The Hybrid Technique

Ratings

Pros

• Great bass response from its two 10mm dynamic drivers in isobaric configuration, technical and effective.
• Mids with a high level of transparency and finesse.
• Highs with sparkle and brilliance, but smooth in their energy level, without losing an iota of extension or air.
• Great balance between the three bands.
• Open, detached, extended, volatile and three-dimensional sound.
• Balanced profile, mature, technical, warm, but also analytical, informative and expressive, without losing musicality.
• Relaxed sound experience, without harshness.
• Excellent ergonomics and mouthpiece orientation.

Cons

• Some may think that the sound is light and lacks punch, weight, body, or physicality.
• The cable is simple for the price. It does not offer balanced termination.
• A set of silicone tips plus a pair of foam tips. I expected more and better accessories for the price.

Purchase Link

https://www.linsoul.com/products/ziigaat-arcanis

Link to the Store

https://www.linsoul.com/

Introduction

The name ZiiGaat originates from the brand’s core values: Zero in on Ideas, Innovate, Grow and Achieve All Together. Starting out as an OEM/ODM for various brands, the ZiiGaat team recognised the unlimited possibilities between music and technology, until they decided to step out of the shadows and launch a brand that embodies all their skills and enthusiasm. With 10 IEMS models in its catalogue, the ZiiGaat Arcanis is the most expensive model to date with a starting price of 399$. It is a hybrid model consisting of two 10mm dynamic drivers in an isobaric configuration that provide a powerful output of 9dB at 20Hz. They also incorporate five American-made Knowles balanced armature transducers that handle specific frequencies, ensuring clear and detailed mids and highs, with smooth transitions and crystal-clear upper highs. Two Knowles 32873 transducers are arranged to provide centred mid-low range integration between the dynamic transducers and the rest of the frequency spectrum. Two Knowles 29689 full-range drivers are used to control the mid-high range, while a single high-efficiency Knowles 33518 tweeter provides crystal-clear detail in the upper treble. A 4-way passive crossover provides perfect tonal balance, with clean bass, a flat midrange and natural treble, making it ideal for audiophiles and professionals seeking accurate sound reproduction. Each Arcanis is carefully hand-assembled from 3D-printed medical-grade resin, with individual painting and quality controls to ensure top-notch craftsmanship.
Let’s take a look at everything this great release from ZiiGaat has to offer in this review.

Specifications

• Driver Type: Dual dynamic driver with 10mm PET diaphragm, 2BA Knowles 29689, 2BA Knowles 32873, 1BA Knowles 33518.
• Sensitivity: 106dB.
• Impedance: 12Ω.
• THD: 0.42%.
• Jack connector: 3.5mm SE gold-plated.
• Capsule connection type: 2Pin 0.78mm.
• Starting price: 399$.

Packaging

The ZiiGaat Arcanis comes in a medium-sized dark green box measuring 159x118x44mm. The brand logo is displayed at the top of the front of the box. In the centre is a real photo of the two capsules above the model name. The model name is repeated at the bottom with a description of the product. The back of the box repeats this presentation but in a different order, while the brand and importer details can be seen at the bottom of the box. After sliding off the outer cardboard sleeve, a black box with the brand logo in silver ink in the centre is revealed. On the bottom side, there is a sticker with an EAN13 and the model included, in my case, green. After opening the box, you can see the capsules inside a black foam mould at the top, while at the bottom there is a black box with the logo in silver in the centre. Inside there is a rectangular zipped case with rounded corners. It is black and has the logo inscribed in the centre. Inside are the tips and the cable. The complete contents are as follows:

• The two ZiiGaat Arcanis capsules.
• A four-strand cable with a 2-pin 0.78 mm connection interface and a 3.5 mm SE plug.
• A set of dark grey silicone tips with orange cores, sizes SxMxL.
• A pair of medium-sized foam tips.

The cable plug is protected by a plastic cover. The cable seems to only be available in a 3.5 mm SE version. It only comes with one set of silicone tips and a single pair of foam tips. The rectangular zippered case is a little out of the ordinary and allows you to store the capsules easily. The cable is not bad, but it seems insufficient for the price of 400$. I feel the same way about the tips that come standard.

Construction and Design

The ZiiGaat Arcanis have been manufactured in 3D-printed medical-grade resin. They have a medium-sized semi-custom shape. The outer surface is shaped like the African continent and has a turquoise green background pattern with light green hexagonal shapes. In the centre is the brand logo in silver. The lower vertex is whiter in colour, while one side is darker. The rest of the capsules are black, with a relatively thick edge and a hole covered with a metal grille. The connection interface is fully integrated into the surface of the body. The inner surface is ergonomic and has two slight protrusions on the edge. The model name is inscribed in gold letters in the centre of the face, along with the text ‘L250191’ for the left capsule and ‘R250191’ for the right capsule. The nozzles are metal, 4.3 mm long, with a base diameter of 5.5 mm and a crown of 6.2 mm. The nozzles are protected by a metal grille.
The cable consists of four intertwined strands covered in black PVC. The plug is a gold-plated 3.5 mm SE. The casing is a black metal cylinder with the brand name inscribed in black ink in the centre. It has one ring inscribed near the plug and two near the cable outlet. The outlet is protected by a double black rubber casing. The splitter piece is a smaller metal cylinder with two rings inscribed near the cable inlet and outlet. The pin is a metal disc with two holes through which the cables for each channel pass. They have a relatively large diameter, making them too easy to adjust and not as secure as I would have liked. The cables have ear guides. The 2-pin 0.78 mm connector covers are black metal cylinders with a conical shape at the cable outlet. The two pins are mounted on rectangular plastic pieces, red for the right channel and transparent for the left channel. There is a blue dot on the narrow side of the base of the 2-pin connectors to indicate polarity.
The shape and construction of the Arcanis is classic for resin IEMS, with that typical external pattern that varies depending on the brand and originality of the designers. It is an effective design that does not offer anything new, but it is highly proven and effective. The cable is too basic; it is soft and easy to handle, but there are no specifications about the conductor used, and it is only available with a 3.5mm SE termination. Without a doubt, the cable seems too generic for the price of the product, compared to direct competitors that offer thicker cables, even modular ones.

Adjustment and Ergonomics

The capsules are not the largest, despite being relatively thick. The nozzles are rather short, but very well oriented, as is usually the case with this type of 3D-printed resin IEMS. The insertion is shallow and allows me to use my large, foam-filled silicone tips that I made myself. This gives me a complete, very occlusive fit, minimal movement and great isolation. Both the shape and the design of the inner surface are very well suited to my morphology and I don’t feel any discomfort even after hours of use. The softness of the protrusions on the edges of the inner surface barely touch my ears, and the comfort remains unchanged with prolonged use. A basic design, but with details that allow for excellent ergonomics.

Sound

Profile

The ZiiGaat Arcanis joins the ranks of mature tuning that is so sought after by the great hybrids between 300$ and 400$. They have a 7-8-9dB boost in the sub-bass, with a cut at 200Hz thanks to their effective crossover filter, to generate flat mids with a horn gain slightly lower than the maximum sub-bass. On this occasion, the treble is somewhat softer than the competition, with a lower energy level, although with very good extension. Without a doubt, we are looking at a balanced, fairly homogeneous, mature, warm and extensive tuning in the bass and midrange.

Bass

What are dual isobaric subwoofers? Well, to be honest, I’m not going to try to explain it because I’m no expert, but isobaric means that it has the same atmospheric pressure. Be that as it may, the Arcanis features two 10mm dynamic drivers with this system, and the result is simply outstanding. The first thing you might think is that their performance should be much heavier and slower. But the big surprise is the speed, precision, power, punch and great bass performance of this set of drivers. The other big advantage is the clarity and separation from the other frequencies. There is an obvious impression of distance and depth between the bass and midrange. The low frequencies seem to emerge from the background while the rest of the bands are closer. This creates a somewhat different impression, as if you were in a room with a multi-channel speaker setup. It is clear that, on this occasion, the hybrid multi-driver configuration favours this sensation, as does the separation produced by the crossover filter between the bass and midrange. All this, combined with the very low THD, allows you to enjoy a very fast, accurate and high-resolution sound. And this is something that is demonstrated in the very low frequency bass tone test. The first note has a very low wave character, with a powerful presence, a great physical and sensory component and a clear auditory and sonic sensation/pressure that impresses with its great power, performance and behaviour. As the frequencies rise, you can notice how quickly the waves are executed and how little decay they have. It is a compact, very tight, precise bass that recovers quickly and has very little residue despite the great impact it generates. Without a doubt, this is a very technical bass, with great skill and resolution. It does not generate as much volume, nor is it too dense, because it is very clean and does not linger in the environment. So it is not a heavy bass that takes up a lot of space, fills the environment or corners the rest of the frequencies. It is powerful and impressive, but very respectful of the other ranges.
In the dirty, complex, unfiltered bass test, the Arcanis give a masterclass in behaviour, efficiency, control, precision and performance. Such fast and effective bass remains unperturbed by the worst conditions and handles them all with a clean, pristine, totally controlled performance without a hint of imperfection or distortion. It may not offer the deepest or darkest sound, but it is a very precise, highly technical and skilful performance, with great resolution and a fairly natural sound, with a very perceptible but also very pleasant physical component that gives or restores that natural feeling to such rigorous and meticulous bass. The bass lines are very pure, the transitions are very fast, the layering is exemplary and the separation/definition is among the best. I have talked a lot about canonical bass, but this is on a different level. Perhaps, given its great technical prowess, it lacks some realism or a character more similar to other IEMS. But that difference is its great advantage.

Mids

It might seem that the midrange should have a lot of warmth, but it has just the right touch and balance. I’m constantly surprised by the clarity between the transition from bass to midrange, creating a central range that is well isolated from that theoretical warmth, offering a very transparent performance of male voices, very well represented from the lowest component to the softest and most subtle sibilance. The articulation of these male voices is also very surprising. Their performance is very expressive, natural, capable of generating a lot of texture, but in a delicate, fast and precise way. The nuances and edges are accentuated, but without being analytical or overexposed, rather rich, very refined, mature, detailed, quite neutral, with a lot of range and a distinctly ornamental and very complete character. Despite all this, the sound is very natural, separate, tactile and represented in a broad and realistic way, without sounding baroque or over-impressed. The instruments also express themselves with the same character and meaning, generating a first half of the midrange that impresses with its technical skill, resolution, sonic smoothness, musicality, grandeur and articulation. And all this with an almost leading presence in the sound. The acoustic compositions sound stellar, with a vivid and very close sense of presence, offering a very close live impression. Once again, the low distortion rate allows you to enjoy the fullness of the volume in a splendid way.
The second half of the midrange is equally impressive, and the controlled boost in the treble range makes this upper part stand out even more strongly and prominently in the overall sound. While it is true that the smoothness of the treble counteracts the excess brightness in female voices, here we notice greater control and warmth than in the first half of the range. One might think that female voices are not as rich as male voices, but that would be to say that one is accustomed to a tuning where the upper midrange is artificially elevated, but unrealistic. The timbre is slightly below neutral in this second half, as I say, which is somewhat warmer. But don’t think that this is a boring tuning; the technical and expressive skill and the grandeur of the space occupied by the mids generate a highly musical and very enjoyable sound.
Sibilance tends towards zero, the articulation of the notes is very dynamic and marked, the transients are fast and the space between elements is high. The midrange is highly rich, textured and refined, with great resolution that favours a high, lush, composed and exuberant musicality.

Treble

The high range is characterised by a restrained brightness, but with gently incisive highs. The treble is thin, very delicate and subtly sharp, but less predominant. Although the energy level is significantly lower than the midrange or bass, the treble still has a spark that does not feel muted or rounded. And this is something that is very important to note. When many IEMS attempt to soften the treble, the spark is lost. In this case, thanks to some very well-tuned BA drivers, the energy is reduced, but not the spark or brightness. This preserves the life and naturalness of the fine, delicate, subtly crisp and realistic treble, but with less force and presence. The result is a very complete and extensive restoration of the high end, but with less presence. In this way, the high end can take centre stage, but with less energy, yet with all the high-frequency sonority and extension possible. In this way, the harmonic richness remains intact and the sound remains complete throughout its entire range. The good impression of airiness of the whole is noteworthy.

Soundstage, Separation

The Arcanis soundstage is expansive and separate. The depth emanating from that dual subwoofer is also responsible for a very wide horizontal extension. The distance between the elements only magnifies this separation, creating an almost holographic and tactile soundstage, full of physical elements within the listener’s reach and many other elements separated into middle and distant layers. It is easy to observe the distance between these elements and situate them in the soundstage, guess their origin and locate them precisely. The high level of resolution, the precision of the details, the great dynamics and the expert articulation of the sound make this extremely easy.
It also has a dark background, which facilitates an evident gaseous and volatile aspect that favours three-dimensionality and a more surrounding scene, but within natural limits. It is very graphic to observe the details fluttering around the head, something that implies a musical height that is also excellent.
The ZiiGaat Arcanis are very delicate when it comes to expressing micro details. I mean that it is not an analytical profile that overemphasises these subtle nuances, but rather expresses them in a very natural way, revealing a very high level of musicality and precision, without artificially enhancing them. In this respect, the micro details are just that, micro, but they are revealed in just the right measure, in a very expressive and informative way, without a deep breakdown that makes them unreal.

