TinHiFi P1 MAX II Review

Disclaimer

Hello everyone, today’s TinHiFi P1 Max II unit reviewed here was provided by TinHiFi for the purpose of this review. TinHiFi has not influenced the content of this review in any way, nor have they reviewed it prior to publication. I always strive to give as honest and transparent a review as possible.

I would like to thank TinHiFi and to you, the reader, for trusting in my review and taking the time to read it. 

Introduction

TinHiFi is a well known name in the ChiFi audio industry. Their T2 model made significant waves back then, and made everyone fall in love with this budget friendly IEM. Over the years, TinHiFi has tried to keep bringing high quality audio gear that’s affordable. Today, I’m checking out the TinHiFi P1 Max II, a planar magnetic IEM with a V shaped tuning and an exciting sound profile. I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts on whether it lives up to the brand’s reputation and its $139 price tag. 

Unboxing

Unboxing the TinHiFi P1 Max II was a straightforward experience. The IEMs come in a box with an attractive-looking box featuring the product’s name and a very cute Panda in eye-catching art. Sliding the box off, I was greeted by a soft top layer, like a pillow, with some documentation neatly attached via a ribbon. The IEMs themselves were nestled securely in their slots, with the accessories placed in a separate section.

Inside the box, I found a well built 3.5mm 4-core silver plated copper cable, six pairs of silicone eartips, and one pair of foam tips. However, I have to say that I was disappointed to see that there was no carrying case or pouch included… That’s definitely something I consider essential for IEMs, especially in this price range… Despite this minor drawback, I still think that the overall presentation was nice, and the IEMs themselves are very beautiful. 

Technical Specifications

Technical specs:

• 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 2-pin connector
• Plug: 3.5mm stainless steel plug

Driver Configuration:

The TinHiFi P1 Max II has a 14.2mm planar magnetic driver, which is known for having a fast and accurate sound. This single driver covers the entire frequency range and giving clear and dynamic sound.

Impedance and Sensitivity:

It has an impedance of 16Ω and a sensitivity of 98dB. This means it can be driven pretty much by most portable devices. However, I should note that in order to really get the best out of these IEMs, they could use a bit of amplification.

Build Quality

Shell Design:

The P1 Max II comes with a lightweight and durable 3D printed resin shell that has a cool silver and black wave pattern. They’re designed to fit comfortably in your ears, so you can wear them for long periods without any discomfort.

Cable:

The IEMs include a 4 core silver plated copper cable with a silver and black design and a 3.5mm gold plated jack. The cable is sturdy and doesn’t get tangled easily, and you won’t hear any annoying noises when it brushes against your clothes. It also has a strap to keep it organized. However, for $139, it’s a bit of a letdown that it doesn’t come with a modular cable that includes a 4.4mm balanced connector. 

Sound performance

Sound Signature and Timbre

The TinHiFi P1 Max II offers a fun V shaped sound signature with pronounced bass and treble that make for an engaging sound. The bass is well controlled and pretty rumbly, while the treble is bright and detailed, though it can occasionally verge on sharpness. The mids, however, are somewhat recessed, resulting in vocals that can sound a bit muffled. The planar magnetic driver provides a quick response and minimal planar timbre. Now let’s go into more details.

Bass Performance

Sub-Bass:

The sub bass on the TinHiFi P1 Max II delivers a satisfying rumble that adds depth to the music. It’s not overwhelming, but it provides just the right amount of low end presence, particularly enhancing electronic music and other bass-heavy genres..

Mid-Bass:

The mid-bass on the TinHiFi P1 Max II is quick and has a good punch, making bass lines sound clear and impactful. This makes the music more engaging. However, sometimes the mid-bass can bleed a little into the lower mids, which can make the overall sound less clear…

Bass speed and tactility:

The bass response is tight and well controlled. It’s quick and precise, typical of planar drivers. This means the bass hits fast and clean, providing a good, punchy feel without getting too messy.

Overall bass performance:

Overall, the P1 Max II brings a pretty satisfying bass experience with a nice sub bass rumble and good speed, making it great for electronic music. However, the mid bass can sometimes bleed into the lower mids, affecting clarity… The fast attack and decay of the planar drivers add to the dynamics, making the bass fun and engaging. 

Mids Performance

In my personal experience with the TinHiFi P1 Max II, the midrange exhibits a V shaped sound signature that affects the clarity and presentation of vocals and instruments…

Lower Mids:

In my experience, the lower mids of the TinHiFi P1 Max II are influenced by the bass presence, but the bass bleed isn’t overly blending due to its relatively fast decay. Low and bassy male vocals can sometimes lack a bit of definition and clarity, yet they don’t become overly muddy. This slight blending with the bass gives a fuller sound but can slightly obscure some details.

Mids:

The mids are noticeably recessed, which gives them a somewhat muted feel. This recession, combined with the stronger lower mids, creates an unusual sense of missing information in this frequency range. However, this isn’t a major drawback; it’s more of a thing that stands out to me as lacking for an IEM in this price range where other IEMs might offer a more forward midrange performance. While the mids could definitely benefit from better tuning, I still think that the overall sound remains enjoyable, especially for those who prefer a V shaped sound signature.

Upper Mids:

Moving to the upper mids, there is a noticeable presence. With certain sources, it can even become a bit shouty. This characteristic can make vocals, especially female vocals, sound thin, bright, and occasionally harsh, detracting from their natural timbre and presence. However, the upper mids are packed with details and great separation, so each note is rendered clearly, allowing you to hear the smallest details in the track. Each instrument or element in this range is presented with impressive clarity and detail, bringing many instruments to life.

Instrument and Vocal Nuances:

While the midrange provides clarity and separation to some extent, the TinHiFi P1 Max II struggles to fully capture the nuanced details of vocals and instruments in the lower frequencies. This limitation affects the overall realism and engagement across the entire midrange, and it can be felt in complex musical passages where some low note instruments may sound a bit lifeless and in the background, and some may sound very lively with great presence.

Overall mids performance:

In conclusion, the midrange performance of the TinHiFi P1 Max II offers clarity and some detail, but its V shaped sound signature impacts its ability to accurately reproduce mids, and it can sometimes be a bit muddy. Issues like upper mid shoutiness further detract from its overall vocal performance, making it more suitable for listeners who prioritize other aspects of sound quality over vocal clarity. Where this sound signature can really shine is in electronic music, where they are really “fun”-sounding IEMs. 

Highs Performance

The highs on the TinHiFi P1 Max II are bright and lively. They add a lot of clarity and sparkle to the sound. They reach well into the higher frequencies, which makes the overall sound feel detailed and energetic. However, they can sometimes be a bit too bright, especially on tracks with a lot of treble, and might come across as sharp..

Treble Detail:

The treble detail is impressive, thanks to the planar magnetic drivers. They do a great job of picking up all the little details in instruments like cymbals, strings, and percussion.

Instrument Presentation:

I can definitely say that instruments sound very crisp and well separated. This means that each instrument has its own space and doesn’t blend with others, and it helps improve the overall clarity.

Air and Extension:

The treble extension adds a sense of airiness and depth to the sound, making it feel more spacious. High frequency details are smooth and decay nicely, which gives the music a refined and polished feel.

Summary of the Highs Performance:

Overall, the highs on the P1 Max II are bright, detailed, and dynamic. They excel in pulling out fine details and making instruments sound clear and lively. While the treble can sometimes be a bit much for those sensitive to high frequencies, it’s generally well controlled and adds to the overall sound with its airiness and extension. 

Technical Performance

Details:

The TinHiFi P1 Max II really does a great job showing the little details in music. For example, in songs with high pitched instruments or electronic music like “Fragile” by Zamilska, I can really hear all the little details that might get even lost with other IEMs. These earphones are really good at highlighting those small, intricate details that add depth to the listening experience.

Soundstage:

The soundstage isn’t the widest I’ve heard, but it’s good enough to give a sense of space in the music. I like how it separates the instruments and different elements, so it doesn’t feel too cramped. Everything has its own place, making the sound feel more natural.

Imaging:

Imaging is one of the P1 Max II’s strengths. The placement of instruments and other sound elements is really accurate, which makes it easy to pinpoint where each sound is coming from. This adds to the realism and makes listening more engaging, almost like I’m right there in the studio with the band.

Layering:

I’m quite impressed with how well the P1 Max II handles layering. Even when a track has a lot going on, like multiple instruments playing at once, these IEMs manage to keep each layer of sound distinct. This makes everything clearer and more enjoyable to listen to. It gives the music a dynamic feel and helps bring out the best in more complex tracks.

So I have to say that the P1 Max II’s technical performance stands out, especially for anyone who enjoys detailed, well separated sound with good imaging and layering.

Conclusions

The Sound Signature:

Ok, so lets conclude this review. The P1 Max II has a fun “V” shape sound that really boosts the bass and treble, which makes it great for electronic music.

The upper mids come through clearly, but the overall midrange is a bit recessed, which can make vocals and lower mids feel a little distant. Sometimes, the upper mids can get a bit shouty, throwing off the balance a bit… The treble is detailed and adds a lot of airiness, but it can also be sharp at times, which might be a problem if you’re sensitive to high frequencies.

Build and comfort:

The lightweight resin shell is really comfortable, even for long listening sessions. The cable feels solid and doesn’t tangle easily, which is a plus. But I was a bit disappointed that it doesn’t come with a modular connector or a carrying case, as those would’ve added more value and convenience.

Technical Performance: 

The detail retrieval on these is impressive. You can really pick out the nuances in the music. The soundstage isn’t super wide, but it does a good job of keeping things separated, so you can easily distinguish different instruments and sounds. The imaging and placement are also decent, giving a good sense of where everything is in the mix.

So overall, the TinHiFi P1 Max II is a solid choice if you’re into a vibrant sound with strong bass and detailed treble. It does really well with technical stuff like detail retrieval and imaging. Just keep in mind its recessed mids and potentially sharp treble, depending on your taste. It’s especially good for electronic music lovers who want an energetic sound profile, and it offers good value for its price.

Pros:

• Comfortable to wear
• Good and beautiful build quality
• Fun V-shaped sound signature
• Fast and deep bass
• Pretty detailed upper mids and treble
• Good-quality cable

Cons:

• No carrying case
• No balanced connector
• Recessed mids
• Slight bass bleed
• Slightly shouty upper mids and treble

Where to buy: TinHiFi Official store , TinHiFi Official AliExpress store