Today we are taking a look at Moondrop LAN, the latest budget friendly in-ear monitor from the company.
The Moondrop LAN is a budget IEM that boasts impressive specifications. It features a 10mm Dual-Cavity Dynamic Driver equipped with a beryllium-plated dome composite diaphragm, encased in sturdy steel shells, and accompanied by a detachable cable.
Disclaimer: I am not paid to make this review or offer any specific opinions about this product, and all thoughts expressed in this review are solely my own.
The LAN arrived in a medium size carton box with a slipcover. The front of the box showcases a typical waifu design, though I must admit, it isn’t quite to my liking. The back of the box provides technical specifications and a frequency response graph, giving us a glimpse of what to expect from it’s sound.
In the box, there is a Moondrop LAN IEM, detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable, three pairs of silicone ear tips, a small pleather carrying pouch, a user manual, and a waifu postcard. The impedance of LAN is 32 Ohm and the sensitivity is 124dB, making them very easy to drive with portable sources.
Design & build
LAN has quite an interesting design. The shells have an oval shape with a small platform that hosts the recessed 2-pin connector sockets. The shells are made from steel, they are polished and have a delicate surface with a matte finish and there is a flower petal design etched on both faceplates.
Interestingly, traditional left/right channel markings are absent on the shells. The IEMs feature two vent holes on the inside, one near the nozzle and the other close to the shell’s edge, contributing to their acoustic characteristics.
The metal nozzles are 5mm in diameter and of average length, equipped with a metal mesh at the end and a small lip to ensure secure ear tip retention. The overall build quality is good,. with the matte finish adding to its visual appeal.
Fit & comfort
Though the LAN IEMs are of medium size, they may not be the most ergonomic for everyone. The metal shells feature only one sharp edge near the connectors, but fortunately, there is no contact with this edge when inserted in the ear.
Achieving a good fit and seal with the stock ear tips proved challenging for me initially. However, switching to DUNU’s Stage & Studio ear tips resolved the fitting issue. Despite not being the most comfortable IEMs, LAN still outperforms some of their competitors in this regard.
Cable
The LAN come with a 1.2-meter simple cable wrapped in a clear plastic sheath. One end features an angled 3.5mm connector, while the other end has two 0.78 2-pin connectors. The right connector is distinguished by a red ring, which is quite handy.
The cable features a round metal splitter and soft pre-molded ear hooks but lacks a chin slider. Nevertheless, it serves its purpose well, is soft and low in microphonics.
Moondrop LAN sound overview
Please note that all sound impressions shared in this review are subjective, so please take them with a grain of salt. LAN is easy to drive, and I had no trouble using them with my Samsung Galaxy S10. Moondrop has tuned the LAN to follow their Virtual Diffusion Sound Field target, aligning with the sound signature of their other IEMs.
Bass
The Moondrop LAN’s bass is surprisingly robust, providing a solid response across various genres. The sub-bass displays excellent extension, authority, and rumble, taking precedence over the mid-bass. While the mid-bass possesses sufficient weight, enthusiasts seeking a punchier response may find it slightly lacking.
Bass details are impressive, with moderate speed and exceptional control, making the LAN a highly resolving pair of budget IEMs.
Midrange
The midrange on LAN presents a natural and organic tone, devoid of any bass bleed, contributing to a clean and articulate presentation. However, there are instances where the midrange can sound thin, as vocals and instruments might lack some note weight.
Upper mids are better pronounced and detailed, but they maintain a pleasing balance without becoming overly shouty. Although the midrange may lack some note weight, it remains engaging and present.
Treble
Moondrop LAN treble boasts a sparkly, energetic, and detailed character. While it steers clear of sibilance and harshness, its generous sparkle and energy might make treble-sensitive individuals slightly nervous. Nevertheless, the treble extension ensures excellent detail retrieval, elevating LAN above some of it’s competitors.
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Sound stage & imaging
One of Moondrop LAN’s standout features is its surprisingly wide soundstage, where music feels spacious and extends beyond the listener’s head. The depth of the soundstage adds to the immersive experience, complemented by precise imaging.
Instrument separation excels, and LAN delivers resolution that exceeds expectations for a budget IEM, solidifying its position among top performers in this price range.
Comparisons
I have compared LAN with two other IEMs from Moondrop and that being Moondrop Chu and Moondrop Aria.
I personally preferred LAN over CHU both in terms of sound, design and the stock cable. To me LAN sounds more refined and resolving and it’s better tuned than CHU especially in the treble section. On the other hand LAN just can’t beat the Chu’s value for the money, despite the fact CHU has a non-detachable and tangly cable.
Compared to Aria, LAN sounds like it’s younger sibling and I think Moondrop was right, positioning LAN between CHU and Aria price-wise. Aria is just a better IEM in every way. It has a more mature tuning, better bass extension, more natural and full midrange and relaxed, yet resolving treble.
Conclusions
Moondrop LAN emerges as a solid performer that exceeds expectations in several aspects. Its organic and lively sound signature, impressive bass extension, sparkling treble, and remarkable technical capabilities set it apart from other budget IEMs.
Pros
- Good design & build
- Neutral and organic tuning
- Impressive sub-bass extension
- Excellent treble performance
- Surprisingly wide soundstage
Cons
- Thin midrange
- Lack of note weight in vocals and instruments
- Occasional analytical sound signature
In summary, Moondrop LAN has successfully captured the essence of a neutral, bright, and analytical sound signature within a budget-friendly package. For those seeking such a signature, I highly recommend giving the Moondrop LAN a try.
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