Tin HiFi T3 Plus

For the sake of transparency, HiFiGo sent this unit to me for review; however, they are not paying or asking me to say anything in particular. All opinions will be my own. Thanks to HiFiGo for allowing me to try these!

The Package



Inclusions:

• The T3 Plus themselves
• 6 sets of silicone eartips, 2 sets per size (S, M, L)
• 1 set of foam eartips (L)
• A small carrying pouch
• A 1.2m ergonomic cable

Unfortunately, the T3 Plus doesn’t come with a hard case which Tin HiFi sells separately for $15, but at this price range, you can’t really complain—at least you can assume that they allocated more to the IEMs themselves. Speaking of which, the T3 Plus is built well with a resin shell design and feels premium to the touch. The stock cable is also very ergonomic and does not kink which means moving around while wearing the IEM won’t mess with the fit. Overall, the package is solid, especially considering the quality build of both the T3 Plus and its included cable.

Here's what the $15 hard case looks like in case you're curious:


Sound Quality: Technicalities

Soundstage & Imaging: The soundstage on the T3 Plus is larger than your typical IEM stage but imaging is a bit weak. I had a difficult time pinpointing where certain instruments were coming from and I found that instrument separation struggled on busy tracks. The soundstage also felt flat, lacking height and layering. That being said, vocalists were presented well even in busy tracks and always came out clear.

Dynamics: Great dynamics is something I always look for in headphones as it’s the primary contributor for a lively, exciting sound, but sadly, the T3 Plus fell quite short in this area. Deep bass notes lacked slam and punch and string instruments felt a bit weak and dull.

Resolution: Detail retrieval is pretty mediocre. I suppose this is partly due to the relaxed tuning and lackluster dynamics which makes instruments sound blunt. If you actively listen to your songs and like picking out details, I doubt these are for you.

Sound Quality: Tuning

Low-End: As one who prefers open-back over-the-ears, the sub-bass presence pleasantly surprised me especially when I listened to my favorite hip-hop and pop tracks. They are very pronounced which I found enjoyable. The mid-bass, on the other hand, was also boosted by a lesser amount but felt excessive as the weak dynamics made them sound slightly muddy. In addition, since the T3 Plus does not have great separation, the mid-bass can occasionally overpower the midrange.

Midrange: Besides the occasional mid-bass spillage, the midrange was good—it neither felt too recessed nor too forward. No particular quality stood out, but it felt relaxed, sounded smooth, and did not exhibit any shoutiness.

Treble: Like the midrange, the treble was tuned to sound smooth and relaxed. I did not once find it too sibilant in any of the tracks I listened to. Because the treble isn’t well-extended beyond the 10K range, there wasn’t much airiness or sparkle. Do note that this is a personal preference thing—passive listeners, for instance, may appreciate this as listening sessions won’t be as fatiguing.

Conclusion



The Tin HiFi T3 Plus is a relaxed and warm-sounding IEM with a lot of sub-bass presence. It’s great for those who like listening to music in the background for long periods because with these, music will never sound fatiguing. I don’t think it’s the best in its price category, especially considering its technical performance, but it certainly deserves a spot and is a decent option for passive listeners.

Thanks again to HiFiGo for sending these out for review! Feel free to check them out here:
https://hifigo.com/products/tinhifi-t3-plus?variant=42072058200303

Disclaimer:

I have received Tin Hifi T3 as part of the review circle sent from Hifigo in exchange for honest reviews. All impressions of sound are subjective to my listening and my sources and are based on my experience with IEMs of similar hardware configurations and price range. The IEM can be purchased at:

https://hifigo.com/products/tinhifi-t3-plus

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M2QWLMZ/tin+hifi+t3+plus/

Introduction:

Tin Hifi is a reputed brand from the Chi-Fi circuit and is located in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China. Tin Hifi is known for providing high-quality sound at an affordable price and I'm happy to declare that the T3 plus is no different.

Tin Hifi T3 plus has a single 10mm dynamic driver unit that features an LCP diaphragm. Featuring a dual-cavity design that helps maintain pressure inside the driver cavity allowing for swift movement of the diaphragm. The pair adopts a high-quality LCP(Liquid Crystal Polymer) diaphragm coil for quality sound reproduction. The LCP diaphragm reduces the unnecessary vibrations resulting in clean, distortion-free sound output.

Driver Unit: 10mm Liquid crystal polymer diaphragm dynamic speaker.

Sensitivity: 105±3dB.

Frequency Response: 10-20kHz.

Impedance: 32Ω±15%

The earpieces are made of skin-friendly resin and come with a 2pin standard connector. The IEM sounds good off a cellphone, though it definitely benefits from amping or being driven from a capable source, which in this case was a FiiO M11 Plus LTD. I also hooked it up with a FiiO LC-BT2 and used it as my daily driver.

Sound Quality:

The bass is quite good and is sufficient in terms of both quantity and quality. It isn’t boomy or overpowering but has enough body with a good presence in the sub-bass region as well as mid-bass. It does not tend to bleed into the mids, thus providing a fun-sounding experience.

Mids are quite smooth with good note weight. Vocals both male and female sound natural and organic. The male vocals especially have a good timbre and sound especially soothing. One can, for example, immerse themselves in the vocals of tracks like “O Re Piya” (Aaja Nachle) or “Tadap Tadap” (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam).



Treble is quite good and has some very good extensions to it. Although the treble may seem slightly excessive due to the U-shaped tuning, it never gets fatiguing or harsh, thereby, providing an ample sense of airiness that elevates the listening experience.

The T3 plus has good layering and somewhat immersive staging. I wouldn’t say the stage is wide, it is intimate but doesn’t seem compressed or confined. For the price point, the T3 plus definitely delivers beyond expectation.




Conclusion:

The Tin T3 plus is a VFM single DD IEM with a U-shaped signature that has good extension in the highs and lows and a rather soothing midrange. The technical performance is acceptable given the price range and it is one of those IEMs that I’d definitely recommend for casual/laid-back listening sessions.

The T3 plus is the latest IEM in a streak of revamping up the line from Tin HiFi, I'm really hoping for a T4 plus, Pro, Evo or whatever.
Starting with the Box packaging is as expected simple on the outside with a nice premium inside look to it on the inside. In the box you will find 6 pairs of generic silicon tips and I'm told blue foam tips but unfortunately mine didn't come with any, but I own a few so it's not a big deal to me.
Next would be a cable that's thin prone to tangles and not even in the same area code as the OG T3's gold and white cable I thought was really pretty looking. Improved is the 0.78mm Two pin an improvement over the pesky MMCX of the past. Then there's the pouch straight out of the BLON box, well it's a little softer but a case would have been nice even the EVO's pouch was nicer in my opinion. Build is very good, and I do think this is the prettiest Tin so far. It's also very comfortable but I do think smaller ears might have some pressure issues. isolation is good and I assume with foam it would be excellent.

Sound:
Starting with the Bass: Bass is well controlled but a little Subdude in the overall performance, it has a Deep rumble, but a fast decay and the Mid-Bass has a more of a rapid and poppy tone than a punchy one. It's not bad but lacks texture and the details I'm used to, there is no bloat or fatigue here so that's GOOD BUT bass heads probably won't be impressed at all.

Thinking about the midrange:
Mids: Are Neutral in their presentation offering good clean vocals with a hint of warmth. Upper Mids seem a bit more prominent, but all is well here and while not the most resolving of IEMs the T3+ Mids are pleasant enough for a good enjoyable time. I can't complain much but at times they seem a little recessed or behind the Music.

Treble presents itself.
Highs are decent they are neutral and pushed a little in the lower treble but not shouty under most circumstances, Treble is smooth with good clarity and decent details throughout. I can't complain here because all, but treble heads will enjoy the highs.

Soundstage etc.
Soundstage has better than average Width but falls short on the depth. The T3's imaging and layering are fine, but nothing stands out in my opinion it's not the worst but it should be noted there is a few in this price range that are exceptional.

My Conclusion: The T3 Plus isn't going to wow hardcore audiophiles but for $80 perhaps I've been too harsh its good but that said there are so many good IEMs in this price range MoonDrop Aria, NF audio NM, NA and others. I am personal torn because it is pleasant and relaxing signature, well made and a great looking IEM.

TinHiFi became one of the most popular Chinese IEM makers after releasing the TinHiFi T2. These IEMs have something no one else was offering in the budget realm: a well-tuned bright-neutral sound signature. Since then, TinHiFi released several budget models but has not replicated the same level of success enjoyed with the T2.

Enter the T3 Plus, (seemingly) an upgrade over the original TinHiFi T3.

Aiming to take the budget-IEM crown, let’s see how close TinHiFi got with the T3 Plus.

This review originally appeared on Headphonesty.

Note: the ratings given will be subjective to the price tier. Ken from TinHiFi was kind enough to send me the T3 Plus for the purpose of evaluation.

Sources used: Sony NW-A55, Hidizs AP80Pro
Price, while reviewed: $80. Can be bought from TinHiFi's AliExpress shop.

Click to expand...

Packaging and Accesories​

• TinHiFi T3 Plus IEMs
• Cloth carrying pouch
• A 0.78mm, 2-pin to 3.5mm single-ended cable (Oxygen-Free Copper or OFC)
• 9 pairs of eartips:
  • 6 pairs of silicone eartips: 3 pairs of white, 3 pairs of black
  • 3 pairs of blue foam tips
• Warranty card and user manual

The stock cable has a black 200D Kevlar-infused coating. The cable is supple, doesn’t form kinks, and has good tensile strength.



Not very impressive in terms of accessories but they get the job done.
3/5

Build​

The TinHiFi T3 Plus have 3D-printed resin shells with a pseudo-custom shape. There are two vents on the shell: one near the nozzle and another near the side of the IEMs. The nozzle itself is metal. The shells have a translucent black finish, so you can get a glimpse of the golden-colored copper driver cabinet.

The faceplate design is not particularly eye-catching but looks nice and has depth to it. Unfortunately, the 2-pin connectors are not recessed and sit flush with the housing. This may result in some third-party cables protruding from the housing.
4.5/5

Comfort and Isolation​

Due to their lightweight nature and ergonomically shaped resin shells, the Tin T3 Plus are very comfortable to wear and they isolate well.
4/5

Internals​

TinHiFi uses a 10mm LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) diaphragm. The diaphragm material is similar to the one Sony uses on their ex-flagship, the Sony EX1000. This particular material has high rigidity, resulting in better pistonic motion and faster transients vs typical PET (plastic, basically) diaphragms.

TinHiFi also uses the popular double-cavity design with the driver unit being housed inside a copper capsule.

Sound Quality​

The general sound signature of the T3 Plus can be summarized as “bass-boosted neutral”. However, the sound signature is quite tip-dependent. I found the stock tips to be too bassy and they masked the lower-mid details to a degree. Spinfit CP-100+ tips mitigated the issue for the most part.

The following sound impressions are formed with Spinfit CP-100+ tips, stock cable, and iFi Hip-DAC2 or Questyle CMA-400i as sources. Test tracks available on Tidal as a playlist.

Click to expand...

The sub-bass is quite prominent and boosted above the lower mids by almost 10dB. The bass frequencies start to rise from 500Hz and peak around 35Hz. You can hear the rumble around 25Hz as well but the impact is lacking. In terms of sheer extension, T3 Plus does the job.

When it comes to absolute quality of the bass, I find the mid-bass lacking in texture. The sub-bass does not slam as hard as expected and also casts a halo over the lower-mids. This is most apparent in songs where there is a heavy bass-line that accompanies the male vocals.

Female vocals fare a lot better. For my tastes, T3 Plus have some of the best female vocal rendition at their price-point. There is no shoutiness or shrillness and even high-pitched vocals sound smooth. String instruments have a thicker note-size and lack crispness which is a byproduct of the tuning itself.

The treble on the T3 Plus is mostly smooth and only has some emphasis around 4.5kHz and later at around 11kHz (to add some air into the mix). There is a general lack of air and sparkle, mostly due to the sub-bass emphasis and the relatively muted treble tuning.

Cymbal hits are placed in the background and they do not resonate for long. Moreover, in fast-paced tracks like Lamb of God’s Ruin cymbal hits tend to smear into each other at times.

Soundstage width and height is fairly good on the T3 Plus, definitely above average. Soundstage depth falls short against some of their peers, though. Imaging is also average with instruments mostly being placed left and right.

Microdynamics (subtle changes in volume level) on the TinHiFi T3 Plus are surprisingly good. Unfortunately, the lack of sub-bass rumble and mid-bass texture coupled with the rolled-off treble result in fairly compressed macrodynamic punch. Separation of instruments is good, but not class-leading.

Bass: 3/5
Mids: 4/5
Treble: 3.5/5
Imaging/Separation: 3/5
Staging: 3.4/5
Dynamics/Speed: 3.5/5

Frequency Response Graph​

Comparisons​

Vs Final E3000​

Final E3000 have been on the market for over 4 years now and still remain a benchmark in the budget IEM space. In terms of build, they are the polar opposite to the T3 Plus with a cylindrical shape and fixed cable.

In terms of sound quality, the E3000 go for a warm, laid back tuning with mid-bass emphasis. The sub-bass rolls off earlier compared to the T3 Plus, whereas the mid-bass has better texture on the E3000. The treble has slightly better extension and results in superior separation and imaging on the Final IEMs. The E3000 also have class-leading stage width and depth, so the T3 Plus fall short on those aspects. Comparison graph:



For relaxed, laid-back listening the E3000 are still excellent. If you need extra sub-bass presence and more forward upper-mids, the T3 Plus will serve better.

Vs Moondrop Aria 2021​

The Moondrop Aria 2021 have become a benchmark for me in the USD$50-$100 price range. They have an inoffensive tuning with great bass and mids.

In terms of build quality, I think it is a toss-up between the two. There are reports of the Aria’s paint chipping off so that is something to note. The stock cable of the T3 Plus is also markedly better.

When it comes to sound, the T3 Plus have some extra energy near 4kHz and add some emphasis to guitar riffs. The Aria sound smoother in the treble region as a result, despite lacking energy and extension. The Aria bass has better mid-bass texture as well, and the sub-bass rumble is more prominent. Macrodynamic punch and Imaging are improved on the Aria.

Overall, the Aria have slightly smoother tuning with better bass texturing and speed. The T3 Plus do offer a more energetic take on a bass-boosted neutral tuning which suits rock and metal genres.

Conclusion​

TinHiFi has been hard at work to come up with another budget-benchmark, and the T3 Plus is the best attempt yet. The build is solid, accessories mostly good (the tips might require a change), and the sound is closer to the Harman target with some modifications.

Unfortunately, the technical performance is only middling and they do not do anything that has not already been done.

Tonality is another matter though, and for the most part, TinHiFi nailed it. Female vocals sound excellent and the tuning won’t offend anyone. The TinHiFi T3 Plus are solid IEMs but, by the slightest of margins, they fail to elevate themselves above the competition.

A near miss indeed.

Tin HiFi, the brand based out of China is a mainstream audio brand manufacturing a budget to mid-fi audio gears. Their "P" series being the flagship, the "T" series was introduced to capture the budget market but since the competition is very strong they were not able to give any big hits other than the T2 series. Later introduced the T2 Plus which got a nice response from the Audiophiles and to renovate the T3 series the brand launched the T3 Plus variant and in this review let's check out how that performs against the competitors.

Disclaimer:-

The unit of T3 Plus was provided to me by HiFiGo. I assure all the thoughts and impressions in this blog are completely my own based on my own experience with the T3 Plus. Would like to thank HiFiGo for the T3 Plus, you can purchase it from their store here. You can also purchase the T3 Plus from amazon from here.

SPECIFICATIONS:-

Driver Type: LCP Diaphragm Driver
Driver Size: 10mm
Impedance: 32 ohms
Frequency Response: 10-20000 Hz
Maximum Power Handling: 5mW
Sensitivity: 105±3dB @1kHz 0.179V
Audio Jack Size: 3.5mm
Cable Length: 1.2m
Cable Detachable: YES
Connector: 0.78mm 2 Pin

DESIGN AND PACKAGE:

Design: Simple and elegant with subtle branding. Completely made out of resin but feels sturdy in the hands. The color theme looks classy black shells with golden branding on the faceplates. Custom shell-shaped thus the comfort is very good and the given ear tips are quite good. They provide an excellent seal. Nicely tucked 2 pin connector and thanks to the team for moving away from the problematic MMCX ☺. Faced issues with T2 and T4 with MMCX connectors getting loose in a few months only.

The cable is the same as that of the T5 and it's good. Metal connectors, metal chin slider, and the terminated area is metal gives a nice sense of sturdiness. The carry pouch is cloth-made and average at best.

SOUND:

The sound profile of the Tin T3 Plus is more on a slight V-shaped profile but it's tuned better than the recently launched T5. The bass is particularly tuned well with the main emphasis on the sub-bass region and the sibilance is kept under control in the Treble region. The mid-range is accurate and detailed, especially the vocals sound really good with the pair. Now on to the different regions of the frequency range.

BASS:

The bass in the T3 Plus is what I would consider being my taste and it appeals to a lot of audiophiles too. The full focus of the bass is now concentrated towards the Sub-bass region where the noticeable rumble of the reach can be felt evidently. Don't get me wrong mid-bass also shows good punch with the set.

QUALITY: The quality of the bass is nicely done here. The separation, clarity, and staging are pleasingly done. The decay of the bass is at the sweet spot where it's neither too fast nor too slow; rather it's good enough in giving that satisfying rumble while maintaining that open sound too by controlling the bloatedness. The control in the low end and the separation is above average for the price. The quality of the bass also provided that nice ethereal environment creating that sense of 3D effect.

QUANTITY: The full focus is on the sub-bass. The reach and rumble are satisfyingly provided. The mid-bass might appear lean for some listeners but for my taste, it's at a sweet spot. The mid-bass is present and not overly emphasized thus giving that extra clarity to the mid-range while also providing enough body to the overall sound.

MID-RANGE:

The mid-range is tuned well even though they appear to be slightly recessed than the other two frequency segments. I thought that they were going to be scooped out but it's the opposite. The presentation is done in the center rather than too forward or too laidback. They provide a nice sense of placement of both the vocals and the instruments.

The background instruments are heard very clearly without the unwanted raise in the volume. The piano notes and the guitar strings in the background are evidently heard with neutral tonality with a touch of warmth. The timbre of the instruments is near realistic.

Both the male and the female vocals sound beautiful without any harshness in the upper mid-range but since the mid-bass is slightly leaner the vocals might sound thinner to some listeners but as per my taste they sound clean, airy, and detailed. The stage being super wide gives a nice sense of space in the midrange with excellent separation of the instruments and fantastic layering capability.

TREBLE:

The treble in the T3 Plus is above average for the price. They are not the best in terms of resolution and detail retrieval but when it comes to pleasing and fatigue-free listening the treble section is well-tuned in that aspect. No spike or unwanted sibilance is observed and even with extreme S sounds they never sound that harsh.

The tonality follows the same here where the trumpets and the electric guitars sound natural and airy. The added hint of brightness gives that shimmer and sparkle in the top end. The brilliance is fine but doesn’t expect it to be like the Heart Mirror.

They do have a nice open and airy sound but not as detailed as a Heart Mirror but for casual and fun listening this T3 Plus would definitely satisfy your needs. The cymbal crashes sound great with good attack and decay thus they don’t sound too sharp or too dull.

TECHNICALITIES:

STAGING: The staging is done very well here even though it's one of the best in this price segment. It's very wide, giving an extra sense of space in the placement of the instruments. The height is above average. The widest stage that one can see in this price point and really impressed by its stage width.

LAYERING AND IMAGING: Layering is another strong aspect here. The placement of the instruments one behind the other does appear realistic and fantastic in the T3 Plus. The imaging is done very well where the channel sweep feels very smooth and the transient response is nicely done.

DETAIL RETRIEVAL: The detail retrieval is good but not the best. The clarity is nice and great but the detail retrieval in the treble section is not the best since the biggest competitor Heart Mirror already took that place.

VERDICT:

T3 Plus, the latest budget offering from the House of Tin HiFi is an excellent package overall. The value this possesses in terms of sound and packaging is absolutely fantastic. For the second time, they have given a wonderful treat to the budget customers after the great success of the T2 Plus.

The sound is slightly V-shaped with more emphasis on the sub-bass thus the midrange being very clear and pleasing. The treble is inoffensive yet has that open and airier sound. The stage is nice and big with impressive layering capability making this an absolute value for money product in the budget lineup.

The nice packaging with above-average cable and a good selection of ear tips is an additional bonus. The earpieces are constructed ergonomically and the design is subtle yet classy. Overall the T3 Plus just BLOWN AWAY MY EXPECTATIONS!

Tin Hifi needs no introduction. Already a legend in the field with the evergreen Tin Hifi T2, they have been constantly churning out revisions/iterations on the famed T2. While others may have been a hit or a miss, T3 Plus has managed to hit the ball out of the ballpark.

Disclaimer:

The Unit has been sent by my friends at Hifigo.com in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. You can buy the same by clicking here and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M2QWLMZ/tin+hifi+t3+plus/

Build and Fit:

The shells are resin-made and the faceplates have some very nice textures to them and smacked in the middle is the logo for TinHifi.

This time Tin Hifi has gone for a more traditional approach for the shape of the iem and that has allowed the shell to be easier to fit and no-stress-build for a longer listening session. Also, there was no driver flex noticed in my unit.



Technical Specifications:

• Latest generation 10mm dynamic driver with LCP diaphragm.
• Double-cavity design.
• Built-in high-performance magnetic architecture.
• Impedance: 32Ω±15%.
• Sensitivity: 105±3dB.
• Frequency response range: 10Hz-20kHz.
• Termination plug: 3.5mm gold-plated plug.
• Rated power: 3mW.
• Max power: 5mW.
• Max distortion: 1%@1kHz.

Sources:

• Ifi Nano BL
• Avani Dongle DAC
• Abigail Dongle DAC
• Shanling M2X
• Samsung S10

Sound Impressions:

Lows:

Test Tracks:

• Mehram from Coke Studio 14 (
  )
• Chakora from Mirzya (
  )
• Pardesi from Dev D (
  )
• Bandeh (Times of Music Version) (
  )
• Gustakh Dil from English Vinglish (
  )
• Raavan By Amit Trivedi (
  )

The first track is my current favorite. The heavy bassline and the Cello notes come out as they are intended to. Punchy and Fast. This track has excellent sub-bass and can be used to test any em that you want to. And believe me, the sub-bass was sweet on T3 plus while being run on Nano BL.

The second track can be used to test clutter in an iem alongside testing the bass response. I never felt that T3 plus was unable to do justice to the track.

The Third track, a classic in its own right, has excellent bass punches to it. The synths and the sitar in the track are a deadly combo and present an excellent picture of a fun track that has been mixed and mastered so well that T3 Plus just loves to play it. The Punch is hard and the decay is swift. Again, nice job Tin Hifi.

The Fourth track, is a reimagining of the famed Bandeh by the Indian Ocean, by Sneha Khanwalkar. The bass line of the track has been excellently covered by the T3 plus and I loved this track so much that I repeated the track at least five times.

The Fifth track and the sixth tack will say the same.



Mids:

Test Tracks:

• Tere Bina from Guru (
  )
• Jaane Kya Dhoondhta Hai from Sur (The Melody of Life) (
  )
• Ajib Dastan Hai Ye from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (
  )
• Alvida from D-Day (
  )
• Mehndi Hai Rachnewali from Zubeidaa (
  )

Mids are extremely comfortable on T3 Plus. They are balanced, engaging, and natural. The good this is that the mids are not too forward. They are placed just right to sound great on whatever track you throw at them. The vocals are lush and warm. Track 5 and track 3 are the best examples of the vocals.

Track 1 and Track 3, I use them to test male vocals. The Male vocals are covered excellently and they never were shouty for once and nor were they lean.



Highs:

Test Tracks:

• Bada Dukh Dina O Ramji from Ram Lakhan (
  )
• Beat of Passion from Taal (
  )
• Passenger Side by Wico (
  )
• Beautiful beat by Nada Surf (
  )
• (Nice Dream) by Radiohead (
  )

The highs are well extended, but they are not sibilant. This may be because of my primary source ifi Nano BL. The smooth treble allowed me to have long and fatigue-free listening sessions with T3 Plus. This does not mean the treble extensions are bad in any way. There is ample extension and ample air. However, the layering maybe is not that good.

Soundstage and Imaging:

The Stage is wide enough but it lacks depth. T3 Plus never feels congested and has sufficient air.



Comparison with Tripowin Mele:

Mele has been another sleeper hit in the circuit with people praising its tuning a lot. It is natural to compare Mele with T3 Plus.

The overall signature of Mele is Warmish with emphasis on bass response. The Slams are harder and punchier in Mele. The sub-bass is also better presented in Mele. But, T3 plus is no slouch either. It has a better balance going in its favor. The vocals are also better on T3 Plus. Highs are better presented on T3 Plus.

So…Chose as per your liking. My Pick... T3 Plus for its balanced performance.

Conclusions:

With so many good options under 100$, T3 plus had its task cut out, but I am glad to report that this is one of the very best options under 100$ that gives you ample bass, great balance, and natural timbre.

TINHIFI contacted me in order to suggest a T3 Plus review.
The sample was kindly provided free of charge and this is my honest and subjective evaluation of it.
The regular selling price is $69 but you can always find a better deal.
You can buy it directly from TINHIFI using the following, not affiliate link
TINHIFI.



Description and technical specifications

The T3 Plus is a new addition to the TINHIFI T series of earphones.
It uses a 10mm dynamic driver, with a double - cavity design and built in high performance magnets.
The new material, Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) diaphragm design, improves the membrane’s responsiveness and surface tension using a more integrative carbon network structure within the polymer compound.
This results in greater resolution in the sound with faster attacks and reduced harmonic distortion levels.
The T3 Plus has an impedance of 32Ω with a sensitivity of 105dB/mW@1kHz.



Design and build quality

The shell of T3 Plus is made of resin material using 3D printing process, and selected exquisite marble texture panel, hand polished and finished by UV treatment process.
Each IEM is meticulously crafted and hand-made.
Build quality is very good and I have nothing further to comment.
Appearance is contemporary with good aesthetics, a beautiful looking earphone.



Fit and isolation

The T3 Plus uses 3D printing technology to simulate human ears through a computer simulation database to match the best engineering of the human body.
This technology allows T3 Plus to achieve a perfect fit, even if you wear it for a long time, you will not feel tired and uncomfortable.
The sound tube is quite extended and the truth is that I was able to get a very comfortable and stable fit without any discomfort feeling even after a couple of hours of continuous use.
The T3 Plus is also discreet and the passive noise attenuation is good.
It doesn't have an IPX or sweat proof rating but thanks to the tight fit, it stays stable and is suitable for use during exercise.

Cable and accessories

The T3 Plus comes with a high quality 2.8mm diameter 40 / 0.05 oxygen free copper audiophile cable that is insulated by layers of 200D Kevlar.
The cable is detachable, utilizing the 0.78mm 2-pin system and is terminated in a standard 3.5mm plug to be used with any mobile device.
The cable is better than some of the competition, it doesn't get easily tangled and has low microphonic noise.
The earphone comes packed with 9 pairs of ear tips (3 white and 3 black), including 3 pairs of TINHIFI blue foam tips and a cloth carrying pouch.



Sound impressions

As per usual practice, prior to listening tests, I have left the T3 Plus playing music for about 100 hours.
The manufacturer suggested about 48 hours and clearly specified to me that any further burning is not a big influence factor.
The T3 Plus is quite easy to drive and you can just use your phone's 3.5mm output but I would strongly suggest a USB DAC dongle like the iBasso DC05 and the FiiO KA3.



The overall tuning of the T3 Plus is quite Harman-like with good bass extension, a touch of forward mids, some treble sparkle and top notch clarity.
Nothing stands out in the wrong way and the sound presentation has a good factor of musicality with a fairly balanced and natural timbre.

Bass extension is very good and I didn't miss much in quantity while listening to most genres of music.
Not a sub - bass monster but definitely adequate unless you are seeking for boosted lows.
Clarity is excellent and the sound is absent of any unwanted mid - bass bloat or muddiness.
The bass is tight and fast, the low end gets easily resolved but the listener will not fail to notice the lack of layering and texture complexity.
The T3 Plus doesn't have the sharpest attack nor the most convincing macro dynamics but it gets the job done and there is enough contrast for the music to sound realistic.

Mids are balanced and engaging, slightly accentuated but not too forward to become the dominant force.
Voices are present and well articulated with harmonic wealth but there are a few instances when they can become a little shouty and a touch harsh.
This phenomenon gets more noticeable with voices and instruments at a tessitura venturing into the lower treble.
Anyway, timbre is quite natural and nothing gets too prominent in order to sound piercing or annoying.

The treble is mostly smooth and controlled but there is a slight emphasis at the lower treble / presence area that can lead into elevated brightness with certain recordings.
Still nothing too severe to cause listener fatigue although some treble sensitive users may not be too happy with the tuning.
Extension is good with a fair amount of energy while detail retrieval is satisfying and above the norm in quantity but somewhat lacking in finesse and texture quality.
Treble texture is less intense and weightless when compared to the rest of the frequency band, with a faster than the ideal decay.

The soundstage is up to the modern standards, fairly wide with plenty of air and precise imaging but absent of any significant depth.
The T3 Plus never sounds congested but it struggles to communicate the ambience of the recording place.



Compared to the T2 EVO

The T3 Plus leaps ahead with much better and improved tuning that is considerably more balanced and natural sounding.
Technicalities are also far better from every perspective and the T3 Plus is the clear winner deserving all the extra money rightfully so.
The T2 EVO is of course more compact and discreet so it can add as a second pair where portability and discretion are desired.



In the end

Truth is that this is a heavily populated category with some intense competition from all the brands and it would be time consuming to compare with the most known rivals like the Moondrop Aria 2, the Jade Audio JH3 or the FiiO FD1.
The thing is that the T3 Plus is equally competitive and a great step into the right direction, bringing the TINHIFI back to the game.
With a mostly balanced tuning, acceptable technicalities, good build quality and comfortable fit, the T3 Plus is a great option from TINHIFI.

Test playlist

Copyright - Laskis Petros 2022

Tin T3 Plus IEMs - Chifi's Getting Hotter



Tin T3 Plus is a natural upgrade to Tin HIFI's Line of IEMs, and it now comes with an excellent aesthetic, but also the same pocket-friendly price point of 70 USD all of the TinHIFI's IEMs have been hovering around since they've been launched. It will be compared to SoundMagic ST80 (56 USD), KBEar Robin (55 USD), and Master & Dynamic ME05 IEMs (90 USD).

---

Introduction

Tin Hifi is a company from China that's usually carried and sold by third party shops, like Linsoul, the ones who provided the sample for today's review. Linsoul is the largest and most popular Chifi seller at this point, and they have basically everything you can think of, from very affordable Chifi IEMs with multiple drivers, all the way to refined flagships and headphones, even DAPs made by well-known companies. While you can find Tin T3 Plus on AliExpress from many shops, I do not really recommend purchasing them from shops you do not know as most AliExpress products do not come with a good warranty and you'll be alone to solve problems if any are to arise, while Linsoul as a shop provides good support and warranty. The best way to get a full and complete warranty from Linsoul is to use their Amazon shop, as you'll be covered by both of them, and Amazon makes it really easy to receive an exchange or get your money back in case something goes wrong.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Tin Hifi or Linsoul, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. I'd like to thank Linsoul for providing the sample for this review. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it. The purpose of this review is to help those interested in Tin T3 Plus find their next music companion.



Packaging

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





The package of TinHifi T3 Plus is really nice, and the company has been constantly moving away from reusing KZ packages for their products. We get the IEMS, their cable, 3 sizes of tips in 2 styles, and a carrying pouch. There's also a warranty card that's presented on the top of the package, which adds some style to the unboxing experience.



Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

While early TinHifi models were quite average in terms of comfort and design, T3 Plus looks like it will actually be quite ergonomic, and the faceplate can finally be called beautiful. Inside the IEM we have a 10mm crystal liquid polymer speaker, and they have a sensitivity of 105dB, paired with an impedance of 32 OHMs. This means that they won't be very sensitive to hiss, but may be harder to push at higher volumes. The rated power is 3mW, while max power is 5mW.



We have a decent distortion figure of 1% at 1kHz 0.179V, along with a normal cable that has a 3.5mm plug, so you can use T3 Plus with virtually any source you can think about. The cable is fairly tangle prone, and it takes a few minutes to untangle it if you don't use the cable separator. The cable feels very similar to Tin T5's cable, and if there were to internal changes, they will be the same cables. The IEM connector is a popular 2-Pin connector, and T3 Plus comes with plastic, lightweight body, so there won't be any wearing fatigue due to weight.



Actually wearing T3 Plus you can totally feel them in your ears, but they are not uncomfortable, and the shape is very smooth with no edges, so they feel very natural in my ears. The over-the-ear wearing style means that there will be absolutely no microphonic noise on the cable, and you will be able to walk, and even run while wearing them. They isolate quite well from the outside noise, with a 20 dB of passive noise isolation, and there's no drier flex despite the IEMs using a dynamic driver.



I have been using a multitude of sources for driving T3 Plus, including Astell & Kern SP2000T, Astell & Kern SE180, iBasso DX300, iBasso DX240, iFi hip-dac2, Hiby FD1, and Shanling UA2 DAC/AMP. Generally speaking, I would not use a low power source or smartphone to drive T3 Plus, and my smartphone, Xiaomi Black Shark 4 is unable to drive them to a satisfactory volume even at maximum volume, reaching only average listening volumes even at the phone's max.



Sound Quality

For such a comfortable IEM, I would be willing to wear T3 Plus solely due to their ergonomic shape, and great comfort, so if the sound is great, at this price point, Chifi market is going to be all up in rumbles due to Tin HIFI. This happened multiple times now, so I was surprised to hear that they went for an entirely different approach to sound from their previous IEMS. Tin T3 Plus sounds really smooth, clean, natural and full. The treble is not fatiguing or bright anymore, and even compared to some popular older Tin HiFi IEMs, the sound is incredibly pleasing to my ears, with a satisfying bass punch and a clean image. The overall tuning is natural to V-Shaped.



The bass is clean, deep, full and punchy. There's a good amount of rumble, and the bass is not focused on delivering only the tip of the bass, or only the mid bass, but rather a full and pleasing presentation. The overall bass note decay is natural to slow, so you get an analogue presentation on most instruments, plus on EDM and Rap, the bass is large and satisfying. The Bass extends as low as about 35Hz-40Hz, after which it tends to be lower in amount. The highest bass quantity and most focused energy is presented around the mid bass, between 70Hz and 120 Hz. This results in a really natural bass guitar presentation, but lower sub-bass quantities, and lower upper bass bleed than competitors with a ton of whole bass bloat.

The midrange is really clean, but natural and smoothly textured. This is something new for Tin HIFI IEMS, which used to be bright, even for me, but they changed the approach to music heavily, and with the bass having some warmth passed over to the midrange, with some minor mid bass bleed, T3 Plus presents music musically, having a beautiful fluidity to both male and female voices. On all music styles, even rock and metal, the midrange keeps being smooth and pleasing to the ear with no hard edges and no odd peaks / dips. The overall detail is great too, plus T3 Plus has a wide image with a ton of depth. The image is both deep and wide, and T3 Plus has enough instrument separation for Utsu-P and J-Rock artists which are known to use low dynamic range for their music, most entry-level IEMs having problems on presenting their music cleanly.



The treble of T3 Plus is also clean, has a good amount of sparkle, and has a resonance point of about 10kHz, which means that it doesn't have the metallic tinge and the hot and fatiguing presentation of earlier tinHIFI models. In fact, the treble of T3 Plus is really mature and pleasing, and creates a good contrast to the bass and the uplifted mid bass.

Overall music coming out of T3 Plus will sound detailed, well separated, wide, and clean. The midrange will be slightly recessed with some light coloration in the upper bass that adds a bit of warmth and color to the whole sound. With a fluid presentation to all textures, and a natural to slow decay rate for all notes, T3 Plus can be said to sound refined and mature. Being fatigue-free, yet having some sparkle to its treble, and a slightly wet character, T3 Plus is bountiful and enjoyable for all music styles regardless whether you're a punkist, rapper, love to rave or looking to enjoy some Jazz on a budget.



Comparisons



Tin HIFI T3 Plus vs SoundMagic ST80 (70 USD vs 56 USD) - We have a really good package for ST80, and they end up being comfortable, but it always feels like a traditional ergonomic IEM like T3 Plus with a smooth body and design is simpler to use and better for long term usage. The overall sound has much more detail and clarity on T3 Plus, with better impact both down low and in the treble.

Tin HIFI T3 Plus vs Master & Dynamic ME 05 IEMS (70 USD vs 90 USD) - We have the second comparison with ME05, an IEM with a ton of body and smooth, rolled off treble, so T3 Plus sounds more detailed, also brighter and more open. T3 Plus has far more detail, and even with bands like Dance Gavin Dance - One In A Million, you can notice very good separation between the forward guitar playing in the far left side of the sonic field, where ME05 presents everything more intimate and closer to the listener. The bass of T3 Plus is lower in quantity than that of ME05, which is closer to a basshead presentation, but it is cleaner and has a shifted focus to having the most energy around mid bass, 70-120 Hz.

Tin HIFI T3 Plus vs KBEar Robin (70 USD vs 55 USD) - While the comfort is good on both, and build quality is comparable, the sound of Robin is much thicker, warmer, and has that Chifi tuning where the treble is either too much or not enough, Robin being rolled off in the highest. The overall detail level is lacking in macro details for Robin, and even at very loud volumes, they can be a bit boring, where T3 Plus are interesting and detailed, clean, detailed, and have a good bass to treble ratio for all music styles. Both IEMs have some upper bass bleed, but T3 Plus has a very minor amount, while Robin has quite a bit. Robin is fun if you're not looking for an entry to Chifi, but spending just a few dollars more on T3 Plus will result in a much more pleasing listen.



Value and Conclusion

At the end of the day, for 70 USD, T3 Plus is a really enjoyable, comfortable and ergonomic IEM with a natural sound, so they are totally worth their price point. In fact, combined with the excellent delivery and support of Linsoul, T3 Plus will sell before it even reaches their shelves / deposit, and this IEM is what a budget audiophile's dream is made of.



If you're looking for a really smooth, clean, musical, detailed and clean sounding IEM for a very fair price, then Tin HI FI's T3 Plus is one of the best options I can recommend right now, at their 70 USD price point.

Introduction:
Tin Hifi is located in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China. It is a reputed name in audiophile circles. This company has the vision to gift the world with high-quality sound at an affordable price. With their idea in mind that High-Quality music should not be a luxury speaks to every music lover Tin Hifi has launched Tin Hifi T3 plus in the market.

Tin Hifi T3 plus has a single 10mm dynamic driver unit that features an LCP diaphragm. They have a dual-cavity design to maintain a proper pressure inside the driver cavity for switch movement of the diaphragm. The pair adopts a high-quality LCP(Liquid Crystal Polymer) diaphragm coil for quality sound reproduction. The LCP diaphragm reduces the unnecessary vibrations resulting in clean, distortion-free sound output.

The earpieces are made of skin-friendly resin and come with a 2pin standard connector.



Disclaimer:
I have received Tin Hifi T3 as part of the review circle sent from Hifigo in exchange for honest reviews. All impressions of sound are subjective to my listening and my sources and are based on my experience with IEMs of similar hardware configurations and price range. The IEM can be purchased at:
https://hifigo.com/products/tinhifi-t3-plus
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M2QWLMZ/tin+hifi+t3+plus/

Sources:
For this review, the unit has been paired with Shanling M6 (AK4495EQ) and Schiit Vali2+ Modi Multibit Stack.



Highs:
The Tin T3 Plus offers a U-Type signature. The treble region fells slightly boosted and have a very good extension to it. The overall presentation is very airy. The overall treble is on the relaxing side and does not cause any fatigue or harshness despite the very good extension. I loved all high-pitched instruments while listening to Mark Knopfler's Romeo And Juliet.

Mids:
The mid-range is very transparent full of texture and has very nice timber. All instruments sound good on it and are very engaging. Vocals are nice and crisp. It is a very good IEM for long sessions.

Lows:
The bass is punchy and has a nice attack and decay. There is a very nice sub-bass extension to it but on the other hand, lags a bit on the mid-bass front. For me, the lack of mid-bass did not bother me at all as the sub-bass complimented the treble extension very nicely on my setup.

Technicalities:
The staging capabilities of Tin T3 Plus are quite good for the price. It offers an oval soundstage which is complemented with nice depth. The separation is above average and very good as per a single driver design.



Final Verdict:
In a nutshell, Tin Hifi T3 plus is a U-shape IEM, that has been tuned to be quite natural and relaxing. The treble and sub-bass have a very nice extension to it and compliments the ovalish soundstage and depth. The mids are transparent and crisp with good texture and timbre. For me, Tin Hifi T3 plus is a bang for the buck if one is looking for an IEM for long listening comfortable sessions.

Additional notes:

As it is on the smoother side with a slightly warmish, slightly darkish tuning, I highly recommend pairing it with an exciting, raw and visceral source such as the Cayin RU6. It gives the TinHifi T3+ a much welcome boost in grit and texture, or sense of realism, both of which are a bit lacking on the T3+. It also exacerbates the expansive nature of the stage and adds a sense of width as well. It is a nice result in my opinion. Also fixes the slightly recessed mids to a degree, bringing them to the fore.

The T3+ is my go-to for when I want to just enjoy any music I might put on as it plays nice with all genres. You can't really go too wrong with this one as it does not offend or truly disappoint in any one area.
Being a single DD, it also has the benefit of never sounding "off" in terms of placement and coherency and always delivers an intelligible presentation of a song.

INTRODUCTION:



TINHIFI is one of the chi-fi brands that is quite familiar within the audio community. The T2 is their game changer and up to now is still relevant because of its neutral signature, clarity and details. It was followed by T2 plus, T3, and T1 which all received mix reviews from the community.



I would like to express my gratitude to Adrian Yambao for he is the one that pointed me into the direction to be in contact with Tinhifi. Thanks mate.



And now, I have the T3 plus which is quite odd because its configuration is only a single dynamic driver which is a different route from Tinhifi’s setups and a step away from their in house sound signature, which is neutral-bright.



DISCLAIMER:



This unit is quite special for me, because it is my first sample unit provided by the company itself, free of charge. Don’t fret for my opinions here will not be swayed due to the fact that, it was provided for free. I would like to thank KEN from Tinhifi for arranging this deal.



My opinions here are completely my own. I am NOT in any way influenced of any form of incentive. This is purely my honest, subjective impressions and experience with the gear on hand. I cannot stress more that you should take this as a grain of salt for we have different perception to sound and what we hear. I always try my best to stick with the stock accessories that comes with the gear by default. You are free to try other methods such as tip rolling or cable rolling. Below are worth noting before concluding on what I say here:

• DAP (digital audio player, be it phone, laptop, mobile, or stationary setup)
• DAC or dongle or any external amp
• Tips
• Cables
• Source of audio file be it offline FLACS or streaming service like Deezer, Apple music, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify and the likes..

My reviews are more on how music sound on our ears. The technical stuff like frequency graphs and the physics behind the tech and drivers used, I leave to other reviewers.







SPECIFICATIONS:



Configuration: 10mm LCP (liquid crystal polymer) dynamic driver

Impedance: 32ohms

Sensitivity: 103db

Freq response: 10hz-20khz



PACKAGING:

The box is medium in size. Outer box is white in color, and is designed in the simplest way.



The inner box is gray in color. At the center is the Tinhifi logo with text “TINHIFI”.



The cover is somewhat a soft cushion underneath. With straps where a black Tinhifi card is attached and a document with T3plus’ details and reminders are stated. Much more like a user manual sort of thing.



Underneath this cushion cover you will find the IEM itself. Quite hard to pull out so be careful not to force and damage you’re new IEM.



Above the IEM, is a foldable cardboard and inside you will find the cable, ear tips, and a carrying pouch. The pouch is a basic one, and will not protect your IEM inside of your bag if pressure is applied. A hard case is suggested.



The ear tips is in S, M, L sizes and we have two kinds. The all black tips seem softer and wide bored. Again, I will assume that these are vocal tips. The gray tips with red accent are the stiffer ones. I will assume they are bass tips.



The cable is 4 core, oxygen free type. It was said that this is the exact cable included with Tinhifi’s T5.



I would like to add that a stock set up was used in this review as I have a mind set that I like to judge an IEM how it was intended to sound. Of course, don’t let me stop you from tip and cable rolling. This is just my personal preference when reviewing.



PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES:



The look of the T3plus reminded me of Seeaudio’s Bravery. That vanilla swirl and curves has the resemblance. And actually, this is what got my attention the reason I reached out to Tinhifi.



The material feels like resin, light in weight and honestly you can feel that it is indeed in the sub 100$ tier. The base part, again, is smoky translucent, and you can clearly see the dynamic driver placed near the nozzle.



On to how it sounded to my ears.. please do note, that I have spent at least 30 hours of playback with T3plus and I will state here that there was a change in the burn in process. I’m not igniting another debate whether burn in is a fact or myth but to my ears, the T3plus changed throughout this process.



LOWS:



The lows are sub bass focused. Which is good if your playlist consists mostly of modern tracks and bass-oriented tracks. Presentation is clean, quick and punchy. I listened to The Weekend’s Dawn FM album and was quite satisfied how lows was presented here. Now…



I’m not really into modern tracks that much. And a lot of my playlist is not bass oriented. And mid bass plays a large role on my playlist. This is where T3plus almost turned me off. Mid bass is pushed back here. I can still remember the first hour I listened to it, I was like “Where the hell is the bassist?” but as I’ve stated above, T3plus did undergo at least 30 hours of playback and at this point, the mid bass is more forward than it did out of the box. As to my liking, it is still pushed back. Nonetheless, the lows here have good reproduction, very very clean and no bleeds to mids at all. I just wished, there a was bit more of that mid bass.



MIDS:



Again, mids are very clean here. Has good texture and timbre. There is an occasional boxy sounding snares from the drums but very rarely. Mids are not pushed back, yet not forward either.



One thing I can point out is, compare to my other IEMs, namely BQEYZ Autumn and TFORCE Yuan li, the mids of T3plus is on the thin side. Guitars can sound a bit thin to my ears but yet again, this is very subjective. I have peers that really appreciate rock tracks with T3plus. But not thin enough to put a smirk on my face. Still mids here can be appreciated. I’m a mid-centric guy so I like my mids a bit more lushful and rich.



Vocals are nice and good. But not as engaging as other IEMs I’ve auditioned or own. Yet nothing to hate here. In fact, T3plus gives a somewhat decent vocal tracking. You can hear harmonies very clearly. A sample test track I’ve tested here is Fleetwood Mac’s Gold Dust Woman. It is not as engaging but the clarity and vocal separation is there.



TREBLES:



Trebles have good extension here and free of sibilance. I cannot remember a track that gave me a sour face for being shouty. One favorite track of mine to test shoutiness is TOTO’s Hold the Line and T3plus passed with flying colors. It has a good amount of openness and sparkle for some micro details to push through.



Conclusively, the trebles was kind of harsh at first, but it tamed down after the burn in process I mentioned above.





FIT & ISOLATION



Now this is the best part. I would pick T3plus any day just for its comfortability, fit and seal. I can safely say this is on par on some IEMs designed to be with musicians on stage. Never fell off my ears, never felt fatigue on ears, and even slept on it. The weight is light and it is as if you are not wearing an IEM. It is like one of those running shoes that feels like you are bare foot. That is how good T3plus is to wear. Just pure comfortability.



SOUNDSTAGE AND IMAGING:



Stage is above average. I can sense width, and some depth that is commendable. I listened to Fleetwood Mac’s 2 cd album, which contains a lot of guitars and instruments, and I can sense a wide stage. Nothing spectacular here but it is there.



Imaging is quite nice too, I can’t say it is perfect or accurate but positioning and panning of instruments is very desirable. Never felt congested even on busy tracks.



COMPARISONS:



Sorry guys, I know almost everyone is comparing this to Moondrop’s Aria. Unfortunately I don’t have an Aria so I can’t really say. I believe the T3plus is a good set on its own right and it has a rightful place in the sea of cut throat chi fi products out there.



SOURCES AND GEARS:

• LG V30 hifi dac (high impedance mode)
• Hiby Music player
• UAPP app (USB Audio Player Pro)
• Tidal Masters subscription
• And some offline FLACS

Here are some tracks I usually listen to when reviewing:



That’s the way of the World by EWF

Africa by TOTO

The Girl in the Other Room by Diana Kral

Balmorhea album All is wild, All is Silent

Sila by Sud

Smooth Escape by D’Sound

Never too Much by Luther Vandross

P.Y.T by Michael Jackson

Ain’t no Sunshine by Eva Cassidy

Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC

Another one bites the Dust by Queen

Good times bad times by Edie Brickell

Alice in Wonderland by Bill Evans

Ain’t it Fun by Paramore

Redefine by Incubus

Far Away by Nickelback

Lovesong by Adele

Lingus by Snarky Puppy

Harvest for the World by Vanessa Williams

Love Bites by Def Leppard

No Such Thing by John Mayer

As by Stevie Wonder

Whip Appeal by Babyface

Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan

Futures by Prep

Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

Every Summertime by NIKI

SADE tracks

AC/DC tracks

Queen tracks





And many more… I always listen to High resolution format, being the least quality 16bit/44khz FLACS be it offline or online.



VERDICT:

As I’ve said, the T3plus is a commendable set in its own right. At first, I was turned off on its lack on the mid bass, but despite of that, I appreciate its neutrality and balance. Its clean sound, no bleeds to mids, superb comfortability, somewhat good technicalities, and sibilance free trebles.



Who is it for? Bass heads will appreciate it because this set is sub bass focus. It has that rumble to be praised. Treble heads might also dig the good extension on top. Treble sensitive will not smirk on this one. Well at least for me. Mature listeners will love its clean, neutral and balance sound signature. The one thing I can comment on the negative side, is its thin nature on the overall sound. But it is not that thin to turn you off.



Do I recommend the T3plus? Well, yes I do. It is a warm welcome addition to my collection and even though I have IEMs that are above its price point, I can’t help myself but listen to it every now and then. If you are just starting in the hobby, and is maturing away from v-shaped tuning sets, this will be a good start for you.



Again, this is purely my own experience and opinion on the product at hand. I can’t enforce more, your mileage may and most likely vary.



Thank you TINHIFI for providing me this set. I appreciate the gesture and I hope this review will somewhat help you guys innovate and improve on your upcoming products. Cheers!

Interested in purchasing T3 plus? Links below:

aliexpress store:

on pc: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_pulldZb
on phone: https://a.aliexpress.com/_msvJaK6

official website store

www.tinhifi.com

TINHIFI T3+ REVIEW

Tinhifi seems to be searching for its identity since its dazzling success with the always excellent T2, an IEM with double dynamic drivers with an energic, textured, punchy and midrange centric signature. Since then, it seems to alternate between successes (T2 +, P1 +) and disasters (T2pro, T2 Evo, T5).

With the release of the T3 +, using an LCP (liquid crystal polymer) driver from the same family as the Moondrop Aria, will Tinhifi restore its glory?

If we go by the reception of popular reviewers like BGGA and other "hypes" news hunter swarms, the answer would be a saving and admiring YES.

Even if I am here to calm the enthusiasm of the hysterical promoters-hypers, I will try not to fall into the counter-attack, except when the amateurism goes too far as for example by affirming that the technicalities of T3 + are superior to those of Hzsound Mirror. This is objectively uber-false.

SCORE:
TONE: 7.8 / 10
TECHNICITY: 7.5 / 10
CONSTRUCTION-DESIGN: 8/10
SOUND BENEFIT: 7.5 / 10

PROS :
-Tonality well balanced and energetic
-Basses with authoritative strike
-Mids not too recessed for this type of signature V
-No need for amplification to make them "sing"

CONS :
-Resolution just passable
-lack of deep bass extension
-vocals not very pleasant and thin for male singers
- Confined, draft and compressed space
-saturated and non nuanced texture
-high a little shouty
-dry upper treble that cuts short

For this review, I used the cable included in the box. But the tips, I chose the ones that delivered the most open and balanced sound, the KZ Starlines and BQEYZ gray silicone tip for my ears.

My used sound sources are: TRI TK2 (bad pairing), Xduoo X20 (adequate), FIIO KA3 (a little too dry). As well as the Xduoo XD-05 + as an amplifier.

My conclusion is that the Tinhifi T3 + does not benefit from more amplification force, but rather from a clear, clean and neutral source without extra low or attenuated resolution. If you read anything else, it's hogwash or confusing DAC and AMP. The only thing amplification can affect is spatial opening in a very, very subtle way.

CONSTRUCTION-DESIGN



Medical grade plastic shell with attractive decorative back plate. Lightweight and comfortable. Metal tube which could be quick to peel or break. Solid 2pin connector. Basic but passable cable, which does not negatively affect timbre or tonality. Minimal accessories, small carrying pocket, 5 pairs of silicone tips and 1 pair of memory foam tips.




GENERAL SOUND IMPRESSIONS

The Tinhifi T3plus neither impressed nor disappointed me on first hearing, what I felt was indifference. The bass sounded a bit rough to me, the vocals lacked a bit of naturalness and the treble sounded a bit too dry for my taste. The cohesion was well balanced, the signature quite versatile, but the resolution lacked transparency. In fact, pairing with the TRI TK2, one of my favorite portable DAC-AMPs, didn't really do them justice due to a little emphasis in a bass section similar to the T3 + (mid-bass) which thickened the tone and rendered all very thick and messy in the resolution suddenly too condensed and slobbery in the bass. With a more neutral, clinical and analytical Xduoo X20, the T3plus gained in bass and midrange control and separation as well as in (much needed) air and instrumental separation.



TONALITY

A fairly well balanced V signature, not too bassy nor too aggressive, although a little abrasive in the mid-highs. A sound that has body, impact, mids not too set back and highs a little dry but rarely howling, and which cuts short. A tone that has more boom than extension, excited in its dynamics and rough in its highs.

TECHNICITIES

The resolution is average , not very incisive or precise, a little veiled in the low midrange and hazy in the high ones, the silence is rare there and not very clean.
Attack is average too, not super fast or complex in its rendering, with minimal impact and resonance, the timing is awkward and lacking in agility when the speed goes up.
Dynamics don't have a lot of amplitude chromaticism, so the articulation feels like a bundle despite an attempt to amplify a high section to give those attacks more bite.

BASS has good impact weight and a good separation of kick drum and bassline that doesn't go too low, sometimes some of the texture seems too emphasized in the high harmonics and some distorted bass synths will lack body if they are located in the sub-basses. Although the bass is meaty it does sound a bit dry, likewise it cuts the extension short and doesn't go down to 20hz, so it lacks a sub-woofer in there to have resonant, transparent and flexible vibrance. For rock its going better than for jazz, because the counter-bass will sound a bit like a tom, or over-amplified and thickened in its mid-bass.

The MID frequencies are full, a little opaque but well rounded and without significant aggressiveness or sibilance. They are minimally set back, but this is the flattest spectrum. The bass swallows and thickens the middle bass. The female vocals have a little plastic-rough accent, like an emphasis on the breath of the voice, for meticulous listeners this can get on the nerves. So yes, the amplitude in the high mids might displease more than one, but we're not in KZ or TRN territory either! It’s not a criminal offense of physical assault here, just some extra energy that can benefit the violins and electric guitar. Otherwise, the male vocals are more seriously receding and appear slim in body and stuck between low and high. The singers "Timbre Timbre" and "Hayden Thorpes" (tenor version) do not pass the test and seem belittled, again with some hooks in the vocable articulation. Anyway, tonally, it's a bit awkward and off-balance here. It lacks warmth, organicity, transparency and openness. The clarity is condensed and lacks depth, transparency and accuracy.

The treble is quite dry and lacks extension, there is a peak that extracts and highlights some instruments like snare drum and part of percussion but the rest can feel diffuse and messy. The level of detail and the resolution are not completely bad, especially it lacks refinement and precision delineating well in the attack and the timing. Air and shine are sorely lacking at the high end of the spectrum, so the rendering sounds muffled. The treble bass also itches a bit, affecting the tonal accuracy. The outline of the individual sounds is not very well sculpted. Pass if you like acoustic guitar, harpsichord or harp because the sparkle, resonance and attack effect of pulled or struck strings is not there. The T3plus show their performance limit with complex music, fast and numerous and varied in instruments, it will be acoustic chaos, rough, uncertain and diffuse. Seriously, I can't think of anything very positive to say about the high spectrum, but it's less of a problem with slow or simplistic music, pop, soul, rap.

COMPARISONS

VS IBASSO IT00 (1DD-70 $)

Darker in tone with more emphasis on the extreme low end, more present and warm mids, the T3plus sounds more energetic and signature V, is less open and has more bite in the highs. The timbre is more natural and smooth with the IT00, which makes the vocals much more pleasant in roundness. The IT00's spatialization is wider and open with a better feeling of depth but a more subtle and softer level of detail. The separation of the sound layers is more transparent and well organized with the IT00 and seems too saturated and walled up with the T3plus. All in all, the IT00 offers a much more addictive musicality, albeit more relaxed in the mid-bass impact and less textured-detailed. Tonally, despite extreme bass too high, the IT00s are better balanced, technical side the two are mediocre despite the IT00 seems to offer better instrumental separation. For lovers of female or male voice, the choice is simple here: IT00. For rock, I would go T3plus. Note: the construction of the IT00 is junk. MMCX connectors break super easily (bad internal soldering..that I redid ... but they broke again during this comparison!)

VS MOONDROP ARIA (1DD (LCP) -80 $)
Getting sophisticated tuning to the Harman target isn't easy, and that may explain why Moondrop has been perfecting this tonal curve for years ... the Aria being perhaps the most accomplished result. Which makes the T3plus look good amateurish and primitive in overall rendering, drier, energetic and rowdy in the frontal impact of the bass.
The Aria have some flaw too, the lack of presence in the impact section that the T3plus overemphasizes, so yes, the down extension is superior but the punch not as bossy and defined. Still, it's cleaner, the toms are not cut into natural resonance, the double bass sounds adequate. The resolution is highly superior even if less brutal than the T3plus, it is fuller and holographic, has more depth, transparent sound layers well open, this opening is more closed-compartmentalized-compressed with the T3plus and less linear. The vocals are more forward with the Aria, more natural, full, open, the saxophone-like blown instruments are tonally fair compared to an old transistor radio rendering with the T3plus. With the Aria, we breathe, with the T3plus we choke. The refinement is incomparable here .... the Aria being more airy in the highs, more sparkling and balanced. Here, the technicalities and the balance of the tonality are clearly superior and subject to a long immersive listening.

CONCLUSION

The Tinhifi T3plus have a nested V tone for simple, bassy music, in short, for young people who like to stamp their feet. This is not a targeted IEM for seasoned audiophiles favoring high resolution and realist reproduction of sound spatiality. They're sure to be popular with many, though even rap needs more sub-bass for the boom to vibrate in resonance.
Still, this effort by Tinhifi to think outside the box deserves some respect, in the sense that it varies their sound signature and remains competitive in their price bracket, albeit not exceptional.


-----
PS: I would like to thank LINSOUL (!!) for sending me these IEMs for free .... hoping that they accept the honesty of my criticism, which in the end is subjective, independent, and integrates in its search for what offers a exceptional sound benefit.
You can get the Tinhifi T3plus for $ 69 usd here:
https://www.linsoul.com/collections/all ... fi-t3-plus

Tinhifi T3 Plus : Best of Tinhifi in below $100 range so far!




Summary & Objective:

Tinhifi T3 Plus is the best tuned IEM from Tinhifi after their very successful T2 in the below $100 range. The T3 plus this time around comes in a more comfortable environmental resin shell with great build & comfort and promises great sonic performances.




Introduction:

The Tinhifi T3 Plus is the latest release by Tinhifi and is hyped to be the best tuned IEM from Tinhifi after the original T2 which had been very successful earlier. The T3 plus comes in the below $100 price range with a promise to deliver great quality sound. The T3 plus adopts 3D printing technology using environmental resin and also uses a 10MM dynamic driver with LCP diaphragm, double-cavity design to provide high-precision sound. LCP diaphragm is hard and sensitive, which brings excellent transient response and achieves high-definition sound effects.
The Tinhifi T3 Plus is priced at $69.



Disclaimer:

This unit was sent by Tinhifi for the purpose of an honest review.
Everything mentioned in this review are purely my own based on my experiences with the IEM.


Design, Build & Comfort:

The Tinhifi T3 Plus comes in 3D printed environmental friendly resin shell in a very ergonomic shape that makes a great fit in the ear.
It is also very lightweight and is very comfortable to wear even throughout long listening sessions. It uses a 10MM dynamic driver with LCP diaphragm, double-cavity design thus reducing noise and providing high-precision sound. LCP diaphragm is hard and sensitive, which brings excellent transient response and achieves high-definition sound effects. According to Tinhifi: "TINHIFI T3 PLUS, a brand-new product of the T series, combines delicate sound quality, exquisite workmanship, high-end accessories, gorgeous appearance, delicate packaging, and appropriate prices".




Specifications:

The Tinhifi T3 Plus comes with $69 price tag and the specifications are as below:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003564199865.html
or
https://www.tinhifi.com/products/tinhifi-t3-plus










NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....

Items Used for this Review:

DAC/AMP: @Questyle M12, Luxury & Precision W2 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin RU6 R2R Dongle, @iFi audio Go Blu Dongle
DAP/Source : Cayin N6 Mk2 with R01 motherboard, Cayin N3 Pro
Streaming Source: QOBUZ


Tracks Used:
The tracks I have used can be found from the below playlist that I have used and generally use for most reviews...



Tinhifi T3 Plus Sound Impressions in Short:

The BASS:

The Bass on the T3 plus comes with good details from sub-bass region and with good muscle & texture in the mid-bass … specially the instrument/drums attacks. The overall bass good muscle & texture and good amount of details for the price range with great bass performance. In tracks like : "Anna R. Chie (Remastered) - Konstantin Wecker" and "Dreams (2001 Remaster) – Fleetwood Mac" you can really enjoy the attack of the different instruments.

The MIDS:

The midrange is on the T3 plus is a bit recessed, but comes with good texture and muscle. The vocals are natural and both male and female vocals sound very smooth and natural. The midrange offers a quite laid back presentation of the instruments and vocals. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy" and "Ruby Tuesday - Franco Battiato" while you will love the overall midrange specially transients of the guitars, violins etc... instruments and the vocals.

The TREBLE:

Treble is quite enjoyable and non-fatiguing. Cymbals sound natural and tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool” sounded great and the track was very enjoyable.
The treble has enough details and texture and is quite commendable for the price.

STAGING & SEPARATION:

The Staging is quite wide on the T3 plus and significantly better than most IEMs in this price range. The staging has good height and depth also. Tracks like: “ She Don't Know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound good & enjoyable. Separation however is not amongst the stronger traits of the T3 plus.

Imaging & Timbre:

The T3 plus also comes with just good sense of positioning and imaging & timbre performances. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Paradise Circus - Massive Attack” seemed quite enjoyable with good imaging & natural timbre.



Comparisons:

The Tinhifi T3 plus also comes in the same price category as the recently launched IKKO OH2 OPAL and also features a single dynamic driver and comfortable fit and being quite a hype in certain regions. Hence, comparing these 2 ,may help many people decide where to spend their money.



TINHIFI T3 PLUS vs IKKO OH2 OPAL:

Build & Comfort: Both of these IEMs are very lightweight and hence very comfortable and has great fit.

Bass: While both have very good Bass performances, the OH2 seemed better in terms of details retrieval and separation. Also, the depth is better in the OH2 which makes its overall bass performance slightly better. The T3 plus performance remains very commendable & enjoyable also.

Mids: While midrange is recessed for both IEMs, the T3 plus sounds a bit more smoother and fuller in the midrange while the OH2 has better details and bit forward vocal responses. Both IEMs fared some strengths & weaknesses and therefore there can be no clear winners.

Treble: The Treble performance seemed non-peaky and good in both IEMs. Not much to complain about really.

Soundstage & Separation: While the OH2 has more depth in staging the T3 plus has wider staging. However, when it came to separation the OH2 was slightly better than the T3 plus.


Conclusion :

The Tinhifi T3 Plus is a great performer given the price range and is quite worth of the hype. It is quite easy to drive and performs well with just any combination. It's overall good performance makes it easily recommendable for the price range.

Disclaimer: I received this review unit for free from HifiGo, thank you very much.

Price: 80 usd

Specifications:

Impedance: 32Ω±15%.

Sensitivity: 105±3dB.

Frequency response range: 10Hz-20kHz.


Accessories:

S/M/L silicone black tips

S/M/L silicone clear/red tips

M foam tips

Pouch



Cable: Black 4-core cable, measuring on the higher side at 0.49ohm. Has a working chin-slider, metal divider/connectors.




Build: Resin shell, metal nozzle with a lip. The regular filter has another damping filter underneath it.

Fit: Very good, it does have a wing that my ears don’t like in terms of comfort but it is making it secure.

Comfort: Slightly bigger than average, not that comfortable for me for longer sessions.

Isolation: Average, nothing special.

Setup: Schiit Asgard 3 (low-gain, volume around 8 o´clock), Elecom EHP-CAP20 tips, stock cable 3.5mm, 2 High-Density Tuning Foams + Tanchjim Filter

Lows: Both sub and mid-bass are elevated, mid-bass is on the tighter/faster side but sub-bass is slower/looser, not that clean and overall lacking texture.

Mid-bass: Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), is clean due to the speed/tightness, slightly elevated but lacking in texture. The (02:55-03:01) section with the chopper is hearable, although could be cleaner.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), elevated quantity, still clean due to the speed/tightness but texture could be better.

Sub-bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extension is below average, not that much rumble. Punch quantity is a bit lacking and lacks a lot of texture, not that clean though as it is a bit on slow/loose.

Will Sparks – Sick like that (03:08-03:22), quantity is decent, clarity and texture could be better as well as faster/tighter.

Mids: Slightly recessed both male and female, female vocals can lack some brightness and clarity. Male vocals are pretty good tonally but not very clean.

Female-vocals: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), vocal tonality lacks some brightness, timbre is pretty decent, slightly recessed, average detail and clarity. Instrument tonality and timbre are good, average detail and clarity, although not so much micro-details.

Yuki Hayashi – MightU (01:58-02:55), vocal and instrument tonality could be brighter, more forward and cleaner, good timbre though.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), slightly shouty vocals and non-peaky treble.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Crescent (02:07-02:26), slightly shouty vocals and peaky treble.

Male-vocals: Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (00:57-01:17), vocal tonality and timbre are pretty good but slightly recessed.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), vocal and instrument tonality are good, is a bit unclean though and slightly recessed mids.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), electric guitars aren’t sharp, lacking some brightness, decent timbre.

Deuce – America (03:03-03:16), not peaky but a bit chaotic due to the separation/imaging.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality and timbre are decent, lacking in texture and clarity though. Violin tonality and timbre are decent, lacking treble-extension, clarity and detail though.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), decent tonality lacking in clarity though, timbre is good.

Soundstage: Below average in width, average depth.

Tonality: Mildly V-shaped, leaning towards warmth and thicker note-weight. Is pretty versatile, “jack of all genres, master of none” type.

Details: Average macro-details (below average for the price), below average micro-details.

Instrument Separation: Separation below average for the price, average imaging.

Songs that highlight the IEM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCXhD9cwXZA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Jrql4ZXUo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIaH35-MLsk

Good genres: Jack of all genres, master of none but works slightly better for warmer stuff like R&B and Hip-Hop.

Bad genres: Jack of all genres, master of none but works slightly worse for classical, OST, acoustic/vocal stuff.

Comparisons:

IEM: KZ DQ6 (High-Density Tuning Foam), Elecom EHP-CAP20 tips, cable A3 4.4mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extends lower and rumbles a lot more on the DQ6. Punch quantity is higher and a LOT more textured as well as faster/tighter, cleaner on the DQ6 similar detail. Tonality is a lot better on the DQ6, better timbre on the T3 Plus though.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), more quantity and a lot more texture on the DQ6 as well as cleaner, faster/tighter. More tonally correct on the DQ6 but better timbre on the T3 Plus.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), cleaner (faster/tighter) on the DQ6 as well as more quantity and more textured on it. More tonally correct on the DQ6 but better timbre on the T3 Plus.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), cleaner, better tonality and a bit more forward vocals on the DQ6 but better timbre on the T3 Plus. Instrument tonality and timbre are better on the T3 Plus similar detail but cleaner on the DQ6.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), slightly shoutier vocals and peakier treble on the DQ6.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), slightly better vocal (and slightly more forward) and instrument tonality as well as cleaner on the DQ6, similar detail but better timbre on the T3 Plus.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), sharper electric guitars on the DQ6 but better tonality, slightly better timbre on the T3 Plus.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, texture, timbre and clarity are better on the DQ6, similar detail. Violin tonality, treble-extension, clarity and detail are better on the DQ6 but better timbre on the T3 Plus.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), better tonality and cleaner on the DQ6 but better timbre on the T3 Plus.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), a LOT wider, airier and slightly deeper on the DQ6. Imaging and separation are slightly better on the T3 Plus but similar macro-details while micro-details are better on the DQ6. Timbre is better on the T3 Plus.

Overall: The DQ6 is better tuned for my library and technically pretty similar (although vastly bigger stage on the DQ6), while timbre is better on the T3 Plus. The T3 Plus is more versatile, balanced and as safer iem though.



IEM: Blon BL-03 (Mesh-Mod), Radius Deep Mount tips L, cable B3 4.4mm

Bass: Djuro – Drop that bass (01:15-01:30), extends a bit lower and rumbles more on the 03. Punch quantity is a bit higher and more textured on the 03, cleaner as well and tighter/faster. More tonally correct on the 03 and better timbre.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Pretenders (01:18-01:47), a bit more quantity and texture on the 03 but cleaner due to the faster/tighter bass. More tonally correct and better timbre on the 03.

Metallica – fight fire with fire (01:11-01:52), cleaner on the 03 due to the faster and tighter bass, more textured and a bit higher quantity as well.

