Short answer: the Moondrop Para 2, if you are buying new. The Moondrop Para ranks higher than it (#40 vs #119 of 308 over-ear headphones, 4.2/5 vs 3.9/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Moondrop Para 2 is still sold new at $499.99.
The Moondrop Para is the better-sounding choice. Measured response gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 87 with a 1.75 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 1 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Watch for: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Why pick the Moondrop Para 2: The median of 3 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 79 with a 2.37 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The tradeoff: A 5.6 dB peak near 11.9 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp.
Buy the Moondrop Para 2 new; the Moondrop Para is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Moondrop Para | Moondrop Para 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $499.99 |
| Ranked | #40 of 308 in Over-Ear Headphones | #119 of 308 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 100mm planar magnetic | 1 x 100mm planar magnetic |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/Vrms | 106 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 53kHz | 20Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 79 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.75 dB standard deviation | 2.37 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Impedance | - | 9 ohms |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Moondrop Para Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Moondrop Para 2, ranked lower, rated 3.9/5, released 2025. See every Moondrop Para generation.
Pros: Measured response gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 87 with a 1.75 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 1 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Upper treble lifts about 4.2 dB for extra air and sparkle. It uses 1 x 100mm planar magnetic.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. A 4.6 dB peak near 11.9 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp. Sub-bass is 7.6 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Full Moondrop Para review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.75 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 100mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 53kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 87 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 42 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 105 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.45 |
| Peak | 1,845 Hz | +2.9 dB | 1.91 |
| Peak | 3,126 Hz | -3.6 dB | 2.75 |
| Peak | 6,242 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.01 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,894 Hz | +1.7 dB | 1.23 |
| Peak | 580 Hz | +0.9 dB | 2.81 |
| Peak | 981 Hz | -0.8 dB | 3.08 |
| Peak | 272 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.02 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Moondrop Para 2: $499.99 Amazon $499.99 eBay
Older model: the Moondrop Para (ranked higher, rated 4.2/5). See every Moondrop Para generation.
Pros: The median of 3 hobbyist measurements gives it a very good Harman preference score of 79 with a 2.37 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Upper treble lifts about 2.6 dB for extra air and sparkle. It uses 1 x 100mm planar magnetic with an easy 9 ohm load.
Cons: A 5.6 dB peak near 11.9 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound sharp. Sub-bass is 6.9 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble.
Full Moondrop Para 2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.37 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 100mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 42kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (median of 3 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 9 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.27 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons