qdc Superior EX

Unboxing

The QDC x Fitear Superior EX (henceforth referred to as the Superior EX) arrives in a minimalistic box, featuring only subtle branding on the top and technical details, including a frequency response graph, on the back. Upon opening, you're greeted by a QDC-branded carrying case housing the Superior EX IEMs, already attached to the cable with a set of silicone ear tips in place. A small cleaning brush is also included. Underneath the case, you'll find some paperwork and a card containing two additional sets of silicone ear tips.



Accessories

The accessories included with the Superior EX are rather basic. The cable—composed of silver-plated oxygen-free copper with a two-core design—feels flimsy, thin, and somewhat low quality. The cable is only available with a 3.5mm termination, which adds to the underwhelming first impression. On a more positive note, the ear tips provided are a welcome addition. You receive two sets: one with a standard olive shape, and the other with a dual-flange design. Both sets come in small, medium, and large sizes. The carrying case is a fabric-covered hard-shell case, providing just enough space to store the IEMs and their cable.

Build Quality

The Superior EX features a full aluminum shell, which, according to the manufacturer, helps suppress unwanted resonance and results in a more defined bass response. The ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended listening sessions. However, the nozzle is relatively short at 3.8mm, with the widest point on the lip measuring 5.7mm—wide enough to accommodate most ears comfortably. The 2-pin connector fits snugly, offering a secure connection and ensuring the cable stays in place during use or transport.

Fit and Comfort

Thanks to their ergonomic design and small nozzle, the Superior EX fits my ears perfectly, with no issues during long listening sessions. The added wing on the housing provides a secure fit, even with movement. The aluminum shell feels sturdy, so I don't worry about it during transport. The small nozzle allows for flexibility in ear tip selection, which is crucial for achieving an optimal fit. Unfortunately, I struggled to get a good seal with the provided ear tips, so I opted for JVC Spiral Dot tips in size S. These allowed the Superior EX to fit deeply, providing excellent passive isolation and improving sound quality. Given my dissatisfaction with the stock cable, I replaced it with a XINHS Mozi cable with a 4.4mm termination. While a bit heavier, the Mozi cable enhances the overall ergonomics and improves the sound experience. The 4.4mm termination allows the Superior EX to draw more power, bringing out its full potential.

Sound

The sound signature of the Superior EX can be described as warm, relaxed, and dynamic. It’s impressive that such a rich performance is achieved with a single 10mm dynamic driver. However, as with any single dynamic driver (DD) IEM, there are inherent limitations.

• Bass:
  The bass on the Superior EX is one of its standout features. It's clean, well-textured, and coherent. While the sub-bass doesn’t reach the deep, rumbling levels found on other IEMs, it still offers enough body to remain engaging. There’s no noticeable bass shelf, which gives the bass a smooth, gliding response up to around 500Hz, without any noticeable bleed into the midrange.
• Mids:
  The midrange performance is exceptional for a single DD IEM. With no bass bleed, the mids are clear and well-articulated. Vocals stand out beautifully, with richness and texture, but never overpowering the rest of the instruments. Instrument separation and layering are also quite impressive.
• Treble:
  The treble on the Superior EX is smooth and controlled, with no harsh peaks or sibilance. There are rises around 2kHz and 4kHz, followed by a gentle roll-off. While this leads to a slight reduction in treble detail, it serves to reinforce the overall warm and relaxed nature of the sound. A more pronounced treble presence beyond 4kHz could have disrupted the tonal balance and compromised the IEM's unique character.
• Soundstage:
  The soundstage of the Superior EX is fairly average, as expected with most single DD designs. While instruments are spatially separated, they don’t feel as expansive as those on multi-driver IEMs. In studio recordings, the spatial separation is clear, but in live recordings, the IEMs struggle to reproduce a truly holographic soundstage or accurately convey the sense of the recording space.
• Resolution:
  Like most single DDs, the Superior EX falls short in terms of temporal resolution when compared to balanced armatures or planar drivers. That said, the Superior EX does an excellent job of resolving time-domain details, particularly in slower or simpler tracks. However, in dense or busy recordings, it can sometimes struggle to keep up with all the fine details.

Conclusion

The QDC x Fitear Superior EX quickly became one of my favorite IEMs. Its warm and relaxed tuning strikes a perfect balance with minimal drawbacks, making it ideal for work or background listening when you want music to complement your focus. However, labeling it solely as a “background playback” IEM would do it a disservice. It is one of the best single dynamic driver IEMs I have heard and can certainly be used for critical listening as well.

The biggest disappointment lies in the included accessories. While the selection of ear tips is appreciated, none of the provided options gave me a good seal. The cable, however, is the most significant letdown. It feels poorly made and doesn't match the quality or price of the IEMs. Nevertheless, if you're willing to invest in better-fitting ear tips and a higher-quality cable, the Superior EX will reward you with an exceptional listening experience.

