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.
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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 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 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 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.
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