Fanmusic Moondrop Variations Earphone 1DD+2BA+2EST Tribrid Technology in-Ear Monitor with Interchangeable Cable

I'm using spinfit CP240s and tripowin grace instead of stock tips and cable. Source is a LG V50.These are IMO the sweet spot for price to performance. Great all-around, especially for acoustic music and live performances.The frequency response follows the 2019 Harman IE target with some moondrop flavoring, which means the sub-bass (20hz to 100hz) is pretty heavily boosted and the upper mids are slightly boosted (around 2khz). This took some adjusting to on my end after being used to the Diffuse Field target, but after trying some EQ, I understand why the changes are made. These make the Variations produce a more natural sound vs the clinical DF target, and the result is very engaging.Acoustic instruments sound right for the most part. A very slight dip in the lower mids makes them sound a bit cleaner than they usually are, but the sub bass rumbling and the super clean treble from the electrostatic drivers reproduces the natural resonances I hear from live instruments quite well. The only problem with tonality I can detect is a slight recession of male vocals and parts of drum kits. Baritone and tenor singers lack some resonance due to recessed mid-bass, and the kick drums hit a bit less than they do live. This is a necessary consequence of cleaning up the sound IMO because the sound gets a bit muddier when i tried changing this, and I prefer this cleaner tone overall.The soundstage and imaging is quite great. I imagine this is due to the excellent impulse response of the BA and EST drivers + excellently applied psychoacoustics. Instruments on center stage are properly outside my head and placed in front of me, which is the main failing I have found in some other IEMs I have used.One hope I have for any future improvements to this tribrid formula is a replacement of the dynamic driver with a planar magnetic driver. At times, I can hear the harmonic distortion in the low end, and it's especially distracting after listening to my planar over ears for a while. It's the only weakness to the technicalities of the Variations I can detect, and it's quite a minor one.The most iffy part of the Variations is the ergos of the design IMO. This shape works out for me, so the comfort is very good. I'd imagine these would cause problems if my ears were smaller or shaped differently.One last thing to note is the power required to run these. I have to push my V50 up to around 80% to get listenable volumes, so some stock amps may struggle to feed the variations properly.

Dithering around for a tri-brid, I settled on the Moondrop Variations. VERY happy. separation between instruments and vocals is exceptional (note: I primarily listen to classical, so separation in symphonic/orchestral pieces is very important.) With the Variations there is distinct positioning and surprising lack of muddiness. This also lends itself to a pretty decent soundstage for an IEM (in ear monitor).The detail is great, and the timbre (the grit and sound of a violin as opposed to the splash of a piano key or the moan of an oboe) is lovely. These buds may not be on a par with the UM MEST 2K (which costs 3 x as much), but ARE on a par with another $1400 dollar IEM which I own and enjoy (and shall remain nameless), but it doesn't have the simple purity of sound that these do.For you bass-heads. I was at first put-off by a perceived lack of bass and sibilance in the treble - then I put on a pair of the included foam tips (medium). OMG...deep, rich bass and a tame but lively treble. Mids are fine, with good presence. These babies are sweet. I realize that $520 is a lot of cash, but I also own 2 other pairs at same price point (by FiiO) which I love ( a single DD, and a hybrid), and the Variations is almost of perfect blend of the two with its own special magic.Cable is okay. Doesn't have a chin stop, but I don't mind.Conclusion: BUY THESE, and good listening.

meh, i feel like the highs aren't extended enough. definitely not what i expected. large tips have even weaker highs than medium ones. maybe i got a unit with bad EST drivers, or maybe they dont play well with my ear.overall good tonality, but the dip in the midbass makes the treble sound a little shouty for most modern music. i'd stick with my eq'd blessing 2, though i think i decided i like non-hybrids more. the mixture of drivers doesn't make the notes sound coherent.

These are my everyday go everywhere iem the low ends are super clean and crisp and the vocals are detailed and smooth and focused towards female vocals. The build and fit is perfect with minimal fatigue and are well made for everyday use I'm not afraid to toss them in a pocket. I wish the connectors were more recessed and the cable was better quality after 3 months the cable is exposing copper.

Make sure to put the filters on right after opening, it doesn't come with any on. Flip the 4-pin plug on the 3.5mm end, polarity is incorrect out of the box.

The Moondrop Variations were released ~3 years ago and are still being raved about by online reviewers and others. This is almost unheard of in the rocket-paced IEM market.I think they have a chance to become an all-time classic, like the HD600.I bought mine over 2 years ago and still use them all the time.For reference, I've owned the Sennheiser IE600, Moondrop Blessing 2, 7Hz Timeless, and other well-regarded IEMs. The Variations are my favorite IEM and match my superb Hifiman HE1000 Stealth for enjoyment, although they're different listening experiences.My simple advice is: Try them! They've stood the test of time for a reason.

Do not buy these. I purchased these back in June it’s now November and the outer shell of this IEM has com off. I am not rough on these IEM, they’re a good chunk of money so I have to get my moneys worth. Disappointed in their quality and hate the fact these have to be sent to China in order to get these serviced, no USA support. I’m out $520, not sure if mine is a one off defect but if not I can’t believe this product has such high reviews

Great sound nice Bass very balance goodsoundstage nice details definitely enjoyable