BQEYZ Frost Review

 

Introduction:

The BQEYZ Frost IEMs are a compelling option in the crowded IEM market, featuring a hybrid driver system and an eye-catching design. This review will delve into the Frost’s design, build, sound, and overall performance.

At their core, the Frosts employ a hybrid configuration, combining a 10mm dynamic driver with a micro planar transducer. The diaphragm material, a composite of PU and PEEK, is a key factor influencing the driver’s performance. BQEYZ has opted for a single crystal copper silver-plated coaxial cable, a common choice for IEMs in this price range. Beyond the technical specifications, the Frost’s visual design is noteworthy. The IEM housings feature a slightly curved, high-transparency crystal glass faceplate, revealing an ice blue base beneath. This design choice gives the Frosts a distinctive and premium look.

The following review will provide a detailed examination of the BQEYZ Frost’s performance, covering various aspects including sound quality, comfort and fit, cable quality, and overall value.

 

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank BQEYZ for providing me the Frost In-Ear Monitor sample for review purposes. I am not affiliated with BQEYZ beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered opinions about the product.

  

Price & Availability:

The BQEYZ Frost is priced at approximately 179.00 US$. It falls within the mid-range category for in-ear monitors, offering a blend of advanced features and aesthetic appeal.

For more details and specifications, please refer to the links provided below:

• BQEYZ Frost In-Ear Monitor

 

Package & Accessories:

The BQEYZ Frost comes packaged in a compact box, enclosed in a white cardboard sleeve that displays an illustration of the In-Ear Monitor along with some product branding on the top.

Inside the box, you will find the following items and accessories:

• 1 x BQEYZ Frost In-Ear Monitor
• 1 x Single crystal copper silver plated mixed cable with 0.78mm 2-Pin connectors
• 3 x pairs of “Atmosphere” Silicone Ear Tips
• 3 x pairs of “Reference” Silicone Ear Tips
• 1x pair of Foam Ear Tips
• 1 x Protective Case
• 1 x Cleaning Brush
• 1 x Print Material (Quick Start Guide & Warranty Card)

 

Design & Build Quality:

The BQEYZ Frost In-Ear Monitor is built with remarkable precision, featuring a CNC aluminum alloy cavity. This construction ensures both durability and seamless integration. The anodized surface treatment creates an oxide film, enhancing its resistance to corrosion and wear. Thanks to high-precision 5-axis CNC machining, these earphones manage to stay lightweight and comfortable while maintaining sturdy performance. The result is a product that feels robust and dependable.

The Frost features a 10mm dynamic driver designed for robust audio performance. This driver consists of a carefully constructed diaphragm made from PEEK and PU materials, which contribute to its durability and effective sound reproduction across various frequencies. In addition to the dynamic driver, the Frost incorporates a micro planar transducer that combines traditional planar driver principles with a compact design. This transducer features a rectangular sound outlet hole, which offers better dispersion and absorption characteristics for specific frequency ranges.

The faceplate of the Frost stands out to me due to its unique texture. It features both regular and irregular patterns, made from high-transparency crystal glass with an ice-blue base. This combination reflects light from different angles, giving the faceplate a jewel-like shine. The faceplate has “BQEYZ” written on the right earpiece and “Frost” on the left earpiece, adding to the distinctiveness of the design.

On the inner surface, the Frost is designed with care. It includes a sound nozzle with a black filter on the top and strategically placed openings near the sound nozzle and on the side. These features ensure efficient sound delivery and a comfortable fit.

Looking from the top, the Frost In-Ear Monitor has practical design elements. It includes L/R markings for easy identification, an opening for ventilation, and a 2-pin connector interface. These features make the earphones user-friendly and versatile. The 2-pin connector ensures a secure and reliable connection, while the ventilation opening contributes to sound quality and comfort.

Overall, the BQEYZ Frost In-Ear Monitor combines advanced design and construction techniques. The CNC aluminum alloy cavity provides durability and comfort, while the high-transparency crystal glass faceplate adds a touch of elegance.

 

Detachable Cable:

 

The BQEYZ Frost In-Ear Monitor features a detachable cable that is constructed from single crystal copper silver-plated mixed coaxial material. Specifically, it consists of 0.04mm x 32 single crystal copper wires, 0.05mm x 20 oxygen-free copper wires for the inner shaft, and 0.06mm x 38 silver-plated wires for the outer ring, encased in a 2.3mm outer sheath. The cable’s design is both practical and visually appealing. It features a blue braided pattern that matches the ice-blue faceplate, creating a cohesive look. The soft outer layer adds to the overall aesthetic and ensures a tangle-free experience, enhancing user convenience.

The cable includes a 0.78mm 2-pin connector interface with metal housing, which provides a secure and reliable connection. The metal housing features L/R markings in a matching silver finish, ensuring easy identification. Additionally, the cable is equipped with heat-shrink ear guides for added comfort and stability during use.

For convenient cable management, the Frost comes with a chin slider and a y-splitter. These components help prevent tangling and keep the cable organized, enhancing the overall user experience.

The cable terminates in a gold-plated 3.5mm headphone plug, ensuring a reliable and high-quality connection to audio devices. It is also available with a 4.4mm balanced termination option, catering to different user preferences and device compatibility.

 

Fit, Comfort & Passive Isolation:

The BQEYZ Frost has an ergonomic design making it comfortable to wear for extended periods. It fits snugly in my ears, especially when paired with the right ear tips. The passive noise isolation is above average, effectively minimizing ambient noise in everyday settings like commutes on the metro, bus, or train. However, it might not be as effective in noisier environments. Overall, the Frost provides a good balance of comfort and isolation for daily use.

Pairing & Drivability:

The BQEYZ Frost’s 32Ω impedance and 113dB sensitivity make them easily drivable by a wide range of sources, a fact I’ve confirmed through personal testing. This means they don’t require a powerful amplifier and can be used with smartphones via dongles (like the ONIX Alpha XI1), Bluetooth DAC/amps (like the iFi Audio GO Blu), and even DAPs with less powerful amplification (like the HiBy R1).

Technical Specifications:

• Model              : Frost
• Driver              : 10mm Dual Cavity Dynamic Driver + Micro Planar Transducer
• Diaphragm      : PU and PEEK Composite Diaphragm
• Freq. range     : 5 Hz – 40 kHz
• Impedance     : 32Ω
• Sensitivity       : 113dB
• Connector       : 0.78mm 2-Pin
• Cable Specs   : Single crystal copper silver plated mixed cable
• Plug Type       : 3.5mm Single Ended or 4.4mm Balanced
• Cable Length  : approx. 120cm

 

Equipment’s used for this review:

• IEM’s              : BQEYZ Frost, Meze Audio RAI Solo
• DAP&DAC’s  : FiiO M23, HiBy R1, ONIX Alpha XI1, iFi Audio GO Blu

 

Albums & Tracks used for this review:

• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Adele – My Little Love (Deezer HiFi)
• Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Radiohead – Live in Berlin “Album” (Deezer HiFi)
• Radiohead – Pyramid Song (Deezer HiFi)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Bear McCreary’s – Valkyries (Deezer HiFi)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Daft Punk – Instant Crush (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
• Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (Spotify)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
• Miles Davis – So What (Deezer HiFi)
• Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Dream Theater – Fall into the Light (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Metallica – Dyers Eve (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush’s – Tom Sawyer (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Apple Lossless)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Apple Lossless)
• Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon (Flac 24bit/48kHz)

 

 

The Sound:

The BQEYZ Frost offers an engaging and musical presentation. Its deep, punchy bass enhances the overall listening experience. The natural and rich midrange brings out the warmth and detail in vocals and instruments. The smooth, non-fatiguing treble adds a touch of sparkle without harshness. Finally, the soundstage is reasonably wide with precise imaging.

In the following part of this review, I will look more closely at each of these aspects to provide a detailed analysis of the Frost’s sound character.

Before diving into the review, the BQEYZ Frost underwent about 50 hours of burn-in. For testing, I used the stock “Reference” silicone ear tips and cable that come with the IEMs. I primarily paired them with the FiiO M23 (DAP), ONIX Alpha XI1 (DAC/AMP dongle), and iFi Audio GO Blu (Bluetooth DAC/amplifier).

 

Bass / Midrange / Treble / Soundstage:

The BQEYZ Frost’s bass has a noticeable punch, deep and controlled, which I appreciate. While the sub-bass extension is present and contributes to the overall depth, it’s less emphasized compared to the mid-bass. For example, Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” showcases the tight bassline and kick drum that give the song its signature groove, with the mid-bass frequencies taking center stage. While not the most bass-heavy IEM, it’s definitely satisfying. Lorde’s “Royals” highlights the Frost’s ability to handle deep, rumbling bass while maintaining definition, though the sub-bass is more felt than heard. The 808 hits in that track have a satisfying weight, but again, the emphasis is on the punchier mid-bass. A slight boost in the bass and lower midrange adds a nice punch, especially to bass drums and lower register piano. However, the bass remains controlled, avoiding any boominess. Even with complex basslines, like in Gogo Penguin’s “Raven,” the Frost maintains clarity and distinction in each double bass note, with the well-defined mid-bass contributing to the overall clarity. A slightly quicker decay would further enhance precision.

Moving on to the midrange, it’s natural and rich, with a good balance that makes vocals and instruments shine. Listening to Adele’s “My Little Love,” I was struck by the warmth and detail in her voice, the Frost really capturing the emotion. It handles those nuances beautifully, presenting her vocals with clarity and naturalness. I did notice the midrange could be a tad more forward, vocals sometimes feeling a little recessed. Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” was a great example of how well it handles the male vocal lower midrange, bringing out the richness and warmth in his voice, along with the mellow tones of his acoustic guitar. Guitars, like the electric guitar riffs in David Bowie’s “Heroes,” and pianos, like the piano chords in Diana Krall’s “So Wonderful,” sound clear and natural, no excessive coloration. The detail retrieval is excellent too – little things like a singer’s breath or the plucking of strings on a harp really add to the experience. With Diana Krall’s “So Wonderful,” her vocals were clear and detailed, no harshness, though a little boost in the upper midrange might have made them even clearer.

