Kiwi Ears ETUDE VS HIDIZS MS2 Pro

The Kiwi Ears Étude offers a distinctive listening experience centered around its Kiwi Vibration Transducer (KVT), which adds a subtle tactile sensation to bass frequencies. This isn’t a gimmick—it lends sustained notes like bass guitars or synth lines an organic, textured quality that feels immersive without overpowering the mix. That said, the KVT can introduce mild reverb in lower-mid frequencies, occasionally coloring male vocals in podcasts or sparse tracks.

Tuning-wise, the Étude follows a mild V-shaped signature with an 8dB sub-bass lift and smooth, relaxed treble. The midrange remains relatively neutral, though vocals can lack body in acoustic tracks without bass accompaniment. While the beryllium dynamic driver delivers punchy kicks, the real star is the KVT’s physicality, which creates a holographic low-end that enhances EDM and hip-hop. Technical performance is competent for the price, with average soundstage width and decent separation, though imaging lacks precision.

Fit may be divisive due to the large shells housing the transducer, and the nozzle’s lack of ridges limits eartip options. Source pairing is critical too: the KVT scales noticeably with powerful amplification, unlocking fuller dynamics. Despite quirks, the Étude succeeds as a fun, genre-specific IEM that stands out in a crowded market.

The Hidizs MS2 Pro is a budget hybrid in-ear monitor with a 10.2 mm dual-magnetic dynamic driver plus a custom Silvercore BA in a zinc-alloy shell, running a low 17 Ω impedance and 111 dB sensitivity that keep it easy to drive from phones and dongle DACs.:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} Hidizs positions it with an MSRP around $99 but frequently discounts it to about $69, placing it in the competitive sub-$100 segment where build quality and tuning options (three interchangeable nozzle filters) are key differentiators rather than premium accessories.:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} Hidizs also markets the set as being tuned to the H-2019 target with its own warmer house flavor layered on top, which aligns with independent impressions of a fun but not strictly reference-neutral presentation.:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Most measurements and subjective reports classify the MS2 Pro as a warm V-shaped or mildly U-shaped IEM: bass and upper treble are elevated for energy, while the midrange is only slightly recessed, keeping vocals reasonably clear rather than dramatically pushed back.:contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} The low end is described as punchy and full, with strong mid-bass impact and usable sub-bass extension; this gives the IEM a dense, rhythmic character, though some listeners may find the bass level slightly elevated for strictly neutral listening.:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} Treble is moderately boosted with small peaks in the presence region: this adds clarity and detail but can sound slightly grainy or sharp in the upper mids for sensitive users, especially at higher volumes, while a somewhat relaxed top octave limits air compared to more expensive sets.:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

On the technical side, the MS2 Pro offers solid dynamics, respectable detail retrieval and particularly competent imaging, with reviewers highlighting its ability to place instruments clearly in space, even though overall soundstage size remains around average with more depth than extreme width.:contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} The three nozzle filters provide subtle shifts toward more balanced, brighter, or bass-emphasised profiles, but they do not transform the IEM into a neutral monitor; the core identity remains a warm, energetic, and generally smooth hybrid that prioritizes musical engagement over maximum microdetail.:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7} Given the performance level and sub-$100 pricing—and using a value-weighted scale where sub-$150 sets are capped below 7—a global score of about 6.8/10 is a reasonable summary: strong for its class but clearly short of true mid-tier or flagship performance.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking