Introduction
Finding good balance between gaming and music sound in one IEM is not easy. But Ziigaat and Fresh Reviews try to do that with Ziigaat x Fresh Reviews Arete. This IEM have 1DD + 4BA setup and price is $220. It promise to give good gaming sound and high-quality music listening.
But does it really do that? Does it have deep and clear sound for gaming? Can it play music with good detail and balance? And most important, is it really worth the price?
I use this IEM for long time and test with many different songs and games. In this review, I will talk about sound, comfort, build quality, and how it perform in real use. So let’s start and see if this IEM is good choice for you!
Disclaimer
This review is fully based on my personal experience with the Ziigaat x Fresh Reviews Arete. I tested this IEM for long time with many different songs and also gaming to see how it perform in real use. Sound is very personal thing, and everyone have different taste, so what I like maybe not same for you.
The unit I tested was provided for review, but my opinion is fully my own. I always try to give honest review, talking about both good and bad things. My goal is to help you understand if this IEM is right for you or not.
If after reading full review, you think this IEM is perfect for you, then you can order it directly from Ziigaat official website. And if you are from Bangladesh but don’t have a dual currency card, you can contact Geek Mart for help with order.
Key Technical Details
- Driver Configuration: 1 Dynamic Driver (DD) + 4 Balanced Armatures (BA).
- DD: 10mm biocellulose diaphragm with neodymium magnets.
- Midrange/Mid-Treble BA: Knowles 29689.
- Upper Treble BA: Knowles 31736.
- Crossover: 3-way electronic.
- Tuning: Balanced monitor style with a 9dB bass shelf up to 300Hz.
- Intended use: Competitive gaming, and general music enjoyment.
- Key sound characteristics: Clear imaging, good separation, detailed sound, punchy bass, and neutral midrange
Build quality and Design
The Ziigaat Arete have a resin shell with metal nozzle, which make it lightweight but also strong. The connection between resin body and metal nozzle is smooth and well joined, so I don’t think it will have issue over time. Also, Ziigaat put a dust filter inside the venting hole, so dust don’t go inside, which is really smart. Small details like this show they actually care about durability.
Now, the faceplate is where this IEM really shine. The design is beautiful and unique. It come in three color—black, blue, and white. My one is black, and I think this look best. The smoky black color with color-shifting flex make a cool effect, where light hit different angle, and it change color a bit. Inside the faceplate, there is glitter-like stuff, which make it look kinda like a galaxy. It feel premium but not too flashy.
The Ziigaat logo is placed in a way that looks simple and not too much flashy, which I like. The innershell is black and slightly transparent, so if you look closely, you can see little bit of inside parts.
Overall, the build is solid, the design is eye-catching, and Ziigaat really thought about small details. It look premium, feel strong, and it’s light enough for long time use.
Fit and comfort
Ziigaat make this IEM for gaming, and gamers wear IEM for long time. So they focus on making it very comfortable. And from my use, I think they really did good job. I use it for straight 6 hours, and still, I feel no big discomfort in my ears. The shell is very light, and it sit strong inside the ear, so I not need to adjust it again and again.
The innershell design is good, with no extra bulk. Because of this, it not make extra pressure inside ear, and even after long time use, I feel no pain anywhere. The nozzle is ok, and I think no one will have issue with it. The nozzle is little long, so it go deep inside ear, but for me, deep insertion is no problem. If someone have issue, just use short tips, and it will fix easy.
One more good thing, it have proper venting. So it not make pressure inside ear, and when you take out IEM, there is no suction effect. This make wearing and removing very easy and comfortable.
Many people also test this IEM from me, and so far, no one complain about fit or comfort. From what I see, this IEM check all right boxes for good fit & comfort, so it’s very good for long listening time.
Cable and Tips
Alright, let’s talk about cable first. To be honest, the stock cable come with Ziigaat x Fresh Reviews Arete feel kinda basic. It’s thin, light, and look little cheap for this price. There’s no interchangeable termination, which kinda downside, specially since many brand now give modular cable. It’s not like the cable is bad—it do the job, but if you use higher-end cable, you gonna feel the difference. I think Ziigaat should have include little better one here. If you already have aftermarket cable, specially silver-plated or copper-silver mix, you should try it because from my testing, it tighten up bass and add bit more air to treble. Basically, sound get better with good cable.
Now, about the ear tips—they not bad. Fit is good, and seal is okay, but stock tips don’t bring out best of the IEM. With them, the mid-bass impact feel little soft, and treble don’t have that open feel. I try swap them with Final Type E (clear one) and DUNU Candy tips, and the difference is clear. Better bass, clear mids, and more open treble. So yeah, if you really wanna get best sound, I think you should try different tips and see what work best for you.
Pouch
Testing Source
- Questyle qp2r
- Cowon Plenue R2
- Astell & kern SP1000M
- Cayin N3 Ultra
- Ibasso DX180
- Hiby R3 iiI
- basso DC Elite
- Cayin ru7
- Hiby R5 sabre
- Hiby R4
- Hiby R1
- F.Audio FA5
- Questyle M15
- ONIX Alpha Xl 1
- KAEI-TAP2 ( AMP )
- Shanling H5
- ifi idsd signature
- fosi k7
- fosi gr40
- epz tp35
- Hiby FC4
- Hiby fc3
- BQEYZ Lin
- Nicehck tc3
The sound Performance
Bass Performance
The bass on Ziigaat Arete is deep and well-extended. Sub-bass is strong, it have good rumble and goes really low. There’s a little sub-bass boost, but it never mix with the mids, so everything stay clear. In “Kill Jill” by Big Boi, those low bass hits feel powerful but never muddy the other sounds. Even when bass is heavy, you can still hear the vocals and instruments very clear.
Because of this sub-bass boost, the vocals and treble sound is slightly forward for counter this bass boost. This balance keeps the sound from getting too dark or too bassy. In “You’re All I Want” by Cigarettes After Sex, the smooth, rolling bass sound never cover the soft vocals. The bass stay strong but clean, so everything sound just right.
Mid-bass is also very good. But with stock tips, I feel the mid-bass impact little soft. When I switch to Final Clear tips, mid-bass become tighter and hit harder. In “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen, the bass guitar sound so deep and groovy. You can clearly hear the pluck of the strings and the little vibration after each note. Drums sound very natural and lively, every kick drum hit feel strong but never too much.
Mid-bass also have good depth and control. In fast and complex tracks like “Survive” by Stratovarius, the quick drum kicks and fast basslines sound clear, but I wish the bass was little faster. The attack is good, but decay stay a bit longer than I like. In “VERACITY FOUND” by Andromida, the mid-bass sound really punchy and tight. Drums hit with good weight, and the bass stay clean and well-controlled even with heavy music.
Mid-Range
The mid-range on Ziigaat Arete sound really balanced and clean. It have natural tonality and the timbre control is very good. When I listen to songs, it feels like the mid-range sound just how the artist wanted it to sound. Mid-range sit little forward over the bass, so even in busy and complex tracks, the vocals and mid-range instruments come out clear. Sometime there is little bit of artificial touch, but honestly it’s not a bad thing. It add a sweet and soft flavor that make the mid-range sound more lively and musical.
Male vocals sound good and well balanced. It’s not too warm or too dry — just right in the middle. When I listen to “Musical Genocide” by Gregory Porter or any song by Michael Bublé, I notice their heavy and full vocals sound clean and detailed. But sometime I feel like it miss little bit of that weight and richness their voices usually have. Even though it’s not 100% perfect for my taste, the way this IEM present male vocals with clarity and musicality is still very enjoyable. I honestly didn’t mind it much because the overall sound was so pleasing.
Female vocals is where this IEM really shine. Female voices sound lively, energetic, and smooth. There is no harshness, no sibilance — just pure, natural sound. In “Thank You” by Dido and “Video Games” by Lana Del Rey, the soft and airy texture of their voices sound so beautiful. Even when the vocals go higher, there’s no sharpness or discomfort. The IEM keep the brightness and energy in female vocals without making it sound too boosted or shouty. That balance is not easy to get right, but Ziigaat Arete do it perfectly.
Another thing I notice is how well the mid-range blend with the rest of the sound. Instruments like the gentle guitar in “Thank You” or the soft piano in “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan sound clear and warm. The space between the instruments and vocals feel natural, so everything sound open and well-separated.
I have tried a lot of IEMs at this price, but this mid-range feel special. Even when I compare it with something like AFUL Performer 7, I feel ziigaat x fresh reviews arete sound more musical and enjoyable. It’s not just about technical performance — this IEM bring out the emotion in the music, and that’s why I keep coming back to it.
