The MOONDROP Aria are the revival of a shortly-lived and discontinued model with the same name. Upon release, these in-ear monitors (IEMs) made a splash in the Chi-fi (Chinese hi-fidelity) community due to their accessible price point, especially for this manufacturer, and audiophile-centric design. They have a single dynamic transducer that the manufacturer notes is tuned with the Harman curve in mind, resulting in a neutral sound that you can use to listen to most kinds of audio content. Although they have a sleek metal chassis and a nylon-wrapped detachable audio cable, which is somewhat uncommon in IEMs, this doesn't eliminate issues with build quality.
Our Verdict
The MOONDROP Aria are good for neutral sound. They have a fairly neutral sound profile tuned with a touch of extra punch and warmth to help balance out their light-handed low-bass. Mids sound clear and present, although a little recessed, which can nudge vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix. Their rolled-off treble veils vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix while sibilants like cymbals are very lispy.
- Very comfortable and stable fit.
- Very consistent audio delivery.
- Closed-off passive soundstage.
The MOONDROP Aria are sub-par for commute and travel. While they have a comfortable fit and feel well-built, they don't isolate you from the low rumble of bus and plane engines. They also lack audio playback controls, so you'll need to pull out your device to play or pause your music. On the upside, they have a very portable design and come with a hard carrying case to help protect them when you're on the go.
- Very comfortable and stable fit.
- Really struggles to passively block out bus and train engine noise.
- No audio playback controls.
The MOONDROP Aria are okay for sports and fitness. They have a comfortable fit, and their audio cable hooks over your ear. As a result, they have a very stable in-ear fit suitable for moderate physical exercise. Even though they have a wired design, their audio cable is also detachable, so if it gets snagged on something, the cable disconnects from the buds. That said, they lack audio playback controls.
- Very comfortable and stable fit.
- No audio playback controls.
The MOONDROP Aria are sub-par for office use. Unfortunately, they don't have a mic by default, which is disappointing if you have virtual meetings or make a lot of calls. That said, if all you want to do is listen to audio, they have a comfortable and well-built fit. They can also passively block out office chatter.
- Very comfortable and stable fit.
- Passively blocks out ambient chatter.
- No mic on default cable.
- Closed-off passive soundstage.
- No audio playback controls.
The MOONDROP Aria are wired headphones, and you can't use them wirelessly.
The MOONDROP Aria are passable for wired gaming. If you don't need mic support, these headphones have a comfortable and well-built design. Their neutral sound profile has a touch of extra high-bass that can help emphasize sound effects while their mid-range is flat, ensuring that dialogue and instruments are clear.
- Very comfortable and stable fit.
- No mic on default cable.
The MOONDROP Aria don't have a microphone. However, you can purchase a cable with an in-line microphone separately.
Changelog
- Updated Oct 02, 2024: The review has been updated to mention the MOONDROP Aria 'Elven Maiden' and 'Snow Edition' variants in the Style sections.
- Updated Jul 29, 2024: The Noise Isolation section has been updated with a comparison to the TRUTHEAR HEXA.
- Updated May 09, 2024: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED in Sound Profile.
- Updated Oct 31, 2023: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO in Sound Profile.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The standard MOONDROP Aria model comes in one color variation: 'Black,' and you can see our model's label here. Subsequent special editions include the 'Elven Maiden' variant, a collaboration with Hatsune Miku, which we expect to perform similarly to our unit. MOONDROP has indicated that the 'Snow Edition' (also known as 'SE') variant of the Aria are tuned slightly differently from the standard model, so they likely don't perform the same as our 'Black' variant.
If you come across another variant, let us know in the comments.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The MOONDROP Aria are entry-level IEMs with a neutral sound and well-built design. They're often compared to the MOONDROP Starfields, which are also wallet-friendly IEMs but have a different look and diaphragms. Although their nozzle design isn't swappable like the MOONDROP KATO, you can remove their filters if you need to replace them. They have a recessed treble, so details in vocals and lead instruments are veiled while sibilants like cymbals are very dull.
If you're looking for more headphones, check out our recommendations for the best audiophile headphones, the best headphones for music, and the best wired headphones.
The MOONDROP Aria are better in-ear monitors than the MOONDROP KATO. The Aria are more comfortable, and they have a slightly more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. The KATO are better built, and you can swap out the nozzles if you want to slightly tweak their sound.
The MOONDROP Blessing 3 have the edge over the MOONDROP Aria. The Blessing 3 are better built, and their sound profile is a bit flatter, with a less recessed treble. That said, some listeners might prefer the smoother treble of the Aria, which are also more comfortable.
The MOONDROP Aria and Sennheiser IE 200 have slightly different sounds, so you may prefer either IEM, depending on your needs. The MOONDROP deliver more bass, which is good if you like to listen to genres like EDM and hip-hop. They're also more comfortable, albeit chunky. The Sennheiser's sound is very balanced even if vocals and instruments are a bit more veiled, and they block more noise. Their cabling and connectors are more durable, even if the housings are plasticky compared to the metal Moondrop housings.
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO and the MOONDROP Aria are both wired audiophile IEMs. The MOONDROP feature a single-driver design and have less bass emphasis than the dual-driver TRUTHEAR, with their dedicated sub-bass driver. Unfortunately, the MOONDROP's treble performance is recessed and lacking in detail compared to the TRUTHEAR. Both feature sleek designs with a detachable audio cable, but depending on personal preference, you might opt for the metal construction on the MOONDROP over the TRUTHEAR's plastic resin design.
The MOONDROP Aria and the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED are similarly priced wired audiophile IEMs. While the MOONDROP are more comfortable and deliver audio more consistently, the TRUTHEAR do a better job of blocking out external sound across the entire frequency range, though neither is particularly exceptional at noise isolation.
The MOONDROP Aria are better in-ear monitors than the Shure SE215. The MOONDROP are more comfortable and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. However, the Shure are better-built, and they can isolate you from more ambient noise.
The MOONDROP Aria are better headphones for neutral sound than the 1More Triple Driver. The MOONDROP are more comfortable, feel better built, and have a more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. On the other hand, the 1More come with an in-line mic by default, meaning you can take calls on the go.
The MOONDROP Aria are better headphones for neutral sound than the KZ ZS10. The MOONDROP are more comfortable, have a slightly more neutral sound profile, and they come with a hard carrying case to help protect them when you're on the go. However, the KZ ZS10 feel better-built.
The Apple AirPods Pro are more versatile headphones than the MOONDROP Aria. The Apple are wireless headphones with noise cancelling so that they can block out background noise. They're also better built, have a built-in integrated mic to take calls on the go, and have an H1 chip to seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices. However, the MOONDROP are wired headphones that are more comfortable.
The MOONDROP Aria and the Razer Moray are very similar IEMs with strengths that suit different users. The MOONDROP have a more neutral sound profile that, while not ideal for punchy action games, still make both music and game audio sound full and intense. However, the MOONDROP's treble range is substantially more recessed than the Razer, which greatly impacts the amount of detail present in spoken voices. If you want to keep track of team chat, the Razer's brighter treble range will better suit your use. They're also more comfortable and have a wide selection of foam and silicone ear tips.
The MOONDROP Aria are better in-ear monitors than the KZ ZST. The MOONDROP are more comfortable and have a more neutral sound, which some users may prefer. They also come with a sturdy carrying case to help protect them when you're on the go.
Depending on your preferences, you may enjoy either the MOONDROP Aria or the 7HZ Timeless for casual listening While both headphones are well-built and have slightly warm sound profiles, the MOONDROP are more comfortable and come with a better hard case to protect your headphones on the go. However, the 7HZ have the option to purchase a 2.5 mm, 3.5 mm, or 4.5 mm jack cable, depending on your needs.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless are better headphones for casual use than the MOONDROP Aria. The Sony are wireless over-ears that are better built, have noise cancelling to help block out a significant amount of ambient noise, and have a companion app that allows you to customize their sound using their graphic EQ or presets. They also have an integrated mic, meaning you can take calls on the go, and they support multi-device pairing.
We've upgraded our Headphones Test Bench to 2.0! This update brings several key changes to our tests and usages, making it easier than ever to interpret our sound results based on your personal preferences. You'll also find a brand-new interactive graph tool featuring multiple targets (including our own!) for you to explore and compare.
For a full breakdown, check out our changelog, which includes detailed commentary from our test designer explaining the rationale behind our update.
We'd also love to hear your thoughts: your feedback helps us keep improving, so join us in the comments!
Test Results
The MOONDROP Aria are sleek, metal IEMs with a black base and gold lines on the buds. Unlike the MOONDROP KATO, they have a nylon braided audio cable. The standard 'Black' color edition is widely available, while the 'Elven Maiden' variant is black with a dark aqua-colored winged graphic and Hatsune Miku branding. There's also a limited white 'Snow Edition' version of the Aria. However, according to the manufacturer, these received more than a color update, and they sound a bit different from the standard Aria.
These buds are very comfortable. They don't put too much pressure inside your ears, and they come with several tip options to help you find the best fit. Unfortunately, the buds are a bit heavy, and it can be noticeable if you're wearing them for long periods. They also have a deep fit, and the audio cable can become tangled quite easily.
