Moondrop COSMO equipped with the PARA's hybrid earpads, and even better, with ZMF Universe Lambskin perforated pads, a high-end economical alternative to Hifiman Susvara.

[eric65]

Moondrop COSMO equipped with the PARA's hybrid earpads, a high-end economical alternative to the Hifiman Susvara.

The COSMO (for Cosmopolitan) is the new flagship planar headphone from Moondrop, the 3rd planar headphones released by the young and dynamic Chinese brand , known above all for its excellent value-for-money IEMs (and also its cool waifus), after the VENUS then the PARA (for Paradise).

The VENUS is no longer in production ; leaving now only these two excellent open planar headphones (full size): the economical PARA and the highly ambitious COSMO, with impressive technical features (*), even equaling in technical performance the excellent Hifiman Susvara, thanks to its nanometer-grade diaphragm of 500 nm thick (note: diaphragm thickness identical to the highly technical Audeze LCD-5) and above all, thanks to its innovative ultra-thin electrical circuit covering the diaphragm, in pure elastic silver, only 100 nm thick, whereas that of the original Susvara is covered in gold, with a density 1.84 x heavier than silver and with an electrical resistivity 1.53 x greater than silver.

(*) https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-cosmo-100mm-full-size-flagship-planar-headphone

As a result, with this lower resistivity of silver (versus gold) , the sensitivity of the COSMO, with its 15 Ohms impedance, is 100 dB/ Vrms at 1 KHz (to compare with the sensitivity of only 95 dB/ Vrms for the original Susvara (60 Ohms) and a sensitivity of 99.5 dB/ Vrms for the new "unveiled" Susvara (45 Ohms) which, for this last, uses silver traces, like the COSMO, much less resistive than gold for its electrical circuitry, covering the diaphragm, which is also "nanometric" grade (< 1 um thick)).

As a result, the COSMO, although still quite demanding, when it comes to amplification, can "make do" with headphone amps that are still reasonably powerful, like my tubes amp Viva Egoista 2A3 (2 x 3 watts on 32 Ohms and 2 x 1.5 watts on 16 Ohms), whereas a Viva Egoista 845 amplifier (2 x 15 watts on 32 Ohms) (or a speaker amplifier) is needed to drive a Susvara properly.

COSMO's manufacturing and finishing are good; the weight of the COSMO (542 g without cable) is not felt on the head thanks to its wide suspension headband ; clamping of the headphone is perfect: it's a headphone that's comfortable to wear. The 1.50 m, 3.5 mm x 2 -->TRS 4.4 mm (+ 6.5 mm jack adapter) black symmetrical twisted cable in pure copper is very pleasant to use, flexible, non-microphonic and high-quality.

As I've already said, technically speaking, the COSMO and its "nanometric" grade membrane (500 nm thick) covered with ultra-thin traces of pure silver (100 nm thick) is as competent as an original Susvara (whose membrane, also of "nanometric" grade, is covered with traces of gold that are heavier and more electrically resistive than silver).
More technical infos to read here : https://www.head-fi.org/threads/moo...-pads-discussion.970569/page-27#post-18103837

Tonally speaking, the COSMO, re-equipped with the PARA's hybrid pads, can be compared to a whole list of well-known headphones, which you can view in the spoilers at this link: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/moo...-pads-discussion.970569/page-30#post-18180291 .
Note 1: the baseline (0 dB relative) is that of the USOUND3V0 Optimum HIFI Target.
Note 2: forget the COSMO's stock pads, they're bad, tonally speaking.

Ultra-linear frequency response between 20 Hz and 9 KHz with a small boost of +2.5 dB between 2.5 KHz and 4 KHz reinforcing the intelgibility of voices as explained here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/moo...-pads-discussion.970569/page-30#post-18182535

In conclusion: properly amplified with a sufficiently powerful amplifier providing at least 2 watts on 32 Ohms (and at least 1 watt on 16 Ohms), the COSMO equipped with the PARA's hybrid pads is one of the best planar headphones I've ever heard, technically equivalent to the original Susvara, and tonally probably a little better than the original Susvara with more clear and natural-sounding vocals.

As for the price of the COSMO, I'll let you discover it...

Moondrop COSMO (left) and Moondrop VENUS (right) on a Viva Egoista 2A3 amp.

Moondrop COSMO equipped with the PARA's hybrid pads on a VIVA Egoista 2A3 amp (2 x 3 Watt on 32 Ohms) : .
Perfect marriage.

Moondrop COSMO equipped with the PARA's hybrid pads.

Left to right : Moondrop PARA ; Moondrop VENUS (wich is no longer produced) ; Moondrop COSMO posed on a Viva Egoista 2A3 amp (of Lamborghini orange colour).
In the background: top-of-the-range French Dac Audiomat Maestro Reference + CD drive Audiomat D1 Drive + high-end Panasonic DP-UB9000 blu ray drive with NET streaming function.

 

[eric65]

Oh, I forgot to show the waifu on the Moondrop Cosmo box, and a little smile that's a pleasure to see ...

 

[eric65]

Hello everyone.

Technically speaking, Moondrop's new flagship planar headphone, the COSMO is in the same league as the Audeze LCD-5 and the original Hifiman Susvara (if you doubt it, read my first post again).

Tonally speaking, you can compare the frequency responses of the COSMO reequipped with the PARA's hybrid pads versus the following list of high-end headphones (in spoiler):

Audeze LCD-5
Hifiman Susvara 3.5 mm (original)
Hifiman Mini Shangri-La
Audeze CRBN
Stax SR-X9000

Spoiler

Note 1: the baseline (0 dB relative) is that of the USOUND3V0 Optimum HIFI Target.
Note 2: forget the COSMO's stock pads, they're bad, tonally speaking.

 

[eric65]

Hi all.

Hifiman Susvara unveiled or Hifiman Susvara original or Moondrop COSMO requipped with the PARA's hybrid pads. Which to choose?

Technically speaking, the Hifiman Susvara unveiled is slightly ahead of the Hifiman original (and the Moondrop COSMO) in terms of the moving mass calculated (= mass of the diaphragm's plastic film + mass of the metal traces (in gold or silver) covering the diaphragm).

Generally speaking, for planar headphones, the lower the moving mass (of the planar diaphragm), the greater the resolution and finesse.

To give you an order of magnitude.
The moving mass (of the planar diaphragm) of the Hifiman Susvara original is 10 times lower than that of the Moondrop VENUS and only 1.2 times lower than that of the Moondrop COSMO.
The resolution and finesse of the COSMO are significantly higher than those of the VENUS (note: I own both headphones).

The moving mass (of the planar diaphragm) of the Hifiman Susvara unveiled (silver metallic traces (significantly less heavy than gold)) is about 1.3 times lower (estimated after calculations) than that of the Susvara original (gold-coated).
Logically, in addition to better sensitivity, the resolution/finesse of the Susvara unveiled should be slightly higher than that of the original Susvara (and COSMO).

Regarding the calculated sensitivities of these three headphones (expressed in dB/Vrms):

That of the Susvara original (impedance 60 Ohm; gold traces more resistive than silver ones) is around 95 dB/Vrms; that of the Susvara unveiled (impedance 45 Ohm; silver traces less resistive than gold ones) is around 99.5 dB/Vrms; that of the Moondrop COSMO (impedance 15 Ohm; silver traces less resistive than gold ones) is around 100 dB/Vrms.

All three (low-sensitivity) headphones remain difficult to drive.

In practice, if it takes (for example) a Viva Egoista 845 amplifier (2 x 15 Watt on 32 Ohm) to correctly drive an original Susvara, then a Viva Egoista 2A3 amplifier (which I own) (2 x 3 Watt on 32 Ohm) is sufficient, in terms of power and amplification gain, to correctly drive the Moondrop Cosmo (and very probably also the Hifiman Susvara Unveiled (but not the original Susvara)).

Regarding the tonality of these high-end planar headphones: there's a lot of debate on the Hifiman Susvara unveiled thread compared to the original Hifiman Susvara.
Listening remains highly subjective; measurements are less so, even if they don't replace listening.

What can be said about the FR differences between the unveiled Susvara and the original Susvara (in spoiler below) is that, objectively speaking, the frequency dip between 1.5 and 2.5 kHz (reducing the clarity and intelligibility of voices, and thus coloring the sound) is 1.5 dB less with the unveiled Susvara (dip at - 3.5 dB) than with the original Suvara (dip at -5 dB).
On the other hand, there's a frequency hump around 4.5 KHz (reinforcing the headphone's high-frequency brilliance, as, for example, with the Sennheiser HD-560S) that's around 1.5 dB greater with the unveiled Susvara (peak of +2 to +2.5 dB) than with the original Susvara (small peak of around 1 dB at this 4.5 KHz frequency).

