Project A³

Navigation Menu

  • home
  • in ear monitors
  • _review
  • __sub $100
  • __$100-$299
  • __$300-$500
  • earbuds
  • _review
  • __sub $100
  • __$100-$299
  • __$300-$500
  • headphones
  • _review
  • __sub $100
  • __$100-$299
  • __$300-$500
  • dacs daps & amps
  • _review
  • __sub $100
  • __$100-$299
  • __$300-$500
  • Accessories
  • first impressions
  • Videos
  • About Us
  • Follow us

Spring-time is here- BQEYZ Spring 1 Review

Project A³by Project A³  in hybrid iem , iem , iem review 100-299 , piezo-electric iem , review , spring 1 review 1 comments
Sound Review by KZW

Disclaimer: BQEYZ has graciously provided us with this sample unit in exchange for an honest review. The views discussed below are a reflection of Project A3's thoughts surrounding the product. The sample has been run-in for at least 50 hours prior to reviewing in order to achieve an accurate representation of the product. 



The TLDR:                                                                                                            
The following item is NOT recommended if you like:
•
A neutral or "ruler flat" signature
•
An aggressive or forward upper-mid-high section
•
A snappy and controlled bass response

The following item is RECOMMENDED if you like:                                                                          
•
A smooth and "musical" signature that emphasizes the low end
•
An engaging and warm, lower-mid section
•
A dynamic low end, with an energetic mid-bass bump and 




Introduction:

BQEYZ is a relatively new start-up from Guangdong, ready to sink their hands into an already-expansive earphone market saturated with a multitude of all things porta-audio. Despite being “relatively” green, BQEYZ’s latest IEM, the Spring 1, has established its own loyal fanbase, as demonstrated by its glowing reviews on Head-fi.

Featuring a 3-driver structure, using a single piezo-electric driver, alongside a single dynamic driver and balanced armature on each side, the BQEYZ’s design utilizes all the drivers that are currently implemented in traditional IEM engineering; a showcase of the big three. The adoption of an assemblage of distinct drivers splits the entire audible spectrum amongst them, allowing the Spring 1 to accurately recreate music, just like how the artist intended for it to sound (In theory, at least).
But how does the Spring 1 fare against stiff competition? Available at Shenzhen Audio.

PROS
CONS

●      Well-machined aluminium shells, with zero blemishes
●     Soft and supple, 8-core braided cable
●     Smooth and musical sound
●      Lush Lower-mids
●      Fun bass response











●     Highs experience significant roll-off early on
●      Scooped out upper-mids
















Specification:
●       Triple Hybrid Driver- 13mm Dynamic driver, 1 Balanced Armature (ba) driver, 1   Piezoelectric driver
●        Frequency: 7-40kHz
●        Impedance: 43 ohms
●        Cable Length: 1.2m
●        Pin Type: 0.78mm 2-pin
●        Pluge Type: 3.5mm



Gear Used & Tracklist:
Onkyo DP-X1 | Sony NW-A105 | Aune X1S | Periodic Audio Nickel (Ni) | 

Genres
Artist
Songs
Live Recordings
Diana Krall
Desperado (Live)

Natalia Lafourcade
Soledad y El Mar

Case Lang Veirs
Atomic Number

Depeche Mode
Question of Lust (Live 1998)
Instrumentals
Max Richter
On the Nature of Daylight

Santa Esmeralda
Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

Nils Frahm
Toilet Brushes (Live)
Jazz
Bill Evans
A Waltz for Debbie

Chet Baker
I'm a Fool to Want You

Sons of Kemet
Your Queen is Harriet Tubman

Ryo Fukui
Scenery
Rock
Avenged Sevenfold
Nightmare

The Stooges
Down On The Street

Avenged Sevenfold
Unbound (The Wild Ride)

Guns N’ Roses
Sweet Child O’ Mine

Ozzy Osbourne
Crazy Train

Green Day
21 Guns
Classical
Niccolò Paganini
La Campanella (From Violin Concerto No.2 In B Minor)

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Year 1812 Solemn Overture

David Arnold
Independence Day
Pop
Hu Yang-Lin (胡楊林)
Perfume is poisonous (香水有毒)

Fish Leong (梁靜茹)
Love Song (情歌)
Western Pop
Anamanaguchi
MEOW

Iamamiwhoami
Chasing Kites

Algiers
Dispossession

New Order
Bizzare Love Triangle (Extended Mix)

Marian Hill
Breathe Into Me

Tyler, The Creator
EARFQUAKE

Tones and I
Never Seen the Rain

Red Hot Chili Peppers
Around the World
ACG
Saori Hayami
オレンジミント (Orange Mint)

RADWIMPS
前前前世 (Zenzenzenzense)

RADWIMPS
スパークル(Sparkle)

DAOKO
Cinderella Step

Kana Hanazawa
恋愛サーキュレーション (Renai Circulation)




Unboxing:

The Spring 1 comes in a cardboard box with a black sleeve on the outside. Under the front lid, the Spring 1’s sits snugly on the top half of the box. The case is hidden from plain sight, hidden under a cardboard insert. The 2-pin detachable, 8-braided silver-plated copper cable and various silicon ear tips (with differing “signatures”) and a pair of foam tips.


While it doesn’t stray too far from a conventional package, the items provided in the box covers all the standard bases that we’ve come to expect from similarly priced offerings. Overall, a well-equipped offering by BQEYZ. 



Scalability:

The Spring 1 is notoriously difficult to drive, no thanks to its piezo-electric driver which requires ample power for it to reveal its full potential. However, the Spring 1 sounds pleasant with most sources. The Spring 1 starts to open up, with a tauter bass response and cleaner midrange when driven by a powerful source, such as the Aune X1s.
On digital sources, such as the Sony Walkman NWZ-A15, I found myself increasing the volume substantially, at around 30+ extra steps to reach listenable levels. However, the bass sounds looser and more cavernous on weaker sources. Its dynamic range is limited by a lack of amplification.
Take note. The Spring 1 is a difficult earphone to drive. But when paired properly, this earphone a powerhouse.
It is also worth noting that I tested the Spring 1’s with the assortment of eartips provided in the package. The “Atmosphere” or “Reference” tips do little to change the sound-signature to my ears. But your mileage may vary.




Fit:

The Spring 1 is shaped like a leaf or tear drop. Despite its odd form factor, the aluminium shells sit well on my outer ear canal, with shallow to medium insertion depth. It is light weight and rests easy on the ears for long listening sessions. The satin-finish on the shells are uniform, with zero sharp-edges or noticeable blemishes.
The 8-braid cable is surprisingly supple and malleable, with little to no memory. It bends freely and is incredibly flexible, conforming well to the outer earlobe when worn.  

Unfortunately, the Spring 1 does not seal well, failing to block out unwanted environmental noise in the surrounding area. The three pinhole-sized vents near the nozzle contravenes on its ability to passively isolate ambient noise. The constant hum emanating from a train engine easily overpowers the Spring 1.

If you’re looking for an earphone that shuts out the modern world, these are not well-suited for use in the outside world. Ambient noise is its downfall.




Sound Signature                                                                               
W-Shaped Sound Signature, with a focus on an engaging low end











The Spring 1 is a musical IEM that pairs well with most genres, with a forgiving signature that smoothens out the rough peaks and troughs in dynamically compressed music. 

















                                              Lows                                                               
Pros:
• Well-rounded, mid-bass punch
• Long-sustain on the sub-bass registers, resulting in a "thick" and engaging low end
• The low-end is the definitive star of the show
Cons:
• Its bombastic low-end may overlap the mids on certain tracks
• May be too loose with its lengthy sustain
• -

Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Tyler the Creator- Earfquake


The Spring 1 has an engaging low-end, with a draggy sub-bass rumble that soon follows after its bloated mid-bass response. While this might sound more like negative rather than a positive, I thoroughly enjoyed this signature with electronically produced beats in particular. It is dynamic, engaging and never fails to capture my attention. 




Mids                                                                                                   
Pros:
• Warm and inviting mid-range, with a boosted lower-mid floor
• Excellent timbre-reproduction
• Complements intimate recordings perfectly
Cons:
• The scoop in the upper-mids results in a lack of detail
• The "veil" blankets the entire frequency spectrum with a warmish, lush sound
• Female vocals, especially in the tenor range, sound slightly distant 

Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Natalia Lafourcade- Soledad Y El Mar


As discussed earlier in the "TLDR introduction", this earphone is not tailored to "reference heads" or people chasing the "Harman Response Curve". Warmth is the name of the game, and the Spring 1 does not shy away from what it set out to achieve. Natalia Lafourcade, juxtaposed by classical guitars sound intimate and "down to earth" on the Spring 1; a match made in heaven. 




Highs                                                                                                 
Pros:
•  Good extension without any harshness
• Carries ample detail despite its lower-mid emphasized signature
• Has an airy and shimmery quality
Cons:
• Lacks enough "bite" or forwardness for an engaging listen
• Placed behind the mids the lows
• -

Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Sons of Kemet- My Queen is Harriet Tubman


Do not fret, the highs still exist! And the Spring 1 captures the “diffuse” sounding nature of the highs without sounding strident in the process. But for consumers pining after a reference, the Spring 1 is not the right fit . 






Soundstage                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Pros:
• Above-average staging properties                                        
• Good lateral width between L-R channels
• Realistic and coherent
Cons:
•  Not exceptional
•  Shares similar staging properties with its competition
-

Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Dry the River- Shaker Hymns (Acoustic) 

There isn't much to be said here, but if the Spring 1 wants to stand out further from the competition, it needs to have more headroom and space between instruments. However, the Spring 1 still displays great staging properties. 



Separation                                                                                         
Pros:
• Excellent Imaging 
• Manages to pinpoint most instrumental and vocal cues
• Instruments and vocals are given enough breathing room to be distinguished
Cons:
• Still struggles in busier tracks 
• Bass bloom can make the entire mix sound clouded
• 

Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Santa Esmaralda- Please don't let me be misunderstood

While it would be disingenuous to compare the Spring 1 to its much more expensive counterparts, the Spring 1 surprisingly sounds well-separated, with an excellent imaging prowess, considering its affordable price point. What’s more impressive, is its ability to sound coherent as well.


On Santa Esmeralda’s Don’t let me be misunderstood, the onslaught of instruments, ranging from electric guitars with hyper-modulated effects and blaring trumpets, each instrument still rings clear enough so as to be identified. Granted, it still requires a state of focus, but it is quite a feat for an earphone priced so affordably. 



Musicality                                                                                         
Pros:
•  Pairs well with most tracks, smoothening out any rough edges
•  Sounds amazing with reverb-soaked tracks 
•  Forgiving with poorly-mastered recordings
Cons:
•  Lacks enough sparkle and forwardness for female vocals in the tenor range
•  Brass instruments sound lacking in excitement and verve 
• -

Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Alex Cameron- Far from Born Again
Max Richter- On the Nature of Daylight

The Spring 1 is an “harmless earphone” that avoids triggering our delicate sensibilities. As a result, it is a “jack of all trades, but a master of none”.

However, I would say that songs soaked in reverb during production are perfectly complementary to the listening experience on the Spring 1. From 80’s new wave to late 2000’s dream pop, the Spring 1 is the “people’s earphone”, one that should satisfy most discerning listeners. 




Vocal Performance                                                                                        
Pros:
•  Smooth and forgiving
•  Male vocals in the tenor and baritone range sound deep and rich
•  -
Cons:
•  Too rolled off at times for female and male vocals in the upper-registers
•  -
• -

Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Iamamiwhoami- Tap my glass
Nicolas Godin- Clara 

The warmth that emanates from its lower-mid floor pairs well with darker tracks, but it fails to deliver on the sonic front in the upper registers.



Instrumental Performance                                                                                        
Pros:
•  Forgiving on many types of instrumentation
•  The shrillness from brass instruments are gone
•  Electric guitars sound incredibly life-like
Cons:
•  Thick sound can cause unnecessary reverberation 
•  While non-fatiguing, it isn't particularly exciting with brass or wind instruments
• -

Reference Tracks / Remarks :
Jack White- Corporation
Jack White- Respect Commander

The Spring 1 is such a versatile animal; it smoothens out those awful treble spikes and peaky highs. But, at the same time, it kills off any chance it has of really pushing the upper-registers. It is an incredibly addictive sound, but it is rather safe. 




Comparison Chart
How we compare: We chose other similarly priced earphones or similar offerings from the same brand that Project A3 has reviewed in the past, to ensure that we remain as impartial as possible in our comparisons.

BQEYZ Spring 1



Moondrop Kxxs



  
Shuoer Tape
Ibasso IT01s




Suggested Retail Price
$139 USD
$189 USD


$129 USD


$199 USD


Driver Configuration
1 Balanced Armature, 1 Piezo-electric driver and 1 Dynamic driver
1 DLC Dynamic Driver






1 Low voltage, Electrostatic driver






1 DLC-coated CNT Dynamic Driver






Scalability
DAP Suggested
Mobile/Dongle friendly

DAP suggested



Mobile/Dongle 

friendly

Fitting

Lightweight


Snug but heavy


Snug and lightweight


Snug and lightweight

Comfort
Very Good




Good




Excellent




Good




Sound Signature
Light V-Shape, sweet treble, warmish mids






Mild V-Shape







Incredibly accurate mids, heavy treble emphasis





V-Shape, almost neutral






Lows
Deep but light sub-bass, slightly forward mid-bass






Fast mid-bass but realistic sub-bass decay. Slightly elevated bass response





Soft-bass response, more sub-bass than mid-bass.






Speedy mid-bass, faint sub-bass. Overall flat bass






Mids
Engaging, “analog” sounding midrange, with a lower-mid boost














Not so prominent lower mids, similar upper-mid response to the IT01s














Incredibly clear midrange, slightly heavier focus on upper mids to lower mids.













Slightly scooped out, heavy upper-midrange emphasis















Highs
Decent detail with zero harshness, but lacks forwardness and extension









Well extended highs, little to no harshness











Clear highs, slight brightness











Sonorous highs, well extended but a tad shouty










Soundstage
Above average horizontal width







Extremely wide horizontal width, great positional cues






Above average horizontal width







Above-average horizontal width







Separation
Above average imaging capabilities. Struggles under musically complex tracks
Excellent imaging, vocals, and instruments are incredibly distinct





Above average imaging capabilities. Struggles under musically complex tracks




Good imaging, easy to distinguish between vocals and instruments





Remarks
Suitable for people looking for an IEM that serves as a callback to the analog era with a bit more weighting on the lower mids







A well-rounded earphone that is suited for many listeners, slightly on the neutral side.









Suitable for consumers who favour clarity and midrange detail, especially focusing on upper mids with less bass quantity










Good for people looking for a slightly V-shaped, reference iem.














Conclusion

The Spring 1 employs a safe tuning. But if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It is a mature earphone for an audience that doesn’t necessarily crave pure clarity, but one that appreciates musicality. Sometimes, its good to stop and smell the roses.

The Spring 1 is an excellent earphone that surpasses expectations. To feature a tri-brid array of drivers at such a low price, is an impressive feat that deserves my full commendation.

If BQEYZ ever releases a statement piece or a product that screams “flagship”, I am almost positive It’ll be a raving success.

Be sure to follow Project A3 on Facebook for more reviews*.





*All ratings are accurate as of date of publication. Changes in price, newer models may affect Project A3's views on the performance and value of the reviewed product.

  




















hybrid iem iem iem review 100-299 piezo-electric iem review spring 1 review
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Project A³

Project A³

Related posts

1 comment:

  1. Alexis.March 28, 2020 at 10:55 PM

    when you say "The Spring 1 is notoriously difficult to drive, However, the Spring 1 sounds pleasant with most sources." does "most sources" include powering it directly from a phone or will it sound like a $30 iem when powered from a phone that does not have enough power ? i prefer avoiding a separate dac or amp and i am not sure if i am not wasting money over spring1 if i only plug it into a phone. thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
Add comment
Load more...

Newer Post Older Post Home
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Featured Post

Wild Beast – JQ Elk (8+1 Pro Gen 2/Si Bu Xiang) Review

Popular Posts

  • Vox Populi: The people's earphone- MOONDROP KXXS Review
    Sound Review by Kev Introduction Disclaimer : ShenzhenAudio has graciously provided us with this sample unit in exchange for an ...
  • Spring-time is here- BQEYZ Spring 1 Review
    Sound Review by KZW Disclaimer: BQEYZ has graciously provided us with this sample unit in exchange for an honest review. The views disc...
  • Sonic Dragonglass - Ikko OH10 Obsidian Review
    Sound Review by Hoshi星 Disclaimer: Ikko has graciously provided us with this sample unit in exchange for an honest review. The views di...
  • Form and Function: Shozy Form 1.4 Review
    Sound Review by Kzw Disclaimer: Shozy has graciously provided us with this sample unit in exchange for an honest review. The views dis...
  • Neutrality epitomized- TinHifi T4 Review
    Sound Review by Kev Disclaimer : ShenzhenAudio has graciously provided us with this sample unit in exchange for an honest re...
  • Uber-fun!- Urbanfun ISS014 Review
    Sound Review by KZW Disclaimer:  Urbanfun has graciously provided us with this sample unit in exchange for an honest review. The views ...
  • Larger than Life! - AKG K712 Pro Review
    Sound Review by machinegod CLICK HERE TO JOIN US now in Project A3's Official Telegram group for exclusive news and mor...
  • Entering the Halls of Valhalla- Kinera Nanna review
    Sound Review by Kzw Disclaimer : Kinera has graciously provided us with this sample unit in exchange for an honest reviewThe views di...
  • Wild Beast – JQ Elk (8+1 Pro Gen 2/Si Bu Xiang) Review
    Sound Review by Mikan Disclaimer: JQ Audio has graciously provided us with this sample unit in exchange for an honest review. The views...
  • Shining Bright - KBEAR Diamond Review
    Sound Review by Mikan Disclaimer: KBEAR has graciously provided us with this sample unit in exchange for an honest review. The views d...

About Me

My photo
Project A³
Project A³ is a collection of individuals that are passionate and dedicated to consumer and enthusiast audiophile products. Originating from various countries and involved in different fields what they all have in common is an appreciation for listening to music in the best way possible.
View my complete profile

© Project A³. All rights reserved.