Tin Hifi T2 Plus

TIN HiFi T2 Plus - ᴀ ᴅɪꜰꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀꜱ


DISCLAIMER: I do not consider myself as a very good reviewer, so I might make mistakes here and there. Therefore take this review with a grain of salt. Feel free to comment down below for reactions, opinions, criticisms. Your feedback matters for me to further improve myself as a reviewer.


A week ago, my order arrived at my doorsteps (Hooray for 5 days of delivery from China to Philippines!). I bought mine at $43 with seller discount and a voucher. Ever since them I've been spending my time listening to TINHiFi's newest offering in the Chi-Fi scene, The Tin T2 Plus.

My source is my one and only DAP, Sony NW-A55.


ɪɴɪᴛᴀʟ ɪᴍᴩʀᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ (ꜰɪᴛ, ꜱᴏᴜɴᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴜɪʟᴅ):
As I fit them for the first time, I noticed that it doesn't sit deep in your ear canals. Once worn properly, you'll notice that it's almost like it became weightless. Even with its quite shallow fit in your ear, it still achieves proper sealing with the right size of ear tips. It doesn't go off your ears when I pull the cable downwards several times, meaning with proper tips and fit you won't have to worry about these falling off.

Initially I find the bass boomy??? That's why I refrained from saying my impression of it OOTB. However that not seems to be the case, because after doing some tip rolling with the stock tips. I was able to find the ideal size for my ears, which results to a more balanced sound. I was surprised to hear the T2 Plus' sound, considering that this was from TINHiFi which are known to produce IEMs that are meticulous in details and such. For me it was balanced that is kind of warm-ish? But sometimes I do think that these are quite warm sounding (maybe because of the influence of my Sony NW-A55 dap?).

As for the build I find the shells lightweight yet sturdy, the shape reminds me of BLON BL-03 but the T2 Plus is more of a oval shape. It is also more easy to fit the T2 Plus than the BL-03. The cable is a 4 Core SPC Cable with Gold Plated Jack. The overall accent is in silver, in which there is a logo of TINHiFi on the splitter. I find the SPC used on this cable is a little bit thicker than the SPC that I use for DIY projects. Thankfully, my unit didn't have MMCX issues like loose connection and the likes.


ʙᴀꜱꜱ:
For me this is the most bassy from the TINHiFi T-series. Of all the T-series, the bass on the T2 Plus carries quite the weight and depth to it. The sub-bass doesn't go that deep, however among all the T-series this has the deepest depth of them all. Mid-bass is well controlled however mid-bass bleed is noticeable at some tracks when there's too much stuff happening in one time, though that's a quite rare occurrence in my listening sessions with the T2 Plus. The bass delivers the realistic sounds of percussion instruments, however I somehow find the bass guitar's presence is quite behind on some tracks. Overall the bass in the T2 Plus is a well rounded bass, has quite the heft and depth, however some bassheads may find the bass not appealing (not for me though).

ᴍɪᴅꜱ:
I find the vocals on the T2 Plus sweet and lively. I find the vocals forward, but not too much. Just the right amount. I like that the mids are well bodied as they're not too thin nor too thick, I find the vocals in the sweet spot between the two. Mids are very pleasant to listen to. It doesn't go shouty on the upper mids unlike it's big brother the T4. I also like the details that you can hear the nuances on the vocals of the performances.

ʜɪɢʜꜱ:
Unlike the other T-series, the T2 Plus doesn't go quite high. I find it having like a safety net above, causing the highs to be played on a safe level without being too bright. Even though with it's limitation, the highs on the T2 Plus has a pleasant extension to it. I like on how smooth they present the highs on the T2 Plus.

ᴛʀᴇʙʟᴇ:
As same with the highs, the treble also has a safety net. However even with that, the treble sounds lively for me. I like on how natural and lively sounding the treble is. It doesn't need to boost itself in order to get appreciated. The stringed instruments produces a very natural sound that are really pleasant to hear.

ꜱᴏᴜɴᴅꜱᴛᴀɢᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴇᴩᴇʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:
The T2 Plus has a above average soundstage, however comparing it to other T-series I think this has the smallest soundstage of them all (I have tried all of T-series except T1, take note that I didn't spend quite long time with them as I only auditioned them.). Seperation is also above average as I can properly discern the instruments and its locations. But at tracks where there's a lot of going on at one time, you might have a hard time discerning them.

ᴛᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛy:
This is what I like the most about the T2 Plus. The overall tonality of the T2 Plus is very natural and organic. Combining all the aspects with its tonality, results in a very harmonious and pleasant listening experience that you can enjoy for long periods of time.


ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ:
The TINHiFi T2 Plus so far, is my favorite among TINHiFi T-series. It offers a very natural and pleasant balanced/warm sound signature that everybody will appreciate. If I were to recommend a TINHiFi iem to someone, I would say the T2 Plus first.

Overdue Tinhifi T2+ mini-review:

TONALITY: 8/10
TECHNICALITIES: 7/10
CONSTRUCTION&DESIGN: 8.5/10
VALUE: 8/10

The plus: balanced, natural tonality-timbre, nice vocal, smooth and inoffensive, safe tuning, rather wide-tall soundstage, mature all arounder, good macro-resolution

The So-SO: Average micro-resolution, average technicalities, lack of air and sparkle, poor imaging, strange bass to mids transition, lack of dynamism and bite in attack, a bit muddy layering, upper treble roll-off, niche tonality that will be hate or love affair in term of musical enjoyment, warm sloppy-ish unrealistic bass, soundstage have no deepness and sound is opaque.

Since the beginning i just can't fully enjoy the sound flavor of T2+, even if i try all ear tips possible, different source and amps as well as doing some mods to improve clarity of imaging and attck heft...if you were a fan of T2 lively textured sound, the Plus is NOT for you, if your a fan of something like Final E3000 or E4000, the T2+ might be an interesting side grade.

Flat, warmish and thick sounding is the T2+, the tonality is cohesive like melted sugar in caramel...everything is closely stuck together and bass tends to mix with rest of the response even if it isnt boosted.

Soundstage is above average in wideness with right ear tips but lacks deepness and tallness.

Imaging is rather hollow in clarity, so no precise instrument spotting possible, it does have a good amount of sound layers info but lacks silence and space to be articulated properly.

The bass lack texture, separation, well-defined attack and extension. It sounds like a bit muffled and you will struggle to guess what exact notes is played by a bassist cause tonality is too warmed. Midbass has good weight and thickness giving pleasant slam, not a fast thigh one but slow and not particulaly well separated from mids.

The Mids are the best part of T2+, very natural in tonality and timbre, tough not very textured and kinda dark in resolution. Both male female vocal sound alright, its not too intimate and have an open wide presentation but separation lack air and layers feel stuck together closely even if mids are on the top of the thick cake. No sibilance to be found. Smooth, pleasant, a hint organic. Transparency is just enough, which permit wide enveloping presentation.

The Treble is a mixed bag here, from low to mids treble it's near-perfect: full, natural, rich and never splashy, sibilant or harsh....but their NO air to be found, neither attack bite or sparkle which will be underwhelming for guitar lover-electric or acoustic. As well, texture and micro details are hard to find. The top is roll off and relaxed, percussions are sometimes far in the back and some details get lost behind prominent mids. Lean until it drop, not very energic, will sue bore to death the treble head hungry for attack snap and details retrieval. Lazy tonality not for lazy ears.



VS Tinhifi T2:
T2 is brighter, punchier, more lively, more W shape and energic. Soundstage is bigger-deeper. Bass have more mid bass boost but it roll of faster so less rumble length, still, separation is better and attack is tighter, we have more texture too and faster weightier attack. Mids are brighter, more detailed, have better separation and definition and more upper mids presence so less smooth-organic. Treble is more detailed and crunchy, it has more bite but not a lot of sparkle even if a bit more than T2+. Everything sounds faster and thighter with the T2, but not as balanced and lean as the Plus, treble has some tricks to add air, which can subdued highs fullness so while percussion are better to extract it isnt as natural and well rounded as T2+. Yep, the tonality of T2+ is more natural but in an ''impressionist'' way, T2 is expressionist in its musicality for the better and the worst. It take risk while the Plus is too shy and polite.



All in all, the Tinhifi T2+ is a refreshing attempt in chifi tuning, mature yet a bit underwhelming in both technicalities and musicality, the tonality is inoffensive and laid back and permissive so I think its a safe all-arounder. Perfect for a long listening session that will not distract you with spectacular music presentation, not suggested neither for bass or treble lover...more for mid-centric and dark-neutral IEM fans.




PS:thanks to Keephifi for sending me this review sample .

A sense of déjà vu ensues as Tin HiFi delivers the definitive update to their classic T2. Read on to see if the brand new T2 Plus has the makings of a new classic.

Not since the days of Tintin, Rin Tin Tin or the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz have there been so much hoo-ha and hubbub over, well, tin. Tin HiFi is revered, and deservedly so, for making great inroads to the budget IEM arena, producing winners while maintaining their signature sound. This isn’t my first rodeo with them either, they left me dead chuffed with their planar offering P1.

With me now is the T2 Plus, the latest in the long line of… wait a minute, wasn’t their last IEM in the T-series the much-loved T4? Why the step backwards, the throwback Thursday? Well, Tin HiFi isn’t a company that takes things for granted, and likes to tinker and retool even their classic products until a definitive version is reached. They’re tinker tailor soldier spies.


This wall of text is guaranteed to ward off Gen-Zers, and fast.

Besides, wasn’t Terminator 2 (another T2) the greatest sequel ever? Look at how many versions of it were released, so it’s fair game for Tin HiFi, lol. The evergreen T2 was facelifted to the T2 Pro, and now the T2 Plus, featuring a new shell, new driver, and a refined tuning with trickle-down technology from the higher-end T4 and P1. In their words, T2 Plus is the “final iteration” of T2, or the Skynet Edition Blu-Ray, if you will.

The T2 Plus is available in matte silver housing, and is marginally costlier than the original, although well within the budget bracket/racket. You can purchase them via Linsoul or Amazon. I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Linsoul for the review sample.

Equipment Used:

DAP

1. FiiO M15

IEMs

1. Tin HiFi T2 Plus
2. TRN VX
3. BLON BL-03

Albums

1. Adele – 25
2. Allan Taylor – Colour to the Moon
3. Amber Rubarth – Sessions from the 17th Ward
4. Bruce Springsteen – The Rising
5. Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia
6. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
7. Lana Del Rey – Born To Die
8. Taylor Swift – Folklore
9. The Eagles – Hell Freezes Over
10. The Weeknd – After Hours

Technical Specifications

• Driver: 10.0mm woofer
• Sensitivity: 115dB/Vrms (@1khz)
• Frequency Response: 10-20KHz
• Impedance: 32Ω±15%
• Rated Power: 3mW
• Max Power: 5mW
• Interface: Gold-plated MMCX connector
• Plug: 3.5mm black carbon multi dimensional heavy plug
• Cable: 1.25m (22/0.06AS Silver-plated Enameled+200D Kevlar)*4, Transparent Super Soft PVC Sheath
• Housing: Matte aluminum

Packaging and Accessories
The T2 Plus packaging eschews jet black blandness and the anime girl bandwagon, by sticking to the tried-and-tested T-series formula. The ubiquitous rectangular white cardboard box is here, along with brand and model logos as with other T-series IEMs. Inside, a thicker navy and gold cardboard box is seen, with the proud Tin HiFi logo emblazoned at the center.

The varied inventory of Tin “the Toolman” Taylor.

This regal eagle color scheme never gets old, frankly, and conveys a playful elegance. Kind of like me. Open up the lid, and say hello to the T2 Plus earpieces sitting comfily in their foam inserts. Beneath them, packed in resealable plastic bags, are the rest of the accessories.

• 6 pairs of silicone ear tips in various sizes (S/M/L)
• A pair of medium-sized foam ear tips
• A cable
• Manual and warranty information

What’s painfully missing, besides a waifu, is a carrying case for your T2 Plus. Not even a cloth pouch was provided, which leaves you with little choice but to source for a third-party case, or carry the whole box around comically. I approve of the latter by the way.

Much thought was put towards the cable, and it’s not just for show. The cable is made of 4 wires of 22AWG silver-plated copper, reinforced with Kevlar to reduce microphonics and improve durability. Adorning each end of the cable are gold-plated MMCX connectors and a 3.5mm jack. The cable handles superbly with top-notch ergonomics, being soft, supple, and flexible. I was satisfied enough to conduct the entire review with just the stock cable.

Design and Build Quality
Moms around the world preach and teach that it’s what’s inside that counts, and T2 Plus can’t wait to show us its beautiful internals. Scaled down from its previous iterations, the driver is a single 10mm DD made from NanoPure nickel-zinc alloy. It’s better to have a single, high-quality driver rather than stuff a few together to see what sticks. Big brother T4 follows this philosophy too.

Protecting the drivers are brand new, CNC-machined aluminum alloy housings, offering arguably the biggest change from the original T2. The Plus looks absolutely dapper in matte silver, while the rounded finish provides a sleek and handsome profile. The housings look way more luxurious than they have any right to, and it seems the outside matters just as much as the inside in T2 Plus’ case.

Whose line is it anyway?

The housings are fantastically built. The outer shells are so smooth and congruent that you barely feel the vents or the crease separating the two halves, almost like liquid metal. But unlike T-1000, the shells are robust and solid and can take a knock or two. I’ve dropped them a few times during the course of review and they escape unscathed. Don’t hate me.

Fit, Comfort and Isolation
When something looks and feels as good as the T2 Plus, I can only follow my primal instincts and shove them straight into my ears, like plunging headfirst into a new, ill-advised romance. Its silky-smooth surface begs to be cuddled and caressed, and putting the T2 Plus in, they sit flush in my ears. The nozzles are just the right length, anchoring the earpieces with moderate insertion depth.

And the comfort, oh the supreme comfort. The T2 Plus adheres superbly to the inner contours of my ears, and despite the aluminum build I barely felt their weight. Another bonus is I could lie on my side while listening, thanks to the petite earpieces and slim profile. I had to think way back to InEarz Audio’s Zen 4 for similar levels of comfort.

Make no mistake, T2 Plus offers God-tier levels of comfort, approaching the realm of custom IEMs. Bear in mind that T2 Plus is double-vented, so they don’t offer much by way of isolation. Quieting of external noise is average at best, so this won’t be your bestie during a commute. Ambient hums and whirrs are audible, and you’ll need a quiet environment to extract the best out of T2 Plus.

You can, however, block off the vents near the nozzles with tape, which improves isolation and elevates the bass. While some users are satisfied with the end result, I much prefer the original sound signature, because this mod congests the soundstage.

I’m not sure if he’s your… type.

Sound Quality
The original T2 is a shining beacon of the budget-priced neutral monitor, and attained legend status, fortune and probably free tacos for life by fulfilling a niche. We all know lightning doesn’t strike the same spot twice, so what does T2 Plus have up their sleeves?

Overall Sound Signature
The T2 Plus veers from the original formula in pursuit of a more accessible, all-rounder signature. It’s neutral-warm with an eye on technical nous and an ear for musical euphony. Aiming to be both a neutral monitor and something to kick back with at the end of the day, did Tin HiFi bite off more than it can chew?
Fortunately, T2 Plus does a lot of effective and pleasurable chewing. The signature comes together splendidly in terms of coherence and balance, with slight emphasis in the midbass and upper mids regions. The bass is mildly enhanced but manages to be both quick and tidy, the mids is a familiar neutral playground, while the treble, while unquestionably detailed, has smoothed-off peaks to soften the blows.

For detail nuts, the texture throughout is resolute and palpable. For realism addicts, T2 Plus’ tone is accurate and true, if just a bit on the dry side. By all accounts, this reads like a dream come true, but potentially alienates the original fans who grew to like the unique, neutral-bright T2, a rare sound at the $50 price point. The T2 Plus is an interesting case study of what happens when you try to please everyone.

Listening Conditions
Critical listening was done after 100 hours of burn-in. I’m not sure what NanoPure does to the T2 Plus (if anything, the name belongs in cosmetics), but I’m taking no chances, so the full burn treatment they get. The principal review rig is FiiO’s M15 player, with the supplied cable and stock medium ear tips.

Bass
Marriage, as they say, is a two-way street, but many hop into a marriage hoping their partner would change, lol. Longtime followers of Tin HiFi can rejoice because they listened to your feedback, and here’s your healthy, bottom-enhanced T2 Plus. Boasting a more robust and heavier bass section compared to its predecessors, T2 Plus’ bass provides much of the signature’s warmth and fun factor, and it can be intoxicating.

I’m not drunk, you’re drunk.

The sub-bass reaches deep enough to tickle your throat, and although not a physical, take-no-prisoners rumbly sub-bass, plenty is audible. The midbass becomes the focus of the region, rising beautifully and decaying quickly with judicious amounts of punch and slam. Notes are polite and round with generous layering and details galore.

Timbre is natural and precise on the whole, if just a bit dry. The T2 Plus is conflicted between sounding Diffuse-Field neutral professional or punchy and fun, and most times you get a bit of both. And this is why, kids, every successful marriage is the direct outcome of joint compromise. The middle ground is always best, but the amount of control might frustrate bassheads who just want to let loose.

When push comes to shove, the bass manages to convey warmth while maintaining Tin HiFi’s signature cleanness. Impressive.

Mids
Like Switzerland, the mids are as neutral as they come. Walking the tightrope between technical ability and musicality, T2 Plus uncovers a lot of detail, but isn’t afraid to let you enjoy yourself. No not that way. The mids are neutrally located and possess a laid-back demeanour. Notes are well-delineated, and possess a soft, delicate texture that is effortless and never offends, though a bit on the lean side.

