Moondrop Releases Two New Headphones: Moondrop Darkside and Moondrop Laputa

[andreialexandrutatarduma]

I found an AliExpress listing if you search "laputa headphone" from the "LY Game Store" store. And also a dubious website claiming they have stock called "TaoElectron". Searching in SuperBuy, a Chinese shopping agent for TMall/Taobao using the keyword "天空之城laputa" gives a couple of results with more info.

I scrapped all the images from the AliExpress listing. Here is the full description of the headphones.

Spoiler: Moondrop "Castle in the Sky" LAPUTA (english description)

 

[Henreid]

Is it just me, or does the darkside look hella ugly with that "forged carbon"

The design was intended to mimic the craters on the moon's surface for a sci-fi, cosmic feel. However, the final execution looks more like rusty bathroom hardware. I agree, it's great on PowerPoint, but messy in practice.

View attachment 472069

I'll agree that the Moondrop Darkside resembles something you'd put together with a Gilbert Erector Set, but as it's an "experimental concept" model, I imagine that if (or when) it is offered for sale to the public, its final design may be rather different (and perhaps more captivating).

 

[archerious]

You just confirmed that their marketing resorts to gimmicks. Although I wouldn't call sexualised anime teenage girls "cutesy and lackluster", but just straight up creepy. Watching some presentation from the CEO back in the day, the dude didn't leave me a good impression.

Look, there are so many other better Chinese audio companies I'd rather support (FiiO, Shanling, Dunu, Letshuoer, Hiby, Aful, HarmonicDyne just to name a few). To me, Moondrop is just hype (Crinacle helped a ton!). Sure, some IEMs are tuned alright, but they typically are uncomfortable and come with tons of issues. It's a pass for me!

Most of their designs aren’t sexualized save for the weird “yogurt” time.

I don’t really understand your hate and claim of anime being creepy. In the west we had GPU waifus for a long time. I never found them creepy. I also don’t see how you assume every anime girl is teenage when many look like their in their early to mid 20s.

Perhaps I’ve watched enough anime to eye ball the difference and you haven’t or you just have some hate boner for anime.

 

[andreialexandrutatarduma]

Release soon? Moondrop has updated the website but the link does not go anywhere.
https://moondroplab.com/en/products/laputa

 

[RichieSuganda]

Confirmed in crinacle new video
Laputa : 1000SGD ~783usd ~ probably more after tariff (1k probably?)
Darkside : 5000SGD ~ 3918usd ~ probably 4.5k

insane price ngl

 

[raif71]

When I read this post, Darkside reminds me of The Imperial March theme from Empire Strikes Back.

 

[Yasuo]

I was expecting the dark side to be ugly, but this...

 

[AdrianusG]

Most of their designs aren’t sexualized save for the weird “yogurt” time.

I don’t really understand your hate and claim of anime being creepy. In the west we had GPU waifus for a long time. I never found them creepy. I also don’t see how you assume every anime girl is teenage when many look like their in their early to mid 20s.

Perhaps I’ve watched enough anime to eye ball the difference and you haven’t or you just have some hate boner for anime.

Exactly that,

If you don't like (some) Anime or any Anime, or the name of a (certain) product (which is marketing related perhaps not the wisest choice, i'll give you that!) than just don't buy it, it's still their product, and they can name and present it as they see fit.

 

[jmdesignz2]

Who thought "La Puta" is an appropriate name? The headphones will surely make great sales numbers in Spanish-speaking countries..

¡Hijo de la puta, me apunto!

 

[CLAUDIOMP]

LAPUTA IS LIKE 1100 usd ON ALIEXPRESS RIGHT NOW , still waiting reviews and price drop.

 

[jdoe]

Moondrop renamed it to SKYLAND: https://moondroplab.com/en/products/skyland. No more jokes about "La ****"

 

[Human Bass]

Skydance, former Laputa, is available for the official MSRP of 799

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQcMxkc

It has a very flat FR

https://boizoff.squig.link/headphones/?share=Laputa_(2025_sample,_fresh_stock_pads,_ideal_seal)

Moondrop claims sub 0.05% thd, so it should be EQ friendly

 

[chi2]

Resolve measured the Skyland
("www.youtube.com/live/DjXwp9w4ECE?si=c4pg67bFZVKiSqb1")
and identified a distortion issue with the right driver, which reached approximately 5% THD at around 1 kHz. The left driver exhibited substantially lower distortion, though still not as low as the drivers of the Para 2 measured by amirm. Moondrop’s quality control does not appear to be particularly reliable.

Edited to correct an earlier incorrect statement regarding the frequency at which the distortion occurred.

 

[Soria Moria]

Resolve measured the Skyland (

) and found about 5% THD across nearly the entire spectrum, from bass to treble—pretty shocking. Considering that the Para 2, with a very similar driver, measures among the lowest in THD, this really raises questions about Moondrop’s QC.

Video not available

 

[chi2]

Yes, sorry, it's visible only for members of that channel. Still included the link for reference purposes.

 

[Ahmonge]

Moondrop renamed it to SKYLAND: https://moondroplab.com/en/products/skyland. No more jokes about "La ****"

But the task is not finished, yet

 

[Human Bass]

Yes, sorry, it's visible only for members of that channel. Still included the link for reference purposes.

Could you just print screen the graph?

 

[Henreid]

I haven't been able to find an independent lab measurement of Skyland's harmonic distortion. It would be great if Amirm could get his hands on these headphones for testing.
Skyland frequency response graph measured by squig.link:

 

[Fregly]

Most of their designs aren’t sexualized save for the weird “yogurt” time.

I don’t really understand your hate and claim of anime being creepy. In the west we had GPU waifus for a long time. I never found them creepy. I also don’t see how you assume every anime girl is teenage when many look like their in their early to mid 20s.

Perhaps I’ve watched enough anime to eye ball the difference and you haven’t or you just have some hate boner for anime.

Neoteny in adult males is part of the off-putting aspect I think. And the last of your post is a freudian slip.

 

[Dk33145]

I haven't been able to find an independent lab measurement of Skyland's harmonic distortion. It would be great if Amirm could get his hands on these headphones for testing!
Skyland frequency response graph measured by squig.link:
View attachment 503531

Suspiciously similar to Para 2 (would not be surprised if Para 2 gets discontinued after the Skyland comes out). The overall construction is very similar looking as well but with upgraded trim (e.g. carbon fiber), whether it is worth nearly twice as much is the question!