The MOONDROP Free DSP review sample was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the MOONDROP Free DSP is $29.99 and you can buy it from Shenzhen Audio .
MOONDROP Free DSP Review
The MOONDROP Free DSP is an earphone upgrade cable that features a USB type-C plug with an embedded DAC chip so you can use it straight out of the box without the need of a separate USB DAC.
The Free DSP features a four-layer gold-plated circuit with high-precision components in a fully balanced output.
The cable supports earphones with the 2-pin 0.78mm interface as long as they don’t have recessed plugs. The only thing you have to do is to plug your favorite earphones, then hook the Free DSP to a USB type-C port and start listening to your favorite music without the need to install drivers.
The device is compatible with Android and Windows OS. MOONDROP doesn’t disclose sampling rate support, power output and the DAC chip used. I tested the device with high resolution files up to 192kHz/24bit without encountering any compatibility issues.
The cable is also equipped with a standalone in-line control and microphone module with three buttons so you can effortlessly manage volume, playback, pause or answer calls.
Power output and consumption
MOONDROP doesn’t disclose any power ratings but some simple tests were enough to assume that the power output must be about 15-20mW/32Ω, typical for this type of USB adapter and just enough to run your sensitive earphones and nothing more. Nothing wrong though since this is a cable designed for casual listening and use on the go.
The power consumption of the MOONDROP Free DSP was measured at 0.019A/0.1W, very low when we consider that the typical power consumption of an efficient USB DAC dongle, like the ddHiFi TC44Pro is 0.08A/0.42W. So, the Free DSP might not be that powerful but it is super efficient so you can use it all day long without much impact on your phone’s battery.
The Free DSP Parametric EQ
This is the first device of its kind to feature an online interactive DSP that allows the user to choose different tuning configurations and customize the parametric equalizer. In order to use the features, the user must download the MOONDROP Link 2.0 application which is only available for Android.
The program allows you to choose between 4 preset equalizer curves or make your own profiles. Additionally you can download ready-made profiles that other users have uploaded to the server or officially calibrated profiles for popular MOONDROP earphones.
However the software has some limitations that the advanced user might find a little restricting. There is no visual display of the equalizer curve, the allowed adjustments are within 40Hz to 10kHz range and can be made in 1dB increments within -12dB to +3dB. There are 9 bands available and only peak filters are supported. The app also fails frequently to recognize the device and crashes.
A very useful feature though is that the latest applied equalization curve gets permanently stored in the device memory and is the one used wherever you plug the Free DSP after that no matter the operating system.
Cable and build quality
The 1m long cable incorporates a mix of 75-core high-purity oxygen-free copper and silver-plated wires, using the Litz structure to ensure superior signal transmission. Moreover, the isolation design effectively separates the in-line control and microphone routing from the audio output signals.
This is a well made and sturdy cable with high quality aluminum plugs that doesn’t get tangled or induce microphonic noise. Only the 2-pin plugs look a little fragile at the cable entry point and could use some extra strain relief for reinforcement.
Listening impressions
The cable was mainly used with the Penon Vortex earphones.
The stock sound signature of the Free DSP is pretty neutral and transparent with linear frequency response and excellent fidelity for an entry level DAC.
It is effective in driving efficient earphones with plenty of dynamic and impactful bass which is tight and controlled but also somewhat lean and dry.
The mid-range is crystal clear and transparent with good enough resolution and articulation while the treble is energetic and luminous without ever sounding bright or sharp.
The Free DSP will not add any character of its own but it is not clinical or sterile. As a matter of fact it is quite musical and engaging with a rather natural timbre and not much of an annoying artificiality. It is also surprisingly open sounding with plenty of airiness and satisfying positioning clues.
Applying an equalizer curve will not degrade sound quality as long as you don’t overboost any frequency band or make the amplifier clip.
Compared to the ddHiFi M120B
The $89.99 ddHiFi M120B is a similarly designed cable that is $60 more expensive and it doesn’t support a parametric EQ. It does come through in both USB-C and Lighting versions with either 2-pin or MMCX plugs that are also compatible with the Sennheiser IExxx earphones.
An advantage that could justify spending $60 more is that the ddHiFi M120B cable is thinner and more lightweight, it comes with higher quality plugs, it is better made and has a more minimalistic and luxurious appearance.
Power consumption and efficiency are more or less the same while their sound signature is quite close and not that different. They sport the same kind of technical performance and the only notable and rather subtle difference is that the ddHiFi M120B is just slightly more musical and engaging with a bit more realistic timbre.
In the end
The Moondrop Free DSP is a cost effective and minimalistic solution for casual listening and making phone calls on the go without adding much clutter.
Sound quality is stellar for the intended use and additionally it allows the application of some basic equalization.
It is a sturdy, well made cable and the only drawback worth mentioning is the buggy and poorly designed software but for $29.99 I wouldn’t care that much and would anyway buy it for the simplicity and ease of use.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2023.
+ Neutral and transparent + Noise free + Supports parametric EQ + Well made with high quality plugs + In-line controls and microphone + Minimalistic solution + Power efficient + Dirt cheap - No MMCX version - Limited power output - DSP application is only available for Android - Limited EQ settings - Poorly designed and buggy software
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