Tin HiFi T3 Plus Review

I am only just scratching the surface of Tin HiFi’s expansive library of IEMs, and I’ve recently gotten a chance to listen to one of their most inexpensive models yet. The T3 Plus is a $79 IEM, which you may look past as just a cheap earphone, but IEM’s in this range definitely surprised me in the past, like the Moondrop Aria and the Queen of Audio Vesper. Let’s see if the T3 Plus can outshine those models.

What You Get

• T3 Plus IEMs
• Six pairs of silicone tips
• One set of blue foam tips
• Drawstring pouch
• 2-pin to 3.5mm cable

Look and Feel

Like a lot of these ChiFi brands, the T3 Plus comes with a nice artistic design that’s both pleasant to look at and as well as ergonomic. Its outer shell is made from the combined materials of marble and environmental resin. Each piece is hand-polished using a special V treatment process. The golden logo overlaying its black and grey swirls is a great piece of artistry for an IEM of this price, so that extra effort is greatly appreciated. What’s also appreciated is the level of comfort offered here. Its in-ear cavity is shaped in a way that feels natural when inserted. The housing sits in your concha without any considerable feeling at all, as each piece is pretty much weightless.

Design

Inside of the T3 Plus is a 10mm dynamic driver. It uses high-performance magnets, with a liquid crystal polymer that significantly reduces vibration and unwanted noise interference. The stock cable is 4-core and uses 2-pin earphone connectors and is made from oxygen-free copper and 200D kevlar.

Soundstage

In terms of soundstage and imaging, the T3 Plus has a surprising amount to live up to for its price. It shares the space with some formidable players, and that will affect the perception of its spatial abilities. With that being said, the T3 Plus retains an admirable sense of width in the traditional stereo sense. It’s a mostly linear display, featuring surface-level instrumental placement with a good amount of separation between the left and right channels. There’s also some interesting top end added to the sound signature that increases the stage’s reach, but altogether not much dimension is showcased here. The imaging presents a respectable and sometimes playful arrangement of sonic environments, but don’t expect it to wrap around you in any significant way.

Low End

For the bass, the T3 Plus doesn’t give much to present, but you can still expect some resolving textures. The most you get out of these lows is a subtle extension in the sub-bass that provides the timbre with some considerable lift. It doesn’t slam, but it still makes the sound signature gripping in its own way. You get the sense that the bass gives you clear details in an uncompromised way. However, it doesn’t give you a ton of drive, and it will always feel like something is holding it back from really giving you the power it seems like it can deliver.

Mids

The midrange offers a great sense of fullness, delivering natural tones and clarity to its fulfilling timbre. It does its best to grant the sound signature some transparency, and I say it succeeds. There is a sense of balance and solidity to its frequency spectrum that feels like it’s sharing a great richness for instruments and vocals to define themselves. Piano tones glide and resonate with a sense of grip for a lively performance, especially in the upper-midrange where the frequencies are given an accentuated bite. Vocals are also clean and just sound pretty in certain ranges. There are lots to enjoy here.

Highs

That upper-midrange extension travels well into the treble range of frequency response. There’s a great emphasis here that can express some peakiness but keeps it tight and clean. It is almost like it is just about to go over the edge into the harsh territory before limiting itself, which is the kind of sound profile I can get around. It brings a pleasing quickness to its transients that make the sound signature feel like it not only has presence but height as well. It can be sharp, but you cant bet it is never dull.

Summary

Tin HiFi gives you a lot of sonic goodies for just $79. Sure the bass might be lacking some punch, and the soundstage might not have the most depth, but you’re still getting a largely satisfying sound signature for a great price. This rings true if you’re looking for crisp instrumentals and vocals with a sharp edge to them. You also get a great fit that never intrudes on your listening time, only shaping itself to bring you maximal enjoyment. It’s a competitive range, but the T3 Plus has enough great qualities to make it up for your consideration.

The Tin HiFi T3 Plus is available at Audio46.