DARE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. A simple statement that many are surprisingly afraid to make. This is Rose Technics’ declaration and determination and one that I personally found myself questioning in every single product I review. So what makes Rose Technics so different? You’ll be surprised with how they’ve developed this QT9 series of IEMs and how they show that they truly dare to make a difference. 

DISCLAIMER: The Rose Technics QT9 MK3 was sent in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not paid or compensated in any way to say anything about the product

BEAUTY LIKE A ROSE

Like I’ve mentioned prior, Rose Technics is a company that “dare[s] to make a difference”. Established in 2012, they pursue delivering unparalleled original sound reproduction through intelligent technology and meticulous manufacturing. Outside their marketing material, however, I discovered that Rose Technics consists of ex-Sony engineers and employees. While ex-employees from bigger companies establishing a smaller company with a more focused vision is not uncommon (see Truthear and Moondrop as a recent example), these usually provide some of the most unique sets in the market due to their expertise and an untapped level of determination of creating something that they could not in their old work place. The originally $280, now $180 QT9 MK3 is a perfect example of this and is the topic of our review. So enough dilly dallying, let’s talk about the unboxing experience. 

UNBOXING

When I say that the QT9 MK3’s unboxing is one of the most abundant unboxing experiences that I’ve ever had, I mean it. Firstly, this is the WIDEST IEM box I have ever received. I was initially skeptical about what was inside the package when I first received it until I saw the Rose Technics up front. I then wondered what was inside the package to merit such a large box? 

Here is the full list of the inclusions:

• QT9 MK3
• Cable
• Hard carrying case
• 3.5mm to 6.35mm adaptor
• A LOT of eartips
• Replacement nozzle filters
• MMCX remover tool
• Rose Technics RZ 550 DAC
• Type C to Type C cable

Insanity could not describe how generous Rose Technics is. I was so skeptical whether this was the norm that I ended up searching online what the QT9 MK3 beheld its loving customers. Lo and behold, this is indeed the norm. 

Let’s first talk about those eartips. Not a lot of companies are willing to provide you with a lot of eartips, let alone varying kinds of eartips. But a unique foam eartip, a double flange eartips, a unique wide bore looking eartip and basic eartips? You might as well compete with DUNU with the amount of eartips you could bundle up in an IEM package!

You also get a high quality, albeit slightly cramped pleather case that is sure to protect your IEM and a couple of accessories inside, granted you place them inside in such a way that it doesn’t negate the magnet and refuse to close. 

But arguably the most fascinating inclusion is an entire dongle DAC. Upon researching, I found that other people received the RZ200 dongle while I got the R2 550. Regardless of what dongle I get, the fact that they included one in the first place is the first time I’ve ever experienced a company bundling an entire source with their product. Maybe this is to ensure that anyone who might not yet have a source for their new IEM will have a decent enough source to boot, especially for those who opted for the balanced cable as the QT9 MK3 does not have interchangeable jacks. 

BUILD & FIT

Starting with the internals, the QT9 MK3 might seem like a familiar sight with its 1DD + 4BA configuration. But don’t let that simplicity fool you as this thing impressed me in more ways than one. Firstly, the QT9 MK3 uses a special tesla voice coil 10mm Dynamic Driver with a dual 26UA Ba for the mids and a dual 30017 Ba for the highs. 

Despite this rather star studded internal offering, the QT9 MK3 is microscopic compared to other hybrid sets I’ve tried. The size is smaller than even single DD sets that I’ve seen and are just slighlty larger than something like the Simgot EW100P, a tiny single DD IEM. 

This size initially worried me as smaller, more compact IEMs often lead to complications when it comes to comfort. Thankfully, the MK3 is vented and does not induce and air pressure build up and has a generously contoured shape that allows it to sit in your ear snuggly without it feeling loose. This is assuming that you found the correct tips for the IEM as I found none of the basic eartips to properly fit in my ear due to the rather stubby nozzle of the IEM. I found myself using the double flange eartips in the package or the Dunu Candy eartips to get the most snug and stable fit. 

Aesthetically, the QT9 MK3 really isn’t a looker in any way. It’s a plain silver faceplate with a nice purple inner shell made of resin. However, I want to talk about one very specific option that Rose Technics offers when choosing your own QT9 MK3. 

MMCX or 2-Pin

A debate as old as time, two of the most popular connectors are one of the most talked about in the hobby when it comes to knowing which is superior. Both have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages with fans from both sides defending their choice of connector. How does Rose Technics solve this? By providing the customer an option to choose from either connector. 

I have not seen a brand offer a 2-pin and MMCX connector option before and I praise Rose Technics for allowing people to choose between the two. Unfortunately, this means I cannot speak for Rose Technics’ MMCX connectors, but I can confidently say that their 2-pin is fantastic and very well-made. 

Unfortunately, I am not the biggest fan of their cables. It’s an aesthetically pleasing nylon braided purple paracord cable with high-quality interfaces and a 4.4mm balanced termination. The cable itself is quite stiff and tangle prone and is very microphonic. This is probably the most microphonic over ear cable I’ve ever worn which is not a good thing at all. The lack of interchangeable termination was also quite disappointing, but not a necessity considering the drivability of the QT9 MK3. 

SOUND

Sound Signature

In more ways than one, the QT9 MK3 presents itself as one of the most mature neutral bright sound signatures I’ve heard in recent times. While the likes NF Audio is unapologetically bright, the QT9 MK3 brings the brightness in a silver platter with a very mature presentation all-throughout. The bass goes deep and hits hard while maintaining a very tight and elastic presentation, the mids are thin in a good way and the upper midrange exudes energy and crispness without reminding you that you’ll probably lose your hearing in a couple of years if you keep listening to in-ears at the volume you’re listening at.

Timbre is surprisingly good despite the energy in the upper midrange, but still exhibits a little bit of a metallic tone in brighter tracks. I would not listen to older, brighter pop tracks with the QT9 MK3 but I’d glaze over warmer jazz and R&B compositions with this beaut. 

Drivability

The QT9 MK3 I received only came in 4.4mm BAL, but I will briefly talk about its drivability on SE. On 4.4mm Balanced, you have basically enough power on any source you throw this at with exceptional quality. I found myself pairing this on the R3 II the most as my portable listening experience was perfectly adequate, but the best pairing had to be my Fosi SK02. The balance of a clean and transparent sound with a boost in dynamics and headstage made the QT9 MK3 a true masterclass of solid scaling. 

On 3.5mm, you get a similar experience with a solid level of dynamics and expansive headstage but take it a note. It’s still a superb sounding set, but you’ll hear a difference when you plug it into a high quality balanced source. 

Listening Volume

Due to the rather aggressive upper midrange tuning, you’ll find yourself listening to the QT9 MK3 in lower to mid listening volumes. This brings out the stage to be wider and taller with a more ethereal upper midrange presentation while taking a slight hit in the low end quantity and energy. Where the QT9 MK3 shows its strengths is how dynamic it sounds even on lower listening volumes.

Bass

One of the most fascinating things about the QT9 MK3 is how well-done the bass is for how much bass there is. It’s a subbass over midbass presentation, but done in such a way that I don’t hear the tuck in the midbass as drastically as other subbass centric sets. But unlike those sets, the balance of the midbass to subbass on the QT9 MK3 is very tasteful as the subbass quantity perfectly matches the midbass quality. It goes deep, it rumbles and it kicks while being able to present the nuances in the midbass pretty well. Granted, this is definitely not for bassheads or people who want a thicker and punchier bass but is instead for those who seek superb quality bass. 

Mids

The midrange of the QT9 MK3 tells two stories; one of the energetic and vibrant vocal presentation that brings out the nuances and airiness of instruments and vocals and one where it’s just shouty and harsh. Depending on your tolerance to shout, the QT9 MK3 lives in the spectrum of perfectly energetic or harsh. I fall in the former camp and I absolutely love the QT9 MK3 for vocal centric genres. Thanks to the superb low end balance to compliment the upper midrange, jazz and vocal pop songs sound ethereal with the amount of nuance, air and detail presented. It’s so crisp and detailed that many hybrids in this price pales in comparison to what the QT9 MK3 has achieved. Admittedly, this has the effect of making the lower mids sound a little thin due to that energy and a 10db+ ear gain is not for everyone. However, I’d argue that Rose Technics found the perfect balance of upper midrange energy with the low end cleanliness for my tastes. 

Treble

Following the energy of the upper mids, the treble of the QT9 MK3 is equally as airy, nuanced and detailed but in a surprisingly mature way. I often find hybrid sets forcing treble for resolution and detail, but the QT9 MK3 does it in such an organic and natural way that I forget this is a 4BA + 1DD hybrid. The treble is so silky smooth with no graininess or incoherency and perfectly rolls off in an organic way that doesn’t force the treble to do more than it needs to. This is just bordering treblehead territory, but I’d argue this is a more general purpose set overall because of how they tuned the treble. This is perfect for tracks that hide a lot of detail in the treble, but not the first thing I’d listen to for poorly mixed tracks. The QT9 MK3 brings out the nuances in the treble, which expectedly also brings out the artifacts and poor mixing of certain tracks. Older, bright-tuned tracks are also not the first thing I’d listen to with the QT9 MK3, but it is an absolute joy to listen to jazzy and relaxed compositions. 

Technicalities

Hybrid sets often flaunt their technical ability to a somewhat effective degree, but the QT9 MK3 is one of the first ones I’ve tried under $200 to actually walk its talk. Technicalities is more than just an expansive headstage, good separation and pinpoint imaging. It’s also the level of refinement and resolution in the overall sound and the QT9 MK3 hits it out of the park. The level of refinement in the QT9 MK3 is honestly pretty insane for what it does and I cannot think of a better hybrid set under $200 that is able to do something like this. I would argue this can compete well into the sub $300 or even $400 range in terms of technicalities and is able to outcompete sub $200 hybrids quite easily. 

COMPARISONS

vs Simgot EM6L

In more ways than one, the EM6L is the budget version of the QT9 MK3 with exception to the bass. The mids to upper frequencies on both sets are well-done, albeit on the brighter side with a surprisingly competent technical detailing. However, the QT9 MK3 runs circles around the EM6L in the bass as the former has a much tighter, cleaner, better extended and nuanced presentation while the EM6L’s biggest weakness IS the bass lacking some sort of agency and impact. The EM6L admittedly has more bass quantity which balances the overall sound a tad bit better than the QT9 MK3 for more genres. The QT9 MK3 is a step up overall from the EM6L and is a fantastic upgrade if you enjoy the bright U-Shaped sound signature but want to take 

vs Simgot Supermix 4

Considering how the Supermix 4 aims to be the upgrade to the EM6L, you’d expect the Supermix 4 to compete closely with the QT9 MK3. To that I say, it’s close but both sets do things better than the other. Fundamentally, the Supermix is a Pure Harman set with big subbass, clean and open mids and a very energetic and vibrant upper frequencies. The difference lies with how the QT9 MK3 is the more nuanced and analytical set while the Supermix 4 is the more well-rounded and “fun” set. This is odd considering Simgot is usually the brand to bring the best technical and analytical sound to the market, but decided to tone it down with the Supermix 4. This makes the QT9 MK3 the more technical and treblehead choice and the Supermix 4 the more fun and engaging choice.

vs KZ Hydro

Pitting the QT9 MK3 up against CCA’s flagship hybrid, the QT9 MK3 shows what it means to truly be a flagship. While CCA’s efforts are not in vain, the QT9 MK3’s mature tonal presentation and refinement all throughout gives the QT9 MK3 a leg up in every single department while also providing much more in terms of inclusions and accessories. The only thing I’d say the CCA Hydro beats the QT9 MK3 in is versatility. By being able to go from a borderline basshead V-Shaped tuning to a clean, bass boosted sound that somewhat replicates the clean bass-boosted sound is something that switches inherently have over fixed tuning IEMs.

vs Intuaura Splendor II

A set I did not expect to have so many similarities with the QT9 MK3, the Splendor II on 3.5mm has a similar upper midrange with the QT9 MK3 but balances it with a thicker and thumpier bass that somewhat balances the brightness and edginess of the sound. However, the QT9 MK3’s hybrid nature reigns supreme in terms of technical ability as the QT9 MK3 is, overall, the more technical sounding set. Where the two divert is when the Splendor II uses the DSP cable and becomes tonally superior to the QT9 MK3. However, you’d be limited to just the DSP and there’s an audible noise floor that some people would be bothered with. Regardless, the QT9 MK3 is overall a more focused set while the Splendor II is more versatile in both modes.

vs NF Audio NA2+

I’ve mentioned the NA2+ in passing a couple of paragraphs ago and for a good reason. Both sets are vocal forward sets that have a good focus on technicalities and detail. The main difference is that the NA2+ is a single DD that tries to balance a very technically capable sound with good timbre while the QT9 MK3 ensures that every single part of the frequency is tuned exactly how Rose Technics want it to be. This is evident as tonally, the QT9 MK3 has a more mature sound while the NA2+ is, by nature, the more natural sounding set. However, this is where the age of the NA2+ starts to show as the QT9 MK3’s technical ability is ahead in all segments barring headstage as the former still provides a very airy and wide listening soundscape. But at the end of the day, the NA2+ is still the more “reference” style set for treble and vocal heads while the QT9 MK3 is for those who want a vocal forward set with superb refinement and technical prowess. 

CONCLUSION

If I were a vocal-head that enjoyed a refined, technically capable and well-balanced sound in-ear in a perfect package, I’d say that the QT9 MK3 is the perfect IEM. From the unboxing to the listening experience, I cannot ask for more from Rose Technics. Including a plethora of eartips, good quality case and a freaking dongle DAC to pair with this amazing set is a feat that I have not seen other companies achieve. Pair that with how good this thing sounds and I’d say that this is the best value vocal-forward set you can get in the market. 

However, I also cannot deny the energy that this set brings is not for everyone. The bass might be too lacking, despite the superb quality and the vocals might just get a little too hot depending on the genres of music you listen to. The smaller size of the shell along with the stubby nozzle might cause some problems in the fit department as well. 

But no matter how you look at it, the QT9 MK3 is just a solid product where the company listened to the critiques that came from their previous iteration to create something that the consumer will thoroughly enjoy. I know I did, and I know I’ll be paying close attention to Rose Technics’ future releases with this superb experience. 

Thank you for reading my full review on the Rose Technics QT9 MK3. If you would like to order one, consider using the non-affiliated link below: https://rosetechnics.com/products/qt9-mk3-hifi-hybrid-wired-headphones-1dd-4ba-iems