Introduction
The TRN TA2 is a hybrid triple-driver in-ear monitor featuring one dynamic driver and two balanced armature drivers. As a relatively affordable offering from well-known budget audio brand TRN Audio, it aims to provide an enjoyable listening experience and good value for money. In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the design, sound quality, strengths, and weaknesses of the TA2 to see if it lives up to expectations.
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 TA2
Specifications
- Drivers: 1DD+2BA Hybrid Driver
- Impedance: 16Ω
- Sensitivity: 118dB/mW
- Frequency Response Range: 7-40kHz
- Interface: 2 pin (QDC)Interface
Individual ratings
Punchy, deep bass with good extension and texture can be overemphasized at times.
Nice clarity and resolution on vocals, but congested staging hurts background detail.
Clearly rolled-off, lacking extension, air, and sparkle. The weakest aspect.
Good width but lacking depth, with congested staging and average imaging.
Nice vocal texture but lacks micro-details and analytical listening capability.
Good punch but slower transients and a laidback presentation.
Solid vocal resolution but weaker in treble, not fully utilizing hybrid drivers.
Quality metal faceplates and robust construction for the price.
The ergonomic shape provides a comfortable and secure fit.
Congested staging and a lack of pinpoint imaging hurt competitiveness.
Overall enjoyable tuning paired with good accessories for an affordable price.
Overall Rating
Bottom Line
The TRN TA2 is a reasonably priced, bassy IEM with a solid build but average technical performance. Its smooth, mid-focused tuning offers pleasing musicality over analytic precision. While it is nice for relaxing listening, better options exist for critical listening or competitive gaming.
In summary, bassheads wanting smooth musicality will appreciate the TA2's warm tone and nice midrange clarity. However, those desiring airy detailing, vast soundstages, and precise imaging should consider other options that provide better technical performance for around the same price.
Pros
- warm, bassy sound
- clear mids and a coherent tone
- good vocal resolution
- non-fatiguing treble
- ergonomic fit and build
- Generous accessory pack
Cons
- Rolled-off treble lacks air and sparkle.
- Mid-bass bleed
- flat, congested soundstage
- Dynamics are somewhat lackluster.
- Separation could be better.
Music Genres
Suitable
- The TA2's warm, bassy signature works well for pop, hip-hop, EDM, and rock. Its fuller mids also suit male and female vocals.
Not Suitable
- However, the weaker treble and staging are less ideal for classical, jazz, acoustic, or genres requiring immersive soundscapes.
Equalization Tips
- Reduce the mid-bass hump around 200Hz to tame the bleed and bloat. This will tighten up the low end.
- Slightly boost the upper midrange around 2-4kHz to bring vocals more forward and add clarity. This can counter the veil from the weaker treble.
- Increase the lower treble around 5kHz and upper treble past 8kHz to add more air, sparkle, and micro-detail. This will give better extension.
- Widen the soundstage by reducing muddiness around 250-500Hz and boosting width cues around 7-8kHz. This can reduce congestion.
- Optionally boost dynamics with mid-bass punch around 100-150Hz along with upper mid/lower treble bite around 4-6kHz.
- Those who are highly treble-sensitive may enjoy the TA2's darker profile, but the lack of overall energy and sparkle will disappoint others.
1. Packaging
- TRN TA2
- cable
- eartips
- extra termination
- case
- paperworks
2. Design And Build Quality
The TRN TA2 has a metal faceplate with a stylish triangular vent pattern, giving it a premium look despite the budget price tag. The shell is made of resin but feels solidly constructed. The 2-pin connectors are recessed to accept QDC-style cables, though the stock cable only has a basic braided design. The included accessories are decent for the price, with 7 pairs of silicone tips, 1 pair of foam tips, a 6.3mm adapter, and a metal carry case.
Overall build quality is good, with a comfortable contoured shape that should fit most ears well. The MMCX connectors feel sturdy, and the cable resists tangling and noise. While the cable isn't anything special, the quality metal case shows attention was paid to the premium unboxing experience.
3. Comfort
Thanks to the rounded, ergonomic shape and lightweight resin body, the TA2 provides a comfortable fit even during longer listening sessions. Noise isolation is also quite good with the right tips. The stiff memory wire section of the cable takes some getting used to but helps maintain a secure fit. Once positioned correctly, the TA2 almost disappears in your ears, making it easy to forget you're even wearing IEMs.
4. Sound Quality Of The TRN TA2
I. Tonality
Tonally, the TA2 has a warm, bassy sound with a focus on the midrange. It sounds pleasing with a nostalgic analog quality, but the narrow V-shape means it lacks some dynamism and sounds slightly muffled. The bass is prominent but quite fast and textured. Mids are forward and full-bodied, giving vocals a nice sense of body. However, the treble is subdued, taking away some micro-detail and airiness.
II. Frequency Response Graph Of The TRN TA2
III. Bass Response
The TA2 delivers deep, punchy bass with good extension into sub-bass regions. While mid-bass is emphasized, giving a warm, full sound, it avoids being too boomy or muddy. Bass lines have nice texture and attack, though depth and layering aren't the best. On busy tracks, the bass can bleed slightly into the lower mids, obscuring details. But overall, the bass provides a satisfying warmth and weight without excessive bloating.
IV. Midrange Performance
The midrange has nice clarity despite the bass bias, with clean vocals taking center stage. Both male and female voices have a natural tone and pleasing smoothness. However, the upper mids can get slightly sharp on tracks with dense instrumentation, and background details aren't the most apparent. The lush, analog quality makes vocals very enjoyable, but some may find the midrange overly dense.
