Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Moondrop - Variations | Truthear - Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | 118 dB | 123 dB |
| Impedance | 15.2 Ω | 15 Ω |
Between the Variations and Nova, the Variations comes out ahead in several specs, while the Nova wins on sensitivity / impedance. Overall, the Variations scores 69.2 and the Nova scores 73.9 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Nova edges ahead on the Mars Score (69.2 vs 73.9), but the 4.7-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
The Variations does not pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec-table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the Nova if you care most about sensitivity / impedance. Its strongest claims are sensitivity, impedance. The single most decisive one: Sensitivity — 4.24% more. 123 dB vs 118 dB.
Both ship with comparable driver count, detachable cable, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Which should you buy: Moondrop - Variations or Truthear - Nova?
Truthear - Nova leads the current Mars Score by 4.7 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare impedance, sensitivity against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Moondrop - Variations if…
Moondrop - Variations does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
Choose Truthear - Nova if…
Truthear - Nova has the measurable edge on sensitivity db, impedance ohm.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Moondrop - Variations wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Truthear - Nova wins
- ▲Sensitivity — 4.24% more. 123 dB vs 118 dB.
- ▲Impedance — 0.20 Ω less. 15 vs 15.2.
Spec comparison
Drivers
| Spec | Moondrop - Variations | Truthear - Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Driver count | 5 | 5 |
| Driver types | 1DD + 2BA + 2EST Tribrid | 1DD + 4BA Hybrid |
| Impedanceⓘ | 15.2 Ω | 15 Ωlead |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 118 dB | 123 dBlead |
Build
| Spec | Moondrop - Variations | Truthear - Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Detachable cable | true | true |
| Connector | 2-pin | 0.78mm 2-pinlead |