Rose Technics QT-X

Review Of The Rose Technics QT-X​

Introduction​

Rose Technics is a professional brand that offers mid-range electro-acoustic items that sound well in terms of tone and technicality. The firm is based in China and mostly manufactures IEMs, although they have just expanded into the dongle DAC industry. The brand also offers flagship earbuds called Martini, which I was fortunate enough to review. I recently reviewed their affordable IEM known as QuietSea, which I enjoyed so much, and now that I have QT-X, another IEM from Rose Technics, I am certain I will not be disappointed after looking at the graph, but before I go any further, I would want to clarify a few concerns.

Disclaimer​

*This is a review unit, courtesy of Concept Kart. All thanks to them for providing. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as “QTX.”
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the QTX based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

QTX has a multi-hybrid driver configuration that includes a 10mm LCP diaphragm Tesla dynamic driver and six balanced armatures (dual 30018 IF, dual 30019 HF, and 33ap007 MF & LF) coupled via a four-way crossover. The shells are made of medical resin, while the faceplate is made of metal. The shells have a fairly lengthy nozzle, but with smaller eartips, I was able to get a perfect seal and comfort for extended periods of listening. The cable offered is called as Blue Rose, and it is a high-quality 5N single-crystal copper cable with proper sheathing. It feels similar to the cable offered with QuietSea, however, it is somewhat heavier and slimmer. The cable has a 4.4 straight termination plug on one end and 0.78mm 2-pin connectors on the other; honestly, the cable feels exceptional and reliable in the hand, and the colour complements the IEMs. The additional accessories include a selection of ear tips, a carrying case, and, shockingly, a Rose Technics RS200 dongle dac. According to the technical specs, the impedance is 18 Ohms and the sensitivity is 108dB. The frequency response ranges from 20Hz to 20kHz.

Sound​

QT-X offers a mid-centric and neutral tone, with a focus on the sub-bass and an overall clean sound. When I first started listening to them, I noticed that whichever source I used changed the quality of the sound without affecting the tuning, which made me understand how versatile they are in terms of technical aspects. The sound is characterized by its cleanliness and transparency, with a particular emphasis in the midrange that gives the vocals and instruments a spacious and well-defined presence. While the graph may indicate that the treble lacks energy and the bass is lean, the tuning of this IEM actually allows the treble to sound expansive and smooth without being dark, and the bass to provide good depth and presence. However, there is a slight lack of warmth and note weight in the mid-bass region that is noticeable throughout the sound signature. Finally, I feel the response has been properly calibrated to sound neutral and accurate, particularly in the midrange, rather than offensive or bright. Let's go further into sound and learn more about it.

Treble​

The treble region differs from what the typical graph portrays; the treble is more smoother and cleaner, with a strong presence in an overall presentation. Though I do discover the limit, when listening to the voices, I notice that minute details that are readily brought up beyond the 4kHz range are muffled, despite the fact that the response sounds engaging and airy. The upper treble sounds expansive and airy, satisfying a listener with the quality of the vocals and instruments; the response is vibrant and engaging, as it reveals no unpleasant features in the mix. The lower treble, on the other hand, sounds same but with a more approachable and apparent quality. The vocals and instruments sound softer and more tonally agreeable, resulting in a smoother response that is delightful to listen to. Tracks like Kohana Lam's Loving Me, Loving You sound incredibly stunning since Lam's vocals are open and light, with clarity in each note while keeping tonal precision. The positioning allows her vocals to provide a more airy and expansive response that reaches far. However, tracks like URU's Kimino Shiawasewo sound a little closed up because they lack air in the upper octaves; it appears that the voices cut off at some point in the upper frequencies since this track is vocal centered; the prominence makes the minor subtleties feel lost, even if the vocals have a fuller sound. Thus, the overall presentation of the treble area is smooth, clear, and tonally pleasing.

Mid Range​

Coming to the mid-range, it appears that the QT-X has a mid-centric response since the notes in this region are quite upfront, particularly the voices, which are positioned front and center, resulting in an engaging response. Regardless matter how the bass and treble regions are adjusted, there is no mid-range spike, therefore no unpleasant characteristics can be heard. The upper mid-range has a very forward and lively response, and both vocals and instruments sound expansive, which makes it more fascinating since details can be heard clearly, yet the weight of the notes makes it sound light but not thin. Because of the way the treble is tuned, the voices and instruments remain well-controlled and within the same dynamic range. The lower mid-range lacks heaviness and weight in the notes, but the vocals and instruments sound clean and transparent. Tracks like The Reason by Hoobastank have distinct and clear vocals with an engaging response, but the instruments, such as the drums or guitar, lack the note weight to feel genuine and organic. Tracks like Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paloma Faith provide a more linear and open-sounding response, with her serving as the focal point; her vocals are considerably clearer and complete, making the whole response interesting and refreshing to listen to. As a result, the overall presentation of the mid-range is compelling, open, and forward-sounding.

Bass​

When it comes to the bass region, the bass is far too controlled, allowing it to sound incredibly precise and robust in terms of texture and detail but lacking weight and presence in the mix. Not that it doesn't have an affect, but it resolves faster and makes the response sound immaculate and crisp. The emphasis is on the sub-bass, and the mid-bass lacks a lot of note weight, so the slams and thumps are merely apparent and do not provide the natural presence and weight of kick drums or bass guitar notes. On the other hand, the sub-bass is deep and rumbling enough to induce feeling in the ear canals, but the punches are impactful. However, in bass-heavy tracks, I noticed that the overall bass response was cleaner and more articulated, with some increased mid-bass response that sounded extremely well controlled and precise. Nitti's tracks, such as Middle Of The Night, sound incredibly spacious and resolved, allowing the bass to pass through clean and forceful, with superb mid-bass presence. However, complex tracks such as Miliyah's Kono Yumega Samerumade sound weightless; even though her vocals are clear and distinct in the response, the bass notes do not sound dynamic or as emphasised as before, allowing Miliyah's vocals to come across as natural and delicate, which I found very mesmerising. Overall, the bass area is presented in a controlled, textured, and articulate manner.

Technical Performance​

The QT-X's technical abilities are quite excellent for the price; I feel they are comparable to other IEMs in this price bracket, such as the Quintet, Falcon Ultra, and so on. I feel that using BAs resulted in a more sterile response, which improved detail retrieval, separation, and note speed. Let us dive into additional specifics.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation​

The stage is big enough to sound far and wide, with the vocals front and center and the instruments coming from afar, creating a feeling of amazing clarity and spaciousness. The image is likewise sharp and clear, and the notes are precise and effortless. The separation is excellent since the notes are clear and have adequate breathing room, allowing me to quickly identify the direction from which the sound is coming.

Speed & Resolution​

The resolution is not by far the greatest when compared to its rivals, but macro details are easily revealed, with acceptable micro details surfaced. The attack and decay of the notes are quite rapid, allowing for a very defined presentation without interfering with the overall response.

Sound Impressions ​

Sources​

Sony WM1A - While listening to this pairing, the response sounded considerably farther and wider, allowing the vocals to seem more linear and airier, resulting in a livelier presentation with instruments sounding as if complementing the vocals. The bass was more rumbling and present, particularly in the midbass range. The notes, however, sounded more rounded and genuine.



QUESTYLE M15i - While listening to this pair, the response felt slightly less weighted, with a more open-sounding presentation. Despite the fact that the response sounded light and lean, the notes' presentation did not add any metallic or harsh characteristics of the notes that are typical of a tuning like the QT-X. The treble sounded more prolonged and smooth than previously, but the mid-range seemed less front or in your face, with better-positioned singers and instruments sounding expansive and spread out. However, the response sounded confined in the left and right channels while spreading more in the front and rear. Tracks like Kenka by Kujira Yumemi sounded crisp and clear, without sounding hot or sibilant, thanks to voices scaling very high and chimes presented in your face. The bass seemed more powerful and genuine since the kick drums or bass guitar notes decayed organically after hitting.



QUESTYLE CMA18 - While listening to this pairing, the response sounded revealing, but not in an energetic way, but rather in a more soothing manner, with better contrast in overall reaction. The treble sounded more comfortable, with better extension. The voice and instrumentation both sounded more direct and appealing. The whole response sounded clearer and airier than previously.



Rose Technics RZ500 - While listening to this pairing, I noticed that the response sounded closer and more intimate, with a better grasp on note weight, while remaining consistent but with improved timbre and tonal correctness. The treble sounded crisper but leaner, with more clarity in the notes, while the midrange seemed less airy and more satisfying, with lots of energy and details. The notes, whether voices or instruments, were exposed in a really lively way. The bass sounded controlled and textured.

Tracks​

Millet - Anytime Anywhere
Anri - I can’t stop the loneliness
Kohana Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Uru - Kimino Shiawasewo
Uru - Kamihitoe
Kujira Yumemi - Kenka
Majiko - Kokoronashi
Anly - Sukinishinayo
Kohama Lam - A Few Sentimental
Kohana Lam - Loving Me, Loving You
Miliyah - Kono Yumega Samerumade
Rokudenashi - The Flame Of Love
Yu-Peng Chen - A New Day with Hope
Yu-Peng Chen - Another Hopeful Tomorrow
Yu-Peng Chen - For Riddles, for Wonders
Valentino Khan - Satellite
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Jawns - Erotica
ISOxo - how2fly
Kai Wachi - Happier By Now
Nitti - Middle Of The Night
Weeknd - Popular
YUNGBLUD - When We Die(Can We Still Get High)
Bring to Horizon - Kool-Aid
Middle Kids - Bend
FLETCHER - Leads Me On
Loathe - Aggressive Evolution
The Weeknd - Save Your Tears
Sigrid - Burning Bridges
AURORA - Black Water Lilies
AURORA - Runaway
X Ambassadors - Renegades
Lupe Fiasco - Words I Never Said
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Can’t Hold Us
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
Jay-Z - Run This Town
Lady Gaga - Poker Face
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Ladytron - Ghost
Travis - Love Will Come Through
LINKIN PARK - Somewhere I Belong
DJ Shadow - Six Days (Remix)
Hoobastank - The Reason
Ricky Martin - I Don’t Care
Tool - 7empest
Tool - Vicarious
A Flock Of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song
Zack Hemsey - Vengeance
Elton John - I’m Still Standing
The Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin
Micheal Sembello - Maniac
Guns N’ Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine
A.R. Rahman - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion​

To summarise this review, the QT-X is a highly professional-sounding IEM tuned to be fairly mid-centric yet with well-balanced treble and bass, allowing for good depth and width in sound, so it does not provide an overwhelming response but rather a spacious and well-resolved one. It is not a neutral or fun-sounding IEM, but it is ideal for those who enjoy singing and desire a revealing and dynamic presentation. Thus, I heartily recommend QT-X, especially now that it has a Dongle-DAC of its own.

Founded in 2012, Rose Technics has a good presence in the audiophile industry in China. With a diverse range of products, including in-ear monitors, true wireless earphones, and headphones, Rose Technics has garnered praise from enthusiasts. They are quite confident about tuning of their iems, some of which are done by notable people coming from companies such as Sony, Fostex, etc. I have tried a few other iems from their lineup and was really interested in trying the top-line iems.

I got a chance to try out the QT-X iems, an iem from their line-up equipped with 1 dynamic driver and 6 BA drivers. It's available to buy on Concept Kart in India here: link.

Alternatively, it is available here on the Rose website: Link
You also can get a pair on the AliExpress Store: Link


Rating Criteria:

I want to lay out my rating criteria before we start off. For me, the primary criterion for evaluating audio gear is its intrinsic value rather than its price tag. A higher price doesn't always correlate with superior quality, and similarly, a low-priced product can give enough listening pleasure for it to be called outstanding. I consider the build, features, and, most importantly, the impact on the listening experience. The fundamental purpose of audio gear is to enhance the listening experience. So for me, this degree of enhancement in the listening experience is a key determinant in rating a product.

Rating below 4: I really won't be posting reviews of such items unless someone has asked for them.
Rating of 4: The product is good, and some users may find it more satisfactory, but it does come with a few caveats, such as price, fit, etc.
Rating of 4.5: The product is excellent and comes with an easy recommendation, reflecting its high quality and overall positive attributes.
Rating of 5: This product can be deemed groundbreaking, a trendsetter, and an eye-opener and deserves a spot on everyone's list due to its exceptional features and outstanding performance.

Configuration (from the website):
Design, build, and fit:

I really appreciate the design of these iems; they are lightweight and well-built. The material feels durable, and the shape of the shells provides a comfortable fit for longer listening sessions. The cable is of good quality, with a 2-pin connection and a 4.4mm adapter included. It's also nicely finished with a fabric sleeve. The case included with these IEMs is of high quality and feels well-built, with good materials for the price. Overall, they have included enough accessories inside the box.

Additionally, there is a vent present on these IEMs to minimise pressure buildup. I haven't experienced any pressure or driver flex issues during my time with them.

The iems have slightly smaller nozzles, and wider than usual ear tips can fit well with them. The tips that come with the package are ample and fit really well on these iems. However, I tried them on Azla Sedna Light eartips, which fit really well.



Sound Analysis:
These iems have a sound that is quite satisfactory. The sound profile is near-bright, with a good emphasis on bass.

Bass stands out as a highlight on these iems. The lows are quite deep, and the subbass has a good body. There is a noticeable subbass rumble, which makes the bass a lot more enjoyable. In terms of bass layering and texture, these iems do really well. Midbass is well implemented, not giving a sense of being scooped out, and has a satisfactory quantity. There is no midbass bleeding into the midrange, and the midrange comes across clean.


Mids are neither too forward nor pushed back. These iems maintain sweetness in the midrange, but I find the mids on the thinner side. It has crisp mids and is good in terms of resolution. The lower mids have good weight, though. The thinness (not much) is more in the upper midrange.

Treble on these iems is done quite well. This region has a good amount of energy and extends really well. The micro-details are well presented. This treble is not harsh or sibilant, but it can come across as bordering sharp for some people.

On the technical front, these iems are really capable. Soundstage has a decent width and spreads far and wide. Imaging is good, and one can accurately position instruments and their placements. The resolution and clarity are very impressive too. The notes sound clean and crisp. I think for an iem of this price, the technicalities are more than impressive.


Source Synergy
QT-X is quite easy to drive and be easily driven even with a dongle and a mobile phone. With a good source, the sound is open and the resolution enhances a bit.


RZ-500 portable dac/amp:
The inclusion of this dac/amp is more than impressive. It features the flagship ES9038Q2M DAC & ESS9603Q amp chip. The sound is as good as other dongles on the market, which are available for about 100 USD. It comes with a USB-C cable to connect to PCs and mobile phones. I, however, had issues connecting it to my iPhone and could not use this dongle on it. There are a couple of other issues, such as the non-inclusion of the volume button on the dongle, which may limit the use-case for this dongle compared to others. However, it is a really standout feature, and I have not seen any other brands go this way.



Conclusion:
In the crowded market of budget to mid-fi iems (less than 500 USD), these iems offer quite a fresh approach. They stray away from the typical tuning that most of these iems have and give a nice sound quality, especially the nice bass on it. The value pack is a nice welcome for the people and gives immense value for money. All in all, these iems are a decent pair and get an easy recommendation from me.