Moondrop May VS Tanchjim NORA

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Moondrop May shows up like a fashion accessory: smoked acrylic shells with that repeating clover motif, secure 2-pin sockets, and a surprisingly nice round case in the box. The stock 4-core cable packs an inline mic/remote and a USB-C DAC/amp—basically a “dongle-less dongle.” The Moondrop Link app adds DSP/EQ and tweaks (night mode, profiles), though pairing can be finicky; controls give play/pause, volume, and next track, but no previous. Stock tips work well, and tip rolling can push bass from big to downright thunderous.

Inside, a 10 mm dynamic + 6 mm planar hybrid punches way above its weight: sub-bass digs deep with real slam, mids stay clean, treble is crisp without edge, and the soundstage opens wider than expected. Driveability is easy (30 Ω / 120 dB-ish), and the overall tuning feels like a pocket-sized take on Moondrop’s higher-tier vibe—clear, spacious, and instantly “wow.” Swap in bass-friendly tips and the low end gets oppressive (in the fun way); switch to foam or calmer tips for a more relaxed balance.

Then the kicker: $64.99. The package feels like a $299 IEM with a ~$40 dongle tossed in, and it would still make sense priced around $164. Caveats are minor—app quirkiness and potentially too much bass if the seal is aggressive—but the value is absurd. For a daily beater that sounds “big rig” and a first taste of planar-hybrid sparkle, this thing is spectacular and absolutely “buy-a-spare” material.

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Tanchjim NORA lands as a monitor-tuned set: a single dynamic with dual magnets aimed at mixing/mastering, not Friday-night fun. The presentation is flat, neutral, low-energy—the “plain hamburger” of IEMs—delivering the track as-is without sauce, sparkle, or party tricks. Expect honesty over hype: music quality and recording flaws show up immediately.

It’s very sensitive, revealing amp hiss on noisier chains yet taking power without complaint; bass stays dead flat and the treble avoids harshness while refusing to sweeten anything. This is a homework IEM: great for students or engineers who need a budget reference to judge balance, timbre, and mix decisions rather than to vibe out. Pleasure listening isn’t the brief; accuracy is.

Build is neat: a tiny, see-through shell with a glass back, a big nozzle for the size, and an interchangeable-termination cable (balanced or single-ended) that’ll puzzle some studio folks but proves handy. Fit can be quirky—small body/large nozzle means tip rolling, with even SS tips included for smaller ears. At around $120, it’s a respectable, purpose-built tool: boring by design, and the right kind of boring when the job is to tell the truth.

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Moondrop May squares up against Aria 2 with a very different proposition: a USB-C DAC + DSP cable (inline mic/controls) for $65 versus Aria 2’s standard 3.5 mm at $90. Thanks to a standard 2-pin socket, the May can take the inexpensive Chu 2 3.5 mm cable, giving both connection options while still under Aria 2’s price. The semi-custom, 3D-printed resin shell is small, winged, and remarkably secure—prioritizing fit stability and comfort over Aria 2’s cooler-looking but less locked-in metal body.

On a 3.5 mm cable (no DSP), May presents a warmish, mild-V tuning with a healthy bass lift and better-than-typical treble extension for the bracket, lending a slightly incisive character. Versus Aria 2, May offers tighter bass with less bloom and a sharper attack, while Aria 2 sounds a touch more open but also softer and bloomier overall. Tonally they’re close; the May’s cleaner bass definition and bite make the difference.

With the USB-C cable, the built-in profiles—especially the Standard EQ—shift the May to a laid-back neutral with mild warmth and sub-bass lift, free of glare or sibilance; the Moondrop Link app adds full PEQ flexibility but is Android-only and carries odd filter limits plus occasional DAC quirks (minor artifacts, PEQ not engaging on some Android DAPs). Even so, the comfort, tuning options, and dual-cable versatility make May the more compelling budget pick. Verdict: a solid 4 out of 5—with Aria 2 also a respectable 4 out of 5.

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Moondrop May presents as a tiny, elegant shell with a very comfortable fit, ideal for small ears. The package is polished—plush-feel DSP cable (with a stiff chin slider), a neat case, and a decent tip spread. Sonically it’s clear with a pleasing bass shelf, but the upper mids push a bit hot and the treble brings some rough edges. Swapping to an analog cable tightens things up; the DSP presets feel less convincing, though quick to use.

At roughly $65, performance sits in a competitive pocket: cleaner than Starfield 2, far easier to recommend than Stellaris, yet eclipsed by stepping up to something like Aria 2; pure budget hunters may still eye the 7Hz Zero 2 for analog value. May carries warmth and decent bass, but imaging and soundstage are just okay, with occasional tonal oddities up top; a touch of EQ calms the mids and helps balance. Overall, it earns a solid C (one-star): pretty, comfortable, worth the price for those wanting a tiny form factor and DSP convenience—but it sits in that mid-fi purgatory where many peers trade blows rather than getting decisively outclassed.

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Nora goes back to Tanchjim’s roots: a single DMT5 DD, vented pressure relief, no switches/nozzles/DSP — just a clean execution of the house target around ~$110. The tuning leans a touch more vocal-centric than recent releases, with a slight sub-bass dip and a sharpened 3–4.5 kHz focus from the Hemholtz resonator, creating stronger contrast between bass and mids and a more U-shaped impression than the graph suggests.

Female vocals carry a crisp leading edge and cut through mixes with ease; energetic singers shine, while softer, breathier voices can come off a bit over-sharpened. The bass shelf is present yet carefully lowered to keep balance, though the transition between sub-bass and mid-bass isn’t always seamless and can make the set feel inconsistent track-to-track.

Treble is lively and extended without obvious peaks, staging is big and open, and the small, lightweight shell with the modular cable makes for easy daily use; detail retrieval and imaging are snappy enough to make gaming a surprisingly good fit. Overall, Nora prioritizes mid presence and clarity over warmth and texture, delivering a clear, vocal-forward listen that fits the brand’s DNA while staying within budget constraints.