Disclaimer:
Thanks KBEAR for sending i3 Mk3 as a review unit. They didn't provide me anything to influence this product. I will be unbiased and share my thought about TRI I3 MK3.I would like to mention one more thing:This review is based on my personal music preference and sources cause music preference varies person to person and sources.
Technical Specifications:
Drivers: DD+ BA+PlanarPIanar: 10mm with 14*52
DD: 10mm Beryllium-plated Diaphragm
BA: Sonion 2356
Impedance: 21 Ohm
Plug: 4.4mm Balanced Plug
Sensitivity: 104±1dB @1kHz
FR range: 20Hz-20KHz
Pins: 2 pin
Cavity: CNC Aluminum Alloy
Cable: Coaxial OCC Silver plated Wire (120cm)
Box Content:
- TRI I3 MK3 IEMs- OCC Silver Plated Cable
- 2 pairs of blue foam tips
- 1 pair of wide bore ear tips (S/M/L)
- 1 pair of balanced ear tips (S/M/L)
- 1 pair of Clarion ear tips (S/M/L)
- Cleaning brush
- Cleaning cloth
- Leather case
- Some paperworks
Introduction:
When I started my audio journey I knew TRI brand for it's cable and other accessories though they have IEM but I was able to a few of them also can't become fan of them but then I tried TRI I3 Mark iii and this just surprised me. In my opinon right now 200$ is the most busy and competitive market. You will find many IEM's in this range from different brands but it creates it's own place. This in-ear monitors comes with tribrid configuration( 1DD, 1 BA and lastly 1Planar) and the implementation is also impressive.Build & Design:
The design of TRI I3 MK3 is very simple but it looks elegant. It has a very sattle wave design on the faceplate which become apeling on top of that it is full made out of matel housing with mate finish. You might find more beautiful set in this range but it has it's own place. It is right that design varies person to person but if you are finding simple with good then it's can good option for youFit & Comfort:
TRI I3 MK3 has 3 different drivers in it so it is quite easy to say IEM drivers unit will be quite in size. Well the fun fact is they might be comfy for most of the ears and the reason is they are very lightweight, fully made out of alloy, ergonomic design. If you choose current tips you can use them for long session.Source & Pairing:
I had used quite different types source to power them but they are mostly dongles. One thing to mention being being a tribrid they are quite easy to drive. In my testing I will say my sources was enough capable to power them up.
Dap:
Tempotec V3Dac-Dongles:
Moondrop Dawn ProCelest CD-10
Fosi Audio DS1
Ibasso Dc04 Pro
Desktop Dac Amp:
Xduoo 05 basicCable :
Stock cableCema MS Silver
Eartips:
Dunu CandyKbear 07
TRI Clarion
Note: When I was testing TRI I3 MK3 this was my favorite setup cause it was fulfilling my preference dunu candy, dc04 pro and IEM with stock cable .
Sound Quality:
Sub-Bass:
The TRI I3 MK3 offers a well-balanced sub-bass experience that many audiophiles appreciate for its precision and control. The sub-bass provides a satisfying rumble, but it doesn't overwhelm the rest of the sound spectrum. This creates a clear and immersive listening experience, particularly for tracks that require depth without sacrificing clarity. The beryllium dynamic driver contributes to the bass's speed and tightness, ensuring that bass notes are well-defined and responsive. While the bass is not excessively boosted, it maintains enough presence to add warmth and depth to the music without bleeding into the midrange. This makes the TRI I3 MK3 a great option for listeners who enjoy detailed, layered soundscapes rather than a dominant bass profile.Mid-bass:
The mid-bass of the TRI I3 MK3 is both quick and impactful, offering a pleasing thump that adds energy to the listening experience. Its speed helps maintain a clean separation from the midrange, so the bass doesn't overpower the clarity of vocals and instruments. This makes the sound warm and inviting, while still keeping the balance intact. The warmth of the mid-bass adds depth to the music, making elements like drums and bass guitar sound more full-bodied and natural. Instruments in the mid-bass region come through clearly, giving a satisfying richness that is enjoyable to listen to across various genres.
