MOONDROP Illustrious Review — Headfonics

Today, Nihal reviews the MOONDROP Illustrious, a flagship-level single 11mm patented dynamic driver IEM tuned to the DF-HRTF standard. It is currently priced at  $764.15 with an SRP of $899.

Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank MOONDROP and Shenzhen Audio for their support.

Click here to read more about MOONDROP products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics.

This article follows our current scoring guidelines, which you can read here in more detail.

MOONDROP Illustrious Review

Summary

The single 11m dynamic driver MOONDROP Illustrious IEM has a solid build, premium looks, and top-notch accessories. However, the sound, arguably the most important factor, can be a bit polarizing for many listeners with its lean bass combined with natural and sweet-sounding midrange and a relaxed, smooth treble range.

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8.6

Pros

Relaxed and smooth treble ideal for long listening sessions.

Open sounding with good soundstage width.

Premium build and design.

I have known MOONDROP since the days when I owned a MOONDROP Kanas Pro. I still cherish the sweet memory of its natural and authentic midrange.

MOONDROP, hailed as one of the frontiers of the ChiFi scene, has been on a roll recently with several strong releases. They launched a solid hybrid called METEOR and other models across different segments, including the popular Blessing 3.

To mark their 10th anniversary, MOONDROP released the Illustrious, a premium single-dynamic IEM that succeeds the earlier premium release, Illumination, which came out over four years ago.

This time, they built the IEM on similar design principles, upgraded the dynamic driver, and included some additional technologies. I also compared it to other IEMs in its price range to see if the premium tag holds up in my full review below.

Features

The Illustrious features a patented 11mm single dynamic driver, first introduced with the Illumination. However, it includes subtle upgrades in the diaphragm and magnetic circuit materials.

The dynamic driver uses a TAC (tetrahedral amorphous carbon) diamond-coated dome composite diaphragm, which creates a more rigid structure and improves internal damping, leading to better treble performance.

A high-damping polyurethane material forms the suspension, helping to deliver better bass dynamics and minimal distortion at large amplitudes.

One thing to note is that the Illustrious achieves a THD of less than 0.03%, a value much lower than the Illumination.

Many may overlook this figure, but it is significantly lower than what we find in most IEMs. It represents a very low level of distortion, essentially inaudible to the human ear under normal listening conditions.

Design

Illustrious has a premium and robust build. The main body features a mirror-polished metal finish made from titanium alloy with smooth polishing, giving it a premium and almost jewel-like appearance.

The front of the shell has geometric faceted surfaces that resemble a gemstone or a cut diamond. However, this mirror-like finish attracts fingerprints and requires regular cleaning.

You need to handle them carefully while storing them, as they can scratch easily. Sadly, even after utmost care, my unit has some scratches that I cannot overlook.

The inner side and nozzle include brass-plated gold elements, which, together with the silver section, add contrast. The nozzle is a bit wide but comes with a standard length. It lacks a lip, so ear tips may occasionally slip off.

The shells connect to the cable through a 2-pin system. The front panel near the nozzle has a large vent that allows ample airflow and relieves pressure buildup. Another smaller vent sits on the side. This venting system creates a very open sound profile, which becomes immediately noticeable when you put them in your ears.

Overall, the design feels luxurious and, in my opinion, justifies the premium price.

Comfort & Isolation

The shells on the Illustrious are not very ergonomic. They are small and lightweight, but the flat design doesn’t offer an ideal fit. However, it doesn’t cause fit issues either. The shells have smooth curves with no pressure points or sharp corners, so you can expect a decent fit.

For me, they fit well without sticking out or causing any fear of being pulled off. Even after long usage, I never find wearing them tiring. You should also experiment with different ear tips to find the best fit.

The Illustrious doesn’t isolate very well, so some external noise does seep in. However, with a snug fit in a moderately noisy environment, you won’t notice much disturbance. During my time with the Illustrious, I didn’t face any driver flex or experience pressure build-up.

Ear Tips

For me, a premium tag doesn’t feel justified if the package doesn’t include a good number of ear tips.

Thankfully, my small ask from a premium-priced IEM is acknowledged here. MOONDROP includes four different types of ear tips, all of very high quality, which we don’t often see.

These ear tips include: Foam, Ultra Clear silicone, MOONDROP Spring, and generic silicone ear tips. Each of these four types comes in three sizes: S, M, and L. That adds up to a total of 12 ear tips.

I don’t use the foam ear tips much, but the rest are quite usable. I once had a strong liking for the Spring tips when they were released. The smaller stem and wider bore on the Spring tips may not make an ideal pair, so try out as many as you can.

The Ultra Clear ear tips have been a long-time favorite for many of us. Given the smaller size of the IEMs, I prefer using larger ear tips as they help keep the shells nicely seated in the ear canal.

I also tried third-party ear tips, and the Divinus Velvets gave a snug fit. The SpinFit W1 ear tips also work quite well on the Illustrious.

Stock Cable

Illustrious comes with a decently built cable featuring a modular system that offers both 3.5mm and 4.4mm jacks. I couldn’t find details about the internal wire material, but it appears to be silver-plated copper.

The braiding of the cable isn’t ideal, with some visible gaps, and it occasionally tangles. The cable has a minimal design with grey polished hardware, a small splitter, and a tiny cinch. You can change the adapters by unscrewing and pulling them out.

Overall, the cable feels functional, and you won’t feel the need to replace it, as it pairs well with the IEM. For a premium price tag, I expected a better build, but that’s just me nitpicking, as MOONDROP has done a decent job otherwise.

MOONDROP has built some decent cables recently, and for the Illustrious price, they could have included one of those.

Packaging & Accessories

MOONDROP has rightly justified the price tag by offering a satisfying unboxing experience. The Illustrious arrives in an unusually long box that creates curiosity about how the items are arranged inside.

This outer box is minimalist and sleek in black with the “MOONDROP” logo printed in a subtle font at the center.

Upon opening the lid, the interior divides into two sections. The left section houses the IEM shells, which are fitted securely in a foam cutout. The right section holds a brown leather carrying case placed in a foam cutout.

Removing the IEM panel reveals the accessories pack underneath. It holds a booklet, a warranty card, and a pack of ear tips. The cable rests inside the carry case. The accessories feel enough, though I found a couple of things missing.

Given the metallic and highly polished shells, they should have included a mesh pouch to protect the IEM from scratches. A cleaning cloth also feels necessary, as the shells attract fingerprints easily.

Overall, the packaging reflects a strong focus on presentation and detail, aligning with MOONDROP’s reputation for both audio and design finesse.

Carry Case

The carry case is a compact, rectangular, hard-shell design with a brown leather exterior. The top side features embossed branding with the Moondrop logo.

The double zipper closure with gold-colored metal teeth adds contrast to the soft brown tone. The stitching along the edges adds to the premium aesthetics. The upper and lower parts are hard-shelled, providing protection and resisting pressure.

The interior is lined with soft beige fabric, though it is not particularly thick or cushioned. On the inside of the upper portion, there’s a small mesh pocket for storing small items. From a functional standpoint, I find this case very durable and capable of lasting long.

Sound Impressions

The following sound impressions of the MOONDROP Illustrious were completed using a mixture of my main source, Lotoo’s Paw Gold Touch, and Questyle CMA18P. I paired the IEM with the 4.4mm terminated stock cable and the Ultra Clear ear tips, size L.

Summary

Illustrious has a very relaxed tuning that grows on you with time. It offers a fluid and open sound with a neutral tilt, not analytical but with a touch of warmth. It avoids any sort of coloration in its sound, presenting the music as it is.

The bass stays lean but delivers impressive quality. The midrange sounds very natural and tonally accurate and brings out emotions quite well, while the treble is full of detail and sparkle without ever sounding harsh or offensive.

The Illustrious balances the technical and musical aspects quite well. This sound favors genres like vocals, orchestral, and acoustic music, though it also handles other genres quite well.

Bass

The bass on Illustrious leans on the lighter side, with mid-bass and sub-bass lacking the physical impact and body that most bassheads crave.

Yet, where it falls short in quantity, it compensates with quality. After all, bass isn’t just about slam and punch. Despite the gentler tuning, it delivers a pleasant, bouncy character with appreciable texture and control.

This bass sounds quick, articulate, and free from muddiness or unnecessary thickness, allowing the rest of the frequency range, especially the midrange, to shine without being overshadowed.

The sub-bass and mid-bass present a clear, well-defined character but fall short in physicality and impact. The sub-bass, while audible, doesn’t extend deeply or generate strong rumbles.

Similarly, the mid-bass feels polite and restrained. It lacks the punch and slam that could make the music feel more alive.

I wouldn’t label this bass tonality as strictly neutral; there’s still a mild lift that gives instruments like bass guitars or kick drums enough presence to sound natural, though you may miss the reverberating bass linger many of us enjoy.

For many listeners, especially those who favor vocal-centric or acoustic music, this lighter bass presentation can align with their preference.

Midrange

MOONDROP tunes their midrange expertly. The midrange on Illustrious is natural, sweet, and highly engaging. It presents a clean and open sound with just enough warmth to feel immersive. The midrange sits slightly forward but never too close to the ears.

The lower midrange carries subtle weight, adding body and presence to male vocals, piano notes, and guitars. It doesn’t sound overly neutral or thin. Vocals come through with clarity and a touch of richness, conveying emotions effectively.

The transition into the upper midrange feels smooth and well-controlled. It stays clean and avoids any sharpness or fatigue. Female vocals and string instruments extend well without becoming harsh or piercing. The open sound presentation on Illustrious adds a sense of space that feels natural and true to the recording.

The overall midrange tuning stands out as one of the highlights of this IEM. It delivers a coherent and cohesive sound that makes long listening sessions enjoyable.

Treble

One common concern with bass-light IEMs is the amount of treble, as a subdued bass shelf can expose excess treble energy and throw off the balance.

But thanks to the overall warmth and well-controlled treble region, the treble feels natural and well-integrated. It extends nicely without emphasizing any specific region too much. The treble notes feel smooth and refined. They never feel peaky or harsh unless you play a poorly recorded song.

The treble carries an ample amount of air and sparkle. It gives space to instruments like cymbals, flutes, and violins without sounding thin. The notes carry decent weight and a soft shimmer. Cymbals and hi-hats have a light metallic bite with a hint of crispiness that sounds realistic and natural.

This isn’t the most detailed treble out there, but it stays coherent – a strength of a well-tuned dynamic driver. Dynamic drivers rarely push micro-detail to the front, and that’s exactly what the Illustrious tries to achieve. A little more energy on top wouldn’t hurt, but it never feels dull or rolled off.

Staging & Dynamics

Illustrious has been designed to sound very open. The vent near the nozzles circulates ample air, giving it a spacious and airy sound. It offers a wide-spanning soundstage with satisfactory depth and sufficient vertical height.

You won’t immediately feel a holographic sense in the soundstage, but it presents a vivid, lifelike image. The spatial arrangement on the stage creates an immersive quality that draws you into the music.

Instrument separation is nicely handled, with vocals and instruments having enough breathing space between them. Even on complex tracks and genres, you won’t feel any congestion.

I still have some complaints about the resolution, as the precision misses by a small margin. The images don’t feel very sharp, so the spatial accuracy could be slightly better. But this is just nitpicking.

Overall, the technical aspects remain satisfactory, as you might expect from an IEM at this price point.

Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.

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