TinHiFi - C2 2025

Have c2 for almost a year and the built quality did disapointed me. the left side started beign lower volume then the right, then the cable stopped working, and now the cable entrance (i'm using tripowin cables) started shaking loose. Other than that, the audio quality is stunishing and it's pretty much my favorite for playing fps

Dude, you steered me wrong with Mechwarrior C2. That was the brightest and most unpleasant I ever listened to. haha. But at least you were right on Thieoaudio Legacy 2.

Hey are quite aggressively v-shaped. In that price range I'd go for the Tin C2 instead, which is a more neutral-ish U-shape and you can also tame the slightly zingy upper treble with Spinfit CP-100+ tips, if you find it is too much. It's also much higher build quality than the EW200 which has quite thin, flexible metal faceplates. I'd go with the older one, not the 2025 version, because the old one is cheaper and has a more neutral bass shelf. The 2025 has more sub-bass though, so you might want that; it's still not an over bloated level, just sounds a bit more v-shaped, but it's only about 1 or 2 dB different at most.

I'm going to recommend instead of spending more money, actually spend a bit less money and get the Tin Hifi C2 2025. I personally find the Red a bit meh in terms of technicalities. Apparently they have quite bad unit variance, so something like 1 in 5 are actually very good, which explains some of the recommendations for gaming etc. But the rest sound a bit soft, they lack the incisive bite in transients, which in turn makes everything sound a bit indistinct or "fuzzy". The reason I suggest the C2 is it's the opposite of that. It's a single dynamic and a very good one, so there's no possibility of interference between the two drivers as can happen with the Red. It's very well tuned and has that "bite" that's missing from the Red. There are some good IEMs around the €120 mark, but I worry that all the ones I can think of also have at least one significant downside, so there's a big risk you wouldn't like it. The C2 has a mild v-shape tuning, so there's a bit of a bass boost and a bit of a treble boost, but not so much that the bit in the middle is missing. The bass and midrange are very smooth on the 2025 version. The upper treble emphasis could be a bit too much, but if you find that to be the case you can address it with different eartips. However, it gives everything a certain added "sparkle" compared to neutral, which is something you might like, and is possibly one of the things that's missing from the Red's quite warm, neutral-ish tuning. I think the C2 2025 is about €40 and there's also the older C2 that's about €20. Both are good and the old one is a bit of a bargain actually, but I think for general music listening, especially if you want a more engaging sort of sound signature, the 2025 one is worth the extra for the slightly increased bass. It's a very subtle difference, but it's quite noticeable if you listen to them side-by-side. Everything just sounds a bit fuller on the 2025 version.

If you really need the mic, I think your only option is the Kinera Wyvern Pro, which is around $25-ish. The IEM is OK, but it has a big dip in the treble, which might affect imaging (hearing where sounds are coming from) so that may not be ideal for gaming. If you don't need the mic, Tin Hifi C2 is a better IEM. I don't use them for gaming, but I can confirm they are very good for music. They are also approved by GadgetryTech for gaming - no full review yet, but he gives a mini review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XynoXDaYCmY&t=2422s He's got the 2025 version there, which I believe is about $40 but there's also the older one which is about $20. I have both and the difference between them is tiny. The 2025 has a tiny bit more sub-bass and sounds a bit "fuller", but the older one is easier to get close to a reference neutral sound with the right tips. The shells and everything else are identical, both are great IEMs. You can also buy a separate upgrade cable with a mic. This [KBear one](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000272626428.html) is cheap and the mic is OK. Whether the mic will be up to your quality standards IDK, but it's a basic inline mic and not the worst one I've ever heard. You could probably get that KBear mic cable + the original Tin C2 in your budget. The Wyvern comes with a better mic, the C2 is a better IEM.

It's not 100% flat neutral (but nothing is in that price range), more U-shaped, but the Tin C2 is very good. It gets closer to neutral with Spinfit CP-100+ tips since those roll off the extra upper treble that they have, leaving it as pretty neutral with a slight bass boost. But they have very clean, well extended treble that IMO puts them quite ahead of the 7Hz Zero or Zero 2 for technical performance. Similar to the Simgot EW200 but that's a lot more v-shaped. Also the C2 has the best build quality out of any of those. The older one (which is now around $20) is closer to neutral than the 2025 version, which has a bit more sub-bass and sounds slightly more v-shaped. Both are very similar though. You probably wouldn't know there was a difference if you listened to them a day apart rather than A/B them side-by-side. If you want more of a bright-neutral with flatter bass, the Moondrop LAN is pretty good (around $40).

I wouldn't list the QKZ Hades, as it's pretty universally hated, unless you specifically mention that it's a *very* niche tuning most people don't like (even most bassheads). And even among people who like it at all, it's generally a one-genre set. I'd strike the Juzear Clear off the list because it appears to have [really bad unit variance](https://old.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1insj4z/some_thoughts_on_the_juzear_clear_and_myer_audio/). I still recommend it for the cable if it's on sale for $20, but only if you really want that cable (it normally costs about $15-20 on its own). It's not a highly recommended IEM anyway, it just had a brief period of hype as a basshead IEM. Rarely gets mentioned nowadays. Neither of my two units are true basshead sets (and one is quite bright), so clearly some golden units went out to reviewers. The Blon BL03 ii hasn't got particularly good reviews. It seems to be that if you care about tuning, the original is better. The new one has 2-pin but it has all the ergonomic problems that plagued the original, so I don't think it should be recommended at all, with maybe a nod to the original as being a classic if people are able to pick one up cheaply. I don't think the KBear KB02 is worth recommending unless you specifically want to know what a BC driver does, in which case it's the cheapest way to get one. I got one for that reason. It sounds pretty bad. All the reviews point out the same issue - there's some weird "springy" resonances, especially noticeable with spoken word. It also makes everything sound like you're listening through a cardboard tube. It's just weird, not good. Audio Amigo and Paul Wasabii both have good reviews btw, I agree with pretty much everything they say about them. I don't see the Tin Hifi C2 mentioned on your original list or the new one. That's a 2025 version out recently. I have both and they are both excellent. Lots of reviews out there, but fewer for the 2025 version. I'm not sure if the old one is being discontinued, but it seems to be still for sale for about $20 while the new one is closer to $40. The difference between the two versions is quite subtle. The Moondrop Starfield 2 got pretty universally terrible reviews. The Juzear 41t and the Flame are the same IEM, so I'd put them on the same line - the flame just has a different faceplate. I have the 41t and it's good aside from the annoyingly bad venting, but I'm hesitant about recommending it for the reasons mentioned in my post about the Clear. Since it's a hybrid it really *should* be fully vented and I now consider this an engineering flaw rather than "just the way it is". Every other manufacturer seems to be able to vent their hybrid IEMs properly. The 7Hz Timeless probably shouldn't be on the list because it's very outdated nowadays. It's only a classic because it was the first reasonably-tuned planar, not because it's good by current standards. It was still an early and not-very-refined version of a formula that's been iterated on continually since then. The AE is better but less widely reviewed. The 2 seems to be getting good reviews but I believe it's closer to $300.

If you want something that sounds like the 7Hz Zero there's the original Moondrop Chu. It has a poor quality, non-removable cable, but apart from that I'd say it sounds better than the Zero. The most direct upgrade from that is the Moondrop LAN, but it's about $40. It's worth it if you can stretch your budget, because it has a much better (and removable) cable than the Chu, and the tuning is more refined than either the Chu or the Zero. There isn't much else with a similar neutral-bright tuning until you get into the $200+ bracket. If you aren't set on neutral bright specifically I'd look at the Tin C2 which is more U-shaped, but is a far better sounding (and better made) IEM than just about anything else in that price bracket. It's also [approved for gaming](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XynoXDaYCmY&t=2422s) by GadgetryTech although he hasn't done his full review yet.

Tin C2 2025 is recommended by GadgetryTech for gaming (he hasn't done a full review of them yet though, just mentioned them in a buyers guide from a few months ago). They're also built like tanks, so might hold up a bit better if you aren't too careful with your IEMs. They have deep-recessed 2-pin sockets too, so if you're prone to breaking the pins these should be a lot better. Personally, I prefer them to the Truthear Zero, mainly because they're more comfortable, but they also sound a bit more coherent (and they're cheaper).

The C2 is a much better IEM than the Gate in just about every way. Better resolving ability (I'd put the driver around the same level as the EW200), more natural tonality (the Gate has somewhat gritty treble) and much better build quality. The C2 has outstanding build quality even compared to much more expensive IEMs. It's built like a tank, so it's the one I always recommend to people who end up breaking another IEM through carelessness (unless they're concerned about condensation issues with a metal shell). The only place where the Gate wins out is the stock cable, but the C2 cable is good enough for the price. I swapped out the cable on mine, whereas the Gate cable is one that I use on other IEMs (at least on ones I don't care about 4.4mm, which is what I normally use). Tuning-wise the C2 is definitely v-shaped but not quite as aggressive as the EW200. The build quality is considerably better than the EW200 as well. I also have the original C2 as well as the 2025 one and I was able to get that sounding relatively neutral with some tip-rolling, but from what I've seen/heard from other people there's some unit variance that means it's more likely going to sound v-shaped like the 2025 version, but the 2025 has a bit more sub-bass and sounds warmer. The C2 also has pretty good soundstage & imaging. It's apparently very good for competitive gaming, though I haven't tried myself (and don't generally play those kinds of games either). It got a very brief endorsement from GadgetryTech in the middle of a buying guide, but he never got around to releasing a full review unfortunately. All in all it's a pretty underrated IEM. One of the best ones around at its price. Also it does go on sale around $20 from time to time. I started recommending the OG version a lot when it was on near-constant sale at that price, but they sold out nearly everywhere, so it's usually just the 2025 version you see now. The box art is a bit different but otherwise it's hard to tell them apart, except the OG didn't have a black version, just grey. The tuning differences between the two are also pretty small - you can hear it clearly in an A/B, but if you were going from memory you'd probably say they're identical. I'd say the real competition for these is something like the Kefine Klean. The C2 is more detailed & resolving, the Klean is bassier & a bit more relaxed. Both have great build quality but the C2 is probably more robust long-term and easier to repair if needed.

There's quite a broad range. For example: * Aful MagicOne - pretty, but not overdone * Ikko OH10 - good looking, nature-based & reserved * 7Hz Timeless, Timeless AE, Simgot EA500 - minimalist * Tin C2, Dunu Titan S (black/red version), Truthear Hexa/Pure - industrial There's a whole load in the middle that are just random swirly colours which has become the default low-effort design. Something like the Thieaudio Legacy 2 does that well IMO because its just one colour with a bit of texture, not all the colours, all at once. If you want a plain black cable, look at the KBear ST12. There's lots of options out there. I notice the stock cables often don't match the IEMs very well, and intentionally or not, this most likely helps sell a lot of aftermarket cables.

# Disclaimer and Transparency I received the TinHifi C2 (2025) directly from the brand for the purpose of writing an honest review. My impressions and opinions remain entirely my own and are not influenced by this arrangement. # Unboxing Experience & Accessories (Photo 2, 3, 4 & 5) The unboxing experience was surprisingly pleasant and straight to the point, with no wasted packaging. The minimal approach reflects the budget-conscious nature of the product while still feeling satisfying. Given the C2's price tag of 40$, The **box's premium, smooth-sliding mechanism**—often associated with high-end smartphones—immediately makes the product feel more expensive and thoughtfully designed. **The Mecha Vibe:** The cool, stylized mecha artwork on the front of the box gives the product a great aesthetic appeal right from the start. (Photo 2) **An entertaining detail:** On the back of the box (photo 3), the product specifications list the magnetic material as **"N52 High S\*x Energy Neody Mium Boron,"** which is almost certainly a comical translation error for "N52 High-Energy Neodymium Boron" magnets—a classic budget audio quirk. The included accessories (photo 5) are generous: * The IEM units. * A warranty card and contact information card. * The horrendous stock cable (with mic). * Six sets of narrow-bore silicone eartips (two sets each for sizes Small, Medium, and Large), with one Medium set pre-installed on the IEMs. # Design, Build, and Comfort (Photo 1 & 6) The **TinHifi C2's strongest selling point is its build quality, which is truly unrivaled at this price point.** The IEM shell feels solid, durable, and premium—a far cry from the light, plasticky feel of many sub-$20 competitors. This immediate sense of quality is the C2's most compelling feature and its primary argument for being the first upgrade. * **Build:** The aluminum construction is fantastic. To users wanting to upgrade from cheap IEMs, **do not expect a generational leap in sound quality, but a foundational leap in build quality.** The all-metal construction gives the C2 the look and feel of **professional audio equipment** rather than a cheap, disposable toy. Surprisingly, the solid weight of the aluminum shells actually enhances comfort and security. The moderate weight provides enough gravity to settle the IEM firmly into the concha of the ear, preventing unwanted micro-movements during activity and resulting in a comfortable, secure seal. * **Aesthetics:** The design is sleek and metallic, giving it a mature, natural look. * **Cable:** **This is the C2's biggest compromise.** The included cable is stiff, retains its memory badly, and is arguably even worse than some cheaper KZ offerings, as seen by my terrible roadie wrap in photo 6. The addition of a microphone further complicates things, making it unnecessarily cumbersome to wrap up and carry. A new third-party cable is highly recommended. # Sound Impressions: Trading Harshness for Naturalness The C2 (2025) is tuned to adhere to the popular **Harman target curve**, aiming for a balanced and natural sound that suits a wide range of listeners. A standout feature is the **sense of vocal realism and intimacy** achieved by the C2, especially at the start of certain songs, which can be so lifelike it's almost startling. # Managing Expectations: A Step of Refinement It is crucial to set expectations: if you are moving from an ultra-budget IEM (like many sub-$15 models), your jaw won't drop because of the sound quality alone. The difference is one of **refinement, control, and consistency,** not a massive revelation. However, if you are experiencing quality IEMs for the very first time, the clarity and balance will certainly be impressive. # Bass Response The bass on the C2 (2025) has been noticeably boosted compared to the original C2 model, adding more depth and impact. While it provides a satisfying foundation for most genres and avoids sounding thin or anemic, it still falls firmly in the **neutral-to-balanced** category. It would **not satisfy dedicated bassheads** who prefer a significantly elevated, room-shaking rumble. # The Treble Refinement The most noticeable improvement when upgrading from ultra-budget IEMs such as the KZ Dawn is in the treble region. * **Clarity vs. Smoothness:** While the overall loudness of the treble remains similar to the Dawn, the TinHifi C2's treble is significantly **smoother and more refined.** It maintains detail and sparkle without introducing the harsh, fatiguing sibilance or high-frequency roughness that plagued my previous "cheapo" IEMs. This makes for much longer, more comfortable listening sessions. * **Warning:** Despite the smoothness, the C2's tuning is still energetic. **Be aware if you are extremely treble sensitive,** as the clarity comes with a slightly forward presentation in the upper frequencies. # Soundstage, Imaging, and Detail Retrieval This is where the C2 punches above its weight. The small vent located on the back of the aluminum shell is key, as it provides a necessary release that **"opens the sound up,"** preventing the claustrophobic, closed-in feeling common with single-dynamic driver IEMs. The imaging is effective, especially for the price, offering good instrument separation. This consistency prevents the sound from becoming a cluttered mess, even during complex passages. **Listening Example 1: "Chutzpan" by Avishai Cohen, Shai Maestro, and Mark Guiliana** On this track, the C2 truly showcases its detail retrieval: * The snare drum maintains a natural, non-piercing quality, while the intricate piano runs are fully portrayed. * Detail in the lower frequencies is impressive; you can clearly hear the **attacks (the pick hitting the strings) and even the fret buzzes** when the acoustic bass is played. * The sub-bass is present and discernible, complementing the subtle background elements, such as occasional "ahhh" vocals. * Crucially, during the complex outro when all instruments merge, the sound remains coherent and **non-cluttering**. Even subtle ambient clicks (sounding like keyboard taps or drumsticks hitting each other) are audible. **Listening Example 2: "Slow Dancing in the Dark" by Joji** This track highlights the C2's technicalities in modern production: * The consistent, deep **"vuh vuh"** sub-bass line is clearly felt, providing a solid foundation without bloating the mid-range. * The snare hits are distinct and palpable. Furthermore, the stereo imaging is clearly demonstrated by the **consecutive snare hitting panning from the right ear to the left ear and back** across the soundstage. * During the emotional climax of the song, the C2 excels at distinguishing the subtle **layered vocals**, adding significant weight and clarity to the track's emotional depth. **Listening Example 3: "Do I Wanna Know?" by Arctic Monkeys** This track is a great test of mid-bass and stereo width: * The core guitar riff is heavily panned, making it **sound distinctly louder and closer on the left channel.** The C2 also clearly resolves the initial sustained guitar note on the right channel before the riff takes over, highlighting excellent channel separation. * All **sub-bass is clearly discernible** and textured. * The **"woa woa woa" effect** (a filtered instrumental note with heavy modulation/vibrato) before and during the chorus is prominent, showing exceptional detail retrieval in the upper mid-range and the ability to distinguish complex processed sounds from natural vocals. * The **layered vocals in the second chorus** are well-articulated, maintaining clarity against the thick bassline. * The "thump thump thump" at the outro—a blend of mid-bass texture and impact—is **reproduced with a rhythmic, powerful cadence, sounding almost like a unit marching.** # A More Natural Presentation The overall sound signature is less hollow and less "plasticky" than the typical ultra-budget offering. The sound is more natural and engaging, offering a greater sense of tonal body compared to thinner, artificial-sounding competitors. # Conclusion and Verdict The TinHifi C2 (2025) is an excellent recommendation for any user looking to make their first tangible step up in the audiophile hobby. Its **unrivaled build quality** provides long-term value and durability that you simply cannot find elsewhere in this price bracket. While the sound quality is a step of **refinement** rather than a massive leap, the smoother, more natural treble and the refined imaging make it a far more enjoyable and versatile IEM than its bottom-of-the-barrel competitors. **Overall, the neutral and balanced sound signature makes this IEM one that I would highly recommend for people who are new to the hobby and have not yet discovered their preferred sonic signature.** **A note on Customer Service:** I was seriously impressed by the brand's agent on WhatsApp. I messaged them and received a response within five minutes. This kind of quick, attentive customer service is crazy good for the budget segment and certainly adds confidence in the brand. **The only caveat is the cable.** Budgeting for a \~$10 upgrade cable will transform the C2 from a good value into a great one. **FINAL SCORE: 4/5** **Verdict:** The TinHifi C2 (2025) earns its spot as a top choice for a first upgrade, primarily due to its spectacular build, its well-executed, if slightly energetic, Harman tuning, and surprisingly responsive customer support. *If you do decide to purchase the C2, use this affiliate link to help fund honest and high-quality reviews like this one in the future (at no added cost):* [Tinhifi C2 affiliate purchase link](https://www.tinhifi.com/products/tinhifi-c2-2025-best-budget-in-ear-earphones-c2-upgraded-mech-style-high-fidelity-earphones,-suitable-for-pu-lcp-driver-gaming,-work,-and-learning-experience-high-fidelity,-gaming,-work,-and-learning-mech-style-design-and-pu-lcp-driver-program?ref=ywjijmho)

I got the 3.5mm version, though i would definitely recommend getting the usb c version if you haven't already had a DAC.

https://preview.redd.it/m9c1nj3hqs4g1.png?width=2584&format=png&auto=webp&s=55765e85ee644ed2a9d8566e7ddbab679bc28499 As was stated in another comment. These two match pretty close. $39 US for the C2 2025, or $18 for the Truthear Gate.

Kz Edx Pro. I spent 2 months with it and bought the Tin hifi C2 at the time.

TRN and TinHifi have ridiculous build quality for the price.

Yeah, ive had a salnotes zero, prob the comfiest iem ive ever had, now using a Tin C2, also quite confortable. Ive already tried tip rolling with the T10, gets better, but nowhere near confortable for extended use

https://preview.redd.it/8eh7pzmevxhf1.jpeg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=127924c71b42eab7702613ced11c31d4a8e13c94 my recommend is c2 mech warrior, mine is c2 2025

https://preview.redd.it/8eh7pzmevxhf1.jpeg?width=2992&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=127924c71b42eab7702613ced11c31d4a8e13c94 my recommend is c2 mech warrior, mine is c2 2025

Tinhifi c2 mech warrior, great build for the money, and really clean sound.