Great set of budget headphones, sound quality and tuning packs far above its punch, and comes with the spring tips which I would say are worth $15 alone; plus you get the IEM, plus a decent-enough canvas pouch…
MSRP $30 ($20 USD). Lowest price ever according to 3 camels.
CamelCamelCamel.
Maybe it's like Berocca. Gives you the B-B-Bounce. 🤣. To your music that is.
+1 to impulse buying
I bought this at $20 just for the spare spring tips LOL. Treating it as spring tips with a decent IEM as a bonus.
I find their spring tips seals better in my ear due to it being more flexible and stickier silicone, thus giving me clearer sound (in my experience better treble + bass response) with less volume. YMMV
I like the spring tips because they're comfortable, and sound quality wise, seem to boost clarity, and bass is more textured and feels more authoritative. I use them on my Aria SE.
YMMV, but if you are into IEMs, tip rolling (which is basically where you try different tips; on your existing IEMs — they are generally all compatible) and listen and see how the sound/comfort/etc is like, is half the fun.
I love spring tips, they're so much more comfortable than the stock tips on my pixel buds pros. Would buy for 20 bucks themselves. Not as sound sealing in my testing though, I would swap the tips depending on my use case.
B rating on crinancle, with the highest (3 star) value rating..
'B: Can essentially be described as “very good”, or excellent performers in their own right.'
★★★: “Worth the Blind”
Review 2
https://youtu.be/NY1fPEmwsb0?si=JdlCdKh5EiOsCgs0
Reviewer explains better. Test it with “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson 👍
Keep in mind the B rating is supposed to be "blind" to the price.
The stars (value) is about if it's worth the MSRP; in this case, you are paying half MSRP.
So it's "excellent performer", if price was no factor.
For comparison, you will find plenty of $700 USD, or $2XXX USD IEMs in the "B" tier.
What's the IEMs that optimumtech recommends again?
I just googled it. https://youtu.be/QgnF2uIDU6o
probably one of the ones on the list below video.
KZ ZS10 Pro:
Tin T2:
Audient Evo 4:
Sennheiser IE300:
Moondrop Chu:
Moondrop Quarks:
Moondrop Quarks also ATL for $8.99.
https://www.amazon.com.au/Moondrop-Anterior-Dynamic-Earphone…
https://au.camelcamelcamel.com/product/B09BN3YT1M
saw them on sale last time for $11.90 ish but didn’t post because I thought it wasn’t enough discount for ozbers. but this time seems like decent discount.
also I have nfi about wired headphones I assume just a decent sounding pair you won’t mind damaging or losing.
Do note that quarks have quite a heavy cable, which can pull out the IEMs from your ear if you plan to be using them while walking/standing. I find that wrapping the cable around your ear helps with this.
There’s also a version called the Quark DSP which has a better tune due to the DSP.
Was about to impulse buy a set but then realised I no longer have any devices with headphone ports to use them with #firstworldproblems
Apple USB C to 3.5mm dongle, can't recommend it enough
I only buy phones with a 3.5mm socket, and it's getting harder every year, to find phones with the specifications I need AND the 3.5mm socket.
Any recommendations for phones? Was considering this but also want a nothing phone lol
Go to GSMArena.com and use the Phone Finder — https://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3
Choose what you like, eg. 5G, Any Snapdragon CPU, 3.5mm socket, etc..
and you can see all the phones available/released, and even do a side-by-side comparison.
@whyisave: Woah til. I knew they were a comparison site but forgot about the filters. Thanks mate you’re a legend
@cerealsmok3r: I just choose a small selection of criteria,
eg.
Year: > 2022
Network: 5G
Chipset: Any Snapdragon (or Exynos)
Storage: >256GB
etc.
Then, at the bottom, you get to see the number of the results.
You can then add/remove each filter, to see how many phones are added or removed.
Also, I add/remove the manufacturers, eg. untick Samsung or tick Motorola only, etc.
Once you see the results, if you need to tweak your filters, do —NOT— click back.
Just click at the top "Refine Results", and you will go back to your filters.
@whyisave: Ty. Do you happen to know anything about high ends ones and a dac? Currently running a tea pro and dac but they were given to me to try out lol
@cerealsmok3r: The best phone with a DAC was the LG V60, which had the "Quad-DAC" from ESS Sabre.
If you got the LG V35, that was already 'good enough'
https://www.reddit.com/r/LGV60/comments/178rlub/why_do_peopl…
If you really want an audiophile phone, just for the DAC, then the latest Moondrop MIAD01 is not a bad buy.
Otherwise, just buy a phone you like (according to some criteria you like),
then, get a small external DAC (connect via USB-C, and it will drain some battery anyway)
and then choose your own earphones with it (eg. wired or wireless with a Bluetooth DAC)
If you care, you should use Hiby or USB Audio Pro, to play your ,FLAC music in 'bit-perfect', to get the best sound.
@cerealsmok3r: You can use the DAC with PC/Desktop or a phone, as long as you use the right USB cable to connect it.
I use a small USB-C DAC with PC anyway (and rarely connect the DAC to a phone),
eg. Hiby or Cayin DACs, etc.
