Ziigaat Arcanis VS Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Ziigaat Arcanis and Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk use 2DD+5BA and 2DD+2BA+2PLA driver setups respectively. Ziigaat Arcanis costs $399 while Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk costs $400. Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk is $1 more expensive. Ziigaat Arcanis holds a clear 0.6-point edge in reviewer scores (8.4 vs 7.8). User ratings place Ziigaat Arcanis at 8.5 and Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk at 7.7. Ziigaat Arcanis has significantly better mids with a 2-point edge, Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge, Ziigaat Arcanis has significantly better dynamics with a 2-point edge and Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk has better soundstage with a 0.5-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Ziigaat Arcanis | Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 8 | 6 |
| Treble | 7 | 8 |
| Soundstage | 7.5 | 8 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 5 |
| Tonality | 7.4 | 6.8 |
| Technicalities | 7 | 8 |
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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Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk reviewed by
7.8
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Build impresses out of the box: a premium case, a handsome semi-transparent shell that’s a touch larger than AFUL’s Magic One, a smaller nozzle, and excellent comfort—easy A+. The included DSP cable feels great, while the analog cable comes off a bit cheap for the price. Packaging and accessories sit at an average level overall.
In analog form, this is a Jekyll-and-Hyde situation. Channel matching is spot-on, but the presentation reads flat/neutral to a fault—solid, yet not especially competitive, fitting more a $150–$170 tier for raw value. Versus the original Blessing 2 Dusk, the new Dusk extends better up top with more air, but from bass through upper mids (to ~8 kHz) the older set still vocals better and feels more engaging; upgrading for the analog tuning alone isn’t advised. Alternatives like the PULA PA02 or CKLVX 1DD+4BA hit a similar, clean-neutral aim, while Gizaudio Chopin shows a smarter 5–6 kHz dip, livelier mids, and punchier bass at roughly half the price. Among Crin collabs, it’s clearly more refined than the Dioko, but not a slam-dunk over his other budget-minded sets.
The story flips with the DSP. Engaged, the Dusk becomes an easy recommendation: noticeably more balanced, resolving, and simply fun, earning a “perfect score for value” within the DSP lane. Caveats: Android support is the sweet spot; iPhone compatibility can be finicky, pushing some users to desktop—where manual EQ already exists. Still, the app is simple, the extra tunings are useful, and plug-and-play convenience (no dongle DAC dance) is a win. Bottom line: as an analog IEM, only “good” and overpriced; as a DSP IEM, genuinely excellent—highly worth it if the use case fits.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Ziigaat Arcanis Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+5BA
Tuning Type: Neutral, Bright
Brand: ZiiGaat Top ZiiGaat IEMs
Price (Msrp): $399
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Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+2BA+2PLA
Tuning Type: n/a
Brand: Moondrop Top Moondrop IEMs
Price (Msrp): $400
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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.
Moondrop x Crinacle Dusk 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+- You get an articulate, polished performance with immersive stage depth and great control. There's a sense of polish across the whole spectrum.
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 optionMoondrop x Crinacle Dusk User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewMust use DSP default, much much better than analog
Pros
Very impressive across the board.Cons
Feels kindda "I don't want to hear them for a while" after long sessions. Not sure whyFind your next IEM:
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