Tin HiFi T3 Plus

Disclaimer:

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

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

Source/s used:

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

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

Sound signature:

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

Lows:

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

Mids:

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

Highs:

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

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

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

Comparisons:

• Vs the Moondrop Aria:

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

• Vs the Audiosense AQ0

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


Pros:

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

Cons:

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

Thank you for reading!

Attached Photos:

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

International purchase link

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now let's get to the sound.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

INTRODUCTION:

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

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



DISCLAIMER:

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

SPECIFICATIONS:

Driver: φ10mm Liquid crystal polymer vibrator membrane speaker

Sensitivity: 105±3dB @1kHz 0.179V

Frequency Range: 10-20kH

Interface: Gold-plated 2 Pin connector

Plug type: 3.5mm black glue gold plated plug

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

Impedance: 32Ω±15%

Rated Power: 3mW

Max Power: 5mW

Max Distortion: 1% @1k Hz 0.179V

DESIGN AND FIT:

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



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

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

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

SOUND:

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

Source: iPhone + Zen Can + Ztella + Avani



LOW END:

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

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

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

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

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

1. Nagada Sang Dhol – Ram Leela

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



MID RANGE:

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

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

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

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

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

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

TREBLE:

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

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

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

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

TECHNICALITIES:

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

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

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

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

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

VERDICT:

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

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

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

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!!!

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.

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



Foreword

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

The Build & Wear

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

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

Equipment Used

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Verdict

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

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

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

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

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:​

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

SOURCES:​

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

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

MUSIC:​

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

XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:​

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

BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN:​

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


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

COMFORT, FIT, AND ISOLATION:​

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

MEASUREMENTS:​

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

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

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

SOUND:​

The TinHiFi T3 Plus has a Harman-ish tuning.

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

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

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

COMPARISON WITH THE MOONDROP ARIA:​

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

AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCE PAIRING:​

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

CLOSING WORDS:​

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

The TinHiFi T3 Plus can be purchased below:

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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



Intro…

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

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

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



Presentation…

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

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

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



Build and aesthetics…

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

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

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

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

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

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



Sound…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Conclusion…

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

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

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

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

Intro​

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

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

Accessories (Score: 7.0/10)​

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

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

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

Sound (Score: /10)​

Sources

• Lotoo Paw S1
• Hiby R5

Music listened to

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

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

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

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

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

Comparison​

Whizzer He-01


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

Conclusion​

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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!