Short answer: the qdc Anole VX. It ranks #358 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.5/5, at $2,499. The 64 Audio Tia Trio ranks #373, rated 3.3/5, at $2,299, $200 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the qdc Anole VX: Ten balanced armatures keep bass close to target, within about 1.4 dB from 20 Hz to 200 Hz in squig.link measurements, so low end is clean and controlled rather than boomy. The tradeoff: Across hobbyist measurements a deep 10.7 dB dip near 5.4 kHz leaves the presence band 6.2 dB low, so vocals, snare and guitars lose clarity and attack.
What the 64 Audio Tia Trio does well: A single dynamic driver and two balanced armatures give near-neutral sub-bass down to 20 Hz and about 1.8 dB of extra bass for warmth and weight. The tradeoff: In squig.link measurements the 3 to 6 kHz presence band sits about 4.7 dB below target with a 6.6 dB dip near 5.5 kHz, so vocals and strings can sound recessed.
Buy the qdc Anole VX. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $200 saving on the 64 Audio Tia Trio is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| qdc Anole VX | 64 Audio Tia Trio | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,499.00 | $2,299.00 |
| Ranked | #358 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #373 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 67 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 65 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.81 dB standard deviation | 2.59 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.76 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 10 x balanced armature | 1 x dynamic + 2 x balanced armature |
| Sensitivity | 110-113 dB SPL/mW | 104 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Impedance | - | 5.5 ohms |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for qdc Anole VX:
- Oriolus Mellianus vs qdc Anole VX
- Noble Audio Sultan vs qdc Anole VX
- 64 Audio Tia Trio vs 64 Audio Volur
- Oriolus Mellianus vs 64 Audio Tia Trio
- 64 Audio Tia Trio vs SoftEars Cerberus
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
qdc Anole VX: $2,499.00 Shenzhenaudio eBay
Pros: Ten balanced armatures keep bass close to target, within about 1.4 dB from 20 Hz to 200 Hz in squig.link measurements, so low end is clean and controlled rather than boomy. The tuning suits warm and bass-leaning listeners, and sensitivity of 110 to 113 dB/mW means it runs from a phone with plenty of headroom.
Cons: Across hobbyist measurements a deep 10.7 dB dip near 5.4 kHz leaves the presence band 6.2 dB low, so vocals, snare and guitars lose clarity and attack. Crinacle’s preference score of 67 is low for its price, and the qdc Gemini, Noble Audio Kadence and Shuoer Cadenza 12 all rate higher for less money.
Full qdc Anole VX review and specifications →
| Released | 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.81 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 10 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 67 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Sensitivity | 110-113 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +1.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 140 Hz | -2.8 dB | 0.75 |
| Peak | 9,209 Hz | +3.5 dB | 2.24 |
| Peak | 3,239 Hz | +3.2 dB | 0.89 |
| Peak | 1,349 Hz | -3.3 dB | 1.64 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,253 Hz | +3.8 dB | 4.77 |
| Peak | 508 Hz | +0.7 dB | 2.37 |
| Peak | 6,539 Hz | -2.8 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,387 Hz | -2.6 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
64 Audio Tia Trio: $2,299.00 64 Audio eBay
Pros: A single dynamic driver and two balanced armatures give near-neutral sub-bass down to 20 Hz and about 1.8 dB of extra bass for warmth and weight. Air above 10 kHz rises about 4.9 dB, giving cymbals shimmer and a sense of space. At 104 dB/mW it runs fine from a phone. It rates above the 64 Audio U12t and the SoftEars Cerberus.
Cons: In squig.link measurements the 3 to 6 kHz presence band sits about 4.7 dB below target with a 6.6 dB dip near 5.5 kHz, so vocals and strings can sound recessed. A 5.9 dB peak near 11.9 kHz may add a touch of sizzle. The 64 Audio A12t from the same maker earns the same rating for less money.
Full 64 Audio Tia Trio review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.59 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 2 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 5.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.76 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -0.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 173 Hz | -2.9 dB | 0.47 |
| Peak | 5,866 Hz | +5.1 dB | 2.52 |
| Peak | 1,079 Hz | +3.6 dB | 3.41 |
| Peak | 3,899 Hz | +3.2 dB | 3.50 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -10.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,335 Hz | +5.3 dB | 1.90 |
| Peak | 2,172 Hz | -1.4 dB | 3.36 |
| Peak | 642 Hz | -1.1 dB | 3.27 |
| Peak | 364 Hz | +0.6 dB | 1.70 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons