QoA Gimlet

Gimlet is a cocktail drink made up of mixed lime cordial and a gin. This drink is usually served straight up by bartenders. (I have some few stints as an assistant bartender before)

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It seems that this sister brand of Kinera has a fixation on naming their products based on cocktail drinks with their models like Vesper, Adonis, Margarita, Mojito and Pink Lady. QoA or Queen of Audio has been establishing themselves with some of their products gains more attraction from audio enthusiasts and audio professionals due its aesthetics and specific tuning.




What I have here right now is their model, QoA Gimlet as I mentioned it on introduction. This set has a single dynamic driver set-up and its transducers has a 10mm LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) diaphragm on its dynamic driver. The sturdy and firm properties of LCP delivers more detail, less distortion and faster transient speed on its sonic performance. These drivers were encapsulated in a solid metal alloy with smooth coating with a circular gold with a company logo on its face plate. It has some vent holes in cavity base part of the shell to serve as an outlet for excess air generated from dynamic drivers to alleviate some pressure for long listening sessions.



It uses a standard 2-pin connector as its standard interlocking mechanism for its detachable system. QoA included a 4-core 4N OFC silver-plated copper cable with gold accents on its termination plug, ear hook guide and metal chin slider.



When it comes to wearing and comfort, the QoA Gimlet is a bit hefty but it rests well into my lugholes without any discomfort and ear fatigue. It isolates some external noises from the outside surroundings as I was able to listen to some audio tracks in such clearness.



Like its sister company, Kinera, QoA inherits some aspects when it comes to product packaging and its presentation that its sister is usually known for. It has a square-shaped packaging box along with its decent quantity of inclusions inside.




Here are the following accessories included inside from the box:

■ a pair of QoA Gimlet.
■ a white-coloured 4-core OFC SPC cable.
■ 3 pairs of bass ear tips of different standard sizes.
■ 3 pairs of balanced ear tips of different standard sizes.
■ Faux-leather zippered IEM case.
■ Some paperwork like instruction manual, contact card and a postcard that bears the picture of the owner. (quite a pretty lady)



QoA Gimlet is quite power efficient when it comes to amplification. A source with decent power output will be able to scale this set in a very dynamic way with a good full-range sound from it



Regarding its tonality, QoA Gimlet has an interesting tonal profile which is warmish, mild U-shaped sound with sufficient elevation on low frequency, a linear midrange and accentuated treble response.



LOWS/BASS:

Punchy and tactile though it has this noticeable softness on its impact. For sure that this set is more focused towards mid bass than the sub bass but I still can perceive its rumble and depth from it.

As I mentioned the sub bass quality of this one, its reverberations will appear if it is needed from the tracks filled with sub bass instruments like low-toned bass guitars and synthesisers. Mid bass region is more pronounced as it gives more texture on its note weight albeit a tad mellow for an unspecified reason (probably try to minimise its possible bass bleeding). Bass guitars sound broad and mellow as I listen to Les Claypool's slapping. The bass drum kicks are full and pounding sounding though in some fast double bass kicks from thrash and death metal tracks, it sounds a bit soft and hollow in my liking. On bass-baritone vocals, it has a wool-like characteristic but it has rather an inadequate depth on its tone to give a gravelly and thick sound especially when I listen to Peter Steele and Andrew Eldritch. There is noticeable slight bass bleed but I still consider it as well-controlled.


MIDRANGE:

That slight bass bleed thus affects the midrange quality of the QoA Gimlet as it sounds less neutral and transparent but it gives that lushness and more organic timbre on vocals and most instruments due to added warmth into it. It has a tad recessed on its presentation but still retains that depth and detail.

Both male and female vocals especially on baritones, contraltos and even some low mezzo-sopranos have those warm, lush and rich timbres which those particular vocals are an exact tonality that are depicted in a corporeal manner. Tenors, countertenors and sopranos are portrayed in a good way as they sound energetic although it needs some refinement on improving some female vocal-type particularly on the quality of coloratura soprano.

On instruments, brasses like trombones and trumpets have a substantial, rounded and penetrating from them while woodwinds instruments have an interesting observation as concert flutes has a warm and mellow sound but somehow it has a lack of airiness and silvery sound that I usually hear on its tonal register. Strings like acoustic guitars, mandolins and violins have a sustaining presence on its notations and chords to have a buttery, lustrous and full sound from them. Percussives like snares, field drums and toms have a clear, hard and dry sounding respectively. On pianos, they sound more on a balanced side as it has a warm and at the same time with vividness to give that zestful and dynamic sound.


HIGHS/TREBLE:

This set has sufficient brightness as discerningly hear that emphasis on upper mids to give some intensity on vocals and instruments to have that sense of detail and clarity. It also has some attenuated slope between the presence segment to the brilliance part of the treble to give that smooth sound to reduce harshness and a possibility of sibilance.

This set has a sufficient amount of air which is quite commendable for a single dynamic driver as it gives shimmer and crisp on cymbals, triangles and hi-hats.


SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

Of all things that QoA Gimlet has to offer on technical aspect, the overall dimensions of its sound/speaker stage really pays me attention as it has an above average to wide on both lateral spans, good height reach and distance of depth to give me a roomy head stage within my aural sphere. And I almost forgot to mention that this set is actually responsive to ear tip bore variances.

As for imaging, it has a typical two-channel stereo panning presentation as I was able to perceive the placement of instruments and vocals but not in a pinpoint manner. It does have decent separation between vocals and elements and the layering somehow arranged into two stacks which able to perform an acceptable playback on some complex tracks like jazz and progressive rock but on multi-instrumental orchestral ensemble, it has rather a diverse one, sometimes decent or at times a bit imprecise.

Coherency of its drivers are satisfactory as it performs a moderate transient speed and with gradual decay without any phasing issues or distortion. As for resolution capability, it has a good macro-dynamics to give a more exposure but on a tad of viscosity on presentation while micro-dynamics have a decent detail retrieval as it was able to contrast and extract some good amount of nuances and niceties from the sonic background of audio tracks.


PEER COMPARISONS:


TINHIFI C3

● Like QoA Gimlet, it has a single dynamic driver on each channel with the same material diaphragm but it has added PU (Polyurethane) for better rigidity. C3 has a lighter shell chassis as it is made of acrylic resin and when it comes product packaging, it is more basic and rather adequate on its inclusion.

● As for tonality, C3 takes a more U-shaped sound signature with leaner note weight. A punchy and a tighter bass response, a more neutral and linear midrange and a similar treble quality. They also have a similar technical performance although Gimlet has a better lateral width on its sound/speaker stage while C3 has a more solid note on macro-dynamics.


TRIPOWIN CENCIBEL

● Here is another set with single dynamic but different material on its diaphragm and the shell chassis are made of resin shell. The product presentation and inclusions of accesories are pretty much like.

● Tonality-wise, Cencible has a bright U-shaped sound signature as it has more tighter bass, a recessed yet more energetic midrange which is beneficial on some female voices and a brighter treble response which also has instances of being strident and prone to sibilance. On technical capabilities, it has a smaller sound/speaker stage compared to QoA Gimlet and is less capable of rendering separation and layering.



SIMGOT EA500

● Like Gimlet, it has all-metal alloy build shell chassis and also a single dynamic driver albeit its diaphragms are made of DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon). It has an interesting feature which is a removable tuning nozzle to change its sonic profiles. The product packaging is quite similar to Gimlet and even the quantity of accessories included.

● With its removable tuning filters. It offers two distinctive U-shape sound signatures, a typical Harman which is a leaner one with more sub-bass focus, leaner midrange and tad attenuated upper mids and an in-house U-shape sound signature which is a modified Harman with more balanced sub-bass and midbass texture, a brighter and energetic midrange and more accentuated upper mids which might cause some sibilance on sibilance-laden tracks. Technicalities are similar but Gimlet has a tad wider staging but EA500 is more consistent on layering and separation and more solid macro-dynamics and sharper definition in micro-detail retrieval.


As I end my review here, it seems that like its sister companies, QoA did a great job on delivering a product as an alternative to other competitors with its competitive pricing, well-thought product presentation and an organic tuning and an adequate and competent technical performance. QoA Gimlet is one of the few products that I've reviewed deserves attention and exposure, And buying them just for musical enjoyment is enough to satisfy our tonal cravings for a long listening leisure.


QoA Gimlet is currently available on LINSOUL, you can check it out at the unaffiliated link below.


★★QOA GIMLET - LINSOUL★★

And also, you can check out the QoA Gimlet on QoA's Official Aliexpress Store, there's a link below.

★★QOA GIMLET - ALIEXPRESS★★

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: QOA GIMLET
IMPEDANCE: 32Ω
SENSITIVITY: 108dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 3.5MM
DRIVER UNIT(S): 1 DYNAMIC DRIVER


Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **


P.S.

I am not affiliated to LINSOUL or QUEEN OF AUDIO nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.

Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to KAREENA TANG sending this review unit. I truly appreciate her generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.

INTRODUCTION:​

QoA, also known as Queen of Audio, is a subsidiary of Kinera, and according to information I gathered, both companies are headed by siblings. The design and craftsmanship of both companies share similarities and exude a feminine touch. While Kinera is recognized as the “jeweler” of IEMs, QoA's designs lean towards the female market. Their website showcases 8 IEM models, which you can access through the following link. QoA In-ear-monitors

This marks my debut review of QoA, as I have had more exposure to and experience with Kinera. Right off the bat, I must assert that Gimlet proved to be a pleasant surprise, and did not fail to meet my expectations. Without further ado, let us delve into its strengths and weaknesses, and identify what it is suited for and what it is not.

FOREWORD:​

• The gear on hand has undergone at least 10-15 hours of use before it was assessed.
• No EQ is ever applied in my reviews.
• For the sake of convenience, I try my best to use a stock setup. Not everyone has access to personal ear tips or cables. If personal ear tips, cables, or accessories are used, you will be notified.
• As I try to be objective, my claims inevitably will be subjective and biased to my personal preference. I cannot stress more that you should take this with a grain of salt for we have different perceptions to sound and what we hear.

SPECIFICATIONS:​

Configuration: 1 x 10mm LCP diaphragm DD
Impedance: 32ohms
Sensitivity: 108db
Freq response: 20hz - 20khz

PACKAGING:​

The box has an elegant design with a captivating dark green color that resembles the precious "Jade" stone. The packaging style is reminiscent of Kinera's design, and while the inclusions are basic, all the necessary items are present. Kinera usually has a backstory that explains the name of their IEMs, often related to Norse mythology, but QoA's Gimlet lacks this feature, which I somewhat miss.

In the box:​

• a pair of Gimlet IEMs
• detachable cable
• carrying case
• 6 pairs of ear tips

The Gimlet boasts a sleek and understated appearance, with a heft that remains comfortable even after hours of use. My unit is the white variant, which has a smooth and glossy finish. Positioned at the center of each faceplate is the QoA logo, rendered in white font against a golden backdrop. These IEMs would likely appeal to women who favor luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermes, or Prada and are looking to make a bold fashion statement.

The cable is well-matched with the Gimlet's design, with a color and thickness that will appeal to women. The plugs and pins have a gold accent that blends nicely with the IEMs. A plus is that the cable doesn't produce any bothersome microphonics, which is great for uninterrupted listening sessions.

The carrying case for Gimlet has a luxurious feel to it with a leather texture that will surely appeal to those with a taste for high-end bags. The QoA logo is present but barely visible which will favor minimalism. Despite this, the pouch provides ample room for Gimlet to fit comfortably, unlike the case for my favorite IEM, Idun from Kinera, which tends to cramp the earpieces, leaving me with doubts about its safety.

Two types of soft and wide-bored ear tips are included, each available in small, medium, and large sizes. The ear tips come in two different colors - blue and white. The blue variant is shorter in height while the white one is olive-shaped and a bit taller.

COMFORT and WEAR:​

Without a doubt, Gimlet is an incredibly comfortable IEM that won't cause any physical strain, despite its added weight. While the insertion may not be the deepest, it still securely grips my ears and doesn't budge even while I'm on the move. The size of the shell falls in the small to medium range, making it the perfect fit for, as you might have guessed, the lovely ladies out there. Achieving a good seal and fit is a breeze, which is a great advantage for those like me who have a busy schedule and need to take their IEMs on and off frequently throughout the day.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS:​

The Gimlet was used with the Ovidius B1, Centrance Dacport HD, Abilgail pro paired up with Oppo A94 with either Hiby music app or UAPP. My Hiby RS2 dap was also used. Music playback used are Qobuz studio and Apple music subscription and my own FLAC files. The stock cable and ear tips were used. I opted for the blue ear tip variant, wide bore, soft, and shorter. No third party accessories were equipped as to avoid aftermarket sound impact.

I take Gimlet as a bit underwhelming but adequate in technicalities. It will get you from point A to B. But… Well, let's get right into it.

The sound stage of Gimlet is not exceptional but still satisfactory. It varies depending on the track being played, and doesn't feel too enclosed and not claustrophobic. The width of tracks from City of the Sun is good and I sensed adequate wideness. However, there is no noteworthy depth or height to mention. Hence, more like a 2d experience and not holographic.

The imaging on the Gimlet is quite clear, but it's not the most accurate compared to other IEMs. The elements in the music tend to be placed at the center, resulting in a fixed and stable presentation with little room for playfulness. Although some may find this boring, personally, I find it not at all disappointing.

The dynamic driver's speed on Gimlet is relaxed and laid-back, resulting in a soft and natural portrayal of notes that aren't overly defined. The attack is relatively gentle, and the decay has a good natural quality with note tail ends that are well-presented.

The tonality and timbre of Gimlet are highly captivating, especially for individuals who prefer a smooth sound presentation. The sound quality is incredibly musical, organic, and natural, evoking a sense of liveliness in the listener's ears.

Gimlet's weakest point in terms of technical performance is its separation. I find that different elements in my music blend together instead of being precisely separated, which is a downside for me since I need to dissect individual elements for my daily work. However, my wife, who is a vocalist, really enjoys using this set as she mainly focuses on the main melody of a song. Nonetheless, if she were to analyze vocal harmonies, it might be a bit challenging for her.

BASS:​

The bass of the Gimlet presents a decent note weight with just enough elevation to provide that engaging factor. It may not be the most agile, as the bass tends to be soft, gentle, and pillowy most of the time. The sub-bass rumble is present when needed, and tracks from Billie Eilish are still enjoyable. While the mid-bass is prominent, it does not take center stage, and there is no slam or punch in Gimlet's presentation, making it less desirable for those who prefer a well-defined bass. Despite this, the bass reproduction remains clean, although muddiness may occasionally arise.

MIDRANGE:​

The warm sound signature of Gimlet gives the midrange a lush and rich quality that I find commendable, despite its slightly recessed character which usually turns me away. Even though there is a significant dip in the lower midrange according to the graph, it does not sound pushed back. Meanwhile, the upper midrange is emphasized but still tuned smoothly, producing no sibilance or hotness. I enjoy listening to female vocals and brass instruments like sax, trumpet, trombones and horns, which all have good presence without causing fatigue. Overall, everything sounds smooth and pleasing to the ear.

TREBLE:​

To begin with, Gimlet has a significant warm sound profile. It presents a laid-back and relaxed vibe, which is primarily due to its treble. Although this may be pleasing for sensitive listeners, I noticed that many nuances and details seem to be lacking. Don't get me wrong; the details are present, but what's missing is the texture of the instruments. The smoothness is excellent, but I believe QoA intentionally designed Gimlet this way to provide a more calming listening experience rather than an analytical one. While I can still distinguish 90% of the instruments, the micro details are less prominent and, at times, not audible at all. However, with this warmth, the treble doesn't sound overly thin and produces good weight. This is unlike more neutral sets that can sometimes be dull to listen to. Cymbals and hi-hats are my favorite elements to monitor when it comes to treble, and with Gimlet, there's no danger of it sounding fatiguing, piercing, or sibilant. But there is a downside: nuances, micro details, and much of that energy on top are somewhat compromised.

COMPARISONS:​

Let's move on to a quicker comparison between single dynamic driver candidates at this price point. I will present my comparisons in bullet points to make it easier to follow. I'll be focusing on two of my preferred single dynamic driver in-ear monitors, both of which are priced under $100 and are therefore comparable to Gimlet.

versus Dunu Titan S​

• Both are warmish in overall sound but Titan S is a shy bit brighter.
• Sound stage goes to Titan S.
• Technicalities are better with Titan S.
• Separation goes to Titan S.
• Titan S is closer to neutrality.
• Gimlet gives a more engaging sound profile.
• Gimlet is much safer for long listening sessions.
• Titan S has a higher detail retrieval.

To sum up, it can be said that Titan S outperforms Gimlet in nearly every aspect, but Gimlet may have more appeal to the general consumer due to its versatility. Gimlet delivers a smooth U-shaped sound, whereas Titan S leans more towards a neutral sound reproduction.

versus Simgot EA500​

• EA500 is without a doubt, the brighter set.
• EA500 can be fatiguing to some listeners, Gimlet will never be fatiguing.
• EA500 wins in technical aspects.
• EA500 has better details.
• Gimlet sounds more organic and natural in timbre.
• EA500 can get sibilant at times.
• EA500 has better agility and speed.

The EA500 outperforms Gimlet in technical aspects; however, Gimlet has an advantage in terms of timbre. The EA500 is crafted to be more analytical, while Gimlet prioritizes the pure enjoyment of music.

SOURCES USED:​

• Hiby RS2
• Ovidius B1
• Centrance Dacport HD
• Abigail pro 3.5mm
• Qobuz Studio
• Apple Music
• Hiby music app
• UAPP

TEST TRACKS:​

Here are some tracks I usually listen to when reviewing:

That’s the way of the World by EWF
Africa by TOTO
The Girl in the Other Room by Diana Kral
Balmorhea album All is wild, All is Silent
Sila by Sud
Smooth Escape by D’Sound
Never too Much by Luther Vandross
P.Y.T by Michael Jackson
Ain’t no Sunshine by Eva Cassidy
Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC
Another one bites the Dust by Queen
Good times bad times by Edie Brickell
Alice in Wonderland by Bill Evans
Ain’t it Fun by Paramore
Redefine by Incubus
Far Away by Nickelback
Lovesong by Adele
Lingus by Snarky Puppy
Harvest for the World by Vanessa Williams
Love Bites by Def Leppard
No Such Thing by John Mayer
As by Stevie Wonder
Whip Appeal by Babyface
Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan
Futures by Prep
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Every Summertime by NIKI
SADE tracks
AC/DC tracks
Queen tracks


And many more… I always listen to High resolution format, being the least quality 16bit/44khz FLACS be it offline or online.

VERDICT:​

To begin with, I believe that Gimlet is a unique IEM that caters to a specific market. In my opinion, it is most suited to female listeners. As audiophiles, many of us men are preoccupied with details, nuances, and analytical listening. Women, on the other hand, tend to enjoy music for the pure pleasure it brings. Gimlet's smooth and relaxed sound signature aligns well with this listening style.

From a musician's perspective, I found Gimlet lacking in certain technical aspects. While it is enjoyable to listen to, it does not prioritize the textures and micro-details that are important to me. This is a significant drawback, and I cannot see myself purchasing the IEM for my personal use.

Despite this, I must commend Gimlet for taking a different approach than many of the other releases in the Chifi market. It is refreshing to see an IEM designed for music enjoyment rather than technical analysis. While I may not buy Gimlet for myself, I believe it would make a great gift for a female friend or even for my wife.

Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to Martin Esguerra for facilitating this tour, and to QoA for the opportunity to experience QoA for the first time. Thank you, and I look forward to the next review.

Qoa is a sister brand of kinera which has been in the chifi game for a while now and the have some great iems , for qoa asa know as queen of audio they produce sexy looking and sounding iems . I have with me the gimlet which is full ceramic housing and deep green color , it's heavy and when on the ears it'll feel like nothing, cable is lightweight and beautiful as well. The packaging is beautiful and artistic.

Sound:
Bass:
Bass is big and deep and slightly loose giving it a natural feel and texture . Midbass isn't as tight as the tightest DD but that's ok because it's wonderful sounding still and the bass doesn't bleed or get slow .

Midrange:
The midrange is the star of the show being forward, rich , creamy, detailed and full . No harshness,all real vocal with breath to feel and textures for days . It's great on all genre and is so smooth .

Treble:
The treble is balanced like the bass and never bleeding into midrange, it just floats In the air with natural tone and timbre. Not recessed just correct and smooth and buttery to describe the whole sound.


Soundstage/imaging
The sound soundstage is average and forward and imaging depends on song . The sound feels like an analogue sounding speaker so smooth an buttery that you don't want to take them out of the ears but just chill and relax to the music .

𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂 𝑸𝒐𝑨 𝑮𝒊𝒎𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘: 𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑮𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒕𝒉


|| 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ||

Kinera QoA has been present in the IEM space for a decent amount of time now but isn’t as widely known as other IEM brands, specifically Chi-Fi ones and not to be mistaken for a similar brand named QDC.

Queen of Audio(QoA) is here with their new budget offering, the QoA Gimlet. Priced at under $100($59 specifically), will the Gimlet stand out from the very crowded sub-$100 competition?


|| 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 ||

• I don’t consider myself as an audiophile or an enthusiast, therefore the terminology and the overall review will be more mainstream.

• We prefer to keep our reviews simple without too much confusing lingo and terminologies

• This review set is a part of a review tour and was sent free of charge in exchange for an honest review. There is no material or financial incentive for us to do this review.
  
  
• We guarantee no exchange has been done by both parties to influence or sway our opinions on this product.

