Moondrop Chu II IEM Review

[Confused]

For what that is worth! But they do look decent in terms of FR. Anyway- to continue a discussion about wireless IEM suggest you either start asking on one of the existing threads or creating a new one.

Sure, got it. One questions about the wired Moondrop Chu II IEM. Does it come with wire? Or should an appropriate wire be bought seperately?

 

[Jimbob54]

Sure, got it. One questions about the wired Moondrop Chu II IEM. Does it come with wire? Or should an appropriate wire be bought seperately?

There are 2 variants. The one with a DSP cable included (so a usb c dac on a 2 pin cable) and the standard one with an included 3.5mm 2 pin cable. For both variants the cable is included in the box but detachable.

 

[Confused]

There are 2 variants. The one with a DSP cable included (so a usb c dac on a 2 pin cable) and the standard one with an included 3.5mm 2 pin cable. For both variants the cable is included in the box but detachable.

Thanks. It also seems the case that the Moondrop Chu II can be made wireless with the Moondrop EVO HiFi True Wireless Earhook. Maybe a little clunky this earhook.

 

[Jimbob54]

Thanks. It also seems the case that the Moondrop Chu II can be made wireless with the Moondrop EVO HiFi True Wireless Earhook. Maybe a little clunky this earhook.

Any iem with detachable cable can be made wireless thusly but yes, might not be ideal fit wise. Another option is a small bluetooth adapter that would clip on your shirt etc then short cable to your ears.

 

[somebodyelse]

Great review, thanks! I'm looking for this kind of audio quality with wireless IEM's. Do they exist? If so, please advise. I need to go to the gym, been sitting to much behind my iMac.

The Moondrop Space Travel might be worth a look if you're after price similar to the Chu II, but do check reviews for some practical pros and cons. It looks decent from the manufacturer measurements, but I haven't seen a 3rd party measurement. The Android app needs to be sideloaded which it a bit odd, and I _think_ it's the same app for their other USB and bluetooth products.

 

[Nabuco]

Bought it, don't get good ears for iem the hole is a little bit backward, if I move or press just a little I lost the sound, but when I find the position, it s GREAT
Always use headphone due to my ears didn't want to spend so much in iem.
This sound is crazy hear much more details, no need to EQ like I correct my headphone. One of the best audio gears I bought and the best investment 18€ seriously, if I don't have to pay the shipping I could buy another one as backup

Now want try the ziigaat nuo, on crinacle it s very close

 

[Nabuco]

Im not aware Amir has reviewed any wireless IEM. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro get well reviewed and are soon to be replaced by the v3 so will be available for pretty deep discounts at the moment. But thats a different price bracket entirely than the Chus

Check rtings website they did lot of wireless soundprofil is very good and close to the amir or crinacle 5168, Harman get to much sub bass

 

[Confused]

Bought it, don't get good ears for iem the hole is a little bit backward, if I move or press just a little I lost the sound, but when I find the position, it s GREAT

I bought them too. When I first tried them I heard no bass at all, they sounded like a really good tin can: detailed but no bass at all. I also have different (inner) ears than what the Moondrops seem to be made for. But then I mounted the largest rubber tips (don't know the proper name), man this really made the difference. My ears were sealed now, so no bass could escape. The sound is amazing, like Dolby DTS surround cinema. A detailed, spacial sound with just enough bass to provide a realistic low. Very happy with these!

 

[Shrek6]

I bought these (the 1/8” trs version), and yeah they’re terrific. Easily the best wired IEMs I’ve owned over the course of like 2 decades. i think they ought to hold up for a long time too, given the detachable cord and solid housing.

I was most concerned about fitment/comfort, and cord microphonics, and I’m happy to say they’re both excellent. Other “chi-fi” IEMs I’ve owned in the past (like the various KZ ones) had quite large housing and more importantly nozzle size, and they would quickly make my ears sore, and routinely fall out. These do not have this problem (so far).

they have an excellent seal for me, and thus isolate quite well.

In the past I’ve had electronic noise issues using sensitive low impedance IEMs with the headphone out on computers, but these don’t have a problem. Perhaps the built-in DAC/amps improved too, or perhaps it’s also because these have dynamic drivers instead of balanced armature.

And the cord is surprisingly quiet - although this might change when used outside in the winter, which tends to stiffen up the plastic insulation. But right now they are less microphonic than my wireless Beyerdynamic Blue Byrds 2 which have a wrap around cord.

I miss having remote controls so I might buy the USB-C version and hopefully it will work with a USB-C to lightning adapter.
I see that they sell a replacement cord with a mic/control.

also in case anyone cares, I measured the nozzle diameter to be ~5.95 mm.

 

[LevityProject]

Oh man another hole in one for less than the price of three Starbucks Lattes. My IEM collection is going to get massive

 

[Mookalafalas]

I live in Japan, where they are much more expensive. Miraculously, I ordered them from US Amazon for $23, and there were no huge shipping or import fees. This is very rare--Japan generally strenuously protects its local venders. An anomoly. Perhaps because they are so cheap?

 

[OK1]

Once China starts to apply Chinese audio performance to speakers that outperform Genelec, Neumann, KEF, Revel with lower prices, then it's going to get wild. Imagine performance of a Genelec 8361 for 1/3 of the price.

That will be the day.

 

[Tircuit]

I personally think they more often than not just boil down to the tired "sex sells" idea.

I don't dislike anime as an artform per se (I really enjoy Grave of the Fireflies and Paprika for example), but I am noting how it's always drawings of younger women on the box art and in product promo pictures they tend to feature photos younger women. I wish they felt confident enough in their products to sell them without this tired trope. My favorite IEM, the 7Hz Zero:2 featured none of the sort and I believe it still sold well.

Wait until you see some album covers! Ohio Players come to mind . . .

 

[zvukofor]

Got a pair. Great IEMs!
Wish cable was better, but nothing to complain about at this price, actually.
Good neutral sound with astonishingly low THD - just as shown in Amir's tests.
Love smaller size compared to Truthear, and same (even better?) neutral clean performance.
Using them with triple-flanges for a better sealing.
Etymotic ER4SR (Studio reference?) sounds like Yamaha NS-10, when comparing them to Moondrop.

 

[tamhleten]

Got them a couple days ago. I tried the various PEQs in the thread but (to my surprise) I prefer them without any EQ. The sound is less "live" with them.

 

[fragzone]

I find it interesting Moondrop is still selling the Starfield and Aria closer to $200 AUD through the official Australian Amazon shop, whilst also selling the Chu II for a bargain of $25.

I still love the Starfield to this day, the fit is phenomenal and I only have good things to say about their sound. Just ordered these, curious to see how they compare because if the fit is as good as the Starfield, how ridiculous.

 

[sulfuriq]

Great IEM, Great Price! Run it on balance, on High Gain through UAPP with Amirr's PEQ. Using Spinfit OMNI. Got it really cheap during Sales.

 

[Mr Swing King]

I bought a pair and have pretty much been listening to them non-stop. The fit is immaculate and I can only assume that the design folks have been using my ears for reference.
I get a good seal so bass is wonderfully impactful without impeding on the mids. They sound very natural to my ears. My biggest surprise was actually the quality of the highs. Cymbals, hi-hats and overtones sound extremely elegant and I slightly fear going back to my full-sized cans whenever this honeymoon period dies down.
I do get the same sensation via my newly purchased Tanchjim One, but the comfort is still somewhat lacking over those until I receive some foam tips that (hopefully) will show up today.

As I mentioned on the first page of this thread: the iem market is insane. All the more when you actually sit down and listen to various pairs in (very) different price classes. The sound quality on offer over these Chu ll is spectacularly good. I can’t think of any reason outside of cosmetic ones to spend more money on iems. This price range also covers the aforementioned Tanchjim One and Zero 2 so individual comfort concerns are still available to choose from.
Outstanding sound, cheap as chips!
Highly recommended.

 

[Sombreuil]

Just bought those and was wondering, is it safe to plug them into an audio interface (Focusirte 2i4 1st gen)?

 

[Doltonius]

Here are Harman and ... the one I never remember the name graphs from GizAudio (others have measured it and result are almost the same). IMO the same result as other cheap iems tried to be tuned to Harman. If you are sensitive to highs like me the 12.5khz peak is gonna kill you, and even if you eq it it is still going to be partially there. Boosted mid lows (as always) and the resonance at 8khz which is partially a result of the measurement system and ear canal. 19€ here in Europe ... if you are going to eq it or use Moondrop Spring Tips (which tame the 8khz and 12.5khz peaks) it could be recommended.

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The reason why the peak is still there after you try to eq is that the peak might not be at the same frequency in your ears. You might try a tone generator and see where the peak actually is, in your ears.