Kiwi Ears Cadenza VS Moondrop Marigold
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Kiwi Ears Cadenza and Moondrop Marigold are in-ear monitors. Kiwi Ears Cadenza costs $35 while Moondrop Marigold costs $40. Moondrop Marigold is $5 more expensive. Moondrop Marigold holds a clear 0.8-point edge in reviewer scores (5.4 vs 6.2). Kiwi Ears Cadenza carries a user score of 6.2. Moondrop Marigold has better bass with a 0.6-point edge, Moondrop Marigold has significantly better mids with a 1.1-point edge, Moondrop Marigold has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge, Moondrop Marigold has better soundstage with a 0.6-point edge, Moondrop Marigold has significantly better details with a 1.8-point edge and Moondrop Marigold has significantly better imaging with a 1.8-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Kiwi Ears Cadenza | Moondrop Marigold |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 5.8 | 6.3 |
| Mids | 5.6 | 6.7 |
| Treble | 5.1 | 6.1 |
| Details | 4.3 | 6 |
| Soundstage | 5.3 | 5.8 |
| Imaging | 4.3 | 6 |
| Dynamics | 6 | 6.2 |
| Tonality | 5.5 | 6.8 |
| Technicalities | 4.8 | 6 |
Kiwi Ears Cadenza Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
5.4Mixed to Negative
Moondrop Marigold Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
6.2Mixed to Positive
Reviews Comparison
Kiwi Ears Cadenza reviewed by Super* Review
7*
* score rescaled + normalized
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Moondrop Marigold reviewed by Super* Review
5.8*
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
At $40, Marigold is a tiny bullet-style single-dynamic with a fixed USB-C DSP cable and built-in parametric EQ. The shells are light, but the asymmetrical cable has an unusually long right branch and the down-wear only fit can be shallow, which increases microphonics and makes channel orientation easy to mix up.
The Moondrop app exposes a powerful PEQ suite: six filters with frequency, Q and gain control and roughly +12 dB / −18 dB range, plus simple presets (Reference, 3A, FPS). However there is no channel-swap option, and writing EQ settings triggers a very loud pop each time, turning iterative tuning into a remove-earpieces-first chore.
Stock tuning is warm-neutral (a kind of Harman-light) with a modest bass boost, natural mids and definition that is crisp enough for the price. It can sound incisive and well defined, but usability drawbacks outweigh the strengths, so the package feels close to something great rather than fully realized.
Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube ChannelBuy Moondrop Marigold on Linsoul
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Kiwi Ears Cadenza (more reviews)
Kiwi Ears Cadenza reviewed by Bad Guy Good Audio
6.9
Reviewer Score
Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking
Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube ChannelKiwi Ears Cadenza reviewed by Jaytiss
6.6
Reviewer Score
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Cadenza reviewed by Z-Reviews
5.5
* score rescaled + normalized
Kiwi Ears Cadenza reviewed by Shuwa-T
5.1
Reviewer Score
Kiwi Ears Cadenza reviewed by Yifang
5
Reviewer Score
Kiwi Ears Cadenza reviewed by Tim Tuned
5
Reviewer Score
Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Cadenza reviewed by Audionotions
4.5
Reviewer Score
Kiwi Ears Cadenza reviewed by Jays Audio
4
Reviewer Score
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears Cadenza reviewed by Nymz
3.3
Reviewer Score
Kiwi Ears Cadenza reviewed by Head-Fi.org
6.7
* score rescaled + normalized
Moondrop Marigold (more reviews)
Moondrop Marigold reviewed by Web Search
6.6
Reviewer Score
The Moondrop Marigold is a budget, USB-C IEM with a built-in DAC/DSP and an asymmetric neckband cable. It uses a single 10 mm dual-cavity dynamic driver and is sold around $39.99; specs list 32 Ω impedance, THD ≤ 0.5% (1 kHz/94 dB), and an in-line MEMS mic. The package includes eartips, a storage case and documentation, and the non-detachable cable terminates in USB-C.
By default, Marigold is tuned to Moondrop’s VDSF target (Harman-like), aiming for a neutral balance with a mild sub-bass lift and controlled treble; the DSP via MOONDROP Link allows on-device EQ and preset sharing. Early user impressions describe a smooth, balanced presentation with agreeable vocals for the price bracket, consistent with the stated tuning goals.
Technical performance is serviceable for the segment: detail retrieval and imaging are adequate, and the soundstage is average, while bass impact is respectable without obvious bloat. The integrated DAC/NPU brings conveniences like AI noise reduction for calls and platform-agnostic plug-and-play, but the fixed cable limits modularity compared with 2-pin/MMCX sets. Overall, Marigold is a practical, all-in-one daily driver whose tuning stability and app-based DSP elevate value, though its raw technicalities remain in line with expectations at this price.
Kiwi Ears Cadenza Details
Driver Configuration:
Tuning Type: V-Shaped
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $35
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Moondrop Marigold Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Warm, U-Shaped
Brand: Moondrop Top Moondrop IEMs
Price (Msrp): $39.99
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Kiwi Ears Cadenza User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
6.2Mixed to Positive
Moondrop Marigold 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 Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
5Gaming Grade
C+Moondrop Marigold Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.2Gaming Grade
BKiwi Ears Cadenza Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B-- Expect a friendly tonal balance that could use polish but remains inviting. Great for casual listening, less so for purists.
Average Technical Grade
C- Details smear quickly, leaving the presentation cramped and low on definition. You'll notice smearing on even moderately layered songs.
Moondrop Marigold Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- It sounds pleasant overall, with some uneven spots that hint at room for refinement. Vocals remain pleasant despite the imperfections.
Average Technical Grade
B- Overall technicalities are acceptable, delivering enough clarity for casual sessions. Imaging is serviceable though not immersive.
Kiwi Ears Cadenza User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewBest 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.Moondrop Marigold User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
- Example pro 2
Cons
- Example con 1
- Example con 2
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