EPZ Q5 Pro

EPZ Q5 pro IEM - a pro in lower end segment
EPZ audio is new name in the Audiophile space. I am always eager to try out new names in the market. Given that the previous Q5 made a quite big name but i haven’t had the chance to try it yet. But given the opportunity to try the newer one I was excited. They even with such a small price tag provide quite a few things and don’t lack in presentation at all. Hoping this provides something like the blon 03 did.

Disclaimer – This review could only be done with the help of AG and epz. The unit belongs to the brand and i am grateful for the opportunity to try it. But my thoughts are my own and no one can influence it.

Packaging –
Wonderful to say the least. They are decent and pack the iems carefully and have sufficient space. At this price you also get a good carry case and lots of tips. It is nicely padded and won’t cause trouble in shipping at all.


Design and Cable –
The iems are 3D printed and looks wonderful. They bronze colour comes out amongst the black background and i love it. Even the Left and Right have been mentioned as someone who’s new to our space would love it. Its small in size and will easily fit the smallest of ears. It’s an outside 2 pin design with the plastic for 2 pin coming out of the iems.
Cable is good, doesn’t cause much sound while moving and it’s a thin cable too. It’s terminated in 3.5mm. The connector is goldplated and i just love the tightening circle in the cable.

Specs –
New 10mm carbon nano-composite diaphragm
3D-printed resin shells and cavity
Frequency response range: 20–20 KHZ
Sensitivity: 109db (±1db)
Plug diameter: 3.5mm or 4.4mm options
Connector type: 0.78mm
Cable: 6N – OCC

N:B – The iem has been used with dc07pro, paws1 and also the EPZ TP35 dongle. Its quite easy to run with all these dongles and works best with dc07pro so the entire sound impressions is with that. How other dongles interact will be at the bottom of this summary.

Sound impressions –
Bass and sub-bass –
This iem has it controlled bass and sub-bass. The tonality is slightly warmer but the notes are much more dynamic and impactful too. The subbass texture does come through and wonderfully fills the stage. The extensions are good for their price but a little more would make it much better than the rest ( me nitpicking things).
Bass is much similar but has more impact on the first hit. The timber is natural and dynamic. The extension though are a reduced to maintain clarity. Listening to classical tabla and other folks drums, shows that the notes body is quite big and is quite fast both in attack and decay. But with a slightly warm tonality and beautifully separated hits, it just makes you smile.

Mids –
The notes have beautiful timbre and the notes have good dynamic notes. The attack and decay are both fast, but the extension of notes are much more better but more extending in the headstage than the bass. The resolution is good, small nuances do come up but the dynamics are lower. The notes have bigger body and have good definition. The entire headstage infront of you and the instruments are placed around the headstage (a little close for my liking) but easily distinguished due to tonal differences being easily heard. It’s though on a slightly warmer side but separation remains and makes it more enjoyable. It’s been a while since I have on face music and it felt more energetic and engaging and I was moving along with the music. The upper mids are not sharp and kind of enjoyable without causing a headache. They are nicely defined and have good extensions. Instrument placement was really good too with good imaging.

Vocals are epic, on this iem. They are performing in front of you, the tonal differences are easily understood between different vocalists. The female vocals are beautiful with each reaching quite high in the headstage and quite dynamic. If a vocalist focuses on ssss then it does come through but not a problem at all. Male vocals are similarly dynamic and thicker than female vocals but I would like a little more oomph to the notes. It’s no way lacking just not my preference, but damn the voices are so sweet it feels wonderful. Nuances like lip smacks and small reverberations are easily heard and makes it beautiful and textury which just makes it wonderful.

Highs –
Ohh they are quite enjoyable without being fatiguing at all. They are energetic and dynamic with a bigger body of the notes than the extensions. They have a slightly warm tonality and no sharp sounds with any of the dacs too. There are on your face and have good height on the headstage too. The details are also quite nicely coming through with lots of instruments going on. The placement of the instruments are great Overall its well defined iem with not too much airyness, but keeps the energy up.

With EPZ TP35 dongle –
Ohh this thing is a bass monster now, the tonality is warm and the notes are much more thicker. I loved the subbass extension and the vocals became much more sweet. Though the bass was a little but too much but it didn’t interfere with mids. With this the treble though took a back seat and wasn’t much energetic but still had its presence. The nuances were slightly diminished and the headstage became a little more congested. But separation didn’t take a hit at all. I loved this combo but only with a wide bore eartip to let all the sound come through. It’s not for all genres but will satisfy you being a complete bass head.

With Paw S1 –
This is more in the neutral category and more of the middle line. The separation was much slightly lesser than dc07pro and the placement slightly more towards the user. The treble energy is great but non airy a bit. The vocals are much more closer and more sweet.

Summary –
This iem at the price is a steal tbh and given that it changes so much between sources means you can mix and match easily. It’s tip dependent, I would always suggest a neutral or slightly warmer source if you want a bit more bass and cp 100 tips too. I will recommend this highly for sure given such a versatile iem which does nearly everything mostly.

EPZ Q5 Pro review

I am an audiophile from sunny South Africa and we are having a very hot and humid summer as I am writing this review. I have reviewed the Q5 before so I really appreciated the opportunity to review the upgraded Q5 Pro. One thing about EPZ and it is echoed in the many groups I frequent is their very good customer service and walking the extra mile attitude of the company. I received the parcel within 21 days without any hiccups. EPZ has sent me the Q5 Pro in return for my honest review so please know that everything I write here is my own opinion. Will the Q5 Pro replace the original Q5 in my collection as my go to for Jazz & Blues? You will have to read further to get the answer to that question.



Unboxing

The Q5 Pro comes packaged in a big rectangular black cardboard box that is wrapped in an orange copper cardboard slide on cover. It looks really beautiful and stylish. When you flip the lid of the black box you are greeted by the sponge housing the Q5 Pro on the left and another box of accessories at the right. Inside the accessories box you will find a really nice pleather type case. Inside the case is a set of silicon ear tips. Also included is a nice little cleaning cloth with the EPZ logo on and which I think is a really nice gesture as you do not get these in a lot of earphone packaging. One thing I have come to love about EPZ as I have reviewed a few of their products is that they never skimp on packaging and the packaging is always premium.



Specs

Driver: 10mm carbon-ceramic composites nano-diaphragm dynamic driver

Impedance: 240@1kHz

Sensitivity: 109dB(±1dB) @1kHz

Frequency: 20-20kHz

Plug type: 3.5mm

Connector type: 0.78mm 2-pin

Cable length: 1.2m

Cable: 6N single-crystal copper cable

Acoustic filters: 7 series aerospace grade aluminum acoustic filters

Acoustic cavities: Harmonic-suppression rear acoustic cavity with metal faceplate

Acoustic structure cavities: Next-generation 3D printing acoustic structure cavities

Air intake and pressure relief: Independent air-intake and pressure-relief balance technology




Connectivity

The Q5 Pro shipped with a 3.5mm termination so obviously it gives you a world of possibilities as to what sources you can connect the Q5 Pro to. I used the Q5 pro with many sources of my own like my Astell & Kern dap, Hiby M300 with various Dac/amps like EPZ TP 20 Pro, TP35 and TP50. It also used it with my LG V30 and V40 phones I use for music only. You can also connect it to any tablet or laptop that has a 3.5mm out.



Look & Build

I don’t know what to call this color but is something between gold and copper and boy does it look good with the black ear shells. The color scheme makes these earphones look really classy and sophisticated. The shells are very light and designed for long listening hours in mind as the comfort and fit is top notch and you do not even notice the Q5 Pro is in your ears. The tips are the normal silicone variety and really nothing to write home about at this price point and if you really have to spoil yourself you can ad a pair of EPZ M100 tips as they are a great ad on and I use them on many earphones I have. I did not like the cable on the original Q5 and I have to say the black cable on the Q5 Pro I do indeed like more than the Q5. The 0.78mm 2 Pin connectors and 3.5mm connector are also this nice gold/copper color and I really like it. The carrying case is the normal black pleather affair you see with many earphones. The Q5 Pro sells for R1299 in South Africa and I am very happy with packaging and build vs the price.





Sound

As I used the previous model the Q5 mostly for Jazz and Blues, I started out after unboxing to plug the Q5 Pro into my trustee Astell & Kern dap and played Send in The Clowns by Svante & Katrine Madsen which is from and album I got from the digital collection of a late audiophile friend who passed on. Let me tell you one thing about the tuner at EPC. He knows how to tune vocals to be just beneath too bright. What stood out immediately was not the instrument separation I liked on the previous model but rather the vocals.

The highs really impressed me and as I said the highs are just beneath too bright and everything so clear and sparkly. These really are your typical Sunday evening relaxing jazz type of earphones. Just make sure the music has lots of vocals.

If you are a midrange lover like me these Q5 Pro will impress you. Midrange is always the most difficult for me to describe in the sense that is not just vocals that reside mostly here but also a lot of parts of prominent instruments and also the body of the song gets it tone from here. For me the midrange on the Q5 Pro really stands out more than the highs. It produces music that is mostly prominent vocals with the utmost accuracy and you can use for all your vocal focused music. Female vocals sounded a bit more forward to me than the males but not one voice that I listened to was thin sounding and sibilance was nonexistent.

The Bass really is very neutral to me. So, if you are a bass head these Q5 Pro is definitely not for you. If a designer designs an earphone for a specific market or genre, I can’t fault the earphone for not having bass. It was tuned that way. I did however get some bass out of it with some cable and ear tips changes.

Curious as always and wanting to subtract the best out of the Q5 Pro I decided to fit EPZ’s own upgrade tips the M100 and see if the M100 could help me ad some warmth to the bass. I also decided to fit Dusk cable from NMD Audio’s De Lux series to see if fitting a $745 cable to a mid to entry level earphone would improve the sound. I can happily report that with this combo the Q5 Pro transformed into a serious contender because all of a sudden there is bass and lots of it. Between the M100 tips and NMD Dusk cable that already wide soundstage gets even wider. So wide that at some stage I thought that a small hole developed in the center stage. I listened to the whole album Audiophile Analog Collection Vol. 2 and when the first notes hit on the first song Lights of Barcelona I was hooked.

The Astell & Kern did not disappoint as always and fed the Q5 Pro with 24bit / 48kHz goodness and the busy Organ notes on J.S Bach Toccata and Fugue slammed with authority and made it seem as if I was sitting in a real-life cathedral. On the album the genres are mainly Jazz, Classical, Blues and Opera and the Q5 Pro in my opinion is made for those genres with M100 tips and balanced cable. The whole presentation just had more authority overall and I can describe the sound as very big, as if you are listening to a wall of sound. If you have ever heard a pair of Magnepan speakers, you will know what I am talking about. So, do yourself a favor if you plan on getting these please order some M100 tips and make sure you order the Q5 Pro in balanced 4.4mm termination.

The soundstage is very impressive at this price range and making out individual instruments where they are in space is easy with the Q5 Pro is easy. I listen especially for soundstage when I listen to classical music and the Q5 Pro really makes the soundstage blow up when listening to big orchestras.

One thing I did pick up is that the Q5 Pro is not very forgiving to badly recorded music. So, if you play something and it is recorded badly it will reflect in what you hearing. CICO (crap in crap out) highly applies with these earphones. I am a big fan of the 70’s with it being the golden era of sound but man the music was well. The album Adelle21 is a perfect example of modern music recorded very well and the pace, rhythm and attack had me moving with the music on rumor has it.

Just another thing regarding the power consumption and what more power does. When I Hooked the Q5 Pro up to a desktop amplifier like the Fosi Audio Sk01 the music sounded a lot more controlled and it as if things come together more tightly.



Conclusion

Does the Q5 Pro replace the original Q5 in my collection? The answer is a very big fat yes. The cable has improved over the original. The soundstage is wider and the highs are a little better tamed than the original. Who should buy it? This is not for first time buyers as the Q5 Pro is very genre specific and will fit better into a multi collection. Audiophiles can feel free to buy this along with the M100 tips for a real great sounding earphone with an awesome price vs performance ratio.

https://i0.wp.com/mobileaudiophile....0241212_120302-scaled.jpg?fit=2560,1922&ssl=1

Disclaimer:​

Finally, EPZ has brought the successor of the Q5, the EPZ Q5 Pro, which brings some important improvements. In the first version, the Achilles heel of these IEMs were the MMCX connectors. A couple stopped working earlier than expected but EPZ promptly replaced them. Finally, the new model is in my hands.

Actually, there are also more performing models like the P50 that I hope to receive soon to test. EPZ always puts in a lot of effort, especially in tuning, and I’m very curious to see what they can do with a higher budget.

However, the review will still be 100% honest and in no way biased.

I’m not an audiophile; I’m just a guy that likes to test out different IEMs and DACs and spends a lot of time listening to music.

So I’m not going to use super-technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.

Tech Specs:​

• New 10mm carbon nano-composite diaphragm
• 3D-printed resin shells
• 3D-printed acoustic cavity
• Frequency response range: 20–20 KHZ
• Sensitivity: 109db (±1db)
• Impedance: 24 ohm
• Plug diameter: 3.5mm or 4.4mm
• Connector type: 0.78mm
• Cable: 6N – OCC
• Cable length: 1.2M

Packaging:​

The new EPZ Q5 Pro has nice packaging but objectively speaking, those of the first Q5 were on a whole other level in terms of beauty. These are not aspects that really matter but the difference is visible. In terms of box, it is not a level up. As for the packaging, it remains of a high level. Inside we do not find great news in terms of accessories but always:

• EPZ Case
• Eartips similar to BGVP 07
• Cable with 2 pin 0.78mm terminals
• Manual & QC

What I immediately noticed is the non-excellent quality of the cable. Its feeling is very cheap and resembles some internal wiring of some electronics. In this accessory, the quality is not up to the set.

Design/Build quality:​

The new EPZ Q5 Pro features more or less the same build quality. Even the shapes and geometries have remained unchanged and fit the same way as the old Q5. The new model has undergone an aesthetic update in the ventilation hole part, a decision mostly taken to differentiate itself from MEZE. Honestly, I preferred the previous aesthetics but the current one is fine too. The 10mm driver has undergone an upgrade and has gone to a driver with a carbon ceramic coated diaphragm. The most important improvement of this set is without a doubt the 0.78mm 2-pin connector. The old MMCX gave me some problems and if it is not of quality, it risks creating problems. Finally, the problem is solved definitively and makes the EPZ Q5 Pro a more resistant model.

Labeling & 2PinVent & nozzle

Initial sound impression:​

The EPZ Q5 Pro did not give me the same feeling of harmony as the Q5 that had literally captivated me as soon as I put them on. These, in a certain sense, reveal more details and are definitely more technical but their trebles are decidedly spicy for any ear. There is a good explosion of details but the pleasant and silky sound present in the original Q5s has vanished a bit. They are both excellent but the vibes of the Q5s and the very pleasant sensuality of that driver are not present in these. I do not think it is a question of drivers but more of tuning that they have chosen for the latter. A sound slightly less rich in emotions but which presents more details in a certain sense is colder. I could define the civecchie as romantic and the latter as cold of feelings.

Tips & Cable Rolling:​

As for the included Eartips, the 07 model is fine; even if it is nothing special for this model, they are more than spot on. There is no real reason to upgrade but if you have tips at home that can tame the treble and emphasize the bass, then definitely try them. I put the Divinus Velvet because I found them very good on the Q5 but other models are also very good. I particularly recommend liquid silicone models such as the EPZ M100 or the Soundcocoon.

Instead, I did not replace the cable because, even if it is ugly, it does its job more than perfectly. Maybe it will not last very long but I have several spare ones. As for the power, a balanced output is not necessary.

Equipment used for testing:​

Device:

• OSX
• POCO M4 Pro

Software:

• Amazon music UHD 24bit 96kHz

DAC:

• EPZ TP35 (pretty analytical-thin)
• Creative Soundblaster G8
• Fosi SK02 (pretty nice)
• Muse Hifi M4
• Fiio KA11 (nice bass response)
• Fiio KA17
• Fosi DS2
• Simgot DEW4X
• EPZ TP50
• Creative SoundBlaster X5
• Creative SXFI Amp (great soundstage and note weight)

Final sound impression:​

I took a few weeks between the Q5 and the Q5 Pro and honestly, my preference goes towards the old model. The main reason, I think, is the tone and brightness of the tuning that, even if more technical, does not give the same emotions as the old one. It is not so much the graphic difference but I think the warmth that it manages to transmit. The different driver could also be the cause. In some way the notes seem to have a lower weight and give a feeling in a certain slightly subdued tone. I realize that for those who do not own both, this difference will be difficult to notice.

Let’s say that pairing it with the EPZ TP35 dongle, I feel that it is not in top form. Being a bright IEM, using a less analytical source could undoubtedly help.

In fact, I dusted off the good old Creative SXFI Amp that emphasizes low range and stage, bringing the two models more or less on the same level. I can assure you that they totally change faces. So in my opinion, less analytical sources are to be preferred.

The Fiio KA11 is also excellent, raising the performance of the low range significantly compared to the EPZ TP35. If you choose the right combination, the quality makes a crazy leap.

Treble​

The trebles are, in my opinion, more resolute and present than the old Q5 Pro. Although from some graphs it doesn’t seem so, the perception of the trebles becomes spicier. It seems like the extension is less limited and reaches new heights. It’s not an amount of brightness suitable for all ears so I advise you to evaluate carefully. If you are a treblehead, you will certainly appreciate the extra sparkle, but on some tracks you may experience some sibilance. To be honest, if you don’t overdo the volume, it’s unlikely that the trebles will become harsh and sibilant.

Mids​

The EPZ Q5 Pro’s mids are particularly pleasant but certainly not the most exciting; in a certain sense, I sometimes feel them a bit cold and thin. Especially if we take the old Q5 as a comparison, the comparison for my personal tastes does not hold up. The sensation of fullness and also warmth is missing. Yes, obviously they are more analytical and some details shine through better.

Bass​

I think we can say that there is a slight greater emphasis on the sub-bass with a slight improvement in the speed and definition of the bass, which is less prone to bleeding. It is not the kind of invasive bass but always composed, good texture. Although a greater extension towards the mids would probably have improved the performance of the latter.

Soundstage and Imaging:​

I have mixed opinions but I think the old EPZ Q5 had a more openback faceplate that somehow widened the soundstage a lot. In some ways, the internal structure is also different and the positioning of the driver inside the new cavity certainly creates important differences. In terms of layering and imaging, more or less the differences are minimal. The weight of the notes instead is higher on the old model until a dongle is found that ties in particularly well with the new EPZ Q5 Pro.

Fast Comparison:​

vs EPZ Q5

EPZ Q5
For this Pro version, you could have done absolutely more, starting from the accessories. In terms of sound, the product has a U-shaped tuning with a bright, natural timbre but it loses a bit of emotion and thickness of the notes. I can tell you that I still love the first model as if it were the first day because even today their performance for the price range is absolutely incredible.

vs Kefine Klean

Kefine Klean
If you prefer a more V-shaped tuning but at the same time more casual and less technical, you are on the right IEM. The Kefieìne Klean shows off a build quality that puts many IEMs in this price range to shame. Together with the Kefine Delci, they are currently the best entry-level. I recommend reading the full review.

Conclusion:​

Conclusions are often the result of the personal tastes of those who listen. I want to clarify this because online you will find other opinions of equal value, even if different. The EPZ Q5 Pro is currently sold at at least 50 USD or more, while the old Q5 is even at 39 USD on sale. The difference is audible only if you own both so whoever you choose, you will go on two excellent choices. Based on your sound tastes, you can choose slightly better or slightly worse. In both cases, the choice will be excellent, especially if you have more sources to try You will realize for yourself that the EPZ Q5 Pro is sensitive to the source. Based on what you have, you will have a result that sounds closer to the original EPZ Q5 but with a more precise and sharp sound.

In any case, if you want a single driver rich in macro and micro details, you are in the right place but remember that many manufacturers now offer highly competitive products in the $50 segment.

Where to buy & more info (no affiliations):​

• Aliexpress Official EPZ Store

Epz Q5 Pro: Another IEM is good for the price of $ 50 ...


Intro

Disclaimer Unit of the Epz Q5 Pro that I review this time is the Jack 4.4mm version, so it allows differences in impressions with the 3.5mm Jack version.

For this review I also use the default IEM cable & Eartips and supported by Source Dongle Dac Fiio Ka15. For the use of this IEM itself, I suggest to use a minimum of dongle DAC to get the best potential even though in my opinion this IEM is still included in the category of lightweight IEM or not fussy source.

I myself use KA15 need a volume of around 50% for the best potential in the Bal 4.4mm plug with low gain.


Completeness, build quality & fitting

For the completeness for the price class, it is actually just the usual but at least for completeness such as cables & Eartips can be used immediately comfortably without having to replace it with the aftermarket version. For details, more details can be seen in the picture.



For the quality of the build itself Q5 Pro is not good or sturdy, the Housing IEM is made of plastic but for the material itself including good plastic does not seem plastic like most cheap IEMs, it feels good & for finishing build housing also feels neat. For the cable is also quite good even though it looks thin but feels quite flexible, not easily tangled and can be rolled neatly & most importantly does not feel microphonic. Finally, for the Eartips there are no problems either, the ingredients are quite comfortable & pleasant to use for a long time.

For fittings in the ears of Q5 Pro, this is no complaints, even among those who are comfortable with me. From the shape & weight there is no complaint if for me. Yes, this should be quite safe for many people.


Voice

This IEM is arguably the direction of the sound is still not much different from the usual Q5, including the V-Shape IEM, only Q5 Pro feels a little more and more relaxed than the usual Q5. For the full explanation as follows.




Bass

This bass Q5 Pro has a medium quantity with its subbass that feels quite palace with the Rumble which is still quite okay. As for the midbass, I have an impact that feels quite a skill, just for the texture is quite ordinary not really good.

For the bass control, it is still a good one that makes the bass safe or not bleber or cross into the mid area. Whereas the speed bass is still classified as okay, so you can say that is also a fast one and delicious for double pedal'an.


MID

For this mid, the position is slightly behind with the right weight, not the thick one but not a very thin one too. There is still a boost also a little at the uppermid that makes the vocal girls a little more dominant than the male vocals.

For vocals the guy is already good, the weight is just right for my taste even though maybe for some people it still lacks a little weight. As for the girl's vocals, the weight is, including the delicious ones, feels right when it's not thin.

For the vocal presentation, it is quite swinging, tastes sweet, clear, quite clean and is still quite energetic even though the presentation is not as energetic as the usual Q5 only for sibilance or shouty is still safer here than in the usual Q5.


Treble

For the trebler Q5 Pro is still one of the energetic ones, it is not as energetic or seem more calm when the usual Q5. The treble presentation still feels quite detailed, the symbols are also quite crispy the weight when it doesn't feel thin and is still quite safe, there is no impression of peak or grary that I feel.

As for the treble extension, it is still relatively good, the impression of airy & open from the trebler is still getting quite okay.


Technical

For the technique for me, this is still one of the good for the price. From the soundstage which is included in the width with the balanced depth & height that is pretty good so the stages seem quite balanced.

For the imaging, it feels pretty precise even though it's not a very full one or really 3D, just for the price, including one of the good ones.

For separation & laying is also neat & is one of the good for the price. As for the details, resolution & clarity is also one of the good for the price even though it is not as good as the usual Q5 in this section. Finally, for transient speed, it is still good for the price class even though it is clear if compared to Plannar is clearly still below it.


Comparison

Epz Q5 Pro vs Epz Q5 Ordinary:

The bass is bigger and the subbass feels a little more in the Q5 Pro. Make the mid -weight a little thinner in the usual Q5 with a more energetic vocal. In Q5 Pro, the vocal feels more calm, more body, more nagging & safer than sibilance.

For the treble it feels more energetic & more extends in the usual Q5. For the technique it is still similar to details, the resolution & clarity is still a little better. Yes overall for me both still have +- just adjust the taste, if I personally honest still choose the usual Q5.


Epz Q5 Pro vs 7Hz Sonus:

The bass quantity in Sonus feels thinner than in Q5 Pro. Q5 Pro also feels more depth subbass & the midbass is a little more traveled than Sonus. For MIDS, Q5 Pro feels a little more weighty than Sonus with vocals that are more nagging, more bodied & safer than sibilance. The timny is also clearly better in Q5 Pro.

For the treble it also feels better in Q5 Pro, more energetic, more detailed, the treble body is also not as thin as Sonus & tastes more airy. As for the technical, it is still balanced, the stage feels more balanced & the details are also a little better in Q5 Pro. As for the separation and the laying, it feels better in the sonus of the hybrid driver effect. For the rest is still equal to both of them. Yes overall if I have to choose, obviously I still prefer in Q5 Pro.


Conclusion

Epz Q5 Pro is quite interesting for the price class. Although not the upgrade version of Epz Q5, but he offers something a little more different from the Q5 version. Maybe in terms of building quality still similar to Q5 but he brought a pretty good update, namely for his PIN, which previously used MMCX now using 2pin where it was very good for most people who prefer 2pin than MMCX.

As for the voice, although not the ongrading of the Q5 version, but he brought something different than the usual Q5 in several parts. Yes, although there may be some people who still like the previous version, there will also be some who like this Q5 Pro version.

So is this IEM worth a try? Yes, it is clear in my opinion for the price of the price IEM is very worth trying ...


Yasudah just this for this review. Sorry if there is a language error because I use Google Translate.
Good afternoon.
Thank You.

Disclaimer: - I am a bass head and prefer a wide sound with natural timbre, excellent imaging and thumpy mid-bass with moderate decay and clinical precision regarding instrument separation. I am highly averse to bright-sounding transducers and sibilance in my music.



EPZ Q5 pro was sent to me by Audio Geek India as part of the Audio Geek - EPZ TP35 and Q5Pro tour. I thank Audio Geek India & EPZ for this opportunity to listen and review both these devices. My views aren’t influenced either by Audio Geek/EPZ in any way.



Introduction: I wasn’t aware of this brand EPZ before coming across these two review units. The unboxing experience was nice. For this pairing after listening with Amp14, Mojo2, EPZ TC35 and Amp11 Mk2s, I finalized AMP11 MK2s as I felt it improved the technicalities. I have also been missing the amp11mk2s signature as I didn’t listen to it for a while, so maybe that added to my bias for this pairing.

In the box, you shall find a cleaning cloth, 3 pairs of silicon tips and a black iem case. It comes in a sturdy box and I believe gets everything that you need to get started.

The fit is nice and snug. It's exceptionally light for an iem. Those people looking for something unobtrusive would love the way this fits. I personally prefer big chunky iems but this one also was able to create a perfect seal. I could listen to this iem for as long as I wanted without any fatigue.



There is a lot of tech that has gone into the making of this iem.





I mostly don’t understand how any of these technologies affect the sound but when I tried them on, they did feel very technical for the price. My initial thought was, why the hell am I spending so much on pricier iems when I can get this much performance in the below 50 USD price mark.







Lows: Mid-bass takes precedence over sub-bass here. I hear more Mid-bass cues than the sub-bass rumble. The low end isn’t the star of the show and ensures that there is no treading on the lower mids. The way I see it, the presentation is trying to make way for the vocals to shine.

Mids: I loved the vocals on the Q5 Pro. There is this sense of clarity and forwardness to male and female vocals alike. All instruments play at a distance from the vocalist in the centre which imparts a sense of clarity to the mids. Mids feel natural, airy and dynamic.

Whilst being forward I never found the upper mids to be shouty or harsh at any time. Q5 Pro handles the dynamics pretty well.



Highs: I always worry about highs being sibilant and I was pleasantly surprised by the ratio of details vs the amount of forwardness I heard in the highs. It hardly ever gets harsh or sibilant and performs much higher than its price point.

It won't spoil you with loads of details in the highs but will ensure you have a smooth comfortable listen. I personally prefer smoothed-out highs so I prefer this kind of treatment in the highs.



Technicalities: Super wide soundstage that would put many high-end iems to shame. The timbre is very natural. It doesn’t sound like a DD iem to me but more like a multi-driver iem that is very clean and highly technical. Vocals take center stage and everything is placed beautifully around it. Overall, from memory, I don’t remember any iem sounding this good at this price point, especially technicalities-wise.



Conclusion: I am pleasantly surprised and questioning my decision to buy pricier iems when one can get so much value at this price point. At less than 50$ I find this iem to bring incredible value to the table. The mids, highs and technicalities punch way above their asking price for me.

Personally, I would have preferred more emphasis on the lows but if you like a mostly balanced tuning with slightly forward mids I don’t see any reason why you would regret buying Q5 Pro.

I am going for 4.5 stars because I haven’t listened to a lot of iems in this price category lately and would like to keep some room for other iems that I may discover.

DISCLAIMER

I bought the EPZ Q5 Pro from Aliexpress, at a discounted price.

It can be gotten here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007876582792.html (no affiliate links).




SPECIFICATIONS

• Driver configuration: 10 mm carbon ceramic composite nano-diaphragm dynamic driver
• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20000 Hz
• Impedance: 24 Ω
• Sensitivity: 109 dB
• Cable: 2-pin 0.78 mm; single-crystal copper cable; 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm termination
• Tested at: $52 USD

ACCESSORIES

Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- Case
- Cable

For a $50ish USD IEM, the accessory provision is meh; I've surely seen better accessorized sets that are cheaper.




Thankfully, the sole silicone tip inclusion is serviceable in terms of comfort and sonics.




The stock cable is a single-crystal copper one. It lies on the thinner side of the fence and is quite tangly, with microphonics in abundance. Honestly, this cable is nothing to write home about. During ordering, one can opt for a 3.5 mm (single-ended) or 4.4 mm (balanced) termination, depending on your source needs.

Unlike the predecessor EPZ Q5 (non pro), which utilized an MMCX connector, this Pro iteration has a 2-pin plug. Budget MMCX has a bad rep for getting loose after repeated cable swaps, so this may not be a bad change.




Lastly, we have a rectangular semi-rigid case for storing the IEM. The innards have webbing.

The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock silicone eartips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.


BUILD/COMFORT



The Q5 Pro is fashioned from a dermatologically-friendly resin chassis, with aerospace-grade aluminum alloy nozzles and faceplates. These are CNC-machined and 3D-printed to fine tolerance of 0.25 um. There is a black or white coloured shell available, when ordering.

EPZ advertises that they implemented a pressure relief acoustic chamber, but in practice, driver flex is unfortunately present. Thankfully, this may be mitigated with an aftermarket eartip pairing. Isolation is average.



Comfort is good, what with the small bean-like profile, and I did not encounter any discomfort despite using the Q5 Pro for longer listening sessions.




INTERNALS

The EPZ Q5 Pro packs a 10 mm carbon ceramic composite nano-diaphragm DD.


DRIVABILITY

I tested the Q5 Pro with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Chord Mojo 2
- Fiio KA15 dongle
- Fiio KA17 dongle
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone

This IEM is easily driven, with no hard requirements for amplification.


SOUND & TECHNICALITIES


Graph of the EPZ Q5 Pro via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

Tonally, the Q5 Pro has a bright U-shaped tone. It is leaner in note weight but boasts of rapid transients and no bass bloat.

Speaking of bass, this set is sub-bass focused, but this is not for bassheads, with not the deepest or most reverberant rumble heard. Bass quality is however, up to the mark, with a clean and fast bass combined with good texturing.

In view of the restrained bass, note weight in the midrange is on the slyph-like side. So those that are looking for a lush or full soundscape might need to look elsewhere. With a 9 dB ear gain, vocals are forwards and just at the edge (it may be a tinge shouty at louder volumes, as per the Fletcher Munson curve, but should be okay at low to moderate volumes).

The lower treble culminates in a 5 kHz peak, which adds resolution and clarity to the mix. Trebleheads will like the sparkle provided, but we run into sibilance on occasion, so our treble-sensitive brethren may need to consider alternatives.

Timbre is decent, though as previously alluded to, note weight lies on the thinner side.

In terms of technicalities, the Q5 Pro fares well for its $50ish pricing. It has above average soundstaging, with a good sprinkling of micro-details. Imaging and instrument separation are likewise well done for a budget single DD, and analytical junkies will appreciate the tuning.


COMPARISONS

The Q5 Pro will be compared against other budget single DDs around $50 USD. Planars, BAs and hybrids are left out of the conversation, as the different transducer types have their own pros and cons.




EPZ Q5


Graph of the EPZ Q5 Pro versus original Q5 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

We kickstart comparisons against the original Q5 from EPZ.

The Q5 Pro has more bass than its predecessor, as shown above. The original Q5 sounds leaner and more sterile, with less fun in the sonics. The original Q5 can also come across as more sibilant and harsh in the treble.

The original Q5 also has driver flex. It utilized an MMCX connector, which may be a deal-breaker for some consumers.

Additionally, the original Q5 has a less natural timbre, a smaller stage and weaker imaging.


Kefine Klean

The Kefine Klean has 2 tuning nozzles; this confers more versatility - ranging from a laid back smooth and bassy signature, to a bright U-shaped tone that is more technical.

On the brighter nozzle, the Klean displays a more shouty upper midrange (something the anti pinna gain gang should be aware of).

The Klean on this setup also has slightly weaker imaging and soundstage. The Klean does not have driver flex.


CONCLUSIONS



The EPZ Q5 Pro is a marginal upgrade from the predecessor Q5, and improves on some areas from its older sibling, such as reducing treble glare and bestowing better timbre and technicalities, in addition to introducing a 2-pin connector from the previous MMCX one. The Q5 Pro does technicalities well in the $50 single DD arena, with a tight and fast bass brought to the table.

Trebleheads will love its resolution and analytical prowess, though there is some sibilance; treble-sensitive folk might hence need to find alternatives. The Q5 Pro will also not be for bassheads or those that yearn for a thicker and more euphonic low-end.

In non-sonic aspects, there are small bugbears like a dearth of accessories and driver flex. Some redeeming areas are its easy drivability, and good ergonomics and comfort.

In the big scheme of things, the EPZ Q5 Pro is quite a competent budget single DD, especially if you are a fan of a brighter and more resolving signature. However, time will tell whether this turns out to be another decent sidegrade that is drowned out by the noise from the weekly CHIFI hypetrain releases, or something with more sustaining power. I suspect it leans towards the former.

EPZ Q5 Pro Review​

​

EPZ Q5 Pro Review​

Intro ​

This review and feature covers the latest from the audio brand EPZ Audio named the EPZ Q5 Pro ($49). The Q5 Pro is coming hot off the heels of a very successful run from the OG EPZ Q5 (Q5 Review) which for quite some time took my top spot for single dynamic driver earphones under $75. To be 100% honest, I’m not sure how the Q5 Pro is going to flat-out beat the Q5 in auditory ability. I really don’t. Now, I haven’t actually received the Q5 Pro yet but figured I’d begin this intro (like most reviews) preemptively with a hint of anticipation behind my words. If I’m being honest, I’m kind of excited and I can’t wait to hear the difference, or lack thereof. I love budget sets that people can actually AFFORD! I love top notch sound for people who cannot spend $200- $300 on a top-of-the-line mid-fi single DD. Who can afford that? 3% of the world’s population? I champion these brands willing to offer actual R&D, and actual sound engineering, along with meaningful changes/upgrades, with an actual pursuit to perfect their product performance. So many brands make these cheaper sets by slapping a driver in a shell and calling them amazing. If you don’t know yet, that’s not EPZ. EPZ goes that extra mile to craft and create something worthy of their name. I champion these types of brands… and so should you.

EPZ​

EPZ really has made quite the name for themselves since their inception into the earphone ecosphere that I call the Audioverse (I know, it’s a ridiculous name, but it’s what I call it). Think about the sets that EPZ has come out with over the last few years. Look at their dongle dacs too. This brand has gone from win to win and hasn’t slowed down! I’ve reviewed a number of their products over the course of the last couple years, and it’s been rewarding watching the escalation of EPZ go from relative obscurity to a bona-fide “BIG-DEAL” within the audio world. It’s cool to see. I think their 1st huge success was obviously the EPZ Q5 but look at reviews of their earphones and dongle dacs… they are all good! They all compete very well. So, we at MBA have reviewed a couple handfuls of their products, and I’ve personally reviewed a number of them myself. MBA has reviewed the EPZ G10 (G10 Review), EPZ Q1 Pro (Q1 Pro), EPZ Q5 (Q5 Review), EPZ X-Tipsy Star One (Star One Review), along with a few of their dongle dacs. Those being the EPZ TP20 (Pietro’s TP20 Review), EPZ TP20 Pro (TP20 Pro Review), EPZ TP30 (Pietro’s TP30 Review), and the EPZ TP50 (TP50 Review). I have yet to test out any of their more expensive sets yet hopefully one day that can happen. However, EPZ has superseded all expectations. When you have the right people, the right minds, the correct experience, and when you have the resources to conduct meaningful R&D and then implement that precious work so that those crafty ideas and features actually materialize as a product… you have something special.

Competition ​

I just received the Q5 Pro, and I just put them on the burn-in station, and I’ll leave them there for a couple days but from what I’ve just heard, this set has what it takes to go up against some of the best in the price point. No doubt about it. EPZ is only asking $49 for the Q5 Pro. The OG Q5 had an initial MSRP of almost double that! Like a figurative fist-bump to the entire audio community… they released this set for under $50!! Have I ever told you that it’s a good time to be a hobbyist? Anyways, I just conducted a review of one of the best budget earphones that money can buy in the Kefine Klean (Klean Review). It also costs a mere $49. This is going to get interesting folks. Beyond the Klean there is a huge number of awesome sets that I don’t have the time or the patience to list out here. Just take my word for it. There’s a multitude of fantastic iems and my journey with this set is to find out where the Q5 Pro stands against some of those sets. Can it stand up against some of the best? Is it worth the $49 that EPZ is asking? I do have a number of sets within the price point on hand and in my collection to compare against and so I look forward to that.

Let’s get going​

So, I have some questions which need answered and I plan to find those answers in the form of an enormous playlist of test tracks as well as doing some casual listening over the next couple weeks. This is going to be fun. So, I think I’m ready to do a deep dive now, let’s get it going. The EPZ Q5 Pro everyone…

Non-Affiliated Purchasing Links:​

–Aliexpress

Gear used for testing​

–Ifi Go Blu

–EPZ TP50

–EPZ TP35

–Aful SnowyNight

–Shanling H0

–Fiio Q15

–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2

–Shanling M6 Ultra

Packaging / Accessories​

Unboxing ​

EPZ always provides a pretty darn good unboxing relative to the price of their iems. The same is true of the Q5 Pro. The box is all black yet there is a stylish golden colored sleeve which is pretty neat looking. Open the box and you’ll see the EPZ Q5 Pro attached to the cable while sitting in foam cut-outs. Next to the earphones is the “Accessory” box. Inside the accessory box is the carrying case. Open the carrying case and you’ll notice the eartips. Next to the carrying case is some reading material, as well as a cleaning cloth to wipe your fingerprints off of your precious Q5 Pros. The package itself isn’t the most extravagant but of course this set only costs $49 too. It’s actually nice unboxing folks. EPZ covers all bases, and they always have.

Eartips ​

EPZ provides three pairs (S, M L) of eartips in total. They are actually white silicone eartips with a semi-wide bore, a firm flange and a rigid stem. In fact, there really isn’t much at all that would differentiate these eartips from KBear 07 tips. They are basically the same. The only difference is that the EPZ tips are only slightly less firm on the flange then KBear 07 tips which makes the 07’s easier to seal in my ears. I like the idea of semi-wide bore tips with the Q5 Pro as I do feel the bass seems to dial-in and sound more concentrated, more solid. Whereas narrow bore tips broaden the note body in the bass, not flabby, but less defined. To a very small degree. Like I said I use KBear 07 tips with this set and I’ve been very happy with the way the Q5 Pro sounds. Anyways, EPZ provides quality eartips 2hich should be able to be used with any number of earphones.

Carrying case ​

Like I mentioned, EPZ added a nice zipper case into the packaging. Nothing that will blow your mind, but for $49 it is not a guarantee any brand will provide a case, or any additional accessories for that matter. In fact, most brands do not offer cases at these prices. EPZ knows that a good unboxing matters. That said, the case provided is a black case, nicely sized, perfect for a front pocket. It’s covered in what I assume is some sort of faux leather. The zipper actually does work which is not a guarantee. I can fit the Q5 Pro, the cable and some tips as well as the TP35 from EPZ (Review coming). So, there’s good enough room.

Cable​

EPZ thought this cable out. The cable provided is lightweight, not too thick either. It’s a very nice looking white 2-pin 6N Single-Crystal-Copper cable which terminates in a 3.5 single ended jack. The cable has golden accent fittings, and I love the milky white sheath which covers the cable. Very nice to look at. However, I feel this cable was well thought out. EPZ knew they couldn’t add in some beefy cable that weighs too much as the Q5 Pro is very lightweight. They needed a functionally light cable that wouldn’t pull on your Q5 Pro when they are in your ears. Also, the Q5 Pro does lean on the brighter side (generally) and so using a fully copper cable does help to tamp down some of those brighter hues. It’s a general rule of thumb in the hobby that fully copper cables do help well to add some slight warmth, less intensity up top. There is no science that I know of that backs this however, full disclosure. Anyways, I think the cable is a nice addition. As much as I love beefy and fat cables, it’s a solid functional choice by EPZ. However, I have a lot of balanced sources which require me to swap cables at times. When I did, I went with the cable that came with the Letshuoer S12 2024 Edition, a BQEYZ 4.4 cable which came with one of their sets and the cable that came with the Yanyin Canon. I went back and forth between each, and you’ll see that in the pictures. Not that any if you care. All of these cables have a 4.4 balanced connection capability. Again, the included cable works wonderfully for any 3.5 single ended listening.

Build / Design / Internals / Fit​

Build Quality​

The build quality of the EPZ Q5 Pro is about the same as the OG Q5, it’s pretty nice. Just like the OG, the Q5 Pro shell is made entirely of 3D printed resin in a very ergonomic style. This is one area that EPZ really has down. The build is very nice. EPZ also states that the all aerospace-grade aluminum faceplate not only looks awesome on this set of earphones, but it also doubles as a rear acoustic cavity using harmonic suppression which is supposed to eliminate or reduce any internal resonances ultimately helping the sound to come across cleaner, tighter and more refined. You’ll also notice a rear vent in the middle of the faceplates which are incorporated to help the Q5 Pro’s air intake and pressure relief. The nozzles are not long but take a very tight angle back to the ear hole which (in my opinion) is very comfortable. Beyond that the nozzles aren’t very long and come in at about 6mm in width. There is also a female 2-pin socket at the top which was a welcome change from the mmcx connectors on the last set. Honestly, this build is not going to blow your mind. I personally feel it’s pretty great when you couple. In just how ergonomic and functional the build is. Add to that, the build is very cool looking. I feel that EPZ did another great job on this set and its build is up to its price point.

​

Design​

As far as the actual look and aesthetic, the Q5 Pro is once again a total looker. The Q5 always got compared to the Meze Advar, and rightfully so as the design was very similar. Well, EPZ changed things up a bit and added a slick looking faceplate which really pops against the shell color. By the way, you can purchase the Q5 Pro in either white or black. Obviously, my set is the white version. However, I really do like either color. White-on-gold or black-on-gold are both great contrasting colors and always works. I think the design and aesthetic is very cool for this price point and will look dope in anyone’s ear as they stroll down the road. In fact, I’ve yet to see an ugly design by this brand. Look at all of their sets! They all look sweet! Anyways, I won’t go too far with this but another solid design by EPZ, in my opinion.

Internals ​

EPZ decided to add a new driver into the fray with (this’ll be a mouthful) a Dual-Magnetic, Dual-Circuit 10mm Carbon-Ceramic-Composite Nano Diaphragm Dynamic Driver. Seriously EPZ! Can we change the name to something a bit easier? Lol. I joke, but seriously EPZ does not play around with their driver tech. However, even more impressive is the ridiculous amount of R&D and iterations that EPZ went through to get their acoustic cavity correct. So, the Q5 Pro utilizes a dual cavity design which apparently went through “56 revisions and hundreds of fine tunings” to get the cavity that they found represented the sound they wanted for this set. Friends, please stop for a moment and think about that! This set is $49! They did all of that for a budget iem! Now, can we all, as a group, give the people at EPZ a round of applause?! Who does that? It’s $49! Imagine what they will do for their more expensive iems. Anyways, it’s hard to not be impressed.

Fit / Comfort ​

Now we get to the fit and comfort of this set and I’ll just say that the Q5 Pro fits me “almost” like a glove. I certainly need (like any set) to find tips which work perfectly for me. Those tips are the KBear 07 tips. However, once I achieve finding a solid set of tips the Q5 Pro is one of the most comfortable iems out there for me. It sits nestled in my ears perfectly. On top of that the Q5 Pro is as light as earphones get. It’s very lightweight. So, while I have no clue how well the Q5 Pro will fit you, I cannot imagine it wouldn’t work in your ears too.

Drivability ​

Output power​

The EPZ Q5 Pro is rated with an impedance of right around 24 ohms and a sensitivity of around 109 db’s, give or take. What this means is that the Q5 Pro is without question a very sensitive set, and a set that doesn’t require a megaton of output power from your source device. I actually used the Q5 Pro with many sources over the course of my time with them and I can tell you that my cheapest & weakest dongles drive this set easily and to very good volume. Even my iPad and the low power KZ AZ20 or Fiio UTWS5 both works like a charm. Really a very sensitive set. So please don’t think you need anything profoundly powerful to enjoyably listen to the Q5 Pro. Having said that, I will say with certainty that the Q5 Pro does scale to a degree with more power. No doubt there is a point where they plateau, but adding juice will tighten up the bass significantly (remember that) and more power will add control to the treble region. This is something I surely noticed. Another thing I can comfortably say is that I don’t really get distortion with either higher volumes or more (reasonable) power. I still used high gain on my dongle dacs (I have never changed them off high gain) and they really do sound great. Like the EPZ TP50 or TP35, the Aful SnowyNight, the Simgot Dew4x, Moondrop Dawn 4.4, and many more. They sound great folks. Give them some power and things tighten up and the Q5 Pro will reward you. I found my daps to be the best, especially the Shanling M6 Ultra and Fiio Q15. Both different tonalities but both awesome with this set. More on that next.

Source pairing​

So, the Q5 Pro is a brighter sounding set. No doubt about it. Very dynamic, very expressive and clean too. For me, the Q5 Pro is better with a warmer device. However, this is not true across the board. You DON’T have some prerequisite need to have a warmer source device. Please don’t listen to reviewers who say you do. They don’t have your taste, or ears. The Q5 Pro will sound good with most source tonalities. In the last paragraph I just stated how great this set sounds with both the M6 Ultra and the Q15. Two totally different source tonalities. One slightly more neutral and one warmer. Both amazing with this set. So please don’t go out and buy a warmer device just for this set. Folks, “synergy” ONLY MEANS that the earphone and the source “sounds good” to you and your subjective ears when paired together. That’s synergy. Synergy is not some magical connection that a set of earphones and a source device have. That’s silly. Synergy is synergy… to you. I actually found that the Q5 Pro did very well with some more neutral devices like the Dawn 4.4 or the iBasso DX240. Sounded awesome. So, forgive me if I sound harsh concerning synergy as I really don’t mean to. Synergy is true from person to person. However, people are going out and spending their money on devices because other people are telling them (in reviews, groups, threads) that synergy is met with only particular devices.

What do you need? ​

Like I said, maybe a decent Dongle Dac at the most. If you have a dap that you like or a dac/amp that you love, then you are in business. That said, even if you are new and only have a smartphone with a 3.5 jack, you should be fine. This set is very sensitive folks. Yes, they scale well with power, but please don’t think this is a requirement to owning them. EPZ made sure that this budget iem was able to be played from most any source for both beginners and those who have been in the hobby for awhile.

Sound Impressions ​

Note: I just want to preface this portion of the review with a couple things. First off, I did burn-in the Q5 Pro for around 3-4 days. I did do an initial listen when I got them, and I did notice the highs were slightly less controlled then when I was finished with the burn-in. Now, that “3-4 days” was an arbitrary amount of time. I just put them on and left them. Folks, these drivers could settle in two hours! I really don’t know. However, I do know that it certainly helped. Also, I listen primarily to flac or better files stored on my devices. I do very little streaming. I did swap cables to a 4.4 balanced cable, and I did use KBear 07 tips. Also, my music software of choice is UAPP (USB Audio Player Pro).

What does it sound like? ​

The EPZ Q5 Pro sounds like I thought they would sound. Understand, this set is essentially a “part two” of the original Q5. What did the original Q5 sound like? Well, slightly brighter than dead neutral, dynamic, bigger macro-dynamics, and it had a nice balance but also a lean note profile. That’s exactly what I would first say about the Q5 Pro. It is an ever-so-slightly brighter sounding set with equal parts bass and treble. I’d say it’s slightly V-shaped to U-shaped (to my ears anyways) with any source device I use them with. They are a hair brighter than some other sets on the market or compared to common tunings nowadays. However, there are some comparable sets. Sets like the Simgot EW200. However, “brighter” doesn’t have to mean shouty, sharp, shrill or uncontrolled. Keep that in mind. The Q5 Pro carries quite a bit of energy with it. Not just dynamic expression either, but also flat-out volume as this set is very sensitive. However, again, that energy comes across with very good control. EPZ does a very good job of presenting an energetic sound with all of its inflections coming across tidy, kempt, agile, with solid cadence, rhythm, but also very exciting. The Q5 Pro is very much like that. A fun sound in that regard, a detailed sound, and a split between analytically astute and musically inclined. Really a well-balanced set no matter how you look at it. Also, fantastic for the price. No doubt about that. Just hear me when I say that the Q5 Pro does have some brightness and less warmth than the OG Q5.

Condensed Sound Between the 20’s ​

Really quick, I honestly don’t know why I add in this section. But it’s basically a quick preview, or an overview of some of the highlights of each 3rd of the mix (bass, mids, treble) in a condensed and pint-sized manner. I will go into much greater detail in the next sections.

Pint sized look at each 3rd of the mix​

Beginning with the low-end, I find the Q5 Pro to have a moderate level of bass rumble and slam. This is a faster bass, reasonably detailed, transients move along speedily, and when a track calls on some robust playback, the Q5 Pro will sound robust. What it’s asked to do, it’ll do. Plus, the bass sounds much better with more output power from your source. The midrange has a slightly leaner note weight, neutral in tonality, clean across the board, some denseness to each note too. I don’t feel the lower midrange is really all too recessed either. Hence the possible “U-shaped” sound. The mids have great presence, some crispness, nicely defined, great control, and they have nice transparency. Now, the treble can be bright or “on the brighter side”, but nicely balanced with the low-end. I don’t feel the treble is the “focus” necessarily. Also, the treble doesn’t feel or sound too sharp to my ears. There’s some body to treble notes, some bite, some edge to them which is nice to hear. Also, the Q5 Pro carries some nice details so long as the track isn’t too complicated. Other than that, details shine through very well. Separation of instruments is well done, Imaging is easy to discern, and the stage is probably above average. Maybe. Honestly, this is a nicely tuned set. Perhaps it’s a slightly polarizing set too. I mean, you have to enjoy a slightly brighter sound. So please keep that in mind.

Bass Region​

The low-end is a joy to listen to per the type of tuning that EPZ gave the Q5 Pro. This is not a fun, bombastic, and meaty presentation. It isn’t that. The Q5 Pro hangs its hat in speed, agility, impactful punch, and the bass region really does rise to the occasion with certain tracks. The bass can extend nicely too. This isn’t a flat-out weak bass either. I’d simply say it’s a tasteful low-end which doesn’t seek to overwhelm the mix in warmth or oversaturate the mix with loss of definition. This low-end is actually nicely defined and not even close to one-noted. Attack at each note is fairly concise and quick. The decay through sustain is also on the quicker side. Not as atmospheric as the Kefine Klean nor as fast or as textured as a set like the KZ PR3 for example, which seems to be able to attack and recover a hair faster, by a small margin. That said, the Q5 Pro bass can take on quicker passages of low-end music fairly easily actually, for a single DD. Not much can trip this set up and trust me I tested that. Anyways, the Q5 Pro carries a more crystalline note edge, not fuzzy, not soft, and each note does have an element of roundness to them. These aren’t wide and flat notes. Again, concise, hard edged, punchy, with some low-end vibrance and they are very ductile and dexterous for a $49 set. Also, the Q5 Pro low-end will rise to the occasion on heavier bass tracks and reciprocate with adequate boom & rumble to carry most genres.

Sub-bass ​

The lowest of the lows present some decent haptic vibrational feel to my music. Obviously, this set wasn’t made to rattle your eyeballs loose. Yet there’s some meat there. Still enough emphasis to carry most genres. In the same breath, the Q5 Pro isn’t even hinting at being a basshead style. Not a chance. EPZ crafted and tuned a more mature sound, almost clinical, refined even. At least for a set costing under $50. To check the extension, I listen to a track like “Tell Me What’s On Your Mind” by The Decemberists. Some sets will rattle with guttural depth here. However, the Q5 Pro does that but there’s a certain edge of pointed vibrance to the sound. A bassy luster, if you will. Just simply less emphasized or forward. Yes, it’s haptic, and yes, it’s palpable, yet with less reverb resonance and lingering harmonics. A nicely neat and shipshape sound which offers enough droning rumble to feel the low-pitch growl of a bass guitar, or the fullness of a clean bass drop etc. Overall, the sub-bass isn’t the most evidently emphasized, but it is mature enough in that it doesn’t sound like a one-noted mishmash of sub level bass either.

Mid-bass ​

Now, the mid-bass actually has some passable fullness and some level of enjoyable boom, but what it does very well is provide a decently textured punch. While the sub-bass is a hair more elevated, the mid-bass still offers some decent slam. Certainly, less emphasized than many budget sets which are tuned for a more fun and even more V-shaped style. The mid-bass is actually fairly compact and tight, no real extra fat to each note. Certainly not as lean as some BA bass sets, and not as textured and agile as some planar bass. Instead, the mid-bass has the organic timbre, yet in a more concise and defined package. Albeit slightly softened at the note edge on some tracks. But still quick. You’d think I was describing a weak bass here but there’s nothing frail about it. It’s just perceivably quicker in attack through decay. For instance, you aren’t missing out on the full bounce and depth of a kick drum or the edgy drone of a bass guitar. Those notes are there yet in a tidier and more well-defined duration. Now, bassheads will want nothing to do with the Q5 Pro, this much I can promise. Some may even say bass lite. I’d say, mature with a slight dosage of fun.

Mid-bass cont… ​

Listening to a track like “Calling Your Name” by Jon Batiste I hear some nicely rounded notes when the bass hits. However, I also hear a well separated and clean sound. Not overdone or overcooked as the mid-bass mostly minds its own business and doesn’t really intrude on other areas of the mix. Like I said, there’s some vibrance there, a clean edge, and the mid-bass decays nicely. For the most part. Another track is “Move Along” by The All-American Rejects. This track I use for testing because the kick drums are massive, and the 1st notes you hear out the gate. So, it makes it easy and quick to test. I like tracks like that. Anyways, the kick drum has that tacky initial snap on attack followed by a moderate hollow boom of resonance. Not as earth shaking as many sets but the bass has enough gusto to satisfy. Beyond that, the mid-bass doesn’t bleed a whole lot into the midrange. Just a touch. I’ll cover that in the next section.

Downsides to the Bass Region ​

Those who enjoy a deep and bulbous slam are not going to get that here. This is not even close to a bass head iem. EPZ saw to it to keep the low-end clean and free of too much masking energy. Now, on some ultra hard bass jams you’ll hear a little bit of that, but that’s particular to the recording and most sets will sound the same in that regard. Honestly, if you want a fun and bigger low-end then the Q5 Pro is not going to appeal to you. Again, this is a less intense low-end with just enough muscle to sound gratifying when a track calls for it. Basically, the bass will not inflict its will on the whole mix and color different areas too much. One thing I didn’t mention in the last couple paragraphs was the fact that more amperage cleans up this bass. Off of my iPad the bass is less defined, less clean, and a hair less distinct. Once I add some juice everything tightens up nicely though. So please keep that in mind if you only have less powerful sources. To be perfectly honest, the bass is nice, and it doesn’t overstay its welcome. The sound of the low-end has just enough rumble and slam to come across fun on fun tracks yet orderly enough and tight enough for faster bass music.

Midrange​

One thing which I noticed was that the midrange does sound a hair more forward then the previous Q5. In fact, one of the first things I did after burn-in was go back and forth between the two. It was, and still is evident that the midrange has a titch more prevalence in the sound field. I wouldn’t say “mid-forward”, but I would say that there’s good energy in this region. Notes sound more etched out with a slightly more acute substance to each note. Maybe it’s the fact that the midrange sounds a hair more rounded with better dimension. I definitely hear a sprightliness to the sound too, but that spirited sound never crosses the line to harshness for me. I’d call it composed luster. Mostly in the upper-mids. In truth, notes in this region actually receive a faint casting of warmth from the low-end, but it’s not much. I certainly wouldn’t call the midrange rich, or thick and the Q5 Pro is the polar opposite of veiled. However, note density isn’t bad at all for the price with nice texture to midrange notes.

Mids cont…​

This is a clean midrange which does well for a single DD. The Q5 Pro is well able to pull off all the little micro-dynamics within my music in a convincing way for a $50 set. Depending on the track of course. Still, $50 or not… the Q5 Pro shows off a more transparent sounding midrange with nice details, clean note lines, and is more vibrant across the mids than anything else. To add to that, I also don’t hear an extremely shouty sound either. Just a nicely tuned set for those who enjoy a set that champions clarity and resolution over mellifluent musicality. Of course, this is not to say the Q5 Pro isn’t “musical” either. I’d say it’s balanced in that regard as well between analytical style exactness and rhythmic tunefulness.

Lower-midrange ​

Like I said, the low-end provides the most subtle warmth, which adds some meager low-mid weight to each note. However, this will not be enough bass overlap to create what I would consider a lush sound. Just a slight cast of warmth across a neutral canvas. Males do have an edginess to them at times with a very faint recession. In fact, I hesitate even calling it recessed as male vocalists do stick out with solid presence against the rest of the mix. There’s some crispness to the lower midrange which carries on-out through the whole scope of the mids. The lower midrange has very nice clarity with enough smoothness and warmth to not consider the sound “dry”. However, there’s enough crispness and exuberant energy to not consider the low-mids flat or dull. Just a nice sound in this area if you enjoy males with a hint more pointed energy and a leaner profile. Males like Dermot Kennedy in the track “Rome” has a lean yet very clean and vibrant presence. Perhaps his voice isn’t 100% organic with the Q5 Pro, but it is very nice sounding with nothing too knife edged or grainy like other sets. In fact, I’d say the same thing with almost all male vocalists; very clean, a pinch more vibrant, not warm, not soft, not thick, but on the leaner side with a very localized crisp edge at the crest of their notes. It’s a fine line that the Q5 Pro walks where that crispness doesn’t seem to ever cross the sharp or grainy line. I wouldn’t call male vocalists the strong suit of the Q5 Pro. Yet in the same breath the low-mids carry excellent details and sound very clean.

Upper-Midrange ​

Now, the upper-mids are certainly more forward, lustrous, and there definitely is some shimmer to both female vocalists as well as instrumentation in this region. The upper-mids carry a sheen of brightness which provides air to the sound, snap to percussion, edge to acoustic guitar etc. There’s an elated feel to this set, as though the upper midrange almost casts a glow over the sound field. I really want to specify that this “glow” or “luster” rarely comes across blatantly shouty or piercing. Don’t get me wrong, the Q5 Pro has its shouty moments, but they are really held in check well. This audio game is always a give and take. Yes, the upper mids are very transparent, airy, clean and transient tight. Yet at times you’ll hear that one note that got away and may come across a hint harsh. It happens to the best sets tuned this way. Anyways, females sound awesome. Certainly, lean in note body but also pristine, shimmery, like Gracie Abrams in the song “Let it Happen”. Her soft and svelte voice sounds like it’s on a pedestal, highlighted, out front and feather soft. Even though the Q5 Pro has a slightly brighter sound, it still shows off and conveys emotion. Every inflection is perfectly rendered, and each note is perfectly contoured. All instruments follow this path. Slightly more elated sounding, not as rich but also effortlessly clean, tidy and very detailed. I would say that the sound is a pinch too bright to call it organic, but it really is a very nice tuning job for this type of sound. Just like the OG Q5, but better, cleaner, more controlled. The Q5 Pro has great instrument separation too with some decent depth to midrange notes.

Downsides to the Midrange ​

Without question there will be those who do not agree with this tuning. Folks, look at all the warmer “meta” tuned sets which have come out lately. These sets are coming out in rebuke of brighter and more strident pinna rises, with more bass, smooth across the board, easy listening, fun. I suppose we all have a different idea of what “fun” is. I know we reviewers like to tell you what “fun” is. However, there will be plenty who really don’t want this type of analytical musicality. Yes, I said “analytical” and “musical” in the same sentence. Anyways, the midrange can get sharp in the right track. However, 98% of the time the Q5 Pro represents great control of the mix. It’s clean, open sounding, well separated, glass lined, never grainy and rarely sharp. So, fans of warmer or darker sounding sets may want to pass, and that’s perfectly fine. We are all very much different. Beyond that, note weight is not very thick, or lush, which some hobbyists would rather have. Beyond those things, the timbre isn’t the most organic or accurate. However… We Know This! The same as the Q5 yet even less bass presence. Not the most timbre accurate due to the subtle thinness and slight brightness. This is not at all a problem to me because I truly enjoy this set and have been for a couple weeks now, alot. Anyways, there’s things to consider here. I think for what the Q5 Pro is and for how it was tuned…the midrange is very nice. Very well done.

