BQEYZ Winter Ultra (Angelears Exclusive)

This BQEYZ Winter Ultra Review was originally posted on my website.​

About the BQEYZ Winter Ultra​

Company Overview​

BQEYZ (Best Quality Earphones For You), a company based in China, is not a newcomer to this hobby. They have been releasing various IEMs such as their Season line-up starting with Spring 1 (which I previously owned), Spring 2, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, KC2 (their most popular set as far as I know), Topaz, and lots more.

Specifications​

• Impedance: 38Ω
• Sensitivity: 113db
• Frequency Response: 5hz – 40khz
• Cable Length: 1.2m
• Pin Type: 2-pin Connector
• Plug Type: 3.5mm, 2.5mm, 4.4mm
• Driver Unit(S): (1) Dynamic Driver + (1) Bone Conduction Driver

What’s Inside the Box​

• Hard carrying case
• Rime Cable (3.5mm & 4.4mm interchangeable jacks)
• Cleaning brush
• Eartips (Generic, Atmosphere, & Reference)
• Manuals
• Cable Organizer
• IEMs

Review​

This is going to be a shorter than usual review as I already reviewed the original BQEYZ Winter variant which shares 95% of its characteristics.

The source I used for this test is my Cayin N6ii Digital Audio Player (DAP). I used the Winter Ultra with Tri Clarion ear tips size M due to the fit of the IEMs, which isn’t the best. I also used it with my iFi Zen Can amplifier hooked to a Venture Electronics Abigail Pro Dongle DAC.


The only thing that changed appearance-wise is the vent. The original BQEYZ Winter has a kind of flower vent design, whereas the Ultra has a more linear vent. Also, the mesh on the Ultra appears to be thinner than on the original. And of course, there are these beautiful royal blue shells!

But overall, the Ultra weighs pretty much the same as the original – they share the same pattern and form factor. So if you didn’t like the fit of the original BQEYZ Winter, you can expect the same with the Ultra.

Frequency Graph​

Comparison between the OG Winter and the Winter Ultra. Frequency response courtesy of Practiphile.

Experience​

Similar to the OG Winter but with the exception of better cable. This comes with their Rime cable which has an interchangeable jack.

Music​

As for the sound, it’s the same tuning but a more refined version of the original BQEYZ Winter. The bass region is where most of the changes occurred – the bass is cleaner.


My main gripe about the original was that it somehow muddled the lower mids due to bass bleed, but this has been sorted out in the Ultra release.

Gaming​

Gaming with the Ultra gave me a similar experience as the original BQEYZ Winter. However, the Ultra resolves better due to its cleaner lower end and somewhat improved treble.

Conclusion​

Should you upgrade to the Ultra if you already have the original BQEYZ Winter? In my honest opinion, no, it would be redundant unless you love the new color and you love the Winter so much that you want to collect both versions.


If you are still contemplating getting the BQEYZ Winter, I’d say the extra money is worth it! You’ll get a refined version in the form of the BQEYZ x AngelEars Winter Ultra.

As always, thank you for reading my review! Stay tuned for more.

Read my BQEYZ Winter review here.

Introduction​

BQEYZ has been a long-standing player by now, and their offerings have continued to impress audiophiles around the world. They introduced the Winter as the fourth and the last offering in their seasonal series of IEMs (Summer, Autumn, Spring, and Winter). I have heard the Autumn and honestly liked it really. You can find it here.

The Winter had a pretty unique driver combination - one full-range DD with a Bone Conduction Driver. Winter Ultra is a retuned and improved version of the same, designed as a collaboration project between Angel Ears and BQEYZ. The cable and the tuning both are improved.

Disclaimer​

I received the Winter Ultra as a review tour unit from Hifigo. This is a loaner unit and not a keeper. Here is the product link: https://hifigo.com/products/bqeyz-winter-ultra

Design, Build Quality, and Accessories​

When you look at the original Winter IEMs and compare them to the new Winter Ultra, you'll notice some differences. The Winter Ultra has a special filter that makes the low-pitched sounds even better. The pair now sounds more even compared to the original version. There's a smaller peak in the sound around 5kHz, which makes the sound smoother and cleaner. The eartips that come with it are balanced, so you can hear things clearly. The cable that comes with it is better now, made from high-quality materials that can be changed around. And if you like cool colors, you'll be happy to know that the Winter Ultra comes in a beautiful blue color.

The Winter Ultra has a nice curved design on the front cover and a shape that fits well in my ears. There's a silver line on the front cover that matches the deep blue color of the shells. The BQEYZ Winter Ultra is actually the brand's top model right now, and it's made to be just like that. The parts inside are made of metal, and the color looks really fancy and high-quality.

It has two kinds of drivers inside: special 11.6mm PZT bone conduction drivers and 12mm Dual cavity PAR dynamic drivers. The dynamic driver takes care of the whole frequency, whereas the PZT driver enhances the treble region.

The IEM comes with a high-purity single-crystal copper silver-plated cable with swappable termination plugs - 3.5mm and 4.4mm. It's not heavy when you hold it, but it feels really nice and high-quality. The IEMs also have a case for carrying them, a brush for cleaning, and nine sets of eartips in three kinds (Atmosphere, Reference, and Balanced) and three sizes (Small, Medium, and Large).

Source​

I used the Winter Ultra with Fosi Audio DS2, and Tempotec V6.

Sound​

The Winter Ultra has above-average macrodynamics, clear highs, and impactful bass. The midrange is smooth and clear. Overall these have an excellently engaging sound profile.

The low end is fun yet controlled. The midbass slams well, subbass goes deep and rumbles fine. But everything is under control. There is no overabundance of power here. Midbass slams are a little bit more highlighted than the subbass rumble. The decay is pretty natural as well - does not feel too slow or too snappy. It injects just the right amount of energy to keep things lively.



The midrange is slightly behind the bass, however, it is not particularly V-shaped. The lower midrange stands clear and prominent. They sound sweet and well-textured - both the male and female vocals. The instruments have a focused presentation - the notes are crisp but not peaky. This region is smooth but is cleanly recreated. String instruments sound especially delightful - both acoustic and electric alike.



The treble is a really nice sparkle and vividness, without being piercing. The lower treble has a distinct forwardness that adds spice to the music. The upper treble extension is above average. There is a hint of sibilance but does not get very uncomfortable. The details are easily noticeable, but the notes are not particularly edgy. I believe this is the working of the PZT Bone Conduction Driver - I have to say, very deftly implemented.



The soundstage has above-average width and depth, with average height. But what won me over is the very clean yet smooth presentation of the sound. Layering and imaging are above average. It is mostly an intimate presentation. The slightly warm tilt and the cohesiveness of the tuning make it extremely pleasing to the ears.

Conclusion​

BQEYZ has made a really attractive iem with Winter ultra, consisting of a well-rounded performance altogether. For its price point, there are many more that can surpass it in technical chops but cannot match in terms of providing musical engagement. While I crave a bit more energy in the sound signature, and a bit more bite in the notes, I do admit for those who want a slightly more laid-back yet crisp sound - Winter Ultra will satisfy them without a doubt.

The implementation of the two types of drivers are done such exquisitely that both of their individual contribution merges very cohesively. Another point to note is the extreme comfort it offers. There is no uncomfortable pressure build-up, and yet they feel quite secure in place. The stock eartips are quite nice for varied preferences.

Review Of The BQEYZ Winter Ultra​

Introduction​

Unlike traditional players in the audiophile market, BQEYZ is a Chinese company that produces IEMs that are uniquely tuned. I was very taken with their inexpensive IEM, the Topaz sound presentation, and it quickly rose to the top of my favorites. Other IEM products they offer include the spring series and the winter, both of which have received high praise from the audiophile community. The Winter Ultra, which was recently released in partnership with Angelears, is an updated and improved version of Winter. Even though I never had the chance to hear the Winter, I was fortunate enough to review the Winter Ultra. And I'll be sharing my thoughts on these today, but first, I'd like to talk about a few things.

Disclaimer​

*Since this unit tour was organised by the beautiful people at HiFiGo, I am grateful to them. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. If interested, go to this *link*
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as "Ultra."
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Ultra based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

The Ultra features a dual driver setup with newly enhanced custom 11.6mm PZT bone conduction drivers and 12mm Dual cavity PAR dynamic drivers. The low and low to mid frequencies are handled by the dynamic driver, whereas the mid to high frequencies are handled by the PZT driver. The aluminum shells, which were CNC-milled, feel light in the ears and are a comfortable fit. My ears do get a little tired after longer use, but after switching ear tips, there were no problems. A.78mm two pin single crystal copper plated silver cable with interchangeable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs is the cable that is included with the IEM. It feels lightweight in the hand but has a premium feel to it. The IEMs also come with a carrying case, a cleaning brush, and nine pairs of eartips in three different types (Atmosphere, Reference, and Balanced) and three different sizes (Small, Medium, and Large). In terms of technical details, the sensitivity is 114dB and the impedance is 38 Ohms. 5Hz to 40kHz is the range of the frequency response.

Sound​

With excellent clarity in the higher frequency range and smacking bass that gives the entire presentation a more potent feel, the Winter Ultra's sound is dynamic and captivating. I must admit that I find the response of the winter ultra to be more entertaining sounding because occasionally the subtleties or the wider response were not there in the mix as I had hoped. The unexpected result of this is that the listener's emotions are evoked by the Ultra tuning, which makes the listening experience exciting and engaging. Despite the fact that I don't seem to like this kind of response, it does add some nice energy, especially in the lower treble and upper midrange, and it occasionally adds a distasteful characteristic, which I will discuss later. The reaction, which initially seems to emphasize the voices, can calm down thanks to the bass's delicate balance of warmth. More sibilance may have been added to the mix if the response had been leaner. Let's explore sound in more detail.

Treble​

I'm not sure if I prefer the treble response, but it does feel like everything is in your face—whether it's energy or details—so it either becomes overwhelming or what you want. Well, one thing is for certain—the vocals appear to be quite extensive, which gives the mix a lightness. To me, the treble region sounds strange. Although the upper treble has an uneven response and the extension doesn't sound as open as it should, the details are surprisingly strong. Although there are some details I feel are missing, the vocals and instruments have a provocative presentation with sharp notes and vivid response. Although the sharp notes and nice details from the vocals and instruments in the lower treble seem to give it more energy, I still don't hear the full response from this region, which I expected to sound more in harmony and coherency. Despite the fact that I speak, the notes are sharp but not piercing or intolerable; rather, I find them to be borderline offensive, which in this case may occur while listening to lean or bright tracks. The lack of tact in the response was made up for by the thought that it was sparkly enough to get you moving and clear. Overall, the treble region responds with an energetic, clear, and sharp sound.

Mid Range​

The assessment is different when it comes to the midrange frequencies, which means they don't sound consistent with the treble response. Normally, the energy from the lower treble resonates with the upper midrange, but in this instance, the upper midrange is incredibly energised. However, the reaction is not intolerable. Since the mid range is so forward, my eardrums are almost kissed. The vocals will flush your desires with sweet and provocative elegance, I'm not kidding. The part of the response that gets people the most excited is the upper mid range. The mix of the vocals and the instruments is charismatic and lively, centering on the overall reaction and bringing out excellent details. I only came to this conclusion after listening to some high pitched tracks, but at some point, the vocals and metallic sounding instruments may start to sound shrill and peaky, especially female vocals and electric guitar soloing. In contrast to their response in the treble region, the instruments may sound lively and sparkly. Since the smooth consistency is maintained and more of a natural response is elicited, the lower mid range is actually preferable. I much prefer this kind of response because the vocals and the instruments don't sound shaky or disjointed but rather dense and thick. Although I like how the bass guitar sounds alive and slamming hard, I can hear some unevenness in the bass guitar's signature that makes it sound less natural. However, the balance is actually praiseworthy. As a result, the mid range's overall presentation is forward-thinking, colorful, and detailed.

