BQEYZ FROST: Continuing Its Tonal Lineage
BQEYZ FROST: Continuing Its Tonal Lineage
Author: Zerstorer_GOhren
Pros:
● Solidly-build and firm metal alloy shell chassis
● The laminated glass on its faceplates look pretty aesthetically-pleasing.
● As it has quite a utilitarian design and with good ergonomics that it offers a comfortable wear.
● Like all BQEYZ sets, it is well-packed with accessories like different types of ear tips and a storage case.
● Premium-grade stock cable.
● A balanced-neutral sound profile for ardent neutral-headed audio enthusiast.
● Balanced bass presentation as it has precise and tactile bass response.
● A neutral, discernible with warmth and articulate midrange
● Capable of presenting an organic and life-like timbre on most vocals and instruments.
● It has captivating and lilting sound on countertenors, contraltos, mezzo-sopranos and sopranos.
● A lustre, detailed and airy treble response.
● It has a respectable technical performance.
● Solid resolution capabilities for both macro-dynamics and micro-detail retrieval.
Cons:
● Its bass quality will be undesirable to uber bass-heads as it lacks of authority and boomy characteristic.
● Some male vocals appears to be a bit lacking of volume and depth on the voices especially bass, bass-baritones and some subtypes of baritones.
● Its stock cable still doesn't have a modular termination plug feature
● Among the BQEYZ flagship sets, this one has bit intimate sound/speaker stage width, and also not that holographic stereo imaging presentation.
Frost is the formation of thin ice from water particles that were embedded on the solid surface due to the state of freezing temperature. There are some types of frosting that you will encounter in nature like wind frost, radiation frost, rimes, window frost and black frost. The most common frost that usually happens here is the black frost as it is a seasonal occurrence that happens in December to January in the mountainous regions in the northern part of the Philippines as it ruins some vegetable crops that makes them unharvestable and unsellable that will be a major problem to the local vegetable crop farmers.
BQEYZ AUDIO is actually one of my major favourite audio brands and I did a substantial number of reviews on their product line-up since my calling as an independent audio reviewer. And with the end of their Season model series, they introduce their latest flagship series, The Weather series which was introduced last two years ago and it already produces some models like Wind and Cloud and all of these models are both excellent in their own right.
And now, I will introduce their latest model, The BQEYZ FROST and like all of its predecessors, it has a hybrid driver configuration consisting of two driver technologies. And the usual build materials that their shell structure have are typically made of metal alloy which is standard of all major BQEYZ models with exception of SUMMER and TOPAZ.
The hybrid drivers that were implemented inside of FROST are composed of a dynamic driver and a micro-”planar” driver and each driver will handle a certain frequency range. The dynamic driver that was applied here is a 10mm in a dual-cavity structure with a composite diaphragm comprised of PU (Polyurethane) and PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) which are both thermoplastic and with combination of this compound material, it will dispense a good mechanical strength, improved chemical resistance, better thermal stability and with some biocompatibility properties to provide flexibility, firmness and dampening effect for deep and impactful bass, clear and smooth mids and detailed treble. Another driver that works in tandem with the dynamic driver is a customised micro-”planar” driver which takes a form similar to a vented balanced armature driver as it has a small rectangular slit for better diffusion and more coalescing sonic performance across the frequency spectrum, and this type of driver technology can be found on other sets like SuperMix 4 from SIMGOT, Performer 7 from AFUL and probably the first known model that implemented this one, the MADOO Type 512.
The drivers are then encased in a medium-size CNC-milled aluminium alloy shell chassis that underwent an anodising and sandblasting process for less susceptible from corrosion and at the same time, wear and tear resistance for better ductility and protection from deformation. On its shell’s two-part structure, the cavity base is entirely made of aluminium alloy as it will greatly reduce and dissipate some unwanted acoustic resonance while its faceplate has a clear laminated glass on it with some snowflake pattern on its blue-coloured background in which I find it as eye-pleasing. And BQEYZ still implemented a 0.78mm 2-pin connector on this one since their very first model line-up and this one is the most stable of all interlocking mechanisms on IEM in my opinion due to ease of doing some attached/detached on removable cables.
The earpieces offers a comfortable fitting if you pair with a suitable ear tip that conforms to your lugholes’ physiological size although its passive noise isolation is rather decent enough as it was barely able to block some unwanted external noises from the outside surroundings, probably due to its a bit stubby brass nozzle sizes they have.
Speaking of its stock cable, to think that since the first model from the Weather series, BQEYZ typically paired the IEM transducers with high quality cable in which this set has. The FROST’s cable has 2-core-structured monocrystalline silver-plated copper with a blue-coloured insulation coating in which this type of material is supposed to deliver a clear, stable and greatly minimises distortion on its audio signal output. And on its termination plug, I opted to choose the standard 3.5mm single ended one and this termination plug that underwent via gold-plating process for better conductivity, and also for corrosive and wear resistance.
Like all BQEYZ models, the FROST is also well-packed with quality accessories inside of its packaging box whose design has the picture of the product with some basic information like specification and company addresses.
These are the following contents inside of it packaging box:
· Pair of BQEYZ FROST IEM transducers
· Stock cable
· PU leather storage case
· Three (3) pairs of BQEYZ “Reference” ear tips in different standard sizes.
· Three (3) pairs of BQEYZ “Atmospheric” ear tips in different standard sizes.
· One (1) pair of memory foam ear tips.
· Cleaning tool brush
· Paperwork like Q.C. stub, warranty card and instruction manual.
As for its power amplification requirement, this set can be driven from a source that these devices like smartphones, laptop, tablets and dongle adapters which usually have normal gain output as it has fairly sensitive enough with a resistance rating of 32 ohms. But this set also scales well if you pair it to better sources with medium or high gain mode output like DAPs, headphone DAC/Amp dongles and desktop headphone amps that will sound more dynamic.
The tonality of this one has a balanced-neutral tonal profile which is a well-balanced and consistent sound that all parts of the frequency range were presented equally across its sonic spectrum.
LOW/BASS:
Despite its neutral tuning, the bass quality of this one is relatively well-matched as it has a fair sub bass presence while its mid bass have an adequate texture that complement its neutral tonal profile. In general, it produces an incisive, precise with succinct rumbly bass response with a sense of good separation and clean presentation.
There's a sufficient depth and definition on its sub bass presence as I can feel some of its rumble, reverberation and vivacity generated from these selected instruments like synthesisers, drum machines and some low tuned string ones, bass guitars, double-basses and octobasses. The mid bass section on this one has a rather balanced texture as it does not sound lean nor too thick as it has an ample note body to have enough punch and groove on some bass-clef instruments and deep male vocals. The bass guitars have a rasping and resonant sound while the double-basses have has slightly broader and more sustaining sound on every pluck and bowing of its notation strings, bass trumpets sounds a bit sonorous and the bass kick drums have that resonance, thudding and eerily sound coming from every hit on its drumhead. On bass and bass-baritone, while they have a deep and resonant tone on their voices, they sound a bit velvety as they sound less rich with less dark timbre to give that dense and dusky sound that these vocal types usually have.
MIDRANGE:
Given its neutral profile, it has a bit linear midrange presentation however it doesn't sound too lean nor hollow as it retains a well-balanced texture with an ample warmth, transparency, clarity and crystalline that makes the vocals and instruments sound more natural and almost life-like timbre on them. That ample warmth and luminous characteristic will give rich, full and vivacity on both male and female vocals which makes the midrange presentation of this one most likely caters towards some neutral-heads and at the same time, for a mid-centric listener like me.
The male vocals in which has an ample volume and depth that will be beneficial to most types of singing voices like baritones, tenors and countertenors. Baritones have those smooth, warm and plushiness on their vocals although I noticed that some subtypes under this vocal type that kavalierbariton, verdi, dramatic and noble baritones appears to be less rounder, just a moderately powerful and a bit lacking of that fullness that more mellow, milder and lighter ones like lyric and light baritones.Tenors have clear and brassy tone from their voices as leggero have that light sound, lyric tenors have full and sheen sound from their vocals in while spinto tenors have more glossy sound on it, and then both dramatic tenors and heldentenors have ringing, powerful and rich sound from them. Countertenors have that tender yet fiery sound with some sense of ethereal nature on their distinctive falsettos voices. As for female vocals, on contraltos, they have that smoky, rich and ample weight from their chesty vocals, mezzo-sopranos have that velvety yet fiery and coppery sound from their vocals. Sopranos sound crystalline, gleaming and satiny from their vocals as dramatic sopranos have full and rich tone, lyric sopranos have that expressive and euphonious sound, and coloratura sopranos have that agile, bright and airy sound from their vocals.
Regarding on instruments, on strings instruments like the guitars, cellos and violins, guitars have that balanced and crisp tone on every plucking or strumming on its note strings, cellos have a full, lustrous and lively sound from bowing and fingering notation, and violins have vibrant and sweet sound from the every gripping on its bowstrings. About the brasses, trumpets sound full while trombones have that taut, eruptive and intense sound and then horns have full and clear sound. Then on woodwind instruments, concert flutes have a light and ethereal sound, piccolos sound brilliant and graceful, clarinets sound melodic and lustrous and lastly, saxophones have a warm, sonorous and lively sound on them.
Pianos appears to have an even and balanced tone on them as it has a rich, sweet and clear sound.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
The treble quality of this one has a lustre, crisp and sufficiently airy that compliments well with the balanced-neutral sound profile of this one. There are some slight accentuations between the upper-mids up to present treble section enough to highlight some clarity, detail and definition on vocals and attack on instruments while any chances of sibilance and stridency were kept under control.
It has a sufficient amount of air and a noticeable intensity of its sparkle on its brilliance treble section. Due to the consistency of its sparkle, it will deliver a vividly sound characteristics on some treble-clef instruments as cymbals sounds glistening and lustrous while hi-hats have that shortened sizzling and buzzing sounds, glockenspiel have shimmering and bell-like sound and celestas sound silvery and sweet.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING & OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
BQEYZ sets are well-known for their technical performance and FROST isn't that different among its predecessors in regards to this aspect. It projects a perceivable a fairly roomy head stage with my aural sphere as it has an above-average to wide lateral span with excellent height reach and depth although in my opinion this one is quite a bit intimate presentation compared to the previous BQEYZ models that I have tested for the past few four years.
On its stereo imaging, it conveys a concave-like presentation rather than a 3D-like holographic presentation that most BQEYZ units that usually project this facet. But still, it has a remarkable layering of tonal frequencies from vocal sections and instrumental lines as it creates a cohesive and a sense of texture and depth on its soundscape with excellent separation on its elements. The texture and depth also adds some well-defined dynamics on both macro-dynamics and micro-dynamics as the former sets a solid presentation on bringing out the varying degree of volume and loudness on both choral and instrumental lines while the latter have a sharper micro-detail on retrieving some good amount of nuances, grains and subtleties from an audio tracks like notational attacks of instruments, vocal ends and reverb tails.
Its hybrid driver configuration has a remarkable cohesive performance as the dynamic driver delivers a responsive transient response for an agile bass hit while its micro-”planar” transducer is able to give that quick, accurate and consistent vibration without any distortion at all.
PEER COMPARISONS:
AFUL PERFORMER 7/ 5+2
· More pricey as it was currently priced at around US$240/£194.
· Aside from an additional dynamic driver and micro-”planar” transducer, it has an additional custom balanced armature driver that makes this set more of a tri-brid set-up.
· Its shells have a UIEM-type form factor made of medical-grade resin that offers one of the best fitting and comfortable wear in the IEM market.
· It is also well-equipped with good quality inclusions inside of its packaging box from premium cable to more choices of ear tips.
· It has a mild U-shaped sound profile as it has a balanced bass response as it sounds rumbly and punchy, a bit recessed but a well-balanced and transparent midrange, and then a smooth and airy treble response.
· It has very similar technical performance with the FROST but there is a difference in regards of stereo imaging as the PERFORMER 7 has more atmospheric and a 3D-like presentation on its sonic canvas.
SIMGOT SUPERMIX 4
· This one a bit cheaper compared to the FROST.
· Aside from the dynamic driver and micro-”planar” transducer, it is also a piezoelectric driver and a balanced armature driver that makes the set a quad-brid configuration.
· It has a composite resin shell chassis made of resin and aluminium alloy to accommodate the drivers inside.
· It is somehow fairly accessorised but it only includes a single type of ear tips which are all balanced bore silicon ones and just an average quality stock cable.
· The sound profile of this one a modified harman-esque type which is a U-shaped with a balanced-warmish tonality as it has more sub bass-focus bass response, a more recessed but it has an ample warmth and smooth midrange presentation, and a tad energetic but still glossy treble quality.
· This one also possessed a very similar technical performance with the FROST but the difference is that this set projects a more holographic presentation on its stereo imaging.
In conclusion, this is another stamp of approval of product excellence to BQEYZ as they continue on delivering a high quality product and continuing to pursue a tonal refinement on every product release, and the product is the testament of their meticulous workmanship. The FROST is the continued evolution of BQEYZ’s flagship product offering as it continues its hybrid driver configuration with a new driver technology as it offers a solid build with an attractive looking shell panel, a well-thought ergonomics design, quality accessories and neutral tuning profile with competent technical performance. I will definitely give this one a high mark and will recommend it to all audio enthusiasts looking for balanced-neutral sound IEMs.
The BQEYZ FROST is now available both on LAZADA for the Southeast Asian market and HIFIGO, I provide the following non-affiliated links below.
BQEYZ OFFICIAL STORE (LAZADA):
https://www.lazada.com.ph/shop/bqeyz-audio
BQEYZ OFFICIAL STORE:
https://bqeyz.net/products/bqeyz-bq10-dynamic-driver-in-ear-earphones-hifi-wired-iem-gaming-earbuds
HIFIGO:
https://hifigo.com/products/bqeyz-weather-series-frost
Here are my other reviews of BQEYZ products.
■ BQEYZ KC2
■ BQEYZ SPRING 2
■ BQEYZ SUMMER
■ BQEYZ AUTUMN
■ BQEYZ WINTER
■ BQEYZ TOPAZ
■ BQEYZ WIND
■ BQEYZ CLOUD
■ BQEYZ BQ-10
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: BQEYZ FROST
IMPEDANCE: 32Ω
SENSITIVITY: 113dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 5Hz – 40KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm, 4.4mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + (1) MICRO-PLANAR DRIVER
TRACKS TESTED: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *
P.S.
I am not affiliated to BQEYZ nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to ELLE ZHOU of BQEYZ for providing this review unit as a loaner unit. I truly appreciate her generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
