ROSE TECHNICS QT-X Review – 1DD+6BA Flagship IEM
Rose Technics developed a flagship-grade multi-driver hybrid set of in-ear monitors, presenting the Rose Technics QT-X. Designed with a seven-driver hybrid configuration on each side housing one 10mm Tesla dynamic driver and six high-performance balanced armatures.
Rose Technics QT series has always featured professionally-adjusted hybrid configurations. The pair comes with a seven-driver hybrid setup housing an 8mm Tesla Dynamic Driver with six high-performance balanced armature drivers. The drivers are arranged in a four-way frequency division that ensures lower harmonic distortion, and lower phase differences in the output signal.
Rose Technics has equipped the QT-X with a 10mm Japanese Tesla dynamic driver unit. The driver uses a high-performance PEK diaphragm with Japanese imported voice coils.
Rose Technics has paired the single dynamic driver on the QT-X with six imported high-performance balanced armature drivers. The pair houses Dual 30018 IF, Dual 30019 HF, and 33ap007 MF & LF balanced armature drivers. Each is tuned to handle different parts of the frequency spectrum. These drivers are designed to work together to cover a wide range of frequencies and provide a balanced sound.
Rose Technics selected and tuned each driver to optimize it for the specific frequency range it covers, providing a full, clear sound, and natural timbre. The midrange drivers are optimized for voices, to fully bring out the detail and emotion in vocal performances, while the treble drivers are optimized for stringed instruments.
QT series of premium in-ear monitors from Rose Technics are tuned by Mr. Xie Yu, a highly experienced acoustic engineer (former engineer at Fostex). The latest QT-X is a masterpiece tuned by Mr. Xie, taking him about 3 years to adjust the tuning of this beauty.
The included Grey Rose cable has been tailored for use with QT-X, providing a synergistic match between Rose Technics flagship IEMs and the cable. Grey Rose has a highly transparent delivery.
Along with that, the included RZ300m dongle DAC provides the portable combo of a lightweight design and high-resolution decoding to get the most out of the QT-X wherever you go.
Unboxing
- QT-X IEMs
- Grey Rose Headphone Cable
- RZ-300m Dongle DAC (CS4398)
- Eartips x 4 pairs
- Vent cover x8
Features
- Powerful sound with multi-driver hybrid configuration.
- Six High-Performance Imported Balanced Armature drivers.
- One 8mm Liquid Crystal Tesla Dynamic Driver.
- Professionally adjusted Master tuning for perfect sound quality.
- Ergonomic design for a comfortable wearing experience.
- High-purity single-crystal copper cable.
Technical Specs
- Driver configuration: 1DD+6BA on each side.
- Impedance: 18Ω.
- Sensitivity: 108dB.
- Frequency response range: 20Hz-20kHz.
- Weight: 30±5grams.
- Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin connectors.
- Termination: 3.5mm or 4.4mm
- Price: $339.99 – $439.99 (Deluxe edition comes with ROSESELSA RS9039 dongle DAC and Blue Rose Pro cable) (AliExpress)
Sound
The QT-X has an impedance of 18Ω @ 1kHz and a sensitivity rating of 108 dB/Vrms, making it easily driven by lower-power sources like dongles and smartphones.
While it doesn’t require a lot of power to sound good, it does benefit from a bit more juice, especially given its hybrid design. Like other IEMs in its class, the QT-X may need a few extra volume clicks to sound fully engaged.
One word that perfectly captures the sound signature of the QT-X is “balance.” Its profile ensures that no single frequency range—whether bass, mids, or treble—takes the spotlight.
Everything is presented smoothly across the spectrum, allowing each element of the music to shine without any one range being too forward or too subdued.
There’s a nice touch of warmth in the sound. The bass is there in just the right amount—never too much, never too little. The mids are sweet and natural, with some impressive detailing, and the treble is detailed without being bright.
It’s the kind of tuning that’s perfect if you’re after pure musical enjoyment and spot-on timbre. I made sure I tried most of the genres in my library for this review.
Despite its hybrid design and high number of drivers, the QT-X achieves a remarkable level of coherency, with all three driver types working seamlessly together, resulting in a more natural, immersive listening experience.
