Moondrop Quarks 2 VS KZ Duonic
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Moondrop Quarks 2 and KZ Duonic use 1x Dynamic (7.8mm) and 1DD+1Planar driver setups respectively. Moondrop Quarks 2 costs $17 while KZ Duonic costs $20. KZ Duonic is $3 more expensive. KZ Duonic holds a clear 0.7-point edge in reviewer scores (4.9 vs 5.6). KZ Duonic has significantly better bass with a 1.8-point edge, KZ Duonic has better treble with a 0.5-point edge, KZ Duonic has significantly better dynamics with a 1.2-point edge, KZ Duonic has significantly better soundstage with a 1.3-point edge, KZ Duonic has significantly better details with a 1.1-point edge and KZ Duonic has better imaging with a 0.5-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Moondrop Quarks 2 | KZ Duonic |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 5 | 6.8 |
| Mids | 6.2 | 6.1 |
| Treble | 5.2 | 5.7 |
| Details | 5.1 | 6.2 |
| Soundstage | 5 | 6.3 |
| Imaging | 5.6 | 6.1 |
| Dynamics | 5 | 6.2 |
| Tonality | 5.9 | 6.2 |
| Technicalities | 5.4 | 5.6 |
Moondrop Quarks 2 Aggregated Review Score
IEMR Normalized Score
IEMR Normalized Score
4.9Generally Unfavorable
Reviewer Average Score
5.2Mixed to Negative
KZ Duonic Aggregated Review Score
IEMR Normalized Score
IEMR Normalized Score
5.6Mixed
Reviewer Average Score
6.4Mixed to Positive
Reviews Comparison
Moondrop Quarks 2 (more reviews)
Moondrop Quarks 2 reviewed by ATechReviews
5.9
* Score computed by IEMRanking.com
Youtube Video Summary
Moondrop Quark 2 is a very affordable pair of IEMs around 17 USD that focuses on practicality, combining a fixed USB C cable with an integrated DAC, mic and simple bullet shaped shells. Build feels surprisingly solid for the price, with a sturdy USB C plug that inspires confidence and a light, comfortable fit that can be worn straight down or over ear. Isolation is a major highlight: the seal is so strong that office noise, fans and even mechanical keyboard clatter are largely blocked out, making this a compelling option for commuting or noisy environments, although potential pressure build up should be kept in mind for sensitive users.
On the tuning side Quark 2 delivers a smooth and safe response with a sub bass focused lift that keeps the low end clean but on the lighter side, so bass quantity and slam will not satisfy those who want a heavy hitting presentation. Midrange is the clear star, with male and female vocals rendered cleanly and without shout or harshness, helped by controlled bass and relaxed upper treble that let voices sit a little forward in the mix. Treble provides enough energy to prevent the sound from becoming dark and cymbals and high frequency instruments are present without sibilance, but extension, air and sparkle are modest, giving an overall character that is more relaxed and easygoing than bright and exciting.
From a technical standpoint Quark 2 is solid for its price but not a detail monster, with detail retrieval and dynamics sitting around average, an average to slightly below average stage and imaging that still places sounds clearly to the left and right. For budget listeners the mix of clean tonality, good channel matching and the integrated USB C DAC makes the overall sound quality feel excellent at the price, yet when compared directly to the Moondrop Chu II the Quark 2 reaches only around sixty to seventy percent of its performance in bass impact, naturalness, separation and micro detail. Quark 2 clearly wins on cost, isolation, comfort and cable durability, while Chu II still takes the lead for pure sound quality, versatility and accessories, so the better choice depends on whether maximum isolation and convenience or higher technical performance matter more.
ATechReviews Youtube Channel
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Moondrop Quarks 2 reviewed by Audio-In Reviews
5.6
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The Moondrop Quark 2 is an ultra budget in ear monitor that comes in around 17 dollars and focuses on practicality and convenience as much as sound. The tiny bullet style shells are easy to wear, the materials feel simple but sturdy enough for daily use, and the built in microphone and USB C termination make it a grab and go option that hobbyists can toss in a bag without worry. At this price it already brings a sense of value before any music starts.
Sonically the tuning leans toward a neutral signature with mid range forwardness, putting vocals and instruments front and center while bass and treble sit slightly in the background. Upper mids are shaped in a way that makes voices and many instruments sound fairly natural, but the lower mids and mid bass sit below a more typical preference, which can leave notes a little thin and lacking weight. Sub bass is emphasized more than mid bass, keeping things clean and avoiding bleed into the mids, yet the overall bass level is still lighter than ideal and does not fully balance the upper mid energy.
The top end has enough treble presence to hear cymbals and higher frequency information, but there is not a lot of shimmer, sparkle or air, so extension and micro detail are limited and the presentation stays on the relaxed side. Technical performance is about what can be expected at this price, with some detail and a stage that is not wide but also not overly intimate. While several rivals like the Chu, Waner and especially the Celest Wyvern Abyss offer a tuning that lines up closer with a typical preference for bass and treble, the Quark 2 still makes sense for vocal focused listeners who value its tidy form factor, built in features and are happy with a slightly leaner and more easygoing sound for seventeen dollars.
Audio-In Reviews original ranking
Audio-In Reviews Youtube ChannelMoondrop Quarks 2 reviewed by Audio Amigo
4
* score rescaled + normalized
Audio Amigo Youtube Channel
KZ Duonic (more reviews)
KZ Duonic reviewed by Jaytiss
6.9
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
KZ’s Duonic arrives as a budget release built around a new Flux 3 hybrid concept: an 8 mm planar for speed paired with an 8 mm “super-linear” dynamic for bass. The shell is compact, comfortable, and isolates well; the stock cable is functional, though the unique connector makes sticking with KZ cables sensible. Priced around $22–$30 and equipped with DIP switches, it targets flexibility without bloating the accessories.
On the preferred 1-1-1 tuning, the Duonic presents a slightly V-shaped balance with punchy, rich bass, energetic upper-mids, and an elevated air region that gives music a lively, “awake” character. Graph variations mainly shift the lower mids, while >1 kHz remains broadly consistent; compared with sets like KZ’s recent budget darlings, this tuning feels more vibrant and less “scratchy.” Technicals are surprisingly solid at the price—snappy transients and a sense of space—though the treble can get incisive/sizzly and mids occasionally lose focus.
Despite quirks, performance punches far above the sticker, edging into territory usually associated with ~$100 sets and making it a benchmark-worthy budget pick. Tip and cable upgrades would round out the package, but even stock, the Duonic offers a distinctive, dynamic listen that’s easy to recommend for those who enjoy sparkle and bass drive. Listeners sensitive to treble bite may prefer a tamer profile, while everyone else gets a uniquely fun, hyper-competitive sub-$30 option.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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KZ Duonic reviewed by Web Search
5.8
Reviewer Score
The KZ Duonic is a budget hybrid that combines a tri-magnetic planar “Flux3” driver with an 8 mm super-linear dynamic, an unusual recipe at this price. KZ markets the pairing as an “acoustic fusion” aimed at clear mids/highs from the planar plus bass reinforcement from the DD, with gaming-oriented spatial cues in mind.
Street pricing sits in the ~$18–25 range depending on version (no-switch, with tuning switches, and a “bass improved” variant), which makes the Duonic firmly entry-level; those variants may yield small shifts in balance, so expectations should account for unit/version differences. Listings from KZ’s store and major retailers also reinforce the hybrid planar+DD design and entry-tier positioning.
Early community impressions suggest a U-shaped tilt—bass emphasis with a tamer lower treble and some upper-treble lift—akin to KZ’s recent budget tunings, which can read lively but may sound lean through the mids and average in staging/detail for the class. Given the cost and configuration, performance expectations are reasonable: engaging bass for the price, competent detail, and imaging/stage that remain typical of the sub-$30 bracket rather than class-leading.
Moondrop Quarks 2 Details
Driver Configuration: 1x Dynamic (7.8mm)
Tuning Type: Neutral, Bright
Brand: Moondrop Top Moondrop IEMs
Price (Msrp): $17
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KZ Duonic Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+1Planar
Tuning Type: U-Shaped
Brand: KZ Top KZ IEMs
Price (Msrp): $19.99
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Moondrop Quarks 2 User Review Score
Average User Scores
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KZ Duonic User Review Score
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Moondrop Quarks 2 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-KZ Duonic Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
5.8Gaming Grade
B-Moondrop Quarks 2 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B-- Tonality is generally agreeable, though a few bumps remind you of its limits. Certain tracks spotlight its tonal quirks.
Average Technical Grade
C+- Technical ability is serviceable, keeping basic detail intact across simpler tracks. It keeps up with acoustic tracks without much fuss.
KZ Duonic Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B- Tonality is generally agreeable, though a few bumps remind you of its limits. Certain tracks spotlight its tonal quirks.
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.
Moondrop Quarks 2 User Reviews
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