Short answer: the Softears Karma. It ranks #206 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $2,599. The qdc Gemini ranks #246, rated 4.0/5, at $2,137, $462 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
What the qdc Gemini does well: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 74, and it is rated above the ThieAudio V16 Divinity and the Noble Audio Kadence. Watch for: 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 Softears Karma. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $462 with the qdc Gemini does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Softears Karma | qdc Gemini | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,599.00 | $2,137.00 |
| Ranked | #206 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 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 74 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.80 dB standard deviation | 2.23 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.32 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.12 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.0 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 + 2 bone conduction + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic + 1 MEMS) | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 2 x bone conduction + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic + 1 x MEMS | 8 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 7 ohms | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB/V | 112 dB SPL/mW |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Softears Karma:
- Shuoer Cadenza 12 vs Softears Karma
- Softears Karma vs Unique Melody MEST Fortune
- qdc Gemini vs Unique Melody MEST Fortune
- Shuoer Cadenza 12 vs qdc Gemini
- Fearless Audio S8Z vs DUNU Zen
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
Softears Karma: $2,599.00 HiFiGo eBay
Full Softears Karma review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2026 (4 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.80 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 bone conduction + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic + 1 MEMS) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 2 x bone conduction + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic + 1 x MEMS |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 7 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.32 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- 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