Tin Audio T1

Package

Very well done package for an IEM at the time of release, with a nice selection of eartips. 3 pairs of coloured eartips (vocal focused, it makes the T1 more shy sounding) and another 3 pairs of black eartips (balanced ones, I find these a lot better)

Sound

Bass - Thicker but well controlled

It's well extended and with good body, never sound anemic or boomy, it's more on the polite side of fat bass. Not that great with rap, hip hop or EDM kind of music, it might sound flat and boring with heavy subbassy tracks but okay for the most genres (nice texture btw)

Mids - Weighted with good vocal reproduction

Lower mids got ample body, instruments are nicely detailed and vocals are forward most of times but non shouty, this is the best part of T1's frequency range in my honest opinion

Treble - Laidback, Yet Detailed

You can hear the details in the treble, but aren't "in your face" kind of presentation, cymbal crashes are a bit shy for my liking (not most of times) but it's okay for this kind of relaxed tuning (I'm a V shaped lover). For rock it doesn't work for me, maybe with classic rock it works better

Still Worth It?

I don't think so, since nowadays you can find better options of this kind of tuning (Tripowin Lea, KZ CRN, 7hz Zero). But for the value that I paid (7 USD), it was almost free (I bought it last year)

Spec's
Sensitivity:102dB
Impedance: 16Ω
Driver: 12.5mm DD
Frequency Response: 18-25000Hz
Plug: 3.5mm
Cable: 1.3m TPU coated

The package is top notch, looks like a little book opening it one finds the T1 safely in foam and presentation is far more than I expected at this price


The T1 is certainly a interesting looking earphone with it's button look somewhere between a earbuds and a IEM .

I comes with a round matching splitter that looks great and a remote that worked well with different phones and a few music players I used.

Sound.
It has a warm sound natural in presentation yet more focused on mids and accurate vocals bass is there punchy mid-bass but not very boomy in the sub extension just excellent details to it, the highs were non harsh but seemed to be particularly good in the lower-end of treble. Soundstage was pleasant with a better than average size.
I find nothing wrong with the signature it's perfect for a lot of types of music but this price range is extremely competitive and I've liked a few better because of my taste. There's nothing lacking in aesthetics and signature. You be the judge I'll hold the light.

Specifications

• Driver Unit: 12.5mm Dynamic
• Sensitivity: 102dB
• Impedance: 16 Ω
• Frequency: 18Hz~25kHz
• Plug: 3.5mm
• Cable Length: 1.3m

Price: ~U$D 37, at PenonAudio or their Ebay and Aliexpress stores.


The Tin Audio T1 arrives in the same kind of box as the T2 model. The box includes 6 pairs of silicone tips which is enough for the budget IEM options.


Design

As can be seen, the Tin Audio T1 has a complete round shape with an angled nozzle to sit better towards the ear canal. The earpieces are all made of a strong metal alloy and do feel just a bit heavy. They are well rounded with no apparent sharp corners, and can be used either with cable up or down. The y-split and plug are also made of same metal material, though the split does look too large and heavy. There is no cable slider, but even if it had it would be limited by the mic and control in the middle of the cable. The cable is quite thick, especially on the lower half. There is no strain relief on the split and it’s a bit short on the plug and shells’ sides. No way can you ignore the so similar design on the T1 with the Dita Audio IEMs, from the shape on the earpieces, the y-split and the thick cable, and also, the short relief of the cable entries.


Unfortunately, as for the fit and comfort, I found the T1 to be a total miss. The fit is a bit tricky with the kind of shape, but more important it results very uncomfortable. None of the aftermarket eartips help in this regard; SpinFit, Comply Foam, Spiral Dot, double flange, etc. So using the T1 for more than a few minutes is practically impossible. Quite a disappointment considering the very good sound quality it offer (read below…).


Sound Quality

The overall signature of the Tin Audio T1 is very warm with detailed mids that balance well with the treble. The T2 dual dynamic was quite a surprise in its detailed and so accurate sound, and while the T1 offers a completely different presentation, the quality still reflects the good value that this small company showed with the T2.

The whole low end is enhanced with a typical stronger emphasis on the mid-bass region but still not overwhelming, and for a sub $40 it performs pretty well. It reaches a good depth and also has decent speed with fairly natural attack and decay. The mid-bass lift is not really annoying and manages to show good level of control and accuracy too. It does give a nice balance between quality and quantity being warm enough yet detailed and well layered.

The midrange does sit a little behind the bass and there is a some bloat at the lower midrange. However, it also gets more body, warmth and richer texture for lower instruments or vocals. Overall there’s a very good balance through the midrange carrying surprisingly good clarity, timbre and level of resolution; of course, when referring to its $30~40 price tag. The T1 cannot match the micro detail of the T2, but for its warm signature it does quite well, and also is more immersive thanks to the richer and fuller tonality. Upper mids sound clearer yet not too forward and there is no siblance with female singers.

The treble keep a good balance with the midrange, so still behind the bass. The focus is more towards the lower treble but doesn’t sound aggressive enough. The extension is limited and can be a bit too smooth and roll-off at the upper registers. Quite the opposite from the brighter and leaner T2 but much more forgiving. The T1 is not source dependent at all, a good characteristic for more casual listening, but doesn’t scale much higher with more dedicated sources.

Simply put, the Tin Audio T1 is a great sounding IEM with solid build quality. Unfortunately, I find it impossible to use for more than a few minutes due the so uncomfortable fit. Yes, it’s a total personal thing and my guess that most people should get a decent fit with the T1. In terms of value I could definitely rate this IEM a 4+ score for its sound alone, but the fit is a complete deal breaker. Give it a try if you can, and if lucky enough you got a great deal.