Tin HiFi T3 Plus

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:​

The TinHiFi T3 Plus is an in-ear monitor (IEM) using a single liquid crystal polymer diaphragm dynamic driver. The T3 Plus is currently on sale for around $70 at TinHiFi’s Official Store on AliExpress. I received the T3 Plus directly from TinHiFi in exchange for my impressions.

SOURCES:​

I have used the TinHiFi T3 Plus with the following sources:

• Qudelix 5K
• Ikko ITM01
• Audirect Beam 3 Pro

MUSIC:​

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:

XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:​

The TinHiFi T3 Plus comes in a medium-sized rectangular grey cardboard box with a white slipcover. The slipcover has minimal branding. In addition to the IEMs themselves, T3 Plus comes with 12 silicone eartips (S [2x], M [2x], L [2x]) in two different color schemes. My review package also included three pairs of TinHiFi aquamarine blue foam eartips. The T3 Plus comes with a grey TinHiFi-branded drawstring bag for storage. In terms of documentation, the package includes a user manual and a card with a Quick Response code link to TinHiFi’s website.

BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN:​

The TinHiFi T3 Plus has translucent dark grey acrylic shells with a pseudo-custom fit. The teardrop-shaped faceplates have a black-and-white marbled pattern into which the TinHiFi logo is embossed in gold. There is a single small circular vent adjacent to the nozzle on each shell. The interior faces of the shells are marked with “L” and “R” indicators. The 2-pin connector holes are flush with the shell. The nozzles are brass with mesh nozzle filters and have substantial rims to secure eartips.


The detachable 2-pin cable is curled in a spiral pattern below the Y-split. Above the Y-split, both sides of the cable are wrapped in a double-helix pattern. The cable uses dark anodized grey metal hardware for the 3.5mm jack housing, Y-split, chin-adjustment choker, and 2-pin connectors. The Y-split hardware is branded with the TinHiFi logo. There is strain relief above the 3.5mm jack, but none at the Y-split. The cable has pre-formed plastic earguides without memory wire. The cable is moderately microphonic even with the use of the chin-adjustment slider.

COMFORT, FIT, AND ISOLATION:​

The TinHiFi T3 Plus is intended to be worn cable-up. The earpieces have a moderate insertion depth. Secureness of fit is average. Comfort is above average. Isolation is above average for a single dynamic driver design. I did not notice driver flex with the T3 Plus but I used the included foams for my evaluation.

MEASUREMENTS:​

My measurements of the TinHiFi T3 Plus can be found on my expanding squig.link database: TinHiFi T3 Plus — Squiglink by Bedrock Reviews

My review unit has some channel imbalance but it was not audible outside of the “Gaming” mode on the Ikko ITM01, which I presume applies a preset which exacerbates the imbalance in the vocal region.

My measurements are conducted with a Dayton iMM-6 microphone using a vinyl tubing coupler and a calibrated USB sound interface. The measurements use a compensation file derived from relating my raw measurements to published measurements from Crinacle per the process described here. These measurements should not be directly compared to IEC-compliant measurements.

SOUND:​

The TinHiFi T3 Plus has a Harman-ish tuning.

The T3 Plus has a warm, sub-bass-focused bass tuning. The sub-bass is elevated above the mid-bass. Sub-bass extension is good but not exceptional. There is more slam than rumble. The bass has moderate texture. Bass articulation is good, but bass dynamics are slightly compressed. Drums have slight plasticity to their impact.

The T3 Plus follows the Harman target in principle with respect to its midrange tuning, with a shallow recession in the lower midrange followed by a broad elevation in the upper midrange. The upper midrange is smooth and omits the dreaded presence region peak. Vocals are exceptionally clear for an IEM of this price, especially with respect to male vocals. The T3 imbues melodic male vocals with a lushness uncommon for budget IEMs. Female vocals sound slightly less vibrant in contrast, but this is a tradeoff worth making in my opinion. The T3 Plus also does a very good job of preserving the audibility of underlying instrumentation, which is a common pitfall for IEMs with Harman-ish tunings. I do not find the T3 Plus to be sibilant. Midrange timbre is mostly natural but exhibits hints of plasticity and compression, as discussed earlier.

The T3 Plus’s treble response is likely to be the most polarizing aspect of its tuning as the lower treble is more elevated than I would consider safe. I enjoy the sizzle and definition this gives percussion, but some may find it uncomfortable. While there is more sparkle than air, upper treble extension is surprisingly good for a budget IEM. Transient delivery is a little hazy and not as sharp or defined as it could be. Detail retrieval is good for the price. As mentioned before, instrument separation is very good. Imaging is fairly average, but the soundstage is quite wide for a single dynamic driver design.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOONDROP ARIA:​

The Aria has superior sub-bass extension but the T3 Plus sounds warmer and more full-bodied. This increased sense of body also applies with respect to vocals on the T3 Plus. Vocals are more prominent on the Aria but the T3 Plus does a better job of maintaining the audibility of midrange instruments under vocal lines. The Aria sounds less plasticky in terms of its timbre than the T3 Plus but also sounds thinner overall. The Aria has cleaner bass articulation but the T3 Plus has better overall detail retrieval. Treble transient delivery is more defined on the Aria. The T3 Plus’s soundstage is more expansive.

AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCE PAIRING:​

The TinHiFi T3 Plus is very easy to drive. I did not notice hiss with any of my sources.

CLOSING WORDS:​

The TinHiFi T3 Plus, while quite different from the IEMs which built TinHifi’s reputation, is a well-tuned IEM with competitive technical performance for the price point.

The TinHiFi T3 Plus can be purchased below:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003564199865.html

INTRODUCTION:

Tin HiFi, a brand which is widely known among audiophiles and a big name in the ChiFi industry. Their first hot success is the T2 and it gave a life and birth to the T series lineup. But after the T2 the rest of the products didn't create any big impact in the market and after a very long time the T2 Plus created a nice impact in the market.

To continue that PLUS lineup the T3 Plus is launched with some improvements over the T2 Plus. In this review let's check out how good the T3 Plus sounds and why it is considered as the MULTIFACETED iem for the price.



DISCLAIMER:

This unit has been provided to me by HiFiGo in exchange for my honest review. This review is completely based on my observations with this product and it may vary from person to person based on the source you pair with it. You can purchase the product from the following non affiliated link: https://hifigo.com/products/tinhifi-t3-plus
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M2QWLMZ/tin+hifi+t3+plus/

SPECIFICATIONS:

Driver: φ10mm Liquid crystal polymer vibrator membrane speaker

Sensitivity: 105±3dB @1kHz 0.179V

Frequency Range: 10-20kH

Interface: Gold-plated 2 Pin connector

Plug type: 3.5mm black glue gold plated plug

Conductor/Cable: Φ 2.8mm (40 / 0.05 oxygen free copper 200D Kevlar) * 4-core Black PU cable L=1.25m

Impedance: 32Ω±15%

Rated Power: 3mW

Max Power: 5mW

Max Distortion: 1% @1k Hz 0.179V

DESIGN AND FIT:

The design aspect of the T3 Plus is very usual but the execution that they do is very nice. The design follows the custom shell shaped design while having that minimal subtle look overall. The faceplate has that striking dark colour with some glittering effect when the light strikes in the faceplate. The branding is done on the faceplate which is gold lettered.



When it comes to the fit they are very good in terms of isolation. Even after longer listening sessions they never cause any fatigue. The shell is very lightweight since it is fully resin made. The connector area is nicely tucked along with the body thus the ear guides that the cable has a nice comfortable feel in the ears. The provided ear tips are of good quality too where you can achieve a good fit and isolation via the provided ear tips.

The provided cable is of good quality and it's the same as that of the T5. The cable is black coloured and the braiding is done above average. The connector area is made of metal and the termination area is also metal covered. They also possess a nice metal splitter along with a chin slider for comfortable wear experience.

The given cloth bag is average in terms of quality but for the price there is nothing to complain about. The branding is done on the front of the bag and a drawstring is provided for the closure.

SOUND:

The sound profile of the T3 Plus is a U shaped profile. The graph of the T3 Plus seems very nice and even in the real world this sounds one of the best under 100 USD. The T3 Plus is simply the muscled up version of the T2 Plus which is already known for its clean, smoother and natural sound with exceptional tonality. The T3 Plus just delivers the improved t2 plus sound by giving that nice extra bite in the low end. In this review we will dive into the in depth sectioning of the audio.

Source: iPhone + Zen Can + Ztella + Avani



LOW END:

The low end in the T3 Plus is exceptional and actually i didn’t have any big expectations with the Tin product especially in the low end but surprisingly the low end is just BAM!

T2 plus being very faster in terms of speed lacked that extra sense of rumble and the sub bass roll off was evident since it is a very balanced set with just a hint of mid bass emphasis. This T3 Plus is just awesome where the speed is precisely tuned with enough fastness thus the sub bass presence here is more evident and that mid bass presence is also done well with less or none mid bass bleed.

SUB BASS: The sub bass has very good extension providing that nice rumble sensation which is not overly done thus that tightness and the control is impeccable in the T3 Plus. The sub bass is very much controlled, tighter and has very good speed hence the clarity and the separation in the sub bass region is nicely done. This makes the faster tracks a piece of cake to be handled by the T3 Plus.

1. Bigfoot – Malfnktion
2. Boom – Tiesto & Sevenn

MID BASS: The mid bass is tastefully done where the presence is evident still no bleed is observed in the mid range. The fastness is adequate, control and separation in the mid bass region is very good for the price. If not, it's the best in this price range. The nice low end presence gave the staging a nice depth sensation. The layering effect and the technicalities aspect of the low end is very precisely done.

1. Nagada Sang Dhol – Ram Leela

Overall the low end in the T3 Plus is impeccable and if not the best tuned low end for the price. The low end has that excellent technicality aspect while still delivering that nice extension, weight, thick sound and the slam. Being a Tin IEM I thought that this will not dominate the low end region but surprisingly this thing just made a big shout that they are now Basshead approved too!



MID RANGE:

The midrange of the T3 Plus is another welcoming aspect where the presentation is done well which is nice and forward. I like earphones with that nice forward presentation since that gives that nice engaging experience. The T3Plus vocal rendering is done beautifully. This is an example for the thick and fuller sounding vocals. Neatly done with no harshness in the upper mid section.

Both the male and the female vocals have that nice full bodied sound and nothing sounds shrill or lean. The instruments however slightly take the back seat but not a complete laidback setup instead the positioning is done appropriately.

The strings and kick drums take the nice stage presence while the piano notes are pushed back but overall they sound very good too.

The tonality and the timbre is another excellent aspect here; they sound very natural and organic and don't appear dry or metallic. The pleasant and slightly warmer tonality gives this earphone a nice non fatiguing listening experience.

The clarity and the separation in the T3 plus is above average since the staging is nice and wide with enough presence of air in the midrange. The vocals and the instruments got a lot of room to breathe hence no congestion was observed. The resolution is the disappointing aspect but other than that all the technicality aspects are just a bliss in the T3 Plus. Overall the midrange is the combination of all the T series models where it posses that clarity of the t2 while retaining that thick nature of the T4 and T5

1. In The Heights – Lin-Manuel Miranda
2. Get Lucky – Daft Punk
3. No Time To Die – Billie Eilish

TREBLE:

The treble in the T3 Plus is very good in terms of clarity and separation. The extension is good and the roll off point is very desirable. The treble never fatigues you in a longer listening period while also maintaining that energy and the engaging factor.

The treble has that nice shimmer and the brilliance hence they sound nice and open. The clarity and the separation is impeccable considering the low end emphasis this has. The treble overall sounds open and smoother and no noticeable sibilance or hotness is seen in the upper treble region.

The timbre of the instruments felt very nice where they are pretty much realistic and have that natural tone. The bite, crisp and attack are present in the instruments and don't have that darker background which is quite nice. They are neither too bright or too dark, instead they are at a very pleasing staging.

1. Jack Of Speed – Steely Dan
2. Dreams – Fleetwood Mac
3. Out For Blood – SUM 41

TECHNICALITIES:

STAGING: The soundstage of the T3 Plus is very good in terms of depth and above average in terms of width and height. The depth is nicely done here due to that nice bass presence. The width is above average too hence the separation and the clarity felt very good and it also led to that open sounding nature. Overall they don’t have that claustrophobic sound thus they sound well wide and open.

IMAGING: The imaging is pretty precise too since there is no fuzzy nature of the sound. Since the low end in the T3 Plus is nicely tuned with precise emphasis the imaging felt very clear and easy pinpoint of the instruments is possible even in the faster and busy tracks.

The detail retrieval may not be upto the mark of an ALL BA iem but considering that this has only a single dynamic driver the T3 Plus is very much nice for the price.

The Resolution is the weak aspect here but i won't mind that much since for the price they just do more than good enough if not they are the best for the price.

1. Global Gear (INSTRUMENTAL) – Punya Srinivas
2. Hideaway – Jacob Collier
3. The Blowers Daughter – Damien Rice

VERDICT:

T3 Plus, the latest offering from the Tin HiFi Audio is an excellent multifaceted IEM for sure. The T series is the famous lineup in the Tin family where they are budget oriented at the same time they deliver excellent sound too. The T2 was their legendary model which had that excellent neutral sound profile while the T4 and T5 had that nice thick and full bodied sound. The T3 Plus is tuned in such a way that it combines the qualities of all the Tin Series IEM’s thus creating a versatile sound that just apts any genre you play.

From the aspect of the build to the sound I can just praise this earphone all day long but in short they are just phenomenal. They have the best low end in the Tin lineup and if not best in this price range where the low end is thick, mature at the same time has that technical range too. The midrange is presented well nice and forward, while the treble has that airy and open sound with excellent technicalities. The layering especially is very impressive and staging is above average.

Overall the T3 Plus is my primary recommendation in this price range and if not under 100USD! I can take this IEM any day under 100usd and especially over Aria! In my opinion the T3 Plus is just a well rounded MULTIFACETED iem in this market.

Intro​

Disclaimer: The TinHiFi T3 Plus was provided to us at no charge courtesy of Ken from TinHiFi. However, this was done in understanding I was to give my honest thoughts and opinions of the T3 Plus. All I was asked to do was to provide the link to their official store if you're interested in snagging a pair for yourselves but feel free to use your own links if you prefer to. For more reviews like this, do consider checking out our website too!

TinHiFi has done it before, cementing its name in the community with stellar releases like the T2 and T4. TinHiFi has switched things up this time, thinking out of the box by redesigning their IEMs instead of trying to recreate the magic that the T2 and T4 had, and what better way than to slot right in the middle of that naming convention, the T3… Plus. I did mention thinking out of the box, right?

Accessories (Score: 7.0/10)​

TinHiFi ensures that the T3 Plus comes with the basics and is rather aesthetically packaged. However, it falls a little short of what its competitors in the price range are providing. It comes with a cloth pouch and some tips, including some of their foam tips, which are really great by the way. I don’t mind the pouch instead of a more typical case as I already have too many non-functioning cases lying around, and a pouch is a much more portable and likely to be used by myself. However, I found the cable a little lacking. It’s a twisted cable that doesn’t coil nicely and gets tangled quite easily. Not the best stock cable but it seems durable enough to last. I swapped mine out to a third-party cable which was more comfortable and in a 4.4mm termination.

Build Quality and Fit (Score: 8.5/10)​

Here’s where TinHiFi really breaks the mould. It leaves behind its usual cylindrical full-metal shell for a more conventionally-shaped resin shell. The T3 Plus is probably the most comfortable TinHiFi IEM I’ve tried and I absolutely love the aesthetic. Clear on the inside to reveal the huge driver and a gorgeous faceplate design as a finishing touch. The resin feels solid and the nozzle is also long enough to provide a secure fit. Great promising stuff.

Sound (Score: /10)​

Sources

• Lotoo Paw S1
• Hiby R5

Music listened to

• NEEDTOBREATHE
• Greenday
• Joscho Stephan
• Linkin Park
• 10cm
• Young Rising Sons
• Hyukoh-23
• Zion.T
• Stevie Wonder - In The Key of Life
• Galantis - Church

Bass
The T3 Plus has an authoritative and present lower end. It is clearly emphasised but never overdone, doing just enough to add a satisfying warmth to the music. It's not the most well defined or detailed bass but strikes a good middle ground between musicality and crispness. Basslines on Stevie Wonder's Sir Duke were clear and not muddied. The bass quantity is similar to the Starfield but is a little more impactful and decays a little faster, which I quite enjoyed. Subbass extension is also very well-done, I enjoyed the blend of the drums and bass on Hyukoh's tracks.

Mids
I loved the tuning of the mids on the T3 plus and this could be the best mids tuning I've heard from any TinHiFi IEM. The vocal weight and presence impressed me listening to some ballads. The timbre is also very pleasing, without any harshness. Take note though, there is a boost in the upper mids, especially the female vocal range. If this is something you're sensitive to, it may come across as a little too forward for your liking at times. To me, it was still acceptable as I enjoy tunings with a bit of a boost in the upper mids, where vocals and instruments come through nice and authoritatively as long as the tonality is right.

