BQEYZ Spring II

Right time to the full review of the BQEYZ Spring 2. listen to them now for a couple of days now. “Non” stop without using any other IEM’s in between like I always try to do to give you unbiased or cloud my brain and ears by another IEM. Packing a BA, 13mm bionic diaphragm dynamic driver, 9 layers of nano piezoelectric ceramics. I had little issue at first finding the right size of tips to get a proper seal. but after a while looking into my watch box. I landed on Penon Liquer Black in a M size. Where I normally have to grab a S. It seems these are gonna work better in a shallow fit then a Deep fit the shell doesn't really allow the deep fit to happen. Okay let's jump a little deeper shall we.
The Spring 2 was submitted by BQEYZ for review. This doesn’t mean i’m not objective about but always say it when something comes in by the Brands themselves.


Specs:
Driver Config: 9-layers piezoelectric ceramic sheet + 13mm Bionic diaphragm dynamic driver + 1 balanced armature
Impedance: 32 Ω
Sensitivity: 110dB±3dB (@1k)
Frequency response: 7-40kHz
Earphone single weight: 13.3g±5g

Sources Tips and chain of sources i used.
Source: M11plus or KA17 and my Phone.
Tips: Stock tips (reference) Divinus Veltes, Penon Liqueurs Black.
Cables: i was going back and forth from their stock cable to a Xinhs upgrade cable in 4.4.
Playback was local files or Tidal.

Tonality: I felt like it was more of a W shape with the emphasis on the Mid bass and the highs then the sub bass. The DD was nice and controlled. The Piezo unit I had to get really used to hadn't heard much. Outside the GK10s left a bitter taste in my mouth to be honest. But this has been depleted by the Springs. The Ba seems to jump just fine.


Bass: Well the focus is laid up on the mid bass in this set which gives a guide a lot of warmth into the lower mids. What makes the Male vocals get their organic feeling back. I found that the bleeding is quite minimal. Even in my little envelope test that I do both with a bass and acoustic guitar the decay and attack were average, not the speediest I have heard so far. But still good enough. Wished it had it a little more to be honest the sub bass lacks that little humph.

Mids: the lower mids are a little lifted but it was quite okay they didn’t overshadow other notes. Within the mix of music some might like that the lower mids are a bit lifted some don’t. The layering of instruments and separation are good. That is where the Piezo unit comes in and helps in that case. Male vocals got the organic feeling back. Female vocals are good but sometimes they were a little too much especially if they were in the higher octaves. But overall the Vocals were very accurate and details in the presentation were a little forwarded that some might not like that much.



Treble: This is the domain of which Piezo is in control. They are very detailed and clean. A poor recording is gonna be punished by it. It might be for some be fatigue after a while it jumps out quite a bit. But for me it felt more analytical sound wise than a fatiguing sound. I know for experience in the loudspeaker work a Piezo unit can be Sharp and Shouty as well. I think that BQEYZ has done a good job here to find the middle group between detail and shoutiness.

Timbre: The ba timbre is okay, nothing bad, The Piezo is something you have to get used to if you haven’t heard a piezo before. Just gonna give a quick example you will know little buzzers that are being used well those are Piezo’s as well. I have to say they did a wonderful job on staying on the safe side. The 13mm DD well is good organic just like in their Autumn it scales well with current you give it but then the Piezo shows his sharpness and starts to overpower the other unit.



Technicals and Soundstage: the soundstage has decent depth and height. The richness is really gonna depend on the recording of the overall technicals i have to say above average. Some notes were a little light and some others were a little over emphasized. That's the fine line you walk by using a Piezo element. Once you find the right volume you're golden and you need to get used to it.


All said and done if you have a library that heavily leans on mid bass and needs that sparkles back on top this is till a very good set even if it is an older one. We as a community have a tendency to jump from hype to hype and and some iem’s get lost in the mix due to a multitude of reasons. is the lack of exposure to your favorite (guy/girl) who said that they are “bad”. The Spring 2 comes in at around 150 euro ish. If you want a sound that is somewhere in between Fun and Analytical I think this holds its own like no questions asked. I enjoyed my time with the set. It is a keeper for me. It goes next to their Autumn in my watch box. It’s still a good one to have in your collection but beware the Piezo driver can really really wear on you if you don't set it up in the right way.

Intro​

Disclaimer: This review set is a demo graciously lent to me by Daniel at Oardio. This review is written of my own accord and all thoughts here are my own. The BQEYZ Summer is available for purchase from Oardio through their website should you find yourself interested in a pair. For more reviews like this, do check out our website!

After a rather pleasant experience with the Summer, I manage to get the chance to review the earlier-released Spring II, many thanks to Daniel at Oardio Singapore. This is the second iteration of the Spring Tri-brids by BQEYZ and is supposed to fix many of the issues that people experienced with the Spring I. I have never tried the Spring I so I will be approaching this pair with fresh eyes. Without further ado, let’s get right into it.

Accessories and Build Quality (Score: 8.5/10)​

Excellent. I love the contrast that the orange/red trimmings have against the matte black aluminium shell. The overall build just screams quality and everything is just so many tiers above what we saw with the BQEYZ Summer. Accessories are just enough to get you going and the selection of tips are decent. However, I still struggled to get a fit with the silicone tips provided.

The stock cable is one of the better stock cables I’ve seen as well and befitting of its price tag. It has quality connectors and Y-splits with pretty thick cores. BQEYZ markets it to have 4 strands hand woven single crystal copper cable with up to 224 cores. This is similar to the FAAEAL Copper Cable that has been touted as one of the best value copper cables. The cable has a 4-wire braid and is also available for purchase on its own in some stores at around US$29.90.

Fit (Score: 6.0/10)​

The fit wasn’t great, coupled with the numerous vents on the earbuds, leading to a certain occasional feeling of a loss of seal. The nozzle is a little short. The size of the buds are good and fit smaller ears. The shape doesn’t sit snugly against the contours of the ears and weight distribution sometimes causes the IEMs to slip out if the tips are not ideal. I have heard that the fit has been a great improvement but I’ve not tried the Spring I so these are my standalone opinions.

Sound (Score: 8.2/10)​

Sources

• Lotoo Paw S1
• Hiby R5
• SMSL M200/Schiit Magnius

Music listened to

• Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Beethoven Symphony 7
• Boston Symphony Orchestra – The Nutcracker Suite
• The Vamps – Cherry Blossom
• Stevie Wonder – In the Key of Life
• Bastille – All This Bad Blood
• The Lumineers
• Paul Kim
• X Ambassadors
• Børns – Blue Madonna
• Gryffin
• Avicii
• Amy Winehouse

Bass
The bass resolution could be improved. Overall, the Spring II is rather bass light. I found myself craving a little more sub-bass extension, to the point that it sometimes made me subconsciously feel I wasn’t getting a good seal. Would prefer a better low end to support the intense upper mids and treble. Otherwise, the quantity of bass leading into the midbass was well balanced, and a good alternative to bassy earphones which seem to have dominated the chifi market.

There is sufficient punch and presence listening to Avicii, so the bass isn’t exactly anaemic, which is great.

Mids
Vocals are very articulate and detailed, presented rather forward without getting too intense or shouty.

Listening to Valerie by Amy Winehouse. The overall sense of space and layering juxtaposed with the brilliant vocals was a joy to listen to. The crisp texture of the shakers in the background was also a nice touch and display of the Spring II’s technical ability.

Instruments like trumpets and Horns have a very nice natural timbre to them. What really impressed me was how smooth the upper mids were and their execution. It nicely dodges all sibilance with no off peaks in the 5-8k frequency regions.

Treble
The lower treble is very present and revealing. The Spring II is not at all forgiving of poorly recorded tracks but also grants that extra edge of detail over cheaper sets. A nice air and space in the upper treble region as it extends very well thanks to the piezoelectric treble. It’s a tad more well done and controlled than the BQEYZ Summer, possibly due to the 7-layer instead of 5-layer in the Summer. It is noticeably less peaky and fatiguing. In fact, I was able to enjoy the Spring II for longer periods at a time.

Overall
The soundstage is relatively broad and while the tuning is rather balanced, it’s is on the brighter side. It is analytical yet not fatiguing and offers a good break from bassy IEMs. However, the

That said, the fit of the Spring II was a real issue for me and I couldn’t properly enjoy it. Tuning wise, I personally would have preferred a more supported lower mids region to support the forward and brighter upper mids and treble. It led to some tracks in my playlist sounding a little top-heavy at times.

Comparison​

BQEYZ Summer


I hate to admit it but the Summer is more comfortable despite the less premium choice of materials. The tuning approach is very different in the Summer and contrasts well with the Spring, playing well into the four seasons theme.

The bass is very much more present, dynamic, punchy in the Summer, so this should help you decide if you’re more of a Spring or Summer person. Or you could get both if diversity is your thing. It takes on a more typical V-shaped tuning. My biggest gripe with the Summer is the treble region, which is a step down from what we saw on the Spring II. The treble on the Summer is rougher along the edges and gets sibilant at times.

Conclusion​

The Spring II is a well-tuned tribrid piezoelectric earphone, especially at its release. It’s a little bit of a veteran now and the price bracket it lies in has become increasingly competitive within the last year. With brilliant releases like the Thieaudio Legacy 4, Audio Lokahi and Seeaudio Yume, I find it hard to see the value and make a solid case for the Spring II.

Evaluating it as a whole, it does have a premium build (though not so great fit), with a decent tuning catering to a more analytical crowd. It doesn’t have the most organic tuning nor the most natural timbre. That said, the price is a little steep for what it puts out.

Overall Grade: B-​

Click HERE for our grading list for earphones

Tips Used During Review: Final E Tips, BGVP W01, Stock Atmosphere Tips
Sources Used During Review: Hiby R5 Saber DAP, Shanling UA1 Dongle
Cables Used During Review: Stock Spring 2 Cable, Faaeal Hibiscus 4.4 mm Cable

Disclaimer: I was provided with a review unit by Gears For Ears, which will be returned to the, upon the compilation of this review. it is always my goal to provide a completely neutral & bias free review for the readers. This review is of course fully subjective. Although I have tried to my best to test a wide range of genres during the review period but our opinions on this IEM may vary due to the difference of our taste in music.

Introduction: Spring 2 is Bqeyz’s sequel to their well-received IEM Spring 1, which also I have reviewed previously. Just like its predecessor before it, Spring 2 utilizes a tr-brid setup, a revised 9-layer piezoelectric driver for the highs, a balanced armature (BA) driver for the mids & a 13mm dynamic driver for the lows. Spring 2 has an impedance of 32Ω & sensitivity of 110dB±3dB which means it requires some power to shine. It has an MRP of $169, but is it worth the extra money compared to Spring 1? Let’s find out!




Packaging & Accessories

Spring 2’s standard retail box contains the following:
- Spring 2
- Hard zipper carrying case
- Cleaning brush
- 4 Core Single Crystal Copper cable with 224 strands (you can choose the plug when ordering, 3.5/2.5/4.4mm)
- 1x pair foam ear-tips (inside of a plastic box)
- 1x S/M/L Reference ear-tips
- 1x S/M/L Atmosphere ear-tips
Overall standard packaging & accessories as per the asking price, the only standout feature here is the ability to choose between a 3.5/2.5/4.4mm cable. IEM’s from other brands generally offers us a 3.5mm jack cable by default in this price bracket, with no other options to choose from.



Build & Fit (4.5/5): Like the BQEYZ Spring 1 which I have reviewed before, the Spring 2’s come in that same unique a three-part, metallic shell. However, the nozzle on the shells has been improved so they don’t stick out as Spring 1. Comfort is almost the same as Spring 1. It means they’re comfortable & lightweight enough to sleep with. You can choose form two color options when buying the Spring 2, Black or Olive Green. My review unit came in Black & my personal unit which I bought later is the Olive-Green color. Both feature a chrome finish on the edges of the face plate, personally I found the Olive-Green color simply stunning it definitely captures that Spring time vibe. While the black color not bad looking can be a bit boring for those who are looking for an eye catchy color. These 3D CNC shells with metal nozzles give a premium feel while retaining a good level of comfort. The Spring 2 housing comes with a standard 2-pin connector.



Sound

Tuning: The Spring 2 has a W-Shaped profile just like the Spring 1, but this time Bqeyz has managed to add some well needed warmth to the successor, discarding that cold & analytical nature of the Spring 1. The sub-bass quantity has been slightly reduced making the Spring 2 more of a balanced performer with a fun sound. Some might even consider it to have a light V-shaped tuning upon initial impressions.

Highs (4.5/5): The highs are the highlight of the Bqeyz Spring 2, they are quite airy, vivid and has a decent amount of sparkle at the top. The highs are also well extended, revealing plenty of macro & micro details. While being energetic the treble is not sibilant or fatiguing during longer listening sessions. The extension & brilliance of the piezo high’s is source dependent though, using my Shanling UA1 dongle I wasn’t able to get that 9-layer piezo drive to sing, like my Hiby R5s DAP could.

Soundstage & Separation (4/5): The soundstage of the Spring 2 is more wide than deep, at first, I found the stage of the Spring 2 to be above average, but using the BGVP W01 tips the stage became more spacious & holographic. I got an out of head experience using these tips. The separation of instruments is quite good as they don’t overlap each other, but there is a lack of open air between them.

Mids (4.5/5): Mids is another strong point of the Spring 2, vocals are very forward in the mix. They sound thick & lush, I found both male & female vocals to be equally enjoyable on the Spring 2. There is balance between the upper & lower midrange extension, which most IEM’s in this price bracket fail to achieve, usually putting too much emphasis on the upper midrange extension which can lead to shoutyness.

Lows (4/5): The Spring 2 is neither bass heavy or bass light, that’s the best way I could describe its low end. I felt the presence of sub-bass rumble more in bass heavy rather than mid-bass punch. Bass is slightly amp dependent, although not as much as the highs. As I mentioned earlier in the review the sub-bass extension has been slightly cut off compared to the spring 1, probably to achieve a more balanced tuning. The bass doesn’t reach very deep and the slow speed of the driver in noticeable in busier tracks. The low-end performance of the Spring 2 while still impressive keeps it being from being an all rounder & makes it more genre specific.

Drivability: Driving the Spring 2 is easier than the Spring 1. But still if you want to make that 9-layer piezo driver sing you will need a source with plenty of power. Driving the Spring 2 from a 3.5mm jack of your phone or a low-powered dongle simply doesn’t open up its true potential. I would recommend a source with minimum 250mW @32Ω output power for the Spring 2. I found the my Hiby R5 Saber Dap to be able to truly open up the highs & the low end of the Spring 2 on 4.4 mm balanced port, which the shanling UA1 failed to do with from its SE output.



Conclusion: The Spring 2 has a lot of things going for it, the mesmerizing highs, the vivid mids, slightly warm W shaped tuning, all of which makes it an easy recommendation. I bought my personal unit (almost new) at a much lower price than the retail price, but the main question is would I buy it at the full retail asking price of $169? The answer is yes, for me at least. If I did not get that great used deal, I would definitely pay full amount for it & get a new one. It might not be an all rounder performance but the Spring 2 manages to offer most of what I am looking for in an IEM while still providing a great comfort factor.
Comparisons: ??? Right now, I am in the middle of reviewing BQEYZ Spring 1, Summer, Tri Starsea along with Fiio FH3, so I felt it appropriate to review them individually first and then do a massive $100 to $150 range IEM battle, to see who takes the lead! So please stay tuned, like & follow my page The Audio Bloke (https://www.facebook.com/TheAudioBloke) for future updates if you liked this review. Thanks!

Overall, I really enjoy these IEMs. It feels very complete with the amount of accessories you get, but I did end up changing the eartips to the CP145s, just because I then got a better fit. Other than that, there's not too much I would change about these.
I also did try pairing these with the iBasso DC03, and while there were some improvements, especially in the bass region, it wasn't all too much different.

I've also made a YouTube video going a bit more in-depth, if you wanna check it out, watch below:

The BQEYZ Spring 2 needs no introduction. It has been well established as being a great tri-hybrid for the price. Praised by many in 2020, does the Spring 2 still lives up to the hype? Read on further to find out.

Before we start the review, let's start off with some specs. The BQEYZ Spring 2 is a tri-hybrid IEM with 1 dynamic driver for bass, 1 BA for mids, and 1 9-layer piezoelectric ceramic driver for the treble. It comes with 2 different sets of tips (wide bore / normal bore), a full copper cable, and a carrying case. Overall, the accessory set is great and I am happy with the unboxing experience. Wide bore tips will be used for this review as I find that to sound better with the Spring 2. YMMW.

With that out of the way, let's start the review.

PROS

:​

• The tuning here is more mid-focused, but is overall still what I'll call a W-shaped sound signature. Pretty versatile and works with most genres, especially if you are a fan of vocals.
• Bass here is what I'll describe as warm and smooth. It is more mid-bass focused than sub-bass. It isn't super tight and fast, nor is it super deep. But it has that warm and smooth characteristic to it that I really like… reminds me of a cup of filtered coffee. Don’t get me wrong, there is sub-bass, just not as deep as Summer's (comparisons below).
• The midrange is the star of the show here. If you are a fan of mids/vocals, you are in for a ride. I would describe the midrange here as open, warm, and luscious. Vocals are pushed forward, thick and crisp. Midrange is open, warm, and detailed. Instrument separation here is amazing too.
• As expected from an IEM tuned by BQEYZ, the timbre here is great. Natural and warm sounding.
• Regarding the piezo treble here, I am actually pretty surprised. After trying the Summer, I expected the Spring 2 to be the brighter, more treble-focused cousin.. But that isn't the case here. Treble here is actually pretty smooth and non-fatiguing, whilst still retaining that bite, sparkle, and detail that we all love and expect from piezo. Unless you are super treble-sensitive, I don’t see how you will have a problem with the treble here. In my opinion, it is tuned really well.
• Soundstage here is pretty open, with good depth and decent height. Nothing to complain about. Overall soundstage is pretty well rounded
• Imaging is pretty good too. Including front-back imaging.
• Detail retrieval for mids and treble is great too. I could pick up on tiny nuances in the mids and treble region. Not the most effortless, but at this price point, it is considered pretty good.
• 2 different types of tips provided - 1 wide bore and 1 normal bore. I prefer the wide bore tips as it opens up the midrange.
• Very good accessory set. Great cable, great case.

CONS

:​

• Bass could be deeper and tighter. A bit too smooth/relaxed for fast-paced music.
• Bass lacks a bit of detail and could be slightly sluggish.
• Overall just not the best for fast-paced songs like metal, rock, EDM, hip-hop, etc.
• Fit and isolation aren't the best. I find myself readjusting the IEM once in a while. Changing to a longer bore eartips seems to make them fit better? But I do not like how it sounds with those tips (stock wide bore tips sound best). I think it is a combination of the Spring 2's wider + shorter than usual stem that is causing the issues with fit, for me at least.

SPRING 2

VS. SUMMER

:​

• In comparison, Summer is more fun and engaging while Spring 2 is smoother and more mid-focused.
• Summer is more V-shaped with tighter, deeper, faster bass, better sub-bass rumble, slightly more upper mids, and slightly brighter overall. However, mids/lower mids are slightly behind with its treble being splashier and brighter.
  
  If you prefer tighter, fuller bass, Summer would be the better choice. Works perfect with Hip Hop, Pop, Metal, EDM, and any face-paced genres.

• Spring 2 is more mid-focused, with a more forward, thicker, fuller vocal presence. Bass is smoother and slower. Treble is smoother too but more detailed than Summer. It is also slightly easier to drive.
  
  If you are looking for mids/treble detail, Spring 2 would be the better choice. Works perfectly with instrumentals, soft pop, vocals, rap, soft rock, acoustics, and any mid-focused genres.

IN CONCLUSION:​

The title of this review explains it all… I really like the Spring 2. There is a reason why BQEYZ Spring 2 has been so highly praised by others as being a great IEM for the price, and I can't help but agree.

Personally, for my preference and music taste, I still slightly prefer the Summer thanks to its tighter fuller bass. In my opinion it is more versatile and it works with more genres.

But if you are more into mids and treble detail, vocals, rap, details, and music genres like acoustics, soft pop, I can't help but urge you to give Spring 2 a try. If you are ok with slower bass and prefer mid/treble more than anything, then the BQEYZ Spring 2 is an amazing choice for $129usd.

Have you tried the Spring 2? If yes, let me know down in the comments! Would love to hear your thoughts

Introduction:

Today, I’ll be reviewing something from a brand I haven’t tried before; an IEM by an established Chinese audio company, namely BQEZ with their Spring 2 IEM.
All details can be found on BQEZ’s official AliExpress page (link below), and the IEM can be purchased there and delivered to locations around the globe.

https://bqeyz.aliexpress.com/store/4997112

It is also available on Amazon here in the UK (link below) and I believe in other countries too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Equipped-Detachable-Isolation-Audiophiles-Musicians-Black/dp/B089NDGC1P/

I’ve posted the link to their main page above. At the time of writing, the Spring 2 was on special offer with a 20% discount(!), so if you love the sound of this IEM, click fast!

The Spring 2 is a tribrid IEM and features a whopping 13mm dynamic driver for a bass-tastic response, allied with a balanced armature for the mids and a piezoelectric driver for the highs. I have to admit, I’m quite excited by this combination; it has ‘WIN’ written all over it in the humble opinion of Layman1
The RRP at time of writing was a $169 ($135 on sale!), placing it – financially speaking - at what I suppose these days would be around the middle to upper end of entry level pricing.

My sincere thanks to Elle and the team at BQEZ, for providing me with a review unit to keep in exchange for an honest review.
Please proceed to the photos section below for information of a more visual nature

Photos:








Unboxing, packaging and accessories:

The packaging and accessories are nicely done and surprisingly generous given the very limited budget they are working with here.

There’s a case made of what looks like a PU leather material. It looks pleasingly classy and is very easy to use; the only (tiny) criticism I could make is that it’s pretty chunky if one wanted to carry it around in a pocket or small bag.
I reviewed the KBEAR Lark recently, a budget IEM with a much slimmer case that I really liked. Having said that, the Spring 2, with its tribrid driver configuration and more substantial cable, probably wouldn’t fit in a case that was much slimmer, and also the larger case will protect this comparatively more expensive IEM better.
Either way, it’s a stylish and capacious case, so I think most people will be very happy with it.

The cable deserves special mention; I really like this one! It’s reassuringly chunky, but not cumbersome in any way and I didn’t have any issues with transmitted noise or vibrations from it moving around when I walked about. The copper looks very attractive in the soft, pliable and transparent sleeve, the Y-split, plug and connectors are made of metal and all look simple and stylish and I was able to select my choice of plugs (and chose 4.4mm), so I’m really happy to have that option that many much more expensive IEMs do not offer.

The cable has clear L and R markings, which I really like. The only thing I would suggest is to add a coloured dot inset into each side, because with time the existing L and R markings could be rubbed off and it would be nice to have a more permanent identifier.
Oh, and the cable is detachable, with 2 pin connectors with recessed connector sockets so they sit partially within the body of the IEM. Again, I really like this design choice and it means you also have the option to replace/upgrade the cable.

Finally, the IEMs themselves are attractively designed with a matte-black shell which features a bevelled contrasting edge with a copper/rose gold finish.
They look tastefully stylish overall and I’m very happy with the design.
The IEMs are also available in a green colour option as well; see the link I posted to their webpage in the introduction.

The Fit:

The IEMs are on the relatively larger size and the inner surface of the shells sat flush with the surface of my ear on the left side, but not on the right; some tweaking with ear tip size and style addressed this though.
I found them to be fairly lightweight and comfortable in long listening sessions.

The Sound:

By way of a disclaimer (that I’ve used more than once recently!), I’ve been reviewing for a few years now and steadily upgrading my collection to the point where I mostly listen to TOTL ($1k+) gear on a daily basis, which is a blessing that I still in no way take for granted!

But, because of this, it’s not an easy or simple thing to drop back to something in the budget range and launch into critical listening, especially having just come from something like the UM MEST Mk II or Campfire Solaris 2020!
In all that follows, I’m trying to judge the Spring 2 according to its merits and bearing in mind the price point and the few other IEMs I’ve heard in the budget range.

I listened using the excellent iBasso DX160 and the Sony WM1Z with music from a wide range of genres, mostly in lossless FLAC, with about 40% of the files in hi-res HDTracks, DSD or similar.

Low end:
Listening to ‘Drop the game’ by Flume & Chet Faker, I was extremely happy with the Spring 2’s bass response on this song. With Club 8’s album ‘Pleasure’ and ‘Streatham’ by Dave, I found myself wishing for a bit more sub-bass power and extension. The mid-bass had comparatively more emphasis in these songs and was head-bobbingly engaging. But back to ‘Drop the game’ and here, when the synthetic bassy rumble kicks in from 25 seconds into the song, there’s a very welcome touch of power and authority to it that comes through from the sub-bass.

So I’d say the mid-bass is comparatively more consistent, but the sub-bass is a bit track-dependent and I also noticed it seemed more prominent in the mix at higher volumes, which on some songs had me compulsively cranking the volume like the degenerate bass-addict that I am
I don’t hear the low end (the mid-bass in particular) as being lean or especially tight, but I felt there was still enough control on offer to keep things from sounding messy.

On Paul Young’s ‘Wherever I lay my hat’, the Spring 2 impressed me with how it captured the timbre and decay of wizard Pino Palladino’s bass guitar, especially in the intro where it’s more prominent in the song.

On ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by Dire Straits, I was impressed by the clatter and thump of the drums in the chorus, along with their timbre, which I found to be accurate and engaging.
In fact, across a variety of songs, I found this to be a strong point of the Spring 2.

With a good seal in place, the Spring 2 features a reasonably impactful low end; I listened to most of the album ‘Pleasure’ by Swedish pop/ambient/acoustic duo Club 8 and found this IEM to be an enjoyable companion! The slightly high-pitched female vocals can, on some IEMs, come across as a bit sharp or sibilant (I’m rather sensitive to this anyway), but the Spring 2 was consistently smooth but still managing to retain an engaging amount of brightness and a soft and delicate touch of understated sparkle.

Italian hip-hop outfit Poison’s ‘Dove Sei?’ (my go-to track for bass extension and impact) and the Spring 2 presents the thunderous synthetic bass/drums of this song with a very pleasing amount of rumble, impact and slam. The sub-bass extension is not going to match IEM’s in the hundreds or thousands of dollars, but it’s still nicely done, and I hear a little lift in the mid-bass, which brings a bit of warmth and texture, without any undesirable bloating.


Mids:
Listening to ‘Monument’ by Röyksopp (feat. Robyn), I would describe the presentation as pretty good! Bearing in mind that I’m more accustomed to listening to IEMs ten times the price, I hear the Spring 2 to capture fairly well the texture and grit of the synthetic beat and riff in this song. It’s not quite as textured as some IEMs I’ve heard on this particular song, even other ones in the budget range, but aside from this it’s still a very enchanting listen.
It brings out the small electronica details in the background really well with this and all other songs I listened to.
It separates out vocals and backing vocals nicely, has well done layering and imaging.

Now then; ‘The Gulf of Mexico’ by Shawn Mullins is a song I like to use as it features good, textured male vocals (of a slightly higher pitch), chiming acoustic guitar strums and bongos or some similar hand-struck drum. This song shines with IEMs that present timbre well, separate well and has a bit of magic with IEMs that have a lovely touch of shimmer.
After all my TOTL experience thus far, I still think iBasso’s IT03 ($279 when new) is the IEM that I’ve most loved with this song! It has a gorgeous shimmer and a timbre on the bass tuning that I think is astoundingly good.

However, we’re talking about the Spring 2 here (or at least, I am! Pay attention at the back there Perkins!) and I’m pleased to report it does a very good job with this song.
That separation I mentioned previously is here and doing a good job. The soundstage, whilst not huge or holographic is decently large and spacious.
There’s an impressively realistic timbre to the bongos, the vocals have a nice amount of texture and a faithful timbre, and – hurrah! – there’s a lovely touch of shimmer to be enjoyed here with the Spring 2.

With ‘Mississippi Queen’ by Mountain, this piece of classic rock sounds good enough to be featured in a film soundtrack – which indeed it has already been – with a powerful, hard-hitting crunch to the guitars and that clatter and impact on the drums.

Having said that, ‘Basket Case’ by Green Day is similar, except I found the guitars and cymbals on this one to be slightly fatiguing, although that can be dependent on so many factors, so it’s not necessarily going to affect others in the same way.

Also, on the fairly warm and congested sounding Summer ’79 by The Ataris, a bit more separation and space would have been ideal, but at this price point I don’t think that’s something that I’d really fault the Spring 2 for, especially given the quality of the timbre mids as a whole that are on offer here. Besides that, the tonality is spot-on here.
Tone-wise, I feel the Spring 2 really shines with rock music, especially classic and more analogue style tracks.

Overall, I’d describe the mids as being relatively neutral and quite vivid, especially with a bit more brightness coming through in what I hear as being the slightly forward upper mids.
The sound is quite saturated and rich. Both male and female vocals are smooth, with good timbre and a well-judged presence in the mix without being forward.

Treble:
The treble on the Spring 2 is fairly bright with a bit of a roll-off. It creates just enough air and spaciousness to stop those rich and saturated mids from becoming congested, whilst avoiding excessive peakiness and frequent fatigue. It doesn’t extend for miles or bring a gasp at the vast soundstage, but it is well-executed and carefully tuned.

Technical performance:
Overall, I came away impressed with the technical performance of the Spring 2.
I felt it handled dynamics really well and was comparatively very detailed and engaging on both a macro and micro level. Listening to ‘Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits, as it reaches THAT guitar solo and all the other instruments are simultaneously going for it, I was struck by how cohesive, dynamic and detailed the Spring 2 sounded.
All the instruments could be clearly distinguished and there was a beautiful shimmer to the higher percussion and the backing instruments.


Conclusion:

It’s my first time hearing a product from BQEZ and I’ve come away quite impressed. It’s got a fine technical performance that belies its price point, a low end that combines impact with accuracy, rich mids that surprised me with the faithfulness of their timbre and just a touch of air, sparkle and shimmer to top it all off.
Add to all that the excellent cable and overall package and I can only conclude that I’m very happy to recommend the Spring 2.

Thanks again to Elle and BQEZ. Keep up the great work.
And thanks to you all for reading, if you’ve valiantly soldiered on this far

After using about 8 months now I am writing about my feelings, about my experiences about the BQEYZ Spring 2

Since it was my first tribrid earphone so I was very much excited about it. I have never heard about bqeyz before 2020. So, Spring 2 was my first earphone from Best Quality Earphone for You Z (Full form of bqeyz) brand. Before getting the spring 2 I saw some reviews about the spring 1 and then decided to give a try the spring 2.

After searching on Facebook, I found Elle from BQEYZ brand. We talked about some technical matters about the Spring 2. Elle showed me some photos of spring 2 during production. I will be attached those below. While I was waiting for my shipment to be arrived, I talked to Elle more about it. The main differences from spring 1 was Different Tuning, Dynamic Driver, Piezo Electric driver

The 1st Spring came on September 2019 and the 2nd spring came on August 2020.
So now let’s jump to the main review


Packaging:

The package is perfect in size and also perfect in weight. The package weight sometimes means a lot who imports from abroad. The front design of the front side box was outstanding

Inside the Box:

Earphones itself

4 Core Single Crystal Copper cable

1 pair Foam Ear tips

Cleaning Brush

Hard zipper carrying box (Very Useful)

6 Pairs Ear tips (I didn’t like the Ear tips quality though, nowadays many companies provide branded ear tips. So, I was expecting something like that)

Design:

I think they have used the same body that they produced for the spring, only the difference is Wave and round cut on the edge between them. As like the iPhone 5 and iPhone SE Body. But it is a good initiative to not to waste anything from previous production.





Aluminum Body, CNC cut, Smooth metal polish and the finishing is matte. There will be feelings that you are holding a premium Earpiece. Metallic red ring around the surface of the faceplate. 3 vents on the inner body. Sufficient, Nozzle is slightly long but not a problem for me.

Comfort:

Many people want to know whether they can use while sleeping, or will it be painful if they sleep on the bed attaching their ear to the bed/pillow surface. Some people want to know whether they can use while using transport/in sub way. There is so much noise on public transport and all They want to buy an earphone which can completely the outside noise.

I will say yes definitely you can use while sleeping, no sharp edges, not aching on the ear. The earphone is very comfortable to wear. Infect the cable is not itching on the ear if you use this spring 2 for a long time.

For sound isolation if you chose an ear tips that perfectly fit in your ear then no outside sound can enter into the ear.



Drivers:

Tribrid. The exceptional driver in it is the piezoelectric driver.

“Piezoelectric speakers are similar to electrodynamic speakers in that they are able to convert a potential difference into motion. ... Traditional electrodynamic speakers are made by passing electrical current through coils of wire in the presence of a magnetic field. “(Source: Internet)



Sound: I didn’t like the provided ear tips actually. So, I changed the ear tips before trying the earphones. And I used the provided cable. Since I do not have the spring 1 so I cannot make comparison between them.

SO as this has a planer magnetic driver which actually needs a great power source to drive it, an external amplifier is mandatory for it to drive to its maximum potential.

The sound is W shaped. The three drivers respond differently in terms of speed.

The sound frequency is linear in the bass section. The bass seems to be neutral & tight. The more accurate word for the bass section is it is balanced. From the frequency curve it also can be verified. But not a bass heavy earphone obviously. Sometimes the mid bass bleed. The sound is not that much in detailed for all kind of song but it is articulate and detailed if the song is voice centric or very few 2/3 instrument is playing. The sound has More Natural Tuning.

The male vocal has good textured, warmth. The vocal has lively appearances. Mids. smooth. There were enough drum kicks, Body weight is good which makes the vocal clean. Crisp more likely. The treble section is handled by the piezoelectric driver. Here the magic begins for treble by the piezo electric driver. This material driver was invented many years ago but the producer could not make it such that it can coherently work with the other drivers. But I think BQEYZ made that possible and this uncommon 9-layer Piezo electric driver is the main reason to exceed 100$ price point.

The treble is not harsh nor fatigue. Sibilant is pretty sharp. Air is not sufficient. I think this earphone is great for those who loves treble and intolerable for treble sensitive people



The Problem I have Faced:

While I connected directly to my laptop sometimes, I feel an electric spark on my left ear and it cause me itching on the ear. Changing the cable has not solved the problem also. But when I use it with a mobile device/ dac then nothing happens. Please let me know if you also faced same kind of issue

If you have been around in 2018 and have been following the Chi-Fi scene at the time, then you must’ve heard about BQEYZ. Founded in 2018 and located in Dongguan, China, BQEYZ is a well known manufacturer even though it is only 3 years old. It has made a very strong impression with its budget models like the K1, KB1 and K100. However, it was the Spring 1 that put the company on the map. Outside of being well-known for their budget models, it would go on to catch the interest of the mid-fi IEM market, the Spring 1 was considered by many as the best IEM under $200.

What’s in the box?

This time around, BQYEZ decided to go with a new look. Instead of the classy and elegant packaging of its predecessor, the Spring 2 features a teal/ocean blue wrapper with only the “Spring” in the same cursive font that Spring 1 had, and the number “2” printed in a very large font. The whole design heavily reminded me of the infamous Ari Menthol 10’s (modeled after the Newport Menthol cigarettes). On the back-side you can see the specifications and package contents, and also a small line illustration of the IEMs themselves. Once you slide off the wrapper, you will find the canvas-like box that has all the package contents. If I am not mistaken, this is the same box that was used for the Spring 1. Overall, the packaging is something fresh, nothing to complain about.

Formal format of what’s inside:
1x Spring 1
1x Carrying case
1x Cleaning brush
1x 2.5 mm balanced cable (you can choose the plug when ordering, in my case it is the 2.5 mm version)
1x pair foam ear-tips (inside of a plastic box)
1x S/M/L Reference ear-tips
1x S/M/L Atmosphere ear-tips
1x metal plate that holds the Reference & Atmosphere ear-tips




Design

The already familiar design of the shell doesn’t stray too far away from the original Spring 1, many of the design features were either slightly altered or kept the same. In my opinion, what made the Spring 1 so iconic was the golden chrome ring on the faceplate. Instead of gold, BQEYZ opted for a chrome red accent (black version) and a chrome silver accent (green version). What has also been altered is the curvature of the little tab with the BQEYZ logo on the faceplate — the original design featured a smooth circular shape, while the one on the Spring 2 has somewhat of a flow to it. Besides these two visual changes, there have been made changes made with technical function & purpose. The nozzle angle and design is one of them. The nozzle of the Spring 1 was either a hit or miss, it either fit you really good or it simply didn’t. I believe this is the reason why the company decided to work on improvements. Another element that was altered are the vents. As many of you know, the original Spring 1 featured 3 vents. Well, the new Spring 2 keeps the same two connected vents on the side, but it is the 3rd vent that was placed differently: instead of being closer down to the two connected vents, it has been moved up closer to the nozzle and it has some sort of a cloth covering it.

Besides the above mentioned changes, the left & right labels on the inside part of the shell have been kept the same and the nozzle remained in a gold finish. The non-matching finish of the nozzle is the only visual change that I would suggest to BQEYZ for the future models.

Build quality

If there is something that makes BQEYZ stand out in the market, it is build quality. This company is among very few others that only make their products from metal — not a single IEM shell released by BQEYZ was made out of anything other than CNC machined & anodized aluminum.

Speaking of the shell, as already mentioned, it is made of a two piece 5-axis machined aluminum. Another element that makes BQEYZ authentic is the metal ear-tip holder. The “card” holder is very efficient at saving space, especially when it comes to fitting & carrying all the ear-tips with you.

There isn’t too much more to say, the build quality & construction is simply 10/10.




Cable

One of the most prominent changes in the Spring 2 is the cable. If you had the Spring 1 in hand, chances are that the cable didn’t leave the most positive impression — it was just OK, nothing more, nothing less. Besides the change of appearance, the problem of the microphonic ear-guide is gone and fixed.

However, there is one confusing part about the marketing of the cable: the 224 core claim. I went ahead and directly contacted BQEYZ to clear this up. I ended up being correct: it’s a 4-core single crystal copper cable with 224 strands. This means that there was a misunderstanding within the marketing team and this lead to the 224-core claim. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe this is the same case with the highly-praise FAAEAL Hibiscus cable, which was also marketed to have a 224-core cable. I personally prefer the BQEYZ cable due to the anodized aluminum housings

Each core has 7 “shares” which consist of 8 strands. If I am not mistaken, the strands are 0.06mm in diameter.

Here is an illustration that BQEYZ exclusively sent me:



It comes as no surprise that this is one of the best stock cables in this price range. We are finally starting to see more high-end stock cables in the Chi-Fi market, and it is safe to say that the FAAEAL Hibiscus was one of the earliest to do this at a reasonable price. To me, the flexibility of the cable is one of the most important factors besides things such as comfort & feel. I greatly enjoy a cable that I can easily put away and a cable that holds its shape once I do that. Looks are not all that important to me. However, this is also one of the most good stock looking cables I came across. Good job BQEYZ!

Comfort & fit

I don’t know about you, but the one the I hated the most about the Spring 1 was the fit & comfort. It sounded good but I simply couldn’t use it because of the horrible fit. Actually, the fit was so bad that I ended up getting a really painful ear infection.

Thank God, this is no longer the problem. With the Spring 2, BQEYZ changed the angle of the nozzle and this is a major improvement.

However, just because the new Spring 2 isn’t uncomfortable doesn’t mean it is comfortable. What does the word “comfortable” even mean? I think the definition is subjective, it differs from person to person. For me, comfortable means a tight seal that goes deep into my ear. Spring 2 is a interesting little IEM… it fits shallow, but unlike its predecessor, it doesn’t have a large nozzle that causes irritation to my ear. Besides a shallow fit, the seal is medium (not loose, not tight). The combination of these two leads me to describe the comfort & fit as relaxed.

What you definitely should not expect is great isolation. After all, there are three vents. While definitely a stretch, I do find this experience somewhat alike earbuds, at least the relaxed fit part.

Sound

As of lately, I have found several IEMs that really fit my personal preference, and the Spring 2 was one of the first in this select range. I think that many people know that the KBEAR TRI i3 has been my favorite IEM for a long time, and while the TRI i3 has rumbling bass, thick mids, and sparkly highs, the Spring 2 has a much more balanced sound signature



Lows

I have to say that the lows lean towards the softer side of the spectrum. This is definitely one of the areas that needs to be worked on. In my opinion, it is not so much quantity that needs to be worked on, but rather the quality. More specifically — the speed.

One of the first things that I noticed about the lower-frequency response is that the sub-bass is more dominant compared to the mid-bass. In fact, I think that the sub-bass is well done. Tracks like “Why so Serious?” by Hans Zimmer (3:26), “Wesley’s Theory” by Kendrick Lamar (~1:06) , “Valentine” by Justice, Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal”, really showcase the sub-bass quality & quantity. The depth is there, the rumble is there, and the thickness is there.

However, mid-bass shows some issues that need to be fixed. If fast decay is called “tight”, then the Spring 2 is “loose”. I think that the main issue is with the decay, as it appears that the attack is good. My standard tracks for testing punch & bass speed are “Hydrogen” by MOON and “Smoking Mirrors” by Lee Curtiss. On both tracks the slow decay is audible, especially in the latter track. I can say that this heavily reminds me of the Dekoni Audio Blue, which also had a looser bass response, but unlike the Blue, the Spring 2 doesn’t as much mid-bass quantity. In other words, the mid-bass lacks definition. This being said, I think that the mid-bass quantity is well-refined, it is the quality that needs to be worked on. What I like about the quantity is that it is balanced and doesn’t overwhelm the mix, it really allows most of the focus to be on the mid and high-range.



Mids

The mid-range is by far the most impressive part about this IEM. It comes as no surprise, because it’s the exact same element that the Spring 1 gained so much respect for.

Something interesting about the mid-range that I still haven’t sat on is whether or not it’s forward. The reason why I am so unsure about it is because I am questioning whether the reduction of the lower frequencies is making the mid-range appear to stand out, or whether it's the highly spacious nature of the Spring 2 that is making it a mid-centric IEM. Either way, the mid-range tonality, texture, and body is what I love this IEM most for.

To get straight to the point, let’s talk about strings. If you know a thing or two about me, you know that timbre and the sound presentation of strings, especially guitars, is a crucial satisfactory field for me. Spring 2 is a big improvement compared to the Spring 1. Besides the fit & comfort issues I had with the Spring 1, the warmer nature of it was something that threw me off. Spring 2 has more more top-end and is brighter — which is something I much prefer over warmth.

All of the following tracks sounded exceptionally good when it comes to the string tonality:

“Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”, “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin

“Soldier of Fortune” by Deep Purple

“Go Insane” (Live 1997), “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac

“Private Investigations” by Dire Straits

The mid-range benefits from both a great lower mid-range and upper mid-range extension. Even though I personally prefer brighter mid-range and sound signature in general, it is important to say that for somebody it might be too much. From my experience, the mid-range never sounded shouty, piercing, or unpleasant, the upper mid-range extension always contributed positively and was well appreciated.



Highs

This region is definitely one of the first things that made me fall in love with the Spring 2. The combination of a brighter mid-range and a good treble response is what makes this IEM sound complete — or so I thought.

From my speculation, I concluded that the upper-end is rolled off and that there is no sparkle, only sheen. However, I also found percussion to be crisp and snappy. This would make my points sound contradictory, but listen to the following examples:

“Stop Trying to Be God” by Travis Scott (5:20) – at this point Stevie Wonder’s harmonica hits the highest peak note, but it sounds pretty dull as opposed how bright it really should sound

“Portia” by Miles Davis – this is a track where you can really hear the brighter side of the Spring 2, perhaps it is on the edge of sparkle, but it still has a roll-off that keeps it away from being piercing

“Damn Your Eyes” by Etta James – this is one of the examples where percussion is crisp and snappy. Focus on the snare in this track (first audible at 0:46)

“Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits – another example where percussion (snare) is bright and crisp (first audible at 0:49)

While the harmonica in “Stop Trying to Be God” would usually be one the edge of being piercing, on the Spring 2 it’s noticeably rolled-off. However, it is not the bad type of roll-off, it’s just not as bright as some other headphones/IEMs that I listened to. Old recordings still have the edge that they are supposed to have. “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” by Joan Baez and “Strange Fruit” by Nina Simone still have the sharp prominent peaks — the first tracks has much sharper peaks.

Soundstage & Imaging

Looking back at my time with the Spring 1, I remember that I was not impressed with the soundstage. It was really one of those moments where I questioned my own opinion. I was unsure about it. The reason why is because the online support and praise of the Spring 1. It felt almost as though I was the only one who couldn’t relate to it. However, as time passed, I learned to trust my ears regardless of what people say online.

On the other hand, Spring 2 is a big improvement. When it comes to the soundstage, almost every track sounds open, never boxy. It’s not as though the width is going to blow you away, but it is definitely above average. What is more impressive is the imaging.

The following tracks include one or more elements that showcase the imaging:

“Africa” by Toto

“Dogs” by Pink Floyd (drums at 3:48, 3:56)

“Hey You” by Pink Floyd

“The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac

“La Sagrada La Familia” by The Alan Parsons Project (several elements in the introduction)



Conclusion

That about sums it up. I have to say that I am happy to see that the Spring 2 was an improvement over its predecessor. There are definitely areas that need to be worked on, lower-frequency response is one of them.

What I know for sure is that the vocals are center-stage while other elements are panned outside, this really lets you focus on the vocals. I find this experience similar to the iBasso SR2 (reviewed here).

BQEYZ is really close to delivering a perfect IEM at this price range. I really hope that in the next release the lower-end will be more defined and the upper frequency range will have more edge and sparkle to it.

---

Setup: MacBook Pro (Early 2015) > EarMen Sparrow (2.5mm output) > BQEYZ Spring 2

Just check out the whole comprehensive and subjective detail review here:

http://euphoniareviews.blogspot.com/2021/02/bqeyz-spring-2-tonal-expert-assassin.html

Greetings!

Today we're checking out one of the more impressive products to have crossed my plate this year, the Spring II from BQEYZ.

My first experience with the brand was through the KC2, a very well-tuned quad-driver hybrid that recently saw a resurgence in popularity. I quite enjoy it and still pull it out for the occasional listen and comparison to more current gear. Why? Well, because it is still relevant. I suspect the same thing will happen with the Spring II years down the road because this earphone is the complete package. It sounds awesome, is built well, and has impressive tech and specs that I am confident will ensure it remains relevant for years to come.

Let's take a closer look, shall we?


What I Hear I've not really been a fan of piezo-equipped earphones in the past. When it comes to raw detail and clarity, they certainly haven't disappointed. Where the tech lost me was that every single one was seriously boosted in the brilliance region making them sound thin, extremely tiring, and uncomfortable at anything but quite low volumes. They tended to sound pretty unnatural too. A recent example that bucks the trend for the most part is the LZ A7. While still quite bright, it's not harsh or unnatural. The Spring II takes things a step further in the right direction by turning down the emphasis allowing it to blend in well with the other driver technologies BQEYZ utilized with the Spring II.

I still hear a peak in the upper treble, but it doesn't lead to anything sharp or unpleasant, instead giving the Spring II a satisfying shimmer and sparkle on cymbals and chimes. Detail and clarity are fantastic with fine details coming through clean and clear. Note control is impressive thanks to very crisp attack and decay properties, easily besting armatures used by the competition and hanging with the tuning found in more pricey gear. It works just as well with the synthetic effects on “Enter The Warrior” by The Prototypes ft. B3NDU, as it does with the chaotic hit hats on Havok's “No amnesty”. This is hands down the best tuned piezoelectric driver I've heard to date.

The midrange of the Spring II is handled by a single balanced armature which is awesome. This is where armatures excel so it makes sense to have it handle this region. The presentation is not entirely linear with the extremities being pulled back to sit in line with the surrounding frequencies. This leaves a small bump around that 2k that works wonders in my opinion. Vocals are adequately dense and weighty with amazing coherence that cuts through the thundering bass and treble shimmer. While both male and female vocals are represented fairly evenly, I find the latter to sound a bit sweeter and carry a hint more emphasis. Timbre is another strong point with the Spring II avoiding the plasticy, dull edge that some find common to armatures.

Bass out of the Spring II is elevated with good extension. On tracks that dip deep like Ludacris' “How Low” you get plenty of physical feedback via a thundering, rumbling sensation that tickles the ear. Mid-bass is a little more elevated than I prefer, but it mostly stays away from the mids and avoids sounding bloated. Where the low end of the Spring II is less impressive is in texture. It is smooth, has a natural attack and decay, and is well controlled, but lacks micro-detail which leaves it feeling a bit flat. I still enjoy it, but it falls short of best-in-class here.

Heading into the sound stage the Spring II remains very competent. It doesn't come across as massive and sprawling, nor closed in and intimate, instead finding a nice middle ground. When a track needs to be intimate, the Spring II can pull it off, such as on Culprate's “Undefined”. When it needs to pull back and portray space and allow congested tracks room to breath, such as on BT's experimental “13 Angels On My Broken Windowsill”, it can do that too. This versatility has made them an excellent companion for gaming since the excellent imaging qualities kept effects where they needed to be allowing me to accurately track my opponents in War Thunder and other games. Layering and instrument separation qualities are also above average ensuring the Spring II avoided congestion.

Overall I find the Spring II to be a pretty outstanding sounding earphone. I'm super impressed with the coherency between the three driver technologies in use, and that BQEYZ managed to get them to play together so well. Unlike some other products where it is obvious multiple driver technologies are in use thanks to differing tonalities that just don't play well together, that absolutely is not the case here. It's all very coherent and matched beautifully. The only complaint I can levy at the way the Spring II sounds comes down to the dynamic driver which would benefit from additional texture and detail.


Compared To A Peer (volumes matched with Dayton iMM-6)

TinHiFi P1 (169.00 USD): The P1 follows Tin's popular tuning of a neutral-bright, bass-lite sound. As a result the Spring II offers up a much more robust low end. It digs deeper, hits harder, but doesn't offer up quite as much texture as the P1. Only with a significant bass boost, such as that provided by the iFi hip-dac's XBass feature, can the P1 compete with the Spring II when it comes to bass. Looking to the mids I feel the Spring II continues to best the P1. While the P1's mids are more forward, clarity is only about on par with the Spring II. BQEYZ's offering brings in a more natural timbre, warmth, and thickness, leaving it the more satisfying listen to my ears. Treble is another area where I feel the P1 remains behind the Spring II. The P1 has a sharp peak in the brilliance region that tilts what is otherwise a balanced tune towards brightness. The Spring II's piezoelectric driver doesn't quite match the P1's planar when it comes to raw detail, but upends it when it comes to control and cleanliness of each note. The P1's treble sounds a hint loose and uncontrolled in comparison (and yes, it is getting more than enough power). Where the P1 has a clear advantage over the Spring II is in its sound stage which is notably wider and deeper. Imaging on the P1 is slightly more precise. The Spring II does a better job with instrument separation and layering though.

Overall I much prefer the Spring II. If the P1 didn't require a ton of power and some serious EQing or bass boost feature to give the low end some grunt, this would be a closer fight.

Shozy Rouge (179.00 USD): The Rouge is a more balanced, technical take on Shozy's Form models to my ears with differences that are similar to the Spring II. BQEYZ's offering is warmer and bassier. Sub-bass on the Spring II has more emphasis and mid-bass more punch. The Rouge offers more speed, texture, and better control. Heading into the mids the Rouge is leaner and gives vocals a cooler, more detailed presentation. Timbre out of the Spring II is more natural. Treble on the Spring II is smoother with more upper end sparkle vs. the Rouge which seems to focus more on the presence region. As such I find the Rouge more detailed. In terms of speed and cleanliness of the notes each present, the Spring II gets the nod. The sound stage of the Rouge is wider and deeper with a more evenly rounded appearance. Imaging out of the Rouge is also more nuanced with clean channel-to-channel transitions. I also find it to offer slightly better layering with similarly good instrument separation.

Overall I find the two to be more-or-less equals with each model excelling in different areas. I could pick up either and be perfectly happy, though as an all-rounder the Spring II gets the nod thanks to it's heavier low end.


In The Ear The Spring 2's moon-shaped metal shells are fairly small and dense with a reasonable heft that gives them a quality feel that plastic earphones can rarely match. Fit and finish is seriously impressive with seams for the individual components and nozzle tighter than a measurebater's poop chute. While fairly simple, there are some flourishes to the design that give the Spring II a satisfying visual appeal, like the recessed cutout on which the brand (right earpiece) and model name (left earpiece) are laser etched, or the tapered reflective red band that wraps around the edge of each shell. Along the inner half of the shell you find three small vents set just around a small dip to help ensure they aren't blocked when the Spring II is in use. The vent closest to the nozzle is slightly larger than the usual pinhole vents on other products, and is filled with a clearly visible, fine white mesh. L and R notifications can be found between the vents, backing up the easily read channel indicators already present on the cable.

And speaking of the cable, it too is gorgeous and something I would find perfectly acceptable if included with the top of the line products I've been covering recently. While it follows a trend I dislike, that being loose braiding, the quality of the braid is flawless with none of the usual oddities I've seen from other brands. The sheath is impossibly soft and flexible with little noise transmission when rubbing against your clothing. The hardware is top tier too, from the compact metal, BQEYZ-branded straight jack to the comfortable pre-formed ear guides that lead into compact 2-pin plugs adorned with clear channel labels. Strain relief at the jack is mediocre and absent at the y-split, but this style of cable doesn't really benefit from it anyway so no big loss. Lastly, a bead-style chin cinch can be found resting just above the y-split and does a stellar job of tightening up the fit when necessary.

While the Spring II is a comfortable earphone, ergonomics feel just a little “off”, at least for my ears. I'm not sure if it's the nozzle length, angle, or maybe just the half-moon shape. Whatever it is keeps the Spring II from feeling 100% stable at all times, particularly in my left ear which requires fairly regular fiddling to return a proper seal. All that said, there are no sharp edges or hot spots that cause discomfort and I can wear them pretty much indefinitely without issue, save for the fiddling with fit.

Isolation is slightly below average, not completely unexpected given the shallow fit and ample ventilation. With no music playing, I can clearly hear chatter nearby, the snicking of key caps on my laptop while I type, and other ambient noise. It's all dulled somewhat, just never fully blocked. Turning music on obviously helps, but in particularly noisy locations like a busy coffee shop, I found a bump in volume necessary to counter the noise. As expected, foam tips also help to improve passive isolation and work wonders in making the Spring II more suitable for use outside quiet environments.


In The Box BQEYZ has certainly stepped up their packaging game since I last reviewed one of their products (KC2). The exterior sheath has a tasteful design. Dead centre on the front is Spring 2 with Spring written in slender cursive and placed at a 45 degree angle along side a large 2. In the top left corner is the BQEYZ brand name, and in the background what looks like a delicate wisp of smoke. On the back of the sheath is a wire frame image of the ear pieces, a list of package contents, and important specifications.

Sliding the sheath off reveals a textured black box with BQEYZ in silver foil set in the top left. Lifting the lid uncovers the Spring 2's earpieces set within a foam insert, along with a cardboard shield hiding a decently spacious carrying case. Inside the case is all of the accessories. In all you get:

• Spring 2 earphones
• Carrying case
• 0.78mm 2-pin cable
• Wide bore single flange tips (s/m/l)
• Medium bore single flange tips (s/m/l)
• Foam tips (s) with carrying case
• Cleaning tool
• Velcro cable tie

Overall I found this to be a pretty satisfying unboxing experience. The packaging itself is pretty simple and straightforward with little waste and a clean, attractive design. Once inside, you are greeted to a fairly robust accessory kit with some premium touches, such as the metal plate used for storing the silicone tips. This is something included with more expensive products from more premium brands, like RHA, and only the occasional similarly priced competitor that I've come across, such as Whizzer with their A15 Pro. As a special mention, that clean tool is beast and wayyyy overbuilt for the purpose. Love it.

Final Thoughts The Spring II is the result of a thoughtful production period that has created a well-rounded, versatile earphone. Outside of a desire for additional low end texture, there is little for me to complain about. Detail and clarity is excellent through the treble and mids, vocals are weighty, and there is no lack of sub-bass. A good sound stage is backed by a capable technical performance. Most importantly, the three types of driver technology found within work together in a cohesive manner that was entirely unexpected.

In addition to the Spring II's strong sonic performance, it is well built and comes with a wonderful accessory kit that includes a decent ear tip selection and quality cable, among other items. It doesn't feel like any corners were cut to meet the 169.00 USD price tag which is always a relief. Few products feel as complete as the Spring II in this price range and as a result it gets an easy recommendation from me. Great job BQEYZ!

Thanks for reading!

- B9

Disclaimer A huge thanks to Elle with BQEYZ for arranging and sample of the Spring II for review. The thoughts within this review are my subjective impressions based on a couple months with the Spring II. They do not represent BQEYZ, Amazon, or any other entity. At the time of writing it was retailing for 169.00 USD. You can check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Equipped-Detachable-Isolation-Audiophiles-Musicians/dp/B089NDGC1P/

Specifications

• Drivers: 13mm coaxial dynamic + nine layer piezoelectric + balanced armature
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Sensitivity: 110dB
• Frequency Response: 7-40kHz
• Cable: 0.78mm 2-pin connector, 4 core single crystal copper wire with 3.5mm gold jack straight plug

Gear Used For Testing LG Q70, FiiO M3 Pro, FiiO BTR3K, Earstudio HUD100, Earmen TR-Amp, Asus FX53V, TEAC HA-501

Some Test Tunes

Supertramp – Crime of the Century
Slipknot – Vol 3 (The Subliminal Verses)
Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid
King Crimson – Lark's Tongues in Aspic
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy
Steely Dan – The Royal Scam
Porcupine Tree – Stupid Dreams
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors
Tobacco – screw*d Up Friends

BQEYZ Spring 2 ($169): Spring leads to fall nicely



Spring 2

Some time ago I reviewed the BQ3 from BQEYZ. I came away with the appreciation and understanding that this was a very fine unit and moved it quickly to the near-top if not top of my choices at the sub-$75 price point. The bass was well thought out and reached deep enough to satisfy my tastes. There were also enough details present to keep me interested. I was impressed. At the time, Elle from BQEYZ asked if I was interested in the Spring 1. I said yes, but then logistics and other things took priority. I did not mind, as those who received their copies were impressed by the Spring 1.

Fast forward through COVID-19, to this year, and Elle made contact with me again asking if I was still interested this time with the Spring 2. I agreed, letting her know how much I liked the BQ3. During that time span many other manufacturers have come forward with their price appropriate models as competitors. Some are lauded for their sound. Others are put forward for excellent characteristics even though the same reviewers had to modify (sometimes heavily) the unit tested. I took note of those flavor of the month IEM’s and waited patiently.

As luck would have it, I had @wiljen’s unit on hand with which to listen before the arrival of mine. I was glad, and thus anxiously awaited the green copy coming my way. As such, this is a free sample, and it is implied the Spring 2 is mine to keep but may be asked to return or forward to another at any time. The unit may not be sold for profit as that is still uncool, and unethical to do. All that is asked is an honest appraisal of the sound and other characteristics present. I would have it no other way and thank Elle for the opportunity. First impressions were good.

*As per my standards, the unit was listened to in order to insure all was in working order, then set about on various DAP’s as needed for approximately 150hrs (other reviews were worked in in the interim). After that time, the sources listed below as well as the songs listed were used to write this review. My philosophy is that the reader wants to know how the unit in hand will function after that “new toy” syndrome has worn off; i.e. 6 months to a year down the road.



Spes/In the box:

1. Item： Spring 2
2. Dynamic Driver: 13mm
3. Impedance: 32 Ω
4. Sensitivity: 110 dB
5. Frequency: 7-40KHz
6. Cable Length: 1.2m
7. Pin Type: 0.78mm-2 Pin
8. Plug Type: 3.5mm
9. Driver units: 13mm Coaxial dynamic driver+9 Layers piezo electric+Balanced armature
10. Contents: Spring 2 earphone, Cable, Carrying Case, Brush, Memory foam, Atmosphere and Reference silicone ear tips of 3 types in 3different sizes. Always something that fits your ears and sonic tastes.


Gear used/compared:

Oriolus Finschi ($150)
Hidyzs MS4 Mermaid ($209)
LZ A6 mini ($180)

Shanling M0
Cayin N6ii mk2
Shanling M6 Pro


Songlist:

Joey Alexander-Warna album and others
Mark Knopfler-Laughs And Jokes And Drinks And Smokes
Santana w/ Mana- Corazon Espinado
twenty one pilots album, Trench
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Big Head Todd & The Monsters-Beautiful World
Mark Knopfler-Down The Road Wherever
Tidal MQA



Unboxing:

The Spring 2 comes in a very tastefully colored green-sleeved box, with large print specs on the back. There is no hiding the specs here in fine print, BQEYZ wants you to see what is going on with the Spring 2. Sliding the sleeve off, you are met with the proverbial textured paperboard box of the unit itself. Opening the “cover” like a book, there is even an added part to keep pressure on the contents inside.



Highlighted up top on the right side are the IEM’s themselves, while a paperboard cover hides the case, cable and accessories below. Often when one purchases something you like the presentation as much as the purchasing. Call it new toy syndrome. Sometimes one does not care, and you simply want to listen. I would call this on the better side of anticipatory ancillary information and I certainly appreciate the presentation. Hooking the gorgeous cable up, I place the Spring 2 into the large enough sized case, and even have room to include my Shanling M0. Nice to see that BQEYZ has included a case, let alone a usable one. Knowing their products, I would expect nothing less.



Fit-n-Finish:

Similar to the aforementioned BQ3, the Spring 2 comes well equipped as mentioned above, and has a quality feel, fit and finish to boot. A 2-piece shell has a cover plate lined in “chrome” much like the fine chrome on a 1950’s Chevy bumper. The green color of the shell also harkens back to the throwback era of the 50’s diner or interior, making you feel transported to a simpler time. A gold nozzle (not garish at all, thankfully) seems a bit out of character from the other parts, until you notice how subtle the gold is. Then it makes for a fine addition to the overall scheme of laid back and carefree. Thankfully the nozzle is not too large and fits nicely into one’s ear without fuss as well.



The 2-pin cable of copper is four large strands braided, splitting to two each way above the silver splitter. Nicely curved over-ear plastic sheathing makes for a pleasant package overall. To me, the cable seems quite big compared to the shells, but the feel is one of good fit, without pressure or added weight. Tactile in feel, with a bit of stickiness, but not enough to be a bother, the package seems quite appropriate for the price range. The cable does not tangle, which is a definite positive.

Add in the overall build quality matches a $4500 IEM I happen to have in house at the same time, and I feel confident that this is the BQEYZ norm after two samples. I am quite impressed with the Spring 2’s look, fit and feel. It does not stick out too far from my ear, which is good. And that subtle Aloe Green color and you get the sense that the Spring 2 is here for one reason: sound.



Sound:

I will admit again that I was thoroughly impressed with the BQ3, and hence had high expectations for the Spring 2. Even with good to glowing praise, it seems that for a certain segment of the “audiophile” kingdom, that the Spring 2 is not held in any higher esteem than cheaper alternatives, because those same hold that the sound is not that much higher of quality than the cheaper. Well...I would respectfully (more disrespectfully, actually) disagree. The Spring 2 is much more than the price accords it to be. Yes, it is approaching that vaunted $200 price point of “mid-fi” IEM’s, but it isn’t there yet. At $169, the price hits a sweet spot to me. Yes, it costs more than what the other cheaper ChiFi cost. But it is close enough for many to make that leap into a higher tier. I don’t fault the cheaper ChiFi offerings, no. But I do fault those who think it is not worth the look into that next category. You can be satisfied on more than one level, and the Spring 2 proves it.

So, what is it that I like so much? To start, the clarity of sound does not pretend to be top of the class. No, it provides an evenness of sound within that regard, which the cheaper ones cannot offer. A slightly warm tonality, which belies its overall signature. Not bass shy, nor bass heavy, the Spring 2 provides the right reach, speed and decay to be called “tight.” My words only and an apt description to me. I always like more bass, look at my favored Legend X for details. But, depth and quality of that reach has as much to do with the offering as a Marianas Trench reach. On Gaucho from the excellent Away From The World of Dave Matthews Band fame, the bass hits at the right depth and space. Not thumping, but the support mechanism of sustenance. Sustaining a quality that blends nicely into the mids as a result, there is no bleed to my ears. I find this quite refreshing for the items I have had in house as of late.

I will admit here though, that the mids take a hit on cleanliness. Not as crystalline as some, but not really meant to be either. The tying together continues with the vocal support. Dave’s voice on Sweet sings contentedly as the Ukulele plays as a backing. There is good detail here, making you listen quite closely to discern any differences from that smooth tonality. It is there and comes across with the male vocals quite well.

Thankfully, the treble does not become sibilant, sharp or anxious to make up for any perceived differences. There is a nice roll-off that still manages to come across as full and vibrant. Not as vibrant as a TOTL mind you, but a nice contrast and addition to the rest of the platform. Cymbal clashes sound nicely done, without being over-anxious or obnoxious. I would say that an apt descriptor would be that all works complimentary to each other without offending, nor trampling the other. In a day with many “sound signatures,” which partition to be “VIBRANT” or “FULL of RICHNESS,” the Spring 2 comes across as full, with enough detail to represent the sound, which fits my manner of listening. I can turn the volume up without having to combat competing sounds. I do not have to worry as the song gets louder or hits a spot where the highs become brittle or with too much emphasis.



Belly Full defines this nicely. Dave’s acoustic guitar work sound succinct and concise, without being strident. Melodic, with complimentary tone to the voice, the song sings nicely and sweetly. Follow that with If Only, and you get the added bass of support mentioned above. There is even a bit of thump here as well. A great album, highlighting a wonderfully musical sound. Color me impressed.

The impression of space is about what I would expect from a triple-hybrid driver unit. Piezo-electrostats of late have grown in quality by leaps and bounds thankfully. Early iterations were just plain bad. Period. The Spring 2 with its 9-layer piezo makes amends with dividends in return. No harshness or shrill sound emanates from the Spring 2, and with a height greater than depth, the sound stage manages to be smaller venue-like. There is an older theater, which holds concerts in downtown KC. It smells of neglect and mildew due to the humidity, but acoustically sound fabulous. Tall and narrow (only difference from the Spring 2), the Uptown Theater has held some truly epic shows over its history. The sound, which can bellow melodically from there reminds me of the way the Spring 2 sounds. Clear, clean and concise, but without being antiseptic. Just a good time.



As a result, layering and separation are better across the vertical plane, but not as much so horizontally. This is not bad mind you as the width of the sound stage is still enough to give a decent space with which to work. And because of that combination, there is decent air between the notes, and timbre is quite pleasing. I am thoroughly enjoying the Spring 2, and this coming off the back of the fabulous MMR duo of Thummim and Homunculus variety. Goodness, what a duo they are...

Switching to the large “Atmosphere” tips from my favored Complys adds the right amount of airiness to tone and the Spring 2 becomes like that first fine Spring day where you throw the windows open. Not too breezy mind you, just right (boy, that was a scenario you didn’t expect, eh?...). I do like the sound, which emanates from the silicons, but the seal is not good enough for me in noisy situations, and hence I revert back to the foams. That said, the “Reference” tips open the width yet more, and actually tone the upper end down a bit. Bass hits a bit harder, but not like the foams. Of the two silicons, I would not admit a favored, for each brings their specialties to the table. It is refreshing for a tip to actually do its job. Nicely played.

Returning to the Spring 2 after giving it a break (called other reviews...), I did peak at some reviews. The treble was a bit hotter than I recalled, but the bass is still good and tight. With good presence down low, the V-shape comes out, but does not overshadow Ziggy Marley’s voice on See Dem Fake Leaders. His voice penetrates to such depths that often you have to turn the volume down.



Comparisons:

BQEYZ Spring 2 ($169) vs Oriolus Finschi ($150):

Absolutely one of my all-time favorites period, the Finschi hits all of my required spots: bass is vibrant, deep and rich. Vocals are extraordinary (to me), supporting the rest in a near perfect fashion. And up top? Thankfully there is a bit of sparkle, but not overwhelming. I once said to another reviewer that if I could only have three IEM’s, the Finschi would be one of those. As such, the Spring 2 has an extremely tough time muscling into that realm. But it should not be judged based upon that, no. It should be judged on its own merits and for whom it may tailor itself to.

And here, the Spring 2 can certainly acquaint itself well enough to be in the “argument.” Playing Aretha’s At Last, you get the sense of her voice ringing ever so nicely in your head. She seems to be all over the place in a good way, and her sumptuous vocals sing with perfection. Not having the bass reach of the Finschi, the Spring 2 provides better clarity to me. The Spring 2 exudes confidence here but in a different way. Think of Formula 1 versus rallying. Both a racing of the highest caliber, but oh so different. I like both types of rallying, and both of these.

Vocal treatment is better in the Spring 2. Bass is phenomenally better in the Finschi. Clarity goes to the Spring 2. Warmth and that “matureness” of sound goes to the Finschi. Pick your choice, both are good.



BQEYZ Spring 2 ($169) vs Hidyzs MS4 Mermaid ($209):

Another of my all-time favorites (just shy of my three...) the MS4 presents the most forward signature of the models here, and that can either be its Achilles or its positive. Vocals are the highlight, and Aretha is there in full-on force. But with bass that backs it up (better than the Spring 2) you are not privy to a one-trick pony. The top end provides another base of clarity to the overall signature. Superb would be an apt descriptor for the clarity of the MS4.

But and here is where the Spring 2 passes the MS4 by, the overall signature of the Spring 2 seems a bit more “modern.” By that I mean it provides a bit better signature for an. Overall picture. That sparkle up top in the MS4 can become biting with bright (or crystalline clear) sources such as the EarMen Sparrow. When used with a warmer asignatured DAP such as the E01 on the Cayin N6ii, or Dual DAC on the Shanling M6 Pro, the MS4 is exemplary. But use a bright signatured source, and the Spring 2 bests it, providing a tamer (not by much) sound. When compared here, the Spring 2 sounds much more laid back. When with the Finschi, the Spring 2 sounds vibrant, and that may be the trick to it. Provide a multi-characteristic sound, which tries to meld both worlds.


BQEYZ Spring 2 ($169) vs LZ A6 mini ($180):

Reading another review, I noticed someone wanted a comparison to the LZ A6 mini, which is enjoying renewed enthusiasm. When first received, I enjoyed the A6 mini. With a cheaper rubberized cable, I am glad to see they lowered the price, as to me it had hit the limit of what was acceptable back then for what you in turn received. Plugging the A6m back in, I immediately noticed how much harder it was to drive. Having to turn the volume up several notches on my MBP, the sound was still quite good. With tamer treble, but deeper reach of the bass, the A6m shifts the sound signature of the Spring 2 down the scale.

Acclimating myself again to the A6m, I again appreciated the tuning, which seems to be a more mellow sound. Time referenced I appreciated the A6m yet again. With vocals a bit more forward as well, this compensates for the rounded treble (to me) but providing sound, solid vocals. This is mind you not too shy treble, though. Just in comparison to the sparkle of the Spring 2 up top. I would think that the two would not be direct competitors, but complimentary and justified together. The A6 mini remains one of my favorites at this price.


Finale:

I lamented to @Wiljen how I thought this review was complete, but upon coming back to post; it was not. A shame on me moment turned to an advantage. While others have come and gone; and will be posted soon, the Spring 2 gets a revisit following some pretty much perfect IEM’s, such as the Thummim, M5 and Luna. I do not feel this is a curse for the Spring 2 to follow those fine (extraordinary) IEM’s, no. I find that this can give me a greater appreciation of what the Spring 2 provides.

Finishing with REM’s seminal Losing My Religion, the words, “I’ve said too much, I haven’t said enough” comes out strong and with a somewhat gut punch. Not knowing whether I had finished was that gut punch but given the ability to say more; gives me the chance to remember the Spring 2 for itself. Listening to the REM song again, before ACTUALLY finishing with Mark Knopfler’s Laughs And Jokes And Drinks And Smokes, I relish my revisit with the fine Spring 2. The color green emotes an Irish character to it, and the sound backs it up.

As far as the above comparisons go, the Spring 2 falls behind all of the three at some point. But when taken together, the Spring 2 composes itself with aplomb. That sparkle of treble does not sound too hot after listening to the others. The pure lack of bass reach does not hinder the overall signature. And the vocals can stand on par with the best in class to me. When taken together and complete, the Spring 2 is an extremely fine unit, and one in which I relished my “revisit.” For once my forgetfulness helped me out here...

I thank Elle and BQEYZ for the Spring 2. I really liked (and still do) the BQ3 some time ago, and the Spring 2 continues that fine sound and quality product offered from them.

Spring 2 is a new flagship of the Chinese company Bqeyz. It is a tri-brid earphone with 1DD, 1BA, and one piezo driver. It is priced at 169$.

Sound quality for the price
Rating: 9.5 out of 10.

Build quality
Rating: 8.5 out of 10.

Value
Rating: 10 out of 10.


Packaging

Great improvement in comparison to Spring 1.

Bqeyz Spring 2 is a successor of Spring 1, which made some noise in the audiophile world.
Spring 2 comes in a medium-sized box with a simple graphic on the front. On the backside, you can find all the tech specifications. Inside the box, is the same set of accessories that were attached to Spring 1. A medium-sized case, which is made of the eco-leather, 7 pairs of eartips (3x reference, 3x atmosphere, 1x foam), Velcro strap, and a cleaning brush.

The new cable definitely provides the better user satisfaction.

Build quality

3D CNC shells with metal nozzles are really great.

Spring 2 matches the shells with the Spring 1, so it is a three-part, metal shell painted green, with polished edges at the faceplate. On the top, you can find a 2pin 0.78mm connector, which is placed a little deep inside. Tips are well-made, especially foam type. For me, silicone tips are a bit too thin.
The best thing that Bqeyz could change is the cable. It is way better, with a greater quality of sound and handcrafting. It doesn’t tangle that easily and is softer. You can also choose between 2,5mm, 3,5mm, and 4,4mm plug, which is really nice in this price range.

This green color is just beautiful.

Comfort

The shells were delicately improved so they doesn’t stick out as Spring 1.
Comfort is almost the same as Spring 1. It means they’re comfortable, but the isolation is on a low level.
Shells are relatively small, without any specific, ergonomic shape.
The cable is really soft, I don’t really feel it on my ears and neck, but it feels excellent. The nice thing is that all connectors have a special shape so they’re easier to pull out of the source. Some people have problems using earphones with small connectors. When the headphone output is too tight, it won’t come out that easily. With this cable, that problem doesn’t occur.
The attached tips aren’t for everyone. None of them really fit my ears, even foam tips, which are too small for me. Silicone tips are too short, so I had the same problem as using Symbio W.

Sound
One of the kings of price/quality ratio.

Is it a new chi-fi king? Maybe for some, but it has a sound signature that isn’t for everyone. Overall it is pretty bright with fantastic dynamic, details, and timbre, but with a really narrow soundstage and decent holography.
Spring 2 doesn’t need much power to show their best. They’re great, even directly from the phone, but in my case, using Xiaomi Mi9, the midrange was highly recessed. Going back to the cable, the Spring 1 could turn into another earphone with the aftermarket one. From very bassy to very bright sound. The Spring 2 isn’t such cable sensitive, the difference is easy to hear, but it is not as could be with the predecessor.

A little disclaimer: I couldn’t fit any of the eartips attached to the Spring 2, so the whole test is made using Final E Tips. The cable used is terminated with a 3,5mm plug.

The bass isn’t the most significant frequency here, but it is speedy, precise, and clear. Speed is comparable to FH7. It is way more precise than FiiO FH3 in low frequencies. Bqeyz Spring 2 bass has a full body, is medium-textured, and pretty saturated. The highest bass has a wonderful, pleasant timbre. It is worth being mentioned that it is very accurate, without swinging around. It strikes straight to the point.
I definitely can’t call that bass flat, but it doesn’t beat a beat at all. This is a job for a higher midrange this time.
Quantity isn’t much dependent on the source. Switching between warm DX160 and technical Earmen Eagle provided only visible tonality changes and more delicate speed changes.

The midrange is definitely the best part of the Spring 2. It’s just incredible. It has a very natural timbre, with a pinpoint in its higher part. It’s vivid, with excellent details reproduction. Male vocals are only delicately smoothed, without any details degradation. Female voices are quite smoother, but again, nothing is lost. All instruments are perfectly separated. Nothing gets fuzzy. I’ve never heard that accurate midrange in earphones below 300$.
Using Spring 2 I prefere lower female voices or the higher male. For example, Tame Impala, Adele, or Amy Winehouse are my favorite choices using the Spring 2.

