Moondrop Crescent VS Kiwi Ears CADENZA

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

IEMRanking.com Home Compare IEMs

Moondrop Crescent and Kiwi Ears CADENZA are in-ear monitors. Moondrop Crescent costs $30 while Kiwi Ears CADENZA costs $35. Kiwi Ears CADENZA is $5 more expensive. Moondrop Crescent holds a decisive 1-point edge in reviewer scores (6.3 vs 5.3). Kiwi Ears CADENZA carries a user score of 6.2.

Insights

Metric Moondrop Crescent Kiwi Ears CADENZA
Bass 6.3 5.8
Mids 6.3 5.6
Treble 6.3 5.1
Details 6.3 4.3
Soundstage 6.3 5.3
Imaging 6.3 4.3
Dynamics 6.3 6
Tonality 7 5.4
Technicalities 5.8 4.9

Moondrop Crescent Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

IEMRanking AI
Crin
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

6.3

Mixed to Positive


Kiwi Ears CADENZA Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Nymz
Audionotions Jays Audio
Z-Reviews Shuwa-T Tim Tuned
Bad Guy Good Audio Jaytiss
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

5.3

Mixed to Negative


Moondrop Crescent User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Kiwi Ears CADENZA User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

6.2

Mixed to Positive

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

Kiwi Ears CADENZA Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5

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.

Kiwi Ears CADENZA 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 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 B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Soundstage C+
Decent spatial presentation with noticeable width. Some depth perception but height dimension remains underdeveloped.
Details C-
Average resolution - reveals basic elements but misses subtleties. Satisfactory for casual listening but lacks refinement.
Imaging C-
Average imaging - reasonable localization but lacks specificity. Instruments have general positions but lack pinpoint accuracy.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

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.


Kiwi Ears CADENZA Reviews

Reviewed by: Super* Review

Super* Review 7* * score normalized
Ad
Using this affiliate link for ordering your Kiwi Ears CADENZA or any other IEM helps fund our free service at no extra cost to you.

Price: $34.99

Buy Kiwi Ears CADENZA on Linsoul

Reviewed by: Bad Guy Good Audio

Bad Guy Good Audio 6.9 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
C+ Tech
check links for more info:

Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking

Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel
Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: B

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

Jaytiss 6.6 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
C+ Tech
Fantastic tonality, is end game for many.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

Reviewed by: Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 5.5 * score normalized

Reviewed by: Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 5.1 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
C+ Tech
Comment: It was almost good. Generally good tuning with some bass exture Somewhat grainy treble which is pronounced but not well defined

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

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

Reviewed by: Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 5 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
B Tech
Well tuned, energetic signature Slightly heady, can be fatiquing

Tim Tuned original ranking

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

Reviewed by: Audionotions

Audionotions 4.5 Reviewer Score
Good tuning, great bass, excellent build quality, cheap price - what's not to love? Well - the treble is not to love. Treble sounds weird, metallic, and a bit zingy - if you like that, then this is the set for you! Previously Owned

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Reviewed by: Jays Audio

Jays Audio 4 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
C+ Tech
Basically the modded Zero with slight more bass. Best note-weight out of the $20 sets. Berrylium bass baby.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Nymz

Nymz 3.3 Reviewer Score
D Tuning
D Tech
check links for more info:

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: C- Mids: D Treble: D Details: D Imaging: D
Ad
Using this affiliate link for ordering your Kiwi Ears CADENZA or any other IEM helps fund our free service at no extra cost to you.

Price: $41

Buy Kiwi Ears CADENZA on Aliexpress

Moondrop Crescent User Reviews

Example User Posted on ...
0.0

"This is an example review"

Pros
  • Example pro 1
  • Example pro 2
Cons
  • Example con 1
  • Example con 2
No User-Reviews Yet

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review

Kiwi Ears CADENZA User Reviews

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review
Makavelian
6.2

Best I've heard under $50

Pros
Excellent tuning for the price, small shells should fit vast majority of ears well.
Cons
Touch too much eargain, can come off as shouty/honky at times, easily remedied with 10 band EQ.

Find your next IEM:

IEM Finder Quiz

new
Use this quiz and answer a few questions to get your individual IEM recommendation list
(1/2) How much are you willing to spend on the IEM?
(2/2) Which sound characteristics are particularly important to you?

Footer