Short answer: the Moondrop Aria 2, if you are buying new. The Moondrop Aria ranks higher than it (#114 vs #259 of 584 in-ear headphones, 4.4/5 vs 4.1/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Moondrop Aria 2 is still sold new at $99.99.
The Moondrop Aria is the better-sounding pick. A budget favorite that scores 79 with a 1.61 dB spread: warm bass about 2 dB above target, accurate mids and a little extra upper air. Watch for: Discontinued and replaced by the Moondrop Aria 2.
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.
Buy the Moondrop Aria 2 if you want one new; the Moondrop Aria is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Moondrop Aria | Moondrop Aria 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $99.99 |
| Ranked | #114 of 584 in In-Ear Headphones | #259 of 584 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic (LCP diaphragm) | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 33 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB/Vrms | 122 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 16Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 75 (median of 22 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.61 dB standard deviation | 1.97 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.46 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.13 (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 (-2.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 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
Moondrop Aria Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Moondrop Aria 2, ranked lower, rated 4.1/5, released 2023. See every Moondrop Aria generation.
Pros: A budget favorite that scores 79 with a 1.61 dB spread: warm bass about 2 dB above target, accurate mids and a little extra upper air. The LCP dynamic driver extends to 20 Hz.
Cons: Discontinued and replaced by the Moondrop Aria 2. Presence dips about 2 dB with a 4 dB low point near 6.3 kHz, so it sounds slightly relaxed rather than detailed.
Full Moondrop Aria review and specifications →
| Released | 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.61 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic (LCP diaphragm) |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 36kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.46 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -0.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 164 Hz | -2.6 dB | 0.92 |
| Peak | 6,460 Hz | +3.5 dB | 2.43 |
| Peak | 659 Hz | +1.4 dB | 1.59 |
| Peak | 3,108 Hz | +0.5 dB | 1.51 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,665 Hz | +2.1 dB | 2.79 |
| Peak | 1,408 Hz | -0.5 dB | 2.30 |
| Peak | 54 Hz | +0.9 dB | 5.32 |
| Peak | 31 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.21 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Moondrop Aria 2: $99.99 Amazon $99.99 eBay
Older model: the Moondrop Aria (ranked higher, rated 4.4/5). See every Moondrop Aria generation.
Pros: 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. Bass sits about 1.4 dB above target and the upper mids land almost exactly on it, so vocals and guitars sound natural with a slightly full low end. Sensitivity of 122 dB/V and a 33 ohm load mean any phone or dongle drives it to loud levels.
Cons: 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. Sub-bass sits about 2.2 dB under target, so deep synth rumble is a little lighter than on a bass-focused set. There is no inline microphone for calls.
Full Moondrop Aria 2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.97 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 16Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (median of 22 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 33 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 122 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.13 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons