Tri Audio Draco: Expand the possibilities


Hello everyone, today we’re going to talk about the Tri Audio Draco. This will be my first time experiencing this brand firsthand. While Tri Audio is well-known for their accessories and popular audio sets, the focus of this blog will be on the Draco.

Disclaimers
This review is not sponsored; all assessments and opinions are entirely my own, based on personal experiences and observations. I am an audio hobbyist who reviews products for fun and out of curiosity—your experience may vary. Tri Audio and Keephifi sent me this unit for review, but my assessments and insights remain unbiased.


The Tri Audio Draco is an in-ear monitor with an open-back design. This system is more commonly seen in headphones, offering less isolation and focusing primarily on delivering a more open, spacious sound. This is my first time experiencing an open-back design in an IEM, and honestly, I like how it works with this particular set.

I've been using the Draco as my main driver during commutes, for casual listening, and even for gaming. It’s impressive, with strong technical capabilities, and the overall sound is both satisfying and soothing to my ears. However, while generally soothing, there are moments when it can be a bit sharp or sibilant. Still, I can confidently say it's worth the price.


The Draco is also appealing due to its simple, minimalist design and color. Despite its metallic build, it’s very lightweight, making it comfortable to wear for extended periods. The design reminds me of older IEM releases, as it’s not your typical IEM shape. It resembles more of a letter 'A' or the design of the 'Among Us' character.



The default cable of the Tri Audio Draco is OFC silver-plated, meaning it uses silver wire, which some consider superior to copper. However, in my opinion, cables don’t significantly impact sound quality; they mainly contribute to durability and aesthetics. This particular cable is light, soft, and not very prone to tangling—a common issue with wired earphones due to improper rolling or poor cable management. As a college student, I appreciate how lightweight and easy to untangle the stock cable is, especially since I often struggle with tangled cables.

Silver cables are typically prone to oxidation, and while there’s a chance this could happen, proper care and usage can help prevent it. In my years as an audio hobbyist, I’ve often had cables oxidize. However, through experience and past mistakes, I’ve learned how to care for them properly.


Sound Profile

The Tri Audio Draco emphasizes the midrange and overall sound, with strong technical capabilities. As my daily driver, It delivers a soothing, enjoyable experience during commutes, especially with its clean vocals, which shine particularly in female vocals. The technical capabilities are impressive, particularly in soundstage and detail. During my gaming sessions, I noticed its precision with every beat and note, which is ideal for rhythm games. For FPS games like COD, it also provides an immersive experience. Some audiophiles might ask, 'What is its sound signature?' Honestly, the closest I can describe is that it's a mid-centric set with a hint of warmth, depending on the source. With my Tempotec E44, it delivers a warm, mid-centric sound, while with the FA Audio FA4, it offers a purely mid-centric profile.

Lows/Bass

The bass is balanced, with both sub-bass and mid-bass present, and the overall aggressiveness is relatively controlled. The punch isn’t very pronounced, lacking that 'oomph' feel; in tracks that demand extra impact, the bass can feel present but somewhat unclear. If you’re a Basshead, you might find it a bit flat or bland, as it’s neither aggressive nor heavy. The rumble is also somewhat weak, with less expressive vibration, though it’s still reasonably good for casual listeners.

The mid-bass is impressive, with strong emphasis and no bloat or bleed. It feels heavy while remaining expressive and detailed. Overall, the main focus here is the mid-bass, which provides a rich sensation along with clarity and expressiveness in every note.

Mids

The main focus of the Draco is its expressiveness, particularly in female vocals, which sound natural and clean without any artificial quality. The overall presentation is forward without being too forceful or honky. Honestly, I am impressed with the female vocals compared to the male vocals, as they are more detailed and clear. The instruments are also well pronounced; they are very clear and can be easily located when listened to closely. I tried listening to Teddyloid tracks and other Japanese artists, especially in the EDM genre. Even when the tracks are busy, they remain clear, and the vocals are still expressive. If you're a fan of Vocaloid or anime, this can satisfy your ears, as the forwardness of the Mids contributes to the overall emphasis on the sound.

Treble

The treble is appealing but could benefit from more control in the upper treble region. At times, it can become slightly aggressive, with hints of sibilance and sharpness, though this often depends on the track and volume level. The treble energy is somewhat average, occasionally lacking clarity and refinement. The extension is acceptable but could use more refinement. In terms of clarity, it could be improved, though it’s not bad to begin with. 

Other aspects 

The soundstage is impressive, thanks largely to the open-back shell design. It provides a good sense of width without feeling overly spacious, and the height is also well-executed. The imaging on this set is very pleasing, with a forward presentation that gives it a live concert vibe. However, the resolution is somewhat average, lacking the transparency and clarity that could elevate the overall sound. The detail retrieval is excellent, exhibiting both macro and micro details effectively.

Conclusion 

This in-ear monitor is genuinely interesting, with a strong emphasis on the Mids that brings vocals and instruments forward. It also performs well in technical aspects, demonstrating impressive soundstage capabilities and other technical strengths.  I want to thank Tri Audio and Keephifi for giving me a chance to review this set and I wish we could collab more in the future.

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Ratings

Bass          ████████ 4/5

Mid           █████████ 5/5

Treble       ███████ 3.5/5

Tech         ████████ 4.6/5

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Pros
Satisfying Vocal emphasis
Very forwarded Mids
Impressive technical aspects for its price
impressive vocals and instruments
open back system does work properly 
different kind of ear tips included especially the new clarion ear tips
has an included earphone case
very light and soft stock cable
very comfortable in the ear 
impressive detail retrieval 
decent bass emphasis 

Cons
Not for bass heads.
Tip rolling is essential to achieve the ideal sound.
There’s a slightly aggressive quality, with hints of sibilance and sharpness that vary depending on the track and volume level.
While the stock cable is light and soft, I wish it had a more premium feel.
Cable is not yet modular.
Resolution could use more refinement and clarity.
Treble enthusiasts may find it lacking in energy.
some may have fitting issues due to its shape.
prone to scratches
prone to dust and dirt  due to the open chambers in the shell






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