Moondrop - Chu II DSP

Chu 2 DSP is the best among them. I myself have used both the Chu and Chu 2.

sub bass and punchy...out of those 3. Perhaps go with the x Crin Zero 2s. I have them and I EQ to get my desired sound There's enough rumble way down there as well as good clean hits. Chu2 is slightly V shaped...has bass, not dull or flat. But it doesn't have the rumble when I want that (EQ couldn't get it there😅) No opinions on the Wan'ers because I don't own those

As I own zsn pro 2 and chu 2. Chu 2 is just a bit more neutral than ZSN. But when you listen to metal, rock, edm that's when ZSN shines. For me I personally pick ZSN as a daily beater (best ear fitment and noticeable bass and treble in an outdoor scenario)

I use primarily budget IEMs. My on-the-go pair is usually my Chu 2s or Nuos. I do also occasionally use the LANs. At home I use the Kefine Kleans. The other sets I have include the Hexa, Delci, and EW200, and the THifi C2s. The Kleans provide me with clean and accurate male vocals while still sounding natural which is really what I'm looking for in an IEM.

From the ones you've shown here, I would go with the Chu 2 or the Simgot EW100P. Both have great tuning for the price and are good all-arounders. I haven't tried any of the KZ models though, so I can't say anything about those.

DSP capability on the Chu 2 DSP allows a person to pair their own EQ profile to a decoder chip in the cable itself. This way you can "hard program" a profile to the cable to be used with the IEMs on any device. Without it, you would have to EQ separately on each device which is a bit of a hassle, especially for newcomers. It's ultimately up to each person - it has its pros and cons. Also, a side note: I heard that EQ'ing doesn't work on iPhones (I don't use one so I'm not sure about the specifics) but if that is one of your primary devices you listen to your audio on, it might make sense to get a DSP enabled IEM, assuming your Apple device uses USB-C. I have an Android, but having a DSP-capable IEM might be something I look into in the future. Makes it easier to jump around devices (phones, laptops, tablets, etc.) while having your favorite EQ profile saved into the chip that's in the cable. Again, this might not even be applicable to most newcomers because EQ'ing and even getting used to EQ'ing is something that takes people a bit of time (usually) and is not always the 1st thing people think about when getting into the hobby. I'm sure there's a great deal of IEM owners that just want a good sounding earphone for cheap, and that's why they even thought of buying an IEM in the 1st place, as I did so myself.

Already ordered mine Those and the 7hz zero 2 I have the chu 2 They’re amazing The wan er too And the 7hz zero (original)

I guess for music it depends on your taste Wan er have vocal focus Chu 2 is more fun well balanced and analytical Kz castor pro bass edition is for those who like a lot of bass For gaming I recommend you get the chu 2, it has better sound stage and imaging (I have all those iem btw) it’s my favorite music wise gaming wise and comfort wise (wan er is too big and kz castor doesn’t fit right on me) BUT you should see reviews for all of them and decide based on your taste I don’t recommend the wan er if you think about gaming with it, it’s uncomfortable and fatiguing after some time If you think about gaming over music pick the chu 2 If you like a lot of bass pick the castor If you think about music pick the chu 2 If you think about music but like vocal forward with a little bit extra bass, pick the wan er

Do you need a 3.5mm cable with a mic? If not I would hands down go for the chu 2. Sound is important but it shouldn't come at the detriment of comfort, build quality and the whole user experience. .The cable is durable and resists tangles very well (3.5mm version) . The earpiece is smaller than others and is very comfortable for long sessions . Best build quality in this price range (full metal) . Included ear tips are not good . No mic Edit: The chu 2 also has screw-off nozzles and replaceable filters so if they get clogged they don't become useless

Get chu 2 type c or truthear gate

I got the chu ii because of the hype a year ago and people said it was good then eventually months later the cable broke☠️

Too bad I got the dsp ones and the cable broke on me

True i Heard alot of good things about them. Thanks for your insights! Definitely will look for them

Tbh Tangzu is not in my area so i have to order them worldwide Zero 2 needs some additional attachments like mic and stuff The truthear Gate is not me personal favourite Tbh i would go with the Chu's as first pair then i would upgrade later on! Thanks for your insights its really interesting!

That's my impression after buying it https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OR4oNljwHX

Chu chu!

That's a really good to hear. As first iem i think chu2 would be good for me specially it has mic and i only need USB-A adaptor and that's all Maybe the CCA I'll think about if im upgrading later on. Thank you for your insights!

That's my impression after buying it https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OR4oNljwHX

Good to hear, personally i think im going with Moondrop Thanks for your insights!

Yup my choice is going for the Chu's

Yup these ones i was look forward for!

That's my impression after buying it https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OR4oNljwHX

That's my impression after buying it https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OR4oNljwHX

That's my impression after buying it https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OR4oNljwHX

Good to hear, thanks for your insights! I think I'd go with Chu2 because of the mic and less additional accessories required

Really interesting, i think I'd go with Chu 2 couse I don't know much about the other one Also I won't need the dongle is the chu2 comes with Type-C DSP, i would only need USB-A adaptor couse I don't have USB-C in my motherboard

Tbh i like the zero's red or blue But in my currency they go for like 90dinar when chu 2 dps go for like 45dinar so huge different so i think I'll go with the chu's and just get USB-C to USB-A adaptor

That's my impression after buying it https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OR4oNljwHX

That's my impression after buying it https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OR4oNljwHX

That's my impression after buying it https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OR4oNljwHX

That's my impression after buying it https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OR4oNljwHX

Haven't tried the Wan er and zero 2 but definitely recommend the chu 2!

Nope, not at all! It's not the most technical between these three but the clarity is still amazing. Lower mids are definitely a bit emphasised but clear nonetheless

I got a better listen to the usb c one. My opinions are formed on that version. I have tried the 3.5 mm too but don't remember it since it was in an audio shop for like not even a minute. >given they have an excellent build quality Welllll, its moondrop. My friend (whose chu 2 usb c i listened too) had received his order with a damaged cable. Their qc(quality control) is a little iffy.

moondrop chu ll or kz castor (wait for kz castor pro) i bought it from headphonezone

Use type c dac Im using 700rs dac that supports 32bit audio or get moondrop chu ll https://www.headphonezone.in/products/moondrop-chu-ii-dsp

Ok so if I am looking for a bass one these are the best choice or there are new bass iems in the market , kinda new to the scene , i have moo drop chu2 DSP for balanced sound and Wagner 2 and Now i want one in bass one

In that case I’d go Chu 2 also great tuning with better fit/build :)

All under 3k INR (based on ConceptKart website) Neutral (including warm and bright) * Tangzu Wan'er SG (neutral warm) \*\* * Tangzu Wan'er 2 (neutral warm) \* * Tanchjim Bunny DSP (neutral bright) \* * Tanchjim One DSP (neutral warm) * Moondrop Chu 2 DSP (neutral bright) * 7Hz Salnotes Zero (neutral bright) * Truthear Gate (neutral balanced) \* * Kinera Celest Wyvern Qing (neutral balanced) \* * KZ Castor/Castor Pro Silver (v-warm-ish to neutral bright) \*\* V/U-shaped (including warm and bright) * Tanchjim Bunny 3.5mm * Tanchjim One 3.5mm * 7Hz x Crinacle Salnotes Zero 2 (mild v-balanced) \* * ND Planet (v-warm) * Rose Technics (Roseselsa) Aurora Ultra (v-warm-ish) \* * Moondrop Chu 2 3.5mm (mild v) * DUNU Titan S2 (v-balanced) \* * BLON BL-03 (v-warm) * BLON BL-03 II (v-warm) * Kiwi Ears Dolce (u-bright) * TRN Conch (mild v-bright) * Moondrop Chu 2 3.5mm (mild v-balanced) \* * Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss (mild v-warm) * Tangzu Shimin Li (mild-v bright) * KZ Castor/Castor Pro Silver (mild v-warm-ish to neutral bright) \*\* * KZ Castor/Castor Pro Black Improved Bass (v-bass to v-bright-ish) \*\* * KZ EDC Pro (u-warm) \*\* * KZ EDX Pro (v-bright) (\* recommend | \*\* personally I own)

