Moondrop Aria VS Moondrop May

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

Home Ranking Compare IEMs

Moondrop Aria and Moondrop May use 1DD and 1DD+1Planar driver setups respectively. Moondrop Aria costs $80 while Moondrop May costs $65. Moondrop Aria is $15 more expensive. Moondrop May holds a decisive 1.2-point edge in reviewer scores (5.3 vs 6.5). Moondrop May has significantly better bass with a 2-point edge, Moondrop May has better mids with a 0.6-point edge, Moondrop May has slightly better treble with a 0.4-point edge and Moondrop May has better soundstage with a 0.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric Moondrop Aria Moondrop May
Bass 5 7
Mids 5.9 6.5
Treble 4.6 5
Details 4.5 6.5
Soundstage 5.5 6
Imaging 4.3 6.5
Dynamics 5 5
Tonality 5.4 5.8
Technicalities 5.1 5.5

Moondrop Aria Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Average Reviewer Score:

5.3

Mixed to Negative


Moondrop May Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Average Reviewer Score:

6.5

Cautiously Favorable


Reviews Comparison

Moondrop Aria reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 7* * score rescaled + normalized

Moondrop Aria reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 5 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
A- Tech
Pleasing neutral tuning with impressive wide stage

Tim Tuned original ranking

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

Moondrop May 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-

Moondrop Aria reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 6.6 * score rescaled + normalized
30 community members have rated the Moondrop Aria at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Moondrop May reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 6.3 * score rescaled + normalized
7 community members have rated the MOONDROP MAY at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Moondrop Aria (more reviews)

Moondrop Aria reviewed by Crin

Crin 6 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B Tech

Moondrop Aria reviewed by Yifang

Yifang 5.5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
C Tech

Moondrop Aria reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 5.2 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
C+ Tech
See KXXS. Just slightly less upper-midrange and more bass.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: C+ Mids: A- Treble: C+ Dynamics: C+ Details: C+ Imaging: C+

Moondrop Aria reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 5.2 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
C+ Tech
Comment: Starfield with less technical performance but better build quality. Well tuned with no jarring issues Clarity

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

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

Moondrop Aria reviewed by Audionotions

Audionotions 4.5 Reviewer Score
Used to be a great intro into IEMs. Safe recc but there are betters at this price point these days

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Moondrop Aria reviewed by Nymz

Nymz 3.1 Reviewer Score
D Tuning
D Tech
Nothing wrong, nothing good as well. I'd rather buy other stuff around this price that perform much better, like Olina or Titan S. Over-hyped.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: D Mids: C- Treble: D Details: D Imaging: D

Moondrop May (more reviews)

Moondrop May reviewed by Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 7.5 * score rescaled + normalized

Moondrop May reviewed by Audio Amigo

Audio Amigo 7 * score rescaled + normalized
A DSP IEM that sounds fantastic with both the Default DSP cable, and a standard 3.5mm analog cable. Great build, good case, and the ability to change the tuning using the Moondrop Link App add up to a fantastic All-Rounder with great versatility and good technical performance. Competes with the Aria 2 and the EW300 very well.

Audio Amigo original ranking

Audio Amigo Youtube Channel

Moondrop May 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

Moondrop May reviewed by Web Search

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 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 Aria User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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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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Moondrop Aria Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5.2

Gaming Grade

C+

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-

Moondrop Aria Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C+
  • Expect a friendly tonal balance that could use polish but remains inviting. Great for casual listening, less so for purists.

Average Technical Grade

C+
  • 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 B-
The mids are solid and dependable, though not especially remarkable. Vocals stay reasonably grounded in the mix.
Treble C
The top end sounds acceptable but lacks the smoothness of higher tiers. Air is hinted at more than delivered.
Dynamics C+
Dynamic performance is decent, delivering respectable macro swings with limited nuance. There's a fair amount of macrodynamic swing.
Soundstage B-
Decent spatial presentation with noticeable width and a modest step forward in depth perception. There's a mild sense of width to enjoy.
Details C
It conveys the core of each track yet glosses over the quieter gestures underneath. Delicate details remain a bit subdued.
Imaging C-
You can tell where things generally sit, though exact locations feel blurred. Center vocals sit mostly where expected.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

Moondrop 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.
Bass A-
The bass hits with conviction, offering both punch and clarity. It reaches low with confidence and control.
Mids B+
The mids are articulate and well-balanced, lending body to instruments. Instrument layering remains stable.
Treble C+
Highs come through with reasonable clarity while staying mostly smooth. Sibilance is mostly controlled.
Dynamics C+
Dynamic performance is decent, delivering respectable macro swings with limited nuance. There's a fair amount of macrodynamic swing.
Soundstage B
You can map the ensemble with confidence thanks to solid spacing and coherent depth layering. Ambient effects feel believable.
Gaming B-
Moderate spatial presentation conveys general directionality. Suitable for casual play where precision isn't critical.

Moondrop Aria User Reviews

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