EPZ x Tipsy Star & One

Tipsy x EPZ Star & One
$89
1DD.

Before I even begin this review, let me thank Linsoul for sending the IEM in for review.
Rest assured, my review is always 100% my own personal opinion.
You can get this IEM here : https://www.linsoul.com/products/epz-x-tipsy-star-one
Unboxing

Build Quality

The shell is made from resin, it is very well made and lightweight.
As for the cable its just meh, nothing special, no options for 2.5 or 4.4mm or modular either.

Comfort
The Star & One is comfortable to wear for long listening sessions, I have no issues with it.

Sound

Tested using : FIIO KB3, Stock Eartips, Stock Cable
Music is mostly from Apple Music (J-POP, J-Rock, EDM, Rap, Metal, Jazz, Anisong)

Sound in General : Harman Target

Bass : focused on the sub bass region, deep and rumbly, the bass also has that sense of physicality to it.
Mid bass region is almost in target with Harman tuning style, but the Star & One has a little bit of color on its mid bass, making it has a bit more punch compared to normal Harman Tuned IEMs.

Bass speed is average, it can be used for all kind of genre (all rounder) including double pedal and EDM.

Midrange : Forward just like any Harman target tuned IEM.
Thankfully the Star & One manage to pull the midrange especially vocal to not sound shouty.
Not only that, it is also free from any sibilance or harshness.

Instruments on the Star & One sounds very good actually.
It has clarity and forward – intense quality to it without getting it overdone.
As for overall note weight of the midrange, it is normal, not adding extra weight / emotion but not thin either.

Treble : Smooth
Not the most detailed and extended IEM that I've ever heard, but it is not in any way means bad.
Its just lacking a bit of character to it? Or I should word it probably the Star & One treble is smooth but nothing special. That's it.

Technicalities
Above Average

Stage : Medium Sized, not the widest I've ever heard but not small either.
Thankfully it has exact wall placement and good layer information.

Detail Retrieval : Average, not the most resolving IEMs that I've ever heard.
The bass and midrange resolving capabilities is actually good, its just that the treble sounds just meh, So if you prioritize treble details, this IEM probably not for you.

Imaging : Above Average, it sounds 2.5D at least to my ears.
Not holographic, but not 2D sounding either.

Separation & Positioning : Good.
I don't have any problem locating sound sources using the Star & One, including for music and gaming use.

Comparation

Truthear Hexa
$80 USD
1DD + 3BA

Sounds more detailed and has better overall technicalities compared to the Star & One, with different tuning, well mostly less bass.
Timbre wise, Star & One sounds more natural compared to the Hexa.

Moondrop Aria 2
$89 USD
1DD

Aria 2 has better accessories, while the tonality is a bit different.
Aria 2 has that typical Harman modified sound, with more focused on the mid-bass region compared to the sub-bass.
Technicality wise, it is pretty much on par with the Star & One.
So in this case, if you prefer more sub-bass, pick the Star & One, if you prefer more mid-bass, pick the Aria 2.

Conclusion

Is the Tipsy x EPZ Star & One recommended?

If you're looking for a single driver IEM with good comfort, and lightweight shell and want a more or less Harman Tuned IEM with $89 USD is your maximal budget, then YES, why not.

The Star One is offering another option for you to pick in the super crowded sub $100 USD and it is a good thing,

What Star & One offers to the market compared to competitor it offers good build quality, comfortable wearing experience and somehow higher impedance than normal 1DD with pleasing tonality and timbre.

The only nitpick I would give to the Star One is that I hope the treble resolving capabilities could be better, but that's it, nothing else.

Thanks for reaching this far!

Just in case you're Indonesian or understand Bahasa Indonesia, you can watch review of this IEM here

-littlenezt.

EPZ X-Tipsy Star One Review​

Full review HERE

EPZ X-Tipsy Star One​

Intro​

Hello friends, today I am reviewing the EPZ X Tipsy Star One from a collaboration effort between the very talented audio brands EPZ & Tipsy. The Star One is a single dynamic driver earphone with a great build and a slick look. The Star One will cost roughly $84 to $89 US which is a very tough price range to compete in. Something tells me that EPZ isn’t too worried.

EPZ / Tipsy​

To be entirely honest, I’ve become sort of a fan of EPZ over the last year or so as I was able to spend quality time with a couple fantastic budget priced iems. Namely the EPZ G10 (G10 Review), and the EPZ Q5 (Q5 Review). Both iems “were” and still “are” close to top class (sonically) in their price segments and each was far better than I had anticipated. I also have a pending review on the EPZ Q1 Pro which I’m excited to get at. Beyond that, EPZ has a number of sets that I haven’t heard but would love to check out.

At any rate, EPZ is located in Shenzen China, the original company was actually founded way back in 2008! That took me by surprise. They specialize in R&D, 3D Resin printing of both universal and custom high-res earphones & true wireless, among other ventures and specialties. Apparently, they have their own independent R&D team and production towards micro-speakers, military earphones, and work closely with many well-known brands for production, supplying finished designs as well as acoustic components. Their team has many years under their belt and expertise in acoustic structure, acoustic device selection, calibration and tuning as well.

EPZ is formed…​

However, it wasn’t until 2019 that the audio brand “EPZ” was actually founded & established. Since then, they have been really doing a fantastic job by the looks of their website in creating unique designs as well as some very well done universal iems. All seem to be 3D printed, gorgeous, and very well-tuned. This is a very condensed view of EPZ but from all that I know about them I couldn’t be more impressed.
As far as Tipsy, I know much less about them. I also don’t see much info about them other than they’ve crafted some unique and pretty well sold iems themselves. Sets like Tipsy Dunmer, Dunmer Pro, TTromso, as well as a few others.
Now that the introduction is complete, I’m ready to begin really listening to this set. I have burned the Star One in for many hours and it’s ready to go. So, with that, the EPZ X-Tipsy Star One everyone…

Non-Affiliated Purchase Links​

–HiFiGo
–Aliexpress
–Linsoul

Gear used for testing​

–Fiio UTWS5

–Ifi Go Blu

–EPZ TP50

–Aful SnowyNight

–Fiio Q15

–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2

–Shanling M6 Ultra

Packaging / Accessories​

Unboxing​

The Star One came to me in a smaller black box with a small graphic of what appears to be sound waves as well as a sticker listing the name and some highlights of the Star One. Once you open the box you are met with the Star One in all its glory attached to its cable and sitting in foam cut-outs. Under the foam you’ll find the carrying pouch as well as the eartips. Nothing too fancy here as I’m sure EPZ was trying to keep costs down to accommodate the pocketbooks of us consumers. Not much more to say about that other than, I did notice that the much less expensive EPZ G10 (G10 Review) did come with much better accessories so, for what it’s worth it did surprise me a little. However, I don’t know the ins & outs of the business side of things and I’m sure they had a reason for this.

Eartips​

EPZ/Tipsey added into the packaging three pairs (S, M, L) of white silicone eartips. These eartips have a semi-wide bore with a semi-firm flange as well as a stiff stem. They appear close to the KBear 07 tips, only I didn’t find this set to be as rigid as the 07’s. So, of course I felt it best to tip roll to a copycat type of tips reminiscent of the 07’s (I have no idea where I got them). I found that this set simply sealed a bit better for my ears than most any other set of tips. I don’t think it is a requirement to tip-roll, especially if you can get a good seal. They are nice tips, but I would’ve liked to see a bit more options in this regard.

Carrying pouch​

EPZ & Tipsy added in a smaller carrying pouch rather than a hard case which you may like, or not like depending on how you transport your gear. To be honest, I like pouches more than anything else because more often than not they are pocketable. I rarely use a hard case just because my front pocket looks a little bit ridiculous with one stuffed in it. However, a pouch I’ll do. Any other time I’m carrying a larger case which I throw into my bookbag with many sets. This pouch is a smaller pouch, probably just large enough for your earphones & cable. It is a soft gray fabric pouch which feels almost like polyester if I were to guess. At any rate, they didn’t have to add anything into the packaging and so I’ll take what I can get. Not bad.

Cable​

The cable that comes with the Star One is a decent one. No doubt very light and thin and so it won’t pull on your earphones when in your ears. I think this cable is probably more functional than anything. It’s a budget cable, nothing special, but it does the job it was created to do just fine. This is a white, slender, QDC style 2-Pin 3.5 single-ended, silver plated OFC copper cable. For any 3.5 single ended use I found the included cable perfectly fine. However, I did swap cables when I was listening to balanced sources. I went with the KBear ST16 Plus 4.4 balanced in blue/black. It’s a tough looking pairing in my opinion. I also used the Tripowin Altea 2.5 balanced quite a bit as well. You’ll see both in the photos. Certainly, the included cable is much better than any low-budget earphone offering and as far as comfort is concerned, it is perfect.

Build / Design / Internals / Fit​

Build Quality​

The actual build of the EPZ X Tipsy Star One was crafted with stage use in mind, in that, the fit is meant to reduce outside noises. Made entirely out of 3D printed resin, I find no real fault at all with the actual build. Now, the earphones themselves are of average size with a slightly longer than average nozzle and only one rear vent. Folks, this is really a well-structured iem that was created for comfort.




Full Review HERE

​

Design​

This is where the review starts to pick up steam for me friends. I absolutely love the awesome design of the Star One. The Star One comes in two colorways that are both equally dope. Simple “white” & “black”. However, the white is much more effeminate and geared towards females with the mostly white base color yet sprinkled in are what appears to be larger flakes of glitter using pinks, turquoise, purples etc. The black set is the one I received, and it is much more masculine (if you want to call it that) with almost blotchy paint swirls of electric blue, greens, purple and done so on a black base color. They are both beautiful folks. Each set has “Tipsy” written on the left earphone and “EPZ” on the right. If you spin the Star One, on the bottom you’ll notice the name “Star & One” printed very nicely. The nozzle is a bit smaller in diameter as well. This is a very high-quality design for such a low cost. Great job EPZ/Tipsy.

