Overview​

The Rose Technics QT-X is a hybrid IEM, consisting of 1 x 10mm Tesla Coil DD and 6 BAs - 2 low/2 mid/2 high configuration. Tuning is vocals and mids focused, with a large sub bass boost and some treble extension that pushes the set into bright territory.


1DD + 6BA Hybrid Design In-Ear Monitors

• Impedance: 18ohm
• Sensitivity: 108dB
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Connection: 2-pin/0.78
• Termination: 3.5mm or 4.4mm

About me -​

I am a mid 30’s dad, and work full time in IT. Music has been important to me from a young age, consuming as many different types of albums and genres as I could. That is still true today, though my everyday playlists lean most in pop, bass heavy electronic music, metal, and classic rock. I have a treble sensitivity due to years of negligent concert hearing protection (both on and off stage), so my preferred sound signature is warm and bassy. This is just a hobby for me, I’m not a graph nerd and I will always state how and where I got my gear.

I received the “Value Edition” for this review, I would like to thank Andrew and the team at Bloom Audio for giving me an opportunity to review this IEM. I was provided a small discount for my honest impressions, I get no monetary compensation or affiliation links.
Gear used for this review -

• RZ-300m dongle (included)
• DC-Elite
• Qudelix 5k
• Hiby R4
• Apple USB-C dongle
• Stock cable (tested various others)
• Divinus Velvet / Eletech Baroque tips

Packaging + Accessories -​

Value edition box

• QT-X IEMs (Obsidian Black)
• Grey Rose Cable
• RZ-300m Adapter
• Foam eartips x 3 pairs
• Silicone eartips x 4 pairs
• Carrying case
• Vent cover x8

The QT-X packaging is tasteful and well-accessorized. From the logo in holographic gold on the slip cover, to the quotes and images attached on the inside, you can sense from the get-go you are in for a high quality experience just opening the box. The included accessories are generous. The foam eartips were far too small to be of use to me, but I found the silicone ones to be quite nice. They don’t work for me with this IEM (more on that later), but they are like a generic Eletech Baroque in both size and shape and come with an XL! Very nice.

The included carrying case is too small on the inside to be of any serious use, but would be suitable for just the IEM and your choice of dongle. I have yet to have a need for the vent covers, but I do also want to give a special shout out to the included cable. The Grey Rose cable is 4 strands of fabric, but it is not microphonic in use. During my review, I also did not find it to hinder the sound at all like some cables in this IEM price range can. It does not feel like an afterthought, even though its appearance is quite simple. Like the eartips, the Grey Rose also will stick around in my collection for future use. If you have used the QuietSea before, it is the same cable, which I thought was already a ridiculous value for a $50 IEM.

RZ-300m Amp/DAC dongle -​

I want to keep this somewhat brief since it can be purchased separate, but special mention must be made to this included dongle. It packs quite a punch! Even though it’s only 3.5mm, I found this $30-ish dollar USB-C dongle to be quite capable in driving all but my Szalayi properly in my IEM collection. On the QT-X, the volume never went above 50%. It leans warm in the sound signature, which is a good pairing with the brighter edge in tonality. The build is mostly plastic, but the cable is a nice weaving. The button only pauses/starts the music as far as I can tell. The RZ-300m can be purchased on the Rose Technics site, or Aliexpress.

• CS4398 DAC
• Dimensions: 146mmx21mmx10mm
• Weight: Approximately 13g
• Output Power: 75mW@162
• THD+N: -99dB(@32Ω)
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-50kHz (-0.5dB)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 110dB(@32Ω)
• Channel Separation: 76dB@32Ω

Aesthetics, Build Quality & Fit -​

The QT-X comes in a variety of colorful flavors, my review copy is the Obsidian Black color. With gunmetal on the faceplate, the body consists of a high grade opaque black resin. At first I mistook the build quality for metal; it feels far more substantial than most other resin IEMs I have tried. It isn’t filled with resin, but it’s very thick and feels durable.

The IEMs themselves are quite small, for some reason the pictures online make it look like a larger IEM than it is. The nozzle is a bit long, and unfortunately I have some fitment issues with long nozzles and the QT-X was no exception. I was able to mitigate this with tip rolling, and settled on the Velvets and Baroque depending on mood.

On the top next to the 2-pin port is a large vent. I noticed no pressure build up, and they isolate outside noise well once you get a good seal. Overall, the aesthetics and build quality are top notch and only the fit gave me issues, though I will admit that is more my issue than the QT-X. The quality matches the price!

Test Tracks -​

• The Japanese House - Sunshine Baby (vocals/mids + sibilance)
• Fleetwood Mac - The Chain (techs + vocals)
• EPROM - Pineapple (Bass + treble)
• Empress Of - For Your Consideration (bass + techs)
• Joe Hisaishi - Merry-Go-Round of Life (treble)

Bass -​

The bass on the QT-X is simultaneously my favorite part, and the one place that leaves me wanting. Sub vs mid bass. The sub bass is tastefully done, in both quantity and quality. 808 hits are smooth and satisfying, the atmosphere brought by the sub bass always impresses me on drone or ambient tracks.

Mid bass, on the other hand, is largely lifeless. Basslines and kick drums simply exist within the mix if there are other things going on. I am left wishing there was more weight in the mid/higher bass. However, I do not want to be too negative about the bass, because I believe the good outweighs the bad here. My library has a lot of sub bass focused tracks, and the sub bass here is GOOD. It’s well-controlled, accurate and plentiful.

Some examples; on For Your Consideration, at :24 seconds there begins a series of kick drums before an overwhelming amount of sub bass presence shortly after. On Pineapple, there are a variety of mid bass hits throughout but only the sub stands out in the mix and it pulses and booms along.

Mids & Vocals -​

Lush and full, the only way it could be made better was with some more supportive mid bass. Otherwise, hands down this is where the majority of tuning went. Vocals sound rich, female vocals especially but male vocals aren’t far behind. In Sunshine Baby at 1:56, male vocals enter behind a female track before they trade off for a moment and you can get a sense of how they are tuned in the mix.

The dueling guitars at the beginning of The Chain display how weighty the mids can get, building into the vocals where Stevie Nicks cannot help but appear just a bit more than she should. Here you can also sense where the mid bass falls short, as the kick drum keeps the song moving along, but unfortunately not as present as it should be.

Treble -​

The high range of the QT-X is well done, it has nice extension while being on the winning side of “too bright”. Sibilance is minimal and only an issue with an improper tip seal, or is part of the recording. Sunshine Baby is a sibilance monster, and the QT-X handles it with ease, only revealing the most egregious, unavoidable sibilance.

My only issue with the treble is similar to that of my opinions on the bass - it lacks some weight. For my tastes, this really isn’t an issue but there isn’t a lot of oomph to the sharper punches. On Merry-Go-Round of life at 1:50 when the strings kick in, it sounds nice and shiny but it's lacking note weight and air to really give it an extra shine. In Pineapple, there are some discordant treble hits on the hi hat, and it would be more pleasant with that air.

Technicalities -​

Soundstage is quite good, though I was never wowed by it. On tracks like For Your Consideration, harmonizing vocals come in around you and they reach far enough that I have no complaints. On The Chain, you can hear the fingers guitar plucking quite clearly, as well as the muttering so the details are clear, but the full band coming in reveals the soundstage to be a little on the shallow end. All parts of the mix can be distinguished clearly, if properly focused on. Solid techs all around to my ears.

Power + sources -​

I had zero issues driving the QT-X on any source I have. It usually lies at the lowest volume/gain setting in my collection, so I guess one downside is that I forget to turn it down before using it but that is on me!

It is not particularly source picky either. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, the included 30 dollar amp/dac is more than sufficient to power it, and honestly it sounds great out of the box. It scales nicely as you throw more at it, but I don’t feel it is as necessary as some other sets to use top of the line gear to get the most out of it. Do not feel like you are missing out going unbalanced here folks.

Branding + Pricing + Value vs Deluxe -​

Now, this section is a little… different than my typical reviews, but I feel that it must be mentioned. Shortly after I got the QT-X in for review, I noticed the Rose Technic branding online had begun to change to ROSESELSA. I am not crazy about this name, it’s far less coherent but for now it seems their IEMs are keeping the Rose Technics branding. Additionally, pricing for this IEM seems like a mess and all over the place, depending on which online storefront you are looking at.

The Value edition is
$339
Contains the RZ-300m, a 3.5mm only DAC
Grey Rose cable

The Deluxe edition is
$439
Contains the RZ-550, a 3.5mm + 4.4mm DAC
Blue Rose cable

I cannot imagine the Deluxe version is worth it for an extra $100. If it were up to me, make Deluxe the only model at the Value edition $339 price and it’s an amazing deal in today’s market.

Closing Thoughts -​

I think the term “all-rounder” gets thrown out a bit too much and too often, I certainly know I am guilty of it. It’s an easy, catch-all term to assign something that is a little good at everything. I just cannot find a better term to use to describe the QT-X though, in every sense of the word it’s such a great all-rounder, all purpose IEM.

