TINHIFI T2 Mk.II

I never tried the original T2 in it's hayday, I remember people taping up the vent for more bass and I figured anything that needed modding wasn't worth spending your money on.


Linsoul used the wrong graph on the purchase page, and the folks that got a pair didn't exactly have raving things to say..

But I try them and I think the bass is awesome, sub-bass is not only audible but incredibly detailed, and when I raise the volume the bass stays balanced



The treble is also a class act, it's alot better than expected, the little DD tweets like an EST.

I mostly used narrow-bore tips, the wide-bore tips sounded harsh and the foams got stuck in my ears.

I'm using Shanling UA4 and my Xperia 3.5 for almost all my listening, neither of which are really impressive or bassy sources

Also I was thinking these were a re-release of the $32 T2... but the venting on these is visibly different, Tinhifi is always doing some blackmagic with DDs, good shells and good quality drivers speaking volumes.

TINHIFI is one of the few audio companies out there that is quite consistent in the design language of their products. The original T2 itself is the testament on the reliability of its design although the MMCX-type appears to be a contentious matter among audio enthusiasts.



TINHIFI T2 MK.II is the latest model of the T2 series line as TINHIFI tries to pull out a nostalgia card once again as its form factor still garners some interest among its loyal fans. Like its original heritage, this set seems to follow its design language but with some slight modifications to have a modern appeal, metal shell chassis and MMCX-type connector albeit it has a different driver configuration as this model has dual dynamic driver configuration rather than the hybrid driver configuration that the original T2 has.



In its driver configuration, it has a 10mm dynamic driver for the low frequencies and a smaller 6mm dynamic driver for midrange and high frequencies in which each driver has some composite diaphragm for a cleaner, clearer and even more transparent sound . With the tandem performance of these paralleled drivers, it will deliver an accurate, fast and more natural sound quality. These drivers were encapsulated in a solid yet lightweight aluminium shell chassis in which it offers a comfortable wear for a long listening session with an assurance of its durability of its build quality for resistance to wear and tear.



Its shell design has more rounded and smooth contours as it is more similar to a conch shell. The shell's circular design appears to fit snugly into my lugholes as I don't encounter any fitting issues at all during my long listening session and at the same time it offers a decent passive noise isolation as it is able to block some noises from the outside surroundings. As I mentioned a while ago, this set has a MMCX-type of connector as TINHIFI justified on its flexibility due to rotating capability for angle adjustment and adaptability.




It looks like its stock cable seems to be of a decent quality for its price as it has a four-core OFC silver-plated copper that was twisted and braided with a straight 3.5mm termination plug. Although this cable is prone to entanglement, it is also less supple and in a leaner texture but still durable enough.



TINHIFI T2 MK.II product presentation still retains a minimalist approach like all TINHIFI sets that I've done a review before as minimalism is still their statement . It has elongated rectangular packaging where the contents are placed inside.



Here are the following contents that TINHIFI T2 MK.II have:

• Pair of TINHIFI T2 MK.II IEM transducers
• Stock cable
• Pair of blue-coloured memory foam ear tips.
• Three (3) pairs of balanced bore ear tips in different standard sizes.
• Three (3) pairs of narrow bore ear tips in different standard sizes.
• Paperwork like a contact card and instruction manual.

For having a 16 ohms of impedance and a sound pressure level of 16 ohms, TINHIFI T2 MK.II is definitely an easy to drive set as it is quite sensitive to amplification even with decent power output equates with low gain mode. With a sufficient power output, this set will give a full-range and vivid sound output to have a dynamic sound.



To determine its tonality, it appears that it follows its progenitor's tuning which is a neutralish-bright sound profile in a quite uncommon tuning in this price range up to this day. It has more emphasis on midrange up to high frequencies.




LOWS/BASS:

The bass response of this one is on the tighter side, as it is also more focused on the mid-bass texture while having a clean and articulate bass quality. This type of bass quality suits well with sets that aim towards a more neutral sound on its intended target curve but the majority of bassheads, they might find it lethargic and anaemic to their liking.

The sub-bass presence of this set is less perceivable and with less detail that it only produces a faint rumble from sub-bass focus instruments. As I mentioned a while ago that it focuses more mid-bass texture, it still sounds a bit transparent, a tad hollow and still on a leaner texture which has its less depth, volume and authority that affects the timbre of bass-centric instruments and male vocals. Bass guitars sound a bit dull and aspirating while bass kick drums have resonant yet soft sound and then bass to bass-baritone have lack of depth and dark tone on them that sometimes, they sound more like a lighter baritone singer to my ears.


MIDRANGE:

The midrange presentation of this one is quite forward, energetic and transparent on how it is defined by its perceived neutral presentation. Due to its inadequacies of warmth characteristic on this one, it gives a leaner note weight tone on vocals like baritones, tenors and contraltos which makes them a less natural sounding. But the energetic and clarity nature of this set will be more beneficial on countertenors, some mezzo-sopranos, sopranos, strings and woodwinds.

In vocals, male vocals especially on dramatic or deeper baritones have a lack of lushness and richness on their characteristics while tenors have less brassy but somehow it has clear and metallic sounding on them. Countertenors have smooth, tender and a tad dazzling which share similar characteristics with mezzo-sopranos. Contraltos sounds too light and hollow due to its lack of warmth to have that husky and rich sound in which they should have those attributes. Sopranos seems to fare on this set as it gives some openness and energy to their vocal qualities to sound glimmering and crystalline.

On instruments, strings like violins, harps and guitars, they sound vibrant, bright and crisp respectively. Woodwind instruments like piccolos, concert flutes, clarinets and saxophones, piccolos have brilliant and shrill sound, concert flutes have clear and bright sound, clarinets have bright and penetrating sound, and then saxophones sound expressive and incisive. As for brasses, trumpets have bright and vivid sound while trombones have blaring and intense sound on them. Horns have metallic and intense sound while Wagner tuba have hearty and menacing sound. On percussion instruments, snares have dry and sharp sound, field drums have dry and resonant sound that tom-toms share the same sound characteristics, then on kettledrums, they sound resonant, dead and dry. Pianos are on the brighter tone as it has brilliant and clear sound.


