Softears Twilight VS Moondrop Illustrious
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Softears Twilight and Moondrop Illustrious are 1DD in-ear monitors. Softears Twilight costs $930 while Moondrop Illustrious costs $899. Softears Twilight is $31 more expensive. Softears Twilight holds a decisive 1.3-point edge in reviewer scores (7.6 vs 6.3). Softears Twilight has significantly better bass with a 2.5-point edge, Softears Twilight has significantly better mids with a 2.5-point edge, Softears Twilight has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge, Softears Twilight has better dynamics with a 0.5-point edge and Softears Twilight has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Softears Twilight | Moondrop Illustrious |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 7.5 | 5 |
| Mids | 8 | 5.5 |
| Treble | 7 | 6 |
| Details | 7.6 | 5 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 7 |
| Imaging | 7.6 | 5 |
| Dynamics | 5 | 4.5 |
| Tonality | 7.8 | 6.1 |
| Technicalities | 7.4 | 6.8 |
Softears Twilight Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Moondrop Illustrious Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Softears Twilight Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Warm
Brand: Softears Top Softears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $930
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Moondrop Illustrious Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Moondrop
Brand: Moondrop Top Moondrop IEMs
Price (Msrp): $899
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Softears Twilight User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Moondrop Illustrious User Review Score
Average User Scores
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Softears Twilight Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.5Gaming Grade
B+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-Softears Twilight 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-- Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
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.
Softears Twilight Reviews
8.3
Reviewer Score
It's like a tubed iem, it's really fun. Something about DDs, so good. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
8
Reviewer Score
Slightly warm/neutral, very well balanced, good scaling, TOTL male vocals, big staging, wait for sale Jays Audio Youtube Channel
8
Reviewer Score
My top choice for timbral accuracy. Beautiful warm sound signature with outstanding timbre and an open sound. I wouldn’t change a thing.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
7.7
Reviewer Score
check links for more info:Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking
Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube Channel
7
Reviewer Score
check links for more info: Crin Youtube Channel
6.5
Reviewer Score
Warm tuning done correct, one of my favorite single DD Need more treble Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
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
Softears Twilight User Reviews
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