Male-Vocals:
The TRI I3 MK3 delivers male vocals with a rich, full-bodied presentation. They sound thick and well-textured, offering a sense of depth that adds warmth and realism to the listening experience. This makes vocals feel more immersive, capturing the natural nuances of the singer’s voice. The textured nature of the male vocals ensures that details come through clearly, allowing listeners to appreciate every breath and subtle inflection.This characteristic makes the I3 MK3 particularly enjoyable for genres that rely heavily on vocal performances, like acoustic or jazz. The warmth of the presentation doesn’t come at the expense of clarity, as the vocals remain well-separated from other elements in the sound, maintaining a balanced and pleasing mix.Female-Vocals :
The female vocals on the TRI I3 MK3 are smooth and melodious, making them a pleasure to listen to. They have a delightful sparkle that adds a touch of brightness without becoming harsh or sharp. This sparkle enhances the clarity of the vocals, giving them an airy feel that blends well with the overall sound. Despite the brightness, the vocals remain full-bodied, which adds depth and richness to the higher notes. The result is a balanced and engaging listening experience that highlights both the clarity and warmth of female voices, making the TRI I3 MK3 great for vocal-heavy tracks.Instrument Separation:
The TRI I3 MK3 excels in instrument separation, making it a standout choice for complex and busy tracks. Thanks to its tribrid configuration—using dynamic, balanced armature, and planar magnetic drivers—it delivers clear and well-defined sound across the frequency range. This setup allows each instrument to occupy its own space in the mix, which is particularly noticeable in fast or layered tracks. Even when the music becomes intense, you can easily distinguish between guitars, drums, and background elements without them blending into each other.The quick response of the drivers ensures that transitions between different instruments are smooth and precise, maintaining clarity and detail throughout the listening experience. This makes the TRI I3 MK3 a great choice for listeners who appreciate intricate compositions and enjoy picking out individual sounds within a track. The spaciousness and separation create a more immersive and engaging listening experience, perfect for audiophiles seeking refined sound.
Technical Performance:
While the TRI I3 MK3 is not tuned for technical performance, it surprisingly manages to impress on detail retrieval. Both macro and micro details are clear, and there is a high ability to easily pick up even the most subtle music nuances. The detail is presented in such a way that feels natural and engaging, rather than analytical: musical and enjoyable. Where the I3 MK3 really seems to shine is in its ability to convey a sense of technicality while presenting itself smooth and rich. So, this could be perfect for anyone whose taste is geared toward clarity and warmth. It was a good balance that managed not to sacrifice the overall musicality of the sound for that much-needed depth.
Timbre & Tonality:
In my opinion TRI I3 MK3 offers the best timbre and tonality in its range and when I paired with dc04 pro they were just perfect. Timbre and tonality of IEM is very natural with good amount of sparkle so you can enjoy the vocals and instruments without being overwhelming or fatiguing.
Testing Tracks:
Anchor - Novo AmorA Thousand Years - Christina Perri
Back In Black - AC-DC
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queens
Careless Whisper - George Michael
Darling Pretty - Mark Knopfler
Gangster Paradise - Coolio
Get Lucky- Daft Punk
Happy Nations- Ace of Base
Imagine- Jhon Lennon
Immigrant Song- Led Zeppelin
Just The Two of Us- Grover Washington Jr.
Kiss From A Rose - Seal
Kill Jill- Big Boi
Let Her Go - Passenger
Lose Yourself to Dance- Daft Punk
Moby Dick- Led Zeppelin
Pale Blue Dot - Dream Theater
Playing God- Polyphia
Portable Door - Deep Perple
Power of Love- Laura Branigan
Pretty Little Thing- Michael Jackson
Stand By Me- Ben E. King
Compare with others in this range :
200 Dollars range is becoming more competitive day by day.It is kindda good for consumers level for having multiple options. Well, now I gonna share personal preference IEM in this price range.
Simgot EA1000 Fermet:
In a single word it's a "Technical beast " for those who love Technical sounding IEM. Being a single DD with a passive radiator they provide excellent sound with bass, mids and treble there is a but for this IEM the timbre and tonality is natural so those who like vocals they are maybe not gonna like them, also the upper mids and treble may bit shouty for some listeners but this offers some good things for some listeners. You can hear mirco new ouns with good soundstage and the driver quality or capability whatever you say of this IEM is really praisable. If you are able to MOD them with, they offer interchangeable nozzle and power them up with warm or musical source you will have a great time with them.Dunu falcon ultra regular or titanium edition:
Well, falcon ultra is the complete opposite of EA1000 because the way it's sound is very melodious and also you are not gonna missing other technical things like separation, stage imaging. If we start how does this thing sound, they are bit warm sounding IEM. The bass section is perfect for genre like hip-hop, pop, electronics. The vocals are bodied and fuller to enjoy and the higher frequencies have perfect balance to not being tooo much sparklier or to dark in easy words. They sounds relaxing for me. If I talk about unboxing expirence and accessories, then Dunu knows the business. It provides everything you will need it doesn’t mean TRI didn't provide Good stuff in their box they also provide very good accessories but their stock cable is very good for the price.Well, I thing TRI I3 MK3 stands between Dunu and Simgot also they are many things available in this range. I really sorry couldn't cover them up honorable mention: IKKO OH10S, Aful Performer5, Hidiz MP145, QOA Adonis New these are my favorite in this range but I will try cover them up near future.
Lastly, I think TRI I3 MK3 is perfect for those who want a good balanced sounding IEM for long listening and to not miss anything. It covers almost every genre perfectly .
This was my thought about TRI I3 MK3. Let me know your thought about this IEM
Till then keep listening and enjoying