Moondrop Illustrious VS 7th Acoustics Supernova
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Moondrop Illustrious and 7th Acoustics Supernova use 1DD and 6BA driver setups respectively. Moondrop Illustrious costs $899 while 7th Acoustics Supernova costs $850. Moondrop Illustrious is $49 more expensive. 7th Acoustics Supernova holds a decisive 1.5-point edge in reviewer scores (6.3 vs 7.8). 7th Acoustics Supernova has significantly better bass with a 1.9-point edge, 7th Acoustics Supernova has significantly better mids with a 3.2-point edge, 7th Acoustics Supernova has significantly better treble with a 1.9-point edge, 7th Acoustics Supernova has significantly better dynamics with a 1.8-point edge, 7th Acoustics Supernova has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge, 7th Acoustics Supernova has significantly better details with a 1.6-point edge and 7th Acoustics Supernova has significantly better imaging with a 2.9-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Moondrop Illustrious | 7th Acoustics Supernova |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 5 | 6.9 |
| Mids | 5.5 | 8.7 |
| Treble | 6 | 7.9 |
| Details | 5 | 6.6 |
| Soundstage | 7 | 8 |
| Imaging | 5 | 7.9 |
| Dynamics | 4.5 | 6.3 |
| Tonality | 6.1 | 7.9 |
| Technicalities | 6.8 | 7.5 |
Moondrop Illustrious Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
7th Acoustics Supernova Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Moondrop Illustrious Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Moondrop
Brand: Moondrop Top Moondrop IEMs
Price (Msrp): $899
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7th Acoustics Supernova Details
Driver Configuration: 6BA
Tuning Type: bass-boosted neutral
Price (Msrp): $850
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Moondrop Illustrious User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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7th Acoustics Supernova User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Moondrop Illustrious Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
5.6Gaming Grade
B-7th Acoustics Supernova Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.6Gaming Grade
B+Moondrop Illustrious 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
B+- Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
7th Acoustics Supernova Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.
Average Technical Grade
A- Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Moondrop Illustrious Reviews
7.5
Reviewer Score
Basically the Softears Twilight with less sub-bass extension, alot more neutral and monitor like, and very pricy since Twilight goes on sale for $700 with a more musical playback. This is just neutral. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Valhalla lands as an “endgame” all-rounder with standout resolution, micro-detail, and imaging. Layering and separation are locked in, with vocals that aren’t scooped—mids stay present and natural. Sub-bass hits rumblier than the U12t and the treble avoids that sudden, sharp peak, making the overall presentation smoother yet still airy. Versus the Cadenza 12, Valhalla is less treble-heavy, a touch bassier, and not as bright-leaning; the Cadenza 12 may edge it on micro-detail by only a few percentage points, so it’s a straight tuning preference: go Cadenza 12 for leaner/brighter sparkle, go Valhalla for the better-balanced bassy all-rounder.
On value, this isn’t twice the performance of a Monarch Mk II/Mk III—think ~10% better with clear diminishing returns. For the “chase the very best” crowd, it’s absolutely worth a listen; for most, Monarchs/LTD/Crimson are already more than enough for a so-called endgame. Final call: Top Tier for tuning and sound refinement—not a value pick, but a legit endgame-grade set.
7.5
Reviewer Score
Nice single DD, not a benchmark, but very nice. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Gizaudio Axel
2025-07-31
6
Reviewer Score
Open-back IEM with a mellow sound. Good for long listening but not for those seeking strong bass or high resolution. Warm, full-bodied mids with natural timbre and safe treble. Light bass with low sub-bass, lacking treble air and sparkle, and underwhelming detail.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
6*
* score normalized
Sounds like an open-back IEM. It delivers on open design. Something to consider if you are looking for that.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
4.3
Reviewer Score
Sounds like it has metallic timbre. Percussino compression around 5kHz due to lack of treble extension and generally bad tuning. Precogvision Youtube Channel
7th Acoustics Supernova Reviews
9*
* score normalized
8.5
Reviewer Score
Natural king. Special iem at any price. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
8
Reviewer Score
Some of the best timbre I've heard on an IEM to date with decent technicalities to match. Tonality is really good. Bass is neither too much nor too little - just enough to add the perfect amount of weight to the mids. It slams and punches when called for but never overwhelms. Mids are great. Treble is well extended but smooth with very good extension and air. It never gets sibilant or too bright. This is a cohesive IEM and almost nothing ever sounds "wrong." From a very subjective point of view, certain female vocals can sound slightly compressed, flat or recessed - in my opinion, it could use a smidge more upper mid elevation, but there are folks that really like this. Resolution is decent for the price but not particularly outstanding - details are there but there are definitely more detailed IEMs for the price. Imaging is fantastic and separation is very good. Overall the Supernova is in the running for most "natural" and "organic" IEM I've heard to date and I love it. Potential dealbreakers: this is an all-BA set so pressure build is something to consider. The woofer is vented so it's not too bad but it can be uncomfortable for sensitive ears. Previously Owned
7.9
Reviewer Score
Lovely midrange, vocal-centric set that never sounds fatiguing Techs are not class leading
7.6
Reviewer Score
Made to order - 60 days. Brilliant tonality with technical support, just lacking the last hair of detail. Transient sharpness and decay are on point. You will be hard-pressed to find better under 1k.
7.5
Reviewer Score
Super smoooth. TOTL dynamics and treble air - dunno how they managed this airy and smooth with only BAs. Very clean, no sharpness, or sudden peaks, endgame separation and detail. Only drawback is that the sub-bass is a bit meh, and that the sound isn't that "unique". Very safe all-rounder, and one of the best under $1000. Endgame set. Aside from the bass, everything else is better than Monarch MK3, MK2 still has better vocals, but the Supernova beats them when it comes to treble extention and smootheness - too bad it's impossible to get one lol. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
7.3
Reviewer Score
Nearly immaculate tonality, coherency, and timbre with reasonably good technicalities. Precogvision Youtube Channel
7.2
Reviewer Score
Rich, honeyed timbre. Well-tuned with solid techs. A very smooth listen. Could use better resolution and incisiveness.
6.8
* score normalized
Moondrop Illustrious User Reviews
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