DISCLAIMER
I would like to thank Penon for providing this review unit. The QJ21 Selected Edition can be obtained here:
https://penonaudio.com/ourart-qj21-selected-edition.html (no affliate links).
The Ourart QJ21 Selected Edition is essentially a "Pro" version of the original QJ21, which was released a few years back.
Sonic differences between QJ21 and QJ21 selected edition:
The QJ21 Selected Edition uses a high-purity silver-plated cable, and said cable is compatible with more sources via a modular distal plug for 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm sources. The soundstage of the QJ21 Selected Edition is more expansive, and is more all-rounded for various music genres.
For vocal centric tuning, the original QJ21 is still the better option. However, if one listens to wide range of music genres, the QJ21 Selection Edition is superior in this regard. Additionally, the QJ21 Selected Edition device is compatible with myriad sources, unlike the original QJ21, which has only a 3.5 mm plug.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver configuration: 14.6mm PET composite PEEK titanium-plated diaphragm driver
- Frequency response: 15 Hz – 45000 Hz
- Impedance: 45 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 127dB/mW
- Cable: MMCX, 6N single crystal copper silver-plated cable, modular options for 3.5mm single-ended, 2.5mm balanced, 4.4mm balanced plugs
- Tested at $119 USD
ACCESSORIES
Other than the earbuds, these are included:
- Wooden packaging case
- Leatherette carry case
- Cable with 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm distal modular plugs
- 4 pairs of donut foams
- 4 pairs of full foams
- 4 pairs of red/blue cable bands
- VIP card
The accessories are premium and extremely generous; everything is usable out of the box. Perhaps this is nitpicking - silicone rings could be added - but I've surely seen pricier earbuds with way less goodies.
The earbuds come in a wooden box, which is a very nice touch from the usual industrial looking packaging.
Both donut foams and full foams are included. The former give a more mid-centric focused sound signature, whereas full foams warm the sound and add bass heft. There are red/blue cable bands if one would like to add them to the MMCX connector, for ease in identifying the sides.
Ourart says the QJ21 Selected Edition may also be utilized without any foams at all, so do explore the various permutations on offer.
The stock cable is a 6N single crystal copper silver-plated cable, with distal modular plugs. 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm distal plugs are included, so the QJ21 Selected Edition can theoretically be paired with majority of audio sources.
The cable is very nice from a haptic point of view. It is well-braided, thick, supple, and tangle-free with minimal microphonics. There's a chin cinch to give added stability during usage. L and R lettering on the distal terminals delineate the sides of the cables respectively.
With many modern day TOTL earbuds still sporting non-detachable cables, I'm really pleased that Ourart has provided an MMCX connector. Imagine if your TOTL earbud without a detachable cable gets snagged on something, and becomes a white elephant! Jokes aside, cables are generally the first point of failure, or some consumers might wanna use aftermarket cables or even bluetooth adapters with their earbuds, so a detachable cable is always a plus in my book.
A VIP card with a unique serial number is included, to add some exclusivity for members of the QJ21 Selected Edition.
The provided leatherette carrying case is semi-rigid yet elegant; the innards are lined with a velvety material to protect the contents.
The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock donut foam tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.
BUILD/COMFORT
The housings are furnished from smooth sand-blasted metal. Ourart says the design is inspired by a supercar wheel shaft, and indeed they do look like the wheels of a sports car.
The shells are very light, the housings are smooth with no weird protrusions. Ergonomics and comfort are great, and this pair is suited for hour long listening sessions. Build is solid, and I've no complaints for this department.
If one finds the housing of the QJ21 Selected Edition too small (especially for those with larger ears), you can use two layers of foams to give the shells a larger size, and hence more "grip" in the ears.
Unlike some other earbuds which can only be used cable down, the Ourart QJ21 Selected Edition may also be used over-ears, so this increases fitting options.
The QJ21 Selected Edition sports a 14.6mm PET composite PEEK titanium-plated diaphragm driver.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the Ourart QJ21 Selected Edition with:
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 DAP
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Apple dongle
- E1DA DAC/AMP dongle
- Colorfly CDA M1 DAC/AMP dongle
- Tempotec Sonata HD Pro dongle (BHD firmware)
- Smartphone
Boasting a high sensitivity, the QJ21 Selected Edition is very easy to drive. Amplification or even balanced sources are not truly essential, but as per most dynamic drivers, this earbud will scale when fed power, in terms of better dynamics and a tighter bass.
As we will read below, the QJ21 Selected Edition is a warm earbud, hence it pairs better with neutral or brighter sources.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
The QJ21 Selected Edition is a warm mid-centric set.
The
bass is quite neutral in quantity, this is definitely not a basshead earbud. As per most earbuds, the bass is mostly focused in the mid-bass, with a slight tickle of rumble heard on sub-bass heavy tracks.
In terms of quality, bass texturing is good, bass is moderately speedy, though there is a tinge of mid-bass bleed. Nevertheless, on very complex bass movements, there is minimal smearing noted.
The lower
midrange is very thick and lush, warmed by the aforementioned mid-bass bleed. Though transparency takes a slight hit in this frequency band, this gives a very warm embracing and smooth analoguish lilt to music. The upper midrange is slightly forwards, but not at all shouty or fatiguing. The midrange is definitely the predominant frequency band, and vocal and mid-lovers will have a field day.
The
treble just extends slightly, the QJ21 Selected Edition isn't very sparkly or airy, so perhaps trebleheads might want to look elsewhere. The tuning is very fatigue-free with no harshness; there's minimal sibilance, though there is slight loss of clarity and micro-details as such.
