TINHIFI T2 DLC: Overhauled Classic

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication"

This is how I defined TINHIFI (previously known as TIN AUDIO) as a company on how they approach the simplicity and practicality of their products  and yet they prove their point by delivering the best possible product in the audio market. Their T2 is one of the best Chi-fi's products that earned a legendary status among audio enthusiasts. The T2 is the only reference-neutral set that ever existed under US$100 at that time and it is really a good stepping stone towards a more hi-fi sound quality.

As an experienced manufacturer of OEMs with extensive years of experience in the field, TINHIFI formerly known as TIN AUDIO was established in 2017 and with the release of their infamous product, they instantly became the darling of budget audio enthusiasts for their competitive pricing that offers a good audio quality that punches above its price.

This is TINHIFI T2 DLC, it's a reinvention of their legendary classic T2 with a different type of transducer, a DLC(Diamond-Like Carbon) diaphragm dynamic driver which was previously implemented on more expensive sets (two of my top three recommended single DD set have DLC drivers). Its shell chassis is made of light, durable aircraft-grade aluminium alloy just like the original T2. The intended reason on  why TINHIFI designed this unusual form factor of T2 was due to its acoustic chamber cavity that removes any unwanted resonance oscillation as it dampens the excessive sonic waves that might cause some distortion that might produce  a muddled sound quality.

Surprisingly, TINHIFI changed its connector as the regular T2 has a MMCX connector but some who purchase the original T2 has encountered some issues on the quality of the MMCX in the long run like it easily loosening up the grip between the socket and the termination. Due to some feedbacks, TINHIFI decided to ditch the MMCX to a more proven and durable 2-pin connector (0.78mm).

As for fitting, TINHIFI T2 DLC has a very comfortable fitting and is inserted well into my lug holes as I can wear them for a long listening session. Passive sound isolation seems decent as I still hear some external noises from the surroundings while I'm doing my daily habit, brisk walking. My only fuss on this part was the preform ear hooks on the stock cable that impedes the insertion for a better snug into my lug holes.

The packaging box of T2 DLC is very similar to the original T2. It is a small, rectangular  black box with basic included accessories.

Here are the inclusions inside of the packaging:

• A pair of TINHIFI T2 DLC IEMs

• A 5n 8-core SPC 2-pin cable with 3.5mm termination plug.

• 5 pairs of white ear tips of different standard sizes.

• A pair of  light blue-coloured memory foam ear tips.

• Instruction manual.

• A contact card.

With a 32 ohms of impedance, this set can be properly amplified by power sources with decent power rating. I tested the T2 DLC in my media devices like smartphones and DAP and it is driven well enough that it outputs a sufficient loudness to my lug holes.

The tonality of T2 DLC is more a mild-U shaped sound signature with almost neutral tuning as it shows an slight elevation on bass and treble with a more neutral midrange. It has this sufficiently bright sound nature.

Here are some of my observation on this set and I will give some characteristic based on what I hear.

LOWS/BASS:

Compacted, articulate and precise. The bass quality of this set really fits the overall sound signature. It gives a very clean bass register that the other parts of frequency range  to be projected in very clear and detailed.

Sub bass on this one is present as I clearly felt some reverb and rumble that I heard on some tracks, usually synthpop and electronic music that synths and electric drums produce. Mid bass is more prominent on this one as it has a decent texture to give a sufficient body on bass guitars, bass kicks and bass-baritones. Bass guitar sounds a bit mellow and resonant in my preference as I want a more broad and heavier tone. Bass Kicks seems to have a thudding and yet softer sound and bass baritones have a deep and decent power to stand out.

This is actually my preferred bass in both quantity and quality as it is neutral or midrange-treble focus tuning. But Bassheads will surely look for another set that they will find this one as lacking on their hearing.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange of this one is fairly neutral, has an ample texture to provide a good amount of note weight on vocals and instruments but it still on a leaner side of the tuning. Vocals are presented in a natural position rather than being presented too forward or at the back seat.

Female vocals appear to be prominent over male vocals on this one as it is more energetic, bright and spacious sounding. As I describe the characteristics of its voice quality, it is vivid, regal and lyrical that it is versatile to all types of female vocals while male vocals sounds a bit delicate and plaintive as I want a more gravelly and brawny sound one.

Regarding the sound quality of instruments, it is clearly more beneficial on strings like guitars and violins. It gives a crisp and bright sounding on a guitar as I clearly hear on every pluck on its note strings and a vibrant and lively sound on violins in every move of bow to its string. Snare drums have this metallic and bright sound with a sufficiently sharp tone in every strike. Piano seems to have a bright tone as it gives a sense of a very clear and clean sound.

As a midcentric listener like myself, T2 DLC gives me a very satisfying and mark it with above average grade as it gives a pristine, crystalline and detailed presentation on its mids for an entry-level single DD set.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

This is definitely a bright, delineated and vibrant treble register. I discerningly hear those boosted upper mid peaks that give an attack and definition but this might give some unpleasant listening experience to some listeners who are treble sensitives that will feel a fatiguing sound in long run. Despite those upper mids peaks, Sibilance is controlled well and harshness seems tamed enough in my hearing.

Cymbal strikes has a cruch that makes it sounds very sizzling and a glistening sound that its hiss is sufficiently extended. This is treble air has indeed a good and reasonable range. Hi-hats has a blunted buzzing  and brassy sound which I consider them organic one.

This has commendable treble quality for a single DD set but if I compare it to a multi-driver set-up with a good quality BA driver on it. T2 DLC is more of an average quality in my preference.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

Overall technicalities capabilities of T2 DLC is good for a single DD, Soundstage seems to have above average on wideness with enough headroom just to fill out on its sound field, with equally good depth and height to make a more immersive on its spatial proportion. Imaging is decent as stereo panning sweeps from left to right properly but it was presented in a more linear manner but I can still point out the placements of each instrument and singer(s). Separation has an spacing and gap of each element of the tracks. Layering is also decent on how it presents each layer of dynamic tone in the sonic canvas but in some rare occasion especially on some very complex instrumental tracks and musical scores, I hear some hint of muddy and a bit congested delivery.

Coherency of driver is very good as it deliver a very homogenous and cogent perfomance  transient speeds seems pretty nimble that i don't feel any distortion and remains to deliver a clean sound.

Timbre seems to be on a brighter side just north of neutral and organic tonality. When it comes to resolution capability, for a single DD set it delivers a decent micro-detail retrieval with a sharper note definition, macro-dynamics clearly has a volume of texture.

PEER COMPARISONS:

TINHIFI/ TIN AUDIO T2 Original (2017)

• Both have identical shell chassis which are made of aluminium alloy. T2 Original has a MMCX connector while T2 DLC doesn have a 2-pin connector.

• Tonality-wise, both have slight differences in tuning. While they have an inclination towards being lean, neutral sounding. T2 original is more a reference-neutral type of tuning as it has tighter bass, focuses on the emphasis on mids and treble. T2 original is even a tad brighter sounding.

• Technicalities-wise, they are very similar but T2 has a more edgier definition on details and cohesive performance of the driver is less nimble compared to the DLC driver of the later variant model. The rest are practically the same from soundstage to layering.

KB EAR INK (2022)

• Like T2 DLC, it has an aluminium alloy housing and it has even the same driver type implemented on KB Ear which is DLC. Inclusions is better on KB EAR INK knowing that they are one of  the most generous audio companies out there when it comes to  quantity of accessories included inside.

• KB EAR INK is more of a v-shaped tuning compared to a more neutralish sounding T2 DLC. KB EAR INK is  even a more bassier set but less cleaner sounding and less detailed compared to T2 DLC. Sibilance and harshness is more noticeable on KB Ear Ink.

• On the subject of technical performance, KB EAR INK presentation on soundstage is more on average sized with smaller spatial headroom, imaging is tad blurry and separation is decent. But have similar aptitude on the execution of layering.

In my overall assessment of the TINHIFI T2 DLC, It reminds me of how the TINHIFI  keeps evolving their classic T2 since 2017 up to the latest standard and it still to stay relevant in an even more competitive portable audio market.

As aforementioned on this item, is it really an improvement compared to the original classic T2? For me it's more of a sidegrade rather than a total upgrade as both has its particular strength and weakness and its up to the preferences of the listeners on which tuning suited them better.

TINHIFI T2 DLC is now available to all online stores and if you want an audio distributor with good reputation and outstanding customer service, you can order it at LINSOUL and you check it out in a unaffiliated link of the product below:

LINSOUL TINHIFI T2 DLC.

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: TINHIFI T2 DLC

IMPEDANCE: 32Ω

SENSITIVITY: 111dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE:  20Hz – 22KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.25M

PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm 

DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER 

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 *

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 thank LINSOUL and to Miss Kareena Tang for providing this review unit, I truly appreciate their generosity towards me and other reviewers.

And also a special mention to Mr. Eric Lab of Chi-fi Love FB group page, a highly regarded gratitude to you, mate.