Mids: Hiroyuki Sawano – OldToday (01:25-01:52), Vocal tonality and timbre are a lot better on the 03 as well as cleaner and more forward vocals, similar detail though. Instrument tonality and timbre are also a lot better on the 03 and cleaner, similar detail.

Evanescence – Bring me to life (01:18-01:35), slightly shoutier and peakier on the 03.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Scapegoat (00:57-01:17), vocal tonality, timbre and clarity are better on the 03 and a bit more forward, similar detail.

Treble: Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day (03:24-03:42), better tonality, timbre and clarity on the 03, slightly more fatiguing though.

Hiroyuki Sawano – Lose (string version) (01:22-01:59), Cello tonality, timbre, texture and clarity are better on the 03 similar detail. Violin tonality, timbre, clarity and detail are better on the 03 but better treble-extension on the T3 Plus although a lot airier on the 03.

Hiroyuki Sawano &Z (02:18-02:57), better tonality, timbre and clarity on the 03 similar detail.

Technicalities: Shiro Sagisu – Hundred years war (02:24-02:57), wider and airier on the 03, similar depth. Imaging and separation are slightly better on the T3 Plus, similar macro-details and micro-details. A lot better timbre on the 03.

Overall: The 03 is a lot better both tonally and timbre, comparable in technicalities.





Conclusion: I cannot recommend this at the price it is at, it is overpriced when you factor in what you can get at the budget range nowadays. Although if you want a “jack of all genres, master of none” that is relatively safe, then it can still be a good recommendation.

Graph:

Cable source:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...zTm4ei7HEfP8AI1zxswrMw2ho/edit#gid=1801072063

Reference/test songs:

Reviewer profile:
- My music library consists of : mainly Electronic music – some of it is very bright and challenging so I adjust my expectations accordingly. The rest is Rock,Metal,80's music, older Hip-Hop and soundtracks.
- My preferred sound signature leans towards a darker, V-shaped sound with a slightly bright treble\sizzle.
- I am sensitive to brightness\harshness\Sharpness in sounds around 2Khz-4Khz, so keep that in mind when reading my reviews.


Full disclosure: I got these earphones as a review unit from Linsoul.com

Specific product page*:
https://www.linsoul.com/collections/all/products/tinhifi-t3-plus

*This link was not generated by me or for me nor do i see any profit from you clicking on it.

I have bought from Linsoul in the past and their customer service and logistics seem to work really well so i'll definitely recommend them to anyone.

Now on to the review:

Package\accessories:

The T3 Plus arrives in a well packaged cardboard box.
Inside you will find the IEMs, a 2-pin detachable cable and 2 sets of S/M/L sized silicone ear tips and a bonus pair of foam tips.






Ergonomics:

TinHiFi chose to go for a design which is different from their classic silver shells and I think they should stick to this new design as I find it to be very comfortable, steady and obviously - very beautiful.

They don't conform to my ears as perfectly as the CCA CA16 pro or KZ VX10, but i believe it's because the T3 plus is more universal in fit. In other words, people who like the KZ\CCA design but find them painful because of the shape of the ear fins (the ergonomic "bumps") might find the T3 Plus to be more comfortable for long sessions.



Sound:

The sound signature of the T3+ leans towards v-shape, yet it's not as v-shaped as I expected them to be after watching other reviews about them.




Bass:

One thing I noticed right away is how deep the bass goes.
I don't often stumble upon a budget set which actually goes down to around 35hz while still sounding quite clean.

The bass is definitely a bit elevated in order to be on the fun side. I enjoy it as it makes these a good all-arounder for many genres, from Rock music to dance music and soundtracks.

For me, the bass is not overbearing or too dominant. It is tuned properly to fit most people's taste.

Drums are well separated from synth and guitar basslines and their sound is colored differently as it should.

Bass heads can definitely use EQ to boost things up in this region.



Midrange (500hz-5.2Khz):

This area is not colored by the bass as i'm use to in KZ IEMs. This affects timbre in a positive way and makes instruments sound more distinct from each other.

The Mids sound pretty smooth and relaxed up until about 2Khz and then get brighter and more pronounced as we go towards the rest of the upper mids region.

I understand this kind of tuning is popular in Asian markets because it puts more emphasis on vocals.
For me, this tuning was fine in darker sounding tracks or when I listened in low volume, yet in brighter tracks in high volume – I had to apply EQ and cut a few decibels from the 2Khz-4Khz region because things like violins or female vocals going to the upper registers felt too harsh for my ears.

Mind you, I apply similar EQ to almost all of my IEMs because my ears are sensitive to this area, so your mileage may vary.

To my surprise, such EQ settings did not cause a crater in the overall sound as EQ cuts sometimes tends to do. The sound remained full and engaging.

Treble:

Coming from the classic "KZ sound" (ZSR\ZS6), the treble on the T3+ is more subdued and smooth up until that 10K bump as we can see in the graph.

This tuning will please many people who are sensitive to harsh\fatiguing treble, yet leave some treble-heads yearning for more.

One of the perks of EQ'ing the upper midrange down a bit: it would bring the treble a bit more forward.


No sibilance detected (test song: Skillet - Whispers in the Dark ("When Darkness comes, I'll light the night with Stars…")


Source: Mainly GGMM A1, some HRT Headstreamer.
I prefer the T3+ on warmer sources as it plays nicer with the brighter signature of the Mids.
This set is not really picky when it comes to sources, sound didn't lose much quality when connected to my motherboards jack or phone.




Vs. CCA CA16 Pro (foam tips):

Fit: The CA16P has a better fit in my ear, CCA definitely nailed that aspect in my opinion and because of their shape they are more suited for workouts.
The T3+ has a more universal fit for those who find KZ ergonomics to be a bit too ear specific or a bit painful.

Cable: both do the job. CCA's cable seem like it will last longer, but T3+ cable looks better in my opinion.


Sound:


^courtesy of paul wasabii

Bass: KZ\CCA's XUN driver has it's fans and the CA16P certainly delivers good,clean quality on this front.
The Bass on the CA16P is more elevated\thick and tends to dominates the overall sound a bit more, Bassline synths are well separated from Kick\Bass drums, but share similar timbre.

Bass on the T3+ is less elevated and a bit leaner. Kick\Bass drums are more distinct from synth basslines in terms of timbre. In other words – the T3+ sounds more natural in this department while the CA16P sounds more "fun".


Treble: There's definitely some smoothness and politeness in this area in both sets.
The overall signature of the CA16P is more v-shaped, Treble on the CA16P is more present and lively, mainly because the high-mids are lower than on the T3+.

Mids: The T3+ Mids sound more natural and less colored by the bass, but the CA16P are more forgiving and smooth when sounds like violins or high pitched female vocals are introduced.


Sensitive listeners will detect some sharp peaks at the high mids in both sets when listening at high volume. It's noticeable in a song like "The Cranberries - Ode To My Family" ,when the lead singer tend to go 'up' in some words.

Depending on your hearing\taste, The T3+ might need a small 2K-4K cut to remedy this issue.
After EQ correction, I'd say these two sets sound quiet similar with the main difference being the T3+ sounding more natural and less Bassy.

People who are not sensitive to those frequencies as i am, or tend to listen in lower volume might prefer not to use any EQ with the T3+.


Verdict:
The TinHifi T3 Plus are a beautiful set which gives us the opportunity to experience the famous "LCP Diaphragm driver" at a comfortable price and with a different tuning.
TinHifi is definitely headed in the right direction here and i can't wait to see what's next in store for them.


Final Grade: 4.5\5

These are still first impressions only. Very good quality bass with deep rumble, mids not recessed, perfect amount of sizzle in the highs for me, non-sibilant, very natural tone and timbre, both female amd male vocals shine, above average microdetails, above average soundstage and pinpoint imaging in the few tracks I've tested. Will be burning this for 100 hours like the Aria and will try to update this. These are just personal impressions and I am not a pro reviewer. I listened to it using a Shanling M3X in 3.5mm port. Happy New Year to all!!!

Disclaimer : The unit was provided by Hifigo as a part of a review tour but all thoughts and opinions are my own. You can purchase the T3 Plus here. You can also purchase it from Amazon through here.

Build and Fit
T3 Plus is made out of the usual resin shell, which is unusual for TinHifi as most of their lineup use metal chassis. It also features the 2 Pin connector which is also a departure from their mmcx dominated lineup. The cable is lightweight and slender and as a result it can get tangled up. The real good news is in the fit. To this day, I have tried two scores of earphones to this day and the T3 Plus is the undisputed best fitting earphone for me.
It feels as if this is a custom fit earphone.



Amp Needs
The T3 Plus is very sensitive and works fine off phones, no dedicated amplifier is needed.

Sound Quality
The short and dirty version : T3 Plus has a mild U shaped tuning to it. The low end is solid and impactful, it reaches noticeably deep as well but without any bloat. It is slightly boosted compared to "natural" which adds a fulfilling viscerality to the entire sound. On extended listening I found the midrange to be slightly veiled but this is only felt if you are A/B -ing with something with good midrange capabilities. Still, I would categorize the midrange of T3 Plus as slightly veiled. The details and vibrance in vocals fail to express themselves in the way I want them to, the way it can be done. The upper midrange is also boosted, but thankfully not to uncomfortable levels, but it is enough to add an extra bite to the sound although that comes with no tradeoffs here surprisingly. Yes, it renders a certain tinge of plastic-iness to the sound but it is by no means even close to what is out there in the market. Hence T3 Plus has a "mild U shaped tuning" for me. The top end is rolled off in the very upper regions smoothly but has sufficient quantity in the presence region. Overall tonality, save for the slightly veiled midrange is quite nice. The imaging and instrument separation are stand out, which is remarkable for this price range. Although the headstage is not congested, it is to be noted that the sense of layering is a bit lacking. But then again no earphone I have tried in this price range competes with the T3 Plus. The sound of T3 Plus is one with minimal tradeoffs and good technicalities for its price. The closest competition to the T3 Plus is the Moondrop Aria 2021 based on the earphones that I have tested till now. While the timbre and tonality of Aria is better, the T3 Plus trades on the tonality department a bit but offers a more engaging and exciting listen, not to mention with better technicalities.






Conclusion
If your budget is less than 100 USD, I would strongly recommend you take a look at T3 Plus or the Moondrop Aria 2021, these two go neck in neck and are excellent deals in this price segment.

I try to write my reviews in a slightly different style and format. The goal is to reduce it to the most useful and necessary information, making reading and skimming the review easier and faster. We all sometimes lack time to read or watch in-depth reviews, so this review should offer an alternative.

You'll find more reviews in this style here on Head-Fi or on my website Flightless Bird.

Frequency Response​

About the IEM​

• Great and refreshing design
• Finally a Tin IEM that fits, stays comfortable after longer usage
• Good cable for the price
• The first Tin IEM I with beautiful design and good fit

Can't really wish for more given the sub $100 price point. One of the more beautiful IEM in my collection with adequate accessories.

Sound Impressions​

• Great consumer-focused tuning
• Bass is fast and has power while never overwhelming the rest
• Treble sometimes a little weak to non-existent
• Vocals have good presence
• Lacking in detail and resolution, especially noticable compared to Aria/Starfield
• Suprisingly big soundstage

Solid sonic performance that doesn't really do anything wrong while not excelling at anything either. The best sounding Tin IEM for my taste so far.

Comparisons​

T3 Plus vs. Moondrop Starfield​

Since I don't own the Moondrop Aria, I'll compare the T3 Plus to the somewhat similar Moondrop Starfield. Given the price difference, the Aria would be a fairer comparison.



Advantages Tin T3 Plus:

• Fit and design
• More and better bass quantity and quality
• More relaxed treble
• Bigger soundstage
• More exciting sound

Advantages Moondrop Starfield:

• Better technicalities, especially more detailed and higher resolution
• Treble is more accurate and present, altough sometimes slightly piercing
• Vocals more present and clearer

T3 Plus vs. Tripowin Mele​

The Mele are one of the defacto recommendations for great IEMs under $100. Their focus is on reproducing great bass (quality and quantity) and offering a more "fun" sound signature.



Advantages Tin T3 Plus:

• More balanced sound
• Better representation of vocals
• Better treble response

Advantages Tripowin Mele:

• More bass and more "slam"
• Especially more prominent subbass
• Slightly better cable

Conclusion​

The Tin T3 Plus might just be one of the best options under 100 Dollars. A pleasant sound signature that should fit most tastes with enough and qualitative bass coupled with good-enough resolution and details present a quite great package at that price point.

Additionally, the Tin T3 Plus have great fit and are well-crafted and well-designed. From a look-and-feel-perspective, the T3+ might just be one of the best Sub-100$ IEMs available right now.



With their quite similar frequency response – though vastly different quality in technicalities – the T3+ can offer a little taste of more expensive and better IEMs like Moondrop's Blessing 2 Dusk.

Now, finally, after I've disliked all IEMs from Tin HiFi I tested – including the highly acclaimend Tin T2 – I've liked a Tin product. The T3 Plus is by quite a margin their best IEM. Here's to hoping that Tin will follow this trend and their next releases will be closer to the T3 Plus – in design as well as sound.

More​

• View and read the review on Flightless Bird
• My IEM ranking (in beta right now, I'll add more IEMs in the next days)
• Frequency Response Graph Database
• Favorite IEMs: Moondrop Blessing 2 Dusk, Dunu SA6

Intro
I believe nobody is not aware of TinHifi in the audiophile community. They have several popular models which are highly regarded such as the P1, T2, T2 Plus and also their P2 plus. Today they are releasing another new IEM several months after T2 Evo, which I personally reviewed and grew to like it as well. Let’s take a look today at their latest single dynamic driver namely the T3 Plus.

Not to mention this is their first 2 pin IEM and also resin based shell. Moving to a 2 pin connector, I believe TinHifi really listens to their customers as most of them disliked their MMCX which most of them consider as problematic.


Packaging
Packaging is the usual TinHifi style kind of packaging. Nothing too simple nor premium. It’s in the middle. I have no issue with it. It comes with two sets of eartips. One which I believe is the bass tip and another is the normal ones, also came with a carrying pouch.


Build/Comfort
This is their first resin based IEM i believe. The comfort is top notch and I have no discomfort wearing them for long sessions.



Source
Tidal -> Audirect Beam 3 Pro -> T3 Plus
Tidal -> RHA L1 -> T3 Plus


Sound
Big soundstage, smooth and non fatiguing. They seemed to sound close to harman tuning, however, they don’t sound as bland as Aria. They’re warm and seem to have a slightly elevated sub-bass. Natural timbre.


Bass

• Good sub bass performance, adequate rumble and does not overpower the mid bass
• Sub bass is well extended, however, mid bass does feel a little lacking to me due to the elevated sub-bass
• No bass bleed can be heard here
• Bass is fairly fast and controlled
• No bloated bass here
• Bass is dominant but no where near basshead leve

Mids

• Forward presentation
• No recessed vocal
• Both male and vocal has got a very good body to it, not dry sounding, very good for its asking price, it is very pleasant to listen to Patricia Petibon’s track
• Very pleasant timbre, sounds natural to my ears

Treble

• Treble extension is lacking to my ears, this is probably the reason why it sounded smooth and never sibilant nor harsh
• However, there’s still a good amount of energy that deter it from sounding dark, i would say it's a sweet spot
• No weird peak can be heard here as well

Soundstage/Imaging

• Soundstage is fairly source dependent based on my evaluation, on Audirect Beam 3 Pro, i’m getting an intimate soundstage, whereas on RHA L1, it sounded very spacious and wide
• Detail retrieval is very good for its asking price
• Instrument separation is very good and doesn’t get congested in busy track, well layered
• Left and right channel transition for HRTF is fairly good as well

Driveability

• Easy to drive and you can get good sound out of a smartphone
• Source does matter and T3 plus definitely benefits from it, which is quite evident in my evaluation
• Amping doesn’t make a lot of difference to my ears, but the source does

Comparison (Moondrop Aria)

• A lot more fun than Aria
• Aria’s sound is on the darker side to my ears
• Smaller soundstage on the Aria and i did not notice any changes in soundstage when i switched source as i how i did with T3 Plus
• Bass is more fun on T3 Plus than on Aria. but it is cleaner on Aria
• Timbre wise, both are quite similar to my ears, quite natural
• Both transient speed is fairly good to my ears

Final Thoughts
TinHifi has finally got it right which I believe through the feedback gathered from numerous reviewers and customers alike. This is actually a good thing whereby they’re open for criticism and taking it in a positive way and improving it.

Personally I like T3 Plus and I have several other reviewer friends who tested T3 Plus and they like it as well. The tuning of it is just right and very pleasant to the ears. I can see why it is so highly praised and recommended by many.

Both Moondrop’s Aria and T3 Plus’s pricing is very close because they’re in the same pricing range, however, if i were to pick one, i will definitely go for T3 Plus, not because i’m biased but Aria is just too bland to my taste, there are people who likes Aria as well.
Let me lay it down and tell you if you’re comparing between Aria and T3 Plus, i’d say get T3 plus if you prefer a more fun sounding IEM, Aria if you’re looking to dissect the music and also if you like a darker signature. Personally, i’d go for T3 Plus not because I'm trying to hype it, but because I enjoy my music more with T3 Plus instead of Aria. Aria is for when you want to have some critical listening sessions.

If you are interested in buying a pair of T3 Plus, head to their official TinHifi’s store in Aliexpress
TinHifi

DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank Ivy from HIFIGO for providing this review unit. The Tin T3 Plus can be gotten here: https://hifigo.com/products/tinhifi-t3-plus or https://www.amazon.com/TINHIFI-Dynamic-Monitor-Diaphragm-Earphones/dp/B09M2QWLMZ/

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY​

The Tin T3 Plus sports a balanced harmanish tonality, and can be described as a pretty good all rounder. It is a good set in the sea of sub $100 USD single DDs, but a bit of an undefined one-noted bass and occasional lower treble spiciness holds it back from greatness.

SPECIFICATIONS​

• Driver configuration: 10mm dynamic driver with LCP diaphragm
• Frequency response: 10 Hz – 20kHz
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Sensitivity: 105 dB/mW
• Cable: 2 Pin 0.78 mm, 4-core OFC cable
• Tested at $69 USD

ACCESSORIES​

Included are:
1) Tin T3 Plus IEM
2) 4-core OFC cable - tangly, thin and microphonic. Suggest to get a better cable from a haptic point of view!
3) Soft carry pouch
4) Foam tips x 1 pair
5) Silicone tips S/M/L 6 pairs - there are 2 variants, one has a narrower bore (red) which boosts the bass, the other has a wider bore (black) which boosts the upper frequencies for me. YMMV as we have different ear anatomies.




Accessories are quite decent at this price bracket. For the purposes of this review, the stock black silicone tips and the stock cable was used, so as not to add other confounders.

BUILD/COMFORT​

The Tin T3 Plus is comfortable and light, no issues for me with marathon listening sessions. There's a little concha protrusion to provide extra grip. I didn't find any driver flex on my set.

I am really happy that Tin HIFI has shifted to a 2 pin connector here; my previous experience with their Tin T2, Tin T2 Evo and Tin T2 Plus MMCX connectors was very bad, to say the least. Some of the MMCX connectors were so loose that they made the IEMs spin like little helicopters out of the box, with intermittent sound cut out. And I don't think it is just me, as there are numerous forum reports of QC issues with the Tin T series MMCX. It looks like the penny has finally dropped, with 2 pin connectors in general being more robust with repeated cable changes.

ISOLATION​

Isolation on the Tin T3 Plus is bang average. It is still usable outdoors though.

DRIVABILITY​

I tested the Tin T3 Plus with a Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp, Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp, Sony NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Plus v2 Mr Walkman Mod), smartphone, IKKO ITM01, Shanling Q1 DAP, Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, E1DA 9038D, and a Khadas Tone Board -> Fiio A3 Amp.

This set is easy to drive, but amping increases dynamics, micro-details, soundstage and bass tightness.

SOUND & TECHNICALITIES​

The Tin T3 Plus features a harmanish tuning, and this gives the T3 Plus an all rounder signature that should suit most music genres. Perhaps only diehard bassheads will dislike the tonality here.



This set is subbass focused. The midbass is just north of neutral, but not as basshead levels. Subbass extends moderately with a rumble when called for. While there isn't marked midbass bleed, the midbass isn't that textured and can sound one-noted at times. Bass speed is moderate.

The midrange is quite natural sounding, with a good mix of clarity and "lushness". The lower mids are recessed, and boosted at the upper midrange. Vocals are pushed forward, though perhaps at louder volumes (Fletcher Munson curve) or with poorly recorded materials, this upper mids region can be fatiguing.

Treble continues on from the boosted upper mids. The treble is moderately extended, it borders on harshness at times around the lower treble, but I would think most treble sensitive folk can still tolerate this tuning. Clarity is good, with cymbals not sounding overly splashy. Sibilance is minimal.

In terms of technicalities:
- Soundstage width, height and depth are above average.
- Imaging and microdetails are average. Imaging is fuzzy.
- Instrument separation is good, aided by the bigger soundstage.

The Tin T3 Plus has timbre lying on the better side for a single DD set, but there is some occasional plasticky timbre for acoustic instruments such as for strings and brass instruments. This is just nitpicking though.

COMPARISONS​

I compared some sub $100 single DD sets. Multi BA/hybrids were left out of the comparisons as they have different pros and cons among the different transducer types.

Moondrop Aria 2021 ($79.99 USD)

The well regarded Aria is about 10 bucks more expensive. The Aria is smoother in the treble. The Aria has a thinner note weight and isn't as hefty in the midrange, with the T3 Plus having more midbass and sounding more "fun".

The Tin T3 Plus have more forward vocals, with the lower treble region of the T3 Plus more fatiguing than the Aria.

Timbre is a bit more natural sounding on the Aria. In terms of imaging, instrument separation and clarity, the Aria edges it over the Tin T3 Plus. Perhaps the Tin T3 Plus has better soundstage and slightly better microdetails, but the bass is tighter and cleaner on the Aria.


HZSound Heart Mirror ($41 USD)

The Heart Mirror is a neutralish bright set, and it has a thinner note weight and sounds more analytical than the T3 Plus. The Heart Mirror has more treble than the T3 Plus. Bass is more anemic on the Heart Mirror, but the bass has better quality in terms of speed and texturing.

The Heart Mirror is harder to drive, and has a smaller soundstage than the T3 Plus, but the Heart Mirror has better imaging, microdetails and instrument separation.


Tin T2 Evo ($49 USD)

The T2 Evo wasn't a really good release in the Tin T2 pantheon, it had stridency in the upper frequencies, with nasal vocals and a hollow timbre with a big bass roll-off. There were MMCX issues on it too (for my set).

The T3 Plus has more note weight and heft, better tonality (and less hot upper frequencies), with a more natural timbre and superior technicalities. No contest here between the 2 siblings, the T3 Plus is leagues ahead in almost every department, from build (QC) to sound.

CONCLUSIONS​

The Tin T3 Plus sports a balanced harmanish tonality, and can be an all rounder for most music genres. Perhaps only diehard bassheads will find the tonality not pleasing; it is a good set in the sea of sub $100 USD single DDs. However bit of a hot lower treble region and an undefined one-noted bass are nitpicks that hold it back from greatness.

I'm glad to see that Tin HIFI has shifted to a 2 pin connector here, after they had repeated QC issues with the previous MMCX connectors in their Tin T series.

Tin HIFI releases have been pretty hit or miss lately (eg Tin T2 Evo, P2, T5; the latter 2 necessitate retuned releases!) and the Tin T3 Plus is a redemption. I look forward to their future releases (with 2 pin connectors please!).