It’s really easy to enjoy that sound signature, though it’s not perfect for everybody.

The treble is the most technical part but doesn’t have inclinations to sibilance. It is definitely the most important part of the sound, together with the higher midrange. It isn’t brightened, but it is pushed to the front. That’s the next part that can easily fight with FH7 in terms of quality. Details are fantastic, but with a specific manner – because of the piezo driver.
The treble, unlike the bass, is source dependent, in the details, and the timbre. It is quite smooth and musical with DX160 and iDSD Neo, but it gets really technical with the EarMen Eagle.

The soundstage is, well, not the best. It is narrower than FiiO FH3, plays right to left with a really delicate tilt to the front. However, it is very profound, and the height is also not the best. It delicately goes up and down.
As I mentioned before, holography is really good, even if the soundstage isn’t impressive. It isn’t swimming around, but it is just spot-on, very accurate, with impressive distance recognition.
For gaming, it wasn’t the best. I would choose FH3 instead because the width isn’t enough for competitive gaming.

Summary

Great SQ, bright sound signature and narrow soundstage – Spring 2 in a few words.


Bqeyz Spring 2 is an exciting earphone that beats most competitors in this price range in most aspects. I think no one would be surprised if they cost two and a half times more with the same sound quality but a more premium design. Anyway, that earphone isn’t for everyone. If you’re a fan of the huge soundstage and warm playstyle, they might not be the right choice for you. But I’m sure of one thing – everyone should check what they are capable of, because they’re imposing overall.
Highly recommended.



Gear used during this review for the sake of comparison and as an accompanying equipment:

• Headphones – Bqeyz Spring 1, FiiO FH3, FiiO FH7, Craft Ears Four, Meze Rai Solo, Shozy Form 1.1.
• Sources– iBasso DX160, iFi iDSD Neo, iFi iDSD Signature, EarMen TR-AMP, EarMen Eagle,

The Treasure Chest

Yep................that’s why you’re reading. You have a curiosity of what’s inside this IEM treasure chest. Every IEM is different and we all want to know (what they sound like) what’s inside. It’s an adventure......let’s go!

I know you’re curious, why else would you be here?

We will start this journey together................Let’s find out what’s inside the Spring 2 treasure chest. Maybe we will find gold......maybe not? But nonetheless we are going on a great adventure. Let’s get started, shall we?




Based in Guandong, China, BQEYZ is a new brand known for producing uniquely imaginative budget/mid-fi IEMs. Elle from BQEYZ sent out the $60 BQ3 flagship my way last year as a nice intro to the company.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/bqeyz-bq3.23453/reviews#item-review-22369

I want to thank Elle from BQEYZ once again for this new opportunity.



And while nothing is perfect there can be perfect listening moments. Our new goal is to discover what's good about the BQEYZ Spring 2 and what could be possible issues. I can tell you right now the build and fit is at a non-questionable 10/10 flagship IEM level. Really people expect more today and the bar for 2020 is set pretty high. You have your choice of Black or Light Green aluminum CNC shell. You have a choice of 2.5mm balanced, 4.4mm balanced or 3.5mm single ended plugs. You get a simple carrying case, a set of tips and a cleaning brush. Below is a photographic unboxing.











Build:
The 5-axis machined two piece aluminum shell and anodized finish makes them something not needing maintenance. They don’t show fingerprints or feel cheap in anyway. There is also a swanky beveled edge well noted in the photography here. The construction is tipped off with a beautiful gold finished nozzle.......fitted with one of those pasta strainer screens on top. Maybe I’m a nut but I take out a jewelry loupe and inspect the craftsmanship of every new IEM I get. So to go down the rabbit hole here at a microscopic level.............we find the screen flush and just ever so slightly set back. Since the introduction of the BQ3 BQEYZ has gone to the next level in-turn perfecting the shell process. While CNC tolerances were “OK” with the BQ3..............today we are witnessing pure perfection in craftsmanship.



My favorite flagships are actually all metal builds with the two piece aluminum CNC Noble Encore, or the melted pixy dust solid metal Sony IER-Z1R! So you can only imagine how at home I feel with this all aluminum construction. Just setting the included 2 pin cable into the recessed IEM connection slot gives a heart-warming feeling of confidence.


Comparisons:
There are a few IEMs in my collection that could be like the Spring 2. Coincidence would have it the comparable IEMs here in this test are all Chinese creations and brilliant at vocals. Of course many of you already “get” that the stock Chinese import tune will often be vocal centric......so really this is not coincidental at all? Let me say right now that the Spring 2 (in it’s own way) surpasses competition when it comes to female vocals/singer songwriter music. This section simply goes to illustrate alternative purchase ideas.



For reasons of simplicity lets compare the Spring 2 against 5 (other) specific Chinese IEMs. I’ve never heard the Spring 1 so it’s not on this list. The $489 Fearless S8F Universal would have been another perfect comparison, though it’s one I don’t have.

456
123

4) BGVP DM6 Universal $200
5) Magaosi K5 $179-$200
6) Fearless S6Rui Universal $389
1) BQEYZ Spring 2 $169
2) DUNU Studio SA6 (immersion on) $549
3) qdc Anole V3 (all switches off) $600


Sound Demonstration:
These two Singer Songwriter hits were FM radio favorites……also relentlessly played by my hippieish parents.








Lucky for us both female vocals and acoustic guitar get spectacular playback. So even though the Spring 2 turns out to be a one trick pony, it will hold the position of the best in this style of music. And......if this was the only music you listened to, it would be the only IEM you would need.

Ok, whew! Let’s get started:

I had no idea choosing “Diamonds And Rust” by Joan Baez would be a difficult song to judge all these IEMs by? The interesting part was not only would they be judged against the Spring 2, but they would end up being all judged against each other too. This is a style of music which is actually fairly simple. The true goal of playback is realism and authenticity concerning both guitar vocal replay. This style of test song gave an added advantage to IEMs in the list that would normally have difficulty with complex music. It turned out to be a song that seemed to bring out the best in every IEM. Typically this is not my genre of choice but I do know it well and understand the needed IEM abilities in demand for success.

1) Magaosi K5: This was the only test IEM I used in 3.5mm, everything else was 4.4mm balanced. In my prior testing the Magaosi K5 proved it was one IEM which was not critical to be used in 4.4mm balanced for best results. I used the Sony Hybrid Tips. Let’s just say the Magaosi K5 was made for this song. The vocals were not as up front and as clear as the Spring 2, but nothing here in the test is anyway. Though the DUNU Studio SA6 has an upfront-ness but it’s also brighter than the Spring 2. Here the Magaosi shows it’s remembered BA bass texture as well as a very integrated and fully smooth rendition. The Magaosi effortlessly parlayed the mood and reminded me why this mid-fi IEM is loved by many. It was an experience almost like meeting up with an old girlfriend who quietly showed you how she was still beautiful after all this time being ignored. I actually didn’t remember the soundstage being this good?

2) Fearless S6Rui: Bigger and bolder than the Magaosi. In history the DUNU Studio SA6 and S6Rui are very close. Here the S6Rui shows a more forward and better imaged background elements than the Spring 2. Overall though it’s hard to really say the Fearless S6Rui is better at this song due to the Spring 2 simply making the vocals 30% more forward and detailed. This statement is really what this whole review is about; how the $169 Spring 2 can come along and even though not be well rounded; do vocals better than almost anything. Through-out this test I was always asking which was more natural. Due to the S6Rui having an amazing personal and public reputation for being technical and honest………..it became a style of litmus test to confirm if the Spring 2 vocals where natural and real sounding…………….and the Spring passed. Obviously the S6Rui can do more genres and has become a well known and fully respected Chinese value. I used the 4.4mm Hansound Zen cable and white DUNU medium bore tips.

3) DUNU Studio SA6: OK, this was the best IEM of the test offering vocals that were on par (but not as forward nor as detailed as the Spring 2) but simply replayed the background elements better than any IEM in the test. There was an organic detailed and competent rendition which reminded you that THIS is how the song is suppose to be played. It had everything, the coherence, the timbre and balance. Using non-stock unidentifiable tips and included DUNU cable in 4.4mm. So the conclusion for readers is……..do I buy a $549 IEM, or $169 IEM that only does this style of music?


4) I have to laugh here because the BGVP DM6 was simply a surprise being way way better than I remember. Why? Well the song was simple. Also take note that the DM6 has a reputation for not being best at vocals………..but it was nice? The guitar was detailed and spread out plus much of the background was beautifully heard arriving up front and clear as day. But..........the Spring 2 is also using its Piezoelectric driver to push the guitar attack-transients into light........boldly making the guitar more real. I used the 4.4mm Mee Electronics multi-adapter cable and Sony Hybrid tips.


5) The qdc Anole V3: All the IEMs in this test reminded you that this style of music isn’t really listened to as loud as Metal or Techno. This is silly............ I mean have you ever been to someone’s house where they are cranking Joan Baez super-super loud? No! This is not high volume music. But, the magic of the qdc Anole V3 is it’s smoothness. While not as technical maybe as many of the group here the simplicity of the song gave the Anole V3 a special edge. Of all in this group the smoothness and warm top end really allowed you to go to any volume you wanted. While not as detailed as the Spring 2 and over three times more more money, the V3 put up a great fight and reminded me just how much I love this little known IEM. This test reminded me of the qdc signature house sound found when I heard the qdc Anole VX. I used Sony Hybrid tips and Hansound Zen 4.4mm cable.


Conclusion of Listening Test:
After every IEM tested was a return to the BQEYZ Spring 2. So I listened to Diamonds And Rust about 20 times in full. Due to prior Spring 2 experiences, I became critical and suspicious of finding natural tone. Once again these side by side tests showed me that if you stick with Singer Songwriter Female Vocals all will be fine and better than fine. Learning about the guitar abilities became an added bonus, being just as correct in tone as the vocals. Obviously many of the test IEMs did the drums and low end in the song better. Strangely this era of recording, along with this particular song seemed to bypass hearing the issues of back-set-cardboard-drum replay? While listening even with the best of equipment the drums were just marginally better? Hence, I was choosing a song for vocals but the Spring 2 was gifted the benefit of not having to replay big clear drums. In fact the set-back style of drum replay the Spring 2 does goes right along with this style of music. Bring the Spring 2 Heavy Metal Drums or EDM drums and your looking for trouble.

Quality Test:
The next section of testing used the 1969 hit song Both Sides Now with the Spring 2, the Noble Audio Encore Universal, the Sony IER-Z1R, Sony XBA-N3 and the DUNU Studio SA6. This comparison was simply looking for naturalness in tone. I wanted to truly understand if anything was missing or added to the vocal response and used a series of IEMs in different prices as reference.

Both Sides Now
Joni Mitchell

Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons every where
Looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's cloud's illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way that you feel
as every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show
And you leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away
I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It's love's illusions that I recall
I really…

What ended quite fascinating was the recording artifact right around “Moons and Junes and ferris wheels” which shows up best with the DUNU Studio SA6. The sound is much like the static you could hear when turning a dirty volume knob or microphone grounding issue. The sound lasts only one second. This sound is not even picked up that well by the Sony IER-Z1R. It’s noted with the Spring 2 and just goes to show how high the detail and resolution is. The sound can actually be heard also on the included YouTube video, but of course not as clear as a FLAC file of the song.



Her voice at the part where she sings “As every fairy tale comes real” shows a very big departure as an accent in the song vocal tone. The drop displays simply another variation of control she has and stands as a singular form of creative vocal expression for the sung passage. Interestingly it’s these small details which go to show how the Spring 2 makes the grade. As mentioned in prior reviews on Head-Fi, the Spring 2 is not the brightest in vocals but shows it’s talents in a thicker yet still ultimately revealing way. In the test the DUNU SA6 was the brightest with her vocals followed by the Encore just being less bright but different. Probably the greatest thing found was simply the reinforcement of already suspected Spring 2 tone ideas which hold the IEM as an ultimately capable vocal acquisition boasting naturalness in character along with pure technical ability.


The Spring 2 power requirements:
The Spring 2 seems amazingly good at holding its character with what ever you run it on. On the Walkmans it actually acted harder to drive than many pure BA IEMs yet at the same time sounded full and loud from a phone or laptop. Maybe it’s the Piezoelectric driver, but the vocals and detail seemed to stay consistent while changing gear.

Tips and EQ:
As many of you know tips can often be the ultimate road to success! After 100 hours burn-in and an estimated 22 hours listening, I decided that the road to enjoying any other genres besides female vocals would be trying to add body to the sound. Adding extra body can normally be found by changing EQ and IEM tips. Different upstream equipment can have character changing powers too.

EQ:
In comparison to IEMs out there the Spring 2 is highly insensitive to EQ changes. Adding small amounts of lower frequencies can be a nice change but it’s only lipstick on the proverbial pig. The low end is always going to be what it is. But then I had an idea.

Tips:
Along with the Spring 2’s resistance to EQ, there is ability to drastically change the sound with tips. The magic imaging tips in your collection will in-fact enhance the imaging. The narrow bore bass tips WILL enhance the bass and add that needed body. Still at best these solutions act as band-aids. While tone can take priority over just about everything concerning musicality, the narrow bore tips removed the positive vocal attributes which (as noted earlier) are our saving grace. I mean even with the added body, the lower detail still wasn’t there AND you had lost the vocal magic..........so?

What was surprising was how none of the stock tips seemed to be of value. IMO Not to be too critical; there is the technique of using two sets of tips, with one set for vocal music another set for everything else. With the Spring 2 fitting so easy, it’s not like you need the shape of tips to help with fit. Tip rolling here is an applied effort to change and guide the tone, and the Spring 2 is a willing participant to an extent.

The BQEYZ BQ3 and BQEYZ Spring 2:
With the BQ3 (prior flagship) we find BQEYZ take care of the low end. With the Spring 2 (current flagship) we find BQEYZ take care of vocals. If they were put together in tone we would really have something on our hands! These two opposite IEM forces create a duality together. To go one step farther each holds a never before heard personality and construction “art”. The BQ3 has a unique bass, the Spring 2; the midrange. The BQ3 is more fun, the Spring 2 that audio microscopic journey unveiling vocal information you’ve never heard and most likely will never hear again.



Bass:
The single greatest issue seems to be the missing bass. What bass is there is also muffled; like hearing someone’s stereo through the bedroom door. Any bass detail present is replaced by a nondescript thud, almost an approximation of one note bass.

Lower Midrange:
At times a missing bass area can be glossed over by a robust lower midrange. But alas that’s gone too? We are left with the audio dictionary definition of thin. Due to this missing tonality songs just don’t have that emotion provided by this critical area.

Midrange:
These are 100% vocal IEMs. Meaning due to the forward midrange and ceramic piezoelectric and BA driver, vocals will have profound and interesting characteristics. I can honestly say the intrigue here is being able to hear new detail in your favorite singers. Smooth singers will all of a sudden show a gravel-sandpaper embellished progression never heard. This single ability will have you value and cherish the Spring 2, if not only for the sonic novelty they offer. The 165 to 255 Hz emphasis means the Spring 2 ends as an amazing female vocal one-trick-pony. This critical emphasis of detail up-front makes the Spring 2 a low volume level champ. Meaning your never going to be randomly turning the volume up to find detail.

The overall ability here of imaging, soundstage and clarity (while not perfect) provides an almost unlimited curiosity to what BQEYZ will do next. If the Spring 3 for 2021 was corrected in the lower midrange/bass we would have the most famous of all Chinese IEMs on the market. And that folks is the excitement here; the fact that BQEYZ can bring such an interesting one-of-a-kind IEM, that’s just inches away from truly being epic!

Treble:
The Spring 2 is remembered as a midrange IEM. Out of the box the treble and midrange was truly brittle. After 50 hours of burn-in the midrange and treble opened-up and fully smoothed out. This is definitely one IEM you don’t want to judge out of the box. After 100 hours no more improvements were noted. Due to the missing low end..........the midrange and treble find profound emphasis. Within that focus a great transient style takes place. At its best the Spring 2 is articulated and wonderfully speedy. That perception of dexterity is all the more broadcast due to soundstage and imaging. So........while the soundstage is not spread out forward and back.....or big top to bottom; it IS wide. Within that soundstage is a very smooth and polite integrated treble experience. The connection between the midrange and treble is flawless. A perfect roll-off never even approaching harshness or becoming strident. Just correct and organic textures playing second stage.......yet completing the experience beautifully!

Sound Quality Conclusion:
The old fashioned (Tyll Hertsen's) term for what is going on here is called uneven frequency response. That means that certain aspects of a familiar recording will sound just ever so slightly off in tonality or have an unusual placement in the mix......or both........often both.......with the artifacts going off hand and hand.

The amazing part is that there is still ample entertainment to be found. We can be entertained by new sounds, even new ways to hear in old recordings. You’re thinking you’ve never heard the song that way............. because you never DID hear the song that way. The effect of these off frequencies are that elements are introduced with a fresh stance. When these small items come forward they do so creating and extracting detail. Part of the charm of the Spring 2 is that it creates the illusion of detail. When in reality it’s moving detail around and highlighting new elements. Due to the Piezoelectric being a different way to recreate music, we are awarded with a new and novel personality of tone. In real world use, this still means even the snootiest will still be able to use these for an entire evening of listening. Though just like us they will only achieve success by choosing the right music.

The Form Factor:
Typically the best fitting semi-custom IEMs will be small. The Spring 2 IS small. Though being a solid 5 axis CNC aluminum IEM, it’s comfortable yet also has some heft adding to tactile placement feed-back. The ear facing semi-custom shape shell is derived from a newly compiled data base of 1000s of public outer ear shapes. The various air vents seem to release air pressure facing toward the listener. One charming characteristic shows the Spring 2 having the same number of (three) vents emulating the past BQ3 build. In contrast to the BQ3, the Spring 2 shows a spectacular fit and finish on a whole new level. Where the BQ3 had seams which were large, now we are almost witnessing a construction fit (of two halves) visually appearing as one piece from a distance. I have not seen the Spring 1, but rumor has it that the Spring 2 shows up with a better nozzle angle and better fitting shape.

Design:
The Spring 2 is a Hybrid being a Tribrid consisting of a 13mm coaxial dynamic driver, 9 layers of Piezoelectric, and a balanced armature. The small size results from the DD and Piezoelectric drivers combined into a single unit.

Tips:
I started with the included tips though after experimenting settled with the original Sony EP-EX10 Hybrid Silicone tips. These are not the Triple Comfort but the original black Sony Hybrid tips which came included with the Sony XBA-Z5, XBA-N3 and Sony XBA-100. They have been discontinued but can still be found. In the end it turns out they actually have a middle to narrow opening which will normally add bass texture. Imaging was reduced from wide port short tips, but the soundstage is so darn good anyway, along with so much detail, that it ended as a compromise focusing on tone, of course! Amazingly it’s not a short nozzle or long nozzle and the CNC lip holds tips on very well. All and all fit and comfort gets a 10/10. After so many difficult to fit IEMs, it’s nice to find one that fits fast and easy without issue. Take note; smaller IEMs have a reputation of fitting more people, and these are way way smaller than the pictures make them look. Typically IEM fit ends as an individual story; though here fit is so easy there is not much to write about. Though it needs to be noted, the build material and anodizing comes together for a spectacular (next-to-ear) feel.









Cable:
The included 4-braid litz cable is a two pin which can be ordered as 2.5mm balanced, 3.5mm single ended or 4.4mm Pentaconn 5 pole balanced. The Spring 2 is worn as an over ear cable IEM with heat-shrink providing a wireless (internal guide wire) ear hook. My only gripe would be the ear-hooks seem to lay outside the top of my ears. Though in all fairness this particular IEM is not really dependent on the ear-hooks for support or positioning. The Spring 2 is just so small it doesn’t actually need to hang-off the hooks, with the tips and ear contact points holding the IEM in place. The greatest aspect comes with the cable being about the consistency of non-al dente spaghetti. It will pretty much be the softest cable you touch this year. Such a cable seems to be something that used to cost the whole price of this IEM package. The other attention to detail comes from how the plug has been cut away from scoring any plug ports of your devices. With some plugs reaching physical contact with the plug barrel in addition to electrical contact internally, here we see a welcome departure from such design oversight. The plug barrel anodizing is robust and free of frilly details. The chin slider ends a clear plastic bead which loves to stay in place. At 1.2m the cable comes in at the perfect length. Non-microphonic and somewhat droopy it simply goes where you tell it to. This cable is so nice typically people try to buy more of them, as it’s really the cat’s meow!



BQEYZ has always been a unique leader and not a follower as far as IEM shape goes. Though the BQ3 was not a semi-custom IEM; they were generally comfortable. Our win now is how the Spring 2 is designed to fit closer. Truly...... I have never seen any other IEM company make something which acts in such a way as subtle industrial functional art. The fact that there are actually no sharp edges is very difficult to capture in a photograph. Though one moment in your fingers will simply confirm what’s going on here.........as they feel like little smooth rocks.








Buy them here:
https://bqeyz.aliexpress.com/store/4997112?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1e7236f81pXXuD

Disclaimer:
This is a single review.....................audio is subjective, your results may be different.

INTRO

Anytime there is a “new” version of anything you have to wonder if the new shiny item will only be a placebo or if it actually does anything different. BQEYZ does a good job of putting out models that are never overlapping, and I don’t think there is a single model in their lineup that has disappointed the majority of users. I consider them the budget Moondrop moonshot. So now that the BQEYZ Spring 2 is out, they reach even deeper into branching out from their semi-budget roots. At a tested price of $169, the market competition can be tough and there are much higher expectations at this price level than say a $50 pair. I thought highly of the BQEYZ Spring 1 in my past review, so enough jibber jabber let’s get on with it.

Physical Attributes

Nozzle angle from the Spring 1 is at a different angle and the position has slightly changed. There are detailed pictures up at audioreviews.org that show the difference. Cable is also less plastic feeling and less springy than the Spring1. The widebore tips are preferable to me over the more narrow ones that are also included. Alza Sedna Light are an even better improvement. Isolation is somewhat average.

SOUND

One of the biggest criticisms of the BQEYZ Spring 1 was the medicore wooly, flubby bass. The BQEYZ Spring 2 doesn’t really fix this other than bring the level down, real bummer. Bass still on the slow side, decay is too long, cohesion of the bass suffers as a result I get the sensation it is behind, almost as if there is a valley in the punch region. It’s as if they tuned the woofer too low for what it can reasonably can reproduce. Again not terrible, but definitely the weakest point of the Spring series. As suggested from another head-fier/ blogger Alza Sedna tips fix this a little on both Spring models. The bass on the Spring 2 has been toned down, but I can still pick up the mild mid bass bleed (200-600hz) more noticeable at higher volumes. Female vocals still have a thickness to them as a result, male vocals sound really strong maybe a tad over-juiced it is easy to hear the cracking in the vocal portion now. The BQEYZ midrange is still intact and sounds great as usual, there is some additional boost now in the middle treble that creates a more forward vocal sound. Horns, electric guitars and shakers pop more and are brought to forefront.

The simplest way for me to describe the BQEYZ Spring 2 is a live sounding nearfield IEM. If you liked the more intimate studio sound wine sipping Spring 1, the Spring 2 is going to have you pulling out your live albums to give them a good listen. They are not overpowered in the typical huge upper midrange/lower treble peak. Most of the changes are in the middle treble. The treble is improved on the BQEYZ Spring 2, the Spring 1 had a washed out sound to things like shakers and cymbals. Now with the Spring 2 you have more crash and sizzle whereas the Spring 1 was more sizzle. It could be due to the extra 2 layers on the piezo driver, or just better integration between the BA and piezo, or the fact they removed the filter behind the nozzle grill. Whatever is responsible there is a much noticeable change. Below is a comparison graph showing the Spring1 with the nozzle grill removed compared to the Spring2. It appears they were able to keep the lower treble/upper midrange tuned the same.

TECHNICALITIES

Timbre is still great, the only hiccup is the slight midbass bleed again that makes some things sound tubby, thicker, and slower. I sense good separation and depth is great. Width does not sound closed in at all and is balanced with the depth. The Spring 2 requires more gain on the volume so regular smartphone users might want to consider an external headphone amp/dac. I used an LGV30 without issue, but the BQEYZ Spring 2 require about double the usual volume compared to more sensitive IEM’s. Resolution is good, I would say for this price range it competes well.


COMPARISONS

Spring 2 $169 vs Moondrop Kanas Pro (KPE) $179 (discontinued)

Kanas Pro has a peaky upper midrange which results in more forward vocals. Bass is less tubby sounding on Kanas and better extension, but the Kanas bass was always considered a bit slow as well. Instrument separation on Kanas Pro is better than the BQEYZ Spring 2 which sounds slightly congested as a result. Spring 2 sounds better balanced through mids and highs and timbre is better. I always struggled with this part of the Kanas Pro. Things like shakers sound like they are supposed to on the Spring 2 whereas on the KPE they sound a little off. Isolation is better on Kanas due to deeper nozzle. The Kanas Pro also has slightly better resolution.


BQEYZ Spring 1 $139 vs Spring2 $169

They are siblings for sure, the is bass similar but Spring2 is toned down slightly but still exhibits the slight bleed giving that thicker tubby sound. Cymbals have more character more crash with the shimmer and the Spring1 was mostly shimmer. Things like shakers and horns come more front and center. The Spring 2 sounds more like a nearfield / live sound experience and the Spring1 a large room that is more muted and neutral in the middle treble section. The Spring 1 had a way that made certain instruments just float and feel separated whereas the Spring 2 is more homogeneous. Vocals on the Spring1 were pushed to the background, and the Spring2 brings them forward to sit inline with the rest of the presentation.

Spring2 vs Simgot EN700pro $149

Bass on the Simgot EN700pro is a bit more extended and boosted to have more boom. The EN700pro sounds flatter soundstage wise. It does not have that live feel the BQEYZ Spring 2 brings to the table, but tonality is very similar otherwise. Fitment on the EN700pro provides more comfort, but they have short nozzles and can more easily work loose. The Simgot EN700pro was never really a boner in the normal circles, but I find it was a good one to highlight what the Spring 2 can bring to the table. I sort of wish the Spring2 had the bass of the Simgot EN700bass or Pro for rock music to combine with the better soundstaging capabilities of the Spring2. If the Spring2 had used the bass tuning of the EN700pro and combine it with the bass speed of the Nicehck NX7, then I might have something that was just wonderful.

OUTRO

Again referring simply to the BQEYZ Spring 1 vs Spring 2 comparison two things standout-the treble on the Spring 1 was muted and could use more definition which the Spring 2 has now rectified. I think this change has transformed the Spring 1’s ability to float certain instruments in the sound staging, to now a more stable live sounding Spring 2. If this sounds like $30 of improvement then by all means go for the Spring 2, they are not same earphone. Value is tough to define I liked the Spring 1 at the street price of $120, but I have only purchased a few above that price range. I think it is a solid product at $169, but listeners in the price range might be disappointed in the bass reproduction capabilities. I would need to experience more in this price bracket $150-200 to establish a baseline no pun intended. I still think BQEYZ has a good hit, it’s just a matter of who will bite at this price.

More graphs and pictures can be found on www.audioreviews.org.



DISCLAIMER
Set provided by distributor Hifigo available @ $169 here.

BQEYZ Spring 2

I would like to thank Ellezhou of BQEYZ for providing a sample of the Spring 2 for review purpose. I am most definitely associated with the company and secretly will shill everything BQEYZ. 5 stars and epitome of heavenly sound for the bucks. I kid and you all know these here are my take on the Spring 2. You can find more information on their Aliexpress page here. BQEYZ headfi thread here.

Seems to be a trend nowadays in the IEM realm. No longer is the BA+Dynamic hybrid so fashionable. No you gotta throw in a 3rd driver in the mix which are now called Tri birds. The 3 drivers in the mix here are a 13mm dynamic for bass, 1 BA for mids and a 9 layer piezoelectric ceramic tweeter for the highs placed coaxially above the dynamic. All inside an all aluminum shell. 3 drivers always means a lot of RnD work to get the cohesion of the sonics to mesh. BQEYZ I have known previously for offering some outstanding bang for buck hybrids so I jumped at the chance to hear what they can do for an earphone higher up in the food chain.

The build of the Spring 2 is very nice actually the housing is a clean looking. The model I got was olive green and the all metal shell has some substance, but not heavy by any means.

Looks wise they have a kinda retro modern look to them and that olive green looks much better in person than in pictures. The shells use a slightly recessed 2 pin design that gives some extra sturdiness for the Spring 2. These will be able to use any .78mm 2 pin aftermarket cables.

Stock cable is a 4 core crystal copper with an excellent look and build. I am a cable connoisseur and I can say this has to be one of the better copper cables I have seen as a stock throw in. I can tell BQEYZ did you a favor in throwing in a good copper cable as they match up well with the sonic ability of the Spring 2 perfectly. The included case is a nice throw in with 3 sets of tips.

The 2 sets of silicone tips have a slight subtle effect on the sonic character of the Spring 2 and you're bound to get along with a pair but if you are like most, will probably tip roll and call it good but for what they are, the stock tips are fairly standard and usable however the one pair of foams you get is in a small size. Which would be great for small ears but unfortunately they are unusable for me.

Sound analysis was done using my DAPs Fiio M15, Shanling M6pro, M5s, M3s, Ibasso DX160, Sony ZX300, Cayin Nii, and my IFI black label for amping.

Out of the box listening was interesting. I am not one to judge a sound on open listening in fact I highly advise against it. Treble was thin and brittle sounding and the stage seemed compressed. But that was the out of the box experience. Burn in does seem to give the Spring 2 much better cohesion and corrects a lot of the issues with the trebles. So burn in is highly recommended on the BQEYZ Spring 2. My evaluation and all my reviews means I have burned them in fully before evaluation. Some earphones improve with burn in and some don’t. These clearly do.

Sound design is fairly balanced from bass to treble but with the 9 layer Piezoelectric ceramic tweeters in the mix. These throw out some excellent extension and detail in the treble. I think floor speaker folks will immediately recognize how these drivers sound. They sound like speaker tweeters but for earphones. A bit different in sound characteristics to BA or even dynamic treble. Trebles has a quick decay and has plenty of sparkle and detail from the region. It has some very good imaging and detail going on in the trebles. However treble has a slight metallic tinge to the tone. I have had a few other sets that use Piezos for treble and the general characteristics seems to be similar on earphones that use piezos. If anything the treble sounds a bit unique which is not a bad thing.

Mid bands has a slight warmth, a hint of an organic tone, good imaging and fullness to the region. Vocals can sound lush and has a solid sense of a musical ranginess. Instruments has space, good timbre with a fairly upfront imaging . Mids detail is very good here and has good depth of sound. As stated above it is the cohesion of the 3 drivers that seems to improve greatly over time and now the sound is seamless but not perfect. Lower mids has a slight bit of warmth due to the mid bass but sounds natural. Mids are done very well here and seems just a touch forward in the mix. The sound is engaging and it is due to the tonal quality of the mid bands.

Bass comes from a larger 13mm dynamic and while the bass end provides good presence it is not the tightest or the speediest of bass ends. Overall the bass tone and presence is a complimentary piece to the warmish smooth mids of the Spring2. Bass comes alive with good detail and impact when called upon and can provide a good rumble in the sub bass. However the bass end here could have used a healthy coating of titanium, beryllium or carbon to really bring out that texture.

There are so many exotic dynamic drivers being used in earphones nowadays and here is where I feel BQEYZ could have done one better. The bass presence is certainly ample but the bass end seems ever so slightly soft. The bass end keeps up with the tracks I tested them with but that large 13mm dynamic needing venting is done through some vent holes in the housing. Overall I would give the bass end to be good but not great.

Sound stage to my ears is a bit sideways rectangular like in form. Wider than tall or deep. The height of the sonics are a bit taller than deep. Which makes vocals seem a bit more forward in the mix. Overall stage perception is above average here and sounds spacious in all directions. Sound separation here is decisively BA in form. Has good instrument separation but due to that taller stage perception. Sound is not exactly spread out even from side to side. The mids imaging seems to be a bit more narrower than having a broader even spread of the mid range bands. This gives the Spring 2 to have somewhat of an intimate sounding mid range while treble is well separated in recordings that fire from the far left or the right.

Cohesion of the 3 drivers on the Spring 2 is actually good but not exactly perfect. The sound is enjoyable and I consider the Spring 2 to be a very good sounding hybrid. However you can’t expect perfection from a sub $200 earphone and while I seem to be a bit critical on these aspects, that is because I want this group to succeed and bring out something that will set the bar for the given price. Spring 2 is their 2nd mid fi level offering from BQEYZ and from all indications is an updated version of the first Spring 1.

As they are, I feel they are competitive for their price and have a good versatile musical sound to the tuning. Piezoelectric ceramic drivers bring a unique treble tuning to the hybrid realm and the Spring 2 does a good job implementing the 3 drivers. Perspective buyers will be pleased with their engaging, capable full bodied sound signature. I can certainly tell the effort that went into creating the Spring 2 and for the most part it succeeds but with so much competition in the price range nowadays. It has to be more than just good. It has to be exceptional to really stand out.

Overall I highly enjoyed my time with the Spring 2 and getting to know it’s sonic character and enjoyable sound. Its versatile dimensional sound has grown on me more and more the time I spent analysing the sound. So the Spring2 seems to have a sound that grows on a person more so than immediately impresses out of the box. I usually find this type of gradual admiration for a sound to have a much longer staying power for me. In the end the Spring 2 turned out to be a good one. As always thanks for taking the time to read and happy listening.

SOUND: 8.5/10
CONSTRUCTION&DESIGN: 9/10
ACCESSORIES: 9/10
VALUE: 8.5/10

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BQEYZ is a Chinese earphones company with a solid fan base but still understated in the western world. Unlike lot of less professional IEM companies based in China, BQEYZ is known for both their unique craftmanship and high tuning skill. As well, they patent their own drivers, the last one being a quite revolutionary dual Piezo-dynamic driver that they use in their flagship earphones call BQEYZ SPRING.





This driver used with the balanced armature isn’t a normal DD one as it uses an impressive 9-layers piezoelectric driver in tandem with the big 13mm dynamic driver. Piezo driver is known to deliver crisp treble that can extend far in upper highs and Spring1 takes full advantage of it, digging a lot of microdetails and texture nuance. I’m a big fan of the first Spring version, but I feel tonal balance can be improved as well as the overall sound can be smoother and more natural, so it sound less aggressively analytical.


BQEYZ takes all consumers and reviewers feedback into consideration to tune differently their second Spring version, and it seems they want to enlighten a balanced musicality instead of forwards technicalities of Spring1.


The SPRING2 uses the exact same Hybrid drivers configuration, which is one custom made balanced armature with dual DD-piezo driver. The physical change is minimal but still important in terms of better ergonomic fit.


If the first Spring was already very good, do we need to buy the more expensive Spring2? This is one of the questions I will try to answer in my review.


You can buy the Spring2 for 169$ directly from the official BQEYZ Aliexpress store HERE.

SPECS

1. Item： Spring 2

2. Dynamic Driver: 13mm

3. Impedance: 32 Ω

4. Sensitivity: 110 dB

5. Frequency: 7-40KHz

6. Cable Length: 1.2m

7. Pin Type: 0.78mm-2 Pin

8. Plug Type: 3.5mm

9. Driver units: 13mm Coaxial dynamic driver+9 Layers piezo electric+Balanced armature
PACKAGING, CONSTRUCTION & ACCESSORIES





As always with BQEYZ, we have minimalist packaging , which is the very same thick cardboard box than Spring1. The biggest difference in terms of accessories is the fact you can select the cable type between 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm jack.





This cable is of excellent quality, it’s a 4 strand Litz crystal copper cable with 224 cores. It look like the very same cable than the FAAEAL Hibiscus I praise about. As well, you have 6 pairs of silicone ear tips, 1 pair of memory foam, a cleaning tool, and a carrying case. Perhaps the box is small, but it’s sure fulfilled with a generous amount of accessories!








CONSTRUCTION of the first Spring was already very impressive which explains in part why the BQEYZ engineer did minimal changes. Like the first version, the whole body is made of thick solid metal that seems to promise very long durability and isn’t prompt to easy scratching. The front housing part has been changed for a more ergonomic one with an organic shape and less long nozzle which improves both fit and long time comfort. This might feel like a small change, but to me, it’s a game-changer in terms of smooth comfort because the first Spring1 tends to sore my inner ears because the nozzle was both too large and long. The 2pin connector hasn’t been improved, which isn’t really an issue because its sturdy and well embedded in the body, but still I would have preferred that the 2pin connector has been flush with the body to permit a wider range of cable pairing.





DRIVEABILITY is easy enough due to its rather high sensitivity of 110db, but the impedance of 32ohm do benefit from extra amping power, so while you can enjoy them with your phone, I do suggest you to use either a portable amp or powerful DAP to release its full potential in term of Soundstage and Dynamic heft.


ISOLATION is great and offers above-average passive noise cancelation due to its thick metal housing. Noise leakage is minimal but present and came from the 3 front venting hole.

SOUND




Gear used: Xduoo X20, Ibasso DX90, Topping E10S+JDS ATOM or Xduoo XD-05plus, Audirect BEAM2

OBJECTIVIST IMPRESSIONS


If we can’t exactly consider the Spring2 being neutral due to little bass boost and upper treble taming, it’s so well balanced and cohesive that we do not feel any specific frequencies range is overly colored or pushed forwards. Natural in tonal balance and full in timbre is the sound, with well rounded upper mids and treble that are free of sibilance or harshness. The Spring2 offer a lush W shape signature where mids and lower treble take the first seat and both low and high end are tamed.


Compared to the more aggressively bright Spring1, the biggest difference is due to the use of damping material to cancel unwanted spike in whole sound spectrum. The bass is less boomy and forwards, upper mids are smoother and upper treble is more balanced and less prompt to push forwards unwanted sound artifacts. The Spring1 has been healed by literally using damping plasters (or filters) on it’s bleeding wounds. To some extent, this healing process affects technicalities like clarity sharpness and details retrieval, but drastically improve tonality.


SOUNDSTAGE is wider than deeper, it has as well good tallness. Presentation is panoramic and stereo-like, making center positioning, not as holographically perceived as the left and right channel.


IMAGING is good, having a good mix of transparent enough layers and crisp highs positioning. Higher is the range of the instrument, better and wider the separation will be. Lower end instruments aren’t as precisely define. In that regard, the Spring1 have crisper and more precise imaging.


TIMBRE is a hint warm and transparent, has average density, texture nuance are more organic than grainy and lacks a bit of micro-details.


