TONALITY: 9/10
TECHNICALITIES: 8.5/10
TIMBRE: 9/10
SOUNDSTAGE: 7.5/10
IMAGING: 8/10
MUSICALITY: 9/10
CONSTRUCTION: 9/10
ACCESSORIES: 10/10
SOUND VALUE: 9/10
Intro
Hisenior is an experienced IEM maker from China that specialize in Custom In-ear and UIEM for musician, stage monitoring and audiophile.
This company has about 10 years of experience and is well known among musicians but a bit more obscure for headfier and audiophile.
This will most likely change in 2024 because they plan to diversify even more their sound signature offering with their ‘’Wild-Nature’’ series that focus on different musical experiences.
Personally, I discovered Hisenior 4 years ago when I bought the T2 classic, a 2 knowles BA marvel that still holds its ground today as the best dual BA under 100$ (not for bass head or treble head). The pair I own was excellent for monitoring and unfortunately they never get the acclaim they deserve.
Today I will review the big brother of T2 which is a 4 knowles BA IEM with 2 tuning switches called T4.
Priced 199$, the T4 uses 1 BA woofer for bass, 2 BA for mids and 1 BA for treble with a 3 way integrated crossover. It promises a natural and balanced sound inspired by harman target, but I can already confirm to you it has nothing to do with the Moondrop, Simgot or Thieaudio harman reference target.
It has 2 switches that either add bass or treble, offering 4 different tonal balances.
Let's see in this review if this IEM offers good sound value, performance and musicality.
CONSTRUCTION&ACCESSORIES
The construction of T4 is made of high quality resin plastic that is just slightly transparent so you can perceive the drivers when putting IEM in front of light.
The housing has 2 parts, both with richly colored plastic. The back plate has a mixed white and blue painting pattern that is eye catchy. The texture of plastic is smooth, if it feels thick and durable.
The size is surprisingly small and has a long ‘’ear canal shaped’’ nozzle with a metal nozzle end that is both thinked for shallow or deep fit.
There are no venting holes so the isolation is excellent.
The 2 pin female connector is flat and not recessed, but not put on curvy housing shape so it’s easy to connect it securely, as well it’s tight but not to the point of being worrisome.
At the side we have the 2 tuning switch which can only be turn on-off with a tool, i find this counter intuitive even if extremely common, while i would not want as loose and big switch as the Oriveti OH700VB, i’m sure it’s possible to create secure switch that we can turn at least with our nails. This will permit greater freedom on the go since sometime i want extra bass or treble for different music and don’t tend to bring mini tool with me…ok, in fact, when it happen i seek a small sharp rock on the ground, sometime even nail or screw, but we can’t bet on luck like this.
Then we are spoiled with a great modular cable that is surely worth 30$ or more, it’s very similar to Tacables obsidian but with 3 modular plugs (3.5mm single ended and 2.5mm-4.4mm balanced). I don’t have much info about the core material, but this is a 4 average thick strand and surely a silver plated copper of great quality since I don’t feel the urge to take a higher end cable from my 100 cables collection. The plug has a ring to screw the plug so there is zero risk it gets disconnected randomly like most other modular cables without securize plugs, this is quite a big plus and while the mechanism is similar to Fiio modular cable, it has better grip and construction.
Then the unboxing while minimal in presentation is more than maximalist generosity, this is incredible and pushes the price value even higher.
Let’s begin with the superior carrying case which is ultra sturdy and well built, and a must have for IEMs owners. It’s a pelican like case with very thick plastic, and pouch with zip inside it for accessories and plenty of space for 2 cables and some extra IEM, it’s waterproof and shockproof and Hisenior sells it for 30$ on their site, which is already an honest price.
But if you add this with the cable, the IEM alone might cost 140$.
Then we have 14 pairs of ear tips (!), 4 models of silicone eartips (wide and shorter bore) and 2 pairs of medium foam eartips.
We have a Feebas sticker, a cleaning cloth, a pin tool for switch and a cable holder clamp of great quality.
Yes, this is overwhelming in a good way and I can’t rave enough about the carrying case!
All in all extremely satisfying accessories and great quality construction of IEM, cable and carrying case.
SOUND IMPRESSIONS
Due to 4 tuning choices of the switch, the tonality of T4 is multi faced and can go from warm bassy V shape to gently bright neutral, all with a mid range focus and thick macro dynamic.
Whatever the switch choice, you get a smooth balance free of harsh spikes.
If you are familiar with Final E series IEMs, think about the E4000 and E1000 in terms of balanced tonality that sit between fun and mature musicality that favor tone fullness before texture presence brightness.
These kinds of IEMs are hard to tune without going either too warm and muddy or dark and dull, but this is the ‘’tour de force’’ of Hisenior here and it does justify the use of both 4BA configuration and 4 tuning choice to fully achieve a versatile sound and performance.
This isn’t an analytical IEM, nor a particularly technical sounding one, it’s one that grows on you in terms of richness of colors and immersivity of wide sound layers that are well articulated around the listener, capturing him into a cozy harmonic cocoon that is hard to depart from.
The 4 tuning switch choice are as follow:
2 down is the balanced tonality, which has leaner and more neutral and clean musicality, but less fun and energetic too.
1down2up is called vocal tonality, this is the one with most energetic and upfront upper mids-lower treble presence, which indeed make the vocals brighter as well as instruments like saxophone and violin more focused and less warmed by bass.
1up2down is for extra bass, it has the warmer-darker tonality and vocal aren’t recessed though less clean and gain in fullness and lushness, we got about a 2 decibel bass boost, which is concentrate in mid-bass thump, a creamy, weighty fast bass that is highly addictive.
Both switch up is called soundstage but doesn’t sound as open as Bass switch to my ears, it’s the most dynamic sounding and the treble is more crunchy.
In all honesty, all tuning choices sound good to my ears but we don’t have extremely different sound sig, their no 10db bass boost that will make one choice bass head, nor sudden treble extension that will add a lot of air and sparkle and transform the T4 into an analytical beast.
It’s subtle fine tuning to achieve perfect versatility of a stock tuning that is all about organic cohesive balance in the first place.
The bass has its own BA woofer which is tubed individually to permit a good layering with concentrated resonance that will not overly bleed over the mids.
It can go from gently punchy and well textured mid bass to thick and thumpy warm round impact depending if bass boost is on. Personally, I prefer when it’s on a par for classical and folk music, but anything that needs proper punch needs this extra ‘’oomph’’ that is fast, creamy and well layered.
As expected with BA, the sub bass is roll off and don't offer a long rumble release, the mid bass can offer vibrant slam and bass line can be well articulated in tone but not very clear nor very textured in presence, lowest pitch will sound a be ‘’one toned’’ too. But this doesn’t mean bassline and kick drum goes muddy, nope, the attack is too fast and thigh for this, it’s just warmed in definition edge, so you have both bassline and kick drum warm in their singular release, yet physically well rounded and layered.
The limitation in extension is mostly problematic for instruments like acoustic double bass or infra bass rendering which don’t dig it’s sustain deep and lean enough, I would not suggest T4 for rap trap or Drum & Bass, while for jazz it will go without bass boost.
I feel the bass switch is thinked for soul, trip hop, R&B, pop and rap.
With tracks from Pip Millet, Jorja Smith, Moonchild we are in pure lush bassy thumpy pleasure that is all sweetness without feeling too guilty pleasure thanks to good macro dynamic rendering of 4 BAs, non recessed mids and either super smooth or more crunchy treble if you had treble boost or not.
From cello to kick drum, everything sound lush and thick, with plenty of impact weight, the tone is natural, not thin or dry and only drawback would be the euphonic definition of the well rounded presence, it’s not sharp or crisp in bit, it slip behind the mid range with an hazy presence that can either thicken lower mid range or stay leaner and more transparent depending of tuning choice.
In terms of multi BA IEMs, it’s among the best bass implementations and quite similar to 64 audio U18T which have creamy chunky mid bass punch with sub bass roll off and hazy texture and definition too.
But unlike U18T, the T4 can go from lean technical bass to this oh so delicious warm thumpy flavor. Afterall, switch play with impedance of drivers, and U18T is only venting port change (apex module), something we can achieve at home with a piece of tape.
The mid range is the best part of the show for me and a pure bliss for female vocalist lovers . It’s thick and lush and very focused though warm in resolution and more about color of timbre, as it will sound if you are near the instrument or vocalist. It embraces the listener instead of pulling him far away to be able to read center stage with monitor-like precision.
Their plenty of lower mid range, which means breathiness of the vocalist will be boosted, adding creamy lushness to vocal presence which is smoothly upfront and wide and enveloping in presence.
It’s the type of mids that can give goose bumps and talk more to the soul than the brain.
Laid back yet highly pleasant in buttery tone, the instruments are fully bodied with an organic layering that feel effortless even if not edgy in attack.
Don’t expect a highly transparent and open presentation, it’s intimate and focused, you’re into the music not a spectator of it. Add this to luscious punchy bass and the pleasure can trigger eargasm fastly.
The piano has good note weight with a vibrant release that blossoms roundly, you don’t have long natural resonance so it’s a bit hard to know which pedal or not is pressed by the pianist. It is edge free, tone is full and presence smoothen.
The saxophone too has this creamy appealing presence, fully bodied and wide, with upfront focus.
You might be afraid that with this softed attack bite the layering would be messy and all stick together in an overly dark way, but that’s what is fascinating with T4: it isn’t, thanks to 4 balanced armature that permit effortless yet non monitor like layering.
This is a fatigue free captivating mid range with magnify tone lushness and intimate, close instruments surrounding. Nailing this cohesive lushness with 4 BA’s is a tour de force in it’s own, boosting musical appeal of main instrument and vocal and making all other IEMs sound distant, thin or too bright. Impressionistic and colorful, the T4 mids kiss you, you can’t overseen it and its main attention is its musical appeal.
Then we should expect some trade off to achieve this mid centric goodness, but it doesn’t mean we got a plain dull treble. Well, I will definitely not suggest T4 for hardcore treble head, but as a fan of good quality highs, I find it refined and organically balanced.
Lot of multi-BA IEM can feel detached at high frequency. In fact, even with a graph I can see exact BA treble bumps of badly tuned IEM, it feels like it’s just thrown there to wow you with a non-sense resolution boost.
The T4 takes the opposite path, which explains why they remind me of Final E4000, which is all but trebly or analytical.
It’s a full sounding treble, percussions are thick and realist and don’t have long or splashy releasy, we have warm snap to it that prove they are speedy but not sharpen, in fact they are damped in spike, not very brilliant or sparkly.
For some, including me, it will lack air, clean snap and sparkle, at first it annoys me then I find it pleasant due to all fully rounded is tonal balance and non distracting are percussions or micro details.
Then for acoustic guitar, it will lack a bit of attack lead bite and snap, but tone is full, notes are open and dense in release, yet I was surprised to struggle discerning piano and single note guitar in some jazz tracks, when both play similar loudness. This is proof that attack lead can help to discern an instrument, piano being hitting a hammer on string while guitar is pulling-stroking string. This is very common with BA .
Nonetheless, the treble deliver rich amount of sound info, some micro details, and fast percussions don’t go out of whack when speedy, they just don’t attract attention, so for lazy listener it will lack vividity and micro details, but I can hear fine details of violin and never feel anything is lacking apart brilliance and clean resonance of high pitch instruments like harp.
All in all, a safe and charming treble that doesn't sound detached, wonky or treble. It’s buttery and sibilance and spike free.
The soundstage isn’t massive with those, it has average wideness and good tallness, but lacks depth and doesn't feel crisp or clean nor airy or open. It’s an intimate cocoon that sticks around your head like a bubble, you're in the middle of music, the vocalist is 1 meter of you in center stage while percussions are a bit more stereo.
This means the T4 isn't thinked for monitoring, though I can see stage musicians like singer, saxophonists using those. It's not sharp in separation, nor very easy to position instruments since they are close to each other. It’s not sounding like a concert all for sure but the layering is well articulate and don't go muddy even if instrument presence is warm.
SIDE NOTES
At 19ohm of impedance and 115db of sensitivity, the T4 are easy to drive and don't benefit from amping gain. In fact, they prefer cleaner crisper source.
The stock cable is good enough, but you can improve clarity and imaging using higher end one like Simgot LC7.
These are sensitive to ear tips and to get fully open spatiality I use wide bore one, like KBear KB07.
The T4 aren't that capricious for a multi-BA IEM and can be driven properly with just a phone.
COMPARISONS
VS Hisenior Okavango (1DD+6BA-300$)
The Oka is more U-shaped and slightly brighter on top.
The bass has more slam headroom, deeper extension and leaner overall punch, with less mid bass rounded impact. The sub bass is less roll off and more focused and detailed than T4 too. T4 has a chunkier and punchier mid bass punch, warmer, more vibrant and compressed bass line too.
Mids are a bit more upper mids boosted, a notch thinner and less thick and natural than more mid centric sounding T4, which offer smoother lusher female vocals that are perhaps less transparent but more bodied, wider and notably more sugary and appealing to my ears.
Treble is more textured with Oka, it’s more extended and extracts a greater amount of micro details. Percussions can feel less well balanced as overall smoother, more buttery and darker treble of T4 which is less prompt to fatigue or lack of warm versatility.
Soundstage is notably wider and deeper with Oka slightly taller with T4 which sound less ‘’hall like’’.
In terms of technicalities, T4 is less well resolved and imaging is inferior due to more opaque sound layers mixing together in a thick macro dynamic. Attack control seems a bit superior though, less prompt to splashing or unwanted resonance. Oka has 7 drivers but I don’t think all BAs are as good as the 4 high end BAs used in T4.
Ultimately I enjoy the smoother and better balanced musicality of T4, timbre is denser and sweeter, I'm not distracted by anything ‘’bad sound info’’ like texture grip, but overall technicalities are inferior, especially in both bass and treble extension.
Tuning wise, and sound value wise, T4 stays the big winner for me.
VS HIDIZS MD4 (4BA-190$)
MD4 is notably brighter and thinner with a wonky W shape sounding compared to smoother mid centric more bassy L shape of T4.
Bass is dryer, more hard, thumpy and edgy, less attached to mids and treble, more artificial and even more rolled off in sub bass, which is replaced by strange boxy resonance and noisy bass line presence.
Mids are notably more shouty, brighter and edgy, vocals are unbearable while highly addictive and emotional with T4, resolution is more boosted as well as sense of transparency, tone-timbre is off while lush and natural with T4 which is sibilance free unlike MD4.
Treble is all over the place with the MD4, it’s notably more aggressive, spiky and percussions are more splashy. Acoustic guitar is more snappy. Overall treble of T4 is better balanced, thicker and less analytical.
Soundstage is wider and taller with T4, deeper with MD4, like a tunnel.
Imaging…both are on par but for different reason, firstly because they are average in that regard, then MD4 is too noisy and full of confusing sound info so positioning is very unrealistic and messy, thigh highs instrument are easier to pinpoint in this mess, then for T4, it’s darker in resolution and less edgy in definition cutting, yet i struggle less to position sound layer unless extremely fast and complex music which in both case I will struggle. Ok, MD4 is so bad I'll give it to T4 here too.
Time to conclude this since I can’t take more! I think it’s evident MD4 is shamefully inferior both in tonality and technicalities even if it tries to boost the latter in terms of cheap wow effect that will ultimately just damn your hearing or sanity.
CONCLUSION
The Hisenior T4 are extremely addictive in terms of smooth, mellow and mid centric musicality, organically balanced.
If you are afraid the T4 offers artificial tonality or BA timbre, don't because it’s among the most natural sounding multi-BA I've ever heard, like a darker smoother 64 audio U18T with more intimate and focused vocals.
The T4 are special IEM that will not appeal to treble head or bass head yet please a wide range of listeners due to its permissive fatigue free nature.
Yet it doesn't lack anything dynamic wise, we have round punch, lush mids and smooth but fast and snappy treble within an overall creamy macro dynamic that is free of distracting treble sharpness of intense bass boom.
It’s rare I'm a fan that much of a safe tuning, since if I seek in my head, the first IEM that comes to my mind are the Simgot EW100 that I wasn’t a fan of. This was due to technical limitations of single DD in terms of macro dynamic articulation and sound layering, which are above average with T4.
I would suggest those first and foremost for lush timbre and vocal lover, as well as mid centric audiophile. If you are sensitive to treble harshness and tend to dislike thin mids and bass, the T4 will be among the safest choices under 200$.
It’s one of those humble IEm that offer both mature and fun tonality depending on switch choice, and if favor tone correctness before analytical resolution or extremist tuning balance.
As well, for T2 owners, this is a very different beast that is worth the buy as both an upgrade technically and side grade tonaly, richer, warmer and bassier than its sibling.
The T4 confirms why I always believe in Hisenior potential and such smoothly cohesive tuning with 4 balanced armature is a tour de force in its own right. If you seek for intimate musicality instead of energetic technicalities, the sweet T4 will stick in your ears like honey.
Very highly recommended for those that don’t seek in-your-face wow effect!
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PS: I want to thanks Hisenior for sending me this review sample. Unlike the T2 I paid 50% of the price 4 years ago, I just pay shipping fees for the T4. Should I pay full, half the price or zero $, this will not inflict on my sound impressions since after 400 IEMs mostly free samples, and none of them being resold, nothing can inflict on my passionate subjectivist audio impressions. I’m addicted to IEMs and Music, not $.
You can order the Hisenior T4 for 199$ here (there a coupon code available for 20$ off which i think work for the T4): https://www.hisenior-iem.com/products/t4universal?variant=40719937699876