Exquisite Design for Live Streaming
Choose between Broken Night Star and Diyun Star, two exquisite color options that enhance your live streaming presence. The design, crafted with meticulous attention, adds a touch of sophistication to your audio equipment.
Xingxiao No. 1 – Unprecedented Experience
Witness the fusion of TiPSY’s innovative design language and EPZ’s exceptional performance and craftsmanship, delivering an unparalleled live stage monitoring experience. Xingxiao No. 1 is more than earphones; it’s an audio revelation.
Specially Developed for Live Broadcast Monitoring
Tailored for extended wear during live broadcasts, these earphones boast professional ear return characteristics. With high impedance, low sensitivity, noise suppression, low distortion, and high restoration sound effects, they provide a pure and immersive sound experience.
EPZ Promotional​

Click to expand...

​

Internals​

What is an earphone if it has a cheap and no good driver installed? I can answer that… They tend to sound cheap. EPZ & Tipsy don’t play like that. They actually opted for a single “next gen” (their words) 10mm dual-cavity, dual-magnetic dynamic driver with an LCP+PU liquid crystal composite diaphragm. I don’t know a lot about Tipsy, but I do know a couple things about EPZ, they use good materials that make sense for the specific iem they are trying to build, and I also know that they spare no expense. The driver sounds like a very capable driver, and I’d expect no less.

Electric Regulation Dynamic Driver
Powered by the next-generation LCD dome composite diaphragm, the electric regulation dynamic driver delivers pure sound quality, clear vocals, and powerful bass. This innovative technology sets a new standard for audio clarity and precision.
Tipsy & EPZ Innovation
Featuring a customized monitor-grade dynamic driver, these earphones offer an electronically adjustable unit for high fidelity and a powerful bass experience. The 3D printed semi-private molded cavity ensures enhanced comfort and fit, derived from stage customization.
EPZ Promotional​

Click to expand...

​

Fit / Isolation ​

For me, a good fitting iem will sit perfectly in my ear, no fiddling, no moving them around to the side or in/out trying to get my tips to seal. A good fitting set for me will feel like they were crafted for my ears and I’m not joking even slightly when I say that I’m pretty sure EPZ snuck in my bedroom at night and took sample molds of my ears. Good Lawd folks! The Star One fits as good as an iem can fit. Now I know we aren’t all the same, but I have to imagine that more people than not will have a similar experience.

Drivability​

The Star One is a bit of an outlier wherein it has an impedance of 64 ohms but yet a sensitivity of 112 db’s. The conclusion, the Star One is not a difficult set to drive so long as you aren’t simply using a phone. Then again, that depends on the phone you are using and also, what phones still have 3.5 Jacks? At any rate, I did use this set with my iPad, and I could get the Star One to volume, but I did not like the sound as much. Now, I don’t feel you need some tremendous amount of power to drive this set, but it seems to want a hair more than usual.

Mobile Listening​

During my time listening to the Star One I must’ve had these in my ears for most of the day. I used a number of different Bluetooth dacs, adapters (Fiio UTWS5), and dongle dacs and I honestly didn’t have many bad pairings. The only real issue I had was with the Fiio UTWS5. For whatever reason, these two just didn’t play nice together. Listening with the IFi Go Blu was good as always, whether on 3.5 se or balanced. However, for me the best mobile pairing was with the EPZ TP50 and the Aful SnowyNight. Both seemed to really play well off the tonality of the Star One. I did the greatest majority of listening on 4.4 balanced and found that more power and a more talented source really helps the Star One to come sound as great as it can sound, for me. The Moondrop Dawn 4.4 was another good option, but I really didn’t spend enough time with it to comfortably speak on that.

A bit more power​

Other more powerful options come in the form of the iBasso DX240, the Shanling M6 Ultra & the Fiio Q15. All three have a huge amount of output on tap. Never once did I feel it necessary to use anything past medium gain. The power was clearly… enough. I hate to say something scales with power, but man did it sound like it. Each of the sources listed was nice. Perhaps the Q15 had a slight bit less mid-bass presence than I would’ve liked but man was that a clean pairing. Out of the three, I found the M6 Ultra was my favorite with its velvet sounding dac chip paired with the resolving sound of the Star One.

What you need​

I feel the only thing that is needed is at least a small dongle dac. I even used the very small and underpowered dongle dac which comes with the Rose Technics iems and it did the trick. Maybe not enough to make the Star One shine, but it still sounded good. However, if you can get something, or have something with a bit more output than I think you’ll like what you hear.

Sound Impressions​

The EPZ X Tipsy Star One is one of those sets which surprised me right away. I know I probably shouldn’t have been surprised as I’ve reviewed EPZ’s iems in the past. However, I was surprised. The midrange is forward, sub-bass is moderately heavy and the treble pretty sparkly. The sound is open and clean across the board. Very well balanced across the mix. I guess my idea of this set was something warmer, more relaxed. This is not the case. The Star One comes across as a Harman tuned iem (for the most part) which sounds very much neutral to neutral-bright to my ears. There is an organic quality which is somehow very engaging but also elevated and more vibrant than the graph suggests. I think it’s the mix of unapologetic energy and clean lined natural timbre which was, and is, pretty bewitching. However, do not be fooled by the graph, this is a brighter set, it is vivacious, and it may force you to step your volume down. That said, I adore the sound when my brain adapts. Also, it will not be for w everyone, this is a particular tuning and a nice alternative tuning for any collection.

Live broadcasts & stage use/monitoring​

Now, I think I’d be remiss if I didn’t add that the Star One was actually created for stage use & monitoring as well as for live broadcasts. Hence the high impedance, the forward sounding brighter midrange for vocals and voices. However, this live broadcast tuning actually works very well for listening to music too. In the EPZ promotional material they do speak on the fact that the Star One is designed for these purposes both inside and out. I suppose this explains the forward and clean midrange and the semi tamped down treble. What this all equates to is an under $100 iem that has a multi-faceted tuning which can work for a myriad of listening situations.

Back to the sound, the Star One has a more neutral sound altogether with an emphasis in the sub-bass, upper-mids, and lower-treble regions. I could also say it has a bass-region that’s just north of neutral. It’s a fun sound with a lot of controlled energy. This is a nice feature to the sound. The Star One also has a black background with which helps the definition of notes to sound accentuated to a degree. It doesn’t have any grain or free-floating debris floating around the sound field. The Star One is certainly a livelier listen with sprightly energy that remains composed for a set costing as little as it does. Nothing laid back about the Star One’s tuning. Notes are crisp, dialed-in and transient quick. You won’t find anything lagging too much and I’d just barely be able to call this a musical iem. But it is.

Condensed Sound Impressions Between the 20’s​

I created this area of my review for the express purpose of helping the reader “Get the Gist” of the sound and not have to read the entire book I’m about to write. Obviously, I have a lot more to say but this is your condensed look at the EPZ X-Tipsy Star One.

Beginning with the low-end, the Star One has a sub-bass emphasis. I find sub-bass notes come across very rigid, defined and rumbly when called upon. The mid-bass is a bit dialed back for the purpose of keeping a clean midrange, less of an attack hardness and a touch more pillowy but most certainly not slow. Great for voices in a live broadcast and great for clean instrumentation, vocals and resolution. The midrange is forward sounding and has a clean & crisp sound. Possibly a hint recessed in the lower-mids against the rest of the mix, even though I find males to have great presence, almost like it doesn’t matter. There’s transparency and a black background. The upper mids can get a hint shouty, but for the most part they are controlled, clean and have a bit of a shimmer to them. The treble isn’t too forward but still having some sparkle to it. The energy is slightly more withdrawn from the rest of the mix, but extension is great, and I find the treble nicely detailed for a single DD. Stage size is about average, but the sound field is well laid-out and there is decent depth. Separation is nice and imaging is appropriate, as it should be.

Bass Region​

Looking at the bass on the Star One, the first thing I think of is that the Star One has almost a Simgot EA500LM type bass replay but with a hair more oomph in attack impact. The Star One doesn’t have a very warm sounding bass as it basically “hits n’ gits” in a pretty tidy fashion. However, this doesn’t mean we have no decay, just less exaggerated, more mature as a whole, less atmospheric, harder edged and condensed. I enjoy the impact on contact that it has while remaining fairly well defined and clean for such a price. We’ve seen a move in this direction of late. Cleaner mids, mid-bass is less intense, deeper and extended sub-bass. However, the Star One has a certain quality to that bass. There is some slight coloration as well, but this is most certainly not going to be for the bass bois in the community. Let’s just get that out of the way. Also, I’ll go a step further and say that this probably won’t be for moderate bass bois either, to an extent. EPZ wasn’t going for that type of fun on the Star One. It wasn’t tuned for that. Remember, stage purposes, live broadcasting, casual listening. EPZ & Tipsy does a solid job at tuning a nice balance with most of their sets and that ability isn’t lost on the Star One. I just want to keep expectations in check.

Sub-bass​

The sub-bass definitely can reach deep and has a nicely guttural growl down low as evidenced by the gritty and dirty bass guitar in the track “Groove” by Ray Wylie Hubbard. This is a track I routinely use for just this purpose. There’s a dense and deep drone which is very nice to hear against the dead panned vocals of Ray Wylie. This track will tell you how defined your set is as well, fairly easily. The Star One is able to replay that rolling haptic vibratory dense sound that you can feel. Not overtly deep like a basshead set, but deep. This is how it goes for any track that reaches these levels with the Star One. You’ll hear an emphasis which caters to some nice haptic vibrational energy. For instance, in Jack Johnson’s track “Wasting Time” off his In Between Dub album, the sub bass is pretty resonant and fairly bulbous in its mass filled convexity. Not too emphasized to offset any balance, but deep, reverberant, and most importantly it’s clean, and nicely defined. There is palpable texture to the sound, there’s separation to the sound. It’s a very nice sub-bass.

Mid-bass​

This is the area which will get some complaints, or praise, depending on what side of the divide that you fall into. The mid-bass is not emphasized very much. It’s much less full, with a moderate level of slam. I would think that those who want a beefy bass drop that has plenty of audible boom… may want to look elsewhere. This is a mid-bass that gets out of the way of other frequencies and doesn’t encroach to a level of warm coloration. “Billie Jean” by Weezer (Michael Jackson cover) begins with big and repetitive kick drum booms. The Star One has that good “attack-contact-intensity” and that tacky note edge hits with a hard snap. However, the proceeding hollow boom is less intense and moderate in quantity. It just sounds a bit less full. Bass guitars are helped by the sub-bass to add the feels, but the fullness may be lacking for some hobbyists. Still, the Star One will rise to the occasion… on occasion. “2040” by Lil Durk proves that the Star One will bang when called upon to do so. It’s a bass drop that even the weakest of bass sets can replay with at least some level of thunder. Needless to say, the Star One is able to make its presence felt, so to speak. It rises to the occasion and gives back what the recording is giving it. Only the Star One’s bass is cleaner than most, which makes it very satisfying. So, it’s not completely without beefiness all the time, but I’m sure some folks will want a bit more. I’m sure some folks want a more fun and pounding bass. I would certainly like to see a touch more representation from this area. That said, I can dig it.

Further thoughts on the Bass​

All that said, there is a whole other segment of hobbyists who will greatly appreciate the level that EPZ & Tipsy tuned the Star One with in the mid-bass. First off, it’s a low-end which gets out of the way and leaves a very clean midrange, untarnished and unsullied. The mid-bass is also pretty quick and can take on even my most rapid fire of bass tracks. The transient attack through sustain does not lag. It’s fast, it’s exacting in its definition and pretty precise in its note definition for a single DD. Not BA type quickness or planar quickness, but it’s efficient. So no, it won’t satisfy all the big-bass lovers, or even semi big-bass lovers, but there is a lot that it does well. Also, this set truly can rise to the occasion and surprise at times.

Downsides to the Bass Region​

This is fairly obvious. I’ve already pretty much stated the “possible” & “subjective” issues with the bass. For many the Star One will simply not have enough of that raucous, hearty, & jarring mid-bass. It simply isn’t that. I know many folks who will pass on this set just because of that and I’m glad to have helped you. However, I cannot help but be very impressed with the lean type of density in the mid-bass and the haptic drone that the sub-bass can create. It’s a very good and mature bass folks. You won’t hear any fuzz, it isn’t soft, it isn’t hollow, recessed and it isn’t pillowy. Also, for the low quantity of bass it still has some lean-muscle-mass which at least makes for a natural sounding bass. Not colored to a fault, just north of neutral and clean.

Midrange​

The midrange is quite nice. I suppose this is another area where you “may” or “may not” enjoy the presentation. The midrange is fairly crisp with speedy transients, very kempt and clean micro-dynamics for a single dynamic driver. Imaging is good, there’s good layering which occurs, and separation is very well established. This is an open sounding midrange, nothing stuffy, nothing congested (unless you’re listening to a bass heavy or congested track). I find note weight to be a bit leaner throughout the midrange, but with nice solidity to the sound. It doesn’t sound brittle, analytical, dry, or papery… it sounds very good. The sound has some gravity, some lean weight, and is somewhat moist, even with the leaner note profile. Again, I hear some decent depth and decent layering to the midrange which really helps this set to sound subtly 3D & well detailed. The midrange has a very lively presence. In fact, it’s the “presence” within the midrange which sticks out at me. Vocals are forward, featured and prominent, especially the upper-mids. Vocals “can” be flat out gorgeous when the situation is right and so well highlighted, like they’re center stage. I assume this tuning helps for live broadcasting purposes, but it works for casual listening as well and specializes in vocal delivery.

Lower-midrange​

The lower midrange is ever so slightly recessed against the canopy of the rest of the mix. Most certainly it takes the biggest back seat of any other area of the mix. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s veiled, low in volume or distant. Furthermore, I really don’t hear this “recession” to any great degree. I presume the reason is that the lower mids are so clean without the mid-bass veil and interference, which kind of helps the low-mids to stand out a bit more than you’d usually hear. Also, the Star One presents a damn near black background, all the time. Anyways, male vocals aren’t the most authoritative or weighty full, and they don’t come across as colored to me. To counter that, males also don’t come across as weak or thin. Not at all. Unless you love thick warmth in male vocals then I’d imagine you’ll like this delivery. I certainly wouldn’t call male vocals an outright “con” either. Personally, I see male vocals as more of a “pro”. But the truth is, it’s a preference thing. Some will enjoy them, and some won’t.

Low-mids cont…​

“Patina” by Brent Cobb shows off his voice with the Star One in my ears. Usually, he sounds a bit lost to the melody. Almost in the same plane of the rest of the music. Usually, his voice shares the sound field and melts into the melody a bit more. With the Star One, his voice is set a hair in front of those other instruments. He sounds well defined, melodic and not attenuated. Also, his voice has wonderful timbre and sounds very clean. Very good for $75. Of course, it won’t appeal to everyone, but if given a chance I do think it’ll appeal to many with the Star One’s particular take on male vocals.

Upper-Midrange​

Females are more obviously forward with great presence in the mix. They have a resplendent richness and a silky vibrance, yet with almost a bright presence. Females do sound “front and center” with very resolute, and very lucid note outlines, that goes for almost any female I listen to. However, there is some spice in this region as the Star One can get shouty in tracks which are common offenders to it. At times I’ve had to turn the volume down. I certainly feel that any track which replays a lot of upper midrange activity will sound a bit spicy without some level of bass presence to counter that brightness. Or just turn the volume down a few clicks. That said, by a wide margin I enjoy the sound. I really dig the shimmer and that 3D type of replay amongst the instruments and vocals in this region. Nothing metallic, sibilant, or grainy. The feeling is open, separated, and lively while not losing sight on musicality.

Know what you’re getting​

Now, less energetic music like Ellie Goulding in “How Long Will I Love You” comes across absolutely beautifully. Her voice is so captivating with this forward sound. Every intonation and wave-like modulation to her voice is very engaging with the Star One. Also, when listening to Caitlyn Smith in the track “High”, her voice, as well as instrumentation can go from soft and delicate to immense and ballad like in the chorus section. On the flipside, a track like “Sensitive” by Megan Trainor is actually a song which can become rather shouty. A good track to test for it actually. Again, without some warmth to counter the intensity, things can become slightly strident for those sensitive to it. The upper mids do have a good amount of accentuation or intensity which seem to be exaggerated with the pitch of Megan’s vocals. For me this isn’t really an issue, but I want you to know what you are getting.

I realize my words aren’t glowing in praise at all times and some of my examples speak to some of the Star One’s issues. Those examples are akin to thorns on the Rose in my mind. I have to explain the thorns, but I don’t want to overshadow my opinion that… this is still a rose. A very nicely tuned rose. I find the upper-mids to come across very nice, for the most part. Most females have a pleasant and natural type of timbre. Smooth when they need to be smooth and crisp when they need to be crisp. Instruments follow this same logic. Vocals and instruments just have a little added pepper to the sound.

Instrumentation​

Percussion has a strong snap to them on contact. There’s a pop on attack. Stuff like the fundamental frequency of a cymbal strike has a vibrant body and a solid “chisk” on most tracks. Snares come across with a very precise “Pang” and really sound as though they have decent impact. Strings also sound great to me with fantastic detail retrieval, especially on acoustic tracks. Strings in general have an energetic edge to them, which can be a good change of pace from other warmer & smoother sets. Violin can be very melodic yet at the same time it can come across a hint sharp like fingernails in a chalkboard but very much appropriate to the natural sound. Fiddle sounds great as there is so much energy afforded listening with the Star One. Again, acoustic guitar is fantastic to me. Resolute, full of tiny details with decent harmonics. I won’t go through every instrument on every track I’ve listened to, but I do make pages of notes. What I gather in my notes through days of listening goes like this; take any instrument, and unless there is a good bass presence in the track, expect a natural sound but with a hint of brightness. I have grown accustomed to the Star One’s particular sound. I enjoy it quite a bit. Still, I am not disillusioned to think that some people may not enjoy it as much.

Downsides to the Midrange​

Looking at some of the subjective issues of the EPZ X Tipsy Star One, I would first state that this is a mid/upper-mid/lower-treble forward iem. If you don’t have a healthy bass emphasis in a track, then the sound does tend to lean “a hint” brighter than neutral. Especially at high volumes. The midrange is forward, it’s front and center, highlighted and has some pep to it. Some folks won’t find this appealing. Also, there is evident shout in the upper-mid area on some tracks. Again, this is helped with lower volumes to a small degree. Warm/dark/smooth lovers will not find this midrange appealing either. This is not the type of set to expect a lazy chill session with, unless of course this is your perfect tuning. This midrange is simply a bit rambunctious. However, I need to stop myself because I rarely have an issue while listening and the great majority of the time I am struck by how clean and resolving the Star One is. Yes, it’s brighter on occasion, yes it can add some spice to the upper-mids too, but more often than not, I really enjoyed that forward sound. This is another iem that I’ve kinda grown attached to. Despite that attachment, it’s also probably a bit polarizing too, so please take that into account. Of course, that won’t stop some of you from DM’ing me with your rebuttals… LoL.

