BQEYZ BQ3

BQEYZ BQ3 ($68.99): They won’t leave you feeling blue.

There has been some good hype surrounding the BQ3. I call this iteration the fourth wave of Chi-Fi. The first was exploring the market viability for inexpensive IEM’s. The second was the production of second-gen IEM’s, which followed the first (markedly better in sound and quality). The third was the push by many Chinese audio companies into the mid-fi market and will good success. This, the fourth marks a filling in of the lower end of mid-fi (upper end of low-fi). Regardless, Chinese audio companies have grown profoundly in the last 4-5 years, gaining upon their experiences in build and sound. Some have fallen because of false-tactics (18 drivers per side!!! And of course, 6 of them actually work). But some have grown and matured quite well. I will also openly admit that I have never heard any BQ models, this is the first.

Moving a bit upscale, the BQ3 is the new “flagship” model from BQ, and as such it had better perform. If the build and color alone are any indication, the process is working. A note here as well. There has been a bit of smoke surrounding what exactly Chi-Fi consists of, and how some look at it. I would openly state it does not matter. Period. After all isn’t our hobby about hearing and finding something we like? Whether that be our $2400 CTM’s or sub$100 Chi-Fi. If we like it, then who cares what others think, and that is our version of this hobby. Listen to what you want, enjoy what you want. The heck with other opinions.

Thanks for Elle and BQEYZ for providing the BQ3 review sample. An open honest evaluation is what we agreed upon. It is also an understanding that the review sample is mine to keep but may be asked for at any time deemed worthy by either party.



Gear used/compared:

All prices in USD, unless noted otherwise

TinAudio T3 ($69)
Simgot MT3 ($59)
CCA C16 ($99)

XDuoo X10t ii/iFi Pro iDSD
Shanling M5s
MacBook Pro/Burson Fun


Songs used:

Too bloody many to list all, but you want songs, so there you go:

Coldplay-All I Can think About Is You
Coldplay-A Message
Coldplay-White Shadows
Dona Onete-Sonos de Adolescente
Los Lonely Boys- Heaven (en Espanol)
twenty one pilots-Trees
twenty one pilots-Car Radio
twenty one pilots-Heathens
Damian Marley-Everybody Wants To Be Somebody
Damian Marley-So A Child May Follow
Damian Marley-The Struggle Discontinues
Ziggy Marley-Lighthouse
Ziggy Marely-See Dem Fake Leaders
Mark Knopfler-Laughs And Jokes And Drinks And Smokes
Santana w/ Mana- Corazon Espinado
The new twenty one pilots album, Trench
Tedeschi Trucks Band…anything
Mark Knopfler-Down The Road Wherever


Specs/etc galore:

Color:With Mic Blue

Great sound meets ergonomic design
BQEYZBQ3 Series in-ear headphones deliver stunning audio clarity and Two Driver In-Ear Headphones combines its unrivaled design standards , for a perfect fit and a tight acoustic seal.

10 drivers earphone :
Three balanced armatures and two separate dynamic drivers create a spacious and transparent feeling of having nothing between you and music. The armatures are uniquely inset with durable silicone covers for lasting performance, while two outer layers of PET greatly increase bass and midrange response time.

10 drivers：BQEYZBQ3, 3 Balanced armature&2 Dynamic per side Simple,total10 drivers earphone: Dual Balanced Armature provide high-intensity resolution, rich sense of quality and full of vocals to give you pure listening experience; Independent research and development dynamic driver to strengthen bass texture to show you a shocking bass

High-definition sound
A bespoke dynamic driver provides high-definition sound, full-range audio clarity and rich bass that is
powerful yet controlled, resulting in natural, open and detailed acoustics.

Perfected Ergonomics
The aluminum alloy earpieces are ergonomically designed with oblique angles that match your ear canals so you can enjoy your music in total comfort. different sets of ear tips ensure you get a proper seal in your ear for the full range of sound.

Storage pouch
To keep C5 Series 2 safe, we've included a stylish storage pouch that fits perfectly into your pocket or bag when you're not using your headphones.

