Tin Hifi T4 Review (2) – Yet Another Unnecessary Second Opinion

Tin Hifi T4—a substantial upgrade from the original T2, which had impressive resolution and high-end detail, but an anemic low end and a somewhat sterile presentation.

Well built and accessorized, with an excellent, supple cable. I found these comfortable for extended sessions, but fit is finicky and the oddly-raked shells tend to shift in my ear; isolation is so-so as a result. 

Like the T2, the Tin Hifi T4 is slightly bright and revealing, with a lean note texture but more energy that the slightly chilly T2. Overall signature is balanced, but the T4 presents considerable, impactful (if very slightly boomy) bass, which isn’t the quickest or most sculpted, but has good depth and rumble. Mids are forward and clear, with vocals pushed towards front stage, while airy treble has good extension and a lot of sparkle; percussion is crisp. Coherence from top to bottom of the spectrum is seamless and overall level of detail is impressive.

I hear the stage as above-average in width, with a large stereo spread, but limited in depth and height; imaging is somewhat diffused and there’s a tendency to bunching of instruments towards the center of the stage which makes the location of performers imprecise on some materials. 

My principal reservation with the Tin Hifi T4 lies in the their accuracy of timbre; these have a slightly echoey, “digital” tonality and lack the tuby, natural quality of more expensive, richer-sounding dynamics like the BQEYZ Spring or Kanas Pro; you remain conscious of listening to a good recording as opposed to live performance. That said, I found these more engaging than the closest peer, the Etymotics ER2XR, which are more reference-accurate but have less drive and PRAT; most folks will also find the Tin Hifi T4 easier on the ears than the hyper-adrenalized NX7. Good value overall.

Disclaimer: borrowed from Durwood.