QoA Aviation – Sound Impressions
QoA’s Aviation is characterized by a fairly balanced sound signature with hints of warmth within the slightly elevated bass region. It is not a warm-sounding earphone, nor a neutral one; QoA found a nicely balanced ground between both worlds. First, let me clarify: the bass region is only slightly emphasized, but not to the extent of the Canon, or the MS5. The Aviation has mostly neutral mids with great clarity and a good mid-bass weight ratio that is not too much nor too little. It showcases an exciting upper midrange along with a fine treble that extends and disperses beautifully without any sharpness. It’s a well-tuned earphone, especially for the price, and one of the best all-rounders in its price bracket, in my opinion.
Lows
The bass region of Aviation is what I call just right in terms of quantity. This positively affects the all-rounding capability of the Aviation. The 8mm dynamic driver has a fast and tight bass reproduction. Although somewhat limited in extension compared to headphones with similar price tags such as Canon, Hype II, MS5, it is not difficult to get a good presentation in both metal and EDM genres with Aviation. I found the Aviation’s bass to be quite versatile, neither too much nor too little, and this tuning acts as a good mediator between genres and headphones. The bass texture and resolution of the dynamic driver is also quite good for the price point, and I don’t find it unreasonable to compare the Aviation to headphones in the $250-300 range.
In addition, the mid-bass also has an amount that we can call balanced, and this gives you an accurate sense of their body while conveying natural instruments. Despite being a hybrid, the transition from bass to mids is very smooth and coherent.
Mids
The midrange of Aviation follows the rest of the spectrum a step behind except for the treble, but Aviation doesn’t exhibit a typical V-shaped presentation. The difference is not reflected as sharply to the listener. More clearly, the mids are positioned slightly away from the listener, enhancing the dynamism feel and improving the perception of the soundstage. The resolution and texture in the mids are impressive for the price, contributing to Aviation’s versatility. It handles various music genres well. You can effortlessly jump from Melody Gardot to Miles Davis and even to EDM artists like Oceanvs Orientalis. This adaptability is a noteworthy achievement for an IEM in this price range.
The upper mids provide some energy and clarity to the overall presentation thanks to their good resolution and slight emphasis, which improves the overall technical achievement. I also found the balance of the upper mids quite good, with no congestion or sharpness in complex passages.
Highs
The treble of the QoA Aviation showcases a similar balance. It extends well, feels clean and vibrant, without any sharpness. It feels fairly energetic and lively, yet smooth and controlled simultaneously. It scales well depending on the tracks’ needs and the source being used. It features a good amount of air, contributing to the spaciousness/airiness of the overall presentation. The treble harmoniously follows the upper midrange from half a step back, offering a fairly detailed and airy presentation in the top octave. The treble range is well-tuned, providing a pleasant listening experience with good resolution, particularly in the cymbals, without unnecessary color and accentuation.
Technical Capability
For a hybrid that sits inside the $200 bracket, the Aviation offers an excellent timbre and fairly good tonal balance, as you can deduce from the paragraphs above. The PRaT is also quite good; the 8mm DD produces a snappy bass response while the overall presentation is tuned in a balanced way, offering a good amount of airiness across the spectrum.
The soundstage width of the Aviation is surprisingly good, accompanied by still good but less impressive depth. The hybrid does a good job of positioning the instruments and reflecting their placements to the listener, so no issue there either. Overall, the Aviation impressed me with its technical capability, as well as its tonal coherency and resolution.
Comparison
vs. Kiwi Orchestra Lite ($250 USD)
The 8-BA Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite is characterized by a relatively balanced and smooth sound signature. While it may not be the most dynamic in-ear monitor on the market, it is not a dull-sounding one either.
Comparing it to the Aviation, there are a few remarks to point at, starting with the bass. The bass between both units is similar in terms of quantity. However, the texture and resolution are different. The Orchestra Lite is equipped with BA drivers, whereas the Aviation comes with an 8mm DD driver. In comparison, the Aviation has slightly more sub-bass extension, and it feels snappier, especially during congested tracks where we get a fast twin pedal exposure. The Orchestra Lite lacks the speed, but makes up with its slightly more accurate bass tonality. Apart from that, the Aviation’s midrange sounds more distant compared to the more vocal-intimate Orchestra Lite.
For the upper mids and the treble, the Aviation is the more energetic one out of the two. It feels more engaging and dynamic, whilst Orchestra Lite lacks the expansion, especially in the high treble region, where the crashes reach their top and start their dispersion. This may be great for the audiophile who is after the HD650 vibe, but for the rest who want their music as balanced as possible, the Aviation feels more tonally balanced and more energetic and dynamic.
Last Words
In conclusion, the Aviation impresses with its balanced signature with hints of warmth here or there. It is a tuning that could lure anyone who has never listened to a proper IEM and can be a great alternative for the audiophile who wants a taste of a tonally balanced IEM that does not break the bank. Additionally, the Aviation is a fine example of what the manufacturers can offer at this price point and should be regarded as a fine example of proper hybrid implementation. Its excellent technical capability and clean presentation are impressive for this price bracket.
The Aviation is a great candidate if you’re in the market for a budget IEM that punches well above its weight. I am happy to give it our Headfonia Recommended award and add it to the list where we compile the best performers within their price brackets.
Pros
- Great SQ
- Excellent build & design
- Great unboxing experience
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
Cons
- None for the price
Page 1: QoA Company, The Aviation, Packaging & Accessories, Design & Comfort
Page 2: Sound Impressions, Low, Mid, High, Technical Capability, Comparison, Last Words
