TinHifi C3 MKII Review: An Impressive $50 Budget IEM

Disclaimer: I received this product in exchange for my honest review. The Metalverse is an independent website, and all opinions expressed are our own with no monetary incentive. We thank the team at TINHiFi for giving us this opportunity.

TinHifi

TinHifi started in 2017, emerging from a Chinese manufacturer with serious OEM experience under their belt. What started as a company making earphones for other brands transformed into a well-recognized name in the Chi-Fi revolution.

The TinHifi C3 MKII

The C3 MKII represents TinHifi's refined vision for affordable hi-fi audio in 2025. Priced at just $49, this single dynamic driver IEM positions itself as the successor to the original C3 launched back in 2022. Think of it as the "big brother" to the C2 2025, sharing similar DNA but with a more mature, balanced personality.

At its heart lies a 10mm dynamic driver featuring a composite PU+LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) diaphragm—the same driver configuration found in the C2 2025. But here's where things get interesting: despite sharing components, the C3 MKII delivers a distinctly different sonic experience. It's been tuned to follow the modern Harman target curve, creating a pleasant sound that works across virtually any genre you throw at it.

The C3 MKII targets music enthusiasts who want reliable high fidelity audio at a very accessible price point.

Packaging

What's in the Box?

• 1 x C3 MKII
• 6 x Silicone Ear Tips (2 S, 2 M, 2L)
• 1 x Storage Case
• 1 x Swappable Filter

Eartips

6 pairs of included eartips on a $50 IEM is pretty good, and the small, medium, or large eartips should provide a good fit for most ear types. I found the mediums to fit my ear nicely. The nozzle is conveniently the standard size, meaning you can swap out the stock eartips with most 3rd-party options as well, if you'd prefer.

Cable

The included cable is a mixed bag. It features high-purity oxygen-free copper wire plated with silver, housed in a glossy black sheath with matching aluminum components. Signal transmission is clean, and the cable reduces microphonic noise effectively. It feels relatively durable for the price and isn't too springy. The cable is somewhat prone to tangling above the Y-splitter due to its thinness. There is an included chin slider, but on our pair, it wasn't tight enough to stay in place, leading to it falling back down during any movement.

Case

The carrying case is a nice inclusion from TinHifi. It's large enough to fit the IEMs, cable, and even a small portable DAC/amp. A hard case adds some security to the safety of your IEM during travel while still staying small enough to fit in a bag or pocket.

Build Quality and Design

Let's talk about what you're actually holding when you unbox these earphones. The C3 MKII features 3D-printed resin shells that weigh an incredibly light 4.1 grams per earpiece.

The faceplate is very aesthetically pleasing with a black and grey speckled pattern adorned with silver stars and a gold TinHifi logo at the center. It's a tasteful look that manages to feel premium without being ostentatious. The "interstellar panel" design, as TinHifi calls it, symbolizes infinite possibilities on your musical journey. A bit poetic? Sure. But it looks good.

The shells themselves feature a single small vent positioned just in front of the 2-pin sockets. This vent serves double duty: it relieves air pressure during extended listening sessions and provides necessary airflow to the internal 10mm dynamic driver. The C3 MKII uses standard 0.78mm 2-pin connectors with a slightly recessed design, making cable swaps easy if you want to experiment with aftermarket options.

Build quality feels solid despite the lightweight construction. The resin material resists scratches well and doesn't develop the wear patterns you might see on aluminum shells. TinHifi also includes two pairs of replacement metal mesh filters. This thoughtful touch extends the lifespan of your IEMs and shows attention to long-term user needs—something you rarely see at this price point.

Sound Quality

TinHifi's C3 MKII feels overall pretty well-balanced with a boost to bass and low treble, giving it a U-shaped tuning. The C3 MKII presents as mostly neutral with a touch of added warmth and musicality.

Bass

The bass on the C3 MKII is executed well for a $50 budget IEM. The bass performance is defined with good authority. Sub-bass provides a deep-reaching texture with a good level of punch coming from the mid-bass.

That said, the bass focus leans slightly more toward sub-bass than mid-bass punch. If you're a basshead looking for skull-rattling impact, you might find this presentation a touch polite. But for most listeners, the balance strikes a great sweet spot between fun and performance that doesn't overwhelm the mid and treble.

Mids

The mid range features a neutral character with spacious, clear presentation across the entire frequency range. There's a hint of warmth bleeding through from the bass response, which adds body and fullness to the overall sound.

Both male and female vocals are presented very well without becoming shouty or sibilant. Male vocals benefit from the slightly warmed tonality, gaining richness without losing clarity. Female vocals shine with natural presence and detail retrieval. Instruments occupy their own space in the mix with good separation. Guitars have texture, pianos have weight, and strings maintain their delicate character.

Due to the bass response, low mids may be slightly relaxed, but they don't come across as veiled or underwhelming at all. For its price, though, the C3 MKII presents a very good overall midrange performance.

Treble

TinHifi added a bump to the lower treble, adding a brightness that stands out nicely from the raised bass response. Detail retrieval in the treble is quite good before it starts to roll off on the higher treble. TinHifi creates a smoother treble response with the C3MKII after some previous models suffered from an overly bright treble that caused some sibilance or sharpness in higher ranges.

The C3MKII has no problems with sibilance or treble fatigue, while the emphasised lower treble adds a brighter sound without going over-the-top. The treble roll off might lead to a slightly reduced sense of airiness, but also makes these much more listenable during longer periods, which I appreciate.

Technical Performance

Timbre on the C3 MKII is very good with natural tonality across most instruments. There isn't much of a metallic or compressed coloration to the sound as many cheaper IEMs have, and instrumentals present as relatively life-like and realistic.

The soundstage is fairly expansive and gives the sense of a large, well-organized space. Width is moderately impressive, depth cues are decent, and height provides good vertical layering. While it won't match $200+ IEMs in sheer spatial performance, the C3 MKII creates an open, uncluttered presentation that feels significantly wider than its price suggests.

Imaging capabilities are accurate with precise positioning. Instruments occupy distinct locations in the stereo field, and you can follow individual elements through complex passages. Separation and resolution are excellent for the class, contributing to that spacious, open sound character. Layering during busy musical sections remains clear without congestion.

Comfort and Isolation

The C3 MKII's comfort level is exceptional—easily among the most comfortable IEMs in the budget category. That 4.1-gram weight becomes forgettable once inserted, and the ergonomic design based on extensive ear canal modeling creates a natural, pressure-free fit. The smooth resin material feels pleasant against the skin, and the rounded shell design eliminates any sharp edges or pressure points.

The fit is secure enough for active use without being uncomfortably tight. These IEMs stay put during commutes, workouts, and even light jogging.

Insertion depth ranges from shallow to medium, depending on tip selection. The design prevents overly deep insertion while still achieving a proper seal. There's no driver flex—a common issue with single dynamic driver IEMs—so you won't hear that annoying crackling when adjusting fit.

Passive noise isolation is above average for this design. The secure seal and shell design block out ambient noise effectively, making the C3 MKII excellent for commuting and travel. You'll enjoy your music without cranking volume to dangerous levels, and external distractions fade into the background. It's not active noise cancellation level isolation, but for passive isolation, it's impressive.

Long listening sessions pose no problems. The combination of lightweight construction, ergonomic design, and pressure-free fit means you can wear these for hours without discomfort. Whether you're working through a full workday soundtrack or binging an entire album discography, fatigue isn't really a factor here.

Comparisons: How Does It Stack Up?

vs. Kefine Klean ($49)

The Kefine Klean represents the C3 MKII's most direct competitor at the same $49 price point. Both deliver balanced sound signatures with natural tonality, but they take different approaches.

Build-wise, the Klean features all-metal shells with a removable nozzle system that allows tuning customization. The C3 MKII uses 3D-printed resin. Both are solidly built and very comfortable, so material preference comes down to personal taste. The Klean's metal construction feels more premium, but the C3 MKII's resin shells are lighter for extended wear.

Sonically, the Klean has a slightly thicker, warmer character thanks to enhanced bass presence. It's not quite as clear or clean as the C3 MKII in the midrange. The C3 MKII's mids sound smoother and warmer, while the Klean presents mids with more melodic accuracy and definition. Treble on the Klean is brighter and more sparkling with better airiness, while the C3 MKII opts for a warmer, slightly darker presentation that remains pleasing.

The soundstage advantage goes to the Klean, which presents a more spacious, deeper, wider, and taller sound depending on the source. However, the C3 MKII counters with better detail retrieval and slightly superior separation with the right tips.

vs. TinHifi C2 2025 ($39)

This comparison matters because the C2 2025 costs $10 less and shares the same 10mm PU+LCP driver configuration. So what do you get for that extra money?

The C2 2025 features a metal shell compared to the C3 MKII's resin construction. The C2 has a brighter, more energetic presentation with better mid-bass punch and impact but less sub-bass rumble. The C3 MKII handles sibilance significantly better, making it the safer choice for treble-sensitive listeners.

The C2 might appeal more if you prefer brighter, more forward sound. The C3 MKII wins for those seeking smoothness, better sub-bass extension, and superior comfort.

Final Verdict

The TinHifi C3 MKII represents exactly what budget audio should be: honest, well-executed, and focused on delivering real value. At $49, it punches well above its weight class with excellent build quality, outstanding comfort, and audio performance that competes with many IEMs at higher costs.

The C3MKII is a great option for an entry-level IEM at a fair cost. Its balanced tuning has an overall smooth sound character with a touch of warmth that adds fullness with boosted low end presence. At the price, it is a strong contender and an easy recommendation.

The C3 MKII stands as one of the best budget IEMs available in 2025. Whether you're building your first proper audio setup or need reliable daily drivers that won't break the bank, TinHifi delivers a compelling option.

Check the C3 MKII's latest price:

Technical Specifications

• Driver Configuration: Single 10mm Dynamic Driver
• Diaphragm Material: PU + LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) Composite
• Frequency Response: 10Hz - 40kHz
• Impedance: 32Ω ±15%
• Sensitivity: 106dB ±3dB
• Maximum Power: 5mW
• THD (Total Harmonic Distortion): 0.5%
• Magnetic System: Ultra-strong dual magnetic circuit, 1.5 Tesla magnetic flux density
• Cable: High-purity oxygen-free copper plated with silver, 0.78mm 2-pin connection
• Cable Length: 1.25m
• Connector: 3.5mm single-ended
• Shell Material: High-precision 3D-printed resin
• Weight: 4.1g per earpiece

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