EPZ Q1 Pro

Disclaimer : This unit was provided by EPZ for review purposes. But that doesn’t affect my review by any means.

Build and comfort : Q1 pro has a very beautiful hand painted resin shell. The nozzle is metal built. When you hold this iem you can feel that attention to details has been given. It's not a custom mold yet they provided slight curves so that they are very comfortable in your ears. You can wear them hours after hours, no fatigue at all. They don’t pop out of your ears. They just blend in.

Accessories:

• Soft pouch
• Iem + cable
• 3 pairs of eartips
• User manual
• Qc certification

Specs :
>Product name: Q1Pro
>Main process: 3D printing cavity + hand-painted panel
>Unit: 10MM dual cavity dual magnetic circuit PU+LCP liquid crystal molecular dome diaphragm
>Frequency response range: 20Hz-20Khz
>Sensitivity: 100db(+-3db)@Vrms
>Impedance:32Ω@1kHz
>Total harmonic distortion: <0.5% (@1kHz, 100db)
>Plug diameter: 3.5mm
>Headphone plug type: 0.78MM double pin
>Wire: 4-core single crystal copper
>Cable length: 1.2M

Setup used for testing: Ibasso DX170, ifi micro idsd BL, CX-Pro dongle, cayin ru7.

Let's address the elephant in the room. How does it sound? It sounds good.

Treble: The treble is nicely done in this iem, though it has some peak in the upper treble region, but that’s ear piercing by any means.

Mids: Mids are very nicely done. Vocals sound natural, and have a natural timbre. If you can pair up with something like cayin ru7 it will be cherry on top. As it adds lushness and note weight in the vocals.

Bass: I love the bass of this iem for its price. It has a deep bass. I mean you can really feel its depth. Not muddy and bass head, But enough to satisfy quality bass lovers as well. Having a single DD to do it all you need to choose between texture and depth. Epz went with depth.

Imaging is good in this iem for the price. You can identify the instruments but its struggles when both bass guitar and drums are played together.
It has an okay sound stage. It feels like instruments are playing in a very close proximity to each other.

Verdict : It's an easy recommendation over the competition. For the price I don't have much of a complaint except the golden color on the vent might chip off.
For best results you can pair it up with a warm source. Sounds very musical.

INTRODUCTION:
EPZ may be a new name on my radar, but according to the online chatter, they've been around since 2019. My initial encounter with the brand was their Q5, which, while catching some flak for its design resemblance to a certain popular IEM, managed to garner positive reviews for its sonic performance. They maintain a well-stocked AliExpress store and boast a respectable collection of offerings. Their 530 has recently piqued my interest as a compelling mid-fi option, and you can expect me to delve into some of their portable DACs in the future.

Today, however, we set our sights on a more budget-minded contender: the EPZ Q1 Pro. While I typically steer clear of the sub-$30 realm, will EPZ defy expectations and produce a diamond in the rough? Let's embark on this listening journey together and see if the Q1 Pro can rewrite my preconceptions.

FOREWORD:

The gear on hand has undergone at least 10-15 hours of use before it was assessed.
No EQ is ever applied in my reviews.
For the sake of convenience, I try my best to use a stock setup. Not everyone has access to personal ear tips or cables. If personal ear tips, cables, or accessories are used, you will be notified.
As I try to be objective, my claims inevitably will be subjective and biased to my personal preference. I cannot stress more that you should take this with a grain of salt for we have different perceptions to sound and what we hear.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Maker: EPZ
Model: Q1 pro
Drivers: 1x 10mm LCP+PU dynamic driver
Impedance: 32 ohms
Sensitivity: 100db

PACKAGING & DETAILS:

The Q1 Pro's presentation adheres to a minimalist aesthetic. Clad in black with contrasting blue fonts, the packaging prioritizes functionality over flamboyance. While the legibility of the blue text could be improved,

the essential details are clearly displayed on the back. Unsurprisingly, the included accessories are kept to a bare minimum, which is perfectly reasonable considering the budget-friendly price tag. Let's now dissect the contents of this unpretentious package.

CASE:

The included pouch prioritizes portability over ultimate protection. While it easily slips into a pocket, it wouldn't fare well against significant pressure or a nasty fall. However, its presence at this price point is a welcome addition, offering a convenient way to store and transport the Q1 Pro.

EAR TIPS:

The Q1 Pro arrives with three pairs of silicone eartips. While a wider selection would have been ideal, it's difficult to find fault at this price. The provided tips are fairly generic, but for seasoned audiophiles who practice the art of "tip rolling," feel free to experiment with premium eartips to further personalize the listening experience.

APPEARANCE:

Eschewing the typical utilitarian aesthetic of budget IEMs, the Q1 Pro surprised me with its eye-catching design. Crafted through a 3D resin printing process, the smooth, translucent blue housings (though color preference is subjective, of course) boast a sleek and contemporary look. A strategically placed vent hole ensures proper pressure relief for a comfortable listening experience.

CABLE:

The Q1 Pro adheres to a no-frills philosophy when it comes to the cable. While lacking in extravagant aesthetics, it doesn't disappoint in terms of build quality. The cable exhibits a reassuring sturdiness, suggesting longevity with proper care.

Thankfully, it also minimizes cable tangles and microphonics, ensuring an unhindered listening experience.

COMFORT:
The Q1 Pro excels in the realm of comfort, offering a secure and snug fit that remained fatigue-free even during extended listening sessions. The lightweight shells contribute to this luxurious experience, practically disappearing into your ears and eliminating any fear of accidental dislodgement. While isolation falls within the average range, allowing a subtle presence of ambient noise at comfortable listening volumes, it proved perfectly adequate for my home recording sessions. Even during a marathon 3-hour listening stint, the Q1 Pro remained a paragon of comfort.

SOUND IMPRESSIONS:

The Q1 pro was paired with the following sources:

• Cayin RU6
• EPZ TP50
• Fiio M11 LTD plus
• Centrance Dacport HD
• Ovidius b1
• Hiby FC6
• Fiio K9

TECHNICALITIES:
Sure, the Q1 Pro's technical specs might not blow the roof off the audiophile convention. But dig a little deeper, and you'll find some hidden gems that make these IEMs sing.

The soundstage isn't a cramped shoebox, but it won't leave you feeling like you're lost in a concert hall either. It's got decent depth, instruments layered front to back believably, but the width stays firmly in "standard IEM" territory.

Imaging is average. Instruments sits where they belong in the mix, but don't expect any surprise discoveries hiding on your favorite tracks. These guys aren't gonna reveal secret notes you never noticed before.

Now, here's where the Q1 Pro truly shines – timbre! These IEMs are like sonic chameleons, capturing the natural essence of every instrument. It's what you'd expect from a good single dynamic driver – pure, unadulterated realism.

Separation might not be the star of the show, instruments preferring a more cohesive presentation than a completely isolated one. But hey, that just means the music flows smoothly instead of sounding like a disjointed orchestra.

Look, at this price point, the Q1 Pro's technical performance punches well above its weight. It's hard to find fault with these guys. They might not be the ultimate beast technically, but they're a damn fine listen.

BASS:
The bass walks a tightrope between keeping things fun and funky, without ever venturing into the boomy abyss. You get a satisfying punch and thump, delivered with a pleasingly round character. Transients, the little kicks of the bass, might not be lightning-fast, but they stay grounded in realism.

The sub-bass takes center stage compared to its mid-bass brethren. Think of it as a deep, subterranean growl that emerges when the music demands it, clean and controlled. There's a hint of bleed into the mids, an unavoidable consequence of this emphasis, but it never becomes overbearing.

MIDRANGE:
Let's talk about the mids, the heart and soul of the music. The Q1 Pro thankfully avoids the dreaded recession, where vocals get lost in the mix. Instead, they take their rightful place, front and center. Both male and female singers are rendered beautifully, with a natural, transparent quality. There's no artificial sweetness or added richness here, just pure, unadulterated clarity. These IEMs deliver a smooth, detailed midrange that lets the music shine through.

TREBLE:
The Q1 Pro treads carefully in the treble region. It doesn't reach for the stratospheric highs of some IEMs, opting for a safe and controlled approach. This translates to a fatigue-free listening experience – even for those with sensitive ears. Cymbals and hi-hats shimmer with a pleasant crispness, but avoid any harshness or sibilance that can make them sound like a swarm of angry bees. Imagine a gentle summer breeze rustling through leaves, rather than a screeching fire alarm.

COMPARISONS:
Simgot EW200
Here's the thing – while both lean towards a Harman-style tuning, the Q1 Pro does it with a finesse the EW200 can't quite match.

Visually, the Q1 Pro wins hands down. Its build quality feels more premium. But sound is subjective, so let's delve into the sonic landscape. The Q1 Pro takes a more measured approach to the mids, avoiding the overly emphasized Harman signature that might fatigue some listeners with the EW200. The Q1 Pro's vocals have more body and weight, making them a joy to listen to.

Technical prowess might not be the top priority for these IEMs, but even here, the Q1 Pro holds its own. It delivers a more well-rounded performance compared to the EW200. Remember, your experience may vary, but for me, the Q1 Pro is the clear winner in the sub-$50 arena.

TEST TRACKS:
Here are some tracks I usually listen to when reviewing:

That’s the way of the World by EWF
Africa by TOTO
The Girl in the Other Room by Diana Kral
Balmorhea album All is wild, All is Silent
Sila by Sud
Smooth Escape by D’Sound
Never too Much by Luther Vandross
P.Y.T by Michael Jackson
Ain’t no Sunshine by Eva Cassidy
Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC
Another one bites the Dust by Queen
Good times bad times by Edie Brickell
Alice in Wonderland by Bill Evans
Ain’t it Fun by Paramore
Redefine by Incubus
Far Away by Nickelback
Lovesong by Adele
Lingus by Snarky Puppy
Harvest for the World by Vanessa Williams
Love Bites by Def Leppard
No Such Thing by John Mayer
As by Stevie Wonder
Whip Appeal by Babyface
Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan
Futures by Prep
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Every Summertime by NIKI
SADE tracks
AC/DC tracks
Queen tracks


And many more… I always listen to High resolution format, being the least quality 16bit/44khz FLACS be it offline or online.

VERDICT:
The Q1 Pro isn't your typical harman-flavored IEM. It avoids the pitfalls of overly saturated ChiFi sound, however technical prowess isn't its calling card. Think of it as a sonic entertainer rather than a cold, analytical machine.

For listeners who crave pure technical fireworks, there are other options out there. But if you prioritize pure musical enjoyment, the Q1 Pro is a hidden gem. Its smooth, natural timbre is the star of the show, making music a genuinely delightful experience, even if it cuts a few corners on the technical side.

Here's the bottom line: if you're looking for a fantastically musical IEM under $50, the Q1 Pro is a no-brainer. It's perfect for music lovers, movie buffs, or anyone dipping their toes into the world of hi
gh-fidelity sound.

Thanks to EPZ for sending the Q1 Pro my way – until next time, ciao!