Hidizs MP145 IEM Review

[Abstracted]

We have a new contender for a Planar IEM that sounds better than the MP145:

Letshuoer S12 2024 Edition 14.8mm Planar Magnetic Driver in Ear Monitor Earphone HiFi IEM Wired Earbuds Planar Headphones with Detachable 2pin Silver Plated Cable for Musicians Audiophiles Studio

LETSHUOER is a group of audiophiles aiming to create in ear monitors, IEM earphone, high-end headphones, TWS, wired earphones, portable music players, DAC/AMP and innovative high fidelity audio gears for audiophiles and music lovers.

letshuoer.net

Just received mine which I scored for $141.75 (last one available) with a now-disappeared discount & coupon & quick shipping from local warehouse.
Now they only list a -5% $189.00 version with slow shipping, perhaps from China.

Just prior, I was able to score a $55.47 https://letshuoer.net/products/lets...tor-earphone-for-audiophiles-musicians-studio
from amazon with a combo of sale-discount, coupon and promotion. However despite the great price (it's now back to $99.00), the S08 will probably get returned unless I decide to keep it as a spare, perhaps to keep in my car or for DJing.... It's in some ways better or less intrusive than the MP145 (slammier bass, for example, whereas the MP145 bass is more bloaty sounding and turns a bass-attack "thunk" into a "bwaaap" sort of sound.), but it never gives me the thrill and "whoa that sounds amazing" of the MP145 or 2024 S12. In contrast the S08 kinda steps out of the way and you never really think about it, but I kinda like the occasional epiphanies of "spectacular" that I get with the MP145 or 2024 S12.

2024 S12 has more "slam" like I expect in a planar. Its bass is less "resonant" sounding than the MP145 and that in turn makes other frequencies stand out better and more independently. S08 also has better slam, but the 2024 S12 sounds much more impressive (at 2.5 x the price I paid for S08).

Also my MP145 right-side 2-pin connector is beginning to become easier to detach and sometimes comes out, so it's time to update my daily-driver to this new 2024 S12. It's also much lighter and smaller and perhaps more comfortable for long-listening sessions. I say "perhaps" because I haven't had it long enough to have a long listening session.

The only thing that I hate about the 2024 S12 is the extra-long jack cable body. No need to be that long, and it increases changes of it catching on something in my pocket, and alongside the longer plug, increases the leverage and chance of damage to the 4.4mm jack on my Fiio M23 DAP or my Fiio BTR-15 BT/USB dongle. The similarly functioning interchangeable 4.4mm balanced/1/8" unbal jack on the S08 is much shorter and easier to pocket. However the cable itself isn't as nice as on the 2024 S12.

PS: my just-received 2024 S12 is at serial number 241209 so we're currently at 60% of the 2024-unit "limited edition" run of this model (beginning at serial #240001).

I'm A/Bing the MP145 and the S12 2024 as I write this. I agree, the s12 '24 is subjectively better un-EQ'd (no 183Hz bump, the soundstage projects outward more, and has lower sub-bass with more texture and no perceived bloat). I'd love to see a review from @amirm !

 

[CedarX]

I'm A/Bing the MP145 and the S12 2024 as I write this. I agree, the s12 '24 is subjectively better un-EQ'd (no 183Hz bump, the soundstage projects outward more, and has lower sub-bass with more texture and no perceived bloat). I'd love to see a review from @amirm !

You said subjectively… right…but are you really able to perceive a 183Hz bump subjectively, vs. say a 182Hz or 184Hz bump?

 

[Abstracted]

You said subjectively… right…but are you really able to perceive a 183Hz bump subjectively, vs. say a 182Hz or 184Hz bump?

I perceive an upper bass emphasis on certain bass drums. I assume it's the 183Hz bump that Amir is suggesting to tamp down with EQ. Conversely, I don't hear it on the S12 '24.

 

[drewdawg999]

I've had my MP145 for a little while now, and I've changed my vote from great to fine. They're just alright, not thrilled with them for the money. I find them a bit too warm and murky, slightly congested, and I really have to crank them to sound good, as in high gain on my THX 789. This is after switching to the silver nozzles which is maximum treble and detail. Still plenty of bass in this configuration but still not enough detail for me, especially in the mids.

I much prefer the KZ PRX as far as planars go, much more detail and open presentation, and coming in at a third of the price. The PRX are outstanding value, excellent bass, fantastic without EQ, I actually prefer them to my full size planar headphones. Just as power hungry though, high gain on the 789 again, but that aside they compete well with my favorite IEMs, the Punch and the Odyssey.

 

[Blank Verse]

I've had my MP145 for a little while now, and I've changed my vote from great to fine. They're just alright, not thrilled with them for the money. I find them a bit too warm and murky, slightly congested, and I really have to crank them to sound good, as in high gain on my THX 789. This is after switching to the silver nozzles which is maximum treble and detail. Still plenty of bass in this configuration but still not enough detail for me, especially in the mids.

I much prefer the KZ PRX as far as planars go, much more detail and open presentation, and coming in at a third of the price. The PRX are outstanding value, excellent bass, fantastic without EQ, I actually prefer them to my full size planar headphones. Just as power hungry though, high gain on the 789 again, but that aside they compete well with my favorite IEMs, the Punch and the Odyssey.

Thank you for the recommendation on the KZ PRX, I will have to take a look.

I have my MP145 for about 3 weeks now, and I understand what you are saying. Depending on which tip you use, they have a little bit too much mid bass. There is plenty detail for me in the mid and treble, but I think that the emphasis in the mid bass distracts a little from it.

Initially I created an EQ profile that closely resembles the one @amirm posted in the OP. Basically, a bump in the sub bass, a cut in the mid bass of around 2db, a slight rise in the upper mids, and a roll off on the high treble above 12Khz to make them less fatiguing without losing air noticeably). I wasn't getting enough tactile feeling from some tracks I am familiar with, where there are specific instances where deep natural sub bass (not electronic) can be heard and felt. The mid bass excess made them sound very full (not unnaturally so), but it detracted from the mids slightly. Using this EQ, I was getting what I consider to be in the range of a perfect tonality for my taste.

In the configuration above I was using the stock Balanced M tips, and the silver nozzle. Today I installed a set of Tri Clarion wide bore M tips, and this opened up the sound and reduced the mid bass emphasis considerably, to the point that I am running them now without EQ without any perceivable detriment.

Another issue that I had noticed is that sometimes the mids, in particular the upper mids, were slightly shouty and compressed, almost as if there was a limiter in the audio chain. This didn't have anything to do with the EQ, by the way. This issue is completely solved with the Tri Clarion wide bore tips.

I wanted to chime in simply to say that the MP145 responds very decisively to changes in configuration, and that in my case these wide bore tips have improved the sound in such a way that I have no inclination to modify things further for now.

The MP145 is truly an incredible IEM, thank you @amirm for the recommendation.

BTW, I am running them from a FOSI DS1 (ESS chip, but not one of the ones with the brighter signature, relatively neutral). My guess is that if you run this from something warmer (like a Cirrus Logic CS4331), you can expect to contribute somehow to additional increase in the mid bass, which these don't need.

 

[Blank Verse]

I perceive an upper bass emphasis on certain bass drums. I assume it's the 183Hz bump that Amir is suggesting to tamp down with EQ. Conversely, I don't hear it on the S12 '24.

Yes, there is a slight emphasis like you say. The good news is that wide bore tips can reduce or eliminate this.

If you want to keep the same tips, my advice is to use the silver nozzles (if you are not already doing that), and to use a little EQ. These planar drivers tolerate huge EQ curves, and what the MP145 needs is actually relatively mild (about 2 or 3 db reduction in the mid bass is what I am using).

In all other respects, these are amazing. Very good detail, articulation, superb soundstage and imaging, The fact that they are modular (replaceable nozzles) and well built, adds to their attractive.

I was a little concerned about fit given the common complains about them being too large for some ears, but they are very comfortable for my mid-sized ears.

Someone did a mod removing the foam under the nozzles, which reportedly reduces bass emphasis and opens up the sound further (similarly to what some folks did to the Sony EX800ST). Perhaps something I will try in the future.

 

[InfiniteJester]

The problem with this IEM is that its shells absolutely break apart with time. None of my other IEMs, and I have many, are broken.

This is the reason, I guess, why they made the 143 more compact. The vents get dented and crumble with time. A shame.

 

[Blank Verse]

The problem with this IEM is that its shells absolutely break apart with time. None of my other IEMs, and I have many, are broken.

This is the reason, I guess, why they made the 143 more compact. The vents get dented and crumble with time. A shame.

The shells are made of solid metal, aren't they? How do they break apart? Do they corrode in some way? Or are they susceptible to getting dented from bumps? Is the metal too soft? I haven't seen any mention of this (or any pictures of this issue) online. Some pictures would be appreciated!

I love this IEM, so it is not reassuring to hear this.

 

[Klonatans]

The shells are made of solid metal, aren't they? How do they break apart? Do they corrode in some way? Or are they susceptible to getting dented from bumps? Is the metal too soft? I haven't seen any mention of this (or any pictures of this issue) online. Some pictures would be appreciated!

I love this IEM, so it is not reassuring to hear this.

I keep them in a carrying case and I haven't noticed any quality issues or even signs of wear so far (using them for 10 months). They seem pretty solidly built.

 

[InfiniteJester]

The shells are made of solid metal, aren't they? How do they break apart? Do they corrode in some way? Or are they susceptible to getting dented from bumps? Is the metal too soft? I haven't seen any mention of this (or any pictures of this issue) online. Some pictures would be appreciated!

I love this IEM, so it is not reassuring to hear this.

I will try to add pictures later. They have scratches on them and the "flap" of the vent on one of the monitors got completely bent, although I have partially corrected it with my tools.

I always keep them in my desk and I haven't taken them out or hit them. It's possible that someone dropped them or something and never told me, but I'm not going to start pointing fingers.

I have never damaged another IEM, although the glue on the shells of my FH9s has come off and I have had to reattach them. So I don't think I treat them badly.

 

[Blank Verse]

I keep them in a carrying case and I haven't noticed any quality issues or even signs of wear so far (using them for 10 months). They seem pretty solidly built.

Yes, it really does seem they are solid. Someone in another forum mentioned that he got a small dent by dropping one of the shells on a table, so it is possible the aluminum alloy used is not the hardest. But they seem more solidly built than most IEMs.

 

[Blank Verse]

I will try to add pictures later. They have scratches on them and the "flap" of the vent on one of the monitors got completely bent, although I have partially corrected it with my tools.

I always keep them in my desk and I haven't taken them out or hit them. It's possible that someone dropped them or something and never told me, but I'm not going to start pointing fingers.

I have never damaged another IEM, although the glue on the shells of my FH9s has come off and I have had to reattach them. So I don't think I treat them badly.

The kind of damage that you describe is not something that happens spontaneously, and I haven't seen any mention online of poor build quality from other MP145 owners, except for some owners of the blue variant complaining that the paint wears out easily. I think somebody either dropped them or was using them as a nutcracker.

 

[Blank Verse]

I've had my MP145 for a little while now, and I've changed my vote from great to fine. They're just alright, not thrilled with them for the money. I find them a bit too warm and murky, slightly congested, and I really have to crank them to sound good, as in high gain on my THX 789. This is after switching to the silver nozzles which is maximum treble and detail. Still plenty of bass in this configuration but still not enough detail for me, especially in the mids.

I much prefer the KZ PRX as far as planars go, much more detail and open presentation, and coming in at a third of the price. The PRX are outstanding value, excellent bass, fantastic without EQ, I actually prefer them to my full size planar headphones. Just as power hungry though, high gain on the 789 again, but that aside they compete well with my favorite IEMs, the Punch and the Odyssey.

Your description of the KZ PRX piqued my interest, so after some more investigation online, I decided to grab a set, and I have been auditioning them for a few days.

In addition to what you said, @OK1 also mentioned in another thread that they are neutral, transparent, resolving, and he compared them to a set of studio monitors.

I tend to agree with both of your comments. I am quite impressed by the PRX so far! The signature is very similar to the MP145 in some ways (fast transients, resolving ability, good soundstage, etc), but in other ways they are very different sounds. I can't say I prefer one over the other, and they complement each other very well, with the MP145 being more euphonic and grandiose, and the PRX more neutral and (I believe) accurate in some ways.

In my view, the main differences between the MP145 and the PRX are:

1. The MP145 has a thicker, lusher sound, mostly because of its relatively elevated mid bass. It has more rounded notes, but strangely its resolving ability doesn't suffer too much because of it. The PRX has a magnificent sub bass, much better than the MP145, and because of its relatively leaner mid bass, it sounds more accurate to my ears, as it doesn't affect the mids or overly color the sound.

2. The treble in the PRX seems more extended and resolving, but it can be a little harsh sometimes (for example, with loud orchestral brass passages). The MP145 has a much smoother treble, but somehow it doesn't feel as if its resolution suffers a lot in comparison. The PRX seems to be just more sharply etched. This is a double-edged sword. On one hand, this gives the PRX a little more apparent resolution in the high registers, but on the other hand, it makes it more brittle, especially at louder volumes. I wouldn't characterize it as a sibilant or strident treble, though. I can't decide which is the most accurate presentation, but I enjoy both.

3. The soundstage in the PRX initially seems like a definite step down from the majestic stage of the MP145, but after a while I feel that the PRX perhaps has a soundstage which is closer to an accurate reproduction of the sound. Only by comparison with the soundstage of the MP145 it seems smaller. In its own it is a very open presentation, very accurate. Imaging is superb in both sets, but in the MP145 seems more vast, maybe at the expense of slightly reduced accuracy.

As far as other considerations beyond sound go, I think the PRX is very spartan in its presentation. Although it is half the price of the MP145, the unboxing experience feels more like it should cost 1/4 the price. The cable is really bad. The build of the IEM itself seems good, but it is just mostly plastic and not metal like the MP145. I am not a fan of the design either, but those are minor considerations for such an incredibly sounding IEM.

Thank you for recommending it, I am really glad I took the plunge. Somehow I think that out of all the IEMs I have listened to, it is the closest to my favorite audio reproduction device (the vintage Sennheiser HD540).