TRN IM1

| Balanced Armature | 8mm Dynamic Driver | Neodymium Magnet |

? TRN IM1, the latest model from the brand, with dual drivers.

The TRN IM1 features one balanced armature and one 8mm dynamic driver inside each housing. The unit also packs neodymium magnets and detachable bi-pin cables.

The cable of the TRN IM1 is nearly the same cable as the TRN V80, TRN V20, BQEYZ BQ3, BQEYZ KC2, KZ ZS4 and similar to KZ AS10, KZ BA10, KZ ZS10 but in black color instead of copper/brown.

If you are a follower of TFZ in-ear monitors (read our TFZ Series 2 review) you will probably notice a great resemblance between the TRN IM1 and the TFZ Secret Garden.

Both have nearly identical housings shape and the red model’s front and silver back plate design look pretty much the same. There is a “slight” difference in price, though, the TRN IM1 price is less than 10% of the price of a single TFZ Secret Garden – which means that you can buy at least 10x TRN IM1 for the price of one TFZ Secret Garden. Of course, nobody is stating that they are the same IEM nor that they will sound equally.

In resellers photos the blue TRN IM1 (color that we are reviewing) looks in between a purple and dark blue color but instead it is more of an acquamarine blue – nearly identically colored as the front of the KZ ZST PRO, KZ ES3, but not as dark blue as the SENFER EN900.

A particular design element of the TRN IM1 is the lack of a nozzle filter/damper with 2 independent acoustic tubings ending on the tip of the nozzle (one for the balanced armature driver and one for the dynamic driver). Still, this is not the first earphone that we have reviewed with a nozzle without filter; see for example the: AUGLAMOUR RT-1.

The TRN IM1 price will be lower for the TRN IM1 mic-less version.

You can buy the TRN IM1 in:

• TRN IM1 black with microphone
• TRN IM1 blue with microphone
• TRN IM red with microphone
• TRN IM1 black without microphone
• TRN IM1 blue without microphone
• TRN IM1 red without microphone

The version without the inline remote/microphone will cost marginally less.

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TRN IM1 Review

Tests & Scores

Weight

TRN IM1 weight in Ounces and TRN IM1 weight in grams.

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Accessories & Packaging

The TRN IM1 unboxing results in the detachable bi-pin cable, 3 pair of eartips and a soft cleaning cloth.

Everything comes inside a rectangular box with a clean design that opens sideways like a book and has a magnetic closure.

^7.75_/10

Bass & Sub Bass

The TRN IM1 bass is powerful with a great punch and depth that can cover any music genre.

Their lower frequencies are vivacious with as much mid-bass and sub-bass than any track may ask for. Yet, their punch and depth does not get horrendously out of control nor completely kills-off the sound signature of the TRN IM1.

This particular bass tuning of the TRN IM1 grants energetic but not drowning boomy bass and the capability to become a bassy-earphone’s lover too.

Applying an EQ, their mid-bass and sub-bass can be pushed for extreme punch and depth.

Through our extreme basshead tests, the TRN IM1 took up to 50% of the maximum power of a FiiO E12 (FiiO A5) amplifier and revealing an insane amount of depth and punch. The results even showed a highly respectable basshead impact and rumble that is well worth to classify into our Top Basshead Headphones Chart. Expect a basshead rumble below the Pioneer SE-CX8, Sony MDR-EX800st and Sony MDR-EX650 but yet a superb bang for buck for experienced bassheads on a budget (with knowledge in  advanced custom EQ for basshead response and basshead amplification)

^_8.75/10

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Mids & Vocals

The TRN IM1 mids are warm and full-bodied with noticeable mid-bass bleed that shows up over their lower midrange. Despite this, their male vocals are not distant nor laid back and are able to sound alive and energetic – expect some congestion over lower mids.

Higher mids are not recessed but neither forward, offering good crispness and clear sound without turning harsh – yet some harshness can show up on transitional higher mids to highs/treble frequencies.

Overall, their mids will make happy listeners looking for a very warm and full-sounding but not overly congested sound and who still enjoy alive vocals.

With an EQ aimed to “sedate” their prominent bass and boost vocals, their general midrange will show a great response with important clearing up of their lower mids and male vocals and spicing up their upper mids without getting too harsh and, yet, conserving their full-sound personality.

^_7.75/10

Highs & Treble

The TRN IM1 highs well-resolve detail and offer a spicy brightness and a pinch of a darkish tint. This is not because of a recessed nor rolled-off response, instead is generated by their powerful lower frequencies coloring their highs perception – in fact, their highs are far from being recessed and tend to be forward and their ultra-bright highs show up when bass is less prominent.

Some fatiguing highs will show up from time to time, with sibilance being the main recurring peaks and showing up several times on sibilant songs.

All in all their highs are fun and engaging but also somewhat fatiguing – mostly if the track prone to sibilance.

A relatively standard EQ makes their highs much more open, brighter and detailed but they get too fatiguing.

If a much more advanced and customized EQ is applied, their highs will reveal their true potential and a much more refined sound. The general EQ tip, as a starting point for this path, would be to gradually reduce  dB’s of lower frequencies and from 3.5kHz to 5kHz and then boost frequencies above 7kHz.

^7.75_/10

Sound Leak

The sound leaking out of the TRN IM1 is fairly lower than most average earphones but it will not be completely silent.

On normally noisy situations, they will totally blend in with environmental noises.

^7.5_/10

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Sound Isolation

The sound isolation provided by the TRN IM1 is very strong and extremely efficient.

Users looking for an earphone with remarkable noise isolation capabilities will be happy with the TRN IM1.

^9_/10

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Comfort

The custom-like IEM shape, curvy edges and protruding “handle” end, assures a super stable and comfortable fit that can withhold it’s position even under heavily-energetic activities.

^8.5_/10

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Response to Equalization

The response to EQ of the TRN IM1 was impressive, with a groundbreaking refinement of their highs and a clearing up and their lower midrange.

Instead on an opposite EQ path is decided, the TRN IM1 will equally greatly respond with an insane amount of mid-bass and sub-bass and, even, the potential of becoming a worthy budget basshead impacting model (only under the control of advanced bassheads with deep knowledge in custom basshead equalization and extreme basshead amplification)

^8.25_/10

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Scores

TRN IM1 Scores

• Accessories - 7.75/10
  7.8/10
• Design - 9/10
  9/10
• Bass - 8.75/10
  8.8/10
• Mids - 7.75/10
  7.8/10
• Highs - 7.75/10
  7.8/10
• Sound Leak - 7.5/10
  7.5/10
• Sound Isolation - 9/10
  9/10
• Comfort - 8.5/10
  8.5/10
• Response to EQ - 8.25/10
  8.3/10
• Value for Money - 8/10
  8/10

Summary

AWARDS

Pros

• ✅ Super strong bass response

✅ Can be pushed into basshead territory (advanced basshead amplification and custom EQ needed)

✅ Very warm mids

✅ Full-sounding midrange

✅ Impressive response to EQ

✅ Flush fit – good for under the helmet use

✅ Low sound leakage

✅ Strong sound isolation

✅ Very comfortable and secure fit

✅ No frequent upper midrange harshness

Cons

❌ Sibilance and fatiguing peaks

❌ Powerful bass coloration of sound signature might not be for everybody

Conclusion

The TRN IM1 is a good earphone for listeners that enjoy very energetic sound with a strong bassy profile but who still appreciate clear vocals and highs.

The TRN IM1 will be well-adapted for experienced bassheads on a budget (advanced EQ and extreme amplification needed), bassy and powerful music listeners and non-sibilant sensitive.

Buy Now

8.2/10

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TRN IM1 Frequency Response Curve

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TRN IM1 Technical Specifications

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Photos

TRN IM1 Photos

TRN IM1

8.2

SCORE

8.2/10

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