Introduction

MOONDROP is a brand that has made a strong mark in the world of in-ear monitors with impressive offerings in the $100 price range courtesy the new Aria, good tuning for a TWS set with the MOONDROP Sparks, and rounding things off with another strong contender in the $200 market, the KATO. I have a couple of other MOONDROP products here based on my positive experience with the brand, including an interesting portable DAC/amp, but the subject of today's review is MOONDROP's latest entry-level offering aiming squarely at the budget market where a lot of sales are but products tend to be reviewed less. Thanks to SHENZHENAUDIO for providing TechPowerUp a review sample.


With a product named Chu, there is plenty opportunity for a pun about a hype train going chu chu. But a closer look reveals the name is anglicized for 竹 (Zhú, meaning Bamboo), and it is at least partly marketing that had MOONDROP realize Zhú would be harder to pronounce for the global market. Regardless, this is a budget set you can also get with an in-line microphone, although I have the standard version without one here. Both have a fixed cable, which brought back memories of the FiiO x JadeAudio JD3 covered before. How does the MOONDROP Chu compare then, especially with the impressive Tripowin Lea recently discussed? Let's find out in our review starting with a look at the product specifications in the table below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Knowing the MOONDROP Chu is an inexpensive set, I wasn't expecting anything premium for the unboxing experience. That said, and this is something MOONDROP has inadvertently become committed to, we get another of the illustrated anime girl characters on the box! This time, the box is predominantly open on the front and held in place via a plastic seal, and a second plastic cover with cardboard underneath keeps everything from falling out. Note the cutouts for a sneak peek at the IEMs and bamboo designs ideally matching the IEMs. The product name and some salient marketing features are listed too, with the rest on the back complete with some typos I'd rather have seen corrected first. Regardless, I appreciate the inclusion of a factory response curve that gives you a good idea of what to expect and compare my own findings against. Interestingly, the company branding is relegated to the side, almost as if MOONDROP wants the Chu to be its own brand.


Inside the box is a thick foam sheet with cutouts that hold the IEMs and attached cable snugly, and a cardboard box on the side contains some of the accessories included with the MOONDROP Chu. Be sure to pry out the IEMs and remove the foam layer to access the final set of accessories including paperwork with the company contact information, a QC verification card, and a quick start guide pertaining to the use of these IEMs.


Ah, we now get to the main reason many are interested in these IEMs. MOONDROP had developed its own set of ear tips, called Spring Tips, which debuted with the KATO last year. I am a fan of these tips, and these do well by providing a secure fit while taming ear canal resonances and upper treble peaks. The Spring Tips cost $13 by themselves for a set of three pairs, and MOONDROP includes two sets in sizes S, M, and L with the Chu! In addition, we get a set of two silicone ear hooks, which are handy if you want more comfort or a pre-molded ear hook for these IEMs. A slit has been cut down the middle across the entire length of these—simply push the cable in.


Completing the unboxing section is a flat soft carry pouch that has the MOONDROP logo on the side and a button on front, but barely enough room to fit the Chu with the attached cable if you squeeze it all tightly together. Build quality is fine, and the stitching is even better, although the actual materials are not going to fool anyone into thinking this is anything fancy. More than likely, it will never be used given how hard it is to fit the IEMs inside.