:
-Tonality across the entire range is very rich in resolution.
-Mids positioned at the front.
-The sense of space is very wide.
-Very balanced sound signature.
-Well-defined low range.
-Great comfort for long sessions.
:
-The treble loses a bit of control at high listening volumes.
-At the same price range, TRN has offered a better package (Starfish).
-Only one size of liquid silicone ear tips?
𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒐 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚
The future release from the prolific brand 𝙏𝙍𝙉 is here: 𝘿𝙤𝙡𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙣 is its name and it is not yet on sale.
𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚 starting from 21€-25$
TRN website link
Purchase link
𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙨
-Tonality across the entire range is very rich in resolution.
-Mids positioned at the front.
-The sense of space is very wide.
-Very balanced sound signature.
-Well-defined low range.
-Great comfort for long sessions.
𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨
-The treble loses a bit of control at high listening volumes.
-At the same price range, TRN has offered a better package (Starfish).
-Only one size of liquid silicone ear tips?
➡︎ 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
The product is not yet on sale. The package I show you may not be the final version. Some things may vary or undergo changes.
The brand no longer surprises with the ocean theme. It was to be expected that another product would follow the design line established recently. This time, it is the turn of dolphins, which have inspired the creation of this set of monitors to bring us a set that certainly evokes these animals.
It comes to occupy a price range within the brand where very popular products with proper performance are found (Starfish, Medusa…).
Will there be room for this new model? Will it cannibalize its siblings?
➡︎ 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨
-Two capsules.
-A set of ear tips sizes SML and one pair of liquid silicone size S.
-Cable with 0.78mm terminations and modular 3.5mm connection. 4.4mm and USBC options.
-Fabric pouch for transport and storage.
-User manual.
➡︎ 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
The design is the first thing that draws attention. They seem to have sought a certain aerodynamics in the capsules since their shapes are entirely rounded to facilitate a comfortable fit in the ear concha. They have achieved it; additionally, the small-to-medium size of the capsules made of liquid metal helps with this.
Placed in the ear canal, the insertion is not very deep with the stock ear tips. I advise looking for others since the nozzle is not very long and the tips do not grip as well as I would have liked.
I was able to enjoy these Dolphin for many consecutive hours without feeling discomfort. The cable, thin but well built, does not bother, slides well, does not acquire strange shapes and does not pull the monitors downward causing misalignment inside your ear. What is desirable for this accessory.
➡︎ 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨
-1DD 10mm configuration.
-32 ohms impedance.
-106 dB sensitivity.
-20hz-20khz response.
➡︎ 𝙋𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙨
-Neutral sources.
-Dunu Candy ear tips.
-Stock 3.5mm cable.
-Medium gain.
➡︎ 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚
TRN Dolphin has a balanced sound signature, where the bass hits firmly, but in a clean and technical manner; it does not invade or steal protagonism from the mids, which are well positioned and with excellent dynamism, without sinking. The high region has sufficient detail and energy, but without saturating.
Starting with the 𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙖, I found a set that offers a present sub-bass where the rumble does not dominate the track, but it does make itself noticeable with a clean and authoritative firmness, although it withdraws quickly without leaving a trail that muddies the rest of the spectrum. It has enough body and resolution to create that sensation of impact that encourages listening.
Regarding the mid-bass, the impact is fast and I did not find an overwhelmingly excessive sensation, with an accelerated decay, allowing the track to continue flowing naturally, without losing clarity, creating a base so that instrumentation and vocals stand out without being overshadowed.
In the 𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚, the clarity of instruments is noticeable, offering excellent naturalness to highlight tonality and presence that elevate musical enjoyment.
The lower mids feel pleasant, with good note weight, slightly behind the central and upper mids, but they still provide sufficient warmth in their measure so as not to make the mixes muddy, quite the opposite: they opt for transparency.
The central and upper mids take a small step forward, with great cleanliness and separation, showing excellent dynamism at all times with a fast attack between notes. The overall timbre is considerably good, highlighting the presence in the central mids and the detailed energy in the upper ones.
Finishing with the 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙗𝙡𝙚, brightness appears. It is not excessive; rather, it provides a sufficient dose to give sparkle to the songs. I do not find an excessively airy set, but neither do I consider that it fails to offer subtle details to appreciate the instruments and vocals that emerge in this range.
The pace with which this area presents itself in the mix is moderately energetic; it does not cause fatigue, but it can lose control and clarity if listened to at very high volumes, sometimes resulting in a somewhat diffuse sonic mass.
𝙑𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙨 this aspect I liked very much, the way it represents deep and normal male voices, with very satisfying thickness and which at all times did not cease to present themselves naturally, well articulated and with great nuance. The female ones were also a resounding success in terms of pleasure, since they deliver an excellent timbre and naturalness, without evidencing lack of weight or depth.
