TRN Azure Dragon – Flagship Planar IEM Review
The Azure Dragon, also known as the 蒼龍 (Cānglóng), is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese zodiac. It originated from the ancient people’s symbolic interpretation of the stars and represents the Eastern God associated with the Emperor Ta 昊 and the seven constellations of the East. In the 八卦 (Bagua), it corresponds to 震 (Zhen) and 巽 (Xun), and in the 五行 (Five Elements), it represents 木 (Wood). It symbolizes the 少阳 (Shaoyang) in the Four Symbols and the 春季 (Spring) in the Four Seasons.
The TRN Azure Dragon design is inspired by the texture of the Azure Dragon’s head, showcasing unparalleled grandeur and power. Its unique appearance resembles an awakened dragon in the world of music. The curves and lines of the earphones are elegant and smooth, like a dragon neck, showcasing a mysterious and majestic temperament.
In addition, the details and textures on the surface of the earphones evoke the toughness and mystery of dragons, giving people a strong visual impact.
TRN Azure Dragon has a selected 14.6mm nano-diaphragm with excellent full-frequency response and more uniform diaphragm vibration under force with lower breakup vibration and distortion. The vibration part is processed with a precision of up to 2μm. This high-precision, ultra-thin, and evenly stressed diaphragm structure gives the TRN Azure Dragon a natural and balanced tone.
The 7+7 N52 neodymium magnets form a fully symmetrical magnetic circuit using a dual-sided array magnet distribution. This design achieves lower even-order harmonic distortion and higher magnetic circuit efficiency, generating a maximum magnetic flux of nearly 1 Tesla in the air gap.
The diaphragm is only 2μm thick and vibrates under the Ampere force generated by the meander coil circuit and the magnetic field parallel to the diaphragm.
The diaphragm’s extremely light weight gives the TRN Azure Dragon’s earphone unit a breakneck response speed, resulting in outstanding dynamic range and frequency response.
Unboxing
The stock cable has a detachable 2-pin connector design and also offers a swappable termination plug system. TRN includes 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm plugs in the package. There are also 3 nozzles for different tunings.
Specifications
- Transducer type: Planar Magnetic Driver In-Ear Monitor
- Frequency response: 7Hz-40KHz
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Sensitivity: 108dB
- Connector type: 2Pin-S
- Jack type: 2.5+3.5+4.4mm
- Weight: 8.2g+23g (earphone + cable)
- Color: Navy blue
- Cable length: 1.2m±3cm
- Price: $199
I would like to thank Shenzhenaudio for providing me with the review sample of TRN Azure Dragon.
Sound
I tested the Azure Dragon with the Reference filter nozzles attached as it gives the most balanced sound.
The Azure Dragon showcases the expected qualities of a planar-driver model: noticeable highs, distinct mids, and powerful lows when driven properly. Despite its low sensitivity (108dB) and relatively low impedance (32 ohms), the Dragon stays true to its planar nature.
The Azure Dragon’s lower end is quite linear and moderate, allowing for flexibility without surpassing the midrange. It possesses a distinct personality.
The synths have a dry body, but their wide notes give a powerful thump with deep sub-bass. The drivers respond quickly and cleanly, preserving subtle details.
The Azure Dragon has a dynamic nature that emphasizes precision in certain parts of a piano composition. By playing brighter notes, the range of the music expands, revealing a more detailed picture compared to the softer sections.
The Azure Dragon’s vocals rely on its safer tone to manage the ascent to louder areas, as the midrange has a sense of closeness. However, the smoothness reduces the airy quality, although traces of texture can still be detected in vibrato and whispery notes, revealing ample subtlety and intricacy.
The dynamic electric guitar riff showed its ability to harmonize with sharp gears, and it didn’t bother me at all. I had excellent control and access to sufficient features, although I must admit that the sound lacks a bit of sharpness, making it feel slightly dull around the edges.
The bass is pure and profound. As anticipated for a planar IEM, the TRN Azure Dragon performs exceptionally well in this aspect. When paired with the FiiO Q15, the bass is flawlessly ideal. It is fast, profound, and consistently accurate.
The midrange is abundant and complete. A great soundstage and outstanding midrange contribute to a highly enjoyable experience. Hidizs has done an exceptional job in this aspect: vocals are heavenly, and the IEM will completely engross you within seconds. Considering the price range, I would say these are among the finest midrange frequencies you can find in a planar IEM at this price point.
The highs are remarkable, although lacking in high-mids. They’re not the top-tier highs, but they’re not the lowest either. There’s no sibilance, so you can increase the volume without worrying about any harshness, especially with sources heavy on highs. Plus, they blend seamlessly with the rest of the sound range.
The Azure Dragon’s soundstage is decent, with instruments placed consistently around the driver area. Occasionally, faint sounds like chimes in the background can be heard, but the small size of the soundstage may cause them to go unnoticed.
Sum-Up
The TRN Azure Dragon is an in-ear monitor (IEM) that excels in its details, technicalities, tonal balance, and musicality. Its midrange stands out as one of the finest in this price range, offering exceptional tone and clarity. Additionally, the TRN Azure Dragon boasts top-notch build quality, setting a high standard in its class. In my list, it ranks among the best-sounding planar IEMs, alongside the DUNU Talos. While they have different tuning styles, both provide an enjoyable listening experience that caters to your preferred tracks and mood.