Moondrop Variations VS KZ Sonata

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

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Moondrop Variations and KZ Sonata use 1DD+2BA+2EST and 14BA driver setups respectively. Moondrop Variations costs $550 while KZ Sonata costs $170. Moondrop Variations is $380 more expensive. Moondrop Variations holds a decisive 1.5-point edge in reviewer scores (7.5 vs 6). Moondrop Variations carries a user score of 7.8. Moondrop Variations has significantly better mids with a 2.1-point edge, Moondrop Variations has significantly better treble with a 2.5-point edge, Moondrop Variations has significantly better dynamics with a 1.2-point edge and Moondrop Variations has better soundstage with a 0.8-point edge.

Insights

Metric Moondrop Variations KZ Sonata
Bass 7.3 6
Mids 7.1 5
Treble 7.5 5
Details 7.3 6
Soundstage 7.8 7
Imaging 7 6
Dynamics 6.2 5
Tonality 7.4 5
Technicalities 7.5 5

Moondrop Variations Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Nymz
Audionotions Jays Audio Tim Tuned Shuwa-T Smirk Audio Precogvision
Super* Review Jaytiss Gizaudio Axel Crin

Average Reviewer Score:

7.5

Strongly Favorable

KZ Sonata Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

6

Mixed to Positive

Reviews Comparison

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A+ Tech
I like it, but don't love the lower mids.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: A- Treble: A+ Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: A+
YouTube video thumbnail

KZ Sonata reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 6 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
C+ Tech
It has some issues, but it isn't bad.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

Moondrop Variations (more reviews)

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 8* * score normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 8 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A Tech
A solid benchmark. Great sub-bass, Harman tuning, and excellent detail. Can sound thin.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Crin

Crin 8 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A Tech
Sub-bass-focused signature with Moondrop's clean tuning makes this one of the best $500 tribrids.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Audionotions

Audionotions 7.5 Reviewer Score
Very resolving with good sub-bass and good treble. A bit thin and clinical sounding and lacks a bit of note weight. Could use a bit more mid-bass. Otherwise, the resolution is top-notch. Treble extension is decent. Might be a little shouty for some, but not for me! Previously Owned

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Very clear with lots of detail. Sub-bass has a nice rumble and texture. Amazing treble extension and stage air. Female vocals are vibrant and shines. Mid-bass cut is real, affecting some genres and male vocals. Note-weight can be light.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Great separation and details Thin lower midrange

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: S
YouTube video thumbnail

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 7.3 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A Tech
Comment: Too much subbass, dry sounding lower mids. Clarity Subbass overpowers lower mids

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

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

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
Great tuning, neutral timbre, and a satisfying bass with a sub-bass focus. Solid all-rounder.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: A- Mids: A Treble: A- Dynamics: B+ Details: A- Imaging: A-

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
A more refined B2 Dusk with better bass texture and treble extension.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: A+ Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Details: A- Imaging: B
YouTube video thumbnail

Moondrop Variations reviewed by Nymz

Nymz 6.7 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
Resolution king for the price point with a fun tuning. Great sub-bass and treble. Lack of mid-bass bass and somewhat thin mids murdered it for my library. Can see the appeal for others tho.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

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

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Moondrop Variations User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score:

Based on 1 user reviews

7.8

Strongly Favorable

KZ Sonata 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 Variations Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7

Gaming Grade

A-

KZ Sonata 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 Variations Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.

Average Technical Grade

A
  • Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Bass A-
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
Mids A-
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble A
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Soundstage A
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Details A-
Excellent detail retrieval: highly resolving without being clinical. Effortlessly reveals micro-details and textural subtleties.
Imaging A-
Excellent imaging: precise and stable placement. Instruments occupy specific points in space with tangible positions.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

KZ Sonata Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C+
  • Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.

Average Technical Grade

C+
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Mids C+
Decent midrange performance - balanced but unremarkable. Adequate clarity for most genres without notable flaws.
Treble C+
Decent treble with acceptable extension and detail. Can sound slightly unrefined but avoids being harsh or sibilant.
Dynamics C+
Decent dynamic performance. Good macro-contrast but micro-dynamics could be more nuanced. Satisfactory impact.
Soundstage A-
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Gaming C+
Fundamental left/right positioning with limited depth perception. Works for non-competitive gaming but lacks precision.

Moondrop Variations User Reviews

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Endoki
7.8

This was one of my first IEMs. I loved it and hated it. It is still the cleanest sounding IEM I own - also compared to something much more expensive.

Pros
Very clean sound signature combined with a satisfying amount of sub-bass. Sounds great with the right songs
Cons
Thin mids and poor note weight in some songs

KZ Sonata User Reviews

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