Celest Wyvern Qing Review
Intro
Hello audio fans, today I have with me another iem from Celest Audio named the Celest Wyvern Qing. Now, the Qing is another in the very popular “Wyvern” series of iems which so far has gotten some very good feedback from the audio community as a whole. Celest Audio (for those who don’t know) is actually a sister brand of the highly regarded Kinera Audio. Some consider that Celest is the “value” wing of the Kinera umbrella. The great majority of Celest iems are in fact… Budget. However, the word “budget” almost has a negative connotation, and I wouldn’t describe Celest as anything “negative” at all. It’s actually the contrary. So far all I have witnessed from this brand has been nothing but a high price to performance with very good budget iems that will please a huge swath of audio folk. Just a good brand that knows who their audience is. I should also probably say thank you to HiFiGo for providing the Wyvern Qing in exchange for a feature at Mobileaudiophile.com. Always a pleasant surprise.
One of the four celestial spirits
Now, one thing that Celest/Kinera/QOA will always do is name their iems after… something. Basically, they give their sets a personality. This personality or theme is how they tune their iems, how they build their iems, and how they design their iems. It’s a cool thing to see. Not many brands have the artistic capacity or imagination to drum up this kind of craftiness. If you haven’t paid any attention over the years… I’ll forgive you, but folks, Kinera has been doing this forever. Once again, each set has a theme, each set has an identity which serves as the path that Kinera/Celest/QOA uses to encompass the build, sound, design, and even some of the accessories on more expensive iems.
Qing
In the case of the Qing, it is actually named after a dragon which was one of the four celestial spirits of heaven in Chinese Mythology. Qing which in full is “Quinglong” also goes by the names “Canglong” & “Mengzhang”. Also known as the Azure Dragon. Qing represents Spring, and the east. It also represents power and majesty. So, there is alot to unpack here which I am not going to do. However, I did some reading and income to find out that these representations are all over the media and used very often. I suppose we out in the west don’t really hear about it, but the stories are really kind of cool. I’ve learned a ton about Chinese Mythology through the process of reviewing Kinera/Celest/QOA iems and devices. Well, a ton is probably a bit of an exaggeration. More like, I’ve learned more than I ever would’ve known due to these reviews. So, as you can see by the look and design of the Qing, it is azure in color and very beautiful to look at. I won’t go any further into this, but I wanted to at least speak on the fact that Kinera/Celest/QOA does go above and beyond in how they go about creating and crafting their iems. It’s pretty cool.
Competition
Now in each of the reviews I’ve done covering this series, I have considered each set very good against their peers. This is an absolutely loaded price point with price to performance iems all throughout. In fact, in my opinion the $30-$50 price point is probably where you see the best price to performance of any price range. Again, I reviewed the Wyvern Pro (Wyvern Pro Review), and the Wyvern Abyss (Wyvern Abyss Review) and each was slightly different from each other as far as tuning is concerned. Just narrow distinctions separated each iem and coincidentally, this is exactly what I find with the Qing. Very much alike but subtle differences. I think that Celest provides a few very good options at this low price, but I am curious to see where the Qing sits against the best of the price point. We shall see. However, I’m ready to check this set out much closer. I’ll be back in about two weeks and begin writing further ahead. The Celest Wyvern Qing everyone…
Check out my other reviews of Celest iems below:
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Disclaimer:
I received the Celest Wyvern Qing from HiFiGo as a review sample and in exchange I will conduct a full review and feature at Mobileaudiophile.com. I have not received any payment or any other form of compensation for this review. This set is a review sample iem. HiFiGo has not requested to pre-read any review and doesn’t have any control over “what” or “when” anything gets published to mobileaudiophile.com. All thoughts within this review are my own, though please take note that I will always have my own biases. This is impossible to get around. I try to be as objective as my subjective self can be, but this is an opinion piece folks. Thank you to the very kind people of HiFiGo and thanks for reading.
Qing Pros
-For the price the build is really nice (all-resin)
-One of the best looking iems in the price range
-Comfortable for me, hopefully you as well
-Nicely balanced and dynamic presentation
-For $25 I hear a nicely organic sound
-Deep and solid bass, well textured
-Musical midrange, good presence, nice vocal set
-Mostly non-offensive treble region, some sparkle
-Pretty nice soundstage
-Great imaging capabilities
Qing Cons
-Bass may be too heavy for some
-Note weight is less full on the Qing than previous Wyvern models
-Notes in the upper mids can carry an edginess to them
-Nothing else for $25
Gear used for testing
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
Packaging / Accessories
The Celest Wyvern Qing comes in a very small box with a picture of what appears to be lightning on the cover. There really isn’t much to speak on with this unboxing. This is a budget set and not much is included. Which I would hope everyone would expect. However, take off the sleeve and you’ll first see a card which explains the folklore/mythology behind the Qing. Under the card you’ll find a few baggies which have the Qing earphones themselves as well as the cable and the eartips inside. That’s it. For $25 there really isn’t much to get upset at. This is the first time in a long time that a brand didn’t put their earphones in cut-outs making them the first visible thing upon opening. I’m cool with it though. It’s $25.
Eartips
The eartips provided aren’t really the best pairing eartips in my opinion. Celest provides three pairs (S, M, L) of white silicone eartips with a wide bore. Now, I have zero issue with wide-bore eartips on this set. What I don’t like is how flimsy these tips are. They just don’t seal very well for my ears. I actually agree with Celest that wide-bore tips are best. They are for me anyways. So, I instead went with the blue Letshuoer wide-bore tips which come with most of their earphones. I love how rigid the flanges are which makes getting a seal very nice. Anyways, maybe the included tips will work great with your ears, just not mine.
Cable
The included cable is one which some of you may want to swap with another. There’s nothing wrong with the included cable at all but it isn’t the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. Certainly, there are better cables aesthetically. Having said that, please don’t think I’m ridiculing it, because that’s not what I’m doing. In fact, the cable provided does a fine job of replaying my music while at the same time not being too heavy and weighing down this light set of earphones. I don’t hear any microphonics either. I just have to pair my earphones with some sort of color matching or contrasting. It’s my own weird thing. Also, I listen almost primarily over a balanced connection and so that in and of itself is a reason to swap. I actually used the KBear Expansion cable in 4.4 balanced. It is a 24-core cable, light blue/white which looks nice with the Qing in my opinion. So, the included cable isn’t bad, it’s a cable afterall, and it works. Maybe not my cup o’ tea, but nothing can please everyone.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit
Build Quality
The actual build of the Celest Wyvern Qing is no different than any of the previous Wyvern series sets. The Qing is also made entirely of resin, 3D printed, durable enough, and good hard plastics. Let’s put it this way, it doesn’t feel cheap. It’s a good build especially at $25-$30. I’m telling you right now that you won’t see many all-resin sets in this price point. There’s a few though, like the Kiwi Ears Cadenza, and some others. However, I do feel that the build is very good and extremely ergonomically correct to most human ears. The nozzle is medium length and 6mm wide. Pretty much average. Should fit most people that way. I do see a tiny vent near the rear of the Shells and other than that there really isn’t much more to speak on. It’s a nice build.
Design
Now, it’s in the design that the Wyvern Qing is set apart from other iems at this price. The actual design is bonkers good. One thing I always remark on is how remarkable Kinera/Celest/QOA are with designing earphones. Truly they are the best out there. Nobody does what they do and if they happen to, it’s a one-off thing. Kinera creates beautiful earphones in their sleep. This brand is so talented. The people they have are truly in tune with their artistic expression and clearly want to give that away. The Qing are gorgeous. They come in two colorways in green and blue. Obviously, mine is blue. However, it isn’t just blue! There is also a definite purple element to this colorway. I adore the swirling faceplates with dark blues, light blues, purples, and even a touch of pink in there too. Just a very dope looking design on these faceplates. To add to that, the Shells are semi-transparent as well. I can easily see in the Shells and peer at the inner workings of this set. That is something I’ll always be partial to. Easily one of, if not thee… best designed earphones in the price range.
Internals
Once again Celest decided to use what I believe to be the exact same driver they used in the other Wyvern series sets. That is a 10mm LCP (liquid-crystal-polymer) diaphragm dynamic driver. Why change a good thing? It works and the sound is great. This is obviously a good driver inside and what they do is simply slightly tweak the tuning with each set. This may have to do with the acoustic cavity I suppose or slight damping. I really don’t know. I do know that the Qing does have a slightly different sound than the Wyvern Pro and the Abyss. Anyways, it’s a good driver, that much I know.
Fit / Comfort
Once again, this set fits my ears like a dream. It’s really perfect. I have absolutely not even a slight clue how this set will fit your ears, but I’m assuming they will fit well with most people. So, they are extremely comfortable, and I can use them truly for hours. I have used them for hours actually and never once needed to take them out for adjustments. Okay, I occasionally get an itchy ear but that doesn’t have anything to do with actual comfort. That’s just my ear wondering why something is shoved in there that long. So, fitment is good, comfort is good and also, I’d say that isolation is good too. I hear a nice passive noise attenuation. Better than average I’d say.
Drivability / Pairings
The Qing is rated with an impedance of 32 ohms and a sensitivity of 105 db’s. If that makes no sense to you then I’ll just translate…this means they are very sensitive. I found the Qing to be just fine off of even lesser powerful sources. Sources like my iPad, old Android phones, lesser powerful no name dongles. They all play the Qing with way more than enough headroom and actual volume. Now, there is some scaling with power, as with most iems. It isn’t world changing but there is a difference to me. I find this with damn near all iems. In fact, I can’t remember a set that didn’t tighten up at least a little bit due to some added zing! A little mustard! Some juice! They all seem to dial in a bit. Some more than others for sure. The Celest Wyvern Qing does improve to a slight degree. In my humble opinion. I don’t feel you need some huge amount of power to bring the Qing to its best. In fact, a decent Dongle Dac is fine. Something greater than your average smartphone maybe. The drivers inside handle a bit more power just fine. One more thing, just like the other Wyvern series sets, the Qing can handle loudness or more volume particularly well. I don’t hear undue and ugly distortions. High volumes don’t really become a problem. Just a side note.
Pairings
As far as tonal pairing with the Qing. I really don’t feel it matters much. It’ll be what your preferences are anyways. The Qing is in that warm/neutral pocket of tonal coloration which seems to sound fine with most source tonalities. If anything, maybe a slightly warmer source I liked better. The Simgot Dew4x was a very nice pairing which made the time in my office really nice. However, even a slightly more neutral EPZ TP50 was a great pairing. The slightly warmer Ifi Go Blu was an awesome device to use with the Qing as well, same with the Qudelix 5k. As far as my daps, I liked them all. The warmer Shanling M6 Ultra is my absolute favorite device to use with the Qing. However, the neutral and very dynamic Fiio Q15 is just as nice in a slightly less rich way. Same with the iBasso DX240. All good.
Best Pairing?
I think we go way too hard in this hobby with “what the correct tonal pairing is”. I mean, folks… It’ll be what you enjoy in the end. Not what some reviewer deems as the “best pairing”. They always say if it’s a cooler sounding set to pair with a warmer source and there is validity to that. However, mostly it’s because certain aspects of the sound gets exaggerated if you use a cool source with a cool set. Same with warm/warm. It isn’t always the case though. I just think we need to step back a moment and refresh some of the things reviewers are saying sometimes. Please understand that this isn’t a bashing of anyone, shoot… I’m the worst offender of this thinking. Look at my past reviews! Anyways, I truly feel the Qing sounds good with most source tonalities. Like I said, for me I like a slightly warmer source device, but that’s me. You may feel different.
What do you need?
I feel that you should try to get at least a cheap dongle dac. I’m telling you folks that dongle dacs are very good at even low prices. I have a few like the EPZ TP20 and TP20 Pro, the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 and the Dawn Pro, Fiio KA11 (only 3.5 SE), Hidizs SD2 (also 3.5), Fosi Audio DS2, 7hz 71 (3.5), Kiwi Ears Allegro, even some $15 Conexant dongle dacs like the CX Pro are very good for simple listening and a bit more power than a smartphone. These are only a few too. You don’t need more than that and if all you have is a smartphone then guess what… you’ll be fine. The Qing is still sensitive enough to bring good sound quality even off of a smartphone with plenty of headroom.
Sound Impressions
Now we finally get to the sound of the Celest Wyvern Qing. So, it’s pretty well known that Celest adopted the Harman tuning curve to tune their Wyvern series earphones to. I would completely agree with this. Quite literally these sets follow the Harman target almost to the tee. You have a sub-bass elevated low-end with a lift in the upper-mids and a sparkly treble. That said, I find the Qing to be right around warm/neutral or neutral with a spattering of low-end warmth. I find this set is especially good with female vocalists but even males come across nicely. The low-end has plenty of thump to be fun and it’s tight enough to not muddy the waters so to speak. Macro-dynamics are vibrant enough with good energy to keep things more enticing. Certainly, this is not a boring sounding set. There’s good raw energy there. As with many Harman tuned iems. I feel the Qing leans crisp past the low-end though it still maintains that mostly smooth and non-offensive sound.
Not exactly the same
Now, I’m assuming most of you will look at the side-by-side graph of the Qing and other Wyvern series sets and likely feel they are the exact same sets. The graphs are ridiculously close. Also, the sound is pretty darn close too. However, there are some key differences that I’ll try to spell out as this review goes along. I feel the main difference is that the Qing has some more forward vocal energy. Not a lot more, but enough to sound different. The Qing simply has a titch more spice to the sound. Crispier than the other sets by a small margin. The upper treble seems to have a bit more energy too which also adds to the slightly more detailed sound. However, like the older sets, the Qing is a very well done iem with good presence, good energy, decent macro-dynamics, and is also pretty well detailed for a budget set.
Condensed Sound Between the 20’s
I’ll quickly go through each 3rd of the mix highlighting some points. I keep it quick like an abridged version of my full review. Anyways, the low-end has some good thump, some weight, sub-bass focused, and it can slam. Nicely atmospheric with good decay. That doesn’t mean fast decay, I said “good” decay. It makes for decently realistic bass energy. The midrange has good smoothness but lean crisper as you climb to the upper-mids. I hear decent to good note weight, certainly not thin. Detail retrieval isn’t bad for a $25 single DD either with pretty good separation too. It’s a vocal forward midrange which sounds great for females. The treble has some air to it, some sparkle. It’s definitely Harman tuned. I also heard some extension past 10k. Not the most energetic and mostly non-offensive, non-aggressive, and not the most brilliant. Still the treble plays along the other frequencies just fine. Technically, the Qing has a decent detail performance except for bass heavy tracks or complicated tracks, as expected. Separation really isn’t bad either and the transient response is not some laggy and slow type of transient. Also, the imaging is rather good. Like, very good for the price. The soundstage is average I’d say. There’s decent width, height, and depth. Not class leading but good. Definitely not congested sounding.
Bass Region
Looking at the bass, I’d say the Qing can hit pretty hard. This isn’t some concrete style bass and there is room for improvement, but it’s a fun bass with plenty to keep folks excited. I’d say the low-end has a focus in the sub-bass with ample weight in the mid-bass as well. So yes, it’s emphasized a good bit, but I also don’t feel the low-end is without good control. I feel that Celest has dialed in this region as the Qing is not overcooked or overbearing at all. The bass works nicely in tandem with the mids & treble. It’s just a well-tuned low-end. Transients are quicker than they aren’t, but there’s still some good atmosphere in this region too. Not laggy, not slow, not the type of low-end which clogs all the sound lanes. This low-end stays in its lane, never really muddy and emphasized enough to add some fun and some depth yet not enough to constantly mask over the upper regions. I feel it’s a nice balance.
Sub-bass
The lowest of the lows holds the greatest majority of low-end beef. I hear a pretty low and guttural sound with plenty of haptic rumble. I can definitely feel the energy in the sub-bass. Especially in tracks which incorporate low droning bass lines. Bass guitar has the feels, as well as the bite to sound satisfying. It’s full enough as well. Tracks like “Nutshell (Unplugged)” by Alice in Chains have such a raw and meaty acoustic bass guitar and the Qing does not disappoint. You can hear every string reverb quite well while the vibratory feedback is there. It’s deep, fairly dense and actually quite clean sounding. Or “Mancey” by Andrew Bird is another track featuring some low and extended bass lines and once again the Qing reciprocates with a deep drone, a full and guttural body to its notes. Really a nice sub-bass amplitude without it overtaking the whole of the mix.
Mid-bass
The mid-bass is a bit less lifted which is most certainly by design. Celest didn’t want a muddy sounding set and they didn’t want a bass heavy sound. Like I said, good balance dynamically. The top peaks of the upper-mid/lower treble equals the top peaks down low. I don’t hear a huge encroachment into the midrange either. If anything, the bass adds a touch of warmth in the midrange, but not even close to sounding veiled. Just like previous Wyvern series iems the Qing has that good and hearty slam. Only this variant has a slightly better controlled mid-bass boom. I wouldn’t say it’s some enormous difference but A/Bing these sets I do find the Qing to have a slightly more defined mid-bass note. Beyond that, the mid-bass has enough body to give kick drums that substantially good boom. Like in “Mova Along” by The All-American Rejects which begins with an earth moving kick drum. I look for the tacky edge on attack. That satisfying initial strike followed by the cavernous and ring-out resonant boom which is gratifying to listen to with this set. Though, I should also add that most sets can perform this fairly easily. However, it’s good that I hear such a resounding wham in the first place. The mid-bass is also reasonably quick for its size. Certainly not the most agile but good for a $25 single DD.
Downsides to the Bass Region
I would think that the bass will be too far elevated for those who like a bass that never gets in the way of anything. Those who want dexterous and snappy bass similar to a tight balanced armature or a zippy planar. Not everyone desires a lift in the low-end. I could also see some wanting an even denser low-end with better note definition. The bass can at times sound a hair less pristine, depending on the track of course. I feel it’s great for what it is and considering the price but that argument lands flat on its face to the person who simply hates a bigger low-end. So, it won’t be for everyone but for those who simply want some head-bobbing elevation in the lows… the Qing has you covered.
Midrange
The midrange on the Celest Wyvern Qing is actually a hair more forward than its predecessors. A lot of that has to do with the very small hump between 1k & 2k. I’d say that note weight is slightly leaner past the low-mids, but also very good cleanliness for the price which helps female vocals to sound full of life, with solid energy and levity. The midrange leans more organic, perhaps a little bit of coloration where the pinna rise is located, but for the most part the midrange is clean, without peaks, without glare, and with very low sibilance. I feel the best quality of the midrange is in how nicely forward that vocalists come across. They have actual presence, they’re prominent, they stand out, and the midrange carries good resolve in the process. Which… only helps. Just a very nice $25 midrange, vocal forward, energetic but not spicy. Zesty but not shouty. Beyond that, detail retrieval is better than past Wyvern sets. The illumination in this region does make for more distinct separation and imaging. Actually, Imaging is more of a right spot within the mids.
Lower-midrange
Male vocalists are in the middle of a slight recession. I really hate to say that because it gives off such a negative air around those words. Truthfully, the “recession” is justified and probably a good thing. Still, in the same exact breath I’d also say that males do have some body to them yet are very clean for a budget single DD. Maybe not to the extent of the Simgot EW200 but very good. Males like Max McNown in the track “A Lot More Free” have such a smooth and authentically wonderful rasp to his voice. I love that the Qing highlights this rasp with solid note weight while never sounding too edgy. By the way, that solid note weight I’m referring to is not a rich, lush or syrup style note body. It is leaner in profile but also clean at the note edge which gives it a more distinct body, almost pronouncing whatever “mass” is there. Like I said, there is some warmth which helps to provide a lean-lush or semi-robust sound. Generally, males sound great for what the Qing is. Instruments also have plenty of warmth to sound natural with plenty of clarity to sound precise and accentuated.
Upper-Midrange
Now this is the stand-out area for me. I feel females sound wonderful for the price. They sound forward yet not too loud against the rest of the mix. I feel they come across well highlighted with a touch of shimmer that adds just a glittering of sparkle to female voices. However, the actual note contour is kept in check. I hear no grain, no real sibilance and nothing piercing. Females just sound smooth with a touch of crispness when a track calls for it. Olivia Rodrigo in “Deja Vu” has this haunting type of sad teenage angst which demands some emotional playback. This is what I found with the Qing. She uses her head voice a lot in this song and the Qing helps that voice to stay very kempt, clean, and tuneful. Not sibilant. This is a worry for this song as it’s a sibilance magnet at times. Anyways, every inflection in her voice sounds emotionally gripping enough to make for rewarding vocals. Honestly, I could say this for so many tracks. The Qing is able to come across with some emotion as it isn’t dry, analytical, or papery, but instead it has a very musical flair to it. Slightly thinner than the low-mids but even more harmonious. If that makes sense. I do feel it’s a string point if this set. Also, instruments still have that more natural sound with just a slight peppering of extra coloration. Not perfectly natural but who cares, it sounds good.
Downsides to the Midrange
I hate to even list downsides in such a cheap iem. It really is so utterly picky of me. Especially when the set I’m talking about actually sounds very good. I could say this though and it may be appropriate; the Qing is more energetic in this region than the Abyss which may be an issue for some. The sound isn’t as smooth as the Abyss either. Also, I could see those who strictly like thick, rich and lush to be turned off. This is not a very lush presentation. Certainly, more clean, pristine and more of a dynamic sound with clean not outlines, fine micro-dynamic agility for a cheap single DD and less traditionally organic than a lush set. Of course, when someone can tell me what organic actually sounds like… I’m all ears. Truthfully, Celest once again did a wonderful job with the Qing, slightly altering an already very good Abyss midrange for a fresh tuning and a more vocal forward, vocal friendly, and just downright better vocal replay than previous Wyvern models. My opinion of course.
Treble Region
The treble is mostly laid back with a side-helping of some brilliance. Just enough lift and emphasis to offset the lows and take the bass region’s power a bit. Just enough to drowned-out some of the boom. It’s a necessary contrast if you ask me. Well, necessary if you want some resolution and less of a feeling of veil. This helps in so many regards. Details, separation, Imaging, layering, transients can be perceived as slightly tighter. This isn’t the easiest thing to accomplish in a $25 single DD that hasn’t had all the work put into it like more expensive sets. This is why it is an iteration of the same sound, same mold, same driver, less R&D (not really any), and just minor adjustments to alter the sound. This is how KZ can come out with a thousand sets a year. Because they work with the same molds, same drivers, same everything with slight alterations that come across like improvements. Same thing here and I’m all for it. The sound is good in the treble region. It won’t kill your ears in piercing highs, no huge helping of sibilance and the treble is still able to illuminate some of the subtleties in my music. It’s pretty nice folks.
Not bad at all
Now that I’ve said that I should also add that it also isn’t the most brilliant of all treble regions and treble heads won’t even want to touch this set. You won’t get that clean edged bite like some sets. This is a smoother treble. Less punch, less glass-lined definition, less whetted at the note outlines and basically less body to fill those note outlines. Still, that does not make it bad. This is a single DD, and I hate to keep harping on the fact that it only costs $25, but… friends, it only costs $25. So of course there are some slight subjective gripes. Despite those subjective gripes it does have decent to good extension past 8k with secondary harmonics which don’t come across splashy, or tizzed-out in a bright sheen of treble. I can’t stand “tizzy”, where the treble is so thin and shrill that all you hear is that clangorous, screeching symphony of congested treble sharpness. Thankfully, the Qing is very far from that. In fact, I think the harmonics of a cymbal strike complete the sound very nicely. Maybe it isn’t life changing but at least it isn’t “tizz”. It’s well controlled too. Yes, it’s smoother and less emphasized but the treble does have some contour to notes and those notes are well controlled, shoot I’d even say detail retrieval is pretty good up top. Resolution is good too without the Qing coming across as having “forced resolution”. That’s where the brand will over-stimulate this region in a vain attempt to brighten the sound. Like a flashlight shining a light on the smaller details, sounding even more airy along with a slew of other bad qualities if not done right. Coincidentally, it’s rarely done right on a budget set.
Downsides to the Treble Region
I feel I’ve spelled out the issues some may have with this treble. It simply isn’t lifted enough for some. Treble heads won’t break out of the woodwork to get to the Qing. There isn’t that satisfying treble body and bite that we love. I think emphasis is one issue but with that emphasis there also needs to be some tuning magic to skirt around obvious issues which arise due to a big emphasis. No, I feel that Celest tuned the Qing in a way that is not fatiguing, it isn’t the type of treble that causes one to tear them out of their ears, and there is enough extension and resolution to bring some semblance of technical ability. Having said that, what I think was Celests’ biggest win in this tuning is that they offset the bass region, added some midrange snap to percussion and to strings, as well as did a good job of balancing the Qing dynamically. For the most part. All in all, the Qing is a very reasonably tuned iem and certainly one of the better tuned $25 iems.
Technicalities
Soundstage
This is another Wyvern set with a roughly average soundstage, I’d say. I don’t feel it’s out of the ordinary small or large. However, I also don’t feel size is the only determiner of how good a stage can be. Sometimes it’s more about the way the iem is able to layer the stage, to place elements on that stage with what we refer to as good imaging. So, in my opinion the Qing doesn’t have the grandest and most cavernous stage. Again, probably average, maybe slightly above average. I don’t know because there is no way to quantify it, no way to measure it either. No good way anyways. That said, I do feel that depth of stage is probably better than some other single DDs within the price range. Again, everything should be taken with a reasonable amount of understanding here. This is a $25 iem and it wasn’t exactly tuned to sound like a stadium. Still, pretty good and definitely not overly congested or small. That’s the key. Celest did a nice job.
Separation / Imaging
I find the Qing to be the best yet of the Wyvern models in the separation department. There is a hair more air to the sound, a hair cleaner, and ultimately the Qing does come across with better instrument separation. Of course, bass heavy tracks which force focus on the bass region will sound a bit more closed in. To a degree anyways. I should also add that this isn’t always the case. Also, in highly congested or complicated songs the Qing will obviously not sound as separated with less distinct note outlines. I mean, this is a single dynamic driver earphone and so there is only so much you can do. Now, for the most part the Qing is probably better than most in this range though. Which brings us to the Qing’s imaging capabilities. I honestly feel the Qing does a really nice job of partitioning off areas of the stage making placement of instruments very well achieved. The imaging is very solid folks. Originally this series was marketed as a gaming series and if you know anything about gaming sets, they should have very good imaging. Well, this is a big bright spot for the Qing. Really nicely done.
Detail Retrieval
I would say that detail retrieval is about average. I don’t feel that Celest set out to make this some detail monster. In fact, to me the Qing is more musical, more emotional, more fun over analytically detailed and precise. I wouldn’t say that detail retrieval is bad though. Not at all. The sound is fairly well balanced which helps quite a lot. On top of that separation is pretty nice and there is some air to the sound with decent enough resolution in my opinion. Also, average is good. That means it isn’t bad. So, for a musicality first iem I find the details to be passable and you won’t be missing much. Again, bass heavy and complicated tracks are the worst situations for the Qing, just like separation. Still, not bad.
Comparison
Celest Wyvern Abyss ($29)
I reviewed the Celest Wyvern Abyss (Abyss Review) earlier this year and was very pleased with its musicality, it’s warm smoothness and easy-going nature. Just like the Qing, the Abyss is using the same driver (as far as I know), the same shell mold too. Again, a 10mm LCP dynamic driver which was almost identical to the Wyvern set which came before it in the Wyvern Pro. By the way, I figured it would be a little ridiculous to compare the Qing with both sets. I figured using the last Wyvern model prior to the Qing would be sufficient for a review.
Differences
There is almost nothing which differentiates these two out of the box. Both sets have the exact mold used to print the Shells. Same nozzle width and length, same fit, same internal driver size and material. Really the Qing was just a slightly returned version of the Abyss with a different design. Both sets are absolutely gorgeous. Truly! The Abyss has that deep and dark purple/black colorway with the dragon scales on the faceplate in purple. Just awesome looking. Next you have the Qing which also is designed so very well. Again, just dope looking and at least with the Qing you have some different color options to choose from in either green or blue depending on what you prefer. Not much separates these two folks.
Sound Differences
I will keep this real short. The Qing and the Abyss are so close that the graphs are almost negligible side by side. However, there are some distinctions when these sets are actually in your ears. First off, the Qing comes through a bit closer to neutral whereas the Abyss leans a hair warmer. Abyss has slightly more density in its bass region but also it has a slight bit slower bass, even more atmospheric to me, not as punchy as the Qing though, slightly less snappy. I actually like the Qing’s low-end a bit more as it gets out of the way easier, less full sounding. Neither is really “better”. The midrange if the Qing is definitely geared for vocals more so than the Abyss. It is pretty evident that the midrange is more forward. However, I do find that note weight is richer in the Abyss, smoother, less detailed, less separation of instruments too. There are certainly very small and subtle differences that are noticeable of you’re looking for them. Now, the treble is similar on both but the extension is better in the Qing for me. It sounds more energetic up top but again, small differences. The soundstage on the Qing has a touch more depth and seems wider too. I could be dreaming that up though, so grain of salt on that one. Imaging is good on both sets but the Qing definitely takes the prize in this department. It just focuses on instrumentation better with better clarity leading to better imaging, better separation and even slightly more details. It’s really all in the tuning folks and neither is necessarily better.
Final thoughts on this comparison
Both are phenomenal for the price, and both give off a slightly different tuning. To be totally truthful, they are both equally solid of a purchase for the price. I couldn’t sit here and say that one is better than the other. It’s like anything, they are different…slightly. Very close, but different enough to warrant a decision past the way they look. I’m willing to bet that some reviewers will tell you there isn’t a difference. I would definitely disagree but to each their own. Do you like a titch more energy in the upper mids or a titch more bass fullness? Do you enjoy a snapper and ever-so-slightly airier sound, or do you like a richer and smoother sound? These are the questions to ask yourself when looking at the two of these sets side-by-side.
Is it worth the asking price?
This is easy, of course the Qing is worth the low price of $25. Usually, I have to think this question through for a bit but not with the Qing. It’s a solid iem by most people’s standards I’d think. Even with the competition out there between $20 and $40 I find the Qing is well worth the price and an easy recommendation. So many folks sit right in this budget arena and can only choose between less expensive sets. Thankfully, sound quality in this bracket is very good and you can have an awesome listening session. The gap is closing very fast between $25 iems like the Qing and much more expensive iems. I really believe that. So yes, an easy rec, yes, it’s worth it as the Qing is a very good buy.
The Why…
Because it’s built beautifully! All-resin, ergonomically sound, all rounded edges, and I’m assuming will fit most people very well. Also, where can you find a design this good at these prices? Look at this set folks! It’s stunning for the price. Again, Kinera/QOA/Celest are awesome with design and prove it time and time again. Still, the ultimate standard by which we declare a set good for the money comes with its sound. The Qing has a very well-balanced Harman sound that has good energy and macro-dynamic expression. The bass digs deep enough, it’s not too slow, it’s fun and clean at the same time. The midrange is very nice for vocal lovers. In fact, I’d say the midrange is the bread and butter of the Qing. Very nice timbre, more organic, tighter transients, reasonably good resolution and females sound very nice. The treble is non-offensive, still has some energy and air up top with good extension while also coming across relatively smooth. Details are decent, separation is decent, Imaging is very solid, and the stage isn’t cramped or congested. Really a solid tuning across the board.
Ratings (0-10)
Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles with the unique parameters of my choosing. In the case of the Celest Wyvern Qing ratings below, that would be $20-$40 iems with any driver configuration. Please remember that “ratings” don’t tell the whole story. This leaves out nuance and a number of other qualities which make an iem what it is. A “5-6” is roughly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $20-$40 US in any configuration is an enormous sized scope of iems, and it’s also extremely competitive. It should mean something pretty special to see a rating above a “9.0”. My ratings are never the same and each set of ratings tells a different story. Each time you read one of my ratings will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me.
Aesthetic
–Build Quality: 9.2 Built very well.
–Look: 9.7 One of the best out there.
–Fit/Comfort: 9.5 Fit and comfort is great for me.
–Accessories: 7.2 Decent tips, cable.
–Overall: 8.9🔥🔥
Sound Rating
–Timbre: 9.0 Very nice timbre.
–Bass: 9.3 Big, extended, deep, it slams.
–Midrange: 9.4 Musical, engaging.
–Treble: 7.8 Non-fatiguing, smooth, safe.
–Technicalities: 8.6 Technically good for the sound sig.
–Musicality: 9.2 Very musical sound.
–Overall: 8.9🔥🔥🔥
Ratings Summary:
I never liked rating things. I just don’t like it. Here I feel that the Celest Wyvern Qing is clearly one of the best purchases that you can get for $25 and look at the end ratings… “8.9”?! This is why folks! This is why I don’t feel that ratings should ever be used as a measuring stick for how good an iem is. In my true opinion I feel that the Wyvern Qing should have an overall sound score of closer to a “9.3” against the $20 to $40 iems. It should be near the top. See, it isn’t about each individual category that the Qing establishes itself. It’s in the sum of all the parts. The whole. The Qing brings it all together very well and the end sound is very nice. It should at least be in the conversation with some of the best you can get at that price. Just like the Celest Abyss. Both very well done iems. Yeah, they don’t achieve super high scores in individual ratings but c’mon… This is a good set.
Explain Yourself!!
Of course, there are always ratings which will get me at least one unhappy reader. It is a foregone conclusion. Someone will be unhappy with what I chose to give the Qing and likely want to battle me. Haha. I don’t get it but people are serious about this stuff. Anyways, I try to get most of the confusion out of the way in this section. In fact, there was a time I didn’t put an “Explain Yourself” section because I thought people were at least somewhat reasonable. Anyways, without question the “Bass” rating will conger up some good ole’ fashioned anger. Lol. I gave the Qing a very high “9.3” against a huge swath of iems. I stand by it. It’s a solid bass, good rigidity, not slow, not pillowy or fuzzy at note ends, pretty clean, defined and can take on slightly speedier tracks. I could see bassheads thinking I’m nuts of course. However, I could also see those who don’t enjoy a slightly larger bass profile also thinking I’m crazy. It’s all good though. The other questionable rating is the “Midrange”. It’s a high rating. “9.4” against a huge number of sets better mean something pretty good. I stand by it. Timbre is close to what I’d call natural, maybe not as organic as the Abyss, but very good. It’s clean, detailed nicely, good separation too and imaging is better than you’d expect. The other ratings could obviously go either way depending on your own preferences.
Perfectly content
It’s like anything friends, you like what you like and that is the ultimate determination of my ratings above. However, what those ratings really indicate is that for $25 to $30 the Qing is a solid set that should be on some folks’ wish list. You may feel different and that’s okay and perfectly understandable. Personally, I could be stuck on an island perfectly content with the Qing. Is it my favorite? No, it isn’t, but it’s very well done and I’m happy to report that.
Conclusion
To conclude my full written review and feature of the Celest Wyvern Qing, I first need to thank the good folks over at HiFiGo for sending this set to me. A review can only go a few different ways, and I am thrilled to be working with folks who understand that and still aren’t scared to send out a unit. Of course, it’s not all too risky as I only really review stuff that I enjoy. Still, HiFiGo has been a complete support, and I greatly appreciate them. Also, I’ve purchased so many audio devices from HiFiGo over the years and I still feel they are one of the best audio stores on the planet. So, thank you very much. Also, I always thank you, the reader, for helping to support mobileaudiophile.com by clicking the link, boosting viewership, and staying around for a while. So, to the person who has actually read this far… Thank you so very much! It really means the world for our website. We try to put out the best content that we can, and we hope to inform you as well as we can too. Thanks again.
Other perspectives
Another thing which never escapes a review from me is my dire wish that you’d now go and read other reviews from other people. We all have our own perspectives folks. Turns out we are all very different from each other. I feel it is only a good thing for you that you read, watch, or listen to other thoughts and perspectives besides mine. This hobby is ridiculously subjective, and it only pays off to learn as much as possible from as many reviewers as possible. $25 may not seem like a lot to some people but I can assure you that a $25 purchase may be the only purchase some folks make for an entire year. I don’t want to get that wrong for you. Our greatest hope is that you find that perfect set for your enjoyment and that you can enjoy something that brings us all together… music. With that all said, I’m done folks. I hope each and every one of you is well and good. Stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!!