Nihal evaluations the TXN Diamond, a brand new flagship high-end single true diamond diaphragm dynamic driver enclosed in a titanium shell. It’s at present priced at $1999.00.
Disclaimer: I acquired this pattern in trade for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank TXN Sound for this chance.
Click on right here to learn extra concerning the dynamic driver IEMs beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our present scoring tips, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
TXN Diamond Overview
Abstract
The TXN Diamond is a well-accomplished high-end dynamic driver IEM. The second you plug it in, its soundstage and open-sounding profile instantly seize your consideration. It sounds spacious, easy, clear, and extremely immersive.
Execs
Open, spacious, and immersive sound.
Detailed, clear, and interesting midrange.
Premium shells and a straightforward match.
Cons
Low finish may very well be punchier.
Not very sturdy isolation.
I’ve recognized TXN Sound for the previous few years, with some constructive impressions floating round about their ‘unobtanium’ IEMs, Dest and Dest Ti, which don’t appear to be in manufacturing anymore.
I imagine the model is sort of seen within the native Vietnamese audio circle. Outdoors the native circle, they’re simply talked about sometimes however wouldn’t have a lot presence.
This time, they’ve launched a single dynamic driver IEM known as Diamond. These previous few months, we now have seen some notable releases within the flagship dynamic driver house, such because the Religion Audio E1000 and the DITA Audio Ventura.
At $1999, the Diamond can be hitting a premium value vary, however is comparatively cheaper. For an IEM with a comparatively easy driver configuration, it typically turns into simpler to impress as a result of coherence and textures it gives.
Can Diamond impress and earn its place amongst these coveted single dynamic driver IEMs? We are going to discover out very shortly.
On this evaluation, we are going to take an in-depth have a look at what TXN Sound has to supply, and I may even be evaluating it with E1000, Campfire’s new Andromeda 10, and the THIEAUDIO Valhalla. Stick with me!
Options
Diamond contains a dome-shaped single dynamic driver – that’s the core of it. An IEM with only a single driver feels fairly intriguing to me, as I at all times marvel what kind of engineering goes on behind the scenes to attain a full-range sound, and to prime it off, a flagship-level sound.
This driver is crafted from pure diamond via high-temperature crystal deposition, which calls for utmost accuracy. TXN Sound claims that is essentially the most superior dynamic driver obtainable on the market.
What’s particular about this diamond driver, you would possibly ask? Properly, there are some sensible advantages.
The primary is the intense rigidity it gives. It’s extra inflexible than the standard beryllium, titanium, aluminum, and PET diaphragm drivers that we generally come throughout. This helps in attaining a excessive degree of acoustic precision, which in flip aids higher readability and dynamics.
Additionally, the diaphragm right here has the next velocity and sooner transients. The opposite advantages of the diamond diaphragm are its distortion-free highs and efficient warmth administration, that are vital for efficiency and longevity.
Now, all that sounds fairly geeky; the true check is the way it all interprets to sound, and that can be out shortly in our sound impression part.
Design
TXN Sound Diamond has a very beautiful design. The shells are constructed from aerospace-grade titanium, sculpted from a single strong block utilizing superior 5-axis CNC machining, so you may count on the robustness and sturdiness it carries.
Fortunately, the titanium shells have a matte end, so that you’ll be saved from the simple scratches the mirror-polished ones get.
To be trustworthy, these shells are certainly one of a sort. What units it other than different titanium shells is how curvaceous the inside a part of it’s.
It’s as if the makers went deep into machining it, giving it some nice angles and clean curves. That’s what makes it stand out from the gang. Diamond follows a flat design, and the faceplate is completely flat.
The fascinating a part of the shell is the three vents on the entrance chamber beneath the nozzles. As per TXN Sound, that they had to spend so much of time designing these vents for the type of sound they had been aiming for.
These vents appear giant, and I’m not certain whether or not they have sufficient safety from dust, as it may possibly simply get inside. I’m certain these don’t expose the inside drivers in any method. There’s one other tiny vent on the opposite aspect, which is protected by a mesh.
The nozzle is an open one, and it doesn’t have a steel grille, however you do get small foams that you would be able to insert to guard towards dust and particles getting inside.
You get a pair of tweezers contained in the bundle to do this, in order that’s handy. These little foams can assist you mess around with tuning as effectively.
Consolation & Isolation
Diamond’s dimension will not be giant. It’s on the common aspect and gives a really respectable match. The shell is ergonomically carved out, so the curves are clean and don’t put any stress on the ears. There are not any hotspots both.
Because of its flat design, it doesn’t have these swollen-up shells the place the inside ears really feel tortured.
I at all times have this concern of single dynamic driver IEMs working very small in dimension, such because the Meze Audio ASTRU and Religion Audio Labs E1000, the place I did have a good wrestle with the match. However not right here.
Diamond is extraordinarily snug and doesn’t demand any further wrestle. You simply pop it in with certainly one of your favourite ear suggestions and get began.
The nozzle is barely longer and has a slender form. Most ear suggestions match simply. The shells sit deep inside, so that you get respectable isolation as effectively.
Nonetheless, Diamond is constructed to ship an open sound, which is what the entrance chamber vents are for, so don’t count on a really excessive degree of isolation.
Throughout my time with Diamond, I didn’t encounter any driver flex or any stress build up inside. All this makes Diamond a really preferrred IEM for lengthy periods.
Ear Suggestions
Diamond is shipped with two units of ear suggestions, each product of silicone and obtainable in three sizes: small, medium, and huge. One is the Extremely Clear ear tip, and the opposite is a less complicated and pliable silicone tip with a wider bore and relaxed match.
The sizes are marked on the ear suggestions: S, M, and L. A really small factor, however I’m not certain why I discovered it fascinating. And there’s a third one, which the IEMs come mounted with, however that is only one of its sort with no different sizes.
This one is sort of good, truly, and matches me very well. I used these essentially the most on Diamond. TXN Sound ought to embody these in three sizes.
I’m certain plenty of of us would discover it extra helpful than the opposite two units. The Extremely Clear ear suggestions really feel very sticky to me, so I do probably not take pleasure in them a lot.
With a really sorted nozzle design, Diamond will not be fussy about ear suggestions. You may put any of your favourite recommendations on it, and it will pair effectively. The broader bore ear suggestions don’t work for me due to how they grip on these slender nozzles.
Additionally, you could verify if the stem is gripping correctly or not, as it might slip out whereas inserting or eradicating the IEMs out of your ears.
Among the many aftermarket ear suggestions, SpinFit W and Nostalgia XWB ear suggestions additionally go effectively. Not one of the frequency ranges really feel boosted on Diamond, so I didn’t must pair it with ones that tame the bass or treble frequencies.
I’d recommend taking part in with a number of ear suggestions with Diamond to see how the tuning adjustments and what fits your choice finest.
Inventory Cable
Diamond is stocked with the Aegis cable, a particular 4-wire cable TXN Sound constructed for Diamond. On the core of Aegis lies 7N OCC copper sourced from Taiwan. Every of the conductors is individually shielded to protect sign integrity.
The 4.4 mm OFC balanced plug and 0.78 mm two-pin connectors are manufactured in Japan. They appear fairly effectively constructed, so for a inventory cable, Aegis will get full marks.
I like the marginally clear brown sleeve on the cable. The y-split and 4.4 mm plug have a gold-accented slotted end, which supplies them a wealthy look. Nonetheless, I feel they may entice scratches with long-term utilization. That stated, they do really feel fairly sturdy in construct.
The cable total has a barely beefy look however is light-weight. It doesn’t tangle throughout utilization or whereas coiled for storage, so dealing with is sort of straightforward with this cable.
General, I discover this cable adequate to be paired with Diamond. It does its job and doesn’t instantly ask for a cable change.
Nonetheless, given how clear Diamond sounds, will probably be fairly fascinating to pair it with totally different cables and see how the sound is affected.
Packaging & Equipment
Diamond arrives in an average-sized field – nothing flashy or fancy. It’s constructed minimally, with a black coloration scheme all through and delicate silver accents within the branding. The field opens from the highest.
Inside, the IEMs and the carry case are tucked into foam cutouts, whereas the connected cable is coiled and positioned beneath the carry case.
The carry case holds the remaining equipment: a cleansing software and fabric, a mesh pouch, a pack of froth filters, and a tweezer for inserting and eradicating the foams from the nozzle.
Diamond is full of many of the equipment one would search for. It’s good to see a mesh pouch included, as metal-shelled IEMs, particularly titanium ones, are liable to scratches, so that you positively want to guard them.
A slight nitpick with the packaging is that the foams are just a little flimsy and lack rigidity, so when you unpack every thing, it may be difficult to pack them again in.
General, TXN Sound’s packaging does probably not miss something, however it falls just a little wanting creating that full wow or boutique-like impression.
Carry Case
The carry case here’s a puck-style one. This all-black case is constructed from leather-based with a textured look. You may see skinny stitches throughout it. The model’s identify is embossed on the highest. General, it feels well-built and, extra importantly, is light-weight too.
This case is barely too giant to slot in your pockets, however you may simply toss it in a bag whereas on the transfer. It gained’t decide up scratches.
The opposite good factor is that this case runs barely bigger than the standard puck-style circumstances you discover with many different IEMs. That’s an actual aid; in any other case, the IEMs with the cable can be onerous to slot in.
Nonetheless, for those who put the IEMs within the mesh pouch, there’s a very tight house, in order that’s one drawback space right here. For that reason, I actually can not use it, and I’ve put the Diamond in a special case.
Click on on web page 2 beneath for my sound impressions and beneficial pairings.
