TINHIFI P1 Max II

DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank Linsoul for providing this review unit.

The Tin HIFI P1 Max II can be gotten here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/tinhifi-p1-max-ii (no affiliate links).




SPECIFICATIONS

Driver configuration: 14.2 mm planar driver
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 98 dB/mW
Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm; 4 stranded oxygen-free copper silver-plated mixed cable; 3.5 mm termination
Tested at: $139 USD


ACCESSORIES

Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of wide-bore silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 3 pairs of narrow-bore silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 1 pair of foam tips
- Cable

While the eartip spread is decent - we even have foamies here - it is disappointing to note that there is no carrying case, or even a pouch. Gear at this pricing usually also comes with additional goodies such as a modular cable for example. If this were a sub-$30 USD set, the provisions would be acceptable, but in this case (no pun intended), for a $100ish set to lack a case is not acceptable.




The foam tips tame treble the most, and furnish the best isolation. Of the 2 types of silicone tips, the wide-bore ones boost treble and improve soundstage, whereas the narrow-bore ones increase bass but with some compression in the staging.




Thankfully, the oxygen-free copper silver-plated mixed cable is quite good. It is well braided and supple, with minimal tangling. Microphonics are also dampened, with a chin cinch for added grip. However, it only comes in a 3.5 mm termination, with no modular option.

The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock narrow-bore silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.


BUILD/COMFORT



The shells are fashioned from Heygears' 3D-printed resin. The faceplates have an eye-catching whorled appearance, and only weigh 3.8 g apiece. Coupled with no awkward protrusions along the internal aspects, this set is very comfortable to use in the ears.



This IEM is heavily vented, and this results in below average isolation. The vents however, assist with acoustic airflow, and there is no driver flex noted.


INTERNALS

The P1 Max II houses a 14.2 mm planar driver, which has an ultra-thin 2-micron diaphragm. This is paired with dual N52 magnets within a dual-chamber design.


DRIVABILITY

I tested the P1 Max II with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Chord Mojo 2
- Fiio KA11 dongle
- Fiio KA17 dongle
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone

With a sensitivity of 98 dB/mW, this planar is not the easiest to drive. While one can get adequate headroom from a weak smartphone, this IEM will scale in soundstage, dynamics and bass tightness when adequately amped.


SOUND & TECHNICALITIES


Graph of the Tin HIFI P1 Max II via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

Tonally, the P1 Max II has a bright V-shaped profile.

This IEM is sub-bass focused. There is a healthy rumble and descent to the lowest registers. Bass quality is the star of the show, with a clean, textured and fast bass heard. There is no mid-bass bleed even on tracks with complex bass movements.

As per the V-shaped signature, the lower midrange has some recession. This won't be an IEM for mid-lovers as such. While there is no bass encroachment to muddy this frequency band, this area does lack heft and some note weight. Ear gain hits around 9 dB in the upper mids, and there are instances of shoutiness for female vocals especially at louder volumes (Fletcher Munson curve).

The P1 Max II is a treble-head's dream, with good air and sparkle on tap. Sibilance is however present, and high hats and cymbals may be a tinge hot. The included foam tips or a warmer source pairing may mitigate this area to some extent.

As per most planar IEMs, timbre is not a strong suit. There is a metallic tinge for acoustic instruments, with nasal vocals noted. Timbral freaks best keep to single DD types in general, if timbre is a priority.

Technicalities are where the P1 Max II redeems itself. Soundstage width is good, lying just beyond the ears with amplification, though depth and height are average. There's great clarity and micro-details heard. Imaging is quite accurate too, with clarity in abundance.


COMPARISONS

The P1 Max II will be compared against other $100ish planar IEMs. Single DD, hybrids and pure BA setups are omitted as the different transducer types have their individual pros and cons.


Letshuoer S12 Pro

Graph of the Tin HIFI P1 Max II versus S12 Pro via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

The S12 Pro is more V-shaped, with greater bass and treble emphasis. The S12 Pro has a more sedate upper mids pinna gain rise.

