Tipsy M1 VS HIDIZS MS2 Pro

The Tipsy M1 is a single-dynamic IEM built around a 10 mm bamboo-fiber diaphragm that the brand positions as a first of its kind; the official page lists a lightweight shell and a measurement-driven tuning approach. These facts, along with a street/MSRP around $99, place it firmly in the budget bracket where build efficiency and sensible tuning matter most.

Sonically, the M1 skews warm with a mid/low-frequency emphasis; even Tipsy’s own materials and retailer Q&A frame it as a bass-leaning set rather than a treble showpiece. Independent impressions note a relaxed treble with modest upper-air/extension, which keeps sibilance down but also limits perceived “sparkle” and micro-detail. Expect an easy listen with fuller mid-bass and smooth vocals, while top-end brilliance is restrained.

Technical performance is competent for the price: dynamics are agreeable and imaging/stage are serviceable, but detail retrieval and treble resolution trail brighter peers. Taken together, the M1 fits listeners who prefer a cushioned, low-fatigue balance for pop, hip-hop, or relaxed listening; treble-centric or “air” seekers should shortlist alternatives. Within the sub-$150 tier and given its strengths/limits, the overall value sits in the solid-but-not-class-leading range.

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