The Arcadia is a hybrid in-ear monitor (IEM) from ZiiGaat, a relatively new audio brand. This model combines one dynamic driver with two balanced armature drivers, and was developed in collaboration with the reviewer HBB (Hawaii Bad Boy).
ZiiGaat has previously collaborated with other reviewers in similar partnerships, a practice that is becoming increasingly common among IEM manufacturers. Crinacle serves as a prime example of such collaborations, having worked on several successful projects. While these partnerships can be valuable for leveraging the expertise of trained ears, they do pose potential challenges to a reviewer’s credibility. In fact, Crinacle decided to cease reviewing entirely to focus solely on developing and selling audio products, addressing this potential conflict of interest. However, all that is ultimately the reviewer’s challenge to navigate. Here, we will focus solely on the product itself:
MAIN TAKEAWAY
- Lush, smooth sound signature
- Velvety midrange
- Powerful bass
- Nice level of detail
- Susceptible to ear tip rolling
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The term “Arcadia” originally refers to a geographical region in ancient Greece but has, via Greek mythology, become a term often used to illustrate perfection, harmony, and natural beauty.
ABOUT ZIIGAAT
The team behind ZiiGaat has spent over a decade quietly engineering audio products for other companies but has recently decided to launch their own brand. In their own words: “We aim to be more than just an audio brand; we seek to be a tech team that can work closely with the audio community to make better products … Each ZiiGaat member is passionate about music and best-in-class audio resolution, and we are on a mission to help people rediscover their music…”
Although ZiiGaat’s primary focus is on IEMs, their product range also includes portable DAC/Amps, a tube amplifier, a turntable, and, intriguingly, a megaphone and a reading tablet. Despite being a relatively small company with such a diverse lineup, they seem ambitious enough, and they’ve actively reached out to the community and collaborated with reviewers on several occasions. ZiiGaat may be a brand worth keeping an eye on in the future.
DRIVER SETUP AND HANDLING
For the bass, the Arcadia features a newly developed custom in-house 10mm dynamic driver. This driver incorporates ZiiGaat’s proprietary “Topology Diaphragm”, which is engineered by adding nanoparticles to the surface in a way that enhances sound dispersion.
The midrange and treble are handled by the well-established Knowles ED 29689, used in many great IEMs, while the Knowles RAD 33518 is a new ultra-tweeter that gives extra detail and shimmer in the highest end of the spectrum.
The Arcadia are made of medical-grade resin with a non-exchangeable metal nozzle and 0.78 mm 2-pin cable connectors. They are light and sit comfortably in my ears. The cable is rather thin and very light; it has some nice friction to it. There are 3 pairs of silicone tips included (sizes S, M, L) and 1 pair of foams.
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ZiiGaat x HBB ARCADIA SPECIFICATIONS
- Drivers: 10 mm topology diaphragm + Knowles 29689 + Knowles 33518
- Sensitivity: 106 dB
- Impedance: 12 ohm
- Frequency Response: 20-23 kHz
- Cable connectors: 0.78 2-pin
- Cable termination: 3.5 mm
- In the box: IEMs, cable, 3 sizes of silicone tips, and 1 pair of foam tips
Reviewed at $199. You can check the current price here:
Linsoul: ZiiGaat x HBB Arcadia
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STANDALONE LISTENING IMPRESSIONS
I have made it a habit to mostly use my own tips for all reviews because tips do make a lot of difference, and the supplied tips seldom fit me that great. Getting the best ear tips for you, is a very individual thing, but generally speaking, a narrower opening reduces treble and makes the bass more dominant.
I tried out three different tips for these impressions: The SpinFit CP145, The AZLA SednaEarFit Crystal, and the Softears UC tips.
I used the Topping A90 as an amplifier and the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as a source.
SpinFit CP145 TIPS (M)
These soft silicon tips are usually my go-to tips. They are medium-to-narrow bore tips (referring to the size of the opening), which on paper reduces the treble slightly. How much of a difference it makes depends on the IEM.
Jambi by Tool
The low end is on the fuller, fatter side, making it a massive-sounding experience. The treble is non-intrusive, but the detail level is good. In general, the Arcadia sounds quite dark with a massive bass. I like it, but I wouldn’t call it balanced.
Almost Like the Blues by Leonard Cohen
Again, the bass is strong, and for me, it’s slightly more than I prefer. The presentation is also here quite dark sounding. However, the soundstage is not especially small, and the imaging is quite good.
