Ziigaat Odyssey VS Aful Explorer

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Single-DD + 3BA hybrid with a clean, confident look: thick shell, metal nozzle that grips tips well, visible rear vent, and the preferable flat 2-pin connector. The standard Ziigaat case feels premium if a bit unexciting. Sonically, Odyssey lands a balanced, tastefully energetic tuning—ample bass for most listeners, elevated upper mids for presence, and a smooth, clean upper-treble. Out of the box it sounds immediately right and counts among the better-tuned sub-$300 IEMs. The catch: macro/micro detail and imaging are good, not mind-blowing, keeping overall technical performance at “appropriate for the price.”

Within Ziigaat’s lineup, Arcadia skews darker with less treble reach, Xeno/Ceno feels a bit treble-shy, and Dinko is the more V-shaped, poppier pick with extra sub-bass. Explorer overlaps in tonality but Odyssey adds more upper-mids energy and refinement—albeit at a higher price. Among peers, AFUL’s P7 brings the stronger technicals and a slightly more neutral sheen, K4 trades blows, and “Quattro” may edge tuning purity. As an all-rounder, though, Odyssey hits a sweet spot: rich mids, fun but controlled bass, convincing note weight, and a natural stage, even if the far-upper air can temper ultimate sparkle.

Verdict: a fantastic mid-tier set with high price-to-performance, gorgeous faceplates, and a crowd-pleasing tonality; accessories are a bit underwhelming, and the top-end “air” won’t wow technicality chasers. Scored around 8.8/10 and easily recommended as a safe, musical choice—especially when discounts bring the sticker down.

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Build & accessories punch above the price: the familiar Aful shell is exceedingly comfortable, light, and easy to seal, with a fit that feels “custom-like.” The new pocketable case has a soft, leathery feel and solid zipper, and the off-white two-pin cable mirrors the Pilgrim’s look and handling—supple, tidy, and on-theme with the Explorer’s subtle “space” aesthetic. Overall presentation feels notably premium for ~\$120.

Tonally, this is a dark, L-shaped tuning with a confident bass shelf and great dynamics, a deliberate 4–6 kHz dip for long-term comfort, and smooth upper-treble “air.” The graph aligns closely to the target aside from a subdued 1.5–4 kHz region, so vocals are relaxed rather than forward—non-fatiguing but not for strict Harman chasers. Versus Performer 8 and 5, Explorer brings deeper bass and a calmer presence region; compared with Magic One, it sounds richer and more organic; against CCA Hydro or PULA PA02, it offers more natural timbre, better build, and stronger value. Stage and mids can feel intimate, and tip selection/modular options are basic, but as a whole it earns a solid 8.1/10 and a full recommendation for listeners wanting a smooth, bass-weighted, non-fatiguing set that “hits different” at this price—akin in spirit to a darker Jupiter, at a tiny fraction of the cost.

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Ziigaat Odyssey comes in at $230 with a four-driver hybrid (1DD + 3 BAs) that’s very easy to drive. Build is the usual Ziigaat: full 3D-printed resin shells with metal nozzles and filters; sturdy and comfortable for average-to-larger ears, while tiny ears get a technical pass. The weak spot is the accessories: a basic cable (3.5mm or 4.4 option), one set of soft silicone tips plus foams, and a leatherette case that feels flimsy—underwhelming at this price. Aesthetics score well with a sparkly faceplate that the “Council of Ladies” mostly favors, even if it doesn’t always trigger compliments.

Sonically, Odyssey aims for warm-neutral with a tasteful bass boost. Sub-bass texture can run a touch soft, but mid-bass punch is addicting, giving kick drums and bass guitars real drive without boom. Lower mids are warm and slightly veiled in a pleasant, retro-leaning way; female vocals sit a bit back yet remain clean. Treble is safe but present—enough sparkle and clarity to balance the bass without sting, though true treble-heads may want more air. Technicals are solid for the bracket: good resolution, excellent separation, precise imaging, and an average-sized but convincing stage. With a 15–30Ω adapter, the FR tilts more V-shaped (more bass/upper-mids/treble), a fun twist for occasional variety.

Against peers, Odyssey is the relaxed, safer listen: warmer and less contrasty than EPZ P50 (brighter, more vocal-forward) and Kiwi Ears K4 (more V-shaped excitement), and a middle ground between AFUL Explorer (darker, bassier) and AFUL Performer 5+2 (airier, more resolving with stronger female vocals). Not the pick for bass-heads, treble-heads, or libraries packed with K-/J-pop divas, but a killer one-and-done all-rounder for mixed libraries that value warmth, balance, and zero fatigue. Despite the skimpy pack-ins, the tuning and performance earn a spot in “this is brilliant.”

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Aful Explorer debuts at $120 with a clever blend of the Performer series’ RLC crossover and the Magic One’s 3D-printed resonators. The package is generous: a compact blue suede case, a silvery two-wire cable (3.5mm, also available in 4.4), and six tip pairs. The resin shells are neatly finished, pressure-relieved, and lightweight; the nozzles have open bores (mind debris—tips with mesh help). Comfort follows the usual semi-custom story: when the shape matches, they disappear; when it doesn’t, they don’t. The softer white stock tips work better than the stiffer blue cores, and SpinFit swaps (CP145/CP100) can improve retention. Aesthetic verdict from the “council”: sparkly blue with silver cable gets compliments.

Tonally, Explorer leans warm-neutral with a fun low-end. Sub-bass digs deep with tactile rumble, mid-bass adds weight without bloat, and the single DD keeps it tight. The mids are the star—natural, even, and unmasked; instruments and vocals sit correctly without husk or nasality. Up top, the treble is smooth and relaxed yet still resolves detail; cymbal timbre and vocal overtones decay cleanly without glare, inviting volume increases without fatigue. Technicals are quietly confident: clear separation, tidy imaging with some depth from the bass foundation, and a stage that feels average in size but organized. Sensitivity is high and impedance low, making them easy to drive from phones, tablets, and laptops.

Against peers, Explorer feels special under $300. Versus Letshuoer S08, Explorer is the more neutral and laid-back partner with a touch more sub-bass, while S08 adds upper-mid and mid-bass energy for a slightly more “exciting” tilt (Opera favors Explorer; classical often flatters S08). Performer 5 is more balanced with lighter bass and forward mids, and ZiiGaat Doscinco brings a warmed-up V-shape with bigger slam and more treble energy. Net-net: Explorer is a superb all-rounder with unique, well-executed tuning, standout accessories (that case!), and beautiful shells. The only asterisk is fit—try before you buy or use a friendly return policy. If the S08 felt too warm or planar-flavored, Explorer’s smoother hybrid take should be near the very top of the shortlist.

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Ziigaat Odyssey lands as a mid-range focused set with a slight treble lift that really scales with volume. At relaxed levels it’s clean, calm, and easygoing; turn it up and the presentation becomes wide, airy, and immersive with a surprisingly punchy, rumbly low end for its graph. The new topology DD hits a sweet balance—neither sluggish nor hyper-snappy—delivering well-balanced bass that serves the tuning, even if ultimate slam/texture trails sets like Hype 4 or Xenns Tea Pros. Tip rolling toward slightly brighter tips adds a touch of treble energy and liveliness without pushing fatigue.

The star here is the midrange: instruments layer neatly with comfortable separation, and vocals sit clean and natural—not shouty, not veiled—though they can feel a bit too relaxed at mid volume. Treble is smooth yet detailed, revealing cymbal micro-info and air without harshness, and it’s noticeably cleaner than Explorer while avoiding metallic timbre. Technicals are solid for the price—a step up from Explorer and just behind “contet” in raw resolving power—yet more natural in timbre and notably more musical when driven louder. The tuning flatters slow rock, acoustic, indie, alternative, and ballads, where the Odyssey’s “turn-it-up” character shines.

For alternatives: those wanting warmer, bassier impact for hip-hop, rock, or metal may prefer Kiwi Ears K4, HBB Arcadia, or the Deuce for true bass-head needs. For mid-volume all-rounders with more instant engagement and technical pop, consider Supermix 4, Nova, Quintet, or Chopin; for airier, brighter takes with sweeter female vocals, look at Cadenza 4 or CKLVX. As a package, Odyssey feels like a future classic—gorgeous plating, a cable that could use an upgrade, and a uniquely immersive, high-volume experience that invites shutting out the world and sinking into the music.

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Aful Explorer sits around the $100 mark as a set that trades raw resolution for a uniquely relaxing tuning. At mid volume it’s a smooth, non-fatiguing listen with vocals a touch pulled back, a gentle upper-mids scoop, and a roll-off past ~15 kHz—so don’t expect sparkle or air in that range. The magic happens when it’s cranked: the set scales exceptionally, staying silky even loud, vocals come forward more naturally, and staging gets that wrap-around, immersive feel without turning sharp thanks to restrained 3 kHz energy.

Against pricier or punchier peers: versus Da Vinci, Explorer’s low-end has tighter mid-bass separation and quicker decay, but it doesn’t slam as hard; Da Vinci is more resolving, extended, and better balanced at mid volume, while Explorer becomes the more engulfing listen once volume climbs. Compared with the S8 planar, Explorer brings deeper sub-bass and fuller notes but a softer attack and less upper-mid/treble detail; the S8 stays cleaner, faster, and a bit brighter, thriving at moderate levels, whereas Explorer is the turn-it-up specialist.

For alternatives, Ziigaat Cinno is the cleaner, more airy take with sharper imaging and higher detail (with hints of BA timbre) and leaner sub-bass; Explorer hits harder, deeper, and stays smoother and more “musical.” CKVX offers a fuller low-end with a more pushed-back stage and better mid-volume resolution, while Explorer is the intimate, high-volume pool-of-sound. Magic One runs the warmest, with huskier vocals and mid-bass-centric weight that suits drums/rock/jazz but lacks the Explorer’s sub-bass presence and immersion. Net: if playlists lean hip-hop, rock, R&B, or lo-fi and volume tends to be lively, Explorer is a standout flavor; for quieter sessions or a priority on air and micro-detail, look to Chino/S8/CKVX. Both Explorer and Chino make compelling side-grades to the usual Harman-ish suspects like Nova and Supermix 4 without bruising the wallet.

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Ziigaat Odyssey takes the new Meta tuning and gives it a more V-shaped, exciting twist. It keeps the beautiful mid-range intact while adding extra energy to both bass and treble, landing closer in spirit to Moondrop x Crinacle Dust (DSP) and Kiwi Ears K4—but with more swagger. It’s not as strictly on-target as those sets, yet the result is more engaging and solves the “too safe, sometimes boring” side effect of many Meta-tuned IEMs.

Beyond tuning, Odyssey brings real upgrades in technical performance for the price. Bass dynamics are punchier and more well-defined than K4, and treble nuances come through with greater clarity while preserving that natural vocal center. At $229, it undercuts many competitors and still feels like a step up—an easy pick for listeners who want Meta’s mid clarity with extra excitement and better slam without sacrificing coherence or comfort.

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Ziigaat’s 2024 lineup lands three distinct flavors: the R (1DD+4BA), Arcadia (1DD+2BA), and Odyssey (1DD+3BA)—all sharing the same case, tips, and cable, but with very different tunings and striking faceplates. Pricing lives in the approachable range (roughly $200–$250), and the shells are well-built 3D-printed resin. The Odyssey’s nozzle appears slightly wider than the R’s, and its cloudy pink/silver faceplate looks clean and premium without the flashiness of Arcadia’s green/yellow sparkle.

For competitive play, title-by-title differences matter. In Valorant, Arcadia’s extra warmth and bass impact feel immersive but a touch boomy/bloomy under heavy ability spam—solid, around a B. The R and Odyssey perform on par with high marks; the R’s 1–3 kHz lift sharpens clarity and verticality, while Odyssey is more neutral and less bright. In Apex Legends, Arcadia struggles as bass bloom masks micro-cues (B–/C+). Odyssey delivers great separation/layering with slightly softer overhead cues (B+/B), and handles gunfire more comfortably than the R. In CS2, Odyssey takes the lead for its imaging, depth perception, and non-fatiguing balance; in Warzone, the order shifts to R > Arcadia > Odyssey, with Arcadia’s warmth helping vertical reads and impact.

As a music set, the Odyssey is a standout: potent, tight bass with clean transients, balanced mids that aren’t smothered, and a clean, non-sibilant treble that avoids fatigue while letting micro-detail through. It lands as a favorite in its price bracket—an easy recommendation for listeners who want a neutral-leaning all-rounder that still punches hard, splits cues well, and won’t scorch ears with gunfire or treble glare.

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Aful Explorer hits way, way above its bracket. Tuning snaps into focus with impact, cohesion, and smoothness that feel “stupid good” for $120—the kind of price that triggers a double-take. Expect a balanced, warm-leaning presentation that takes volume like a champ and turns kick drums into head-hugging thunder without smearing detail. Timbre is clean, clarity pops, staging gets big and immersive, and bass boost toggles aren’t required to have fun. Call it a giant killer, an easy 10/10, and a “top five of the year” contender that begs for playlist shuffles—from anime scores to classic synths—while scaling noticeably with better amps.

Build is light and comfy with twinkly blue faceplates, flush 2-pin sockets, and a stock cable that’s nicely twisted and terminated in 4.4 mm (full approval), though the ear hooks are thick and springy—softening the bend helps. The nozzle is a simple open port (no mesh), so keep ears clean. Accessories include multiple silicone tips and a compact, rubberized case that’s genuinely pocketable. Inside, it’s a 1DD + 2BA hybrid with a proper electronic crossover, 3D-printed acoustics, and pressure-balance tech; on paper it’s 26 Ω and “easy to power,” in practice it plays nicely from affordable dongles yet still rewards class-A and tubes with extra body and space. Minor QC quirks (a cosmetic cable sleeve can slip; easily fixable or just swap cables) don’t blunt the verdict: this is Aful’s most exciting budget brawler to date, out-punching the Performer series on pure fun-per-euro.

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Aful Explorer is a $120 hybrid (1DD + 2BA) that breaks from the brand’s usual neutral-with-sub-bass tilt and goes for a warm, bass-tilted signature. The package is simple but well chosen: two full sets of tips, a compact, soft-touch zip case, and a handsome stock cable available in 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm (with a secure chin slider and standard 2-pin). The semi-custom acrylic shells are medium-small, comfy, and stable—even suitable for side-sleepers—with above-average isolation and sensible venting. Overall build and ergonomics punch above the price.

Tonally, Explorer delivers satisfying impact with both sub-bass rumble and enough mid-bass to give kick drums real punch. Upper-mids are a touch relaxed, so vocals sit more within the mix rather than spotlighted. Treble is smooth yet carries a bit of sparkle for definition; despite graphs suggesting limited “air,” the timbre and perceived clarity are well judged. Stage favors depth over width, and the overall presentation stays engaging without stridency or mud—warm, dense, but not soupy.

Against peers, it’s the warmest pick here: more bass-rich than the Truthear Hexa (which remains the vocal-friendly warm-neutral choice), fuller and more polished than the older FiiO FH3 (though FH3 still throws a slightly wider image), and punchier than the single-BA Aful Magic One. Explorer is also the most distinctive AFUL tuning to date and arguably the most fun—especially for listeners prioritizing bass satisfaction over vocal focus. Verdict: a confident 4 stars for an entry-level IEM that brings a fresh flavor to AFUL’s lineup.