Moondrop Cosmo Review

Moondrop Audio has established a strong reputation in the IEM market, known for their standout models like the Variations, Kato, and Blessing. Recently, Moondrop has expanded its product line to include full-size over-ear headphones, starting with the Venus. Their latest release, the $899 Cosmo, is a flagship planar-magnetic headphone with a distinctive design and build. Transitioning from IEMs to full-size headphones is not without its challenges, but Moondrop appears to be swinging for the fences with the Cosmo. The question is, do they succeed? Let’s dive into the details.

What’s in the Box?

• COSMO Headphones
• 4.4mm Balanced Cable
• 4.4mm to 6.35mm Adapter
• Manual
• Anime Card
• Certificate
• Service Card

Build Quality

The Moondrop Cosmo is undeniably a substantial headphone, weighing in at approximately 516 grams. This heft is largely due to the 100mm planar magnetic driver. Despite its weight, the Cosmo is designed for comfort and durability, featuring a robust combination of metal and leather materials.

The weight distribution is well-managed, with most of it concentrated around the ear cups where the drivers are housed. This design choice helps avoid unnecessary clamping force or discomfort, allowing for extended listening sessions without fatigue. The leather ear pads add a touch of luxury, and the included balanced, braided cable is flexible and free of excessive memory.

Design

The Moondrop Cosmo headphones exemplify advanced technical design, blending cutting-edge technology with meticulous engineering. At the heart of its performance is a nanoscale ultra-thin diaphragm that delivers a broader frequency response, lower distortion, and faster detail retrieval, resulting in exceptional sound quality. The highly elastic, ultra-thin pure silver circuit enhances efficiency and minimizes heat loss, ensuring precise and clear audio.

A notable feature is the Tension Balancing Technology (TBT), which performs secondary stress balancing on the diaphragm. This significantly reduces dynamic distortions, providing stable and high-quality sound output. The use of a large-scale finite element simulation system by Moondrop’s R&D team has optimized the acoustic structure design, reducing trial-and-error time and improving development efficiency. This simulation system ensures a smooth wide-band response and ultra-low nonlinear distortion. The patented Full Drive Technology (FDT) drives the entire diaphragm surface, eliminating split vibrations and offering a treble performance comparable to electrostatic headphones.

Sound Impressions

Low End

The Cosmo delivers a liquid-like low end that is textured and immersive. While not particularly punchy, it anchors the frequency response effectively and can provide some thud when necessary. It’s not a bass-heavy headphone, but it excels in acoustic and classical music, where texture is paramount. For bass-heavy genres like hip-hop and EDM, some listeners might desire more slam.

Mids

The midrange is a standout feature of the Cosmo, prioritizing smoothness over aggressiveness. It offers a relaxed, intimate presentation with natural-sounding vocals. The tuning is neutral, with a slight midbass bloom adding warmth and character. This midrange quality makes the Cosmo particularly enjoyable for vocal-centric and acoustic tracks.

Top End

The treble region of the Cosmo is laid-back, with highs slightly rolled off to create a more relaxing sound. While this approach may lack the attack needed for genres with prominent cymbals, it shines in acoustic music. Vocals are smooth, and acoustic instruments have a creamy, liquid quality. 

Soundstage

The soundstage of the Cosmo is solid but not overly expansive. This works well with the intimate and warm sound signature of the headphones. While not exceptionally wide, the soundstage is capable of delivering subtle details on the outskirts, providing a sense of space when needed.

Final Thoughts

The Moondrop Cosmo is a unique headphone with a distinctive character. Rather than focusing on dynamic, boisterous sound, it offers a laid-back, warm listening experience. This makes it an excellent choice for fans of acoustic, classical, and other texturally rich genres. If you’re looking for a headphone that excels in these areas, the Cosmo might be the perfect fit for you.

The Moondrop Cosmo is available at Audio46.