TRI Audio is a premium subsidiary branch of KBEAR, which produces their high-end in-ear monitors at an attractive price range. Thus, here we have the brand new iOne as their latest flagship addition in their i-Series line-up, which has a configuration of a single-dynamic driver and retails for around $279.
Pros: -
- Well-balanced bass response that's tactile, punchy and well-defined.
- Excellent sub-bass extension and texture capable of reaching almost the lowest threshold effortlessly clean.
- Pristine midrange, with excellent clarity has great organic timbre as well.
- Superb vocal reproduction, detailed, smooth and well-articulated.
- Crisp, mildly airy, with a well-extended, detailed treble response
- Treble sparkle and brilliance is good, smooth and sibilance is not accentuated
- Snares, drum crashes, hi-hats, and etc sounded accurately natural, organic.
- Jammed pack with accessories.
Cons: -
- Bassheads probably find bass response lacking in quantity.
- Recessed midrange, noticeably less pronounced than other frequencies.
- Male vocals lacks in weight, has a leaner profile
- Treble can be a tad silvery, has an edgy sound to it, becomes more prominent when given poor source.
- Slight treble smearing especially in tracks that has quick transients, transitions between elements.
- Fitting and comfort issues especially for prolonged listening sessions
Disclaimer
This is my own personal unit that I've acquired from recent Mid-Autumn Festival giveaway, courtesy of KBEAR and TRI. That's being said, I'm free from any bias or influence from their side despite being given the trust and opportunity to review.
All opinions and thoughts are solely based on my experience and knowledge about audio and my sound preference.
I haven't had much experience with in-ear around this price bracket. Hence, I can't give a comparison between it's similar counterparts.
This review is done using only the accessories provided within the box itself.
Introduction
TRI Audio is a premium subsidiary brand of KBEAR, originated from China and manufactured by Shenzhen Lingyin Technology Co. Ltd, which also appearently produces in-ear monitors for the parent company, KBEAR.
TRI is a well-known and reputable brand among the audiophile circle, the I3 tribrid flagship that was an instant success for the brand, which was soon continued with the more refined I3 Pro. TRI have also released quite some terrific number of gears laying in-store such as the TRI × HBB KAI which was a collaboration project between TRI and Bad Guy Good Audio Review (BGGAR), TRI Starshine, TRI Starsea and plenty more.
In this review, we’ll be looking straight into the TRI iOne. The latest addition into the flagship i-Series line-up. With a configuration consisting of a single-dynamic driver and will be priced below the $300 price bracket.
The iOne is set to have a shout on some similar single-dynamic in-ears that has been out in the market for quite awhile now, such as the Tanchjim Oxygen, DUNU Falcon Pro, Thieaudio Elixir and many more. Hence, let’s get into the review!
Specifications
Driver : 10mm Carbon PET diaphragm with external N52 NdFeB Magnet Circuit Design.
Impedance : 24±2 Ohms
Sensitivity : 109±2dB (no units provided)
Frequency Response : 20Hz-20kHz
Cable : TRI Wolfram 3.5mm plug, 2-pin (0.78mm) 4 core OFC shielding pure silver cable
Packaging
The iOne came in a rather large, thick flip box with a cardboard lid inside that features various professional on-stage equipments and nature. To me, it hints that this in-ear is probably marketed for professionals such as on-stage performers, audio engineers and producers. Plus, TRI's aims in delivering sound that's natural as possible with the brand new iOne.
As we explore further, the product was beautifully presented with a tidy layout of accessories and the in-ear itself, snuggly fit in a cut-out foam like chicks cuddling in their nest during the cold weather.
In terms of accessories, you'll receive a simple leatherette case and a soft, nicely padded mesh bag for your in-ear. A cleaning cloth and a small brush is also included inside, which certainly handy as the glass finish are absolute magnets for fingerprints and dusts.
Next, you'll receive two sets of eartips. Which are the Balanced eartips and also the recently released Clarion eartips. To make things short, the balanced eartips elevates low-end and taming treble with it's narrower bore, albeit it made the iOne felt slightly enclosed and loses it's treble extension slightly. Meanwhile, the Clarion is the opposite with it's wide bore, detail retrieval and spatial capabilities improves quite noticeably.
Stock cable for the iOne is one of TRI’s higher-end model cable, which is the TRI Wolfram. The Wolfram is available in two different terminations which are the standard 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm Pentacon Balanced. Each connectors including the Y-splitter, are made out of anodized aviation grade aluminium and angular shaped for further comfort.
The Wolfram is a remarkable cable, in my humble opinion. It’s main build features 4 cores of pure silver cable, which each core are made out of 204 strands of high-purity silver wires as main conductors. Moreover, the Wolfram utilizes 32 strands of Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) wires that serves as a shielding outer layer for each silver core.
As for the finishing touch, each of the cores are protected under a thick, heavy duty textile and neatly braided in a helix style braiding which certainly matching the aesthetics. Albeit, I wish the cable was much softer and lighter for better comfort, especially if you’re thinking about using it outdoors.
Build/Comfort
What strikes me immediately is the weight and size of the iOne. They're quite hefty and large for a single-dynamic, the aluminium alloy built is complemented with a precise machining and smooth finish. The 2-pin connections are sturdy and firm. The iOne came in two colour options, which are Silver and the other variant is Black as on my set.
When speaking about ergonomics, they're quite comfy but could be the opposite after long usage, notably around the cymba conchae. Fundamentally, the outward part that rests on the cymba is supporting the sheer weight of the iOne.
To add more, the iOne has a rather short and large 6mm in diameter nozzles. Because of it, I found the fitting to be quite difficult, as I had to use the largest eartip size available to get proper seal. Thankfully, the Clarion suits perfectly for me regarding the fitting, plus it sounded the best to my ears.
Isolation
Quite average, due to it has multiple vent holes on each sides or as TRI refer it as “Dual Rear Chamber Asymmetric Three-hole Design”, which increases the uniformity of airflow in and out the chamber. Hence, noises from outside are a tad audible even with perfect seal. Even so, these should have zero problem to be worn outdoors and public as long as the optimum fitting and seal is achieved.
Scalability/Source
I tested the iOne through multiple platforms such as;
The iOne is scales very well with various equipments, even low-powered devices should have no problem driving these optimally. For example, on mobile setup the Letshuoer DT02 dongle which has 1Vrms@32Ohms (3.5mm) only requires me to crank up my phone volume up to 2-4 times on the volume rocker (depends on which track is playing).
Although, when plugging into much powerful sources, the iOne has a marginally slight increase in the higher frequencies. As test goes, treble became slightly crisper and has more shimmer almost like there's a silvery edge sound to it. Either way, keeping the iOne hooked up into a low-powered device is the way to go.
Diagram 1: Reference graph of the iOne, courtesy of KBEAR
Sound Quality
Low Frequencies (Bass)
Starting off with bass, the iOne has a well-balanced, very clean and well-executed bass response. By referring closely to the reference graph, it showed the iOne has quite a steep V-shaped curve (refer Diagram 1). To my surprise, from what I’ve critically listened for the past several weeks (30+ total listening hours approx), that doesn’t seem to be the case here.
It actually has a much leaner bass impact than what I anticipated with a usual V-shaped tuning. In softer, laid-back jazz like Nightingale (Alternate Version - The Allaire Session) by Norah Jones. As the mallet of the bass drum hits, every kick sounded like an airy thump, rather than a low boomy sound.
Even so, it does not shy to provide a solid thump and meaty bass when being called upon. The iOne has a more pronounced upper-bass energy than it’s mid-bass, impressively provides a nimble/tactile punchy bass without causing any bleeding into the lower midrange. It’s lower-end is well-defined, has a fair amount of texture rendering and remarkably capable of reaching almost the lowest threshold.
As we dive “deeper”, sub-bass extension and decay is excellent. Rumbles and reverberations effect, deep sub-bass that goes as deep as 30Hz in Hollow (16-bit Remix) by Björk ft 16-bit and tactile, snappy bass impact in Hunter by Björk, recreated remarkably well with flying colours.
Meanwhile, in Anesthetize by Porcupine Tree, sumptuous electric guitars sound are easily distinguished, deep sub-bass provides satisfying grunt. Drum hits are remarkably coherent, tactile and chesty with fair amount of weight and depth. Thick, energetic, satisfying bass renditions in Aquatic Mouth Dance by Red Hot Chilli Peppers brilliantly presented with good energy and tone definitions between basses.
Hence, apart from the bass resolution which was rather unexceptional, the iOne has an overall solid performing bass. Thus, in my opinion the iOne is oriented for those who adores low-end quality over quantity.
Middle Frequencies (Midrange)
Next, as for midrange I absolutely adore mid-centric with forward vocal presentation in-ears. The iOne in the other hand, has a rather recessed overall presentation. Yet, the mids on iOne were pristine, engagingly euphonic, modestly warm-tilted midrange.
I chose Mad About You (Live at Koningin Elisabethzaal) by Hooverphonic and Whiskey Lullaby (ft Allison Krauss) by Brad Paisley to test vocal reproduction capabilities. Easy to say, I’m impressed by the cleanliness, clarity and realism that has been brought in terms of vocal presence, in both male and female voices. Both are well-articulated with remarkable clarity that exposes natural vocal texture grain, despite leaner profile, less weighty for male voices by just a small fair bit.
As we continue, I tested the iOne with Timbres by Yosi Horikawa and Sabrosalsa by Sergio Lara for timbre and separation. Various instruments and percussions are portrayed brilliantly, neatly separated, guitar plucks has nice fluidity with good layering even on busier part of the tracks with impressive timbral quality.
High Frequencies (Treble)
Higher frequencies in the iOne is no slouch either. It’s crisp, detailed, mildly airy and well-extended. Treble sparkle and brilliance is fairly enjoyable, has a pleasant shimmer, and inoffensive. Plus, sibilance was not accentuated for most of my listening sessions. Sound produced by cymbals, hi-hats, crashes and etc were also sounded pleasingly natural and organic.
Albiet, in all honesty there are some negatives that I simply can’t ignore, such as a slight smearing when given tracks that has quick transients between a single/more elements such as Psychosocial by Slipknot and Ignorance by Paramore. Which can be heard at the part of the song between drum crashes being hit at a fast tempo.
Furthermore, the treble in the iOne sounds a bit silvery, which means it has a small amount of sharp treble edge yet still nowhere close to being harsh nor piercing, this might be due to the peak at 5kHz. Thus, it does not shy to reveal harsh details when feeded with poor recorded tracks which will results into ear fatigue during prolonged listening.
Technicalities
In my opinion, detail retrieval, dynamic range and spatial imaging are the strong technicalities of the iOne. Listening to Drum Improvisation by Jim Keltner, each of his drum strikes on the toms, cymbals, snares, and even bits of microdetails in the background are audibly clear with great imaging and separation. Resolution and layering in the iOne I’d say quite modest. Meanwhile, soundstaging were quite spacious and certainly have good width than depth.
The album Explorations in Space and Time by Jamey Haddad, Lenny White and Mark Sherman is a perfect example to test soundstaging capabilities given that this binaural recording has plenty of elements presented in the song. Especially in War and Rhythm, like handheld chimes that constantly moving from one side to another, bassy almost like thunderous hits of drums and cymbals and plenty more instruments which really test the performance of the iOne.
Lastly, dynamic range is excellent. For this, I used an WAV audio sample (in the video’s description box) from ABYSS Headphones where they play a sound of a drum and a bell. The drum will always play at a constant volume, while the bell will gradually become quieter. Out of 7 counts, the iOne managed to score 6, hence I can safely say that the iOne has a wide dynamic range.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, I genuinely think that the new i-Series flagship, the iOne is a well-tuned IEM. It’s balanced tuning with technicalities that’s well above my personal expectations, makes it versatile piece of audio equipment for critical listening, while still being enjoyable at the same time.
Plus, complemented by it’s sheer immaculate built quality and aesthetics, the iOne is definitely one worthy addition into the i-Series line-up. Whether it’ll gain popularity as with their previous I3 and I3 Pro, only time will tell. Considering the Chi-Fi market is currently tilted in the sub-$150 and below.
I would love to thank both KBEAR and TRI for a wonderful experience with the iOne. Hence, this IEM gets my recommendation for those who wanted to try something that is still enjoyable without being overdone as in a typical V-shaped IEM and also for bassheads who want to pump their heart’s content with quality bass while still not in short of little nuances and microdetails in their music.
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