Reviews by Echalon
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The Hidizs MD4 is a 4 balanced armature in-ear monitor, released in 2022.
Hidizs recently reached out to me to ask me to review this set, asking for no editorial control at all, only that I post these non-affiliate links to purchase the MD4:
Hidizs store
Amazon UK
I was definitely intrigued, especially as I had my eye on these since buying the MP145. Credit to Hidizs for giving me the freedom to write freely. When you have faith in your products, you can trust them to speak for themselves.
Prior to my review sample of the MD4, the only Hidizs products I owned were the planar MP145 and single DD MS1. The MP145 really put Hidizs on my radar: With great timbre, technicalities and an amazing sense of space, it remains my favourite planar.
Going into this review, I had 3 main questions:
The Opening Experience
The unboxing of the MD4 certainly gives the impression of a premium product. A smart and tasteful box opens to reveal the IEMs themselves. Subsequent layers of the package yield several sets of tips and a cleaning tool, then a storage box containing the cable.
Before getting on to the IEMs themselves, I have to say that I found the accessories to be above average. Three full sets of tips (helpfully labelled as Vocal, Balanced and Bass), and a magnetic case that feels very premium. The included cable is sounds better than the average bundled cable, though is a bit thin. I did change to a premium third-party cable, which added a little smoothness and extension. The cleaning tool is nice enough if you use them, but also can be used to flick the micro-switches – more on those later.
The MD4s have a metal body, with a pearl-effect inset on the faceplate. My set is black, but there are white and blue versions available. They feel solid and well made, and in my opinion look quite classy. The 2-pin connector on my set was a little tighter than most, but not to the point that a cable felt stuck. There is gentle contouring all around the shell, resulting in a very comfortable fit.
As far as I can tell, the MD4 is unvented. This results in pressure on the eardrums when putting in the IEMs, when using some types of tips (such as KB07). If you are sensitive to such things, that could be a dealbreaker, but it shouldn’t be a problem for most people.
The final feature I want to mention is the micro-switches. Each earpiece has 2 switches, giving 4 settings from bright to bassy. They feel solid and as well made as the rest of the IEM. I’ll talk about their effect later in this review.
The Sound
My first impression was space. I had not expected the soundstage and separation to be standout features, but from the first moments I could hear the relation to the MP145.
The timbre was much better than I expected for 2 year old BAs. These really do sound musical. The tonality is quite rich for an all BA set, and almost never sibilant.
Another big surprise was the bass. Apparently 2 of the 4 BAs are dedicated to bass, and it really shows. These slam and rumble, with quick and textured bass.
The switches give some good control over the tuning. As far as I can tell, switch 1 cuts bass and switch 2 cuts mids. The effects are significant, giving 4 distinct tunings:
Overall the MD4s sound very good, with the layering and space of a multi-BA setup but without the thinness and low bass that is often associated with all-BA sets.
Comparisons
The beautiful Audiosense DT600 is the closest driver setup I have to the MD4, with 6 BAs. The shell is lighter than the MD4, and even more contoured. The build is similarly excellent, though resin rather than metal.
I find the technicalities of the DT600 to be a half-step better than the MD4, particularly soundstage and layering. On the other hand the timbre of the MD4 is ahead of the DT600, and the bass is significantly more prominent.
The tuning of the DT600 is closest to the Treble tuning of the MD4, and it does that treble-forward style much better. For richer, bassier music, the MD4 is the superior choice.
Overall these two IEMs are both very competent, but will appeal to different listeners: If you want a gorgeous all-BA treble boosted IEM with great technicalities, the DT600 is a solid choice. Should you want an all-BA IEM that sacrifices some of the technicalities for timbre, versatility and bass, the MD4 is for you.
Another natural choice for comparison is the Hidizs MP145. In contrast to the 4 BAs and tuning switches of the MD4, the MP145 has tuning nozzles and a single planar driver. The reasons for this comparison are that both are tuneable IEMs from Hidizs with a warm, spacious sound.
Physically, the MP145 is significantly larger and heavier. It also requires much more power to drive well, like most planars. The MD4 is more forgiving of weaker sources, but does scale up nicely with a better source.
To my ears, the MP145 is simply better, so long as you have a powerful source. Rich, detailed, and wonderfully spacious. The only thing the MD4 possibly does better is layering.
Despite the win for the MP145 in sound, the MD4 does have some advantages: an easier tuning system, lower price, and it is much more comfortable for those with smaller ears or who don’t like heavier IEMs.
Conclusion
The Hidizs MD4 surprised me, and I have really enjoyed using it as my daily carry for the last week.
While not revolutionary, this 4 BA IEM stands strong against the competition. You could believe that there was a dynamic driver producing the warm tones and satisfying bass, and it is free of sibilance and BA tonality (except on the lackluster down-down “Treble” tuning). It feels like the little brother of the fantastic MP145.
While I would not recommend the MD4 to everyone, if you are looking for an IEM that has a choice of several warm tunings, has good timbre and technicalities, is well built and easily driven, and is both cheaper and lighter than the MP145, then this is a strong option.
The Hidizs MD4 is a 4 balanced armature in-ear monitor, released in 2022.
Hidizs recently reached out to me to ask me to review this set, asking for no editorial control at all, only that I post these non-affiliate links to purchase the MD4:
Hidizs store
Amazon UK
I was definitely intrigued, especially as I had my eye on these since buying the MP145. Credit to Hidizs for giving me the freedom to write freely. When you have faith in your products, you can trust them to speak for themselves.
