Good evening, fellow audiophiles! In these contradictory transitional days I got another creation of iron masters, also not lacking some interesting features that distinguish it from the previous models of
Tinhifi brand - T5s and especially T2mk2. To your attention - a dynamic novelty C2 2025 - in November prickly and cool, blowing in the wind, but sometimes enveloping in the warmth of the still resisting fall.
Design, Bundle, Use
The delivery set of our iron friends is standard for the average line of the company - a compact box in a hard cover, nothing superfluous, for which it would be necessary to pay extra, it is not a shame to present it to a neophyte, but also not to surprise a connoisseur.
On the cover, the image itself awaits us - a techno-apocalypse audio knight, a mechanical warrior. Prepare for a tough encounter? Who knows, he's really controversial, but still modern and technological.
On the back side is a scene from the anatomical theater of our iron and all sorts of unnecessary letters for audiophile.
On the side there is information about the options and colors of our unapproachable hero. I got a variant in the gunmetal gray color (white and black ones also available). I don't know about others, but gunmetal gray always distinguishes and emphasizes the commitment to technology and brutality of machines, which is clearly seen in the positioning of this model in the manufacturer.
Outwardly, these are real precision metal shapes chiseled out of soulless material, hard edges, non-anatomical curves, cold metal: tremble, bags of bones, we are here! Connoisseurs will easily notice a roll call with the well-known in the audio world and an order of magnitude more expensive CA Andromeda IEM. Also covered by a cover with a hole, speaking of the semi-open form factor and potentially interesting sound character. All in all, I suppose it would look much better in the ears of a teenager, but as it is, it's not terrible, though it also doesn't strike a personal fiber of my inner aesthetic. However, "all pencils differ in colors and taste".
The package includes: 4-core 2pin cable with 3.5 mm jack, 6 pairs of eartips, a warranty card, a business card. In addition to the different colors, there is also a gradation by cable type: 3.5mm 2pin, usb type-c with microphone and built-in DAC.
The ear cushions don't grab stars from the sky and are immediately sent to the box, though they are more interesting to the touch than stock variants of the KZ-CCA.
Cable. Like a cable. A rat tail that fell off from hunger and cold inside a disconnected old fridge. If the T800 had such a “cable” in the final scene of the “Terminator-2” movie, we would not have seen the famous at the edge of molten metal. Although the buttons and microphone work properly and without complaints. It looks unreliable to say the least, but the recessed recessed 2pin connector works to the full 100% - the connection is as strong as an alloy. And it doesn't get tangled up. These are such miracles around.
In terms of size, these are quite miniature IEM, despite their seemingly unfriendly, chopped soul, non-anatomical shape, they have a pretty good fit, although you still need to play with the eartips for a confident fit in your ears. In the end, kbear07 and final audio type E suited me best. Passive noise isolation for a semi-open design is above average even in the depths of the subway. At the beginning there were some issues with the fit - when using TOXOC custom copper with hard earhooks, the cable was trying to pull out of the warm monster ears to the cold, occasionally disturbing the passive isolation, fit and, as a result, the amount of LF and quality of HF. Just use cables with soft earhooks or no earhooks at all and you'll be fine, even with active movements.
The shells also have another compensation hole at the base of the driver, wide metal drivers with the usual angle of inclination, covered with a grill mesh. For technopotent and customization DIY enthusiasts, there is an option to open the outer covers and manipulate the radiator, why not. Our hero remains committed to technology in this aspect as well.
No nuances like membrane clicking, driver flex or vacuuming were detected. Also semi-open version may help from condensation, at change of external temperature no negatives noticed. But otitis media is right there, so in the cold season think with a cold head, do not forget to wear a hat and do not put the cat in the microwave oven).
So what's inside?
Manufacturer self-praise:
Equipped with a high-performance custom LCP composite diaphragm, the C2 2025 offers a wide frequency response and ultra-low distortion. Through advanced acoustic cavity design and precise simulation calculations, the sound is optimized to reduce coloration and distortion, ensuring sound purity and accuracy. The result is a natural, richly layered listening experience.
The C2 2025 features a newly designed high-performance diaphragm made from a blend of PU and LCP materials. PU provides flexibility, while LCP enhances structural integrity. This combination minimizes deformation and distortion during movement, producing clear, refined sound with distinct layers. Compared to DLC, the LCP offers superior stability and balance.
By placing the headphone driver and sound outlet on the same plane, internal reflections and phase interference are reduced by approximately 30%. Using computer acoustic simulations, the rear chamber resonator design is optimized to significantly enhance sound clarity and accuracy, delivering a more direct and pure listening experience.
Features:
Driver - 10mm PU+LCP dynamic
Sensitivity - 104 ±3 dB @ 1 kHz 0.179 V
Frequency response - 10 Hz -20 kHz
Maximum distortion - 3% @ 1kHz 0.179V
Impedance - 32Ω ±15%
Interface - 0.78mm gold-plated 2-pin 3,5 mm or USB Type-C DAC connector
Sound
Sound was tested with Zishan DSD AK4497 mod and Astell Kern SA700 via 3.5mm output, with kbear07 eartips. The headphones are average in terms of voracity, you can listen to and from 3.5 mm output smartphone with some simplification of the bass and less control in the midrange. And 32 ohms and 104 dB sensitivity is like a hint to find out at least usb-dongle with DAC should be used.
AFC
Bass
Despite the overall airy and lightweight delivery, the C2 iem produces both upper and lower bass at low frequencies. The midbass still prevails (semi-open design makes itself known), average in quantity, warm, not pulling attention on itself, bass guitars are comfortable, but not enough, the punch seems to be a little softened, bass drum faster than average; sub is where it is clearly spelled out in the track, there is not bad depth, in volume - also a little inexpressive and little. The bottoms are definitely not the end of these headphones, it's not a mess, but there's no axe in it either. Self-designers can glue a hole on the sound guide to add bass. In electronic styles, this can greatly help acceptance and perception. For all the features, the lows don't mess with the mids.
Mids
I would like more density and body at the transition, the lower mid is not dystrophic, but it is not enough, and if the woofers sound on the edge of comfortable volume, the midrange lacks mass and fatness, cellists and double basses are given clearly less porridge. At the same time, the speed is good here as well. No choking of instruments is noticed. However, neither is there any layering. Violins shriek and squeak, guitars in metal are vicious, but they can cut, as well as high female vocals.
Although with warming up hysterical ladies
become more malleable and smooth, but the shouty one will be corrected by a copper cable or the next track button. Low sounding men often lack brutality and testicularity, here the robot loosened its grip. In general, there is a feeling of some air barrier between the vocal and the listener, the supply is not in the face, but through a layer of audio transparent, but insulator. Piano is natural and unstressed, though it would be good to add more power here too. But the drums work their parts to the hilt, percussion and speed are above any praise in this segment. Sibilants often show themselves not in the best light, here the presentation may seem tedious, not for long comfortable listening to active styles.
Highs
The AFC graph speaks eloquently about active treble with peaks of detail and general airy character of the sound. HF is moderately sharp and clear, synthetic effects on electronic music sometimes sound as if separate from the whole musical canvas, in general at an average quality level, “plastic” feed is not noticed, but also about the beauty of the tails to speak also not necessary. Percussion adds a good airy effect to acoustic music.
Scene and all that stuff
The imaginary scene in these headphones combined with the effects on the midrange creates a very pleasant wide coverage of sound, in depth everything is more modest, although the overall separation of instruments at a good level. The headphones try to detail and rather they succeed, not bad for the price level and positioning in the lineup.
Actually, the sound gives us a picture quite different from the purely brutal appearance. There is a soft midbass, and modest symphonic instruments, and clicks in the highs. And in every barrel of honey there are spoons of tar. The result is not a killer cyborg, nor a plush elephant, but something in between, but blowing in all directions, dispersing autumn-winter slumber, both on vocal and instrumental and synthetically derived parts.
The burn-in (of myself?) had a positive effect on the sound of the headphones, equalizing the balance of the sound. At first, the C2s seemed like a lightweight and shouty V-shape with a poor fit, but replacing the cable and earhooks improved the fit and overall character of the sound.
And yet the headphones are not universal in terms of styles of music, I can't even find any exact style recommendations for them: for rock they are not particularly perky and skinny, for electronics I had enough fat on the woofer, unless something fast, heavy and detailed, with female vocals, separation and lack of mush can help the perception of such genres. At least until you get tired of sibilants popping through and the general activity of the pitch.
Comparisons
C2 2025 vs T2mk2
The twin DD IEM of the same vendor immediately came to mind, which were also characterized by open and active delivery. But in comparison, the forward-looking C2 2025 outperformed its "brothers in terms of sound" quantity and quality of the midrange, more versatile seating and active, but still subdued female vocals and lack of clang and squeal in the HF. That case, when the elephant of C2 has far-sightedly avoided the China porcelain shop, so as not to get the effect of T2.
C2 2025 vs T5s Mars.
Total dominance of the Mars on the lows, “women's bodies and men's balls” on vocals, calmness in the sibilant zone, dimensionality and precision on the HF. More cheerful rock pitch, more tight rocking, anatomical body. Well, the price for this holiday in comparison is corresponding.
Conclusion
In general, the tins have once again turned out light and airy headphones. In general, I don't remember something dark and mournful from this company. Probably, it is necessary to continue like this, actively, cheerfully, experimenting with air effects and power of technologies, and if you call yourself at least an elephant, at least an iron machine, give out the drive! That's where we stand!
Linsoul official Tinhifi C2 2025 page
keephifi: 35%off $27
Thank you for your attention!
And thanks again to #Linsoul for the reviewing sample!
