Introduction
Whale, whale, whale, what do we have here? The all new Hidizs MP143 that we all have been waiting for. The sequel from the highly praised MP145 and they have a slightly smaller sized shell along with an improved planar driver, the Fast 2 planar that Hidizs has been innovating in pursuit of a better sound as usual. One of my main attractions to these IEM is their commitment with WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation) and Hidizs has doubled down on the cooperation in giving a helping hand by spreading awareness in whale conservation and they have named the MP143 after the legendary sperm whale, Salt, the Grand Dame of Stellwagen Bank and she was the first whale to be given a name sighted since 1975 that has several DVD documentaries including Salt & Friends: Humpback Whales With Names. It is a nice gesture of Hidizs to provide support for these conservation and something I hope more product producers will opt to do as an obligation towards our planet.
A huge thanks to Zoie from Hidizs for this unique opportunity in reviewing the MP143 Salt and I am beyond stoked for these IEM. Will the Salt make another splash in the portable audio scene like the MP145 did? We shall find out here.
Functions & Specifications
Before we start the review, here are the specifications of the Hidizs MP143 Salt;
- Drivers : FAST2 14.3mm Planar Magnetic Driver With Nano Level Diaphragm
- Impedance: 17 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 103dB
- Frequency Response Range: 20 – 40 kHz
- Distortion: <0.05%
- Body : One Piece CNC Anodized Aluminum Alloy
- Connectors: 0.78mm Standard Flush 2 Pin With Choices Of 3.5mm or 4.4mm
- Tuning Filters : Bass (Red), Balanced (Gold), Treble(Silver)
- Cable: High Purity Silver Copper, 1.25 metres
- Weight: 16 Grams (Excluding Cable)
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
The packaging here is actually small and rather simple but Hidizs has taken a great step in the packaging, aside from the plastic wrap seal, it has practically zero plastic in packaging the MP143 and the whole box is made from biodegradable paper. It is a small step but a start to reduce plastic waste.
Inside, we are greeted with the MP143 earphones with accessories such as 6 pairs of silicone eartips (3 black narrow bore, 3 clear silicone normal bore), a 2 core 0.78mm cable with choices of 3.5mm or 4.4mm, a PU leather soft pouch, the paperworks and Hidizs has include a cute Salt round pin tag. A hard case will be better appreciated for better protection but the pouch quality is great.
Design
The design here does have the looks of the iconic MP145 with their whale tail inspired looks and the MP143 has a more evident tail look with a techy twist with the lines very well integrated into the design. One of the main improvements here with the MP143 is the shape and size that has better ergonomics with a slightly smaller shell than their sibling. It is still a large shell but it definitely fits better and it is very comfortable even when used for hours on end. The design here is actually very well thought with a nice font of Hidizs brand on both sides and they come in 3 different colour variants (blue, silver and black). The one with me is the blue variant which looks the best for me as the colour goes with the theme of the whale and the ocean. Another improvement that I have noticed is the MP143 isn’t as easily scratched like the MP145 probably due to the thicker anodized coating but they do dent as easily.
The MP143 is equipped with an all new 2nd generation 14.3mm planar magnetic driver that Hidizs has been innovating and they have named the driver FAST2. It has 7 fully symmetrical parallel N52H magnets on each side that gives better efficiency and minimising harmonic distortion with an almost 1 Tesla flux density. Hidizs has also included their staple Pneumatic Sound Tube Technology nozzle filters in 3 colour coded filters where the red is for low frequency, silver for high frequency and gold for a balanced frequency. The nozzle filters work by altering the air flow output to make changes in the music flow and they actually work very well with the MP143. My favourite nozzle is actually the red nozzle that gives the bass more impact and they are definitely more fun. This review is done by using the gold nozzle as it uses the default tuning of the MP143. As for the nozzle size, they are on the larger side coming in at 6.5mm with a medium length 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. It is worth mentioning that the clear silicone eartips quality is superb as it is very soft which gives a very comfortable fit.
The pouch is made from PU leather with a cinch on top and they are very soft and high quality but don’t really give an impact protection.
The MP143 has a standard flush type of 0.78mm connection that is slightly tight which is great. The vent is located beside the 0.78mm pins and another vent is situated near the nozzle. The vents aren’t as large as the MP145 but no driver flex is present which 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 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
Intime Sho DD
Hidizs MP145
Letshuoer S08
TangZu Xuan NV
RHA MA750i
Hiby Lasya
Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro
Dunu EST112
Moondrop A8
Songs list
Tone and Presentation
The tone of the Hidizs MP143 is a neutral balanced sound that has a mild warm touch to them. They might lean towards a U shaped sound but are very marginal as their bass and high range is strong with a rather good midrange presence. They have an energetic sound that has superb musicality with decent technical chops along with a lightning fast transient that is typical of a planar driver. In spite of their high energetic sound, they are actually smooth to the ears and don’t sound harsh or offensive but they are a lush, fun sound that is easy to listen to.
Soundstage
The MP143 possesses an expansive soundstage that is similar to the MP145 with a wide and tall soundstage that is holographically vivid. They have a good 3D representation of sound that is accurate and airy which makes them a versatile set that is suitable even for gaming and movies. They also do have an immersive sound that envelopes users in sound that gives a more intimate feel without sounding hollow or distant. The soundstage here definitely is their strength punching above their asking price.
Separation and Timbre
Separation is great and superb and given a well implemented single driver doing all the job, they have superb coherency and music is conveyed in harmony without any gaps present. Crosstalk issues here are non-existent with a well defined sound from left to right that gives a superb stereo imaging along with great layering. Timbre here is rich and slightly piercy but they do have a slight planar timbre that gives a metallic sheen in the upper region that sounds a little unnatural. The sheen does seem to lessened after some burning in and it actually doesn’t really bother me as it does provide a crisper overall sound that sounds exciting but for those who yearn for a natural, organic sound might want to take note of this issue.
Drivability
The MP143 is rated at 17 ohms at 103 dB sensitivity which means they are not too sensitive to pick up noise and don’t really need power to be driven to their maximum potential and their loudness is ample even with a simple wire dongle. Their scalability is average but they do sound better with a warm source from the likes of AKM or Cirrus Logic chipset to complement their high energetic sound. The MP143 is forgiving in nature and they don’t really show minor flaws in music and they perform well even with streaming or low bandwidth tracks. This criteria might not suit those who listen critically or for monitoring usage but suits well for casual listeners.
The Bass (Low)
The bass that the MP143 produces is a mildly boosted bass that has a great amount of energy and they do have a fast pace with a tight slam. The bass amount here is just enough to give an energetic sound without any overpowering issues even with the bass nozzle and they don’t bleed into the midrange which is great. The amount of details here is good and they have a good sense of clarity giving a clean overall bass that isn’t muddy nor veil. The bass here has a great body and texture with every bass note presented in a clear manner but the extension here is mediocre and they do lack some depth especially with bass strings. Resolution here is vivid with a good transparency that sounds quite natural to the ears. The bass here isn’t really suited for hardcore bassheads as but sufficient for electronic, jazz and hip-hop with their immersive, energetic bass response. Sub-bass amount is accurate without any bloat and they have a great depth in this region with a decent amount of rumble.
The Mids
Midrange has a warm, neutral tone with a slight thickness that has a good lushious sound. They are a rather balanced midrange that has a natural and organic sound that isn’t recessed to my ears but due to the mild boost in both of the high and low frequency, one might perceive it to be slightly recessed. The midrange here has a diffused field type of sound that disperse the sound very well and they give a sense of space which contributes to the large soundstage present on the MP143. The amount of details here is superb and they lean toward detailed macro details with decent micro detail retrieval capabilities. Clarity here is great as well with crystal clear notes portrayed along with a good resolving sound that is vivid and clear. Transparency here is rather mediocre partly due to the higher region of the midrange that occasionally produces some planar sheen that gives a plasticky sound but isn’t really a deal breaker for me as the spacious, lush midrange is truly enjoyable. Vocals here is sweet and they perform well with male or female vocals alike with their deep yet brilliance filled sound along with their accurate spatial sound, they are quite enjoyable
The Highs
High range has a sharp tone but still able to sound smooth and they have a slow roll off that gives the high range a good presence with an enjoyable crisp decay. The high range here does have a forward sound that has a mild 8 kHz lift providing a good sparkly sound that is lively and energetic. They tend to sound free of sibilance even with their strong overall high range and they are very well controlled similar to their bass. Details here are superb with every note presented thoroughly without any hiccups and they do possess great clarity making the overall high range sounds clean. Resolution is good with a vivid sound that has a good minimal coloration that gives a sweeter high range but transparency here isn’t as good as their predecessor as they do display some metallic sheen but it is minor and doesn’t interfere with the overall sound as much. Treble here has a moderate amount of intensity that gives a good attack and pace in the high range providing an energetic signature while still being smooth to the ears reducing fatigue for long usage.
Comparisons
VS Letshuoer S08
The Letshuoer S08 is the most recent planar from them and they are priced similarly with the MP143. Though the MP143 has a bigger shell, they seem to be more comfortable to my ears but the S08 has a more scratch resistant shell with a lighter weight. The S08 does include a hard case but without the presence of a tuning filter like on the MP143. The S08 has a safer, more organic tuning but lacks excitement in the high range like on the MP143 albeit having a slight metallic timbre.
High range
Highs on the MP143 have the upper hand in their amount with a more evident sparkle and crispness for a livelier presence versus the S08 high range that has a smoother, more laid-back style. Details and clarity is better on the MP143 and has better extension with a similar airy presentation.
Midrange
Both of these sets have a warm midrange but the S08 sounds thicker and more forward but the MP143 has slightly better clarity with details retrieval here is almost similar. Resolution wise is better on the S08 along with a more vivid, colourful sound and a slightly better transparency. Vocals on the MP143 performed better on female vocals for their added brilliance while the S08 is more suited for male vocals for their deep, luscious sound profile. The MP143 midrange does possess a more spacious sound along with better air.
Bass
Bass on S08 has a slightly bigger presence with a more meaty, dynamic-esque bass response that is more textured. Sub-bass on both dives deep but the amount of rumble on the S08 is marginally bigger. Details and clarity on the MP143 bass is slightly better but the S08 bass does sound more natural with a more extended frequency.
Soundstage
The soundstage on the MP143 does sound bigger but both sound very airy.
VS Hidizs MP145
The now legendary planar IEM has the reputation of being the most cost effective high end planar IEM from Hidizs themselves and it is what the MP143 is based upon. They are priced nearly double the asking price of the MP143 but do share some traits in design and sound. The MP143 does have a smaller shell that may suit a wider range of users especially with smaller ears. The cable of the MP145 does look and sound better and it doesn’t exhibit a planar metallic timbre which provides a more natural sound.
High region
The highs of the MP145 has a more extended high range and does possess better detail retrieval capabilities but marginally. Clarity on both is great with a similar amount of sparkle and crispness but the MP145 has the edge by sounding more natural and accurate due to the presence of a metallic sheen on the MP143.
Midrange
Midrange on the MP145 has a slightly thicker and more forward presentation than the MP143. The MP143 does have some mild coloration in their midrange while the MP145 does sound more natural with a slightly lusher sound that has a good balanced tone. Details and clarity here goes to the MP145 by being cleaner, clearer and more accurate.
Bass
The amount of bass on the MP143 has a bigger presence as they have a bigger boosted mid bass lift that gives a slightly bigger bass presentation while the MP145 has a tighter bass slam with a faster pace. Both excel in the details and clarity but the MP145 does sound cleaner here. Sub-bass extension on both is similar but the rumble on the MP143 does sound a tad stronger
Soundstage
Soundstage on both is expansive and both have a respectable sized soundstage but the MP145 does sound wider with a greater air in their presentation but only marginally.
Synergy
Hiby FC06
Hiby FC06 is one the first adopters of an R2R architecture named Darwin in an audio dongle form. They have a smooth, analogue sound that is very inviting with a great technical aspect in sound and they do add a touch or organic sound to the MP143. They only have a 3.5mm single ended output but possess a good power delivery that is adequate for most IEMs out there.
Bass sounded clearer and tighter but details stayed mostly the same. Bass has better organic extension and they are more transparent with a more natural bass. Air is also added by a little giving a wider bass effect. Sub-bass amount remains the same but they do have a slightly extended depth.
Midrange possesses better clarity producing a cleaner sound while retaining the warmth and intimacy. Vocals sound better on higher pitch and more has better tonal balance. The planar timbre at the upper mids does seem to lessen to a certain degree which makes the midrange sounds more natural.
High range has a slight decrease in their treble intensity and the planar timbre here is lessened like on the upper midrange but it is still present. High range here sounded smoother and has a better extension that gives a more relaxed feel into the sound.
Soundstage has seen improved width and height with the same size headroom.
FiiO Q7
The Q7 by FiiO is a beast of a DAC amplifier even in 2024 and they are still the flagship in the Q series in FiiO. They are equipped with a single Sabre ES9038pro dac chip along with dual THX 788+ that pushes a maximum 3000 mW power with the DC power supply. They have a bright to warm sound that has tons of power to drive any IEMs and most of the headphones around. The matching here tends to bring out the maximum potential of the MP143 or any other IEM but the MP143 doesn’t need as much power to be driven and only some sound refinement is being done.
Bass is tighter, faster with a clearer sound while still having their fast pace. They have a cleaner, clearer sub-bass extension with a slightly deeper rumble. Details and clarity has a slight increase and they sound airier with an overall cleaner bass response. The Q7 also has a cleaner bass that almost has the bass quality of the MP145.
Midrange has a more neutral approach and is pushed slightly forward to better keep up with the other frequencies, making the overall sound a little more balanced. Vocals sounded sweeter and lusher with a more intimate sound. There is a better sense of space produced by this pairing which gives a better air in their overall presentation.
Highs has a better sparkle with better extension along with some crispness added but it still exhibits a metallic sheen though mildly. Details and clarity stayed the same but they sound smoother. Treble here stayed the same with a good intensity that keeps the lively sound of the MP143.
Soundstage height and width is better with a wider, airier sound overall.
Who Is It For?
The MP143 is suited for those who are new into the planar realm and for the asking price of the MP143, they are a great starter planar IEM for new users along with the Letshuoer S08. With their fast paced sound and quick transients, they are suited for modern and classical genres but aren’t really suited for vocals due to their timbre. For gaming and movies, they are an excellent choice as they do possess an expansive soundstage with a holographic criteria that is accurate and immersive at the same time. For those who find the MP145 fit a little too big, the MP143 will fit you better with an almost same sound signature at half the price. They aren’t for those bassheads, treble heads or critical listening but suited for those who want a fun, exciting sound that focuses more towards music enjoyment. The MP143 does have the tuning nozzle which suits a wider range of users for their tunable sound to fit one’s liking.
Final words
Hidizs here has certainly headed in a noble direction for the releases by joining the WDC cause by producing a product theme that supports the conservation of whales. The Hidizs MP143 Salt is certainly an IEM that has a great planar sound with a user reachable price and for the cherry on top, they are for a good cause by spreading awareness to try, in a wider view, to protect the oceans for the future generations. A small step may go a long way for the planet earth and a heartfelt gratitude from us to Hidizs for this attempt. As for the performance of the MP143 Salt, they are a potential candidate for the best entry planar IEM indeed for their fun, exciting sound that possesses great technicalities where they punch above their asking price. Yes they do exhibit some minor planar timbre, but I do find it is not a deal breaker as it is only a minor nitpick for their price range and for me, it is the minor imperfections that makes up a great IEM as they sound crisp, bold and very enjoyable. A salute to Hidizs and the team of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation for this collaboration.
I would rate the Hidizs MP143 Salt a 4 and a half stars over 5 with a seal of Audiomonsta recommended product for their noble cause.
Pros
- Beautiful design with an honourable theme
- Good comfort
- Inclusion of tuning nozzles
- Good musicality
- Wide dynamics
- Decent technicalities
- Fast transients of a planar driver
- Great resolving sound
- Great overall details and clarity
- Expansive soundstage
- Fast, high quality bass
- Lively, warm midrange
- Energetic high range
- Plastic free packaging
- Very well priced/bang for buck
Cons
- Instances of metallic timbre
- Average transparency
- Unnatural high range
- Not for critical listening
- Soft pouch that has less protection
- Cable on the thin side
- Shell dent easily
