Moondrop - LAN II POP

Not really in order, as different tunings: * Moondrop Chu 2 - mild v-shape, great IEM * QKZ HBB - warm/bassy, great IEM * Blon BL03 - fun v-shape (but the fit is terrible) Bright neutral has a few options - I prefer the original Chu but the crappy fixed cable lets it down. The 7Hz Zero is a bit better in that regard, but I don't think it sounds quite as good. Arguably it's better to pay the extra for the Moondrop LAN for this signature because it's the best one until you go up significantly, but OTOH it's also kind of overpriced for what it is (I think it's around $40 normally, but it's basically just a Chu 2 with less bass). The 7Hz Zero 2 is OK as well but I personally find it a bit of an overly safe middle ground between other, better IEMs. Like the QKZ HBB, if you want warm but don't want to go quite that warm. It's probably the one that's the closest competitor to the Wan'er, as a better all-rounder. Although I find the Wan'er has a stand-out feature in its vocals while being weaker elsewhere, but the Zero 2 doesn't have a single stand-out thing it does better than anything else. It could maybe get the award for the okayest $20 IEM, as it doesn't do anything bad, but nothing stands out as particularly good either. You also have things like the KZ EDC Pro as probably the best beginner IEM, for around $5. It's very close to the Chu 2 but a bit bassier and slightly less refined in the treble. Probably more comfortable than the Chu 2 and less prone to condensation issues. The KZ Castor Bass, around $15, is good for a really hard-hitting bass tuning, although it's not an all-rounder and the tuning is a bit grainy.

It's not 100% flat neutral (but nothing is in that price range), more U-shaped, but the Tin C2 is very good. It gets closer to neutral with Spinfit CP-100+ tips since those roll off the extra upper treble that they have, leaving it as pretty neutral with a slight bass boost. But they have very clean, well extended treble that IMO puts them quite ahead of the 7Hz Zero or Zero 2 for technical performance. Similar to the Simgot EW200 but that's a lot more v-shaped. Also the C2 has the best build quality out of any of those. The older one (which is now around $20) is closer to neutral than the 2025 version, which has a bit more sub-bass and sounds slightly more v-shaped. Both are very similar though. You probably wouldn't know there was a difference if you listened to them a day apart rather than A/B them side-by-side. If you want more of a bright-neutral with flatter bass, the Moondrop LAN is pretty good (around $40).

The EW200 has a lot of treble energy but also a lot of bass (although this is very dependent on getting a good seal with the eartips), so it's more of a v-shape than a bright set per se. It's a slightly more aggressive v than the Chu 2, but still the same general tuning concept. Probably the best bright-neutral set is the Moondrop LAN. There isn't really anything better than the LAN with that style of tuning until you get up to the level of the Blessing 3, which is quite a big jump. If you want to spend a bit less, the 7Hz Zero is also bright-neutral, but it doesn't sound as smooth & refined as the LAN. If you want something that has tons of treble energy and resolving ability, while also being a mild v-shape so there's a bit more kick to drums etc. (but very much a bright IEM) then consider the Simgot EA500. The original silver version, not the LM or the new black one. This one comes with a health warning though, because it is *very* bright and potentially quite fatiguing. Definitely one to avoid if you're at all treble-sensitive. This is an incredible IEM in short bursts, but I can't listen to mine for more than an hour or so at a time. It sometimes goes on sale for as low as $50 since the LM got released. It's by far the most technical IEM at that price other than maybe the Artti T10.

If you want something that sounds like the 7Hz Zero there's the original Moondrop Chu. It has a poor quality, non-removable cable, but apart from that I'd say it sounds better than the Zero. The most direct upgrade from that is the Moondrop LAN, but it's about $40. It's worth it if you can stretch your budget, because it has a much better (and removable) cable than the Chu, and the tuning is more refined than either the Chu or the Zero. There isn't much else with a similar neutral-bright tuning until you get into the $200+ bracket. If you aren't set on neutral bright specifically I'd look at the Tin C2 which is more U-shaped, but is a far better sounding (and better made) IEM than just about anything else in that price bracket. It's also [approved for gaming](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XynoXDaYCmY&t=2422s) by GadgetryTech although he hasn't done his full review yet.

If you want something very neutral then the Truthear Hexa needs consideration. The main downside with it are that the nozzles are quite largev. It's not as massive as the Zero Red/Blue but if you have smaller ears I'd avoid it. Also t has a very narrow soundstage. Another IEM with a similarly neutral tuning but a bit more sub-bass is the Thieaudio Legacy 2. I prefer that one to the Hexa and it's a lot more comfortable. It's slightly more expensive, but not much. Also the L2 has a bit more high treble roll-off although I don't find that sacrifices any detail, it just makes them a bit smoother sounding than the Hexa. These also have much better soundstage than the Hexa. Also sprach Zarathustra sounds very good on these btw; I don't listen to a lot of classical but that's one of my test tracks. I haven't heard the Aria 2 but I do have the Kato which it supposedly sounds nearly identical to, and it's another warm-leaning, mild-v. I think this will tend to sound a bit muddy with classical, compared to some of the brighter or more neutral sets. I wouldn't recommend the S08 either, because it's very tip-sensitive and even if you get good tip match, it's quite a dark tuning. It's great for certain music, but I don't think it will do classical very well at all. The S12 is a better option. Just make sure you have a reasonably good DAC/amp as planars don't always sound at their best when under-powered. Another potential alternative to the S12 is the Moondrop Stellaris. I would advise some caution here, because as it comes out of the box it's really bright and fatiguing. I personally find it becomes less fatiguing than the S12 Pro with Dunu Candy tips, but I can't guarantee those will work the same in anyone else's ears. Still [at least one reviewer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdLqjwXG7CA) recommends them for classical specifically. They do have a much flatter tuning than the S12. At least with the right tips they are a bright-neutral rather than an intense v-shape like the S12. Another non-planar option worth considering is the Simgot EA500. The original, not the LM. The LM is quite v-shaped and also sounds quite closed-in compared to the original. The downside of the EA500 again is, like several of these options can be so bright that it gets fatiguing. In fact it's probably the most fatiguing of these. It has a certain realism though and is nearly as resolving as the planars despite being a 1DD. It has a good sense of dynamics as well the largest soundstage I've heard on an IEM, with pin-sharp imaging. A much safer option is the Moondrop LAN. It's a bright-neutral tuning but regardless of eartips used it doesn't have so much treble energy for anyone to really find it fatiguing. It's also got quite a smooth treble response, and pretty decent soundstage. Short version: Moondrop LAN probably the safest option, but slightly less resolving than some of the others; Stellaris + Dunu Candy tips is a big upgrade iff your ears react to the tips the way mine do. Thieaudio Legacy 2 is another good & safe option.

Dunu Titan S (slightly warmer & more vocal-forward) or Thieaudio Legacy 2 (more of a reference-neutral). The Legacy 2 is maybe more suited to pro work as it can be a bit less forgiving about badly mastered tracks, but it's still a good IEM for listening to music, as long as you're not regularly listening to absolutely awful mixes. It has particularly good soundstage and imaging for the price. The Hexa gets recommended a lot, but I'm not a big fan because it has peaky treble, bad imaging, weak and flabby bass, and the fit is uncomfortable for a lot of people (including me), because of its large nozzles. There aren't really any other flat neutral options in that price range, but if you want a slightly brighter neutral then the Moondrop LAN is pretty good, as long as it hasn't sold out (it's been discontinued but the LAN 2 REF is even more bright and not as neutral). The Aria 2 isn't really neutral, it's more of a warm-leaning mild v-shape, but it's not some crazy Beats By Dre style of tuning or anything. It's probably close enough to neutral for most people and a good all-rounder (at least as far as I know as it's the only one I haven't heard, but I've heard what it's very frequently compared to). And of these will run just fine on the Apple dongle, even the EU one.

