If you thought that last year’s Arete IEMs were the only collaboration between ZiiGaat and Fresh Reviews, think again: The Arete II IEMs have arrived and are noticeable improvements over last year’s model. The newest gaming-forward IEMs from LINSOUL are a must-have if you’re one who appreciates HiFi audio experiences and a gamer.
Over the past year, I’ve had a chance to review several of ZiiGaat’s products: the original Aretes and their Lush IEMs. ZiiGaat is one of LINSOUL’s sister brands that focuses on high fidelity audio products, collaborations with influencers, and reference-class sound signatures that don’t break the bank. In the entry-level IEM space, it’s difficult to find a good set of IEMs that don’t cost a fortune. It’s even more difficult to find a set of IEMs that are properly tuned for gaming purposes. As we’re a gaming and tech outlet, our interest becomes piqued when we see our bread and butter category merge with HiFi audio.
Enter the ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete II, a collaboration between ZiiGaat and Fresh Reviews to bring HiFi audio to FPS players. Fresh Reviews is an influential audio YouTuber who is known for reviewing and ranking IEMs for the average gamer. While some of his reviews specifically target the higher end of competitive players, the average gamer (read: you and I) can lean on his technical assessments in finding a good set of IEMs to use while we’re playing our favorite games. The Arete II is the second collaboration between ZiiGaat and Fresh Reviews, boasting several improvements to make these IEMs naturally appealing to those who play high-intensity first person shooters.
Check out the ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete II on LINSOUL’s website! (non-affiliated URL)
ZiiGaat has positioned the Arete II as fit for gaming thanks to enhanced tuning and The Arete II come with a 2nd-gen composite diaphragm driver for stronger and deeper bass along with a new 10mm liquid silicone suspension diaphragm that acts like a subwoofer. If you’re wanting to feel the music and games you play, this subwoofer will help you achieve that goal. Additionally, the Arete II have four balanced armature driver s: two Knowles ED drivers that excel in midrange texture and Knowles SWFK dual tweeters to power the treble. I know that’s a lot of HiFi speak, so here’s what you should know: These IEMs aim for precise acoustics along with a textured bass that can be felt, perfect for isolating in-game sounds like footsteps and gunshots.
ZiiGaat made several important changes to the Arete II this time around. This model has a new liquid-silicone diaphragm instead of the 10mm biocellulose driver on the previous model. While both models use the same Knowles drivers and have the same hybrid configuration, but the Arete II has added on a physical switch that can boost bass and lower midrange (perfect for gaming versatility). The physical shell of the Arete II is comprised of CNC-machined aerospace-grade aluminum faceplate rather than the traditional resin/composite materials in the IEMs you and I typically use. The Arete II cost $279.99, up from the $249.99 of the original model.
The switch to aluminum instead of resin was smart. The Arete II feel great in hand; the metal texture feels industrial and premium. The weight difference between this model and its predecessor is minimal, a nice change of pace from other aluminum peripherals I own. These IEMs come in either red or blue. I was sent the red model to review. In person, the red aluminum is the same deep red as one of my family’s cars growing up. I appreciate the industrial aesthetic of the faceplate instead of the traditional glittery guitar-pick chic of other IEMs. It’s a good and sophisticated change.
If I was to get technical, the Arete II weigh 2g more than their older models. I couldn’t tell the difference, though. They felt just as durable as traditional resin models. Supposedly, aluminum positively impacts sound quality, but I am not 100% certain that the aluminum is to thank for the Arete II’s excellent sound quality. I get the feeling that the driving force behind upgrading the construction of the Arete II is to give them some longevity. They feel like they’re built to last, assuming you plan on swapping out the accessories.
In my original review of the Arete, I noted that the accessories felt too flimsy and lackluster compared to other IEMs of the same price point. ZiiGaat seems to have taken this to heart, upping the number of eartips from three to seven sets of varying sizes and construction. The ultra-pure silver-plated OFC cable is supposedly new and offers improved signal transmission, but I was unable to test that claim. Instead, I took note of the cord’s construction. It’s lightweight, yes, but it felt flimsy. The ends of the cord that plug into the IEM cases are wrapped in clear plastic, but the rest of the cord does not feature that plastic casing.
I’ll admit that the lightweight cable is one of the reasons why it felt so comfortable to wear the IEMs for longer gaming sessions. It also meant that I was able to shift around in my seat at my desk without the cord tugging on my ears. I wouldn’t mind a slightly heavier and more durable cord just for the peace of mind, though. Luckily, it’s super easy to swap out the cord with something else, so this is less of an issue.
The Arete II feel far better to wear with the stock eartips, which is a notable improvement from the previous model. The medium-sized IEM shells fit snugly within my ear and felt natural. The transparent eartips formed a natural seal in my ear all the while offering a decent degree of comfort. When IEMs seal correctly, it’s easier to enjoy the music.
Let’s move onto the audio quality. While the original Arete was tuned for flat and neutral midranges with clean bass, the Arete II was tuned for fuller audio. This new model now supports a boosted and textured midrange, treble extensions, and dual listening modes thanks to the physical switch.
Let’s start with the physical switch, as swapping between the listening modes resulted in a noticeable audio difference. The switch itself is sturdy, requiring a bit of force to swap between the modes and preventing accidental switches. With the switch enabled, the audio shifted from neutral to more punchy, similar to what I experienced with the Arcanis. The subwoofer puts in some good work with the switch enabled, allowing me to feal every beat of a song. I toggled it on when I wanted to immerse myself in the games I was playing. Explosions felt cinematic and full while footsteps sounded crystal clear. I won’t go so far to say that my gaming improved with the switch enabled, but I will say that I enjoyed gameplay far more than when the switch was disabled.
Regardless of the switch being activated, I was generally pleased with the overall audio quality of the Arete II. The bass was outstanding, even with the switch disabled. The bass had just enough rumble to enjoy beats of pop music and R&B. The activated switch pushes the bass to the limit of its natural appeal, pushing it just far enough without it bleeding into the other instrumentals. It’s like a party mode in my ear!
The neutral midrange allowed for authentic vocals that are as close to original recording as possible without sounding artificial. The midrange is very similar to the ZiiGaat Lush, meaning that songs with prominent vocals will sound silky smooth. I just loved listening to Robyn’s new music with these IEMs – “Talk to Me” and its upbeat yet ethereal vibes properly conveyed the artist’s vulnerability and passion.
Like the original Arete IEMs, the Arete II have been tuned to emphasize spoken word, footsteps, and delicate sound effects that often matter most in FPS games. Think of things like soft footsteps, bullet casings clinking on the ground, and reloading. I know that many gaming headsets boast their capacity to highlight footsteps (for the CS2/VAL players who are deadset on climbing the ranks), but more often than not they underdeliver on the audio side. Most of the time, gaming headsets over-amplify things like footsteps at the expense of a detailed audio, which makes for a terrible audio experience.
If you’re an existing owner of the Arete IEMs, I don’t think you should get the Arete II despite the inclusion of the subwoofer. Yes, the subwoofer makes music sound fun, but you’re better off saving the money for a newer set of IEMs at a higher price point instead of an incremental upgrade. Instead, these IEMs are a surefire recommendation for players who have never owned a set of IEMs and want to own a pair that complement their favorite games.
The ZiiGaat x Fresh Reviews Arete II is a very fun set of IEMs. The subwoofer inside these little IEMs makes pop and dance music sound like it’s coming from a club, which is perfect for entertainment. On the gaming side of things, these IEMs contain the perfect blend of acoustics that amp up the immersion factor that a traditional headset cannot provide. If you want to listen to the rumble and slam of your favorite tracks, these IEMs are a must have!
