Tinhifi T4
The other Tinhifi, besides the P1, that reaches the “B” tier of enjoyment for me. That is, these are enjoyable enough to listen to for me for much of my music, though not stellar nor unenjoyable in any particular respect. These are simply decent.
At first, I had a terrible time with these - just trying to fit them in right with the stock tips. I had to push them all the way into my ear canal to feel like I had a proper seal, and even then they felt not quite right (I had to addtionally push on them into my ear with my fingers, and keep holding that push with my fingers, to enjoy the deeper bass that were coming out of these).
After fiddling with them in my ear awhile, I gave up and tried Campfire Audio’s Marshmallow tips, my trusted tips for correcting any issues with seal on some IEM’s. With these foam tips on, I could finally enjoy some consistency in the seal/sound without involvement from my hands to fiddle around or hold the set in my ears the whole time.
The sound that came out of these seemed much much less sibilant or “shrill” than the T2 Pro and the T3. These T4’s really did lower the treble enough for me to finally not feel bothered. I could just listen to my music without discomfort. So how do these actually sound to me? Well, decent in that there are no harsh areas to bother me. Also, there is enough bass to enjoy a “full” sound. Then in the mids though, while not entirely recessed still feel a bit like I was searching for something more. It’s hard to put my finger on it, but let’s take some examples.
In the vocal tracks on my playlist (like the “Hurt” cover by Youn Sun Nah), I didn’t hear the voices pierce through me in that oh so wonderful way I feel connected when listening to better balanced set. Perhaps there was a tad too much warmth for me - my arch nemesis, the too high bass/low mids. At times where I just wanted to hear a pristine voice against a clean and clear backdrop, instead I heard a female voice sing behind a constant warm humm.
And, once again with Tinhifi, there is this general sense with the music that some instruments just don’t hit me with the authenticity of real life, the forwardness of a drum or hit I expect, that altogether makes me ever wanting more. It would almost sound like I should give this set a lower score, like a “C” or a “D,” but somehow I can only bring myself to give it a B- for enjoyment. I think this is because, as I write this note, despite those things that I wish I had more or better presence of, I still feel like I could listen to these and enjoy them to some degree or another. It’s really close though. At any moment I may just talk myself into putting these at C+…hmmm. Yea. Sorry past me, this is not very enjoyable. Gotta be honest! Down to C+ it goes, mid-write-up.