Moondrop's Old Fashioned: A Nostalgic Audio Journey with Modern Engineering
Moondrop's latest headphones take us on a trip down memory lane, aiming at those who fondly remember the foam-covered on-ear headphones of the Walkman era. But this isn't just a retro-style product; it's a thoughtful attempt to modernize a design that largely disappeared when the iPod generation embraced in-ear headphones and noise-cancelling became the norm for commuters.
Open-Back, On-Ear Design: A Statement of Comfort and Awareness
The open-back, on-ear design of the Old Fashioned immediately communicates that these headphones are not meant for the U-Bahn or noisy offices. However, they are not just for home listening. Many audiophiles still rock open-backs on the street, prioritizing comfort and awareness of their surroundings over isolation and the highest resolution.
Large Driver, Precise Engineering
The 40mm dynamic driver, unusually large for such compact headphones, is squeezed into the housing through Moondrop's 'precise structural stacking' technique. The company claims to have optimized diaphragm damping and tuned the driver's resonant frequency to deliver decent bass response. The actual low-end output remains to be heard.
Modular Build and Future-Proof Design
Moondrop has addressed build quality issues common in vintage models, especially those on the used market. The telescopic headband and multi-axis swivel hinges ensure easy adjustments. Enhanced damping components in the swivel mechanism provide improved tactile feedback. The earcups are fully detachable from the headband assembly via swivel-ball joints, suggesting future accessory options like ear hooks or neckbands.
Cable Connection and Mechanical Reinforcement
The cable connection uses a 0.78mm 2-pin configuration, typically found in in-ear monitors. The grooved connector structure adds mechanical reinforcement, addressing the fragility of this connection type. A standard 3.5mm plug at the other end keeps things simple for portable devices and dongle DACs.
Impedance and Sensitivity: Easy to Drive, Affordable Nostalgia
According to Moondrop, the Old Fashioned has an impedance of 32 Ohms and sensitivity of 109dB/Vrms, making them easy to drive. At €29.99, they occupy a unique space: affordable nostalgia without compromising too much on acoustic engineering. The success of these headphones will depend on how well the 40mm driver handles the challenges of open-back, on-ear design, a configuration that has largely faded from the mainstream but might find renewed interest with modern driver tech.
Further Information
For more details, visit Moondrop's website: https://moondroplab.com/en/home
Explore the world of headphones: https://darko.audio/tag/headphones/
Learn more about Moondrop: https://darko.audio/tag/moondrop/
Read about the Old Fashioned: https://darko.audio/tag/old-fashioned/
Previous Article: Ready-made Phrases: How Hi-Fi Reviews Can Dress Up Laziness as Expertise
Author: John Darko
John Darko splits his time between Lisbon and Berlin, creating videos and podcasts for Darko.Audio. He has previously contributed to 6moons, TONEAudio, AudioStream, and Stereophile. Follow him on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/johnhdarko or Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/johndarko/
