Moondrop Cosmo vs STAX SPIRIT S5: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the STAX SPIRIT S5 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: STAX SPIRIT S5 - Outstanding overall at around $500.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

STAX SPIRIT S5 leads on 7 of 7 measures.

Moondrop Cosmo
STAX SPIRIT S5

HearWiki score

Sound

8.4

9.5

Noise cancelling

0.0

Battery

10.0

Calls

6.5

Value

5.6

8.0

Price (USD)

$1,000

$500

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

Both shipped in 2024. These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the STAX SPIRIT S5 adds USB-C.

Cosmo2024
SPIRIT S52024

What differsCosmoSPIRIT S5

USB-C: No; Yes

Specifications

CosmoSPIRIT S5

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $1,000; $500
HearWiki score: 70; 84
Released: 2024; 2024
Availability: Still sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 100 mm planar magnetic; planar magnetic
Driver type: planar; planar
Driver size: 100 mm; -
Frequency response: 13 Hz - 58 kHz; 10 Hz - 40 kHz
Sound signature: warm; -
Impedance: 15 Ω; -
Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW; -
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms): 100; -
Bluetooth: -; 5.4
Codecs: -; SBC, LHDC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: -; Yes
Battery life: -; 80 h
Wireless charging: -; No
Active noise cancelling: -; No
Companion app: -; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Controls: -; both
Weight: 556 g; 347 g
Foldable: -; Yes
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: No; Yes
Pad material: -; leather
Connector: 4.4 mm balanced; USB-C
Balanced connection: Yes; -
Microphones: -; 2
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Call noise reduction: -; Yes
Call NR technology: -; cVc 8.0

Specification comparison of Moondrop Cosmo vs STAX SPIRIT S5
Spec	Moondrop Cosmo	STAX SPIRIT S5
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$1,000	$500
HearWiki score	70 / 100 Good	84 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	2024
Audio
Driver	100 mm planar magnetic	planar magnetic
Driver type	planar	planar
Driver size	100 mm	-
Frequency response	13 Hz - 58 kHz	10 Hz - 40 kHz
Sound signature	warm	-
Impedance	15 Ω	-
Sensitivity	100 dB/mW	-
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)	100	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	-	5.4
Codecs	-	SBC, LHDC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	-	Yes
Battery
Battery life	-	80 h
Wireless charging	-	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	-	No
Companion app	-	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Controls	-	both
Design
Weight	556 g	347 g
Foldable	-	Yes
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	No	Yes
Pad material	-	leather
Connector	4.4 mm balanced	USB-C
Balanced connection	Yes	-
Calls
Microphones	-	2
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Call noise reduction	-	Yes
Call NR technology	-	cVc 8.0

What reviewers said

Moondrop Cosmo

No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.

STAX SPIRIT S5

The STAX Spirit S5 is a premium wireless planar magnetic headphone that prioritizes audio fidelity with support for high-resolution codecs like LDAC and aptX Lossless, plus an impressive 80-hour battery. Its detailed, balanced sound and solid build make it a strong choice for home listening, though the lack of active noise cancellation and a somewhat heavy, less comfortable fit limit its portability. It's a niche pick for audiophiles who value sound quality over noise isolation.

Pro:Excellent planar magnetic sound detail and balance
Pro:Very long 80-hour battery life
Pro:Broad codec support including aptX Lossless and LDAC

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:Average comfort due to narrow headband and weight
Con:High price for the feature set

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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