Aful Performer 5+2 VS Ziigaat Lush

Naming drama aside (P5+2? just call it Performer 7), this Aful packs a quirky driver party: 2DD for low end, 4 BA split across mids/treble, plus a tiny micro-planar for the highest sparkle, all marshaled by Aful’s neat miniature crossover. The shells are lightweight, comfy and prettier than they need to be; the cable feels “don’t bother swapping” nice, with 3.5 or 4.4 options. The box is loaded with silicone tips but no foam—a miss, because the right seal changes everything. Price target sits around $250, which sets expectations high but not ridiculous.

Stock silicone yields a surgical, respectful tuning with bass that skews neutral and controlled. Swap to well-sealing foam or hybrids and feed a juicy source (warm Class A or tubes) and the set wakes up—stage snaps into a cohesive scene right in front, imaging gets laser-etched, and that micro-planar adds a pinch-of-salt treble spice without turning harsh. It’s an up-close presentation—sometimes almost claustrophobically detailed—in the best way: think “men with trumpets in the head,” precise placement, and excellent extension up top. Not as rowdy as the Explorers; more like a surgeon in a Hawaiian shirt—technical, but with a wink.

Practical upside: the clarity and positioning make this great for gaming and even viable for mixing/mastering checks; just don’t crank it into pain territory. Bass stays tight and responsive, treble sails high, and coherence holds. Tip and source matter a lot: with foam + warm power, it sings; with plain silicone, it’s merely polite. Final tally: a confident 8.5/10—doing a lot right at its price, dinged half a point for making everyone do math on the name.

Z-Reviews original ranking

Aful Performer 5+2 lands as a hybrid of the beloved Performer 5 and the punchier Explorer. The unboxing is the familiar P5 affair—same case, same style of tips—nothing flashy, but solid. The shell mirrors the P5 in size with a comfy little stabilizing wing that locks in well. No metal nozzle or front filter here, yet tip retention is secure and hassle-free. The flat 2-pin socket is straightforward, and the stock cable feels thick and supple with a reliable chin slider and handy red/blue channel markers. Overall: understated build, great ergonomics, daily-driver ready.

Sonically, this one aims neutral with a very distinct top end—clean, dynamic, incisive. Think switching from black-and-white to color; cymbals and overtones pop with a slightly crunchy/pristine edge that energizes detail without turning harsh on good recordings. Bass isn’t about sheer quantity; it’s about slam and dynamics—quick on the draw, well-controlled, and satisfying when called upon. Vocals sit a notch forward, microdetail is strong, and the overall presentation is coherent, clear, and technical with convincing stage, resolution, and imaging. Not a treble-shy or bass-bombed tuning—more a refined all-rounder for those who want clarity and bite.

Versus the original P5, the 5+2 fixes the missing “air” and soft edges, trading them for crisper transients and better extension. Compared with Explorer (a value champ), the 5+2 brings superior upper-treble reach, detail, and vocal focus. Against Performer 8 and Cantor, it feels more visceral—the P8 is smoother and more relaxed, while Cantor pulls finer microdetail but with less bass slam. Sets like Dino Quattro or J’s Estrella bring bigger fun or treble theatrics, yet the 5+2’s balance and everyday versatility win more often. Net take: a neutral-leaning, highly technical upgrade that stands tall in its bracket—easy to recommend to anyone chasing clarity, speed, and controlled impact over pure warmth or excess bass.

Jaytiss original ranking

Aful’s Performer 5+2 upgrades the original hybrid with 2DD + 4BA + 1 micro-planar tweeter and lands around $240–$250. The unboxing is practical: three sets of silicone tips, a pocketable puck case, and a soft, nicely draping cable (available in 4.4 or 3.5), though the braid can look a bit loose and the pre-formed hooks run large. The resin shells shift between blue and green under different light; fit is medium-large, very stable, and comfortable once the right tips are found. Note the narrow nozzle without a retaining lip and partially exposed bores/filters—tip grip is key and a little care prevents ear-gunk ingress.

Tonally this leans mild V-shaped: a clean midrange with a confident bass boost, a touch of lower-treble presence for bite, and well-extended air up top. The result is more incisive and punchy than the original P5, with clearer on/off transients that aid separation and layering. Trade-offs show as a hint of gritty/plasticky treble texture on cymbals and brushes—not harsh, but less natural than ideal—while the bass stays tight and exciting.

Against Aful’s Explorer, this sounds brighter, more spacious, and more technical; Explorer plays warmer/denser with smoother treble but less openness. Versus the pricier Thieaudio Oracle MK3, tuning is broadly similar: Oracle is smoother and deeper with a softer attack, while the Performer 5+2 brings more snap and engagement for less money. As a modern mid-tier hybrid, it absolutely still has a place—energetic, spacious, and well-executed—earning a solid four stars.

Super* Review original ranking

Performer 7 lands with a neutral-balanced, laid-back tuning and good treble reach. The presentation is clean and generally safe, though there’s a touch of sizzly “planar-ish” timbre up top. Technicals are solid for ~$200—slightly behind sets like Quintet and Super Mix 4, about on par with Nova. Bass from the dual 6 mm DDs is tight, controlled, and free of bleed, but lacks the slam and rumble of competitors using larger drivers; mids are well separated with decent layering.

The weak spot is vocal extension: a push around 1.5 kHz tries to bring them forward, but a dip through 3–6 kHz keeps them from opening up. Tamer upper-mids help avoid fatigue for rock/metal, yet the modest low-end impact leaves drums and basslines feeling uneventful. It’s a mid-volume set that doesn’t scale well—turning it up accentuates the 1.5 kHz emphasis and treble sizzle. Treble isn’t peaky, just a bit glassy at times; for K-pop the smoother mids can work if less extended vocals are acceptable.

As a value play, there are stronger options: Nova, Chopan, and Super Mix 4 offer better bang-for-buck; for a similar clean/neutral target, Tanchjim Origin sounds more natural with better bass texture and vocal reach, and DynaQuattro adds sub-bass and fuller vocals—none with the planar-ish timbre. Even AFUL’s own P5 is cheaper and more fun, while the Explorer undercuts the price and scales impressively. In today’s crowded market, P7 is a competent all-rounder but not distinctive enough to stand out.

Jays Audio original ranking

Ziigaat Lush lands as a cleaner, more airy and slightly more technical take on the Explore. The overall tuning is balanced, smooth, and full with a hint of air; vocals sit a touch laid-back in the mix with thicker male timbre, making it an easy, fatigue-free listen. At mid–low volumes it’s a relaxing, non-intrusive “background” set; turn it up and the Lush scales, opening the stage, popping vocals forward, adding extension and low-end impact. Cymbals read clear and lightly airy without sting, though snares can get a bit sharp on certain tracks and ultra-energetic genres won’t be its strong suit.

Technical gains over the Explore are real but modest—this isn’t a technical/value monster at the price. Bass quality is adequate rather than tactile: tighter and less warm than Explore with lower quantity, engaging when loud but bass-light at moderate levels, so not the first pick for sub-bass-centric hip-hop/EDM. Where it shines is at higher volumes with rock, metal, and R&B: natural timbre, good separation, and a smooth, immersive cruise rather than a high-contrast thrill ride.

Against peers, Lush sounds cleaner, more open and better balanced than Letshuoer S08; sets like Supermix 4, Nova, A30, Chopin are more resolving and lively at mid-volumes, while P50 and Cadenza 4 push vocals more forward. Treble-tilted options (Meta, ET142) are sparklier but less natural in timbre. Timeless 2 and Tanchjim Origin share the smooth/neutral vibe yet don’t scale like Lush. Versus its siblings, Odyssey is the more dynamic, V-leaning extrovert; Arcanis is a clear step up in resolution and vocal prowess. At ~$180 the cable/packaging underwhelm and it’s not a slam-dunk value, but as a smooth, immersive, volume-scaling upgrade for Explore/S08 fans, Lush hits its niche; if a chill mid-volume set is all that’s needed, cheaper options like EW300 DSP—or even Explore—make more sense.

Jays Audio original ranking

The Ziigaat Arcanis and Lush IEMs offer distinct flavors at their price points, both featuring resin builds with eye-catching faceplates—sparkly green for the Arcanis and silver-black for the Lush. Fit is familiar to other Ziigaat models, and accessories include a basic cable, ear tips, and carrying pouch. Sonically, the Arcanis delivers a holographic, punchy presentation with emphasized sub-bass and upper mids, making footsteps, slides, and distant gunfire pop with urgency. The Lush leans darker and smoother, relaxing upper mids to tame gunfire harshness while maintaining clean bass and excellent separation.

For gaming, performance varies by title. In Valorant and CS2, the Lush shines with precise imaging and a smoother, fatigue-free experience—gunfire feels controlled without sacrificing detail. The Arcanis excels in COD, where its aggressive tuning highlights critical cues like footsteps and slides with greater potency. However, in Apex Legends, the Lush’s relaxed profile struggles with subtle audio cues (e.g., light taps or shield cells), earning a B rating. The Arcanis fares better (B+) with superior depth reads and emphasis on environmental sounds, though complex fights can overwhelm its separation compared to top-tier sets like the Mangird Tea Pro.

Ultimately, the Arcanis is a versatile all-rounder, slightly favored for both music and most gaming scenarios. The Lush carves a niche for smooth, non-fatiguing sessions in Valorant/CS2, filling a unique spot in Ziigaat’s lineup. Both IEMs offer exceptional resolution and layering for their prices, but the choice hinges on preference: the Arcanis for its energetic clarity, or the Lush for its refined, relaxed signature.

Fresh Reviews original ranking

Ziigaat Lush lands at $180 with a hybrid 1DD + 4BA setup and the brand’s familiar accessories: a slim case, silicone tips (S/M/L), and one foam pair. The cable is lightweight but tangly, and the all-plastic shells feel light yet a bit cheap. Fit is stable yet not ideal— the long nozzle can bottom out, tip selection becomes important, and there’s some driver flex. Aesthetics are decent, though the logo and overall build leave room for improvement.

Sonically, this is a “new meta” take: fuller lower mids, relaxed upper mids, and laid-back treble that can read a touch dark. The tonality is warm, smooth, and low-contrast; vocals sit a bit back and busy mixes can feel smoothed over. Treble avoids sharpness but can be inconsistent (sometimes blurred, sometimes a little chunky), and overall incisiveness depends heavily on tip choice. Bass isn’t overblown on the graph, yet comes across stronger in practice because the top end is subdued—impact is fine, definition is average. Imaging isn’t razor-sharp, though the stage can feel surprisingly wide.

Against peers, EPZ P50 sounds more contrasty with tighter bass, crisper treble, better imaging, and much better comfort. Kiwi Ears K4 brings more sparkle and sharper imaging (bass can dominate at times), again with superior fit. A cheaper alt, the AFUL Explorer, offers a similarly laid-back vibe with tighter bass, more consistent/airy treble, and an easier fit. Net: Lush is a pleasant, relaxed alternative for the treble-sensitive, but build and comfort hold it back. Rating: 3/5.

Super* Review original ranking