WATCH REVIEW HERE:
PROS:
- Insane technical ability for the price
- Amazing unboxing and accessories
- Superb value overall
- Vibrant vocal presentation
- Clean separation, layering and headstage
- Crisp overall sound
- Stunning looks
CONS:
- Occasionally lean midrange
- Somewhat awkward fit
- Potentially overly forward upper mids and treble
- Lacking low end impact
- Metallic timbre
- Stock cable is stiff and microphonic
WHO THIS UNIT IS FOR:
- Treble and vocal lovers
- People who love a technical-focused IEMs
- People who like an open sounding IEM
WHO THIS UNIT ISN’T FOR:
- Treble and shout sensitives
- People who want a more musical and engaging sounding IEM
- People who have small ears
RECOMMENDED GENRES:
- Vocal Pop
- Instrumentals
- Classical
- Live Recordings
SHORT REVIEW:
Rose Technics’ flagship doesn’t disappoint as long as you’re familiar and enjoy their tuning style. The QT-X is their most technically capable, most detailed and most refined IEM that I’ve tried with looks and unboxing to compliment. It’s not going to satisfy every user with its aggressive tuning and overly technical sound, but it’s one to compel tech and treble lovers. RECOMMENDED WITH CAVEATS!
FULL REVIEW:
In the height of the hybrid wars, companies try to find ways to stand out from the competition. Whether it’d be through better tuning, accessories or aesthetics, the current state of the market means that there’s something for everyone.
Rose Technics, in my opinion, has got to be one of the companies to look for if you want just pure value in their package. So with the QT-X being priced at $339 for the value pack and $439 for the deluxe, is this notion still true?
The QT To Rule Them All
The QT series have spanned a couple of years with the QT9 series. I previously reviewed the QT9 MK3 and found that, despite its imperfections, it is a compelling hybrid for the price with its impeccable technicalities and insane value.
The QT-X is one of their newer sets released early 2024 and is also one of their most expensive sets to date. $339 for the value version which features the RZ-300m dongle DAC and Grey Rose Cable and the Deluxe featuring the RS3039 DAC with the Blue Rose Pro Cord. This set features a single dynamic driver and 6 balanced armatures, a rather dated driver configuration for the price. Let’s find out how well this hybrid performs in 2025.
UNBOXING:
If you read or watched my review on the QT9 MK3, you know how bountiful the unboxing experience that Rose Technics provides. The same can be said about the QT-X as it features almost exactly the same level of an unboxing experience from start to finish.
HERE’S A FULL LIST OF ACCESSORIES (DELUXE):
- IEMs
- Cable
- Foam eartips
- Replacement Filters
- Wide Bore Eartips
- RZ-550 DAC
- USB Type C to Type C
- Case
- Paperwork
It’s not hard to think that Rose Technics is pushing the value proposition of their products by including a freaking dongle DAC on top of an already amazing set of accessories. If you’re someone who’s new to audio, it’d be a crime not to recommend a Rose Technics product with just how bountiful the unboxing experience is.
The dongle that comes with the DAC is a particular highlight as this is a $70 DAC with the ES9039 DAC chip. It’s a genuinely good DAC that, unfortunately, doesn’t really fit the tuning of the QT-X as it’s a more analytical DAC than musical.
The eartips that come with the package are also pretty good, albeit hit or miss fit wise.
However, the QT-X having the exact same unboxing experience as the QT9 MK3 does make you wonder whether it really is even worth paying twice as much for the same level of accessories.
BUILD & FIT
Thankfully, the IEMs themselves justify that already. Bearing either a purple, white blue or a funky grey color with a completely different shell, the QT-X has got to be one of the most stunning IEMs I’ve seen.
I chose the purple variant, although I was genuinely considering the platinum silver as it looked way too clean. The overall look just screams beauty no matter how you look at it.
However, don’t expect this to be a premium feeling IEM whatsoever. It’s a full resin build with clean lines and a very solid shape, but one that doesn’t really feel that premium to hold.
An issue that some people might have with this IEM is its rather odd fitting. Normally, IEMs with contoured shape and aggressive wings allow for a solid seal and stability. However, probably due to the odd stubby nozzle, the fit isn’t the most comfortable nor the most stable.
I’ve been vocal about the Blue Rose Pro Cord as not being a very nice cable due to how stiff and microphonic it is and my opinions have not only not changed, but also exemplified due to the nature of the QT-X. Somehow, the cable amplifies not only the sound when it rubs on my shirt, but also when wind blows onto the earpieces and makes this really annoying sound. Other than that, the interface is pretty good and the chin cinch is very effective.
SOUND
Sound Signature
The QT-X features a rather aggressive V-Shaped sound signature with emphasis on the upper mids and low treble. Hard V-Shaped sets are rare in the upper price bracket, but one that I get excited for whenever I hear them because the sound is either absolutely dog wash or the best V-Shaped tuning you’ll ever hear. The QT-X falls in the middle as the aggression in the treble both works for and against it. The biggest issue would be the timbre being clearly catered for techs than naturality.
Drivability
The QT-X is a very easy to drive IEM with decent scaling, but nothing that will require you to deck out more than the included 9039 DAC. I do prefer a warmer/darker DAC to pair with the QT-X if you’re sensitive to higher frequencies.
Volume Scaling
Due to the overcooked upper mids, the QT-X is a fine low to mid volume IEM as the vocals take center stage over the treble and the bass. It’s not an overly emphasized presentation, but it’s one that you’ll notice once you crank the volume knob
Listening Experience
After my first listening experience with the QT-X, I knew exactly what albums I wanted to listen to on it. Laufey’s Everything I Know About Love and Young Gun Silver’s Canons. One that I know it’ll excel in and another that I know it wouldn’t.
I want to start with Laufey’s first. This album is one that I’ve always felt benefited from a brighter, more v-shaped IEMs. Laufey’s naturally low contralto vocals paired with the warmer overall mix makes pairing brighter IEMs a treat. The QT-X did NOT disappoint in this regard as hearing Laufey’s smooth and lush vocals while keeping a good level of clarity and detail in the top end is the dream while listening to this relaxing album. Normally, brighter IEMs don’t usually bring a relaxing sound, but the QT-X and Laufey pairing is some of the best I’ve heard for this price. Unlike its little brother the QT9 MK3, the QT-X has more low end emphasis to bring out the bass guitars in tracks like Valentine which is essential in making the overall experience full. Top this with the insane technical ability of the QT-X and you get a genuinely amazing listening experience.
On the other hand, Canyon’s emphasizes why you might not consider this IEM. First, bass tactility is lackluster. This could be the DD not really catching up to the BAs in the QT-X, but the bass genuinely just sounds less nuanced than I like. A track like Kids is just not hitting as hard as I like. Additionally, the emphasis on the upper mids also emphasizes the coherence issue of the QT-X as some of the vocals and instruments just sound so metallic. This is particularly evident in tracks like Who Needs Words with the cymbals just sounding so plasticky. Additionally, the upper treble emphasis also lacks luster which gives the IEM a very slightly unresolving tone due to the emphasis in the upper mids and the glide in the upper treble. It’s not horrible by any means, but it just makes the IEM sound a bit less capable than it usually is.
Regardless, this is an IEM that excels in tracks with a lot of layers and fantastic mixing as it really emphasizes those good qualities really well. Listening to Sky COTL Vol.1 by Vincent Diamante really puts you in the environment. I personally listened to the songs individually and during the game and never have I felt more immersed listening to a game’s soundtrack more than I did with the QT-X. Unfortunately, the fit does give me a bit of issues over long listening periods and the cable genuinely pisses me off anytime I move my head around. Regardless, this is a technically impressive set for the price with a beautiful emphasis on the midrange.
COMPARISONS:
vs Rose Technics QT9 MK3
Accessories aside, the QT9 MK3 is a step down from the QT-X in not only tuning but also coherency. While the QT9 MK3’s whole identity is that it’s an insanely technical hybrid for the price, the QT-X has a far more versatile tuning with a bigger bass and less cooked treble that makes it a genuinely smooth listening experience for most. However, both sets are still on the spectrum of upper mids focused and is not for the shout and treble sensitives.
vs Dunu DK3001BD
Compared to the bright goat, the QT-X interesting has worse timbre and less nimble bass response. What it has in return is a more open headstage and a stronger vocal emphasis that can satisfy both lower and upper mids enjoyers. The DK3001BD is still the more technical, more detailed and more nuanced IEM with better extension on both ends.
vs Yanyin Canon II
While it may seem counter intuitive, the Canon II is the other side of the hybrid coin where it tries to be musical and rich in tone while the QT-X is trying to be more technical and vocal centric. I think that these two IEMs are complementary and not necessarily under the same market of preference as the Canon II’s strengths and weaknesses complement the QT-X. Canon II has a far more tactile, rich and relaxed tone which sacrifices technicalities and details while the QT-X has a lot of mid and treble energy which focuses your attention on the small details.
vs Moritz Paradise
Initially, I thought that these two IEMs would be much closer to each other in terms of tuning. The QT-X is an upper mids heavy IEM with decent bass and a scooped mids, similar to the Moritz Paradise’s V-Shaped, upper mids heavy and big bass sound. However, the listening experience is very different considering the level of vocal emphasis on the QT-X and how lean the bass is compared to Paradise. The one thing both IEMs have is the incoherency issue, but the Paradise somehow mitigates that thanks to its bigger bass masking the treble a bit. However, this makes the QT-X a slightly cleaner sounding IEM overall. Between the two, the Paradise is a more engaging, fun and exciting set to listen to while the QT-X is a more vocal, technical and analytical sounding set
vs Simgot EA1000
I have to compare it to the vocal GOAT as the QT-X aims to compete against other brighter and vocal centric IEMs. The EA1000 is, in my opinion, the more coherent and more balanced set while the QT-X has a far larger headstage. Interestingly, the EA1000 has a deeper depth, potentially due to that passive radiator that gives it a more immersive listening experience. Additionally, the bass tactility is league between the two and the EA1000 is still one of the best IEMs under $500 to do bass (other than the EA2000, of course).
CONCLUSION:
To some extent, the QT-X isn’t as good of a value as the QT9 MK3 is. For twice the price, you get the same accessories and a similar sound signature.
However, going deeper, you see what makes the QT-X stand out not only against the QT9 MK3 but also against other hybrids. Not a lot of hybrids do this upper-mids focused v-shaped sound signature that somehow doesn’t sacrifice note weight and vocal clarity as much. It’s such an immersive listening experience with its impeccable technical ability and crisp overall tone.
While the timbre issue and bass nuance not being as refined came to me as a bit of a downer, I can’t deny that the QT-X is a fantastic hybrid for tech and vocal lovers. I haven’t heard one like it and it’s something to consider if you’re specifically looking for this.
Thank you for reading my full review on the Rose Technics QT-X. If you would like to order one, consider using the non-affiliated link below:
https://rosetechnics.com/products/qtx-hifi-hybrid-wired-headphones-1dd-6ba-iem-ess-9039q2m