Hi everyone, thanks for tuning in! Today, I’m reviewing the qdc X FitEar Superior EX, an IEM featuring a custom 10mm full-range dynamic driver. I purchased mine from Musicteck, and I have to say, their service was excellent. Big thanks to the @MusicTeck team for a smooth experience, people there are amazing! That said, my impressions are completely unbiased, I simply write what I hear.

This is my first time with products from qdc or FitEar, but their reputations speak for themselves. Its a pleasant surprise seeing these two brands collaborate on an IEM . Previously, qdc released the Superior, another single dynamic driver IEM. This time, they teamed up with FitEar to refine the tuning even further.

Encouraged by positive feedback from friends in the audio community, I couldn’t resist and ordered one. After spending plenty of time with it, I’m ready to dive into the details and share comparisons with other IEMs in this price range. Let’s get started!

qdc X FitEar Superior EX can be bought here. Link




Rating Criteria:

I want to lay out my rating criteria before we start off. For me, the primary criterion for evaluating audio gear is its intrinsic value rather than its price tag. A higher price doesn't always correlate with superior quality, and similarly, a low-priced product can give enough listening pleasure for it to be called outstanding. I consider the build, features, and, most importantly, the impact on the listening experience. The fundamental purpose of audio gear is to enhance the listening experience. So for me, this degree of enhancement in the listening experience is a key determinant in rating a product.

Rating below 4: I really won't be posting reviews of such items unless someone has asked for them.
Rating of 4: The product is good, and some users may find it more satisfactory, but it does come with a few caveats, such as price, fit, etc.
Rating of 4.5: The product is excellent and comes with an easy recommendation, reflecting its high quality and overall positive attributes.
Rating of 5: This product can be deemed groundbreaking, a trendsetter, and an eye-opener and deserves a spot on everyone's list due to its exceptional features and outstanding performance.





Configuration:

Driver: Dynamic type (single full range 10mm diameter)
Frequency response range: 10-40,000 Hz
Input sensitivity: 100 dB SPL/mW
Impedance: 16 impedance
Sound isolation: 26dB
Cable/plug: Silver plated OFC conductor 4-core cable (about 120cm) with black color PVC coating
Connector: custom IEM 2-pin plug (metal sleeve straight): 3.5mm




Design, build, and fit:

The package arrive in a basic packaging. nothing grand. it lacks a good presentation for a 200usd plus IEM. there are many iems in this price range which offers a better unboxing and inclusion of better accessories.

The package includes: pair of IEMs, three sizes of single flange silicone eartips (S/M/L), three sizes of double flange eartips (S/M/L), a cable, a cleaning brush and a carry case.

The shells of the IEM is built in aluminum chasis. I love the built of the shells. They have a nice matte finish in brown color which seems very durable and prone to chipping off. One of the shells carry logo of qdc and the other one carries the FitEar logo. The shells are very lightweight and have an ergonimic shape which gives a very nice fit. The nozzle is small in size and can pose a bit of struggle in finding a nice fitting eartip.

I also like the nice inclusion of the eartips. I also tried some third party eartips and found the SpinFit Omni fitting really well. The smaller stems on the Omni helps getting me a nice snug fit. I got a decent fit with Tangzu Sancai wide-bore tips too.

In terms of isolation, these IEMs are above average. They block a good amount of outside noise. I would not take it out in public, though. With a good-fitting ear tip, the isolation is quite decent. Be sure to pair them with the best fitting eartips as for a deeper bass a snug fit is important.

I did not quite like the included cable. The build of the cable is nothing praiseworthy and I found it limiting the performance a bit. Changing to some other cables, I could feel the sound improving especially in the treble response.




Sound Analysis:

The Superior EX stands out with its refined tuning, showcasing the strengths of a well-tuned single dynamic driver IEM with solid technical abilities. What immediately impressed me was its excellent bass quality and expansive soundstage. The tuning feels natural and realistic, with just the right amount of warmth to make it musical and engaging. This IEM handles almost any genre of music with ease.

Bass
The bass is truly remarkable. It strikes a perfect balance which is not too overwhelming, yet satisfying enough to leave no gaps. The sub-bass extends deep, while the mid-bass is punchy and impactful, with just the right weight. It’s detailed, textured, and layered, rivaling some higher-priced IEMs. The bass stays controlled, avoiding any resonance or bleed into the midrange. It’s tight, clean, and adds a lingering effect that enhances the overall experience.

Midrange
The midrange is natural and lifelike, with a rich lower-midrange that gives vocals and instruments a dense, full-bodied character. The note weight adds to the musicality, hitting the perfect balance. Female vocals, in particular, sound beautifully extended and expressive. The upper midrange carries a touch of energy, keeping the mix lively without ever sounding harsh. It’s detailed yet easy on the ears, with great extension for added depth.





Treble
The treble is relaxed but doesn’t compromise on detail. It feels coherent and smooth, much like the tuning found in many premium single dynamic driver IEMs. While a bit of added sparkle might have enhanced it further, the treble still delivers a decent-quality performance and blends seamlessly with the rest of the frequencies. There is plenty of air towards the upper end of spectrum which gives the overall sound an open feel.

