Ziigaat Arcanis VS Ziigaat Horizon

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The Ziigaat Arcanis, priced at $400 as the brand's most expensive standalone IEM, presents a mixed bag outside of its core sound. Build quality is decent but unremarkable, featuring comfortable shells with a well-fitting nozzle, though the aesthetic is described as slightly "weird." The included cable feels distinctly mid-tier and underwhelming for the price, while the case shows noticeable fraying almost immediately, contributing to an absolutely horrific unboxing experience deemed unacceptable at this cost.

Sonically, the Arcanis is a deeply divisive set with an extremely dark tilt and a significant dip around 6kHz. Initial impressions can be harsh or disappointing, but extended listening reveals its strengths: pure, clean sound free of sibilance or harshness, quality bass, clean highs, and beautiful vocals. This unique tuning philosophy creates a smooth, sophisticated, and non-fatiguing presentation. While the $230 Odyssey is praised as a fantastic value and the second-best in Ziigaat's lineup, the Arcanis is considered sonically superior, offering a more refined experience – albeit only marginally better for some. It competes favorably against sets like the Mega5EST and Dunu DaVinci, and surprisingly challenges far pricier offerings like the $1,800 Apostle in tonal beauty, though the Apostle has more "show." The $320 Volume S is a close competitor with a different, brighter tonality, making the Arcanis's value proposition relative.

Ultimately, the Arcanis shines as a beautifully dark, serious, and smooth IEM that excels at high volumes without becoming offensive. It delivers great detail without fatigue, standing out in a market saturated with energetic tunings. Despite the subpar accessories and unboxing befitting a much cheaper product, its unique and effective sound signature makes it a highly recommended pick under $400 for those seeking a refined, non-sibilant listen, though the Odyssey remains the smarter choice for budget-conscious buyers.

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The ZiiGaat Horizon arrives as the brand’s first tribrid at around $330, pairing one dynamic driver with two BA and two planar drivers. Build is solid: a vented, flat 2-pin socket, metal nozzle, and a distinctive blue-white faceplate that looks like mountains under stars. The cable feels premium with red/blue channel dots and a working chin slider, plus an easy swappable plug (3.5 mm); the included zip case is pleasantly sturdy. Nothing flashy in shell shape, but the fit is secure and the accessories feel thoughtfully sorted.

Sonically, Horizon takes a clean, sub-bass-focused route with bass that reads linear and occasionally a touch pillowy, followed by full, rich upper mids and a treble presentation that steals the show. There’s generous upper air and extension with a tactful lower-treble rise, kept in check by a helpful 5–6 kHz dip to avoid fatigue; a splash of ~15 kHz energy adds sparkle that treble fans will relish. The result sidesteps the “EQ’d-to-death” flatness—this tuning carries just enough color to stay engaging while remaining clean and controlled.

Against peers, Horizon’s top end feels more refined than ZiiGaat’s Luna, while Crescent plays thicker and more V-shaped with extra 10 kHz “twinkle.” Versus sets like the SL224, Horizon’s treble is smoother and less sibilant; compared with Punch Audio Martillo, think of Horizon as the treble-head counterpart to a bass specialist. It also mirrors some strengths of AFUL Performer 7 but with cleaner bass and a more polished top end, and it offers more microdetail than the hard-to-find YU9 Chuer. Taken together, this is a special package: a well-built, distinctive tribrid with 10/10 treble energy and air, competitive technicals, and a tuning that treble lovers will find hard to put down.

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The Ziigaat Arcanis positions itself as a potential new vocal benchmark under $500, offering a clean yet full sound signature. A slight boost from 6 to 15kHz makes the upper mids and early treble pop out, adding extra dynamics without becoming sharp or fatiguing. Essentially, the Arcanis is a smoother, more resolving, and more spacious evolution of the original Mangird TEs, retaining their essence but with greater refinement. Vocals, the main attraction, are exceptionally clear, natural, resolving, and open, featuring the "special sauce" – a distinct bite to consonants that enhances dynamics and emotional impact. This is achieved through a careful balance: a cut at 3-6k reduces sharpness and fatigue, while a gradual rise from 800Hz to 2kHz pushes vocals slightly forward for clarity, and the 6-15k boost provides essential extension and openness.

Technical performance is impressive, with a notably open stage, pinpoint imaging, and excellent micro-details, making it great for gaming, OSTs, and classical. The bass is quick, well-textured, resolving, and controlled, offering good slam without bleeding. However, it lacks the deep sub-bass extension for genres like hip-hop or EDM, where sets like the Estrella or Dusk outperform. Scaling is crucial: busy pop or EDM tracks sound best at mid-volumes (around 60-65 dB) to prevent the treble bite from becoming overwhelming, while slower ballads and acoustics truly shine and open up at higher volumes (around 80 dB+), revealing micro-nuances and emotional depth.

