Tin Audio T2 Pro

Firstly I would like to thank Linsoul for this sample to review, they have had over 50hrs of burn-in before writing this.

Gear Used: iBasso DX200 / Yulong DAART Aquila > T2 Pro (Foam tips)

*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings.



Tech Specs:

• Driver: Dynamic 10mm woofer, 6mm tweeter
• Impedance: 16 ohms
• Frequency response: 12 Hz–40 kHz
• Interface: 3.5 mm
• Plug: ⅛ in (3.5 mm) carbon
• Cable: 4.1 ft (1.25 m) 5N OFC silver plating

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/tin-audio-t2-pro

Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The T2 Pro come in the same box as the original T2, it is a small rectangular white box with the name and model on the front. Out from this white box slides a much nice textured blue and cream box which houses the IEM's and accessories. The top of the box flips open to reveal the IEM's in a foam insert, you can also see the 3.5mm jack. Underneath this insert you'll find the rest of the cable and the accessories. I really like the packaging, it's small but feels excellent for the price.



Build quality is similar to the T2, metal housings that feel sturdy and are well finished, along with MMCX detachable cables. The cable is superb, it is flexible and the jack has been improved over the T2. I really like how comfortable and soft the cable is, the jack is metal and has a carbon fibre look, the y-split is metal, and the MMCX connectors feel sturdy. There is no chin slider on the cable, but I didn't find that to be an issue, overall these are really well built.

Accessory wise these are lacking a little, you get pre-installed Medium size foam tips in blue, along with regular silicone single flange tips (S, M and L of both Narrow and Wide bore). Plenty of sizes and enough for most to get a good fit, but there is no carry pouch or jack adaptors. I suppose you cannot complain here for the price when you take into account the build and sound quality.



Comfort and Isolation:
The T2 Pro have an odd shell and fitting, with the MMCX connector exiting towards the front of the housing instead of the back like most. But I have found this to not cause any comfort issues and once you get a good fit they can be worn for long periods without issues. The cable helps a lot with the comfort too.

Isolation is quite average, even with foam tips, this is due to the housing being vented. They are fine for day to day use, but if you are wanting something to block out very noisy commutes there are some better options.



Sound:
Split into the usual categories with a conclusion at the end.

Lows: First off I'll say that even with foam tips, these will not appeal to bass heads at all. However if you appreciate a tight and controlled bass response then you will be impressed by the quality that is on show here. They are not lean down low, and the extension is there, they just don't jump out at you with massive amounts of volume and presence. Articulation is good, and the bass prefers to be there to back up the track without being the centre of attention. They steer clear of muddying up the midrange which is excellent, and kicks are backed up with good punch just not huge volume. Overall a slightly more reserved bass response that values detail and control over volume.

Mids: The lower mids are not warmed by excessive lows which means they come across with incredible detail retrieval, I have to pinch myself to remind myself that these retail for $59.99. I think you would be hard pressed to find a cleaner midrange for this price and under. Vocals are clearly separated and you can hear an impressive amount of detail, guitars come in around them to complete the picture, everything is well layered. The midrange is maybe a tiny bit on the clinical side, but never do they sound wrong or artificial. Electric guitars really excel here, with a nice crisp edge to notes and good power behind them, acoustic guitars could benefit from a tiny bit more body.

Highs: The treble response is quite refined here, they are definitely not laid back and they add a great sense of air to the sound. There is perhaps a hint of metallic tone up top, but overall it is really detailed and refined. You can tell apart different cymbal crashes, and they are not grainy or congested like on many budget offerings. Spatial cues and imaging are very accurate, and the highs are not toned down yet their presentation and tone mean they never become bright.

Soundstaging is very good, there is a good amount of width but not a lot of height. The separation is where these really do well, the layering and air between instruments is excellent, the transient response also means they never become congested.



Conclusion: When putting everything into perspective regarding price vs performance the T2 Pro score very high. They do not have a full bass response, they are definitely tuned to be a little on the more analytical side of sound. But what you get for the price is a very open sound that has great separation and control, along with a beautifully detailed midrange and treble. I am genuinely impressed by the T2 Pro, if you want controlled sound and excellent detail for a low price these are really hard to beat.

Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (odd shape, not a particularly full sound, but incredibly detailed and open)

This sample comes from Linsoul.com. You can find this same review at Simply Audiophile.



Unboxing and first impressions
There’s an impactful presentation here, with an elegant blue box that carries the manuals, the buds, the cable and the tips. The default tips are a pair of foam ones which aren’t the softest ever, but it’s good to find them in such an affordable pair of earphones. You can immediately notice how well these IEMs are built: an all-metal design, with red/blue rings (to indicate the right and left channel and to attach the cable the right way), a good stock braided cable with a massive jack plug (that’s a 3.5 mm gold-plated one), and a good number of tips.

I’ve first tried them with the stock foam tips, which I usually appreciate – the Comply ones or the ones that come with the BGVP DMG are great. I liked them, but the fit wasn’t unfortunately the best for me. I switched to a pair of small silicon tips that came in the box and I found myself more comfortable with them.



Sound
I tested these earphones with the FiiO M7 and the Dodocool DA106 as DAPs, and the Focusrite 2i2 from my MacBook Pro 2012 as a source.

With a long-term use of the FiiO M7, I understood that it’s a DAP that doesn’t help mitigating the sibilance. T2 Pro are very sibilant earphones. So, I didn’t appreciate the synergy between the two; it was strangely better with the DA106, which is a sub-100$ DAP that’s really capable in its sound performance. But the sibilance was still there, even if attenuated. Why? Because all the high frequencies of these IEMs have been raised (that’s the main difference between these and the base T2), and I believe this was absolutely not necessary. Because the treble area became the only negative thing I have to say about the T2 Pro. They lack a bit of bass, but this is a minor issue that I believe was also present in the T2.



What’s good, instead? The detail is very impressing, making them really capable to separate the instruments – for certain kinds of music, this precision makes them better than the BGVP DMG, which are 2 to 3 times more expensive. I liked the dynamics here, I believe there’s some transients’ study behind these earphones, but I think that they had to enhance the bass and not the treble, by updating the T2. I didn’t have a great listening time with these, because the voices are too sibilant, both male and female ones. The harshness of the treble makes them really fatiguing, even by changing the tips – as a user recommended to me. I think I would rather the base T2. Don’t always believe the users: they also recommend closing the vents to improve the bass. Guys, the vents are there because the dynamic driver needs its air to work properly.



Mids are pleasant. I can’t really say how neutral these earphones should have sounded, because of the strange frequency response that came out by enhancing the treble, but I believe that the original idea was having a neutral, slightly V-shaped sound. Mids are, in fact, just a little recessed, but when it comes to hear them it’s a good listening experience. They are the best frequencies that come out of the T2 Pro. Bass is not bad, it’s just undertone. There’s one thing that most audiophiles hate, using the EQ. This is, for me, the case to use it. Try to turn up the bass and down the treble. The electric “work” on the signal helps with the attenuation of the sibilance, too. It won’t be the most hi-fi experience ever – you will never have it with these IEMs – but they become hearable. I think you can use an attenuator like the iFi ones, that’s a more elegant way to improve the sound experience of the T2 Pro.

Soundstage and imaging are pretty believable, with a fairly wide and deep expansion. There are a lot of good things to say about the T2 Pro, but the frequency distribution is not okay, and it’s difficult to give them a high rating. If I had to choose one pair of 50$ to carry with me, I wouldn’t choose these. And it’s a pity, because I love the cable, I love the build quality, I love the industrial look of them.



Conclusions
As you can – unfortunately – read, I can’t really recommend this model. There are better and even cheaper alternatives, and even though I love the design and build quality of the T2 Pro, they aren’t good enough in terms of sound. You do have a great cable for the price, and even the foam tips, but that sibilance and that harshness on the treble make the listening experience too fatiguing and uncomfortable. At least, if you choose to buy them, be sure to use a source that mitigates that large amount of sibilance.

Review by Mhark Jhoshua Q. Torres
Thank you Linsoul Audio for letting us give our honest take towards the Tin Audio T2 pro. Given that the review unit is from Linsoul audio and is free of charge, it doesn’t affect the honesty and integrity of this review.

