In this feature, Marcelo reviews the Hidizs MK12 Turris, a new, affordable 12mm dynamic driver IEM with a 91% Pure Magnesium diaphragm. It has an MSRP of $199, with a Kickstarter Super Early Bird offer running at $129, limited to 300 units, and an Early Bird price of $139.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank Hidizs for their support.
Click here to read more about Hidizs products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics
Please note that this article follows our current scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
A year and a half ago, Hidizs released the MP145 in-ear monitor, the first planar IEM to stun the portable audio world by offering excellent sound quality at an entry-level price.
Hidizs has once again made history with the MK12 Turris, the world’s first in-ear monitor featuring a 12mm 91% pure magnesium diaphragm.
Magnesium should be lighter and stronger than any previous diaphragm materials, leading to a wider frequency and dynamic range. As Hidizs promised, this results in punchier bass, clearer highs, and enhanced precision, according to their website.
However, those are just promises, which makes me wonder how it will compare to other renowned models in the $200 price range, like the Simgot EA1000 and DUNU Falcon Ultra, which feature rigid diaphragms and are single dynamic driver IEMs. Let’s find out together in the review below.
Features
In addition to the 12mm 91% pure magnesium diaphragm mentioned above, the MK12 Turris features a powerful motor system that reaches 1.5 Tesla of magnetic strength in the magnet gap to drive the larger-than-usual air-moving capacity diaphragm.
A bigger donut-shaped magnet outside the voice coil, similar in design to most dynamic woofer speakers, was used instead of smaller inner or inner/outer magnets normally used in dynamic driver IEMs.
The MK12 Turris design can potentially use a bigger vent hole behind the diaphragm for better resonance and reflection prevention.
Tuning Nozzles
It includes three tuning nozzles: silver, gold, and red, which have a noticeable impact on sound. The silver nozzles sound peaky in the upper midrange and treble, with the gold having too much upper midrange and not enough upper treble, while the red nozzles are bassy-warm sounding with pleasant midrange and treble.
Pressure Release
This is an important but often ignored feature in IEMs, the MK12 Turris features an effective pressure release system that prevents pressure build-up within the ear canal for comfortable long listening sessions.
Also, it prevents perceptible pressure changes when moving the head abruptly, like head banging or nodding, walking, and running, which could cause nausea in the users.
Design
The MK12 Turris has a beautiful-looking faceplate design that resembles sea creatures. They look simple yet elegant and unique. Also resembles an alien egg from the movies with a little stretch of the imagination.
It has full aluminum shells finished with a durable anodization process, which feels slick and scratch-proof by fingernails. This review sample came in blue but is also available in grey and black.
Each shell weighs 9.8 grams, which is within the average but borders on the heavy side. It is average in size but also borders on the large size. Because of their shapes, they feel comfortable wearing them during long listening sessions, and don’t put pressure on any part of the ears that could lead to discomfort.
There is a small vent near the nozzle, which serves as a pressure release vent for the ear canal and also tunes the bass. Another vent can be seen near the 2-pin connector, which is a pressure release for the back cavity.
I love the shape and color of this MK12 Turris sample I was sent. This is the best color, especially when paired with the red nozzles, as seen in the photos. Which also happens to be my preferred combination in terms of sound.
Packaging & Accessories
The MK12 Turris packaging is smartly designed so that upon first opening, you’ll be greeted by the IEMs neatly displayed, with a pull tab on the side to facilitate the easy removal of the foam plate-cardboard sandwich that holds the IEMs in place.
Then you will have nine pairs of three different ear tips, namely the vocal, balance, and bass tips.
After lifting the ear tips layer by its pull tab, you’ll have to remove another cardboard to see the user guide, a carrying pouch, a plastic container that stores two pairs of tuning nozzles, and the cable.
Overall, the packaging is thoughtfully designed and presents the product in a flattering manner. However, the accessories could have been better if they included a thicker modular cable color matched to the IEMs for better aesthetic cohesion, but I’m sure it would make the price higher.
Sound Impressions
You can obtain numerous sound profiles with its three nozzles and three different ear tip combinations.
However, only one combination caught my fancy, and it’s the red nozzles and bass ear tips combo. I find the other combos either have too much upper midrange energy or peaky in response, which can cause fatigue.
The red nozzle and bass ear tip combination sounds the bassiest and warmest, but most importantly, non-fatiguing. It is the only combination I used in the sound impressions.
I used various sources to power the MK12 Turris in the duration of this review, such as the FiiO M15S, Shanling M3X, the Topping G5, MUSE Hifi’s M5 Ultra, and the iBasso DC-Elite in rotation, with the stock cable.
Summary
The Hidizs MK12 Turris has a unique tuning among IEMs in its price range. It has the kind of tuning akin to that of high-end sets that do not conform to the norm or what a popular tuning is at the time, yet it sounds familiar enough to be considered within the normal range of tunings.
It has a big sound presentation with bold dynamics, making it fun and engaging to listen to, yet controlled enough to appeal to the more mature audience.
A moderate elevation in the sub-bass that extends into the mid-bass adds extension, rumble, and warmth to the sound, it has a good sense of air being moved, and an ominous but welcome presence in movies and some music. Yet sounds fast enough to reproduce good bass details.
It has a clean and forward midrange presentation that sounds full-bodied and lush, with good instrument and vocal note weight.
The upper treble is laid-back in presentation, making it lack treble air on some occasions, but what’s good about the treble is the lack of noisiness. It is well-controlled and clean, which lets the music pass along with the purity of tones.
It’s not devoid of upper treble and air; it has those, and the graphs show it. Perhaps it could be the lower distortion that made the upper treble quieter.
Coloration
Due to its laid-back upper treble presentation, the upper midrange can sound prominent on some songs, and the wrong source pairing. It sounds musically engaging and enjoyable to listen to, but it is not for people who want accuracy.
Staging & Dynamics
A moderately large sound stage that is deeper than it is wide in shape, it is wide enough to allow the images to pan from left to right with a good width, and the movements of sound from far to near and vice versa, and the layering of the vocalist and the instruments are very good.
Images appear within the sound stage with big presence and good palpability; they may not have razor-sharp definition, but the performance is good enough to give the listener definitive holograms.
I find the resolution in the midrange to be excellent, but not as good in the upper treble, due to its perceived rolled-off sound. With that said, the transient response is not as sharp as it should be. I, however, enjoy the overall excellent dynamics, which made the Hidizs MK12 Turris an engaging IEM.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
