Tin Hifi T4 Review (1) – Just Another Sequel?
Ahoy!
The Tin Hifi T4 design is either genius or a way to save cost. They prettied it up, but the shape is still the same as the original T2, “ultra unique” I think not. The other thing I notice is their pricing is interesting…T2=$49, T2pro=$59, T3=$69, and now the T4=$89/109(street price/retail)? But the real question is- were these just a rehash of the sound of the T2/T2pro/T3? Nope, they did something different with these. While T2 were neutral/bright, I would characterize the Tin Hifi T4 as balanced/mild V favorable to western ears.
Pros-
- Better fitment than previous models due to slight redesign since T3.
- Better bulbous tips compared to T2 shallow, flimsy widebores.
- I like the simple but rugged cable change
- Coherent, musical, but analytical in a good way
Cons-
- The universal wearing design is hindered by ear cable guides.
- “Ultra Unique” barrel design makes it below average in isolation.
- Room for improvement in the bass, it lacks a good snap and just a tad more extension into sub-bass would be top notch.
- Sticky cable
- Bulky case
Comfort/Isolation
I never really liked the original T2 design, they were heavy, sharp edges and short stubby nozzle. Yes you could wear them up or down, but it seemed like both fitments were tradeoffs. On the Tin Hifi T4 the nozzle is the same but the eartips have a longer stem and the cable connection point is better because it lacks some of the bulk and sharp edges of the T2. The metal they used feels lighter and shinier than the T2 but they both come in at 0.14oz on my scale-some kind of weird Jedi mind trick. The cable guides on the Tin Hifi T4 only allow over-the-ear, but the cable could be swapped or modified (ear guides removed). It is a barrel style dynamic with venting, it has below average isolation, the Tin Hifi T4 might have slightly better isolation though because the rear vent is hidden on the inside by the wire connection vs the T2 that has the vent facing outwards.
Package Contents
This is where some of the cost increase comes from. There is an included case now that is about $8-10 by itself. I like the eartips better than the T2 offerings because they are slightly firmer and more bulbous with a longer stem, but I wish they would have included a wide bore tip with the longer flush stem as well instead of what appears to be two different colors of the same tips. The cable is a love it or hate it syndrome. On one hand, the cable is less tangle prone, but on the other it has a sticky feel to it. I don’t know if I would call it an upgrade over previous offerings. I am a weirdo that actually liked the BGVP DMG or Nicehck M6 cable, and I was hoping this cable was similar, the only thing that is similar is the braid style. So the package improvement only seems to be the case, which if I had to nitpick is a bulky 1-5/8″ (4 cm) thick-definitely more showy than practical.
Sound
Your bass belong to us…finally. Some people tried to tape mod the T2 which made it a muddy, well they finally fixed this with the Tin Hifi T4. The T2 was what some would call audiophile netural/bright, but I just call it flat tight bass missing the last octave. Not so on the Tin Hifi T4, bass is punchy with extension – a good balance and not overly boosted either. Decay is good, sounds very natural. There is no bleeding, it is not rumbling bass either (thinking of TFZ King Pro), the sub-bass is just barely there but not felt (Livingstone Taylor – Grandma’s Hands {foot stomp}, Zdarlight – Digitalism (silent rumble after bass hits) test tracks). Mids sit nicely inline balanced with the rest of the signature, not overly thick or thin either.
This is tuned as Jürgen would call it, more western ear preference. The upper mids rise gently by about 7db, not the typical Harman/Chi-fi rise of 10-12db, and heaven forbid the drastic 15db rise that will feel like someone is shouting at you. Not the Tin Hifi T4, this is similar to the BLON BL03 but with better layering. The soundstage is more spacious sounding more wide than deep. I could use some more snap on drums, but I have only heard better snappiness on some IEMs what Crinacle rates in the A/S level without being sibilant.
Treble is extended but not airy, no sibilance, no pierce. It has presence, some budget offerings have trouble in that region so they attenuate the 5-7kHz area which can make things sound a bit dull. There is no dullness with the Tin Hifi T4. I find there is good height with woodwinds. Cymbal work is good, it doesn’t stand out, but doesn’t hide either. Doesn’t get splashy (T2) or sound tinny (ZS10pro), or crunchy (ZS7).
Other Technicalities
Instrument separation could use a bit more refinement, but still good. The Tin Hifi T4 doesn’t ever really sound congested and sounds good at varying volume levels, this is probably a combination of the stiffness of the driver, tonal signature, and a single driver. Multiple driver models struggle with linearity if the crossover is not done right and/or the wrong balance of drivers. Timbre is great, maybe a tad sterile.
Quick Comparisons
Tin Hifi T2 $49/$30 Retail/street
T2 is missing bass rumble and punch, it has a quick dry bass sound. Tin Hifi T4 has punch but not snap and almost rumbles. Transients seem quicker on the T2 making it more analytical sounding than a Tin Hifi T4. Soundstage on the Tin Hifi T2 sounds more diffuse and open, the Tin Hifi T4 sounds more intimate in comparison but with good width and layering. On the “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac, the tambourine sounds sharper and cymbals have more shimmer on the Tin Hifi T2 over the Tin Hifi T4 which tends to blend them into the mix.
BLON BL03 $30
Bass is a tad muddier and tubbier, bleeds a little in comparison to the Tin Hifi T4. Treble is not as clean and the timbre is not as good either on the BL03. Soundstage is also better on Tin Hifi T4 – wider and better depth, the BLON sounds closed in in comparison.
Moondrop Kanas Pro (no longer available $155-179)
Here the bass is more pronounced, thicker on Tin Hifi T4 over Moondrop Kanas Pro (KPE). I found the upper mids smoother on Tin Hifi T4, vocals more forward on KPE.
Cymbals sound cut off on the KPE, does not have decay like Tin Hifi T4. For me I feel the Tin Hifi T4 sounds more natural for cymbals.
Goodbye
In comparison to some of my other mid-tier models, the Tin Hifi T4 was a good purchase for me. Simgot En700pro, BQEYZ Spring1, TFZ King Pro for example will be in the same league all with different strengths but the Tin Hifi T4 is 50% the cost. Also, if you have a BLON BL03 and find the bass too boomy, unorganized and lacking soundstage but like the sound signature, the Tin Hifi T4 would be my current recommendation since it improves all those areas. Value is hard to put my finger on. It bests some over $100+ models and popular $30 budget favorites, but I still don’t think I would have been enticed to purchase at the $109 price mark given how relatively simple this model is compared to previous models. My consumer heart puts value at about $60-80 range in the grand scheme of Chinese brands and the sum of parts, and that is how I feel with many of the $100-150 models available as well. Maybe I have high expectations now, I like theTin Hifi T4 at <$80, it gets a thumbs up for me, I will be using it more than the Tin Hifi T2.
MY VERDICT
Disclaimer
I bought my pair during the launch phase based on glowing reviews of the Linsoul influencers…I was bored and wanted a new toy, don’t be like me, wait for the hype to level off.
Measurements
- Left and Right
- Comparison overlay with BLON BL03, Simgot EN700pro, T2
- 30Hz square wave
- 300Hz square wave
