In this review, we check out the new TinHifi T4. It fits right between the T3 and the P1, another gem ? Let’s find out!
Disclaimer : the TinHifi T4 were sent to us, free of charge, by Linsoul in exchange of our honest opinion. The MRSP is 119$ but you can preorder them at a special price, on Indiegogo, for 79$.
About TinHifi
Based in Guangdong, China. TinHifi, formerly known as Tin Audio is an IEM maker with a strong experience in OEM/ODM. In 2017, they decided to lift the veil and become a real brand, with a small, but solid line-up. We previously reviewed the T2, T3, and even the P1, but now it’s time to look at the all-new TinHifi T4 !
The T Series
Unlike many Chi-Fi brands, the TinHifi line-up doesn’t show a plethora of models. Up to today, we can count five models, including the new TinHifi T4 we are reviewing.
T2
The TinHifi T2 is the entry-level IEM from the brand. Priced just under 50$, it’s got two dynamic drivers, an aluminum frame, removable cables with MMCX socket and rad reviews. Sold for just under 50$, there is a lot of choice in this price range.
What did we say?
Once properly driven, the Tin HiFi T2 sounded much more like a proper Chi-Fi IEM. Good extension, tight bass, and clean voices. But too much treble again. It’s a shame as you can clearly hear micro-details, hiding behind those 6-8kHz boosts.
T2 Pro
Sold for just 10$ more than their younger sibling, the TinHifi T2 Pro looks exactly the same. You keep the cool features like the aluminum frame, the MMCX socket, and the dual driver. So what’s the difference?
The T2 Pro gets a better cable and a slightly different tuning. We didn’t receive them yet, but that may soon happen. Or not.
T3
The TinHifi T3 looks exactly the same as the T2 and T2 Pro. Yet, it’s what’s inside that matters. Instead of the dual dynamic driver, TinHifi combines a classic Knowles BA driver and a Dynamic Driver and create another hybrid IEM.
Priced just under 70$, it’s still v-shaped, but more precise.
It’s a bit sad as apart from those annoying quirks, everything else is enjoyable. The dynamics are better, the sound stage cleaner – with a better depth effect – and there are a lot more micro-details than you’d expect from an IEM this cheap.
P1
The TinHifi P1 is vastly different from its smaller siblings. Instead of a dynamic, driver, the brand chose to implement a Planar transducer. Not an usual choice, even more in a sub-200$ price range, which makes it one of the cheapest chi-fi options for a planar IEM.
That said, the brand succeeded and to quote my self :
The TinHifi P1 is very good overall, excellent for the price. The sound is nice with overwhelming precision, impressive sound pressure and a sound signature that 90% of listeners will love, and 10% will tweak. The build quality is superb, with the shiny Stainless Steel shell and the copper braided cable. I love it.
T4
The TinHifi T4 is the latest model of the range. The brand made a crowdfunding and just smashed its goal, by a large margin (+2029% !). So far we can already say that the TinHifi T4 is already a commercial hit, but will it be a musical boom too ?
We’ll see but on paper, the T4 displays some pretty nice features. Let’s hope that’ll remain true once they hit the shelves.
On those good words, it’s time to unbox the TinHifi T4.
The article continues on Page Two, after the click here.
Nisha Batel
Thank you for the tinhifi t4 review.
Zero
Wow, the Tin T1 is forgotten even here.
antoine amanieux
a $129 iem that requires a $100 external amp to sound good is not a $129 iem, it is a $229 iem. it should then be compared to $229 iems that does not require external amp 🙂
Sam
You wouldn’t use a 200+$ iem without a decent audio source period. Doesn’t matter what iem it is, if the signal going in is wack, the iem isn’t going to fix that.
Laurent
Hi, i have the t2, will by the t4, works perfectly good with only my S8. Using Flac, Dsd filles and Fiio application.
Sp12er
^Lol of course not!
I do think the comparison choices is kinda sparse tho.
Richard
Last chance to get Tin HiFi T4 at $89 from HiFiGo if you miss the chance to get from indiegogo
https://hifigo.com/products/tin-hifi-t4-cnt-dynamic-driver-inear-earphones-iem-monitor-mmcx-connector
Connie
Thanks for review of Tinhifi T4.
As it is using Carbon Coated Driver which is 1 DD like IT01S.
Which one is better of their tonality?
Anil Kumar
Thanks for sharing the Info.
JITHU CHANDRADAS
T4 is the best iem around $100 i’ve ever used.As you said it is very picky to the source.Out of my three sources i liked it only with one my trusted fiio x5 ii.I even completely prefer t4 over my kanas pro.With the right source t4 sounds absolutely fantastic.That rich premium timbre you will not get from other iems around or double this price.
Matúš Jurčík
Hello, you wrote that the T4 is very sensitive to the source. Chord mojo – lost musicality, Q5s – is alright. What about LG quad DAC should it be alright on that? Lg g7, V30,V40 …
Thank you
NanoTechnos
Hi !
I tried the TinHifi T4 on my iPhone, who’s amp section isn’t known for its “power”. So yeah, you shouldn’t have any issue to drive it with a LG smartphone 🙂
Especially if they have the Quad DAC.
Matúš nurčík
Thank you for your reply but I meant it like if lg quad dac is soundwise good enought by its sound character or sound quality. I know that there is plenty of volume from it. Because in that article was written that is very picky to the source. I have lg g7 and it has sabre 9218 dac(quad dac) that has realy soft sound and I also have nextdrive spectra and i need to know if the t4 is good match with it… Ok but anyway thanks :).
Chris
I had the T3 then upgraded based on this and other reviews but I was really dissapointed. They did extend and smooth out the treble vs. T3 a little. However the midrange has such a huge bulge now that half the recordings that sound decent on the T3 sounds terrible with these. Also male voices lose timber completely. It sounds rather like one of those old portable record players. Also there’s a dip at around 6 kHz which loses some positional information making everything sound mono. I think these where designed with a very specific set of recordings in mind. I personally would not recommend them as they are not very versatile.