Aful Performer 5+2 VS ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Aful Performer 5+2 and ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews use 2DD+4BA+1Planar and 1DD+4BA driver setups respectively. Aful Performer 5+2 costs $229 while ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews costs $249. ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews is $20 more expensive. Aful Performer 5+2 holds a decisive 1.7-point edge in reviewer scores (8.5 vs 6.8). Aful Performer 5+2 has significantly better mids with a 2-point edge, Aful Performer 5+2 has significantly better treble with a 3-point edge and Aful Performer 5+2 has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Aful Performer 5+2 | ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 8 | 6 |
| Treble | 7 | 4 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 7 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 7 |
| Tonality | 7.5 | 5.8 |
| Technicalities | 7 | 4 |
Jaytiss Reviews Comparison
Aful Performer 5+2 reviewed by
8.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Aful Performer 5+2 lands as a hybrid of the beloved Performer 5 and the punchier Explorer. The unboxing is the familiar P5 affair—same case, same style of tips—nothing flashy, but solid. The shell mirrors the P5 in size with a comfy little stabilizing wing that locks in well. No metal nozzle or front filter here, yet tip retention is secure and hassle-free. The flat 2-pin socket is straightforward, and the stock cable feels thick and supple with a reliable chin slider and handy red/blue channel markers. Overall: understated build, great ergonomics, daily-driver ready.
Sonically, this one aims neutral with a very distinct top end—clean, dynamic, incisive. Think switching from black-and-white to color; cymbals and overtones pop with a slightly crunchy/pristine edge that energizes detail without turning harsh on good recordings. Bass isn’t about sheer quantity; it’s about slam and dynamics—quick on the draw, well-controlled, and satisfying when called upon. Vocals sit a notch forward, microdetail is strong, and the overall presentation is coherent, clear, and technical with convincing stage, resolution, and imaging. Not a treble-shy or bass-bombed tuning—more a refined all-rounder for those who want clarity and bite.
Versus the original P5, the 5+2 fixes the missing “air” and soft edges, trading them for crisper transients and better extension. Compared with Explorer (a value champ), the 5+2 brings superior upper-treble reach, detail, and vocal focus. Against Performer 8 and Cantor, it feels more visceral—the P8 is smoother and more relaxed, while Cantor pulls finer microdetail but with less bass slam. Sets like Dino Quattro or J’s Estrella bring bigger fun or treble theatrics, yet the 5+2’s balance and everyday versatility win more often. Net take: a neutral-leaning, highly technical upgrade that stands tall in its bracket—easy to recommend to anyone chasing clarity, speed, and controlled impact over pure warmth or excess bass.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews reviewed by
6.8
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete is a 1DD + 4BA hybrid at $249 with a clean, durable shell, metal nozzle, front filter, rear vent, and flat 2-pin sockets. Fit is stable and comfortable, though the body lacks the little “wing” that adds extra grip on some sets. The package feels thoughtful: the familiar ZiiGaat hard case is genuinely useful, while the stock cable is a straightforward 3.5 mm run with color-coded sides and a slightly loose chin slider—perfectly serviceable for the set’s gaming-first pitch.
Sonically, Arete goes for a boomy, thick, and grounded bass with pleasing note weight, a well-shaped FR, and an overall fun balance that flatters EDM and casual play sessions. The trade-off shows up in the 4–5 kHz zone and upper-treble “air,” where energy and refinement can feel uneven—engaging for some, a touch fatiguing or slightly dull for others over time. Versus adjacent options, Arcadia reads darker in presence; sets like Estrella or recent ZiiGaat releases can sound more “special” for pure music listening, while the new Odyssey emerges as the sub-$300 benchmark in this family for a more complete top-end and overall polish.
On the scorecard, Arete slots in at a solid 8.0 overall with a 9/10 bass, 8/10 mids, and a treble/air/imaging segment that sits a step behind its low-end authority. It’s an exceedingly competitive tuning at the price—easy to enjoy, easy to recommend to gamers and bass-leaning listeners—yet it invites a future revision with a dedicated upper-treble driver (tweeter BA, micro-planar, or EST) to lift extension and finesse. If the priority is weighty low end and a plug-and-play package, Arete is a strong pick; if chasing top-end sparkle and extra separation, Odyssey (and a few peers) make a stronger case.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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Aful Performer 5+2 Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+4BA+1Planar
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost
Brand: AFUL Top AFUL IEMs
Price (Msrp): $229
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ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost
Brand: ZiiGaat Top ZiiGaat IEMs
Price (Msrp): $249
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Aful Performer 5+2 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Tuning feels well executed, keeping a natural flow across the spectrum. Switching genres feels seamless.
Average Technical Grade
A-- It manages detail and layering well enough, even if the stage feels only moderately sized. You get a clear sense of left and right, if not depth.
ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B-- Tonality is generally agreeable, though a few bumps remind you of its limits. Certain tracks spotlight its tonal quirks.
Average Technical Grade
C-- Even moderate complexity exposes the limited resolution and narrow sense of space. Technical fans will find it lacking.
Aful Performer 5+2 User Reviews
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