Disclaimer: Keephifi provided me with a review unit. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Unaffiliated product link
here.
Introduction & Packaging
Qinglong is a $69 single dynamic driver IEM from KBEAR (currently on sale for $59 at the time of writing), featuring PU+PEEK composite diaphragm material. Qinglong is also one of the Four Chinese Mythical Beasts, also known as the Azure Dragon of the East. You can see it is reflected in the cover art of the box, as well as some tasteful dragonscale pattern along the edge of the IEM housing. Talking about the housing, it is made out of aluminium alloy, polished to a shiny finish. While it looks stunning, unfortunately it is a major fingerprint magnet. However, since it is not painted, there won't be any peeling issues. There are 6 sets of eartips, comprising of 3 pairs of narrow bore tips (S/M/L) and 3 pairs of wide bore tips (S/M/L). The stock cable is a 4-core 5N OFC cable, which feels and sounds pretty good. There is a cleaning cloth and a small nozzle brush to keep the IEM in tip-top shape. Lastly, there is also a premium-feeling leather case, which happened to be my favourite among the accessories set (you can buy the case separately at $10). I'd rate the accessories set 10 out of 10, I've had more expensive sets not having the same kind of accessories.
Sound Impression
Listening setup:
- Topping D90SE/A90D stack (single-ended)
- Fiio M11S (single-ended)
- Questyle M15 (single-ended)
- Stock narrow bore eartips and stock 3.5mm cable
- Local FLAC, Tidal, Apple Music, or Spotify depending on the availability of the music
My musical library is mostly J-Pop, city pop, and jazz. Occasionally I'll listen to some EDM, movie/game soundtracks, and heavy metal.
The Qinglong has undergone a 24-hour burn-in prior to testing. I picked the narrow bore for the testing, as the shorter length of the wide bore doesn't give me a good seal. I did a couple of listening sessions with KBEAR 07 eartips as well.
Graphs are courtesy of Ian Fann. Listening was done prior to looking at the graphs.
I understand that with IEMs, the shape of the ear canals, fit, eartips choice, and personal preferences can greatly affect the impression of the IEMs. I try my best to describe my experiences, however your experience may vary depending on your listening setup. While I might add some measurements and graphs for a certain degree of objectivity, it is nevertheless a subjective opinion.
In short, Qinglong is a V-shaped tuned IEM with a decent bass extension, warm midbass, and slightly forward treble with an early roll-off. The mids are somewhat recessed, but the driver can still deliver some solid vocal performance. Qinglong's tuning is quite a departure from the recent tuning trends, I find the Qinglong to be closer to the more 'classical' sound of the older hi-fi gears, but executed with more finesse and better technicalities. It is not really my cup of tea, but it is still nevertheless enjoyable with some particular music library and taste. In busier tracks like heavy metal, it's just can't keep up, but something like a mellow, slow jazz, it's quite enjoyable.
Technicalities aren't Qinglong's strongest point, but also not the weakest too. Soundstage is quite spacious but the imaging isn't as precise due to the midbass bloominess. Detail retrieval is decent, I wish there are some more upper midrange details and bass texturing. I would say Qinglong's technicalities are still competitive against other recent IEMs in its price range.
I would also say that Qinglong scales pretty well to sources. With extra power, you get slightly better bass textures and improved treble details.
Bass: Smooth, warm, impactful, a bit slow
Midrange: Quite recessed, a bit distant, but still solid vocals
Treble: Early roll-off, smooth, non-sibilant
Technicalities: Wide soundstage, so-so imaging, decent resolution
Select Comparisons
Moondrop Aria ($80)
Aria's tuning is what I would classify as the more modern tuning direction with a more U-shaped tuning and relatively clean mids inspired by Harman's research. For my music library, I am more partial towards the Aria with its more agile driver and cleaner midrange. But as I go further away from my usual library and went into classical music or big orchestral pieces, I can understand the allure of the Qinglong.
Tripowin x HBB Mele ($50)
Although Mele is probably out of stock in most places right now, I find it to be similar in the transients. For sure, Mele is noticeably darker and smoother, with more energy in the subbass. Qinglong is more detailed, slightly brighter on the treble. The timbre is really similar to my ear, with a thick note weight noticeable with both sets. That said, I think fans of the Mele might be able to find enjoyment in Qinglong to a certain extent.
Tripowin x HBB Olina ($100)
The Olina graphs closer to the Qinglong from the bass to the mids, but still, the timbre is really different between them, most likely due to the differences in transient response between the driver materials. Olina with its more agile, faster CNT driver also gives it a tighter bass response and cleaner mids expression, especially in vocals. Olina also has more air and slightly better resolution. However, Qinglong has a better musical instruments reproduction. I would personally pick Olina based on my music library, but that's my personal opinion and circumstances. Overall, I'd say they're comparatively similar in value, so it is really down to preference and music library.
Conclusion
Qinglong is a pretty competent IEM overall, even though it is not really to my taste. At the current sale price, I would say it is still quite a good deal, especially if you're looking for something a bit different from the recent crop of Harman-tuned or neutral sets. With this solid set of accessories and solid build quality, I would give it a chance.