Reviews,  In-Ear Monitors (IEM)

TinHiFi T3 Plus vs. TinHiFi T3: Which is the best in 2023?

This is my comprehensive review of the TinHiFi T3 Plus IEM and it’s comparison with original T3.


The TinHiFi T3 Plus emerges as a noteworthy evolution of its predecessor, the T3, presenting a spectrum of improvements that underscore its advanced features. This IEM featured a 10mm Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) dynamic driver fortified with high-performance magnets, a well-designed ergonomic shell, and an oxygen-free copper detachable cable.

Disclaimer: I am not paid to make this review or offer any specific opinions about this product, and all thoughts expressed in this review are solely my own.

The headphones comes in a medium size carton box. On the front of  the box there is a T3 Plus lettering and a TinHiFi Logo Inside this box we have another carton box with a lid.

In this box we have:

  • Tin T3 Plus IEMs
  • A detachable cable
  • Six pairs of silicone ear tips
  • A pair of blue foam ear tips
  • A carrying pouch to ensure the IEMs’ protection
  • A user manual and a contacts card

The impedance of T3 Plus is 32 Ohm, sensitivity is 105db.

Design & build

Aesthetic appeal and structural excellence merge seamlessly in the design and construction of the TinHiFi T3 Plus. Diverging from its predecessor, the T3 Plus embraces a fresh aesthetic perspective.

T3 Plus shells are made from a medical grade resin as opposed to the metal shells of the original T3. The shells are quite large and have an interesting marble textured faceplate, each ear piece is hand-polished and they look amazing.

Faceplates carry TinHiFi logos in gold, the logos are etched directly into faceplate and that gives this IEM quite a distinctive look. There is also one small vent on back side part of each shell. The nozzles are made from metal, they are on a shorter side and have average thickness. There is a metal mesh at the end of each nozzle and also a small lip that helps with ear tips retainment.

Each ear piece also has a clear channel marking on the inside part of the shell. The IEMs feature 2-pin connectors and come with a 6 sets of silicone ear tips. All tests in my review have been performed using the stock silicon ear tips.  Overall I liked the build quality and the distinctive look of this IEM.

Fit & comfort

The TinHiFi T3 Plus shells are large in size, but they are light and have an ergonomic shape. Due to ergonomic design, when inserted, the shells have a very natural feel.

The nozzles are on a shorter side, but finding a good fit & seal with stock ear tips wasn’t a problem at all. I’ve been using this pair for extended periods of time and the IEMs are comfortable. Despite having a single vent, the IEMs are good at blocking the outside noise, and I had no problems using this pair out in the street.

Cable

The cable that comes TinHiFi T3 Plus is surprisingly good for this price bracket. It’s 1.2 meters, high quality oxygen-free copper cable with a straight 3.5 mm connector on one end, and two 0.78 2-pin connectors on the other ends. The connectors also have color markings for the left and right channel. 

The cable has got a tidy braid, a metal Y-splitter, metal chin slider and soft pre-molded ear hooks. The cable is a bit thin, but it’s very low in microphonics and works really well.

TinHiFi T3 Plus sound overview

Before delving into the sound impressions, it’s important to remember that my opinions on sound are entirely subjective.

I had no issues driving this pair from my Samsung Galaxy S10 that was able to bring this pair to my comfort levels of volume with some additional headroom left. T3 Plus has got a balanced sound signature with well controlled bass response, natural midrange and slightly bright treble. When paired with a more powerful source, T3 Plus provides a great performance, especially in the low frequencies department.

Compared to the original T3, TinHiFi T3 Plus is definitely a step forward, as the company managed to keep the pros of T3, like natural mids and bass response, and fixed some of its shortcomings.

Bass

When considering the bass performance of this pair, it becomes apparent that while it might not excel in terms of resolution and speed, it does present a commendable low-frequency presence. The sub-bass, in particular, exhibits a satisfying extension that lends itself to a substantial rumble. The mid-bass, lacks a certain weight and impact, nudging the sub-bass into a more dominant position. In a broader context, the bass performance of the T3 Plus aligns well within its price bracket, offering a balanced auditory experience that doesn’t overwhelm the listener while remaining versatile across a spectrum of musical genres.

Midrange

Midrange on TinHiFi T3 Plus is natural, transparent, and detailed. However, due to some bass bleed into the midrange introduces a hint of thickness in the lower mid-range. This athickness, curiously, harmonizes with a warm resonance that favors male vocals and guitar timbres.

Upper mids are energetic and clean, without being harsh or sibilant. The upper mids are well defined, they are detailed and I especially liked how female vocals sound on this pair. Instruments have a natural timbre and definition and sit well in the mix. Overall the midrange has got a natural timbre, it’s full, clean and detailed.

Treble

The treble on T3 Plus is well extended and energetic. It’s relatively smooth, but with some poor recorded material treble it can be borderline harsh. Though in my case it never crossed that line. But if you are a treble sensitive person, you need to pay attention to this fact.

The treble has a good amount of sparkle and it’s lively enough to add necessary clarity and details to the overall mix. At the same time the treble works really well with the warm tonality, perfectly balancing the low end and making the IEM tuning comfortable for long listening sessions.

Overall I was pleased with the treble on T3 Plus and in my opinion it’s better controlled compared to the original T3.

Found this review useful? Read more IEM reviews here

Sound stage, imaging and details

TinHiFi T3 Plus has got a solid sound stage for a pair of IEMs and it’s definitely a step up from the original T3.

The sound stage width is above average, depth is about average and the music slightly sounds out of your head.

Resolution & detail retrieval are good and I was pleasantly surprised with it.

Separation of instruments while not class leading, is still better than on many pairs of IEMs in this price bracket.

Imaging is good and I can easily locate everything within my music. Nothing is out of place which is all that we should be asking at this price tag. 

In addition I have noticed that T3 Plus works really well for multiplayer games, as the imaging is accurate and on point.

Conclusions

The TinHiFi T3 Plus IEMs unveil an extraordinary amalgamation of precision engineering and sonic mastery. Its highlights include:

Pros:

  • Attractive design and a good build
  • Comfortable fit and good passive isolation
  • Balanced sound signature with a boosted sub bass
  • Good sounding midrange with a full and rich vocals
  • Good sound stage and imaging
  • Excellent price to performance ratio

Cons:

  • Mid bass lacks impact and punch
  • Treble could use just a bit of more air 

TinHiFi T3 Plus are not perfect, but they provide a very solid performance and I liked their tuning a lot. This IEM works well for many genres of music and I particularly enjoyed vocal and instrumental music with this pair. However I will mention that this pair won’t be appealing to those who seek bass slam and heavy mid bass impact. 

Overall T3 Plus provides a crisp and clean sound presentation, it does a lot of things right and I’d say it’s one of the most interesting sub 100 US dollar IEMs currently on the market, especially if you are tired of pronounced V-shape tunings and you are looking for something more interesting.

I hope this review has been helpful and if you’d like to see more content like this, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for future updates. Thank you for reading, and happy listening!

** As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links in my reviews are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase.

An avid sound enthusiast and audiophile. I have spent almost a decade working with live & studio sound engineers, owners & architects of concert venues, and music performers to design and build sound systems according to their needs. As of July 2024, I have auditioned and tested more than 280 pairs of headphones and IEMs and created over 260 YouTube reviews of headphones, IEMs, DACs, amplifiers, and headphone accessories in two languages.

One Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!