Short answer: the HiBy Project Ace. Both are rated 4.0/5 for sound quality (#397 and #432 of 1291 in-ear headphones), and the HiBy Project Ace costs $219 against $235 for the QoA Matador, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it.
The case for the HiBy Project Ace: The median of 4 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 74 with a 2.07 dB spread. The catch: Presence sits about 3.1 dB low with a 6.2 dB dip near 3.4 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
The case for the QoA Matador: A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 74 against the Harman target. The catch: Treble about 3 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, which can sound dull or veiled next to brighter headphones.
Buy the HiBy Project Ace. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $16 less than the QoA Matador.
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The median of 4 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 74 with a 2.07 dB spread.
Amazon $219.00 eBay
A broadly balanced tuning with a preference score of 74 against the Harman target.
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Specifications Side By Side
| HiBy Project Ace | QoA Matador | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.00 | $235 |
| Ranked | #397 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #432 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 74 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 74 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.07 dB standard deviation | 1.94 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.15 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.42 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Hybrid |
| Drivers | 1 x 12mm dynamic | 1 x dynamic, 2 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 115 dB | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Weight | 0 lbs (8.3 g) | - |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the HiBy Project Ace from arn, atechreviews, obodio and tonedeafmonk; the QoA Matador from aftersound, bassaudio, soundcheck39 and tonedeafmonk, all via squig.link.
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