Hidition T-100 Review – GG EZ

Pros –

Excellent in-class technical performance, Reference-level bass/midrange tuning, Comfortable and compact design, Cable has integrated mic and remote, Great soundstage

Cons –

Fatiguing treble requires modification for music enjoyment, Bass lacks extension, Rubbery cable, Fully sealed design makes voice chat uncomfortable over long stretches

Verdict –

While The T-100 would benefit from easier tuning via filters or tips, there is a charm in a tuning that is so focused on delivering on one particular measure where modern earphones assume more of a jack-of-all-trades approach.

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Introduction –

Hidition is a Korean audio company who’ve made a splash internationally with their high-end IEMs. Even now, some of their models like the NT6 and Viento still top comparison lists and remain enthusiast favourites. Hidition Gaming is an offshoot of the legendary brand. Though it is run by a different team, Hidition still cooperates on sound tuning and R&D. The T-100 is their first model, an entry-level over-ear IEM targeting audio enthusiasts alongside passionate gamers. Perusing their marketing material, I was captured by their serious approach to designing a quality set of IEMs free of gimmicks but simply designed properly through traditional methods to suit modern consumer needs. Despite the small asking price, the T-100 was designed from the ground up in-house, promising big performance.

The T-100 is available for $129 USD. You can read all about it and treat yourself to a unit on Hidition Gaming.

Disclaimer –

I would like to thank Drake very much for reaching out to organise a review of the T-100. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review.

Contents –

• Page 1: Intro, Unboxing & Design
• Page 2: Sound Breakdown
• Page 3: Comparisons & Verdict

Specifications –

• Driver: Single Sonion Balanced Armature
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 17 kHz
• Impedance: 25 Ohms
• Sensitivity: 103 dB

Behind the Design –

Custom Housings

Leveraging 20 years of ear impressions collected by their CIEM department, Hidition Gaming have designed the housing from the ground up to be ergonomic for the widest variety of ears. Moreover, the housing design places drivers close to the nozzle, minimizing resonances. Specific driver, damper and capacitor placement were all considered to permit a highly phase coherent design, aiming to deliver excellent soundstage and imaging performance.

Tuned by Hidition

Not just a gaming headset, the T-100 was designed and tuned in conjunction with the main team responsible for the famous Viento and NT-6 Pro. While it doesn’t target audiophiles as keenly as those models, the team focused on a tuning that would separate foley, ambience, voice chat and BGM as distinctly as possible. This was done in order to create the best possible gaming experience and competitive advantage.

4-Core OFC Cable

Taking another page out of their CIEM books, the T-100 sports a 4-core OFC braided cable designed with low microphonics in mind. It has an in-built mic but separate shielding over each conducting path to eliminate noise both into the microphone and along the audio path itself.

Source Pairings

The T-100 was designed to deliver a consistent sound from a wide range of sources including the wireless remotes of gaming consoles. This is why the company has chosen to go with a single driver with a high impedance that is easy to drive. A higher impedance keeps background hiss/noise low and also results in a more consistent frequency response with high output impedance sources.

Unboxing –

The T-100 is an inexpensive earphone and the unboxing experience reflects that. The packaging is simple yet cleanly designed and professional. Within the box is a zippered leather carrying case with a nice texture and plenty of room inside for both the earphones and a small DAP or accessory set. The case is protecting the earphones themselves fit with medium silicone tips. Two additional sets of tips are provided in 3 sizes, a softer white silicone set and a firmer grey set. Beyond this, no other accessories are to be found.

Design –

True to Hidition’s marketing, the T-100 is a compact and svelte in-ear with a rounded, ergonomic design. They remind me somewhat of Fir’s IEMs yet with their squared-off rears yet sport an even more tapered nozzle and more compact overall dimensions. The T-100 is one of the smallest pod-style in-ears I’ve tested and also one of the lightest thanks to a predominately plastic construction. The edges between the two pieces of the housing are a touch rough under the finger but nothing here really affects comfort or longevity. While the plastic housings are extremely light, it feels executed in a functional sense as they still feel solid and lacking hollowness. In-hand feel is also aided by a nice matte finish that resists fingerprints.

Up top are MMCX connectors which permit cable replacements and upgrades. It’s a common connector and those that Hidition have used offer tight tolerances and a very affirmative action. The cable itself is a 4-core braided unit with a twist braid above the y-split. The cable sports a single-button remote with microphone and is terminated in a 90-deg plug with Hidition branding. Relatively soft insulation means the cable routes over the ear with ease and doesn’t irk with springiness or memory. However, the tight twist does make it more prone to microphonics than other braid designs. There is a notable lack of strain relief and the rubbery jacket leaves to be desired however it is adequate for an entry-level earphone.

Fit & Comfort –

As aforementioned, one of the defining aspects of the T-100 is the ergonomic design. This begins with their simple compact dimensions as the T-100 is very compact and lacks hard angles entirely. The tapered front end leading into a well-angled nozzle keeps the housings at a comfortable angle that doesn’t place pressure on any particular part of the outer ear. Moreover, they promote a deeper fit, aiding isolation and fit stability. The lightweight plastic housings aid this impression which, combined with an excellent seal and over-ear cable, offers almost perfect fit stability even during active use such as running.

Passive noise isolation performs at a good level too, exemplary with memory foam tips. The housings are fully sealed and though not quite as isolating as a metal shelled in-ear, offer well above average performance perfect for day-to-day use. I would have liked to see some sort of pressure relief system as I find it provides a more comfortable sensation when talking whilst wearing in-ears. I think this is likely my largest complaint with the design. This feels more suitable for a portable setup with a gaming laptop where greater noise isolation is required to combat noisy fans. Hidition markets this as a do-it-all gaming headset, that said. For this, I do think other options provide a more comfortable experience due to the in-ear wearing pressure and stronger isolation that doesn’t, to me, work well in the context of voice chat.

Next Page: Sound Breakdown