Moondrop May REVIEW! vs. Aria 2

For years, Moondrop's Aria has been a common IEM rec under $100. But what if I told you there's a better option... for even less than the new Aria 2? And it's from none other than Moondrop themselves. Let's talk about it.
See the Moondrop May on Squiglink: squig.link/?share=Moondrop_Ma...
On Amazon: amzn.to/3OekBiV
On AliExpress: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDC...
On Shenzhen Audio: shenzhenaudio.com/products/mo...
Aria 2, too: shenzhenaudio.com/products/mo...
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Disclosure: This video is NOT sponsored, but retailer Shenzhen Audio did send these headphones to me free for review. Check them out at shenzhenaudio.com/
Music by Birocratic. Check him out on Soundcloud: / birocratic
#Moondrop #headphones #audio #audiophile #SuperReview

[@rishisagar]

Hey Mark! was looking forward to a new video from you. Been a minute. Happy new year to you and the Super Review community 💜 hope this year's got some crazy good and innovative releases for us 🤙

[@jackhandy6211]

Very helpful info. Loved the info about the Squig EQing. Thank you.

[@wana.me003]

I endorse this message!

[@hokagoteatimereviews]

Great review as usual Mark! I too have these in for review, really excited to try them out.

[@maXXXjacker]

Moondrop May is a breath of fresh air, love this one.

[@SuperReview]

I hope they keep this shell design for future IEMs.

[@maXXXjacker]

I hope so as well. @@SuperReview

[@silentKeys20]

​@@SuperReviewI love the shell design. It's shaped similarly to the Variations, which is very comfortable. And material wise, it's the same 3D printed material and has the manufacturer as the Hexa, which is one of my favorite.

[@weirdear95]

Absolutely agree with you, this is my new favourite.❤

[@neverfindme-fj5ds]

If you agree to this why shouldn't i.....😅😊

[@GadZookz]

Thanks Mr. Ryan! Very conchable options indeed.

[@SuperReview]

It rubs the lotion on the concha.

[@kamrankambang7953]

I use the may cable on my simgot ew200 to PEQ down the shout. So i use the ew200 cable with my may. I even remove the may filter inside so it sound brighter naturally. Now i have 2 iem that is perfect to me. for those who like to experiment, the may is pretty good value iem.

[@sofiaclemente7925]

Awesome review as always! At this lower price point the cost of a decent dongle is non-negligible, so DSP headphones have a huge price advantage for most people

[@onlyms4693]

Also now most phone dont have jack input but have usb c so.. its really are advantage

[@worri3db3ar]

Interesting mention about the background buzzing like sound between tracks when the may is used with a phone. Very tempted to get the may to replace the OG Aria though the mention of the buzzing sound definitely would drive me bonkers. I am curious though about how the aria 2 is justifying it's price increase compared to the OG aria and the aria snow.

[@fadedlogic1]

The May has been a great "backpack" headphone and works great as a laptop headset for my Teams calls on the go. Decent sound that you won't be bothered if you happen to lose it.

[@DanKirchgessner]

100%. This is exactly how I'm using mine. Or for like a quick run into the grocery store.

[@Sushanttechworld]

Welcome back 🔥🔥

[@SuperReview]

🤙

[@Curree8]

Chu 2 has been worth for the cable alone 😂 funny that you bring it up all the time as well. Might get another when on sale

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

I stole the cable from my CHU 2 and popped it on one of my CCA earphones but I "need" to swap it back, as I plan to sell the CHU (as well as most of my vast collection of IEMs).

[@DominikPhilipp1]

Thank you for the review. How many volume steps does the cable have and would you say that the volume steps allow for fine adjustments?

[@ankramuttaudio]

Unfortunelly I couldn't review Aria 2 yet. I have a Snow for daily use and I would like to compare both. Hope I can do it soon. Nice review as always.

[@DrewanNicholson]

Thank you Mark! Love your reviews, especially the attention to detail. Was curious, if you could have only 1x IEM, what pair would be your choice? (just curious based on your collection and all you've heard, not considering value)

[@SuperReview]

Supernova

[@syedrehanfida]

Hey Mark! I think the gimmick of May is that you can take the cable and put on any iem and EQ it. Have you tried that?

[@richardlawson762]

I have been using the May on a 3.5 cable, and the stock tuning is a nice balance between relaxed and fun. Been using the DSP cable on my Lan to EQ in a little more bass, and it sounds great!

[@SuperReview]

Nice.

[@reimidii7344]

Hi can u use a female type c to 3.5mm converter for this earphone?

[@SuperReview]

@@reimidii7344 I don't think that product exists.

[@ssjbluetrell9780]

It does walmart has them only for 3 dollars

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

The frequency response of the May is right up my alley, because I am very sensitive to the 900Hz region. However, I already own about TWENTY pairs of earphones, so...

[@LuciferArc1]

7hz sonus may be up your alley

[@TheWorldTeacher]

@@LuciferArc1, thank you for the tip!

[@ryanhostudio]

random question but is your shutter speed double your frame rate? motion blur seems higher than what i’m used to

[@songd5369]

Very interesting offering from Moondrop! Also, I haven't seen much Dunu Mirai reviews online despite being a fairly high-profile collab -- is that something you will be covering in the future?

[@joshstein9162]

$80 has only gotten more competitive over the last 2 years. With the way they have Moondropped the ball in the last year, I have my doubts about them going forward. They need more good word of mouth to rebuild in my mind. Thanks for the video

[@mayonotes9849]

Pretty much the only "good" release are the May and maybe Chu 2 and Blessing 3(?), their other releases are either mediocre or just not really worth it.

[@LuciferArc1]

​@mayonotes9849 yep. Why get an aria 2 when the 7hz sonus ans ea500LM exist? The chu 2 is actually a great little v shape sounding iem with incredible imaging so it can be used for gaming as well. It's literally the only thing they've put out that I can respect rn. Other than that...ehhhh. maybe kato 2 will save them. Cause I know that's coming within 6 months. No way it's not when everything else has had a v2 now

[@TheWorldTeacher]

It’s the equivalent of USD$62 in my country.

[@christopherrohlf1975]

Moondropped the ball... Boooooooo

[@soggydoggy2k6]

I can't decide between the Moondrop May or the Kiwi Ears Melody, looking for a fun bassy sound

[@gabech2789]

Moondrop May vs Moondrop Lan, which one is the value pick for casual listeners ?

[@FaizalKuntz]

Imagine Moondrop DSP or just every Moondrop IEMs ever is powered by Squiglink. It'll be cool if their IEM is being EQ'd by the manufacturer instead of DIY cause some people are afraid their Auto-EQ isn't accurate.

[@TheSouparna1]

A lot of people do like these but a lot of people actually need the mic because not everyone is privileged enough to buy an IEM and then buy another set of earphone to take out. I mean you are travelling and are listening to an IEM through smartphone and someone calls and you have to take it. What do you do? open the earphone and talk to the phone while the IEM in hand, change the IEM to another set of earphone with mic or rather have a cable with mic in the IEM? Inline controls are a +

[@suspiciousstew1169]

💯

[@JohnClarkW]

I have been thinking about the May just to get the DSP cable. Even if I don't like the May, I can probably mod it.

[@SuperReview]

You can buy the cable separately for $30.

[@JohnClarkW]

@@SuperReview I know, and it sounds like May is more than worth the other $35.

[@nisem0no]

I found the Aria very overrated due to how warm, soft and narrow it felt. So I'll definitely be giving these a chance if I'm feeling like an alternative. Though the USB cable will be tossed into a drawer the moment it arrives 😅

[@miki890098]

Negative 3000 hertz isn't where the pinna gain is, that's why it wasn't working hahaha

[@SuperReview]

🤣

[@Foobymaster1]

Your daps are probably trying to bypass the moondrop dac for their own would be my guess

[@calvinyip364]

Ea500LM can you pls review them thanks.

[@sumanchhetri1809]

May seems very innovative especially the cables. Would u knw if they sell just the cables?

[@SuperReview]

Yep, it's pretty cheap too: shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-free-dsp-headphone-upgrade-cable

[@sumanchhetri1809]

@@SuperReview thanx man... A stupid question I have a Letshuoer S12 will I be able to use the moondrop app with this cables??

[@SuperReview]

@@sumanchhetri1809 Yep!

[@sumanchhetri1809]

@@SuperReview thank u...

[@w.ave_]

Hi Mark! You gave the Hexa a 5 star rating vs. 4 stars for the May. Given the current options in the sub $100, does this rating still hold true for the Hexa?

[@SuperReview]

For me, yes.

[@w.ave_]

@@SuperReview Awesome, thanks!

[@kaavik47]

I believe this is the wave of the future for low to mid-priced IEMs. Better software, a slightly better DAC + high quality low distortion drivers will allow this type of IEM to imitate (or replace) almost anything.

[@SuperReview]

Makes me wonder if there will be any sense in a DSP IEM that costs hundreds $$

[@kaavik47]

Agree if they get the software and hardware right@@SuperReview

[@John.Christopher]

Is the Blessing 3 the best Moondrop all round? Especially given how well it handles EQ additionally to suit other preferences?

[@jacoblockemy8512]

Too bright

[@John.Christopher]

@@jacoblockemy8512 EQ solves that. But I definitely agree. Out of the box they can be harsh depending on track but I do appreciate the detail it gives you as a result.

[@himanshubhumbla5513]

Should i still get a DAC to use a DSP IEM with my smart phone or does the DSP work better??

[@SuperReview]

The DSP cable has a DAC built-in.

[@hpwrotethis]

New star animation. We do live in the future.

[@SuperReview]

Wait 'til you see the 5-star animation.

[@subbybass1432]

@@SuperReview Oof, long wait till the B3:Dusk review then

[@ralphjohnticsay8771]

what dac does it have?

[@CLupis-dz2zt]

Im looking for an iem for my portable gaming devices (3.5 preferred) i like the idea of the may being an iem that works on my phone too. Currently stuck between nicehck f1 pro and the may. Which would you recommend? (Other recommendations welcome, i own 3 sets of iem but i dont want to bother changing the 2.5/4.4 everytime i want to use them on a regular device)

[@IDarlinSS]

What about TruthEar Hexa if it's on the table?

[@SuperReview]

I would take Hexa.

[@SzymonSaysStuff]

It May be an IEM I like

[@SuperReview]

May be.

[@phuocnguyentuan64]

ThieAudio Hype4 review when

[@parthpuranik4117]

When's the Hype 4 review coming up?

[@SuperReview]

Friday

[@parthpuranik4117]

@@SuperReview I’m waiting 😁

[@googanhiem]

-3000hz is that dub dub bass… or is it just inverted phase?

[@SuperReview]

Typo!

[@kr33k00]

Like food without salt 😂

[@LuciferArc1]

Seeing other reviewers put iems in their ear and they dont look gigantic makes me feel weird. Iems look gigantic in my ear if theyre anything bigger than a chu size. My tiny ears dont do well in this hobby. I need them fin shapes if its any bigger to help with stability

[@surpriser0se]

hi, which would you recommend for a Salnotes Zero 2 user like me?

[@SuperReview]

It's not bad, I personally prefer Tin C2.

[@surpriser0se]

@@SuperReview my bad, would you mean you prefer the Tin C2 over Aria 2 and May?

[@SuperReview]

Oh sorry, I thought you were asking about Zero 2. If you're happy with the Zero 2, I'd take the May.

[@surpriser0se]

@@SuperReview thank you. I will check May then. Happy weekend!

[@yanxuen]

need subtitle😢

[@starofmadness8307]

The app on the android side is wonky same as Tanchjim app.

[@SuperReview]

Indeed. I've offered to help them fix it.

[@HKS-le3hi]

Oh trust me. tanchjim app is a hair better. at least it dont fail to detect the usb device unlike moondrop link. also tanchjim own dsp peq even though only 5 bands dont have weird limitations

[@kpt923923able]

Hype 4 next?

[@SuperReview]

Friday

[@DANKKrish]

hype 4? hype for what?

[@SuperReview]

We all hype 4 ice cream!!!!!

[@CM0G]

Thanks for the review Mark. Is EA500LM review coming any soon? I'm more interested in that than anything else in this price point.