Aful Performer 5+2 VS ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Aful Performer 5+2 and ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews use 2DD+4BA+1Planar and 1DD+4BA driver setups respectively. Aful Performer 5+2 costs $229 while ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews costs $249. ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews is $20 more expensive. Aful Performer 5+2 holds a clear 0.6-point edge in reviewer scores (7.7 vs 7.1). Aful Performer 5+2 has significantly better mids with a 2-point edge, Aful Performer 5+2 has significantly better treble with a 3.6-point edge, Aful Performer 5+2 has better dynamics with a 0.6-point edge and Aful Performer 5+2 has better soundstage with a 0.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric Aful Performer 5+2 ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews
Bass 8 7.1
Mids 8 6
Treble 7.6 4
Details 7.6 7.1
Soundstage 7.8 7
Imaging 7.9 7.1
Dynamics 7.6 7
Tonality 7.6 7.3
Technicalities 7.5 6.2

Aful Performer 5+2 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jays Audio
Gizaudio Axel Tim Tuned IEMRanking AI
Z-Reviews Jaytiss Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

7.7

Strongly Favorable


ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss Gizaudio Axel
Fresh Reviews
IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

7.1

Generally Favorable


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 Arete x Fresh Reviews User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

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

7.5

Gaming Grade

A

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7.2

Gaming 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.
Bass A+
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble A
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics A
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage A
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Details A
Excellent detail retrieval: highly resolving without being clinical. Effortlessly reveals micro-details and textural subtleties.
Imaging A
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
Gaming A
Clear spatial presentation handles directional cues effectively. Distinguishes key gameplay sounds while maintaining decent immersion.

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.

Average Technical Grade

B
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Mids B
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble C-
Average treble performance - present but lacking refinement. Some graininess or splashiness affects clarity.
Dynamics A-
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage A-
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations.

Aful Performer 5+2 Reviews

Z-Reviews 8.5 * score normalized
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Price: $203

Buy Aful Performer 5+2 on HiFiGO
Jaytiss 8.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A- Tech
My kind of neutral, improves a lot on my favorites.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: A+ Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A+
Super* Review 8* * score normalized
Overall it is sounding more visceral and incisive than the Performer 5.

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review
Gizaudio Axel 7.5 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A- Tech
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
- Gizaudio Axel
Tim Tuned 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A+ Tech
check links for more info:

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A+
Jays Audio 6.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A Tech
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 original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio

IEMRanking AI

2025-09-07
IEMRanking AI 7.7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A Tech

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.

Buy Aful Performer 5+2 on HiFiGO (affiliate)

- IEMRanking AI
Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A Dynamics: A+ Soundstage: A Details: A Imaging: A
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Price: $389.99

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ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews Reviews

Fresh Reviews 7* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
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Price: $211

Buy ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews on Linsoul
Jaytiss 6.8 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
C- Tech
Fantastic simple tonality. Lacks in trebble extension but is a nice earphone.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: B Treble: C- Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A-
Gizaudio Axel 6 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
Great gaming IEM. Clean sound, accurate mids, clear vocals, great soundstage, precise imaging. Bass quality.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel
IEMRanking AI 8.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A+ Tech

The ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews IEM delivers a meticulously balanced tuning that excels for both music and competitive gaming. Its hybrid 1DD+4BA configuration produces deep, controlled sub-bass with a 9dB shelf for impact without muddiness, while neutral mids ensure vocals and instruments remain natural and engaging. The smooth, non-fatiguing treble and cohesive crossover design create an immersive yet analytical listen across genres, making it exceptionally versatile.

Comfort is a standout, with lightweight resin shells and ergonomic shaping allowing marathon gaming sessions without fatigue, though the basic stock cable and tips benefit from aftermarket upgrades. For gaming, the Arete shines with precise imaging and a spacious soundstage, letting players pinpoint footsteps in FPS titles like Valorant or CS2, while cinematic adventures feel richly atmospheric.

Buy ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews on Linsoul (affiliate)

- IEMRanking AI
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Price: $214

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Aful Performer 5+2 User Reviews

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