Kiwi Ears ETUDE VS Moondrop Rays DSP
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Kiwi Ears ETUDE and Moondrop Rays DSP use 1DD+3BA+1VT and 1DD+1Planar driver setups respectively. Kiwi Ears ETUDE costs $119 while Moondrop Rays DSP costs $99. Kiwi Ears ETUDE is $20 more expensive. Kiwi Ears ETUDE holds a decisive 1-point edge in reviewer scores (6.6 vs 5.7). Moondrop Rays DSP carries a user score of 5.7.
Insights
| Metric | Kiwi Ears ETUDE | Moondrop Rays DSP |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 6 | 5.7 |
| Treble | 5 | 5.7 |
| Soundstage | 6 | 5.7 |
| Dynamics | 7 | 5.7 |
| Tonality | 6.9 | 6.8 |
| Technicalities | 6.4 | 5.8 |
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Moondrop Rays DSP Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+3BA+1VT
Tuning Type: V-shaped with tactile bass
Brand: Kiwi Ears Top Kiwi Ears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $119
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Moondrop Rays DSP Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+1Planar
Tuning Type: n/a
Brand: Moondrop Top Moondrop IEMs
Price (Msrp): $99
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Kiwi Ears ETUDE User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Moondrop Rays DSP User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
5.7Mixed
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.6Gaming Grade
B+Moondrop Rays DSP Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.1Gaming Grade
BKiwi Ears ETUDE Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.
Average Technical Grade
B- Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Moondrop Rays DSP Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.
Average Technical Grade
B-- Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Kiwi Ears ETUDE Reviews
7
Reviewer Score
This is a unique sound, for neutral I prefere Airoso. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
6.5
Reviewer Score
Reverby, bouncy, and extended decay in the sub-bass. Unique bass play back and adds more texture to the low-end. Although reverb can bleed into the vocals - maybe the drivers work too well lol. A bassier 5+2 with better texutre and scaling. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Z-Reviews
2025-08-09
6
* score normalized
IEMRanking AI
2025-07-12
7
Reviewer Score
The Kiwi Ears Étude offers a distinctive listening experience centered around its Kiwi Vibration Transducer (KVT), which adds a subtle tactile sensation to bass frequencies. This isn’t a gimmick—it lends sustained notes like bass guitars or synth lines an organic, textured quality that feels immersive without overpowering the mix. That said, the KVT can introduce mild reverb in lower-mid frequencies, occasionally coloring male vocals in podcasts or sparse tracks.
Tuning-wise, the Étude follows a mild V-shaped signature with an 8dB sub-bass lift and smooth, relaxed treble. The midrange remains relatively neutral, though vocals can lack body in acoustic tracks without bass accompaniment. While the beryllium dynamic driver delivers punchy kicks, the real star is the KVT’s physicality, which creates a holographic low-end that enhances EDM and hip-hop. Technical performance is competent for the price, with average soundstage width and decent separation, though imaging lacks precision.
Fit may be divisive due to the large shells housing the transducer, and the nozzle’s lack of ridges limits eartip options. Source pairing is critical too: the KVT scales noticeably with powerful amplification, unlocking fuller dynamics. Despite quirks, the Étude succeeds as a fun, genre-specific IEM that stands out in a crowded market.
Moondrop Rays DSP Reviews
Gizaudio Axel
2025-07-31
6
Reviewer Score
Good for customizable sound (EQ) and gaming. Balanced tonality, with deep bass, forward vocals, clear treble. Overall detail.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
6*
* score normalized
When People ask me for the best IEM for gaming, I would probably point them to these.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
5.5*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
5
Reviewer Score
A more neutral version of the May with less bass and treble, very neutral sounding, inoffensive and boring, overpriced, many cheaper options with similar tuning and performance Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Kiwi Ears ETUDE 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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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewMoondrop Rays DSP User Reviews
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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewA well-built gaming-focused IEM with practical DSP features but modest technical finesse