Soundstage & Imaging
The soundstage is where the Superior EX truly shines. It offers a holographic presentation that’s noticeable from the first listen. Imaging is precise, with instruments placed accurately in the soundscape. There’s plenty of space for each element to breathe, even in complex tracks like metal or rock. The resolution is impressive, with micro-details rendered clearly and vividly.

Overall, the Superior EX is an outstanding IEM that delivers a balanced, detailed, and musical sound with a standout soundstage and excellent imaging.


Source Pairing:
The Superior EX is very easy to drive, thanks to its comfortable specifications. In a quiet space, I find a volume level of 30 on the Lotoo Paw Gold Touch (LPGT) to be just right. While it doesn’t need extra power, it truly shines with a good source, showcasing its resolution and technical abilities.

With the LPGT, the bass is superb, offering excellent texture and detail. The IEM effortlessly reveals even the smallest nuances in the music. However, I believe a cable upgrade is essential to unlock its full potential. Even swapping to stock cables from mid-fi IEMs can make a noticeable difference.


Comparisons:

With Meze ALBA:

At $150, the ALBA is a strong contender. I’ve always appreciated its solid performance in this price range. The shells are small, super lightweight, and offer an effortless fit. Its cable is thin yet flexible, and for a $150 IEM, the ALBA delivers what you’d expect which is a well-executed tuning.

In comparison, the Superior EX offers more detailed bass. The texture and layering are better, while the ALBA leans slightly heavier on the midbass. This gives the ALBA a thicker, fuller lower midrange.

When it comes to the midrange, the Superior EX has more warmth, while the ALBA feels more forward, creating a narrower stage. The Superior EX, on the other hand, offers better stage width and depth, with instruments spaced out and well-separated, giving them more breathing room. The sound of the Superior EX is more refined, detailed, and musical.

That said, the ALBA still holds its ground with a pleasant tuning that isn’t far behind. While the Superior EX is clearly an upgrade, the ALBA remains a great option in its own right.





With the LETSHUOER cadenza 4:

The Cadenza 4 is an IEM I truly adore and find highly capable. It’s one of those IEMs that stand the test of time and will remain a favorite for many of us for years. The build is incredibly robust, with resin shells that feel premium and durable. The cable is modular and well-built, adding to its overall quality. The accessories and packaging are also a step above the Superior EX, making the Cadenza 4 an even better package overall.

The Cadenza4 is widely praised for its mature tuning. Paired with a powerful source, it performs exceptionally well. Compared to the Superior Ex, the Cadenza4 delivers better bass in terms of quality. Its sub-bass is deeper and more refined, while both IEMs have slightly shy mid-bass, with the Superior Ex being even more so.

In the midrange, the Cadenza4 stands out with greater resolution and richness. Its lower end feels fuller and more robust. Both IEMs have smooth treble, but the Cadenza4 offers a slightly airier presentation.

The Cadenza4 also excels in soundstage, providing greater depth, a more open and immersive experience, and a wider stage. Overall, it feels more musical and resolving than the Superior Ex.





With the SoundRhyme SR9:

The SR9 is a recently launched and well-received hybrid IEM from SoundRhyme. It features a configuration of one dynamic driver and eight balanced armature drivers. The shells are small, lightweight, and comfortable. The cable is an improvement over the Superior Ex's, but the packaging is equally underwhelming and not particularly appealing. However, the round carry case from SoundRhyme feels sturdier and more practical.

The SR9 has a warmer sound signature with a thicker, punchier bass. It offers more sub-bass and mid-bass compared to the Superior Ex, but the boosted lower end causes some treble to feel muted. The lower midrange on the SR9 is thicker and denser, but the bass bleed makes the midrange less clean. In contrast, the Superior Ex delivers more detailed and resolving mids, with a wider and more open soundstage.

The midrange on the SR9 is closer and more forward, with thicker vocals and taller note presentation. However, it comes off as muddy and congested.

Superior Ex's treble is also much better, offering clarity and airiness that the darker SR9 lacks. The SR9's bass boominess tends to overshadow finer details in the overall sound.

Between the two, I strongly prefer the Superior Ex for its clean presentation, realistic timbre, and natural sound, which remains enjoyable even after extended listening. The SR9’s muddy presentation can become tiring over time.





Conclusion:

Right from the release and after getting some postiive responses, I was excited about the Superior EX and couldn’t resist buying it. It has been a pleasant surprise from the start. The shell build and the likable tuning impressed me immediately.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this IEM. It delivers everything you’d expect from a good single dynamic driver IEM. In a market filled with IEMs of similar configuration, this one stands out. Its technical capability sets it apart from the crowd.

The bass response is fantastic and keeps you coming back for more. The midrange is beautifully musical, perfect for vocal lovers. The soundstage is class-leading and adds another layer of immersion.

Overall, I find the Superior EX highly capable and would recommend it without hesitation. For single dynamic driver lovers, this is a must-have IEM. I rate it 4.5/5