78mm plugs and they are very practical for outdoor usage as it is soft, pliable and they do sound great with a clean, clear balanced sound signature.
Gears Used for Comparisons
Fiio Q7
Questyle M15
Hiby FC6
FiiO BTR7
Hidizs Nebula Cable
Myer Audio SLIIVO SLA3
Hidizs MK12 Turris
Letshuoer S15
RHA MA750i
Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro
Ziigaat Lush
Songs list
Tone and Presentation
The tone of the Hidizs MS2 Pro is a neutral bright tone with a mild V shaped sound that is a different usual style of Hidizs with a rather clinical sound that has superb overall clarity. The tuning is a derivation of the usual Harman 2019 target with a brighter sound signature alongside a bigger mid-bass lift. Their V shaped sound comes from a strong bass response along with boosted lows alongside a mildly recessed midrange. They have an energetic sound especially on the high range and they do possess a slight musicality along with a fast transient with great imaging. Frequency range is decent with an extended frequency range with a good amount of air on both ends of the spectrum.
Soundstage
The MS2 Pro possesses a decent soundstage that possesses a good width but a rather mediocre height. The soundstage here is airy but they are tuned more towards a forward sound that acts like a near field monitor, thus the soundstage may sound a tad intimate. Soundstage placements are great with a good 3D representation of sound that is holographic and accurate that will even suit gaming but for movies I do find the intense treble a little fatiguing albeit possessing adequate immersiveness. Headroom here is good with a medium sized staging that doesn’t incur any boxiness.
Separation and Timbre
Separation is great and they are a well tuned hybrid that has decent cohesion with the drivers working in tandem, although there is some space between the bass and high range and they are not as good as a single dynamic but they produce a full left to right stereo sounding set of IEM that has no crosstalk issues even with 3.5mm setup. Timbre here is piercy, sharp and clear with a natural sound that is almost free of a metallic timbre that is typical of a balanced armature. The new Silvercore balanced armature does really well by producing a strong yet detailed high range that has an energetic sound with minimal metallic timbre which is great. I do see a good future for these Silvercore drivers as they do reminisce about the drivers like 64 Ears TIA.
Drivability
The MS2 Pro is rated at 17 ohms at 111 dB sensitivity, so they are not too sensitive to pick up noise and don’t really need power to be driven to their maximum potential and loudness is more than enough even with a simple wire dongle. Their scalability is mediocre but with source matching with a warm source from the likes of AKM or Cirrus Logic chipset to complement their high energetic sound but not too suited for bright source as it will cause sibilance thus creating fatigue. The MS2 Pro is a revealing set of IEM and they are capable of showing even minor flaws in music which is great for professional usage. They are not picky with the file selection though and they do well even with streaming or low bandwidth tracks. This criteria might suit those who listen critically or for monitoring usage and suits well for casual listeners especially those who love a clinical sound.
The Bass (Low)
The bass that the MS2 Pro gives is a boosted bass with a good amount of mid-bass lift that has a great amount of energy with a fast pace with a tight slam that is capable of keeping up with busy tracks. The bass amount here is correct to give an energetic sound without any overpowering issues and with the bass nozzle, the MS2 Pro does sound a tad stronger in the mid bass but still very well in control. The texture here is great with a clean bass that has no bleed nor bloat present showcasing a high quality dynamic driver being used. The amount of details here is good and they possess a superb clarity that isn’t muddy nor veil. Extension here is good with an average depth as the bass bass here is tuned more towards a sharp, slightly early roll off bass that focuses more towards a speedy, nimble bass. The resolution here is vivid with a good transparency as they sounded natural without any altercation to the original music. The bass here isn’t really suited for bassheads as but sufficient for most music as the bass has the authority and presence. Sub-bass amount is accurate and they have a great depth in this region with a decent amount of rumble.
The Mids
Midrange has a flat neutral tone that has no major emphasis on the whole frequency albeit leaning mildly towards the high range that gives the overall sound a bright signature and they have a touch of warmth in the mids that but has a rather thin body of sound. They are a rather balanced midrange that has a superb clarity possessing a crystal clear sound that isn’t too recessed but due to the mild boost in both of the high and low frequency, they do sound pushed back by a little. The flat nature of the midrange actually does give a good amount of space that gives sound an airier feel and they have good accuracy in the placements of sound. The amount of details here is superb and they have an excellent amount of macro details and micro detail retrieval capabilities, typically derived from good balanced armature traits. Transparency here is great as they are able to reproduce the mids with great accuracy without any major alterations while being highly resolving with a vivid, colourless sound that has a clinical approach. Vocal focuses more towards the female’s side as they have a good amount of brilliance but not so much on male vocals as they tend to lack depth and body on certain deeper male vocals. Instruments sounded clean, clear and accurate but same goes to the deeper instruments like oboe, cello and some bass strings does sound a tad thin.
The Highs
High range is the dominant frequency here as they are a neutral high range with a boost especially on the 8 to 10 kHz and they have a rather slow roll off that produces extended energetic highs with a good bite. Details here are excellent and they are a clear, nuanced high range that has a balanced armature prowess of being fast with a well extended, airy high range. The sparkle here is great and they have a decent crisp decay possessing a good amount of energy with a clean high range that is lively. Surprisingly for this tuning, the timbre actually has very minimal metallic sheen typical of a balanced armature sound and they do sound quite natural in their timbre. Though being strong in this area, the high range is done well and they aren’t sibilant nor having shout or too piercing that will incur fatigue too fast. That being said, the strong, boosted highs will not suit treble sensitive users or for those looking for a laid-back sound but will suit users who love well done bright signature IEMs. Treble here is on the higher intensity side and has a well extended sound that contributes to a clearer overall sound with a great transparency as they have great accuracy.