The MOONDROP Aria are very portable. They can easily fit into most pockets or bags without an issue. They also come with a carrying case to help protect them when you're not using them.
The MOONDROP Aria come with a small carrying case. It has a zipper to help keep the lid closed. The inside of the case has a velvet finish. There's a small space inside to store extra accessories like the filters and tips.
These headphones have a good build quality. Their buds are metal, which feels durable, and the filters are removable using the included tweezers. It can be hard to change the filters as you can accidentally damage the mesh underneath them. There have also been several user issues reported about different elements of their build. The included audio cable can fray or curl up, while the connectors can feel loose. The paint on the buds can also chip off.
The MOONDROP Aria are very stable headphones. The audio cables hook around your ears, which helps keep them in place, even during moderate exercise. While their cable can snag on something, their two-pin connector design disconnects it from the buds when pulled.
- MOONDROP Aria headphones
- Detachable cable
- 6x sets of silicone tips
- 3x sets of filters
- Tweezers
- Hard carrying case
- Manuals
The MOONDROP Aria have a fairly neutral sound profile. They have a slight bump in the high bass, which adds warmth to your mixes. Vocals and lead instruments are clear, although nudged to the back of the mix. However, the treble is a lot more recessed than that of the MOONDROP KATO, so vocals and lead instruments lack brightness and detail. The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO are also a good option if you're looking for wired IEMs with a boomier bass, while the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED provide a similar bass presence with more balanced mid and treble reproduction.
These buds have outstanding frequency response consistency. Once you get a good fit using the provided ear tips, you'll get consistent audio delivery each time you use them.
The MOONDROP Aria have outstanding bass accuracy. Most of the range is fairly flat and neutral, so mixes have adequate punch and warmth. They lack a bit of low-bass, so songs like Doja Cat's Candy feel a little light on thump and rumble. However, they still produce more bass overall compared to the MOONDROP KATO.
The MOONDROP Aria's mid accuracy is excellent. Although the dip in the mid-mid nudges vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix, the low and high-mid are exceptionally neutral. As a result, vocals and lead instruments like that in Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart also sound present and clear.
The MOONDROP Aria have fair treble accuracy. The response is underemphasized across the range and is less flat than the MOONDROP KATO and MOONDROP Blessing 3. As a result, vocals and lead instruments are veiled, while sibilants like S and T sounds are dull and lispy.
These in-ears have a great peak and dips performance. A peak in the high-bass adds extra warmth and boom to mixes, while a dip in the mid-mid nudges vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix. Another peak in the high-mid to low-treble increases the intensity and brightness of vocals and lead instruments. A dip in the mid-treble dulls sibilants like cymbals.
The MOONDROP Aria's imaging performance is outstanding. The group delay falls below the audibility threshold, resulting in tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. The L/R drivers are also well-matched in phase, amplitude, and frequency response, which is important for the accurate placement and localization of objects like instruments in the stereo image. Imaging can vary between units and can indicate a manufacturer's quality control and ergonomics.
The MOONDROP Aria's passive soundstage performance is bad, but this is normal from closed-back, in-ear headphones. To create an out-of-head audio experience, your outer ear needs to be activated by sound resonances. However, these headphones bypass your outer ear by design, so sound seems like it's coming from inside your head rather than coming from speakers placed in the room around you. Since they don't have a open-back design, the soundstage seems closed-off and not very spacious.
The weighted harmonic distortion performance is great. There are a couple of peaks, one in between the mid to high-bass and another between the low to mid-treble. However, this can be very hard to hear with real-life content. The rest of the frequency response falls within good limits, which results in mostly clean and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.
The MOONDROP Aria's noise isolation performance is sub-par and significantly worse than the TRUTHEAR HEXA's. They hardly block out almost any of the low rumble of bus and plane engines. That said, they do a better job of cutting down ambient chatter and the high-pitched hum of an AC unit.
The MOONDROP Aria have an excellent leakage performance. Leakage is mostly concentrated in the treble range, and escaping audio sounds thin. If you're listening to your favorite tunes at a high volume in a moderately noisy environment, others around you won't hear it.
These headphones come with a detachable 1/8" TRS cable. It uses two-pin connectors to attach to the buds. Unlike the MOONDROP KATO, the cable doesn't have a PVC outer cover to protect the wires. Instead, the manufacturer has opted for braided nylon, and some users have reported issues with this material's durability.
The MOONDROP Aria can only receive audio when connected using their analog cable via PC. That said, you can purchase these headphones with an in-line mic.
These headphones can only receive audio on PlayStation consoles when connecting their default 1/8" TRS cable to your controller.
These headphones only support audio when connecting their 1/8" TRS cable to your Xbox console's controller.