Bass​

I like the mix to have more sub bass and less mid bass when it comes to bass. The situation with the Ultra is the exact opposite of what I prefer. Instead of sub bass, the mid bass is highlighted. The punches are fairly presentable in the mix, but the weak sense of rumble does not feel particularly pleasant to me. The sub bass extends nicely but not very deeply. However, I really enjoy the slam impact and pounding thump of the mid-bass; they aren't particularly strong or powerful, but they do sound well-controlled and have a vibrant sense of organic life. The poise the sub-bass maintains aids in bringing out punches and rumble, which I find impressive because most IEMs can't even act like that. I do find the bass isn't too influential in the mix as the mid bass leaks into the lower mid range but isn't effectively altering or messing with the overall mid range, only adding warmth in the mix. The bass can become boomy with bass heavy tracks, but the response acts quickly enough to avoid any uncertainty in the mix. The bass's texture and details are also adequate. Overall, the bass region responds with slamming, thumps, and fairly controlled volume.

Technical Performance​

Technically speaking, IEMs in this price range perform about averagely, with the Ultra outperforming them in terms of detail retrieval and imaging. Although the resolution is excellent, I believe there are other IEMs that are superior. The notes are also fairly paced in terms of speed and accuracy.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation​

When it comes to the soundstage, it is not particularly wide but is wide enough to sound more holographic. However, the separation between notes is not particularly distinct or far away enough to be able to identify the source of the sound when the overall notes are performing. The notes produce sharper and clearer notes thanks to the excellent imaging.

Speed & Resolution​

As was already mentioned, the resolution is excellent, and the macro and micro details are astounding. The attack and decay of notes are moderately timed, resulting in a largely neat presentation.

Sound Impressions ​

Sources​

Tempotec V6 - The treble acted more expressively when paired with the V6, but the details still lacked a fuller response. Although the mid range has a slightly relaxed sound, the clarity is excellent. The bass is more clear and in control. However, aside from the imaging and details, I do not notice any significant differences in the technical aspects. Overall, I think the response is commendable and appropriate.



iFi Hipdac - in combination with the Hipdac, The difference between the mid range and lower treble response feels faded away, making the exceptional mid range sound more alluring even though the treble sounds flat and uninteresting. There is a noticeable increase in the mid-bass and sub-bass region, which contributes to the bass response. Even though the notes aren't as sharp as they were before, the overall tonality is better and it produces the desired effect. Nothing else seems to have changed in terms of technicality, aside from the subtle degradation of the imaging and details. As a result, I find the pairing with the Hipdac to be more appealing and appropriate.

Tracks​

Luna Haruna - Glory days
Luna Haruna - Overfly
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
LMYK - 0 (zero)
ORESKABAND - Jitensya
Marina Horiuchi - Mizukagami no Sekai
RADWIMPS - Suzume
Indila - Love Story
Indila - Tourner dans le vide
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Blue Oyester Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Gojira - Amazonia
TV on the radio - Wolf Like Me
Bring Me To The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
Bring Me To The Horizon - sTraNgeRs
Avril Lavigne - Dare To Love Me
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
DJ Shadows - Six Days (Remix) [feat. Mos Def]
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
Flo Rida - Low
Sebastian Lopez & Flug - Electronic Measures
Federico Mecozzi - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Wayve - Not Enough
Kai Wachi & TeZATalks - Ghost
NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead & Tori Levett - Shady Intentions
Zeds Dead, DNMO & GG Magree - Save My Grave
Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic
Skrillex & Nai Barghouti - Xena
Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo - RATATA
Kaifi Khalil, Eva B & Wahab Bugti - Kana Yaari
A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion​

To sum up this review, I would say that the Ultra is a vocal lover's IEM, with entrancing vocals and sparkling instruments that subvert your expectations every single time you listen through Ultra. I would without a doubt suggest these IEMs to those who prefer a more mid-centric IEM with fine detail on the vocals and instruments, enough bass warmth to bring out the mix's natural essence, and submissive treble. Despite this, I still advise anyone who finds this after reading this review to give it a shot.