BQEYZ Spring 2 Review (1) – Putting The Band Back Together
INTRO
Anytime there is a “new” version of anything you have to wonder if the new shiny item will only be a placebo or if it actually does anything different. BQEYZ does a good job of putting out models that are never overlapping, and I don’t think there is a single model in their lineup that has disappointed the majority of users. I consider them the budget Moondrop moonshot. So now that the BQEYZ Spring 2 is out, they reach even deeper into branching out from their semi-budget roots. At a tested price of $169, the market competition can be tough and there are much higher expectations at this price level than say a $50 pair. I thought highly of the BQEYZ Spring 1 in my past review, so enough jibber jabber let’s get on with it.
GOOD TRAITS
- Improved fitment
- Improved cable
- Solid construction
- Balanced tuning
- No sibilance
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
- Bass still has some minor bleed and comes off flubby and lacking speed
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
As mentioned in the picture porn section, they definitely made changes to the physical fitment of the nozzle, the angle is slightly different and moved inward so as not to push the shell up into areas of the outer ear. It is such a minor change, but I can feel the change over longer listening sessions. Changes were also made to the cable, I do appreciate the less plasticy feel on the Spring 2 that caused the ear hooks on the original Spring 1 to bounce around from simple walking. The rest of the package remains the same, good case, two different types of tips- small bore vs wide bore. I prefer the wide bores and use them and the Alza Sedna for the evaluation. I find the Alza Sedna Light a better match for the Spring1 and Spring2. They are a tad stiffer silicone and the sizing is in between the provided tips so I get a better seal. Your individual experience may differ of course. Isolation is medium, but should get the job done for certain circumstances. IEM’s that either have a deeper insertion, or fit more tightly to the outer ear will provide more isolation.
PACKAGE CONTENTS
- Two different sets of ear tips narrow bore, vs wide bore
- Carrying case
- Detachable 0.78 2 pin cable
SOUND
One of the biggest criticisms of the BQEYZ Spring 1 was the medicore wooly, flubby bass. The BQEYZ Spring 2 doesn’t really fix this other than bring the level down, real bummer. Bass still on the slow side, decay is too long, cohesion of the bass suffers as a result I get the sensation it is behind, almost as if there is a valley in the punch region. It’s as if they tuned the woofer too low for what it can reasonably can reproduce. Again not terrible, but definitely the weakest point of the Spring series. As suggested from another head-fier/ blogger Alza Sedna tips fix this a little on both Spring models. The bass on the Spring 2 has been toned down, but I can still pick up the mild mid bass bleed (200-600hz) more noticeable at higher volumes. Female vocals still have a thickness to them as a result, male vocals sound really strong maybe a tad over-juiced it is easy to hear the cracking in the vocal portion now. The BQEYZ midrange is still intact and sounds great as usual, there is some additional boost now in the middle treble that creates a more forward vocal sound. Horns, electric guitars and shakers pop more and are brought to forefront.
The simplest way for me to describe the BQEYZ Spring 2 is a live sounding nearfield IEM. If you liked the more intimate studio sound wine sipping Spring 1, the Spring 2 is going to have you pulling out your live albums to give them a good listen. They are not overpowered in the typical huge upper midrange/lower treble peak. Most of the changes are in the middle treble. The treble is improved on the BQEYZ Spring 2, the Spring 1 had a washed out sound to things like shakers and cymbals. Now with the Spring 2 you have more crash and sizzle whereas the Spring 1 was more sizzle. It could be due to the extra 2 layers on the piezo driver, or just better integration between the BA and piezo, or the fact they removed the filter behind the nozzle grill. Whatever is responsible there is a much noticeable change. Below is a comparison graph showing the Spring1 with the nozzle grill removed compared to the Spring2. It appears they were able to keep the lower treble/upper midrange tuned the same.
TECHNICALITIES
Timbre is still great, the only hiccup is the slight midbass bleed again that makes some things sound tubby, thicker, and slower. I sense good separation and depth is great. Width does not sound closed in at all and is balanced with the depth. The Spring 2 requires more gain on the volume so regular smartphone users might want to consider an external headphone amp/dac. I used an LGV30 without issue, but the BQEYZ Spring 2 require about double the usual volume compared to more sensitive IEM’s. Resolution is good, I would say for this price range it competes well.