BASS stays in the back and has weighty slam, lacking some tightness edge even if the attack is very fast. The lack of lower end extension down to 20hz of Spring1 haven’t been healed, but most of its unwanted bleeding in lower mids are. Resolution isn’t the best as well as crisp separation from mids, as well, it lacks a bit on proper rounded kick punch, making it warm and chunky in its presentation even if as said it isn’t overly boosted at all. Here we are in a strange lukewarm bass territory, were it has the quality of basshead IEM but a tamed quantity, so you have lot of background rumble which isn’t that well balanced with the higher bass part. Sub-bass line has more presence than drum kick, which is good for pop and electro but not as good with jazz. Acoustic bass will lack natural extension and transparency, because yes, the bass is thick and quite opaque too. Nonetheless, the bass arrticulation is well done and offer extra dynamic heft to overall tonality.


MIDS are forwards, transparent and crisp. Female vocal sound particularly good, lusher than any other instruments and quite clear, though a bit breathy which affect the precise articulation of words. Full range instruments like piano can sound thin in lower register, but this benefit woodwind instrument like saxophone that sounds superb. Male vocal are a bit thinner than female vocal but don’t sound recessed or veiled by bass. The whole mid-range is very revealing in macro-resolution and can deal with busy tracks effortlessly, thanks to the great cohesion between the balanced armature and dual Piezo-DD drivers, the Spring2 deliver a highly accurate sound without sounding clinical. Sure mids are a little bright, but you don’t have any harshness or sibilance due to a well-polished tone. The spatial presentation is rather intimate and lacks a bit of air to sound enough open.


TREBLE is full and natural, snappy in the attack, but not the most brilliant or sparkly due to tamed upper highs. Still, it’s the most energic part of the sound spectrum. The percussion sound very realist with good harmonic balance, it’s neither metallic nor thin sounding. Snare does sound more aggressive in brightness and less well balanced than cymbals that kept its place in the back. Micro-details aren’t pushed forwards, making the Spring2 less analytical and revealing than the first version. Though the attack is very fast and thigh, the definition lacks a bit of edge to give some grip to the violin or electric guitar. The highs are the more open sounding frequencies and add a much-needed bit of air to the overall sound. Again, what impress here it’s how fluid sound the treble with rest of the spectrum, it doesn’t feel detached from mids and add pleasant naturalness to tonal cohesion. As well, don’t be afraid about the number of details the Spring2 can dig, because it sure delivers plenty of it if you search for it by entering critical listener mode.



SUBJECTIVIST APPRECIATION


I’m no treble sensitive but tends to be very sensitive to sibilance, less so to aggressive upper highs. Still, I’m very critical about proper lower end extension too because of numerous jazz bassists I listen to like Lars Danielsson or Arild Andersen. So, my biggest issue with the first Spring was more about the bass presentation too, which I found overly boomy and forwards. Unfortunately, while the bass is less boosted and more on the back seat, the sub extension cannot be healed by damping and do sound rolled-off. It really questions me about the use of a 13mm dynamic driver, especially if it’s a good idea to make a dual piezo-dd instead of using 2 separate drivers for proper sound expansion. In fact, untrained ears would perhaps not even be bothered by this little roll-off around the 50hz ultra-low zone, but to me, it makes acoustic bass sound boxy. That plus a slightly sloppy high bass make it for less accurate bass response lacking refinement in both attack and texture. So, personally, I do not find the bass of Spring2 enjoyable.
In the other hand, I find the mids very appealing, and female vocal sound sweet and full, though the overall definition of mid-range lack some sharpness, I do think it’s among the best mid-range of whole BQEYZ line up. We have both transparency and body, and the slight lack of lower mids presence does not affect overall tonality.
TREBLE too is surprisingly cohesive, it’s more liquid sounding than the first version and you don’t have an aggressive spike, nonetheless, I would have preferred a more resolving and sparkly treble and I miss the timbre texture of first Spring (not the harsh cymbals). In fact, the piezo driver sounds overly veiled.
I’m familiar with damping filter used with the balanced armature and tends to always pull them off so we can get more open sound and if there something that lacks with the Spring2 it’s AIR, this does affect negatively the imaging and soundstage depth and while we sure got a more balanced tonality, it’s a ”woolly tonality” that lack a bit of micro-resolution.

COMPARISONS



VS BQEYZ SPRING1 (around 100$ now)

I can just resume the difference between those saying that both are W shape but the Spring1 is brighter and more analytical while the Spring2 is lusher and more balanced, but it’s not enough.
The SOUNDSTAGE of Spring1 is about the same wide but taller and deeper with a more holographic feel and imaging has better transparency in layering and more air between instrument. The BASS is slightly boomier, less impactful and well define than Spring2 which seem to have a better extension too. MIDS are more transparent and textured as well as more sibilant, while vocal sound fuller and smoother with Spring2, the attack of instruments like piano, electric guitar and violin isn’t as immediate and detailed. TREBLE is more vivid and sparkly, making instrument like acoustic guitar have more decay, while the Spring2 have a more balanced treble that doesn’t force artificial analysis of the sound.


The Spring2 is like a domesticate Spring1, it’s warmer, slightly bassier with lusher vocal and less aggressive technicalities.

VS IKKO OH1 (140$)

The OH1 is more U shape and has a less natural tonality.
SOUNDSTAGE is again bigger and airier, but IMAGING is very similar and feels overly concentrated in the higher range. BASS is more boosted in sub-region and dig deeper, it’s weightier and more rounded, can we say it’s juicier too? Dunno, but the bass of OH1 feel higher in quantity AND quality with a more transparent density and more authoritative definition in separation. MIDS aren’t as full and sound more artificial, shouty and harsh, as well, complex busy track will make mid-range fastly overwhelmed compared to Spring2. TREBLE is again thinner, brighter in timbre and not as snappy as more resolved Spring2, but it’s airier and cleaner.


While the bass is sure better with the OH1, everything else apart Soundstage is more refined, full sounding and balanced with Spring2.

VS KINERA FREYA (250$)

The FREYA is Quad-Hybrid 1DD+3BA IEM, and while the overall technicalities are superior to Spring2, the Tonality isn’t as cohesive and full sounding. SOUNDSTAGE is more holographic and circular with deeper spatiality, imaging is sharper and has more amount of transparent layers than Spring2. Clarity is cleaner with the FREYA. BASS is similar, but slightly less boosted and has better separation and more controlled impact, it’s rounder too. MIDS are slightly more recessed but brighter, thinner and less natural, as well, they have more sibilance. TREBLE is more airy and delicate, but less full in timbre making it sound more artificial than Spring2.


The overall signature is similar, being both between U and W shape balance, but the Spring2 have both extensions tamed, making it less aggressively bright than the FREYA, but less clear and accurate in imaging too.

CONCLUSION




While i’m not sure you really need the Spring2 if you already own the Spring1 and aren’t offended by its vivid bright nature, I sincerely think it’s the best sounding one in term of musicality and tonal balance.


The Spring2 really find the sweet spot between natural tonality and capable technicality where everything sounds dynamic yet cohesive.


BQEYZ show again their tuning talent with the Spring2, which isn’t easy task for a trip hybrid configuration using 3 different types of drivers. To be able to deliver such a fluid and realist sound is nothing less than a tour-de-force.


If you like smooth W shape sound signature that delivers lush female vocal, excellent macro-resolution as well as weighty dynamic, the Spring2 should be on your Must-have list because this IEM will please as much the audiophile searching for accuracy than audio enthusiast searching for versatile musicality.

Disclaimer : This unit was sent to me by BQEYZ. However, this does not affect my review of the product in any way whatsoever.

INTRO
BQEYZ is a Chinese earphone company that has been in the market for quite a while. Their products such as the K2, KC2 and also Spring 1 have had decent reviews with their balanced tuning sound. I personally own the Spring 1 (you can check out my review of it here) and having been impressed by it, I decided that I should give the Spring 2 a listen too. Let's see how the Spring 2 is like!


QUICK SUMMARY
Sound : Balanced with more focus on mids and midbass
The graph depicts how the earphones sound like to me


Driver : 13mm Coaxial dynamic driver + 9 Layers piezoelectric driver + Balanced armature driver
Socket : 2-pin (0.78mm)
Price : 169 USD
Where to buy it : Aliexpress (Not affiliate link)

Suitable Genres : Acoustic, Funk (just for guitars) and chill songs in general
(If you like my content, check out my site here and follow me on instagram here)

WHAT'S IN THE BOX

1 Set of "Atmosphere" silicone eartips (S,M,L)
1 Set of "Reference" silicone eartips (S,M,L)
1 Pair of foam eartips
1 x Single crystal copper cable (3.5mm; have the option to choose 2.5mm or 4.4mm)
1 x BQEYZ Spring 2
1 x Semi-hard carrying case
1 x Cleaning Tool

Again, BQEYZ keeps up with the very complete packaging that they established in the Spring 1. I like how they provide that carrying case that actually holds the tips in a separate pocket at the upper side of the case. The case is quite huge so it can actually hold larger sized earphones with no issues too.

I also like that they provide 2 different types of eartips for users who want to tweak their sound slightly. The difference between the two is that the "Atmosphere" tips have a smaller opening compared to the "Reference" tips as seen in the picture below. I will talk about the difference a bit more in the "Sound" segment.

As for the cable, it's good to see that BQEYZ offers the option to choose between the 2.5mm, 3.5mm and the 4.4mm connectors. I went with the 3.5mm as my target audience are mostly for people who usually don't have a dedicated Digital Audio Player (DAP) with such connections. If you do however have a DAP, I highly recommend getting it in either 2.5mm/4.4mm to take advantage of the balanced output of your players!

The earphone also comes in 2 colors, midnight black and olive green. I went with the black for my unit but the green does look nice too.

BQEYZ Spring 2 Olive Green (Image taken from their product posting)
Overall, I really like that BQEYZ provide such a complete set of accessories and that you are ready to go head out immediately when you get it. The cleaning tool is also a nice touch for users to keep their earphones clean. Great job, don't ever cut back on this!

BUILD QUALITY


The Spring 2's shell is made of aluminum and it was produced through a 5-axis CNC process. The earphone feels very sturdy and has some weight to it but it never feels heavy on the ears. It also has a matte finishing and I just love it when earphones feel that way as it won't attract fingerprints. It certainly feels premium and its build quality is top-notch. Sockets hold the 2 pin connectors firmly with no signs of being loose.

However, I noticed that on the 2 pin connector on the cable, there is a slight rattling sound, which was also found on the Spring 1. After further confirming with BQEYZ, the rattling sound was actually caused by the heat shrink of the cable as there are gaps between the heat shrink and the cable. Thus when you shake it, the cable slightly knocks against the heat shrink and it causes the rattling sound. Despite that, it does not affect the sound in any way.

COMFORT AND ISOLATION
The earphone feels comfortable in my ears and never feels like it is dropping out despite its weight. I generally get a decent seal with the provided eartips though I would change to a different brand of tips to get an even better seal and comfort if I were to use it as my personal unit. I would recommend using the Acoustune AET-07 tips or the Final Audio tips if you are considering other brands of tips.

However the isolation on this unit is not very good. On the train, I could still hear the train announcements slightly while listening to music. I find myself having to turn up the volume to drown out the external noise when using it outdoors. Also when I'm typing on the keyboard, I can still hear myself typing at my typical volume of 37 in a quiet room.

Spring 2 with 2 vents on the inner side

I believe that to achieve a wider soundstage, BQEYZ placed another vent in each side of the earphone on top of the bass vent for its dynamic driver, but this comes at the expense of isolation.

SOUND
Before I give a general overview of the sound, the setup I use to test are as follows :
DAP - Cayin N6ii (T01)
Cable - Stock (3.5mm)
Eartips - Stock ("Reference" tips)

The most prominent aspect of the sound is the mid bass; bass guitars stand out a lot more, kick drums has a fast and hard hitting impact. It has a natural sound and is very easy on the ears. Due to it having that comfortable sound, lows and highs however take a hit. It does not have that good of a low and high extension; bass doesn't go very deep and rumble much and treble doesn't sound as energetic as what I'm used to. However, when listening to my typical genres (rock, metal, blues), the groove provided by the highs is still audible but mostly tucked in the back. I also noticed that it has a wider soundstage than most earphones. The experience I get while listening to this is an out of head experience.

Given its comfortable sound, I find it really relaxing to use this pair of earphones to listen to songs that are slower paced or low energy. I find myself enjoying this pair of earphones with genres such as jazz and even some funk songs where it is not so upbeat.

Comparing tips, due to the "Atmosphere" tips having a narrower opening, you get a more directed sound with a slight boost to the highs and midbass. Highs would have a bit more sparkle to them while the midbass has more slam to them. There was no noticeable difference in the subbass.

Highs
Highs have air in them and is clear. Ever-present but doesn't overwhelm the listener and doesn't decay very quickly even during fast paced rock songs. It doesn't have a much extension and thus it might feel less energetic for certain songs that rely on high hats or cymbals for the rhythm.

This can be heard in POLKADOT STINGRAY's "FREE" where the high hats and cymbals don't stand out as much throughout the song.

Another example of this is in Polyphia's "Saucy" where the high hats are abundant. You always hear it but it doesn't particularly jump out to you immediately.

Then again, having lesser presence in the highs doesn't equate to it being bad. In certain songs where the treble can get really sharp, this would dampen it and make the song more palatable.

Such an instance is Keina Suda's "Charles (Self-Cover)" where there are very high pitched melodies in the chorus. On the ThieAudio Monarch, it sounds a little too sharp for me so I would usually turn down the volume. However on the Spring 2, it's much more acceptable and I don't find myself cringing from the sharpness of the sound.

I have to say that I really do enjoy the quality of the highs overall, though it has a lesser presence, the highs are crisp with a good spacing in it. It's a bit on the thinner side but I wouldn't call them thin either.

Mids
Similar to the highs, the mids doesn't have much presence in the upper mids region but the lower mids take center stage here. Rhythm guitars tend to be more audible than the lead guitars at times and have a decent amount of presence though lesser than that of mid bass.

In Frederic's "Kanashi Ureshi", you can hear the rhythm guitar very clearly when it comes in at 0:07 and tends to be more forward than the lead guitar. Even during the chorus, you can clearly hear the rhythm on the right side while lead is slightly more laidback on the left side. All while this is going on, drums tend to be tucked behind the rest of the instruments; even vocals are more audible than the drums!

I noticed that the Spring 2 excels in funk genres due to its ability to dissect the midrange section well and provide that bite to the the funky guitar, you could almost feel each chuck of the guitar in your ears. This is clearly evident in Vulfpeck's "Cory Wong" where you can feel each strum of the guitar and the bass guitar can also be felt. I'll dive more into the bass in the next segment.

In Frederic's "Sukiraism", I can hardly hear the drums save for some snares, kick drums and the high hats. The other drums on the drum kit are barely noticeable such as the Tom Tom drums.

Vocals are definitely one of the main focus here as they always stand out from the rest of the other frequencies in the mid range. However, it tends to be a bit shy at times, never overextending it's presence when the singer belts their voice.

I decided to try listening to "Tieduprightnow" from Parcels and it was a delight. Vocals are very defined, even the harmonies can be clearly heard. On top of the that, the bass lines are tight, filling in every pocket of the music and the drums aren't too overpowering. Guitar is also subtly tucked in the corner but has adequate amount of presence to chime in to the song. The whole song comes together very nicely through the Spring 2, and I think it excels for this particular genre that Parcels fall under.

Overall lower mids excels here with its ability to provide a good attack in instruments such as electric guitars. Upper mids and vocals are clear but doesn't have that much of a bite to it such as when the singer belts out those higher notes.


Lows
(This unit has not been burnt in for more than 100 hours. If there are any changes to the sound after, I will note down the changes then)
Upon putting on the earphone, midbass definitely stands out the most to me. You can always feel the kick drums and Tom drums. Subbass is decent but does not rumble as much nor goes as deep as I would have liked. There's a slight rumble when listening to most songs but it tends to hover closer to the mid bass region.

Going back to Parcel's "TiedUpRightNow", bass is tight and fast in general. You get a lot of that nice bass groove and that nice midbass slam. This is also the same for their song "IKnowHowIFeel" where the kick drums can be felt in your ears and the bass guitar has a decent enough rumble with each note. The Spring 2 really brings the groove to such funkier songs and I really like that about it!

Testing the extension of the low ends, I decided to test it against Polyphia's "So Strange", starting from 2:40 till the end of the song. Having listened to this on other earphones with a deeper bass extension, this song further confirms the fact that the bass doesn't go as deep and hovers mostly at the midbass segment. You could still get a rumble but it's as if the bass driver is very stiff (could be due to driver not being burnt in, will confirm again!). As the bass further descends in the final 30 seconds of the song, it doesn't really show as much.

I however found this rather suitable for jazz because of its calming sound overall. The bass just adds enough depth for most jazz songs without overpowering the song, allowing you to relax while listening to it. Still, the bass hovers around the midbass region but to me, I feel that it's just enough.

Overall, though bass doesn't have that much of a low end extension, it provides a decent rumble in the midbass segment that allows you to groove to the beat still.

OTHER NOTES
Here are more detailed explanation about imaging, separation and soundstage :

Imaging
Imaging is alright for most but don't expect it to be very well detailed. For most songs, imaging is mostly just between the left and right channels only.

If you've read my reviews enough, my go to song is "Can't Wait" by Chon for testing imaging. I don't hear much detailed imaging going on, mostly just between the left and right channels and how far the instruments are on the left and right side to me. There isn't the case where I sense an instrument diagonally to me and such.

Separation
From first impression, separation is only okay as the sound usually comes out as a cohesive unit. However upon closer inspection, I noticed that the separation is actually rather decent in the mids especially. Each segment (highs, mids and lows) have their own distinct layer when listening a bit close but tend to come together as one when you're not paying so much attention.

The most unique part about this earphone is that the mids section tend to be very well segmented. Instruments in the mids section have a very clear distinction from each other. Guitar, vocals and drums, each tend to be very well separated from each other. It's rather easy when trying to discern guitar riffs between the lead and rhythm section as each comes to you from each side. As a guitarist, I really enjoyed this aspect of the sound profile.

Soundstage
Soundstage is wide, usually I get an out of head experience with the earphone which I think is rather enjoyable when I want to listen to this and relax. If you are trying to listen to some music to relax on your bed, you wouldn't want it to all be in your head, that would sound too cramped. Hence I think that this level of soundstage is really comfortable to listen to.


COMPARISON
I think what most people would like to know is how does it compare against its predecessor which has a similar driver setup. Hence, I will only be doing a comparison against the Spring 1. I will be using the "Reference" tips on both the units.

The Spring 2 is definitely easier to drive and does not require you to turn the volume up as much. To match the volume, the Spring 1 is at 44 while the Spring 2 is at 40. It could partly be due to the cable as the provided cable on the Spring 1 is thicker.

Comparing the lows, the extension of the bass on the Spring 1 is deeper. Using "So Strange" by Polyphia for testing, the subbass is much more audible on the Spring 1 and you can hear the change as it goes deeper. However, the Spring 2 has a better midbass slam as it has more kick to it in the kick drums. The kick drums on the Spring 1 is a bit more hollow than on the 2s. Personally feel that the Spring 2's bass has more substance than the 1s overall.

