TRN ST5 VS Moondrop May
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
TRN ST5 and Moondrop May use 1DD+4BA and 1DD+1Planar driver setups respectively. TRN ST5 costs $60 while Moondrop May costs $65. Moondrop May is $5 more expensive. Moondrop May holds a decisive 3.9-point edge in reviewer scores (2.6 vs 6.5). Moondrop May has significantly better bass with a 3-point edge, Moondrop May has significantly better mids with a 4.5-point edge and Moondrop May has significantly better treble with a 2-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | TRN ST5 | Moondrop May |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 4 | 7 |
| Mids | 2 | 6.5 |
| Treble | 3 | 5 |
| Details | 3 | 6.5 |
| Soundstage | 2.6 | 6 |
| Imaging | 2 | 6.5 |
| Dynamics | 2.6 | 5 |
| Gaming capabilities | 2.5 | 5.6 |
TRN ST5 Aggregated Review Score
TRN ST5 Average Reviewer Scores
Moondrop May Aggregated Review Score
Moondrop May Average Reviewer Scores
TRN ST5 Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA
Tuning Type: n/a
Price (Msrp): $60
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Moondrop May Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+1Planar
Tuning Type: Neutral
Price (Msrp): $64.99
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TRN ST5 User Review Score
TRN ST5 Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Moondrop May User Review Score
Moondrop May Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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TRN ST5 Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
2.5Gaming Grade
D-Moondrop May 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-TRN ST5 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
D- Significantly flawed tuning. Noticeable frequency imbalances and unnatural timbre distract from music. Lacks versatility across recordings.
Average Technical Grade
E+- Noticeably blurred or congested. Struggles with basic instrument separation; details are lost in simple tracks. Feels "flat" and one-dimensional.
Moondrop May 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.
TRN ST5 Reviews
TRN ST5 reviewed by: Nymz
2.6
Reviewer Score
For bass lovers. Bass bleeds but has slam. Upper mids elevation followed by a dip feels a bit wonky. Treble is the darker side but well extended. Techs are great for price, if you ignore the usual BA timbre and incoherency.
Moondrop May Reviews
Moondrop May reviewed by: Z-Reviews
7.5
* score normalized
Moondrop May reviewed by: Super* Review
7*
* score normalized
The May is the way to go if you have 80 bucks. Standard EQ sounds great. Nice low contrast neutral soundSuper* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
Moondrop May reviewed by: Tim Tuned
5.5
Reviewer Score
check links for more info: Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Moondrop May reviewed by: Jaytiss
5.3
Reviewer Score
A very enjoyable listen, hard to fault at this price and design. Could be a winner for you. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Moondrop May reviewed by: IEMRanking AI
2025-07-01
7
Reviewer Score
The Moondrop May offers a convenient USB-C DSP cable with multiple EQ presets accessible via the Moondrop Link app, though the app suffers from connectivity issues and requires invasive permissions like location and file access. Its lightweight resin build provides solid comfort for extended wear, but the included ear tips are notoriously difficult to install on the nozzles. The DSP cable itself can exhibit a faint electronic whine during audio pauses, which disrupts calls or quiet passages.
Sonically, the May delivers a balanced signature with smooth, natural midrange, though male vocals occasionally lack resolution and texture. The 6mm planar driver handles treble with refinement, avoiding harshness, but struggles with airiness and micro-detail retrieval compared to competitors like the Truthear Hexa. Bass texture and layering also fall short despite the hybrid 1DD + 1 planar configuration, leading to a somewhat one-dimensional low end in complex tracks.
Technical performance is adequate for the price, with a moderately intimate soundstage and competent imaging, though instrument separation and dynamics can feel congested in busy mixes. The May scales better with analog cables than its own DSP solution, revealing improved clarity and midrange texture when bypassing the stock setup. While the DSP concept is innovative, execution issues limit its appeal, making the May a competent but inconsistent package at $65.
TRN ST5 User Reviews
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