Please be gentle, this is my first time ( ͡~ ͜ʖ ͡°)
The ST1 is a hybrid IEM from TRN sporting a 10mm DD and the 30095 BA. At the 20 USD price tag, this IEM competes with the likes of KZ ZSN Pro and CCA C4 in the price range and also type. In Indonesia you can get these for a price of less than 10 USD, I got mine at about 6 USD.
As with other IEM from the Linsoul Sub-brands, the TRN ST1 is packaged using the famous rectangular slide away box used also by the KZ's, CCA's, and others. The box contains the standard package of two IEM's, a braided "c-type" cable, spare tips, a handbook on IEM usage, quality control card, and warranty card. Overall there's nothing special here.
The IEM itself comes in magenta or blue (or you can choose one magenta and one blue) with a gray faceplate. For people who like a less flashy look there is an all black option that looks absolutely slick. Personally for me they fit well and provides a really good seal despite having a vented design.
One thing I have a gripe about is the cable. The ear loop is way too large for my ear, and because it has a sturdier loop than the other KZ cables I find that I couldn't stretch it to my ear size. The cable also feels very fragile and thin especially when compared to the monstrous size of the staight 3.5 mm jack. However not all is lost, the cable does use a "c-type" connector and it doesn't feel like I'm going to snap it unlike the "a-type" connectors.
So how about the sound?
Bass
The bass is definitely a bit forward in the mix. However, I don't think it is overly done and I would not consider this IEM as "bassy" as it is not the highlight. This IEM manage to hit even the sub-bass range providing a warm and visceral background for the music. If I am to point out a fault in this range is that the bass can feel kind of mushy at times, especially in the higher ranges closer to the mids.
Mids
This is the one place where I feel the ST1 really excels and flops at the same time (I know right, what an indecisive review). The mids is way more recessed when compared to the other ranges. The mids also suffer from the bass bleeding into the lower mids and especially male vocals. It is not all lost however as this provides a warmer tone to the vocals, if you are looking for that kind of sound. Female vocals however are helped by the BA providing clarity and brightness. I find that the IEM hits or misses based on each song and sound characteristics. Some songs and vocals feels crisp and others just feel all around mushy.
One thing that I found always sound good is guitars. The tuning provides a really powerful body and it's complimented by an elevated high mids/low trebles providing clarity and detailing.
Treble
I feel that the treble is definitely the highlight of this IEM. An elevated lower treble and a peak at around 12k really provides clarity and transparancy to the sound. The elevation also helps create a more detailed sound and you can really feel the musicality of the song you are listening too. If I have anything to pick against the high it's the occasional sibilance and harshness that can occur on higher volumes and in less than perfect recordings. Some symbals also feel a bit thin.
Technicalities
The vented design of the IEM with the BA provides a really wide and airy soundstage. Imaging is also fairly accurate and when combined with the spacious feel it really is quite amazing at the price range. You could definitely use these for gaming as the sound is crisp and comes from a concise direction. Separation is good, you can point out the exact instruments playing. However it does seem a little too good and sounds can feel separated and not coming from the same body.
Conclusion
The TRN ST1 provides a quality experience at its price point. Against the hybrid at its price range (KZ ZSN Pro and CCA CA4) it provides a balanced sound with more of a focus at the top end while avoiding sounding shouty or hot. The price range is also close to the QKZ VK4 which in my opinion is a good all around V-shaped IEM with substantially bigger bass, in comparison the ST1 feels flatter making it more of a U-shape sound. I highly recommend this for treble heads, and entry level hobbyist like me who is trying to move on from bass heavy IEM's. At the competitive price, there is little to lose.
The ST1 is a hybrid IEM from TRN sporting a 10mm DD and the 30095 BA. At the 20 USD price tag, this IEM competes with the likes of KZ ZSN Pro and CCA C4 in the price range and also type. In Indonesia you can get these for a price of less than 10 USD, I got mine at about 6 USD.
As with other IEM from the Linsoul Sub-brands, the TRN ST1 is packaged using the famous rectangular slide away box used also by the KZ's, CCA's, and others. The box contains the standard package of two IEM's, a braided "c-type" cable, spare tips, a handbook on IEM usage, quality control card, and warranty card. Overall there's nothing special here.
The IEM itself comes in magenta or blue (or you can choose one magenta and one blue) with a gray faceplate. For people who like a less flashy look there is an all black option that looks absolutely slick. Personally for me they fit well and provides a really good seal despite having a vented design.
One thing I have a gripe about is the cable. The ear loop is way too large for my ear, and because it has a sturdier loop than the other KZ cables I find that I couldn't stretch it to my ear size. The cable also feels very fragile and thin especially when compared to the monstrous size of the staight 3.5 mm jack. However not all is lost, the cable does use a "c-type" connector and it doesn't feel like I'm going to snap it unlike the "a-type" connectors.
So how about the sound?
Bass
The bass is definitely a bit forward in the mix. However, I don't think it is overly done and I would not consider this IEM as "bassy" as it is not the highlight. This IEM manage to hit even the sub-bass range providing a warm and visceral background for the music. If I am to point out a fault in this range is that the bass can feel kind of mushy at times, especially in the higher ranges closer to the mids.
Mids
This is the one place where I feel the ST1 really excels and flops at the same time (I know right, what an indecisive review). The mids is way more recessed when compared to the other ranges. The mids also suffer from the bass bleeding into the lower mids and especially male vocals. It is not all lost however as this provides a warmer tone to the vocals, if you are looking for that kind of sound. Female vocals however are helped by the BA providing clarity and brightness. I find that the IEM hits or misses based on each song and sound characteristics. Some songs and vocals feels crisp and others just feel all around mushy.
One thing that I found always sound good is guitars. The tuning provides a really powerful body and it's complimented by an elevated high mids/low trebles providing clarity and detailing.
Treble
I feel that the treble is definitely the highlight of this IEM. An elevated lower treble and a peak at around 12k really provides clarity and transparancy to the sound. The elevation also helps create a more detailed sound and you can really feel the musicality of the song you are listening too. If I have anything to pick against the high it's the occasional sibilance and harshness that can occur on higher volumes and in less than perfect recordings. Some symbals also feel a bit thin.
Technicalities
The vented design of the IEM with the BA provides a really wide and airy soundstage. Imaging is also fairly accurate and when combined with the spacious feel it really is quite amazing at the price range. You could definitely use these for gaming as the sound is crisp and comes from a concise direction. Separation is good, you can point out the exact instruments playing. However it does seem a little too good and sounds can feel separated and not coming from the same body.
Conclusion
The TRN ST1 provides a quality experience at its price point. Against the hybrid at its price range (KZ ZSN Pro and CCA CA4) it provides a balanced sound with more of a focus at the top end while avoiding sounding shouty or hot. The price range is also close to the QKZ VK4 which in my opinion is a good all around V-shaped IEM with substantially bigger bass, in comparison the ST1 feels flatter making it more of a U-shape sound. I highly recommend this for treble heads, and entry level hobbyist like me who is trying to move on from bass heavy IEM's. At the competitive price, there is little to lose.