The mids stay mostly flat, except for a rise in the upper mids for clarity. Tonally, T2 Plus can pat itself on the back, sounding uncolored yet true-to-life while showcasing a smooth musical flow. If anything, the mids might be accused of playing too safe. Vocals sound accurate and clean, but don’t engage emotionally, like singing to pay the bills. Instruments, particularly cellos and acoustic guitars, lack the last bit of richness to tug at the heartstrings.

T2 Plus’ mids chugs away in a workmanlike manner without a worry in the world. Where it lacks in finesse and style, the T2 Plus makes up for in discipline and grit, a doggedness to relay every musical tidbit without fail. It’s highly competent with no real weaknesses, but had it more character, urgency, or a bit more feeling, we’d be dealing with honest-to-goodness world-class mids right now.

I Always thought deflowering meant a trip to the florist.

Treble
Macklemore once said when caught rummaging through other people’s garbage, “one man’s trash is another man’s come-up.” The man got no shame, but his words make sense. The steady humdrum-ness that are unwelcome in the mids are precisely the attributes that take the treble to noble, lofty heights.

Like the foam on top of a hearty stout or the froth of a cappuccino, the treble has a smooth and airy finish, with sharp edges rounded off to produce a beautifully refined sound. There is no lack of clarity either, as each note is well-defined, topped with plenty of shimmer. The upper end is never harsh, and extends above cleanly without artificially increasing brightness.

Cymbals, bells and percussion carry a sweet tone, a tuneful remedy to those averse to treble harshness and sibilance. You can finally listen without fear despite Tin HiFi’s previous penchant for sharp cheddar, I mean treble. And while it could have been more crisp and precise, it might spoil the pleasing tone and balance the T2 Plus treble currently possesses.

Soundstage and Imaging
Like a modest mouse, T2 Plus doesn’t boast massive, stargazing dimensions. In fact it squeaks by with decent stage width and depth, never outright becoming a highlight. The stage size is far too common at this price range to be worth a mention. But far from doing shoddy, thankless work, T2 Plus keeps its stage absolutely pristine and immaculate, like Will Hunting as an over-performing janitor.

Helped by the lean, limber notes and a rapid decay, the stage is kept spotlessly clean with a tar-black background. There’s a realistic sensation of space and air as you scrutinize every morsel of musical information, kept apart with brilliant separation and imaging capabilities. Despite the average head-stage, the layering and neatness is anything but, and deserves special mention.

*Of course* you saw this coming.

Comparisons

TRN VX
TRN’s VX pitted against the T2 Plus is a contrast of philosophy. The VX is stuffed full of drivers to handle all frequencies of the sound spectrum, while T2 Plus just needs one DD to do the deed. The VX starts off as the aggressor, boasting a big, bad, physical bass and a brighter treble. Sub-bass hits are felt and heard, while treble extension is higher and airier than the Tin HiFi.

Unfortunately, VX comes across as more unhinged too. The messy bass tends to bleed, compared to the neatness of T2 Plus, while the treble is peaky and harsh. The bass bloat and general in-your-faceness of the signature congests the stage as well, sounding claustrophobic next to T2 Plus’ immaculately tidy head-space.

T2 Plus presents music in a laid-back manner, with a smoother, more coherent musical flow that doesn’t wow at first, but rewards with more listens. Most importantly, it strikes where it hurts most, with better timbre and accuracy than the TRN. TRN’s mids suffer greatly in comparison, with grainier notes and shoutier vocals than the more accomplished T2 Plus. Suffice to say, I reckon Tin HiFi’s latest the easy winner of this exchange.

Audiophile bait. Works every time.

BLON BL-03
When “Oppoty” strikes, you listen. The butt of packaging jokes everywhere, BLON’s budget wonder BL-03 is serious business in the sound department, with one reviewer even claiming it outperforms Vision Ears’ VE8. I think it’s hogwash, but like the Dude would say, “that’s just like, your opinion, man.”

Giving credit where it’s due though, BL-03 rules the roost in the mids department. The technical proficiency and neutrality of T2 Plus’ mids are given a soulful, full-bodied push. As a result, the BL-03 sounds more emotional and arresting despite T2 Plus’ best efforts. This is also semi-prevalent throughout the signature, with T2 Plus being the more technical of the two, while BL-03 the more musical.

Where I believe the BL-03 falters is in the flabby, uncontrolled bass. The sub-bass ringing and midbass thickness can sometimes overpower the music and distract the listener. The BL-03’s smaller, messier stage also means it has trouble negotiating complicated musical passages, something right up T2 Plus’ alley.

If you can forgive the T2 Plus being just a bit drier and thinner in the mids, it is the better performer of the two, owing to a more balanced and refined sound signature. The higher resolution and readiness to unearth details help too.

“Hello darkness my old friend…”

Final Words
Great cuisine is a perfect marriage of taste and texture. You might have your own preference, but truly memorable cooking requires both to be outstanding. I once ate a block of tasteless gelatin because the texture was so unbelievably good, and that is why I only review audio. Similarly, a groundbreaking audio product is a combination of tone and technicality, the two tenets of sound quality.

Tin HiFi’s T2 Plus might seem unnecessary to some. Being the third iteration of a classic product sounds like a cash grab, but the final product is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Picking apart the sound, you might find unpleasantries here and there, but taken as a whole, few can rival T2 Plus’ coherency and subtle tuning genius. You won’t stop listening after the first track, and before you know it, you’re hooked on their voodoo.

Even discounting the sound, the T2 Plus represents a product with stupendous value for money. Witness the marvelous design, first-rate build quality, and the devilishly satisfying fit. No other product in this price range that I know of hits solid home runs in every department like this does. The T2 Plus is the total package that should step out of the original T2’s shadow and forge its own storied path.

I got this pair of TIN T2 Plus as a review unit from my friends at KEEPHIFI (www.keephifi.com) entrusting me to an unbiased analysis and openhearted subjective evaluation, which is what I’m reporting here below.

You can purchase T2+ either at Friendly Audio Store (Keephifi official store) or at Amazon **** Store.

My descriptive considerations at the bottom, let's start with the tabular analysys.


Test setup

Sources: Hiby R5 (Single Ended and Balance Ended port) – Fiio X3-mkIII – Tempotec V1 + Fiio BTR5 / Anaudiophile ESS DAC dongle / Apogee Groove
Radius Deep Mount tips
NiceHCK 16core High Purity Copper balanced cable
Lossless 16/44.1 – 24/96 – 24/192 FLAC tracks.


Signature analysis

Tonality Warm tonality in an accurately balanced signature. The care in the horizontal calibration / compensation of the various parts of the spectrum is probably the single best part of the product. The presentation comes across very coherent, and a pleasure to listen to.

Sub-Bass Modestly rolled off but still nicely present per se. It’s much better than what mid-bass lowend’s allows me to hear most of the times.

Mid Bass Slow transients make low mid-bass “fat” and quite invasive on many tracks. Personally I wouldn’t like this even if it were less evident. Even offsetting my preference, the effect is not nice in general.

Mids Overall a bit behind, they are actually quite nicely rendered with particular regards to the high-mids, both per se, and due to mid-bass relative veiling (see above).

Male Vocals Males clearly benefit from the general warm tonality, although not presenting particularly elaborated texture. They resound better than what they actually deliver, but I wouldn’t call the bad either.

Female Vocals Better than Male, Female voices do clearly benefit from the adjacent treble section quality. They are neither behind nor forward, on the lean side although not thin, quite defined and pleasant for my taste. No shrilling nor squeaking is present.

Highs Together with general balancing, this is in my score the best part of the presentation. Opposite to bass, highs transients are on the fast side, air is quite present and we have good extension and an overall very pleasant rendition, with quite some vividness, yet always free from peaks and offensiveness.


Technicalities

Soundstage Above average but not more than that. More horizontal than deep anyhow. For the price bracket something more could have been done here.

Imaging Quite precise, unlike soundstage this is above average on this price bracket

Details Sub-average due to low mid-bass invasiveness (see above)

Instrument separation Identical notes as for “Details” apply: T2+ tries to show me some serious competence on rounding out each instrument, but the low mid-bass part of the tuning hides some of that.

Driveability Relatively easy, I can drive them at more than competent volume and open-ness even with a battery-less DAC dongle.


Physicals

Build Aluminum alloy housing, with a nice satin finish.

Fit The general tear-drop shape is quite rightly sized and totally smooth-edged, making concha-level fitting easy probably for most people (me included). On the other hand nozzles are not long at all so depending on the general ear shape and/or on personal insertion depth preferences stock tips may be absolutely inadequate. Such was indeed my case, and after quite some rolling I ended up having to adopt Radius DeepMount eartips. Another important thing to notice is the presence of two vents, one of which is at the very base of the nozzle, which may end up occluded (totally or partially) resulting in a much darker sound depending on eartip choice and/or insertion depth.

Comfort Once the right tips are selected, comfort is actually great.

Isolation Once fitted and properly tipped, T2+’s shape provide above average passive isolation

Cable Supplied with a single-ended 3.5mm 4-core SPC cable with a very nice-touch kevlar sheath. Not tragical like other TIN stock cables (T4, anyone??) it does not shine any bright light either. Worth an upgrade for sure.


Specifications (declared)

Housing Aluminum alloy CNC machined housing
Driver(s) 10mm NanoPure nickel-zinc alloy plated dynamic driver
Connector MMCX
Cable 1.25m (22/0.06AS Silver-plated Enameled+200D Kevlar)*4, Transparent Super Soft PVC 3.5mm single-ended terminated cable
Sensitivity 104±3dB @1KHz
Impedance 32Ω±15%
Frequency Range 10-20KHz
Accessories and package 2 identical sets of 3 pairs (S/M/L) silicon tips, 1 pair of foam tips, 1 velcro strip for the cable. No carry case nor pouch.
MSRP at this post time $147,50 ($59,00 on AE)


Opinions and considerations

Overall evaluation (1)
T2+ is not one IEM I fell in love at first sight hear with but this is more due to my personal tastes than to any severe product fault honestly. The two aspects that keep me from having chills are the slow mid-bass, and the “too much inoffensive” general presentation.
T2+ is very mild, accurately balanced, warm and relaxing. Some may heartily love them for this, actually.

Can we do something with that bass ?
Applying an EQ mitigation (even via a simple Graphical EQ) on 63Hz and 125Hz the situation gets significantly better. Bass suddenly gets less egocentric, with instant positive impact on mid-bass instrument presentation, much improved detail retrieval and much sharper instrument separation.
However (!) a correction heavier than -1dB will screw T2+’s well done horizontal balancing making trebles too evident. At -1dB low mid-bass is still too much present for my tastes, but even with that modest change the overall result is indeed much more pleasant to me.

Pairing (1)
The above sound analysis quite accurately relates my experience while pairing T2+ with Hiby R5 (both single ended and balanced ended), Fiio X3-mkIII, Fiio BTR5 (both single ended and differential ended) and Anaudiophile’s ESS DAC dongle – these latter 2 devices USB-docked onto my Tempotec V1 transport.
There are of course some differences from one source to another, but nothing life-changing:

• ESS-based BTR5 and Anaudiophile DACs give a bit more forwardness to vocals on T2+, compared to Cirrus-based R5
• BurrBrown-based X3-mkIII adds its warmth to T2+’s making it furtherly colored in that direction. In my books this is not a desirable variation, but that’s ofc my specific preference. YMMV, as always.
• Balanced-ended amping on BTR5 and R5 grants a perceivably better dynamic to sound and tames bleeding bass a bit, contributing to gift some moderate but much required vividness to T2+’s presentation, which (as noted above) I find in general a tad too “polite

Pairing (2)
The situation changes dramatically when pairing to a higher-tier DAC/AMP like Apogee Groove.
Groove’s superior cleanness, clarity and definition makes as if a robust sheet of tracing paper is lifted off from the entire T2+ presentation.
When driven by Groove, T2+’s low mid-bass transients stay on the slow side, but gain an almost perfect control. As a consequence the EQ correction becomes totally un-necessary, bass autonomously losing virtually all of its bleed tendency. Mids come across a full step forward into the stage, which acquires an evident better clarity. Clarity in its turn converts into macroscopically better instrument separation and even more pleasant imaging.

Overall evaluation (2)
In the hands of higher quality equipment like the Groove, T2+ suddenly start shining of a diamond-like light, and rise to an absolutely outstanding level. They become detailed, controlled, authoritative and very engaging.
In such situation – although only in such situation – they get a solid place in the roster of my best ones below $100

The Tin T2+ is the second successor (after the T2 Pro) to the much-lauded original T2 which took the budget ChiFi world by storm not so long ago. It takes the wonderful mids and treble of the original T2, smooths them out a bit, and adds a moderate amount of linearly boosted bass to give it the body and presence some felt that the original lacked. It might be said to be striving to walk the line between neutrality and musicality, and while it succeeds quite well some might find the result a bit too much "jack of all trades, master of none." However, for those looking for a budget all-rounder there can scarcely be found a better value than the $50 T2+.

In addition to succeeding the T2+, in my opinion it is also a successor to the other budget king of yesterday, the BLON BL-03. It is overall tuned quite similarly, however it has tighter, more linear, and more moderate bass. It also fits much better than the BL-03 for the vast majority of at least Westerners. Finally, the technicalities are generally a step up from the BL-03, and while they are good they remain for the most part commensurate with competent budget-tier IEMs.

All genres of music play well with the T2+, though some might feel it is a bit polite if they are looking for an IEM to spice up their music to a high degree. It excels mainly with acoustic and vocal genres.

It is supremely comfortable, though due to the shape depending on ear anatomy you might need to tip-roll a bit to secure the IEMs solidly whilst walking about. Isolation is decent but not class-leading.

The T2+ is without doubt the best value of the entire Tin lineup right now, and in my opinion the best value for those looking for an all-rounder in the $50 price segment. It can definitely compete with IEMs twice its price, even to the extent that almost all of them will end up sacrificing something the T2+ does well in order to best it in another area. It might not be the best at any one thing, but it's good at almost everything, and that's something that does not come around often in a budget IEM.

Tin T2 Plus Review

Tl;dr : It’s good! Almost a bit boring for my taste but might be amazing for neutral and midrange-loving folks. Watch out for the MMCX issues.

A bit of background and disclaimer:

Keephifi gave me a heavy discount for these in exchange for a review. They have been nice with the shipping and processing, and the items arrived after a month here in the Philippines. You folks said I can be honest and I'll definitely be honest about it!

I'm also fairly new on reviewing so please tell me your criticism or inputs about it! I'm happy to listen and learn from you guys!



Packaging: The Tin T2 Plus came with a rectangular box, with another box that contains the earpiece and the accessories, all in very good quality. It comes with the pairs detached with an M size eartip attached, a cable, 10 pairs of eartips (2x each for S/M/L) and the famous Tin Audio grey foam tips (1x). Pretty good value for 50 USD or less.

Build: The build is good, aesthetic-wise. The shells are made of “aluminum alloy” according to Tin Audio, with a brushed metal-like look, with a sleek silhouette reminiscent of the Blon BL-03, and it looks really clean in my opinion. The MMCX cable is made of braided 4 cores SPC wires, a metal straight 3.5mm jack, a metal splitter with the Tin Audio Logo, a plastic chin cinch and the metal male MMCX connectors with L and R labels. The metal parts also have that brushed metal look that the shell has, so it matches the whole look well enough.

Quality wise, well, I’m worried. When I plugged the cables for the first time, the right side of the mmcx cable wiggled slightly on the connectors. When I tried another MMCX cable with a different locking method, the left side attached with no problems but the right side fits in loosely and loses its connection. Plugging the stock cable works fine but the “wiggle” still persists. Maybe poorly machined? I’ll never know. Tin Audio, please fix.

Fit: It fits me well, comfortable, nothing sticks out. Doesn’t isolate much although that’s pretty dependent on the tips. I used eartips from my MH755s for the entirety of the listening. I have fairly big ears so YMMV!

Sound:
A bit of background for the source, I use my phone (Huawei Y6 Pro) and my music player (Samsung YP-Q2) for the testing.

• Bass: It’s punchy! Present, but not overly so to obscure some of the mids. The sub bass performance is very good, it played Sunn O)))’s It Took The Night To Believe perfectly, with the impending doom of the bass droning in very good amount. The texture is well defined, but gets smeared with complex tracks, but not frequent in my test tracks or library.
• Mids: The timbre of instruments is very natural, added with a bit of warmth for that feeling of musicality. The upper midrange has a bit of energy but I didn’t find anything sibilant unless you played badly mastered or low quality audio. The voices of Elizabeth Fraser and Phil Elverum sound much more breath-y and detailed because of the overall tonal balance.
• Treble: I can feel the sparkle and air on this one. Cymbals are well presented without excess energy. I would’ve liked a bit more bite in the air region, but it’s there. It presented Muslimgauze’s album, Azzazin with its glitchy synth bleeps and bloops a good snap and crispness that isn’t too sibilant.
• Soundstage and Imaging: Very good for an IEM! Almost U-shaped in terms of the panning that I hear from its excellent imaging combined. Works well enough for gaming too, although directional “cues” is a bit limited for front and back.

Thoughts:I honestly think this is a good value for 50 USD, with all of the goodies, the build (well, some parts of it) and the looks combined, this should be an easy recommendation for someone starting their audio journey at 50 dollars, but the MMCX issue I have is making me doubt about it. There have been tons of reports of the Tin models with MMCX connectors failing and I don’t want to experience that in my pair.

The sound signature is inoffensive to be honest. It kind of bored me at some point and made me go back to my earbuds, which gave me a more engaging experience to the music I’m listening, and well, I’m more of an earbuds guy. With the consideration of the sound quality and its unexciting nature, it’s a good recommendation for those who want it. YMMV though!