Treble
Treble extension is a little lacking, with a more prominent lower treble. The lower treble gives a nice edge to the sound, but never sounded sibilant or peaky. It gave the cymbals on the drumset sufficient energy, evident on Stevie Wonder tracks once again. On IEMs like the Tripowin Mele, the tuning is noticeably darker, so if that was an issue for you, perhaps the T3 Plus is a good option. The lower energy keeps the overall tuning from being too dull or dark.

Overall
The T3 Plus is quite an intimate sounding earphone. In terms of tuning, it achieves a good balance between the vocal presentation, energetic upper mids-lower treble, and punchy bass made for an enjoyable dynamic sound. That said, the T3 Plus isn't the most detailed sounding earphones, and I often found myself missing some of the finer nuances of the music, but overall, the tonality was very enjoyable, and I would say the T3 Plus is very versatile with genres.

Comparison​

Whizzer He-01


The Whizzer He-01 is also a single dynamic driver IEM at a similar price point, perhaps slightly pricier. I would say between the two, they have quite a lot of similarities in tuning and sound signature. I would say that the T3 Plus is more comfortable than the Whizzer and has a better and a better 2-pin connector. From what I remember, the bass is also slightly tighter and less muddy on the T3 Plus than on the Whizzer.

Conclusion​

The Tin T3 Plus is not exceptionally good at any one aspect and excels as a jack of many trades. I wouldn't say it "punches beyond its price tag", however, it stands out as a strong competitor in its price bracket and comes across as a well thought out, and well-designed product. This is saying a lot with a myriad of subpar IEMs flooding the market at the moment. The T3 Plus has a good fit, gorgeous aesthetics, and a pleasant tuning that I really enjoyed as a daily driver. At US$69, it's definitely not cheap for a first IEM, but I would feel comfortable recommending it to people entering the hobby, especially to those looking for a more fun-sounding IEM.

I foresee the T3 Plus being well-liked by many for its versatility and how it manages to do so much with just a good implementation of a single dynamic driver. It's safe to say TinHiFi is back on track and have once again reminded us why they rose to fame years ago with the Tin T2.

Overall Grade: B+
Click HERE for our grading list for earphones

The Tin T3 Plus have been sent to me by HifiGo in exchange for this review. The only thing that they have requested is that I leave links to the T3+ on their site and via Amazon, which I will do as usual. Other than that, they haven’t requested anything in particular and my review will attempt to be as honest and unbiased as possible, but as I always say, it is good to take into consideration that these IEMs have not cost me anything.

As normal, I will not post purchase links outside my web and channel, even though none of the links are affiliate. So to see the direct links to the T3+ on HifiGo, please visit the version posted on my blog.



Intro…

The Tin Hifi T3 Plus, which I will just call T3+ from now on, are the latest release from a company that has a well established name in the IEM world, especially in the economical ranges.

My first introduction to Tin Hifi was the T2, which I believe was the same for many people. It was a fairly neutral set that was very good for its price, I still see it recommended. Since then I have reviewed a couple of their IEMs, although they have released many more than I have reviewed, and the T2 Plus, which I reviewed last year, was my main recommendation for a sub 50€ set for quite a while. In fact, I think it is still a great set of IEMs for the price.

I didn’t get to try the original T3, released back in 2019 I believe, but I remember it receiving its fair share of praise, so when I was offered the T3+ for review, I was of course happy to take a listen.



Presentation…

The T3+ arrives in a simple white box, the same as previous models I have seen from them, and inside this we find a grey box with a lift of lid and a felt covered interior. The IEMs sit in a cutout with a small white box underneath containing the accessories. Underneath the lid, which is also felt covered, there are a couple of ribbons that hold the user manual and warranty card.

Inside the smaller accessory box we get a cable, various spare silicone tips and a small cloth carrying bag with the Tin Hifi Logo.

The presentation is nothing out of the ordinary but as I always say, with economical IEMs I prefer to see that a large percentage of the budget has not been destined to packaging and accessories.



Build and aesthetics…

Starting with the IEMs, Tin Hifi has moved away from the usual aesthetics that I automatically associate with the brand, opting for a more generic shaped resin shell, with a very nice grey marble effect on the faceplate and the Tin logo in gold.

These aesthetics do take away some of the instant recognition that the majority of Tin models have, blending in more with many other brands, however, this is a shape that is very comfortable and lightweight, so I am happy with their decision. I also must say that I do like the finish on these, not a boring single colour but also not a bright “look at me” finish.

The shells are dark enough to not allow me to see the insides of them but from the outside they look to be well made. I guess only time will tell but I can’t foresee any specific issues with the build.

The cable is also a simple black cable with a “rope style” weave, or rather wrap, which is very reminiscent of the cable included with the Kinera IEMs that I reviewed earlier this year. However, it has a nice feeling to it and also has connectors and hardware that look to be of good quality and do add an elegant touch to the cable.

One thing that certainly deserves praise, at least from me, is that they have opted for 2 pin connectors instead of MMCX! Yes, I know that the T1 Plus also had 2 pin connectors (which were similar to the ones used by KZ, rather than the flush ones on the T3+) but I am still happy that they are used. In the past I have had issues with MMCX connectors and the Tin T2 were the ones that I had most issues with, so it is nice not to have to worry about that happening on the T3+.

To be honest, I really have no complaints about build or aesthetics with the T3+ and the comfort is very good, although that is obviously something that I can only vouch for with my own ears.



Sound…

My experience with Tin Hifi, along with the many reviews that I have read of their products, lead me to expect a tuning that is more towards the bright side of things, which is not something I hate by the way, but that is not the case with the T3+.

I am not saying this in a negative way, not at all, I just found that upon listening to the T3+ for the first time it presented a smoother and less “bright” signature than my ears were expecting.

It seems that this time Tin have opted for a tuning that is more along the lines of the contenders that it is up against in a similar price bracket (the T3+ comes in around 60€, which is just above the 50€ bracket that I consider “ultra economical” but is still a very reasonable price). The overall signature is more towards that found on things like the Legacy 2 or the Aria. This could be considered more of a “safe” choice from Tin but seeing the praise that things like the Aria get, it is obviously a tuning that works well for many people.

While it is a similar tuning, it is obviously not exactly the same, it does deviate a little, especially in the higher mids and lower treble, but I’ll go through my usual sections to get there.

In the subbass, there is a nice extension but it is not really something I would consider subbass focused. Listening to tracks with plenty of subbass content, such as “Chameleon” (as always) and “Royals”, there is rumble going on, letting you appreciate those lower notes but without it really becoming the center of attention. I can’t say that it lacks subbass for my personal preferences, I could even survive with a little less, but I like the fact that it is not overdone to the point where it takes control of the whole lower end.

Moving into the mid bass, listening to tracks like “Sun is Shining” by Bob Marley & Robin Schultz, “No Sanctuary Here” by Marian Herzog feat Chris Jones, or even things like “All Eyez on Me” by 2Pac or “Still D.R.E”, I find that the bass has plenty of presence for these to be enjoyable. Again, I wouldn’t say that it is overly bassy but I don’t think many people would complain that it has a lack of bass at all (unless they are real bass heads!).

I also find that the bass is also very well controlled and defined. I spent most of Friday at my desk listening to Dance music and I was quite surprised at how well the bass came across, making it very enjoyable. I also don’t have any real complaints about the timbre of the bass, making most instruments sound very natural in their lower ranges, with no lack of warmth. Once more, it is slightly north of neutral but not enough for me to find it offensive or bloated.

Moving into the lower mids, there is no real bleed and I don’t find the bass invading these regions and making them seem bloated. Ok, I have heard better transitions but it is not really something that is worth complaining about as I feel that it is more than adequate for the price bracket it sits in.

The mids themselves do have a bit of a dip in their center, as is to be expected with the tuning that Tin Hifi are aiming for with this set of IEMs. However, the higher mids do have enough presence to bring back vocals and put them back up front. There are a few voices that I have found to seem a little recessed in the mids, mainly those that are located in the lower mids, and also a couple that suffer with the presence in the higher mids, making them take on a little harshness at times. This is not a regular occurance and it is mainly voices that are already known to be harsh, such as Beth in “Don’t You Worry Child”, but they do sort of clash with that extra upper mid presence and can come across a little shouty at times.

Moving into the higher regions, sibilance is something that is kept in check quite well, with only a hint appearing on songs that are usually on the verge anyway. As with the upper mids, it is not something that appears regularly, only on vocals that are already in that zone, but it can show a hint now and again.

As far as details, I find this is probably the weakest point of the T3+. It is not bad, there are details, but it is not as detailed (in my opinion) as something like the T2+. I think a lot of this is due to the tuning that they have opted for with this set, it is certainly not as “in your face” as the T2+. The details are there, within reason, but they don’t jump out at you.

Soundstage and image placement are ok, sort of the average I am used to finding in this price range of IEMs. I guess they could be slightly above average in this regard but the smoothness of the tuning again masks the imaging slightly and makes it not sound quite as impressive as it might have been with a slightly different tuning.



Conclusion…

Tin Hifi have moved towards a tuning on these IEMs that I think will fit well for 90% of those interested in IEMs in this price range. They work well with every source I have tried, they look and feel decent, and the overall sound is quite pleasant.

I feel that they may have lost some of the “Tin” sound along the way, or at least the sound that I personally associate with Tin Hifi, but again, I think that is something that will probably appeal to a larger amount of people.

The negative side to this is that they are suddenly in a bracket with a lot of competition, there are many brands that offer similar sound signatures and performance at prices that are around this mark. I think that the T3+ is a competitive set though and those looking for this kind of tuning should definitely check them out as there really isn’t anything bad about them for the price.

www.achoreviews.com
www.youtube.com/achoreviews

The ever-ongoing battle for IEMs market share gets more and more competitive as we edge towards the end of 2021. TIN HiFi not wanting to be left out, presented us with the latest iteration of their T series lineup, the T3 Plus.



Foreword

• I received my T3+ from HifiGo, offered at a very attractive price I couldn’t refuse. Me being a serial customer to their online shop. To reflect on their generosity, as usual I have agreed to write my impressions as how I see fit.
• I never use EQ in any of my audio equipment, ever
• I am already very familiar with TIN HiFi house sound, me being an avid user of their venerable P1 and P1+ magnetic planars, so this is actually my first TIN HiFi IEM that’s not a planar
• My T3+ has undergone well over 100 hours of daily usage with average time spent 3-4 hours per day prior to this article. When not used, I left it plugged in to my laptop to run on continuous loop of Pink Noise.

The Build & Wear

T3+ is a resin-based IEM with solid transparent shells. Beautifully crafted to look elegant as it is ergonomically comfortable. Notably smaller than most resin-based IEMs we have seen lately (probably due to them being multi drivers). For example, there’s a lot of resemblance of T3+ to my SeeAudio Bravery – especially with that textured ingrained design on the faceplate – the difference, Bravery is notably larger. T3+ housing a single Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) Dynamic Driver of 10mm (105db/32 Ohm).

End to end the entire packaging of T3+ is admirably neat and tasteful. The cable itself is quite modest with simple twist braid in black – nothing fanciful, yet to my eyes they looked so beautiful being spartan black.

Equipment Used

• HiBy FC5 MQA (3.5mm & 4.4mm)
• Ovidius B1 (3.5mm SE)
• CEntrance DACport HD (3.5mm SE)
• Lotoo PAW S2 (4.4mm)
• VE MEGATRON
• Questyle M12 MQA (3.5mm SE)
• Abigail
• Avani
• VE Run About Plus 5 (18V Amplifier)
• LG V50 ThinQ (Quad DAC 3.5mm & USB)
• Sony Xperia X Compact
• HiBy Music with USB Exclusive Mode (FLAC)
• Tidal Masters with USB Exclusive Mode

Tips & Cable Observation
I am quite pleased to find out that T3+ was already quite optimized out of the box. The stock cable beside looking great, seems to exhibit great synergy with the IEM itself. I only swapped the cable when I need to run on 4.4mm BAL.

Same goes for the tips, a very rare occasion of me being able to use the stock silicone tips (the red barrel version) without the need to pain myself with furious tips rolling like what I did with most other IEMs (especially the P1). Ultimately, I opted to swap in my personal favorite, the Misodiko MIX460 primarily due to my ears being so accustomed to the wear and feel of it. Otherwise, I would be happy to use the stock tips.

Timbre, Tonality & Dynamics
T3+ is a very well-tuned IEM, as simple as that. The timbre is decidedly more aligned towards organic natural – not exactly neutral, but well balanced to dwell between the region of being warm and bright. Slight emphasis on the lower frequencies, notably with pronounced Sub-Bass presence. Dynamics exhibiting great maturity and control with vibrancy – which means it is not as euphonic as some very exciting and lively sounding IEMs.

Tone wise, it is natural and very well-tuned throughout the entire sound spectrum. Instruments, vocals, percussions etc. all sounded proper and without any sign of artificial coloration. I would even say that this reminds me a lot of the tone and timbre of TForce Yuan Li, Etymotic ER2XR and SeeAudio Bravery – the other IEMs that I immensely enjoyed. Polished, natural, and very well-behaved dynamics.

Mids
This can be a bit tricky it seems. Mids as how I heard it, may sound a bit reserved on some songs – especially Rock/Metal/Indie recordings. However, with the likes of Diana Krall, Alison Krauss and Sinne Eeg, the Mids sounded as forward as how it was intended. Perhaps not as forward sounding as the Etymotic ER2XR or TIN HiFi P1 but amply spaced to remain present. Depending on the source as well, with Ovidius B1, Lotoo PAW S2, VE MEGATRON + RAP5, Avani and DACport HD, the mids sounded totally normal and realistic. However, with my LG V50 Quad DAC and Abigail, the Mids are not as pronounced, almost veering towards a very mild V curve sound signature – but then this is nitpicking.

Aside from the observation as noted above, the overall Mids resolution of T3+ is crisp and detailed. The imaging strong and convincing, even when at times the recordings may exhibit slight recessed presentation. Vocals regardless of male or female sounded natural without any hint of added warmth or glare. However, I would still say that for those preferring denser Mids perhaps could be better served with the other siblings of P1 or P1+.

Treble
In tandem with the overall balanced signature of T3+, Treble is tuned not to please outright Trebleheads. It is very well controlled with moderation. There’s enough Treble sparkle and air to keep it exciting, but not as splashy as some bright sounding IEMs (Heart Mirror, Beyerdynamic DT990 or BQEYZ Spring 1). Despite being not as bright, the details and texture is there, presented with subtle articulation that is soothing and very appealing for long hours listening. Perhaps being not as pronounced some may perceive, T3+ Treble being not as deeply extended, but it does. Treble micro details that I am hearing suggests that the extension is there and audible. Perhaps what I wish could have been done better was the Treble decays, T3+ opted for crisp and prompt tuning instead of smooth lingering decays, not something that bothers me much as I am just nitpicking here. I find enjoyment in crisp decays as well truth be told.

Bass
The strength of T3+ is the balance between Mid-Bass and Sub-Bass. Mid-Bass being amply commanding yet fast and well controlled – offering enough density and attack to keep things lively. Sub-Bass being deep and well textured, mild yet present seismic sensations where it is applicable. Notably for a natural sounding IEM, T3+ I consider as slightly tilted as Bass-rich. In comparison, it is actually similar to Moondrop Aria, and a bit more of Bass density versus TForce Yuan Li. Any which way, I think T3+ Bass will not be satisfying enough for Bassheads.

What I do like a lot about T3 is how “adaptive” it is to presenting Bass depending on the songs. With Hans Zimmer “Mombasa” and Massive Attack “Angel”, it was so very lively and groovy with deep and impactful Bass performances. And this is what wins it for me.

Technicalities
T3+ has wide and spacious soundstage, I mean some of the best soundstage I have heard so far for an IEM. This however depends on the source. With Abigail, DACport HD, HiBy FC5 and MEGATRON, the sense of space is actually quite amazing, wide as it is with great depth and height. I must admit not even TForce Yuan Li or SeeAudio Bravery can challenge T3+ on this segment. Not even Moondrop Aria (which was one of the widest I have owned so far). But worth to note that with Ovidius B1, Lotoo PAW S2 and Avani, it is not as wide. Instead, I get a more intimate imaging which is closer knit.

Overall Imaging and spatial positioning are crisp and clean. Not as clinically surgical like the top dogs but not too shabby at all. Layers separation is clean as well, making it easy to track individual instruments – cohesive and solid.

Speed wise, I am happy with how T3+ renders complex tracks. Deft handling with prompt responses throughout the frequency range. Be it very busy or outright speedy tracks, T3+ handles them all admirably.

Details handling is very admirable too. Macro and Micro details being presented with ample articulation and finesse. Basically, it means, T3 does not splash the details like the more technically inclined IEMs, the approach is yet again balanced presentation that is subtle.

