TRN ST2 Earphones Review – Is It An Improvement Over The ST1?

First Impressions

The TRN ST2 came in pretty standard TRN packaging – nothing out of the ordinary except a different presentation on the graphics, as the product image is in landscape compared to the usual portrait orientation.

The ST2 has a weird shape and upon removing it from the box for a closer look, I realized that its weird shape is due to its shell’s ergonomic grooves. 

After some research, I learned that TRN designed the ST2’s shape based on their ear imprint database to produce a more custom-like fit that offers better comfort and noise isolation.

TRN has also updated its cable. The newer cable seems more durable compared to the previous versions.

Build Quality

Although having a resin shell, the TRN ST2 had a premium feel and showed no signs that it was cheaply made. 

It feels durable and based on my experience with TRN, I can attest that their IEMs can last long. I’ve had mine for about two years now and it’s still in good condition.

The updated cable feels durable as well. It’s a 4-core silver-plated copper cable with gold-plated connectors and I really like that TRN included this in a budget set.

Fit and Comfort

The fit and comfort of the TRN ST2 are excellent. 

The way that TRN designed the grooves on the ST2’s shell is phenomenal, making these IEMs fit my ears like a glove. These IEMs gave me more comfort and a much better seal compared to other sets in my collection.

The ST2 has a smaller size which provides a better fit for small to medium-sized ears, plus they feel lightweight because they’re made of resin.

Although TRN used standard silicone ear tips for the ST2, they’re pretty decent, providing a snug fit and good sound isolation for my ears.

Sound Quality Impressions

When I first tried out the TRN ST2, I immediately noticed a metallic timbre to its sound quality with a mix of treble peaks. 

This was unpleasant, mainly because I’m a bit treble-sensitive, plus my preference leans towards more warm-sounding IEMs.

Bass

The bass on the TRN ST2 has a good amount of texture, definition, and clarity. 

What it lacks is the overall presence in the mix. Some may like this characteristic of the ST2 but for me, it resulted in an overall thin presentation of the songs.

On the other hand, it has a precise presentation paired with many details.

Mids

The TRN ST2 is crystal clear in presentation and is one of the better-sounding mids I’ve listened to. 

However, it does take a toll on the treble’s aggressive and harsh tonality, resulting in an overall weird tuning.

There’s a bit of warmth to the presentation of the mids on the TRN ST2, and the details are definitely above average.

Treble

The treble wasn’t made for sensitive people as it was a bit too harsh and aggressive for my liking and it’s prone to peaking. 

Although it featured a significant amount of clarity and definition in the presentation, its shouty and overall bright tuning was a deal breaker for me as it was sometimes fatiguing and hard to listen to.

Test Tracks

I have tested the TRN ST2 on different genres of music to get a proper understanding of how they sound and here are my findings.

• Rock – The TRN ST2 showcased its soundstage and sound separation capabilities on the test tracks. The guitars were neatly presented and had great depth and clarity. On the other hand, the vocals and other instruments that sit on higher frequencies were aggressive in terms of presentation. Tracks used: Mississippi Queen (Mountain), Blackhole Sun (Soundgarden), Even Flow (Pearl Jam)
• Pop – The aggressive treble tuning worked best with the more energetic and lively sound qualities of the pop and K-pop genres. On the test tracks, their vocals had a good amount of shimmer and a lovely timbre. The vocals were nicely presented in the front of the mix but didn’t appear to be too overpowering even though they did suffer from treble peaks from time to time. Tracks used: Bad Boy (Red Velvet), OMG (NewJeans), Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears)
• Hip-hop – When testing out the TRN ST2 for the hip-hop genre, it showed an overall lack of bass presence. Although the bass sounded more subdued compared to most V-shaped IEMs, the ST2 still produced a good definition of the bass region. It also produced a nice texture although it could have been punchier than I expected. Tracks used: Amen (Shanti Dope and Pricetagg), Cash In Cash Out (Pharell Williams ft. 21 Savage & Tyler the Creator)
• Indie – The soundstage of the TRN ST2 shined the most when listening to the spacey characteristic of the test tracks. These IEMs provided great depth to the tracks without drowning out the higher frequencies. Tracks used: Show Me How (Men I Trust), Space Song (Beach House), Queen of Disaster (Lana Del Rey)
• R&B / Soul – The TRN ST2 presented a significant amount of definition to different regions of the songs. In the test tracks, the bass had a good amount of texture and was tight in presentation. The instruments sat between the upper mids and treble frequency and were relatively smooth in presentation. The vocals cut through the mix nicely and were presented with good clarity and detail. Tracks used: Devil in the Details (Mac Ayres), Get You (Daniel Ceasar), Telepatia (Kali Uchis)

Conclusion

The TRN ST2 has an overall aggressive tuning that was noticeable on the treble frequencies. 

Its impressive clarity and sound staging capabilities were needed to compensate for the lack of bass presence and the harshness of its sound.

The TRN leans toward a more analytical sound presentation rather than a fun sound. For its price, it’s still a competitive pair of IEMs but I wouldn’t recommend it as much as other IEMs I’ve reviewed.

This post was last updated on 2025-03-20 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.