TRN CS1 Review from an Audio Enthusiast
Intro
I believe TRN is no stranger when it comes to the budget scene. They have manufactured quite a number or hype worthy IEM such as the MT1 and a high end 15 BA’s IEM.
Prior to writing this review, the unit has been through the burn in process of >50 hours and I have spent at least a week with them. It is a 10mm single DD IEM.
Source
Cayin N3 Pro (Solid State Mode) -> TRN CS1
Packaging and Build
The packaging is fairly standard for an IEM at this price point. Nothing major to shout out or nitpick. Small and petite box comprising the IEM itself and the ear tips. I can wear this IEM for several hours straight without feeling any discomfort. Although the cable is thin, it doesn’t get tangled up which is a welcomed gesture, it does lack chin slider tho.
Sound
How does it sound? What’s the tonality? Upon unboxing the unit and a brief listening session, it’s safe to say that this is a V-Shaped IEM. Bass and Treble is definitely emphasized. It has that metallic kind of tone to it .Vocal has a tinge of nasal sounding which is to be expected as this is a V-Shaped IEM. Timbre doesn’t sound as natural as it should be. Bass definitely calls for authority here as demonstrated in The Weeknd’s Starboy during the opening.
Bass extension is good and the rumble is definitely there. However I wouldn't say that this is a basshead IEM. It punches hard and it is impactful. Treble is harsh and shouty at certain tracks. I always test it with this track and see if it’s shouty, Unravel by TK. This track has so much going on and it sounded very congested due to the boosted presence of both the low and high. Just to give you some perspective, it can handle fast tracks like Master of Puppets - Metallica pretty well.
Soundstage and Imaging is average. Nothing too wide and narrow. Good enough to feel the music in my opinion. Imaging is average at this price point. Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing during the opening sounded good. The transition through left and right channel and vice versa and the voice’s reverb
Final Thoughts
Despite its shortcomings, I will still recommend this to someone who’s on a tight budget. It will not offer you the kind of pleasure that you will get from the top tier IEM, it will do just fine for most of the songs and at less than $10, it’s the price of a cup of coffee or maybe a small meal somewhere in the world, so why not? A no BS recommendation.
*Stock cable and eartips is being used throughout this review. A big thanks to TRN for sending this unit over in exchange for my unbiased no BS opinion.
If you are interested you may get them here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002759990706.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.12e34c4dLYPMk4
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