Current testing methodology is v1.2
September 13, 2022
Price not available
2.39 oz
4.02 x 2.87 x 1.34 in
The TRN MT1 is one of the first pairs of IEMs I bought and loved. It was a love-at-first-sight situation.
It was affordable yet it offered excellent sound quality for its price, and for those whose on a tight budget, the TRN MT1 was heaven-sent.
While browsing for new IEMs to buy, I came across the TRN MT1 Pro, which was supposed to be the new and improved version of the MT1. I gave in and decided to buy the MT1 Pro just to see how much of an improvement it was from the original model.
In this article, we’ll get into the details and technicalities of the TRN MT1 Pro. I’ll also write a shoot-out between the MT1 and the MT1 Pro, so keep an eye out for that one.
For now, let’s jump straight to this review!
TRN MT1 Pro
Underwhelming for a “Pro” version.
TL:DR;
In 2021, TRN made waves with its new budget product, the MT1, which gained notoriety among audiophiles for how much value it offered for such an affordable price.
Years have passed since then and TRN decided it was time to release an update to it, which is the TRN MT1 Pro.
Twice the price of the original model, the TRN MT1 Pro was disappointing, to say the least. Although there were some improvements over the MT1, the sound quality was lacking, considering that it was made to be an upgrade.
The TRN MT1 is a great-sounding pair of IEMs, and if you’re looking to shell out for an upgrade to the Pro, you’d be better off buying a different model that offers way more for the same price.
The Specs
- Driver: 10mm Dual Magnetic Driver
- Cable: 3.5mm L-Type Cable
- Frequency: 20Hz-20000Hz
- Impedance: 22Ω
- Sensitivity: 106dB
What’s in the Box?
- TRN MT1 Pro earphones
- 3 x pairs of silicone ear tips
- Instruction manual
Stuff I like
- A fair amount of bass
- Treble extension
Stuff I like less
- Harsh peaks
- Recessed mids
- Detail Retrieval
Where to get it
Comparable products to consider
It was once hyped among the IEM community for its price-to-performance ratio. The TRN MT1 definitely punches above its weight.
A more underrated budget V-shape offering from TRN, the TRN ST1 can perfectly present what TRN is known for – its affordable price and quality audio.
This is one of the cheapest V-shape IEMs in the market that offers decent sound quality for its price.
First Impressions
The TRN MT1 Pro came in a similar packaging as its non-pro version, with slight differences in the graphic at the front of the box.
It also came with similar accessories.
Out of the box, it’s noticeable that TRN went for a semi-open back design for the MT1 Pro. Other than that, there were few differences between the Pro and its predecessor.
Build Quality
Regarding build quality, the TRN MT1 Pro appears robust and could withstand heavy usage.
The cables were updated, but they’ve been built from the same material used with the previous model.
I’ve had a bad rep with the cables that came with TRN’s more affordable models, as I’ve experienced them breaking on me easily multiple times. I hope the updated cables were good enough to last longer than the previous ones.
Fit and Comfort
Since the TRN MT1 Pro came in a similar shape as the MT1, I’ve had no issues with the fit and comfort.
The cable and silicone ear tips that came with the IEMs were also comfortable enough for my ears.
Sound Quality
Since the TRN MT1 Pro follows a similar light V-shaped tuning to its predecessor, I immediately noticed how these IEMs have a significant amount of bass to them when I was first testing them out.
The top end definitely has some bite.
The mids were also too recessed for my liking, but their overall presentation was smooth and more fun-sounding than the original model.
Bass
The bass on the TRN MT1 Pro was very boomy and upfront. I found it enjoyable to listen to. Although it lacked detail and clarity, it was able to pack a punch into the mix.
Even though the bass is present, there are times when it sounded muddy, which could be a better sound to listen to.
Mids
The mids on the TRN MT1 Pro were recessed, which is typical on IEMs with a V-shape sound signature.
However, there were times when the vocals sounded pushed back into the mix and suffered from mid-bass bleed.
Treble
The treble on the TRN MT1 Pro was bright and present.
It has a decent amount of clarity and airiness, which was quite surprising for the price even though, yet again, these IEMs lacked detail.
The MT1 Pro also suffered from treble peaks that sounded harsh to the ears after extended listening periods. Because of this, I had to turn down the volume several times and eventually ended up switching to a different pair of IEMs.
Music Listening Impressions
I’ve tested the TRN MT1 Pro on different genres of music to see where it would work best, so listed below are the genres that sounded great with these IEMs.
These are my findings:
- Metal/ Rock – For this genre that’s fast-paced, the TRN MT1 Pro produced an aggressive response that goes well with it. The bass was substantial in the mix, and the fair amount of sound separation helped highlight the guitar works on the test tracks. Although there were times when treble peaks were present, I encountered no sibilance at all. Tracks used: Sugar (System of A Down), Rest In Peace (Extreme), Enter Sandman (Metallica)
- Pop – The overall presentation was smooth for this genre. The only recurring flaw I encountered is the noticeable treble peaks, especially on the vocals. The sound separation highlighted the many vocal harmonies in the test tracks. Tracks used: Positions (Ariana Grande), Happier Than Ever (Billie Eilish)
- Hip-hop – The TRN MT1 Pro gave an overall energetic presentation for this genre. The song New Magic Wand was able to catch up with the bass instruments present, although it could’ve been cleaner. On tracks like Childish Gambino’s Redbone, the presentation was smooth. Tracks used: New Magic Wand (Tyler, the Creator), Redbone (Childish Gambino)
- Indie – Since the MT1 Pro has a colored type of V-shape sound signature, listening to indie music, which typically uses a lot of different instruments, sounded fun and lively. The bass, guitar, and other instruments were smoothly presented and sounded organic. Although similar treble peaks and midbass bleed can be noticed, the presentation is smooth. Tracks used: Over the Moon (The Marias), …baby one more time (The Marias), Ruthless (The Marias)
After testing the TRN MT1 Pro, I discovered that its light V-shape sound signature produced a warm and lively sound perfect for smooth listening genres like jazz and RnB. It also packs enough punch to be enjoyable for genres like hip-hop.
Conclusion
On its own, the TRN MT1 Pro is a decent pair of IEMs.
It can produce a good sound for such an affordable price, but it was underwhelming compared to its predecessor.
Certain parts of these IEMs were an improvement over its previous model, but the cons outweighed the pros. There are a lot of things that could be improved in these IEMs, especially in the resolution.
Needless to say, it didn’t meet my expectations nor did it justify its price, which was about twice the cost of a TRN MT1. You’d be better off buying the previous model or other IEMs at the same price.
So if you’re coming from an IEM such as the TRN MT1 and planning to buy this model as an upgrade, I would recommend just saving up for a better-sounding pair or sticking to what you currently have.
A man of many interests, Querho is passionate about discovering new things that stimulate the mind. When he is not writing about the things he is passionate about, Querho can be found making music at his home studio.
This post was last updated on 2025-02-04 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.