Timbral accuracy is excellent, vocals and acoustic instruments sound very organic, and the QJ21 Selected Edition shines for acoustic, classical and jazz genres.
The tuning is more analoguish than analytical, and the QJ21 Selected Edition sounds very full-bodied. Verily, it is not a tour de force in
technicalities, when compared to other TOTL earbud rivals. Having said that, in the big scheme of things, among earbuds, technicalities are at least above average.
Soundstage has good depth and height, though width is just above average. Micro-detailing and clarity, as alluded to, are not class-leading in view of tuning choice, but layering, instrument separation and imaging are decent.
COMPARISONS
We will do A/B testing against other TOTL earbuds.
SMABAT ST-10S Black Gold
Not to be confused with the original ST-10 or the ST-10S Black Silver version, the ST-10S Black Gold is a mild V-shaped earbud. Rare for a earbud, it has good sub-bass extension and quantity, due to a labyrinth acoustic design.
The ST-10S Black Gold thus has greater bass quantity and extension, and perhaps bassheads would prefer the bigger bass on tap. As per the V-shaped signature, the ST-10S Black Gold is more recessed in the midrange, and mid and vocal lovers will probably opt for the QJ21 Selected Edition. As per SMABAT's house sound, there is a upper midrange 3 khz region spike on the ST-10S Black Gold - this can be shouty (thankfully, this is not present on the QJ21 Selected Edition).
In technicalities, the ST-10S Black Gold edges it, with slightly superior clarity, edge definition, imaging and instrument separation. Soundstage is smaller on the ST-10S Black Gold though.
Timbre is more natural on the QJ21 Selected Edition, the ST-10S Black Gold has a metallic sheen for acoustic instruments.
The ST-10S Black Gold is harder to drive. There is no modular cable for the ST-10S Black Gold, unlike the QJ21 Selected Edition.
SMABAT ST-20 Pro
The ST-20 Pro is SMABAT's erstwhile flagship earbud. It has a DD + BA configuration, which is extremely rare for earbuds (which are mostly single DD only).
The ST-20 Pro is tuned neutral bright. Unfortunately, it has a huge 3 kHz spike that is an ice-pick to the ears - most consumers need EQ to make it usable. I've tried various sources, foam combinations and even volume levels (Fletcher Munson curve), and only EQ could salvage the tuning. Treble extension and air/sparkle are better on the ST-20 Pro, however, there is sibilance and high-hats and cymbals are very splashy on the ST-20 Pro. Hence, tonally, the ST-20 Pro is very fatiguing and harsh if EQ is not used.
The ST-20 Pro has a similar soundstage size to the QJ21 Selected Edition, and other technicalities (imaging/edge definition) are just slightly better on the former, despite the addition of a BA driver.
The ST-20 Pro is harder to drive, and the shells are very heavy with poor ergonomics, necessitating most folk to use mods or silicone rings/double-foaming just to get a secure fit. The ST20 Pro does not have a modular cable, but a 4.4 mm and 3.5 mm cable are provided in the packaging.
Considering the ST-20 Pro are harder to drive, multiples more expensive, and has inferior fit and tonal balance, I would take the QJ21 Selected Edition any day of the week. The additional BA in the ST-20 Pro is arguably more of a hindrance than a help.
NiceHCK EBX21
The EBX21 is a neutral bright earbud with thinner note weight. Bass heft, quantity and extension is inferior to the QJ21 Selected Edition, though the bass has no bleed.
The EBX21 has greater treble extension, air and sparkle, but it is more fatiguing and harsh, with sibilance in spades.
Timbre is less natural on the EBX21.
The EBX21 has better soundstage, imaging, instrument separation, and micro-details.
The EBX21 does not have a modular cable, unlike the QJ21 Selected Edition.
Yincrow RW-2000
The Yincrow RW-2000 is a warm neutral set which is more difficult to drive. The RW-2000 has a similar sub-bass rumble as the QJ21 Selected Edition, and both sets boast good timbre.
The RW-2000 has a hair better technicalities, with better imaging and clarity, though there is an upper mids region spike on the RW-2000 which is more fatiguing than the QJ21 Selected Edition.
Both pairs fit well, though the RW-2000 does not come with a modular cable.
CONCLUSIONS
The Ourart QJ21 Selected Edition is a great addition to the pantheon of TOTL earbuds.
It boasts an analoguish, warm and full-bodied mid-centric tonality - that is very well-suited for long listening sessions - with nary an ounce of fatigue. Accessories, build and comfort are top-notch, and timbre is organic and natural, with above average technicalities on offer.
The QJ21 Selected Edition is also very easy to drive, and vocal and midrange lovers will be infatuated with the tuning. Jazz, acoustic and classical genres are outstandingly portrayed on this set.
In this day and age, when many TOTL earbuds still feature a non-detachable cable, it is nice that the QJ21 Selected Edition features an MMCX cable; but not only that, this cable is modular, and allows the QJ21 Selected Edition to be paired with various single-ended and balanced sources.
Perhaps a bone of contention - the QJ21 Selected Edition isn't as resolving as some TOTL earbud competitors, and there's a dash of mid-bass bleed - but a few of these more technical nemeses may have flaws in tonality and/or fit.
For earbuds enthusiasts searching for a TOTL set that is well suited for long, chill listening sessions, with a midrange to-die-for, the Ourart QJ21 Selected Edition gets my approval.
