At its very heart, the Moondrop Variations in-ear monitor is propelled by a tribrid five-driver configuration. A single dynamic driver, two BA drivers, two electrostatic drivers, and two BA drivers are all used in this setup. Somehow older than the Moondrops we’ve already reviewed. But not everything that is old is trash. Let’s see its beauties for its price.

Pros__

Transparency 

Neutrality

Energy

3d imaging

Soundstage

Cons__

Technicalities aren’t particularly good

Vocals not strong

Cable is mundane for its price

Lack slam of new gen Moondrops

The Sound

Transparency is heartwarming. The soundstage is almost immersive and encircles me with the music’s microdetails. After certain volume levels, – say – the jazz club is at your feet, and its full range engines come to life. The 3D imaging is fantastic, as are the tonalities and texturing. The electronic or prog rock record is flowing like a river of rainbows, resulting in minutes of sonic feasts. 

The tuning of the Moondrop Variations in-ear monitors is a twist on the Virtual Diffuse Sound Field (VDSF) aim that was established by the company that manufactures the Moondrop in-ear monitors. Despite the fact that VDSF is apparently based on Diffuse Field, the sub-bass emphasis, the strong pinna gain area centered about 3 kHz, and the directly down frequency response from the pinna gain region through the treble are all features of a Harman-ish target. Given all of these characteristics, it appears that a Harman target was intended rather than a diffuse field target.

Bass

The bass touch of the Variations is both distinctive, beautiful and breathtaking at times. When using other in-ear monitors, you may notice that the midbass is overemphasized, leading to murky low-mids. However, the subbass is presented with rumbling clarity in the Variations, as is the transition from midbass to subbass. It’s neutral and precise all the way down to the midbass range. When it comes to slam performance, the LCP dynamic driver is as explosive as it gets. In addition to that, it has an excellent resolution and response to transients. No matter how quickly or slowly they are played, bass notes can always be heard and appreciated for the textures they possess. For instance, you are close to the drummer’s sticks, which are striking all of the drums. Second, the absence of midbass in some older albums and classic rock songs can result in a weak-sounding overall mix. To conclude, the timbre isn’t very good, and it might come across as a little dry to some of the people who listen to it. Isn’t it true that new and old technology are incompatible? (One might say that: No, the Variations are compatible and have a good low end. The soundstage is a little more intimate than one might expect, but this is intentional to give it shape and clarity.

Mid

It seems to me that the Variations’ midrange is significantly more concentrated in the higher mids than it is in the lower mids. Thus, it is showing a slight recession, especially audible in vocal and instrumental contrast. In my opinion, the presence of the lower mids is a little lacking, not because it is physically recessed, but rather because of the stark contradiction between the bass and the treble. This is the case even though the lower mids are present. Male vocals and certain instruments in the midrange may portray excellent tonalities. In addition, the female vocal is performed quite well. They do have a propensity to be a little bit too bright at certain times, but they are still far within the safe threshold, and the problem can be fixed by rolling the eartips. Regarding the technical aspects, the clarity and resolution are really good considering the cost. In this regard, Moondrop must be applauded for using the Softears BAs as the midrange drivers because they have a very high degree of sonic resolution. In addition, the combination of subbass emphasis, smooth midbass transition, and adequate pinna gain helps in letting the macrodynamics shine like a diamond. Because of their capacities for rapid transient attack and decay, the variants are able to rapidly pick up on any dynamic shift that occurs in the music. I personally loved the violin solo I hear with Variations. However, layering is surprisingly not relevant to all those above, and you can’t hear the crowds’ micro details in their routines.

Treble

At this point, the EST time has arrived. It is exceptional in terms of clarity, brilliance, and the attention to minute detail that it displays. Time was spent on proper tuning in order to guarantee that the brightness could be adjusted appropriately. Because there is no audible sibilance or high peaks, it is safe to use it for extended periods of time without any risk of hearing damage. On the other hand, the sound of the cymbal crash that is slightly muted can be found at the same frequency (most likely in the lower treble region). The upper treble is extended adequately, though not exceptionally well, to supply the essential “air” that is required for the rest of the sound to be comprehended in an appropriate manner.

Moondrop Variations Review 

Verdict

In general, the Moondrop Variations offer a fantastic listening experience despite their older technology. This is true even if the equipment has been around for a while. When clarity, resolution, and a quick transient response are all present in a soundscape, the resulting soundscape will be crisp and vivid. Its generally good (if not excellent) technical performance as well as their excellent female voice presence both contribute to their value, which is further elevated as a result. Consider the BGVP DM8 if you’re looking for something with a darker tone. Despite the fact that it does not quite possess the same level of dynamic range as the Variations, it nevertheless possesses an outstanding depth of sound. Many listeners who are traveling in the opposite way will find that the warm and rich lows and mids are extremely appealing to them. People who are looking for an experience that is slightly brighter and more energizing in the middle range should definitely give some thought to the Variations. 

In general, whichever of these two in-ear monitors from chifi world you choose will have something to offer you, regardless of the sound profile or frequency response range that you choose. Before deciding between the two options, it is important to thoroughly weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each one. Each choice comes with a unique set of pros and cons.