Review - TRN MT1 (Sub 50€)

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Also available on YouTube in Spanish: Acho Reviews YouTube

The TRN MT1 is a set of IEMs that sits at the extreme budget end of the scale. Available (at the time of this review) for less than 6€, there really isn’t much we can demand from a set of IEMs at this price, however, there are things that are surprisingly good in this extra cheap set of IEMs.

KZ already surprised me with the EDX in this price range, a set of IEMs that I considered to be unbeatable at the price, being the king of value for money. I have tried various other models in this extreme budget range but nothing has really motivated me to spend time with them and post a full review, until the MT1.

Presentation…

We can’t ask for much for the price, in fact, just some IEMs that make noise is already quite an achievement for just over 5€.

The box is a simple slide out cardboard tray in a sleeve, showing an image of the IEMs on the front and specifications on the back.

Inside we find the IEMs, the cable, 3 sets of tips and the usual warranty cards etc.

Not much still better that can be expected.

Build and aesthetics…

The build is simple and cheap. In my case it is clear and the shell is reminiscent of some of the cheaper KZ models such as the ZST etc. They are very light weight and are nothing special but they do their job and allow you to see the single 10mm dynamic driver found inside.

The workmanship inside the shell is not the prettiest, it has some little drops of glue here and there but I really can’t bring myself to complain about the quality when considering the price.

The included cable is also not the greatest, it sort of reminds me of the cable included with the Blon BL-03 etc. but I would venture to say that it is better than the Blon cable, or at least it is not as bad. I have been using the stock cable and tips and they are not the best but they do serve their purpose.

Sound…

Here is the surprising thing for 6€, as with the EDX, they sound pretty decent. The overall signature is a little bass heavy but not too exaggerated, meaning that, while they are not my favourite sound signature, I have enjoyed listening to them.

In the sub-bass department, there is enough extension and presence to appreciate the rumbles in the tracks that extend that far down. In tracks such as “Chameleon” by Trentemoller, you can feel those lowest rumbles but they do not become overpowering.

In the remaining bass frequencies, again the presence is above neutral but not enough for me to feel it to be too overpowering. An important part of this is that the bass is fairly clear and detailed, letting it hit hard when needed without becoming too bloated or flabby. Don’t get me wrong, this is not in the league of spectacularly clear and detailed bass, things are not presented and cleanly as on other IEMs that are at a much higher price point but it is enough to not feel that the bass is out of control. Listening to tracks such as “No Sanctuary Here” by Marian Herzog feat Chris Jones, I find that the bass is slightly more present than I would choose but it is by no means offensive.

The transition from the bass into the lower mids is not the cleanest but is again more than satisfactory. There is the typical dip moving through the mids, meaning that the fundamental tones of voices and similarly placed instruments do seem to be slightly reduced, but this is based more on the tuning of the IEMs than actual lack of quality in that area.

Moving towards the highs, there is a climb that gives these IEMs a typical (and safe) V shaped tuning but they have managed to not exaggerate the presence in the higher mids and lower treble, avoiding things sounding nasal or harsh. They wouldn’t be my choice for vocal and acoustic music but even then, they are not bad with those styles of music.

In the highs, sibilance is dealt with pretty well, not reducing it too much but also not boosting it. Songs such as “Hope is a Dangerous Thing” by Lana Del Rey, can be uncomfortable on many IEMs but that is not the case with the MT1.

There is the typical single dynamic driver roll off in the highest regions, meaning that more air and extension would be appreciated but, once more, I can’t complain. They don’t leave you with the sensation that half of the top end is missing, which has been the case with some other single DD options.

The soundstage is average for an IEM, not very wide but wide enough to enjoy left to right placement. The placing of images inside this soundstage is also pretty darn good for a set of IEMs at this price range. You are not going to be surrounded by layers and layers of details but songs like “Bubbles” by Yosi Horikawa, are a fun listen and you do get to appreciate the track for what it is.

Speed and dynamics are also more than acceptable for the price. Yes, there are better IEMs out there in this category (and all the categories) but they don’t leave me feeling that everything is one big blob of sound, even when playing fast and busy tracks.

Conclusion…

There are many faults that could be picked with the MT1, or rather, things that could be improved as it really doesn’t have any faults, but once we take a look at the price of them, I really think that we cannot ask for more.

The overall tuning is a safe “V” style tuning, which will please many people, and while it is not my favourite sound signature, it is subtle enough for me to not hate it.

They work very well for electronic music, with bass that is well defined and present enough to enjoy those bass hits. The highs are also present enough to not feel lacking. Again, all of these areas can be improved but the MT1 is far above what should be expected in this price range.

The obvious question is MT1 or EDX? Well, I think either option is a great purchase for the price, but they are very similar as far as tuning and performance. I think I would personally choose the MT1 over the EDX, I feel that the image placement and the cleanliness of the low frequencies is just that little bit better.

All I can say is that for 6€, these IEMs are well worth their price.