Build, Comfort & Accessories

Like the original Starfield, its sequel is also constructed in a beautiful metal shell with an eye-catching painting. I can’t comment about chipping issues but given that I have had this IEM since August and it still looks pristine is something, although I had never had any issues with the Aria Snow nor the Chu.

The cable is excellent. It is sturdy, thick, but not too heavy and it is still very flexible. To boost is comes in a beautiful dark blue color with golden metal parts that matches the IEM.

Eartips are only the common Moondrop ones. No Springtips for those that want them, but given the bright nature of this IEM I am honestly not sure the Springtip would be the best option anyway.

Comfort for me is great. It fits me very well and it stays put. I have used for hours on straight without the urge to take it out, not even for a little scratch on the ears.
Still on comfort, the stock eartips are fine but I did switch them for Spinfit W1 which in my opinion are a huge upgrade.



One thing about the Starfield that in my opinion doesn’t take away from the IEM but at the same time there’s no way to sugarcoat it is the filters that come with it. To explain in short words, the Starfield II has vents to release pressure, which is nice. However, in the package you will find some very tiny plastic filters you can attach to these vents to alter the tuning of the IEM.
Does it work? Yes and no. Let me explain.
The process of putting them in is at very best frustrating and I image that for some it will be a nightmare. After applying the filter, it rarely feels like it will be there for long and since they are so small, if they fall on the floor there’s a big chance you won’t find them.
Once you apply them, does it change the sound? Yes.
Does it sound good? Yes.
So it’s great right? No really. There are two issues for me once the filters are applied. First is that you get so much pressure so quickly the in a matter of minutes you stop thinking about the music and all you can think about is the pressure. The other problem is that at times while using the filter one of the sides of the IEM would go mute if I turned my head in a certain direction. The pressure some can take but random muting of the sound I guess that’s too much for everyone.



Sound Description

This time the star in Starfield is really warranted since this is one bright set but don’t let this mistake you since just like the stars at night, the Starfield II gives a beautiful presentation.

Bass

The bass is fast and well separated but not really emphasized at all. This is a neutral/bright IEM so it shouldn’t be a surprise that bass is not so pronounced but for my ears that aren’t lacking in any way. They are, in my opinion, on the neutral with perhaps a bit of a boost but not much, just enough to be satisfying.

Mids

Female voices are very forward, so intimate. They are even more forward than the usual Moondrop affair. For me they sound natural most of the time; only rarely you can hear sibilance or sharpness but not in a way that takes away from the song.

Treble

Pretty much everything in the high regions is intense. Don’t take this as a complain because I do think it is very much enjoyable, specially to give a different flavor to many songs you have listened to over and over.



Specific Songs

OMG – NewJeans



This is easily the song I have been listening to the most this year, on a variety of IEMs, so this the track I can most confidently pick up differences and nuances at the moment.
On the start, Hanni (one of the singers) sings without much of the instruments and it feels like she is right by your side, almost like she is singing right by your ears, just for you. For me it feels awesome but I it can certainly be too intimate for some.



Spicy – Aespa



This is probably the busiest track on the list and the reason to ask if this IEM can be spicy.
Well, I think the Starfield II really shows a lot of the track, it really is an experience but yes, it can get very spicy. These kinds of energetic songs are good to listen on the Starfield II when you want to get hyped up, pay attention to the very minute details but even I, someone who loves my treble, have to admit that it can be too much, but even with the same group, when listening to more relaxing tracks there is not a hint o sibilance, and it is quite soothing actually, like their track Thirsty.





Perfect Night – Le Sserafim



The song starts with a string of guitars and if you enjoy a good guitar, they sound lovely here but not only that, you can listen to every note apart from each other. Here I A/B’ed the Starfield II with the Moondrop Variations; while on the Variations I could easily listen to that small roll off sound when you release the strings, on the Starfield II it is very much harder to do so. Probably I could on some notes but not all.
Voices are beautiful and natural. Once the rest of the instruments join, everything continues to be smooth yet very detailed.


Roller Coaster – NMIXX



If you are somewhat familiar with this group, you should know one of the main vocalists, Lizzy, can reach some pretty high notes with ease, and when she does for a second you might for a second it would spike your ears but it doesn`t (about 2:15). The voices stay natural even when reaching high notes.


Algorithm – HeeJin



Like Aespa’s Spicy, this I consider a busier track because it has a lot of stuff at the same time, so it’s good to hear the separation of instruments and voices. It also has some highs, kind resembling older pop songs.


ETA & Cool With You – NewJeans





I decided to add these two at the last minute.
On ETA, again, like Aespa’s Spicy, is that kind of busy. I mention this a third time because I think these are the kind of songs that can make jump in or out of the Starfield II. If you want an energetic sound, be sure you will get, but if you feel like it’s too much, it will feel like this for many tracks of this kind.

On the other hand, Cool With You has one of the sweetest presentations I could have asked for. It is a mix of an open soundstage for instruments but very intimate vocals, and since the singer actually whisper during parts of the song, it feels very special.





Soundstage & Imaging

One of the things that most impressed me in the Starfield II were how wide its soundstage is. Of everything I have listened to I honestly think it trade blows with the Blessing 2 on that department.

Be it watching live shows or playing games it always feels very open, spacious and grandious.



Gaming

If in music this IEM can be a hit or miss, depending on the person, in gaming I think they truly excel.

Details on the Starfield II is very high, and with the treble emphasis it is very easy to pinpoint enemies. I unfortunately have not played competitive FPS anymore (thank you, Activision Blizzard) but I have used it in third person games and open world.

On Resident Evil 4 Remake the sound is fantastic. You can easily listen to everything, locate enemies with ease, you can also perceive the openness when you start the game at the village.

I am also playing Call of Cthulhu while this game is not as ambitious as many AAA games you can tell the love in it by the sound design, and again, the Starfield II helps a lot with the mood here. Honestly, I think that in any game that leans a bit to horror this will do perfectly.

For open world, Elden Ring. Since it seems everybody has the game, I should mention it as well, and the space here great as well. It is almost as if you could feel the wind blowing in the game (as if you were there, yes, it is very immersive).

Lastly, I’d like to share a game that is uncommon, a visual novel, White Album 2. While playing these the voices sound great, natural and intimate, but some tracks can sound piercing at times, and I’m someone that rarely has this type of complain, so I think I should make this point.



Comparisons


Truthear Hexa

While I have been blatantly obvious that I like the Starfield II and it has a unique place in my collection, if I had to pick one it would easily be the Truthear Hexa.
The Hexa is very natural, very easy to listen to but it still has the hint of forwardness in the vocals that I love.
On the technical terms, I think the Starfield II has an edge but this may be due to the high treble energy.



Conclusion

Is the Starfield II an IEM for everyone? No way, but if you, like me, like a neutral-bright tuning, intimate vocals, a ton of details in upbeat tracks this surely should be considered.
A beautiful and highly resolving set that took a chance at trying something different from the ‘neutral with bass boost’ we see all the time these days.