Moondrop LAN Review

IEMs are getting very inexpensive, and Moondrop is one of those brands that are making it easy for everyday consumers. They have the twenty-dollar Chu, which is the most economical option in their library, and now they’ve added the LAN as a step-up for only forty dollars. This IEM sits between the Chu and Aria, so let’s see if it offers something of its own.

What You Get

• Moondrop LAN earphones
• Leather pouch
• 3 pairs of tips
• 2-pin 3.5mm cable
• Manuals

Look & Feel

The LAN has a design that most resembles their twenty-dollar Chu model. Its shell features the same rounded shape but with a sleek silver finish and a stainless steel housing this time. If you’re familiar with the Chu, the fit should feel the same. You get a detachable cable this time though, one that has a memory wire that makes the LAN better for wrapping around your ears.

Design

Inside the LAN is a dual-cavity 10mm dynamic driver. One that features a newly designed diaphragm and a beryllium-plated dome. It has a magnetic circuit that utilizes an N52 high-performance magnet in addition to a patented anti-blocking filter. The sensitivity is high at 120dB/Vrms, and a low impedance of just 32 Ohms, so you should be able to drive the LAN from any headphone output.

Soundstage

No matter what price point, Moondrop tends to always deliver a wide soundstage. The LAN is yet another example of this, as it possesses a long wingspan from left to right. I don’t think you’ll find anything as spacious as this for less than $50 Instruments are well highlighted, with performances that have easy-to-identify positions in the mix. All of the sound elements appear at a surface level, but there are instances where the headspace can really grow. You won’t find much depth in its layers, but the LAN does express some good height. With some ambient tracks, you can get a good sense of distance, with different effects moving toward you from outside your head.

Low End

Not a whole lot of energy is expressed in this bass. There’s a good amount of frequency content here, especially in the sub-bass, which adds a subtle texture that establishes a good foundation for the response. However, you won’t feel much punch from the tone here, with the impact being on the leaner side of the sound spectrum. Nothing feels missing, but the lows don’t showcase enough drive to come out and grab you. It’s more of a clean timbre, which has a nice response for certain genres. You never have to worry about cloudiness or bloated resonance.

Mids

There’s a neutral timbre to the low mids, but the response really opens up in the upper mids. In terms of detail, there’s a bit more to bite on here, with more precise sound elements and added room for busier tracks. Clarity is expressed well throughout, even if most of the texture is a little plain. Vocals are done great justice in the upper mids, adding the most transparency to this range.

Highs

One of the most colorful aspects of the LAN’s sound signature is the highs. Then frequencies have a delicate feel, but they don’t appear to be too thin. There are instances of brightness that contain just enough energy to add detail and texture without being overbearing. You get some sense of sparkle in these frequencies, and they have a consistent airiness that I found very enjoyable.

Summary

You are getting a lot of good quality sound for forty dollars. I don’t think you’ll hear a soundstage this spacious, or a mids and highs that have this level of fidelity in this range. Other options might offer more bass, and overall more coloration to make your tacks more fun, but the LAN surprisingly gives you a sound that feels a bit more real.

The Moondrop LAN is available at Audio46.