Moondrop Aria SNOW EDITION Earbud High Performance Diamond-Like Diaphragm Dynamic Driver 0.78 Pin In-Ear Earphone

Product Information

It is said to use the same ergonomic material shell as the 2021 Aria, with one key difference. It has a brand-new surface coating, allowing it to produce the snowflake pattern, perfectly embodying the “Snow” in Aria Snow Edition. I don’t need it to excel on any field particularly but I would love it if it sounds good on anything I throw at it because if I really want to go technical/musical I still can use my Ola/Tanya in worst case scenario. Or perhaps a “correct” IEM which portray everything as they should be? All in all, the Snow sound more technical and have cleaner resolution but isn’t as immersive and musical to my ears as the lusher and more energic Topaz. In terms of comfort, they are exactly the same with one difference. The Aria Snow has the Moondrop Spring Tips which provide a more comfortable experience over time. Performance

Both IEMs have an ear-hook design with a 2-pin 0.78mm termination. The cable on the Aria Snow does feel more high quality and tangle-free than the ones in the Aria. Both cables are terminated with a 3.5mm L-shaped plug. The Aria Snow Edition has a pretty smooth and natural treble tuning that is relative energetic but not overly bright, sharp or ear piercing. This area is shown with a good grade of authority, separation and extension that is not outstanding but that is produced in a way that will fulfill the expectation from a product at this price level.

Should you buy the Moondrop Aria?

In consideration of OLA, Tanya, Olina, Dunu Titan S (let’s just abbreviate it as DTS lol) and the Starsea (assuming neutral setting), from least to most : The Aria Snow Edition that I will now review for you has the same shape of the original Aria 2021. However, it comes now with a brand new silver finish and beautiful faceplate (Snow-Flake Design) design and features Moondrop’s DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) diaphragm with dual-cavity dynamic drivers instead of a LCP diaphragm unit that was used on the original Aria 2021. The Aria Snow Edition follows the companies VDSF target tuning curve. The midbass region of the Aria Snow Edition has a pretty safe and fairly linear tuning with good grade of transparency, speed and control, especially for a single dynamic driver IEM at this price range. I didn’t hear any audible muddiness or mixings in even in some bass heavy songs, which is one of the highlights in this area. The sense of clarity and resolution is decent for a product below the 100 US mark. With that say which one do you think that will fit my needs more? I’m guessing Dunu Titan S based on the comparisons you laid down in this review but it seems like Aria Snow is very close as well.

All in all, while Moondrop IEMs begin to feel like more of the same again and again, they continue to improve their dynamic driver tech to deliver high sound benefit value. The E3000 are an L-shaped warm and very bassy set of IEMs. These have a more flabby and nebulous bass, with much more bass quantity and note weight than the Snow Edition. The E3000 are darker in the treble too, with way less air and extension.The OLA have a notoriously poor fit due to the round shape of the shells and short nozzles, and if not fitted well, they do not sound good and cause discomfort.

Seen above is the right side of the MOONDROP Aria Snow Edition installed in an anthropomorphic pinna that does well in showing my own experience with these. I have average-sized ears, and found the size L Spring Tips to work best. The relatively small shell size means those with smaller ear conchas will find these to be a good fit. This is why getting the correct tips to seal well is paramount for everyone else. The pre-formed ear hooks can be hit or miss too, but thankfully there is enough wiggle room in the orientation of the IEMs in the concha to where it is generally a non-isssue and should not require re-molding via a hairdryer. If it works well, then the cable will further support the IEMs despite the absence of a cinch for further securement. These are also denser than you would expect, at nearly 9 g each, although physical fatigue is a non-issue with the other factors accounted for. Isolation depends on the seal achieved and the two vents helps overcome pressure build-up inside. Note weight is on the thinner side, though timbral accuracy for vocals and acoustic instruments is very organic and natural. Note edges and dynamics are somewhat blunted, but this adds to a relaxed and chill (forgive the pun) coloration. Contrary to the name and design, the Snow Edition actually are not sterile or cold sounding. The midrange is mostly even, striking a good balance between the lower and upper midrange. There is no noticeable drop between male and female vocals. Instruments also have accurate timbre, with their natural tonality.

When it comes to the soundstage performance, I can say that the Moondrop Aria Snow Editions shows a sufficient sense of depth and wideness. The separation and placement of instruments and vocals is fairly precise for a product at this price range. Treble regions are where both of them are different. OH2 is smooth and non fatiguing at all,whereas Aria Snow Edition is slightly more energetic but still possibly to be considered as safe by some These two sets are sidegrades in my book – the Titan S are a bit more analytical. Vs. Tin HIFI T3 Plus The lower midrange is just a tinge depressed but is quite transparent without a big mid-bass encroaching into this area. The upper midrange is boosted but not too shouty or fatiguing.

The Aria snow edition comes in a beautifully adorned winter themed box. Inside is the Aira, a white case, tips, and a much improved cable. The snow edition is more engaging to listen to,I will put it as more musical than the 2021 Aria,not to mention that the snow edition is also using a different driver compared to 2021 Aria. TheMoondrop AriaSnow is a single 10mm dynamic driver (DLC diaphragm) with the lightweight Japanese-made Daikoku CCAW voice coil. Ola has a similar setup with its 10mm dynamic driver, using Tanchjim’s house DMT4 Architecture. Design Despite both having a DLC diaphragm, the KATO features Moondrop’s flagship 10mm ULT super-linear dynamic driver with a 2nd generation DLC diaphragm while the Aria Snow features a 10mm dynamic driver with a 1st generation DLC diaphragm, which is said to be similar to the discontinued model Moondrop Kanas Pro. At this point you might be groaning: “oh great, another Moondrop single-DD in a metal shell!” An understandable sentiment considering that with this new release, Moondrop currently has four models in this similar vein:Mids: Are neutral and sound organic and have a good timbre but are a little on the lean side. Vocals are placed well and have good body and emotion.