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The
Ting, is the Flagship Earbud from
MusicMaker.
~All Your Photos Belong To Us or Me~
**Disclaimer - I would like to thank "Easy Earphones & Headphones Co'ltd." From AliExpress for providing a sample in return for a unbiased review**
I have yet to find
MusicMaker website, though this is their Official Taobao Page:
https://musicmaker.world.taobao.com/
**Also, you are going to see a lot of comparison with the review I just finished of the
MusicMaker Tomahawk Earbud:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/musicmaker-mrz-tomahawk-hifi-earbud/reviews/15402 **
*Specifications*
- Impedance: 35Ω
- Sensitivity: 117dB/mW
- Frequency Response Range: 20-25000Hz
- Housing: Metal Alloy?
- Cable Length: 1.2m
- Plug: Straight 3.5mm
- Weight: 20g
*Content/Packaging*
- Ting Earbud (Red Version)
- Small Triangle Portable Hard Case
- Shirt Clip
- 8 Pairs of Foam Covers (2 Red/2 Red w/Hole - 2 Black/2 Black w/Hole)
While fancy packaging can be nice, there is also nothing wrong with just a simple small case in a small box, as is the case with the MusicMaker Ting. This extreme minimal packaging seems to be very common with many other earbud brands of this type as well. Though, for around $100 some buyers might expect there to be some sort of packaging.
The little hard case is triangle in shape. Inside the case you will just find a tiny Ziploc bag with 16 foam covers and a shirt clip. The hard case is built of very nice quality and looks good with the raised triangles on the outside.
I am impressed that they come with the standard and hole foam covers. I’m normally also a big fan of the Red/Black look and functionality. The only issue here is the Ting is red, so it looks a little strange IMO with the red foam covers.
*Build Design*
The Ting is quite a good looking metal earbud. You can tell that there is a lot of craftsmanship to the build. The vents on the Ting are hand milled out, as one can tell because the holes are not quite even or exact on the tips of the earbud.
This full metal housing is what sets it apart from its little brother as the Tomahawk has plastic tips. Neither material leads to a change in sound, but it is worth mentioning.
The Ting comes in two colors, Silver and the Red version you see here in my review. The Silver Ting has a slightly darker cable, while the cable on the Red version is more transparent. The red version cable is a feast for the eyes, as it is quite beautiful and well built. The fancy cable leads right into the equally premium 3.5mm plug with great ease and fit. The Ting is just a tremendous Earbud. It is well put together and feels tough in the hand and the metal housings are cool to the touch.
*Fit/Comfort*
The metal material is light and does not seem to be much heavier than its plastic counterparts. I found the body to be well sculpted for the ear. Fit and comfort are both very good. There is no fatigue to speak of once the Ting is inserted. Since the body is metal, if worn naked, it can either be cool or hot depending on the ambient temperature it was stored at. If you use foam covers, this will not be a factor.
*Sound*
Lows – Sub Bass/Mid Bass are both equal and EXTREMELY controlled, but don’t read that as bass light. The lows are just at neutral. No colorization or bias. Instead, the Ting does a wonderful job of keeping everything in check down low for proper musical reproduction.
Mids – If you got out a ruler, the mids would be just millimeters north of neutral, but not forward. Like the lows, the mids are very well taken care of. Tones are displayed crystal clear and very revealing. Vocals are perfectly placed and so easy on the ears.
Highs – Detail goes a long way in the upper region of the MusicMaker flagship. These are very analytical, they do not hide anything. There is a quick smoothness to the peaks and the Ting keeps the highs from ever being too harsh. What you get is a great end to a fantastically balanced earbud.
Soundstage – Wide, oh so wide. Instrument separation is one of the best I have ever heard, not just for an earbud, but for most of the products I have tested. I’m not sure if it is the originally shaped metal housings, or what MusicMaker did, but soundstage is just awesome.
*Sources*
The MusicMaker Ting has a unique ability to bring out a true nature of whatever source you are playing it through. This might be due to its lower impedance, for a flagship earbud. You will find many other earbuds around this price range will have a rating anywhere from 150-400Ω, but not the Ting, it is only rated at 35Ω. This lower Ω, gives it the ability to be driven by almost any source without having to push it too hard. Below you will find the breakdown of what I used to test it.
Samsung S4 – While not having the best phone DAC, the S4 surely is no slouch either. I found the Ting work well with the Samsung phone. Music was presented on a good level without being overly cruel to the playback quality. It made me wish that there was a microphone version of the Ting, then I could use the two of these products more together.
FiiO M3 – With its ever so slightly warm signature, the M3 turned the Ting into a bit more playful earbud. I really enjoyed the way these two sound together. The little FiiO DAP never has to push the Ting too hard to make it, literally sing.
Pro-Ject Head Box DS – This is not my favorite pairing of the group. While the Head Box DS provides a high quality sound, it also lowers the bass a bit too much on the Ting. Mids and Treble are pushed slightly to give a slightly cool sound signature. This did give me a good opportunity to hear how wonderful details in the upper and mid region the Ting can produce though.
JADE casa DSD (system) – This DAC/Amp combo unit is one of the most neutral I have ever heard, so in return, it brings out the true nature of the Ting. The MusicMaker earbud thrives off of this setup. Classical, Jazz, Rock, you name it sounds perfectly tuned with this pairing. My sound profile part of the review was completed using this setup.
*Comparisons*
At first, I planned on comparing the MusicMaker Ting to the Dark Horse G400, since they are both close in price and are the Flagships of their earbud product lines. However, after listening to these both back to back, it was quickly apparent that the Dark Horse was not even in the same league as the MusicMaker. The Ting bests the G400 by a large amount in every category (though I really do like the G400 cable).
So next, I thought I would do a comparison that is even more important. The MusicMaker family challenge: Ting vs Tomahawk:
Now, let me first say. There really is no winner in any of most of these category’s (with the exception of value), as both of these earbuds sound so amazingly good.
Lows – The Tomahawk has a bit more presence down low than the Ting. While the Ting stays neutral, the Tomahawk goes for a bit more fun, showing a slight boost down low that rewards the user’s ears.
Mids – Again the Tomahawk shows a bit more presence in the middle frequencies. The Ting pushing vocals forward a little more than its big brother. When I listen to the both of them back to back, it almost can seem as the Ting has relaxed mids, but that is far from the truth. It is just that the Tomahawk has so much energy to convey in this section.
Highs – I found that both earbuds both do a great job of grabbing a lot of detail in the upper area, while both stay away from any sibilance. When push comes to shove, the Ting does manage to have just the slightest bit more control, while the Ting stays on the edge of fun.
Soundstage – Yet again, both earbuds excel so well here. Distance is wide and well controlled for each model. There is very much a family resemblance here in their ability to show this kind of signature move.
Price/Value – Two Times, that is how much more the Ting costs than the Tomahawk (barring sales). That begs the question; does the Ting sound twice as good as the Tomahawk? Well, no. Neither one of these earbuds really sound better than the other, they just sound slightly different. You pay a substantial difference for the Ting’s more neutral signature and full metal body. Is it worth it? Well yes. The Ting is a unbelievably good earbud for any price, the Tomahawk just happens to cost half.
*Overall Thoughts*
I can easily say that the Ting is a must have for any earbud lover. It excels in every sound category, it is well designed and is built tough.
Hovering around $100 (or less) the Ting is a great buy that will reward the user with a high end, accurate sound. I wish I could give them out to everyone on Head-Fi, as they are just a product that needs to be heard and enjoyed. The MusicMaker gets my highest praise and recommendation.
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