Moondrop Stellaris VS Kiwi Ears ETUDE

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

Home Ranking Compare IEMs

Moondrop Stellaris and Kiwi Ears ETUDE are in-ear monitors. Moondrop Stellaris costs $110 while Kiwi Ears ETUDE costs $119. Kiwi Ears ETUDE is $9 more expensive. Kiwi Ears ETUDE holds a decisive 1.5-point edge in reviewer scores (5.4 vs 6.9). Kiwi Ears ETUDE has significantly better mids with a 1.4-point edge, Kiwi Ears ETUDE has significantly better treble with a 1.5-point edge and Kiwi Ears ETUDE has significantly better dynamics with a 3-point edge.

Insights

Metric Moondrop Stellaris Kiwi Ears ETUDE
Bass 5 6.9
Mids 4.6 6
Treble 3.5 5
Details 6.3 6.9
Soundstage 6 6
Imaging 6 6.9
Dynamics 4 7
Tonality 4.3 6.9
Technicalities 5.4 6.4

Moondrop Stellaris Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Average Reviewer Score:

5.4

Mixed to Negative


Kiwi Ears ETUDE Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Average Reviewer Score:

6.9

Cautiously Favorable


Reviews Comparison

Moondrop Stellaris reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 4.5 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
C- Tech
Needs EQ to shine.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: C- Dynamics: D Soundstage: C+

Moondrop Stellaris reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 7.1 * score rescaled + normalized
9 community members have rated the Moondrop Stellaris at an average of 3.8/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Strongly Favorable.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 7.8 * score rescaled + normalized
24 community members have rated the Kiwi Ears ETUDE at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Moondrop Stellaris (more reviews)

Moondrop Stellaris reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 6* * score rescaled + normalized

Moondrop Stellaris reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 5.9 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
A- Tech
Comment: It's not winning any planar wars. Good technicalities Everything else especially the fit

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: B Mids: B- Treble: D Soundstage: A- Details: A- Imaging: A-

Moondrop Stellaris reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 4.6 Reviewer Score
C- Tuning
B- Tech
Shrill and thin sounding to the point of unnaturalness.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: C+ Mids: C- Treble: C- Dynamics: C+ Details: B Imaging: B

Moondrop Stellaris reviewed by Nymz

Nymz 4.2 Reviewer Score
D+ Tuning
C+ Tech
Upper-mid range focused planar with good resolving capabilities, that sadly aren't enough. Thin and agressive sound - probably 1 filter away from excelence. Nozzles and weight might be a problem for most people.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

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

Kiwi Ears ETUDE (more reviews)

Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 6.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A Tech
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 original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 6 * score rescaled + normalized

Kiwi Ears ETUDE reviewed by Web Search

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 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 Stellaris User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Kiwi Ears ETUDE User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Moondrop Stellaris Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

5.1

Gaming Grade

C+

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

6.6

Gaming Grade

B+

Moondrop Stellaris Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C-
  • The tuning lacks refinement, jumping between dull and shouty without settling. Vocals frequently sound off-kilter.

Average Technical Grade

C+
  • An honest, middle-of-the-road performance preserves structure without chasing micro-detail. It's respectable for everyday listening sessions.
Bass C+
Bass performance is average—present enough but rarely inspiring. It neither offends nor impresses.
Mids C
The region is listenable but lacks the finesse and clarity of better tuning. A touch of EQ can smooth things out.
Treble D+
The upper range behaves inconsistently, blending dullness with sudden glare. You'll notice sharp spikes alongside dips.
Dynamics C-
The system delivers passable punch but never surprises. Punch is modest rather than exciting.
Soundstage B
The presentation supplies a believable venue outline where each instrument owns its pocket of space. The stage opens up nicely for live cuts.
Details B
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances that keeps complex passages intelligible. Micro-details pop without sounding forced.
Imaging B
Positions lock in with confidence, sketching a believable stage map. There's a tangible sense of stage geometry.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

Kiwi Ears ETUDE Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

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

Average Technical Grade

B
  • The presentation is steady if unspectacular, holding onto essential details when the music stays simple. Fine details occasionally slip through the cracks.
Mids B
It offers engaging mid frequencies with pleasing clarity and layering. Details emerge without becoming harsh.
Treble C+
Treble is decent, offering acceptable extension without harshness. It balances presence with a touch of restraint.
Dynamics A-
The system snaps into action with precision, highlighting every swell. Recordings feel energetic and alive.
Soundstage B
A satisfying balance of width and depth yields a stage that feels organized and engaging. Imaging lines up with the intended mix.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance.

Moondrop Stellaris User Reviews

Example User Posted on ...
0.0

"This is an example review"

Pros
  • Example pro 1
  • Example pro 2
Cons
  • Example con 1
  • Example con 2
No User-Reviews Yet

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review

Kiwi Ears ETUDE User Reviews

Example User Posted on ...
0.0

"This is an example review"

Pros
  • Example pro 1
  • Example pro 2
Cons
  • Example con 1
  • Example con 2
No User-Reviews Yet

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review

Find your next IEM:

IEM Finder Quiz

new
Use this quiz and answer a few questions to get your individual IEM recommendation list
(1/3) How much are you willing to spend on the IEM?
(2/3) Which sound characteristics are particularly important to you?
(3/3) Which tuning do you prefer?
You can select multiple options.
Buy

Footer