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๐๐๐ ๐ผ-2 ๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ผ-2?
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In this hobby of ours, IEMs are typically the one in the limelight in terms of form-factor along with headphones. Flathead earbuds like the U-2 are more than often considered a niche category in this already niche hobby. Because of the less popularity, things in this segment tend to go slower than the uber-fast releases of IEMs.
Moondrop just dropped their recently released U-2, a flathead earbud priced at around $35. This puts it quite above the general price range of well regarded earbuds such as some offerings from NiceHCK and other sets. Sporting a unique design that is denoted by the community as the โpaperclipโ because of the look, and a 14.88m dynamic driver, the U-2 is definitely one interesting looking set.
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I am in no way, shape, or form affiliated with the brands I review and do not give out preview privileges.
This set is sent in exchange for an honest review. There is no material or financial incentive for me to do this review and I guarantee no exchange has been done by both parties to influence or sway our opinions on this product.
My thoughts and opinions are of my own. My experience will entirely differ from everybody else. The contents of this review should not be considered factual as this hobby heavily leans on subjectivity. YMMV.
I donโt do rankings or tier lists as they can get outdated immediately as a reviewer can change their thoughts of a product to a certain extent. If you do want a recommendation then feel free to reach out so I can help out
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๐ ๐ฎ๐บ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐ ๐ผ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฝ ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ด๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ฎ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ป๐ถ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฒ๐
๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐๐น๐.
๐ข๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป, ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐น๐ถ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ ๐บ๐ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ก๐ญ๐๐๐ก ๐๐จ๐๐๐ข ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ป๐ถ๐. ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐๐น๐ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ผ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐.
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| ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด, ๐จ๐ป๐ฏ๐ผ๐
๐ถ๐ป๐ด & ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ |
The U-2 is packed in a simple black box with a window that showcases the earbuds itself. Removing that top clear cover will showcase the U-2 itself in all of their glory surrounded in dense foam for shock protection.
Underneath that is another box glued to that foam partition containing the rest of the inclusion such as the a small pouch as a carrying case along with foams for the U-2
๐๐๐ฒ๐บ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฑ๐ผ๐๐ป:
Paperwork
Moondrop U-2 earbuds
Carrying pouch
3 pairs of black full-foams
To be honest, it is a little bit too sparse for the asking price. This price range is one of the most competitive ever in this hobby of ours, and every single advantage can lead to a sale or not, the U-2 is quite a bit lacking in this department that may cost it some potential customers.
Another thing I want to highlight is the lack of other types of foams such as donut foams. This is by far the best kind of foams for the U-2. This resulted in me crudely making one by cutting a hole on one of the pairs.
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One of the things that made the U-2 quite a bit of noise is the design that it has. The design can be designated into two parts, one plastic build for the internals of the earbuds, and two metal prongs that connect on the bottom making the whole โpaperclipโ identity a common perception it garnered.
Design-wise, it does look pretty unique, and I saw someone said that they might be getting one to use as a conversation starter which I also agree with. Flathead earbud designs tend to follow a certain look to them and the U-2 definitely breaks that formula.
When it comes to form, the general size of common flathead earbuds is 15.4mm, and the U-2 is said to have a 14.8mm driver size. This is inline with other earbuds such as the ones with PK earbuds having the same size. So if you are having problems with common MX500 earbud shells then this little size decrease might help you out.
A deal breaker for some of you will be the U-2 as a fixed cable. There are a lot of benefits with going with a removable cable such as having the ability to customize the cable, or quickly replacing the stock one if it breaks, but alas all we have with the U-2 is a thin cable fixed right into the shells.
Speaking of cables, the fixed one is that the U-2 is quite thin but is light and behaves well. It is only available in 3.5mm single-ended with a L-type plug.
Moondrop highlights that they are using a modified 14.8mm driver with a design akin of that used in โprofessional speakersโ naming it as a come and dome structure. I for one is not deep in the driver type and material rabbit hole and has limited knowledge of such therefore refraining in making any opinions regarding this.
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Basically non-existent. I really canโt take a point for the U-2 for bad isolation as it is a given due to the inherent trait of earbuds being generally somewhat open-back
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This is one of the more contested things in terms of deciding between earbuds and IEMs. In some peopleโs ears, earbuds are a bit too big to fit in their lug holes that either cause discomfort and even pain, which at that point, they are more likely to go on and choose an IEM instead.
However, a few people including me donโt mind the innate form of earbuds and love them for things such as non-existent occlusion effect and less pressure feeling in the ear, which the U-2 do as an earbud itself.
**๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ (๐ฆ๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐น๐ฒ-๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฑ) | ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฎ๐บ๐**
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I find myself pushing it a bit more if I have available power to fully experience the sound of the U-2 but it does work decently with low-powered devices in a pinch. The U-2 is quite adept in terms of scalability as I was able to push far more gain and did not experience any such distortion or general issues when pushing gain too much.
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In terms of the overall sound, the Moondrop U-2 is a warm neutral with a really relaxed and laid back treble. It does have above average technical ability like most earbuds that is out of reach for most IEMs in the immediate or even price range above.
The configuration I used is with my crudely-made donut foams. Using it without foams was painful to my ears because of the plastic pushing against my ear and full-foams on the other hand made that sound a bit too dark and dull for my taste.
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As expected from an earbud, the bass is one of the less prominent frequencies. However, the Moondrop U-2 still delivers decent midbass hits with good speed and decay. Subbass is nonexistent, and overall bass texture could use some improvement.
The bass tuck is less prominent than in most Moondrop sets, making the transition from bass to midrange warm and smooth.
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Vocals, both feminine and masculine, have a nice warmth and feel well-bodied. Sibilance is nowhere to be found. Note weight is just okayโnothing too remarkable but nothing too linear either.
The timbre is very natural and never once sounded inorganic, which adds to the overall pleasant listening experience.
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The highs are very relaxed and laid back, making them safe for sensitive listeners. However, this comes at the cost of sound lacking in detail, extension, and sparkle.
This makes the sound somewhat dull, which is especially noticeable when using full foams compared to donut foams.
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The staging is quite wide, which is expected from a semi-open back pair of earphones. Imaging, layering, and separation are also quite adept. Every sound source has its own place and was never congested.
This makes the U-2 great for all kinds of entertainment use, such as gaming, which is especially enjoyable when talking with friends as it doesn't have the "in your head" feeling or occlusion effect common with IEMs. However, for analytical use, it may be a bit too lacking in the highs for that purpose.
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The Moondrop U-2 offers a classic earbud experience with modern performance. While the bass and highs may not be as prominent, the natural timbre and wide soundstage make it a versatile option for various entertainment uses.
If you prioritize comfort and a relaxed listening experience, the U-2 is a solid choice. However, if you're looking for a more analytical earphone with sparkling highs, you may need to look elsewhere.
Inclusions are sparse and the overall sound is not the most revealing, but it works quite well for acoustic listening where details aren't a priority. The price in my opinion is a bit too steep so if you are eyeing this one then I suggest waiting for a sale or use vouchers to get the price down