EPZ X TIPSY STAR & ONE: Sparkling and Slamming

EPZ AUDIO is one of the audio companies in China that was only introduced a few years ago and yet they already earn some accolades and positive feedback from audio enthusiasts on their products. As I did some assorted reviews on their previous products before, the quality of these speaks for themselves on how riveting they are in terms of build and performance.

What I have here is one their latest single driver IEM and this one is actually a collaboration effort with another audio brand, TIPSY. What I know about TIPSY was that I saw their previous product model before while I'm scrolling on my e-commerce platform a few years ago. It is their DUNMER that piqued my interest at that time due to its aesthetics and compact size of its shell frame.

This is EPZ X TIPSY or TIPSY X EPZ STAR & ONE, it has a 10mm dual-cavity dynamic driver with composite material on its diaphragm that consists of different types of polymer materials, LCP (liquid crystal polymer) and PU (Polyurethane). With the combination of these materials, it will produce that deep, rich and detailed sound on every element of music like notes and beats. And then, the driver is encased in a compact-size 3D-moulded resin shell chassis with an unusually large vent hole at the top for escaping excess air generated from its dynamic driver. This set's interlocking mechanism is a QDC-type 2-pin connector while it is more prevalent on a budget to entry-level set, the structural integrity of this type of connector is questionable.

When it comes to fitting and comfort, due to its smaller frame, it will be more versatile to all lugholes’ sizes as it also provides a good sealing that blocks any unwanted external noises from the outside surroundings. The stock cable of this one is at least decent as it is silver-plated copper albeit on a thinner side of texture and it has a straight 3.5mm termination plug which is gold-plated for better conductive and corrosive-resistance.

As for product packaging, this one has a compact, rectangular box and the contents inside are presented in an organised manner.

These are the following contents inside of its packaging box:

• A pair of EPZ X TIPSY IEM transducers.
• Stock cable
• 3 pairs of balanced bore silicone ear tips in different standard sizes.
• A polymer-fabric storage bin
• User's manual

On power requirement, with a resistance rating of 64 ohms, this device might need a device with better power output. This is one of the few IEMs that activates the high impedance mode on my LG phones as it sounds very lively as it encompasses the whole spectrum of its frequency range.

The tonality of this one is quite coloured as it has a U-shaped sound profile (if properly amplified) or V-shaped (On low normal gain mode) with some mix of warmth and bright tuning. It has more emphasis on bass and treble with a linear midrange presentation.

(Graph measurement was provided by [USER=516219]@baskingshark[/USER] , credits to his effort)

LOWS/BASS:

Bass quality on this one is quite prominent as it has a punchy, penetrating and thrumming bass response while keeping a more balanced texture on both parts of the low frequency region.

Its sub-bass presence is very noticeable on this one as it has that reverberating and grumbling effects that were generated from sub bass–focused instruments like drum machines and synthesisers. The mid-bass is quite pretty textured as it gives a body on bass-clef instruments like bass kick drums, bass guitars, bass trumpets and male vocal types like bass and bass-baritones. Bass kick drums have a full and pounding sounding, bass guitars have a broad sound on every pluck on its strings, a warm and full sound on bass trumpets and a fairly deep, resonant and dark timbre on bass and bass-baritone vocals.

MIDRANGE:

It appears that the midrange presentation of this one is quite in a notch across its overall frequency range. But at least it sounds clean, has a warmth and with enough energy for vocals and instruments to sound coherent and detailed.

Male vocals have its depth and texture on note weight for baritones, tenors and countertenors. Baritones sound its lushness, while tenors have brassy and tinny sound on their vocals and countertenors have some tenderness and sheen on their voice quality. On female vocals, contraltos have a rich and husky sound, mezzo-sopranos have those musky, tender and emotive sound, and sopranos have a gleaming sound that in general, female vocals sound gives me that euphonic and fruity sensation in my ears.

As for instruments on how they sound respectively based on the tuning of the STAR & ONE, string instruments like guitars and violins, they sound crisp and vibrant respectively while on brass instruments, trumpets sound brilliant, trombones have a metallic sound and horns have full, warm and velvety sound on them. In woodwinds, concert flutes rich yet mellow sound, a light yet intense sound on piccolos, a lovely sound on clarinets and an expressive and a tinge metallic sound in saxophones. When it comes to percussion instruments, a warm, resonant and sonorous sound on both tom-toms and field drum, a hard and clear sound on snare drums and a substantial and mellow sound on kettledrums. Pianos are more on a balanced side as it has warmth and at same time, with a tad brightness on their tone.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

The treble response of this one is entirely elevated from some parts of its high frequency region where we will notice that instruments and vocals’ octave range. It is that part where we are also aware of the definition of some vocals and attack of instruments. I'm quite surprised the sibilance is well-controlled and it doesn't sound harsh at all probably due that dip on the presence part of the treble region.

There's a good sparkle and moderately airy extension on the brilliance part for a single dynamic driver. Cymbals sound quite lustrous with a tinge of metallic sound while the hi-hats have an accurate depiction of having shortened buzzing sound. Celestas have a sweet and mellow sound and then, mallet-type glockenspiel have a sheen and lustrous sound on every strike on its bar.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

To my surprise, this set has an above-average lateral span on its perceived  sound field, good height and depth that in general gives me a fairly spacious head stage within my aural sphere. As for its imaging aspect, it projects a two-dimensional stereo presentation where I was able to locate the placement of certain instruments and vocals in a rather two-layered but with satisfactory separation in a soundscape where it can play some of the most complex multi-instrumental tracks.

Coherency of its composite driver where it relatively delivers a fast transient response without any distortion at all. On its resolution capabilities, it has a good macro-dynamics due its more solid note texture but its micro-detailing is a bit blunted on its definition to retrieve some nuances like vocal ends and room effects like reverbs.

PEER COMPARISONS:

ZIIGAAT NUO

• Like the STAR & ONE, this set also has single dynamic driver configuration albeit its diaphragm consists entirely of LCP. It is also encased in a 3D-printed resin shell chassis and its detachable mechanism uses a standard 0.78mm 2-pin connector unlike STAR & ONE that utilises QDC-type bi-pin ones. In terms of inclusions, both sets are quite similar.
• The NUO definitely has a U-shaped sound profile as it also has punchy bass, a warm and a tad midrange presentation and a similarly elevated and sparkling treble response. On technical aspects, the NUO is a bit narrower in terms of sound/speaker stage width and a two-dimensional stereo presentation. Although, the Nuo is quite a bit better on resolving in terms of micro-detail retrieval as it has a sharper definition.

EPZ Q1 PRO

• Another EPZ's product with a single dynamic driver setup IEM. It also has a composite diaphragm with similar materials and it is also encapsulated in a 3D-printed resin shell chassis but it has standard 0.78mm 2-pin connector. In terms of quantity of inclusions, both sets are quite similar in numbers
• Tonality-wise, this set also has a warm U-shaped sound signature as it has a tactile and rumbly bass response that gives that punchy nature, a warmer and well-textured midrange range thats gives more body on male vocals and some instruments, then a smooth and tinge bright treble response. As for its technicalities, Q1 PRO has a pretty average on perceiving its dimensions within my aural sphere. While it has this concave-like stereo presentation but it has less defined layering although it has a good separation. On resolving capabilities, both sets are eerily similar on either macro-dynamics or micro-dynamics itself.

SIMGOT EW200

• SIMGOT's single dynamic driver configuration with a composite material called SCP which is a mix of LCP and DLC materials. It has an aluminium alloy shell chassis with standard 2-pin connector. The quantity of inclusions inside of its packaging box is rather basic just like STAR & ONE.
• The EW200 has a U-shaped sound profile with a tighter yet rumbly bass response to have that cleaner presentation due to the less emphasis on mid-bass shelf at the expense of inadequate slam. A lean textured, neutral and energetic midrange presentation to deliver a more pronounced  female vocals and instruments like strings and woodwinds. And bright, sparkly and moderately airy treble response. On technicalities, it has a bit narrower and less taller sound field compared to STAR & ONE but it has similar capabilities like stereo imaging, layering and separation. On resolution capability, it appears that EW200 is quite more resolving in terms of micro-dynamics.

It seems the EPZ is quite an audacious audio company as it manages to do some collaboration with other audio brands like TIPSY that are also considered a veteran in the audio business just to release such a product. To be honest, I'm quite surprised that this set  is one of the few sets that really pairs well with my LG phones as it even activates the high impedance mode automatically.

To sum up my review on this one, this set is actually a bit different on sound profile in both normal gain which is a bit less appealing and in medium/high gain mode which sounds more lively and dynamic. As this one might not align with my preferred tuning as this one is a bit too coloured in my liking, but if you want an engaging and fun sounding set, this one might be your inclination in terms of tonal aspect.

EPZ X TIPSY STAR & ONE is now available at EPZ's official store on Aliexpress and also on LINSOUL and HIFIGO. Check out the following unaffiliated links below.

★★EPZ X TIPSY STAR & ONE - ALIEXPRESS★★

★★EPZ X TIPSY STAR & ONE - LINSOUL★★

★★EPZ X TIPSY STAR & ONE - HIFIGO★★

And also, here are my other product reviews from EPZ.

■ EPZ Q5

■ EPZ K1

■ EPZ TP20 PRO

■ EPZ Q1 PRO

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: EPZ X TIPSY STAR & ONE

IMPEDANCE: 64Ω

SENSITIVITY: 112dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 40KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M

PIN TYPE: QDC-TYPE 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm

DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER

PROS:

● Compact yet lightweight 3D-moulded shell chassis.

● Ergonomically-designed UIEM-style shell contours for fitting versatility.

● Scales well on better power output

● Fun musical and engaging sound for audio enthusiasts who love a coloured tuning.

● Punchy yet rumbly bass response.

● Warm and smooth midrange presentation

● Seems that it is quite versatile to all types of vocals.

● Shimmering treble response.

● Quite decent on its technical capabilities for its price.

CONS:

● Meagre amount of inclusions.

● Recessed midrange presentation.

● QDC-type 2-pin connector

● Less resolving

● Needs a good power output to deliver more dynamic sound.

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.