Comparisons highlight the Arcanis's strengths. It's more technical and spacious than the Volume S (warmer, better for male vocals) and Studio 4 (fuller, more neutral), offering superior treble air and detail. It outpaces the RS5 in technicalities and value, though the RS5 has fuller male vocals. Against the Oracle MK1, the Arcanis boasts better treble extension, micro-details, dynamics, and that crucial vocal bite. While bright-neutral sets like the Dusk or Meta have more bass and treble emphasis, the Arcanis feels more natural and musical, especially in vocals and bass texture. Compared to Ziigaat's own Odyssey, the Arcanis is cleaner, more technical, more vocal-focused, and airier, while the Odyssey is bassier, darker, and scales better for hip-hop/rock. Despite its strengths, the accessories and cable feel unacceptably basic for the $400 price point. Ultimately, the Arcanis is highly recommended for higher-volume listening on vocal-focused tracks, but other options might be better all-rounders for mid-volume pop or bass-heavy genres.

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Ziigaat’s Horizon follows the current meta-inspired recipe—think Astral, Metas, Crescent—but pushes the focus upward: the treble is the most prominent piece here. It’s bright-leaning without turning harsh, giving a crisp, “OCD-like” sense of transient bite and pinpoint imaging. Low end and vocals sit a touch behind the highs, so the presentation feels clean and lively rather than thick; at mid-volume, the top end drizzles detail over the mix like raindrops—engaging and textured, not shouty.

On the technical side, Horizon pulls strong detail retrieval and resolution for the price—above sets like Supermix 4 and near EM10/Volare —yet it doesn’t scale massively because of that treble lift. The bass is snappy and controlled, with good separation, but lacks the slam and rumble seekers of impact will want. Pairing and playlist matter: avoid hot, highly produced pop/K-pop/J-pop or most hip-hop where the combo of elevated highs and lighter bass can feel edgy; it shines with slower pop, R&B, indie acoustics, ballads, and classical where the sparkle reads as “high-fidelity.” Warmer sources help a bit, and tip-rolling (stock black/clear, or bass-adding options like Final E/divinus) can balance things—just skip anything that pushes treble further.

Against close competitors, Astral hit harder down low and feel more V-shaped and contrasty; Crescent is warmer and smoother but not as clear or micro-detailed. Horizon is the cleanest and brightest of the trio, with the most refined treble focus and “tickly” transients. Verdict: a value-minded all-rounder for detail lovers who prefer clarity and air over bass authority—technical, tidy, and energetic at sensible volumes, provided the library isn’t a treble minefield.

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Build mirrors other ZiiGaat releases: attractive shells but a slightly thick nozzle and average comfort, a non-modular stock cable, and the same case seen on cheaper models. At this price, the accessories would benefit from an update.

The Arcanis (2DD isobaric + 5BA, ~$399) is a cleaner, more engaging take on Lush, with small lifts through the upper mids and treble for a neutral-bright balance. It is tuned to preserve air and even sub-bass audibility at lower volume, yielding forward vocals, very extended upper treble, and a crisp, technical presentation.

Bass sits just under neutral—tidy rather than weighty—keeping mids clean and slightly forward, while treble is airy and extended. Stage has good width and height but modest depth; detail retrieval is strong. Best for listeners prioritizing clarity and resolution over warmth; a focused, low-volume performer rather than an all-rounder.

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ZiiGaat Horizon is a $329 tribrid (1DD+2BA+2MPL) that prioritizes treble extension, clarity, and very sharp imaging. Compared with EPZ P50 and Daybreak, ear-gain is set lower, which yields less shout and more natural vocals while keeping an even transition from lower to upper treble. The result is a clean, transparent presentation that reads more refined than typical $300 hybrids and feels end-to-end coherent.

The trade-offs sit mostly in the low end and upper-treble edges: the stock mid-bass dip reduces body and impact, and sibilants can pop, especially around 8 kHz. Bass quality itself is quick and tidy with good depth rather than rumble, matching BA/MPL speed but leaning lean for bass-heavy genres. A light EQ lift of lower mids/mid-bass (about 2–3 dB) and a small 8 kHz trim (around 0.5–1 dB) makes it a more versatile daily driver while preserving its separation and sense of stage depth.

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The Ziigaat Arcanis, priced at $379, immediately raises eyebrows with its cheap packaging and accessories. The included 3.5mm cable is deemed insufficient, especially for the low 12-ohm impedance, and the IEM shells themselves have an unfortunate mold-like appearance. The basic case and lack of balanced cable option feel mismatched for the price tag. Simply put, the unboxing experience and stock accessories scream budget, not near $400.

Getting great sound out of the Arcanis requires significant aftermarket investment. The stock cable must be swapped for a high-quality, low-impedance cable (like Effect Audio) and the stock tips replaced with Velvet tips to fix staging compression and treble issues. Pairing with a powerful, capable amplifier is also essential. Once these costly upgrades are made, the 2DD + 5BA configuration truly shines, delivering excellent clarity, a unique "gooey" texture, and surprisingly good detail retrieval. However, the soundstage is notably intimate, with everything happening "behind the eyeballs", lacking the width found in competitors.

Ultimately, the Arcanis offers genuinely excellent sound quality that justifies a $400 tag – but only after spending significantly more on cables, tips, and amplification. The stock experience feels like a $300 product hampered by the included accessories and questionable shell design. It's a frustratingly high-maintenance IEM; you absolutely can achieve top-tier performance, but the effort and extra cost required make the overall value proposition hard to swallow at full price.

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Ziigaat’s Horizon goes for a flashy tribrid recipe—1×10 mm bio-dynamic for slam, 2×BA for mids, and dual planar treble up top—wrapped in pretty shells and “horizon” art. Street price hovers around $329, though bundle quirks can drop it to roughly $283. The cable is the familiar modular “big boy” plug system (3.5 mm/4.4 mm), chunky but perfectly usable, and the case/tips kit is typical Ziigaat: practical with a dash of theatrics.

Sonically, this one is bold and a bit unnatural—in a good way. Think W-shaped: bass, mids, and treble all step forward, almost competing for attention. The low end hits with big, big bass energy when the track calls for it yet doesn’t trample everything on softer material. Stage is not very wide—more focused and up-front—but there’s satisfying detail/decay and an aggressive, engaging center image. Expect excitement and texture over air and spread, and expect some fatigue after long sessions.

Call it an interesting outlier rather than a safe neutral. Price/performance feels fine (the sweet spot would be closer to $250), and it fits Ziigaat’s “many flavors, similar price” playbook. For listeners stacked with natural-tuned sets and craving a different, punchy, attention-grabbing presentation, Horizon delivers; for chill, long-haul listening, there are calmer choices.

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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.

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Ziigaat Horizon arrives as a striking tri-brid in the ~$300 bracket (1DD + 2BA + 2 planar) with a tuning that brushes close to Kiwi Ears Astral yet comes across a touch thinner and more balanced. The low end focuses on sub-bass rumble that’s tight, clean, and richly tactile, while mids keep timbre accurate and treble stays controlled—never shouty or fatiguing—yielding a fun-yet-almost-reference presentation. Build and comfort impress: ergonomic shells with that aqua-to-silver fade can be worn for 8-hour sessions, and the package includes Ziigaat’s new two-pin cable with interchangeable terminations (3.5/4.4), a roomy faux-leather case, silicone sets plus foams; tip rolling (e.g., ASMR tips) pairs well.

In games, ambient clutter drops away and crucial cues get spotlighted with confident imaging, separation, and convincing verticality. Footsteps in Valorant are clear and positional, though the lightest taps can blur a bit under nearby low-end rumble or heavy gunfire; Apex performance is exceptional, just a hair behind Astral/Mangird Tea Pro when ultimates stack; Call of Duty delivers satisfying impact with disciplined decay, though micro-cues can soften during chaos. Net-net, Horizon is a great all-rounder with clean, technical bass and a natural balance that works across titles. On the WallHack list it gets A– overall (A– in Apex, B+ in CoD, Valorant just shy of top marks), primarily nudged down by occasional masking of the lightest cues during intense mixes.

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The Ziigaat Arcanis offers a warm, somewhat thick sound signature with a noticeable bass boost and a lean lower midrange. This is balanced by a relaxed upper midrange and lower treble, contributing to its overall smooth character. While it provides decent extension, the Arcanis can occasionally present vocals with a slightly wet or near-sibilant edge, especially depending on ear tip choice and fit depth. Its transient response is sharper than the Yanyin Canon Pro, giving it better definition and crisper imaging, though the bass physicality is only middling.

Physically, the Arcanis features lightweight plastic shells with a distinctive dark black and green aesthetic. However, the build quality feels somewhat cheap for the $400 price point, especially paired with the included thin, glossy cable. The shells are notably long, leading to a fit that can feel deep and occasionally aggressive in the ear canal, exacerbated by the stock ear tips. Users may experience noticeable driver flex or squish when inserting them. Comfort is generally acceptable for upright listening but becomes problematic when lying on your side.

Ultimately, the Arcanis earns a three-star rating. While it delivers a generally inoffensive, warm sound with decent technicalities like transient bite and imaging, it lacks standout qualities or strong definition at its price. The physical experience, particularly the fit and perceived build quality, further holds it back from being a compelling recommendation. It ends up feeling like a competent but unremarkable offering in its tier.

