Moondrop Skyland (Laputa) is officially launched

The Moondrop Skyland (Laputa) was officially launched today (6). The announcement of the international price for the Laputa was made by Moondrop’s social media profiles on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). However, it is still not possible to purchase it from the brand’s official store on AliExpress.

Moondrop Skyland (Laputa) has its official price revealed

Moondrop announced today on social media the official price of the Moondrop Skyland (Laputa). The brand’s new flagship planar-magnetic over-ear headphone will cost US$ 799.99. Below is a post from Moondrop on X (formerly Twitter).

Although the Skyland (Laputa) is not yet available for purchase in Moondrop’s official AliExpress store, the Chinese audio retailer Shenzhenaudio has already informed that customers can place orders both through the SHENZHENAUDIO website and the Shenzhenaudio store on AliExpress.

About the Moondrop Skyland (Laputa)

The Moondrop Skyland is an over-ear (circumaural) open-back headphone featuring planar-magnetic drivers. The original name of Moondrop’s new planar-magnetic headphone is “Laputa”, but it was changed to “Skyland” in the promotional material for Western markets.

I believe this change is due to the meanings associated with the word “Laputa” in Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries. In case you’re not aware, the name was inspired by the film “Castle in the Sky” (Laputa: Castle in the Sky / Tenkū no Shiro Rapyuta) from the Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli.

Planar-magnetic driver developed by Moondrop

Through Full Drive Technology (FDT), developed by Moondrop, it was possible to use a 100 mm diaphragm in the Skyland’s driver. According to the manufacturer, there are “inefficient circuits” in traditional planar-magnetic over-ear headphones that cause only the center of the diaphragm to vibrate, activating just 56.3% of the total surface area. With FDT technology, the effective diaphragm area increases to around 95.5%, according to the company.

Moondrop explains that effective diaphragm actuation in a planar-magnetic headphone only occurs when “the orientation of the circuit is perpendicular to the magnetic induction field and the diaphragm’s vibration direction”, while “other parts of the circuit are ineffective, serving only to conduct current without producing the force needed to move the diaphragm”.

The Skyland’s diaphragm has a thickness of approximately 500 nanometers, which Moondrop states “approaches the limits of planar-magnetic headphone technology.” According to the company, this allows for greater detail, high response speed, and a balanced frequency response.

What does the Moondrop Skyland (Laputa) sound like?

According to Moondrop, the Skyland (Laputa) follows the VDSF target curve, delivering a “natural timbre” with “treble and upper-treble that extend smoothly.” The company also claims that the Laputa offers high levels of detail and accurate imaging in musical presentation.

Removable cables with 3.5 mm connectors

To make cable replacement easier, the Skyland (Laputa) uses a removable dual-3.5 mm cable system. In the box, the Skyland comes with a 4.4 mm balanced cable, plus two adapters: 4.4 mm to 6.35 mm and 4.4 mm to XLR (4-pin).

Genuine leather earpads

The Skyland (Laputa) features lambskin leather earpads, providing both comfort and durability for the user.

Metal storage case

To store and protect the Skyland (Laputa), the product includes an aluminum metal storage case in the box.

Moondrop Skyland (Laputa) — Specifications

• Impedance: 60 Ω ± 15%
• Sensitivity: 96 dB/Vrms
• THD: THD ≤ 0.05% (@ 1 kHz, 94 dB)
• Frequency Response: 8 Hz – 34 kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
• Effective Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (IEC60318-4, −3 dB)
• Headphone Connector: Dual 3.5 mm
• Cable Connector: 4.4 mm balanced plug

What’s in the box:

• 1× Moondrop Skyland (Laputa)
• 2× Earpads
• 1× 4.4 mm balanced cable
• 1× 4.4 mm to 6.35 mm adapter
• 1× 4.4 mm to XLR (4-pin) adapter
• 1× Manual
• 1× Anime card
• 1× Certificate
• 1× Service card

Launch, price, and availability

The Moondrop Skyland (Laputa) was officially launched today (6) and is already available for US$ 799.99 at the Shenzhenaudio AliExpress store. As of the time of writing, the Skyland has not yet been listed in Moondrop’s official AliExpress store.

About Moondrop

Moondrop is a brand of portable audio products from Chengdu Shuiyueyu Technology Co., Ltd., founded in 2015 in Chengdu, China. The company focuses primarily on headphone research and development, but also produces passive speakers and portable CD players.