Kiwi Ears Astral VS ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Kiwi Ears Astral and ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews use 1DD+6BA and 1DD+4BA driver setups respectively. Kiwi Ears Astral costs $299 while ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews costs $249. Kiwi Ears Astral is $50 more expensive. Kiwi Ears Astral holds a decisive 1.7-point edge in reviewer scores (8.5 vs 6.8). Kiwi Ears Astral carries a user score of 8.3. Kiwi Ears Astral has significantly better mids with a 2-point edge, Kiwi Ears Astral has significantly better treble with a 3-point edge and Kiwi Ears Astral has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Kiwi Ears Astral | 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
Kiwi Ears Astral reviewed by
8.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The Kiwi Ears Astral offers a solid build quality with comfortable shells that fit well, featuring a practical nozzle design that holds ear tips securely. The included cable is notably high-quality, featuring a functional chin slider, a sleek bluish-purplish-gray hue, and connectors that are exceptionally easy to swap. While the case is utilitarian and similar to other Kiwi Ears offerings, the overall package is practical and well-appointed.
Sonically, the Astral stands out as a special and highly competitive set at its $299 price point. It delivers a beautifully tuned, balanced tonality that hugs the target curve closely, offering a satisfying amount of bass, well-executed upper mids, and a generally pleasing, non-fatiguing sound. While it may occasionally lean slightly shouty or risk sounding dull on certain tracks compared to more aggressively tuned alternatives, it excels as a refined all-rounder. Its technical performance – including spaciousness, detail retrieval, and rich bass texturing – is impressive for the price, though micro-details and ultimate pristine clarity aren't class-leading.
The Astral trades blows with top competitors like the Performer 7 (slightly darker/richer) and the Volume S (better dynamics but less sub-bass), often coming out ahead for its cohesive balance. It significantly improves upon predecessors like the Kiwi Ears Quartet or Singolo, offering better upper-mid presence and technicalities. Ultimately, it represents a fantastic option for those seeking a well-tuned, balanced IEM, delivering a highly enjoyable and versatile listening experience with minimal faults. For its price, it's exceptionally hard to beat, earning strong marks across the board.
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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.
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Kiwi Ears Astral Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+6BA
Tuning Type: U-Shaped
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $299
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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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Kiwi Ears Astral Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- It presents a smooth, well-integrated tonal balance that plays nicely with many styles. It maintains natural timbre across the range.
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.
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.
Kiwi Ears Astral User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewImaging and separation performance on this IEM gives a holographic nature to tracks of all genres. Extremely versatile. Technical performance competes with many higher-priced sets.
Pros
Extremely clean separation and technical performance. Treble is very clean at price point. Mids are clear and transparent, and are simply good with little to no coloration. Forward vocal region, but does so in a way that should be great for all.Cons
Midbass could be raised slightly, and sub bass can be too forward at times. Treble clarity only slightly behind much more expensive sets. Raised 7-9khz region, but not peaky.A technically adept IEM with a balanced, engaging U-shaped signature that excels in bass texture, vocal clarity, and spatial presentation—offering exceptional value despite sparse accessories.
Pros
Powerful, textured sub-bass with deep rumble; natural vocals with excellent clarity; airy, non-fatiguing treble with strong extension; and outstanding imaging/soundstage for the price.Cons
Limited eartip selection affects fit optimization; bulky shells may cause discomfort during extended use; mids occasionally lack warmth and can feel slightly recessed.ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews User Reviews
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