Introduction
The Moondrop Aria is a single-dynamic driver in-ear monitor that has garnered significant hype and attention since its release in early 2021. With its attractive design, accessories, and claimed Harman-tuned sound, it aims to deliver an exceptional listening experience at an affordable price point. In this review, I will evaluate how the Moondrop Aria measures up across various aspects to determine if it lives up to the hype.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. I have not received any form of compensation or incentive to endorse or promote any specific product mentioned in this review. Please note that the individual ratings provided for each product are given in the context of the product’s price.
Moondrop Aria
Specifications
- Driver: LCP liquid crystal diaphragm, 10mm dual cavity internal magnetic dynamic driver
- Impedance: 32Ω士15% (@1kHz)
- Connector: 0.78pin
- Frequency Response: 5Hz-36kHz
- Effective frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 122dB/Vrms (@1kHz)
- Cable Type: Nylon-woven silver-plated cable
Individual ratings
Elevated sub-bass with nice rumble and impact, but lacks sufficient mid-bass weight and slam. Fast decay and texture are good, but the overall bass body seems a bit light.
Excellent female vocal clarity, presence, and timbre. But male vocals can seem a bit thin. Overall tuning leans bright, which boosts guitars and female vocals nicely. Natural and non-fatiguing.
Smooth emphasis on the middle and upper trebles provides nice sparkle and air without fatigue or harshness. Non-sibilance-prone thanks to safe tuning and roll-off in lower treble. Lacks a bit of presence and extension for some.
Above-average width and stereo imaging for the price bracket. Good separation between instruments, with discernible placement. However, depth seems more intimate and lacks expansiveness.
Good microdetails, especially in the boosted upper midrange and lower treble. Nuances in female vocals and acoustic strings are well articulated. Not the most micro-detailed, but great for a single DD.
Fast transients and decay, lively delivery of note attacks. Dynamic contrast seems mildly subdued, likely to avoid fatigue; macrodynamics seem about average. Still engaging snap and pace overall.
Resolution follows the mild V-shape bias, with more perceived clarity and texture in the upper mids and lower treble. The capability aligns decently with the price segment.
Great metal shell build with durable finish, sturdy construction, comfortable profile, and secure fit. A quality removable cable is included. Premium design overall.
Ergonomic shape, smooth finish, comfortable fit for extended use. Medium-sized earhooks and tips provide a secure seal and lock. A slightly shallow fit affects isolation somewhat.
Overall Rating
Bottom Line
With its V-shaped musical tuning, excellent vocal reproduction, smooth and non-fatiguing treble, good technical performance for a single dynamic driver, engaging dynamics, seamless build quality, and premium design, the Moondrop Aria provides a lush, fun sound that outperforms its affordable price point.
It has some shortcomings, like a lack of mid-bass body and slam, and male vocals can seem thin. The overall tonality also skews slightly bright. But these are acceptable trade-offs given just how musical, lush, and enjoyable the Aria sounds for the price.
So if you want an extremely well-built, vocal-focused IEM with lush female vocals, sparkling treble detail, and generally great musicality without breaking the bank, the Moondrop Aria is easy to recommend. It lives up to much of the hype thanks to its combination of enjoyment factor, good technicals, build quality, and design at a relatively affordable price bracket.
Pros
- class leading tonality and timbre
- excellent female vocal presentation
- non-fatiguing treble
- respectable technical performance for the price
- Good soundstage width
- Engaging dynamics and speed
- Quality accessories are included.
- Great design and build at the price point
- comfortable fit for long sessions
Cons
- The bass could use more mid-bass weight and slam.
- Male vocals can seem slightly thin.
- overall tonality on the thinner and brighter side
- Stock cable is just average.
Music Genres
Suitable
- Some genres it would be good for include pop, rock, jazz, acoustic, and vocal-centric music.
- However, those wanting neutral reference tuning or exceptionally deep sub-bass may want to consider other options.
Equalization Tips
- Here are some EQ settings to help enhance the Moondrop Aria's sound:
- Add 2-3 dB gain in the mid-bass region around 250–400 Hz for a bit more body and warmth.
- Reduce 1-2 dB around 1 kHz to smooth out any harshness in the upper mids.
- Add 1-2 dB gain around 8–10 kHz for additional treble air and sparkle.
- Reduce by 2-3 dB around 125 Hz to tighten up the sub-bass bloat (if any).
- This results in a slightly more balanced sound with a bit more mid-bass slam, natural mids, and extra treble extension. But do take care not to overdo the EQ, which could negatively impact the excellent tonality. Subtle changes work best for fine-tuning the Moondrop Aria to taste while retaining its strengths.
