Adding to the Complexity

Ratings

Pros

• Another very good iteration around the META curve.
• Very good central zone for instruments.
• Technical quality of the bass.
• Outstanding and extensive high range compared to the META curve.
• High level of detail and technical capabilities.
• Very good soundstage, separation, and imaging.
• Typical construction and design from the manufacturer, but completely ergonomic and insulated from external noise.
• High-quality, oversized zippered case that protects the product very well.
• Modular cable with two interchangeable plugs: 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL.

Cons

• The cable could be even better for the price.
• The interior design of the zippered case is not the most user-friendly when it comes to placing the IEMS inside. In addition, it is too large to carry around.

Purchase Link

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

Link to the Store

https://www.linsoul.com/

Introduction

ZiiGaat has taken up the mantle of being one of the most prolific brands of the year, releasing a number of mid-range IEMS priced above $199. Only the Cinno and Lush are below that price point. Another feature of the ZiiGaat is their very similar capsule design, with the only change being the outer faceplate. They are also characterized by being hybrids. The ZiiGaat Crescent is a hybrid model that features two independent dynamic drivers arranged in an isobaric configuration. To provide powerful bass rumble, a 10mm PET diaphragm driver was chosen. A separate 10mm LCP diaphragm provides the transient speed necessary to maintain bass and low-midrange accuracy. Each driver is tuned independently, but their combined acoustics in an isobaric configuration completely alter the texture of the sound, giving the Crescent a unique vintage sound. A Knowles 30262-163 midrange driver with a custom port has been carefully tuned to deliver smooth yet firm mids. The midrange has a smooth, airy texture while encapsulating the precision of balanced armature drivers. The highs are powered by Knowles 33518 tweeters, which enhance the microdetails of the music.
Each Crescent unit is handmade. The casing, made from imported medical-grade resin, is durable and lightweight, perfect for extended use in the studio. In addition, each controller is tested and paired by hand before assembly to ensure perfect channel matching. Crescent units are then tested one by one before finishing and polishing to ensure the highest quality. The front plate is poured and decorated by hand, giving it a unique look and feel.
The Crescent comes standard with an interchangeable 0.78 mm two-pin connector cable. The cable is made from ultra-pure grade silver-plated oxygen-free copper. Premium silver-plated copper cables ensure noise-free signal transmission for maximum sound quality. The interchangeable cable design also optimizes the IEM’s lifespan and allows for a personalized listening experience.
The Crescent’s sound can be described as analog, with a retro feel similar to vintage tube amplifiers. The overall sound is agile and crisp, with fast transients that maintain the freshness of the music without losing the nostalgic touch.
The two dynamic drivers and two balanced armature drivers are independent and interchangeable, ensuring a completely unique texture and character.
Let’s see in this review if everything the manufacturer says is true.

Specifications

• Driver configuration: 2DD + 2BA. 1DD with 10mm PET diaphragm. 1DD with 10mm LCP diaphragm. 1 BA for Knowles 30262-163 mids. 1BA for Knowles 33518 highs.
• Sensitivity: 102 dB.
• THD: 0.63%.
• Impedance: 12Ω.
• Frequency response: 20Hz-25kHz.
• Cable length: 1.2m.
• Starting price: $279.

Packaging

The ZiiGaat Crescent comes in the brand’s classic box, which features a realistic photo of the earbuds against a purple-to-black gradient background. The brand logo is at the top, while the model name appears behind the photo of the earbuds. The model name is repeated at the bottom in larger letters, along with the driver configuration. In the lower left corner is a logo indicating that these are DD+BA hybrid IEMS. The box measures 169x141x65mm. The back repeats the same information as the bottom of the front, but at the top. In the center is the brand logo, which is designed and manufactured in China. The rest is the brand and importer information. All text is white.
There is also information on the sides of the box; one side contains the specifications.
When you remove the outer cardboard sleeve, you see a black box with the brand logo in silver in the center. The box opens like a book, and the lid is protected by a black foam base. The capsules are in a foam mold lined with black cardboard at the top. Underneath is another black cardboard box containing the accessories. The complete contents are as follows:

• Two ZiiGaat Crescent earbuds.
• A set of transparent crystal silicone tips in sizes S, M, and L.
• A set of gray crystal silicone tips in sizes S, M, and L.
• A pair of foam tips.
• A sheet with four filters to protect the earbuds.
• One cable with interchangeable 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL plugs with a 2-pin 0.78mm interface.
• One large light brown leather case with zipper.
• One warranty card.
• One instruction manual.

Once again, the presentation is very similar to that of other products from the brand within the same price range. I would like to highlight the zippered case, which looks like genuine leather. The interior is made of long-pile velvet and has a removable base that allows the capsules to be stored separately from the cable. On the other side, there is a mesh pocket for storing the tips or the other plug. It is a large, high-quality case. Perhaps the positioning of the earbuds in the base is not the most natural, but the base can be removed to make more room and even to store an extra cable. For my taste, it is quite large. But perhaps others think it is very adequate for the price. The cable has interchangeable plugs and four strands of silver-plated OFC copper with black coating. It’s not bad, but perhaps a little short for the price. It includes two sets of crystal-type silicone tips, which is quite good, and a single pair of foam tips, which is more of a token gesture. The case is large, the tips are adequate, and the cable is fine, but it doesn’t include any other accessories.

Construction and Design

Once again, the ZiiGaat Crescent features a design similar to that of the Luna and Arcanis. The ZiiGaat Crescent is made of 3D-printed medical-grade resin. It has a medium-sized semi-custom shape. The outer surface is shaped like the African continent and has a glitter pattern in three alternating colors: on one edge of the vertex there is a white area reminiscent of a feather; then comes a dark glitter area, a purple stripe, and it ends with another dark area with some blue touches. In the center is the brand logo in silver. The rest of the capsules are black, with a relatively thick edge and a hole covered with a metal mesh. The connection interface is fully integrated into the surface of the body. The inner surface is ergonomic and has two small protrusions on the edge. The model name is inscribed in gold letters in the center, along with the text “L250577” for the left capsule and “R250577” for the right capsule. The nozzles are metal, measure 4.3mm in length, have a base diameter of 5.5mm, and a crown diameter of 6.2mm. They are protected by a metal grille.
The cable is the same as the one used in the Luna model. It consists of four intertwined strands covered in black PVC. The plugs can be removed using a pressure mechanism. The cable terminal is female and consists of a metal cylinder with three rings and two thick grooves. Near the edge there is a white ink triangle that serves as a reference for adjusting the other part. The base is made of black plastic and has four small gold-plated holes. The connector piece is a cylinder of the same dark, metallic color with four flat parts around it for easy grip. One of these has the brand logo, also in white ink. Next to the edge is another white ink triangle that must be aligned with the other end. Interestingly, the triangles do not line up perfectly when the two halves are joined. Once the halves are joined, the triangle on the piece containing the cable is hidden under the plug cover. Both plugs are gold-plated and have a custom-made translucent, whitish plastic cover. The divider piece repeats the construction pattern of the plug cover, but with a length that reaches approximately halfway. The covers of the 2-pin interface connectors have the same construction. The 0.78mm connectors are gold-plated and mounted on two black plastic bases with a blue or red dot on the short side to indicate the channel and polarity. Both cables have transparent guides on the ear.
The pin is a metal disc with two holes through which the cables for each channel are inserted. It works perfectly and is very effective at maintaining the fit, as the disc is difficult to move and remains relatively fixed.
Copy-paste design, copy-paste review. The shape and construction of the Crescent is classic for resin IEMS, with that characteristic pattern on the outer surface that varies depending on the brand and the creativity of the designers. It is an effective design that does not bring anything new to the table, but it is highly tested and effective.
The cable is the same type and has interchangeable connectors, which is an advantage, but it is only snap-fit. The conductors are soft and easy to handle. On this occasion, the manufacturer has indicated in the model description that it is made of oxygen-free copper plated with silver. It is better than on other occasions because of these interchangeable tips, but I think there are better cables in other models at a similar price.
It is clear that ZiiGaat does not want to innovate too much in terms of design, shape, or accessories. They are all of adequate quality, and it seems that the difference lies in the sound, depending on the driver configuration. Although it is also true that the profiles move within similar parameters.

Adjustment and Ergonomics

If the design and size of the capsules are the same as in previous models, I will copy the content of this section again. The capsules are not the largest, even though they are relatively thick. The nozzles are short but 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 homemade foam-filled silicone tips. This gives me a complete, very occlusive fit with minimal movement and great isolation. Both the shape and the design of the inner surface fit my morphology very well, 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 touches my ears, and the comfort remains unchanged with prolonged use. It is a basic design, but with details that allow for excellent ergonomics.
The Crescent model comes with the same silicone tips as the Luna model: two sets of adhesive crystal-type silicone tips. I tried filling the larger tips with foam again, as I usually do, and thanks to this new, more adhesive material, they stay in place longer and last longer, as they stick to the skin as if they were glued on. This increases the level of comfort and insulation.

Sound

Profile

Now that META tuning is so popular, everything revolves around it. If you compare the tuning of the Crescents with this curve, you could say that it is a META with more bass, with a higher treble range with more air and a little more overall energy. This way, it is not so “boring” for listeners. It’s clear that the midrange is very META, which increases my preference for this profile, as the lower mids are fuller and the upper mids are smoother and less piercing.
The sub-bass is powerful and prominent, while the entire bass range remains large, falling more steeply beyond 80 Hz, which adds a touch of warmth to the mids without bleeding.
Finally, the treble maintains a good level of energy throughout the range, but with the peaks contained to be relatively smooth.
Again, a very balanced profile, but with greater energetic power at the extremes.

Bass

Once again, the Crescent features a 9 dB sub-bass, and, of course, the double DD will be partly to blame. What is surprising is how well synchronized both dynamic drivers are. It is clear that the isobaric configuration makes sense and is never aberrant. In fact, the Crescent’s bass is characterized by being very controlled, precise, and fast in its response.
The deep bass hits on the Crescents are perceived as fast, with very little resonance, without the need to stretch or expand elastically or volumetrically. This increases the dryness of the bass drums and the precision of the bass. The texture is smooth, but with a slight roughness that adds just the right amount of spice to make it pleasant, realistic, and natural, without being forced.
The very low frequency pure tone test reveals the neat, controlled, and technical nature of the bass. The first audible note is dark, with little character, a certain physical presence, and a very low waveform. All of this foreshadows great performance in the bass range, which is then emphasized as the hertz increase. The second tone increases in presence and power; it remains with little color and a low auditory sensation, but the physical character of the bass is enhanced. The rest of the upper notes show very controlled execution, with low roughness and high speed, without a trace of ripple or coloration. This is a result that combines excellent technique and remarkable physical character. It has sufficient power, even more than some would like, and the control is very high. I would only add a little more punch or force in the simple stroke, that is, a little more volume and energy, as well as a little more darkness.
In the dirty, complex, unfiltered bass test, the Crescents demonstrate what was mentioned in the previous test: control and speed as the main features of their performance. The low roughness, just enough to caress the ears, is maintained to create layers of forceful and heavy, yet pleasant bass, with matte and minimally grainy surfaces. This ability allows them to generate very distinguishable, delimited, and defined layers with highly stratified bass. The most dangerous bass lines are drawn with ease, but with nuance and explicitness, generating great detail and precision, as well as a very rich representation of the worst conditions. The Crescents are capable of recreating the most complex passages in great detail and without suffering, no matter how complicated the bass may be. That’s why the bass never sounds unnatural or forced, but dry, fast, very well defined, concise, and full of energy. A powerful delight.

Mids

The first major advantage of the midrange is that the bass sounds powerful, but is well separated from the mids. The crossover filters work very well, preventing bleed and keeping the powerful bass separate from the present vocals. In these situations, the bass maintains its prominence without the mids being relegated. That is the strength of well-blended hybrids.
The second advantage is that, at the point where the mids usually appear, the Crescents present a slight boost to fill out the midrange. This compensates for, but does not enhance, the first half of the mids. This is how I perceive it: male voices are full, but they lack some foundation, physical presence, and body. They are not the protagonists, they are a step and a half away; for example, strings, violins, and guitars have a little more presence in the mix. Even so, they are rich and complex, but not as explicit, full of information, texture, or exuberance due to that slight greater distance.
This is not the case with the instrumentation, which tends to be more balanced, surrounding, and subtly more pronounced than the male voices. This enhances the musicality of Crescent, as well as their explicit character in all the musical arrangements.
The female vocals could steal the show at the expense of the male vocals, but this is not the case, and they remain in a natural and organic balance. They sound restrained and expansive, but without too much sparkle or brilliance. Their surface is smooth, detailed, and silky, and also more exciting and rich at first glance than that of the male vocals. In this sense, they have a clear advantage over the male vocals.
However, the Crescents have characteristics that enhance the midrange, such as a sense of clarity and transparency without brightness, which makes the elements sound very separate and individual. The technical prowess of the Knowles 30262-163 BA midrange driver is clearly evident, generating a very rich midrange full of detail, musicality, and information. It also offers a fast and realistic response in terms of timbre. It is true that there is no explicit sparkle in the midrange, that sibilance tends toward zero, and that the sound could be boring due to this lack of brilliance. But this is not the case. This is where realistic tuning triumphs over cheap tuning tricks. The upper midrange has enough energy to generate power, but also the ability to remain smooth, natural, rich, and unforced.
The BA driver offers speed, fast transients, air between elements, and well-defined nuances, but it does not have a cold, overly pronounced, harsh, or rough profile. On the contrary, it is very clear and defined, even organic, as if it were a dynamic driver.
Without a doubt, the timbre benefits greatly from all these qualities, and the mids significantly improve its performance, establishing themselves as a great range in IEMS where it’s not just the bass that takes center stage.

Treble

Once again, the treble is in line with what seems to be the norm: smooth, with sparkle and moderate energy, but extending well into the airy range. Similarly, it is a good BA driver for treble, delicately tuned, with restrained brightness and very moderate control zones to extend the amount of energy. On this occasion, the upper treble is more pronounced and present to extend the brightness and harmonics beyond the apathy and cut-off offered by other IEMS with a META curve. Thus, the Crescents display a sophisticated and elegant treble crackle, noticeable but not annoying. More sparklers than fireworks. A spark with grace, well executed, without harshness, well defined, realistic, and pleasant in equal measure, though far from the shining and sparkling stars.

Soundstage, Separation

There is one characteristic that I mentioned in the midrange regarding the instruments. They play a very prominent role, even more so than the male vocals. This also elevates and expands the soundstage, creating a more pronounced and present sense of immersion. Thus, the Crescents gain in three-dimensionality without sounding too gaseous or volatile, but rather thanks to their ability to expand and fill the soundstage with the power and presence of the instrumentation. The volume increases and the bass contributes to expanding the depth of the soundstage with its blend of surface smoothness, stratification, and generation of broad bass layers. The mids stretch in height with the help of omnipresent highs, but delicate in their energy level and form.
The soundstage is quite wide and immersive, easily surrounding the head, but without being overly spherical, perhaps due to this lack of volatility. It is firmer, broadly lateral, and even has a rear presence thanks to its extension and projection, as well as the great sharpness, clarity, and precision of the notes.
The detail is very realistic, never forced: it does not stand out excessively, but is easily found in all layers and planes alike. It is not a cold or sharp sound, but precise and full of resolution. Furthermore, it is very elegant, pleasant, and attractive.
The positioning of the elements follows the line of precision and, once again, it is the instruments that seem to receive preferential treatment, placed in their most perfect and comprehensive location on the stage, thanks to a very concise, but realistic and delicate presentation of all the notes against a dark, deep, discernible, transparent, and separate background.

Comparisons

Kiwi Ears Astral

With a similar starting price ($299), there are the Kiwi Ears Astral hybrid headphones (1DD+6BA). These are IEMS with a very similar tuning. However, they differ from the configuration offered by the Crescent (2DD+2BA).
Starting with the packaging, both have many similarities in terms of wrapping, but the contents differ. The Astral comes in a classic zippered case, while the Crescent comes in a new light brown leather case that is large and soft on the inside. Both have a very similar modular cable in terms of their plug mechanism, but the Astral cable is thicker, although both are four-strand cables. The Astral only includes one set of silicone tips and four protective filters for the nozzles. The Crescent includes a strip with nozzle protectors, two sets of clear and gray silicone tips, and a pair of foam tips.
In terms of design, there are no major differences between the two, but the shape of the Astral capsules is more semi-custom than that of the Crescent. The problem is that the protrusion on the edge of the capsule ends up being uncomfortable over time. The absence of this protrusion on the Crescent makes them more comfortable, although they are slightly looser. In addition, the Crescent are smaller and not as thick as the Astral.
The frequency responses of both IEMs show a great similarity in their profiles. The Astral have a little more sub-bass, slightly more presence, and greater sensitivity. The Crescent have more treble at the beginning and in the second half, as well as slightly more emphasis in the midrange valley.
The bass on the Astral is a little rougher, with more texture and volume. It is longer, doesn’t decay as quickly, and is more elastic and rubbery. The sound of the Crescent bass drum is drier and more restrained, with less resonance, more technical, with a more concentrated power that produces a more energetic impact on the initial strike. The Astral distributes the energy a little more because the bass lasts a little longer.
In the very low frequency pure tone test (20, 25, 30, and 40 Hz), the Crescents reproduce the notes very accurately and technically. But so do the Astrals. The performance of the first note of both is very similar, but the Crescents have a little more physical power. However, the performance of both is very similar, and they sound very even. In the second note, there are more differences, and the Astral performs somewhat better, with a more natural, energetic, and compact sound. In the third note, they are a little more equal, but the Astral continues to perform better. In the last note, everything seems to even out, but I think the Astral has a slight advantage thanks to its more natural performance, which is less oscillatory, undulatory, or vibratory.
In the dirty, complex, unfiltered bass test, the Crescents seem to have more control and precision because they are slightly faster. However, the behavior, color, naturalness, depth, and darkness are better than those of the Crescents, albeit by a small margin.
In the midrange, the Astrals seem a little more muted, warm, and dark. The Crescents win in clarity and projection, and that greater transparency makes them sound more defined and decisive. Male voices are perceived as more isolated, with greater definition and presence. The Astrals are somewhat more restrained, smooth, and cohesive in the first half of the midrange. If you want to enjoy male voices, I prefer the Crescents.
Something similar happens with the female vocals, although not to such a great extent. It is true that the second half of Crescent has more sparkle and greater clarity. But the difference seems to be narrowing. In addition, Astral seems to sound a little bigger in this second half. So it’s a very close battle. For preference, Crescent takes the point in the first half.
The highs of the Astral are softer and more delicate than those of the Crescent, which are crisper and more energetic. The highs on the Astral are very well measured and controlled, with good technical performance. The Crescent are not far behind in these respects, but that extra energy can work for or against them depending on the occasion. Although the Astral perform very well, I find them more natural and true to life.
In terms of technical aspects, the Astral’s sound seems bigger and fuller, while the Crescent’s is more concrete. This makes them more volatile and open. The Astral generates more volume and a fuller, more compact sound, although it is slightly more concentrated.
The level of detail is very similar in both, although there may be a little more separation in the Crescent, but no more detail, either at the micro or macro level, either on the surface or in the background. The timbre may change slightly, sounding warmer in the Astral.
The Astrals have slightly more depth, but the expansive feel and projection are perceived as higher in the Crescents, while the Astrals are perceived as closer to the base.
In terms of imaging, a more open and free space is generated around the elements, which is more clearly appreciated in the Crescents.

Conclusion

It’s clear that there is a curve that has set the trend. Many models follow it, although they add slight differences in each band, especially in the bass and treble. However, it seems that a consensus has been reached in the midrange. According to this trend, the treble is smooth and controlled, and the bass is not so pronounced in order to maintain clean mids, without the need to add high horn gain. It is a balanced profile that allows all three ranges to be enhanced. And this is where each brand tries to innovate to achieve the best result.
The ZiiGaat Crescent moves in this environment, accentuating the sub-bass and adding a little more energy in the treble to liven up a curve that, for some, is bland and boring. In this medium, there are also differences in the use of drivers to achieve that variant that hits the jackpot. In this case, two dynamic drivers are responsible for generating very precise, fast, dry bass with a very concentrated punch. For the mids, a BA driver enhances both instruments and vocals. Finally, another BA driver seeks a little more sparkle within parameters of control, smoothness, and extension.
With a less dense, more relaxed, and expansive sound, the Crescent is another great example of a high-quality IEM, with great detail and excellent musicality. It offers a slightly warm but lively sound within an organic and natural framework. It could be just another one in the sea of IEMs that swarm around META. But that does not detract from or dispute the fact that their quality is outstanding, as is their sound. This leads me to believe that a high level of sound quality has been achieved without spending so much money, although $279 is not a trivial amount. But it also makes me think that small differences can be very costly. And those small differences are what generate a new model of IEMS.

Sources Used During the Analysis

• NiceHCK Octave.
• iFi GO bar Kensei.
• EPZ TP50.
• Burson Audio Playmate 2.
• Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + OpAmp Sparkos Labs SS3602 + ifi ZEN CAN 3.
• Aune ND7.
• Hidizs AP80 PRO MAX.