Short answer: the Moondrop Chu 2. It ranks #165 of 657 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $22.99; the Moondrop Chu 3 ranks #423, rated 3.7/5, and costs $24.99, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Moondrop Chu 2 is the better-sounding option. A preference score of 77 in HypetheSonics’ measurement, with bass about 2.1 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz and sub-bass reaching 20 Hz, giving a warm, full sound that suits bass lovers. The catch: A 5.7 dB dip near 6.6 kHz and treble about 1.6 dB below target from 6 to 10 kHz soften cymbal attack, while a 4.7 dB peak near 8.8 kHz can make some sibilants stand out.
What the Moondrop Chu 3 does well: The median of 16 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.14 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.6 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The tradeoff: Presence sits about 3.1 dB low with a 5.3 dB dip near 5.4 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
Buy the Moondrop Chu 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Moondrop Chu 3 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Moondrop Chu 2 | Moondrop Chu 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $22.99 | $24.99 |
| Ranked | #165 of 657 in In-Ear Headphones | #423 of 657 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (measured by HypetheSonics, via AutoEQ) | 70 (median of 16 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.79 dB standard deviation | 2.14 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.50 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.59 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 18 ohms | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 119 dB/Vrms | 118 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Moondrop Chu 2 compares with other leading options:
- CCA Duo vs Moondrop Chu 2
- KZ CRN vs Moondrop Chu 2
- Moondrop Chu 2 vs TRN Dolphin
- CCA Lyra vs Moondrop Chu 2
- Moondrop Chu 2 vs TForce Yuanli
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Moondrop Chu 2: $22.99 Linsoul $22.99 eBay
Same family: the Moondrop Chu 2 DSP (higher-end model, ranked higher, rated 4.6/5).
Pros: A preference score of 77 in HypetheSonics’ measurement, with bass about 2.1 dB above target from 60 to 200 Hz and sub-bass reaching 20 Hz, giving a warm, full sound that suits bass lovers. At 119 dB/Vrms and 18 ohms it gets loud from any phone dongle. It rates slightly above the Moondrop Quarks and the KZ ZSN Pro X, both similarly cheap.
Cons: A 5.7 dB dip near 6.6 kHz and treble about 1.6 dB below target from 6 to 10 kHz soften cymbal attack, while a 4.7 dB peak near 8.8 kHz can make some sibilants stand out. There is no built-in microphone for calls.
Full Moondrop Chu 2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.79 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (measured by HypetheSonics, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 119 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.50 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -1.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,256 Hz | +5.6 dB | 2.08 |
| Peak | 173 Hz | -2.2 dB | 1.20 |
| Peak | 688 Hz | +1.8 dB | 1.36 |
| Peak | 3,259 Hz | -2.5 dB | 1.67 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 68 Hz | +0.6 dB | 1.76 |
| Peak | 114 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.53 |
| Peak | 1,379 Hz | -0.2 dB | 2.48 |
| Peak | 8,425 Hz | +1.2 dB | 5.63 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Moondrop Chu 3: $24.99 Amazon $24.99 eBay
Pros: The median of 16 hobbyist measurements gives it a solid Harman preference score of 70 with a 2.14 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.6 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. Bass is lifted about 2.9 dB with extension to 20 Hz, giving kick drums and bass lines extra weight. Upper treble lifts about 3.8 dB for extra air and sparkle. It uses 1 x 10mm dynamic with an easy 16 ohm load.
Cons: Presence sits about 3.1 dB low with a 5.3 dB dip near 5.4 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
Full Moondrop Chu 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2026 (2 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.14 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 70 (median of 16 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 118 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.59 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples