Moondrop S8 VS I/O Volare

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Moondrop S8 and I/O Volare use 8BA and 1DD+4BA+4EST driver setups respectively. Moondrop S8 costs $700 while I/O Volare costs $600. Moondrop S8 is $100 more expensive. Moondrop S8 holds a clear 0.6-point edge in reviewer scores (7.6 vs 7). I/O Volare has better bass with a 0.9-point edge, Moondrop S8 has better mids with a 0.5-point edge, Moondrop S8 has significantly better treble with a 1.5-point edge, Moondrop S8 has better dynamics with a 0.7-point edge, Moondrop S8 has slightly better soundstage with a 0.3-point edge and I/O Volare has slightly better imaging with a 0.3-point edge.

Metric	Moondrop S8	I/O Volare
Bass	6.6	7.5
Mids	7.5	7
Treble	7.8	6.3
Details	8	8
Soundstage	7.5	7.3
Imaging	7.7	8
Dynamics	5.7	5
Tonality	7.3	7.2
Technicalities	7.5	6.9

Moondrop S8 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Score:

7.6

Strongly Favorable

Show all Moondrop S8 reviews

I/O Volare Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Score:

Cautiously Favorable

Show all I/O Volare reviews

Driver Configuration: 8BA

Tuning Type: harman

Brand: Moondrop Top Moondrop IEMs

Price (Msrp): $700

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Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA+4EST

Tuning Type: n/a

Brand: I/O Top I/O IEMs

Price (Msrp): $600

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Moondrop S8 User Review Score

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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I/O Volare User Review Score

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Moondrop S8 Gaming Score

The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.9

Gaming Grade

B+

I/O Volare Gaming Score

The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

Gaming Grade

Moondrop S8 Scorings

Average Tunign Grade

A-

Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.

Average Technical Grade

Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.

Bass B+

Good bass foundation with decent impact. Maintains acceptable control while providing satisfying thump in most tracks.

Mids A

Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.

Treble A

Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.

Dynamics B-

Decent dynamic performance. Good macro-contrast but micro-dynamics could be more nuanced. Satisfactory impact.

Soundstage A

Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.

Details A+

Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.

Imaging A

Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.

Gaming B+

Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

I/O Volare Scorings

Average Tunign Grade

A-

Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.

Average Technical Grade

B+

Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.

Bass A

Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.

Mids A-

Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.

Treble B

Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.

Dynamics C+

Decent dynamic performance. Good macro-contrast but micro-dynamics could be more nuanced. Satisfactory impact.

Soundstage A-

Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.

Details A+

Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.

Imaging A+

Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.

Gaming B

Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Moondrop S8 Reviews

Reviewed by: Super* Review

9* * score normalized

check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Bad Guy Good Audio

7.9 Reviewer Score

A+ Tuning

A- Tech

Great detail,relax tuning upgrade of "A8" only a slight upgrade to the previous A8

URL to full Review

Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking

Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel

Bass: B Mids: A+ Treble: A+

Reviewed by: Shuwa-T

7.8 Reviewer Score

A- Tuning

A+ Tech

Comment: Technically proficient. Clarity and tuning well done BA timbre

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A+ Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: S-

Reviewed by: Audionotions

7.5 Reviewer Score

Very resolving and well tuned. Note weight leans thin. First IEM that I can say I definitely hear the BA timbre. Could use more down low. Pressure build is uncomfortable. Previously Owned

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Reviewed by: Gizaudio Axel

7.5 Reviewer Score

A- Tuning

A+ Tech

Smooth, detailed, and balanced tuning. Harman-like sound with plenty of detail. BA bass.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Crin

7.5 Reviewer Score

S- Tuning

A Tech

More faithful to the Harman target compared to the A8, with a smoother bass response.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

7.3 Reviewer Score

B Tuning

A- Tech

Special set.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel

Mids: B Treble: A- Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: A-

Reviewed by: Smirk Audio

7.1 Reviewer Score

A- Tuning

A- Tech

Very resolving with a sweet, pleasant timbre. Good mids and treble. Average bass. Upper-mids may be shouty to some.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: B Mids: A+ Treble: A Dynamics: B Details: A Imaging: A

Reviewed by: Precogvision

7.1 Reviewer Score

A- Tuning

A- Tech

Excellent treble extension and detail retrieval.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel

Bass: B Mids: A+ Treble: A+ Dynamics: B Details: A+ Imaging: A-

Reviewed by: Tim Tuned

7 Reviewer Score

A- Tuning

A+ Tech

Smooth engaging harman signature with fun bass BA timbre

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel

Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A+

I/O Volare Reviews

Reviewed by: Shuwa-T

7.6 Reviewer Score

A- Tuning

A Tech

Balanced subbass-focused tuning that borders the fine line between technical and boring, well extended treble that remains free of sibilance The lower midrange does not sound the most natural despite how funny squiggly lines look

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: A Mids: A- Treble: A Soundstage: A Details: A+ Imaging: A+

Reviewed by: Jays Audio

7.5 Reviewer Score

S- Tuning

A+ Tech

Best Harman IEM under $600 (my unit is less harman), smooth and natural, great layering and tech, bass texture could be better/not as good as Oracle MK3, but overall very balanced and great all-rounder, also, amazing unboxing and accessories

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

6.8 Reviewer Score

B- Tuning

C+ Tech

Nice overall quality.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel

Mids: A- Treble: C+ Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: A-

Reviewed by: Super* Review

6* * score normalized

If you are looking for the most bang for your buck in terms of the costs of materials - this is it. But not the most interesting sound.

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Fresh Reviews

5* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score

check links for more info:

Fresh Reviews original ranking

Fresh Reviews Youtube Channel

Moondrop S8 User Reviews

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I/O Volare User Reviews

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IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

Insights

Moondrop S8 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

I/O Volare Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Moondrop S8 Details

I/O Volare Details

Moondrop S8 User Review Score

Average User Scores

I/O Volare User Review Score

Average User Scores

Moondrop S8 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

I/O Volare Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

Moondrop S8 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

I/O Volare Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Moondrop S8 Reviews

Reviewed by: Super* Review

Reviewed by: Bad Guy Good Audio

Reviewed by: Shuwa-T

Reviewed by: Audionotions

Reviewed by: Gizaudio Axel

Reviewed by: Crin

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

Reviewed by: Smirk Audio

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Reviewed by: Tim Tuned

I/O Volare Reviews

Reviewed by: Shuwa-T

Reviewed by: Jays Audio

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

Reviewed by: Super* Review

Reviewed by: Fresh Reviews

Moondrop S8 User Reviews

Pros

Cons

I/O Volare User Reviews

Pros

Cons

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