Moondrop - METEOR

Hi guys, a few months ago I saw an interesting format in the watches sub and I decided to take inspiration from it. I recorded the hours of my IEMs used in the last 2 months, in total I stopped at just over 400 hours, it was an interesting experiment especially to understand what I can sell and what is not used. I'll leave you some impressions and comments:) * Punch audio Martilo: In the end they were my most used between Work, Music, Gym and Gaming. I must say that lately I listen to a lot of phonk * Tangzu Tianpeng: They replaced my Bajie, excellent quality and accessories for more refined listening at home or excellent for gaming * Tanchjim Force: They are becoming my favorites, already heard at various fairs and lent by a friend, excellent aesthetic and design, sound similar to my beloved Meteor, but they are less goofy and therefore I can also wear them on trains or at work, I will definitely increase the hours * Moondrop Kadenz: Great all-rounders, simply top, but I'm using the Forces more for a similar sound. They're perfect for work. * Moondrop Meteor: Among my favorite flagships, but I'm more comfortable with the Tanchjim as they are more discreet, I listen to the Meteor at home in peace * Fatfreq Deuce: They were the most used for the same reasons as the Martilo, but I prefer the Punch Audio for design and comfort. The bass is perfect in both.

Honestly I hit this too recently, splurged on some top line stuff and honestly need to force myself to use them over some cheaper options I have. For example I picked up the Moondrop Meteors and Blessing 3’s Yet still find myself falling back to the old trusty Shire se215, kiwi ears orchestra and moondrop aria snow editions I find the top line are always very “clean” sounding but i personally enjoy the sound curve on the lower line models best! Might be what my ears are capable of hearing also. Again all subjective and YMMV Always enjoy the little sense of discovery with things like this, think finding the limit of price to returns for me is a fun thing with most hobbies i get into. Finding out for yourself is important! Now I get more excited when I find some a pair of cheap little gems that I can recommend to people looking for some IEM’s!

Recently I tried the moondrop meteor and I can't imagine a better iem for mastering, its the clearest, most neutral iem I've ever heard, I didn't enjoy it very much because I like fun iems but for mastering it would be perfect.

I used to like it, too bad I can't wear it for more than an hour. The weight distribution ain't the greatest, and it pulls down on my ears.

Meteor is great, among moondrop's newer IEM releases(Kadenz,Harmon) I think its the best.

The galaxy buds 2 pro you normaly use are peak bleutooth headphones, maby thats why some iem's dont sound like a upgrade. I got the zero bleu 2 and was disapointed. I waited a long time till i bought another pair of iem's. I got the Moondrop Meteor as my second iem and its on a diferent level.

If you are into super neutral and long-duration critical listening, then I think that the cost effective end-game critical listening IEM (if you can get it from China) of 2025 has to be Moondrop Meteor. I’ve tested various high-end IEMs, and found out that it fleshed out as much details and imaging as other high-end ones without too much sibilance or bass, and I managed to get it for roughly 2699 YUAN ~ 360-400ish USD thanks to their government-backed discount on some pricy electronics. For the technical/physical details of MM, there are tests done on Crinacle. Also, Boizoff has tested its other specs like group delays (very low <5 ms from 10Hz to 13kHz where there are some spikes around 7-8 ms) and validated its harmonic distortion+noise is indeed <= 0.6% at @1kHz fundamental and 94 dB. Also, its diffuse field response and frequency response are way better than many others at $1000 range(based on both PopAvg DF and 5128 DF targets). I’d say its soundstage, imaging, and instrumental separation and Monarch MK4’s have no audible difference, but MK4 has more bass and brighter treble; the latter is quite noticeable in ACG songs, and the brightness sort of hinder sounds from other ranges as many ACG songs are complex and use almost all ranges at any time. At last, there’s is a piece of Aletai meteorite on each side of MM with (very likely) different Widmanstatten pattern, and I think the design is quite aesthetic and elegant compared to even the more expensive ones.

I don’t know what’s the “best”, but among the setups I’ve tested (up to +$2ks), I truly enjoyed Moondrop Meteor as it struck me as incredibly natural and excellent imaging, soundstage, and separation over the whole audible frequency spectrum compared to the rest. The measurements and technicalities also justify the performance (Check Boizoff’s measurements and graphs on Hangout Audio). One would immediately notice its the incredible neutral-natural-analytic performance at ~80dBa; its performance scales smoothly wrt dB level. It’s super smooth and analytic, and it might seem very dull to some people who seek warmer sounds or sharper treble. Though, on Meteor, if you can scale dB level to match “average studio recording room dB level” and close your eyes the more this IEM will very likely make feel like you are in an actual studio. It’s almost perfectly neutral (relative to JM-1 target) and what sets it apart from little bit away from perfection is the ~10 dB linear bass elevation which is common in almost all IEMs to get more natural hearing (compensate ear gain at lower frequencies). Although we can make a case that ER4SR is closer to JM-1 (no preference adjustment), the bass on ER4SR doesn’t sound natural. Its sound signature is quite close to Variations but I think Meteor’s overall treble is way smoother and has slightly better separation, imaging, and soundstage. I think Boizoff has the best analogy for Meteor based on its measurements and taste; https://boizoff.com/language/en/moondrop-meteor-earphones-review/ I only disagree with his take claiming that it’s not “good” for jazzy songs since listening Giant Steps and various jazz-fusion tracks on Meteor was definitely a natural and elegant analytic experience.

Hard to say what's the best for "neutral" since there's almost always trade-off which is funny as I haven't found any IEM that has achieved decent neutral response (mid-treble according to IEF 2025 target and mid-low according to Harman 2019) with near-perfect diffuse field response (JM-1 target (5128 DF has certain flaws for IEMs as it overphamsizes on the pinna's contribution to the response and IEM is directly fed into the ears)). I think a near-perf. neutral would be low Harman, mid (somewhere between), and treble, IEF 2025. We also have to consider Harmonic Distortion + (Noise) of the setup (ideally at around <= 0.5% at 1 kHz, 94 dB). But honestly, having tested THIEAUDIO Monarch MK4 and Divinity, Moondrop Meteor, and Letshuoer Cadenza 12 on Moonriver 2 Ti at around 70-80 dBa, and compared the diffuse field/freq responses, group delays, and whatnot on some 32-bit 96kHz tracks (a bit pointless but want to make the details like decaying sounds, scratches, etc. are clear enough). As for instrumental separation and imaging, I'd say maybe Divinity has overall best based on how close it matches the JM-1 target, but based on my experience, I can't faithfully say I have noticed audible spatial difference between Meteor, MK4, and Divinity on imaging and instrumental separation. Though, Cadenza doesn't do too well well on treble, and the clarity is noticeable. MK4 is also amazing, but it fleshes out too much detail on high freq, and sometimes, we can hear some unnatural emphasis on breathing or air noises; we can hear those sounds neutral enough on Meteor and Divinity. Also, my hearing is not bad as I can faithfully hear up to \~19.5 kHz and down to 20 Hz with my setup, and I've cleared hearing tests. Though, for treble, I think that Moondrop Meteor really aced it the most neutral out of all of them; I think it might have the most neutral overall treble in all IEMs based on the graphs. For mid-range, honestly, I haven't noticed much difference as all of the them sound exceptionally natural and clear. Now, for the bass region, I think MK4 nailed it the best, and also I think that Meteor does better at bass region than Divinity. So, it depends what region of neutrality you care the most about as there isn't one that aces all of them... In my case, I chose Meteor as I'm way more into treble details. It's also relatively cheaper than others \~$600, and if you can get it from some Chinese stores in China, it can be reduced to around $500 USD. Also, the bass on Meteor is quite punchy and the decaying details are clearly present (if you play at around 70-80 dBa); it's just that it doesn't hit as much as the others.

In case you aren’t sure, you can wait a bit or try to attend some shops/conventions. But if you want to go blind, then I would just elaborate again with bit more detail and tips. I’d say that MK4 isn’t really good if you’re sensitive to treble and your tracks also contain lots of mid-high trebles since if we look at both Harman and IEF preferences, the high treble differs by like 3dB from both curves which would be very bright if you are sensitive. There’s no need to worry about bass as all of them have bass under decent control. Though, if most of your songs don’t contain much high treble (can caused by breathing/air, percussions, violin, overtones…), you can still consider MK4 as it would be the the smoothest/neutral for bass and midrange as the curve sits right between IEF and Harman curve and its DF response almost perfectly overlaps with JM-1 besides for mid-high treble region. Or, in other cases, you can consider V16 as it should provide best overall separation (even mid-high treble) while also having decently smooth/neutral treble (fits IEF-2025) and bass (fits Harman bass + midrange). It’s a combo I also really enjoy as Moondrop Meteor also follows the same pattern besides MM really smoothened that treble to fit IEF and has decent separation too (it’s just that its bass might feel a bit less natural to some given bit higher deviation from JM-1). In a way, Meteor and V16 are very versatile for various tracks where V16 would have more natural overall imaging and Meteor would have more natural treble and as for bass region, I think MM better but that’s more debatable. I’m not sure about other expensive IEMs as I haven’t tried.

Claude helped: # IEM Tier Comparison: Top 3 Models by Price & Ratings ## **S-TIER (Flagship Performance)** ### **Top 3 by Lowest Price:** 1. **Xenns Mangird Tea Pro** - $359 2. **Moondrop Meteor** - $499-549 3. **Kiwi Ears Etude** - ~$200-300 (estimated) ### **Top 3 by Consumer Ratings:** #### **1. Xenns Mangird Tea Pro ($359)** • **Pros:** - "Excellent choice for balanced yet engaging IEM" - Deep, controlled bass with lush mids and smooth treble - Exceptional comfort and passive noise isolation - Natural timbre and texture • **Cons:** Cable is stiff and inflexible • **Best For:** Vocal lovers, balanced tuning enthusiasts #### **2. Moondrop Meteor ($499-549)** • **Pros:** - "One of the company's best-tuned tribrid IEMs" - Impressive treble extension with zero sibilance - Users report it "sounds better than $2000+ IEMs" - Innovative 7-driver configuration (1DD+2BA+4Planar) • **Cons:** Large size may not fit smaller ears, lighter bass response • **Best For:** Technical performance seekers, treble enthusiasts #### **3. Kiwi Ears Etude** • **Pros:** - Innovative KVT (Kiwi Vibration Transducer) technology - Unique tactile bass enhancement - Beryllium-plated dynamic driver • **Cons:** KVT vibration feature requires adaptation, polarizing • **Best For:** Bass enthusiasts seeking unique tactile experience --- ## **A-TIER (Exceptional Value)** ### **Top 3 by Lowest Price:** 1. **AFUL Performer 5+2** - $239 2. **Kiwi Ears KE4** - ~$200-250 3. **Moondrop Illustrious** - ~$250-300 ### **Top 3 by Consumer Ratings:** #### **1. Kiwi Ears KE4 (~$200-250)** • **Pros:** - "Can confidently compete with IEMs under $400" - Excellent tonal balance with natural, engaging sound - Great for competitive gaming (FPS positioning) - Comfortable 2DD+2BA hybrid design • **Cons:** May need higher power sources, tuning might be "safe" for some • **Best For:** Gamers, neutral sound preference, all-rounders #### **2. AFUL Performer 5+2 ($239)** • **Pros:** - "Offers a lot of value" and "handles all kinds of music well" - Blends fun with technicalities - Tribrid design (2DD+4BA+1 Micro Planar) - Versatile across genres • **Cons:** Cable not modular, basic eartips • **Best For:** Genre versatility, technical performance on budget #### **3. Moondrop Illustrious** • **Pros:** - Solid technical performance in price range - Moondrop's refined tuning approach • **Cons:** Mixed reception, less standout features • **Best For:** Moondrop fans, balanced signature seekers --- ## **B-TIER (Solid Performers)** ### **Top 3 by Lowest Price:** 1. **Tripowin Vivace** - ~$80-120 2. **ArpegEar Hane** - $129 3. **Tangzu Wu Zetian Legend** - $259 ### **Top 3 by Consumer Ratings:** #### **1. Tangzu Wu Zetian Legend ($259)** • **Pros:** - "Highest detail" captures finest recording nuances - Dual planar drivers (14.2mm + 6mm) - Excellent treble control without harshness - Beautiful abalone-like faceplate design • **Cons:** May be too analytical for some, dust filter issues • **Best For:** Detail retrieval enthusiasts, planar driver fans #### **2. ArpegEar Hane ($129)** • **Pros:** - "Strong first impression" for brand debut - Clear and engaging sound signature - Tuning switches for customization - Comfortable fit and stylish design • **Cons:** Limited brand recognition, fewer reviews available • **Best For:** Customization lovers, newcomers to IEMs #### **3. Tripowin Vivace (~$80-120)** • **Pros:** - "Vivacious" bass performance with good separation - Competent tuning, inoffensive signature - Comfortable ergonomic design - Good value for entry-level • **Cons:** Average soundstage, basic treble detail, stiff cable • **Best For:** Budget-conscious buyers, casual listeners --- ## **Key Takeaways:** • **Best S-Tier Value:** Xenns Tea Pro offers flagship performance at mid-tier pricing • **Best A-Tier Pick:** KE4 dominates with versatility and gaming performance • **Best B-Tier Technical:** Zetian Wu Legend punches above its weight class • **Price Sweet Spot:** A-tier offers the best performance-per-dollar ratio

Kiwi Ears Punch or Moondrop Meteor for me

Moondrop meteors blow my $1000 headphones out of the water. I don't know what wizardry they used but they're the single most immersive audio experience I've had, and that's after testing basically every recommended IEM in the market recently. In 3 days they basically destroyed all my preconceptions about sound, and for myself I used to value technicalities, now I value emotion. They're probably the first ever pair to be able to draw out the full emotions of a female vocalist, and now my headphones and Q1 just sound veiled on that aspect. Another way to describe it is for my whole life, I was listening to music, but now I'm feeling music.

Ye I did eq most of my iems to try out ,my lineup currently is supermix4,moondrop meteor,kiwiears ke4 and ziigaat Luna, maybe I can order a custom studio 2 or yume 4 then XD

Love the vids,bought supermix 4 because of the video you make.even tho I like moondrop meteor,but seems like you dont like it (different taste I guess ).

Tbh cheapest one and the first one I got was tanchjim ola bass,driver died in 1 months,might be qc, then goes to moondrop lan and moondrop may, like may a lot but I dropped may by accident (too comfy in my ears and forgot about using it on my PC) eventually looks around in YouTube.Then goes with kiwi ears ke4 kinda regret after having the later few iem.Then watched some reviews and bought supermix4 ,like it but the shell fell out, glue issue.Decided to go for semi end game iem and buyed moondrop meteor and ziigaat Luna loving both but would still buy may if I didn't buy the end games then I have.

Neutral to what ? Harman, JM1 DF or something else ? I would say Letshuoer Mystic 8 and Moondrop Meteor if you look for Hexa on steroids. If you want neutral with bass then Thieaudio V16 Divinity, but its also double the price, but still in your range

People going on about the size but.. that's a *very* shallow fit. I don't think these would work for me with springtips at all, which are my preferred tips