Moondrop Singer here! Moondrop has established itself as a strong player in the audio market for years. Models like the Variations, Blessing 2, and Blessing 3 have carved out a special place in the headphone world.
This time, I’m diving into the Singer, a representative from Moondrop’s relatively new foray into the over-ear headphone segment. While technically a closed-back headphone, the Singer features a semi-open design with metal grills on the cups. With Bluetooth 5.4 and LDAC support, this headphone promises a lot. In this review, I’ll explore everything from the unboxing experience to detailed listening impressions.
Unboxing and Build Quality
The Moondrop Singer comes in a simple yet functional box. Inside, you’ll find the headphones, a carrying leather pouch, and a charging cable. It’s a minimalist accessory package—there are no extra pads or cables, which might be a drawback for some users. However, considering this is a wireless-focused product, the simplicity is understandable.
The build quality is immediately noticeable upon holding the headphones. The body is made of high-quality plastic and metal, giving it a sturdy feel. The headband is solid and well-padded for comfort during extended use. The metal grills on the ear cups not only support the semi-open design but also add an aesthetic and functional touch. The soft leather pads provide comfort for long listening sessions, although they might cause slight sweating in warmer conditions. Overall, the build quality is impressive and feels premium for its price range.
Bass and Vocals
When paired with an iPhone 14 Pro Max, the Singer delivers powerful, well-defined bass. There’s a tactile feedback to the bass hits, making modern pop and groove tracks enjoyable. For instance, Ray Charles – I Got A Woman showed how well the Singer could keep up with rhythmic beats. However, the headphone’s closed-back nature is noticeable, limiting the immersive experience somewhat. Vocals are clean, well-toned, and dynamic, offering a satisfying listening experience overall.
Orchestral Performance
Listening to Hans Zimmer’s Live in Prague, the Moondrop Singer showcased the natural limitations of its closed-back design. While it managed to reveal details in the strings and brass sections, the overall sound felt slightly constrained. That said, the headphone delivered the energy of the orchestral attack in later symphonic passages, which was quite engaging. Although I had to lower the volume occasionally, the overall experience was enjoyable.
A New Experience with LDAC
After some effort, I set up Moondrop Link 2.0 on my Samsung A54 and activated LDAC mode. This unlocked the Singer’s true potential. While playing Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra’s Beethoven’s Pop Symphony, the headphone revealed impressive depth, realism, and staging, which were absent in its standard mode. The dynamics were genuinely surprising, and I found myself immersed in the performance as the symphony reached its famous conclusion.
For a more modern test, I turned to Ignite – Panta.Q Remix. The Moondrop Singer delivered vocal clarity far beyond what I usually hear in IEMs. The melodic transitions were smooth, and the dynamic shifts were striking. Giannis Ploutarhos – Pernas Kala, an acoustic-heavy track, allowed the Singer to shine with its emotional delivery, creating a deeply engaging listening experience.
Moondrop Singer Song Tests and Acoustic Performance
To test the Moondrop Singer’s acoustic capabilities, I played Trio Chios – Bekledim de Gelmedin. The blend of regional string, percussion, and wind instruments sounded pleasant, though I wished for slightly more clarity in this piece. Despite this, the overall balance was satisfying.
One of the standout performances came with Therion – To Mega Therion. The Moondrop Singer exceeded my expectations in orchestral strength and detail, delivering an exceptional experience for its price. The interplay between the strings, choir, piano, and guitars demonstrated the technical capacity of these headphones.
And another one was Hans Zimmer – Driving via V30+: On the V30+, the Moondrop Singer reveals a level of clarity and cleanliness I didn’t expect, making it feel like an entirely different headphone compared to the A54. The sound signature is clear and dynamic, with a pitch-black background that enhances definition. The soundstage spans a wide 180 degrees, filled with detail, though depth remains limited. Both treble and bass extensions shine, with crisp highs and tight, confident lows anchoring the sound. The synergy with the V30+ truly unlocks the Singer’s potential, blending technical precision with musicality in a way that’s hard to step away from.
Pros:
1. The ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) mode works effectively.
2. Strong LDAC connection with no interruptions, crackles, or noise.
3. Excellent performance with high-quality recordings, showcasing technical and musical prowess.
4. Creates an emotional connection with modern and 80s pop while delivering impactful dynamics in symphonies.
Cons:
1. The lack of a customizable equalizer is a notable drawback.
2. Activating LDAC is somewhat cumbersome.
3. The overall clarity could be improved.
Conclusion
The Moondrop Singer strikes a good balance between price and performance. It’s suitable for everyday use and significantly improves when switched to LDAC mode even with a tiny DAP – HiBy R1 in this case. While the lack of a customizable equalizer and the effort required to activate LDAC (huh, a friend had just enabled that mode by simply connecting) detract slightly from the overall experience, its ability to deliver clean, dynamic sound with engaging staging makes up for these shortcomings.
From modern music to symphonies, the Singer excels across a wide range of genres. Tracks like Hans Zimmer – Driving showcase its clarity, expansive staging, and dynamic nature, making it a strong contender for casual and audiophile listening alike. Despite its imperfections, the Singer connects you to your music and compensates for its flaws with the sheer joy it delivers.
