Short answer: the Shuoer Cadenza 12. It ranks #187 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $2,299. The qdc Gemini ranks #246, rated 4.0/5, at $2,137, $162 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Shuoer Cadenza 12: A preference score of 76 with deep, well extended bass, only 0.5 dB short of target at 30 Hz from its 10 mm dynamic woofer. Watch for: An 8 dB dip near 5 kHz pulls the presence band 5.5 dB below target, so vocals, snare and guitar attack sound recessed and soft.
Why pick the qdc Gemini: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 74, and it is rated above the ThieAudio V16 Divinity and the Noble Audio Kadence. The catch: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz falls almost 6 dB short of target, with a dip of about 9.6 dB near 5.5 kHz, which dulls vocal clarity and attack on guitars and snares.
Buy the Shuoer Cadenza 12. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $162 you would save on the qdc Gemini does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Shuoer Cadenza 12 | qdc Gemini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,299.00 | $2,137.00 |
| Ranked | #187 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #246 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (measured by HypetheSonics, via AutoEQ) | 74 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.92 dB standard deviation | 2.23 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.43 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 11 balanced armature) | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 11 x balanced armature | 8 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 16 ohms | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW | 112 dB SPL/mW |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Shuoer Cadenza 12:
- Shuoer Cadenza 12 vs Shuoer Cadenza 4
- Moondrop Psyche vs Shuoer Cadenza 12
- Shuoer Cadenza 12 vs Softears Karma
- Softears Karma vs qdc Gemini
- qdc Gemini vs Unique Melody MEST Fortune
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
Shuoer Cadenza 12: $2,299.00 Linsoul eBay
Pros: A preference score of 76 with deep, well extended bass, only 0.5 dB short of target at 30 Hz from its 10 mm dynamic woofer. The warm tilt and full low end suit listeners who prefer a bassy, relaxed presentation over a bright one. Its 110 dB/mW sensitivity and 16 ohm impedance make it easy to drive from a phone, and it rates well above the pricier Shure KSE1500.
Cons: An 8 dB dip near 5 kHz pulls the presence band 5.5 dB below target, so vocals, snare and guitar attack sound recessed and soft. The SoftEars RS10 costs less and carries a clearly higher rating.
Full Shuoer Cadenza 12 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.92 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 11 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 11 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 30kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (measured by HypetheSonics, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.43 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.5 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 | -2.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,361 Hz | -2.8 dB | 1.27 |
| Peak | 3,336 Hz | +3.7 dB | 2.12 |
| Peak | 6,210 Hz | +4.0 dB | 4.38 |
| Peak | 61 Hz | +2.6 dB | 1.23 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +2.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 182 Hz | -0.9 dB | 1.18 |
| Peak | 4,851 Hz | +2.3 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 94 Hz | +0.6 dB | 2.37 |
| Peak | 4,263 Hz | -1.6 dB | 5.99 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
qdc Gemini: $2,137.00 Shenzhenaudio eBay
Pros: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 74, and it is rated above the ThieAudio V16 Divinity and the Noble Audio Kadence. In squig.link measurements bass and mids track the target within about 1 dB, so instruments and voices keep natural weight, and air above 10 kHz is lifted about 3 dB for added openness. Eight balanced armatures at 25 ohms and 112 dB sensitivity play easily from a phone.
Cons: Presence from 3 to 6 kHz falls almost 6 dB short of target, with a dip of about 9.6 dB near 5.5 kHz, which dulls vocal clarity and attack on guitars and snares. Sub-bass sits about 3.7 dB below target, so the deepest rumble is lighter than ideal. The Shuoer Cadenza 12 is rated higher at a similar price.
Full qdc Gemini review and specifications →
| Released | 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.23 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 8 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 74 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.6 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 | +1.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 153 Hz | -2.4 dB | 1.05 |
| Peak | 1,388 Hz | -2.6 dB | 2.20 |
| Peak | 3,050 Hz | +1.9 dB | 3.26 |
| Peak | 6,697 Hz | +2.8 dB | 0.80 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 517 Hz | +0.8 dB | 1.45 |
| Peak | 5,408 Hz | +2.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 4,520 Hz | -1.9 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 262 Hz | -0.4 dB | 1.93 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons