QDC Emperor

General Information

Golden and Brilliant Emperor Colors
A natural and melodious sound


Driver composition: A total of 15 drivers
1 dynamic+10 BA+4 electrostatic
1DD: Ultra Low
4BA: Low
2BA: Mid
4BA: High
4EST: Ultra High
5-way crossover; 5 sound channels

Exclusive technology:
1. Using qdc multi-tube filtering and multi-channel divider based on the patented qdc multi-tube filtering
technology
2. Adopting patented technology for qdc adjacent frequency band crosstalk
suppression and phase compensation to achieve precise tuning.
3. Dynamic design adopts Dmagic's patented acoustic structure.
4. Customized high sensitivity ultra-low frequency driver, 10mm composite material
diaphragm.
5. Ultra-wide frequency response range: 5Hz-700000Hz.
Technical specifications
Input sensitivity: 106dB SPL/mW
Frequency response range: 5 Hz -70000 Hz
Impedance: 15 ohms
Drivers: 15 micro drivers
Noise reduction: 26dB
Earphone plug: 3-in-1 interchangeable plug

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http://musicen.qdc.com/Product/74.html

Latest reviews

Trance_Gott

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Very good tonal balance
Technical capabilities at the highest level
Grandiose treble reproduction with the EST drivers
A bass that not only offers quality but is also fun to listen to
Very good instrument separation and spatial representation
Cons: The scope of delivery includes a rather plain cable
The Emperor is the latest flagship from QDC, which was created in collaboration with Aiuto. The year 2024 is the year of the dragon in the lunar calendar. This is closely associated with the first emperor of China. This is how the name Emperor came about for the new IEM from QDC. QDC has been around since the heyday of IEMs and has years of expertise in this field. One of the best-known models is the Anole series, which is known for its absolute neutrality and can be found at the top of many top lists. I recently tested the Model 8 Pro, which is also one of the best neutral IEMs around. Most of QDC's models use BA drivers exclusively. The Emperor takes a different approach with the aim of achieving an even more musical tuning without completely abandoning the path of neutrality. To achieve this, QDC uses a hybrid design with a combination of dynamic drivers, BA drivers and EST drivers.

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A total of 15 drivers are accommodated in one housing! A dynamic driver in combination with 4 BA drivers is responsible for the bass range. 2 BA drivers reproduce the mid-range. 4 BA drivers are responsible for the treble range. 4 EST drivers provide the ultra-brilliant treble response. A 5-way crossover network ensures the interaction of the drivers. This model combines a number of exclusive technologies that QDC has developed in recent years. These include multi-tube filtering, a patented technology for suppressing crosstalk in the adjacent frequency band, the patented 10mm dynamic range and an ultra-wide frequency range from 5Hz to 70000Hz.

The finish of the IEM is fantastic. The faceplate looks insanely good with its bright colors. The majestic appearance is underlined by the gold-plated edges. A very ergonomic design ensures that the Emperor can be worn comfortably despite its size.

The unboxing experience also has that certain something you would expect from an IEM with an RRP of USD 2900. When the box is opened, the interior folds up at an angle to reveal the Emperor in all its glory. The scope of delivery includes a round storage box, a range of different ear tips, a cleaning brush and interchangeable plugs for the cable. The Emperor can therefore be operated directly unbalanced (via 3.5mm) and balanced (2.5mm + 4.4mm). Even an adapter to 6.35mm is included. The cable used is very soft, light and comfortable to wear. In this price range, I would have liked something of higher quality. I think this is the same cable that comes with the 8 Pro.

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For the sound test, my M15s from FiiO is used, once solo and once in combination with the iBasso PB5 amplifier based on the Korg tube. With an impedance of 15 ohms and a sensitivity of 106 dB/mW, the Emperor is very easy to drive, so that only the lowest gain level is required for the M15s and PB5.

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The first few songs of the new Emperor make one thing clear: this is in a different league to the in-house 8 Pro! Tonally, it is most comparable to the hi-fi position of the 8 Pro. However, the bass range and treble range are clearly a league above. The Emperor's 10mm DD driver produces the more tangible bass kick that the 8 Pro's BA driver cannot offer. The bass range of the Emperor also goes a long way in terms of quality. What the 8 Pro has to offer in return is speed, which the Emperor doesn't quite achieve. However, it must also be made clear that the BA bass range of the 8 Pro is certainly one of the best implementations ever and is only surpassed by the Multiverse Mentor and AME Custom Raven that I know of. All IEMs that are significantly more expensive than the 8 Pro! All in all, the Emperor offers a very solid bass range that doesn't make any mistakes. The low and mid-bass ranges are evenly balanced. Neither area stands out. The beautifully bouncy and detached bass range is a lot of fun with modern genres such as rock, pop and metal.

The transition to the mids is seamless. The mids are rather neutrally tuned and designed for maximum separation instead of a fuller presentation. This also demonstrates the Emperor's fabulous technical skills, which conjure up a very holographic stage image on which I can effortlessly locate every sound event. The stage is somewhat larger than that of the 8 Pro and is only surpassed by a Multiverse Mentor or AME Custom Raven.

The biggest highlight of the Emperor for me is clearly the treble range. Here you can directly hear the timbre of the EST drivers. If the tuning is done well, and other EST IEMs such as an AME Custom Raven or Gaia show this, then you get this absolutely silky tuning and yet resolution without end down to the smallest corners of the recording. And that's exactly what the Emperor produces. With its bright tuning and yet never harsh highs, I can use it at higher volumes without any problems and without anything getting on my nerves. You also have the option of using different eartips to influence the tuning. My favorites are the AZLA Clears. But the SpiralDots also suit the Emperor well in terms of sound and comfort. In terms of sound, it then moves into somewhat warmer spheres. It's not just the eartips that play a role, but also the players. The M15s is a rather bright DAP and, with the Emperor, offers a very lively and fast firework display. If you then add a PB5, the sound becomes more spacious, the mids warmer and fuller and the bass range gains a little more low end. My favorite combination!

Comparison with other IEMs:

vs Radon6:

The Emperor separates even more strongly, although it doesn't quite achieve the airiness of the Radon6. In the bass range, the Emperor is slightly above the Radon6 in terms of quality, but it can't quite deliver the same punch as the Radon6. But thanks to the Kinetic Bass technology, no other IEM can do it in this way anyway. The mids of the Emperor are tailored to the strong separation of the elements, while they are somewhat fuller on the Radon6 and no longer quite as razor sharp. The Emperor is ahead in terms of detail and resolution. The implementation of the treble sounds more typical of EST than the Radon6. I only know a treble range like that of the Emperor from the two AME custom IEMs, the Gaia + Raven. And for me, they are the measure of all things in the treble range!

vs Fourte Blanc:
The Fourte Blanc has the not quite as neutral presentation as the Emperor. The Fourte Blanc kicks a little harder in the bass and has a wider low end due to the slightly recessed mids. The overall presentation is therefore more laid back than the more energetic presentation of the Emperor. The Fourte Blanc also scores points in the separation of individual sound events. But it doesn't have the razor-sharp imaging of the Emperor. Nor its richness of detail. The Fourte Blanc, on the other hand, scores with the more beautiful timbres and the incredibly detailed bass range. An IEM to lean back and enjoy. The Emperor, on the other hand, demands the listener's attention, as it hides no detail.

vs Empire Ears Raven:
These are both extremely fast IEMs with a focus on instrument separation! In the bass range, both can really punch when the recording demands it. However, the Raven's BCD makes you feel it even more and the Raven is almost unbeatable in the bass range. However, it can't quite transfer this to the other ranges. The transition from the mids to the highs is not very smooth and, depending on the recording, I can hear a slightly too recessed mid-range. Probably at the expense of the immense depth. The Emperor is much better tuned here and therefore appears more natural.

vs CraftEars Omnium:
The Omnium is an IEM that focuses on the sensational mid-range reproduction provided by the planar driver. The Emperor sounds completely different. It is brighter and much more energetic. The Omnium can't keep up in terms of bass quantity. In terms of quality, however, both are on a par. In the treble range, the Emperor clearly sets itself apart with the EST implementation. The Omnium invites you to listen to music for hours on end and that is its domain. You sink into a carpet of sound. It is smooth and very holographic in its imaging. The Emperor is like a rollercoaster ride. It's always full of energy. Fireworks with Metal!

vs FatFreq Grand Maestro:
The GM is warmer tuned but technically on a par with the Emperor. The bass on the GM goes deeper and kicks harder. The mids are fuller and warmer. However, the Emperor is again ahead in the treble range and also in terms of instrument separation.

vs Campfire Trifecta:
Bigger stage, just as full of energy - that's the Trifecta! Tonally, however, it is completely different and not tuned for separation, but simply for fun, fun, fun. The Trifecta can't keep up technically and also not in terms of resolution. But there is only one IEM that is as much fun as the Trifecta and that is the Trifecta!

vs APX SE:
A treble range that is equipped with BA drivers and a planar driver and stands up to the Emperor with its 4 EST drivers. Sounds a little different in timbre but both are on a par in terms of quality! In terms of other technical capabilities, however, the Emperor has to admit defeat. Bass quality and separation are the domain of the APX SE. Here, however, it outperforms almost every IEM. But we're talking about an IEM that costs €5500 vs. €3000 for the Emperor.


With the Emperor, an IEM has been created which, for me, is the best-sounding from QDC to date. With a hybrid design that gets a lot of things right tonally and operates at the very highest technical level. As a multi-talent for all common music genres, the Emperor is not a special talent, but a generalist with which you can sit back and relax and no longer have to look left or right for other IEMs. With a price of 2900 USD, it is certainly not cheap, but it is certainly appropriate for the quality level and price structure of the competition.

The Emperor can be purchased from Musictek:
https://shop.musicteck.com/products/qdc-emperor?_pos=1&_sid=d072612c9&_ss=r
Last edited:
Trance_Gott
Trance_Gott
Anole VX ist also a detail monster. I could not compare directly but I like the EST presentation more it gives you all the details but with softer highs.
A
audionooby
$2900 doesn’t seem appropriate at all. These are ridiculous prices for what it takes to design and build these devices. There really should be *no* IEM that costs that much.
KeinHartz
KeinHartz
I think the 8ss I used before was very linear. I think there have been a lot of upgrades over time.

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