Short answer: the IOAudio Volare. It ranks #66 of 1291 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.6/5, at $599; the Moondrop Variations ranks #128, rated 4.4/5, at $599. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
The case for 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. Watch for: 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 case for the Moondrop Variations: In oratory1990’s measurement it scores 79 for preference with a smooth 1.46 dB deviation. The catch: Presence and treble each sit 1.7 dB under target and a 4.4 dB dip near 9.8 kHz takes some bite off cymbals, giving it a dark, warm balance.
Buy the IOAudio Volare. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Moondrop Variations at the same price, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Nine squig.link measurements put its preference score at 81.5 with a 1.23 dB deviation, among the smoothest in-ear results.
Amazon $599.00 eBay
In oratory1990’s measurement it scores 79 for preference with a smooth 1.46 dB deviation.
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Specifications Side By Side
| IOAudio Volare | Moondrop Variations | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.00 | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #66 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #128 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 23 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 79 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.26 dB standard deviation | 1.46 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.44 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 4 electrostatic) | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 4 x electrostatic | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Impedance | 4.8 ohms | 15.2 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 121 dB/Vrms | 118 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 9Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the IOAudio Volare from aden, aftersound, arn, bedrock, breampike, dl, eliseaudio, gadgetgenerations, gadgetrytech, hbb, iemocean, jaytiss, kazi, precog, scboy, superreview, suporsalad, theaudiostore, timmyv, tonedeafmonk, treblewellxtended, vortexreviews and vsg; the Moondrop Variations from aden, adri-n, aftersound, arc, audioamigo, awsmdanny, bloomaudio, boizoff, bryaudioreviews, bukanaudiophile, cammyfi, dl, fahryst, harpo, harutohiroki, hbb, hobbytalk, ianfann, iemocean, iemworld, jaytiss, koi, listener, lown-fi, musicafe, nymz, practiphile, precog, pw, recode, seanwee, sl0the, smirk, superreview, theaudiostore, therollo9, timmyv, treblewellxtended and zerostresslevel, all via squig.link.
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