“Have you ever wondered what the stars sound like? The ones that whisper to each other at night and give us their light?” Those were the words with which I started a news article about ZiiGaat x Jay Estrella. And now, after almost a month of waiting, I’m holding the wired headphones in my hands.
These in-ear hybrid headphones were created by Ziigaat in collaboration with the renowned JAY’S AUDIO Labs. They promised, “In creating ESTRELLA, we strived to make a dynamically rich, powerful and beautiful experience that fully connects the listener to the music and enhances the joy of listening. Even after testing over 300 IEMs, ESTRELLA still makes me smile, and I hope these headphones do the same for you.”
– Jay (Jay’s Audio)
In this review we:
- Examine the sound features in detail;
- Discuss the design and kit;
- Compare the headphones with similar ones in the price category;
- And make a conclusion: are they worth their money?
What does the manufacturer offer in the in-ear headphones
ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella?
ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella in-ear headphones - sound
The overall initial sound impressions of the ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella headphones can be described as bright, powerful and energetic. Immediately attracting attention is the rich and deeply-drawn bass, which dominates the overall sound picture. The headphones have a V-shaped sound signature: the emphasis on bass and treble creates a dynamic, engaging sound. The midrange sounds clear, although it's slightly inferior in the low end, making male vocals less expressive. Meanwhile, the treble provides good detail while remaining comfortable and not too harsh. The overall stage feels deep and spacious, with good instrument separation.
- Bass – 9 : The headphones have a pronounced bass-head character. The woofers are dominant, especially the infrabass, which is deep and layered, creating a rich and massive sound. The mid-bass is less pronounced, but still taut and accented. In electronic genres this creates a powerful and vibrating feel, but in more natural styles it can seem excessive. This can be heard on the track: Massive Attack – Angel.
- Midrange – 7 : dynamic, with good detail, but the lower part of the range is weakened, which affects the perception of male vocals and lower register instruments. Male vocals and guitars seem less fleshy compared to female vocals, which are revealed richer and brighter due to the accentuated upper midrange. Which is confirmed by the track: Andrea Bocelli & Christina Aguilera “Somos Novios.”
- Treble – 8.5 : bright, with accents on the upper mids and upper range, but not overly harsh. Attacks are fast, amplitude is quite long, although there is a slight “chill” of the armature drivers, giving the high frequencies a slightly artificial touch. HF can sound different depending on the sound source – with some they can go beyond the limits of comfort. Tested on Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers track “A Night In Tunisia” (Remastered 2005).
- Detail – 8.5 : The Estrella’s offer good resolution, especially in the upper and midrange frequencies. The sound remains clear and detailed, especially in fast genres with rich instrumentation. In some ranges, the headphones may be inferior to models with a more neutral delivery, but they perform decently for their class. Track used: Pet Shop Boys “Always On My Mind” (New PSB Version).
- Scene – 8 : The virtual scene seems deep and three-dimensional, especially when using neutral sources that don’t add any additional effects. Instrumental separation is clear, especially in fast and intense compositions. I used the track: Giorgio Moroder / Daft Punk “Giorgio by Moroder – live”.
- Conclusion: ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella are headphones with powerful bass and a bright, energetic character. They are perfect for bass lovers and those who listen to electronic and energetic music. However, due to the weakened lower midrange, they may not fully bring out male vocals and lower register instruments, which is something to consider depending on your preference in music genres
Comparison with competitors
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- Ziigaat Doscinco
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- Truthear Nova
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- Hidizs MS5
ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella and ZiiGaat Doscinco: Estrella sounds better with a more powerful and deeper bass, making them ideal for lovers of energetic music. Their V-shaped sound signature creates a bright and dynamic sound, making them a fun listening experience for a variety of genres. The Estrella also exhibit excellent resolution and stage, making them more appealing to active listeners.
ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella and Truthear Nova: Truthear Nova offers a similar sound to the Estrella but with a more neutral presentation, making them more versatile for different musical styles. Both models offer good detail, but the Nova handles complex music better due to its smoother tonal balance. So the choice between the two depends on personal sound preferences: bass lovers will go for the Estrella, while the Nova will suit those looking for a more balanced sound. That said, the Truthear Nova is half the price of the ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella.
ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella and Hidizs MS5: Hidizs MS5 offers significantly higher resolution and detail, making them superior to the Estrella for complex music. Their neutral and natural presentation allows for a better perception of different musical genres, especially classical and jazz. In addition, the MS5's quality of materials and construction adds durability and comfort, making them preferable for long-term use.
Design, kit and comfort - Zigaat Estrella
The cable is the most inappropriately priced part of these headphones.One, it’s thin and prone to tangling. Two, it ruins the sound. That’s why I used the cable from the Aful Explorer.
Design - 8
Comfort - 10
Set - 6
ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella Specifications
- Design: Hybrid (2DD + 4BA) with 6 drivers per side
- Crossover: 3 way crossover system
- Drivers:
- 2 × 10 mm PET dynamic drivers.
- 1 × Knowles 29689 armature driver
- 1 × Sonion 2345 armature driver
- 1 × Sonion E50 super tweeter
- Sensitivity: 108 dB @ 1 kHz
- Impedance: 7 ohms @ 1 kHz
- DC Impedance: 10 ohms
- Headphone jack: 0.78 mm, 2-pin.
- Interchangeable device plugs: Jack 3.5 mm
What's in the ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella box?
A commendable package:
- Headphones.
- Wire.
- S, M, L size ear cushions.
- Case.
ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella Conclusion.
The ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella headphones are definitely not the brightest star in the HI-FI audio sky. Their radiance can be characterized as powerful, with an emphasis on deep bass, as well as detailed mids and highs. However, one drawback is also worth noting - a weakly pronounced lower part of the MF, but overall the sound remains interesting and emotional.
These headphones are great for genres with massive bass, such as electronic music, hip-hop and pop, as well as those who appreciate energetic and exciting sound. The set includes standard ear cushions and a cable, which I recommend replacing for better sound.
ZiiGaat x Jays Estrella will appeal to audiophiles and music lovers alike, but especially to fans of powerful bass.
My opinion: a set of headphones is overpriced, even though they offer good sound. But there are brighter and more affordable stars in the HI-Fi audio firmament.
