Sound performance
For this review, I used some DAPs and some DAC/Amps. Since the TinHifi P1 are planar IEMs, it’s always more interesting to plug them to a powerful source.
My main sources were : FiiO M6 / FiiO M11 / iBasso DX220 / Chord Mojo. I paired them to the P1 in random order. Most files used were FLAC 16bit/44kHz streamed from Qobuz and Spotify or from the internal storage.
Overall signature
I have something to confess, I received the TinHifi P1 a while ago. But, as it turned out, this was a pre-production model which had one massive caveat: the bass was almost non-existent. Thankfully, a few days after I received them, Linsoul sent me a message to warn me, followed by a second email with the tracking code of the second pair. Hurray !
So, with the new pair, I could finally begin my testing.
A low-priced planar IEM, is something to behold. Even more when it’s laded in a shiny steel robe. And you know what’s worse ? It sounds good, really good in fact.
Yes, you have to plug it to, at least, the FiiO M11 to really enjoy them, but you’d be amazed by how even the sound signature feels.
There is a slight emphasis on the upper mids, right around the 8kHz, but apart from that, it’s pretty neutral. If you ever tried an MSR7 from Audio-Technica, I’m sure you will find some common traits between those two. Personally, I really like this kind of signature, as it leaves more room for a good EQ (bouuuh he uses EQ !).
Dynamics are great . You really feel the advantage of planar magnetic drivers in this aspect. The infamous intro of “Money for Nothing – Dire Straits” is a great example. On low gain, at 55/100 steps, I never had to change the volume once, I enjoyed every second without touching the volume.
The stereo image is good but remains a tad under that of multi-balanced IEMs in my opinion. You can easily distinguish each instrument, on each side, but I found the DMG to be wider, especially with symphonic tracks.
That said, the TinHifi P1 easily tackles the BGVP DMG on the accuracy field. Micro details, small nuances and tiny variations, the IEM is full of them. It’s almost overwhelming sometimes, but thankfully, the flat tuning avoids any issues and even after a few hours of listening, I didn’t find them tiring at all.
Like every planar, the better the source, the better the sound. Going from the FiiO M6 to the iBasso DX220 made a HUGE difference, on every level. Better layering, lightning-fast transients, deeper lows and most of all, improved dynamics. I heard some details, previously veiled by other instruments, that I could only ear on higher tier IEMs. Impressive.
Seriously, the chi-fi train is going so fast these days, that I’m pretty sure the P1 will be taken out by another IEM in a few months. But for now, it’s one damn good IEM, even more for the price.
Tonality
Highs : clean and shiny. The upper mids can get a little too intrusive on heavy compressed tracks. If you like Skrillex, you better have a little EQ and lower the 8kHz by 2-3dB. On a good player, the experience is rewarding, you enjoy every nooks and cracks of your music, as if someone put a magnifier on your ear. A shiny magnifier
Good test-track: Money For Nothing – Dire Straits
Mediums : the big and the bang. Mids are superb, on every track I tested. The accuracy and fast transients, helped by the low distortion, gives the right balance between precision and musicality. Even if it leans more onto the technical side of the scale, I never had the sensation that the P1 overdid it. Very enjoyable.
Good test-track : Teardrops – Peter & Kerry
Lows : deep but dry bass. Planar headphones are known for their fast lows, and that’s still true with the TinHifi P1. You get massive sound pressure and you truly feel the sub-bass, even at a lower volume, but the IEM always remains in control. Like a big sports car, with a powerful V6 but nice ceramic brakes. Stay in control !
Good test-track : Time – Solee
The article continues on Page Four, after the click here
David
Any thoughts on the synergy with the Chord Mojo? I have a Mojo, thinking about buying a Fiio M11
Kevin
I have a Mojo but I do not like the Mojo. It has excellent detail retrieval but at the cost of feeling closed/zoomed in to achieve it. The P1 needs all the help it can get in the soundstage & imaging department so It should be paired with something like the M11 because it has a more analytical and spaced out/distant presentation.
It might seem less detailed than the Mojo because instruments appear to be further away, but at the same time that gives it room to breathe and appreciate each element of the song more on its own. With the Mojo the instruments are more pressed in your face and seem to be fighting for your attention in a smaller space. Couple that with the shallow soundstage of the P1, you get too much of a good thing.
Get the Fiio.
Jason
My Fiio M11 does not drive the P1 adequately. I use high gain and balanced, tight seal with foam tips and the sound is just adequate. I do not enjoy them through the M11.
Wonderer
Wait…
So these come with 4.4/2.5 balanced accessories?
I am not sure I came across that fact from other previous reviews…
Am I able to used balanced connection via stock cable?
Bill
They don’t. They were included with the pre-release version but there were issues and they didn’t work as intended. Tin omitted them from the retuned retail version. I’m having a hard time trusting this review…
James
3.5mm to 2.5/4.4 balanced players? Isn’t that meant to be very very bad? I thought you could only go the other way?
Loganaden Balakrishna VEERAPEN
Nanotechnos on a few occasions you mentioned ‘balanced drivers’ – you know they are in fact called ‘balanced armature drivers’ right?
Aaron
Where you using the p1 and the m11 with the balance output?
is it better than using the 3.5mm output?
thanks
DJ Core
Balanced will always be better than 3.5 output.Wider soundstage as well.Look into the advantages of Balaced and you’ll appreciate it more.
David
Anyone have both the Fiio F9 Pro and the TinHiFi P1s and have a preference (when paired to a Chord Mojo)
Ben
I’d be interested in comparison to the BVGP DMS rather than DMG. Any listening experience?
DJ Core
i have the DMG and skipped DMS.DMG is better than DMS and the P1’s resolution is 5x what DMG can do.DMG has more Bass which is good but sometimes muddies the lower Mids unless you have the Latest audiophile Filter which reduces that effect.
P1 has redefined my appreciation for Music.You hear new things in music you’ve been listening too since you were a kid.Best buy for me.
DJ Core
Received mine from Linsoul this past saturday July 13th.For the first time.The hype is Very very real.These sound like $1000 IEM’s.
I’m hearing things i didn’t hear in a bunch of songs i’ve been listening to sinc i was a kid.Stuff with guitars,Sax etc sounds like it’s being played right there in the room.Stage is wide depending on source.Desktop DAC/AMP was the widest.ZX300 just sounds beautiful.I’m truly satisfied with these.
They also respond well to EQ and actually do have just enough Bass when added.(Did +3b on the ZX300 on SE output 50mW+50mW and i was happy with the result) at 65% volume.should be significantly better on balanced 200mW+200mW which i’ll try today
Didn’t tape any vents yet but will try it.
Sounds ok too on my LG V35 but volume is at 90%.Will trick it into High impendance and see what happens.
Won’t be buying any more IEM’s.Got others for HipHop stuff
pmnocturnal
Hey, just here to ask, how did they do in the high impedance mode
boris
I tried and now use them also with Lg V20 high impedance mode. It’s great! I also have fiio k3, hiby w3 and bravo audio v2. To me all sounds great! Best iems so far! Great for long listening too. Sub base is not really present, but to me that makes it more pleasant and comparable to open over ear headphones like hd600. They respond great to EQ. I am so happy with them I own two, just in case…
Michel
NanoTechnos , which of these are better
Fiio fh5 , etymotic ER4XR, Tin P1 ?
For
Details , transparency , separation , durability
Kurt Gingher
Is it new technology for it’s own sake or is there a technical or at least intellectual case for this approach ?
Jason Banaszak
I really am at a loss as to how you can think the M11/P1 combo is anything better than mediocre. Upon first listen I thought there had to be something wrong somewhere, the bass was so recessed and lacking any impact, the whole sound signature was dry and…meh. Plugged them into my desktop amp, and these issues vanished. I guess if you don’t have any basis of comparison you might think they sound good through the M11, but please check the P1 through better powered sources and you will discover how severely limited they are using a DAP like the M11.
Maurice Kaizer
How would the p1 fair paired with astell and kern ak70