Tingker TK300
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Tingker TK300 IEMS - Delayed But Never Forgotten
Priced at 99 USD, we have a high quality IEM from China, and Audiosense, the same company who made the mighty AQ3, the new Tingker TK300. With Dual Knowles Balanced Armatures, and a Dynamic driver hybrid configuration. It will be compared to Tin Audio T5 (130 USD), IKKO OH1 Meteor (140 USD), and HIDIZS MS2 Rainbow (90 USD)
Introduction
Tingker is a sub company of the mother company Audiosense, and is managed by the same people. I forgot to post my review on the TK300 for almost a year, until I found it on the shelf for "to be reviewed", so it will be interesting to see how it stacks up to IEMs released nowadays, and what the performance is like for an IEM released a while ago, but which was considered to be high value. TK300 has a hybrid configuration, with a good build quality, and Knowles drivers.
It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Audiosense or Tingker, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. I'd like to thank Audiosense 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 Tingker TK300 find their next music companion.
Packaging
First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:
The package of TK300 is rather minimalistic, smaller than most Chifi IEMs I review nowadays, but it comes with a really beautiful high-end carrying case that is plastered with wool on the inside. They also come with two types of silicone tips.
Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort
The first thing you notice with TK300 is that they have a high-quality cable, with a thick and resilient construction. They also have a detachable cable, based on the MMCX connector, and ended in a 3.5mm single ended connector. The cable is not tangle prone, and does not conduct microphonic noise, being rather flexible and ergonomic. The cable is made of silver plated copper with eight strands, each strand having 19 pieces 0.05 in size.
The IEM shells are made of Aluminum, while the large 9.7mm dynamic driver is coated in Titanium. We have a low impedance of 18 Ohms, which is rather ok, and an ok SPL of 105dB. This means that TK300 will be rather easy to drive, but may be somewhat sensitive to hiss. With 8 grams in total, so 4 grams for each EM shell, TK300 is rather light and should be comfortable for most people.
The cable has soft ear guides and those are rather tight, and you can totally feel them coiled around your ear while wearing the IEMs, but do not cause discomfort. The passive noise isolation of TK300 is average to poor, having between 10 and 20 dB of passive noise isolation, depending on the frequency, tips and how good your seal is. They do not leak at all, at least not audibly so.
Despite the theoretically easy to drive design, I am running them at 105 / 150 on Astell & Kern sE180, so they do eat quite a bit of power to be driven well.
Sound Quality
For driving the TK300, I have been using Astell & Kern SE180, iBasso DX240, Lotoo PAW 6000, and Dethonray DTR1+ Prelude. They are drivable with more affordable sources, but if you tend to listen loud and very loud, you'll need to step the volume up to 80% - 90% for most portable sources.
The signature of TK300 is generally V-Shaped, with a really slow and well cooked bass, tons of details and a strong technical edge, a dynamic and engaging sound, excellent treble extension, and a fairly natural timbre and tonality. All in all, they are versatile and work well with all music styles, and the sonic presentation they provide is best at extremely high volumes, being more vivid, more engaging and more detailed the louder you go. At lower volumes, the V-Shaped signature becomes more evident, midrange is pulled away from the listener, and everything is more flat, including the stage that seems to get more narrow and compressed, especially at quiet listening levels. All the listening impressions and descriptions have been taken at medium to loud listening levels.
The bass of TK300 is clean, deep and sounds quite slow, even for a dynamic driver bass. I've seen quite a few people saying it reminds them of a high quality subwoofer, and that is correct, it moves a lot of air and gives music a ton of body / energy, without forcing itself too much on the listener. The slow speed is enough for rock, metal and most Electronic music, but not for Technical EDM, Trancecore, or Math Metal / certain Death Metal / Deathcore bands. The bass is especially pleasing with music that's recorded to sound as close as possible to acoustic, having just the right amount of body to create the feeling / impression you're right there with the artist while they play the song.
The midrange of TK300 is lower in amount, relative to the bass and the treble. This V-Shaped signature gets more balanced at higher volumes, and the overall detail is always really good, with exceptional resolution, layering and instrument separation, along with imaging. The voicing is also very natural and clean, with a good amount of emotion and upper midrange presence, to give pianos, as well as female voices the intended energy and bite. Guitars sound smooth, and the texture type of TK300 is generally on the smooth side, as they are not overly fatiguing, and rather risk becoming a bit boring compared to the competition that tends to have a much more aggressive texture around the price point.
The treble of TK300 is detailed, clean, and has exceptional extension for the price point. We're talking about an IEM that can easily extend up to 15kHz, for the entry-level price range, so TK300 delivers well on all fronts here. The treble has some emphasis compared to the midrange, but most of the emphasis is in the mid treble, rather than lower treble, so sound is usually not metallic, harsh or exaggerated in sibilance. In fact, despite the high quantity of treble, the texture and presentation is on the softer side, giving the TK300 a soft and relaxed presentation that can feel a bit too smooth.
Comparisons
Tingker TK300 vs IKKO OH1 Meteor (99 USD vs 140 USD) - The Basshead Meteor is more comfortable, but also heavier, and TK300 has a slightly better cable quality. The sound of the Meteor is deeper, heavier, and it has a quicker bass. The stage of Meteor is a bit wider, but TK300 has more and better instrument separation, presented in a more intimate space. TK300 is more V-Shaped, has a stronger treble, and more treble extension. Both have a smoother texture presentation. Good details are present on both TK300 and OH1 Meteor.
Tingker TK300 vs HIDIZS MS2 Rainbow (99 USD vs 90 USD) - MS2 Rainbow is another V-Shaped IEM with a good price point, so they make a veritable competitor for TK300. The comfort is actually comparable between them, although MS2 is a bit smaller and the cable is a bit more loose than that of TK300. TK300 has a thicker, more quality cable. The sound is more detailed, cleaner and more open on TK300 which has better treble extension. MS2 Rainbow sounds thicker, a bit more boomy, and also rolls off earlier. TK300 has a slower bass, which is interpreted as more natural, and more pleasing by some listeners, but the bass in particular is less technical, while the midrange is more detailed.
Tingker TK300 vs Tin Audio t5 (99 USD vs 130 USD) - T5 is actually a bit more comfortable than TK300, but the cable quality is a bit better on TK300. The overall sonics are more harsh on T5, with less sub bass extension, and TK300 sounds fuller, deeper, more dynamic, more detailed and has a much better overall technicality than T5. Comparing them side by side, T5 sounds almost loose, in comparison to TK300 which sounds tight, well balanced and natural in tonality.
Value and Conclusion
For the price of 99 USD, the package, IEM construction quality, and the technical prowess of the sound is excellent, and TK300 is still an excellent deal, even though I only managed to review it much later than it was sent my way. I think that it still makes sense to invest in purchasing it, and you won't regret going for it, even in today's full market.
At the end of the day, if you're looking for a V-Shaped IEM with tons of detail, good instrument separation, fairly good construction quality, and a good amount of dynamics, Tingker TK300 should be a great option, even now in 2022.
Priced at 99 USD, we have a high quality IEM from China, and Audiosense, the same company who made the mighty AQ3, the new Tingker TK300. With Dual Knowles Balanced Armatures, and a Dynamic driver hybrid configuration. It will be compared to Tin Audio T5 (130 USD), IKKO OH1 Meteor (140 USD), and HIDIZS MS2 Rainbow (90 USD)
Introduction
Tingker is a sub company of the mother company Audiosense, and is managed by the same people. I forgot to post my review on the TK300 for almost a year, until I found it on the shelf for "to be reviewed", so it will be interesting to see how it stacks up to IEMs released nowadays, and what the performance is like for an IEM released a while ago, but which was considered to be high value. TK300 has a hybrid configuration, with a good build quality, and Knowles drivers.
It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Audiosense or Tingker, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. I'd like to thank Audiosense 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 Tingker TK300 find their next music companion.
Packaging
First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:
The package of TK300 is rather minimalistic, smaller than most Chifi IEMs I review nowadays, but it comes with a really beautiful high-end carrying case that is plastered with wool on the inside. They also come with two types of silicone tips.
Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort
The first thing you notice with TK300 is that they have a high-quality cable, with a thick and resilient construction. They also have a detachable cable, based on the MMCX connector, and ended in a 3.5mm single ended connector. The cable is not tangle prone, and does not conduct microphonic noise, being rather flexible and ergonomic. The cable is made of silver plated copper with eight strands, each strand having 19 pieces 0.05 in size.
The IEM shells are made of Aluminum, while the large 9.7mm dynamic driver is coated in Titanium. We have a low impedance of 18 Ohms, which is rather ok, and an ok SPL of 105dB. This means that TK300 will be rather easy to drive, but may be somewhat sensitive to hiss. With 8 grams in total, so 4 grams for each EM shell, TK300 is rather light and should be comfortable for most people.
The cable has soft ear guides and those are rather tight, and you can totally feel them coiled around your ear while wearing the IEMs, but do not cause discomfort. The passive noise isolation of TK300 is average to poor, having between 10 and 20 dB of passive noise isolation, depending on the frequency, tips and how good your seal is. They do not leak at all, at least not audibly so.
Despite the theoretically easy to drive design, I am running them at 105 / 150 on Astell & Kern sE180, so they do eat quite a bit of power to be driven well.
Sound Quality
For driving the TK300, I have been using Astell & Kern SE180, iBasso DX240, Lotoo PAW 6000, and Dethonray DTR1+ Prelude. They are drivable with more affordable sources, but if you tend to listen loud and very loud, you'll need to step the volume up to 80% - 90% for most portable sources.
The signature of TK300 is generally V-Shaped, with a really slow and well cooked bass, tons of details and a strong technical edge, a dynamic and engaging sound, excellent treble extension, and a fairly natural timbre and tonality. All in all, they are versatile and work well with all music styles, and the sonic presentation they provide is best at extremely high volumes, being more vivid, more engaging and more detailed the louder you go. At lower volumes, the V-Shaped signature becomes more evident, midrange is pulled away from the listener, and everything is more flat, including the stage that seems to get more narrow and compressed, especially at quiet listening levels. All the listening impressions and descriptions have been taken at medium to loud listening levels.
The bass of TK300 is clean, deep and sounds quite slow, even for a dynamic driver bass. I've seen quite a few people saying it reminds them of a high quality subwoofer, and that is correct, it moves a lot of air and gives music a ton of body / energy, without forcing itself too much on the listener. The slow speed is enough for rock, metal and most Electronic music, but not for Technical EDM, Trancecore, or Math Metal / certain Death Metal / Deathcore bands. The bass is especially pleasing with music that's recorded to sound as close as possible to acoustic, having just the right amount of body to create the feeling / impression you're right there with the artist while they play the song.
The midrange of TK300 is lower in amount, relative to the bass and the treble. This V-Shaped signature gets more balanced at higher volumes, and the overall detail is always really good, with exceptional resolution, layering and instrument separation, along with imaging. The voicing is also very natural and clean, with a good amount of emotion and upper midrange presence, to give pianos, as well as female voices the intended energy and bite. Guitars sound smooth, and the texture type of TK300 is generally on the smooth side, as they are not overly fatiguing, and rather risk becoming a bit boring compared to the competition that tends to have a much more aggressive texture around the price point.
The treble of TK300 is detailed, clean, and has exceptional extension for the price point. We're talking about an IEM that can easily extend up to 15kHz, for the entry-level price range, so TK300 delivers well on all fronts here. The treble has some emphasis compared to the midrange, but most of the emphasis is in the mid treble, rather than lower treble, so sound is usually not metallic, harsh or exaggerated in sibilance. In fact, despite the high quantity of treble, the texture and presentation is on the softer side, giving the TK300 a soft and relaxed presentation that can feel a bit too smooth.
Comparisons
Tingker TK300 vs IKKO OH1 Meteor (99 USD vs 140 USD) - The Basshead Meteor is more comfortable, but also heavier, and TK300 has a slightly better cable quality. The sound of the Meteor is deeper, heavier, and it has a quicker bass. The stage of Meteor is a bit wider, but TK300 has more and better instrument separation, presented in a more intimate space. TK300 is more V-Shaped, has a stronger treble, and more treble extension. Both have a smoother texture presentation. Good details are present on both TK300 and OH1 Meteor.
Tingker TK300 vs HIDIZS MS2 Rainbow (99 USD vs 90 USD) - MS2 Rainbow is another V-Shaped IEM with a good price point, so they make a veritable competitor for TK300. The comfort is actually comparable between them, although MS2 is a bit smaller and the cable is a bit more loose than that of TK300. TK300 has a thicker, more quality cable. The sound is more detailed, cleaner and more open on TK300 which has better treble extension. MS2 Rainbow sounds thicker, a bit more boomy, and also rolls off earlier. TK300 has a slower bass, which is interpreted as more natural, and more pleasing by some listeners, but the bass in particular is less technical, while the midrange is more detailed.
Tingker TK300 vs Tin Audio t5 (99 USD vs 130 USD) - T5 is actually a bit more comfortable than TK300, but the cable quality is a bit better on TK300. The overall sonics are more harsh on T5, with less sub bass extension, and TK300 sounds fuller, deeper, more dynamic, more detailed and has a much better overall technicality than T5. Comparing them side by side, T5 sounds almost loose, in comparison to TK300 which sounds tight, well balanced and natural in tonality.
Value and Conclusion
For the price of 99 USD, the package, IEM construction quality, and the technical prowess of the sound is excellent, and TK300 is still an excellent deal, even though I only managed to review it much later than it was sent my way. I think that it still makes sense to invest in purchasing it, and you won't regret going for it, even in today's full market.
At the end of the day, if you're looking for a V-Shaped IEM with tons of detail, good instrument separation, fairly good construction quality, and a good amount of dynamics, Tingker TK300 should be a great option, even now in 2022.
Introduction:
Tingker is a relatively new company that is based in China, and is actually the sister company of Audiosense. The TK300 is currently their top model in their TK series. It has a hybrid driver configuration with 2 Knowles balanced armature and 1 dynamic driver. It has an SRP of 99 USD. The TK300 was provided to me for free by Tingker in exchange for this review. It is available for purchase now in AliExpress.
Specifications:
Drivers: 9.7mm dynamic driver + dual balanced armature driver
Impedance: 18 ohms
Sensitivity: 105 dB +/- 3 dB
Frequency range: 20 Hz - 22 kHz
Source:
Poco X3 paired with iBasso DC03 and Shanling UA1
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
Build:
The shell is made of aluminum with a plastic ring that holds the MMCX connection port. It does not get smudged by your fingerprints unlike other IEMs with a metal shell. There is a vent on the faceplate and another, smaller one on the other side near the nozzle.
The cable is the very same cable that you will get when you buy an Audiosense IEM. It is an 8 core silver plated copper. It is lightweight, very soft, and braided tightly. The L-type plug is made of hard rubber, the splitter and chin slider are metal, while the male MMCX connectors are plastic.
Now let's get to the sound.
Lows:
The lows are full bodied and have a huge presence. Subbass reaches very deep, with a slow decay that carries through the midbass. Midbass is well rounded, has great texture and has above average weight to its punch. On some bass heavy tracks, there is minimal bleed to the mids.
Overall, the lows of the TK300 will satisfy most bassheads. One thing I like to point out is that while the midbass has major elevation, it is still controlled in a way that it doesn't induce fatigue or headache when listening for extended periods of time.
Mids:
The mids have a recessed presentation, accompanied by an average level of thickness. The recession is more prominent in the male vocals, while the female vocals are slightly more upfront without sounding aggressive or shouty.
Overall, the mids take a hit because of the presence of the lows, but thanks to the boost in the female vocals, the mids still have something to show for and does not sound completely bland.
Highs:
The highs are slightly forward and have an excellent level of sparkle. Upper treble reach is above average, with a decay that is rather slow and a very good amount of extension. Despite the highs having this substantial elevation, it never sounded harsh nor sibilant.
Overall, the highs of the TK300 adds a lot of vibrancy to the music. It presents details that are may be missed with neutral or midcentric gears, yet just like the lows, it is controlled and can be listened to for long periods of time without problems.
Soundstage and Imaging:
The stage expansion is above average, with more focus on the width than the height. Imaging has great accuracy, but as the tracks get busier, there is a fair amount of congestion. Layering and instrument separation are above average as well.
Conclusion:
The V-shaped sound signature is arguably the most common and most popular signature of them all. Some companies make the mistake of going overboard with the bass and treble, but that's not the case with the TK300. Tingker did the V-shaped signature correctly by giving the spotlight to the bass and treble but not going over the top with them. The TK300, with its overall technical performance, can stand its ground in the densely populated $100 price range.
DISCLAIMER
I bought the Tingker TK300 at my own expense during the January Aliexpress sale, with an early bird discount. It can be gotten here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002004192135.html
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In case you were not aware, Tingker is the sister company of Audiosense. Their newest release, the Tingker TK300, is a warm V shaped set that is an unashamed basshead IEM. The midbass and subbass is well textured and delicious, and is truly the star here. Those who are bass averse or want thick mids (a non V shaped set) best look for alternative options, but this set will be a basshead’s delight.
SPECIFICATIONS
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, the Tingker TK300 packaging comes with:
BUILD/COMFORT
The Tingker TK300 has a very nice build and is made of metal. It is very light, though I did find it uncomfortable for longer listening sessions with the stock cables as they had too stiff earhooks. This tended to yank the IEM out of the ears. Though this is a YMMV situation, as we have different ear anatomies.
I didn’t find any driver flex for myself (but YMMV once more as this is somewhat dependent on ear anatomy and types of ear tips used).
The Tingker TK300 incorporates MMCX connectors, and frankly I’m not a fan of MMCX due to their longevity issues, especially with frequent cable changes, but the MMCX connector here seem to be of high quality, not the cheapish MMCX I’ve seen in some budget CHIFI, that spin too loosely like a windvane, or are so tight that u need a pliers to remove the cable. The MMCX clicks satisfyingly and doesn’t spin. FWIW, i’ve bought 5 other Audiosense IEMs (sister company of Tingker), and while they all use MMCX, their MMCX tends to be of better quality than most other CHIFI, I’ve not had any MMCX issues with this brand so far.
ISOLATION
Unfortunately, the Tingker TK300 has below average isolation. I wouldn’t recommend bringing it outdoors for subway/bus rides due to this, as hearing health may be affected if one tries to boost the volume to overcome a noisy environment.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the Tingker TK300 with a Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp, Sony NW A-55 DAP (DMP-A50 FEv2 Classic Mr Walkman Mod), smartphone, Shanling Q1 DAP, Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, ESS ES9280C PRO DAC/AMP, and a Khadas Tone Board -> Fiio A3 Amp. The Tingker TK300 is easy to drive, and amping is not generally required. Though amping can increase dynamics, soundstage and perhaps microdetails a tinge.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
The Tingker TK300 is a basshead, warm V shaped set. Make no mistake about it, for those who prefer a neutralish bass or are bass averse, please look for an alternative set. Mid lovers also best look elsewhere, due to the intended V shaped tuning.
Bass on the Tinkger TK300 descends rather linearly from midbass to subbass. The subbass extension is good, but I’ve heard a couple of other basshead sets that extend even deeper and have greater bass quantities. Bass on the TK300 is very textured with minimal bass bleed, this is not a one note boomy bass type that is common in budget CHIFI tuning. Timbre of bass is great. So bass lovers will really like this set.
Mids are recessed at the lower mids as per the V shaped tuning. Upper mids are boosted and are not overtly shouty, but it can be jarring or fatiguing with poorly recorded material or when used at louder volumes (Fletcher Munson curve). One thing to note too, is that the upper mids area is emphasized more when one is outdoors (due to the below average isolation on this set causing bass frequencies to be lost in a noisy environment), so the FR may vary depending on whether u use the Tingker TK300 at home or outdoors. As discussed, midlovers also best consider alternative IEMs as this is a deliberately tuned V shaped set, so there are some elements in the mids that may be obscured due to the tuning.
Treble in the lower treble continues from the boosted upper mids, but the upper treble is somewhat safe, so this is not a very airy set. Sibilance is mild. Highhats and cymbals do sound very natural, not the splashy types we see in some CHIFI.
Soundstage is wide, but depth and height are below average. Other technicalities like clarity, imaging details, instrument separation are above average for a sub $100 USD hybrid, but music can occasionally be congested due to the smaller soundstage depth/height.
In terms of timbral accuracy, the Tingker TK300 is above average for vocals and acoustic instruments, considering it has BA drivers inside. Thus it won’t beat some pure DD types in instrumental timbre per se, but it definitely beats the average KZ and TRN types in this area. The Tingker TK300 also has the typical Knowles BA timbre where notes are rounded and smoother, and ain’t as edgier as the typical Bellsing BA driver. This can be a pro or con depending on whether you want more edge definition/bite in the notes.
COMPARISONS
TRI Starsea (2 BA + 1 DD; $129 USD)
The TRI Starsea has 4 tuning switches to be anything from neutralish to U shaped to more V shaped. So when comparing here, I used the most V shaped (basshead switch) tuning to compare with the Tingker TK300. The TRI Starsea is more versatile as it has 3 other tuning options, but it isn’t as basshead as the Tingker TK300, even on the most bassy switch.
The TRI Starsea has better fit and isolation. The TRI Starsea also has better treble extension and is more airy. In terms of technicalities like soundstage, clarity, imaging, instrument separation, details, the TRI Starsea is better. The TRI Starsea has worse sibilance and also has lesser bass/subbass quantities even on the most bassy switch. The Tingker TK300 has a more textured and well defined bass. Timbre for acoustic instruments is also better on the Tinkger TK300.
The TRI Starsea has a very low impedance of around 9ish ohms, and as per the 1/8th impedance matching rule, it fairs better with sources with as lowest output impedance as possible, so it is more source picky than the Tingker TK300. Using higher output impedance sources may skew the frequency response of the TRI Starsea.
TRI I3 (1 DD + 1 planar + 1 BA; $169 USD)
The TRI I3 is more U shaped (less V shaped than the Tinkger TK300). The TRI I3 is heavier and bigger in shell size, and fitting may be an issue for some (in fact the TRI I3 is nicknamed the “ear potato” on Headfi). The TRI I3 is much harder to drive, in view of the planars inside, but once amped appropriately, the TRI I3 has a better 3D soundstage and a thicker more lucious mids than the V shaped Tingker TK300.
In terms of technicalities, they are about on par (other than soundstage, which the TRI I3 has one of the best soundstages at the $100ish USD price bracket when amped). Timbre is slightly better on the Tinkger TK300.
TFZ No. 3 (single DD; $109 USD)
I generally don’t like to compare hybrids (like the Tinkger TK300) versus single DD types like the TFZ No. 3, but since they are both V shaped basshead sets, and selling around the same price bracket, I thought I’d do a small comparison here. I was actually looking for a replacement basshead set for my TFZ No. 3 as while it had very nice bass quantities, the upper mids were too jarring for me at louder volumes, as per the Fletcher Munson curve. So I bought the Tingker TK300 on a blind buy at the last Aliexpress sale, and well, it has replaced the TFZ No. 3 as my go to basshead set!
The TFZ No. 3 is more V shaped and has bigger bass quantities and subbass extension. Though the midbass bleeds and isn’t as tight as on the Tingker TK300. The TFZ No. 3 also has a smaller soundstage and poorer technicalities. Timbre for acoustic instruments is worse on the TFZ No. 3. The TFZ No. 3 gets very hot in the upper mids with louder volumes (Flectcher Munson curve) as described above, and this area was a dealbreaker for me. The TFZ No. 3 has since been sold away.
CONCLUSIONS
The Tingker TK300 is a warm V shaped set that is an unashamed basshead IEM. The midbass and subbass is well textured and delicious, and is the star here. Those who are bass averse or mid lovers best look for alternative options, but this set will be a basshead’s delight. Technicalities and instrumental timbre are above average to good, though I had a bit of discomfort fit wise, when the stock cables were used, but this is a YMMV situation as we all have different ear anatomies. Soundstage is also not the biggest on the Tingker TK300, but it would be a good rec for those who are looking for a basshead V shaped tuning.
I bought the Tingker TK300 at my own expense during the January Aliexpress sale, with an early bird discount. It can be gotten here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002004192135.html
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In case you were not aware, Tingker is the sister company of Audiosense. Their newest release, the Tingker TK300, is a warm V shaped set that is an unashamed basshead IEM. The midbass and subbass is well textured and delicious, and is truly the star here. Those who are bass averse or want thick mids (a non V shaped set) best look for alternative options, but this set will be a basshead’s delight.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver configuration: 1 DD + 2 BA (9.7 mm titanium plated diaphragm + dual Knowles BA)
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 22000Hz
- Impedance: 18 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 121dB/mW
- Cable: MMCX
- Tested at $99 USD
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, the Tingker TK300 packaging comes with:
- SPC Cable – very well braided and usable. The earhooks are stiff though, and have a tendency to yank the cable out of the ear. I preferred an aftermarket cable with this set as such.
- Array of silicone and foam ear tips
- Faux leather pouch – you can mistake it for a campfire audio pouch from far away haha. The inside is lined with some furry lining to give a premium feel.
BUILD/COMFORT
The Tingker TK300 has a very nice build and is made of metal. It is very light, though I did find it uncomfortable for longer listening sessions with the stock cables as they had too stiff earhooks. This tended to yank the IEM out of the ears. Though this is a YMMV situation, as we have different ear anatomies.
I didn’t find any driver flex for myself (but YMMV once more as this is somewhat dependent on ear anatomy and types of ear tips used).
The Tingker TK300 incorporates MMCX connectors, and frankly I’m not a fan of MMCX due to their longevity issues, especially with frequent cable changes, but the MMCX connector here seem to be of high quality, not the cheapish MMCX I’ve seen in some budget CHIFI, that spin too loosely like a windvane, or are so tight that u need a pliers to remove the cable. The MMCX clicks satisfyingly and doesn’t spin. FWIW, i’ve bought 5 other Audiosense IEMs (sister company of Tingker), and while they all use MMCX, their MMCX tends to be of better quality than most other CHIFI, I’ve not had any MMCX issues with this brand so far.
ISOLATION
Unfortunately, the Tingker TK300 has below average isolation. I wouldn’t recommend bringing it outdoors for subway/bus rides due to this, as hearing health may be affected if one tries to boost the volume to overcome a noisy environment.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the Tingker TK300 with a Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp, Sony NW A-55 DAP (DMP-A50 FEv2 Classic Mr Walkman Mod), smartphone, Shanling Q1 DAP, Tempotec Sonata HD Pro, ESS ES9280C PRO DAC/AMP, and a Khadas Tone Board -> Fiio A3 Amp. The Tingker TK300 is easy to drive, and amping is not generally required. Though amping can increase dynamics, soundstage and perhaps microdetails a tinge.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
The Tingker TK300 is a basshead, warm V shaped set. Make no mistake about it, for those who prefer a neutralish bass or are bass averse, please look for an alternative set. Mid lovers also best look elsewhere, due to the intended V shaped tuning.
Bass on the Tinkger TK300 descends rather linearly from midbass to subbass. The subbass extension is good, but I’ve heard a couple of other basshead sets that extend even deeper and have greater bass quantities. Bass on the TK300 is very textured with minimal bass bleed, this is not a one note boomy bass type that is common in budget CHIFI tuning. Timbre of bass is great. So bass lovers will really like this set.
Mids are recessed at the lower mids as per the V shaped tuning. Upper mids are boosted and are not overtly shouty, but it can be jarring or fatiguing with poorly recorded material or when used at louder volumes (Fletcher Munson curve). One thing to note too, is that the upper mids area is emphasized more when one is outdoors (due to the below average isolation on this set causing bass frequencies to be lost in a noisy environment), so the FR may vary depending on whether u use the Tingker TK300 at home or outdoors. As discussed, midlovers also best consider alternative IEMs as this is a deliberately tuned V shaped set, so there are some elements in the mids that may be obscured due to the tuning.
Treble in the lower treble continues from the boosted upper mids, but the upper treble is somewhat safe, so this is not a very airy set. Sibilance is mild. Highhats and cymbals do sound very natural, not the splashy types we see in some CHIFI.
Soundstage is wide, but depth and height are below average. Other technicalities like clarity, imaging details, instrument separation are above average for a sub $100 USD hybrid, but music can occasionally be congested due to the smaller soundstage depth/height.
In terms of timbral accuracy, the Tingker TK300 is above average for vocals and acoustic instruments, considering it has BA drivers inside. Thus it won’t beat some pure DD types in instrumental timbre per se, but it definitely beats the average KZ and TRN types in this area. The Tingker TK300 also has the typical Knowles BA timbre where notes are rounded and smoother, and ain’t as edgier as the typical Bellsing BA driver. This can be a pro or con depending on whether you want more edge definition/bite in the notes.
COMPARISONS
TRI Starsea (2 BA + 1 DD; $129 USD)
The TRI Starsea has 4 tuning switches to be anything from neutralish to U shaped to more V shaped. So when comparing here, I used the most V shaped (basshead switch) tuning to compare with the Tingker TK300. The TRI Starsea is more versatile as it has 3 other tuning options, but it isn’t as basshead as the Tingker TK300, even on the most bassy switch.
The TRI Starsea has better fit and isolation. The TRI Starsea also has better treble extension and is more airy. In terms of technicalities like soundstage, clarity, imaging, instrument separation, details, the TRI Starsea is better. The TRI Starsea has worse sibilance and also has lesser bass/subbass quantities even on the most bassy switch. The Tingker TK300 has a more textured and well defined bass. Timbre for acoustic instruments is also better on the Tinkger TK300.
The TRI Starsea has a very low impedance of around 9ish ohms, and as per the 1/8th impedance matching rule, it fairs better with sources with as lowest output impedance as possible, so it is more source picky than the Tingker TK300. Using higher output impedance sources may skew the frequency response of the TRI Starsea.
TRI I3 (1 DD + 1 planar + 1 BA; $169 USD)
The TRI I3 is more U shaped (less V shaped than the Tinkger TK300). The TRI I3 is heavier and bigger in shell size, and fitting may be an issue for some (in fact the TRI I3 is nicknamed the “ear potato” on Headfi). The TRI I3 is much harder to drive, in view of the planars inside, but once amped appropriately, the TRI I3 has a better 3D soundstage and a thicker more lucious mids than the V shaped Tingker TK300.
In terms of technicalities, they are about on par (other than soundstage, which the TRI I3 has one of the best soundstages at the $100ish USD price bracket when amped). Timbre is slightly better on the Tinkger TK300.
TFZ No. 3 (single DD; $109 USD)
I generally don’t like to compare hybrids (like the Tinkger TK300) versus single DD types like the TFZ No. 3, but since they are both V shaped basshead sets, and selling around the same price bracket, I thought I’d do a small comparison here. I was actually looking for a replacement basshead set for my TFZ No. 3 as while it had very nice bass quantities, the upper mids were too jarring for me at louder volumes, as per the Fletcher Munson curve. So I bought the Tingker TK300 on a blind buy at the last Aliexpress sale, and well, it has replaced the TFZ No. 3 as my go to basshead set!
The TFZ No. 3 is more V shaped and has bigger bass quantities and subbass extension. Though the midbass bleeds and isn’t as tight as on the Tingker TK300. The TFZ No. 3 also has a smaller soundstage and poorer technicalities. Timbre for acoustic instruments is worse on the TFZ No. 3. The TFZ No. 3 gets very hot in the upper mids with louder volumes (Flectcher Munson curve) as described above, and this area was a dealbreaker for me. The TFZ No. 3 has since been sold away.
CONCLUSIONS
The Tingker TK300 is a warm V shaped set that is an unashamed basshead IEM. The midbass and subbass is well textured and delicious, and is the star here. Those who are bass averse or mid lovers best look for alternative options, but this set will be a basshead’s delight. Technicalities and instrumental timbre are above average to good, though I had a bit of discomfort fit wise, when the stock cables were used, but this is a YMMV situation as we all have different ear anatomies. Soundstage is also not the biggest on the Tingker TK300, but it would be a good rec for those who are looking for a basshead V shaped tuning.