COMPARISONS
Spring 2 $169 vs Moondrop Kanas Pro (KPE) $179 (discontinued)
Kanas Pro has a peaky upper midrange which results in more forward vocals. Bass is less tubby sounding on Kanas and better extension, but the Kanas bass was always considered a bit slow as well. Instrument separation on Kanas Pro is better than the BQEYZ Spring 2 which sounds slightly congested as a result. Spring 2 sounds better balanced through mids and highs and timbre is better. I always struggled with this part of the Kanas Pro. Things like shakers sound like they are supposed to on the Spring 2 whereas on the KPE they sound a little off. Isolation is better on Kanas due to deeper nozzle. The Kanas Pro also has slightly better resolution.
BQEYZ Spring 1 $139 vs Spring2 $169
They are siblings for sure, the is bass similar but Spring2 is toned down slightly but still exhibits the slight bleed giving that thicker tubby sound. Cymbals have more character more crash with the shimmer and the Spring1 was mostly shimmer. Things like shakers and horns come more front and center. The Spring 2 sounds more like a nearfield / live sound experience and the Spring1 a large room that is more muted and neutral in the middle treble section. The Spring 1 had a way that made certain instruments just float and feel separated whereas the Spring 2 is more homogeneous. Vocals on the Spring1 were pushed to the background, and the Spring2 brings them forward to sit inline with the rest of the presentation.
Spring2 vs Simgot EN700pro $149
Bass on the Simgot EN700pro is a bit more extended and boosted to have more boom. The EN700pro sounds flatter soundstage wise. It does not have that live feel the BQEYZ Spring 2 brings to the table, but tonality is very similar otherwise. Fitment on the EN700pro provides more comfort, but they have short nozzles and can more easily work loose. The Simgot EN700pro was never really a boner in the normal circles, but I find it was a good one to highlight what the Spring 2 can bring to the table. I sort of wish the Spring2 had the bass of the Simgot EN700bass or Pro for rock music to combine with the better soundstaging capabilities of the Spring2. If the Spring2 had used the bass tuning of the EN700pro and combine it with the bass speed of the Nicehck NX7, then I might have something that was just wonderful.
OUTRO
Again referring simply to the BQEYZ Spring 1 vs Spring 2 comparison two things standout-the treble on the Spring 1 was muted and could use more definition which the Spring 2 has now rectified. I think this change has transformed the Spring 1’s ability to float certain instruments in the sound staging, to now a more stable live sounding Spring 2. If this sounds like $30 of improvement then by all means go for the Spring 2, they are not same earphone. Value is tough to define I liked the Spring 1 at the street price of $120, but I have only purchased a few above that price range. I think it is a solid product at $169, but listeners in the price range might be disappointed in the bass reproduction capabilities. I would need to experience more in this price bracket $150-200 to establish a baseline no pun intended. I still think BQEYZ has a good hit, it’s just a matter of who will bite at this price.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Hybrid, 1 BA+1 DD+9 Layers Piezo Electric
- Frequency Response: 7 Khz-40 Khz
- Sensitivity: 110 +/-3 dB
- Impedance: 32 ohms +/- 15%
- Connector type: 0.78 mm-2 PIN
- Earphone Jack: choice of 3.5 mm/2.5 mm/4.4 mm
GRAPHS
- BQEYZ Spring 2 Atmosphere vs Reference Ear-tips
- BQEYZ Spring 1 vs BQEYZ Spring 2
- BQEYZ Spring 1 no nozzle grill vs BQEYZ Spring 2 reference and atmosphere tips
- Impedance Plot
- 30Hz square wave
- 300Hz square wave
MY VERDICT
You find an INDEX of all our earphone reviews HERE.
DISCLAIMER
Set provided by distributor Hifigo available @ $169 here.
Our generic standard disclaimer.
You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.
