TRN V80

Hello everyone!
I know i am a latecomer on these, but the first pair i had (when they were released) was defective and i didn’t wanna buy another one.
Sherry sent me these for FREE and i was really happy to have them again as i fell in love for the v80s at first listen some months ago.
Getting these free does not actually influence my final thoughts.

I remember you to visit my website for more reviews and store links i cannot post here:
https://www.yourstingyfriend.altervista.org

Just wanna precise that my impressions are subjective and that listening experience can change depending on source, tips and so on.

Test were made on:
– Galaxy S7 Edge Smartphone
– Presonus AudioBOX iONE connected to my PC with no Enhancements actived
– AGPTEK M30B/Benjie S8 DAP
I even connect my Fiio A3 when i need it if i hear some earphones need a little more power.

Technical specs:
Drivers: 2 DD + 2 BA
Sensitivity: 108dB
Impedance: 24ohm
Frequency Response: 7 Hz – 40000 Hz
Cable lenght: 1.25m Detachable (0.75mm PINs). This is the NON-mic version but there’s a MIC versiona avaiable too.
Plug Type: L-type

PACKAGING
Solid package with the v80s black and white paint.
As soon as we open it we find: IEMs, cable, 3 pair of tips. No carry case included.



CABLE
Cable is the classic one that TRN features in their products. It is a black cable made of copper with a twisted texture. It feels solid and features premade hooks. Connectors are ok, there’s no chin slider.
Mic can be featured but this version didn’t. You can request the mic version when you add them to your cart.



CONSTRUCTION AND INTERNALS
Shell is completely made of metal. It features 3 little vents in the back and a little one just before the nozzle tube starts buildin’ up, in order to prevent driver flex.
Nozzle grill is precise and well made and the overall construction feels very well assembled, giving a good impression about their longevity.
We have 2DDs and 2BAs and that’s crazy considering these are very little: overall these are well studied.



COMFORT AND ISOLATION
The v80s are kings of comfort in my opinion. If we compare them to something like the ZS7, then, we have so many compliments for the V80s.
V80s are really lightweight in the ears, and the premade hooks just help making them really comfortable.
The shape doesn’t have sharp edges like the ones that ZS7 feature, but the nozzle is a bit longer on the V80s, so you should maybe do some tip rolling (the ones included are a bit little even in terms of diameter and barely fit the nozzle).
There’s a nozzle lip that prevents eartips to fall.
In the pics below you can see the V80s near the KZ ZS7.
The V80s have a smoother shape and a smaller shell while the ZS7 are very edge sharped and bigger than the V80s.



SOUND
Let’s get into it.
Now the critical factor that decides if something has to be tried or not: how do they sound?
I mainly listen to EDM subgenres, Dupstep, Future Bass, Euphoric Hardstyle, Bass House, Midtempo and downtempo, darkwave, drum’n bass, but i even listen to many vocal tracks, moreover female ones.
I always search for IEMs that have a little bit of emphasis in the lower region, and can sacrifice mids with some recession if they still sound clear and natural. I love vivid and sparkling highs if they’re not at a headache level.
V-shape signature is my favourite one.

Lows: Fantastic. Sub-bass is one of the most extended and technicals i’ve ever heard. There isn’t just rumble, but great rendering of the sub-bass that goes really deep without any problem.
Kickdrums are very impactful and well textured with very nice speed. We really have a great low-end here!

Mids: Balanced. We’re not in a V-shape situations like we’re used to. Mids are forward and take place in the first sits. Voices are well reproduced: male ones have a warm timbre while female ones are intimate and delicate. Instances of sibilance are present in many cases and may be annoying. This maybe due to the lower treble emphasis. This can be fixed a bit using foam tips.

Highs: Very bright. Highs are forward with a big emphasis on the lower treble region. Definitely not for treble sensitive people, highs extend very well showing technical abilities which are really difficult to find in other products in this price range. The lower treble, anyway, can be really over the top for the majority of people out there and i do not advice them if you’re someone who’s highly treble sensitive.
This little fault makes them a little sibilant in some tracks that went through an aggressive mastering process.

Soundstage is narrower compared to other products. Imaging and instrument separation is excellent but tracks sound more intimate and seems like instruments are just a feet after the ears.
Width is good, height as well, but depth could be definitely improved. Playing Rainbow Six Siege with these is quite impossible as sound pinpointing is not precise due to limited depth.
If you compare these to something like the ZS7, you can really feel the difference in soundstage.
This is anyway intended in the signature, and forward mids contribute making the soundstage a little bit more close to the ears.

SUMMARY
TRN did a great work with these. The price at which they’re being sold now makes them a no-brainer, at least for who can stand a bright pair of IEMs. Foam tips can do the job making them less bright but i personally advice to buy these if you’re used to very warm IEMs.
Technically, these are really terrific, and i think nothing can beat them at this price range in terms of analytical listening, moreover if we consider these are well balanced on the spectrum (even if with much brightness). Other IEMs in this price range are usually V-shaped super colored ones while these are just balanced, natural and engaging without being very colored along the spectrum (except for the lower treble).



PS: if you didn’t understand why didn’t i put a photo of the tips included with these, it is because they barely fit the nozzle. I advice you buying a pair of alternative tips as these are a bit hard to push in and the same goes if you have to put them out. Tip rolling can be frustrating due to the big nozzles, so the stock tips aren’t made for that.

this is the best iem i've ever owned, the main downside is the build quality, this iem has been with me for 3 months before i write this review

V80 is an excellent iem for the price, you just cant go wrong with it.
packaging gives a lot to be desired, i really wished they give foam tips as an option, since those tame the treble better than the stock tips

Sound:
When listening the first time, the treble might be overwhelming, id say somewhat worse than the ZS6, however let it burn in for a week straight and be awed when you use it.
this iem has a warm-balanced signature

Bass: incredibly punchy and clear, on bass heavy/boosted tracks it doesn't distort and keeps other frequencies clear, definitely will keep bassheads satisfied, and is just the right amount for most songs

Mids & Highs:
Mids felt slightly forward and the Highs are just right, sparkly enough but not piercing (at least for me), they are incredibly detailed though, i've heard bits of tracks i've never heard through the ZS6

Soundstage,Separation,Imaging:
the V80 is "weird" in this section, the soundstage is narrower than the ZS6 in my observation, however on some tracks, especially live recordings it felt wider than the ZS6 yet it also feels intimate because of the bass, id say its average for soundstage, if you plan to use this for gaming it sounds unnatural as everything sounds close & slightly overblown.
Separation is what ill say excellent, no frequency fights for a spot & everything sounds cohesive and clear.
Imaging is fine, i can tell their position though the narrow soundstage make them sound intimate.

Sensitivity & Volume:
my personal testing shows that the earphone has a resistance of around 22ohms, and they are LOUD, they sound louder than the ZS6 but quieter than the ZSN on the same volume level, and they are incredibly sensitive to noise, using trn stock cable i can hear my phone "ticks" on and off when the cpu detects some work (opening apps & such), while i cant hear any using kz's cable. so good job on the cables TRN

Build Quality:
TRN... we need to talk for a bit
straight cable is a 2 edged sword, in some situations its better, in some its bad, and this is the only earphone that has its cable changed 3 times in a period of 3 months, my zsn and es4 still uses its stock cable without issues, i really think its my fault because i drop my phone a lot and the jack gets hit most of the time. but please make an L jack cable some time TRN.

Also the pins, my left earpiece pins felt loose, it grips "enough" but also detaches easily, and i've bent the pins on occasions since i put them in my pocket, maybe next time make a "locked" connector like KZ for durability sake.

Conclusion:
TRN nailed it with this earphone, it delivers such a wonderful sounding earphone for less than $30, with the build quality issues aside there is no way this thing disappoints you, everything felt just right with this earphone and i prefer this than the ZS6 for listening because they are just that good

Upon initial listen, to insure that all was working, I noted immediately that the V80 did not seem to have that bright Chi-fi sound. To me, that sound is becoming a trademark of affordable multi-driver critters coming from China as the market continues to explode. It…is…huge… The V80 is a quad driver (2 BA, 2 DD) on each side, so we can honestly call this a hybrid design. Another trend, which seems to be grabbing hold in the SE Asian market. Much innovation and competition are coming as a result.



*The unit at hand was burned in for over 150hrs. I do this, so the reader can have an impression of what the ware might sound like after 6mos to 1yr of ownership. After all, it only sounds new once.

I want to thank Linsoul for the continued support, and also state that this review is woefully behind. Sigh, apologies. Since the release of the V80, a V20 and V60 have been released.



Can be purchased at:

Aliexpress website: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/TRN-V80-Quad-Drivers-2BA-2DD-In-Ear-Earphone-Flagship-Hybrid-In-Ear-Monitor-Metal-Headphones/32894662581.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.3.6161294eQsgfQF&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10065_10068_10130_10890_10547_31

Specs:

· Impedance: 30Ω
· Earphone sensitivity: 108dB/mW
· Frequency range: 7-40000Hz
· Plug Type: 3.5mm Straight Plug
· Cable Length: 1.25m
· Earphone interface: 2Pin Interface
· Driver unit: 2BA+2DD hybrid driver unit (Composite Dynamic 10mm, 6mm + Composite BA)
· Price $38-$39 USD


Gear used/compared (all prices USD unless specified otherwise):

KZ-AS06 ($53)
VE Biggie ($40)
Kinera SEED ($49)

Thebit Opus #2
Shanling M3s
Shanling M1

Songs used:

Too bloody many to list all, but you want songs, so there you go:

Coldplay-All I Can think About Is You
Coldplay-A Message
Coldplay-White Shadows
Dona Onete-Sonos de Adolescente
Los Lonely Boys- Heaven (en Espanol)
twenty one pilots-Trees
twenty one pilots-Car Radio
twenty one pilots-Heathens
Damian Marley-Everybody Wants To Be Somebody
Damian Marley-So A Child May Follow
Damian Marley-The Struggle Discontinues
Ziggy Marley-Lighthouse
Ziggy Marely-See Dem Fake Leaders
Mark Knopfler-Laughs And Jokes And Drinks And Smokes
Santana w/ Mana- Corazon Espinado

The new twenty one pilots album, Trench


Unboxing/Fit-n-Finish:

Coming in a smaller white box, the V80 is a fairly unassuming package. With nice outlined images and lettering, there is an air of simplicity, which I very much appreciate. As mentioned before, sometimes packaging can add to the overall appeal (think CTM Da Vinci, just wow…) while other times it is not needed or can detract. This is a case where the intricate packaging is not needed or necessary. Simple, straightforward and elegant. I like the approach.

Taking the IEM out of the package, there really is not much else besides the very nice cable and tips. Coming with a modicum of tips, there is a dearth of accessories. I do not mind, but still wish all manufacturers included a case for their wares…it just seems like the right thing to do.

But the focus really should be on what comes inside, and as such TRN does exactly that. With an easily detachable 2-pin cable, the IEM comes labeled L/R. Made of some composite material in two halves, there is a nice vent hole on the inboard side to aid in the bass presentation. Finished in black anodized material, the halves fit together well, with matched seams.

The cable itself has long strands above the y-splitter, but no cinch. That again is OK, as I rarely use the cinch. With a tight-weave 4-strand cable, there is a nice elegance to the overall approach. Again, simple but functional. Excellent finishing is to be had on both ends, with a long straight 3.5 jack and decent strain relief. The jack itself is a bit longer than I would like, especially since it is straight, but really no bother, and comes replete with “TRN” logo. Overall, I like the approach. It does tangle, due to that soft-touch and long area above the y-splitter, though.

Fit is straight forward, and non-fatiguing. It works for long periods of time, and is on the smaller side of IEM’s, so most should be able to find a good fit for long periods.



On to the sound:

As mentioned, when I initially listened, I had no complaints. After 150hrs burning in, I still have no complaints.

Comparing the V80 to a couple of other that were on the burner Shanling M1 at the time, I noted how the bass was present, but not overpowering.

Overall, the V80 has a pleasantly bassy-note to it. Without real punch, the bass is present in sufficient manner that you can raise the volume and hear a decent thrust. Not CA Atlas-manner no, but sufficient for this price. And without that trademark harshness to the treble, either. I find myself raising the volume on Pink Floyd’s live version of Money as a result. And I enjoy it. Tight and controlled, would be an apt descriptor for the bass note.

There can be a note of harshness in the treble, but not enough to bother me, who has a problem with things too harsh. I would call this an affinity to treble for me, sometimes harsh, but not overall. It is there, but not like others I have on hand.

While the mids are a bit forward, they are not in your face forward, which also seems to be a trend in Chi-fi. I would state that there is an honest representation to the mids, with good clarity. Especially for this price. Coherence in vocals is present, with Long Strange Trip from The Grateful Dead ringing true. I can clearly hear and place the vocals, and instruments. With good timbre and a natural presentation, this is turning out to be a very pleasant ride.

That’s not to say the TRN does not have its faults, for it does. I find the overall sense to be on the weaker side, with some artificiality to the treble presentation. This alone can grate upon my ears after a long session. Using You And Your Friend from Dire Straits brings this to light. The hit of cymbal sounds artificial and lacks a depth I would like. It seems to be filled in, instead of supporting the sound characteristics. I wish there was more reality or a more natural sound to this. That said, the guitar work is clearly heard and sounds rich and organic. Kind of a weird conundrum within a single song…

Even with the above, One Tree Hill from U2 sounds strong and true. With an otherwise bass-light sound, the instrumentation sounds quite good and “jumpy.” I found myself tapping my foot to the song running through the M3s/V80 combination. I did in fact turn the volume up as well. Bono’s vocals sound true and deep. He does an outstanding job anyway, and through this combination, I find his soulful voice to be quite good in this budget set up. Nicely done.


Sound stage and other unsundry items:

With that clean midrange sound, the stage is a slightly out of head experience. I would not call it world beating, but quite adequate. Not especially tall or deep, there is decent 3-D representation. Think smaller venue, with a good sound system and you get the idea. Then a song such as Car Radio comes on, and that experience expands. The song is already an “in your face” experience, so that is to be expected. But, when Tyler’s vocals are represented quite well, you get a good experience. But this would be one of those songs where the overall experience can be limited due to the higher tones present. I found myself not wanting to turn the volume up like I did with the U2 song. The clarity is good, but the layers are not as transparent on this song. I get an almost smooshed together sound from this. Not bad mind you as many twenty one pilot songs tend that way, but different than the U2 song. Bass note is strong, though. Good extension, with an almost rumble to it.



Comparisons (all prices USD unless otherwise stated):


TRN-V80 ($39) vs KZ-AS06 ($53):

In typical KZ fashion, you get more for less. What was at the time almost their flagship, the AS06 follows on the heels of the successful AS10 & BA10. Providing that also typical full sound of which KZ is known, the 6 BA architecture functions smoothly and without fuss. With a narrower sound stage than the V80, you get an intimate sound, which the V80 cannot provide. Solid bass emanates from the AS06, on par but not as punchy as the V80. With an almost crystalline sound, the AS06 does provide more of an airy sound. But it feels cramped and closed in comparison. I prefer the more open sound of the V80. The KZ is good (as are most KZ products), but here I prefer the more robust sound of the V80.


