General Information

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Next-Generation 14.2mm Planar Driver & Premium Sound Quality​

The P1 MAX 2 adopts a new generation of 14.2mm planar driver units, optimized with higher-quality materials for its 2-micron diaphragm, equipped with a dual N52 magnetic circuit system and dual-chamber design, providing you with a purer and more accurate music experience. Its ultra-thin diaphragm and unique acoustic structure ensure a wider soundstage and clearer audio details, making every note crystal clear.

Lightweight & Comfortable​

The TINHIFI P1 MAX II is crafted with advanced design and materials, weighing just 3.8 grams per side, 70% lighter than similar products. With Heygears' high-precision 3D printing technology and large data headphone models, we have designed an ergonomic ear-fitting structure for the P1 MAX II, it ensures extended wear without pressure, allowing you to indulge in music without any burden.

Exquisite Appearance​

The P1 MAX 2 stands out with its elegant and lightweight design, showcasing both compactness and luxury. Every detail is meticulously crafted, making it not only a delight to listen to music with but also a statement of taste.

High-Quality Cable With Replaceable Design​

The P1 MAX 2 features an exquisite replaceable cable design, with a 4-strand Oxygen-free copper silver-plated mixed braided wire ensuring stable audio signal transmission and enhancing clarity and dynamics.

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Technical Details​

Driver unit
14.2mm planar magnetic driver
Sensitivity
98±3dB@1kHz
Frequency response
10-20kHz
Impedance
16Ω±15%
Rated power
5mW
Max power
10mW
Max distortion
3% @1kHz
Interface
gold-plated 2pin connector
Plug
3.5mm stainless steel plug
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Latest reviews

vandung2510

100+ Head-Fier
TinHifi P1 Max II Review
Pros: - Fast, punchy bass
- Very minimal bleeding
- Forward vocal
- Airy, well extended treble
- Quite decent timbre, especially for a planar driver iem
- STAGE
- Decent fit
Cons: - Value
- Treble is a bit unrefined, some sibilances
- Not the thickest midrange
Introduction:
TinHifi is one of the old players amongst many chifi brands. They were known for selling iem at quite an affordable pricing, as well as experimenting with a lot of different tunings.
There are quite a few products from their catalog that manage to earn the recognition of many audiophiles as well as casual music enjoyers like their 1 dynamic driver lineup: The T2, T3 Plus, C2, C3 as well as their planar lineup: The P1, P1 Plus, P1 Max.
And now, after 2 long years, they have release their latest planar creation: The P1 Max II. P1 Max II is said to be the successor or upgraded version of their P1 Max, which was released back in 2022 and was known for its near neutral yet still musical tuning.
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I would like to give a special thank to TinHifi for providing this unit of P1 Max II in exchange for an honest reviews. This will not affect my evaluation of this iem. Everything i said in this review is my subjective opinion only.

Packaging

The P1 Max II comes in a relatively simple box.
Together with the iem, it comes with a few pairs of eartips (6 pairs of silicone tips + 1 pair of foam tips) and a really nice quality cable.
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Truth be told, I wish they could've included a small case in the accessories, especially for the 140$ price tag.

Design/Build quality/Comfort
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The P1 Max II has a 3d printed resin shell in a black color way, with a 14.2mm planar driver housing inside of it. The iem feels really light in the hand, 3.8 grams according to the marketing material, yet it doesn't feel flimsy.
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The faceplate on the other hand looks really nice. It has this sort of 3d wavy design in a gray-ish color way with actual depth to the pattern. The faceplate looks simple and minimal enough yet still looks great upon closer inspection.

Comfort wise, i think it’s alright. It’s not too small nor too big. It doesn’t have the most ergonomic design ever (no bulbous, rear wing design) but it does provide decent isolation.
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The cable is a 4-strand silver plated OFC cable with a 3.5mm termination. It feels quite nice in the hand, soft and supple, has no memory and no microphonics. It’s quite a decent cable for the price.

As for tips, the provided tips did not provide me with sufficient seal as well as sound performance. I have opted for the Divinus Velvet tips instead. The following sound impression will be made with the Velvet tips.

Sound impression:

*Test gear:
Source: Poco F3, Dell laptop
DAC/Amp: Chord Mojo, Ibasso DC04 Pro, E1DA 9038D, Hiby FC6
Eartips: Divinus Velvet
Cable: Stock

Tonality: Mild V-shaped
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Bass: 7.25/10

It’s fast, punchy, rumbly, has good extension. It’s subbass over midbass as the graph would imply. The midbass slams are easily felt with good heft to it and it’s not weak by any means, nor is it too boomy. Like the characteristic of planar driver, the bass has a very quick attack and decay characteristic however that “quickness” of it do makes me miss that lingering sense of the dynamic driver. As a trade off, that quickness gives the P1 Max II a very well defined bass notes during complexed tracks.

Personally, i’d enjoy a bit more midbass for the additional thumps and hit. Drums and bass guitar would have more body to it. Stock bass is absolutely fine, but because this is planar, i do think the P1 Max II would benefit from a bit more bass to compensate for that quick decaying nature of planar.

In “Strong and Strike” of Naruto OST, the drum hits, although sounding quite distinct, do lack that very bit of oomph to it. Or during many more fast pace tracks, the P1 Max II can keep up with no problem.

Mids: 7/10

With how the bass was done, the midrange is a bit on a leaner side. Even with the so-called “bass bleed” on the graph, the midrange actually sounds clean. It’s on the bright and energetic side yet doesn’t sound shouty at all. Vocals are relatively forward sounding, nor is it too recessed. Male vocals like Michael Buble and Frank Sinatra sounds fine, though like i said, they do lack that very bit of weighty sense to their voice.

With female vocal like “All by Myself – Celine Dion”, her voice sounds vibrant yet not harsh sounding. The high notes hitting from 2:30 onwards just sound emphasized enough.

Or for example with “Nee – Maiko Fujita”, her voice sounds just as angelic and lively as ever. Her voice does stand out more from the mix compared to the rest of the instruments.

At a high volume though, female vocals in general does sound more intense and fatiguing.

Piano and violin sounds natural in tone, but not exactly satisfying in its note weight

Treble: 7/10

The treble part is... fine. I didn’t get wow by it. It is crisp, airy and well extended. Together with the boosted bass, it gives me this slight V-shaped sense to the whole tonal balance.

In “Caravan – John Wasson” , cymbals and hihats has its basic properties like the attack and the shimmering decay. However, the decay or the tail notes of those percussion instruments sort of disappear a bit too fast, like it’s not lingering around or emphasized enough.

There is also some weird sense of sibilant to it. I do notice this at higher volume.

Tech: 7.5/10

Soundstage wise, it’s actually quite decent. Yosi Horikawa’s Bubbles and Wandering sounds great with the P1 Max II. I can feel the spatial cues hitting me from left to right and back and forth like it should. However, the height is quite subpar to my ears with the P1 Max II, which makes the soundstage quite flat.

Dynamic is also good with the P1 Max II, although i’d say microdetails aren’t its greatest strength.

Layering is nice, although it doesn’t have the sharpest layering between instruments.

Source pairing:
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From my limited amount of DAC/Amp, i enjoyed the Chord Mojo and Hiby FC6 the most with the P1 Max II.

The Mojo has the best synergy with the P1 Max II as it has the best control over the planar driver, which in turn provides a very dynamic and full sound reproduction.

The FC6 on the other hand provides a bit of warmth and musicality with their R2R tech. The bass seems to have a bit more lingering sense to it, which makes the P1 Max II sounds more organic.

The DC04 Pro on the other hand was a bit too neutral and the E1DA 9038D was definitely too bright for the P1 Max II

=> Conclusion: The P1 Max II does benefit from a bit more current/power from a better and maybe a bit warmer DAC/Amp.

Comparison:

Vs 7hz Timeless

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The 7hz Timeless was one of the first planar iem that manage to capture the hearts of many comsumers as well as started the first “Planar war”. At the time, it was famous for its technical performance and the value it brings. So how does the P1 Max II, a three years later product, different from the first planar iem king?

