An Interesting Beast
EQUIPMENT
Topping a50s Headphone Amplifier
Xduoo MT-602 Hybrid Tube Headphone Amplifier (Sylvania 5654 Tubes)
SMSL Sanskrit 10th MK2 DAC
iFi Hip-Dac
Final Audio E Tips
Cable: NiceHck 16Core HPC
Sources: Flac Files From my Personal Collection / Tidal
SPECS
Hybrid Dual Driver Setup.
-Knowles 33518 BA Driver.
-8mm Dual-Core Dynamic Driver.
-Premium Magnesium Alloy Housing.
-Impedance: 16 Ohms.
-Sensitivity: 107dB.
-Frequency Response Range: 10Hz-40kHz.
-MMCX Connectors.
NOTES
The TRN TA1 is a product where the build quality belies its modest price. While the specs may show a sensitivity that is reasonably high, I found that they did require a more than average amount of power to drive them. Still a capable DAP or other portable device will drive these well. There are improvements though with amping. Quality of the included cable is ok and the included 2 sets of tips and a pair of foam tips are of good quality as well.
BUILD QUALITY & FIT
Build quality is very good with a solid, confidence inspiring, metal housing. The TA1 is larger than the pictures show and feel weighty in hand but not too much as to cause shifting issues or discomfort when in the ear. Included accessories are of good quality and tip selection and stock cable quality are good, in particular at this price range of ~$30 USD. Presentation is also pleasing
Fit is very good but does require even more diligence with tip selection to achieve a proper seal, for bass quality/quantity, and stable fit. Overall the TA1 are comfortable even for long listening session, noting the tip selection requirements above.
:SOUND:
BASS
Articulate with good speed and impact when called for. More Mid-Bass than Sub-Bass but the lowest register are there and easy to follow. Bass texture is also good, in particular at this price range. Not a Basshead's iem. I love Bass but not "Basshead"bass. Good weight to the bass was noted, when called for by the source material though an absolutely good seal in necessary here so tip selection is critical. Coming from to KZ's EDX the bass on the TA1 can at times sound a little dry, but after extended listening the TA1's detail superiority is easily heard. Bass impact is good, with proper seal and tips, with notable speed and detail. A Guy Called Geralds "Emotions Electric" has a driving bass kick that was tight and controlled on the TA1. Massive Attacks "Angel" has a front and center driving bass that can actually become irritating on some earphones and was reproduced with good quantity, control and texture on the TA1. I did not notice any undue mid-bass bleed with only occasional hints of such. Overall, the TA1 presents a bass register that is impressive and revealing.
MIDS
Slightly forward with good clarity and detail. Female voices sound particularly very nice and intimate. Anita Bakers "Love You To The Letter" sounded intimate and immediately engaging with good note weight. Male voices are reproduced nicely but not to the extent as Female voices are, still being very pleasant to listen to. Air around vocals is notable with them never sounding strained or confined. I would even go so far as to classify the TA1 as more midcentric in its tuning with an upper mid/Lower treble emphasis. Articulation, detail and timbre are good but do suffer as the higher frequency's are reached.
TREBLE
The TA1 has a definite Upper Mid/Lower Treble upward tilt. This is generally presented with a nice amount of sparkle, air and presence but here is where issues were also noted. Upper frequency troughs and peaks were often easily heard and this manifested itself in a "splashy" representation of cymbal strikes and their resulting resonances. Leading edges of treble transients sounded at times overzealous and the consequent decay was unnatural and often uneven. Even when trying many different tips including foams the issue persisted if, not becoming somewhat reduced. Sibilance was noted but this is source material dependent. Due to these issues detail retrieval was average. When those troughs and peaks were not a factor, the treble region had nice extension and presentation. On electronic music these issues were less of a distraction and the TA1 sounded good overall with great impact and clarity.
IMAGING & SOUNDSTAGE
The TA1 presents a decent soundstage without making the music sound confined or congested. Imaging extended just beyond the physical dimensions of the listeners' head with width being greater than height or depth. Layers are actually well presented, specially for this price range, with the TA1 handling complex and busy tracks like A Guy Called Gerald's "Stella" surprisingly well. All the elements were stable and in their respective places while easily being picked out in the mix.
VERSUS
- HZsound Heart-Mirror
Both earphones have a Bright/Neutral tuning but there are definite differences. The bass on the TA1 is more satisfying with a stronger output while not sacrificing quality. The bass on the Heart-Mirror has slightly more detail but suffers compared to the TA1 when absolute output is compared. Still with respect to speed the Heart-Mirror is better but not by much. Mids on the Heart-Mirror are more recessed then on the TA1 with the TA1 presenting a more immediate and intimate picture. Mids on the Heart-Mirror are thinner but clarity and detail are good on both. Treble is where the Heart-Mirror takes a decisive lead. While the trailing edge of transients, as presented by the Heart-Mirror, can be somewhat exaggerated at times, decay is more realistic and the "Splashy" presentation sometimes heard on the TA1 is avoided completely. Imaging is close, only when the Heart-Mirror is amped though otherwise the TA1 will be heard as having a more spacious presentation.
-Senfer DT6
The DT6 offers a more evenly balanced and integrated presentation with the TA1 having a distinct upper mid/treble tilt. Bass on the DT6 is of more quantity than the TRN model with the TA1 having just that little more detail and dryness. Mids are slightly more forward on the TA1 with the DT6 having a warmer presentation. With respect to detail each is good, with female voices just sounding more immediate and intimate on the TA1. Treble on the DT6 is again more evenly distributed though with less energy than the TA1. Overall though the treble of the DT6 has the edge due to the previously mentioned issues with the TA1's treble. Timbre is interesting as on the DT6 it can sometimes sound strange while the TA1 is more even in that regard.
CONCLUSION
The TRN TA1 is the epitome of the saying "The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum Of The Parts". Even given it's issues, it still can present a very satisfying listening experience, but not with out caveats. It has a sound that is not in tune with the majority of what is called Chifi today. With electronic music the TA1 can be very satisfying with tight bass, detailed mids and clear highs, as long as the troughs and dips are not brought into attention. Vocal focused tracks can also sound very good with great intimacy and engagement. Build quality is excellent and the look is gorgeous. One can only imagine if the bass was brought up just a bit to offset the sparkly treble and the upper registers smoothed out without sacrificing extension, what a little beast the TA1 could be. Still all that being said, the TA1 can still be a very enjoyable
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