TINHIFI C5: Lean, Mean and Almost Neutral Tonality

Oi! Audio enthusiast out there, Welcome to my another IEM review article and what I have here is from TINHIFI. This is actually my fourth product review from them, so I just simply skipped the introduction about this company.

It seems that TINHIFI is constantly releasing a product on a two-month basis as they are aware of the constant changes of the portable audio market landscape especially in under US$100/£81. And they should be aggressive in marketing their products and introducing a new audio technology that is affordable to budget-conscious audiophiles  yet it has decent quality to offer.

This is TINHIFI C5, this is a successor model of their previous models like the C2 and C3. But this time, TINHIFI decided to take a different turn on the implementation of its transducers as they applied a hybrid driver set-up on this one consisting of SPD (Square Planar Driver) and a balanced armature driver. I'm quite familiar with SPDs as I did some reviews of IEMs with similar technology and I have some ideas on how it will perform and how it scales differently on power output compared to standard planar magnetics. TINHIFI claims that it is their own newly-developed SPD in 10mm x10mm dimension. The SPD was supposed to deliver a full range frequency response and supplement it with a balanced armature for even better treble quality.

Both drivers are enclosed in a CNC-milled machine process aviation-grade aluminium alloy shell with its acoustic cavity chamber inside will dissipate some excess audio signal from the drivers to have a more natural sound with lesser resonance effect. Like all current releases of TINHIFI products, It adopts a 2-pin connector as its interlocking mechanism for more stable grip.

The TINHIFI C5's shells have a rounded and circular contour that gives me a more comfortable and better ergonomic view of how it fits well into my lug holes. They are quite light for an all-metal shell as it dont give me ear fatigue as I can wear them for a long listening session.

The product packaging of TINHIFI C5 is rather sensible on how it includes some basic inclusions that are very practical to users. The contents were packed in a small rectangular box.

Here the included accessories inside the box

■ a pair of TINHIFI C5 IEMs.

■ 6 pairs of white coloured, narrow bored ear tips of different sizes.

■ a pair of blue coloured memory foam eartips.

■ a canvas cloth IEM pouch.

■ Instruction manual.

■ Calling card.

Regarding its amplification and required power output, TINHIFI C5s are quite demanding when it comes to driveability on which you need a good source with more than sufficient power output. It gives me astonishment given that some square planar magnetic drivers are easy to amplify even on decent sources.

As for its tonality, this particular set has a mild-U sound signature in which it tries to target a more leaner, neutral sounding sonic profile.

LOWS/BASS:

The bass quality of TINHIFI C5 has a sufficient depth, more of a balanced side between tightness and punchy and yet it gives an ample texture on mid bass. This is not definitely a bass head's bass quantity.

Sub bass is rather decent on this one as I was able to perceive those rumble and reverberations coming from synthesisers and low-tuned guitar in some synth-pop and old school hip-hop tracks.

Mid bass is the focal point of the bass emphasis on this set on how it has a decent note weight on bass guitars, bass kick drums and bass-baritones. Bass guitars has this hollow and a bit mellow sounding that it still lacks the growl that I want, Bass kick drums seem to have a softer and a tad hollow sound on my ears as I want more thud from it. Bass-baritone vocals like Barry White have just enough vocal weight but I rather safely say it as "mildly warm" as it has the lack of darker, heft and depth that I really want on this particular voice type. Good thing about this set is that its low end doesn't smudge towards the midrange to give a cleaner definition.

MIDRANGE:

A tad notch on midrange is one of the initial impressions that I instantly perceived on TINHIFI C5. And yet, it has smooth, transparent and linear delivery. Both male and female vocals have a balanced and smoother response that give a tonal colour of each specific vocal type.

Baritones have rather velvety and smooth but lack of lushness on it's a bit too mellow on which fares better on light and lyrical baritones like Billy Idol and Brett Anderson of The Suede but putting Eddie Vedder on the equation does not fare as it has an inadequacies on depth and power but rather too smooth. On tenors, it likely fares better on lyrical types like Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras which have more agile, clearer and graceful sounding. On female vocals, contralto have this husky and soothing quality but it still lacks depth and darker character that I want especially on Tracy Chapman's and Toni Braxton's vocal quality. Mezzo-sopranos seem to have this sweet and velvety quality to have a captivating listening experience from the likes of Andrea Corr and Annie Lennox. Sopranos performs pretty well as it has this sufficient energy to give a gleam, shimmering and airy sound on both lyrical like Allison Krauss and Mariah Carey , and then on coloratura-types like Diana Damrau and Olga Peretyatko and due to translucent nature of the midrange it gives some sense of euphonic  but I certainly hear that it still lacking of depth and texture.

On instruments, strings like guitars (either acoustic or electric) have rather rounded and balanced sounding while violins sound lively enough with a semblance of vibrancy. Woodwinds like flute have this mellow and soft sound characteristics then saxophones have this rounded and sombre on them on any register. Brasses like trumpets have this rounded and vividness on them, then trombones have this tersive and dramatic sound. Percussions like drums especially the toms and snares have this an ample penetrating sound and precise on then but not as hard if you like hard hitting percussive sound. Celestas have this silvery and sweet sound on them, Pianos sounds more on the lustrous side that it sounds balanced to my ears.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

The TINHIFI C5's is undoubtedly on a smoother side. Almost even, linear and neutral were the characteristics that I initially noticed that would give a lack of shimmer and crisp that affects the detail, energy and definition on vocals and some instruments. With those deficiencies, it will give a cleaner response in which you will not hear any harshness nor sibilance.

It is also noticeable that it has a lack of air and sparkle in the brilliance region which gives you that a bit of a dull sound. Crashing on cymbals sounds rather soughing and doesn't sizzle enough.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

Soundstage dimensions and depth are comprehensively average on TINHIFI C5. Average sound field width, just above average height and a median distance of depth from front to back in which it gives me enough head room with its spatial field.

The imaging presentation of this set is rather linear and two-dimensional, as I was able to perceive the positioning of instruments and singers but it was a bit hazy to pinpoint the exact location. It has a decent separation on its elements and layering capabilities were presented in a more two-layered stacking of  specific dynamic outlines with its own frequency localisation which I consider as passable as it can handle enough on complex multi-instrumental tracks.

There is a sense of cohesion and homogeneity of all drivers as it delivers a faster transient response with lesser distortion to a more firmer audio quality.

The resolution capability of TINHIFI C5 isn't its best assets on how it gives me a tad blunted and less defined on nuances and subtleties of details on its sonic background and viscidity on macro-dynamics.

Tonal colour of TINHIFI C5 is somehow  balanced and natural but in some cases it sounds way too smooth in my ears.

PEER COMPARISONS:

CELESTE GUMIHO

● It has similar drivers' set-up as it also has SPD ( Square Planar Driver) and a balanced armature as a support to better treble response. GUMIHO's product packaging like its Kinera cousins, it was well-presented and it has a substantial amount of inclusions.

● Both take a mild U-shaped sound signature that was quite a trend from last year's tuning. GUMIHO is a bit warmer and textured on tonality as it has similar bass quality but it has an instance of being a sibilant in some cases.

● GUMIHO has a tad wider sound/speaker stage compared to C5 but on separation and layering, it is quite struggling on complex instrumental tracks due to not so defined frequency profiles.

CELEST PANDAMON

● It uses a newer generation of SPD which Kinera claims can deliver a fuller frequency range sound compared to its previous generation. It has more quantity on inclusions but its aesthetic design of its shells are rather uninspiring and garish in my liking.

● The tuning of PANDAMON is a balanced-warmish which has more texture, a tad warmer to give a substantial note weight. But it is less airy and lacks sparkle compare to the C5.

● Technicalities-wise, PANDAMON has a bit wider staging, similar imaging capabilities as they are both two-dimensional sound. Separation is decent but layering is somewhat a chink of an armour of PANDAMON as it struggles a bit on multi-instrumental tracks.

As I conclude my review about TINHIFI C5, Looks like TINHIFI is now taking a different direction on releasing their products on a quarterly basis. TINHIFI C5 is quite different compared  to its predecessor on driver set-up and tonality. If you are looking for an almost neutral sound signature at below US$100/£83, then this set is for you.

TINHIFI C5 is now available on LINSOUL, and you can order HERE, Non-affiliated link guaranteed.

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: TINHIFI C5

IMPEDANCE: 9Ω

SENSITIVITY: 101dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE:  10Hz – 20KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M

PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm

DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + (1) SQUARE PLANAR DRIVER

PROS:

△ A lightweight aluminium alloy shell chassis.

△ The circular design of its shells will give an even smoother and plushy fitting in most ears.

△ Decent quality stock cable

△ A mild U-shaped with almost neutral tuning will definitely wins the ears of neutral heads

△ Punchy and clean bass quality

△ Clean, linear and transparent midrange.

△ Smooth treble response.

△ No harshness or even a hint of sibilance.

CONS:

▽ It needs a better power output to drive them properly 

▽ Definitely not for bass-heads

▽ Resolution capability aren't impressive

▽ A bit dull treble will give an impression as way too laid back sounding on some treble-heads.

▽ Lack of sparkle and air.

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

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *

Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**

Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **

Mountain - Mississippi Queen *

Queen - Killer Queen **

Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*

Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'

Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'

Pearl Jam - Daughter **

Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *

Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*

Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *

New Order - Blue Monday *

The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *

Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *

The Madness- Buggy Trousers *

Metallica - Motorbreath **

Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *

Destiny's Child - Say My Name *

Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *

Mozart - Lacrimosa *

New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *

Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*

Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *

Exciter - Violence and Force *

Diana Krall - Stop This World **

Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*

The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**

Suzanne Vega – Luka **

Lauren Christy – Steep *

Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *

Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*

P.S.

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

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