Ziigaat x Hangout Audio Odyssey 2: The most complete Ziigaat yet
*Clean, impactful bass with great control
*Forward mids with vivid, natural vocals
*Energetic but smooth treble
*Excellent soundstage and imaging
*Solid build quality
*Comfortable, secure fit
Cons:
*Cable is a bit thin and tangles easily
*Slightly energetic upper mids
This month’s Ziigaat drop just landed and honestly, at this point, it feels like Ziigaat’s on some sort of monthly subscription plan for new IEMs. Not that I’m complaining though. They’ve been on a roll lately. The Crescent is still one of my top favorites this year with its fun, energetic tuning, and the Lush was another great follow-up that showed a more balanced, mature side of the brand.
Now on my desk is their new collab: the Ziigaat x Hangout Audio Odyssey 2, made together with Crin’s team at Hangout Audio. Whether Crinacle himself had direct input in the tuning or not, I can’t say for sure, but this one already looks and feels different from the rest of the lineup. Under the hood, it’s rocking a 1 dynamic driver + 3 balanced armature hybrid setup, which instantly gives it a bit more intrigue compared to the single-DD and simpler hybrids we’ve seen from Ziigaat before.
I never tried the original Odyssey 1, though I’ve heard plenty of people call it one of Ziigaat’s best some even said it was their “reference” set at the time. So I went into the Odyssey 2 with zero expectations and completely fresh ears, curious to see how it stacks up. And to make things more interesting, I brought out both the Crescent and Lush for a direct comparison to see exactly where the Odyssey 2 sits in the family tree.
Right away, I noticed something familiar: that unmistakable Ziigaat warmth and low-end authority. It’s part of their “house sound” at this point clean but full-bodied bass that gives their IEMs a fun, musical foundation. But the Odyssey 2 doesn’t just repeat that formula; it refines it. The bass still hits deep and smooth, but the mids and treble feel more open and better balanced, showing a level of polish that the earlier sets didn’t quite reach.
If the Crescent was the fun, bass-loving younger sibling and the Lush the more relaxed and neutral one, the Odyssey 2 feels like the grown-up of the bunch more confident, more composed, and with a clearer sense of direction. It’s a natural evolution of Ziigaat’s tuning approach, one that feels less about showing off and more about creating a genuinely enjoyable, well-rounded sound.
Whats in the box? check out my short unboxing video of the Odyssey 2.
Build and Design
The Odyssey 2 is the first Ziigaat I own with a metal shell, and it feels every bit as solid as it looks. The resin faceplate has a silver and green glitter swirl that reminds me of a galaxy seen through a telescope flashy, but tastefully done. The shell itself is metal with a large rear vent covered by a silver mesh.
In terms of fit and ergonomics, the Odyssey 2 uses a fairly safe, semi-custom shape that feels familiar if you’ve used other modern IEMs. It sits comfortably in the ear with a secure seal and no awkward pressure points. The metal build doesn’t add much weight either, so it’s easy to wear for long sessions. I’ve tried it with a few different eartips and had zero issues with comfort or isolation, it’s a solid all-rounder in terms of fit.
The included 4-core hybrid cable is another nice touch. It’s a copper and silver-litz modular cable finished in a green-and-black braid that complements the faceplate perfectly. The connectors and hardware feel solid, though I do wish the cable were a bit thicker it has a tendency to tangle when coiled up. Still, for a stock cable, it’s far from cheap-feeling. The modular terminations are a nice bonus if you like switching between 3.5mm and balanced outputs without fuss.
Under the hood, Ziigaat didn’t cut corners either. The driver setup is a well-thought-out hybrid configuration: a 10mm bio-cellulose dynamic driver for bass duties, paired with two Knowles 32873 balanced armatures handling the lower and upper mids, and a Knowles 33518 BA dedicated to treble. It’s good to see them using quality, name-brand components instead of random generics, these Knowles drivers are known for their clarity and consistency, and the tuning here seems to make full use of them.
Sound Impressions
Bass
Like most of Ziigaat’s lineup, the Odyssey 2 doesn’t shy away from bass it gives you plenty of it, but in a very deliberate and refined way. This isn’t the kind of bass that overwhelms or muddies up the mix. It’s elevated, sure, but it’s tight and articulate, almost like it knows its place in the spectrum and refuses to step out of line.
