TinHifi C2-2025 Review: A refined new warrior!

The TinHifi C2-2025 Review contains the technical performances and sonic capabilities of this IEM.
  • Built & Design
  • Fit & Comfort
  • Bass
  • Midrange
  • Treble
  • Soundstage
  • Instrument Separation
  • Packaging & Accessories
4.5/5Overall Score

The Mech Warrior is back! A $39 IEM from TinHifi that falls in the segment of entry-level and a successor of C2 that was released back in 2023. Constructed from CNC-machined aerospace-grade aluminum, offering durability while minimizing weight. It features a 10mm dynamic driver with a composite diaphragm made from a blend of polyurethane (PU) and liquid crystal polymer (LCP). This combination aims to provide flexibility and structural integrity, resulting in clear and refined sound reproduction. Additionally, the C2 2025 offers USB-C compatibility, making it suitable for use with various devices, including PCs, Android smartphones, and newer iPhone models.

And the important question is, how does it sound in the real-world scenario?

Pros
  • Overall balanced sound signature
  • Good bass presentation
  • Enjoyable vocals
  • Nice separation
  • Sparkly yet non fatiguing treble
  • Very well built
  • Comfortable in longer listening sessions
Cons
  • Mid-bass could have some speed
  • Congested soundstage
  • Treble lacks some air
  • Very basic accessories
  • No carrying pouch (nitpick)
TinHifi C2-2025 Review
TinHifi C2-2025 Review

Personally, I was excited for the C2-2025 after releasing for one good reason: the improvement over OG C2. To experience this, I paired the set with a straight 3.5mm jack, a budget DAC dongle, my DAPs, and even with complex stack setups. Obviously, each sounds different. I will explain a little bit about pairing & synergy later.

But my first impression was not good due to the stock cable & tips; they do not do justice to the capabilities of this IEM. So, I roll tips & cables to find the best match. I also will explain it later in this review. When I find the perfect match, I enjoy every bit of it. This is such a fantastic IEM at this price point.

TINHIFI was kind enough to send me the C2-2025 to review. I am not affiliated with TinHifi, and of course, I was not asked for any copy-checking before publishing. All opinions shared in this ‘TinHifi C2-2025 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 & depth of the ear canal.

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

●   DAP: Cowon Planue R2, Cayin N3 Ultra, iBasso DX180, Tempo Tac V3
●   DAC: 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: Spotify, local Hi-Res FLAC & DSD files.

● Driver: Single DD (10mm)
● Frequency response: 10Hz- 20kHz
● Impedance: 32Ω
● Sensitivity: 104 db
● Cable: silver-plated copper
● Pin Type: 2 pin, 0.78mm
● Cable Length: 1.2m
● Plug Type: 3.5mm & USB-C

● C2 (2025) IEMs
● Silver-plated copper cable
● 6 pairs of silicon ear tips
● Some official papers

It’s straight forward. The C2-2025 comes in a small cardboard box, and inside this the IEMs are nestled in foam cutout. Under this, you find the stock cable and the ear tips in two different zip-lock bags. That’s it. You shouldn’t expect any fancy experience from an entry-level budget earphone unboxing.

TinHifi C2-2025 Review

Almost same as OG C2 until you examine them very closely side by side. Made of metal and really very well built. It is some millimeters thinner than the OG C2, and the width is also thin here. Some difference in outer cut is visible also. The face plate is semi-open type and attached with three screws that give it a good look. If you consider the budget, the build quality is fantastic, which will give you the confidence to rought use it as your daily driver. And if you like robots, you will fall in love with the design in no time.

TinHifi C2-2025 Review
TinHifi C2-2025 Review

Though the outer shell is not smooth and has some non-smooth edges, it doesn’t bother your ears when you wear this. The part that sub-marges in the ear is smooth and comfortable. I took this IEM with me in my last two outdoor tours, where I travelled for 6-7 hours with this set in my ears and didn’t feel any discomfort or anything disturbing. It fits very well in my midium-sized ears, no problem at all.

