Introduction

Tripowin is an up and coming audio brand that has recently made waves with its affordable IEMs and other audio accessories, including cables and carry cases. The Tripowin TC-01 we examined last year is a good example of V-shaped tuning done well while being accessible to the masses, and the brand then showed it is not just a one-trick pony with the impressive Olina. Sometimes even outperforming more expensive sets, both of these aimed to compete against the best in their respective $50 and $100 segments. So when I heard about a new Tripowin set targeting the $25 price range, I was too curious to resist taking a look. Thanks to Linsoul for providing TechPowerUp a review sample.


The Tripowin Leá claims to have been designed with feedback from the audiophile community and markets itself as a set with a balanced tuning. Rarely seen in this budget-class is the use of an all-metal shell, as well as a detachable cable for longevity. These two features, and the image above showing the Leá in all its glory, would make it hard to pick out as the inexpensive set it is. As is the norm for such IEMs, the Leá uses a single dynamic driver the company claims is very similar—if not identical—to those used in more expensive sets. I can't speak for this claim, but we will put the Tripowin Leá through its paces in this quick look article that begins with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Packaging and Accessories

This might be the cheapest looking packaging I have ever seen for IEMs, including for some freebie sets you might have seen passed around. The box has no front cover or lid, instead relying on a clear plastic wrap for a look at the IEMs and some of the accessories. The brand and product name are at the bottom, and again on the back of this single-piece cardboard box with contact information for Tripowin. That website is sorely outdated though, so I don't see the point of having it there at all! Tear off the plastic and we now see the IEMs and ear tips individually placed inside cutouts in a foam sheet to snugly hold and protect them on their way to you, with a cardboard cutout at the bottom keeping the other accessories in place.


The IEMs come with size M ear tips pre-installed, and I removed them for a closer look at the silicone ear tips which come with the Tripowin Leá. Unsurprisingly, it's quite barebones with one type of basic size S, M, and L single flange silicone ear tips. But then I was surprised by silicone ear hooks, which are handy if you want more comfort or a pre-molded ear hook for these IEMs and the provided cable. A slit has been cut down the middle across the entire length of these, and you simply push the cable in. There is no carry pouch, which is a small shame.

Closer Look

Uff, this is a cable that shows the Leá is indeed a budget set. It's merely a conduit to get audio from one end to another without spending much on it. Tripowin is claiming this to be an upgraded cable with a silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductor, and no doubt the conductor itself is plenty fine. But it's the actual usability that is found wanting since the cable has a mind of its own and isn't receptive to being reshaped or coiled up. It's also quite thin and picks up microphonics more easily than most. Unsurprisingly, Linsoul lists the Leá with a replacement cable right on the product page. Regardless, this cable gets the basics right, starting with a right-angled 3.5 mm TRS plug from the source, fixed splitter with a movable cable cinch, and two 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors on the other end for the IEMs. It's the usual 4' long, there are L/R markings on the IEM-side plug housings, and the smaller plugs are gold-plated for oxidation resistance.


The IEMs are thankfully much better by comparison even if they look and feel plain. There is no mention about the shell composition, but it does seem to be aluminium alloy, machined and then given the dark black brushed finish. The Tripowin logo is etched into the face plate, and all things said, it makes for an inconspicuous set of earphones. Build quality is more than adequate in my books. It does not really feel cheap if that is your worry. The shells are smaller than average and machined with ergonomics in mind, with the two pieces clearly visible on the side as opposed to Tripowin making them feel like one. The matching housings on the cable fit into a circular cutout around the cable connectors,which means aftermarket cables probably won't provide an equally snug fit. Two vents on the inner side provide airflow, and pressure relief, and the pre-installed size M ear tip nicely fits over the relatively long nozzle that has a stubby lip at the end to secure the ear tips in place. A metal mesh at the end of the nozzle prevents contaminants from entering the acoustic chamber.


Installing the cable is simple enough even without a pre-molded ear hook or L/R indicators on the IEMs. First, identify the left and right channels based on the design of the shells as they naturally go into your ear canal, and then orient the matching cable indicators on the outside either way before pushing the 0.78 mm 2-pin plugs into the IEM connectors such that the round housing goes into the circular gap, and friction will do the rest, keeping them in place. There is no memory wire in the cable, so see if the cable cinch and positioning the thin cable strands around your ears will do the job for you. If not, the provided silicone over-ear hooks might be necessary.