Spoiler

You can compare (in the spoiler below) the FR of the COSMO equipped with PARA's Hybrid pads and that of the original Hifiman Susvara, but performed on a different measurement platform, and with a slightly different target curve, imho more "realistic" than that of the first measurement platform.

Spoiler

You'll notice that the FR of the COSMO equipped with the PARA hybrid pads is very linear, apart from a small frequency hump of around +2.5 dB centered on 3 kHz, which has the effect of slightly enhancing the clarity and intelligibility of vocals, as explained here (link : https://www.head-fi.org/threads/moo...-pads-discussion.970569/page-30#post-18182535) ; in contrast, the frequency dip of the original Susvara between 1.5 and 2.5 kHz makes the rendering of vocals a little less clear and intelligible.


As for the price of these high-end planar headphones (MSRP), it's :

Hifiman Susvara unveiled: $8,000.00.

Hifiman Susvara original: $6,000.00. (cheaper in second-hand)

Moondrop COSMO : $899.00 USD (Reference : https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-cosmo-100mm-full-size-flagship-planar-headphone)
To which you'll need to add the price of the Moondrop PARA planar headphones (Ref : https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-para-full-size-planar-headphone) to get its hybrid pads (of the same size and magnetic attachment as the COSMO's stock pads), and which work wonderfully well with the COSMO (unlike its original pads, unfortunately tonally mediocre).
To which you'll need to add the EP-100A upgrade pads for the PARA planar headphones (Ref: https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/moondrop-ep-100a-openback-earpad), to re-equip the PARA "stripped" of its hybrid pads (in favor of the COSMO).

Moondrop PARA planar headphone (re-equipped with EP-100A upgrade pads), which you can then keep as a second headphone, or possibly resell (or give to a friend, as I just did ).

Moondrop COSMO equipped with the PARA's hybrid pads on a VIVA Egoista 2A3 amp (2 x 3 Watt on 32 Ohms) : Perfect marriage!

 

[eric65]

The Viva Egoista 2A3 tube amplifier (2 x 3 W on 32 Ohms) ; an ideal headphone amplifier to use with the excellent Moondrop COSMO planar high-end headphone requipped with the PARA's hybrid pads?

I use my COSMO planar headphones with a VIVA Egoista 2A3 tube amplifier (bought second-hand); I recently changed the 2A3 tubes (which had served well) for exactly the same 2A3 tubes, SOVTEKs.

This tube amplifier provides a sumptuous midrange and treble.

You can read this excellent review of this VIVA Egoista 2A3 tube amplifier tried out, in this review below, with the Hifiman HE-1000 planar headphone.

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2016/02/06/review-viva-audio-egoista-2a3-headphone-amplifier/

 

[eric65]

Hello everyone,

This specific thread on the Moondrop COSMO that I had initially opened in the head-fi "High-end Audio Forum" section, was curiously moved yesterday, without explanation, to the head-fi "Headphones (full-size)" section, as if the COSMO (Moondrop's new flagship headphone) was not ultimately a high-end headphone (which it is, however)...

That said, as the high-tech Moondrop COSMO headphone, the brand's current flagship, is a direct competitor to the Hifiman Susvara (at least in it original version (OG)), both for technical performance and tone (*) (but not for price), it's worth reading the retrospective of the famous Hifiman Susvara headphone (original version) as written by the excellent headphone magazine unheardlab.com: link : https://unheardlab.com/2024/07/04/review-of-hifiman-susvara-the-flagship-in-retrospect/

Knowing that the same headphone magazine will soon be releasing a review of the Moondrop COSMO (after this Hifiman Susvara retrospective). Upcoming article soon ...

(*) For the version of COSMO re-equipped with the PARA's hybrid pads

 

[Shane D]

Hello everyone,

This specific thread on the Moondrop COSMO that I had initially opened in the head-fi "High-end Audio Forum" section, was curiously moved yesterday, without explanation, to the head-fi "Headphones (full-size)" section, as if the COSMO (Moondrop's new flagship headphone) was not ultimately a high-end headphone (which it is, however)...

That said, as the high-tech Moondrop COSMO headphone, the brand's current flagship, is a direct competitor to the Hifiman Susvara (at least in it original version (OG)), both for technical performance and tone (*) (but not for price), it's worth reading the retrospective of the famous Hifiman Susvara headphone (original version) as written by the excellent headphone magazine unheardlab.com: link : https://unheardlab.com/2024/07/04/review-of-hifiman-susvara-the-flagship-in-retrospect/

Knowing that the same headphone magazine will soon be releasing a review of the Moondrop COSMO (after this Hifiman Susvara retrospective). Upcoming article soon ...

(*) For the version of COSMO re-equipped with the PARA's hybrid pads

I get why it was moved. $899.00/$999.00 is not considered summit-fi or even high end.
Now if it can hang with the big boys for thousands less, that is a big win for all of us and word will get around.

Thanks for starting the thread!

 

[eric65]

Hello everyone.

Further to my previous posts (*), you're probably wondering how to get a COSMO "unveiled", and at what price ?, given that the price of the COSMO "veiled" (with its stock pads) is $899.00 USD (999.00 €TTC in France).

(*) https://www.head-fi.org/threads/moo...-pads-discussion.970569/page-31#post-18232468

While we wait (and strongly hope) that Moondrop will have the intelligence and the excellent idea to deliver, at a later date, their flagship COSMO with alternative pads to the stock pads (using, for example, the PARA's excellent hybrid pads) (do we ever know?), well, I see no other solution than to buy the Moondrop PARA ($299. 00 USD) in addition to the Moondrop COSMO, to be able to recover the PARA's excellent hybrid pads and install them on the COSMO (same magnetic attachment), replacing the stock pads (very average for tone, and also average wearing comfort).
The extra cost of switching from COSMO “veiled” to “unveiled” will therefore be $299.00 USD; much cheaper than switching, for example, from the original Susvara to the “unveilled” Susvara ($2000. 00 USD) knowing that, technically speaking, the COSMO is as good as the original Susvara, and that its “unveiled” version of the COSMO (re-equipped with the PARA's excellent hybrid pads) is slightly better tonally than the original Susvara (with more clarity and intellgibility of the voices than the original Susvara, which has the voices a little recessed).

You should also know that the $899.00 USD + $299.00 USD required to get a COSMO "unveiled" (re-equipped with the PARA's hybrid pads) is much less expensive than, for example, the purchase of Kennerton's former flagship planar (the THROR), which cost €3,150.00 inc VAT in Europe, and is technically and tonally far inferior to the Moondrop COSMO re-equipped with the excellent PARA's hybrid pads.

As for the Moondrop PARA stripped of its excellent hybrid pads (in favor of the COSMO), you can buy, for $25.49 USD, the Moondrop upgrade pads for the PARA headphone (part number EP-100A), which are perfectly suited to the PARA (because they attenuating the PARA's excess high-frequency brightness observed with the PARA's stock hybrid pads).
You can then keep these upgraded PARA headphones, or possibly resell them...
(Note: the upgrade pads for PARA, Moondrop EP-100A pads (which are not internally microperforated, unlike the PARA's stock hybrid pads), are less suitable for COSMO, because they attenuating the treble too much compared with the same PARA's hybrid pads used on COSMO).

 

[FinalAd]

I get why it was moved. $899.00/$999.00 is not considered summit-fi or even high end.
Now if it can hang with the big boys for thousands less, that is a big win for all of us and word will get around.

Thanks for starting the thread!

In what world is nearly 1K for a pair of headphones not considered high end? I get why it was moved, I wouldn't call it summit-fi either, but I feel like the value of things is getting lost nowadays...

Also can't help but read those Moondrop Cosmo posts as straight up ads, especially with all the claims being thrown around about how much better they are compared to most TOTLs.

We'll see how they hold up once they're actually in more hands and actually being physically compared to said headphones.

 

[eric65]

In what world is nearly 1K for a pair of headphones not considered high end? I get why it was moved, I wouldn't call it summit-fi either, but I feel like the value of things is getting lost nowadays...

Also can't help but read those Moondrop Cosmo posts as straight up ads, especially with all the claims being thrown around about how much better they are compared to most TOTLs.

We'll see how they hold up once they're actually in more hands and actually being physically compared to said headphones.