𝙄𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜: the location of what is sounding is acceptable. The directionality of the sound is easily perceptible, allowing elements to be located in their place, without extreme precision, simply doing a very correct job.
𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚: the stage is really wide and you feel how it leaves the walls of your head to expand around it on the three axes, maintaining a realistic scale when placing instruments and voices.
𝙇𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜: the separation of layers is very satisfactory in general terms, dissecting each sound line with sufficient precision so that nothing overshadows the rest of the elements.
𝘿𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙡 it does only an acceptable job if I refer to the highest frequencies. I cannot affirm that I am missing hearing something, but that last note hit may lack a bit of bite. As for the rest, it is satisfactory, because it captures and shows subtleties up to your ears.
➡︎ 𝙎𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙤𝙜𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨
Always seeking the most cinematic experience possible, tested in narrative and intensive action titles. Consult my blog to see the specific games and the audio analysis conditions in videogames. Source used FiiO K11 with filter no. 5 (neutral), Dunu Candy ear tips and medium gain.
In terms of representing action moments, it shows considerable potential, coming very close to my demands for cinematic experience. These passages feel very clean, fast, with an impact that does not overwhelm or make your brain rumble but is forceful. The rumble and reverberation are exquisite when setting tense moments.
Regarding dialogues, it is at the key point to emphasize narrative conversations without getting lost among different environmental or situational sounds. Each spoken line is present, well at the front, with the expected nature that gives realism to the voices. Possibly it is one of the best monitors that have passed through my ears in this aspect.
The immersion it offers when representing residual sounds in the environment, I can say that it is competent. It is not a set that will recreate a space loaded with nuances that surround you and immerse you to the deepest of the scenes in a super realistic way, but it feels correct in its task; everything ends up being shown, but I miss a bit more clarity.
When positioning everything that happens around you, the work is pleasantly satisfactory, because dynamic elements can be felt with acceptable fidelity and static ones you know perfectly their location.
The stage it recreates is wide on the three axes. The tridimensionality you can feel on the three axes is realistic, favoring especially open spaces rich in environmental sounds. In more closed areas the sensation is gratifying in the same way.
Regarding sibilance, it is not an IEM that will make you feel discomfort. The sharpest effects are controlled.
➡︎ 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨
The first listens were truly exciting. I knew from the very first moment that I was in front of a great set that I would not tire of recommending (as long as TRN does not go overboard with the price).
What surprised me the most about the TRN Dolphin was a very well-understood sense of balance. I did not encounter a sound that tried to impress me by force, but rather one that invites me to stay. It is one of those IEMs that, the more I use them, the more comfortable they become for me at a sonic level.
The music flows naturally. Everything feels in its place, without pushes or exaggerations. There is energy when the song calls for it, but there is also control and technique. I like that way in which the sound has punch and firmness, but without becoming heavy or invasive. I can enjoy long sessions without feeling fatigue.
The vocals are, without a doubt, one of the points I liked the most. I feel them close, with body, with a very pleasant texture. They convey emotion to me without artifice. I do not notice harshness or coldness; on the contrary, I find an organic presentation that easily connects me with what I am listening to.
I also greatly value the sense of space they generate. I do not perceive the sound compressed or enclosed. Everything breathes with quite a bit of amplitude, which makes the experience more enveloping and relaxed. It is not an exaggerated or artificial stage, but it is sufficiently open to feel comfort and realism.
In general terms, the TRN Dolphin conveys coherence to me. It is not a set that forces me to adapt to it; rather it adapts to different styles and moods without generating conflict. It lets me enjoy the music without constantly analyzing it, and that, for me, is a very positive sign.
If I had to summarize it in one feeling: balance with personality. It does not intend to be extreme, but it does intend to be convincing. And in my case, it achieves it. A safe bet, I would say.
If you have made it this far, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜
More reviews on my blog.
Social media on my profile.
𝙎𝙚𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬
➡︎ 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙧
This set of monitors has been sent by 𝙏𝙍𝙉. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be able to test one of their products at no cost and that no condition has been imposed when preparing this analysis.
Despite this, my priority is to be as impartial as possible within the subjectivity that analyzing an audio product entails. My opinion belongs only to me and I develop it around the perception of my ears. If you have a different one, it is equally valid. Please, feel free to share it.
➡︎ 𝙈𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙨
-FiiO K11 for music and videogames on the main PC.
-FiiO KA13 while I work.
-FiiO BTA30 Pro + FiiO BTR13 for wireless LDAC listening at home.
-FiiO BTR13 + FiiO BT11 + iPhone 16 Pro Max for wireless listening on the street.
-FiiO KA11.
-FiiO Jiezi 3.5mm/4.4mm.
-BQEYZ Lin.
-Shanling M0 Pro 3.5mm/4.4mm.
-Apple Music.
-Local FLAC and MP3 files.