Treble Region​

The treble region has some sparkle to it with a definite emphasis in the lower treble region. Actually, the lower treble has the majority emphasis by a good margin. I find this treble to have good energy and to be pretty well controlled as I don’t hear anything grainy, fuzzy, metallic, sibilant or too sharp. Treble notes are pretty decisive with decent bite and a good shimmer with a slightly toned-down brilliance. Extension is decent but the upper treble and air region does have somewhat of a roll-off. This is a good or a bad thing depending on where your preferences align. I find the upper-mid/lower-treble pinna rise is one of the focal points of the entire tuning. The treble has decent note density though still not the kind of palpable and crisp sound with the best texture. All the same, I hear nothing splashy, tizzy or too knife edged. Also, the treble is enough to uplift the entire mix, even with the sub-bass emphasis. Enough to impart some levity to the sound as a whole.

It just…fits ​

I don’t hear an oversaturated treble, yet I also don’t hear a bland or dull treble. This certainly is not a set which was tuned with any forced resolution or “faux” resolution. This is a treble tuned to work with the whole as the Star One is certainly better judged as a whole, rather than the sum of its parts. Not a treble heads paradise by any stretch of the imagination, yet at the same time may be too much for those treble sensitive. The highs on the Star One are probably it’s biggest achilles heel, yet if you changed anything I don’t know that you’d really improve anything. It just… works. It fits.

Not missing anything​

So yes, there is some levity, but it isn’t the airiest treble in the world. Separation is decent to good, details are above average, but it doesn’t come across as ultra-airy and open sounding. At times. Again, the treble also doesn’t have the greatest extension. That said, even with the slight roll-off and slight lack of extension, I really don’t feel I’m missing anything. At the worst I don’t hear some of the secondary harmonics past 8k like some other sets in the price range. Yet I don’t feel this slight lack of airiness derails the overall sound. In fact, it’s probably a good thing. The sound is already on the bright side at times and the sound already feels energized and uplifted, so I couldn’t imagine adding even more upper treble emphasis without attenuating the upper-mids or adding some more mid-bass emphasis. I feel that EPZ & Tipsy did what they could to make a “monitoring/casual listening/live broadcast” multi-purpose budget iem, which covers all use cases in a fashion that satisfies. Heck, I’m satisfied! In fact, this review probably reads much worse than how I personally feel about the Star One. Obviously, if you can enjoy this slightly unusual type of tuning, as I do, then you’ll see that the cons aren’t nearly as detrimental. In spite of that subjective opinion, this hobby is one of incremental hairline differences, and those differences will either make or break an iem or audio device.

Examples​

Listening to “Do It Again” by Steely Dan, I found the Star One had zero issue keeping up with this track. Each note was accounted for and defined pretty well with a decent bite and fairly transparent. Another track which sounded more sparkly than I would’ve thought was Billy Strings track “Secrets”. It shows that the treble on the Star One is pretty well controlled and isn’t just a mess of treble sheen while still being able to add in some luster to the sound. The Star One is able to keep up with Billy’s banjo play & acoustic guitar with some pretty distinct clarity for a single DD. Yes, extension on some tracks isn’t perfect, but there’s ample shimmer and even some brilliance to add a nice top end touch of radiance to your music. Secondary harmonics of some cymbals (depending on how they were recorded) may sound a hint less energized but again, I’m really not missing much. However, I’m sure there are those who’d like a bit more of an extended range.

Downsides to the Treble Region​

I would say the number one issue that some folks have is that the treble isn’t the most extended into the upper treble or the air region. Thus, making the sound quality a hint less spacious or airy. You already read that I don’t think it’s a problem, but I certainly could see some folks wanting their treble represented even further out. Hence, it makes the “cons” list. You’d be surprised what info is out there past 8k. Some feel it’s insignificant, but I would argue against that. I just don’t find it a problem for much of my library. However, I’m not you. Also, treble heads will not be impressed. Treble is a tough thing to get right folks. You usually end up paying a pretty penny for a set which can accurately recreate an organic and energized treble with a good treble bite and a haptic attack that you can feel as well as hear. Again, to me I find the treble gives me enough of a lift, enough to tilt the balance of the Star One to not sound veiled as a whole. We have quite a rise in the lower treble which really directs the focus of this set to that region along with the upper-mids. I suppose it’s good for $84. On the other hand, there are sets in this price point which do have some great extension with some very clean treble.

Technicalities​

Soundstage​

I find the soundstage size to be roughly about average. Saying an iem is above average is not the norm I’ve come to find. Most are average. Also, that is not a bad thing. The good thing is that the Star One is far from congested. It isn’t too narrow, short or flat. I’d say average width, average height and good depth for an under $100 single DD iem. Well, better depth than most single DD’s in this price range. Of course, it’s not unheard of. Another nice thing is that I’m not distracted by a “wall of sound” or a flat sound with no depth. While it isn’t a cavernous type of depth, it is deep enough to sense the front to back layers. All in all, I’d say that EPZ & Tipsy did a nice job here.

Separation / Imaging​

When it comes to separation of elements on a psycho-acoustically rendered stage, I’d have to say that the Star One does a nice job. Especially in the midrange where the brunt of all the action is. The bass is separated and to a lesser degree the treble is too. But the midrange has a nice open and expressive sound with good clarity. The only caveat would be highly congested music, or complicated tracks which could trip up many budgets (and non-budget) single DD’s. For the most part the Star One seems to separate instruments and vocals pretty well. Imaging is the same, it’s good. Technicality wise, the Star One is a good set and does so without it coming across as overtly analytical. It almost has a sneaky analytical type of sound, or a sneaky musicality, however you want to say it. There’s still density and body to the lean profile. Couple that with slightly tighter transients and you have yourself a set that separates instruments pretty nicely. As I said before, Instruments are all in good position and there is depth to the sound, so you aren’t relegated to a flat plane in front of you, but instead you get some layering which is nice.

Detail Retrieval ​

Details are somewhat of a mixed bag. Some areas are better than others, but for the most part the Star One has good detail retrieval. I feel the Star One is toeing the line of musical and technical at all times. It’s a nice dance. You’ll hear some of the subtleties and micro-details, but I would certainly never call this set a detail king. The bass is a bit more boosted in the sub-bass region, the upper mids are boosted as well and so there is some color to the sound, but not so much that I’m hearing a ton of masking happening. Bass heavy tracks that are more congested will likely confuse the Star One a bit. Blaring electric guitars within complicated passages of music will also sheen over the sound at times too. However, hearing the finer stuff is good on the Star One. There’s no grain, no laggy transient behavior, notes are tighter rather than flattened and smooth. There’s room to exist for each element of the stage. All this helps to create above average detail retrieval in my opinion. Is it nearing tops in class? No, not quite. This is not some dry and analytical, fine lined, perfectly balanced iem with no flavor that was tuned specifically a technical replay. Instead, this is a fun take on a technically adept musical iem which… has a lil soul.

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 X-Tipsy Star One ratings below, that would be $50-$100 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. $50-$100 US is a decent sized scope of iems and so seeing a 9 should probably be pretty special. 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: 9.0 Built very well.

–Look: 9.7 What a nice looking iem!

–Accessories: 7.7 Decent for the price

–Overall: 8.8

Sound Rating ​

–Timbre: 9.0 Organic, neutral/bright.

–Bass: 8.9 Quality over quantity.

–Midrange: 9.4 Vocals are sublime, a bit spicy too.

–Treble: 8.3 Sparkly yet extension could be better.

–Technicalities: 8.4 Technically very good for a single DD.

–Musicality: 8.8 Nice musicality w/a technical side.

–Overall: 8.8

Ratings Summary:​

I rated the EPZ X Tipsy Star One at a pretty darn solid “8.8” overall against any and all iems within the price ranges of $50 to $100. That is a tough place for any set to thrive in. $50 to $100 is probably one of, if not thee, most competitive price points and so getting anything over an “8.0” overall is a win. Looking at each rating variable I have a hard time with some of my own ratings. The reason being… I like this set a lot and it’s easy to let bias effect the decision. To an extent. I try to rate with most folks (consumers) in mind and not simply my own preferences. However, subjectivity makes a rating almost useless. Also, rating these products is a goofy enough thing to do in the 1st place. Furthermore, each Rating really only holds value for about a year before they are rendered null & void, as the market never stops moving and production of the latest and greatest products never sleeps. All that said, the Star One is one of those sets which don’t rate as high when broken down into individual ratings. This is most certainly a set which you should really only judge as a whole. In my opinion anyways. So, take these ratings lightly. The Star One is rated against the multitude of iems within this price point that I know very well. Still, I haven’t heard them all so take that into account as well. Granted, I’ve heard a lot.

Explain Yourself! ​

Honestly, I don’t feel there are many issues with these particular ratings. Possibly the “Bass” category may gain some disagreement. I rated the Star One’s bass on its… “quality”, and not the “quantity”. Without question any bass bois will not agree with me that the Star One should receive an “8.9”. That’s a high score against any and all iems between $50 and $100. However, I really think it’s justified. I also feel that I went a bit low on “Technicalities” with an “8.4”. I could definitely see that rating a couple points higher. The only thing which holds the Star One back technically is that there’s a good handful of iems with better detail retrieval (my opinion) and another handful with a larger stage etc. However, the Star One really is a very technically adept iem. All the while it holds onto a very nice level of musicality. Every other Rating is pretty self-explanatory, and I feel comfortable locking them in. Actually, I’m never comfortable with ratings. Lock em’ in.

Is it worth the asking price?​

One of the more important questions one should ask. Is the product worth the asking price? Is there something better near the price point? The only thing I can give you is my subjective answer. I can say that I am certain the EPZ X-Tipsy Star One is absolutely worth the asking price. 100%. That’s for me though. I really like the Star One. I like the energy this set has, the dynamism, the clean portrayal of my music and the musically technical approach to the tuning. Personally, I could listen to this set and be perfectly content for hours. However, I am not you and there are some great iems in its price point. I just reviewed the Simgot EA500LM (EA500LM Review) which is a bonafide stud at the same price. You even have the EPZ Q5 (Q5 Review) which I know some folks would rather have over the Star One. There are a metric ton of iems that compete with the Star One. However, the Star One has a very particular tuning and sets itself apart from the pack in its own ways. No question the Star One is a great set for any collection.

The Why…​

Now, for folks who can dig this type of tuning; there are a few reasons why the price of the Star One is definitely worth it. For one, the build is stellar for the price. You won’t find a blemish on this set, it’s durable, and truthfully the Star One just feels robust. The look is absolutely bewitching, it is a gorgeous iem, whether you get the black or the white version they are both stunning in my opinion. Comfort is top notch top. The Star One was designed by two companies who specialize in comfort. It’s light as a feather and can be worn all day long without issues. But none of that matters at all if the Star One doesn’t sound good. Thankfully, it’s a set that truly excels in sound. I think it’s one of the sleeper sets of 2024 to be honest. The bass is tight with a dense moderate rumble and tighter transient speed. The midrange is forward with a beautiful presence and very well detailed. Vocals are so very nice. The treble is non-offensive but fits the overall sound very well. Technically the Star One is above average across the board for a set under $100. I’m telling you, if you enjoy a more balanced neutral sound with sub-bass boost than the Star One should fit you like a glove. I am more than happy with them. So, without question the Star One is easily worth the $75 MSRP. The nice thing is that this set goes on sale often. Great job EPZ!

Conclusion​

To conclude my full written review of the EPZ X Tipsy Star One I have to say that I’ve enjoyed this set. I have been very impressed by what EPZ has been able to accomplish with darn near every iem or audio device I’ve tried from them. Surely, I hope to check out many more. Well, I hope this review has been helpful to some of you folks and I thank you for reading.

Other opinions​

Please make sure to check out other views regarding the Star One. The sound is one that not every person is going to be a huge fan. We are all so very different in so many ways and we won’t always think exactly alike. It will behoove you to listen to, watch, or read other perspectives of the Star One. Well folks, that’s about all I got. Please take good care, stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!

TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Tipsy x EPZ Star & One

Not long ago, I reviewed a couple of sets of IEMs by a brand called EPZ (the Q5 and G10). While I thought they were trying hard, I said that I just wasn’t a fan of the tuning, mainly due to the 5kHz peak.

Rather than getting upset and telling me my opinions are wrong (like some other brands have done in the past), their reply was “Thanks for your honest review. We have a new set, I think you will like these” and proceeded to ship them to me.

That is the only comment that EPZ have made about these IEMs, therefore, as always, I will attempt to be as unbiased as humanly possible in this review.

The IEMs, called the Star & One are actually a collaboration between EPZ and Tipsy, another brand that I have reviewed in the past, and can be found on the EPZ Aliexpress store here (to which I will leave a link in the version of this review published on my blog)

As with all links I publish, it is a non-affiliate link.

To avoid being repetitive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews



Intro…

I am not really sure who has done what with these IEMs. In other words, I don’t know who has been responsible for which part such as tuning, design etc. On the box is says manufactured by Shenzen Jiuzhou Electronics and issuing by both the same company and Tipsy. I actually gave up trying to decipher who mad what quite some time ago.

What I can say is that it sells (at the time of putting together this review) for just under 80€ on the official EPZ Aliexpress store, although the MSRP is shown as being 109.92€ on the same store. They feature a 10mm dynamic driver and are shown as having 64 Ohm impedance (at 1kHz) and a sensitivity of 112dBVrms. So they are a little higher in impedance than we usually find but as also pretty sensitive, meaning they don’t need too much power.

Other than that, I can’t really tell you much more about them as I really don’t know.



Presentation…

The packaging is a simple black box that shows most of the details in Chinese, although there are translations to English below. While it does say Tipsy x EPZ on the front (in very small text), the only mention of the model is amongst the specs on the back. I am guessing that the larger chinese text on the front is the model but I am just guessing here.

Removing the lid of the box reveals a card with more text in Chinese, with an english translation that reads “Star & One - Providing escort for live streaming”. Once again I think we are faced with a sentence that is probably much more relevant in its original language.

Underneath this card we find the IEMs, with the cable attached (although detachable) in a foam cutout. Under the foam, we get a small drawstring bag and a couple of extra sets of tips (3 sets in total).

That is not really a lot of content for a set of 80€ but, as always, I am more interested in what is put into the IEMs themselves.



Build and aesthetics…

The IEMs are a generically shaped set of resin IEMs, with a multicoloured pattern on the face plates. One side shows the EPZ logo in silver, with the other showing the Tipsy logo, also in silver. This generic shape and build means that they should work well for the majority of people as far as size, weight and comfort is concerned.

However, I did find that I had to opt for the small size of included and push them deep, tips due to the medium (my usual choice on this style of IEM) and large losing a seal too easily. Even with the smallest size, I found that if I moved my head too much I would lose bass quickly. This is obviously solved with other tips but I prefer to use included tips for reviews where possible.

The aesthetics are pleasant with the pattern being in rather subdued colours rather than bright and shouty ones. This leads to a set of IEMs that have a nice design up close, not too boring, but do not really stand out from a distance. Obviously this is going to be a personal thing but I don’t have any complains with the looks.

The cable is a thin whitish silver single core that is rather basic but does its job and doesn’t feel terrible. There is a bit of a rubbery finish to the outside coating but nothing that leads me to complain about it. The TRS connector is metal, as is the divider, while the 2 pin connectors are transparent. Note that these connectors are the type that are recessed into the connector, in other words, the connector sticks out from the IEM. This is not really an issue but is something to consider if you plan on changing the cable.



Sound…

All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)

As I mentioned in the intro, my issue with the previous 2x EPZ models I tried were the peaks at around 5kHz. Now, with the Star & One, it is true that the peak is no longer at 5kHz, it has moved down slightly, but only slightly.

In fact, the measurements of the 3 models are very similar in the upper midrange and lower treble, except for some slight variations in exactly where the rises and dips happen and to what extent.

As a picture is worth a thousand words, here is a graph of the Star & One in comparison to both of the previous models I reviewed and with my usual preference target also for reference:



As I just said, the overall shape of the measurements is very similar between all three, with some slight changes to where, and by how much, the presence curves change. However, a small change can make a big difference.

Starting off with the low ranges, we can see above that these are the set that has most presence in the bass areas. For me personally there was already enough present on the G10 but I know that I am a minority in this regard.

The important thing is more about quality than quantity. If we take my usual “Chameleon” test track and skip to the part where bass is layered upon bass upon bass, it stays remarkably decent. With an emphasis that is focused more towards the subbass than the midbass, this helps the sound from becoming overly bloated and while it is not the best subbass I have ever heard, it does a very good job of maintaining composure even with “Chameleon”.

The midbass, due to the roll off as it enters the mids, stays clean and clear, however, due to the 2.5kHz presence (which I will get to soon), it does make the Star & One feel like it is missing bass on tracks that do not have much presence in the sub 150Hz realm. This is the case with my usual fatigue test track, “Crazy”, where the midbass is actually a little to absent for my preferences, with the focus on the upper mids of Daniella’s voice.

This is a recuring theme with a lot of instrumental music that doesn’t have a lot of subbass and lower midbass, as it becomes a little thin in the low end and emphasizes the upper mids, making things a little harsh. As soon as we head back to something with more presence in the lower note, such as “Bury a Friend”, the balance is restored much better.

The midrange doesn’t actually dip any more than it did on the previous models I reviewed, however, as there is more presence in the lows and upper mids, it does make the V shaped recess in the mids a little more present. This can work well for certain electronic music but I find simpler tracks, or pop in general, comes across as overly focused on the upper mids.

The fact is that the upper mids, around the 2.5kHz mark, are overly boosted. Where we have a lot of subbass to counteract, then this is not quite as noticeable, however, as soon as we move into more vocal centric tracks, like a lot of the music I like to listen to, then things become rather harsh and thin. Even with “Crazy”, which I normally mention in relation to midbass (as I did in this review), can become rather overpowering in these ranges.

The excess at 2.5kHz is followed by another small peak around 4.5kHz and, while this does avoid the suffering I have with a specific 5kHz peak, it doesn’t help with that harshness that I just mentioned. This is mostly noticeable with female vocals, although brass instruments can also become overpowering, such as in “Diamonds On The Soles of her Shoes”.

The upper treble does extend but at the same time it is in the shadow of that upper midrange / lower treble, and while it is also a little peaky, it is not terrible when isolated, it just suffers from that build up in the regions below.



Conclusion…

I asked EPZ for a set of IEMs that avoided the 5kHz peak and to be fair, these do not have that specific 5kHz peak. However, what they do have is a very prominent V shape between the subbass and the upper mids, meaning that they are not something that fits with my personal musical preferences.

When listening to music with a decent amount of sub and lower midbass in the recording, then these come across as fairly decent IEMs, however, when swapping over to something more acoustical or vocal centric, then they sound like a completely different set.

If I had to pick one of the three models I have reviewed from the brand, based solely on sound, then I think I would opt for the Q5. Yes, it has that peak at 5kHz that I find irritating but I know that most people don’t suffer from this same exact issue. I feel that more people will suffer with the tuning of the Star & One than they would with the Q5, as I think the Q5 is more balanced overall.

If you are a fan of V shaped tuning and listen mostly to EDM or anything with a large subbass content, then these might be worth a try. If you are more into the instruments and vocals side of things, then I think that these may come across as too harsh from most people.

___
As always, this review is also available in Spanish, both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)

All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link

All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation

Disclaimer:​

The EPZ x Tipsy Star One was sent to me with a discount from EPZ, for which I am grateful!

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


After reviewing their DACs (TP20 & TP30) and the EPZ Q5, I’m now really curious about their new releases. The Q5 has become a point of reference in their price range given their sound quality. The Star One promises, with his high impedance, low sensitivity, noise suppression, low distortion, and high restoration sound effects, a pure and immersive sound experience.

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:​

• Driver: 10mm dual magnetic circuit, dual cavity dynamic driver
• Diaphragm: LCP+PU composite diaphragm
• Impedance: 64Ω+15%(@1kHz)
• Sensitivity: 112dB dB Vrms (at 1 kHz)
• Noise reduction: 26 dB
• Technical features High impedance low sensitivity
• Frequency Range: 20 Hz–40 kHz
• Effective frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz
• QDC 0.78mm double needle type
• Plug 3.5mm
• Color: Broken Night Star (Black); Day Cloud Star (White)
• Cable: High-purity oxygen-free copper silver-plated wire
• Body material: Weji Art Museum handmade panel, High-precision 3D printing skin-fiendly resin cavity

Packaging:​

The packaging is decidedly less exciting than that seen on the Q5. The packaging of the Epz x Tipsy Star One is compact and well made. It opens like a watch box and we find the leaflet with the digital manual. The headphones in my case (I don’t know if it’s a first batch) seem to be housed in a sponge that isn’t contoured to their shape.

• Carrying Pouch
• High-purity oxygen-free copper silver-plated wire with QDC
• 1 sets of tips (seems to be like Kbear 07 tips)
• Digital Manual

It is noted that the accessories do not seem to be up to par with the IEMs. They are fantastic in every sense and built to perfection. The included cable left me a little thoughtful. It’s not a bad cable, and if the internal core is of good quality, it doesn’t have any problems, but for a similar segment, I would have imagined something more thick.


The tips are few, but at least the ones present are the best ones that are usually included. The transport bag is sufficient, but on the EPZ Q5, we had a hard case.

Design/Build quality:​

The EPZ x Tipsy Star One shows off a very attractive look and design. Here you can fully appreciate the workmanship of the faceplates, which have truly atomic colors and appear to have been handmade or inspired by the Weiji Art Museum. In the case of the black version like mine, the color comes out more in the dim light; in fact, as you will notice from the photos in the shade and in the sun, they look like two different IEMs.. The shells are made of very dark but slightly transparent resin; obviously, some fingerprints remain.


We can see how on the back there is a small metal cone with a filter inside (I think the only one) responsible for eliminating the internal pressure. The nozzle vaguely resembles that of the Moondrop Chu II which, however, could be dismantled. The shape is standard, but the exit is narrow, or so it seems to me. I hope the choice of a nozzle with a smaller hole has not compressed the soundstage.

Nozzle
In any case, to better understand the design and its shapes, I decided to shoot some short videos on a rotating base. I hope you like it!


EPZ x Tipsy Star One 360 overview

Initial sound impression:​

Holy crap! As soon as you put them on, you can immediately hear the totally dark background without any background noise, excellent acoustic insulation, and very high comfort. The first track starts, and I am immediately struck by the beauty of the voices, especially the female ones, but then comes the bass… Truly crazy quality. This is yet another IEM with a Harman target, but the 10mm driver with its LCP + PU liquid crystal titanium composite membrane sounds wonderful. It is certainly also thanks to the semi-open cavity, but the soundstage is above average.

Final sound impression:​

Equipment used for testing above

Device:

• iMac
• Redmi Note 7 (MIUI-Based)
• Poco M4 Pro

Software:

• Foobar2000 24bit 192kHz (iMac)
• Amazon music UHD 24bit 96kHz (Both)
• iTunes
• Tidal Hifi Plus

DAC:

• LessFox Da1 (AK4493EQ)
• F.audio KS01 (ESS)
• EPZ TP20 (Dual Cirrus)
• Hidizs XO (Dual ESS)
• EPZ TP30 (Dual ESS)
• Hidizs S9 Pro Plus
• Fosi SK02
• Fiio Ka11
• Hidizs S3 pro

They sounded excellent right out of the box, but I played them for about 30 hours anyway. Whether it’s useful or not doesn’t matter; if in doubt, I do it anyway before carrying out a longer listening session. At the time of the review, I had been alternating them with other models for 3 weeks now.

Faceplates + SunFaceplate – SunReflection
My impressions are initially given using the original accessories.
Instagram 360 Overview

The EPZ x Tipsy Star One are undoubtedly a particularly mass-friendly Harman set; the tuning does not exceed and always remains pleasantly warm; they go well with any musical genre; however, a similar set deserves a bit of tips rolling to determine if there are any advantages.

Tips Rolling?​

As always, trying other tips, both expensive and cheap, is always a great idea.

Let’s be clear: There is no need to spend any more money on extra tips.

• The Divinus Velvet tips, as always, guarantee excellent stability, but this time I found them slightly less comfortable. In terms of sound performance, they guarantee, as always, excellent sealing, improving the sound almost everywhere.
• The Dunu S&S tips literally open up the soundstage, elevating their monitor quality; surprisingly, even the bass remains unchanged. It was an excellent choice in this case, but they lengthened the nozzle a little too much.
• The poor version of the Whizzer SS20, however, literally left me speechless. They cost very little and are definitely the second set that should have included EPZ! I put them in a particularly small size; I think S/M for a deeper insertion. The nozzle is practically naked in the ear; there are no lateral obstacles, and the sound enters straight into the ear. Excellent result, like the Dunu, but with 1/5 the price.

Treble​

The treble region is smoother than that of the EPZ Q5, where, in my opinion, there is more brilliance and perception of air. Here we remain in the safe zone; we never reach the limit, but for my personal taste, this tuning allows for more prolonged use without discomfort. It won’t bring any joy to the Trebleheads, but from my point of view, they are extremely well looked after and enjoyable.

Mids​

Glory to the midrange! Here there is a decidedly natural and pleasant shade. The voices all have depth; they are silky and alive. Note of merit for the tracks sung by women. The musical instruments sound absolutely coherent, even if that sparkling note on the cymbals is missing. However, their separation is excellent, and the dark background makes the image stand out.

Bass​

I consider the bass to be just outside of what I would call natural. The bass here have a completely different thickness than usual; they are as heavy as a nice rare steak. They are not excessive, but the quality of them is excellent. The sub-bass is quite pushed and goes quite low from what I can hear. With a bit of EDM or D&B, the bass expresses itself. Try a track like Leavemealone by Fred again… and test them! They are so thick that the eardrum begs for mercy.

Soundstage and Imaging:​

The soundstage is really good (above average). It develops more in width, but the involvement is 360 degrees. The image is very detailed and the dark background seems to improve its quality. Very good layering; it mixes on very complex tracks, but it could also be that the track was not recorded perfectly. It improves with adequate amplification; for example, the brand new Fiio Ka11 fits perfectly and has all the necessary power.

Comparison:​

vs EPZ Q5​

My EPZ Q5 has undergone some upgrades, such as balanced cables and DUNU S&S tips. With these changes, the price increased, but since I liked them so much, I wanted to invest some money. The cable is balanced and obviously brings some improvements—more aesthetic, to be honest. The DUNU S&S, on the other hand, helps the soundstage considerably; the bass and sub-bass are more delicate. They are an extremely good set, brighter than Star One, richer package but MMCX connector.

The bass and sub-bass are more delicate.

vs Rose Technics QuietSea​

Even here, the beloved MMCX (so to speak), Quietsea, is definitely a more neutral choice. The internal driver should be like the ones Hifiman uses, even if the tuning is not flat. Great price considering the high-quality cable, tips, and case.

It sounds divine and is even more versatile in terms of musical genre. A great iem, a little energetic, and can be a little hot at times. I recommend you to take a look at my review and that of my colleague Chris Love.

Conclusion:​

I think EPZ has outdone itself again. Lately, the public has been expanding around this brand, which undoubtedly has a good ear when it comes to tuning. The Epz x Tipsy Star One are a winning collaboration. The IEM is built with both aesthetic and technical care. Its 64 ohms make it suitable for monitoring but require slightly more amplification to show off their potential. As for the included accessories, we could have done better. I hope EPZ takes the advice to also include tips similar to the SS20, while as regards the cable, perhaps something extra could have been done. This is not a functional issue, as they work very well, but simply due to their price. For me, they are definitely on a completely different level compared to the single DDs in my possession, especially regarding the dark background and the well-structured bass.

Obviously, if we move on to hybrid IEMs with different drivers, we will find equally valid proposals.

Great job, EPZ! The Tipsy collaboration paid off! Pay attention to the accessories!

Where to Buy?​

Aliexpress Official Store

Introduction!
Hello friends!
Today in the review we will again talk about purely dynamic headphones, this time from the company EPZ and Tipsy, called Star One and their cost is $89 and they are positioned as monitor and headphones for live broadcasts!
The headphones arrive in a small box with a very interesting design and a lot of text throughout the box.

And at the back, as usual, the technical specifications are indicated and a 10 mm dynamic driver is responsible for the sound here and the sensitivity is 112 dB and surprisingly, they received a 64 ohm impedance, which is not often found in fact, but despite this, the headphones are quite to drive!

Let's take a look at what's included!
And the first thing that greets us are the headphones located here and they are made of medical resin, they are very light and look in this color, for me everything is great, everything shimmers so well, and on the front part on the right earphone there is the EPZ company logo and on the left earphone is located Tipsy logo!

Well, of course, there is a 2-pin connector installed here, which sticks out a little from the body and next to it there is a marking of the right and left channels, and there is one compensation hole located back and next to it there is the inscription old one, but the nozzle here is not very neat long and not wide, and has a small protrusion so that the ear pads cling more securely!

And I’ll say right away that everything is fine with the fit, since the headphones are small and fit very tightly in the ears and there are no problems when using them!
Accessories!
Well, from the accessories here we get this very light and fairly standard cable that has 2-pin QDC connectors, that is, with such a skirt, and of course there is a 3.5 Jack plug here too, in general you can use it without problems, but if you want you can always change to any other but preferably with the same connectors, take this into account when buying a new one if you need it.


Well, there is also this small case with the inscription Tipsy and Epz, and one set of white silicone ear tips!

How do these headphones sound?
Now let's talk about the sound of these dynamic Star One headphones, and based on the graph we see a fairly familiar picture for dynamic headphones, there is a good boost in low frequencies, but of course not for bassheads, a good approach to the mid frequencies and quite a neat emphasis on the upper frequencies the middle, which is complemented by not too bright and slightly darkened high frequencies due to this hole, but first things first.

Low Frequencies:
The low frequencies here have good mass and depth, and the sub-bass has a more clearly noticeable subwoofer effect since, after all, there is a dynamic driver and it can work out the low range as expected.
The control here is also excellent, the bass is very well controlled and does not interfere with the mid range, and in general, problems with this are now rarely found except in basshead models, and also the bass here has a very well emphasized attack, so it does not sound excessive relaxed on impact and somehow blurred, and in itself it is transmitted as transparent to the texture and has a cooler rather than warm smooth tone, which for me is a plus.
And the kick sounds clear and distinct here, it perfectly complements the bass with its body and weight, while you can easily separate it from the bass.
Mid Frequencies:
And the mid frequencies here are quite good, they are very transparent and sound open and quite emphasized, there is no feeling of constriction or closedness of this range, on the contrary, as for me, it is here revealed in all its glory and the vocals sound clean and very detailed in the overtones due to the shifted increased emphasis at 3kHz which helps the vocals to be more forward along with the drum part, but is still at a comfortable and pleasant listening level, and the drums here sound surprisingly good, they are emphasized on the attack and perfectly complement the mix with their quite long tails from reverberations.
High Frequencies:
Well, the high frequencies in these headphones are slightly relegated to the background, there is no excessive brightness and clearly emphasized and technical cymbals, and the percussion here is also less accentuated and here, as for me, there is simply a very familiar, more neutral and warm presentation for those who like a little darkened, but if an armature driver had been installed here, I think the result would have been even more interesting and there would have been more air, and from the technical side the model would have played even more interesting.
Stage and stereo panorama:
The scene and visualization in these headphones is quite optimal, not super stretched, there are no obvious problems with constructing plans and drawing images, everything is drawn quite clearly and reliably and there are no problems with separation.
My conclusion on these headphones:
Epz Tipsy Star One turned out to be good dynamic headphones with attacking and textured bass, a pleasant airy midrange and slightly dark but quite long-lasting high frequencies.
Link where you can buy them!
Linsoul:https://www.linsoul.com/products/epz-x-tipsy-star-one
Aliexpress:https://aliexpress.ru/item/1005006455854299.html
I will be glad if you subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch this full review on EPZ x TIPSY STAR ONE!

Review Of The EPZ X Tipsy Star One​

Introduction​

EPZ and Tipsy are both Chinese firms that produce electroacoustic goods, notably IEMs. Recently, I was fortunate to experience two EPZ IEMs, the Q5 and G10, which were positively appreciated by many audiophiles, but I have yet to try any Tipsy IEMs. This may be EPZ's first collaboration with Tipsy to create an IEM. The IEM Starone is a collaborative initiative designed specifically for live streaming. I was fortunate enough to evaluate Starone, but before I go any further, I'd want to clarify some things out.

Disclaimer​

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

Specification​

The Starone features a single dynamic driver configuration with a 10mm PU+LCP diaphragm that has been particularly constructed such that the impedance is quite high while the sensitivity is relatively low, which aids in noise suppression, producing crisp voices, and strong bass. I'll be honest: I have no idea what or how the technology is being deployed. The shells are composed of resin and fit comfortably in my ears; in fact, even after wearing them for several hours, I didn't feel tired or uncomfortable. The cable included with the IEM is a high purity OFC silver plated cable with two pin connections on one end and a 3.5mm straight termination socket on the other end. The additional accessories include three sets of silicon eartips in three different sizes, as well as a carrying pouch. Technical attributes include an impedance of 64 Ohms and a sensitivity of 112 dB. The frequency response ranges from 20Hz to 20kHz.

Sound​

The reaction is fairly similar. EPZ sets its IEM for a broader vocal presentation and pleasurable treble with deep bass response, however I do notice that the response is a little different than normal because the notes are more forward than the other two EPZ IEMs I've tried. The response from them made the voices seem a lot more expansive, but here, even if the mid range is open, it still sounds a little more intense and up close. I can't comment on Tipsy because this is my first experience with it. Coming back to the tuning, I feel it tends toward a balanced response with a sub bass increase. Let us go deeply into the sound and explore it in depth.

Treble​

The treble region is what I expected, however when compared to other tuned IEMs by EPZ, this one has the strangest tuned treble as it sounds, with traces of sparkle here and there but lacking intensity. The upper treble lacks airiness and quality, even if the singers and instruments are clear and distinct, but the treble area isn't very energetic. Such a reaction is frequently off-tuned; it offers the impression of an extended and airy response, but it isn't, as evidenced by listening to various types of songs. However, folks who prefer a smooth or non-bright sound will find it gratifying because the treble works even when it is not particularly noticeable. The lower treble lacks vigor, but the singers and instruments are clear, but not extremely upfront or linear. The quality is excellent since it prevents any unwanted or irritating sounds from entering. As a result, the overall presentation of the treble area is clean and detailed, yet it sounds odd.

Mid Range​

The midrange is all about energy, presence, and a clear response. The mid range, particularly the upper mid range, produces a lot of energy and feels a lot more forward than an IEM typically does, whereas the lower mid range lacks forwardness and feels more subdued, but this balance of presence and energy makes it sound forward with clarity and distinction, without allowing any peaky or tinny sounds to impede such a polished and impeccable response. The upper midrange allows for a lot of energy, which the voices and instruments display while being light and open without sacrificing clarity and detail throughout the mix. TThe voices have a novel tone, making the reaction more melodic and pleasurable to listen to. The lower midrange sounds quiet and hazy, with notes from vocalists and instruments that come off as a touch thick. As a result, the overall presentation of the midrange is bright, energetic, and musically pleasing.

Bass​

In terms of bass, I am not dissatisfied because the quality maintains the purity of the notes while still meeting my expectations. The bass presence is little in the mid bass range, but there is plenty of action in the sub bass zone. The bass focus is in the subbass range, which reaches deep and produces a faint rumbling in the ear canals. Even if the mid bass isn't particularly powerful, the slams and thumps make a considerable impact in the mix. Now the punches have a rapid and forceful striking effect, making them more vibrant and enjoyable to listen to. That is why, despite the fact that the notes are rich in depth and texture, the hammering remains intact. I feel the midbass does not spill into the lower midrange. Overall, the bass area is presented as powerful, controlled, and detailed.

Technical Performance​

I feel the Starone generates acceptable details, but the imaging suffers slightly, since other competitors do a better job; otherwise, I find everything to be on par. Let's get into the specifics.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation​

The stage is broad and far enough to sound vast, and the response is more holographic. The image is clean, although it might have been crisper and better. Additionally, the separation is apparent enough to assist pinpoint where the sound is coming from.

Speed & Resolution​

The resolution is great and on level with comparable rivals, if not better, and the details, whether macro or micro, come across as expressive. The assault and decay of notes are really rather good, as the decay seems more natural with a quick strike.

Sound Impressions​

Sources​

Sony WM1A - The response from this coupling made it seem more open and broad, with better placement of vocalists and instruments. I find that treble sounds better with accentuated upper extension. The bass also sounds better with a healthy feel, although the mid bass lacks meaty presence.

Tempotec V6 - This coupling sounded more transparent, with the lows seeming more controlled and tucked, giving the response a slim tone. The treble seemed the same, but the midrange sounded polished and detailed.

Tracks Used​

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

Conclusion​

To summarize this assessment, I'm not sure if a too forwarded midrange qualifies this IEM for live reproduction, but the voices and other details make it a really distinctive sounding pair. The quality is not to be taken lightly while listening to music, watching content, or playing games. The voices and other details are well positioned, allowing for a distinct reaction from each note. Now, in terms of whether this is worth the money, I believe that anyone who prefers vocals in an entertaining response should give them a try. Therefore, I absolutely suggest the EPZ X Tipsy Star One.

Disclaimer

• Huge thanks to EPZ for providing a unit of the EPZ x Tipsy Star One for me to review. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way.
• Please take this review with only a grain of salt, as everyone's hearing, fit, and gears may differ, so our experience may be different.

Price(MSRP)

• $72

Source(s)

• It is slightly harder to drive compared to my usual IEMs but I would say anything with an amp chip should be fine (even the JM6 Pro can drive this fine for me)
  • FiiO KA13
  • Truthear Shio
  • JCally JM6 Pro

Ear tips

• Dunu S&S

Packaging

• EPZ x Tipsy Star & One
• Soft carrying pouch
  • Texture can be a bit tougher and rougher than usual soft pouches.
  • Quality also seems to be a bit higher than usual ones.
• Standard selection of ear tips.
  • 3 pairs of generic silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
    • Looks and feels like a 07 clone, which are pretty decent.
• High purity oxygen-free copper silver-plated wire
  • Cable is well built for the price and is very comfortable to use.
  • It also looks very good and non microphonic, plus it does not tangle often.
  • However, it can be a little bit thin.

Build Quality

• Build quality is decent for the price, shell is made out of resin, and it is very lightweight.

Fit

• Nozzle length is average but is on the thinner side.
• Fits is decent, but due to the slightly odd shell shape, it gets a little bit uncomfortable after longer sessions.

Tonality

• Harman

Bass

• Sub bass is a bit more prominent compared to the mid bass
• Has a good, deep rumble to it and also good control.
• However, it is not very well textured, and it isn't very impactful either.
• Overall, the bass is decent, nothing too outstanding but not bad for the price either.
• Quantity is just sufficient, just enough to be engaging but definitely not for bass heads.

Midrange

• Lower midrange is quite clean, slightly recessed, with some warmth to it.
  • Male vocals sound decent. Not exactly lush and forward but not really thin or dry either.
• Upper midrange is very energetic and smooth.
  • Female vocals sound very engaging and forward but if it takes one more step forward then it will be on the shouty side to me, but shoutlets should still take note of this.
• Note weight is slightly on the thinner side, but not overly thin due to the slightly elevated mid bass.
• Most instruments do sound great without any oddities, timbre is quite natural as well.

Treble

• Treble is on the relaxing and smoother side without being dull and lifeless.
• It has a little bit of sparkle and energy in them just to keep things going but not enough to be fatiguing in any way.
• Treble extension is mediocre, not very airy, personally I would like to have a bit more airiness to it here.
• Details in the treble can be perceived somewhat fine but can be slightly hidden due to the relaxed treble presentation.

Technicalities

Resolution

• Resolution and detail retrieval is decent for the price, nothing to write home about but it definitely won't let you down either.

Soundstage

• Soundstage is also decently wide and deep, it isn't really airy or expansive but it is not intimate as well.

Imaging

• Imaging and accuracy is very average, I am able to pinpoint positions in terms of stereo left-to-right scenarios but struggle the pickup in a more holographic scenario, and can be slightly blunted.

Separation

• Separation and layering is also average for the price. Nothing pops out or is separated very well other than female vocals but at least is not overly congested, so it is acceptable.

Conclusion

• Overall, the EPZ x Tipsy Star & One is a decent Harman set with a warmer and more relaxing twist to it, but it is slightly overpriced considering their cheaper products such as the G10, Q1 Pro (will be covered soon) and even the Q5 offers a similar sound signature with some minor differences between them all.
• However, it still sounds decent, and it is an extremely beautiful set, just not at a very competitive price.

Thanks for reading!

DISCLAIMER

I bought the EPZ X Tipsy Star & One at a discounted price from Aliexpress.

It can be gotten here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006362747899.html (no affiliate links). This IEM is a collab with the CHIFI brand Tipsy and EPZ.




SPECIFICATIONS

• Driver configuration: 1 x 10 mm LCP + PU liquid crystal titanium composite diaphragm DD
• Impedance: 64 Ohms
• Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz
• Sensitivity: 112 dB/Vrms (~ 100 dB/mW)
• Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm; 3.5 mm termination; oxygen-free copper silver-plated wire
• Tested at: $69.99 USD

ACCESSORIES

Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of silicone ear tips (S/M/L)
- Cable
- Carrying pouch

For something retailing at almost $70 USD, the accessories are pretty bare-bones. I've definitely encountered cheaper rivals with a more generous accessory spread, such as a wider array of eartips and/or a hard case.




No foam tips are included, and we only have one type of silicone tips. These tips are thankfully serviceable from a fit and sonic perspective.




EPZ has provided a 2-pin oxygen-free copper silver-plated cable. This lies on the thinner side and is somewhat tangly. I appreciate that there are minimal microphonics, and 2-pin cables are always my preferred termination, as MMCX may be more fragile with repeated cable swaps.




Lastly, we have a drawstring pouch to store the Star & One. Unfortunately, it is probably just sufficient to prevent scratches, and won't survive a drop or compressive force.

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


BUILD/COMFORT

The Star & One is one of the most beautiful-looking IEMs I've encountered, featuring a diamond-like motif on the housings. When placing an order, one can opt for a white or black-shelled variant. The shells are fashioned from 3D-printed resin, garnered from a wide database of ear anatomies.




Indeed, this IEM is one of the more comfortable sets, with well-designed ergonomics thru a little concha protrusion, without any poky internal aspects. I have used the Star & One for long listening sessions without issues.

I did not find any driver flex on my pair.


INTERNALS

The Star & One's engine is a 10 mm LCP + PU liquid crystal titanium composite diaphragm DD, housed with a double magnetic circuit acoustic structure. EPZ advertises that the acoustic chamber has a passive noise reduction chamber, and indeed, this IEM has good passive isolation - hitting almost 20 dB attenuation - and it would be a great companion for noisy environments.



It also has a semi-open front cavity, which is marketed to improve soundstage - and as we will read below, the soundstage is actually on the larger side.


DRIVABILITY

I tested the Star & One with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Chord Mojo 2
- Fiio K11 DAC/amp
- Fiio KA13 dongle
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 DAP
- 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 A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone

Achtung! This IEM is not easy to drive due to the double whammy of a 64 ohm impedance and sensitivity of 112 dB/Vrms (converted to 100 dB/mW). It is not a matter of volume, but if not juiced well, the Star & One sounds undynamic, with poor bass texture, and a more intimate soundstage.

Additionally, jacking up the volume without adequate control will also result in a very shouty upper midrange. Amplification is thus required for optimal sonics.


SOUND & TECHNICALITIES

Graph of the Tipsy X EPZ Star & One via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

Tonally, the Star & One follows the Harman curve, and is thus a very consumer-friendly tuned IEM, which should suit most music genres.

This IEM is sub-bass focused, with bass quantity just above neutral. It isn't a basshead set, but sub-bass has decent rumble and low-extension. In terms of quality, bass texturing is bang average, though it is nimble. Bass tightness will improve with amplification, and there isn't any mid-bass bleed.

The lower midrange is a bit recessed, but is still relatively transparent as there isn't big bass encroachment. Upper mids hit nearly 10 dB in ear gain, and vocals are just at the edge between forwardness and fatigue. Amplification will help control this area somewhat, and also avoiding the Star & One at loud volumes (Fletcher Munson curve).

The Star & One has relatively decent treble extension, but isn't a treble-head IEM. Sibilance is kept to a minimal, with no splashiness of high-hats or cymbals.

Timbre is very organic, and this IEM sounds extremely natural when acoustic instruments come out to play. This is one of my favourite aspects of the Star & One.

In technicalities, the Star & One is no slouch, and is competitive against other single DD competitors at the sub $100 bracket. Soundstage is quite expansive in all directions, with sound going beyond the ears, especially when paired with an amplifier. This is coupled with relatively precise imaging, with spacious instrument separation. Micro-details are finely captured. The Star & One is unfazed even with complex tracks with competing riffs, and it has crisp transients.


COMPARISONS



Comparisons were made against other sub-$100 single DDs. Planars, hybrids and pure BA IEMs are omitted, as the different transducers have their own pros and cons.


Simgot EA500

The EA500 has 2 tuning nozzles to provide more versatility. The EA500 lies towards a brighter Harmanish tone, and is more zealous in the lower treble, with less bass. As such, the EA500 sounds thinner, with more sibilance present. The EA500 sounds more fatiguing, and is probably not for our treble sensitive brethren.

In technicalities, these 2 are very solid contenders. The EA500 has better micro-detailing and clarity, with similar imaging levels. However, soundstage is more expansive on the Star & One with amplification, and it also has improved instrument separation over the EA500.

The EA500 does not require amplification, and is more easily driven.


Moondrop Aria 2

The Aria 2 follows the virtual diffuse sound field (VDSF) - which is Moondrop's in-house variant of the Harman curve. Its sound signature is on the thinner side, with less bass but more treble than the Star & One. Timbre is a bit less natural on the Aria 2.

The Aria 2 is a league behind in technical chops, with poorer imaging, a more compressed soundstage, and weaker instrument separation.

The Aria 2 is easier to drive, but is heavier in weight, which may lead to ear fatigue during usage.


DUNU Kima Classic

The Kima Classic is a deeper V-shaped IEM, with a more scooped out midrange. The Kima Classic is also more fatiguing in the treble, with more sibilance.

The Kima Classic has a less natural timbre. In technicalities, it is substantially weaker in imaging, soundstage and instrument separation.

However, the Kima Classic is better accessorized, and is easier to drive.


CONCLUSIONS



The Tipsy X EPZ Star & One is a quality single DD to consider in the competitive sub-$100 realm. It does the 3 Ts of timbre, tonality and technicalities very competently - with soundstage and imaging a particular highlight. Timbre is also organic, in keeping with its single DD roots. This is topped off with a consumer-friendly Harmanish tone.

Additionally, the Star & One features stunning aesthetics, with comfortable ergonomics, and impressive passive isolation.

One area which needs to be flagged up, is its low sensitivity and high impedance, which necessitates at least a dongle DAC/AMP to get the most of out this set. It is not a matter of volume, but with weak sources, we hear a compressed soundstage, undynamic sound, shouty upper mids and a flabby bass. The Star & One's beautiful looks are unfortunately not paired with up-to-scratch accessories, and the upper mids are at the edge, especially at louder volumes.

Looking past these negatives, I still rate the Star & One highly - assuming one has an amp on hand - and one can think of the Star & One as a jack of all trades, yet master of aesthetics and soundstage!

PS. The greatest compliment I can give this IEM, is that my wife usually gives me the stare of death whenever a new IEM arrives in the mail. She was going to give me a earful when she happened to see this IEM's alluring shells. She held her tongue and asked if she could try it. Thereafter, I didn't see the Star & One for a week haha! Had to ask her to pass it back so I could write-up on it. Actually, I would consider getting the Star & One as a gift for others, though sadly, the power-hungry nature of this beast may preclude some lay-consumers who do not have anything more powerful than a phone.