Kiwi Ears KE4 VS Ziigaat Lush

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