Mobileaudiophile

EPZ Q5 Review – The Entry Level Destroyer

Kindlefirehditaly

Disclaimer:

EPZ Q5 close shot

The EPZ Q5 was sent to me with a discount from EPZ, for which I am grateful!

However, the review will still be 100% honest and in no way biased.

After reviewing their DACs, I wanted to give their headphones a new chance. With the Epz Q1, I was unlucky.

I’m not an audiophile; I’m just a guy that likes to test out different IEMs and DACs and spends a lot of time listening to music.

So I’m not going to use super technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.

EPZ Q5 Tech Specs:

EPZ Q5 Packaging:

Holy sh*t, this EPZ Q5 has crazy packaging! The box looks like a much more expensive product. This is a new unboxing experience. It has such elaborate packaging that it is hard to believe this headphone is slightly above 50 USD!

EPZ Q5 Box Front
Box Back
Unboxing
Hard case
EPZ Q5 Accessories
EPZ Q5 Accessories
Q5 Cable

Inside, we find various accessories, such as:

Set Tips 1
Tips 2
MMCX
Cable core
3.5mm

Sometimes, not even headphones that cost around 80 USD have such a nice and complete package. I was really surprised, but the surprises are not limited to a beautiful representation of the product.

EPZ Q5 Design/Build Quality:

Macros + CPL filter
CNC faceplate
Tuning filter
Details
Labeling on left
MMCX connector
Details 2
Nozzle
MMCX connector
Shape
Nozzle shape
Shape 2

The EPZ Q5 also has a respectable build quality! The shell is 3D printed and is really well done; however, some could say that the design is inspired by some famous brand. Its design reminds me of a turbo. The orange parts are metal, and the fusion with the shell is perfect. In the middle of what we can call the “faceplate”, we find a tuning filter, visible only via macro. In my opinion, this EPZ Q5 is far from a copy, but something almost unique! Thinking about the price at which it is positioned, you cannot find rivals with such high quality. The driver used seems to be high-quality, with a nano-ceramic diagram. The magnets are so strong that they repel each other easily.

As far as comfort is concerned, it is crazy comfortable! It vaguely resembles the fit you get with the Whizzer HE01 and HE10, which are the tops.

Initial sound impression:

Yes! This is another Harman Tuned IEM, a well-tuned one actually!

This single driver seems to be made with black magic. At this price and quality, it makes you forget about significantly more expensive sets. I would have no trouble choosing them in everyday use over the Whizzer HE10 or Hidizs MS3. They are IEMs that don’t let you miss anything from the track; every detail is clearly audible, not being too neutral but tending towards warmth; the bass is full-bodied (not for bassheads); it has a certain weight as well as every note. Vocals sound extremely natural in both male and female voices and are not at all recessed. The highs are extremely accurate but never sibilant or harsh. The soundstage seems to be wide; there is definitely air.

EPZ Q5 Final sound impression:

Equipment used for testing above.

Device:

Software:

DAC:

I settled on listening to the Billie Eilish tracks, as there is a mix of everything and the recordings seem to be of quality.

My impressions are given using the original accessories.  

I confirm my first impressions: this set is absurd for the price!

The EPZ Q5 after more than a week continues to make me smile. I paired it with the LessFox Da1 DAC most of the time, and the synergy between them is absolute. If I think that together they cost just over 100 USD and you can enjoy such high quality, it’s really crazy.

The EPZ Q5 has a decidedly neutral sound signature with an emphasis on bass and treble. The mids remain clear and not recessed, letting you enjoy every detail to the fullest.

Treble

Finally, a good treble region with air and sparkle but without being harsh or sibilant I would say it is one of the most pleasant in this price range. The highs are precise, smooth, and detailed. All instruments sound coherent and pleasant. Despite their precision, they are extremely comfortable, even after several hours of continuous listening.

Mids

The mids sound decidedly clean and detailed; the warm notes here are not very audible, but they are particularly natural. The voices, for my taste, are really very nice. Female voices have that silkiness that many headphones lack; even males do well. Even on very complex tracks, I struggle to feel congestion, and when I hear some, I doubt it could be the track. If you consider the price range, I struggle to criticize them.

Bass

There is emphasis on the low frequencies, and the bass is well defined, quite fast, and impactful. Good sub-bass extension! In the tracks where it is required, the bass is decidedly powerful. So its neutrality ends when you enter the bass region, but I have to admit that the result is excellent.

Soundstage and Imaging 

The soundstage is quite good (above average), maybe more developed in height. Imaging is good but limited. Good layering. They are certainly very good for their price range. I have listened to Jazz, R&B, Pop, EDM, & Chill music, and I think it is also the most suitable for this IEM. 

Comparison:

vs Whizzer HE10

Both are very good sets. but Whizzer HE10s cost twice as much as EPZ Q5s. We are dealing with two different construction qualities, or rather, I would say, different materials. They are both IEMs of undisputed quality. The Whizzer HE10 has much more present and dominant bass with a much warmer overall timbre. Although the detail remains high, the EPZ Q5 is better across the range.

vs Hidizs MS3

The comparison with the Hidizs MS3 is a bit of a stretch because they are definitely better than the EPZ Q5, but exactly how much better? The MS3s have a much wider soundstage, very respectable layering, and a very detailed image. We are talking about 3 times the cost of the Epz Q5, but the transition from one to another is not traumatic at all. If, after several hours with MS3, I switch to the Q5 and am left with a smile, it means that they sound very good indeed.

vs BGVP P05

Same prices, but different souls The BGVP P05 is absolutely well built. We have premium materials and interchangeable nozzles, but the cable is cheaper. Sound-wise, it’s more natural, the bass is less present, and it seems to have a bigger soundstage.

The vocals and instruments are much better on the EPZs.

Obviously, things improve if both silver nozzles are used. They are more versatile.

Honestly, I much prefer the EPZ Q5 if I have to talk about personal tastes.

The shell of the BGVP P05 will definitely be premium, but I think the driver of the EPZ Q5 is better.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the EPZ Q5 has an unbeatable quality-price ratio. The accessories and general build quality are very high. With a negligible expense, you can enjoy a true Hi-Res experience, at half the price. For a similar quality, you have to spend at least double, if not triple.

There is no doubt that this brand and, more importantly, this model require attention. I also wish for positive hype about EPZ Q5.

I feel like recommending them to you with my eyes closed.

4.7/5

Pros: 

Cons: 

Exit mobile version