While audiophiles are typically after the top-of-the-line flagships, there's something attractive about finding exceptional value amongst the more affordable options: the Q1 Pro, going for a single dynamic driver approach—a philosophy some might argue is a little old school—is equipped with design choices that are nothing if not interesting and capable of challenging your expectations of budget audio. The Q1 Pro has been noted for its smooth sound that won't tire your ears, and it's quite comfortable to wear. But then, can a single driver really give such a balanced and enjoyable listening experience? Well, let's talk about EPZ Q1 Pro and if it is actually as good as many people say.
EPZ Q1 Pro Review
So, being a big music fan, I have tried many IEMs and headphones through the years. EPZ Q1 Pro gets a lot of praise from other enthusiasts, so I was rather excited to put these to the test against different musical styles and use cases. They sound very smooth and balanced, with good weight in the lower frequencies, and the mids and highs are rather excellent. So, in my testing, my Planue R2 totally nailed it since the R2 is pretty famous for being strong when it comes to driving DDs.
Hiby R3 is also fantastic, and when I paired the IEM with my Moondrop Dawn Pro, surprisingly enough, the midrange opened up and let me enjoy the sweetness of mids. My ifi Hip DAC 2 gave a new character to the IEM by enriching the bass region and making it livelier. I shuffled the cable and ear tips too to find the best synergy. I’ll go into more detail about this in a later part of this review.
DISCLAIMER
EPZ is kind enough to send me the Q1 Pro to review. I am not affiliated with the respective company, and of course, I was not asked for any copy-checking before publishing. And this review is totally unbiased, based on my listening experience.
One thing more: The review is based on my personal experience and what I hear from different sources. Your experience may vary because of personal taste and physical differences like the shape & depth of the ear canal.
For your purchase, check Geek Mart or EPZ [non-affiliated link]
GEAR USED
- DAP: Cowon Planue R2, Hiby R3
- DAC/AMP: iFi Hip Dac 2, Moondrop Dawn Pro
- Smartphone: POCO X3
- Music Sources: Local FLAC files
SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver: 10mm dynamic driver
- Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Sensitivity: 100dB
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Cable: 4-core single crystal copper
- Cable length: 1.2M
- Connector: 2-pin 0.78mm
BOX CONTAINS
- EPZ Q1 Pro earphones
- Copper cable
- 3 pairs of silicone ear tips (Small, Medium, Large)
- Carrying pouch
- Official papers
UNBOXING EXPERIENCE
Unboxing the Q1 Pro is a straightforward yet satisfying experience. The packaging is minimalistic, with a sturdy outer box. Upon opening the box, the earphones are neatly presented, giving a good first impression of their design and build quality. The carrying pouch is a basic one that you can find with any of their cables, and it’s not a protective case. The included ear tips are also basic but get the job done and are comfortable too. It’s a simple yet effective presentation that makes you feel confident in the quality of the earphones.
BUILD QUALITY
This earphone impresses with its build quality. The earphones, made with 3D-printed resin, have a sleek, glossy finish that visually looks pretty premium and feels good and solid in the hand. The build of the earphones will give you confidence in their durability. And light attention to detail speaks for itself with seamless leading and robust materials used. The beautiful blue-textured face plate is hand-painted. The 2-pin connector is made strong and provides a secure connection with the cable. The cable itself is single-crystal copper, of good quality, and braided, which does help to prevent tangling and adds to the general durability.
FIT & COMFORT
The EPZ Q1 Pro is great in terms of fit and comfort; they can be worn for quite a time without any problems at all. This makes the ergonomically designed earphones sit very well inside the ears. Edges are smooth, the body is lightweight to add comfort. The ear tips are soft and flexible, being made of silicone, thereby ensuring good isolation of sound and a comfortable seal. Adding to this comfort is the lightweight design of the IEMs, which do not clamp down much on the ears. Whether you are a casual listener or a marathoner like me, the IEM sits just fine and feels good to listen to.
SOUND IMPRESSION
In the main, Q1 Pro performs a sound, which can be called well-balanced and detailed. The general signature of this model has an extended light U-shape with a good accent on the sub-bass and treble, while mids are clear and natural with no trace of harshness. This way, they would be just fine for pop and rock genres, electronic music, and even classics.
Let’s dive deep …
SUB-BASS
The Q1 Pro sounds nothing but impressive for sub-bass; the deep and powerful sub-bass foundation sets it off a notch and adds an extra dimension to the listen. Sub-bass extension is exemplary, going deep down into the lower frequencies, and visceral impact provides some excitement to the music.
Listening to “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons, the deep bass lines are rendered with clarity and punch, making the music feel immersive and dynamic. This solid sub-bass presence is maintained even at higher volumes, with no signs of distortion, which is a testament to the quality of the dynamic driver. The IEMs achieve this powerful bass without any compromise on the overall balance, placing the sub-bass in an accompanying rather than dominant position to the rest of the frequencies. This makes this IEM a great choice for bass enthusiasts who are looking for richness and full-bodiedness in their listening.
MID-BASS
While the sub-bass is a highlight, the mid-bass is somewhat different in this earphone; the response is clean and controlled. Yes, the mid-bass is there, punchy, giving the needed rhythm and groove. A balanced approach it is, meaning the bass won’t mess the whole sound up, which the other elements can sail through with clarity.
This is particularly true of more complicated arrangements, like “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen. The IEM finds a decent balance between having enough mid-bass presence to keep the music interesting and lively, yet clear and separated in the lower mids. That makes it quite versatile for many different styles of music. However, I find that mid-bass is somewhat recessed, especially on tracks that need more forward and aggressive bass response to enjoy.
VOCALS
MALE
Male vocals on the earphones are rendered with a natural and engaging presence that captures the depth and texture of the singer’s voice. “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi is a track portraying strong emotions and gentle details of his voice, clear and warm, which makes it personal and attention-catching. The in-ear monitors lift the male singing, making sure that it is clear and not lost in the background music. The general clarity and natural feel of the male vocals make these earphones a treat to listen to if you enjoy music centered around the vocals.
FEMALE
Vocals are extremely clear and detailed on the IEM for females, really letting their vocal performances shine into perfection across genres. Songs such as “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele show how well the earphones perform at producing powerful emotional vocals with precision and depth. Adele’s voice is rendered with a richness and clarity that captures every nuance, from the subtle breathiness to the full-bodied delivery in the chorus. The Q1 Pro excels in delivering a natural and lifelike portrayal of female voices, ensuring that they remain engaging and expressive.
INSTRUMENT SEPARATION
The Q1 Pro impresses with good separation, where each instrument can be heard and felt in a track. This clarity is more pronounced in serious compositions, such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, where the numerous instruments and layers of voice could be well-defined and placed within a soundstage. The earphone maintains that separation during the dense musical passages to make sure that no piece of the instrumental mix gets lost or muddied. The IEM’s ability to deliver such detailed instrument separation makes it a great choice for those who enjoy complex and multi-layered music, as it allows for a deeper appreciation of the artistry and arrangement of each track.
TREBLE
The treble in these earphones sounds very clear and bright, adding a sense of sparkle and air to the music. High-frequency details have great precision, which makes elements like cymbals, hi-hats, and strings pop with remarkable clarity. In tracks like “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, the treble details are crisp and well-defined, contributing to the overall dynamic and engaging sound signature. The treble frequencies sound quite balanced so as not to overshadow the midrange and bass.
Nevertheless, there are moments when the treble brightness sounds a little too sharp. This usually occurs with songs that have a lot of high-frequency components like “Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits. For some listeners, this might lead to listening fatigue during extended sessions.
SOUNDSTAGE
The soundstage on the Q1 Pro is super wide, which makes for a really immersive and broad listening experience. That sense of space makes live recordings and orchestral music a lot more enjoyable because it feels like you are in a bigger, more open place. In tracks like “Hotel California (Hell Freezes Over Live, 1994)” by the Eagles, the earphones creates a broad and realistic soundscape, with instruments and vocals well-positioned across the stage. This spatial accuracy enhances the feeling of depth and dimension, making the listening experience more engaging.
Somehow, the IEM manages to create this expansive soundstage without losing any of the intimacy and detail in the music; it’s pretty impressive and a joy to listen to.
CABLE & TIP ROLLING
The stock cable on the Q1 Pro is pretty solid, but if you change it to an aftermarket one, you can really boost the sound quality. I tried quite a few, like the NiceHCK Stardream, MixPP, and some custom pure copper cables; I noticed they can slightly tweak the signature sound, giving you more of a personal listening vibe.
You know, tip rolling—trying different ear tips—can really change how your earphones fit, how comfy they are, and how well they block out sound. I have found that using Dunu S&S made the isolation better and the fit snugger, while those TRI Clarion ear tips brought a more natural sound with an enlarged soundstage. The different ear tips and cables let you tweak the IEM for your vibe and make it way more fun and flexible.
RECOMMENDED FOR
- Balanced Sound Profile Enthusiasts
- Genre Versatility
- Clarity Lovers
- Comfort Seekers
- Durability and Build Quality Admirers
NOT FOR
- Bass heads
- Those have bright treble sensitivity
FINAL THOUGHTS
This really stands out in the busy budget IEM scene, offering you a sound that’s all about comfort and just enjoying the music. It may not be at the top of the list for some audiophiles, but its real charm lies in serving up a smooth, easy-on-the-ears listening vibe that will really make you want to keep your tunes playing over and over. The single dynamic driver approach proves sufficient for portraying a relaxed and warm soundscape, perfect for those who find overly analytical presentations fatiguing.
Sure, the sub-bass extension might not rattle your eardrums, and the soundstage might not be the most expansive. But honestly, for the price, the Q1 Pro really nails what it’s supposed to do: making music fun. The balanced mids make sure vocals sound clear and interesting; the smooth treble keeps things from being too sharp. Plus, it fits comfortably and is super lightweight, which makes listening for a long time totally chill and comfy.
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