Moondrop Variations

Yes, The Moondrop Variations is almost 3 years old. Enough to be considered old in the ever fast moving world of IEMs. With something like the Studio4 that came out last year. How does it feel to life with this aging beast ? Should you still buy one ? Let’s talk about it.

This unit is here on my desk courtesy of Jaben Surabaya, who is kind enough to keep my weekly uploads going and really went out of their way to ship them here! Thank you Jaben Surabaya for the chance to review this beautiful beast. More on them in the video description. But, I digress.

First time picking them up, I thought they’re made of frosted glass. As it was slightly cold to touch and it is dense. The buds themselves are hefty. Oh, incase you didn’t know. This is a Moondrop Tribrid IEM, with 2 Electrostatic Drivers, 2 Balanced Armature, and a Dynamic Driver. Full specs will be in the Description and the link to Moondrop’s Website.

After unwrapping and putting them on, I jumped straight to testing their isolation. Keyboard sound does come through, when you don’t play anything. After that, I went and played Master of Puppets by Metallica. Where I wrote on a note “Closer to what I’m used to, but there are something different. Perhaps the Separations of Instruments and vocals ?” These notes are mostly just compared to what I’m daily driving, which is the Truthear Zero:Red most of the time.

But, I digress. The vocals are forward, airy, and well defined. There are slight possibility to notice some sibilance, but also not really ? And, this is I think my first time experiencing Electrostatic Drivers ? I’m not really concerned about driver configurations, so I don’t really look them up as much as I would like. I think the Imaging and Sound Staging is Exceptional with this pair. Again, this is mostly compared to my daily driver. I wish I could compare this to the Symphonium Crimson or the Studio 4 directly. Circling back to Master of Puppets, I think the song sounds engaging as ever and I consider it smooth even.

Before I totally forgot. The fit and comfort is okay. The unit is an absolute chonker! Your ears might feel packed when wearing them. But for me at least, after a prolonged use it’s overall okay.

Getting back to the sound department, Female vocals on Heavy Rotation by JKT48 are surprisingly separated, sparkly, forward, and airy. Bass performance is tight, with fast decay, punchy, and well presented. Definitely no sloppy bass here. Although, the slight mid-bass dip might be worth noting. But that might be a nitpick ? At least the Bass does not bleed to the Mids. Speaking about the mids, perhaps it’s another nitpick, but I think it could be a little forward. It’s not really a problem most of the time. But on some Rock songs, it does shows.

The experience is just… something else, especially when listening to The Velvet Underground’s Oh! Sweet Nuthin’. The sense of sound stage and imaging feels like I’m in the same room as they are playing. It was so expressive, full of character. I think I’ve never experience this before… or maybe I just didn’t listen to their song while testing other IEMs…

But I digress, hard, busy song like Megadeth’s Symphony of Destruction sounds really nice, the bassline is pronounced, the mids are engaging enough, and the treble are lively and airy. Meanwhile, on Unholy confessions. The Ride Cymbals are not only noticeable, the vibration also came through adding a little hint of detail to the overall experience.

While the details, imaging, and staging is pretty good so far. At first glance, playing some orchestral songs may result in a 50/50 gamble. On the not so busy part of The Mandalorian by Danish National Symphony Orchestra. Most of the time, the experience is really nice. However, I think moving up to some of the busiest part of the song, the instruments gets together a little too much ? and can sound a bit overwhelming. I thought of something funny when writing this, Can I call this like a “Stew” ? It doesn’t mean that the experience is bad, but it’s just everything is mixed up in there. After further testing however, I think you’ll need more volume on Orchestral tracks, as increasing the volume. It sounds overall better than before!

Games and movies sound amazing with this. You could say they are immersive. However, on e-sport titles, I don’t seem to notice a lot of difference or gain any competitive advantage with more expensive IEMs. I think that is it ? that concludes my review of the Moondrop Variations. Thank you again Jaben Surabaya for lending them for review!

Review Of The Moondrop Variations​

Introduction​

Moondrop, a well-known and reputable Chinese manufacturer of electro-acoustic products, has produced highly appreciated IEMs including the Blessing 2, S8, and others. Due in large part to their committed R&D staff, this 2015-founded company has never been dissatisfied with any of its audiophile products. Any audiophile who hears about Moondrop immediately assumes that they will never let them down with their intrinsic and extrinsic research. They have developed a large number of in-ear monitors, ranging in price from entry-level budget to high end, with such passion and attention to detail that they have recently indulged in dac/amps and headphones. I've heard and used every single one of their IEMs up till The Variations, which I consider to be one of their best achievements. The variation I'll be discussing today has the favourable tuning I like, although I have to acknowledge that I might exaggerate its accomplishments. Nevertheless, I won't let my prejudices influence my review. But first, a few things need to be clarified before we begin the review.

Disclaimer​

*I own this item, which I purchased three months ago; as a result, this review of the IEM is late. The thoughts I've presented below are all 100% unique and uninfluenced by anyone else; they are all concepts that I have forwarded. To learn more, go on this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as "Variations."
*I am using different Ear-tips and Cable for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Variations based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

A Tribid driver setup for the Variations has two electrostatic, two balanced armature, and one dynamic driver. The diaphragm of the 10mm dynamic driver is made of a liquid crystal polymer. There are 2 Sonion high performance electrostatic drivers and 2 Softears D-Mid-B customised mid range balanced armature drivers. The dynamic driver controls the bass, the balance armature controls the midrange, and the electrostatics control the treble. An enhanced version of the crossover utilised in the Blessing 2 handles all the frequencies from all the drivers. They created medical-grade UV resin shells with specific tubes for each type of driver in collaboration with HeyGears. The faceplate is composed of sandblasted stainless steel metal and has a resin body in the colour of black smoke. The ergonomic design of the iem shells fits my ear nicely. They are also quite lightweight and comfortable at the same time. As for the nozzle, it is too big for any eartip to fit on it, so Moondrop has provided 6 pairs of specially designed silicon and foam eartip sets in small, medium, and large sizes. A 2pin 6n purity single crystal copper cable with interchangeable terminations that are 3.5mm, 2.5mm, and 4.4mm was also available from the manufacturer in addition to the eartips. A carry case, six pairs of nozzle filters, and a set of tweezers are among the additional accessories. When supplied through the headphone jacks of mobile phones, it was difficult to offer the full potential of variations; however, no issues were experienced when using daps and dedicated dacs/amps. The technical specifications are as follows: impedance: 15.2 ohms; sensitivity: 118dB. Variations barely exhibits 1% total harmonic distortion over the frequency range of 9Hz to 40kHz.


* Three accessories are missing which are: a cleaning brush, a tweezer and a filter mesh. These three accessories were not included in my retail box.

Sound​

This IEM is the best I have heard at this price point, with qualities like light and neutral tonality and excellent stage and imaging technicalities. The sound of the variations is pure delight. Although the IEM has a neutral sound and the sound leans toward a U shape tuning, the sub bass has a lot of prominence in the mix in terms of the overall bass response. The entire experience seems like a little movie theatre. The treble is expansive and dazzling, the midrange is in the middle and focused over, and the subbass is deep. I agree that these are highly specialised tuned IEMs, which is accurate given that they are tuned closely to the V.D.S.F. target set by Moondrop. My interest in the answer grows as I give in to the sound more and more. I can honestly say that I have never listened to anything more satisfying. However, I do detect a hint of timidity in the lower midrange and midbass, but when everything is orchestrated together, the entire response more than makes up for it. Let's explore the sound more.

