Moondrop Chu Review: A Budget Audiophile’s Delight?
Audiophiles on a budget are spoilt for choice thanks to a plethora of excellent, affordable IEMs from various brands based in China. Many of these "Chi-Fi" brands come and go, but one brand has consistently produced high-quality, value-driven products: Moondrop. Known for their budget and mid-range audiophile IEMs, Moondrop’s latest offering, the Moondrop Chu, has generated significant buzz within audiophile circles.
Priced at Rs. 1,999 for the variant with an in-line microphone and remote in India, the Moondrop Chu is a stylish pair of in-ear monitors with 3.5mm wired connectivity, 10mm dynamic drivers, and a promise of neutral tuning and detailed sound. Is this the best affordable audiophile-friendly pair of earphones you can buy right now? Let’s find out in this review.
Moondrop Chu Design and Specifications
Don’t let the unusual name fool you; the Moondrop Chu is a handsome pair of earphones, especially for a product priced under Rs. 2,000. The metal earpieces boast an eye-catching leaf-like pattern. Aside from the plastic Y-splitter module on the cable, the only branding is a small logo, while the earpieces are simply marked for left and right channels.
The Moondrop Chu features a transparent, fixed cable with an in-line remote and microphone, and a 3.5mm plug for connectivity to your source device. The three-button remote provides volume and playback controls. For those who prefer a minimalist setup, a variant without the in-line remote and microphone is available for a slightly lower price of Rs. 1,799.
Getting the perfect fit with the Moondrop Chu can be a bit tricky. While the silicone ear tips offer a decent seal and hold, and the included ear hooks secure the cables, it always took some effort and time to adjust the cable length below the ear hooks and fit them properly. It does get easier with practice, but it’s definitely not as straightforward as with the similarly priced Final Audio E1000C and KZ Audio ZSN Pro X. However, the Moondrop Chu feels noticeably more sturdy and premium than both the Final Audio and KZ headsets, and also has a more polished aesthetic.
The Moondrop Chu features 10mm dynamic drivers, a frequency response range of 10-35,000Hz, an impedance rating of 28 ohms, and a sensitivity rating of 120dB. These specifications make it easy to drive with even basic devices like budget smartphones and can be comfortably powered by portable DACs like the Shanling UA2. The package includes three pairs of silicone ear tips, rubber ear hooks, and a small fabric carry case.
Moondrop Chu Performance
In a world where Bluetooth headsets are becoming increasingly affordable and high-quality, many users prefer the convenience of wireless connectivity. However, wired listening still holds the advantage of superior sound quality, and the Moondrop Chu delivers an audio experience that surpasses even the best true wireless earphones on the market.
For this review, I connected the Moondrop Chu to a OnePlus 9 Pro using a Shanling UA2 DAC, and streamed high-resolution audio tracks from Apple Music. I also used an iPad mini (2019) as an alternate source, plugging the earphone directly into its 3.5mm headphone jack.
In both scenarios, the Moondrop Chu proved to be remarkably loud. I found a 60 percent volume level on the iPad to be sufficient, while I never dared to go beyond 50 percent with the Shanling UA2 DAC driving the earphones. The sound felt rich and tonally excellent, with the earphones effortlessly handling the powerful input signal without any noticeable distortion. With a proper fit, the sound was engaging, revealing, and brimming with energy.
Testing the Moondrop Chu with "Hold Back Love" by the Dutch funk trio Kraak & Smaak, the beat resonated deeply and impactfully, thanks to the tight, responsive bass. The mid-tempo pacing allowed for a wealth of detail to be heard, including faint instruments in the background. The vocals were exceptionally clear, cohesive, and realistic, exceeding what I’ve experienced with other entry-level audiophile earphones.
Switching to a more melodic genre, I listened to a cover of Psapp’s Cosy In The Rocket by The Chillout Airlines Crew. The sound was meticulous, while the soundstage was expansive and rich, delivering the kind of precise, immersive experience that only a good pair of IEMs can offer. Every element of the track, from the gentle vocals to the playful melody, felt rich and full of character through the Moondrop Chu. Although the tight bass tended to dominate my attention, I found the mid-range to be equally refined.
However, at times, I perceived the treble as slightly harsh on the Moondrop Chu, particularly at higher volumes where the earphones were already pushing hard. Additionally, the aggressive bass could cause listener fatigue with certain bass-heavy tracks like "Take A Look Around" by Limp Bizkit. As with many IEMs in the audiophile category, the Moondrop Chu tends to be overwhelmed by fast, overpowering tracks. It performs best with melodic, progressive music, particularly house and soft rock genres.
At its core, the Moondrop Chu is a musical pair of earphones. But the built-in microphone adds a touch of versatility. Call performance was decent indoors, and I even used the earphones to record a lengthy audio clip in a quiet room, achieving satisfactory results. Curiously, using the Shanling UA2 DAC seemed to disable the microphone and in-line remote altogether, but both functioned correctly when the earphones were directly connected to my iPad.
Verdict
There are many decent options for audiophile-grade IEMs under Rs. 2,000, but none I’ve had the pleasure of using have been as enjoyable as the Moondrop Chu. While the process of putting them on might be time-consuming and a bit tricky, this is a well-constructed pair of earphones that more than compensates for its minor shortcomings with its impressive performance, especially when paired with a quality DAC and high-resolution audio tracks.
Minor sound imperfections do exist, but they are entirely forgivable given the Moondrop Chu’s price and its commendable capabilities as a hands-free headset. Overall, this is perhaps the best starter IEM I can recommend right now, showcasing the exceptional sound quality that can be achieved on a tight budget.
