The Quest For Perfection Continues

As the year 2025 wraps up, Ziigaat for sure is one of the prominent brands that has been consistent with their production of premium quality in ear monitors that brings flagship level products with a fair pricing. Products such as Luna, Crescent and Lush which we have reviewed have been nothing but exceptional and they are able to prove a premium product doesn’t need to come in at a premium price. Keeping with the momentum, they recently joined hands with the team of Hangout Audio which is an audio shop owned by Crinacle in tuning the all new Odyssey 2. Equipped with 1 single dynamic driver and 3 balanced armatures, they are poised to be a high performance hybrid that focuses on tuning prowess. How will they fare in this year of amazing hybrid releases? We shall find out.

A huge shout-out to the team of Ziigaat and Linsoul for supplying a sample pair of the all new Odyssey 2 for us to have an honest take. We are not affiliated nor taken any form of monetary exchange for this review and this review is solely an honest view of the product.

Functions & Specifications

Before we start the review, here are the specifications of the new Ziigaat Odyssey 2 taken from their site;

• Driver: 10mm 2nd-generation bio-cellulose diaphragm dynamic driver, 2 × Knowles 32873 balanced armature drivers, 1 × Knowles 33518 balanced armature driver
• Sensitivity: 105 dB
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 0.19%
• Frequency Response Range: 20 Hz – 25 kHz
• Impedance: 20 ohms

Inside the box: 1 × ZiiGaat x Hangout.Audio Odyssey 2 IEM

• 6 × Pairs of silicone ear tips (S/M/L, black and transparent)
• 1 × Pair of foam ear tips (S/M/L)
• 1 × High-Performance 4-Core OFC + Silver Litz Cable
• 2 x Pairs of replaceable filters
• 1 × Premium carrying case
• 1 × 3.5mm plug
• 1 x 4.4mm plug
• 1 × Warranty card
• 1 × Wearing diagram/user instruction card

The Ziigaat Odyssey 2 can be purchased directly from their website and Linsoul official site as they are the main authorised seller of the Odyssey 2.

ZiiGaat x Hangout.Audio: Odyssey 2

ZiiGaat x Hangout.Audio: Odyssey 2

Packaging & Accessories

The packaging has the same professional design with a clean look yet simple and it comes in a paper box with a hard paper box inside that is similar to most of their products. Upon unboxing , we are greeted by the IEM head unit with a fully accessorised package in a separate box. The Odyssey 2 comes with Ziigaat’s high quality hard leather zippered case that has its own compartment for the IEM. Inside we will have an upgraded silver plated oxygen free mixed with silver litz modular cable in black and green sleeve with 3 5mm and 4.4mm balanced plug alongside 6 pairs of liquid silicone rubber eartips in 3 sizes, a pair of memory foams and 3 pairs of extra metal mesh and some paperworks. The accessories here are high quality as usual of Ziigaat and the custom cable does give some character into the overall package. The Odyssey 2 is ready to rock without needing 3rd party cable and their liquid silicone eartips fit like a glove.

Design

The design is the usual standard ergonomic custom IEM mould that has a medium sized shell that fits most ears with good ergonomics. Instead of the usual full resin build, Ziigaat has opted for a CNC aluminum alloy shell that has a matte anodized body in black with an artisanal painted resin faceplate that is unique to each pair. The artwork of the faceplate has a 2 tone iridescent colour with a blue-ish green on top and silver on the bottom with their branding stamped in the middle. Their artwork, although simple, is actually eye-catching with the resin covering it polished nicely for a glassy effect. The whole IEM is lightweight and the finishing is perfect with practically no gaps or edges present. Every pair is matched and individually serialized.

Driving the Odyssey 2 is a total of 3 drivers that consist of a second generation bio-cellulose dynamic that acts as a sub-woofer and a dual RAF 32873 Knowles balance armatures that is tuned for the midrange to blend in well with the bass and a Knowles 35118 that gives a crisp, detailed high range with great extension for an airier overall high range. They are a 3 way crossover tuned with the usual Harman-ish tuning but with a more enjoyable sound with their extended, sub-bass response with a livelier treble. Hangout Audio has been hands-on with the tuning and it does share the neutral sound signature similarities to Crinacle collaboration products.

The nozzle here is made from aluminum alloy and they are slightly on the bigger side with a 6.3mm diameter at the tip. They are fitted with a metal mesh to prevent moisture and dust from entering. There are 2 extra pairs⁷ of metal mesh included in the case and it is a nice addition from Ziigaat.

There is a vent that is closed by metal mesh on the top side of the IEM and they are to reduce pressure build up and also to provide some breathing room for the dynamic drivers. No flex is present which is great and usually indicates a well vented design.

The Odyssey 2 has a standard flush 0.78mm 2 pin connection that is slightly tight and they are gold plated.

Cable provided is a high quality braided silver plated oxygen free copper in 4 cores where 2 cores of it is stated to be a Litz silver cable with metal parts including the chin slider. The cable is black and green in colour with a soft and pliable feel but it is kind of thin, slightly thinner than the ones that comes with Luna or Crescent. A 3.5mm and 4.4mm plug is included in the package. The cable is similar to most Ziigaat’s cables in construction but I do find that it has a slightly brighter sound and it matches the Odyssey neutral sound pretty well.

Gears Used for Comparisons

Songs list

Tone and Presentation

The sound presentation present on the Odyssey 2 is reference neutral sound that has a bright tone that doesn’t have a major emphasis on any frequencies. The overall sound here is mostly flat but they do have great extensions on both ends that gives a more enjoyable overall sound that doesn’t sound hollow or too polite. The sound here tilts towards a clinical sound that produces sound as accurate and clean as can be, making them a suitable pair of IEM for professional usage but will also suit audiophile purists that seek a reference neutral sound signature. Frequency range here is wide as typical of a well tuned hybrid and they do possess a superb amount of air in their presentation.

Soundstage

The soundstage here is expansive with a superb width and a tall sound that is competent and worthy of their asking price. The Odyssey 2 possesses a good holographic spatial presentation that has accurate spatial awareness which makes them also suitable even for gaming and movies as the sound placements are correct and directionally easy to distinguish. The soundstage here has a good immersiveness and they do have more of a diffuse sound field that projects wider for a richer sound with a mild intimacy while still possessing a superb amount of clarity. Headroom here is good and they have an open sound that is certainly not boxy in any way.

Separation and Timbre

Separation here is amazing and they possess a superb separation of sound that gives a wide stereo sound with no crosstalk issues and it’s even better on balanced mode. Tuning here is cohesive and full for a hybrid as all the drivers work in tandem almost similar to a single dynamic driver setup. Timbre here is natural, breathy and organic with a crystal clear sound that has a crisp, lively sound with no unnatural, metallic timbre typical of a balanced armature sound showcasing a professionally tuned hybrid. The Odyssey 2 has a revealing sound that brings out the details in the music and they have near to no coloration present producing an accurate representation of the music being played.

Drivability

Rated at 20 ohms with a 105 db sensitivity, they are easy to drive but I do find that the Odyssey 2 will appreciate some power to perform their best and they also need a little more volume to achieve a more enjoyable sound. A normal dongle will suffice but they have the ability to sound even better with better source pretty significantly. They are not too sensitive to source matching as a warm, bassy source will actually make the Odyssey 2 have a fuller bass while a bright source will give them extra clarity with an increase in their overall technicalities although with some too bright source will add some aggression in the treble. They are unforgiving in the type of files as they are able to show flaws in badly mastered tracks and that makes them a good IEM for critical listening as well as in studio use but they are also suitable for casual listeners as they are easy to drive.

The Bass (Low)

The bass has a neutral approach that has a decent amount of mid-bass that has an accurate amount of dynamics and although a little flat, they do sound rather full possessing an extended bass with great air. Details here are superb with a well textured bass that shows layers in the bass with amazing cleanliness and top class clarity. This neutral flat bass does excel in vocals with their accuracy that doesn’t over emphasize the amount of bass to give more focus into the mids and high range. That being said, the bass here is certainly not for bassheads as the situation here is best described as quality over quantity. The pace here is quick and nimble with a tight slam that has a decent amount of energy. Sub-bass has a slightly better presence as they have a more evident rumble than the mid-bass and they dives deep to give the bass sounds livelier preventing it from being too dull or polite.

The Mids

Midrange here has a flat approach with a balanced sound that has recessiveness that excels in accuracy with a clean sound delivery with a good spacious sound. The midrange does lean mildly towards the high range and produces a brighter tone with a good amount of lively brilliance. Details here are amazing with crystal clear macro details alongside good micro details that are able to display minute sound without any issues. Though being great in their clarity, the body here is actually pretty average and with certain sources, they tend to sound a tad thin. The tuning of the mids here leans towards a pure performance aspect with a touch of warmth to prevent the mids to sound lifeless but I do find that it lacks musicalities and might deter some casual users out there. The mids here resolve very well as they are vivid while having near to no colouration that show music accurately without any alterations and in return, we get a superb transparency. The Odyssey 2 excels in vocal reproduction especially female vocals with a natural, accurate sound that has a good brilliance while male vocals has adequate depth with them. For instruments, they do sound decent but do lack depth for certain instruments such as oboe, cello and some other strings.

The Highs

The high range is where I feel the strength lies in the Odyssey 2 and they have a mostly flat sound with a soft lift at the 10khz region that gives a good energy on the high range with a good, fast pace. The high range isn’t boosted but they do have a strong presence that possesses a great amount of sparkle with a crisp yet natural decay that is enjoyable. Details here are splendid as typical of a balanced armature type of high range and they do feel like a well implemented driver as they possess a natural timbre that isn’t plagued with metallic overtones. Details here are top class and they are able to reproduce high range nuances in an outstanding clarity typical of a high quality balanced armature drivers. Resolution here is decent and transparency here is superb as they are able to sound accurate while having a lively sound. Treble here is extended with a quite balanced amount but might sound a little on the intense side marginally and the treble actually does give a boost in the overall clarity of the Odyssey 2 without any major aggressiveness. That being said, for those users who seek for a smooth, laid-back sound signature, might ought to look elsewhere as the Odyssey 2 has a bright sound signature with a, lack of better words, strong treble.

Comparisons

VS Ziigaat Crescent (USD329)

The Crescent, the sibling from the same company is the latest release from Ziigaat after the Odyssey 2 and they are equipped with 2 dynamic drivers in an isobaric setup with 2 balanced armatures. The Crescent is tuned for a more fun, soulful sound signature with Ziigaat’s house sound that is highly enjoyable  and probably my favourite pick for best hybrid of the year alongside Kiwi Ears Astral. They are priced similarly but the Crescent has an all resin build versus the aluminum alloy build of the Odyssey 2. Packaging is similar except for the black and green cable on the Odyssey 2. Both of these sets tuning are worlds apart with the neutral, meta tuning of the Odyssey versus the bass boosted U shaped sound of the Crescent.

High range on the Odyssey 2 does have a stronger sound and they have a sharper and livelier sound alongside a more prevalent sparkle while with similar crispness. The Crescent is smoother and it  does possess more air but details are better on the Odyssey 2. Both of these sets have a great timbre that has near to no balanced armature timbre but the Odyssey 2 sounds more accurate.

Midrange on the Crescent is a thick, lush, intimate presentation with a better body. There is a mild coloration on the Crescent and they have a more vivid sound albeit isn’t as accurate as the Odyssey 2. The is a small focus on the upper mids on the Odyssey 2 that gives a tad more brilliance and they do sound clearer in the midrange.

Bass quantity here goes to the Crescent with their boosted lows and a deeper sub-bass with a more immersive sound. Details are similar but the Odyssey 2 bass does sound cleaner and clearer with better texture.

The soundstage on both has similar width and height but due to the thicker overall sound of the Crescent, it seems to be a tad more intimate.

Verdict: I personally prefer the Crescent as it is more enjoyable and it does have more soul in the sound presentation but in terms of raw performance, the Odyssey 2 is simply amazing.

Vs Hidizs MS2 Pro Rhino (79 USD)

One of their latest releases from Hidizs this year and sporting a single dynamic alongside their debut balanced armature, Silvercore, priced at only 79USD, they possess a high technicality with superb overall details that punches above their asking price. Both are metal based shells but the MS2 Pro has a zinc alloy shell that is heavier but less prone to dents and scratches. The tuning nozzles included on the MS2 Pro are great but the effects are minimal. Both have a similar neutral bright tone but the MS2 Pro has slightly recessed mids.

