QOA Aviation
Intro
Hello friends, today I will be taking a look at one of QOA‘s (Queen of Audio) latest hybrid iems, the QOA Aviation. I want to thank HiFiGo & Alice in particular for providing the Aviation in exchange for a full review and feature of this latest product. The Aviation is one of many Kinera branded iems that I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing of late and I gotta say… I feel like a broken record because I seem to always be impressed. I’ve spent a multitude of hours with the Aviation, and I feel like I have a very good handle on this set.
QOA
QOA or “Queen of Audio” is actually a sub-brand of the very well-known audio brand “Kinera”. Most certainly the footprint and DNA of a Kinera product is seen in each and every QOA iem. It’s all there. The beautiful unboxing, the care that goes into the creation of the product, the thoughtful and appropriate name and design put forth in each product. Friends, these people truly do it right. Always, you’ll see a product worthy of the relative price point and you’ll get more than you would have thought. There’s just something about this company. Whether it be “Kinera” themselves, “QOA” or even their budget brand “Celest“. It is difficult not to be surprised at the quality in every aspect of their earphones. Are they all home runs? Well of course not! Nobody nails it every time. However, I have found that at least the proper love and care is put into the final product which is something that consumers should expect.
What’s in a name?
The Aviation earphones oddly enough are named after a cocktail drink which itself was named after the Wright Brothers first adaptation of the flying plane. The name of that drink was called… you guessed it… “Aviation”. This may seem like a longshot naming scheme, but I beg to differ. I think it’s perfect! Bravo to QOA for thinking outside the box for a way to express the sound and to give some soul to this set of earphones. Good for you for not simply slapping on a coat of paint and giving it some random name that makes zero sense. Instead QOA likens the sound of the Aviation to the refreshing yet warm taste of the liquor it’s named after. Warm, smooth, lush and energetic. As though it’s the taste of spring. QOA states that the actual drink is sweet, sour, mellow, and filled with the breath of Springtime. So, QOA saw to it to give the Aviation earphones these same tonal qualities. Neutral with some warmth, rich, vibrant, with a full bass and extended highs which resemble the drink’s long aftertaste.
Give it an identity!
Folks, we don’t get much from so many of these companies. The majority of these audio brands look at their products only as a money maker situation, let’s be honest. Most companies throw spaghetti at a wall to see what sticks. What I love about Kinera and their sub-brands is that they care about their craft. It’s obvious. Nobody goes through all of this time and effort to create a theme, follow that theme, and execute that theme all to simply… not care. They named the entire scheme after the feeling of flying through air, the galaxies, Springtime and the feel of Spring. I realize there are a couple different themes they are dancing with here, but they all go into the original idea of what the Aviation is supposed to be. I love a company that uses all of its resources, artists, engineers and everyone else involved to create a scheme and an identity to follow.
Round of applause!
Take pride in your work, put actual care into it, and give your product an identity! Make something you can be proud of and those who give their hard-earned money for that product will reap the benefit of your creativity and expertise. I am always a romantic in everything I do but I can’t help and envision a bunch of very creative people looking at the finished product in the “Aviation” and feeling proud and accomplished. I like that. Thus, I’m already a fan of the Aviation, and clearly, I am a fan of Kinera as well as all of their sub-brands, especially QOA. Here’s my round of applause!!!!
Okay, time to act like I’m serious again. Friends, within this review I want to fully explain the sound from my perspective as well as the unboxing, build, design and overall theme. Also, I want to answer the main question if the Aviation is even worth the $199 that QOA is asking for? And also, can it stand against some of the better iems within the price point? We shall see. With the intro out of the way I think we should get started… The Queen of Audio Aviation…
Purchase link: QOA Aviation HiFiGo
Aviation Pros
-Good unboxing experience for $199
-Ergonomic and great fit (very subjective)
-Stunning design
-Very nice carrying case (I’ll Def find some use out of it!)
-Modular cable worthy of $199 and matches nicely
-Silky smooth across the mix
-Warm and full bass region
-Lush as well as musical midrange
-Easy going treble that won’t kill your ears in sharpness
-Overall inviting and rich sound with plenty of good note weight
-Soundstage has good size
Aviation Cons
-Bass will be too prominent for some folks
-Bass region is not very refined
-Detail retrieval and overall technicalities suffer a bit
-Due to the tuning, resolution and definition lack a bit
-Some hobbyists may want more treble brilliance and energy
Gear used for testing
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
One thing that a sub-brand of Kinera will do right, 100% of the time… The unboxing. What crafty and creative people?! Always they will put more thought and care into a simple unboxing experience and into the packaging than most brands. Also, they do so without skimping out on any other areas. The box itself is a very colorful depiction of mountains with a valley and a moonlit night. Almost abstract but very tasteful and very fresh looking. I know that the unboxing is an experience which lasts a total of about a minute but, Kinera or “QOA” understands very well that if they go “all-out” on all aspects of the product than the consumer will eventually begin to associate their brand with quality and with respect. It’s just the truth. Of course, you gotta get the sound right too.
Anyways, opening the box I found the Aviation sitting in very thick foam cut-outs, lookin’ all fly. Next to the earphones is an equally gorgeous carrying case and the 3.5 & 4.4 modular jacks. Inside the case is the tips (also in a case) and the modular cable. Everything included is perfectly colored and designed and I couldn’t be more approving than I am. Great job QOA!
Eartips
The included tips are of very good quality. Provided in the packaging are three sets (S, M, L) of “Balanced” eartips which 100% resemble in every way the KBear 07 tips. I’m beginning to think every company has their own 07 style tips. Anywhoo, I love these tips folks and they work perfectly for the Aviation. The other set of tips (S, M, L) are the “Vocal” tips which feature a shallow fit, firm flanged, wide bore which also does a great job for further tuning the Aviation. The sound is a hint more open with the wide bore tips but the 07 style tips seem to perk up the upper mids a bit more as well as adds a punchier low-end. Both sets only bring out the best in the Aviation. This was perhaps one of the first times in a long time that I had zero need to go through my collection of eartips searching for a suitable option as the included tips are perfect.
Carrying Case
I’ve said it in almost every review I’ve done, that I don’t ever actually use any carrying cases. But folks… look at this case! It’s truly a looker. I don’t know how much it actually costs to make one of these, but QOA sure made it look about as nice as you can. Look at the white stitched top of robust material, the brand name indented in the center, the magnetic flap with the brass rivet. The bottom is the same material yet in deep blue. Inside the case is some soft felt type material to keep your audio stuff safe and cared for. Now this is a big case. Probably only good for throwing in a bag. Big enough for possibly a couple sets of earphones or a set of iems and a dongle dac. It’s a good size. I think that QOA knocked this out of the park. The case is stylish, handsome, the magnet is strong, it feels durable and it’s big. Again, well done QOA!
Cable
QOA decided upon a gorgeous grayish blue colored cable that pairs very well aesthetically with the Aviation. The cable is actually a 2-pin, 4-core, OCC copper cable that has a modular termination with 3.5 & 4.4 sized removable Jack’s. I absolutely love a solid looking cable with just enough chunkiness to feel “not cheap” and I love a good color choice. Let’s be real, we love a good cable! Period! I love that QOA provided a cable that looks good and sounds good with the Aviation. Finally, I don’t have to go with some 3rd party alternate cable to fulfill my need for nice aesthetics. Also, how nice is it to have a modular system on your cable where you can simply swap the jack out for use with whatever source you’re using. I think every cable should be modular, but that’s just me. Especially over a certain price, it would be nice to see and very helpful and conscious of the consumers’ needs and wants.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit
Build Quality
The QOA Aviation is a nicely built iem made completely out of 3D printed resin. The material is obviously very durable. The size is just large enough to accommodate all the drivers internally. Comparatively, the Aviation is actually rather small against other sets with similar driver counts. You’ll see that the nozzle is about medium length and appears to be made of aluminum or stainless steel. Also, as you look at the nozzles head-on you can see the three holes for the three different tubes. Nothing particularly special about the build as we can find build quality just as good for much cheaper. Still, the Aviation has a good feel when in hand as well as in the ear.
Design
The QOA Aviation comes in two different colorways, aptly named “Mirage” & “Galaxy”. Both colorways use a translucent blue color as the base which faintly gives us the ability to peer into the unit to see the inner workings, the drivers, the tubes. The faceplates are hand painted by some impressive artisans to depict the night sky in one colorway and the galaxies on the other. Obviously, the glitter you see will resemble the stars. I am utterly impressed by the artwork on these shells. It isn’t easy to create this appearance as the average Joe isn’t just going to re-create this look. This took people who are very talented, and the faceplate shows this. They are gorgeous. I do like the set I got better than the Mirage colorway, but both are very nice to look at. Both colorways refract light and shoot colors back to my retina as I twist the Aviation in the light. You’ll notice in my pictures I tried hard to reflect the colors and make them “POP” in each shot. Of course I wasn’t always successful.
The faceplates have the name of the earphones “Aviation” printed or painted right in the middle of the faceplates. Usually I would be against this, but I like it when it’s a theme such as this. It’s a nice look. The cursive is elegant, and the backdrop of the night sky contrasts the writing very well. Truly a beauty and QOA should feel proud and happy with what they have made.
Impressively Beautiful:-
QOA Promotional
Queen of Audio Aviation is available in two stunning design options, each of which looks absolutely beautiful. Both the colours, Mirage & Galaxy adopt translucent blue as the main shell colour through which the internal driver arrangements are clearly visible. We have beautifully designed hand-painted face covers that depict the limitless space and sky.
Internals
QOA decided to go with a four driver Hybrid system to recreate the sound that they wanted. They used a 8mm full-range, custom built Dynamic Driver. I don’t know the actual diaphragm material. They also used two Knowles #32873 Balanced Armature Drivers for the mid to high frequencies as well as one Knowles #33518 Balanced Armature Drivers for use with the ultra-highs. This is a three-way tuning scheme that seeks to fine tune the treble extension and the rest of the mix. Internally you’ll notice the tubing running to each of the frequency divisions and out to the nozzles. It’s pretty obvious when listening that QOA outfitted some good drivers within the Aviation.
Premium Sound With Premium Four-Driver Hybrid Configuration:-
QOA Promtional
In order to deliver an amazing listening experience, Queen of Audio packs the aviation with a four-driver hybrid setup. The pair adopts a customized 8m dynamic driver unit as a full-frequency driver, dual Knowles 32873 Balanced armature drivers for enhanced midrange and treble response, and one Knowles 33518 balanced armature for the crisp, detailed ultra-high frequency band.
Fit
As far as the fit is concerned, I have zero issues. I get a good seal very easily without any fiddling when first putting the Aviation into my ears. The Shells aren’t very large as even smaller ears should have no real trouble. Just like any set in most any of my reviews; make sure to find tips that work for your particular ears and also, just because they fit me doesn’t mean they will fit you. I would assume that the vast majority of hobbyists would have no problem with he fit. I also found that isolation is actually great with the Aviation as outside noises are never an issue. Is suppose when I don’t have to think about it then that’s a plus. To the same point there isn’t any sound leakage either.
Drivability
Mobile listening
The QOA Aviation is a fairly easy to drive iem with an impedance rated at around 39 ohms and a sensitivity of 118 db’s. I found that there really is no hiss or extra noise which is fantastic. Using my iPad 6th gen, I didn’t have an issue getting the Aviation to volume. Of course, the iPad is not a very musically gifted source, but it does give the reader an idea of what type of power requirements are needed. Now, I do think that scaling with power as well as source is certainly something to consider with the Aviation. For instance, using the IFi Go Blu with 3.5 single ended and then jumping to 4.4 balanced was quite a nice difference. The Go Blu’s CS43131 dac chip is nice with the Aviation but I did enjoy the Qudelix 5k a hair more (almost never the case). The 5k uses a Dual ES9219C dac chip which is a bit more analytical and neutral and seems to play to the warmth of the Aviation nicely. Of course, I had to swap cables for the 5k’s 2.5 connection, but it was a nice pairing.
Dongles
I used many different dongles during the course of this review. I used the Shanling UA2, the Fiio KA3, Hidizs S9 Pro, a newer dongle that I cannot speak of yet (soon enough), and the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 among others. With all honesty… I liked each one I used. Certain ones I preferred more than the others but all sounded nice. That said, I did notice through a constant swapping of dongles that the Aviation does scale to the auditory ability of each source and the power of each source. Again, some dongles paired a hair better than the others, but all sound good with the Aviation attached. Usually, I’ll hear at least one that doesn’t jive, but yay for the consumer… the Aviation plays nice. Not exactly a chameleon, but also it’s not absolutely & positively source dependent. This is a great quality as so many iems will only pair really well with certain source tonalities.
Perhaps the vibrant warmth of the Aviation is tilted far enough to the left that it doesn’t matter what you use. However, the Aviation did pair the best with the dongle that I cannot name (forgive me but I can’t right now) and the Moondrop Dawn 4.4…For me anyways. The more neutral tonality of the Dawn’s CS43131 dac and the big power provided from the Dawn made the Aviation a bit cleaner sounding, bass tighter, mids more present, soundstage fuller. However, even the slightly warmer S9 Pro sounded rich and dynamic.
Daps
I only have two Daps in my possession anymore. These are the two that I keep because they each have different tonal qualities to better fit whatever earphone I am using. As a reviewer it is nice to have that ability. The iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2 installed has a nicely lustrous and vivacious dynamic behavior. It has a neutral sound with an energetic replay. My other dap is the Shanling M6 Ultra which is very resolving, dynamic, and slightly lusher in presentation.
Both daps are outfitted with fantastic flagship level dac chips and some of the best audio tech under $1k. The DX240 uses the ES9038 Pro chip and the M6 Ultra uses the AK4493SEQ velvet chip. Both are tonally different, and both daps sound really good with the Aviation. I honestly couldn’t tell you which I liked better. The DX240 gives the Aviation a bit more crispness but also a hair less low-end oomph, better technically too while the M6 Ultra is creamy and ridiculously resolving with a more fun sound and a bit more musical. I used medium gain on both daps at all times though low gain would have been plenty as both daps have around 1w of maxed power and it doesn’t take much for the Aviation.
At the very least
At the end of the day, like most iems, all you really need is a decent Dongle Dac or equivalent source. It should have decent power as the Aviation will scale to a degree. If anything, it may suit your preference to have a more neutral, clinical sounding source but I don’t think this is required at all. The Aviation seems to pair well with just about anything. Obviously, your mileage may vary pertaining to that statement.
Sound Impressions
I think you probably already have a gauge on what the tonal color and characteristics of the Aviation sound like. However, I will recap in this section to give you a quicker glimpse into the sound. The QOA Aviation comes across very much organic sounding with some added coloration. There’s a slight warmth to the vibrance within the presence of the sound which comes across realistic to me. It’s nice to get close to that natural and authentic sound yet still have plenty of dynamism, energy. This is one of the characteristics that sets the Aviation apart. It’s colored in certain areas but that coloration tilts more towards its vivacity and its enthusiastic character rather than skewing the sound, veiling the sound, or creating an artificial sound. I think when someone says “warm sounding” it leads some to believe it’s darker with less treble lift and brightness. That’s not what I’m saying. I said it has a “slight warmth” while keeping a certain vibrance. Which by the way is utterly musical, non-offensive and completely forgiving. This is a set to sit and chill with folks. And also… It sounds pretty damn good! Pardon my word choice.
Tonal balance
I would probably say that the tonal balance is almost mid-centric (to a degree) but truthfully, I’m having a hard time labeling it. It isn’t really V-shaped. I wouldn’t consider it a straight up L-shaped iem either, though there is an L-shaped tilt. Possibly a W-shape tonal balance with emphasis located in the low-end and the midrange and a low key but nicely equipped treble region. The sound is not analytical or sterile… At All! This is a musical sound, emotionally charged with some soul to it. There is a richness to the sound with a nicely concentrated & ropy type of note body. There’s still some ductility and agility to the modulations of sound which makes the Aviation actually very well controlled. In the same breath it isn’t the most resolving set I’ve ever heard. By way of tuning alone and the tilt of sound balance, the lush nature compels the Aviation to not illuminate and define a notes structure as well as some more lean and analytical iems.
Between the 20’s (pint sized)
Between the 20’s and with the QOA Aviation in your ears, you’ll find a thick and warm bass region that has plenty of slam and good enough extension down low. Bass notes don’t have the best-established note outlines in the world, but the timbre is great. I wouldn’t call the bass one-noted, but I have heard cleaner bass replays for less. Still, it has a nicely hefty bass that can rumble and plumps up the rest of the mix.
The midrange is up front, melodic, velvety in its articulations and note structure, yet with a very rhythmical tempo & bounce. Also, the Aviation has good transient response for such a lush setting. Don’t get me twisted here. Considering the thick and warm cadence of the Aviation it’s transients are well controlled and fairly clean. It’s in the midrange that the macro-dynamics are pronounced making the Aviation a warm but also engaging set. The mids have a great presence in the mix which makes vocals really great for me. Instruments too. Obviously, there are subjective nitpicks and qualms, but the midrange is delicious friends.
Like how it sounds
The treble is not what I would consider airy or radiant and there isn’t that bright brilliance up top. However, there is a very fluent sound balance that doesn’t seem lifeless or flat. The energy in the bass and mids is matched in the treble. I find the treble to still have enough lift to make for a nicely coherent flow between the treble and the other frequencies. Also, there’s texture and good note body in the treble which is just another way of presenting the sound. Detail retrieval isn’t anything to write home about, but I find that there is okay imaging and average layering with a nice stage that doesn’t lack in any one direction. There are obvious subjective gripes, but all things considered… I really like how this set sounds.
Bass Region
Sub-bass
The sub-bass is able to get down and dirty with a reverberant vibratory depth that is relatively haptic and tactile in its presentation. Listening to the track “Golden Child” by Lil Durk certainly gives off enough of the deep, trench-like and sonorant rumble, but doesn’t go overboard with it. You won’t feel this rumbling in your eyelid’s folks. Still, without question, there is plenty for most any genre and enough of a guttural haptic growl down low to satisfy. “Groove” by Ray Wylie Hubbard begins with a dirty bass guitar riff and the Aviation does an adequate job of staying clean enough, controlled enough and deep-toned enough. There are definitely other sets in the price range which either go deeper or are more transient quick. The Aviation sub-bass note decay hangs around a bit as it finishes the note. Basically, it won’t win any awards for speed or definition. Still, what it does do is offer a nice sub-bass rumble that gives vital extension to my music.
Mid-bass
The mid-bass has an emphasized, pretty large and very inviting sound where just like the sub-bass you don’t have that transient tight and deft ductility and agility like on some iems. I’d go so far as to say It’s almost one-noted on some tracks. Especially the more congested songs down low. Having said that, I really like the bass for what it adds to the rest of the mix. It has some nice density, it’s a little bit soft at the note edge but there is a robust substance there which falls into the midrange adding good lushness to the sound. I would certainly enjoy a tighter and cleaner mid-bass, but this type of presentation is more an additive to the overall sound. It does its job.
The Aviation has a robust slam and slightly fuzzy note edge at the crest of the note. For instance, on a song like “Billie Jean” by Weezer. Granted this is a simple track with big booming kick drums. However, in it you can easily hear the pillowy fuzz at the attack/decay peak within the note referring to that kick drum boom. It’s heavy, weighted, full, but also a hair soft. I think of it like a rock wrapped in a sock. Dense but doughy. Does that make it bad? Absolutely not.
Mid-bass cont…
In more congested tracks with speedier bass arrangements the Aviation is not so refined that it partitions off each note like some speedier bass sets. It simply isn’t tuned for this. For instance, “Radio” by Rancid. It’s a fast bass track, and the Aviation sounds a bit meshed together down low. Granted, that’s a tough track for any set, but you get the point. Again, not a bad thing at all but certainly something to make note of. It’s a preference thing. Hence, why I’m bringing it up. Not everyone is a fan of any “one-thing”. However, the timbre down low sounds great. It’s a warm and inviting bass that casts a warm shade across the entire frequency and provides some cream to the midrange while not muddying the waters… so to speak. Kick drums sound bulbous but less intense and defined. Bass guitar has more than enough fullness and grizzly growl down low. Bass singers are weighted with great pitch and tone to my ears.
Downsides to the Bass Region
The biggest drawback of the bass (for some folks) would definitely be what I’ve already expressed. It doesn’t have that tight and compact bass but instead it’s spread out and more “one-noted” throughout the bass region. Of course, I say that, and it reads much worse than the Aviation really is. So please try not to navigate my words like they are “black & white”. We live in a gray world and the Audioverse is no different. Truth is, I quite enjoy the low end. It’s fun, it bumps pretty good and has good note density. Just slightly less agile than some iems of late. I love what the low end does for the rest of the spectrum, adding warmth and weight. The bass simply isn’t some detailed, clean response type low-end. Still very nice though, still very engaging. The only other issues I’d find down low is that it may be too much in quantity for a large number of people in the community. On the flipside, it may not be enough for some bassheads.
Midrange
Oh, the midrange! This is where I began my enjoyment of the Aviation. Not that the bass region isn’t great, but the midrange is bolstered by the bass. Almost like it’s infused with extra weight. The midrange is smooth throughout with a cream-like and warm tonal coloration. However, the mids aren’t without some great allure & charisma. They don’t come across veiled in any way, which is the one thing I fear with an intrusive low-end. I feel the Aviation takes all the benefits of the bass and leaves out the negative side effects.
I also wouldn’t call the midrange particularly forward, but it has good presence. Truly. I love the full-bodied & milky vocals on this set. They come across pretty clean per this type of replay and are certainly not a haze-covered mishmash of sound. Let’s put it this way, the mids aren’t as clean and transparent as some other sets, but they do have a very organic and natural timbre that doesn’t sound congested at all. Warmer and heftier in the lower half and slightly leaner and more forward in the upper mids. Stepping back, the midrange is thicker in body yet still energetic, the mids are highlighted and pleasant across the board and stay in good control. They’re nice folks.
Lower-midrange
I’ve already stated that the low-mids take on some of the warmth and body of the bass region. As for male vocals, they have a robust sound with a predominance of the low-end energy permeating through the presence of the lower half of the midrange. There’s just a slight tinge of vibrancy to uplift this area of the mix. Meaning, it isn’t all just dull warmth. There is a nice character to male vocals that sounds very nice.
“Sweet DeAnn (Live)” by Zach Bryan sums up this whole sentiment as his voice has that thick southern drawl and coarse inflection with the Aviation. This set really helps to bring out the emotion in his voice. This is one time when I’d say with certainty that the earphones I’m using helped to tell the story. Not to mention the instruments which compose the melody that float behind his vocals; they too sound full & warm but not without musicality. Or “Howling” by Noah Kahan. His voice is higher in pitch which probably peaks in the mid-mids but I think his voice actually has some shimmer to go along with that nice vocal smoothness and body. Nothing even remotely grating or harsh. Nothing flat or boring either. Definitely not as snappy as many sets or as detailed, but folks, this set is tuned to be emotionally musical and the low-mids testify to this.
Upper-Midrange
The upper midrange sits slightly more forward in the mix than the low-mids to a slight degree. Actually, I call it “forward” but really, they are just more exuberant and elated or uplifted in pitch and tone. The upper midrange has a nice ear gain that isn’t piercing at all with a gradual uphill climb. I find the upper-mids to have a slight bit of shimmer to them, but nothing even hinting at being bright or too luminous.
Females take advantage of well-tuned Knowles Balanced Armatures that really dial in that smoothness yet hold enough of a sheen to sound energetic against the rest of the mix. Females are rich with an organic and realistic flare to them. They can sound elegant, svelte, very charming, and polished in their slightly colored timbre authenticity. In the same breath females can sound resounding, vigorous, edgy and boisterous. I find it hard to actually find negatives in this region unless you are after a very brilliant upper midrange.
Females cont…
“Logical” by Olivia Rodrigo is a perfect example of those descriptive words that I just used. Elegant, svelte, charming yet boisterous and even a bit shimmery. The piano behind her vocals sounds rightly natural to my ears and shares the stage very well against her vocals. Another example is Taylor Swift’s track “The 1 (Long Pond Studio Sessions)” from one of her latest album retakes. She sounds feathery and sweet. The Aviation has enough warmth to add to the sensibility within the longing of this songs sentiments. Just enough body to her vocals and there’s an emotional sweetness that envelopes the delicate intonations in the sound of her voice. Her voice is forward in the mix but not overbearing and her vocals don’t cascade or mask over the piano.
I really don’t want to oversell here and perhaps I am, but far too often we are bombarded by lean and even sharp female vocals. Also, many iems can replay this track well. Now, whether they can do so in the same tone and timbre like the Aviation is a different story. Still, In the spirit of “not” overselling… I had to at least mention this. Moving on…
Instrumentation
Instruments in this region are up and down for me. Due to the lack of speedy midrange agility, I have definitely come across tracks that sound a bit more compressed. Of course, these are complicated tracks. For the most part the Aviation presents instruments very well. I hear nice texture for instruments (generally) and some good timberal accuracy, albeit slightly colored. Of course, it is what “I” think sounds natural and “accurate”. So… grain of salt. Piano has that bouncy tunefulness on most tracks. Percussion may come across a bit less punchy or crisp, but harmonics are great. Cymbal strikes have weight to them, snares pang with some machismo. Strings could use a bit more immediate bite but again, secondary harmonics sound great to me. Violin is actually very expressive without sounding artificial. Details won’t blow your mind, but this area has plenty of mellifluous musicality to make up for it.
Downsides to the Midrange
If I were to pick apart downsides of the midrange, I would have to say that transients aren’t super expedient. Also, detail retrieval is average in my mind, yet still pretty well done per the lusher tuning. Resolution is not perfect but the sound is still pretty clean. Separation can be an issue in congested tracks too. I know that some folks would much more desire a midrange that’s snappy and can handle complicated songs a bit better. Still, the Aviation sounds very nice to my ears.
Understand that the midrange has body to it, it’s creamy, it’s weighted. Also remember that this set is $199. There are certainly iems more expensive that can sound lush, smooth and rich yet still come across detailed and articulate, within reason. We have to temper our expectations a little bit and take the good with the not-so-great. However, in my mind the Aviation is a big WIN in the midrange. Personally, I enjoy this set very much. I don’t hear any great sibilance, no shoutiness or crazy peaks. The sound is still relatively energetic while holding tight to the velvet and organic musicality.
Treble Region
The treble is the type which is definitely a good and important supporting actor in a very good cast. I don’t consider the treble to be very luminous or vibrant and I don’t consider the treble region to be that sparkly and spirited “icing in the cake” like some sets. Not even close to the type of treble we often see that imparts forced resolution and oversaturated highs into the equation. So no, the treble is not that shimmery and vivacious treble that adds vibrant life to the upper portions of the frequency. Still, the treble also isn’t devoid of vibrance. It’s there but it’s simply kept in check.
I realize this is not coming across as very appealing to many folks. Just wait… Having said all of that, I also don’t feel the treble is boring at all. This is not a lackluster or mundane treble either. There is still plenty of LIFE up top. It just stays in keeping with the rest of the mix, it stays cohesive with everything else. You can’t have this warm and smooth, cozy and thick bass & midrange and then shock the mix with unhinged sparkle and vivacity. That would very much “not” be cohesive, or in keeping with the natural flow to the tuning.
It fits!
The treble fits. It works. The treble region has decent body to notes with a corporeal and distinct substance to them as well. There is energy in the treble that doesn’t necessarily come across as brilliance or… Pizzaz. The sparkle is there, it’s just not super crystalline or ultra crisp. That’s not to say that it can’t come across crisp either. It simply isn’t that heightened gloss, but it doesn’t come across attenuated. It’s non-fatiguing and non-offensive to the ear and does its job.
Listening to the track “Keel Over and Die” by Old Crow Medicine Show the Aviation is actually able to keep up with the instrumentation with a tuneful treble. Granted, other sets can speed along a bit easier, but I have no issues with the amount of treble. I could maybe use a bit more of an edge to notes and they could be a bit more delineated between instruments but not even close to bad or a hard “con” in my book. In fact, “Gerri Marie” by Durand Jones has an effervescent quality to the treble and has this slightly subdued brilliance to it. Listening to this track with the Aviation presents a treble with texture, vividness, clarity and does so with good body to notes.
Downsides to the Treble Region
Obviously, the biggest drawback would be for treble heads or those who yearn for a brighter and more extended top end of the spectrum. Also, you won’t hear an ultra-detailed treble from the Aviation. Like I said, it isn’t a crystalline or exact and ultra refined treble. But also, like I said, it fits, and it works to the tuning that QOA was going for. Remember the theme of this set. I feel that Queen of Audio did exactly what they sought out to do. It’s not sibilant, not offensive, it doesn’t have that piercing saw blade type highs and actually… The treble is quite nice.
Technicalities
Soundstage
The QOA Aviation creates a nice mental image in my mind. When thinkingof the soundstage, I could sum it up by simply saying that the stage sounds full. I feel like there isn’t any unused space when listening with this set. My entire mindscape is full of music with the Aviation in my ears. The soundstage has a nice width to it that stretches outside my ears with good dynamics. The same goes for the height of the stage. Elements of that stage are presented a bit closer, but the sound is simply big in all ways. And just like the width & height, I get pretty nice depth too. Though the depth is a bit harder to perceive, but without question it’s there. I don’t think anyone would have any great complaints when talking about the stage size.
Separation
Now, separation is one of those attributes that will be greatly affected by what type of music you enjoy. At least when listening with the Aviation in your ears. If you listen to more complicated music, then you may find that separation isn’t as distinct as some other more technically savvy iems. With less complicated tracks separation is wonderful. Listen, the Aviation simply isn’t tuned to illuminate the edge lines and delineate every instrument from the next on congested and speedy tracks. However, I don’t want to dissuade anyone just because there is a little blending happening. This is a regular occurrence, and some sets handle it better than others. Of course, those sets which do separate elements of a stage better will also lose out in other areas. Everything is a give and take, for the most part. Also, again, my words probably sound much worse than what you’ll hear and 8 out 10 of you won’t even really notice. What you will notice is the musicality of the Aviation.
Imaging
Take what I said above and apply it here. Imaging is great in less congested, less involved music. The issue is the tuning and the lusher, thicker, more gravy smooth sound of the Aviation. It’s buttery and not as defined and transient snappy which makes it a bit more difficult to navigate those fine lines. The stage is big but it’s also closer to the listener in some respects. Resolution is not perfect either. If I were to give it a “word rating” I’d call the Aviation about average here. However, if I were rating it against similarly tuned sets, I’d say that the Aviation does rather well. Basically, the imaging ability is a by-product of that sweet sound the Aviation has. There are some sets which can do both, have that lushness yet still provide a technically proficient sound, but you’d have to pay more for them. The Aviation is only $199, which in respect to the Audioverse… that’s peanuts.
Details
You already know, details are about average and about what one should expect if you’ve read any word I’ve written and trust that I’ve done my homework. The Aviation is fantastic so long as I’m not listening to some rapid fire and heavy music with a huge cast of instruments all playing in concert with each other. Take a simple joint, easier to digest music and I promise the Aviation will catch the finer details well. You’ll hear the dude laughing 10 rows back in your favorite live track, you’ll hear the scrapes of fingers on a guitar string, the edgy harmonics of a violin, the breath in a mic. You simply cannot have a whole lot playing alongside. Again, I would call the Aviation about average in detail retrieval. It’s fine, it’s good enough. The good thing is what you get in return for it… Warm and engaging, dynamic and non-offensive with a penchant to come across very melodic.
Comparison
Hisenior Mega 5P ($239)
The Hisenior Mega 5P is one of those sets that marks a standard at its price point. At least that is what it was for me. The Mega5P has a 10mm Bio-Cellulose Dynamic Driver paired with four Balanced Armature Drivers and I must say… there’s some serious cohesion happening. The M5P is about $40 more in price then the Aviation. I used the Mega 5P because I think the differences are enough to warrant a preference battle here. In fact these two iems are tuned very much differently from each other. I’d venture to say that they are almost opposites. They certainly have different sound signatures. I feel it helps to explain the Aviation a bit better, but that’s up for debate. I’ll also say that the Aviation has its hands full here as I’m posing it against one of the best iems in the price point. However, the M5P also isn’t for everyone. So let’s see if we can spot some differences and maybe learn a thing or two about the Aviation in the process.
Differences
To begin, both iems are remarkably made/built and both are absolutely gorgeous in design. Not much separates the two in these categories. The M5P is a bit larger with a bigger internal cavity and so that is something to think about. However, I absolutely adore the way both sets look. As far as “fit”, this is 100% subjective but the M5P fits me slightly better. I realize that didn’t help you at all. Now, the M5P is a neutral sounding iem with a wonderfully natural sound and the Aviation has much more coloration and warmth to it. The Aviation is slightly harder to drive as well. Both sets excel for different reasons. The M5P leans towards a neutral-ish Harman sound where the Aviation boosts the bass, pushes the midrange forward and relaxes the treble. Two different takes to good sound.
Sound Differences
I’ll make this brief to conserve my words a bit. Like I said, the M5P is much closer to a neutral sounding iem while the Aviation leans warm and smooth. The M5P is also very smooth in its timbre and approach & has a very relaxed sound. The dynamics are more energetic on the Aviation. More expressive. More musical. Don’t let those words fool you though, that doesn’t make the Aviation better, not by any stretch. Both are very engaging with a very inviting personality. The Hisenior Mega5P certainly has the more resolute and airy presentation across the board. That said, the timbre and note body comes across thinner and less full bodied than the Aviation. No doubt each set has their pluses and minuses. Also, no doubt that each set is a welcome addition to most any collection.
Bass Region
The bass on the Aviation is fuller, warmer, more wholesome and cozier. It has greater density and effects the entire spectrum much more. The M5P has a tighter, more focused bass with more of a sub-bass leaning. The M5P has a more clinical and punchy bass region and doesn’t sound anywhere near a one-noted endeavor like the Aviation. The Aviation has that half-circle wide and flat bass with more of a haptic and tactile feel to it and bigger slam. Hisenior kept it clean though. Very clean. The M5P bass region has nice texture and still has good rumble while not leaking into the midrange very much. For me I think the M5P has the more mature bass while not leaving out some of the fun too.
Midrange
The midrange on the Aviation has a thicker and lusher replay while coming across more emotionally charged. The M5P on the other hand is more separated, technically conscious, clean and resolute in its midrange with less note body and a shimmery upper-midrange. Both sound energetic but for me personally I’d go with the Aviation here. That could change a day from now so keep that in mind. The note body/density and the realistic structure to notes helps vocalists come alive in my mind. Both sets do the midrange very well, albeit they also do so differently. However, I do like both sets for different reasons. One thing’s for sure, both the Aviation and the M5P are at the top of the heap when it comes to overall midrange presentation.
Treble Region
The treble offers some large differences between the two sets. First, the M5P has the more emphasized and better extended treble while the Aviation has a slightly more relaxed treble with better note body and better texture to individual notes. However, the M5P certainly has a more detail-oriented treble with faster transient attack/decay.
Technicalities
I find the soundstage on the Aviation to be generally fuller though both sets have a nice stage. The Aviation presents things closer to the listener while the M5P are seated a bit back. Both are wide, tall and both have decent depth. The M5P has the more detailed playback with better separation and imaging.
In the end
Honestly, I love both of these two sets. This was kind of an unfair battle actually. The M5P is more of an all-rounder type set. The Aviation is a bit more polarizing I would say. I actually think of the M5P as my palate cleanser set. So very neutral, very clean, well balanced across the board. So yes, perhaps this was an unfair comparison. What doesn’t come across in my little comparison is the utter joy the Aviation brings in listening and the fun within its replay. The M5P is much more analytical in its approach, while the Aviation is much creamier, weighted and engaging in my opinion. Again, I love em’ both.
Is it worth the asking price?
This is 100% a question of preference here. I will always answer only for myself, but if I were to answer for the community then I would likely have a bunch of folks who don’t agree with me. We are all so different. So many of you love a clean, resolute, neutral and technically adept sound and I get it. I too love that type of sound. Thankfully, I also love a warmer and more boldly dynamic sound too. I suppose as a reviewer it does pay to like just about every sound signature, or else I’d probably be alienating a lot of hobbyists in each review. And probably leading a lot of people astray. I want to keep it 100! Saying that, there is no way I could have listened to the Aviation for the past two weeks and come away saying that it isn’t worth the $199 QOA is asking for it. I’d be lying if I did. Also, I’m not one of those reviewers who believes I have to put things down to gain respect from the community. Keepin’ it 100…Honestly, this set is awesome to me.
The Why
If I were to give you my reasons why the Aviation is worth the $199 that QOA is asking I would first state that this set is built very well, premium in its all resin feel and very solid in hand. Good builds just feel different. Next, I’d say that the QOA Aviation is downright gorgeous. Find me a set that is blatantly more beautiful than the Aviation around its price point. I’d also state that unlike so many iems that are sitting pretty in the $150 to $250 range there are far fewer that take on this type of tuning. So, it will complement most collections I would think. Lastly, the biggest reason “why” the QOA Aviation is worth the asking price; what we all pay for… the sound…
Every last penny
The Aviation offers such an immersive experience with its dynamically expressive and wholly rich yet organically skewed timbre and fun coloration. The midrange is an absolute gem! Vocals are so well structured and very melodic. This isn’t your average Harman tuning here folks. This set presents a musically seductive appeal with rich undertones, fullness of note body too. It’s both fun and relaxing at the same time. No odd peaks, no horrible sibilance and no veil. Yeah, there’s some technical shortcomings but I couldn’t imagine losing any of this set’s musicality just for some heightened details. It’d be a tragedy. The Aviation is a very well done iem and it’s worth every last penny. My opinion.
Could go either way
Of course, there are plenty of great iems that hover at or around the Aviation’s price point. There’re many Harman style sets, some nice planar iems, and some V-shaped baddies too. There’re sets that are much better technically, more energetic as well and the list goes on & on. I could very easily see some people not enjoying the Aviation at all and I could understand it too. This set isn’t for everyone. It simply isn’t. I wouldn’t even call it an all-rounder type listen. So, I could see the answer to this question going either way.
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 QOA Aviation ratings below, that would be $150-$220 iems of 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 earphone what it is. A “5” is exactly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against, this is important. $150-$220 US is a decent sized scope of iems and so seeing a “9. 0” for instance, should be something special. My ratings are never the same, never cut n’ dry, and each set of ratings tells a different story. Each time you read one of my ratings it will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me.
Aesthetic
-Build Quality: 9.0 Build Quality is great
-Look: 9.8 The design of this set is near top in class
-Accessories: 9.7 I love a brand that doesn’t skimp on accessories
–Overall: 9.5
Sound Rating
-Timbre: 9.1 The timbre and tonality are fantastic.
-Bass: 7.8 Nice supporting bass but not the star of the show
-Midrange: 9.8 The bread & butter of the Aviation.
-Treble: 8.1 Great treble timbre, body, presence, lacks brilliance.
-Technicalities: 7.2 Great stage but lacks other technical aspects of an iem
–Overall: 8.4🔥🔥🔥
Ratings Summary:
I’ll definitely have to explain myself here. I tested the Aviation against any iem within the $150 to $220 range. I think we can all agree that this is a very competitive price bracket. Go through the list of iems! Let me know when you’re finished tomorrow. It’s long and many sets perform well. You really shouldn’t see a whole lot of ratings past a 9.0, so if you do, there’s a good reason for it in my opinion.
To start, the “Timbre” could go either way. It has an organic hue but there is quite a bit of coloration to the sound. I’ll call it “Organic-Dynamic”. Anyways, the timbre is great, and I believe this set deserves this rating. The “Bass” speaks for itself, it’s good but has some very slight issues. Against the competition ($150-$220) I feel there are many more which ranks higher. The “Treble” also speaks for itself. Again, it’s good but isn’t top notch to crest that 8.5 barrier. I think an 8.1 is deserving. That brings us to “Technicalities”. Honestly the only saving grace for this rating is the soundstage. If that was to the same level as the other Technicalities, then this Rating would likely be closer to 5 or 6. However, in the grand scheme of things an “8.4 Overall” is a very high score considering the price point. I suppose this is another set where the ratings really don’t tell the whole story and to really get to know a set… it takes a bit more nuance than a few numbers.
Conclusion
To conclude my review of the QOA Aviation I have to again thank HiFiGo for providing this set and for always acting as true professionals. HiFiGo happens to be a place that I’ve spent way too much time and purchased many sets through. So, to be able to work with a company such as this while never once asked to skew my words is nice. I’d have it no other way. Instead, I’ve only been asked to write my truth on the page. I also want to thank anyone who clicked the link to check out this review. I truly hope I can help you out in making a decision. $199 is not cheap by any measure and for so many that is a long time of saving money to be able to afford. Therefore, we gotta get it right. $199 is a fortune for the vast majority of our world and I can surely say that I’ve given you my exact thoughts.
Other perspectives
With this understanding I also want to push you all to get 2nd and 3rd opinions. Do not simply read my words and hit the buy now. I’ve said it a hundred times; we are not all the same! We have different music libraries, different gear, different abilities to actually hear the music and we have not all been down the same journey in audio. So please, do yourself a favor and take in other thoughts.
This is it folks, the QOA Aviation is a very well-tuned iem that has its place amongst some of the best in the price point. I truly believe that. Even if the sound signature isn’t what you enjoy, it’s hard to argue with how well QOA crafted and tuned this set. I hope you all are well and good and relatively safe, take care and God Bless!
