Disclaimer: I’m not an audiophile, and this review focuses on personal listening impressions rather than technical analysis.
This unit is part of a review tour by the Mindanao Audio Club and was provided by Hidizs. All opinions are my own. Audio is subjective, so your experience may vary.
Price: $199 USD (~₱11,000–11,500 PHP)
Link: Hidizs MK12 Turris
Pros
✔️ Easy to listen to, nothing really sticks out in a bad way✔️ Soundstage is above average
✔️ Smooth overall presentation
✔️ No pressure issues during use
✔️ Good selection of eartips to work with
✔️ Nozzle system is a nice extra for small tuning tweaks
✔️ Build feels solid and the design is… different, but in a good way
Cons
❌ Shell is on the larger side, might be tricky for smaller ears❌ Accessories feel lacking for the price (cable and case are pretty basic)
What’s in the box
- The MK12 IEMs
- Stock cable
- 3 pairs of tuning nozzles (Low / Balanced / High frequency)
- 9 pairs of silicone eartips (S/M/L, Bass / Vocal / Balanced)
- Carry pouch
- Manual and warranty card
IEM Shell Design
The MK12 has an aluminum alloy shell with a matte black finish. It also comes in other colors like Ocean Blue, Gunmetal Grey, and a limited gradient version. The faceplate has angled grooves that give it a more aggressive look, and the overall shape is slightly bulky and unconventional.
There are pressure relief vents near the nozzles, and the 0.78mm 2-pin sockets are slightly recessed. The nozzles are wider at around ~6mm and are easy to swap, with the red nozzle pre-installed.
At around ~9.6g per side, it has some weight but doesn’t feel heavy in actual use. The shell size might still be an issue for smaller ears.
Stock Cable
The cable is a simple braided one with a silver-ish look. Each strand is about ~1.4mm so it has a combined thickness of 2.8mm. My unit came with a 3.5mm plug, though there’s also a 4.4mm option depending on the variant. There’s no modular system here. It’s light at around ~15.5g and very flexible with no annoying memory, so it’s easy to use day to day. That said, it’s kinda plain and doesn’t really feel like something you’d expect at this price.
Carry Case
The included case is a black pleather pouch with the Hidizs logo embossed on one side. To open, it uses a spring-style clasp where you press the sides, and it snaps shut on its own. It’s compact and easy to carry around. Protection is pretty basic though since it’s still a soft pouch, so it’s more for keeping things together than actually protecting them.
Stock Eartips
You get three types of silicone tips: Vocal, Balanced, and Bass, all in S/M/L sizes. The bores vary depending on the type, so you can tweak the sound a bit just from the tips alone. They come on a display tray which looks nice at first, but I had to use tweezers for getting them out. Comfort-wise they’re all fine.
General Usage Impressions
Because of the large shell and wide nozzles, the fit might be an issue for those with smaller ears, though it did fit fine for me. Once I found the right tips, it sits securely and doesn’t move around much during normal use. The shape helps it stay in place, but getting that initial fit is the harder part.Comfort is decent for longer sessions, though you’ll definitely feel the size after a while. It’s not painful, just something you’re constantly aware of compared to smaller IEMs.
Isolation is good enough for everyday use and blocks out a fair amount of background noise. It’s not class-leading, but it does the job, and I didn’t run into any noticeable pressure issues while listening. Stability is solid overall once everything is dialed in.
Sound Impressions
For consistency, I stuck with the same small balanced tips for all listening. The MK12 came with the red nozzle preinstalled, so that’s what I started with. Nozzle swaps are noticeable, but don’t expect completely different IEMs. The overall tuning stays fairly consistent, with most of the changes happening in the upper mids and treble.
Red Nozzle (Bass)
Tuning: Slightly warm with a bit more weight in the bass. Still
comes off clean, just a bit fuller.
Bass: There’s a good
amount of sub-bass here and it hits with some punch. Fun, but doesn’t get
sloppy.
Mids: Vocals don’t feel pushed back and have
decent body. The slight warmth helps keep things from sounding thin.
Treble: On the smoother side and a bit laid-back. Easy on the ears, just not
super energetic.
Technicalities: Stage has some width
and separation is decent enough. Doesn’t fall apart when things get
busy.
Gaming: Positioning is easy to follow and you get
a good sense of space. Not the sharpest for pinpointing, but still works
fine.
---
Silver Nozzle (Balanced)
Tuning: This one just sounds more even overall. Doesn’t lean warm
like the red, but also not bright.
Bass: A bit less
weight compared to red, but still goes low when needed. Feels cleaner more
than anything.
Mids: Vocals stand out a bit more here.
Slightly clearer, a bit easier to notice.
Treble: Has a
bit more presence than red. Not sharp, just a bit more open sounding.
Technicalities: Feels a bit cleaner when things get busy. Separation is a bit easier to
follow, but nothing drastic.
Gaming: Footsteps and small
sounds are a bit easier to catch. Just comes off clearer overall.
---
Gold Nozzle (Treble)
Tuning: Slightly brighter up top, but honestly pretty close to
silver overall. More of a small shift than a big change.
Bass: Still there, just feels a bit lighter compared to red. Doesn’t really
stand out here.
Mids: Upper mids come forward a bit
more, so vocals and effects have more presence.
Treble: A bit more bite and sparkle compared to the others. Not harsh to me, but
this might get a bit sibilant if you’re sensitive to treble.
Technicalities: Feels a bit more detailed because of the extra top end. Still within the
same overall level though.
Gaming: Helps with clarity
and edge definition, but can be a bit more tiring over longer sessions.
Final Thoughts
The MK12 is more of a balanced, easygoing set that works across different genres. It doesn’t really lean hard in any direction, so it ends up being something you can use without thinking too much about it.Bass has enough presence to keep things from sounding thin, mids are clean for vocals, and treble stays on the safer side unless you switch to the gold nozzle. The soundstage is also a strong point here, giving it a bit more space so it doesn’t feel cramped. The nozzle system is nice to have, but the differences are pretty small, so it feels more like fine-tuning than something you’ll constantly swap around. Still useful, just not a huge deal.
For the price, I do think the accessories could’ve been better. The cable and case both feel a bit too basic for what you’re paying.
Overall, the Hidizs MK12 Turris is easy to like, especially if you’re after something more musical and relaxed. Just make sure the fit works for you.
- Driver: 12mm dynamic driver (magnesium diaphragm)
- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 45kHz
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Sensitivity: 111dB
- Distortion: Not specified
- Shell Material: Aluminum alloy
- Cable: Detachable braided cable (non-modular)
- Connector Type: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Plug Type: 3.5mm or 4.4mm
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- Ain’t It Fun / Paramore
- Hello / Adele
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- Ref:rain / Aimer
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- SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK / Joji
- Sparkle - movie ver. / Radwimps