📝 Disclaimer
Dropped my own dollars on this; not a freebie and not a handout.
Don't expect any sugar-coating here. My wallet's a bit lighter thanks to this purchase, but that means my integrity remains rock-solid. You won't find any swayed opinions or diluted judgments—just the raw, unvarnished truth.
⚡ TL;DR: Your 30-Second Review
Chu II brings a few noteworthy improvements over the original, particularly in the bass and vocal departments. That said, it's not without its faults.
The midrange gets sidelined by the assertive bass, and the soundstage is far from expansive—consider it a basshead's budget dream with caveats. Also, unlike the original, it does not contain the Moondrop Spring Tip eartips.
Intro
I’ll lay it out flat: the original Chu was overblown fanfare wrapped in a shiny package. It was all about sizzle but lacked the steak. So when Moondrop announced Chu II, I was skeptical, even wary.
Yet, the $20 price point and the replaceable cable made me take a second look. Those two features were like a life buoy thrown to a drowning man—perhaps, just perhaps, Moondrop had listened and made amends. As I began my hands-on experience, it became clear that they had veered away from their old sonic pitfalls.
🔥 Hype Check: What Are People Saying?
To all the folks who put the original Chu on a pedestal—you're the ones who set the stage for the Chu II. Initial expectations were for more of the same, an IEM that might even continue the failings of the first.
But, lo and behold, Moondrop managed to evolve and public opinion is reflecting that. Chu II is being received as a genuine upgrade, not just in terms of sound but also in the replaceable cable. So yes, it seems the Chu II is getting a new round of praise, but I still can’t shake off the annoyance of those who oversold its predecessor.
Having been burnt by the hype train that was the original Chu, I wasn’t planning on boarding again for the Chu II. That first product was like a carnival barker—lots of noise but nothing to show for it. I was expecting another monologue of mediocrity. Another empty promise.
But then, the price tag and the replaceable cable features caught my eye. At the same rock-bottom $20 as the original and a cable that wouldn’t strand you in the lurch, they threw me a curveball. Could it be that Moondrop actually paid attention to customer feedback? Was there a chance they’d redeem themselves?
After spending some quality time with the Chu II, it’s become increasingly evident that Moondrop has taken a detour from their previous path of auditory blasphemy with the original Chu. They seemed to have shifted gears, tweaking their sonic architecture to finally give their fan base something worth listening to.
Pros & Cons
👍 Pros
- Better bass than the original Chu
- Close and forward vocals
- Upper treble roll-off for easy listening
- Solid metal alloy build
- Detachable cable
- Mod-friendly replaceable filters
👎 Cons
- Missing Spring Tips
- Recessed midrange affecting layering
- Upper mid/vocals can be too harsh for some vocals
- Treble does not provide good details
Package & Accessories
- Three pairs of generic silicone eartips (S, M, L)
- Small Moondrop-branded black pleather storage pouch
The Moondrop Chu II’s packaging is a bit of a paradox. On one hand, you’ve got the grey cardboard box that screams “budget,” but flip it around and you’re met with an anime waifu (if that’s your thing) and a frequency graph that says, “Hey, I’m serious!”
Inside, your earpieces rest in a black foam sheet, next to three pairs of run-of-the-mill silicone eartips (S, M, L) and a dinky Moondrop-branded black pleather pouch.
Moondrop decided to skimp on their trademark Spring Tips, an omission that feels like a personal insult. Rounding out the unboxing experience are a quality control card, user manual, and a Tencent QQ contact card, because nothing says “premium audio” like social media.
Comfort & Fit
The Moondrop Chu II slides into your ears with ease and won’t make you regret marathoning your favorite playlist. It’s the kind of earphone you can wear all day, whether you’re grinding at work, stuck in transit, or just lounging around binge-listening.
But hold your horses—here’s the kicker. The stock eartips are nothing to write home about. They’re just OK. Calling the mediocre is a compliment. Not the creme de la creme like the Spring Tips that came with the OG Chu. So now, you’re in this predicament where you have to shell out extra cash for a set of tips that should’ve been there in the first place. Thanks for nothing, Moondrop. Get your act together and give the people what they want: a set of tips worth wearing.
Lows / Bass
When it comes to bass, the Chu II isn’t messing around. This isn’t some weak-sauce, watered-down bass. The bass has muscle, and it flexes at the right moments. Sure, it’s got more kick than a mule on steroids, but don’t expect it to dance like Michael Jackson. It delivers that low-end thump and makes your tracks feel alive.
However, and it’s a big however, this thing could also use a lesson in moderation. It’s like the Chu II binged on protein shakes and forgot all about leg day—powerful, but not exactly balanced. The bass can be so in-your-face that it leaves the midrange gasping for attention.
All in all, the bass on the Chu II is a show-stealer for better or worse. If you’re bass-hungry, you’ll find it hard to complain. Quantity over quality is the mantra that Moondrop used for the Chu II.
Mids / Vocals
Ah, the midrange, the red-headed stepchild of the Chu II. Don’t get me wrong, the mids are there and pushed upfront, but the bass just keeps hogging the limelight like a diva. Especially with bright female vocals, they can sound thin and slightly edgy. It’s like listening to someone sing through a phone, not terrible, but certainly not Grammy-worthy either.
If you manage to buy filters, swapping them out can be a game-changer, morphing the mids to something more refined. It’s a bit like putting a shy kid through a drama class; they won’t turn into Broadway stars overnight, but they’ll at least project their voice without shaking like a leaf. But why should you have to play stage mom to get the mids to come out of their shell?
The Chu II is not your go-to IEM for mid-centric music or vocal lovers. It delivers but in a muffled voice, like someone trying to share a secret but too timid to actually say it out loud. So, yeah, the Chu II has a middle child syndrome when it comes to mids, demanding your attention but not really sure what to do when it finally gets it.
Highs / Treble
Oh boy, the highs on the Chu II are like a backup dancer out of sync—they’re technically there but not contributing anything worthwhile. They kind of just exist, like that one Facebook friend you keep forgetting to unfriend.
The absence of detail is noticeable, it’s almost like the treble is there just to make up the numbers. It’s the audible equivalent of going to a firework show and seeing someone light a single sparkler; sure, it’s a light, but it’s not going to light up the sky.
Honestly, don’t expect any moment of epiphany with these. The only thing you’ll realize is how low your expectations need to be.
Conclusion
Alright, let’s get into the heart of it. For a mere 20 bucks, Moondrop Chu II isn’t just offering you spare change audio; it’s gunning for something more. You get a snappy and robust bassline, strong enough to back your tunes. The vocals are represented upfront, even if at times they’re a bit harsh on the ears. But, let’s be real here, this isn’t a ‘second coming of audio Christ.’ It lacks the celestial heights and expansive soundstage that the original Chu teased us with.
And don’t even get me started on the missing Spring Tips. Moondrop, what gives?
So, should you snag one? Sure, if you’re short on coin and looking to jam. But if you’ve got a roster of superior IEMs in or around this price bracket, consider this a ‘side chick,’ not a new main squeeze. Unless, of course, you have a bass fetish, then by all means, go nuts.