Yu9 Que VS Softears RSV MK II

The YU9 Que sports a premium, durable resin shell in pure black with a metallic-feeling faceplate and a comfortable design featuring an anti-tragus catch. While the build itself feels handsome and unique, the included cable is criticized as wimpy and unpleasant, with a strong suggestion to upgrade it. Accessories are deemed solid, including a nice selection of tips and a particularly praised case with a soft, luxurious interior.

Sonically, the YU9 Que earns immense praise for its exceptional tuning, described as clean, resolute, and non-fatiguing. It delivers strong, textured bass that avoids being overwhelming, coupled with extremely well-done upper mids. While not class-leading in technicalities like micro-detail or instrument separation, its tonal balance is considered sophisticated and reminiscent of far more expensive sets like the Annihilator, even surpassing the Monarch MKII in tuning preference. It's highlighted as a fantastic all-rounder with a smooth, agreeable signature suitable for long listening sessions.

Despite its modest single dynamic driver + 3BA configuration and $49 price point, the YU9 Que is declared a very special and unique IEM, worthy of the hype it received. The review concludes it's a price leader and a highly competent package from a small brand, offering outstanding value and a beautiful, well-executed design that makes it an easy recommendation for those seeking a smooth, non-fatiguing sound.

Jaytiss original ranking

YU9 Audio’s QUE blends thoughtful design with a restrained driver mix—1DD + 2ED + custom WBFK—to pursue a clean, neutral presentation rather than spec-sheet flash. The matte, sandblasted aluminum shell looks simple yet refined, and the overall build recalls the word “阙” (palace), hinting at structure and stability. What stands out sonically is the tidy, well-drawn background: notes feel neatly edged, with separation that avoids smearing or overlap.

Sub-bass reach and punch are satisfying, with a quick, bouncy response and clear layering down into the rumble. The mids place vocals slightly forward, helped by gain in the 700 Hz–2 kHz region, yielding bigger vocal images without sounding shouty. Treble rises more than JM-1, peaking around 4–5 kHz before a natural roll-off; this sharpens articulation and female vocals but introduces audible sibilance on “th/tsu” sounds—present yet short of piercing. Stage width exceeds expectations for the price, depth is modest, and imaging stays orderly. For listeners sensitive to brighter treble, caution is warranted; for everyone else, QUE delivers a convincingly balanced, all-round tuning that justifies the hype.

Fox Told Me So original ranking

RSV MK II presents a three-way 5BA design with a bold carbon-fiber faceplate and oversized “V,” pairing clean aesthetics with comfortable fit. The tuning shows a heavy 20–200 Hz lift that delivers dense, punchy bass, followed by a 200–600 Hz dip that trims muddiness but also thins vocals and instruments. Up top, a pronounced ~14 kHz peak adds air and sparkle, while a dip near 6 kHz doesn’t fully suppress sibilance given the overall upper-energy; treble can read bright for sensitive listeners.

On music, bass cues sit forward with convincing impact for an all-BA set, though sub-bass doesn’t reach especially deep and can mask lower-set vocals. Mids skew neutral-cool with sharp outlines and lighter body—male voices, in particular, can sound slightly elevated in pitch—while the energized treble brings crisp overtone detail and stage openness. The result is a bass-driven, EDM-friendly presentation that favors thump and shimmer over warmth and weight.

Owner-type notes: the bass emphasis can overshadow parts of the midrange and shift instrument focus (e.g., bass lines becoming more prominent than guitars). Versus similarly priced peers mentioned—Rockus and Mega 5 EST—RSV MK II feels the brightest with the heaviest bass placement, trading natural vocal density for excitement and slam. A compelling pick for listeners chasing impact and sparkle, less so for vocal-centric libraries that demand fullness and timbral gravity.

Fox Told Me So original ranking

Yu9’s Que lands as a “safer Annihilator”: a warmer, scaled-back take that pushes ample sub-bass while keeping the rest tastefully controlled. The low end feels liquidy and bouncy, underpinning an aggressive 1–3 kHz rise with a gentle 3–5 kHz taper, so vocals sit upfront and crisp yet remain remarkably smooth thanks to the extra low-end warmth. Treble is slightly scooped around 5–6 kHz and then climbs in small, well-placed peaks out to ~15–18 kHz, yielding excellent extension that feels on par with sets like Moondrop Variations in this range.

What makes it pop is the value proposition: at $400, the overall resolution, tonal balance, and staging read far pricier—more like the $700–800 bracket. With its engaging sub-bass lift, lucid mids, and airy yet controlled top end, Que comes off as a polished, crowd-friendly tuning that still excites detail chasers. If momentum holds, this looks like the next big thing around the $400 mark.

Precogvision original ranking

Softears RSV MK II brings back the all-BA ethos at $700 with five armatures and a promise of “re-engineered BA bass.” Build and accessories feel premium (sleek shells, plush case), while the cable choice is quirky—4.4 mm only with a 3.5 mm pigtail. Fit is outstandingly secure and custom-like but on the larger side with a longer nozzle, so comfort depends on ear size. Softears’ Ultra Clear tips work well; the new metal-ring variant adds little beyond novelty.

On the graph, bass looks like gigabass, yet in ear it settles into a warm, weighty foundation without steamrolling the mids. The midrange follows a “new-meta neutral” tilt—fuller than Harman with forward upper-mids—while treble lands clean and sparkly without fatigue. Imaging is tidy rather than cavernous; separation and delineation are convincing, with the top end executed better than the bottom. BA bass here is among the more physical and satisfying of its kind, though tactility can be track-dependent and turn a bit tubby on very bass-heavy mixes.

Against peers, Symphonium Meteor sounds warmer and more “special” but less all-round; DUNU SA6 MK2 is more colored with janglier treble and the least convincing bass; 7th Acoustics Supernova trades warmth for vivid, bright-tilted imaging; Softears Studio 4 is lighter on bass and airier; and the old Moondrop S8 stays the lively, vocal-centric counterpoint. Net take: a supremely competent, character-light all-rounder that favors bass weight over panoramic staging. Verdict: 4/5 stars—a welcome throwback done right, and notably cheaper than the original RSV launch price.

Super* Review original ranking

Softears RSV MK2 shifts from the OG’s vocal-centric tilt into a bass-forward all-rounder. The sub-bass and mid-bass hit with real slam and weight, giving drums and bass guitars a satisfying, dynamic punch. Upper mids (3–6 kHz) are tamed to avoid shout, while a gentle 1–2 kHz rise keeps vocals open and natural—slightly less pushed than the original but still clear. Treble is smooth with decent air; not super sparkly and there’s no EST “sauce,” but it stays clean and non-fatiguing.

As a package, MK2’s standout is the low-end texture—thunderous yet controlled—making it one of the more engaging bassy sets under four figures. Technical performance is solid for the tier, though some rivals at lower prices bring more raw detail and EST extension. Build and accessories get a tasteful, modern refresh. For best balance, the stock tips work well; bass-boosting or treble-opening tips can shift it toward a more V-shape at the expense of overall smoothness.

On genre fit, MK2 shines with hip-hop, pop, EDM, and R&B, where its punch and warmth bring rhythms to life; for orchestral or leaner acoustic picks, the bass can edge forward depending on the mix. It scales to mid–high volumes nicely (around the 70–80 dB zone) without turning sharp. Compared with the OG RSV—now likely affected by a silent retune in recent units—the MK2 is the safer buy: less shout, more authority down low, and a broader all-rounder appeal. Recommended, especially if found below full MSRP, for listeners craving tasteful bass with natural mids and relaxed, smooth treble.

Jays Audio original ranking