The high range on both are similar in amount but the Odyssey 2 has a more refined sparkle with the treble having no metallic timbre present. Details and clarity are similar with the Odyssey 2 possessing more air and extension. The MS2 Pro treble does sound more potent and they are slightly harsher when compared side by side.

Midrange on the Odyssey 2 has a more balanced midrange with a less distant sound versus the slightly recessed mids on the MS2 Pro. Details and clarity is better on the Odyssey 2 and they are more transparent. The recessed mids on the MS2 Pro does give the mids more space but lack intimacy.

Bass on the MS2 Pro has a bigger mid-bass lift and they have more immersion but lacks texture and isn’t as clean as the Odyssey 2. The sub-bass amount is similar but the Odyssey 2 seems deeper with better extension.

The soundstage of the Odyssey 2 has better width and possesses more air due to the extended range.

Verdict: The Odyssey 2 does trump the MS2 Pro in sheer technicalities and accuracy although the MS2 Pro has a better bass response with a more welcoming price.

Synergy

Synergy wise the Odyssey 2 is an easy one as for their overall flat sound and they tend to take on the sound signature of the source with no issues. Preferably I would prefer to match a warm, musical source from the likes of Cirrus Logic and AKM to give the Harman sound a more enjoyable listening alongside providing extra richness to their sound. Matching them with bright sources will give more bite in their high range and they will suit trebleheads but I do find that this matching will give the Odyssey 2 a dry sound that sounds a little too clinical.

Good matching: IFI Diablo, 7HZ Artemis39, EPZ TP35, Qudelix T71, Hiby FC6, Cayin RU7, Questyle M15, Hidizs S8 Pro.

Not so good matching: FiiO Q7, FiiO KA5, EPZ TP30.

Who Is It For?

The Ziigaat Odyssey 2 is for users who put neutrality first as they have a superb neutral tuning that adheres to the Harman target curve religiously. Coming from Crinacle tuning, they do share similarities with some of his collaborations like the Blessing 2 Dusk but with a more prominent high range and a slightly brighter tone. These IEMs perform best with vocals as they possess an accurate sound that has superb clarity and details alongside a good amount of brilliance but isn’t too great for bass oriented genres such as EDM or Jazz as their bass do sound a tad lean or polite. For their amazing accuracy with a revealing sound, they are a good IEM for monitoring or critical listening. They are also a good pair of IEM for gaming but aren’t too great for movies as they tend to lack immersiveness.

Suitable genres: JPop, ACG, acoustics, rock, pop, metal, classicals

Not suitable genres: EDM, hip-hop, jazz

Final words

In collaboration with Hangout Audio, the Odyssey 2 is a standout product that incorporates a joint professional tuning effort and with Ziigaat’s industrious team to create a unique, competent IEM that will join the ever growing pool of Chi-Fi audio products. The neutrality and accuracy here is on par with some neutral reference products and might give some competitors a run for their money. Though the meta Harman tuning isn’t as bold and may lack a fun, musical sound to some, the Odyssey 2 has managed to give some life into them especially in the treble region and the sub-bass extension here is superb.  The caveats are preferential in my opinion as I find it to be borderlining a safe tuning and the lean bass isn’t suited for some genres but it does excel very well with vocals and instruments that will fill audiophile purists with joy. A unique journey for Ziigaat for us to enjoy.

I would rate this product a 4 over 5.

Pros

• Top shelf technicalities
• Lightweight metal build and great finishing with amazing faceplate artwork
• High quality accessories
• Neutral bright sound done right
• Superb cohesion
• Superb separation with a wide dynamic range
• Accurate, natural timbre
• Wide, tall and airy soundstage
• Amazing overall clarity and details
• Highly resolving and transparent
• Linear, accurate bass with deep sub-bass
• Neutral, accurate and clean mids
• Good high range energy while able to sound smooth
• Natural, sparkly high range
• Good treble extension
• Easy to drive

Cons

• Treble might get spicy with bright source (nit-pick)
• Not for bassheads
• Flat mid-bass bass that lacks immersion
• Mids may sound a tad thin with certain sources
• Lacking in musicality
• Safe tuning (nit-pick & subjective)