HIDIZS MS5 DARK ANGEL: Scintillating, Revealing and Idiosyncratic One

"Raguel was an Archangel and he was mentioned in some Judeo-Christian traditional lores. He was known to be a God's Bringer of Justice and exact vengeance on some malevolent spirits and fallen angels. He was considered as a Dark Angel."

This is my first review of an IEM earphone from HIDIZS and I did some previous reviews  of their products like USB DAC dongles. So, this is my third product review article for them and I'll make sure that I will be fair and honest on my assessment. And also this is my second full review of a particular IEM on a midrange category after the Audiosense AQ7 PRO/Insight.

HIDIZS MS5 also known as Dark Angel is HIDIZS' latest midrange flagship IEM. This set has a hybrid drivers set-up composed of a single dynamic driver and 4 balanced armature drivers. The said single dynamic driver, especially its diaphragm, is made of composite materials consisting of liquid silicone and kevlar to give faster response, good flexibility and better sensitivity to deliver the best possible bass quality. I'm quite familiar with Liquid Silicone Drivers as I owned 2 IEMs with similar transducers and reviewed a TOTL IEM with the same type of driver. The balanced armature drivers that were implemented along with a single dynamic driver are of high quality and they are made by a premium Danish audio solution company, Sonion. These particular balanced armature drivers each handle specific frequencies, 17A003 supports the bass region to give a more a solid and tactual delivery while the "dual" 2389 is the responsible the midrange to presence treble to give a more lush and expressive quality, and then the E50DT will solely handle the high frequency to give a better resolution, bright sound and good airy extension. All drivers along with some other components were attached and soldered with HIDIZS' exclusive compound material with gold tin wiring as they claims that it provides better signal transmission, more stable and longevity of its materials.

These drivers are encapsulated in a CNC-milled shell chassis composed of composite materials such as resin and aluminium alloy. The cavity base part of the MS5 is made of aluminium alloy and its surface was undergone in an anodising process to more resistant, hardness and lessens the remnants of fingerprint marks. Its faceplate panel has two-layers, the outer part with hollowed cut holes made of medical-grade resin while inner part act as a buffer and mesh for limiting and reducing the harmonic resonance inside of the IEM cavity base is made of a thin aluminium alloy with tiny bores on it and anodised with rose gold colour to give that dazzling and elegant visual similar to a wings of a dark angel but to be honest in my opinion, it reminds me of some premium bicycle helmets. The overall design of the shell chassis gives it more of a semi-opened back device. As for its interlocking mechanism, it uses a proven and  well-tested 2-pin connector. It also has vent holes on the upper surface of the shells.

The HIDIZS MS5 has a detachable nozzle system in which you choose from its three detachable nozzles with different configuration of tuning filters. HIDIZS called this tech "HIDIZS Pneumatic Sound Tuning Filter" as it has pre-constructed acoustic tube form with an implementation of density tuning cotton filters of each type of detachable tuning nozzles for better sonic wave flow.

Here are the three different types of replaceable tuning filter nozzles:

●Red Colour - it focuses on low frequencies, a more vigorous and energetic sound suitable for Rock, EDM and R&B.

●Rose Gold Colour - it is HIDIZS' interpretation of their balanced tuning. The most versatile to all the tuning filters as Pop, Vocals and Folk genres sound more engaging and intense.

●Silver Colour - it pivots more on high frequency to give a more brighter, crisp with even added air on it. Good for Jazz, Classical and Orchestra tracks.

Another particular facet of HIDIZS MS5 was the high quality of its stock cable. The aforementioned accessory is made of two types of wires, the 6N single crystal silver-plated and 6N single crystal copper ones that were intertwined to make a cohesive 8-core cable with high-quality PVC wire insulators along a solid build, gold-plated copper 3.5mm termination plug. In my opinion, a modular termination plug is a better option given its price but for now a thick and a bit hefty cable is sufficient enough. There are also some cases regarding the unusual angle of its PVC ear hooks that might be problematic to some users but they are quite perfectly contours well to my upper part of the pinna.

Meanwhile, when it comes to fitting and comfort. The HIDIZS MS5 shells' are well-balanced and its ergonomic design really rests well on my lug holes that I can wear for a long listening session without any issues of being either discomfort, soreness or wear fatigue. Despite its supposedly open-backed design, it has a good passive isolation as it blocks some external noises from outside surroundings. On sealing, this is particularly a very tip-dependant set that you will probably do some ear tip rolling either from included stock ear tips or from third party offerings.

The product packaging of HIDIZS MS5 is truly impressive on how a midrange-level set should be. It is a total package that really gives us one of the best unboxing experiences to its users if the value of this set really matters either from quality aspect or pricing. It has black-coloured, medium size rectangular box with a coloured printed picture of the MS5 along model series, company logo, Hi-res  certification logo and even Sonion's logo at the front, then a product specification, graphs and a manufacturer and international distributor addresses at the back of the box. The inclusions inside were compartmentalised and placed in an orderly manner.

Here are the following contents included inside the box:

■ a pair of HIDIZS MS5 IEM.

■ an 8-core stock cable in 3.5mm termination plug.

■ a dirty white-coloured hard bound faux-leather zippered IEM case.

■ a metal plate with 2 pairs of detachable nozzles (red and silver)

■ 3 pairs of vocal ear tips of different standard sizes.

■ 3 pairs of balanced ear tips of different standard sizes.

■ 3 pairs of bass ear tips of different standard sizes.

■ some paperwork such as instruction manual, calling card, warranty card and a card with squiggly line graphs of detachable nozzle with its tunings.

As for amplification, with an impedance of 5.3 ohms, this is really an easy to drive set that I don't even need to crank up more amplitude output as I usually listen from it for at least 40% to 60% volume level from my LG phones, 10%-20% from USB DAC dongles and 20%-30% from my Questyle QP2R DAP in medium gain and standard BIAS mode. That said, a very low impedance rating also worries me that it might be too sensitive to pick up more noise floor from powerful sources with strong power output but it is not always the case even so that try to consider using an impedance adapter that will suit its specific resistance matching. With a decent amount of power output, MS5 sounds very dynamic that reaches the ends of frequency range spectrum.

I also try to pair them with other HIDIZS products, all of them are USB DAC dongles. S9 Pro will gives a more neutral sound with a hint of energetic and vivid, while the latest XO gives a bit warmer sonic profile that gives a  more analogue-ish feel

As for tonality, with its removable nozzles with tuning filters along with proper ear tips (this set is probably the most sensitive that I've ever encountered so far that it benefits on ear tips rolling), it gives a different sound profile. Red-coloured nozzle will give a more distinctive V-shaped sound signature. Rose gold-coloured nozzle is a very balanced, some sort of midcentric type of tuning that HIDIZS' interpretation of a balanced yet very detailed sound. Then, a silver-coloured nozzle is more of a mild U-shaped tuning as it focuses more on emphasis on presence treble.

Here are some of my observations regarding its sound characteristics from each part of its frequency range.

LOWS/BASS:

This certain part of the frequency range spectrum really surprised me despite that I'm not really a bass head but the quality and quantity of bass response of HIDIZS MS5 is rather remarkable on this one. Punchy, tactile, incisive and zestful which really define its quality that it gives that vibrancy and  evocative feel.

Both sub bass and mid bass has its own allocated part and distinct intervals within its bass region. I was able to clearly discern those reverberations and sonority coming from low toned bass guitar, drum machines and synthesisers in some tracks of specific genres such as Rock and Synth-pop.

The mid bass is quite well-bodied and texture to give a more density on the note weight of individual instruments and certain vocal type. Bass drum kicks does have resonant, thunderous and thudding as I feel every strike on bass foot drum from John Bonham's bass kicks on the "When the Levee Breaks Tracks" or Gene Hoglan's masterful rapid double bass kicks works on the "Death is Certain (Life is Not)". Bass guitars have these menacing, weighty and broad that gives more roar and distinctive guttural sound on either from Les Claypool of Primus seminal track "My name is Mud" with its distinguishable slapping style, Steve Di Giorgio's extraordinary fretless on some Sadus tracks like "Certain Death" and "Desolator", and Patricia Morrison bass line on Sisters of Mercy's track, "Lucretia My Reflection". On bass-baritone vocals, it has those deep, thick and dense that both Andrew Eldritch and Barry White voices are very detailed; you even feel their breath and vocal cord depth.

MIDRANGE:

With different nozzles with specific tuning filters, it registers different presentations. The red nozzle gives a more hollow and indented presentation of the midrange while the silver one gives a slight recession with added more energetic sound. The rose gold coloured is definitely my preference as I am bias towards midcentric tuning on how it gives a more balanced yet lively, accurate and very transparent sound to give the best possible detailed sound quality and clarity in this particular frequency range.

Depiction on the qualities of vocals and instruments are actually one of HIDIZS MS5's strongest assets. On male vocals, all types of baritones from lyrical and dramatic have these warm, velvety and rich on how I perceive them from Lenny Kravitz, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and Rob Halford of Judas Priest (on his tessitura). And then tenor vocals have one of the most accurate vocal reproductions as they have that brassy, dazzling and "spicy" quality on them either on voices of Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Justin Timberlake, Dio and Robert Plant. On the female vocals, it is quite pleasant to listen and be captivated by the deep, husky and rich voices of contraltos like Annie Lennox, Anggun, Sade and Tracy Chapman. Mezzo-sopranos have this velvety, smooth and tender qualities that comforts and mesmerises our ears with the likes of Andrea Corr, Enya and Adele.  The rendition of sopranos are actually one of MS5's strongest point on how it a gives that euphonic and silvery sense on this particular vocal range on either lyrical or coloratura types. It has these crystalline, rangy, silky and gleaming as I listen to Mariah Carey, Alison Krauss, Olga Pereyatko and Diana Damrau (I really love her vocal clarity on the "Die Zauberflöte").

As for instruments, from percussive to brass instruments, MS5 will deliver the most natural and accurate tone of each type of instrument. On strings like violins and guitars (electric or acoustic types), there's a sense of liveliness of sound of the violins as they have this sensuous, brilliant and vibrant sound on them while guitars have this crisp, shimmering and sustaining sound on them, even Tommi Iommi's signature guitar tone which is known to have a thick, midrangey sound was depicted in a life-like manner. On brass instruments, trumpets have these intense, powerful and full sounding notes and trombones have these eruptive, intense and penetrating notes in every hitting on its valve note. Woodwinds like flutes and saxophones, the prior  have these bright, rich and brilliant sounds  on them with an airy sensation on them while a more sonorous, velvety and warm sound on the latter instrument that I mentioned. Meanwhile on percussions, toms and snare drums have these penetrating, venerable and hard-hitting sound that gives that intensity and vigour while marimbas have these sonorous and melodious characteristics then glockenspiels have a brilliant and jingling sound on them. Celestas have these silvery and bell-like sound to give its "heavenly" vibe and piano tones are quite versatile depending on its tuning from warmer and lusher tone similar to German antique pianos to brighter and brilliant sound of some American and Japanese ones (Kawai).

HIGHS/TREBLE:

Depends on the tuning filters, but it does improve the emphasis of the upper mids to brilliance treble region in a marginal significance. Both balanced and treble tuning filters have almost indistinguishable quantity and quality. The treble quality of MS5 is bright, glistening and airy as it tickles my treble-headed side. It seems that I don't encounter the sibilance and harshness on the upper mids on the balanced filter but on the treble filter + vocal ear tips, there are some hints of having one on some sibilant-laden tracks, on which I still consider it as a borderline.

