TRI Starsea VS Tanchjim NORA
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
TRI Starsea and Tanchjim NORA use 2BA+1DD> and 1DD driver setups respectively. TRI Starsea costs $130 while Tanchjim NORA costs $110. TRI Starsea is $20 more expensive. Tanchjim NORA holds a decisive 1.4-point edge in reviewer scores (5.5 vs 6.9).
Insights
| Metric | TRI Starsea | Tanchjim NORA |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 5.5 | 6.3 |
| Mids | 5.5 | 6.9 |
| Treble | 5.5 | 6.6 |
| Details | 5.5 | 6.7 |
| Soundstage | 5.5 | 6.8 |
| Imaging | 5.5 | 6.7 |
| Tonality | 6.3 | 7.2 |
| Technicalities | 6 | 6.6 |
TRI Starsea Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
5.5Mixed
Tanchjim NORA Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
6.9Cautiously Favorable
Reviews Comparison
TRI Starsea (more reviews)
TRI Starsea reviewed by Jays Audio
5.5
Reviewer Score
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
TRI Starsea reviewed by Crin
5.5
Reviewer Score
Tanchjim NORA (more reviews)
Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Paul Wasabii
6.6
* Score computed by IEMRanking.com
Youtube Video Summary
Nora goes back to Tanchjim’s roots: a single DMT5 DD, vented pressure relief, no switches/nozzles/DSP — just a clean execution of the house target around ~$110. The tuning leans a touch more vocal-centric than recent releases, with a slight sub-bass dip and a sharpened 3–4.5 kHz focus from the Hemholtz resonator, creating stronger contrast between bass and mids and a more U-shaped impression than the graph suggests.
Female vocals carry a crisp leading edge and cut through mixes with ease; energetic singers shine, while softer, breathier voices can come off a bit over-sharpened. The bass shelf is present yet carefully lowered to keep balance, though the transition between sub-bass and mid-bass isn’t always seamless and can make the set feel inconsistent track-to-track.
Treble is lively and extended without obvious peaks, staging is big and open, and the small, lightweight shell with the modular cable makes for easy daily use; detail retrieval and imaging are snappy enough to make gaming a surprisingly good fit. Overall, Nora prioritizes mid presence and clarity over warmth and texture, delivering a clear, vocal-forward listen that fits the brand’s DNA while staying within budget constraints.
Paul Wasabii Youtube Channel
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Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Z-Reviews
6.2
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
Tanchjim NORA lands as a monitor-tuned set: a single dynamic with dual magnets aimed at mixing/mastering, not Friday-night fun. The presentation is flat, neutral, low-energy—the “plain hamburger” of IEMs—delivering the track as-is without sauce, sparkle, or party tricks. Expect honesty over hype: music quality and recording flaws show up immediately.
It’s very sensitive, revealing amp hiss on noisier chains yet taking power without complaint; bass stays dead flat and the treble avoids harshness while refusing to sweeten anything. This is a homework IEM: great for students or engineers who need a budget reference to judge balance, timbre, and mix decisions rather than to vibe out. Pleasure listening isn’t the brief; accuracy is.
Build is neat: a tiny, see-through shell with a glass back, a big nozzle for the size, and an interchangeable-termination cable (balanced or single-ended) that’ll puzzle some studio folks but proves handy. Fit can be quirky—small body/large nozzle means tip rolling, with even SS tips included for smaller ears. At around $120, it’s a respectable, purpose-built tool: boring by design, and the right kind of boring when the job is to tell the truth.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Head-Fi.org
7.9
* score rescaled + normalized
Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Web Search
7
Reviewer Score
Tanchjim NORA aims for a monitor-leaning, balanced presentation using a single dynamic driver (1DD) built on the brand’s fifth-gen DMT5 dual-magnetic, dual-cavity architecture. Official materials describe it as their first “HiFi monitoring” tuning with a balanced sound profile, and it launches at $109.99.
Tonally, NORA reads as neutral/monitoring with a tidy low end, even mids, and clean but non-piercing treble—bass is described as smooth with decent texture and good coherency into the mids, while micro-detail is fair for the price. Separation and layering are competent, giving a clear sense of placement without exaggerating stage width.
It’s easy to drive—rated at 16 Ω with high sensitivity—so phones and basic dongles are plenty, though a clean source helps it keep that “monitor” clarity. The trade-off is that while treble is well-behaved and non-fatiguing, ultimate air and micro-nuance trail some pricier single-DD peers.
TRI Starsea Details
Driver Configuration: 2BA+1DD>
Tuning Type: U-Shaped
Price (Msrp): $130
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Tanchjim NORA Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Neutral
Brand: TANCHJIM Top TANCHJIM IEMs
Price (Msrp): $109.99
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TRI Starsea User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Tanchjim NORA User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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TRI Starsea Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.1Gaming Grade
BTanchjim NORA Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7Gaming Grade
A-TRI Starsea Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B- The tuning leans easygoing, yet occasional unevenness nudges it away from greatness. A bit of EQ polish can smooth things nicely.
Average Technical Grade
B- Overall technicalities are acceptable, delivering enough clarity for casual sessions. Imaging is serviceable though not immersive.
Tanchjim NORA Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A-- A smooth, agreeable balance keeps the presentation engaging without obvious flaws. Only sensitive ears will nitpick the bumps.
Average Technical Grade
B+- An honest, middle-of-the-road performance preserves structure without chasing micro-detail. It's respectable for everyday listening sessions.
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