Moondrop launches Armature Art 12, a pure BA IEM

In-Ear Monitor (IEM) Moondrop Armature Art 12 (Image: Cruiser 3rd/Weibo)

The Moondrop Armature Art 12 was officially launched today (13). The concept behind the Armature Art 12 in-ear monitor (IEM) is to revive models that rely exclusively on Balanced Armature (BA) drivers. According to the manufacturer, the goal is to move away from hybrid IEMs that utilize multiple driver technologies. Below are all the details regarding this new release from Moondrop.

Update (May 20): The Moondrop Armature Art 12 is now available on Moondrop’s official AliExpress store.

Armature Art 12 introduces a new acoustic architecture for “pure BA” IEMs

According to Moondrop, the arrangement of the BA drivers inside the Armature Art 12 differs from conventional designs. The crossover[1] employs a 3-way configuration, with each frequency band utilizing four Balanced Armatures. Each driver is custom-designed and integrates more than one balanced armature unit.

[1] The crossover is the hardware responsible for controlling frequency division and reproduction in an IEM equipped with multiple drivers.

In-Ear Monitor (IEM) Moondrop Armature Art 12 (Image: Cruiser 3rd/Weibo)

Bass module with four BAs in one

For low-frequency reproduction, Moondrop implemented a module containing four BA drivers. The four Balanced Armature drivers are physically combined into a large block with a single sound outlet. Below is an illustration showing the structure of the driver assembly.

Bass module with 4 BA drivers in one (Image: Moondrop/Weibo)

The bass BAs in the Armature Art 12 feature an open-back chamber design, allowing displaced air to move freely instead of becoming trapped inside the structure. This improves low-frequency reproduction performance. In addition, the diaphragms of these balanced armatures are made from stainless steel.

Midrange modules with two BAs in one

For midrange reproduction in the Armature Art 12, two modules are employed, each containing two BA drivers. Following the same design philosophy used for the bass BA module, each module combines two Balanced Armatures into a single structure with one sound outlet.

The diaphragms used in the midrange BAs are made from an aluminum-magnesium alloy, differing from the material used in the bass drivers. Furthermore, the output from the two midrange BA modules is combined through a Y-shaped acoustic guide tube.

How the guide tubes direct the sounds produced by the BAs (Image: Moondrop/Weibo)

Treble module with four BAs in one

The treble BA drivers utilize a “four-in-one” structure, in which four Balanced Armatures are grouped together with a single sound outlet. However, because treble reproduction does not require significant air displacement, these drivers are smaller than the bass BAs.

The diaphragms of the Armature Art 12’s treble Balanced Armatures are made from an aluminum-magnesium alloy. Below is an illustration showing how the BAs are arranged inside the Moondrop IEM.

Arrangement of the BA drivers inside the Moondrop Armature Art 12 (Image: Moondrop/Weibo)

Frequency response of the Moondrop Armature Art 12

Below is the frequency response graph of the Armature Art 12 provided by Moondrop. Measurements were conducted in the company’s anechoic chamber at its research center. The B&K 5128 measurement system was used to measure the frequencies reproduced by the IEM.

Frequency response graph of the Moondrop Armature Art 12 (Image: Moondrop/Weibo)

The sound signature of the Armature Art 12

The Weibo user “Cruiser 3rd” described the sound of the Armature Art 12 as follows:

“A rich and pleasing sound signature with surprising density. Built upon a balanced presentation, it delivers a highly expressive emotional character capable of sounding both smooth and intense.”

According to “Cruiser 3rd,” the Armature Art 12 is recommended for “vocal enthusiasts, listeners who appreciate full-bodied instruments, and headphone hobbyists who value musicality and a strong sense of atmosphere.”

Moondrop Armature Art 12: Specifications

• Cable plug: Modular design with 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm connector options
• Drivers: 4 BAs for bass + 4 BAs for midrange + 4 BAs for treble
• Earphone connector: 0.78 mm 2-pin
• Frequency response: 6 Hz – 34 kHz
• Impedance: 5 Ω (@1 kHz)
• Sensitivity: 121 dB/Vrms (@1 kHz)
• THD: ≤0.6% (@1 kHz, 94 dB)

What’s included in the box of the Moondrop Armature Art 12

• ddHiFi ST35 ear tips in S, M, and L sizes
• Modular cable with a 4.4 mm balanced plug and a 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) plug
• Moondrop Armature Art 12 IEMs
• Storage case