Kiwi Ears KE4 VS Hidizs mk12 x Ducbloke

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Build & accessories: understated box, a surprisingly nice cable with a “juicy” feel and flat 2-pin connectors, plus extra filters. The stock tips are the weak link—thin out note weight and feel downright horrific, so a tip swap is recommended. The medium-to-large shell is a highlight: secure fit, comfy nozzle size, and a handsome faceplate that looks premium in ear. Overall ergonomics and finish scream daily-driver friendly.

Sound: impactful, well-judged bass, lively upper mids, and a touch of upper-air jank; for $200 it’s a strong value with a clean, modern JM1-style tuning. Easily the most convincing Kiwi Ears to date: more balanced and natural than Quintet (which pushes upper mids/10 kHz energy), far more sensible than the treble-shouty Forteza, a clear upgrade over budget options like DLS and the tiny, poorly packaged Singolo, and less fatiguing than the bass-and-upper-mid heavy Melody. Against $200 benchmarks, KE4 becomes a new reference—cleaner male vocals and better build than “Chopin,” and a tighter low end plus tidier mids than AFUL Performer 5. Trades blows with Hype 4 at a fraction of the price; those craving a pricier step-up in the same vein can eye HiSenior Mega5EST. Measured verdict: Tier A, 3-star, 8.8 for tone—good imaging, solid soundstage, gamer-friendly, not flawless but genuinely excellent once re-tipped. A handsome, comfortable set that delivers outstanding value for newcomers and gift-givers alike.

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Hidizs MK12 x DucBloke arrives as a limited-edition single-DD collab with a 12 mm pure magnesium diaphragm, dressed in a striking red shell/nozzle. Pricing sits around $260 (about $240 on pre-order). The package is handsome: a plush, roomy case, a red flat 2-pin cable with clear L/R indicators and a tidy Y-split, plus a 3.5 mm option. Swappable nozzles exist for the MK12 line, but the supplied red nozzle is the standout for the mids—and the one trusted by multiple ears in the scene. Comfort is strong, the shell is vented, and it ships with Divinus Velvet tips.

Tonally, this is an organic, warm, downward-sloping tuning with a thumpy, fun bass, generous width, and an overall rich timbre. It suits R&B and hip-hop especially well; stage feels broad and “concert-like,” vocals come across analog and full. Treble is agreeable rather than flashy—on tracks like “Thriller” the cymbals could use a touch more bite—yet detail retrieval and resolution remain respectable. Not a dead-neutral monitor; more a musical, engaging daily driver for listeners who embrace warmth.

Against peers and prior Hidizs sets, MK12 x DucBloke carries the brand’s better traits with cleaner treble energy than some earlier efforts and a bass shelf that avoids muddle. It echoes the warmth of certain high-end references while adding a bit more upper-treble air. EQ is a playground here: presets like Sparkle (air lift), Neutral (slight sub-bass bump), and Hard-Hitting (more bass, more linear) all work well, and the Jaytiss-tuned profile adds extra air without breaking balance. Final take: a solid “A” fun set with 9/10 bass & dynamics, warm-leaning mids, polite treble, big stage, and strong technical underpinnings—an easy recommendation for those wanting a rich, vented, EQ-friendly single-DD in a gorgeous red suit.