KB Ear Qinglong

General Info/Comfort/Build/Packaging
KBEAR has several new releases, QingLong is one of them and not gonna lie that their recent release has been a hit or miss. QingLong is a single dynamic driver IEM and the shell is made out of aluminium. The IEM’s build is very solid, it doesn’t have any issue staying in my ears.

Packaging wise, KBEAR decided to go fairly minimal this time around, still has the brown coloured storage pouch with magnetic flap, the wide and narrow bore eartips, this time it doesn’t come with the 07 eartips, which i am quite fond of.


Gears used for this review

• Topping DX1 + Topping NX7
• Hidizs XO Dongle
• Sony Walkman ZX300 with MrWalkman’s Firmware
• iPod Touch 5th Gen
• Macbook Air M2’s 3.5mm port

Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression
QingLong to my ears is a very warm sounding set, with emphasis on the low end. Timbre here is natural and the note weight is good, however the treble does roll off a little too early, cymbals and high hats don't present themselves that forward and slightly lacking air as well. The perceived “brightness” is mostly derived from the upper mids. Let’s take a look at the breakdown below:

Bass

• Sub bass has satisfying and sufficient rumble to it, but the mid bass is more elevated compared to the sub bass
• Mid bass can come off as a little bloated when the track gets too busy in tracks like Slipknot’s Duality
• The bass is generally alright if i’m not listening to Slipknot’s or Metallica, listening to Jazz can be quite pleasant as well sometimes

Mids

• The mid range is slightly recessed to my ears
• Bass does bleed into the mid slightly
• Male vocal especially those with lower baritone sounded very pleasant due to the warmth carried over by from the lows
• Female vocal lacks a little energy
• The upper mids are not shouty to my ears (Your experience might vary depending on your sensitivity)

Treble

• The treble region is smooth and non offensive and certainly not sibilant, this is definitely a set for someone who are sensitive with treble
• Detail retrieval is not the star of the show here, they are okay but don’t expect them to be very analytical
• Treble is lacking air hence complex track will suffer a little

Soundstage/Imaging

• Soundstage is good enough, nothing out of your head, average width, depth and height
• Imaging does suffer a little due to lacking air, however depending on the track you are listening to, it doesn’t really perform well on complex track

Driveability

• QingLong is not hard to drive, can easily be driven via Apple’s Lightning Dongle
• It does scale with better source of course, using a neutral source does shows better synergy due to QingLong being a warm IEM in nature
• It doesn’t really need amplification, but giving it a bit more power does exhibit a better control in terms of bass and soundstaging (More open sounding)

Final Thoughts
With so many IEM releases lately, it is certainly very hard to keep up especially for consumers, so let me just point you to the right direction, if your preference is leaning towards analytical listening, QingLong is not for you, if you are someone who likes warm with a bit of bass and smooth top end, and also treble sensitive, QingLong is for you. QingLong is not a bad set, it is just the tuning that is targeted at different audiences I believe.

*I thank KeepHifi for providing me with this sample for the purpose of this review. I received no compensation to produce this review.

If you are interested in getting a pair, head over to KeepHifi’s webstore:

KBEAR QingLong - Non Affiliaited

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.

The packaging is the new KBear style with cool graphics, its smaller and more environmentally friendly. Inside is a good number of accessories. The QingLong or Blue Dragon is both well-made and comfortable. The cable is superb and one of my favorites in this price range. The tips are above average and provided a good seal and isolation was also above average for me.

Getting to the sound

Bass: was very well textured and full of good details and reasonable control; Sub-Bass has a good depth and rumble without being too muddy or slow. Mid-Bass has a nice punchy presence and is rich and detailed as well. I think this could please all but the most discerning Bass-Head.

Mids: Lower Mids are warm and have full body to them, there is little recession for a V-shaped signature, and male vocals sound very pleasant, Female vocals sound good but could use more energy in my opinoin. Midrange in general is good but more towards the smoother side and less analytical than some.

Treble: Is smooth and controlled but does roll off quickly, treble heads will be disappointed here, In my opinion it fits well in some kinds of music and falls short in others. perhaps the KAI does better here overall but these are still very enjoyable for rock and pop music.

Soundstage: The Qinglong does soundstage well, it is open and full, with above average details and separation. I would say its excellent.

Afterthoughts:
The KBear Qinglong is a good value for those looking for a fun bass driven IEM with reasonable technicalities and an enjoyable signature.



Specification:
Brand: KBEar
Model: Qinglong
FR Range: 20-40 kHz
Sensitivity: 108 db @1kHz
Impedance: 32Ω
Plug: 3.5mm gold-plated straight jack
Cavity Material: Aluminum
Driver: 10mm HD Double-layer Composite Diaphragm
Cable: 4-core Silver-plated Cable with coating in grey
Interface: Interchangeable 2 Pin 0.78mm gold-plated connector

The KBEAR Qinglong have been sent to my by Keephifi in exchange for the publication of this review. Keephifi have not made any specific requests and my review will aim to be as sincere and unbiased as always. However, it is always good to remember that it has not cost me anything to try these IEMs.

As always, I refrain from posting purchase links on forums where I am a guest, so you can find a (non-affiliate) link to the Qinglong via KeepHifi by visiting the version of this review published on my blog (link at the end of this post).



Intro…

KBEAR is a brand that have been around for a while and they have released quite a few models, spanning a range of prices from the extremely low cost up to models in the multiple hundreds. I have reviewed a few of their sets and although none of them have been ground breaking, they have been decent IEMs.

The Qinglong is their latest release, which come in at just under 60€, on the Keephifi website, at the time of writing this review. That places them just outside the sub 50€ bracket that I consider the extreme budget category, yet they can still be considered quite an economic set of IEMs.

The Qinlong use what the call a 10mm PU+PEEK HD Composite Diaghpragm which, being totally honest, I have no idea what it actually is. For simplicity’s sake, let’s just say it is a single dynamic driver IEM with some fancy technology



Presentation…

The contents that come bundled with the Qinglong are nothing extraordinary but are more than adequate for a set of IEMs in their price range. A simple white box featuring some dragon style artwork and showing the brand and model (in English and Chinese, which, if my google-fu doesn’t fail me, means blue dragon), opens to reveal the IEMs in a felt covered cutout.

Below the top layer we receive a nice storage/transport case, the cable, 6 sets of sillicone tips and a microfiber cloth.

As I said, nothing out of the ordinary but certainly enough to not have any complaints about presentation.



Build and aesthetics…

The IEMs shells are made of aluminum alloy (aviation grade 7, according to their spec) and while they are farily simple in shape, they do have a slight angle and a shape that makes them quite original.

The shells have a mirrored finish, which is obviously something that attracts finger prints at crazy speeds, with the brand and a design in matte silver, again, simple but enough to have a bit of originality. They are not the lightest of IEMs but they are far from heavy and I find that the shape and weight is comfortable even for longer sessions.

The included cable has originality also, or at least I haven’t come accross this type of cable before. It is a simple 4 core twist, that later splits into two 2 core twists, and is covered in a grey plastic or silicone type material. While it is not my favourite cable, I find that I prefer it to a lot of the other cables included with IEMs, including those from KBEAR.



Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Spotify, etc.)

Let’s start off by taking a look at the graph in comparison to my usual personal preference curve. I know I have said this before (many times) but I still get asked, so let me remind you that my personal target is just a guide as to my general preferences, it is by no means a rule. In other words, there are things that deviate quite a bit from my target and I like, and other things that are much closer to my target that I don’t. Again, this is just a guide for reference.



In the subbass regions there is enough and it is kept clean when dealing specifically with subbass frequencies. By this, I mean that when tracks, such as my usual “Chameleon” test are focused on subbass, then the Qinling do a decent job of keeping the subbass clean and defined. However, when the subbass and midbass sum together, I find that things can become a little overwhelming in the lower ranges. No specifically in the subbass range, more of the whole subbass when it is busy in these lower ranges.

In the midbass section, I actually expected to dislike these more than I do. I find that the midbass is nicely detailed and controlled, except when coming across situations like I just described under subbass. When both the subbass and midbass zones are busy, th Qinglong start to lose definition and struggle to keep things as clean.

A lot of the music that I listen to (depending on the day and mood) is not really busy in the lower subbass ranges and I find that in this case, these IEMs do a very good job or providing clean and detailed subbass. Even busy tracks with complex bass lines are easily appreciated, making for a very pleasant lower range.

Moving into the mids, again these are nice and clean, as long as that low end is not suffering. In the case of music that focuses on midbass and lower midrange, the response is quick, clean and detailed. Yet, in the case of those overpowering low ranges, they can bleed a little into the lower mids.

The center of the mids does have a little dip which is actually not too apparent. I would have thought that certain vocals, especially in the case of female vocals, would lose a little warmth in their lower ranges due to that dip but I haven’t found it to be the case. The backing vocals in “Strange Fruit” may not be the warmest but Ihaven’t found it to be something that jumps out at me while listening in general.

As we reach the higher end of the mids, here I do find that the Qinglong is just a little too hot between the 2kHz and 3kHz mark. This can make voices, especially those that are already harsh such as Beth in “Don’t You Worry Child” to come across just a little too spicy. It is not terrible, even Beth is listenable (which isn’t always the case), but I would much prefer them to be tamed a little more in these regions.

The 5kHz region is tamed, which is something that I am greatful for, and while there is a bit of a roll off, there is still enough presence in the higher ranges for them to provide a decent sensation of air.

The thing that I have found most impressive with the Qinglong are the details. These are a set of IEMs that provide a good sensation of detail, which is paired with good image placement and a soundstage that I find to be a little above average.

With tracks such as “Strange Fruit” (that I already mentioned), “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” or even “I Concentrate on You”, it is nice to be able to appreciate the little nuances of the recordings. These are not the most detailed IEMs I have ver heard but they are well above the average of many other sets in similar price brackets.



As far as isolation goes, they are above average in all of the frequency ranges. They are not going to give you ANC levels of isolation but they are still better than many other sets.



Conclusion…

KBEAR have done a good job with these IEMs, they have just missed a couple of things to make the a very good set. The first being that sensation of “lack of control” when subbass and midbass get busy at the same time, and the second being that extra bit of spice in the upper midrange, which could have been tamed just a little.

I have been happily impressed by the level of detail, along with a decent sound stage and good image placement, they reproduce a lot of my vocal focused (especially live) tracks well and I have enjoyed putting them through their paces in this regard.

________________________________________________________
As always, this review is available also in Spanish both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

KBear Qinglong ($69)​

Today I am reviewing KBear’s latest iem in the “under $100 ” price segment, the KBear Qinglong. I was able to purchase the Qinlong on Amazon US for the sale price of $59. I recently reviewed the KBear Ink, which had gotten some up and down reviews. Some like it, some others… not so much. There were some certain issues with the Ink sonically, even though aesthetically it is a great looking iem. I believe that KBear may have purposed to right the wrongs of the Ink when they set out to create the Qinglong. Of course I cannot confirm this. KBear has completely revamped the look and style as well as the Internals. Let’s take a look at the Qinglong everyone…




Full Review can be found here
Later comparisons: KBear Ink / TRI X-HBB Kai

Gear Used​

–Fiio KA3
–Ifi Go Blu
–Ibasso DX240 w/ Amp8 Mk2
–Shanling M6 Ultra

Packaging​

I purchased the Qinglong through Amazon US, and just like Amazon does… this package got to my front door in one day. Gotta love it. Anyways, the box you receive is almost a cube in shape. Covering the box is a sleeve with what appears to be the back-end of a Dragon graphically imposed on it. Remove the sleeve and you are met with the Iems themselves sitting in foam cut-outs. Once you remove the Iems and lift the foam, you’ll see the normal KBear/TRI carrying case. Inside the case is the eartips, the cable, and a nozzle cleaning tool.

Eartips​

The provided eartips I was a little let down by. I feel that for $70 KBear could have at least offered the KBear 07 tips. Instead, they give you three sets of conical style narrow bore white silicone tips. They also give you three sets of white, wide bore, shallow fit tips. You will find these tips in any chifi package, nothing special. I should add that I did not use any of the included tips but instead went through my multitude of tips searching for the best sound but finally ended up using the tips I normally end with… the “KBear 07” Large tips.

Cable​

I don’t like the included cable very much, but it is usable. You’ll notice in the picture that I have Kbear’s own “KBear Chord” cable attached. It is a much better cable than the included cable. The included cable is a flat gray colored 5N Oxygen-free Copper and Silver-Plated cable with 2 pin connectors and terminating with a 3.5 single-ended jack. Not the prettiest and certainly not the best cable to use aesthetically speaking with the Qinglong. Of course, the included cable isn’t the worst. Much better than any KZ cable and pretty close in quality to the cable provided with the Tripowin Olina. Please know that I am not bashing the cable as it really will work fine with the Qinglong.

Carrying Case​

The case provided in the packaging is the exact case provided with most any KBear or TRI product. As you can see it is the same leather type case of very good quality. The flap stays nice and tightly closed by way of an embedded magnet yet opens relatively easily. Inside the case is a felt type lining to keep the Qinglong from getting too scratched up. This case is a very nice addition, of course if you’ve purchased your share of KBear iems than you likely have more than a few hanging around.

Design/Build/Internals/Fitment​

Design/Build​

KBear constructed these beautiful shells using a 5-axis CNC process using an Aviation Grade-7 Aluminum and finished with a chrome electroplating finish which is extremely durable and pristine when polished. No doubt the Qinglong is just that… pristine. Also, it is a fingerprint magnet. Keep a soft rag with you if it bothers you. The Qinglong is built like an absolute beast and is obviously durable and well put together. From the 2-pin socket to the beautiful nozzles the Qinglong screams “bold”. One issue you may have are the miniscule scratches over time, it is just the truth. Most iems with this high polish will get those hairline scratches and there isn’t much you’ll be able to do about it.

Look​

I love the look of this set as it is freaking DOPE! I’m very positive the look isn’t for everyone but thankfully I am not everyone. Subjectivity and likes and dislikes I suppose. Anyways, the graphic on the Shells is a nice touch as you can see in the pictures attached. There is a Matte finish on the silver squares which run along the curvature of the Qinglong’s outer shell and creates a nice look. “KBear” is imposed on the Shells as well. I think the look is pretty nice but I’m also a sucker for high polished metal. Looks nice KBear.

Internals​

Internally KBear decided upon a High Performance 10mm single Dynamic Driver with a PU-PEEK dual layer Composite Diaphragm. They also adopted a powerful N52 NdFeB-based magnetic architecture and an ultra-high-tension DAIKOKU voice coil.

“Supposedly” … KBear tried out multiple driver materials during the creation process. Using diaphragm materials such as DLC, LCP, Beryllium plating as well as Carbon PET but chose the PU-PEEK as none other material could get their desired result. That’s what KBear advertises anyways.

Fitment​

This is always a portion of the review which I ponder simply leaving out due to the subjective and unique make-up of each of us God-created souls. Basically, we are all different. What works for me, may not work for you. The Qinglong takes on a normal chifi iem shape and it fits me just fine, isolates pretty well too. Will it work for your ears? Possibly.

​

Drivability ​

The Qinglong are pretty easy to drive on paper. Rated at 32 ohms and with a sensitivity of 108 dB’s @1kz you shouldn’t have much of an issue driving this set to good volumes with most any source. I would simply add that if you have at the very least a decent Dongle Dac much like the Fiio KA3 or the IFi Go Blu which both were partially used in this review… you should be more than fine. However, I don’t think you actually get the most out of the Qinglong until you give them a lot of power.

Adding more power…​

Using the Ibasso Dx240 or the Shanling M6 Ultra on High Gain was probably the best synergy that I heard with this set. The DX240 uses the ES9038 Pro chip and has a ton of power (1 watt with Amp8 MK2). The Qinglong reacted nicely with the more neutral but wholly dynamic sound of the dx240 against the warmer sound of the Qinglong. I absolutely believe that the Qinglong comes alive a bit at higher volumes and greater power. I will speak a bit more on that in a little bit.

​

Quick Sound Impressions ​

Before I dive in, I let the Qinglong burn-in for around 60 hours. I have no idea if this helped or not. Initially I had some good thoughts about this set but as usual once I began actually critically listening… I began to notice some things I didn’t at first. This review may sound like a rebuke of the Qinglong at times however, in truth, this set can be quite nice. The Qinglong is not tuned in a way which I completely enjoy but someone will love this set…that’s for sure.

Sound Impression​

The Qinglong is V-shaped iem with a warm tonality. The bass region is quite boosted with a mid-bass emphasis. The low-mids are full with some bleed over from the bass. The upper mids are either forward and thinned out, recessed and pretty flat, or even downright wonderful depending on the track being played. I really think that a lot will depend on the music that you listen to. There is a definite steep rise in the pinna gain which is boosted quite a bit and may offer some fatigue but also gives the Qinglong some much needed levity to counter the rise in the bass region. As far as the treble area is concerned, there is a drop-off in the presence region after 5k where the tuning takes a downward sloping nose-dive and then never fully recovers after that. The Qinglong is generally an easy-going listen that is mostly non-offensive.

On-going theme​

You will read an on-going theme from here-on-out; the Qinglong absolutely comes alive with more juice. With more power, most of the issues I just stated are corrected… to a degree. Keywords are…”to a degree”. This could be a good thing or a bad thing, thus you’ll see a ‘pro’ as well as a ‘con’ listed regarding power. If you are a higher volume listener with a well powered source than this likely isn’t an issue. If you are a lower volume type of cat ‘without’ a powerful enough source, I suspect you will think the Qinglong is majorly lacking. I should also note that power doesn’t correct it all and I still hear some deficiencies.

Bass​

The low-end of the Qinglong is quite nice. I hear a more rotund and deep sub-bass which isn’t at all fuzzy or hollow. Leading edges are not super-fast or hard surfaced, but the Qinglong has very nice impact. Couple that dense impact with a decently quick decay/sustain (for a single DD) and you have the makings of a very well put together and FUN low-end. The mid-bass slams pretty hard but I would not consider the Qinglong a basshead iem either. I believe it just sits below that level of boom. There is a satisfying and forceful thud on kick-drums and a good and guttural growl listening to bass-guitars when a track calls for it. The mid-bass does bleed over into the midrange a little bit adding warmth to males which I will quickly cover in the midrange.

Nice Bass​

I wouldn’t call the bass ultra-defined, but it isn’t muddy, or one noted either. The Qinglong offers a good thump and rumble for tracks demanding it and for genres which cater to a good haptic vibration or boom. “Survivor’s Guilt” by Saba sounds fantastic on the Qinglong, deep, sonorous, textured and really comes across as a quality boosted bass in the budget sector. I do hear decent surface texture to the whole of the bass region, but it also doesn’t have the most rigid & hard-edged attack and fast decay. I don’t hear a concrete leading edge to basslines or bass drops but instead it’s more like a concrete edge with a light pillow covering. A very dense thud if you will. Not bad by any means and still satisfying and does well to support tracks which require a deep and robust low-end.

Midrange​

The lower midrange has a bit of spill over from the mid-bass which adds weight and warmth to male vocals. Along with added warmth the Qinglong has pretty good clarity. There is a recession in this area, yet things aren’t pushed too far back. Most males are represented pretty well in my opinion. Females on the other hand are kind of a mixed bag. Lower female vocals sound a bit recessed and dull and simply lack good energy whereas higher pitched Sopranos will come across with almost too much energy…sometimes. They sound maybe a bit too thin at times and also a hint of unnaturalness can be heard. The saving grace is that females are pretty clean with evident texture to the inflection in a woman’s voice and a certain emotional draw is not completely absent either.

Midrange as a whole​

As a whole, the midrange has the slightest veil and doesn’t have a very open feeling to my music when listening at lower power or lower volume. Just a titch withdrawn for me. The midrange lacks that clean delivery and feels almost disjointed in the upper midrange to a degree at lower power. Giving more juice (Shanling M6 Ultra on High Gain for example) almost balances things out. Check out Mahir’s review of the Qinglong here, where he examines this issue, and which prompted me to try a bit more power than low gain.

No doubt that when I give a bit more power the Qinglong does respond well. It turns the midrange from something which sounds dull, slightly veiled, and even peaky into a more open and more cohesive sounding midrange. Subtle macro-details emerge on more simple tracks and clarity gets a boost as well.

Treble​

Low power ​

What treble? Lol. I kid but really there is a very steep drop-off into the unknown past about 4k. You get a peak in the pinna-gain around the upper mids to lower treble and then it’s a sled ride down a steep hill. I will keep this rather short; the treble drop-off attenuates quite a bit of information up top. Forget about upper harmonics of cymbals & HI-Hats as they sound as though they’ve been cut in half. Same goes for upper harmonics of violins for example, as they simply don’t have the life that you’d want them to have. Altogether the treble region simply isn’t boosted enough for my liking.

More juice​

The treble does actually open up a hair with more juice. I can say for sure that it isn’t as lifeless as it was. Yes, the downward sloping roll-off is still way too early for me but I can at least not completely condemn this set. There is still a lack of info up top, but macro details do arise a bit with more power as well as the dynamism of the sound as a whole.

Just missed the mark​

The bonus is that this is a smoother treble and there isn’t a chance at any sibilance and the Qinglong really is not a fatiguing set at all. You may have moments of glare on certain tracks but that will not be the norm. I suppose for my own tastes I would want some more air up top, some more levity and coolness to the sound. I feel KBear just missed the mark in this area and really could use a bit more emphasis in the presence region and then a less steep downward slope through the mid-treble on-out. Maybe just a bit more info past 10k would help.

Soundstage / Separation / Imaging / Details ​

Soundstage​

I actually hear a decently sized stage on the Qinglong. Normally this type of tuning is not one which would stretch out an imaginary stage, but I don’t hear anything really lacking here. The width is above average as well as the height and there is even some decent depth. A little juice doesn’t hurt at all either and will broaden the size and scale of the stage a bit as well. Stage size is not an area where the Qinglong is lacking.

Separation / Imaging​

The separation of elements within the stage is not groundbreaking. Any complicated track will sound complicated on the Qinglong. If things are kept simple the Qinglong seems more apt to make sense of the information easier. The imaging isn’t horrible though. Left to right is decently compartmentalized, centered vocals with the caveat that the track being played isn’t some chaotic mess of sound. Qinglong is not tuned to be a technical wizard, but it isn’t the worst I’ve heard, not by a long shot. Really, the imaging is not bad at all and for the most part the psycho-acoustic picture that I get when listening to my library is kept in decent control and naturally spread-out.

Details​

Again, I will repeat what I’ve been saying, so long as the song being played isn’t too complicated the Qinglong can pull out some subtleties in a track. Acoustic tracks seem to suit the Qinglong pretty well. Also, once this set opens up a bit the details do begin to emerge. Obviously, one would not purchase this set for its technical capabilities but also the Qinglong isn’t completely void of details either.

KBear Ink ($69)​

The KBear Ink (I reviewed here) is a single Dynamic Driver with an 8.8 mm DLC Diaphragm. There was quite a bit of fanfare for a hot minute over the Ink, which quickly died down when some not-so-great reviews began to make their way throughout the community. The sound of the Ink is a definitive V-shaped tuning with big bass and an overly emphasized treble region and decent extension.

Low-end

Starting in the bass, the Ink has more in quantity but doesn’t have the quality of the Qinglong. Both sets are boosted, and both can really dig deep but the Ink simply has another gear as far as sheer boom goes. One thing to note is the cleanliness of the Qinglong which is apparent and quite a contrast next to the Ink. There is better resolution within the Qinglong’s low-end with a more textured and separated sound. The Qinglong has better timbre in the bass region as well sounding closer to natural than the Ink.

Midrange​

The midrange of the Qinglong also sounds a bit more natural and naturally weighted in male vocal delivery. Granted, the margin isn’t great. Female vocals are more spirited on the Qinglong with more energy and aren’t as dialed back as in the Ink. I do prefer the Qinglong quite a bit more for vocal delivery and the midrange as a whole.

Highs​

The treble region is unnaturally boosted on the Ink and in my opinion creates a number of issues throughout the spectrum which I believe KBear tried to solve with the Qinglong. However, in doing so they rolled off the treble so much that it is one extreme to the other. That said, I would take the Qinglong every day of the week. The Ink can be unbearable with a peaky sheen which can be grating to the ear on the right track. For instance, “In Bloom” by Nirvana will have your ears ringing for a month if you push the volume on the Ink. The Qinglong handle this track very well but with attenuated cymbals. Still, I enjoy the ‘easier on the ears’ Qinglong.

I do believe that the Qinglong is likely a response to the negative feedback of the Ink, but I cannot be certain. The overall frequency response is very similar, but the Ink is simply exaggerated in some areas whereas the Qinglong is dialed back in the same areas. The Qinglong is much easier on the ears, has more of a natural detail retrieval and has much more natural timbre and a faster transient response. For myself, I would take the Qinglong between the two.

TRI X-HBB Kai ($79)​

The TRI Kai is a collaborative effort with HBB aka The Hawaiian Bad Boy of youtube renown. His channel is “Bad Guy Good Audio”. So far, he hasn’t had many misses in his tuning ventures and in my opinion, he absolutely nailed the tuning of the Kai. I love this set. I actually purchased this set to review, but like many of my purchases I simply didn’t have enough time in the day with other priorities. All good though, I’ve been enjoying this set for casual listening and actual musical enjoyment.

The Kai has a 3rd generation single Dynamic Driver with a 9.8 mm DLC Diaphragm. It is a beautiful looking set which is tuned wonderfully. I would probably consider the Kai a U-shaped iem with emphasis in the bass region as well as a slight rise in the upper midrange. The Kai is a smooth sailor with great timbre and an easy-going nature which is non-fatiguing through-and-through.

Low-end

The sub-bass of the Kai is deeper and penetrates with a slightly more juddering and sonorous haptic energy, but I do think the Qinglong have the Kai’s number here as quality is concerned. The Kai has an even softer note edge and is less agile or tight in delivery (by a miniscule margin). Mid-bass of the Qinglong has a little more presence and hits with a bit more slam. The timbre on both is nice but the Qinglong does the bass region very well as attack and decay is a hair quicker. Not to take anything away from the Kai, I thoroughly enjoy the low-end of the Kai, but I also think that the Qinglong excels in this area.

Midrange​

Male vocals sound more natural on the Kai, but both have nice note weight. I’d say resolution on the Kai is a bit better as well. I simply enjoy the Kai more in this area for the more effortless and realistic sound. Moving onto female vocals the Qinglong are more recessed than the Kai and more unnatural to my ear. The Kai have this smooth and easy sound in this region with good emotional energy. Perhaps they lack some shimmer and extension but there also isn’t anything which brings upon any glare like the Qinglong can have.

Highs​

The treble of the Qinglong has a large lower treble boost and then a steep roll-off but the Kai has a very natural downward slope through the highest region. The Kai is just so smooth. It isn’t a detail monster, but it is a very nice set for long listening sessions. The Qinglong lose more information past 5k which really puts a nail in this comparison for me.

The Kai, in my humble opinion, is simply a better set for the money. Both are built exceptionally well and look very nice, but sound is what we are actually judging here. The Kai represents the entire spectrum, and I cannot say that for the Qinglong. If anything, I would say that the Qinglong delivers bass a bit better than the Kai and may have a more detailed midrange, but that is only by the thinnest of margins. The Kai simply sounds much more cohesive and complete and are much better for the asking price.

​

Is Qinglong with the asking price?​

I suppose the best question to answer is if the Qinglong is actually worth the asking price of $69 or not? If I were answering this question for myself then I would have to answer that with a no. No, I don’t believe that the Qinglong are worth the asking price. Especially since I can get equal to or greater sound quality from much cheaper iems. Now, I don’t think that I could get better build quality but…we are in this hobby for the sound, aren’t we?

Truthfully, I kept the comparison section to only KBear/TRI products because there are quite a few single DD iems for less money which sound better, which represent the whole spectrum better. I would take the $19 QKZ X-HBB (I reviewed the QKZ X-HBB Here) over the Qinglong, or the $35 Kiwi Ears Cadenza (Mahir’s review of the Cadenza here), which is leagues above the Qinglong and there are many more examples which could follow those two.

Not quite for me​

I am not here to beat up the Qinglong and to put this set down as I really do think it has many redeeming qualities, also I am very well aware that many people ‘will’ and ‘do’ actually love this set. Remember I answered that question for myself. So, if a very well built and aesthetically pleasing single DD with a warm and smooth tonality and great bass is something which is up your alley…well…then I suppose maybe the Qinglong is well worth the asking price for you. As for myself, the KBear Qinglong just missed the mark.

I say all of that but in the same breath I was able to actually really enjoy the sound of the Qinglong after some time, and power. There is a certain charm to the sound when the Qinglong is playing at its maximum capabilities. There is a richness to the sound and for certain genres I imagine that the Qinglong will exceed some expectations. So, is the Qignlong worth the asking price? For myself, probably not, for you…maybe.

Conclusion​

To conclude this review, I want to urge my fellow hobbyists to check out other reviews and try to read, listen to or watch other people’s perspectives regarding the Qinglong. After all, I am only one man. Yes, I write exactly what I hear and nothing more, but I haven’t been down the same audio road as everyone else. I have my own set of ears, with my own gear, and my own preferences. Thankfully the good Lord made no two of us alike. So please check out other thoughts and hopefully this review at least aided you in a purchasing decision. I also want to thank anyone who has read this far. Please take good care and thank you.

First of all, I would like to thank Keephifi for sending in a pair of KB Ear Qingling for my honest review. I am not in any way affiliated with Keephifi, and you can find the link below for the review unit on their website below if you would like to support on this new product by KB Ear.

Product link:
https://keephifi.com/products/kbear-qinglong



KB Ear is a well-known 'Chifi' audiophile brand that needs no introduction. Recently, they decided to release a new pair of shiny KB Ear Qinglong, where Qinglong (青龙) in chinese basically means 'Green Dragon', probably named after its sound signature frequency curve graph which looks similarly to a dragon.



Packaging/Design:
For the packaging, it comes with a pair of Qinglong, followed by 2 types of eartips (wide and narrow core), a 4N 5C Silver Plated Copper Cable (looks & feels premium), a good quality leather case, wiping cloth (to wipe away the fingerprints due to ultra shiny surface) and a bursh to clean the IEM. The driver configuration is made up of a 10mm PU + PEEK composite diaphragm which performs flawlessly. The overall size of the unit is medium and can fit perfectly and comfortably in my ear during my testing phase, not causing any pressure or pain.



Specification:
Brand: KBEar
Model: Qinglong
FR Range: 20-40 kHz
Sensitivity: 108 db @1kHz
Impedance: 32Ω
Plug: 3.5mm gold-plated straight jack
Cavity Material: Aluminum
Driver: 10mm HD Double-layer Composite Diaphragm
Cable: 4-core Silver-plated Cable with coating in grey
Interface: Interchangeable 2 Pin 0.78mm gold-plated connector

Testing Sources:
- Tidal Masters/ Qobuz FLAC Library Recordings
- Roon Software with MQA Unfolding



Sound Performance:
The KB Ear Qinglong's driver is made up of a 10mm HD double-layer PU + PEEK composite diaphragm, which renders balanced, natural and reminiscent sound. Its voice coil uses the DAIKOKU copper wire with ultra high tension and it uses N52 NdFeB strong magnet, resulting in a more powerful, stronger and dynamic sound. From my testing experience, the overall sound signature is well-balanced V-shaped tuning. The bass produced is quite acceptable and considered thick and average, meanwhile its midrange and vocal is pretty clear, neutral, cohesive and detailed, allowing users to listen to music with various genres comfortably. The highs are warm, bright and thick, while the soundstage is not very wide.

Conclusion:
KB Ear did a great job in producing the Qinglong with an aesthetically pleasing design yet neutral performing sound resolution with clear vocal. This product is highly recommended for those who likes to listen to various music genres while having a limited budget. The product is now on sale at Keephifi's website for only $59 while stock lasts, you won't regret having it!