• My thoughts and opinions are of my own. My experience will entirely differ from everybody else. The contents of this review should not be considered factual as this hobby heavily leans on subjectivity. YMMV.

** 𝐇𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 Linsoul Audio 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐫 𝐄𝐢𝐣𝐢 𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩. 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐭: 𝐞𝐮𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬.𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭.𝐜𝐨𝐦 **


| 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 |

The Gimlet comes in a nice, decently-sized green box which reminds me of those geode gemstones with branding all around.
The backside of the box has your typical spec sheet and an FR graph along with additional information.




| 𝗨𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 |

The unboxing is straightforward with no complicated mechanism just for opening the box. Upon opening the box, you’ll see printed cards that show instructions on how to use IEMs, another spec sheet, official social media accounts and a photo of the apparent founder of the QoA, Sophie Yu, along with a printed signature.





After all the paperwork, you’ll be greeted by the provided faux-leather case with QoA branding surrounded by foam for shock protection. The provided case houses the rest of items of the package that being the stock cable and IEM driver already connected and a set of bass and balanced tips according to QoA.

𝗜𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻:

Paperwork
QoA Gimlet Drivers
Stock 2-pin 3.5mm 4N 4-core OFC silver plated cable in white with gold plugs
Dark gray faux leather case
Bass eartips in translucent white(S,M,L)
Balanced eartips in translucent blue(S,M,L)


| 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 & 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 |

The Gimlet is made out of some sort of metal, of which we have no information of what it is specifically, but it feels nice in the hand and has quite a substantial amount of heft, especially compared to similarly priced IEMs. This kind of heft is very reminiscent of what my experience with the occult classic Blon BL03. The weight of the Gimlet can be both a pro or a con depending on one’s preference. However I for one isn't really bothered by it especially with the provided cable having enough wire gauge to limit the heft of the drivers from swinging around.



The Gimlet shape is pretty safe, no wings and protrusion that may affect one’s comfort is present and is pretty minimal in terms of grooves. The 2-pin slot is slightly recessed. Branding is present on both driver pieces with a QoA logo within a circular gold accent piece in the face plate area. A single vent is present near the nozzle, and speaking of the nozzle, QoA states that the nozzle is roughly 6mm wide, also colored in gold and has a metal filter with a pretty intricate design.



The unit we have today is the one of the two color options available, that being white and the other being a darker green. I like the design as it is unique compared to all of those black IEMs occupying most of the market. One may find this unappealing as it’s quite flashy compared to other IEMs and for that type of person I suggest for them to pick the other color variant.


Continuing with the theme of white and gold, the cable itself pairs well looks-wise with the IEM drivers itself. The stock cable is usable with no major gripes like it being memory prone or is microphonic.

The insides of the Gimlet are composed of a 10mm LCP Dynamic Driver. Many of you know this type of driver configuration as this is one of the most prominent configs especially in this price range.


(𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦)


| 𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 |

This section is very subjective, but as per my experience, isolation on the Gimlet is almost average. This is due to it having less contours that could allow me to achieve a much better insertion depth, but then again YMMV.

Occlusion effect on this one too is lesser compared to other IEMs which is nice to see. Even though one vent is present, the Gimlet manages to alleviate pressure really well and one of the aspects that helped it achieve this is with a lesser insertion depth as stated earlier.


| 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 |

These are very comfortable as no protrusions can be the source of hotspot in your ear and can see myself wearing this for hours on end without much issue. Again, a very subjective matter.

**𝑻𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑲𝒁 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒑𝒔(𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍) 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒁𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝑼1 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑽𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒔 𝑨𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒊 𝑫𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒄**


|| 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 ||

To summarize, I found this sound very engaging, with elevated lows and forward highs. This is great for high energy music and can probably satisfy bassheads in a pinch.




| 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 |

The Gimlet is very easy to run and can be used simply with just your smartphone without amplification. Better power and sources are always recommended but bet weary of the issue of most IEMs in regards to the noise floor from sensitivity


| 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝘀 |

Lows on the Gimlet are very prominent, with a nice amount of sub and mid-bass. Impact sounds aren’t as solid or full as other IEMs, especially some V-shaped ones, but I find this more pleasing than those.

Subbass is present and has good texture as well as okay-ish congruency. It can sometimes come across as wooly or smeary depending on the song though. Some people may find this bass performance to be too overly bassy.


| 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘀 |

The mids on the Gimlet may be recessed, but that doesn't take away from the presence of it during playback. Despite being recessed among the three primary frequencies, it holds up well to not be too overtaken by one or the other.

Instruments feel full and have decent air, and vocals are rich and whole sounding as well. In some instances however, I feel as if some parts of the song's vocals sound nasal-y but sound dry in others


| 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘀 |

With the lows being elevated, the highs of the Gimlet are also battling to be up front and center. Sparkle is ample but still satisfactory, decent air and extends well so that it doesn’t sound abrupt. Details are okay but could’ve definitely benefited if it were to have more.

The highs are only slightly peaking and only in certain moments but sibilance can defer some people as this one has it, but is not as really that bad in my experience.


| 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 |

The Gimlet staging is fairly wide and doesn't sound “in your head” with nice spacing and layering too. Imaging is decent with me being able to pinpoint sound source with no major issues.

I found no major gripes on the technical prowess of the Gimlet as I found it very uneventful, nothing bad but also nothing majorly noteworthy which is good in my book.


|| 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ||

The Gimlet is definitely one of the most appealing sets I tried in terms of looks at this price point in the sea of generic looking IEMs released every other week. The sound may not be for everyone but I did enjoy my time with the Gimlet with its engaging sound that isn’t fatiguing.

Not to mention the great accessories and great build quality, this is definitely going to be my go-to recommendation at this price.

QoA Gimlet : Simply Great!


Summary:

Launched in late Dec'22, Gimlet is the latest Single DD IEM from QoA (Queen Of Audio). It comes with proprietary 10mm LCP Diaphragm Dynamic Driver and comes at a very affordable price.



Disclaimer: Kinera had sent me a review unit for my impressions & views. The opinions below are based on my experiences with the unit and my own. I have tried to be as comprehensive & comparative as I could be - to give a complete picture to the audience.



Introduction:

Let's quickly dive into what the Gimlet has to offer. In pursuit of better sound for the price, the GIMLET comes with a proprietary 10mm LCP Diaphragm Dynamic Driver.

The GIMLET is priced at $59




Design & Build:

The GIMLET comes with a Resin shell which is surprisingly quite heavy but has a comfortable fit on most ears. I have tried it through long audio sessions, and it fared very well throughout.


It is described as the following on the website:

Sound is relaxed and comfortable, sweet in the heart everywhere. We prefer to new sound character for Gimlet instead of intense and bright tuning styles. Every note flows naturally and lyric murmurs softly.




Specifications:


The QoA GIMLET comes at $59 price tag and specifications are as below:

https://qoa-audio.com/product/qoa-gimlet/

https://www.linsoul.com/products/kinera-qoa-gimlet?variant=43657055928537




The Box & Accessories:




The Accessories:

The Gimlet package now includes…

• One pair of QoA Gimlet In-ear monitors.
• One 4N 4-core OFC Silver Plated Cable.
• Six pairs Custom ear tips.
• PU Case with inner velvet protection.
• User Manual

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SOUND....

