I vote Purple. And i just changed my website to purple now too.
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I like blue better.
Below is my review of the TRN H1:
INTRODUCTION/DISCLAIMER:
The TRN H1 is an in-ear monitor with a single 6mm graphene-diaphragm dynamic driver that retails between $7–12 at the time of this review. I purchased the H1 from the Nicehck Audio Store on AliExpress for $1 with the expectation of a fair and objective review.
SOURCES
I have used the TRN H1 with the following sources:
Hidizs AP60II > TRN H1
Windows 10 PC > JDS Labs The Element > TRN H1
Windows 10 PC > Hidizs AP60II > TRN H1
Pixel 3 > Fiio BTR1K > TRN H1
Pixel 3 > Apple USB-C to 3.5mm dongle > TRN H1
I have tested these headphones with local FLAC, Spotify Premium, and Youtube Music.
PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES
The TRN H1 comes in a small square white box. The box has the TRN logo on the front and gives the manufacturer’s contact information on the back. Inside the box are the IEMs, 3 sets of oblong silicone eartips (S, M, L), a user manual, a QC pass chit, and a warranty card. The H1 does not come with a carry bag or case.
BUILD QUALITY / DESIGN
The TRN H1 has a saucer-shaped two-tone black housing with very short nozzles. The inner section is glossy black plastic, and the outer section is matte black metal. There is no branding on the IEM housings, but “L” and “R” are inlaid above the cable entry points. Each earpiece has a rectangular vent on the curved outer lip of the inner housing face and a smaller two circular vent closer to the nozzle. I did not experience any driver flex while using the H1s. The nozzle has a lip for securing eartips.
The H1 has a fixed 4-core braided cable with a straight 3.5mm jack. The TRN logo is printed on the jack housing. The cable does not have pre-formed ear-guides or memory wire. There is no chin-adjustment choker, but the outer housing faces are magnetized so that the IEMs can be secured to each other. The cable is not particularly tangle-prone.
COMFORT / FIT / ISOLATION
The TRN H1 is intended to be worn cable-down only. Comfort is great but isolation is below average. The H1 takes proprietary oblong silicone eartips but can accommodate soft and flexible third-party eartips that can conform to the nozzle shape. I had to use the largest included ear tips to get a good seal.
SOUND
The TRN H1 has a conventional V-shaped tuning.
Sub-bass extension is very good. Kick drum hits have a visceral impact. Mid-bass is moderately elevated without overwhelming the sub-bass but does bleed heavily into the lower mids. There is slightly more slam than rumble. Bass attack and decay are slightly faster than the average dynamic driver. Bass texture is very dynamic.
The lower mids are recessed and perhaps overly warm because of the mid-bass bleed. Male vocals, especially harsh heavy metal vocals, are buried under electric guitars in the elevated upper midrange. The upper midrange is detailed without going overboard with presence. There is a hint of sibilance on female vocals.
Treble is splashy, slightly harsh, especially in the lower treble, and a tad grainy. Treble is lacking in both air and sparkle. Resolution is unremarkable.
Imaging is spot-on. Instrument separation is exceptional for a sub-$10 IEM. Soundstage is larger than average for the price point and compares well with more expensive IEMs.
MEASUREMENTS
My measurements were conducted with a Dayton iMM-6 microphone using a vinyl tubing coupler and a calibrated USB sound interface. The measurements are presented with 1/12th smoothing, and are compensated to pseudo-IEC specs using a measurement file provided by Crinacle based on a 9k resonance peak. Measurements above 10k are not reliable, and the magnitude of the 7.5k valley is likely a coupler artifact.*
AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCE PAIRING
With a sensitivity of 98dB and an impedance of 32ohms, the H1 needs a moderately powerful source to be driven to adequate volumes. The H1 does not hiss.
COMPARISONS
TRN H1 [$9] vs EZAudio D4 (modded) [$11]
Note: The EZAudio D4 has a neutral-bright sound signature out of the box, but I have modded my pair using micropore tape over the bass vents to have more bass than the stock configuration.
The EZAudio D4 has slightly more prominent sub-bass and a slightly larger mid-bass hump. The H1 has more textured bass. The D4’s bass is better articulated and does not bleed into the lower midrange. Even though the D4’s lower midrange is slightly more recessed, it is clearer because the mid-bass hump eases off earlier. The D4 has a more slightly more aggressive upper midrange, with more detail but more sibilance as well. The D4 has more elevated and energetic treble. The D4 is airier and has more realistic transients. The H1’s has slightly better instrument separation and a larger soundstage. Imaging is even between the two. The sensitivity of the two earphones is very similar. Neither benefit from dedicated amplification beyond delivering adequate volume. The H1 is more comfortable and sits more securely. The D4 comes with a soft zippered case.
