Hello guys,I am new here and I want to get myself some new IEMs on a budget. I have been checking out reviews online and I have seen that the TinHiFi T2 seem to be quite good. Any other suggestions?
Can I use them without a DAC on my computer?
Thank you
Yes, you can use the T2s directly from your computer. Most IEMs, including the T2s, are easy enough to drive that you don’t need external amplification. Depending on the quality of your mobo and the audio it puts out, they might sound better through an external DAC of some sort, but it’s not necessary.
As for other recs, can you give me/us some more info. For example, what is your budget? What are you planning to use them for (music only, music and movies and gaming, etc)? What kinds of music are your favorite or do you have a specific tuning you’re looking for (neutral, bass boosted, v shaped, etc)? Any other info you think might be helpful in narrowing suggestions down for IEMs that would fit you best.
Sorry I am really new to this so i guess i was not specific enought. I am looking to spend max 70$. Id like the cables to be replaceable as I have cats and they alredy destroyed some cables before. I do not have an external DAC.
I listen to rock/psychedelic rock/reggae/ and some more vocal stuff even. I am interested in some IEMs that will also play nice just random youtube videos,podcasts and good voice on discord.
As for DACs would i be able to get one for rather cheap? or should i jsut buy the IEMs first and see how they sound
jsut to add I have no idea about earphones. the only ones i had so far were the typical samsung and iphone ones you get with the phones
No need to be sorry at all, I just wanted more info so that any recs people make from here on are actually tailored to your preferences and not just shots in the dark. That’s all.
I’ll start with the DAC thing first. There’s no problem with buying the IEMs and if they sound fine to you don’t even worry about the DAC. Getting a pair of IEMs that suit you well should definitely be your priority and you can think about a DAC later if you decide to or not at all.
Now for the IEMs, the T2s are a neutral or neutral bright set and based on your music preferences (I listen to the same stuff you do as a good part if my library 
) I think you might find them a little lacking in fullness from the bass and low mids. If I were you I would look at something like the T3 Plus. They are a great pair for just the kinds of music you like and I love my pair. They have a good solid bass presence that’s tight and articulate rather than overwhelming and boomy or flat and dull (like the T2s can sometimes be). The T3+ are one of the best sets in the sub-$100 price range, IMO/IME.
I’m sure other guys will have good recs for you too so stay tuned and see what they say. Good luck and happy hunting! Also, welcome to HifiGuides! If you have any othet questions ask away and I’ll do my best to be helpful!
I listen to Pink Floyd,Fleetwood Mac,Canned Heat stuff like that and I like classic reggae.
I haven’t listened to the Olina SE enough to really know - how good of a rec do folks think they’d be for InvisibleRasta? Would they bit a little thin for reggae?
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They might present as a little thin, but they’re also above his $70 budget. The reason(s) I suggested the T3+ is not just because I own them and like them, but because I think they have a tuning and presentation that lend themselves pretty naturally for his musical prefs. That said, I don’t have a ton of experience with the IEMs below the $70-$100 tier so I figured others might be able to advise him if there are other options they like for his needs.
Sub $100 has been my stomping ground and I can advise you a couple of ways: If you want the most faithful replay and can go to $100, Olina SE is the BEST option. When you don’t compare it directly to anything, it’ll be full enough, with enough energy, and do enough of everything you want.
If you can’t go to that price or if you don’t need “faithful” but do need more warmth or meat on the bones and can stretch to $80, get the Fiio JD7. I don’t disagree with anything @JAnonymous5150 is saying about the T3+ but it has a flaw of having below average treble. Things can sound a little cloudy or muffled. The Fiio does not have that problem.
If you can’t go to $80 at all. Get either the Kiwi Ears Cadenza or Tinhifi C3. I haven’t heard the C3 yet but I’ve heard enough recommendations on it that I trust, but if I was only recommending things I have personal experience with, the Cadenza will handle your music library.
My recommendation is the JD7 first, then the Cadenza if you can’t stretch that far.
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I should have clarified I was asking regardless of budget, for reasons.
Edit: sounds like they are a good enough sonic fit, thanks for the feedback.
I’m rather new to the hobby, but I think a well-tuned, musicial iem around $80 is the Moondrop Aria. Decent controlled bass. Herman-tuned with a bass boost.
Within the $70 budget sounds great (consumer friendly V shape) and leaves you with enough cash to buy different tips would be the KZ10 pro. The reason I’d roll different tips is they can change sound signature drastically and most people don’t realize they are not getting a good seal with stock tips. Dekoni foams are what I like with these but I’d also try silicone now that I’ve found some brands that fit me well.
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Have you guys tried the 7Hz Salnotes Zero ?
I have unfortunately not, might by a slew of under $100 iems one day but that’s not for awhile.
Zero is good. It’s going to sound a slight bit thin/cleaner than Cadenza because it has a little bit less note weight.
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7Hz Zero - more upper-midrange emphasis
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QKZ HBB - more bass emphasis (sub-bass over mid-bass but plenty of mid-bass presence)
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Cadenza - more balanced across the frequency
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Tangzu Wan’er - more balanced but midrange-forward (less soundstage, sound is more on top of you)
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KBear Rosefinch - most unapologetic V-shape (ALL bass and treble)
Those are the five under $35 I’d suggest, depending on tastes, as I laid out. There’s not much else between them, in terms of technicalities and stuff. Pick your favorite flavor from that.
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I would not suggest the Zero as a daily driver for the music you’re into. It’s upper mid emphasis is going to come off shouty and it will also make certain guitar parts have an unnatural amount of bite to them. Just my .02 cents.
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This kind of response was why I was thinking of how to break down where each set has it’s emphasis. I don’t think any of them are fully better than the others, it’s just all preference-based.
I lean to Cadenza because I listen to all genres and almost always play my music on shuffle. I need enough bass for EDM, enough mids for acoustic and vocals, and enough treble for rock and classical. I compliment that with Rosefinch, when I want F-You bass with exaggerated treble.
For their tastes, if Zero would be too much, I’d probably think Wan’er or HBB would fit them well. But I default to Cadenza for the reasons above
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I feel this would be fantastic for reggae. Cadenza too.
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If he could stretch to $80, I’d say get the Fiio JD7, but that’s out of the budget. To my ear it sounds like the N3, if they cleaned up the resolution, technicalities and soundstage issues, so everything sounded a little cleaner
So there’s that
On that note… besides a questionably shallow fit that can be hard to work around…
BL03 + tuning foam is a good chunk of the way there to the N3.
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