Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.1/5 (#313 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 Rays: A hybrid of a 10mm dynamic driver and a 6mm planar magnetic driver with an inline microphone, scoring 75 on the preference scale in squig.link hobbyist measurements. Watch for: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz sits about 3 dB low with a 5.7 dB dip near 10.5 kHz, so cymbals and detail sound dull and distant.
The case for 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 tradeoff: Its 1.75 dB spread is less even than the best measured sets.
Buy the Moondrop Rays 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.
A hybrid of a 10mm dynamic driver and a 6mm planar magnetic driver with an inline microphone, scoring 75 on the preference scale in squig.link hobbyist measurements.
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 Rays | Sony PULSE Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 | $96.85 |
| Ranked | #313 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 17 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 75 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.95 dB standard deviation | 1.75 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.73 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.6 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 | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 planar magnetic) | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x 6mm planar magnetic | - |
| Impedance | 30 ohms | - |
| Sensitivity | 120 dB SPL/Vrms | - |
| Frequency Response | 7Hz - 39kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | - |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (6 g) per earbud |
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