Moondrop Aria 2 VS Truthear Pure

Moondrop switches up the formula with Aria 2’s single dynamic “dome” driver, creating a presentation that feels set back from the head with surprising soundstage depth and precise positional cues. Instead of shoving detail forward, the tuning stays smooth, coherent, and non-fatiguing while still keeping vocals engaging and treble tidy. At $89, it becomes the new default pick in the sub-$100 bracket—easily preferred over other budget crowd-pleasers—thanks to that airy layering and “in-the-room” spacing that’s rare at this price.

Build and accessories are enthusiast-friendly: a weighty metal shell, recessed 2-pin, and a modular cable with 3.5/4.4 mm ends (the 4.4 plug fits tight, but locks solidly). The nozzle uses a replaceable acoustic filter and there’s a pressure-relief vent, though no spare filters are included and the tip selection is basic. Pairing scales well—from clean Class-A amps to punchy portables—without upsetting the balance; different sources simply shift flavor, not quality. Add the unexpectedly classy design and this becomes an easy top recommendation under $100 for listeners who value staging, ease, and refinement over brute-force brightness.

Z-Reviews original ranking

Truthear Pure brings a warm, bass-impactful presentation from its 1DD+3BA setup, but the rest feels like it’s under a blanket. There’s a noticeable 2 kHz hump, then the upper range ducks hard past ~8 kHz, leaving the sound veiled—like three comforters thrown over the music. Great for bass-centric tracks (think Arcane S2 remixes), yet dull and somehow fatiguing at the same time. The shells look cool—semi-transparent with a heatsink-style back—and the stock cable is soft and supple but fixed 3.5 mm. Accessories are classic Truthear: small leather pouch, tip array, and a waifu postcard. Listed around $89 (feels more like $50 value).

The real curveball is the imaging and stage. On 3D test tracks that should sweep smoothly around the head, motion skews and snaps—front/back depth behaves weird and timing feels off. It’s the kind of tuning (or implementation) that begs for EQ just to “open it up”. For listeners who want warmth + bass and the bunny-girl aesthetic, this will scratch the itch. For a cleaner, properly integrated 1DD+3BA experience, alternatives like Defiant make more sense, especially at a similar price. Net: an acceptable set for bass enjoyment, but with odd staging and a rolled-off, veiled top end that keeps it off the must-buy list.

Z-Reviews original ranking

Build and accessories hit above the price: a metal shell with a golden nozzle, medium-sized fit, solid lip for tips, and a tasteful faceplate flourish. The stock cable feels premium with clear L/R markings, a chin slider, and an easy quick-swap plug system that makes 3.5↔4.4 painless. The case is a standout—leatherette feel, smooth zipper—and the tips selection is practical. Street price hovers around $90, often dipping to the $60–70 range during sales, which makes the overall package compelling for the money.

Sonically, Aria 2 leans on clean upper-mids and a smooth treble with a lighter bass shelf; dynamics are modest, imaging is respectable, and resolution is good for the tier. It tracks very close to the original Aria’s tonality (with slightly less bass) and overlaps with Moondrop’s current lineup enough to reduce the appeal of some pricier siblings, while outclassing bright-tilted alternatives like Dunu’s Titan S2 on ease of listen. Think of it as a vocal-forward, safe single-DD that trades slam for clarity; a solid B/B- performer that’s easy to like, easier to recommend at sale pricing, and worth shortlisting if smooth, airy mids and a tidy, well-built kit are the priority.

Jaytiss original ranking

The Truthear Pure offers a neutral, JM1-style target tuning aimed at a studio-reference sound, achieving this goal competently for its price point. However, its build quality and accessories feel disappointing and recycled from older models like the Hexa. The shell contouring is rigid and unimpressive, while the tips and case lack innovation. The cable is a slight improvement over the Hexa's – supple but lacking clear right/left indicators – making the overall package just okay, not exciting.

Sonically, the Pure presents a linear bass rise and a generally neutral presentation, differing from the Hexa by offering a bit more warmth but less sparkle and magical mid-range presence. While it fixes the Hexa's "pillowy bass," it doesn't fully surpass it, lacking the Hexa's legendary status. Comparisons reveal it's very similar to the Audio Sense DT200 in tonality, though slightly preferred. It falls short against competitors like the Kiwi Ears Quartet (better bass/mids), Ziigaat Lush (better technicalities), Softears Volume S (more natural curve), or planar options around its price. Crucially, the fit is problematic, often requiring expensive aftermarket tips like the Baroque to work well, which feels impractical for a $90 IEM.

Ultimately, the Pure is a solid but middling release, earning a B rating. It suits those specifically seeking an affordable JM1-style neutral signature or dedicated Truthear fans. For most listeners, however, better alternatives exist: the Hexa remains preferable within Truthear's lineup for its magic, the Nova offers more fun, or competitors like the Aful Explorer (bass-focused), TANGZU Fudu (value planar), or slightly pricier Volume S provide more engaging or technically proficient experiences. It's not a strong general recommendation.

Jaytiss original ranking

Truthear Pure arrives as a $90 1DD+3BA hybrid with a solid accessory set: postcard, soft pouch, six pairs of silicone tips plus foam. The non-modular cable is notably soft, tangle-free, low in microphonics, and the chin slider actually stays put. Shells are semi-transparent 3D-printed resin with a grooved faceplate, a vent, and a nozzle lip that keeps tips secure; there’s a recessed 2-pin connector. Size is only slightly larger than Hexa, but comfort is similarly excellent—low-profile, secure, and easy for long sessions.

Sonically, Pure shifts firmly into warm territory. Bass is abundant with strong slam, yet its slower decay and “glide” into the lower mids introduce a thick, relaxed presentation that can cloud mid-range clarity and leave vocals a touch hazy; the upper-mids sit a bit too laid-back for the bass level. Treble is safe, smooth, and non-fatiguing rather than airy. Technicals are middling for the class—imaging decent, detail behind more incisive sets. Versus Hexa, Pure adds bass and impact but loses the Hexa’s clean, neutral midrange; compared with Moondrop Aria 2, it’s the “too warm” side of warm-tuned. Best suited for listeners who want a cozy, laid-back signature; not ideal for clarity seekers unless EQ is used to trim the low-mids/bass. Final verdict: 3/5 stars—comfortable build and enjoyable smoothness, but the warmth dominates the balance.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Moondrop Aria sets a brutal value bar at $79, pairing elegant presentation with no-nonsense accessories: a tidy case, comfy fabric cable with zero microphonics, and serviceable tips. Build and box feel surprisingly premium—clean, simple, and just… right. As a package, it’s the kind of under-$100 IEM that forces every new budget set to prove itself against it first.

Sonically, Aria hits a neutral-with-bass-boost target that’s broadly Harman-leaning: a punchy mid-bass focus for thump and slam, modest but present sub-bass, and a clean handoff to the mids with no bleed. Vocals are the star—male voices carry a touch of warmth and weight, while female vocals have a bit more energy than sets like Starfield/KXXS, bringing them alive without turning shouty. Treble keeps things safe rather than spicy; not a pick for treble-heads, but still balanced enough that the overall presentation never dives into murk—just a smoother tilt up top.

Technical performance is where the “how is this $79?” reactions kick in. Detail retrieval is top-tier for the price, easily out-resolving many sub-$120 competitors, and the soundstage runs wider than typical budget fare. Imaging is competent rather than laser-etched (Starfield still images better), but the total package—tuning, clarity, width, and day-to-day listenability—feels unfair at this bracket. Verdict: a beginner’s best friend and the default recommendation under $100; if the budget is $50, it’s worth saving a little more for Aria.

Tim Tuned original ranking

Truthear Pure follows the beloved Hexa with a smarter twist on neutrality: a hybrid 1DD+3BA at $90 that keeps the sturdy 3D-printed shell, slightly chunkier but similarly comfortable. The package is generous—three pairs of “thick” tips, three “thin,” plus foams—along with a much softer, less tangle-prone cable (still a fixed termination) and a soft leather pouch that’s actually pocket-friendly. Build, fit, and accessories punch above price, making this feel more premium than the tag suggests.

Sonically, Pure takes Hexa’s neutral core and downtilts it: a touch more lower-mid energy for weight and body, with the Hexa’s brighter colorations eased back. The result is a warm-neutral, enveloping, and non-fatiguing presentation—vocals and instruments gain richness without mud, and timbre/decay stay natural rather than dark or blunted. Think of the duo like HD600 vs HD650 for IEMs: pick Hexa for cleaner/brighter clarity, pick Pure for fuller, relaxed musicality. Choose Pure if a superbly executed warm-neutral tuning, long-session comfort, and broad genre versatility are priorities (great as a first “do-it-all” IEM). Skip it if a crisper, more analytical, or treble-forward edge is needed—the Pure presents detail naturally rather than pushing it. Either way, Pure carves meaningful space beside Hexa: neither redundant nor straying too far from true neutral, just the right amount of warmth done right. (Also, a white Pure would be fun—name kinda begs for it.)