The S12 Pro is bassier, but the bass isn't as tight with bleeding noted. The lower midrange is more recessed in the S12 Pro, and it is also more sibilant in the treble region.

The S12 Pro has a weaker soundstage and poorer micro-detailing.


Hidizs MP145

Graph of the Tin HIFI P1 Max II versus MP145 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

The MP145 has 3 tuning nozzles to spice up - and give variety - to the frequency response. Across all nozzles, the MP145 is bassier, with less upper mids glare.

In technical aspects, the MP145 has a larger soundstage, with better layering, though micro-detailing goes to the P1 Max II.

The MP145 has a thicker note weight and sounds more natural in timbre, though it has a bigger shell, which may cause potential fitting issues.


CONCLUSIONS



The Tin HIFI P1 Max II has solid technicalities, with bass quality a highlight. Those liking a transparent and detail-oriented signature will appreciate Tin HIFI's latest creation. Ergonomics and build are well-done too.

However, some tonal flaws hold it back from greatness - the upper midrange and treble may be divisive, especially for our treble-sensitive brethren. The omission of a case - or even a pouch - at its > $100ish asking price is also not acceptable in this day and age. The below average isolation and relatively power-hungry requirements are also possible blemishes.

In the big scheme of things, amongst the ultra cut-throat planar IEM market, the P1 Max II doesn't exactly sink, but it isn't class-leading in any department to stand out from the tough competition. In such a hot market, being average is actually similar to being forgettable, as next week promises a new IEM release to capture the hearts, ears and wallets of audiophiles.

Review Of The Tin Hifi P1 Max II​

Introduction​

TinHifi is a familiar brand notoriously known to huge numbers of audiophiles catering to them since 2017 as one of the first companies to offer quality at an affordable price in an electro-acoustic product like IEM. One of their famously known IEM is T2 which has many iterations, was originally praised for its sound performance. Since then, they have released many IEMs in their T series line up with their latest releases like T2 Mark 2 and T5S. Other than the T-series line up they also have a C series and P series line up where the P series is dedicated to planar technology, now recently they made another iteration known as the P1 Max II of the first full range planar driver IEM called as the P1 Max, fortunately I was able to get my hands on one pair for review, but before we proceed further I would like to clarify some points.

Disclaimer​

*Since this unit tour was organised by the kindly people at Linsoul, I am grateful to them. As I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as “P1 Max II.”
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the P1 Max II based on its performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

The P1 Max II houses the next generation 14.2mm planar driver which uses 2 micron diaphragm and a dual N52 magnet array. The shell also incorporates a dual chamber design and is made of resin 3D printed by Heygears, weighing only 3.8 grams each side. The shells are semi transparent yet the faceplate brings a new 3-D like patterned design on it which is new to my eyes. When it comes to the fit and comfort, I discovered that these are on a big side yet they fit perfectly well while the comfort is the best. I think these are one of the lightest shells I have ever encountered. Coming to the cable, it feels really good in hands and kind of feels premium, it is a 4 strand OFC cable ending in 2 pin on one side and 3.5mm straight termination plug on the other. The other accessories included are various types and sizes of eartips. In terms of the technical specifications, the sensitivity is approximately 98dB, and the impedance is 16 Ohms. The effective frequency response spans the range of 10Hz to 20kHz and total harmonic distortion is around 3%.

Sound​

Based on my recollection, the previous version of the P1 MAX II, the P1 Max, had a warm and neutral sound that produced a pleasing response with rounded notes and a safe response. However, the P1 Max II takes that safe tuning and adds more detailed aspects to the sound. Compared to its predecessor, the P1 Max II has a more balanced response with an emphasised mid-range. This results in a more engaging and lively sound. In today's world of Planar IEMs, many companies have started using this technology and released successful products. This has led to a highly competitive market, with each company striving to excel in their technology and tuning on planar drivers. Despite this, I believe that the P1 Max II stands out as a unique and intriguing IEM in the market. Let's take a closer look at the sound of the P1 Max II and discover what makes it so unique and interesting.

Treble​

The tuning of the mid-range plays a crucial role in how the treble sounds in the overall mix. In the case of the P1 MAX II, the treble response is smooth, expansive, and airy, creating a spacious and wide sound. While other Planar IEMs tend to focus on emphasising either the lower treble or the entire treble region, resulting in sharp and crisp notes, the P1 MAX II strikes a tonally balanced tuning by not highly emphasising the treble but giving it just enough presence in the mix. This produces a lively and open sound for both vocals and instruments, with nuances often surfacing in the mix. The upper treble has a pleasant airy and smooth response that brings a softness to the notes but can be unrefined at times. On the other hand, the lower treble has great energy, adding more liveliness and detail to the vocal and instrument sound, while still maintaining tonal balance. However, there are instances where the notes sound a little hazy and sharp, making them lean. Overall, the treble region is extensive, airy, and smooth-sounding, giving the listener a detailed and pleasant listening experience.

Mid Range​

Many people may dislike the emphasis on mid-range sounds between 1.5kHz to 3kHz, but it gives a light and airy quality to female vocals that is refreshing. This is similar to IEMs like S12 or Z12, although those have more bass emphasis to add warmth to the mix. The emphasis in the upper midrange and lower treble does introduce some sibilance, but it also makes the upper mid-range sound energetic and lively. This creates an open and vibrant sound with plenty of space for vocals and instruments to breathe, but it also introduces some hotness in the mix. In tracks like I Can’t Stop the Loneliness by Anri or Runaway by AURORA, the female vocals have a delicate and feathery aspect that becomes sharp and metallic when the notes hit high. The lower mid-range has a clean response but lacks the natural tonal quality of thicker or denser notes, also the lower mid-range may feel a bit subdued due to the emphasis on the 1.5kHz to 3kHz region. Overall, the mid-range is light, refreshing, and lean-sounding.

Bass​

When it comes to the bass response, the impact and the presence are very well controlled and specific, I find the impact and quality great as it brings a punchy and thumping response which allows a clean and fast response. The response is very well-textured and detailed which is expected from a planar driver yet it sounds way too clean as the mid-bass lacks its presence even though the graphs show the opposite, the notes feel weightless, and slams sound weak but fast to act. The emphasis is on the sub-bass region which sounds deep and rumbling enough to cause a sensation in the ears, the impact of the punch is heavy and precise while the thumps and slams feel a little laid off. The mid-bass lacks the note weight in turn lacks presence. Whether I listen to tracks like Ghost by Ladytron or how2fly by ISOxo the impact of bass feels powerful and fast yet the weightlessness makes the overall experience less dynamic. Therefore the overall presentation of the bass region is impactful, punchy and well-controlled.

Technical Performance​

While knowing that most Planars are very technically able to produce great details and resolution with snapping speed, this might not be the case with the P1 Max II. IEMs like S12, Timeless or MP145 sound very detailed and crisp but the P1 Max II sounds better spread out and airy. Let’s get more into the specifics

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation​

The stage is more spread out from left to right which allows the notes to have enough room to breathe and bring a spacious and airy response, thanks to adequately sharp and clear imaging the notes bring preciseness, and the distinction between the notes helps to understand the separation which helps in pinpointing where the sound is coming from.

Speed & Resolution​

The details are adequately expressed whether they are macro details or micro details, though the crispness and clarity are what it suffers from. Still, the attack and decay of the notes is quite fast-paced allowing a good resolution and a non-chaotic response overall.

Sound Impressions ​

Sources​

Sony WM1A - while listening to P1 Max II with WM1A, the response sounds a little laid-back overall, with the mid-range still shining forward in the mix. Still the treble sounds extensive yet the response is smoother and a little relaxed, while the bass response has more weight in the lower notes which brings more lively slams and thumps. The overall response sounds as spacious as before but with a more tonally dense and better balanced response.



Tempotec V6 - while listening to P1 Max II with V6, the response embraces the mid-range light and open sound further and brings a clear and airy response. The treble sounds a little less surfaced in the overall mix though the well-controlled bass sounds punchier but detailed and lighter. Due to how vocals are overly emphasised, the hotness in the higher notes becomes easily noticeable.



Simgot DEW4X - As I was enjoying listening to my P1 Max II with DEW4X, I couldn’t help but notice the astounding clarity and lifelike quality of the sound. The notes were crystal clear, with a crispness that I had never experienced before with any of my other audio sources. The resolvability of the notes was simply remarkable; every single note was easily distinguishable, and the overall sound was a delight to the ears. The overall balance of the sound was impressive, with the treble response being particularly noteworthy. It was more pronounced and noticeable in the mix, yet it seamlessly blended with the rest of the audio. The bass was punchy and impactful, yet it felt lighter and more refined than ever before. Overall, my listening experience was incredibly immersive, and I couldn’t be more delighted with the clarity and precision of the sound.

Qoobus MUB1 - while listening to P1 Max II with MUB1, the response sounds a little more weighted yet transparent with a more emphasised lower mid-range bringing a better tonally balanced response. The details and clarity are somewhat improved and the notes sound livelier. The bass impact has more oomph and meat in the mid-bass yet the impact is still light. The overall response is more enjoyable and natural sounding.

Tracks​

Millet - Anytime Anywhere
Anri - I can’t stop the loneliness
Kohana Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Uru - Kimino Shiawasewo
Uru - Kamihitoe
Kujira Yumemi - Kenka
Majiko - Kokoronashi
Anly - Sukinishinayo
Kohama Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Miliyah - Kono Yumega Samerumade
Rokudenashi - The Flame Of Love
Yu-Peng Chen - A New Day with Hope
Yu-Peng Chen - Another Hopeful Tomorrow
Yu-Peng Chen - For Riddles, for Wonders
Valentino Khan - Satellite
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Jawns - Erotica
ISOxo - how2fly
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Weeknd - Popular
YUNGBLUD - When We Die(Can We Still Get High)
Bring to Horizon - Kool-Aid
Middle Kids - Bend
FLETCHER - Leads Me On
Loathe - Aggressive Evolution
The Weeknd - Save Your Tears
Sigrid - Burning Bridges
AURORA - Black Water Lilies
AURORA - Runaway
X Ambassadors - Renegades
Lupe Fiasco - Words I Never Said
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Can’t Hold Us
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
Jay-Z - Run This Town
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Ladytron - Ghost
Travis - Love Will Come Through
LINKIN PARK - Somewhere I Belong
DJ Shadow - Six Days (Remix)
Hoobastank - The Reason
Ricky Martin - I Don’t Care
Tool - 7empest
Tool - Vicarious
A Flock Of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song
Zack Hemsey - Vengeance
Elton John - I’m Still Standing
The Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin
Micheal Sembello - Maniac
Guns N’ Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine
A.R. Rahman - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion​

To end this review, I believe that the P1 Max II has potential because of it’s different response from its predecessor and brings a more open sounding response filled with good impactful bass response, lively mid range and airy treble. If a person wants a detail monster I;d suggest to look elsewhere as it sounds appealing to people who prefer a less active yet execute similar sounding treble with good punchy bass and lively mid range. Therefore this has my recommendation to at least try them out.

