Short answer: the Moondrop Meteor. Both are rated 4.6/5 for sound quality (#44 and #43 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the Moondrop Meteor costs $549.99 against $599 for the IOAudio Volare, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
Why pick the IOAudio Volare: Nine squig.link measurements put its preference score at 81.5 with a 1.23 dB deviation, among the smoothest in-ear results. The tradeoff: The presence band is about 2.6 dB under target with a 3.4 dB dip near 6 kHz, then a 4.5 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, so attack is a bit soft while the very top can sound crisp.
Why pick the Moondrop Meteor: Across 19 hobbyist measurements on squig.link it earns a preference score of 81.3 with a very even 1.37 dB deviation, so nothing in the midrange sticks out. The tradeoff: The 3 to 6 kHz presence region sits about 3.4 dB under target and a 4.2 dB dip near 7.3 kHz follows, so guitars and cymbals lose some bite and detail can sound polite.
Buy the Moondrop Meteor. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $49.01 less than the IOAudio Volare.
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Specifications Side By Side
| IOAudio Volare | Moondrop Meteor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 | $549.99 |
| Ranked | #43 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #44 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 9 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 82 (median of 20 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.23 dB standard deviation | 1.36 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 4 electrostatic) | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature + 4 planar magnetic) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 4 x electrostatic | 1 x 13mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature + 4 x planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 4.8 ohms | 18.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 121 dB/Vrms | 120 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 9Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
IOAudio Volare: $599.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Nine squig.link measurements put its preference score at 81.5 with a 1.23 dB deviation, among the smoothest in-ear results. Bass sits about 1 dB above target down to 20 Hz, so it adds weight and rumble without crowding the midrange, which tracks the target almost exactly. It is rated higher than the cheaper Myer Audio CKLVX D62 and Moondrop Blessing 3, and 121 dB/Vrms sensitivity means any phone drives it.
Cons: The presence band is about 2.6 dB under target with a 3.4 dB dip near 6 kHz, then a 4.5 dB peak near 11.9 kHz, so attack is a bit soft while the very top can sound crisp. The very low 4.8 ohm impedance works best with a low output impedance source, and the Moondrop Meteor matches its rating for less money.
Full IOAudio Volare review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.23 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 4 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 4 x electrostatic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 9 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 4.8 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 121 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.40 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Moondrop Meteor: $549.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Across 19 hobbyist measurements on squig.link it earns a preference score of 81.3 with a very even 1.37 dB deviation, so nothing in the midrange sticks out. Bass holds within 2 dB of target down to 20 Hz, giving kick drums real weight without bloating vocals. The 120 dB/Vrms sensitivity and 18.5 ohm load make it easy to drive from a phone dongle, and it matches the IOAudio Volare in rating for a little less money.
Cons: The 3 to 6 kHz presence region sits about 3.4 dB under target and a 4.2 dB dip near 7.3 kHz follows, so guitars and cymbals lose some bite and detail can sound polite. The higher rated EPZ K9 and Moondrop Harmon both cost noticeably less.
Full Moondrop Meteor review and specifications →
| Released | Dec 2024 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.36 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature + 4 planar magnetic) |
| Drivers | 1 x 13mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature + 4 x planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 9Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (median of 20 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 120 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.09 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons