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Description
Introduction: A Journey in Audio Excellence
About three years ago, Fresh Reviews embarked on a quest to find the best audio solutions for competitive gaming. This journey led to the creation of the "wall hack certified tier list," which aimed to share the joy of incredible sound with both professionals and novices alike. The Arete IEM is a result of this quest—a product designed to offer exceptional imaging, separation, and detail retrieval across a variety of first-person shooter games. The collaboration between Fresh Reviews and ZiiGaat marks the beginning of a series of products dedicated to the pursuit of audio perfection.
The Legacy of ZiiGaat: Engineering Excellence
ZiiGaat has been the silent force behind many of today's most popular global audio brands. With over a decade of experience in developing OEM and ODM products, ZiiGaat now aims to unleash its technological innovations without corporate restrictions. The team is passionate about music and best-in-class audio resolution, striving to help people rediscover their music like never before. ZiiGaat is more than just an audio brand; it's a tech team dedicated to working closely with the audio community to create better products.
5-Driver Hybrid Configuration: Precision and Power
The Arete IEM features a sophisticated 1DD+4BA configuration that fully utilizes each driver to its maximum potential. Classic American Knowles drivers are selected for the midrange and treble, ensuring tried and true performance, while a new biocellulose diaphragm dynamic driver powers the bass, delivering a robust and detailed low-end experience.
Biocellulose Diaphragm Driver: Superior Bass Performance
The 10mm biocellulose diaphragm dynamic driver is the heart of the Arete's bass response. Enhanced by stronger neodymium magnets, this driver delivers responsive and tight bass, while the biocellulose membrane allows for better texturing in the low-end. This setup provides a bass performance that surpasses typical balanced armature woofers, making it ideal for both gaming and music.
American Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers: Exceptional Midrange and Treble
The Arete employs two Knowles 29689 balanced armature drivers for the midrange, known for their natural and accurate sound reproduction, particularly in vocals and string instruments. For the upper treble, the Knowles 31736 twin-balanced armature drivers ensure pristine and extended treble response. These drivers are revered in the IEM industry, and ZiiGaat's latest tuning innovations breathe new life into them.
Balanced Monitor Tuning: Natural and Detailed Sound
Tuning was a critical focus in the development of the Arete IEM. The aim was to achieve a natural sound profile akin to professional studio monitors, while still providing punchy bass for an enjoyable listening experience. The midrange is tuned to be almost flat and natural from 300Hz to 1kHz, ensuring accurate reproduction of instruments and vocals without coloration. This neutral midrange also enhances layering and imaging, allowing listeners to discern each instrument line within the mix.
Concentrated Bass Impact: Deep and Clean Low-End
To achieve a subwoofer-like bass signature, the Arete features a 9dB shelf that precisely cuts off at 300Hz. This tuning ensures that the bass is strong and deep, yet clean and free of muddiness, allowing listeners to fully appreciate the lower frequencies without sacrificing overall tonal balance.
Professional Treble Response: Airy and Spacious Sound
The treble response of the Arete is meticulously tuned to balance clean tone with a natural perception of upper treble harmonics. The upper treble is free from unnatural peaks or harshness, delivering all the micro-details and nuances in the music. The Knowles 31736 tweeters play a crucial role in this, offering excellent treble extension and creating a more airy and spacious soundstage.
Three-Way Crossover: Precise Frequency Separation
The Arete's sound signature is made possible by a complex 3-way electronic crossover system, complemented by three independent acoustic sound tubes per side. This configuration ensures optimal separation across the frequency ranges, delivering a cohesive and immersive audio experience.
A Collaborative Effort: Fresh Reviews and ZiiGaat
The Arete IEM is a product of collaboration between ZiiGaat and Fresh Reviews, a popular YouTube and social media audio reviewer. Fresh Reviews brings an in-depth understanding of the Hi-Fi world, helping ZiiGaat fine-tune the Arete to achieve the best possible sound quality. This partnership reflects a shared passion for creating audio products that elevate the listening experience for gamers and music lovers alike.
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Let customers speak for us
I've been running my Kiwi Ears Quintets directly from my MacBook, and looking for a DAC to improve. Saw good reviews about the Onix Xl1, and ordered from TAS as soon as it was available. The DAC is a solid to hold and looks well made. Bit larger than others, but it's mostly for use with my laptop, so no issues for me. Switched my IEM's to 4.4 balanced, and the sound is great, with a distinct improvement from running it off the Mac 3.5 earlier. With my limited judgement I would say it adds a bit of warmth to the bass, and also tames a bit of the higher end for the Quintets. I find in high gain mode, the imaging and separation seem to get a slight boost, but maybe that's just me. Very happy with my purchase and would totally recommend!
I personally would recommend these for anyone who wants a balanced a sound with thumping base it’s simply awesome
These are the best ear tips that I've ever experienced! I've bought the ML size, and they fit perfectly in the conchas of my ears. The velvety smooth finish of the tips is sublime to the touch and feels super soft when put inside the ears.
The sound impression of these tips caught me unawares! They startled me! This is the first time I felt that a pair of excellent ear tips can make an IEM sound better. Much better, in fact. It makes the sound holographic and well-rounded; both the width and the height increase significantly; I had to turn the volume a couple of notches down in every music source I use: DAP, desktop, laptop, mobile phone, or tab with a DAC, etc. Most of the IEMs I used with these ear tips sounded superb in low volumes. They didn't distort sound on high volumes as well.
I used them with FiiO FD5, Final Audio A5000, Meze Alba, Dunu Titan S, Shure Aonic 215, and Pixel Buds. (In the case of the Pixel Buds, I could not close the case after putting these on; so I guess a smaller size is needed.) It's too bad I couldn't use them with Westone Audio Mach30 because of improper fit.
Versus the Dunu S&S: The Dunu S&S has similar characteristics. But the Velvet has a much more impactful sound. It has a thicker note weight that enhances the natural timbre of both male and female vocals and most instruments. The Velvet also has a much bigger soundstage than that created by the S&S. Contrarily, the S&S has more accurate imaging than the Velvet.
Versus the Symbio W (Silicone with foam inside): The Symbio W makes sound more intimate than the Velvet. It has a smaller soundstage than the Velvet and hence it is less holographic than Velvet. But it is more transparent than Velvet with light note weight; so I prefer to listen to singers like Tracy Chapman or P!nk with these ear tips on.
I must say that the shape of the Velvet ear tips is exquisite! Add to that the perfect choice of materials and finish and you have a winning combination. (Please see the pictures of the top and bottom of the three ear tips in the photo I've uploaded.) At almost INR500 a pair, these are the best ear tips among all the ear tips that I've ever tested! I'll surely get more of them in the future. I highly recommend them to everyone!
I carry the following items in my office bag.
1. Fiio BTR7
2. Fiio BTR7‘s type-C to type-C cable
3. Fiio BTR7‘s type-C to lightning cable
4. A 4.4mm (F) to 3.5mm (M) converter
5. Hifiman RE400
6. Type-C to 3.5mm dongle
7. Lightning to 3.5mm dongle
See the attached pictures. Earlier, I used to carry these 7 items in 2 separate cases. With this case coming in at just Rs. 250/-, I have now perfectly fit all these 7 items into one case. It’s made my life easier as i no longer have to carry and pack-unpack two separate cases each time.
I also love the fact that this case fits the Fiio BTR7 like a glove.
For me, this case has the perfect length, breadth, and more importantly width.
The case’s in-hand feel is also very good and it’s zip is super smooth.
200% recommended.
The earphones obviously are great and I just hoped to get original product as I’m ordering for first time in audio store. And the product quality is super and packaging also protects damage, I like it, I would shop at audio store to get any top branded quality product
Exactly what I was looking for my iPhone 13 Mini.
Official Apple dongle works but too thin cabled tangly one.
This one is far better form-factor & music quality wise!
About The Audio Store
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I made 2 purchases so far. Order to delivery experiences have been so smooth, fast and efficient.
Keep up the excellent performance guys!
I bought Audio Ehhiku before AP5 and my only question to Pritam/TAS was, is there another set that can match or beat Ehhiku's sonic brilliance. Pritam recommended AP5 as a worthy side grade to Ehhiku. And AP5's lush, relaxed and premium tonality totally justifies this set's claim as one of the best bargain from a price to performance ratio in the 20 k price point. After significant burn-in, AP5 shines like a Diamond in the sky. Thanks Pritam and TAS for recommending this set. Cheers!!
I loved this cable. This was the best one available in the least price. The cable quality is supreme and order arrived on time as well.
This is my first order from the audiostore and my trust went up.
I've always enjoyed the hallmark ESS sound - resolution and instrument separation - and own a number of portable as well as desktop DACs based on various ESS chips. The RAW MDA-1 maintains that tradition but has even better imaging and soundstage IMHO. True, the sound signature of a DAC does not depend on the chip alone; the output stage design also plays a big part - and SMSL's expertise is evident here, just like in their AKM-based offerings like the Sanskrit MKII or more recently - the SU-1. Of the many albums that I used for initial impressions - want to specifically mention one - Dave Brubeck Live With The LSO. I was able to make out even the more recessed instruments and the sound was distinctly holographic - I could pinpoint location of instruments and the soundstage depth was amazing! Extremely happy with the purchase and thanks to TAS for bringing this to India so soon!
I must recommend this DAC to any alternatives out there with 3.5mm Connector.
Reason: This is very underrated DAC , it has USB audio Class 2.0, who are using UAPP ( Usb audio player pro) they will benefit from this and knows how the sound quality differs from 1.0. And only the DAC with 70mW output power this is huge in this price range. What else need more than this ? Just go for it.
Well-made versatile (balanced, single ended termination) IEM cable. In picture it may look stiff due to nylon sheathing, but in reality it is very soft and flexible cable. DUNU craftmanship on this cable is commendable.
Great iems , recommended for gaming and heavy bass music ....
For the price at these iem are you in for a party in your head. Better to use them with a DAC as more power they get the better they sound. Sound quality is👌, better than normal earphones. Great for bass heads. Also thanks to the audio store for such quick order processing , got me iems in 1 day and gift wrap (which i did not ask for or expect) kudos to them 👏!
I've been using this eartips for quite sometime now and I've been using this with the OPPO Enco X2 and I really love the fit and comfort this offers.
Plz send update the software for earbuds & more EQ mode