BQEYZ KC2 Review – Space Age Love

Jürgen Kraus (Calgary, Canada) — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 09:37:32 +0000

Pros — Smoothness; balance; minimalistic, arid, controlled bass; super feel in your hands; original design; great cable.

Cons — Still searching…could be perhaps a bit more dynamic and engaging at higher volumes with heavier rock music.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This 2+2 hybrid earphone is characterized by its outstanding balance and smoothness (including a fine, minimalistic bass) that are optimized when listening laid-back at low volumes. The earpieces are made of matte polished aluminium and are connected to a high-quality braided-helix type cable via 2- pin 0.78 mm connectors.

DISCLAIMER

I once again purchased the BQEYZ KC2 from the NiceHCK Audio Store for $0.10 for the purpose of this review. Thanks, Jim NiceHCK, for the discount! As always, I tested the BQEYZ KC2 across a section of music that broadly covers the frequency spectrum, including natural sounds generated by voices and orchestral instruments…and all that for many hours. I think Head-Fier @Emelya for putting me contact with in Elle from BQEYZ, who kindly provided requested the technical information (frequency response graphs, comparison table) displayed here.

Following the review, the unit was donated.

INTRODUCTION

In our almost daily growing selection of great <$50 2+2 hybrid earphones such as the TRN V80, PHB EM-023 and other Campfire lookalikes, there are two more players: the BQEYZ K2 and the BQEYZ KC2. Both feature the same specifications but different tuning according to the manufacturer. I was struggling to write this as a quality distinction between the 2+2 hybrids is very difficult – and it therefore took a lot of time. I was struggling even further when taking into consideration what difference different sources, eartips, and insertion depth can make. In the end, it will come down to personal tonal preference as well as design and haptic which one to choose. Whichever you choose, you’ll get the right one. This review is of the BQEYZ KC2 and I really enjoy listening to it.

SPECIFICATIONS

Price (at the time of the review): ~$50
Product Name: BQEYZ KC2 Hybrid Metal In Ear Earphone
Driver Unit: 2 Balance Armature (BA) + 2 dynamic (DD)
Earphone type: In-Ear
Impedance: 15 ohm
Earphone Sensitivity: 105dB/mW
Frequency Range: 7 –40000Hz
Plug Type: 3.5mm straight plug
Cable Length: 1.25m
Earphone interface: 0.78 mm 2 pin connector
Colors: Silver, Black
Product Link: NiceHCK Audio Store

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES

The box is really small, so small that it does not even contain a bag or case. Included are the two earpieces and 3 pairs of wide-bore [or rather intermediate-bore?] rubber tips (S/M/L), and a cable.

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE, HAPTIC, AND BUILD QUALITY

Speaking of haptic: these aluminium earpieces have the smoothest feeling between my fingers of all I know, owing to their matte finish and the lack of corners. The earpieces are well rounded resulting in a 1950s space-age look. They also have some degree of mutual magnetic attraction (can’t be the aluminium)…when I lined them up for photos, one of them sometimes rotated. The braided helix-type cable is of high quality and includes a chin slider and memory wire. And, thank god, the connection is two-pin (0.78 mm) and therefore reliable. In summary, the build is immaculate.

ERGONOMICS, COMFORT, ISOLATION, AND FIT

The rounded corners facilitate a perfect fit for my ears…similar to the smallerTRN V80…and better than the Andromeda-oids such as the PHB EM-23 and the KZ ZS6. Isolation is average.

SOURCE AND EARTIPS

The BQEYZ KC2 is driven well with my iPhone 5S and the largest included eartips do the job for me.

TONALITY

The sound is very balanced and smooth with the gentlest of V-shapes. It is slightly warm yet somewhat lean (in a positive sense), probably from a “light” 60 – 250 Hz area. At high volumes and with rhythm guitar-oriented music the presentation is possibly a bit too soothing and relaxed and could be more engaging and dynamic. At low volumes, the clarity is unparalleled.

The bass and sub-bass are non intrusive and exceptionally focused and controlled. While there is good extension into the sub-bass, the basslines are extremely subtle and reminiscent of my personal benchmark, the UE900S. A gentle 300 Hz peak adds warmth and bass clarity to the presentation. The low frequencies are as dry and minimalistic as it can get in this price range.

The gentle bass foundation moves the midrange forward but vocals always keep the right distance. The latter are reasonably full and have a rather natural timbre – and the resolution is very good but slightly behind the TRN V80. The upper midrange is boosted which removes a bit of smoothness from the vocals, and a minor 7–8 kHz peak does not introduce sibilance.

The treble is smooth but energetic enough to give cymbals and flutes some sparkle. High piano notes resolve well. The frequency curve with its sharp roll off beyond 8 kHz does not correspond to the listening perception.

Soundstage, resolution, and instrument separation are very good and so is the three-dimensionality.

SELECT COMPARISONS

All these 2+2 hybrids play in the same league. You have to pick yours according to sound preference, fit, and looks. Here a simple comparison:

Treble intensity: TRN V80 > BQEYZ KC2 > PHB EM-023
Bass intensity: TRN V80 > PHB EM-023 > BQEYZ KC2
Fit (subjective): TRN V80 > BQEYZ KC2 > PHB EM-023
Rip off factor: TRN V80 = PHB EM-023 > BQEYZ KC2
Cable: BQEYZ KC2 > TRN V80 > PHB EM-023
Accessories: PHB EM-023 > BQEYZ KC2 > TRN V80

TRN V80: has not only more bass, it is also more textured. Vocals are a bit denser and more intimate and their resolution and the instrument separation are marginally better. The slightly coarser treble may be fatiguing for some. The KC2 sounds overall leaner, slightly less dynamic, however smoother on the whole. It features in-house designed shells that are bigger than the V80’s (which are borrowed from the Dunu Falcon C)…and a slightly thicker and sturdier cable. 2-pin connector. $12 cheaper for no good reason.

PHB EM-023: has the least controlled bass of the three, much less energetic treble, yet smooth and full mids, and is harder to drive…but it offers the smoothest sound at higher volumes. This is the one for people who are bass and treble sensitive. Also cheaper but with a much bigger accessories package, although the two (!) included cables are not braided. MMCX connector.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

What I like about the BQEYZ KC2 and its contenders is that you get a great sounding and sturdy earphone for less than $50, good enough as a daily driver outside the house, be it on the commute or travel. In such noisy environments you would not get a huge advantage from much more expensive earphones…however losing them would be infinitely more costly. This category strikes a good balance between cost and benefit.

But, choices, choices…it is getting so crowded with very good earphones in the <$50 segment that it is increasingly difficult to clearly recommend one model over another. The BQEYZ KC2 is yet another winner and particularly well suited for people who like a smooth and balanced sound and who don’t like an overly heavy bass. It is also for those who prefer a two-pin connector over MMCX. And quite frankly, if you asked me which one the best earphone below or at $50 is, I could not give you a clear answer. But the BQEYZ KC2 is certainly a contender and another one nobody will regret having. Definitely respect for this one, BQEYZ.

You can get it from the NiceHCK Audio Store.

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BQEYZ KC2 – Audio Reviews

BQEYZ KC2 Review – Space Age Love