The TRI Kongtong I2 earphones lie quietly on a black velvet pad, their 12mm planar magnetic driver awaiting awakening. At the heart of this patented planar magnetic driver hangs an ultra-thin polymer diaphragm, thinner than a strand of hair.
This is not merely a stacking of audio craftsmanship; it is an exploration into the very origin of sound.
Package inside:
Beneath the seemingly simple exterior of the TRI Kongtong I2 earphones lies a precise fusion of multiple audio technologies. Each component is meticulously designed and selected, contributing to the unique auditory signature of these monitors.
From driver technology to cable choice, every step reflects a pursuit of sonic accuracy.
Four core technological selling points constitute the fundamental value of these earphones: The patented planar magnetic driver delivers unprecedented control over the diaphragm; the ultra-thin high-polymer film enables ethereal sound transmission.
The aerospace aluminum diamond-cut processing provides not only structural stability but also serves as the finishing aesthetic touch, while the 5N oxygen-free copper silver-plated cable ensures signal transmission integrity.
The table below summarizes how these four core technologies work in synergy to create a consistent, high-quality listening experience:
Planar Magnetic Headphones:
| Technological Highlight | Core Technical Description | Corresponding Sonic Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Planar Magnetic Driver | 12mm patented planar magnetic driver, driving the diaphragm uniformly | Exceptional resolution, precise detail retrieval |
| Polymer Ultra-Thin Diaphragm | Ultra-lightweight polymer diaphragm with extremely fast transient response | Sharp transients, clean and crisp sound |
| Aerospace Aluminum Diamond Cutting | Machined from 7075 aerospace aluminum alloy with diamond tools for precise shaping | Excellent cavity stability, reduced resonant coloration |
| 5N OFC Silver-Plated Cable | 2-strand 5N Oxygen-Free Copper silver-plated cable, low impedance, high conductivity | High signal transmission fidelity, black background |
The 12mm planar magnetic driver used in the TRI Kongtong I2 is not a simple upgrade from traditional dynamic drivers but a fundamental structural innovation. Unlike dynamic drivers where the voice coil is wrapped around the diaphragm, the conductor in a planar magnetic driver is printed directly onto the surface of an ultra-thin diaphragm.
This design allows electromagnetic force to act uniformly across the entire diaphragm, rather than on just a localized part as in dynamic drivers. Sonic accuracy is guaranteed from the source, with distortion minimized.
Another significant advantage of the planar magnetic driver is its speed of transient response. Due to the extremely low mass and uniform force application on the diaphragm, it can start and stop instantly, closely following every subtle change in the audio signal. This characteristic is particularly evident in complex musical passages.
Whether it's rapidly consecutive drum hits or the nuanced bowing of string instruments, the attack and decay of every note are clearly presented without smear or blur.
The aerospace aluminum alloy used for the Kongtong I2's housing provides an ideal shell material for audio devices due to its strength and lightweight properties. Originally developed for the aviation industry, this material boasts an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.
In audio devices, a rigid cavity effectively minimizes unwanted resonance, preventing the sound from being "colored," thus maintaining tonal purity.
The true breakthrough in craftsmanship comes from the application of diamond-cutting technology. Precision machining of aerospace aluminum alloy with custom diamond tools achieves levels of accuracy and surface finish difficult to attain with traditional methods.
Due to their extreme hardness, diamond tools maintain a sharp edge during cutting, reducing material deformation and burrs, resulting in precise geometric shapes and a mirror-like surface finish.
The application of diamond-cutting in consumer electronics originated from high-end smartphone frame manufacturing. By introducing this process to earphone shell fabrication, TRI has not only enhanced the structural precision of the cavity but also created a unique aesthetic effect visually.
The diamond-cut edges form alternating bands of light and shadow under illumination, shifting with the viewing angle, giving the earphones a distinctive visual identity.
The polymer ultra-thin diaphragm is a critical component within the planar magnetic driver. This film is extremely thin and lightweight, yet it must possess sufficient strength to withstand repeated vibration without deformation. Materials science plays a key role here.
Through special molecular structure design, the polymer material maintains good mechanical properties while being remarkably thin. This extremely low diaphragm mass is the physical foundation for achieving fast transient response.
When an audio signal drives the diaphragm to vibrate, a lighter diaphragm starts and stops more easily, meaning it can follow changes in the electrical signal more accurately.
The internal damping properties of the polymer material are also carefully tuned. Appropriate damping can absorb unnecessary resonances, preventing the diaphragm from over-vibrating at specific frequencies, thereby ensuring a flat frequency response. This characteristic is crucial for maintaining a neutral and balanced tonality.
The included 2-strand 5N Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) silver-plated cable for the TRI Kongtong Yin I2 reflects a commitment to the signal transmission path. "5N" indicates a copper purity of 99.999%. Extremely high-purity copper offers very low resistivity, reducing energy loss as the signal travels.
This cable design philosophy is also evident in other product lines from the TRI brand.
The silver-plating treatment is optimized for the physical characteristics of audio signal transmission. Due to the skin effect, high-frequency signals tend to travel along the conductor's surface rather than through its entire cross-section.
Silver, being the metal with the best conductivity, plated onto the copper wire surface significantly enhances the transmission efficiency of high-frequency signals, improving the presentation of high-frequency details.
The cable's structural design is also noteworthy. The 2-strand braided construction not only provides physical strength but also reduces the possibility of electromagnetic interference through its symmetrical design. Each strand is itself composed of multiple finer wires, a structure that maintains flexibility while ensuring sufficient conductor cross-sectional area.
In actual listening, the sonic characteristics presented by the TRI Kongtong I2 are the natural result of its integrated technologies. What first strikes the listener is its exceptional resolution. Subtle elements in the music—the singer's breath, fingers sliding on an instrument, the spatial reverberation of the recording environment—are all rendered clearly.
This high resolution is evident not only in high-frequency details but throughout the entire frequency range. Midrange vocals sound natural and authentic, without artificial embellishment or attenuation, maintaining excellent tonal accuracy.
The bass performance showcases the control advantages of the planar magnetic driver. Low notes are deep and powerful, yet not muddy or loose; each bass note has a clear outline of attack and decay.
When reproducing complex music, various instruments exhibit excellent separation, not masking each other, forming a clear and layered soundstage presentation.
Behind these auditory experiences lies the coordinated work of each technological component: the planar magnetic driver provides precise actuation, the polymer diaphragm enables fast response, the precision-machined cavity reduces resonant interference, and the high-quality cable ensures pure signal transmission.
The lines etched by diamond tools onto the aerospace aluminum shell are not merely shimmering bands of light; they are an external declaration of audio precision. The polymer film vibrates driven by the magnetic field, transforming digital signals into sound waves in the air.
When the 5N OFC silver-plated cable delivers lossless audio signals to the planar magnetic driver, the 12mm transducer, tuned with patented technology, springs to life. Music ceases to be an abstract combination of frequencies.
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Comment (6)
The design of this “KongTong-i2” in-ear monitor looks cool! Is it stable in the ear? The exterior seems to use the same materials as the TRI Draco. What is its sound signature like? I like your TRI I3 MK3.
This headset design is quite unique.
This looks awesome!
Silver combined with a geometric design hits my aesthetic
What is the resolution of the high-frequency range?
I love planar iem very much