This is my First formal IEM Pick Mega Guide – "Revamped" (Last Updated: January 2025) PART 1 Oh well… here we go again. And this is going to be LARGE, so buckle up, this is a part 1 because turns out reddit wont let me publish this much text in one single post, so yeah, ill link the Part 2 right here: * [For part 2 Click - HERE -](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1f332k3/the_iem_pick_megaguide_part2/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) # UPDATE: Now i also have a Sub $100-ish list if you want to check it: [https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OXgg8IsbYi](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/OXgg8IsbYi) /---------------- # Gaming Update: As quite a lot of people asks for gaming options, I’ll make this update marking iems with performance rakings from the "WALLHACK TIER LIST" of Reviewer Fresh Reviews, who is known for recommending iems for gaming use, just be aware that this does not reflect my opinion about each IEM nor does it ensure that you will have an excellent video game experience just because the iem is listed. The Fresh Reviews system gives letter grades where “S” is the best grade, going down from S-A to C+, where C+ means that they are the minimum for video games. I will mark the IEMs by putting the score besides the name: "( FRS: “Mark obtained”)" (FRS = Fresh Reviews Score), example: Zero Red (FRS: C+), if you don't see this mark, it means that Fresh Reviews did not consider it for gaming, or didnt review the product. /---------------- **So, lets continue with part 1:** Some people might identify me already, I’m one of the redditors in this sub that’s usually giving recs and trying to help people left and right, things doesn’t always work, but I hope that I’m being of some help. So yeah, I finally gathered the will to do a proper post about this, I’ll try to pour everything I know after around 4 years of checking reviews and trying around more than 27 different iems (mostly under $100).   ***BTW, IF YOU SEE SOME GLARING ERROR, ANYTHING THAT JUST DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT, PLEASE LET MY KNOW, IM DISLEXIC TOO, SO YEAH XD, THANKS FOR THE FUTURE HELP.*** \----- # CONTENTS: Part 1: * Where to buy? * List of mostly recommended iems under $50. * Reviewers List. Part 2: * FACs (Frequently Asked Concerns lol – I recommend you to read this one first if you are a newbie). * Final extra details. Now, remember that I’m just another person, I have preferences and some degree of bias towards some sets, especially ones that I own, my intention is not to tell you “You should pick this”, but rather to point you out to a clearer direction as to what you might like or need. This info is not “absolute” as preferences and music library plays a huge role on the experience, but at least I hope I can make this decision less complicated for you. \----- # Where to buy? So, first, I don’t know what store you are planning to use but most common recs for buying are: * Mostly free shipping Stores: Shenzhen Audio, Amazon, and alsoAliExpress, but with ali, you need to pick the seller carefully, I have got 3 iems and some cables from there without any problems, but it isn’t as safe as Amazon and Shenzhen could be. * \- * They usually charge shipping Stores: Hifigo, Linsoul. I would recommend the free shipping Stores better since, besides free shipping, I have had less problems with them (in my very personal experience) and they usually do as much as possible to help their clients, however, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have problems with each store, sometimes life sucks and online stores do too, so always be careful when ordering online, specially check sellers on AliExpress Also, when buying, remember that if you wish to have a cable that comes with a mic, since IEMs don’t always come with one, especially around $50 and above, you need to specially pick the option of having a cable with mic when selecting the IEM for purchase if the options is given. \----- # Usually recommended IEMs under $50 If you don’t feel like reading or you have some IEM experience, skip or ignore the “FACs” part, HOWEVER, if you are new to this hobby, I recommend you to check that first, it could help clear your mind about a lot of questions you might have. ***The price in brackets is the original base price of the IEMs.*** ***Purchase links disclaimer:*** The links included are affiliate links, but make sure to check vendor reviews when you make any AliExpress purchases. The links have no influence on which IEMs are recommended or picked for the list.   # ----- # BASSY IEMS IEMs that their key point Is the lower end of sound, more Rumble and/or bass punch/kick, if you want some good bass, check this one, there will be iems from bass heavy to balanced, but overall, picks that have an elevated bass area, even if that also comes with some extra treble. * **($16) KZ Castor Bass enhanced edition (Black colored):** An IEM with a heavy, but still somewhat clean, punchy and rumbly bass, that can have the amount of bass and treble adjusted with switches, can have some more treble energy than QKZxHBB, but bass is very prominent, so vocals do get a bit overshadowed and might feel lacking intensity, recommended mostly for electronic music or bass heavy genres like hip-hop or R&B, not really recommended for vocal centric music genres like rock or ballads, Works for gaming, but bass might be too distracting. Nozzle is on the larger side. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mt6hFPl) * \- * **($17) KZ Castor Pro:** A small upgrade to the Castor bass OG, a bit more Rumble, a bit less punch, it is overall better than the OG Castor, but also comes with a larger nozzle. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKmDf4B) * \- * **($20) QKZxHBB (FRS: B-):** A lot of rumbly bass with decent vocals, altough it can sound muddy for some at fist, is mostly for those who really like a lot of inmersive bass but also still want enough vocal and treble detail. Works for gaming. Nozzle slightly on the larger side. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_msetV8R) * \- * **($50) Truthear Zero (blue) (FRS: B-):** They are actually balanced sounding, bass, vocals and treble all are very energetic, but this IEM was made to have very clean bass, like a mini “subwoofer” effect, and that’s the main focus of It, although their nozzles (the part of the iem that goes into your ear canal) are some of the biggest on the market, if you happen to have small ear canals, or you are looking for comfort, they could hurt or not fit well when using them (the biggest nozzle from this list). Usually recommended over the Zero Red for gaming, from the less bassy picks in the bassy section. You should consider using a dongle DAC if the sound is too quiet with them. If you happend to have fitting problems, check the Spinfit CP155 eartips, could help a lot, but those tips get streched kinda easy and can fall out of the nozzle, so do take in mind. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mOGUNun) * \- * **($24-34) BLON BL03:** Great hard hitting bassy IEM, a lot of Energy and intensity with enough intense treble, biggest downside Is that Fit might not be great thanks to their particular shape and short reaching nozzle (the nozzle might not be large enough to enter properly into your ear canal), the nozzle itself is on the smaller side. Not a bad pick, works for gaming, but a bit outdated. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mqDowxp) * \- * **($50) CCA Rhapsody:** THE Castor bass upgrade, better techs, some more clarity, all in all, a great bassy package for the price, but shell is VERY large and nozzle not so smaller, so, if you have small ears, then maybe this is not the best pick, nozzle size is in a middle ground. Works for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mMQ1ytz) * \- * **($35) BLON Z300:** A very specific pick since they are just somewhat bassy, they could sound balanced for bassheads, and muddy for non-bassheads, the bass works better with well produced/mixed files, for poor quality tracks they might lack punch, they are decent for vocals, but might feel a bit on the background. They are decent for an inmerssive bassy sound, and have pretty good resolution and detail, also, sound direction is good, if you like ASMR, those are good bot a bassy relaxed replay on a budget. Should work for gaming, nozzle is pretty small, should have a comfy fit. If you want clarity and cleaness is not the best option. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mrDU1eF) * \- * **($50) Blon JOJO:** this one is like a more bassy, aggressive QKZxHBB, techs are just decent for $50, but because of its quantity of bass, aren’t the best for clarity or detail. Might work for gaming, not really recommended, best for bassy music genres. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mOT3o83) * \- * **($37) CCA Trio:** This ones comes like a small upgrade from the Castor Bass, if you feel that Castor bass would be too intense, might as well go for this one, this is more of a bassy V-shaped or balanced set, but with the ability to increase the bass or treble just like the castor. should work for gaming. Vader Balanced is a good alternative if you find it cheaper. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mPAIXdp) * \- * **($31) KZ Vader Balanced:** Energetic bassy V-shape-ish sound with a less "Harman-style" approach (less obvious clean-cut bass, some warmness on vocals), so it has a bit more body, but not that much, mostly a bit less V-shaped CCA trio, a good alternative to it. Decent techs for the price, get whichever is cheaper. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m05R5aF) * \- * **($50) INAWAKEN Dawn Ms:** Warm, rumbly, a bit thick, bassy V-shaped iem, could feel slightly less technical than other iems, but clean-ish sound still, relaxed upper treble but a bit foward lower treble (shoutiness warning), warm-ish vocals, pretty good bass performance. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKp2ac3) * \- * **($25) Tachjim One (has DSP/Type-C option too):** A bullet style earphone that has a focus on Mid bass over sub bass, it’s somewhat V-shaped and energetic, a bit foward on the lower treble, and it has a bass that should work better for rock genres since it gives energy to drums without making the sound way too bassy. Could work for gaming, but being this mid-bass centric, wouldn’t recommend It. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mPULWWP) * \- * **($22) Tanchjim Tanya (DSP):** Another bullet style, the only reason I’m mentioning only the DSP version (Type-C cable connection) is because this one would pack a very good amount of bass, while keeping it reasonably clean, slightly better than Castor bass in that specific regard, but keeping an affordable price over other picks like Trio or Zero Blue. Could work for gaming, still similar problem to Castor. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKWofm3) # -- # BALANCED IEMS Section for more balanced and somewhat neutral IEMs: (For clarification on what’s “neutral” and what’s “balanced” please check the FACs) * **($19) Tangzu Waner:** a slightly rumbly IEM that has a lot of vocal qualities, with a close-to-neutral and pretty balanced sound, great for long listening sessions, not great for directional sound/gaming in my personal experience. A very versatile starter pick, but bass area can come as a slightly muddy at first, so, better for people that like some bass presence and nice body on male vocals. Nozzle size is in between, not too big, not too small. As a side note, some people say they work for gaming, i dont find them particularly good for that versus other options, your call. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0Z0EQr) * \- * **($30) Tripowin Vivace (FRS: B-):** A nice slighlty bass leaning iem that has good technicalities for the price, almost performing above its price range, a very safe sound overall, on of the safest sounds on to pick from the list. The best cheaper allrounder starting point under $30 and arguably the best gaming pick under $50. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKx3o0L) * \- * **($38-44) Sgor Luna:** While it’s a planar, it doesn’t exactly compete with other planars around this price, however, it’s a very cheap good option to try a planar driver, plus you can pick them bundled with a dongle dac which should take care of your amplification needs. As far as technical performance goes it is decent for its price range (which is around $40) but the best part is that it is like a less intense Simgot ew200, it might have an edge over them technically speaking, but the tuning of the luna doesn’t make it too obvious. It has a better bass quality and presence, making it a pretty decent and very safe pick for the price, as long as you use a dongle with them OR a DAP with decent amplfication on the 3.5mm conection. *PROBABLY THE SAFEST PICK AROUND $50.* Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKynQSJ) * \- * **($19) Truthear Gate:** A correct and pretty balanced iem, similar to waner but with a tilt to female vocals and treble, also, bass might sound slightly cleaner than waner, but just a bit. Should for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0ebw6r) * \- * **($25-30) Kinera Celest Wyvern (Abyss/black, Quing, Pro) (should had a Type-C option):** the 3 verions are around the same, pick the most appealing to you. Tuning is similar to waner with a bit of more overall energy on vocals and presence on the bass, maybe a tilt to female vocals too, and slightly cleaner in the bass. Should work for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mrlZ1Ij) * \- * **($20) Simgot ew100p (There is a DSP/Type-C variant):** Another similar one to Gate and Waner, maybe an inbetween from gate and waner, but all in all, a very decent, balanced set, slightly more treble energy than other models, nothing too much. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mqIAQHH) * \- * **($19) Moondrop Chu II (There is a DSP/Type-C variant):** A pretty balanced and clean IEM, detail is nice, and they are a bit more forward on the female vocals and treble than Waner, still not too intense, another great starting pick, especially for people that do want to hear some bass, but don’t want it to affect the rest of the sound much. As a heads up tho, these are especially known for having problems with humidity and moisture because of its metal shell. Works for gaming, nozzle on the smaller side, should have a comfy fit. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mK6uRmj) * \- * **($25) 7hz Salnotes Zero 2:** A more bassy leaning version of the Chu II, the second safest allrounder performer after Vivace for any kind of music genres under $30, a good gaming replacement for the Vivace too, nozzle is slightly on the larger side. This one is not on the bassy side since it has less bass than most of the other Bassy picks, around the same as the Zero Blue, but without any fancy “subwoofer” approach. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mqKyRcR) * \- * **($35) Kiwiears Cadenza:** A more energetic version of the Tangzu Waner, with a more v-shaped approeach with extra sub-bass and female vocals, overall good performance if you like that energy in your music, however, bass isn’t like super strong or super punchy, is there, is nice and has some presence, but it isn’t the focus of its sound, works well for ballads or rock style music, with some extra versatility for some electronic music, not recommended for bassy music genres like hip.hop or R&B tho. Watch out for sensitivity to 4Khz peaks, vocals in general might come as shouty for some people, I wouldn’t recommend it for people looking for bass quality, as the vocal energy can get in the way for enjoying them,. Works for gaming, nozzle leans to the larger side. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0ZUrDt) * \- * **($40) Simgot EW200 (FRS: C+):** a somewhat neutral IEM that intends to be balanced but actually has a lean on the vocal an treble side of sound, so there Is more clarity and you will perceive more detail on the sound, but some people might feel that the treble can be a bit too intense, bass is there and has presence, but Is not the main focus. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0hfYft) * \- * **($55) Truthear Zero (red) (FRS: C+):** this is a bit more expensive version of the Truthear Zero blue, It has the same build quality but the sound Is a bit more balanced and less overly energetic, it works well with more music genres. The IEM comes with an adapter to increase the bass quantity to Zero Blue Levels (in stock it has less amount of bass), but It also shares the big nozzle of the blue version. Usually less recommended for gaming over the Zero Blue. Recomended to use a dongle DAC for amplification, to get te Best performance out of them. If you happend to have fitting problems, check the Spinfit CP155 eartips, could help a lot, but those tips get streched kinda easy, so do take in mind. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mMrjPcX) * \- * **($50)** [Kefine Klean](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/s/7PVWrvBEU2)**:** A good balanced sounding set with a small bass lean, great techs for the price and a decent fit with an average size nozzle, all in all, probably on of the best picks on the list if you have $50, want the best performance and don’t know what to pick. ***I must mention that some people have encounter situations of channel imbalance with their sets, it could be the filters unscrewing or just not being properly put on on the first place, check that if you have any problems, also, be careful with humidity since its a metal shell, and if you have any actual problem, please do contact the store where you get them from for help with the issue, or the people at Kefine for direct Help*** Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_msWNk9V) * \- * **($15) Tangzu Princess ChangLe:** A mild V-shaped bullet style iem that would be pretty versatile for most music genres but technicalities like resolution, soundstage and instrument separation (check FACs if you don’t know what these means) are slightly worse than most other sub $20 options. Its price and comfort is pretty good still, a good gift option, wouldn’t recommend it for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mNZJZK7) * \- * **($10) KZ EDC Pro:** Very cheap yet good sounding iem, some less technical than its $20 peers but costing significantly less, the cheapest yet best starting point to test what iems have to offer, however don’t expect the best build quality, also, some people find the treble a bit too intense. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mrXq3FN) * \- * **($16)** [TRN Orca](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1cbec6e/trn_orca_consumer_pov_review/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) **(should had a Type-C option):** This is another pretty nice, inexpensive pick for people on a budget that doesn’t know what they like and cant spend too much money, Orca is a metal shell iem that has a kinda V-shaped tuning but with a lean on the bass, however, thanks to its 3 tuning switches, you can adjust the sound to either something kinda bassy clean like the Chu2 (switches Down Down Up – DDU), to a very V-shaped bassy tuning similar to Zero 2 (UDU) to a very bass heavy sound somewhat similar to QKZxHBB or Castor Bass (DUD - works particuarly well when amplified with a dongle dac for a somewhat "subwoofer" feel). They also gain some extra resolution when amplified with a dongle dac. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_msqEjYX) * \- * **($55) TKZK Ouranos (FRS: C+):** This one might show the similar shouty vocals than the Cadenza could have, but it is kinda the direct upgrade from them. It has a noticeable more punchy bass, but it’s very balanced with the rest of the sound, very prominent upper mids, intense in the note weight -the weight the sound hits with- and has very good techs for its price, slightly better than Truthear Blue and Red, but would recommend to get it discounted below its $55 price. Overall great if you like vocal forward leaning sound, specially female vocals, it has a bit less aggressive treble that EW200 might had. Not recommended for bassheads at all, as bass quantity will let you wanting more. Should work for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mMsadP9) * \- * **($50) Tangzu YuXuanJi:** Decent techs for the price, bright leaning sound, focus on vocals and treble over bass. Around in brightness to the ew200, open back design doesn’t do much for the sound, controlled amount of decent quality bass, and fairly good technical performance. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mPz7wQn) * \- * **($30-40) TinHifi C2 OG/2025:** Very balanced sounding, enough of everything from bass to treble, good alternative to the Vivace, with a vocal focus + slightly less boosted bass. Good technicalities for the price. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKfH9Jd) * \- * **($30) Twistura D-Minor:** Somewhat V-shaped energetic set with average technicalities for the price, nice accessories that comes with a dongle dac, if you feel that it lacks bass or needs more bass try the different tuning nozzles. Basic but complete starting point pick. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mtr7wKB) * \- * **($50) Celest IgniteX Beast:** Balanced but slightly bright leaning (focus on vocal and treble) set that performs as its price point, semi-custom shell that can fit either really good or not so good depending on your ear. Decent techs for the price. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_m0Luh8J) * \- * **($30) TRN Conch:** This is a risky pick for the price, is better to get it on sale. The biggest upside are the accessories it comes with, is like an upgrade combo of a nice interchangeable connections cable, some decent eartips and a metal box, that comes with some extra iems included. The thing with the Conch is that it comes with interchangable nozzles, but just 1 of the 3 is useable for most people, the red nozzle, as the other 2 have a pretty forward and intense treble. The Conch has a V-shaped kind of sound, its somewhat similar to the ew200 but with more presence on the bass, which packs good punch, rumble and texture, and its also pretty clean; vocals are just fine, not that natural sounding iem, but also not bad; the treble Is energetic with some peaks of intensity, not the most refined but not super harsh, so your mileage may vary, just dont pick them if you are sensitive to treble. It works fairly well for rock genres. The nozzle is on the smaller size, however, because of the weird shape of the shell of the iem, its possible that the fit wont be the best for you, since its like a bullet style earphone, with just a cylindrical weight at the end that has very little support in the ear, so, keeping them in while moving too much could be a problem. Again, its not too bad, but it has a few “buts” to consider before buying it. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mK0gJK7) * \- * **($70) Artti T10 (and other planars):** I know the T10 stock price is around $70 bucks, but in some sales in AliExpress, and with new customer discounts, you could find it closer to $50 or even less. The main reason why I mention this one is mostly to talk about Planar iems, those are know for having good overall performance in sound and techs, but that also comes with a not so cheap price, and the need for some extra anergy from a dongle DAC to work the best. The T10 has a somewhat balanced, slightly V-shaped sound, that has just enught bass, but some people could use a bit more, overall excelent quality of sound when properly amplyfied. Build quality is also fairly good. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKBFQ47) * \- * **($50) KZ PRX:** Mild V-shaped energetic planar, technically-wise competes with its planar peers but for a reduced price, however, it needs some good amplification, you should also get a better cable, 4.4mm cable with a dongle that has the connection, if possible, would be great. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_ms7AueR) # -- # BRIGHT IEMS Now for more "bright" IEMs: Bright IEMs are more focused on vocal clarity, and especially treble intensity and details of the sound, they are not for everyone since most of the time the bass Is quite controlled and don’t really have much presence. * **($23) 7hz Salnotes Zero (Originals)(There is a DSP/Type-C variant):** Pretty detailed, vocals do take the main stage while bass it’s pretty tamed, still being plenty enough for it to be musical. The most sub $20 IEM recommended pick for gaming thanks to its price, performance and clarity. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mK0Lu71) * \- * **($39) TKZK Wave:** A very technically competent pick, borderline neutral sound, with a clear yet small emphasis on treble, boosted enough for a detailed replay, the bass is clearly very reduced, but you can still hear some of it, dont expect much bass rumble. The bass might be too little for gaming. Check it out here: [Linsoul.](https://www.linsoul.com/products/tkzk-wave?srsltid=AfmBOopjxSmV08WMQvk-Rl0f6qiqRi0A-7hiIFV35tn3Q_6sqzbao6Ht) * \- * **($16) Tachjim Zero:** slightly more mid bass than the TKZK wave, slightly less overall technicalities, but in accordance with its lower price, similar focus on vocals with less treble. And, as it’s a bullet style it should be a comfy fit in your ear. Bass might be too little for gaming. Check it out here: [Linsoul.](https://www.linsoul.com/products/tanchjim-zero?srsltid=AfmBOooqEkFsn3ddSoCxeNxxA9ZhUqALVc7TAQVwn-j-wvSlP4B-8t5f) * \- * **($21) Tangzu Waner SE (Studio Edition):** A slightly brighter, but also cleaner Waner, with some more energy on vocals and treble, nothing else special other than the memory foam ear hooks in the cable that might or might not help with comfort. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mMI8dSb) * \- * **($30) Ziigaat Nuo (FRS: C+):** A more bass energetic Salnotes Zero OG, the focus is on vocals and especially treble, but it doesn’t overlook the bass, has good performance for the price, but not a safe pick for people with treble sensitivity. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mKr0NOF) * \- * **($40) Moondrop Lan (FRS: C+):** This could be a small upgrade from the Salnotes Zero original. A very decent build quality and technically competitive for the price, it has a nozzle on the small side just like chu 2, so should be very comfortable. The sound might have around the same to slightly less bass than the Zero OG, but, it will also have slightly better vocals than it, besides that, they are pretty similar, good if you don’t like much bass and you just enjoy a treble focused sound, but not with an overly intense replay. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mO5eyD5) * \- * **($60) 7hz Sonus (FRS: B-):** This one might be a bit out of budget but you can find it for less than $50 on a sale. Sonus Is said to have pretty good technical performance that is above its price range, however, the biggest downside it might had is that the sound could not be as "cohesive" as it should because of the dual driver implementation, that means that some parts of the sound around upper mids and treble might sound somewhat slightly separated from the lower mids and bass, most people don’t find this as a glaring problemm but you are warned. Of course, bass is reduced, but around the same as the Zero Original, this would be more like a direct upgrade, and should work well for gaming. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mrnxgiR) * \- * **($40) Tanchjim OLA:** A bit outdated for the price, but still the special pick if you want to know what “neutral” is actually supposed to sound like, pretty similar to the Wave but it has almost no noticeable Sub-bass, in favor of a very clean sound reproduction, it has some mid-bass to it but mostly for getting that specifically neutral sound, and has just enough vocals and treble intensity for the sound to be correct and very natural. This is not a pick that is recommended for daily use, but if you love vocals and clean instruments, this one is still a great choice, although technicalities might be slightly below average at this point. Check it out here: [AliExpress.](https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_msI48If) * \- So that’s It, those are some of the best IEMs to pick for under $50, there are more that I didn’t mention and it doesn’t mean they are bad, is just that these are the most commonly known to be good and considered that most people would probably enjoy. Also, there aren’t many KZ or CCA options here because there are already some better options for similar tunings. Besides, KZ and CCA accesories and quality control is not from the best, and they have had other problems in the past like possible silent revisions of iems (changing drivers or tunings without prior notice) so they dont give me enough trust to recommend them so easily. Any question just Let me know. Notice that I do own or have owned some of the IEMs mentioned, but most of these recs are made by checking and comparing various Reviews from different sources. # -- # Reviewers List The purpose of this is so you can check the opinion of various people that had already checked a good bunch of other iems so you can have a wider perspective of what you might deal with, don’t take the word of just 1 or 2 unless you are sure they share your exact taste in audio, ideally use them just as a reference, compare any already owned iems with their opinions to see where their preferences stand in relation to yours, DO NOT trust only one opinion just because you like it better or the reviewer just sounds more knowledgeable. * HBB (YT Is called: bad guy good audio Reviews).\* * Paul Wasabi.\* * Super Reviews.\* * Jays audio. * Audio-in Reviews.\* * Gizaudio (Channel now run by ATechReviews - New Channel TimTuned). * WhatsNew. * SuperChonk.\* * Audio Amigo.\* * AndyAudioVault. * Acho Reviews. * Tone Deaf Monk. * Prime Audio Reviews. * Akros. * Ian Fann. * Hobby Talk. * Vortex Reviews. * AV Atmos. * Joyces Reviews. * Lumerion. * Honest Audiophile (I find him to be very biased by his own taste in sound, but it’s good to have every single second opinion in this case). * Joshua Valour (More headphones but still) * Kenneth Tanaka (this Is More for TWS/Blueetooth earphones) * Dan's audio Review (mostly for IEM sound comparation).\* \--- * *And please, do not take Sharur seriously, he Is trolling most of the time.* The names marked with a “ \* “ are the ones that are mostly well known and somewhat generally respected by the community and I. There is also the Legend "Crinacle" but he stopped doing "serious" reviews, i wont explain his lore, but if you find a review of an iem from him, especially in his "Crinacle" channel, he is also very respected, but he also sells iems now, so he has a lot to gain from you buying some sets. Now timmy, original host of Gizaudio has joined Crin into his Store Channel.

As there arent many options, maybe, if you can find It on stock that Its, something like the Moondrop Droplet could work for you for gaming, It seems to have decent enought performance for around $50 bucks, should be somewhat better than most $30 Bullet style IEMs. That said, if you are not sure to spend $50 for an IEM that might perform just decent for an in-ear kind of Fit. Ill say either better check some headphones options, or just go for something cheaper like tanchjim One for and overall decent gaming performance, or Tanya if you do want to hear a more intense presence of bass. Sadly there arent many Bullet style IEMs with that much good of a performance for more than $30.

Well, my first recomendation would be QKZxHBB, now, it works for most of what you want, however, the biggest downside it can have is that is not a "clean" sounding iem, that means bass could likely feel bloaty at first, it does work for gaming and all that, and the cable, even if quite basic, should come with a mic option, and the bass is elevated but not too aggressive so is quite relaxed for chilling listenings, but again, mid range might feel "muddy" to some degree, specially if the eartips doesnt fit you well, but is quite cheap to get tho. Your second option could be to see if you can find for your whole budget an iem like the Salnotes Zero 2, and get an aftermarket cable for it, a cheap one with mic, brands like kinera, moondrop, TRN, Tripowin and even QKZ themselves should have easy to find and cheap options with included mic. And now, if you really need just a one time purcharse with Mic included, i guess one grea option could be the Kinera Celest Wyvern, specially the black ones, that should come with a Mic option, and should more or less work for what you want, but it wont be as bassy leaning as the other 2. An alternative worth metioning is the 7hz G1 which seems to work quite well for gaming, comes with a mic, and overall decent accesories, the biggest "but" is that is a V-shape iem, which comes with quite the extra bass but also quite the extra vocals and treble, and it leans a bit more into vocals and treble than bass, so, other than tuning itself, it could work for you quite well otherwise. as for links, you could click on the Aliexpress hyperlinks after the "Check it out here:" below each iem that is listed if you wish to use that option, do remember to always check the seller´s reputation, and your order (i mean, that you are picking the correct option - like iem plus mic) before purchase. Not all iems mentioned are posted because i am still working on updating it but i been busy personally so it might take a while and the new additions might not have a link so, you can always use your store/seller of preference, if you wish to ask anything else, here or on DMS, always go ahead and ill see if i can help :D PS: i know it was fast but is not always like that XD, i just recently got some free time, thats why i answered fast lol, i am pretty much around here even if not so active tho.

