TINHIFI T2 DLC Review – Unspectacular Goodness

The TINHIFI T2 DLC is the archetype of a V-shaped budget earphone with a relatively thick bass and recessed mids, without any annoying peaks or quirks, but also with limited excitement. Just like the original T2, the DLC is a good earphone for the newbie’s collection. A classic revisited.

TINHIFI kindly provided the T2 DLC for my review. You find more information on the company website www.tinihifi.com.

Introduction

TINHIFI were still Tinaudio when they released the original T2 in 2017. It was unique in its day, almost spectacular: the only neutrally tuned single dynamic-driver iem in the $50 category. The Tinaudio T2 came with unreliable MMCX connectors and a cable without memory wire. This meant, they could be worn under ear and over ear.

My MMCX connectors gave up after a few months and the dealer would only accept an exchange if I wrote a review on Head-Fi. This gave essentially rise to this blog. My treatment of the Tinaudio T2 was its first article.

Tinaudio later released the T1 (after all 1 comes after 2), then the T2 Pro, T2 Evo, and T4 in essentially the original T2’s shells, and the T2 Plus in different housings. This resulted in…the next paragraph.

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Specifications TINHIFI T2 DLC

Physical Things and Usability

Not much has changed in the TINHIFI T2 DLC from the original Tinaudio T2. The earpieces retained their principal shape, but with modifications to fit the new 2-pin connectors. They are lighter and shinier, obviously due to a different alloy used. But they are still made of metal…and very sturdy.

The cable comes very close to the original one, with a slightly different 3.5 mm plug, and the selection of eartips remained the same.

The earpieces are now worn exclusively over ear as memory wire was added to the cable. Comfort and fit are good, isolation depends on the eartips used. The stock tips still do not work for me, I used SpinFit CP145s.

Tonality and Technicalities

The TINHIFI T2 DLC sounds like a glorified 2017 iem, and I would not be surprised if it features the same driver as the original T2, just with a different tuning. The tonality is classic V-shaped, a warmish mainstream tuning we have heard 100 times before. Was the original “neutral” (and therefore unique T2 criticized for not offering enough bass, the DLC delivers on that front. No need to tape the T2’s front vents off anymore.

The TINHIFI T2 DLC’s sound is dominated by its bass. Not that it is too much, no it is just not of the best quality (in today’s terms). Whilst it digs deep into the sub-bass, the low end is punchy but little composed and controlled. Baselines are generally thick and somewhat loose – and they smear into the midrange. Bass kick is of healthy quantity but can be rubbery in quality. The low end is not outright bad, it is just nothing special in 2022. I am so familiar with this kind from so many pre-2020 budget iems.

This is a pity as the vocals are nicely defined and natural, the real strong point of this iem. Yes, they are somewhat recessed but still offer decent richness. In tracks without much bass, there is good midrange definition. But if bass is taking over, resolution and separation suffer. But, at least, there is no shoutiness.

Treble is another weakness as it drops off early, cymbals and hats are somewhat hiding – and they do not resolve well.

Technicalities are a mixed bag, too. Stage is narrow but deep, triggered by the bass from one end, and the lagging treble from the other. Great depth, though! Dynamics is good, separation and layering rely on bass quantities and are nothing special. Timbre is very good (if you ignore the low-end).

Overall, the TINFI T2 DLC have decent tonality and technicalities, but they offer nothing new and appear to be from a bygone earphone era. I dug the ole original T2s from 2017 out of the basement for comparison. Same timbre, same technical qualities, but less bass and more forward vocals.

Concluding Remarks

The TINHIFI T2 DLC is essentially the original, neutral T2 pressed into a mainstream V-shape. It excels in vocals quality, timbre, and depth of field, but disappoints with a rather ordinary bass and a lack of well-resolving treble.

It nevertheless constitutes a good value, but only for the newbie. The expert would find the TINHIFI T2 DLC somewhat repetitive…and therefore unexciting. It is a very safe choice.

I speculate this is the final T2 variety. As one of my professors (not a native English speaker) once said: “let the sleeping cow lie”. Somebody must have let the dogs out.

Until next time…keep on listening!