EPZ x Tipsy Star & One: Does it Sound as Good as it Looks?

Pros

• Solid yet lightweight build 
• Stunning aesthetic 
• Decent cable inclusion
• Bass is tight and well controlled
• Clean midrange with some warmth  
• Very engaging upper midrange
• Treble is smooth and relaxing without being overly dull
  
• Decent treble extension

Cons

• Slightly hard to drive
• Bass lacks a bit of impact and texture
• Upper midrange can get shouty to some
• Average technicalities

Disclaimer

• Huge thanks to EPZ for providing a unit of the EPZ x Tipsy Star One for me to review. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way. 
• Please take this review with only a grain of salt, as everyone's hearing, fit, and gears may differ, so our experience may be different.

Price(MSRP)

• $72

Source(s)

• It is slightly harder to drive compared to my usual IEMs but I would say anything with an amp chip should be fine (even the JM6 Pro can drive this fine for me)
• FiiO KA13
• Truthear Shio
• JCally JM6 Pro

Ear tips

• Dunu S&S

Packaging

• EPZ x Tipsy Star & One
• Soft carrying pouch 
• Texture can be a bit tougher and rougher than usual soft pouches. 
• Quality also seems to be a bit higher than usual ones.
• Standard selection of ear tips.
• 3 pairs of generic silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
• Looks and feels like a 07 clone, which are pretty decent. 
• High purity oxygen-free copper silver-plated wire
• Cable is well built for the price and is very comfortable to use.
• It also looks very good and non microphonic, plus it does not tangle often. 
• However, it can be a little bit thin. 

Build Quality

• Build quality is decent for the price, shell is made out of resin, and it is very lightweight.

Fit

• Nozzle length is average but is on the thinner side.
  
• Fits is decent, but due to the slightly odd shell shape, it gets a little bit uncomfortable after longer sessions. 

Tonality

• Harman 

Bass

• Sub bass is a bit more prominent compared to the mid bass
• Has a good, deep rumble to it and also good control.
• However, it is not very well textured, and it isn't very impactful either.  
• Overall, the bass is decent, nothing too outstanding but not bad for the price either.
• Quantity is just sufficient, just enough to be engaging but definitely not for bass heads.

Midrange

• Lower midrange is quite clean, slightly recessed, with some warmth to it.
• Male vocals sound decent. Not exactly lush and forward but not really thin or dry either. 
• Upper midrange is very energetic and smooth.
• Female vocals sound very engaging and forward but if it takes one more step forward then it will be on the shouty side to me, but shoutlets should still take note of this.
• Note weight is slightly on the thinner side, but not overly thin due to the slightly elevated mid bass.
• Most instruments do sound great without any oddities, timbre is quite natural as well. 

Treble

• Treble is on the relaxing and smoother side without being dull and lifeless. 
• It has a little bit of sparkle and energy in them just to keep things going but not enough to be fatiguing in any way. 
• Treble extension is mediocre, not very airy, personally I would like to have a bit more airiness to it here.
• Details in the treble can be perceived somewhat fine but can be slightly hidden due to the relaxed treble presentation.

Technicalities

Resolution

• Resolution and detail retrieval is decent for the price, nothing to write home about but it definitely won't let you down either. 

Soundstage

• Soundstage is also decently wide and deep, it isn't really airy or expansive but it is not intimate as well. 

Imaging

• Imaging and accuracy is very average, I am able to pinpoint positions in terms of stereo left-to-right scenarios but struggle the pickup in a more holographic scenario, and can be slightly blunted.

Separation

• Separation and layering is also average for the price. Nothing pops out or is separated very well other than female vocals but at least is not overly congested, so it is acceptable. 

Conclusion

• Overall, the EPZ x Tipsy Star & One is a decent Harman set with a warmer and more relaxing twist to it, but it is slightly overpriced considering their cheaper products such as the G10, Q1 Pro (will be covered soon) and even the Q5 offers a similar sound signature with some minor differences between them all.
• However, it still sounds decent, and it is an extremely beautiful set, just not at a very competitive price.

Non Affiliated Link

• If you are interested after reading the article, feel free to check out the non affiliated link below.

• Aliexpress: 
• https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006362747899.html

Thanks for reading!