Moondrop tends to be a friend to audiophiles on a budget. Able to produce sound signatures that perform way better than the price tag may suggest, Moondrop might have surprised us with the release of the Solis 2, which is a relatively expensive model, competing with high-performing IEMs from brands such as Campfire Audio and 64 Audio. Can the Solis 2 stand out in the sea of other high-end IEMs? Or should Moondrop stick to the cheap stuff?

What's in the Box?

• Solis 2 IEMs
• 2-pin cable with interchangeable plugs (2.5mm, 3.5mm, 4.4mm)
• Various sizes silicone tips
• Various sizes foam tips

Look and Feel

I can’t really do justice to the design using words alone. You have to see the Solis 2 in my hands to really get a feel for how weighty and lavish looking these shells are. Encased in a super solid, roughly brushed silver, these heavy shells are stamped with Moondrop's glitzy gold logo. And in combining these two robust metals, Moondrop is really driving home the fact that the Solis 2 is not to be taken lightly.

While the Solis 2 IEMs are admittedly heavy, the fit didn’t bother me too much until after I took the earbuds out of my ear. My canals were left feeling a little raw. (That’s what she said.) I had a similar problem with the original Campfire Audio Solaris, which had roughly textured shells as well. 

Design

The Solis 2 touts a fancy driver configuration comprising of 2 10mm dynamic drivers, 2 balanced armatures, and 4 electrostatic drivers. In its design, Moondrop has employed its own H.O.D.D.D.U.S. (Horizontally Opposed Dual Dynamic Drivers Unit System), which organizes the dynamic drivers in a symmetrical fashion, aiming to approximate the characteristics of a planar magnetic driver technology.

Sound Impressions

Soundstage

The space feels somewhat contained, with most of the variation happening along the vertical and horizontal axis. While there is some good width to the soundstage and super-clean separation, there’s not a huge amount of depth or distancing between sound elements along this plane. And sometimes, it kind of falls short of feeling truly holographic. Still, while there is a centeredness to the space, the imaging remains colorful, and the generous stereo field offers enough expansiveness to make you feel like you’re fully immersed in the music.

Low-End

While the sub-bass feels relatively visceral and the overall bass response is far from stingy, the low-end sounds quite natural and uncolored. That said, for my ears, there was enough punch and depth in the low end to do justice to modern tracks. Still, where the Solis 2 truly shines is in its uber-transparent and realistic presentation of acoustic instruments, And certainly, in the low-end, the fantastic level of detail and life-like delivery are the Solis 2’s standout features.

Mids

The midrange is probably my favorite attribute of the Solis 2. While the low-mids are given plenty of love, the upper half of the midrange is boldly present, and in some ways, is the most defining quality of this sound signature. Vocals sit right on you, merging you closer to the performer. And in addition to delivering tons of edgy snap, there’s a glow to the treble that starts in the upper midrange, and continues into the higher frequencies. In fact, the Solis 2 almost seems like a very distant cousin to a Campfire Audio IEM. Some might disagree, but there’s an undeniable radiance here that is very Campfirish in character. And instruments like acoustic guitars and pianos really have an addictive shine them.

Highs

As mentioned above, the treble is quite luminous when called upon. At the same time, at the very highest frequencies, peaks remain smooth and easy on the ears. In fact, the lower treble feels glossier than the highest frequencies in this range. And this is the perfect balance for listeners who enjoy a lively treble but get easily fatigued by piercing high frequencies. Of course, the impressive resolution remains in this range as well. 

Summary

There’s no question that the Solis 2 is a great sounding IEM. Natural, clean and super-detailed with a delicious midrange and radiant treble, I can’t deny that I didn’t enjoy every moment of my time with the Solis 2. That said, did it blow me away? Maybe not. Still, it’s a pretty solid first attempt at creating an IEM that competes with the heavy hitters on the market. And if you’re a lover of the finer things in life, then the entertainingly extravagant shells are a cherry on top.

You can buy the Moondrop Solis 2 at Audio 46.