Tripowin TC-01

Introduction
Tripowin is the Chinese company that specializes in cables and IEMs, the Tripowin TC-01 is the the IEMs that coming out later 2020. Today, I am take a look at the TC-01, the retail price is $49.00USD



Disclaimer
I would like to thanks Lillian from linsoul for given this opportunity, and the review will be based on my honest opinion through the music I listen to.


Package & Accessories
The TC-01 come with the moderate sizes box, there are the brand name, model name and IEMs illustration located at the front cover, whereas the specifications at the rear side of it. After remove the cover, there is the IEMs itself sited in the foam, and the carry case under it after removing the cover which contain the cable and other accessories.








Accessories list:
1 pair x Tripowin TC-01 In Ear Monitor
1 pcs x Detachable Cable with 0.78mm 2 Pin Connector
3 pairs x Silicone Eartips (size S/M/L)
1pcs x Hard Carry Pouch



The accessories come with TC-01 is fairly simple but useful. The hard carry case it come with is well build and feel solid, there is the hand strap on the corner which is detachable.





The TC-01 come with three pair of ear tips in different sizes, which allow the user to get the best fit as well as the sound.



The TC-01 come with the 2 core twisted cable, it has 3.5 mm straight connector in silver metal mirror finished. It features the 0.78mm 2 pin connector with both of L&R/blacks&red to show left and right. The Y-splitter are in silver metal shell in mirror finish as well as the 2 pin connector. There are cable slider in transparency plastic shell finished. It is overall well behave and flexible cable.




Design & Build & Comfort
The TC-01 has small and well ergonomic design. The shell and faceplate are finished in iridescent metal. The Tripowin branded logo sported at the front faceplate, while the vents is next to it. There are no L&R indicators on the IEMs itself, while there are two vents on the rear side of the IEMs respectively. The design on TC-01 is beautiful and definitely stand out in the price point.





The build on the TC-01 are really solid and feel durable. The IEMs are made with three pieces of metal, the nozzles, shell and faceplate. The shell are well rounded with smooth curve. There are no shape edges or glue around the gap of the shell. The filter on nozzle are made with metal to provide the prevent from ear dust. The 0.78mm 2 pin female connectors are tight, and the connector do not have sign of wear and tear after I swapped few times of cable.





The fit on the the TC-01 are really good, thanks to the small and compact design. The nozzles is on the short side, but the shell is thin so it fit in pretty well. The isolation is average, and thanks to the vents there are no pressure build up after a few hours of wearing.






Technical specifications:
Sensitivity: 104dB SPL/mW
Frequency range: 20Hz-20KHz
Impedance: 16ohm
Noise isolation: 26dB


Sound

Paring
I pair up with the stock cable and medium stock tips, and run through my music library on the Fiio M11 and Topping E30.




Overall tonality
The TC-01 has a V shape with slightly warm tonality. It is fun and musical with a fatiguing free presentation.

Bass
The bass is warm and full bodies with slightly thick timbre. The sub bass has above average extension with moderate decay speed.The sub bass has slight more pronounced compare to mid bass. It has above average rumble, with average impact and punch. It has moderate speed with good levels of control. The detail retrieval are pretty well, while the clarity are average.

Mids
The midrange is slightly recessed but well balanced. There are good amount of texture with surprisingly clear tone. The lower midrange has good amount of bodies presented in lush manner. The upper midrange is well emphasis, it is presented in lively yet rich manner. The midrange has a musical presentation with good levels of detail and above average clarity.

Treble
The treble is crisp yet smooth, without any harshness or being too bright. The treble has moderate extended. The lower treble has good amount of energy and brightness with a fatiguing free presentation. The upper treble has above average amount of airiness and average amount of sparkle. The detail retrieval and clarity are average.

Soundstage and imaging
It has above average width with slightly below average depth.
The imaging are slightly above average due to the depth.



Comparison
Kbear Lark ($29USD)

Bass
The sub bass on both extend well and the TC-01 has more quantity. The TC-01 has warmer and fuller presentation compare to cleaner and tighter presentation on Lark. The TC-01 provide slower decay with better dynamic, while the Lark provide tighter and quicker bass response. The TC-01 has more bass impact and rumble, while the Lark hit harder and punchier. The detail retrieval and clarity are slightly better on the Lark.

Mids
The midrange has more neutral and leaner presentation on the Lark, while the TC-01 has warmer with slightly more V shape presentation. The lower midrange has more body with better depth on the TC-01, while the Lark sound cleaner with reduce lushness. The upper midrange has more vividly presentation on Lark, on the other hand, the TC-01 provide more bodies and sound fuller. The detail retrieval and clarity are both pretty well.

Treble
The treble has crisper and brighter on the Lark, while the TC-01 are relatively laid back and smoother. The lower treble has brighter but more sharp presentation on the Lark, while the TC-01 is smoother here. The upper treble has sparkle on the Lark, while the TC-01 has more airiness and sound slightly more open. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on the TC-01.

Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage are slightly wider on the Lark, while the TC-01 has better depth.
The imaging are better on TC-01.


Moondrop SSP ($39USD)

Bass
The sub bass on both extend well and the TC-01 has more quantity. The TC-01 has slightly more warmer and meaty presentation with better texture, while the SSP are relatively slightly cleaner. The bass on TC-01 provide better punch and impact, while the SSP are lack of definition here. The TC-01 has tighter bass with better control. The detail retrieval and clarity are slightly better on TC-01.

Mids
The midrange on both has V-shape type of tuning, both are presented in pretty balance manner. The lower midrange on both sound similar, but the TC-01 has better texture and sound clear. The upper midrange sound less forward on TC-01 with higher transparency levels and better thicker timbre, on the other hand, the SSP provide more forwarded presentation with relatively thinner presentation. The detail retrieval and clarity are slightly better on TC-01.

Treble
The treble on TC-01 are slightly more attacked and extended further, while the SSP are smoother here. The treble has less treble energy cmompare to TC-01, where as the TC-01 has more air and crisp presentation on the top end. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on TC-01.

Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage are pretty similar, but feel more open on TC-01.
The imaging are better on TC-01.


Avara audio Neo+ ($40USD)

Bass
The sub bass both extended. There is slightly more quantity on Neo+, on the other hand, the TC-01 has more mid bass, which lead to warmer tonality. The bass has more texture with slower decay speed on TC-01, while the Neo+ has cleaner tone and quicker decay. There is more rumble on TC-01, where the Neo+ hit harder and it is punchier. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on Neo+.

Mids
The midrange on both are recessed, the Neo+ has cleaner tonality, on the other hand, the TC-01 has warmer and it has more textured. The lower midrange are leaner on Neo+, fuller on TC-01. The upper midrange sound more vividly and engaging on Neo+, where the TC-01 is relatively smoother and laid back. The detail retrieval and clarity is both well done.

Treble
The treble is brighter but peakier on Neo+. The lower treble has more energy, but generally harsher on Neo+, while the TC-01 is slightly smoother here. The upper treble has more sparkle and crispness on Neo+, with more open presentation. The detail retrieval and clarity is better on Neo+.

Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is wider on Neo+, with same levels of depth.
The imaging is both great.


Hifiman RE-400 ($49USD)

Bass
The RE-400 has close to linear presentation, whereas the TC-01 has more sub bass and bass quantity, overall fuller presentation. The sub bass has better extension on TC-01. The TC-01 has more meaty presentation with better texture, on the other hand, the RE-400 has cleaner and slightly less dynamic bass. The RE-400 has faster decay with a snappy punch, while the bass on TC-01 is slower with better impact and provides harder punch and slam. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on RE-400.

Mids
The midrange is leaner and tuned neutral on the RE-400, while the TC-01 has C shape sound signature. The lower midrange has more depth and sound fuller on the TC-01, while the RE-400 has linear presentation. The upper midrange sound more forwarded but smoother on the TC-01, on the other hand, the RE-400 sound brighter and more vividly. The detail retrieval and clarity are both well done.

Treble
The treble is brighter but peaky-er on RE-400, while they TC-01 has smoother and slightly laid back presentation. The lower treble has slightly brighter and shaper presentation on RE-400, while the TC-01 is relatively less bright. The upper treble has more airiness and sparkle on the TC-01, while the RE-400 slightly roll off here. The detail retrieval and clarity are fairly comparable.

Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage is wider and deeper on the TC-01.
The imaging is in the same levels.


Trn V90s ($49USD)

Sound
The tonality is almost identical here, so I won’t do the full comparison. The bass has less quantity and sound slightly cleaner and tighter on the V90s. The midrange and treble tuned really close, but the TC-01 has better timbre and texture, while the V90s has unforgivable BA timbre and more peaky/harsh treble. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on V90s. The soundstage and imaging is pretty similar as well.


Tin Hifi T2 Plus ($54USD)

Bass
The sub bass has better extension on the TC-01. There are more sub bass and bass quantity on the TC-01 also. The bass has more meaty and fuller presentation on the TC-01, while the T2 Plus has better cleaner presentation. The bass has more rumble and impact on TC-01, whereas the T2 Plus has tighter and snappy-er bass. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on T2 Plus.

Mids
The midrange has mostly neutral and leaner presentation on the T2 Plus, on the other hand, the TC-01 sound warmer and more recessed. The lower midrange has more bodies and sound fuller on TC-01, while T2 Plus are more linear and cleaner. The upper midrange sound more forwarded and engaging on TC-01, where the T2 Plus sound more laid back and fuller. The detail retrieval and clarity are both well done.

Treble
The treble are slightly brighter and crisper on the TC-01, while the T2 plus more rounded and laid back. The TC-01 has more lower treble energy, on the other hand, the T2 Plus is smoother. The upper treble has more crisp definition on Tc-01, where the T2 Plus has more sparkle. The detail retrieval and clarity are better on TC-01.

Soundstage and imaging
The soundstage are slightly deeper on TC-01, while the width are similar.
The imaging are better on TC-01.




Conclusion
The Tripowin TC-01 are overall really well tuned V shape IEMs, which high standard of build quality. The TC-01 provides warm and musical sound, without being fatiguing, and really surprisingly the detail retrieval and clarity are outstanding for this price range. The TC-01 is definitely the class leading IEMs for this price range. Thank you for reading, and Happy Listening!!

Tripowin official website: https://www.tripowin.com
Tripowin TC-01 product page: https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-tc-01

Disclaimer and introduction

To be honest I wasn't aware of the Tripowin brand until Linsoul suggested that I should review TC-01 and oh boy I was glad that they did.

The TC-01 was kindly provided free of charge and as always I am going to share my subjective and honest evaluation of it.

The Tripowin is a Linsoul exclusive brand and the TC-01 is a budget in-ear monitor that costs $49.
You can get it directly from Linsoul - https://www.linsoul.com/collections/tripowin/products/tripowin-tc-01?sca_ref=674901.cTrnEkOCqr



Technical

The TC-01 is Tripowin's first dynamic driver earphone, which is built with a 10mm large size dynamic driver.
The driver is a diaphragm with silicon coated on PU.
This is an advanced and superb technique to present a favorable sound quality.
The housing is a semi open design with one venting port at the back of it.
The TC-01 is rated at 16Ω with a sensitivity of 104dB SPL/mW.



Housing and fit

The housing is made from mirror polished metal and it is available in pure silver and silver with purple accents.
The mirror surface is shiny under the light and it is very beautiful with a modern and minimal design.
Build quality is top notch and the TC-01 looks very sturdy and able to withstand everyday use.
The Tripowin logo is printed at the faceplate but there are no left and right markings.



The shape is designed based on the ears anatomy to best fit the majority of the users.
It is very small and discreet with a snug and perfect fit.
The TC-01 is very lightweight and extremely comfortable so we used it for an extended period of time without any hint of discomfort.
Passive noise attenuation is very good and above average.



Cable

Tripowin is a brand with rich experience in manufacturing professional HiFi cables.
For example the Zonie, C8 and Nucool that are quite popular among the community.
Thus the TC-01 comes with a 1.2m detachable 0.78mm-2Pin cable not only for durability but also for functionality.
You can either change it for a new one or upgrade it for a better one.
The cable is a braided design with two strands per channel ending in a 3.5mm plug.
Build quality is very good and the connectors plug firmly.
Our only complaint is that the cable is a little bit smelly.



Accessories

Despite being a $49 the package includes 3 pairs of silicone eartips and a good quality hard carrying case.
Moreover a hanger is included for the case so that you can hang it on your bag or anywhere you want.



Sound impressions

The TC-01 is readily enjoyable from mobile phones but our listening tests dictated that at least an entry level dac/amp is needed to get the most out of it.
Since this is a $49 iem it felt natural to test it with budget options like the iBasso DC03 , FiiO BTR3K and SoundMAGIC A30.

Give the TC-01 a few minutes of listening time and you will be immediately surprised by it's immensely appealing sound signature which is quite easy for the ear and very enjoyable with all musical genres.

It is a tastefully done V shaped tuning following more or less the Harman Target and it resembles very much the FiiO FD5 tuning.

The TC-01 is a fast and agile sounding iem with good overall clarity that can pass all the needed information.
It is not a lean presentation but you can't call it very full bodied either with an acceptable decay that is a bit faster than the ideal.



Bass is well extended to the sub domain with the whole region tuned with an extra emphasis above the target curve.
This is not an overly bass heavy iem and it will please audiophile purists and heavy users alike.
It has a good body to it and a quite tight presentation with satisfying clarity and adept layering.
There is a certain amount of masking so in heavy loaded passages some instruments/notes might get lost in the whole.
Dynamics are good although they lack in ultimate slam and due to the small and hollow housing we can't hear reverb and echo as we would like to.

Mids are well balanced and clear although a touch restrained but still have enough dedicated space to let them shine.
Voices breathe well and sound very realistic but don't expect them to be the star of the show.

Highs are cleverly extended to aid with clarity and separation but without sounding overly boosted or hyped to become harsh and annoying.
Listening is fatigue free and detail retrieval is very satisfying for an entry level iem and can challenge a lot of higher priced rivals.
Timbre is quite good but there are certain elements of a metallic aftertaste to them while they do sound a little coarse compared to higher priced rivals.
Another thing that should be noted is that the louder you push the listening levels the brighter will sound especially if it is underpowered so as noted above a basic dac/amp is mandatory.

The TC-01 soundstage is surprisingly above average regarding it's width with enough air and good space allocation.
Placing is more or the less accurate with correct positioning cues but there are no such things as depth layering or 3d sounding effects.

At the end

Color us impressed and very happy for reviewing the Tripowin TC-01 as it is a surprisingly good sounding iem not to be expected at this price point.
This is the budget friendly audiophiles dream with a performance not to be expected and as that we are very happy to crown the TC-01 the King of the category reigning supreme and not that far apart from higher priced rivals.

The awarded rating reflects price to performance ratio.

Qobuz testing playlist - http://open.qobuz.com/playlist/5669033

Copyright - Laskis Petros 2021

Firstly I would like to thank Linsoul for sending me this sample to review.

*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings

Gear Used:
iBasso DX200 > TC-01



Tech Specs:
Mode: Tripowin TC-01
Sensitivity: 104dB SPL/mW
Frequency range: 20Hz-20KHz
Impedance: 16ohm
Noise isolation: 26dB
Cable length: 1.2m
Plug: 3.5mm
Connector: 0.78mm-2Pin

Tripowin TC-01

Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:

The TC-01 comes in a pretty plain black cardboard box, on the back is some technical info along with a frequency graph, that's it. Lift the front of the box off and you'll find the earphones held neatly in a foam insert, with a box of accessories underneath it. The packaging really is very basic, but for the price I can't really complain.

The build quality feels great, the cable has good strain relief and a solid feeling jack, theres a cable cinch which is handy as the y-splitter is quite far down the cable. The 2-pin connectors fit into the earphones securely, and the earphones themselves have a metal housing that is well finished and looks great in person. I know the mirror finish might not appeal to everyone, but I personally think it looks great, although they do show up scratches easily of course.

Accessory wise you get a hard clamshell type case and 3 sizes of tips (S, M and L). Personally I always find more tips are always welcome, so they are lacking a little here. Most people buying this kind of IEM won't want to shell out more for extra tips, so having more included would be nice.

Comfort and Isolation:

The TC-01 have a smooth and rounded housing and the nozzles are placed at a good angle, this meant I got a good fit quite easily once I have selected the correct tips for my canals. The cable is soft and contributes to the comfortable fit of these, I had no issues with wearing them for long periods.

Isolation is actually very good on the TC-01, they are vented on the inner part and due to this the isolation is still high enough for use on public transport and general travelling. They easily blocked out my loud typing on a keyboard and work great on general walks into town.



Sound:

Lows: The lows on the TC-01 are tight and articulate, these are not a warm and bassy IEM, instead they aim for a crisp and clean sound but with just the right amount of everything. They aren't lacking down low but what they have is quality over quantity, there's body and sub-bass extension when needed but they prefer a more technical approach and enjoy complex tracks to really show off what they are capable of. You never lose track of the beat, bass kicks have authority along with control, and bass guitars are articulate and easy to pinpoint. These really can output an impressive amount of bass, with a slight sub-bass focus, if the recording calls for it. Those who favour quality over quantity will definitely be surprised how good the bass is for their $50 price point.

Midrange: Here I'm going to reference Ed Sheeran, a couple of tracks came on when testing the TC-01 and I was taken aback at how true to the recording the TC-01 can sound. The bass beat was always there yet didn't bleed into the midrange, Ed's vocals come across with excellent tonality and detail retrieval, little details are there yet all in an incredibly coherent presentation. When vocal centric tracks come on the TC-01 happily show you what they are capable of, really bringing out the emotion in the artists voice. If there is one slight drawback, there is a bit of sibilance in the upper midrange during certain tracks, but only the most treble sensitive would find these at all fatiguing.

Highs: The treble can sometimes be a little splashy but there's lots of energy up top that helps keep these sounding fairly well balanced. As stated in the section about the midrange, there is a little sibilance at times, and the low treble does have some extra energy injected which makes the sound quite engaging but to some these may be a little sharp at times. They roll off a little early, and there isn't a lot of air, but there is good detail and they don't come across too metallic or unnatural.

The soundstaging isn't huge and the centre image is quite forward and focussed however there is great separation and this makes up for the slightly smaller stage. You can't have everything for such a low price.



Conclusion:

The TC-01 are another gem in the chi-fi range, these are extremely engaging and an energetic listen, they are not warm or smooth and laid back. However they present a nicely balanced sound signature that's got great coherency and also accurate tonality. The TC-01 are genuinely impressive for $50 and get my recommendation.

Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (can't go wrong for the price, detailed coherent and fun backed up by technical prowess and a comfortable fit)

Technical specs:
- Driver type: 10mm single dynamic driver
- Impedance: 16ohm
- Sensitivity: 104dB SPL/mW
- Frequency range: 20Hz-20KHz
- Connectors: 0.78mm-2Pin
- Purchased from: Linsoul Audio for 49 USD


Accessories
You don't get much but what you get is "enough". When you open the box you will find:
- Pair of iems
- Cable
- 3 pairs of silicone tips S/M/L
- Carrying case
- And some paperwork: Instructions, warranty card and a quality certificate card.

Like I said both cable and tips are decent quality and they will do the job. Remember this is miles away from something what Blon will give us. Cable is thin and soft, doesn't have any memory and will not transmit microphonics. It has working and secure chin slider, and earhooks are bended more aggressively providing secure fit behind the ear. Maybe small thing but I appreciate it a lot.

Tips are more prone to change the sound than cable is, and they are responsible for good or bad isolation, that's why I would strongly suggest tip roll for maximum satisfaction. In this case tips will greatly influence overall performance, and it's very important to get this right because it may decide from poor to great sounding iem. My default tip that usualy fit best on most iems is Symbio W Peel they provide me best seal, isolation and bass/treble response.

Cable wise I decided on Nicehck 16-core high purity copper, cheap but great sounding and measuring cable. Don't ask me to tell you the difference sound-wise between stock and Nicehck cable that would mean I have to plug and unplug constantly, to me that's too much work and realy boring. This particular Nicehck cable has proven in the past to give very nice bass response and smooth treble. Let's leave it at that. Of course you may choose whatever option sounds best to you.

Carrying case is fantastic, it's minimalist and compact enough to fit even in jeans pocket and it will provide good protection for IEMs. Out of all 6-7 case styles and sizes I have bought in the past, this one is the best of them all.


Sound impression I'm basing upon this chain:
Tips: Symbio W Peel
Cable: Nicehck 16-core, high purity copper
Source: LG V50, Fiio BTR5, Earstudio ES100
Files: 320k, FLAC and Tidal MQA
Genres of music: I have included lot of different music, from very fast, busy, complicated Metal, to pop, rock, AOR, blues, ambiental, classical, OSTs, and bass heavy genres like synthvawe, and some mainstream EDM.


Note
Please pardon my ignorance this is just my poor attempt in reviewing an iem. You will figure out I'm not very good with words as I am not native English speaker nor am I familiar with proper audiophile jargon, therefore writing this took me lot longer than it would took someone with proper vocabulary and knowledge. Besides I'm just too lazy to learn.


Intro
Let me tell you a short story. Friend of mine asked me to recommend him good budget iem. He is not yet fallen into this rabbit hole and doesn't have any experience with portable audio, but I knew what he wanted, in short basically he wanted what I wrote in pros. My first response was, mate you don't want anything budget because what you want exist only in 150 usd range at least or more. I understood he didn't want to spend that much on his first serious iem, and at the moment we're not living in the same city and country so i couldn't just let him try something from my collection to see where he stands, therefore I had some homework to do.
Out of everything I had and heard previously nothing was good enough and everytime I thought he might like this iem something was missing. The best option at the time was Tin T2+ I figured it's cheap enough, with decent build and sound quality... I told him, get it mate if you are in a hurry but be aware this iem is not without its faults, but it's good enough and it's a good starting point. Or if you can wait little bit more there is one new iem, it's just been released and it's getting positive reviews, I'm also interested in it, let me order it and I'll get back to you.
Reason for this intro is that I finally found perfect iem for him and everyone else who is just starting the hobby. He being my very good friend I cannot recommend him anything, this iem needs to be special, and if I can influence someone to buy 1 iem and be happy for a while (at least), that would be a BIG WIN, no pun intended. Tripowin TC-01 can easily be that 1 iem.

Build quality fit, comfort and isolation
First of all they are very beautiful, shiny, smooth and pleasant to the touch. I got the silver variant but now looking at some pictures online I think I should have gone for the purple ones, they are surely eye catching.
Built wise they will give you that impression of quality due to thier weight and finish.
They are constructed from all metal shell with nice weight, they are not too heavy nor too light. Shell is not the smallest and it's designed to fill the ear (depending on the size) quite nicely providing excellent passive isolation. When I say excellent I mean it's much better from something like Blon or Tin Hifi offerings, and not as good as non-vented all BA resin shells/designs.
The part of the iem that touches concha symba and concha cavum is machined nicely and fits very well. During my testing time I didn't have any fit issues or need to adjust the fit, no matter what I did with my head they stayed securely in place. It's worth to mention at least in my case they don't protrude out of the ear at all, they sit flush with the ear which makes them very good option for sleeping while listening music if that is your poison.

Overall tuning
If I have to categorise it I would say this is balanced V or W shapped tuning because I cannot hear any recession in mid range on contrary, along with bass and treble mid range is also nicely elevated with beautiful timbre and tonality. For me tonality is more important than technical performance, e.g. I can close an eye for less than ideal separation or soundstage but I cannot for poor tuning. In reality if I want fast, technical and detailed IEM i will choose something more expensive and/or all BA set like my Fearless S8F. Or if I want good soundstage I'll probably go with my grado-mod Koss kph30i. This iem is not designed for that, but it doesn't mean I cannot or will not enjoy it. Technical performance of TC-01 is great though, soundstage doesn't feel closed in, imaging is on point, separation as well is not bad at all and will only fall short when compared to much more expensive iems.

Bass
If anyone is asking me this is a bass-head iem, take this with the grain of salt because I am not a bass-head. Meaning the quantity alone, anything more than this it would be too much for me and It probably be too distracting. In one hand bass quantity is perfect for outside use. When I'm out and about I want that extra punch that's usually drowned out by the outside noise. And in other hand sometimes with some genres and songs it can be little too much, and that is only when I'm listening fastest and busiest metal tracks. Majority of metal will sound fine, other genres and bass heavy genres will sound fantastic. This is typical budget DD bass, its not as refined as something like Fiio FD5, it doesn't have control, as fast attack and decay, it cannot separate fast bass notes as well as FD5 but in reality I cannot expect it to, between those 2 iems DD technology is different and price difference is huge. TC-01 sub bass extends very deep without any roll-off and mid bass doesn't bleed into the mids. Whatever the volume i didn't hear any bass fart, bass rumble always stayed in control. For the price I realy cannot fault it, bass texture, warmth, punch and ability to move air is very satisfying.

Mids
In the case of low mids I have nothing much to say other than they are done correctly. Bass is clearly separated from lower mids, I didn't detect anything wrong in the tuning. There is nice body and tone weight. Both male and female vocals sound rich and forward. Warmth, timbre and overall coherence across the range is remarkable, it is a true representative of beautiful tuning.
I have to say few words about high mids, and 2-5k range as it is very important because it will make or break an iem for me. Let me get one thing straight, I am not sensitive to high mids or treble if the peaks are within tolerable limits. Everyone have different threshold and I like that area elevated because I'm associating clarity, detail, open airy sound to it. TC-01 has plenty of energy in 2-5k area and I love it, anything less there is a big chance I won't like it. I have tried some iems with few db less in that area and like i said I want to feel my music, I want it to move me, to be alive and engaging, I don't want go for volume button if I'm missing something.

Treble
Treble on TC-01 can compete with much higher priced IEM. They won't be detail monsters but will provide sufficient amount of information up there not to feel dark or rolled off.
What is important? To me not to be sibilant or harsh. Even though treble is tuned on the brighter side i don't find it harsh at all, and I cannot complain about it even if I wanted to. Since not all music is recorded equally more sensitive ears might pick up occasional sibilance or splashy symbal here and there and that's only in very brightly mastered tracks which already show that, TC-01 won't hide it, but majority of music will sound just fine don't worry.

Conclusion
Did I mention this IEM costs 49 USD? My friends this is very good deal. Do I recommend it? Well isn't it obvious? But don't take just my word for it, this is just one man opinion.
Chi-Fi and IEMs in general have come a long way since early days, every year we are witnessing better and better IEMs and this level of price to performance few years ago was unthinkable for me. Granted we had many good IEMs in the past year or two alone, but as I mentioned in my intro, out of all of them i had opportunity to try all of them had something I would consider not great. I don't claim TC-01 is best IEM in the price range, I don't know what is out there, competition is very strong nowadays but for me they tick all the boxes. In the end I will continue to use it, and it will be my second beater set along side with T2+. For more critical listening I will use something else, and for relaxing time, work... or simple smile TC-01 will do more than just fine.

Tc01 review Best single dd iem under 100$ ?
Great vocals
Detailed yet relaxed combo
Very good low end , not bass head but sounds right , fantastic bass
Great fit and comfortable
Realistic timbre
Doesn’t need amp to shine, excellent performance from phone
Relaxed good treble
Sounds very similar to bl01 but better ( enough to justify double the price and be worth it )
Fantastic imaging ,staging and separation
Big sound stage
Treble has good extension but is slightly
Polite
Mild energy and v shape but over all very fun iem, punches way above its pay grade
Best 50$ single dd iem currently? Perhaps
Good tips
Sounds better with copper cable ( to me )
Heart mirror, Kbear diamond ... see review

Tripowin are known as makers of very decent cables. Having not heard the well received TP10 I knew very little about Tripowin as makers of iems. Just before Christmas I saw a review by a well known reviewer (bad guy) on you tube looked them up on Amazon, six days later they arrived. I was surprised how cool and sturdy they looked. The Tripowin utilises a single dynamic driver. Not bucking the current trend. So I expected cohesiveness alongside speed and good tonal range. They came in a modest box. The cable looked decent for the price. Stock tips looked a bit meh!! Immediately swapped them for a pair of final tips. I was very surprised at what I heard. Summary."Punching above their weight" is possibly the most overused terms in audiophile land. In this case that annoying phrase rings true. The thing that struck me immediately was clarity. No budget veil here . Lows , mids and highs have a resolve I've not heard many times in this price range. Vocals sound glorious , tonality is on point. Timbre is very good. All in all they are indeed "punching" Lows. The lows are clean ,fast and tight. Impact is great. Maybe a tad too much mid bass but that can be overlooked. The speed and clean delivery makes a mockery of the bloated bass of budget darlings the Blon 01 and 03. Notes are rounded , decay is swift. No bounciness or bloat not to my ears . Texture is good , I've heard better but no complaints. Bass heads need not apply. Mids. Midrange is the special sauce on any set. I can report that the 01 delivers. Weight is decent. Female vocals sound wonderful , due to a slight emphasis in the upper mids. Pristine is a word I like and sums up perfectly the female voice. Male vocals are good but lack a bit of meat at times. Listening to Marvin Gaye his falsetto at times sound a bit feathery. No sibilance or shoutiness the bane of budget sets at times. Yes it is V shaped but tastefully done. The midrange are not scooped out but recessed not at the detriment of definition . Highs. Whilst your not going to get great extension thankfully the highs are not dark or particularly rolled off. They shimmer and sparkle. Edges sound clean at times the treble come across a bit thin , could do with a bit more weight but we are talking under $49 who's complaining? Treble is smooth and silky . A round of applause. The rest. Stage and imaging are very good. The stage lacks depth but is wide enough never to leave you wanting. Imaging is slightly above average . You can easily point out where the instruments are supposed to be. Separation is very good. Has an airiness which belies its price. You never get the feeling of stuffiness or claustrophobia. I would say it's a definite strong point with these mini marvels .
Verdict. I must say im slightly in love with the TC-10 .They are so pleasantly tuned and inoffensive. Listening to music on this set is an absolute joy. No peakiness (is that even a word?. In fact there is not one thing about them that is abrasive in anyway. Lows are fast , agile and a real highlight. Vocals have a robustness I've rarely heard in the budget category. Also to be noted is the clarity and floaty feel that is everpresent leaving you with a heady and euphoric feel. Yes the budget world is full of great sets . SSR , Blons , K bear Lark etc etc. I would take these over any of them because I don't ever get the feeling there is anything missing when I listen them. Tuned just right. A job very well done .

Tripowin TC-10


Just when you think you’ve seen it all, along comes Tripowin.


That’s right.....the name is TRIPOWIN. It's perfectly “OK” to laugh here! The name takes me back to July evenings at the carnival; you know the one place you see those made-up names on the rides and attractions............made up as a kind of juxtaposition use of the English language. And...........while you may question the aloofness and haphazardness in the name itself, this single IEM shows a pedigree and seriousness of intent through-out. In fact it's the kind of device that slowly gains more respect and appreciation the longer you get to know it.

The name in and of itself............a symbol of all the charm and quirkiness we have come to expect from new cutting-edge Chinese IEMs

I kinda can see where this is going. New Chinese audio manufacturers in the future!

Loop-O-Plane

Disk'O

Rock-O-Plane

Roll-O-Plane

Tilt-A-Whirl

Tripowin emerged (from Shenzhen) in 2019 making splash with a range of quality cables. Tripowin’s only prior IEM offering was the unnoticed TP-10, a $34.99-$59.00 5BA IEM..... seemingly made at the same factory that the Knowledge Zenith IEMs come from?

While being strangely unique and different, there has yet to be anything before like the Triptowin TC-01 in my experience? The strangeness is in a good way.............both in form-factor and tone………we will get to all that uniqueness in a bit.

Get them here:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-tc-01

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:
Model Tripowin TC-01
Sensitivity 104dB SPL/mW
Frequency range 20Hz-20KHz
Impedance 16ohm
Noise isolation 26dB
Cable length 1.2m
Plug 3.5mm
Connector 0.78mm-2Pin
10mm DD Silicon coated on Polyurethane

Product Packaging:
Fantastic as it may seem our IEM case has a special loop strap for hanging the IEM case off your belt…..………you know for going on carnival rides? Included is a set of small, medium and large tips, some paperwork (a cable) and a nice case. The back of the box shows a frequency response graph and list of specifics.

IEM constuction and form-factor:
I'm at a loss of the material being chrome plated steel/iron, or zinc alloy? I'm not even sure of it being a two piece or three piece design. We have all witnessed CNC nozzles threaded and placed on..............or smartly manufactured right in place. The shell is of a medium size and weight............and better fitting than the BLON BL-01. The IEM sits flush and is actually quite thin really. No "toe-in "or "nose-in" effect like the BL-01 wants to do. Also with pretty much any tip they just fall into place and stay there. Smartly Tripowin has included fairly long tips which help effectively increase nozzle length. While the nozzles may be borderline short they just fit my uses.

Looking close..........microscopic screens are placed behind the two air "in-and-out" vents facing towards the listener for when the massive DD goes into action. Also the main nozzle tip is fashioned with the nicest "spaghetti-strainer-kitchen-appliance-screen" mounted almost flush with the nozzle end. Around that nozzle end is a one-of-a-kind brutal lip adding to holding on any tip you throw at it. The cable placement plug area is fully flush allowing freedom for any two pin you choose. After 25 or more cable change-outs...........I can report the socket pin holders are super well-made and tolerant of Redcarmoose abuses.



Cable:
As far as construction it’s actually very vague what the 0.78mm-2Pin included cable is made from. Also take note there is no choice of plugs (when ordering) so it’s a single-ended 3.5mm gold plated plug. Overall the cable is especially nice......as expected at this price range being one of only two IEM releases from a known and respected cable maker. Ergonomics are great, though after the Y split it does get a little tangled on the way to the IEM. The ear-hooks are comfortable and the metal 2 pins are color coded red and clear. Part of my testing process is to start with the included cable then after a day or two start switching cables after I feel I know the IEM character and cable character. After two days switching to a nice 4.4mm SPC cable actually went and showed a slightly expanded upper region. Finally settling on the $18 FAAEAL Hibiscus 4.4mm High Purity Copper 2pin Cable seemed to be a great match.


............................It's time to take a seat.


Normally............I try to make these reviews short. Even obsessed-IEM-audiophiles don’t want to read super long rambling reviews most of the time. Let’s face it, some of the subjective test details can often create one boring read! Some of the best reviews are effective due to 1/2 the information left out for easy reading.

yet........with the above in mind........................

Complete Sound Quality Outcome in Relation to Cable, Tips and DAPS.......and a Desktop

Even after much time spent, the TC-01 will continue to hold an air of mystery. There will always be surprises............especially how intense the bass is with EDM, only to find it pull all the way back in rock songs previously thought of as thick. Your first take is that we found a bad and uneven non-correct frequency response..............it’s either that or one of the best IEMs ever made? Then you listen to a modern OST, to hear tiny artifacts of instrument cases falling over in the background sounding like thunder? This mixture is as confusing as sneaking a flask of moonshine into the town opera house. Seemingly totally correct yet at the same time a $49 IEM being the best thing you’ve ever heard, like your getting away with something? Is this all too good to be true?

Different source, cables and tips made a giant TC-01 sound change here. Unexpectedly a grand adventure started to unfold with results so important they became the focus of this review. Such drama demanded to be documented, so at the risk of making this review a sleeping tablet, here we go!

Such findings offer variables of tone in a concise and repetitive manner. And even if your a cable non-believer, keep in mind the different cables are used with different amps getting results here. And while I do believe different cables sound different; 1/2 of this process is also getting changes from different amp personalities. Such information here should act as a guide to encourage experimentation (from new owners) as a path to successful end sound goals. Just the fact that this funny named $49 IEM has this unheard of tone-chameleon ability is rather entertaining......if not an experience holding surprising bewilderment!

Let’s get going:
I did cable/amp changes on the TC-01 about 25 times.

Cables used:
1) The included cable 3.5mm
2) The DUW03 #8Core SPC Modular Cable System 4.4mm
3) The Hansound Audio ZEN 4-wire OCC litz copper cable 4.4mm
4) The $18 FAAEAL Hibiscus 4.4mm High Purity Copper 2pin Cable 4.4mm

Tips:
As far as tips I used the DUNU Blue L tips, the Sony Triple Comfort Foam tips and the included large tips. I finally settled on the Triple Comfort Tips as they provided the best air-tight fit. Note though the included tips are actually fantastic being extra long and offering a medium “nice soundstage” bore. I will always end with tips that make me feel closest (physically/sonically) to the IEM regardless of design.

Cable/Tip/ Optional Source DAP-Device Conclusion:

The TC-01 is a very vivid IEM. Such size of replay and ability to deliver “audio-drama” means it can be joined up with a phone with the included tips and cable for world-class results. Interestingly enough, audiophile music must be used to reach this area; as in phone use, the TC-01 is simply good at expressing what’s there.

Keep in mind the Tripowin TC-01 is the poster-child of the V response, yet upper-midrange gets the love too!

A dip climbing out at 1K
A peak above IEF neutral target at 2.5K
A boost at 4.8K above neutral
A possible peak at 8K, one at 11K and slightly at 17K (Take note, the 8K peak is often in an area of testing device coupler resonance) (Secondly above the 8K are not areas of hearing sensitivity, thus less crucial)

The response from a phone is maybe the important first clue to what’s going on? This results from the clean and reserved lower midrange, pretty much the opposite of the IEMs they actually hand out with phones to use. I have drawers of Chinese made IEMs that simply don’t do this style of audiophile transient bass edge. Not only that, but because of that, we are gifted with an over-all fast and responsive and fully accurate presentation. Such an audiophile rush is rarely if ever found by joining a $49 IEM to a phone. These are the times we live in and this is what this single review is about in a sentence. You truly are off the hook, and can stop reading now.

In fact, after my adventures in trying to get the TC-01 to become more vivid, I realized this moonshine was way too strong. Yes, audiophile cables did do their regular improvements..........a bigger soundstage.............more...........even........more bass if you wanted it. Separation took place with better sources. And.......at the end of the day, yes, of course we found improvements. Still I had to go back. There was a prim-and-proper replay on the IPod Touch 5th Gen. that was maybe what this IEM was all about? It is absolutely an audio-microscope with better gear and it does climb up and away on all those aspects we try to find. Still there was a charm in that the IPod playback was not all that compact in soundstage. The IPod had audiophile bass. The IPod also showed a correct and non-digital sounding treble and midrange. So all I can say is if you get this IEM, don’t get rid of the included cable or tips. Also just remember that even with too much moonshine..........you still need to find your way back home again.

I settled with the $18 FAAEAL cable in 4.4mm with the Sony Triple Comfort Tips and Sony 1A Walkman in direct mode with “J” region and MrWalkman’s DMP-Z1 emulation firmware MK2. The 1Z was too bass heavy yet surprisingly the 1Z treble was not too bright? There is a style of supreme bass clarity and if offered by the file.........a deep low-end reaching those epic sub-levels. Remember those drawings showing the unexplored ocean depths? The bass tone is reaching those deep exotic levels. Though keep in mind it’s just this IEMs ability to react with cables and sources to get there. The phone source keeps the general public happy parlaying a more straight-laced yet still exciting bass experience. Yet for those bass heads that want to explore the low limits it's there to be found totally free of EQ. It’s this magic ability of the TC-01 being able to take you there.

In contrast to the regular frequencies shown on your standard rock-tracks, it actually may be that there is an issue not making them as thick as normal? They don’t sound bad in anyway, but are a cause of confusion wondering if this bass-centric reality has always existed in electronic music, yet never visited except in smoke-filled nightclubs.

Your going to read all the above and think this is some consumer tune lower midrange fog $49 IEM for kids! When in fact it’s 100% the opposite. It’s simply the best quality $49 bass IEM in history.

Power Requirements:
To study the single DD Chinese budget IEM market at this point in time may mean to go up against BLON? And while I only have the BLON BL-01, it’s been rumored that the Tripowin TC-01 is trying to compete in that (BLON line) realm. Both the BLON BL-01 and TC-01 share being single 10mm DD driver IEMs though comprised of different materials. From a sound standpoint they do compare, but in the end are totally different animals. In this section I will try to elaborate on what to expect if you did own the BL-01. This section also is of value if someone was not interested in getting a DAP and simply wanted to get a new IEM (like the TC-01) to use daily with their phone.

First off the TC-01 is way easier to drive. Most know right now that you really can’t get good results from driving the BLON BL-01 off a phone. Amazingly the TC-01 is absolutely fabulous from phone or IPod Touch. What starts to stand out is not only the largeness of the sound but the dramatic sub-bass. So while the TC-01 will show the detail improvements from a possibly higher quality source, a phone or IPod Touch is complete and competent as a source for the TC-01.

It’s emotional using OST style of music in Apple Lossless on the IPod Touch with the TC-01 due to sounding so very correct. Fast edge transients in timpani/kettledrum attacks. Super low and fast sub-bass extending way out in the sound stage.

In my minds eye I can just sit back and envision thousands of folks in cellphone shops getting ahold of the Tripowin TC-01 and having this jaw-dropping musical experience for $49! I’m not a budget IEM specialist, yet I can’t imagine cellphone music getting any better than this for $49?

To be realistic here...........to sound the best the cellphones are also going to need well recorded music to sound optimal. The only reason playback is even so good is due to our TC-01 ability at hand. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!

What about using my phone?
Almost the same soundstage you get from a dedicated DAP; and really the TC-01 has an amazing way of sounding good no matter what you would choose to use as source. And while the BLON BL-01 is the FOTM in many ways, I can’t help but guess that this is doing what the BLON does...........only it’s doing it better and with way less fuss. As much as the BL-01 is cranky........the TC-01 is forgiving of source and does it’s magic basically for free!

In comparison to BLON BL-01
In many ways this is not a fair fight at double the money for the TC-01? Still as far as market demographics go these two IEMs are tuned similar and targeted to the exact same market. So it’s safe to say someone with a BL-01 will be seriously curious about the TC-01. Both single DD driver 10mm, both in shinny solid metal cases. I wonder what would have happened if the TC-01 came out first? What would have happened if the electric-car came out before the gas automobile? Oh....wait?

This section is by far the easiest to put together. These differences take place due to the BL-01 and TC-01 being very different animals. In some ways they have the same sound, yet the TC-01 is so far ahead in over-all quality it’s not even a contest. It’s one of those contests the spectators laugh at.

BLON BL-01
Needs power
Needs SPC cable after mental adaptation sends it darker in perception
Needs an afternoon of trying tips
Has naturally compressed midrange and treble

Tripowin TC-01
Flea-powered
Perfect bass even from a phone
Expanded out midrange and treble clarity in comparison to BL-01
More detail all around
Better imaging and way bigger soundstage
No corrections needed
No extra cable needed
Over all better resolution

Sound Conclusions
Testing IEMs is actually very simple. It takes very little judgment or skill at times. Reason being is when you have a great IEM you can basically play any music and not want it to stop. The IEMs in the world that hold the most musicality draw you away from criticism or analyzing anything at all. Strangely this can even go on without one special feature of trick you may think they need to do. This may sound simplistic or shallow but our main issues are normally bad (off) things we hear. So......when all is well, all is well. The TC-01 is like that. Though to be honest it plays some genres better than others. And while there are no IEMs that are perfect......there are way more $49 IEMs that are way way less perfect on average.

Bass:
It’s got that dip making it a V signature, but to tell you the truth (listening) it’s not that bassy with rock? And to me that’s one of the most interesting things here. Where this IEM gets bassy is with electronic music and EDM. Even still with all this talk of bass, the bass is technically special, textured and fast. The lower midrange is kind-of middle of the road for a V signature, but it’s definitely not slow sounding or missing a bunch of wanted detail? The bass has a very special way of positioning where it kind of sits and allows everything else to be heard. In so many ways this style of bass works magic, especially with EDM where it’s tight and contains great Pace Rhythm and Timing. It’s not quite as defined as the Thieaudio Legacy 4 8mm DD I just reviewed..........but nothing is. It does have a small small area where it’s not 100% defined, yet it so technically correct across the board there are no worries.........especially at the asking price.

Burn-in:
While questionable as reality or a mental aberration of reality, IEM burn-in was performed for the sake of completeness here. The included cable was burned in for 40 hours and the TC-01 for 50 hours. Upon the end of the process a noticeable increase in soundstage and fluidness of character seemed to take place. Bass presence also seemed to increase but by a marginal level. The above could also be attributed to mental burn-in......none the less an experienced component here of the subjective review process.

Equipent Used:
BLON BL-01 Universal IEM
Thieaudio Legacy 4 Universal IEM
Tripowin TC-01 Universal IEM
Listed (Above) 4.4mm OCC Pentaconn Plug cables X2
Listed (Above) 4.4mm SPC Pentaconn Plug cable X1
Included Tripowin TC-01 mystery cable 3.5mm
Sony Walkman 1Z in 3.5mm and 4.4mm using "J" region MrWalkman DMP-Z1 emulation MK1
Sony Walkman 1A in 3.5mm and 4.4mm using "J" region MrWalkman DMP-Z1 Emulation MK2
Sony TA Desktop Firmware 1.03 in 3.5mm and 4.4mm Walkmans as file servers/Cradle
AudioQuest Carbon USB
Apple iPod Touch 5th Generation with specific ALAC files OST and Metal/Top 40

Music Used:
Various OSTs in 24bit
Top 40 in 16/44.1 and 24bit
Rock in 16/44.1 and 24 bit
Metal in 16/44.1 and 24 bit
Electronic in 16/44.1 and 24 bit
EDM in 16/44.1 AND 24 bit

IPod Touch Test Files made into ALAC in Foobar2000

https://www.prostudiomasters.com/album/page/57213

These songs as well as some rock and metal I used to try and fully become certain of the IPod ability with these IEMs. Reason being is that it's a profoundly good recording which is able to show and outline the ability of good audio gear.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/tripowin-tc-01universal-iem-49-00.951187/

Disclamer:
I was contacted by Lillian at Linsoul asking if I was interested in reviewing the TC-01. I then later received an email of shipping and the IEM arrived by DHL in 48 hours. These are my words, your results may be different; especially if you're sensitive to bass and treble.