Moondrop Blessing 2
Buy the Blessing 2 (MY user):
Looks: Medium sized IEM with a bigger than average nozzle. I don't have a single problem fitting the IEM but yours might vary. It comes with a carrying case and a set of eartips. The presentation is excellent in my opinion. The build quality of the IEM (2 pin) is solid and the cable (3.5mm) is great as well.
Signature: Neutral/DF Bright (VSDF according to Moondrop)
Bass: A
Not the fastest but you will be rewarded with a DD timbre. If you have been in the audio long enough, timbre accuracy is what you are finding for and Blessing 2 provides it. The dynamic driver in Blessing 2 is a bit of shocking where it sounds more that what it graphed. Especially the midbass punch. It is quite enjoyable that can give pleasure for certain tracks that focusing on midbass punch rather than 60hz subbass rumble. It falls a bit early lower down the 60Hz unfortunately which doesn't really shine in Hip Hop genre. Nevertheless, the subbass is not muted and can be EQed to a certain degree if you are that eager to get a little more rumble. I did this with iFi xCan and I find it quite exciting but don't expect a top tier subbass rumble.
Mids: A+
Mid is excellent but with a quirk but let me explain that in the vocal section as it's more about vocals than a casual mids. Aside from that, B2's mids resolution is impressive. It carries a hefty of information effortless in this regard. To add cherry on top, the mids has an excellent separation from the bass department that can ensure a free bloat enjoyment. Note that, the set is more toward on the uppermids than the lower mids which gives a vibe of neutral sounding. So, is this a straight champ for middle heads? wait...
Vocals: A-
Mids is the hardest part when it comes to a hybrid setup due to the DD and the BA crossover. I find B2 vocals randomly missing a body/actual weight in certain tracks (occasionally) even the track carries midbass punch as well. Yes, the vocal does sound very well in most of tracks but certain tracks can be a little "eh" moment for folks that do CARE about vocals and its weight. It is an excellent vocal performance nevertheless but if you are expecting a lifelike weight, that could be a downside. Why? The lower mids is not B2's strength which is an important aspect to deliver vocal which carries lifelike weight and body (emotion). With that said, B2 vocals note weight can be a little thin-ish but it is NOT too obvious at least. Other than that, I also suspect the BA timbre that could result this as well. You instead will have astonishingly clean vocals and well transparent. Take an example of ER2SE even with less lows than this but does carry a lifelike weight to the vocals. So, is it a deal breaker? Probably.. especially to vocal sluts out there that is particular to lifelike vocal reproduction. Though, I see an OPPORTUNITY for people that look for details and resolution at this price range.
Highs: A+
Straight up, upper mids to highs are the center of this set. It is brilliant! This is one of the B2's strengths and Moondrop pushes everything they can do. Highs are excellent. It is extended well and it is a bit on the "sss" side but it is not that bright that can kill your eardrum. However, I feel like B2's lower treble is a little 1-2dB beyond my liking (YMMV) that can lead to shouty/strident in that range. Aside from that, it is detailed and layered. Impressive price to performance ratio ever heard from me. Other than that is the air, something about 10khz+. Usually this range doesn't really carry much information but this range can give a different feeling to the overall sound. Last octave is not a deal breaker at this price range as any other sets in this price range can't even do this as well. (at least from my experience). The last octave critique is a bit of nitpick but it's a good thing for you to know.
Staging: A
Another B2's strength. Imaging and soundstaging are straight up excellent at this price range. It is sharp, layered and pinpointing. It places each instrument in a right place. It is not that deep due to the tuning but wide and well spread. The image of the vocal appears in front of the staging which is the main focus of the overall harmony.
Pairing (source):
1. USB C Apple dongle:
This is my benchmark for any IEM reviews. The reasoning is simple, I want to keep the source as neutral as possible to compare the sonic difference between them.
2. Matrix X Sabre > Airist Heron 5:
This is my own favorite desktop setup that I drive my HD800 and this has VERY deep, thick, lush, and grand presentation which will effect the sound of the of headphones or IEMs. I use this to see if anything can be scaled up or not but all the reviews are solely from USB C Apple dongle.
To answer the question about scaling up the Blessing 2. Short answer is yes. In what manners? Mostly about the midrange thickness. The lower mids are more prominent as well as the treble sounds more rounded. Other than that, the obvious thing is the imaging cleanliness and sharpness. The layering is outstanding and I can say that it is a night and day improvement. With that said, I recommend you to have a great grand sounding DAP to make Blessing 2 shines the BEST for portable use but the dongle is still good nevertheless.
Note that, there is a slight hiss with this setup but didn't bother me when I start playing some tracks on.
Comparison:
Etymotic ER2SE:
Timbre and coherency wise, ER2SE does edge. ER2SE falls short for the imaging and soundstage by a good margin. Blessing 2 boasts its uppermids to highs resolution effortless while still having a DD timbre at the lows. Vocals do sound more natural on ER2SE even with almost the same note weight at this section. DD on both can be EQed but the edge for Blessing 2. The midbass is more prominent on Blessing 2 and sound more airy. Both carries forward signature but none of them are too forward.
Campfire Audio Comet:
Timbre does edge on Blessing 2 but the coherency I would probably choose Comet. Both carries great imaging and soundstage but Blessing 2 is sharper meanwhile Comet does more in a 3D-holographic manner. Resolution straight up goes for Blessing 2 no question. Highs definition is marginally better on Blessing 2 which Comet does struggle at. Vocals sounded lusher on Comet with a heavier note weight. Overall, Blessing 2 does edge over Comet in every single aspect unless you want a warm and lush set.
Conclusion:
Did I enjoy listening to Blessing 2? Absolutely YES! Did I soaked into the music and "high" with this set? Hmmm... I need to think twice (pun intended). Nevertheless, Blessing 2 is still a $300 benchmark and has the ability to disrupt kilobuck iem market. This $300 set has an impeccable technicalities at this price range while also having an great tonality. Crazy good deal! What Blessing 2 best at? I simply can conclude, this is the most resolving uppermids and also highs at this price range while having above average staging, and dare to say it's the best I've heard under $500 in this regard!
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