TRN impressions thread

[Redcarmoose]

Well, the newness of the Max diminished slightly to reveal understandingly I like the Bax the most. Also the Bax seems to be better with any source you join it to. Though the Max is ridiculous cheap for what it does. But in the end the Max is only great off a Dap or desktop.

@Redcarmoose Your newest TRN reviews have fully intrigued me. I wrote off TRN years ago because I wasn't impressed with what they had, but it seems like they have done a complete turnaround in SQ.

I was originally going to use my upcoming Linsoul Gift Card for the TRN Kirin, but now I'm also considering grabbing the BAX and TA1 Max too. What do you think?
Would be nice if the upcoming sale has some discounts on these.

The BAX would be my first IEM with EST's. It's the only one I would consider right now, as the price is much lower than competitors.

Don’t just take my word for it but read all the impressions on both the Bax and the Max. I have a small collection of IEMs but the last two or three days have been spent with the Bax. I join it with wide bore tips and they will control the bass down to a speedy placement in the soundstage, it’s truly amazing. Amazingly you may be able to find endgame sound with the Bax and the right source.

The TRN Kirin is an unknown still? My instincts are not sure about the TRN Kirin? Are there reviews on it?

But it just depends on what sound you are looking for, the Bax is very full-frequency and big sounding, as well as vibrant. The Bax gets way too much ear-time, in my experience!

 

[PhonoPhi]

@Redcarmoose Your newest TRN reviews have fully intrigued me. I wrote off TRN years ago because I wasn't impressed with what they had, but it seems like they have done a complete turnaround in SQ.

I was originally going to use my upcoming Linsoul Gift Card for the TRN Kirin, but now I'm also considering grabbing the BAX and TA1 Max too. What do you think?
Would be nice if the upcoming sale has some discounts on these.

The BAX would be my first IEM with EST's. It's the only one I would consider right now, as the price is much lower than competitors.

I totally wrote TRN off, and let me share my facts and thoughts why.

First, I had really off experience with my first TRN IEM, infamous X6, and even so with their "promoters" in the past; it taught me a lot, but then this experience can be agreed as being more subjective.

Then I used to buy quite a bit of cheap TRN cables for tests (learned that 0.75 and 0.78 in two pins are absolutely the same; 0.78 may be spliced a bit for the perception of difference ) and as fillers for my less expensive IEMs (looks nice in a box, silly, I know...)
As well, I bought a bundle of cheap TRN IEM for parts to experiment with my KZs.

All in all, I formed a strong opinion of TRN as an entity that may operate with B stock/rejects of the "Chi-Fi village". Some of their cheapest IEMs are unbearable (and I have high tolerance, I can listen to any KZ, and CCA A10 are one of favourite IEMs).
TRN cables often do not fit perfectly well, and one of T3 failed at the plug - that is totally not acceptable, in my opinion, especially after their fiasco of unsoldered cables in the not so distant past.

So not that TRN does not have any "quality control" as they were oftened joked about, they may be just be on the "other side" of the quality control altogether.

So, if BAX closely resembles a similar Dunu IEM, they may likely be connected. What type of rejects or unsold stock BAX may be - is up to wild guessing and the bets to take purchasing one. Getting what you pay for may be a likely outcome.

If there are many planar IEMs that are now sold, so there should be a lot of B-stock accumulated to sell at the lower price. Someone may use them to build cheaper planar IEMs.

Again, all of the above is my personal opinion and thoughts, based on some experience (about 20 TRN items or so).

 

[Redcarmoose]

I totally wrote TRN off, and let me share my facts and thoughts why.

First, I had really off experience with my first TRN IEM, infamous X6, and even so with their "promoters" in the past; it taught me a lot, but then this experience can be agreed as being more subjective.

Then I used to buy quite a bit of cheap TRN cables for tests (learned that 0.75 and 0.78 in two pins are absolutely the same; 0.78 may be spliced a bit for the perception of difference ) and as a filler for my less expensive IEMs (looks nice in a box, silly, I know...)
As well, I bought a bundle of cheap TRN IEM for parts to experiment with my KZs.

