Hidizs ST2 Pro
The Hidizs ST2 Pro Nebula takes the classic sound configuration and makes it fun, turning it into an engaging V-shaped sound profile. The approach emphasizes both bass and treble while keeping the mids slightly recessed. Tuning systems in this genre are in great demand among listeners who enjoy dynamic sound, hard bottom bass, and vivid treble. This genre goes perfectly with energetic genres such as pop, electronic music, and rock. Below are some details of how it performs
Disclaimer
I received the Hidizs ST2 Pro Nebula IEM from Hidizs for review purposes. All opinions expressed in this review are my own, and Hidizs has no influence over my evaluation. This review is unbiased and reflects my honest experience with the product. I am not affiliated with Hidizs in any way, and I have not received any compensation beyond the product itself.
Note: I am into warm, analog sound that can produce rich and cozy tones, with enhanced bass and midrange frequencies to smoothly render it full-bodied. This captures the organic warmth of music with depth and intimacy, much like the soft texture of vinyl. Natural-sounding, relaxed, and emotionally engaging, this is perfect for immersive soothing listening. Based on my sound preference, I am writing this review.
Well this is now on kickstarter so it will be availble soon, If You willing to buy this product you can visit Hidizs kickstarter link here. If you are from Bangladesh you can visit GeekMart and make your pre-order.
Gears Used
- Dac Dongle: ddHifi tc44c, tc44pro e2, Fosi audio Ds1,
- Phone: LG V60.
- Desktop Dac & Amp: Xduoo XD05 Basic with (BB OPA2132p, N5532p, JRC5532DD, OPA07CP) op amps, Kaei tap 2, Zen dac V2.
- DAP: Tempotec V3, Ibasso DX180.
Box Content
● ST2 Pro Iem’s
● OFC copper cable with DSP
● Two types of silicon ear tips
● Carrying pouch
Build Quality and Comfort
First of all, the build of the ST2 Pro Nebula is pretty well done. These are made with a combination of metal faceplates and resins to make them hard while being lightweight. It’s an ergonomic design, perfectly fitting in the ear. Even after extended listening, the fit remained in place and was comfortable. The ear tips included are not good and do not produce a good seal, I have to change the stock eartips to push the bass response and general sound isolation.
I used some after market eartips like Dunu candy, spinfit W1, e pro propeller tips for better seal and to improve the sound a bit.
Sound Performance
The ST2 Pro Nebula features V shaped sound tuning, Close to the Harman 2019 target curve. but I found the mids a bit recessed in my opinion. V shaped sound tuning boosts the bass and treble for flawless output to listeners who like an energetic and engaging sound. Well, let’s break down how it sounds in frequency response:
- Bass: The bass digs in deep and hard, with much emphasis on the sub-bass region. This gives a lot of power to the low end of the ST2 Pro and makes it well-suited for heavy bass genres. The mid-bass has some increased thump to add some warmth and energy without getting muddy. Already from the get-go, this increased bass makes the sound punchy and full-bodied. For any EDM, hip-hop, or rock fan, this bass performance will likely be one of the highlights.
- Mids: As expected with the V-shaped tuning, the mids are somewhat recessed and set a little behind the bass and treble. That is not to say vocals and mid-range instruments fall off completely, but they will not be as forward. The male vocals have good body but sit back in the mix, and the female vocals come out with good detail, although less emphatic (I found some harshness to some energetic female vocals like Laura Branigan, and Mariah Carey). Despite this recession, guitars and pianos retain their texture, if not standing out quite as clearly as they’d be likely to in a better balanced tuning.
- Treble: Treble is clear and lively, adding some sparkle, which enhances the general energy of the sound. It’s that bright top end that gives excitement to the tracks and gives things like cymbals, hi-hats, and electric guitars their sharp, crispy edge. The treble feels airy but really never goes into excessive brightness or harshness to help it remain a non-fatiguing listen. This sparkle it adds in the highs helps to really even out the deep bass nicely, rounding out the V-shaped signature with some clarity.
Soundstage and Imaging
On the ST2 Pro Nebula, the soundstage is average, and decently wide to provide a good sense of space without being overtly expansive. That makes for an immersive experience, especially for live recordings or those well layered. Imaging is accurate, and while mids can be recessed, the precision in instrument placement is good enough to give a decent sense of where each sound is positioned. Spatially, this adds to its appeal for the fans of V-shaped tuning because this enhances the sense of separation.
DSP
The best part of this item is it comes with a DSP cable which is a great deal in my opinion. This is the next gen DSP, hidizs says. They have implemented an ESS9281AC Pro DAC chip which can decode DSD And MQA playback up to 128 and 8x unfolding. Also, they implemented an AMP that can produce 70 mw power. DSP slightly changed the sound to a Harman 2019 target carve. the mids became open and fuller and the vocals felt thick but not that much.
Gaming Performance
The Hidizs ST2 Pro Nebula actually sounds a bit cool for its V-tuning for sound and great detailing of the sound stage. its performance has been great on all types of game genres, from FPS games to open-world ones.
First-Person Shooters (FPS)
During gameplay with CS2, Battlefield 2042, Call of Duty Warzone, and Valorant, the ST2 Pro Nebula showcased excellent bass response, making explosions and gunfire feel impactful and realistic. The treble emphasis allowed finer details, like footsteps and distant gunshots, to stand out clearly. This can be particularly beneficial for competitive gaming, as it helps pinpoint the location of enemies with good accuracy.
The imaging performance ensured precise sound positioning, giving a tactical advantage when determining the direction of approaching players or action.
Open-World Games
Take for instance open-world titles such as GTA V, Once Human, and Red Dead Redemption 2, They sounded so immersive and atmospheric. The bass filled in that nice rumble to horse hooves or that low rumble of far-away thunder in ambient sounds. Meanwhile, the treble brought out the finicky details of those ambient sounds-like rustling leaves, birds chirping, or even crackling from a campfire. The soundstage was moderately wide, giving a decent sense of space, enough to get lost in expansive worlds within these games.
Tested Games: CS2, Valorent, Battlefield 2042, Call Of Duty Warzone, Once Human, RDR2, GTA V.
Who is it for?
The ST2 Pro Nebula would be the perfect proposition for any listeners who like a dynamic V-shaped signature. That should work well for bassheads and those into energetic genres, as this would make listening quite fun, boosted as it is with energetic bass and lively treble. In terms of a relaxed sound signature, it may work a bit less than expected, but in terms of excitement and impact, this would do pretty well.
Conclusion
The Hidizs ST2 Pro Nebula would have a V-shaped tuning that would be quite fun to listen to. Indeed, it is quite a decent option for listeners who generally appreciate an energetic sound with a satisfactory punch in the lows and sparkle in the highs and putting everything stylishly. Comfortable fit, well-made, suitable for very long sessions, too great for those users who want to have more control as to how they listen to audio, with tuning and adjustability via DSP. In this regard, the ST2 Pro Nebula would therefore be one of those great choices for those who enjoy the feeling brought about by a V-shaped sound, classy headphones bringing out the excitement of every track with its punchy bass and lively treble-comfy design, with compatibility with their DSP.
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