Disclosure: I’d like to thank Linsoul for providing me with the ZiiGaat Horizon for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and Linsoul had no say or input on the contents of this review.

The ZiiGaat Horizon joins the brigade of unusual tribrid driver configurations in IEMs, with one 10mm bio-cellulose Dynamic Driver, two Knowles Balanced Armature drivers, and two custom Planar drivers all working together in a single IEM. That’s a lot of engineering packed into a $329 package, and frankly, I was curious whether ZiiGaat could pull it off without creating a mess.

These IEMs surprised me with their visceral, raw energy. The V-shaped sound signature hits you with both powerful bass and extended treble, but what caught me off guard was how much detail they manage to extract from tracks. It’s not often you find an IEM that can deliver both excitement and precision at this price point.

At $329 USD, the Horizon sits in a brutally competitive space where every dollar matters. What makes it interesting, though, is how easy these are to drive, with a 102dB sensitivity and just 24Ω impedance. This means your phone or basic dongle DAC can handle them just fine. So, is the ZiiGaat Horizon worth the asking price? Let’s get into it and find out.

• ZiiGaat Horizon
• 4-Core Cable (0.78mm 2-pin) with modular termination
• 3.5mm plug
• 4.4mm plug
• Set of silicone ear tips (S/M/L)
• Set of Transparent Silicone Eartips (S/M/L)
• 1x Black Foam Eartips
• Leather zipper carrying case
• Documentation

The included round carrying case strikes a good balance between portability and protection. It’s not massive, but there’s more than enough room for the IEMs, a few sets of ear tips, and even a dongle DAC. The zipper feels solid and operates smoothly, which matters more than you might think, and shows that this case is on the premium side of things. It’s the same case ZiiGaat has been using lately with IEMs like the Crescent, which is a good thing, as this is an excellent case.

ZiiGaat includes a generous selection of silicone ear tips in small, medium, and large sizes, plus a set of foam tips for those who prefer enhanced isolation or just want to experiment with different sonic characteristics. The variety should cover most ear shapes without needing to hunt down aftermarket options immediately.

The detachable braided cable feels sturdy in your hands but remains flexible enough for daily use. It uses standard 2-pin connectors, so cable enthusiasts won’t feel locked into ZiiGaat’s choice here. The cable itself has a nice weight to it and is not as flimsy as some budget options, but not so thick it becomes unwieldy. It has a modular termination, so you have the choice of using either a 3.5mm SE or 4.4mm balanced connection. It’s a simple push-pull mechanism, and I would have liked to see some sort of locking mechanism to prevent it from being pulled off, but it’s solid enough. I do find this cable can easily tangle, but that’s a minor nitpick.

Picking up the Horizon IEMs themselves, the weight distribution feels just right. They’re sizable enough to convey quality construction but light enough that you won’t notice them during longer listening sessions. The shells use 3D-printed medical-grade resin, which strikes a nice balance between being durable and lightweight.

The faceplates catch light nicely, showcasing what looks like quality materials throughout the build, and a beautiful design that looks like ice-covered mountains with a black, star-filled backdrop. The blue, white, and black sparkling elements blend together in a way that’s genuinely captivating. Since every unit goes through this handcrafted process, each Horizon has slight variations in the faceplate pattern, making your pair unique. The ZiiGaat logo sits subtly in the center with a glossy finish that adds refinement without being flashy.

Here’s where I was genuinely surprised. Despite packing five drivers into these shells (1 dynamic, 2 BA, and 2 planar), ZiiGaat managed to keep them reasonably sized. The shell contours follow your ear’s natural shape, creating a secure seal without those annoying pressure points that plague some IEMs. I put these through many multi-hour listening sessions and never had a comfort issue. Eartip selection also plays a role here, but generally, the shell shape proves to be very comfortable.

Isolation-wise, you get average to good passive noise isolation. Not the best I’ve experienced, but sufficient for most situations. Again, eartip selection will play a part here, as it’s all about finding a good seal.

ZiiGaat went with standard 0.78mm 2-pin connectors that sit recessed into the shells. The metal nozzles measure about 6mm, including the outer ring, and feature protective mesh to keep debris out of the sound tubes. There’s a subtle lip around the nozzle that does a good job keeping ear tips secure – no slippage issues during movement. They also added a small mesh-covered vent on the back that helps relieve internal pressure, which improves both comfort and acoustic performance. These kinds of functional details show ZiiGaat actually thought about how people use these things in real life, not just how they measure in a lab.

Now we get to the meat of things. So, how does this tribrid configuration actually sound? The Horizon’s unique driver setup creates a V-shaped sound signature that’s both exciting and surprisingly controlled, though it definitely has a personality. The Horizon performs optimally at moderate listening levels, though slower ballads benefit from pushing the volume up. It handles R&B, rock, pop, indie, acoustics, and classical music with equal competence, which isn’t something you always get from V-shaped IEMs.

As mentioned earlier, you don’t need any powerful sources to drive the ZiiGaat Horizon. It sounds and performs just fine using any type of dongle DAC, DAP, or laptop headphone jack. A cleaner source, one that isn’t susceptible to interference, is beneficial here, as providing a nice black background does enhance the listening experience. But don’t feel like you are missing out if you are only using budget gear.

Ok, let’s get into the sound details.

Bass

The 10mm bio-cellulose dynamic driver handles the low end with impressive authority. Sub-bass digs deep with solid rumble that adds real weight to tracks without turning everything into mud. What caught my attention was the control – bass notes stay tight and textured with clean, defined edges. Electronic tracks like Avaritia by deadmau5 showcase this quality perfectly, delivering satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming everything else.

The mid-bass shows good restraint too, avoiding the bleeding into the midrange that plagues many V-shaped IEMs. Bass guitars maintain their proper weight and presence without stepping on vocals or other instruments. Listening to Dire Straits, especially their self-titled album, is simply serene with the Horizon.

Midrange

Here’s where the two custom Knowles 30262-163 balanced armature drivers show their work. The midrange has a smooth, almost analog texture that I found quite appealing. Female vocals shine with clarity and emotional detail, while male vocals get sufficient weight from the well-tuned lower-midrange.

Instruments maintain their natural timbre with just a touch of warmth. The midrange sits at a comfortable distance, not too forward and not recessed, placing vocals about 5-6 steps away from you. It’s a presentation that works well for extended listening without fatigue, and is also pleasing for those who like vocals that aren’t too in your face.

Treble

The dual custom planar drivers create what might be the Horizon’s most distinctive characteristic. This extended range delivers exceptional air and spaciousness without the harshness that often comes with bright IEMs. The upper treble maintains a nearly linear response throughout its extension, which makes it sound quite pleasing here.

Cymbals and high-frequency details cut through mixes with precision yet remain controlled. There’s sparkle, but it’s refined sparkle that enhances rather than dominates the presentation.

Soundstage and Imaging

The Horizon creates an impressively wide soundstage with good depth perception. It’s an expansive, almost holographic presentation that extends well beyond typical in-ear positioning. Imaging is precise, allowing for accurate instrument placement and creating a genuine three-dimensional sound field.

This spatial awareness proved particularly useful for gaming as directional cues like footsteps in Battlefield 6 become distinctly positional and easy to track. And due to the overall sound tuning, gunshots and explosions do not pierce your ears, but instead are clearly discernible.

Perhaps most impressively, the coherence between all five drivers is seamless. You’d never know you’re listening to a tribrid configuration based on how unified the presentation sounds. The whole sound presentation is beautifully harmonious.

The ZiiGaat Horizon has spent the better part of a month in my daily listening usage, and I keep coming back to one thought: this is what happens when a company actually understands what makes a good IEM at this price point. The tribrid configuration isn’t just technical marketing talk; it genuinely delivers technical performance that surprised me more than once.

What really impressed me was how the Horizon balances its aggressive energy with control. The planar drivers create genuine airiness without the fatigue that usually comes with brighter IEMs. The 10mm dynamic driver adds satisfying weight to tracks without turning everything into a muddy mess. It’s a tricky balance, and ZiiGaat pulled it off. Previously, the ZiiGaat Crescent was one of my favorite IEMs, as it does a lot of things very well. The Horizon, though, is simply better. The treble is more enjoyable, the soundstage is a bit bigger, and it has better detail retrieval (I’m not knocking the Crescent, I’m simply shocked how much of an improvement it is for my listening preferences).

That said, these aren’t going to work for everyone. The mid-bass can be slightly lean, which will leave bass lovers wanting more, and if you’re sensitive to treble energy, the Horizon might wear on you after a while.

For detail-focused listeners who want excellent soundstage and imaging without spending $500+, the Horizon delivers. It’s become my go-to recommendation for anyone seeking technical performance with enough energy to keep things engaging. The $329 USD price feels right for what you’re getting. Not a steal, but fair value in today’s competitive IEM market. Perfect? No IEM is. But the ZiiGaat Horizon gets closer than most in this price range.

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