HIGHS/TREBLE:

The T2 MK.II is definitely bright as it has accentuated upper-mids up to brilliance treble region which gives more crisp, shimmering and quite airy for a co-axial dynamic driver set-up IEM. This type of tuning gives a more edgier attack of instruments and a more clarity and definition on female vocals. Any possibility of sibilance was kept under control but some female vocals might sound a bit piercing and shrill that treble-sensitive folk should take caution on the treble register of this one.

Cymbals strike sounds bright and glistening while hi-hats have a buzzing sound though there are some instances that it exaggerates to add more sizzle. Glockenspiels have a shimmering and striking sound while celestas have a bright and sweet sound on them.


SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

While it has above-average to wide lateral span on its perceived sound field, it has less depth while its height ceiling appears to be decent which in overall sound/speaker dimension within my headroom gives me a moderately spacious. Stereo imaging gives me a rather linear two-dimensional stereo presentation where I can locate and pan out some location of instruments in a spatial point accurately. It maintains a good separation although its layering isn't that impressive at all.

The cohesive performance of its co-axial dynamic drivers are quite excellent as it gives a homogeneity performance with fast transients without any out of phasing and distortion issues at all. Resolution capabilities of this one is good given it has a good macro-dynamics while it has decently sharp micro-detail retrieval to extract nuances and detail like notation attacks and vocal ends.


PEER COMPARISONS:

TINHIFI T2 DLC

• The second variant of the T2 series but this time it has only a single dynamic driver which has DLC on its diaphragm. Like all T2 it has a metal shell chassis but its connector uses a 2-pin one.
• As for tuning, it seems that it has a mild U-shaped sound profile that makes this set a bit more coloured in terms of tonality. It has more emphasis on sub-bass, a bit recessed yet energetic midrange presentation and similar bright treble register.
• On technical capabilities, both sets have more similar performance with the exception that this set has less width span but its depth and height is a bit better.

TRIPOWIN KAILUA

• Another set with dual dynamic configuration with similar drivers set-up. It also has a metal shell but it uses a standard 2-pin connector.
• As for its sound signature, it has a warm, V-shaped which makes it a contrasting sounding to T2 MK.II that makes it more coloured and musical sounding. It has more pronounced bass response, a recessed yet warmer midrange, and a less brighter treble response with meagre airy extension.
• Regarding its technical performance, compared to the T2 MK.II, KAILUA has a smaller sound/speaker staging, not so defined instrument separation and layering, and less resolving on resolution capability particularly micro-dynamics.

CCA DUO

• CCA's answer to last year's answer on the popular trend of releasing dual dynamic drivers set-up on IEMs at the entry-level segment. It uses 2 micro dynamic drivers rather than the usual implementation of dynamic drivers in different sizes. It has a composite shell chassis and still uses the QDC-type connector just like all CCA and KZ sets.
• The DUO has a mild U-shaped sound signature as it has more focus on sub-bass response but mid-bass texturing is ample enough, a bit recessed but linear and energetic midrange, either smooth or brighter treble response depending on ear tips you are using. It has a decent brilliance extension if using silicone ear tips but at the expense of instances of piercing and shrill sound on female vocals.
• As for technicalities, the DUO has a smaller dimensionality in terms of sound/speaker staging but it has good height and depth, good layering capabilities and somehow, it has similar sharpness on micro-detailing aspect.

To conclude this product assessment, it seems that TINHIFI is quite conservative on how they will market this set as it is more of a recurrence of their previous highly regarded product as it still follows its tuning philosophy and design language. To be honest, I'm a bit of a fan of the previous T2 as it was also one of the few sets that aimed toward a neutral sound back then.

To whom I will recommend this set? if you are a type of an audio enthusiast who wants a neutral-sounding set that is quite affordable at the entry-level pricing segment. I'm glad to recommend this one to you as it sounds clean and clear sounding with good resolving capabilities.

TINHIFI T2 MK.II is now available at LINSOUL, check out the unaffiliated link below.


★★TINHIFI T2 MK.II -LINSOUL★★


For more TINHIFI product reviews, just visit the product catalogues with links down.


■ TINHIFI T2 DLC

■ TINHIFI C2

■ TINHIFI C3

■ TINHIFI C5

■ TINHIFI C0 ELF





SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: TINHIFI T2 MK.II
IMPEDANCE: 16Ω
SENSITIVITY: 103dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m
PIN TYPE: MMCX-TYPE CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (2) DYNAMIC DRIVERS


Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *

P.S.

I am not affiliated to TINHIFI  nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.

Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to MS. KAREENA TANG of LINSOUL for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate her generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.

The TINHIFI T2 MKII
Redcarmoose Labs February 17th, 2023

You know I would like to say the T2 MKII brings back memories, or something remotely romantic, to find a way in, a way into liking it? I mean that is what TIN HIFI obviously is trying to do right, reintroducing a model of IEM that was popular in 2017? Hoping and betting on the chance that you may remember the T2 from way back when, before when the original T2 was famous, and carried that respect that comes from notoriety found amongst the in-ear world. In truth I have a long relationship with TIN HIFI, as such I have reviewed over my fair share of their music makers…….

The TINHIFI T5 May 7th, 2021
The TINHIFI T1S April 26th, 2022
The TINHIFI Giant Panda Planar April 28th, 2022
The TINHIFI Tin Buds TWS June 24th, 2022
The TINHIFI T2 DLC October 20th, 2022
The TINHIFI C2 January 10th, 2023
The TINHIFI T4 PLUS January 11th, 2023
The TINHIFI C3 January 20th, 2023
The TINHIFI C5 April 20th, 2023
The TINHIFI C0 ELF October 17th, 2023
The TINHIFI T5S February 4th, 2024
The TINHIFI T2 MKII February 17th, 2024

So you can see I just reviewed the expensive T5S just recently. Yet I have to say the two IEMs, the T2 MKII and the T5S seem to be manufactured by two completely different companies. As you can see the T5S was a bold departure from the house sound of TINHIFI. Now some claim that it sounds a lot like the recently released C3, and even though it may measure somewhat close to the C3, it sounds way better to my ears. I mean sure the T5S is a 129.99 TOTL IEM, the best the company TIN can do, and it fact I recently way after the review was written and posted.......found a great aftermarket cable which further took the T5S to an amazing self-actualized place, a place that in reality asks for more listening time.


https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tinhifi-t5s.26981/reviews#review-32891



All I’m saying here with this past T5S review and right at this moment is that TINHIFI knows how to tune an IEM, for me anyway? My first example of TINHIFI’s work was the original T5 (shown graphically) which totally bombed in my eyes. In fact Linsoul dropped me from the review program for about a year due to my honest 3 out of 5 review……..and whatever, I mean I just said what I thought. After my year in purgatory they let me review IEMs again. And whatever….the TINHIFI T2 MKII is going to get another 3 star review here. How could it not, how?