Treble​

Reading comments on groups and communities, where individuals specifically remarked that the variations sound a little bit better than the Blessing 2, other than that, it is the same, brought up the comparison of Variations with the Blessing 2 in front of my eyes numerous times. I have owned the Blessing 2 and the Variations, so I do not believe it. Unexpectedly, there are no traces of hotness or sibilance in the treble, which is airy and crisp. With excellent clarity and a strong sense of nuances, the high treble is exceptionally expansive. Similar to how the instruments are alive and charismatic, the vocals reach out to perform fuller and richer. There is no exploitative vocal or instrumental behaviour that could wear you out. Compared to the Blessing 2, the presentation is much more lively and clear. The mix's lower treble is well-balanced and smooth; it doesn't stand out or reveal any objectionable sounds. The lower treble is where the vocals and instruments have the most weight, and the higher octaves have good vitality and clarity in the mix. While the close approach to genuine presentation is taken, the vocals and instruments are light and unobtrusive, and I did sense it. Treble sensitive persons may find the treble area a little thinner to their taste but not objectionable. Overall, the treble region is airy, smooth, and lively.

Mid Range​

The midrange is expressive and organic. The reach of Variation is modest in the upper mid range, so it doesn't inherit the little shouty qualities from Blessing 2, which kept it more calming and appealing. The vocals and instruments sound their largest and most tonally warm in the high mid range, which is energising and lively. They have an expressive and roomy feel. However, the vocals occasionally sound a little peaky, particularly the female vocals, but this won't be heard too often. The entire presentation is in excellent control. Due to the absence of mid bass bloat, the lower mid range sounds surprisingly clean, clear, and detailed; it doesn't sound flat or muddy. Because the lower mid range is so well-resolved, the vocals and instruments have natural tones, and the balance between the lower and upper mid range is so perfect, I didn't feel the need for any additional mid bass, which would have made the music sound thicker. People will undoubtedly describe this as a lean presentation, and I might agree with them because, despite its richer and more natural-sounding qualities, I suspect my preference does not extend to the midrange. However, this does not imply that it is a bad thing because I don't find these objectionable. The presentation of mid-range is expressive, roomy, and appealing overall.

Bass​

When it comes to the bass region, the Variations case is unique. I'm referring to how the bass is tuned, which is different from other IEMs. The variations' bass response has a good deal of sub bass, but the mid bass is far back and shy. Most IEMs will emphasise the midrange more or almost spill into the lower midrange, however in the case of Variation, there is noticeable sub bass and a good dip after 200Hz that rises again after 500–600Hz. However, I won't complain because the sub bass prominence over the entire bass area is incredibly cinematic. The bass response has a sub woofer quality that doesn't exploit or feel loose; on the contrary, it goes deep. While the mid-bass notes have a presence in the mix but can seem hollow or unnatural due to muted and lighter notes, the sub bass has a solid rumble and punch while keeping a good texture and body in the sub bass zone. However, the overall response is not poor because the sub bass's texture and detail quality with a balanced tuning make up for it. Although clean and controlled, the overall bass has the character of a subwoofer and has amazing texture and details, however the mid bass is reserved and muffled.

Technical Performance​

In terms of technical performance, the Variations well surpass my expectations because to their fantastic soundstage, clear imaging, and superior separation compared to the rival IEMs in this price category. The sharpness and retrieval of details are both quite excellent. It feels fantastic to have notes perform quickly and accurately.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation​

The Variations have a fantastic sense of air and presence, and the holographic stage is quite broad and vast. In my opinion, the imaging is clearer and forms better than any other IEM in this price range since it is tacky and sharp. Additionally, the separation is astounding; the notes are crystal clear, and it is easy to identify exactly where the sound is coming from. Every component sounds different, and they have enough of room to breathe.

Speed & Resolution​

The Variations, while not particularly outstanding, do capture my interest by presenting the attack and decay of notes at a very quick clip. The detail retrieval is excellent for the price they are being given at, demonstrating the IEM's great resolving capability as the details come out crisp, clear, and richer.

Sound Impressions ​

Sources​

Tempotec V6 - The Variations had a gorgeous and smooth tone when combined with V6. My attention is captured by the pleasant tonality of the expansive treble and the roomy mid range. Although the bass is quite adaptable, occasionally I sense a somewhat looser overall response. Despite a somewhat natural presentation, this combo brings out the best in the Variations.



Questyle M15 - The M15 and the variations work together to create a neutral approach with more resolving strength. The mid range sounds less coloured and has greater timbre quality, while the treble is more lively and more detailed. While listening to metal or female singing, sibilance hints are more noticeable. Although the sub bass rumble and punches are less noticeable, the bass is more textured and cleaner. The stage was another character I sensed was slipping away. The M15 is superior at bringing out more details and a more energetic approach, but I thought the V6 performed far better overall.



iFi Hipdac - In comparison to the V6 or the m15, there is a relaxation throughout the entire reaction. The lower treble and high mid ranges have more peaky features as well. The midrange has a more forward approach in the mix with peaky and shouty qualities, the bass got more warm and expressive in the mid bass, and the treble is the least expansive but smooth. The bass felt more organic to me. The Hipdac combination was a passable experience, but bass-heavy music felt wonderful.

Tracks​

Curtis Mayfield - Pusherman
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Earth, Wind & Fire - Let's Groove
Boston - More Than A Feeling
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere(Remastered)
Toto - Africa
The Police - Every Breath You Take
George Benson - Affirmation
Daft Punk - Doin' It Right
Daft Punk - Derezzed
Daft Punk - Tron Legacy (End Titles)
GOJIRA - Amazonia
The Mars Volta - Inertiatic ESP
Fergie - Glamorous
50 Cent - In Da Club
Jay Z - Holy Grail
Erbes - Lies
Nitti Gritti - The Loud
Juelz - Inferno

Conclusion​

In the end, I would take my stance and recommend purchasing the Varaitions for their airy, light presentation and subwoofer bass. In my experience, I have listened to a variety of IEMs, ranging in price from low to high end, but the tuning of variations stole my heart. Absolute joy characterises the Variations toward music. Although I might suggest those who enjoy a warm, meaty approach to experience these first, these will nonetheless dazzle you.

I’ve been on a Moondrop binge as of late and while I’ve not had a chance to release any reviews of the units I tried, I still wrote the reviews and plan to release more Moondrop related reviews in the future. The Variations are Moondrop’s most recent tribrid release. This set is using a single DD, 2 BA and 2 EST drivers. This also a standard 2 pin IEM with a wonderful cable that uses swappable plugs.

Quick shoutout to @shenzhenaudio for sending the Variations to test and review. While I always appreciate the chance to test and review products sent in from manufacturers, it never affects the rating of my reviews.

The Variations can be picked up from Shenzhenaudio at their website below.
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/...logy-in-ear-monitor-with-interchangable-cable

Onto the review of the Moondrop Variations! My personal preference is a hybrid/tribrid IEM where I get good hitting bass and have a detailed treble with decent mids. When it comes to an over ear headphone I prefer a spacious sound with a deep low end, the mids to be more forward and the highs to be a little bright with some sparkle. I listen to a lot of genres but I hover in the classic rock, blues and edm music with some rap here and there.

Gear Used​

IPhone 12 pro with headphone adapter, Aune BU2, iFi Go blu, SMSL SU-9 feeding the SP400 amp.

Looks and fit​

The Moondrop Variations come in a soft finished resin shell with a metal faceplate. The faceplate has a nice pattern with a simple Variations logo on it. The shell has a slight “frosted” transparency which looks really good to my eyes. The nozzles are flat and thicker. I would prefer a lip at the end of nozzles but I didn’t have any issues with tips coming loose.

Isolation​

Isolation is pretty good even with the small vent hole on the faceplate. I could still pick up some noise from my surroundings but for the most part, I was blocked off from outside noise. Sound does leak a little from the vent hole but in a normal environment such as a room or outside it’s not noticeable. In a super quiet room it would be easier to pick up what someone was listening to.

Packaging and accessories​

Inside the box we get a nice selection of accessories. The top part of the box has the carrying case(with cable and swapple plugs) and foam/silicone tips. The bottom section has a packet of info, pictures of a “anime waifu”, the IEMs themselves and the replacement filters should they fall apart over time. I like the presentation here and I think there is a nice chunk of accessories included with the Variations.

Sound(overall)​

These final impressions were done off a mix of the iFi GO blu and the SMSL SU-9 connected to the SMSL SP400. These are what the Variations sounded like to my ears. This was also using the CP145 eartips from spinfit. Things like ear tip selection and DAC/amp selection will produce different results and impressions vs what my ears hear on my specific gear.

I always look forward to a good bass presence when it comes to hybrids/tribrids. The star of the show here is indeed the low end frequencies. The bass comes in strong with impact on sub bass hits but still sounds really well controlled. I didn’t notice any real bleed into the mids and the Variations are able to reach down low when it comes to the detail retrieval of the bass. I don’t often get hung up on bass as I prefer a little thump without bleed but this is one of those moments I got excited from IEM DD bass. The mids are decent. Vocals come through more on the warm side with a little less detail. The treble starts to pick up what the mids are lacking which gives the impression of better detail retrieval. I find the treble a little hot with both the stock tips and the spinfits at times. This is a V shaped tuning for sure which is fine as the mids aren’t a disaster. The Variations do detail retrieval fairly well but it always feels like a battle over what I want to focus on more listening to music. Picking between the Variations lows and highs can be hard at times for me. Regardless, I would definitely say this is more of fun tuning but also a good “all rounder” IEM for those seeking a fun tuning.

Soundstage/Imaging​

Soundstage is fairly good with this set. I get a noticeably wider stage with a decent depth. Things are definitely in my face soundwise but It’s definitely a good balance in terms of depth/width. The width is pretty good for an IEM and it was the biggest thing I noticed when listening. Imaging is decent here. The bass impact can cause a little haziness to the sound so it kinda depends on what you’re listening to. With not bass heavy music, the imaging is good for an IEM. With EDM I had to focus a little harder when I wasn’t jamming out to the thumpy bass.

Stock cable​

I usually cable roll if I think the stock cable is bad or isn’t balanced. Lately a lot of new IEMs have their own in house cables with swappable connectors included. This is the same case for the Variations. I liked the stock cable and I was happy with the swappable connectors Moondrop is using. It’s not as nice as DUNU’s own Q-plus connectors but it does the job and the cable the Variations uses can be bought for a good price. The braid is a simple two strand braid but it holds well and doesn’t feel cheap. Moondrop is also nice enough to include a 2.5mm and 4.4mm Pentaconn connector with the Variations. I like to run 4.4mm personally so I’m happy it’s not something I have to buy separately. You can always play around with rolling different cable materials to try and adjust the sound but I think the stock cable is totally fine.

Tip rolling​

I didn’t really care for the stock tips and went with the CP145 as they gave me the best sound(for my tastes) and long term comfort. The included stock silicone tips are a medium size bore so it's about the same sound as the CP145 I ended up using but I just didn't get the right fit for my ears with the stock tips. I didn’t try the foam tips but I usually only resort to foam tips if an IEM is too sibilant. A wide bore tip might help with low end bass if it feels like too much to the listener. Since I had a good hit off the bat with the CP145, I honestly didn’t attempt to tip roll like I normally do.

Nozzle filters​

I thought it was interesting that Moondrop includes extra tuning filters and a little set of tweezers to replace the nozzle filter should it go bad. I haven’t had the need to replace my unit's filters so I simply opted not to mess with them. If I have issues replacing them down the line I’ll update this review.

IEM comparisons​

DUNU EST 112​

This is the direct competitor to the Variations IMO. Price is around the same(Variations is $30 more) and they both are tribrids. The Variations gets you one extra BA for the $30 but it also has a drastically different tuning than the EST 112. The EST 112 is a heavy mid-focused IEM. It sounds better to my ears for vocals but has decent bass and just average treble when compared to the Variations. The Variations has a better Low end impact as well as a reverberation that gives the bass a wider sound. The mids are more tamed and the highs have a brighter sound that helps offset the bass. I find the EST 112 a more genre specific IEM and the Variations a fun bassy all rounder. Both offer ok detail retrieval but both feel like polar opposites in tuning. I do like both and the EST 112 is what I use at night when settling down and when I’m at work. I use the Variations whenever I want to have a good time with some well done bass.

THIEAUDIO Clairvoyance​

The clairvoyance is my favorite set of IEMs under 1k so I'm always looking for something that can compete with them. The Clairs have a better balanced sound over the Variations. The bass still has some good impact on the Clair but it’s super controlled and allows more details to come in overall. The mids have more detail and the treble just has better detail retrieval overall. I love using the Clairs for 90 percent of my listening on my desktop setup or my portable setup. I think the Clair goes for a more detailed focus and while it's a good benchmark for me personally, I still like the fun tuning of the Variations. I would however pick the Clair over the Variations any day. I do find the Variations more comfortable than the Clairs for my ears.

Amping Combinations​

iFi GO blu​

The GO blu was able to power the Variations just fine. I used it balanced the entire time and there was no noticeable hiss from the pairing. The Variations aren’t a sensitive IEM so this won’t be an issue. The Variations still retained their overall tuning that I got from my desktop setup. The only thing I noticed was that they sounded a little less detailed in the low end and had less sparkle up top when used with the GO blu. The xBASS was way too much bass and everything was bloated and the xSPACE gave the Variations just a little too much treble brightness. Things had a metallic sound at times and I wasn’t a fan of either hardware EQ options. This was still a good pairing overall IMO.

Aune BU2​

The BU2 was the more interesting portable pairing I used with the Variations. It got me closest to the desktop setup I used for the final sound impressions. The bass had a hint of the “echo” that I got from the desktop setup which gave the Variations a wider sense of soundstage. The treble was a little sharper and made for a better sounding tuning. I found this pairing better than the GO blu in terms of overall sound quality. Since the Variations come with a 2.5mm and 3.5mm plug, you can use Aune’s 2.5mm jack on the BU2. This was my favorite pairing for portable use.

SMSL SU-9/SP400​

This is the main desktop setup I use to review all my gear since I got the “stack” a while back. All my sound impressions were based off this stack. The biggest difference between this and the portable units is the soundstage width, the bass detail/reverberation, treble sparkle and just a tighter tuning. I don’t think a desktop stack is needed for the Variations, but it seems to scale just a bit more off something more powerful.

Overall thoughts​

I really like the Moondrop Variations and these get an easy recommendation from me. This is what I would consider a “fun” “all rounder” IEM and It’s a set you can use daily and have a blast with. Those who want a more balanced sound will probably lean towards something else. I’m mixed on Moondrop's IEMs and while I unfortunately have some of their IEMs I absolutely hated, this is one of their best to my ears. Thanks for reading!

Moondrop has always been a company pursuing Harman Target Curve, and so is their Variations.

There's a small hole on the back panel of Variations, which should be designed for its DD. It is a three-way design with three channels at the sound outlet, each channel is responsible for bass, mids and treble. The shell is frosted and it feels good to the touch, but it looks a bit rough (like CIEMs that has not been completely processed).


The Variations uses 0.78 connectors. I like 0.78 connectors for it seems to get a longer life span than mmcx.


It uses a translucent cavity, we can vaguely see the BAs, DD, ESTs and transformer for the ESTs. The BAs for mids is from Softears.


Like the FiiO and Dunu, Moondrop also uses replaceable plugs (2.5, 3.5 and 4.4). Among the three brands, I think Dunu’s design is the best, strong but easy to replace; FiiO’s design is as strong as Dunu, but it needs a little bit strength to replace; Moondrop didn't use a strong locking structure like the FiiO and Dunu, so if it was made into a straight type, the plug and the cable would be easy to separate from each other.
But when it comes to price, the Dunu's cable, which is best-designed, is also the most expensive, while Moondrop's gets a more afforadable price (for me). Although the design of the plug is not so good, Moondrop's cable has a shielding design (that is, the coaxial structure Moondrop calls), and it's light in weight, not very thick, which is very suitable for portability. So I bought another one for my CIEM.



Sound:
Bass: The Variations compared to Moondrop's previous products (such as the A8), the bass has been greatly increased, but the overall style is still very close to the HRTF. Lowering the spl at 200-600hz can well avoid the feeling of dull or boomy, but this will make songs with male vocal and drum beats less pleasant. There is a 10dB increase in spl from 200hz to 20hz, which guarantees a good sub bass.

Mids: The Variations is too referenced to the HRTF, and the mids is fallingoff too much, resulting in a thinner overall sound. This is the biggest weakness of the Variations.

Treble: Lowering the spl of 6-7kHz also alleviates the problem of sibilance sound. Maybe because of the participation of EST drivers, Variations's treble is a little harsh, but the resolution is nice.

Disclaimer: The unit used for this review was paid full price with my own money on HifiGo. No incentives were given to say anything else but the truth in my own words. English is not my native language so I apologize upfront for any kind of miswording.

1. Introduction

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Moondrop needs no introduction - any audiophile that has looked in the IEM world has come across with the brand. Variations it’s one the brand’s newest releases and their first tribrid, using:

• For bass: 10mm liquid crystal diaphragm composite copper inner-cavity dynamic driver;
• For midrange: Softears-D-Mid-B (Customized mid-frequency composite balanced armature driver);
• For treble treble: SONION high-power electrostatic driver.

Moondrop Variations enters the market with a 520$ MSRP, placing it within one of the most competitive brackets of the hobby currently (tribrids), while still being one of the cheapest competitors.

2. Inside the box

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• Standard 2 pin copper cable with a modular termination (not a good one to be honest - spaguetti);
• 3 termination modules: 3.5mm single-ended, 2.5mm balanced and 4.4mm balanced;
• Carrying fake leather box;
• 3 Sets of Moondrop Silicone tips (S to L);
• 3 Sets of Foam tips (S to L);
• A tweezer and replacement filters;
• Anime cards;
• Warranty card.

3. Sources, accessories and fit

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To get my impressions only flac files were used only. Both Shanling M3X and Luxury & Precision W2 were used, but in the end the final thoughts were used only with the set connected to L&P W2 on 4.4mm balanced using the stock cable. As for tips, all the review was done using Spinfit CP155 medium size.

Variations shell uses the same size and format as its predecessor Blessing 2. It’s a pseudo custom shell, on the bigger side, with a long and large nozzle. Any people that fits one of them, will probably fit the other. To my ears, they strike as the maximum size I can hold, so anything above this won’t fit. As for comfort, they aren’t the best to me after some hours, but as always, YMMV. Isolation is average to my ears.

A quick word about the filters: They don’t change the sound in any way. Mine came already off and I didn’t bother to replace them at all. also they don’t look any good when applied,

4. Sound Signature and Technicalities

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Variations comes across as a sub-bass focused monitor, with a sterile sound signature and a sparkly treble. Its neutral with sub-bass boost clearly has some Thieaudio Monarch pedigree resemblance on it, which most will find appealing since it’s generally considered the most resolving IEM under 750 USD.

The strongest point of this tuning is its bass. It’s without a doubt one of the best sub-bass texture, extension and elevation I've ever heard. When a track goes low, it comes alive, shows it’s claws and rumbles like it should. My favourite trait of this set, by a margin - I consider it best in class so far.
Now that we’ve seen all the pretty, what about the ugly? To achieve such tuning, the mid-bass shelf is somewhat abrupt, forming a small dip, starting around 200hz, recessing this frequency. This means that anything that hits this frequency zone will be somewhat recessed, even more noticeable on busy tracks due to other parts' elevation. In short, bass guitars, kick drums, male vocals and others will not be as forward or even come along as somewhat muted, which makes a frontal collision with my personal library. This detail will also make it sound somewhat thinner and more analytical, leaving me wishing for some more warmth sometimes.

Mids follow the same pattern, sometimes lacking note weight or warmth for my preferences, but still present and not recessed - just less of an “in your face” presentation that can be found on more mid focused IEMs. As expected, female vocals will sound more present than the male’s counterpart.
Despite all of that, the detail on it is top notch and well textured. Upper mids are very well done, a little more elevated than my personal taste but I liked it as they never came out as shouty or intense.

The treble comes out as a close second to its sub-bass. Detailed, energetic while not piercing, airy, detailed and very well extended. Clearly a good implementation of EST drivers for that sweet smoothness, that will make sparkle lovers happy. Instruments like cymbal strikes and electric guitars might sound a bit emphasized, but with good decay while retaining some naturalness to it.

Soundstage is wide and outside your head. It has good depth and some height. When paired with its great imaging, any presentation comes alive, as if you’re on the first row. Lastly but not least, the level of detail of this set is outstanding, benchmarking and the one to beat at its price.

5. Sample tracks

Click to expand...

• London Grammar - Metal and Dust

Female vocals will come out as a bit thin and lacking some warmth, but with good details. Sparkles all over.

• John Legend - All of Me

John’s vocals sound a bit thin and recessed, giving a somewhat lack of naturalness to the replay. Sparkles and reverb effects were pretty good.

• Jay Cosmic - The Tunnel (0:58 - 1:15)

Variation’s bread and butter - it’s speciality. Sub-bass extension and texture are best in class, which makes it a great replay.

• RHCP - Throw Away your television (0:00 - 0:15)

During the first 15 seconds of the intro, Variations mid-bass dip comes into play, muting the bass guitar and pushing it behind the rest of the band, showing its weakness. Any drummer or bass guitarist won’t like this set due to this particular reason.

• Laurent Garnier - Crispy Bacon

I use this techno classic to look into the tuning balance. Variations showed some lack of mid-bass thumb and slam, while displaying

• Hans Zimmer - Wallace

One of a kind replay. The bread and butter. If I had to choose a single track to listen to on Variations, it would be this one.

• Snarky Puppy - What about me?

The lack of mid-bass will be very present on this kind of Jazz tracks and I can’t recommend Variations for the genre. Percussion instruments will get lost in the way.

• Massive attack - Angel (0:00 - 0:20)

Everyone knows this track and it’s characteristics. Variations is no exception. Impressive, as expected.

• Ariana Grande - Touch it (0:52)

Sub-bass pad drop with an amazing texture. Brings bass and treble upfront compared to vocals. Might not be ideal for vocal heads, but it’s a very fun and different replay.

6. Comparisons

Click to expand...

I’ll now compare Moondrop Variations to another two IEMs in a Tribrid Deathmatch. Every set will be using 4.4mm balanced and stock cable. All of them are running from Luxury & Precision W2 (Low gain, Tune 02, no EQ) with flac files. I listened to a lot of tracks on all the IEMs, but I used the following three to bring the divine judgment on:

• Billie Eilish - Oxytocin
• Agnes Obel - Curse
• Daft Punk - Aerodynamic

• EJ07m (Spinfit CP145, Tanchjim Tanya filters)

Variations has better sub-bass texture, extension and rumble, while EJ07m compensates for it with more mid-bass elevation, speed and slam. On busier and more dynamic genres like metal, Variations mid-bass will hit like a spoon while EJ07m will slam.
Mids presentation is more forward and detailed on EJ07m, making it a better suit for vocals as well.
Treble is fully on the Variations side. EJ has great presentation and detail for a darker treble, but Variations is just top of the class.
Technically, Variations gives the feel of being more resolving, but on micro details they are very close or 07m even surpasses it. Stage is deeper on Variations, but EJ07m has better imaging and sense of holographic acoustics.

Verdict: In my opinion, EJ07m is a superior IEM and for people that are more treble sensitive, it’s a no brain. Its tuning makes it very easy to most libraries and be used as an all arounder, while Variations comes out more as a fun set to have on the side. For sparkle lovers, Variations is the pick.