@cerealsmok3r: IEMs are a personal preference.
There's ChiFi and non-ChiFi brands.
You got to try them at least, before you decide,
however, I've blind-bought some before.
I can rate the following:
Moondrop Blessing 2,
64 Audio IEMs,
Softears IEMs,
Elysian IEMs, (eg. Gaea, Diva)
ThieAudio IEMs (eg. Monarch II)
Sennheiser IEMs (eg. IE600, IE900),
etc.
@cerealsmok3r: Minidisc in Sydney (but they don't usually stock "ChiFi" and most of the IEMs are not on the 'cheap' scale).
Music exhibitions
Next time you travel, eg. to Japan or Singapore, you can try IEMs in stores there, etc.
(or at CanJam Singapore )
IEMs won't matter as significantly, if you're listening to streaming music or Youtube, and not listening to FLACs.
@whyisave: thanks! will check them out. I'll have to suss out japan and singapore as theyre actually places i will go to haha.
thats kinda what i imagine. the tea pro with a dac sounds slightly better than my Senheisser HD58x
@cerealsmok3r: Check this video (between 08:30 - 09:20), when Crinacle went to the store in Japan
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUbeBBh2guM
Address:
Address: 4-7-1, Sotokanda Shintou Building, Chiyoda 101-0021 Tokyo Prefecture
Then, there's CanJam Singapore (5-6 April 2025)
https://canjamglobal.com/shows/singapore2025/
So, that'll be a very good place to try out IEMs, headphones and DACs too.
@Rodo: These are very good DACs, and you can get them during sales, at a lower price.
The Onix is more dearer, but it's quite good actually (I have heard it).
Onix Alpha XI1
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3TVuXruKu4
AKLIAM PD5
— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVl7hnVEdI8
Check the review and towards the end of the video, pay attention to the comparison table.
I don't know your budget, but these are quite good already for what they achieve, and does not sound 'digital' and make the sound more polished (I have heard the AKLIAM PD4 too, but not the PD5).
These 'simple' looking DACs, are also OK for the price
eg.
CX31993 DAC
— https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003218683901.html
AKLIAM PD3
— https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007552931646.html
(I have the CX31993 myself, and for the price, it's OK for converting a USB-C plug to 3.5mm socket
but they do not have any volume adjustment buttons/wheel )
Any wireless ones
Space travel, Nekocake.
not on sale though.
if you want wireless, get the $25 Creative ones with ANC. Listened to them for a couple days, great value & features, tuning is too V-shaped/consumer and not enough detail, sound quality is noticeably worse than the Chus here, but again, great value for $25.
These sold out didn't they? Or are they back in stock?
not for me just giving the budget moondrop wireless options.
Note that the Chu 2 has been released and is an improvement for not a lot more money. Same with salnotes zero/zero 2, and tangzu waner.
Drawbacks of this model is the cable isn’t removable, it’s also quite uncomfortable as it uses weird separate ear hooks. The IEMs themselves I find to fit quite poorly on my ears, YMMV.
Sound wise, they’re decent but quite sibilant. The IEMs I mentioned previously blow these out the water.
There’s really no reason to buy this right now unless you really gotta save the few bucks.
Can mimick this comment. I own the chus and they're fatiguing if not EQd. Wavelet works well for phones via a usb c adapter (phone dependant) you can find some decent cheap ones in aliexpress that'll pair well with this. That said may as well buy the chu 2s as mentioned!
Or for a bit of fun (more v shape with some customisability) I recently grabbed the KZ Castor with the adjustable dip switches and it's quite a fun iem with the bass boosted. Certainly far from neutral of course.
Note that the Chu 2
What a missed opportunity to name it the Moondrop Chu Chu.
I share your sentiments.
Any link to the CHU II IEMs for a few bucks more?
Lowest (circa) prices on 3xCamels:
CHU II: $24
7Hz salnotes Zero: $26
7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2: $31
A little ironically you recommend the Crinacle collaboration 7Hz Zero/ 2.. Crinacle rates the original CHU IEMs pretty favourably
A decent cable can cost more than the current price of the CHU IEMs..
I think when comparing budget IEMs, what you have recommended is a pretty notable price difference..
Sure, if you count the price difference as a percentage, it’s 60-70% more expensive.
But if you look at the actual difference, $10 is still reasonably within “a few bucks”. For a massive improvement in both sound and fit, i think it’s worth it.
If you wanted the spring tips (which the Chu 2 does not come with), then this deal is spring tips for 50% off, PLUS you get a free pair of "emergency/throwaway" IEMs.
I also own the Chu II and Lans, I personally prefer LAN > Chu > Chu II based on my listening taste. The Chu II is way more V-shaped, significantly less analytical, not neutral whatsoever.
People over-rate the removable cable. If your cable breaks (which has only happened once to me, in the past decade of heavy listening), are you gonna buy another cable for $20?! For three piglets (delivered, if you have prime), you are getting a lot of your buck.
IMHO, if you wanted a step up, I'd get the LANs, Kiwi Cadenza, or a Truthear. Keep in mind this is $15 delivered.
IMHO, if you wanted a step up, I'd get the LANs, Kiwi Cadenza, or a Truthear.
I actually have the Truthear Zero RED, (bought brand new,..even after demo'ing them, haha)
and it's just average sounding.
The Moondrop LAN is also on sale now, for AU$ 40.59
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BVW1FZZL
So, I'm actually tempted to get the LAN because of the price, and your recommendation.
Besides, I have a soft spot for Moondrop tuning (having owned the Blessing 2 before).
source:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/m…
I found a reversible $2 hardware mod that elevates the Lan above Truthear Red IMO.
It involves simply adding 200 to mesh to the nozzles.Here's a store I orderd mine from: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004092269560.html
Once complete it tames the upper mids slightly.
More impressively it does great things to drums, a bigger, more satisfyingly impact.
While Lan has a somewhat wet presetation stock, with the 200 mesh added it focuses more
on resolving short reverbs transparently. It's very immersive.
Highly recommended for anyone that owns Moondrop Lan.
I would not have complaints about the unremovable cable if not for the horrible ones they included with these. Seriously, what were they thinking with the rubber earhooks?
Also, you don’t have to buy cables. You can just swap them out. I use the moondrop SSP cables on all my IEMs and just swap between them as I like the earhooks on them best, and the weight helps the cable stay grounded and the IEMs in my ear when I move around.
@dualcore
I personally prefer LAN > Chu > Chu II based on my listening taste
I blind-purchased the Moondrop LAN and received them this weekend.
I'm enjoying this IEM (using Spinfit CP145 tips) and it's actually quite good for the price.
It's my kind of tuning [neutral], but I was expecting this, having owned Moondrop Blessing 2 before
(and also demo'd Starfield, Blessing 2 Dusk, Blessing 3, Variations before).
I also have demo'd other very expensive IEMs, as well have/had expensive IEMs and headphones before,
(eg. ThieAudio Monarch 2, Sennheiser IE600, etc.)
so considering this, I like Moondrop LAN and it's a comfortable listen as well.
It's a bit "forward sounding", eg. good for vocals, and I just need to tame the middle to sub-treble part, .. but that's just me, and I listen to IEMs without EQ anyway.
A good buy :-D
Same with salnotes zero/zero 2, and tangzu waner.
I saw Andy AudioVault's reviews of the Salnotes Zero compared to the other 'zeros' (eg. Truthear Zero, Tanchjim Zero, etc.),
and based on that, I got the Tanchjim Zero IEMs. They're the 2022 (or 2023?) version and are pretty good.
Would these suit DJ use?
Uhh, absolutely not. Etymotic, custom Ultimate Ears, etc. Lots prefer Shures (esp SE215) or Westones but at least <$500 (never tried anything more than that), I don't like their sound signature, seal comfort (however everyone's ears are different), nor value. Chi-fi beats them by far (at least?) in the <$500 price category*
*Sennheiser IE200 + Moondrop Spring Tips (which come with the CHUs) + aftermarket cables (the microphonics on the stock ones are HORRID, esp for DJ use), are comfort+sound kings for me; but you have to spend a lot to kit it out. Stock tips and cables suck.
If it's really amateur DJ, I guess these can barely, but, get some etymotics (ER2SE) if you're an amateur DJ on a "budget"… (the rest of your DJ gear is a lot more than your IEMs, hopefully). If you are on an EXTREME budget, use whatever IEMs you have (the Chus would work, if you have absolutely nothing I guess), and save up for something decent and sealing.
Get the Sennheiser HD-25 for DJ use.
They're a bit pricey, but will last you decades.
Do the Chu come with a few different sizes of the spring tips, or just one?
My Chu came with 3 sizes of spring tips
XL was made later, not included.
P.S. I am not associated with Shenzhen Audio. I either accidentally ticked that box, or there was a glitch. Just a random audiophile.
Quick question.
I've seen some comments that say you need to get the XL tips for a proper seal, due to ear sizing differences between Australia and Asia.
Unfortunately, buying a separate pair of spring tips really reduces the bargain on the Chu.
So just wanted to ask for your thoughts on the included tip size and fit.
You can preview the amount of noise canceling by sticking your fingers in your ears
Thanks OP, bought for the spring tips, the IEM is a nice bonus
Are the mic on these any good for work?
OOS.
Says currently unavailable, am I doing something wrong or did it sell out?
Also is that supposed to be a marijuana leaf on it? On closer inspection maybe not
oos
am I doing something wrong
Yes, you are not refreshing OzBargain often enough! :P
Yeah clearly, I figured after sleeping on it my phone would have refreshed but I guess not
Anyone else having trouble putting the large size tip onto the earpiece?
Finally got them on after 15 minutes. Just need to keep trying
Extremely clear sound.
Yes fold the earpiece rubber inside out so you get the ring then spend a good 2 minutes trying to get it on. Trick go in at an angle
I didn't fold inside out but went in on an angle and then pinch the top of the opposite side and gently stretch it over.
Back in stock, 3 more left.
I’ve already impulse bought it but what are special about the spring tips?