Key features
Weight: 25±5g
Cable Length: 1.2m
Plug Type: 3.5mm
Pin Type: 0.78mm
Frequency: 7-40KHz
Impedance: 22Ω
Sensitivity: 95dB

In da box:

IEM (blue)
3 sets of silicon tips (s/m/l)
Instruction manual
4-wire cable, w/ mic
A CASE!!!! Err, rather a cloth bag. But it’s still something!



What of this flagship?...

Listening the The Ending from Tedeschi Trucks, you get Susan’s rough sensuous voice, and one can do nothing but sit back and marvel. She is a musical spectacle. One that should be experienced in small venues everywhere. A phenomenal concert to be had. Find their group, listen and enjoy. But here you get the intimacy matching that small venue, without the extraneous noise. It is you with Susan singing in your ears. And it is grand.

The BQ3 imbues a solid bass line (with some bleed into the mids) but untamed. There is an overpowering to it, that needs to be controlled better. It is good mind you, but a bit too much. I do like it, though. The two dynamic drivers give that sense of bass and help to reach fairly deep. There is a small bit of rumble, but not like the Atlas (not much can…). Still good mind you. But, getting back to Susan’s vocals, they are sublime. Her deeper voice gives a good sense of the lower mid frequencies. Sensuous and beautiful, there is a good note of which to judge. But first, more on the critter itself…


Unboxing/Build/Fit-n-Finish:

Coming in a small box reminiscent of KZ, the wasted space is limited. Excess material multiplied by hundreds of thousands of units mounts up. Here the small sized-nature is appreciated. Sliding the cover off you are met with a hard foam insert up top with the IEM (mine are blue!), with the three sets of tips (one mounted) below inline. The lower “half” holds the cable in a rectangular tube sleeve as well as the cloth “case.” Nothing fancy, nothing missed, nothing unappreciated.

With an oblong shape, but a teardrop “fender” cutout, the IEM itself sits nicely in-ear, and is decent enough looking. Nothing spectacular, but nothing in wretched excess either. With a long nozzle one might think fit would suffer. It doesn’t. It is not one of those large diameter nozzles but is just right. The plastic housing over the 2-pin cable fits snug and tight. There is even a label on both the housing and cable, so simply match L-L and R-R. A long-shrink-wrapped plastic works as memory wire, but with too much bend for my tastes. This is another of the wrap around glasses style. This does not make for easy ingress/egress…

Tightly wound machine-processed cables are efficient, tight and do not create any sound. A bit thin for my tastes though, it simply works. With a clear plastic cinch, and a splitter housing labeled with the BQEYZ letters, the weight hangs nicely. Not often is it said, but proper weighting from where the cable hangs down (directly at the ear, and from the spittle) can be a huge benefit for comfort. The BQ3 does not disappoint. Weighted just about perfectly, this is made for hours of wearing without strain. The cable is a bit thin above the splitter to me, though. A right angle (slightly more than…) jack rounds out the unit, replete with SOFT Velcro wrap. Often the tie strap is made of Velcro and catches on darn near everything. Here it is soft and does not catch on nary a thing.

A pleasant package and one in which I have no qualms.



Sound:

Listening to Mark Knopfler’s Just A Boy Away From Home, you can clearly hear the Liverpool theme of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” during the song. I’m not sure if that is on purpose, or happenstance, but it is clear as day. Fitting as Liverpool played in the Champions League final against that dreadful Sp*rs team…Go Pool. And the BQ3 represents the sound faithfully. Cymbal clashes are held in place. Vocals are fairly clear and concise. Detail is what you would expect from something in this price range, but ahead of some at this price. The level of clarity would punch slightly above for it is good. I’m always loath to do that, for the critter in Q should be judged on its own merits, not against something above. Compare in the same class? Good. Compare as “world beater” or punches way above its weight?” Bad.

Moving on to the bouncy Good On You Son, you get the quick punch of synthesizer disco-like. With a quick decay of bass, it does not hinder the following note. With a bit of push up top as well, there is nary a bit of sibilance (another aspect of the 2-4 gen Chi-Fi), and those treble notes do not tangle either. Epitomized by the cymbal and high note of synth, you get a decent amount of layering without too much suffer. A good wide sound stage adds to the overall package, while being average of depth and height; as does a decent instrumentation. I throw all together here, for they intermix well with purpose, and mostly without fuss. Hardly any commotion between the tonalities mentioned, they all mix as a happy family.