Items Used for this Review:

DAC/AMP & Dongles: @Questyle M15 Dongle DAC/AMP, Cayin C9 Portable Amplifier
Portable Players / Sources : Cayin N8ii, @Questyle QP2R, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch
Streaming Source: QOBUZ



Ear Tips:



The default tips I found to be quite good and there is really no need to switch to other ear tips.
I've also tried tip-rolling with a variety of tips such as: @Final Audio E series red & black ones, JVC Spiral dots, Spiral Dots+, @SpinFit Eartip CP500, CP155. Out of all of these I have found the AZLA SEDNAFIT to be the best fit for my ears in terms of overall fit, isolation & comfort.



QoA Gimlet Sound Impressions in Short:

The BASS:

The Gimlet comes with good bass performance for the price range. The sub-bass has details and the mid-bass comes with enough rumble and slam. In tracks like: "Fools Paradise (LP Version) – Donna Lewis" and "Chocolate Chip Trip - Tool" you can feel the bass attack and also hear all the tiny nuances' of the sub-bass.

The MIDS:

The midrange comes with ample texture and clarity in the Gimlet. There is good amount of muscle and texture and the instruments sound very lively and enjoyable. Vocals are very immersive and both male and female vocals come with ample amount of details and feel very real. Transients are good for a planar. In tracks like: "Anchor - Trace Bundy", "A dog named Freedom – Kinky Friedman" and "Ruby Tuesday – Franco Battiato" it’s really easy to get lost into the music as it comes with ample detailed transients, texture, excellent vocals and details.

The TREBLE:

The treble feels quite engaging without being fatiguing or offensive. The treble performance was quite enjoyable and Cymbals sound very life-like and real in tracks like “Chocolate Chip Trip – Tool”. However, in some very rare cases, you might find the treble slightly hot but not piercing.

Treble in tracks like: "Paradise Circus – Massive Attack", "Mambo for Roy – Roy Hargrove” and "Saints and Angels – Sharon Shannon" feel smooth & creamy with the right amount of air and texture and just feels very buttery smooth.


The SOUNDSTAGE:

The Staging capabilities of the Gimlet is the quite good and above average for price range. It comes with the right amount of width, height, depth and is well defined and just as much as the track requires. Tracks like: “The Secret Drawer – Bela Fleck and the Flecktones” or “She Don’t know – Melody Gardot” or “Bohemian Rhapsody (live aid) – Queen” sound amazing & enjoyable.

Separation & Imaging:

Imaging is quite spot on and location of each instrument can be felt quite clearly on the Gimlet. Tracks like: “Rotterdam (Or Anywhere) - The Beautiful South “or “Hello Again - Howard Carpendale & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” just shine through.



Comparisons:

I was unable to find a suitable comparable IEM in my possession. Hence, I used a higher priced DUNU KIMA also featuring single DD and priced at $109 for the comparison.




QoA Gimlet vs DUNU KIMA:

Price: QoA Gimlet costs $59 which is almost half of DUNU KIMA. Hence, the Gimlet gets advantage here.

Build, Comfort & Features: Both IEMs are well built and comfortable. The DUNU KIMA comes with aluminum shells but the shells are lighter than the Gimlet.

Bass: While the DUNU KIMA has more prominent Slam in the mid-bass, it clearly lacks the details of the sub-bass region that is found in the Gimlet. The Gimlet just has more details & clarity while the slam is not as prominent as KIMA. Overall bass performance seems noticeably better on the Gimlet.

Mids: The midrange on the Kima is quite recessed and lacks details. The Gimlet comes with significantly better and more textured midrange with better vocal performances.

Treble: The KIMA seemed a bit hot compared to the Gimlet. The Gimlet came with much more engaging and enjoyable experience.

Soundstage, Imaging and Separation: The Gimlet is better in all 3 aspects.


Conclusion:

The QoA Gimlet is a great all-rounder IEM for the price range and an easy recommendation. At this price point you can't ask for more.

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - QoA Gimlet

The QoA Gimlet have been sent to me by Linsoul for me to publish this review. They have not made any requests or comments and I will do my usual best to be as sincere and unbiased as possible.

I will leave a link to the Gimlet via Linsoul on my blog, which you can access by following the link at the end of this post. As always, it is a non affiliate link.



Intro…

I had never heard of QoA until I received the Gimlet. According to the packaging, QoA stands for Queen of Audio. Doing a quick search on the web with this info led me to the QoA official page which is quite a nice and modern website but is lacking any information about the brand, so I really have no idea how long they have been around. Maybe they have been around for a while and I have just not come across them.

Looking at their page, they have 8 models, with the $59 Gimlet being the most budget orientated (although there are a couple more models at a price that is not much more) and their TOTL IEMs coming in at almost ten times the price.

However, checking out the Linsoul page for these (which is linked on my blog, as mentioned above), they are listed as Kinera QoA Gimlet, so I am guessing that they are a sub brand of Kinera. I am just guessing here as I didn’t do any further investigation, I just got on with the important part (listening to them and putting together this review) but there is no mentione of Kinera anywhere on the packaging or on the QoA website.



Presentation…

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the presentation of the Gimlet. They are not exactly high end IEMs but the packaging is very clean and professional looking. Inside we get the IEMs, the cable, a very nice storage/transport case and 6 sets of tips in two styles.

Nothing really out of the ordinary but everything is nicely packaged, with branding on the small bags that contain the tips and they actually gave me a first impression of being quality IEMs without even making it as far as build and aesthetics, much less listening to them. I still maintain that packaging and presentation is the least important part but it is still nice to get a good first impression.



Build and aesthetics…

The Gimlet are completely made of metal and use a simple rounded shape, with no sharp edges, that I actually find quite comfortable. They are a little on the heavier side, if you are used to plastic or resin IEMs that is, but I have not found them to be fatiguing at all even after long periods of time.

The set I received are white with a gold round plate that sports the QoA logo. I am not one for gold but I have to say that they look very elegant and with the matching white and gold cable, I would say that they look a lot more expensive than they actually are.

Everything seems to be well built, both on the IEMs and on the cable (which uses gold coloured metal hardware), so I can’t find anything to comlain about at all in this regard.



Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

Let me start off by saying that I really enjoy these IEMs. These are another set that prove that my preference target is really only a reference target, as when things are done properly, I enjoy them even when moving away from my usual preferences. It is also worth noting that I chose the tips with the blueish tint to them.

Here is the graph of the Gimlet in comparison to said target:



I have found that these IEMs work very well for my usual music taste but I will focus, as always, on the test tracks that I use for my reviews and comparisons.

Starting off with the subbass and, of course, “Chameleon” by Trentemoller, there is plenty of that low rumble to do the track justice, without the Gimlet seeming to lose control at all. The same can be said with the subbass in “Royals”, where they stay calm and collected but show that “dirt” that is present in the recording. These may not be for the most hardcore bassheads out there but I really don’t think that the majority of bass lovers would have any issue with the quantity. The quality is also decent. It may not be the most amazing subbass out there but is certainly above the majority of similarly tuned sets in a similar price bracket.

Moving into the midbass and turning to something more EDM, in this case “Sun Is Shining”, I find the bass to be clean and articulate. There is a nice punch to the bass without it becoming muddy or taking over the low end. Focusing on “Crazy”, which I usually use to find out fairly quickly if the low end is too much for me, I found that while it is boosted, it is not annoying. There is a slight hint of the reverb becoming a little too much but the Gimlet don’t seem to lose control of it and they certainly didn’t fatigue me like so many other sets do.

There is a dip in the center of the mids but it is not something that I found to really stand out. It may be more noticeable on instruments that have root notes residing in that area but I certainly didn’t find it affected vocals or acoustic guitars in a negative way. In fact, I found the overall timbre of guitars to be slightly on the war side but very realistic.

As we head to the upper mids, there is a nice presence that brings vocals forward, giving them a bit of a focus but without them becoming overpowering. Using Beth in “Don’t You Worry Child” as a test for harshness, I didn’t find her to become unbearable. She is still quite harsh as her voice is that way in the recording, but I didn’t find it to be overly exaggerated.

In the higher ranges, there is a nice sensation of extension and air, with details seeming realistic and not artificially exaggerated by certain peaks. Sibilance is not overly present either. Using “Code Cool” as my usual test, with my usual unscientific scale of -12 to +12 on Patricia Barbers voice, I would actually place her between a -1 and -2. Paul Simon, in “Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes” can also exhibit sibilance and harshness on many sets of IEMs, yet the Gimlet do keep him in check fairly well.

Details are good and so is soundstage. They are not going to give you the impression of a wide open and huge soundstage, I don’t find that IEMs do that very often, but they are definitely above average in this regard. Image placement is good and so is the spacing between the layers of vocals on “Strange Fruit” by Dominique Fils-Aime. Everything is easily tracked and while I have heard better, I would still say that the Gimlet perform very well in this regard.



Isolation is not the greatest on the Gimlet, being below average across the whole scale. I wouldn’t recommend these IEMs for use in loud environments but they still work very well in offices and places that aren’t too loud.



Conclusion…

I have been very impressed with the QoA Gimlet and while they are just over the 50€ I set for the “Ultra Budget” category, I have to say that I think that these are a set that is well worth taking into consideration for those on a tight budget.

They are well built, they look good (to my eyes of course) and above all, they sound good. During the week I have been listening to them, I found that I enjoyed everything that I listened to and actually found myself adding a bunch of music to my “New Discovery” list to revisit at a later date. What more can we ask than to enjoy the music?

____

As with all of my reviews, this is also available in Spanish both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link


<small>All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

Queen of Audio Gimleth:

Prelude:
QoA, or Queen of Audio, is a thriving brand owned by Kinera. The Gimleth model is a metal variant with a 10mm LCP driver. Most headphones with this type of transducer present a pretty good level of music. So far, my favorite example of using the LCP was the TIN T3plus headphones. However, I missed something in them and it seems to me that it was worth waiting for QoA gimleth.

Unboxing:
QoA attaches great importance to the beautiful and unique packaging and presentation of its products. Gimletch comes to us in a nice, colorful package. The headphones arrive with a rather large and very nice hard case, two sets of tips in sizes s, m, l and a good quality stock cable with a 3.5mm plug and 0.78mm connectors. In this price range, this set is fully sufficient. Note that the Gimleth costs $59 which makes it competitive and $10 cheaper than the TIN HIFI T3Plus.
ergonomics:
Due to the fact that the headphones are entirely made of metal, their weight is slightly higher, but they still fit securely in the ear and do not tire during long listening sessions. I spent a few days with them, listening to them for 8/10 hours straight, and I never felt tired of their weight or shape. The nozzles are extremely comfortable and provide great insulation. It is not the IDUN 2.0 level, but it is enough for leisurely city trips.

Sound and Stage:
The soundstage is coherent and well-ordered, we have good depth and moderate width, not stretched by force. I like the imaging and layering. The instruments are separate and do not blend together. At the same time, they can play around the head and go beyond it. I had to remind myself often that these are $59 headphones! Because it was easy for me to think that they sound as good as if they cost at least 100 USD.
Bass: Subbass is present but not as dominant as midbass. We have a stronger accent here in the lower registers and we can easily feel the bass accents, it does not drown out other bands, nor does it flood the midrange. However, it is not only well illustrated, but also has great layers. For this price range, I can't say anything bad about the lower registers.
Midrange: This area, especially the vocals, although a bit set back from the bass line and treble. They come out extremely natural, smooth and clean. Becoming the strongest element of Gilmleth's presentation. Vocals are lively, saturated and realistic. Instruments also present their full potential, of course with some limitations. We can't expect the same level as, for example, in the twice as expensive BQEYZ Autumn, but for $ 59 it's brilliant.
Treble: Treble was realized in such a way as to break the gentleness and soften the midrange. We have a lot of ballast here, which adds life and energy to the presentation, but if someone is looking for a smooth presentation, then they should definitely go for the TIN T3Plus. High tones do not sibilate and do not sting the ears, but they can remind you of yourself more strongly.

QoA Gimleth($59) VS TIN T3Plus($69)
QoA primarily have a less smooth treble and a greater emphasis on the bass. While the T3Pluses have a more comfortable outer shell. Musicality is a plus for the T3Plus, but the QoA gimleth sound more airy and lively. Tin T3Plus are much lighter thanks to the resin design, but the workmanship of the gimleths is at a very high level and if someone is not sensitive to the heavy weight of the headphones, it does not make a difference, because the gimleths are very comfortable and fit most ears perfectly.

QoA Gimleth(59USD) VS KBEAR ROBIN(59USD)
The KBEAR ROBIN is a slightly older but still competitive unit consisting of a 10mm dynamic driver and 4 balanced armatures customized by kbear. Here Gimleth can be praised for clarity and vocal layer, although the stage is bigger in the case of Robins, Gimleth performs it much deeper and better arranged, Bass is stronger in robins, but Gimleth has better imaging and building layers. Here I don't think the Robins are bad headphones, but the Gimleths are tuned less fun and more mature.

Synergy:
For my tests, I used tidal music from a private playlist and the following devices:
DAP: iBasso DX170
DAC/AMP: xDuoo poke II
Dongles: Dunu dtc-500, iBasso DC06
Reciver: Qudelix 5k, Oriolus 1795S

Summary:
QoA gimleth are incredibly good headphones for an indecently low price of 59UD. The price is a killer here as the headphones play well above that amount. The tuning is lively, musical and very enjoyable. The bass is excellent, as is the midrange. With Qudelix 5k, iBasso Dx170, xDuoo Poke II worked great. I recommend them to everyone, because it's a universal and recreational sound. QoA gimleth is not as neutral and balanced sound as, for example, Celest Pandamoon, but definitely gimleth reigns in terms of musicality and melodiousness. In fact, everything depends largely on our individual preferences. When I feel like analyzing and clinical listening I reach for the Pandamoons, but for an evening movie or listening to music before bed, the Gimleths are much more entertaining and relaxing. These are not completely soft headphones, the treble is more crunchy which is fine by me as it gives the strings a bit more life. The only slight downside is the weight of the headphones due to the material from which they were made.

My thanks to QOA for the sample as always, my opinions are my own and I try to play devils advocate and point out what I think others will find good or bad regardless of if I like or dislike the product and my thoughts as well.

So, looking at the box it looks good, nice graphics and inside a good selection of accessories including a good case, cable and two sets tips in three sizes. The build is solid it has some more weight than I'm used to in this price range. Sti ll I find it comfortable; the rounded shape fits well into the ear and provides very good isolation.

Technical Specifications​

• Configuration → 1 x DD (LCP Diaphgram)
• Sensitivity → 108 dB
• Impedance → 32 Ohm
• Frequency Response → 20 Hz – 20000 Hz
• Cable → 1,2m 4N 4-Core OFC Silver Plated Cable with 0.78mm PINs. No microphone.
• Connector type → Straight gold plated 3,5mm jack connector

Packaging​

The design of the packaging is something in which Kinera have always put a lot of effort. The Gimlet are no exception and their box contains:

• The QoA Gimlet
• A hard carry case with pleather texture
• Two sets of tips: one set for Neutral, one for Bass
• The cable
• User manual

Sound:
Bass: The low-end response is well defined. The Sub-Bass can respond with a reasonable thump but is by no means a bass head IEM, the bass is tight, punchy and refined. I would say the Mid-Bass is north of Neutral it has good texture and weight. overall, the bass has good speed and details.

Mids: The Mids are warmish with decent clarity there is a mild recession, but vocals are superbly placed not so much forward as they are centered. The lower Mids have a nice warmth to them, and the upper Mids have a brightness to them. instruments present with above average air, clarity and separation.

Treble: Presents with an open and detailed signature with some smoothness and sparkle up top, it has some good energy but might not be good for treble sensitive ears, I personally didn't find it harsh, but I can see some recordings on brighter sources being a problem. Still, I found it pleasant enough with a reasonable source.

Soundstage: Is Natural Feild with an equal width as it is deep, not the widest but far from intimate, I would say its just right for most applications, maybe games but not the best in holographic. The accuracy is good, but the staging doesn't like busy tracks so much. Still, I found it works well for the overall signature.

Afterthoughts:
This is exceptional for its price while not perfect it has character and uniqueness, I found quite pleasant. I would recommend it to people for an all arounder as it works well with all music and is built so well.

Disclaimer:

• Kinera sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
• The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
• No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
• Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.

Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.



Source/s used:

-Hiby R3 Pro Saber

-Tempotec Sonata HD V

-Venture Electronics Megatron

-Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96 Samsung Galaxy A6 (2018))

-Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.



IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: stock large wide bore eartips, stock cable, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume, low gain and high gain,with and without extra amplification.

========================================================================
Sound signature:

• The QOA Gimlet adheres to the current budget chi-fi trend, in which most IEMs under $100 USD have a u-shaped, all-rounder sound signature. The QOA Gimlet, like its cocktail counterpart, provides a thick, smooth, warm experience without becoming boring or lifeless.

Lows:

• The lows are elevated, thick, and well-controlled. Most of the time, the midbass and subbass have equal levels of presence, with the midbass being dominant when needed. Decay and attack are average, resulting in the "natural" effect. Despite not being a "basshead" set, bassheads may be able to enjoy the bass on this IEM.

Mids:

• The mids are a little recessed for my liking, but they never sound thin, distant, or drowned out. It managed to retain its composure, presence, and thickness even on poorly mastered tracks or at lower file bitrates. There is a bit of midbass bleed here, making the lower mids a bit thicker than usual. Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran’s voices still have sufficient detail but are a bit smoother. Upper mids are elevated with a good amount of clarity, sparkle, and air. There are no instances of sibilance, peaks, or harshness throughout my listening experience and testing, which is a good sign for those who are sensitive to upper frequencies.

Highs:

• The treble is well-extended, airy, and elevated, though not as elevated as the lows. It may appear "too sparkly" at times for some people, but it never became "too much" or “harsh” to my ear or the majority of the people I asked to test this IEM. Detail retrieval is average and can easily pick up most microdetails.

Soundstage, Imaging, and separation:

• Moving on to the technicalities, the soundstage is wide and has average expansion. It also has good depth and height, but nothing extraordinary. Separation is average, and it can handle busy tracks without becoming too congested on heavy passages like metal or rock. Imaging is adequate, accurate, and capable of rendering vocal and instrument positions adequately.

Pros:

• A warm, all-rounder sounding IEM.
• Just like most LCP-Based drivers, these managed to balance it tonal and technical quality quite well.
• Non-fatiguing sound.
• Elevated, fairly controlled lows.
• Lush mids.
• Sparkly, airy treble.
• Fairly wide soundstage.
• Excellent fit and comfort.
• Premium packaging and quality under 60 USD.
• Very good amount and quality of included accessories.

Cons:

• Mids are a bit recessed to my liking (subjective).
• Treble may be perceived as “too sparkly” by treble-sensitive people (subjective).

In terms of build quality and sound, the QOA Gimlet is a really good package and is quite different from their previous releases. The Gimlet entered the market with this ceramic driver shell and an LCP diaphragm, where most have the same driver material but not the same driver shell. In terms of sound, I see (or hear) no major flaws or negative aspects with this IEM because it retains the "enjoyment" I seek when listening to music while keeping things safe for everyone. This is a very good and compelling package for less than $60 USD on its own, partly because the overall packaging and motif screams elegance and class while delivering pleasing sound quality. I recommend this as your first (or even last) LCP-based set under $100!


Pairing recommendation/s:

• Source: I find the QOA Gimlet easy to drive. But for better results and pairings, a neutral or warm sounding dongle fits this well.
• Eartips: The eartips are soft and comfy enough for daily usage. However, you may use your preferred third party eartips.
• Cable is more than enough for the most part, but you can always use your preferred cable.

Thank you for reading!

Non-affiliated link here: https://qoa-audio.com/product/qoa-gimlet/

Additional Photos Here:

TONALITY: 8.5/10
TECHNICALITIES: 8.2/10
CONSTRUCTION:8.5/10
SOUND VALUE: 8.5/10


This is a video review of the QOA Gimlet.
This IEM is priced 60$ and use a 10mm LCP (liquid crystal polymer diaphragm) dynamic driver. Other IEM using similar driver are Moondrop Aria, Tinhifi T3plus and Tripowin Lea, all rather good IEM.
The CONSTRUCTION is very nice, made of thick heavy metal with beautifull green color. The round soft shape fit my ears like a glove and is super comfortable, sound isolation is above average and durability seem there.

The packaging is minimalist yet elegant, the carrying case is nice and spc cable look good and feel sturdy enough.

When i come to sound, i was pleasantly surprise by how well balanced and overall smooth they sound. We can say its a warm W shape without any problematic spike yet and extra sens of air and sparkle on top.

Bass hit hard but is a hint blurry in mid bass definition, yet, attack is fast and extension dig low. Its a resonant vibrant bass response, excited in attack speed.

Mids are highlight of the Gimlet, both male and female vocal are foward and full bodied, timbre is natural and dense enough, their no sibilance and it sound very open. Its not the most resolve, but sens of fullness and wide presence of instrument is there.

Treble is a mix of darkness and crispness, in the sens it doesn't fully restitute all details and doesnt boost texture of instrument like violin or electric guitar yet isn't lacking to much in edge and bite, it still have snapy percussion apart cymbals crash that feel a bit scooped. Micro details are more focus in upper treble zone.

Soundstage is another highlight, very wide open and with good deepness too, imaging is decent but its more about dynamic layering that feel spacious than precise static instrument accuracy.

For more detailed sound impressions and comparisons against Moondrop Aria and Tinhifi C2 give a look to my video review here:

Introduction​

QoA (Queen of Audio) is a pretty popular Kinera sub-brand.
It’s not the type of brand that releases IEMs on a monthly basis, just like other brands started doing in the last years, but they usually release pretty good looking IEMs that also have a very clear “direction” in terms of tuning.
The QoA Gimlet was tuned in collaboration with Hi Fri, which is a well known audio enthusiast in the IEMs and Chi-Fi world, and since he is a trustworthy reviewer and tuner, I was very curious about this one.

Disclaimer: this is not promotional content as I do not represent QoA in any way. The pre-release (final version) review sample was provided by QoA for free in order to write an honest review. In this regard, I wanna thank Patho for arranging the review sample.
At the time of the review, the QoA Gimlet were sold for $59 at qoa-audio.com.

Technical Specifications​

• Configuration → 1 x DD (LCP Diaphgram)
• Sensitivity → 108 dB
• Impedance → 32 Ohm
• Frequency Response → 20 Hz – 20000 Hz
• Cable → 1,2m 4N 4-Core OFC Silver Plated Cable with 0.78mm PINs. No microphone.
• Connector type → Straight gold plated 3,5mm jack connector

Packaging​

The design of the packaging is something in which Kinera have always put a lot of effort. The Gimlet are no exception and their box contains:

• The QoA Gimlet
• A hard carry case with pleather texture
• Two sets of tips: one set for a more neutral response, one set for a bassier sound
• The cable
• User manual

Design and Build Quality​

The Gimlet are enclosed in a metallic and very robust shell, which appears durable from the first look.
The design is pretty polarizing due to the color scheme and even though I like them, I bet there will be someone who won’t: hate or love, there’s no inbetween. The golden QoA faceplate on my sample is definitely showy but it’s not a problem for me.
There is a vent located near the base of the nozzle, which should prevent pressure issues, but other than that the IEMs are closed back.

Cable​

The cable is good, and other than being pretty soft to the touch it also sports a chin slider, which is always good to have.
The pre-made hooks could have been softer as they are not that delicate on the ears, but this is just a minor complaint.

Comfort and isolation​

Comfort is pretty good, even though the stock tips may not be for everyone in this sense. In this regard, I would have liked a bit more variety in the included tips.
However, the shape is well designed and does not have any sharp edge, and the overall isolation is more than decent when the right set of tips is being used.

Sound​

How do these sound?
This should be the main reason for reading this reviews.

TEST GEAR

• DAC: Topping E30
• AMP: Topping L30
• Mobile phones: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
• Dongle: Apple Type-C dongle
• Portable DAPs: Benjie S8/AGPTEK M30B
• Other sources: Presonus AudioBox iONE

Do they need an amp?
The Gimlet don’t need an amplifier and work well out of a smartphone, but they scale a bit with power and deliver a slightly better sound with fuller bass.

Sound signature
The QoA Gimlet follow a mild U-shaped signature with slightly enhanced bass and added energy in the upper midrange.

Lows: the Gimlet don’t dig very deep in the sub-bass region, but they can provide a clean rendition of the lowest registers with no issues.
The bass is punchy and has good speed, even though textures are average, and it’s very enjoyable. It does not bleed in the midrange either, and provides a clean and robust slam which is able to give fun without ruining the vocals or instruments.
Overall, the Gimlet are not bassheads’ material, but they provide a good quality low-end with enough quantity for almost everyone.

Mids: the midrange is just slightly recessed, but vocals are not placed in background. Instead, singers perform pretty near the listener, with a level of intimacy that is rare to find at this price and with a very enjoyable timbre that gives them more warmth and energy and at the same time does not impact their naturalness. Sure, sometimes female vocals have a bit more energy than they should, but this is more of a tuning choice than a real issue. This is something to consider if you don’t like having a slightly boosted upper-midrange, so be aware of this.
Instruments step a bit back in the scene to leave some space for vocals and percussions, but they never disappear in the background and all mixes up in a very good sound presentation. What impresses me the most is the way the Gimlet portray guitars, as the bass just mixes up perfectly with the midrange while the lower notes are being played.

Highs: highs are not fatiguing but they are not for sensitive ears either. There’s a good amount of details, even though the Gimlet are not class-leading detail monsters, and the amount of air is more than enough despite the limited upper treble extension.
It’s clear that tuning this part of the spectrum hasn’t been the easiest part, but somehow this was well managed and turned out to be more than fine, both from a technical and timbrical perspective.

Soundstage is well rounded, and this is one of the few times in which I can say that height and depth weren’t sacrified (instead, they are pretty good too). Imaging is precise most of the times, except a few cases in which extremely complex tracks come into play.

How included tips affect sound
- White tips: more neutral, slightly brighter sound
- Blue tips: slightly bassier, warmer upper-midrange/treble

Some comparisons (tips used for comparisons are the blue ones):
QoA Gimlet vs Celest Gumiho
Starting from the sub-bass, none of these two is able to provide a really visceral rumble, but both perform admirably in terms of cleanness.
The bass is faster on the Gumiho, more natural and slightly better textured on the Gimlet.
The lower midrange is a bit more forward on the Gimlet, that has deeper male vocals, whereas the upper midrange is boosted on both sets: performance in this regard is similar but the Gimlet have more control while increasing the volume.
The instrument separation in the midrange is slightly better on the Gumiho but the Gimlet is better in terms of timbre.
Detail wise, the Gumiho can provide a bit more information up top, but they are also more fatiguing than the Gimlet, which instead opt for a safer (but still energetic) approach.
Technically-speaking, the Gumiho are superior, with better staging and imaging capabilities and better instrument separation, but the Gimlet don’t fall far behind and provide a much more enjoyable timbre which makes them easier to keep in the ears for longer sessions.
Build quality is good on both, but the Gimlet just feel a lot more premium.
Comfort is on par, but the Gimlet have a slight edge on that as well, and isolation is also another thing for which their metal shell can help.
Overall, Gimlet’s DD is not as fast as the SPD used in the Gumiho, but tuning is playing a huge part in this comparison. If I had to pick a winner, I would pick the Gimlet hands down because of their very good tuning and the fun that they can provide, moreover because. Gumiho’s first SPD+BA implementation was good but needed some timbre refinements.

QoA Gimlet vs KZ ZAS
Sub-bass is more present and emphasized on the KZ ZAS, but the Gimlet are cleaner, and the same thing can be said for the bass where the latter are also faster.
Midrange is a lot less recessed on the Gimlet while the ZAS show a pretty strong recession with a more distant instrument representation. Vocals also sound more energetic and intimate on the Gimlet, whereas the ZAS portrays them a step behind the bass.
The upper midrange and the treble are more relaxed on the ZAS, which easily suit people with very sensitive hearing, whereas the Gimlet are characterized by a boost in these frequencies that, although isn’t fatiguing, could be slightly annoying for the most sensitive out there.
Regarding details, separation and overall air, the Gimlet take the lead.
Soundstage is wider on the ZAS, while the Gimlet provide a deeper and higher stage. Imaging is better on the Gimlet.
Everything else, except comfort for which the ZAS are very good, is better on the Gimlet, from build quality to cable and packaging.
The Gimlet are the winner hands down, even though the ZAS may still appeal to bassheads and people that don’t like sets that have a slightly bright timbre.

Final Thoughts​

The Gimlet impressed me.
I was not expecting a so refined yet engaging and fun tuning, but this time QoA and Hi Fri just gave me the chance to fall in love with a product. This is a pretty rare thing.
I am happy to recommend the Gimlet to all the folks out there who would like to have a fresh, well tuned, fun IEM with superb build quality for a pretty affordable price.