ZiiGaat Crescent Review
ZiiGaat Crescent Review
Introduction:
The ZiiGaat Crescent is a hybrid in-ear monitor that stands out in the mid-fi audio market, featuring a sophisticated 2DD+2BA configuration that integrates two dynamic drivers with two Knowles balanced armature drivers. Designed to cater to audiophiles and casual listeners alike, this IEM combines advanced engineering with a focus on delivering a balanced yet immersive sound experience. The Crescent incorporates a 10mm PET dynamic driver for mid-bass, a 10mm LCP dynamic driver for sub-bass, a Knowles 30262-163 BA for upper mids, and a Knowles 33518 BA for treble, creating a versatile audio profile. Its tuning emphasizes a warm V-shaped sound signature, highlighting both bass and treble while preserving midrange clarity, making it suitable for a wide range of musical genres.
This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the Crescent’s design, comfort, cable, and sound performance, assessing its competitive standing within the evolving IEM landscape as of the current period.
Disclaimer:
I would like to thank Linsoul and ZiiGaat for providing the Crescent 2DD+2BA Hybrid IEM for review purposes. I am not affiliated with Linsoul and ZiiGaat beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered opinions about the product.
Price & Availability:
The ZiiGaat Crescent is available for $279 USD. More information’s can be found under the link below;
Package & Accessories:
The ZiiGaat Crescent comes in a compact cardboard box featuring the ZiiGaat logo and an image of the IEMs, with foam inserts to protect the contents during shipping. The packaging is simple, focusing on practicality and safe storage.
Included in the box:
- ZiiGaat Crescent IEMs (1 pair)
- Silicone ear tips (6 pairs, S/M/L, black and transparent)
- High-purity braided audio cable (2-pin 0.78mm with 3.5mm plug)
- Premium carrying case
- 3.5mm adapter
- 4.4mm adapter
- Warranty card
- Wearing diagram/user instruction card
The variety of ear tips, available in black and transparent options, allows for fit and sound customization, catering to different preferences for isolation and clarity. The high-purity braided cable, equipped with a 2-pin 0.78mm connector and a 3.5mm plug, is complemented by additional 3.5mm and 4.4mm adapters, enhancing compatibility with various audio sources. The premium carrying case, with its sturdy construction and soft interior, provides practical storage for the IEMs, cable, and adapters, though the zipper may need a break-in period to move smoothly.
Design & Build Quality:
The ZiiGaat Crescent is made from 3D-printed medical-grade resin, resulting in lightweight shells. The hybrid driver configuration, consisting of two dynamic drivers and two balanced armatures, is neatly integrated into compact, ergonomically shaped shells. The build quality shows attention to detail, with smooth finishes and no noticeable seams or flaws in the resin molding.
The Crescent’s faceplates are a defining feature, crafted from hand-poured medical-grade resin with a primarily black background that serves as a stark contrast for the other visual elements. Iridescent purple and white speckles are distributed across the surface, creating a shimmering, multi-toned effect reminiscent of a nebula or starry sky. These colors shift and change depending on the viewing angle, adding a dynamic and captivating visual quality that evolves with light exposure. The brand logo, “ZiiGaat,” is prominently displayed in silver, centrally or strategically positioned for aesthetic balance, standing out clearly against the deep black backdrop to ensure high visibility and brand recognition.
On the side of each faceplate, a distinct white element features striated lines that evoke the appearance of angel wings or feathers, providing a strong contrast against the black base and iridescent speckles. The texture and arrangement of these white lines contribute to a delicate yet intricate detail, lending an ethereal quality to the design. The matte finish minimizes fingerprint visibility but can attract dust over time, and the hand-crafted process results in unique variations, with some units showing minor air bubbles or slight unevenness in the resin flow upon close inspection.
The Crescent uses recessed 0.78mm 2-pin connectors, integrated flush into the top of the shell for a secure and reliable cable attachment. This design minimizes protrusions, improving comfort during long listening sessions, and supports easy cable swaps for those preferring aftermarket options.
The stainless-steel sound nozzle includes a fine mesh to prevent debris buildup, maintaining consistent audio output. Its moderate length and standard diameter are compatible with various aftermarket ear tips, and a subtle lip ensures a secure fit, preventing tips from slipping during use. The nozzle’s smooth surface enhances comfort, particularly for users with sensitive ear canals. The Crescent’s model name and serial number are printed in small, legible text near the nozzle, adding a functional detail without compromising the design’s simplicity. The nozzle’s construction is precise, with no rough edges, ensuring reliability and comfort over time.
A single pressure vent on the rear surface regulates airflow, reducing pressure buildup and supporting acoustic clarity. The build is sturdy, with the resin resisting minor drops and daily wear, though some users may notice slight pressure in the ear canal during extended use, which can be adjusted by changing ear tips.
The overall design balances aesthetics and practicality, making the Crescent a durable option for regular use.
The Cable:
The Crescent includes a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin modular cable made from high-purity braided audio material, designed to transmit audio signals with minimal interference.
The cable comes with a 3.5mm plug, supplemented by 3.5mm and 4.4mm adapters for added versatility, housed in metal casings with alignment markers for straightforward swapping. Its four-braid structure is lightweight and flexible, with a transparent sheath that reduces microphonics, though the cable’s thin profile may retain slight memory, leading to minor tangling.
Pre-formed ear hooks fit comfortably around the ear, and a smooth metal chin slider allows for secure adjustment. The modular design provides compatibility with a range of audio sources from portable dongles to DAPs. While the cable performs its role effectively, its thinner construction might feel less substantial compared to the IEM’s overall design, and some users may opt for a thicker aftermarket cable for added durability.
Fit, Comfort & Isolation:
The ZiiGaat Crescent’s resin shells are ergonomically contoured to match the ear’s natural shape, featuring smooth curves and no sharp edges. The medium-sized shells are shaped to fit most ear sizes comfortably, with minimal protrusion even in smaller ears. The lightweight resin construction and flexible cable support extended listening without fatigue. The included ear tips offer options: narrow-bore silicone tips boost bass, wide-bore silicone tips enhance mids and treble, and foam tips provide balanced isolation.
The Crescent delivers solid passive noise isolation, effectively reducing ambient sounds in settings like offices, cafes, or public transport, making it suitable for focused listening. Some users may experience mild pressure buildup with foam tips, which can be addressed by switching to silicone options or adjusting insertion depth.
Technical Specifications:
- Model : Crescent
- Driver Technology : 2DD + 2BA (10mm PET + 10mm LCP + Knowles 30262-163 + Knowles 33518)
- Freq. Response : 20Hz – 25kHz
- Sensitivity : 102dB
- Impedance : 12Ω
- THD : 0.63%
- Connector Type : 0.78mm 2-Pin
- Plug : Modular 3.5mm Single-Ended, 4.4mm Balanced
- Cable Length : Approx. 120cm
Drivability & Pairing:
With an impedance of 12Ω and a sensitivity of 102dB, the Crescent is highly efficient and easy to drive, performing well with portable sources like the ddHiFi TC44Pro E3 or smartphone dongles. Pairing it with more sophisticated DAPs, such as the FiiO M21 or iBasso DX260 MK2, enhances dynamics, soundstage width, and detail retrieval, especially in complex tracks.
The modular cable’s 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs ensure compatibility with a variety of devices, making the Crescent versatile for casual listening with basic sources or critical listening with premium setups. The IEM benefits from amplification, revealing additional clarity and separation, though it remains functional with modest equipment.
Albums & tracks used for this review:
- Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Apple Music Lossless)
- Adele – My Little Love (Apple Music Lossless)
- Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
- Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Radiohead – Live in Berlin “Album” (Apple Music Lossless)
- Radiohead – Pyramid Song (Apple Music Lossless)
- U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Bear McCreary’s – Valkyries (Deezer HiFi)
- Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
- Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Daft Punk – Instant Crush (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
- Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Apple Music Lossless)
- Hans Zimmer – The Dark Knight OST (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (Spotify)
- Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Apple Music Lossless)
- Pink Floyd – Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Apple Music Lossless)
- Miles Davis – So What (Deezer HiFi)
- Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Metallica – Dyers Eve (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Rush’s – Tom Sawyer (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)
- Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
- Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)
Equipment’s used for this review:
- IEM’s : ZiiGaat Crescent, LetShuoer Cadenza4
- DAP&DAC’s : iBasso DX260 MK2, FiiO M21, ddHiFi TC44Pro E3
- Burn-in Period : 60 hours
- Ear Tips : Stock Black Silicone Tips
- Cable : Stock 2-pin Cable
The Sound:
The ZiiGaat Crescent delivers a warm, musical sound signature with a V-shaped profile, emphasizing impactful bass and crisp treble while maintaining a natural midrange. Its hybrid configuration that features two dynamic drivers for lows and two Knowles BAs for mids and treble that creates a cohesive, engaging sound that balances fun with technical precision. The soundstage is wide for its price range, with sharp imaging that places instruments and vocals distinctly, making it a compelling choice for audiophiles seeking an immersive yet controlled listening experience.
Bass:
The ZiiGaat Crescent’s bass, powered by dual 10mm dynamic drivers (PET for mid-bass, LCP for sub-bass), delivers a pretty robust and textured low end with a 10dB sub-bass shelf that cuts off around 250Hz to avoid midrange bleed. The sub-bass rumbles with deep, authoritative impact, creating a visceral foundation that envelops the listener without overwhelming the mix. The LCP driver ensures tight, controlled sub-bass, while the PET driver adds warmth to mid-bass, giving kick drums a punchy, dynamic presence. The bass is full-bodied yet precise, with good texture that avoids muddiness, making it ideal for genres like electronic, rock, and hip-hop.
While the Crescent’s low end doesn’t reach the thunderous depths of some bass-heavy IEMs, it strikes a balance between power and clarity, suitable for both casual enjoyment and critical listening. The bass maintains its slam even at lower volumes, ensuring dynamic consistency across tracks. For listeners who prefer a fun, impactful low end with enough control to handle complex arrangements, the Crescent’s bass performance is a standout, offering a satisfying blend of warmth and precision that complements a wide range of musical styles.
Midrange:
The Crescent’s midrange, driven by the Knowles 30262-163 dual BA, is clean, open, and tonally natural, delivering vocals and instruments with convincing texture and clarity. The vocal delivery is smooth and intimate, with a slight warmth that adds emotional weight to the performance. Guitars and piano notes are well-defined, occupying distinct spaces in the mix without congestion. The midrange handles layered synths and vocals with ease, maintaining separation and detail even in dense arrangements.
The midrange avoids excessive forwardness or recession, striking a balanced presentation that suits genres like acoustic, pop, and alternative rock. Upper mids are clear without being shouty, ensuring female vocals and string instruments retain their natural timbre. The lower mids are full enough to give male vocals and bass guitars a rich, grounded tone. While not as analytically detailed as some studio-focused IEMs, the ZiiGaat Crescent’s midrange prioritizes musicality, making it engaging for long listening sessions. Its ability to render vocals and instruments with clarity and warmth makes it a versatile choice for listeners who value emotional resonance alongside technical accuracy.
Treble:
The ZiiGaat Crescent’s treble, handled by the Knowles 33518 dual BA, is quite refined and airy, offering a crisp yet non-fatiguing presentation. Cymbal crashes and high strings shimmer with efficient sense of clarity, cutting through the mix without harshness. The treble extends well, adding a sense of openness to the soundstage, where hi-hats and subtle percussive details sparkle with precision. The tuning avoids sibilance, ensuring comfort during extended listening, even with treble-heavy tracks.
The Crescent’s highs are lively but controlled, revealing micro-details like the decay of cymbals or the texture of violin strings without sounding overly bright. This makes it a strong fit for genres like classical, jazz, and progressive rock, where treble clarity is essential for capturing intricate details. While it doesn’t push the sparkle as aggressively as some treble-focused IEMs, the Crescent’s highs maintain a natural decay and avoid artificial emphasis, resulting in a fatigue-free experience that suits both casual listeners and audiophiles seeking a balanced, detailed treble response.
Soundstage & Imaging:
The ZiiGaat Crescent offers a relative wide soundstage atmosphere that surpasses many IEMs in its price range, creating a spacious presentation that feels pretty open and natural. Imaging is quite precise at this price level, with instruments and vocals placed fairly accurately across the stereo field, where elements remain distinct without overlapping. While the soundstage lacks the vertical height of higher-end IEMs, its width and depth provide an engaging listening experience, ideal for genres requiring spatial clarity, such as orchestral or live recordings. The Crescent’s imaging and separation make it a strong performer for both music enjoyment and gaming, where directional cues are critical.
Comparisons:
ZiiGaat Crescent versus LetShuoer Cadenza4:
The ZiiGaat Crescent’s bass, driven by dual 10mm dynamic drivers (PET for mid-bass, LCP for sub-bass), provides a textured and full low end that forms a solid foundation. The Crescent delivers a deep, resonant rumble with controlled impact, while the PET driver adds warmth to mid-bass, enhancing rhythmic elements. The bass is balanced with good texture, suiting electronic and rock genres, though it may feel prominent for neutral preferences. The LetShuoer Cadenza4, with its 10mm beryllium-coated dynamic driver, offers a punchy yet controlled bass response focused on balance and naturalness. The Cadenza4’s bass is clear and tight, with excellent speed and control, avoiding midrange interference. Its bass has less quantity and impact than the Crescent’s, leaning toward a neutral soundscape that may underwhelm bass enthusiasts. The Cadenza4 excels in clarity, making it better suited for jazz or classical where precision is prioritized.
The Crescent’s midrange, powered by the Knowles 30262-163 dual BA, is clear and natural, with a smooth, slightly warm tone. Vocals are intimate with layered synths separated clearly, while lower mids add body to instruments like saxophone. The upper mids are balanced, suiting pop and rock, though the V-shaped tuning slightly recesses the midrange. The Cadenza4’s midrange, driven by a Sonion BA and two Knowles BAs, is transparent and detailed, placing vocals and instruments prominently. Vocals gain nuance and body, with cellos and pianos showing depth. The upper mid emphasis enhances clarity, ideal for vocal-centric tracks, though it may feel less warm than the Crescent’s midrange.
The Crescent’s treble, handled by the Knowles 33518 dual BA, is crisp and airy, with detailed highs that avoid sharpness. Cymbal crashes are clear, and hi-hats are precise, though higher volumes may require tip adjustments for energetic genres. It suits classical and jazz with balanced detail. The Cadenza4’s treble, with a controlled 8kHz emphasis, is bright and smooth, avoiding harshness. Cymbals and high elements are natural, while orchestral tracks reveal clear flutes. Its smoother, less pronounced treble prioritizes comfort, excelling in extended listening and refined genres.
The Crescent’s wide soundstage and precise imaging suit orchestral tracks, with moderate vertical height. The Cadenza4 offers a similarly wide soundstage with better depth and layering, giving it an edge in orchestral settings, while the Crescent’s sharper imaging benefits dynamic genres.
Conclusion:
The ZiiGaat Crescent offers a warm V-shaped sound profile with a focus on bass and treble, alongside a natural midrange. Its 2DD+2BA hybrid design provides a balanced audio experience across various genres, including rock, electronic, and classical. The matte black resin faceplates, featuring iridescent purple and white speckles and white wing-like striations, present a distinctive aesthetic, complemented by ergonomic fit and reasonable noise isolation. The modular cable supports compatibility with different audio sources, and the carrying case offers practical storage. Priced within the mid-fi range, the Crescent delivers a mix of musicality and technical performance. Its pronounced bass and thinner cable may not appeal to everyone, but the design and sound versatility make it a functional option for different listening preferences.
Pros & Cons:
- + Warm V-shaped sound profile with impactful bass and clear treble.
- + Unique aesthetic with hand-poured resin faceplates that shift colors.
- + Ergonomic and lightweight design for comfortable extended use.
- + Effective passive noise isolation, suitable for noisy environments.
- + Modular cable enhances compatibility with a wide range of devices.
- + Highly efficient and easy to drive with most portable sources.
- + Precise imaging and a wide, immersive soundstage.
- – V-shaped tuning may not appeal to those who prefer a neutral sound.
- – Possible mild pressure buildup in the ear canal during extended use.
Thank you for the Read!