7Hz Zero (original not Zero 2) is the closest thing to neutral (leaning a bit bright) in that price range. If you want to spend a bit more (or can find it on sale) then the next step up is the Moondrop LAN. It's been discontinued so if you're lucky you might find one in a clearance sale. Avoid the LAN 2 because both versions are not as good as the original.

7Hz Zero (original not Zero 2) is the closest thing to neutral (leaning a bit bright) in that price range. If you want to spend a bit more (or can find it on sale) then the next step up is the Moondrop LAN. It's been discontinued so if you're lucky you might find one in a clearance sale. Avoid the LAN 2 because both versions are not as good as the original.

Truthear Hexa is probably what you want. Beware the nozzles are bigger than average, so it can be uncomfortable unless you have larger ear canals. There might be some brighter options with more boosted upper mids, which seems to be a more popular tuning in Asia for some reason. But they mostly get quite bad reviews, so I can't remember any offhand. That's if you intentionally want female vocals to sound shouty. The Hexa is more neutral than that, but it has a lot of treble extension so you shouldn't miss out on cybals, hi-hats, etc. The Moondrop LAN is also a bit brighter than the Hexa (but not to the extreme & not shouty), but it also has stronger bass (it's quite neutral bass, but the Hexa is a bit below flat neutral whereas the LAN is just above).

If you're planning to get the LAN then you should act quickly while there's still stock left. It got discontinued and the replacements don't seem to be as good as the original. I wouldn't rush out and buy the Clarion tips right away, as it might be fine on the stock tips. I don't like the Clarions on it personally. The effects of Clarions seems to vary quite a bit from person to person, because the shape means they seal abnormally well for some people, but they're usually bass-reducing and treble-increasing (and the LAN is already a slightly bright IEM). I've got some general [tip recommendations](/r/iems/comments/1dw6c4l/what_are_your_top_recommendations_for_eartips/lbspp1t/) if you happen to want to experiment. Just bear in mind it's a potentially expensive rabbit hole, as it's impossible to predict anything exactly without just trying for yourself. It's best to disregard any overly-specific recommendations (this tip on this IEM etc.) because how a given combination sounds in one person's ear canal and how it sounds in yours may be quite different. You can usually get a rough idea, like narrow bore tips tend to be bassier, wide bore tends to be brighter, etc., but even that doesn't hold 100% of the time.

It’s still a solid set if you like the tuning. Also works well for smaller ears.

Apologies if I'm necro-ing. But just looking at IEMs again after a long time. I've got up to a 75USD budget (quite a lot in local currency) and I see the TangZu wan er 2 and Moondrop Chu 2 being recommended for 20$ budget. How do they actually sound? For reference I have a WF 1000XM3 and have also listened to my sis' WH 1000XM5. My taste is right now for musical clarity, details in instruments but decent enough of bass (strong but not overwhelming as the Sony's) and just overall warmth? I'm sorry if I am not able to describe it correctly. I have heard (and am trying my friend's) salnotes Zero, but I kinda feel like it's lacking just a bit of mid range and lower bass. And some song's pitch hurts my ears. I've also set some Simgott EA500LM (2nd Gen?) and Moondrop LAN ii in my price bracket just to give an idea of how much I'm willing to pay. TIA for the recommendations. Any other IEMs in the same range is also appreciated

Thanks so much for your help! I'll go with Moondrop, either the Chu 2 or the Lan 2 Pop version. Just want to decide if it's a gonna be worth biting the bullet. Either ways. I'm excited

Hi there! I have decided to go with the Lan 2 Pop, and they just arrived today. My GOD they are actually what I wanted. I am enjoying it and have been the last 3 hours I'm testing them. Listened to a variety of songs now and I haven't felt fatigued. It's warm, bass is punchy but never overhelming. In some songs I feel it does enter the mids a little, but I could be wrong. Vocals are clear, sharp and stands out no matter, surprisingly. I don't get any sibilance in any of the songs so far, compared to my friends 7hz Salnotes Zero, but that's to be expected given the price difference and age. One thing to note is I don't know how to distinguish treble. Its something I'm still learning. This is my first set of IEMs after a long time out. I look forward to trying even more in the future should I start looking for a different sound. But this Moondrop Lan 2 feels like a nice entry point for myself. Others may disagree but that's okay.

