Moondrop Skyland full-size planar magnetic headphone

We're excited to announce what we're now selling the Moondrop Skyland, an open-back, full-size planar magnetic headphone built around a large 100mm driver and a full-surface drive system. It’s designed for a neutral, controlled presentation with low distortion, strong detail retrieval, and long-session comfort. The Skyland sits firmly in the modern planar category, with a large diaphragm, carefully managed magnetic field, and an emphasis on linear behavior. 

Full-surface planar drive architecture

The Skyland’s driver uses a full-drive planar magnetic approach, energizing nearly the entire diaphragm surface rather than concentrating force in limited trace regions. In many planar designs, only part of the diaphragm is actively driven, which can allow uneven motion and split vibration—especially in the treble where timing errors tend to show up as a sort of smeared sound. Extending the active circuit over most of the vibrating area applies more uniform force and reduces those split modes.

Ultra-thin 500nm diaphragm and low moving mass

The diaphragm itself is extremely thin, about 500 nanometers. Lower moving mass reduces inertia, which helps the diaphragm start and stop quickly. That matters for microdetail and timing--small level changes and fine textures that get lost when the driver lags behind the signal.

This approach can preserve the grain of strings, the decay of cymbals, and the edge definition of vocals without relying on extra treble energy. When the mechanical system is well-controlled, you get resolution that reads as natural rather.

Magnet system optimized for uniformity

The Skyland uses an array of 36 N55 neodymium strip magnets to generate a consistent planar magnetic field across the diaphragm. The magnet spacing and field strength were refined using finite element analysis, which is a way to model how forces distribute through a physical system before committing to hardware.

Uniform magnetic force supports stable diaphragm motion and reduces nonlinear behavior that can show up as distortion or uneven tone. In listening terms, it helps the headphone stay composed during dynamic swings rather than sounding strained when the track asks for more.

Stress balancing and etched circuit design

A multi-layer pure silver etched circuit works with tension-balancing technology to distribute mechanical stress more evenly across the diaphragm. Localized strain can lead to uneven motion under load, which is one reason distortion tends to rise when drivers are pushed harder.

By reducing stress concentration, the driver can maintain lower distortion and preserve tonal consistency at higher playback levels. It’s a design choice that targets both measured performance and long-term stability—keeping the driver behavior predictable over time.

Open-back grille and controlled diffraction

The Skyland’s open-back structure uses a woven metal grille with rounded wire geometry and a smooth, low-diffraction surface near the diaphragm. High-frequency energy is sensitive to edge reflections—sharp geometry and nearby surfaces can create small interference effects that read as glare or etch.

Reducing diffraction and reflections near the diaphragm helps maintain clarity through the upper mids and treble without forcing extra brightness. The goal is openness that stays controlled.

Rigid CNC aluminum driver cavity

The driver and magnetic system are housed in a CNC-machined aluminum alloy structure. Rigidity matters in a large planar build, where mechanical flex can shift alignment, add resonant behavior, and undermine the uniformity the driver design is trying to achieve.

An integrated cavity supports the diaphragm and magnet array while keeping airflow and the magnetic field consistent across the driver surface. That consistency is part of what allows a large planar to sound even across the band instead of feeling like separate regions stitched together.

Comfort system built for long sessions

A carbon fiber suspension strap spreads the load across the head and adds vibration damping, reducing pressure points during extended listening. The headband uses a hollow, flexible 3D-printed structure rather than traditional leather or fabric, increasing surface area for airflow and elastic support while keeping weight manageable.

Balanced cabling and amplifier compatibility

The Skyland uses dual 3.5mm earcup connectors with a detachable cable system. The included cable terminates in a 4.4mm balanced plug, supporting balanced amplification. Balanced output can reduce crosstalk and improve noise rejection in systems designed for it, particularly in desktop chains.

Included adapters extend compatibility to 6.35mm and XLR balanced outputs. With a rated impedance of 60 ohms (±15%) and sensitivity of 96 dB/Vrms, Skyland benefits from a capable amplifier, but it’s not positioned as an extreme power-demand planar. The design focus is clean control and low distortion rather than brute-force loudness.

Availability

The Moondrop Skyland is available now on Apos Audio.