Introduction
The TRN MT1 is an ultra-budget in-ear monitor that has been making waves in the audiophile community for its impressive sound quality at an incredibly affordable price point. I decided to purchase a pair to see if the hype was justified. In this review, I’ll be taking an in-depth look at the MT1’s design, comfort, sound quality, and overall performance to help you determine if these budget IEMs deserve a spot in your ears.
TRN is a Chinese audio brand that has built a reputation for offering feature-packed earphones at wallet-friendly prices. The MT1 is their latest attempt at an ultra-budget IEM priced at around $10. It sports a 10mm dynamic driver and has a fun but balanced sound signature.
For the price, the MT1 seems to punch well above its weight class, according to enthusiasts. But does the low price tag come with too many compromises? Let’s find out.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. I have not received any form of compensation or incentive to endorse or promote any specific product mentioned in this review. Please note that the individual ratings provided for each product are given in the context of the product’s price.
TRN MT1
Specifications
- Driver type: Dynamic Drivers Monitors
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20000Hz
- Connector type: 2-pin
- Impedence: 22Ω
- Sensitivity: 106dB
Individual ratings
The bass has good sub-bass extension and a fun mid-bass hump that adds warmth and thump without being too overbearing. Provides engaging slam and impact.
The mids are recessed due to the V-shaped tuning. Lower mids are decent but upper mids are a bit peaky and lack natural timbre. Overall tonality could use more linearity.
There is good extension with lower treble adding air and sparkle. However, the 6kHz peak can cause harshness on already bright tracks. Non-fatiguing overall but not the smoothest.
Provides a nice sense of space and immersion for a budget IEM. Imaging is fair with the ability to pinpoint directional cues. But congestion can occur during complex tracks.
Good for the price point. Able to resolve micro-details in the treble and upper mids. But congested tracks overwhelm it quickly. Tuning emphasis aids perceived clarity.
The dynamic driver gives engaging transient response. Notes have convincing crisp attack and decay. Conveys dynamic contrast well within its limits.
Detail retrieval is decent but timbre accuracy and refinement lack, affecting instrument realism. Technicalities are reasonable for the price.
Feels lightweight, fragile and hollow due to cheap plastic construction. Transparent shell shows wear easily. Detachable cable is a plus.
Medium-sized shells don't protrude too much for average ears. Angled nozzles aid fit. Can cause fatigue after a few hours.
Fun sound enhances explosions, footsteps and immersion. Soundstage gives spatial cues. Boosted bass engages but recessed mids affect voices. Does well for casual gaming.
Excellent value at around $10. Engaging V-shaped sound with nice technicalities given the ultra budget price. Compromises exist but punches far above its class.
Overall Rating
Bottom Line
The TRN MT1 offers impressive sound that outperforms its ultra-budget price point. While it lacks refinements in its build and tonality, the engaging bassy signature makes the MT1 one of the best values in budget IEMs.
So in summary, while not perfect, the TRN MT1 provides surprisingly capable sound in an ultra-budget package, making it easy to recommend for those shopping around $10. For its low asking price, the MT1 hits well above its weight class sonically and remains one of the best values in budget IEMs.
Pros
- The fun V-shaped sound signature is engaging and energetic
- A good sub-bass extension provides nice rumble
- Emphasized bass brings slam and impact without muddiness
- The lower treble adds airiness and detail
- Good soundstage width for a budget IEM
- Nice transient response and dynamics from the dynamic driver
- Good detail retrieval and micro-detail resolution for the price
- Extremely affordable at around $10
Cons
- Cheap build quality feels fragile and hollow
- Recessed mids affect vocal clarity and timbre naturalness
- The upper midrange peak causes harshness on already bright tracks
- Congestion and lack of separation during complex passages
- Average noise isolation
- Lacks refinement and timbre accuracy
- Treble-sensitive listeners may find the 6kHz peak fatiguing
Music Genres
Suitable
- The MT1's lively V-shaped tuning works well for modern genres that benefit from the bass and treble emphasis.
- Pop
- Hip Hop
- EDM
- Rock
- Metal
- Jazz
- Acoustic
- Its fun signature also makes the MT1 suitable for gaming and multimedia use.
Not Suitable
- The MT1's recessed mids and colored timbre mean it's not the best choice for critical listening or genres that require timbre accuracy, like:
- Instrumental
- Classical
- Acoustic
- Jazz
- Vocals
- The lack of upper treble extension also misses out on air and sparkle better captured by more extended IEMs.
Equalization Tips
- Here are some EQ tweaks I'd suggest to improve the MT1's sound:
- Bass: Reduce 2 dB at 180 Hz to reduce mid-bass bloat.
- Mids: Boost 3 dB centered at 1 kHz to reduce hollowness.
- Treble: Reduce 2 dB at 6 kHz to smooth out lower treble peaks.
- This flattens the FR for a more neutral, balanced sound with less coloration. Those who want to preserve the fun signature but tame the peaks can try:
- Bass: Reduce 1 dB at 180 Hz.
