TRI DRACO Review – 2DD Open-Back IEM
TRI’s latest budget-friendly IEM the DRACO comes with a 2 dynamic driver configuration and an open-back design in metal shells.
According to TRI’s acoustic design, the 6mm titanium diaphragm dynamic driver is responsible for providing a cohesive midrange and sparkling treble. To ensure the consistency of the low frequencies and a more stable and expansive acoustic performance, the low-frequency portion is handled separately by an 8mm diameter LCP diaphragm dynamic driver through electronic crossover.
An independent low-frequency dynamic driver ensures a balanced sound, while the meticulously tuned mid-to-high frequencies exhibit smoothness without any harshness, resulting in exceptional listenability. This ensures a uniform density of sound between the mid-to-high frequencies and the low frequencies, resulting in superior tonal quality.
TRI aims to provide a more spacious soundstage and airy feel with balanced tuning. The open-back rear cavity offers an expansive soundstage and airiness, along with excellent mid-to-high frequency response. To compensate for the low-frequency dispersion caused by the open-back rear cavity, TRI has designed a damper-type through-type front cavity and introduced superb low-frequency dynamic drivers. The excellent front and rear cavity design of TRI creates a balanced, natural listening experience with an expansive and transparent soundstage.
To achieve precise acoustic structure and unique front and rear cavity design, TRI adopts CNC aluminum alloy material, supplemented by a higher precision anodizing process, balancing outstanding appearance and excellent cavity design.
As the quintessential choice for balanced sound, OCC silver-plated copper material offers a remarkably stable and enduring audio experience. Copper material caters to both the texture of the low frequencies. Silver plating provides bright condensation properties for medium and high frequencies.
The TRI bundle has three varieties totaling nine ear tips. Three TRI Horn-shaped ear tips for high frequencies, three balanced ear tips, and three bass ear tips cater to users with different sound preferences. A durable headphone storage pouch is included as a complimentary item to protect the headphones and prolong their lifespan.
Unboxing
Specs
- Brand: TRI
- Model: Draco
- Color: Silver
- Cavity: CNC Aluminum Alloy
- Drivers: 2*Dynamic Driver
- DD: 6mm Ti + 8mm LCP Diaphragm
- Impedance: 18Ω@1KHz
- Sensitivity: 105 dB @1KHz
- FR range: 20Hz-20KHz
- Wire: OFC silver-plated wire
- Pins: 2Pin-Standard Pins
- Plug: 3.5mm Standard Plug
- Length: 120cm
- Price: $59
I want to thank KEEPHiFi/TRI Audio for providing me with the review sample of the TRI DRACO.
Sound
TRI DRACO has an exquisitely designed architecture that promises quality sound reproduction with a detailed lower-end response. The sound that the DRACO produces complements different genres such as EDM, Rock, Pop, etc. It’s also a good alternative for gamers out there.
Lows
The bass of the TRI DRACO is powerful, deep, and punchy, thanks to the 8mm LCP dynamic driver that delivers a strong sub-bass rumble and impact. It tends to emphasize the mid-bass more than the sub-bass, but it is still able to play back a satisfying amount of rumble. I wouldn’t quite call the DRACO a basshead IEM but it leans in that direction, delivering an impactful but balanced bass response.
Because of the IEM’s more relaxing and warm-sounding tonality, the bass does bleed a bit into the lower mid-range. It doesn’t muddy the sound too much but instead gives it a somewhat veiled presentation.
I was impressed with TRI DRACO’s ability to play deep male vocals in a lush and relaxing tone. It is presented in a way that accentuates the velvety delivery, albeit at the cost of some micro detail. Bass guitar strums are played back with very good note weight and emphasis, but once again it does so at the cost of resolution and clarity.
Mids
The TRI DRACO has rich mids, courtesy of the enhanced mid and upper bass that add body and size to the notes. It reduces its center mids while moderately emphasizing low mids and high mids. Generally speaking, there are many fans of this mids balance (tuning).
The midrange tuning works well for both male and female vocals. Male voices are deep and powerful while female vocals are vibrant yet still warm and inviting.
Low mids were present just enough to impart a little extra warmth on vocals and guitar fundamentals but avoided muddying the balance. Boosted high mids kept guitars retaining a bright drive, and balanced out the low-mid fundamental boost on vocals with a little extra emphasis.
Treble
TRI DRACO provides good high-end detail for a budget IEM. Upon some extended listening, I started to notice that reverbs were extra pronounced but avoided overemphasis. In a similar vein, vocal air also had a healthy presence, which provided a pleasant, contrasting synergy with the warmth provided to them in the mids balance.
The same case for acoustic guitars: strummy transients sat well balanced with the lightly boosted low-end guitar hum found in the low mids. Hi-hats and cymbals sounded natural, and ride cymbals had a healthy dose of their harmonic overtones present in their long decays. Overall, the high-end seemed boosted just enough for some detailed layering without running into issues with sibilants, shrillness, or artificiality.
Technicalities
The soundstage is fairly intimate but never crowded thanks to DRACO’s instrument separation. There’s a fairly even amount of width and depth, creating a natural and rounded space. One thing that is surprising about the DRACO is its excellent detail retrieval, despite its prominent bass and thicker note size.
However, the imaging suffers slightly from a touch of warmth in the treble. This warmth, while pleasant to listen to, can make the precise placement of instruments within the soundstage a little less distinct.
Sum-Up
The TRI DRACO delivers a powerful and engaging sound with a nod to bass lovers. Rich mids and a forward, detailed treble ensure vocals and instruments remain distinct. While the soundstage is intimate, the excellent detail retrieval is a surprising strength. If precise imaging is a priority, the warm treble might be a slight drawback.
Overall, the TRI DRACO offers a fun and impactful listening experience and I think it’s a great option for anyone shopping in its price range.