Lows
The bass on the Rose Technics QT-X strikes a nice balance between sub-bass and mid-bass. The composite woofer arrangement consisting of one of the dynamic drivers and two balanced armature drivers, coupled with one other dynamic driver acting in a passive mode, produces a coherent and lifelike bass.
The sub-bass, while not overly dominant, has a solid presence that adds depth to the lower frequencies without overwhelming the overall sound.
It provides just enough low-end extension to create a satisfying rumble. The mid-bass, on the other hand, delivers a punchy and impactful sound, giving the bassline the drive it needs without becoming too forceful or muddy.
Unlike “snappy” or “fast” bass, which has quick attacks and swift decays, this midbass is more gradual in its impact. It fills the listening space with a rich, enveloping sound that lingers longer.
The bass notes take a bit more time to fade, creating a more relaxed and immersive bass experience rather than a punchy, immediate one. This contributes to natural sound performance that some listeners may find appealing.
Mids
For me, the mids are the highlight of QT-X’s tuning. The midrange carries a pleasant touch of warmth, making it rich and inviting.
The bass doesn’t intrude on the mids, keeping them clean while subtly adding a layer of lushness and warmth. The midrange offers a decent level of clarity and transparency, making details very clear and easy to hear without any muddiness or congestion.
Vocals come through with a lifelike presence, thick and dense, making them feel central to the entire sound signature. I have hardly come across such realistic vocals as they are on QT-X.
Instrument separation is excellent, with fine details captured beautifully. There is a natural tone on offer with good note weight and a gentle decay that gives the sound a relaxed and immersive quality.
The upper mids are smooth and well-extended, free from any harshness, contributing to a balanced and enjoyable listening experience. Rose Technics QT-X is quite forgiving with poorly recorded tracks as well, minimizing excessive harshness.
Treble
The treble tuning on the Rose Technics QT-X is more laid-back, taking on a supporting role rather than being front and center. It’s natural and detailed with a good extension, complementing the lower frequencies without overpowering them.
The treble is like a double-edged sword; it’s perfect for those who prefer a relaxed yet detailed treble with good control. However, if you’re someone who craves a lot of sparkle and energy in the highs, you might find it a bit lacking.
That said, it doesn’t mean you miss out on detail or that the sound becomes dark; the treble still delivers the necessary clarity, just in a more understated way. The choice of source also plays an important role in the quality of the treble.
Staging & Dynamics
The soundstage on the Rose Technics QT-X is above average, offering decent width and depth without any artificial expansion. It feels natural and balanced, steering clear of any gimmicky effects. While it may not match the spaciousness of some peer flagship IEMs, that’s not what Rose Technics was aiming for.
The soundstage delivers a 3D, holographic experience suggestive of high-quality headphones with a dense and engaging presence.
To me, this stage presentation is more dynamic and on-demand in nature, where the width, depth, and height of the soundstage vary depending on the intensity and complexity of the track being played.
In this soundscape, vocals and mids take center stage, coming across as closer to the ears, while other elements are arranged around them, creating a well-organized and immersive environment.
Instrument separation is excellent, with each instrument having its own space on the stage, even during busy and congested tracks like those in metal or rock genres.
There’s no overlap, and the layering of vocals and instruments is portrayed with impressive accuracy. The channel-to-channel imaging is also spot-on, contributing to the precise and captivating presentation.
In terms of resolution and detailing, QT-X provides a decent level of clarity and precision that allows every subtle nuance of the music to be heard. This presentation becomes crisper and clearer with a good neutral source that does not add warmth to the tuning.
Sum-Up
The Rose Technics QT-X stands out as one of the most unique-looking and well-balanced in-ear monitors I’ve encountered. The craftsmanship and attention to detail that Rose Technics put into the QT-X are evident in its distinctive design and thoughtful packaging.
With a very approachable tuning, this IEM is versatile, making it enjoyable across a wide range of genres.
Its true-to-life timbre, smooth mids, and beautifully rich vocals create a captivating listening experience, further enhanced by a punchy yet balanced low-end. Revisiting older songs in my library with the QT-X was a fun and revealing experience.
The Rose Technics QT-X packs an impressive performance that will bring your music with all-new clarity and resolution—showcasing every single beat in your music with full authority. The QT-X delivers an amazing performance with a spacious soundstage, rich vocals, and detailed instruments.