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The Horizon aims for a neutral-natural tonality with a slightly lean lower midrange, delivering standout vocal transparency and crisp separation. Bass is mostly sub-bass focused—felt and supportive rather than boomy—giving notes a pleasing sense of density without smearing the mids. The trade-off is an elevated upper-treble that adds air and detail but can tilt gritty/sandy if the fit or tips aren’t dialed in.

Build and accessories are a mixed bag: a surprisingly nice carrying case and swappable termination, but a fussy cable and a resin shell that fits deep and may need shorter, grippier tips to shine. Once seated well, the Horizon’s imaging and instrument separation pop, making complex mixes feel organized and engaging.

Versus pricier hype pieces with similar FR, the Horizon feels like a “short king” take: not as refined up top as the best of them, yet more weighty and satisfying than some leaner peers. Compared to something like Volume S at a similar price, this set is clearer and more incisive (better separation), while Volume S is fuller and smoother with punchier bass presence. At $330, it’s the most compelling entry in its family so far—addictive for transparency and staging, with the caveat of treble sensitivity and fit quirks.

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Ziigaat’s Arcanis takes the familiar house recipe and pushes it to the brand’s $400 tier, but the presentation still screams mid-range: the same case, tips, and cable show up again, which feels deflating at this price. The resin shells (metal nozzles, rear vent) are comfy for larger ears, though driver flex can pop up and tiny ears may struggle to seal. Styling leans nautical “tide-pool”; on the Cool Wall it looks neat, yet the Council of Ladies verdict is lukewarm. Inside sits a seven-driver hybrid with Ziigaat’s “dual 10 mm” tube-loaded dynamics plus BAs, easy to drive and slightly reactive to impedance (a mild V and a touch more sub-bass with adapters).

Sonically this is neutral-leaning with bass that favors quality over quantity: textured drops, tidy kick definition, and clean lower mids with no bleed. Female vocals pop a step forward, while upper-mids/treble show a polite attack—great for treble-sensitive listeners and high-volume sessions, but a bit soft for those craving bite and air. Technicals read as “very good, not killer”: excellent low-end texture, solid imaging and width, but treble detail doesn’t wow versus peers. An impedance adapter or “Rudy-rod” style cable can add welcome sub-bass without breaking the balance.

Against the field: the Arete (≈$250) brings more bass quantity and crisper treble, yet Arcanis wins on bass control/texture. The Hisenior Mega 5 EST (≈$550) is more V-shaped and more resolving, but less safe up top; Arcanis suits treble-sensitive vocals lovers. AFUL Performer 7 (≈$240) punches up with extra bass and sparkle and can feel more detailed per dollar. And at price parity, Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk matches or edges bass texture, adds airier treble, and ships a far better accessory pack. Verdict: a jack-of-all-trades with genuinely refined bass texture, balanced tonality, and treble safety that many will enjoy—yet the price and accessories dull the shine. On the Audio Amigo scale, this winds up in “but I like this”, especially for listeners who prefer smooth upper harmonics and long, loud sessions without fatigue.

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The ZiiGaat Horizon comes with a solid accessory package for its price, including a spacious hard case, a modular 3.5 and 4.4 cable that is soft and easy to manage, and a good selection of silicone and foam tips that seal well and feel comfortable. The resin shell with metal lip nozzle feels stable in the ear, with venting that avoids pressure build up or driver flex and an average size that sits securely even when walking around. The colorful faceplate with sparkles, flat two pin connector and overall ergonomics make the Horizon look and feel like a well built, everyday friendly in ear.

Sonically the tuning leans sub bass focused at a neutral level, delivering tight, clean, textured bass with natural decay and a strong sense of physicality that stays neatly separated from the mids so vocals and instruments remain clear. The midrange is mostly neutral and very clear sounding, with vocals sitting nicely forward without becoming shouty and a balanced note weight that gives male voices depth and female voices an open, airy quality. Separation and timbre in the mids are excellent, making instruments sound realistic and well layered while clear forward vocals remain free of harshness.

The lower treble on the Horizon is smooth, controlled and detailed without obvious peaks, while the boosted upper treble brings a crisp, airy, sparkly character with plenty of shimmer and micro detail on cymbals, hi hats and upper harmonics, though listeners sensitive to upper treble may find it a touch bright. Overall treble avoids sounding splashy or metallic and works with the open bass and midrange to give the set a spacious, airy feel. In terms of technical performance the Horizon is one of the more resolving options at this price, offering excellent detail retrieval, separation and imaging, and in comparisons it tends to trade the heavier bass and warmth of rivals like Crescent, Astral, Kir SPET, Volume S, Sivo 24 or Zens T Pro for cleaner mids, more upper treble air and clearer vocals, making it ideal for listeners who value clarity and vocal focus over sheer low end quantity.