OceanOfLight
Head-Fier
I translated (myself) the review of the TRN ST7 that Snow Yurufuwa Audio posted on X some hours ago. Here's the link for reference (he also posted a video and some other images if you want to check, in this post I will just integrate the FR graph he provided for the ST7 and the Conch):
https://twitter.com/snow_el/status/1784507768281682296
TRN ST7 First Impression
Despite having a large number of 2DD+5BA drivers, the TRN ST7 exhibits a cohesive sound similar to the BA15. I would say its sound profile doesn’t quite align with the classic TRN tuning.
Non-Sound Related Observations (not-definitive):
Includes the same accessories as the TRN Orca.
- Comes with 3 ear tips (S, M, L) and 1 pair of T-Tips (M).
- I purchased the white version, and while the stamp is a bit harsh, the resin structure is solid and well-built.
- The main body weighs a typical 10g and is slightly tall and large. The ear wings have an aggressive angle, which initially concerned me, but they fit perfectly in my ears due to the thinness of the case. The fit is wonderful
- The stem size ranges from a minimum of 5.0mm to a maximum of 5.7mm.
- Features the same low-price line cable as the TRN Orca.
- Includes a user manual.
Overall, the accessories and build quality are consistent with other similarly priced IEMs.
Sound: (not definitive)
FIIO M17, standard cable 4.4mm + JVC SpiralDot++
- Sound Profile: slight W-shaped balance
- Timbre B+ (not definitive)
Cold/Warm: Cold |ーーーー★ーーーー| Warm
Brightness: Bright |ーーーー★ーーーー| Dark
Reverberation: Less |ーーー★+ーーーー| More
Trailing note: Less |ーーーー+★ーーー| More
Dry/Wet: Dry |ーーーー+★ーーー| Wet
Note Weight: Thin |ーーーー+ー★ーー| Thick
Speed: Slow |ーーーー+★ーーー| Fast
Sense of realism: Artificial |ーーーー+★ーーー| Real
Monitor/Listening: Monitor |ーーーー+ーー★ー| Listening
Sound Stage B (non-definitive)
Left and right: Narrow |ーー★+ーーー|Wide
Top and bottom: Narrow |ーーー+★ーー|Wide
Front and rear: Narrow |ーーー+ー★ーー| Wide
Resolution: A (non-definitive)
Imaging, separation: A (non-definitive)
Bass: B (non-definitive)
Mid-Range: A+ (non-definitive)
Treble: B+ (non-definitive)
For now, I listened to it with my usual configuration (L gain Vol 45), and in a good way it’s neutral sounding like the BA15, not the classic sound you expect from TRN. It has a thick tone, a somewhat intimate soundstage, and a perceived ‘low’ resolution (note: the resolution itself is high, but its soft tone makes it sound more relaxed, very pleasant indeed). The bass is gentle, and the attack is pleasing, there are not much reverb, and the texture is good. I like the fact that the midrange brings out the main melody and the vocals, as for the treble, it is quite beautiful for this price range.
Personally, I rate this IEM quite highly. However, those who were expecting deep and sharp bass, a cool tone, and a high-resolution-oriented set (typical of similar Chinese multi-driver IEMs) might be disappointed.
Cable PR Yongse Warrior (3100 yen= about 20 dollar).
AliExpress Coupon: I36X2R5YVPRH
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_o2blS4E
I recently received Yongse’s new cable, so I tried it with the ST7. I feel that the density of the overall tone has increased. The center stage is firmer, and the sound feels more real. Additionally, it gained more impact, resolution, and the soundstage expanded laterally. You can truly appreciate the benefits of the multiple drivers here. I also have the impression that the timbre is more accurate in the low and high frequencies. Overall, it’s easy to feel the advantages of re-cabling with this class of IEMs, and I believe this pairing completely nullified the caveats I had with ST7 when it was paired with its stock cable.
Summary
TRN attempted to disrupt the market with a $30 IEM featuring 2 dynamic drivers (DD) and 5 balanced armature (BA) drivers. Interestingly, I compared it to the multi-driver flagship VX Pro (2022 version), and while the tonal trends differ, the overall impression is that the ST7 is a little inferior. Additionally, the sound signature significantly differs from the ST5, which is the previous model (and oddly enough, it’s priced lower lol). As for the Conch, it is also in the same price range of the ST7 and it boasts a cool, hard-hitting sound thanks to its DLC driver, and here too the tuning is quite different. By the way, I experimented with using Conch’s standard RedChain cable with the ST7, and the result was a widened soundstage and an overall more enjoyable listening experience. If you’re someone who owns the Conch or the Orca and seeks a different sound profile, this IEM could be a great option.
https://twitter.com/snow_el/status/1784507768281682296
TRN ST7 First Impression
Despite having a large number of 2DD+5BA drivers, the TRN ST7 exhibits a cohesive sound similar to the BA15. I would say its sound profile doesn’t quite align with the classic TRN tuning.
Non-Sound Related Observations (not-definitive):
Includes the same accessories as the TRN Orca.
- Comes with 3 ear tips (S, M, L) and 1 pair of T-Tips (M).
- I purchased the white version, and while the stamp is a bit harsh, the resin structure is solid and well-built.
- The main body weighs a typical 10g and is slightly tall and large. The ear wings have an aggressive angle, which initially concerned me, but they fit perfectly in my ears due to the thinness of the case. The fit is wonderful
- The stem size ranges from a minimum of 5.0mm to a maximum of 5.7mm.
- Features the same low-price line cable as the TRN Orca.
- Includes a user manual.
Overall, the accessories and build quality are consistent with other similarly priced IEMs.
Sound: (not definitive)
FIIO M17, standard cable 4.4mm + JVC SpiralDot++
- Sound Profile: slight W-shaped balance
- Timbre B+ (not definitive)
Cold/Warm: Cold |ーーーー★ーーーー| Warm
Brightness: Bright |ーーーー★ーーーー| Dark
Reverberation: Less |ーーー★+ーーーー| More
Trailing note: Less |ーーーー+★ーーー| More
Dry/Wet: Dry |ーーーー+★ーーー| Wet
Note Weight: Thin |ーーーー+ー★ーー| Thick
Speed: Slow |ーーーー+★ーーー| Fast
Sense of realism: Artificial |ーーーー+★ーーー| Real
Monitor/Listening: Monitor |ーーーー+ーー★ー| Listening
Sound Stage B (non-definitive)
Left and right: Narrow |ーー★+ーーー|Wide
Top and bottom: Narrow |ーーー+★ーー|Wide
Front and rear: Narrow |ーーー+ー★ーー| Wide
Resolution: A (non-definitive)
Imaging, separation: A (non-definitive)
Bass: B (non-definitive)
Mid-Range: A+ (non-definitive)
Treble: B+ (non-definitive)
For now, I listened to it with my usual configuration (L gain Vol 45), and in a good way it’s neutral sounding like the BA15, not the classic sound you expect from TRN. It has a thick tone, a somewhat intimate soundstage, and a perceived ‘low’ resolution (note: the resolution itself is high, but its soft tone makes it sound more relaxed, very pleasant indeed). The bass is gentle, and the attack is pleasing, there are not much reverb, and the texture is good. I like the fact that the midrange brings out the main melody and the vocals, as for the treble, it is quite beautiful for this price range.
Personally, I rate this IEM quite highly. However, those who were expecting deep and sharp bass, a cool tone, and a high-resolution-oriented set (typical of similar Chinese multi-driver IEMs) might be disappointed.
Cable PR Yongse Warrior (3100 yen= about 20 dollar).
AliExpress Coupon: I36X2R5YVPRH
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_o2blS4E
I recently received Yongse’s new cable, so I tried it with the ST7. I feel that the density of the overall tone has increased. The center stage is firmer, and the sound feels more real. Additionally, it gained more impact, resolution, and the soundstage expanded laterally. You can truly appreciate the benefits of the multiple drivers here. I also have the impression that the timbre is more accurate in the low and high frequencies. Overall, it’s easy to feel the advantages of re-cabling with this class of IEMs, and I believe this pairing completely nullified the caveats I had with ST7 when it was paired with its stock cable.
Summary
TRN attempted to disrupt the market with a $30 IEM featuring 2 dynamic drivers (DD) and 5 balanced armature (BA) drivers. Interestingly, I compared it to the multi-driver flagship VX Pro (2022 version), and while the tonal trends differ, the overall impression is that the ST7 is a little inferior. Additionally, the sound signature significantly differs from the ST5, which is the previous model (and oddly enough, it’s priced lower lol). As for the Conch, it is also in the same price range of the ST7 and it boasts a cool, hard-hitting sound thanks to its DLC driver, and here too the tuning is quite different. By the way, I experimented with using Conch’s standard RedChain cable with the ST7, and the result was a widened soundstage and an overall more enjoyable listening experience. If you’re someone who owns the Conch or the Orca and seeks a different sound profile, this IEM could be a great option.
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