Hidizs SD2 DAC Dongle Review
The Hidizs SD2 is a small and stylish DAC chip made for people who like portable music and want to improve the sound quality without giving up portability. It’s marketed as an affordable choice in the very competitive DAC market. Below, I’ll show you how it does in a number of different areas.
Disclaimer
I received this DAC Dongle from “Hidizs” for review needs. And each corporation has no direction on what to write and what not. With the sound I listened to, the whole evaluation represents my objective experience and honest assessment.
one more item. The review is grounded in my own experience and what I learned from many IEMs. Your experience could change depending on personal taste and anatomical variations including ear canal depth and form. Also for some sources like DAC, eartips, cables.
Unaffiliate links
Click Hidizs for your purchase and different offers. [Non-affiliated link]
Technical Specifications
- DAC: ES9270.
- Frequency response: 20Hz-40kHz.
- DSD: Native DSD64/128.
- PCM: Supports up to 384 kHz/32-bit.
- Output option: SE 3.5mm.
- 32Ω output power: Up to 70 mW+70 mW SE 3.5 mm.
- Sample rate indicator:
- Red color: PCM 44.1-48 kHz.
- Blue color: PCM 88.2-384 kHz and DSD.
- External material: Aluminium alloy + resin.
- Transmission interface: C-type interface.
- Supported system: Android, Windows, Mac OS, iPad OS.
- Distortion: PO (3.5): 0.0015%.
- Signal-to-noise ratio: PO (3.5): 118dB.
- Separation: PO (3.5): 64dB.
- Dimensions: 34.5×20×10mm.
- Net weight: 6g.
Gear Used
- PC
- LG V60 (phone)
- Sennheiser IE200
- QOA Adonis New
- Kinera Celest Wyvern Qing
- Ikko OH10s
Box Content
- SD2
- Type C to lightning cable converter
- Type C to USB converter
- Paper works
Quality of the Build and Design
The Hidizs SD2 is pretty small, so you can carry it in your bag or connect it to your phone without it taking up too much space. The polished metal finish on the body makes it feel high-end even though it’s not expensive. It’s well-made and has a smooth surface that doesn’t show dirt easily.
The removable lightning wire is one of the best parts. This modular method adds flexibility, as you can change the cable in case of damage, which is often a weak point for many dongles. The USB-C port feels strong and fits snugly into phones or computers without wobbling. The included USB-C to USB-A adapter is a nice touch for use with a bigger range of devices.
Sound Performance
When it comes to sound, the Hidizs SD2 offers a neutral yet slightly warm signature, which makes it suitable for a wide range of musical genres. Let’s break this down:
- Bass: The SD2 delivers a well-defined bass response. It doesn’t add any unnecessary boost, staying neutral, which works well for those who prefer a more balanced sound. The sub-bass has adequate rumble, though it won’t satisfy bassheads looking for a more robust low-end performance.
- Mids: The mids are clean and well-separated, giving vocals and instruments a natural tone. Male vocals have a good sense of body, while female vocals are smooth and articulate. The warmth in the lower mids adds a bit of richness, but the overall neutrality ensures clarity without muddiness.
- Treble: The treble on the SD2 is smooth and non-fatiguing. There’s enough sparkle to keep things lively, but it doesn’t push too far into sibilance territory. This treble tuning makes it a good choice for long listening sessions without causing ear fatigue.
Gaming Performance
The Hidizs SD2 does a commendable job when it comes to gaming, especially for gamers who want better music quality from their portable devices or computers. Here are some things to consider:
- Positional Audio: With the SD2, there’s a significant improvement in positional audio accuracy compared to normal onboard sound chips. In competitive games like CS and Valorant, where spotting enemy footsteps or gunfire is crucial, the SD2 improves clarity, allowing for more exact sound cues. The soundstage isn’t massively wide, but it’s fairly spacious for most gaming situations, ensuring that you can track enemy movement or the direction of in-game events effectively.
- Sound Detail and Immersion: For engrossing, story-driven games like Once Human or Red Dead Redemption 2, the SD2 works well, providing a more polished, detailed sound. The neutral-warm tuning makes the in-game conversation clear and natural, while outdoor sounds like wind, rain, or ambient noise feel more real. Explosions, shooting, and other high-energy sound effects also have good impact, with the bass response being tight but not overpowering.
Overall, the SD2 can significantly enhance your gaming experience, providing better detail, clarity, and immersion compared to standard sound chips in your pc. While it may not offer features like simulated surround sound, it still holds up well for most gamers looking for an affordable, high-quality audio upgrade.
Pairing
I paired the Hidizs SD2 with several IEMs, and here’s how it performed with a variety of sound signatures:
- QOA Adonis New: The SD2’s neutral warmth complimented the IEM’s smooth tonality, providing a refined, musical experience. It improved the overall clarity while keeping the Adonis New’s signature warmth.
- Kinera Celest Wyvern Qing: The clean sound from the SD2 worked well with the Wyvern Qing’s energetic and warm presentation. The bass was tight and controlled, and the high sparkle was well-supported without becoming fatiguing.
- Sennheiser IE200: Known for its balanced yet slightly quiet presentation, the IE200 worked very well with the SD2. The balanced tonality of the DAC helped bring out more information in the mids, while the IE200’s quite energetic treble gained from the SD2’s non-fatiguing output. The result was a clean, precise sound with slightly increased dynamics, making vocals and acoustic instruments stand out nicely.
- Ikko OH10s: The OH10s have a V-shaped signature with strong bass and crisp high, and the SD2 added a touch of polish to this IEM’s already powerful sound. The bass was well-controlled, avoiding any bloat, while the treble kept its sparkle without any harshness. The middle, often slightly recessed on the OH10s, got a bit more clarity, which made the combo enjoyable for styles like rock, electronic music, jazz, and pop.
Pairing the SD2 with more analytical or treble-heavy IEMs might not yield the best synergy, as the DAC’s neutral-warm tuning can smooth out some of the more aggressive treble. It’s ideal for pairing with warmer or mid-centric IEMs and headphones.
Conclusion
Overall, the Hidizs SD2 is a solid choice for those looking for a compact, well-built DAC dongle that offers good sound quality at an affordable price. Its neutral-warm sound signature, smooth treble, and detachable cable make it a versatile option for casual listeners and audiophiles alike. While it may lack support for higher-resolution formats and struggle with power-hungry headphones, for everyday use with IEMs, the SD2 performs admirably.
If you’re in the market for a dongle DAC that offers great value for money and pairs well with a variety of IEMs, the Hidizs SD2 is definitely worth considering.
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