I’ve had the pleasure of spending some quality time with the Moondrop Cosmo headphones, Moondrop’s new flagship planar headphone for $899. They manage to combine robust build quality with excellent planar performance, making them a worthy addition to some audiophile’s collections. Here’s my detailed review based on my experience with them.

What’s in the Box?

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

Fit and Comfort

When I first put on the Moondrop Cosmo, I noticed the earpads could use a bit more distance and cushioning. They are comfortable enough, but I believe upgrading the earpads would drastically improve the comfort level. I found some upgradable earpads online, and I think this simple change could make these headphones a lot more comfortable.

The headband adjustment mechanism feels much sturdier compared to other brands. Despite the 500+ gram weight, the headband holds the headphones well and feels incredibly durable. It reminds me of an athlete who may look out of shape but performs incredibly well. The comfort is above average in my opinion, though your mileage may vary.

As far as looks, I appreciate the continuous design language used by Moondrop. IEMs like the Kato, Variations, and Aria 2 all have an aesthetic throughline in their sturdy metal construction. It’s disappointing seeing any headphones above $1000 with durability problems. Moondrop has responded to this by giving us an incredibly sturdy design which looks like it fits in their product line.

Design

The design of the Moondrop Cosmo comes with a stock dual 3.5mm to 4.4mm cable and a 4.4mm to 6.35mm adapter. The 3.5mm headphone input makes finding replacement or upgrade cables easy. The 100mm oversized FTD diaphragm, N52 magnetic array, and dual high-frequency phase control waveguide contribute to a uniquely clear sound profile.

I appreciate the ultra-low non-linear distortion (THD < 0.05% at 1kHz) which ensures the sound remains clear and warm. The 15 ohm impedance and 100dB/Vrms @ 1kHz sensitivity make these headphones super easy to drive from a phone dongle, though they still perform best with an amp. The low end push really doesn’t start to come out until the Cosmo is plugged into a desktop Amp or powerful portable device.

Soundstage

The Moondrop Cosmo offers a medium-width soundstage with fantastic holographic qualities. The accuracy is commendable, making sounds feel as though they wrap around your head. While sounds stay within a confined space, the depiction of distance is articulate, with vertical shifts and sounds from behind reproduced exceptionally well.

Bass

The bass is clear and punchy, with a balanced texture and fullness. Listening to "Moten Swing" by Sonny Stitt and the Oscar Peterson Trio, the bass is both articulate and a little warm. With a flat amp, you might want a bit more mid-bass in this specific mix, but a slight EQ adjustment responds well, naturally displaying the rhythmic interaction between bass, hi-hat, and kick drum. Without any boost, this headphone’s bass transient feels super fast. I brought the bass up slightly while listening to these and the sound signature seemed to come alive from a 3-5dB adjustment.

Modern tracks with fully extended bass respond incredibly well to the clarity of the lows on this headphone. The overall bass sound is balanced and exciting, suitable for various genres. If you prefer a bass-boosted sound, these might not be the headphones for you. However, boosting the 80-150 Hz range or replacing the earpads can enhance the bass experience. 

Mids

The mids are flat and pleasantly articulated, especially with an 800 Hz - 1200 Hz boost. Voices, although not at the forefront, have a fantastically even natural timbre. In Krystian Zimerman’s "Schubert: Piano Sonata D no. 959," the dynamics in the mids are on great display. The headphones preserve the gorgeous overtones and timbre of the piano, bringing out unique qualities that make the listening experience incredibly exciting. In this specific performance, the piano hammers were calibrated specifically for this piece. I was able to discern the unique nuances of the overtones because of this headphones emphasis in mids and treble.

Treble

The treble can be slightly spiky and sibilant on certain tracks, which might be too brittle for some listeners. However, the articulation and punch from cymbals and drums are fantastic. Textures are very present, though the sound can be fatiguing depending on the music. For instance, "Fake Gold" by Cancer Bats becomes too noisy at the end due to the feedback in the guitars.

Despite the brightness, the overall treble experience is nice and airy. Slightly reducing the brightness and emphasizing the bass more would balance these headphones better. If you prefer a brighter sound or have a warm amp, these headphones pair fantastically. Although the highs can be commandeering at times, this frequency response is perfectly suited for jazz, classical, acoustic, and digitally mixed music

Conclusion

The Moondrop Cosmo headphones offer a robust build, excellent sound quality, and great design. While they could use more comfortable earpads and a slightly less bright treble, the overall performance is impressive. Whether you’re listening to jazz, classical, or modern tracks, these headphones provide a balanced and engaging listening experience. If you’re looking for a reliable pair of mid-fi headphones, the Moondrop Cosmo is worth considering.

The Moondrop Cosmo is available at Audio 46