Overall, I liked it. There’s almost nothing wrong with it except for the MMCX which some of you may or may not experience, but it definitely plays my tunes well.

Thank you for reading!

Intro:

The Tin Hifi T2 has often been cited as one of the best iems under $100. Many people loved this iem and it's one of the biggest recommendations when people ase for a cheap, quality iem. Because of this, the Tin Hifi T2 Plus has big shoes to fill. What you'll notice right away is the departure from the original cylindrical housing that it's predecessor had. The T2 Plus has a rounded shape and is more ergonomic to my medium sized ears. Also, the drivers are updated. The Tin Hifi T2 Plus definitely has big shoes to fill.

Accessories/Packaging/Build Quality:

When talking about many affordable chi-fi iems, one of the most common realities is that you'll more than likely get a very generic and bare bones set of packaging and accessories. This is not the case for the Tin Hifi T2 Plus. It comes in a nice elongated and tight fitting white sleeve that pulls out into a blue box with gold graphics and lines. When opened, you are greeted with the iems themselves housed in a leatherette divider. Underneath, there is an assortment of tips including foam tips, and a nice cable with a chin slider.

Moving onto the build quality, this is easily the least impressive portion of iems. Though the cable is quite nice, the iems themselves have a cheap looking and feeling coating. While not the worst I've ever felt, the seam that connects the two shells of the iem housing together is quite prominent, and the silver finish looks a little tacky on closer inspection.

Comfort/Isolation:

To be perfectly blunt, the comfort and isolation on the T2 Plus is simply average. There's nothing egregious going on, but the isolation is very tip based, and so is the fit and comfort. While the iem fits fine in the ear because of its smooth surface, the nozzle does not lend itself to a necessarily deep insertion, which leads to the average isolation. All this being said, due to the smaller nature of the iems and the smooth and rounded edges, they are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time.

Overall Sound Signature:
Despite all the average nature of the build quality and comfort, the sound is the true star of the show here. I find the overall sound signature well balanced from top to bottom. This is either a good or bad thing for people. While it isn't the most dynamic and exciting sound, the iems rarely do anything poorly or wrong. It is an extremely flexible iem with good amounts of detail. What I do appreciate is that the iems do sound quite natural and is very cohesive, as expected.

Highs:
Highs are well extended with above average detail. There is good separation and air between notes, and you can really pick up on some small details. I don't find the highs to be fatiguing at all, though if you love sparkly and sharp treble, this may not be the iem for you. There is plenty of energy and everything sounds natural and full.

Mids:
Similar story for the mids, I find good emotion and warmth in vocals. The iems being relatively balanced, there is good separation from top to bottom and the staging is relatively good across the board. The vocals have good energy and there is an amount of refinement that I don't typically find in an iem of this price. Again, for the mids, cohesiveness is the name of the game. It blends nicely with the highs and the lows and does not attract unnecessary attention, so if you like a very mid forward presentation, you won't get much of that here with the balanced signature.

Lows:
The lows on the iems are not booming, so if you're a basshead, this is probably not the iems for you. However, as mentioned in the other sections of the signature, the iems are well balanced from top to bottom. There seems to be more low end presence this time around as compared to the other iems in the Tin Hifi lineup, but if you're looking for overly boomy bass, this iem won't do that. It is tight, balanced, and technically sound. It is by no means bass anemic, but there definitely is a level of quality over quantity with the low end.

Closing Thoughts:
If you're a fan of Tin Hifi iems, I would say this is an easy pickup. The amount of attention to detail with the tuning will be familiar to those who have tried their previous T2 lineup. What I do find is that this updated model is appropriately a refresh of the old community favorite. If you're new to iems, and you're looking for a balanced and technically sound iem, this is a great buy. While some people thing a neutral tone is a bit "boring", I find that a well tuned iem that is balanced is less fatiguing typically and very receptive to different genres of music. If you don't know what signature you like, this is a great and safe iem and I'd highly recommend it as a viable option in the sub $100 category.

TINHIFI T2 Plus

The T2 Plus is my first introduction to TinHifi. I was excited to try them after reading so many positive reviews on other TinHifi earphones. I wasn't disappointed!

The packaging is very nice and premium looking. I love the blue and gold theme. These just look and feel high quality.

The body of the earphones is machined from aviation grade aluminum alloy and feels nice to the touch. They have a single well-tuned Nano Creative Dynamic Driver per side. The shells are sleek and fit almost flush in the ear. They are extremely comfortable and I forget they are in sometimes. I really like the organic shape and minimalist design of them.

The Silver Plated cable is quite nice for a stock cable and feels soft and supple with metal MMCX connectors. The clear plastic chin cinch is handy for keeping tangles to a minimum. Just slide the bead up to the MMCX connectors before winding the cable for storage. Cinching the cable up under your chin can help reduce cable noise though I didn't experience any noise.

I did all my listening with my Hiby R3 pro using all flacs, 16bit 44.1k or better.

With many new earphones sporting 5, 6, 7 or more drivers per side, I was excited to try a well engineered single driver earphone. Having only one driver per side eliminates the need for crossover networks to divide the signal between multiple drivers. This eliminates phase issues between the drivers and helps keep the frequency response curve nice and smooth. These have a very natural and balanced sound signature that has no ugly peaks and valleys. They sound very natural and smooth. The low frequencies extend deep and sub bass effects are heard and felt. The bass is fast and accurate but not to the point of sounding cold or sterile. There is enough roundness and fullness to the bass that kick drums and other bass instruments sound powerful and natural. The bass is definitely boosted, but in a good way. There is plenty of deep bass, and upper bass lends warmth to the mids without sounding muddy. I love the way you can hear the sound of the beater striking the kick drums. It has a nice detail without getting too bright and spikey. They just sound natural.

The mids are the star of the show. They are smooth and silky while still having excellent detail. I can hear details in tracks that I didn't know existed. Acoustic instruments sound woody and detailed with lots of harmonic overtones. Its suprizing how much detail you hear even without the massive high mid peak that often plagues earphones that have balanced armatures. The dynamic driver is balanced and full of detail and texture.

High frequencies are bright, but not siblant. There is no harshness or ice-pick peaks. They are not overly bright so the mids shine through. I like these!

Soundstage is about average. Boosting the treble can give these a more spacious sound but the mids can get pushed back in the process if you overdo it. I like the tuning. They just sound natural and organic, not hyped and brash. That describes these earphones well. They are beautifully balanced and have detail everywhere. These sound smooth and even. They just sound real. They sound good with all genres of music but really shine on mixes with acoustic instruments. Classical sounds great! Pure and honest. They are not overly hyped or bass/treble boosted excessively. They are balanced.

Obviously, I love these things!

Also, Kinboofi is always great to deal with and I want to thank Kiki for sending out this review sample.

Thanks for reading! Hope this helps you find the right earphones.

Preamble/Disclaimer
The Tin T2 was one of the very first ChiFi IEMs I bought after being surprised by the KZ ZS10 and how close they ran my Sennheiser IE60 (I'd originally bought them to have disposable IEMs for outside use.) Read the reviews of the T2, jumped on the hype train and down the rabbit hole. I've always had a soft spot for the sound of the T2 and was looking at getting the P1 but funds didn't allow. THEN I GOT AN EMAIL OFFERING ME THE T2 PLUS IN EXCHANGE FOR A REVIEW. Did I want this? Hell yeah!

The short wait for the arrival was spent reacquainting myself with the original. It was like bumping into an old flame and realising I should have stuck with her instead of persuing temptation. Those old things are amazing.

So we have here an IEM that I'm predisposed towards liking - but also that has a lot to live up to. How "plus" is it? Are there diminishing returns? Is the plus a minus?

First Impressions




Packaging is, for Chifi, really well presented. Totally gimmick free but also devoid of the poorly translation of not first my language of the English. Not to laugh please!
Included stuff is on the cheap side. A decent cable, a set of foamies, some silicones on the IEMs and some more in a baggie. A little carry case would be nice, but for the dollar costs have to be kept down so it's understandable.

So out of the packaging and into the ears, and Ermigurd, this is horrible. Not very plus at all. No bass whatsoever, sounds out of phase and worse than a £10 KZ (Other cheap sets are available). Fine, out with the large silicones and it's just as bad, with the added fun bonus of being uncomfortable. Lush. I remembered the original T2 foamies to be not that awful, so with some trepidation I inserted these and finally! My ears had some happiness.

Now, the original T2s were frequently accused of being too bass light and flat sounding. Sans amplification, they were nothing special. Fed with a bit more juice though, and they came alive. Though it does have to be said that the T2 was never in any danger of being heavy in the bass.

The very first impression of the T2 plus is that, yes, they've actually tuned a little bit of bass into it this time and it doesn't sound quite so lifeless being driven by a phone. That said, it sounded straight away like an IEM that could sparkle a bit more than straight out of the phone. I've enough amps and DAPs kicking around that this is no biggie for me. Point of note - these don't hiss at all even when being asked to handle an inappropriate amp such as the Little Dot 1+ in high gain mode. (It was there, OK....)

Suitably amplified, I began to critically listen and explore. One of the first tracks I listened to was a recording of Beethoven's 5th on Tidal. Straight away, the combination of punch and slam for the Dadada Daaaaaas and the subtlety, nuance and sense of timing to handle the gentler parts of the piece blew me away. Transients are handled with consumate ease, like the drivers have no inertia whatsoever and the sense of space is only replicated in my head gear by my HiFiMan HE400i. It also manages to put things in the right place. On "Shiny Happy People" Cate is slightly below and to the left of Michael, rather than the unnerving sound a lot of budget sets give where she is singing from in his throat.
Good Hifi makes one want to listen to all the songs they like - great hifi makes one want to listen to the songs they DON'T like. So it should be telling that the next track I listened to was "Soda Pop" by Britney Spears. It's so fast and punchy, like a staccato assault on the brain. If you aren't clicking your fingers or dancing or nodding your head to this track on these IEMs with some form of amplification then you've no soul.

Bass

Ah, bass. Natural predator of the original Tin T2. This is one area where the Plus could use being a "plus" over the original.

And so it is. It has no issue with the sheer lowness of "Still D.R.E", "Love Me Or Hate Me" (Lady Sovereign), "Bad Meets Evil" (Eminem) or "Out of Space" by the Prodigy. It's not rattling my brain around in my head and as such might not be enough for some people who are all about that bass, no treble... But it's definitely an improvement over the original.

There's more to bass than sheer depth though - these can really keep up with the tight fast bass of " 'merican" by Descendants or "Land of The Free" by Pennywise. The accuracy of the upright bass on "There She Goes" by Baby shambles is perhaps second to none - in fact, I think this is the best I've ever heard this track sound right across the board.

Overall the bass is a very definite improvement over the original. Not a sea change it has to be said, but a strong step in the right direction. Unless you're a basshead, these will be fine.

Mids

Always a strong point of the original, it comes as no surprise to discover that they are still excellent. The level of detail in "Tom's Diner" by Suzanne Vega is simply astonishing, from the reverb of the room, the timbre of her voice. Even the saliva in her mouth. Likewise Johnny Cash's rich voice on "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky" sounds fantastic.
Moving on to the sound of guitars, the Les Paul on Money For Nothing (Dire Straits) sounds bang on, and even "Paranoid" (Black Sabbath) sounds properly good, despite being a terrible recording.

Treble
Just like the bass, this could be perceived as a weakness of the T2 Plus. I think if you are hypersensitive to treble you might struggle a little with these. They do have a certain brightness to them (much in common with the original, but slightly less - possibly my ears playing tricks on me and hearing less bass as more treble)
which is great for the intricate percussion at the top end of "Coin Operated Boy" by Dresden Dolls but can present as slight sibilance in the likes of early Oasis and Libertines stuff. To me, there SHOULD be a hint of sibilance to Pete Doherty's voice and when it comes to Oasis, Definitely Maybe was always borderline unlistenable on bright equipment. So to me it sounds "right" to have treble such as this but my ears are 40 years old, and I'm accustomed to sibilance on 20+ year old recordings. If you're a youngun with treble sensitive ears they might just be a bit friggin much.

Conclusion
You may have guessed from my fawning tones that I am a HUGE fan of this beauty. And why wouldn't I be? It takes one of my old favourites, slightly improves where it was weak and doesn't add any negatives all of its own. If only Blon had achieved the same level of improvement with the BL05...
For me, this is right at the top of the pile of sub £50 IEMs, sure the Blon BL03 has a tonality all of its own that is so loveable for a "valves and vinyl" old geezer like me, and the LZ A6 Mini has better bass (but doesn't sound as natural and if my sample of one is anything to go by has TERRIBLE build quality), but the T2 Plus just has it all. Timbre, technicality, soundstage, imaging. The hype train suggests it renders the T4 almost redundant and I'm inclined to believe that not having tested the T4.
But the elephant in the room is that the T2 is just over 30 quid right now and the Plus? Almost 50... Diminishing returns are a thing and the plus just isn't one and a half times better. It's even less cut and dried if you already own the T2. That is for you to decide, but if you want the best £50 you can buy, then buy a pair. Then buy a pair for your nan, one for your dog, a spare. It's brilliant.

Introduction

Once again, I'm going to look at a product from Tin HiFi, the brand established in the Guangdong province of China, created in 2017. This time, it is the new Tin HiFi T2 Plus model, which could be an improved version of its previous T2 and T2 Pro models, although the aesthetic differences are quite large. For this occasion, Tin Hifi has used a dynamic 10mm NanoPure nickel-zinc alloy driver, located inside a high quality matt aluminium capsule. It seems that the T2 Plus model is the last iteration of the T2 line. Its tuning is based on the P1 and T4 models. We have sought a precise image and a good and pleasant tonal response, seeking the highest possible fidelity. The high frequencies have been slightly softened, but without losing the ability to extract details. In the middle zone, the aim has been to gain in linearity to reproduce it in a neutral way, so that the instruments sound as natural as possible. Finally, the lower zone has been tuned to extend even below 10Hz, to gain in strength and depth.

Under these premises, the redesign of a very soft, rounded capsule, which allows a deeper adjustment and up to 32dB of sound insulation, together with the 4-strand cable, built in 22AWG copper and silver plated, Tin HiFi has created the T2 Plus, with the idea of satisfying the most demanding listeners. We'll see if they make it.



Specifications

• Driver Type: 10mm Dynamic Woofer
• Frequency Response: 10-20kHz
• Sensitivity: 104±3bBdB @1kHz 0.126V
• Impedance: 32Ω±15%
• Distortion Ratio: 1% @1kHz 0.126V
• Nominal power: 3mW
• Maximum power: 5mW
• Jack connector: 3.5mm black carbon multi dimensional heavy plug
• Conductor/cable: 1.25m (22/0.06AS Silver-plated Enameled+200D Kevlar)*4, Transparent Super Soft PVC Cable
• Capsule Connection Type: Gold Plated MMCX

Packaging

The T2 Plus comes in a completely white rectangular box. Its measures are 140x78x44mm. On the main side you can only read "T2 Plus" in the upper right corner and the brand logo in the lower left corner. Both inscriptions are gilded. On the back side there are several barcodes and the respective logos, with the different certifications. After opening the box, a thick, blue-coloured hardcover case appears. The surface is soft and has a sandy micro texture. The golden logo of the brand appears, again, in the centre. At the base, there is a golden stripe, which surrounds it completely. After lifting the lid, the two capsules can be seen, placed in a thick foam mould. Under it, there are several plastic bags, which contain the rest of the accessories. In short, the content is:

• The two capsules.
• 6 pairs of white silicone tips, two pairs per size SxMxL.
• 1 pair of grey foam tips, medium size.
• 1 cable of 4 strands.
• A guarantee card.
• Instruction manual

I miss a transport box, which protects the IEMS when we store them or take them to the street. On the other hand, the packaging is very compact, well laid out and with enough tips. The cable is quite good quality. Too bad there is not even a small bag to store the headphones.


Construction and Design

The capsules have a shape, which has been widely used at famous IEMS in this price segment, which is an oval, with very smooth edges, resembling a drop of water, where the cable connection is almost at one end and is completely integrated into the capsule itself. They are made of matt aluminium, whose external texture is slightly rough, at micro level. It is easy to see that the capsules have two parts, because the division of both runs along the entire edge. The outer side has no inscription, but there is a hole at the bottom of the capsule. On the inner side are the nozzles, located near the end. At their feet, there is another hole. Beyond this is the letter that identifies the channel, in dark grey ink. On the upper edge, in white ink, you can read "TINHIFI" and a code of letters and numbers, below. At the end, there is the MMCX connection, embedded in the body of the capsule. The nozzles have three diameters, the outer and largest measuring 5.5mm, while its total height is about 4.5mm. The inside of the nozzles is protected by a very dense metal grid with microscopic holes. The body feels very solid, soft and beautiful. The cable's MMCX connector sleeve has the same texture and colour. Between the connection, to identify the channel, there is a plastic ring: the red one is the right side and the transparent one is the left side. At the end of these sleeves, there is a coating that softly hardens the cable to shape it over the ear. The cable adjustment pin is a transparent plastic ball. The dividing piece is a metal cylinder, built along the lines of the IEMS. It has the brand logo, inscribed in the centre, in white ink. Finally, the plug is 3.5m audio, with a sleeve that has a wide rugged band. A soft grey velcro strip helps to collect the cable during storage. The cable has 4 strands of silver-plated 22AWG copper. Each strand of the cable is wrapped in Kevlar 200D, helping to reduce microphony and increase its life span, without losing its softness and flexibility.

In conclusion, the construction is remarkable, although the design has become somewhat redundant of late. On the other hand, the cable is really good, far outperforming many of its direct rivals.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

The extremely smooth shape of its curves, associated with the surface texture, promotes a comfortable fit. Depending on the depth of the insertion, which our anatomy allows, the adjustment will be simple and more or less durable. In my case, the insertion is superficial, which gives some extra, but undesirable, freedom: the turning or rotation of the capsule within the ear. This effect has no negative effect on the comfort of the product, but it does influence the sound. If the bottom hole is blocked, the bass response is drastically reduced. This effect can occur, if any part of our ears matches this hole. On the other hand, if the inner hole is covered, the effect is completely opposite, increasing the amount of bass. In this way, the adjustment can affect the final sound of the set. In my case, I must be careful not to cover the lower hole, so as not to lose bass response, which I achieve by slightly rotating the capsules, simply by pulling the cable behind my ears.

In short, the ergonomics are quite good, but the bass ports are not in the best position.



Sound

Profile

The profile of the T2 plus seeks neutrality, without losing presence in each range, but softening its response. The result is a fairly flat profile, which does not have excessive peaks, nor a predominant presence of any band.



Bass

From the brand itself, the T2 Plus are presented with a bass enhancement in comparison to their previous versions, emphasizing the deeper area, with the idea of gaining strength. And so it is, the desired depth is achieved, but I do not find that its response, in the lower zone, is predominant. Previously, I have spoken of the incidence that it supposes, to cover one or another port of bass. Perhaps, depending on the anatomy of each one or the tips used, I can obtain a more or less emphasized response, of the low range. In my case, I do not find that bass are perceived as very predominant. It's true that they are not bass-light, but I don't think they will satisfy bass lovers either. And that is something that can be seen in the frequency response itself.

The low zone is more focused on softness, than on its prominence. It is perceived to be quite linear, with good depth, without a persistent predominance of the mid zone, nor any bloating. This achieves a neutral sonority, which has good speed and a somewhat slower decay, without a negative residue, but which provides a certain warmth to the whole and a minimum intrusion, slightly perceptible, in the middle zone, fruit of the sought-after linearity. Its texture is not very pronounced, with a predominance of smoothness and homogeneity in reproduction. They are not IEMS that are lavished on the recreation of planes, as they do not stratify them too much, nor are they capable of desegregating them with sufficient precision. It is a version that has a good colour, pleasant, velvety sound and a good touch of depth, but it does not have the technical capacity to provide greater resolution, to represent the area in a more descriptive way, than clean.



Mids

A flatter profile, with an emphasis on the upper-middle zone, has a more explicit and descriptive central part than the rest. However, the texture still does not have a high resolution, which allows for a more extensive display of details. The representation remains soft, linear, fairly flat and smooth, without losing the pleasant feel that characterises the sound of the T2 Plus. The lower part of the range lacks a certain body that enhances the instruments in that area and enhances the male voices, due to the recession in that first half. In this way, the recreation feels thinner than full-bodied, but grateful for the tonal warmth it possesses. The mids are not completely boring or anodyne, but have enough delicacy to obtain a quantity of nuances and a remarkable realism, but without entering into an analytical field. The help comes, thanks to that second half enhanced, but in a controlled way. It is not a prominent V, but something more like a step in presence, a slight leap that emancipates the female voices and adds freshness, which is not lively, in those high mediums. And I want to comment on my feeling of non-liveness, in this upper zone: I have needed a lot of cerebral burining to get used to these T2 Plus. Initially, I found their sound quite flat, I missed more presence in the bass and a little more brightness from the middle onwards. But, of course, it's not a V-shaped IEMS, but something more homogeneous and neutral. Inevitably, I have ended up succumbing to the virtues of these Tin HiFis, even though they don't fit my preferences. In that sense, it's worth noting the musicality, neutrality and balance they possess, which results in a very calm, smooth, well-executed and very pleasant listening, once you get into their flow. Although, I still think that the upper mids don't have the expected spark, that glow that energizes the listening and the dressing of small details, polished and entertaining. The detail does exist, yes, but in a flush and filed way, making softness its most characteristic adjective. However, the most outstanding feature of the range is its width and the space occupied by both the voices and the instruments, offering a very relevant presence within the sound of the T2, making it bigger.



Treble

And what about the treble that I haven't said about the upper mid-range. I could start at the end, praising their good extension and their contained excitement, which brings a placid and peaceful naturalness, without cold flashes or undesirable peaks. But I must also comment on that lack of brilliance and sparkle, which stirs up the music and my ears. Yes, this boy is nice and he will never make you look bad, nor will he cause you pain, but don't expect him to jump or run, he is just a peaceful companion.



Soundstage, Separation

The T2 Plus scene is characterized by its almost excellent width. The image is semi-oval, limited in depth and height, as opposed to its wide opening. The notable sensation of musical cleanliness expands the stage, perceiving a good dose of free space and an appropriate level of instrumental recreation, without the precision, in that sense, being very remarkable. On the other hand, it is a question of offering continuity to the general smoothness, providing a fairly fluid, almost liquid music, where the details are exposed quite sufficiently in the midrange, a result that is more limited at the upper end.



Comparisons

NS Audio NS3

NS Audio is a reference brand for me. The two models I own are among my favourites in their range. The NS3 have a soft V-profile, with a warm trend and some darkness. Its low zone is more present than in the T2 Plus, however the highs, despite its nuance, are more easily presented in the T2, that makes the details have a more appreciable sparkle, something that covers the darkness and some hollow of the NS3.

Going back to the bass, the NS3 have a more accentuated roughness, which gives it a more attractive vibration, with greater descriptive power and a higher amount of nuances. The sub-bass feels quite deep, with a full, round body. The T2 seems faster, has good depth, but is smoother and softer. In addition, its sediment may not be as long as in the NS3. However, the depth and the feeling of darkness, contributes to the lower zone of the NS3 being more realistic and with a better timbre, as well as a more exciting and vivid colour, capable of recreating more planes and a more complex texture.

In the middle area, a higher density can be seen in the T2 Plus, with a wider and more complete presence. In the NS3 you can feel its profile a little more in V, where the sensation is lighter, a little more liberated, less intense. The choice of music genres can easily be made between IEMS and others, as these virtues can be enhanced, depending on the song. By virtue of the pieces that sound, T2 Plus can even be more dull than the NS3 and these have a greater dynamism and liveliness in the upper mid-range, offering a clearer and more exciting sound. On other occasions, T2 Plus offer a wider stage, where the NS3s are simpler and more uninspired. However, what is certain is that the T2 Plus are still characterised by softer, more homogeneous and more globally present mids.

The sonority of the treble is quite different, being thinner in the NS3, more trimmed in initial extension. Meanwhile, in the T2 Plus, they are flatter and wider, with a greater presence in those areas where the NS3 have holes. This gives the T2 Plus a greater richness in certain nuances, something that can turn against them when the treble to be reproduced is not so smooth.

The T2 Plus scene is quite wide, as is the NS3, but the NS3 has more depth and height. Also, their lower density, makes a greater separation more appreciable.

Finally, I have found that the T2 plus are more dependent on the source used: some make their sound flatter and more boring, while others seem to "brighten up" their profile more. The NS3s do not have this dependence.



Conclusion

I have gone through many phases during my tests with the Tin HiFi T2 Plus. But I have to be honest: my first opinion about them was somewhat disappointing. Coming from the T4, with a more analytical profile and its lower zone more present, I found the T2 Plus, quite flat and boring. Little by little, I've been burning my brain to get used to their duller profile, but also softer and more homogeneous...peaceful, above all. And that's what I highlight most about them. Within its smoothness, its width predominates without shocks, but without it decreasing, hardly, any frequency. And this is a great virtue, since it is not easy to find such a well-rounded, balanced and extensive profile. From the deepest area, the T2 Plus do not lose the kindness that characterizes them, not even in the highs, conserving a remarkable dose of details and nuances, besides offering a noticeable scene and a superb sensation of separation. And what can we say about their excellent mids... Then, my advice is clear: leave the blond one and move to the silver one.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Burson Audio Playmate
• xDuoo XP-2Pro
• xDuoo X3II
• Qudelix-5K
• JWD JWM-115

Ratings

• Construction and Design: 80
• Adjustment/Ergonomics: 80
• Accessories: 80
• Bass: 82
• Mids: 90
• Treble: 84
• Separation: 83
• Soundstage: 85
• Quality/Price: 91

Purchase Link

You can read the full review in Spanish here

disclaimer: Hifigo offered the TinHifi T2 plus for review and I gladly accepted. I have had the opportunity to try several other Tinhifi models and find them to be a good value with performance typically outperforming their price point. I have no financial interest in TinHifi or Hifigo, nor have either had any input in this review. If you are interested in the T2 Plus, visit the Tin Hifi Facebook Page or to purchase the T2 Plus visit Hifigo.

Unboxing / Packaging:
Tin hifi has developed a signature packaging with a white outer cover over a medium blue box. The T2 Plus continues that trend with the outer packaging having the model and logo and the inner box having the gold seal logo on the cover. Unlike most other brands, specs are not found anywhere on the packaging. Once you lift the cover, the earpieces are seated in foam surround with the rest of the accessories hiding beneath it. The kit includes 7 sets of tips (6 silicones, 2 sets each of S,M,L and one set of foams), cable, cable tie, and warranty card. I’ll admit to some disappointment that the T2 Plus didn’t come with the same case as the P1 as it was very well done. Unfortunately, the T2 Plus does not come with a case at all so most will want to pick something up for transport and storage.




Build/Fit:
And if the packaging is classic TinHifi, the build isn’t. The T2 Plus is a complete departure from the T2 in form. While previous models have been barrel shaped with the nozzle on the face, the T2Plus is a more classic shape with a 2 part aluminum shell and the nozzle built in to the inner shell exiting the front edge with a distinct upward rake. The shell does not have a distinct faceplate as the outer and inner are roughly the same size with the mmcx connector being partially housed in both. There are two vents one just behind the nozzle and one on the bottom in the outer shell. The inner vent provides for air movement to the front of the driver while the bottom vent provides air to the rear face of the driver. One needs to be somewhat careful with fit as it is particularly easy to obstruct the rear vent. If you do, bass gets bigger and less defined (you’ll know). I appreciate the lack of sharp edges on the shell and the rounded shape, but when combined with the slim depth of the T2-Plus, I find it a bit hard to get a solid fit in ear without it wanting to move during periods of exercise. The good news is for small ears these may be an option as they should be easier to fit than many. Comfort is good for long term wear with no physical fatigue.




Internals:
The T2Plus uses the same tried and true formula that Tin Hifi has used on previous T Series models. The 10mm driver from the T2 was re-worked using a nickel-zinc Alloy to strengthen it, reduce distortion, and improve extension. Tin Hifi lists the new drivers as having a frequency range down to 10Hz where previous models list only to 20Hz at the bottom end. Power handling was improved as well with rated output increased to 3mW and maximum output to 5mW. The T2Plus needs a bit of power to operate to its full potential as nominal impedance is listed as 32Ω±15% with a rated sensitivity of 104±3bBdB @1K HzV 0.126V. I found I could run them from my phone in high power mode but it showed a definite preference for a more potent source as bass was a bit anemic when paired to phone. It doesn’t require as much power as the P1, but more than the recently released T4.




Cable:
The provided cable is silver-plated copper in a clear casing. Fitting are a straight 3.5mm TRS jack in a knurled aluminum housing with a short strain relief, an aluminum splitter with the Tinhifi logo, a glass bead chin slider, and aluminum housed mmcx connectors at the north end. Connectors are labeled L/R with the right having a red surround on the connector as well. The cable is 4 braided strands below the splitter and twisted pairs above. I found the cable very pliable and comfortable, and the pre-formed earhooks spread the weight of the earpieces well for extended listening. Time will tell if the cable starts to take on a green tint as so many of my similar models have, but for now its a very good looking and very functional cable.




Sound:


The T series has a reputation for being slightly bright with good mids and a de-emphasized low end. Tin T2-Plus retains some characteristics but has more low-end than previous models. I’ve tried to compare it to the other members of the T-series in the comparison section so will avoid comparisons here in the sound notes.

Bass:
The sub-bass has good presence in the mix and while still not the primary focus of the sound, it has enough rumble to be a good option for movies, hip-hop, and edm. Mid-bass had good speed both on attack and decay (slightly slower than attack) which gives the mid-bass a very clean, textured sound without adding un-natural weight or thickness. Mid-bass is about as good as I’ve found in the budget segment. There is no bleed to speak of, and transition from the mid-bass into the mids is very good indeed.

Mids:
Lower-mids transition cleanly from the mid-bass and have good detail and weight. I’d have been really disappointed if TinHifi had messed this up. Male vocals have good timbre and while they are slightly behind higher voices, they don’t sound recessed or distant. Guitars have good growl with enough edge to sound natural without getting harsh. Strings have good timbre and texture as well and with the upper-mid push, violins have a more natural sound than most budget offerings. The upper-mids are emphasized mildly, and push female vocals slightly forward but lack enough emphasis to result in stridency or sibilance.

Treble:
The emphasis of the upper-mids continues into the lower treble before dropping back slightly in the true treble range. The treble has good details and some micro-detail. Extension is good with roll-off above the limits of my hearing. Snare rattle is good but the leading edge isn’t quite as jagged as it could be. Cymbals are well rendered without a pronounced metallic tone. There is more air and sparkle than expected in a budget in-ear as well.

Soundstage / Imaging:
The soundstage on the T2plus is wider than deep with some sense of height but is not outside the expected for this price point. The good news is instrument separation is above average so seating the orchestra is fairly straight forward even if stage is not as well-proportioned as one would hope for. Here again the speed of the driver helps. Imgaging is also good with movements being easily tracked and locations being easy to identify even though I did find the instrument positions to be slightly less tightly defined than some higher price point models.

Comparisons:

So how does the T2Plus compare to its namesake The T2?

Shape wise the T2 Plus is more comfortable and smaller than the original but the form is enough different that the original may fit some people better due to the straight insertion style of the original. Sound wise, the Plus has more sub-bass presence and a more weighty mid-bass as well while the original is a bit thinner. Mids are similar, but again the Plus is a bit more balanced and has a bit more detail to the lower mids in particular. The upper-mid/lower-treble push of the original T2 gives it a bright overall sound while the Plus is better balanced and the top end doesn’t jump out as the dominant feature of the sound. Instrument separation is also slightly better on the Plus. All in all, the Plus is well the T2 improved.

How about the T4, most reviewers called it an improved T2 so is the Plus better than it?

The T4 has more of a bass emphasis (both sub-bass and mid-bass) than the Plus and a bit more of a push forward on the top end as well. With both ends being more elevated, the T4 mids feel a bit more behind the lows and highs comparatively while the Plus is a bit more linear by comparison. The Plus bass isn’t as emphasized but is a bit faster and cleaner to my ear so bassheads may prefer the T4 while those who appreciate particularly tight and clean will like the Plus a bit better. These two have more in common than they should considering the disparity in price and while the T4 is billed as the flagship, the T2 Plus may well dethrone it.

Ok so how about competitors in today’s market? With a retail around $60 USD that puts it in the class with things like the CCA Ca16, the Ibasso IT00, and the TRN Ba5. All of these are solid offerings so if the Plus doesn’t stand up to the test, it will fall flat pretty quick.

CCA CA16 –
Shells are smaller and better made on the T2 Plus vs the Ca16’s plastic multi-part design so the T2 wins on build. The cable on the Plus is also a bit higher grade than the one provided with the Ca16. Internally the two are equally dissimilar. The Plus is a single dynamic driver while the Ca16 is multi-driver hybrid so we expect the Ca16 to be capable of better detail and separation and the Plus to be a bit smoother, and while for the most part that is true, the Ca16 is more recessed in the mids so the Plus outshines it there. The Ca16 has slightly more mid-bass, similar sub-bass, and slightly more grain to the treble. Sound will be the deciding factor for many with the Ca16 a bit more detailed and the Plus smoother and a bit cleaner.

Ibasso IT00 –
So now we have the opposite of the previous compare, here shells are different (resin vs aluminum) and internals are very similar (1omm dynamics). The Plus is smaller and thinner than the IT00 so fit may be easier with the Plus. Cables are good on both so no clear winner there. The IT00 does come with a better kit than the Plus so it wins points there. Sound wise, the IT00 is a bit thicker bodied than the Plus and has a warmer sound as well. The Plus sounds a bit cleaner so while the IT00 has a bit more body, vocals are a touch clearer and better defined on the Plus. The IT00 has more sub-bass emphasis, a bit more forward lower treble, and a touch more extension at the top. The Plus is more linear and has tighter definition but lacks a little weight and is slightly cooler.

TRN Ba5-
The Ba5 is a hybrid shell with a resin inner shell and a metal face plate compared to the Plus’ all metal construction. The cable provided with the T2 Plus is a bit better and the T2 Plus comes more tips, but neither comes with a case so kit is similar. Internally, the Ba5 is an all balanced armature arrangement while the Plus is a single dynamic driver. The Ba5 has more bass, but slightly less sub-bass extension and rumble. Both are clean in the lows, with the Ba5 a bit better at handling fast tracks before showing signs of compression. Mids are much more recessed on the Ba5 compared to the Plus as is lower treble as the Ba5 has a push forward at the true treble rather than the earlier push of the Plus. Extension is good on both but slightly better on the Ba5. Detail is slightly better on the Ba5 throughout, but timbre and texture is better on the Plus and it has a much more natural tonality as a result.

Thoughts / Conclusion:

Tin Hifi has built quite a following with the T Series as many will argue they are (as a group) among the best budget options that have been available in recent years so they have big shoes to fill each time a new product is released. The T3 was a bit of a miss so everyone was excited when the T4 came out and was once again a great budget option.

Now the T2 Plus arrives and with the shape being such a departure from the rest of the line, I think most were a bit confused and not sure what to expect. It certainly doesn’t look like a T2, but it does sound like an improved one. With other competitors raising the bar, it isn’t surprising that TinHifi wanted to position the T2 Plus in the $50 space where the T4 aims at the $100 range. The biggest problem for TinHifi may just be that the T2 Plus competes well enough with the T4 to actually draw sales away from it. The two share about 90% of the same signature and the Plus is 50% of the cost. Tin Hifi hit the mark with the Plus as an improved T2, better low end, slightly cleaner, easier fit, and retains the things that made the T2 a favorite. It should sell quite well. For me, it slips into the #2 spot just slightly behind the IT00 and for many that would like a bit less warm signature, it may well take the top spot.

Introduction

This is a review of the Tin HiFi T2 Plus. It is a single DD IEM that costs $50-60 (depending on sales) from Linsoul. I received the T2 Plus from Linsoul in exchange for this honest review. I have not been or will be compensated in any other way.

For those new to Tin HiFi (formerly known as Tin Audio), here's a quick primer. A couple years ago, Tin HiFi released the T2. Relatively unknown at the time, a few people picked it up as yet another ChiFi curiousity thanks to a handful of reviews and a timely Aliexpress spring sale. To their surprise, the Tin T2 was a splendid IEM with a unique neutral tuning rarely seen in the budget realm. Rave reviews soon followed. Spurred by the success of the T2, Tin HiFi capitalized on their newly acquired brand recognition, soon producing well regarded IEMs such as the Tin T3 and T4 but occasionally stumbling with questionable IEMs such as the T2 Pro.

Within the past few years, ChiFi has been undergoing somewhat of a renaissance. Mostly gone are the days of poorly tuned V-shaped monsters from companies like KZ. The budget market is now filled with a wide variety of decently well tuned IEMs to fit any one's taste. And all of this started with the T2. Perhaps I may be giving the T2 too much credit as it surely isn't the first hyped up ChiFi IEM. But as far as I can tell, it seems to be the first reference-style tuned IEM that kick-started a entire paradigm shift in the budget market.

As for the T2 Plus, it is Tin HiFi's latest offering after the release of the Tin T4. But don't let its name or low price fool you. It doesn't have too much in common with the original T2 or any of Tin's other offerings. Priced at $50-60, it competes directly with the Tin T3. So where does it stand?







What's in the Box?

The box it comes in is reminiscent of the original T2: a simple white box. The inner box opens to reveal the IEMs themselves with a compartment below that holds the MMCX cable, foam tips, and a few pairs of silicon tips. As usual, Tin HiFi is stubbornly sticking to the MMCX standard despite the multitude of issues it has given them in the past. This time however, the cable is quite nice. It's soft and supple with no cable memory and low level of cable noise. The MMCX connection feels solid and does not swivel freely. It does have included earhooks of the soft molded kind without memory wires. Like the Tin T3's cable, the T2 Plus' is one you likely won't want to replace.

The fit of the T2 Plus is shockingly good. Despite looking like a Blon BL03 ripoff, I was floored at how well it fits me and how comfortable it is. Between its ergonomic shell and a nozzle diameter that's smaller than the previous T2/T3/T4, I wouldn't mind if all future Tin HiFi IEMs use the same cable and shell. This is one of the best fitting and comfortable budget IEMs I've tried.



Sound

Overall Impressions:

Right from the get-go, the T2 Plus is not the T2. There is too much bass here compared to the relatively bass light T2. The best way to describe it is as a mild V-shape with a bright slant. It has a sizable bass boost that extends into the mids to give it an overall warmish tone. Upper mids aren't overly blown and transitions nicely into a lively treble. As a whole, its signature has a maintains part of that Tin HiFi reference tuning masked under an elevated low end. For most people, the T2 Plus will have "fun" tuning that works well as a jack-of-all-trades with an overall balanced tone.


Bass:

My biggest (and only) gripe with the T2 Plus is its bass response. It has a reasonable amount of bass to give the T2 Plus low end presence and extends down to about 40 Hz with a minor roll-off at 20 Hz. The T2 Plus maintains this bass response all the way in to the mids, giving it a more mid-bassy signature rather than a sub-bassy one. The problem is that the T2 Plus' bass response is undefined when it comes to drums. It's loose, boomy, and weirdly enough... bouncy(?). The kick drum and low toms seem to lack that part of that deep, weighted oomph to them. It's as if you hear more of the beater head or stick impact and the immediate bounce back of the drum head rather than the full resonance of the drum. It doesn't have the slam or tightness necessary to convey a sense of authority. Nor does it have much rumble. In this respect, the T2 Plus is unique as I have not heard a bass response like this before. Despite graphing with a sizable bass response, low notes sometimes just does not have as much depth I'd expect. Perhaps it has something to do with the upper harmonics in the treble. I think that perhaps if the T2 Plus had about 2 dB less bass, this effect would be somewhat mitigated or at least, less noticeable. Overall though, this isn't a deal breaker by any means. Bass presence is clean and notes are well defined in bass guitar or synth lines.


Mids:

I quite like the mids of the T2 Plus. The low mids are slightly warm and bring a touch of richness to a variety of instruments. The upper mids cut cleanly through without ever being harsh. Instruments are realistically presented and balance nicely with each other in the mix. Vocals are neither too forward or recessed, with no preference towards male or female vocals. Typical vocal pitfalls aren't a problem here; vocals aren't shrill, shouty, or sibilant. The upper mids may graph odd with its early rise and plateau starting around 1.5 kHz, but there's nothing odd about the sound. As a whole, the T2 Plus' mids fall within a Goldilocks zone for me. Everything is about right. Maybe minor tweaks here and there would make them sound phenomenal but I'm happy with what the T2 Plus brings.


Treble:

I really like the treble of the T2 Plus. It's leans bright with a sustained lower treble presence that continues seamlessly from the upper mids. I particularly like how smooth the T2 Plus' treble sounds; there are no noticeable peaks or dips that jump out at me. My simple test for treble is how well it can render hats and cymbals and the vast majority of IEMs I've tried fail this test. The T2 Plus does not. The notes of the ride cymbal have that clean, delicate, crystalline shimmer to them. Hats have a crisp, lively sound that brightens and adds flavor to music. Crash cymbals have a gracious decay and rarely devolves into a trashy mess. Chime and bell-like instruments are able to cut right through the mix without seeming out of place. Rarely do I enjoy the treble of an IEM this much but the T2 Plus simply does a tremendous job without relying on an overly bright and exaggerated signature. Its presentation by far the best of any budget IEM I've heard and I certainly wouldn't mind it on some of the higher end IEMs I've tried.



Presentation:

Soundstage is above average for width, average for depth and height. Imaging is really quite solid with a nuanced spatial distinction. There is a nice sense of space in this IEM that isn't in-your-face or closed off. I think the former is due to the non-shouty nature of the tuning. The latter is from the rather sizable vent holes that allow the driver to breathe.

Resolution is fantastic for its price. It isn't as immediately noticeable like on the Tin T4 or the Moondrop Starfield, but follows closely in their footsteps. In the same vein, note separation is quite good and really shines in slower, well recorded songs. Instrument separation is above average with decent layering, taking good advantage of the overall staging.



Comparisons:

Tin T2:

Ah the T2, the IEM that started it all. Unfortunately, over the past couple of years, it hasn't up to the test of time that well. Tuning wise, it's still a very unique IEM. Its upper mids combination with the minor lower mids bump is magic. But unless you want that specific tuning, the T2 Plus otherwise beats it handily in technical ability. The treble response on the T2 Plus is notably better as the T2 has a couple of noticeable peaks and dips that manifests on my hats/cymbal test. At $35 vs $50-60, the T2 Plus isn't exactly in the same price bracket. Nonetheless, I'd get a T2 Plus over the T2 if you don't have a T2. If you do, I'd save up for a more substantial upgrade.

Tin T3:

In my opinion, the T3 is criminally overlooked. It's essentially an improved T2 that does not stray from the spirit of original tuning. Here, I prefer much prefer bass of the T3 than in the T2 Plus. The bass of the T3 isn't anything spectacular but it does have the tightness and slam that the T2 Plus frustratingly lacks. Technical ability wise, the T2 Plus does edge it out, only by a bit less this time around. At about $50-60 for either, it's honestly a toss-up which you should get. I'm inclined to say the T2 Plus just because the fit is likely to be better for most. And like the T2, the treble response of the T2 Plus is better than the T3.

Tin T4:

And here is the T4, one part of the $100-150 trifecta along with the Moondrop Starfield and the Etymotic ER2. The T4 undoubtedly has better technical ability, especially in resolution and bass response. But the T2 Plus takes the tuning and tone crown. The T4 may come off as too lean for some, with a potentially unforgiving treble. At $50 vs. $110, the T2 Plus is just a better value proposition. Plus, the much improved fit and better cable are just the cherries on top. The T4 still has its place as one of the most technically proficient IEMs at its price point but the T2 Plus is going to be a much safer buy for most. Now, if you're able to find the T4 on sale for $79, I'd start to lean towards getting the T4.




Should You Buy It?

Yes. If it hasn't been obvious yet, I really like the T2 Plus. I consider it to be one of the best IEM in the very competitive $50-60 segment despite my reservations about its bass. Sure there are other good IEMs at that price point but if you want a more balanced IEM that still maintains that fun factor, the T2 Plus makes a very compelling argument. And if you really value your treble, well, the T2 Plus may be the only budget IEM worth looking at.

To be honest, I wasn't thrilled by the T2 Plus when I first listened to it. In the first 10 minutes or so, I was fairly nonplussed (pun intended). Coming from much better, more neutral reference gear that I had, the T2 Plus sounded a little generic. It's certainly no giant killer. But as I started using it over the next couple of days and realized that it only cost about $50, I quickly became impressed. The price/performance of the T2 Plus is simply stellar. If only the bass response was halfway as good as I'd like it to be. Alas, it seems like despite Tin HiFi's best efforts, all of their great IEMs seem to all suffer from some minor flaw that keeps them from relative perfection.

Tin HifFI formally Tin audio T series has been a fan favorite, I myself had the T2 and T2 pro and T3 on loan from a friend unfortunately I lost my footage and reviews when my old computer died. I never got the chance to use the T3 or T4 so I can't compare these to them but as for the two its similar but IMO an improved version.

Build is light yet solid feeling, the unit is very ergonomic and I found it comfortable for long use and sleeping. The accessorizes are good a large assortment of silicon tips are included and a set of those nice Tin grey foam tips too. the shell is aluminum with only left and right markings making it look very pretty IMO and it comes with a gorgeous silver cable. I would recommend the T4 case to protect it as it looks very premium just like these earphones, plus it matches them.

Sound:

This will be easy because they sound great.

Bass: Base is clean , speedy and accurate there is some great details here as well.

Mids: are tuned to be much like that classic Tin sound giving the upper Mids great details and power. The T2 plus excels here with without going overboard, meaning its good for long listening.

Highs: Treble is accurate and is a little emphasized in the lower treble but mostly like most Tin tuning it has a great extension without rolling off to soon or not enough, its near perfect IMO.

Soundstage: Is very good almost organic not overly wide but far from narrow it falls perfectly in the middle somewhere, there is good imaging and instrument separation.

My Final Thoughts: The Tin T2 Plus are well made ,comfortable, beautiful and offer a much improved shape and cable over the really good T2. These have a very enjoyable signature that is both polite and detailed for long and critical listening sessions.

Introduction
The T2 plus is the latest model in the T series from Tin Hifi. Its transducer is a single DD described as a "NanoPure Nickel-Zinc" driver and has a diameter of 10mm. It is the third in the T2 series following the original T2 and the T2 Pro (both 2DD designs).

Description
Tin Hifi products are always a pleasure to unbox and the T2 plus is no exception. It comes in a white cover like the T3 containing a blue box with gold trim and Tin Hifi logo. Opening the box you will see the IEMs in a leather effect cut-out below which are stored the cable, spare tips and documentation.

In the box:
* T2 plus IEMs with pre-fitted eartips
* 4-core silver-plated cable
* One pair of foam tips
* Five further pairs of silicone tips
* Documentation

The IEMs are beautifully made from a silver-coloured alloy with a fine-textured matt finish. They are curvy in shape in a deviation from the former barrel form of the earlier T series models, and resemble the BLON BL-03 and Urban Fun ISS014 in shape. The channel identification is indicated by "L" and "R" on the underside, next to which there is a small pinhole vent. There is another similar vent at the base of the nozzle. The brand "Tin Hifi" is written on the side and there are no further markings with the faceplate perfectly plain. The interface is MMCX type.

The supplied cable is a 4-core silver-plated type with a fairly loose braid. It is an improvement over the one supplied with the T4 which was more loosely braided and sticky, but not as nice as the superb one which came with the T3. The 3.5mm plug is made of alloy and has a knurled finish and the cylindrical Y-split is also alloy with a Tin Hifi logo. The MMCX connectors have colour coding and there is a small spherical clear chin slider.

The T2 plus was tested using an Xduoo X20 DAP as the primary source. I also used a Sony NWZ A15 DAP, a Huawei smartphone and a CD player. A burn-in period of 100 hours was carried out and a wide range of musical genres was used for appraisal. The earpieces were very comfortable, but because of the short nozzles I changed the tips to my go-to ML Spiral Dots. I found the T2 plus somewhat power-hungry so weaker sources may benefit from amplification. Thankfully, the MMCX connection was secure and tight with no rotation.

First Impressions
The T2 plus immediately impressed me with its prodigious soundstage which was extensive in all three dimensions. The bass was firm, deep and solid with good texture, the midrange was clear, detailed and possessed excellent timbre, and was not at all recessed. The treble was detailed, clean and extended. There was a perfect balance between accuracy and musicality.

Bass
The bass performance was superb, reaching deep with good weight and displaying accurate tonality and high resolution. The emphasis was at the mid-point between sub-bass and mid-bass, not colouring the mids.

In "Three dances for Violin and Orchestra" by Herbert Howells, the orchestral bass drum had impressive weight and a natural airy resonance and decay with an authentic timbre. The sense of distance and ambience in the recording by the LPO under Richard Hickox was palpable.

Jonn Serrie's unique brand of space music brings together deep sub-bass drones and atmospheric synth chords. "The Flow of Time's Arrow" from the album "Thousand Star" is a perfect example. The deep sub-bass foundation impressed with the texture so necessary in this genre and never dominated the overall balance, allowing the delicate electronic effects and broad synth patches to shine.

The bass synthesiser and bass guitar playing together in "Something inside so Strong" by Labi Siffre retained their individual qualities while showing excellent separation and the soulful vocals remaining clear and well-articulated above the bass. The power of the lower frequencies in the climax was extremely dramatic.

Mids
The neutral-warm midrange was at the same level as the bass and showed a gentle rise towards the treble boundary, giving some air and vitality to the presence region. There was a well-judged balance between the analytical and the musical.

The timbre of the cello in "Un apres-midi" by Julian Lloyd Webber and Vangelis was very convincing, displaying a warm woody tone yet possessing the necessary bite in the bowing. Vangelis's sensitive electronic accompaniment was delicate and clear and blended perfectly with the solo instrument.

The distinctive quality of Enya's voice in "Echoes in Rain" from "Dark Sky Island" came over authentically with the character and individuality of her voice perfectly preserved. Even in the presence of the strong and deep synth bass background, her diction remained clearly audible.

Kurt Atterberg's "Varmlands Rhapsody" interweaves two disparate themes, a romantic string melody and a lively folk tune in the woodwind and brass. In the recording by the Gothenberg Symphony Orchestra under Neeme Jarvi, the natural tonality of the various sections of the orchestra was very believable as the two themes dovetailed together.

Treble
The treble was clean, open and extended with no trace of harshness or sibilance and possessed high levels of detail. It was relaxing and airy with good separation.

"Time Passages" is the follow up album to Al Stewart's seminal "Year of the Cat". "The Palace of Versailles" features a chorus based on William Byrd's "Lord Salisbury's Gaillard". The harpsichord part in the original is performed on a synthesiser accompanied by guitars and percussion and the clear treble notes were clean, incisive and bright. The reverb on Al Stewart's voice was very well portrayed.

Ernest Moeran's "Lonely Waters" is an evocation of the East Anglian landscape. In the lovely recording by the English Sinfonia conducted by Neville Dilkes, the delicacy of the cor anglais cadenza near the conclusion emerged magically from silence and the horn solo floated impressively above the plangent string figuration, displaying impressive clarity and producing a wonderful emotional performance.

The inventive arrangements in Don Harris's albums are very entertaining. "White Sand and Thunder" from "Shell Game" features multi-instrumental textures spiced up by clever electronic effects and unexpected key changes. The castanet details were clear and crisp and the synthesised percussion elements delicate and full of detail.


Soundstage
The soundstage was very extensive in all three dimensions with exemplary layering, separation and imaging. It was perhaps the best staging I have heard so far in an IEM.

One of my favourite tracks for soundstage is The Buggles' "I am a Camera", and the T2 plus really delivered. Trevor Horn's amazing production really came to life with every square inch of the vast spacious panorama filled with vocals, Geoffrey Downes's menacing keyboards, backing vocals and spatial effects. The distant vocals near the end displayed excellent depth.

"Missing" by Vangelis is the main theme from one of his film scores. It begins with a solo bell-like synth voice and gradually builds to a glorious climax. Electronic effects swirled around the stage, percussion had great impact and the main theme soared majestically before fading to the solo voice which echoed in a cavernous acoustic against a soft, deep bass accompaniment.

