QDC - Discussion and Impressions Thread

[Bina]

Had chance to visit QDC factory in Shenzhen and decided to bring you small report: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/visit-at-qdc-custom-in-ears-from-china.866722/

 

[headwhacker]

Yep. They'll tell you exactly the same thing if you ask QDC themselves. Crinacle's measurements of the 8sh and Gemini show slight differences, but the differences are within a decibel or two. They should sound almost identical unless you have VERY well trained ears.

a 1 or 2dB is already a big difference in the low end. Goes un-noticeable above 10K

 

[Kuwan]

a 1 or 2dB is already a big difference in the low end. Goes un-noticeable above 10K

Yes it would depend on where the difference is. However, Id never describe it as a big difference. Especially when there are narrow ranges of boosts or dips of that degree at random places. I doubt people with normal hearing can tell the difference right away.

 

[HuoYuanJia]

a 1 or 2dB is already a big difference in the low end. Goes un-noticeable above 10K

I'm with @Kuwan on this one. Many BA receivers are shipped with a tolerance of up to 3 dB, so that makes it very difficult for manufacturers to stay within a variance of 1-2 dB. They have to measure each shipment individually and sort out the drivers that do not match the accepted range. I am sure not all companies actually do that, but I do expect high-end monitors to go through the trouble, especially to secure a perfect L/R balance.

For universals it's still a relatively small difference, even in the bass, because ear tips (seal), insertion depth and angle all account for the perceived bass quantity. But yes, if the Gemini had 2 dB more bass, that would have been bothersome for me.
In the high freqs it's really hard to tell. Most DA filters (which seem to be the hype of 2017 in DAC chips) have treble roll-off for improved impulse responses. -2 dB at 15 kHz is nothing I could figure out.

 

[Bina]

Was made aware that this thread has wrong name of company

Their name is qdc, all lower case. QDC is their brother company, manufacturing the equipment for Police/military. Quite confusing, I know...

 

[Bina]

qdc Neptune - 200 USD single driver

 

[Bina]

Just posted my review of qdc Neptune, it's my first review in English, so I hope you will still enjoy it: https://head-fi.org/showcase/qdc-neptune.22828/reviews#review-19628

 

[Zhanming057]

A week ago I had a chance to demo the entire QDC lineup and they were amazingly good for the price! It's striking how well the qdc8's hold up against the Layla and U18.

On the other hand, the Gemini pair I demo'd was not quite similar to the qdc8 in bass boost mode. I liked the Gemini with bass boost turned off, but ultimately they didn't seem to offer a lot more than the (incredibly good) qdc 8's.

 

[Bina]

Which qdc8 you heard, all three of them?

 

[Zhanming057]

Which qdc8 you heard, all three of them?

All three. The 8 Live is definitely more suitable for stage monitoring. I was really torn between ordering the 8 studio and hifi version and finally settled on the latter.

But IMO you can't go wrong with any of the three. Gemini is just a bit expensive for what it is.

 

[AllenWalker]

Any proper review for QDC 8SH? Seems like overshadowed by Gemini

 

[Zhanming057]

Any proper review for QDC 8SH? Seems like overshadowed by Gemini

I'll write something about 8CH (since this is the one I ended up ordering), and I was promised that the custom version sounds very similar to the universal except with better bass control due to the custom fit.

I'll have to wait and see if it's true, but as it stands IMO the 8SH is about as good as you can get for an 8ba IEM with clean vocals and very very good treble control and musicality. The Gemini basically bolts a more vocal-forward and bass-heavy mode on to that experience.

I should mention that the build quality for all of the demos were absolutely amazing. Everything was polished and finished to perfection. No bubbles, inconsistencies in material or anything. I honestly can't think of any other CIEM brand with better fit and finish. It's that good.

 

[Bina]

All three. The 8 Live is definitely more suitable for stage monitoring. I was really torn between ordering the 8 studio and hifi version and finally settled on the latter.

But IMO you can't go wrong with any of the three. Gemini is just a bit expensive for what it is.

Hahaha, I just stopped to by qdc today to have my impressions taken for 8 studio custom

Any proper review for QDC 8SH? Seems like overshadowed by Gemini

In my opinion you can pretty much follow the review of Gemini, ignore the bassy signature and you should be pretty close to 8 Hifi.

 

[karloil]

I should mention that the build quality for all of the demos were absolutely amazing. Everything was polished and finished to perfection. No bubbles, inconsistencies in material or anything. I honestly can't think of any other CIEM brand with better fit and finish. It's that good.

True that! If you also observed how they layed out the wires inside the shell - as neat as it can get! The best build and presentation that i'ved ever seen in any custom or universal IEM manufacturer

 

[Bina]

Visited qdc yesterday to get impressions done for my new customs. Guy doing impressions was really skilled and impressions felt great, better than any I ever had done in Czech. One small interesting thing, they use bite block, but you don't bite on long or short side, but on the flat side, interesting.

Also, in their conference room exhibition of wooden faceplates got exchanged for their new glitter shells.