KZ ZEX PRO / CRN VS Moondrop Crescent

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

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KZ ZEX PRO / CRN and Moondrop Crescent are in-ear monitors. KZ ZEX PRO / CRN costs $33 while Moondrop Crescent costs $30. KZ ZEX PRO / CRN is $3 more expensive. Moondrop Crescent holds a decisive 1.5-point edge in reviewer scores (4.8 vs 6.3).

Insights

Metric KZ ZEX PRO / CRN Moondrop Crescent
Bass 5 6.3
Mids 5 6.3
Treble 5 6.3
Details 5 6.3
Soundstage 4.5 6.3
Imaging 4.5 6.3
Gaming capabilities 4.8 6.1

KZ ZEX PRO / CRN Aggregated Review Score

KZ ZEX PRO / CRN Average Reviewer Scores

Shuwa-T

Average Reviewer Score:

4.8

Generally Unfavorable


Moondrop Crescent Aggregated Review Score

Moondrop Crescent Average Reviewer Scores

IEMRanking AI
Crin
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

6.3

Mixed to Positive


KZ ZEX PRO / CRN User Review Score

KZ ZEX PRO / CRN Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Moondrop Crescent User Review Score

Moondrop Crescent Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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KZ ZEX PRO / CRN Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

4.8

Gaming Grade

C

Moondrop Crescent Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.1

Gaming Grade

B

KZ ZEX PRO / CRN Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

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

Average Technical Grade

C
  • Limited resolution; finer nuances are masked. Soundstage feels narrow, and complex passages cause muddiness. Transitions lack finesse.
Bass C+
Average bass performance - present but unremarkable. Has reasonable texture but lacks depth and physicality.
Mids C+
Decent midrange performance - balanced but unremarkable. Adequate clarity for most genres without notable flaws.
Treble C+
Decent treble with acceptable extension and detail. Can sound slightly unrefined but avoids being harsh or sibilant.
Soundstage C
Average soundstage - adequate width but flat presentation. Reasonable instrument separation but lacks layering and depth.
Details C+
Decent detail retrieval. Handles most textures adequately though micro-details and ambient cues could be more pronounced.
Imaging C
Average imaging - reasonable localization but lacks specificity. Instruments have general positions but lack pinpoint accuracy.
Gaming C
Minimal environmental definition provides only general audio cues. Suitable for games where positioning isn't critical.

Moondrop Crescent Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

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.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues.

KZ ZEX PRO / CRN Reviews

KZ ZEX PRO / CRN reviewed by:

Shuwa-T 4.8 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
C Tech
Comment: Tonally alright but timbre is way off. Literally everything else

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: C+ Mids: C+ Treble: C+ Soundstage: C Details: C+ Imaging: C

Moondrop Crescent Reviews

Moondrop Crescent reviewed by:

Super* Review 8* * score normalized

Moondrop Crescent reviewed by:

Crin 6 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
C+ Tech
Well-executed V-ish signature that's neither harsh nor bloated.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel
- Crin

Moondrop Crescent reviewed by:

IEMRanking AI 5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
B+ Tech

The Moondrop Crescent features a distinctive brass housing that gives it premium heft but also makes it notably heavy, potentially affecting comfort during extended wear. Its non-detachable cable and basic accessories—including subpar stock eartips that often require replacement—highlight cost-cutting compromises. Isolation is mediocre due to vented designs, though build quality otherwise feels robust for the price.

Sonically, the Crescent adheres closely to the Harman target response, delivering a balanced signature with a slight bass boost that avoids bloat while maintaining textured lows. Its midrange leans transparent but can thin male vocals, and treble extends cleanly without harshness, though upper-mids occasionally verge on shouty. Technical performance impresses for its tier, with strong imaging and a wide soundstage, though detail retrieval lags behind pricier hybrids.

Discontinued and increasingly hard to find, the Crescent remains a value standout for its natural timbre and cohesive tuning, outperforming many peers under $50. Its need for aftermarket tips and amplification to maximize potential are notable drawbacks, but it retains cult appeal for its musicality.

- IEMRanking AI

KZ ZEX PRO / CRN User Reviews

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Moondrop Crescent User Reviews

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