Moondrop - RAYS

I have truthear zero blue 2 and moondrop rays i like the moondrop rays more and they are far more comfortable

Rays are knows as an gaming iem it does a great job at that it isnt the best iem to listen music for the price tho ray is pretty much just moondrop may just diffrent dsp and it has software support which i like

I dont know much about blue 1 i just know it is really uncomfortable hey idk about prices where you live but i think you should check out moondrop rays and simgot ew300

I just got these. Coming from the IE200 they feel *big*. Chunky, a bit heavy, and definitely not as comfy in the ear. That said, the web app is a really nice touch, and honestly, they sound better than the IE200 to my ears. I just wish they were smaller — the size is hard to ignore for me Also, for some weird reason, the cable doesn't have a chin slider (maybe a QC issue?). This is like 10 cents to implement

Hyperx headphones have excellent imaging performance. This is the case for most HyperX headphones tested by Rtings for example, which indicates the brand's quality control and ergonomics. Gaming headphones also have built in boom mics with decent audio quality. The Sennheiser Epos Game One headset is a good example of an open back * gaming* marketed headphone. Producing very good imaging for footsteps and directional movement spotting in fps online. The moondrop rays are also within this category of * gaming* like the epos game one headphone. They are tuned for fps and single player gaming with a mic that is probably decent but not good like a boom mic.

Moondrop has announced the Rays IEM earlier this month, marketing them as “gaming IEMs” which I give zero fucks about. However, due to its color scheme and my experiences with Moondrop, I decided to grab a set and give it a shot. I purchased the Rays from TaoBao for 399 Yuan (\~$55), and it comes with the Moondrop MC1 cable as a gift, which is worth around $5 in China. Domestic pricing of the Rays matches the May, which makes the international pricing of the Rays questionable, more on that later. I’ll skip the specs since you can easily find that on Moondrop website. The only noteworthy point here are the specs of the Rays and the May is 1:1. Does this mean the Rays are a carbon-copy of the May? # Packaging & Content https://preview.redd.it/okmg4rb6m7ve1.jpg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e196cdb213e520218dd349d235a6fdafab66f75e [You really need to look closely to notice the green, it is that insignificant.](https://preview.redd.it/e2dac9yfi7ve1.jpg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=044dc4cb124efce44269426d935b789bd3b85836) The Rays comes in a vertically-printed box, mostly in monochrome with a slight hint of green on the IEMs. [Everything inside the packaging](https://preview.redd.it/lj7hnp50m7ve1.jpg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ef5bb47014f2a38bfa9fab1912ab192b9a0131c0) Outside of the IEMs and the DSP cable, the Rays comes with the following accessories: * USB-C extension cable * 3 pairs of ear tips * Leather case The extension cable comes in handy for those who don’t have an adequately positioned USB-C access on your desk, or console gamers that generally need a lengthier cable than usual. This is a nice touch for a gaming-oriented product. Other accessories are standard issue for Moondrop products at this point. # Build and Design [Close-up of the Moondrop Rays](https://preview.redd.it/nr07caoli7ve1.jpg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=31b4d01cf05613c62ecc670ca36f7ff1ddd044d9) Rays has an iridescent/ chrome-ish faceplate with transparent green shell. I’m fine with asymmetrical design on the faceplates, but I cannot understand the philosophy behind the inverted text. The DSP cable is covered in a deep green cable sleeve with purple metal housings. *Moondrop Gravity* and *Rays* logo are printed on the USB-C housing. Build quality looks solid on my copy, but I’ve also heard of Moondrop QC lotteries, so only time will tell. # DSP experience The Rays can tweak its DSP through the web app. Like most web driver implementations powered by WebHID, only Chromium-based browsers are supported (RIP Firefox). The UI is divided into 4 main tabs, which offers different features: * *Gaming* and *Presets* tab: Both are pre-defined presets. * *Configs* tab: Pre-cooked EQs from community members, or access your personal configs; Saving or accessing personal presets requires an account. * *Advanced* tab: Basically means PEQ. [PEQ interface on the web app](https://preview.redd.it/y7098fv2j7ve1.png?width=2924&format=png&auto=webp&s=9be09c305d44423cc0fdaabbd6fdcb4de24c3a32) The web PEQ interface is miles ahead of Moondrop’s app, way more inline with Equalizer APO w/ Peace UI which I use on my PC. You can also see the frequency curve changes in real time when you tweak the EQ bands, and I do not notice any lag or latency when playing with the PEQ interface. Kudos to Moondrop here. [AutoEQ feature](https://preview.redd.it/cqpi53k6j7ve1.png?width=2924&format=png&auto=webp&s=044bb2919d6f460bc4d5dfbc183017d6f3642f18) The Import/ Export file format looks identical to what I can grab from AutoEq. There is also an AutoEQ feature that adjusts the EQ automatically to the target curve. The web app also supports user-uploaded target curves, so that’s neat. As a first-timer to DSP, I am satisfied with the overall experience with the UI and UX, and not needing to install the Moondrop app for EQ is a huge plus for me. # Sound I stopped purchasing/ upgrading gear regularly since 2020, only get back to this hobby with the Zero:RED I purchased a year ago to replace the Final E2000/ E3000s as beater IEMs, as they broke too often. For comparisons, I’ll use the RED as reference because: * I’ve used the RED extensively since I got it * I got both pairs at a similar price point ($44 & \~$55) * The other IEMs that I kept before are too pricey for comparisons **Gear and track sources** * MacBook Air (M4) * Apple Music Lossless & tracks from self-ripped CDs The 3.5mm output on the MacBook has surprisingly good sound quality as usual, and my desktop DAC (Chord Hugo) gives too much of an edge to the RED over the DSP cable, so I opted to use the Mac as the reference platform. **No-EQ vs Default** Rays are factory EQ-ed. Out of the box, sub-bass are tamed while the highs are smoothened out. Vocals are brought forward with more thickness added to it, and it eliminates a significant amount of vocal sibilance. Soundstage feels wider on the width, forming more of an oval-shaped soundstage. Based on the reviews for the May DSP, I simulated the No-EQ sound by setting everything on the PEQ to 0db. This opens up the bass and treble extension for the May, making it sound more engaging and exciting. Soundstage immediately feels more spacious, especially on height, which solves one of my biggest gripe with the default tuning. Default tuning is a very “safe” tuning for most people, but I prefer the No-EQ sound to better show the technicalities, and most importantly it sounds more natural to me. *The remaining tests are done using the No-EQ setup.* **Initial Impressions vs Zero:RED** Bass on the Rays are fast and punchy, just lacks that tiny bit of sub-bass extension, of which the RED excels at. Vocals are ever-so-slightly more forward and intimate on the Rays, and the Rays handles vocal sibilance better than the RED. Neither sets sound particularly vocal forwarding to my ears, which is my preferred way of handling vocals. Trebles are smooth on the Rays even without EQ, retaining the sparkles, but the treble extension and detail retrieval isn’t the best. The RED definitely sounds more neutral, while the Rays gives me a more laid-back experience for the genres I listen to, and hides some of the artifacts from bad recording/ mixing. **Technicalities** The Rays exhibit decent technicalities in general. Soundstage is passable for IEMs in this price range, not particularly wide, but I never notice the sound to be too congested. Imaging isn't the best, but I could identify and locate instruments with relative ease. Resolution left some to be desired, though. Overall, no major issues found on the Rays, but the RED is just technically more capable. **Tip-rolling** With my limited access of tips that I already owned, I like the Spring Tips or the Divinus Velvet the most. Spring Tips are great when it comes to general use as it brings the vocals forward and tames the treble even more. Velvets offers more transparency and makes the Rays sounds more “analytical” to my ears. It brings out the treble and widens the soundstage. Now I’m interested to grab a pair of wide bore Velvets. # Fit & Comfort The RED have a lighter body, but that lengthy and wide bore really kills it in terms of fit and comfort. The RED can fit in my ear without dropping, albeit sitting in a really awkward position. Although heavier, the Rays wins easily with the snug fit, so I don’t need to solely rely on the ear canal to hold the IEM in place. # Pricing and Value The Rays are priced at $100 MSRP. I don’t know if the MSRP follows their original plan, or it was adjusted based on the China tariffs, but neither can I recommend the Rays for $100. In today’s market, the sub-$100 competition is so intense, making the MSRP hard to swallow even if you’re willing to pay all the brand, loyalty and “gamer” tax. The Rays remind me of the Aria2, which is a *great IEM with bad value*. Aria2 has bad value because it was sold more like a "bundle", where a decent chunk of your purchase goes towards the accessories. The Rays are worse in this aspect, as there are no real "upgrades" over the May DSP other than software and the extension cable. When the May is priced at $75, I don’t see the improvements on the Rays justifying for the 33% higher MSRP. Looking purely at Moondrop’s current lineup, the Aria2 is a better buy at $100, and the May has better value if you absolutely need DSP. If you look at offerings from other companies, the value of the Rays looks even more embarrassing. # Verdict The Rays mark Moondrop's venture into the gaming market, and I think they are having a good start, where the Rays feel different to the current gaming market offerings. However, for audiophiles, the Rays doesn't seem to be competent enough for $100. The Rays are a technically-capable IEM that doesn't sound whack out-of-the-box like most "gaming IEMs", backed up by a marvelous DSP experience for fine-tuning. However, $100 MSRP is simply too high for the Rays in the current audiophile market. It’s not like we always need market-defining pairs like the RED. I’m all for companies releasing experimental and bold products that make the hobby “interesting” again, but the pricing has to be reasonable. If you could manage to get it for the domestic pricing (\~$55), I think this can be a good side-grade to the REDs if you value convenience, comfort and aesthetics(?) over pure technicalities.

for gaming specifically Kefine Delci AE($90) > Kefine Klean($50) > EM6L($110) > Truthear Zero($60, aka. Blue 1) = Tripowin x 0diBi: Vivace($30) > Simgot EW300($80) = Truthear Zero:Blue2(70) = Truthear x Crinacle Zero: Red($65) = QKZxHBB($20) > Moondrop Rays($100) I prefer everything here except maybe Vivace and QKZxHBB over Delci AE for music tho, this is strictly for gaming how they stack up

Try other online platform or from moondrop itself.I play with it on the ps5 and steam deck , I will recommend it

Moondrop just released the Rays at $99. It comes with a DSP USB c cable that you're able to store tunings on. The stock tuning is performing pretty well in fps games. Another good one is the Simgot EM6L. If you ever think about stretching a little bit the Simgot Supermix 4 is excellent if you can get it around $130 or so.

You should also add TRN Conch and the Chu 2 DSP to the list, the DSP version lets you change the sound way you like it to get better value fot games. But if your budget permits, my endgame suggestion of a gaming IEM would be the Moondrop RAYS, since they are basically a Moondrop May with specific config for gaming (check if the USB-C port of the controller works for sound)

I just picked up the Moondrop Ray and it’s honestly as flat as it gets stock. Good thing about them is that it has 2 DDs and DSP so you can always tune it differently and it’ll take the EQ without any distortion. Especially good if you listen to lots of different genre of music. Im on metal and hiphop right now and I have a huge 15db bass boost and a little treble boost and they sound amazing!

Great tier except I think Moondrop rays is a good iem. I would much prefer to buy them specifically for how they look and for gaming too. Btw whats the diff between Fatfreq Quantum stock and 300 mesh mod ?

I just got a pair of Rays for fps gaming and they seem to perform very well. But one issue I noticed is once I unplugged my other “gaming” headset, the iems are no longer recognizable by my computer. Anyone ever experience this issue before?

The other two are moondrop rays and Simgot SuperMix4. The redditor who commented on the other sets was very much on point, EW300 is your safest bet from all of these, but you mean warm as in warm sound or Warm as in you want it slightly bassy? Because EW300 could count as "warm" in the sense that is slightly bassy, but the sound is somewhat balanced, not much notably colored by bass, which would be the warm sound. As for the others, Rays seem to be a repackage and maybe re tuning of the moondrop May, is fairly new but is a DSP iem, so it uses type-c, might be good, but is too early to say if is worth the price. As for the SM4, is a quite energetic and detailed set, but can feel a bur too intense in the treble for some, and specially the mid range, where vocals are, can feel a bit thin - lacking body -, is good if you known you like that energetic sound, but not the best for a person starting in the hobby even if it has allrounder capabilities too. And for the record, the Explorer is not reall muddy but quite bassy, so people that dont like that much bass often feel it like it gets on the way of the rest of the sound, treble is also not particularly boosted so it can feel relaxed but a bit less detailed too.

Moondrop Rays, sweet app with eq for specific games. Overall nice iem for your range of price if you like greenish rainbow iem.

Volume is limited D: Not by a horrible drastic much but you can tell it is

Hey, not sure if you're still looking for an answer but they work good with the ps5. I connect it through the usb-c port through the front and the only difference I noticed is that the audio is a little quieter in comparison to other headphones/headsets.

Id say besides the quietness on the ps5, the audio is great. Works super well when connected to other devices.

I have both and prefer the EM6L over the SM4 for gaming. I also like the Moondrop Ray since it uses USB C.

Moondrop Rays should be good for gaming. And as Iem’s are easy to drive, apple dongle should be good enough, or if u wanna be sure, Fiio KA11 is a cheap 30$ USB-C to 3.5mm dongle

Works great with the USB‑C connected on the front or the back with the adapter. I'm buying the 3.5 mm jack adapter to test it on the DualSense controller; it's currently working great with the PS5 Pro and MacBook. Just a quick note: with firmware 0.2, the PS5 doesn't recognize the rays, so I downgraded to 0.1 and it works correctly. You can check that out at [https://hub.moondroplab.tech/](https://hub.moondroplab.tech/).