In the ever-evolving landscape of audio technology, finding the perfect pair of earphones can be a daunting challenge, especially for audiophiles on a budget. Enter the Que Earphone, a remarkable entry into the world of in-ear monitors (IEMs) that promises to deliver an exceptional listening experience without breaking the bank. With its striking design, premium materials, and balanced sound profile, the Que presents itself as an appealing option for both seasoned listeners and newcomers alike. In this review, we’ll delve into what the Que Earphone has to offer, from its thoughtful design and build quality to its performance across various frequencies, ensuring you know exactly what to expect from this affordable gem.
What You Get
- Que Earphone
- Leather Carrying Case
- S Ear Tip (2 pairs)
- M Ear Tip (2 pairs)
- L Ear Tip (2 pairs)
- Instruction Manual
Look & Feel
The Que takes cues from multiple Sivga designs. Its outer shell resembles the shape of their Nightingale planar IEMs but with maple wood faceplates with a zinc alloy cavity. It’s a fantastic build for the price, with great aesthetics and compact materials. You also get the added benefit of Que’s awesome stock cable, which feels premium, so I would buy it on its own. Their fit is not the most ergonomic, but it still works for long periods of listening time.
Design
Inside the Que is a single 10mm dynamic driver with a beryllium diaphragm. With the combination of its wooden properties, this configuration hopes to elevate acoustic details. The single magnet dual cavity technology controls the movement of the diaphragm and reduces distortion.
- Frequency Response: 20-20K Hz
- Impedance: 32Ω +/-15%
- Sensitivity: 108 +/-3 dB
Soundstage
Any soundstage slightly wider and more dimensional than what is normal for this price is bound to be impressive to me. What sticks out most to me is the Que’s large imaging. The scale of the sound feels grander than some of the other good IEMs in this price range. This increased scale also limits the amount of spatial integrity though, as separation and layering aren’t as big of a concern. Channel separation is not as distinct as other IEMs in this range, but the stereo field still fills out some open headspace. I wouldn’t consider the Que to be congealed, but there’s less stereo accuracy here compared to other IEMs in this price range.
Low End
The Que gives you the type of bass you’d expect from its single dynamic driver. It carries a thick tone that has tons of surface area, bringing a thumpy timbre to most bass instruments. It keeps itself away from being boomy with the help of some impressive low-end clarity. You don’t normally get this level of detail from IEMs in this range, so the Que sticks out here. There’s a surprising balance of frequencies here that are the most organized in the sound signature. It gives the bass a solid shape, with more layers than the rest of the sound signature. As a result, you get natural bass resolution mixed with a colorful rumble.
Mids
With the Que, you get a warm low-mid timbre, which becomes the most dominant area of the frequency response. It’s the region that receives the most amplitude, and it characterizes most of the midrange timbre. Nothing about it felt foggy though, as everything came together naturally. There’s a solid foundation behind each note giving the mids significant weight, and it all feels concise. While there’s not a ton of intrinsic detail to the mids, there’s still musicality through its grounded tone.
Highs
You don’t get as strong of a presence in the highs as you do in the bass and mids. There’s a noticeable dropoff in high-end resonance which results in a lack of crispness. It lacks the height and air that I usually prefer for my sound profile, but its surface-level display might be all you need for this type of sound signature.
Summary
The Que Earphone emerges as a commendable choice for anyone seeking high-quality audio without the hefty price tag. Its unique blend of aesthetics, solid construction, and well-balanced sound signature positions it favorably among its competitors in the budget IEM market. While the highs may not shine as brightly as the mids and lows, the overall sound quality and attention to detail make the Que a worthy investment for everyday listeners and casual audiophiles alike. Whether you’re enjoying your favorite playlist during a commute or diving into an immersive album at home, the Que Earphone is sure to enhance your audio experience, offering both comfort and satisfaction in every note.
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The Sivga Que is available at Audio46.
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