TRN-V80 ($39) vs VE Biggie ($40):

Coming from the legendary Wild Lee, the Biggie/Smalls represent what one man thinks IEM’s should sound like. I will admit that the pair has been pushed to the back of my queue as other obligations took the front. This was a nice chance to present some findings.

It is known that in order for the Biggie to function properly, the seal within your ear must not be closed. Unlike a tight-fitting IEM, which provides the isolation you want, the Biggie is promoted as needing a less than closed seal to function properly. Sitting in a car dealership, while my car gets some required maintenance, I can state without reproach that I can hear my pecking on the keyboard, as well as the background noise…

With a very mid-dominant sound, I find the Biggie to be somewhat muddy. I also find the vocals to be recessed almost to the background, especially against what I consider to be very decent vocal representation in the V80. I found myself repeatedly taking the Biggie out and replacing. While fit is good, the cable is flat and does tend to fit around the ear well. It does tangle though, which can hinder ones listening. Overall, I would state that the V80 is a sound I appreciate more.


TRN-V80 ($39) vs Kinera SEED ($49):

The SEED is harder to drive than the V80. I found myself turning the volume up an average of 3-5 clicks on the Shanling M3s. That said, I found the TRN was not the easiest to drive as well. The first thing I notice is how the SEED’s midrange sounds almost hollow compared to the newer V80. The SEED was an initial project from Kinera, and I do still like it for the occasional listen. Good vocal presence tries to do a nice job overshadowing the mid-peakiness. Tight bass response in the SEED gives the allusion to more bass being present. I would say that there is more sub-bass present, but the TRN does an excellent job at representing the bass more naturally. I found myself turning the SEED down, instead of raising the volume like on the V80.



Comparative use:

Shanling M3s:

The M3S is plenty powerful enough for the V80. A good synergy is replete with a full sound, albeit that sometimes harshness of treble. This would make for a good simple commuting pair. Easy to use, affordable and good sound. Nice enough.


Shanling M1:

I could have copy/pasted from above but suffice to say that this duo makes for an even more affordable pairing. Easily had for about $150usd, this is a back-up pairs dream. Forget your good stuff? No problem. Don’t want to get the good stuff out? Again, no problem. Needing slightly more volume to drive than the M3s (to be expected), the sound is none-the-less impressive. An even more affordable pair.


So, what are we left with?...

Coming back to the V80 from the others, I am struck at the quantity of bass present. It is almost like I mislabeled the bass quantity. But, I did not. The others listed above are bass-light as a result.

I find the TRN-V80 to be ever so pleasant in which to listen. I find the bass tight and controlled, while giving a hint of rumble. The mids, especially the vocals can become a bit intoxicating with which to listen. Another good sign. And while the treble can become somewhat harsh on some songs, it is not enough to turn even this treble-sensitive soul off. The overall character is one of good solid sound, quite adequate sound stage, a natural feel to that sound, and one, which can be lived with especially knowing the price. This is a pretty good little critter, if you can live with the discrepancies listed above.

I thank Lillian and Linsoul Audio for the chance to listen to another fine offering from the land of the rising sun. there are many up and coming companies from the area, and here’s hoping that TRN stays true to their message.

- Put the foam tip on V80, don't use silicone.


V80 with foam tip and upgrade cable almost reaches Tin Audio T2's mid/ treble level - V80 a bit warmer.
Bass much more pronounce than T2, deep, impact, tight, great quality.

With 25$ for V80, about 7$ for cable. Its sound amazing better than my friend's F9 pro and Yuin PK2.

I orderd silver plated cable to test how V80 tranforms. Really good IEM. I can enjoy Fantastic Baby, High High, Bang Bang Bang from BIGBANG now - can't do with T2 )

Edited: Much better detail with NiceHck 8 core silver plated cable - about 16$. My foam tip got dirty easily =))

I have never heard of the company TRN before. And so, when I got the V80 in the mail, I did not know what to expect. What I ended up receiving was not a bad little headphone. Let’s discuss.

Packaging & Contents



The TRN packaging comes in a simple and tidy presentation with a white box. The included accessories are pretty standard: the two IEMs, a 2-pin cable, and a set of tips.

The IEM feels extremely well built and solid. It’s one of the heaviest IEM’s I’ve ever used, weighing nearly 9 grams per side. The metal housing is dense. It’s very compact and actually does not feel heavy at all wearing it. I could wear this thing for hours at a time no problem. The fit and isolation are great.

The set I got was in a glossy black finish and it looks extremely clean and well put together. If you clank them against each other, it sounds like you are hitting two marbles together. They are solid.

Sound

The TRN V80 is a warm-tilted neutral sounding IEM. So in that regard, there may be some comparisons to the Tin Audio T2 which is totally warranted. The major difference between the two is that the V80 is warmer and actually has more upper treble and has a slightly more mid-forward sound to it. But let’s talk about it in a some more detail.



I’ve spent a great deal of time with these the past 2-3 weeks as I found them inviting and nice to listen to. But they are not without their flaws. For the past couple weeks, my main playlist selection has been pretty scattered, as is my normal music listening.

As I am writing this, I am listening to them with U137, a Swedish post-rock band who make music that’ll remind you of a movie soundtrack. But I’ve spent extensive time with these with music from Radiohead, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson and other country/folk singers, a variety of bluegrass music, jazz selections, and more indie-pop bands like Chvrches, Tegan & Sara, and Cigarettes after Sex. I always try to listen to Cocteau Twins just to see how harsh the treble sounds as well.

The Low End
The TRN V80 has a warm-rich sounding low end. The bass doesn’t slam or anything. It’s actually pretty linear sounding, much like the Tin Audio T2, but with the more-forward sound lower mids, it does have a different presentation. Whereas the Tin Audio T2 is very linear and cold, the V80 is linear and warm.


Mids and Treble
The mids are slightly forward sounding and actually sound quite good, most of the time. The treble does actually extend higher than some other IEMs in this class with decent air and details. But where I find some fault with this IEM is that while this area stands out, it also can fall flat too. I find the upper mids and treble to be very loose and sometimes sounds excellent but on other songs, sounds unusual and tonally incorrect. This seems to happen more on acoustic or country songs with vocals than anything else. Vocals have a tendency to lose clarity and sound odd. On a positive note, I never found this IEM to sound sibilant or harsh, although, if you’re not used to a neutral-signature, you may find it harsh to begin with.

I don’t typically spend a lot of time on discussing soundstage and imaging because it’s not exactly the easiest things to describe sometimes. I find the stage width on these to hover on the side of my ears, so a good medium width. The imaging has depth to it and you can hear instruments at varying heights and depths – when comparing these to other IEMs in this sub $50 range.



Comparisons

Tin Audio T2
The T2 has a more analytical, colder sound to it. The bass sounds more linear on the T2 vs the V80, which has a more full and warmer sound to it. The T2 mids and lower treble are excellent for this price range and the V80 is nearly there. Where the V80 excels over the T2 is the extended treble, which gives the upper range frequency extra air and depth.



Tin Audio T2 Pro
The upcoming T2 Pro, again, is more colder sounding than the V80 and shares many of the same comparisons as the T2 vs V80. Where the T2 Pro differs is the upper treble extension. The T2 rolls off in this region, whereas the V80 does not. That said, the T2 Pro extends better with more air, depth, control, and details than the V80. The Pro is the head of the class for me for the budget IEM group.




