Hidizs MK12's Review - Single DD Goodness

 

General Info (Packaging/Build/Comfort)

Hidizs is well known for their source namely dongles as well as mini DAP, but looks like they’re trying to up the ante by also tapping into the IEM’s market. They did have several releases previously but they aren’t that well known or widely received. Since the launch of MS5 which is the brand’s flagship, they have been gathering feedback and putting in the work, which can be seen in the subsequent release, which is the MS3. One year ago, I reviewed their MP145 and MP143 which both also garnered quite a lot of positive feedback from reviewers and consumers alike. I have the MK12 with me today which is the latest single dynamic driver from Hidizs, featuring a magnesium driver at a non premium price point.

The build quality of the IEM is solid, feels quite hefty and the design inspiration does have some scale-like resemblance from pangolin? The shell’s size is neither too big nor small, it is  comfortable to wear and listen for long hours without causing any discomfort. The IEM’s nozzle is definitely much smaller than MP145, good news for those who were having fit issues with it previously. Packaging is the usual Hidizs style which looks minimalistic and also presents a premium unboxing experience. The box consists of three types of eartips, the tuning filter/nozzle and also a storage pouch, a solid cable with the termination of your choice either 3.5 or 4.4. 

Equipment and Software used

• Fiio M21

• Hidizs S8 Pro Robin

• Apple Music/Tidal/foobar2k

• Hidizs MK12 Stock cable and Eartips

Foreword

My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression (Balanced Nozzle)

Upon first listen on MK12, it has got a relatively smooth tuning with plenty of details yet it remains safe sounding and not harsh sounding. Timbre sounds very natural to my ears, the default one will be balanced which is the primary sound impression that I'm sharing now. Note weight is relatively thick without sounding too warm/thick overall

Bass

• Bass is punchy and has good extension to my ears, but not too much to the point where it overpowers other frequencies, adequate amount for the fun factor if you ask me

• Good texture on the bass and the speed is adequate for most genres unless you're talking about insanely high-speed heavy metal, but it is adequate to handle anything you throw at it

• Slipknot's People’s= Shit is being rendered effortlessly on MK12, there isn't a hint of mud during the intense drumming opening

• Sub bass does have good rumble and doesn’t roll off that much

Mids

• Mids are very lush to my ears, instruments in this range carries sufficient note weight and doesn’t sound thin at all

• I’d picture the vocal positioning as a few steps away from your face, not recessed nor too intimate, just nice in my opinion

• Female vocal has got decent texture and sweet sounding, evident when playing back Adele’s When We Were Young

• Male vocal is fairly thick with good textures, evident in low baritone note, doesn’t Upper mids are never offensive even when you turn up the volume, rather safe for those who are sensitive

• There’s a slight bleed of mid bass into the mids, but most of the time they are okay

Treble

• MK12’s treble is never offensive and yet it doesn’t sound dull and quite musical to my ears, enough energy but never harsh sounding

• Not as revealing in terms of detail retrieval but good enough for the price point, certain instruments can be picked up easily when listening to Hans Zimmer’s Why So Serious

• The treble is never sibilant even when you turn up the volume, or even on some sibilant prone track

• Good amount of air and presence

Soundstage/Imaging

• Soundstage on MK12 quite decent, slightly out of your head and doesn’t sound in your head at all, good width and depth but a little lacking in height

• Imaging is good as well, instruments can be pin-pointed easily and the left and right transition and vice versa is easily noticeable, instrument layering is good, the instruments doesn’t sound muddy and all mashed up in Kid Rock’s Bawitdaba

• Overall it is quite good for the asking price

Driveability, Cable Rolling with MP145’s stock cable

• MK12 does need a bit of a power to sound good, it sounds okay-ish with dongle but when you put it on with desktop setup, it totally opens up 

• Surprisingly,MK12 sounds quite good from Macbook Air M2’s 3.5mm jack (with 4.4 to 3.5mm converter)

• It does scale with better source and amplification as with most dynamic driver, in terms of dynamic and more controlled bass

• Using 145’s stock cable, the overall presentation sounds a little cleaner and less warmth, i wouldn’t say day and night differences but the treble part definitely sounds a little cleaner and also the bass (skip this part if you are not a cable believer)

Sound comparison with different nozzles

Red

• On this nozzle, the low end is slightly lifted, due to the seesaw effect, the treble is tamer and less exciting, this in turn made the overall listening experience a little more laidback with slightly more warmth and body

• Soundstage is slightly smaller imaging capability remains more or less similar

• Still it is nowhere near basshead level, but overall it is thick sounding

Silver

• This nozzle does lift the treble up on the MK12, at the expense of reduced bass quantity as well as slightly leaner note weight, but if you find the MK12  is too warm, maybe this nozzle will suit you

• Soundstage is slightly better with a little bit more air

Comparison Dunu Kima 2

• Kima 2 is a single DD IEM as well, but in terms of DD size, MK12’s driver size and material is definitely different

• Tuning wise, Kima 2 does not offer swappable nozzle to alter sound signatures, leaning towards the neutral warm with a boost on the sub base

• In terms of bass, MK12 on the balanced nozzle has slightly more bass quantity compared to Kima 2, mid bass is punchier on the MK 12 but with a slight occurrence of mud during some intense track, Kima 2 on the other hand has slightly better control for the bass, sub bass as well as mid bass, less punchy but tight and controlled with more or less similar note weights and texture

• Mids are relatively rich on the Kima 2 with a slight emphasis on the upper mids, MK 12 is slightly thicker in terms of note weight, upper mids not as emphasised on Kima 2

• In terms of technicalities, both are more or less similar with either Kima 2 or MK12 slightly edging out each other on certain aspect

Final Thoughts

I have tried several single DD IEMs lately, they all have different characteristics and tuning styles tailored to different audiences or music libraries. For the case of MK12, I find that it’s safe for me to label it as an all rounder (At least it works well with my library, Metal, Nu Metal, Jazz, Classical, Jpop, Rock, CantoPop). For those who prefer a less prominent bass response, or rather a neutral bass response,there’s an option to switch to the silver nozzle. I’m not a basshead myself but I do find myself enjoying the slight lift on the low end. Not to mention it is very versatile to change the tuning via the swappable nozzle to add more bass, or treble depending on your preference. For me personally i’ll stick to the balanced nozzle which offers a balance between bass and treble.

MK12 is an easy recommendation to anyone who is in the lookout of capable single dynamic driver IEM or even seasoned audiophiles will like MK12 i’m sure, if you have tried the MP145, MP143 and think that the size might be too big, the MK12 is definitely the one for you.

*MK12 is sent over by Hidizs in exchange for this review. I am not under any influence nor do I receive any monetary compensation to produce this review.

The MK12 is currently available at 129$, quite a good deal in my opinion

Head over to the link below if you are interested in getting one!
Hidizs MK 12 Official Kickstarter Link