QDC 8 Pro
- Added by Trance_Gott
- Create date
QDC has become known worldwide for its Anole series of IEMs, which are considered the most neutrally tuned in the IEM landscape and are at the top of the charts on some platforms where tonality and resolution are considered the most important criteria.
Over the last 7 years QDC has undergone many technological innovations, all of which have led to the latest product from QDC, the 8 Pro. Three different tunings can be selected with a switch integrated in the housing. With the Hifi, Studio and Live settings, the user can adjust the tonality to suit their mood without using an EQ. More on how exactly these three settings differ later.
The QDC 8 Pro is equipped with a total of 8 BA drivers. QDC itself speaks of groundbreaking improvements in recent years that have improved the sound balance and extended the low and high frequencies. I am excited!
The QDC 8 Pro consists of a carbon fiber housing which is very light and ergonomically perfectly shaped for a secure and comfortable fit. The black connection cable with a mix of copper and silver allows operation with all possible sources with 3.5mm, 2.5mm, 4.4mm and even with a large jack adapter on the 6.35mm connection. I'm so glad that more and more manufacturers have gotten their act together and are including these types of plugs instead of requiring a new cable for each configuration. For a price of about 1500 USD, the 8 Pro is housed in a classy walnut box, which in my opinion belongs in this price range. The walnut box reminds me a bit of my Shanling M8. This type of presentation shows that this is a high-quality product. Walnut in combination with carbon fiber is a successful combination and really looks good. Various silicone eartips in different sizes and instructions round off the overall package.
The 8 Pro is one of the most comfortable IEMs I know. With the AZLA Clears, I can hardly feel that I have an IEM in my ear after a few minutes. How I would wish for something like that with my Raven, which unfortunately is one of the most uncomfortable IEMs I own. It's simply the size and weight that make the difference. And the 8 Pro is a lightweight and also small. Perfect for very long hours of listening without any pressure or wearing problems.
Like many previous IEMs, I tested the QDC 8 Pro on my iBasso DX320 MAX Ti DAP. With a stated impedance of 19-62 ohms, the 8 Pro is surprisingly easy to drive. Even a little easier than the Oriveti OH700VB I tested last. I very rarely have to use Gain 2 on the MAX TI for higher volumes. Only for recordings with a very high dynamic range.
Tonally, we are dealing with one of the most neutral IEMs. The three sound settings make a big difference. Whereas with an Oriveti OH700VB it's almost all about nuances with its two settings, with the 8 Pro you get almost three different IEMs in one. Starting with the very neutral "Studio" setting. Here, the 8 Pro works with the highest resolution and greatest soundstage representation. A true sound magnifier. It reveals a resolution that can easily keep up with a U12t. The "Hifi" display reveals a slightly stronger bass. The rather sober presentation in the "Studio" setting spoils you with a little more punch at the bottom in the "Hifi" setting. However, my favorite setting is clearly "Live". Here it has a warmer sound with even more bass and smoother highs. In the "Hifi" setting, it reminds me directly of a FIBAE 7U. "Studio", on the other hand, plays even warmer with roughly the same amount of bass.
That the resolution of the QDC belongs to the ranks of the top IEMs was clear to me from the very first minute. It is very clean and mega detailed in all settings. Of course, in the "Studio" setting, the very neutral bass range means that even the finest micro-details are virtually served up on a platter. The listener doesn't miss a thing here. It doesn't need to hide from a U12t in this discipline.
Having recently examined so many IEMs with DD drivers for the bass range, I no longer realize how fast a well-implemented BA bass range actually is. And the 8 Pro has a brilliant bass range! There's detail in abundance here and all with a punch that you only know from a FIBAE 7U or U12t, both of which also use BA drivers for the bass range. Here it only has to admit defeat to a Multiverse Mentor, which for me offers the best BA bass of all the IEMs I've heard. But what does it cost? Yes, 3x the price of the 8 Pro! From the „Hifi" position upwards, the bass plays with slightly more quantity than the Oriveti OH700VB that I recently tested. The Oriveti can't keep up in terms of quality. However, as it has a DD driver for the bass range, it sounds a little punchier when the recording requires it. In my opinion, a BA driver can and will never be able to achieve this in the same way. But BA drivers are faster and, if implemented correctly, mega detailed like this one.
