Moondrop Old Fashioned On-Ear Headphones Review
A retro-styled open-back on-ear headphone with a 40mm dynamic driver and a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable, listed from $24.99 with a 3.5mm plug. Suited to buyers who want a low entry price and a choice of 3.5mm, 4.4mm or Type C versions.
Our verdict
Makes sense as a low-priced open-back on-ear model for buyers who want a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable and a modular shell, with 3.5mm, 4.4mm and Type C versions. Look elsewhere if you want an over-ear shape, a stated weight, or figures checked by someone other than Moondrop. The main caveat is that the spec section names a single 3.5mm plug while the options list other cables.
- Best for
- Buyers who want an inexpensive open-back on-ear headphone with a swappable 2-pin cable.
- Skip if
- You need a stated weight or figures checked by someone other than the maker.
Why 3.6/5: Lifted by a specification list that gives impedance, sensitivity, frequency range and THD; held back by the store's own terms that contradict each other and by the lack of any independent test checked for this review.
At $24.99 for the 3.5mm version without a microphone, Moondrop's Old Fashioned is an on-ear headphone with an open-back design and a 40mm dynamic driver. The page gives 32Ω±15% impedance, 109dB/Vrms sensitivity and a 20Hz-20kHz effective frequency response, and says the ear cups and headband detach from each other. The cable uses 0.78mm 2-pin connectors, so it can be swapped. Moondrop says it tuned the headphone to follow the DF-HRTF frequency curve.
Specifications
| Spec | Page says |
|---|---|
| Driver | 40mm large dynamic driver |
| Design | Open-back, on-ear |
| Impedance | 32Ω±15% |
| Sensitivity | 109dB/Vrms |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-32kHz |
| Effective frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz |
| THD | ≤0.2% |
| Termination plug | 3.5mm |
| Cable connector | 0.78mm 2-pin, interchangeable |
| Modular design | Ear cups and headband detachable |
| Tuning curve | DF-HRTF, per Moondrop |
Options and pricing
Five options are listed, and all were orderable when the page was read. The 3.5mm no Mic headphone is $24.99, the 4.4mm version is $27.99 and the Type C version is $29.99. Two options are cables sold alone, a 4.4mm cable at $9.99 and a 0.78 Pin USB-C cable at $12.99, so the $9.99 price on the page does not buy the headphone itself. The spec section names only a 3.5mm termination plug, and the page does not say what the Type C version includes beyond its name.
How it compares
The ROSESELSA Distant Mountain 40mm Diaphragm Driver Headphone also names a 40mm driver and is listed from $55.99 against $24.99 here; its spec line names a stainless steel headbeam with a lambskin headband. The FiiO JT3 50mm Dynamic Driver Over-Ear Headphones cost $69.99 and name a 50mm driver. The Old Fashioned suits buyers watching the price who still want a swappable 0.78mm 2-pin cable; the JT3 suits those who want a larger driver in an over-ear shell.
Shipping, returns and warranty
HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.
Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.
HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.
On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.
What we liked
- Open-back, on-ear design with a 40mm dynamic driver, per the page
- Detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable, so the cable can be swapped
- Ear cups and headband detach from each other for different wearing styles, per the page
- Spec section gives impedance, sensitivity, two frequency ranges and a THD limit
- Entry price of $24.99, with 4.4mm and Type C versions also listed
Worth noting
- The spec section names only a 3.5mm termination plug, while the options include 4.4mm and Type C versions
- THD is given as ≤0.2% with no test frequency or level
- No weight or cable length is listed
Questions before you buy
Which cable and plug does the Old Fashioned use?
The page lists a 0.78mm 2-pin interchangeable cable design and a 3.5mm termination plug in the spec section. The options add a 4.4mm version at $27.99 and a Type C version at $29.99, plus a 4.4mm cable at $9.99 and a 0.78 Pin USB-C cable at $12.99 sold alone.
How hard is it to drive, going by the page?
The page lists 32Ω±15% impedance and 109dB/Vrms sensitivity, with a 20Hz-32kHz frequency response and an effective range of 20Hz-20kHz. It does not say how much source power the headphone needs.
Is the Old Fashioned open-back or closed-back?
The page calls it an open-back, on-ear headphone, and the store title says open-back too.
Where does HiFiGO ship from, and how long does it take?
From its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after the order. The shipping policy gives 1-2 weeks to the US by Priority (6-10 days by Premium), both with duties and taxes prepaid, 2-3 weeks to Canada, 1-2 weeks to the UK and 10-15 days to Australia. Express couriers take 3-7 days, but the buyer pays any duties.
Can I send it back if I change my mind?
HiFiGO gives 7 days to report an item that arrives dead, damaged or wrong. Its policy also describes 30-day returns, but requests 7 to 30 days after delivery lose 30% of the MSRP plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same page says no refund or exchange after 7 days. Ask [email protected] before you open the box.
What warranty does HiFiGO give?
One year from the order date for parts and labor, for faults in build or materials (the policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles; cables and adapters get three months). HiFiGO chooses repair or replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and a faulty item is serviced rather than refunded. Claims go to [email protected].
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- Moondrop Old Fashioned 40mm Large Dynamic Driver Open-Back Headphone product page: specs, options and priceSpecs, options and the listed priceRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping policyShips from China in 1-3 business days; US 1-2 weeks by Priority or 6-10 days by Premium, duties prepaid; Express buyers pay dutiesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping and order tracking pageA second shipping text: Premium also for Canada and Australia, Canada free shipping from $99.99, lost-parcel rulesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO refund policy7-day dead-on-arrival cover; 30-day returns minus a 30% restocking fee; its FAQ says no refund after 7 daysRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO warranty and refund policyWarranty by product class (1 year; cables and adapters 3 months); 30% fee for resealing an opened productRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO terms of serviceOperator named only as HiFiGo; governed by the laws of China; contact [email protected]Read October 28, 2026
Independent
- HiFiGO reviews on Trustpilot4.6 of 5 from 378 reviews (91% five-star, 5% one-star); the store has not invited reviews recentlyRead October 28, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- The spec section lists a 3.5mm termination plug only, while the options include 4.4mm and Type C versions; the page does not say what each version adds.
- The DF-HRTF tuning, the clean and natural tonality and the comfort-for-long-sessions claims are Moondrop's wording; no measurement data is given in the page text.
- THD is listed as ≤0.2% with no frequency or level, and the page gives two frequency ranges (20Hz-32kHz and an effective 20Hz-20kHz) without a test method.
- HiFiGO's policy pages contradict each other: 30-day returns with a 30% restocking fee in one place, no refund or exchange after 7 days in the FAQ.
- HiFiGO's pages name no company, street address or phone number; the only contact given is [email protected].
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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