Hi,

I invite you to compare directly the TOTL Kennerton Thror planar headphone (more than 3 K cost), the former flagship of the Kennerton brand, with the Moondrop COSMO reequipped with the PARA's hybrid pads (slightly more than 1 K cost if you also have to buy the PARA to get its hybrid pads).

I own both headphones (the Thror and the COSMO) and compared them to each other, just last night ...
... and, there's no photo-finish between these two headphones; one clearly dominates the other, both technically and tonally speaking (nb: I'll let you guess which of the two is the better, not necessarily the more expensive of the two headphones...).

Otherwise, between an original Susvara and a COSMO, the moving masses involved are almost identical; if you doubt this, you can check my calculations (follow the “technical” link in the first post of this thread).
And you don't have to believe me when I write “The resolution of a planar headphone (just like an e-stat) depends largely on the mass of the mobile equipment put into movement. The smaller this moving mass, the more agile the planar membrane will be, the faster it will accelerate, and the more micro-details in the sound will stand out because of its low inertia”; but others may believe me ...

After that, a difference of 20% on the mass of the mobile equipment put into movement, for sound resolution of a planar headphone, is not necessarily heard by all ears, depending on the quality of the recording and the source and amplification used, more or less high-end.

Otherwise, I agree with you that it's necessary that other ears than mines to compare the COSMO (re-equipped with the PARA's hybrid pads (*)) with other TOTL or non-TOTL headphones, taking into account everyone's tastes and subjective listening.

(*) because I think, and I'm not the only one to think, that the Cosmo's stock pads are mediocre, tonally speaking,

 

[Groundhog]

For reference, I have a pair of the Cosmo, but at the moment I have the stock pads that's far from perfect. I'Ve tried with plenty of ear pads and I've also ordered the Para for their ear pads as well. So far to my ears the best was the Brainwavz perforated sheepskin XL pads. It gave them some extra soundstage and air to breathe. The FR got more natural sounding, but I have to measuring rig to check it. The comfort got significantly better.

I could only compare to my HE6 V2 and HE1000 Stealth V2 and the Cosmo beats them (no surprise here). I couldn't compare to the Susvara directly, but from memory I remember them to be on par with each other... I have a couple of STAX L500, etc. and compares to them favorably as well.

As regards the why it can't be put directly in the summit-fi game: the status-quo can't be broken. Who would buy the summit-fi cans for 5-6-7-8.000 USD / EUR if there's something for the fraction of the price? I'll be in London for the CanJam, I'd like to hear the Modhouse Tungsten as well, as that headphone is also an interesting contender...

 

[FinalAd]

Hi,

[...]

Hey!

My claim mostly comes down to how your posts are written, and the overall quantity of them. Every single detail about the Cosmo (and Moondrop's headphones in general) is being pushed forward with adjectives straight out of a marketing book, always comparing to other competitors (especially the Susvara and LCD-5) at every opportunity that benefits Moondrop. I've quickly read the other thread and seen you make similar claims about the Venus VS the Susvara, yet the general consensus from other reviewers and customers was quite different (even the aforementioned website above had a different take about the technical properties of both headphones).

I also don't consider the few negative claims about the stock pads as something that validates this as a genuine review, seeing as this is something Moondrop has already done in official promotion, for the MIAD01 as an example.

I get being passionate about your gear, and the Cosmo may be as excellent as it's currently made out to be, but from my point of view all of this comes off more like a paid ad for the product instead of a genuine review from a customer. In my opinion there's also not enough reviews to make those bold claims either, but we seem to be on the same page for that. I personally don't value comparisons against headphones the reviewer may not seem to own/have owned either.

All of this doesn't mean the claims being made are inherently wrong, same for the math and measurements, but how they're being presented is the main issue for me.

In any case, it is only my opinion, feel free to disagree. My goal isn't to start any debates either, only to share my worries as to this potentially being marketing due to the way its written and being pushed around. I've pointed out what felt necessary and won't push further.

Hoping the rest of the thread goes well, and that the Cosmo proves to be an excellent pair of headphones living up to the big money boys. I'm always down for better sound at a cheaper price, just like anyone else!

 

[eric65]

Hey!

