Moondrop Chu review :
Introduction :
I would like to thank Shenzhenaudio for sending this out to me for an honest review, Please be assured that whatever I say in this review is my own opinion and it's unbiased and honest even though it was sent out to me. Link to product :
https://shenzhenaudio.com/collectio...ms-wired-dynamic-driver-hifi-in-ear-earphones
Packaging :
The Moondrop Chu comes packed with a silicone ear hook and a set of spring tips. Please note that the set of springs tips alone already cost $13USD. And to top it off, Moondrop also provided a pouch in the package and of course the IEM themselves. So I would say for this package for $20 its value for money. I'm really amazed by the value that Mooddrop has bring to the community at US$20 and at this type of tuning the Moondrop Chu has got close to Harman tuning it's pretty hard to find in the market at this price point.
Box
The box is nothing fancy but it’s got a nice picture of a female Anime girl on the front, on the side itself it's got the Moondrop branding and at the back of the box itself it’s got the specs stated out so I would say the box of the Moondrop Chu is minimalistic.
Build quality :
The Moondrop Chu is a single dynamic driver IEM. The shell of the IEM is made of metal alloy and if I'm not wrong is injected into the mould and formed into the shape of the IEM it is pretty unique and it comes in a small form factor type of design and the cable that it comes with is attached to the IEM and it's not removable. There are two options you can choose the one with the microphone or without the microphone cable so please choose carefully as the cable is not removable or exchangeable. Overall the build quality is really solid and value for money.
Sound Signature :
The tuning on the Moondrop Chu is close to the Harman target and I really like the tuning on this IEM as it is easy and soothing to listen to. The Harman target is popular for a good reason that most people are a-tuned to this target. I'm glad that Moondrop choose to tune the Chu close to the Harman target as it is a pretty safe tuning whereby you will not get overly excessive bass or overly excessive treble so I would say that the tuning is just nice and is suitable for most people.
Sub-bass :
As you can already tell the sub-bass is not overly excessive and the extension and resonance of the sub bass is pretty far reached, but the rumble is not a strong and present rumble. The quality of the rumble is very good and you can feel that the rumble is just nice at the sweet spot not overly done and not underwhelming. But one thing I wish was that the tone and timbre of the Sub-bass would have been heavier and warmer.
Mid-bass :
The Mid-bass is pretty impactful noting a pretty subtle sub-bass presence. The slam and punch of the mid-bass is pretty good and controlled and it does not bleed into the mids. If you look at the graph the mid bass of the Moondrop Chu just a bit above the Harman target so I would say that this compensates for the lack of rumble with impact and slam.
Mids :
Transition into the mids from the mid bass is very smooth and instruments in this region sounds very natural and light. Piano, Violins and trumpets sound natural with a light tone and timbre. Easy listening is the key to the mids and the instruments sound just pleasing to the ears which is pretty forward in the mix. Both male and female vocals sound very natural on these iems. Male vocals do have a lighter tone and timbre and lacks authority in the mix. Female vocals on the other spectrum shines with a bit of sparkle in the mix. Again, this is a very safe tuning where by the vocals don’t sound excessively harsh, sibilant or shouty and the same time sound muddy or dull.
Treble :
Treble is nicely tuned to extend far with good roll off. Cymbal strikes sound natural and female vocals sparkle and shine thanks to the well controlled and extended treble.
Technicalities :
I am amazed by the technicalities of the Moondrop Chu being the fact that it is only $20. The Sound stage is nice and wide with good depth. Imaging is to the point with the instruments, percussions and vocals well seperated. Detail retrieval and resolution are fantastic with nice and clear production of sound.
Conclusion :
So without a doubt I will recommend this Moondrop Chu to anyone who likes a natural to neutral listening experience without overemphasis on the bass. This is a $20 budget IEM that you should get in 2022. If you listen to mostly vocals, instrumental, classical and jazz I would strongly recommend this IEM. I wouldn’t say that Moondrop Chu is suitable for every genre of music so if you like listening to EDC, Techno, Hip Hop and Heavy Metal or any genre of music that is more bass emphasis then this IEM is not really suitable for you.
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Thank you so much for reading my review.