Introduction
Moondrop is a renowned brand that has consistently delivered exceptional IEMs to the audiophile community in recent years. Their latest offering is the Moondrop LAN, a single dynamic driver equipped with a highly efficient internal magnetic driver structure and a next-gen beryllium-plated dome composite diaphragm, enclosed in a brass internal acoustic cavity. In this review, we'll dive into the details of the Moondrop LAN IEMs, examining their build quality, design, comfort and fit, sound quality, value and competition, and overall pros and cons.
Design and Build Quality
The Moondrop LAN IEMs are crafted from high-quality stainless steel using a MIM powder metallurgy process. This results in an incredibly sturdy and durable IEM shell with a classic appearance. The cable is made of a transparent outer layer with silver and black internal shielding that complements the IEM shell's elegance. The "Y" splitter and 3.5mm angled jack are also made of the same stainless steel material and color. Overall, the Moondrop LAN earphones are well-designed and well-built.
Comfort and Fit
One of the standout features of the Moondrop LAN IEMs is their comfort and fit. They are reminiscent of the comfort provided by the Sennheiser IE 200/300/600/900 IEMs, fitting snugly in your ears without causing any discomfort. The IEMs also provide decent passive noise isolation. While they may feel a bit weighty in hand, once you wear them, you can feel them disappear from your ears.
Sound Quality
When listening to the Moondrop LAN IEMs, you'll notice that they are tuned similarly to the Moondrop Aria and CHU IEMs. In terms of sound quality, they're better than the CHU and quite close to the Aria. Overall, they provide a natural and balanced sound with a wider soundstage.
Bass -
The Moondrop LAN IEMs have fast, tight, and rumbly bass, but it's slightly lacking in quantity and punch. Whenever the bass is present in a track, you can feel it, but it doesn't overshadow the midrange and treble. Sub bass has more weight compared to mid bass, resulting in a decent bass response for those who prefer a balanced sound signature without any bleeding into other frequencies.
Midrange -
The Moondrop LAN IEMs have a very realistic vocal presentation with texture and emotion. However, male and female vocals may sound a bit thin. For example, while listening to "Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna" by Sonu Nigam & Hariharan, you can feel the singers' voices but with a bit of thinness in the presentation.
Treble -
If you love to listen to treble first and then the midrange and bass, the Moondrop LAN IEMs are an excellent choice. There's zero sharpness in the treble region, and the IEMs are capable of delivering a lot of detail if paired with a decent portable DAC. The treble is clear, detailed, and sweet-sounding, making it one of the most impressive aspects of the Moondrop LAN IEMs.
Soundstage -
Moondrop LAN earphones have a wide and sense of 3D holographic soundstage that is rare to find in in-ear monitors (IEMs) under Rs. 5000/- price range. It's impressive how the music is played from three dimensions, as if you were listening to live music. The soundstage is further enhanced by the good imaging, where you can pinpoint the direction and dimension of each music instrument and vocal.
Value and Competition
Moondrop LAN has been correctly positioned in the Moondrop product range, between the CHU and Aria. At its selling price, few IEMs are available in the market, such as KZ ZS10 Pro X, TinHiFi T2, TRN V90s and VX, which are popular for their V-shaped sound with slight emphasis on bass. However, the Moondrop LAN offers a more balanced tuning with a wider soundstage. It's a great option for those who prefer natural and balanced tuning over bass-heavy sound.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Natural and balanced tuning | Moondrop Spring eartips not provided |
| Wide soundstage | Cable with microphone option not given |
| Impressive treble performance | Not suitable for bassheads |
| Nicely designed and very good build quality | |
| Fits well in all sizes of ear | |
| Value for money |
Conclusion-
If you are looking for a natural, clear, fast, and balanced sounding IEM with a wide soundstage, the Moondrop LAN is the perfect choice. The LAN's highly efficient internal magnetic driver structure with a next-gen beryllium-plated dome composite diaphragm and brass internal acoustic cavity delivers a natural and detailed sound. The LAN's impressive treble performance is sweet, clear, and detailed, and the soundstage is wide and 3D holographic, providing an immersive listening experience. We highly recommend using a decent portable DAC and AMP to get the best output from Moondrop LAN. The Audio Store is stocking up Moondrop LAN In-ear Monitors (IEMs) at a selling price of ₹3,490/- with a 1-year manufacturing warranty and free express shipping across India. If you need any help or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
In conclusion, the Moondrop LAN IEM is an impressive addition to the Moondrop product range, offering a balanced sound and wide soundstage at an affordable price point. It's an excellent choice for audiophiles who prefer a natural and detailed sound with a wide and immersive soundstage.
