TRN STM Review (3) – Oh Snap!

IN THE BEGINNING

TRN is our on again off again significant girlfriend/boyfriend brand in the Chi-fi world. While they don’t churn out minor “upgrades” like KZ or follow a pattern such as Moondrop, they do sometimes produce a model that we can get excited about. It appears some of the models are designed to highlight certain instruments or regions of our hearing. The TRN STM is a relatively benign addition being only a 1+1 hybrid and not following the race to cram as many drivers into a shell, yet this earphone comes off as a welcome surprise in a year of unknowns. Snappy and engaging, this set feels like it was made for drummers.

GOODIES

• Snares and Drums just sound so real
• Vocals come to life
• Variable tuning nozzle filters

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

• Faceplate styling
• Timbre
• Tangly cable, tight ear guides

COMFORT / ISOLATION

Nothing offensive here, pretty standard universal custom fit offered throughout brands. Isolation is slightly above average.

SOUND

The honeymoon has worn off, and I still enjoy this earphone a ton. The timbre is not natural since it takes a bit for my brain to recalibrate from something more natural sounding. There is something infectious whether it be the throbbing baselines without super excessive boost, or the realistic sounding treble, It is just a fun listen. I think most of the magic lies in the abnormally boosted treble region that treble averse listeners will probably not like. The TRN STM is not a purist’s earphone, it is for people who want something that transports them there instead of bringing the music to them. An acquaintance once told me recorded music is an attempt to impart the recorded environment into our ears, but the great playback systems can transport you there instead. The raw nature of the TRN STM makes things like snares and drums pop out and sound so darn realistic albeit not perfect. Bass is tastefully boosted snappy and quick, but still brings the throbbing lower bass notes we have come to like from the earlier TRN models like the V20, V60 or the V80 and later V90 models. It steers clear of bass bleed into the vocal midrange and does not sound thin like the TRN BA5.

One of my favorite parts though is how the boosted middle treble really brings to life instruments that live in this region and give it a more holographic realism.

The midrange is not shouty, it is recessed but stage width is super wide. Depth feels close up with plenty of decay that makes it feel not so closed in. Vocals have a nice decay that lets them marinate so as not to sound flat. Timbre is jacked , but still enjoyable. There is a bit of sibilance due to the juiced up treble, but weirdly it does not bother me because it comes off clear and transparent. The 30019 BA driver appears to be a great choice instead of the overly popular cheerleader BA 30095 found everywhere else. I wonder what a model with two of these 30019’s sharing the duty would sound like.

Cymbals and have a lot of shimmer and sizzle but not tizzy or tinny sounding like on the Nicehck NX7 or KZ ZS6, this is a different kind of bright treble that I cannot quite match in my overzealous Chi-fi collection. On some recordings the treble sounded a bit blunted (electronic music), on others that are already overly energetic (Royal Blood I am thinking of you), will sound a bit overbearing for sure. I would not suggest over-driving this earphone, or the treble gets out of control and unpleasant.

PACKAGE CONTENTS

At this point is probably a bit late to mention they have 3 tuning filters, I stuck with the stock one. Blue is least damped for the treble while the red takes the edge off some the hot treble giving the bass a little more exposure. Gold filter was the way to go for me, but someone could always use the additional filters to easily modify the ridiculously inexpensive TRN STM. The listener could just attach them as is, or actually add/remove your own materials without affecting the cosmetics. The cable is the standard removable tangly mess, with overly springy earguides.

IN THE END

It’s normally hard to get excited over a $20 earphone once you start venturing higher in other price brackets, but the TRN STM just got me excited again to hunt down unique and just cool sounding earphones. While trying to write about another decent $20 safe sounding IEM KBear KS2, I was sidetracked to keep listening to the TRN STM instead. I know we told all our friends we wouldn’t go back to our ex, this time it is different. I don’t care for the almost bedazzled looking faceplate, but function over form rules on this set. For those not afraid of middle treble accentuation, or even if you are and have $20 to spend go get you some TRN STM.

SPECIFICATIONS

GRAPHS

• Left vs Right
• Impedance Plot

MY VERDICT

Our rating scheme explained

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DISCLAIMER

These showed up without any knowledge of where they came from, I am assuming directly from TRN.

Our generic standard disclaimer.

About my measurements.

You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.