Moondrop May VS Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro

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

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Moondrop May and Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro use 1DD+1Planar and 2DD BA driver setups respectively. Moondrop May costs $65 while Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro costs $72. Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro is $7 more expensive. Both score 6.5 from reviewers. Moondrop May has significantly better mids with a 1.5-point edge, Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge and Moondrop May has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge.

Insights

Metric Moondrop May Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro
Bass 7 6.5
Mids 6.5 5
Treble 5 5
Soundstage 6 5
Dynamics 5 6
Tonality 5.8 5
Technicalities 5.5 5
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

Moondrop May Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Tim Tuned Jaytiss
Head-Fi.org
Z-Reviews Audio Amigo Super* Review Web Search

Average Reviewer Score:

6.5

Cautiously Favorable

Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss Head-Fi.org
Audio Amigo

Average Reviewer Score:

6.5

Cautiously Favorable

Reviews Comparison

Moondrop May reviewed by Audio Amigo

Audio Amigo 7 * score rescaled + normalized
A DSP IEM that sounds fantastic with both the Default DSP cable, and a standard 3.5mm analog cable. Great build, good case, and the ability to change the tuning using the Moondrop Link App add up to a fantastic All-Rounder with great versatility and good technical performance. Competes with the Aria 2 and the EW300 very well.

Audio Amigo original ranking

Audio Amigo Youtube Channel

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Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro reviewed by Audio Amigo

Audio Amigo 7 * score rescaled + normalized
A slightly brighter Hexa, Includes Dongle DAC and hard case. Cool Looks. Slight Vocal Forwardness

Audio Amigo original ranking

Audio Amigo Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Moondrop May reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 5.3 Reviewer Score
C- Tuning
D Tech
A very enjoyable listen, hard to fault at this price and design. Could be a winner for you.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: D Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: B
YouTube video thumbnail

Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 6 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
C+ Tech
Great bass, upper mids are good.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: C+ Dynamics: B Soundstage: C+

Moondrop May reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 6.3 * score rescaled + normalized
7 community members have rated the MOONDROP MAY at an average of 4.0/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 6.6 * score rescaled + normalized
21 community members have rated the Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Moondrop May (more reviews)

Moondrop May reviewed by Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 7.5 * score rescaled + normalized
check links for more info:

Z-Reviews original ranking

Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Moondrop May reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 7* * score rescaled + normalized
The May is the way to go if you have 80 bucks. Standard EQ sounds great. Nice low contrast neutral sound

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Moondrop May reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 5.5 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
A- Tech
check links for more info:

Tim Tuned original ranking

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

Moondrop May reviewed by Web Search

2025-07-01
uses AI-Search to turn user, reddit and head-fi reviews into clear, concise summaries.
Web Search 7 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
B+ Tech

The Moondrop May offers a convenient USB-C DSP cable with multiple EQ presets accessible via the Moondrop Link app, though the app suffers from connectivity issues and requires invasive permissions like location and file access. Its lightweight resin build provides solid comfort for extended wear, but the included ear tips are notoriously difficult to install on the nozzles. The DSP cable itself can exhibit a faint electronic whine during audio pauses, which disrupts calls or quiet passages.

Sonically, the May delivers a balanced signature with smooth, natural midrange, though male vocals occasionally lack resolution and texture. The 6mm planar driver handles treble with refinement, avoiding harshness, but struggles with airiness and micro-detail retrieval compared to competitors like the Truthear Hexa. Bass texture and layering also fall short despite the hybrid 1DD + 1 planar configuration, leading to a somewhat one-dimensional low end in complex tracks.

Technical performance is adequate for the price, with a moderately intimate soundstage and competent imaging, though instrument separation and dynamics can feel congested in busy mixes. The May scales better with analog cables than its own DSP solution, revealing improved clarity and midrange texture when bypassing the stock setup. While the DSP concept is innovative, execution issues limit its appeal, making the May a competent but inconsistent package at $65.

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Moondrop May User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Moondrop May Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5.6

Gaming Grade

B-

Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5

Gaming Grade

C+

Moondrop May 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

B-
  • Overall technicalities are acceptable, delivering enough clarity for casual sessions. Imaging is serviceable though not immersive.
Bass A-
The bass hits with conviction, offering both punch and clarity. It reaches low with confidence and control.
Mids B+
The mids are articulate and well-balanced, lending body to instruments. Instrument layering remains stable.
Treble C+
Highs come through with reasonable clarity while staying mostly smooth. Sibilance is mostly controlled.
Dynamics C+
Dynamic performance is decent, delivering respectable macro swings with limited nuance. There's a fair amount of macrodynamic swing.
Soundstage B
You can map the ensemble with confidence thanks to solid spacing and coherent depth layering. Ambient effects feel believable.
Gaming B-
Moderate spatial presentation conveys general directionality. Suitable for casual play where precision isn't critical.

Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C+
  • A mostly enjoyable signature keeps things listenable despite a handful of quirks. It handles most playlists without major complaints.

Average Technical Grade

C+
  • The presentation is steady if unspectacular, holding onto essential details when the music stays simple. Fine details occasionally slip through the cracks.
Mids C+
It presents a stable midrange foundation suitable for everyday listening. Clarity is serviceable without standing out.
Treble C+
The top end is tidy and serviceable, adding air without overdoing it. Extension is decent for casual listening.
Dynamics B
The performance feels robust, with satisfying punch and natural transitions. Nuances are easy to follow.
Soundstage C+
Stage expands beyond the shoulders and finally hints at layers, though vertical cues stay muted. Depth cues begin to emerge.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

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Rose Technics Star City 5 Pro User Reviews

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