In-ear headphones are a great way to listen to music. They have natural noise cancellation and their audio quality always impresses compared to many other headphones on the market.
The only disadvantage people may find with IEMs is that they need a wired connection. Whether it's a 2-pin 0.78mm connector or an MMCX end, you'll need a cable to go from the monitor to the audio source. Most people like to use DACs or amplifiers to enhance the sound, and that adds up. further Cables you'll need to get your sound system working. Taking all that stuff on the road is a hassle and frankly not something I want to deal with.
Luckily, some companies have designed an ergonomic solution to this problem: Bluetooth ear-hook DACs/Amps. You can take your favorite IEMs with you wherever you go and get that high-quality sound you love thanks to a built-in amplifier. With the number of new IEMs on the market, such as the Campfire Astrolith or the Empire Triton, people should be looking for ways to improve their listening experience. Today, I picked two such designs from different companies to see how they compare. Let's dive into the details of the two IEMs. MoonDrop EVO and the Pods GO by iFi Audio.
What comes in the box
MoonDrop EVO – $89.99 | iFi Audio GO Pods: $399.00 |
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Aesthetics and comfort
These devices have a very different look. The Go Pods opt for a black geometric design that starts at the charging case and runs all the way to the device itself. It’s a sleek design that complements a variety of different IEM styles. It’s slim and not too heavy during use, but has enough weight to act as a counterweight to the in-ear IEM. It’s a little wide and difficult to slide behind your ear – as someone who wears glasses, I found them a little cumbersome to position correctly so that everything sits comfortably while listening.
On the other hand, the EVO has a more delicate look in white and grey. It has a slightly bulkier design – they take the “drop” in “MoonDrop” quite literally when referring to the shape. Width-wise, it’s pretty thin, so placing it over my ear was easy, and it’s fairly lightweight. I liked the counterweight it had with the IEMs, so it didn’t feel too heavy on one side. It fit better around my ear compared to the Go Pods, and it didn’t get in the way of my glasses either.
For me, the MoonDrops won in the comfort test. In terms of exterior styling, I like the Go Pods a lot more; there are more IEMs that match the Go Pods' style well than the EVOs. I definitely think MoonDrop could release a second version of these, perhaps in a different color or design to appeal to a wider audience.
Functionality
Both ear-hook DACs paired easily with my devices. There wasn’t much digging required on either end to figure out how to pair them, which is always a plus when Bluetooth is involved. The Go Pods get an extra point for adaptability, as you had the option to switch between a 2-pin 0.78mm connection or an MMCX connection. The EVO only allows for a 2-pin connection, so that limits the number of IEMs you could potentially pair it with.
Each device had accessible touch controls on the main body of the DAC. Touch sensitivity wasn’t great on either, but it was more noticeable on the EVO than the Go Pods. The Go Pods had a much quicker reaction time and much better accessibility on the controls. The MoonDrop EVO took a few tries to get the controls to work, so it was easier to control it from my personal device to change volume, change songs, etc.
Bluetooth range is pretty impressive on both, but battery life is where they differ again. The Go Pods provided a long 7-hour battery life on a full charge, with an additional 30 hours with the case. The EVO had a 2-hour battery life on a full charge. I wouldn’t be able to use them for long periods of time, making them more ideal for listening to music on short trips.
For me, the Go Pods are the most functional. They have better adaptability and longer battery life, as well as being more durable for those who listen for long periods of time. The MoonDrop EVO fall short in this category.
Technical specifications
Moon Drop EVO | iFi GO Capsules |
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Listening review
I used the same IEMs for both products, so there are fewer variables to consider when comparing. I love the sound of the ThieAudio Elixir IEMsand since they have a 0.78mm 2-pin connection, those were the ones I chose to test. They offer a bit more bass response on their own, so I wanted to see what kind of response they would get with an additional amp connected.
The Go Pods offered great sound quality for a variety of different genres. They were relatively flat, which didn’t bother me as an additional piece of gear on top of the already signature Elixirs. The most noticeable change was the improvement in the high and mid ranges. In rock music, electric guitars have an added vibrancy and sparkle to them that I really liked. I could hear how some of the low end of the drums and bass lines were pushed back while the mids and highs took center stage. The Buzzcocks’ discography was one of my favorites while listening. The singer’s higher register coupled with the distorted effect of the electric guitars was accentuated in the soundstage and didn’t sound overly compressed.
As for the EVO, I also liked the sound they offered. It was a bit more dynamic than the Go Pods, and the bass received some extra amplification. They gave the tracks I listened to a lot more color and character. I particularly enjoyed listening to pop music with these. Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Lady Gaga were my top picks when using this DAC. The added brightness of the EVO makes synthetic drum hits pop, and vocals really shine in the finely tuned midrange. I will say that there was a loss of clarity when transferring from wired listening to the EVO, but it wasn’t enough to make me not want to listen to more. The sound tightened up significantly, and a wide soundstage was transformed into a tighter, more precise field.
Summary
In conclusion, there are some great IEM accessories on the market that you can consider. In terms of price, they are in very different leagues, so it’s up to you which direction you want to go. If you’re an audiophile and want a reliable brand to upgrade your high-end IEMs, the iFi Go Pods might be for you. If $400 is a high price for you and you’re not sure if you’ll like the accessory, try the budget-friendly MoonDrop EVO.
I recommend giving them a listen for yourself with your favorite pair of IEMs to determine which one is best for you. Depending on the monitors you have, you may like the sound of one DAC more than another. Everyone hears a little differently, and you may have different opinions and preferences than what I've expressed here. Give them a try and pick your favorite!
You can try it and buy it Moon Drop EVO and the iFi Go Capsules in Audio46.
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