EPZ K5: Prelude To The Midrange-level Tuning

It's been a long time since I posted a product review from EPZ, and among the sets that I've assessed so far, I've only reviewed their hybrid driver set-up lEM, The EPZ K1 which is their budget entry-level one until recently. But now, what I have here is their more pricey hybrid driver configuration set and by all means, it's a noticeable upgrade over its entry-level model.

This is EPZ K5, and like I mentioned a while ago, it has hybrid driver configuration consisting of a single dynamic driver and a quad array of balanced armature drivers. The dynamic driver is an 8mm dual-chambered structure with a composite diaphragm on it, the composite diaphragm is made up of two polymer materials, the PU (Polyurethane) and LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymers) which delivers a responsive, articulate and depth of its low frequencies for clear and impactful sound. The balanced armature drivers that were implemented here are provided by a reputable audio solution company, Sonion and this brand is known for its high quality balanced armature drivers as they deliver a clear, detailed and bright sound on the midrange and high frequencies. All drivers are connected to a 3D printed three-way passive acoustic tubing for an unadulterated sonic quality, reducing noise and better separation on each frequency section.

All internal parts were encapsulated in a compact size UIEM-type 3D-printed hypoallergenic resin shell structure with a laminated wood panel on its faceplate. Like all UIEM-type shell chassis, it has a stabilising fin for firmer grip and also, the colourway of its faceplate reminds me an mesocarp part of an avocado fruit but you can choose other colour options like black and reddish-pink or even personalised colourway options upon ordering. EPZ uses a proven 0.78mm 2-pin connector on this set as its interlocking mechanism as we can easily unfastened it with its detachable cable.

Due to its compact size shell chassis, this set is quite versatile as it offers one of the best IEMs in under £150/US$200 in terms of fitting and comfort that all ear sizes can easily wear it without any issues like discomforts and wear fatigue. The passive noise isolation of this one is also excellent as it block most of the unwanted external noises from the outside surroundings.

As for its stock cable, it has 2-core structure and its material is a high purity oxygen-free silver plated copper wires for consistent and smooth audio signal transmission. While it looks like its on a leaner profile, it is quite durable, flexible and doesnt doesn't display any unwanted microphonic effects whenever I move around. It also has a modern feature which became a prerequisite to some audio enthusiasts as it has a modular termination plug in which EPZ graciously offer other termination plug options, a 2.5mm balanced and 4.mm balanced termination plugs that can be used on specific audio output interface.

The EPZ K5 is a fully-packed with accessories inside just like most midrange sets should have.

 Here are the following contents we can find inside of its packaging box:

• Pair of EPZ K5 IEM transducers
• Modular stock cable
• 2.5mm balanced detachable termination plug
• 4.4mm balanced detachable termination plug
• PU-leather storage case
• Water-proof pouch
• Cleaning tool
• 3 pcs. of white-coloured EPZ M11 ear tips in different standard sizes.
• 3 pcs. of double flange ear tips in different standard sizes.
• 3 pcs. of standard silicone ear tips in different standard sizes.
• User's manual

While this set is rated to have resistance of 32 Ohms but this one is sensitive enough to be amplified from sources in a usual normal gain output like smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs. But having pair it with sources with better DAC/amps will delivers its full potential like better dynamics and a full range sound that this set could give.

As for its tonality, the EPZ has a mild U-shaped sound profile as it has more emphasis on the upper-mids up to brilliance part of the high frequency with a more balanced lows and midrange frequencies.

LOW/BASS:

The bass quality of this one was tuned well-balanced as it has a sub bass presence and an ample mid bass texture. Overall, it delivers a punchy, rumbly and tactual bass response while maintaining a controlled and well-segregated bass section that doesn't bleed to other frequency ranges.

The sub bass rumble and reverberation can be fairly felt that were generated from sub bass-focused instruments like low tuned bass guitars and double basses, synthesisers and drum machines. Mid bass of this one has an adequate texture for better note weight on certain bass-clef instruments and deep male vocals. Both bass guitars and double bass have a resonant and weighty sound on them while bass kick drums have rumbling and satisfactory fullness on every kick stroke. Deep male vocal types like bass and bass-baritone have sufficient depth, volume and tonal colour as it delivers a deep resonance dark timbre on their distinctive voices.