Black Crow by Cassandra Wilson
Cassandra Wilson’s vocals are exquisitely rendered, with a velvety smoothness. The bass delivers a strong presence, while the other instruments are presented in a refined and unobtrusive manner.
As Before by Olga Konkova
The cajôn drum has great punch; the piano is very smooth and not very crisp. The female vocals are smooth and delicious.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
The bass is massive, but it also has a nice level of nuance. The rest of the instruments are presented in a very smooth manner.
AZLA SEDNAEARFIT CRYSTAL TIPS (M)
The wide-bore Crystal tips have a wider opening than the CP145 tips, which one paper should give more treble and a crisper tonality. They are also made of a thicker, firmer silicon material.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
Compared to the CP145, the bass is still massive but gets more definition. It feels like a pulsating animal. The other instruments have more clarity than with the CP145 tips; the imaging is better.
As Before by Olga Konkova
Compared to the CP145 tips, the piano is crisper, with better articulation. The vocals are more textured; imaging is better. It’s a really nice presentation. Although still on the darker side.
Black Crow by Cassandra Wilson
The bass is powerful but less dominant now. The soundstage feels more open, and there is better separation between instruments. Wilson’s vocals are still smooth but have more texture with these tips.
Almost Like The Blues by Leonard Cohen
The bass is better behaved, with a tighter feel, yet still powerful. Cohen’s vocals are still smooth and rounded, but there’s a crisper tone to it. The piano is also crisper with these tips.
Jambi by Tool
The song is quite a lot better with the Crystal tips. Powerful, but tighter bass, crisper guitars, better separation.
SOFTEARS UC TIPS (S)
These medium-bore tips have an opening slightly narrower than the AZLA Crystals. I often like to go down a size when I use the UC tips, for some reason. The IEMs get further into my ear canal, which might affect the sound. The seal is still excellent. The material is on the firmer side, much like the Crystals.
Jambi by Tool
The bass is reduced significantly; there is more texture and a crisper tonality, the vocals are brought more up front in a nice way.
Almost Like The Blues by Leonard Cohen
The bass is better balanced, the vocals are more in focus, and the other instruments are crisper and more pronounced. The general presentation is still smooth and slightly dark.
Black Crow by Cassandra Wilson
The bass is brought down to more normal levels. The vocals are crisper and clearer, the imaging more precise, and all the ambient sounds are more articulate.
As Before by Olga Konkova
The cajôn drum has less volume but still a lot of punch, with great definition. The piano is crisp and clear. The female vocals are more upfront. I really like the way this piece is presented with the UC tips.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
The bass is still very present, but not stealing the show. It is full-bodied and organic-sounding with a rounded, textured feeling. The trumpet is crisp without being hard; the other instruments are smooth and blend in nicely.
CONCLUDING ON TIPS
It is obvious that the Arcadia is highly influenced by the choice of eartips. The medium-narrow bore CP145 tips made it sound very bassy and dark, the wide-bore AZLA Crystal tips made it less bassy and slightly crisper, while the medium-bore and smaller Softears tips that fitted further into my ear canal made the Arcadia relatively balanced. It is still an earphone with a full bass, and the treble is still inoffensive. I definitely prefer the Softear UC tips.
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WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
There’s no denying that the Arcadia has a distinctive tuning—dark, smooth, and bass-rich. However, its sound signature can be noticeably altered with different ear tips.
Treble
Even though the treble is not very sparkly or crisp, I find it to be nicely detailed and quite articulate in a non-offensive way.
Midrange
The midrange is particularly seductive, delivering a creamy and velvety character. While it may not provide the utmost in texture and detail, I really enjoy it.
Bass
The Arcadia has bass. Plenty of it. You can adjust the quantity by selecting different tips, but I’d be surprised if anyone managed to get them to sound bass-light without EQ. The bass quality is very good, and it is not lacking definition and texture, although headphones with less bass presence usually make you focus more on texture than those on the bassier side.
Soundstage and Imaging
Most earphones with a dark tonality often feature an intimate soundstage, and the Arcadia is no exception. However despite lacking support from a crisp high end, the imaging remains quite precise.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
I find the detail level to be quite good, especially the treble. The midrange is smooth rather than highly detailed; that is a trade-off I easily can enjoy. The bass is powerful but does not lack definition. Dynamics are good but not class-leading, though the powerful bass can get your blood pumping. The timbre is generally on the lush and velvety side.
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COMPARISONS
Associated equipment: I used the Topping A90 amplifier with the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as source. The Arcadia was equipped with the Softears UC tips, which I found to be the most neutral and have the least bass quantity of the tips I tried (see above).
KIWI EARS KE4 vs. ZiiGaat x HBB Arcadia
The $199 Kiwi Ears KE4 is a newly launched IEM featuring a driver configuration reminiscent of the Arcadia. It includes dual dynamic drivers for bass, a balanced armature driver for mids and lower highs, and a dedicated balanced armature tweeter for the highest frequencies.
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Both the KE4 and the Arcadia share key similarities: they are priced the same, have a comparable driver setup, are constructed from resin, and rely heavily on ear tip selection for optimal performance. For my testing, I paired the KE4 with the Softears UC ear tips, just like the Arcadia.
Sound-wise, the Kiwi Ears KE4 and ZiiGaat x HBB Arcadia share many similarities, leaning towards a darker, smoother sound with strong bass presence. Their tonality is detailed without being harsh. In direct comparison, the KE4 offers a somewhat crisper and more articulate presentation, especially in the midrange and treble, while the Arcadia offers a smoother, velvety quality. Their detail levels are comparable, though the KE4 is slightly more revealing, particularly in the higher frequencies.
The bass on both is powerful yet controlled, with good texture and definition. Soundstage and imaging are decent for IEMs in this category, but the KE4 feels slightly tighter, with better instrument separation and a larger soundstage.
In terms of timbre, both are on the warm side and somewhat dark, but the Arcadia leans further into a velvety smoothness. Overall, the KE4 excels in articulation and clarity, while the Arcadia provides a richer, more relaxed sound.
KIWI EARS QUINTET vs. ZiiGaat x HBB Arcadia
The $219 Quintet has become somewhat of a reference in its price class since it was released in 2023. Its driver setup is more exotic than that of the KE4, combining a single dynamic driver with a planar magnetic driver, two balanced armatures, and even a piezoelectric bone conductor.
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The Quintet offers a balanced, neutral sound, while the Arcadia leans towards a darker tuning with noticeably boosted bass. Generally speaking, the Quintet is crisper, clearer, and more articulate, especially in the treble and midrange. However, once accustomed to the darker tuning, the Arcadia reveals impressive detail, particularly in the treble. Similarly, while the Arcadia’s mids may initially sound muffled compared to the Quintet, they exhibit a smooth, velvety quality that adds warmth and appeal.
Bass quality is excellent on both, but the Quintet delivers a tighter, more neutral response, whereas the Arcadia is distinctly bass-heavy. The Quintet also boasts a wider soundstage and better imaging, with more space between instruments. That said, the Arcadia remains well-defined and cohesive despite lacking the extra clarity provided by the Quintet’s crisp treble.
In terms of timbre, the Quintet offers a neutral, textured tonality, while the Arcadia emphasizes a smooth, velvety, and darker character. Both earphones have good dynamics, but the Arcadia’s appeal lies in its rich warmth, which contrasts the Quintet’s higher sense of precision and clarity.
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AMPLIFICATION
All listening tests so far have been conducted using my desktop setup. However, most users will likely pair the Arcadia with portable amps and sources. Here’s what I found when checking out my regular portable suspects.
Starting with Quboz on my POCO F5 phone’s headphone output, it already sounds very good, as it often does. I could easily be happy with this setup for a vacation. It stays in the 80-90% volume range. It does, however, lack the last bit of definition and separation that my desktop rig offers.
The tiny but impressive Jade/FiiO JA11 sounds somewhat clearer than the phone. Next, the Letshuoer DT03 and the THX Onyx, which often feel a bit on the warmer side, don’t make the Arcadia warmer, so they’re quite alright. The xDuoo Link2 Bal works very well.
The Chord Mojo sounds great with lots of power to spare and is not inferior to my desktop rig in any way. However, the Dragonfly Cobalt might be my favorite amp of them all; it’s crisper and tighter sounding, and it makes the Arcadia a bit cleaner sounding than the rest, including the desktop rig.
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CONCLUSION
The ZiiGaat xHBB Arcadia features a lush and smooth sound signature with a powerful bass. Despite the smooth character, the Arcadia maintains a nice level of detail across the spectrum and the velvety midrange has a special appeal.
The Arcadia is sensitive to tip-rolling, making proper selection of tips crucial for optimal performance.
If you hate strong bass and love crisp treble, this isn’t the right IEM for you. However, if descriptions such as “smooth, velvety, and creamy” appeal to you and you appreciate a powerful low end, the Arcadia might be exactly what you’re looking for.
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- Linsoul: ZiiGaat x HBB Arcadia
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