The pizzicato bass line in the beautiful Adagio from Schubert's Quintet performed by the Melos Ensemble highlighted the quality of the recording venue with the hall ambience very evident. When coupled with the violins' solos and viola accompaniment it produced a very natural soundscape and realistic atmosphere.

Comparisons
Tin Hi-fi T4 (CNT): The T4's neutral-bright signature, excellent resolution and detail retrieval placed it at the top of Tin Hifi's range. The T2 plus manages to match it in most areas and improve upon it in others, especially the soundstage. The T4 has slightly more sub-bass, a similar but brighter midrange and a more elevated treble. The T2 plus has a warmer midrange and smoother treble without sacrificing much in extension or detail and sounds more balanced and relaxing.

BLON BL-03 (CNT): In comparison to the T2 plus the BL-03 sounds warmer and less well-defined. It has an elevated mid-bass and the treble lacks the T2 plus's level of detail, rolling off earlier. Its midrange timbre is very good but the T2 plus has better imaging and separation and equally good tonality. Although being similar in shape, the T2 plus does not suffer from the BLON's fit issues.

KBEAR Diamond (DLC): The Diamond has a V-shaped profile with very good timbre throughout the range. There is a focus on mid-bass, mids are slightly recessed but with good tonality and the treble is gently contoured with few issues. The T2 plus sounds livelier and more evenly-balanced with a more accurate, neutral yet musical presentation.

Cambridge Audio SE1 (Beryllium): This sounds very like the T2 plus in many respects. Bass and midrange have a similar profile and the treble is similarly clean with few peaks though not as bright or extended. Soundstage is not as wide as the T2 plus and it does fall short a little in detail retrieval but at its current low price it does represent good value. It has a non-detachable cable but is nicely built.

Conclusion
Tin Hifi have created a dilemma for themselves. The new kid on the block challenges and indeed usurps the T4 at the top of the range but at a lower price. With its neutral and warm profile, amazing soundstage, layering, separation and imaging it really does perform well in all areas and there is little, if anything to criticise. Add to this comfort, high quality build and attractive packaging and it is a case of "The King is dead. Long live the King!"

Disclaimer : This unit is a personal unit purchased at retail price

INTRO
When browsing the net for good budget IEMs in the market, Tin HiFi's offerings would always appear in my search results. You can easily tell them apart from the other products in the market: it spots a distinct design and silver color shell. Tin HiFi's offerings are usually praised for their sound given what it's priced at with an expansive soundstage.

On Tin HiFi's website, they advertise the T2 Plus as having a natural sound, and having an "ideal tuning for all performing musicians and sound engineers who require uncompromising reference feedback with precise imaging and accurate tonal response". Having tried the T2 a while back ago and being impressed by it, I decided to review the T2 Plus to see what it has to offer.

QUICK SUMMARY
Sound : V-shaped


Driver : 10 mm NanoPure nickel-zinc alloy Dynamic Drivers
Socket : MMCX connectors
Price : 59 USD
Where to buy it : Aliexpress

Suitable genres : Vocals, RnB, Slower-paced songs with fewer instruments

WHAT'S IN THE BOX



2 sets of each different sized eartips (S,M,L)
1 x Foam eartips (M sized only)
1 x T2 Plus earphone
1 x 4-core silver-plated Kevlar enameled soft MMCX copper cable

The accessories given has most of the essentials, and giving 2 instead of 1 set of the eartips of each size in case you lose it. When I was starting out in this hobby, I always wished earphone makers could give extra sets of eartips cause I would always lose them before. However, if you keep them properly in a case, it's hard for the eartips to fall out.

On the other hand, I find the lack of an earphone case disturbing. Most earphones that cost lesser these days usually come packed with a simple earphone case too so I don't see why it wasn't included in this. It would have made the package complete.

BUILD QUALITY



To cut Tin HiFi some slack, I really like the build quality of the T2 Plus! It is made of aviation-grade aluminum alloy, which makes the earphone not only light, but also very sturdy and durable. I also like that it feels smooth but yet not a fingerprint magnet. The MMCX connectors also holds the cable very snugly in place with no wobble of the cable. Thumbs up to Tin HiFi for the superb build quality!

COMFORT AND ISOLATION
The T2 Plus sits really well in my ears and I can feel that there is a lot of space available in the concha of my ears. Though the nozzle of the earphones are larger than the average earphone, I find myself having to use the L sized eartips for it to have a good seal (normally I use S/M sized eartips). The earphones also have rounded edges which helps with the comfort, I never feel that the earphones are poking against the walls of my ears.




Isolation isn't the strongest suit of this earphones, you are usually able to hear what is going on outside while listening to the earphone. As I am writing this review in my quiet room while listening to Diana Krall with these earphones, I can still hear the sounds of my mechanical keyboard (which uses Cherry MX Brown switches) faintly. While I was sitting at a cafe testing these earphones, the barista started the coffee bean grinder which I could immediately tell. This is probably due to the earphone having 2 holes in its shell: one to act as a bass vent for the earphones and the other probably to widen the soundstage of the earphones. However, from what I recall, I believe that this level of isolation is a step up from those on the previous T2 model.

SOUND
Overall, this earphone has a smooth and spacious sound that never fatigues the listener. I listened to this earphone for 3 hours or so and I did not get any listener fatigue from it at all. The amount of bass is generally acceptable, I personally listen to earphones that do not have a lot of bass too and this was alright. It has a 3-Dimensional level of sound to it that feels very surreal in certain songs thanks to its wide soundstage and I really like that about this earphone. To top it all off, this earphone has decent imaging, which further enhances the surreal feel and makes it sound like a tiny headphone.

This review will be done on my Cayin N6ii (T01 Module) with stock eartips and cable.

Highs
Treble on this earphone doesn't shout at you and it attributes to the non-fatiguing sound that I keep mentioning in this review. In faster paced songs however, highs tend to sound thin and it fades away quickly (fast decay). This is evident in Frederic's "Rererepeat" where the cymbals are very snappy but you tend to lose track of it when you aren't paying attention to it. Also when the cymbal crashes in the song, it doesn't have that much of an impact.

In most songs that I have tested on, high-hats/cymbals are snappy and have just enough presence for it to be noticed but it isn't quite as thick enough for it to be felt fully like in those of the Thieaudio Legacy 3.

However, the highs here are rather pleasing as it has enough air in them. When you focus on the highs, the cymbals and high-hats are of good quality: never sounding artificial and with just enough sparkle to it for it to sound good.

Mids
I realised the mids in this earphone have things that I love and have problems with so this segment would be lengthier than usual. Given the V-shaped sound of the earphones, mids are generally tucked in further behind than highs and lows. Vocals and lower mids tend to take more emphasis in this segment and they sound very natural too which I prefer.

As mentioned above, vocals sound natural and the singer generally sounds nearer to the listener than the rest of the instruments. Compared to the other instruments and sounds that fall in the mids, vocals sound the best and thus, I highly recommend this unit for vocals. Listening to Diana Krall's "The Look of Love" album on the T2 Plus is just something else, you can somehow feel the vibes of the song and it's scarily satisfying. You can hear the subtleties in vocals and the enunciation of her words in the song "Besame Mucho". Mac Ayres' "Slow Down", sounds really chill and it has a really spacious eerie feel to it, really making such slow-paced songs sound really good.

Going to the heavier side of things, rock and metal genres don't get much love from this unit. In faster paced songs and songs with more instruments, on the whole, it sounds alright but it does struggle to reproduce some minor details. John Mayer's "Something's Missing" demonstrates that the rhythm guitar is indeed missing at certain parts such as during the chorus or when there are more instruments. This also happens for Masaki Suda's "Soft Vinyl Figure" too.

However, I also noticed that this isn't the case with every song. In general, if the guitar is more pitchy or falls in the lower mid region (e.g. guitars with heavier distortion), it would then be more audible. Listen to the guitar solo segment in "ARCADIA" by Jupiter from 2:02 to 2:38, the two solo guitars and the rhythm guitar in the background is still audible on this unit despite it being very instrument heavy and lacking some bass.

I did notice this subtle detail while listening to Vulfpeck's "Cory Wong", and that is electric guitars and drums lack that bite/attack to it. Cory's guitar at 1:55 into the song doesn't seem to have that much of that unique "Twang" as compared to my other earphones. This observation also translates to the snare drums where it lacks that "attack" to it.

In all, this earphone does vocals really well but if you are intending to use this to listen out guitars or drums, it might take some effort to do so and might lack that kick to it.




Lows
Bass goes deep and has a nice rumble to it with a lot of texture that makes it really enjoyable. I notice that this bass generally hovers between the mid point of bass and sub-bass, where it does not overdo it with too much rumble but leaves you wanting more at certain times. This is not necessarily a bad thing as I believe that it would be more suitable for the general audience than tuning it to be bass heavy. Kick drums also have a nice feedback to it where you feel the kick of it.

In Polyphia's "40oz", there's a ton of kick to the kick drums and an ample amount of bass all within the first minute of the song. While the bass is being played, it doesn't mask the other instruments, making it even more enjoyable. Vulfpeck's "It Gets Funkier IV" really shows that the earphone is able to keep up: bass guitar goes deep without losing speed and you can feel the kick drums in your eardrums! Really helps to have such a bass on funkier songs.

The bass on this unit should satisfy most bass heads and listeners who are more sensitive to bass as it gives just enough to enjoy but yet, not overpowering the the entirety of the music.

OTHER NOTES
This earphone is a really interesting one as it uses its vents to provide a wider soundstage at the expanse of isolation. As you can tell, I am really impressed by the soundstage of this unit. Let me first talk about soundstage on this unit.

I happened to listen to Frederic's "Sukiraism" and I noticed that at 0:34 to 0:44, there is a faint sound in the background that comes at you at 0:44. When I first listened to this song, I thought that it was some noise that came from outside my room and was about to blame the isolation until I rewound the song and found that it was from the song. The feeling was so surreal and spacious, it was really nice! Another song that really takes advantage of this surreal feeling is Daniel Caesar's "Loose", the amount of spaciousness in this music is just unbelievable. I think it is one of the widest soundstage I have heard from an earphone at its price point. The only drawback is that isolation takes a hit, but if you're willing to compromise, I think it's a good tradeoff.

Moving on to imaging, I noticed that on songs that have been mastered well, imaging is done well. In Chon's "Can't Wait", you get a very clear image of the instrument placements and the distance of them to you. Daniel Caesar's "Best Part (ft. H.E.R)" has this sound that bounces about from the left to right channels after the first chorus to the second chorus.

CONCLUSION
The T2 Plus is an earphone with a relaxing sound signature that provides an "out-of-head" experience. It greatly excels in vocals and slow paced songs by being able to properly reproduce the feels of such songs and making it sound very spacious. The lack of a carrying case does take away some points from it. If you're looking for an affordable earphone with a non-tiring sound that excels in vocals, look no further than the T2 Plus from Tin HiFi!

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Greetings,

Today we're checking out TinHiFi's newest model in their popular T Series of earphones, the T2 Plus.

TinHiFi became a sensation shortly after the release of the T2 thanks to its neutral-bright signature that was very much a novelty in the price range. With the exception of the T1 which is the warm, bassy, red-headed stepchild in the lineup, every release following the T2 has maintained the neutral-bright sound that put Tin on the map in the first place. With the T4 they added in some additional bass and dialed down the treble bit, but that bright-ish quality remained. The T2 Plus pulls A LOT from the sound of the T4, but I'll dive into that in the comparisons section.

Let's take a closer look at what makes the T2 Plus one of the better budget-minded products on the market right now.


What I Hear Treble out of the T2 Plus has a light and sparkly feel to it that is in no way lacking detail. Whereas it is quite common for brands to elevate the brilliance region to artificially bump perceived detail and clarity, there is none of that going on here. It's the real deal. That said, upper treble has been restrained somewhat compared to earlier models like the T2 Pro, T3, and P1, with the focus residing mostly in the presence region. Combine this with a robust low end that we'll get to later, and the T2 Plus stands alongside the T4 as the most balanced earphone in Tin's lineup. Notes have a lean, light, and airy presentation resulting in something that feels very nimble. Regardless of how complicated a track may get, the T2 Plus holds composure giving it a very well-controlled and peppy presentation. Decay is maybe too quick and more in line with what we expect from a balanced armature. The result is something that isn't as accurate as it could be. I'm fine with that since is results in a level of technical prowess matched by few in this price range.

In line with the T1, T2, T3, T4, and P1, so nearly every earphone in the lineup, the T2 Plus has pretty damn good mids. They are linear, prominent, and are technically quite awesome. Male vocals take up most of the warmth on tap leaving female vocals often coming across a little cooler than I prefer, but for the most part they go tit for tat and neither benefits more than the other from the tuning found in this region. Clarity and detail are area where Tin products rarely falter, and the T2 Plus is no different. Fine details are retained and ready for trained ears to enjoy their nuances. The presentation is analytic without tossing entertainment value to the wayside, something that is very hard to do well. Timbre is quite accurate though a hint brighter than what I consider correct. Still, it works in the context of the overall tune and is kept from veering in the wrong direction thanks to an injection of warmth from the midbass.

Bass is an area where Tin products often get the most negative feedback and while I don't think the T2 Plus is going to satisfy those who want a powerful, robust low end, those who enjoyed the T2 and P1 but wanted a bit more emphasis will be happy little clams. Extension is stellar though subbass emphasis is on the polite side. This keeps the presentation from being too visceral but when called for, can still rumble. Midbass outputs enough texture and detail for grungy beats from the likes of Malibu Ken, but like it's relatives, is somewhat lean and only adds a smidge of warmth to the overall signature. The outstanding speed on tap keeps it fairly punchy, though not a bare knuckle punch. There is definitely some padding in place that keeps notes from hitting hard. The aforementioned speed matches another model in the lineup resulting in some of the most articulate and well-defined bass I've heard from in a single dynamic.

One area where I was expecting the find some faults with the T2 Plus was sound stage and the technical abilities that go along with it. I was very happy to hear that this is (probably) where the new 10mm “NanoPure” nickel-zinc alloy plated dynamic driver truly earns it's keep. The T2 Plus' sound stage is wide and fairly deep giving sounds plenty of room to move around. This is one of those rare earphones that makes me remove an earphone thinking I heard someone call my name, or enter the room behind me. The imaging quality is a massive step up over the T4 which was oddly subpar and well below average. Channel-to-channel transitions are nuanced and precise making the T2 Plus a good pick for somewhat competitive gaming. The excellent instrument layering and separation aid in this too since track elements rarely congest and meld together.

Thanks to the improved technical ability of the T2 Plus, the T4 hands it the “best in lineup” torch. Given the price gap between the two, that's pretty frickin' impressive and elevates the T2 Plus to one of the best value earphones in portable audio. One of... That brings us to the next section.


Compared To A Peer (volume matched using a Dayton iMM-6)

Moondrop SSR (39.99 USD): Comparing two juggernauts is hella tough. Both of these earphones are truly awesome offerings and probably the best things available around 50 USD. Depending on what you value, the T2 Plus is probably what you're going to want to drop your cash on if bass is what you value most in your neutral-leaning earphone. Both extend well but the T2 Plus offers up more subbass presence and a hint more texture. The SSR's midbass warmth is better carried through into the mids though, resulting is a more natural and timbre-accurate presentation. And that is where the SSR will be the pick for some. As good as the T2 Plus is in the mids, the SSR is so much smoother and more refined while giving up nothing in terms of coherence and detail. Some say it's shouty. It's forward, not shouty. The T2 Plus comes closer to being shouty thanks to the near breakup that occurs at higher volumes, but it's still not shouty. Treble quality also falls into the SSR's camp in my opinion, though the difference here isn't particularly vast. The T2 Plus is brighter and more aggressive thanks to the additional brilliance region emphasis which makes it more fatiguing than the SSR over long listening sessions, or on particularly treble heavy tracks. The SSR's presence region bias also gives it a bit more detail to my ears, though the difference is small. Both offer up plenty of information and texture. The SSR has a pretty killer sound stage but it doesn't necessarily overshadow the equally excellent T2 Plus. The SSR's vocals have a further default positioning giving it a more spacious feel off the hop. Sounds cascade further into the distance and move from channel-to-channel with even greater accuracy, but the T2 Plus sounds deeper and more layered. Instrument separation is on par.

When it comes to build I'm not sure which I prefer. The T2 Plus certainly looks cleaner with some impressively tight seams and better implemented L/R designations, but the use of MMCX is a sore point for many past TinHiFi customers. The SSR has a more industrial feel with the deep seams and prominent hex screw holding the faceplate on. I suspect it'll be the more durable of the two. I also prefer the use of standard 0.78mm plugs which tend to be more reliable. Both have great cables, though for different reasons. I'd be perfectly happy with either. Comfort of the T2 Plus is a step up from past T Series models thanks to the move to a smooth, rounded, low profile design, but the short nozzle still proves to be a bit of an issue at times. The SSR fits me perfectly, slotting into place without issue and remaining stable and comfy at all times.

Both of these are killer earphones and equally deserving of your time. The SSR is my personal favorite though. Why? The midrange is so clean and the overall presentation smooth and refined. The T2 Plus has a rougher overall feel to it but makes up for this with it's technical prowess and subbass. I would be happy with either but since I'm in a position to choose, SSR gets the vote.

