Moondrop Variations vs Sennheiser IE 200

Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.4/5 (#92 and #90 of 450 in-ear headphones), so choose on features and fit.

Why pick 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.

Why pick the Sennheiser IE 200: Bass and midrange land almost exactly on the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement, within about 0.5 dB from 60 Hz to 3 kHz, which gives a natural tonal balance and a preference score of 79. The catch: The presence region from 3 to 6 kHz sits about 5 dB under target, with a 5.7 dB dip near 4.4 kHz, so vocals and snare attacks sound a little recessed.

Buy the Moondrop Variations or the Sennheiser IE 200 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.

Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.

Specifications Side By Side

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How Sennheiser IE 200 compares with other leading options:

• Sennheiser IE 200 vs Truthear x Crinacle Zero
• Kefine Quatio vs Sennheiser IE 200
• Moondrop Starfield 2 vs Sennheiser IE 200
• Queen of Audio Ryusei vs Sennheiser IE 200
• Sennheiser IE 200 vs Sony WF-1000XM5

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The Two Headphones In Full

Moondrop Variations AliExpress eBay

Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement it scores 79 for preference with a smooth 1.46 dB deviation. Sub-bass sits 1.5 dB above target and is 2.2 dB up at 30 Hz, so electronic and hip hop tracks get a satisfying rumble that bass lovers will enjoy. At 15.2 ohms and 118 dB/Vrms it runs fine from a phone or dongle.

Cons: 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. It is wired only and has no microphone for calls.

Full Moondrop Variations review and specifications →

Released	Jun 2021 (5 years ago)
Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	1.46 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic)
Drivers	1 x 10mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	9Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	79 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	15.2 ohms
Sensitivity	118 dB/Vrms
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.2 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -1.6 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	-2.7 dB	0.70
Peak	6,390 Hz	+3.0 dB	0.65
Peak	365 Hz	+1.4 dB	0.59
Peak	3,034 Hz	-2.4 dB	0.56
Peak	144 Hz	-1.6 dB	2.30
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-2.2 dB	0.70
Peak	2,112 Hz	+1.0 dB	3.35
Peak	1,322 Hz	-0.5 dB	2.36
Peak	3,015 Hz	-0.8 dB	4.18
Peak	66 Hz	+0.3 dB	2.02

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Moondrop Variations (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Moondrop Variations vs Truthear x Crinacle Zero
  • Moondrop Variations vs Moondrop Blessing 3

Sennheiser IE 200: $129.95 Amazon eBay

Pros: Bass and midrange land almost exactly on the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement, within about 0.5 dB from 60 Hz to 3 kHz, which gives a natural tonal balance and a preference score of 79. At 16 ohms and 119 dB SPL/V sensitivity it plays loud straight from a phone with no amp. Each earpiece weighs only 4 g, and the single 7mm dynamic driver is a simple, wired design with no battery to charge.

Cons: The presence region from 3 to 6 kHz sits about 5 dB under target, with a 5.7 dB dip near 4.4 kHz, so vocals and snare attacks sound a little recessed. The top octave runs about 5.8 dB hot, which adds sparkle that can read as thin or bright on some recordings. The Final Audio A4000 and Shuoer S12 carry higher ratings at lower prices.

Full Sennheiser IE 200 review and specifications →

Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	1.86 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 7mm dynamic
Form Factor	In-ear
Frequency Response	6Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	79 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	16 ohms
Sensitivity	119 dB SPL/V
Sub-bass Extension	Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-1.8 dB at 30 Hz)
Tonal Tilt	-0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0 lbs (4 g) per earphone

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -4.3 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	+0.3 dB	0.70
Peak	4,135 Hz	+4.3 dB	1.83
Peak	1,520 Hz	-1.9 dB	1.99
Peak	180 Hz	-1.2 dB	1.14
Peak	67 Hz	+1.0 dB	1.34
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-6.1 dB	0.70
Peak	727 Hz	+0.8 dB	1.79
Peak	5,480 Hz	+1.2 dB	3.96
Peak	1,154 Hz	-0.6 dB	3.44
Peak	2,978 Hz	+0.4 dB	3.96

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Sennheiser IE 200 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Sennheiser IE 200 vs Truthear x Crinacle Zero
  • Sennheiser IE 200 vs Kefine Quatio
  • Sennheiser IE 200 vs Moondrop Starfield 2
  • Sennheiser IE 200 vs Queen of Audio Ryusei
  • Sennheiser IE 200 vs Sony WF-1000XM5
  • Sennheiser IE 200 vs Tanchjim Fission
  • Sennheiser IE 200 vs Sennheiser IE 600
  • Sennheiser IE 200 vs Sennheiser IE 900
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