TinHifi C3 Review (1) – Peer Pressure Prevails
INTRO
The TinHifi C3 is finally a mid-budget IEM tested at $49 that sheds the atrociously uncomfortable aluminum shell spawned from the OG T2. Utilizing an in-vogue PU+liquid crystal polymer (LCP) dynamic driver the C3 is a tonally friendly, simple and effective “Harman tuned” technically competent midfield IEM with minor blemishes in the treble region.
PACKAGE CONTENTS
The TinHifi C3 comes with a half braided half loose twisted silver plated detachable 2 pin cable. It has just enough stiffness to resist tangling but does coil somewhat. The chin slider moves freely with minor resistance.
The plastic housing is a smoothly finished 3D printed shell with a tastefully done carbon fiber faceplate that is devoid of any seams. Not overly showy in comparison to the Nicehck Bro carbon fiber look, it strikes a good balance between isolation and fitment. I stopped using the T4 because the shape isn’t a good fit for long periods of time, so this is a welcome concept.
The eartips are nothing to write home about, olive shaped with decent firmness. They have a short stem and medium bore opening. The package does not include multiple types, instead opting for 2 times of the usual S/M/L sizing. Missed opportunity to provide value if different styles had been included.
Tested with LG G8, HIDIZS XO and SMSL DO100/HO100.
SOUND
It seems most IEMs I have reviewed as of late have a mild bass boost and the Tinhifi C3 is no exception. Bass is punchy with good body it could be tightened up for improved speed. I do enjoy the rumble it provides to avoid sounding to dry, but it is not a basshead set or sub-bassy.
Lower midrange on the TinHifi C3 has good weight, sounding full and luscious. Midrange clarity has good depth and resolution sounding very natural.
Moving up the spectrum, the TinHifi C3 has a syrupy sweetness that is not tainted by peaky abnormalities in the response curve. The pinna rise is perfectly situated to prevent forwardness but it is modeled after the Harman target. Orchestral works sound natural with good timbre, but
The TinHifi C3 treble sounds mellow, inoffensive, lacking sparkle and airiness, it sounds washed over. Overall resolution and detail is what I would expect in this price range and sits in the background of mixes.
Sometimes cymbal crashes and horns do not have the bite to sound realistic. Some people might prefer this type of sound especially if looking for a relaxed listening session. I equate this as listening to a good sounding full range driver vs using a tweeter to cover the top end.
Overall it was touted as being tuned to follow the Harman curve, but I think this is more of a return to the older Chi-fi tuning from 4 years ago. Not everything has to be tuned to the Harman curve although it was studied as a very pleasing tuning (does not mean correct) for a good sample size of listeners.
TECHNICALITIES
The TinHifi C3 sounds closed in and not particularly wide sounding, depth spacing is great however. Timbre is quite good, but due to the washed out top end you loose some of the detail required to really differentiate instruments.
Isolation is above average, but since it leans towards a universal shape there is some loose areas not covered by the shell that allows some sound leakage from the outside unlike the KZ X Crinacle CRN shell.
COMPARISONS
I thought we should compare a past TinHifi offering to see if they are making improvements with the Tinhifi C3. The T2+ was a well received neutral offering, the C3 is more V shaped. Midrange is more present on the T2+, the C3 however sounds cleaner in this area.
Bass feels lighter on the T2+, treble is grittier, and soundstaging feels compressed compared to the TinHifi C3. Cable looks similar but the C3 looks thicker and resists tangling a little better. The shell on the T2+ was nice and smooth but fits loosely compared to the C3.
The TinHifi C3 has a clearly nicer cable than the basic CCA/KZ cable on the CCA CRA+. The fitment of the CCA CRA+ is more universal than the TinHifi C3, but my right ear struggles on the CCA-highly personal.
The CCA CRA+ more energetic sounding due to the heightened treble boost higher in the presence region. Bass has more decay sounding bigger on the CRA+, it does make the C3 sound tighter with a cleaner finish. It’s like the CRA+ adds some reverb to sound like a bigger room. The upper midrange is less strained on the C3 where the CRA+ adds some zing making it edgier.
KZ X CRINACLE CRN ZEX PRO (~$37)
Bass level and tonality of the TinHifi C3 and the Zex Pro are comparable, the speed seems relatively close as well. Where they differ is the midrange on the Zex Pro becomes more prominent especially with electric guitars and snares have more feature time.
The Tinhifi C3 adds further treble for cymbals, so the Zex Pro sounds really cut off up top. The KZ X Crinacle CRN also garbles the cymbals while the Tinhifi C3 keeps it together. Technically the TinHifi C3 does a better job, but not exceptionally better.
OUTRO
TinHifi C3 checks all the popular boxes of universal shell, “Harman tuned”essque, and a pretty good LCP single dynamic. For those that do not like the Harman tuning, need more bass or more detailed treble look elsewhere.
While I am surprised the LCP fails to deliver more detailed highs, I look at the price tag of $49 and tell myself that seems fair considering the Moondrop Aria costs double the Tinhifi C3. Solid budget upgrade offering if you have $50 to spend.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Impedance: 32Ω±15%.
- Max Power: 5mW.
- Frequency Response: 10Hz-20kHz.
- Sensitivity: 106±3dB.
- Gold-Plated 2-Pin Connectors
- Driver: 10mm PU + LCP Dynamic
- Weight: 4.38G shells
- Tested at: $49
- Purchase Link: Linsoul.com
GRAPH
- Left vs Right (New IEC711 coupler, gone is the tube coupler with Dayton UMM-6 mic)
DISCLAIMER
I am thankful for Linsoul providing the TINHIFI C3 free of charge for experimentation.
Our generic standard disclaimer.