I got the Moondrop Lan II Pop before it dropped out of my pocket one day on the bus (rip). It was really suitable for modern pop music or anything with a lot going on. It sounded clean, had a nice precise, but maybe a little weak thump of a bass but vocals were really clean, sharp and beautiful to listen to. I would 100% buy it again once stocks are replenish in my country, as all the online retailers are out of stock for the pop version. I just bought a Tanchjim Bunny to replace it temporarily and I'll see how it holds up. The word is that it really punches above it's price point.

Hi! You commented on my post and I thought I’d come by to give some advice! I would typically recommend the wan’er 2 as a first pair of iem’s but considering their large shell size they might not be for you. The Chu 2 are a great set absolutely and can be upgraded directly to the LAN 2 ref also from Moondrop. I wouldn’t recommend going for the ie200 because they cost a good amount of money but they take on a neutral tone which might be to your preference, I personally prefer a “fun” sound and therefore don’t use them often. Also consider tip sizes. If you find your canal is too small, most iem’s offer small tip sizes and you can find even smaller aftermarket, in which case I recommend the wan’er 2 as they have my favourite ever tips in the stock box that I use for all my iem’s. Don’t spend more than needed, I would recommend the KZ castors, Cadenza, Wan’er 1 or 2, Chu 2, or, if it’s in your budget, the LAN

Ziigaat Crescent is my current endgame for now (we all know that is temporary). I love it to the point that I was more than comfortable selling my Dusk and Mega5EST when putting funds together for my recent vacation. Rumble, slam, sparkle, air, soundstage, imaging are all on point and comes with name brand drivers. I do love my Daybreak, May, Deuce, and the recent addition, the Lan 2 Pop, but the Crescent has stolen my heart (and ears) for now.

Love my Lan II Pop. Very punchy in the mid bass with a light sub bass rumble. Vocals are nice and present. Can get a bit sharp at higher volumes if you are treble sensitive, so keep that in mind, definitely a medium volume set. Also, if you snag a pair, I suggest keeping a desiccant silica gel packet with it if you are in a humid area. It's very similar to the Chu/Chu2 with regards to moisture build up. Edit: Grammatical error.

Since you have small ears check out the Moondrop LAN II. Or the kefine klean. Both IEMS For closed back headphone at that price I’d say FiiO ft1, anything under that and IEMs are better performance.

https://preview.redd.it/o4md50y61aag1.jpeg?width=1492&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=edc050a42a15b6a76b4abaab430a2977bf1a4082 Moondrop Lan II, heard they have great separation and layering. REF version and POP version come with different waifu box (left one is POP and right one is REF which has lesser bass). They also come with Echo-B dongle so you don't have to buy one seperately. (These do not come with mic though, you might buy a replacement cable for it)

Moondrop lan 2, i used another iem with the same shell shape (chu 2) and they are really comfortable. Though you can probably get better ones for 150$

Recently bought a pair of MoonDrop Lan iems for $40. Really good headphones for the money. Good sound, very balanced, and really comfortable. Only thing I'd say is these are meant to be relatively neutral sounding so coming from apple dirty buds they might lack that bass punch you might expect, but in my experience so far, they still perform amazing for music with lots of low end. I listen to lots of metal and heavier genres as well as some electronic stuff and I love them.

Been using moondrop lan for valorant, FeelsGoodMan