- Mids: Boost 2 dB centered at 1 kHz
- Treble: Reduce 1 dB at 6 kHz.
1. Packaging
- TRN MT1
- Cable
- eartips
- paperworks
2. Design And Build Quality
The MT1 has a fairly generic in-ear monitor design shaped like a miniature earplug. The main shell is made of transparent plastic, allowing you to see the inner workings, including the large dynamic driver. It looks futuristic, but it does feel a bit cheap and fragile.
The nozzle uses a wide bore design, which should provide better comfort. The shell has some angular grooves and an L/R indicator, making it easy to tell the sides apart.
Overall, the build quality is about what you'd expect for a $10 IEM. The plastic feels lightweight but hollow, and it likely won't hold up to abuse. The transparent shell also tends to show dirt, skin oil, and wear more visibly over time.
The cable is detachable using standard 0.75-mm 2-pin connectors. It's a basic, four-core copper cable with minimal memory retention. The Y-split and 3.5mm plug feel sturdy with adequate strain relief. There is also a microphone version available for smartphone use.
3. Comfort
Despite the budget materials, the MT1 is reasonably comfortable for an IEM. The medium-sized shells don't protrude too much from my ears. Combined with the angled nozzle and wide bore tips, I can wear them for a couple hours before fatigue sets in.
Those with smaller ears may be able to wear them even longer. The included silicone tips provide decent passive noise isolation with a tight seal. After some tip rolling, I was able to secure the MT1 fitting during active use.
4. Sound Quality Of The TRN MT1
I. Tonality
The MT1 has a mildly V-shaped sound signature leaning towards the fun and energetic side. The bass is emphasized with a mid-bass hump, giving beats and drums a thumping quality. The mids are recessed but maintain clarity in the upper mids. The treble has a soft boost, adding detail and airiness.
While not strictly neutral, the V-shape tuning is not extreme by any means. The MT1 maintains reasonable balance across the frequency range. It's an enjoyable tune for casual listening and modern genres like pop, EDM, and hip-hop. Those looking for a neutral reference sound should look elsewhere.
II. Frequency Response Graph Of The TRN MT1
III. Bass Response
The bass makes its presence felt immediately with the MT1. It has noticeably more mid-bass bloom compared to budget sets like the KZ EDX. Bassheads will certainly appreciate the extra low-end warmth and thump. Sub-bass extension is also respectable, with rumble reaching down into the 30 Hz region.
On tracks with dynamic basslines like "Sunflower" by Post Malone, the MT1 delivers satisfying slam and impact. Drums and synth kicks sound full-bodied and engaging. The bass speed is also relatively quick, with minimal bloat or muddiness. The texture is a bit lacking but quite good against its competitors.
Overall, the bass emphasis adds a lively energy that's fun and engaging without being overbearing. It brings an added dimension compared to more clinical or analytical tunings. Those looking for neutral bass will want to EQ down the mid-bass, though.
IV. Midrange Performance
With the boosted bass and treble, the midrange takes a bit of a backseat in the MT1's presentation. Lower mids have a warm tone, adding thickness to instruments like guitar and strings. Vocals have adequate body but are positioned behind the bass.
The upper mids have a more prominent 6 kHz peak, adding clarity and presence to female vocals. However, this also makes the upper mids a touch sharper and brings out sibilance on already bright tracks. The overall tonality could benefit from more linearity in the middle.
Details are decent, but the MT1 doesn't have the best refinement or realism in its price range. Instrument timbre sounds a bit unnatural at times. The mids can sound somewhat hollow and metallic due to the V-shaped dip. EQ'ing with a wide midrange boost helps alleviate this.
V. Treble Response
Treble has a moderate lift, adding air and sparkle to the MT1's sound. There is good extension up to around 14 kHz before a sudden roll-off. Lower treble peaks add crispness to cymbals and snare drums, lending an exciting quality. Listening to orchestral pieces, the violins and flutes sound lively, if not the most natural.
The treble lift means the MT1 is not going to be the most fatigue-free listen. On tracks with hot treble like "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift, the boosted highs exacerbate the harshness. So those sensitive to treble spikes should take note. But in general, the treble is non-sibilant and easy enough to listen to for extended periods.
5. Technicalities Of The TRN MT1
I. Soundstage And Imaging
The MT1 provides a nice sense of space for a budget-friendly in-ear. The soundstage is intimate, as expected, but has good width. Listening to binaural tracks, instruments extend clearly beyond the head. There is a convincing 3D-like immersion thanks to the dynamic driver's fast transient response. Imaging is fair with the ability to pinpoint directional cues.
Instrument separation is average, with some congestion during complex passages. The bass can also overpower the mids at times. The presentation doesn't sound the most open or layered. But for a cheap IEM with a single dynamic driver, the MT1 holds its own here.
II. Dynamics And Speed
The 10mm dynamic driver provides snappy transient response. Notes have convincing impact and decay thanks to the MT1's dynamic driver. Drum hits and guitar plucks have an engaging crispness, revealing the driver's speed capabilities.
The dynamic range doesn't span the widest breadth, but it is very respectable. The MT1 conveys dynamic contrast and volume changes reasonably well. Listening to large orchestra swells, the MT1 provides a lively, engaging listen, if not the last word in resolution.
III. Resolution
Detail retrieval is better than anticipated at this price point. The MT1 is able to resolve finer textures and micro-details in the treble and upper mids. Subtle nuances like reverb tails and cymbal shimmers are audible and add realism. Congested tracks can quickly overwhelm its technical abilities, however.
The tuning emphasis adds clarity but also comes at the cost of natural timbre. So the perceived detail is skewed brighter tonally, even if the resolution matches its price tag objectively. Those looking for neutral detail should consider dual drivers like the KBEAR KS2.
6. Gaming Performance
Gaming performance is quite decent on the MT1, considering its budget price. The fun v-shaped sound produces nice explosion effects and also enhances footsteps with the sub-bass and treble lift. The soundstage gives a nice sense of space, and imaging allows for pinpointing opponent positions.
The boosted bass helps increase immersion in action sequences. Gunshots and explosions have solid dynamics and attack. The mids could be less recessed, as it affects the ability to hear voices clearly. But overall, the MT1 holds up well for casual gaming use.
7. Comparisons
TRN MT1 vs. KZ EDX
The EDX has a darker, more mid-bassy sound compared to the MT1's v-shape tuning. The MT1 has more sub-bass rumble, clearer mids, and a lower treble presence. The EDX sounds smoother, while the MT1 is more detailed. The MT1 is better for genres like EDM, while the EDX works better for male vocals.
TRN MT1 vs. QKZ VK4
The VK4 has better construction with metal alloy shells. It has a more harmonious tuning with a balanced neutral sound compared to the MT1's colored signature. The VK4 images better with a larger soundstage. The MT1 has more bass impact and an engaging treble at the cost of timbre accuracy. The VK4 is better overall but costs nearly twice as much.
TRN MT1 vs. KBEAR KS2
The dual-driver KS2 is more technically capable with better layering, resolution, and timbre. Its neutral signature has a linear bass and a smooth, extended treble. The MT1 is warmer, with elevated bass and highs. The KS2 has a larger stage, while the MT1 is more intimate. The KS2 is twice the price but delivers on higher technical ability.
Dive deeper with more comparisons.
8. FAQs
Q. Who should buy the TRN MT1?
The MT1 is ideal for:
Budget-conscious buyers
Casual listeners
Bassheads
Those looking for fun sound
Smartphone users
Gamers
Q. Who should avoid the TRN MT1?
The MT1 may not satisfy:
Audiophiles needing accuracy
Classical music listeners
Vocal fans
Those wanting durable building quality
Treble-sensitive listeners
Q. Is TRN MT1 suitable for treble sensitive listeners?
The MT1's lower treble peak around 6 kHz adds clarity but also harshness to already bright tracks. Treble-sensitive listeners may find this frustrating during long listening sessions. Using more foam tips can help tame the boosted highs. Otherwise, consider a smoother IEM like the Moondrop Quarks.
Q. Do these need an amp?
The MT1 is easy to drive from any smartphone or portable source thanks to the low 22 ohm impedance. A basic amp may provide a volume boost but is not required.
Q. What tips provide the best sound?
I prefer wide-bore tips like Tennmak Whirlwinds to tame the boosted treble while retaining bass. Foam tips can further smooth the highs.
Q. How is the microphone quality?
The mic version provides usable call quality that gets the job done. It works fine for voice calls but isn't ideal for recording higher-quality audio.
Q. What cables work well?
Upgrading to a copper cable like the TRN T3 helps boost the low end. Silver cables like the NiceHCK Litz can tighten up the bass while smoothing the treble.
Q. Do these isolate noise well?
With a good seal using foam tips, the MT1 provides effective passive noise reduction. It works great for blocking out ambient noise like traffic or airplane rumbles.
9. Conclusion
The hype around the MT1 seems well justified in my experience. For around $10, there are few IEMs that can match its engaging sound quality. The fun v-shape tuning works great with modern genres and adds musicality often missing in budget sets. Technicalities like soundstage, resolution, and dynamics outpace typical chi-fi offerings.
That said, there are expected compromises, like a flimsy build and a lack of timbre accuracy. And while detailed, the MT1 won't replace more refined IEMs. But it nails the basics of enjoyable sound while minimizing weaknesses. If you're looking to dip your toes into hi-fi listening on a tight budget, the TRN MT1 punches far above its paltry price, making it easy to recommend.
Become an audiophile pro! Master the key terms and discover the secrets of high-fidelity audio. Go to the Answers section to start your learning adventure.
Overall User Rating
Read More Reviews On TRN MT1: makelifeclick