Ziigaat Arcanis VS Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Ziigaat Arcanis and Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch use 2DD+5BA and 1DD+2BA+2EST driver setups respectively. Ziigaat Arcanis costs $399 while Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch costs $450. Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch is $51 more expensive. Ziigaat Arcanis holds a clear 0.9-point edge in reviewer scores (8.4 vs 7.5). Ziigaat Arcanis carries a user score of 8.5. Ziigaat Arcanis has significantly better mids with a 2-point edge and Ziigaat Arcanis has significantly better soundstage with a 1.5-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Ziigaat Arcanis | Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 8 | 6 |
| Treble | 7 | 7 |
| Soundstage | 7.5 | 6 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 7 |
| Tonality | 7.4 | 6.5 |
| Technicalities | 7 | 7 |
Jaytiss Reviews Comparison
Ziigaat Arcanis reviewed by
8.4
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The Ziigaat Arcanis, priced at $400 as the brand's most expensive standalone IEM, presents a mixed bag outside of its core sound. Build quality is decent but unremarkable, featuring comfortable shells with a well-fitting nozzle, though the aesthetic is described as slightly "weird." The included cable feels distinctly mid-tier and underwhelming for the price, while the case shows noticeable fraying almost immediately, contributing to an absolutely horrific unboxing experience deemed unacceptable at this cost.
Sonically, the Arcanis is a deeply divisive set with an extremely dark tilt and a significant dip around 6kHz. Initial impressions can be harsh or disappointing, but extended listening reveals its strengths: pure, clean sound free of sibilance or harshness, quality bass, clean highs, and beautiful vocals. This unique tuning philosophy creates a smooth, sophisticated, and non-fatiguing presentation. While the $230 Odyssey is praised as a fantastic value and the second-best in Ziigaat's lineup, the Arcanis is considered sonically superior, offering a more refined experience – albeit only marginally better for some. It competes favorably against sets like the Mega5EST and Dunu DaVinci, and surprisingly challenges far pricier offerings like the $1,800 Apostle in tonal beauty, though the Apostle has more "show." The $320 Volume S is a close competitor with a different, brighter tonality, making the Arcanis's value proposition relative.
Ultimately, the Arcanis shines as a beautifully dark, serious, and smooth IEM that excels at high volumes without becoming offensive. It delivers great detail without fatigue, standing out in a market saturated with energetic tunings. Despite the subpar accessories and unboxing befitting a much cheaper product, its unique and effective sound signature makes it a highly recommended pick under $400 for those seeking a refined, non-sibilant listen, though the Odyssey remains the smarter choice for budget-conscious buyers.
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Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch reviewed by
7.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The five-driver collab comes in at around $450 (initially closer to $400, even ~$350 with coupons) and feels thoughtfully put together: a playful, divisive faceplate, a slightly large but well-contoured shell with a nozzle that holds tips securely, and flat 2-pin connectors with proper venting. The included cable is soft and pleasant in hand with clear red/blue channel markers, though the chin slider is a bit loose; 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm terminations are available. Comfort is generally solid—there’s a hint of pointiness for sensitive ears, but overall the ergonomics and case/cable package feel right for the price.
Sonically, this is a very bassy tuning that still keeps the mids clean and defined, pulling off that tricky combo of weight and clarity. Sub-bass digs deep, mid-bass stays controlled enough to avoid bloom, and there’s a touch of upper-air “twinkle” (more evident on some rigs than others); treble extension is tasteful rather than aggressive, which some may read as slightly relaxed. It’s also one of the more affordable EST implementations, delivering a bass-forward but detailed presentation that tracks close to target without sounding sterile.
Against peers, it mirrors the HiSenior Mega 5 EST in FR but adds a bit more pizzazz off-graph, while the Mega 5 feels smoother and more polite. Compared with HBB’s own Jupiter, that set feels technically superior and more refined, but also pricier; value swings back to the Punch—especially at coupon pricing—if oodles of sub-bass are the priority. It’s not for neutral-heads, yet as an all-rounder for bass-leaning listeners it checks most boxes with few real faults, earning a confident 92 (S-) for its fun-but-balanced tonality, solid build, and compelling price-to-performance.
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Ziigaat Arcanis Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+5BA
Tuning Type: Neutral, Bright
Brand: ZiiGaat Top ZiiGaat IEMs
Price (Msrp): $399
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Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+2BA+2EST
Tuning Type: Basshead
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $450
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Ziigaat Arcanis Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A-- It balances warmth and clarity well, showing only minor quirks along the way. Timbre feels believable with most instruments.
Average Technical Grade
A-- You get a controlled, composed performance, marrying decent clarity with a still-modest sense of space. A safe technical performer for the price bracket.
Kiwi Ears x HBB Punch Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- It sounds pleasant overall, with some uneven spots that hint at room for refinement. Vocals remain pleasant despite the imperfections.
Average Technical Grade
A-- The presentation feels orderly, balancing workable detail retrieval with acceptable imaging cues. It keeps momentum without smearing transients.
Ziigaat Arcanis User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewA refined smooth-neutral IEM offering exceptional vocal transparency and fatigue-free listening, though let down by underwhelming accessories
Pros
Natural midrange with excellent vocal clarity, smooth non-fatiguing treble extension, and tight technical bass with good textureCons
Subpar accessories including basic cable and minimal ear tips, noticeable driver flex when adjusting fit, lacks balanced cable optionKiwi Ears x HBB Punch User Reviews
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Cons
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