Moondrop redemption arc?? 
Hey guys! Hope everyone’s enjoying their weekend so far. So, as some of you may know I’m not that biggest Moondrop fan… more specifically towards the Variations and Blessing 2 Dusk. Now, even though this still holds true at high volume blasting (85db+), I recently had the chance to revisit them again, and I have to admit - they’re actually incredible otherwise.
So, I’d love to have a more in-depth discussion around frequency response, “technicalities”, and sound perception in the near future, but for now - for time and simplicity sakes, I’m going to base my judgement off the compensated diffuse-field target/Harman 2019 (both are extremely similar); this target is the preferred sound by the average, and trained listener according to Harman’s testing.
To summarize, the Diffuse Field target acts to replicate how a traditional high end studio speaker would sound by having sound arrive at the head from all angles and from all directions equally like it would when you’re wearing an in-ear or over-ear. But the original DF target was too bright and had basically no low-end, hence why the compensated version has a bass boost before 200hz (avoids masking), and a downwards slope in the pinna area as well as the uppermids and treble.
Now, of course there will be preferences for more mid-bass, less treble, or volume scaling like me, so I’m not forcing anyone to like this signature, but in general the vast majority of people tested with at the “ideal” listening volume - which is between 75-85 db/tested at 85db by Harman - who has no specific preferences, preferred this compensated target, myself included, well, for the most part. Which leads to my next point - if we look at the graph of the Variations it’s actually very similar to the compensated DF target. Ignoring the 8K peak which is almost always because of device measuring error and is usually ignored, the only major nitpick is that there’s a bit too much treble past 12K.
So then, how does it actually sound? High volume scaling aside, incredible actually - pretty much perfect for mid to highish volume listening. Although many may dislike the mid-bass tuck that affects male vocals, bass guitars, kickdrums and the like, the tradeoff is that you get unparalleled separation and clarity in the midrange, and it creates this sub-woofer like effect with the low-end. I’d describe the overall signature of the Variations as clear, clean, smooth, airy, with centre like imaging. I can clearly pickout each instrument, and vocals feel open, vibrant, clear, and never congested or recessed. Female vocals, especially, are airy and sparkly - although they can sometimes get thin and sharp on certain tracks (Hi High Loona ~2:44 mark) depending on how they’re mastered, but overall, everything just feels “correct” and harmonious with no masking or anything getting in the way of the other.
The sub-bass especially stands out because of the mid-bass tuck, giving the low-end amazing energy, rumble, and texture, but admittedly lacking some meat and slam because of the mid-bass tuck. Male vocals, although sounds correct and accurate, can sound light and lack thickness for some libraries (sometimes getting buried). But dynamically, it doesn’t get much better than this. Aside from the extra bit of treble energy that can indeed get hot on songs like Runaway where the chorus is mixed to be a few dbs louder than the verse, as well as this song (2:03 onwards), the treble overall is very coherent, smooth with no huge peaks and dips, bringing air and space to the sound, creating a very natural and open signature with no weird timbre or distortion.
For most people who don’t have a specific preference yet, the Variations is my recommended go to because of how close it simulates a traditional studio speaker. And although you can find more detailed or sharper sets with elevated treble (U12T/Z1R/MEST etc.) - they won’t sound as balanced and smooth as the Variations, which is why I think it’s still the best overall when it comes to a balance of correct tuning, clarity, and imaging. The B2 Dusk on the other hand is similar in this regard, but slightly less clear and separated because of its increased mid-bass that masks some clarity along with some sub-bass roll-off. It doesn’t have the sub-woofer like effect on the Variations, and the treble lacks the last bit of extension, causing the overall sound and female vocals to be less airy and sparkly. However, vocals are still open and non-congested nonetheless with the up side that male vocals now have more weight behind them because of the added mid-bass. Although overall it’s still a down-grade to the Variations IMHO.
Now, personally I would’ve liked a little more mid-bass on the Variations for my hiphop, rock, and alternative library which has a lot of male vocals, bass guitars, and drums, and the uppermids/treble area could also be brought down a few dbs to compensate for other genres like EDM, POP, JPOP, KPOP and J-Rock which can sound sharp and shouty since a lot of the tracks are over mastered in the treble and uppermids. So then, the ideal target for me between 75-85db would look something like the EJ07M and OG Monarch which I prefer more over the Variations because of the added mid-bass and less treble (going off personal experience since the graph varies between sets). So if you do want a little more mid-bass without affecting clarity and separation too much, then those are solid choices.
The Quarks DSP is also amazing, and I still honestly can’t believe it’s only $15 - it’s my recommendation for a cheaper Variations. It’s basically the Dusk but without the 6K peak, and not as accurate imaging wise along with slightly worse bass impact due to the smaller 7mm driver. Even though it’s a slight down-grade, I still think people should either just grab the Quarks DSP, or the Variations, and skip the Dusk entirely (Dusk has similar treble extension as the Quarks DSP even though it has a tweeter - which I can only assume is a tuning decision to not cannibalise sale from the Variations). Of course the Quarks DSP isn’t going to have the final bit of treble extension and sub-woofer like texture in the bass, and imaging is not as centred and can be floaty because of the digital output, but with all that said it’s pretty much ~80% of the Variations otherwise.
So in conclusion - buy the Quarks DPS. LOL. Jokes aside, if you don’t have a specific preference like more mid-bass for certain libraries, or less treble for higher volume listening, then the Variations and similar tunings are as good as it gets. In-terms of pure imaging, clarity, and separation it doesn’t get much better than the Variations/07M/Monarch even after hearing “endgame” sets like the U12T, Z1R, and MEST. Now, an argument can be made if you want a more unique and “out of the box” sound/sharper notes like the U12T/Z1R/MEST, but in-terms of pure accuracy and uncoloured “faithful” playback of what the song intended - it doesn’t get much better than this.
Currently in the process of redoing my list, but for now Variations and Quarks DSP is a HARD recommendation in-terms of value, tuning, and clarity.
Thanks for reading!
