Will continue my story about the wonderful Trinity Audio Engineering headphones. While they are preparing to release new models using megadriver scheme, on the website of the company sold available model with more than a simple filling, but still interesting sound. Today I will talk about Techne.
In Techne, the company develops its idea of replacement filters used in all models except Hyperion of budget, allow you to tune the sound to suit your preferences. The emitters used in this model dynamic, based on the information from the Internet are the same as in Hyperion, although the sound Techne is absolutely not similar to the Junior model. Apparently, Trinity’ve changed something in the design of the radiator. The average model has an unusual and quite stylish aluminium case and a cool twisted cable.
The price for this model at the official online store of the company is 95 dollars, but Trinity often have sales and discount codes they have a is not uncommon, for example, users of Head-Fi can get a 30% discount, so the price tag on Techne quite adequate. Moreover, the company offers free shipping worldwide.
Specifications
- Emitters: 8 mm
- Impedance: 16Ω
- Sensitivity: 108±3 dB
- Frequency range: 19 Hz – 21,000 Hz
- Plug: 3.5 mm, TRS, gold-plated
- Cable: non-replaceable, symmetrical, 1.2 m
Packaging and delivery package
The box in Trinity used a standard (as in all four of their models that have passed through my hands). It’s a dark grey box with magnetic flap, it looks good and does its job perfectly well. Inside on soft substrate located headphones and all accessories. The kit is very good, it included:
- traditional triangular cover with zipper;
- odnoplanovye four pairs of nozzles made of grey silicone;
- duplancich couple of bits of white silicone;
- two pairs of foam tips;
- clip for cable fixing;
- two pairs of replacement filters in a convenient screw cover aluminum (the third pair are installed in the headphones);
- the adapter that turns the plug into a corner 90°.
In General, the kit is just great: everything you could want is there.
The design and usability
In appearance Trinity Audio tried to do something unusual, and they turned out well. The body is made entirely of aluminum and has an unusual shape stretched up to the “leg”. On the one hand, this element allows to protect the cable from the fractures, on the other hand it complicates slightly deep planting is needed for this model. In General, before the acquisition of Techne is better to try, although in most cases of problems with the landing will not be. Headphones are worn behind-the-ear method, another option to their design is not provided.
Replacement filters are traditionally made in the form of bores in the thread, so to replace them it is enough to Unscrew one and screw another.
Cable this model deserves praise, he twisted, very soft and durable. It does not freeze in the cold, little inclined to tangling and no noise from friction on clothing (although most contribution introduces the design of the hull model). Splitter and plug is also quite reliable, so headphones with careful handling will last a long time. If you do not fit the straight connector, complete the adapter will turn it into a corner, a convenient opportunity, which I have seen only in models Trinity Audio.
Sound insulation model is a little worse than average due to the deep landing. Wearing with proper selection of nozzles — comfortable.
The sound
To listen used the following equipment:
- NuPrime DAC-10H and Resonessence Labs Concero HP in the role of DAC and amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Fidelia in the role of player
- Fiio X7 and Luxury&Precission L5Pro in the role of portable players
- Gr01 VSonic, Dunu Titan 1 and Dunu DN-2000J in the role of headphones for comparison
- Recording high-resolution Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening headphones were heated for 48 hours.
These headphones Trinity used her favorite interchangeable filters that allow you to adjust the headphone feed. In this model there are three of them. Red provide the most “fun” flow with most V-shaped frequency response: lots of bass, lots of treble, mid frequencies allotted by the wayside. Such sound will satisfy basheda, listening to electronic music or rap, but other genres of bass will be too much. The Magenta filter offers a balanced presentation that with a little stretch of the imagination be considered neutral due to the small bias light supply. Dark grey filter, in turn, offers sound with an emphasis on treble, it has the effect of pseudocatalase unreal, but the sound really tiring (at least for me).
In General, as is clear from the text above, I chose the Magenta filters, they become Techne interesting model with an unusual slightly lighter flow, and can be called “festive”.
Bass in Techne it is highly dependent on proper planting, if it is not deep enough — it will not be enough, so for me the best result given shift paddle attachment. With them bass come out very good on the resolution, their depth is not prohibitive, the emphasis is on midbass, but it is enough number for most genres. Deeper bass are there too, but in more modest quantities. The resolution is decent for a budget dynamic headphone, although reinforcing, of course, does not hold.
MIDs a little reserved on the second plan, but sufficient detail to convey emotion. If you close your eyes on the price, to blame for the disengagement of the feed “mid”, but for the price Techne at a discount then all is well. Upper MIDs slightly boosted, it adds the sound of lightness and conviviality, everything sounds “nice”, especially in genres with a small number of tools. There is a slight smoothing to give it a “musicality”, it fits very well into the flow model. Scene is medium in width and depth, the tools are well localized, their character is transmitted in full.
Upper frequency as VCC, a little stressed, so headphones are very desirable source well controlling this range. Naturally, those who are sensitive to treble, these headphones will not work. Purely on my hearing, Techne is a very well balanced at RF, the sound airy and light, there is a slight touch of artificiality, most likely associated with the emphasis of this range, but I even impressed.
Compatibility
These headphones, perhaps still deserve a high quality player, listen to them with phone or tablet — not a lot of sense. Their Forte is speed and beautiful treble, so they need a player capable of these traits to reveal. From what I tried, good play with them Cayin N5 and iHiFi 800. Or it is possible to compensate for pitch, picking up the darkish player like Hidizs AP100 or Shanling M2. Genre headphones are best suited for instrumental music, orchestral jazz, classical, styles, where they play the role of the technicality and speed.
The quality of the records Techne is sensitive enough, on a 10-point scale I would rate them at 8 points, they have to look for a quality remaster and good entries.
Several traditional tracks for example
Beth Hart — Am I The One (Live At Paradiso). This outrageous singer why-that persistently reminds me of Robert “the Only white who can sing the Blues” Robert plant. On YouTube the recording of “Whole Lotta Love” in her performance, there are similarities in some places reaches almost 100%, I specifically attached a link to another video. I’ve never seen such a close contact of the performer with the audience. This record is just very good in Techne, they act out emotions and nuances of vocals, immersing in the vibrant atmosphere of the concert.
Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie — My Melancholy Baby. What can happen when you play together two great jazzman? Of course, a masterpiece from beginning to end. It was released an album called “Bird and Diz”. To choose one track from it — the task surprisingly difficult, they are all very good, even the bonus record included in modern reprints. But since I must choose one track, let them become My Melancholy Baby — not fastest, but very diverse and fascinating. Here Techne and show themselves very well, adding write more ease.
Dire Straits — Private Investigations. Another group, could not be better suited to data headphones. Melancholic track with interesting drums, virtuoso guitar and distant vocals just plunges into its atmosphere, setting up a sad mood. Techne with a good source of emphasize these emotions, adding to the prominence of the track.
Conclusions
Very interesting headphone with an unusual flow, focused on a “beautiful” sound. Interchangeable filters let you tune the flow to your own taste, but I think most people will stop on the middle purple option. High quality materials and comfortable design complement the positive features of this model, so with discounts it can be considered a very good purchase for fans of such filing.