Reference-class sound for serious listeners

The Moondrop Illustrious is a professional-grade in-ear monitor built around a patented 11mm dynamic driver with upgraded materials, improved precision, and an advanced acoustic structure. Whether you’re mastering tracks or just want to hear your library in an all-new light, the Illustrious delivers a clean, natural tone with reference-level accuracy and near-zero distortion. 

Brings the patented 11mm driver into its next era

At the heart of the Illustrious is a revamped version of Moondrop’s patented 11mm dynamic driver. It’s the same transducer design that anchored their Illumination series, now refined with new a diaphragm and magnetic circuit materials, tighter manufacturing tolerances, and an acoustically re-engineered front cavity. 

A diaphragm designed for nuance

The diaphragm uses a three-part material structure: a stiff LCP dome base, a diamond-coated top layer, and a high-damping polyurethane surround. The artificial diamond layer adds rigidity and damping that smooths out the treble without dulling it. Meanwhile, the flexible edge keeps the low-end tight, controlled, and responsive. The result is extended frequency response without the usual tradeoffs in balance.

Respect the treble

Moondrop redesigned the front acoustic chamber using COMSOL-based flow simulations to eliminate standing waves and high-frequency diffraction. In practical terms, that means the treble stays smooth and sparkly during dense mixes—no weird reflections or ringing. 

Tuned to match the DF-HRTF curve

The tuning is neutral in a way that feels grounded and real. Bass coloration is nearly nonexistent, treble peaks are well-controlled, and everything from sine sweeps to orchestral highs falls into place the way it should. This is all because the Illustrious is voiced to follow the Diffuse-Field Head-Related Transfer Function (DF-HRTF), which replicates how sound naturally reaches the human ear. 

CNC-milled titanium housing with brass internals

The housing is CNC-milled from high-grade titanium alloy, with a gold-plated brass inner acoustic structure. It’s rigid, precise, and acoustically inert, with a finish that looks as serious as the sound. Moondrop designed it to last—not just through daily use, but through years of critical listening.

Two cables, one connector

The Illustrious ships with a high-quality cable featuring a 0.78mm 2-pin interface and two swappable terminations: one 3.5mm single-ended, one 4.4mm balanced. Whether you’re running a desktop DAC or a balanced portable player, you won’t need to grab a new cable to fit your chain.

Product highlights

• Reference-grade tuning aligned to DF-HRTF
• Upgraded 11mm patented dynamic driver
• TAC diamond-coated composite diaphragm
• Copper alloy suspension and cavity structure
• CNC titanium alloy shell with brass acoustic internals
• Treble-optimized front acoustic chamber design
• THD under 0.03% @ 94dB SPL
• Detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable
• Includes 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL connectors

Specs

• Product name: Moondrop Illustrious 11mm Patented DD IEM
• Driver: 11mm patented dynamic driver
• Diaphragm: TAC diamond-coated dome composite
• Impedance: 25Ω ±15% (@1kHz)
• Sensitivity: 124dB/Vrms (@1kHz)
• THD: ≤0.03% (@1kHz, 94dB SPL)
• Frequency response: 10Hz–50kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
• Effective frequency range: 20Hz–20kHz (IEC60318-4, -3dB)
• Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
• Cable plugs: 3.5mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced

What’s included

• Moondrop Illustrious IEMs
• Detachable cable
• 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm BAL plugs
• Storage bag
• 12 pairs of eartips
• Manual
• Certificate
• Wearing instruction sheet