Tripowin Piccolo or The Dawn of a New Era
Things have taken a big change and it’s time for an evolution. I’ve started moving my impression/reviews in a different direction during the last IEM tour members of the HFGF community did (shout outs here). Then of course, I debuted my IEM Upgrade Matrix, which has kind of changed the game for how I’m approaching new gear. I still have my personal opinions, and the part where I rank things (and the foods they’re associated with) aren’t going anywhere but I have a deeper calling to follow now: I’ve given in and now I’m a part of The Matrix. Won’t you take the blue pill and go down the rabbit hole with me.
Songs to Listen to and Follow Along:
As usual, I’m going to write my thoughts in generalities, but I’ll give you a sample of songs that I listen to, that will relate to the concepts I write about. Feel free to ask for specifics, if you don’t keep up with my thought processes.
Playlist
Swashers/Bubbles - Yosi Horikawa (For imaging/detail retrieval (:00-1:00 Swashers), general technicalities check (both), soundstage depth/dynamics/layering/separation (:00-:30 Bubbles))
The Speedwalker (Live at Madison Square Garden) - The Fearless Flyers (For bass elements, particularly sub-bass/mid-bass interplay, drum kits, soundstage/layering)
DISINTER MY HEART - TRAILS (For treble response and resolution, male vocals, midrange response)
When I Fall (Outta Love) - Kevin Olusola (For Imaging/detail retrieval :00-:07, tonality, timbre, male/female vocal interplay)
Fundamental Elements of Madness - Dax Johnson (For soundstage width 1:10-1:26, piano tonality)
THE SOUND
I Know Victoria’s Secret, She Was Never Made For Me And You
(IEM Tuning Style: QDC-Style)
I find the Piccolo to have a pretty balanced sound: It’s got a sufficient bass that’s midbass focused, however if you’re a fan of tight, agile bass this won’t be it for you. It’s a slower, lingering bass that can be a little pillowy. In the QDC-style, I’d say this has a bit heavier note weight and more body. It won’t be as fluid and clean in the lower midrange as a set like Tri Starsea, which could be a pro or a con depending on your listening preferences. Vocals are forward and expressive, thanks to the early and shorter pinna gain and the upper midrange just avoids being overly peaky to my ear, in spite of that emphasis. The treble graphs as a Goldilocks treble (not too dark or bright), but to my ear it actually edges a little darker/smoother which likely comes from the dual peaks at/around 8k and 10k (and the resultant dips). I find the resolution good for my ear but not earth shattering for the under-$50 bracket. Soundstage plays deeper than wider and dynamics are only average: Piccolo cannot pass my “Swashers” test, of seeing if the waves in the first 30 seconds can pass from the left ear all the way across the soundstage to my right ear. That is perfectly acceptable at $35 though.
THE GOOD
- Balanced tuning overall; more mature than Tangzu Wan’er
- Warmer tonality (if that’s your thing)
- Matte metal shell (if that’s your thing)
- Decently good resolution for price bracket
- Soundstage depth
THE BAD
- Bass is fine but average. Soft/pillowy, not dynamic or textured
- Lower midrange masking (if you prefer clean midbass)
- Forward, emphasized vocals (if that gets intense for you)
- Treble could use more energy
- Shell fit: The metal shell is heavy and fatigued my ears in long-listening sessions
WHO IS THIS SET FOR?
- Someone who is curious about a set like Dunu SA6 series, but has zero idea about how that sound works
- Someone who likes sets like Dunu SA6 but doesn’t want to walk around in public with $600 in their ears
- Someone who values clean (but basic) dynamics and vocal emphasis
- Someone who prefers a warmer tonality/note weight
WHO IS THIS SET NOT FOR?
- Someone who already owns or has decided they don’t like sets like Tri Starsea, Dunu SA6 or Vulkan (if you are anti-redundancy). This is a beginner’s set
- Someone who can have fit issues. I don’t have fit issues and this set wore my ears out. Take that as your warning here
- Someone who prefers a clean, lean tonality/note weight. In that case get Kinera Celest Gumiho
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
What it means is that Tripowin Piccolo is one of the sets I would recommend to dip a toe in the QDC-style. This and Celest Gumiho leave the Tangzu Wan’er as a set I can recommend passing on: It is not on the level of either of these sets. Piccolo and Gumiho are a yin and yang: Piccolo is preferable for people who prefer body and warmth in their replay, Gumiho is for people who prefer a clean midrange that fully emphasizes vocals. Depending on your taste, if you have never dipped into the QDC-style of tuning, there are two sets I’d suggest to get a feel for it. If you want a little color in you replay, Tripowin Piccolo is the one for you. And that’s going to be it for this review. Enjoy your days, and take care till next time!
Rank for Tripowin Piccolo: B-
Rank With Personal Bias: B-
Recommendation Level: Entry-Level Recommendation (QDC-Style)
Rank As a Food: Flavored Water
). I highly suggest checking this out on a monitor/laptop or a larger screen. This is not cell phone friendly.
this new matrix you’ve created will undoubtedly assist so many new comers and vets for years to come and the beauty of it all will be years down the road, when someone can reference this matrix to all for easy to follow upgrade paths and digestible price point and tuning recs.
It’s way way harsher in the vocals and treble, forward, and also not recessed. Dynamics are poopy compared to the MK2, and of course tech as well.