Bqeyz Summer Revisit with a comparison now..Bqeyz Summer is the model between Spring and Autumn. Considering that we have Topaz after Autumn, Topaz should both be better than it and Summer be very good with dx300 L gain. These are all in theory..After skipping the mundane parts, let’s cut to the chase and listen.
OG listenings resulted in: Timbre is slightly warm and presentation is natural. Overall balanced sound signature with actual space between instruments. Speed is good and transparency is remarkable. Not cruelly like Etymotic here but insane at orchestral backing hip hop tracks like (We Gotta Rise of Hollywood Vampires). You can almost track each instrument at tiny to mid sized orchestras. (Hans Zimmer is off unamped BQEYZ Summer limits as it requires grand abilities to cope with his heaven sent orchestral tracks) BQEYZ Summer Review
Keeping separation high even at tracks with high tempo (bpm). See Angel of Death by Slayer for the result. Two electroguitars dancing around each other and occasionally attacks of machine gun-like drum. Must be super exhausting for the players. (For critical listeners like me too)
Stage is wide (not ultra) and high but not deep as like the previous two. An amp might be the cure for this issue. [Edit from the next day: Amp tamed it down with carrying the monitor-like ability]
Tonality is rich. Listening to classical / indie / vocal jazz /instrument heavy hip hop etc is pure joy even without an amp. Transitions are buttery and remind me of masterwork DM8. Vocals show no hint of sibilance. And tonality/separation/transitions at vocals are great with Summer. But even though all the merits above, truly don’t need but appreciate an amp.
Dx300 Time 40/100 M gain is a moderate sound level with it. Even from the first seconds, treble sparks are obvious. Debatable because they are very thin and the track (Africa) has a warm and dark timbre. Toto’s vocal is so smooth and recessed. Basses are a little emphasized.
Dark background is valid in Angel of Death too while separation have a soft touch now. The rapid strikes of the drummer has rocking potential but not earthquake creating. That track is probably recorded in poor conditions because hearing below the main line is next to impossible now.
Switched to a track that I am sure of its recording. Bass of the drum is emphasized but not bleeding with keeping the Trio of strings separated from each other. However I am sensing dryness. Recessed mids come into my attention here. The bossa nova part of this track isn’t as lively as it should be. Dryness of strings..But you can have an impressed face with BQEYZ Summer and Solway Firth 😉
I had an intuition about soundstage projection. And it’s clear in One Bourbon of G. Thorogood. I started Driving of Hans Zimmer just to prove it. There is an issue with the live recordings in Summer. It is compressing the recording into like looking and seeing the stage from afar. Not placing you IN the stage. But its not a case of studio recorded tracks. Centipede or anything from Daft Punk is high in details, thumpy, vivid with a slight dryness in electronic trebles.
I started a treble centric live track just to test “dryness” of trebles. My theory of the dryness is slightly lost with High Life of Jazz at the Pawnshop. However the clarinet doesn’t have the texture of similar counterparts of today.
Comparisons
BQEYZ Topaz: First change is the more mature and the background has more resolution but the laid back presentation remains. However with less bass pound, Topaz is steering to audiophilia. Oh more audible guitar strings too. And the treble is full of life compared to Summer. So are the textures of natural instruments + more natural soundstage in live smooth jazz. But they both share the closed back construction handicap.
BQEYZ Autumn: Comparison is futile due to the almost x3 difference in price. But just the material usage is making Autumn’s and Summer’s price justified. You are seeing and feeling a stern and dark gray surface in it. While the Summer is light in both the material quality and emphasis point of the tuning.
Bqeyz Summer Revisit Conclusions
I guess we have to accept that BQEYZ Summer is what the name resonates with. Not serious and totally unsuitable for critical listenings (with a dap) BUT expert at fun and almost a mile (or half mile) better than some iems of this quarter and the half.
