EPZ Q1 Pro - Blue Bomber

 4⭐️

+ Inoffensive treble

+ Punchy bass

+ Forward vocals

+ Shell aestetic and build quality 

+ Comfort

- Some may find the tuning boring

- Occasional unnatural timbre

- Not very resolving

- Treble lacks extension

- Lean note weight

- Accessories 

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - Sound for thee, not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This set was provided by EPZ in exchange for my honest and impartial review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

Source:

●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:

EPZ Audio is a Chinese based company that produces a variety of audio products including iems, cables, TWS, and even DAC/amplifiers. The Q1 Pro is one of their newer offerings, debuting earlier this year. It sports a single LCP+PU 10mm dynamic driver and retails for $37 but can be found on sale for ~$30. The ultra budget tier is growing everyday and it's becoming harder for companies to set themselves apart. I'll break down what the Q1 Pro offers and see if their value holds up against the competition. 

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The EPZ Q1 has a very good build quality, especially for their price. The shells are made of 3D printed solid resin with a very attractive hand painted blue faceplate. The nozzle is metal and feels sturdy although for me I would have liked it to be longer for a slightly deeper insertion. The form factor is very small and ergonomically shaped and should fit most ears well. The quality of the stock cable is just okay; it's a little too thin and gets somewhat unwieldy after the split. The accessories are pretty sparse as there are only 3 sets of silicone tips and a small carrying bag inlcuded. I found that the Dunu S&S tips worked best for me to get a deeper insertion and seal. 

Sound impressions:

The tuning profile for the Q1 Pro is closest to the Harman target. The soundstage is average for the price but is limited due to the lack of treble extension. Technical performance is not great as it's lacking in micro dynamics and details; however, this set is geared towards being more musical than detailed. The timbre is mostly correct but can sound a bit artifical on certain tracks. The note separation is good and frequencies mostly stay in their own lanes. The note weight is on thinner side and I would have prefered it to be a bit thicker for more warmth. They are easy to drive and can get to loud volumes with just a simple dongle but they do benefit from extra power. For me, I found that they paired best with the Kiwi Ears Allegro.

●Lows - Bass is not the focus of the Q1 Pro's tuning. There is more sub bass presence over mid bass. I personally would have liked more mid bass for a meatier punch and thump and more overall cohesion. The sub bass extension is adequate for the price but they do lack some low end rumble. The bass is fast with quick decay and doesn't overstay its welcome. As it stands, they are free of any bass bleed leaving the mids open and free to stand on their own.

●Mid - The upper mids are boosted leading to a more forward vocal presentation. The timbre is mostly natural and organic but I did find some intermittent unnatural quality to vocals and instruments alike on some tracks. It just sounds a bit thin and artifical at times but not enough to distract from the overall enjoyment of most vocal performances. At high volumes they can start to get a litte fatiguing due to a slight harshness on "s" and "sh" notes on some tracks.

●Highs - Since the overall tuning leans warm, the treble extension is not great and they roll off a bit early. Although I would like more air up top, there is still enough sparkle for the highs to have a good presence. To be honest, they sound overall blunted, and a bit lackluster in quality and quantity. But in doing so, they stay free of troublesome notes like splashy cymbals, hi hats, snares, and claps. Trebleheads will not be happy with the quality found here but those that are sensitive (myself included) won't find much to complain about.

Summary:

At the current price of $37, the EPZ Q1 Pro is a solid contender in the ultra budget tier. This set doesn't really do anything wrong but neither does it do enough to set itself apart from some of the heavy hitters in the same price bracket. They have a better build quality and cable than the 7Hz Zero 2, but are also more expensive. The tuning is much more relaxed than the Simgot EW200, but also not as detailed. The inoffensive tuning will please most but bass/treble heads will need to look elsewhere. The thing that the Q1 Pro has over some other similarly priced sets is the solid, lightweight build quality. The inclusion of better accessories would have elevated the overall value and pushed it to a higher rating. As it stands, I think the Q1 Pro are best suited for those looking for a relaxed tuning with an attractive, well built shell. They would be great as a daily driver for commutes or an extra set to keep at the office.