Marcelo reviews the TinHIFI T6, a new hybrid IEM with a 10mm composite dynamic and a single micro-planar driver design, priced at $119.00.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank TinHifi for their support.
Click here to read more about the TinHiFi audio products previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our latest scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
TinHiFi, formerly known as TIN Audio, has been around since 2018 with the release of the Tin HiFi T2. It was considered one of the best single dynamic driver IEMs at its release.
Even though their IEMs are often reviewed in the audio community, they have received good feedback. Some of which are reviewed here at Headfonics, including the P1 Max II, T5S, and P2, to name a few. This is my first time hearing a TinHiFi IEM.
Knowing that TinHiFi would send me the premium entry-level IEM, the TinHiFi T6, priced at $119. I was curious to hear how this dynamic + 1 micro-planar hybrid driver IEM would sound and the variety of sound signatures I’d get with its interchangeable tuning nozzle.
How good will the T6 sound? And how will it compare to other hybrid IEMs, including the Hidizs MS2 PRO and the Punch Audio Portazo? Let’s find out.
Features
The T6 is a hybrid IEM featuring a 10mm dynamic and 1 x micro-planar driver. Based on the exploded diagram, the dynamic driver has an alloy dome diaphragm and a lightweight voice coil from Daikoku Japan.
The T6 offers three types of tuning nozzles and three types of included ear tips, for a total of nine tuning options. The nozzles are black for reference tuning, green for Harman-like tuning, and pink for gaming-style tuning.
There is also APC (Precision Airflow Control), which is a more precise way to control pressure in the front cavity and ear canal. It serves as a pressure release and regulates the bass extension via the grill-covered vent near the nozzle.
During initial insertion, I feel pressure rise in my ear canal, but it dissipates quickly afterward. The APC (Precision Airflow Control) works well in relieving the ear canal pressure, preventing pressure from building up, which can cause headache and nausea.
My review sample is the standard version, which only includes the 3.5mm and 4.4mm interchangeable plugs.
However, the gaming version of T6 also includes a USB-C plug. The Type-C Gaming Edition features a built-in Custom PEQ (Parametric Equalizer) that allows users to fine-tune their sound signature via the WALKPLAY app.
I didn’t see the technical spec for the T6 on their official product page, so I measured it with a digital multimeter and found it has a DC impedance of 28Ω. There is no sensitivity spec in the product page either, but I estimate the sensitivity falls within the average of my IEM.
I did notice that I have to increase the volume a little to match the loudness of the other IEMs in this review.
Design
The T6 features a design that combines high-tech industrial design cues with an anodized silver CNC-machined main body, a grilled pressure vent, replaceable nozzles, and the organic, traditional look of the real-wood faceplate.
The shell is on the smaller side of average, at only 5.6 grams, which is below average. The overall look and feel of the set, including the cable, while using the T6, is very premium.
I like that the tuning filters have the same color and texture as the shell and have colored rubber rings for indication. There is a small metal grill near the nozzle that covers both the tuning and the pressure relief vent.
A smaller round vent is near the KZ/QDC-style 2-pin connector, which serves as the pressure-release vent for the back of the drivers.
Stock Cable
The T6 1.2 m modular cable, which includes 3.5 and 4.4 mm plugs, feels very premium and is 5 mm thick, which is neither too thick nor too thin; it feels just right.
The high-purity oxygen-free copper and silver-plated four-core cable has alternating black and silver colors.
Except for the 2-pin connectors, all parts are made of metal. I didn’t like that the L and R indicators on the 2-pin connectors are difficult to see.
Comfort & Isolation
Despite its 6.4 mm diameter nozzle, the ear tips, the small, light shell, and the ergonomic shape make the T6 very comfortable to wear.
I never had issues using it during my walking exercise; it seems to disappear in my ears even when I’m at home listening.
The noise isolation is good, just like most IEMs I’ve tested recently. The outside noise can be heard but becomes inaudible when music is playing, even at a low volume.
Packaging & Accessories
I had a good unboxing experience with T6. Its 110 x 110 x 70 mm box is easy to open and well-designed.
The package includes the earphones, cable, 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs, carrying case, high-transparency Liquid Silicone, bullet-shaped and foam ear tips, 4 APC Acoustic Filters, 12 Nozzle Filter Meshes, 6 nozzle filter foam inserts, and a silicone ear tip storage case.
I must commend TinHiFi for including extra sets of replacement grilles, tuning foams, and tuning filters for the nozzles and vents, as these can get damaged over time by moisture and dirt.
Sound Impressions
I performed my standard 24-hour burn-in on the review units and noticed an improvement in overall smoothness afterward.
For the sources, I used my iBasso DC-Elite and MUSE HiFi M6 Double DAC amplifiers, with my OnePlus 13 Android phone and Sony DAP as the music source, and the FiiO M15s DAP, using mostly UAPP, PowerAmp, and YouTube Music Apps.
No EQ or any sound enhancement programs were used. I used the included cable with the 4.4 mm balanced connection.
Unless otherwise noted, I use the pink nozzle and the black ear tips for the sound impressions and comparisons.
Measurements
My measurements reveal a good channel-balanced set, with only negligible and imperceptible imbalance.
Using the pink tuning nozzles, there is a tremendous 15 dB bass boost at 20 Hz, and a moderate 10 dB pinna gain peak at 2.9 kHz.
The peak at 8 kHz is a measurement artifact caused by the resonance inside the metal cavity of the measuring tool and is not perceptible during listening.
The three types of tuning nozzles plus the three types of ear tips give us 9 tuning possibilities. My measurement shows the difference between the tuning nozzles.
Tuning Nozzles
In actual listening, the black tuning nozzle sounds too bright and shouty. I suspect this is perfect for some traditional Chinese or Japanese music to make the percussion and the strings sound vivid, but it is not for me.
The green nozzle is the factory-installed one and conforms to Harman tuning, with boosted bass.
During actual listening, it sounds just like a Harman-tuned IEM, with its dreaded Harman sound, characterized by an elevated upper midrange and a somewhat bright treble, with a flat upper treble.
Finally, the pink nozzle, which suits my taste the most. It has boosted bass with a slightly relaxed upper midrange and lower treble, and an extended, airy, and sparkly treble.
Of the three nozzles, the pink has the most audiophile-type tuning; the others sound more like monitoring.
Ear Tips
Ear tips offer subtle to drastic differences. My least favorite is the foam tips, not only because I don’t find them comfortable in general, but also because they reduce bass, treble, and dynamics, making the sound flatter and lifeless.
The liquid silicone and black silicone ear tips have a similarly balanced sound, with negligible differences between them. Ultimately, I use the black silicone ear tips because I find them more comfortable than the sticky, firm liquid silicone ear tips.
Summary
That said, the T6 with the pink nozzle gives me a bassy, relaxed, smooth U-shaped sound signature, characterized by boosted bass, a mildly relaxed upper midrange, smooth treble, and mildly boosted upper treble.
Even though the subbass and the mid-bass always have presence in most songs, they do not overpower the sound; even on slow, relaxing music, they never become overbearing. The bass is punchy and energetic with good articulation.
The lower and upper midrange are slightly recessed with lush sound and somewhat thick note weight, making the overall sound warm. There is no shoutiness or peakiness in the presentation, yet the vocals and instruments have good presence.
I find the treble pleasantly smooth yet energetic. There is good airiness and delicacy; however, you must remember this is with the pink nozzle. With the other nozzles, the treble is on the bright side.
Coloration
Again, with the pink nozzles, there is no obvious coloration to be heard with the T6; I don’t hear any nasality, peakiness, or coherency issues.
However, I noticed that the details presentation is laid back and isn’t as transparent as the best I’ve heard. And although the resolution is good with a highly resolving source, there is a thin haze over the microdetails.
Soundstage
The above-average soundstage size is deeper than it is wide, with acceptable height when using the pink nozzle. It is wider with the green and black nozzles, but they sound too bright, unrefined, and fatiguing to me.
Imaging is not the best, but it has good stability and above-average edge definition, especially the center vocals or instruments. The background instruments and vocals on the sides have above-average definition, separation, and panning.
However, due to the laid-back soundstage presentation, the images appear to immerge mostly in a flat plane at the front, creating a wall-like soundstage, and image holography suffers.
Dynamics
T6 has very good dynamics, especially in the bass, which is delightful to hear, especially when paired with a powerful DAP and music with a lot of subbass. I can imagine the T6 would make bassheads, or people who like a lot of bass in their music, very happy.
However, the laid-back upper midrange and lower treble make this region sound a little relaxed and less energetic than the bass region. There is a little energy in the upper treble to prevent the T6 from sounding totally dull, though.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
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