CHU II High Performance Dynamic Driver IEMs Interchangeable Cable in-Ear Headphone

I got the Linsoul 7Hz Salnotes Zeros about a year ago as an upgrade from basic budget earbuds, and have enjoyed them. I wanted a second IEM so one could be for at-home use and one could be for carrying around. I find the audiophile rabbit hole fascinating, but have difficulty hearing and describing characteristics in audio that might be apparent to those folks. So I wanted to try a different IEM and see if I could hear differences from the Zeros. I went with the Chu II's because of the reputation of the original Chu's, and initial YouTube reviews of the Chu II's were quite positive. I've been using the Chu II's at home and carrying the Zeros around. I haven't attempted to A/B them for a careful comparison, so all I can say right now is that I enjoy them both. As far as I can tell, they both have an even response with good presence and are not lacking in bass. Neither have an overpowering bass or a shrill treble to me. The shape of the Chu II shell is a bit more comfortable, and they look a bit more streamlined than the Zeros. Chu II also has a metal shell in comparison to the Zero's shell which is mostly plastic. The Chu II cable has a nice silver color in a clear sleeve and is a bit more pliable than the Zero's braided copper cable. The plug on the Chu II cable is L-shaped while the Zero plug is straight. Both the Chu II and Zero are very easy to drive and work well plugged into a DAC (which is a Scarlett Focusrite Solo for me) or a standard 3.5mm jack from a phone or laptop. Many reviewers seem to prefer the spring tips that came with the original Chus. The Chu II's come with basic tips of varying size. I use the ones that fit the most snugly and they seem good to me. The Zeros and Chu II's seem to be safe budget-friendly choices for a first IEM or to have a few handy. I like them both and don't see one as a clear winner. Perhaps I will give a slight edge to the Chu II because of the look and ergonomics. There are a bunch of other highly touted budget IEMs on the market right now too: the Kiwi Ears Cadenza, Tangzu Wan'er, the Truthear Hola are three that come up a lot. I'm thinking that these also might be safe choices, but that's it's not necessary to acquire all of them because they won't be so different sounding from each other. It would be useful to listen to them side-by-side and somehow be able switch back and forth without delay, but I'm not sure if that is physically possible. Update (10/28/2024) After about one year of regular use, the right IEM suddenly stopped producing sound. These are the IEMs I use for home listening, so I have treated them very delicately. I noticed that this was a recurring issue in other reviews and did some troubleshooting. First I swapped the left and right shells to the opposite sides of the cable; the right IEM was still the one with no output. Then I tried removing the filter from the right IEM and putting the tip back on with no filter (very briefly). The output seems to be normal, so I think it is definitely a filter issue. There was a bunch of gunk on the filter, including some blue stuff (blue ear wax?), so I tried cleaning it with 91% isopropyl alcohol and some q-tips. The filter is a thin piece of metal and an a tiny sheet of paper housed inside of a round enclosure. I gave both of them a good swabbing, and they both appear to be significantly less gunky. After replacing the original filter, the output has improved significantly, maybe to about 50%. I rummaged through my saved box collection to see if I could find the Chu II box in case it had some extra filters, but I can't seem to find it. I think replacing with a new filter will bring the output all the way back, but I'll post an update if I try it.

I’ve been really impressed with these IEMs, especially considering the price. They sound really good for gaming, with clear audio that makes it easy to hear footsteps and other sounds around me. The sound is also enjoyable for music and videos, so they aren’t just useful for gaming. They’re lightweight and comfortable to wear for longer sessions, and I really like that the cable is interchangeable. The build quality feels good for the price as well. If you’re looking for an affordable pair of IEMs mainly for gaming, I think these are a great option. You get really good sound without having to spend a lot of money. Definitely happy with them.

After all the incredibly positive reviews I read about these on the Web, I knew I had to try them. But I found some things that disappointed me, although it's important not to lose track of the low cost. The instructions were literally zero, so it took me like an hour to get them set up, although I will admit that these were my very first paid of IEMs. First of all, the left and right channels on the detachable cables are NOT labeled, so there's nothing to stop you from plugging the left wire into the right earpiece. I kept wondering why my music sounded weird, why vocals and instruments I knew should be in the right channel were coming out of the left. Once I sorted that out, I realized there was also nothing to stop one from plugging the wires in with the wrong polarity, causing the music in one ear to be out of phase with the other. Then, I struggled to get these to fit. If I tilted my head even slightly to one side, they would just fall out. Finally I discovered that I had reversed the polarity on both plugs, making it impossible to fit these correctly around my ears. There really were NO useful instructions and NO diagrams provided. Finally, after watching some videos of other products to figure out how to wear these, I got all sorted out and started to listen to music. At first I was disappointed with the relatively shrill and tinny sound. (I even tried them with my iPhone 13 connected to an Apple lighting-to-headphone adapter, and also on a PC and even with an expensive USB DAC playing FLAC files). I will say that the midrange tone is quite nice, but there is relatively little bass and the extreme highs also seem reduced to me. However, as I listened more and more, I acclimated to them and at this point they have become my preferred listening devices for certain kinds of music at certain times, despite their flaws. I now find myself liking the idea of using an IEM enough that I'm starting to wonder how much more I'd enjoy listening through a really good pair of more expensive IEMs.

I purchased these after my pair of noname IEMs died, since they're the top selling pair on amazon under $25. I use these to edit a podcast, and they work great and are pretty transparent. For the price, these things are an unbelievable deal. They sound great with both music and spoken word, they're comfortable for extended wear, and the all-metal housing is really sturdy. The cable is also really nice - it's thick and doesn't tangle easily. When these die, I'll probably just get another pair since I don't really want or need anything else. My only complaint is with static - it's winter when I'm writing this, and with the air being really dry, these have a tendency to give a very slight, occasional static shock when your ear touches the metal body. It doesn't hurt but you can hear it and it just kinda feels weird. Is it a dealbreaker though, absolutely not. Also, very minor thing, what's up with the anime girl on the packaging? It's kind of embarrassing when you just want some headphones, I get that some people like it but it's a super weird branding choice. Update after 8 months of almost-daily wear - I typically wear these in an office with only one ear in so I can hear what's going on around me, and I've noticed that the left ear (the one I would wear most often) has dropped in volume by about 80% while the right ear is perfectly fine. No idea what caused it, it just happened one day. I'm not dinging it any stars since it's still a crazy value for the quality you're getting, but don't expect too much longevity out of these if you wear them frequently. Update after over a year of near-daily use - these unfortunately died on me a couple of weeks ago. Wearing them in only one ear at a time, I noticed that the ear that I would favor would slowly diminish in volume in the last two weeks of its lifespan, and at a certain point it would fully die on that side. Then I'd switch to the other side, extending its life a few months, but the same thing eventually happened where the volume would gradually lower until it stopped working entirely. I decided to branch out and try a new set after these (the Linsoul Salnotes Zero) and the Moondrops are far and away the best build quality I've found in this price range. Sound quality is similar with decent clarity on both, but I noticed that these are tuned with a bit more bass and slightly more high end detail. So if you're using these in a studio or editing situation, I would maybe look for a pair with a flatter response. Otherwise, if you're using these for casual listening or really anything else, they'll sound great and last you a little while before you have to replace them.

The Moondrop CHU II IEMs are seriously impressive for such an affordable pair of in-ear monitors. The 10mm dynamic drivers and aluminum-magnesium alloy diaphragm give these a detailed, lively sound with plenty of clarity, while the metal housings give them a much more premium feel than you would expect at this price. One of my favorite features is the detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable. Being able to replace the cable instead of throwing away the entire set if the cable eventually wears out is a big advantage, and it also opens up options for upgraded or Bluetooth cables. They also come with multiple ear-tip sizes and a small storage pouch. The replaceable acoustic filters are another thoughtful touch, and the compact design makes these easy to use for music, gaming, or everyday listening. For the money, the CHU II is an excellent entry into the IEM world and punches well above its price point.

The sound quality is great for an IEM in this price range. They are comfortable to wear. The metal housing of the IEM is far superior to plastic or resin types and have held up to abusive conditions very well. The connectors are rugged and also very rugged. There are only two issues that I have had and could do with some improvement: 1. plan on purchasing a set of the replaceable ear nozzle filters because the mesh is too fine and they tend to get clogged with earwax. I noticed that one side sounded more muted over time and replacing the filter solved the issue but only temporarily until it happened again. Apparently, this is a very common complaint. 2. The cable is made with a vinyl type of plastic, and it is prone to developing cracks over time. If your listening environment is casual then it's not likely going to present a problem, but if your usage involves a lot of flexing of the cable (exercise, work, sleep) then don't expect them to survive very long. Mine developed multiple tears and cracks after about a month of use and they are now being held together with bits of electrical tape. I suspect that the material they use loses flexibility and/or becomes brittle over time or just can't handle bending or stretching beyond a certain point before it tears.

As someone who's steered away from headphones while gaming or doing office work, I've grown accustomed to wireless, Bluetooth earbuds lately, but I grew up with wired IEM earphones. Seeing the price point of these earphones and various glowing reviews across social media, I had to try these out, and they surely didn't disappoint! The earbuds themselves are a snug fit for me, even with the biggest size of the provided silicon tips, given I have pretty large ears. The cord is not very long, but that's perfect for travelling around with them for my phone or Steam Deck. There are converters you can purchase separately to convert the 3.5 mm Jack into a USB-C connection for your smartphone or Steam Deck if you so choose. The metal casing for each earbud was nice to see, with the quality of the materials being quite surprising for a $20 pair of earbuds. The black and gold paint is very sleek, while the almost silver transparent cord is nostalgic to the early 2000s, which is honestly a nice touch. Connecting the detachable cord connection to each earbud was simple, with the instruction manual detailing how they should be connected with care so as to not break them or plugging them into the wrong earbud, as the cord connections and earbuds are each labelled Left and Right. The provided pleather pouch is much appreciated for simple storage of these earphones, though initially putting on the silicon tips was tougher than expected until I looked up how to do so without breaking anything (turn the silicon tips inside out, put about half of the inner part of the tip that looks like a cylinder on the brass part of the bud, then twist/push slightly until it all sits flush on top of the brass part, then push the dome around it all). Do not unscrew the brass caps of the earbuds, as the diaphragm can fall off. The seal is tight, with the cord wrapping around from the earbud inside of your ear to your outer ear, as the illustration card showcases. I tested out the Moondrop CHU II with a particular album - Melanie Martinez' album "Portals" to see if these earphones would muddy the music. Shockingly, these earphones picked up various little sounds and details in the songs without muddying anything, with the bass being punchy enough while Melanie Martinez' voice rings clear and crisp above it all. The bass isn't a subwoofer in your eardrums, which I'm very happy with, but if you're looking for a bass-heavy pair of earphones, the Moondrop CHU II tends to spotlight the treble and voice more. Overall, I'm quite surprised and happy with them! I'm excited to continue using them for music and gaming alike.

The sound at first seemed normal, but now as I get used to it, I noticed it’s actually better than I thought? I think the audio quality is a bit subjective. At the very least, the audio isn’t cheap sounding. The box it comes with is cute, I’ve kept it in my room as a little decor. The silicone tips were harder to put on than I thought. I really struggled with it, but at least you know it won’t fall off easily. The earphones itself are metal, which makes it durable and heavier than your average plastic earphones. The weight isn’t noticeable since it goes in your ear. The texture of the cable is like thin clear PVC pipe, I assume it is, since it is kind of stiff, glossy and slick compared to other cables. Through it, you can see the wire is silver, which suggests it is silver-plated copper, which means it should be better sounding than Apple Earpods which use just copper wires. The earphones are actually curved just like in the photo. You can’t straighten them out, it is in a fashion of a sport-hook attachment if you wrap it around your earlobe it makes the earphones less likely to fall out. So besides me struggling with putting the silicone ear tips on, this product is great. However, one weird thing is the pricing of the cables you’re supposed to replace them with is similar to the earphones’ price itself! Add shipping to it, and at that point just buy the whole thing again. So double check the replacement cable prices before buying it, if you’re buying this mostly for the detachable cable feature.