If I had to pick, it would be the clarity and instrumentation. It falls a bit behind others, but due to the sound characteristic(s) I do not mind too much. Running the warm Burson Fun on the V6 single Vivid aid in that warmth of sound. I do not miss that precise nature, such as one would find on an IEM, which is almost antiseptic of sound. Analytical, too much can ruin a good package. That does not happen here.



Comparison:


BQEYZ BQ3 ($69) v TinAudio T3 ($69):

As I have previously stated, the T3 is what the T2 Pro should have been. And the T2 Pro is what the T2 should have been. Of the three, I like the T3 the best. It has the most rounded sound of the three. The T2 was clear and concise but left any semblance of a bass sound at the station. The T2 Pro helped alleviate this somewhat, but not completely and in my mind at the expense of that clarity. The T3 melds the best, with a solid bass (not as much quantity as the BQ3 or C16), that gives a hint of rumble. And that is running through the Burson Fun with the warmer V6 Vivid OpAmp. So, it is still a little light.

But there is good sound and good clarity again. Mids sound a bit held back. I hate to use the word veiled, because that would inadequately describe the signature. Held back is a good analogy. For the price it presents good value and would be a competent alternative to the BQ3. Just do not expect the level of bass presence that the BQ3 has.



BQEYZ BQ3 ($69) v Simgot MT3 ($59):

The Simgot has the bass quantity and presence, but not the quality. Sounding like an hourglass shape, the mids seem squeezed and pushed forward compared to the BQ3. Treble is good, but without the quality one would hope for at this price. A decent offering overshadowed by the BQ3 and the others here.



BQEYZ BQ3 ($69) v CCA C16 ($99):

The first and biggest difference between the two is the open sound presented by the CCA. With a push of the higher note, the CCA could not be considered warm when compared to the BQ3. It could very well be slightly warm (that would be a push…), but the mids dominate the sound on the C16. With good bass to back up that mid push (vocals are quite up front), I would say that the sub bass on the C16 is better, but the presentation of the BQ3 is quite equal to the task and adds to that warmth of sound nicely, while going deeper.

Mind you, those with better ears might actually call the BQ3’s bass muddy, but I cannot discern that. They might also state that the C16 is overly bright, with slight sibilance of sound. They would not be wrong, but I do not find the C16 to be harsh. Only much different than the BQ3. There does seem to be a squeezing of the mids on the C16, something I have noticed on other Chi-Fi IEM’s of late. Think of squeezing a balloon from each end. The middle has nowhere to go, but forward. This would be a 3D representation of the C16. Not bad mind you, but different. Good clarity does come with that push, and it is not unpleasant to these middle-aged ears.


Dénouement:

The BQ3 came to me by surprise, and it is much appreciated. For the price, it is a very good value, with decent enough sound to keep you interested. It can compete with the others here of its own accord. As such, it has nothing to be ashamed of, nor hide. It does not have the best treble quality. Mids tend to dominate (but are “covered” a bit), and thus vocals can be a bit forward. Bass is a strong point, but not overpowering.

Taken as a whole, the package is a decent offering, and one which I was glad to try; for it does seem to have a somewhat cult-like following. And after listening, I can see why.

A huge thank you to Elle and BQEYZ for the opportunity to try their wares. It is always nice to try something of which I have read about (and good words they are), but better to hear and discern what has been read and verify. Finishing this with twenty one pilots Cancer seems fitting, as the bass provides that rumble, which seemed to hide on some songs. Almost as if to say, “I’m here, I’m glad you were able to listen to me!”

“After putting the BQ3 away for a solid week, then bringing it back-out, I had an epiphany. “


The Epiphany


“In literary terms, an epiphany is that moment in the story where a character achieves realization, awareness, or a feeling of knowledge.”


Let’s stop trying to make the BQEYZ BQ3 something it’s not. Let’s simply take it out of the box, add the included cable and add the IEMs to a phone or IPod. No fancy cable or expensive DAP. In reality, this is how the product was intended to be used.



I’ve always thought that manufacturers were focusing on phone use with the $100 and under section of our industry. It’s kind of like looking for quality at a basic level. It’s the joy in finding just how things could be in the most rudimentary of forms; but not just a simple and dumbed-down way of looking at the BQ3. It’s getting the IEM in it’s home environment, putting on some EDM and forgetting about everything. At times reviewers can get too deep, look too hard and expect that everyone wants what they want. Most of the time that’s missing the mark.


Got it? $70 bucks and a phone.


My Gosh? I was somehow amiss here. To take $70 or less, buy this IEM then plug it into a phone, finally put on some TRANCE MP3s and all is well. Everything is perfect with the BQ3 alive at home roaming it’s native environment. Huh? I don’t know what to tell you? At times less can be better? At times the most simple path is the best. Sometimes the shortest direct route is the fastest and smartest.


So here we are. We found our place in the world, not only is the universe in balance but things are as they are supposed to be. What we have is a big broad soundstage with the bass not really excessive or too much with this style of music. Amazingly the whole signature becomes interlocked with nothing out of place. Treble seems right, even the midrange is just where it’s meant to be? So with my history and understanding of Electronic Dance Music IEMs.......I would choose the BQ3 in a shop. In fact I don’t think you can beat this style of quality in our price bracket for this intended use?


My review: 10 out of 10. Stop reading............though if you want an “audiophile review” with basic silly “audiophile-ism” simply keep reading.


Disclaimer:
Race cars and kitchen appliances are tools, they only perform one specific task but do it well. I’m sure the BQ3 was tuned specifically for Electronic Music. In this regard it’s a grand tool. There are more well rounded IEM performers out there, but with EDM, the BQ3 stands alone in it’s price.

BQEYZ BQ3


Ahh........life is funny Kids! Some folks like big... some folks like small. Some like hot.........some like cold, and some don’t even know what the heck they want. So from an IEM review standpoint, reviewers simply go by an idea in relation to known concepts. But.....then.........what happens when something new comes along and challenges the norm? And just as cool as wearing a Batman shirt for your high school graduation photographs......the BQEYZ BQ3 has arrived. If your new to BQEYZ as a company.....that’s “OK”......I was too.



Things are different today in the IEM world with many products having to jump up to get noticed. The market is truly flooded and as consumers we have about 1.5 million IEM choices to chose from. OK.......well the number may be somewhat smaller......but it’s close. You can’t help but notice the BQEYZ BQ3. It’s design and looks ARE quite different, not to mention it’s sound and sound quality value.


I received a message out of the blue from BQEYZ’s Elle Zhou asking if I would like to review the BQ3 IEM. I have no affiliation with BQEYZ other than they sent me a free pair of IEMs. I’ll do my best to make this review as straightforward and realistic as possible.


Review:
BQEYZ BQ3 Review July 16th 2019


Was that an earthquake? No that’s just the BQ3?


The BQEYZ BQ3 is a bass-centric IEM. If your one of those pansy treble-heads or baby-like mid-heads, this IEM will be holding too much machismo in the bass department for you............move along!


I normally don’t listen to $70 IEMs.......it’s not that I’m a snob, in reality I have a number of $200 and $400 IEMs I truly love unconditionally and wouldn’t want to live life without. But anymore.......... with what’s out there........ it seems I just don’t reach for sub-$100 IEMs unless I’m doing something dangerous like putting out a house-fire or catching a bank-robber. Ok well, I made the house-fire and bank-robber stuff up. But you get the picture. Most of us have nice gear we leave at home and have mid-fi stuff for the gym or out in the rain. People go and search for utility IEMs and look to find Bluetooth IEMs for out and about. But what if we find a well built $70 pair of fun-sounding and great looking IEMs? Should they be known about? Should we value them? Yes! We should! And........here they are!


Let’s get a firm grip on reality here! This is Head-Fi; we are not the norm. Average consumers look at $70 as the top apex in the IEM spending curve. For most of the world these BQEYZ BQ3 IEMs will be in the top audiophile league of dollars spent. For most they will not be their beaters or utility IEMs but a big, big purchase in sound. I’m fully aware of these concepts and will structure my review accordingly. Also as your reading keep in mind, the BQ3 is an EDM....one trick pony. Lol


Construction, build quality and design:

I chose this subject first as it’s by far the easiest to write about.

I’m not well versed on the 2019 $70 Chi-Fi builds, but have owned numerous IEMs in the last 10 years. Firstly opening the box and taking out the IEMs is an amazing experience. The pictures are not able to convey what the BQ3 IEM is like in hand. Constructed as a two piece 100% aluminum CNC affair.....it’s very different from anything you have seen; coming off much like a CNC high-tolerance aircraft part. Just the fact that the two shells fit together with no overhang or error is something to behold, and surreal for the $70 bracket! Even the insertion point for the two pin-cable connection makes you wonder why everything is not made this way. I’m assuming this aluminum build is to reduce resonance from our 2 per side 10mm coaxial dynamic drivers?



Specification:
Impedance: 22Ω

Sensitivity:95db

Frequency range: 7-40kHz

Driver unit:3BA+2DD In Ear Earphone

Weight：About 25g±5g

Cable Type: 0.78mm Pin


As shown in the diagram the BQ3 reflects a 5 way hybrid design. The IEM contains three balanced armatures and two 10mm dynamic drivers per side. Also it’s nice to know this is currently the BQEYZ flagship IEM, and it truly feels like it in hand.


Before arrival (because of the photographs) I was seriously concerned about fit. We all know one of the most important aspects to success is fit, as if there is no fit, the party is over. How many IEMs has anyone ever seen with this wild shape? Though upon insertion all my worries were put to rest. Strangely the BQ3 ends up comfortable and easy to wear. As far as fit 10/10. Sound isolation 4/10.


This comfort comes about from nozzle angle in relation to the driver housing. The IEM comes with S/M/L tips. I was able to get close to perfect fitment with the L; but found better imaging and sound quality with my “go-to” Sony clear silicone tips. The nozzle is of medium length and offers a slightly wider than normal circumference tipped out with a quality chrome inset screen, looking almost like a circular dish with holes drilled in it.



As seen in the photographs; topping off the build is a striking CNC beveled edge which became polished and shining bright!

In balancing where to place the quality it seems most of the effort was put into the IEM itself. The included BQEYZ $9.99 cable is just “OK” with the IEMs gaining sound quality with other two pin cables. It’s not that the cable is bad in anyway, it’s just that the IEM itself has the ability to grow it’s signature quality and scales up fast with better equipment and cables. At first the cable quality was confusing to me, but then I contemplated the arraignment. They put 99.9 percent of their build-effort into the IEM itself. The included cable IS adequate and does a sufficient job for what it is. But for enthusiastic owners; they can join an aftermarket cable and reap the rewards. I spent an afternoon trying different cables and seemed to notice an improvement with aftermarket cables here. Remember just the simple fact that the BQ3 easily shows cable quality is actually an endearing concept. I would much rather have a dynamite IEM with the freedom to change cables, than a 50% quality IEM joined with a good cable..........but that’s just me?


It’s the BQ3’s up-scale prowess which separates the IEM from the norm, taking it way way out of it’s price point in the end. If a person gels with the overall BQ3 sound, it’s nothing short of astonishing how fast the IEM will show you the quality of your very best upstream equipment.


My first eye opening experience occurred putting this $70 IEM in back of a $2000 desktop setup running 4.4mm balanced.........just because I was curious where this IEM could go.


When ordering you have a choice of blue or black and a choice of a mic/volume control cable or a straight cable. Take note BQEYZ also offers a nicer aftermarket cable which some order at time of purchase.


The Box Contains:

2 BQEYZ BQ3 Hybrid IEMs

S/M/L Tips

Cloth Carry Pouch

1 Cable (terminated with 3.5mm single ended L plug)

1 Small IEM Safety and Recommendation Manual







The Sound:
It’s safe to say if your reading this you know and love bass. Not only is the BQ3 bass heavy but the L shape response delineates all you would want in a heavy bass response. It’s that the bass has a profound texture and separation from the rest of the response. And while the BQ3 responds well to EQ; trying to EQ the bass to “normal” would go against any reason to get the IEM in the first place. This response is special being a very different sound than just simply adding EQ bass to an IEM in your collection.


Big Sound:
The biggest overall sound of any value priced IEM I’ve ever heard. Big,big....big.





Besides EDM a second value would come by using the BQ3 for movie watching with a phone. Though keep in mind there will be better choices out there for dialogue. Though it’s cool how well the BQ3 does movie sound effects.


To fault the BQ3 against the better price no object IEM offerings out there...........it’s most likely in resolution, and the fact more expensive IEMs will do more music genres well. They maybe could have tweaked the treble a bump to increase the feeling of both soundstage and detail, but that’s not what this IEM is about. It’s laid-back with a rolled-off treble and recessed midrange. Much of my favorite IEM purchases also have this tuning........so I’m right at home. While doing an amazing job straight out of a phone, improvement comes using a DAP or desktop system. Get the BQ3 a good source and some major juice and listen as it wakes. Still to be down to earth, folks are always hoping to find an IEM giant killer. Most want a $900 flagship for $70. Truth to be told there is no such thing. There is more likely $600 IEMs for $200. You can guess, there is going to be a better chance of finding a $290 IEM for $70. Somehow this is just how audio purchases work? So while there IS an amazing quality here and the sound is worth every penny of $70, more expensive flagships are going to provide phase accuracy and a less disjointed response with other non-EDM genres. In case your wondering, more expensive IEMs will include a more fleshed out midrange and more “air” in the treble response. Still listening to electronic music has it’s advantage making the BQ3 80%-90% close to perfect. Why?



You already know...........Bass.
DD Bass.......$2000 Bass!

Not one but two 10mm DD drivers per side, and you can tell. Even with all the technical advancements in IEM technology balanced armature bass IS different. Where BAs have a quick decay and attack.......they fail with the deep dynamics DD units perform with ease. There is also an issue with reverbs and “ambiance” which never gets provided well in BA response; no matter what the IEM cost is.


Midrange:
While just about adequate, it’s not a strongpoint here. Strangely too, trying to EQ the bass back does nothing more than to reveal how pedestrian the mids truly are. Most of my favorite gear is mid-recessed so I’m right at home. But don’t pull back the bass frequency cover as there is not much underneath! Lol


Treble:
Articulated and natural, yet not hot or bright. I can’t help but think this IEM walks that fine line between just enough but not harsh in any way shape or form. EQ works as a tuning-knob to get a little more lively essence when needed! The legend this IEM is has been built off a specific laid-back treble personality. And while the bass seems to be our focus, it’s the treble personality which also seals the deal.


Experimental:
I can’t help but view the BQ3 as something innovated beyond the normal. It’s not a safe creation..........only appealing to a select group of EDM listeners. With that said, it’s not boring but wild and different. BQEYZ makes other IEM models with a more reserved response, but went out on a limb with this one..........to a place few ever go.


Love:
We could easily have been gifted a murky and crowded personality........but it’s really not here, even though your guessing this is one slow and dark IEM..............it's not. Two bass drivers add authority and 3 other BAs add to the resolution at hand.


The 3D highly refined bass response does not totally bleed over into our whole signature like you would think.


In My Everyday Use:
I have trouble finding any IEM in my collection better built. So for me the BQ3 was made to travel. The lower frequency response is a match made in heaven to block outside noise. Nothing can break this IEM short of a truck running over it, and the cable is replaceable. Keep in mind the polarity is reversed, meaning you will want to flip your aftermarket cables.

If your into EDM and want the most for $70, these are recommended; but ....you have to like bass!





Conclusion:
These are not boring IEMs. They exude a personality which separates them from not only the pack, but anything your ever heard. They do have a close sound character to my qdc Anole V3 IEM, though the DD bass is even a smidge more. Here we have a very new and different design which goes to change our perspective of what’s possible in the entry level market.

Cheers!

https://www.amazon.com/BQEYZ-BQ3-Balanced-Armature-Earphone/dp/B07PZZHCHW

Edit:
October 2020:
Well interesting enough I have found the BQ3 to now scale up with better firmware and the Sony Walkman 1A. There is a new DMP-Z1 emulator aftermarket firmware which brings up the detail and soundstage of the Sony 1A. Joining the BQ3 ends as a very rewarding experience now!

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sony-walkman-os-fw-mods-non-android.943661/

Some things just take you by the name, either effectively or ineffectively depends on the individual’s personality towards a particular name. I was lucky enough to grow when the digital age started developing and advancing at a frantic pace. I can clearly remember the 1st time I was asked by Yahoo Mail to create an email username and password and one of the numerous things that popped on my mind was using QWERTY, it’s easy to spot on a keyboard and I thought, yeah, that could work. Until I found out most of my peers used the same password as well. It then made the QWERTY tagline in my mind of being associated with average, ordinary and common. Imagine what I was thinking when I heard about BQEYZ as a company name for an audio brand, no need to guess, you’d know by now what I was thinking.

BQEYZ, as of the moment has no official website but instead uses AliExpress for their official store which also supports all the other BQEYZ products such their other IEM offerings, the K1, KB1, K2 and KC2. What we have now to realview is their current flagship, the BQ3, along with BQEYZ C2 8-core(4-core single crystal copper and 4-core silver plated copper) upgrade cable which BQEYZ both sent as a sample unit in exchange for an honest review, no monetary factors were involved in the agreement. Priced at $68.99 for the BQEYZ BQ3 and the BQEYZ C3 upgrade cable for $35 can be checked and grabbed off their official BQEYZ AliExpress store front and BQEYZ Amazon store front.

The BQEYZ BQ3 is a hybrid type IEM featuring dual dynamic drivers and 3 balanced armatures per side. It is spec’d out with a 7-40 kHz Frequency Response, 22 Ohm Impedance and a 95dB Sensitivity. An option for either black or blue faceplate designs are offered by BQEYZ for the BQ3 and we have the black one for realview. The BQ3 stays departs BQEYZ’s known product naming scheme of using the “K” character which was according to BQEYZ, was their old factory’s 1st name. Does this mean that the BQ3 is the start of a new line of BQEYZ products coming off a newer factory production line? If that’s the case, it better deliver the goods or else it might hinder BQEYZ’s plant for a 3rd production factory.


BQ3
The BQ3 comes in a black sleeved box with just the BQ3 IEM snapshot on the front and minor product description details. Removing the sleeve showcases the BQ3 in a black foam cutout with 2 pairs of translucent gray eartips (S and L, with M being pre-installed on the BQ3), a small box with the BQEYZ brand is placed just below the foam cutout which contains the dark gray velvet storage pouch and the stock cable inside. It’s nice to find a storage pouch being included by BQEYZ since the BQ3 is for now, their flagship offering.

The BQ3’s housing makes use of an all-aluminum alloy build with an overall ovoid shape. The faceplate where the color option sets in can either be black or blue which both features metallic silver chamfered edges and the inscription “Hybrid technology”. The underside of the IEM housing features 3 vents with both placed flatly and is sized a tad wider than the single vent placed on the base of the BQ3’s nozzle. The BQ3’s nozzle is a separate piece and I’d guess it is some kind of hard plastic although it terminates to a metallic silver showerhead type cap. As with all metal build IEMs, the BQ3 is prone to scratches and feels cold to the ears when used on a fully air-conditioned room. It doesn’t feel totally uncomfortable for my ears although I can’t use it for more than 3 hours as the upper portion of the BQ3 tends to touch my ears way too much causing eventual discomfort (that’s at 3 hours usage).
The BQ3’s stock cable is a 4-core copper wire with black shielding and either comes with mic controls (1 button control for play/pause and answer/drop functions) or not. There is sufficient strain relief on both the gold-plated right angle 3.5mm jack and the black metal Y-split with the BQEYZ brand printed on it.
The BQ3 also utilizes removable cables with a recessed .78mm 2pin female connection on the IEM and a gold-plated .78mm 2pin male connector housed in black hard plastic with L-R markings and a clear plastic memory guide for over ear use.

C3 upgrade cable
BQEYZ decided to include one of their upgrade cables for the BQ3 and I was already expecting it to be packaged in either a small plastic or cardboard box so I was surprised when it came with a matte silver zip case which is lined with black velvet on the inside, it immediately became my go to storage case for the BQ3 since not only does it have enough space to store the upgrade cable and the BQ3 but also because it has quite a sturdiness to it which doesn’t easily compress when stored in a very tight bag.
The BQEYZ C3 upgrade cable is made of 8-core (4-core single crystal copper and 4-core silver plated copper) utilizing the usual round braid and is finished/sheathed with silver as well as copper making it an easy eye-candy. There is sufficient tension on the braid making it easy enough for storage and stiff enough to resist tangles. The gold-plated 3.5mm straight plug housing, y-split and chin slider are all made of aluminum as well with a matte silver finish, only the 3.5mm housing has ample strain relief though. The 2pin .78mm female housing uses clear plastic which has a memory wire guide as well for over ear use. Only a slight hint of microphonic noise was present when using the C3 upgrade cable, not enough to be annoying or disrupt your listening session.
The BQ3 comes off as a overall balanced sounding set of IEMs with a touch of emphasis on both the low-end and the treble yet not enough to say it’s boosted on the said frequencies. I decided to use the stock M ear tips along with the Sony CAS-1 off my MSI GF62-8RE laptop and the Sony A46HN music player outputting various FLAC files which would be mentioned along in the realview. The BQ3 also underwent the recommended “100 hour burn-in” period for those that advocate it.

Lady Gaga came in strutting for the low end performance test of the BQ3, singing her Starstruck track in 24/44 FLAC. Sub-bass hits has great depth to them which creates a rather powerful atmosphere. The occasional bass drops are full-bodied and resonates in a subtly lingering passion which doesn’t struggle when tracks get bass heavy, speedy bass came to play. The BQ3 handles the low end well and doesn’t disregard the fact that it needs a nice foundation towards the succeeding frequencies.

The BQ3’s midrange is where all the improvements should be made for their next iteration. I called on Lea Salonga to serenade me with her I Can’t Make You Love Me in 16/44 FLAC. The BQ3 renders the midrange in a smooth and soft manner. The lower midrange delivery is clear enough but comes short of providing a fuller sounding experience creating a somewhat lackluster lower midrange performance. The midrange rendition also follows suit, acceptable but far from engaging. The upper midrange is where it starts to grasp that it lacks on the prior frequencies by adding a much needed clarity and attack on the notes which although non-fatiguing, is already too late to save the midrange.

Tackling the highs of the BQ3 was a relief from the rather mediocre midrange performance it gave out. Lady Gaga’s The Fame in 24/44 FLAC gave out stellar clarity and definition of the treble hits, enough to put a smirk on a treblehead’s face. There is a noticeable emphasis on this frequency which I personally prefer, it gives instrumental hits a quick and clean snap. The BQ3 also reports to the higher frequencies without any sibilance and disorienting sudden peaks.

The BQEYZ BQ3 is comparable to the collection of friends you’d probably have upon reaching an older age, small but intimate. It renders the instrumental presence to emanate a narrow sounding soundstage with the imaging somewhat on point, not with great accuracy though. There is also mediocre layering observed but is equalized with great left to right and right to left panning.

While the BQ3’s stock cables worked great, it’s always a welcome option to have an upgrade cable within one’s reach and I personally am a believer that cables do create and offer sonic changes and sometimes improvements, at a tiny fraction of the IEMs overall tonality that is. What the C3 offers for the BQ3 is an overall tighter presentation for the low frequency, with the bass drops benefiting the most, would have loved it if the C3 improved the BQ3’s midrange though.

The BQEYZ BQ3 makes me think that the BQEYZ brand name was indeed what I initially believed it to be, odd but unique and so far not underperforming. The BQ naming scheme could be meaning Best Quality which although doesn’t exactly fit BQ3, it also doesn’t stray way too far from it. The BQ3 glides across the various sound frequencies, leaving nothing exceptional and nothing unsatisfying along the way. The low-end performance is rendered with sufficient thump and power and the high frequency devoid of sharp peaky highs with just a tinge of kick. The midrange would certainly love some more care and revision which gives BQEYZ both a challenge and opportunity to outdo themselves with the BQ4 (Just guessing). And if you have some spare funds, the C3 upgrade cable while lacking the much needed midrange bump the BQ3 needs, does indeed worked better for both aesthetic function and portability for the BQ3.