1. Packaging
- Moondrop Aria
- Nylon woven silver-plated cable * 1
- Storage bag * 1
- Tweezers * 1
- Filters * 6
- Silicon ear-tips * 3 pairs (S, M, L)
- QC passed card * 1
- Manual * 1
2. Design And Build Quality
The Moondrop Aria impresses with its elegant metal shell design in a matte black finish with gold accent stripes on the faceplate. The rounded ergonomic shape should fit most ear anatomies comfortably. The nozzle length is neither too long nor too short, allowing for a proper insertion depth and seal. The overall build quality feels sturdy and durable, thanks to the metal construction. There are no creaks or gaps in the shell components.
The removable cable utilizes a standard 0.78mm 2-pin connector recessed into the shell, providing a secure connection. While the included cable is decent, an upgrade can further elevate the look and feel. Overall, the design and build quality help justify the price tag and premium appeal of the Moondrop Aria.
3. Comfort
Despite the metal construction adding some weight, the ergonomic rounded shape and smooth finish of the Moondrop Aria make it a comfortable fit even for extended listening sessions. The medium-sized pre-formed earhooks on the cable help keep things secure. While the fit is on the shallower side, isolation is about average and suitable for general usage. Those looking for maximum isolation may have to experiment with different tips and fits. Overall, the Moondrop Aria offers a fatigue-free and pleasant wearing experience.
4. Sound Quality Of The Moondrop Aria
I. Tonality
The Aria's tonality leans towards the Harman target curve with a mild V-shape signature. The bass has some added warmth, while the midrange presence provides clarity. The treble is non-fatiguing, with a smooth emphasis on the brilliance region. While this is not a neutral reference tuning, it aims for an enjoyable musical tonality suitable for most genres. The timbre reproduction is excellent, with instruments and vocals sounding realistic and natural. However, the overall tone can seem slightly on the thin and dry side, depending on preference.
II. Frequency Response Graph Of The Moondrop Aria
III. Bass Response
The low-end has an elevated sub-bass, lending a nice rumble and satisfying impact. However, the mid-bass is slightly recessed, so the overall note weight seems a touch light. The texture and detail retrieval in the bass are very good for a single DD at this price. The control is also respectable, with a quick decay preventing bloating or muddiness. Those wanting greater bass body and warmth may be left wanting more heft and slam. But in terms of quality over quantity, the Aria delivers pleasing and agile bass.
IV. Midrange Performance
The midrange is the highlight of the Aria, with excellent vocal reproduction. There is a mild lower-midrange dip with an elevation centered around the upper-mids. This gives female vocals wonderful clarity, intimacy, and bite. The tonality and timbre are extremely natural, with no signs of shoutiness or harshness. Guitars also sound lively and articulate. While male vocals can seem a bit lean or thin in the lower registers, the overall midrange tuning prioritizes female vocals and instruments with brilliant energy.
V. Treble Response
True to its Harman ambitions, the Aria does not have a boosted lower treble or any controversial peaks that may cause fatigue or sibilance. The emphasis is in the middle to upper treble, lending air and sparkle. Cymbals and higher percussion have good decay and detail. While some may want more presence and extension, the conservative upper-range tuning delivers a non-fatiguing treble that most will find inoffensive. Those sensitive to treble spikes should appreciate Aria's smooth and safe implementation.
5. Technicalities Of The Moondrop Aria
I. Soundstage And Imaging
Thanks to the vented shell design and tuning, the Aria provides above-average soundstage width and imaging performance. The instrument separation in stereo tracks is impressive, with easily discernible placement and distance. However, the depth seems more intimate and lacks the far-reaching expansiveness of more high-end IEMs. But the overall staging capability relative to the price bracket is excellent.
II. Instrument Separation And Detail Retrieval
The slight V-shape and tuning emphasis result in great mid- and Treble detail retrieval on the Aria. The elevated upper mids and lower treble allow nuances and textures to shine through. While micro-details are not at a flagship-tier level, the Aria punches above its weight here. Instrument separation is also admirable owing to the vented shell and tuning. Individual instrument strands in busy tracks are cleanly separated and easily identifiable.
III. Dynamics And Speed
Thanks to the nimble single-dynamic driver, the Aria has satisfyingly quick transients and decay. The note attacks come through with urgency, while the short decay prevents any bloat or muddiness. This grants Aria an engaging and lively character. In terms of dynamic contrast, the Aria has about average to slightly above-average performance. The macro-dynamics and transient response are good, but the micro-dynamics seem mildly subdued, likely by design to avoid fatigue. Overall, the Aria delivers great snap and speed, along with sufficient dynamics for an engaging listen.
