BQEYZ TOPAZ: Another Smooth Operator
Neutralheads and midcentrics alike, rejoice and be ready to put a smile on your face that this review will be special as this specific type of tuning will be favourable towards some listeners like you who love vocals and instruments focus and a more dynamic yet neutral tuning . If you are a reader of my review articles in the past few months, you are all aware that I admire BQEYZ as an audio company for they deliver a good quality product for the past few years. Their BQEYZ KC2 is still one of the talk-about products that is still relevant despite new products release from other companies.
I have currently have a substantial number of BQEYZ products in my collection and some of them have a diverse implementation of drivers from a single DD flagship of BQEYZ Autumn to a tribrid ones like BQEYZ Spring 2 and Summer and if you want to check out my reviews from some previous models from BQEYZ, check out the links below.
We are also aware that BQEYZ is taking a few months to release their products just to ensure that it was well-tuned and meticulously crafted. And what I have here is their new product, The BQEYZ TOPAZ,
BQEYZ TOPAZ is the latest and first model from their new product line-up series, The Bird series. It has a hybrid driver set-up transducers that consist of a newly developed 13mm dynamic driver with LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) diaphragm paired with a 9-layers of new type of Ceramic Piezoelectric plates. This new type of dynamic driver and piezoelectric driver transducers offers a better bass response, a rich and cleaner mids with less distortion, more crisp and detail treble as BQEYZ promises. These hybrid transducers are encapsulated in a shell made of aluminium on its faceplate and high quality resin on its cavity base which also has structurally similar to their previous model, The BQEYZ Summer and BQEYZ Autumn.
The aluminium faceplate of BQEYZ Topaz's shell has a thin outline on its edges with a rounded edge triangle at the center with a print inside of it (different words of each side, TOPAZ at the left shell and BQEYZ at the right shell). Interestingly, there's a vent hole that was put inside of letter O and Q respectively. The resin-made cavity base is somehow skin friendly as I don't encounter any irritation and its quality is very durable for daily wear and tear use. Another vent hole is also found in this part of the shell too just to make sure the release of some excess air pressure generated from the drivers. The nozzle is made of good quality brass and it is in medium length to fit on most ear for comfortable insertion but this isn't the case into my lug holes as I still have some awkward feeling that I try to do some ear tip rolling (like BQEYZ Autumn, BQEYZ reference ear tips in large-sized is the answer). Passive noise Isolation is at least average as I still hear 50% of external noise from the outside sources. Good thing that BQEYZ still implemented a standard 2-pin connector as is more proven to its sturdiness and ease of doing cable replacement.
On the packaging and its included accessories features, we all know that BQEYZ is one of the audio companies who are very generous and conscientious when it comes to that aspect as they included a lot of inclusions that make the customer that they received what they deserved, a high quality of inclusions. The packaging box of BQEYZ TOPAZ has similar size with BQEYZ albeit it is a tad leaner. It has a blueish colour accent with the print " TOPAZ" at the front and some information of specification at the back of the box.The accessories are well-organized inside the box.
Here are the following contents inside:
A pair of BQEYZ Topaz IEMs.
4-core OCC SPC white cable of 3.5mm termination plug with tip plug
3 pairs of silicone "reference" eartips of different standard sizes (Small, Medium,Large).
3 pairs of silicone "atmospheric" eartips of different standard sizes (Small, Medium,Large).
a round grey zippered IEM case.
Cleaning tool
Some paperworks like instruction manual and Q.C stub.
BQEYZ Topaz can be driven decently and it can be pair on decent sources despite of the of that 32 ohms of impedance requirement but in a better sources with better output from high quality DACs and Op/Amp will amplify the fullest potential of this hybrid transducer as they really sound even more dynamic and more cleaner sounding in the background.
The tonality of the BQEYZ is more of a leaning towards on a balanced-neutral sound signature as it has that perceive linearity on both bass and midrange and have an enough peak on the treble though they are more of laid-back sounding in the overall presentation.
It's tuning reminds me of an old headphone model from Sennheiser, The HD598. BQEYZ TOPAZ and HD598 have shared similar aspects like neutral sounding with some hint of warmth, punchy bass, well-bodied midrange and smooth treble response.
Here are my observations of each part of its audio frequency range spectrum.
LOWS/BASS:
The bass region of BQEYZ Topaz is intrinsically present in the overall audio frequency spectrum. The bass quality shows more prominent over being a quantitative one. It has an ample punch, sufficient impact and a clean one.
Sub bass has a presence as I discerningly feel its rumble towards its decent depth. Synthesizers and drum machines that we usually heard on electronic music such as EDM and Synthpop has an enough detail to hear their tremorous nature. Mid bass is even more prominent on the bass region as it has a texture to give a well-bodied sound on bass guitars, bass kicks, bass trumpets and bass-baritone vocals. It gives a growl on bass guitar to sound more dark, "earthy" and somber and at least it doesn't sound hollow, an adequate sonorous and resonant sound on bass kicks, a fuller and tinge of tonal colour of bass trumpets and lastly, a guttural and rich quality of bass baritone vocals.
I can say that I consider this one as a "neutral bass" as it doesn't smudges the other audio frequency due to almost to none good control on midbass and certainly that this is not a bass head's ideal tuning due to none boomy nature and less impact, just an ample thudding.
MIDRANGE:
This is the unequivocally the most prominent part of the overall audio frequency spectrum and it is its midrange both in quality and quantity. It is well-polished, organic and has added ample warmth just to added some texture and density on both vocals and instruments especially on percussive instruments.
Both vocal types of both genders have benefited from that ample warmness. It gives a more solid, deep and power of male vocal especially low-medium octave ones from bass to falsetto. It really shows a detail on how male singers belted the power from their lungs. Female vocals are also projected properly to sound more luscious, sweet, pleasant and clarity. It gives the sense of natural tone and resolve on the contralto to mezzo-soprano types but there is certain type of vocal type that pays my attention and it is soprano's vocal projection. Soprano supposedly has a weaker middle voice and higher pitch which Topaz manages to deliver the sense of energy and intensity decently but I'll be honest on this one, it's a tad inadequate in my ideal standard due to that smoothed edge as a performance of vocal centric IEM needs to reach that higher note to sound airy and energetic. Even so, it's just a minor compromise that I can deal with.
As for the sound quality on instruments, it has that organic but due added warmth unto it, it is somehow less glittering especially on strings but on the bright side, it is now full-bodied sounding. Every pluck of guitar has that clarity but not to point the sound to a realistic crisp. Some certain tracks of acoustic guitar tracks show the inherent characteristic of the Piezoelectric which is added that a sizzle that some listeners might find it "unnatural". Violins and cellos have this cascading sense to have this lustrous, calm and full sounding that doesn't sound muted nor veiled. Brass like saxophone and trumpets has still this metallic and intense characteristic to sound closer to being natural. Woodwinds like fife and flute has this rich and airy sounding but sometimes a bit soft as you will determine everytime the flautist blows its headjoint. Pianos has this warm, luscious and rich tone that reminds me of some antique German grand pianos. And lastly is how snare drums sound like, it is penetrating and shuffling but it has this softer impact.
As I'm a bit biased towards on midcentric tuning, this is indeed a highly recommended type of midrange tonality on how the mids are presented in a smooth manner, well-bodied and has sufficient details. Midcentric will absolutely love its quality and quantity.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
Another thing that BQEYZ Topaz surprises me on how it handles its treble registry. As we expected of an piezoelectric driver's typical characteristic which is that zingy sizzle feel to give some listener a sense of airiness and sheen in the brilliance region but expense of being too strident and artificial to some treble sensitives, but BQEYZ manage to tamed down those peaks while retain the shimmer and good extension of treble air. The fact that the treble delivery is rather smooth and relaxing.
Upper mids has still some noticeable peaks but not to the point to make a sound more strident and sibilance was keep under controlled and very minimal to none to be noticeable unless it was a sibilant-laden tracks that Piezoelectric drivers make it more pronounce but not that unpleasant hissing that make us annoyed with.
Cymbals strikes definitely has a more lustrous and undulating sound with some substantial amount of shimmer but there's a snag about it, it lacks snap and is a bit dull in my ideal as I wanted a more solid and glistening sound on hitting and crashing on cymbals. Despite on my reservation on how cymbal sounds was portrayed, Piezoelectric managed to deliver a good treble extension with a sufficient amount of harmonics and air.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING & OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
As we all know, Almost all BQEYZ products' strength lies in excellent technical performance and TOPAZ is no exception on this one. The overall presentation of its sound field is well-proportionate. It certainly has a wide soundstage, a good immersive depth and a good height ceiling reach which I classify it as cavernous.
Imaging is good for a single DD as you can locate the precise positioning of instruments and singers but in a more typical stereo panning manner. Separation is also commendable on this one it has a good gap and spacing of each instruments but there is one element that pays my attention and it is its layering capability, the arrangement each note in every part of audio frequency sprectrum doesn't define well on emphasizing of its respective sonic information that causes some inconsistencies on the mix. It's just a slight nitpicking in my part as I tested some of TOTL IEMs with superb technical aspect in the past few days ago. But for its price value, it is just fine.
Resolution capability-wise, it is adept at resolving some nuances and details either on micro scale or macro dynamics. But in overall presentation, it is a bit smoothed out, a less aggressive definition that will also influence the timbre to have a smooth and organic tone with a tad of warmth.
As for coherency of drivers, the tandem of dynamic driver and piezoelectric plates seems to perform a very cohesive performance to the overall frequency spectrum that it deliver a faster, dynamic sounding with nimble transient response and the zesty nature of Piezos seems to have been suppressed and even less distorted probably due to newer composite materials of Piezoelectric plates.
PEER COMPARISONS:
BQEYZ SUMMER
Both are very comparable due its implementation of Piezoelectric drivers but Summer has additional balanced armature to handle the midrange. Shells on both SUMMER and TOPAZ are in contrast as the aforementioned product is made purely of resin while the latter has a mixture of aluminium for its faceplate and a resin for its cavity base.
SUMMER is more V/U-shape sounding while TOPAZ has balanced-neutral presentation. Summer has a more aggressive approach when its comes to tonality while TOPAZ is more laid-back and relaxed. Maturity of piezoelectric driver seem to be an advantage of TOPAZ as it really sounds more homogenous over a bit divisive sounding of SUMMER to make it a tad incoherent.
SUMMER was more pricey when it was released a year ago and TOPAZ pricing is more competitive and affordable.
TANGZU/TFORCE YUAN LI:
YUAN LI is more expensive than TOPAZ. YUAN LI's shell is made of aluminium alloy that it is more hefty to wear compared to a tandem material of resin and aluminium alloy of TOPAZ which is lighter and easy to wear into the ears for a long time. Both are comparable of providing of a good set of inclusions.
As for tonality, both have balanced-neutral sound signature, but YUAN LI is tad leaner on overall presentation compared to a more textured Topaz. YUAN LI is more focused on sub bass while TOPAZ has more accented mid bass, mids is leaner and probably has more clarity on YUAN LI while TOPAZ approach in a different manner which is a more bodied and yet smooth mids. Both of them have smooth treble registry but TOPAZ definitely has more air.
As for technicalities, YUAN LI has better layering and imaging while TOPAZ has a better soundstage. Separation is similar as both of them have good spacing. As for resolution, certainly YUAN LI has more definedZ on details as they have more edgy definition as TOPAZ has a smoothen one.
MOONDROP KATO (Gold Nozzle):
KATO is definitely more expensive than TOPAZ, KATO shell is made of stainless steel which is more durable than TOPAZ's hybrid sandwiched materials but it is more on a hefty weight that might add some stress on wearing them for a long time. Wearing both of them is also a bit problematic into my lug holes but KATO has a more shallow fit given that I've tested it with a Moondrop Spring eartips.
As for tonality, KATO is more of a lean U-shape sound signature which also affects the quality and quantity of mids. KATO bass is leaning more on sub bass as you will feel a more grumble and seismic sound while it has thin mid bass that bass kicks and bass guitar sounds too transparent and light, almost no texture at all. TOPAZ indeed delivers a better bass quality. Mids is definitely recessed on KATO compared to TOPAZ as male vocals and instruments are lacking in texture and definition. Only female vocals seems to have a better clarity and more open but too transparent on texture is also an issue. Treble registry-wise, KATO has more brighter and shimmer as I notice upper mid peaks that I encounter in some tracks, especially on female vocal ones but it has lesser treble air extension when I compare it to TOPAZ which has smoother and better airy extension.
When it comes to technicalities, TOPAZ is better than KATO in most aspects, from Soundstage to Imaging. KATO has only average to above average soundstage and imaging and seperation are just meagre and a bit too linear in my liking. As for resolution capability, both have different approaches, KATO certainly has more edgier definition while TOPAZ is more softer but surprisingly, TOPAZ has better detail retrieval.
As I end my assessment on BQEYZ TOPAZ, BQEYZ manages to deliver such a phenomenal product. For sure that this is not a perfect product as there are still a few things that need to be polished on this product but its well-done tonal maturity and good technicalities will outweigh those flaws.
Current competitors in this price range still seem to follow those more hyped tuning curves like Harman or its derivatives (Geez, it's just another modified U-shape all over again.) But this is what I like on BQEYZ's philosophy, they don't follow the trend, they try to create their own path in audio world industry that they manage to win some hearts and minds to some audio enthusiasts out there.
BQEYZ TOPAZ is currently available at US$89.00/£75.00 to most e-commerce sites and they are available in two colour options, Grey and Purple.
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: BQEYZ TOPAZ
IMPEDANCE: 32Ω
SENSITIVITY: 108dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 5Hz – 40KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78mm)
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + (1) PIEZOELECTRIC DRIVER
PROS:
•A pleasant “laidback” balanced-neutral sounding IEM
•Needs a minimal power to amplify this set
•Good bass quality
•Currently the most refined sounding IEM with piezoelectric drivers as it is less zesty and sizzle feeling is keep under control compare to previous generation.
•Smoother and well-extended treble air registry.
•Midcentrics will probably love the midrange quality on this one due to fuller, well-textured with a good amount of details.
•Spacious soundstage with good width, has that height ceiling and very immersive depth. And also has some good qualities on other technicalities.
•Lightweight, high quality shell housing.
•Like most BQEYZ midrange/flagship offerings, it has a lot of included accessories.
•High quality stock cable.
CONS:
•Certainly not for V-shaped tune-loving listeners as they might find it too relaxed and laid back on their hearing perception as they want a more engaging and fun sounding set.
•Female vocals on higher octave range seems to be a bit inadequate in my liking.
•Still fussy about its fitting into my lug holes like my previous complain on BQEYZ Autumn.
•Not so well-defined layering capability and a bit smoother and less edgy definition on resolution.
Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
Lucretia my Reflection – The Sisters of Mercy **
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
P.S.
I am not affiliated to BQEYZ nor receive any monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to thank Elle Zhou for providing this review unit, I truly appreciate her generosity towards me and other reviewers.
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