Moondrop May VS Kiwi Ears Foretza

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

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Moondrop May and Kiwi Ears Foretza are in-ear monitors. Moondrop May costs $65 while Kiwi Ears Foretza costs $60. Moondrop May is $5 more expensive. Moondrop May holds a decisive 2-point edge in reviewer scores (6.5 vs 4.5). Moondrop May has significantly better mids with a 1.5-point edge, Moondrop May has significantly better treble with a 3-point edge and Moondrop May has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge.

Insights

Metric Moondrop May Kiwi Ears Foretza
Bass 7 4.5
Mids 6.5 5
Treble 5 2
Soundstage 6 6
Dynamics 5 4
Tonality 5.8 4.5
Technicalities 5.5 2

Moondrop May Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Tim Tuned Jaytiss
Z-Reviews Super* Review IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

6.5

Mixed to Positive


Kiwi Ears Foretza Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

4.5

Generally Unfavorable


Moondrop May User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Kiwi Ears Foretza 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

5.6

Gaming Grade

B-

Kiwi Ears Foretza Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

2.8

Gaming Grade

D-

Moondrop May Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B-
  • Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.

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 B+
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble C+
Decent treble with acceptable extension and detail. Can sound slightly unrefined but avoids being harsh or sibilant.
Dynamics C+
Decent dynamic performance. Good macro-contrast but micro-dynamics could be more nuanced. Satisfactory impact.
Soundstage B
Good soundstage with proper width and depth. Instruments have clear positioning with reasonable front/back placement.
Gaming B-
Moderate spatial presentation conveys general directionality. Suitable for casual play where precision isn't critical.

Kiwi Ears Foretza Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C
  • Significantly flawed tuning. Noticeable frequency imbalances and unnatural timbre distract from music. Lacks versatility across recordings.

Average Technical Grade

E+
  • Noticeably blurred or congested. Struggles with basic instrument separation; details are lost in simple tracks. Feels "flat" and one-dimensional.
Mids C+
Decent midrange performance - balanced but unremarkable. Adequate clarity for most genres without notable flaws.
Treble E+
Treble is noticeably dark and lacking extension. Cymbals lack shimmer and high-frequency details are obscured.
Dynamics C-
Average dynamics - passable but unexciting. Transients are rounded and micro-dynamics lack refinement.
Soundstage B
Good soundstage with proper width and depth. Instruments have clear positioning with reasonable front/back placement.
Gaming D-
Compromised imaging significantly impacts gameplay awareness. Directional cues often lack accuracy or consistency.

Moondrop May Reviews

Reviewed by: Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 7.5 * score normalized
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Price: $74.99

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Reviewed by: Super* Review

Super* Review 7* * score normalized
The May is the way to go if you have 80 bucks. Standard EQ sounds great. Nice low contrast neutral sound

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 5.5 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
A- Tech
check links for more info:

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: A- Mids: A+ Treble: A-

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

Jaytiss 5.3 Reviewer Score
C- Tuning
D Tech
A very enjoyable listen, hard to fault at this price and design. Could be a winner for you.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: D Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: B

Reviewed by: IEMRanking AI

2025-07-01
IEMRanking AI 7 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
B+ Tech

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.


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Price: $74.99

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Kiwi Ears Foretza Reviews

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

Jaytiss 4.5 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
E+ Tech
Tuning is a little wonky, but overall not terrible so far. Full review is possible.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: E+ Dynamics: C- Soundstage: B

Moondrop May User Reviews

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Kiwi Ears Foretza User Reviews

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