TRN Whale Shark IEMs Review
An IEM with three dynamic drivers and one planar magnetic driver per side, listed at $129.99 with 15 pairs of ear tips. A fit for buyers who want swappable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs, three nozzle sets and a listed 16Ω impedance.

Our verdict
A match for buyers who want a four-driver IEM with three dynamic drivers and a planar driver at $129.99, with swappable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs and 15 pairs of ear tips. Look elsewhere if you need a sensitivity figure with a reference level or figures from a source other than the store. The main caveat is that the driver, shell and tuning claims are the page's own, and the page text gives no data for them.
- Best for
- Listeners who want three dynamic drivers plus a planar driver with swappable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs.
- Skip if
- You want a sensitivity reference level or an outside measurement.
Why 3.5/5: Held back by the store's own terms, which contradict each other, and by no independent test of this model being among the sources checked for this review; each figure is the store's own.
TRN's Whale Shark puts three dynamic drivers (10.5mm, 8mm and 6mm) and a 6mm planar magnetic driver into each shell, per the page, and is listed at $129.99. The page gives 16Ω, 110dB and 10Hz~40kHz, a 0.78mm 2-pin connector and swappable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs. It also lists three tuning nozzle sets and 15 pairs of ear tips.
Specifications
| Spec | Page says |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 3DD+1 planar per side |
| 10.5mm dynamic driver | Beryllium-coated composite diaphragm |
| 8mm dynamic driver | PET diaphragm |
| 6mm dynamic driver | Titanium-coated |
| 6mm planar driver | Planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 16Ω |
| Sensitivity | 110dB |
| Frequency response range | 10Hz~40kHz |
| Connectors | 0.78mm 2-pin |
| Termination plugs | 3.5mm+4.4mm (Swappable System) |
| Crossover | Three-way |
| Stock cable | Silver-plated OFC and single crystal copper hybrid, 2 strands of 250 conductors |
Options and pricing
Whale Shark is the only option listed, at $129.99, and it was orderable when the page was read. The page lists three nozzle sets (black, green and red rings), 15 pairs of ear tips and a cable with a swappable termination system holding 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs. The page text gives no case, cable length or other box contents.
How it compares
The KEFINE Quatio 2DD +2BA Hybrid Drivers IEMs and the Moondrop Starfield II / Starfield 2 Dynamic Driver In-Ear Earphone are $129.99 like the Whale Shark, and the JUZEAR x KOTO POISE Series Nebula 1DD + 3BA + 1Planar Tribrid Drivers IEMs are $124.99. By name the Quatio uses two dynamic and two balanced armature drivers and the Nebula lists 1DD + 3BA + 1Planar. The Whale Shark suits buyers who want only dynamic and planar drivers; the Quatio and Nebula suit those who want armatures in the set.
Shipping, returns and warranty
HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.
Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.
HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.
On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.
What we liked
- Three dynamic drivers plus a 6mm planar magnetic driver per side, per the page
- Impedance, sensitivity and frequency response are listed: 16Ω, 110dB, 10Hz~40kHz
- Swappable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs on 0.78mm 2-pin connectors
- Three tuning nozzle sets and 15 pairs of ear tips, per the page
- Cable described as two strands of 250 conductors each, per the page
Worth noting
- The page text gives no reference level for the 110dB sensitivity
- The page text gives no crossover points for its three-way design
- The page text gives no weight, cable length or case
Questions before you buy
What drivers does the Whale Shark use?
The page lists, per side, a 10.5mm dynamic driver with a beryllium-coated composite diaphragm, an 8mm dynamic driver with a PET diaphragm, a 6mm titanium-coated dynamic driver and a 6mm planar magnetic driver, with a three-way crossover.
What are the Whale Shark's impedance and sensitivity?
The page lists 16Ω impedance, 110dB sensitivity and 10Hz~40kHz. The page text gives no reference level for the 110dB figure.
What comes in the package?
The page lists three nozzle sets (black, green and red rings), 15 pairs of ear tips and a cable whose swappable termination system holds 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs on 0.78mm 2-pin connectors.
Where does HiFiGO ship from, and how long does it take?
From its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after the order. The shipping policy gives 1-2 weeks to the US by Priority (6-10 days by Premium), both with duties and taxes prepaid, 2-3 weeks to Canada, 1-2 weeks to the UK and 10-15 days to Australia. Express couriers take 3-7 days, but the buyer pays any duties.
Can I send it back if I change my mind?
HiFiGO gives 7 days to report an item that arrives dead, damaged or wrong. Its policy also describes 30-day returns, but requests 7 to 30 days after delivery lose 30% of the MSRP plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same page says no refund or exchange after 7 days. Ask [email protected] before you open the box.
What warranty does HiFiGO give?
One year from the order date for parts and labor, for faults in build or materials (the policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles; cables and adapters get three months). HiFiGO chooses repair or replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and a faulty item is serviced rather than refunded. Claims go to [email protected].
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- TRN Whale Shark 3DD+1 Planar Driver IEMs product page: specs, options and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, options and the listed priceRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping policyShips from China in 1-3 business days; US 1-2 weeks by Priority or 6-10 days by Premium, duties prepaid; Express buyers pay dutiesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping and order tracking pageA second shipping text: Premium also for Canada and Australia, Canada free shipping from $99.99, lost-parcel rulesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO refund policy7-day dead-on-arrival cover; 30-day returns minus a 30% restocking fee; its FAQ says no refund after 7 daysRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO warranty and refund policyWarranty by product class (1 year; cables and adapters 3 months); 30% fee for resealing an opened productRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO terms of serviceOperator named only as HiFiGo; governed by the laws of China; contact [email protected]Read October 28, 2026
Independent
- HiFiGO reviews on Trustpilot4.6 of 5 from 378 reviews (91% five-star, 5% one-star); the store has not invited reviews recentlyRead October 28, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- The page lists 110dB and 10Hz~40kHz; the page text gives no reference level for the first and no test method for the second.
- Claims of a liquid-metal cavity, a sapphire crystal shell pattern, beryllium and titanium coatings and nozzle tunings (transparent, balanced, atmospheric) are the page's words; the page text gives no measurement.
- HiFiGO's policy pages contradict each other: 30-day returns with a 30% restocking fee in one place, no refund or exchange after 7 days in the FAQ.
- HiFiGO's pages name no company, street address or phone number; the only contact given is [email protected].
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