Those emphasis on upper-mids to presence treble will give you that excellent crisp, clarity and a very delineate sound quality that it gives the spicy and intensity might be an issue to some treble sensitives out there. Cymbals have this shimmering quality and with a good sizzling sound that also defines its remarkable treble air extension to give a sparkle. This kind of treble quantity adds ups a sense of high fidelity. Hi-hats have this shortened lustrous and metallic sound on them.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

As I mentioned a while ago about this set that was quite sensitive to ear tip rolling, it really affects the perceived size of its sound field dimensions. Using its included stock ear tips gives me an average to above average sound/speaker stage width which I really think is a bit inadequate. It has good height reach and excellent depth from the front to back, which give me adequate headroom within my aural grasp.

Imaging is actually one of its strongest assets on how it gives a 3D-like spatial presentation. I was able to identify the positioning of instruments and vocals with almost surgical accuracy with its spatial field. It also has an excellent separation as I was able to distinguish the spacing and gaps of each element. Another forte of MS5 was its layering capability, both frequency and dynamic tone of layers have its own distinctive region which is quite amazing on multi-instrumental tracks like orchestra to have a solid sound on its  sonic canvas.

There is also a cohesion and coherency on its drivers, as the dynamic drivers has a more responsive to deliver such attack and faster transient while the balanced armatures perform a supporting role for better details and clarity. Timbre seems to on balanced and natural side of tone but some percussive instruments has some enhancements on projecting its tonal colour.

On resolution capabilities, it has a strong fundamentals that deliver a strong macro-dynamics while it has an incredible definition on its micro-details as it retrieves some subtleties and nuances from its audio track data. All I can say is that it has a very sharp delineation and quite contrasting on extracting details.

In general, MS5's overall technical performance is somehow almost reaching a TOTL-level but there are aspects that still need some further refinement.

PEER COMPARISONS:

(Note: MS5 uses a balanced filter nozzle)

DUNU SA6

■ DUNU SA6 shells are made of high quality medical-grade resin. It has a bass vent toggle switch to improve the bass quality (which I didn't test it out). Unlike MS5, SA6 is an all-balanced armature drivers consist of Knowles and Sonion.

■ On the side of tonality, SA6 takes a more balanced-neutral tuning. It has a sufficient bass thump, a balanced yet textured midrange and smoother treble response but compare to MS5, it is less airy and just have an enough sparkle. I still prefer the quality of the midrange on SA6 as it is still my reference in under $600/£480 to have a clean, natural yet textured.

■ On technicalities, both have similar performance but I give the MS5 on separation, layering and resolution capabilities. MS5 has a sharper definition on resolution while SA6 have a more natural and balanced resolution on resolving details and nuances.

AUDIOSENSE AQ7 PRO/INSIGHT

■ Unlike MS5, AQ7 INSIGHT has a moulded, high quality medical-grade, UIEM-shaped resin shell chassis. Its internals has similar transducers setup with MS5 as it has a dynamic driver with six Knowles BAs, but its own acoustic tubings for its drivers with an electronic frequency divider. It uses an MMCX connector as its interlocking mechanism for its cable with termination plug.

■  AQ7 INSIGHT has a "referenced-neutral" sound profile as it has a tighter bass response, a more pristine and transparent midrange and elevated treble which gives a more crisp, detailed and better airy extension. AQ7 INSIGHT is more refined and suits better for audio professional use.

■ Overall technical capabilities, both AQ7 INSIGHT and MS5 are almost alike with exception that the former has a wider sound/speaker stage width that doesn't need some ear tip rolling for optimum performance.

CAMPFIRE AUDIO ANDROMEDA (2017 or 2018?)