Treble
The treble on Ziigaat Arete is really something good. It’s airy and well-extended, and it make sound feel open and wide. Treble have nice sparkle, but it never get harsh or too sharp. Even tho treble is little bit boosted, it stay smooth and controlled all time. There’s no sibilance or any uncomfortable peaks, which make long listening very easy and enjoyable.
One thing I really like is how natural string instruments sound. In “Mario Takes a Walk” by Jesse Cook, every guitar note sound so clear and separate. You can hear the texture of the strings and soft vibration after each pluck. The treble bring out those small details like the fingers sliding on strings, and it make the song feel alive and very real.
In “Man in the Moon (Live)” by Nils Lofgren, the treble create a beautiful atmosphere. The airy sound of guitar and the soft, sheltering vocal mix perfectly. It’s like total package for me. The light shimmer of strings and the natural space of the live performance come through so well. It really feel like you there in the room with artist.
One more thing I notice is treble never sound thin or weak. It have good weight and body, which keep the sound balanced. Even in songs with lot of high-frequency sounds, the treble stay smooth and never get too much or harsh.
Overall, the treble on Ziigaat Arete is very well-tuned. It’s detailed, airy, and musical. Whether it’s the sparkle of guitar strings or delicate high notes, this IEM deliver with clarity and finesse. It’s treble done right, and I really enjoy listen to it.
Technical Performance
When talking about technical side, this IEM is not the most ultra-detailed or analytical, but that’s not really its goal. It’s made to keep musicality first while still giving a good amount of technical performance. And honestly, I think it does that well.
One of the best things here is imaging and dynamics. You can easily tell where each instrument is placed, and everything feels well-separated. Even in busy tracks, nothing sounds messy or jumbled together. For gaming, this kind of imaging is really helpful, making it easier to track enemy footsteps or sound cues.
Soundstage is not super wide, but it’s natural. It doesn’t try to make things sound artificially big, but there’s still a good amount of space. Everything has its own room to breathe, so different instruments don’t mix into each other.
Speed and resolution? It’s good, but not the fastest IEM I ever hear. If a track is very fast and complex, some tiny micro-details don’t pop out as much as in ultra-high-resolution IEMs. But in return, the sound stay smooth, clean, and never harsh. Macro details and clarity are still strong, so everything feels clear and natural without forcing detail in your face.
In the end, this IEM finds a balance between technicality and musicality. It’s detailed enough to keep things interesting but never feels dry or boring. If you want something that sounds clean, engaging, and still has good technical depth, this one gets the job done well.
Source compatibility
Ziigaat x Fresh Arete is easy to drive IEM, and it not need lot of power. So yess, you can use it with almost any source device without problem. I personally test it with many devices, and it keep sound character and quality good across different sources. This is actually a strong point because Ziigaat make this IEM for both gaming and music listening. Different people will use it with different gear, so keeping sound consistent was important, and Ziigaat did that very well.
I test it with both bright and warm sources, and in all cases, sound stay good. But if you give it high quality input, its technical performance get little better. It scale well with better sources, bringing out more detail and clean sound. But even on basic devices, it still sound enjoyable and balanced.
Conclusion
After spending enough time with the Ziigaat x Fresh Reviews Arete, I can say this IEM is a solid mix of musical and technical performance. It don’t try to be too clinical or force extra details, but still, it’s clear, clean, and well-tuned. Whether you’re using it for music or gaming, it got enough quality to keep things fun and engaging.
The bass have good depth and punch, with sub-bass boost that add some warmth but never bleed into other parts. The mid-range is clear, slightly forward, and vocals sound natural without any weird tonality. And the treble is airy and sparkly, but not harsh, so it’s smooth to listen for long sessions. The imaging and dynamics are really strong, which make it great for both detailed music listening and immersive gaming.
Fit and comfort are really good, and since it’s easy to drive, you don’t need expensive gear to enjoy it. But if you use a better source, you can still pull out more details and refinement.
For the $220 price, there are many options in the market, but if you feel this IEM match your preference, then from Sonic Mantra team, this is a 100% recommendation at this price. Also, since I’m not a professional gamer and gaming isn’t really my thing, Dhiman Ak from our Sonic Mantra team will be posting his detailed gaming-focused review soon. He will cover everything from hardcore gaming performance to positional accuracy and latency, so if you need more info on that side, keep an eye out for his review.
