Moondrop Para 2 Planar Headphone Review

[Henreid]

"...if you are spending all that hard-earned money, you want something that is almost bespoke to you."

I believe you have perfectly summed-up the reason this headphone purchase has been so maddeningly difficult for me. (I do have the impression that some brands - like Dan Clark Audio - have been able to create flexible headphone designs that are a comfortable fit for a broader variety of head shapes and sizes, though their newer models are rather pricey and, while they have received well-deserved praise I'm not yet convinced they offer the "sound signature" I'm ultimately seeking.)

I think [for the Para 2] it was a design choice. They are aiming for that barely there sensation.

I imagine that's a good quality for headphones to have. I've gathered that despite the planar weight of the Para 2, it feels as though it's floating on the head. Unfortunately, with my narrow noggin I have a strong hunch that the Para 2 will all-too-frequently be falling off my head. I guess it may come down to how well I could bend the metal headband inward to provide more pressure around my ears...

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

These are very ‘tall’ headphones. I have a 28cm tall stand, and it compresses the wires coming out of each ear piece. I need a taller stand, but looking on Amazon there aren’t many 30cm+.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

i've been unable to find them in stock anywhere in UK

Here you go, mate:

MOONDROP Para 2

Music is Emotion. Music is Expression. At Elise, we will never compromise on quality. The satisfaction of our customers is our highest priority. Because we want you to forget about the devices you are using, immerse yourself in the music and enjoy the Emotion of Music to its fullest.

eliseaudio.com

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

These are very ‘tall’ headphones. I have a 28cm tall stand, and it compresses the wires coming out of each ear piece. I need a taller stand, but looking on Amazon there aren’t many 30cm+.

Okay, I've bought a new stand.

Here they are on my old stand. 25cm tall stand, 2cm is the round bases on either side, so 23cm clearance. See how the Para 2's cables rest uncomfortably on the bottom.

I don't like that. Here they are with the pads placed on the outside.

Don't like that either. New stand.

It's 29cm tall, with a 1.5cm base, so 27.5cm clearance. You could maybe go 0.5cm less, but I'd not want to go shorter than that.

Hope that helps someone.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

I had my first play with the Para 2s yesterday evening, and I was more than impressed. What's wrong with the sound? Absolutely nothing (EQ'd).

I had a 2 hour+ listen, and didn't feel the weight at all. Indeed, I found them extremely comfortable, in a way that's almost unnerving. Like a pair of slippers compared to a pair of shoes, they almost felt 'floppy'. And yes, if I nodded/wobbled my head around, you could feel them move quite a bit. But the unnerving thing is that I felt they were far more forgiving of this movement compared to ther headphones.

Usually I find that I get a pair of headphones in exactly the right spot, then I have to ensure I keep it right there, and can't allow the headphones to move. Usually they'd only do so if knocked, due to decent clamp force. But I think I'd have to get these to fall off to alter the sound. As I say, unnerving.

 

[nvtinh94]

The Para 2 has to be the best purchase of 2025 for me (others include a Fiio FT1 pro, an Audeze Maxwell, 1 set of edifier MR5). The Para with FT1 pro pads + a 5db bass shelf is the best thing i've ever heard. I struggle to think of anything that has a reasonable price (under 1k) that can compete/replace it. I've tried Focal Clear, Arya Stealth, Fiio FT7... all of them more expensive but none can come close to the Para 2. Especially with the price i paid for them new at only 380USD

 

[Sanlitun]

See a lot of these for sale second hand. Is there a downside? I was considering them.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

See a lot of these for sale second hand. Is there a downside? I was considering them.

Weight, very loose fit.
So loose that I have to returned them because they feel very insecure on my head - so I had to be very "static" while wearing them.
SQ was sublime.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Weight, very loose fit.
So loose that I have to returned them because they feel very insecure on my head - so I had to be very "static" while wearing them.
SQ was sublime.

They do move fairly easily if I wiggle my head. But importantly, unless they come off there's no change in sound, and I'd have t be head banging to throw them off.

I think if you're walking round with them on, it's a potential problem. But I doubt anyone would cause them to fall off just by leaning over for their beer.

The weight isn't an issue. My first impression was that they're heavy, but I didn't actually notice that while listening.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

But I doubt anyone would cause them to fall off just by leaning over for their beer.

It was the case for me
Maybe not for the beer but I have small head and leaning to turn off/on my pc was a problem.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

It was the case for me
Maybe not for the beer but I have small head and leaning to turn off/on my pc was a problem.

Have you tried the 'band flipping' trick?

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

Have you tried the 'band flipping' trick?

Yes it did helped quite a bit.
Still I decided to return them.

Maybe I'll be back at some point as I really like what moondrop is doing with his planars.

 

[Dk33145]

See a lot of these for sale second hand. Is there a downside? I was considering them.

These cans are quite different that what one might expect mainly due to the "floating" fit. They also have a very wide soundstage and a laid back presentation. They are very comfortable to listen to for hours on end whereas I can only tolerate a brighter set of cans for so long even if they might be "livelier". I love mine and am never selling them. It is good to alternate between these and something else that is perhaps brighter and you can minimize listener fatigue.

 

[Hammondk]

I bought off a preowned pair of Para2. Pristine condition for usd320. The bloke bought it directly in CN and decided to let it go as he did not have enough headtime for it.

After using Amir's EQ and a Fiio FT1B type pads, I have to admit, this is one purchase that I did not expect to deliver way above what I paid. Bass, transparency and width is all there. Moondrop created a value monster. I really hope more Audio company create such products.

For me to use Para2 is situational. Like I use it at work (so that my co-workers can get my attention with verbal cues). I still use my DCA E3 more at home or at night.

 

[nvtinh94]

They do move fairly easily if I wiggle my head. But importantly, unless they come off there's no change in sound, and I'd have t be head banging to throw them off.

I think if you're walking round with them on, it's a potential problem. But I doubt anyone would cause them to fall off just by leaning over for their beer.

The weight isn't an issue. My first impression was that they're heavy, but I didn't actually notice that while listening.

I didn't like the way the Para2 sits on my head at first but after a few long sessions with it i realized that it needs time to settle down on my head. After 10 minutes i almost do not feel it on my head. The clamp force is stupidly light but after a while it doesnt feel like it will fall off unless i move my head intentionally quick. To me this is a perfect headphone for home office where you dont want to move at all once settle down.

 

[ButHowDoesItSound?]

Impedance is flat (good) but is also extremely low:

With this low impedance (basically a loudspeaker lol) can the Topping DX3 Pro+ handle the current delivery? Or is an amp upgrade necessary to drive those?

 

[DivineCurrent]

Ok, so I have a few questions regarding the impedance of the Para 2.
It is shown here measured as 8 ohms (listed by Moondrop as 9 ohms). Is there even a good reason for a headphone to have such low impedance? Especially when 99% of headphone amps out there are intended for loads above 16 ohms. I'm assuming the current draw is not good for any amp, besides power amps meant for loudspeakers. I am using the Para 2 on the RME ADI-2 DAC and Element IV right now with no issues, but I sometimes worry if I might be slowly damaging my amps by just using the Para attached to them. Do I have any reason to be concerned?

 

[solderdude]

Is there even a good reason for a headphone to have such low impedance?

This way they can get 107dB/V sensitivity with 86dB/mW.
When this headphone would have been 32ohm it would have been 101dB/V.
For comparison the HD650 is 103dB/V.

This will not be damaging amps.
Most people listen to 105dB peaks at most so 80-90dB average (this is quite a comfortable loud listening level) so average power draw is just 3mW (drawing 19mA average) or so with this headphone.
In this case peaks would be just under 1V and 125mA.
Hardly a power level that will damage amps, let alone the ADI2.

Of course .... with EQ to Harman and an impressive level of 120dB peak one is looking at 4V peaks and 500mA peaks (2W) and most amps might not like that (the 500mA bit).
But these peaks will be short in duration and average power levels will be around 60-100mW or so.
This is something the ADI 2 DAC cannot reach as it is limited to 210mA (1.73V in 8ohm).

 

[knevgen]

So.. they still have this weird black plastic thing that holds the headband and will eventually break?
On mine Para 1 it took less then a month, i never dropped or stretched the thing - it just cracked by itself.
The good thing is - i was able to order replacement directly from moondrop, sent from China.
The bad thing - i didnt really like the headphones and still cant even sell them.

 

[knevgen]

I am willing to give the headphones another go.. They are original Para, but there arent much difference from Para 2 - i think Cosmo ear pads are making most of the difference in performance.
Going to pick up DX5 II tomorrow, the same Amir used with the headphones. I suspect that FiiO K7 wasnt completely up to task - it even shut down on me once or twice with Para. No problems with easier headphones..
I also replaced my pads with Audeze LCD kit from Dekoni, sheepskin. Now i can tell you the fit is TIGHT.
And my complaint about the plastic headband holders - here is an advice. Once you find comfortable position, remove the plastic and just secure it with metal bolts and nuts. The breaking if plastic is certain, only a question of time.