HIDIZS MP143 SALT: The Heir Apparent?

Salt is one of the important minerals in the world as it is a very essential ingredient that affects all living species and even inanimate ones from the functions of the vital organs in the body up to industrial and culinary usage. It is said that around 97% of all water on Earth is saline in which the majority of those aquatic bodies are seas and oceans, and the marine species are thriving in those environments including cetaceans.

It also happens that this is the name of a female humpback whale based on the Stellwagen Bank found within Massachusetts Bay, and she was also known as the “Grand Dame” as she is also the matriarch of certain pod of humpback whales in the area. Humpback whales are known for their distinctive whale song that ranges from 20Hz - 31kHz that its lowest frequency can travel and reach up to 20 miles.

HIDIZS as an audio company has its own merit that they are one of the most consistent ones out there in regards to product releases with some good value on it for audio enthusiasts who seek audio products at reasonable price. Their MP145 earned some high regard status in the audio community as one of the highly sought-after planar IEM sets around in the audio market that it was able to turn a tide on the Battle of the Planar IEMs on their own favour, and to think that the MP145 still have the ball on their court until now.

And what I have here is a more affordable successor model, the HIDIZS MP143 SALT and like the MP145, this is still a collaboration between HIDIZS and the nature conservation group, WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation). WDC is known for their advocacies for raising awareness on protecting some aquatic mammals in the ocean like whales, dolphins and porpoises as they are one of the main factors on preserving marine biodiversity ecosystems.

Like its predecessor, The MP143 utilises a planar magnetic driver technology as its main transducer encased in a metal alloy shell structure. It uses a new generation 14.3mm planar magnetic driver in which HIDIZS claims that they did some tweaking and implementation on it like using newer generation of of neodymium magnet with an improved design and using a new type of thin layer of diaphragms for resolution capability, more accurate and promises better dynamic range while having some efficiency on its power output requirement.

The driver was then enclosed in a CNC-milled aluminium alloy chassis in a trapezoid-like shape outline in a large size profile. Its faceplate has some grooves inspired by the baleen part of the whale which could be a design blueprint to all HIDIZS’ MP series. It has some vent holes used for escaping some excessive air pressure generated by its planar magnetic driver and like all current HIDIZS sets, it has its detachable nozzle system for more tuning options and continues on implementing a 0.78mm connector as its interlocking mechanism.

The HIDIZS MP143's  stock cable is a 2-core high purity Oxygen Free silver-plated copper cable with a gold-plated 4.4mm balanced termination plug on its end, you can choose another type of termination plug, the 3.5mm  single ended upon purchasing. The cable quality is quite supple and has some entangled-resistant and there's not a hint of microphonics on it.

While it appears that the shell chassis is large and relatively angular in its contours, in my medium-size ears, it rests well into my lugholes without any issues even in my long listening session. It has a good passive noise isolation that it was able to block external noises from the outside surroundings.

On how HIDIZS was able to come up on the product packaging of MP143, it seems that they are keen on environmental conservation on how they packed it up along with its inclusions as they uses less plastic while the majority of the materials are biodegradable that can be easy to recycle. The square packaging box is still bulky but it offers a quantitative amount of contents.

Here are the following contents we can find inside of MP143's packaging box:

• Pair of HIDIZS MP143 SALT IEM transducers.
• Stock cable
• Storage pouch
• Pair of Pneumatic Sound Tuning Nozzles (RED)
• Pair of Pneumatic Sound Tuning Nozzles (SILVER)
• Three (3) pairs of balanced bore silicone ear tips of different standard sizes (BLACK)
• Three (3) pairs of wide bore silicone ear tips of different standard sizes (WHITE)
• Postcards, user manual and warranty card.

While it appears that MP143 can be driven by devices in normal gain mode, we will notice that it has an apparent inadequate amount of dynamics and sounds a bit lethargic due to the complex structure of planar magnetic driver that requires more power output to deliver a full range sound.

As for tonal profile aspect, due to its detachable nozzle system, HIDIZS offers three types of distinctive tuning curve which aligns with V to U-shaped sound signatures.

(FR graph was provided by [USER=516219]@baskingshark[/USER] , credits to his effort)

These are the following tuning nozzles with their brief tonal profile.

ROSE GOLD TUNING NOZZLE MODE - The most balanced sounding among the three, it has a U-shaped sound profile with warmish-balanced tonality.

RED TUNING NOZZLE MODE - The warmest sounding set within the three tuning filter nozzles as it also has an uneven U-shaped sound signature.

SILVER TUNING NOZZLE MODE - While it has a U-shaped sound profile, it is brightest sounding among them as upper-mids and presence section of high frequency is noticeable accentuated.

LOWS/BASS:

ROSE GOLD TUNING NOZZLE

The bass response of this tuning mode appears to have a well-balanced presentation on both parts of the bass region. There's a good sub-bass presence as it has some rumbling and reverberation coming from sub-bass focus instruments like synthesisers, drum machines and low tuned guitars and bass guitars. While the mid bass has an adequate texture on its note weight enough to give some fullness on some bass-clef instruments and deep male vocals.

Instruments:

Bass guitars - rasping and resonant sound.

Double basses -  rasping and a bit broader sound compared to bass guitars.

Bass trumpets - full sounding with dark timbre.

Bass kick drums - full and thudding sound.

Vocals:

Basses & Bass-baritones - both have good depth, weight and dark timbre on their vocals to give that dusky and dense sound characteristics.

RED TUNING NOZZLE

Compared to the ROSE GOLD TUNING NOZZLE, this setting apparently has more texture and weight that makes the bass response even more fuller, authoritative and impactful but at the expense of noticeable bass bleeding that muddles the midrange a bit. While there are perceived rumbling and reverberations generated by sub bass-focus instruments, the mid bass has a well-bodied texture that is fuller and a tad boomy sound on some bass-clef instruments.

Instruments:

Bass guitars - weighty and earthy sound.

Double basses - heavy and sombre sound.

Bass trumpets - it has a fuller and darker timbre.

Bass kick drums - pounding and gloomy sound.

Vocals:

Bass & Bass-baritones - they sound more heftier with deep rumbling resonance with a darker timbre.

SILVER TUNING NOZZLE:

Among the tuning nozzle modes, this setting has a tighter and a tad leaner but retains its incisiveness on its overall bass response. It has a sub-bass presence as I definitely felt those reverberations and rumbling sounds coming from low tuned bass guitars, synthesisers and drum machines while its mid-bass seems a bit attenuated and leaner texture on some instruments and male vocals note weight.

Instruments:

Bass guitars - rasping and resonant with a tad hollowness in their sound.

Double basses - they sound menacing but also sounds a bit mellow.

Bass trumpets - it has that mighty sound but it has less darker timbre and lean sounding.

Bass kick drums - thudding and rumbling sound albeit they have less fuller sound compared to other tuning nozzle settings.

Vocals:

Bass & Bass-baritones - they sound less heftier with deep rumbling resonance with a darker timbre.

MIDRANGE:

ROSE GOLD TUNING NOZZLES

The midrange presentation of this one appears to be a bit recessed on its overall frequency range spectrum but it still retains a balanced texture, warmth and sufficient clarity in this particular frequency part. Both vocals and instruments somehow sound natural with some added colouration on their timbre.

Male Vocals:

Baritones - smooth with ample lushness on their voices.

Tenors -  brassy with some metallic sound on their vocals

Countertenor - tender and smooth sound.

Female Vocals:

Contralto - smokey with some ample richness on the vocals

Mezzo-sopranos - sounds coppery and expressive.

Sopranos - creamy with lustre sound on them, excellent on dramatic and spinto types of sopranists.

Instruments:

Strings

Cellos -  they sound sensuous and mellow.

Guitars - balanced and midrange-y sound on their strings.

Violins - full yet solemn sounding on every motion on its bowstrings.

Brasses

Trumpets - metallic and rounded sound

Trombones - they also have these metallic and “heroic” sounds.

Horns - mellow and velvety sound.

Woodwinds

Piccolos - clear yet sounds a bit eerie.

Concert flutes - mellow and graceful sound.

Clarinets - warm and round sounding.

Saxophones - mellow and velvety sound.

Percussions

Tom-toms - warm and resonant sounding.

Snare drums - hard and penetrating sound.

Field drums - full and sonorous sounding.

Kettledrums - substantial and rumbling sound.

Pianos - it has a mellow, rich and rounded sound.

RED TUNING NOZZLES

Due to bass bleeding that smudges across other frequency sections, It adds even more warmth on the midrange to have a more dense and lushness on some vocals and instruments but at expense of clarity and energy. This is the warmest and coloured midrange tuning among the three tuning filter nozzles.

Male Vocals:

Baritones - rich, steely and booming voices in which dramatic, kavalier and noble baritones will sound more fuller and deeper  in this tuning setting.

Tenors - brassy, rich and too warm but that loses some of its bright tone, dramatic tenor, heldentenor and spieltenor.

Countertenor - too warm and velvety sound.

Female Vocals:

Contralto - lush, strong and richness on its chesty voice.

Mezzo-sopranos - musky and too smooth that it loses some of its intensity.

Sopranos - due to its too warm sound, it is unable to project shimmer and energy in which this type of vocal will sound better.

Instruments:

Strings

Cellos -  weighty and thick sounding.

Guitars - too warm and buttery sound with some rich notes on every strum on its strings, sometimes a bit dark sounding

Violins - muffled and austere sound.

Brasses

Trumpets - too dark and too rounded sounding

Trombones - powerful with darker timbre and more full sounding.

Horns - warm and muffled sound.

Woodwinds

Piccolos - too dull and too linear that it doesn't have a bright and brilliant sound.

Concert flutes - dull and overly mellow sounding.

Clarinets - sounds rich and dark.

Saxophones - very warm and earthy sound.

Percussions

Tom-toms - inordinately warm and resonant sounding.

Snare drums - less bright and a bit boomy sound.

Field drums - fuller and more boomy sound

Kettledrums - dull and booming sound.

Pianos - too mellow that it sounds too dull and lethargic.

SILVER TUNING NOZZLES

The midrange of this one is noticeable a tad notched on its overall presentation and leaner on its note texture compared to RED TUNING but this one will sound more transparent, tidy and clear with sufficient energy for projecting some types of vocals more forward but at the expense of less warm sound. Female vocals and some instruments like strings and woodwinds will have some added brightness to sound more  energetic and crisp.

Male Vocals:

Baritones - loses some warmth and lushness while retaining its smooth characteristic.

Tenors - spicy and dazzling voices. Good for leggero, lyric and spinto types of tenors.

Countertenor - fiery and tender sounding.

Female Vocals:

Contralto - less hefty that it loses some deep husky and rich sound on their chesty vocals.

Mezzo-sopranos - glowing and fiery sound on their voices.

Sopranos - Gleaming and silvery sound, good for coloratura, lyric and soubrette soprano types.

Instruments:

Strings

Cellos -  weighty and thick sounding.

Guitars - too warm and buttery sound with some rich notes on every strum on its strings, sometimes a bit dark sounding

Violins - muffled and austere sound.

Brasses

Trumpets - too dark and too rounded sounding

Trombones - powerful with darker timbre and more full sounding.

Horns - warm and muffled sound.

Woodwinds

Piccolos - too dull and too linear that it doesn't have a bright and brilliant sound.

Concert flutes - dull and overly mellow sounding.

Clarinets - sounds rich and dark.

Saxophones - very warm and earthy sound.

Percussions

Tom-toms - less warm and resonant sounding.

Snare drums - bright and penetrating sound.

Field drums - majestic and expressive sound.

Kettledrums - dry and resonant sound .

Pianos - balanced to bright tone as it has a clean and brilliant sound but there's some tinniness on it for some reason.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

ROSE GOLD TUNING NOZZLES

It has a smooth and adequate brightness on its treble response. It has a mild elevation on its upper-mids then an even and smooth transition towards the presence treble section as if that there's nothing too peaky that might cause stridency and sibilance while having a good note definition and clarity on vocals and attack of instruments.

For a planar set, it has a rather moderate treble airy extension but at least it has an ample sparkle on it.

Instruments:

Cymbals - metallic and resonant sound.

Hi-hats - short undulating sound.

Celestas - sweet and lustrous sound.

Glockenspiels - bell-like and lustrous sound.

RED TUNING NOZZLES

While it has smooth treble response, it also has  a tad darker and dull sound as it loses some brightness and resolution on this type of setting, The upper mids and some areas of presence treble sounds a bit subdued and veiled to some attenuation dips on that part that it has an inadequate clarity and definition for vocals and instruments.

The airy extension on the brilliance section seems lessened a bit and also less sparkling as it loses some harmonics on it.

Instruments:

Cymbals - soughing and undulating sound.

Hi-hats - short undulating sound.

Celestas - sounds a bit warm and  too velvety.

Glockenspiels - a bit dampened to the point I can't describe it as lustrous.

SILVER TUNING NOZZLES

It has the brightest sound among the tuning filter nozzles as it has a shimmer and energy on its treble response. But to my surprise, it doesn't sound harsh and the sibilance was kept under control even though there are some perceivable accentuated upper mids and presence treble. It has a good clarity and definition for better resolution on vocals and better delineation on attack of instruments.

Apparently, the quantity level of its brilliance treble is almost similar with ROSE GOLD TUNING NOZZLES in terms of airy extension which is moderate but it has a sufficient sparkle.

Instruments:

Cymbals - metallic and resonant sound.

Hi-hats - short undulating sound.

Celestas - sweet and lustrous sound.

Glockenspiels - bell-like and lustrous sound.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

Depending on the tuning filter nozzles, it has a moderate to wide sound/speaker stage in lateral span, a good height reach and immersive depth within my aural perception in both ROSE GOLD and SILVER TUNING NOZZLES. The RED TUNING NOZZLE narrows the head stage size a bit but I can still classify it as moderately spacious.

While it projects an envelope stereoscopic imaging but it is less vivid that I'm a bit struggling on locating the exact position of vocals and instruments in a rather modestly layered soundscape and less spacing on each element in regards to separation aspect.

Coherency of its driver is excellent given the nature of a fast responsive performance of planar magnetic drivers as it is quite nimble and offers no distortion nor other phasing issues.

When it comes to resolution capabilities, depending on tuning filter tuning nozzles, both the ROSE GOLD and the SILVER TUNING NOZZLES are quite more resolving on micro-dynamics aspect as they have a clearer and sharper micro-detail retrieval while RED TUNING NOZZLES dampened it but gives more solid compression on macro-dynamics, it is like you gain some benefit but you will also lose some of its facets.

PEER COMPARISONS

LETSHUOER S08

• LETSHUOER's latest entry-level planar magnetic IEM earphones, but it uses a smaller planar magnetic driver technology.
• Like the MP143, this set also has a pill-shaped aluminium alloy shell chassis and it is also more compact that it can cater to all types of ear sizes.
• The S08 is quite well-stacked with quality inclusions, from a circular TPE carrying case and a stock cable with modular termination plug.
• This set has a warmish-neutral sound profile with some added bass-boost on it.
• It also has a mid bass-focused bass response as it sounds more punchy and tactile, a fuller and well-balanced midrange to sound more natural in vocals and instruments while maintaining a clean and clear sound, and smooth treble response with less airy extension.
• This one appears to be less technical compared to MP143 as it has narrower perceived sound/speaker stage, a rather concave-like stereo presentation but it has similar resolution capabilities (on MP143's ROSE GOLD TUNING NOZZLES mode) and a bit better on layering and separation.

KEFINE KLANAR

• It has similar driver configuration with MP143 but it uses a smaller planar magnetic driver.
• This one also has a metal shell chassis which is an anodising aluminium alloy.
• It is also pretty well-accessorised with inclusions.
• It has a V-shaped sound profile which makes it sound more coloured sounding as it has balanced-warmish tonality.
• Compared to the MP143 (RED TUNING NOZZLE mode), it has a bit cleaner bass presentation while maintaining a deep and punchy bass response, a less warmer midrange but retains a lush and richness on vocals and instruments and a smooth a bit more airy treble response.
• On technicalities, this one has a tad wider lateral span on its perceived head stage, a concave-like stereo presentation but it has a well-layered soundscape with good separation.

HIDIZS MP145

• The MP143's predecessor and it uses a marginally larger planar magnetic driver technology.
• Its metal shell chassis appears to have a bit larger profile and also a heftier one.
• It has similar inclusions and accessories inside of its packaging box but this one has better stock cable.
• This one also has a detachable tuning nozzle system as its main feature that offers 3 types of sound signature.
• Compared to its successor (ROSE GOLD TUNING NOZZLES mode), it has a more sub-bass presence but it has less textured mid bass but still retains its punchy and tactile bass response, less recessed, clearer and more energetic midrange and a brighter and more airy treble response.
• This one has better technical capabilities from a tad wider sound/speaker stage, an atmospheric stereo imaging with well-layered soundscape with excellent separation and perhaps more resolving in resolution capabilities.

As the second phase of battle of the planar sets is now commencing as there are some audio companies intend to enter this part audio market segment as it has a potential to be economically viable to audio enthusiasts who tend towards budget-friendly options. The HIDIZS MP143 is one of the best options in that regard as it offers a solid-build quality with well-accessorised inclusions and offers three types of tuning profiles for tonal versatility which is uncommon on its price segment.

Many audio enthusiasts have raised a main question whether this one is an upgrade to the HIDIZS MP145 or simply a sidegrade, I can say it's a no in both questions as this one has its own standard it terms of tuning that it won't simply match the tonal and technical prowess of the MP145 and second one was its asking pricing as HIDIZS has its own initiative on this product by providing a more affordable option for budget-minded audio enthusiasts who wants to hear the MP145 expenses but with some slight caveats.

The HIDIZS MP143 SALT is now available at HIDIZS Official Online Store. For those who are interested, I provided an unaffiliated link below.

LINK: https://www.hidizs.net/products/hidizs-mp143-large-planar-magnetic-hifi-in-ear-monitors

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: HIDIZS MP143 SALT

IMPEDANCE: 17Ω

SENSITIVITY: 103dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 40KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m

PIN TYPE: 0.78 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 4.4mm, 3.5mm

DRIVER UNIT(S):  (1) PLANAR MAGNETIC DRIVER

PROS:

● Solidly built aluminium shell chassis shell chassis and still follow the MP145's design language.

● A bit smaller shell size than MP145's therefore it offers better ergonomic fitting.

● It has the detachable tuning nozzle system like most predecessors.

● It offers three tuning profiles that make this set a versatile sonic one.

● Environmental-friendly product packaging.

● Authoritative and vigorous bass response. (RED TUNING FILTER NOZZLE)

● Punchy and tactile bass response. (ROSE GOLD TUNING FILTER NOZZLE)

● Tight yet rumbly bass response. (SILVER TUNING FILTER NOZZLE)

● Warm and textured midrange, good for male vocals and some certain instruments particularly percussives and brasses. (RED TUNING FILTER NOZZLE)

● Well-balanced and detailed midrange, quite versatile on vocals and instruments. (GOLD ROSE FILTER NOZZLE)

● Transparent and clarity on midrange, excellent for countertenors, mezzo-sopranos, sopranos, strings and woodwinds. (SILVER TUNING FILTER NOZZLE)

● Smooth and well-balanced treble quality.

● Even in the SILVER TUNING FILTER NOZZLE setting, sibilance is kept under control and not a hint of harshness.

● Somehow it projects a roomy sound/speaker stage within my aural perception.

CONS:

● Despite its smaller form profile compared to MP145, it is still on a large size that a small-eared size individual should take notice of.

● Well, planar magnetics…. it still needs more power output for proper amplification.

● Relatively less airy compared to other planar sets.

● Not a tuning profile for adherent neutral heads.

● Stock cable with no modular termination plug feature.

● Wishing for better layering and resolution capability, at least on par or an improvement over the MP145 but it wasn't the case in this regard.

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*

Type O Negative - Black No.1 *

Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **

Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *

Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *

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 Ms. BELLA JUAN of HIDIZS for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate her generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.