HIDIZS MK12 Turris

** Limited Super Early Bird (300 units only!)
MK12 Turris: $129.00 (MSRP: $199.00)
MK12 Turris + S8 Pro Robin: $179.99 (MSRP: $298.00)

** Early Bird
MK12 Turris: $139.00 (MSRP: $199.00)
Limited Gradient-Tint Titanium Alloy Edition – 499 units worldwide: $229.00 (MSRP: $299.00)

For many of us, traditional true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds or headphones are the standard we’ve come to know and love. However, with a TWS connection, we are often sacrificing the quality of our sound for the convenience of not feeling tethered to our device. Then, if we do want the sound quality, we may have to sacrifice the portability and convenience we love about wireless earbuds, in favour of sound via a wired In-Ear Monitor (IEM) connection. Thus, we often have to make a decision about whether we want the best sound quality possible or the ease of wireless connection. This decision is something that HIDIZS wanted to combat with the MK12 Turris, which delivers superior sound quality supported by a super lightweight unit design, so you never feel weighed down.

The MK12 Turris from HIDIZS delivers a feather-light IEM unit that provides the same level of audio quality as premium over-ear headphones, but in an even more compact design ideal for commuting, working in the office, or while on the go. We’re super excited to share with you the brand-new launch from HIDIZS: the MK12 Turris HiFi In-Ear Monitors. The MK12 Turris combines the premium quality we’ve come to expect from HIDIZS with a jellyfish-inspired lightweight design that offers next-level audio quality typical of premium IEM brands available in the market, but now at a more affordable price point.

In terms of design, I couldn’t help but be a little impressed with how sleek and futuristic the in-ear monitor heads look. The MK12 Turris we tested came in a lovely dark blue colourway, featuring a stylish waved design across each one. From the design alone, I could see how jellyfish have inspired the unit, which is further reinforced by its lightweight feel. Each in-ear monitor is feather-light, and when connected with the included 3.5mm twisted cable, the entire unit is remarkably lightweight. This makes it super comfortable for wearing all day as the design ensures you are never weighed down. Instead, you can glide about - like a jellyfish - without the MK12 Turris feeling uncomfortable or heavy on your ears thanks to the CNC-machined aluminium alloy casing design, which helps achieve the lightweight yet balanced overall design of each earpiece.

However, don’t let the lightweight design of the unit fool you; these headphones really do pack a punch when it comes to audio. HIDIZ are known for premium sound; however, the MK12 Turris might just be their best yet. Within each IEM, HIDIZS has delivered the world’s first 12mm 91% pure magnesium diaphragms, designed to provide superior sound quality for a fraction of the price you’d expect to pay for higher-end headphone models. HIDIZS have designed the MK12 Turris with magnetic circuits that enhance drive and accurate sound, supported by next-generation 1.5T magnetic flux density. This delivers a 119db dynamic range, ultra-low total harmonic distortion, and lightning-fast transient response.

Having tested out the HIDIZS ST2 PRO Nebula In-ear Earphones previously, I was glad to see that they have taken all the top-quality sound that I loved about this unit and transformed it even further into the design of the MK12 Turris. To achieve this, the MK12 Turris features next-gen magnetic circuits which deliver a stronger drive and wider dynamics to 118db, ensuring clarity, speed and pure HiFi accurate detail with every use. For this reason, the sound from the MK12 Turris is super impressive. I love to listen to a variety of music, and whether for rock or pop, the MK12 Turris delivered both a deep bass and a clear treble. With such fluidity in its range, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the dynamic soundstage delivered in such a lightweight and stylish unit.

However, the dynamic sound of the MK12 Turris doesn’t end there, in fact, the unit comes with three different pneumatic tuning filters and 9 pairs of ear tips that are designed to deliver an even more tailored audio experience just for you. The MK12 Turris we tested out came with the rose gold tuning filter already in the unit. The rose gold is designed for pop and folk music, and using this I was impressed with how great some of my favourite pop tracks sounded with unparalleled clarity, as well as many of my favourite podcasts thanks to its balancing tuning. The box also includes silver tuning filters designed for high frequencies to deliver enhanced smoothness making them perfect for things like classical music, whilst the red tuning filters are designed for low frequencies making them ideal for music genres like rock or heavy metal. To pair with these filters, the box comes with ear tips that are designed for vocal, balanced and bass enhancement.

By putting together the best ear tips and tuning filters for the type of music I love, I could completely customise the MK12 Turris to my music preferences. For me, the rose gold tuner was great for the music I love. But, by including the different tuners and ear tips, I love that I can fully customise my MK12 Turris to my specific sound preferences. This is something you would often only get at a much higher price point, and so by including this customizability in the design of the unit, the MK12 Turris really is focused on delivering your own personal sound stage to make your favourite tracks pop. To keep all of these customisable aspects together, I did love that the MK12 Turris also comes with a little leather-look pouch designed for storing all the pieces should you want to adjust your unit on the go. However, as all the tuning pieces and ear tips are small, I do worry about accidentally dropping them when on the go – so I’d recommend only changing the tuners when you have a surface in front of you to avoid any accidental drops!

For device compatibility, the MK12 Turris comes with a 3.5mm or 4.5mm twisted cable, which can be plugged directly into your device, music player, DAC, or dongle. The design of the cable ensures compatibility with numerous devices and DAC units. However, should you want to take your sound to a whole new level, you can’t go wrong by purchasing the external HIDIZS’ SD2 HiFi Type-C to 3.5MM Adapter Dongle DAC alongside your MK12 Turris. The SD2 DAC guarantees the best sound possible regardless of your device, thanks to its compatibility with devices that may lack a traditional headphone jack. We were kindly sent one by HIDIZ along with the MK12 Turris, and it was the perfect addition to ensure that I could use the unit with my current phone, which only has a USB-C port, while further enhancing its sound output for an all-round superior listening experience. Therefore, if you’re considering purchasing the MK12 Turris but own a device with a USB-C port, I’d definitely recommend adding the SD2 DAC to your basket to guarantee compatibility across all devices. The pairing delivers unrivalled sound quality compared to the typical headphones and earphones I had been accustomed to, allowing me to enjoy commuting, working in the office, or simply listening to music throughout my day, with the two units working flawlessly together to provide an extraordinary audio experience.

Overall, HIDIZS’ MK12 Turris delivers an exceptional audio experience, supported by a truly powerful sound stage thanks to the dynamic inbuilt sound system designed for performance. From its elegant yet futuristic look to its premium acoustic engineering – you really are getting a top-quality IEM experience for such a competitive price point considering the sound quality and personalisation. With the MK12 Turris, you get top-quality magnesium diaphragms for an affordable price, which is something largely unseen within this price range. Therefore, with the MK12 Turris, you can be sure you are getting superior sound quality for such an affordable price tag. 

Check Out the Kickstart page here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hidizs/worlds-1st-12mm-large-91-magnesiumtm-diaphragm-earphones?ref=8ghsj2

Pros:

• Top quality sound like you’d expect from overear headphones but in a compact and lightweight form
• Personalized sound with 3 different tuning filters and ear tips
• Wide compatibility – and even more when purchased alongside an adapter DAC

Cons:

• The ear tips and tuners are very small and can be a bit fiddly which does make me worry about losing or dropping them – be sure to keep them in the include travel pouch!