KZ AS10
Spending a little bit more to get the AS10 over V80 will net you more bass and more mid-range and lower treble details. That said, the AS10 may sound muddy in comparison to the V80 because it has more pronounced bass. It’s usually not an issue on the AS10 but if you were to A-B back and forth, you may pick up on some of the upper bass overpowering the lower mids due to the AS10 having a slightly U-shape/recessed mids – where as the V80 has a more mid-forward presentation. The V80 has more air, though the AS10 is more in control in the mids and treble.




KZ ZSA/ZS6
I am grouping these together because, to me, they are similar in sound signature, with the ZS6 being more extreme on the low and upper ends of the spectrum than the ZSA. The KZ pair is more V-shaped, and with that you’ll have deeper, heavier bass, and harsher treble. It’ll give you a fun presentation vs the V80. I think in terms of technicality, the V80 wins. It is smoother all around and has good detail, even in comparison to the ZS6, which has good detail but too sibilant.


Overall

I found the TRN V80 a good IEM. It has some flaws in it, mainly due to some uneven sound in the mids. The neutral-warm sound is inviting and easy to enjoy though, as is the comfort and look. The package as a whole is a budget IEM that I find myself leaving in my ear for hours without any pain or significant issues in sound. I still find the T2 Pro a better option in this price point, but I’d take this V80 over anything that KZ offers today.


Credits:
I’d like to thank Lillian of Linsoul Audio for providing me this review sample free of charge. This sample was provided for my honest, unbiased opinion of this headphone. No other incentives were given to me for writing this review.

If you like what you’ve read and are interested in purchasing these headphones, please check out the following marketplaces for purchases. These are not affiliated links and I do not get any nickels and dimes for posting these – however the Amazon link does help a charity of your choice!

Amazon
https://smile.amazon.com/TRN-V80-Dr...e=UTF8&qid=1533225276&sr=8-1&keywords=TRN+V80

Ali Express
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/BGV...Monitor-with-Detachable-MMCX/32907564233.html

The recent trend for multi-driver hybrid IEMs continues unabated. Ever since KZ released their quad-driver ZS5, manufacturers have brought out competing models using technology trickling down from high-end designs. Materials have also improved, with high quality metal housings being the order of the day, such as the KZ ZS6, Zodic ET2201, Revonext QT2 and QT3. Some of these have earpieces based on designs by other makers (e.g. Campfire Audio) and the TRN V80 is no exception, with its design clearly resembling the Dunu Falcon C.

The V80s are attractively presented in a sturdy white box featuring a line drawing of the earphones. Inside you will find the earpieces nestling in a white foam insert below which, under a flap, are the detachable 2-pin cable, two pairs of silicone eartips and some literature. One set (medium) of silicone eartips with a red bore is pre-fitted.

The TRN V80 is a quad-driver IEM employing two dynamic drivers and two balanced armatures. Each driver is assigned its own frequency range by means of an electronic crossover network. The bass driver is a dual concentric design with a 10mm dynamic driver covering the lower bass and a 6mm dynamic driver the upper bass. The two balanced armatures cover the midrange and treble. The earpieces are machined from aluminium and are coated in three layers of enamel, giving a smooth glossy finish. The faceplates have three graduated vents which should produce a wide soundstage at the expense of a little isolation. There is another small vent at the base of the nozzle. The cables fit very easily into the sockets and they have a reinforced section for shaping around the ears, which retains its shape very well. There is a nice metal Y-split and a chunky black metal 3.5mm straight plug.

The earpieces are quite compact in dimension, and fit snugly in the ear. The pre-fitted tips were a perfect fit and gave good isolation at the same time as being very comfortable. In fact these are the most comfortable over-ear IEMs I have used so far. There was no problem with microphonics or cable noise although the cable is rather prone to tangling. A chin slider would have helped.

The instruction leaflet recommends 100 hours burn-in before the earphones are at their best so I followed this advice. (I am an advocate of burn-in anyway!). After this, listening was carried out using a HifiWalker H2 DAP and Fiio A5 amplifier. Until recently, the more affordable hybrid designs have been tuned with a pronounced “V-shaped” sound with prominent bass, recessed mids and bright, sometimes aggressive treble. This was certainly not the case with the V80s. I would describe the overall sound signature as well-balanced with no part of the frequency range unduly emphasised.

Bass

The bass on these IEMs is very deep and extended, but does not bleed into the mids. Rather than being boosted in the mid-bass and then rolling off towards the sub-bass, it maintains its level all the way down and has excellent texture and resolution, yet never dominating the overall sound. As a result, recorded ambience is reproduced very well, adding to the realism with orchestral basses and bass drums having great character. In the second movement of Benjamin Britten’s “Simple Symphony” by the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by the composer, the double basses and cellos have a wonderful resonance and timbre with the reverberation in the Snape Maltings coming over beautifully. Electronic music also benefits from this bass quality. Matthew Clifford’s “Accumulus” is a grandiose electronic work using an arsenal of synthesisers and the bass has real impact and depth, providing a wonderful foundation for the music. The bass is agile with great transient attack.


Mids

The mids are prominent and well-articulated, with the balanced character of these IEMs a refreshing change from the popular “V-shaped” profile. Due to the vented design, detail is excellent, separation is clear and soundstage open, deep and wide, with a good impression of height as well. Stereo imagery is very good with vocals standing out clearly over the accompaniment. Moya Brennan’s ethereal vocals in “Newgrange” from Clannad’s “Magical Ring” album shone out above the synthesised background and deep drum effects, producing an appropriate magical performance. In “High Hopes” from Pink Floyd’s “Division Bell” David Gilmour’s voice was clear and expressive with a somewhat menacing quality. Studio reverb was reproduced very well. These are some of the most impressive mids I have heard.

Treble

Some online reviews of these IEMs have mentioned sibilance or an aggressive quality. I did not find this to be the case. I found the treble to be smooth, extended and airy with wonderful detail. The harpsichord continuo and upper strings in Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No.3” (Alsace Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Karl Ristenpart) were clear and detailed. The overall effect resembled a live performance with good presence and attack and the rhythmic quality of the piece coming over very attractively with a lively bouncy quality. In Richard Burmer’s classic electronic track, “Across the View” the high synth notes were reproduced very clearly. This added to the character of the piece which had superb coherence. I believe this is due to the dedicated BA drivers for the midrange and treble.


These TRN V80s are an unqualified success. The balanced and neutral character of the presentation suits all genres equally and the use of separate drivers for the different frequency ranges really works, with no evidence of any crossover artefacts during listening. They improve on other recent multi-driver designs such as the KZ ZS10 and Revonext QT2 due to their more balanced presentation, good isolation, superb build quality and excellent comfort. Feed them with high quality music and you will be very impressed.

TRN as a company is a fairly new player in the earphone market but has already made a total of 4 entry-level offerings in the form of the V10, V20, V60 and the V80 which we have now for the realview. Launching a variety of earphones that targets almost the same market is gaining traction now among entry-level earphone makers and telling them apart is getting rather slim. The TRN V80 sports Dual Composite Neodymium Dynamic (10mm woofer and 6mm twitter) and Dual Composite BA hybrid drivers, 24 Ohm Impedance, 108dB Sensitivity, 7-40000Hz Frequency Response and utilizes the .75mm 2pin connection. I tried checking for any distinct taglines that TRN was using for their V80 IEM and came up empty-handed which clearly leaves the marketing aspect to the reseller and distributors coupled with the fact that they also have no dedicated site as of the moment. Thanks to Lillian of Linsoul for sending a review unit to Audio Realviews in exchange for an honest review, you can get it for yourself for $39 from their site at AliExpress and Amazon.


The V80 is clearly on the entry-level despite it being TRN’s flagship IEM starting off with its packaging already showing minimal to no fanfare at all. Packaged in a matte white cardboard box with the V80 outline silhouette and 2 red linings with white font describing the IEM. Opening the box immediately reveals the V80 with a small flap to see the cable and 3 black silicon eartips (S, M, L) with the M being pre-installed. The included cable is a black 4-core round braid OFC cable which is glossy and soft to the touch which led to tangle most of the time despite the braiding. Strain reliefs are there on the necessary places like the lower-part of the Y-split and on the 3.5mm plug. The cable isn’t too microphonic most of the time which doesn’t affect the experience.


The IEM housings are anodized aluminum and as per TRN has 3 layers of enamel coating which is offered in 2 color options, blue and black. It is to be noted that the initial batches of the V80 had a glossy finish while the recent releases are in matte finish. No noticeable glue and kinks are found on the housing which is nice, the TRN logo is in white and doesn’t seem to come off anytime soon. 4 vents can be found on the V80 with 3 on the faceplate and 1 on the stem just before the nozzle, we’ll later see if these vents are a gimmick or if it actually works. The nozzle terminates with a lip which is great for tip rolling although having this is really a must-have, the mesh screening the nozzle is metal and is sturdy. Overall the TRN V80 packaging and its build is downright entry-level.


Not having tried the earlier iterations of TRN IEMs got me interested as to what they have to offer. The V80 realview was done using Spiral Dots eartips which supplements the V80 rather well and is nearly built like the stock tips. We’ll also use the Opus 1 for the V80 with occasional usage of a OnePlus 3T mobile phone, Sony ZX1 DAP and the Sony CAS-1. The v80 has good seal and isolation off the box and finding the appropriate tips for each user only gives a greater result. I chose to pull out Eminem’s latest Kamikaze album in 16/44 FLAC. Playing “The Ringer” already shows the V80 strength which is the low-end, cruising throughout the album and it is further confirmed, the V80 is warm and even on the “Stepping Stone” track which has occasional upper midrange and treble bursts are still moderated by the sub bass decay that lingers on the spectrum.


We would have to guess that the V80 was indeed tuned by its makers to be used in the tropical regions of the world with how the lows are delivered. The sub bass impact and texture on the V80 is full-bodied and borderlines congestion already when turning up the volume. The bass performance however is cleaner than the sub bass and gives an overall pleasing reverb on the V80 signature. This would be respectable for the bass heads and will be a welcome treat for those needing their shot of bass every once in a while.


The midrange performance of the V80 is where it takes a backseat. Vocal clarity is decent at best with the male and female vocals sounding natural. It does however perform fairly better on the male vocals with the air it gives whilst the female vocals are often times sounding a pitch lower than it should be. I would play more of the masculine oriented albums that I have on this rather than forcing my way with acoustic female singers.


TRN V80’s performance on the upper frequencies is totally something to be wary of. The occasional treble peaks of some tracks will sometimes disorient the overall presentation while still being able to hear that mid and sub bass lingering on the background. Sibilance is not observed on the V80 but the aggressive nature of the highs which can also be mistaken for detail retrieval and clarity might shoo some listeners off, good thing the low-end compensates for the excessive highs which will lead you to not really use the V80 on treble heavy tracks.


The V80 makes use of 4 vents to supposedly provide a wide soundstage. The right to left and left to right transition of instruments on some busy tracks are distributed on a narrow feel giving an intimate overall, imaging is distinct attributing to the aggressive upper frequency nature of the V80 despite having an overall warm sound. It is however noteworthy that when non-treble-heavy tracks are played, the V80 performs rather well in the soundstage and imaging department with great resolution, just don’t pump out those treble-heavy tracks, please?


The TRN V80 is a flagship In TRN perspective and also in the uber cheap audiophile market and they are indeed in that regard. Make no mistake, they posses no outstanding features and the sound is decent at best yet when factoring TRN’s intended market, they are no question, a recommendation. The build is solid with no rattling or factory blemishes here and there, the sound is on the mellow and soft side of the spectrum with random flares from the upper frequencies gives it a stable overall signature. For all those who just started in this audiophile journey, the TRN V80 is a nice place to take off and for those seasoned enough, a perfect gift that would do justice for your effort or as a daily beater that doesn't stray from an audiophile standpoint.

More reviews on my page, http://audiorealviews.site/

My v80 just arrived today, So this is only my first impressions with them.

Pros: The build. its very durable and the cable is also nice. however i dont like the stock silicon tips, its just like the ones you get on kz's, needs to change it. detail retrieval and Imaging is very good, sub-bass is boosted but not overblown, its tight and well-controlled, isolation is also great.

Cons: Lacks accessories, Very sharp at the highs that are intolerable for my ears, also very sibilant especially at female vocals, also the mid-bass bleeds into the mids making the sound a bit too thick for my taste, the mids are not badly recessed its just that is gets overlaid by too much mid-bass. not very good for vocals overall. only good for certain genres like hip-hop, rap, edm..

Sound quality ootb is a dissapointment, it sounded very unnatural, if without the harsh highs it sounded almost identical to my kz zs3. the soundstage is narrow. mid-bass is more than enough. To sum it up this is a very v-shape sounding iem, personally not a fan of it, but this might be perfect for some. Trn suggets to burn it in to achieve its true tonality but for now...its meh. if this wont get better overtime then I highly suggest you skip buying this one...for now.


edit: Final thoughts,


After 24 hours of break in period which trn suggested, the harsh highs and mid-bass bleeds didn't improved, although mids smoothened up, but thats all I can really notice. female vocals still sounded thin, grainy, sometimes distorted and unnatural, I highly suggest listening to 0:30-0:33 of Loona's "favorite" song its a kpop song that is heavy on female vocals and high freq background instrumentals:



Sibilant even at well recorded songs, and the more I listen to it, the worse the headaches that i get. Thankfully it synergizes well with my zishan z3+burson v5iD. colored mids and roll-offed highs complements the trn v80, but its sibilance can't be helped, worse than my grado honestly.

edit: another good example of songs that doesnt go well with trn v80, for the man below the reply section, since you think one genre is better than the other and personally considered the kpop genre as trash, you may want to consider listening to this.







if you still consider the v80 to be "fairly balance" after listening to these songs, then...¯\_(ツ)_/¯


Although tips rolling will help, and in my case it did, found this little silicone tip lying around and tried it, pretty much fixes the high freq distortions and sibilance, gives an even better detail retrieval but at the cost of soundstage and depth, and bass quality.







Conclusion: the trn v80 was a good opportunity for it to be a well tuned iem, unfortunately the great tuning stops at sub-bass. Seems like their beta testers can't hear higher frequencies and doesn't like female vocals. instead they went in for a consumer grade V-shape sound signature which will wow you at first but eventually get bored at it the more you listen to other genre of songs. I hope they fix it with their next release of their flagship model iem.

Greetings,

Today we're checking out TRN's newest release, the quad-driver V80.

TRN is a new company under Dongguan Zaodu Acoustic Technology Co. LTD, yet they already have four earphones under their belt; the V10, V20, V60, and now the V80. Customer feedback on the V10 was mixed, positive for the V20, and again quite mixed for the V60. The V80 is TRN's most complicated release with a quad-driver setup; 2 balanced armatures and 2 dynamic drivers per side. It features stylish metal housings and the same excellent 0.75mm 2-pin cables and connectors from their other models, all for under 40 USD.

Seems like a good deal. Is it? Let's find out.


Disclaimer:

Thanks to Lillian with DD-Audio for arranging a sample of the V80 for review. The thoughts within this review are my own and do not represent TRN, DD-Audio, or any other entity. No financial incentive was provided to write this review. At the time of writing, the V80 was retailing for 38.00-39.00 USD, dependent on if you add an inline mic or not. Check them out here on AliExpress or here on Amazon.

*Edit: Adjusted score down 0.5 as a result of the release of the V30 which offers superior sound (treble in particular) and a better fit at the cost of material quality; plastic vs. metal.*

Source and Amping:

For at home use the V80 was powered by a TEAC HA-501 desktop amp with my Asus FX53V laptop sourcing music. For portable use it was paired with an LG G5, Shanling M1, HiFiMan MegaMini, or HiFi E.T. MA8. While they sound better at higher volumes, I didn't find the V80 particularly difficult to drive. They are quite sensitive and do not need an amp.

Personal Preferences:

I listen primarily to various EDM sub-genres (liquid drum and bass, breakbeat, drumstep, etc.), hip hop, and classic rock. While I enjoy a variety of signatures in my headphones I generally lean towards slightly warm with elevated treble and sub-bass, an even and natural mid-range response, with reduced mid-bass. The HiFiMan RE800, Brainwavz B400, and thinksound On2 offer examples of signatures I enjoy. I generally listen at very low volumes, so keep this in mind when reading my thoughts on how an earphone sounds

Specifications:

• Driver: 2 balanced armature, 2 dynamic driver, per side
• Frequency Response: 7-40,000Hz
• Sensitivity: 108dB
• Impedance: 24ohms

As seems to be the case lately with these budget products, the specs on the box do not match the specs advertised online. Take this info with a grain of salt.


Packaging and Accessories:

The V80 arrives in some fairly attractive but basic packaging. The compact white cardboard box features a wire frame image of the V80 in the front with branding bordered in red bands. The rear contains some contact information from the brand along with some basic specs, most of which are printed in Mandarin.

Lifting off the lid you find the interior split into two sections. The top portion contains the ear pieces nestled in some dense white foam. Beneath, under a cardboard flap adorned with the TRN logo, is the cable and spare tips secured in plastic bags. In all you get:

• TRN earphones
• 0.75mm 2-pin braided cable
• Single flange ear tips (s/m/l)

Overall it's a very basic package, completely fair for the price and when taking into consideration the quality of the V80's build, cable, and the fact that this is a quad-driver hybrid.

Build, Comfort, and Isolation:

The V80's build quality is quite good. It uses beefy, dense metal housings.which seem to be coated in a dense paint job with a glossy lacquer. The TRN logo and L/R indicators are printed on very neatly. Upon closer inspection, they might even be laser printed. Either way, they don't look or feel like they'll rub off anytime soon. The receptacle for the 2-pin cables sits nice and flush with the rest of the housing and shows off a nice attention to the finer details that go into the construction of an earphone. Weight is definitely up there, not to be unexpected given the materials and contents, but it is plenty manageable as a result of the weight being spread evenly within your outer ear. Dunu did a great job with the design of this shell, to TRN's benefit.

The black braided cable will be familiar to those who have purchased other models from this brand. It features a clean, tight, four strand braid from the compact metal straight jack up to the y-split. From there is divides into two twisted sections branching off to the earpieces. As with KZ's cables, it is a bit long above the y-split allowing it to tangle easily, especially since there is no chin cinch to keep things in check. The preformed memory wire is quite nice and bends at a sharp angle. I found it especially effective in keeping the cable secured behind the ear. The angled plugs are fine, but as with many of TFZ's earphones are a clear weak spot. There is no support for the pins, so if you're being careless there is a good change you'll snap them off. I would like the see TRN include a plug with a broader base that provides more protection for the pins. Overall the cable is good the price. It's flexible, feels durable, doesn't transmit much noise during movement, and sits comfortably in place behind the ear.

Despite the weight, the V80 is a reasonably comfortable earphone. The nozzle extends at a fairly mild ~70 degree angle which lets the main body of the shell sit flush and rest gently within your outer ear. I didn't notice any hot spots or sharp edges that caused discomfort, and as a result could wear these for extended periods without issue. I did need to re-seat them to regain a solid seal every once in a while, but no more than needs to be done with other products.

For a fairly shallow fitting, ventilated earphone, isolation has been shown to be excellent. For example, I'm sitting here now listening to them with a noisy old fan blustering away a couple feet behind me with the window open, cars driving by on a rainy roadway, and all I can hear is the occasional hiss as a car drives by, and a creak as the fan pivots and changes direction. Using these outside around town is a job, as they passively block out a fair bit of noise. One of the better isolating hybrids I've come across for sure.


Sound:

Tips: The stock tips are fine, but I do recommend tip rolling to find something that provides a better seal.I didn't find the V80's sound was effected as much as other earphones by tip rolling, and as such settled on those from the EarNiNE EB120. They were more comfortable, came unsealed less often, and retained the stock signature. That last one in particular is a helpful quality when reviewing, as not everyone is lucky enough to have a ridiculous number of alternate tips to play around with.

While I generally prefer to listen at very low volumes, the V80 is best suited for mid to high volume listening. I found that as you increased the volume, bass presence increases disproportionately to treble and mid-range levels. At low volumes the V80's treble is overpowering and splashy, and bass is simply lacking. Increasing the volume brings bass and mid-range presence up considerably more than the treble, so the V80 ends up reasonably well-balanced. Treble quality increases too, with it gaining a much tighter, more controlled presentation. While I do find this earphone tiring at higher volumes, since it was much more enjoyable that's how I spent the majority of my listening time.

At a suitable volume, the V80's treble retains a forward and aggressive nature, but is well-controlled with impressive extension. Upper treble is quite prominent giving the V80 a lot of sparkle to instruments and air to it's sound stage, but at the same time ends up feeling somewhat lean and unnatural. Compared to another quad-driver hybrid, the KZ ZS6, I actually found the V80 at least as bright if not brighter, so I was quite surprised to see next to no one having issues with it. With the ZS6, “piercing” seems to be the main descriptor for it's treble, something I could easily say about the V80. This presentation happens to be quite enjoyable to my ears, if not slightly over exuberant on some tracks, so you won't hear me complaining.

The mid-range on the V80 isn't as recessed as I have come to expect from hybrids in this price range and shows off a level of clarity and detail you don't commonly hear in the under 100 USD field. Vocals are extremely crisp and clear, and while they come across somewhat lean or thin, there is a pleasant bit of warmth that keeps them comfortable and non-fatiguing. Sibilance is kept in check, only cropping up when it's a part of the track. The V80 is revealing of flaws like that, and as such I recommend sticking with high quality source material. Tossing on some music on SoundCloud or Youtube will sound fine, but you're notice the digital compression right off. Timbre I found overall fairly accurate, though not up to snuff with my baseline, the JVC HA-FXT90, with instruments sounding slightly lighter than they should. Still for the price it's handled well.

Bass is where the V80 kicks it into high gear. At low volumes it lacks impact and depth, but dial in some volume and it picks up considerably, battling the KZ ED15 for my self-imposed title of “best budget bass”. It is vivid, impactful, and full of dynamic range and texture. You need rumble for that explosion? No problem. Those speedy double bass drums tripping up your other earphones? The V80 is up to the task. Are the Prodigy's grungy low-fi bass lines lacking texture? Not through the V80 they're not. The bass presentation here is addictive and will probably have you seeking out tracks to challenge it. For something costing under 40 USD, the quality of bass on tap is impressive.

The V80 is no slouch when it comes to sound stage either. The quad driver setup gives it some excellent layering depth and separation qualities, letting sounds fly between channels with abandon. Imaging accuracy is a step behind the KZ ZS10 and AS10, but easily bests the BGVP DM5 which was vague at best.

If you like to listen loud and favour a vivid signature, the V80 will unquestionably satisfy.


Select Comparisons:

KZ ED15 (<20 USD): The ED15 is a 1+1 hybrid vs. the V80s 2+2 setup, yet they perform similarly. The V80's treble emphasis is shifted up leading to a brighter and more detailed sound with a cleaner treble presentation and slightly more forward mid-range. Bass on the ED15 still takes the cake, but the V80 comes close. The ED15's low end digs deeper with more sub-bass presence, is even better controlled, and has even more texture and depth to it. That said, the ED15 is a bit of a one trick pony with it's slightly loose treble and some invasive sibilance hindering the rest of it's presentation. Not an issue with the V80. If you like the ED15 and want to upgrade, check out the V80.

In terms of build, the ED15 has it's own unique shells with nigh flawless fit and finish and a better paint job. Their cables are extremely similar, the ED15's is fixed and has better strain relief. Still I'd rather it be removable. Comfort will depend on your preferences as I found them equally nice to wear. If you don't like cable-up designs, you'll prefer the ED15 since it has a more traditional barrel shaped shell.

KZ ZS6 (<40 USD): The was an obvious comparison since it was KZ who started the budget 2+2 hybrid crazy that everyone seems to be jumping on. In my opinion, they're still the leaders. Treble on the V80 is more upper focused giving it a more sparkly presentation than you get with the ZS6, but it is also significantly more fatiguing for me. The ZS6's additional lower treble presence can make it sound a little harsh on some tracks compared to the V80, such as on The Prodigy's “Beyond the Deathray”, but, I also found this led to an even more detailed and clear presentation. Their lower mid-ranges are similarly emphasized with the V80's upper mids being less prominent. As a result, I found the ZS6's vocal presence to be slightly stronger. The V80's vocals are slightly warmer and less aggressive on the other hand. Bass quantity on the V80 is greater, particularly in the sub-bass regions where the ZS6 starts to trail off. V80 also hits with a bit more authority and has more texture. Overall, I prefer the ZS6 for it's less fatiguing treble and greater overall signature balance. If only it has the V80's engaging low end...

Tin Audio T1 (36.90 USD): In contrast to the V80's high energy sound, the T1 is more mellow and warm. It's treble is much less emphasized and lacks the extension. The T1 is a much more relaxing listen, though you're giving up detail and clarity. The T1's mid-range is more forward and dense and once again gives up detail. Timbre is more accurate though, giving the T1 and more realistic presentation. Bass on the T1 isn't as urgent or textured as what the V80 outputs, nor does it hit as hard. Sound stage is similar in size, but the T1 lacks the layering and separation and as such comes across less spacious and dynamic. The T1 is definitely better for more relaxed listening and is significantly less fatiguing, but you give up a fair bit of technical ability in the process.

In terms of build, the only issues with the T1 is a lack of strain relief. The machining of it's metal shells is flawless and the cable is wonderful despite looking so very basic. Comfort goes to the V80 which isn't nearly as tip reliant. The T1 requires a longer tip and some finagling to find the perfect spot and get a great seal.

TFZ Series 2 (45.00 USD): The Series 2 has a cooler tonality with a more physically forward presentation. The Series 2 is slightly less smooth and refined. Treble on the Series 2 has a more even emphasis on upper and lower regions giving it a little less sparkle and air, but a similar level of clarity and detail. The Series 2's mid-range is more forward but not quite as detailed and controlled. Bass on the V80 digs deeper, hits harder, has more sub-bass emphasis, and is slightly more textured. The Series 2 has a similarly spacious sound stage but lacks the depth, layering, and separation of the V80. Channel to channel imaging is more precise though. There are aspect of each I really enjoy. Since they sounded so different, I'd say they compliment each other quite well.

The V80's build is much better. The Series 2's plastic shells simply look and feel cheap, though TFZ's implementation of the 2-pin system is better, offering the pins some protection from unwanted movement that could snap them. TFZ's cable is nicer too. It is more plush and flexible with stiffer, but still flexible, preformed guides that hold the cable in place even more effectively. Comfort is about equal, though I suspect the V80's slightly smaller shells will offer a better fit within a wider range of ear shapes and sizes.


Final Thoughts:

Budget earphones have come a long way since I first started in the hobby. A few years ago, a 2+2 hybrid for less than a few hundred dollars was pretty much unthinkable. Now? In 2018 we are spoiled for choice for under 50 USD thanks to KZ's initial push with the ZS5. The cool part? These cheapo multi-driver hybrids often don't skimp on sound quality or features, like removable cables.

Obviously more drivers doesn't equal better sound. The components used aren't high end Knowles or Sonion armatures, and the application of the budget drivers selected often lacks finesse in their tuning. Still, products done well like the V80 are what drive competition and force the market to innovate and move forward. If you can get past the borrowed design and are looking for a well built, comfortable earphone with great isolation and a vibrant, detailed signature, you could do a whole lot worse than to drop 40 USD on the V80. Such as visiting your local Best Buy and spending more!

Thanks for reading!

- B9Scrambler


Some Test Tunes:

Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid (Album)
Hail Mary Mallon – Are You Going to Eat That? (Album)
King Crimson – Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Album)
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black (Track)
Supertramp – Crime of the Century (Album)
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma (Album)
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach (Album)
Massive Attack – Mezzanine (Album)
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors (Album)
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels (Album)
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy (Album)
Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends (Album)
Felt – Felt 2 (A Tribute to Lisa Bonet) (Album)
Michael Jackson – Thriller (Album)
The Crystal Method – Grace (feat. LeAnn Rimes) (Track)
Jidenna – Long Live the Chief (Track)
Skrillex – Ragga Bomb (Track)
Big Grams – Run for Your Life (Track)
Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (Track)
Aesop Rock – Fishtales (Track)

intro
TRN is back and that with a bang of the drum. Their new flagship model is an improvement on the already great V20 and is roughly in league with the KZ ED16, or the Revonext QT2|QT3, albeit with very different advantages or disadvantages, depending on personal listening sensations and preferences. In general, TRN has now managed to bring 4 in-ears to the market, which could not be more different, although the V80 is clearly oriented towards the V20.

handling
The manufacturing is extraordinary and gives you the feeling of holding a premium product in your hands. They are very small and compact for their number of drivers (4), but also comparatively heavy due to their full metal housing.

The cable is still the best of wearing comfort you can get in comparison to KZ and REVONEXT using the same connector system.
The isolation is good, but there is still some room to move upwards when it comes to sounding the outside world in a quiet environment.

I would not describe the arrangement of the ventilation openings as negative, but it contributes to the fact that the positioning in the ear is decisive for the bass response in the music.


sound
As already mentioned in the previous section, the bass is somewhat dependent on how far the in-ear sits in the ear, or the ventilation openings are covered by the ear. They seem to be sitting just right with me. The V80 are not bass cannons, but they don't want to be. Rather, it is about giving the music exactly the right amount of bass without favouring it and thus running the risk of superimposing other frequency ranges. The bass is on the point, but it could develop a little more pressure at the bottom. Otherwise a very natural sounding bass with a good structure.

The mids are more than well done. They don't go quite as far forward as the REVONEXT models, but are very balanced from the lower to the high mids. Very clear and detailed, they can easily reproduce any genre without something appearing unnatural. Especially orchestral music has an astonishing separation and depth.

This quality is also maintained in the heights. In rare cases we have a sibilant sound here and there, which is unpleasantly noticeable, but otherwise they also get to the point without becoming strenuous. They are comparatively bright, but by absolutely no means like the REVONEXT QT3 or the KZ ZS6, which makes them enjoyable for a long time.
The locating as well as the depth of detail is great and, in combination with the midrange, provides an unexpected listening experience for the price range.

outro
TRN knows how to convince with the V80 again (V20) and delivers an in-ear that belongs to the best in my collection. A balanced sound signature that inspires with the right music source.

For bassheads it might be a little too less in the low range, but for my taste it doesn't need that much, because it rather depends on the natural reproduction of the music and still there is enough punch and warmth.

You can rely on TRN for every second consecutive model. I am curious about the further development

__________________________________________________________________________________

more reviews at:
https://david-hahn.wixsite.com/chi-fiear
__________________________________________________________________________________

You can buy it here: NICEHCK

You also find this review and much more on my blog audioreviews.org



Executive Summary

The TRN V80 is a small, comfortable hybrid earphone that excels in its well-textured, controlled bass and its refined and very natural sound, including a large and accurate soundstage and great resolution and detail. The harmony between its four drivers creates a good room feel. The V80 constitutes another stage in the fast race for the perfect hybrid earphone at a low price.



Disclaimer

I purchased the TRN V80 from NiceHCK Audio Store for $0.10 for the purpose of this review. Thanks for the discount! Nobody has (ever) demanded any conditions and I wished I got a cut from Jim NiceHCK but I don’t. Following the review, the unit was donated. As always, I tested the V80 across a section of music that broadly covers the frequency spectrum, including natural sounds generated by voices and orchestral instruments…for many hours.

As to the measurements: the measuring coupler was two pieces of plastic tubing on the end of a Dayton iMM-6 microphone. No compensation applied. These measurements should not be directly compared to other measurements except those done on the same device, for example the ones I have posted before.


Introduction

In the last two to three years, low-priced Chinese earphones have experienced an increasingly fast technological progress. Knowledge Zenith were the first to introduce a <$20 hybrid in 2016 and now offer a 5-driver a side earphone for around $50. Other companies such as Tinaudio and TRN followed suit. TRN is a relatively young earphone manufacturer from Dongguan, China. Whereas Knowledge Zenith have a highly diversified product range, TRN offers only four but quite different sounding earphone models, the V10, V20, V60, and the V80, which is subject of this review.


Specifications

Product Name: TRN V80
Driver Unit: 2 balanced armature + 2 dynamic hybrid driver unit
Impedance: 24 Ω
Sensitivity: 108 dB/mW
Frequency Range: 7–40000 Hz
Plug Type: 3.5mm straight plug
Cable Length: 1.25 m
Interface: two-pin connector
Price: $39 with the remote at the time of reviewing

Purchase link: NiceHCK Audio Store





Packaging and Accessories

The plain white box contains the earpieces, a cable, three pairs of rubber tips (S/M/L), a manual and a warranty card. Don’t forget ordering case.


Physical Appearance, Haptic, and Build

The earpieces are entirely made of metal and appear to be very sturdy. The relatively long nozzles have a lip at their end. TRN shamelessly lifted much of the V80’s shape from the Dunu Falcon C earphone. The cable is braided similar to the ones included with the latest Knowledge Zenith models. I selected the version with the one-button control and mic but it is also available without for $1 less. The cable is attached to the earpiece via a two-pin connector.


Ergonomics, Comfort, and Fit

The rounded earpieces are amazingly small and not too heavy. They fit very well in my ears and remained comfortable for several hours at a time. The largest included eartips worked fine for me.


Isolation

When walking through residential streets, I did not notice any outside noise above the music. When switched off, some car noise was evident. The three bass vents on the outside of the earpieces indicate some sound leakage to bystanders (although my wife did not complain).


Source

I used my iPhone 5S with and without the audioquest dragonfly black dac/amp. Even with the iPhone alone, the V80 sounded good.


Tonality

This earphone is all about bass quality (but not quantity, although there is more than enough). The bass is wonderfully textured with some slam, which creates a pleasant (but never overwhelming) sensation on my eardrums that quickly became addictive. And although it is nicely extended into the sub bass, it is not for bassheads. The lower mids are a bit recessed without the bass bleeding into them. Male vocals may sound a bit slender at times and even blunt but always natural and they are never harsh as in some current Knowledge Zenith models such as the ZS10 or ES4. The vocals are quality and the result of good tuning of decent drivers. The upper mids and treble are slightly emphasized with rare minor sibilance and no pierce. Treble is forward, very clean, clear, and well extended.

The interplay of bass, mids, and treble paints a sparkly, vivid, three-dimensional, and relaxed sound picture with a very natural timbre. Sound is neither dark or bright or neutral but somewhere in between. The soundstage is wider than the average of comparably priced earphones I know and the bass texture adds depth. Instrument separation and layering are excellent and so are resolution and detail.

The V80 is versatile: it worked well with an octet by Spohr performed by the Gaudier Ensemble, cabaret by London’s Tiger Lillies, pop by Erasure, Jazz ensembles, but also with the rhythm/lead guitars of German heavies Michael Schenker and the Scorpions (forgive me!).

So what could be improved? Bring the vocals more forward and take the treble back a bit…and charge $150.


Select Comparisons

Knowledge Zenith ED16 (~$24): Another well-tuned, relaxed, coherent but warmer, slightly shallower sounding hybrid iem (one dynamic and two balanced armature drivers) which features a slightly less controlled bass, less dense but more forward voices, and less detail and accuracy, albeit the ED16 is not less enjoyable outside of direct comparison. Quite frankly, this is a really good earphone and I had to dig deep to find quality differences.

Tinaudio T1 (~$38): This single-dynamic driver earphone has a slightly flatter, less energetic signature mainly owing to its less pronounced bass and its more neutral mids. It may also lag somewhat in resolution and detail but is still a homogenous, natural sounding earphone that is practical underneath a hat or in bed because of its button-shaped metallic earpieces.

TRN V60 (~$24): This hybrid earphone (two dynamic and one balanced armature driver) has a slightly overwhelming bass that may suck life out of the midrange and dulls the overall sound to some extent. The V80 is better in essentially all aspects…unless you are a basshead.

Focal Sphear (~$130): A warm and refined sounding single dynamic-driver earphone with a patented bass-reflex system that features a slightly “fatter” image which is not necessarily better than the V80’s. Resolution and layering of the two are in the same ballpark, which not only confirms the quality of the V80 but also points to the increasing disequilibrium of value for money.


Concluding Remarks

Well, I could not believe the good sound quality of the V80 so I took a one-day break to reset. But my perception didn’t change thereafter.

With the V80, TRN have positioned themselves towards the forefront of low-price hybrid manufacturers who are trying to achieve sonic harmony between their dynamic and balanced armature drivers. The V80 offers a rather natural sound with the bass as its strongest individual strength that seduced me to lengthy listening sessions. This is a low-priced four-driver hybrid earphone that presents a convincingly coherent forest rather than just trees. It is definitely “not more of the same”, it is both good AND interesting sounding and should become a very strong commercial contender in the growing $30–$50 segment. Is this where the diminishing return begins? Respect, TRN!

You can get the TRN V80 from the NiceHCK Audio Store HERE.


APPENDIX: Measurements