One of the most popular budget earbuds are the Qian39 by QianYun. Unlike most cheap earbuds, these actually utilize a unique design that makes them extremely comfortable, at least for me. As to the sound, I definitely prefer them over the Vido MX500. Although Qian39's bass response isn't as deep and impressive as Vido's popular earbuds, they are still a step forward in terms of mids/highs clarity and level of detail, and a huge step forward in terms of comfort. They are also not as dark, which means more tonally accurate. My main criticism is of the occasionally aggressive mids (specifically lower-mids) which evident in many male vocals. The resulted sound can be excessively bassy and even uncomfortable, but those instances are quite limited.
QianYun Qian39
Dynamic Driver
Pros
- A warm and very appealing sound signature, with impressive amount of detail.
- Simple but quite durable cable, without any weak points along the cable.
- Highly comfortable earbuds.
- Highly affordable, especially the quality you get in return for your money.
Cons
- The sound could be too aggressive because of the evident lower-mids bump, especially noticeable in male vocals and basslines.
- Understandably, the materials used are quite cheap-feeling.
Package & Accessories
2 × Black
Metal, rectangular, branded
Build & Materials
Plastic (glossy + matte), ø16mm, mesh faceplate
TPE, no strain reliefs
TPE, 123cm, separated, soft, mildly bent
TPE, straight, short, soft strain relief
Comfort & Fit
Although the shape is visually simple, it is extremely efficient in terms of ergonomics (obviously, with ear pads). Their very specific shape and curves made them super-easy to wear and very quick to get a proper fit and seal, at least in my case.
Lows / Bass
The bass is impactful and quick, but somewhat over-represented, compared to higher frequencies. This can result in a boomy/bloated sound, especially when dealing with male vocals, basslines or just about any bassy instruments (like cello). These instances are limited and depend both on the composition and source hardware, so considering the price, I won't hold this against these overall great earbuds.
Mids / Vocals
Some of the best mids I've heard coming from earbuds. It's upfront, clear, remarkably detailed and mostly tonally accurate. Sometimes the bass leaks into the mids and makes an overall bloated experience, as mentioned previously. Compared to Qian69, Qian39 are slightly harsher, tonally-speaking, but that's as far as the cons go. I wouldn't be surprised if both earbuds found to have the same drivers.
Highs / Treble
Gentle but very remarkable highs, especially for the price. Depending on your source, of course, these earbuds will reveal a lot of detail thanks to it's crisp and relatively accurate treble reproduction, without being anywhere near fatiguing.
Frequency Response
