How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
• Linsoul INAWAKEN Dawn Ms — biggest strength: an 11.2mm dynamic driver with a sputter-deposition purple-gold diaphragm, N52 magnets, a 6-layer high-tension coil and dual rear chambers, quoted at under 0.05% nonlinear distortion and under 0.5dB frequency-response variation — a design brief aimed squarely at clean, stable, high-fidelity output.
• Linsoul INAWAKEN Dawn Ms — biggest trade-off: it terminates in a plain 3.5mm jack and has no microphone and no noise control, so it leans on whatever you plug it into for volume, voice chat and clean signal.
• Hidizs ST2 — biggest strength: it is a complete USB-C audio chain in one shell — dual 10mm titanium drivers, an ESS ES9218AC Pro DAC decoding up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM with DSD128 and 8x MQA, plus an HD mic and in-line controls.
• Hidizs ST2 — biggest trade-off: it is USB-C only, so anything without a USB-C or USB-A port needs the bundled adapter, and it is tied to digital sources rather than a universal analog jack.
• Who each pick is for: the Dawn Ms suits players who already own a good source, dongle DAC or amp and want a music-first IEM that doubles as a gaming monitor; the ST2 suits players who want to plug straight into a PC, laptop, tablet or phone and start gaming or talking immediately.
The Dawn Ms is built around a single 11.2mm dynamic driver, but almost everything interesting about it is in the execution. The diaphragm uses sputter deposition of a purple-gold layer onto a base film, which INAWAKEN says gives it both low-frequency elasticity and high-frequency performance — the kind of stiffness-to-weight balance that usually shows up as tight bass and articulate treble rather than a soft, mushy low end. The driver sits in a high-precision machined aluminum alloy housing with N52 high-performance magnets, a 6-layer high-tension coil and dual rear chambers, and the quoted numbers are the point: under 0.05% nonlinear distortion and under 0.5dB frequency-response variation. In plain terms, that is a design chasing consistency — the left and right earpieces should sound like each other, and the driver should stay composed when the signal gets busy.
Buy it if you want one wired IEM for music first and gaming second, you already have a decent source or plan to add a dongle DAC, and you value an analog connection you can move between devices. Skip it if you need a built-in mic for voice chat, want volume and playback controls on the cable, or want to skip the DAC question entirely — the Dawn Ms has no microphone, no noise control, and its push-button control method is minimal. You also need to be fine with a wired 3.5mm tether and no active noise cancellation.
Hidizs ST2: Who It's For
The ST2 is a different philosophy: instead of asking you to bring good audio to it, it brings good audio to your device. Inside the USB-C housing sits an ESS ES9218AC Pro DAC capable of 32-bit/384kHz PCM, DSD128 and 8x MQA unfolding, with quoted 122dB dynamic range and 0.0012% THD, pushing 70mW × 2. That is a real DAC-and-amp stage, not a passive adapter, which is why the pitch is "no external box required." The drivers are dual 10mm titanium units with a PU+PEEK composite diaphragm and a dual magnetic circuit, quoted across a wide 20Hz–40kHz range at 32 ohms and 118dB sensitivity. Hidizs explicitly frames the low latency and wide response as gaming-relevant — delay-free audio for shooters, streaming and voice, with the kind of imaging that helps you place a reload or a footstep.
For gaming specifically, the ST2 covers the practical gaps the Dawn Ms leaves open. There is an HD mic that converts voice capture to 24-bit/48kHz, in-line volume and remote controls on the cable, and a sample-rate indicator that lights up differently depending on what your source is feeding it. The cable is braided OFC textile for low and mid clarity and tangle resistance, and the shell is skin-friendly German-imported Byer resin for long sessions. Compatibility is broad on paper — Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and HarmonyOS via the built-in USB-C DAC, plus a USB-C to USB-A adapter in the box for older ports. It is a plug-and-play, no-battery, unlimited-playtime setup.