• Good bass? Check.
• Full mids and lovely vocals? Check.
• Nice treble extension? Check.
• Amp/DAC out of the box? Check.

If you are looking for an all-rounder, bright leaning natural sounding set with solid bass, keep your eyes peeled on the QT-X. Rose Technics/ROSESESLA could be a major player in the game with tuning like this (and some simplification in their branding…), and I hope to see where they go.
Rose Technics QT-X is available on Bloom Audio for $339: https://bloomaudio.com/products/rose-technics-qt-x

Vortex Seraphina - Turning a Skeptic Into a Believer​

Specs -​

• Structure: Shielded Twisted pair & S-Z Multi Strands with Shielded Twins Pair
• Material: (i)Shielding: Silver plated OFC Copper (ii)Core: Silver Plated 6N OCC Copper
• Gauge Size: 21.3 AWG
• Accessories: Standard ConX Basic 2.0 connectors & gold-plated copper connectors

Disclaimers & About Me -​

• RU7
• Szalayi / MP145 / Dark Phoenix

Aesthetics & Build Quality -​

The Seraphina is a fabric cable, black with bright blue spot coloration. It's vibrant and eye-catching, especially when combined with the machine-etched connectors and Y-split. These parts feel especially high quality, giving the brand a unique identity to stand out in today's busy market. On an aesthetic level, this cable is directly in line with what I was looking for my upcoming 634Ears LOAK2-Ti. (hopefully it arrives soon!)

The y-split is a very clever piece of metal that uses a bolt to tighten the cable, there is not glue or adhesive used. It is a bit sharp, this doesn't bother me but it is worth noting. The cable itself could be a bit softer, but the sleeving feels very high quality. There has been no fraying or stray fibers.

Ergonomics & Use -​

The Seraphina is a bit on the stiffer side, this is not really a cable to use with lighter IEMs or when in motion. Stiffness combined with the lack of a chin slider is an especially rough combo, I would like this option on future cable purchases in this price category. In my opinion, this is the largest issue with the Seraphina and one to consider before purchasing.

Vortex's inclusion of Effect Audio's ConX connection system was an amazing decision, and I would like more companies to utilize this feature rather than designing their own. Though the system is a little under engineered and could use some refinement, the ability to swap to MMCX and 2pin with the same cable is a game changer, and should be standard in this price category. Take notes, cable makers!

Packaging - ​

Vortex really went above and beyond on the packaging for their products. It includes the following:

• Seraphina cable
• Leather cable clip
• Basic Effect Audio ConX kit
• Carrying case, similar to this one from ddHiFi
• Warranty card

A very impressive package, and high quality be-fitting the price.

Sound -​

Ah, the best (and most subjective) for last! How does the Seraphina perform on my chain? To answer that question, a bit of context is needed.

I have been skeptical about cable performance. In my eyes, spending more than $100 dollars for a cable was a big ask. I couldn't hear enough of a difference for the price to possibly seem worth it. The one time I did exceed that limit was a huge disappointment, and one of my biggest audio regrets (NiceHCK DragonScale). I decided to spend more money on a cable this time as a statement piece for my new custom 634Ears set. The money spent was decided on a cable that looked and felt high quality, a step above the budget products I was familiar with. Sound was not very much a consideration.

Imagine my surprise when there actually was a noticeable sound difference. To my ears, Seraphina brings an increase in quality and presence to the lower end of the frequency, specifically in the mids and sub bass. Using my Szalayi, a set I can typically wear all day without fatigue, the added sub bass is actually a bit overpowering on bass heavy songs. With the MP145, the added presence in the mids is palpable. I left Seraphina at home to burn in on the Dark Phoenix, and 2 days later I simply had to put it back on the MP145. The added "oomph" is addictive. On the Dark Phoenix, it unfortunately adds a bit too much mid bass bleed (an issue i think the Szalayi avoids with grace, by just.... being a bass monster instead). I did not notice any drop off in treble shine or extension with any IEM, nor changes in soundscape.

Conclusion - ​

The Seraphina is a carefully crafted piece of art, from the packaging to the sound profile. Everything about the Vortex Seraphina shouts "high quality product". I will be looking at Vortex cables for my future purchases, with the inclusion of chin sliders and a softer/more pliable fabric, they would be an absolute game changer. However, I cannot deny that I am now a more firm believer in what the cable can bring to a chain. Well done, Vortex.

4.5 stars

Vortex Seraphina can be purchased from MusicTeck for $439.00

ISN Neo 5 - Purple Bass​

I have been using the Neo 5 for around 6 months, 4 of which were full time. It's a 1DD x 4BA configuration.

They were purchased through AliExpress on a sale with my own money.

A little about me...
I am a mid 30’s dad, and work full time in IT. Music has been important to me from a young age, consuming as many different types of albums and genres as I could. That is still true today, though my every day playlists lean most in pop, bass heavy electronic music, metal, and classic rock. I have a treble sensitivity due to years of negligent concert hearing protection (both on and off stage), so my preferred sound signature is warm and bassy. This is just a hobby for me, and I will always state how and where I got my gear.

Gear used for this review -
ivipQ-140 Cable / Stock white tips / Cayin RU7 / Schiit Magni + Modi+ stack / Qudelix 5k

Aesthetics + Build Quality + Accessories​

With the translucent purple and gold branding, at first sight the Neo 5 spoke to me. It reminded me of an old Nintendo 64, and when I heard it was bass tuned I knew I had to have one. It's an elegantly simple looking set, with the full innards of the drivers on display. The resin shell is small and shaped to fit the ear comfortably. The shells feel high quality, and are not easy to scratch or mark up. On the back of each shell is a small vent hole, marked blue/red for left/right. I would have preferred no coloration but its hardly an issue. The nozzles are small and have a metal mesh, and can fit most any tip easily. The 2-pin connection is not recessed, and was VERY tight when I first got my set, on the left side. I was concerned about breaking it when removing it the first time or two, but it did loosen up... a bit too much, 6 months on and a few cable swaps later. It hasn't been an issue where it has fallen off, but I would be mindful of it when cable swapping.

The Neo 5 came with an S4 cable, small carrying case and variety of tips. I prefer the sound of the white ones more, to my ears they are a good balance in sound by thinning out the bass a bit. Both of the stock tips have been used with other sets, Penon makes high quality tips and it would be wise in invest in some regardless! The carrying case is a nice blue leather with a magnet top. It's a little too small for my use, but if you just want to carry around an IEM and that's all it would work for that. The S4 cable has a couple minor issues, no ear hooks, the right wire is a smidge longer than the left, and the chin slider does not hold.

Bass​

The star of the show, the Neo 5 is tuned around it's full-bodied bass. With a winning combo of sub rumble and mid bass thump, it's stereo-like presentation hits hard and envelops the rest of the frequency in warmth. The first word that came to mind to describe it was "bulbous" and I believe that is an accurate description. For as much bass as there is, the bleed into the mids isn't as much as you would imagine. It digs deep, but the decay sticks around for a bit too long. My biggest gripe is with how slow the bass is, on faster tracks like metal or drum and bass it sounds very inarticulate/disjointed with the rest of the mix.

Mids​

The mids have a thick note weight. Vocals, while not exactly recessed, take a back seat whenever they need to share the stage but both male and female vocals sound crisp and clear (male more so in my opinion). The mids are never thin, and on slower tracks (acoustic, vocal) you can really get a sense of how articulated and beatiful the mids are put together. The only time this changes is on the faster BPM tracks I mentioned earlier.

Treble​

While I would call the treble the weakest link in the tuning, its far from being bad. It extends far out, but lacks the details and sparkle a treble head would look for. I have never considered this set as sibilant in any form, it leans warm like the rest of the tuning but there is zero BA timbre, everything is natural. Things like cymbal crashes are recessed, but I never felt like I was missing sounds in the higher register. I would recommend a wide bore tip to elevate the treble a bit.

Technicalities​

The soundstage is wide, but not as deep, or tall. The bass adds to the width, bassier tracks typically "feel" grander than songs without as much. Instrument separation is good but not fantastic, as are the details. The Neo 5 isn't a technical monster, but it isn't supposed to be; it's for a smooth, engaging listen and it excels on every front in that regard.

Power​

Impedance: 26 Ω - 1kHz
Sensitivity: 110 ± 3dB - 1kHz

The Neo 5 isn't just a great sounding all-rounder, it's low power draw allows functionality with any DAC/dongle you utilize. I recently upgraded to 4.4mm cables, but with this set it is not necessary, a 3.5mm is fine. I use low gain on everything with it.

Final Thoughts​

It's not perfect, but I love my Neo 5. It's my go to IEM for out of the house due to its ease of use, low power needs and fun bassy sound signature. Commonly I use it for gaming on my Steam Deck, or watching movies when I am traveling on my iPad. At this point, newer and shinier things have hit the market but I feel like the Neo 5 deserves a little more recognition. It would make a fine addition to any collection missing a bass set.

ISN Neo 5 for $289.99 on Penon Audio