ZeEmpire ZE51B VS Moondrop S8

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

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ZeEmpire ZE51B and Moondrop S8 are in-ear monitors. ZeEmpire ZE51B costs $800 while Moondrop S8 costs $700. ZeEmpire ZE51B is $100 more expensive. Moondrop S8 holds a decisive 1-point edge in reviewer scores (6.5 vs 7.5). Moondrop S8 has significantly better mids with a 2.4-point edge, Moondrop S8 has significantly better treble with a 3.7-point edge, ZeEmpire ZE51B has significantly better dynamics with a 3.3-point edge and Moondrop S8 has significantly better soundstage with a 1.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric ZeEmpire ZE51B Moondrop S8
Bass 6.5 6.8
Mids 5 7.4
Treble 4 7.7
Details 6.5 8
Soundstage 6 7.5
Imaging 6.5 7.7
Dynamics 9 5.7
Gaming capabilities 4 6.9

ZeEmpire ZE51B Aggregated Review Score

ZeEmpire ZE51B Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss

Average Reviewer Score:

6.5

Cautiously Favorable


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


ZeEmpire ZE51B User Review Score

ZeEmpire ZE51B 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

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

ZeEmpire ZE51B Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

4

Gaming Grade

C-

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

6.9

Gaming Grade

B+

ZeEmpire ZE51B 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

C-
  • Limited resolution; finer nuances are masked. Soundstage feels narrow, and complex passages cause muddiness. Transitions lack finesse.
Mids C+
Decent midrange performance - balanced but unremarkable. Adequate clarity for most genres without notable flaws.
Treble C-
Average treble performance - present but lacking refinement. Some graininess or splashiness affects clarity.
Dynamics S
Reference-class dynamics: perfect micro/macro contrast with lightning transients. Utterly realistic reproduction of musical energy.
Soundstage B
Good soundstage with proper width and depth. Instruments have clear positioning with reasonable front/back placement.
Gaming C-
Minimal environmental definition provides only general audio cues. Suitable for games where positioning isn't critical. 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-
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.
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 B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

ZeEmpire ZE51B Reviews

ZeEmpire ZE51B reviewed by:

2025-07-20
Jaytiss 6.5 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
C- Tech
This is a fun set, damn. The most fun bass I've heard. Period

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: C+ Treble: C- Dynamics: S Soundstage: B

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
B Tuning
A- Tech
Special set.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

ZeEmpire ZE51B User Reviews

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Moondrop S8 User Reviews

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