Buy it if you game on a PC or laptop over USB-C, want one cable for game audio and voice chat, and want lossless-grade decoding without buying a separate DAC. Skip it if your main source is a 3.5mm-only device, you want the flexibility of swapping cables and sources freely, or you prefer a purely analog signal path. The ST2's trade-off is commitment: USB-C is the only input, and the digital processing is baked in.
• Best for PC gaming with voice chat → Hidizs ST2. The HD mic, in-line controls and USB-C plug-and-play make it the more complete gaming package out of the box.
• Best for low-latency positional audio claims → Hidizs ST2. Hidizs quotes ultra-low latency and a 20Hz–40kHz range aimed at delay-free gaming and streaming.
• Best for music-first fidelity tuning → Linsoul INAWAKEN Dawn Ms. The sub-0.05% distortion and sub-0.5dB variation figures describe a driver built for consistency and clean output.
• Best for deep, physical bass → Linsoul INAWAKEN Dawn Ms. The dual-superimposed bass acoustics from the back-cavity pressure system are the headline feature here.
• Best for source flexibility → Linsoul INAWAKEN Dawn Ms. A 3.5mm jack works with phones, laptops, dongles, amps and consoles with a headphone output; the ST2 is USB-C only.
• Best for high-resolution decoding without extra gear → Hidizs ST2. The built-in ESS ES9218AC Pro handles up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD128 and 8x MQA on its own.
• Best for build and looks as a display piece → Linsoul INAWAKEN Dawn Ms. Transparent 3D-printed resin plus hand-drawn art on CNC aluminum panels is a distinctly crafted look.
• Best for long sessions without battery anxiety → Hidizs ST2. Both are wired and battery-free, but the ST2's mic and controls mean fewer workarounds during marathon sessions.
If I were buying for gaming first and everything else second, I would take the Hidizs ST2. The built-in ESS ES9218AC Pro DAC, HD mic, in-line controls, wide 20Hz–40kHz response and USB-C plug-and-play mean I can sit down at a PC or laptop and have game audio, voice chat and high-resolution playback handled by one cable — no dongle, no adapter hunt, no separate mic. In my opinion it is the more complete gaming tool. The Linsoul INAWAKEN Dawn Ms is the pick I would recommend to someone who already owns a good source and wants the better music-first driver: lower quoted distortion, a more consistent frequency response, and a bass system built for impact. Two good answers, two different jobs.
what is gaming earbuds
Gaming earbuds are in-ear monitors used for games rather than just music — chosen for low latency, clear positional cues, comfort over long sessions and, often, a built-in mic or controls for voice chat. Both products here are wired IEMs that fit that description: the Dawn Ms via a 3.5mm analog jack, the ST2 via USB-C with its own DAC and mic.
what is best gaming earbuds
There is no single best — it depends on your source and whether you need voice chat. If you game over USB-C and want one cable for audio and mic, the Hidizs ST2's built-in ESS ES9218AC Pro DAC, HD mic and low-latency design make it the stronger fit. If you already have a good source and prioritize driver quality and bass, the Linsoul INAWAKEN Dawn Ms is the one I would lean toward.
what gaming earbuds are good
Good gaming earbuds need low latency, a wide frequency range, stable imaging and comfort for hours. The ST2 quotes 20Hz–40kHz with ultra-low latency and 0.0012% THD; the Dawn Ms quotes under 0.05% distortion with under 0.5dB variation and a dual-superimposed bass system. Both are wired, so neither suffers Bluetooth delay.
what is the best gaming earbuds for pc
For a PC, the Hidizs ST2 is the easier recommendation: it connects by USB-C (with a USB-C to USB-A adapter included for older ports), carries its own DAC, and includes an HD mic and in-line controls for chat. The Linsoul INAWAKEN Dawn Ms works on a PC too, but only through a 3.5mm jack, so you would need a separate mic and a decent output.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: NENOS Kids Headphones vs Boodlab Kids Headphones, Audio Technica ATH-EQ300M vs ARTIX Headphones, Joysico Sport Running Headphones vs MIDOLA Kids, NUBWO HG03 vs FILFEEL Gaming Headset