ZiiGaat is a relatively new brand that is making a name for itself in the IEM (in-ear monitor) scene, and the Lush model that is the subject of this review is the latest innovation aimed at the audiophile public but without having to break the bank, in fact the sale price on the official website is only €160,95, a high price for those who do not understand quality music but relatively low for those who hang around in the professional audio sector. And in any case, if you are willing to spend €579 for a pair of Apple AirPods Max I don't see why you shouldn't treat yourself to the luxury of a pair of IEM earphones.
ZiiGaat Lush Studio 1DD+4BA Hybrid IEM Hifi Earphones Wired Earphones with Neutral Tone Balance for Dispersion Listeners
The ZiiGatt Lush have a front plate made of 3D printed medical resin with hand-painted faceplates with a sparkling effect that recalls a starry sky, at least in the color I received for testing. The shape of the shell is decidedly ergonomic and this facilitates both the grip with the fingers and the comfort, which I would define as excellent. In reality, the shell protrudes a little more out of the ear compared to other IEMs I have tried, but you never have the sensation that these fall, however the lines adapt perfectly to the natural contours of the ear.
As for accessories, you receive a set of silicone tips in 3 different sizes and a single set of memory foam tips. Honestly, I have not tested the comfort with these last tips because I do not like them but it is still a nice addition that not all manufacturers include as well as providing the earphones with a carrying case, square in shape and well designed to withstand any impacts and protect the product from any splashes of liquid. Inside there is a mesh pocket to carry any tips as well as the cable, which did not give me a premium feeling, indeed apparently cheap also because of the plastic details, but at least the connectors are gold plated for better audio transmission. The cable still performed its function in an excellent manner, but if necessary it can be replaced with another one of your liking.
But going beyond the aesthetic aspect, which still makes its mark, how do the ZiiGatt Lush sound? I want to start with the bass because they are pleasantly relaxed compared to many other sets, about 5-6 dB above the mid range and I much prefer this approach, because the IEM nature should favor the other frequencies, emphasizing voices and musical instruments without exaggerating with unwanted rumbles or nuances. In short, the Lush offer a decidedly natural and realistic sound offering a much more lively listening experience than the IEMs with which it directly clashes. This does not mean that we do not have body in the bass, on the contrary, those deriving from the harmonic sounds of the voice remain faithful to the vocal timbre of the artist without being overwhelmed by rumbles in the headphones while the electric type bass does not have an excessive decay that would instead overwhelm the rhythmic thrust and precision of a bass drum, even in relatively faster musical genres such as metal.
ZiiGaat Lush sound well balanced with a harmonic consistency on practically any song they are proposed. For the midrange we do not find excessive emphasis or unnecessary recessions, maintaining the intimacy and realism sought in a pair of IEM earphones. In essence male vocals, snare drums, pianos, guitars, strings etc.. are reproduced in a sublime way with the right weight of the notes and the benefits that come from it during studio sessions or live.
Speaking of treble, the company designed the Lush with a low-end boost around 5,5kHz, which is necessary to keep the sound from being too warm while still sounding natural. Extremely high tones like a hi-hat aren’t a sizzling explosion of sound, but each instrument sounds as it should and to a discerning ear, you can actually hear the actual sound of the drum skin that sounds like paper on other IEMs. One benefit of the Lush’s higher treble tuning is that it makes these earphones very versatile for a variety of users. Overall, there’s a relaxed sound signature that isn’t overly bassy or muddy, and I found very few flaws that would compromise the sound, which is enough for me to say that they sit comfortably in the high-end of IEM tunings in terms of neutrality and sensitivity.
I would like to point out that the sound of any IEM could have different quality depending on the user and the shape of their ear and how the tips of the drivers are positioned inside it. I won't go into the specifics of the anatomical aspect but any IEM could sound more or less right on the highs.
ZiiGaat Lush Studio 1DD+4BA Hybrid IEM Hifi Earphones Wired Earphones with Neutral Tone Balance for Dispersion Listeners
I will start by saying that I am not an expert nor do I have a master ear, but I think the ZiiGaat Lush are an exceptional IEM for the price and probably the safest recommendation in the 200 euro price range. The strength of the Lush is that they present music with a balance of subtle colorations to make it interesting and unique enough, while still having a fairly neutral midrange and an overall balanced spectral tilt, such that nothing ever sounds completely bad. I am happy to recommend the Lush to those who, like me, are tired of the constant excess of bass and accentuated treble typical of other IEMs and simply want something that sounds reasonable, natural and is great for relaxing while listening to music thanks to perfect comfort.