But you need to use any soft silicon tips instead of the stock one; they are a bit hard and won’t give you the ultimate comfort in longer listening sessions. The stock cable is soft, and you also shouldn’t use it until you need the mic support. The sound quality is not good with the stock cable.

TinHifi C2-2025 Review
TinHifi C2-2025 Review

In my time with C2-2025, I found the sound is balanced with a good focus on the midrange section. Where the low frequencies have their place with good body, but this section doesn’t overtake the music. The upper frequencies are also presented in a good style with details but miss some smoothness like airiness in treble. As it emphasizes more on midrange, the vocals, both male and female, are a bit forward. Separation is good with moderated stage presentation.

Here is the frequency graph (courtesy: baskingshark):

TinHifi C2-2025 Review

Let’s dive deep…

The TinHiFi C2-2025’s sub-bass extension is rather impressive and rumbles full yet controlled. Quality prioritizes quantity in order to reproduce low-frequency information cleanly. It’s tight and well-defined without much distortion, allowing the basslines in a track to engage without overpowering the overall balance. This, of course, is nowhere near as physically engaging as bass-heavy IEMs, but it makes up for it with precision and clarity. This type of tuning is really suitable for genres like jazz, acoustic, and classical, as low-end resonant adds dimension without clouding up the mids. Sub-bass decays naturally into the mid-bass, and the transitions are seamless, making the earphone versatile enough for most musical tastes.

The mid-bass on this IEM is punchy and well-textured, adding some body and warmth to the overall sound signature. Slightly forward in presentation, it really makes such genres as rock, pop, and hip-hop pop. Bass response is tight and articulate, lacking any unnecessary bloom or bleed into the mids. This keeps percussion instruments, such as drums, punching with a sense of authority without overpowering others. Tonal accuracy in the mid-bass makes it well-suited for bass guitars and kick drums, articulating with a very natural timbre. While this will not please extreme bass heads, it strikes a good balance between impact and control.

TinHifi C2-2025 Review

The overall vocal presentation on this IEM is a bit forward, but it’s presented in a manner that will not bite your ear.

Male vocals are rich and full, with a natural tonality that ensures they sound engaging and lifelike. The lower-mid tuning complements baritones and tenors, allowing them to shine without sounding recessed or muffled. There’s enough weight and texture to portray emotion effectively. That makes this set ideal for folk, blues, and classical genres. The detail retrieval ensures that subtle nuances in vocal performances are captured that add depth to the listening experience.

Airy, detailed, and forward—that’s what the female vocals are on this set. This creates an engaging and vibrant presentation. The upper-mid emphasis enhances clarity and emotional expression, particularly in sopprano and mezzo-suprano ranges. There’s a slight brightness that adds sparkle without veering into sibilance. This ensures a smooth and enjoyable female vocal presentation. Even in busy tracks, the female voices stand out from the mix.

If you consider the price range and it’s entry-level tag, then you will be amazed by it’s instrument separation performance. Each instrument occupies its own distinct place within the soundstage. Even during complex and layered composition, it avoids any congestion. String instruments, percussion, and electronic elements are clearly delineated, making it easy to focus on individual elements of a track. This capability ensures an engaging music listening experience. But don’t expect too detailed experience that you’ll find any mid-tyre or high-end IEMs. Always keep the price point in mind!

TinHifi C2-2025 Review

Ah, it’s lively and extended, though it misses some air in it. But it has a good sparkle that adds some interest to the overall sound. It emphasizes clarity and detail, highlighting fine nuances in high-frequency elements like cymbals and strings. Like midrange, the treble is tuned with a slight brightness, which makes it bold and good-bodied but without any harshness. It handles micro-details well, but it may not be suitable for critical listening due to its softer presentation! Despite its emphasis, the treble remains controlled, avoiding sharp peaks that could lead to sibilance. Treble-sensitive listeners will appreciate the balance between energy and smoothness.

