At the moment, Kurt evaluations the MOONDROP Concerto, an modern built-in DAC and IEM with a hybrid xMEMS and planar driver configuration. It’s priced at $329.99 however at the moment has a Black Friday worth of $280.49.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in alternate for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank MOONDROP and Shenzhen Audio for his or her help.
Click on right here to learn extra about MOONDROP products we’ve got beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our current scoring guidelines which you’ll be able to learn right here in additional element.
MOONDROP has constructed its repute on delivering a variety of well-received IEMs.
Nonetheless, their latest focus has been on releasing successors to these lineups, the Blessing 3 and Kadenz being prime examples, which has left the audio neighborhood anticipating one thing contemporary from MOONDROP.
The MOONDROP Concerto could reply that anticipation, bringing new cutting-edge applied sciences totally different from their earlier releases.
With a novel driver setup that features an all-new xMEMS all-silicon Montara driver and a 13mm superlinear dynamic-planar driver, the Concerto provides a really totally different strategy to the corporate’s earlier IEMs.
Options
The MOONDROP Concerto options an modern driver setup, combining an xMEMS all-silicon Montara driver, a Cowell midrange driver, and a 13mm superlinear dynamic-planar driver.
This setup was custom-designed for the Concerto, pushing the boundaries of element retrieval and imaging accuracy in a compact bullet kind IEM.
The xMEMS Montara driver enhances treble response with spectacular velocity and accuracy, guaranteeing a transparent and prolonged high-frequency vary for ultra-smooth treble efficiency. The Cowell driver can be liable for the midrange whereas guaranteeing low distortion and quick transient response.
In the meantime, the 13mm superlinear planar driver focuses on low-frequency efficiency, delivering tight bass with minimal distortion. This addition enhances the general texture and depth of the bass, offering a punchy but managed basis.
The Concerto remains to be tuned to MOONDROP’s VDSF Goal Response however with a twist. Their tuning strategy usually focuses on the midrange and treble efficiency somewhat than bass, however the Concerto diverts from that with its bassier tuning.
Design
The MOONDROP Concerto has a bullet-style design, crafted with medical-grade resin utilizing 3D printing expertise—a fabric MOONDROP often makes use of throughout their IEM lineup. The shell has a gunmetal shade with delicate glitter, giving it a glossy, metallic look.
Not like typical light-weight, single-driver bullet-style IEMs, the Concerto takes a bolder strategy with a multi-driver setup.
The round resin shell homes each the 13mm superlinear planar driver and the top-firing xMEMS Montara driver, whereas an oblong shell with a steel cowl beneath accommodates the side-firing Cowell driver.
Every shell has two vents to alleviate ear strain, enhancing consolation throughout prolonged listening classes. The left facet is labeled “MOONDROP,” whereas “Concerto” is marked on the fitting, making it simple to tell apart the edges with out confusion.
The cable high quality is a mixture of premium and acquainted components. The part from the splitter to the USB-C connector is of top of the range, doubtless crafted by ddHiFi, whereas the cable from the splitter to the IEMs resembles the one used within the MOONDROP Quark 2.
Consolation & Isolation
These used to over-ear IEMs would possibly discover the match of the MOONDROP Concerto uncommon. It lacks the comfortable, locked-in really feel, as a substitute sitting loosely within the ear.
Over time, the Concerto turns into extra snug, largely as a result of its light-weight design. It’s one of many few IEMs I’ve worn that feels nearly weightless, making it simple to overlook it’s even there.
Nonetheless, the cable does brush towards my face and garments greater than it might with over-ear designs, making a noticeable tugging and rattling sensation with motion. This contact will be each felt and heard, which can be distracting.
The Concerto has what I’d describe as a ‘mild match’, resting frivolously with out urgent arduous into the ear canal. It doesn’t seal tightly, which can not attraction to these searching for a safer match.
Isolation is the final motive I’d think about the Concerto. Its design permits vital exterior noise leaks, creating an expertise much like open-back headphones, the place exterior sounds are at all times current whatever the ear ideas used.
Ear Suggestions
The MOONDROP Concerto comes with a disappointing collection of ideas. Calling it a “choice” would possibly even be an overstatement given what’s included within the field.
The guidelines are bundled in a easy plastic pouch, and there’s just one kind: customary black silicone ideas. They arrive in small, medium, and enormous sizes, with only one pair for every dimension—no MOONDROP Spring Suggestions or foam choices in sight.
The unlucky half is that these common silicone ideas don’t match the Concerto nicely. They felt further unfastened throughout use, so I ended up switching to the MOONDROP Spring Suggestions I already personal for a safer match.
Inventory Cable
The MOONDROP Concerto comes with a USB-C DSP non-detachable cable, with no possibility for a 3.5mm or 4.4mm jack. This fastened design limits compatibility and suppleness for numerous fanatic audio setups.
The cable is split into two elements: knowledge transmission and sign transmission, as described by MOONDROP. The information transmission part, working between the USB-C and the splitter, is made out of high-quality cotton and polyester yarn in a twisted mesh sleeve.
In the meantime, the sign transmission half, which connects the splitter to the IEMs, makes use of composite shade PVC, much like the MOONDROP Quark 2 cable however thicker. This setup supplies a stability between aesthetics and performance however has mixed-quality components.
The cable helps USB-C with UAC 2.0 and three.0 audio protocols, making it suitable with numerous units, together with iOS, Android, and PCs.
With a 32bit/384kHz DAC, it permits direct {hardware} decoding of high-resolution audio, guaranteeing a lossless listening expertise free from delay or jitter.
The cable additionally features a built-in microphone with a three-button line management, permitting for handy playback management and name dealing with. This function provides practicality for cellular use, enhancing the Concerto’s performance as an on a regular basis IEM.
Regardless of the collaboration between MOONDROP and ddHiFi, sturdiness considerations stay because of the non-detachable design. If the cable breaks, the restore shall be pricey and time-consuming, in contrast to the comfort of changing a removable cable.
Packaging & Equipment
The included equipment within the MOONDROP Concerto are full however not notably thrilling. There are noticeably fewer equipment and particulars in comparison with different MOONDROP merchandise.
Exterior, the field artwork continues the MOONDROP custom of getting anime characters on the duvet. On the again, you’ll discover the tuning graph, technical specs, and driver data printed.
Contained in the field, you’ll get a carrying case, manuals, and ear ideas, whereas the IEM and cable are in a single compartment. The packaging feels extra practical than luxurious, missing the premium contact seen in different MOONDROP releases.
I anticipated a bit extra from MOONDROP with the Concerto, particularly after the spectacular unboxing expertise of the Kadenz. It appears the price of the xMEMS driver could have restricted the finances for extra equipment.
Sound Impressions
Bass
The MOONDROP Concerto delivers a close to basshead expertise, because of MOONDROP’s superlinear driver, which mixes the strengths of each dynamic and planar drivers.
This distinctive and new driver brings a degree of bass presence usually anticipated from IEMs with a number of dynamic drivers, but the Concerto achieves it with only one.
The bass reaches deep, delivering a wealthy, full-bodied influence that competes with a few of my bass-heavy IEMs.
Nonetheless, what really units it aside is the readability and element within the low finish—there’s a refinement to the bass that avoids any muddiness, making it thick, textured, and completely balanced inside the combine.
The sub-bass is correctly boosted, including a satisfying rumble that enhances the midrange and treble with out overpowering them. It’s a managed but impactful bass that enhances the general sound signature, bringing an immersive and pleasing high quality to the listening expertise.
Mid-bass punch doesn’t fall quick both, offering a stable, long-lasting influence with every punch and slam. It hits arduous with depth and texture, including a booming slam that leaves a memorable impression.
Mids
The midrange of the MOONDROP Concerto, whereas competent, stands out as its weakest facet. Vocals are ahead, which supplies them a transparent presence, but it surely’s fairly nasally within the vocals.
The mids are clear and freed from muddiness, permitting vocal nuances to come back via with satisfying element. The tonality of the Concerto leans heat, however the timbre feels barely off as a result of its metallic timbre, stopping it from sounding pure.
On the great facet, the mids have spectacular word weight, thickness, and physique, making each female and male vocals sound full and wealthy. Nonetheless, the vocal placement feels barely off-center, which will be distracting and off-putting at sure tracks.
Regardless of the quirks, the Concerto’s mids keep good smoothness and stability, integrating nicely with the bass and treble with out disrupting the general sound. The abundance of vocal element and nuances add an attractive layer to the listening expertise even when the timbre is off.
Treble
The treble on the MOONDROP Concerto is impressively executed, delivering a non-fatiguing listening expertise with excessive ranges of airiness and completely no sibilance. It’s {smooth} and simple on the ears, making it supreme for prolonged listening classes with out inflicting any discomfort.
By way of element, the Concerto’s treble competes admirably with some IEMs that use EST or planar drivers, exposing nice particulars with wonderful decision and readability. Each delicate nuance is revealed, bringing a excessive degree of precision and refinement to the higher frequencies.
The treble extension is exceptional, reaching excessive with out feeling harsh, and rolling off simply in time to keep away from overemphasis. This extension enhances the bass fantastically, balancing the general sound signature with out overshadowing the decrease frequencies.
There’s loads of sparkle, including a way of liveliness to the music, however the treble vitality is comparatively relaxed. This mix of sparkle and restraint makes the Concerto’s treble participating with out being overly vibrant, making the treble the perfect a part of the Concerto.
Staging & Dynamics
The MOONDROP Concerto provides a well-defined depth, with correct layering and a transparent sense of spatial ranges that enhances immersion. This depth notion, paired with correct layering, brings an impressively immersive listening expertise.
The soundstage is surprisingly large for an IEM, giving a spacious really feel, although the peak stays common. Imaging is likely one of the Concerto’s standout options, with pinpoint accuracy in instrument positioning regardless of the vocal placement being barely off-center.
Even in advanced, messy tracks, the Concerto excels in separation, permitting every aspect within the music to be distinguished simply. This degree of layering and separation maintains readability, making it simple to comply with particular person devices and vocals.
The Concerto is considerably inconsistent with its dynamics. At decrease volumes, vocals can really feel recessed, whereas at larger volumes, the timbre improves, making the sound really feel extra pure and balanced.
The dynamics have an effect on the general presentation relying on the listening quantity. The Concerto is most participating at reasonable to excessive volumes, the place its xMEMS drivers totally reveal its depth and vitality.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
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