Kiwi Ears ETUDE VS Moondrop Starfield 2

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

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Kiwi Ears ETUDE and Moondrop Starfield 2 are in-ear monitors. Kiwi Ears ETUDE costs $119 while Moondrop Starfield 2 costs $110. Kiwi Ears ETUDE is $9 more expensive. Kiwi Ears ETUDE holds a decisive 1.1-point edge in reviewer scores (6.9 vs 5.8). Kiwi Ears ETUDE has significantly better mids with a 2-point edge, Kiwi Ears ETUDE has better treble with a 0.8-point edge and Kiwi Ears ETUDE has significantly better dynamics with a 6-point edge.

Insights

Metric Kiwi Ears ETUDE Moondrop Starfield 2
Bass 6.9 5
Mids 6 4
Treble 5 4.3
Details 6.9 5
Soundstage 6 6
Imaging 6.9 6
Dynamics 7 1
Tonality 6.9 4.9
Technicalities 6.4 5.6

Kiwi Ears ETUDE Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jays Audio Z-Reviews
Jaytiss Head-Fi.org Web Search

Average Reviewer Score:

6.9

Cautiously Favorable


Moondrop Starfield 2 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss
Jays Audio Shuwa-T
Super* Review Head-Fi.org
Z-Reviews

Average Reviewer Score:

5.8

Mixed


Reviews Comparison

Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 6.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A Tech
Reverby, bouncy, and extended decay in the sub-bass. Unique bass play back and adds more texture to the low-end. Although reverb can bleed into the vocals - maybe the drivers work too well lol. A bassier 5+2 with better texutre and scaling.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Moondrop Starfield 2 reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 5.5 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
A- Tech
Bright harman/DF, great detail, but a bit sharp and shrill

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Z-Reviews

2025-08-09
Z-Reviews 6 * score rescaled + normalized

Moondrop Starfield 2 reviewed by Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 7.2 * score rescaled + normalized

Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 7.8 * score rescaled + normalized
24 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears ETUDE at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Moondrop Starfield 2 reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 6.8 * score rescaled + normalized
3 community members have rated the Moondrop Starfield 2 at an average of 3.7/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Generally Favorable.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Kiwi Ears ETUDE (more reviews)

Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Web Search

2025-07-12
uses AI-Search to turn user, reddit and head-fi reviews into clear, concise summaries.
Web Search 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech

The Kiwi Ears Étude offers a distinctive listening experience centered around its Kiwi Vibration Transducer (KVT), which adds a subtle tactile sensation to bass frequencies. This isn’t a gimmick—it lends sustained notes like bass guitars or synth lines an organic, textured quality that feels immersive without overpowering the mix. That said, the KVT can introduce mild reverb in lower-mid frequencies, occasionally coloring male vocals in podcasts or sparse tracks.

Tuning-wise, the Étude follows a mild V-shaped signature with an 8dB sub-bass lift and smooth, relaxed treble. The midrange remains relatively neutral, though vocals can lack body in acoustic tracks without bass accompaniment. While the beryllium dynamic driver delivers punchy kicks, the real star is the KVT’s physicality, which creates a holographic low-end that enhances EDM and hip-hop. Technical performance is competent for the price, with average soundstage width and decent separation, though imaging lacks precision.

Fit may be divisive due to the large shells housing the transducer, and the nozzle’s lack of ridges limits eartip options. Source pairing is critical too: the KVT scales noticeably with powerful amplification, unlocking fuller dynamics. Despite quirks, the Étude succeeds as a fun, genre-specific IEM that stands out in a crowded market.


Moondrop Starfield 2 (more reviews)

Moondrop Starfield 2 reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 6* * score rescaled + normalized

Moondrop Starfield 2 reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 5.3 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
B- Tech
check links for more info:

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: C+ Mids: C+ Treble: C Soundstage: B Details: C+ Imaging: B

Kiwi Ears ETUDE User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Moondrop Starfield 2 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Kiwi Ears ETUDE Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.6

Gaming Grade

B+

Moondrop Starfield 2 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5.4

Gaming Grade

C+

Kiwi Ears ETUDE Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B+
  • A mostly enjoyable signature keeps things listenable despite a handful of quirks. It handles most playlists without major complaints.

Average Technical Grade

B
  • The presentation is steady if unspectacular, holding onto essential details when the music stays simple. Fine details occasionally slip through the cracks.
Mids B
It offers engaging mid frequencies with pleasing clarity and layering. Details emerge without becoming harsh.
Treble C+
Treble is decent, offering acceptable extension without harshness. It balances presence with a touch of restraint.
Dynamics A-
The system snaps into action with precision, highlighting every swell. Recordings feel energetic and alive.
Soundstage B
A satisfying balance of width and depth yields a stage that feels organized and engaging. Imaging lines up with the intended mix.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance.

Moondrop Starfield 2 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C
  • The tuning lacks refinement, jumping between dull and shouty without settling. Vocals frequently sound off-kilter.

Average Technical Grade

B-
  • An honest, middle-of-the-road performance preserves structure without chasing micro-detail. It's respectable for everyday listening sessions.
Bass C+
Expect a balanced but ordinary low end that avoids both extremes. Slam remains moderate and controlled.
Mids C-
The region is listenable but lacks the finesse and clarity of better tuning. A touch of EQ can smooth things out.
Treble C-
Treble performance is average, audible but short on refinement. There's acceptable presence but limited finesse.
Dynamics E-
The set struggles to convey any punch or swell, sounding one-note. Percussion hits sound limp.
Soundstage B
The presentation supplies a believable venue outline where each instrument owns its pocket of space. The stage opens up nicely for live cuts.
Details C+
Ambient cues appear, albeit with softer focus than die-hard resolution seekers may prefer. You can follow supporting instruments well.
Imaging B
Instrument boundaries feel well carved, avoiding smear or drift. Instrument outlines feel well-defined.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

Kiwi Ears ETUDE User Reviews

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Moondrop Starfield 2 User Reviews

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