ZiiGaat Crescent Review – Endgame Class For Under $300
“The ZiiGaat Crescent, a handcrafted hybrid IEM with dual dynamic drivers and balanced armatures, offers a unique sound profile that delivers rich analog warmth, crisp detail, and studio-grade tonal balance in a premium, boutique design,” Says ZiiGaat on their website. Let’s dive in and see if it lives up to the hype.
The Crescent enhances driver quality and efficiency to maximize the most cohesive and dynamic sound. Equipped with two dynamic drivers and two balanced armature drivers, all of which function independently and redundantly, it ensures a unique texture and character in the sound.
Tech Inside
The Crescent features two separate dynamic drivers arranged in an isobaric configuration. A 10mm PET diaphragm driver was selected to produce a deep, thumpy bass rumble. Meanwhile, a 10mm LCP diaphragm offers the transient speed needed to keep the bass and low-mids feeling tight and controlled. Each driver is individually tuned, but combining their acoustics in an isobaric setup completely changes the textural output, resulting in the distinctive vintage sound of the Crescent.
A custom-ported Knowles 30262-163 midrange driver has been meticulously calibrated to deliver seamless yet assertive midrange frequencies. The midrange possesses a velvety texture that is airy while preserving the precision characteristic of balanced armature drivers. The Knowles 33518 tweeters function to amplify the treble frequencies, thereby enhancing the micro-details within the music.
Design and Comfort
Each Crescent unit is a testament to the highest quality materials and craftsmanship. Beginning with a 3D-printed resin shell made from imported medical-grade resin, the shell is both durable and lightweight, ideal for extended studio usage.
Each driver is carefully hand-tested and matched before assembly, making sure everything fits perfectly. Crescent units are then individually tested again before they are finished and polished, ensuring top-notch quality.
Every faceplate is lovingly hand-poured and decorated, giving it a boutique look and feel that confidently highlights the product’s durability and excellent performance. You can verify this by checking the FR graph; there is almost no channel imbalance, which is rare to see.
The body of the Crescent is made of opaque black resin, ensuring that no light passes through it. The transition from the faceplate to the shell is seamless.
In terms of fit, the Crescent stands the test of time. Even after a long 14-hour session, I did not notice any discomfort. The craftsmanship is impeccable, with no evident flaws. The IEMs offer a snug fit, ensuring no irritation even whilst walking around. As for isolation, the solid acrylic shell provides great passive noise cancellation for a universal IEM.
Inside the Box
The Crescent comes with a chic carrying case, finished in a beautiful Windsor Tan color and crafted from faux leather. It can comfortably secure both the earphones and the cable, as well as a small DAC dongle. I really like the carrying case as it looks and feels premium. The ZiiGaat Luna came with this exact carrying case, and I’m glad ZiiGaat didn’t change it.
In this model, ZiiGaat has paired the Crescent with a premium ultra-pure, silver-plated, oxygen-free copper 2-pin 0.78mm litz cable, similar to Luna. It features a pliable structure and a soft cable jacket that enhances the feel and contributes to ease of use, especially in outdoor environments. The overall quality of the cable is quite lovely, adding to the premium feel of the Crescent.
- 1 × Pair of ZiiGaat Crescent IEMs
- 6 × Pairs of silicone ear tips (S/M/L, black and transparent)
- 1 × High-purity braided audio cable (2-pin 0.78mm to 3.5mm)
- 1 × Premium carrying case
- 1 × 3.5mm adapter, 1 × 4.4mm adapter
- 1 × Warranty card
- 1 × Wearing diagram/user instruction card
Specs
- Driver: 2DD + 2BA (10mm PET + 10mm LCP + Knowles 30262-163 + Knowles 33518)
- Sensitivity: 102dB
- THD: 0.63%
- Impedance: 12Ω
- Price: $279
Disclaimer: The ZiiGaat Crescent was kindly provided by Linsoul for review.
Sound
The Crescent has been painstakingly tuned to fit ZiiGaat’s in-house tonal curvature. Featuring a robust 10dB sub-bass shelf that precisely cuts off at 250Hz, the bass is thumpy, focused, and pristine. The midrange is free from any bloating, allowing vocals and instruments to sound accurate, showcase their inherent warmth, and texture.
The trebles have excellent bite and sizzle without any harshness thanks to a natural decay curvature. Micro peaks throughout the decay bring out every minute detail, keeping the sound clear and full of air without being unnatural.
The Crescent has a warm-neutral signature with an emphasis on the sub-bass region. It sounds coherent and tonally balanced across the spectrum, just like the Luna that I reviewed from ZiiGaat Company; the Crescent also has a solid technical foundation. It is a great all-rounder, as it is capable of powerful bass reproduction while maintaining the great, balanced sound that I’ve come to love about ZiiGaat IEMs. This IEM is the new flag bearer of the sub-$300 price bracket.
Lows
The IEM showcases elevated sub-bass to mid-bass regions. The hump decreases nearing the mid-bass. Thanks to the new bi-diaphragm dynamic driver, the bass response never bleeds into or overpowers the midrange. Sheer bass makes it suitable for bass-dominated genres, such as EDM. The two DD drivers excel at controlling bass reproduction, producing a clean, distortion-free, and agile sound.
As for quality, the Crescent reproduces one of the cleanest basses I’ve heard in this price bracket. It is fast, snappy, and powerful at the same time. You can throw natural percussions or synth bass lines at it, without fearing how it’ll handle them.
Mids
The midrange is clean, articulate, and airy. The midbass has good weight and is suitable for stringed instruments; male vocals have a realistic body. The midrange is neither forward nor recessed. The instrument and the vocal texture feel accurate, and the midrange timbre feels natural. The upper midrange of the Crescent is balanced. It feels spacious, articulate, and expansive, whilst staying well below the hot areas.
The Crescent handles splashy and shouty instruments with ease, thanks to its polite but detailed upper midrange tuning. The Crescent feels organic. The midrange is free from any bloating, allowing vocals and instruments to sound accurate, showcase their natural warmth, and texture.
Treble
The treble has excellent bite and sizzle without harshness thanks to a natural decay curve. Micro peaks throughout the decay highlight every tiny detail, keeping the sound explicit and airy without sounding unnatural.
The Crescent’s highs can be described as balanced and polite. There is a good amount of top-end extension and detail. I like the tuning of this part; there is just the right amount of treble density, neither too much nor too little.
The resolution of the highs is also quite good. This is a tuning that will satisfy both treble lovers and audiophiles, with a well-balanced treble sensitivity, which I found particularly well done.
Technicalities
The Crescent is a technical marvel in its price range. It boasts impressive resolution, combined with an outstanding tonal balance, which is rare to find nowadays. Manufacturers usually go for the old V or full Harman, which renders us, lovers of the neutral warm, unsatisfied.
ZiiGaat successfully crafted a monitor that can stay polite and detailed at the same time. It features excellent imaging, precise instrument separation, and a spacious stage with sufficient depth. Its separation is one of the best in its price range, and it surpassed my expectations.
Sum-Up
The Crescent is simply a joy to listen to. Offering a unique musical experience, the sound of the Crescent can be described as feeling analog, with a hint of retro twang, similar to the character of vintage tube amps. The overall sound feels snappy and crisp, with fast transients that keep the music feeling fresh while evoking a nostalgic vibe.
The ZiiGaat Crescent Hybrid In-Ear Monitors demonstrate ZiiGaat’s commitment to delivering excellent audio performance at a competitive price. With its warm-neutral signature, it excels in bass reproduction, offers a balanced and articulate midrange, and presents highs that cater to both treble enthusiasts and those sensitive to higher frequencies.
These set the Crescent apart from its rivals in its price bracket. For those seeking a harmonious blend of detail and warmth in the sub-$300 range, the Crescent is undoubtedly a frontrunner.