Comparisons
VS Hidizs MK12 Turris (179 USD)
The Turris from Hidizs is their latest dynamic driver IEM boasting a 91% magnesium dynamic driver that scales up very well with better source and they might be one of the best dynamic drivers of 2025. They have a usual house sound of Hidizs where they adhere to the Harman 2019 target and they have a thick, warm sound with a huge soundstage. They do cost around 80% more but they come in a more lavish package and a more costly driver. Side by side, the Turris does have a warmer, thicker, lusher and sweeter sound while clarity, details and speed is more towards the MS2 Pro style.
Highs on the MS2 Pro have the upper hand in their amount with a more evident sparkle and crispness for a livelier presence versus the Turris high range that has a smoother, more balanced treble. Details and clarity is better on the MS2 but timbre on the Turris is better.
Midrange on the Turris has a better body, warmer, lusher and has a more forward sound with similar amount of space. The MS2 Pro sounds cleaner, clearer with more amount of brilliance and they do have a tad more details but with similar clarity. Vocal balanced on the Turris is better for their depth but female vocals do sound livelier on the MS2 Pro.
Bass on Turris has a slightly bigger presence with a more meaty, organic dynamic bass that is more textured. Sub-bass on both dives deep but the amount of rumble on the Turris does sound bigger and has a cleaner rumble. Details and clarity is similar on both of these sets but the Turris bass does sound more complete.
The soundstage on the Turris is wider and taller but both have a good amount of air.
My pick: Turris for their smoother, fuller sound, MS2 Pro for their details and value
VS Myer Audio SLIIVO SLA3 (104 USD)
The entry level SLA3 from Myer Audio and they are a 1 dynamic with 3 balanced armatures, a neutral with bass boost set of earphones that has a high value performance index. They have a better accessorized package with a modular cable and a leather case while the MS2 has the flexibility of tuning nozzles. Both tuning are worlds apart with the slightly dark SLA3 and the bright tuned MS2 Pro.
The highs of the MS2 Pro has the edge of having more sparkle and they are livelier but the SLA3 sounded smoother with a more relaxed presentation. Details and clarity on the MS2 Pro sounded better but in a small margin. Extension and air is better on the MS2 Pro with a slower roll off high range versus the early roll off on the SLA3. Build is different with MS2 Pro has an all metal build while the standard resin build on the SLA3.
Midrange on the SLA3 has a thicker, warmer and more forward presentation but MS2 Pro mids have more space and they are cleaner. SLA3 have some mild coloration in their mids and the colourless MS2 Pro does sound more accurate while the SLA3 is lusher with more intimacy. Resolution on the SLA3 has a more vivid sound while transparency on the MS2 Pro sounded more accurate. Male vocals do sound better on SLA3 while performing better with the MS2 Pro.
The amount of bass on the SLA3 has a bigger presence due to their boosted mid bass lift and they have a more dynamic and organic bass that extends deeper alongside a stronger sub-bass. The bass on the MS2 Pro sounded more accurate and they have slightly better details and clarity
Soundstage on both is similar but airiness seems better especially on the high range of the MS2 Pro.
Synergy
The MS2 Pro suits most neutral to warm sources well for their bright signature and some warm sources do actually make the MS2 Pro perform significantly better. Warm sources like AKM or Cirrus Logic with a forward midrange plays well but bright sources from the likes of Sabre will actually incur some sibilance and fatigue. A simple dongle will actually suit the MS2 Pro with ample volume and dynamics as they aren’t demanding and picky with file selection. Genres like EDM, acoustics, instruments, rock and pop will perform great while metal, hip-hop and Jpop isn’t too suited for their harsh music.
Good matching: Qudelix T71, FiiO Q15, Hiby FC6, EPZ TP35, Questyle M15 , FiiO BTR7, 7HZ Artemis39, Hidizs Nebula Cable
Not so good matching: FiiO Q7, FiiO KA5, Dunu DTC100, EPZ TP30
Who Is It For?
The recommended IEM for those who love loads of details and a high level of clarity IEM. The neutral bright sound will suit those who listen critically and also for treble lovers for their high amount of treble. The bass amount is good and deep but not sufficient for bassheads. They have a flexible sound for their proven Hidizs tuning nozzle and users can play with the tuning to suit their taste better. Their solid design is suited for daily usage but they do carry a hefty weight and not really suited for workouts. For gaming they are great due to their accuracy but for movies they tend to pack immersion.
Final words
Hidisz has certainly been on a streak lately with their releases this year, especially with the Turris and the MS2 Pro is no exception. They are something different from the usual smooth harman tuning and the MS2 Pro does possess a unique neutral bright V shaped sound that has a mature tuning while being flexible with their tuning nozzles. The caveats are relatively minor such as their slightly recessed mids, high treble intensity and a heavy shell but in return, the build is solid while having an energetic, fun sound signature that aces with their superb overall clarity and detail retrieval capabilities. I have owned the original MS2 in the past and can confidently say that the Pro version is a step up in their build and sound showcasing Hidizs evolution through the years.
I would rate this product a solid 4 over 5 stars
Pros
- Robust zinc alloy build
- Nice design theme
- Inclusion of Hidizs pneumatic tuning nozzles
- Clinical, accurate sound
- Decent soundstage width
- Decent timbre
- Above average details and clarity
- Solid, mild boosted bass with deep sub-bass
- Spacious, clear midrange
- Decent resolution
- Strong, energetic high range
- Great sparkly, crisp highs
- High quality Silvercore balanced armatures
- Intense, extended treble
- Easily driven
- Good pricing
Cons
- Thin cable and soft pouch
- Not for treble sensitive users
- Might lack musicalities and immersion
- Minor cohesion problem
- Mids can be slightly cold and thin
- Recessed mids with certain source
- Heavy shells