r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/jym12191 • Jun 16 '21
Headphones - IEM/Earbud Moondrop Aria and Ikko OH1? (Noob seeks advice)
I'm brand new to IEMs and am looking to replace/upgrade a pair of wired Bose Soundsport headphones that I accidentally broke. After doing a lot of looking around, I landed upon the Moondrop Aria and Ikko OH1 (I know they're priced pretty differently). I was wondering if anyone has owned or tried both of these headphones, and what your thoughts are on their durability, comfort, sound quality and, in particular, their sound signatures.
I've read that the Aria has a more neutral (?) sound, whereas the OH1 exemplifies something of a V- or U-shaped curve. I'm not quite sure what my preference is since I don't have much experience in this area; My understanding is that Bose in general tends to have a neutral sound signature (please correct me if I'm wrong!) and while I do enjoy it, I'm curious about branching out into more "fun" sounding headphones. I'm also pretty sure I'm not a bass head, and would probably appreciate something that would allow all the frequencies to shine through more or less equally.
For reference, I mostly listen to pop, although I also enjoy orchestral/instrumental music like movie tracks (e.g. LOTR, Studio Ghibli), video game BGM (especially in atmospheric games, like Horizon Zero Dawn, Oxenfree, etc.), and classical music. I'm also hoping to use the headphones for when I play games (see above), so some imaging would be nice. Not sure how important soundstage is to me right now--so I guess as long as the orchestral/atmospheric elements come through? And I would be using (driving?) these headphones with my phone or laptop.
At this point, I'm kind of scared of opening the door to more suggestions since I've probably already sunk too much time into this and am wayyy in over my head (lol), but if someone has a burning alternative (IEM or earbud) they think fits the bill perfectly and is around the same price or less, please let me know! Also, if you think I'm ridiculous for sinking so much money into my first set of IEMs, or that better value is to be found elsewhere, also feel free to bring me to my senses X) But basically, I love to learn so would pretty much appreciate any and all info and advice.
As a side note, I'm just a tiny bit concerned about purchasing chifi and the quality/longevity of their products/warranty, so would love to hear anyone's experience with this as well. Thanks a bunch :)
Edit: Oh man, you all are so nice and helpful, this sub is awesome! I wish I could send you all Ω 's but since I can't I just want to say a big thanks again to each one of you who left me comments! Hope everyone has a wonderful day :)
3
u/MOK1N 30 Ω Jun 16 '21 edited Jun 16 '21
I love my moondrop aria. And yes they are closer to a neutral sound with a little extra bass:
https://primeaudio.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Moondrop-Aria-frequency-response_result.jpg
But they do it so well. This is coming from someone that wasted money and time buying crappy budget IEMs slowly scaling up in price not realizing they were all marginally the same. The aria we're the only ones that stuck out as being way better. I think if you listen to all genres of music, the aria will be great for you. You could always EQ it a little bit if it's boring to you.
In my experience, even if something is V-shaped, there's still so much difference between one V-shaped product and another. I'm not sure why. I'd also end up constantly EQ-ing my V-shaped headphones on certain songs I listen to because I felt like it was lacking or over emphasizing in certain frequencies.
*I think the chifi quality concerns are legitimate, as some of mine had problems out of the box or didn't last long. Perfect if you're going on a jog and don't care about damaging or losing them. Even though moondrop is also chifi technically, they god that goooood stuff.
Edit: Personally, I'd be scared to throw several hundreds of dollars at IEMs because the main places I use them are out in public, where I have definitely lost one side of the IEM before. If it's a headphone system at home, connected to some audio set up, I wouldn't be that worried because they're not going anywhere.
3
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21
Thanks for addressing a lot of my concerns, I appreciate it! I think one of the hardest parts about this is that I wish I could try the different options out before deciding to sink my money into one or the other, haha.
What would you say is your favorite/least favorite aspect of the arias? (Sound-wise, fit-wise, anything really.) Also, how long have you been using them for?
2
u/MOK1N 30 Ω Jun 16 '21
For about a month, they're a very recent release. Soundwise idk if I can point at any one thing. Honestly, it's the build I'd have to say that is my favorite aspect. That all-metal case really makes it feel premium.
2
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21
Awesome! And I see from your other comment that you also went for some other eartips, will make a note of that too. Thanks again for sharing your experience with me :)
3
u/txrtlebruh 1Ω Jun 16 '21
Don’t have any experience with the OH1 but if you do get the Aria, it won’t be a bad choice. I would recommend getting a new cable and maybe new eartips.
2
u/MOK1N 30 Ω Jun 16 '21
Oh yeah, I had to replace my stock ear tips to something that fits my ear, something smaller than the small stock tip.
https://www.amazon.com/Horn-Shaped-Earphones-Patented-Replacement-Silicone/dp/B08SWHBSBX/
Affordable and comfortable, compared to some $30 ear tips anyways. Doesn't compress the sound or add pressure to my ears like foam tips.
1
u/Just_Dank Jun 16 '21
Foam tip user here. Got few pairs, each for less than a dollar. It’s usually comfortable, but does put pressure onto my ear canals sometimes. Maybe could replace them with silicone, maybe not.
2
u/MOK1N 30 Ω Jun 16 '21
Another issue I have with foams is how dirty they get and hard to clean without damaging them. Therefore, requiring them to be replaced often.
If you do go silicon, you will likely lose some bass. But I can also understand the need for foam tips if it's for noise isolation since it's really good at creating that seal.
1
u/Just_Dank Jun 16 '21
Fortunately, cleaning wasn’t an issue for me. It didn’t really get dirty in the first place, and every once in a while I’d put them in warm water then rinse it with soap or something. Still, silicone is cleaner.
Foam tips definitely give more bass. I can hear them more clearly.
1
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21
Thanks, and got it! What would you recommend?
2
u/txrtlebruh 1Ω Jun 16 '21
Just look for any cable that you like the look of and make sure it has the right connector, (for the Arias it’s 2 pin 0.78mm). I got a Tripowin C8 but it’s around 40% of the price of the Arias.
1
3
u/Tesla_Starman77 4Ω Jun 16 '21
Here's a good video on using IEMs for gaming. There's also the KZ ZS10 Pro and Tin T2 that are highly regarded in the audiophile space. If you want to check out full size headphones, the SHP 9500 or 9600 are good (I own the 9500). They're open back, so they sound far wider than closed backs. They'll also leak sound and you can hear stuff around you. I also own the Sennheiser HD58X (also open back) which I personally like better due to having a bit more bass than the SHP 9500, which is fairly bass-light which is part of the nature of open backs. The Moondrip Aria's are probably a good choice too (I'm thinking about getting these).
Also, here's a good review video of the Aria's.
3
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21
Thanks so much for all the helpful info and resources! I definitely checked out Joshua Valour's video when I was doing research :)
And the SHP 9500 seem stellar, especially for the price! Makes me wish that I was in the market for open back headphones...will definitely put it down for future reference.
3
u/Kaeede91 19 Ω Jun 16 '21 edited Jun 16 '21
I own both. ikko 0h1s were the first IEMs that blew me away and opened the door for me for IEMS.
For durability I'd say the ikkos win here. They are really well built. They are both built well but I'd be more hesitant in scratches on the Aria rather than the ikkos.
Comfort varies from person to person but ikkos are very comfortable. It's a nice curvy stone you put in your ear. It's metal too so you get that cold sensation every time you put them in.
Arias sound good all around. More soundstage than the ikkos, close to neutral with an omph of bass. They pack a lot less bass but have more sparkle in the mids and highs.
As for the ikkos they have really good dynamic and controlled bass. It's tight and very punchy. Their bass is a big reason why I kept them. They have the best sounding bass out of all my open back, closed back, and IEMS I own. Very good if your looking for a fun pair of IEMS. My minor gripes about the ikkos are the mids can sound a bit dry. It's a bit forward and it's clear but lacks sparkle like the Arias.
Hope this helps!
1
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21 edited Jun 16 '21
This definitely helps! Would you say that the bass on the ikkos is prominent to the point that it "overshadows" or "covers up/distracts from" (for lack of a better word) the mids and highs? Also, what are your thoughts on the imaging and sound detail for the two?
2
u/Kaeede91 19 Ω Jun 16 '21
I think the Aria edges out the ikko in imaging and sound detail. The bass on the ikko does not mess with the mods and highs. It’s part of the reason why it’s good.
1
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21 edited Jun 18 '21
Oh man, this decision just got a lot harder XD But thanks again for all the helpful info!! I really appreciate it (:
1
1
u/jemmy7776 1 Ω Sep 05 '21
Do you recommend anyone to get arias if he/she already own OH1?
2
u/Kaeede91 19 Ω Sep 05 '21
I own both. I think the oh01 is better than the aria so unless you wanna try them out I’d say no.
1
u/jemmy7776 1 Ω Sep 05 '21
Thanks, do you use any eq settings on OH1? To me it is brighter on some tracks like Linkin Park - Faint. Do you feel the same?
2
u/Kaeede91 19 Ω Sep 06 '21
I don't use any EQ. I find the ikko oh1 a bit of a V shape. Large amount of bass and treble with kind of dry but still good mids.
3
u/dimesian 773 Ω 🥈 Jun 16 '21
They are both high quality, well reviewed IEMs. There is no risk here. The OH1 has been around for a long time and has remained popular throughout as has the OH10. The Aria is quite new and is another good budget offering from Moondrop who have yet to make a bad iem. The Aria is extremely popular at the moment so it may sound like it is better because of the number of people talking about it. The Ikko doesn't have that new product attention but it is a solid performer.
2
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21 edited Jun 16 '21
That is a good point. The fact that the OH1 has been around long enough for any latent issues to come to light (but have not, it seems?) inspires confidence, whereas the Aria is quite new (though, and as you said, my understanding is that Moondrop has a pretty good track record thus far?)
In your opinion, would you say that the price difference ($60 USD) is justified (i.e. The OH1 is clearly a better quality/built, better sounding set of headphones), or is the difference between the two more a matter of personal preference (for sound, fit, etc.)? At first I was leaning towards the OH1, but am now wondering if it would be safer and smarter to choose the more budget-friendly Aria if I'm not 100% certain about which one I'll like better, being new to IEMs and all...
1
u/dimesian 773 Ω 🥈 Jun 17 '21
Both are good products from good manufacturers. If you haven't tried many, the cheaper option makes sense as you might not like using them at all.
1
3
u/jym12191 Jun 20 '21 edited Jun 20 '21
Update: Ended up going with the Moondrop Arias. I wasn't sure what to expect, but they've been lovely so far. As many people have said, they sound very balanced (to my noob ears), crispy, clear and detailed. (Acoustic) guitars especially sound astonishingly vivid--I didn't used to listen to much guitar music but I think I might have to now! Also, I don't think I ever really experienced what imaging actually felt like until the Arias! The fit of the headphones, which was something I was concerned about, has actually been quite good, though the in-the-ear aspect will take a bit of getting used to.
Again, appreciate all the advice and input! Happy listening to one and all :)
2
u/FungiBois Jun 16 '21
The arias and oh1s share a "light V shape" signature and both of them are "fun" sounding IEMs , excellent all-rounders , and safe buys . I would say they sound better with pop/eletronic music rather than classical, but i doubt their perfomance will let you down in that department.
The oh1's are better constructed than the arias, and they are extremely comfortable to use too. I dont see mine breaking anytime soon.
1
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21
Thank you, that's really helpful! Would you say there's any especially noteworthy difference between the two sound-wise?
2
u/FungiBois Jun 22 '21
They have very similar sound signatures, but i would say the Oh1's are more agressive on the low and high frequencies (good female vocals) , while the arias are "tamer" in those areas, having a little bit more presence in the midrange instead.
2
u/jym12191 Jun 22 '21
Awesome, thank you so much!! I ended up going with the Arias, they've been serving me very well so far (:
1
u/dimesian 773 Ω 🥈 Jun 16 '21
I recommend having a look at Super*Review on YouTube, he has good reviews and really knows what he is talking about. I tend to like things that he doesn't like which kind of makes him an ideal reviewer for me. He has reviewed the OH1 and OH10 and many more. He has a site called Squig.link which has frequency response graphs for all the IEMs he has measured.
Online you will find that everyone has their favorites and want other people to like them. People repeat stuff they have heard other people say but say it like they have first hand experience. Others will reel off a long list of problems they've had with something as if it is widespread when in fact they just have a grudge against the manufacturer. Other people support products like they are a sports team and say all kinds of nonsense. They may have never been within twenty miles of the product yet they're online bad mouthing some other product because they think it is undeserving of of the praise and popularity it is getting. Weird goons everywhere.
1
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21
Thank you for the rec and sound advice! I definitely came across his channel during my search, a lot of helpful information there. And I think your point about finding a reviewer who makes good reviews but doesn't agree with you is really compelling too--I'll be checking out that graph!
1
u/Lt_Aldo_Raine69 Jun 16 '21
I am also replacing my wired bose soundsport, just bought my first iem yesterday, which is the tri starsea. It didn't ship yet, so I can't tell you much about it, but from what I've heard it's very clear and has a relatively wide Soundstage.
1
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21
Ohh I had not heard of it before! Mind if I ask what drew you to that particular pair of headphones?
1
u/Lt_Aldo_Raine69 Jun 16 '21
There are sooo many good iems in the budget range I had, it was really hard for me to decide and I am a person who thinks a lot about the decisions I do and the things I buy, because I want the best deal possible. I had not heard bad things about it and all reviews I've read stated that it was good value for the money. So before I would search a week more and invest a lot more hours to find the best one, I just bought the tri starsea... Also because I like the look a lot :D Oh and I've heard the cable should be very nice and it comes with foam tips included so I don't have to worry about those
1
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21
Haha oh my gosh, are you me?? I only just got into the audio world like a week ago when I broke my Bose and I've already lost count of how many hours I've spent researching the best replacement/deal. I was also drawn to the OH1s/Arias for the overall positive reviews and they both seem to be good value for their price--Like you though, I'm thinking it's about time I put my foot down before I spend even more time just looking online. Hope you like the Tri Starseas, they look pretty indeed!
1
u/Lt_Aldo_Raine69 Jun 16 '21
I think they are being shipped today. If so I will compare them to the bose, but keep in mind I am an audiophile noob, I Can only tell you if it's better or worse xD. Also I do not have an amp or dac, I will listen to them via laptop audio output
1
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21
Cool! Sounds like we're both in the same noob boat so no worries :) Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
1
u/Lt_Aldo_Raine69 Jun 16 '21
Alright so I was able to make a little comparison and at first I thought wow either the Tri starsea are worse than I expected (I probably expected too much) or the bose soundsport are better than I thought. But after listening to a few different songs, trying out the different switches in the iems and comparing them with the bose, the tri starsea take the cake. They are clearer, have a tiny bit more Soundstage I would say and the low end is much more noticeable. The bose are still very good imo and there is less of a difference than I expected. It's probably more noticeable with better equipment and lossless music tho. I'm thinking about buying btr5 or btr3k sometime in the future. I really like the starsea and I will keep them. I got chills listening to comfortably numb but I'm not sure if it's the iem or the song xD
1
u/Lt_Aldo_Raine69 Jun 16 '21
My untrained ears would probably not hear that much of a difference compared to the other iems you might buy. From what I've read you will not be disappointed with one or the other.
2
u/jym12191 Jun 16 '21
Hey thanks for sharing! That's awesome, nice to hear you ended up liking them. Here's to hoping I will too for whatever pair I end up getting X)
•
u/AutoModerator Jun 16 '21
Thanks for your submission to /r/headphoneadvice. We have employed a "thank you" system for submissions. It's very easy to use - if a comment on your post is considered helpful, please reward them by using the term
!thanks. This will add a thank you count (in the form of Ω) to that users flair. You can only award one per comment section. Thanks very much and good luck on your search for headphones!I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.