Moondrop Para - very not bad!

Yep, looks like hydrogen sulfide is to blame and sweat somehow accelerates that rate of tarnishing. Apparently, the tarnish layer prevents any further tarnishing from happening.

I can only get it to happen when pushing a lot of power (which isn't hard) in the driver, which is why I'm inclined to blame thermal effects. Can't really make the diaphragm flex by pushing the earcups, not enough coupling happening.

 

I think you're right. Looked up the properties of Ag2S, and it seems to be softer than pure silver and gold. Hmmm maybe I should try coating my diaphragm with hydrogen sulfide

 

Farting on your headphone gear; the next YouTube sensation in audio tweaks! Can we tell the difference between bean and meat farts on your silver cables? Tune in next week to find out! Be sure to like and subscribe!

 

Just wait until they offer that in ASMR...

 

Rule 34.

 

We got the Para in our office with this Moondrop cable, pure copper and XLR.
I played it with some of our desktop DAC/AMPs and was happy with sound and power.

https://moondroplab.com/en/products/up

 

Both of the hammock suspension sliders just gave out on my Para. They're a bit dinky, but the fix isn't hard - just drill them through with a 3mm bit and put M3 bolts there.

 

Thanks for bringing these to my attention.
I am looking for some reasonably priced headphones for desktop use, partly for video editing.

A few questions to those who have more technical understanding:
- will my desktop dac/amp be O.K. with the low impedance? It is the Fiio K9 (not pro) ESS with dual THX 788+ amps, which delivers around 1 watt into 16 Ohm (Fiio's recommendation is for headphones from 16 Ohm upward). Link to specs.
- will going balanced (which I would like) make the load much more critical?
- would a powerful push-pull tube amp have problems with the low impedance (I can choose low impedance on my amp)?

Other options would be HD600 or Hifiman Sundara which I can get around the same price. Or maybe Fiio FT3 or FT5... (since the K9 is a little lean and dry it might get too much in that direction with the Para or Sundara).

 

As long if the amp has a thermal shutoff, it should be fine. Balanced drive won't do much because you're getting extra voltage on tap when really you need current.

As for HD600, it will probably be more tonally neutral but not as detailed. Also, the Para has build quality problems with the parts that attach the hammock headband to the sliders. Mine are disintegrating as we speak. I'll probably make something out of metal.

Your push/pull tube amp should have no problem driving it from the 8 ohm transformer tap.

 

@Hrodulf Any insite on the upcoming Cosmo other than the press release?

 

Nothing yet. I'll probably try to get my grubby mitts on it. And I can already see they've stuck with the same cursed headband sliders.

 

Asked around, no real ETA for the Cosmo yet.

 

@Hrodulf Any news? Seems to be causing a stir with the pad rolling over on HF.

 

Sorry, can't get through to my Shenzhen Audio contact. And have a metric shit ton of review backlog to clear before I can take up extra items. With that said, I'll probably make an effort to get my mitts on one.

 

Talked to Shenzhen, and currently, they aren't looking for Cosmo reviews. I have a feeling it isn't making the splash they were looking for. My Para is still going strong despite the crummy sliders.

 

The Cosmo has a tamer FR that's weird considering the planar niche, specially comparing it to the oval ("detail-oriented") Hifimans that they compete against, and considering that Moondrop put them as their flagship headphone. Funnily enough, once you take out the "VOCE' stylized pads and use the Para pads, they become almost textbook reference:
https://imgur.com/a/Ed1Xmaq

 

I've had the COSMO for a week now, and as universally stated, they are no bueno with the default pads.

Otherwise, I slapped some Brainwavz XL Hybrid Memory Foam pads on them, and they become a pretty enjoyable headphone - with a warm-neutral tonality, smooth treble, and strong technicalities. Yes, still less bass than I'd like, and sometimes vocals sound a bit forward, but overall a really enjoyable listen.

Basically, if you're not a bass-head, or into the Hifiman house sound (ie. treble-head), and don't want to spend more than $1K - the COSMO might be worth checking out. Yes, Tungsten still outclasses it in most ways (tonality, layering, stage) - but the COSMO is actually the 'clearer' sounding headphone, and so far, I can't tell if it's any less resolving. Hope to say more once I've lived with them a bit longer, but if you don't mind a little pad-rolling, I think these are worth a try. Also think this bodes well for Moondrop's planars, as they haven't been making them that long, but I'll be glad to see them keep improving while staying in the 'budget' tiers...

 

Yeah, the mid-fi scene is too convoluted with Hifiman's oval offerings IMHO. I'd like to read a comparison between the Cosmos and the Hifiman 6se's (or the Verums) though, as I find that line of tuning much more natural while still offering good technical performance.

 

I have tested the para in store and liked it, but it was making my Magni 3+ Heretic go into protective mode when I was playing a sine at 35hz and cranking the volume. Headphone did not distort but the amp was just turning itself off.

I had too little tiem to figure out if this would be an issue for actual listening.

I was also hoping someone here could answer if buying LCD-X for EQ is worth it over Para? Para with pad swap would cost me 600AUD while LCD-X with pad swap (used) will cost me 1000. Of course if I need a new amp for Para it will be even less of a difference.

I think after EQ the actual driver performance is what matters most, and both use similar magnet arrays from what I can tell, with Para having interesting diaphragm tech as discussed above, while LCD-X has fazors.

I did listen to LCD-X in store and it was damn good after EQ. So was Para to be honest, fit issues aside.

 

Hello Do you think Paring the Para with a Vali 3 is adequate ? Or will it be the same as the Heretic. Thank you for your answer