Updated: Nov 19, 2020
Pros: Great Aesthetics, Build Quality, Inoffensive sound for casual use
Cons: Overall sound quality is mediocre
Driver Setup: Single Dynamic
Price: $10 (USD)
Intro
Disclaimer: This review is done of my own accord and I purchased this set at full price from Taobao at a price of around $10 SGD.
The Moondrop Shiro Yuki (translating literally into “White Snow”) are a pair of MX500 style shell earbuds made by the same guys who brought us the Kanas Pro, A8 and Starfield among many other higher-budget hits. With such a good track record, I went into this product having relatively high expectations. However, this was a lowkey product released without much fanfare or attention. Without further ado, let’s dive into the review.
Packaging and Accessories (Score: 7/10)
The Shiro Yuki comes in a simple tin can case which can be unscrewed to open. It comes with the earbuds nicely coiled up inside with a microfibre cloth and a few pairs of earbud foams.
All these are nice and help justify the price which is a little on the pricey side for an entry-level earbud. I like the whole aesthetic and it is quite above average in this aspect.
Build Quality and Fit (Score: 7.5/10)
For the fit of the Shiro Yuki, it is the same as for any generic MX500 type shell, love it or hate it. For me, I’ve had a few earbuds with this shape, so I’m used to it. Nothing spectacular or out of the ordinary here.
I was pretty impressed with the build quality. The cable is good for the price tag. It is really soft and doesn’t kink up even after months of use. It’s a 4-wire twist, all covered up by thin silicone. I especially like the audio jack and Y-split, everything is just very understated and classy, giving off a “premium” vibe. I’ve gotten a few compliments from friends who saw these lying around on my desk.
Sound (Overall Score: 5.5/10)
Albums listened to
- Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely
- Michael Bublé – It’s Time
- Michael Bublé – Call Me Irresponsible
- Phillip Phillips – The World from the Side of the Moon
- Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood Mac
Source used
- Fiio Q1 MkII
- Shanling M3s
Bass (Score: 5/10)
The bass is decent on the Shiro Yuki for an earbud. I find bass, especially sub-bass, usually quite weak on earbuds but simply because of the lack of a seal given the nature of earbuds. The bass response is relatively punchy but doesn’t extend that low giving the feeling of a very-early roll-off.
Mids (Score: 6/10)
This is probably the best performing area of the sound. I really liked how smooth the vocals blend into the music, especially the male vocals. In Michael Bublé’s “Everything”, the way Bublé’s vocals slid into the music feels quite soothing and has a very relaxing vibe to it. However, because of the imbalance in the overall tuning, I wouldn’t exactly say the mids are very well done either. The upper mids sound a little weird in some tracks. I can’t really put a finger to it.
Treble (Score: 4.5/10)
Treble is really lacking in the sound of the Shiro Yuki and it can make the mids seem a little unbalanced in several songs. It tilts the balance quite significantly and makes the sound seem a little “warped”. It gives off the feeling that there’s quite a significant chunk of music detail and information missing in the treble. In Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely”, the jingles and cymbal crashes just lacked the air and sparkle that satisfies.
Overall
The soundstage and imaging have to be the stars of the sound in the Shiro Yuki, and they have been the only reasons why I still leave them in my cupboard whenever I feel I need to listen to music but still be aware of the sounds around me. Listening to Michael Bublé’s “Save The Last Dance for Me”, the placement of all the drums and instruments in the intro is done pretty well. Overall, I would say this is a very chill pair of earbuds that are good for audiobooks and non-serious listening sessions.
Comparisons
Shiro Yuki vs Venture Electronics Monk Plus ($8 SGD)
The cable on the Shiro Yuki is much better than those on the VE Monk Plus and although the Shiro Yuki is pricier than the Monks, the Monks has an upgraded cable version which is almost twice the price of the Shiro Yuki. I like the bass on the Monks much more, but I personally would pick the Shiro Yuki over the Monks as I prefer a more soothing relaxed signature. Monks have a more bass-focused tuning that would appeal to many, but it also sounds a little rougher and unrefined.
Conclusion
These are a pair of average earbuds that look really nice. If you need a pair of earbuds for casual use and the sound signature happens to seem like something that suits you then, by all means, it would be a good buy. Just don’t expect too much from this earbud, especially if you’re used to being amazed by Moondrop products.