Linsoul Audio Online Stores:
Amazon : https://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&me=A267P2DT104U3C&page=1
Direct store: https://www.linsoul.com

The Company

Tin audio is a chi-fi contender that appeared last Q1 of 2018, their first IEM was Tin Audio T1 (based on what I’ve read) and it was followed by the T2s which became a lot more popular in comparison to the T1. Their IEMs are known for being bass anemic, since they are tuning their products into a neutral sound signature despite the use of all DD. “Tin Audio is committed to deliver an uncommonly refined tuning.” this is what they said in their Facebook page and based on what I’ve heard from the T2 pro, the statement is legit!

The Tin Audio T2 Pro

The T2 Pro is made out of metal that makes the overall feel to be premium and reliable, in fact I’ve been using the T2 Pro as my daily driver for a month and they never disappoint in terms of solidness and sound quality. The nozzle is a bit short, the filter is fine, and there are two vents per side one facing the ears and one at the face plate. The T2 Pro is the successor of the T2, Tin Audio said that the build and treble issues has been resolve in this unit. Other Technical Specification are as follow:

• Driver: Dynamic 10mm woofer, 6mm tweeter
• Impedance: 16 ohms
• Frequency response: 12 Hz–40 kHz
• Interface: 3.5 mm
• Plug: ⅛ in (3.5 mm) carbon
• Cable: 4.1 ft (1.25 m) 5N OFC silver plating MMCX Connection

Packaging

The packaging of the T2 Pro is rather simple, the white box is relatively small making me think that the tips would be 4 pairs at max. The blue leather box contains everything from manual to tips, there is no carrying case included which is normal under the Php 3000 (50-70 USD) price tag, but it would be better including a carrying case just like TFZ T2 Galaxy and Series 2. The blue foam tips is the one you’ll get OOTB but it is huge for my ears to fit, good thing that Tin audio included 9 pairs of extra tips for tip rolling. Lastly the cable feels a bit cheap since I have the TFZ T2 Galaxy as a point of comparison which delivers a really nice looking cable but nonetheless a SPC with nice robust 3.5 mm jack is already forgivable.

Fit and Comfort


The T2 pro is made out of metal and there are few sharp edges unlike other IEMs that has CIEM-ish build therefore the fit of the T2 Pro is sub par in comparison to other IEMs in this price tier (eg. TFZ lineup and Shozy Hibiki). The isolation of T2 Pros is very dependent with the tips used, the nozzle is short hence the insertion is shallow.

Sound
I love IEMs with midcentric to flat sound signature as I really love listening to vocals rather than instruments. My genre ranges from heavy rock, alternative rock, pop rock, acoustic, pop, jazz and folk. Majority of my test tracks are in 16 bit – 44 khz and 24 bit – 48 khz FLAC file and here is the list of my commom test tracks.

1. Reese Lansangan – For the Fickle (background, female vocals and upper mids)
2. Foo Fighters – Bridge Burning (Imaging, Layering, Coherence, Sub bass and Mid bass, Mids, Treble)
3. LANY – Thick And Thin (Mid Bass, Mids)
4. Ed Sheeran – Dive (Mid bass, Lower Mids)
5. Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why (Upper Mids and Instruments)
6. Paramore – Hard Times (Imaging, Layering, Coherence, Sub bass and Mid bass, Mids, Treble)
7. Radiohead – Life in a Glasshouse (Imaging Layering, Bass, Instruments, Lower mids, Treble)
8. Passenger – Coins in a Fountain (Mid bass, Layering, Imaging, Instruments, Lower mids, Treble)
9. Tori Kelly – Hollow (Background, Upper mids)
10. Ariana Grande – Raindrops (Background, Upper mids)

Bass
Sub bass has moderate quantity and depth, the extension is good enough while the quality and texture is nice, the rumbles are rendered nicely without sounding too smooth nor muddy. The positioning is on the neutral side, it is linear, the decay is fast as well. The mid bass is tight and rounded, it doesn’t pack that much of punch nor it has a mid bass hump, it is actually the opposite as some may even refer it as “bass anemic”. The mid bass has decent body and weight, good texture and pretty resolving as well. It is still placed neutrally and doesn’t have any noticeable humps or dips, it is quick making the overall presentation less congested. The bass of t2 pro is far from bass head level so skip this iem if you are searching for some ear pounding bass.

Mids

The lower mids packs just the right amount of body for it not to sound too thin or shrill, it doesn’t have the lushy presentation but instead it boasts good clarity and transparency. It is slightly forward as compared to the bass but is not a mid forward iem, i believe that the lower mids is still placed neutrally here but it is a bit too lean to give extreme justice for some male vocalist like Dave Grohl. The upper mids sometimes shouty, at some peculiar tracks the upper mids sound a bit sibilant. The upper mids is sweet and a bit more forward than the bass and lower mids, it offers top notch transparency for the price. Guitar strums sound realistic too. This iem is best for acoustic genres which is full of vocals and guitar strums, Reese Lansangan sounded angelic with the T2 pro.

Treble
The treble of the T2 Pro is borderline of bright, they never sounded hot for me. The sparkle is very enjoyable in most occasion, but there are tracks that the treble sounds a bit harsh and too aggressive. The extension definitely outclass the likes of T2 Galaxy and Shozy Hibiki Mk2, it presents the treble in a defined manner. The decay is pretty quick too, the texture and resolution is great for the price as well. The treble share the same positioning as the upper mids, luckily the airyness added a good sense of width, height and depth making the overall sound stage to be spacious.

Sound Stage and Resolution
The sound stage of the T2 pro is commendable for the price range it belongs, listening to live tracks is very enjoyable since the height, depth and width are all above decent. The sound stage isn’t something “monstrous” but it expands naturally whenever it is needed. None of the three major frequency sounded smooth nor muddy in the T2 pro, from sub bass to treble the texture and details are nicely rendered and is very audible. Separation is above decent while the layering is just decent, nothing special here.

Synergy and Sound Signature
T2 Pro’s sound signature ranges from neutral to bright, the bass is linear and clinical and just enough to give a taste of thump in your tracks. The mids is placed close to neutral as well while the treble seems to have some peaks in few tracks I’ve tested. The treble might sound aggressive for some but for me they are not harsh at least for most tracks that I’m listening to.

Cayin N5iis

Cayin N5iis is a neutral-slightly bright and transparent sounding DAP, mids sounds lean, bass is flat and does not have any coloration, and treble is a bit more prominent than the bass. The T2 sounded clinical when using the N5iis, the background is silent and the treble became a bit more upfront. The texture of sub bass is very good and same goes to the mids and treble, lastly the sound stage is wider and more natural here. I would suggest this pair for those who are not that treble sensitive since the treble of T2 pro here is truly transparent, but if not it is more recommended to find a warm sounding DAP to have a better synergy.

Smartphone (Huawei Mate 10)

The Huawei Mate 10 has a sound signature of neutral-bright, sound quality is not on par with the N5iis, noise floor is a bit high. The bass lost its extension and texture, the mid bass became smoother and less impactful. The lower mids became thinner and smooth reducing the texture of the mids, the upper mids still sounds sweet and a bit forward. Lastly the treble is well extended while the presentation is less airy and detailed. The T2 pro can be easily powered by smartphones but the potential will not be maximized, the bass quantity will further be reduced but the overall sound quality is already enjoyable.

Comparison
The sound signature of T2 galaxy ranges from L shaped to warm and smooth in comparison to neutral-bright sound signature of the T2 Pro.

Conclusion

The Tin Audio T2 Pro features generous set of tips, above decent set of cable, sturdy metallic shell to take daily beating, and a great overall sound quality. The Bass is well textured and has good depth while being placed neutrally, though the quantity is a bit lacking. The mids is approached in textured and detailed manner with nice transparency in it, the lower mids might sound a bit thin for some but the upper mids sounds magnificent, it is sibilant at some few tracks. The treble is well extended, airy and resolving but it is harsh at times, it gives a nice sense of depth, width and height. The T2 Pro is a very nice starter IEM for the hobby, and I easily recommend this pair!

Incredible sound at a very low price .
Yes in the beginning the highs were a bit peircing on some songs but the foam tips and getting used to it clears that up for the most part .

Isolation is very good and the clarity is amazing .

I am suprizeed that these are as good as they are and they rival many i've used that were in the $300 range .

INTRO
After Tin AUDIO enriched the Chi-Fi world with the T2 and established a reference product under the 50 € mark, the long-awaited successor in the form of the T2 Pro is now available. But is the T2 Pro really an upgrade for 10 € more?

HANDLING
The T2 Pros differ from the T2s by zero in design and construction. The metal has become a bit lighter, but that was it. That means that we also get extraordinary workmanship, a wonderful cable, very good noise isolation and a noble packaging. This is considerable for the price segment.

Click here to go to the T2
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tinaudio-t2.22715/reviews#review-21071

SOUND
Here I don't have to say so many words, because everything that makes up the T2, the T2 Pro also has in its luggage with a small, but far-reaching difference.
The sound signature and frequency response is the same, up to the range of 2 - 3 kHz. From that point on, more or less decibels are added. Especially drastic is the weight between 5 and 10 kHz and once again beyond 16 kHz.

But what does this mean in terms of sound behavior? There is more airiness, slightly more micro details and a greater audible range in the treble region. However, there are also arguments to the contrary that make you doubt the sense of this successor, as hardly anyone can and will ignore this. Depending on the song and source, the highs are almost unbearable and tiring. They are just too bright and the peaks are too heavy to enjoy music for a long time, at least for me. That doesn't even out the extreme richness of detail. What still works very well with the Pro are jazz and acoustic songs, especially with male voices. But if several instruments are added that have a higher proportion in the high range, or high women/men voices, it will be difficult to listen through the song without lowering the volume or simply changing it. That's a shame, because I was really looking forward to the T2 Pro. I wanted the T2 to have a bit more depth and smoothed highs to make it perfect in the price range, but not like that.

OUTRO
What a pity, the T2 Pro could have become the new reference class, but it is hindered by the height boost that nobody needed. The same phenomenon already existed with other "updates" from other brands. The T2 Pro combined everything of the wonderful T2 but it got ****ed up by the crass high peaks. On the positive side are the workmanship, the textured bass, the fantastic mids and the depth of detail. But that was already the case with the T2, with minimal compromises. Those who strike here must not be height sensitive. Then you get a neutrally tuned, natural sound with a grandiose stage and separation. For all others, the T2 is currently the best choice if you're not a basshead, although this also applies to the T2 Pro.

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More reviews: https://david-hahn.wixsite.com/chi-fiear
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AUDIO T2 Pro from LINSOL Audio.
https://www.linsoul.com/product-page/TinAudio-T2-PRO-Earphones

Tin Audio (now Tin Hi-Fi, if I'm not mistaken) is one company among many in the saturated Chinese Hi-Fi scene. Little is known about them; I honestly couldn't find much info at all on Tin (even with my semi-strong Google-fu) net-wise. One thing known for certain, though, is that earlier this year they released one of the biggest hits within the "budget" inner-ear monitor ranks with the T2. Tin had a couple of releases before this (the T515 and the also well-received T1), but neither of these earphones received the herald and popularity that the T2 was given and gained.

At the time of the T2's release, I was just getting into hi-fi; I was mainly concerned with over-the-ear headphones, digital audio converters, and amplifiers. But that stuff doesn't work very well on-the-go. Not for me, at least. I used a small Sony MP3 player for years as my musical source for almost everything. Remembering how much I actually used that thing got me thinking about what I'd need to take hi-fidelity sound with me wherever I went, as over-the-ear headphones and the needed equipment are much too cumbersome. Enter IEMs.

The Tin T2 was the first IEM I purchased, actually; I read tons of great reviews on them and other "best bang for your buck" type earphones and made (what I still believe is) the perfect choice for my first IEM. The T2 is very neutral, meaning the bass, midrange, and treble are all balanced (for the most part). A lot of today's earbuds and earphones feature what's called a more "V" type tuning (as in lots of bass, recessed mids, and lots of treble). I knew from my slight experience already with over-the-ears that this wasn't what I was looking for. I was after a more pronounced mid-range, with great but not overbearing treble. After finding a frequency graph for the T2, I knew it was the one.


The T2 was a definite solid buy, and I did enjoy many hours blasting some of my favorite lossless albums through it. Build quality was stunning, especially for the price. The included MMCX cable, while a little easy to tangle, was of good quality as well. It had a decently quick, punchy bass; a longer peak throughout the mids, and was capable of great detail retreival and extremely good treble (with little to no sibilance heard). Absolutely a killer first earphone; it made me a believer in IEMs.

And now Tin Hi-Fi has released their updated version, the T2 Pro. So what have Tin done to the "king" of IEMs at this price bracket to bring it to its new "Pro" status?

Just looking at the two earphones, you could almost easily mistake them for each other. This time, Tin decided to color the Pro in a darker grey than last time. The IEMs are still made of machined aluminum, and carry the same 10mm woofer and 6mm tweeter dynamic drivers as its predecessor. These things are very well built. Frequency response is the same as well, measuring from 12hz to 40khz. The Pros also use a 3.5mm carbon fiber gold-plated straight plug. The included cable is very similar to the original T2's, being a 5n 1.2m oxygen free copper cable with silver plating. The specs almost match the previous earphones exactly, not that that's a bad thing.

Soundwise is where the two IEMs begin to differ, although much of their tone is very similar. Their soundstages are almost exact, save for maybe a little more extension and detail from the Pros. One of the only complaints people had about the T2 was that it needed just a tad more bass; some also thought that the treble could be toned down a little. Did Tin Hi-Fi address these things? Yes and no. The treble issue has been tackled, honestly, with adding more. I'm not really sure why this was done, as the original T2 had almost perfectly implemented highs. The biggest issue with adding to the treble in this case is the possibility of adding more sibilance, which is never really a good thing. The mids pretty much stay the same, and are to me still the biggest draw of these earphones. Lush, detailed, and a little forward; they sound fantastic. As for the bass issue, I cannot tell that anything was changed from the T2; a change isnt represented in any frequency graphs, either. I'm not sure why this wasn't looked into, as a little more bass would have made the Pro better all around.

The T2 Pro is a winner. If you like a detailed, somewhat mid-forward sound and lots of highs you can't go wrong. In my humble opinion, not much touches the Pro at this price point (save for maybe the original T2 itself). Bassheads should probably look elsewhere, though. I honestly cannot wait to see what Tin Hi-Fi does next, especially if they can top the Pro. Here's hoping they do it soon.

The Tin Hi-Fi T2 Pro is listed at $59.99. This pair was provided by Tin Hifi for review purposes only. Thanks, Tin!

Review by Lee McDonald (bogginhead)

Tin Audio T2 Pro - Open Stage

Tin T2 is the first IEM we are reviewing from the Chinese producer Tin Audio. While the name doesn't say much about them or their product, we'll place it through it paces and see what the guys at Tin Audio have been able to design.



Tin T2 and T2 Pro, next to each other, T2 with blue foam tips, T2Pro with dark silicone tips




Introduction

Tin Audio is a newcomer in the Audio industry, but it already has two product, which have many users and lovers all over the world, namely Tin T2 and Tin T2 Pro. The price of the two is rather similar, the Pro version being roughly 10 USD more than the normal version, which, compared to the 50 USD price tag of the original may seem a lot (20%), it is only 10 USD after all. We weren't able to speak with Tin Audio directly quite yet, but we can totally recommend working with Linsoul audio for purchasing Audio products from China. They are an excellent company, with good PR, they speak English well, and they are really responsive to messages. Most of you may have bought products from Linsoul already, as they are one of the biggest seller on Aliexpress and Amazon.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Tin Audio or Linsoul, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Tin Audio or Linsoul or anyone else. I'd like to thank Linsoul for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Linsoul's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Tin Audio T2 and T2 Pro. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Tin Audio T2 and T2 Pro find their next music companion.

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Purchase Link Tin T2(Linsoul Audio): https://www.linsoul.com/product-page/Tin-Audio-T2-Earphone

Purchase Link Tin T2 Pro (Linsoul Audio): https://www.linsoul.com/product-page/TinAudio-T2-PRO-Earphones

Purchase Link Tin T2 (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/TIN-Double-Dynamic-Earphone-Headphones/dp/B07DL2FPBL/

Purchase Link Tin T2 Pro(Amazon)Pro: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HQQ9T6D

Purchase Link Tin T2 (Aliexpress): https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...e-Metal-Earbuds-with/2894006_32888633631.html

Purchase Link Tin T2 Pro (Aliexpress): https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...sign-Detachable-MMCX/2894006_32931089424.html

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You can also read the review at Audiophile Heaven: https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.com/2018/11/Tin-T2-T2Pro-Open-Stage.html



About me

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html



Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:



Tin T2 Pro package

Tin T2 Pro package



Tin T2Pro tips













The package of T2 and T2Pro is exactly the same, save for the little detail that the Pro version has the word "Pro" written on the face of the package.

The package is actually quite impressive, those being some of the better packaged IEMs I received from China recently. They come in a white cardboard box, inside which you can find a flappy-style cardboard box. This one is high-quality, and it is smooth to the touch, being something you'd expect more from a high-end IEM, rather than something you'd expect a 50 USD IEM to be shipped in.

Inside that, you can find the IEM shells seated in a cardboard cutout, with the cables beneath them, as well as a few pairs of tips. They come with a pair of Blue foam tips installed, but there is just one size, and just one pair of those included, so if you enjoy the foam feeling, you may have to purchase additional tips, either from Comply, Tin Audio, or Mandarin, the last one being my favorite pick for getting foam and hybrid tips. There are also no Spinfit tips, which we got to love and enjoy, so if you need a pair, you should order one from Spinfit.

In all honesty, for 50 USD, the package is fairly good, and there is little space to complain, they included high-quality materials in the package, and they put effort in it, so at the end of the day, it reaches a nice overall level.



What to look in when purchasing an entry-level In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html



Technical Specifications

Drive unit: Dynameic 10MM woofer + 6MM Tweeter (2DD drive unit)
Earphone type: In-ear
Impedance: 16Ω
Earphone sensitivity: 102dB/mW
Frequency range: 12-40000Hz
Plug interface : 3.5mm Gilded
Plug Type: Line type
Cable Length: 1.2m±3cm
Color: Gray
Cable conductor: 1.25 5N oxygen free copper plating silver
Earphone interface: MMCX interface



Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

The main IEM is made of metal, with a metallic shell, and with two vents for each IEM. The shape is pretty ergonomic and most of the hard edges are on the outside, rather than being on the inside, so you don't have to deal with any kind of discomfort caused by their design, like say, you have with KZ BA10.



Tin T2 Pro with dark silicone tips



Tin T2 with blue foam tips

Both T2 and T2Pro look the same and are built the same as far as I can tell, with very few to no differences when it comes to their build.

The cable is attached to the IEM via a MMCX connector, which is amazing for a IEM priced this low, and a very respectable thought. This being said, most aftermarket cables may be more expensive than the IEM itself, so it is more of a nice thing if you have multiple IEMs based on this connector.

The default tips are nice and fit well, the IEM has a lip that keeps the tip in place, and the default tips do not get slippery.

The size of the IEM body is actually pretty large, and the bore size is also on the larger side, making them recommended only for people with average to larger ears, not working quite that well for people who have smaller ears.

The aesthetics are on the more industrial side, with the metallic build, metallic color, and with the sharp edges combined with curves leading to an industrial and aggressive look, rather than a smoother one.

They isolate ok, not that well, and they are more open than most IEMs, especially with this much venting, but this helps a lot with the comfort as the vents mean you don't get driver flex, you don't get discomfort when pulling them out, and you don't get discomfort basically at any moment of using them (provided they fit for your ears).



Sound Quality

The title may give it away, but the soundstage and openness of the sound are the focal characteristics of Tin T2 and Tin T2 Pro. I'll explore the intricacies of each, and also compare them in the meanwhile, so you get a better view of how each sounds, and which may be a better fit for you.

Tin T2

Tin T2 is a very bright and open IEM, with a neutral bass, with a good actuation and impulse response, a clean although bright midrange, and with a sparkly although slightly sibilant treble.



The bass is not very deep, and it doesn't go very low, the large amount of ventilation having to play a role in this, the bass being neutral in amount at best. It is a quicker to natural bass, and where it hits, it hits nicely, it doesn't bleed in the midrange, and it doesn't have a negative impact over the sound, but it doesn't work quite that well with electronic music that relies on a large amount of bass, being rather fit for acoustic music, Jazz, and other styles that do not rely heavily on bass presence.

The midrange is clear, clean, detailed, and very well-textured, but it is bright and tilted towards a brighter tonality, by the treble, and by their open nature, meaning that it works quite well with female vocals, but that it may sound a bit too light for male voices, especially when it comes to deep male voices. Most other instruments sound natural, and guitars, especially acoustic guitars sound nice and juicy, making them a great entry-level IEM for acoustic music.

The treble is bright, and sparkly, they are quite open and airy, the treble having a lot of presence and a lot of impact. It may be a little sibilant at times, and it is clearly not a smooth treble in any way, but this means that it gives acoustic music and acoustic instruments the right kind of bite and sparkle, making everything quite vivid and realistic.

Tin T2 Pro

Here, things get interesting, because T2 Pro is a more balanced version of T2, with more bass, but with the same treble and the same midrange, and most importantly, with the same open soundstage, and airy sound.



The bass of T2Pro is deeper, slower, and more impactful than that of T2. They have a lower-reaching bass that comes in larger amounts, making them really fit for listening to anything with a bass guitar, including metal, rock, alternative, even some electronic music. Those still won't cut it for Hip-Hop or downtempo, the bass being above neutral, but not by a huge margin.

The midrange is still a bit bright and tuned in such a way that it sounds happy, clean, clear, detailed and very textured. In fact, Tin T2 Pro has better texture and better impulse response than T2, leading to an even more vivid overall presentation, and this time it works with both female voices, and deep male voices. Other instruments sound clean and vivid, everything fitting rather well in place in terms of tonality.

The treble is sparkly, airy, bright, and open, with less sibilance than T2, having almost none, save for those few songs where you really have a bad master that was intentionally made to sound sibilant.

All in all, it is a worthy upgrade from T2 in terms of balance and clairy, being more of an all-rounder, more versatile, more clear, more detailed, and just a more pleasing overall experience.



Soundstage

The soundstage is the same between the two, and it is huge, airy, clear, and for 50 USD, fairly well separated. You don't get the crystal clear separation of more expensive IEMs, like IE800, but you get enough instrument separation to enjoy the soundstage size. It extends more in width than it does in depth, you get a pretty large and holographic sound, for both T2 and T2Pro, and it is not diffused, like it was with the old Ie8.



ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) is slightly different between the two IEMs, with T2Pro having a better overall texture in the midrange, the bass being slower on T2Pro, quicker on T2, with the treble being pretty much the same between the two. In this sense, guitars and other textury instruments sound really nice on T2Pro, and nice on T2. Those impressions hold true even when powered by an entry-level source, like FiiO M3K.



Portable Usage

The portable usage is fairly good.





The main IEM is light, or fairly light, the cables are not microphonic, and they isolate ok. This means that you can take a walk with them, and not be bothered by the background noise, if you listen your music a little louder.

They are driveable from an entry-level source rather well, and they don't eat a lot of juice, being driveable from most smartphones, making them a good choice for the listener who doesn't want to bother with complex setups, and who wants to just plug in and enjoy.

The tips do not get slippery, and they will sit still in your ears for many hours, but the bore size is on the larger side of things, meaning that if they are too large at first, they are too large. I wouldn't recommend them to people with especially small ear canals.

There is no interference, there are no issues with the overall comfort, but the cable is slightly prone to tangling, due to its design, so you may want to use a cable separator when storing them. There is no carrying case included, which is why their portability cannot be considered excellent.



Comparisons

The market for this price range is incredibly busy and crowded, so every IEM needs to justify its price and quality to sell, so we'll pick a few direct competitors of Tin T2 Pro.



Tin T2 Pro vs Shozy Hibiki - We feel it is fair to start with an obvious one, as Shozy Hibiki is a direct competitor to Tin T2Pro in both price and origins, both being IEMs from China, with a nice story behind. On the packaging level, they are similar, without any obvious differences. The build quality is great on both, but T2Pro is made of metal, while Hibiki is made of plastic. On this note, Hibiki is more comfortable due to a more ergonomic inner design, but they are still fairly large, being not recommended to those with really small ears. The cables are similar between the two, as are the tips included in the package. The sound is actually quite different, and if you can imagine T2Pro as a slightly V-shaped sound with an enhanced bass, with a clear but pulled back midrange, and with a crispy and sparkly treble, then Hibiki is the opposite, with a bass that comes in lower amounts, with a forward midrange (which is the focus of their overall sound), and with a smoother and less present treble. Really, if you want a midrange-forward IEM, Hibiki is a no brainer, while if you prefer a more V-shaped sound, then T2Pro is clearly the winner here. On the details, T2Pro has slightly more details, they present certain instruments more separated, the soundstage is much larger, and the textures are similar in the midrange. By comparison, Hibiki is more intimate, focused on vocals, has slightly less textures, it is smoother on the overall level, and makes for a smoother voice-centric IEM that works really well if you love vocal-centric music. Each is great and easy to recommend, but for different reasons, and to different listeners.

Tin T2 Pro vs TRN V80 - The most major differences between TRN V80 and T2Pro are in the comfort, where TRN V80 is quite a bit more comfortable, and it is made to be more ergonomic, and in the sound, where TRN V80 has more bass in amounts, with a quicker bass, more textures in the lower registers, more clear and vivid midrange, and a more ideal treble, with more sparkle where it should be, less sibilance, and with similar amounts of air in the higher registers. Even so, while TRN V80 has more instrument separation, T2Pro does a much better job at presenting a huge soundstage, with a much larger overall stage being painted, a much wider and more holographic sound, and similar performance otherwise. In this situation, the decision is simple, if you want less bass, so a more neutral bass, with a larger, wider soundstage, then you should go for T2Pro, while if you're looking for a more IE800 kind of sound, with a classical V/U shaped sound, with more instrument separation, but less overall width, TRN V80 is one of the best there is with this kind of sound.

Tin T2 Pro vs Final Audio E2000 - This time, T2Pro is placed against a IEM from Japan, rather than from China, but which comes at a similar price. The first difference can be noticed in package, where E2000 comes with better tips, the variety made by final audio, and in the fact that E2000 comes with a carrying pouch. The build quality is great on both, but E2000 has no detachable cable, while T2Pro has a detachable cable, and E2000 has a much smaller IEM body, which means it will be much more comfortable for smaller ears, and work with a larger variety of ears out there. The isolation is similar between the two. The sound is quite different, with E2000 having a thicker sound, with a more satisfying bass, with a more mellow and smoother treble, and with a considerably smoother and more easy treble, while T2Pro has a more sparkly approach, with less bass, but with a quicker bass impulse response, making them better suited for acoustic, or acoustic-sounding types of music, while E2000 is clearly a better IEM for bass lovers, or for those who prefer a thick and satisfying sound, and a smoother one as well. The clarity and detail is slightly better on T2Pro, thing which is inherent to their more revealing and sparkly signature. If you're looking for a clear and detailed sound, with a wide soundstage and a sparkly treble, then T2Pro is quite excellent, while if you're looking for a smoother sound with a lot of treble sparkle, then E2000 will work better for you



Recommended Pairings

Tin T2Pro is really easy to pair with virtually anything, it does not require a special source, and it will sound good out of a smartphone or entry-level source. It does not scale with source, so most of its abilities are revealed by something in the affordable range, like the little mighty FiiO M3K.



Tin T2Pro + FiiO M3K - As I said, this one combo hits the sweet spot in many ways, including price. The sound is engaging, vivid, detailed, textury, and they keep their bright and open signature with a wide and holographic soundstage. M3K also has a nice navigation system, is small, affordable, and has good battery life.

Tin T2Pro + HIDIZS AP80 - This pairing also works quite well, as AP80 is a mini DAP, with a lot of power behind. I tried to match the price of the DAP with the price of the IEM a bit, as they wouldn't scale much with more expensive and better sources. AP80 does a lot for its money, has navigation buttons, the sound is still fairly wide and holographic, but it is slightly warm, meaning that they gain a bit of oomph in the bass. AP80 is also slightly smooth in the treble, so it cuts some of their bite away, making them a bit more versatile, at the cost of some treble sparkle.

Tin T2Pro + Shanling M0 - M0 is the latest little tech tihngy from Shanling, a DAP so small that I'm actually using it for my car's radio head, being a really comfortable solution to have there as a shuffle player. In fact, this is the way I recommend it the most, as a shuffle player, as the display is small, and doesn't make browsing large lists or complex lists easy, but still, the sound is very impressive, the battery life is pretty good, it is also slightly warm and tones down T2Pro's nature, making them more versatile and more suited for a wider array of tastes.



Value and Conclusion

We've been talking about an IEM which costs about 50 USD to 60 USD, which is not a very high amount. Even so, there are so many options in this price range, that every option needs to come with something of their own, to justify their existence.



Starting with the package, we have the basics included, the IEM shells, a cable, and a few sets of high-quality tips, including one blue foam tip, which is very welcome. There are no carrying solutions included though, but for this price range, it is okay.

The build quality of T2 is quite good, it is made of metal, and it is very vented, with two vents, making sure that you can't get a driver flex, no matter how hard you try. The bore size is on the larger side though, and you'll need to make sure you have a medium to large sized ear, and ear canal, otherwise it may be a tad too large for you.

The cables are nice, there is no microphonic noise, and although they are slightly tangle-prone, they are high-quality cables and should satisfy most music lovers quite well.

Tin T2 is easy to pair with many sources, including smartphones, and entry-level sources, it is not very prone to hiss, it doesn't need a lot of power, and it can show its ability even with a more modest source.





Now, the sound, is very wide, holographic even, thing which is impressive from such an entry-level priced IEM. The bass is more neutral, so this won't satisfy a basshead, but it is clear, and it has a good texture / PRaT. The midrange is juicy, well toned, although on the happier side of things, and it is slightly bright, with a good tonality for female voices, and for acoustic music. The treble also works well for acoustic music, being crispy, clear, sparkly, and having a good amount of bite, so those won't be the choice for the smooth-music lover, but the choice for the more energetic listener who likes to get some cymbals with his music.



Tin T2Pro makes an excellent choice if you're looking for an open-sounding IEM that is pretty versatile, while its little brother also makes a great choice if you're looking for a more acoustic-tuned IEM from the same vein and taste, both being really good choices for their 50 USD price point, amazing actually. Don't forget to get yours from Linsoul audio for one of the best services, warranties and customer interactions, and don't be afraid to use the links in the review.

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Purchase Link Tin T2(Linsoul Audio): https://www.linsoul.com/product-page/Tin-Audio-T2-Earphone

Purchase Link Tin T2 Pro (Linsoul Audio): https://www.linsoul.com/product-page/TinAudio-T2-PRO-Earphones

Purchase Link Tin T2 (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/TIN-Double-Dynamic-Earphone-Headphones/dp/B07DL2FPBL/

Purchase Link Tin T2 Pro(Amazon)Pro: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HQQ9T6D

Purchase Link Tin T2 (Aliexpress): https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...e-Metal-Earbuds-with/2894006_32888633631.html

Purchase Link Tin T2 Pro (Aliexpress): https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...sign-Detachable-MMCX/2894006_32931089424.html

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Playlist used for this review

While we listened to considerably more songs than those named in this playlist, those are excellent for identifying certain aspects of the sound, like PRaT, Texturization, Detail, Resolution, Dynamics, Impact, and overall tonality. We recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you're searching for new most, most of them being rather catchy.

Bats - Gamma Ray Burst: Second Date
Eskimo Callboy - Frances
Incubus - Summer Romance
Electric Six - Dager! High Voltage
Kishida Cult - High School Of The Dead
Dimu Borgir - Dimmu Borgir
Breakng Benjamin - I Will Not Bow
Manafest - Impossible
Thousand Foot Krutch - The Flame In All Of Us
Gorillz - Feel Good Inc.
Infected Mushroom - Song Pong
Doctor P - Bulletproof
Maxium The Hormone - Rock n Roll Chainsaw
Rob Zombie - Werewolf, Baby!
SOAD - Chop Suey
Ken Ashcorp - Absolute Territory
Machinae Supremacy - Need For Steve
Ozzy Osbourne - I Don't Wanna Stop
Crow'sclaw - Loudness War
Eminem - Rap God
Stromae - Humain À L'eau
Justin Timberlake - Sexy Back
Metallica - Fuel
Veil Of Maya - Unbreakable
Masa Works - Golden Japang
REOL - Luvoratorrrrry
Korn - Word Up!
Papa Roach - ... To be Loved
Fever The Ghost - Source
Fall Out Boy - Immortals
Green Day - Know The Enemy
Mindless Self Indulgence - London Bridge
A static Lullaby - Toxic
Royal Republic - Tommy Gun
Astronautalis - The River, The Woods
Skillet - What I Believe

Audiophile-Heaven Link: https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2018/11/Tin-T2-T2Pro-Open-Stage.html

I hope my review is helpful to you!

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Contact us!









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Greetings!

In 2017, TinAudio (now TinHiFi) confidently took over the budget market with the T2. It was an affordable, well-built dual-dynamic earphone that brought to the segment a near-neutral signature which was quite uncommon for 50 USD. Once the word got out, it became a fan favorite and a go to recommendation for many.

When I heard TinHiFi was prepping to release an updated T2 called the T2 Pro, I reached out to find out more about what they were intending to change. Bass was the answer. It was to be fleshed out and more powerful to satisfy those that found the regular T2 lacking low end, something I was excited to hear. Bass extension was one of the few sore spots when it came to the T2, for me at least. When the T2 Pro started showing up in the hands of reviewers, I was disheartened to hear that the changes were exactly the opposite of what was discussed. Bass and mids were mostly left alone and treble was boosted, something I really don't think the T2 needed. Regardless, after spending some time with the T2 Pro it has shown itself to be a worthy follow up to the original T2.

Let's take a closer look.

Disclaimer:

Thanks to Lillian with Linsoul/DD Audio for arranging a sample of the T2 Pro, free of charge. The thoughts within this review are my own and do not represent TinHiFi, Linsoul, or any other entity. No financial incentive was provided to write this review. At the time of writing, the T2 Pro was retailing for 59.99 USD: https://www.linsoul.com/product-page/TinAudio-T2-PRO-Earphones

You can also check it out on Massdrop where it has been dropping fairly routinely: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/tin-audio-t2-pro#overview

Source and Amping:

For at home use the T2 was powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp or straight out of my Asus FX53V laptop. For portable use it was paired with an LG G6, HiFi E.T. MA8, or Shanling M0, all of which brought it up to listening volume without any effort.

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer varied examples of signatures I enjoy. I generally listen at very low volumes, so keep this in mind when reading my thoughts on how an earphone sounds.


Packaging and Accessories:

If you've purchased either the T1 or T2 in the past, the T2 Pro's unboxing experience will be nothing new. It's still quite nice though.

The plain white cardboard box imbued with the TinHiFi brand and model information still looks low key and classy. Opening it you're greeted to a blue case coated in a nicely texture faux-leather. It opens like a book to the T2 Pro's manual. Beneath that is the T2 Pro's ear pieces nestled in a foam insert with the new straight jack between them. The new jack is really nice, forgoing the traditional black carbon-fibre look for a shimmery silver fibre. It looks much more premium than the already attractive jack on the original T2. Under the foam insert are the rest of the accessories, those being a slew of tips. In all you get:

- T2 Pro earphones
- MMCX equipped, silver-plated cable
- Sony hybrid look-a-like silicone tips (s/m/l)
- Wide bore single flange tips (s/m/l)
- small bore single flange tips (s/m/l)

I love the addition of many new and varied tips, something the original T2 was sorely lacking. All three sets are different and are of a decent level of quality. Most should find exactly when they need to get a good fit without resorting to third party tips.


Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

The T2 Pro is built exactly the same as the regular T2, minus a mild color change. The all-metal shells are flawlessly machined with great fit and finish. All component parts fit together tightly and line up as they should. The color coded MMCX ports make a welcome return, allowing you to easily discern left and right channels. The nozzles have a prominent lip and are of a standard size letting you swap a wide variety of tips should you find the stock options insufficient.

The cable is a nice upgrade over the one included with the original T2. As mentioned earlier, the straight jack has been upgraded with a new look. Its also a bit bulkier, but there is an extension to permit compatibility with cellphone cases so the additional girth shouldn't be an issue. The cable has a proper y-split, made from a very compact metal cylinder. Like the original cable, within the y-split the four strand braid divides into two twisted strands leading up to the ear pieces. This ensures the y-split isn't a week spot. The MMCX plugs are very small and made with a clear plastic this time around, a nice change over the puke green/tan plugs found on the T2's original cable.

Comfort is good but not amazing. The T2 Pro's housings are a traditional barrel shape with a small protrusion at the end to accommodate the MMCX ports. They are fairly long and weighty, though should you choose to wear them cable over ear as is intended, the weight is fairly evenly distributed around the ear. I can wear them for long periods no problem, but they do require adjustment every once in a while to reset the seal.

Isolation is merely adequate, and about what you would expect from a ventilated dual-dynamic earphone. Outside noise bleeds in but not enough to drown out your music. If using these while on transit, you will likely need to turn up the volume a bit more than normal or make sure you're using foam tips which restricts the outside noise bleeding in.


Sound:

The original T2 was a near-perfect budget earphone. It didn't resort to any cheap tricks to wow listeners, like blasting the bass to mask a lack of technical ability or driving up the treble to artificially boost the perception of clarity. It provided a very transparent listening experience that was simply beautiful. While I think the T2 Pro is an excellent earphone in it's own right, I wouldn't classify it as an upgrade over the T2. The changes to the treble certainly have their positive effects, but it throws off the T2's balanced signature turning it into another forgettable, bright earphone. A very good one, but forgettable none-the-less. And that's coming from someone that enjoys a bright earphone.

Starting with the treble where TinHiFi made all the changes, you'll immediately notice the T2 Pro has excellent extension but is bright. Very bright. Whereas the T2's treble had a mild lift, it was quite pleasant for all but the most treble sensitive. For the T2 Pro you'll need to be tolerant of the upper ranges. For example, balance is harmed on Broken Bell's “Mongrel Hearts” The cymbals are way too loud and overpower the track. Were there any benefits of this change? For sure.

First off, it makes the T2 Pro a leaner sounding earphone which to my ears legitimately improves clarity. It also makes the presentation more open and airy, addressing the average sound stage I felt the T2 had. This also allows the T2 pro's excellent imaging to show off. Lastly, it gives the T2 Pro some sparkle where the regular T2 could be a touch dull.

The other side effect of the increase to the treble quantity is a leaner mid-range. I consider this a negative as the T2 had a near-perfect mid-range for a budget offering. It had good weight and a natural tonality, providing a very sweet experience with the vast majority of vocalists. Timbre was spot on too. The T2 Pro ends up being lighter and leaner with a bit more detail, but that organic feel of the original is mostly gone. Sibilance was also introduced in areas the T2 had none, ending up being quite prominent with some of my favorite artists like Aesop Rock.

Bass remains untouched to my ear, so I'll just copy in that section from my original T2 review, with some mild edits. Fault can be found in the prominence of sub-bass regions. For example, on Ephixa's 'Dubstep Killed Rock and Roll' there is a strong sub-bass line that perpetuates the majority of the length of the track. With the T2 Pro it is present, but not a focal point as it should be and lacks physical presence. That said, what the T2 Pro lacks in quantity it makes up for in speed and impact. It's a punchy, nimble little earphone that can handle some quick transitions.

In my opinion, bass extension and an increase in texture were the areas that most need to be addressed by the T2 Pro. While the heavily boosted treble had some positive effects on the signature, I feel it was unnecessary and unbalances an otherwise beautiful signature. Don't get me wrong, I like the T2 Pro and still think it is one of the better offerings at it's price point, I simply don't feel that it was a necessary update to the T2. Maybe TinHiFi felt the original plan of fleshing out the low end would result in something too close to the T1. Or, maybe user feedback provided during testing favored a brighter signature. Maybe the T2 Pro would have been better off with a completely new model name. On the plus side, it does ensure TinHiFi's lineup is varied. You've got the T2 Pro for something bright, the T2 for something neutral, and the T1 for something warm. An earphone for almost every listener.


Select Comparisons:

Kinera SEED: The SEED is notoriously under appreciated in my opinion. It was Kinera's follow up to the H3 which saw extremely mixed opinions. Along with a couple other mishaps, such as a retune prior to release and an issue with the cable blackening that resulted in a recall, it faded into relative obscurity very quickly. Too bad, because it's a really nice product.

Compared to the T2 Pro, the SEED has a meatier, fuller sound to it. The T2 Pro is much more emphasized in the upper treble regions giving cymbals more shimmer than you'd get from the SEED. Treble clarity is slightly better on the T2 Pro, but I found the SEED's armature to be more controlled. The SEED's mid-range is more textured and forward with some added warmth and body. SEED's bass is slightly slower but has better extension and texture. The sub-bass it outputs can be quite unexpected and is vastly more visceral than the T2 Pro's, just know it's not “always on” and only shows up when the song demands. Both can come across somewhat bass-lite to those used to more common, bassy earphones. Sound stage is similar in size but the T2 Pro has a clear the edge. The lean presentation and air between sounds results in something that feels larger and more open.

Build goes to the T2 Pro with it's metal shells and lithe but durable braided cable. The SEED's plastic, Shure-like shells are more comfortable and the cable much pricier looking than the actual cost, but the plug don't really fit the earphone and look like an afterthought.

While I like the regular T2 more than the SEED, I prefer the SEED to the T2 Pro since it is more balanced and provides a more satisfying sub-bass experience.

EarNiNE EN120: The EN120 uses EarNiNE's own, in-house developed full-range balanced armatures. It provides a neutral-bright signature along the lines of the T2 Pro.

The T2 Pro's dual-dynamic provide improved end-to-end extension over the EN120. Treble on the T2 Pro is elevated over the EN120 and provides a more airy, crisp presentation. The EN120's mids are thicker and more bodied with similar clarity and detail, but more texture and depth. The T2 Pro's bass isn't quite as quick but better separates individual instruments and tones and is more balanced. The EN120 sticks mainly to mid- and upper-bass. Sound stage easily goes to the T2 Pro which is much more open than the relatively intimate EN120.

While I love the T2 Pros build quality, the EN120 has my vote. The polished, stainless steel shells feel way more expensive than the EN120's low price would suggest, and while fixed, the cable is one of my favorites. It is very thin but as a result is super light, flexible, and simply feels amazing.Their top model, the EN2J, features the same cable with MMCX terminations. I like it so much, I swapped out the Campfire Audio Polaris' stock cable for it. Getting this same cable on a budget offering like the EN120 is awesome. Comfort goes to the EN120 too. It's traditional, bullet shaped housings provide a no-fuss fit regardless of cable up or down wear.

While I think the T2 Pro is the better earphone, I can't deny the EN120's proprietary drivers have a certain charm that the T2 Pro is lacking.

Final Thoughts:

TinHiFi clearly has some talent behind the team tuning their products. First there was the T2 which is more or less a modern classic. Then came the T1 which is a great alternative for those wanting a warmer sound. Now we have the T2 Pro. While I think the changes made were unnecessary, it doesn't make it any less competent of an earphone. It is bright, airy, detailed, with a mostly neutral bass and mid-range tune, all matched up with strong technical competence. As long as you're okay with a treble focused sound, I suspect you'll be quite happy with the T2 Pro.

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)
Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Going to Eat That? (Album)
King Crimson – Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)
Felt – Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Album)
Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)
The Crystal Method – Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes) (Track)
Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)
Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)
Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)
Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

Tin Audio T2 Pro Review

Note - I later discovered that my pre-release review sample was defective and may not actually sound like the final version of the IEM. The filters were missing on my review unit, as seen in photos. I can not guarantee that this iem sounds like a production unit any longer.



Earlier this year, I purchased the Tin Audio T2 in-ear monitor earphone based on a bunch of hype on reddit over it. After waiting the two or so weeks for it to come from Hong Kong, I was treated with a pleasantly detailed and neutral sound signature that I heavily enjoyed. At the time of my review, I had written about it being a budget king, and I meant it.

When they came to me, I had a Massdrop Plus and a Campfire Comet, both substantially more expensive IEMs. The problem was, I don’t typically use closed IEMs very often. They both were legitimately better IEMs than the Tin Audio T2, but the T2 was close enough. And they were 6X and 4X, respectively, cheaper than the higher end ones I already owned. So, I ended up selling them both. This, again, was not due to the T2 being better, it isn’t. Let’s make that clear. It was a value vs performance vs needs proposition, and the T2 did enough for me that allowed me to save money to spend on other hobbies.


The T2 was better than the Noble X that I had owned already too. That’s how much I thought highly of this sub $50 earphone. So, when Tin HiFi announced some teasers about a T2 Pro model, I was very excited. Another budget king to dethrone their previous king?



Linsoul Tech, who market the Tin Audio products, offered to send me a set of T2 Pros in exchange for an early review of the item in anticipation of their exclusive Massdrop launch on 09/17. They didn’t require my review to be positive or negative, and only asked for an honest unbiased opinion. I was not offered any additional incentives, money, or perks besides getting a chance to listen to a review sample before it hit the market.


Over the weekend, I posted my initial measurements and 24-48 hour impressions of the T2 Pro and I was pretty happy with what I heard. This more in-depth review will go over the product as a whole, with a lot of back and forth between the original T2 and the T2 Pro.



Packaging/Accessories/Build:

The presentation between the T2 Pro and the T2 is essentially the same. The earphone comes packaged in a clean white box with the only major difference being the branding being Tin HiFi vs Tin Audio and the Pro designator.




Inside is the same beautiful faux leather blue book-style box that contains the product and its accessories. The T2 Pro comes with the same selection of silicone tips and the same pre-installed sky-blue colored foam tips, which are extras squishy and sticky. Besides a couple product cards, the one major difference that is quickly noticeable is the change in the cable.



The new cable features a silver-carbon fabric 3.5mm stereo barrel that is larger in diameter than the T2’s black carbon weave connector. The cable material looks aesthetically the same, however Tin Audio has stated this is an upgraded copper. The connectors are still mmcx, with a note that Tin Audio says they have fixed any issues with mmcx connections in a recent twitter post.



The T2 Pro IEMs, themselves, have the same exact styling and build material as the original. The Gunmetal gray color scheme is indistinguishable. The only thing I noticed different externally was that my T2 Pro came without a screen. This actually helped me figure out which one was which, but just note that this was an actual defect. The final released product does have the same screen as on the original T2. Sonically, this should not impact sound at all. It is only there to prevent ear wax and debris from getting into the driver. Many higher end IEMs don’t even have protection in this area and provide a cleaning brush.


Comfort-wise – they are the same as the T2s, obviously. They can be worn both cable-down and cable up. I prefer to wear them with the cable up and over my ears, but I have been able to get good fit in either orientation.


As before, the isolation on these is medium-at-best. They will isolate some noise at low-moderate volumes, but if isolation is critical to you, there are better IEMs suited for that. I did not find isolation to be a real issue for me, however I mostly use this in quieter settings like at home, and in the office. These do not leak any sound, as they are closed back, except for a small pinhole vent.


Sound



When I think of neutral sound signatures, the T2 Pro is that. I thought the T2 was a very good IEM, however the T2 Pro takes the base sound of the T2, and elevates the treble and makes this IEM a very detailed and articulate earphone that I really enjoyed.


After I got the T2 Pro out of it’s shell, and got it setup, I actually reached for the original T2 and listened to a track on them first to give myself a baseline sound. I popped in Real Estate’s Past Lives. After listening to it first with the T2 and then popping in the T2 Pro, I immediately noticed the change in how cymbals crashed, and how the lead singer’s vocals sounded more open, airy, and natural. The energy of the song was lifted and gave an overall larger soundstage than the previous T2. It’s not huge but it’s noticeable.





After a few more A-B tracks from a selection of Post-Rock, country, and rock songs – all of which gave me the same initial impressions – I performed measurements on the MiniDSP EARS measurement rig I have at home. The data matched my impressions.


First, some background.

The T2 I purchased and own was bought roughly in the Spring of 2018. I’ve heard that some of the early units had very weak and anemic bass. When I got mine, I didn’t feel like the bass was super anemic, but as a non-basshead and used to a linear bass response of planar magnetics, I thought the bass sound close to perfect, with a slight roll-off on low-sub 30Hz frequencies.

In an interesting back and forth discussion on Head-Fi between users Slater, VladStef and I (and a few others), it seems like Slater’s older T2 had blue “gunk” (as he calls it) underneath the screen at the tip of the nozzle. This gunk seems to have impeded bass response, as when he removed it, it opened up the low end in his opinion. VladStef, then looked up some early review measurements and found that AudioBudget and other older reviews showed a large low-end frequency response drop off, which was different than the units that him and I have, which did not have blue stuff underneath the screen. My initial measurements for the T2 has a relatively linear bass and lower mids response from 1KHz down to about 30Hz.

We are wondering if T2 noticed this and removed it in a revision to the T2. Either way, the bass sounds really good. Detailed and textured, although, not as rich as something with a warmer response. The bass and low mids are rather neutral and cold, especially if you are coming from a V-Shaped, warm or bass heavy headphone. The reward is in the details.



So, back to the T2 Pro.


The Bass and mids pretty much match exactly as the T2. What has changed in measurements, is the upper mids and treble/treble extension. The IEM still has a massive drop off in the further audible treble region, but what has changed is a good boost from about 1.5KHz and beyond. This is where vocals and the higher frequency instruments come into play, as well as the extra clarity, detail and air impressions come in.


Some may freak since the T2 may have sounded already a bit harsh and bright, and only adding more treble may scare people. But really, the area that was peaky on the original T2 stays the same but it’s the frequencies after that that are boosted. This actually helps round out the treble response in my opinion but some may still find it very bright.


I am probably repeating myself here, but the vocals sound more clean, natural, and open. There’s a sense of air and depth to the sound that is more noticeable when A-Bing back and forth. The T2 sounds congested and grainy in comparison. Soundstage sounds slightly wider because of this, and imaging is relatively the same.




Conclusions

Overall, the current introductory price of $49.99 on Massdrop seems like a no-brainer to me. I believe the actual MSRP will be around $60, which is still a no-brainer. If you have the T2 already, it may be a tough choice. I prefer the Pro over the T2 and would gladly pay the $50 to get the Pro, despite already owning the T2.


The T2 is good in it’s own right, but it has been dethroned by it’s younger brother.

It wasn’t long when I reviewed the Tin Audio T2 and only after approximately 2 months later, Tin Audio has decided to release a refreshed version of it in the form of the Tin Audio T2 Pro which we will tinker and see if it warrants the Pro in its name. The T2 had positive feedback from its users especially due to its balanced sound along with its exceptional build quality capping it off on a price that doesn’t break the bank. Some have even dared mod the vents it had on the faceplate, guess the price wasn’t a thing to worry on the T2 for them. The Tin Audio T2 Pro however is priced at $59.99 which is a $20 price difference, it is however recently released on Massdrop for a pre-order price of $49.99, feel free to check it out. The T2 Pro sports dual dynamic drivers in 10mm woofer + 6mm tweeter configuration but is tuned to please even more, the T2 Pro still comes with an Impedance of 16Ω, 12-40000Hz FR and still on the MMCX interface albeit with a higher quality component of which is not stated in the manual. With all these configurations and price difference, is the Tin Audio T2 Pro really a Pro to cop or a Con?

Note: Part of this realview might be similar as well with my T2 realview especially regarding the packaging, build quality, the stock cable and the accessory set.




Packaged in the same white glossy white cardboard box as the T2, the T2 Pro package only differs with the Tin HiFi branding placement and of course the Tin Audio T2 Pro model name on the upper front corner. The Tin Audio logo is also present and is well-thought, one that I would be proud to parade. Opening the cardboard box reveals the matte navy-blue book with a cream palette interior which is very pleasing to the eye, Tin Audio nailed this one, again. The manual covers the T2 Pro underneath. Seeing the T2 Pro initially is kind of a letdown with how similar it looks with the T2 which is almost identical. Checking the manuals description for the T2 Pro's color shows "gun color" which I think is intended to be Gun Metal, at this point though, the shade of the metal used on the T2 Pro has lighter hue which made identifying the T2 Pro easier despite having the T2 and T2 Pro being put side by side. The IEM itself has heft to it and feels premium.


The T2 Pro still has a vent on the round faceplate and another on the lower portion of the nozzle, using the foams attached on the T2 didn't block the vent when in use which is unlike other IEMs which is blocked right away when used failing to function as a vent otherwise. The cable is supple and uses the round braid, it is a 1.2M 5N OFC silver-plated wire. The male MMCX interface on the cable is transparent which adds to its sleek look with L and R markings respectively. The 3.5mm Carbon fiber gold-plated straight plug used on the T2 Pro now has a bigger housing and is silver with digitized camo on them as opposed to the T2’s gold housing with black digitized camo which is the T2 and T2 Pro’s biggest aesthetic difference. Microphonics is minimal and the Y-split and 3.5mm plug has adequate strain relief, no cable cinch was present and the included silicon tips was left untouched and unopened ever since. No pouch and case were provided as well again which would have been a welcome accessory with the price increase it had. The mentioned vents would be put to the test in our Sound analysis once again.



The Tin Audio T2 Pro underwent the “recommended” 50-hour burn in period “necessary” for dynamic drivers. I used the same tracks that I had used with the T2 which was MJ's The Girl is Mine in DSD on the Opus 1 and indeed still provided the smooth experience but there is noticeable bump on the upper midrange and treble on the T2 Pro. The lows were still defined, the midrange articulate and the highs crisp with greater extension than the T2 ever had. Progressing through MJ's Thriller album supplemented the fact that the T2 Pro is still indeed a balanced sounding product.



Tin Audio stayed true to its sound from the T2 especially on the low-end, T2 Pro’s bass is still clean and lean. MJ's “Wanna Be Starting Something” in DSD on the Opus 1 delivered a full-bodied bass impact with a non-overbearing sub bass. There are no major changes on the low-end performance of the T2 Pro against the T2 except for a subtle depth on the mid bass impact. The lows on the T2 Pro still knows when to provide you the clean and lean bass and when not to.


The T2’s midrange is its cherry on top and while that can still be said of the T2 Pro, it is clear that there is a new king in town for Tin Audio’s new T2 Pro. MJ's “Heal the World” in DSD on the Opus 1 still gives that lush outcome especially on the 1:45 to 2:02 part. Vocal range was well pronounced and the male and female vocals were still natural and still on point in clarity. The T2 Pro retains the aspect that made the T2 great and by doing so, users that would opt to get the T2 Pro over the T2 would not be losing out and having second thoughts about it.


My oh my, Tin Audio gave the T2 Pro the one thing that would complement it very well, a great upper frequency kick, what a kicker I’d say. Lenny Kravitz's “Always on The Run” in 16/44 on the Opus 1 was used to once again check the T2 Pro’s highs, the T2 was already hovering on being borderline sibilant and yet with the T2 Pro, Tin Audio still managed to add a little bump on the highs that still didn’t induce sibilance, the treble is still distinct and detail retrieval excellent. The T2 pro was able to give out great upper frequency extension and the lacking sparkle that isn’t found on the T2 when it came to town.


The vents on the T2 Pro still does the job just like the T2 does which is a good thing for those once again ready to mod their T2 Pro’s. Covering the vents indeed altered the signature which made the soundstage too intimate when covered. The T2 Pro still showcases intimate staging which reinforces the affinity it has for the acoustic genre but pans out better than the T2. Imaging was not too tight on the T2 Pro and yet still articulate; each instrument is distinguishable most of the time. With sparkle being present and the upper frequencies having the extra bump, imaging greatly benefited from these configurations.


The Tin Audio T2 Pro is released at a rather abrupt timeline considering the previous release cycles of the T2 and the T1 which makes users quite uneasy but as some say, why fix what isn’t broken, right? Then and there, that quote is highly embodied by the Tin Audio T2 Pro in relevance with the Tin Audio T2. The Tin Audio T2 was already an excellent audiophile product in itself and the minor changes the T2 Pro underwent were for me, good enough to warrant the price increase. I had previously gone about how the T2 3.5mm housing lost its gold luster after a week’s use and that is addressed by the T2 Pro with the bigger silver digitized camo 3.5mm housing, a pouch or a cable cinch is however still welcome. Although the overall look and feel of the T2 Pro is similar to the regular T2, those that are hesitant of picking up the T2 which might be a little lifeless for them would find that the excellent choice to add a minor bump in the upper frequency resulting in a still balanced sounding T2 Pro but capable of easily spicing the signature with a much-needed sparkle is in itself a great upgrade worthy of being called a Pro.

More reviews at http://audiorealviews.site/