Moondrop Chu II VS 7Hz Salnotes x Crinacle Zero

Youtube Video Summary

Moondrop Chu 2 keeps the bargain spirit alive with a tidy kit: decent silicone tips, a leatherette pouch, and a surprisingly nice stock cable that feels premium for the price—though the missing chin slider is a small annoyance. Build is where it flexes: a full aluminum shell with brass nozzles and removable filters that invite easy tweak-mods or replacements. Comfort is better than the weight suggests, with the over-ear cable and earhooks distributing mass well—this one even passes the tiny-ears test. Aesthetically it’s classic Moondrop: understated elegance that reads more like functional jewelry. The big caveat: those brass nozzles can show oxidation/corrosion in humid climates, so a silica gel packet or dry storage is smart.

Tonally it’s a mild V-shape done right: boosted bass that’s punchy yet controlled, clean mids that sit a touch back without sounding off, and energetic upper-mids/treble that bring clarity without tipping into harshness for most. Technical chops are solid for the price, with imaging and stage that sit slightly above average. In the budget landscape it parks squarely between the 7Hz Zero (leaner, brighter) and the QKZ x HBB (warmer, smoother)—a middle-ground tuner that suits almost any genre. At about $19, it’s an easy “Brilliant” tier pick and a top first-IEM recommendation or tough beater pair; the only real hesitation is that humidity caveat. Add spring tips or a nicer case and it would nudge even higher.