All in all, I formed a strong opinion of TRN as an entity that may operate with B stock/rejects of the "Chi-Fi village". Some of their cheapest IEMs are unbearable (and I have high tolerance, I can listen to any KZ, and CCA A10 are one of favourite IEMs).
TRN cables often do not fit perfectly well, and one of T3 failed at the plug - that is totally not acceptable, in my opinion, especially after ther unsoldered cable fiascos of the past.

So not that TRN does not have any "quality control" as they were oftened joked about, they may be just be on the "other side" of the quality control altogether.

So, if BAX closely resembles a similar Dunu IEM, they may likely be connected. What type of rejects or unsold stock BAX may be - is up to wild guessing and the bets to take purchasing one. Getting what you pay for may be a likely outcome.

If there are many planar IEMs that are now sold, so there should be a lot of B-stock accumulated to sell at the lower price. Someone may use them to build cheaper planar IEMs.

Again, all of the above is my personal opinion and thoughts, based on some experience (about 20 TRN items or so).

Sadly your the most negative person I’ve read about in all my years here. Some are looking for a way in, but your looking for a way out. You haven’t even heard the new TRN? There may have been QC issues or failed design (sound design) issues in the past, but not anymore!

 

[PhonoPhi]

Sadly your the most negative person I’ve read about in all my years here. Some are looking for a way in, but your looking for a way out. You haven’t even heard the new TRN? There may have been QC issues or failed design (sound design) issues in the past, but not anymore!

In the hobby dominated by unabashedly cheerful promoters, sharing their wild excitment of their today's flavour of the day before jumping to their next promotions, critical opinions may be arguably more valuable, the very least for some balance of opinions.
My worst IEM purchases were made based on those promotional reviews, and I really wish to make others aware of it.

I am also watching with curiousity the recent "5 stars" shower (of the type - oh, that was my one of the few "5 stars", and one more...) What is next - 5.5 stars, 6 stars, totally orgasmic experience, LOL

 

[Redcarmoose]

Again I would hope you would give the Bax or Max at least a try and see where they are coming from. Though it sounds like you have washed your hands of the brand and are doing your best to warn others. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. Still I wish you could visit and find-out for yourself just how far TRN has progressed. I had never heard the products. And yes, just like you I also have brands that I have fallen out of favor with. Though I’m not sure I’m as emotional about it as you are?

You would be pleasantly surprised if you gave TRN a second chance. Can you make an IEM from scratch? I can’t, and I’m perfectly happy to give TRN the time and forgiveness (in a way) to progress along to where they are now.

What you need to do is get reacquainted with TRN. They are on the cutting edge of sound-quality per dollar spent. I truly wish you could try mine! They are wonderful.

Cheers!

 

[504246]

@PhonoPhi : I had the same opinion as you on TRN and... KZ, even if I'm far from having listened to many models from these two manufacturers. Some qualities, the price in particular, but also sometimes prohibitive defects, I think of the high frequencies for TRN. For KZ, my opinion is: not bad, it's very generic, you get what you pay for, and that's already good. To come back to the TRN subject, I bought the TA1 Max to test an open-back IEM, and its contained price allowed me to get started without too much risk. Finally, I do not regret my purchase, this model is really good, is it worth 5 stars? I don't think so, but it's great value for money and far superior to other brand models I've had in the past (V80, MT1). Afterwards, I can't say if TRN has improved something in the design of their products or if it's a stroke of luck, but the TA1 Max deserves, for me, to be considered for people looking for versatile IEM without having to break the bank.

 

[Redcarmoose]

@PhonoPhi : I had the same opinion as you on TRN and... KZ, even if I'm far from having listened to many models from these two manufacturers. Some qualities, the price in particular, but also sometimes prohibitive defects, I think of the high frequencies for TRN. For KZ, my opinion is: not bad, it's very generic, you get what you pay for, and that's already good. To come back to the TRN subject, I bought the TA1 Max to test an open-back IEM, and its contained price allowed me to get started without too much risk. Finally, I do not regret my purchase, this model is really good, is it worth 5 stars? I don't think so, but it's great value for money and far superior to other brand models I've had in the past (V80, MT1). Afterwards, I can't say if TRN has improved something in the design of their products or if it's a stroke of luck, but the TA1 Max deserves, for me, to be considered for people looking for versatile IEM without having to break the bank.

I’m curious, do you give the Max 5 stars for sound in relation to dollars spent? Not saying 5 star is the sound quality only but in reference to money spent would you rate it a 5?

 

[504246]

Rating doesn't interest me to be honest. The pros and cons ok, but one note alone is insufficient and linked to a repository that we don't all share. Afterwards, putting 5 stars even in correlation with the quality-price ratio, this implies that no defect can come down the rating. I absolutely do not judge the people who do this rather complicated exercise.

 

[PhonoPhi]

Again I would hope you would give the Bax or Max at least a try and see where they are coming from. Though it sounds like you have washed your hands of the brand and are doing your best to warn others. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. Still I wish you could visit and find-out for yourself just how far TRN has progressed. I had never heard the products. And yes, just like you I also have brands that I have fallen out of favor with. Though I’m not sure I’m as emotional about it as you are?

You would be pleasantly surprised if you gave TRN a second chance. Can you make an IEM from scratch? I can’t, and I’m perfectly happy to give TRN the time and forgiveness (in a way) to progress along to where they are now.

What you need to do is get reacquainted with TRN. They are on the cutting edge of sound-quality per dollar spent. I truly wish you could try mine! They are wonderful.

Cheers!

Let us clearly separate two things: sound and quality control.
I am not discussing/disputing the sound and related potential value/performance ratio (while they work) of recent TRN IEMs. I did buy quite a few TRN cables based on their perceived value/performance ratio...

There is no evidence (it must be statistical not precedental here) that the TRN quality control is now magically in place for BAX and max.

If someone will write about these TRNs in three-six months as their daily drivers - that could make a case for reconsideration.

For my positive experience, my (many, very many, if to include CCA) KZs were very reliable, not a single one failed.
(I was even buying few duplicates that sit unused).
Also, I am largely into all-BAs, and recent TRN all-BAs that I was watching did not last past their short-lived promotions of free samples.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Rating doesn't interest me to be honest. The pros and cons ok, but one note alone is insufficient and linked to a repository that we don't all share. Afterwards, putting 5 stars even in correlation with the quality-price ratio, this implies that no defect can come down the rating. I absolutely do not judge the people who do this rather complicated exercise.

The implication is that a unit that provides a level of sound response in ratio to dollars spent can always be personal, so I respect that. Meaning give someone a $1800.00 IEM and strangely a $49.00 IEM and they will still rate them as a 4 not a 5. What I am saying is if the $49.00 IEM (even though not perfect) amazed you to a degree that you felt it hit a spot way way higher than expected it could get a higher rating than a 4 due to it’s relationship of value of cost.

But you obviously don’t need to answer this. Lol.

Let us clearly separate two things: sound and quality control.
I am not discussing/disputing the sound and related potential value/performance ratio (while they work) of recent TRN IEMs. I did buy quite a few TRN cables based on their perceived value/performance ratio...

There is no evidence (it must be statistical not precedental here) that the TRN quality control is now magically in place for BAX and max.

If someone will write about these TRNs in three-six months as their daily drivers - that could make a case for reconsideration.

For my positive experience, my (many, very many, if to include CCA) KZs were very reliable, not a single one failed.
(I was even buying few duplicates that sit unused).
Also, I am largely into all-BAs, and recent TRN all-BAs that I was watching did not last past their short-lived promotions of free samples.

Well, I’m not saying that there is a chance that QC is not an issue. I mean in that sense you’re right in that yes, there has been a number of people (actually a lot) that are happy with the Bax. Much of them you will never see at Head-Fi. But still we don’t fully know if QC is still an issue? We will probably need a year of results to know if QC is an issue still or not? That’s just a guess on my part.

And you are right in that an off unit, could in a sense ruin the streak they are on. Meaning that if TRN truly does have a negative view in the community, that it will take a while before they have earned the correct reputation.

But there seems to have been a few companies that brought about new reputations. Rose is one, that I read had QC problems, and now a good reputation. Look how much the whole market for China made IEMs has changed, even in the last 4 years.

I’m not going to mention names, but I remember one time I was looking at a new IEM with a jeweler’s loupe and discovered a small ant embedded in the resin. He was fully embed for good. He is still there!

Still in one of our little talks before on another thread, you said you feel Chinese purchased IEMs give you exactly what you paid for. Not more or less. Now I guess you were speaking only of QC? As to me they provide a window of sound value not offered anywhere else.

 

[504246]

The implication is that a unit that provides a level of sound response in ratio to dollars spent can always be personal, so I respect that. Meaning give someone a $1800.00 IEM and strangely a $49.00 IEM and they will still rate them as a 4 not a 5. What I am saying is if the $49.00 IEM (even though not perfect) amazed you to a degree that you felt it hit a spot way way higher than expected it could get a higher rating than a 4 due to it’s relationship of value of cost.

But you obviously don’t need to answer this. Lol.

I guess if both IEMs are rated 4 stars with similar sound qualities, I would take the cheapest IEM, no need for an extra star for that. While telling myself, well, even if the IEM at $49 has a shorter lifespan, I would take a new one.

 

[G777]

@Redcarmoose Your newest TRN reviews have fully intrigued me. I wrote off TRN years ago because I wasn't impressed with what they had, but it seems like they have done a complete turnaround in SQ.

I was originally going to use my upcoming Linsoul Gift Card for the TRN Kirin, but now I'm also considering grabbing the BAX and TA1 Max too. What do you think?
Would be nice if the upcoming sale has some discounts on these.

The BAX would be my first IEM with EST's. It's the only one I would consider right now, as the price is much lower than competitors.

The 3 should graph something like this (I'm guessing the Kirin will be similar to the MUSE Power since they appear to use the same driver and the store's graphs look similar to this):

The TA1 Max should be a nice warm set. The BAX looks decent too, though I'm wary of that 5kHz peak.

 

[PhonoPhi]

The implication is that a unit that provides a level of sound response in ratio to dollars spent can always be personal, so I respect that. Meaning give someone a $1800.00 IEM and strangely a $49.00 IEM and they will still rate them as a 4 not a 5. What I am saying is if the $49.00 IEM (even though not perfect) amazed you to a degree that you felt it hit a spot way way higher than expected it could get a higher rating than a 4 due to it’s relationship of value of cost.

But you obviously don’t need to answer this. Lol.


Well, I’m not saying that there is a chance that QC is not an issue. I mean in that sense you’re right in that yes, there has been a number of people (actually a lot) that are happy with the Bax. Much of them you will never see at Head-Fi. But still we don’t fully know if QC is still an issue? We will probably need a year of results to know if QC is an issue still or not? That’s just a guess on my part.

And you are right in that an off unit, could in a sense ruin the streak they are on. Meaning that if TRN truly does have a negative view in the community, that it will take a while before they have earned the correct reputation.

But there seems to have been a few companies that brought about new reputations. Rose is one, that I read had QC problems, and now a good reputation. Look how much the whole market for China made IEMs has changed, even in the last 4 years.

I’m not going to mention names, but I remember one time I was looking at a new IEM with a jeweler’s loupe and discovered a small ant embedded in the resin. He was fully embed for good. He is still there!

Still in one of our little talks before on another thread, you said you feel Chinese purchased IEMs give you exactly what you paid for. Not more or less. Now I guess you were speaking only of QC? As to me they provide a window of sound value not offered anywhere else.

What I meant precisely by "you get what you pay for" is about getting B-stocks/rejects of ChiFi not knowingly, but implied in the discounted/cheaper price. I got few lessons there, not to mentioning names. So it is not about Chi-Fi in general - KZ alone offers amazing value to me, and I really had good time experiencing all their tuning efforts, however diverse and curious

Getting back to BAX, if there a close design of DUNU - that is exactly where "you get what you pay for" may apply well - be it rejects, B-stock or some other potential problems givvent the TRN current records.
Sorry, "the happy people out there" does not mount to any tangible evidence, if not to the contrary. A good IEM will always get good following here in HeadFi (and interesting ones with some QC problems, like that GK-10(?) tribrid will get their fair evaluation; while really good IEMs continue to be mentioned for several years).
Here at HeadFi Iearned a bit how to separate "unabashed promoters" from more objective evidence. I wpuld be really surprised, if BAX is tried by many purchasing it with their own money, given that it is quite new and quite pricy, especially for TRN.
Look at X6 and other TRN all-BA story - a very indicative evidence to me on TRN credibility record, not even going for their cables....

 

[G777]

What I meant precisely by "you get what you pay for" is about getting B-stocks/rejects of ChiFi not knowingly, but implied in the discounted/cheaper price. I got few lessons there, not to mentioning names. So it is not about Chi-Fi in general - KZ alone offers amazing value to me, and I really had good time experiencing all their tuning efforts, however diverse and curious

Getting back to BAX, if there a close design of DUNU - that is exactly where "you get what you pay for" may apply well - be it rejects, B-stock or some other potential problems givvent the TRN current records.
Sorry, "the happy people out there" does not mount to any tangible evidence, if not to the contrary. A good IEM will always get good following here in HeadFi (and interesting ones with some QC problems, like that GK-10(?) tribrid will get their fair evaluation; while really good IEMs continue to be mentioned for several years).
Here at HeadFi Iearned a bit how to separate "unabashed promoters" from more objective evidence. I wpuld be really surprised, if BAX is tried by many purchasing it with their own money, given that it is quite new and quite pricy, especially for TRN.
Look at X6 and other TRN all-BA story - a very indicative evidence to me on TRN credibility record, not even going for their cables....

The BAX seems to measure consistently between reviewers. Channel balance looks alright, for the most part.

 

[Redcarmoose]

What I meant precisely by "you get what you pay for" is about getting B-stocks/rejects of ChiFi not knowingly, but implied in the discounted/cheaper price. I got few lessons there, not to mentioning names. So it is not about Chi-Fi in general - KZ alone offers amazing value to me, and I really had good time experiencing all their tuning efforts, however diverse and curious

Getting back to BAX, if there a close design of DUNU - that is exactly where "you get what you pay for" may apply well - be it rejects, B-stock or some other potential problems givvent the TRN current records.
Sorry, "the happy people out there" does not mount to any tangible evidence, if not to the contrary. A good IEM will always get good following here in HeadFi (and interesting ones with some QC problems, like that GK-10(?) tribrid will get their fair evaluation; while really good IEMs continue to be mentioned for several years).
Here at HeadFi Iearned a bit how to separate "unabashed promoters" from more objective evidence. I wpuld be really surprised, if BAX is tried by many purchasing it with their own money, given that it is quite new and quite pricy, especially for TRN.
Look at X6 and other TRN all-BA story - a very indicative evidence to me on TRN credibility record, not even going for their cables....

So then your purpose for even writing in this thread? That escapes me? Are you trying to warn people, therefore helping them not make the wrong purchase?

So? The Bax is cheap copy of a DUNU? So therefore it’s cheap? And you want to protect the buyers from getting into trouble? I agree of course they copied the shell back part. But everyone copies everything and everyone. Look at DUNU’s latest release, does it look like an original design, no it was inspired by Noble Audio. Who cares?

The Bax is a throughly great tune, so much so that it is most likely my favorite of the year. And I have 14 other new IEMs from February that it wins over! So? I’m still trying to get my head around how you somehow think my opinion of the Bax is promotional only? Can’t a company make something really good?