Short answer: the Moondrop Chu 2, if you are buying new. The Moondrop Chu ranks higher than it (#19 vs #169 of 668 in-ear headphones, 4.9/5 vs 4.3/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Moondrop Chu 2 is still sold new at $22.99.
The Moondrop Chu is the better-sounding choice. Measured response gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 85 with a 1.21 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The catch: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
The case for the Moondrop Chu 2: 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.
Buy the Moondrop Chu 2 new; the Moondrop Chu is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Moondrop Chu | Moondrop Chu 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $22.99 |
| Ranked | #19 of 668 in In-Ear Headphones | #169 of 668 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 18 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 120 dB/Vrms | 119 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 35kHz | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 77 (measured by HypetheSonics, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.21 dB standard deviation | 1.79 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.50 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Back | - | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Moondrop Chu:
- Moondrop Chu vs Moondrop Chu 3
- Moondrop Chu 2 vs TForce Yuanli
- KZ CRN vs Moondrop Chu 2
- CCA Lyra vs Moondrop Chu 2
- Moondrop Chu 2 vs Moondrop Chu 3
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 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Moondrop Chu 2, ranked lower, rated 4.3/5, released 2023. See every Moondrop Chu generation.
Pros: Measured response gives it an excellent Harman preference score of 85 with a 1.21 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. It uses 1 x 10mm dynamic with an easy 18 ohm load.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Its 1.21 dB spread is less even than the best measured sets.
Full Moondrop Chu review and specifications →
| Released | 2022 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.21 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 35kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 120 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -2.2 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 | +0.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,728 Hz | +2.3 dB | 2.40 |
| Peak | 660 Hz | +1.2 dB | 1.92 |
| Peak | 165 Hz | -1.2 dB | 1.08 |
| Peak | 69 Hz | +1.7 dB | 1.26 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,470 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.68 |
| Peak | 942 Hz | +0.7 dB | 2.78 |
| Peak | 4,153 Hz | +0.6 dB | 3.72 |
| Peak | 2,772 Hz | -0.5 dB | 3.46 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Moondrop Chu 2: $22.99 Linsoul $22.99 eBay
Older model: the Moondrop Chu (ranked higher, rated 4.9/5). See every Moondrop Chu generation.
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