Moondrop Quarks DSP

littlenezt

100+ Head-Fier
Harmann on Budget
Pros: +TONAL
+PRICE
+Black Background
+Ease of Use
Cons: -Detected as Keyboard?
-Some Compatibility Issues
-Technicality
Hi there, before I even start this review let me first apologize for my weird English and grammatical mistakes.
the Quarks DSP is purchased with my own money and this is purely my subjective opinion.
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Unboxing
Quarks DSP packaging is exactly the same as the OG Quarks, small little box without anything fancy
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There is FR Graph of the Quarks DSP on the backside of the box
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Opening the Box we are greeted with waifu card
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The IEM itself
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Here is what you get inside the box :
  • IEM
  • Waifu Card
  • QC Card
  • Eartips
  • Small Pouch
  • Manual in Mandarin that I can't read
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Build
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The Quarks DSP is made entirely from plastic except the filter on the nozzle itself, the cable is non detachable, there is microphone with 3 buttons (vol up, play pause, vol down) and is type-C terminated because it use DSP (EQ) to achieve the FR Target.

I also noticed that when the Quarks DSP is plugged in to my phone / windows pc, the Quarks DSP is somehow detected as a keyboard, weird.

edit :
and I just got informed that some compatibility issues with phone calls on some Android devices the sound is coming from speaker not from the Quarks DSP itself.

tips !
If you have issues with keyboard not showing up when using the Quarks DSP on Android device, try search in the settings "Use on-screen keyboard" turn on that option, it keeps the virtual keyboard active when a physical keyboard (Quarks DSP) is detected.

Sound
Tested using my potato Redmi Note 9 Pro and my potato PC, stock eartips.
Source mostly from Apple Music Lossless and some offline FLAC files.
I noticed that the Quarks DSP is locked at 16bit /48khz (checked using windows 10).

Myself personally didn't notice any hiss on my particular unit even on low volume,
though I notice sometimes early milliseconds of the tracks is cut out when playing from paused / stop condition.

Tonality in general is pretty close to Harmann target with extra few dB boost on the bass and less upper mids than true Harmann target.

Bass is boosted 10dB from neutral, the bass is focused on the sub bass area.
You can definitely feel the rumble and it has decent punch to it despite its small driver size, this bass in my opinion is pretty "balanced" and can be used for all kinds of genre, the bass is also speedy enough to be used for music with lots of double pedal (metal).

Mids is following the Harmann target but Moondrop made a few tweaks by lowering the upper mid region.
This creates a very good vocal placement in my opinion, it makes the vocal not overly forward and not shouty at all.
The vocal is also free of sibilance and harshness, if you are vocal lovers and on a very tight budget AND don't mind DSP, do consider the Quarks DSP.
For the instruments, I didn't notice any weird timbre and the placement is the same as vocal, not overly forward.

Treble is pretty smooth, not too extended either, on the plus side, it makes the Quarks DSP easy to listen for a long time, but it does feel somewhat lacks of details.

Note Weight is on the leaner side

Technicalities

Stage
is decently wide, didn't have exact wall placement, symmetrical in size (width and depth).

Separation and Positioning is pretty good, no overlapping, also easy to pinpoint what sounds you're looking for.

Imaging is probably the weakest point of the Quarks DSP, to be brutally honest with you, I found the Quarks DSP to be super 2D sounding, it lacks dimension and depths to the overall sound.

Detail Retrieval is pretty average for its price, not bad but not great either.

The Quarks DSP has snappy attack(transient) but the sustain (decay) is rather short.

Comparison

Moondrop Quarks OG (non DSP)

The OG Quarks bass presentation is more on the SUB + Mid bass, while the DSP is more SUB focused.
Quarks OG bass transition to midrange felt not as effortless as the DSP, the mids is also overly forward, bit shouty.
For the treble, I found both is similarly sounding.
Technicality if both plugged directly to smartphone, is the same, but the OG Quarks is better if you plug it to external dac-amp / DAP.

Moondrop CHU
Bass quantity is smaller on the CHU, but it has more punch compared to the Quarks DSP.
Overall note weight is thinner on CHU.
Treble is more extended and sparkly on CHU
Overall technicality is better on CHU regardless of source.

7Hz Salnotes Zero
Both has similar tonality, the Zero has less bass compared to the Quarks DSP, one thing I noticed with Zero is how boring and soft the transient response of Zero making it not so dynamic sounding, especially compared to the Quarks DSP.
The Quarks DSP has better attack transient while the Zero has better technicalities if plugged in to better source (DAP / Dongle / Dac-AMP)

Conclusion / TLDR

Quarks DSP is recommended if

  • You don't mind DSP (EQ)
  • You're on a tight budget
  • You're a vocal lovers
  • You want balanced sound that works great with all kinds of genre
Quarks DSP is NOT so recommended if
  • You prioritize technicalities
  • You're allergic to DSP (EQ) / purist / elitist
  • You want more treble energy
  • You want more midbass punch
  • You want detachable cable IEMs
You can watch the video in Bahasa Indonesia just in case you're Indonesian / understand Bahasa Indonesia here :

That's all from me for now,
thanks for reading and sorry for my poor English and grammatical mistakes.


-littlenezt.
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SherryLion

New Head-Fier
The Review Of The Moondrop Quarks DSP
Pros: 1. Great Tonality
2. The practical size and shape
3. Approach on extension both treble and bass region
Cons: 1. Imaging and resolution
2. Non detachable cable
3. Little noise floor

Review Of The Moondrop Quarks DSP


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Introduction


Innovating a dsp-controlled IEM, Moondrop made history as the first audio firm to do so. Except for the fact that the termination includes a type-c connection with a digital signal processor to adjust in the direction of a preferred tune, the Quarks DSP is the same reasonably priced and entry-level IEM as the Quarks. This type of technology is typically seen in wireless/true wireless Bluetooth earbuds. But the question still remains: Is this a method of fraud or an innovation? I am aware that I won't discover the solution until I have read up on the Quarks DSP. Let's investigate this IEM further, but first, let's take a detour.



Disclaimer


*I own this item, which I purchased recently. The thoughts I've presented below are all 100% unique and uninfluenced by anyone else; they are all concepts that I have forwarded. To learn more, go on 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 "Quarks DSP."
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Quarks DSP based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification


One little dynamic driver can be found inside the Quarks DSP. It has a polymer diaphragm, a CCAW voice coil, and a N52 magnet. It is a 6mm dynamic driver. The shells have a translucent, bullet-like form. They have a red and black three-circle emblem painted on both sides and are quite small. The cable is comfortable to handle and not removable, though it does have a tendency to preserve its shape. The digital signal processor is located inside a type-c connection at the end of the cable. Three pairs of ear-tips in small, medium, and large sizes, as well as a carrying pouch, are included as accessories. Technically speaking, the sensitivity is 113dB, and the impedance is 16 ohms. Although the actual frequency response is between 20Hz and 20kHz, the frequency response ranges from 4Hz to 43kHz.

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Sound


The Quarks DSP still sounds better than any other IEMs competing in or above the price range in terms of tonality, despite having been released at such a low cost. The sound, while neither objectionable or unpleasant in my opinion, did occasionally leave me lacking in treble intensity. The treble, however, is focused on suggesting a solid extension with comprehensible airiness and a richer sensation. In contrast to the instruments, which sound natural but are hesitant to stand out in the mix, the voices appear to be more authentic and warmer. The bass is excellent in capturing the character and essence of it. Overall, I think it's a very admirable approach to your hearing, and I get the idea behind it. Let's go even deeper.

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Treble


With no indication of sibilance or peakiness, the treble is quite smooth and unobtrusive, and the peaceful presence of the elements makes it an interesting listen. They certainly sound well. For the price they are being offered, the upper treble has an excellent extension and sounds light and airy. The vocals and the instruments both have a natural quality about them that prevents them from losing their shape or changing their atmosphere. They maintain their predetermined limit. The beauty of these is that they don't have the tinny, flat, or nonexistent sound that IEMs in this price range typically do. The mix is kept enjoyable to listen to by the lower treble's sufficient vitality. There is a lot going on here; the vocals are vibrant and aggressive, while the instruments are charismatic and new. Despite the fact that the cymbal crashes or snare hits could seem a little heated. The treble region's entire presentation is enjoyable to hear and has just the right amount of vigour to maintain interest.

Mid Range


When it comes to the middle range, it is calming and forward-looking, and the centred presentation is highly instructive. The good natural presence and melodic draw of the upper mid range may appeal to people. The instruments seem a little hesitant, but they are incredibly organic and slam clean, and the vocals have a richer, fuller tone. The voices are lovely and hospitable; they don't come off as predatory or dishonest. They have a pristine and tidy tone. On the other side, while the instruments could come across as unassuming and unapproachable, I realise that they do not initially embrace their importance. The vocals could be a little sibilant, with frequent'ss' noises, especially in female vocals or snare hits. Unexpectedly, there is a clear area in the lower mid range as well. The vocals and instruments don't have a murky or lifeless sound; they have a distinct perspective. The mid range is presented overall in a melodic, impeccable, and organic manner.

Bass


The texture and detail of the bass are excellently characterised. Although the mid range sounds meaty and pounding, the sub bass region is where the emphasis is felt the most. The basslines have a nice, magnificent tone. Any hits that come are big and distinct, and the mid bass is clear and uncluttered. The rumble and punches hit you enough with a solid impact without being chaotic, and the sub bass is excellent with strong deep extension. Not just in the entire bass region, but throughout the entire frequency response, the bass is very well controlled and balanced. I can guarantee that the bass will treat you nicely and won't be overly dependent or exploitative. Overall, the bass region is well-controlled, sounds deep, and delivers solid crashes and punches.

Technical Performance


The Quarks DSP will not let you down, even if many IEMs in this price range receive high acclaim and plaudits. For the price they are being offered, it is responsive and has superb stage and imaging. Although the resolution is not particularly outstanding, I agree that it performs admirably. After all, the driver is merely a 6mm dynamic driver that produces excellent tone and a good soundstage.

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Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation


The 3D presentation is amazing and beautiful, and the soundstage is really holographic. It provides a sense of ideal placement and covers a 360 degree region. In terms of imaging, it is not significantly sharper than its rivals but still does the job. In contrast, the separation is excellent, with each element being sufficiently apart to allow for breathing room.

Speed & Resolution


Although this IEM's resolution is undoubtedly not its strongest point, it does a good enough job of retrieving detail to sound fascinating. The rate at which notes attack or fade is comparable to that of other IEMs, however I believe the response time to be faster.

Tracks Used


Curtis Mayfield - Pusherman
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Earth, Wind & Fire - Let's Groove
Boston - More Than A Feeling
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere(Remastered)
Toto - Africa
The Police - Every Breath You Take
George Benson - Affirmation
Daft Punk - Doin' It Right
Daft Punk - Derezzed
Daft Punk - Tron Legacy (End Titles)
GOJIRA - Amazonia
The Mars Volta - Inertiatic ESP
Fergie - Glamorous
50 Cent - In Da Club
Jay Z - Holy Grail
Erbes - Lies
Nitti Gritti - The Loud
Juelz - Inferno

Conclusion


This "invention" impresses me with superb tonal performance and intrigues me with the usefulness of its application, to wrap up this review. For the price that this IEM is being offered at, I would highly recommend it to anyone who commutes frequently and needs audiophile-caliber music wherever they go.
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S
samtvt
Good review.. i wish it had removable cable.

XerusKun

100+ Head-Fier
Moondrop Quarks DSP "Clean, Transparent and Pure"
Pros: Excellent Balance between the Bass, Midrange and Treble
Excellent Soundstage Projection with Accurate Imaging
True to life Presentation of both Male and Female Vocals
Soundstage has a Room Feel to it Devoid of Unnatural Reverbs or Echoes.
No Unnatural Peaks or Boost at the Treble or Bass Area
Competent Detail Retrieval
Clean and Transparent Sounding
All-rounder Sound Signature
Cons: Noise Floor at Low Volumes
Playback Delay
Stock Tips Somehow Reduces the Sound Quality
Cable Microphonics
Might be Unengaging to Some
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Don’t want to read this full review? Here’s the TLDR
Excellent bass, midrange and treble. No unnatural peaks or mudiness, sounds realistic and transparent. Kind of boring sounding at first but the longer the listen the more music elements will start to pop out, giving way for the listener to appreciate how the audio engineers master a specific track.

However, with all of these praises with the sound quality, there is some technical bugs that needs to be considered when buying them, first is the noise floor at low volumes, very annoying with games and watching youtube video, second is the 1s delay when transitioning to a new track, and last is the cable microphonics.

Anyways, best IEM in my collection in terms of sound quality.

