Moondrop Quarks DSP IEM
$15
What We Dig
- Rich, Open Sound
- Comfortable Fit
- Plug and Play USB Connection
What To Think About
- Sound Becomes A Little Compressed With Very Heavy Bass
- A Little Shouty On Some Tracks
Looking for an affordable audiophile earphone? Check out our review of the Moondrop Quarks DSP, a great entry-level option for music lovers.
Music lovers and audiophiles alike are always on the hunt for good pair of earphones that deliver crisp, clear sound without breaking the bank. Enter the $15 Moondrop Quarks DSP earphones, a great entry-level option for anyone looking to enhance their listening experience while on the go.
These earphones not only provide impressive sound quality but also come packed with advanced features that set them apart from other similarly priced options on the market. In this review, we’ll look closer at what makes these earphones stand out and what you can expect when you add them to your listening arsenal.
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Specs
- Frequency Response: 4-43kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
- Effective Frequency Response: 20-20kHz
- Sensitivity: 113dB/Vrms@1kHz
- Impedance: 16Ω@1kHz士15%
- THD: <1%@1kHz
- Driver: Specialized High-performance 6mm Miniature
- Dynamic Driver
- Housing Material: PC
Moondrop Quarks DSP Review: Build/Features
The Moondrop Quarks DSP IEM is a great combination of modern technology and classic design. It’s a convenient and comfortable way to experience music with a robust bass response, clear midrange, and engaging treble response.
This earphone is a re-engineered version of the original Moondrop Quarks IEM (which we liked a lot for the price), now equipped with a Type-C connection port that allows easy connectivity with smartphones and laptops. It also includes a tailored signal input via an integrated DAC/amp chip with DSP (i.e., digital filter) adjustment, tuned to provide a balanced sound optimized for the driver. In addition, it doesn’t use much battery power and eliminates the need for a separate DAC/amp dongle.
Additionally, the Quarks DSP houses a 6mm micro dynamic driver taken from the original Quarks. It has a rigid polymer diaphragm adapted to maintain control and reduce distortion inside the highly-dampened sealed acoustic earpiece. It’s also designed to provide thrilling dynamics.
Regarding usability, I found the Quarks DSP’s bullet-shaped buds easy to insert into the ear and very comfortable to wear. The plastic earpieces and silicone ear tips are light and comfortable, and the cable is soft and flexible. Even though the cable is not detachable, it seems tangle resistant and robust, which is suitable for a product used on the go.
In keeping with the mobile theme of the Quarks DSP, it also has an inline remote control with a MEMS microphone, which is very convenient, especially when traveling with your phone in your pocket. The remote worked well on my Motorola phone, changing the volume and controlling playback. It didn’t work on my newer, top-of-the-line Samsung phone, which was curious.
What’s In The Box
In the box, the Quarks DSP comes with a felt drawstring carrying bag, a few sets of silicone tips, and a user’s guide.
Moondrop Quarks DSP Review: Sound Quality
The sound quality of the Quarks DSP is really good. It has a lively, dynamic sound yet is detailed and relatively clear. The tuning is based on Moondrop’s harman-based VDSF target, which is designed to be balanced for the most part with just a little bit of excitement on the low end.
The Quarks DSP’s bass is deep and punchy, and the mids and highs are vibrant and clear. The soundstage is surprisingly open, allowing you to pick out individual instruments in the mix. The sound is also quite balanced, with no one part of the frequency spectrum overpowering the others. These little buds are an entertaining listen, especially for a pair that costs less than $20.
That said, I had some issues with the Quarks DSP’s sound. First, there was a tendency for things to get wild and woolly when listening to music with weighty bass.
Listening to Kanye West’s “All Of The Lights,” the bass became a little loose and affected overall clarity. That said, even then, these little buds sounded better than most earphones you’ll pick up at this price point, so there’s that. In addition, the upper mids are sometimes a bit “shouty, ” which can be distracting.
Conversely, with well-recorded acoustic-based music, like Steely Dan’s “Babylon Sisters,” these earbuds begin to sound borderline brilliant with decent separation and great technicality for a $15 pair of earphones with a DAC/Amp included in the package. The song was played with good dynamics driving home the backing drums, and the vocal was pretty clean, albeit a touch shouty. Again, these buds are really fun to listen to.
Moondrop Quarks DSP Review: Conclusion
Overall, the Moondrop Quarks DSP is a good budget IEM. It’s well-designed and offers great sound quality and comfort for folks on the go. The Type-C connection for your phone, integrated DSP tuning, and sturdy design make it an excellent choice for those looking for a good, balanced-sounding, yet inexpensive plug-and-play IEM that you can throw in your pocket or bag.
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