I'll continue my story about the wonderful headphones Trinity Audio Engineering. While they are preparing to release new models that use multi-driver schemes, the company's website sells affordable models with a simpler filling, but still an interesting sound. Today I will tell about Techne.
In Techne, the company develops its idea of replacement filters, used in all models, except for budget Hyperion, it allows you to adjust the sound to your own preferences. Radiators in this model are dynamic, judging by the information from the Internet - the same as in Hyperion, although the sound of Techne is absolutely different from the younger model. Apparently, in Trinity something was changed in the design of the radiator. The average model received an unusual and stylish enough aluminum case and a classy twisted cable.
Price per model is 95 dollars, but Trinity often has sales, and the discount codes for them are not that rare, for example, Head-Fi users can get a 30% discount, so the price tag for Techne is quite adequate. Moreover, the company offers free shipping around the world.
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
Packing and delivery kit
The box in Trinity used the standard (like all four of their models, passed through my hands). This is a dark gray box with a magnetic valve, it looks good and does its job well. Inside, on a velvety substrate, headphones and all accessories are located. The delivery set is very good, it includes:
- traditional triangular cover on the snake;
- four pairs of single-flange nozzles made of gray silicone;
- a pair of two-flange attachments made of white silicone;
- two pairs of foam nozzles;
- clothespin for fixing the cable;
- two pairs of replaceable filters in a convenient twist bag made of aluminum (the third pair is installed in headphones);
- adapter, turning the plug into a 90 ° angle.
In general, the delivery kit is simply excellent: everything you can want, there is.
Design and Convenience
In appearance, Trinity Audio tried to do something unusual, and they did well. The headphone case is made entirely of aluminum and has an unusual shape with an elongated "leg". On the one hand, this element allows you to protect the cable from fractures, on the other - it slightly complicates the deep fit required for this model. In general, before acquiring Techne it is better to try on, although in most cases there will be no problems with planting. Headphones are worn behind the back of the head, another version with their design is not provided.
Replaceable filters are traditionally made in the form of sound guides on the thread, so to replace them, just unscrew one and screw the other.
The cable of this model deserves all praise, it is twisted, very soft and durable. It does not freeze in the cold, is slightly inclined to tangling and does not make noise due to friction about clothing (although the construction of the body of the model itself makes a big contribution here). The splitter and the plug are also sufficiently reliable, so that the headphones, with careful handling, will serve for a long time. If you do not like the straight plug, the bundled adapter will turn it into a corner, convenient feature that I've only seen in Trinity Audio models.
Sound insulation model - a little worse than average because of not the deepest landing. Wearing with the right selection of attachments - comfortable.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening:
- NuPrime DAC-10H and Resonessence Labs Concero HP as DAC and Amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2013 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Fiio X7 and Luxury & Precission L5Pro as portable players
- VSonic Gr01, Dunu Titan 1 and Dunu DN-2000J as headphones for comparison
- High Definition Records in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening to the headphones were warmed for 48 hours.
In these headphones, Trinity used their favorite removable filters, which allow to adjust the headphones supply. In this model there are three. Red provides the most "fun" feed with the maximum V-shape frequency response: a lot of bass, a lot of HF, middle frequencies are put on the second plan. A similar sound will appeal to bassheads listening to electronic music or, for example, rap, but for other genres of bass it will be too much. Purple filter offers a balanced feed, which with a little stretch can be called neutral due to a slight bias in the light feed. The dark gray filter in turn offers a sound with an emphasis on high frequency, this creates an effect of unrealistic psevdodetalnosti, but this sound really tires (at least me).
In general, as is clear from the text above, I chose precisely purple filters, with which Techne become an interesting model with an unusual slightly light pitch, which I would like to call "festive."
The bass in Techne is highly dependent on the correct landing, if it is not deep enough - it will not be enough, so for me the best result was given by two-petal nozzles. With them, LFs are very good in resolution, their depth is not prohibitive, the main emphasis is on midbass, but it is enough in number for most genres. A deeper bass is also available, but in more modest quantities. The resolution is not bad for budgetary dynamic headphones, although up to the reinforcement one, of course, does not hold out.
Middle frequencies are a little bit to the back burner, but their detailing is sufficient for the transmission of emotions. If you close your eyes to the price, you can blame the detachment of the "middle", but for the price of Techne at a discount here everything is fine. The upper middle frequencies are slightly forced, this adds to the sound of lightness and festivity, everything sounds "beautiful", especially on genres with a small number of instruments. There is a slight anti-aliasing to give "musicality", it fits very well in the presentation of the model. The imaginary scene is average in width and depth, the instruments are well localized, their character is transmitted to the fullest.
The high frequencies, like the VHF, are underlined a little, so a source that very well controls this range is very desirable to headphones. Naturally, those who are sensitive to HF, these headphones will not work. Especially at my ear, the Techne is very well balanced on the HF, the sound is airy and light, there is a small plume of artificiality, most likely associated with the accentuation of this range, but it even appeals to me.
Compatibility
These headphones, perhaps, still deserve a quality player, listen to them from a phone or tablet - it makes little sense. Their hobby is speed and beautiful high frequencies, so they need a player that can reveal these features. From what I tried, it's good to play Cayin N5 and iHiFi 800. Or you can compensate for their pitch by picking up a darkish player like Hidizs AP100 or Shanling M2. Genre headphones are best suited for instrumental music, not for orchestral jazz, classics, those styles where technical skill and speed play a role.
To the quality of Techne records are quite sensitive, on a 10-point scale I would rate them somewhere around 8 points, they will have to search for quality remasters and good records.
Several traditional sample tracks
Beth Hart - Am I The One (Live At Paradiso). This violent singer for some reason persistently reminds me of Robert "The only white who knows how to sing the blues" Planta. On YouTube there are records of "Whole Lotta Love" in her performance, there the similarity in places reaches almost 100%, I specifically attach a link to another video. I, perhaps, have not seen such close communication between the artist and the audience. Similar records are just very good in Techne, they play out the emotions and nuances of the vocals, immersing themselves in the live atmosphere of the concert.
Charlie Parker & Dizzy Gillespie - My Melancholy Baby. What can happen when two great jazzmen play together? Of course, a masterpiece "from and to." This is exactly what the album called "Bird and Diz" came out. Choose one track from it - the task is surprisingly difficult, they are all very good, even bonus records included in modern reissues. But since you have to choose one track, let it be My Melancholy Baby - not the fastest, but very versatile and bewitching. And then Techne show themselves very well, adding more ease to the record.
Dire Straits - Private Investigations. Another group, best suited to these headphones. A melancholic track with interesting percussion, virtuosic guitar and detached vocals simply immerses in your atmosphere, tuning in a sad way. Techne with a good source underscore these emotions, adding a track of relief.
conclusions
Very interesting headphones with an unusual pitch, accented on "beautiful" sound. Replaceable filters allow tuning the feed to your own taste, but I think most people will stop on an average purple version. Quality materials and comfortable design complement the positive features of this model, so taking into account the discounts, it can be considered a very good purchase for fans of such a presentation.
The article is based on materials .
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