Having had the possibility to try so many different sets in a relatively short time I felt obliged to go ahead and express my gratitude by trying to help some lost souls out there, just as I was when I first stumbled upon this weird hobby about wired earphones – so yesteryear! … I thought. Possibilities are seemingly endless and only by getting to meet the right people did I manage to jump onboard the train heading the 'right' direction without getting off-track thousands of times along the way. Make sure to understand the helping person's preferences and you too can find your footing and hit the ground running in no time.
Quick Intermezzo About Me
I won't bore you for too long with personal trivia, however my quick & short background resume goes as follows. Currently I am 27 years old and more in awe of sheer power of music by the day. I have always been moved by music just that slight bit more than average, I'd say. My spending started with a roughly 200€ Bose bluetooth speaker back in my first grade of highschool. What an extraterrestrial thing that was in early 2010s. And it keeps on playing to this day – a true testament of quality. Also sounded fantastic back then, nowadays … yeah, not so much. Lots of BT speakers, TWS, car audio speakers, IEMs, etc., later bring me to this day when I truly consider myself an audiophile. What brings me the most joy beside listening to music is singing, so I am currently participating in a choir and challenging myself with solo vocal covers (check the links in my signature to hear my projects). Unsure where all this leads, but the journey itself is marvelous and life is nothing but a journey.
Disclaimer: I have received the TINHiFi P1 Max II free of charge from Linsoul in exchange for a review. They had no special requests besides releasing the review within a time frame of a few weeks, and I am in no way incentivized to speak highly of this set. Should you be interested, here is a non-affiliated link to Linsoul's site:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/tinhifi-p1-max-ii?_pos=1&_psq=p1+max&_ss=e&_v=1.0
How My Reviews Are Structured
I will start off by mentioning the
packaging & accessories, design & comfort, then continue by placing the showcased IEM in my special
trademarked graphs&graphics and give it a
score on certain qualities to reach the final star score. Those that are seriously considering a sub-100€ planar, please read the
song examples and comparisons below as well to get as much of a feel on what you could expect realistically. I really tried my best to cover a wide variety to paint the sonic picture of the set for as many of you as possible.
I will mention some songs of varied genres and try to convey what one can expect from the TINHiFi P1 Max II. As sources I have been using my FiiO BTR7 on high gain and Venture Electronics RA2B-FE + Prime DAC. Certainly no lack of power and quite a different taste on both. Listening was done at a volume ranging between 75-85dB. I am using the stock tips as to not add many unknowns, but was 'forced' to swap out the stock 3.5 cables to 4.4 on both sets to not limit the power.
Here is the quick and rough description of how I understand
various star ratings:
1 star – do not even think about it

2 stars – it has too many drawbacks and gets demolished by competition


3 stars – this item has the potential but feels a bit too bland and has multiple issues



4 stars – wonderful item with rare and mostly subjective drawbacks




5 stars – eargasmic performance with all the aspects covered at an incredibly high level




Keep in mind these ratings are certainly affected by the
item's price in the overall assessment too. Sometimes that will result in slightly higher score than based solely on my scoring of bass, mids, and treble, while other times it results in a slight penalty if I deem the item a tad overpriced.
In layman's terms - anything rated below 4 stars overall does not get a space in my regular rotation and is either stored and revisited some time later again just to see if my thoughts have changed, or it gets gifted.
Let's Get Going!
Packaging, Accessories, Design & Comfort
TINHiFi has figured out a playful way to keep the packaging simple and low-cost, while still sufficiently fresh and joyous for the buyer to impatiently dig into unboxing upon receiving their item. Giant panda is a cool little name too.
A wonderfully upholstered cover in what feels like faux leather.
One M pair of those red tips comes preinstalled on the IEMs themselves.
Cable actually feels and looks decent, but knowing that planars like a bit of power, equipping it only with a 3.5mm plug seems a bit 'irresponsible' on TINHiFi's part.
The design is a hard thing to judge, since we all like different stuff, but in my opinion this is a stunning and very unique faceplate design by TINHiFi. It honestly looks like a jewel while maintaining enough manliness.
The fit is very good too, since the shell contours in this natural fashion to allow for a snug fit against the concha.
Graphics & Graphs & Scores
This trademarked graph I came up with does not come with a thick user manual. All you need to know is that sets further left are warmer than sets further right, and sets higher up are better technically than sets lower down. Those little yellow lines on both axis represent where sets with average technicalities and neutral overall balance lay.
Here are my scores on the P1 Max II in individual categories. All three subcategories of each of the frequency spectrums can be rated 1-5. Keep in mind that I am primarily scoring sonic performance, regardless of the price, so cheaper (meaning sub 200€) sets getting a 3 in any given subcategory is already good going! I had to approach this in a simplistic manner so to keep it easy to understand and compare sets. Eventually, I will have to make a table of all sets I have rated so far.
I have worked on trying to cut down on wordiness and all excess gibberish and rather improve upon my nikbr trademarked graphics to truly be able to compare IEMs visually since that offers an
easier-to-comprehend, more interactive and simply more appealing experience.
Since these are still fresh to all of you, there are brief descriptions along with each of them:
Starting off, a true breakthrough in
Six Basic Traits (SBT) that are crucial to the whole perception. Closer to the left smiley face the set is, the better it is at that trait.
Secondly, a
Magic Balance Board (MBB) that shows where the set gravitates towards in these three sound qualities – thickness, speed, and overall aim.
Next up, a quick and easy
Soundstage Measurement Tool (SMT) in this dumbproof fashion. Again, there are three possible smiley faces – the ones you see here are the teeth-showing 'yikes' emoji that shows my disappointment in this particular dimension of soundstage, and the 'hmmm' emoji that is not fully convinced but has no real complaints, so it's fine.
Last but by no means not least, a
Quarter-Circle Playground (QCP). The red centerpoint is the starting point where a set that's neither laidback nor energetic as well as being neither bassheady nor trebleheady would lie. If the set finds itself within any of the drawn semicircles, it is a through and through laidbacky/energetic/basshead/treblehead set.
Since these are new, and I'm less than perfect, I realize there might be space for improvement. I'd ask for your feedback/critics/suggestions either in the comment section below or via private messaging. Thanks!
Song Examples
And let's compare it to its younger sibling, the DUDU.
Soldier of fortune, Deep Purple
P1 Max II's guitar is possibly just a tad more synthetic right upon get-go, but also cleaner, more dynamic, and positioned more out-of-ears. Note attack and decay are crisper. The background accompanying guitar has more space to breathe and can be followed throughout the intro. Microdetailing is not too different while being just a bit less musical – so possibly DUDU succeeds at getting that balance more correct? Guitar is not as captivating but still respectably handled. Vocal presence is a bit less forward than on DUDU. I struggle choosing which I prefer. I do prefer the body and naturalness of the P1, though. That then presents the vocal in a much more emotional fashion. The alternating left-to-right sound allows for a great comparison of staging too. P1 does better in presenting a stage more in front as well as a bit wider and deeper. Then we get to the bass section joining the party. This is where the difference is once more quickly picked up on. P1's bass is more grown up. It rumbles and forms a wonderful base flowing into the low mids cleanly for the rest of the performers. It is also timbrally more correct. Very satisfying with this gorgeous bassline (at ~1:59 bass guitar gets a bit naughty and it's hella sexy on the P1) and the groovy drumming. Fantastic, truly.
DUDU's beginning guitar playback is tremendously lively and bursting with energy in each and every note. That background guitar playing in the middle but farther back is a bit difficult to distinguish whenever both are playing. The ever so slight details like finger slides and vocalist's breathy onset are there if I really dedicate 100% of my focus to them, but not as microdetailed as one could wish for (tuning is always a balancing act between capturing all minutae and just letting the song flow). Guitar really weeps its melody and grabs listener's attention before main vocal comes along to tell us a story. Let's add the bass guitar and drums. Drums are sufficiently punchy and present, while hihats and cymbals could be just a tad more aggressive and cleaner with their decay having more air and less of an 'sss' sound. Bass guitar remains in the background, but all notes are beautifully full sounding. The overall balance for such calm rock rhythms is almost spot on for my taste.
Post scriptum, once you turn up the volume higher bass gets a bit lost and overpowered by mids and treble on both sets, so a low-level-listening set, at least for me. And that is via a 3W per channel VE Stack, so no, lack of oomph is not to blame.
Creep, Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox feat. Haley Reinhart
P1 Max II goes ahead and fixes the lack of sweetness in Haley's vocal, but now she seems a bit more distant. Bass positioning is just a bit better and falls in line with Haley. Piano is also now placed on the same level as the rest and has just a bit more substance in its notes. Brass, however, is not better, in fact I think DUDU does it better. Overall, there are some areas P1 fixes successfully, but not enough of a fix to recommend it over the DUDU at their respective prices.
DUDU: Haley's vocal is as sweet as ever and DUDU does not ruin it. However, I would prefer just a bit more energy and less breathiness/smokiness/nosiness. Bass is ample in quantity. Its positioning I have a bit of a problem with. Instead of appearing behind Haley, he appears to come from below her in DUDU's sonic picture. It also struggles with those more pronounced notes and ends up overemphasizing them, so they become just a tad boomy. Piano is much higher up on stage than either bass or Haley. It does have that silkiness and sweetness I am missing in her vocal, though. When trumpet and trombone join they sound just a little bit too shy and soft around the edges. I am very picky with my brass and this gets it a bit wrong, but not too awful by any means. In the first chorus all six performers can heard, but bass gets a bit carried away while the rest are well measured.
The planar timbre is unavoidable here. It gets in the way of brass and her vocal too when she goes for it. An acquired taste. Not sure I can recommend either here. So brass & female vocal lovers beware.
House of the rising sun, alt-J, Tuka
P1 Max II handles vocals better, this is clear to me now. A better balanced and more supported presentation of both male and female vocals. To my ears, it handles sibilance area better too – that can be tip- and earcanal-sensitive. This song just sounds more captivating here. When the chorus gets a move on, individual elements have more breathing room. Lowest bass notes are a bit less impressive than on the DUDU that comes closer to that familiar DD rumble. I mostly look for quality midbass from planar drivers and P1 delivers. Precisely like DUDU's older sibling. DUDU has more character, P1 has finesse.
DUDU comes close to overpronouncing the numerous 's' sounds, but remains sibilance-free. I prefer this daring approach over a too cautious 6-7kHz area which kills lots of instruments' overtones. Both of their voices are sufficiently natural and positioned up high and in front of my eyes. When that chorus starts and the bass is just ridiculously overpowering in the recording, DUDU plays along and remains unstressed up to the point when the mix gets wilder and more crowded. Then the planar driver seems unable to handle everything with ease and control. Stage is nicely open and airy sounding, a quality that seems to be all planar's strength if I can judge after hearing 3 planar sets. Treble is energetic, but can become tiring.
Morning bird, Sade
Let's see which pair captures the absolute epicness of this song better.
P1 Max II's piano has more substance, but actually somehow sounds less true and convincing than on DUDU. Bass kicks are more aggressive here and better layered. Rattlesnake is more clear and has its own place to wiggle its tail. She is spicier with nearing on sibilance at some points, but also sounds more detailed, more separated, more clear. That comes at a cost of sacrificing some of the soul DUDU provides her with. Soundstage is much more impressive than on DUDU since it extends deeper and therefore allows more breathing room to any song.
DUDU's weird quality is that despite a rather 2D soundstage it manages to make the instruments themselves feel more 3D, holographic, and separates them with decent imaging. Strings are just a bit soulless, but I am afraid that is the planar thing and their specific upper mids. Piano is rendered enjoyably. Those bass kicks have real strength to them. That rattlesnake sound is a nice little ornament to see how microdetailed the set is. DUDU does them sweetly, but a bit too ironed out and almost lacking that echo. She sounds wonderful and soaking in emotion without ever stepping into sibilance territory.
Infinity – original mix, DJ pastis, DJ Ninu, Wasi Distortion
Let's s top messing around. Banger time.
P1 Max II starts off in a cleaner way but still packed with energy. Left-right extension comes in handy here to allow those supporting sounds more room. Piano is clearer and less pronounced which is a bit of a shame, I prefer DUDU's piano presentation. Bass comes in like a train. Possibly matching DUDU's aggressiveness, but it's way ahead of DUDU in its speed, tactility, onset and decay characteristics. Once more, P1's bass proves to be the superior one. Despite more energy in that sibilance region this song remains free from any painful sharpness even when turned up above 100dB – just for a few seconds, DO NOT LISTEN at those volumes for longer periods.
DUDU is a party right from the get go with the crazy synth and those left-right effects. Everything is just a bit of a mess, but not in a bad way since it still allows the listener to follow whichever part. When the bass comes in and we really get going, bass punches are aggressive but also a bit too soft as if Mike Tyson punched you through Grandma's fat old homemade pillow. This combined with the fact soundstage soon gets overcrowded and treble is not sufficiently extended nor detailed makes for a decent, but highly flawed listen.
This ends my song examples. Should you wish for any others, you can reach out to me via a private message.
To Sum Up The TINHiFi P1 Max II
P1 Max II provides a more exciting listen than DUDU and does the bass segment very capably which is a step in the right direction for the planars, compared to, say the Timeless AE which still had obvious 'planarness' in bass. Midrange could be more natural and playful in character as well as the vocal placement which could be 'improved'. It looks gorgeous and fits very good too. Just a nice overall package that could be further perfected with some minor tweaks. A combination of both the DUDU and P1 Max's qualities would sum into a World-beating little planar.
Thanks for reading and stay wonderful.