Moondrop Illumination VS Thieaudio Origin

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

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Moondrop Illumination and Thieaudio Origin use 1DD and 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC driver setups respectively. Moondrop Illumination costs $800 while Thieaudio Origin costs $849. Thieaudio Origin is $49 more expensive. Thieaudio Origin holds a decisive 3-point edge in reviewer scores (4.8 vs 7.8). Thieaudio Origin has significantly better bass with a 4-point edge, Thieaudio Origin has significantly better mids with a 3-point edge, Thieaudio Origin has significantly better treble with a 1.5-point edge and Thieaudio Origin has significantly better dynamics with a 4-point edge.

Insights

Metric Moondrop Illumination Thieaudio Origin
Bass 5 9
Mids 5 8
Treble 5 6.5
Details 5 7.8
Soundstage 4.8 8
Imaging 4 7.8
Dynamics 5 9
Tonality 5.5 8.1
Technicalities 5.4 7

Moondrop Illumination Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision Super* Review
Crin

Average Reviewer Score:

4.8

Generally Unfavorable


Thieaudio Origin Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Super* Review
Fresh Reviews Tim Tuned
Z-Reviews Jays Audio Jaytiss IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

7.8

Strongly Favorable


Moondrop Illumination User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Thieaudio Origin 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!

Moondrop Illumination Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

4.9

Gaming Grade

C

Thieaudio Origin Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7

Gaming Grade

A-

Moondrop Illumination 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+
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
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.
Dynamics C+
Decent dynamic performance. Good macro-contrast but micro-dynamics could be more nuanced. Satisfactory impact.
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. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Thieaudio Origin Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

A-
  • Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Bass S
World-class bass performance. Perfectly balanced between visceral impact, texture, and depth with zero bleed into mids.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble B+
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics S
Reference-class dynamics: perfect micro/macro contrast with lightning transients. Utterly realistic reproduction of musical energy.
Soundstage A+
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Moondrop Illumination Reviews

Reviewed by: Crin

Crin 6 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B Tech
Well-tuned with natural timbre, ultimately marred by subpar detail retrieval and definition.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Precogvision 4.5 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
C Tech
Mushy transients and imaging, basically par with their other single DDs for techniclaities.

Precogvision original ranking

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

Reviewed by: Super* Review

Super* Review 4* * score normalized

Thieaudio Origin Reviews

Reviewed by: Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 8.5 * score normalized
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Reviewed by: Jays Audio

Jays Audio 8.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A+ Tech
Best bassy set under $1K. Bassy/thicker meta tuning. You can actually feel the reverb and vibration from the bone conduction drivers, great control and low-end texture. Mids and treble are also well extended with no major issues, although it can get sharp at times with the snares/electronic stuff ie, past 3:30 on Time by Hikaru Utada.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

Jaytiss 8.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
C+ Tech
Great set, has a lot of positives and is amazing on bass tracks.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: A+ Treble: C+ Dynamics: S Soundstage: A+

Reviewed by: Fresh Reviews

Fresh Reviews 7* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score

Reviewed by: Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
Mega bass additiveness Bass too much

Tim Tuned original ranking

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

Reviewed by: Super* Review

Super* Review 6* * score normalized
Interesting sound. It becomes it's own thing. Fit is not great.

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: IEMRanking AI

IEMRanking AI 8.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A+ Tech

The Thieaudio Origin delivers a bass-forward signature with a substantial 12dB sub-bass boost that provides visceral rumble and slam, particularly effective for electronic or hip-hop genres. Despite this emphasis, the neutral midrange avoids bloat, preserving vocal clarity and instrument separation, while the electrostatic drivers contribute a smooth, airy treble free from harshness or sibilance. Its technical performance is strong, offering a wide, holographic stage and precise imaging, though micro-detail retrieval falls slightly short of some competitors in its price tier.

Comfort is divisive due to the large shells, which may cause fatigue or fit issues for those with smaller ears, necessitating careful tip selection for optimal seal. The package includes a high-quality modular cable with swappable terminations (3.5mm/4.4mm) and a distinctive round Alcantara case, though the included ear tips may not suit all users.


Moondrop Illumination User Reviews

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Thieaudio Origin User Reviews

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