Short answer: the Rose Technics QT9 MK3. It ranks #108 of 1291 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.5/5, at $280.99; the Etymotic EVO ranks #162, rated 4.4/5, and costs $298.98, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the Rose Technics QT9 MK3: The median of 4 hobbyist measurements gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 80 with a 1.44 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 1.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The tradeoff: Its 1.44 dB spread is less even than the best measured sets.
The case for the Etymotic EVO: Three balanced armature drivers deliver a flat, uncolored midrange, with the 1 to 3 kHz region within 0.5 dB of the Harman target and a preference score of 78. Watch for: Bass is lean, with sub-bass about 3.3 dB under target and the 60 to 200 Hz region 1.5 dB under, so kick drums and bass lines have less weight than most listeners prefer.
Buy the Rose Technics QT9 MK3. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Etymotic EVO and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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The median of 4 hobbyist measurements gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 80 with a 1.44 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 1.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
HiFiGo $280.99 eBay
Three balanced armature drivers deliver a flat, uncolored midrange, with the 1 to 3 kHz region within 0.5 dB of the Harman target and a preference score of 78.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Rose Technics QT9 MK3 | Etymotic EVO | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $280.99 | $298.98 |
| Ranked | #108 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #162 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 80 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 78 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.44 dB standard deviation | 1.89 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.30 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature | 3 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 18 ohms | 47 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB | 99 dB SPL at 0.1V, 1kHz |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 16kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
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 Rose Technics QT9 MK3 from arn, cqtek, musicafe and obodio; the Etymotic EVO from breampike, dentreviews, precog, soundignity, superreview and vsg, all via squig.link.
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