Moondrop May VS EPZ Q5 Pro V2
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Moondrop May and EPZ Q5 Pro V2 are in-ear monitors. Moondrop May costs $65 while EPZ Q5 Pro V2 costs $56. Moondrop May is $9 more expensive. Moondrop May holds a decisive 1-point edge in reviewer scores (6.5 vs 5.5). Moondrop May has significantly better mids with a 1.5-point edge and Moondrop May has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Moondrop May | EPZ Q5 Pro V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 7 | 5.5 |
| Mids | 6.5 | 5 |
| Treble | 5 | 5 |
| Soundstage | 6 | 5 |
| Dynamics | 5 | 5 |
| Tonality | 5.8 | 4.5 |
| Technicalities | 5.5 | 5 |
Moondrop May Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
6.5Cautiously Favorable
EPZ Q5 Pro V2 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
5.5Mixed
Reviews Comparison
Moondrop May reviewed by Jaytiss
5.3
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Moondrop May presents as a tiny, elegant shell with a very comfortable fit, ideal for small ears. The package is polished—plush-feel DSP cable (with a stiff chin slider), a neat case, and a decent tip spread. Sonically it’s clear with a pleasing bass shelf, but the upper mids push a bit hot and the treble brings some rough edges. Swapping to an analog cable tightens things up; the DSP presets feel less convincing, though quick to use.
At roughly $65, performance sits in a competitive pocket: cleaner than Starfield 2, far easier to recommend than Stellaris, yet eclipsed by stepping up to something like Aria 2; pure budget hunters may still eye the 7Hz Zero 2 for analog value. May carries warmth and decent bass, but imaging and soundstage are just okay, with occasional tonal oddities up top; a touch of EQ calms the mids and helps balance. Overall, it earns a solid C (one-star): pretty, comfortable, worth the price for those wanting a tiny form factor and DSP convenience—but it sits in that mid-fi purgatory where many peers trade blows rather than getting decisively outclassed.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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EPZ Q5 Pro V2 reviewed by Jaytiss
5.5
Reviewer Score
Moondrop May (more reviews)
Moondrop May reviewed by Z-Reviews
7.5
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
Moondrop May shows up like a fashion accessory: smoked acrylic shells with that repeating clover motif, secure 2-pin sockets, and a surprisingly nice round case in the box. The stock 4-core cable packs an inline mic/remote and a USB-C DAC/amp—basically a “dongle-less dongle.” The Moondrop Link app adds DSP/EQ and tweaks (night mode, profiles), though pairing can be finicky; controls give play/pause, volume, and next track, but no previous. Stock tips work well, and tip rolling can push bass from big to downright thunderous.
Inside, a 10 mm dynamic + 6 mm planar hybrid punches way above its weight: sub-bass digs deep with real slam, mids stay clean, treble is crisp without edge, and the soundstage opens wider than expected. Driveability is easy (30 Ω / 120 dB-ish), and the overall tuning feels like a pocket-sized take on Moondrop’s higher-tier vibe—clear, spacious, and instantly “wow.” Swap in bass-friendly tips and the low end gets oppressive (in the fun way); switch to foam or calmer tips for a more relaxed balance.
Then the kicker: $64.99. The package feels like a $299 IEM with a ~$40 dongle tossed in, and it would still make sense priced around $164. Caveats are minor—app quirkiness and potentially too much bass if the seal is aggressive—but the value is absurd. For a daily beater that sounds “big rig” and a first taste of planar-hybrid sparkle, this thing is spectacular and absolutely “buy-a-spare” material.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
Moondrop May reviewed by Audio Amigo
7
* score rescaled + normalized
Audio Amigo Youtube Channel
Moondrop May reviewed by Super* Review
7*
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
Moondrop May squares up against Aria 2 with a very different proposition: a USB-C DAC + DSP cable (inline mic/controls) for $65 versus Aria 2’s standard 3.5 mm at $90. Thanks to a standard 2-pin socket, the May can take the inexpensive Chu 2 3.5 mm cable, giving both connection options while still under Aria 2’s price. The semi-custom, 3D-printed resin shell is small, winged, and remarkably secure—prioritizing fit stability and comfort over Aria 2’s cooler-looking but less locked-in metal body.
On a 3.5 mm cable (no DSP), May presents a warmish, mild-V tuning with a healthy bass lift and better-than-typical treble extension for the bracket, lending a slightly incisive character. Versus Aria 2, May offers tighter bass with less bloom and a sharper attack, while Aria 2 sounds a touch more open but also softer and bloomier overall. Tonally they’re close; the May’s cleaner bass definition and bite make the difference.
With the USB-C cable, the built-in profiles—especially the Standard EQ—shift the May to a laid-back neutral with mild warmth and sub-bass lift, free of glare or sibilance; the Moondrop Link app adds full PEQ flexibility but is Android-only and carries odd filter limits plus occasional DAC quirks (minor artifacts, PEQ not engaging on some Android DAPs). Even so, the comfort, tuning options, and dual-cable versatility make May the more compelling budget pick. Verdict: a solid 4 out of 5—with Aria 2 also a respectable 4 out of 5.
Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube ChannelMoondrop May reviewed by Tim Tuned
5.5
Reviewer Score
Moondrop May reviewed by Head-Fi.org
6.3
* score rescaled + normalized
Moondrop May reviewed by Web Search
7
Reviewer Score
The Moondrop May offers a convenient USB-C DSP cable with multiple EQ presets accessible via the Moondrop Link app, though the app suffers from connectivity issues and requires invasive permissions like location and file access. Its lightweight resin build provides solid comfort for extended wear, but the included ear tips are notoriously difficult to install on the nozzles. The DSP cable itself can exhibit a faint electronic whine during audio pauses, which disrupts calls or quiet passages.
Sonically, the May delivers a balanced signature with smooth, natural midrange, though male vocals occasionally lack resolution and texture. The 6mm planar driver handles treble with refinement, avoiding harshness, but struggles with airiness and micro-detail retrieval compared to competitors like the Truthear Hexa. Bass texture and layering also fall short despite the hybrid 1DD + 1 planar configuration, leading to a somewhat one-dimensional low end in complex tracks.
Technical performance is adequate for the price, with a moderately intimate soundstage and competent imaging, though instrument separation and dynamics can feel congested in busy mixes. The May scales better with analog cables than its own DSP solution, revealing improved clarity and midrange texture when bypassing the stock setup. While the DSP concept is innovative, execution issues limit its appeal, making the May a competent but inconsistent package at $65.
Moondrop May Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+1Planar
Tuning Type: Neutral
Brand: Moondrop Top Moondrop IEMs
Price (Msrp): $64.99
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EPZ Q5 Pro V2 Details
Driver Configuration: n/a
Tuning Type: n/a
Price (Msrp): $56
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Moondrop May User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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EPZ Q5 Pro V2 User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Moondrop May Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
5.6Gaming Grade
B-EPZ Q5 Pro V2 Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
4.9Gaming Grade
CMoondrop May Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B-- Expect a friendly tonal balance that could use polish but remains inviting. Great for casual listening, less so for purists.
Average Technical Grade
B-- Overall technicalities are acceptable, delivering enough clarity for casual sessions. Imaging is serviceable though not immersive.
EPZ Q5 Pro V2 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
C- It struggles with balance, producing a lumpy response that rarely sounds coherent. Genre hopping highlights glaring inconsistencies.
Average Technical Grade
C+- Overall technicalities are acceptable, delivering enough clarity for casual sessions. Imaging is serviceable though not immersive.
Moondrop May User Reviews
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EPZ Q5 Pro V2 User Reviews
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