■ Andromeda is an all-BA driver set of unspecified brand of balanced armature drivers ( probably a customised variant), It has a solid aluminium alloy shell chassis with it own acoustic chamber tech called T.A.E.C. (Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber) to give a better treble air and clarity and greatly reduces the chances of strident sounding and sibilance. I almost forgot that Andromedas are very sensitive devices that prone to high audible noise floor.

■ Tuning-wise, Andromeda takes a more mild-U shaped sound signature. It has a sufficient punchy bass, a tad warmer and neutral midrange then a more smoother and airier treble response. Since it has only a BA driver for its bass, it doesn't have that  depth and dynamism compare to MS5's bass register though when it comes to treble response, Andromeda's treble is somehow a little bit smoother, more linear as it give a more "safer" treble quality and even a bit airier.

■ Technicalities were indeed Andromeda's strongest asset but BA timbre was quite  more present as I perceived those tad metallic and tizzy sounding in most cases but it is just my nitpicking.

In my conclusion about this set, it seems that HIDIZS had delivered such an amazing product in the midrange category. With its detachable tuning filters, excellent built quality on its shell and high quality inclusions, HIDIZS MS5 will be a compelling offer that audio enthusiasts will notice.

HIDIZS MS5 has its quirks to have a unique tuning might be new to others' lug holes but for some treble heads out there, this might be their choice. If you love tracking the quality of vocals and instruments on more complex music genres like orchestras and movie scores, then this is the set that you are waiting for in the midrange category.

HIDIZS MS5 is now available, and you can check HIDIZS official store HERE.

DISCOUNT CODE: EUPHONIAREVIEWS5OFF

Check out my other reviews of HIDIZS products:

◆ HIDIZS S9 PRO

◆ HIDIZS XO

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: CVJ MEI

IMPEDANCE: 5.8Ω

SENSITIVITY: 104dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 40KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M

PIN TYPE:  2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm

DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + (4) BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVERS

PROS:

△ High-quality composite shell chassis.

△ Probably, it has one of the best stock cable in the midrange  category as it really have that thick, heft and solid build quality yet classy.

△ It has a detachable nozzle with different tuning filters.

△ Three (3) types of sound signatures to choose from each type of nozzle with tuning filter.

△ Tactile and slamming bass.

△ Adequately warm, clean and detailed midrange.

△ Crisp, shimmering and airy treble response (Viva, Trebleheads!)

△ Superb resolution capabilities.

△ 3D-like imaging presentation.

△ Incredible separation and layering aspect.

△ Easy to drive set.

△ Impressive rendering on vocals.

△ A midranger set should deliver a quantity amount of quality inclusions and HIDIZS MS5 definitely delivers it.

CONS:

▽ On balanced and treble tuning filters nozzles, its treble register might be a bit offensive and aggressive on treble-sensitive listeners out there.

▽ Too recessed midrange in my hearing on the bass tuning filter nozzle and I really dislike notch and scoop midrange as it affects the timbre quality of vocals and also sorry for adherent neutral heads, this particular tuning is not for you.

▽ Unforgiving on poorly mastered tracks.

▽ Needs some third party ear tips just to improve its sound/speaker stage width as stock included ear tips gives me an average sound/speaker stage width in most cases.

▽ Of all things, where is the cleaning tool kit?

Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *

Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**

Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **

Mountain - Mississippi Queen *

Queen - Killer Queen **

Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*

Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'

Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'

Pearl Jam - Daughter **

Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *

Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*

Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *

New Order - Blue Monday *

The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *

Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *

The Madness- Buggy Trousers *

Metallica - Motorbreath **

Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *

Destiny's Child - Say My Name *

Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *

Mozart - Lacrimosa *

New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *

Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*

Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *

Exciter - Violence and Force *

Diana Krall - Stop This World **

Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*

The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**

Suzanne Vega – Luka **

Lauren Christy – Steep *

Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *

Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*

P.S.

I am not affiliated to HIDIZS nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.

Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to ZOIE HELLO of HIDIZS for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.