Moondrop is a respected name in the budget earphones/IEM scene. Their releases typically stand out in their respective price brackets. I test their Spaceship and share my findings below.

Packaging/Accessories: Unique and interesting for the price. The IEMs came in a colorful plastic box, depicting the Earth from outer space. Inside there are 3 pairs of silicone tips, a fabric pouch, an instruction manual, and an ‘Introduction’ card. The plastic material is thin and brittle, it got cracked during shipment.


Build Quality: Nice, smooth finish on the earpieces. Good weight that aspires confidence without taking comfort away. The cable is thick, the splitter and plug are nicely done in stainless steel, above the norm for this price range. Supplied silicone tips are soft and comfortable.

Fit and Comfort: The small form factor is a fresh change amidst the many multi-driver IEMs in the market. I found the best fit with the supplied M tips, and I am confident any user should be able to find a tip that fits them well. They are comfortable to wear for a long time.


Listening Preferences: I listen to jazz, blues, classic rock, some reggae and pop. Natalie Cole, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Andrea Bocelli, The Eagles, Scary Pockets, and others lent their music for this review.

Tuning/Sound Signature: I would say they are neutral-warm. They are not bass-heavy. If only they have more extended treble, I will say they are neutral, but they don’t. So in my humble opinion, this is neutral-warm.

‘Moondrop Co.’ etched on the splitter.
Sources: Spotify and YouTube HD on a 2016 iPad Pro to represent portable setup. FLAC, WAV, and 320kbps MP3 with Vox player on a 2011 MacBook Pro and Burson Playmate to represent desktop setup for scalability.

Soundstage: The soundstage painted by the Spaceship is about average for IEMs. There is some layering, but not too deep of a stage. Definitely doesn’t feel cramped, overall pleasing to listen to.

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There is a definite resemblance to hair dryer.

Highs: The highs are pleasant to listen to. They are friendly to most types of music and most sources. There is no sibilance detected, but they roll off around 10kHz or so. While not airy, they have plenty of highs to sound vibrant and lively.

Mids: I love the mids on these. The single dynamic driver construction lends to natural timbre and relaxed mids. Vocals sound great, female and male vocals have solid ‘body’ and presence. They sound polite, piano sounds great, but crunchy blues-rock is lacking the ‘bite’.


They are meant to be inserted deep into the ear canal.

Lows: The bass leans toward ‘boomy’ than it is ‘punchy’. The Spaceship is definitely not for basshead. Some faster bass lines sound ‘one note’ like a subwoofer in a box that’s too small. Maybe this petite form factor is to blame. The bass, however, extends low enough for most genre.

Scalability: They open up and have more ‘authority’ with the more powerful front end. I feel they have low sensitivity despite the low impedance. Using my desktop setup brings improvement but portable users are not really missing much, you just need to crank the volume a little bit more.

Conclusion: For the natural timbre and balanced tuning, they are worth the asking price. The form factor is nice and refreshing. The package is interesting and makes you feel special. If you listen to jazz, blues, and acoustic genres, I highly recommend this one over those multi-drivers IEM in the price range of $20-$25.

Note: This was a personal purchase. I am not affiliated with the manufacturer or distributor of this product. The above is my personal opinion, and subject to change as my knowledge, experience, and associated equipment grow. Please feel free to comment with any input or question. Thank you for reading!

Pardon some hairline scratches on this few months old unit:

This is taken from my personal blog: https://willyboy.home.blog/2020/05/19/kb-ear-kb04-in-ear-monitor-review/

This is my first earphone from KB Ear. Following the popularity of their KB06, F1, and Diamond, I got interested in their KB04, which reportedly offers some refinements over its predecessors. Let’s find out!

Packaging/Accessories: The KB04 arrives in a simple but sturdy and attractive packaging. Black and green dominate the color scheme, with white lettering. Mine is the non-mic version. Six pairs of tips and one shirt clip were supplied.

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Build Quality: The KB04 is made of polished die cast alloy. Very impressive for this price range. The fit and finish is excellent. The cable is thin but is very supple with almost zero microphonic. The 2-pin connector snaps in positively, and they’re best left plugged in, in my opinion. There is very little to hold on to if you want to remove them. Going down, there is a rubber chin slider that actually holds itself therefore making it very effective. At the other end is the L-shaped plug with gold plated contacts.


Fit and Comfort: The KB04 is meant to be worn over the ear. As you can see below, the tips have different shapes. The black tips are umbrella-shaped, while the grey ones are more of ‘pitted olive’-shaped. I find the medium grey tips and the large black tips equally comfortable. The factory-supplied tips are nicely made. Isolation is very good, and noise leak is minimal. I feel the all-metal construction is contributing to the great noise blocking if this IEM.

Listening Preferences: I listen to anything from jazz, blues, world music, to classic rock and reggae. Martin Miller Band, Chrisye, Steely Dan, Kings of Convenience, Queen, Emi Fujita, Michael Franks, Bruno Mars, and others lent their music for this review.

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Sources: Spotify and YouTube HD via 2016 iPad Pro to represent portable setup. FLAC, WAV, and 320kbps MP3 with Vox player on a 2011 MacBook Pro and Burson Playmate to represent desktop setup for scalability.

Tuning/Sound Signature: With the KB04, one cannot address the matter of sound signature without addressing the ear tips. The two style of tips change the sound quite considerably. In general, the black umbrellas bring what I perceive as the more ‘neutral’ tuning with a slight bass boost. Meanwhile the grey olives brings a V-shape sound signature, with a little bit more bass boost to give it a ‘fun’ flavor. My music genres are better suited with the black umbrella tips, therefore this review is based on my impressions with the large black umbrella tips. The overall frequency response is smooth with no annoying peaks. You can enjoy two different tunings just by changing tips, that’s a win in my book!


Soundstage and Imaging: Soundstage on the KB04 is above average for a budget IEM. On good live recording tracks, the KB04 renders a semi circular stage in front and around your head. It definitely extends beyond your left and right ears. Even intimate recordings feel more open and airy. I love it. Instruments are placed firmly, and stereo effects such as panning is rendered nicely by the KB04. I can say that soundstage and imaging is one of the strong suit of KB04.

Lows: The lows on the KB04 is thick and plentiful. It extends to the sub-bass territory, without bleeding much to the lower mids. Running bass lines are rendered effortlessly. Kick drums and electric bass are also rendered with satisfying punch that makes you tap your foot with the rhythm of the music.

Mids: Midrange on the KB04 is neutral and rather laid back, in my opinion. Vocals are taking a step back, and forms a wide, slightly diffused image. Could it be the crossover point of the DD and the BA? Perhaps. Having said that, there is good clarity and detail in the midrange. They reveal layers of instruments within the midrange, which helps you to appreciate multi-instrumental music. Electric guitar has crunch and bite that will surely satisfy any rock and blues lovers.

Highs: The highs on the KB04 can be described as smooth and sweet. It has enough detail to be lively, but never harsh. It has good detail and its timbre is quite natural, which is commendable for a budget balanced armature handling the highs. It is not prone to sibilance nor does it have sharp peaks.


Scalability: Despite the low impedance and high sensitivity, they beg to be driven with a lot of gusto. Please don’t do them the disservice by plugging them to your mobile phones and then expecting them to shine. Feed them with clean, hi-res files via a good DAC and a decent amp, they’ll return the favor in spades. Trust me on this one.

Conclusion: I can easily recommend the KB04. It offers a more mature sound signature compared to the majority of IEM in its price range. It is well built, comfortable to wear, and offers a variety of tuning with some ear tips rolling. It does girl-and-a-guitar and your classic jazz trio beautifully, but multi-instrument, high-paced music is where the KB04 truly excels. Take it a step further and feed the KB04 with clean, high-amplitude signal, and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Note: This unit was purchased from AK Audio Store in AliExpress. I received some discount on this purchase, in exchange of this review. With that said, I am not affiliated with the manufacturer or distributor of this product, nor will I receive any commission if you purchase anything from the AK Audio Store. The above is my honest personal opinion, and subject to change as my knowledge, experience, and associated equipment grow. Please feel free to comment with any input or question. Thank you for reading!