Moving on to the mids, Spring 2's has more attack in the midrange; chucking of the guitar strings sound thicker and have more bite to it. Using "Tieduprightnow" from Parcels again, the Spring 1 does not have that much attack and sounds a bit thinner. That upper midrange is clearer on the Spring 2. Vocal clarity is the same but similarly, it sounds bit thicker on the Spring 2 and has more presence on the Spring 2 than on the Spring 1.


As for highs, more audible on the Spring 2 than on the 1s and with a bit of a higher extension on the Spring 2 than on the 1s. High hats and cymbals sound thicker and have more spacing in them on the Spring 1s.

Spring 1 however, has a larger soundstage and it feels so much more spacious than the Spring 2. Spring 2 feels a bit more directed to the listener and maybe that is why some things are less audible on the Spring 1.

Imaging levels are about the same but separation is only just a bit better on the Spring 2 as music tends to sound more dissected than on the Spring 1 especially on tracks where the instruments start to get heavier.

Personally, I feel that the Spring 2 still retains the qualities of the Spring 1 but with slightly improved overall sound but it does so by losing some soundstage. I feel that the Spring 2 addresses some of the initial issues I had with the Spring 1 (review of Spring 1 here) where the earphone sounds a bit dull. The Spring 2 adds a tad more excitement to the earphones with its more present highs and midbass impact.

CONCLUSION
BQEYZ has released the Spring 2 that has a very comfortable sound with enough midbass impact, decent mids, laidback highs and a wider soundstage than most earphones. The Spring 2 is clearly an earphone that's more suitable for a comfortable listening session, such as on the way home after a long day or work or just laying in bed with some light tunes. I definitely enjoyed my time reviewing them as it was different from most of the high energy earphones that I've been listening to! If you want an earphone for a comfortable, musical sound, do give the BQEYZ Spring 2 a go!

Spring 2 ❤

Great layering and detail

Excellent imaging

Smooth detailed bass and mids

Intimate and revealing

Treble can be a bit shouty at times with certain music

Great Resolution and Balance

Excellent stock Cable

Side grade to spring 1?

More efficient than the 1 easier to drive

Dd is slightly faster with better resolution but can still be slow at times

Rare Flagship that can be ran off a phone and doesn’t need an amp to shine.

My best non amped iem

Sounds better with aftermarket tips

Introduction

BQEYZ is a Chinese brand, established in the city of Dongguan. It has been characterized by making IEMS models, using hybrid technology, at prices quite contained. And the result has been quite good. Previously, I have reviewed the models K1 and KB100, with remarkable impressions on both.

Currently, it is the turn of the second version of his most expensive product: the Spring 2, a triple hybrid that mounts a 13mm dynamic driver, a 9-layer piezo-electric driver and balanced armature driver. Its configuration is the same as for version 1, even its shape is practically the same. Only the cable is different, being transparent, allowing to see the thick copper strands used.

In this review I will go deeper into the current top-of-the-range model of BQEYZ.



Specifications

• Drivers Type: 1 DD 9mm + 1 Piezo-Electric 9 layer driver + 1 BA
• Frequency Response: 7Hz-40kHz
• Sensitivity: 110±3dB
• Impedance: 32Ω
• Jack connector: 3.5mm gold-plated
• Capsule Connection Type: 2 Pin 0.78mm

Packaging

The BQEYZ Spring 2 comes in a compact turquoise box, measuring 132x118x54mm. The box is covered by a decorated cardboard. On its front face, in the upper left corner, is written the name of the brand, in white letters. Inside there is a big black 2 and the word "Spring" in a font that simulates handwriting. On the back are the specifications and the contents of the package. The information is written in English and partially in Chinese.

The inner box is black, with a dotted pattern surface, very classic in hardcover books. The brand name is written on the top left in silver letters. After opening the cover, it is possible to see the capsules, black in my case, embedded in a foam of the same color and a gray cardboard box. In it there is a transport case, with a zipper, it is black and it has the logo of the brand. There is also the guarantee certificate and the instruction manual. Inside the case, there are the rest of the accessories. In summary, the contents are as follows:

• The two capsules.
• The 4-strand copper cable and Velcro tape for easy storage, 2 Pin 0.78mm.
• A brush for cleaning the capsules.
• A pair of medium size silicone tips.
• A metal blister pack, which holds the Atmosphere and Reference silicone tips, sizes SxMxL.

I like the box to be compact in size, quite sturdy. I value the carrying case and its good and adequate size. The metallic blister, where the silicone tips are kept, reminds the one that includes the RHA models. The tips are of three types, two sets of silicone and a pair of foam. One set of silicone tips is called Atmosphere, perhaps to enhance the scene. And the game Reference, to respect the basic sound of the IEMS. Due to problems with my ear canal width, I can't use the standard tips properly. The cable seems to be of very good quality and is made of copper, of a style and use, that fits my preferences. Finally, the cleaning brush is a detail, but it doesn't seem very useful, I think the bristles should be shorter and harder.

In short, the packaging is quite correct, while the accessory set borders on the usual, without being anything special.



Construction and Design

The capsules of BQYEZ Spring 2 have a very soft and pleasant shape. They are made of aluminium, machined on a 5-axis CNC and anodized. This way, the surface has a rough micro texture, which increases its beauty and provides a really nice touch. The pieces are thick. The external face has an irregular semicircular shape, where one vertex is sharper than the other. The chosen model is black, but on the edge of the external face, it has a bevel, in red, which gives it a distinguished and elegant touch. In the highest part of the semicircle, there is a part of the surface, which is lowered, delimited with a border in the form of a soft wave. On this surface, written in white letters, you can read "BQEYZ" on the right capsule and "Spring II" on the left. The 2-pin 0.78mm connection is located on the most rounded vertex and its connectors are located inside the capsules. The inner face is very rounded and delicate. Near the base of the nozzles, there is a hole, covered, on the inside, with a white grid. Further towards the edge, there is a slit that holds two more holes, at the bottom of which nothing can be seen. In the middle of the three holes, the letter identifying the channel is inscribed in a way that is not very visible, very subtle and small. The nozzles are golden. They are approximately 5mm high. They are divided into three areas of different diameter. The base has a diameter of 7.5mm, the central ring, 5.1mm and the outer crown 5.8mm. Its interior is protected by a perforated metal grid, slightly sunken.

The construction of the capsules is excellent, the effect of the paint, the color combination and the texture is very good. The design of the capsules is very elegant, beautiful, pleasant and attractive. The shapes are soft and delicate. They really are very beautiful.

The cable consists of 4 strands of single-crystal copper, up to 224 wires. Each strand is covered with transparent plastic and is twisted together. The Jack connector is 3.5mm, gold plated. The connector sleeve is a cylinder, whose central radius is smaller. It can be read "BQEYZ" written longitudinally, in black letters. The splitting piece is the same, but slightly smaller. The pin is a transparent plastic ball. The 2-pin connector sleeves still have the same design, but in this case, the letters inscribed indicate each channel. There is a more rigid cover, which gives the cable a question mark shape, for use over the ear. All pins are 0.78mm and gold-plated, embedded in a transparent plastic base. The cable has a black velcro strip for easy storage. This type of cable is one of my favorites. I like them to be short and thick. Besides copper, it is very flexible and easy to handle. I think it is a great cable.

The set, both the design and construction and the detail of the blister pack to store the tips, is outstanding.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

The nozzles are moderately long and have good orientation. With silicone tips, a surface fit is achieved. In my case, thanks to the length of the nozzles, I get the capsules to stay as if they were floating, without hardly touching any part of the ear. The fit is firm and does not move, being durable, even when walking. I have also used bi or tri-flange tips, with great results, as the orientation of the nozzles allows it. With this type of tips, the soundproofing is increased, although, with simple tips it's already quite good.

The only negative point is that the music can be heard from outside, maybe through the holes, and it can be very annoying if we are in a quiet environment.



Sound

Profile

The BQEYZ have a balanced profile, where no single band excels, in a very predominant way. The mid-high range is its high point. The low-end has a medium presence, with a very accomplished texture, but does not stand out. The highs are soft and not too extensive. The set has a slight warm tendency, providing a fairly safe sound from above, with some intensity in the high mids.



Bass

The bass is focused on the middle zone, it stands out for its texture and the roughness of its execution. This characteristic is clearly perceptible, being the key piece in this low band, providing the greatest attraction of the area. The sub-bass is noticeable, but not remarkable. The sonority is quite natural, it has a relatively fast start, contained and compact, but its disappearance is not so fast, which provides a greater warmth and a slight incidence in the middle zone, not very negative, beyond the warmth it confers. Returning to the texture, it is responsible for the color of the bass is very pleasant and attractive. It makes that, without having a great presence, the music with bass predominance, is quite pleasant, complacent, even, captivating by moments. The descriptive capacity is quite achieved, being able to discern planes at a good level, without excelling in this aspect, but performing well. Although, on the other hand, the lower area is not characterized by being one of the deepest, despite the pleasant sound and naturalness that treasures.



Mids

The mids draw warmth from the lower zone, retaining softness and a higher initial weight. The first half has a good body, which prevents it from feeling hollow or orphaned. There is a good level of presence here, but this is exceeded in the upper mids, although without going to intolerable extremes. Even so, this characteristic is also complemented by a fairly smooth upper zone (at least, in my unit). In this way, the sound is polarized in the upper half, has emphasis, is quite clear, marked, but does not shine too much, leaving it somewhat unfinished, unpolished, halfway through, losing the good coherence of the first half, of the whole sound. However, the result doesn't feel too strange, the mids can sound quite nice, if the genre or the pieces don't affect that column too much. The texture, again, plays a very beneficial role, being its greatest achievement, since it serves as a thread of musicality, contributing, what I think is the great attraction of these IEMS: the color and the special sonority/tone it produces. And in this sense, the midrange is not analytical, nor very explicit. The definition is not very high and the resolution level is quite smooth. All this generates some voices, well mixed with the instruments, without a clear favour to one side or the other, nor a predominant presence. They have the good body described at the beginning of the paragraph, which helps them not to sound thin. They are soft and not too outlined, musical at all times, but not too descriptive or detailed. With the instrumentation is similar, in few IEMS I have found that the mixture of both is as homogeneous as in the Spring 2. They preserve the good timbre and the special tonality of the range, as well as the remarkable characteristic texture and the pleasant clarity of the area.



Treble

My unit has quite a bit of treble, far from what I could have anticipated, in a triple hybrid that mounts a BA driver and a piezo-electric. On the other hand, there is energy in them, but not a strong emphasis, which means they feel sharp and powerful, but not too sharp or crisp. The high notes are not punchy, but they are penetrating. This may be due to the particular sonority of the piezo-electric driver, which tries to break down the notes it produces with force, sounding somewhat hard, with good technique, but intense. However, the detail does not feel very precise at the micro level, but is described in a thicker way, with more limited agility and dynamism.

The extension is not very high and the amount of air is good, although a little fair.



Soundstage, Separation

The scene is perceived to be eminently wide, quite frontal, without much height and with a somewhat low level of three-dimensionality, because the depth does not extend too far. The clarity is quite good and is not penalized by the warmth of the sound. The definition at the macro level is remarkable, offering a sound with a good technical level. But the micro details do not feel very exposed and do not have so much definition, since the resolution level is not high. Being strict, perhaps it is due to a mixture of lack of air, global separation, depth and capacity of three-dimensional recreation, which prevents these smallest details from being revealed. Instrumental positioning is quite decent and no instrumental overlap is felt, despite what has been said about the level of separation. The location is good, but the isolation is not so great.



Comparisons

Ikko Obsidian OH10

Between the OH10 and the Spring 2 there are big differences and not only physical ones. The Ikko capsules are heavier, also bigger, but their fit is very good, offering a very occlusive adjustment. The BQEYZ are lighter and float more, ensuring a freer, simpler, perhaps less critical fit. But, despite the higher weight, I prefer the adjustment I get with the OH10.
One of the best things about the Spring 2 is its cable, in contrast, the Ikko cable is quite fair and normal. The presentation is a bit more luxurious on the OH10, more compact on the Spring 2, but I prefer the BQEYZ's carrying case.
Both are hybrids, being the BQEYZ triple drivers, (1 DD + 1 BA + 1 piezo-electric), compared to the Ikko, which have two drivers (1 DD + 1BA).
In terms of sound, they are different profiles: the Ikko describes its W profile, as opposed to a more balanced profile of the BQEYZ. The Ikko sounds brighter and more analytical, while the BQEYZ is characterized by a greater warmth and neutrality.
The lower area is clearly more prominent in the Ikko, which have a greater impact and, above all, depth. The bass is cleaner and sounds more defined, with good energy and speed, with better plane recreation and more stratified. The bass of the BQEYZ is accentuated in its middle zone, it has a good impact, but without so much energy. It is also agile, but it recovers more slowly, leaving a more hazy and dark feeling, persisting more in the atmosphere, offering a warmer sound, with less resolution, but with a good texture.
The OH10's mids sound more liberated, thanks to the minimal incidence of bass. The same cannot be said of the BQEYZ, as they carry over warmth and haze from the lower range, mixing the sound to a greater degree. It is true that the warmth of the Spring 2, is something that gives advantage in the recreation of the voices, providing more body and consistency. Meanwhile, in the Ikko, the voices are thinner, but at the same time, they have better definition, detail, a better edge, higher resolution and more nuances. Although, it is clear that they sound more analytical and cooler.
As I say, the greater weight of the lower midrange is a double-edged weapon in the Spring 2 sound: in vocal genres it behaves better, being more complete than the Ikko. With more instruments it is perceived darker and less defined, comparatively speaking. Even so, the overall presence of the middle zone is superior in the BQEYZ, offering a larger, wider, softer sound, but with less resolution and detail. In the end, it is a preference over one profile or another, rather than a clear improvement of the sound between both models.
In the upper mid-range and later in the highs, the differences increase. It is here where it is revealed in different character of each model, warm and more balanced in the BQEYZ, more defined and analytical in the Ikko. Although the Spring 2s are enhanced in the final part of the midrange, their amount of emphasis is not comparable to that of the OH10s. But even their color, timbre, tone and, above all, descriptive ability is not similar. The clarity is much greater in the OH10s, there is more detail and richness of nuance. The notes are more defined, fine and expressive. Meanwhile, the Spring 2 offers a marked, but wider and also smoother sound. The first highs are not as high, crisp, vivid, narrow and dynamic as on the OH10, offering a safer and quieter range, but with less sparkle and detail. Then, in extension, the range seems to even out, but the balance ends up falling on the Ikko side, as far as amount of air is concerned. And that's something that's fundamental to their sound. The greater separation, the blacker background it has, the better isolation of the notes, the greater space of its scene, the better instrumental location, are characteristics clearly superior to BQEYZ Spring 2.



Conclusion

The BQYEZ Spring 2 are IEMS whose great virtue is the average. Perhaps, they don't stand out in anything, or perhaps it's that they stand out in everything. They adopt a different profile to what I am used to, but they are very pleasant to my ears. Their strengths are their softness, texture, clarity, warmth, timbre and balance. They are also beautiful and comfortable, very well built, with a big cable and a very useful transport box. With these premises it seems that you can't ask for more. And it is, in large part, quite true. I would recommend the Spring 2 to all those audiophiles who want to take an important step, acquiring an IEMS of this price, when they are not clear which profile to choose. When in doubt, the Spring 2 is at the center of everything, without clearly going anywhere. Perhaps that is why it is difficult to make a mistake with them.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Burson Audio Playmate
• Tempotec Serenade iDSD
• Tempotec Sonata iDSD Plus
• HiBy R3 Pro
• xDuoo X3 II

Ratings

• Construction and Design: 90
• Adjustment/Ergonomics: 90
• Accessories: 70
• Bass: 80
• Mids: 80
• Treble: 70
• Separation: 77
• Soundstage: 75
• Quality/Price: 80

Purchase Link

You can read the full review in Spanish here

Rating: 8.4
Sound: 8.2



Intro
The SPRING 2 is, who would have thought it, the successor of the SPRING 1 and is supposed to correct some carelessness in the already successful tuning.
The appearance and the driver configuration doesn't change at all and malicious tongues may claim that the SPRING 2 is basically not a worthwhile update, because the sonic changes are not very serious and no new and independent IEM is needed. Maybe the tongues are mine as well.



Handling
SPRING 1 = SPRING 2

BQEYZ has always been a bit minimalist with the scope of delivery and now, at a price of over 100 €, wants to offer the buyer something more.
More is indeed available, but this is by no means enough to match the sumptuous offer of a REECHO SPRING/SUMMER, which is similarly priced.
Included in the attractive folding case: Silicone tips with narrow ("Atmosphere" - S/M/L) and wide opening ("Reference" - S/M/L), foam tips, a cleaning tool and a storage case.
Although this is a manageable assortment of supplements, it is completely sufficient and with the good 4-core cable (2-pin) also quite valuable. In addition, the workmanship is without complaint.

The case is made of metal and impresses with a fresh design, with slightly curved lines and roundings. The fit is very good and the wearing comfort is also positive in the long run.

However, the isolation is not convincing. If you have people around you, they can even sing along to some extent and don't even have to be sure of their text, as enough of it can get out. This "openness" is probably created by the three vents on the inside and can be quite annoying for the environment, but can give the owner a more open stage.



Sound
Since not much changes in the driver configuration for SPRING 1, except that now even a 9-layer priezo driver is used (instead of 7 layers), I was curious what will change tonally and if the slight weaknesses are history. No! There won't be any new ones, but I'm wondering a little bit, what the added value of SPRING 2 really is, since there are only marginal adjustments.

Basically, the bass hasn't really developed any further. It has become a bit more subdued and I would say it has a better stability. However, the sub-bass extension hasn't changed in a positive way and the mid-bass still compresses the mid-range a bit. I would describe the bass of the SPING 2 as a bit more pithy, which also provides a bit more clarity in the low end, but I can't clearly say that a big step forward has been made here, which doesn't change the rating.

It looks similar with the mids. They profit minimally from the slightly attenuated bass, but still they lack a bit of assertiveness, especially when things get hectic, where the bass then clearly has the upper hand. Nevertheless, compared to the SPRING 1 they are slightly clearer, but also only to a rather subjective degree than to really state this as a relevant criterion for evaluation. Male voices still don't have the absolute radiance, but for that both genders sound quite natural.

It's a bit of a mystery to me how it was managed not to soften the sibilants, but even to emphasize them a bit more, which makes me feel a bit more uncomfortable than at SPRING 1. This fact even bothers me so much with some songs, that I can't give away any point improvement despite the slightly improved resolution and better three-dimensional representation. Nevertheless, the trebles have to be emphasized, because they manage to reveal details with ease and radiate liveliness without becoming artificial or making your ears bleed.

As far as the stage is concerned, I find it a bit more stable and open on the SPRING 2. The separation can also prevail due to the better resolution in the mid-range, but we are really only talking about subtle differences/improvements here.



Outro
Did it really need the SPRING 2? Well, that's hard to answer. Since I really appreciate when a company reacts to recommendations and wishes of consumers and tries to implement them, I welcome such new releases. It is a pity, however, if the progress is very limited and some of the same mistakes are made. For me, the SPRING 2 is not an upgrade, but rather a sidegrade, as it has a slightly better resolution and stage and turns out to be more balanced, but also loses some liveliness and sometimes escapes in the high frequencies. In addition the SPRING 2 has the higher output level.
Therefore, I can't send either of them off the court as the clear winner. I would choose the SPRING 2 if the going got tough, but the SPRING 1 owner can easily do without the SPRING 2.



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