The treble is smooth and non-fatiguing, providing enough sparkle and air to maintain a lively presentation. Dream Theater’s “Fall into the Light” effectively showcased the crisp and detailed cymbals, hi-hats, and high-pitched guitar solos, all without any piercing harshness. The treble extends reasonably well, adding a sense of sparkle without being excessive. While I personally wouldn’t have minded a bit more extension in the upper treble, the current tuning is still enjoyable. The gentle treble roll-off prevents harshness, making it comfortable for extended listening. Radiohead’s “Pyramid Song” further demonstrated the Frost’s ability to avoid sibilance or harshness. The air in the treble contributes to a sense of openness and space, with a slight lift in high-frequency harmonics that enhances the soundstage’s vividness. Although well-controlled, the treble might be considered a bit too smooth by some, potentially lacking some excitement in certain genres. The crispness of the ride cymbal and the delicate shimmer of the triangle and other high percussion elements were present, though a slightly greater emphasis could have brought them further forward in the mix.

Listening to the BQEYZ Frost revealed a wide, open soundstage with noticeable depth, creating a more three-dimensional listening experience. Instruments were clearly positioned in distinct spaces, enhancing the realism. Precise imaging allowed for easy identification of instrument placement, adding to the immersive quality. For its price, the Frost performs admirably, with soundstage and imaging likely benefiting from factors beyond frequency response, such as channel balance and driver design.

 

Comparison:

 

BQEYZ Frost versus MEZE Alba:

When I listen to the BQEYZ Frost and the MEZE Alba, I notice that they each have their unique sound qualities. The Frost gives me deep, punchy, and controlled bass, which makes the low-end really rich and engaging for most music genres. On the other hand, the Alba’s bass is balanced and detailed, with a bit of an elevated sub-bass. The Frost’s punchier midbass makes it more dynamic and engaging for genres like rock and pop, while the Alba’s tighter bass control is great for complex orchestral pieces where precision is crucial.

Regarding the midrange performance, this is where the Frost really stands out for me. It has a warm and slightly rich character that works wonders with vocals and acoustic instruments, making the listening experience smooth and intimate. While the Alba offers a neutral and detailed midrange, the Frost’s added warmth brings a level of emotion and engagement that I find particularly enjoyable for vocal-centric music. The Alba’s neutrality, on the other hand, gives it an edge for critical listening and genres where absolute accuracy is essential.

When it comes to the treble, there’s a noticeable difference. The Frost has smooth treble, which might lack some sparkle for those who crave it, but it’s great for listeners who are sensitive to sibilance or prefer longer, fatigue-free listening sessions. The Alba, with its more extended and detailed treble, offers a brighter, airier presentation that can be more exciting, especially for electronic music. This brightness, though, can also be a bit more fatiguing for some listeners.

As for the soundstage and imaging, both are impressive. The Frost has a wide soundstage with precise imaging and excellent instrument separation, making it a strong choice for complex and layered tracks. The Alba also provides a spacious soundstage with good depth, and its slightly wider presentation gives it an advantage for large orchestral pieces and ambient music, creating a truly immersive experience.

Overall, both IEMs have their strengths. The BQEYZ Frost offers an engaging sound, comfortable long-term listening, and impressive technicalities, making it a great all-around performer. Meanwhile, the MEZE Alba, with its tighter bass, neutral midrange, and brighter treble, appeals to those who prioritize accuracy and a more analytical listening experience, especially in specific genres.

 

Conclusion:

The BQEYZ Frost In-Ear Monitor present a compelling package for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. Their hybrid driver configuration, combining a 10mm dynamic driver with a micro planar transducer, delivers a balanced and detailed sound profile. The robust bass, rich midrange, and smooth treble create an engaging and musical listening experience.

Craftsmanship is another area where the Frosts shine. The CNC aluminum alloy cavity construction ensures lasting durability, while the high-transparency crystal glass faceplate and ice-blue base add a touch of visual sophistication. The complementary blue braided cable not only enhances the aesthetic but also provides a tangle-free, user-friendly experience.

Overall, the BQEYZ Frost offers exceptional value, merging technical excellence with a stylish design. These IEMs are an excellent choice for anyone seeking versatile sound tuning and an eye-catching design, and they are worth their price.

 

 

Pros & Cons:

• + Natural and rich midrange presentation
• + Smooth and non-fatiguing treble
• + Deep and punchy mid-bass
• + Controlled bass without boominess
• + Durable and lightweight CNC aluminum alloy construction
• + Eye-catching and premium design with high-transparency crystal glass faceplate
• + Easily drivable by a wide range of sources
• + Detachable cable with practical and visually appealing design

 

• – Treble extension may be limited for some listeners
• – Bass decay could be slightly faster for complex basslines
• – A cable with a modular headphone plug design would be preferable

 

Thank you for the read!