Marcelo reviews the Hidizs MP145 PRO, a next-generation IEM featuring a 14.5mm ultra-precision nano-grade planar diaphragm driver. It is currently priced at $209 MSRP with Kickstarter prices starting from $169.00.
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 audio 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.
In 2021, brands began releasing affordable mid-priced planar IEMs, which sparked the so-called ‘Planar war’.
During that time, Planar IEMs have had issues, such as the so-called planar timbre and shallow-sounding bass, which can make them sound unnatural and fatiguing.
Since then, many brands have introduced their own versions of planar IEMs intended to eliminate those issues. Due to those frequent releases, the audio community dubbed it the ‘Planar War’.
At the height of the ‘Planar War’ in 2023, HIDIZS released the MP145. Though I have heard other planar IEMs, the MP145 sounds so good and natural that I ordered one immediately after trying it.
HIDIZS offers other products, such as DAPs, single dynamic drivers, and hybrid IEMs, and I have also reviewed other HIDIZS products, including the MK12 Turris, MK12 Turris Titanium Limited Edition, AP80 PRO MAX, and MS2 PRO. Still, in my view, the MP145 is the product that truly put the brand on the map.
And now that they have released a successor, the MP145 PRO, which, as of this writing, is available on Kickstarter at a limited early-bird price of $169.
Will the new MP145 PRO offer real improvements in sound quality over the original? And how will it compete with other new planar IEMs, including the ddHiFi Memory and the SIVGA Nightingale PRO? Let’s find out.
Features
The MP145 PRO has features similar to the original MP145 but with improved performance.
The 7 + 7 magnet array is improved to a 1 Tesla Fully Symmetrical Magnetic Circuit, delivering 40% more magnetic flux for clearer sound, a more stable magnetic field, and greater efficiency. The MP145 PRO has an impedance of 30Ω and a sensitivity of 104 dB.
The planar diaphragm itself is also improved through even more precise manufacturing and a 30% increase in the copper trace, which increases detail, response speed, and dynamic range.
Pneumatic Sound Tuning Filters nozzles are replaceable to customize the sound according to the listener’s preference.
And according to HIDIZS, the ‘High Frequency’ (Silver) nozzle is ideal for instrumental, orchestral, anime soundtracks, and complex arrangements, enhancing separation and clarity.
The ‘Balanced ‘(Rose Gold) nozzle is perfect for Mandopop, J-Pop, and emotional vocals, offering a balanced sound that brings vocals forward with natural warmth.
The ‘Low Frequency’ (Red) nozzle is designed for bass-heavy genres like EDM, rock, and pop. This filter deepens the bass and adds more immersion to your music.
The MP145 PRO features an effective ear-canal pressure-relief system. This prevents pressure from building up inside the ear canal, which can cause pain, nausea, and headache when allowed to build up.
Whale & Dolphin Conservation (WDC)
The HIDIZS MP145 was the first IEM to partner with WDC, and the MP143 SALT followed it, and now the MP145 PRO.
Hidizs continues to contribute, saying that this is not a fleeting inspiration but a sustained commitment. Hidizs once again partners with WDC to contribute to their conservation efforts in 2026, especially with Whale Jam Concerts.
This means that a part of the profit from the sale of the MP145 PRO goes to WDC as a contribution, as HIDIZS implied.
Whale Jam brings together great people and fantastic music to save the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.
With the WhaleJam Benefit Concerts, the connection goes beyond Hidizs and WDC – it’s a collaboration with musicians, music lovers, and nature enthusiasts. Join us in our mission to Save the Whale, Save the World.
WDC is the leading global charity dedicated solely to the protection of whales, dolphins, and their habitats, with missions and goals that include creating a world where every whale and dolphin is safe and free and ending captivity and whaling, preventing entanglements, and tackling habitat destruction.
They do this through campaigns, field research, lobbying governments, and education.
Design
The MP145 PRO features a whale-inspired design; the faceplate resembles a whale’s tail fins. And the internal design features hidden ventilation ports on the faceplate of the whale tail fins. When viewed from the side, two slot-type vents are on the opposing sides.
The aluminum alloy shell is on the big side; fortunately, it is not too heavy. At 10.2 grams each (measured), it falls within the norm for IEM weight.
There is a small vent hole near the nozzle, which serves as the pressure relief. The 2-pin connectors are located near the faceplate and are angled upward at about 90 degrees.
Added niceties include L and R indication printed below the HIDIZS MP145 PRO print, which can be seen on the nozzle side.
The shell design is very similar to the original version, except that the MP145 PRO has different nozzles and a bigger faceplate with a new design.
Stock Cable
The MP145 PRO includes a 1.2-meter 2-pin cable with interchangeable plugs, including 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm, for better compatibility. It uses four strands of 99.9999% high-purity, oxygen-free, single-crystal copper, offering low-resistance transmission.
When held side by side, the MP145 PRO’s cable appears thicker, feels more premium, and is less prone to tangling than the original MP145 cable with a fixed plug.
Comfort & Isolation
Despite its larger size, I never had any comfort issues using the MP145 PRO, whether I’m doing a walking exercise, having coffee at a donut shop, or just relaxing at home. The shell is shaped in such a way that no part of it creates pressure in any part of my ears.
The median weight of 10.2 grams, the normal-size 6 mm nozzles, and the premium-feeling included ear tips make the MP145 PRO comfortable to wear.
Yes, the shell protrudes over the ears and makes sleeping with it impossible, but in normal listening positions, I can comfortably spend hours with the MP145 PRO.
Isolation is average, which can be good as I can still hear the ambient noise when there is no music playing. This is important when doing a walking exercise outdoors or in public. But with just a low volume of music, the ambient noises are easily drowned out.
Packaging & Accessories
The MP145 PRO comes in a black box measuring 128 x 128 x 94 mm, with the IEM’s photo on top and logos and text all around, and is relatively easy to open.
I had a good unboxing experience with its simple yet elegant packaging design that includes the IEMs, a 4.4mm plug, a 3.5mm plug, 9 sets of ear tips, three sets of ET01 Sea Anemone ear tips, the three tuning filters, a storage box, a user manual, and a warranty card.
Storage Case
The included leather storage is really nice; it is a clamp-shell-style case that feels sturdy, with a spring-loaded hinge that holds the top open or closed. This is a vast improvement over the original MP145, which only includes a leather storage pouch.
Sound Impressions
I did my standard 24-hour burn-in for review units by leaving the MP145 PRO playing at a moderate volume continuously, using a DAP I don’t use often.
For the sources, I used my iBasso DC-Elite and MUSE HiFi M6 Double DAC amplifiers, with my OnePlus 13 Android phone and Sony DAP as the music source, and the FiiO M15s DAP, using either UAPP or PowerAmp music player Apps. No EQ or any sound enhancement programs were used.
There are noticeable differences in sound among the three included nozzles; the red nozzle is the darkest-sounding, while the silver nozzle is the most forward-sounding. The rose gold nozzle sits in between.
I listened to each nozzle for an extended period and ultimately decided to use the silver nozzles. The silver nozzle may be the most forward, but I find it the most accurate and the most neutral-sounding. Both the red and rose gold nozzles sound dark to me, with less accurate imaging.
The MP145 PRO includes four types of premium-looking and feeling ear tips, including bass, vocals, balanced, and the Exclusive ‘Sea Anemone’ High-End Liquid Silicone ear tips.
Among those ear tips, I find the balanced ear tips pair the best with the silver nozzles, producing the best balance between bass, midrange/vocals, and treble.
I used the included cable with the 4.4 mm balanced connection.
Measurements
My MP145 PRO measurements reveal very good left- and right-channel balance, indicating a high standard of manufacturing quality. I also took another measurement to show the difference between the nozzles.
The peak at 8 kHz is partly due to my measurement tool. The peak frequency could vary from 7 to 9 kHz, depending on how deeply I inserted the IEM into the measuring tool. In actual listening, the peak is not as audible as it appears.
Summary
I finally got to enjoy the MP145 PRO after the burn-in period. And right from the get-go, I noticed that the MP145 PRO addressed my minor issues with the original MP145: the laid-back upper midrange and a sound signature that is too warm for me.
The MP145 PRO has a near-neutral, subtly V-shaped sound signature with mildly boosted mid-bass, a neutral midrange, and mildly elevated treble.
What’s special about this is that, because it’s a planar IEM, the sound is very clear, clean, and fast, yet delicate at the same time, making those tiny details in the background easy to hear.
The bass is very detailed, fast, and articulate, with good punchiness, and though it is mid-bass-focused, there is also a nice sub-bass presentation when needed.
Due to the lightness of the planar driver, the bass has good timing with the music and never sounds sluggish or slow. Even with complex music, the bass keeps up and never sounds muddy.
The neutral midrange is both lush and clear; there is clean decay and harmony with an accurate instrument note weight, which is neither too thick nor too thin. And clear with details and instrument/vocal presence without sounding shouty, peaky, and fatiguing.
The slightly elevated treble has good resolution and detail retrieval, with good air and upper-treble extension.
And though it is not the smoothest I’ve heard, it is smooth enough and can deliver those delicate background details clearly and cleanly with good background atmosphere and decay.
Although the resolution is not the highest compared to the best hybrid IEMs with balanced armatures I’ve heard, it is very high, very satisfying, and certainly way above average.
Coloration
The MP145 PRO is near neutral and coloration-free for casual listeners. But as a reviewer accustomed to hearing the difference between driver technologies, I still hear a lighter bass note weight due to its very light planar diaphragm compared to heavier dynamic drivers.
The sub-bass has a quick decay, making it seem thinner than sub-bass from dynamic drivers. This is an inherent characteristic of planar drivers, and so far, I haven’t heard a planar IEM with as much sub-bass weight as dynamic drivers.
It’s not obvious, though. I bet most casual listeners who aren’t aware won’t be able to discern it. And for those who know, including me, it is not bothersome, it is negligible, and certainly doesn’t detract from enjoying the music.
The good news is that there is no dryness in the treble, which the audio enthusiast community dubbed the planar timbre. I’m happy to report that it is absent in the MP145 PRO.
Soundstage & Dynamics
Soundstage is big, spacious, high, and wide, with a good natural atmosphere. There are about equal amounts of width, height, and depth, and though it is not the biggest stage I’ve heard, it is certainly way above average in size.
The shape of the soundscape is spherical, making it feel like you are in a natural and large environment rather than inside a small club or a cozy jazz club.
Due to the MP145 PRO’s high resolution and near-neutral tuning, the images are accurately depicted, the main center vocals are well-defined and stable, and the instruments have good side-to-side spacing.
There is good instrument panning from one extreme left to the extreme right, and vice versa, without disintegrating the image. And the front-to-back layering is good as well, forming an immersive soundstage with good holography.
The MP145 PRO is fast, clean, lively, agile, and energetic-sounding. It responds well to transients, making it a musically engaging IEM.
It has good sensitivity and ease of driving, even with a lower-powered DAC dongle; it can get loud, but with more powerful sources, it can go louder within a reasonable limit without distorting.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
