Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.1/5 (#339 and #347 of 1291 in-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($99.99 vs $96.85), so choose on features and fit.
Why pick the Moondrop Aria 2: In squig.link measurements it reaches a preference score of 75 with a smooth response, deviating only about 2 dB on average from the Harman target. The tradeoff: A 4.8 dB dip near 6 kHz and presence about 2.8 dB below target take some bite and detail off snares and consonants.
Why pick the Sony PULSE Explore: Measured response gives it a very good Harman preference score of 75 with a 1.75 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The catch: Its 1.75 dB spread is less even than the best measured sets.
Buy the Moondrop Aria 2 or the Sony PULSE Explore on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
In squig.link measurements it reaches a preference score of 75 with a smooth response, deviating only about 2 dB on average from the Harman target.
Amazon $99.99 eBay
Measured response gives it a very good Harman preference score of 75 with a 1.75 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $96.85 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Moondrop Aria 2 | Sony PULSE Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $96.85 |
| Ranked | #339 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #347 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | - |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (median of 22 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 75 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.97 dB standard deviation | 1.75 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.73 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 33 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB/Vrms | - |
| Frequency Response | 16Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (6 g) per earbud |
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