Softears RSV MK2 VS Moondrop S8

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

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Softears RSV MK2 and Moondrop S8 use 5BA and 8BA driver setups respectively. Softears RSV MK2 costs $699 while Moondrop S8 costs $700. Moondrop S8 is $1 more expensive. Softears RSV MK2 holds a clear 0.6-point edge in reviewer scores (8.1 vs 7.5).

Softears RSV MK2 Aggregated Review Score

Softears RSV MK2 Average Reviewer Scores

Jays Audio IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

8.1

Very Positive


Moondrop S8 Aggregated Review Score

Moondrop S8 Average Reviewer Scores

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

Average Reviewer Score:

7.5

Strongly Favorable


Softears RSV MK2 User Review Score

Softears RSV MK2 Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Moondrop S8 User Review Score

Moondrop S8 Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Softears RSV MK2 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.7

Gaming Grade

A

Moondrop S8 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.1

Gaming Grade

A-

Softears RSV MK2 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

S-
  • Highly polished technical execution. Excellent frequency synergy creates an immersive experience. Enhances musical content.

Average Technical Grade

A+
  • Very competent with articulate presentation. Well-defined layers and precise imaging. Soundstage is immersive and handles dynamics well.
Gaming A
Clear spatial presentation handles directional cues effectively. Distinguishes key gameplay sounds while maintaining decent immersion. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Moondrop S8 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
  • Good technical performance. Clear separation and decent detail retrieval across various tracks. Soundstage shows reasonable width and depth.
Bass B+
Good bass foundation with decent impact. Maintains acceptable control while providing satisfying thump in most tracks.
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+
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Details A+
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
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

Softears RSV MK2 Reviews

Softears RSV MK2 reviewed by:

2025-08-28
Jays Audio 8 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A+ Tech
Bassy dynamic all-rounder with great low-end texture that slams hard with good note-weight/body. Slight Hype 4 upgrade. Treble is smooth, and vocals are well-tuned. Overall unboxing/accesories are great... just no ESTs at its price, I'd wait for sale.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio

Softears RSV MK2 shifts from the OG’s vocal-centric tilt into a bass-forward all-rounder. The sub-bass and mid-bass hit with real slam and weight, giving drums and bass guitars a satisfying, dynamic punch. Upper mids (3–6 kHz) are tamed to avoid shout, while a gentle 1–2 kHz rise keeps vocals open and natural—slightly less pushed than the original but still clear. Treble is smooth with decent air; not super sparkly and there’s no EST “sauce,” but it stays clean and non-fatiguing.

As a package, MK2’s standout is the low-end texture—thunderous yet controlled—making it one of the more engaging bassy sets under four figures. Technical performance is solid for the tier, though some rivals at lower prices bring more raw detail and EST extension. Build and accessories get a tasteful, modern refresh. For best balance, the stock tips work well; bass-boosting or treble-opening tips can shift it toward a more V-shape at the expense of overall smoothness.

On genre fit, MK2 shines with hip-hop, pop, EDM, and R&B, where its punch and warmth bring rhythms to life; for orchestral or leaner acoustic picks, the bass can edge forward depending on the mix. It scales to mid–high volumes nicely (around the 70–80 dB zone) without turning sharp. Compared with the OG RSV—now likely affected by a silent retune in recent units—the MK2 is the safer buy: less shout, more authority down low, and a broader all-rounder appeal. Recommended, especially if found below full MSRP, for listeners craving tasteful bass with natural mids and relaxed, smooth treble.

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Price: $699

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Softears RSV MK2 reviewed by:

2025-08-28
IEMRanking AI 8.2 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
A+ Tech

Softears RSV MK2 is a refreshed 5-BA monitor that keeps the RSV’s concept but upgrades the acoustic path: a 4-way crossover with an LRC tuning network and dual bass tubes, plus passive pressure relief and a forged-carbon/CNC shell. It launches at $699.

Tonal balance lands in neutral with a tasteful bass lift: dual Knowles CI22955 BAs handle lows for punch and texture, an updated ED BA carries mids for natural vocals, and a composite SWFK addresses treble for clean extension without glare. Softears also talks about redistributed energy across bands for deeper bass, clearer mids, and smoother highs—cohesive and relaxed rather than hyped.

Technicalities are solid for an all-BA: quick transients, stable imaging, and a moderately spacious stage; isolation and comfort benefit from the passive pressure relief system. Early community notes suggest MK2 is a touch bassier than the original RSV while keeping the smooth upper-range character. It’s easy to drive at 7 Ω/122 dB, so pair it with low-noise sources.

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Price: $699

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Moondrop S8 Reviews

Moondrop S8 reviewed by:

Smirk Audio 7.1 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
Very resolving with a sweet, pleasant timbre. Good mids and treble. Average bass. Upper-mids may be shouty to some.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

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

Moondrop S8 reviewed by:

Super* Review 9* * score normalized

Moondrop S8 reviewed by:

Tim Tuned 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A+ Tech
Smooth engaging harman signature with fun bass BA timbre

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: A+ Mids: A+ Treble: A+

Moondrop S8 reviewed by:

Jaytiss 7.3 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A+ Tech
Special set.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

Moondrop S8 reviewed by:

Precogvision 7.1 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
Excellent treble extension and detail retrieval.

Precogvision original ranking

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

Moondrop S8 reviewed by:

Gizaudio Axel 7.5 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A+ Tech
Smooth, detailed, and balanced tuning. Harman-like sound with plenty of detail. BA bass.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
- Gizaudio Axel

Moondrop S8 reviewed by:

Crin 7.5 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
A Tech
More faithful to the Harman target compared to the A8, with a smoother bass response.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel
- Crin

Moondrop S8 reviewed by:

Shuwa-T 7.8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A+ Tech
Comment: Technically proficient. Clarity and tuning well done BA timbre

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A+ Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: S-

Softears RSV MK2 User Reviews

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Moondrop S8 User Reviews

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