The Ziigat Luna is a six-driver balanced armature in-ear monitor launched in June 2025, using Sonion and Knowles drivers. It is priced at 379 USD.
The Kiwi Ears Astral is a hybrid model featuring a 10 mm dynamic driver for the bass and three dual balanced armatures covering the rest of the frequency range. It was released earlier in 2025 at a price of 299 USD before tax.
ZIIGAAT LUNA SPECIFICATIONS
- Drivers: 6 BA / Sonion 39AY008 dual + 2 x Knowles 32873 + 2 x Knowles 33518
- Impedance: 26 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 103 dB
- THD: 0.57%
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-32kHz
- Cable connector; 2 pin 0.78mm
- Cable termination: interchangeable 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm
Current price and availability:
- Linsoul : Ziigaat Luna
- Amazon: Ziigaat Luna
KIWI EARS ASTRAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Drivers: Dynamic Driver (DD) and Balanced Armatures (BA) hybrid
- Setup: 1 DD bass, 4 BA mids and 2 BA tweeters.
- Impedance 23 Ohms
- Sensitivity,: 105dB
- Cable connector: 0.78mm 2-Pin
- Cable: 1.2 m with 3.5mm & 4.4mm interchangeable jacks
Current price and availability:
- Linsoul: Kiwi Astral
- Amazon: Kiwi Astral
BUILD AND COMFORT
These IEMs look very similar and are both made from 3D-printed medical-grade resin. They share a universal custom shape, and I find both to be comfortable. I prefer using Azla Xelastec tips on the Luna and SpinFit CP145 tips on the Astral.
Since the CP145 has a smaller bore than the Xelastec, the tips suggest a slight bass increase for the Astral and relatively less bass for the Luna compared to if the tips were swapped. However, the Luna still comes across as the bassier of the two.
Both IEMs come with cables that use 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors and feature interchangeable 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm jacks.
COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
- Tips: Azla Xelastec on the Luna, SpinFit CP145 on the Astral
Cowboy by Tingvall Trio
This is a jazz piece despite the name. The Luna is snappy and detailed – the Astral is quite similar. Both have a slightly dark yet crisp midrange with prominent bass.
The Unforgiven by Metallica
Here the difference is more noticeable, though not extreme. The Luna is more upfront; it’s crisper in the upper mids. I prefer the more laid-back presentation of the Astral.
Hello Dave by Michael Wollny
The tonal balance is very similar on both, with a dynamic and snappy character. However, the Luna sounds a bit more organic and liquid, with slightly better instrument separation and detail.
Fuglefangeren by Maridalen
More jazz. Both are excellent, with the small differences remaining consistent with earlier observations.
Seven Nation Army – Live … Northern Lights by TheWhite Stripes
The Astral has a less prominent, more neutral bass. Otherwise, the two are similar, but the Luna feels slightly more organic, cleaner, and dynamic.
The Sun Always Shines on TV MTV Unplugged by a-ha
Both are very nice, with a similar tonal balance and presentation. The Luna is slightly more dynamic, organic, and liquid-sounding, while the Astral comes across a bit drier. The differences are subtle but noticeable.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake
They are similar, but the vocals on the Astral are slightly drier, and its bass is a bit more neutral, relatively speaking – they both have a substantial but satisfying low end.
Sunrise by Norah Jones
They are very similar, but the vocals with the Luna are slightly more upfront and energetic.
Midnight City by M83
Again, they are similar, but the Luna is slightly more energetic, with better microdynamics and a touch more detail.
Young Vivaldi by Modo Antiquo
Both have great timbre. They’re slightly warm and smooth, yet crisp. They are very similar in presentation.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
These two IEMs have very similar sound signatures, with prominent bass, smooth yet crisp mids, and clear highs that are never harsh. The main differences are that the Astral has slightly less prominent, more neutral bass, while the Luna has slightly more upfront mids.
Treble
The treble is clean and clear on both. It’s nicely balanced – never recessed and never harsh.
Midrange
The midrange is very similar on both, slightly dark yet still crisp and detailed. The Luna often feels a bit more organic and dynamic – and often a bit more upfront and energetic.
Bass
The quality of the bass is very similar on both. Further, although both offer plenty of quantity, the bass only rarely feels excessive – although that’s subjective. The Astral is slightly less pronounced, with a touch less bass, making it more neutral.
Soundstage and Imaging
Overall, the soundstage and imaging are very similar, but the Luna has a slightly darker background and better instrument separation and imaging, though the difference is not always very noticeable.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
In terms of overall detail retrieval, they are very similar, though the Luna is a slight step ahead. The Luna also has a small advantage in dynamics, but it is not always very noticeable. In most respects, they are more similar than different, including general instrument timbre. Both sound natural and crisp with a dark tint and are enjoyable to listen to.
CONCLUSION
The Kiwi Ears Astral and Ziigat Luna are two very similar-sounding IEMs, sharing more traits than differences. They are often hard to distinguish, but when differences appear, they generally favor the Luna, which I perceive as a slightly more dynamic, organic, and liquid-sounding version of the Astral, although with a bit more bass.
I can easily recommend both.
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- Linsoul : Ziigaat Luna
- Amazon: Ziigaat Luna
- Linsoul: Kiwi Astral
- Amazon: Kiwi Astral
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