Disclaimer
Hello everyone! Before we start, I want you to know that TinHiFi sent me the C1 so I could try it out, make a review, and share it with you. I’m not being paid for this review, and TinHiFi hasn’t asked to see my notes beforehand or told me what to write or set any timeline for publishing.
Everything you’ll read here I wrote based on my own time spent with the C1. I do my best to stay as objective as possible, but as always, this is just one man’s take, and our tastes differ, and that is what makes this hobby fun!
Big thanks to TinHiFi for sending me the C1, and an even bigger thanks to you for taking the time to read. Your support really means a lot to me!
Introduction
I didn’t even know TinHiFi was sending the C1 my way, and just one day I received a message for a package for me, and there it was. 30$, clear and thick resin shells with a nice metal faceplate, and a braided cable that actually feels decent in the hand. TinHiFi’s budget releases have been quite nice for me, so I’m curious to see how the C1 performs, especially with its single DLC dynamic driver and that very crowded competitive price, which includes many good budget IEMs. So it’s time to give this one a proper run and find out if it can hold its own against other entry-level IEMs (including TinHiFi’s own C2 2025) in the market right now.
Unboxing
TinHiFi keeps it super simple here. The C1 comes in a small white box with a photo of the IEMs and a “C1” logo on the front, so it’s very simple and to the point. After sliding the box open, the earphones sit in a foam cut-out. Under the foam are the accessories: a soft braided cable that is actually nicer than I expected at this price, three pairs of basic silicone tips (S/M/L), and a warranty card. No carrying case or extra different eartips, but for 30$ I wasn’t counting on any. Everything that is here is pretty decent for the price, although I would have loved to see some different types of eartips in addition to the regular ones, but other than that, it’s fine.
Technical specifications
Specs:
- Driver: 10 mm DLC (diamond-like carbon) dynamic driver
- Impedance: 32 Ω ± 15 %
- Sensitivity: 106 dB ± 3 dB @ 1 kHz (0.179 V)
- Frequency response: 10 Hz – 20 kHz
- Rated / max power: 5 mW / 10 mW
- Total harmonic distortion: ≤ 3 % @ 1 kHz (0.126 V)
- Connector: Gold-plated QDC type 0.78 mm 2-pin
- Cable: 4-strand silver-plated, 3.5 mm plug
- Shell materials: Clear resin body + aerospace aluminum faceplate
Build:
The shells are clear, the resin feels pretty thick, and it has a metal faceplate. They feel pretty solid in the hand, and I don’t see any weak spots, maybe the plastic mesh on the nozzle, but I guess it’s fine. The finish is pretty clean, with no glue marks, and the whole shape sits flush in my ears, and they are very comfortable for me.
Accessories:
For a 30$ set, the stock cable is surprisingly nice: soft PVC and a pretty unique braid that doesn’t tangle too much. It is light, flexible, and good enough for daily use. Now the eartips, as I have mentioned, I would have loved to see some different eartips in addition to these, because I actually don’t like any stock tips, primarily because of the molding line in the middle, which is very annoying for me and makes my ear itchy because it feels scratchy.
Sound Performance
Bass
Right from the start, the bass on the C1 hits pretty deep. I mean, you can definitely feel it shaking at times. But because it’s not only the sub-bass but also the mid-bass, it’s honestly sometimes a bit too much because it enters the mids. But another downside is that it’s not just deep, it also feels a bit slow and tends to muddy the mids too often, making things sound smushed. For example, in “Everybody’s Walkin’ This Land” by Home Free, the mid-bass especially is strong and upfront, and I do wish it was quicker and cleaner, because their voices get muffled together and less defined.
Mids
Because of how strong that mid-bass is, the mids often get overshadowed. Male vocals can sound somewhat muddy or thick, like they’re behind a veil, which is kind of disappointing. Female vocals, however, manage to sound brighter and more forward and are presented a little better. Instruments and vocals that rely on clarity sometimes struggle, but overall, it’s passable for casual listening.
Treble
The treble on the C1 is actually pretty ok, with nothing sounding sharp or peaky up there. It’s smooth enough that I don’t have any fatigue even after longer listening sessions. It might not be the most detailed or airy treble out there, but for a budget IEM, it’s comfortable and easygoing.
Technicalities
When it comes to technical performance, it’s about average for its price. The detail retrieval is okay, nothing spectacular, good enough to enjoy everyday tracks without feeling like you’re missing out too much, but on the lower end, the details are definitely lacking. The soundstage and imaging are decent but nothing that’ll wow anyone. It’s pretty standard stuff for a 30$ single DD IEM.
Overall thoughts
The C1 feels like a fun, bassy budget set. It’s not going for an audiophile territory. But it’s offering plenty of deep bass and smooth treble. Good enough for everyday listening and for those who are on a tight budget. I find it to be quite a nice pick, especially because of its comfort, but there are definitely many options out there in the market, so competition is quite hard at this price point, but overall it’s fine for the price.
Comparison: TinHiFi C1 vs C2 2025
When it comes to build, the C1 and C2 2025 are very different. The C1 uses clear resin shells with metal faceplates, while the C2 2025 has an all-metal shell. The C2 2025 feels a bit more premium and robust in hand, and it’s also priced higher, at around $40, which is 10$ more than the C1. However, for me, the C1 actually feels more comfortable because of its ergonomic shape and lighter resin build.
Sound-wise, these two are pretty similar. The C2 2025 has a 20% PU and 80% LCP driver, while the C1 uses a DLC driver, but honestly, the difference isn’t huge. They share a warmer sound signature. Maybe the C2 has slightly more detailed and forward treble, but it’s little better, nothing game-changing. If choosing between these two, it’s mostly down to personal preference on design, comfort, and budget rather than big differences in sound quality.
Conclusion
The TinHiFi C1 isn’t exactly a game-changer IEM, but at just $30 it still has something to offer: solid build quality, good comfort, and a fun, warm, bassy tuning. Sure, the bass can sometimes muddy things up, and the technicalities aren’t spectacular, but considering the price and the quite nice build quality, that’s forgivable. If you are on a tight budget, the C1 can be looked at, especially if you prioritize comfort and build quality. It’s great to see TinHiFi stepping up their budget game and making the IEMs cheaper, higher quality, and more competitive, although the competition in this range is still hard.
Pros
- Quite good build quality for the asking price.
- Lightweight, ergonomic shells sit flush in my ears and are very comfortable.
- The stock braided cable is soft, tangle-resistant, and honestly nicer than most IEMs in this price range.
- Bassy, with non-fatiguing treble.
- Budget-friendly.
Cons
- Mid-bass is slow and bleeds into the mids, muddying male vocals.
- Overall detail and imaging are only average and not so great.
- Just three basic silicone pairs, which I don’t like.
- Tons of similarly tuned budget IEMs make it hard for the C1 to really stand out.
Where to buy: (Non-affiliated! None of my reviews use affiliated links!)
