TinHiFi C5 Space Review (1) – Dark Matters
In this Article
INTRO
The TinHifi C5 Space fills the gap of IEMs not using their original T2 framework and it is much appreciated. TinHifi has had some solid offerings like the T4, T4 plus and T2+, and some storied models in the planar variety that never really took off, but had some supporters. The TinHifi C5 seemed like a promising departure from the shell design with a unique return to the elder days of IEM tuning. The TinHifi C5 Space fills the top end with dark matter, but an otherwise safe bassy tune that tends to jive well with certain genres more than others at a price tag of $79.
COMFORT FITMENT
The TinHiFi C5 Space follows the same shape as their T2/3/4 series but rounds out the hard edges for something less agitating. The silver painted metal shells look a bit freshmen, but they are comfortable. I pulled out the TinHiFi T2+ and the painted finish is exactly the same. Isolation hits about the middle mark.
Their low profile and rounded shell also make them a candidate for lying down and possibly napping. Something a bit different that I have not seen since my old Philips SHE3595 is the oval nozzles. The reasoning for oval is ear canals are actually oval shaped, but it can also cut down on resonances.
PACKAGE CONTENTS
The standard affair is included with the TinHiFi C5 Space, you get two sets of basic eartips, plus a signature set of baby blue foamies, removable 2 pin cable silver plated copper braid and twist after the split. I prefer 2 pin over their older MCCX connections, so it is nice they switched. The cloth carrying pouch is enough to keep them organized, paint protected, and compact in your pocket easily.
Inside the TinHifi C5 Space we find a dual driver setup with a 10mm x 10mm flat plate dynamic combined with a custom balanced armature. They took liberties with the flat plate dynamic referring to it sometimes as a “planar” which it is not a true planar.
There can still be benefits to a flat dynamic if done right, but usually in loudspeakers flat diaphragms are used to increase dispersion as frequency rises to avoid cancellations from a cone shaped design as one side of the cone interacts with the other side. I am not sure we are concerned about such issues when the driver is buried inside a closed shell, but ok something new and different can spark curiosity.
SOUND
Tested with Hidizs AP80 Pro-X, LG G8 and SMSL C200
The sound of the TinHiFi C5 Space can be summed up as a FM radio cassette like signature, warm and mellow. In other words the top end is missing some brilliance, but what it lacks up top the bottom end provides. Lower midrange is full bodied with an equal ratio of mid-bass to sub-bass. Lately there are many sets tuned in the sub-bass region they sometimes sound too thin with certain genres. Syrupy bass resolution dominates, but more volume helps accentuate the scooped out presence region.
Female vocals suffer a bit losing their energy, trumpets and saxophones have their sheen buffed to smoother finish than expected. Like coming home on a Friday after an exhausting week, and all you want to do is veg out and chill, the TinHiFi C5 Space has got your back.
Upper treble makes a short lived conversation that there could be more, but forgets to finish their thoughts. I find myself wanting to turn up the volume to compensate. It forces you to listen harder, but at least it is not overpowering. Rock music takes on a low-fi feel, it seems to work ok for orchestral music if you like sitting further back. Singer and acoustic guitar music does fine with this style of tuning as well. I would prefer more brilliance.
Technically, the TinHiFi C5 timbre is ok, but a little more information would help cement the tone. I find them rather intimate sounding, closed in perhaps while sounding distant as well with the paired down treble.
The TinHiFi C5 Space is such a different tune compared to the plethora of Harman tuned sets infiltrating the market, the focus is clearly lower mid-range and upper bass regions, the Kiwi Ears Cadenza is thinner sounding with quicker bass but lively and engaging doing due justice for brassy and guitars. At $79 the TinHiFi is competing against the Moondrop Aria and Truthears Hexa.
The Turthears Hexa was also a hybrid, and it resolved more detail, bass was centered in the sub-bass territory, the Aria I have no experience with so unfair to bring that one up perhaps? I do remember the Ibasso IT00 briefly, and I would say they had similar easy going attitudes.
FINAL COMMENTS
The TinHiFi C5 Space has adopted a slightly different path from its cousins. I appreciated a rounded softer shape, but it also had the softer tune to go with it. It is only going to work well for certain genres and music, if you find a lot of these Harman tuned mid-price IEMs too aggressive and want a softer listen this one could be for you. It does not particularly fit my Atl-rock, electronic music I gravitate to, but acoustic guitar soloist genre or you want a low-fi aesthetic filter these would fit the bill.
Disclaimer: We thank TinHifi for providing this earphone free of charge, it helps to hide the dust on my desk.
PROS / CONS
| GOT IT | ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENTS |
|---|---|
| Great Cable | One set of the ear-tips I received are mismatched sizes, probably a one off mistake |
| Fitment excellent and small | Scooped out treble combined with a cliff after a small peak around 10khz, robs them of potential. |
| Carrying Case | |
SPECIFICATIONS
GRAPHS
- Left vs Right
- Impedance Plot
DISCLAIMER
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Our generic standard disclaimer.