TINHIFI T2 MKII
HIGH-DEFINITION BALANCED HI-FI IEMS

• Neutral Promotion for Unbiased Sound
• Balanced Adjustments for Original Audio Signal
• Coaxial Dual Driver Design
• Composite Diaphragm for Supernatural Performance
• Lightweight Aluminum Build for Comfort and Durability
• Premium MMCX Cable
• Outstanding Ergonomics with Circular Deep Fit Design

Price USD $59.00 USD

Now the scary part is it is relatively expensive for what you get. Meaning I have tried to embellish the T2 MKII, making sure I report to the very best of my subjective/objective observations here? You see, IEMs are always a matter of subjective opinion. When we are forwarded these things at no cost some folks get their underwear in a bind thinking that our reviews are going to be biased to positive thoughts only cus we got a free gift. But the reality is the more IEMs I review the easier it is to judge them, and truly I don’t care what anyone thinks as these are simply my ramblings here, for better or worse.

The review process:
I have had the T2 MKII for a whole month, during that time they spent over 100 hours on the burn-in machine, they have been tried with multiple DAPs, some bright, some bass laden and dark and one with a subtle M shape signature. I have used various ear-tips including the regular wide-bore ear-tips, and the DIVINUS VELVET EARTIPS……I tried it all to come-up with sound performance quotas.

Packaging:

Build:
Interestingly these are actually a subtly different build from my history with the brand, thus holding that barrel shape of the original T2, except having extra additional form-factors added, by looking at photos. Where the T2 DLC almost looks exactly like the original T2 as seen in these comparison photos. And the totally strange thing is TIN HIFI went with MMCX with this MK II this time for the cable connections. Also in the end, the build shows many small flaws I have never encountered from TIN. As such you can see the rough edges to the connection site, like the form was all new and difficult to get polished right on this model? Where if you take the time to look at my past reviews there is better construction outcome with the finish……and even that new MMCX device placement seems to be used to adapt the MKII’s new design look to fit more people? What I am saying is from using the T2 DLC IEM, it seems this new design is a step backwards in comfort, with me shaking my head, especially wondering why MMCX was chosen, and the fact that there is a total departure from the original ergonomics that lead to the original T2 success.


Above the original TinAudio T2 (now with MMCX removed) https://www.linsoul.com/products/tinhifi-t2

Below the TINHIFI T2 DLC


Sure I have never heard the original, except I understand enough about this IEM business, that if you create a 2017 revolutionary sound and combine that with a 2017 memorable (and comfortable) shape, at the original price of $49.90…..you will maybe create market disruption, if marketed right? Though the original T2 was MMCX too. Yet the original T2 has 15 reviews here at Head-Fi and over 115,000 views. I probably just need to hear a pair as my curiosity really is getting the best of me, and they still sell them for $65.98………………….do they even sound better than this new model or have time passed them buy? I will reiterate that plenty of better sounding IEMs have surfaced, and this is way past any subjective listening ideas on my part. Stuff that is in the $20.00 to $30.00 range that simply blows the T2 MKII out of the proverbial water! Let’s list a few just to pour a little more salt into the wound, shall we?

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/7hz-x-crinacle-zero-2.26878/reviews#review-32694
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/ziigaat-nuo.26845/reviews#review-32542
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/kiwi-ears-dolce.26577/reviews#review-31478
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tangzu-princess-chang-le.26529/reviews#review-31342
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tinhifi-c2.26227/reviews#review-29951
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tangzu-waner-s-g.26236/reviews#review-29952
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/7hz-salnotes-zero-universal-iem.25980/reviews#review-28978

So this simply is a list a quick put together to help someone who was looking for sonic value in the world of entry level IEMs, entry level audiophile IEMs, no doubt. And these options are not just mine, as this list has a few legends, like the 7Hz Salnotes Zero MK1 and MK2. The Tangzu Waner SG, and even the TINHIFI C2, surprisingly enough?

And just look at the C2?
Maybe the design is for 14 year old boys, but this IEM is sturdy and sounds great, a far cry from what we have here, in fact it follows accepted and understood tuning philosophies.

Sure I’m trying to stay brand loyal here, but also keep it in reality, the T2 MKII simply doest have enough bass to make this work-out under any stretch of the imagination. I’m not being biased here, get the C2 instead.

$29.00
https://www.linsoul.com/products/tinhifi-c2

Top row C2, C3
Bottom row T2 DLC and T4 PLUS

Conclusion:
All I’m saying is TINHIFI knows what is up, now sure there could in fact be those who want a lean, vocal centric style of playback, yet even then the midrange the 7Hz Salnotes Zero 2 has………..its better separation and 3D charm, and does vocals well. So? This is not 100% my opinion just because I like bass, but I do like bass, and it is missing here.


$59.00 Your choice of silver or gray.
https://www.linsoul.com/products/tinhifi-t2-mkii

Also if you want to know what TINHIFI is up to recently check out my review of the T5S, truly the best I ever heard from this brand, and yes, it is smooth and performs bass!
The TINHIFI T5S: 100% the better choice!

Disclaimer:
I would like to thank Kareena from Linsoul for the love and TINHIFI T2 MKII review sample.

Linsoul website: https://www.linsoul.com/
Linsoul Aliexpress Store: https://ddaudio.aliexpress.com/store/2894006
Linsoul USA Amazon Store link: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=merchant-items&me=A267P2DT104U3C

Equipment Used:
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm and 3.5mm
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 4.4mm and 3.5mm
Shanling UA3 Dongle 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm output
Samsung Phone 3.5mm
HiBy R3 II 3.5mm/4.4mm output and USB Type-C output
SIMGOT AUDIO DEW4X with 4.4mm balanced output

These are the experiences and thoughts of a single individual, your results may vary.

Ending:
To end this review on a kind of positive note, the T2 MKII is not terrible. What it does is offer a clear soundstage especially in perception of midrange energies. I suspect this is partially due to balance, which states you try to strip away bass, mental focus happens to be relocated to the treble and midrange. As such the response character in those areas moves forward to actually proclaim even more detail and better midrange stage, even from a medium skilled driver. This is simply what is left over to compensate for not fighting the bass frequencies for attention, your mental attention, also there can be a pronounced perception of such imaging, only because such frequencies exist out in the open. So more relief, more vividness and fast and correct timbre takes place. There is OK note-weight still surprisingly, and these (the T2 MKII) do fairly OK with vocal music. In this highly competitive IEM modern day world there are still IEMs that cost less and do many of these features better……….as such I feel TINHIFI is simply playing the field, knowing there is still some low burning embers of fame from 2017 that they can still capitalize on, and sure besides the missing bass, there is not a whole lot else wrong with the T2 MKII. Besides being a little cluttered in performance, and boring……..there is an even and complete response which performs timbre correctly, yet with limited reverberations it may be already bettered by what you already have in your collection? The fact that they can’t all be winning tunes and design here.

Introduction

Tiantian Dongting TinHiFi was launched in 2017. TinHiFi gets its name from the homophone of "Listen" and "Hi-Fi". On the other hand, the brand advertises that one of its best assets is that it tries to listen to the world and, with that, to the users who buy its products. They claim that, although the T2 model has already been iterated several times, it still has room for improvement. This time, thanks to users, they have opted for clearer and more transparent high frequencies, as well as cleaner, more controlled, more precise and tighter low frequencies. The profile is now more neutral. The MMCX interface has also been reintroduced and the design has changed slightly, using a spiral shape. Internally, a dual coaxial transducer design with composite diaphragm has been used. The 10mm driver executes the low frequencies and the 6mm driver handles the midrange and high frequencies. Finally, the capsules are made of lightweight aluminium for high strength and durability. Let's see what more surprises this new TinHiFi model called, of course, T2 MKII has in store.



Specifications

• Driver Type: 2 dynamic drivers, 10mm woofer + 6mm midrange & tweeter.
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz.
• Sensitivity: 103±3dB @ 1kHz 0.126V
• Maximum distortion: 3% Max at 1kHz, 1mW.
• Power rating: 3mW.
• Maximum power: 5mW.
• Cable: 8-core 5N silver plated cable.
• Capsule Connection Type: MMCX.
• Jack Connector: SE 3.5mm.
• Material: Plastic Aluminium.

Packaging

The packaging of the T2 MKII follows in the tradition of the T2 and features an elongated landscape box. On this occasion, the chosen colour is grey. Its size is 143x76x43mm. The presentation remains sober: there is only T2 MKII written in the centre in white letters and the brand logo in the lower left corner. On the back there are a few QR codes and the logos of the certifications the product complies with. Removing the cardboard reveals a box that looks like a landscape book, with a lightly padded, leather-textured surface. In the centre is the brand logo in gold ink. The inside is white, a box containing a thick foam mould, which holds the capsules with the particular spiral shape. Once the first layer is removed, there are the rest of the accessories, in transparent plastic bags. The complete contents are as follows:

• The two T2 MKII capsules.
• 6 pairs of silicone tips, sizes SxMxL. One medium pair comes with the capsules.
• Two blue foam tips, large size.
• One silver-plated 8-core 5N cable with 3.5mm SE plug and MMCX connections.

The packaging is reminiscent of previous models and does not come with a case or bag. It has two sets of tips which are now different. The lighter ones have a wider core and the darker ones a narrower one. It is a detail the inclusion of foam tips, but again I would like to point out that it does not include anything to store or protect the IEMS.
It is available in two colours: Silver and Gun.



Construction and Design

On this occasion, the cylindrical design is coupled with a spiral shape on its outer face. From the outside, it has a certain snail-like appearance, although the circular face in the centre is not lost. It is a double concentric circle. While the outer ring is flat and thin, the inner face is conical until it reaches the central circle, which rises subtly up the hillside. There are three holes in this dividing ring. The spirally rising area embraces the cylinder and contains the MMCX connection interface. Each channel can be distinguished by the plastic ring around the MMCX interface: red for the right, blue for the left. The inner face follows the familiar ballistic pattern: a slight step giving way to a much more pronounced one. A new light rim and the mouthpiece with two diameters, the central one of 5.4mm and the crown of 6mm. The length of the mouthpiece is approximately 3mm. Its orifice is protected by a perforated metal grid. There is a hole in the slope leading to the nozzle.
The cable hardly changes, it is traditional in its connections and sleeving. The plug is 3.5mm SE, gold-plated. The sleeve is a classic cylinder with texture for better grip, in two parts, one larger and one narrower. The splitter piece is a cylinder with two rings near the edges. The pin is a metal ring through which the cables pass. The sleeve of the 2Pin connectors are also cylindrical, with a small bevel near the cable and two rings. The same design of plastic discs is repeated, except that one is red, the other transparent. The wire is made of 8 cores of 5N silver-plated strands.
The capsule is slightly different, with that spiral addition. The surface is more textured and the design of the outer face is different, instead of being flat, it is conical in shape and has 3 holes. The cylinder itself is still the classic one. The construction is simply good, although there are some burrs between the assembly of the spiral piece and the cylinder.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

The T2 MKII combines ballistic ergonomics with an elongated body. The 90 degree spiral cross piece adds to the possibility of having a cable that is far from the centre and rigid in the vertical position. The diameter is adequate and if it had been larger, the ergonomics would have suffered. Due to the inclination of the ear canal, the insertion cannot be perpendicular and this causes the cable connectors to be close to the pinna. Depending on the inclination of the ear canal and the insertion depth, this can be more problematic. In my case, with a shallow insertion, there is no such danger. On this occasion, I had to resort to narrow-core, spherical-shaped tips without padding. The set is relatively comfortable. The passage of the cable over the ear is not the most correct. On this occasion, I feel that these guides are not at all pleasant and after a while it starts to bother me. The isolation depends on the insertion and the tips. In this case, with the tips used, the isolation is medium. It is possible to rotate the capsule inside the canal, so it is not a unique fit, but it is durable. In addition to the discomfort of the wire over the ear, there is another rather negative point: there seems to be something in the material of the capsule that irritates the skin on my ears. Soon after I put them on, it itches. It's not going to be a very pleasant review because of this aspect.



Sound

Profile

The profile is slightly closer to the Rtings from 1khz to 8khz. But the T2 MKIIs have less sub-bass, more mid-bass and a distinctly more emphasised second half of the treble. What you get is a bright midcentric profile with a rather limited and bland low end. It's certainly quite a drastic change from the DLC 2022 model. I liked that model very much and its profile was slightly reworked in several of TinHiFi's own models of that generation. It's true that it was a bit of a roundabout way around that target until it was squeezed out. But the change the brand has made in this T2 MKI model has been somewhat radical. They say that they have listened to the voices of the users and have turned the profile around, looking for bass below neutrality, with a coloured and less realistic sonority, as well as focusing the energy on the high notes, achieving a more polarising effect.



Bass

If my experience after more than 200 reviews, the vast majority from IEMS, shows me anything, it is that a bass tuning with reduced low end sounds unnatural. The frequency response of the T2 MKIIs below 200Hz is quite anaemic, with that being their highest point. The result is very little noticeable sub-bass, something that is clearly distinguishable in the very low frequency pure tone test. When reproducing a 20Hz tone, the result is a sound that is more audible than sensory, a coloured hum that lacks power, awareness, depth and realism. Behaviour does not improve until after 40 or 50Hz. However, at that point, the sound is still not completely natural and you still perceive that coloured, or in other words, a sonority that belongs to a higher and more audible frequency range. Thus, the bass drums sound sharper, with little volume, density or sense of depth. I wouldn't call it a neutral bass, because for that it has to sound at least natural. There are many IEMS whose bass presence is not noticeable, but whose behaviour is. In this case, neither the sonority nor the behaviour is the most appropriate. This can be demonstrated by equalising the bass, if the sub-bass is raised, the sonority still does not improve below 40Hz. In fact, the rough, vibrant and sonorous behaviour is maintained, with a low sensory and physical capacity, which makes it more audible than natural. The result, transferred to the music, is negatively obvious. Again, going back to the drums, they sound like simple drum hits, with very little range and depth. On the other hand, the result is more elastic than it should be. How can it be that the bass lacks power and on top of that is not completely compact or contained? The result is an unrealistic rubbery feeling, which doesn't provide an adequate or natural texture either. Having a low power I expected a drier, more contained and tighter bass. But these characteristics don't reach the remarkable, they stay in an acceptable range.
On the other hand, in my other test of dirty, unfiltered, multi-layered, low-definition bass reproduction, the result was better than expected. The T2 MKII was able to follow the bass lines without getting lost, although it reproduces them in its own way. It still tries to separate them with some grace and maintain an order in their representation. It is true that the sonority is not adequate and it will be better or worse depending on the quality of the source (I have used my reference source for this case, the one that achieves the most compact, fast, natural and realistic bass: it is the combo formed by the Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC and the EarMen ST-Amp amplifier). But, at least, it has kept its type quite gracefully, and this gives it a technical performance that does reach a remarkable mark, being precise, skilful and resolute. It's a pity that the sound behaviour doesn't match it. And what strikes me most is that TinHiFi has dedicated a single 10mm driver for the lower range. We know it can do better.



Mids

Looking at the graph I thought the T2 MKIIs would be eminently mic-centric. The result is brighter than midrange-centric. And that's because the first half lacks enough body to have a fuller presence. In that respect, the male vocals feel somewhat disconnected, with a light base and a midrange and less close presence than expected. To be honest, I thought the vocals would be much more prominent than I found them to be. I also expected them to be warmer, but in that respect I must have misinterpreted the chart. As I say, the sonority of the voices is not bad. On this occasion, I find their execution more natural. I feel them somewhat disconnected and sunken, in a less protagonist plane that makes me raise the potentiometer to make them more present, achieving a more negative than appropriate effect. In this sense, all the instrumentation is above the male voices. The female vocals improve in presence and move closer to the foreground, but they still blend in with the instrumentation. And also with the details and nuances. There are elements that should be in the background that are placed on the same level as the vocals or the main instruments. The result generates a certain disorder inside my head, as I feel that the elements should not have such an equal distribution and their distribution in the different sound planes should be in a different order. Fortunately, the dynamic driver is not very explicit or thin and there is a certain softness in drawing the edges, something that allows the sounds to be more pleasant, less sharp and relatively rounded. Such a tuning from an overly thin BA driver would have been much less tolerable, in my view. However, there is another positive point about this aspect and that is that the elements are sufficiently separated and distant so as not to saturate the mix. Even though the midrange and treble are in the foreground, the T2 MKII's horizontal distribution of the midrange and treble is remarkably well resolved, resulting in a very open sound in this frequency range, full of clarity and transparency. I have noticed that the tips contribute a lot in this aspect, in this case I recommend tips with a wide core to maximise these aspects related to light, transparency and scene magnification. Still, I miss some flesh and physicality in the female voices, but they are certainly more prominent in the central range. They feel delicate, very well outlined, loaded with detail, but maintaining a certain softness at their edges that allows them to deal with sibilance and without losing the battle against overexposure of detail and nuance.
It is obvious that the second half of the midrange is more explicit. But, at this point, I am once again grateful that it is a dynamic driver that takes care of it. The 6mm driver dedicated to the midrange and treble is suitably light, but without going over the sharp edge. It's thin enough to be precise, concise and decisive, but not so thin as to be penetrating or hurtful. And yet the treble energy level is quite high. The result is a sound that is explicit, exposed, relatively splashy, transparent, clear, detached, technically adept, but quite natural in terms of sonic behaviour. Who would have thought I would say this about the midrange-highs coming from a bass like the ones described above.



Treble

The high end is quite explicit. Although it starts with a slight control zone that tries to soften and naturalise the result, the second half of the treble is quite exposed. There is some control around 7kHz which is able to limit the sibilance or at least make it not completely evident or penetrating. But, it is true that the second half of the treble splashes the sound with a relatively energetic and shimmering radiance. In this sense, its prominence and foreground presence is capable of obscuring details of other lower frequencies and more distant planes. The treble body is larger than desired. This generates a more opaque, dense, energetic, full and extended brilliance. The result is a shimmering brilliance, which is difficult to dilute and whose dissipation is noticeable over time. At least this behaviour and the development of the treble is certainly realistic and I still prefer it to come from a dynamic driver. Despite its high energy level, there are certain parameters whose behaviour I perceive as natural, even if the mix in the music is disproportionate and oriented towards the high notes.
The result is an extensive range, containing a high power and presence, capable of eclipsing other sonic elements. However, despite the long, sparkling flash of their brilliance, they still retain a certain sweetness that allows them to retain a subtle, dazzling realism... if you can stand it, that is.



Soundstage, Separation

The T2 MKIIs have a relatively shallow depth. Despite this, the sound does not feel flat or compact. There is a noticeable sense of air, separation, vaporousness, even a certain three-dimensional ambience that helps a lot. The sound is broad, horizontally speaking. It benefits from a great level of openness, separation, clarity and transparency. As I say, especially on the horizontal axis, even vertically. But it suffers from distance on the frontal axis. It is also not very skilful at creating many layers. It tends to distribute the sound in a very open and separate way, but when the elements are superimposed, it tends to be more explicit in the high notes, reaching a higher prominence and relegating the rest of the nuances to a less perceptible background. This is how the energy of the treble gives it an opaque body that hides important details in the mix. In this way, a certain level of resolution is lost and a level of detail is reached that is only visible in the foreground, engulfing the micro detail of the midranges and secondary planes.
On the other hand, the level of separation is high and the distance between elements generates a rather dark background for its price level, something that amplifies that sense of neatness in its sound. In this way, a more elevated, ethereal, even gaseous ambience surrounds the head slightly, subtly piercing the frontal sensation of the scene.
The technical skill of the T2 MKII is sufficient to distribute the image quite well. It has good precision for this, but it still fails in the depth positioning of the elements. Instead, on many occasions, it is able to position them in a closer plane, managing to place them in a horizontal part of the wide space it generates. In this way, the sound never feels clumpy, congested or compact. True, there's not a lot of layering or depth, but there's no denying that the T2 MKIIs are capable of filling the scene in a truly expansive way. That doesn't detract from the fact that elements, details and nuances are lost along the way.
Finally, I would like to make a small comment about the way in which the T2 MKIIs gain clarity, transparency and separation. Normally, raising the energy in the midrange and treble creates a certain, relatively false sense of forced clarity. I can't help but think that, in this model, these characteristics have been obviously forced. However, the clarity and spaciousness of sound that is achieved is obvious, well resolved, relatively realistic and natural. There is a clear excess of energy in the treble. But the sound, with the right tips and source, is really clear and spacious. And that's the best thing about the sound.



Comparisons

Ikko OH2

One model with a particular tuning, even similar to these new TinHiFi T2 MKII are the Ikko OH2. With a higher price tag of $79 compared to the T2 MKII's $59, the Ikko OH2 has a more luxurious and complete presentation, with 6 pairs of specially designed silicone tips of different sizes, plus 3 pairs of Ikko i-Planet foam tips. It also comes with a light brown leather pouch. As you can see, there is a bit more variety in the Ikko tips, while the T2 MKII does not come with a pouch to store the IEMS.
The design of the OH2 is quite particular, it is a very flat capsule with three different parts, one of which is transparent, the other two are white and metallic (in my case). The mouthpiece has an abrupt growth and is not very long and what stands out the most is that it is oval. On the T2 MKII the construction is all-aluminium and mixes a ballistic-cylindrical design with a spiral-shaped part. It's true that it's a good design, but the ergonomics are a bit worse. The OH2s are very flat and if you are lucky enough to find the right tips, the integration into the pavilion is almost excellent. Moreover, they barely protrude from the ears and are one of the most discreet shapes I have ever tested. As for the cable, both models use the MMCX interface, something I don't like. While I like the cable better in the T2 MKII because the strands are thinner, more manageable and less prone to get shaped. The Ikko cable consists of two strands coated with a PVC that tends to stiffen.
One could say that the T2 MKIIs are the high-pitched version of the OH2s, they are also lighter in bass. The distance in the upper range is the biggest difference. While the OH2s are smooth, the T2 MKIIs have a noticeable amount of energy in the treble area. In terms of performance, the OH2s are easier to move.
Turning to the lower range, I am not a fan of neutral or lower bass at this level. The T2 MKIIs are in that weak and light range, offering a subdued, low energy, smooth textured and coloured sound. The OH2s are better in that respect and their colour is somewhat darker, deeper, more natural, with a little more power and roughness, less coloured in appearance and technically superior. The lower end is more noticeable in the Ikko's and their performance is more realistic and sensory, although they are not a prodigy in the bass range either, but they clearly win the battle against the T2 MKII.
In the midrange the OH2s are grateful for a fuller lower range. In this way, the first half of the midrange is richer, with more body and physicality. The base of the male voices is denser, their timbre warmer, something that gives them a more natural, realistic, even more exciting sound. On the T2 MKIIs, the first half of the midrange is thinner, with less base and a little further away. That makes it feel comparatively hollow in this phase, something that also affects the instrumentation. OH2 are more balanced in the transition to the midrange and present a more homogeneous sound. In this second half, the female vocals are also more grounded and their representation is stellar, closer, very realistic and fuller. In the T2 MKIIs there is still a brighter, leaner, leaner approach, which brings out the details and nuances, rather than the fundamental element. Thus, the richness of the midranges and their level of lushness is more expansive in the OH2s, as opposed to the greater dryness and base sterility of the T2 MKIIs.
The treble sounds distinctly different in the two models. While the OH2s are more analogue, dry, soft, but with a certain projection, the T2 MKIIs have a higher level of energy and brightness. They also have more extension, no control zone, but are more excited, more penetrating and crisp. In my opinion, I would go for a half-way point between the two. But the bright tuning of the T2 MKIIs doesn't do the rest of the frequencies any favours either and that's something that makes my preference clearly towards the OH2s.
The sound is deeper in the Ikko, although it is also more up front. There is a noticeable sense of detail in the midrange, which is an improvement on the T2 MKIIs. The TinHiFi's are much more lavish in the higher details and these overlap with those in the midrange. They are not very good at layering, but they are good at distancing and separating the sound. In this way, they are wider, higher, have a sense of greater separation, a more transparent, open, ethereal and vaporous sound. OH2s have good clarity and transparency, but it is a more physical, realistic, more natural sound, with a more tangible and somewhat more intimate feel. However, it is worth mentioning that they have a very good level of definition and precision in their sound, something that, together with their more balanced, homogeneous and smooth tuning, gives them a higher euphonic, musical and enjoyable level than the T2 MKII, always, speaking from my personal point of view.



Conclusion

The TinHiFi T2 MKII are the flip side of the T2 DLC 2022. While the former were based on a fuller profile, with more powerful bass, smoother treble and more homogeneous transitions, the MKIIs have clearly changed the balance by smoothing the bass and reducing it below neutrality, but stretching the treble, both in energetic projection and in extension. The difference is a preponderance of sound in the second half of the sound spectrum, giving much more importance to the midrange and treble, generating a sterile, coloured bass, a thin, lean and relatively distant first half of the midrange. By contrast, the sound is very clear, transparent, luminous, sparkling, crisp, detached, open, gaseous, ethereal and broad. But it is also flat, with a predominance of high detail that obscures the micro detail of the lower ranges. It is a specialised sound, dedicated to treble lovers, moving away from the musical warmth of its predecessor to differentiate itself in an obvious way and embrace a new audience, perhaps not as large as that of its predecessor. But TinHiFi seems to take the risk and that is something worth praising, that it tries to find another sound and to please fans with different tastes.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• MUSE HiFi M3 II
• Tempotec V3
• Hidizs S9 Pro Plus.
• Burson Audio Playmate II.
• Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + EarMen ST-Amp.

Purchase Link



You can read the full review in Spanish here

Review Of The Tin HiFi T2 Mark II​

Introduction​

For a very long time, audiophiles have been drawn to Tin Hifi, a Chinese firm that specializes in electro-acoustic equipment. This is primarily because Tin Hifi was one of the first companies to let audiophiles on a tight budget experience hi-fi sound production. Since their founding, they have released the T, P, and C series and dabbled in planars and dynamic driver technology. Up until now, the IEM T2 has been a highly well-liked and highly recommended IEM due to its excellent sound quality. and has made available several of its upgrades, such the T2 Pro, T2 Plus, T2 Eva, etc. The Tin Hifi T2 Mark II is the most recent version that they released, and I was fortunate enough to obtain one. I want to make a few things clear before assessing.

Disclaimer​

*Since this unit tour was organised by the kind people at Linsoul, I am grateful to them. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as “T2.”
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the T2 based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

Two dynamic drivers operate in a dual driver configuration inside the T2. The tweeter, a 6mm dynamic driver, and the woofer, a 10mm dynamic driver, are arranged in a coaxial configuration. Compared to its predecessor, this generation of shells has a more snail-like appearance. Lightweight aluminum makes up the shell body, and the faceplate is ventilated to elicit a particular reaction. With the provided ear tips or my own, the isolated fit fit and felt comfortable. The included cable has the same feel as the ones that came with the earlier models. On one end of the cable are mmcx connectors, while on the other is a 3.5mm straight termination plug. Three pairs of eartips in various sizes and a pair of foam eartips round out the other accessories that are supplied. Regarding the technical specifications, the sensitivity is 102dB and the range of the frequency response is 12 Hz to 40 kHz.

Sound​

The moment I heard the T2, I knew that this successor of the T2 line is tuned in a more complex manner than any others of its predecessors. The sound is emphases on the treble and upper mid range which brigs more clarity and details with accurate notes attacks but lesser pleasant sound, which in overall sense sounds analytical. The predecessors did sounded fuller and brought more of an appealing sound whereas this kind of tuning is feasible for critical listeners or treble lovers. I think this new direction which Tin Hifi deemed to follow is a double edged sword, this bright neutral tuning with great hold on technicalities sounds somewhat intriguing yet I still believe there is more to what it offers. Let’s delve deep into what kind of sound it offers.

Treble​

The treble is the most emphasised region of the whole response, where the air the crisp notes and the lean nature all resides. It is not subduing or concealing anything rather making it clear what it is tuned for. Whether it is the upper or lower treble but have great energy and sounds impeccably clear for an IEM around this price range. Th upper treble sounds very airy and too light to sound reasonable to my ears, basically producing a response which is at the verge of sounding artificial or unnatural but it retains the integrity of the notes. Th treble peaks do make the response sound hot for my ears and might become nuisance to others on high volumes but listening to healthy level doesn’t show such characteristics. The vocals and instruments sound clear and details at a point where the vocals felt farer but lifeless. The lower treble sounds more weighty and denser comparatively. The lesser energy allows for the response to produce a balanced response between instruments and vocals. The vocals sound sharp and detailed whereas the instruments sounds the same while complimenting them. So all in all the overall presentation of the treble region is airy, lean and detailed.

Mid Range​

Coming to the mid range, it is more of a love-hate relationship. As I gave more and more tracks to play, the more my understandings became out of hands. The reason being treble haggling too much energy for the mid range to produce a decent natural sound rather here the response sounds too light and open for to be sound as realistic. I think the vocals sounds unnatural whereas the instruments sounds sharp and tactical. The lower mid range sounds vague and weightless from what I heard, as the vocals have a more notes correction but lesser forward reaching response ultimately sounding a little off and subdued, the same is felt when instruments comes to play. Though the overall vocals sounds not too lean or filtered response but it sounds more detailed and more expressive, one may express their understanding as shouty sometimes. Hence the overall response of the mid range sounds clear, weightless and shouty.

Bass​

The bass is where my preferences doesn’t match, even when it did, the bass felt just there in the mix. The bass has no emphasised ends as the sub bass rolls off pretty soon where when heard feels like there is no sub bass response. The mid bass has presence which feels like it is there to add the required bass notes which will resemble a real response which it fails regardless. I tried EQing as well where I pushed sub bass around 30 and 60 Hz but again no effective conclusion came out as the bass felt hollow with lean but clean bass response. I believe that nowadays BAs can handle better bass than the dynamic driver used in this. The hits and impacts aren’t powerful enough to make the response dynamic but the details and texture does come through. Therefore the overall presentation of the bass region is clean, controlled yet lifeless.

Technical Performance​

Comparatively T2 sounds better than other sets around its price range, specifically the imaging and speed. To be honest it is not the best in technicalities but the clear and detailed response it gives regardless of how weak it sounds in terms of tonal balance, makes it a good technical IEM. Let’s talk more in details.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation​

The soundstage is averagely spaced which is enough for a good spacious sound. The imaging is sharp and clear where I have no complaints. But the separation is a little vague between notes even though they become distinctive when hearing less complex tracks.

Speed & Resolution​

The resolution is good but the macro details are great even though the micro nuances made aren’t very well surfaced. The attack of notes feels fast but the decay sometimes feels a little loose.

Sound Impressions​

Sources​

Sony WM1A - pairing the T2 with the WM1A sounded better in terms of aggressive nature in the upper extension and lower extensions as well. It sounds as if bass came back to life with sub bass impactful presence. Also the mid range sounds forward and the notes feel more weighty and the treble sounds tamed with a better smoothened extension. Ultimately sounding richer, more natural and less offensive. The pairing of the WM1A and T2 sounds perfect.

Tempotec V6 - while pairing with the V6, the response is as energetic as it can be with better distinction of notes and sharp and edgy details of the notes. The treble feels as aggressive as ever whereas the mid range feels more forward. The response as a whole feels like only vocals or less complex tracks would sound tasteful.

Tracks Used​

Luna Haruna - Glory days
Luna Haruna - Overfly
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
LMYK - 0 (zero)
ORESKABAND - Jitensya
Marina Horiuchi - Mizukagami no Sekai
RADWIMPS - Suzume
Indila - Love Story
Indila - Tourner dans le vide
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Blue Oyester Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Gojira - Amazonia
TV on the radio - Wolf Like Me
Bring Me To The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
Bring Me To The Horizon - sTraNgeRs
Avril Lavigne - Dare To Love Me
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
DJ Shadows - Six Days (Remix) [feat. Mos Def]
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
Flo Rida - Low
Sebastian Lopez & Flug - Electronic Measures
Federico Mecozzi - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Wayve - Not Enough
Kai Wachi & TeZATalks - Ghost
NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead & Tori Levett - Shady Intentions
Zeds Dead, DNMO & GG Magree - Save My Grave
Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic
Skrillex & Nai Barghouti - Xena
Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo - RATATA
Kaifi Khalil, Eva B & Wahab Bugti - Kana Yaari
A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion​

To end this review, one thing I was made sure of is that the OG t2’s in house sound is living in the new T2 Mark II but in a more aggressive and energetic way. This time treble heads will fall in love with it as for me it sounds lesser of what I prefer but usually when it came to critical listening, this IEM did help me a lot. The overall presentation of the T2 is bright neutral with sub bass roll off. I’d recommend T2 only to those who wants a clear sounding IEM with lesser bass interference or who loves treble and clarity.

General Info (Packaging/Build/Comfort)
TinHifi has been in the dark for quite some time, their recent release which is a budget model, the C0, which i have tested and the sonic performance actually kind of took me by surprise as well. Let’s see how the T2 MKII performs in terms of sonic performance.
The packaging is similar across the T2 series, nothing has changed, this time around they omitted the storage pouch, foam tips, narrow, and wide bore eartips are included, as well as the stock cable and the IEM itself. This time, the T2 MKII sports a dual dynamic driver, 6mm handling the mid and highs, whereas the 10mm handling the lows.

Build quality is very commendable, the whole unit is built like a tank, the shell design is not bullet shaped anymore, it is in circular form and the fit is very very good compared to the previous T2 series that i have tested. The only thing that I dislike is the mmcx port, not that i hate mmcx, but the mmcx port is notoriously tight and cable rolling with it is a pain, and also due to the design of the shell itself, the mmcx assist tool basically doesn’t help at all.



Gears used for this review

• SMSL DL200
• iFi Hip Dac 3
• Macbook Air M2
• TinHifi T2 MKII Stock Cable and Foam Tips

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression (Stock cable and Foam Tips and iFi HipDac3 xBass on )
Prior to writing this review, the T2 MKII has gone through >30 hours of ageing process (burn in). Upon listening to the T2 MKII, it reminds me a little of T2 Pro Evo, which is bright and and lean, except the T2 MKII has slightly punchier bass and also a little bit more quantity
To my ears, T2 MKII’s tonality is leaning towards the neutral bright and the note weight is a little lacking to my preference.

Bass

• Bass has got good control and sounds relatively tight
• Sub bass rumble is there when the track calls for it, but mid bass is being emphasised more than sub bass
• Bass quantity is a little lacking but has fairly good quality in terms of control
• Pretty fast bass because it handled Slipknot’s People = crap like a champ, doesn’t sound muddy and bleed into the mids
• Sub bass is a little rolled off to my ears, evident in EDM track such as Tiesto’s Traffic, still sufficient to enjoy EDM

Mids

• The mids are slightly thin due lacking some warmth from the lows
• The timbre of instruments in the midrange is quite natural, also it carries sufficient note weight to it , Violin and Piano has got a good note weight and warmth to it, i like how they sound in Imperial March by Wiener Philharmoniker and John Williams, this is if i turn on the iFI’s xBass on the Hip Dac 3, switching it to off, the noteweight will become slightly thin
• The mids are not overly recessed nor forward
• Female vocal is good and has sufficient texture and body to it, but when you crank the volume up, it can be a little shouty
• Male vocal has got good texture and weight to it, Zhao Peng’s low baritone voice sounds thick and very pleasant to listen to
• Instruments and vocal are well layered

Treble

• Treble on the T2 MKII is energetic and on low volume it is fine, but when you crank the volume up, things will get hot
• The extension is good
• The amount of air is just enough to prevent instruments from overlapping each other
• Treblehead might like this kind of presentation but personally, it is not my cup of tea
• Detail retrieval is good

Soundstage and Imaging

• The soundstage is just slightly out of your head, not overly wide, but lacking depth and height
• Imaging on the other hand is good, separation is nicely done

Driveability

• Very easy to drive and amplification is not needed
• Pairs well with warm source such as the HipDac 3 that i’m using, my personal experience is that it doesn’t really synergise well with brighter source such as the SMSL DL200

Final Thoughts
In the market where there are several dual dynamic drivers IEM, where does the T2 MKII position itself at? I personally think that they do well in terms of technicalities and also the pricing, no, it doesn’t go head to head with other IEM thats 2-3x more than T2 MKII’s price, the bright tuning might not be for everyone, but those who likes treble and bright signature will favour the T2 MKII, but sadly, the T2 MKII is not for me, don’t get me wrong, they’re good but it’s just not for me.

*T2 MKII is sent over by Linsoul F.OC for the purpose of this review. I received no monetary compensation nor was I influenced to produce this review. All thoughts are of my own.

If you are interested to purchase T2 DLC, head over to Linsoul’s store to get one
TinHifi T2 MKII - Non Affiliated