Moondrop, known for their impressive IEMs and anime branding, has released a new pair of earphones that I’d like to share my thoughts on. The COSMO earphones start at $899.99. We’ll go over all the details of the physical design and sound quality in this review.
What comes in the box
- COSMO Headphones
- 4.4mm balanced cable
- 4.4mm to 6.35mm adapter
- Manual
- anime card
- Certificate
- Service card
Aesthetics and Functionality
The looks of the COSMO headphones are pretty stellar. The silver plating with black leather is pleasing to the eye and makes them a nice accessory for any audio setup. The metallic sheen gives them a futuristic and cosmic look, living up to their name. The plates are very flat, thanks to the ultra-thin nanometer-scale diaphragm, and they don’t feel bulky on the outside during use. The suspended adjustable headband allows for optimal and personalized comfort during use. The attached cable is quite thick, which is great for durability in different listening environments.
As for my personal comfort during use, I have to say that I was a little disappointed. I found that even the smallest setting didn’t fit my head well and the bottom of the earcups didn’t fit my head perfectly. The earcups were too big for my ear and the ear cushions didn’t offer any extra space between my ear and the driver. While listening, background noise could be heard through the bottom of the earcups. It wasn’t an ideal situation and it took me a little while to get them to fit nicely and comfortably.
Fortunately, setup was very easy. Integrating the COSMO into my audio setup was straightforward and didn’t require many extra steps. It comes with a 4.4mm balanced cable and a 6.35mm to 1/4” adapter. This makes it easy to pair with many desktop or portable DACs and amplifiers. For my setup, I used the FiiO KA11 amplifier plugged into my laptop.
Technical specifications
- 100mm Planar Magnetic Driver
- Sensitivity: 100dB/Vrms (@1kHz)
- Impedance: 15Ω ± 1.5% (@1kHz)
- Frequency range: 13 Hz – 58 kHz (IEC 61094, free field)
- Effective frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (IEC 60318-4, -3 dB)
- Headphone jack: 3.5mm
- Cable plug: 4.4mm
Listening review
Sound scene
The COSMOs’ soundstage was fairly wide, but surprisingly narrow for a pair of open-back headphones. I got immersed in my listening and enjoyed hearing the details in the placement of the different instruments. The sound was smooth and came together in a very relaxed vibe, and things stayed relatively quieter than I expected. It’s very detailed and gives plenty of room in the frequency ranges, and the headphones themselves play pretty loud. The amp just accentuated what was good about these, though I’m sure I wasn’t missing out on anything by not having it. MoonDrop opts for a very attenuated headphone, which belies its branding to be a powerful and dynamic piece of technology.
Low frequencies
The bass is very warm. It offers plenty of powerful thumps when it comes to percussion, and basslines have a more vibrant, full-bodied sound. They have a little roll-off that makes them not hit as hard as they would on other pairs, and the subwoofers don’t get as much power as I expected. This could be because the fit isn’t optimal and my ears weren’t fully covered during use. While the bass sat comfortably in the mixes I listened to, I think it could have been a bit more powerful to drive the mixes. In particular, Kid Cudi’s “Day ‘N’ Nite (nightmare)” sounded very different on the COSMOs than it did on my regular headphones. It leaned towards the brighter side rather than bass-heavy with the powerful kick drum, and it was an interesting balance to listen to.
Midrange Frequencies
The midrange is where the COSMO shines the most. Vocals fit nicely into the mix, but it’s not the first thing you notice. They definitely get a lot of attention, as there’s a lot of color coming out of the timbre of each person’s voice across a plethora of genres. The other frequencies get their fair share of detail, but they fade in comparison to the vocals. There’s a lot of space to be heard in the range, and it makes for easy listening that doesn’t become too strenuous. I noticed the vocal clarity in The Beatles’ “Because” from their LOVE album. This version is an a cappella mix that cuts through all the instrumentals, and all you hear is a slight ambiance with layers of harmonies. I really enjoyed how they sounded through the COSMO, bringing out the detail and layers in each vocal.
High frequencies
This is the section I had some issues with. The highs and other treble have a lot of clarity and piercing qualities to them – one could even argue that they are too much. The shrill sound of many high strings combined with the already detailed clarity of other high-end instruments was too overwhelming for the high end. In some environments, this sound profile could be an advantage. Classical ensembles thrived on strings and room reverb being able to resonate. When combined with an attenuated low end and very detailed vocals, listening becomes fatiguing and less enjoyable. They are indeed detailed and have a lot of colorful qualities, but it is a bit of an overkill. They do not balance well with the low end and made for an unbalanced listening experience for me.
Summary
MoonDrop is a great brand. They are a go-to recommendation for IEMs and other accessories that go with them. However, I think they (moon) missed the mark with these earphones. The fit wasn't comfortable for long listening sessions and the sound signature didn't impress me like I thought it would. Yes, the detail in the soundstage and sturdy build are big pluses. I can see these being a great pair for people who don't like having a lot of bass in their mixes. However, a not-very-balanced low and high end is a deal breaker as it's not something I would listen to on a daily basis.
Anyway, even though they weren't quite right for me, they might be a perfect choice for another pair of ears. I recommend you give them a listen for yourself and give your opinion. The quality of sparkling highs and attenuated bass is something that people often look for. If you're one of those people, these headphones might be right for you!
The MoonDrop COSMO is available for demo and purchase from Audio46.
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