TRN MT1 Earphones Review – Are These IEMs Worth the Hype?

First Impressions

The TRN MT1 in-ear monitors came in well-packed, looking exactly as I expected with no visible damage.

These IEMs come in typical packaging used by other brands, such as KZ and other IEM brands within the same price point. On the back of the packaging, you can see the product specifications.

Upon opening the package, I was greeted with the TRN MT1 IEMs, which look surprisingly good for how much they cost, especially with their transparent design. 

Since they are made from polycarbonate plastic, they are light, which can make them feel quite comfortable in the ears.

Comfort

Upon initial testing and wearing, they feel comfortable, which is not surprising since TRN decided to opt for a familiar shape when designing these IEMs. 

At first, I experienced discomfort with the silicone ear tips that came with the product, but they eventually disappeared after extended use.

Build Quality

Since the TRN MT1 is made out of plastic material, most probably to save production costs, I didn’t expect it to withstand frequent use. I also thought that its plastic shell would show signs of wear, and even damage, after quite some time. 

Surprisingly, they lasted longer than I expected.

After a year of using the TRN MT1 IEMs, the cable was the first to break. I initially experienced audio loss on one side of the IEM, and after some troubleshooting, I discovered that the cable was the culprit. 

So if you want to prolong the life span of the TRN MT1, a cable upgrade is the first way to go.

Sound Quality

When I started using the TRN MT1, I immediately noticed sibilance at some of the tracks that I played. We all know that the presence of sibilance is no good news, as it can get pretty annoying after long periods of use. 

Eventually, to my surprise, the harshness disappeared after prolonged use of the IEMs. 

This issue almost became the deal breaker for these IEMs as they were ticking the right boxes for me in other categories. Luckily, the issue faded over time.

Overall, the sound quality of the TRN MT1 is surprisingly good for what it’s worth.

Its balanced sound signature with a light emphasis on the bass can be enough for some, especially those who are looking for a good pair of IEMs on a budget.

Bass

The bass in the MT1 is noticeable upon first use. TRN nailed it with this one because of their decision to spice up the already balanced tuning of the MT1 with a light emphasis on the bass sound signature. 

This makes the MT1 a fun-sounding pair of in-ear monitors, as similarly priced IEMs tend to be lacking in this area.

The bass in these things is very responsive and not overbearing. Unlike its competitors, which have too much bass, the TRN MT1 has a substantial bass presence without the muddiness that similarly-priced IEMs have.

Although the bass is present in the mix, it could be more detailed. So if you like a bass-heavy sound signature, the TRN MT1 is not for you.

Mids

Another thing I immediately noticed with the MT1s is that the mids are slightly recessed, and the upper mids can sometimes get harsh.

The mids in the MT1s are thin for my liking, and there are times that it can get irritating while listening on higher volumes. The upper mids make up for this with their vast sound space. Plus there are no evident tracks of sibilance that can be heard in the mix.

Treble

The treble on the MT1 is smooth and natural sounding. The treble is tuned just right, and it’s not too bright for my liking.

The only letdown with this tuning is that it could be more detailed when it comes to the highs, but in some cases, this issue is unnoticeable.

Apart from the sibilance that I encountered during the first few hours of using these IEMs, I experienced no similar harshness in the highs.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, I was pretty impressed with what the TRN MT1 offers.

While I encountered several issues, including the cables breaking after a year of usage and the sibilance, these are still a good pair of IEMs because of how affordable they are. Considering its price, we do have to lower our expectations.

Still, the TRN MT1 punched way above its price category with overall sound quality and comfort.

Upgrading the cable and the ear tips on these IEMs can improve sound performance and prolong life expectancy. Other than that, the TRN MT1 is a solid budget option for those looking for a good IEM.

This post was last updated on 2024-04-17 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.