Aful Performer 5+2 VS ZiiGaat Crescent
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Aful Performer 5+2 and ZiiGaat Crescent use 2DD+4BA+1Planar and 2DD+2BA driver setups respectively. Aful Performer 5+2 costs $229 while ZiiGaat Crescent costs $279. ZiiGaat Crescent is $50 more expensive. Aful Performer 5+2 holds a slight 0.2-point edge in reviewer scores (7.7 vs 7.5). ZiiGaat Crescent carries a user score of 7.4. Aful Performer 5+2 has slightly better mids with a 0.3-point edge, Aful Performer 5+2 has slightly better treble with a 0.3-point edge, ZiiGaat Crescent has slightly better dynamics with a 0.4-point edge and Aful Performer 5+2 has better soundstage with a 0.8-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Aful Performer 5+2 | ZiiGaat Crescent |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 8 | 8 |
| Mids | 8 | 7.7 |
| Treble | 7.6 | 7.3 |
| Details | 7.6 | 7.5 |
| Soundstage | 7.8 | 7 |
| Imaging | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| Dynamics | 7.6 | 8 |
| Tonality | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Technicalities | 7.5 | 7.4 |
Aful Performer 5+2 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
ZiiGaat Crescent Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Aful Performer 5+2 Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+4BA+1Planar
Tuning Type: Neutral with bass boost
Brand: AFUL Top AFUL IEMs
Price (Msrp): $229
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ZiiGaat Crescent Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+2BA
Tuning Type: Neutral with bass boost
Brand: ZiiGaat Top ZiiGaat IEMs
Price (Msrp): $279
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Aful Performer 5+2 User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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ZiiGaat Crescent User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
7.4Generally Favorable
Aful Performer 5+2 Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.5Gaming Grade
AZiiGaat Crescent Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.4Gaming Grade
A-Aful Performer 5+2 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.
Average Technical Grade
A- Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
ZiiGaat Crescent Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.
Average Technical Grade
A-- Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Aful Performer 5+2 Reviews
8.5
* score normalized
8.5
Reviewer Score
My kind of neutral, improves a lot on my favorites. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
8*
* score normalized
Overall it is sounding more visceral and incisive than the Performer 5.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
7.5
Reviewer Score
A detailed, engaging all-rounder that's exciting without being shouty or harsh. Smooth, neutral tuning with a bass boost, excellent bass quality, clean mids, forward vocals, and sparkly, incisive treble. Great detail. I wouldn’t change a thing.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
7
Reviewer Score
check links for more info: Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
6.5
Reviewer Score
Clean, balanced, neutral sound with good layering and tech. Relaxing vocals, but lacks power and last bit of vocal extension. Bass has good controll, but lacks impact. Has sizzly planar timbre in the treble. Safe but forgettable. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
IEMRanking AI
2025-09-07
7.7
Reviewer Score
The AFUL Performer 5+2 (also listed as “Performer 7”) uses a 2DD+4BA+1 micro planar driver array and AFUL’s LC-network crossover plus a 3D-printed acoustic tube system, aiming for clean band splits without smearing. The shell also integrates a high-damping air-pressure balance system, a design AFUL has used across its line. Official listings put MSRP around $229 and outline the same core tech features.
Tonally it trends neutral with a sub-bass lift: bass has solid depth and texture, mids stay relatively linear, and the presence/treble region adds energy without veering into sharpness on most chains. Multiple reviews characterize it as warm-neutral with bass boost or slightly V-shaped depending on perspective, which matches listening notes about a lively but controlled upper end. Sensitivity and load are portable-friendly (≈109 dB, 15 Ω), so it reaches performance without demanding amplification.
Technicalities are competitive for the class: imaging is tidy with good instrument separation, micro-detail retrieval is above average, and soundstage is moderate (more width than depth). Build and comfort are typical resin-shell fare; some users note occasional lower-treble bite depending on tips and recordings, so treble-sensitive listeners may wish to pair accordingly. Overall value is strong at its price, especially if a clean, bass-supported neutral curve is the priority.
ZiiGaat Crescent Reviews
Jaytiss
2025-07-20
8.3
Reviewer Score
Smoothe and clean set, one of the better Ziggatts. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
The ZiiGaat Crescent, priced at $279, features a familiar, comfortable ZiiGaat shell build that's durable and slightly larger than models like the Magic One. The package includes a new premium-feeling case with a vibrant color and a great black cable featuring easy-to-change connectors and a functional chin slider. Overall, the build and accessories are solid, representing a step up from previous ZiiGaat offerings.
Sonically, the Crescent delivers a strong V-shaped signature characterized by great, impactful bass that some might find a touch boomy and elevated upper air/treble. While not the most incisive or natural treble, it's clean and engaging. Technical performance is really good, making it a hyper-competitive option in its price bracket. It compares favorably to the ZiiGaat Odyssey (more fun, more bass), the Arcanis (more V-shaped vs vocal specialist), and the Binary Dynaquattro (more refinement, richer mids). While the Luna offers cleaner micro-details and a more "audiophile" tuning for $100 more, the Crescent provides a richer, more organic, bass-forward alternative. It shares similarities with the S-tier Top Pro, differing by only 1-2%.
Ultimately, the Crescent earns a strong A+ rating and a strong recommendation. It's a fantastic value with excellent dynamics, well-done tuning, and great technicalities for the price. This is a highly competitive set ideal for those seeking an engaging, fun signature with elevated bass and air. While its specific tuning won't suit everyone, especially those sensitive to bass or preferring absolute neutrality, it's a special set worth serious consideration and likely a keeper for many.