When it comes to soundstage, I’ve got a mixed feeling about the performance of the earphone. It’s moderately wide, providing a sense of space. The horizontal stage is very good with reasonable height, while it lacks some depth. Especially you will crave for more when you listen to any well-recorded live performance. The shortcoming is very well complemented by it’s instrument separation ability. That will give you a sensation of open space. But not that much. And in some busy tacks, it feels too intimate sometimes. If you consider the budget, it is understandable, right?

The technical performance of the IEM is somewhat limited. The bass response is ‘pretty slow’ and lacks the quick attack & decay that makes the dynamic presentation a bit compressed. Though the midrange is forward and well-pronounced, it lacks body & richness. And when it comes to analytical capability, it is pretty avarage. Detail retreaval is on the softer side that sometimes covers the micro-details in the music. Critical listeners will be disappointed with this earphone for sure!

TinHifi C2-2025 Review

Before starting this section, lets take a look at the frequency graph of both of the IEMs-

TinHifi C2-2025 Review

It is clear that the bass region, especially the sub-bass, is present more in C2-2025 than it’s in the OG C2. And on top of that, the OG C2 is leaning more toward the upper mids area. In reality, the new one has more satisfying bass, both sub & mid, than the OG one. And when it comes to vocals, the C2-2025 is a clear winner. Because the OG’s vocals, whether male or female, are forward and shouty.

Instrument separation is relatively good in the C2-2025, and the soundstage is almost the same. And when it comes to treble, OG set is fatiguing in this section in longer listening sessions. But the new one has a very good higher-frequency presentation. In technical & critical listening, both failed to touch the mark. They are just for casual listening purposes. But in every aspect, the C2-2025 is a clear winner and really a good upgrade of the OG one.

TinHifi C2-2025 Review
TinHifi C2-2025 Review

Sources are to provide power and give you a good/bad synergy that can bring out the potential or the weaknesses of the IEM. I will divide this section into two subsections. Let’s jump in right away.

It’s not a power-hungry IEM. It is somewhat true, but on the other hand, it’s also false. How? I tried this IEM, like all other IEMs I reviewed, to drive directly from my smartphone. Yes, without any challenge, my smartphone drives it. But what I hear is not the original sound of this IEM. There is only bass, which is alive, while the midrange came out in a congested way.

There was no audible separation, everything coming out of one place. The vocals feel so laid-back but boxy with ghostly reverb. The treble also feels unreal. But with any DAC dongle, even with the entry-level Moondrop Dawn Pro, this set doesn’t sound like this crap! So, power is a fact here, like any other IEM.

This is a balanced type of set, though a bit emphasizing mids, but still, it’s able to deliver a comparatively balanced sound. And it paired very well with almost every source I paired with it. And the interesting thing is that this IEM wears the character of the paired sources very well. So, if you love bright sound, pair it with bright sources, or for warm sound, pair it with warm sources. It will deliver the sound faithfully.

TinHifi C2-2025 Review

For a budget IEM, the stock cable & ear tips are OK, but not practical, as they don’t pair well and don’t sound good. The accessory pack is basic. You may need to purchase an upgrade cable for this. I will suggest TRN, KBEar, or Yinyoo copper cable and DDHifi ST35 ear tips. It won’t hurt your pocket but will give you a very good sonic experience.

TinHifi C2-2025 Review

If you are on a budget and looking for a balanced-sounding IEM, then this C2-2025 can be a good choice for you. But keep in mind that you must have at least a good DAC dongle to drive it properly. But for warm heads, bass heads, treble heads and analytical listeners, this set is a big ‘no no.’ If you want to enjoy your music without breaking your bank, then just give it a try. And as always, don’t forget to have an audition before you buy it.


● Who loves quality bass.
● Who loves lively midrange.
● Who don’t have any problem with small stage presentation.
● Treble-sensitive listeners.
● Who at least has a good source like DAC dongles.
● Budget-friendly audio gear seekers.

● Bass heads, treble heads, and analytical listeners.
● Those people who think upgrading cable & ear tips is a hassle.
● Those people who love a wider soud stage.

TinHifi C2-2025 Review

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