TINHIFI P2 ULTRA: A Product Of Constant Refinement

TINHIFI formerly known as TIN AUDIO is an audio company that was established in 2017 and they are known for their excellent workmanship and refined sound quality at affordable as they have some product designers, a dedicated research & development team, manufacturing and sales department that will deliver a high quality product, and the introduction of the T2 in that year is the testament of its excellence as it won some ears from some of the most fastidious audio enthusiasts around the globe, and I am one of them as I tested this one around 2018. It is also known that aside from Unique Melody, this audio company is considered as one of the pioneers on implementing miniaturised planar magnetic driver in the Chi-Fi space with the introduction of TINHIFI P1 and this particular model is actually one of the first sets that features this type of transducer from a Chinese audio company that until this day, I still relished my memory as on how I enjoyed its sound quality when I tested it in 2019 given my scepticism on the miniaturised orthodynamic driver technology that I have a major qualms and reservations on the first generation of planar magnetic IEMs from Audeze, the iSines 10 and 20 models that I still find its tuning quite appalling in my opinion until this day. Back then, the P1 was one of the memorable IEMs that somehow convinced me to give a chance with this driver technology once again as I really like how it was tuned as it aligns with my preferred sound profile at that time.

As some years went by that I'm in this in the audio reviewing hobby for the past six years, I was able to snag its latest incarnation in which I was recommended by a good friend of mine in the audio reviewing scene as he helps to connect with TINHIFI that offers me an opportunity to do a review on their latest flagship model. What I have here is TINHIFI’s latest flagship IEM model and it has some connection with the P1, The TINHIFI P2 ULTRA.

The P2 ULTRA is the latest model from its P series that traces its lineage back to the P1 that was released in 2019 and like its predecessor, it features a planar magnetic driver in which TINHIFI meticulously on tweaking its internal components to achieve its desired acoustic performance that will differentiate itself from the previous generation of planar magnetic driver, that it has a 12mm of diameter size in which is a bit larger from the previous generation that P1 utilises, although this one is considered a bit small compared to its current competitors. According to TINHIFI, they did some overhaul and improvements on the driver by implementing a thinner diaphragm with some nano-coating to improve its acoustic performance and re-design its magnetic array structure by using a high grade N52 neodymium magnet to achieve better power efficiency, wider frequency response and eliminate any possibility of distortion for faster transient response, deeper bass and then, a  clear and detailed mids and highs for better high fidelity sound.

The driver was then encased in an aerospace-grade aluminium alloy shell chassis in that takes a rounded triangular shape design, and then it underwent a solid gold-plating process for better conductivity and at the same, a resistance from  oxidation as it also gives an eye-pleasing glowing aesthetics for its luxurious design.

On its faceplate, it features a semi-open back panel design with a fine mesh as TINHIFI coined it as SPD (Spiral Dynamic Breathing Panel) it regulates air flow that were produced by its high-performance planar magnetic driver within its acoustic chamber that allows to escape some excessive air pressure for less fatiguing long listening sessions as it also eliminates some unwanted resonance for a cleaner bass response and more responsive transient and decay on its overall sound quality. Unlike the P1 which uses an MMCX-type connector, this unit uses a modified QDC-type bi-pin connector in which to be honest, I have some reservation with this type of interlocking connector due to its structural integrity.

When it comes to wearability, with compact shell size and a medium length on its nozzles, it rests well into my lughole without any discomfort as it firmly fixes on it. As it securely latched into my outer ear canal, it offered an excellent passive noise isolation in which it was able to block unwanted noises from the outside surroundings.

The P2 ULTRA also paired with a high quality stock cable that was provided by Mogami, a well-known Japanese audio company that specialises high quality cables for professional sound systems, mainly on studios and to some extent, Hi-Fi audio component systems. The cable itself has a balanced texture and it is also firmly braided that it offers a sturdy yet flexible and resistant against entanglement, and it is made of hybrid materials consisting of monocrystalline copper and silver-plated copper in a four-strand structure in which it delivers a seamless lossless audio signal transmission for a pure sound quality output without  any interferences, microphonics or any form of distortions. And also, it features a detachable termination which allows to swap different types of plugs based on the audio interface output as TINHIFI includes a 3.5mm single ended, 4.4mm balanced and a USB Type-C.

Given that this is TINHIFI’s latest flagship model, its product packaging is quite luxurious in terms of presentation as on how the contents were organised and compartmentalised inside of its rather large packaging box.

These are the following contents inside of its packaging box:

• A pair of TINHIFI P2 ULTRA transducer earpieces
• 5N Mogami cable with modular termination feature
• Calf-skin leather case
• 3.5mm single-end plug adapter
• 4.4mm balanced plug adapter
• USB Type-C plug adapter
• Eartips Case
• Three (3) pairs of wide bore liquid silicone eartips in different standard sizes
• Three (3) pairs of memory foam eartips in medium sizes
• Pair of metal nozzle filters
• Plastic tweezer
• Calfskin cable organiser
• Paperwork (user manual/warranty card)

As for its amplification and power output requirement, as we already know that all planar magnetic drivers on any form are inherently power-hungry as you need a dedicated headphone amplifier that can deliver a high current output due to their low impedance and low sensitivity that it requires strong amplification to energised those magnetic arrays with thin diaphragms with flat conductive traces for its consistent vibratory motion. And the P2 ULTRA, just like its predecessor, is also quite a demanding set when it comes to this power output, but if you pair it with a proper source, it will surely deliver a very dynamic, responsive and full range sound.

 

For its tonal profile, the TINHIFI P2 ULTRA has a neutral sound signature albeit it has a different approach on neutral sound compared to the P1's sound as this one has a tad brighter and energetic tonality in contrast with a bit warmer and lush tonality on the former. Both the low and midrange frequency has almost linear presentation while there is some mild boost on the upper mids up to the high frequency section that gives that distinctive neutral tonal balance on its overall sound quality.

LOWS/BASS:

As expected for a neutrally-tuned set as on how its bass quality was registered, the sub bass and mid bass sections were presented in well-balanced manner as the former has some deep resonating presence while the latter has sufficient texture for thumping and striking from low notes although it doesn't have warmth and body that bassheads’ really want to have their mid bass response. In general, the bass response on this set can deliver a precise, incisive with a clear rumbling on its ultra low end.

The sub bass presence of this set has a lucidity that is capable of exhibiting those deep reverberating and grumbling that were produced from electronic and strings instruments such as synthesisers, drum machines, bass guitars and double-basses. Meanwhile, the mid bass has an enough body to give some impactful and punchiness from bass-clef instruments and male vocals albeit it is a bit tighter and controlled for a cleaner and a non-muddy bass response. The bass guitars have a sustaining and resonant sound, while the double-basses have a rasping and mellow sound, and then the bass kick drums deliver that rumbly and sonorous sound on every beat of its drum head. Simultaneously, on those low octave male vocals, while both bass and bass-baritones have those deep resonance end on their vocals, their vocal texture is somewhat less ideal due to its a bit austere warmth and hollow as it doesn't give that dark timbre that gives their sound characteristic more gravelly, dense and dusky.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange presentation of this one is definitely neutral with a tidy, transparent and a bit intense while having a balanced texture on it as it has some warmth presence and at the same time, energy as they don't sound too lean nor too warm. That balance texture will give that sense of coherency and realistic timbre on both vocals and instruments that it gives a bit rich sound on male vocals, a vibrant and spaciousness on some female vocals, a crisper and lingering sound on strings, a brilliance and airy sound on woodwinds and then, a precise and incisive sound on percussions, although there are some possible demerits on this type of tuning especially if you are an audio enthusiasts prefers more warm analogue-ish and rich sounding midrange tuning as you might find it a bit too sterile or dry for your preference.

With adequate warmth presence on its lower midrange section, it gives some note weight on the vocal texture on all male vocal types as baritones have a smooth, mild and rich sound sound, a bit spicy, clear and resonating sound on tenors, and then a tender, ethereal and “florid” sound from contraltos’ falsetto voices. Meanwhile on female vocals, contraltos have a smoky and rich chesty voices although it doesn't have that deep and heft that these distinguishable vocals are known for but at least it still retains some of its tonal characteristics, the mezzo-sopranos have a fiery, coppery and velvety from their vocals as it delivers that expressive and lachrymose tone, and the sopranos which are quite excel on this set's tuning as it gives a creamy, sweet and emotive sound on spintos and dramatic soprano types, and a light, crystalline and silvery sound lyric, soubrette and coloratura sopranos.

When it comes to instruments, on the string instruments, guitars have a balanced tone as it has rich, crisp and sustaining sound, violins have a vibrant, sweet and lively sound on every bowing movement on its note strings, and the cellos have lustrous, mellow and sustaining sound, while on woodwind ones, piccolos have clear and brilliant sound, concert flutes have a delicate, rich and graceful sound, clarinets sound pale and expressive, and then, the saxophones have a mild and reedy sound on them. As on brass instruments, trumpets have some metallic brilliance sound, while the trombones sound full and eruptive, and then the horns have a clear and vivid sound on them. The percussive ones like the tom-toms, snares, field drums  and kettledrums; a punchy and resonant sound from tom-toms, a bit bright and penetrating sound from snares, a sharp yet sonorous sound on the field drums, and then, a deep and rumbly yet a bit dry sound on the kettledrums. The pianos seem to have a balanced sound as it has some rich, crisp and a bit bright tone on them.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

The one is on a tad brighter side of tuning, but it has a smooth, lustre and quite airy  sound in which I consider it as an excellent treble quality with less offensive presentation although there are some slight concerns in which I will clarify later. Definitely that there is a slight accentuation from the upper mids up to the presence section that will highlight more clarity and definition on the attack on the instruments and well-defined articulation on its vocals. While the sibilance was kept under control and not a hint of harshness but it has this a bit energetic and tinny sound especially coming from percussives like cymbals and hi-hats that might be irritating to some treble-sensitive folk, but it can be mitigated with the stock memory foam tips that was included on its packaging.

The brilliance section of the P2 ULTRA has a crisp sparkle and well-extended airy  presence with a good amount of harmonics and overtones on it. The cymbals has a shimmering and brilliant sound while the hi-hats have a crisp and sizzling tone on its distinctive chick-y sound, celestas have a shimmering and silvery sound, and the glockenspiels either the mallet-type or the rare keyboard-type sound glistening and brilliant with a hint of metallic tone.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING & OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

Certainly that the P2 Ultra has strong technical capabilities that make this set one of the most refined and excellent IEMs in its class as all know that most of the planar magnetics can deliver these exceptional technical aspects. It can project a perceived spacious soundstage size as it has broad lateral span from left to right, good height ceiling reach and somehow an engaging depth from front to rear as if that you are placed in a centre. The stereo imaging presents a holographic presentation with well-defined layering and separation of musical elements within its soundscape in which I can pinpoint the exact placement of vocals and instruments that playing some of the most complex multi-instrumental tracks like philharmonic orchestra recordings and jazz genres will be an easy-peasy on this one.

It is expected that this one can deliver an excellent driver coherency as on how planar magnetic drivers are pretty responsive on its transient attacks and clarity of its overall sound. The resolution capabilities of this one exhibits that firmness on it macrodynamics as on how it highlights the volume degree on both chorale lines and instrumental sections from its loudest level down to its quietest section while on its microdynamics, it has singularly sharp definition on extracting fine details, grains and other subtleties like note attacks, vocal delays and instrumental reverb tails.

PEER COMPARISONS:

TINHIFI P1 (DEMO)

• TINHIFI's first IEM model that sports a planar magnetic driver and also one of the first models that features this type of transducer from a Chinese audio company after Unique Melody.
• It uses a smaller planar magnetic driver with a diameter size of 10mm and it was encased in a rounded triangular-shaped metal shell chassis.
• Since I've borrowed and tested from a fellow audio enthusiast, I don't know the other accessories that were included inside of its packaging box, but I remember that its stock cable doesn't have a modular termination feature.
• This set is indeed harder to drive as it really needs a powerful source that will amplify this IEM properly.
• It has a balanced-neutral sound with more emphasis on the midcentric tuning as it has more punchy bass response due to more texture on its mid bass, a balanced with a tad warmer and richer midrange that gives more vocal depth and texture on male vocals, more impactful sound from percussives, a fuller and lush sounds from brasses and strings, and then a bit smoother but less airy treble response.
• As for its technicalities, I don't think that it was its forte given that it doesn't have the widest soundstage projection, a less defined layering but it has good separation of musical elements, but at least, its resolution capability is pretty resolving and delineating.

SIVGA NIGHTINGALE PRO

• SIVGA's latest flagship planar magnetic IEM, and a second model from its Nightingale series, and also, this one is quite way cheaper than the P2 ULTRA.
• It features a larger new generation of planar magnetic driver with a diameter size of 14.5mm and it was encased in a composite shell structure made of zebrawood on its faceplate panel and a metal alloy cavity base.
• This one is fully-packed with quality accessories inside as it includes two types of eartips, a leather carrying case and high quality stock cable although it doesn't have a modular termination feature.
• This set is a bit easier to drive than the P2 ULTRA as I don't need to increase volume level further as it is comfortably set at medium volume level, although you still need a capable portable headphone amplifier.
• This one has a balanced-neutral sound signature that leans towards midcentric tonality with some tinge of energetic on its overall sound quality as it has more punchy and impactful bass response, a bit warmer and rich yet energetic midrange presentation that will give more deeper, plushier and smoother sound on male vocals and also on female vocals, particularly on contraltos, a punchier and rich sound on instruments like percussives, brasses and strings, a more delicate and graceful sound on woodwinds and also, a more fiery and shimmering sound on female vocals, and then a lustrous but moderately airy treble response. (This is somewhat more closer to TINHIFI P1's tonality)
• When it comes to its overall technical capabilities, this one has a fairly roomy soundstage size, but it has better depth, and also, it has a well-layered soundscape and pretty detailed resolution capabilities.

LETSHUOER EMBER

• LETSHUOER's latest planar flagship model and it also a high midrange set just like TINHIFI ULTRA but a bit less pricey.
• It features the latest development of planar magnetic driver technology with a diameter size of 14.5mm and it was encased in a solid aluminium alloy shell.
• Like all LETSHUOER products, this one is fully-packed with accessories inside of its packaging box, and it also includes a custom cable from EFFECT AUDIO that doesn't have a modular termination feature.
• This set seems to be way more sensitive than the P2 ULTRA in terms of driveability that it can be set at a medium volume level setting on either medium gain or high gain mode on amplification, albeit a high performance portable headphone amplifier is still a must.
• The Ember takes a warmish-neutral tonality of sound profile as it has more mid bass texture presence that gives more punchier and impactful bass response, a bit warmer midrange as it gives more body on male vocals and then, a vivacious, fuller and richer sound on instruments, particularly on percussive, brass and strings, and then, a bit smoother but moderately airy treble response.
• When it comes to technical performance, it presents a moderately roomy soundstage presentation with a better depth and a holographic stereo imaging presentation, and also it has less sharper definition on its micro-detail retrieval.

To conclude this product assessment, this is probably one of the most impressive IEM that I've come across from the TINHIFI line-up models and also one of the finest planar magnetic driver IEM in my opinion, its sheer tonal performance itself does really present on its capability that if you are a neutral head, this one might be the set you are looking for an outright high fidelity sound quality that doesn't compromises sonic detail aspect unless you prefer coloured tonality. Apart from its product packaging that shows TINHIFI’s dedication on giving its customer a luxurious and premium unboxing, it also has excellent technical capabilities that might outclass some of higher tier sets in the current audio market right now in terms of soundstage, imaging and resolution capabilities.

The TINHIFI P2 ULTRA is now available on TINHIFI’s official store and if you are interested in purchasing this excellent set, I've put down a link below.

LINK:

https://www.tinhifi.com/products/tinhifi-p2-ultra-2025-best-wired-hifi-in-ear-monitor-planar-magnetic-headphones-24k-gold

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: TINHIFI P2 ULTRA

IMPEDANCE: 32Ω

SENSITIVITY: 98dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 7Hz – 40KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m

PIN TYPE: QDC-TYPE 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: (MODULAR) 3.5mm, 4.4mm, USB TYPE-C

DRIVER UNIT(S):  (1) PLANAR MAGNETIC DRIVER

PROS:

● Solidly-built yet lightweight aluminium alloy construction.

● Its compact size offers a better fitting and comfort to almost all ear sizes. 

● That gold-plated finish adds a more luxurious and premium feel to it while it also gives better oxidation resistance and conductivity.

● Luxurious product packaging, and among its inclusion is a premium calf-skin leather case and cable organiser.

● Custom liquid silicone eartips.

● Inclusion of a high quality cable provided by Mogami, with modular termination feature.

● A balanced-neutral sound profile for high fidelity loving audio enthusiasts.

● Retains some of its musicality while aiming for less colouration on its overall tonality.

● Incisive, precise yet rumbly bass response.

● It has an adequate mid bass for a punchiness and body on deep male vocals and bass-noted instruments.

● Neutral midrange presentation with ample warmth and energy for vocals and instruments.

● Rich and smooth male vocals, clear and vivid female vocals.

● Almost realistic timbre and tonality on almost all types of instruments.

● Lustrous and airy treble response.

● Superb technical performance from spacious soundstage up to the excellent clarity and detail on its resolution capability.

CONS:

● Like its predecessor, this one is indeed power hungry that demands more current power output 

● Less bass impact in which bassheads will certainly frown upon.

● Instances of a tad dry and tinny sound.

● Might be too sterile sounding to some audio enthusiasts.

TRACKS TESTED: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *

Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**

Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **

Mountain - Mississippi Queen *

Queen - Killer Queen **

Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*

Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'

Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'

Pearl Jam - Daughter **

Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *

Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*

Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *

New Order - Blue Monday *

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

Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *

The Madness- Buggy Trousers *

Metallica - Motorbreath **

Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *

Destiny's Child - Say My Name *

Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *

Mozart - Lacrimosa *

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

Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*

Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *

Exciter - Violence and Force *

Diana Krall - Stop This World **

Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*

The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**

Suzanne Vega – Luka **

Lauren Christy – Steep *

Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *

Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*

Type O Negative - Black No.1 *

Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **

Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *

Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *

P.S.

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

Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to the TINHIFI Rep for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.