BQEYZ KC2 (~45.00 USD): The KC2 has seen an odd resurgence in popularity lately. Not a bad thing because it's a good earphone, but worthy competition for the T2 Plus? Kinda. Sub-bass is handled well but despite some fairly linear measurements, doesn't feel like it's enough to properly counter-balance the midbass which sounds overly prominent, looser, less textured, and somewhat bloated next to the T2 Plus. The midrange fairs better with similar emphasis and timbre quality, though detail sits firmly in the T2 Plus camp, and in general it sounds more coherent. I will give the KC2 an edge in weight since vocals certainly sound thicker and more beefy than what you hear from the T2 Plus. I suspect this is due mostly to the presence region which sees a huge dip on the KC2 nerfing detail and clarity next to TinHiFi's newest T series model. The brilliance region sees the KC2 spike back up making it more sparkly, but also harsher and more fatiguing. Sound stage is also in the T2 Plus' corner coming across wider and deeper, backed with better imaging and improved separation, though I find the KC2 layers about as well.

When it comes to build they are both wonderfully constructed. Fit and finish on the KC2's shell is just as impressive and while the cable is significantly cheaper feeling, they went with a 2-pin design which I prefer. I also find the KC2 more comfortable and stable design being quite a bit larger and heavier.

Overall I like the KC2. Despite it's age it is still plenty competitive and am glad to see if finally getting it's dues. Still, the T2 Plus handily outperforms it in my opinion and is absolutely worth the extra cost.

TinHiFi T4 (109.00 USD): I'm going to keep this one simple; if you've been thinking of getting the T4, save your money and buy the T2 Plus instead. The tuning is nearly identical save for a slight decrease in the upper mids and presence regions on the T2 Plus that results in the perception of a bit more bass. Putting the T4 in one ear and the T2 Plus in the other, my brain quickly adjusted and compensated for the differences, save for what sounded like a very mild channel imbalance due to their sensitivity variances. The biggest gulf between the two is the T2 Plus' improvement to the imaging quality which alone is probably a good enough reason to pick it up over the T4. If the T4 had a similar shell design to the T2 Plus, I would say there was no real reason for it to remain in TinHiFi's lineup. The Plus does everything the T4 does, and more. That's high praise coming from someone that adores the T4.


In The Ear The T2 Plus makes some serious headway for the brand when it comes to design and ergonomics. I find all of their past models to be attractive, well-build earphones, but each and every one has ergonomics issues; T1's nozzle is too stubby for such a broad body, T2/T3/T4 are unstable for many thanks to the length and weight distribution, and the P1 is quite heavy with proportions that lead to instability. While the T2 Plus could benefit from a longer nozzle, you can compensate with longer tips. Everything else about it is a massive step in the right direction in my opinion. The low profile, light weight, and smooth, rounded edges make it very comfortable. This is one of few low-profile designs that I don't have to fiddle with on the regular to retain a good seal.

The excellent build quality is nothing new for TinHiFi with its neatly machined aluminum alloy housings. I especially like the velvety pebbled finish, though it does make them quite slippery. Fit and finish is top tier with extremely tight seams between the two halves of the shell. The fine metal filters are neatly applied and will be a prime target for removal by tuners and tinkerers who want to “open” the sound further. Outside of TinHiFi laser printed into the top of the housing in tiny writing, there isn't any obvious branding or logo work showing off the shiny new TinHiFi earphones you're rocking. Tin once again went with MMCX connectors which will turn away some given the apparent issues with other models in the past. I've been quite lucky with mine as only the T4 had slightly sloppy connectors, though nothing near as bad as the Whizzer A15 Pro which would detach at random. The T2 Plus I have here has very tight ports with zero play or even the ability to swivel without help from the user. It feels good.

The cable is also another step back in right direction for TinHiFi. After the T3, the quality of their cable took a bi of a dive. The P1's cable had a very loose braid which screamed cost cutting, and the crinkly preformed ear guides could be annoying. The T4's cable has a loose braid too, but added in a sticky, bouncy sheath to add insult to injury. With the T2 Plus, the cable still features a loose braid but it's considerably tighter than on the T4. The sheath is much improved too. It is now extremely flexible, transmits next to no noise, isn't at all sticky, and best of all, weighs next to nothing. The straight jack has is wrapped in a fine knurling that adds a moderate amount of extra grip. It is topped off with a beefy, clear strain relief that provides ample protection from bends and pulls. Within the aluminum y-split the braiding splits with two strands heading to each ear piece. A bead-like chin cinch is present to help provide an even more secure fit if needed. Leading up to the earpieces are flexible preformed ear guides that effectively hold the cable in place behind your ear. The MMCX plugs are aluminum wrapped for style and durability, with clear and red rings at the base to help determine channel. They follow the alternative industry standard with red for right, clear for left (instead of blue).

Isolation is pretty average at best. While wearing them I can comfortably hold a conversation with someone (without music playing). The snicking of a keyboard and cars driving by my window are still audible. Slightly dulled, but still very much present. Tossing on the included foam tips helps boost isolation a bit, but not enough for these to be a recommended pick for routine transit riders.


In The Box The T2 Plus goes back to Tin's roots when it comes to packaging. The neat white box with minimal branding in gold foil lettering looks classy and simple, and feels like TinHiFi of old. Inside is a neat blue box with gold accents. Sure, it's not the unique book-like case you got with the T2 and a couple other models, but it still evokes the same upscale feelings that belay the low price tag. Lifting off the lid you find the T2 Plus' shapely ear pieces nestled in a insert. The main body of the insert is foam with a cardboard backing and pleather upper surface. While it looks nice, the pleather material doesn't adhere to the foam particularly well and peels up while removing the earphones, or just naturally around the edges. Not something 99% of buyers would care about, so let's move on. Lifting out the foam insert you find the accessories individually stored in high quality, Tin branded Ziplock baggies. In all you get:

• T2 Plus earphones
• MMCX 4-core silver-plated 22 AWG copper cable with inner Kevlar braiding
• Single flangle silicone tips (2x s/m/l)
• Medium foam tips
• Velcro cable tie
• Manual

Overall a very nice unboxing experience. While normally I'd level light criticism at the duplicate tips (because variety is always nice), the included tips are of good quality, fit well, and you're getting two of each. They didn't have to do that, especially not when the majority of the competition only provides a single suite of generic tips and that's it. There is one big omission though; no carrying case. They started including them with the P1 and the T4. At the very least include a simple carrying bag, TinHiFi. Your earphones are too nice to just shove into a pocket, unprotected.

Final Thoughts The legend continues. The T2 Plus is yet another outstanding entry in TinHiFi's lineup. While it doesn't stray from what the T4 did before it, it does so at half the price and with arguably better ergonomics, further solidifying my impression of TinHiFi as one of the most reliable and consistent brands on the market. That is of course, pending you enjoy their house sound. And not every release is sunshine and rainbows as we will find out in my next TinHiFi review...

Regardless, the neutral-bright signature Tin is known for, and found once again in the T2 Plus, may lack the robust bass you are used to if coming from your average v-shaped, mainstream tuned product. If seeking a different experience, one that is more traditionally considered “hi-fi”, you will be rewarded with an open stage, plenty of detail, stellar vocals, and a mature bass tuning.

If shopping around for a new earphone under 100 USD, you'd be hard-pressed to find something that bests the T2 Plus.

Thanks for reading!

- B9

Disclaimer A big thanks to Lillian with Linsoul for arranging a sample of the T2 Plus and for sending it for review. The thoughts within this review are my subjective impressions based on time spent listening to the T2 Plus. They do not represent Linsoul, TinHiFi, or any other entity. At the time of writing the T2 Plus was retailing for 59.99 USD, but on sale for 49.99 USD: https://www.linsoul.com/products/tinhifi-t2-plus

Specifications

• Driver: 10mm NanoPure” nickel-zinc alloy plated dynamic driver
• Impedance: 32Ω ±15%
• Sensitivity: 104 ±3dB @1kHz 0.126v
• Frequency Response: 10Hz-20KHz
• Max Distortion: 1% @1kHz, 0.126v

Gear Used For Testing LG Q70, Earstudio HUD100, Earmen TR-Amp, Asus FX53V, TEAC HA-501

Some Test Tunes

Supertramp – Crime of the Century
Slipknot – Vol 3 (The Subliminal Verses)
Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid
King Crimson – Lark's Tongues in Aspic
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy
Steely Dan – The Royal Scam
Porcupine Tree – Stupid Dreams

Intro

Disclaimer: I purchased the Tin T2 Plus from Aliexpress at full price and this review is written of my own accord. For more reviews like these, check out www.perrivanaudio.com

This is a review of the TinHiFi T2 plus, the successor of the T2 which made waves across the Earphone/IEM industry for redefining budget HiFi and what you can get with $50. With such a huge success, can TinHiFi even come close to replicating what they achieved with the original T2? Let’s dive in.

Packaging and Accessories (Score: 7/10)

TinHiFi wanted to make it clear they were going to pick up where they left off with the T2 and T2 Pro, using an identical outer cardboard box and similar packaging styles. I like the uniformity and return to familiar ground. Opening it reveals a nice blue and gold themed packaging; you can clearly see thought and effort has gone into this.

Included accessories are a 2-pin cable with a 4-wire braid. It feels really soft and flexible but seems sufficiently sturdy and well-made. There is also a pair of foam tips and an additional 5 pairs of silicone tips, all packaged in Ziplock bags. They seem to have gone a little over the top with the silicone tips, although they decided to do without a carry case/pouch.

Build Quality and Fit (Score: 8/10)

I love the matte aluminium finish on the T2 plus and they feel really solid and well-rounded, like two smooth pebbles in your hand. Their shape looks nothing like their predecessors and is instead reminiscent of the BLON BL-03. However, these fit much better than the BLONs and I have no problems with them. I also love how the cable aesthetics synergise well with the earpieces.

One small issue I had with the fit was that I wasn’t a fan of the stock silicone tips. Your mileage may vary but be prepared to use your go-to tips for a good seal.

Sound (Score: 7.8/10)

Sources used

• Shanling M3s
• Fiio μBTR
• Fiio Q1 MkII

Albums and Tracks tested with

• Andy Gibb - The Very Best Of
• Spinners - Essentials
• George Ezra - Staying At Tamara’s
• Grease Soundtrack
• Tokyo Kosei - Sinfonia Nobilissima
• Beauty and the Beast The Broadway Musical - Official Broadway Recording

Bass (Score: 8.5/10)

The bass is arguably the best-done feature of the T2 plus. It extends very well and punches energetically. This is a significant improvement from the original T2 which struggled with early roll off in the bass. People who complained about the T2 lacking in this department would be more satisfied with the oomph provided on the plus. Tracks with catchy bass lines like The Spinners' "Cupid/I've Loved You For A Long Time" and George Ezra's "Shotgun" shine. Bass is speedy and has a very quick decay. Not the most natural but some may like this cleaner sounding signature compared to warmer bass like that of the Moondrop Starfield. Listening to “Something There” from the Beauty and the Beast Soundtrack, the bass line was very bouncy and light, something you don’t seem to see so often in newer releases.

Mids (Score: 7.5/10)

Mids are kind of a mixed bag. The lower mids and parts of the upper bass sounded very sterile and lacking in body. It doesn’t pick up from where the lower bass left off and seems disjointed. This affects certain instruments like clarinets. stripping them of their mellow and thick timbre in instrumental tracks such as some by Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. The tonality of instruments like euphoniums and trombones also suffers noticeably.

Things become more energetic in the upper mids, where female vocals take the foreground. They have edge and a certain rawness which is fun to listen to but also quickly fatiguing. It’s a double-edged sword here too as instruments like violins and trumpets can sound harsh and thin and put a strain on the ear. The tonality of trumpets in Tokyo Kosei's "English Folk Song Suite" wasn't satisfying. I find myself constantly having to take a break from the T2 plus after every few tracks to rest my ears.

Treble (Score: 8/10)

The energy in the upper mids is carried over into the treble. It is airy and has a good amount of clarity and sparkle. My only complaint is that once again, it gets really tiring and painful on the ears after a while. Cymbal crashes, though satisfyingly clear, can get a little too splashy at times as well. I really enjoyed Sha Na Na's "Born to Hand Jive" for all its crash cymbal hits and crisp Hi-hat rhythms, but this enjoyment would fade into pain after about 5 tracks or so.

Overall

To sum it up, the TinHiFi isn't going to blow minds but I doubt it was tuned or designed to achieve that. It presents a refreshing tuning with a relatively budget price tag that treble lovers would certainly appreciate. It also has a very pleasing low end that many would be satisfied with. On top of all that, it boasts solid detail retrieval and separation.

Comparison

Tin T2 plus vs Tin T2


The name Tin T2 plus seems to suggest that it is objectively better than the original T2. However, I wouldn’t be so quick to make such a claim. At no one time did I feel the Tin T2 plus come close in making the T2s obsolete. Instead, it only served to prove how timeless the T2s are.

What I must give credit to the Pluses for is the great improvement in packaging and presentation, stock cable and fit. On these three fronts, the Tin T2 plus nails it.

Moving on to sound, I would think of this as the "Tin T2 Maybe". It does create a niche for itself, with its detail-oriented V-shaped (slight) sound signature. It moves away from a “neutral-target” to a more aggressive and engaging sound. with a fast and speedy low end that extends well and contrasted with detail-oriented yet energetic upper mids and highs.

Overall, I'm not so much a fan of the highly fatiguing sound signature on the T2 plus, though I did enjoy a number of tracks on them. However, if the described signature matches your preferred sound signature then the T2 plus may very well be your cup of tea.

Conclusion



The T2 plus has a lot going for it but do take note it isn't an upgrade on all fronts from the original T2. Instead, TinHiFi has created a new competent offering, riding on the success of T2. The T2 plus does tick many boxes but it is difficult to recommend something that I struggle to listen to extensively.

However, putting aside my reservations about the tuning of these, there is no denying that these are solid performers at this price point and if you ever find yourself craving some energetic highs done decently well, you know where to look.

The T2 Plus is another new in-ear monitor (IEM) from Tin Hifi, and is part of their popular T2 family, although this one doesn’t really fit with the T2 and the T2 Pro. This is because it doesn’t look like the other two, nor does it have the double dynamic driver configuration either. Instead, the similarly priced $49 T2 Plus features a heavier round metal shell that is very reminiscent of the BLON BL03 and features a single 10mm dynamic driver.

The Tin T2 Plus was sent from Linsoul for this review. It is currently available on their website at http://www.linsoul.com and is priced at $59 USD, which makes it just above the $49 T2 and equal to the $59 T2 Pro. For comparison’s sake, the Tin T3 is $69 and Tin T4 is $109, at regular retail pricing.

The T2 Plus comes with a series of tips and a braided silver cable. The cable is lightweight and generally easy to handle. The connector and y-split and a nice silver aluminum metal that is not too weighty. The connectors are of the mmcx variety and something that Tin Hifi has continued to use. There is no case included with this model and that luxury only comes with their higher priced T4 and P1 models.

The new shell design has some heft to it, but it’s still very comfortable to wear. As mentioned above, it does remind me a bit of the BLON BL03 shell but with a metallic powder-coat finish. There are two small vent holes for controlling the dynamic driver bass. These are located at the bottom of the shell, and one placed just next to the nozzle of each shell.



Sound Impressions
If you remove the Tin TWS 2000 thing out of the equation, the T2 Plus is the warmest and bassiest of the Tin Hifi lineup. It’s got a more substantial rise in across the bass and lower mid-range than the T4, which has a punch mid-bass boost. There is a sharp rise at 1-2KHz that and a slightly uneven and brighter tonality in the treble, however not straying as bright and shrill as the Tin T2 Pro. In general, I found the T2 Plus to be a warm-bodied V-shape type sound signature that doesn’t totally come across as one.

My biggest fault with the Tin T2 Plus isn’t the warm bass response. It’s actually generally pleasant. It’s different than their other products, which adds a different flavor to their lineup. The original tuning, pre-production, had a more typical linear bass response, but this one beefs up the bass with a 6 to 7 dB shelf that starts right around 700Hz and rises through the sub-bass region with a small roll-off. I never found this actually too muddy despite the sharp rise. And while it does measure with an elevated sub-bass rise, I don’t know if I’d totally say it has the slam and rumble that I’d have expected. It does, however, provide a thicker and warmer sound than any other Tin product and that’s something that some will definitely welcome.

The mid-range can be a bit shouty at times, but mostly I don’t find this area too distracting. The graph looks worse than in practice here. My main problem lies more so in the treble region, where there’s always a sense of ringing and splash that comes across when listening to music with sharper treble instruments. Cymbals can sound overly splashy, with a ringing that can border on piercing. When I watched various YouTube videos, some that may not be recorded too well, they come across with sharp pain.

And while this isn’t always an issue with better recorded sound, there’s always a feeling that my ear needs to take a break after short sessions with the T2 Plus in my ears. I believe the sharp peark around 5-6K is the main driver for this fatiguing ringing sensation I get sometimes.

Music
An example of this sensation comes each time the tambourine is hit in Mazzy Star’s Fade into You. Of course, this event occurs throughout the song in a rhythmic fashion and that tizzy becomes more acceptable and normal after some time, but I just know if I pull my earphones out, my ears will ring.

Aside from that quirk, the bassline in this song comes across with just the right amount of power and Hope Sandoval’s quiet, muted voice comes alive with the more forward upper mid-range that the Tin T2 Plus brings to the table, and overall makes this song quite enjoyable, though fatiguing.

Switching gears, Depeche Mode’s Strangelove sounds a bit too bright for my tastes. David Gahan’s voice doesn’t sound as powerful and deep as I’m accustomed to when I listen to this song on other headphones where his voice takes over. Instead, the synths and snare drums hits seem to be too much of the focus, and sound a bit too over the top and bright. One thing to add is that I do feel that the bass hits feel a little too fast and blunted, and doesn’t have the hanging decay notes that really make this song have the low-end power it needs.

I think the T2 Plus really shines in Buena Vista Social Club’s Veinte años. This Cuban bolero track features heavy use of acoustic bass and guitars which are given full center-stage presence on the T2 Plus. While the vocals are ever present, I find that the stringed harmonics are pushed to the front and provides the listener with every little detail in full clarity.

While that acoustic track sounded very good, I found the opposite reaction in Alison Krauss & Union Station’s Restless, a track off their 2003 record, Lonely Runs Both Ways. This has become on of my main test tracks as of late, so I’ve had quite a lot of familiarity with it across many, many devices and gears and I find the T2 Plus seems to give me the me the impression that this is playing the pitch higher than it should, maybe by half an octave. This could be due to the fact that much of the song has stringed instruments and Krauss’ famous angelic voice all fall into the upper midrange where the Tin T2 Plus has quite a steep rise. The song sounds leaner than expected, with much of the warm intro missing and everything sounding a bit light.




Overall

I find the Tin T2 Plus is a nice addition to the Tin Hifi lineup. It adds a warmer flavor to their existing roster, however it still maintains the brighter-than-neutral sound signature that has made their lineup popular. With that said, I don’t think I’d take this over the Tin T4 or Tin T3, and perhaps even the Tin T2, but it’s definitely a marked improvement over the Tin T2 Pro. For those who find the other iems are a bit bass light but can handle the brighter sound signature, I think the Tin T2 Plus may be the one for you.

Thank you SHENZENAUDIO for letting us give our honest take towards the TinHifi T2 Plus. Given that the review unit is from them and is free of charge, it doesn’t affect the honesty and integrity of this review.


Shop Link:


https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/...e-cable-noise-canceling-10mm-balanceearphones
The Company

Tin audio is a chi-fi contender that appeared last Q1 of 2018, their first IEM was Tin Audio T1 and it was followed by the T2, T2 Pro,T3, P1 (their first ever Planar IEM), T4 and finally the third installment of their T2 series, the T2 Plus. Their first few IEMs are known for being bass anemic, since they are tuning their products into a neutral to bright/analytical sound signature despite the use of DD but as they made the P1, they started making their product sound more balanced. “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, T3 and now the T2 Plus, the statement is legit!

The TinHifi T2 Plus

Again, this is the third iteration of their T2 product line that was known for its commendable resolution and sparkly treble matched with subtle bass that was hated by bass lovers in the community. In terms of the design language, the T2 Plus now adapt a more low profile design that fits way better than their previous edgy and sharp shell designs. Due to their new shell, with proper ear tips, the T2 Plus is much more ergonomic and has better fit, isolation and comfort. Unlike the T2 and T2 Pro which uses a 2 DD (1 Woofer and 1 Tweeter) and their T3 that utilizes a hybrid single DD and single BA, the T2 plus only uses a single dynamic driver but fret not, the T2 plus is by far the best sounding among T-Series of TinHifi and I'll support this statement as you read this review deeper.


Technical Specifications:


-Sensitivity：104±3bBdB @1K HzV 0.126V
-Driver Unit：￠10.0mm woofer
-Sensitivity：104±3bBdB @1K HzV 0.126V
-Frequency Response：10Hz-20kHz
-Impedance：32Ω±15%
-Rated Power：3mW
-Max Power：5mW
-Max Distortion：1% @1k Hz 0.126V
-Interface：Gold-plated MMCX connector
-Plug：3.5mm black carbon multi dimensional heavy plug
-Conductor/Cable：1.25m (22/0.06AS Silver-plated Enameled+200D Kevlar)*4, Transparent Super Soft PVC Cable
-Housing Color：Stainless steel color

Packaging

TinHifi used the same design language in their packaging, a minimalist white box that contains a leather-ish blue box inside which contains everything, the gorgeous and ergonomic T2 Plus, 6 sets of silicone ear tips, 1 pair of foam ear tips and a 4 core SPC cable that I wish to stay pristine longer than the cable of T3. The T2 Plus retails for around 3000 Php/60 USD and I think they have a better packaging and accessories than similarly prized IEMs from TRN and KZ, but somehow I liked that MOONDROP shipped their SSR along with a small carrying pouch and that's the only thing missing with the T2 Plus.

Fit and Comfort

Sleek low-profile IEM shell
As I've said, they changed their shell design (towards a better path), it is now more ergonomic and noise isolating than their previous IEMs but somehow the image of their IEMs vanished with the T2 Plus, it looks a bit more generic now. The ear tips OOTB are decent ones, it is a bit too soft but it fits well in my ears (which doesn't apply to everyone). Despite the material used, it doesn't feel heavy too, I tried using it for 5 hours straight and it didn't caused any discomfort on my ears. With proper ear tips, the T2 Plus can sit nicely in ears providing more than decent noise isolation and seal.

Sound

I love gears 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. Billie Eilish – wish you were gay (Imaging, Layering, Coherence, Sub bass and Mid bass, Mids, Micro details)
3. Rex Orange County – Untitled (Mid Bass, Mids)
4. Ed Sheeran – Dive (Mid bass, Lower Mids)
5. Reese Lansangan– My Sweet Hometown (Upper Mids and Instruments)
6. Polyphia – Goose (Imaging, Layering, Coherence, Sub bass and Mid bass, Mids, Treble)
7. Utada Hikaru ft. Skrillex – Face My Fears (Imaging Layering, Bass, Mids, Treble, Coherence, Quickness)
8. Polyphia – 40 oz. (Imaging, Layering, Coherence, Sub bass and Mid bass, Mids, Treble)
9. Polyphia – GOAT (Imaging, Layering, Coherence, Sub bass and Mid bass, Mids, Treble)
10. Ariana Grande – Raindrops (Background, Upper mids)

Bass

Bass line is awesome playing "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish on MQA, bass on the background sounds awesome, well defined, texture is quite refined, rumbles and buzzes are definitely present but it doesn't go too deep, notes under 80 Hz sounds faint already which is kinda normal IMO. I want to reiterate that notes above 100 Hz sounds really nice in terms of speed, resolution and positioning which is leaning to neutral. Playing "G.O.A.T" by Polyphia, it leads me to a concrete finding that mid bass sounds agile, clean and detailed but It doesn't pack a lot of punch in terms of quantity and it isn't emphasized at all, I'm honestly in awe with the bass of T2 plus which sounds cleaner and faster than the BLON BL03 but less engaging which I honestly prefer (though the bass of BL03 is very enjoyable).

Midrange

Starting with the Lower Midrange, I used "Falling" by Harry Styles and boy, both piano and his vocals sounded smooth and moderately lush, the lower midrange is still positioned quite neutrally with moderate body and far from being veiled. Most multi-driver IEMs under 50 bucks either sound too thick or too hollow/dry for example the ZS10 Pro and CCA CA4 sounded really dry and thin, on the other hand the BQEYZ BQ3 sounds too warm to the point that some of the bass leaks to the lower midrange and here's the T2 Plus that sounds perfectly balanced. Playing "My Sweet Hometown" by Reese Lansangan, the positioning is still very neutral there's very good amount of body, just enough for the instruments and vocals not to sound shrill or shouty. I don't want to hype this IEM but I'm really really happy with how it sounds, upper midrange sounds sweet yet far from being peaky which is quite a norm from chi-fi budget IEMs.

Treble

Smooth, airy and has very good decay speed, playing "40oz" by Polyphia which has decent amount of treble (lower to upper treble), hi-hats sounded clean and has good amount of sparkle yet far from being harsh or aggressive. Treble-heads might find the treble quantity to be insufficient but man the speed of attack and decay plus the cleanliness of its presentation is commendable, I verified my hypothesis with "Asphyxia" by Co Shu Nie and it turned into conclusion. It may sound too smooth and too relaxed for some but there's no shortcoming in terms of texture, airiness and sparkle it may be the weakest link of the T2 Plus but for a treble sensitive guy like me it is tuned just right.

Sound Stage and Resolution

The T2 Plus doesn't sound as spacious as the TinHifi T2 Pro or T3, it has less depth and width and there are factors behind that, maybe it is the source or the ear tips that I'm using or just because the treble here is trimmed down compared to the T2 Pro and T3. Nonetheless, the T2 Plus has good layering and imaging capabilities despite having a single driver, it isn't as precise as the TRN VX but due to its speed instruments and vocals are well separated. Resolution isn't the strength of the T2 Plus too, it has more than okay details but it isn't game changing for the price, maybe it is due to the smooth tuning too but I'd say that I found the T2 Pro more resolving than the T2 Plus.

Sound Signature and Synergy

The sound signature of the TinHifi T2 Plus leans with being balanced, There's a little elevation on the upper midrange but it is FAR from being shouty or shrill. Bass is kinda neutral with good speed and resolution, midrange has very good balance between lushness and clarity, it sounds smooth yet moderately resolving with natural timbre, upper midrange sounds sweet and clean for both instruments and female vocals, lastly Treble doesn't sound harsh, it is smooth and has enough amount of air and sparkle to give cymbals and violin great definition. I would love pairing it with neutral-analytical source because adding more warmth may veil the midrange and bass leak might be noticeable.

Ifi Hip Dac (3.5 and 4.4)

The Hip Dac is a warm-ish source that can be even warmer with the built in Xbass that I use very seldom. The source brings good amount of body across frequencies and actually making vocals sound more natural and smooth. Bass can be too punchy when turning on the Xbass but without it, it sounds balanced. Again, midrange sounds really nice to me especially the timbre, instruments are well presented too with moderate amount of thickness. Treble is smoothly presented with decent amount of sparkle and good attack and decay speed, resolution is fine too though not the best in its class.


Using it with Satin Audio Kraken 4x, everything sounds cleaner and well layered, bass became even tighter and faster while midrange sounded as good as with the 3.5 mm, there's a slight addition to treble extension and it is cleaner.

Comparison

Tough chi-fi battle royale MOONDROP SSR

The SSR is cheaper than the T2 Plus thus, I expected it to have inferior sound compared to the latter and my findings isn't as straightforward as what I imagined. In terms of resolution, sound stage (size) and transparency, I'd pick the SSR over the T2 Plus but everything else goes to the T2 Plus. The layering and imaging of T2 plus is just nice, the stage isn't grand but it is well layered and separated despite using a single dynamic driver. Timbre easily goes to the T2 Plus too, given that the SSR doesn't sound that thin, I still prefer the control of T2 Plus with regards to note thickness, there's no sign of shrillness too unlike with the SSR that can sound harsh at times. Bass sounds deeper, more textured and punchier on the T2 Plus too which is nice because it never sounded excessive it is just that the bass of SSR is subtle. The two doesn't sound the same but having one between the two is more than enough, T2 Plus is easier to recommend overall due to its balanced sound.

BLON BL03

The Blon BL03 is one of the best budget IEMs of 2019 and can still fight its way in 2020. They share almost the same timbre but the BL03 sounds more lush, slow and has a bit more recessed midrange. I'd say that the T2 Plus fixed the things I hate from the BL03 which easily a win for the T2 Plus, it has a better attack and decay speed which increases the overall coherency of an IEM, playing complex passages sounded cleaner and layered better with the T2 Plus. There's almost no bass bleeding too in the T2 Plus which is kinda noticeable with the BL03. The T2 Plus is less airy and less smooth than the other when talking about the treble on the other hand the T2 Plus sounds more resolving and has faster attack and decay speed. Resolution and layering goes to the T2 Plus too while the stage is wider and deeper in the BL03.

TRN VX

I'd pick the VX if it's all about layering and resolution, but that isn't the case I prefer timbre and balance which is far better on the T2 Plus. Bass is thin on the VX it sounds a bit artificial too (common caveat with TRN and KZ IEMs), I prefer the balanced and smooth bass of T2 Plus even though it isn't as resolving as the VX. Same story for the mid range, the VX is obviously dry compared to the smooth yet clean presentation of the T2 Plus, again there's more details with the VX but it isn't a huge gap. The treble of VX sounds a bit thin but not peaky, there's good amount of details and it is well extended on the other hand the treble of T2 Plus is smoother, has better tone and is less fatiguing without sounding veiled or rolled off. The VX is slightly better in layering and resolution but the timbre of T2 Plus is much more natural plus it sounds more coherent than the VX.

Conclusion

The T2 Plus is a no brainer recommendation under 3000 Php/60 USD, it sounds like a buffed Blon BL03. Honestly I can't find any major flaw here, it has a good bass with more than decent sub bass depth, fast attack and decay and a pretty good resolution. Mid range sounds clean yet retaining enough body, it isn't the most resolving pair but I can vouch it to be one of the most natural sounding under 5000 Php/100 USD. Treble isn't special, it sounds smooth with decent sparkle and air, details are just fine and there's no noticeable peaks but it has a remarkable attack and decay speed. Resolution isn't note worthy same with the sound stage size, it is pretty coherent with great layering and imaging qualities. T2 Plus proceeded with different path compared to its predecessors, it is much smoother and easier to listen compared to T2 and T2 Pro that has an emphasis with treble, if you loved its previous iterations, you may find the T2 Plus inferior but if you want a more balanced version of those then T2 Plus is definitely worth it!

RATING
9/10 = VERY GOOD
★★★★★★★★★
PROS

• Smooth and balanced tonality
• Jack of all trades
• Coherence
• Quick attack and decay across frequencies
• Ergonomic shell
• Price-to-performance ratio

CONS

• Not the most resolving pair
• Decent sounds stage size

Video Review:

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:
The TinHiFi T2 Plus is an in-ear monitor (IEM) using a 10mm nickel-zinc alloy dynamic driver. The T2 Plus retails for $59 at Shenzhen Audio. I received the T2 Plus from Shenzhen Audio in exchange for a fair and objective review.

This review is also available on my blog: https://medium.com/bedrock-reviews/tinhifi-t2-plus-review-426fc694fd9

SOURCES:
I have used the TinHiFi T2 Plus with the following sources:

• JDS Labs The Element
• Apple USB-C to 3.5mm dongle
• Meizu HiFi Pro dongle
• Fiio BTR1K Apt-X Bluetooth Receiver
• Qudelix 5K

I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to.

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:

The TinHiFi T2 Plus comes in a rectangular blue box with a white slipcover. The box and slipcover are mostly unmarked, with the TinHifi logo the only emblem of note. The package includes a detachable MMCX cable, 12 silicone eartips (2x small, 2x medium, 2x large), 1 pair of foam eartips, and a user manual. I would have liked to see some kind of carry bag or case included with the T2 Plus at this price point but I am glad to see the foam eartips.

BUILD QUALITY / DESIGN:
The TinHiFi T2 Plus has simple aluminum alloy teardrop-shaped housings reminiscent of the Blon BL-03. The housings have two circular vents, one on the inner face of the housing in line with the nozzle, and one at the base of the housing just above the seam between the faceplate and the inner housing face. “TINHiFi” and the unit serial number are printed in white at the top of the inner housing face. “L” and “R” are inscribed into the inner faces of the housings. The nozzles have a small lip to secure eartips.

Each strand of the 4-core MMCX cable has a transparent 200D Kevlar sheath. The Y-split and straight 3.5mm jack hardware are metal, and there is a clear bead-like chin adjustment slider. There is strain relief above the 3.5mm jack. and there is no chin slider. In addition to printed “L” and “R” indicators, the right MMCX connector has a red rim. The cable has pre-formed rubber ear guides.

COMFORT / FIT / ISOLATION:
The TinHiFi T2 Plus is intended to be worn cable-up only. The earpieces have a shallow-to-moderate insertion depth and should be very comfortable for most listeners. The housings are low profile and sit mostly below the outer surface of the ear. Secureness of fit is great, but isolation is average. I did not experience driver flex with the TinHiFi T2 Plus using the stock foam eartips, Moondrop MIS foam eartips, or SednaEarfit XELASTEC TPE eartips.

MEASUREMENTS:

My measurements were conducted with a Dayton iMM-6 microphone using a vinyl tubing coupler and a calibrated USB sound interface. The headphones are driven using my Element, which has an output impedance of no more than 1 ohm. The measurements use a compensation file derived from relating my raw measurements to published measurements from Crinacle and Antdroid. The measurements are presented with 1/24th smoothing. There is a resonant peak at 8k. Measurements above 10k are not reliable.

SOUND:
Note: The following impressions are from use with the stock foam eartips.

The TinHifi T2 Plus has a warm U-shaped tuning with a mid-bass emphasis.

The sub-bass is well-extended, and the mid-bass is impactful without being bloated. There is a satisfying amount of slam and rumble. The bass response has good speed and articulation. The bass is also very textured and quite resolving. There is some mid-bass bleed, but the bass response tapers off early enough to avoid creating too much congestion.

The midrange is smooth if a little thin sounding. The lower midrange is less prominent than the upper midrange and vocals are emphasized over instruments in the midrange. I would have preferred slightly more body to the lower midrange. Male vocals are slightly less prominent than female vocals, though vocal intelligibility for both male and female vocals is great most of the time. Female vocals have a breathy, wet quality to them but avoid sibilance. Timbre is realistic if slightly dry.

The treble response is detailed and mostly even-sounding across the lower treble. There is more lower-treble than upper treble, but the upper treble has good extension. There is abundant sparkle and adequate air. The speed of transient delivery is realistic but there is a sense of ringing with some cymbal crashes. While these crashes jump out at the listener I did not find the treble response harsh or painful to listen to.

The soundstage is expansive for a single dynamic driver IEM. Instrument separation is very good. Imaging is good but not exceptional.

AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCE PAIRING:
The TinHifi T2 Plus is easy to drive with a variety of source devices. I did not notice hiss with any of my sources.

CLOSING WORDS:

The $50–75 segment is something of a desert. IEMs in this segment typically have at least one crippling flaw or do not adequately justify their price premium over products in the $40–50 price range. I am happy to say this is not the case with the TinHiFi T2 Plus. While there is technical performance to be gained from IEMs in the $75–100 range, the T2 Plus stands out in its price range for its near-universal competency.