This is a review, listening test, EQ and detailed measurements of the Moondrop Para 2 planar magnetic headphone. It was kindly drop shipped by a member and costs US $500.
I can't say this is an attractive design but it is not ugly either. I wish they had deburred the edges of the headband mount as it has a rough feel. Otherwise, its low weight combined with low clamp pressure, makes the Para 2 very comfortable to wear. Thoughtful cabling is provided in the form of flat and lightweight wire terminating in 4.4 mm connector. A nice adapter cable is then provided to go from that to 3.5mm if needed.
It was a pleasure to read the company webpage for it as it is full of detailed engineering explanation including FEA optimization and measurements. Let's see if we can confirm them.
Moondrop Para 2 Headphone Measurements
As usual, we start with our headphone frequency response measurement and comparison to our target:
As noted, fitment on the GRAS 45CA was easy as if the headphone is made for it. The response lacks bass boost and some variations from 500 Hz on:
The measurement matches company documentation although they show a peak 3+ kHz and another around 9 kHz:
They would be better off adopting our target as it is a much closer match to the headphone response.
I was stunned at the low harmonic distortion:
Even at 114 dBSPL it doesn't blink. This mean we can EQ the bass without fear.
Absolute level distortion shows signs of optimization and matches company measurements:
Group delay is very messy though, likely due to internal reflections:
Impedance is flat (good) but is also extremely low:
Sensitivity is a bit less than average:
Comfortable listening level is -37 dB on my Topping DX5II so you don't need a lot of power to drive it.
Moondrop Para 2 Listening Test and EQ
I switched from my everyday headphone to Para 2 in the middle of a track I was listening to. Even though it was not at all a bass heavy track, I immediately noticed loss of bass. Otherwise, the sound was pleasant and you could certainly use the headphone. But put some salt and pepper in there in the form of a few filters and you experience some of the best i have heard in headphone and possibly speaker:
The bass came alive like nobody's business. Not only was it there, it was there is such clean character that made me notice time and time again. Spatial qualities are excellent which translated to every note taking its space around an oval outside of my ear. The clarity is unbelievable. Shutting off all the filters left me with sound that was good, but lost everything impressive about the headphone with EQ.
As soon as I took the review picture, I wore them again just to experience the superb sound one can get out of this combination.
Conclusions
If Moondrop had not chosen a flat bass response, the Para 2 could have come close to some of the best headphones I have tested or heard. Fortunately with just a few filters, you wake up this headphone to produce some of the best sound you can experience. Combine it with its comfort and you have an incredible combination. I guess science and engineering works.
I am going to recommend the Moondrop Para 2. If you don't use EQ with it though, i will personally come to your home and take it away from you! You deserve to hear what high fidelity is about once you combine Para 2 with EQ.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
I can't say this is an attractive design but it is not ugly either. I wish they had deburred the edges of the headband mount as it has a rough feel. Otherwise, its low weight combined with low clamp pressure, makes the Para 2 very comfortable to wear. Thoughtful cabling is provided in the form of flat and lightweight wire terminating in 4.4 mm connector. A nice adapter cable is then provided to go from that to 3.5mm if needed.
It was a pleasure to read the company webpage for it as it is full of detailed engineering explanation including FEA optimization and measurements. Let's see if we can confirm them.
Moondrop Para 2 Headphone Measurements
As usual, we start with our headphone frequency response measurement and comparison to our target:
As noted, fitment on the GRAS 45CA was easy as if the headphone is made for it. The response lacks bass boost and some variations from 500 Hz on:
The measurement matches company documentation although they show a peak 3+ kHz and another around 9 kHz:
They would be better off adopting our target as it is a much closer match to the headphone response.
I was stunned at the low harmonic distortion:
Even at 114 dBSPL it doesn't blink. This mean we can EQ the bass without fear.
Absolute level distortion shows signs of optimization and matches company measurements:
Group delay is very messy though, likely due to internal reflections:
Impedance is flat (good) but is also extremely low:
Sensitivity is a bit less than average:
Comfortable listening level is -37 dB on my Topping DX5II so you don't need a lot of power to drive it.
Moondrop Para 2 Listening Test and EQ
I switched from my everyday headphone to Para 2 in the middle of a track I was listening to. Even though it was not at all a bass heavy track, I immediately noticed loss of bass. Otherwise, the sound was pleasant and you could certainly use the headphone. But put some salt and pepper in there in the form of a few filters and you experience some of the best i have heard in headphone and possibly speaker:
The bass came alive like nobody's business. Not only was it there, it was there is such clean character that made me notice time and time again. Spatial qualities are excellent which translated to every note taking its space around an oval outside of my ear. The clarity is unbelievable. Shutting off all the filters left me with sound that was good, but lost everything impressive about the headphone with EQ.
As soon as I took the review picture, I wore them again just to experience the superb sound one can get out of this combination.
Conclusions
If Moondrop had not chosen a flat bass response, the Para 2 could have come close to some of the best headphones I have tested or heard. Fortunately with just a few filters, you wake up this headphone to produce some of the best sound you can experience. Combine it with its comfort and you have an incredible combination. I guess science and engineering works.
I am going to recommend the Moondrop Para 2. If you don't use EQ with it though, i will personally come to your home and take it away from you! You deserve to hear what high fidelity is about once you combine Para 2 with EQ.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
Attachments
Last edited:
Thank you for the review of this impressive headphone. Is it possible to do distortion measurements with the ParEQ activated?
