QOA Martini Review: A Cocktail of Rich Balance
QOA (Queen of Audio) is a Chi-Fi brand established in 2019 by two sisters, Sophie and Youko, which puts QOA in the rare category of IEM brands founded by women in what’s largely a male-dominated space. We’ve previously covered their Pink Lady and Mojito here on About Audio, and QOA has since grown their cocktail-themed lineup consistently from budget-friendly introductions to where the Martini now sits – their most technically ambitious flagship IEM release to date.
The Martini is a flagship tribrid IEM priced at $599, and the naming isn’t just cosmetic. QOA tuned the Martini with a 3:5:2 bass-to-mid-to-treble ratio inspired by the cocktail’s ingredient balance – a concept that gives the tuning its own deliberate philosophy from the ground up. With a 1DD+4BA+1BCD driver config and a 4-way crossover, the Martini is one of the more interesting BCD tribrid options we would recommend in this price range, after evaluating the sound and properties. Let’s get into the details on the “why” and how Martini sounds and compares.
Packaging & Accessories
Martini arrives in a large, premium-feeling box that punches above its price tier in presentation. The packaging is themed around the cocktail concept with signature QOA branding across the exterior. Inside, you’re greeted with the earpieces and an impressive accessory spread that is one of the most complete inclusions at this price range – a genuine leather carrying case with magnetic closure, 6 pairs of silicone tips, 3 pairs of AZLA Crystal eartips, the stock cable, and documentation. The leather case has a pleasant quality feel with a secure magnetic clasp, and its size is practical enough to accommodate the earphones comfortably. The eartip variety is generous, and premium eartips like AZLA Crystal tips are a nice inclusion.
Earpieces: Vibration-Friendly, Tribrid Design
Martini’s shell is 3D-printed resin with a distinctly cocktail-inspired look. The earpieces are embedded with fine purple metallic flakes that create a sparkling, martini glass-inspired glitter, while the faceplate carries coarser purple flake detailing with the Martini lettering. Very mysterious and colorful design, yet they haven’t overkilled the design, keeping the design interesting without being loud. Dark-purplish glimmer is subtle in low light and vivid under direct lighting that shifts in color. An interesting property of these resin shells is that you could feel the vibrations by tapping onto the earpieces, which is designed for efficient vibration delivery.
In terms of specs, Martini uses a 6-driver, 4-way design that is comprised of a 1DD+4BA+1BCD config. The 6mm liquid diaphragm DD woofers, 2 Knowles full-range BA drivers, 2 custom BAs for highs, and a 10mm Bone Conduction Driver for the ultral-lows. The earpiece size is average pressure relief system is built into the housing, which prevents ear canal pressure buildup during longer sessions. Ergonomic shell and nozzle fit comfortably and securely, and the pressure relief allows for long session comfort. 2-pin connections are the standard 0.78mm flush-mounted type.
QOA Martini Specifications:
- Drivers: 6mm Liquid Diaphragm Dynamic Driver + 2 Knowles Full-Range BA + 2 Custom BA + 10mm Bone Conduction Driver
- Crossover: 4-way
- Impedance: 14Ω
- Sensitivity: 105dB/mW
- Weight: 5.7g
Custom-grade 4.4mm Stock Cable
The stock cable is a 4-braided Litz design using 6N OCC copper conductors in a brown PVC sheath with 0.78mm 2-pin connectors and a 4.4mm balanced plug. The stock cable is slightly thicker than what you’d typically find on a stock cable, being a bit thicker and heavier than typical stock cables; however, the cable is very pliable and smooth, hence not causing microphonics or much hassle in usage. Alongside, in return for the bulkier form factor, the stock cable is a great-sounding cable that well suits the Martini.
Next Page: In-depth Sound Impressions / How does Martini Sound?