Hidizs MS3 – Sound
The Hidizs MS3 is a Harman curved in IEM that features a balanced, vivid, and engaging sound signature. It sounds as fun as it is impressive. Its energetic performance across the spectrum, marked by accentuated treble and impactful lows, delivers a clean and clear sound that is surprising at its price point.
Indeed, it may rank among the best-sounding IEMs under the $200 mark. If you happen to find it on sale for around $100, don’t hesitate to grab it – it’s an absolute steal at that price.
It is quite successful in producing a robust, impactful low-end while maintaining a clean and controlled treble range. The midrange, although slightly recessed, is articulate and well-defined.
The MS3’s emphasis on bass and treble adds a dynamic quality to its overall sound presentation, making it a versatile performer across various music genres. Let’s go in-depth. Note that I used Chord Mojo 2 (via adapter) and Topping G5 as main sources.
Lows
The bass performance of the MS3 is both punchy and energetic. It strikes a fine balance, neither overshadowing the midrange nor lacking in depth. The bass is well-tuned, capable of reaching deep while maintaining cleanliness and precision. It provides a satisfying rumble and punch, in tracks that call for it. While it may not satiate the cravings of a basshead, it is certainly sufficient for many listeners. The bass also demonstrates excellent control, avoiding any bleed into the midrange.
The mid-bass, although not as forward as the sub-bass, feels balanced, and the MS3 offers an adequate note weight. The instruments do not sound hollow or unrealistic, which is a huge pro for a unit in this price bracket. The use of the red filter significantly increases the bass, primarily affecting the sub-bass region without impacting the mid-bass as much. However, this comes with a trade-off – a noticeable reduction in the upper mids, which affects the perceived clarity of the sound reproduction. The silver filter behaves similarly to the default rose gold filter, and I didn’t notice a significant change in the bass when using it.
Mids
With the default filter, the MS3 delivers a clean and balanced midrange. The silver filter enhances the extension and openness in the upper midrange, but its tonality may be perceived as overly thin, which might not appeal to everyone. This was also the case with the MS5; both monitors are tuned to the edge of sibilance, which could potentially be an issue if you listen to IEMs at high volumes. Also, mismatched sources can lead to sibilance, which is less than ideal.
The rose gold filter nozzle performs best in terms of tonality, maintaining a pleasing balance across the midrange. When the red filter is used, the MS3 presents a lush, warm, and smoother sound profile, emphasizing the bass. However, this results in the bass overshadowing the midrange even more, and with the reduced upper midrange, the technical capabilities feel somewhat compromised.
To my ears, the rose gold filter seems to be the ideal choice. It offers balanced reproduction across all regions, and its tonality feels the most accurate. It also appears to be the most technically proficient of the filters.
Highs
High frequencies are impressive and I must say that I didn’t expect to hear this. I had lower expectations due to the massive price difference between the MS3 and MS5, and finding out that MS3 is just as competitive as the MS5 was a fine surprise. The MS3’s treble extension and resolution are quite good, they’re well-extended, offering good amount of sparkle without becoming harsh. The MS3 gets its airiness boost from the treble section and the presentation feels quite spacious. The detail level is also quite good for the price.
Technical Capabilities
The MS3 offers impressive technical performance, and that is, in my opinion, one of the most important highlights of it. The soundstage is wide providing a good sense of horizontal space and instrument separation. It performs fantastic with the Chord 2 and the Topping G5, offering good width and depth. The imaging is accurate with a good source, allowing listeners to easily pinpoint instruments within the soundstage.
The resolution and detail retrieval is stellar for this price range, revealing the nuances and subtleties in the music that many IEMs often miss. The PRaT depends heavily on the filter choice and I prefer the default filter over the rest. It offers a superior sense of dynamism with faster attack and decay. It’s nice to see competitive IEMs like the MS3 in this price bracket.
vs. Hidizs MS5
When compared to its bigger brother, the MS3 holds its own quite impressively. Both earphones utilize hybrid driver configurations, but the MS5 features an increased number of balanced armatures. The MS5 tends to lean towards a warmer sound signature and feels more rounded in comparison.
The soundstage of both monitors is spacious and well-defined, allowing the music to breathe and providing a realistic sense of space and depth. The MS3 slightly edges out the MS5 in terms of soundstage width, but it falls a bit short when it comes to depth. Both monitors exhibit excellent instrument separation, but the MS5 handles congestion and complex passages better than its younger sibling due to its smoother upper midrange tuning.
The MS3 has the upper hand when it comes to comfort and fit, as it has a substantially smaller shell. It also looks better with grill-less faceplates in my opinion.
Ultimately, both earphones deliver praiseworthy performance and offer great value for their price. However, the MS3 stands out in its price bracket with its exceptional price-to-performance ratio, making it a true gem among its peers.
Last Words
The Hidizs MS3 IEMs are a standout offering in the current audio market. The well-tuned hybrid configuration delivers a balanced and engaging sound signature, with a bass that is punchy and energetic, and a midrange that is articulate and clean.
The use of different filters allows for sound customization, catering to various music genres and users.
The MS3’s high frequencies impress, providing sparkle and clarity without harshness. The soundstage is impressively wide and detailed, and the resolution is excellent for this price range.
The MS3’s design is unique and ergonomic, providing a comfortable fit for long listening sessions. The build quality is stellar with its CNC aluminum shells and anodized finish. Overall, the Hidizs MS3 offers exceptional performance and value, making them a standout choice in their price bracket, hence, we are giving it our recommendation award.
The Hidizs MS3 are now featured on our Recommended UIEM Buy list, where they are in good company.
Pros
+ Great sound quality for the price
+ Stellar build quality
+ Rich accessory package
+ Customizability up to some extend
Cons
– Silver filter is a tad too bright
– Limited color options
– Upper midrange may be too forward for some
Page 1: Hidizs, The MS3, Packaging & Accessories , Design, Build & Comfort,
Page 2: Sound, Low, Mid, High, Technical Capability, Comparison, Last Words
