TRI Meteor is finally here after it’s first impressions which were quite positive. I remember it was the same for their prior iems i3pro or Starsea. I see what this brand does good. Keeping a bottom line at 99 bucks and decorating with high price to performance inner capabilities and outer makeup. Below is my thorough review with amping and cabling.
Fit is easy like the other TRI iems and somewhat large for my M ears. But not ear hurting in the long run. Cable is soft and thick by braiding. Connectors are in metal.
While it’s specs are telling of the amp need, truth is proving it right. %100 volume at v30+ is not making my hurt and the sound distort.
I am hearing a sweet bass under it’s dark to neutral timbre at the first moments of Tubular Bells. Notal weight is not that high. Bass is potent, wide’n relaxed, controlled and can go deep when needed. And head wobbling at dubstep. Bass impact is at the level of a basshead piece. More bass rumbles at lower frequencies and less bass punch than amped HM. But a wider and higher scene. And pretty natural. Background resolution is more than nice in unamped listening. Treble is high in resolution. Extensions too. But maybe a tad weaker, unamped they aren’t resonating more than they should.
TRI Meteor is like a meteor when the bass comes. And while the main bodyof the meteor is at extremely heats and the tail is sparkling with the melting chunk of stone / ice, this has managed to keep itself cool and tidy.
Box, Contents, TRI Meteor, Cable
A nice and sturdy box whereas the contents are not very rich. But fine looking and consistent with its name and the box. Various color bored tips of different sizes and compositions, cable, carrying box, microfiber cleaning cloth and manuals.
The Meteor itself is the star of the show. 3d printed very dark resin cased, Beryllium-plated DD and Knowles Ba hand painted marble looking back plate and somewhat muscular design, sizable venting hole, pignosed (oo) nozzle that is a part of the case, comfortable fit and 2 pin to change the cable.
Cable is a charmer. Thick and strong, multiple core braided. Microphonics are low. All connectors are in light metal + black in color and white inserts of TRI letters & brand logo resembling the head of a trident.
>Impedance: 12±2Ω.
>Sensitivity: 105±3dB.
>Frequency response range: 20Hz-20kHz.
>Interface: Standard 2-pin 0.78mm.
>Termination plug: 3.5mm.
Sound
I must state that all review listenings are done with v30+ and out of the box. I prefer to catch earphones and my ear “offguard” by not burning anything before critical listening because initial hearings are most important IMO. Amping and recabling will only be discussed at their seperate sections.
Timbre is between somewhat dark and neutral. Presentation is like ¾ forward and ¼ laid back (according to my ears. Your experience might differ.) Tonality is very nice. Staging is not too wide but deep and somewhat high. Notal weight and body are not extremely heavy. Resolution is quite high when the record is helping. Iron Maiden – Death of Celts is a wonderful basis of it’s capability. Transparency or layering is nearly monitor-like high. (But I have found myself peeking into the technical abilities of Meteor at this song and forgot about it’s bass Mid and treble *) So don’t expect an Ety here. Instrument separation is high even when unamped. And the atmosphere is somewhat airy.
That same air is between instruments too. Speed of the Meteor is pretty good as well as other technical parameters. You can separate the instruments from each other on live recordings if you know what you are looking for. And the extensions are quite nice.
Bass is punchy. Solid even when unamped yet. Not bleeding anywhere. Bass at smooth jazz (mid bass) of Diana Krall are slightly humping but this issue isn’t preventing to hear the back vocal male bass chorus. At dubstep, bass is explosive! Keeping the layering between electronics and vocals, I felt the weight of the bass after it’s bassdrop moment.
Mid is the segment where it screams power! But even if it’s hungry, still smooth and airy. While probably all the technicalities are affiliated with this band, giving me a very good experience overally. But I and you must hold our horses and admit that this is not a +300$ iem. Even though I hate to compare the two because of the obvious driver difference and price, i3pro is not too above this Meteor when unamped.
Treble is gentle, not disturbing at 80/100 volume of v30+. And their presence / rhythm at ordinary records are apparent with it’s revealing side. With the ability to keep the performance tidy, I sensed somewhat coldness at it’s trebles. But preventing the treble splash is good.
Amping Meteor
I used Q5K and after starting the Hans Zimmer – Live In Prague, the stage became much wider and immersive. Got a sense of actual depth. I understood that without an amp, I was hearing what was going on at this wide scene. But now the stage is around me! And I am listening to 96 instruments as much it’s driver capacity let’s me. And I am hearing the audience’s cheers behind me.
This euphoric experience is clearly a sign of the Meteors true nature. Amp is necessary to get it in full.
Cabling Meteor
I am conducting the last part of my examinations with the usual 6N Pure Copper cable. Keeping mind that this cabling procedure hadn’t changed anything at Kinera Freya. Let’s look at Meteor’s cable performance.
The stage is around the same as it was amped. But transparency was higher when amped. Basses gained a thumpy character. Coldness at the treble has disappeared. But somehow lost its spark at the treble (and high pitched vocals) by a notch. Separation became higher than the stock. But overall experience hasn’t lost its organic essence and dark to neutral timbre so the treble can still climb higher than the rest when needed and you can experience the afro-tribal ending of Circle of Life.
TRI Meteor Review Conclusions
There were moments at this review when I forgot that I was listening and reviewing a 99$ iem. But it’s driver design and price tag were obvious. I think ,even a basshead, every iem lover with a preference for mature tuning must try this for once. IEM history had recorded many legends around this price segment. IMO Meteor will be one too…time will tell.
