ARTTI T10 Review: Detailed Planar on a Budget!

ARTTI T10 Review

Received the T10 & T10 Pro both, but this T10 is the first Artti product that came to us for official review. So, a big shout-out to ARTTI. While the first time I encountered it, the build seems solid, though made of plastic and feeling a bit cheap. But what more can a $65 IEM offer? I personally don’t like the design, especially the shape, but whatever the ‘look’ is, it feels comfortable in the ear.

The detailed sound it delivers caught me with no time. I didn’t expect that good sound from a budget planar driver IEM. But I was not surprised to find some ‘planar timbre.’ And it’s too audible with bright sources like the Moondrop Dawn Pro! It has a very good synergy with balanced & warm-balanced sources, which I will describe in a different section. The stock accessories, especially the eartips, are not anything usable. You need to rely on aftermarket ones, and I will cover it later in this review.

DISCLAIMER

ARTTI was kind enough to send me the T10 to review. I am not affiliated with Myer Audio, and of course, I was not asked for any copy-checking before publishing. All opinions shared in this ‘ARTTI T10 review’ are my subjective thoughts.

One thing more: The review is based on my personal experience and what I hear using different sources. Your experience may vary because of personal preference and physical differences like the shape and depth of the ear canal.

For your personal purchase, checkout GEEK MART or ARTTI for their fantastic products and promotions (non-affiliated links).

GEAR USED

●   DAP: Cowon Planue R2, Cayin N3 Ultra, Hiby RS2, Hiby R4, Snowsky Echo Mini.
●   DAC/AMP: xDuoo MT-604, KAEI Design TAP2, ifi Hip DAC 2, xDuoo XD-05 Plus (with BB OPA 2604), Cayin RU7, iBasso DC04 Pro, Dunu DTC 480, Fosi Audio DS-1, Celest CD-10, Celest CD-20, Hidizs SD8 Pro Robin, Moondrop Dawn Pro.
●   Smart Device: Poco X3, Xiaomi MiPad 5.
●   Files: Tidal, Spotify, local Hi-Res FLAC & DSD files.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

● Driver: 14.2mm Dual Magnetic Circuit Planar Driver
● Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
● Impedance: 16.5Ω±1% (@1kHz)
● Sensitivity: 96 dB
● Cable: 4-Core High-Purity Copper Silver-Plated
● Pin Type: 2pin, 0.78mm
● Cable Length: 1.2m
● Plug Type: 3.5mm/4.4mm

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

● T10 IEMs
● 4-Core High-Purity Copper Silver-Plated Cable (3.5mm)
● 3 pairs of narrow-bore silicon tips (S,M,L) & 3 pairs of wide bore silicon tips (S,M,L)
● Carrying case
● Some official papers

UNBOXING EXPERIENCE

I gotta say, for the price, it actually feels pretty nice. It’s clean and thoughtful, not over the top or anything. By opening the box, you will find the IEMs are sitting on a foam cut-out, simple & tidy. Underneath, there’s a small accessory box cum IEM carrying pouch that comes with a decent braided cable, 3 pairs of wide boar silicon tips (white stem), & 3 pairs of narrow boar silicon tips (black stem). Everything’s well packed; no wasted space. I personally love this type of ‘to-the-point’ kinda packing.

BUILD & DESIGN

It’s a 65 IEM, so I wasn’t expecting anything too outrageous like fancy aluminum or high-quality resin shells. But really, even at that price point, the build is just… OK. It’s constructed from light plastics, so yeah, they don’t feel particularly cheap in hand. And as for design — seriously? I’m just not a fan. It’s somewhat weird to me. It’s comfortable to wear in your ear, but seriously, it’s just sort of weird to look at. It’s not ugly or anything, but it’s not sleek or pretty.

The cable is cool, no weirdo issues with it, but not overly flimsy either. It flexes easily, minimizes background noise, and the connectors plug in nice and sturdy, so I’m satisfied with it. But man, don’t even get me started on stock eartips; they’re just too generic, no joke!

FIT & COMFORT

Alright, while I don’t like the T10’s looks, it does have some positives — in regards to fit and feel, this IEM did surprise me. Once you insert them, they rest comfortably in your ear. The shell may feel odd or cheap at first, but surprisingly enough, it fits properly. It’s lightweight and does not bear uncomfortably on any section of your ear, nor did I feel anything painful, not even after listening for a couple of hours. It does seem to seal fairly well if you get tips properly because the nozzle length is somewhat short.

So yeah, design might not be my thing visually, but in the ear? The ARTTI T10 is definitely one of the most comfortable budget IEMs I’ve used in a while. They are fantastic to use for listening to your music all day.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS

My first impression was ‘WOW!’ And it’s all about details. The sub-bass is kinda muted, while the mid-bass feels a bit dry. Male vocals lack some warmth, but female vocals shine like jewels. Treble is the most fantastic thing this IEM can offer, with superb separation. The stage is not that wide, though.

Here is the frequency graph:

Let’s dive deep…

SUB-BASS

Honestly, it handles sub-bass with a pretty tasteful touch. It’s there, it’s warm, and it adds a nice fullness to sound, but it’s not one of those IEMs that overload you with heavy bass. The bass is not like a heavy shake, but rather a wave that is gentle, which is nice for individuals who like a clean bass that doesn’t blend with middle range.

Now, let’s discuss “Englishman in New York” by Sting. It’s not a bass-heavy song, but it does have an attractive beat with some class from the upright bass. On the T10, the gentle bass adds warmth without taking anything away from Sting’s vocals or that beautiful saxophone solo. It’s possible to distinctly hear each of the bass notes, but not too loud. It’s clean, natural, and, honestly? Classy.

MID-BASS

In my opinion, the mid-bass got some nice speed to it — hits quick, backs off just as fast. You get that tight punch, especially in tracks with sharp kick drums or bass guitar lines. The texture’s actually really decent. But here’s the thing — it’s kinda dry. It don’t carry that round, warm, cushion-y kinda feel some might be expectin’.

Now, if you cue up “The Nightfly” by Donald Fagen, which has that groovy, jazzy low-end flow with tight drums and that funky bassline, you’ll notice the T10 keeps up with all the little details real well. You can hear every thump of the bass guitar and every kick hit — but it doesn’t really fill the space like a warmer set would.

VOCALS

The vocal presentation in this IEM is clean & crisp, but it lacks warmth. I wish for a bit of weight, especially in male vocals. And surely you will find the planar timbre is audible in both male & female vocals in high notes. And if it’s a track from the 50s or 60s, it may ruin the enjoyment, as poorly recorded tracks bring more audible planar timbre!

MALE

So when it comes to male vocals, the ARTTI T10 plays things a little on the dry side. Vocals come through clean and clear, sure, but there’s a bit of that planar-ish timbre goin’ on — like, kinda flat and a touch metallic at times. Not in a harsh way, just not as natural or full-bodied as I usually like. There’s not much warmth in the lower mids either, so some deeper voices might come off feelin’ a bit thin or distant instead of rich and emotional.

Now take “Why Worry” by Dire Straits — that track’s got Mark Knopfler’s voice sittin’ right up front, smooth and mellow. On the T10, the clarity’s definitely there, and you can catch all the details in his phrasing and breath. But his voice feels a little too clean, almost like it’s floatin’ just above the mix instead of sittin’ in it. That emotional warmth is missing here. Still sounds good, just feels a bit sterile for a song that’s supposed to make you feel somethin’.

FEMALE

Now when we’re talkin’ female vocals , the ARTTI T10 definitely brings some shine and power to the table. Vocals come through nice and forward in the mix — bright, detailed, and with a kinda energy that grabs your ear right away. But it’s got that planar-ish timbre creep in again, especially up top. In those higher notes , there’s this slightly artificial edge, like the air and natural softness get traded for a bit of glassiness.

Let’s bring in “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones . Her voice on that track is usually smooth as silk — laid-back but full of emotion. On the T10, she sounds clear and present , but that velvety warmth? Kinda gets lost a bit. The high notes shimmer , but there’s that hint of sharpness, like the edges of her voice got polished just a little too much. You still get the intimacy of her performance, but it leans more towards “technical” than “soulful.”

INSTRUMENTS SEPARATION

When it comes to instrument separation , the ARTTI T10 actually does a pretty solid job. Instruments don’t really get tangled up or blur into each other. Everything kinda stays in its own lane, so even on busy tracks, you can point out what’s playin’ where. That said, high-pitched instruments — like saxes or trumpets — do come off a little sharp sometimes, with that planar-ish timbre hangin’ in the background.

Now take a track like “Uptownship” by Hugh Masekela — it’s packed with energy, brass, percussion, and rhythm all dancin’ around together. On the T10, the mix stays surprisingly organized. You can hear the trumpets, drums, and bass each holdin’ their space, never really clashin’ or muddyin’ up. The trumpet hits have that sharp, forward bite, and while they’re super clear, they also carry that slightly metallic edge I mentioned earlier. Still, for the price, the separation’s impressive.

TREBLE

The treble on the ARTTI T10 is probably one of my favorite parts of this IEM. That speedy planar tech really brings out the air and sparkle in the highs without pushin’ it too far. It’s got this sweet, open feel — full of energy and detail , but never gets harsh or pokey. You can listen for hours without any fatigue. Cymbals, hi-hats, strings — all sound crisp and clean with a lovely shimmer. There’s still a bit of that planar timbre , especially in some poorly recorded or rougher tracks.

