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Writer's picturedbstechtalk
Jul 37 min read

Rose Technics QuietSea - The Not So Quiet Sea - Honest Audiophile Impressions

When I imagine a quiet, serene sea, I picture a dreamlike scene where gentle waves softly meet the shore, illuminated by a romantic and soothing heavenly light. In audio terms, it could be characterized as a calming, romantic, and rich presentation brimming with emotional resonance.

Let's see if the Rose Technics QuietSea provides a quiet, peaceful and serene listening experience.


I want to thank Rose Technics for providing the QuietSea for review, much appreciated. Rose Technics, you rock!

Purchase:


An important point to consider is the option to select between MMCX and 2-pin

connections, as well as between 3.5mm and 4.4mm when making a direct purchase from Rose Technics. Rose Technics provided the MMCX and 3.5mm options for review, although I personally would have preferred the 2-pin option.


The thoughts and opinions expressed are solely mine. I have not received any payment, pressure, or influence to conduct these reviews or to present a favorable perspective in my findings.

 

The Rose Technics QuietSea will set you back $100 from your bank account. The QuietSea features a single Rose Technics developed 10mm dynamic driver with a topological diaphragm.; impedance of 32 Ω, sensitivity of 99 dB and a frequency response range of 20 Hz - 20000 KHz.


UNBOXING/ACCESSORIES:


The unboxing process is simple yet adequate considering the cost.

The package includes a sealed outer box that opens at one end, with discreet branding on the top.

The back provides minimal specification details, while the sides feature additional branding and a sticker image of the QuietSea.

Within the box, there is a hardcover case that securely shuts with a magnet, and there is also discreet branding located on the top.

Upon opening the hardcover case, you will find a paper detailing the QuietSea.

Beneath this paper, you will discover the QuietSea itself along with a carrying case.

The semi-hard shell carrying case is visually attractive with its grey and black color scheme, featuring Rose Technics branding on the top and a finger loop attached to the zipper pull. It offers ample space inside to store the QuietSea, as well as a pocket for additional accessories. The extra accessories consist of a MMCX removal tool and a set of silicone tips in small, medium, and large sizes.

Featuring an oval shape, the tips are distinctive, shallow, and slightly wide bored. It's worth noting that the QuietSea is compatible with third-party tips, unaffected by the oval-shaped nozzles. I used the stock tips for this review.

Rose Technics provides a quad-braided 5N monocrystalline copper (OCC) cable that is covered in fabric, giving it a pleasant appearance and feel. The ear hooks provide just the right amount of tension. The cable remains orderly and free from tangles, showcasing its excellent performance. I am truly impressed by the quality of this cable.


BUILD/DESIGN/COMFORT:

The QuietSea is constructed with precision and has an attractive appearance. Its shell is a combination of resin and CNC aluminum. You have various choices to select from, including MMCX and 2-pin connections, as well as silver or grey color options.

The shells are small and lightweight, with a smooth back and a short nozzle. The nozzle is intriguing due to its tube being oval in shape.

Fortunately, the QuietSea's compact and sleek design didn't cause me as much discomfort in terms of fit compared to some other models. I can only wear them for around an hour before feeling uncomfortable. The noise isolation is quite average, mainly just dampening sounds, and I can still have a conversation without taking them out.


SOURCE PAIRING:

I will be direct about this: the QuietSea is picky with source pairings.  With an impedance of 32 Ω and a sensitivity of 99 dB, some dongles with lower power outputs may struggle to handle it. However, the main concern in most cases was not power, but rather the compatibility of the source presentation with the QuietSea. Sources with a cold, analytical or neutral presentation were torture to my ears. I found sources that had a cold, analytical, or neutral presentation extremely unpleasant to listen to. I found sources with a warmer or softer tone in the midrange and treble much more pleasing to listen to. I found the Hiby FC3, Periodic Audio Rhodium, Hidizs S8 Pro, Fosi Audio DS1, Fosi Audio DS2, AFUL Snowy Night, and various other sources to be unsuitable for my ears. Similarly, the Mytek Liberty DAC ii, Fiio K11, and Fiio K19 were challenging to listen to on desktop. I leaned towards devices with a warmer and more analog sound when listening to the Rose Technics QuietSea. I unearthed the veteran of my dongle collection, the Nextdrive Spectra X, and discovered that it delivers the most satisfying listening experience with jazz and classical music.


So how does the Rose Technics QuietSea sound?


My Review Process:


My Terms & Definitions:


My Reference Gear & Music:


Gear Used to Review:


AFUL Snowy Night

Fosi Audio DS2

Hiby FC3

Hiby FC4

Fiio KA17

Periodic Audio Rhodium

Hidizs S8 Pro

Fosi Audio DS1

Fosi Audio DS2

Hidizs XO

Aune Yuki

Nextdrive Spectra X

iFi Audio GoBar Kensei

Hiby R5 Gen 2

Geshelli Labs J2 AK4499

Geshelli Labs Erish 3

Fiio K11

Drop SMSL HO150x

Fiio K9 AKM

Fiio K19

Mytek Liberty DAC ii

Mytek Liberty HPA

DROP THX AAA One

Aune S9C Pro

Aune S17 Pro


Does the Rose Technics QuietSea provide a quiet, peaceful and serene listening experience?


BASS:


The focus of the QuietSea's bass lies in the mid-region. It lacks significant sub-bass extension and lacks the deep rumble and grumble. The mid and upper bass regions are more prominent and impactful. The mid bass delivers a good amount of punch and impact with decent texture. The bass is effectively controlled and does not bleed into the lower mid frequencies.


MIDS:


The QuietSea's lower and main midrange frequencies are recessed and dominated by the bass, upper midrange, and treble. The midrange has a slender and lightweight profile, becoming even slimmer as you move up. The metallic twinge in the tone and timbre becomes more pronounced as you ascend to higher frequencies. There is an ample amount of air, space, and layering in the midrange. The elevation between 2k and 5k introduces sibilance and aggression.


TREBLE:


The treble of the QuietSea is turbulent. Elevations ranging from 7k to 11k can be overwhelming due to their sharpness and intensity. However, the treble does not extend well and sharply decreases after 12k, restricting the high notes from fully expanding and dispersing. This results in a dull upper treble and a sharp lower treble. The treble lacks coherence and balance. The trebles tone and timbre are also negatively affected, similar to the mid-range, by a metallic twinge.


TECHNICAL ABILITIES:


One of the QuietSea's better attributes is its soundstage. The QuietSea offers a nice range of width, showcasing stages of different sizes, from small to large. The stage has good depth and nice layering, allowing you to see clearly several rows back for diagnosis.The imaging quality is commendable, allowing you to follow details smoothly without any gaps, jitters, or interruptions. While I wouldn't say it's perfect, you can still discern the location of details but it is more in the neighborhood than laser pin-point accurate. The detail retrieval is very impressive, there are no complaints about it. On the other hand, the resolution of the details is not particularly impressive. Specifically, the resolution in the upper midrange and treble is characterized by a glassy, glaring, and harsh quality. Tone and timbre have already been briefly touched upon. However, the bass exhibits mostly natural tone and timbre. The midrange and high frequencies sound metallic and artificial. Sources that had a warm midrange and treble presentation were able to somewhat conceal the metallic twinge, although it was never entirely eliminated.


ALTERNATIVES:


Even with the current sale price of $50, the Rose Technics QuietSea is surpassed by more affordable alternatives. If you are searching for a high-quality in-ear option priced below $100, or even $50, you may want to check out the following models: Clear Tune Monitors CE110, Tin Hifi T3 Plus, Kiwi Ears x Crinacle Singolo, DUNU Titan S, Kotori Dauntless, and Tangzu Wan'er.


In summary, the mention of QuietSea evokes images of tranquil waves gently caressing the shore, bathed in a romantic and calming celestial glow. However, listening to the QuietSea, I can hear the tumultuous crashing and thrashing of stormy waves. Regrettably, the Rose Technics QuietSea offers a turbulent and unsettled listening experience instead of a calm and serene one. There are too many turbulent waves for me to suggest sailing on the QuietSea.


I am Dave the Honest Audiophile. Thanks for reading, and I will catch you in the next one. Don't forget to enjoy the music and that honesty is the BEST policy!


I am not a professional sound engineer, producer, musician, or vocalist, etc. I have not done any scientific research, measurements, or in-depth testing of any kind; just my own listening, comparing and internet reading/research.  I have limited, real-life experience with recording, mixing and mastering gear.  I have been involved since my teenage years with various churches as an amateur sound booth technician.


Please take these thoughts, opinions and reasonings as just that, my honest audiophile thoughts, opinions and reasonings.


Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalkDbs @TalkDbs


Recommended Gear:

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Massdrop THX AAA 789: 


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