Prior to my review sample of the MD4, the only Hidizs products I owned were the planar MP145 and single DD MS1. The MP145 really put Hidizs on my radar: With great timbre, technicalities and an amazing sense of space, it remains my favourite planar.
Going into this review, I had 3 main questions:
- Did the MD4 have anything in common with the similarly priced MP145?
- Would the 4 balanced armatures give a sufficiently rich tone, especially in the low end?
- Could a set from 2022 keep up with the newer releases?
The Opening Experience
The unboxing of the MD4 certainly gives the impression of a premium product. A smart and tasteful box opens to reveal the IEMs themselves. Subsequent layers of the package yield several sets of tips and a cleaning tool, then a storage box containing the cable.
Before getting on to the IEMs themselves, I have to say that I found the accessories to be above average. Three full sets of tips (helpfully labelled as Vocal, Balanced and Bass), and a magnetic case that feels very premium. The included cable is sounds better than the average bundled cable, though is a bit thin. I did change to a premium third-party cable, which added a little smoothness and extension. The cleaning tool is nice enough if you use them, but also can be used to flick the micro-switches – more on those later.
The MD4s have a metal body, with a pearl-effect inset on the faceplate. My set is black, but there are white and blue versions available. They feel solid and well made, and in my opinion look quite classy. The 2-pin connector on my set was a little tighter than most, but not to the point that a cable felt stuck. There is gentle contouring all around the shell, resulting in a very comfortable fit.
As far as I can tell, the MD4 is unvented. This results in pressure on the eardrums when putting in the IEMs, when using some types of tips (such as KB07). If you are sensitive to such things, that could be a dealbreaker, but it shouldn’t be a problem for most people.
The final feature I want to mention is the micro-switches. Each earpiece has 2 switches, giving 4 settings from bright to bassy. They feel solid and as well made as the rest of the IEM. I’ll talk about their effect later in this review.
The Sound
My first impression was space. I had not expected the soundstage and separation to be standout features, but from the first moments I could hear the relation to the MP145.
The timbre was much better than I expected for 2 year old BAs. These really do sound musical. The tonality is quite rich for an all BA set, and almost never sibilant.
Another big surprise was the bass. Apparently 2 of the 4 BAs are dedicated to bass, and it really shows. These slam and rumble, with quick and textured bass.
The switches give some good control over the tuning. As far as I can tell, switch 1 cuts bass and switch 2 cuts mids. The effects are significant, giving 4 distinct tunings:
- “Treble tuning” With both switches off, the sound is bright but to me it sounds less natural than the other settings. It is also the only tuning that can sometimes be sibilant. This tuning is adequate, but the MD4 seems to be held back from its full potential.
- “Balanced tuning” (Switch 1 on + switch 2 off) gives a mild V tuning. With the bass to balance the treble, the MD4 starts to sound really good.
- “Powerful tuning” (Switch 2 on + switch 1 off) emphasises mids and vocals. It does so effectively, and loses the subdued quality of the Treble tuning. Another fun sound from the MD4.
- “Bass tuning” With both switches up, the sound becomes full and rich. It might be a little too full-bodied for trebleheads, but this is my favourite tuning.
Overall the MD4s sound very good, with the layering and space of a multi-BA setup but without the thinness and low bass that is often associated with all-BA sets.
Comparisons
The beautiful Audiosense DT600 is the closest driver setup I have to the MD4, with 6 BAs. The shell is lighter than the MD4, and even more contoured. The build is similarly excellent, though resin rather than metal.
I find the technicalities of the DT600 to be a half-step better than the MD4, particularly soundstage and layering. On the other hand the timbre of the MD4 is ahead of the DT600, and the bass is significantly more prominent.
The tuning of the DT600 is closest to the Treble tuning of the MD4, and it does that treble-forward style much better. For richer, bassier music, the MD4 is the superior choice.
Overall these two IEMs are both very competent, but will appeal to different listeners: If you want a gorgeous all-BA treble boosted IEM with great technicalities, the DT600 is a solid choice. Should you want an all-BA IEM that sacrifices some of the technicalities for timbre, versatility and bass, the MD4 is for you.
Another natural choice for comparison is the Hidizs MP145. In contrast to the 4 BAs and tuning switches of the MD4, the MP145 has tuning nozzles and a single planar driver. The reasons for this comparison are that both are tuneable IEMs from Hidizs with a warm, spacious sound.
Physically, the MP145 is significantly larger and heavier. It also requires much more power to drive well, like most planars. The MD4 is more forgiving of weaker sources, but does scale up nicely with a better source.
To my ears, the MP145 is simply better, so long as you have a powerful source. Rich, detailed, and wonderfully spacious. The only thing the MD4 possibly does better is layering.
Despite the win for the MP145 in sound, the MD4 does have some advantages: an easier tuning system, lower price, and it is much more comfortable for those with smaller ears or who don’t like heavier IEMs.
Conclusion
The Hidizs MD4 surprised me, and I have really enjoyed using it as my daily carry for the last week.
While not revolutionary, this 4 BA IEM stands strong against the competition. You could believe that there was a dynamic driver producing the warm tones and satisfying bass, and it is free of sibilance and BA tonality (except on the lackluster down-down “Treble” tuning). It feels like the little brother of the fantastic MP145.
While I would not recommend the MD4 to everyone, if you are looking for an IEM that has a choice of several warm tunings, has good timbre and technicalities, is well built and easily driven, and is both cheaper and lighter than the MP145, then this is a strong option.
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