Kiwi Ears Astral VS ZiiGaat Crescent
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Kiwi Ears Astral and ZiiGaat Crescent use 1DD+6BA and 2DD+2BA driver setups respectively. Kiwi Ears Astral costs $299 while ZiiGaat Crescent costs $279. Kiwi Ears Astral is $20 more expensive. Both score 8.5 from reviewers. User ratings place Kiwi Ears Astral at 8.3 and ZiiGaat Crescent at 7.4. Kiwi Ears Astral has significantly better mids with a 1-point edge and ZiiGaat Crescent has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Kiwi Ears Astral | ZiiGaat Crescent |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 8 | 7 |
| Treble | 7 | 7 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 8 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 8 |
| Tonality | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Technicalities | 7 | 7 |
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 Crescent reviewed by
2025-07-20
8.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The ZiiGaat Crescent, priced at $279, features a familiar, comfortable ZiiGaat shell build that's durable and slightly larger than models like the Magic One. The package includes a new premium-feeling case with a vibrant color and a great black cable featuring easy-to-change connectors and a functional chin slider. Overall, the build and accessories are solid, representing a step up from previous ZiiGaat offerings.
Sonically, the Crescent delivers a strong V-shaped signature characterized by great, impactful bass that some might find a touch boomy and elevated upper air/treble. While not the most incisive or natural treble, it's clean and engaging. Technical performance is really good, making it a hyper-competitive option in its price bracket. It compares favorably to the ZiiGaat Odyssey (more fun, more bass), the Arcanis (more V-shaped vs vocal specialist), and the Binary Dynaquattro (more refinement, richer mids). While the Luna offers cleaner micro-details and a more "audiophile" tuning for $100 more, the Crescent provides a richer, more organic, bass-forward alternative. It shares similarities with the S-tier Top Pro, differing by only 1-2%.
Ultimately, the Crescent earns a strong A+ rating and a strong recommendation. It's a fantastic value with excellent dynamics, well-done tuning, and great technicalities for the price. This is a highly competitive set ideal for those seeking an engaging, fun signature with elevated bass and air. While its specific tuning won't suit everyone, especially those sensitive to bass or preferring absolute neutrality, it's a special set worth serious consideration and likely a keeper for many.
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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 Crescent Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+2BA
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost
Brand: ZiiGaat Top ZiiGaat IEMs
Price (Msrp): $279
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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 Crescent Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Overall balance feels confident and refined, rewarding long listening sessions. A reliable all-rounder for everyday listening.
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 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 Crescent User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewA fun, vibrant IEM that delivers lively treble and vintage character at strong value.
Pros
Sparkly treble and warm, analog-like texture with controlled, focused bass.Cons
Treble can be fatiguing on energetic tracks and doesn’t scale well at high volume.Find your next IEM:
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