MIDRANGE:

Apparently, the midrange presentation is quite a bit recessed on the overall frequency spectrum but at least it doesn't sound too lean and sterile as it has an ample warmth on its note texture to give a rich and full sound on some male vocals and instruments. It was also tuned energetically as it will add more cyrstalline and detailed sound on some female vocals, and also on strings and woodwind instruments.

On male vocals, baritones have their smooth and plush voices, tenors have their dazzling and clear vocals with some good heft on them that will be suitable towards spinto and dramatic types of tenors, and countertenors will sound emotive and velvety. Contraltos have smoky and rich chesty vocals but a bit less hefty, mezzo-sopranos have a fiery and coppery sound characteristics from their vocals and sopranos have a gleaming and crystalline which are quite good for lyric and coloratura types to execute their differentiating vocals with its agile florid passage.

As for instruments, on the strings types, guitars have a crisp and dry sound while cellos have clear and sweet sound on them, and violins have vibrant and metallic sound on every motion on their bowstrings. On brasses, trumpets have brilliant and metallic sound, trombones have an eruptive and intense sound, and then horn have these velvety and bright sounds. Woodwind instruments like piccolos, concert flutes, clarinets and saxophones have these bright, airy, brilliant and lively sounds respectively. Then on percussives, tom-toms have enough warm and resonant sound, snares have sharp and precise sound, field drums have sonorous sound and lastly, kettledrums have mellow yet resonant sound. Additionally, the sound of the pianos here are pleasant and brilliant though there are some occurrences that it might sound a bit metallic.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

This certain section on frequency parts of this one appears to be elevated as it has bright, shimmering and airy treble response as upper mids up to the brilliance part of the treble region are properly accentuated. To my surprise, sibilance was kept under control and stridency wasn't present although there are some slight hints of metallic and shrilliness on some vocal tails of female voices particularly on sopranos and also some certain instruments. This treble response execution will highlight some sense of clarity and definition on vocals and attack note of the instruments.

The quantifying facet on the brilliance section is one of the strongest points of the set as it has well-extended treble air with a satisfying amount of sparkle to give some liveliness on some selected treble-clef instruments. Cymbals have a glistening and shimmering sound, hi-hats have its shortened buzzing and crisp tone to give those distinctive chicky sounds, glockenspiels have silvery sound and celestas have shimmering and ethereal sound on them.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

As I'm gauging its overall perceived sound field dimensions, it doesn't have that widest lateral span among the hybrid driver sets that I've previously tested but it has an excellent depth and height reach. It definitely conveys a moderately spacious head room within my aural perception.

The imaging presentation of this one projects a 3D-like well-layered soundscape with good separation on each element like instruments and vocals that I was able to locate precisely in a clean background which gives a good stereo panning.  And so, playing complex multi-instrumental tracks like orchestra and jazz will be such an easy task for IEM that it will have an effortless playback on them.

Driver performance on its hybrid driver configuration is pretty cohesive as its dynamic driver was able to execute a rather moderate speedy response while its balanced armature drivers deliver a clear and detailed sound quality without any distortion or phasing issues. As for resolution capabilities, this one is relatively competent on both macro-dynamics and micro-dynamics as the latter definitely have a sharp definition on extracting micro-details and nuances from an audio track.

PEER COMPARISONS:

KIWI EARS QUARTET

• It has 2 dynamic drivers in “Isobaric set-up” and 2 custom balanced armature drivers.
• It has a slightly larger shell chassis and it is entirely made of resin.
• There's a tuning switch for more tonal profile options.
• It has 4 tuning profiles but it is still leaning towards a U-shaped sound signature.
• On its up and down settings which is quite comparable with the K5, it has more sub-bass focus and a bit hollowed mid bass, a leaner and less lush midrange and then, a less brighter and less air treble response.
• It has average sound/speaker staging, a typical 2-dimensional stereo imaging presentation and less resolving.

TANGZU FU DU VERSE 2

• It also has hybrid driver set-up just like the K5 albeit it has less driver number, 1 dynamic driver and 2 balanced armature drivers.
• It also has a compact composite shell chassis made of resin on its cavity base and metal alloy faceplate.
• It includes premium Divinus ear tips as part of its stock ear tips.
• It has a U-shaped balanced-warmish tuning profile.
• The bass response is more on mid bass texture as it delivers more slam, a warmer midrange presentation and smooth but less airy treble response to the it might sound a but dark and duller to most treble heads.
• It has an average sound/speaker stage size, a typical 2-dimensional stereo imaging and less resolving compared to K5.

HIDIZS MS3

• Like the K5, it also has a hybrid driver configuration consisting of 1 dynamic driver and 2 balanced armatures.
• As for its balanced armature driver, it uses a Knowles one and its shell is entirely made of aluminium alloy.
• It has a detachable tuning filter nozzle system like most HIDIZS models since 2023 therefore, it offers more tonal profile versatility.
• On the silver tuning nozzle, it has a bright U-shaped sound signature while the rest have either warmer or balanced tuning profile.
• On the silver tuning nozzle, it has a tighter bass response, a bit more recessed and energetic midrange presentation and brighter and shimmering treble response but compared to the K5 , it has tad less airy extension.
• It has similar technical performance in almost all categories with the exception of imaging where MS3 presents a concave-like stereo presentation.

As I put up my conclusion regarding this product assessment, the EPZ continues to impress me since the release of their Q5 that it's unexpectedly a sleeper hit among audio enthusiasts on how EPZ tune it. This K5 is another proof that this company is capable of delivering a hybrid set that is reasonably priced with some premium Sonion drivers inside of its transducers and a modular cable along with its excellent tuning and with a competent technical capabilities that makes this set has its own appeal.

For sure that there are some aspects that could be refined that will make this set even more formidable and I hope that I could try another EPZ set at the midrange segment as this set speaks for itself already. EPZ K5 is currently available in online stores and I'll provide some non-affiliated links below.

EPZ OFFICIAL STORE ALIEXPRESS:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005279426276.html

LINSOUL:

https://www.linsoul.com/products/epz-k5?srsltid=AfmBOop5xvmj5wh-9Zt-WyDw2YLmfD775YtO_7wkwh9NN7S1Q52abyPT

For more EPZ Audio review products, click the links below:

● EPZ K1

● EPZ Q5

● EPZ Q1 PRO

● EPZ TP20 PRO

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: EPZ K5

IMPEDANCE: 30Ω

SENSITIVITY: 114dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M

PIN TYPE: 0.78mm 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: (MODULAR) 3.5mm, 2.5mm, 4.4mm

DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER

PROS:

● Compact yet sturdy-built medical-grade resin shell chassis.

● The UIEM-type shape and a smaller profile makes this set one of the best in terms of fitting and comfort.

● It has a premium Sonion balanced armature drivers.

● Also gives a good sealing for better passive noise isolation.

● It has some quantifying amount of inclusions inside of its packaging box.

● The stock cable has a modular feature as you interchange its termination plug for specific usage to other sources.

● It has a well-balanced tuning that encompasses the full range of its audio frequency spectrum.

● Tactual, precise and clean bass response.

● Well-textured, clear and crisp midrange presentation.

● Almost all vocals and instruments sound organic that makes this set more of an all-rounder one.

● Captivating and euphonic sounds on soprano vocals that this set able to playback.

●  Sufficiently bright and airy treble response.

●  A 3D-like stereo imaging with well-defined layering and separation on its sonic canvas.

● Quite a resolving set.

CONS:

● While it has well-balanced tuning, it is still tonally coloured for audio enthusiasts that advocate towards a linear neutral sound profile.

● Less satisfying bass quantity for bass heads.

● Some instances of metallic and shrill sound on some instruments and vocals.

● Wishing for a bit wider sound/speaker stage size.

TESTED TRACKS: ( * = 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 especially to Mr. Tony Liu for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.