Disclaimer…
  • I bought the Quarks DSP with my own money, so anything I say here is with my own experience and thoughts with the Quarks DSP.
  • YOUR MILEAGE WILL ALWAYS VARY
  • Kindly check the "My Specific Library" section, to know if we have the same music taste, if not kindly check other reviews, as this review may somehow be inacccurate if ever you decided to buy the said IEM.
I mostly listen to this artists/group of artists, arranged from frequently to least played:
ShibayanRecords, Mitsukiyo, Nagi Yanagi, Yorushika, Kenshi Yonezu, Yoasobi, Ito Kashitaro, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Sawano Hiroyuki, ChouCho, Weaver, Turnover, The Script and Hoyo-Mix.

I also love to listen to symphonic tracks or tracks with relaxing/magical/nostalgic vibe to it.
If you want to listen to my daily playlist just go to this link: XerusKun Music Recommendations
My target sound signature is Asterhythmist Target (or anything IEM with a Harman Bass Shelf and Diffuse Field Midrange and Treble) as shown in the graph below. I hate IEMs that does not exhibit downward sloping upper treble or has a peak around 10 kHz up (e.g CRA, EDXU, SalZero, Chu) as it makes the overall sound artificial sounding and also forces harmonics even if I don’t want it. Congestion, treble gritiness and muddiness are a big no for me. Lastly, I value musicality/tonality over intangibles like soundstage, imaging or detail retrieval.


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Let us talk about the sound.
Bass: Subwoofer like, Less Fun but Pinpoint

Quarks DSP has 10 db of subbass and enough midbass to replay lower pitched instruments accurately, the quantity isn't basshead level, however it is a dream come true for balanced heads. The bass on the Quarks DSP is pretty much in the background all the time and never influences the midrange in any way. Think of it like a 2 subwoofer system at the back of the head.

Referencing to the graph below, Quarks DSP has a tucked bass response which avoids muddiness or bloat with the caveat of making some vocals lack the conceivable "lushness or warmth" that other budget sets may have. Bass guitars riffs and drums sticking are replayed with full on transparency and are very clean sounding however they can sound unnatural or lacking weight "oomph" in some tracks (e.g Hip-hop or Rap). Subbass rumble is clearly audible as long as the track calls for it, otherwise the subbass is pretty subdued all the time.

In short, if you are bass = life this set is not recommended, however if you just want a clean bass Quarks DSP will serve you effortlessly.

Midrange: Transparent like a Distilled Water in a Clear Glass.
All vocals with the Quarks DSP sounds like they are in a treated room with no echo or any reverbs. Vocals sounds like how they would sound in real life, there are no conceivable coloration, it isn't warm or cold, just sound very real. If you are one of the people who like to hear their favorite singer without any boundary this is the cheapest way to it.

Instrument fundamentals has the same trait as the vocals, it is just superbly transparent and clean without sacrificing note definition. Instruments sounds like they are floating in voided space of some kind and it is easy to pinpoint each instrument on that space. There are also no instruments that are too forward or too far from each other, all instruments are in the same plane and only changes when the one who masters the song defines it so.

Quarks DSP will let you experience midrange heaven in a cheap.

Treble: Inoffensive but Well Extended
Quarks DSP lets me discover the term "boundless extension", like every harmonics are properly represented without harshness, fuzzy peaks, weird boost or resonances. Most sets I have tried so far (yes even the midtier ones) has a conceivable peak or resonances that somehow helps with hearing the nuances in music but with the caveat of making the sound less realistic. Quarks DSP is a different case, its like drinking a distilled water after a lifetime of soda. The treble doesn't have any weird quirks to it like all the sets I have tried, it is just linear, correct and smooth.

The treble response although smooth, it doesn't miss any nuances that all instruments may have, pianos, strings, trumpets, violins and other high-pitched instruments have full clarity and sparkle. Even atmospherics effects/electronic sound is represented excellently

Details aren't forced to the listener; those details are just floating on the soundscape waiting to be noticed.

Lastly, I also have not experienced any treble fatigue even with hours of listening to Quarks DSP. So big plus for people who are sensitive to high frequencies.

Balance Between the Main Frequencies

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The sound signature of the Quarks DSP closely follows the Harman Target but 3kHz above is reduced to remove any sibilance or unnatural clarity to the sound. The bass starts to roll off around 100 Hz to avoid influencing the midrange in any way while still giving enough clarity to the bass guitars and drums. The highest point of the bass (20Hz @95 dB) and upper midrange (2.8kHz @95 dB) is perfectly balanced and gives a very clean midrange response while still making sure that the bass and treble are still audible. The response onwards (3kHz above) is very linear with minor peaks to avoid damaging the harmonics of most instruments. The upper treble starts to roll off (at 15dB) around 10kHz, so that cymbals death are still audible without making the sound artifically sharp or strident.

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Intagibles
  • Soundstage has a room like proportion with above average width, height and depth (referencing to $10-$50 IEMs). Better than all KZs and the hyped IEMs right now like SalZero, Waner and Chu.
  • Imaging is on point and accurate, instruments sound as where they should be without any fog or weird forwardness (specially in cymbals and violins), vocals is centered yet not overly forward.
  • Separation is also excellent, no eye squinting is needed to layer the instruments and vocals. Mostly due to the impeccable imaging and bass tuck.
  • Timbre is realistic and analog in most of my Japanese tracks but tends to lean towards a cold analytical (lean presentation) in some Western rock tracks.
"Listening to Quarks DSP feels like watching a singer at the center of a room devoid of reflections. Instruments have specific bubbles on the soundscape and no instrument is artifically forward or recessed. Might even say that Quarks DSP has the best headstage presentation I've heard so far add the absence of any weird quirkness in the treble... "Simply realistic"

Drawbacks / Cons
  • Noisefloor is audible and a big deal breaker, occurs when watching videos or playing games at lower volumes.
  • There is a delay whenever the next song starts, every next song starts with a 1-2 sec delay before playing.
  • Microphonics are atrocious, specially when travelling due to the small footprint of the IEM.
  • Custom eartips are needed to achieve perfect isolation and intended sound.
  • Might be boring/flat/sleepy/undynamic to some, specially for the ones who came from a V-shaped IEM.

Music Enjoyment Diary
Seisyun Complex by Kessoku Band
[Guitars, Bass Guitars, Drums, Female Vocals]
Sounds very complete, argghh, the resolution is on full throttle with this IEM. From drums, bass guitars, electric guitars to the vocals they come off as very clean and transparent. There's also no instruments that is too forward or almost inaudible. Plus the room ambience of this track is well represented with the Quarks DSP, there's literally no detail escaping my hearing. Bass guitar notes are also clearly audible in all parts of the track..add the nuanced yet lush replay of the female vocal lead..man.., like I don't even know if I'm listening to this track in a medium of some kind, it feels like I'm watching the Kessoku band doing their thing in a room.

Replay Rating: Beautiful

Clouds in the Water by Nagi Yanagi
[Cymbal Crashes, Female Vocals, Detail Retrieval]
You know when an IEM plays my favorite Nagi Yanagi tracks with full on transparency and realism, I just became so mesmerized that I grin unconciously like an idiot, and cannot move even an inch, cause I just want to savor this listening moment? Man that's how Quarks DSP played this track, f**king amazing, the cymbal crashes are full and properly separated on the soundscape, Nagi's voice is forward and very clear, drums sticking are audible without influencing or damaging Nagi's voice in any way. The ambience of the song is also properly replayed (yes the studio like feel is there, which I only heard with the RS1)..Argghhh..Amaazzing!!!..No where near my recent IEMs.

Replay Rating: Beautiful

Honey and Time Travel by Haruka Sora
[Ambience, Detail Retrieval, Imaging, Bass Slam]
The first minute of this song is literally an ASMR, and Quarks DSP plays it like Haruka Sora is whispering in my left and right ear, like what the fudge, it sounds so reaall..argghh..literally no IEM I have ever tried plays ASMR like this..haha..if you are a fan of such things buy Quarks DSP right fudging now!..

Anyways going to the imaging, yeah its properly represented with the Quarks DSP, I can literally imagine Haruka Sora within my headspace and the instruments at the background. Around 1:50, the sound effects is literally massaging my ears..what the..ok..ok..going to the bass part around 3:43, ahmm, why does the bass sound so clean and detailed yet authoritative at the same time like..bruh..what is even happening, I'm fudging hyped right now!! arghh..what the fudge is this replay. Even my RS1 which is 5x the price of this IEM can't play this track like this..

Replay Rating: Beautiful

Souvenir by Bump of Chicken
[Male Vocals, Bass Guitars, Drums, Piano]
This is one of the cases where Bump of Chicken is replayed with full on clarity, like with all of my recent IEMs their tracks are either too warm or too muddy, like the lead singer is very audible but it starts to influence the instruments due to how low the pitch of the lead singer is. Their tracks also has a wow factor with the Quarks DSP since there are micro nuances that starts to pop out due to the bass tuck.

Full on resolution again with the Quarks DSP, there's literally no details escaping my hearing. Plus it isn't artifically detailed like my other IEMs. Bass guitars are well audible, drums have a nice snap and slam to it, pianos have enough reverb and clarity even if the track gets complicated around the chorus.

Replay Rating: Beautiful

Ephemeral by Akira Kosemura feat Nagi Yanagi
[Ambience, Soundstage, Imaging, Female Vocals]
I want to fall into reverie with this song..like seriously its making me fall asleep. Nagi's voice is very clear and lush, its like she is singing a very beautiful lullaby on my front with the piano and little electronics effects on the background supporting her, creating this ethereal harmony. The bongo drums around 1:17 are imaged accurately and I can discern that it has a specific place on the soundscape.

I am just in love with this track, and Quarks DSP makes me fall in love with it even more. It's like Nagi's voice is warming my heart in someway, plus how Akira Kosemura composed this track is so lovely, it's like I travelled back to my childhood days again.

Replay Rating: Beautiful

Tips Rollin

  • JVC Spiraldots / Aet08 / Spinfits CP145 - All of these tips are good, and basically unlocks the Quarks DSP, they sound almost the same with the Spiraldots being a bit ahead since its wider sounding than the two
  • Foam Tips - same as above, but reduces the soundstage depth by a hair. Frequency balance is still the same as the above.
  • Stock Tips - basically makes the Quarks DSP lowres and bass lite, don't.

Technical Aspects

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Distortion Graph of the Quarks DSP (Measured at 85 dB)
The measurement is repeated 5 times and the IEM is measured in a quite environment. The sound is mainly consist of Fundamentals and 2nd Harmonics, which is a typical response of an IEM with a quality driver. However there are noticeable noise floor around 150 Hz to 1kHz which can be noticeable at lower volumes but can be mitigated by listening to the Quarks DSP at moderate or high volume. Anyways, most of the time it is very hard to notice distortion in an IEM, so no need to worry about these measurements, just wanted to put this here for reference.​


RT60 Decay of Quarks DSP

RT60 is a measure of how long sound takes to decay by 60 dB in a space that has a diffuse soundfield - REW Website
As you can see as I move the frequency around 100 Hz, the decay starts to fall off even faster compared to the frequencies before it. Which means that the frequency (100-250 Hz) that correlates to midbass boominess is almost gone before it even influences the lower midrange, giving a very clean midrange response due to the absence of bass resonances. You can also see how the DSP do its thing around 100 Hz (the square waterfall plot).

Comparison
Quarks DSP vs 7Hz Salnotes Zero

SalZero is brighter, digital sounding, has metallic timbre, unnatural peak at the upper treble region, bass lite. Quarks DSP sounds more complete, realistic, has no metallic timbre, sounds very smooth, is neither bright or warm, definition of balance. Soundstage projection is also bigger on the Quarks DSP while also having the same detail retrieval and more accurate imaging than the SalZero. Quarks DSP takes the win.

Quarks DSP vs Tangzu Waner

Waner sounds more smooth, somehow muddy at higher volumes, has average soundstage projection, meh detail retrieval, has more warmth and lushness to the vocals, skewed imaging. Quarks DSP sounds more analytical while still retaining the smooth signature, it also doesn't have a hole before the resonance peak giving more "resolution" to the music, sounds complete and life like, more dynamic sounding, wider and taller soundstage. To be honest after trying again the Waner after a minute of Quarks DSP, Waner just sounds wrong and muddy.. Quarks DSP takes the win.

Quarks DSP vs KZ EDA High Resolution

EDA High Resolution has a more exaggerated soundstage presentation, brighter sound signature, weird positioning of vocals, sibilance in some tracks, sounds more artificial, somehow competent detail retrieval. Quarks DSP on the other hand sounds realistic and accurate, soundstage isn't exaggerated and imaging is miles better, vocal positioning is also centered and properly forward unlike the Hires that tends to push vocals at the front of my face, has more "resolution" compared to boosting the treble region. Quarks DSP takes the win.

Quarks DSP vs Acoustune RS1 Modded

RS1 sounds bloated and muddy when compared to Quarks DSP, but it has a studio feel "warmth" that is very popular in the audiophile community, it also has more lushness to the vocals, fuller replay to the cymbals, smoother presentation, same resolution as the Quarks DSP. However what I don't like with the RS1 is the imaging is quite weird and it has a hole like feeling compared the Quarks DSP, which is just pure transparent in its presentation. Quarks DSP takes the win.

Quarks DSP vs Hzsound Heart Mirror

Heart Mirror has boosted upper treble that some people correlate to "technical" performance, has lesser subbass, lean replay of bass guitars and drums, weird vocal positioning like the EDA High Resolution. Quarks DSP on the other hand sounds more detailed and nuanced without unnaturally boosting the upper treble, sounds more realistic, it also has a wider and taller soundstage, plus imaging is on point all of the time, separation is also impeccable with the Quarks DSP compared to Heart Mirror which tends to smear notes in some tracks. Quarks DSP takes the win.

To be honest whenever I switch from Quarks DSP to the IEMs listed above, all of those IEMs just sounded plain wrong, like I can notice how the treble is boosted in that certain IEM or how the bass is boosted or even how skewed the imaging is. It makes me not want to use those IEMs anymore, like I didn't expect that a $10 IEM will make me experience such clean and accurate sound signature, its a feat really.

Recommend Tracks/Genres
All except Hiphop and Rap

Overall Rating
S- (Current top in my ranking list)
Highly Recommended~
My Ranking Listo!
Asterhythmist

For Gapless Users/Gamers/Video Watchers/Elites/Purist/EQ Allergics:
Do not buy this IEM. Don't. :)

For People who want to appreciate their music library:
Reset your ears, stop complicating your audio enjoyment, BUY Quarks DSP, appreciate your music even more.

Final Words
Quarks DSP is the gateway in drinking a distilled water in the sea of toxicating beverages.
Clean, Transparent, and Pure.
An unconventional budget endgame.
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Brionced

New Head-Fier
Quarks DSP an average consumer alternative for 15 bucks!
Pros: Good bass response
Nice mids and vocal quality
Superb mic
Light weight
Cons: Lacks treble
Build Quality may be so-so for some
The MOONDROP Quarks with DSP Review Quicky!!

Special thanks to HiFiGo for sending me this unit for review!

Moondrop Quarks were launched about a year ago. They were fairly priced and offered a good Buds-style fit that was pleasant and non fatiguing. The first mic-less Quarks featured a 3.5mm jack as an option for connection. With the Quarks DSP they opted for the USB Type C connector with and packed with a digital signal processor, the latter being a dac chip at the end being able to by pass the android audio drivers if try and use a 3rd party audio usb player like UAPP and Hiby Music app.
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Build quality:
I like the build quality of this unit, very feather like in weight and does not tangle too much. The mic and volume bar are also of good quality. The volume knob has a good, fast response, and the mic is superb for voice calls. A plus for those in commute at the same time doing calls or those doing video calls or conferences.

Sound:

The bass is nice and impactful. There is great texture, which provides a mellow thump experience. It's a very fun bass experience that will really appeal to average consumers.

The mids is just okay. They are forward-like sounding and male voices tend to be more Bodied that female voices. They are not recessed or cloaked by the bass.

The trebles are a bit lacking in this iem, no sparkles here. Treble head might find this as a lacking or deal breaker for this one.

Details are just fine i find it toned down and less than average. The soundstage is a bit limited and feels like it's just cubed in a small room.

Conclusion:
Well, would I recommend this quark's DSP? Well, yes, for those non-audiophile listeners who like a better audio microphone experience for their mobile phones or tablets, this one is a great upgrade from those free headsets in your tablet mobile phone boxes. This one has a better sound quality offering as well as superb microphone quality that will provide a much better communication experience during conferences and calls.
Audiophiles, just stay away. 😘

Specifications:
Model: Quarks DSP
Frequency Response: 4-43kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
Effective Frequency Response: 20-20kHz
(IEC60318-4,-3db)
Sensitivity: 113dB/Vrms@1kHz
Impedance: 16Ω@1kHz士15%
THD: <1%@1kHz
Driver: Specialized High-performance 6mm Miniature
Dynamic Driver
Housing Material: PC
non-affiliate store link: https://hifigo.com/products/moondrop-quarks-dsp
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