The subbass digs deep with a satisfying physical rumble that you can feel more than hear, especially on tracks with sustained low-end weight like electronic or cinematic scores. It extends low without rolling off too early, giving that grounded, full-bodied sense of depth that makes kick drums and synth drops hit with authority.
The midbass, on the other hand, carries a nice balance of punch and speed. It delivers that tactile slam on kick drums and bass guitars, but it stays clean no bloat, no spillover into the lower mids. It’s textured too; you can actually distinguish layers in the bass line rather than just feeling a thump. The decay is quick enough to keep up with faster rock or metal tracks, but not so dry that it loses warmth.
What I really like is how the bass manages to stay musical and controlled at the same time. It’s got grip and definition you can tell Ziigaat tuned it to be fun but disciplined. It adds body and warmth to the overall sound without overpowering the mids or stealing focus.
If I had to sum it up, the Odyssey 2’s low end is lively, deep, and confident, the kind of bass that gives the music a strong foundation while keeping the presentation clean and natural. It’s the kind of tuning that works across genres fun enough for modern pop and EDM, yet refined enough for jazz or acoustic where note texture actually matters.
Midrange
Here’s where the Odyssey 2 really starts to carve its own identity in my Ziigaat lineup. The midrange is more forward, open, and expressive compared to both the Crescent and Lush, and that’s what gives this IEM its lively, engaging character. Ziigaat’s past tunings leaned toward a slightly recessed midrange warm and laid back but the Odyssey 2 changes that narrative.
Vocals come front and center, with a nice sense of intimacy and natural weight. Male vocals have that bit of warmth and chestiness that keeps them grounded, while female vocals are vivid and clear without turning sharp. There’s a sense of realism here, like the singer’s just a few steps closer than you’d expect, but not uncomfortably so. That forwardness gives emotional recordings a nice push it’s engaging without being shouty.
The lower mids carry enough body to keep instruments like pianos, guitars, and strings sounding full and textured. There’s no hollowness or thinness, which sometimes happens when upper mids are pushed too hard. The Odyssey 2 manages to stay balanced rich enough to preserve timbre, yet open enough to keep things from sounding congested.
Then there’s the upper mids, where the Odyssey 2 really comes alive. There’s more air, more energy, and faster transients compared to the Lush or Crescent. This gives female vocals, violins, and electric guitars that extra shimmer and edge, making them pop through the mix. It’s lively, crisp, and detailed, but still stops short of being fatiguing. On well-recorded tracks, the clarity can be downright addictive you hear the breath in vocals, the pluck of a guitar string, or the slight rasp of a snare brush with convincing precision.
Compared to the Lush, which is smoother, thicker, and more relaxed, the Odyssey 2 feels more vibrant and emotionally charged. The Lush has that laid-back charm perfect for long listening sessions, but the Odyssey 2 brings the performance closer to you it’s got that “live” energy.
Overall, the midrange tuning feels confident and well-judged. Ziigaat found a way to make the Odyssey 2 sound open, musical, and articulate without losing the natural warmth that defines their sound. It’s a midrange that works just as well for intimate acoustic tracks as it does for busy rock or vocal-heavy pop clean, engaging, and beautifully balanced.
Treble
The treble on the Odyssey 2 strikes a really nice balance between clarity and smoothness. It’s got enough air, sparkle, and energy to bring life and excitement to the sound, but it never feels sharp or fatiguing. This is one of those tunings where you can turn up the volume without wincing at any harsh peaks a sign that the top-end has been handled with care.
That Knowles 33518 BA driver up top is doing some great work here. Cymbals sound crisp and natural, with a clean metallic shimmer rather than a splashy or brittle tone. Hi-hats and snare hits have that quick, well-defined tick that adds texture to the rhythm section without drawing too much attention. There’s a touch of brightness, but it’s tasteful it gives the Odyssey 2 a sense of air and openness that helps vocals and instruments breathe.
The upper treble extension doesn’t chase extremes; it’s not aiming for that hyper-detailed, analytical presentation. Instead, it focuses on keeping the sound natural and coherent. There’s enough sparkle to illuminate microdetails like the subtle reverb tails in recordings, the shimmer of strings, or the faint ambience in live tracks but it never feels exaggerated or artificial. You get a clear, clean sense of space without it turning icy or sterile.
What’s also worth mentioning is how well-integrated the treble is with the rest of the frequency range. The transition from the upper mids into the treble feels seamless no sudden jumps or dips. It complements the lively midrange beautifully, giving vocals and guitars that extra sheen while letting the bass stay grounded. It’s the kind of tuning that works for long sessions you can listen for hours without feeling like your ears are being poked by treble spikes.
Overall, the Odyssey 2’s top-end has just the right amount of brilliance to keep things engaging and spacious, but it still leans on the musical side of things rather than being analytical. It’s clean, airy, and confident never overdone. The kind of treble that adds light to the music without burning your ears.
Technical Performance
When it comes to technical ability, the Odyssey 2 easily stands out as the most capable Ziigaat I’ve heard to date. It’s not just a tuning upgrade it genuinely feels like a more refined and technically mature set across the board. Everything from spatial presentation to resolution takes a noticeable step forward, giving it a more “hi-fi” and polished feel compared to the Crescent and Lush.
Starting with the soundstage, the Odyssey 2 opens things up nicely. It’s not artificially wide, but it has a convincing sense of width and depth that extends beyond the ears. You can easily pick up on front-to-back layering, vocals sit comfortably in the middle, instruments spread naturally around them, and ambient details float around without collapsing into the center. It’s more open and airy than the Crescent, which sounds a bit more intimate in comparison, and it feels better structured than the Lush, which leans slightly narrower due to its warmer tuning.
Imaging is another strong point here. Positioning is clean and precise you can point out where each instrument sits in the mix, whether it’s a guitar slightly off to the right or a hi-hat flickering on the left edge. The Odyssey 2 manages to maintain that clarity even in busy tracks where multiple layers stack up. The sense of placement feels effortless, almost like the drivers are working in sync without any disjointedness between the dynamic and balanced armatures.
In terms of detail retrieval, this IEM delivers plenty of microinformation without coming across as analytical or sterile. You hear the small stuff the reverb trails, vocal breaths, finger slides on strings all presented clearly but tastefully. It’s the kind of detail that enriches the listening experience instead of turning it into a technical showcase.
The dynamics are also more pronounced than what I’ve heard on other Ziigaats. The Odyssey 2 has punch and contrast it knows when to go soft and when to hit hard. Quiet moments have proper intimacy, and when the track builds, it delivers that rise in energy and volume with confidence. That dynamic swing adds realism and keeps the presentation lively, especially in live recordings or orchestral tracks where layering and scale matter.
Finally, the overall resolution and separation tie everything together. Each frequency range bass, mids, and treble feels well-defined and distinct, yet cohesive. Nothing bleeds where it shouldn’t. The background remains dark enough to let details pop naturally, and there’s an effortless flow to how it presents complex passages.
In short, the Odyssey 2 shows that Ziigaat isn’t just chasing tuning variety anymore they’re stepping up their game technically. It’s crisp, open, and engaging, with a level of control and resolution that makes it sound more mature than its price would suggest.
Comparisons
Crescent: More V-shaped with deeper bass but slightly recessed mids. Fun and musical, but less detailed in the upper range.
Lush: Warmer and smoother, with a more relaxed and balanced presentation. Easy on the ears, but not as lively.
Odyssey 2: Strikes the balance bass impact from the Crescent, midrange clarity from the Lush, and improved air and openness up top.
It feels like Ziigaat took what worked from both and refined it into something more cohesive and engaging.
Final Thoughts
The Ziigaat x Hangout Audio Odyssey 2 feels like the company’s most mature and complete IEM to date. It keeps that unmistakable Ziigaat low-end energy but adds refinement, better technical chops, and a tuning that feels more balanced overall. It’s fun without being messy, detailed without sounding clinical a sweet spot that many IEMs in this range try to hit but don’t quite nail.
If you’ve liked the Crescent or Lush but wished for a bit more clarity, space, and punch, the Odyssey 2 might just be the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.
Verdict: A lively, well-tuned hybrid that delivers musicality and technical refinement in equal measure.
Link: https://www.ziigaat.com/products/ziigaat-x-hangout-audio-odyssey-2
Like most of Ziigaat’s lineup, the Odyssey 2 doesn’t shy away from bass it gives you plenty of it, but in a very deliberate and refined way. This isn’t the kind of bass that overwhelms or muddies up the mix. It’s elevated, sure, but it’s tight and articulate, almost like it knows its place in the spectrum and refuses to step out of line.
The subbass digs deep with a satisfying physical rumble that you can feel more than hear, especially on tracks with sustained low-end weight like electronic or cinematic scores. It extends low without rolling off too early, giving that grounded, full-bodied sense of depth that makes kick drums and synth drops hit with authority.
The midbass, on the other hand, carries a nice balance of punch and speed. It delivers that tactile slam on kick drums and bass guitars, but it stays clean no bloat, no spillover into the lower mids. It’s textured too; you can actually distinguish layers in the bass line rather than just feeling a thump. The decay is quick enough to keep up with faster rock or metal tracks, but not so dry that it loses warmth.
What I really like is how the bass manages to stay musical and controlled at the same time. It’s got grip and definition you can tell Ziigaat tuned it to be fun but disciplined. It adds body and warmth to the overall sound without overpowering the mids or stealing focus.
If I had to sum it up, the Odyssey 2’s low end is lively, deep, and confident, the kind of bass that gives the music a strong foundation while keeping the presentation clean and natural. It’s the kind of tuning that works across genres fun enough for modern pop and EDM, yet refined enough for jazz or acoustic where note texture actually matters.
Midrange
Here’s where the Odyssey 2 really starts to carve its own identity in my Ziigaat lineup. The midrange is more forward, open, and expressive compared to both the Crescent and Lush, and that’s what gives this IEM its lively, engaging character. Ziigaat’s past tunings leaned toward a slightly recessed midrange warm and laid back but the Odyssey 2 changes that narrative.
Vocals come front and center, with a nice sense of intimacy and natural weight. Male vocals have that bit of warmth and chestiness that keeps them grounded, while female vocals are vivid and clear without turning sharp. There’s a sense of realism here, like the singer’s just a few steps closer than you’d expect, but not uncomfortably so. That forwardness gives emotional recordings a nice push it’s engaging without being shouty.
The lower mids carry enough body to keep instruments like pianos, guitars, and strings sounding full and textured. There’s no hollowness or thinness, which sometimes happens when upper mids are pushed too hard. The Odyssey 2 manages to stay balanced rich enough to preserve timbre, yet open enough to keep things from sounding congested.
Then there’s the upper mids, where the Odyssey 2 really comes alive. There’s more air, more energy, and faster transients compared to the Lush or Crescent. This gives female vocals, violins, and electric guitars that extra shimmer and edge, making them pop through the mix. It’s lively, crisp, and detailed, but still stops short of being fatiguing. On well-recorded tracks, the clarity can be downright addictive you hear the breath in vocals, the pluck of a guitar string, or the slight rasp of a snare brush with convincing precision.
Compared to the Lush, which is smoother, thicker, and more relaxed, the Odyssey 2 feels more vibrant and emotionally charged. The Lush has that laid-back charm perfect for long listening sessions, but the Odyssey 2 brings the performance closer to you it’s got that “live” energy.
Overall, the midrange tuning feels confident and well-judged. Ziigaat found a way to make the Odyssey 2 sound open, musical, and articulate without losing the natural warmth that defines their sound. It’s a midrange that works just as well for intimate acoustic tracks as it does for busy rock or vocal-heavy pop clean, engaging, and beautifully balanced.
Treble
The treble on the Odyssey 2 strikes a really nice balance between clarity and smoothness. It’s got enough air, sparkle, and energy to bring life and excitement to the sound, but it never feels sharp or fatiguing. This is one of those tunings where you can turn up the volume without wincing at any harsh peaks a sign that the top-end has been handled with care.
That Knowles 33518 BA driver up top is doing some great work here. Cymbals sound crisp and natural, with a clean metallic shimmer rather than a splashy or brittle tone. Hi-hats and snare hits have that quick, well-defined tick that adds texture to the rhythm section without drawing too much attention. There’s a touch of brightness, but it’s tasteful it gives the Odyssey 2 a sense of air and openness that helps vocals and instruments breathe.
The upper treble extension doesn’t chase extremes; it’s not aiming for that hyper-detailed, analytical presentation. Instead, it focuses on keeping the sound natural and coherent. There’s enough sparkle to illuminate microdetails like the subtle reverb tails in recordings, the shimmer of strings, or the faint ambience in live tracks but it never feels exaggerated or artificial. You get a clear, clean sense of space without it turning icy or sterile.
What’s also worth mentioning is how well-integrated the treble is with the rest of the frequency range. The transition from the upper mids into the treble feels seamless no sudden jumps or dips. It complements the lively midrange beautifully, giving vocals and guitars that extra sheen while letting the bass stay grounded. It’s the kind of tuning that works for long sessions you can listen for hours without feeling like your ears are being poked by treble spikes.
Overall, the Odyssey 2’s top-end has just the right amount of brilliance to keep things engaging and spacious, but it still leans on the musical side of things rather than being analytical. It’s clean, airy, and confident never overdone. The kind of treble that adds light to the music without burning your ears.
Technical Performance
When it comes to technical ability, the Odyssey 2 easily stands out as the most capable Ziigaat I’ve heard to date. It’s not just a tuning upgrade it genuinely feels like a more refined and technically mature set across the board. Everything from spatial presentation to resolution takes a noticeable step forward, giving it a more “hi-fi” and polished feel compared to the Crescent and Lush.
Starting with the soundstage, the Odyssey 2 opens things up nicely. It’s not artificially wide, but it has a convincing sense of width and depth that extends beyond the ears. You can easily pick up on front-to-back layering, vocals sit comfortably in the middle, instruments spread naturally around them, and ambient details float around without collapsing into the center. It’s more open and airy than the Crescent, which sounds a bit more intimate in comparison, and it feels better structured than the Lush, which leans slightly narrower due to its warmer tuning.
Imaging is another strong point here. Positioning is clean and precise you can point out where each instrument sits in the mix, whether it’s a guitar slightly off to the right or a hi-hat flickering on the left edge. The Odyssey 2 manages to maintain that clarity even in busy tracks where multiple layers stack up. The sense of placement feels effortless, almost like the drivers are working in sync without any disjointedness between the dynamic and balanced armatures.
In terms of detail retrieval, this IEM delivers plenty of microinformation without coming across as analytical or sterile. You hear the small stuff the reverb trails, vocal breaths, finger slides on strings all presented clearly but tastefully. It’s the kind of detail that enriches the listening experience instead of turning it into a technical showcase.
The dynamics are also more pronounced than what I’ve heard on other Ziigaats. The Odyssey 2 has punch and contrast it knows when to go soft and when to hit hard. Quiet moments have proper intimacy, and when the track builds, it delivers that rise in energy and volume with confidence. That dynamic swing adds realism and keeps the presentation lively, especially in live recordings or orchestral tracks where layering and scale matter.
Finally, the overall resolution and separation tie everything together. Each frequency range bass, mids, and treble feels well-defined and distinct, yet cohesive. Nothing bleeds where it shouldn’t. The background remains dark enough to let details pop naturally, and there’s an effortless flow to how it presents complex passages.
In short, the Odyssey 2 shows that Ziigaat isn’t just chasing tuning variety anymore they’re stepping up their game technically. It’s crisp, open, and engaging, with a level of control and resolution that makes it sound more mature than its price would suggest.
Comparisons
Crescent: More V-shaped with deeper bass but slightly recessed mids. Fun and musical, but less detailed in the upper range.
Lush: Warmer and smoother, with a more relaxed and balanced presentation. Easy on the ears, but not as lively.
Odyssey 2: Strikes the balance bass impact from the Crescent, midrange clarity from the Lush, and improved air and openness up top.
It feels like Ziigaat took what worked from both and refined it into something more cohesive and engaging.
Final Thoughts
The Ziigaat x Hangout Audio Odyssey 2 feels like the company’s most mature and complete IEM to date. It keeps that unmistakable Ziigaat low-end energy but adds refinement, better technical chops, and a tuning that feels more balanced overall. It’s fun without being messy, detailed without sounding clinical a sweet spot that many IEMs in this range try to hit but don’t quite nail.
If you’ve liked the Crescent or Lush but wished for a bit more clarity, space, and punch, the Odyssey 2 might just be the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.
Verdict: A lively, well-tuned hybrid that delivers musicality and technical refinement in equal measure.
Link: https://www.ziigaat.com/products/ziigaat-x-hangout-audio-odyssey-2
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