The SUPERIOR concept model, developed in collaboration with qdc, a custom IEM brand based in Shenzhen, China, will allow customers to enjoy a musical experience that goes a step further. qdc and FitEar have teamed up to make an updated IEM SUPERIOR EX will be available through both parties’ official dealers and sales network.
SUPERIOR EX is based on the SUPERIOR concept model of the qdc, China's largest manufacturer of pro-use IEM, and has been jointly tuned with FitEar, the larges manufacturer of pro-use IEM in Japan. This is a large custom IEM brand collaboration model. We focused on reproducing the dynamics inherent in music, and pursued
tuning and total balance according to that concept. By adopting an aluminum enclosure and the original silver-plated OFC cable, we have achieved deeper sub-bass playback and enhanced sound details while maintaining excellent transients. With the three meanings of EXECUTIVE, EXTRA and EXPERIENCE, the EX upgrades your music EXPERIENCE to the next level.
Outline of SUPERIOR EX
Superior, the second entry in the qdc concept model series, will allow more people to experience the fitting, sound response speed and sub-bass playback unique to the custom IEM brand for professional use. SUPERIOR EX is an extra concept model that focuses on reproducing the vast dynamics of music and matching it to a wider range
of music in order to provide a music experience that takes the user one step further. With the cooperation of FitEar, the largest custom IEM manufacturer in Japan, which sympathized with the concept of the project, we planned and developed the project jointly.
SUPERIOR EX is equipped with a newly developed 10mm single full-range dynamic driver, with the aim of providing more users with the brand identity of comfortable wearing and accurate music playback. Based on SUPERIOR, we updated it while considering the total balance of tuning, housing material, and cable according to
the concept. In order to enhance the sound details, the aluminum housing has been changed to further suppress resonance. In addition, the original silver-plated OFC conductor cable with 4 core wire is adopted so that you can feel the deep sub-base playback more. Then, by joint tuning with FitEar, the peak part is suppressed and optimized.
Make your music, Superior EX- As the first collaboration in the history of the two major custom IEM brands that respect each other, we will provide users with the three meanings of "EX" : EXECUTIVE, EXTRA, and EXPERIENCE to enjoy music and monitor. It further upgrades the musical experience available in a wide range of applications, from rings to live stages to games.
SUPERIOR EX is a tuning based on the SUPERIOR of the newly developed entry IEM concept with the aim of allowing more users to experience the brand identity of comfortable wearing and accurate music playback. We updated each of the housing material, and the cable according to the concept while considering the total balance.
Equipped with 10mm single full-range dynamic driver, accurate music playback focusing on excessive characteristics (transients), SUPERIOR for natural and harmonious sound reproduction across a wide range of frequencies and all bands while maintaining the characteristics described above, the areas where peaks occur are suppressed so that they do not collapse even if the sound pressure is increased. We focused on reproducing the vast dynamics inherent in music and jointly tuned it with FitEar for the purpose of matching it to a wider range of music.
I’ll be honest, at first these were not good. Bright, shrill, piercingly sharp highs and a deeply recessed midrange with little bass, although what low end they did have was tight and clean. In short, if you hear these and that’s your initial impression, give them time. A lot of it. These took at least 100 hours to fully start to break in. They are still pretty V shaped (I only recently saw Crin’s graph and it does align with my sonic impressions) and the upper bass and mids could do with being slightly more fleshed out and fuller bodied IMO. But with much tip swapping (I tried foams but wound up with Type E’s and W1’s) and replacing the stock cable for an inexpensive OCC copper cable these started to improve drastically.
They still have some recession in the midrange, but the high frequencies greatly smoothed out while still retaining ample detail and clarity. Muted or veiled these are not. They are also not basshead IEM’s. The low end is tight and with good punch and well defined with excellent pitch accuracy and zero bleed in to the lower mids, but they aren’t sub bass monsters. I have other less expensive single DD sets that dig deeper in that area and it’s one thing I think that holds these back a little along with the midrange dip.
Even with the recession in the midrange making vocals (both male and female) sound a little thin on occasion they are remarkably clear and clean. I don’t get much sibilance on these, but I find myself riding the volume control more often to hit that sweet spot. A warmer source device is probably also a good idea here, but I favor more neutral sources and “flavor” my sound with the transducer itself.
What really sets these apart for me personally though from others I’ve heard in similar price points are the pinpoint imaging and staging. Both laterally and fore and aft. There is good layering here not just a flat 2 dimensional sound stage. But the imaging is just outstanding and they are soundstage champs.
While they are decent all rounders, smaller jazz quintets and chamber music are sometimes jaw droppingly good in all the right ways. Even rock, jazz, and soul & funk records sound great on these. They have the bass to propel a wide variety of genre’s, but metal heads should probably look elsewhere. As mentioned, they will reveal brighter source material as being such, and they don’t really hit hard enough in the bass to balance the rest of the frequencies to make that kind of music really kick IMO. Although AC/DC sounds marvelous on these. Slayer, not so much.
They aren’t a set that makes everything sound good, but they will reward with higher quality source material. I appreciate that they’re not making all my music sound the same. That’s the job of a good transducer. So they’re revealing, but not at the expense of limiting everything you play be “audiophile” recordings.
But I can’t stress enough just how important the tips and cable are with these. What comes with them will not show their true measure. And be patient with letting them break in. For some reason this set seemed to take an abnormally long time to smooth out and reveal their true character. Once they do though you wind up with something truly special.
I also have to mention the fit of these because for my ears at least, they fit like a glove. I know it’s just an aluminum shell version with the same profile and shape of the original Qdc Superior, but for some reason these just fit me perfectly.
A set that’s definitely worth owning, but not without flaws and probably not for everyone, but still one I keep reaching for almost instinctively. They just feel right to me. Huge thanks to MusicTeck for being the only place in the US to get these very special and unique IEM’s and their excellent customer support and service.
Neutral warm set with great timbre and surprisingly good staging. Decent resolution and overall an enjoyable listen. Recommended!
If you are looking for a single dynamic driver that sounds as good or better than some multiple driver set-ups look no further. The stage is not as wide or as tall as the Ibasso 3T-154 but the bass is better, the sub bass is on point, mid bass is also. It does not bleed into the mids at all. It will thump and reverberate when needed as it's not a bass head iem but at times if will surprise you! The bass will underpin the music the way it should.
The mid's are lush, vibrant, cohesive, and placement is as if you have multiple drivers belting out the sound! That is an achievement that most (even) top tier iems have some trouble with! Imagining is fantastic, I was listening to a track and the foot steps were as if they were in the room with me! I have iems that cost triple or more and they can't replicate this!
Male and female vocals sound natural!
The highs sing and sparkle as they should without sibilance and I love sparkly highs with a mid range that won't quit!
The sound stage it immersive if the music requires. The head space and the around the head experience is real and at times shocking if it was not presented in this manner by other iems!
I'm gushing but these seem to be special, really special, unlike everyone else's Harman tuned blasé.
The only real caveat is that the included cable is o.k. as I upgraded to a balanced 6N OCC cable and it made the sound that much better and Velvet ear tips! Oh and btw the fit is perfect!
I want to thank QDC-Fit Ear for giving the cash strapped among us a real taste of "Hi-Fidelity" and Music Teck for these, this is my unbiased opinion and I bought these on a whim and I am glad I did!
I’ll be honest, at first these were not good. Bright, shrill, piercingly sharp highs and a deeply recessed midrange with little bass, although what low end they did have was tight and clean. In short, if you hear these and that’s your initial impression, give them time. A lot of it. These took at least 100 hours to fully start to break in. They are still pretty V shaped (I only recently saw Crin’s graph and it does align with my sonic impressions) and the upper bass and mids could do with being slightly more fleshed out and fuller bodied IMO. But with much tip swapping (I tried foams but wound up with Type E’s and W1’s) and replacing the stock cable for an inexpensive OCC copper cable these started to improve drastically.
They still have some recession in the midrange, but the high frequencies greatly smoothed out while still retaining ample detail and clarity. Muted or veiled these are not. They are also not basshead IEM’s. The low end is tight and with good punch and well defined with excellent pitch accuracy and zero bleed in to the lower mids, but they aren’t sub bass monsters. I have other less expensive single DD sets that dig deeper in that area and it’s one thing I think that holds these back a little along with the midrange dip.
Even with the recession in the midrange making vocals (both male and female) sound a little thin on occasion they are remarkably clear and clean. I don’t get much sibilance on these, but I find myself riding the volume control more often to hit that sweet spot. A warmer source device is probably also a good idea here, but I favor more neutral sources and “flavor” my sound with the transducer itself.
What really sets these apart for me personally though from others I’ve heard in similar price points are the pinpoint imaging and staging. Both laterally and fore and aft. There is good layering here not just a flat 2 dimensional sound stage. But the imaging is just outstanding and they are soundstage champs.
While they are decent all rounders, smaller jazz quintets and chamber music are sometimes jaw droppingly good in all the right ways. Even rock, jazz, and soul & funk records sound great on these. They have the bass to propel a wide variety of genre’s, but metal heads should probably look elsewhere. As mentioned, they will reveal brighter source material as being such, and they don’t really hit hard enough in the bass to balance the rest of the frequencies to make that kind of music really kick IMO. Although AC/DC sounds marvelous on these. Slayer, not so much.
They aren’t a set that makes everything sound good, but they will reward with higher quality source material. I appreciate that they’re not making all my music sound the same. That’s the job of a good transducer. So they’re revealing, but not at the expense of limiting everything you play be “audiophile” recordings.
But I can’t stress enough just how important the tips and cable are with these. What comes with them will not show their true measure. And be patient with letting them break in. For some reason this set seemed to take an abnormally long time to smooth out and reveal their true character. Once they do though you wind up with something truly special.
I also have to mention the fit of these because for my ears at least, they fit like a glove. I know it’s just an aluminum shell version with the same profile and shape of the original Qdc Superior, but for some reason these just fit me perfectly.
A set that’s definitely worth owning, but not without flaws and probably not for everyone, but still one I keep reaching for almost instinctively. They just feel right to me. Huge thanks to MusicTeck for being the only place in the US to get these very special and unique IEM’s and their excellent customer support and service.
With the high quality silver wire, the sound is clear, accurate, comfortable. It deserves the price. A very good wire. Recommend to all.
I was at Can Jam NYC looking at the Vertex cable and the rep show me the Thunder Storm, as soon as I put the cable on I told the rep I want one not knowing the cost, impressive with the huge sound stage, great bass and clarity. That day I purchased the vertex Nadia and the Flash Acoustic Thunder Storm. Thank you for making my day
Super black, the darkness in the back ground is amazing, sound stage is great the weight in the bass is very satisfying, so much details. I am so happy with Vortex
This is the best headphone for the money in this price range. The design is in pair for what I paid for and the sound is one of the best , regardless of the price. Thanks MusicTech!!!
