TinHiFi T4 PLUS Universal 10mm CNT Dynamic Driver IEM

Sometimes I need something different, can’t use the open-back because they are too noisy, the closed backs are too heavy, the Blessing 2 dusks hurt my ears. I need something light and easy

I bought this iem with my own money. My opinions are my own.

You can buy this on Amazon or Linsoul or Hifigo. These are listed here for convenience only.


Product Features

Song Choice: Tidal list here:
I listen to a wide variety of music. I pick the songs because of various reasons. But I picture myself locked away like Andy Dufresne from Shawshank blasting music and shut off from the world. It’s a blissful image.
The Marriage of Figaro -The opera song from Shawshank Redemption, terrible recording but fun and gets me in the mood to listen to music.
O mio Babino caro -This is a modern less operatic version but a song with great female vocals.
Video Rigoletto - “La donna e mobile” Sung by one of the three Tenors, great song for high-performing male vocals. Pavarotti is the greatest classic singer maybe ever. Fight me!
Iron man - The sound at the beginning is hard to make sound great, great drums, and cymbals, and if done right it feels like an old-school band.
I Will Survive (1981 recording, I like her voice, and the old vocals, the drums, and various natural instruments really make this a favorite for me.
There is a light That never goes out - Smiths ( A classic, I just love it. It’s mellow, and I can tell a lot of the tuning if this song is done right.)
Jump (I like how the sound effects are in this!)
Star Child Someone recommended this song to me, and I like how funky it sounds and has nice vocals and a mix of music and things going on.
Dicke Titten Ramstein The beginning is amazing and the bass hits hard. Great song. I love rock and metal. The German language fascinates me
Master of Puppets: Very fast song. Helps me determine if the driver can keep up.


Shell - This shell is very good-looking. It’s extremely light, durable, and I really enjoy the easy going feel it has on my ears. I can wear them all day. It is harder to get a fit with them, as I find other iems will be easier to get a good fit with, but it’s nice and comfortable. It’s easy to get out of my ears.





Case- A nice case. It’s a bit bland, but functional and quality made. It adds to the value of the iem at $120 dollars, and it’s one of the better cases out there.


Cable- The cable is very nice. I really like the feeling of it. It’s premium, with just enough color. It’s a fantastic cable, that you won’t need to buy another Truthear Hola to recable this iem. It’s tangle free and easy to use. While I am not one to believe that a cable will change how an iem sounds, it is important, as a bad or cheap cable feels that they take away from the experience. This cable adds value to the package.

Tip Selection - I really enjoy the tips on this. I would highly recommend them.


Comparison: The 100-dollar market is very tough. While this iem does compete, it is not an immediate recommendation for everyone. The customized yellow ear tips are very nice. I highly recommend to try them sometime. They are very special, and comfortable.


Quick-Fire Comparisons

In this section, I'll quickly compare the MK2 to other relevant IEMs in its price bracket, plus the other SA6 models.

Tin Hifi T4 Plus VS. Truthear Hexa
Overall Tuning: Hexa
Details: Truthear Hexa

Tin HifiT4 Plus VS. Aria
Overall Tuning: Tied
Details: Tin Hifi T4 Plus

Tin Hifi T4 Plus VS. Legato 7hz
Overall Tuning: Tin Hifi T4 Plus
Details: Tied

Value: I like a great deal about this iem, but I don’t find it a great value. I think it is a tad bit expensive and should be priced at around 80.

Graph: This graph has been brought to you by Supereviews.


Bass

The Tin HifiT4 Plus’s bass is medium to strong, with a good mid-bass thump. The CNT driver does something well and some things poorly, bass is very ok. I don’t find the extra bases cases mud at all, and find it fairly clear for the price.

Midrange

The Tin HifiT4 Plus has a mid-range that is smooth and natural, it’s Timbre is a little bit off and feels a bit like your music is coming out of tin can. But it’s enjoyable, just not perfect.

Treble

The treble is my favorite part of this set, as it’s fast and it seems everything instrumental is perfect coming out of this iem.

Gifting/who is it for: For your family who don’t want a traditional iem due to the size. It’s tough at $120 but it’s a nice package and well worth it. It’s classy, for someone who wants something different.

Pairing: I used a Quidelix 5k and a Topping DX1 dac through a SMSL SH-8s AMP. I don’t find the pairing to matter too much, but it certainly can.

Recommended EQ: I recommend a slight bump down in the 64 Hx of about -2, 125 HZ -4, and the 250 Hz -5. I feel it sounds a little more natural and is easier going.

Summary: This iem is like squirrel girl, she serves a purpose, but wouldn’t be your first pick for many jobs. You don’t always need the best, you need fun, you need effective an enjoyable. As Squirlegirl is silly and fun to be, so is this iem. At 120 it might not be my pick for every situation, it is still a competitive iem to have a part of your collection. It's a specialist, not one that you would want to have if you only had one eq and never equed. The driver is definatly a special one.




Thanks for reading. Any feedback is welcome. I’ll be posting my preference list of iems, dacs, and headphones soon. It’s in process.

Introduction

TinHiFi, on the market since 2017, sticks to the simplicity of the names, but adding that Plus. As a programmer, I prefer versions - how about V1, 2, 3 and so on? The surnames Plus, MK, Pro, Ultra and the like, boggle my mind. But that's not a criticism either, just a personal opinion. Well, here TiHiFi is back with the Plus version of its T4. That is, the current product is called... TiHiFi T4 Plus. Good! Who could say that this is the new version of the T4, but it is. It is in a similar price range and is based on the original design, but put in the sun. The T4 Plus has been darkened to gold. The outer plate has changed and a mahogany-coloured stabilised wood panel is now used. The cable has followed the same dye, but with the advantage of having moved from the MMCX connection to the 2Pin 0.78mm connection. Well done TinHiFi!
In line with the brand's latest models, the packaging has been compacted and has a particular imagery: "Space Station". My head doesn't go any further and I don't know what the space motif of the T4 Plus is. But it is also worth noting that these recent IEMS have a new third-generation carbon nanotube diaphragm technology. The copper-clad aluminium voice coil has been reduced by 28%. An N54 super external magnetic circuit design has been added. The cable adopts four strands of high-purity silver-plated enamelled wires. It is accompanied by a thick, soft leather case and foam-filled tips, in true Mandarine style.



Specifications

• Driver Type: 10mm magnetic CNT dynamic driver.
• Frequency Response: 10-20kHz.
• Sensitivity: 106±dB@1kHz 0.179V.
• Impedance: 32Ω±15%.
• Maximum power: 5mW.
• Jack Connector: 3.5mm.
• Capsule Connection Type: gold-plated 0.78mm 2Pin.
• Capsule Weight: about 4g.
• Cable Material: 4 strands of 270C mixed silver-copper PVC.

Packaging

I like small packaging more and more. And TinHiFi know how to keep it small. The T4 Plus come in a small black rectangular box, size 109x110x69mm. The main side is decorated with space motifs. Actually, this is the capsule of the T4 Plus, which has different uses: it is a space satellite and also a rocket. There are astronauts and some flying saucers. In the upper left corner is the name T4 PLUS and below, in larger letters, you can read "Space Station". On the top there is a plastic band to hang the box on a guide. On the back side there are only some QR codes, the company name and the web address. Removed from the cardboard is a black box with somewhat sinister motifs: it could be a labyrinth or swastikas. In the centre, the brand logo and name in white ink. When the lid is opened, the capsules are encased in a thick foam mould. Below it is another level containing the light brown leather case and the rest of the contents. In a nutshell:

• The two TinHiFi T4 Plus capsules.
• One four-stranded cable, with 3.5mm SE connector and 2Pin 0.78mm interface.
• Three pairs of foam-filled silicone tips, sizes SxMxL.
• Three pairs of grey silicone tips, with red core, sizes SxMxL.
• Three pairs of black silicone tips, sizes SxMxL.
• One warranty card.
• One instruction manual.

Each of the accessories comes in an individual plastic bag. While the foam-filled silicone tips come in a special case.
Again, I really like the minimalist packaging, the case, the cable and the three sets of tips. Especially the Mandarine tips. Very nice.



Construction and Design

It goes without saying that the design is based on the previous T4 model. The capsules have a double cylinder design, coupled at 90° to the rear. In detail, the body of the IEM is a thick cylinder with a diameter of 12mm and a total length of 20mm. At its rear is another cylinder, attached to a 90° ring, which surrounds the capsule. Inside, the 2Pin 0.78mm connector is embedded, with gold-plated contacts and a red or transparent base, to indicate the channel. There is also a blue dot to indicate polarity. In the very centre of the junction between the connector cylinder and the ring, there is a hole. Above it, on the same vertical, at the base of the nozzles, there is another hole. They are on a rounded base and have a length of about 4 mm. The smallest diameter is 5.4mm and the outer ring is 6mm. Inside is a metal grid. The back face consists of a stabilised wooden plate surrounded by a gold-plated ring.
The cable consists of 4 strands, with 3.5mm SE connector and 2Pin 0.78mm interface. The wires are enamelled and plated with high purity silver. Its colour is dark copper. The metal parts also have a similar, but brighter colour. The sleeve of the 3.5mm SE connector is metallic with three longitudinal spiral grooves. The pattern is repeated on the splitter piece, but with half the size. The sleeves of the 2Pin connectors have only one ring. The bases of these pins match the shape and colour of their counterparts on the capsules. The pin is made of a disc with two through holes on its edge, which has the brand logo in white ink. Finally, the cable has a Velcro strap for tucking in, with the brand name logo, also in white ink.
The differences between its predecessor are based on the colour, the 2pin connection and the stabilised wooden outer plate. I actually prefer the current design because it is more discreet.




Adjustment and Ergonomics

Literally, I repeat what I said about the ergonomics of the T4: The capsules, although the connector cylinder is a 90° piece, are of a classic cylindrical design. Thus, the ergonomics are quite simple. The design has ensured that these connectors do not bother or rub against other parts of the ear, at least in my case. I can rotate the capsules at will to find the best insertion, which, on the other hand, is quite perpendicular. Ergonomically speaking, there is no greater fit than the direct coupling, which may limit its adjustment, depending on one's morphology. In my case, I consider that I have quite normal ears and I hardly have any problems with the IEMS. Neither do I have any problems with the T4 Plus, which means that I find the fit easy and relatively comfortable. The over-ear cable doesn't bother me and barely rubs, hanging quite freely and unnoticeably. The best fit will depend on the tips used, as the IEMS don't hold anywhere. The insertion is superficial, and bi- or tri-flange tips can be used for a deeper insertion, but, perhaps, the straight design is not the most appropriate for this type of insertion, although everything is to try, depending on the morphology of each one.
In fact, everything I've said so far is still quite valid, but with a few objections: the choice of tips is not as trivial as with the semi-custom capsules. And my foam-filled silicone tips, which are bigger than the standard ones, don't fit me well. Neither do the foam-filled ones that come with it. I got the best ergonomics and the best sound with spherical silicone tips, size L, with a narrow core.



Sound

Profile

The profile of the TinHiFi T4 Plus is "deceiving". At least, it does to me. From its FR it looks more bassist than it really is. I think it is more balanced than it looks. It even seems sharper than I see it. Maybe it's because of the capsule type, its smaller size and the cylindrical design seems to generate less body. The result is a U-V profile with a slight prominence in the mid-highs and first treble, due to that classic plateau that is fashionable among the latest TinHiFi models. It feels like the brand has found a formula and is exploiting it, both in the C-series and the T-series. The variations are subtle in the bass and are more visible from the upper-mid range onwards, but they start from a similar pattern.



Bass

In my opinion, the bass is a little above neutral, but without dominating the sound. Its relationship with the treble is friendly, both ranges feel well represented. The punch is not very voluminous, though it is deep. The level of physicality is acceptable and rounds out a bit towards the mid-bass, but without feeling bloated. The amount of body seems to fade like the volume of its capsule and I miss it occupying a larger space within the music. Although this may all be because I feel I haven't found the right tips, to achieve the fullest sound with these IEMS. When I try to find a higher level of presence, I find myself turning up the volume a little too loud and noticing that the other bands are also present. Still, I persist in my idea that the depth is quite noticeable, as well as being a generally clean tuning with the mids. The drop towards the centre band is slight and there is a good linearity in its pattern. But the bass type leans towards the soft and not too descriptive side, without much roughness and an average texture, with a tendency towards smoothness. It performs well in heavy line and complex bass settings, but doesn't demonstrate particular skill in the sense of definition or precision. Of course, it doesn't smear, but both the smooth feel and the softness of the surface produce a result of a simple character, without much analytical skill, which fails to represent the bass in a richer, fuller and rougher way than other models. It stays on the surface, without doing badly, but without being too representative in this aspect. It stands up well to sound pressure, but has a tendency to simplify complex passages into a performance that is more elementary than rich or prodigious.
The reproduction of pure tones is quite realistic and well executed. It seems to be even better than a fuller bass representation, which indicates a point of technical limitation. The sonority is natural, I don't notice any colouration and you can feel how it easily reaches the LFOs without paling and sounding nice and even.
The hit is tight, quite fast and has a good level of recovery.
For my taste, it stays in a middle ground that does not manage to make me enjoy it, neither for skill nor for presence. Maybe that's why I think of its neutrality.



Mids

The mids have the same physical level as the bass. I perceive the first half of the range as relatively thin, rather lean and with a light bodily feel. The result is a rather clean lower-midrange. Again, the graph deceives me and I thought that this initial part was going to be more dense and prominent. But it is not, because I find it also more neutral. In this way, the presence of the male voices is not as full and I feel a slight predominance of the higher notes in them. This is compounded by their mid-distance positioning. The female voices are more predominant and receive the favour of a more emphasised second half, but without overstepping the hot line of the sibilance. On the other hand, the neutrality of the range also allows the sonority to be less dense and opulent, with a more open and expansive feel. This lightness allows for a more relaxed listening in this respect, which also benefits from a more explicit exposition of detail, but without reaching a micro, analytical or cold level. As the second half is more exposed, the sense of clarity and transparency is more obvious, the nuances are more striking and appear close, without becoming persistent or too much of a protagonist. But, it is true that they are there, at a good level of presence, which has a tendency to match voices and instruments. In this way, I feel that the level of musicality is lost a little, in favour of a more scrupulous development of the nuances, without becoming spicy, but with more brilliance than poise. The result is a more emancipated mid-high range, luminous, demanding prominence, without being abrupt or harsh, but with a situation beyond neutrality, which can become insistent with the passing of the hours, for those ears more sensitive to this frequency zone.



Treble

The upper range has a good initial punch, with a sparkle balanced in extension, presence and lift. The treble is fine enough to demonstrate a crisp brightness, without being piercing or predominant, but rather a good balance between power and persistence. They expand until they reach the air zone, where they begin their irremediable fall. I think the extension and tuning are remarkable, they have a fairly light roll-off zone, which allows to soften the pressure and incidence, but without losing personality or authority. It is not an eminently high-pitched sound, but it does show richness in this range, as well as a sonority that I feel natural, as well as vivid and pleasant. In this way, the zone is dynamic, luminous, with a good level of resolution and definition, but remaining at a height that allows the treble to be enjoyable, musical, yet expressive and slightly striking. One of the best of the three ranges.



Soundstage, Separation

Maybe it's the size of the capsule, the association of the tips to my particular morphology... But I feel that I have not been able to extract the full potential of the T4 Plus. And, in particular, the size of the scene that is drawn in my head is not as wide as it should be. Depth is quite good and the laterality/stereo feel remarkable. But the height is average and the expansion is not very high. The scene is oval, frontal, spread out to a 180 degrees, but it's not very big. Some volume is required for the image to grow and the separation to widen. The level of transparency and clarity of the sound helps to open up the gap between the notes, but its neutral analytical ability coheses the sound, without ever showing itself to be fully outlined, articulate, meticulous or with a more discernible, darker background.
The positioning is adequate, without being too marked or exact. The presentation is simple but natural.
The level of detail is remarkable, without being excellent. It is easy to distinguish macro nuances and achieves a more than acceptable micro level. It is quite easy to appreciate the descriptive level that the T4 Plus is able to offer, with little effort. In this way, there is a curious mix of softness in the scene, combined with a level of detail that is superior to the initial impression, but without being excellent.



Comparisons

KiiBOOM Allure

As I say in the title of the review, the TinHifi T4 Plus are the third in line to join the elite club formed by the Dunu Kima and the KiiBOOM Allure. This club is not meant to be general because I know that there are many other models in this price range. But it is true that it is my favourite of the IEMS that I have been able to review.
All three move in a similar price range and the ones that most closely match my preference are the Allure. But seeing the resemblance between their FR and the present T4 Plus, I had a preconceived idea about the sound of the TinHifi.
In terms of design, the two IEMS are quite different, but both are of a high standard. The T4 Plus has a cylindrical shape and the Allure is a semi-custom type, very comfortable. The similarity between them is in the use of stabilised wood for their outer panel. In the cable I prefer the copper of the TinHiFi over the slightly stiffer textile coating of the KiiBOOM. The difference in packaging size between the two is big: compared to the complete minimalism of the T4 Plus, to the overflowing size of the Allure's case... I'll stick with the TinHiFi.
In terms of sound, the main difference is in that wall-of-sound feel that the Allure's exhibit, versus the leaner, thinner, brighter presentation of the T4 Plus. The Allure's move easier than the T4 Plus.
Despite the similarity of the graphics in the bass area, there is no comparison between the presence, power, physicality, punch, texture and grandeur of the bass of the Allure and the T4 Plus. The KiiBOOMs are pure fun, they have a point of viscerality and roughness that makes them very attractive to my ears. Perhaps the Allure has more bite and the TiHiFi are more concrete, but they are also softer, with a smoother texture, less roughness and descriptiveness. They also seem less agile, despite being slightly tighter and quicker to recover. But they don't have the fun factor of the Allure.
In the mid-range, the T4 Plus are leaner, lighter and thinner. The wall-of-sound feel persists in the first half of the midrange in the Allure, achieving a fullness, density and body that I miss in the T4 Plus. There is more light in the second half of the TinHiFi's, more clarity and a more exposed sense of brightness and detail. The Allure's are drier, but seem more defined, even their bottom end seems darker. The timbre is more subdued, warmer, but also less forced. The prominence of the music is where it plays. Whereas the T4 Plus extends more into the light and treble. It is in that range that they are the boldest. But nevertheless, the KiiBOOMs strive to give the sound a richness of nuance and detail, bringing a sweetness, beauty and lushness that the TinHiFi's do not.
The sense of a wide, deep soundstage is more pronounced in the Allure, the wall of sound is larger and more expansive. The T4 Plus are more intimate, with a good stereo feel, but without filling the room in the way the KiiBOOMs do. Despite the good resolution of the T4 Plus, the separation is more apparent in the Allure, with a more concrete and defined sound. The TinHiFi's don't manage to profile the music as well as the Allure's do.
The main problem with the TinHiFi T4 Plus is that there are options like the Dunu Kima and the KiiBOOM Allure. In terms of tuning they are in the middle, but in terms of quality they are third.



Conclusion

The TinHiFi T4 Plus takes the design of the first version and moves away from the warm, yet analytical sound of those early T4s. Although the variations are minimal, the wooden outer panel and the 2Pin 0.78mm connection are welcome. The compact and fairly complete packaging is entirely welcome and the spatial imagery, which moves away from waifu over-exploitation, is also a big plus. Ergonomics can be a little trickier and the pairing with the tips to find the fullest sound that the T4 Plus can give is perhaps more entertaining than you might think at first. In terms of sound, I could say that the profile aims for a slim neutrality where the bass is tilted towards the low end. They are characteristically clean and relatively fast, without much body, yet smooth in both texture and punch. The first half of the midrange is lean, while the second half is more present and incisive. This gives the sound a greater transparency and clarity, as well as a clear favouring of the female voices and an accent on detail. In my opinion, the treble is probably the best of the whole set and mixes expressiveness with controlled presence, a good level of extension, brightness, sparkle, definition, resolution and character.
Overall, the TinHiFi T4 Plus are a remarkable set of IEMS, which only encounter problems in the face of fierce competition in their range. But they are undoubtedly a great alternative in profile and sound to the other IEMS in their price range.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + iFi Zen Can.
• TempoTec Serenade X + iFi Zen Can.
• Earmen Angel.
• TempoTec Variations V6.
• ACMEE MF02s.
• xDuoo XD05 BAL.

Ratings

• Construction and Design: 75
• Adjustment/Ergonomics: 68
• Accessories: 84
• Bass: 80
• Mids: 80
• Treble: 83
• Separation: 72
• Soundstage: 75
• Quality/Price: 80

Purchase Link



You can read the full review in Spanish here

Tin HiFi T4 Plus​

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:​

The TinHiFi T4 Plus is an in-ear monitor (IEM) featuring one 10mm carbon nanotube dynamic driver per housing. The T4 Plus retails for $119.99. I am not receiving any compensation, financial or otherwise, for writing this review.

SOURCES:​

I have used the TinHiFi T4 Plus with the following sources:

• Qudelix 5K
• Truthear Shio

MUSIC:​

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

XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:​

The TinHiFi T4 Plus comes in a square black cardboard box with a black slipcover. The slipcover displays an image of a satellite that resembles TinHiFi’s iconic tube-shaped IEM design. I’m grateful for the refreshing change from the now-commonly featured anime waifu illustrations on IEM packaging. The rear face of the slipcover features several scannable Quick-Response (QR) codes that link to TinHiFi’s social media profiles.




The IEMs are securely held in place under the box lid, via a white foam mounting sheet. The T4 Plus comes with nine pairs of eartips — three each of generic silicone eartips with black and red cores (in sizes S, M, and L), as well as three pairs of Symbio-like hybrid silicone-foam eartips (also in sizes S, M, and L). The hybrid eartips come packaged in a sturdy, transparent plastic container, whereas the generic eartips come in a clear plastic bag. The T4 Plus comes with a card with quick response (QR) codes that link to TinHiFi’s Twitter and Facebook pages, as well as a user manual written in both Chinese and English. The T4 also includes a semi-rigid pleather carry case with a magnetic closure.

BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN:​

The TinHiFi T4 Plus largely resembles the iconic TinHiFi T2. The IEM is composed of a three-part polished copper assembly, featuring a circular faceplate with a faux-wood grain finish. At the base of the nozzle and the middle housing section, where the two housing sections meet, there are small ventilation holes. The nozzles are equipped with perforated metal covers and robust lips that ensure a secure fit for eartips. The 2-pin ports are fitted flush into a circular base that matches the diameter of the pin connector base on the cable side. This base is marked with a dab of blue paint to indicate polarity. The base of the right-hand side IEM connector and the base of the 2-pin connector of the corresponding cable are red plastic. The corresponding left-hand side bases are composed of clear resin. The housings otherwise lack directional indicators. In fact, the housings lack any branding or text whatsoever.


The only TinHiFi branding on the T4 Plus is found on the metal chin-adjustment choker on the cable, which bears TinHiFi’s logo. I appreciate this subtle approach to branding. I’m always impressed with the aesthetics and quality of the stock cables TinHiFi includes with IEMs at this price point, and this cable is no exception. It uses a quad-braid below the Y-split and double-helix patterns above the Y-split. The metal 3.5mm jack hardware, Y-split hardware, chin-adjustment choker, and 2-pin housings are all similar in appearance to the coppery alloy used for the IEM shells. The jack and Y-Split hardware feature an intriguing fluted pattern engraved onto them. There is strain relief above the 3.5mm jack, but not above or below the Y-split. The cable has pre-formed heat-shrink earguides. The 2-pin housings have “L” and “R” indicators printed in white. The cable is moderately microphonic even with the use of the chin-adjustment choker.

COMFORT, FIT, AND ISOLATION:​

The TinHiFi T4 Plus is intended to be worn cable-up. The earpieces have a moderate-to-deep insertion depth. The T4 Plus is neither comfortable nor securely fitting. The housings are on the larger side, which, combined with the deepish insertion depth, makes the user acutely aware that they are using IEMs. Isolation is average. The housings also frequently need to be pushed back into the ear canal. I did not experience driver flex with the T4 Plus.

MEASUREMENTS:​

My measurements of the TinHiFi T4 Plus can be found on my expanding squig.link database:

TinHiFi T4 Plus — Squiglink by Bedrock Reviews

SOUND:​

The TinHiFi T4 Plus has a V-shaped sound signature that places more emphasis on bass than treble.

The T4 Plus has excellent bass technicalities, managing to strike a good balance between staying nimble in articulation yet still having impact. Bass is adequately resolving for the price and highly textured. There is ample sub-bass rumble. However, I do feel there is too much mid-bass, particularly between 100–200 Hz, which clouds the lower midrange. Midrange clarity is not great. Fast analog percussion, down-tuned and distorted electric guitars, and harsh male vocals can blur together. Combined with the T4 Plus’s limited soundstage, this creates a sense of vertical compression.

The T4 Plus centers its pinna gain region at roughly 2.5 kHz. I find that this causes the vocals and midrange instruments to blend together more than I would prefer. Male vocals do have plenty of warmth, grit, and body. Male vocal intelligibility is moderate. Female vocals enjoy notably better intelligibility and separation from the rest of the frequency response compared to male vocals. However, female vocals do sound a little husky. Midrange timbre is natural-sounding overall.

The T4 Plus has a subdued and unremarkable treble region. There is less in the way of sparkle or air than the T4 Plus’s measured frequency response would suggest. Overall detail retrieval is not quite up to the standard I would expect for this price. As mentioned above, instrument separation and soundstage are quite limited as well.

AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCE PAIRING:​

The TinHiFi T4 Plus can be powered by the Apple dongle, though I needed to set the volume on my Pixel 7 to 21/25 to reach my usual listening level when Spotify Normalization was set to “Normal.” Depending on your typical listening volume, music player of choice, and feelings on volume normalization when using a streaming service, you may have more leeway when using the Apple dongle than I do. I did not notice hiss with any of my devices.

CLOSING WORDS:​

The TinHiFi T4 Plus is not a bad IEM, but it is overpriced given what it brings to the table. If you are dead-set on a warm, bassy IEM under $150 and are more interested in strong bass technicalities than other performance aspects, it may be worth considering. Otherwise, I would look elsewhere.

The TinHiFi T4 Plus can be purchased below:

TINHIFI T4 PLUS Space Station

TINHIFI T4 PLUS 10mm Magnetic CNT Driver In Ear Monitor — Linsoul Audio