I. Introduction
MOONDROP has recently launched the MOONDROP Meteor IEM, featuring a 13mm dynamic driver, two balanced armatures, and four planar drivers. This high-end IEM is available in India at ₹48,990 and comes with two types of silicone eartips in multiple sizes, a modular cable with both 3.5mm & 4.4mm connectors, and a leather carry case.
I have been using the MOONDROP Meteor IEM for the past three weeks with the HiBy R8 II digital player, and here is my in-depth review and personal experience with this IEM.
II. Design and Build Quality
The MOONDROP Meteor features a uniquely designed shell. The faceplate incorporates a circular slice of meteorite stone, giving it a special and premium look. The shell is constructed from high-quality black-tinted transparent material using 3D XTM technology, offering an elite and classic feel.
The build quality is top-notch, both for the shell and the included stock cable. The MOONDROP Meteor truly stands out in terms of aesthetics and craftsmanship.
III. Comfort and Fit
When I first saw images of the MOONDROP Meteor, I thought it might be bulky and uncomfortable. However, to my surprise, MOONDROP has done an excellent job. Instead of making the IEM wider, they increased its length, ensuring a comfortable fit.
I used the stock grey silicone eartips, which fit me perfectly without creating air pressure issues. I have worn the MOONDROP Meteor for 2–3 hours continuously without any discomfort.
IV. Sound Quality
The MOONDROP Meteor delivers a perfect blend of detail and musicality.
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Bass is deep and rumbly.
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Vocals are warm and textured.
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Treble is sparkly and detailed.
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Soundstage is wide.
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Imaging is precise.
Overall, the MOONDROP Meteor has a natural tonality, and with proper power, its sound scales significantly.
Bass
The MOONDROP Meteor utilizes a 13mm dynamic driver with a neodymium magnet, ensuring low distortion and high clarity.
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Sub-bass presence is deep, rumbly, and well-textured.
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Better bass quantity and quality than the Blessing 2 & Blessing 3.
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Clean bass performance without bleeding into the midrange or highs.
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Fast bass decay.
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Quality over quantity – bass is present only when required, ensuring clear mids and highs.
I usually don’t prefer MOONDROP’s bass tuning, but the MOONDROP Meteor impressed me with its controlled and well-textured bass.
Midrange
The MOONDROP Meteor delivers natural, emotional, and textured vocals.
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Male and female vocals sound mature and well-balanced.
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Captures nuances effortlessly.
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Immersive experience – feels like you are sitting next to the singer.
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No harshness or sharpness in vocals.
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Perfect balance in vocal weight – neither too thick nor too thin.
If you appreciate rich vocals, this IEM is a blessing for vocal lovers.
Treble
The MOONDROP Meteor excels in treble performance.
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Sparkly, detailed, and musical treble.
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Realistic tonality.
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Reveals micro-details that many IEMs in this price range miss.
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Delivers an immersive experience, making you notice new details in familiar songs.
The four micro-planar drivers seem to play a crucial role in achieving this level of treble refinement.
Soundstage & Imaging
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Wide soundstage, though it lacks height and holographic depth.
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Precise imaging, allowing you to pinpoint every note’s position.
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Despite the wide soundstage, the experience remains immersive and head-filling.
V. Value and Competition
At the ₹50,000 price point, two competing IEMs have gained popularity:
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Hisenior Mega5EST (₹49,990)
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ThieAudio Oracle MKIII (₹54,990)
MOONDROP Meteor vs. Hisenior Mega5EST
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Mega5EST has a more compact shell.
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Soundstage is congested in Mega5EST.
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Mega5EST has higher bass quantity, but Meteor’s bass is more textured and refined.
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Mega5EST’s sound is slightly thicker.
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Meteor’s wide soundstage results in a cleaner and clearer listening experience.
MOONDROP Meteor vs. ThieAudio Oracle MKIII
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Oracle MKIII is warmer and smoother.
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Meteor has a wider soundstage, though Oracle MKIII is close.
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Oracle MKIII’s bass is more tactile but often overbearing, while Meteor maintains clarity and detail.
VI. Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| U-shaped sound signature | Fit may be an issue for those with small ears |
| Deep & rumbly bass | |
| Warm & textured midrange | |
| Clean, detailed & musical treble | |
| Wide soundstage & precise imaging | |
| Premium build & modular 3.5mm & 4.4mm cable | |
| High-quality stock accessories | |
| End-game IEM for many users |
VII. Conclusion
The MOONDROP Meteor is a mature-sounding IEM. It’s not an instant dopamine hit, but rather a perfect blend of accuracy and musicality. You need to spend a few days or weeks to truly appreciate its tuning, and once you do, it becomes a strong reference point—without spending lakhs of rupees.
If you appreciate detail, good tonality and timbre, clean sound, rumbly but controlled bass, and a wide soundstage, and you have a budget of ₹50,000, then I highly recommend the MOONDROP Meteor as your next daily driver. I strongly believe this will be an end-game IEM for many audiophiles and enthusiasts.
This IEM was launched a few months ago, but it hasn't received the recognition it deserves. If you get the chance to try it, do share your experience in the comments below.
At The Audio Store, we make it our mission to bring hidden gems to the forefront. In our next review, we will be exploring the 7HZ G1 IEM.
Until next time – listen to music, not just hardware. Spread this hobby!
If you want to listen to the MOONDROP Meteor, we have a demo unit at The Audio Store. Book an appointment and experience it alongside various IEMs and sources.
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MOONDROP Meteor IEM Unboxing Video -
