EPZ is one of the newer brand in the block and unlike most brands that tend to deal with only IEMs or dongles these guys have both IEMs and USB dongles under their belt. Their most popular IEM, P50 has garnered a lot of attention so has their lower mid range dongle TP35 pro. I have previously reviewed their G20 on my YouTube channel and I have to admit, it was easily one of the best IEMs I have used under $50. It’s perfect for gaming and movies while doing considerably good for music too.
What I have here is the upgrade to the G20. While the G20 used a single DD, G30 houses a hybrid setup. It pairs a 9.2mm DLC/Pu dynamic driver with a customized BA driver with Knowles dampeners. Priced at $80, interestingly this IEM comes in only one color scheme but has 3 variants, 3.5mm with Mic, Type C with Mic and Type C with boom Mic. What I have here with me is the boom Mic variant. I will compare it with the Hidizs MK10 and EPZ G20.
Get one from here:
UNBOXING AND ACCESSORIES:
G30 comes with an interesting looking box. It’s more like a gift box with a 3D anime character on it. It definitely looks attractive. Open it and we have the earpieces stuffed in foam. Under that, in the white case we can find the cable, a set of ear tips, boom Mic and a Type C to A adapter for PC use. List of accessories is not extensive but enough to get going.
CABLE:
To my surprise, G30 ships with an excellent looking cable. It’s aptly supple, not bouncy and there is barely any microphonics to worry about either. It uses a 4 core silver plated OFC cable for high quality sound. EPZ has used good quality metal parts for the jack, Y-Splitter and 2pin housing. The cable guides are slightly on the aggressive side but doesn’t exert much pressure on the ears. Yes, this is a slightly heavy cable though.
BUILD QUALITY:
Built for gaming, G30 looks like an excellent Audiophile grade IEM with a gradient back plate and semi-transparent shells (I love this type of semi transparent shell design). Pink is for right and blue for left. It has a light weight 3D printed resin shell with a semi custom like shell which has a small wing like structure offering excellent stability and comfort inside the ears. What I really like is the fact that this is light weight and has a small footprint. It will even fit small ears without many issues. Yes, these will crack if dropped on hard floor but that’s true for nearly every IEM made with resin. We get a not so wide yet aptly deep nozzle offering very good balance and more secure fit.
APP SUPPORT:
Unlike a lot of brands EPZ has app support for their dongles and Type C based IEMs. Walk Play can be used with PC and the app can be downloaded from play store too, it enables EQing and a few other tweaks to play around. I didnt felt the need to use it as the overall performance of this IEM is satisfying enough.
MIC QUALITY:
I tried calls and some casual gaming with my cousins and I am happy to report that this boom Mic has very good clarity at the other end but if you have a table fan or any other type of wind blowing into the mic it’s going to be a problem. The good thing is, this Mic stick is very flexible and can be turned in a suitable direction to avoid that without significantly affecting voice clarity.
SOUND QUALITY:
I have heard the G20. It is an excellent IEM for gaming. It’s imaging thanks to its big stage is simply outstanding for movie watching too. G30 takes this up a notch. It adds an extra BA driver for improved resolution and definition while offering even bigger stage size. It’s still is a U shaped IEM that offers thumpy and rumbly bass, good, clean mid range and slightly forward yet aptly comfortable highs. There is a bit of warmish overtone with fatigue free presentation that helps with long gaming sessions.
I am using stock tips and mostly alt-rock and pop music with a bit of casual gaming for this review.
BASS:
Yes, this is a warmish IEM and has a bassy presentation. Powered by a single 9.2mm DD this lower end is aptly engaging with a punchy and rumbly presentation. We get good sub-bass extension and rumbles with decent definition. Mid bass is fuller and meaty offering very good weight behind the notes. Decay is slightly on the slower side letting the notes precipitate and good amount of weight. Layered delivery is good too but I would have liked a bit more contrast between back and foreground instruments. It’s not going to affect gaming but an Audiophile might find this slightly less technically capable. Dynamics too are good with good control as it hits verity of notes without sounding monotonous. This driver moves good amount of air and the direction positioning is good too. Upper bass notes are aptly clean too, there is no unwanted softness to them.
