Wired IEMs
I/O Audio Volare
75Great
$600
Full review dataI/O Audio Volare vs Ziigaat Horizon: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Ziigaat Horizon comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 81. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Ziigaat Horizon - Outstanding overall at around $329.
Wired IEMs
Ziigaat Horizon
81Outstanding
$330
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Ziigaat Horizon leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- I/O Audio Volare
- Ziigaat Horizon
HearWiki score
75
81
Sound
8.5
8.7
Value
7.2
8.4
Price (USD)
$600
$330
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
Ziigaat Horizon (2025) against I/O Audio Volare (2024). These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.
- Volare2024
- Horizon20251 yr newer
Specifications
VolareHorizon
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $600
- $330
- HearWiki score
- 75
- 81
- Released
- 2024
- 2025
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Sold new
- Driver
- 1DD + 4BA + 4EST tribrid
- 1DD + 2BA + 2PL tribrid
- Driver type
- tribrid
- tribrid
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 4BA + 4EST
- 1DD + 2BA + 2PL
- Driver size
- 8 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 9
- 5
- Impedance
- 4.8 Ω
- 24 Ω
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 5 g
- -
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- Connector
- -
- 2-pin 0.78 mm
What reviewers said
I/O Audio Volare
The Volare is a tribrid IEM that combines a dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and four electrostatic drivers to deliver a coherent, balanced sound with strong bass and smooth-bright treble. It offers excellent build quality, a comprehensive accessory package, and impressive technical performance for its price, making it a standout debut despite a few minor quirks.
- Pro:Coherent and balanced tuning with good bass presence
- Pro:Excellent build quality and large accessory set
- Pro:Strong imaging and articulation for its class
- Con:Upper-mids can be intense at times
- Con:Bass texture is somewhat limited
- Con:Vents may pick up noticeable wind noise
Ziigaat Horizon
The Ziigaat Horizon is a wired tribrid IEM that delivers impressive technical performance for its price, featuring a spacious, holographic soundstage and strong detail retrieval. Its W-shaped tuning balances clarity and engagement, though its energetic treble and lighter bass impact may not suit everyone. While the sound quality is a standout, the build and accessories feel less premium than the audio performance.
- Pro:Excellent technical ability and detail retrieval
- Pro:Large, holographic soundstage with strong imaging
- Pro:Well-executed W-shaped tuning that balances fun and precision
- Con:Treble can become fatiguing or slightly sibilant for sensitive listeners
- Con:Mid-bass punch is limited, with bass more technical than physical
- Con:Build quality feels somewhat cheap for the price
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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