A Woman’s Touch
PROS:
Inoffensive overall sound
Exquisite build with good weight
Design and looks
Price
Mids have good note weight
Vocals are lush and engaging
Bass have added weight but not overbearing
The most relaxing set I’ve listened to
CONS:
Not the most technical set
Can be too warm for treble heads
Detail retrieval is below average
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.
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