Scalability
This is my favorite subject as I am a strong believer in matching it right to strike synergy. T3+ will already be sounding great direct from the Phone out from my Quad DAC of LG V50. However notably, while the sound quality itself is quite satisfying, the soundstage is not as wide or spacious as how it should be. The same can be said of the pair of Avani and Abigail – T3+ already performing great with approx. 1 Vrms of driving power. Very efficient.

It must be noted though, that it seems to me T3+ only improve marginally with higher driving power between 2-4 Vrms. Sounding absolutely the best when paired with HiBy FC5 (4.4mm BAL 2 Vrms), Ovidius B1 (3.5mm SE 2 Vrms) and CEntrance DACport HD (3.5mm SE 4.1 Vrms). With the exceedingly powerful VE MEGATRON, it does not sound any different than it is when compared to DACport HD, indicating that T3+ has already reached max possible peak at the mark of 4 Vrms, Megatron and RAP5 being well over 4.7 Vrms.


Verdict

TIN HiFi T3+, in summary I would just say that I am truly impressed with the overall performance and quality delivery. As I have said so many times, balance is the strongest asset of T3+. It is neither warm nor it is bright. T3+ is a very well-tuned IEM exhibiting great maturity. I would draw comparison that T3+ is very much similar to TForce Yuan Li, with an exception that Yuan Li being closer to neutral reference, T3+ being slightly Bass richer in contrast. Also, Yuan Li exhibit better scalability with more power, while T3+ maxed out at the mark of 4 Vrms.

Another comparison, with Moondrop Aria. To me Aria is a sweet but dark sounding IEM, T3+ offering a bit more transparency due to being not as dark or warm as Aria.

Ultimately, on its own, T3+ is assuredly an IEM that delivers great value at a very competitive price. It is an easy to wear unit that will work great with many sources. Not finicky at all (unlike the P1 and P1+). And this convinced me that T3+ is true gem deserving high rating.

TIN HiFi T3+ Can be purchased here:
https://hifigo.com/products/tinhifi-t3-plus
or
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M2QWLMZ/tin+hifi+t3+plus/

Introduction:
TinHIFI is, by now, a well known company in the portable audio industry. They were made famous by their T2 which was a big hit. As of writing this review, TinHIFI is exclusively producing IEMs, with their T series utilizing dynamic drivers exclusively, except for the T3 which has a hybrid driver setup, and their P series which uses planar magnetic drivers. The T3 Plus is the second iteration of the T3, and currently retails for 69 USD. The T3 Plus was provided to me for free by KeepHIFI in exchange for this review.

International purchase link

Specifications:
Driver units: 10 mm dynamic, liquid crystal polymer diaphragm
Impedance: 32 ohms
Sensitivity: 105 dB
Frequency response range: 10 Hz - 20 kHz

Source:
Poco X3 paired with FiiO KA3, iBasso DC03, Shanling UA1, Tempotec Sonata E35 and Zishan U1

Test tracks:
Africano - Earth Wind and Fire
Dark Necessities - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Gurenge - Lisa
The Chain - Fleetwood Mac
Monsters - All Time Low
Ours - Taylor Swift
Stay - Mayday Parade
Snuff - Slipknot
Yesterday Once More - Carpenters
So Slow - Freestyle
Aurora Sunrise - Franco
Attention - Pentatonix
Blue Bird - Ikimono-gakari
You're Still The One - Shania Twain
Anyone Who Knows What Love Is(Will Understand) - Irma Thomas
Salamin - Slapshock
AOV - Slipknot
Hey Jude - The Beatles
The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
...and a lot more.

Unboxing and Accessories:
The T3 Plus comes in a medium sized white box which has a side opening. The inner box has a top lid where a QR code card and the instruction manual are inserted. Underneath are the earphones resting on foams, with medium silicone eartips already attached. Right next to it is a smaller, rectangular box that contains the cable with a velcro strap, a drawstring cloth pouch, and two sets of silicone eartips.

Build:
The shells are made of UV-cured resin. The faceplate has this glittery, marble design that reminds me of the See Audio Bravery. The faceplate also sports the TinHIFI logo. Right now if you browse the T3 Plus' product page in any store, you will notice that the faceplate has a "TINHIFI" text instead of the logo. This is because they decided to change it for some reason. At the top portion of the shell, there is a single vent. At the rear side of the shell there are printed R and L indicators and another vent at the center of the driver. It can be noticed that the dynamic driver is placed closer to the nozzle compared to most IEMs. The nozzle is a separate piece and is made of metal. Additional to the lip, the nozzle is also wider than usual, so eartips are locked in place. The nozzle also has a metal mesh filter.

The cable is a twisted 4-core oxygen-free copper which is the same cable that comes with the TinHIFI T5. It is soft, and a little thinner than average but feels durable enough. The 0.78 mm 2 pin connectors, splitter, chin slider, and the 3.5 mm gold plated plug are all made of metal.

Now let's get to the sound.

Lows:
The lows are presented in a rich manner. Subbass is forward and noticeably has more focus than the midbass. Subbass reaches very deep, accompanied by a slightly elevated amount of decay. Midbass is tighter in comparison, with a sufficient weight and slam that never interferes with the mids.

Overall, TinHIFI changed how the lows are tuned in the T3 Plus. Before, most of their IEMs have tight, fast rumbles and hard-hitting midbass. Now with the T3 Plus, the lows have much more substance, with a more vibrant sounding midbass.

Mids:
The mids are placed at just the right spot; not forward nor recessed. Vocals have a slightly above average level of articulation. There is a small bump in the upper mids that makes female vocals partially more forward than the male ones. Acoustic guitars, pianos, and other instruments sound lively and has an added shimmer to them.

Overall, the mids of the T3 Plus is tailored to perform better on tracks with a female vocalist. But, although very minor and pretty much negligible, that small upper mids boost can sometimes give a hint of aggressiveness in some tracks.

Highs:
The highs also exhibit a slight emphasis. Treble reach is adequate while the decay is noticeably extended. On some tracks, the upper treble has a tendency to sound a little grainy, especially in genres like rock or metal.

Overall, the highs are reminiscent of TinHIFI's previous offerings. Sufficient details are present but the elevation is focused more on the lower treble; a safe option especially for treble sensitive people.

Soundstage and Imaging:
The stage has an adequate amount of space. The width has a very, very slight edge over the height. Imaging has great accuracy and clarity. Instrument separation and layering are great as well, with each instrument having substantial airiness in between them. And since the three major frequencies are fairly balanced and harmonious, there is only minimal congestion even in complex tracks.

Comparisons:
TinHIFI T3 Plus (1 DD, 69 USD) vs. TinHIFI T2 Evo (1 DD, 49 USD)
As expected, the T3 Plus has more meaty lows. Subbass depth is identical but the volume in the rumble and the decay is much greater in the T3 Plus. Same thing with the midbass. The T3 Plus has thicker, stronger midbass slam. In the mids, they have the same timbre. However, the mids of the T2 sound slightly thinner. In terms of the highs, the T2 Evo has the better reach and extension, but the difference is not that much. Instruments sound more airy in the T2 Evo, soundstage is also slightly wider and taller. Imaging is slightly clearer in the T3 Plus. With the instrument separation, it's very, very close, but the T3 Plus is better in this section as well due to the lows having more presence.

Conclusion:
The T3 Plus feels more like an "evolution" than a "plus". If I were to decide, this should've been named the T2 Evo because first, the T3 uses a hybrid driver setup, and launching its sequel, changing the driver setup to a single dynamic, then naming it a "Plus" just doesn't feel right. And second, TinHIFI was known for their neutral to bright in-house sound signature, and the T3 Plus is way different from that. The T3 Plus is much more refined, more comfortable in terms of its extension in both ends of the spectrum, and I dare say offers better value for money than the rest of TinHIFI's T series of IEMs.

Disclaimer:

• I luckily won this unit in a previous raffle conducted by KeepHiFi and TinHiFi. Rest assured that this review will do its best to remove any form of bias/es.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 5 hours per day, 6 days.

Source/s used:

• Hidizs AP80
• Not-By-VE Avani Realtek Dongle
• Samsung Galaxy S3 (WM1811 DAC)
• Non-HiFi smartphone (realme 5i)
• Local Files via Foobar and Roon, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.

IEM setup configuration: Stock preinstalled ear tips, stock cable, MSEB, or any form of EQ off, 40-60% volume, low and high gain.

Sound signature:

• Balanced with an ever-so-slight hint of warmth. Thick, controlled bass, clear natural mids, controlled, well-done treble presentation. Wide soundstage, excellent imaging, and separation for its price range. Very good detail retrieval without being analytical.

Lows:

• Lows are present and appear whenever the track needed bass. Controlled, thick lows, with almost even amounts of sub-bass and midbass with above-average depth. Decay leans on the quicker side. Bass goes deep without any noticeable bleed on other frequencies. Bassheads can be satisfied with this lows presentation but won’t be enough for those people who want a punchier, hard-hitting bass response.

Mids:

• Mids are almost linear but with a slight hint of being warmth. Lower notes exhibit decent thickness and weight. It is also detailed as well. On a non-Hifi source, the lower mids may experience a slight recession. Upper mids are above average in clarity and sparkle and avoid any peaks or sibilance. Overall, the mids are above average in terms of clarity and details without being too intimate or forward.

Highs:

• Highs are present with natural, controlled extension. Above-average detail retrieval, air, and sparkle for its asking price. No existence of any roll-off, peaks or pierce here as well. Overall, the presentation of the treble is natural and excellent for most people but not for those people who ask for more treble energy.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• The soundstage is above-average, wider than deep. It does exhibit a hint of being holographic on my observations and tests. Separation is also excellent for its price, one of the best I heard for 60USD. Imaging is also precise and can handle busy tracks fairly well. Overall, the technicalities of the T3 Plus are a big step up from budget IEMs I’ve heard and tested under the 60$ price point.

Comparisons:

• Vs the Moondrop Aria:

The T3 Plus and the Aria share the same characteristic – thick lows, slightly warm mids, natural highs. However, the T3 plus excels in the technicalities, particularly on imaging, separation, and detail retrieval. Its mids also aren’t as recessed as the Aria, its bass is also lesser in quantity as well. Overall, the T3 Plus is a much more detailed Aria with lesser lows quantity and more detail retrieval, and better technicalities. Its fit is also better on most ears. Paint chipping is also non-existent, as a bonus.

• Vs the Audiosense AQ0

The Audiosense AQ0 overall sounds much livelier and more fun than the T3 plus due to its basshead-approved bass quality and quantity. Mids are also much more recessed on the AQ0 by a fairly small margin when compared. Treble is much more extended on the AQ0 as well. Soundstage and imaging are nearly the same on both IEMs, but the T3 Plus is a little better on the separation. Fit and feel are very good on both IEMs but the T3 Plus is much better. Overall, The AQ0 gives the decent “fun”, while the T3 Plus gives the “mature laugh”.


Pros:

• Excellent sound quality for its price (69$)
• Thick, controlled lows
• Clear yet detailed mids
• Natural highs extension
• Excellent detail retrieval
• Above-average technicalities for its asking price
• Fairly easy to be driven, but will scale and sound better from a powerful/decent source.
• One of the best fit and isolation (subjective)
• Generous set of accessories.

Cons:

• Bassheads may ask for more punch (subjective)
• Trebleheads may ask for more treble energy (subjective)
• Aside from those stated, none for its asking price.

Thank you for reading!

Attached Photos: