In-ear monitors are a great way to do some casual listening at top-tier quality. When looking for earbuds, most people are now opting for the monitor design rather than a classic earbud. That paired with a great DAC really elevates a listener’s experience and gives them the top quality sound they’re looking for. 

Here’s the issue with all of that: wires. A common downside to IEMs is the fact that most – if not all – of them are wired. The higher quality IEM, the more likely they are going to have to be plugged into your device in order to start listening. Companies are great for providing adapters and additional cables to plug into any device. Still, that limits the IEMs still because you are bound by numerous wires that can get quite cumbersome, especially if you are someone who moves around a bunch on your feet while listening. 

This is where MoonDrop EVO comes in. They’ve created a portable amp that will step up your IEM listening experience, and it comes at a great value too. Other companies have made Bluetooth DACs/Amps, allowing you to forgo one of the cables during listening. What makes the MoonDrop EVO different? For $89.99, you can get a Bluetooth DAC/Amp that can connect to your favorite pair of IEMs via 2-pin 0.78mm connection. That eliminates all the wires entirely, making this a True Wireless connection instead to your device. I think a lot of audiophiles will want to consider adding this to their arsenal of gear, as it’s a clever and innovative way to elevate and bring your high-quality sound on the go. With these, MoonDrop joins a short list of companies like FiiO and iFi making true wireless DAC/Amps. 

I tested these with a number of IEMs: MoonDrop KATO (as advertised by the company), Tin HiFi P2+, and ThieAudio Elixir, to name a few. I’ll be discussing some overall listening impressions and comparisons on how the monitors sound via cable connection and through the Bluetooth DAC. 

Aesthetics

I have to say, I was a bit weary when I first opened the MoonDrop EVO. The over-ear design and I don’t have a great track record, thanks to my trusty glasses. That paired with the thicker hook part of the design made me think this was going to be bulky on my head and uncomfortable around my ear. However, you can imagine my pleasant surprise when I started wearing them and none of those things ended up to be true. The design was lightweight and easily wrapped around my ear, and it did not agitate or disrupt the wear of my glasses. I was able to wear both on the top of my ear with ease and no need for constant readjustment to get a comfortable feel. On top of that, the larger and slightly heavier hook side acted as a great counterweight to the IEMs. There was a good balance and during my testing, I never felt like the IEMs would fall out. 

Additionally, the white and grey design made for an excellent base and pairing to a number of IEMs. My gut tells me that there would have been a wide audience for people interested in a black and dark grey design, but perhaps that will come with another generation of the EVO. The charging pad being inside a zipper case was a nice touch, and I really didn’t mind the bulkiness of it. The larger case allows for you to keep your IEMs plugged in and sit in the case while charging, so you don’t have to constantly plug and unplug the monitors. 

That being said, the only design flaw I could see was in the weight. I don’t think these would work well with a DAC for lightweight IEMs, like ones that are made of specifically light material. There needs to be some weight with it, otherwise the counterweight hook would constantly be pulling the monitor out of your ear. 

Functionality 

Setting up the EVOs was incredibly easy, with the Bluetooth pairing being super simple to any of my devices. Plugging in the IEMs was also very easy, with the only real challenge being the fine print reading to see which was left and right. I began listening quickly after setup. During listening, I found that the touch commands that the panel was supposed to provide did not work as well as I thought it would. I struggled to activate the commands, and found it was easier just to navigate those things through my device. Two hours of battery life was also a disappointing find. To put it in perspective, I could use these fully charged at the start of my commute to work, but once I get to my destination, they would be nearly dead. Not something I’d invest in for long travels. 

Listening Review

It’s a bit different when reviewing a DAC, as it may have a different effect on different earphones. Safe to say with these, it was very good at tightening the audio given from the IEM. You can crank the volume a bit more, which was a nice feature. You still get a lot of headroom with any pair of monitors, and you aren’t compromising the quality of the sound to do it. Compared to wired listening, you do lose some detail and clarity that you would otherwise have via a direct connection, but they have a strong drive that you don’t see in a lot of other similar products. I was able to listen comfortably without the issue of the amp giving less power as I went on. 

Summary

To conclude, the EVO has its perks and flaws. Do I wish they had more battery life and a more easy-to-use function? Yes. Am I still impressed with the smooth sound and easy startup? Also yes. I think for the price point, you are getting a quality product that can be used as an asset for quick listening. It may not be something you want for the long-haul, and I’m curious to see if MoonDrop will release a second generation. EIther way, I am sure that you will find something to love when you pair these with your favorite 2-pin in-ear monitors. 

You can get the MoonDrop EVO at Audio46.