The soundstage is very coherent and harmonious. However, this is not an expansive representation a la Raven or Trifecta, but remains more intimate. The voices are set back a touch and blend pleasantly into the overall scene. What should be emphasized, however, is that the instrument separation is at a very high level. The instruments are clearly separated from each other and can be easily located. Here it plays at U12t and FIBAE 7U level and beats an Oriveti OH700VB. However, the latter offers greater soundstage and sounds even airier.
In the mid-range, I notice an extraordinarily good voice reproduction, which is largely due to the very successful neutral tuning and the technical qualities of the BA drivers from QDC. A neutral, natural reproduction that is absolutely free of coloration.
What about the treble and the neutral tuning, especially in the "Studio" position? Micro details without end and still without being too harsh or shrill. In this position, the whole thing is still at the limit of not sounding unpleasant, at least for me. I can imagine that even brighter sources than the DX320 MAX Ti might make the treble unpleasant on some recordings. But as soon as you switch to the "Hifi" or even "Studio" setting, the treble becomes much smoother and is never a problem. The "Studio" setting reminds me of my Multiverse Mentor in terms of treble response. Always smooth, never intrusive and detailed so that nothing is missed. Even micro details are not blurred here.
The 8 Pro is a genre talent. I've listened to everything from modern genres such as rock, pop, metal, EDM to classical and jazz and it always cuts a fine figure. Especially very fast death metal is a lot of fun. The combination of BA Speed and DD Punch would probably be the best way to go. But you can't have everything!
7 years of development and innovation. Various studio and hi-fi IEMs. And now the 8 Pro with which you can hear and experience the entire concentrated power of QDC! Three different settings, which are not just nuances, but big differences, actually cover the entire range of applications you need. In the price range around 1500 USD, the QDC 8 Pro is certainly one of the technically best IEMs. If you are looking for a neutral IEM that covers all possible genres, a sound magnifier to suit your mood or an IEM to enjoy, you should consider the QDC 8 Pro.
Over the last 7 years QDC has undergone many technological innovations, all of which have led to the latest product from QDC, the 8 Pro. Three different tunings can be selected with a switch integrated in the housing. With the Hifi, Studio and Live settings, the user can adjust the tonality to suit their mood without using an EQ. More on how exactly these three settings differ later.
The QDC 8 Pro is equipped with a total of 8 BA drivers. QDC itself speaks of groundbreaking improvements in recent years that have improved the sound balance and extended the low and high frequencies. I am excited!
The QDC 8 Pro consists of a carbon fiber housing which is very light and ergonomically perfectly shaped for a secure and comfortable fit. The black connection cable with a mix of copper and silver allows operation with all possible sources with 3.5mm, 2.5mm, 4.4mm and even with a large jack adapter on the 6.35mm connection. I'm so glad that more and more manufacturers have gotten their act together and are including these types of plugs instead of requiring a new cable for each configuration. For a price of about 1500 USD, the 8 Pro is housed in a classy walnut box, which in my opinion belongs in this price range. The walnut box reminds me a bit of my Shanling M8. This type of presentation shows that this is a high-quality product. Walnut in combination with carbon fiber is a successful combination and really looks good. Various silicone eartips in different sizes and instructions round off the overall package.
The 8 Pro is one of the most comfortable IEMs I know. With the AZLA Clears, I can hardly feel that I have an IEM in my ear after a few minutes. How I would wish for something like that with my Raven, which unfortunately is one of the most uncomfortable IEMs I own. It's simply the size and weight that make the difference. And the 8 Pro is a lightweight and also small. Perfect for very long hours of listening without any pressure or wearing problems.
Like many previous IEMs, I tested the QDC 8 Pro on my iBasso DX320 MAX Ti DAP. With a stated impedance of 19-62 ohms, the 8 Pro is surprisingly easy to drive. Even a little easier than the Oriveti OH700VB I tested last. I very rarely have to use Gain 2 on the MAX TI for higher volumes. Only for recordings with a very high dynamic range.
Tonally, we are dealing with one of the most neutral IEMs. The three sound settings make a big difference. Whereas with an Oriveti OH700VB it's almost all about nuances with its two settings, with the 8 Pro you get almost three different IEMs in one. Starting with the very neutral "Studio" setting. Here, the 8 Pro works with the highest resolution and greatest soundstage representation. A true sound magnifier. It reveals a resolution that can easily keep up with a U12t. The "Hifi" display reveals a slightly stronger bass. The rather sober presentation in the "Studio" setting spoils you with a little more punch at the bottom in the "Hifi" setting. However, my favorite setting is clearly "Live". Here it has a warmer sound with even more bass and smoother highs. In the "Hifi" setting, it reminds me directly of a FIBAE 7U. "Studio", on the other hand, plays even warmer with roughly the same amount of bass.
That the resolution of the QDC belongs to the ranks of the top IEMs was clear to me from the very first minute. It is very clean and mega detailed in all settings. Of course, in the "Studio" setting, the very neutral bass range means that even the finest micro-details are virtually served up on a platter. The listener doesn't miss a thing here. It doesn't need to hide from a U12t in this discipline.
Having recently examined so many IEMs with DD drivers for the bass range, I no longer realize how fast a well-implemented BA bass range actually is. And the 8 Pro has a brilliant bass range! There's detail in abundance here and all with a punch that you only know from a FIBAE 7U or U12t, both of which also use BA drivers for the bass range. Here it only has to admit defeat to a Multiverse Mentor, which for me offers the best BA bass of all the IEMs I've heard. But what does it cost? Yes, 3x the price of the 8 Pro! From the „Hifi" position upwards, the bass plays with slightly more quantity than the Oriveti OH700VB that I recently tested. The Oriveti can't keep up in terms of quality. However, as it has a DD driver for the bass range, it sounds a little punchier when the recording requires it. In my opinion, a BA driver can and will never be able to achieve this in the same way. But BA drivers are faster and, if implemented correctly, mega detailed like this one.
The soundstage is very coherent and harmonious. However, this is not an expansive representation a la Raven or Trifecta, but remains more intimate. The voices are set back a touch and blend pleasantly into the overall scene. What should be emphasized, however, is that the instrument separation is at a very high level. The instruments are clearly separated from each other and can be easily located. Here it plays at U12t and FIBAE 7U level and beats an Oriveti OH700VB. However, the latter offers greater soundstage and sounds even airier.
In the mid-range, I notice an extraordinarily good voice reproduction, which is largely due to the very successful neutral tuning and the technical qualities of the BA drivers from QDC. A neutral, natural reproduction that is absolutely free of coloration.
What about the treble and the neutral tuning, especially in the "Studio" position? Micro details without end and still without being too harsh or shrill. In this position, the whole thing is still at the limit of not sounding unpleasant, at least for me. I can imagine that even brighter sources than the DX320 MAX Ti might make the treble unpleasant on some recordings. But as soon as you switch to the "Hifi" or even "Studio" setting, the treble becomes much smoother and is never a problem. The "Studio" setting reminds me of my Multiverse Mentor in terms of treble response. Always smooth, never intrusive and detailed so that nothing is missed. Even micro details are not blurred here.
The 8 Pro is a genre talent. I've listened to everything from modern genres such as rock, pop, metal, EDM to classical and jazz and it always cuts a fine figure. Especially very fast death metal is a lot of fun. The combination of BA Speed and DD Punch would probably be the best way to go. But you can't have everything!
7 years of development and innovation. Various studio and hi-fi IEMs. And now the 8 Pro with which you can hear and experience the entire concentrated power of QDC! Three different settings, which are not just nuances, but big differences, actually cover the entire range of applications you need. In the price range around 1500 USD, the QDC 8 Pro is certainly one of the technically best IEMs. If you are looking for a neutral IEM that covers all possible genres, a sound magnifier to suit your mood or an IEM to enjoy, you should consider the QDC 8 Pro.
Trance_Gott
Sorry I never heared the SA6.
SteveKiwi
An excellent summary.
Xinlisupreme
Any comparison with V6?