Treble Region​

​

The treble has a definite gleam to it. There’s good brilliance in the treble that balances very well with the low-end. Folks, this is a treble which is most certainly elevated in emphasis. There’s some very nice sparkle in the treble with a very chimey sound to it. Very airy, very transparent, very well detailed for a $49 single DD, and it has nice crispness and bite to treble notes. I could almost say that this treble is for those treble bois who don’t have the cash to plop down on more expensive sets. Despite those nice words, this set will not be for the treble sensitive… at all!

Tasteful Brilliance​

In my opinion, the treble is really the focus of the Q5 Pro, but it is done in a tasteful way. In a mature way. We say that bass is either sloppy, bullish, bloated or it’s… mature. Same deal with the treble. Just like the bass, treble can also mask over other frequencies and mute out other regions. Especially when that treble is so boosted and you’re jamming out to a treble driven song. With all that said, the Q5 Pro never seems to cross the line into something more akin to forced resolution. EPZ is too good for that. I actually really like how well manicured the highs are here, even with the emphasis. Truly a mature treble. Like I said earlier, the Q5 Pro is actually even brighter than the OG Q5 yet somehow, I found the OG Q5 to be less controlled up top, with more of those piercing notes which almost catch you off guard. Yes, it’s boosted and yes, the Q5 Pro carries a treble focus. However, there’s enough of that nuanced note control, note body, and note definition to not come across out of control and sloppy.

Examples​

The Q5 Pro captures every little micro-dynamic shift and micro-detail within my music. With ease. Tracks like “Evil Twin” by Lindsey Stirling was quite awesome on this set. I love a set which can get bright, brilliant, with great biting notes yet not come across shrill or raucous. That’s how the Q5 Pro replays this track. Every note is rounded and very well contoured. Details are very easy to pick out. It sounds very vibrant and with a ton of sparkle. Just a very energetic and lively treble response. Another track is “Magnetic Fields, Pt. 1” by Jean Michel Jarre and it’s absolutely littered with treble activity. If any song was going to make me throw this set out of my ears, it’d be this track. Folks, I never once winced, and I could pick apart each note. The Q5 Pro showed off good separation, clean lines on everything, it has some vibrant snap and nice crunch. Now, I don’t want to oversell here because this set does cost $49. I truly feel that for the price the Q5 Pro excels in its treble performance.

A nice treble response…​

The Q5 Pro also carries fantastic treble extension along with that good treble bite and roundness. You’ll notice on the graph there’s a bump out around 14k which can at times bring a hair too much vivacious energy for some people. However, most of the time it simply helps this set to sound more spirited. Even the secondary harmonics of a cymbal strike don’t come across splashy which is very nice to hear. They remain in relatively good control. Of course, much has to do with the track you are listening to, but EPZ did a nice job of keeping the Q5 Pro treble mostly sibilance free with very little splash. I don’t hear some mishmash of treble tizz which is great for this price. I realize this will not be everyone’s favorite sound, but I feel I am speaking right now for those who do enjoy a brighter sounding set. Those warm, bassy lovers have already left. This is for the treble fans. By the way, I truly love almost all sound signatures, and I can wholeheartedly appreciate this tuning and how well EPZ dialed in the sound as they did. Extension is nice, details are great, treble separation is very good and the treble carries that nice snap, bite, and punch. Is it perfect? Well, nothing is. However, for what EPZ was shooting for they really did a nice work on this set and the treble has a lot to do with that.

Downsides to the Treble Region ​

Of course, this entire treble region will be a “downside” to a whole slew of hobbyists. It’s bright folks. However, in that brightness I don’t feel it’s too bright. In my honest opinion, against the current market of brighter budget sets, the Q5 Pro is hands down above the others I’ve heard. So, is it a “downside”? For many folks who truly enjoy this sound I’d say no. To others who really don’t like this type of energy I’d say yes, it’s a downside. Truthfully, the sound is quite polarizing as you’ll either love it or not. I went from meta tuned warm sets with plenty of bass to this brighter and more energetic sound. That said, I truly enjoy the treble display. It is very well detailed (as I’ve said about a hundred times), can take on even complicated treble tracks, it’s a fast treble with tight transients, and also the treble region will provide that nice treble crunch and crispness too. However, there will be those who really don’t like it. Again, that’s okay.

Technicalities ​

Soundstage​

The overall size of the soundstage is presented above average in width in my opinion. There is a wide presence as you have good extension both ways (sub-bass / upper-treble) which creates almost a psycho-acoustically stretched sound at times. Also, there is some depth to the sound as well. I wouldn’t necessarily call the sound super deep or super well layered, but it’s very good. Remember, this set costs $49. For a $49 iem, the soundstage is very nice.

Separation / Imaging ​

Instrument separation is definitely one of the better traits of the Q5 Pro. Each element of the stage is compartmentalized, partitioned off, and each instrument generally carries a glass-lined and crisp distinction. Like I said, notes are leaner, not thick, not mushed together, it’s an open sound, airy, very clean, very transparent, no fuzziness or grain, transients are tight with a quick attack and decay. The Q5 Pro is analytical first and musicality second. So yes, separation is very well displayed. Also, Imaging is quite good too. For a $49 iem that is. I find it easy to place instruments and vocals and there’s an adequate amount of layering as well.

Detail Retrieval ​

When it comes to detail retrieval you already know the answer here because I’ve spoken of it two thousand times in this review. Details are fantastic. Whether it’s the broader macro-detail cleanliness and transparency or the micro-details and subtle little pieces of info that can get lost on more lush sets, the Q5 Pro nails it. If you are the type who enjoys the minutia in your music, then the Q5 Pro may be for you. Details are great.

Is it worth the asking price?​

This is a loaded question. First let me say, I absolutely love the sound of this set, for what it is. Is it my favorite tuning? No, it isn’t. I actually prefer some warmth (just a phase I’m in right now). Of course, brightness and leanness really don’t bother me. Now, do I enjoy the Q5 Pro? Yes, quite a lot. Just as much as I love a warm set, I love an analytical and brighter set too. I can find joy in damn near all sound signatures. I can certainly find joy in the EPZ Q5 Pro. That’s me though. You may be completely different from me. I’m willing to bet that anyone who is a warm/dark lover, a bass lover, a smoothness lover, is not going to love this set and probably wouldn’t pay the $49 to own it. For those folks it isn’t worth the money and that is understandable. You like what you like folks. Now, for me and for those who aren’t bothered by a bit of extra brilliance, those folks may be able to see the absolute beauty of the Q5 Pro and the stellar tuning job that EPZ did. It’s a matter of preference though. Not everyone prefers less low-end, less warm, and treble focused. Nevertheless, that doesn’t take away from how well tuned the Q5 Pro is… per that tuning. Folks, I say with absolute assurance that the Q5 Pro is without question worth the $49 and truthfully… it should cost more.

The Why… ​

Because the build style, shape, and design are very cool. Just a classy look that doesn’t get old for me. Then the unboxing is actually quite good for a $49 iem. Just the same, the tuning is very well done. You have that punchy, decently extended but also very detailed low-end which can take on most any bass track. The midrange is transparent through-and-through with a crystalline note outline, great surface texture, nice crispness without the harshness and it’s simply a composed region. Also, the treble is very nicely done for a brighter tuning. I find that EPZ took this treble right to the brink of pierce yet capped it right at that point. It’s got decent note body up top, nice crunch, good treble bite and it’s very well extended without sounding splashy and full of sheened out treble tizz. The Q5 Pro is highly detailed for a $49 single DD with very good note separation and stellar imaging. The stage is wide, tall and there’s even some depth to provide some dimension to the sound. All in all, the EPZ Q5 Pro is worth every penny and more. Nice work EPZ.

Ratings (0-10)​

Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles with the unique parameters of my choosing. In the case of the EPZ Q5 Pro ratings below, that would be $35-$55 iems of any driver configuration. Please remember that “ratings” don’t tell the whole story. This leaves out nuance and a number of other qualities which make an iem what it is. A “5-6” is roughly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $35-$55 is a very large sized scope of iems. So, It should be a nice surprise to see a rating above a “9.0”. My ratings are never the same and each set of ratings tells a different story. Each time you read one of my ratings will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me.

Aesthetic ​

–Build Quality: 8.8 A nice ergonomic build.

–Look: 9.5 Love the look of this set.

–Fit/Comfort: 9.6 Fit and comfort is fantastic for me.

–Accessories: 9.3 Nice unboxing, far above average.

–Overall: 9.3

Sound Rating ​

–Timbre: 8.8 Bright-natural, clean.

–Bass: 8.9 Speedy, well defined, punchy.

–Midrange: 9.2 Transparent, analytical, melodic.

–Treble: 9.7 Highly skilled, well detailed, extended.

–Technicalities: 9.6 Very nice for all technicalities.

–Musicality: 8.6 Very mellifluous per the tuning.

–Overall: 9.1

Ratings Summary:​

I don’t think there’s much to explain here with this ratings section. The Q5 Pro got a high “9.1” out of “10.0” in overall sound ratings which to me is about right. I rated the Q5 Pro against any and all iems between the prices of $35 to $55. Not sure if you’ve been paying attention but this is a very competitive price point. I think one thing which keeps the Q5 Pro of reaching a hair higher in some ratings is the tuning. Don’t get me wrong, for what it is… the Q5 Pro has top marks. However, there are other sets which would fit better with more genres, maybe a hair more versatile in that regard. Still, a “9.1” is about as high as a set can get with this style of tuning at these prices. In my opinion of course. For instance, I just reviewed the Kefine Klean in the exact same price point ($35-$55), and it scored a “9.2” overall in sound. However, the Klean serves different listeners. It’s more bassy, warmer, richer whereas the Q5 Pro is brighter, more analytical, cleaner. What it all comes down to is this… ratings are ridiculous folks. There are so many variables in how one should rate a product. I have to narrow down my ratings to certain price points because this is to help you, if that’s even possible with ratings. If I don’t narrow them down then I’d have to judge this set against the entirety of the Audioverse, and that’s stupid. Plus, it makes no sense. Anyways, take all of this for a grain of salt and just keep scrolling.

Explain Yourself!! ​

Not much to explain, you can see the strengths of the Q5 Pro above and you can see where it isn’t as strong from my perspective against sets between $35 and $55. The highest rating I gave it is a “9.7” in the Treble category which may raise some eyebrows. Remember, that “9.7” is against a narrow number of sets. Keep that in mind. Anyways, I could certainly see some folks who are allergic to treble thinking I’ve lost my mind over that rating. Oh well. I rated the Q5 Pro against exactly 15 other sets in this price range that I’ve established. It was the best in the treble department in my mind. I think all of the other ratings hold up and really don’t need explanation. Technically, the Q5 Pro is a beast and most certainly can go toe-to-toe with any set between $35 and $55. At any rate, a “9.1” is a fantastic rating and I feel the Q5 Pro deserves it. Nice work EPZ!

Final words on the EPZ Q5 Pro ​

I’ve said it many times in the past, but I only review what I enjoy. I truly don’t have the time to spend writing, reviewing, listening to something that I feel isn’t joyful to review. Who wants that? Not me. Anyways, just due to the fact that I’m reviewing this set at all should tell you that I think it’s a solid product. Also, nothing is perfect, and nothing fits everyone. I can’t believe I have to state this multiple times in every review yet here I am. Friends, this set is not going to appeal to everyone. I know this, I’m sure EPZ knows this, and you know this. This set is tuned in a very particular way. Let that sink in for a moment. Take a couple minutes. Lol. Listen, among the under $75 crowd of sets you’ll be hard pressed to find a better analytically tuned iem. Now, You WILL read other reviews or watch other reviews, and they will bash this set. I promise you. However, this is because it doesn’t fit their preferences. Let that sink in for a moment. Now, for those people that the EPZ Q5 Pro does fit their preferences… they will absolutely adore this set. This I promise. It is good for what it is. It isn’t the warmer, bassier, smoother, richer sound. No sir. This is a bright leaning, detailed, clean, transparent, well-balanced sound with high energy and nice crispness. And guess what… the Q5 Pro is flat out awesome for this particular style.

Conclusion ​

To conclude my full written review of the EPZ Q5 Pro I want to pass along recommendations for this set. Obviously, I’m just one man with one opinion so that’s another thing you can take with a grain of salt. Anyways, I absolutely recommend it to anyone who doesn’t have the money to step up to the $100 price point and who truly adores a brighter and more snappy sound, a detailed sound, and a very energetic sound. I’d say that it’s the best money can buy under $55 with this tuning. Again, all my opinion and also, that statement is only based on all of the sets within the price point that I’ve heard and spent time with. I can also say tell you this; in my world I am 1000% correct. Whether you align with me is another thing altogether. However, I really have to hand it to EPZ for crafting a set that bucks the trend of the market. We are seeing warm set after warm set, and we really haven’t seen many analytical style iems under $100 of late. No doubt the Q5 Pro has a particular tuning and it’s probably a bit polarizing for some people. Still, I cannot speak badly on the Q5 Pro, and I do think it is a special iem.

Thank you! ​

I want to thank you before I am done. It means the world to myself and my partners at Mobileaudiophile.com that you click any link and show up at our site. Our whole goal and mission is to help you and to freely speak about the hobby that we love. So, it is our great honor to write these reviews. I really mean that. Thank you so very much and I hope this review has helped even a little bit.

Other perspectives ​

Please, right now go and check out other thoughts about the Q5 Pro. Please don’t stop at me. Granted, in my world I’m perfectly correct about every word of this review. However, we are all very different and what’s correct to me, may not be correct for you. I feel that listening to, reading, or watching other perspectives about the Q5 Pro will certainly help you in your journey. With that I’m done. I hope each and every one of you is doing well. Stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!!

​

The Q5 pro is the predecessor of a IEM that I have cherished quite profoundly, the Q5. I love it for its balanced tuning and great overall sound , like everything I have ever tried from EPZ . They always have amazing tunings for their IEM’s . Unfortunately I have been been able to play live with any of them but solely relying on listening experiences. They never ever let me down for sound and most importantly their service and dedication to their craftsmanship.
I initially tried the Q5 last year and followed up with their 530, then with Q1 and Q1 and recently Tone deaf has loaned me his K5’s that must be 2 years of me raving about wanting to hear them from a review done by Akros. So let’s take a dive into what this IEM is about , but firstly I want to thank Tony at EPZ for making this happen and treating your boys at Canuck Audioholics with some delectable goods .

I won’t go into details about the build or accessories as I will post pics and if you want to know more please feel free to reach out me or one of the Audioholics for any queries .

Bass

The EPZ Q5 Pro delivers a deep bass experience, where sub-bass sticks out more than mid-bass without completely shrouding it. There’s a satisfying thickness to the low end, but it does come with a trade-off in terms of detail.. Interestingly, I found that the Q5 Pro seems to have a bit less bass drive compared to the original Q5.

Midrange

The midrange is more prominent than the Q5 and isn’t a game changer in terms of it being in your face but def different. Separation and imaging are great .

Treble

Really great highs that compliment the mid range they sparkle and really is pleasing with that air in the treble .


I forgot to mention. I paired this with the FIIO M11 plus with TP35 dongle and used stock Q5 pro cable. If you’re on the hunt or shopping for midrange and treble more forward for 50-60 $ this is for you . If you like your IEM’s to be balanced and like a reference monitor give the Q5 a try . Heck with it , get both you’ll have the best of both worlds .

NOTES:

The EPZ Q5 Pro is the follow-up to the well received Q5. The original Q5 was notable for its unusually musical performance given its reasonable pricing. The Q5 Pro, coming in at the $60 range aims to improve upon OG Q5.

The Q5 Pro sports an updated look which I found attractive. The driver complement being a single 10mm Carbon-Ceramic composites nano-diaphragm. EPZ states that the Q5 Pro driver utilizes dual magnetic circuits as well as dual acoustic cavities.

Tuning wise we have a moderately U-shaped presentation with accented lower bass and mid to upper treble.

I did enjoy the OG Q5 and remember it being a pleasing to listen to. Let’s see what the Q5 Pro brings to the table.

Read on to find out more.

SPECS:

Product: EPZ Q5 Pro

Format: Single Driver In Ear Type

Driver(s): 10mm 2nd Gen Carbon-Ceramic composites nano-diaphragm

Housing Material: Resin


BUILD FIT & QUALITY:

The EPZ Q5 Pro is housed in a shiny black resin shell with a gold branded faceplate. There appears to be a hole present but I cannot confirm if it is there for venting. Design elements add a nice touch with the faceplate and nozzle being of the same gold colour which contrasts nicely with the black resin shell. Looks are definitely subjective but IMHO EPZ did a fine job on the appearance of the Q5 Pro.

The retail presentation is also well thought out, in particular given the asking price and adds to the perceived value of EPZ’s offering. I am not a fan of the cable though which while coloured to match the iem, was unruly to work with the haptics of which did not match those of the earphone itself. EPZ also includes a set of tips which were of good quality and a standard case.





SOUND:

BASS:

The EPZ Q5 Pro has a bass that does reach deep. Sub-Bass is more prominent than mid-bass but does not overshadow the latter.

The low end has a pleasing thickness about it but at the expense of detail. On “Angel” by Massive Attack, the driving bass line was present but the texture lacked clarity. There was a perceived looseness to the low end and while not enough to be distracting, was evident on some more bass demanding tracks. Things improved somewhat when using my desktop setup and the bass did settle down noticeably. Obviously, the Q5 Pro, with respect to bass quality, does improve when driven adequately.

I did notice that the compared to the OG Q5, the Q5 pro has less apparent bass drive, but this may be due to the increased mid forward tuning of the Pro iteration.


MIDRANGE:

The EPZ Q5 Pro has an audibly more mid-forward tuning than the original Q5. I found that warmer sources suited the Pro with more neutral front ends serving the OG Q5 better.

The midrange has good detailing with a macro over micro balance. There is a warmth to the midrange which is more apparent on lesser sources as the bass bleed will be more apparent when not driven adequately. While mid forward, the Q5 Pro still doesn’t push the midrange into your face. Things still tend to stay in their place well enough and little to no harshness was noted when listening at reasonable volume levels.

Layering and separation is on par with or slightly better than the more performing examples of earphones in this price range. “Beautiful Lie” by Vick Lavender thankfully did not dissolve into a wall of sound that many of the earphones I have heard in this price range tend to offer with this track.

Listening to “No Worries” by The Robert Glasper Trio I was pleased with the playback of the Q5 Pro. The sound was well defined, lively and crisp with the Q5 Pro capturing the energy of this track quite well. “Barley” by Lizz Wright had her husky vocals definitely forward in the mix but expressive and articulate.

Moving on the “Change Your Mind” by Moonchild, Amber Navran’s vocals did have some added warmth, but her vocals retained that velvet smooth quality she is known for.

Transients had good attack and decay in the midrange, with the bass falling a little behind on this metric. Note weight was admirable. Timbre was not class leading but still agreeable.

TREBLE:

The EPZ Q5 Pro has a treble that complements the midrange. Again, I found that some sources extracted more detail from the Q5 Pro than others so proper source selection is warranted.

The treble is reasonably extended with ample amounts of sparkle and air. In fact, at times, I was surprised at the level detail retrieval. On “Vanston Place 12am” by Ronny Jordan the treble had a sweetness to it that really belies the asking price for this earphone. Likewise, the cymbal work on “He’s a Carioca” by Eden Atwood had that same pleasing quality previously heard.

IMAGING AND SOUNDSTAGE:

The soundstage was open with accurate instrument placement. Width extended laterally beyond the ears with height and depth also being well presented, if to a lesser extent that width. On less busy tracks the EPZ Q5 Pro was very well composed with ample layering and separation. This only suffering slightly on busier selections and at higher volume.




CONCLUSION:

The EPZ Q5 Pro as the second iteration to the well received Q5 does what it sets out to do. It is in a nutshell a more mid-centric and refined Q5.

The tuning of the Q5 Pro lends itself well to different genres and offers a pleasing sound that many will like. The one caveat is that I recommend trying different sources to find that desired synergy. This is a technically adept iem sitting in a price range where that isn’t always the norm. If shopping in and around the $50-$60 price range the Q5 Pro should be considered.