8.3
Reviewer Score
check links for more info:Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking
Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel
Jays Audio
2025-07-16
7.5
Reviewer Score
Slightly warm, full, and sparkly/crispy treble. A warmer TOP PRO with a step down in technical performance. Treble can get much on kpop/jpop/energetic tracks. Mid-volume set, doesn't scale as well as Odyssey but has better tech. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
The ZiiGaat Crescent delivers a warm, full sound with a notable sparkly and crispy treble reminiscent of higher-end models like the Top Pro, essentially presenting as a warmer Top Pro variant with more mid-bass but less vocal clarity and power. Tonally, it serves as a solid side-grade to the Top Pro at nearly half the price, though it’s a slight downgrade in technical performance and resolution. Versus the Odyssey, the Crescent looks strikingly similar but offers a more technical, cleaner, and airier presentation due to a significant 15-20dB treble boost, leading to better imaging, sharper attack, and superior clarity and separation—especially in symbol decay. However, its bass, while impactful and well-controlled, feels slightly less full and slams softer than the Odyssey’s heavier, more immersive low end.
The Crescent excels as a mid-volume set (65-70dB) but struggles with scaling on energetic tracks like K-pop or metal, where the elevated treble can become fatiguing and overly hot. For genres like EDM, J-pop, or fast-paced rock, the smoother, bassier Odyssey is often preferable. Slower genres like R&B, indie, or instrumental music play to the Crescent’s strengths. Tip rolling is recommended to tame treble; bass-focused tips like SpinFits or Final E work well, while bright tips should be avoided. Compared to the KiwiEar Astral, the Crescent is warmer with a sharper treble but slightly less technical, making them close siblings—choose based on preference for sparkle (Crescent) or smoothness (Astral). Against the ZiiGaat Luna, the Crescent is sparklier and sharper but less refined and scalable, with the Luna remaining superior for louder, fatigue-free listening.
Ultimately, the Crescent is a capable Meta-inspired all-rounder with a fun, vibrant signature centered on its sparkly treble. It’s not groundbreaking if you already own similar sets like the Astral, Luna, or Odyssey, but it represents strong value—especially on sale—with tangible upgrades like an interchangeable cable and improved accessories. For those new to this tuning or specifically seeking extra treble energy without breaking the bank, it’s a compelling option.
Z-Reviews
2025-08-14
7.2
* score normalized
ZiiGaat's Crescent IEMs deliver a strikingly unique and luscious sound signature that stands out sharply from the crowd, especially within ZiiGaat's own lineup of similarly priced models clustered around the $250-$400 mark. This tuning presents a very dark, relaxed, and hugely expansive soundstage, making music feel like a distant, powerful live performance in an outdoor amphitheater rather than a typical in-ear experience. It creates an intriguing, almost processed effect – like stacking multiple subtle soundstage-enhancing DSPs – that sparks curiosity and encourages listening beyond just a few tracks, placing the Crescent firmly among the year's most captivating IEMs like the Astral and Vulcan 2.
Packing two 10mm dynamic drivers (PET and LCP) and two balanced armatures, the Crescent achieves its massive, enveloping sound with surprising control, handling high volumes without harshness despite its efficiency. While ZiiGaat's strategy of flooding the same price bracket inevitably leads to some stinkers, the Crescent is a clear exception. Its large shells feature a stunning space-inspired design on the back, resembling a galaxy or Imperial starship, though the included cable has a ridiculously bulky and heavy adapter system for swapping between 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs. The accessory kit includes notably sticky silicone tips alongside standard foams.
Ultimately, the Crescent transcends being merely "good" by offering something weird, different, and deeply engaging. It avoids the mediocrity or disappointment found in some other ZiiGaat models like the Lush (which these should have been named) and carves a memorable niche through its luxurious, powerful presentation. This is an IEM designed to cure boredom and make listeners pay attention, firmly lodging itself in the mind as a standout option in its price range.
Tim Tuned
2025-07-20
7
Reviewer Score
Kind of an Odyssey but spicer. Treble is surprisingly not grating Treble is a lot and takes priority over mid & bass Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Gizaudio Axel
2025-07-25
6.5
Reviewer Score
Lively V-shape sound signature. Clean and controlled bass. Clear, forward vocals. Airy treble with good separation. Upper treble can be too much for some.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
IEMRanking AI
2025-07-22
7.6
Reviewer Score
The ZiiGaat Crescent combines a dual dynamic driver setup—using PET and LCP diaphragms in an isobaric configuration—with Knowles balanced armatures for mids and treble. This hybrid approach delivers a distinct analog-inspired character, emphasizing textured bass with a 10dB sub-bass shelf that avoids midrange bloat. Highs remain crisp yet non-fatiguing due to natural decay, though the blend of driver types occasionally hints at coherence challenges in complex passages.
Build quality centers on hand-poured resin shells and medical-grade materials, ensuring comfort for extended sessions. The included detachable cable with interchangeable connectors adds practical longevity, while the boutique faceplates offer visual flair. Tonally, it leans into a nostalgic, slightly warm signature reminiscent of vintage tube amplifiers, prioritizing musical engagement over sterile precision.
Aful Performer 5+2 User Reviews
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Pros
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Cons
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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewA fun, vibrant IEM that delivers lively treble and vintage character at strong value.