EPZ Q1 PRO: MODESTLY GRATIFYING SET

"When the words leave off, music begins"

~~Heinrich Heine, 19th century German poet and literary critic

EPZ Audio is one of the recently established audio companies from China as it was inaugurated five years ago as an independent audio company. All their products are quite appealing in both construction quality and tuning that they are able to offer them at a reasonable price for budget-conscious audio enthusiasts out there.  This is actually my third product review from them and I'm willing to share my assessment to the audio community.

This is EPZ Q1 PRO, it has a single dynamic driver like its predecessor, the EPZ Q1. But unlike its predecessor, the Q1 PRO has a new type of dynamic driver that EPZ implemented. The dynamic driver that was fitted in this set is 10mm dual chambered, double magnetic set-up with composite diaphragm consisting of LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) and PU (Polyurethane). With the combination of these materials in a diaphragm, it will provide better rigidity and flexibility to deliver a deep bass, crisp and clear treble while maintaining a natural sound.

The driver was encased in a 3D-moulded resin shell chassis and it is rated to be hypoallergenic. EPZ offers many colour options on this set and what I have here is the colour blue variant on its faceplate that looks pretty attractive with its colour hues. The shell takes a UIEM-style contour that will give a better to almost  all ear sizes and is somehow quite compact. There's a vent hole at the top of the cavity base part of the shell where it allows to escape excess air pressure generated by the dynamic driver. The EPZ Q1 PRO utilises a 0.78mm 2-pin connector as its interlocking mechanism as it is stable and easy to detach.

EPZ Q1 PRO's stock cable is a 4N monocrystalline copper and it was braided to assure a stable and uninterrupted flow of signal transmission and greatly reduces signal interference. The cable quality is quite supple and flexible to handle and it looks durable enough. Its termination plug is a 3.5mm single ended one and it is a gold-plated one.

As for fitting and comfort, this set snugly rests well into my lugholes without any issues at all due to its compact size and choice of a proven form active. It provides an excellent passive noise isolation as it is able to block some unwarranted external noises from the outside.

To unbox an EPZ product, it makes its customers pleasant to unpack the contents given how its products are well-presented.  The EPZ Q1 PRO has a medium-size rectangular box in an all black colour with silver blue prints on it.

Here are the following contents inside of EPZ Q1 PRO's packaging box:

• Pair of EPZ Q1 PRO IEM transducers
• Stock cable
• Velvet cloth storage pouch
• Three (3) pairs of balanced bore silicone ear tips in different standard sizes.
• Paperwork like user's manual and Q.C. stub

On power scaling and sensitivity, this set is easy to amplify as sources with decent power output like smartphones, tablets and laptops are enough to drive it. Even in power output akin to low gain mode will deliver a full range sound with good dynamics.

To determine its sound profile, the EPZ Q1 PRO takes an u-shaped sound profile with a tad of warmth on its tonality. Lows and upper-mids up to presence part of the treble region are a bit more prominent than midrange on its overall audio frequency.

(Frequency graph was provided by [USER=516219]@baskingshark[/USER] , credits to him)

LOWS/BASS:

The bass quality on this one is quite well-balanced as both sub-bass and mid-bass were equally presented in this frequency section. It has a punchy, tactile and slightly thumpy bass response that will be enough to most audio enthusiasts out there although I noticed that there's some slight bass bleed, as it makes the tonality of the midrange on this set a bit coloured.

Sub-bass has a perceivable presence as I definitely felt its rumbling and reverberation coming from instruments like drum machines, synthesisers and low toned bass guitars. Mid-bass has an ample texture to give a good note weight on instruments and male vocals.  Bass guitars have broad and resonant sounds on every plucking, fretting and slapping on its strings, violas have warm and solemn sound on them that will add some colour in a string section in an orchestra ensemble, bass kick drums have thudding and sonorous sound on them and capable enough to come along with fast double bass kicks from rock and metal tracks, and then on bass to bass-baritone vocals, they have enough depth and dark tone to have a fairly dense and dusky sound.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange presentation is a bit recessed on its overall frequency range presentation but it is quite linear, slightly energetic, a tad warmth and somehow a well-balanced texture on its note weight that will be beneficial for vocal flexibility and natural sound on most instruments.

On male vocals, due to some warmth on it, it adds some organic tone and timbre on most types of male voices albeit I wish that it had some more depth on them. Baritones have smooth and warm sound on their vocal while tenors have some brassy, emotive and ringing tone from them whether its lyric, dramatic, spinto or heldentenor. Countertenors have smooth, tender and expressive vocal quality as they project their falsettos. As for female vocals, contraltos have enough depth to give a plush, smokey and rich sound on their voices while mezzo-sopranos have smooth and glowing sound on their vocals. Meanwhile on sopranos, they have a shining and silky sound that has enough airiness on their vocals particularly on coloraturas and lyric types.

As for instruments, it seems that most of them sound natural and pleasant to listen to with their distinctive tonal colour. On strings, guitars have balanced and enough sparkle on their tone while violins have lustrous and introspective sound on every motion on its bow strings. Brasses like trumpets, trombones and horns, they sound full, dramatic and resounding respectively. On woodwinds, piccolos have graceful and hollow sound while concert flutes have rich and poetic sound on every blowing on its notation. On percussives, tom-toms have warm and resonant sound, snare drums have clear and rattling sound on every stroke, field drums have venerable sound, and last ones are the kettledrums have substantial and resonant sound. Pianos appears to have an even and well-balanced tone as it is capable of distinctive articulate clarity on its sound.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

The treble response of this set has a sufficient brightness while maintaining some smooth characteristics. The upper-mids up to presence part of the treble region are quite accentuated to give more clarity, definition on some female vocals and attack instruments without any instances of sibilance or harshness albeit treble-sensitive folk should stay caution on this set but I think that they will managed to handle those elevation of these said frequencies

On the brilliance part of the treble, its airiness seems to have a moderate extension as cymbals have a lustrous and undulating sound while hi-hats have its discernable shortened buzzing sound. Celesta have a mellow and golden sound in any note register with a hint of warmth, and glockenspiels seem to have more lustrous sound than brilliant or shimmering sound on them.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

The sound/speaker stage perception that this set appears to be more of just average to above-average head room as it has average lateral span, decent height reach and good depth distance from front to back. On imaging, it projects a concave-like stereo presentation in a not so well-defined layering of dynamics and frequency tones of specific instruments and vocals although it has good separation of elements in an audio track as I was able to locate the placement of particular instruments.

Coherency of its composite driver is excellent  in my opinion in how it performs on its transient speed without any distortion at all. Resolution capabilities of this one is also quite well-regarded as it has good macro-dynamics to have a solid note texture while having a decent micro-detail retrieval as it able to extract some nuances and subtleties of vocal ends (vibrato, falsetto, vocal fry or other types vocal pitches and modulation) and notation attacks of some instruments (bow gripping on violins and violas, tremolo on strings instruments etc.).

PEER COMPARISONS:

ZIIGAAT NUO

● Like the Q1 PRO, it's a single dynamic driver with LCP material on its diaphragm. It is also encased in a 3D-printed resin shell chassis in a modified UIEM-style form factor similar to TANCHJIM OXYGEN. On its packaging, it doesn't include any carrying  case or even a pouch for storage.

● On tonal aspect, NUO has a U-shaped sound signature similar to the Q1 PRO as it also has punchy bass, ample warmth on midrange and slightly similar treble presentation albeit its bit more brighter given how intensity of it shimmer and a presence of sibilances on some tracks. On technical capabilities, both sets are almost similar with the exception of stereo imaging in which the NUO presents a typical two-dimensional stereo presentation.

7HZ ZERO II

● 7HZ's entry-level single dynamic driver IEM with composite materials on its diaphragm like polyurethane. It has an unusual angular shaped composite resin shell chassis and compared to Q1 PRO, you can choose different ear tips as 7HZ's is quite generous on including a quantity of ear tips inside of its packaging box. Its stock cable is a bit inferior and it doesn't have any form of storage case.

● On tonality, ZERO II has a mild-U sound profile which makes it even more balanced and almost neutral sounding than the Q1 PRO. It has a punchy and precise bass response, similarly textured midrange but less recessed in presentation and smooth and balanced treble response although Q1 PRO is a little bit brighter by hair. In technical aspect, ZERO II is almost similar to Q1 PRO with the exception that the latter presents a more concave-like stereo imaging and its struggles a bit more on some complex tracks.

SIMGOT EW200

● Another competitor of Q1 PRO as this set was also a single dynamic driver one. It also uses a composite type of diaphragm and it was coined as “SCP diaphragm” as it is composed of  LCP and DLC (Diamond-like carbon) and it was encased in an all-metal alloy shell. It also has a better storage case for protection.

● Like most SIMGOT sets that I've tested so far, it still follows a Harman-variant U-shaped sound profile with SIMGOT's tuning modifications that somehow deviates to the usual standard Harman target curve. Compared to Q1 PRO, It has a more tighter, incisive and rumbly bass response with a lean mid-bass presentation, a less warmer but transparent and energetic midrange presentation, and a brighter and crisper treble quality that gives an occasional shrill and dry sound, particularly on female vocals. On technicalities, both sets have its strong and weaknesses as they were trading blows on one another , while EW200 has a bit better layering, separation and micro-detail retrieval, Q1 PRO has better depth and more solid macro-dynamics.

EPZ Q1 PRO is another solid product offering from EPZ that might gain some more traction in the audio market as they develop their reputation as a consistent portable audio manufacturer. With a high quality composite material dynamic driver that were implemented in a beautiful and eye-catching resin shell chassis with finely-tuned tonal quality and a budget friendly one, this is indeed one of my solid recommendations for entry-level sets.

EPZ Q1 PRO is now available at EPZ's official online store in ALIEXPRESS, you can check out the unaffiliated link below.

★★EPZ OFFICIAL STORE - ALIEXPRESS★★

For more reviews on EPZ products, you can visit the links below.

■ EPZ Q5

■ EPZ K1

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: EPZ Q1 PRO

IMPEDANCE: 32Ω

SENSITIVITY: 100dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M

PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm

DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER

PROS:

● Quite solidly build resin shell chassis.

● Its compact UIEM-style shell chassis will give a pleasant comfort to wear and provides a good passive noise isolation.

● Decent quality stock cable.

● Tonally well-balanced sounding set.

● Punchy and tactile bass response

● Well-textured, linear and clean midrange.

● Relatively versatile on both male and female vocals.

● Fairly natural sounding on most instruments.

● Somewhat smooth and balanced treble response.

● Not a hint of harshness nor sibilance.

● At least, above average technical performance.

CONS:

● Needs some improvements on its layering aspect.

● More choices of ear tips could be better.

● Ideally, at least above-average up to wide sound/speaker stage size.

● Wishing for more treble air.

Some 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 *'*

The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**

Suzanne Vega – Luka **

Lauren Christy – Steep *

Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *

Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*

P.S.

I am not affiliated to EPZ nor receive 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 send my gratitude to TEAM EPZ for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.