• Xenns UP (Spinfit CP100)

Sub-bass is a no contest in favor of Variations best-in-class texture and presentation. But what about mid-bass? Mid-bass is one of my personal nitpicks with this set. This is where Xenns UP will win since mid-bass on Variations sometimes feels non-existent.
Regarding mids, I prefer Xenns UP presentation, even if they are elevated. The vocals on Variations feel pushed more in the background that I like (YMMV).
Treble rolls the exact same way as sub-bass in favour of Variations. Variations treble is less on my preferences, I usually prefer darker trebles, but credit where it’s due - Variations treble is awesome with some nice implementation of those EST drivers.
Technically, Variations turn the arena into a bloodbath. With some Monarch pedigree on its ADN, Variations is a tough bone to chew on.

Verdict: Variations as a sterile presentation of the sound, while Xenns makes you feel you're at a beach party by comparison. Although Variations’ sub-bass and treble are best in class, I prefer mids presentation from UP. To put it briefly, to my library, Variations is to find detail and stains on records while UP is to enjoy a sound. Both are great at what they do, but they do completely different things - if Xenns put a warm instagram filter on, Variations reduce the saturation and increase detail.

7. Conclusions

Click to expand...

Despite not fitting my library or preferences, it’s hard to not give credit where it’s deserved: Variations holds the flag for one of the most, if not the most, resolving IEM up to its price point. People looking for a very neutral IEM with a bass boost almost exclusive on the sub-bass region, should look no further. With the right library, it can be anyone’s end-game. I see it as a fun side IEM to have for specific tracks or genres and not as an all-rounder, but as always, ymmv.

Note* This review was supposed to come out a lot sooner than expected but life happened. Here's my take on the Variations either way. On to the review.


Hello everyone.

I would like to preface three things.

Firstly, I do not completely believe in audible “burn-in” or cable changes (in regard to sound). I have not personally been able to detect any changes in sound with a different cable or hours of burn-in, though YMMV. However, my final impressions will be based on 20-25 hours of burn-in with the stock cable and stock tips.

Secondly, my music preferences consist of many genres ranging from Rock/Metal, Rap, J-Pop/K-Rap, and some acoustical/vocal-based music. They will be listed below as examples.

Lastly, my reference over-ear headphones are the E-MU Teaks and the Sennheiser HD58x Jubilee.

All critical listening was done off the Topping L30/E30 and LG V30/FiiO BTR5 using Flac files. Casual listening was done with Spotify. All items were purchased with my own money.

Sample songs used to evaluate gear to get an idea of the type of music I listen to. Some bands/tracks have been changed.
Polaris – Landmine, Casualty, Creatures of Habit
YOASOBI - ラブレター (Love Letter), 夜に駆ける (Running into the Night ), ハルジオン (Halzion)
Slipknot – Before I Forget, Duality, Psychosocial
Hoshino Gen – Koi, Continues, Sun
Mariya Takeuchi – Plastic Love, Yume No Tzusuki, September
Jakubi – Holiday, Pillow, Nobody Better
Gorillaz – Clint Eastwood, On Melancholy Hill, Ascension
Tupac – Ambitionz Az a Ridah, Changes, All Eyez on Me
Mos Def – Mathematics, Hip Hop, Ms. Fat Booty
Polkadot Stingray – Free, Mermaid, A Stinging Spica

Overall tonality: Neutral with bass boost
Fit: The fit is.... pretty rough. Think Blessing B2. Small ears look elsewhere.
Comfort: Pretty uncomfortable. Think B2 (again). Though larger ears may be fine with this
Cable: Pretty solid. Nice to see an interchangeable cable system.
Isolation: Above average. I would be totally content taking these out to block sounds.

Bass: Starting with the bass, these go down low and are not afraid of showing it. Almost exclusively boosted in the subbass frequencies, these are really fun to listen to. Basslines are well-textured, and impact is almost perfect for my personal tastes. Though having a bit little more midbass presence might have made these perfect. Being a dynamic driver bass rumble and speed is excellent, neither being too slow nor too fast all while providing satisfying rumble. These are one of the most well-tuned and fun bass sets I’ve heard.

Mids: Mids are quite neutral with few “flaws”. Overall the midrange can consider flat with a slight bump a little after the pinna gain. This is where the flaw comes in. Depending on the track, some vocalists can sound a tad too close (i.e., some vocals tend to sound shouty). For some like myself, I prefer having vocalists relatively forward, though I will admit that it can get fatiguing. Both male and female vocals have great clarity with female vocals being up and center. Virtually all instruments sound as they’re supposed to. Nothing sounds out of place. Very well-tuned midrange with little faults.

Treble: Being one of the first EST drivers I’ve heard (more on that later), I didn’t really know what to expect. Treble seems to have decent extension, though nothing exceptional. I would say it’s pretty neutral to be honest. One thing I noticed though is that nothing seems to be pronounced. In fact, treble seems quite unfatiguing. No hints of sibilance or anything any weird peaks. There’s a good amount of “air” which is always appreciated. The EST seems to be a nice addition though I don’t know if it warrants the additional cost compared to sticking with a standard BA.



Select Comparisons:



Blessing2 (non-Dusk)

The most obvious comparison I can think of. Surprisingly more similar than you think. I think it’s safe to say that I much prefer the bass on the Variations, no competition. The Variation’s boost in the bass is more textured, significantly harder hitting, more rumble, and more fun than the Blessing. Midrange is where things go back and forth. Honestly, I think midrange is almost identical. Both are very well-tuned with the same “flaws”. Both male and female vocals have great clarity, though with a forwardness that some may find too fatiguing after long listening sessions. Treble extension and detail seem to be better on the Variations, though the B2 is pretty solid. Detail retrieval on both seems to be pretty good with the slight edge to the Variations. Staging and imaging on the Variations is slightly ahead of the B2. I consider the Variations to be the ideal upgrade to the B2.



Dunu SA6

Though similarly priced, these sets present music rather differently and enjoy I both for different reasons. Bass easily goes to the Variations. More impact, slam, texture, definition, and fun. The bass on the SA6 is no slouch, but it really shows why a DD is preferred for bass. For the midrange, I actually prefer the SA6. The non-fatiguing, yet energetic playback is still some of my favorite on any IEM I’ve come across. Vocals (male and female) have provide great detail while never being too close or too far. Instruments on both have great tonality, though the SA6 has that special sauce. Treble is extended well on both, but the Variations goes the extra mile. Clarity is also better on the Variations. Where the SA6 stumbles in comparison is staging and imaging. The Variations does a noticeable better job. If bass is not a concern, the SA6 is a really great set specializing in midrange tonality. The Variations is a beast for almost all types of music, especially those with a lot of subbass. Keep in mind that both are not perfect though. Pick your poison.



ThieAudio Clairvoyance

Note* I no longer have the Clairvoyance with me so take this with a grain of salt.

The Clairvoyance is a great competitor to the Variations. Both can be considered neutral with a bass boost, though they’re executed differently. The Variations has a strong focus on sub-bass while the Clair’s specializes in its evenness. The Clairvoyance bass is solid across. Neither subbass nor midbass is emphasized over the other. In comparison, however, the midbass seems to have a greater punch on the Clair’s while the midbass has more impact on the Variations. Midrange is also similar with some differences. Male vocals seem to be slightly more pleasant on the Variations while female vocals are more pleasant on the Clair. Both present great detail on both. Instruments on both also sound relatively neutral. Treble on both is non-fatiguing, though I’ll give the edge to the Variations. Staging and imaging honestly go neck and neck. In my opinion, if you want more balance, go with the Clairvoyance. If you want a more energetic, go with the Variations.





Conclusion

If you haven’t guessed, I really like the Variations. It plays well with most of my music library. From the bass to treble, it's excellently tuned with little to fault. It really sets the bar for what an IEM around $500 should sound like. It strongly made me rethink what I should expect from an IEM. Excellent job to Moondrop once again for their consistency.

As there are a number of of reviews of the Variations at present that describe its tuning and tonality in great detail, this 'review' aims to provide brief notes on the Variations with respect to other popular IEMs that I have owned, with the hope that it may serve as a useful reference point for prospective buyers.

