Tin HiFiT2

I’ve had my T2 for about nine years and it still works, which says a lot about how it was built. The sound has aged less well. Next to the newer sets on this page it sounds dated; the budget tier has moved a long way since the T2 was a go-to pick. Today it’s a durability story more than a sound recommendation.

I’m including it for one reason: it’s the most durable IEM I’ve ever owned, and that deserves a place on the bench.

Build & fit

The T2 uses two dynamic drivers per side in metal shells, with a detachable MMCX cable. Nine years of regular use later, my pair still works. That’s a better track record than anything else I own, and a reminder that a well-built cheap IEM can last a very long time.

The one thing that dates it physically is the connector. MMCX was common when the T2 came out, but most current sets at this price use 0.78 mm 2-pin, so you’ll have fewer cable options if you ever need a replacement.

Bass

This is where the T2 shows its age most. The tuning is neutral, or even below neutral, in the low end. There’s very little bass presence by today’s standards, and compared with every other set on this site it sounds thin. If you’re coming from anything modern, the lack of low end is the first thing you’ll hear.

Mids / Vocals

The midrange holds up better than the rest. Vocals and instruments are easy to follow, and with so little bass in the way, the mids are what you mostly hear. It’s the strongest part of the tuning today, though it doesn’t stand out against newer sets.

Treble

The treble follows the same neutral approach. Nothing about it stands out to me now, positively or negatively. It suits the overall tuning, but it doesn’t add anything that would make up for the missing low end.

Detail & stage

When the T2 was new, its clarity was a big part of its appeal. Next to the sets I use today, it doesn’t keep up. The newer IEMs on this page resolve more and present music more convincingly, which is the clearest sign of how far the budget tier has come.

Value

I can’t recommend buying a T2 now. Unless you specifically like a neutral or lean sound, one that many people would call boring, there are better-sounding sets at the same price or less, like the Truthear Gate.

Verdict

The T2 earns its place here as proof that budget IEMs can last for years. As something to buy today, it’s been overtaken. Get it only if you know you want a lean, neutral sound.