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.
Extended bass, high quality
The color of the capsule can be excessive
The cable & packaging could be improved
SETUP. 12mm Dual Cavity DD + 1 PZT Bone Conductor
SEN & IMP. 114dB/mW | 38Ω
PRICE. 299€ en BQEYZ Aliexpress