Tim Tuned original ranking

Aria 2 Red keeps the familiar Moondrop house tuning—balanced, clean with a gentle mid-bass lift—but shifts more mid-centric thanks to extra upper-mid energy. Vocals gain power and clarity, and the previous Aria 2’s fuzziness/soft timbre is tempered by trimming treble air, which in turn improves low-end tactility and preserves a good sense of space. Tip rolling isn’t picky: Softears Ultra Clear for smoother playback or Azla Sedna for more bite. It plays well at normal to mid-high volumes, though pushing it loud can get shouty around 1–4 kHz.

Against its siblings and peers, Red comes across as the most natural all-rounder in the Aria family—preferred over the OG and SE—which now feel outdated. Technicalities see a small bump versus Aria 2, yet remain a notch under sets like Defiant and EW300; sub-$100 planars (CLAR/F1 Pro/S12) still offer stronger raw performance. Versus EW300 (3.5), Red trades blows but the EW300 hits with better bass texture, slam, and treble detail, plus useful tuning nozzles and frequent sub-$60 pricing, making it the sharper value for many. For a similarly clean, airy tonality with more separation and sub-bass reach, Defiant is cited as the more compelling pick around the same bracket—QC caveats acknowledged on both sides.

Value is the sticking point. At $100 the Red feels slightly pricey amid a crowded field where Simgot’s EM6L (often ~$90) offers a smoother, more dynamic take, and options like A-Explorer, Yay500 LM, CCA Hydro, or plentiful $50 single-DDs provide distinctive flavors and strong technicals. The verdict is a half-recommendation: as a well-balanced, nicely built daily driver it works—especially on sale around $60–$70—but at full MSRP, enthusiasts seeking uniqueness or performance-per-dollar will likely find richer alternatives.

Jays Audio original ranking

Truthear Pure lands as the so-called Hexa successor, but the tuning pivots hard: it’s warmer, darker, and even more laid-back. Think mini Softears Volür—only warmer—so male vocals pop with weight, extension, and a lush low-end foundation. At mid-to-low volumes it can come off bloated and a little low-res up top, with dulled upper-mid/treble detail; push it to around 75 dB+ and it scales nicely, opening the stage, adding clarity, and staying non-fatiguing thanks to the tamer upper mids.

Genre pairing leans into hip-hop, rap, R&B, jazz, and rock/metal: there’s satisfying mid-bass impact and sub-bass rumble, with restrained upper mids keeping sibilance and shout in check on hotter recordings. Tipwise, avoid bass-boosters like Final E, Divinus Venus, and even the stock silicones. Go with Softears Ultra Clear or other clear, open-bore tips to nudge in more treble air while keeping the smoothness.

On raw technicals, Pure isn’t class-leading for its bracket—less detail and separation than the older Hexa despite sharing drivers, because the warmer/darker tilt trims perceived clarity. Buy it for the tuning and volume scaling. It plays like a more vocal-centric spin on the AFUL Explorer (darker, immersive, vocals pop more, a bit less sub-bass-centric). Chasing value or technical bite? Sets like EW300 (on sale) or Moondrop Aria 2 Red, and of course Hexa, will feel cleaner and crisper. Bottom line: a side-grade with its own niche—great for listeners who prefer a warm, smooth presentation and aren’t shy about turning the volume up.

Jays Audio original ranking

The Truthear Pure keeps the $90 hybrid recipe of the Hexa (3BA+1DD) and most of its shell geometry, but tweaks details: a slightly smaller nozzle eases fit for those who struggled with Hexa, while a thicker body changes how it sits against the antitragus. Accessories are sensible—the pocketable soft pouch and three styles of ear tips help dial in seal and stability—though the bold logo and faint channel markings won’t win style awards. Overall comfort is compact and easy, with fit security largely dependent on tip choice rather than ear-conforming contours.

Sonically this is a shift from Hexa’s laser-neutral baseline to a warm-neutral flavor: ~1–2 dB more energy from 1 kHz down adds body and density, while slightly pulled-back upper mids/treble relax the presentation. Stage size and separation aren’t the selling points, yet the treble execution is impressively clean and controlled for the price, avoiding the congestion feared from early listens. Bass remains not the star, but attack is snappier and kick definition more satisfying than on Hexa, making drums feel better outlined without abandoning neutrality.

Think HD600 vs HD650: Hexa reads brighter, airier, and a touch more “technical,” while Pure is fuller, warmer, and more relaxed—arguably the more mature tonality. For contrast seekers, the Jazir/Z Reviews Defiant hits harder with a lively V-shape; to split the difference with extra low-end and micro-contrast, the AFUL Explorer fits. As a sub-$100 choice, Pure lands as a five-star set: not a technical monster, but a beautifully tuned, dense take on neutral that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Hexa rather than replacing it—pick Hexa for openness, Pure for tone and treble refinement.

Super* Review original ranking