Vividly Loud Piece of Steel
PROS:
Good bass control
Rigid build and funky faceplate
Lively and energetic treble
Affordable
Flexible sound reproduction that will attract a wide range of consumers
CONS:
Slightly recessed midrange
Physical ear fatigue particularly at the antihelix
The treble might become fatiguing in long listening sessions
Mediocre technicalities will leave critical listeners wanting more
INTRODUCTION:
The TIN HiFi C2 is dubbed as the “Mech Warrior” owing to their sturdy construction and mechanical appearance. The tagline is reminiscent of a childhood dream, where one envisions oneself as a guardian of peace, fighting tirelessly without ever surrendering.
The tagline initially left me somewhat bewildered. While I can envision a scenario of a child utilizing the C2 as a means of communication while piloting a mech warrior, I cannot connect the dots between the concept and the C2. I am left wondering if the C2 conveys a playful or authoritative sound.
While such phrases may appear more fitting for a toy packaging, they do hold a certain relevance. The TIN HiFi C2, with its dependable build and sprightly sound signature, invokes a sense of reliability and determination, as if they were a loyal companion in one’s musical journey.
The C2 boasts a refined sound quality for its price point. The C2 can produce a dynamic and energetic sound presentation, demonstrating its impressive auditory capabilities.
Put on your helmet HUD, and join me as we embark on this mission to discover the truth about the C2.
FOREWORD:
The gear on hand has undergone at least 10-15 hours of use before it was assessed.
No EQ is ever applied in my reviews.
For the sake of convenience, I try my best to use a stock setup. Not everyone has access to personal ear tips or cables. If personal ear tips, cables, or accessories are used, you will be notified.
As I try to be objective, my claims inevitably will be subjective and biased to my personal preference. I cannot stress more that you should take this with a grain of salt for we have different perceptions to sound and what we hear.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Configuration: 1 x LCP (liquid crystal polymer) + PU composite diaphragm
Impedance: 32ohms
Sensitivity: 104dB (@1khz)
Freq response: 10hz - 20khz
PACKAGING:
The C2 are packaged in a compact, unassuming white box that comfortably fits in the palm of one’s hand. The front features a monochrome illustration of a mechanical warrior, reminiscent of the popular Japanese anime series Gundam.
Meanwhile, the right side of the box lists the technical specifications in both English and Chinese languages. The left side is adorned with TINHiFi’s logo, while the back of the box displays QR codes for their social media accounts alongside a Chinese motto that roughly translates to “Every day is a new beginning.”
The box’s minimalist design is standard, lacking any flashy or vibrant hues that would otherwise detract from the product’s understated elegance.
In the box
TIN HiFi C2 IEMs
Cable
3 pcs medium bore silicon ear tips (S)
5 pcs medium bore silicon ear tips (M)
4 pcs medium bore silicon ear tips (L)
Product warranty card
TIN HiFi card
Inclusions are barebones and are what is expected in this price range. No complaints here on my end.
The ear tips all seem to have the same bore size - no matter how I squint at them. Not much of a choice, really. But don’t worry, just pick the size that fits your ears best and gives you the perfect seal.
The S-sized ear tips were used for this review.
SOUND IMPRESSIONS:
Tests were done with Ovidius B1, Hiby RS2 DAP, Centrance Dacport HD, Oppo A94 smartphone, and Hidizs AP80 pro DAP using FLAC, WAV, and DSD files. The streaming services used were Apple Music, Tidal, and Qobuz; mobile apps were UAPP and Hiby Music.
The C2 has an engaging,vibrant and energetic sound that is very easy to admire. They will not just cater to seasoned audiophiles or musicians but also to the average consumer.
What really surprises me is the refinement of the sound quality. A few years ago, the typical sound of sub-USD$50 IEMs was a dominant bass response that slams really hard, then the rest of the frequencies were either too recessed or veiled sounding due to too much emphasis in the low frequencies.
Although the C2 bear the usual U-shape sound signature, I can’t shake off the fact that they have good control over the whole frequency spectrum.
The tone and timbre are reasonably sensible and depict how things actually sound - closer to real life. Nothing really jumps out of its place, whether it’s jazz, reggae, funk, rock, or even orchestral tracks - all sound excellent, and exciting.
In the facets of technical performance, as we expect at this price point, there are shortcomings, including a linear soundstage. Almost everything is pointed toward the center. Imaging or placement of instruments is audibly present, but nothing remarkable to note.
On the flip side, the speed of the drivers are rather fairly acceptable as they are not insanely quick nor sluggish, and they exhibit an appropriate and consistent performance. There might be ineffectiveness when it comes to complex tracks, nonetheless, they perform decently.
Resolution is below average as the C2 doesn’t have that proper sense of individuality in instruments. The presentation is in one place rather than systematically arranged within the soundstage. Note definition doesn’t have an overly edgy presentation despite possessing quick attacks.
The C2 is fairly easy to drive, and proper loudness can be achieved even with a modest smartphone.
Bass
The bass of the C2 is mature and controlled, delivering a refined listening experience that is not aimed at bass heads. The Chain by Fleetwood Mac intro of drum kicks has a decent punch and nice attack, showcasing the bass’s tasteful balance.
Bass guitars are never boomy or overbearing, with a good touch of mid-bass definition. The overall sound signature exudes a sense of restraint, making it a suitable choice for those seeking a more refined and discerning listening experience.
Bass bleed is almost non-existent, providing clean and nicely defined bass even for modern tracks. Although my playlist consists mostly of classic tracks (Stevie Wonder, Alan Parsons Project, George Benson, Bob James, Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC, Michael Jackson, EWF, and the likes), even modern music like Daft Punk and Calvin Harris never sounds boomy or smeared. This showcases the C2’s ability to deliver a balanced and clean sound that is not overpowering, making it suitable for a wide range of music genres.
Midrange
I find the midrange slightly recessed in the general presentation across its frequency range. Typically, this kind of presentation really turns me away, but surprisingly, it still does deliver the representation of instruments I’m quite fond of like pianos, Rhodes piano, organs, brasses, snares, mid toms, percussions, tenor sax, cellos, horns, and some synths are very bright, transparent, and have good presence. The recessed nature only occasionally comes into play, with some vocals sitting behind the bass domain.
The upper mids are never shouty nor hot, even in brightly mixed tracks. Vocals are equally proper in sound, both male and female.
Treble
The treble on the C2 is neither aggressive nor lacking in air and openness. Among all the frequencies, the treble is the star of the show, offering impressive detail and crispiness.
Moreover, it does not exhibit any sibilance, which makes it safe for people with sensitive ears. The cymbal strikes are sparkly and have an average bite, allowing unmasked sound reproduction. The energy of the C2 gives it a lively and vivid sound signature, which is bound to impress even the most discerning audiophiles.
COMFORT and FIT:
Comfort is subjective because we all have different ear anatomy. Small ears may experience some discomfort during long listening periods due to the C2’s sharp edges. I personally experience this on the antihelix part of my ears at around a 2-hour mark of continuous wear.
If you have a habit of sleeping or napping with IEMs on, the C2s might give you soreness over time. Nonetheless, I anticipate the opposite for large ears.
COMPARISONS:
As part of my assessment, I will compare the C2 and Dunu Titan S, a model that I currently have on hand with a similar driver type and price range.
Vs Dunu Titan S
The Dunu Titan S boast a more refined and polished signature, with the treble in particular exhibiting greater restraint and control. The tonality is somewhat smoother and more detailed, offering a neutral listening experience that outshines the C2.
While both IEMs perform comparably in the low-frequency range, the Titan S midrange takes the lead, delivering a forward sound that accentuates the nuances of each instrument. Overall, the Titan S proves to be a worthy contender in about the same price range, packing a more polished and sophisticated sound.
The soundstage is prominently wider on the Titan S, and instruments are better placed and accurate. Details are more audible and felt, coming off as a better player in technicalities.
Ear insertion is a tad bit deeper with Titan S with less pinna gain.
Ultimately the Titan S are more subtle and less energetic, with better technicalities. The C2 are vivid and brighter in sound and more prone to listening fatigue in the long run.
SOURCES USED:
Questyle QP2R
LG V30 quad dac with Centrance Dacport via Hiby music app
Oppo A94 with Centrance Dacport via Hiby music app
Oppo A94 with Ifi Hipdac v2 via Hiby music app
Macbook pro 2011 with Centrance Dacport via Foobar
Macbook pro 2011 with Ifi Hipdac v2 via Foobar
Tidal Masters
Qobuz Studio
Apple Music
TEST TRACKS:
Here are some tracks I usually listen to when reviewing:
That’s the way of the World by EWF
Africa by TOTO
The Girl in the Other Room by Diana Kral
Balmorhea album All is wild, All is Silent
Sila by Sud
Smooth Escape by D’Sound
Never too Much by Luther Vandross
P.Y.T by Michael Jackson
Ain’t no Sunshine by Eva Cassidy
Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC
Another one bites the Dust by Queen
Good times bad times by Edie Brickell
Alice in Wonderland by Bill Evans
Ain’t it Fun by Paramore
Redefine by Incubus
Far Away by Nickelback
Lovesong by Adele
Lingus by Snarky Puppy
Harvest for the World by Vanessa Williams
Love Bites by Def Leppard
No Such Thing by John Mayer
As by Stevie Wonder
Whip Appeal by Babyface
Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan
Futures by Prep
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Every Summertime by NIKI
SADE tracks
AC/DC tracks
Queen tracks
And many more… I always listen to High resolution format, being the least quality 16bit/44khz FLACS be it offline or online.
VERDICT:
Truth be told, it scares me how well the IEM budget segment is coping with competition. The gap continues to narrow between entry-level and mid-range players. While the C2 are not giant killers, they sound not far off of gear priced around the USD$100 domain.
The C2’s tonal accuracy is noteworthy and can easily win over those who prefer brighter sound signatures. Casual listeners will likely be smitten with the sound profile right from the start, except for those who crave serious bass. However, audiophiles and discerning listeners will find themselves yearning for more technical finesse.
Despite their unremarkable technicalities, the C2 remain highly appealing and deserving of praise. Their fun and lively sound exudes the essence of being a “mech warrior” - adventurous, nimble, and ready for a battle.
I would like to thank the folks from HiFiGO for sending this unit in exchange for this review.
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