qdc Anole V14 VS Softears Enigma

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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qdc Anole V14 and Softears Enigma use 10BA+4EST and 2DD+6BA+4EST driver setups respectively. qdc Anole V14 costs $3,000 while Softears Enigma costs $3,699. Softears Enigma is $699 more expensive. Softears Enigma holds a decisive 2-point edge in reviewer scores (7 vs 9). Softears Enigma carries a user score of 9.5. Softears Enigma has significantly better bass with a 1.8-point edge, Softears Enigma has significantly better mids with a 1.6-point edge, Softears Enigma has significantly better treble with a 2.2-point edge, Softears Enigma has significantly better dynamics with a 2.8-point edge, Softears Enigma has better soundstage with a 0.8-point edge, Softears Enigma has better details with a 0.8-point edge and Softears Enigma has better imaging with a 0.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric qdc Anole V14 Softears Enigma
Bass 7.3 9
Mids 7 8.6
Treble 6.5 8.7
Details 8.3 9
Soundstage 8 8.8
Imaging 8.3 9
Dynamics 6 8.8
Tonality 7.1 8.8
Technicalities 7.7 9.5

qdc Anole V14 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision Super* Review
Shuwa-T Crin

Average Reviewer Score:

7

Cautiously Favorable


Softears Enigma Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

IEMRanking AI
Gizaudio Axel

Average Reviewer Score:

9

Outstanding


Reviews Comparison

qdc Anole V14 (more reviews)

qdc Anole V14 reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 7.9 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Comment: Bass heavy for BA with no strange timbre. Great detail retrieval and technicalities Almost comes across as somewhat messy with that much clarity that it ruins the cohesiveness

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: A Mids: A- Treble: A+ Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: S-

qdc Anole V14 reviewed by Crin

Crin 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A Tech
Rather bassy even in stock form; fun and engaging, though at the expense of sheer technical performance.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

qdc Anole V14 reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 6.5 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
A- Tech
Fixes Anole VX's bass texture and plastickyness, but comes with its own quirks in the metallic treble.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: C+ Dynamics: B Details: A+ Imaging: A+

qdc Anole V14 reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 6* * score normalized

Softears Enigma (more reviews)

Softears Enigma reviewed by Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S+ Tech
Endgame-level detail paired with great tonality. Exceptional detail, high-quality bass, balanced tonality, and excellent timbre. The bass has a fast decay.

Softears Enigma comes dressed to impress: a lavish multi-layer unboxing with neatly organized compartments, UC/foam/silicone tips, a premium leather travel case, cleaning tools, an aluminum earpiece model, and even a build-it cube with screwdriver. The package includes a soft-touch cable marked “Enigma” and an Effect Audio ConX cable for swappable terminations. The shells look exquisite under a glass cover, and despite a larger 6.4 mm nozzle, the fit settles into a deep seal that’s comfortable for hours with average isolation. It’s a 12-driver tribrid (2DD+6BA+4EST) priced around $3,699, and it absolutely presents like it.

Tonally, Enigma lands balanced—call it neutral with a slight bass boost and a pronounced mid-range focus. Bass is a standout for its clean, tight, and textured delivery: fast attack, medium decay, and enough weight to add fullness without stealing the spotlight. The mid-range takes center stage with natural timbre, proper note weight, and excellent vocal rendering—male voices get a touch of warmth while female vocals feel airy and extended. Treble is detailed and precise with a hint of sparkle; turn it up and it can edge slightly forward, yet it stays non-fatiguing and keeps the whole tonality in check.

Technical chops are firmly top-tier: effortless resolution, exceptional separation and layering, and above-average yet natural soundstage with precise imaging—even dense tracks remain micro-detailed. Versus the Elysian Annihilator 2023, Enigma is the more balanced, mid-centric listen (clean, supportive bass; refined treble) while Annihilator swings v-shaped and “fun” with bigger bass/treble emphasis. Recommended for listeners who crave mid-range clarity, realistic timbre, and endgame detail across genres; not ideal for bassheads, v-shape seekers, or those wanting overly warm/lush vocals. Final verdict: 4.5/5—near-perfect coherence and detail with a mature, musical balance.


Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel

Softears Enigma reviewed by IEMRanking AI

IEMRanking AI 8.9 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech

The Softears Enigma is a flagship tribrid IEM using a 12-driver array (2DD+6BA+4EST) with a hybrid 5-way/4-way crossover and an aluminum shell; the package also includes a premium Effect Audio cable. Street pricing centers around $3,699 USD and multiple reviews note the surprisingly comfortable fit despite the larger shells.

Tonal reports describe a warm-leaning, neutral-with-bass-boost balance: essentially an RSV-like midrange with extra low-end weight and smooth lower treble, extending well up top. Show impressions from Precogvision characterize it as “RSV with a dynamic driver and some extra bass,” which aligns with long-form reviews calling the Enigma warm, full, and balanced rather than aggressive.

Technical performance is a strong suit: reviewers note clean separation, high detail retrieval, and stable imaging; the EST tweeters can benefit from capable sources, while isolation is average. Factoring in its high MSRP, the Enigma’s execution is impressive but its value proposition is challenged by lower-priced alternatives (including Softears’ own RSV) that deliver broadly similar tonality at a fraction of the cost.


Bass: S Mids: S- Treble: S- Dynamics: S- Soundstage: S- Details: S Imaging: S

qdc Anole V14 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Softears Enigma User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

9.5

Exceptional

qdc Anole V14 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6

Gaming Grade

B

Softears Enigma Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7.7

Gaming Grade

A

qdc Anole V14 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.

Average Technical Grade

A
  • Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Bass A-
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
Mids A-
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble B+
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Soundstage A+
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Details A+
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging A+
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Softears Enigma Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

S-
  • Highly polished technical execution. Excellent frequency synergy creates an immersive experience. Enhances musical content.

Average Technical Grade

S
  • Outstanding resolution and control. Effortlessly retrieves micro-details, with holographic staging and fast transients. Handles complexity with poise.
Bass S
World-class bass performance. Perfectly balanced between visceral impact, texture, and depth with zero bleed into mids.
Mids S-
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble S-
Superb treble: effortless extension with crystal clarity. Perfect balance of sparkle and smoothness with exceptional detail.
Dynamics S-
Superb dynamic range - powerful yet nuanced. Exceptional transient response with lifelike impact and subtle volume gradations.
Soundstage S-
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Details S
Reference-class detail: microscopic resolution with perfect texture reproduction. Nothing is lost, revealing the absolute truth of the recording.
Imaging S
Reference-class imaging: perfectly pinpoint accuracy in 3D space. Utterly realistic placement with zero positional drift.
Gaming A
Clear spatial presentation handles directional cues effectively. Distinguishes key gameplay sounds while maintaining decent immersion. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

qdc Anole V14 User Reviews

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Softears Enigma User Reviews

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Endoki
9.5

On one side TOTL Details but on the other side very accurate and non-technical sounding. Softears best but very expensive.

Pros
Great overall tonality. A hidden gem, but expensive.
Cons
does nothing wrong, but no special sauce.

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