Moondrop Illustrious & Meteor IEM Review: Smoothness vs. Detail

This review dives into a head-to-head comparison of two Moondrop in-ear monitors (IEMs): the Illustrious and the Meteor. Both IEMs boast impressive packaging and build quality, exceeding expectations for their respective price points, though significant differences exist in their design and sonic characteristics. We'll explore the nuances of their packaging, cable quality, fit and comfort, and most importantly, their distinct sound signatures. The review will analyze whether the Illustrious justifies its significantly higher price tag compared to the Meteor, considering factors like comfort, soundstage, and overall listening experience.We will examine the strengths and weaknesses of each IEM, highlighting the Illustrious's surprisingly warm and smooth sound profile, its open-back-like listening experience, and its exceptional comfort for those sensitive to sealed IEMs. Conversely, we'll evaluate the Meteor's balanced sound signature, its controlled bass response, and its improved resolution and clarity compared to the Illustrious. Ultimately, this review aims to help you decide which Moondrop IEM best suits your listening preferences and budget, considering their price-to-performance ratio in the context of competitor offerings.

Pros And Cons

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Unboxing and Accessories

Both the Moondrop Meteor and Illustrious come with impressive packaging, exceeding expectations for their price points. The Meteor's packaging, while large, provides a satisfying unboxing experience. It includes a robust case, multiple ear tip options (silicone and Ultra Clears), and a cable. The case itself is surprisingly well-made, exceeding the quality of the Illustrious's case in terms of both aesthetics and functionality.

The Illustrious's packaging is even more extravagant, showcasing a truly premium feel. Despite its immense size, it offers a well-organized presentation. It too includes a case, but significantly expands the ear tip selection, offering silicone, foam, and Ultra Clears. The inclusion of multiple ear tip types demonstrates a commitment to fitting a wide range of ears.

Cables and Build Quality

The Meteor's cable is a standout feature, praised for its aesthetics, weight, and lack of kinks, making it a significant improvement over the Illustrious's cable. The Illustrious's cable, while visually appealing in some aspects, is let down by its tendency to kink, a disappointment given the high price point.

Both IEMs feature swappable 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations, adding versatility. The process of swapping is straightforward and well-designed in both models, demonstrating attention to detail. The build quality of both IEMs is exceptional; the Meteor showcases a unique meteorite inlay, adding an element of luxury.

Ergonomics and Fit

Despite the Meteor's large shell, its ergonomic design ensures a surprisingly comfortable and secure fit. The hook placement contributes significantly to stability. While the Illustrious's smaller shell is more discreet, it can feel slightly less secure in the ear without the right ear tips.

Both IEMs feature a smooth nozzle with no lip, potentially affecting tip security. The Meteor's nozzle is slightly wider (6.5mm) compared to the Illustrious's (5.5mm), yet both deliver a comfortable fit. While the Illustrious sits more deeply within the ear canal, the Meteor provides more stability.

Sound Quality: Moondrop Illustrious

The Illustrious offers a surprisingly warm, smooth sound profile despite its bass-light frequency response. Its exceptional ventilation creates an open-back-like listening experience, setting it apart. This makes it ideal for those sensitive to the 'plunger' effect often experienced with fully sealed IEMs, especially in busy environments.

The Illustrious excels in smooth vocals and mids, lacking sharp treble extension. While not hyper-analytical, its spacious soundstage prevents it from feeling claustrophobic. The open nature of this IEM makes it a standout choice for those who desire a less isolating listening experience, making it more suitable for home use with children or pets.

Sound Quality: Moondrop Meteor

The Meteor, contrary to expectations, doesn’t deliver a booming bass response despite its large driver and housing. Instead, it provides a well-controlled, tight bass that is a bit constrained, even with EQ adjustments. The treble is smoother than many IEMs in its price range.

The Meteor's sound signature offers a good balance, prioritizing smoothness over excessive detail or bass. The mid-range is well-defined, with vocals slightly pushed forward for improved clarity and presence. While not as impressive in terms of bass impact as some competitors, its resolution and clarity remain noteworthy.

Comparison and Conclusion

Both the Moondrop Meteor and Illustrious offer unique sound signatures. The Illustrious prioritizes smoothness and an open listening experience, making it suitable for less critical listening scenarios. The Meteor, while less open, offers better resolution and clarity, ideal for more detailed listening experiences.

The Illustrious's open design and lack of occlusion are its most significant selling points, though its $900 price tag makes it a difficult recommendation. The Meteor is a better value proposition, offering a balanced and smooth listening experience, but not class-leading in any particular aspect. Both are overpriced, especially considering the superior bass performance of some competitors.