Tin HIfi T2 plus
The T2 I remember being the budget darling of 2019 and with good reason but it wasn't without its flaws. For me it was the lack of bass that made me sell them off. Bass to me is the soul for my music and I don't care how good the mids are or how extended the treble is. Music without my bass and it wont last long in the collection. So what does the T2 plus do differently from the previous T2?
I would like to thank Jim and NiceHCK and Tin Hifi for the review sample of the T2 plus. These are my thoughts on the newest version of the T2 now with the plus. Can be purchased on the NiceHCK web site here.
The T2 plus comes with a simple box a set of silicone tips a medium set of foams and a very nice 4 core SPC cable in single ended. I am a huge believer of the whole package and what you get here is not too different from budget offerings but I do have to give some props to Tin Hifi for including a cable that matches up sonically well with the T2 plus. The Silicone tips are standard but I can tell they put some thought into some optimized tips and a nice cable for the earphones.
I bring this aspect up due to many manufacturers not doing this. Most will throw in a random cable and random tips. It doesn't take much effort throwing in accessories that actually work well with the earphones sonic ability. But this aspect is often overlooked even in earphones that cost much more. Of course optimized aftermarket tips and cables do well to better the sound of any earphone but it is nice to see that there was some thought put into this entire package.
The build of the T2 plus is excellent. The all metal shell no longer is using a generic barrel shaped housing. It uses a teardrop shaped all metal shell which is much more ergonomic and form fitting in the ear. The size of the shells are smaller so these will fit the majority of users with ease and comfort during use. The metal housing is coated with a silver finish that seems to have a hard coating on it that is resistant to scratches.
I made the mistake of putting these shells on a hard concrete surface during my photo shoot with them and I could have sworn I picked them up wrong, possibly scratching the coating and there was not a single blemish. I even heard the scrape but upon closer inspection, revealed that there was no scratch at all. The metal shells have some weight but I don't find them heavy or cumbersome in any way.
So I have no idea what they used to finish the housing coating but this little aspect of the build has me very impressed. I can’t say even higher end IEMs has this tough of a coating on them.
The SPC cable is very light weight and does a great job not only enhancing the premium looks of the T2 but also in use. These cables don’t limit the sonics of the T2 and that is again something I can’t say every manufacturer does. The cable design was a solid choice highlighting the ability of the T2 plus. Copper based with a silver coating bodes well for the sonic character of the T2 plus. The foam was a good idea but I wish they threw in some different sizes. It only comes with a medium sized foam so if you use medium sized tips they will fit you well. The build, the cable, the silicone tips and foams gets a thumbs up. So how do they sound?
Sound analysis was done using my Daps Fiio M15, Shanling M6 pro, M5s, M3s, Ibasso DX160, Cayin N5ii.
So how does the sound differ from the previous T2? I ended up selling those as the lack of any bass impact and rumble just made them sound way too boring for me. It was heralded as one of the best budget IEMs in the market and I think Tin Hifi made a name for themselves with that earphone but let's be real. That limp sub bass which was rolled off huge had me grabbing other budget sets every time. Something was missing and you can guess what that was. The plus in the T2 plus stands for bass.
Overall tuning has a slight tilt toward treble but now has some bass presence the old T2 never had. These are what the old T2 should have been.I feel is more of a complete sound. There are some similarities to the older T2 especially the mid bands. Exhibiting them smooth mid bands that Tin Hifi fans should recognize. Treble will be a hit or miss depending on what your sensibilities are. The upper mids rise starts early and peaks out at 1.5khz and extends to the 5khz, a dip at 7Khz with another peak in the 8Khz region giving the T2 plus a bit more in the way of cool sometimes bright tonality for the mid bands and treble.
don’t find the T2 treble range bothersome over all but I did find some poorly mastered EDM tracks to sound a touch harsh. For folks that are sensitive to the 8 Khz range peaks. Foams will help lower the treble peak for you and should correct some glare you will notice. Clarity is good due to the ample upper mid harmon chop tuning. Generally well recorded tracks sound great using the T2 plus.
By golly it has bass. T2 plus has more mid bass and than sub bass but it is so much better than the previous T2. These now have some soul. Some gusto. Some rocket fuel.
It is simple folks. Without bass, or with bass. You make the call.
or 
Mid range has a smooth clean sound overall with good center imaging. Male and female vocals show good presence but vocal range is only average due to the lack of overall depth and height to the sonics. Has a sweetness in tone to the mid bands due to the treble shelf. While the mid bands show a good resolving ability, I don't find the T2 plus being too dimensional sounding. It is more of a flatter type of sound projection vs sounding dimensional. T2 plus does a good job at avoiding sibilance but does show some treble glare on tracks.
Width of sound is roughly medium average for in ears than being particularly wide. Shows a side ways oval staging so more traditional sounding in how it projects sound for earphones. Imaging is good but on some tracks you will hear a bright tinge to the treble with a smoother slightly warmer mid range. This effect makes the treble sound like tweeters at times. Some may like this affect some may not again it will depend on your sensibilities.
Bass again is actually present on these which makes a world of difference injecting some musicality to the otherwise well done mid bands and tweeter like treble presence. Overall I find the T2 plus an engaging listen and for the price you're really not going to find much better. The price going for these are a good deal and for folks that are looking into getting a well tuned dynamic earphone that don't require a large sum, the T2 plus will be a good addition to the enthusiasts collection of earphones. As always, thanks for taking the time to read. Happy listening always.
Bonus pic
Shown with Penon GS849 cable. Yes it does sound better with this cable.
The T2 I remember being the budget darling of 2019 and with good reason but it wasn't without its flaws. For me it was the lack of bass that made me sell them off. Bass to me is the soul for my music and I don't care how good the mids are or how extended the treble is. Music without my bass and it wont last long in the collection. So what does the T2 plus do differently from the previous T2?
I would like to thank Jim and NiceHCK and Tin Hifi for the review sample of the T2 plus. These are my thoughts on the newest version of the T2 now with the plus. Can be purchased on the NiceHCK web site here.
The T2 plus comes with a simple box a set of silicone tips a medium set of foams and a very nice 4 core SPC cable in single ended. I am a huge believer of the whole package and what you get here is not too different from budget offerings but I do have to give some props to Tin Hifi for including a cable that matches up sonically well with the T2 plus. The Silicone tips are standard but I can tell they put some thought into some optimized tips and a nice cable for the earphones.
I bring this aspect up due to many manufacturers not doing this. Most will throw in a random cable and random tips. It doesn't take much effort throwing in accessories that actually work well with the earphones sonic ability. But this aspect is often overlooked even in earphones that cost much more. Of course optimized aftermarket tips and cables do well to better the sound of any earphone but it is nice to see that there was some thought put into this entire package.
The build of the T2 plus is excellent. The all metal shell no longer is using a generic barrel shaped housing. It uses a teardrop shaped all metal shell which is much more ergonomic and form fitting in the ear. The size of the shells are smaller so these will fit the majority of users with ease and comfort during use. The metal housing is coated with a silver finish that seems to have a hard coating on it that is resistant to scratches.
I made the mistake of putting these shells on a hard concrete surface during my photo shoot with them and I could have sworn I picked them up wrong, possibly scratching the coating and there was not a single blemish. I even heard the scrape but upon closer inspection, revealed that there was no scratch at all. The metal shells have some weight but I don't find them heavy or cumbersome in any way.
So I have no idea what they used to finish the housing coating but this little aspect of the build has me very impressed. I can’t say even higher end IEMs has this tough of a coating on them.
The SPC cable is very light weight and does a great job not only enhancing the premium looks of the T2 but also in use. These cables don’t limit the sonics of the T2 and that is again something I can’t say every manufacturer does. The cable design was a solid choice highlighting the ability of the T2 plus. Copper based with a silver coating bodes well for the sonic character of the T2 plus. The foam was a good idea but I wish they threw in some different sizes. It only comes with a medium sized foam so if you use medium sized tips they will fit you well. The build, the cable, the silicone tips and foams gets a thumbs up. So how do they sound?
Sound analysis was done using my Daps Fiio M15, Shanling M6 pro, M5s, M3s, Ibasso DX160, Cayin N5ii.
So how does the sound differ from the previous T2? I ended up selling those as the lack of any bass impact and rumble just made them sound way too boring for me. It was heralded as one of the best budget IEMs in the market and I think Tin Hifi made a name for themselves with that earphone but let's be real. That limp sub bass which was rolled off huge had me grabbing other budget sets every time. Something was missing and you can guess what that was. The plus in the T2 plus stands for bass.
Overall tuning has a slight tilt toward treble but now has some bass presence the old T2 never had. These are what the old T2 should have been.I feel is more of a complete sound. There are some similarities to the older T2 especially the mid bands. Exhibiting them smooth mid bands that Tin Hifi fans should recognize. Treble will be a hit or miss depending on what your sensibilities are. The upper mids rise starts early and peaks out at 1.5khz and extends to the 5khz, a dip at 7Khz with another peak in the 8Khz region giving the T2 plus a bit more in the way of cool sometimes bright tonality for the mid bands and treble.
don’t find the T2 treble range bothersome over all but I did find some poorly mastered EDM tracks to sound a touch harsh. For folks that are sensitive to the 8 Khz range peaks. Foams will help lower the treble peak for you and should correct some glare you will notice. Clarity is good due to the ample upper mid harmon chop tuning. Generally well recorded tracks sound great using the T2 plus.
By golly it has bass. T2 plus has more mid bass and than sub bass but it is so much better than the previous T2. These now have some soul. Some gusto. Some rocket fuel.
It is simple folks. Without bass, or with bass. You make the call.
or 
Mid range has a smooth clean sound overall with good center imaging. Male and female vocals show good presence but vocal range is only average due to the lack of overall depth and height to the sonics. Has a sweetness in tone to the mid bands due to the treble shelf. While the mid bands show a good resolving ability, I don't find the T2 plus being too dimensional sounding. It is more of a flatter type of sound projection vs sounding dimensional. T2 plus does a good job at avoiding sibilance but does show some treble glare on tracks.
Width of sound is roughly medium average for in ears than being particularly wide. Shows a side ways oval staging so more traditional sounding in how it projects sound for earphones. Imaging is good but on some tracks you will hear a bright tinge to the treble with a smoother slightly warmer mid range. This effect makes the treble sound like tweeters at times. Some may like this affect some may not again it will depend on your sensibilities.
Bass again is actually present on these which makes a world of difference injecting some musicality to the otherwise well done mid bands and tweeter like treble presence. Overall I find the T2 plus an engaging listen and for the price you're really not going to find much better. The price going for these are a good deal and for folks that are looking into getting a well tuned dynamic earphone that don't require a large sum, the T2 plus will be a good addition to the enthusiasts collection of earphones. As always, thanks for taking the time to read. Happy listening always.
Bonus pic
Shown with Penon GS849 cable. Yes it does sound better with this cable.
https://www.audioreviews.org/tin-hifi-t2-plus-review-jk/
"...The Tin Hifi T2 Plus have a tonality very similar to the $99 Tin Hifi T4 and are moving even further away from the original T2’s analytical and sterile tonality. It is a bit smoother overall with the T4’s sonic edges trimmed. This increases balance but at the expense of grit: the T4 are livelier, punchier, but less coherent and somewhat shouty, and they have the better 3-D presentation. The T2 Plus’ soundstage is shallower in comparison. And the T2 Plus’s earpieces fit better and come with the haptically superior, non-springy cable..."
"...Tin Hifi’s diminishing return starts right here and I would not fork out twice as much on the similar but less balanced and less ergonomic TinHifi T4…"