IV. Resolution
The resolution performance aligns with Aria's segment, with a mild bias towards the upper frequencies. The bass resolution is good, but the mid and treble are rendered with more clarity and texture. This grants female vocals and acoustic strings great nuance and detail. Electric guitar distortion and cymbal shimmer are also articulated well. While flagship-tier resolution and micro-detail are understandably absent, the Aria makes the most of its single dynamic driver.
6. Comparisons
Moondrop Aria vs. Tin HiFi T3 Plus
The T3 Plus has greater bass presence and warmth in the mid-bass region, resulting in a darker, warmer tonality compared to the Aria. The Aria's midrange has more upper-midrange emphasis, lending female vocals more presence and intimacy. The T3 Plus has more sparkle and air in the treble, while the Aria is smoother up top. Soundstage feels wider on the Aria, while the T3 Plus edges out in imaging accuracy. Overall, the Aria leans brighter, and the T3 Plus is warmer.
Moondrop Aria vs. BLON BL-03
The BLON BL-03 has significantly more mid-bass body and warmth, making it more L-shaped compared to the mild V-shape of the Aria. The Aria has tighter and faster bass, while the BL-03 is slower yet more impactful. The midrange tuning results in the Aria having more balanced mids with better female vocal clarity, while the BL-03 is thicker with more male vocal body. Treble is smoother and more non-fatiguing on the Aria. The soundstage feels wider on the Aria, while the BL-03 has more mid-bass warmth and intimacy.
Dive deeper with more comparisons.
7. FAQs
Q. Who Should Buy The Moondrop Aria?
The Aria makes for an easy recommendation for those seeking an enjoyable V-shaped musical tuning at an affordable price. The excellent vocals and detailed treble make it suitable for pop, acoustic, jazz, and female-vocal-centric genres. Treble sensitivity should not be an issue with the Aria's non-fatiguing upper range. While not a neutral reference monitor, the competent technical performance, engaging sound, and quality accessories make the Aria a great entry-level audiophile IEM.
Q. Is Moondrop Aria suitable for treble sensitive listeners?
The smooth treble should make the Aria suitable for treble-sensitive listeners.
Q. How is the noise isolation on the Aria?
A. The noise isolation is about average. The metal shell blocks some ambient noise but the shallow fit and vented design mean it does not isolate as much as some sealed IEMs. Using foam tips can help increase passive noise reduction.
Q. Do these need an amp to sound good?
No, the Aria is quite easy to drive from portable sources like phones and laptops. However, using a basic amp can help extract a bit more dynamics and authority.
Q. How durable is the paint finish and build quality?
A. The matte coating feels quite durable, though there are some reports of paint chipping over time. As long as you store the IEMs safely, they should hold up well. The metal shell construction also lends it a quality feel.
Q. How is the stock cable that comes with the Aria?
A. The stock cable is decent but quite basic. It is functional, though an upgrade to a high-quality aftermarket cable can improve aesthetics and ergonomics.
Q. Does the Aria have good bass for electronic music?
A. While the bass is satisfying, the Aria is not specialized for EDM or bass-heavy genres. The sub-bass focus means the mid-bass slam is lacking. So those wanting huge bass may be disappointed.
Q. How does the Aria compare to higher-priced IEMs?
A. The Aria competes very well given its affordable price. It cannot match the resolution and technical performance of more expensive IEMs, but it provides surprisingly good tonality and musicality.
Q. What tips provide the best sound with these IEMs?
A. Aftermarket tips like SpinFits generally pair well with the Aria. Wide bore tips can boost treble energy, while foams increase bass. Experiment to find your preference.
Q. Does the Aria need a lot of power amping to sound its best?
A. Not at all. While amping can help scale the dynamics, the Aria gets sufficiently loud and sounds great even from portable sources. Easy to drive with no special requirements.
8. Conclusion
In summary, the Moondrop Aria punches well above its weight with regards to design, build, accessories, and sound quality. The engaging V-shaped tuning and vocal-focused presentation, coupled with smooth treble and good technicalities, make it easy to see why the Aria is held in such high regard by many. It faces stiff competition in the sub-100 category but manages to carve a spot for itself with its lush vocals and energetic sound. While not without some compromises, the Moondrop Aria delivers an exceptionally musical experience at an affordable price point.
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Overall User Rating
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