Tuning/Sound Signature: Bright, clear, and tight. The sound is mid-centric with good clarity. The single dynamic drivers sound coherent, as expected. It is quite neutral, not overly cold/analytical or warm. I use Hiegi donut foam for this review, not the thin full foam provided in the package.

Soundstage: Soundstage on the H185 is about average for a pair of earbuds. Vocals are centered but the stage doesn’t extend beyond the ears. The stage expands left and right, not so much vertically. ‘80s rock ballads sounds glorious with these, but they don’t portray live venues well.

Highs: I think the highs started sloping down around 10kHz. There is not much shimmer and air on cymbals and brass instruments. Other than that, the treble is natural, definitely not screechy or piercing. No sibilance detected.

Mids: Midrange is emphasized, but not too forward. Very easy to listen to, forgiving to old and less-than-perfect recordings. Female vocals sound neutral, leaning towards thin. Male vocals definitely lack the fullness and body. Piano and acoustic guitar sound lively and nimble.

Lows: To my ears, the bass started rolling off below 100Hz. Pushing the buds against your ears definitely bring some of it back, and even introduce some sub-bass rumble. Contrabass is missing its woody timbre, cello is missing its fullness and body. Very little to no bass impact. But the good thing is the bass is tight, not boomy at all. The full foam may boost the bass, but I can’t afford to lose any more treble. Perhaps a double donut foam may help.

Conclusion: The Edifier H185 is a great option for the price. They have a balanced sound, good clarity, and they are easy to listen for an extended period. They are comfortable to wear, and are built well. They are missing the top and bottom ends, but maybe that’s what you like. If you’re a beginner, buy them to check if you like the mid-forward sound (like these have) or a V-shape sound (like most earphones in the market have). Thank you for reading!

Complete review here:
https://willyboy.home.blog/2020/03/28/edifier-h185-earbuds-review/

This is the second Burson product that I get to enjoy and review. I enjoy their V6 Classic and Vivid op amps, and I have high hopes on this one when Carlos from Burson Audio contacted me about reviewing their latest DAC/Pre Amp/Headphone Amp. I appreciate the opportunity to receive a unit in exchange of my honest review. I feel humbled anytime anyone made such offer to me, so big thanks to the Burson Audio team.

The unit is safely nestled in a press-fit foam, on either sides were the power supply unit, RCA cables, hex key, and mounting hardware should you decide to mount it in your PC case. Definitely gives an impression of a high quality and well-thought-out product.

Upon opening, the top side of the box gives you some information about the product’s functions and features. My unit is the Basic version, where the color is limited to Black, a remote control is optional, and it is shipped with JRC NE5532 op amps. I believe the higher models were shipped from the factory with your choice of V6 Classic or Vivid op amps, and there is the option of silver aluminum finish called the ‘Everest’. Pretty cool.

Their official page does a good job providing the information you need, further supplemented by the Download and Support page in their website.
https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/playmate/

The Playmate is built handsomely, it has brushed aluminum front and back panels, and powder-coated metal around. The RCA socket comes covered by rubber covers indicating their respective colors, the USB port and DC socket, are well made, and the on-off switch has a positive feel to it.

The sound.
Oh the sound. Clean, fast, perfect timing. It’s like chatting with the a knowledgeable, articulate, and well-mannered person on a subject you really like. You spend a lot of time with that person, you are still excited even though the macchiato you ordered is long gone, and you are in no rush to part ways.

I have not made any single change in my system ever since I got the Playmate. Usually I’ll take a component out of the system, plug it direct from the source, replace an op amp pre with a tube pre, put my DIY ones in, change a cable here, etc. None of these since I got the Playmate. Just enjoyable music listening. Ask my wife, she will testify on that, and she’s the more trustworthy one between us. *cheers*

For the longest time I have used the Muse Audio Mini TDA1543 DAC (pictured below). All you frequenters of DIY forums must have heard about this little guy. I prize it for its Non-Oversampling (NOS) which I believe lead to a non-fatiguing sound. I get ear fatigue easily, therefore additional artefacts or unnecessary upsampling (if not done correctly) bothers me. The Playmate must face this tough boy to win.

I listen, I let it play in the background, and listen some more. I read all 64 pages of the ESS9038 datasheet and tried to glean what I could. I listen, invited some friends over, and even involved my wife in a blind testing. The third method is probably the most interesting. She is a music lover, but she couldn’t care less about audio gear. I gave her a piece of paper and a pen, I asked her to take notes of her impression when the music was player through the Muse and the Playmate, nicknamed ‘Number 1’ and ‘Number 2’. I told her we cannot rely on our memory hence the importance of note-taking, and I didn’t tell her which one is which. I also allowed her to pick a song she’s familiar with to do the comparison. I dimmed the light and randomized the order of which I play Number 1 and Number 2.

My and our impressions:
The Muse has an edge on wider stage presentation and more attack. Music has presence without being fatiguing, which I really like.

The Playmate gives the sound more presence. Vocals gets fuller and takes center stage. Percussion sounds tighter, oh so good. It feels like a well-rehearsed performance, maybe this is what many would describe a ‘cold’ presentation, much like a pair of studio monitor.

On mellow, vocal-heavy music, the vocal is big and full. I wouldn’t describe it as warm though. Piano sounds natural and accurate, however, I am used to more ‘texture’ or detail in the piano sound on some tracks. Percussion and drums are presented nicely, from deep kick bass, groovy rim shots on the snare, all the way to subtle Latin percussions, very very enjoyable. A big part of my music is guitar-heavy, and I must say I find myself wanting for the crunch and bite that I know is there. That crunch and that texture would be great to have, but is it too much to ask to have them along with the easy-listening and accurate nature of the Playmate? As I said in the beginning, the Playmate will just play and play and you would just have music, you would listen and enjoy the music, although as you listen critically with the intention to review it you will notice a thing or two you’re missing.

Update: Impressions after changing the stock JRC5532 with V6 Classic and Vivid.

Having the V6 replaced the JRC5532 brings to you the last 5% that brings you to perfection. We’re talking about texture, weight, and air. I don’t know how you can use weight and air in the same sentence to describe sound, but they do! They reveal layers in records I’m familiar with, records I grew up with! I do notice details, layers, emotion, and texture that wasn’t there before.

The 5532 was (and to a certain extent- still is) the industry standard opamp. For a long time I used a genuine Signetics NE5532AN in my CMoy preamp. Objective testing shows that it is a good opamp, even compared to modern competitors. In the case of the Playmate, however, the installation of the V6 opamps is definitely an upgrade. Having the V6 Classic in the I/V stage and the V6 Vivid in the LPF stage improves the already technically-excellent Playmate by adding texture and revealing more details in the recording. Even with the increased detail, there is no harshness to speak of. It is pleasant to listen to, it provides ample detail for those who demand it, and it has enough power to drive any headphones or power amp to satisfy any listener.

In Indonesia where I live, Edifier has a decent following due to the popularity of their H180 and H185 earbuds, and their multimedia speakers. When I found out they have a full-sized headphone for USD25 at the time, I jumped on it. The following is a long-term report and there is a link to mod tutorial that I created.

We've heard of headphones that has crappy build quality but sounds great because the manufacturer seemingly put most of the budget in the drivers. Quite the contrary for the H840, in my opinion. It's well built. The plastics used are of good quality, they're thick and feels solid. There is very little to no creaking or noise from the casing itself. The headband and ear pads are soft pleather, definitely not hard or rough. The standard cable is 2 meters long with gold plated jack.

In its stock form, the sound can be described as 'warm' and I imagine suits modern pop music well. It has decent rumble and sub-bass even, but I feel the bass interferes too much with the mid-low and changes the overall balance of the sound. After owning it for ~1 year I decided to modify it to see if I can change the sound signature.

You can read about the mod here: https://willyboy.home.blog/2020/02/19/edifier-h840-review-and-mods/

After the mod, the sound is much much more balanced, I can heard ambience on recordings that were sound just dead and studio-like. The treble is extended and overall balance is improved. The mod is completely reversible, I highly recommend you look into it if you own one of these.