Intro
TinHifi is a company that needs no introduction in the Chi-Fi space.Whenever anybody mentioned T2 Plus,they are well aware that TinHifi is the company that produces them.When it comes to Planar,they do have several offering as well,i have not had the chance to try them out previously,namely the P1,P1 Plus,both which receive quite positive feedback from the reviewers,albeit with some cons such as hard to drive. However, I have tried and reviewed the OG P1 Max and they are very good with some minor con. Today I have the P1 Max II, with me,with a completely redesigned shell and different tuning from the P1 Max first gen

Packaging/Build
The packaging is the usual TinHifi style kind of packaging.A hard box with the IEM itself,and generous sets of eartips provided.I’m not going to show the picture of it as I believe there are several reviewers who took a lot of photos of the packaging. The stock cable is quite good in terms of build quality as well as sound.
In terms of build quality,the shell is smaller compared to the OG P1 Max,it is made out of plastic.It is comfortable and fits my ear well.No weird edges that cause discomfort throughout my listening session. It is very very light weight.



Gears used for this review

• Aune S9c Pro
• Hiby FC6
• Macbook Air M2
• TinHifi P1 Max II Stock Cable and Eartips

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression
Compared to the OG P1 Max, i would say the sound signature is completely different and the P1 Max II seems to offer better technicalities, i would say the signature is slightly v shaped and the mids are not that recessed. It scales very well with power as well. Note weight lies in between thick and thin, depending on your own definition or preference, to me, the note weight is alright as i mentioned earlier.



Bass

• Bass on the P1 Max II has good texture to it and has good slam and punchy
• Sub bass rumble is good but no where near basshead kind of quantity
• Bass is fast,tight,clean and not at all muddy,very good quality bass i would say
• I like the bass presentation on P1 Max II overall,of course your experience might vary
• The bass is done just right to my ears,balanced transition from sub to mid bass

Mids

• Both male and female vocal has got good texture and not thin sounding at all
• Vocal positioning is not laidback and not too intimate sounding. Just nice for my preference.I would put it as “not so in your face” kind of positioning
• Mid range is slightly recessed but still retain plenty of details in this range
• Upper mids are not boosted and remained pleasant even at higher volume,hence it will not give you that kind of sensation “shouty”

Treble

• I complained about the treble response of OG P1 Max, P1 Max II seems to have that fixed, plenty of air and presence, good resolution as well
• Detail retrieval is good, micro details can be picked up easily compared to the OG P1 Max
• Depending on tracks, the treble on the P1 Max II can be a little hot sometimes

Soundstage/Imaging

• The soundstage is rather wide and big, good width, depth, and height perception
• Imaging is rather good as the instruments can be picked up easily due to good separation

Drivability/Dac Amp Pairing

• The P1 Max II is not hard to drive, but it does benefit and scale with better source
• Fiio KA11’s dongle can drive the P1 Max II without any issue, however, when the P1 Max II is connected to desktop setup, it sounds very alive (better dynamics as well as good control on the bass)

Comparison (OG P1 Max)

• The shell of the OG P1 Max is slightly bigger and in terms of fitting, not so comfortable for me, but the weight is more or less similar compared to P1 Max II
• The sound signature overall is warmer and thicker note weight than current the OG P1 Max
• Bass is more on mid bass for the OG P1 Max rather than sub bass hence, it doesn’t hit or rumble that hard compared to P1 Max II
• Mids are slightly forward compared to OG P1 Max and thick
• Treble is where the OG P1 Max fall short, lacking resolution and extension, P1 Max II does a lot better in the treble region
• OG P1 Max also fall short in terms of soundstage and detail retrieval, it presents just slightly out of your head kind of perception for soundstage, imaging does suffers a little when the track gets complex

Final Thoughts
All in all, P1 Max II is a definite upgrade over the OG P1 Max, in terms of detail retrieval, resolution as well as soundstage and imaging, of course, it is not always rainbows and butterfly, some compromises had to be made in terms of tuning(note weight, and mids), this is very normal and considering the price, i’d say it is fair. If you’re in the look out for your first planar IEM or even an upgrade from your current IEM, do not hesitate to grab this.

*P1 Max II was sent over by Linsoul for this review.I am in no way compensated/influenced in any way to produce this review.All thoughts and words are of my own.

If you are interested in getting one,head over to Linsoul’s store below:
P1 Max II - Non Affiliated