Comparing the two, the 7hz Timeless has a full aluminum housing, have better accessories, which includes a full metal carrying case as well as better stocking tips. The stock cable looks higher quality too. But this is to be expected since the retail price of it was 200$, comparing to P1 Max II’s 139$

As for sound quality, the P1 Max II has many improvements compared to the Timeless. The Timeless sounds brighter than the P1 Max II, yes. But the midrange on P1 Max II sounds way more natural with better texture. The Timeless’s midrange sounds more uneven in comparison.

The timbre is wayyyyyy better on the P1 Max II because of this. The P1 Max II has nearer timbre to a dynamic driver, whereas the Timeless still has that famous planar timbre. The timbre on the Timeless has this metallic and almost aggressive sense to it.

Detail wise, the Timeless does have more details than the P1 Max II, but in hindsight, the detail on the Timeless feels a bit too artificially boosted and almost fake, whereas the P1 Max II sounds more natural and less harsh.

Vs Hidizs MP145
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Hidizs MP145 is one of, if not the most widely enjoyed, allrounded planar i’ve ever seen. At the point of its release, it has captured the heart of many audiophiles around the world due to its almost unprecedented performance for the price, which is around 100$ when it was first released on KickStarter.

So as a new planar contender in the planar iem market, the P1 Max II from Tinhifi does have a big shoe to fill. What does it have in its arsenal to go up against the MP145?

Well first is the price. The P1 Max II has a retail price of 139$, as opposed to the MP145’s current retail price of 159$. Outside of sound, the MP145 does provide a better overall package, which includes a better cable, more varieties of tips and a carrying pouch. The iem shell is of higher quality too. So MP145 wins in terms of overall package

Second is the sound. To my ears, the MP145 has a warmer overall tonality, more bass centric with smoother vocals and better treble. Instruments sound more dense with the MP145. The treble on the MP145 sounds more emphasizes, airier and crisper. The timbre is more natural on the MP145.
The P1 Max II on the other hand sounds leaner, brighter and more vocal/treble centric.
Female vocal sounds noticeably more forward and energetic.
Stage wise, i think the P1 Max II has better stage. On Yosi Horikawa’s songs, i heard and felt spatial cues better with the P1 Max II. Many people have commented on the MP145’s giant stage, but i personally didn’t hear it, part of which i think is due to the third part: The SIZE.

The P1 Max II is definitely smaller and easier to fit than the gigantic shell of the MP145. Even if the MP145’s sound more align to my liking and perhaps to a lot more people’s liking, i sold the MP145 in a heart beat due to how uncomfortable and hard to fit it is.

If you like a warm, bassy planar set with great technicality AND a big set of ears, the Hidizs MP145 would be a better choice. However, if you like a brighter leaning set with great stage as well as having an average size ears, the Tinhifi P1 Max II would be a logical choice.

Conclusion

Is the P1 Max II a great iem? In short, yes. I would say it is definitely a successful product from TinHifi. However, it does not stand out much compared to the rest of the market. It does compete with them, but not outstandingly so. It is not a truly “for everyone” type of product and it boils down to your preference and your library.

Library wise, i think the P1 Max II is suitable for US/UK Pop, K-Pop, orchestra and maybe some EDM. Rock and metal doesn’t sound the best with the P1 Max II. But this is of course just my personal taste, as i’m usually more of a soft bass head.

If you’re looking for a neutral iem, or iem with a warm, dense noteweight, relaxing treble, or you’re the type of person who listen to iem at a higher volume, then the P1 Max II might not be the iem for you. However, if you’d like a colorful, energetic sounding planar iem, yet still maintain a reletively balance tonality, then the P1 Max II is a great option for you to choose.

That’s it for my review and thank you for reading.

Attachments

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baskingshark

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Solid built
Ergonomic and light
Textured and clean bass
Good technicalities
Cons: No case or even a pouch for a $100ish USD set!
Not the easiest IEM to drive, due to lowish sensitivity
Below average isolation
Planar timbre
Potentially sibilant and fatiguing in the upper frequencies - not for treble-sensitive peeps
DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank Linsoul for providing this review unit.

The Tin HIFI P1 Max II can be gotten here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/tinhifi-p1-max-ii (no affiliate links).

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SPECIFICATIONS

Driver configuration: 14.2 mm planar driver
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 98 dB/mW
Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm; 4 stranded oxygen-free copper silver-plated mixed cable; 3.5 mm termination
Tested at: $139 USD


ACCESSORIES

Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of wide-bore silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 3 pairs of narrow-bore silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 1 pair of foam tips
- Cable

While the eartip spread is decent - we even have foamies here - it is disappointing to note that there is no carrying case, or even a pouch. Gear at this pricing usually also comes with additional goodies such as a modular cable for example. If this were a sub-$30 USD set, the provisions would be acceptable, but in this case (no pun intended), for a $100ish set to lack a case is not acceptable.


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The foam tips tame treble the most, and furnish the best isolation. Of the 2 types of silicone tips, the wide-bore ones boost treble and improve soundstage, whereas the narrow-bore ones increase bass but with some compression in the staging.


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Thankfully, the oxygen-free copper silver-plated mixed cable is quite good. It is well braided and supple, with minimal tangling. Microphonics are also dampened, with a chin cinch for added grip. However, it only comes in a 3.5 mm termination, with no modular option.

The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock narrow-bore silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.


BUILD/COMFORT

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The shells are fashioned from Heygears' 3D-printed resin. The faceplates have an eye-catching whorled appearance, and only weigh 3.8 g apiece. Coupled with no awkward protrusions along the internal aspects, this set is very comfortable to use in the ears.

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This IEM is heavily vented, and this results in below average isolation. The vents however, assist with acoustic airflow, and there is no driver flex noted.


INTERNALS

The P1 Max II houses a 14.2 mm planar driver, which has an ultra-thin 2-micron diaphragm. This is paired with dual N52 magnets within a dual-chamber design.


DRIVABILITY

I tested the P1 Max II with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Chord Mojo 2
- Fiio KA11 dongle
- Fiio KA17 dongle
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone

With a sensitivity of 98 dB/mW, this planar is not the easiest to drive. While one can get adequate headroom from a weak smartphone, this IEM will scale in soundstage, dynamics and bass tightness when adequately amped.


SOUND & TECHNICALITIES

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Graph of the Tin HIFI P1 Max II via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

Tonally, the P1 Max II has a bright V-shaped profile.

This IEM is sub-bass focused. There is a healthy rumble and descent to the lowest registers. Bass quality is the star of the show, with a clean, textured and fast bass heard. There is no mid-bass bleed even on tracks with complex bass movements.

As per the V-shaped signature, the lower midrange has some recession. This won't be an IEM for mid-lovers as such. While there is no bass encroachment to muddy this frequency band, this area does lack heft and some note weight. Ear gain hits around 9 dB in the upper mids, and there are instances of shoutiness for female vocals especially at louder volumes (Fletcher Munson curve).

The P1 Max II is a treble-head's dream, with good air and sparkle on tap. Sibilance is however present, and high hats and cymbals may be a tinge hot. The included foam tips or a warmer source pairing may mitigate this area to some extent.

As per most planar IEMs, timbre is not a strong suit. There is a metallic tinge for acoustic instruments, with nasal vocals noted. Timbral freaks best keep to single DD types in general, if timbre is a priority.

Technicalities are where the P1 Max II redeems itself. Soundstage width is good, lying just beyond the ears with amplification, though depth and height are average. There's great clarity and micro-details heard. Imaging is quite accurate too, with clarity in abundance.


COMPARISONS

The P1 Max II will be compared against other $100ish planar IEMs. Single DD, hybrids and pure BA setups are omitted as the different transducer types have their individual pros and cons.


Letshuoer S12 Pro

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Graph of the Tin HIFI P1 Max II versus S12 Pro via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

The S12 Pro is more V-shaped, with greater bass and treble emphasis. The S12 Pro has a more sedate upper mids pinna gain rise.

The S12 Pro is bassier, but the bass isn't as tight with bleeding noted. The lower midrange is more recessed in the S12 Pro, and it is also more sibilant in the treble region.

The S12 Pro has a weaker soundstage and poorer micro-detailing.


Hidizs MP145

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Graph of the Tin HIFI P1 Max II versus MP145 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

The MP145 has 3 tuning nozzles to spice up - and give variety - to the frequency response. Across all nozzles, the MP145 is bassier, with less upper mids glare.

In technical aspects, the MP145 has a larger soundstage, with better layering, though micro-detailing goes to the P1 Max II.

The MP145 has a thicker note weight and sounds more natural in timbre, though it has a bigger shell, which may cause potential fitting issues.


CONCLUSIONS

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The Tin HIFI P1 Max II has solid technicalities, with bass quality a highlight. Those liking a transparent and detail-oriented signature will appreciate Tin HIFI's latest creation. Ergonomics and build are well-done too.

However, some tonal flaws hold it back from greatness - the upper midrange and treble may be divisive, especially for our treble-sensitive brethren. The omission of a case - or even a pouch - at its > $100ish asking price is also not acceptable in this day and age. The below average isolation and relatively power-hungry requirements are also possible blemishes.

In the big scheme of things, amongst the ultra cut-throat planar IEM market, the P1 Max II doesn't exactly sink, but it isn't class-leading in any department to stand out from the tough competition. In such a hot market, being average is actually similar to being forgettable, as next week promises a new IEM release to capture the hearts, ears and wallets of audiophiles.
Last edited:
MidnightSun
MidnightSun
To your ears, is mid-blass bleed related to time (transient speed) or frequency (separation of mids and bass frequencies)? Some mean the latter, and in that case, the P1 Max II is definitely a mid-bass bleeding set.
baskingshark
baskingshark
Hi @MidnightSun , I would say it is probably both factors combined.

I find planar drivers (like in the P1 Max II) are usually more speedy than DD bass for example, and we also have to factor in the rest of the frequency response (not just the bass in isolation, but how it relates to the mids and treble). One also has to factor in hearing health, volume played at (Fletcher Munson curve), ear anatomy with eartips etc.

Nothing beats putting the IEM in the ears to have a listen, rather than just looking at a graph.
MidnightSun
MidnightSun
Thanks for the answer!

SherryLion

New Head-Fier
Great Successor To It’s Predecessor! TINHIFI P1 MAX II
Pros: 1. Clinical and detailed tuning
2. Extensive and airy treble
3. Light and open-sounding vocals
4. Punching and impactful bass
Cons: 1. The sharp sense of notes in the higher frequencies oftentimes heard.
2. Due to a cohesive and airy sounding treble, the details are’t the greatest.

Review Of The Tin Hifi P1 Max II


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Introduction


TinHifi is a familiar brand notoriously known to huge numbers of audiophiles catering to them since 2017 as one of the first companies to offer quality at an affordable price in an electro-acoustic product like IEM. One of their famously known IEM is T2 which has many iterations, was originally praised for its sound performance. Since then, they have released many IEMs in their T series line up with their latest releases like T2 Mark 2 and T5S. Other than the T-series line up they also have a C series and P series line up where the P series is dedicated to planar technology, now recently they made another iteration known as the P1 Max II of the first full range planar driver IEM called as the P1 Max, fortunately I was able to get my hands on one pair for review, but before we proceed further I would like to clarify some points.

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Disclaimer


*Since this unit tour was organised by the kindly people at Linsoul, I am grateful to them. As I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as “P1 Max II.”
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the P1 Max II based on its performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.


Specification


The P1 Max II houses the next generation 14.2mm planar driver which uses 2 micron diaphragm and a dual N52 magnet array. The shell also incorporates a dual chamber design and is made of resin 3D printed by Heygears, weighing only 3.8 grams each side. The shells are semi transparent yet the faceplate brings a new 3-D like patterned design on it which is new to my eyes. When it comes to the fit and comfort, I discovered that these are on a big side yet they fit perfectly well while the comfort is the best. I think these are one of the lightest shells I have ever encountered. Coming to the cable, it feels really good in hands and kind of feels premium, it is a 4 strand OFC cable ending in 2 pin on one side and 3.5mm straight termination plug on the other. The other accessories included are various types and sizes of eartips. In terms of the technical specifications, the sensitivity is approximately 98dB, and the impedance is 16 Ohms. The effective frequency response spans the range of 10Hz to 20kHz and total harmonic distortion is around 3%.

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Sound


Based on my recollection, the previous version of the P1 MAX II, the P1 Max, had a warm and neutral sound that produced a pleasing response with rounded notes and a safe response. However, the P1 Max II takes that safe tuning and adds more detailed aspects to the sound. Compared to its predecessor, the P1 Max II has a more balanced response with an emphasised mid-range. This results in a more engaging and lively sound. In today's world of Planar IEMs, many companies have started using this technology and released successful products. This has led to a highly competitive market, with each company striving to excel in their technology and tuning on planar drivers. Despite this, I believe that the P1 Max II stands out as a unique and intriguing IEM in the market. Let's take a closer look at the sound of the P1 Max II and discover what makes it so unique and interesting.

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Treble


The tuning of the mid-range plays a crucial role in how the treble sounds in the overall mix. In the case of the P1 MAX II, the treble response is smooth, expansive, and airy, creating a spacious and wide sound. While other Planar IEMs tend to focus on emphasising either the lower treble or the entire treble region, resulting in sharp and crisp notes, the P1 MAX II strikes a tonally balanced tuning by not highly emphasising the treble but giving it just enough presence in the mix. This produces a lively and open sound for both vocals and instruments, with nuances often surfacing in the mix. The upper treble has a pleasant airy and smooth response that brings a softness to the notes but can be unrefined at times. On the other hand, the lower treble has great energy, adding more liveliness and detail to the vocal and instrument sound, while still maintaining tonal balance. However, there are instances where the notes sound a little hazy and sharp, making them lean. Overall, the treble region is extensive, airy, and smooth-sounding, giving the listener a detailed and pleasant listening experience.

Mid Range


Many people may dislike the emphasis on mid-range sounds between 1.5kHz to 3kHz, but it gives a light and airy quality to female vocals that is refreshing. This is similar to IEMs like S12 or Z12, although those have more bass emphasis to add warmth to the mix. The emphasis in the upper midrange and lower treble does introduce some sibilance, but it also makes the upper mid-range sound energetic and lively. This creates an open and vibrant sound with plenty of space for vocals and instruments to breathe, but it also introduces some hotness in the mix. In tracks like I Can’t Stop the Loneliness by Anri or Runaway by AURORA, the female vocals have a delicate and feathery aspect that becomes sharp and metallic when the notes hit high. The lower mid-range has a clean response but lacks the natural tonal quality of thicker or denser notes, also the lower mid-range may feel a bit subdued due to the emphasis on the 1.5kHz to 3kHz region. Overall, the mid-range is light, refreshing, and lean-sounding.

Bass


When it comes to the bass response, the impact and the presence are very well controlled and specific, I find the impact and quality great as it brings a punchy and thumping response which allows a clean and fast response. The response is very well-textured and detailed which is expected from a planar driver yet it sounds way too clean as the mid-bass lacks its presence even though the graphs show the opposite, the notes feel weightless, and slams sound weak but fast to act. The emphasis is on the sub-bass region which sounds deep and rumbling enough to cause a sensation in the ears, the impact of the punch is heavy and precise while the thumps and slams feel a little laid off. The mid-bass lacks the note weight in turn lacks presence. Whether I listen to tracks like Ghost by Ladytron or how2fly by ISOxo the impact of bass feels powerful and fast yet the weightlessness makes the overall experience less dynamic. Therefore the overall presentation of the bass region is impactful, punchy and well-controlled.

Technical Performance


While knowing that most Planars are very technically able to produce great details and resolution with snapping speed, this might not be the case with the P1 Max II. IEMs like S12, Timeless or MP145 sound very detailed and crisp but the P1 Max II sounds better spread out and airy. Let’s get more into the specifics

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Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation


The stage is more spread out from left to right which allows the notes to have enough room to breathe and bring a spacious and airy response, thanks to adequately sharp and clear imaging the notes bring preciseness, and the distinction between the notes helps to understand the separation which helps in pinpointing where the sound is coming from.

Speed & Resolution


The details are adequately expressed whether they are macro details or micro details, though the crispness and clarity are what it suffers from. Still, the attack and decay of the notes is quite fast-paced allowing a good resolution and a non-chaotic response overall.

Sound Impressions


Sources


Sony WM1A - while listening to P1 Max II with WM1A, the response sounds a little laid-back overall, with the mid-range still shining forward in the mix. Still the treble sounds extensive yet the response is smoother and a little relaxed, while the bass response has more weight in the lower notes which brings more lively slams and thumps. The overall response sounds as spacious as before but with a more tonally dense and better balanced response.

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Tempotec V6 - while listening to P1 Max II with V6, the response embraces the mid-range light and open sound further and brings a clear and airy response. The treble sounds a little less surfaced in the overall mix though the well-controlled bass sounds punchier but detailed and lighter. Due to how vocals are overly emphasised, the hotness in the higher notes becomes easily noticeable.

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Simgot DEW4X - As I was enjoying listening to my P1 Max II with DEW4X, I couldn’t help but notice the astounding clarity and lifelike quality of the sound. The notes were crystal clear, with a crispness that I had never experienced before with any of my other audio sources. The resolvability of the notes was simply remarkable; every single note was easily distinguishable, and the overall sound was a delight to the ears. The overall balance of the sound was impressive, with the treble response being particularly noteworthy. It was more pronounced and noticeable in the mix, yet it seamlessly blended with the rest of the audio. The bass was punchy and impactful, yet it felt lighter and more refined than ever before. Overall, my listening experience was incredibly immersive, and I couldn’t be more delighted with the clarity and precision of the sound.

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Qoobus MUB1 - while listening to P1 Max II with MUB1, the response sounds a little more weighted yet transparent with a more emphasised lower mid-range bringing a better tonally balanced response. The details and clarity are somewhat improved and the notes sound livelier. The bass impact has more oomph and meat in the mid-bass yet the impact is still light. The overall response is more enjoyable and natural sounding.


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Tracks


Millet - Anytime Anywhere
Anri - I can’t stop the loneliness
Kohana Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Uru - Kimino Shiawasewo
Uru - Kamihitoe
Kujira Yumemi - Kenka
Majiko - Kokoronashi
Anly - Sukinishinayo
Kohama Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Miliyah - Kono Yumega Samerumade
Rokudenashi - The Flame Of Love
Yu-Peng Chen - A New Day with Hope
Yu-Peng Chen - Another Hopeful Tomorrow
Yu-Peng Chen - For Riddles, for Wonders
Valentino Khan - Satellite
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Jawns - Erotica
ISOxo - how2fly
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Weeknd - Popular
YUNGBLUD - When We Die(Can We Still Get High)
Bring to Horizon - Kool-Aid
Middle Kids - Bend
FLETCHER - Leads Me On
Loathe - Aggressive Evolution
The Weeknd - Save Your Tears
Sigrid - Burning Bridges
AURORA - Black Water Lilies
AURORA - Runaway
X Ambassadors - Renegades
Lupe Fiasco - Words I Never Said
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Can’t Hold Us
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
Jay-Z - Run This Town
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Ladytron - Ghost
Travis - Love Will Come Through
LINKIN PARK - Somewhere I Belong
DJ Shadow - Six Days (Remix)
Hoobastank - The Reason
Ricky Martin - I Don’t Care
Tool - 7empest
Tool - Vicarious
A Flock Of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song
Zack Hemsey - Vengeance
Elton John - I’m Still Standing
The Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin
Micheal Sembello - Maniac
Guns N’ Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine
A.R. Rahman - Kun Faya Kun


Conclusion


To end this review, I believe that the P1 Max II has potential because of it’s different response from its predecessor and brings a more open sounding response filled with good impactful bass response, lively mid range and airy treble. If a person wants a detail monster I;d suggest to look elsewhere as it sounds appealing to people who prefer a less active yet execute similar sounding treble with good punchy bass and lively mid range. Therefore this has my recommendation to at least try them out.

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Comments

sofastreamer

Headphoneus Supremus
Owning the p1, p1 plus and p1 max, i couldnt be more curious about sound differences. Cant wait to see a measurement. Would have bought it already, but it will take 4-5 weeks to arrive, so i will wait until they become available here.
 
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