Short answer: the Moondrop Chu 2, if you are buying new. The Moondrop Chu ranks higher than the Moondrop Chu 3 (#19 vs #427 of 668 in-ear headphones) but is discontinued; its replacement, the Moondrop Chu 2, is rated 4.3/5 at $22.99 and is still sold new.
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. Watch for: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
The case for the Moondrop Chu 3: 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. Watch for: 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, the replacement for the discontinued Moondrop Chu; it is rated higher for sound quality than the Moondrop Chu 3.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Moondrop Chu | Moondrop Chu 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $24.99 |
| Ranked | #19 of 668 in In-Ear Headphones | #427 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 | 16 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 120 dB/Vrms | 118 dB/Vrms |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 35kHz | 12Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 85 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 70 (median of 16 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.21 dB standard deviation | 2.14 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.59 (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 (-0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Back | - | Closed |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Moondrop Chu:
- Moondrop Chu vs Moondrop Chu 2
- Moondrop Chu 2 vs Moondrop Chu 3
- EPZ G20 vs Truthear Zero Blue 2
- Truthear x Crinacle Zero RED vs Truthear Zero Blue 2
- Truthear Zero Blue 2 vs Shuoer Galileo
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 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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons