Moondrop introduces $799 open-back planar magnetic headphones featuring patented Full Drive technology that expands the driven diaphragm area, promising reduced treble distortion and improved timbre accuracy for high-resolution audio enthusiasts.
Moondrop has officially launched the Skyland, a new pair of open-back planar magnetic headphones targeting the high-resolution audio market. The company's latest release centers on its patented Full Drive technology, which addresses a fundamental challenge in planar driver design: achieving uniform diaphragm movement across a larger surface area.
What's New: Full Drive Technology and Build Quality
Traditional planar magnetic headphones often struggle with maintaining consistent diaphragm movement, particularly at the edges of the driver. This can introduce distortion and coloration, especially in the treble region where small irregularities become audible. Moondrop's Full Drive technology attempts to solve this by expanding the effective area influenced by the magnetic induction field.
The Skyland uses a 500 nm thick diaphragm driven by this enhanced magnetic field. According to Moondrop, this approach reduces treble and timbre distortion compared to conventional planar designs. The company claims the result is "airy" music reproduction that maintains transparency.
The open-back design uses protective fine-wire mesh grilles over the drivers. This mesh is designed to be acoustically transparent, allowing sound waves to propagate naturally without introducing diffraction or resonance that could color the output.
Build quality appears to be a priority. The drivers are housed in CNC-machined aluminum earcups, providing rigidity and minimal resonance. The headband uses carbon fiber for strength and flexibility while keeping weight down. A 3D-printed, floating headband pad distributes pressure across the skull.
Ear pads are made from soft lambskin, which should provide comfort during extended listening sessions while maintaining a consistent seal around the ear.
Technical Specifications and Connectivity
The Skyland offers a frequency response spanning 8 Hz to 34 kHz, covering the full range of human hearing and extending into the ultrasonic territory that high-resolution audio formats can reach. Total harmonic distortion (THD) is rated at less than 0.05% at 1 kHz, a specification that indicates clean output at typical listening levels.
Connectivity uses 3.5 mm audio jacks in each earcup, a common standard that allows for cable replacement or upgrades. The included detachable cable terminates in a 4.4 mm balanced connector, which provides a balanced connection to compatible sources. The package also includes adapters: 4.4 mm-to-6.35 mm for standard headphone outputs and 4.4 mm-to-XLR for professional or high-end audio equipment.
How It Compares to the Competition
At $799.99, the Skyland enters a competitive segment of planar magnetic headphones. This price point positions it against established options like the HiFiMAN Edition XS ($499-549) and Audeze LCD-2 ($899-999).
The HiFiMAN Edition XS uses a larger driver but has a more traditional planar magnetic design. It's known for its wide soundstage but some users find its build quality less premium. The Audeze LCD-2, a benchmark in this category, uses Audeze's Fluxor magnets and Fazor wave guides but is heavier and more expensive.
Moondrop's Full Drive technology is the key differentiator. If it genuinely reduces distortion and improves uniformity compared to conventional designs, it could offer a unique value proposition. The carbon fiber headband also addresses a common complaint about heavier planar headphones—neck strain during long sessions.
The build materials (CNC aluminum, carbon fiber, lambskin) suggest Moondrop is competing on both sound quality and physical construction, not just driver technology.
Who Should Consider the Skyland?
These headphones are designed for listeners who:
- Prioritize technical performance: The low THD spec and wide frequency response appeal to audiophiles who measure and analyze their gear.
- Use balanced outputs: The 4.4 mm balanced cable and included adapters suggest targeting users with balanced headphone amplifiers or DAC/amps.
- Listen to high-resolution content: The extended frequency response beyond 20 kHz makes sense for those playing back DSD or high-bitrate PCM files.
- Want open-back soundstaging: The open-back design provides the expansive soundstage and natural airiness that closed-back headphones can't match, but requires a quiet listening environment.
- Value comfort for long sessions: The carbon fiber headband and lambskin pads address practical comfort concerns.
Availability and Pricing
The Moondrop Skyland is available now for $799.99 through Shenzhenaudio. Moondrop's other headphones can be found in their Amazon store. The headphones come packaged in an aluminum carrying case for protection during transport.
For listeners considering a step into planar magnetic headphones, the Skyland represents Moondrop's attempt to push the technology forward while maintaining competitive build quality. The real test will be whether Full Drive technology delivers measurable improvements in the listening experience that justify the investment over established alternatives.
Comments
Please log in or register to join the discussion