My claim mostly comes down to how your posts are written, and the overall quantity of them. Every single detail about the Cosmo (and Moondrop's headphones in general) is being pushed forward with adjectives straight out of a marketing book, always comparing to other competitors (especially the Susvara and LCD-5) at every opportunity that benefits Moondrop. I've quickly read the other thread and seen you make similar claims about the Venus VS the Susvara, yet the general consensus from other reviewers and customers was quite different (even the aforementioned website above had a different take about the technical properties of both headphones).

I also don't consider the few negative claims about the stock pads as something that validates this as a genuine review, seeing as this is something Moondrop has already done in official promotion, for the MIAD01 as an example.

I get being passionate about your gear, and the Cosmo may be as excellent as it's currently made out to be, but from my point of view all of this comes off more like a paid ad for the product instead of a genuine review from a customer. In my opinion there's also not enough reviews to make those bold claims either, but we seem to be on the same page for that. I personally don't value comparisons against headphones the reviewer may not seem to own/have owned either.

All of this doesn't mean the claims being made are inherently wrong, same for the math and measurements, but how they're being presented is the main issue for me.

In any case, it is only my opinion, feel free to disagree. My goal isn't to start any debates either, only to share my worries as to this potentially being marketing due to the way its written and being pushed around. I've pointed out what felt necessary and won't push further.

Hoping the rest of the thread goes well, and that the Cosmo proves to be an excellent pair of headphones living up to the big money boys. I'm always down for better sound at a cheaper price, just like anyone else!

Hi.

If you're looking for COSMO owners who have compared their Cosmo headphones (most often re-equipped with alternative pads, as the owners in question didn't find the stock pads good), well, I'll give you three names of owners (pseudonyms).

Myself (@eric65) in a direct comparison of the Cosmo reequipped with the PARA's hybrid pads with Kennerton's TOTL headphones, the Thror (headphones costing 3150 Euros), which I also own; these two headphones listened to on a very high-end audio system (Viva 2A3 amp and Audiomat Maestro Reference dac): the Cosmo easily outperforms the Thror, tonally and technically speaking.
Link: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/moo...-pads-discussion.970569/page-31#post-18228250

(Note : about me, on head-fi : link : https://www.head-fi.org/members/eric65.362921/#about ; I am also very familiar with other headphones (having listened to them in very good conditions in a showroom in Nîmes (France): Hifiman Shangri-La Sr; Sennheiser HE-1; Hifiman Susvara; Hifiman HEK V1 and V2; Meeze Empyrean; Mysphère 3.2 ...).

Our friend on head-fi @Groundhog who was able to compare his Cosmo re-equipped with alternative pads other than mine (while waiting to receive the Para's hybrid pads): read his contribution here : https://www.head-fi.org/threads/moo...-pads-discussion.970569/page-32#post-18233010

And finally, a third happy Cosmo owner (also reequipped with alternative pads) who gave his opinion on the headphone buying site shenzhenaudio.com, whose review I reproduce here:

Aaron M. Verified Buyer
May 6, 2024
To start: If it wasn't for the earpads and the price I would give this pair of headphones a 5/5. If you're looking at buying these headphones I strongly encourage to swap the earpads. They arent very comfortable and they dont sound great. Budget an extra $40-$100, depending on which earpads you use. I replaced mine with a hybrid pair from ZMF and they worked wonders, but moondrops EA100 is also good.

I love these headphones, they are comfortable and sound great. A very clean and neutral sound with just the right amount of bass and treble, for me. I love them for everything, gaming and music mainly. For context, these are a better pair of Moondrop Para in everyway. Improved sound in all aspects and a very good all rounder.

For context, I had 3 pairs of headphones I rotated between; Moondrop Para, Focal Utopia (2020), and a modded HE6SE. This replaced the Para and HE6SE, due to neutral / non-bassy sound, and I prefer these over the Utopia on most things. To my ears the only improvement on sound is the Utopia's impact, and visually of course it's built better. But I paid ~2.5 times more for the utopia.

If you buy these headphones make sure you have a strong amp. These use a lot of power, but nowadays there are plenty of options. I used the Fiio K7, which drove it fine, and the iFi iDSD 2, which drives it perfectly. Mobile dacs, the apple dongle, etc just did not have enough power to do these headphones justice.

The headband is fine but feels cheap, but messing with the para this is easy to swap/upgrade. I'll be doing so at some point for a better strap, which isnt a big deal.

To summarize everything, this is a great pair of headphones. The two biggest downsides is the bad stock earpads and needing a powerful amp to drive, making an already pricy headphone more expensive. The price, considering the headband and earpads, is too high imo. But I would recommend picking this pair up if the price drops to/below $700, you will not be dissapointed.

PS: I'm not paid by anyone to publish my posts where I want to publish them; hifi is a hobby that allows me to decompress a little from my work as a private doctor; times are hard for patients in France: fewer and fewer doctors in practice and more and more poorly treated patients, by lack of access to care (and doctors) within reasonable time frames ....

 

[eric65]

For reference, I have a pair of the Cosmo, but at the moment I have the stock pads that's far from perfect. I'Ve tried with plenty of ear pads and I've also ordered the Para for their ear pads as well. So far to my ears the best was the Brainwavz perforated sheepskin XL pads. It gave them some extra soundstage and air to breathe. The FR got more natural sounding, but I have to measuring rig to check it. The comfort got significantly better.

I could only compare to my HE6 V2 and HE1000 Stealth V2 and the Cosmo beats them (no surprise here). I couldn't compare to the Susvara directly, but from memory I remember them to be on par with each other... I have a couple of STAX L500, etc. and compares to them favorably as well.

As regards the why it can't be put directly in the summit-fi game: the status-quo can't be broken. Who would buy the summit-fi cans for 5-6-7-8.000 USD / EUR if there's something for the fraction of the price? I'll be in London for the CanJam, I'd like to hear the Modhouse Tungsten as well, as that headphone is also an interesting contender...

Hi, there.

I hope you receive the PARA as soon as possible so that you can strip it of its excellent hybrid earpads and place them on your COSMO (same magnetic mounting).

You'll find that the PARA's hybrid earpads (microperforated on their internal side) are very comfortable to wear, thanks to their very wide, oval, velour-covered contact face.

Morever, extra soundstage, aeration and treble extension are much better with the COSMO equipped with the PARA's hybrid pads vs stock pads, really not great.

As for the sound provided by the marriage of these PARA's hybrid pads with your COSMO, I invite you to compare all your alternative headphones to the COSMO (technically and tonally speaking) as well as the alternative pads to the COSMO, on this video (below) which I find sublime to listen to.
Who doesn't love Pink Floyd and its superb track Wish You Were Here, here covered with a talented group of young musicians from across the Rhine?



In this video, I challenge the Hifiman Susvara headphones to do better than the COSMO (reequipped with the PARA's hybrid pads) in reproducing this very well recorded music as faithfully as possible, in terms of both the finesse of the reproduction, sound resolution, and the fidelity of the instrument timbres, and more, the naturalness of the voice; what a voice!

Imho, the Susvara won't do any better than the COSMO; it may even be worse in terms of voice reproduction, which will probably a bit recessed, at least with the Susvara original.

I also listened, with this video, to the VENUS and the Sennheiser HD-400 Pro, my other two best headphones after the COSMO; the worst of my headphones being the Thror (again lacking bass and treble; odd ringing for timbres in the truncated upper-medium).

The HD 400 Pro is quite natural for the voice, which however lacks a little thickness; the guitar is a little metallic; ditto for the VENUS, with a slightly metallic timbre for the guitars, and here a voice that's a little recessed; but overall, listening to the Sennheiser and VENUS is very pleasant with a relatively accurate tonally.
Sonic microdetails, nuances and the naturalness of instruments and voice however remain better (to much better) reproduced with the COSMO (reequipped with the PARA's hybrid pads).

Enjoy your listening!

PS : A photo of my Cosmo, this morning in my garden, on a beautiful summer morning in France.

 

[eric65]

Hello everyone.

Below is a new COSMO review from a Japanese user.
COSMO re-equipped, here with the Moondrop EP-100A (*) pads.

Review source: https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/cu...ef=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B0D1XNSM1R

(*) note the EP-100A pads, which attenuate the treble a little compared with the PARA's hybrid stock pads of the PARA, aren't bad with the COSMO; they're better than the COSMO's stock pads in any case; but the PARA's hybrid pads (microperforated on their internal side) are even better than the EP-100A pads (not microperforated on their internal side) for use on the COSMO (Nb: I was able to compare them both), with more present treble, better clarity and better aeration of the sound.

Spoiler

EP-100A earpads (red curve) versus PARA's hybrid earpads (yellow curve) on a Moondrop PARA headphones (uncompensated FR curves).

Below is the Japanese-to-English translation of this review:

" N3uro
5.0 out of 5 stars Just a word, simply good sounding headphones.

Reviewed in Japan on July 17, 2024.

Amplifier: EF600.

Note: Earpads changed to EP-100A·

・Summary.

To sum it up in a word, the overall sound is not like Suigetsu rain, and the evaluation is that these headphones simply sound good.

　It is easy to think of them as a combination of Venus and Para, but they are completely different,
　COSMO emphasizes the midrange to highlight vocals.
　This is similar to Venus.
　COSMO uses the thinnest diaphragm to date at 500nm,
　The thinner diaphragm, 500nm, is the thinnest ever used, and it has a monitor-like tendency with the extended high frequency that is unique to planar drive,
　The combination of the extended high frequencies, unique to planar drive, and monitor-like tendencies, are combined well.
　This is similar to Para.

This diaphragm is called an "ultra-thin low-tension vibrating membrane substrate".
　This technology is also available for ultra-high-end models such as HIFIMAN SUSVARA
　It is the technology that is being used.
　Compared to Venus, this diaphragm has a stronger low frequency range, and also asserts itself in the mid and high frequencies.

The weight itself is there, but the balance of the headband and side pressure has been adjusted,
　The wearing comfort has been improved considerably.
　This model is probably easier to wear than the Para.

　The included 4.4mm plug OCC balanced cable is of fairly high quality.
　It handles well, sounds great, and is not inferior to the Moondrop up, which costs about 20,000 yen.

The sound of COSMO's standard earpads is lackluster , and the quality of the bass range, the extension of the midrange, and the sense of loss in the treble range are not suitable for COSMO.
COSMO's hidden abilities have been cut in half (with the stock pads).
We recommend that you always replace your earpads.

The vibrating membrane is so thin that all ambient sounds can be heard.
We recommend a reasonably quiet location for a great experience.

Compared to Venus and Para, pairing it with a DAC amplifier is extremely important.
Looking at the specifications, one might assume that it is easier to play than the other two, but that is not the case.
The sound itself will be possible with an entry-level DAC amplifier. However, to bring out its potential, you will need a fairly good DAC amplifier.

For better or worse, though, it has the characteristics of a high-end model ; since it is not a sound that comes from a price of less than 150,000 yen, the cost performance is quite high.

Now that Venus, a listening device, has been discontinued, Para tends to attract attention,
However, some people may not be satisfied with Para because of its monitor-like sound.

In this context, the COSMO model is a good compromise ; COSMO is a very high perfection model because it has the best of both worlds in a good balance.

The COSMO has a more extended tuning in the mid and high frequencies, and a more weighty sound on vocals ; COSMO is a good choice for those who want more weight in their vocals.
With only a change of earpads, this model can achieve an even more expressive sound with better tonal balance.

・Low-frequency range
In the EF600, bass is moderately deep and of balanced intensity without discomfort.
I have the impression that it is a sharp Venus, and it can be said that this is a sound close to Para.
It has plenty of air, and it makes a punchy sound.

・Mid-range
As mentioned above, vocals are the main characters.
It sounds as if the singer is standing right in front of you, and the smooth, thick, rich, and textured mids are above the bass line and are well combined with the vocals.
The overall tone is relatively accurate, and it can be said that it is a monitor-like sound close to Para or HD800s.

・Treble range
The treble range is less (prominent) than Venus, and I think it's closer to Para.
However, the treble is not a sloppy extension, but a vivid, crisp, and somewhat Venus-like extension.

The overall sound resolution is also very high ; just one word ; it is just a good sounding headphone.

・Sound Stage
　It is incredibly spacious.
　In Venus, it was only slightly wider than HD800S,
　COSMO's soundstage is extraordinary.
　The orchestra sounds like you are in a theater, and at a live sound source, it makes me want to wave a penlight together. "

Left : Moondrop Cosmo requipped here with the Moondrop EP-100A earpads (black symmetrical stock cable) ; Right : Moondrop VENUS with the upgrade cable UP (copper color symmetrical upgrade cable).


EDIT:

Moondrop EP-100A earpads (not microperforated on their internal side).

PARA's hybrid earpads (microperforated on their internal side), here, installed on my COSMO headphones.