KZ D-Fi VS Moondrop Marigold

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

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KZ D-Fi and Moondrop Marigold are in-ear monitors. KZ D-Fi costs $33 while Moondrop Marigold costs $40. Moondrop Marigold is $7 more expensive. Moondrop Marigold holds a clear 0.6-point edge in reviewer scores (5.7 vs 6.2). Moondrop Marigold has significantly better bass with a 1.3-point edge, Moondrop Marigold has significantly better mids with a 1.2-point edge, Moondrop Marigold has significantly better treble with a 1.1-point edge, Moondrop Marigold has slightly better soundstage with a 0.3-point edge, Moondrop Marigold has better details with a 0.5-point edge and Moondrop Marigold has better imaging with a 0.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric KZ D-Fi Moondrop Marigold
Bass 5 6.3
Mids 5.5 6.7
Treble 5 6.1
Details 5.5 6
Soundstage 5.5 5.8
Imaging 5.5 6
Dynamics 5.7 6.2
Tonality 5.2 6.8
Technicalities 5.5 6
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough KZ D-Fi and Moondrop Marigold reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

KZ D-Fi Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Average Reviewer Score:

5.7

Mixed


Moondrop Marigold Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Average Reviewer Score:

6.2

Mixed to Positive


Reviews Comparison

KZ D-Fi reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 6* * score rescaled + normalized

Moondrop Marigold reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 5.8* * score rescaled + normalized
B+ Tuning
B Tech
Warm-neutral tuning and powerful on-cable PEQ, but the loud pop when applying EQ and the awkward cable/fit undercut daily use. Very good stock tuning for the price with flexible built-in parametric EQ. Loud pop when saving EQ, asymmetric and unwieldy cable with no L/R swap and a shallow down-wear fit.
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.

Bass: B Mids: B+ Treble: B-

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
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KZ D-Fi (more reviews)

KZ D-Fi reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 5.3 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
B- Tech
check links for more info:

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

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

Moondrop Marigold (more reviews)

Moondrop Marigold reviewed by Web Search

uses AI-Search to turn user, reddit and head-fi reviews into clear, concise summaries.
Web Search 6.6 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B Tech

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.


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

KZ D-Fi User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Moondrop Marigold User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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KZ D-Fi Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5.4

Gaming 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

6.2

Gaming Grade

B

KZ D-Fi Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C+
  • The tuning leans easygoing, yet occasional unevenness nudges it away from greatness. A bit of EQ polish can smooth things nicely.

Average Technical Grade

B-
  • It offers a competent showing, maintaining cohesion on straightforward arrangements. Complex passages start to challenge it, but never derail the show.
Bass C+
It delivers adequate punch and texture, though nothing stands out. Sub-bass presence is hinted rather than delivered.
Mids B-
Expect a competent midrange that keeps vocals grounded and instruments clear. Tone is acceptable across multiple genres.
Treble C+
Expect a polite treble presentation that balances presence with restraint. Percussion carries a pleasant sparkle.
Soundstage B-
Decent spatial presentation with noticeable width and a modest step forward in depth perception. There's a mild sense of width to enjoy.
Details B-
Ambient cues appear, albeit with softer focus than die-hard resolution seekers may prefer. You can follow supporting instruments well.
Imaging B-
A stable phantom center appears, lending vocals a consistent anchor. It maintains a coherent phantom center.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

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.
Bass B
The bass brings healthy impact, complementing mixes without overpowering them. It keeps up with faster passages cleanly.
Mids B+
Expect a confident midrange that keeps details audible without harshness. Acoustic arrangements sound engaging.
Treble B
Expect crisp, well-balanced treble that keeps shimmer intact. You hear reverbs decay naturally.
Dynamics B
Dynamic expression is good, delivering solid impact and convincing contrast. Percussion lands with convincing weight.
Soundstage B-
Stage expands beyond the shoulders and finally hints at layers, though vertical cues stay muted. Depth cues begin to emerge.
Details B
You hear inner textures easily, even when the arrangement piles on layers. You can hear subtle studio effects.
Imaging B
Positions lock in with confidence, sketching a believable stage map. There's a tangible sense of stage geometry.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues.

KZ D-Fi User Reviews

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Moondrop Marigold User Reviews

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