Moondrop Crescent VS Final Audio E500

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

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Moondrop Crescent and Final Audio E500 are 1DD in-ear monitors. Moondrop Crescent costs $30 while Final Audio E500 costs $25. Moondrop Crescent is $5 more expensive. Moondrop Crescent holds a clear 0.9-point edge in reviewer scores (6.3 vs 5.5).

Insights

Metric Moondrop Crescent Final Audio E500
Bass 6.3 5.5
Mids 6.3 5.7
Treble 6.3 5.2
Details 6.3 5.3
Soundstage 6.3 6
Imaging 6.3 5.5
Dynamics 6.3 4
Tonality 7 5.6
Technicalities 5.8 4.5

Moondrop Crescent Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

IEMRanking AI
Crin
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

6.3

Mixed to Positive


Final Audio E500 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Audionotions Jaytiss Precogvision
Crin
Smirk Audio
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

5.5

Mixed to Negative


Moondrop Crescent User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Final Audio E500 User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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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

Final Audio E500 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 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.

Final Audio E500 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

C
  • Limited resolution; finer nuances are masked. Soundstage feels narrow, and complex passages cause muddiness. Transitions lack finesse.
Bass B-
Average bass performance - present but unremarkable. Has reasonable texture but lacks depth and physicality.
Mids B-
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.
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.
Details C+
Decent detail retrieval. Handles most textures adequately though micro-details and ambient cues could be more pronounced.
Imaging B-
Decent positional accuracy. Good left/right placement with acceptable center image, though depth positioning is approximate.
Gaming C
Minimal environmental definition provides only general audio cues. Suitable for games where positioning isn't critical.

Moondrop Crescent Reviews

Reviewed by: Super* Review

Super* Review 8* * score normalized

Reviewed by: Crin

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

Reviewed by: IEMRanking AI

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.


Final Audio E500 Reviews

Reviewed by: Super* Review

Super* Review 8* * score normalized

Reviewed by: Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 6.8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

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

Reviewed by: Crin

Crin 5 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
C Tech
Very well-balanced though plagued by the usual E-series QC problems.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Audionotions

Audionotions 4.5 Reviewer Score
Well tuned. Techs are middling. But for the price they are solid. The fact that they include Final E eartips makes this a must buy. QC is a crap shoot. Previously Owned

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

Jaytiss 4.3 Reviewer Score
C- Tuning
D Tech
For users who like ear buds, it's a great little set.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Precogvision 4.2 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
C- Tech
The most well-tuned Final Audio IEM with a balanced, fairly neutral sound.

Precogvision original ranking

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

Moondrop Crescent User Reviews

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Final Audio E500 User Reviews

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