Moondrop Blessing 2: Dusk

Chain: Spotify Premium on Mac > iFi ZEN DAC V2 7.2c > iFi 4.4mm-XLR > Gustard H10

Tips used: ePro EP00, ePro EP01, Azla Sedna Light Short

Against the Dusk:

• Treble is significantly more extended on the Variations, with much greater air
• Bass is significantly more textured, taut, and agile
• Soundstage is distinctly more spacious, with an out-of-head presentation, whereas the Dusk's stage is fairly forward and in-your-face
• Significantly better separation and layering
• Significantly greater clarity
• Much quicker transients
• Overall, the Variations is simply much more precise, nimble, textured, energetic, incisive, and revealing
• By comparison, I found the Dusk to be somewhat muted in terms of its attack and downwards compressed, and really just not all that resolving. Presentation wise, the Dusk is relatively polite, reserved, intimate, button-downed, and mid-centric.
• Suffice to say, I consider find the Variations to be a significant step up from the Dusk, sitting easily a tier above it

ThieAudio Clairvoyance

Most of my summary thoughts on the Variations vs. the Dusk can be transposed to the Clairvoyance, albeit to a somewhat lesser degree: the Variations outperforms the Clairvoyance in terms of overall clarity, spaciousness, transient response, air, separation, extension, and dynamics. I'm frankly hard-pressed to name any area where the Clairvoyance outdoes the Variations, although I can certainly appreciate the value of its palatable and versatile tuning. I sold the Clairvoyance very quickly due to two dealbreakers: I found its bass relatively soft and amorphous and its overall dynamics left me wanting. Upper-mids were also a touch shouty to my ears. aminus's review here very aptly outlines my main complaints. The Variations' bass strikes me as being significantly more defined, faster, and hard-hitting, with a more pleasing (to my ears) sub-bass shelf. It's an out-and-out cleaner, leaner, meaner, and more technically competent offering.

Sony IER-M9

As competent as the Variations are, they're certainly not on the same level as the IER-M9 in terms of sheer resolution, precision, and imaging. If one were to take the IER-M9 as the 'kilobuck benchmark', then the Variations are not quite kilobuck killers. To be sure, the Variations are excellent performers - it is simply the case that the IER-M9 are superlative in these areas.

Further impressions from fellow Head-Fi members

I've personally found the impressions contained in the following posts to be very much aligned with my own thoughts:

• surfgeorge's comparison of the Variations and the IER-M9 and Blessing 2
• toranku's comparison of the Variations and the IER-M9 and Blessing 2 variants
• SteveK27's comparison of the Variations and the Blessing 2 Dusk and ThieAudio Clairvoyance

Concluding thoughts

Until I heard the Variations, I had been persuaded that the 'sweet spot' in terms of price-to-performance for IEMs sat firmly in the $200 - $300 bracket. Based on my own experiences with IEMs in the $400 - $500 range (iBasso IT04, Fearless S8F, ThieAudio Clairvoyance), I'd written off most IEMs above the $300 mark and below $1k as falling in something of a 'no man's land' - while they usually offered incremental advantages in terms of refinement and technicalities, the price differential didn't quite justify itself in the way that the jump to TOTL IEMs did, where the sonic advantages are often incommensurable. To my mind, the Variations has singlehandedly usurped this paradigm, and well deserving of the highest praise.

INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER:​

The Moondrop Variations is a tribrid in-ear monitor (IEM) using a dynamic driver, two balanced armatures (BA), and two electrostatic (EST) drivers per housing. The Variations retails for $520 at ShenzhenAudio. I received the Variations from ShenzhenAudio as part of a review tour. I have had the Variations for just over a month. ShenzhenAudio will cover shipping to the next reviewer on the tour, but I am not being otherwise compensated for writing this review.

SOURCES:​

I have used the Moondrop Variations with the following sources:

• Qudelix 5K
• E1DA 9038D
• E1DA 9038S
• Hidizs S9
• Meizu HiFi Pro
• Xumee USB-C DAC/AMP

MUSIC:​

I have tested these headphones with local FLAC and Spotify Premium. Visit my last.fm page to get an idea of what I listen to:

XenosBroodLord’s Library | Last.fm

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES:​

The Moondrop Variations comes in a square black cardboard box with a white slipcover. Moondrop’s infamous waifu appears on the front face of the slipcover. Technical specifications for the Variations are provided in both Chinese and English on the rear face of the slipcover, along with a frequency response chart.

In addition to the IEMs, the package includes a detachable 2-pin cable utilizing the same interchangeable termination system found on the Moondrop Illumination’s included cable, a blue pleather rigid carry case, six silicone eartips (S, M, L), six Misodiko foam eartips (S, M, L), and 12 replacement protective nozzle filters, plus a tool for their installation. The Misodiko tips are my favorite eartip type and I appreciate their inclusion with the Variations.


The carry case has good build quality but its form factor is suboptimal. The case included with Variations has a vertical orientation with a tubular central cavity. The case opens up and backward from a hinge about 2/3rds of the way up the back of the case. The lid is secured by friction. I would have preferred Moondrop included the more conventional rectangular zippered grey carry case included with the Moondrop S8 instead.

The Variations also includes a black cardstock envelope which contains a pair of contact cards with Quick Response codes, a slightly larger postcard with the same waifu illustration from the front of the slipcover, and two separate warranty claim cards (one in English, the other in Chinese). The use of the envelope is a thoughtful touch and makes keeping all the included documentation together easier.

BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN:​

The Moondrop Variations has translucent matte black acrylic housings with a pseudo-custom fit. The sandblasted stainless steel faceplates are laser-etched with a repeating geometric pattern and the product logo in small, tasteful text. The shells appear to be unmarked. The 2-pin connectors are slightly recessed below the surface of the housing. The nozzles lack a lip for securing eartips but I have not had any issues with eartips coming loose thus far. The Variations’ shells are similar in form to the Moondrop S8’s but chunkier. There is more lateral extension from the faceplate to the shell’s concha bump in particular. The nozzles are also thicker than the Moondrops S8’s and are set at a slightly shallower angle from the faceplate. The nozzles appear to have roughly the same diameter as the Moondrop S8’s and should be compatible with the same kinds of eartips.


The included cable is very similar to the one included with the Moondrop Illumination in terms of form, the most obvious difference being the absence of silver plating. The two strands of the 2-pin cable are wrapped in a transparent plastic sheath. The strands are coiled in a double-helix pattern below the Y-split. The Y-split hardware is metal, but the modular termination system is made from black rubber. There is a small amount of strain relief above the host module, but none at the Y-split. The 2-pin connectors are embossed with faintly raised “L” and “R” indicators. The cable has pre-formed ear guides. There is no chin adjustment slider.

The modular termination system uses a recessed 4-pin male connection on the host side, which inserts into matched sockets on the jack side. The jack module is secured to the host module by two small plastic lugs on opposite sides of the jack end.

COMFORT, FIT, AND ISOLATION:​

The Moondrop Variations is intended to be worn cable-up. The earpieces have a moderate insertion depth. While not uncomfortable, the Variations is less comfortable to me than the Moondrop S8, which I believe to be mostly a result of the shallower nozzle angle rather than the size of the housings. I can still tolerate the fit for many hours. Secureness of fit and isolation are above average. I have not experienced driver flex with the Variations.

MEASUREMENTS:​

My measurements of the Moondrop Variations can be found on my expanding squig.link database:

Moondrop Variations — Squiglink by Bedrock Reviews

My measurements are conducted with a Dayton iMM-6 microphone using a vinyl tubing coupler and a calibrated USB sound interface. The measurements use a compensation file derived from relating my raw measurements to published measurements from Crinacle and Antdroid. There is a resonant peak at 8k. Measurements above 10 kHz are not reliable.

SOUND:​

The Moondrop Variations is immediately recognizable as a Moondrop IEM in terms of its tuning, which is a variation on Moondrop’s Virtual Diffuse Sound Field (VDSF) target. While VDSF is ostensibly based on Diffuse Field, it is commonly categorized as a Harman-ish target due to its emphasis on sub-bass over mid-bass, its robust pinna gain region centered around 3 kHz, and its downward-sloping frequency response from the pinna gain region through the treble.

The most immediate difference between the Variations and previous Moondrop IEMs is the increased bass emphasis. The Moondrop Variations is an unapologetically bass-heavy IEM. Like other Moondrop IEMs, this emphasis takes the form of a distinct sub-bass shelf rather than a mud-inducing mid-bass hump. However, the Variations’ sub-bass shelf is greater in magnitude than any of its predecessors I’ve had the opportunity to hear.

Sub-bass is abundant and deep in its extension. The bass response is dynamic, resounding in its impact and note weight, and delightfully textured. As fun and enjoyable as this kind of bass response is, the sheer quantity of bass on display here limits the Variations appeal to more neutrality-minded listeners. While the bass does not bleed into the lower mids, it overshadows them, demanding the listener’s attention without shame. Even 2–3 dB less bass at its most elevated point would have gone a long way towards making the Variations more versatile.

The Variations’ midrange is very similar in tuning to that of the Moondrop S8, with a twinge more pinna gain. I perceive the Variations’ midrange as nearly neutral. Midrange clarity is excellent, as is vocal intelligibility. Vocals are forward of midrange instruments, but the Variations does a great job of maintaining the audibility of the instruments under vocal lines. Male and female vocals are perceived evenly. There is a hair too much presence for my taste, which gives female vocals a bit more zing and energy than I find natural. That said, the Variations is by no means sibilant and well within an acceptable range in terms of presence.

The Variations treble response is mid-treble heavy with reasonable upper treble extension. There is a good amount of sparkle and adequate air while avoiding any kind of harshness. Detail retrieval is excellent. Instrument separation, soundstage width, and imaging are very good, though I would characterize them as adequate in the context of the Variations’ price rather than exceptional. The Variations does have a surprising amount of soundstage height and depth.

While the Variations’ treble response is excellent overall, there is one aspect to it that makes me wish that Moondrop had taken a different approach in terms of driver configuration. There is a wispy, diffuse quality to treble transients which I can only assume is due to the use of EST drivers instead of BAs. I can’t help but feel that additional BAs to cover the treble instead of ESTs would have produced a more realistic-sounding treble response.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOONDROP S8:​

Moondrop Variations, Moondrop S8 — Squiglink by Bedrock Reviews

The Moondrop Variations unquestionably has more organic, visceral bass than the Moondrop S8. However, in the absence of equalization, I prefer the S8’s more restrained bass presentation simply because it is more appropriate for the wide variety of music I consume. My ideal bass response would be somewhere between the two IEMs in terms of quantity, but with the texture, dynamics, and note weight that the Variations delivers.

In terms of the midrange, the Variations has a more natural timbre, but I prefer the S8’s slightly more subdued presence region to the Variations’.

The S8 outperforms the Variations in terms of detail retrieval, soundstage, instrument separation, and imaging roughly in proportion to the price differential between the two IEMs. There is noticeably more empty space between notes and instruments with the S8 and it is much easier to focus on a particular compositional component. The S8 also is more incisive and realistic in terms of treble transient delivery thanks to its more conventional driver selection.

It should be noted that I purchased the S8 with my own money, albeit at a discounted price, so there may be some bias there.

AMPLIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SOURCE PAIRING:​

I was able to adequately drive the Moondrop Variations with all of my listed sources, but the Variations is power-hungry enough that the use of a balanced source device is preferable, if only for the extra headroom. I did not notice hiss with any of my sources.

CLOSING WORDS:​

The Moondrop Variations is worth its price for anyone looking for a serious step up in their IEM game. It can be purchased at the link below:

MOONDROP Variations Earphone 1DD+2BA+2EST Tribrid Technology In-Ear M (shenzhenaudio.com)

If you enjoyed this review, please consider checking out my blog: https://medium.com/bedrock-reviews

Tldr:

A musical sounding, clean and lean presentation with emphasis in upper-mid and sub-bass. Very good imaging that is comparable to sub-one-thousand dollar iem. One of the more genre specific iems i've listened to. Difficult to call it "balanced" by the virtue of tuning, but a thoughtful tuning catered to today's contemporary audience encompassed by electronic and synthesized instruments utilized in contemporary chart-hitting genres. If you've enjoyed the Blessing 2: Dusk, this is a clear upgrade that keeps the best qualities of the Dusk while making improvements in what it lacked - namely, treble extension and bass quality (dynamics and micro-details/texture).


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My music library primarily consists of EDM and pop, with a mix array of kpop, rap, classical, and rock.

I prefer a clean sounding iem and with lots of sub-bass and 3k pinna-gain that is similar to the Dusk. I use the Dusk as my foundational reference point, as I believe it is impeccably well tuned all the way up to the 3k region, which from there on I have little expertise and knowledge in understanding my desired treble presentation.

Sources: Luxury & Precision W2, Spinfit 155, CEMA PS series cable
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Technical Specification:

2EST + 2BA + 1DD

Bass: 10mm LCP dynamic driver
Mids: Softears-D-Mid-B
Treble: Sonion EST

>Impedance: 15.2 ohms.

>Frequency Response Range: 9Hz-40kHz.

>Effective Frequency Response Range: 20Hz-20kHz.

>Sensitivity: 118dB/Vrms.

>THD+N: <1%@1kHz.

Intro:

I've been using my Clairvoyance as the go-to for the past few months, until I came to a realization that I found it's bass presentation a little too "blunt" for my taste, which gave off a sensation of bloatedness, even if the tuning does not indicate bloat at all. This may be a nit-picky issue, but such is the standards of being in this hobby as each one of us become more obsessed in search for a higher-quality audio. I assumed the drivers inside the Clairvoyance were more at fault rather than the tuning itself, which led me down the path to selling my Clairvoyance in search for an iem that was tuned more akin to the Blessing 2: Dusk with higher technicalities. The time in which the Variations has been released is uncanny, as it struck me out of nowhere. I was not expecting any new Moondrop releases until this winter or so, and thus purchased the Variations on the day its been released...


only to receive it a month later smh...


For those familiar with the Blessing 2/dusk lineup, the Variation is a direct upgrade with a similar sound signature, but with a more refined technicality that gives off an impression of a mature hifi iem. There is very little wrong here, and a lot more to like and appreciate rather than the sensation of missing something. It keeps the Moondrops's VDSF house tuning, but seems to have taken a subbass inspiration from the 2019 harman target. The infused Harman target into their house tuning appropriately justify their naming scheme, Variations, as Moondrop publicly stated -

"The 'variations' in music/dances." - Moondrop Official

The sub-bass emphasis with forward vocals satisfy the two frequency regions many contemporary songs and genres utilize, giving off a target preference that's been tuned in accordance to today's standards over the classic rock and blues that were prevalent in the 60s and 70s.

To those unfamiliar with Moondrop's house tuning, there is a clear focus on the upper midrange vocals through a 10db pinna-gain at the 3k region. By keeping a modest boost in mid-bass, the mids are clearly separated from the lower-end to bring a clean and unadulterated sound. Such tuning can result in the perception of higher clarity and resolution at the cost of a bit of fullness and body in the midrange. "Thinness" may not be an appropriate term as some would like to describe, as the mids do have enough body to anchor itself as the foundation of music. I would consider "lean" as a more appropriate term, as it accurately address the sensation of "thinness" without the negative connotation associated when we think of a "thin" sounding audio.





Comparisons

Blessing 2: Dusk -

Variations is a literal step forward from the Dusk, as it fixes the two biggest gripe I've had during my time with this amazing set. Namely, the treble extension and it's quality of the bass. Unfortunately, I must admit the dynamic driver used in the Blessing 2 lineup is mediocre at best, lacking the dynamics and texture, along with micro-detail presentation. This does not take away from how amazing the Dusk is at its price point, with a complete TOTL reference tuning up to the 8k resonance peak, which from there nosedive hard due to driver limitations. The Variations fixes these problems with a new LCP (liquid crystal polymer) dynamic driver and having the Sonion EST drivers handle the treble frequency. With these driver upgrades results in a very well textured dynamic bass with a life-like treble presentation that extends all the way up to the upper-air. The Variations do sound more lean due to the 2db decrease in the 200~300hz region, but makes up by adding about 2~3db gain in the sub-bass region, resulting in a more musical presentation compared to the Dusk. Imaging is undoubtedly much better on the Variations, as instruments are clearly separated, positioned, and well-defined in what feels like a spherical shape around your head.

The Variations would be an easy upgrade to move forward from the Dusk, as long as you are comfortable having a leaner mid-bass impact that some may feel "shallow." I still think the Dusk has been tuned better, having a better sense of weight and body in the midrange. But it cannot compete with the Variations on its technicalities. No way.





Monarch/Clairvoyance -

There has been a prevailing discourse leading up to the release of Variations how it graphs "similarly" to the Monarch. If price was indicative to sound quality in the most objective sense, it would be a justifiable response to claim the Variations as being the younger brother of the Monarch. But such is not the case as the Variations do not kneel to the Monarch, and dare I say offers a more thought out and mature tuning within the same philosophical approach. Both upholds the same clean and lean presentation to provide an unadulterated sound, which often comes from the mid-bass elevation bleeding into mids. The difference, however, lies in the tuning compartment within the bass sector in deciding how and where to place the gain. The Variation has a comparatively steeper gain from around 200hz onward, as opposed to a more gradual rise from 130hz onward of Monarch's bass. Such "minuscule" decision gives the Variation enough sense of weight and body in the midrange, which translates to a relatively musical presentation that I found lacking in the Monarch with its sterile and dry quality. Now if only Monarch was "better" in its technicalities, it may be a preferential bias for one to pick the Monarch over the Variations, but both presents a similar quality of resolution with maybe an ever so slight better imaging on the Variations. Soundstage width may be a win for the Monarch, but the Variations competes within the height and depth department. The Variations also offer a more natural timbre in both the midrange and treble, with a treble presentation that I find more engaging in its ethereal quality (not to take anything away from Monarch's airy treble presentation). As technicality is quite comparable, it ultimately boils down to the tuning philosophy of a lean, yet musical enjoyment of the Variations, or a lean and analytical approach of the Monarch.





I've had a more enjoyable experience with the Clairvoyance over the Monarch given the mid-bass treatment that fixes the aforementioned sterility. The 200hz gain provides enough sensation of weight to keep the bass-guitar region from sounding too dry without bloatedness in the mids. It's tuning philosophy is very similar to the Monarch from the 1k pinna-gain onwards, thus making it most sensable to observe the difference in the mid-bass region, which respectively impacts the mids as well in the sensation of weight and body. We can dive much deeper into this topic, but such comparison will come at another time as this is a review for Moondrop's Variation.

Clairvoyance is what I would consider a supremely neutral tuning with bass-boost. If there was such thing as an "audiophile" tuning, the Clairvoyance would fit under such category as it has a very well balanced presentation from the very low to high ends with all shades in-between. Now even as I harp about how well balanced the Clairvoyance has been tuned, its technicality falls behind the Variation in almost every metric with the exception of soundstage, which I would consider as being on par or equal (although a better sensation of height on Variations). The Variations have better imaging, with a clearer and more concise positioning with superior separation of instruments. It is much easier to pinpoint sources from a three-dimensional space, being able to almost draw a sphere around your head. The Variations also has a hint higher resolution with more sub-bass texture and details that I find lacking (or maybe wanting more) in the Clairvoyance. Their vocal presentation is quite different in spite of a similar pinna-gain in the upper-mid region, with the Variations sounding more present and natural. I suspect this has more to do with the Softears BA doing wonders in the Variations than the tuning itself. The Variations also offer a more natural timbre in the treble region, which gives off a more ethereal quality that I find more pleasing to my ears. Such treble presentation leads me to "perceive" it as having better extension over the Clairvoyance, even if their extensions are quite similar in the most objective sense. The Clairvoyance do have more mass and body in the mid region, as opposed to the quite "thin" and lean sounding Variations. They both approach a different philosophy, and thus, would satisfy the needs of a listener based on the listener's tuning preference and music library. The Clairvoyance is more forgivable and applicable on more, if not all, music genres, in comparison to Variations. I can see how one would prefer the Clairvoyance due to the sense of weight and mid-bass impact that the Variations lacks (or voluntarily strays away from). Male vocals and bass guitar have more presence in the Clairvoyance, and is arguably the more "balanced" set that adheres to strict neutrality. Those who listens to a lot of rock or hip hop may find the Clairvoyance more satisfying due to its mid-bass presence.





Personally, I believe the golden-era of Thieaudio's first-generation twin is fading with the rise of myriad of tribrids that is not only cheaper, but offers a comparatively better performance in either the maturity of its tuning or its technicalities.

I would easily take the Variations over either one of the twins in a heartbeat.


Xenns UP -

I won't dive deep into this comparison, as I'd like to do a much more comprehensive review of the Xenns UP on a separate occasion when I have more time. But I'm adding this here as it is one of the most sought out tribrid people want to hear in comparison to the Variations.

Xenns Up is a very good set. In fact, one of the best bass quality I've heard with a very natural sounding bass. Although I prefer the bass presentation on the Variations strictly tuning wise, the dynamic driver on the Xenns Up is undoubtedly on another level with how well integrated it sounds with the rest of the frequency.

Comparing these two iems is like comparing apples and oranges. Each presents its own flavor extremely well, and would easily sway someone one over the other strictly based on their music library and their ideal tuning composition, as both the Variations and Xenns Up are very different. Soundstage is roughly the same, where as resolution and imaging may go a hair toward the Xenns Up, but to an insignificant degree. Therefore, choosing to pick up one over other is based on how much you prioritize your bass, as the Xenns Up gives an abundance of bass in every single track that has bass frequency (whether for good or not). You'll need to channel your inner basshead, as I personally found it a bit too distracting when trying to focus on the vocals. This feeling may be due to the recessed upper-mid range in comparison to the Variations, but many will find the vocals present enough. I, however, like my pinna-gain more accentuated.





Variations is a clean and lean sounding set with sub-bass focus. You will not miss out on the bass texture even though I find the Xenns Up dynamic driver to be of higher quality. Female vocals sound better and have a more natural timbre to it. There is also a higher "perception" of treble extension, although I believe this has to do with the general upper-mid range emphasis that helps deliver a better sensation of air in the upper treble region. In the most objective sense however, they both have an equal degree of treble extension. It's just that Variations present it in a more ethereal quality.

Xenns Up is on the slightly warmer and darker side of tonality. The less present upper-mid range leads to other parts of frequency (especially the bass) to be more prominent. Male vocals sound full and toasty with a grandiose presentation, giving it a more pleasant experience over the Variations. Female vocals do not take the spotlight, only lightly when called for, and aims to integrate itself coherently with all spectrum of music. Those who find the Moondrop tuning too bright may prefer this sound signature instead.

To make an analogy, listening on the Xenns Up is like drinking a nice set of whiskey, as everything sounds fuller and grand with a hint of aforementioned warmth. This is a set what I would imagine an "audiophile basshead" would like. A supreme refinement with an ever-present and impactful bass.

My recommendation is the Xenns Up if you like genres similar to hip-hop and rock.

If your music library consists similar to mine - EDM, pop, and acoustic - Variations may be of a better choice.

I would personally take the Variations over Xenns Up, but this would be a highly contentious set.





Conclusion:

2021 is a year of midfi tribrids, making appearance that contests the price to performance ratio of higher-end models. Among the numerous tribrids that have recently come out, Variations sit at one of the cheapest available tribrid at $520, and $460 if you can purchase it at the Chinese MSRP. Even as it sit at the cheaper ranks of tribrids, its performance will not disappoint as it is already one of my favorite iem to have listened to.

- SteveK