Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.6/5 (#41 and #45 of 450 in-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($19 vs $19.99), so choose on features and fit.
The case for the Moondrop Marigold: Across six hobbyist measurements on squig.link it earns a preference score of 81.6 with only 1.3 dB of deviation from target, an unusually even response for a single 10mm dynamic driver. Watch for: Treble and air sit about 1.5 dB under target, and a 7.4 dB dip near 10.9 kHz takes some sparkle off cymbals and room ambience.
The case for the Moondrop Quark 2: For a very low price, the Quark 2 scores 82 for preference in the median of seven hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with a near zero tilt and only about 1.3 dB of unevenness. The tradeoff: Treble is consistently subdued, sitting 2 to 3 dB below target from 3 to 16 kHz with a 6 dB dip near 11.2 kHz, so cymbals lack sparkle and the sound can feel slightly veiled.
Buy the Moondrop Marigold or the Moondrop Quark 2 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Moondrop Marigold | Moondrop Quark 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.00 | $19.99 |
| Ranked | #41 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #45 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 81 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.30 dB standard deviation | 1.25 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.30 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 7.8mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | - |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Moondrop Marigold: $19.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Across six hobbyist measurements on squig.link it earns a preference score of 81.6 with only 1.3 dB of deviation from target, an unusually even response for a single 10mm dynamic driver. Sub-bass holds within a fraction of a dB of target down to 20 Hz, so bass lines keep their weight, and a gentle lift of about 1 dB through the bass and low mids gives voices and instruments a warm body. It matches the DUNU Kima Classic and Shanling Tino on rating while costing a little less, and the 32 ohm load plus inline mic make it an easy phone companion.
Cons: Treble and air sit about 1.5 dB under target, and a 7.4 dB dip near 10.9 kHz takes some sparkle off cymbals and room ambience. A narrow 3.5 dB peak around 8.1 kHz can make a few sibilant recordings sound edgy despite the otherwise relaxed top end.
Full Moondrop Marigold review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.30 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 6 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.30 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Moondrop Quark 2: $19.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: For a very low price, the Quark 2 scores 82 for preference in the median of seven hobbyist measurements on squig.link, with a near zero tilt and only about 1.3 dB of unevenness. Bass and midrange stay within about 1 dB of target and the upper response has no peak above half a dB, so it never sounds shouty or sharp. A built in microphone makes it handy for calls.
Cons: Treble is consistently subdued, sitting 2 to 3 dB below target from 3 to 16 kHz with a 6 dB dip near 11.2 kHz, so cymbals lack sparkle and the sound can feel slightly veiled. Sub-bass is about 1.6 dB shy of target, and several rivals such as the KZ EDZ earn the same rating at a similar price.
Full Moondrop Quark 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.25 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 7.8mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons