Moondrop Aria 2 Review – Lite

Comparisons –

Oriveti OD100 ($69): The OD100 is much smaller and has a fixed termination cable. It delivers a slightly warmer and higher contrast sound that makes it more engaging but also less coherent. The Aria 2 has a good advantage on sub-bass depth and power. The OD100 delivers more mid-bass punch and a bit more bass overall. The Aria 2 has slightly better detail retrieval though both are fairly mediocre in this regard. The midrange sounds more balanced and even metred on the Aria 2.

Though both are similarly tuned, the Aria 2’s smoother transitions lend it a more natural voicing. The OD100 meanwhile provides a more vocal-forward sound with a warmer tonality. The Aria 2 is a bit smoother but also less articulate. The OD100 has more lower-treble bite and crispness. The Aria 2 delivers once again a more linear top-end with greater texture. The Aria 2 has slightly better extension and a larger soundstage.

Moondrop Aria ($79): The original Aria provides a slightly clearer and lighter-footed sound than the Aria 2 but both have a similar character overall. The biggest difference is in the bass where the Aria 2 sounds bassier and more extended, delivering greater weight and slam. The Aria has less weight and this allows it to provide a bit more separation between its notes. Despite this, both have similar note definition and detail retrieval. The midrange is also similar on both.

The Aria 2 has a bit more body and is also a bit smoother. This, to me, makes it sound slightly more natural. The Aria provides a slightly more revealing sound with a touch more extension. The treble follows suit being crisper and brighter on the Aria and smoother on the Aria 2. The Aria 2 doesn’t have the same bite but has a bit more headroom. Its soundstage is slightly bigger and also more organized. The Aria 2 also has better separation.

Moondrop KATO ($199): The KATO is about as direct an upgrade as you can get from the Aria 2. In fact, both measure almost identically, closer even than the original Aria. The biggest difference is a general step up in technical performance on the KATO. The bass presentation is essentially identical but the KATO is noticeably more controlled, tighter and defined. Notes are faster and more textured. The Aria 2 keeps up with its dynamic performance but lacks the same detail retrieval as it is slower and softer around the edges. The midrange sounds very similar on both too, which is unsurprising given how closely the measurements match up.

The KATO provides a bit more resolution of fine detail and also much better layering due to having larger stage dimensions. It sounds a touch more articulate but mostly just more resolving. The treble tells a similar story. The Aria 2 has a bit more crunch in its lower treble but the KATO retrieves noticeably more information with better separation between each element and more background detail. The KATO has more mid-treble information which uncovers details that are smoothed over on the Aria 2. The KATO has a larger stage and better layering which gives it an overall grander and more complex image.

Verdict –

Moondrop has gone back to the drawing board and completely revamped the design of their popular budget dynamic-driver earphone. The result, however, does not represent such a substantial jump in performance but still one that is easy to appreciate whilst upholding a familiar presentation. Chiefly, bass extension and the overall depth of sound are notably improved and the sound signature is one step more coherent. This aids separation and imaging whilst still offering the same level of balance and versatility as before. Perhaps Moondrop feared cannibalising sales of the pricier Starfield 2 or KATO as the changes are relatively minor. The biggest changes are to the aesthetics of the product and the upgraded cable. Regardless, though the changes are small, they add up to produce a more compelling product. The Aria was a great all-rounder at a modest price and the Aria 2 brings the experience closer to the brand’s pricier DD models at the same price whilst improving upon build and accessories.

The Aria 2 is available from Apos Audio (International) for $89.99 USD at the time of writing. I am not affiliated with Apos Audio or Moondrop and receive no earnings from purchases made through these links.

Track List – 

Billie Eilish – dont smile at me

Bob Seger – Night Moves

Courtney Barnett – Rae Street

Cream – Wheels of Fire

Dire Straits – Communique

Dirty Loops – Next To You

Eagles – Hotel California

Elton John – Honky Chateau

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

H.E.R – I Used To Know Her

Jasen – BYE

John Mayer – Continuum

Kanye West – Ye

Missy Higgins – The Sound of White

Radiohead – OK Computer

TALA – ain’t leavin` without you

The Beatles – Abbey Road

The weeknd – After Hours

Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride