Ziigaat x Fresh Reviews Arete IEM Review - FPS Kings?

The Arete IEM is a collab product from Ziigaat and a KZbinr, ‪@FreshReviewsYT‬ . This is a $250 hybrid IEM designed to perform well in gaming, while still having a flexible sound signature for music and mixed content. In my review, I cover everything from tech specs, measurements, and real-world gaming performance.
Purchase Link - www.linsoul.com/products/ziig...
Dunu S&S Tips - www.linsoul.com/products/dunu...
Tripowin Cable - www.linsoul.com/products/trip...
Other IEMs mentioned:
Simgot EM6L - amzn.to/3RxVPfy
Simgot SuperMix 4 - www.linsoul.com/products/simg...
Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite - www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi...
Yanyin Canon II - www.linsoul.com/products/yany...
Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim - hifigo.com/products/elysian-a...
FreshReviews YT - / @freshreviewsyt
Apex Legends EQ Video - • Apex Legends Ultimate ...
My Headphone/Headset Measurement Database: gadgetrytech.squig.link/heads...
My IEM Measurement Database: gadgetrytech.squig.link/
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
01:19 - Specs & Accessories
06:59 - Comfort
09:22 - Objective Sound Quality
14:17 - Gaming Performance
19:49 - Some Music Talk
21:08 - Final Thoughts
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DISCLAIMERS:
The links above charge you the same price as finding it on Amazon. However, purchasing through the links above would support this channel for future product reviews. We appreciate any support, but please feel free to purchase though any means you feel comfortable with.
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#gaming #iem #apexlegends #callofduty

[@FreshReviewsYT]

Amazingly detailed video! Love it!

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks man! Appreciate you sending this over :)

[@Solo____]

@GadgetryTech thanks for another amazing review and solid advice and comparisons! @FreshReviewsYT you need to put the Aretes on your wall hack tier list please!

[@equiknox_]

Damn boss people really respect you and what you do. You two are my trusted reviewers when I am interested in something about gaming btw!!

[@FreshReviewsYT]

@@equiknox_ that’s very much appreciated. Thanks so much

[@29esther30]

@@GadgetryTechwhat is ur best gaming IEM with a max price range of 400 euro’s?

[@jacksun_jack]

how in the fuck has this chan got less than 100k subs? continuous high quality detailed reviews. love it.

[@GadgetryTech]

Haha thanks man! One day!

[@TheWorldTeacher]

Wow - calm down there, Little Girl!

[@calpispop]

Ordered these pretty much after watching your live stream. With you being one of the very few gaming focused higher end audio reviewers (basically just you and Fresh), your opinions and library of knowledge are greatly appreciated.

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks so much for the kind words! I hope you enjoy them

[@skwirl865]

@@GadgetryTech Thinking about buying the arete to switch out with the orchestra lites(which I love)but don’t want to just eat it on the orchestra lites. How about u trade me one of your cheap but decent desk dac/amps u don’t really use. I’ll send first🤷🏾‍♂️

[@sparkz1997]

@calpispop how have they been performing for gaming mate? or have they not arrived yet?

[@EclipsedWarrior]

bump how are they?

[@skwirl865]

@@EclipsedWarrior they’re actually good. Mine just got here today and I only got a few hours of gaming on them but they’re at least as good as the orchestra lites and I think I like em a little more so far.

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

Great review and info. Thanks for your time and efforts to share this with us all. Much appreciated.

[@mwngo]

Great video! This was exactly what I was looking for, specifically your explanation toward the end, as I'm looking to upgrade from the price range of the em6l. I love this style of review, and I'm glad I could find your channel through it.

[@ImAWSMDanny]

Will probably pick these up as soon as I get the chance. Since its purpose was from the ground up designed with something other than music in mind it makes for a unique and interesting set.

[@ArtisWar]

Chat, how is he reading my mind? Great review! Crazy that the shell is identical to the Yanyin!

[@GadgetryTech]

🤣 dude I just happened to have both out and had a wth moment. Thank god it’s a good shape

[@mitchellnash8628]

Love the videos mate! Eagerly waiting on your Atlas Air comparison video!

[@GadgetryTech]

Thanks! Any specific models you had in mind for comparison?

[@mitchellnash8628]

@@GadgetryTech To be honest it was mainly against the Maxwells. I love them, but the comfort is starting to get to me. If the Atlas Air isn't too much of a compromise in sound quality then I am sold!

[@FallenKiid]

Just got done watching the a50x review and saw this. Great job.

[@GadgetryTech]

Nice, thanks!

[@Rustydude2030]

You mentioned your measuring rig. I've recently gone down the budget audiophile rabbit hole and would love to learn more about how measurement works and the equipment. Might be a cool idea for like a shallow dive/intro video...

[@TreSwayy]

Love this review

[@Baynton3]

Looks like an excellent set. I just picked up the Orchestra Lites as they were on sale, otherwise I'd be looking into these.

[@HazyChris_1]

Would be interested to see you review the Dunu vulkan

[@jello2tube]

hey there. Thank you for reviewing this. I play mostly story games that does have verticality and separation but also listen to music. What would recommend between this Arete VS Simgot EM6L VS Supermix4? Comfort is the key for sure..with bore size.

[@volvvix]

I have the pilgrim and love them for gaming

[@CJ-usa]

This set so Fresh

[@limb_be]

Great review again , can you help me ? I Play Call Of duty Warzone , and ibuyed the cheap moondrop chu 2 for testing if i like gaming with IEMS , so i really like to play with IEMS , buth i want to upgrade to a pair that cost between the 100-150 ? First i taught about the Sennheiser IE200 or what are some other options for playing FPS games ? Grtz Limb !!!

[@cjcaton19]

Joe when are you dropping the hype 4? I’m considering the hype4 or Arete

[@LordSaiiji]

Very detailed ! We appreciate you . Which IEM’s would you recommend for Warzone?

[@MastGiggin]

Seguo

[@innovance3788]

Really curious how these will compare to the Juzear Butterfly 61T. As both the Arete and 61T have me thinking I should have maybe saved up for one of them instead of what I've bought this year....

[@nanker8687]

Good review. Ordered pair about week ago, should be with me in 2 day. Maybe you could do one day video about, how lower gun shoots, explosions, air strikes in COD. But not soundlock or loudness equalization- ruing sound quality. Art is war tune sounds like poo. For now i think COD developers are in the mission to destroy hearing for younger generation.

[@omikurita]

Thank you for the great video. I mainly play COD, yes to the Arete correct?

[@GadgetryTech]

Absolutely

[@mwngo]

I just ordered these and Im curious if there will be any impedance issues running these through a topping dx3 pro+ amp/dac. Specifically, if I should go about EQing them or using a different option altogether.

[@MrBrutalFrosty]

i have a astro mix amp i do play on pc can i just use that with these? i see the apple dongle thing but i dont understand how the usb c part would connect as im not using it for my phone only for pc and dacs that will juice these up or is astros good enough

[@manuelaj3z116]

Great reviews like always, what is your setup or choice of mic for gaming

[@GadgetryTech]

On PC? I use an XLR mic, low profile arm, and connected to Elgato Wave XLR. On console, whichever headset I'm using at the time. I usually don't use IEMs on Xbox because I rarely play solo when I'm on it. For PS5, I change it up quite often.

[@manuelaj3z116]

@@GadgetryTech excellent choice I use the ELGATO wave 3 mostly for convenience and save space, had good sound but I don know how to apply the effects/filters to talk with my squad using DISCORD

[@eduardotorres-de2nt]

@@GadgetryTech I’m looking at IEMS for the PS5 for competitive gaming! I’m not really a sound tech so right out the box would you recommend these or the super mix 4 or EM6L for directional and footsteps ? Awesome channel by the way I just subscribed!

[@MrDoordude125]

Not sure what you think of how really expensive nice earbuds compare to IEMs but I have a pair of Logitech G fits (the ones that mould to your ears). And I absolutely love them they go super deep into your ear like and IEM would and man I love the sound quality on them. Would these be a better option than the earbuds I have or similar?

[@jamesstevens968]

Hi joe I play on ps5 and I'm currently using the hifiman arya organic headphones with the nova pro wireless amp and the mayflower arc amp it sounds better on the mayflower arc amp it seems more fuller the sound I ordered the fiio amp dac do you think that will sound better and can you use a balance cable for the hifiman arya organic headphones because I have the balance cable that came with the focal elex what's your opinion joe thank you stay safe and happy gaming to you

[@pdbdd]

how do the details, seperation, and soundstage compare between the blessing 3 dusk and the ziigaat arete for discerning where enemies are located and how far away?

[@L3GIT91]

Other than the zonie cable, do you have another affordable recommendation for a cable? Looking for a black, white/silver or purple?

[@jonesyFX]

Great review as always. How do they compare to the Orchestra Lite? If I have the Orchestras now, is it worth the switch to these? I only use my IEM's for gaming. Thank you

[@NeonMako]

This is my question as well, the Orchestra Lite has been EXCEPTIONAL for FPS games in my experience, especially when it comes to discerning front vs rear directionality which most full size headphones, let alone IEMs struggle with. Also worth mentioning if your'e struggling with OL fit as the reviewer is here, I found the Kbear 07 and Tri-Clarion tips to make them fit both very well, and very comfortably. Spinfit W1s didn't work all that well with that IEM though to me. Fresh puts them above the OL, but then he did make them. If other reviewers corroborate that it's a step up then I'll grab the Arete.

[@eboboboy]

​@@NeonMako better to upgrade to Simgot Supermix 4. This guy also recommended it in another video.

[@NeonMako]

@@eboboboy Supermix 4 is worse than the Orchestra Lite for comp gaming. (but then it is also a hundred bucks cheaper) For music it's personal preference, and if you do other stuff the Supermix is probably your preference there, but for purely gaming the Lite is very, very hard to beat withough passing 350 bucks or swapping to similarly priced open back headphones. For anyone also asking the question I had; I did end up with an Arete to try an compare, and it's marginal, it really is marginal, but the Arete > OL for comp gaming. ESPECIALLY when it comes to rear directionality from 4 to 7 o clock, which is where audio advantages can really save your butt in games. It is also more precise in it's directionality across the board, but again, it's a small gain. And for music it's much more fun than the OL, with far better note weight and anything 250hz and below having way more impact. (OFC 'Fun' is relative to the user in the audio world.) As well as a fair bit more sense of 'air' in the highs. But then both my OL and Arete were very close to 200 dollars shipped, making them effectively the same price for me, but I'd take the Arete given the choice betwen the two having now owned both. The caveats; Arete has an issue in Hunt: Showdown specifically that the OL doesn't, where some sounds 'jump' out at you from way WAY further away than they should and mess up relative distances, which is usually an issue the OL has in certain games (and with voice comms), so for that game it's reversed. Still overall better than the OL for Hunt, but it is a thing to be aware of. Arete also has the worst cable I've ever seen on an IEM, and that includes stuff like the original Moondrop Chu or Salnotes Zero:2. It's also worse than the iffy cables on the Truthear Hexa/Zero. It came twisted, never stays flat/straight, is light and VERY thin and has a slippery 3.5 jack housing. The OL cable is words ahead, and even cheap (but rather good) Tripowin Zionie cables are too. So I'd factor that into the cost from the get go IMO. Have the purple Zionie on mine (which I borrowed from my Quartets) The 0.78mm 2-pin socket is VERY grippy on my Arete too, concerningly so, although it's possible this is a one off issue, as I don't exactly have multiple copies to compare. Be VERY careful removing any cables you have on it, wiggling it gently from top to bottom of the IEM seems to be the safest method. Arete tips are also a bit shit in terms of quality and isolation since they are very thin, but they do actually seal well enough and sound just as good as much better tips, so they work but they could have done slightly better here. Kbear 07s are basically just better built versions of the Arete stocks. Tangzu Sancai Balanced are very good on it too. I find Spinfits to be too long for them really, as they push the IEM out for a shallower fit too easily. OL's stock tips are famously terrible, so it's pretty even there out of the box. Hope this is useful to anyone considering the same question!

[@MGNitro44]

How do you run a mic for ps or xbox?

[@chrisjones9803]

Hey Joe could you do video on dac/amps using a audio extractor to see if they work with Xbox X/S to see if the audio is better and if it is wroth doing thanks

[@pwn3426]

god i jsut got my orchestra lites in and I absolutely love the sound but man they absoulutely kill my ears after about 20 miutes to the point it HURTS bad and i have to take them out. The nozzle is so danged big man it hurts and the shell also hurts my ear outside my canal. I am so bummed out man cause i love them. I have been using the EM6l and wanted to upgrade to the orchestra lites and man was it a big upgrade but im going to have to send them back and keep looking....

[@duelzbedevious9024]

@GadgetryTech Which product to you recommend for a console player (ps5) who would like to use peq, between the soundblaster G6 or the quidelix 5k?

[@eboboboy]

Or Epos gsx 1000 to add more of your options 😂

[@ZEROG_Gaming]

What would be your choice to play Call of Duty competition?

[@pkcchannel7311]

I am a newbie This ohm rating is only 9 ohms. Is it good or bad? Does it affect the sound?

[@Boemtie]

nice

[@ShanksOfficial66]

Can i use the yanyin canon 2 with the fiio k11??

[@siraccool03]

valorant eq video coming soon??

[@rach7962]

Awesome review I’m really interested to buy it but when you want to replace a console headset, we need to know which mic we could pair with it with a console like PS5. That would be awesome if you can recommend one.

[@AstralixYT_]

Maono DGM20 is my got to and sounds perfect for party’s and discord

[@AstralixYT_]

Go to*

[@adamsandler8114]

I was thinking about buying these, but now that you mentioned a critique for listening to my favorite band (Radiohead) specifically I don’t know.. I listen to a lot of rock and singer songwriter stuff, and my hearings a little bit sensitive so I’d like something non-fatiguing. Supermix 4 with EQ ($85 on sale + Qudelix 5k) or Arete’s ($200)?

[@GadgetryTech]

I would still take the Arete over the SM4 overall, but yeah without EQ I don’t think the SM4 is a great pick for Radiohead either. With the Qudelix 5k that’s a toss up! I guess it depends how you’ll connect to the Arete if you don’t have a 5k?

[@adamsandler8114]

@@GadgetryTech I was just thinking I could pick up the Qudelix for the EQ features with the savings from the cheaper price on the Supermix’s. For the Arete’s I could still get the Qudelix or something similar if it was worth it, but I’d more likely just run with something simple like the Apple dongle. I could use EQ for them on my PC but not very well on iPhone in that case, but that’s not that big of a deal

[@DloBlack]

Where are you finding the arete for $200 (or sm4 for $85)

[@adamsandler8114]

@@DloBlack Linsoul is having a sale rn and I have a $50 voucher

[@DloBlack]

@@adamsandler8114 thanks best I saw was aliexpress with code USSS25 to get it to 209 after tax

[@Cod-Monkey]

Which one is better for Call of Duty Warzone, these ones or the Orchestra Lite?

[@L3GIT91]

Arete

[@mrdirtydaniel]

Are wireless IEMs a thing? I really like walking around with my Astro A50s

[@eightsand5370]

You can buy blue tooth adapters for them. There will be some latency since its not using a receiver,

[@nickb365]

Anybody know good tips that would work with the supermax 4 and these iems?

[@eboboboy]

Spinfit w1 or JVC 1000++ for daily, dunu s&s for fps games.

[@limb_be]

Can you give me a good Tip for a good IEM that costs between 120 - 180? Are the Sennheiser IE200 good for gaming I allways play Call of Duty Warzone

[@317Amg]

He said in the video, EM6L or grab a little more cash and pick Arete

[@limb_be]

@@317Amg I am going to buy the EM6L , thx for the info

[@batou_cyborg]

Second

[@Cod-Monkey]

what about warzone?

[@enmamail8800]

Hey, I wanted to ask, can you recommend me a good allrounder IEM that is not to expensive and most important not from a chinese brand/company? Best would be if its not from china at all, but if there isn‘t anything, its enough if its just not from a chinese brand/company.

[@JagsP95]

Lmao who hurt you 😂

[@ravantgarde1899]

You don’t trust Chi Fi?

[@GadgetryTech]

If you really don't want Chinese source gear, then I'd think the IE200 from Sennheiser is a good starting point. Even their IE200 and IE300 are assembled in China.

[@enmamail8800]

@@GadgetryTech thanks for the response, at least Sennheiser isn’t a Chinese company. Are there also wireless IEMs you would recommend?

[@ICON-11-]

Imagine if that story was true LOL!!! 😂😂🤣

[@GadgetryTech]

Probably would have been if he and I played together a few months ago lol

[@DarkIdrees]

there are cheaper ones than these with the same specs and drivers

[@masterazlan6999]

Wut?.. Doesn't needs desktop..system..Bra I'm using 4 pentodes towards IEM noobs..ha4..Peace!

[@TheNEOONE1]

Nah, ill stick with SM4

[@Hery_YT]

It may sound really silly but I can use them to play live drums. I want to get the most out of them by playing competitive COD and playing live drums. Thank you so much 🫶

[@LyuboA]

that's the biggest problem with IEMs you need a good tips collection cause usually different iems need different tips one of the Best tips that fit most IEMS are Whizzer ET100 another great tips are TANCHJIM Eartips really good