The TIN Audio T2 are decent critical listening in-ear headphones. They have a good audio reproduction for in-ears and have a solid build. They're fairly comfortable thanks to the multiple tip options, including memory foam tips, to help you find the best fit. They also have a nice braided and detachable cable which make them more durable than most in-ears. Unfortunately, they don't have an in-line remote and microphone, but their wired connection offers no latency, and they're portable and easy to keep on you to enjoy their sound quality anywhere.
Our Verdict
Average for mixed usage. The TIN T2 have great and well-balanced audio reproduction that critical listeners should enjoy and are comfortable for long listening sessions thanks to a variety of tip options. They isolate a decent amount of background noise and barely leak which makes them a decent choice for commuting. They can also be used for sports activities as they're stable and breathable. Their wired connection gets rid of all latency issues, which is good for TV and gaming, but they don’t have a microphone, and their short cable doesn’t offer you enough range for those uses.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Braided and detachable cable.
- Minimal leakage.
- In-ear fit might not be for everyone.
- No in-line remote and microphone.
Above-average for neutral listening. The in-ear design might not be ideal to most neutral listeners, but if you want to enjoy great audio reproduction on-the-go, the T2 have a powerful bass, well-balanced mid-range, and a good treble. However, the bass is slightly overemphasized, low-mid might sound a bit cluttered, and the treble is a bit lacking. Overall, they have a decent sound quality, but the in-ear design won’t have a great speaker-like soundstage.
Okay for commuting. Their in-ear fit isolates a good amount of ambient noise, and since they barely leak, you’ll be able to mask even more noise by raising your listening volume. Your isolation performance will depend on the type and the size of the tips you use. Unfortunately, the in-ear fit might not be comfortable enough for long flights but should be fine for bus and subway rides.
Decent for sports. They're decently stable in-ears for physical activity, and their in-ear design makes them very portable. You can easily fit them inside pockets or a gym bag. However, since they're wired headphones, you’ll have to worry about their cable being in the way and getting hooked on something.
Average for office. They isolate a decent amount of ambient chatter, but they won’t be comfortable enough to wear for a full work day. On the upside, you won’t have to worry about battery life, and since they barely leak, you’ll be able to listen to music at high volumes without disturbing colleagues around you.
These are wired headphones and aren't suitable for this use.
Sub-par for wired gaming. They have decent sound quality and no latency, but if you’re looking to play online, they don't have a microphone and might not be the ideal choice. They also won’t be as customizable as other gaming headsets we’ve reviewed so far.
These headphones have no microphone and aren't suitable for phone calls.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 19, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Mar 28, 2019: We've updated the Sound and Bass section of the review to better reflect a typical use case for an average user.
Check Price
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The TIN Audio T2 are good wired in-ear headphones that are versatile for different types of use. They're not as neutral-sounding as the Sony MH755, but some users may prefer their warm and smooth sound profile, which delivers a bit of extra boom to your mixes. They also have a great build quality with metal buds and a nice braided, detachable cable which makes them more durable. They're fairly straightforward wired in-ears since they don't have an in-line remote and microphone, but you can use a third-party cable with one since their cable is detachable. See our recommendations for the best budget earbuds, the best earbuds under $50, and the best wireless earbuds under $50.
If sound quality is your only or most important factor, the TIN Audio T2 are better headphones, but otherwise, the Shure SE215 are more comfortable, come with a nice case, are more stable, and isolate a lot more noise than the TIN. They also have a detachable cable like the TIN, and you can find third-party cables with an in-line remote and mic. However, they are more expensive than the TIN.
The KZ ZS-10 and TIN Audio T2 are two fairly similar headphones, but the T2 might be better by a very slight margin. They score similarly in sound quality, but the TIN Audio have a slightly more balanced and even response, especially in the bass range. They also have better isolation performance. Also, the metal buds might be more durable than the transparent plastic cases of the KZs. On the other hand, if you’re looking for headphones that stand out, go with the KZs. They are slightly more comfortable, but this may vary from user to user. The KZs also have a model variant with an in-line remote and microphone.
The 1More Triple Driver are more versatile headphones TIN Audio T2 thanks to their in-line remote and microphone. However, if you don’t mind that the TIN are missing those features, they're better-built headphones overall. The TIN isolate more ambient noise and leak less. Both have similar sound signatures, but the TIN have a less recessed mid-range. On the other hand, the 1More come with a nice hard case that doesn’t add too much bulk.
The JBL Endurance Sprint are better headphones than the TIN Audio T2. They have better sound quality and they are wireless, meaning they offer more freedom to move around and are best suited for sports. However, they have a touch-sensitive control scheme, which is nice at this price range, but it is very hard to use and registered unwanted commands often. They will also have latency which the T2 don’t have. On the other hand, the T2 are better-built headphones and feel more durable, thanks to their metal buds and detachable cable.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