CLOSING WORDS
The TRN H1 is a respectable entry in the sub-$10 space, with authoritative and textured bass, good build quality, great instrument separation, and an expansive soundstage. They would make excellent sleeping IEMs thanks to the low profile housings.
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Nice review with some nice pictures. I really need to try take better pictures myself. But being armed with a distinct lack of knowledge and an iPhone 6 I am way behind the guys who know what they’re doing in this regard. Thanks again for the review I really enjoyed reading it.
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I had to take the NiceHCK N3 out of its misery/spotlight and now dedicate the featured post of the green blog [green won 8-2] to the original KZ ZS7 (see photo)…then renamed to KZ ED16 – and instantly discontinued…but mysteriously still available. Typically, the discussions circled around the notion whether the ED16 was better than the ZSR or not.
We at the green blog are not too shabby to dig deep into vintage gear and our very own Loomis Johnson presents one of his sharp-tongued, competent, and enlightening quickies. We sadly even had to add the blue back to the internet (see photo).
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After reading the last couple of Nicehck N3 reviews I was left wondering if I needed to get my ears checked, because I just didn’t remember them being as terrible as others have said they are, at least with EQ. I went back to listen to them today, and with the EQ settings I list in my review the only things that bother me about them are their thin-sounding timbre and the peak at 6k, which makes some cymbals sound a little too harsh. There’s no accounting for taste, I guess.
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I tried with FiiO Montblanc E12, audio quest dragonfly, and Schiit Fulla: horrible timbre…try classical music.
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I’m about to pull the trigger, but last question. Should I get the SoundMAGIC PL50 IEMs in massdrop since they seem very highly rated or the KZ ZSN
I still have a Montblanc and Dragonfly Red and although I don’t use them I don’t think they’re too bad for the price. Perfect, no but better better than a phone. Mind you I haven’t heard or used them for a good while. My impressions may have changed over time.
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My audioquest dragonfly makes little difference, sound wise, with my iphone during a commute. But it adds depth (and power) when listening at a quiet time at home.
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I most definately agree with that. For me it drove iem’s well and added some colour to the sound. I still have it and it’s in pristine condition. There are cheaper alternatives around as I’m sure you’re aware of. I have never tried any though. I use my Dap all the time now though.
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Here yet another one:
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Today I would like to shill some earphones, too. Just unpacked and measured the Yinyoo D2B4: very similar to the BVGP DMG/NiceHCK M6…also graph wise. Shilling insofar as there must be a sale on from tomorrow and the seller wanted me to review them on time…which I had to thankfully decline.
First listening impressions: bassy, comfortable…like an SUV in the middle of the road.
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AliExpress anniversary sale starts tomorrow, there is actually some interesting stuff at decent prices. I have yet to decide which IEM I should purchase this month (would like the Kanas Pro but I am keeping IEM purchases under 50€ for now, unless I find an amazing deal on them of course…)
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These piezoelectric Senfer DT6 are definitely interesting at approx. $25: just the right amount of bass, bright without any irritating peaks, with a good depth and openness. I am enjoying these right now while waiting for Fedex to ship the Brainwavz Koels back to Hong Kong for their reproduction of our results.
And that’s a frequency response I can live very well with:
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As @antdroid likes them, I’d probably like them too. I too have severely limited my IEM purchase prices, but this one is tempting. Massdrop has them at $155 right now, and AliExpress is apparently going to be under $150 during the sale. It might be enough to break even on a quick sale, but prices are likely to fall after the hype dies down.
On the fence.
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Havent tried them yet, but Moondrop has the budget Aria and Crescent models that are in the budget category and follow the same tuning profile.
I have TOO MANY cheap IEMs now! Their flaws are grating over a few hours, and they all have flaws. I avoid IEMs if possible, but some workdays I’m next to a very loud group. Cost is absolutely not an issue, but I’m trying to justify the use case before buying.
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That’s what I am thinking, with the speed at which new IEMs are being released lately, they may drop quickly as soon as the “Kanas Moar Pro” are released. I just picked up the T2 for 22€ recently which are amazing value.
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The T2 is an IEM I would be very happy with for a budget. I ended up giving mine away, but I thought it was well worth the price and then some.
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