Comparisons

Yanyin Canon Pro 11

With the same starting price and a driver configuration of 1DD and 6BA per capsule, the Yanyin Canon Pro is the direct competitor of the ZiiGaat Arcanis. The Canon Pro has a slightly smaller capsule, better cable, comes with more silicone tips (two sets versus one), a round case with a top zip, and has two tuning switches that allow you to lower the bass in three positions. Although the capsule is slightly smaller in the Canon Pro, the Arcanis are more comfortable because the projection of the nozzles is more suitable. Despite this, I prefer the design of the outer face of the Yanyin.
As usual, I will carry out this comparison with the Canon Pro switches set to position 11, the setting that provides the most bass. In this position, the curves of both IEMS are very similar. However, in positions 01 or 10, they are practically identical.
The profile is very similar, but the musical sensation offered by each set is somewhat different. While the Canon Pro offers a denser and heavier sound, the Arcanis offers a more airy, spacious, separate sound, with a more vaporous, extended, volatile, holographic and three-dimensional soundstage. The Canon Pro offers a more cohesive, foreground, exalted and powerful sound, where everything seems closer, offering a wall of sound sensation. The Arcanis has a more relaxed, less powerful sound, but where the individual sounds are more perceptible.
At the lower end, the Canon Pro offers bigger, slightly darker and deeper bass, which is larger and wider, slightly more powerful, but also somewhat slower, slightly more rubbery and elastic, with slightly higher decay. I love the bass of the Canon Pro, but the technical capability of the Arcanis’ dual isobaric design is superior. Its bass is faster, more concise, precise, controlled, dry, has less decay and is tighter.
The very low frequency pure tone test offers very similar performance in the lower tones, both in terms of behaviour and sound and execution: both are really good. As the hertz increase, the Canon Pro sounds more natural and deeper, less coloured, while the wave behaviour of both is very similar. The Arcanis are noticeably more technical, with a more concise and precise sound, but with a slightly less natural loudness and a little more colour. The bass of the Canon Pro occupies more space in its soundstage, while in the Arcanis there is less presence and less impact on the sound and the other bands; it is less intrusive and predominant.
In the complex, dirty, unfiltered bass test, the Arcanis have the advantage. The superior power of the Canon Pro and the technical capability of the Arcanis are noticeable, offering more technical, skilful, tight and controlled performance. The level of resolution, tightness, precision, detail and resolution is superior in the Arcanis. The colour is different, being darker, deeper and more natural in the Canon Pro, but it is also more visceral and less refined than the Arcanis. The Arcanis are a beast of control, while the Canon Pro offer a different, more pronounced sensory and physical sensation, with those disadvantages for those who want the bass to do its job in the best possible way.
In the midrange, the Canon Pro headphones continue to offer a sense of density and a wall of sound, while the Arcanis headphones deliver a cleaner, more transparent, airy and separate performance. The notes are thicker in the Canon Pro headphones, while everything is finer in the Arcanis headphones. The density offered by the Canon Pro headphones generates a more homogeneous and spectacular sound, a sensation also produced by planar headphones. It also gives a feeling of greater compression and less space and air. The Arcanis do not generate this feeling of impact; they are more dynamic and the notes have greater articulation and distance between them. They are clearly more technical and analytical, not as warm and cohesive. The elements move physically between the two sets, with the voices almost taking priority in the Canon Pro, with superior body and physical appearance. But that level of articulation in the Arcanis gives them a brightness and superior technical presence, being more delicate and ornamentally richer. In short, the mids of the Canon Pro are very robust, heavier and more complete, while the mids of the Arcanis are more relaxed, open, light, fine and expansive.
Although the graph suggests otherwise, there is a clear difference in the treble of both sets. While the treble of the Canon Pro has been clearly nuanced and flattened, the treble of the Arcanis has only had its energy level reduced, but both the sonority and finesse of its notes remain natural, offering a more realistic and sharp brightness and sparkle. The Canon Pro sounds softer and thicker in this high range, and this, together with the weight and extension of the bass, contributes to the more homogeneous and cohesive sound it offers across the entire sound range.
It is surprising that with such a dense sound, the Canon Pro offers a high level of detail, almost on par with the Arcanis. The difference lies in that density: while the micro-detail in the Arcanis is more separate and clean, in the Canon Pro it feels more mixed, but still discernible. The background is cleaner, more distant and open in the Arcanis, offering a more transparent, separate and distant sound. The Canon Pro’s soundstage is wide, broad and deep, but the Arcanis’ soundstage is more three-dimensional, open and holographic.

Conclusion

The ZiiGaat Arcanis are designed to extract the full potential of the drivers they use, as well as the technology employed. From the dual isobaric dynamic driver capable of generating bass with excellent technical capability, to treble with balanced energy that offers the brightness and sparkle necessary to restore a large amount of harmonics across the entire range. This is the mature tuning offered by this new series of 7-driver hybrid IEMS (DD+BA), but with a more analytical presentation focused on delivering a very open, technical, transparent, expansive, volatile, airy sound that is also neutral, balanced, smooth and musically analytical. The sound of the Arcanis is not heavy or physical, but rather finer, more delicate, expressive, informative, as well as extensive, broad and three-dimensional. A level of transparency and air in the environment is noticeable from the very first moment, offering a sound that is fast in its execution from the bass, widely separated and distanced in the midrange and treble. They do not have an overwhelming physical force or presence, but rather their sound is based more on generating a finer and more delicate response, without being cold or over-excited. Without a doubt, these are IEMs for those who are looking for an extensive, explicit sound, without losing a certain warmth, balance and neutrality along the way.

Sources Used During the Analysis

• iFi GO bar Kensei.
• EPZ TP50.
• Burson Audio Playmate 2.
• Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + OpAmp Sparkos Labs SS3602 + ifi ZEN CAN 3.
• Tempotec MARCH V.
• Tempotec V3 Blaze.