The Moondrop Quark 2 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 Quark 2 is $16.99 and you can buy it from Shenzhen Audio.
Moondrop Quark 2
The Moondrop Quark 2 is an affordable earphone featuring a USB Type-C connector in place of the traditional 3.5mm jack. It incorporates a cutting-edge 40nm high-performance USB audio system-on-chip (SOC) that includes a CPU, RAM, DSP, and decoding amplifier. This device is capable of hardware decoding high-resolution audio up to 32bit/384kHz PCM. The Quark 2 offers plug-and-play functionality with a variety of devices, including Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones, iPhones, iPads, and any other equipment equipped with a standard USB port.
The Moondrop Quark 2 features a closed front cavity design that enhances reliability and improves sound isolation. It is equipped with a 7.8mm dynamic driver that has been specifically optimized for this cavity structure. This design provides the ideal conditions for a pure-pressure soundstage and robust bass, significantly surpassing the constraints typically associated with smaller driver sizes.
A highly effective N52 magnetic circuit combined with a lightweight CCAW drive coil guarantees superior energy conversion efficiency and rapid response times. The micro-dynamic driver features an LCP dome and a flexible suspension diaphragm, providing outstanding wide-band performance.
The design incorporates a dual acoustic filter that utilizes various damping materials to significantly lower the Q value of ultra-high frequencies, effectively removing the timbre distortion often present in entry-level hi-fi earphones.
The cable
The cable features a three-button online controller and a high-definition pickup microphone, designed for conference calls and talkback functionality. The USB plug, splitter, and controller are constructed from plastic, which may not convey a strong sense of durability. The cable is of standard quality, exhibiting minimal microphonic noise; however, it tends to tangle easily.
Design and wearing experience
The ear shells feature a traditional rounded, bullet-shaped design, making them highly compact and lightweight, which ensures a comfortable and effortless fit. By selecting the appropriate size of ear tips, users can attain a secure fit that provides satisfactory passive noise isolation.
In terms of build quality, these budget earphones are quite good; the ear shells are constructed with an aluminum main body complemented by a transparent plastic nozzle and plastic strain reliefs.
Accessories
The package includes only three pairs of ear tips.
Power efficiency
The power consumption was measured at 0.02A/0.12W during idle mode and 0.03A/0.19W when playing music. It is evident that the Moondrop Quark 2 exhibits minimal power usage, ensuring that it will not significantly drain your phone’s battery.
Listening impressions
It is important to mention before diving into the listening impressions that the Moondrop Quark 2 can reach sufficient volume levels, although it does not become overwhelmingly loud. If you prefer listening at high volumes, you may find it lacking. Additionally, please be aware that the Quark 2 does not support the Moondrop Link application, meaning equalization options are not available.
Unexpectedly for a product in this price range, the Moondrop Quark 2 offers a notably balanced sound profile, contrasting with the typical V-shaped tuning found in many entry-level earphones. Its tuning aims to align with the Harman target curve, albeit with some variations from the conventional standard.
The low-end performance is quite impressive for such a compact driver. While the sub-bass extension may not be extraordinary, the Quark 2 still delivers ample enjoyment for bass-heavy tracks, provided that one maintains realistic expectations. The mid-bass is not overly pronounced, presenting a tonally accurate sound that does not interfere with the mids. The driver exhibits speed and control, producing tight and clean bass that packs a punch for its size; however, other technical aspects such as layering, definition, and resolution are relatively unremarkable. Nevertheless, at a price point of $16.99, the bass is well-executed and exceeds even the most optimistic anticipations.
More listening impressions
The mid-range offers an unexpectedly impressive presence and clarity for its category, ensuring that the mids remain prominent and have ample space to express themselves. The upper mid-range is elevated compared to the more linearly tuned lower mid-range and the slightly subdued treble, making it distinctly noticeable, which can result in a somewhat sharp or hot sound depending on the recording or individual sensitivity in this frequency range. Overall, the tonality is largely accurate, and the timbre is sufficiently realistic, providing a good representation of various harmonics; however, some overtones may come across as slightly artificial, thin, and dry.
The treble is smooth and well-managed, maintaining a good level of energy and vibrancy. The Moondrop Quark 2 should not be mistaken for earphones with a dark sound profile; instead, the treble is bright and detailed, offering ample luminosity and clarity. While it may not provide extraordinary resolution or refinement, and the transparency and definition may leave something to be desired, the timbre may exhibit a hint of metallic artificiality, yet the overall auditory experience remains adequate for its intended purpose. As for soundstage, it delivers a quite expansive and open feel without any sense of congestion, accompanied by satisfactory imaging capabilities.
Against the competition
The Moondrop Quark 2 is not without competition; however, to acquire a better option like the FiiO JD1 Review (Type-C version) you will need to invest an additional $10. The FiiO model offers slightly superior sound quality, a more upscale design, and the capability to support five preset EQ profiles.
In the end
Priced at only $16.99, the Moondrop Quark 2 is highly recommended for those in search of lightweight earphones that deliver excellent sound quality for the price and feature the convenience of a USB Type-C connector.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2024.
+ Quite balanced and natural sound
+ Well tuned low-end
+ Decent technicalities for the category
+ Ultra lightweight and compact
+ Comfortable fit with good passive noise isolation
+ Low power consumption
+ Inline controller and microphone
+ USB type-C audio adapter
+ Very convenient for daily use
+ Super friendly price
- Underwhelming resolution and transparency
- Not the most layered and technical bass
- Upper mid-range emphasis might not be for everyone
- Lack of accessories
- Questionable quality of the cable
- Not compatible with the Moondrop Link application
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