One of the best ways to remember is embedding a moment through a surprising event. I’ve had my fair share of actually experiencing this phenomena to say that it is indeed true. For the continuous and almost routine aspect of my daily life which is reviewing, there are still moments that takes me by surprise. One such event was when I was reached and offered to check out an IEM which I have seen rounding the entry level audiophile community.

This very IEM was the RevoNext QT5, made by the RevoNext audio team based off Sweden which was founded in the summer of 2015 with a sole dedication of crafting high fidelity audio products. It’s glaring clear what the RevoNext name means and we best hope it fits the QT5 at least. The RevoNext QT5 review sample was sent by Better Audio US via Amazon in exchange for an honest review, no monetary compensation was involved. You can check it out at this official Amazon US Better Audio RevoNext QT5 link. There are 2 color options and the one we would be realviewing is the gun metal color, the other one being copper.

The RevoNext QT5 is priced at just $29 and is spec’d with a dual hybrid dynamic (10mm) and BA (30095) drivers, 20Hz-40kHz Frequency Response, 16 Ohm Impedance and a 105dB Sensitivity. With the QT5 possessing all the customary blueprint components for a hit entry level IEM, what element of surprise does it have that would at least set it apart from its $29 peers? Let’s get surprised, or not.

Packaging and Build Quality

The QT5 came in a black with red accents cardboard box with the QT5 silhouette on upfront plus some marketing descriptions while the back of the box features the usual product specifications. Opening up the box immediately shows the QT5 laid snugly on a soft black foam cutout with a small cardboard on the lower part covering the stock cable and it’s included 2 pair of silicon eartips (S and L) with the M-sized eartip pre-installed on the QT5. There’s no carrying pouch included which is standard on the $30 price bracket.

Featuring an all metal build for the IEM itself gives the QT5 an immediate sturdy build quality. The seams are exceptional and are proportional all over both the left and right sides with a minor cleft just where the housing for the .78mm connection starts which is evident when placed next to a bright light. There are 3 vents present on each IEM with one being on the underside near the base of the nozzle while the other two are placed on the faceplate, it resembles a single round showerhead except this one has a break, creating the split. The faceplate also features 3 allen screws on a semi-triangular configuration, none of my allen screw drivers were small enough to unscrew them so I wasn’t able to try and open the QT5. The nozzle of the sound bore was almost seen as part of the metal shell however upon careful inspection, it is indeed a translucent smoked hard plastic with the showerhead screen present again, and I can bet this same showerhead was used on the faceplate.

The stock cable of the RevoNext QT5 is a SPC with a gun metal finish to match the silver metallic finish of the IEMs itself. It uses the usual round braid which coupled with the rather soft tension results in an easily tangling cable which isn’t great for storage, luckily, the QT5 stock cable features a Velcro cable organizer for that specific purpose. It also features a cable cinch which works great when worn for a much secure fit. A gold-plated 3.5mm on a right angle configuration with ample strain relief sits on one end of the QT5’s stock cable with the other being a .78mm 2-pin male connection with black plastic housing and a plastic translucent over ear guide. There is minor microphonic noise present on this particular stock cable. Overall the total build quality of the QT5 is admirable for $35, be careful though when connecting it to a source with loads of power output as the metal housing creates an irritating static off your ears.

Tonality

Just when I was talking about the element of surprise about the RevoNext QT5, predictability comes pestering the party. It has been a staple experience in my realviewing journey where IEMs under the $50 price bracket most likely leans on the warmer sound signature and the QT5 follows the same trend. Its low-end performance shines the most against the other frequencies. The QT5 underwent the recommended 50-hour “burn-in” process to satisfy those who consider it. I used the pre-installed M-sized eartip for the duration of the realview along with Sony a46HN gushing out 16/44 FLAC files which would be indicated along the realview.

Lows

Opening up the lows was Bobby Brown’s Been Around the World in 16/44 FLAC, starting off slow and steadily progressing towards a steady stream of sub bass which the QT5 renders deeply and accentuating body rather impact. Sub bass speed is slow and lingers a tad longer than I prefer, this would please those looking for a well extended sub bass altogether. Bass drops are implemented smoothly and doesn’t overlap towards the succeeding frequency which makes the overall low end performance to function coherently with each other.

Midrange

The RevoNext QT5’s midrange was assessed using That’s Why by Michael Learns to Rock in 16/44 FLAC. The midrange performance of the QT5 showcases a soft tone overall, there is great clarity on the accompanying vocals and instruments yet still comes out toned down even for MLTR standards. The lower midrange supplements the bass performance of the QT5, given once again anything the low end desires sparing the frequency from being muddy. Upper midrange performance is lacking and although this makes for a great non-fatiguing experience, it already gives you a head up as to how the higher frequency performance would come out.

Highs

Once again, I’m biased towards the bright signature but that doesn’t mean I’m all about that treble, it’s that implementation of the higher frequency to possess a delicate treble bite that feels effortlessly rendered. The RevoNext QT5 unfortunately didn’t pass up to my treblehead standards. There is a noticeable lack of extension and sounds too transparent for my liking. Sparkle and sudden peaks on the high frequencies are nowhere to be found to which if you are sensitive to, makes the QT5 pleasing to your ears. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like sudden peaks as well, it’s just that both the sparkle and sudden peaks are absent on the QT5. Don’t crank up that volume already, you’re just forcing the QT5 to give which it doesn’t have.

Soundstage and Imaging

The RevoNext QT5’s collection of 3 vents seems to serve the aesthetic function rather than an actual functional unit for its sound. I tested numerous types of tape to cover the vents on the faceplate and it fails to alter the signature. The single underside vent accounts for minute sonic changes at best which unfortunately from my end results in being covered when worn. The QT5’s soundstage is intimate and has more focus on the depth than width, there is still adequate left to right and right to left panning especially when the tracks are heavily reliant on such. Imaging benefits from the already inherent great clarity performance of the QT5 which is a welcome aspect for the overall QT5 soundstage performance.

Conclusion

The RevoNext QT5 may have failed to actually impact me in the long run with the element of surprise I first had with it out of the box from the way it was built sturdily to how the IEM itself is photogenic enough against its peers. The overall sound signature of the QT5 was indeed predictable and still follows the usual under $50 trend of sounding warm and focused on the low-end yet at just $30, the RevoNext QT5 possess great enough price to performance ratio. It’s just not for the lads that prefer the brighter and livelier signature.