There is a small problem. G30 is lacking a bit of resolution and definition but I guess I am being a bit too harsh on it.
MIDS:
Because of its U shaped signature G30 has a slightly less forward mid range but there is no problem with clarity or definition as any part of the mid range. Yes, we have a bit is smoothness throughout that helps with longer listings sessions but takes a bit of resolution away. The transition phase at lower mids is clean and transparent. Vocals too are comfortably organic and emotional with good poise and right amount of thickness to them. Male vocals sound very good but female vocals could have been a bit taller with a bit more finishing energy at the peaks. Tonality and timbre are pleasing and the level of cohesion is very good. There is no problem with instruments either. They have good macro dynamics. Yes, the finer micro details placed in between the macro details are not transparent enough. Thanks to the big stage we get very good Z-axis depth and contrast of back and foreground instruments is class leading. It’s not trying to be a very revealing kind of IEM as the upper mids too are calm enough. They are slightly forward but have no sharpness or peaks to worry about. It’s like a bite from new born, you can feel it but with no hindrance.
HIGHS:
Highs are a bit more forward, offering decent agility and clean presentation with good treble extension. Yes, the upper treble is a bit on the darker side but it’s not lacking clarity. There are no issues with layering and separation either. We get decent air between instruments too. Instrumental positioning is aptly accurate too. As an Audiophile I would have liked a bit more energy at the peaks of the notes and the micro details aren’t as transparent. It doesn’t affect gaming performance at all as it largely dependent on macro details but a critical listener might notice this. They lack a bit of sparkle. It’s tuned for a calmer, fatigue free presentation.
STAGE & IMAGING:
G30 has the biggest stage I have heard in an IEM under $80 by a comfortable margin. The closest is Hidizs MK10 and that doesn’t have the overall expansion of the G30. We get very good height, class leading X-axis width and Z-axis depth. It’s imaging capabilities too are commendable with very good directional cue placements. Most of the instruments are placed out of the head while a few lower end and some vocals are placed inside the head. It’s sonics are superb with very good. Background instruments and notes have a subtle feel to them, offering very good contrast with foreground instruments. The transient effects of background instruments are captivating. G30 simply has one of the best imaging capabilities under $100.
COMPARISON:
VS EPZ G20:
Yes, I have heard the G20 and from memory I can tell you that it’s easily the best IEM for gaming under $50. Equipped with two cables and boom mic it can easily switch between a gaming and critical listening sessions.
Yes, G30 has a bigger stage, similar bass impact and body, cleaner imaging, improved micro details and resolution throughout the spectrum. It has a bit more mid range clarity with deeper Z-axis depth. If you can spend $30 more just go for the G30 for a more immersive experience.
VS Hidizs MK10:
Yes, this is not a gaming IEM, nor has a hybrid setup yet it is one of the best IEMs you can buy for audio. For gaming, just go for the G30. No questions asked. G30 offers a more immersive presentation with a wider deeper stage and a fatigue free presentation that allows longer gaming sessions without any discomfort. MK10 doesn’t even have a Mic cable option. G30 has a more premium set of accessories and a better cable too.
But for an audiophile, MK10 has the edge. It has better texture and a bit more micro details yet its upper treble is slightly darker than G30. Another advantage is the set of tuning nozzles that can change the signature a bit. MK10 though is bigger and much heavier than the G30.
CONCLUSION:
Okay, let me be real. I am not a hardcore gamer but this IEM is perfect for both casual and professional level gamer. I did some casual gaming and I have to admit that it’s expansion of stage and directional cues are truly amazing at just $70. Most of you might not be looking for a gaming IEM either yet EPZ G30 is something everyone should consider under $100 if you are looking for a fatigue free and immersive presentation. Movie or series watching experience with this one is simply next level. It has excelled at tonality and timber while maintaining very good macro dynamics. Build quality is superb and this cable is high quality too. If you want a bit more finer details, I will suggest you to go for the 3.5mm variant. Yes, this does miss out on the app support AND BOOM MIC yet I don’t mind that.
Yes, if you are a hardcore Audiophile who is looking for finer details and more clarity across the spectrum, you should opt for something like P40. This is the subordinate to the P50 with 4 drivers in each side, review coming soon.