Take “Baby Can I Hold You” by Tracy Chapman — a simple track with a lotta space, acoustic guitar strums, and her soft voice right up front. On the T10, that treble shimmer from the strings really shines. It adds a lightness to the whole mix without distractin’ from the emotion in the song. There’s a nice sense of air between the notes , especially in the quieter moments. It keeps the sound feelin’ fresh without gettin’ sibilant.

SOUNDSTAGE

So, talkin’ about instrument separation, the ARTTI T10 really holds its own. That planar speed keeps things clean and snappy — like, even when a track gets crowded, it doesn’t really fall apart or turn into mush. The imaging ain’t super wide or cinematic, but the placement is precise, and you can pick out layers without squintin’ your ears, if that makes sense. Instruments don’t bleed into each other, even in busy jazz or rock arrangements.

Now, if you throw on “Aja” by Steely Dan, which is a masterclass in complex arrangements, the T10 actually does a pretty damn good job holdin’ it all together. You’ve got drums, keys, sax, guitars, backing vocals — it’s a lot. But the IEM doesn’t get overwhelmed. The drums are punchy and placed right, the piano stays crisp, and that iconic sax solo cuts through clean without smearin’ all over the mix. There’s a sense of structure to it all, like you can mentally point to where each sound is comin’ from.

TECHNICALITIES

So when we’re talkin’ dynamics on the T10 — it’s decent, but not super punchy or dramatic. Like, you ain’t gettin’ that slam or explosive rise in volume that really hits you in the chest. It does the job, don’t get me wrong — soft and loud parts are still clearly there — but it’s a bit polite overall.

Now here’s where the T10 flexes a little muscle — the speed is no joke. That planar driver moves quick, and you can hear it. Fast drum hits, rapid guitar plucks, even tight electronic beats — all come through clean and snappy without trailin’ off or feelin’ bloated. There’s no sluggishness or smudgin’ between notes

When it comes to analytics, or let’s say “detail retrieval,” the T10’s got some sharp ears on it. You can really hear all the little bits in a track — the subtle background instruments, reverb tails, tiny finger slides on guitar strings. It’s not overly clinical though; it leans more toward musical than microscope-level detail.

SOURCES

First off, it’s not crazy hard to drive, but it does appreciate a bit more juice to really wake up. With a regular phone or a super basic dongle, it’ll play fine, but the sound comes off a bit flat — like the dynamics ain’t punchin’, and the bass feels kinda sleepy. But once you plug it into something with a cleaner and slightly more powerful output, like a mid-tier dongle or even a small desktop amp, it starts to open up real nice. The stage gets wider, the bass gains a bit more grip, and the treble has more air to breathe.

I tried it with a couple dongles — like the Fosi Audio DS1, Dunu DTC480, iBasso DC04, Cayin RU7 etc., and the synergy was actually solid. Those dongles gave it just the right amount of power and clarity to bring out the best in the tuning. Also tried it with my Snowsky Echo Mini, Cowon Planue R2, Hiby R4 and even the RS2, and let me tell ya — the RS2’s R2R magic adds some much-needed warmth and body, makin’ male vocals a bit sweeter and takin’ the edge off that planar timbre in the highs. Super enjoyable pairing.

But it’s not like you need a super powerful source to enjoy the T10, but if you’ve got something a bit better than entry-level, it’ll definitely reward you. Just avoid really cold or analytical sources, ‘cause with that already dry mid-bass and upper mid forwardness, it might get a bit too sharp for long sessions.

CABLE & TIP ROLLING

When it comes to stock accessories, the T10 lacks the usefulness of the accessories that come in the package, especially the eartips. They are too basic and useless for this price. The supplied cable is kinda nice, but mine was the 3.5mm SE one, so I used an aftermarket one with a 4.4mm balanced jack. I tried a lotta eartips, like the Spinfit W1, Omni, Penon Lequier, ddHifi ST35, etc., and found the Penon one to be the best. They solve the problem of the fit issue due to the short nozzle and boost the bass region a bit with a good seal and fit.

So, if you’re trynna use this IEM with its full potential, keep in mind that you need to upgrade the eartips and cable, unless you buy the package that comes with a 4.4mm balanced cable.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So wrapping things up — the ARTTI T10 is kinda one of those IEMs that’s not tryin’ to please everybody, but if you’re the right listener, it really hits the spot. It’s got that fast, clean planar sound, nice resolution, and a treble that’s got energy without being shouty — which is a win in my book. Sure, the design ain’t gonna win beauty contests, and it’s got that typical planar dryness in the mids and male vocals, but once you settle into its vibe, it’s a pretty engaging listen.

RECOMMENDED FOR

● Balanced sound lovers.
● Fan of sweet treble sound.
● Female vocal lovers.
● Loves energetic midrange.
● Marathon listeners.
● Seeks detailed sound on a budget.

NOT FOR

● Bass heads.
● People who want warm sound signature.
● Planar timbre sensitive listeners.
● Fancy build & design enthusiasts.
● People don’t have proper sources.

You can read other reviews HERE.