Le Moondrop CHU II sono cuffie in-ear di qualità sorprendente per il prezzo. L'audio è chiaro e bilanciato, con bassi presenti ma non invadenti e alti dettagliati. Perfette per ascoltare musica in modo immersivo senza spendere una fortuna. Il design è elegante e confortevole, e il cavo intercambiabile è un plus che aumenta la longevità del prodotto. Anche dopo lunghe sessioni di utilizzo, rimangono comode da indossare. Se cerchi IEMs ad alte prestazioni che offrano un audio di qualità superiore senza svuotarti il portafoglio, queste cuffie sono un'ottima scelta. Consigliate per audiofili e non solo!

Für elektronische Musik (EDM, Melodic EDM) sind sie perfekt geeignet. In Anbetracht des Preises bieten sie eine ausgesprochen starke Leistung und Qualität, die man so überhaupt nicht erwartet. Sie zeichnen sich durch ein breites Klangspektrum, einen schön ausgeprägten Bass und klare Höhen aus. Ich habe sie an einigen herausfordernden Songs getestet und wurde nicht enttäuscht. Der Klang ist einfach sehr sauber und ausgewogen und wird nicht wie bei vielen anderen günstigen Modellen vom Bass erschlagen. Sie sind auch wunderbar leicht und sitzen sehr gut im Ohr, wenn man den passenden Gummiaufsatz gefunden hat. Das Kabel ist hinten um das Ohr herum geführt und verwicklungsfrei, sieht man auch nicht mehr oft. Insgesamt absolut empfehlenswert und ich würde sie mir wieder kaufen.

TLDR: Buena calidad de material, sonido y ergonomía. Cable relativamente corto y sonido algo débil en los graves pero con buena calidad y claridad en general. Son unos IEM de buena calidad con un sonido bastante neutro y claro. En general, me parece un producto bastante bueno, únicamente le vería 2 inconvenientes: 1. El cable es relativamente corto. Si los usas para tu celular, van de sobra, pero sí es para un PC, quizá sí quede algo corto. 2. El sonido, aunque bastante bueno, diría que está algo bajo en los graves, no son tan profundos y para que se sientan más intensos es necesario subir bastante el volumen, pero los medios se empiezan a sentir levemente saturados en ese punto. Finalmente, sigo recomendando mucho el producto, son unos audífonos de buena calidad, buen agarré y sonido muy claro. Incluso con las desventajas comentadas, me parece que por su precio son excelentes. Aún así, si buscas un sonido de alta calidad o piensas utilizarlos en una PC principalmente, recomendaría que busques un modelo un poco más caro o unos auriculares Bluetooth de calidad decente, en esa categoría, incluso hay auriculares Xiaomi que tienen una calidad de sonido similar y algunos con mejor calidad.

Amazing for the price. Kept seeing getting praised and hyped up as a budget iem and im glad it actually lived up to it. Build quality is amazing, with a full metal body and cable is also decently amazing. 10/10. Definitely will take good care of them.

I had bought a number of cheaper IEMs that were well-reviewed on YouTube, such as BLOB BL03, Kiwi Ears Cadenza, KZ ZS10 PRO X, and this Moondrop CHU II. I was looking for a pair of IEMs for my Meta Quest 3 VR Headset, where I wanted good sound (with fat bass) for music games like Beat Saber, but also for watching movies where you can really hear those movie basses clearly. I extensively tested all 4 IEMs, starting on the phone with the left-right test to ensure the stereo was on the right side, followed by music videos. Here, the Moondrop CHU II and the KZ ZS10 PRO X performed equally well in the test; both sounded fantastic. I had never heard such quality before. When I performed the test on the Meta Quest 3, the Moondrop CHU II clearly emerged as the winner. The sound here was also of high quality, with a thick, fat bass to boot—exactly what I wanted. The KZ ZS10 PRO X sounded really bad on the Meta Quest 3. I think it has to do with the low-current amplifier in the Meta Quest 3; however, the Moondrop CHU II delivered the same quality as on the phone. I am so satisfied that I just ordered a second Moondrop CHU II set as a spare. I also ordered Moondrop Spring Tips at the same time, which isolate the sound around you even more, whereas it was already blocking out 80%. What quality, and for 25 Euros; I really don't need 1000 Euro IEMs anymore. I was actually considering buying expensive IEMs, but what if it had been disappointing? 1000 Euros down the drain. With the Moondrop CHU II, I have exactly what I wanted; my search for good IEMs is now complete.