V. Treble Response
Treble is the TA2's main weakness, with quite a noticeable roll-off leading to a darker, less airy presentation. Highs lack sparkle and extension, sacrificing micro-detail and transient response. This makes the TA2 less suited for genres like classical and jazz. The upside is that it never becomes sibilant or fatiguing, even at high volumes. But the lack of air and resolution leaves the TA2 sounding somewhat closed-in.
5. Technicalities Of The TRN TA2
I. Soundstage And Imaging
While the soundstage has nice width, it lacks depth and feels flat, with everything clustered toward the center. Imaging localizes instruments decently, but the congested staging means separation isn't great, and the overall picture lacks dimensionality. The darker tone also affects imaging precision and layering. Given its triple-driver setup, the TA2 doesn't take full advantage of the spaciousness afforded by multiple balanced armatures.
II. Instrument Separation And Detail Retrieval
Considering the dual Knowles balanced armature drivers, the TA2 retrieves a good amount of detail in the mids and provides high resolution on vocals and instruments. However, due to the veiled treble and good but not great instrument separation, micro-details are lacking. The TA2 suits those looking for a coherent musical picture rather than analytical listening. Congested tracks can become muddy with details getting lost, so those valuing clean separation may be disappointed.
III. Dynamics And Speed
While dynamics are decent thanks to the hybrid driver configuration, the overall density of the TA2's sound signature flattens dynamics somewhat. The dynamic driver provides nice punch on tracks with strong basslines, but the sound leans more toward smoothness than explosiveness. The bass has good speed, though, avoiding bloating or muddiness. But again, the mellow tone hurts transient responses, resulting in a more laidback presentation.
IV. Resolution
The TA2 actually provides nice resolution in the midrange, likely thanks to the dual Knowles balanced armatures. Vocals and instruments in this region come through with good texture and realism. However, the weaker treble hurts resolution and clarity in the higher registers. While no slouch in resolution for a budget hybrid IEM, the TA2 performs below others like the TRN VX Pro, MT1, and HZSound Heart Mirror.
6. Gaming Performance
For gaming, the TA2's slower transients and muddy staging aren't ideal for competitive gaming. Directional cues are passable but lack pinpoint accuracy. The emphasis on bass over treble detail also leaves footsteps and other critical game sounds less apparent. For casual gaming and media consumption, the fun, bassy tuning works decently. But for competitive gaming, the TA2 will be found lacking.
7. Comparisons
TRN TA2 VS TRN MT1
Compared to the cheaper TRN MT1, the TA2 has more mid-bass bloat but faster bass speed. It has better vocal resolution but a more closed-in soundstage. The MT1's brighter tone sacrifices some smoothness for added treble detail and air.
TRN TA2 VS TRN VX Pro
Against the pricier TRN VX Pro, the TA2 has warmer, bassier tuning but loses out on technicalities. The VX Pro provides notably better clarity, detail, soundstage space, and imaging precision. However, the VX Pro's analytical tuning lacks the TA2's easygoing musicality.
Dive deeper with more comparisons.
8. FAQs
Q. Who should buy the TRN TA2?
Bass lovers looking for warm, smooth musicality will enjoy the TA2's fuller low end. Its lush midrange also suits vocals in pop, rock, EDM, and hip-hop. Casual listeners wanting comfortable long-term listening can appreciate its non-fatiguing signature.
So in summary, treble-sensitive listeners can enjoy the TA2, while detail-oriented analytical listeners should look elsewhere. Musically inclined bass fans will find its tuning the most appealing
Q. Who should avoid the TRN TA2?
Those looking for an analytical, detailed IEM with ample treble extension and air should avoid the TA2. Its veiled treble will disappoint those wanting sparkle, micro-detail, and immersive staging. Genres like classical, jazz, and acoustic won't pair well with its tuning.
Q. Is TRN TA2 suitable for treble sensitive listeners?
Yes, the TRN TA2 is suitable for those who are sensitive to treble or fatigue. Its darker, more laidback sound signature smooths out the treble significantly, avoiding harshness or sibilance. The subdued highs make it less fatiguing for treble-sensitive listeners.
Q. How is the noise isolation on the TA2?
With the right tips, noise isolation is quite good thanks to the ergonomic fit that provides a tight seal. The design lends itself well to blocking external noise.
Q. What tips provide the best sound and comfort?
The included gray or red silicone tips generally provide the most balanced and comfortable experience. Foam tips enhance bass, while the stock white silicone tips lack low-end presence.
Q. Does the TA2 need a lot of power to drive?
With a sensitivity rating of 116 dB, the TA2 reaches loud volumes easily from any decent source and doesn't require heavy amplification.
Q. How is the TA2 for phone calls?
With its recessed mids and weaker treble, the TA2 isn't ideal for voice calls. The bass bleed also muddies vocals on calls. Its mic quality is just average too. Better options exist if calls are a priority.
Q. Is the cable removable or replaceable?
The TA2 uses standard 0.75mm 2-pin connectors, so the cable is fully removable and replaceable. Aftermarket cables and Bluetooth adapters compatible with 2-pin are usable.
9. Conclusion
Overall, the TRN TA2 provides an enjoyable, musically engaging sound with nice midrange clarity and smooth warmth. However, technical performance falls a bit behind competitors, with a darker, veiled presentation limiting detail, airiness, and overall precision. It has a nice build and accessories for the low price, but it ends up sounding more budget-friendly than premium. For those wanting bassy musicality over technicalities, though, the smooth, non-fatiguing TA2 still satisfies.
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Overall User Rating
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