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Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black — IEM
Moondrop

Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black

IEM

82
/ 100
From $80
VS
Bose QC45 wins by 6
Bose QC45 — Over-ear · 2021
Bose

Bose QC45

Over-ear · 2021

88
/ 100
From $329
Specdex verdict

Bose QC45 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black lands at 82 and Bose QC45 at 88. That puts Bose QC45 ahead by 6 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Reference-level detail
  • ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • ✓Long-term ownership appeal

Pick Bose QC45 if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Bose QC45

Tuning, detail, and staging

Bose QC45 leads on sound (88 vs 82).

Noise cancelling

Bose QC45

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QC45 leads on anc (86 vs 0).

Comfort

Tie

Long-session wearability

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($80 vs $329).

Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black 82
vs
88 Bose QC45

Score breakdown

Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black
82
anc 0
sound 82
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50
Bose QC45
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84

Specs side-by-side

Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black versus Bose QC45 — full spec comparison
Spec Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black Bose QC45
Type
IEM
Over-ear
Release year
—
2021

Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Reference-level detail
  • +Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
  • −Requires amplifier (most)
  • −No active noise cancellation
  • −Impractical for commuting

Bose QC45

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

FAQ: Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black vs Bose QC45

Which is better, Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black or Bose QC45? +

Bose QC45 scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $80, Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in battery.

Is Bose QC45 worth the price? +

At $329, Bose QC45 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.

Does Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black or Bose QC45 last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black or Bose QC45? +

Bose QC45 — leads on sound (88 vs 82). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Moondrop Aria · Midnight Black or Bose QC45? +

Bose QC45 — leads on anc (86 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.