Moondrop May USB-C Headphones Review

[Earfonia]

After longer listening test me and my son found the above equalization is a bit tiring at higher volume and longer session. Therefore here is the final EQ to match my target even better:

Current equalization in red, previous equalization in blue.

Comparison to Harman Target IE 2019

Comparison to my own target EITC-2021

I found these equalization sound best for Moondrop MAY:
60Hz -2.0 dB Q:0.2
125Hz +1.0 dB Q: 0.4
200Hz +0.0 dB Q: 0.4
1400Hz -1.3 dB Q: 0.4
3000Hz -2.2 dB Q: 1.4
3500Hz -2.5 dB Q: 3.0
5000Hz +0.6 dB Q: 3.0
7000Hz +0.5 dB Q: 3.0
9000Hz +1.9 dB Q: 2.0

 

[Earfonia]

Recently I completed fine tuning my latest IEM preference target curve, I call it EITC-25. I have tuned my Moondrop MAY to EITC-25, it sounds better than my previous target EITC-2021.

Big thanks to Moondrop the uploaded EQ for EITC-25 has been listed in the "Featured EQ list" in the MOONDROP Link app, the EQ name: Earfonia - EITC-25


I really appreciate anyone who is willing to try it and to provide me with some feedback, thanks in advance!

Moondrop MAY Custom EQ for EITC-25:

60Hz -4.0 dB Q: 0.2 - Peaking EQ
125Hz +2.0 dB Q: 0.4 - Peaking EQ
200Hz -1.0 dB Q: 0.4 - Peaking EQ
1400Hz -3.0 dB Q: 0.9 - Peaking EQ
3000Hz -2.0 dB Q: 1.4 - Peaking EQ
4000Hz -3.0 dB Q: 2.5 - Peaking EQ
5150Hz +2.0 dB Q: 4.0 - Peaking EQ
7000Hz +0.0 dB Q: 3.0 - Peaking EQ
11500Hz +3.0 dB Q: 1.0 - High Shelving

 

[Ilkless]

Just got a May. Atrocious difficulty of fitting tips on the nozzle aside, wonderful sound with the standard EQ, and with much better fit and weight distribution than the Lans they replace. I had been looking for a resin shell as the angular metal shells are unwieldy and also take drops much harder. Due to the nature of my work my Lans get thrown around a lot and the weight of the stainless steel actually made them split apart at the seam after a couple of drops.

As I intend to use the May for work calls too, the microphone is useful, and I've always liked the braided cable. If I had to quibble, the Crinacle Reds I tried before buying the Mays had the better cable (buttery smooth to untangle, low microphonics, more densely braided and sheathed reducing the risk of snagging).

But Moondrop's target curve works better for me (wider spatial effects, nice upper midrange without the 3kHz edge).

Those who prefer a touch more at 3kHz and more midbass will be well served by the Zero Reds though. Crinacle was a schoolmate long ago (doubt he'd remember me but thanks mate for letting your schoolmates get our grubby fingers and sweaty ears on your SRH440s, M50s and HFI-580 15 years ago) so I was hoping to support him, but I'm one of those that like the Moondrop IEMs that track Harman ~120Hz-2kHz before peaking a touch lower at 3kHz (not all do but the Lan and now the May with EQ appear to do so well).

Crinacle's range is tuned in the right ballpark with some tasteful adjustments for taste ultimately and I think it's wonderful IEMs are starting to converge on quality.

If I had to quibble about the Mays, I think the slightest slightest more bite around 8kHz would be great for me (i.e. converge back towards Harman)

 

[Dazerdoreal]

The sound signature of the default DSP EQ looks right up my alley.

Squiglink - IEM frequency response database by Super* Review

Compare hundreds of frequency response graphs between IEMs and earphones from manufacturers like Moondrop, Sony, 64 Audio, Fiio, and more.

squig.link

Do I understand correctly that I just need to plug in the DSP into any kind of device (phone, laptop, pc, tablet, dap) in order to get the EQ'd sound signature?
No need for any additional drivers or the app? Would Linux also work?

 

[CedarX]

The sound signature of the default DSP EQ looks right up my alley.

Squiglink - IEM frequency response database by Super* Review

Compare hundreds of frequency response graphs between IEMs and earphones from manufacturers like Moondrop, Sony, 64 Audio, Fiio, and more.

squig.link

Do I understand correctly that I just need to plug in the DSP into any kind of device (phone, laptop, pc, tablet, dap) in order to get the EQ'd sound signature?
No need for any additional drivers or the app? Would Linux also work?

Yes, that’s correct, the EQ settings are saved on-board, into the USB-C chip and they “stick”, regardless of the device you connect MAY into—that’s the main interest of this solution. In the case of MAY, it’ll show up as a UAC 2.0 audio device. Pretty much every “smart” device supports these, the exception being things like a Nintendo Switch and a few other devices only supporting UAC 1.0.
Oh, and since I read this quite often in other forums: UAC 2.0 is not USB 2.0…

 

[Dazerdoreal]

Okay, thank you