Moondrop ARIA 2 Review

 

Introduction:

Moondrop is a popular Chinese portable audio brand. Founded in 2015 by a small group of enthusiastic engineers, it initially focused on products like earbuds and in-ear monitors. Their product line has since expanded to include USB DAC/amplifier dongles. The ARIA 2 is an upgraded version of the original ARIA, released in 2021. It features a single dynamic driver with a newly developed TiN ceramic-coated dome composite diaphragm housed within a CNC-milled alloy metal casing secured with a custom screw on the faceplate. The in-ear monitor (IEM) boasts a replaceable acoustic nozzle made of brass and comes with a 2-pin detachable cable offering an interchangeable headphone plug design.

 

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank Moondrop and Shenzhen Audio for providing me the ARIA 2 for review purposes. I am not affiliated with Moondrop or Shenzhen Audio beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered opinions about the product.

 

Price & Availability:

The MSRP price for the Moondrop ARIA 2 is 89,99 US$. More information’s can be found under the link below;

• Moondrop ARIA 2 IEM

 

Package & Accessories:

The Moondrop ARIA 2 has a rectangular white box with a textured surface that has the ARIA 2 branding on the top. This box came warped with a cardboard sleeve that has the ARIA 2 branding and an anime character that plays a violin.

The box contains the following items/accessories;

• 1 x pair of Moodrop ARIA 2 In-Ear Monitors
• 1 x 2-Pin detachable cable with interchangeable headphone plug design
• 2 x Headphone plug adapters (1x 3.5mm SE & 1x 4.4mm Balanced)
• 3 x pairs of Silicone Ear Tips
• 1 x Storage Case
• 1 x Print Material

 

Design, Build Quality and Fit:

The Moondrop ARIA 2 retains the familiar monitor shape of its predecessors, the ARIA and ARIA Snow Edition. However, it sheds its skin with a brand-new CMF design and a stylish, unobtrusive fixing screw. The CNC-milled Zinc-Alloy housing now benefits from a custom screw, eliminating potential damage from adhesive aging or external forces.

Under the hood, the ARIA 2 boasts a newly developed TiN Ceramic-Coated Dome Composite Diaphragm Dynamic Driver. This two-step processing of three materials yields a smoother treble response than Ametal-Coated Diaphragms, while minimizing distortion compared to Crystalline-Coated counterparts.

The rear of the monitor shell introduces a replaceable sound nozzle, featuring a precision-crafted Brass CNC-Milled Acoustic design with a gold-plated surface. According to Moondrop, this separate component ensures a higher sonic density and accuracy. Two vents flanking the Single Dynamic Driver unit, one near the nozzle and another at the back edge, optimize air flow.

On the top of the shell sits a recessed 0.78mm diameter 2-Pin female connector, providing a secure, snug fit for compatible male connectors.

The Moondrop ARIA 2 comes with a brand new detachable cable that has an Interchangeable Headphone Plug design. It’s a Hybrid wire cable that is made from High-Purity Silver-Plated Copper material with a Litz structure that has a braided design.

The cable has a metallic grey insulation that shows a minimal microphonic effect.

The 0.78mm diameter 2-Pin connectors to have a metal plastic housing with L & R color indicators.

The cable sports a metal y-splitter and a chin slider.

The detachable cable comes with two interchangeable headphone plug adapters that consists of 1x 3.5mm Single Ended and 1x 4.4mm Balanced plug.

The plugs do have a straight profiled metal housing in the same color like the rest of the metal part on the cable.

Overall, the build quality of the ARIA 2’s housing and new detachable cable impresses, exceeding my expectations for its price category.

  

 

Fit, Comfort & Isolation:

The Moondrop ARIA 2 inherits the same comfortable ergonomic shape as its predecessor. Its relatively small size fits snugly within my medium concha, providing a comfortable and secure listening experience. The passive noise isolation is adequate, effectively minimizing ambient noise often encountered during public transportation like buses, metros, or trains.

 

Pairing & Drivability:

 The Moondrop ARIA 2 is power efficient IEM with an impedance of 33Ω that has a sensitivity of about 122dB@1kHz which makes it ideal for the use with relative weak sources like Smartphone’s, Tablets and small USB DAC Adapters.

 

Technical Specifications:

• Model                         : ARIA 2
• Sensitivity                   : 122dB/Vrms (@1kHz)
• Impedance                 : 33Ω±15% (@1kHz)
• Frequency Response : 16Hz-22kHZ (IEC61094, Free Field)
• Eff. Response Range : 20Hz-20kHZ (IEC60318-4, -3dB)
• Connector                  : 0.78 diameter 2-Pin
• THD+N                       : ≤0.05% (@1kHz)
• Cavity Material           : Zinc Alloy Cavity + Brass Nozzle
• Interchangeable Plug : 3.5mm Single Ended / 4.4mm Balanced

 

Sources used for this review: 

• IEM’s              : Moondrop ARIA 2
• DAP/DAC’s   : FiiO M11 Plus ESS, Moondrop MoonRiver 2 TI 

 

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Adele – My Little Love (Deezer HiFi)
• Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Radiohead – Live in Berlin “Album” (Deezer HiFi)
• Radiohead – Pyramid Song (Deezer HiFi)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Bear McCreary’s – Valkyries (Deezer HiFi)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Daft Punk – Instant Crush (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
• Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Stevie Ray Vaughan – Riviera Paradise (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (Spotify)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
• Miles Davis – So What (Deezer HiFi)
• Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Metallica – Dyers Eve (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush’s – Tom Sawyer (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)

 

The Sound:

The Moondrop ARIA 2 is the latest iteration of their popular budget IEM, and it promises to build upon the success of the original with a new driver, improved tuning, and a more premium design. But how does it translate to sound performance? Let’s take a deeper look into the ARIA 2’s sonic character.

This review has been written after a burn-in period of about 50 Hours. I have used the silicone ear tips and the stock cable that are included to the package. My sound impressions below are based on my experiences with sources like the Moondrop MoonRiver 2 TI and FiiO M11 Plus ESS.

 

Bass / Midrange / Treble / Soundstage:

The Moondrop ARIA 2’s bass response is one of its defining features. It’s present, impactful, and surprisingly well-textured for a single dynamic driver IEM. It has a gentle boost in the sub-bass region, which adds some sense of warmth and body to the sound without bleeding into the midrange or becoming boomy. This is evident in tracks like Daft Punk’s “Doin’ it Right” and Lorde’s “Royals”.

The midbass area is also well-represented, adding weight and punch to instruments like bass guitars and cellos. For example, cello strums have a rich, resonant quality that adds depth and texture to the piece. However, the bass never overpowers the mix, and the ARIA 2 maintains a good balance between low-end presence and overall clarity with respect of its price.

The midrange is where the previous ARIA Series shows its strengths and the ARIA 2 is not an exception. The overall midrange presentation is natural and balanced, making the ARIA 2 a great choice for genres that focus on vocals and instruments. For example, it shows a decent level of attack while listen to instruments like guitars and drums. In Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Riviera Paradise,” the guitar solos have a raw, edgy quality that cuts through the mix.

The ARIA 2 shows a slightly dip in the lower midrange, which can sometimes lead to vocals sounding a bit thin or recessed. However, this is mostly compensated for by a boost in the upper midrange, which helps to bring out vocal clarity and intelligibility. This is particularly noticeable in tracks like Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why” where her vocals are clear and present, with a touch of sweetness that adds to the emotional impact of the song. However, here is also a slightly sense of over-brightness that is audible in poor recorder tracks.

The treble range is perhaps the most controversial aspect of the Moondrop ARIA 2. The ARIA 2 has an audible peak around the 7 – 8 kHz region, which adds some airiness and sparkle to the sound but can also be perceived as slightly sharp or sibilant by some listeners. This is particularly noticeable in tracks with cymbals and hi-hats, which can sound a bit emphasized.

However, the treble extension is pretty decent for a product at this price level. This sense of air and detail, making the ARIA 2 feel open and spacious. In well-recorded classical pieces like Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5″ the high notes have a delicate shimmer that adds a nice sense of realism to the performance.

The Moondrop ARIA 2’s soundstage is surprisingly wide for an IEM at this price level, thanks to its balanced frequency response and good extension in both the bass and treble. The imaging is also fairly precise, with instruments placed relative accurately within the soundstage.

 

Conclusion:

The Moondrop ARIA 2 is a compelling IEM that follows the sonic character of its predecessor. While it delivers impactful bass and clear vocals, its true strengths lie in its smooth treble and expansive soundstage. However, a slight midrange dip and a potentially sharp treble peak may not be for every listener. Ultimately, the ARIA 2 is a good option for those seeking a well-rounded IEM at a budget-friendly price. Its solid build quality and the new detachable cable further solidify its value proposition, making it a decent contender in the sub-$100 IEM market.

 

Pros & Cons:

• + Classical ARIA Tuning with some refinements
• + Clean and Relative Detailed Bass Response
• + Natural & Balanced Midrange Tuning
• + Great Fit & Comfort
• + Solid Build Quality
• + Cable with Interchangeable Plugs

 

• – Not the most Ideal Choice for Electronic Music
• – Slightly dipped lower midrange
• – Only 3 Pairs of Ear Tips

 

Thank you for the Read!