So far, afaik, bone conductors, at least on cheap sets, arent that impressive, if useful at all, and even if the bass is good quality, it doesnt mean the treble or the rest of the sound cant overshadow it, tuning matterst too, which is the main reason i havent touched that one, because is a more balanced set, similar to the Klean, but i cant really vote for its quality as i can for Klean (i have a review published on Klean too). As for the tiger, i been testing it recently and i need to add a few nuances to the listings (i am painfully slowly working on updates because life sucks right now but anyway), but a few things to mention is that it needs the help of a dongle dac to reslly shine, and is a similar bassy V-shape as the Delci, but is the kind of V-shape that focus a bit more like on punch of the bass than rumble, so for this specific Situation, delci already is the better of both alternatives, and in terms of price, Klean has a bit less thin mid range too, so price-wise is also not the best alternative here.

probably the Simgot EW300 is a way better pick at thah point, only problem is that i believe the normal version (which is the cheapest of the 3, and sound doesnt really change much across them) doesnt come with an in-line mic if you need one, if you need one, you could check the EW300 DSP* version to see if that one comes with a mic, as long as you dont care About the type-c conection tho, if you need an in-line mic + 3.5mm Jack conection, just get the cheaper version you find (being either normal EW300, HBB version or DSP version), and swich the cable with an aftermarket one with mic with the rest of the Budget. Tripowin, Moondrop, TRN are some decent cable brands that you could check. if you want a cheaper alternative let me know, but if you need a mic, most iems over $35 doesnt really come with one. PS: you can check my sub $100 list at the start of the post if you wish to see more options for yourself too.

Chu DSP costs about as little as you can spend on anything that's still going to sound good. Wouldn't go below that but the DSP is about the same price as the regular one at \~$20 or whatever that would be to you.

I've ordered chu 2 yesterday and it's yet to come, I've did a month of research and chose this so I'm recommending you that.

Yeah the c-type with dsp one

Keep in mind the tuning of the airpods will vary, but under that price range, you can go for the chu 2 dsp, no need of dac.

Something stock that fits your ears. Comfort is 1st, then sound. In all seriousness, I'd go for the Chu 2 dsp since I loved the Chu og. Snugs perfectly in my ear due to its small size. And not sure how dsp would impact the sound, but usb c is a convenience for my use case. Had the kz zsn pro way back then and the stock tips were too big for me. Didn't tip roll because I was still studying and needed the money for more important stuff. Did love the thing, but after trying the chu og once I got the money from my 1st job, never went back. Never tried any of the iems you listed, so I cannot give my thoughts on how it sounds.

Chu 2 & Wyvern series will have similar tuning if you plan on getting either of the two. Edit: Chu 2 can have slightly more details due to its extended treble as compared to Wyvern series.

Chu 2 is quite infamous for its channel imbalance issues due to moisture accumulation on the nozzle, so while you're not using it, keeping it with silica gel pack can absorb some of the moisture from it. Also, try checking the nozzles every hour or two for moisture accumulation while actively using them.

I have the 7Hz Zero (v1) and Moondrop Chu2 DSP and I like the sound from the 7Hz but the fit and comfort of the Chu2.

Which would be best for music like the weekend , ed shreen and rammstin? Also I would use it for calls as well so what would you recommend? I had chu 2 it broke like in 2 years i am looking for something in that range or better but with clarity leaning to better base.

Try the Chu 2 or Tanchjim Bunny

Iem user for over 10 years now. Never had any issues with iems. Wanted to tey hps anf got Lcd2c. Sold it off and went back to my iems. Speakers are still king followed by iems to me. Budget ones that you can look into are: Waner Zero/Zero 2 Chu ii Gate Blon 03 i/ii

Just a note that while the chu 2 does have bass, it's not super thumpy or rumbling, as in that its not the main focus of the iem.

https://preview.redd.it/f2s7rppy9goe1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cd3bdc5932eff081f7dc601ebdfe609504dc18b6 I am using the moondrop chu 2 dsp since last month (my first iem). The reason behind choosing this is to listen to good quality audio and be able to take calls in between. Though the stock cables are kind of nice, I went ahead and replaced the stock cables, because on my macbook, it was only outputting 96 khz/24 bit max. Hence, I got the cheapest available audiocular cable at around $ 10-12, with mic and 3.5mm jack, along with the abigail pro dac. Now I am able to listen to 192 khz/24 bit (as supported by Apple Music). The sound now is better enough for me (not an audiophile btw). Regarding eartips, I have just ordered the moondrop silicon spring one's, even though the stock ones are not bad at all. Should be able to comment on it once it arrives. Hope this helps.

Here's my journey in short: Brought the chu 2, impressed me a lot, got greedy, returned it and brought the ew300, extremely disappointed. My preferences (not in order): 1. Enough punchy bass without bleeding (this was what impressed me in the chu2) 2. Non muddied good mids (one of the two things that I hated about the ew300 was that it gets muddled in busy tracks and also seemed a bit recessed) 3. Lower treble (second thing I hate about ew300 being the weird piezoelectric metallic timbre and peaky treble) Current choices (kinda in order): 1. Aful explorer (doubtful about the bass bleeding and muddied mids) 2. Truthear hexa (I can live with lower bass and slightly brighter treble if it means I am getting cleaner mids) 3. Kefine delci 4. letshouer s08 (heard it has high planar treble) 5. Truthear nova 6. Tangzu fudu (free eartips) Feel free to recommend anything else.

Brought the chu 2 a month ago and it impressed me a lot, coming from oppo enco buds 2. So I returned it, saved more money, did my research and ended up with two choices - hexa or ew300. The first thing that impressed me with the chu 2 was the bass. The hexa had lower bass according to everyone. So I brought the ew300 hbb edition. Now here's the problem. It sounds bad. It is definitely better than my enco buds but the price increase from chu 2 is not justified. I cant compare the chu 2 and the ew300 as its been a month since I returned the chu 2. The bass is bloated. Mid bass punch is average. Overall presentation is not coherent. The recessed mids and piezoelectric treble timbre is very much audible. So I brought a dac - Audiocular d07 (cx31993) and still the sound seems same. Only this time, I max out at 30 volume instead of usual 80 without the dac. Can I do anything to improve this like buying a better dac or waiting to get adapted to it. Or should I just return this and get the hexa. I can live with lower bass but can't bear any bloated bass.

Small list of the ones I recommend for beginners with budget 1. Moondrop chu ii 2. Kz castor (original or pro) if you like bass, pick the black one 3. 7hz Zero Red 4.sgor adonis

Better? For certain situations. They really can't be beat for bang-for-the-buck performance. You can get VERY good sounding iems for as low as $25 (Moondrop Chu II, for example). They also just sound different from other setups. Open back headphones will have WAY more space and soundstage in almost every case. But a great amp and speaker setup will do even more for a sense of envelopment and tactility. The one, almost undeniable, advantage of iems is the lower price of entry into very good sound. The law of diminishing returns hits iems, headphones, and speakers just the same...iems just have a generally lower point of entry to very good sound. They also are , generally easier to power so they work well with cheap DAC/amps like the Apple dongle.

I’m surprised to see the Original 7 Hz Salnotes Zero on the list but not the Zero 2. The Zero 2 is the one I see recommended most on here, with TANGZU Wan’er and Moondrop Chu II very close seconds.

I using moondrop chu IIs on series x and ps5 for warzone and they are a ton better for hearing steps and such than my headsets, albeit warzone's soundmix is shit to begin with, lol

I like the Chu2 better in that price range and for it would be a better choice. But it does have know issue with humidity and recently I have seen some complains that the volume on one side of their Chu2 becomes lower after some months. Do you have any other recommendations? There is 7hz Zero and Zero 2.. Would have gone for Zero 2 but its more on V shape

Chu 2 no contest

Some people dislike that the nozzles on the chu 2 are unlacquered brass and if they get wet will start to get some green oxides. That's literally it. You can wipe the nozzles off every now and then with a paper towel. Also the chu 2 has replaceable filters, unlike anything else. Chu 2 is by far the best all rounder. Wan'er are a total tier down and kz is a shady company not worth supporting (the castor is only okay too) The only $20 options in the same tier as the chu 2 are the kinera wyvern and the tanchjim bunny

I don't have the beast, but I would say the wyvern is as good. Bear in mind that cost isn't always a mark of higher quality. Chu 2, wyvern or tanchjim bunny are my votes

I can vouch for Moondrop Chu II. They're very good in terms of sound quality for the price they offer but it's not water resistant, so don't bring them to somewhere with high humidity or near water. Also if the cable breaks, you can replace them as long as the IEM itself is not damaged

i personally won't bother with it . you have a kz anyway , just get another cheap-fi . chu 2 is pretty good for the price

Well, I'd appreciate if you could help me a little.I actually got the Chu 2, unfortunately, due to moisture problems it developed a lot of channel imbalance, I now want a second iem, around the same budget, About my experience with the sound of the Chu 2, It had a nice amount of bass, maybe slightly too much, but it was okay, was happy with the treble too, but the mids just seemed too pulled back, I felt it was a bit too on the warm side, electric guitars felt a little warm and dull and didn't have that bite, I felt it could do with a little more emphasis on the vocals. Now, I wanted to try out the og Zero, but I've heard a lot of bad things about the fit, I had to use the smallest size tips with the Chu 2, so I'm unsure if the Zero would fit in my ears or not, and heck, even then my right ear could've used a slightly smaller tip size. I've decided on between the Gate, Wan'er or the Zero if it fits. Could you advise me on what I should buy? Any other suggestions except the iems I just listed? Thanks for any help, I would greatly appreciate it

Chu II is one of my absolute favourites, I have 250£ IEMs and still prefer the Chu II. Also CCA CKX. These are my all time favourites, fit is great and their sound is the best in my honest opinion

My Shure SE215's don't sound as good as my Chu 2's. My recommendation would be to buy a pair of Chu 2's first and see if they tickle your pickle before getting any other IEM's.

$20. Seriously, the chifi IEM market is crazy and there are a bunch in the $20-30 range that are really, really impressive. Based on your preferred tune, I'd suggest the Tangzu Wan'er SG or Wan'er II. I prefer the sound of the II, but the SG cost me only $11 a few weeks ago. The base cables are ... meh, but pretty easy to swap out. If you want a more v-shaped tune, the Chu II are also pretty great.

Any $10 USB-C dongle, and a pair of Tangzu Wan'er 2 (neutral), Moondrop Chu II (v-shape), or 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 (bumped bass) will beat the earpods.

Whenever someone pops up here asking which $100 IEM they should buy, my standard response is to spend $60 on a Wan'er 2, Zero:2, and Chu II, $10 on a dongle DAC, and spend the other $30 on something else (or save for upgrade). EQ is cool, but it's not magic. And finding something close to your preference and starting there goes a long way. Also, not for nothing, but I used a different tunes of IEMs at my desk (Wan'er) vs. working in a loud office (Chu II) vs. walking my dog (Zero:2), and playing with multiple tunings helps you figure that out.

If you go for a budget one (and many people might hang me for saying this), you can equalize a bit more bass for them. Wan'er 1 are warm and pretty solid, Chu II are more shouty but have good performance and Salnotes have a nice sound stage.

I like whatever the crankle ones were the other week and Chu 2. Much more entertaining

Agreed, though less harsh than the "vaunted" Chu II. People glazed that IEM and to this day I still don't know why. Was the one time my feelings on an IEM were completely different from Crin.

Don't buy chu 2 their filters get clogged due to moisture and require regular cleaning also the connector pins are not that strong. Mine broke within 11 months and also the bass is pretty bad.

Unpopular opinion… Moondrop Chu II AND KZ Dawn. They’re ~$25 USD combined, and the Chu II are pretty … tame and the KZ are more “fun”. For less than the cost of a USB-C cable from Apple you’ll get a nice little intro into the IEM world. (Also fwiw I’m an avid IEM user with too many high, middle and low end sets… lol)

Add the delci, T10, zero 2, zero red, S08, chu 2, gate. I haven't heard it but the hexa is "light on bass," but I heard they're excellent otherwise. Personally I would get the T10 or S08 because they're planars. I have a zero red, gate, chu 2, zero 2. In terms of out of the box sound I find the Chu 2 to be the most exciting and lush and the most comfortable (it's absolutely TINY). I found gate too bright and the zero 2 kinda weak in note-weight but all of these things are "well tuned". If bass is your thing the zero red with some mucking around with PeaceAPO on PC (like matched to a singularity) absolutely *delivers.*

I have the space travel and just got another space travel for my gf and a chu 2 despite people saying it's bright, because it squigs nearly the same as the zero red just with more bass everywhere. I think the metal shell is a nice touch.  At first i didnt like the space travels sound. It has a Bluetoothy poor resolution. After grocery shopping with it for 2 hours i was left impressed. It is tuned very well and I dont get a harsh or metallic sound, theyre smooth everywhere and have good bass. The only down side for the price is my dunu tips dont fit in the charging case and the OEM tips suck. ANC and transparent modes work well enough but the voiced translation between them is off with "hmm", "hey", and "sleep". Highly worth the price. 

Try checking out the Moondrop Chu II, 7Hz Zero, or Truthear Gate. The Wan’er is great for music, but I wouldn’t recommend it for gaming.

Personally I'd go for the Chu 2 over the Gate because the treble on the Gate is a bit grainy, though you do need to be a bit more careful about humidity because of the metal shells. They're both a similar Harman-inspired, mild v-shape.

They all perform pretty similarly. I'd have to A/B to remind myself but I *think* the Chu 2 is slightly ahead of the rest. The Gate might be a bit wider sounding actually because it's a bit brighter than the Chu 2, but IMO it's not as well tuned as the others and can sound a bit "scratchy" at times. If you want to avoid too much bass, you will probably prefer the 7Hz Zero as it's a bright-neutral tuning (Chu 2 & Gate are both mild v-shape, Wan'er & Zero 2 are warm-neutral). With that said, none of these are basshead. Bear in mind that soundstage is a psychoacoustic effect anyway, so what sounds wider to one person might not sound like that to someone else. Very broadly, a slight v-shape with a lean towards more treble and less mid-bass will sound wider, but there's no guarantee everyone will hear it that way.

If you want to stay on a budget, Moondrop Chu II are going to change your life coming from these. With some EQ they can deliver some serious punch.

I have used Sennheiser IE 300, Moondrop Blessing 2 Dusk, Phoenix Call, Chu 2, Tanchjim Origin, Tanchjim kara, Dunu Da Vinci, Mega5est, Simgot EA500, Kinera Skuld, Tin T2, Tanchjim One.and softears volume s on the way soon.

Any example of something that gives much better value for your money than my Chu 2s? I like them but they did develop a channel imbalance that I kinda fixed by cleaning the filter. Maybe more expensive options have a smaller chance to develop problems Like this?

Aku tak tau Umur ko,sebab telinga kita ni ada certain frequency yang lebih kita sharp,ada yang kurang,Dan semestinya lagi tua Umur,lagi kurang benda tu jadi tak sama dengan zaman kita remaja,kalau antara 50-100,hmm aku lebih cadangkan empunya badan cari IEM,bergantung jenis music apa ko nak dengar jugak,rock,classic,rnb/hip-hop,irama traditional ke?ataupun secara general best bang for bucks gitu?ada dalam range harga tu yang aku kaut kat shopee moondrop chu II jenis lama belum ada type C sumbat(sebab aku lebih nak guna dengan phone je) dengan fiio JD 3,aku sumbat sekali dengan jcally jm 06 pro portable dac to type c,overall untuk belanja 2-2 iem sekali portable dac tak sampai 200,puas hati?syukur,puas hati untuk semua jenis lagu,tak kisah lah slipknot ke,guns n roses ke Busta rhymes ke,Js Bach ke,telinga aku puas hati,dengar detail

Entry level ? Very entry level : Chu 2 / Entry level : Kiwi Ears Candeza / Quite entry level : Artti T10 / Less entry level but still: Simgot EA500LM Voilà 😄

No one mentioning the EDC Pro or newer Saga? I have all three you have listed. Of the three, I like the Wan'er the best, but only if you cover the front vent to give it a bass boost. Stock, it's great for movies and K/J-pop. Cover the front vent, it's now good for EDM (think PulsRadio Dance's poppish EDM) The Castor Pro Bass is a bit too V shaped for me. The bass and trebles are the best of the three. And has the most technical build {2 DDs) and requires more power, so buy a good DAC with 30mW per channel. And you can EQ the mids to give you an even better sound. The Chu 2 is decent Just... decent. Nothing special. I'll get hate for it, but to me, the sound boring. So I'd rank them in this order 1 Wan'er (with front vent covered. If not covered, then go with Castor Pro Bass) 2 Castor Pro Bass (probably best of three for gaming) 3 Chu 2 ...or buy the new KZ Saga and be done with it.

100% this. The ChU II is very boring. Not much bass, recessed mids, squishy trebles. And they fall out of my right ear, which requires larger tips for a sealed fit, Audio Amigo gives them a "brilliant" rating, and I cannot understand why. Even my KZ EDC Pro sounds far better for half the price. The only good thing about the Chu II is the metal build quality (unless you live in humid areas, then you're screwed)

Your post is awesome. Revisiting it a lot! Started the hobby about a month ago and got the Wan'er then the Chu II. I believe I like the Wan'er warmth better and it feels comfier on my ears (still tip rolling on the Chu II). I'm looking for a brighter IEM and a bassier one too just to know which tuning I prefer. Which one would you recommend?

Tangzu Waner studio edition sounds better than chu II. But chuII has better build quality.

me using Moondrop Chu II for wired.

I've had both, Chu 2 is better but se215 does sound more natural, I remember first Chi-FI IEM I tried from the friend Trn V30, it was all around better than se215 only upper bass sounded kinda harsh on it, on se215 it was more polished, that was one thing it was better than $30 IEM from 5 years and a half years ago, new stuff has gotten even better, I'd take GATe over it any day even if same price

most of these $20-ish IEMs are pretty much all same sound quality, detail level, QKZ Odin, Moondrop CHU II, Truthear GATe, 7Hz Zero, 7Hz x Crinacle Zero: 2, Wan'er SG, Wan'er SE but for what you are looking for QKZ Odin will imo be the best choise, Wan'er SG is also good but their build quality is step or two below everything else on the list

Beautiful setup you got there, congrats! I’m a bit further down the rabbit hole as I started with entry level ones (Chu 2, Zero 2, GATe) but upgraded recently to the RED. Waiting for the upgraded cable to arrive, in the meantime the GATe’s cable is just fine https://preview.redd.it/ndz2f2sys35e1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9067996897e9b48c51f8bc034f4516e9dc4b017c

none of them are any extra airy, i have all of them and i would pick zero:2 for hiphop stuff

$20 Chu II. I've reviewed over 50 iem and blind tested them on many musicians and chu II is the absolute most liked sub $40 iem. Only close second was the Kiwi Cadenza at $35

I always come back to the chu 2. They're crazy comfortable and sound great.

KZ is trash, buy Moondrop Chu II or Truthear gate instead 👍

Chu II or Truthear gate is better

Better sound, better build quality and accessories

Chu 2 cannot be loud and are a bit muddy…

If you’re going super budget then moondrop chu II can’t be beat for the money. I personally use kinera norm but they’re honestly overkill. If you’re lucky and have an audiophile store near you then just go try on iems till one fits you well

I have the Chu 2 and Castor Pro Bass version. The Chu 2s are way better all around than the Castor Pro Bass - way clearer detail, midrange, treble, more ergonomic for small ears, build quality, etc. I did notice the Chu 2 sounding a bit dark and metallic & sibilant in songs with a lot of cymbals, but it's still way better than Castor Pro Bass for everything but mid bass quantity.

Not entirely sure at lower price points. The original Chu is pretty close to flat, with a bit of treble bit though.  But as I said if you’re just looking for a great all rounder, you might want to avoid a “flat” IEM. Anything that requires any bass will IMO not be satisfying enough. Hexa although not flat is pretty good for an allrounder.  You might want tri try a cheap IEM first and keep that for a few weeks or months to see what it is you want. Chu or Chu II (more bass) might be a good fit

Zero:2 and Chu 2 are both good starter sets. They sound sort of similar (imo) and both have a good, comfortable fit. I find myself using the Zero:2 most often, but would be happy with the Chu 2 if that’s all I had.

Wan'er Studio Edition doesn't have a lot of bass, not even compared to Chu 2. At least that's my impression when I tried both of them.

I am using Chu 2 with FLAC files from listening to hard rock and heavy metal music.

Oh yeah, hard to beat IE200 or final E4000 for comfort. Meze Albas is another one known for comfort. Apart from that look single driver iems like S08. For cheaper ones Chu II's are fantastic. P.S - most iems you find will already be smaller than mp145, I find them too big (helps the Soundstage though), for ex: Nicehck f1 pro has the same driver in a much smaller shell.

Go with Tangzu Wan'er SG or Tangzu wan'er SG Studio edition, use the EQ by Timmy (from Gizaudio & now Hangouts.audio), or just use ur own EQ (which is best). They r so good. I EQ'd my wan'er studio on the Hola signature, and it is so good. Alternatively, Zero and Zero 2 are pretty great. I personally prefer zero 2 over zero but some prefer the opposite. Chu ii is a very safe bait too. Lastly I'd say take a look at Truthear Gate, tho I'm personally not the biggest fan. I heard KZs here and there from others , not a big fan of the signature. Haven't experienced any of simgot IEMs, tho heard a lot of good things about them. If u end up going with the simgot one, pls do tell your experience with it, I'm interested on them.

Oh great choice, Chu ii build quality is also great. Enjoy 💜💜

Thoughts on Clavelon Delta? Im looking something similar to it (eyeing Dunu Kima 2 atm) and coming from Chu 2, it sounded "too fun", I'm looking for a balanced, but more details etc that isn't too treble-y. TIA!

chu II has a balanced pre set and also has the DSP functionality if you are buying that one and also is a well respect pair so personally you should go with them.

or the chu II love them both

X2 on the conclusion, i've got a pair of Chu 2 and the G1, i like em both, i read about the cadenzas everywhere so i would like to know too.

Chu II with Spinfits CP100+ are a match made in heaven.

Chu 2. Yep, I use them. It's the most comfortable pair for me. I still use them for sleeping because they are really comfy. https://preview.redd.it/l9ajv7ge6wre1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fd4965213e69492f936a7417d63b57f463cc4601

I came here to ask the same question, Ping me if someone answers I'm driving daily a pair of Moondrop Chu ii with 3rd party OCC

Best for the price, period

the chu 2’s are actually worth

Hello! First of all, i have smallish ears too, while artti t10 are very nice overall, they are not THAT small, sound is great though :) I have ie200 and they get a solid recommendation, also look at meze alba, from moondrop you should look at chu2 (dsp is better soundwise, i have both), LAN, SSR which are very small but the tuning is kinda weird (see a graph to get an ideea), Letshuoer d13 are kinda the same shape as artti t10 but considerable smaller (40 ish $ on ali and boy they worth it at this price), tanchjim tanya dsp if you like your bass. From this list the only set i don't own is the meze alba. (ps: i can sleep with every iem you see mentioned above). Best of luck and happy listening mate!

I recently bought chu 2 a week before everything feels good fitting, vocals and all. But it doesn't have much bass. If you want want bass I would say go for castor. Also purchase from headphonezone, they are legit also the price difference. I got the chu 2 for around 1740.

Chu 2 are a little bit female vocal forward , lower bass than the CASTOR, not meant for gaming, it's usually for 24hr music listener, (good choice for those who want c type with dsp) (But serious problem with humidity/filters) Good for small ears .and cute too Now about the castors , good for gaming and music, u can always have the advantage to tune the eq switches to reach a similar output like chu2 ,the whole reason 80% in r/iem like the castor is due to its soundstage and the ability to physically tune the switch.. https://preview.redd.it/rnebek0tpfhe1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=135bc045d85a20e4afaeb8fdac2a3bb48c9fd296 THATS WHY THE DEAL BREAKER IS THE castor FOR ME , ESPECIALLY AT THAT PRICE 🔂💯

I prefer open back headphones when gaming so I can hear the tactile feedback of my keys. I mainly use my sennheiser 560s but also a pair of KOSSs work really good for gaming too. Where I think IEMs excel at gaming are for gaming on the go. I use a pair of Moondrop CHU IIs with my steam deck and they work pretty good

Chu 2 have fun bass. the vocal might be a bit thinner but its still a fun iem for rock music,

If you are really keen on being scrutinous in determining the sound you like most, I highly suggest getting something in the $20 range and go up from there. Getting something neutral like the Tanchjim Bunny, Tangzu Waner (any edition), Salnotes Zero (1) or MoonDrop Chu II would be a great start. BUT just get one pair. So for example, you get the Tanchjim Bunny first. Listen to it for at least a month, then if you find anything in the frequency lacking or copious, then find your upgrade from your findings. I hope this makes sense. My biased answer is for you to get the Hexa or 7hz Zero as these are 2 of my favorite IEMs right now. Cheers.

Definitely Chu II

Moondrop Chu Ii

For me although it has a good v shape, the bass lacks a little. It sounds muffled on some heavy bass songs. The midrange is limited as well on some instrumental jazz tracks when the treble is present, for an example Pharoah Sanders, You got to have freedom track. I use this track mostly when testing IEMs. The moondrop was one of my first IEM along with KZzs 12 Pro X tuning model and Simgot EW300 HBB. The Letshuoer Cadenza4 is my daily driver for now. It has the best sound signature for what I listen to.

For neutral I’d recommend chu 2 or tangzu wan’er (new one releasing soon btw) a bit more exciting would be 7hz zero 2 and even more (ideal for hip hop) would be Blon x HBB Z300

I just bought my first IEM (Chu 2) last week and was really impressed by how clear it sounded, yet still longing for bass. Here I am, looking for an extra pair to rock out whenever I feel the need to get that BASS rumble. I'm really not sure how different TFZ connector is to what my Chu 2 has. Any clue here?

It depends on your tuning preference. I’m not a fan of the tuning of the APP, so I even most of my budget IEMs (Zero 2, Chu 2, Wan’er, etc.).

For audio production, I personally wouldn’t use anything less than the Zero Red. The closest to me at the price point would probably be either the Chu 2. Then slightly more expensive might be the Kiwi Ears Cadenza. If you haven’t chanced upon it yet, [here’s ](https://www.reddit.com/r/iems/comments/1ei7lp2/newbie_advice_for_what_is_the_best/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) my standard advice that may help you find the answer you need.

Maybe the Zero 2 or the Chu 2. There’s a chance you’ll hate them both. Sampling different sets until you find your tuning preference is a reality of the hobby that people don’t normally tell newbies. You could get lucky and like your first set, but there’s a chance you won’t. There’s really a lot of trial and error until you find what’s best for you.

Agreed, the cheapest "good sound quality" headphones I can think of are some Koss stuff and even those are around RM140-200. (If OP's priority is sound quality anyways) Some recommendations for OP if he doesn't mind IEMs: KZ Castor Bass edition, KZ EDC Pro, Moondrop Chu II, Tangzu Wan'Er original and SE versions, 7Hz Zero 2 and original versions, and the Truthear Gate. Note that I only specifically recommend those 2 KZ models since the rest of their lineup don't sound as good unless you move up the price bracket. KZ also has issues with deceptive marketing as well with certain models where they switch out the drivers randomly in the middle of the production run. The Chu II can occasionally be found for around RM40-50 in carousell, and if you live in the Klang Valley, starspicker's store sometimes have open box Chu IIs for sale.

The Chu 2 and Zero 2's at \~25USD are pretty good entry level ones but if you can afford better ones, HEXA seems to be the common favorite although are $80.

I'm a beginner in IEMs, just got a Chu 2 and it's awesome and I'm loving it

I'd recommend **Vic Firth's Headphones**. These are pretty good, they sound pretty good and isolate really well, while still able to make surroundings clear, so you hear others around you easily. These are great and quite affordable. These cost about 35-50€. The other option is IEMs, such as **Moondrop Chu II**. I really recommend these IEMs, since they sound really good and remain a good balanced sound, unlike many KZ's IEMs I've gone through and suffered with. Chu II offer a good ability to hear outside, while still dampening at least 10db. These IEMs are *in my opinion* best of audio equipment you can get just for **20€**. If you're willing to spend more in IEM market, maybe consider **"Truthear Hexa** or **Moondrop Kato** :)

No headphone or IEM will match the sound you hear. I have tried Truthear Hexa and Moondrop Kato, but I don't own them, so I can't say how do these work with drums. I own Moondrop Chu II and Vic Firth SIH2 and speaking of isolation I have to say, that in my experience Moondrop Chu II sound clearer, while not protecting your ears as much, but Vic Firh SIH2 is slightly duller, but protects your ears way better. If you play heavyer genres, I'd recommend getting Vic Firth SIH2's for protecting your ears, since you only have them once.

I just bought the chu 2, ill try these super low budget out for a month and then ill get back here to invest more!

Get the Chu II, they're bloody amazing. (Be advised the default tips are atrocious to the point of being unusable if you have small/medium ear canals or if you're easily irritated by low quality ear tips)

chu 2 is all time legend, for 18 usd it is unparalleled)

Hear me out. I have the 64a A6t customs. From Crinacle’s recommendation (IEM reviewer) I bought the Moondrop Chu II for $20 from Amazon. Believe me when I tell you these IEMs are amazing! The clarity in them is insane and the main difference with my other pair is that the the A6ts are a bit warmer overall. I was SUPER doubtful of another cheaper IEM pair but the Moondrop is truly the exception (the contruction is not even plastic). Just make sure with all IEMs you clean them every so often to avoid blockages.

The $20 Moondrop Chu II IEMs are the best bang for buck out right now. So much clarity

Can’t go wrong with 64 Audio even the lower tier model. I would try the universal fit equivalents before buying them though. For cheap IEMs the Moondrop Chu II are always my modern day go to

I haven’t tried other IEMs but I use the chu 2 and I don’t have any problems in any game with audio. Though I haven’t tried anything with great surround sound. They are also extremely comfortable

My chu 2 has been great

First was zero red 2s but I ended up returning them bc they didn’t fit in my ears well, now I got the chu 2s

I'm really torn between the standard version and the dsp/hbb. I really like how the dsp/hbb version looks but scared of paint chipping in the future. My current iem is CHU 2(got it on august last year) and moondrop is known for QC issues, not sure about Simgot.

I just bought KZ Castor bass improved edition and loving it for both music and gaming. I played CS2, Valorant and Once Human and it perform well sound and sound stage wise. I mainly use hyperx cloud alpha for gaming and music and bought Chu 2 several weeks ago as alternative . Sadly Chu 2 is terrible for FPS gaming. The footstep clarity whether it's coming from in front or behind/ up or down is very bad which KZ Castor doesn't have that problem. I'm not sure about other KZ lineups though as they're notorious for qc problems.