Tanchjim Zero Ultima VS Moondrop Quarks 2

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Tanchjim Zero Ultima follows Origin almost one-to-one, right down to the single dynamic driver and the easy bullet-style fit with inline mic and fixed cable. The tonal balance skews neutral-bright: sub-bass is modest, the 2–5 kHz region sits a bit high, and upper treble adds extra sheen, which can make notes feel lighter in weight and vocals a touch lean.

The upside is a competent driver that takes EQ gracefully. Pulling the 2–5 kHz down a few dB (below a Harman-like target), trimming the upper treble ~1–2 dB, and adding a small sub-bass lift steers the presentation toward the more natural, Oxygen-style balance with fuller vocal body and cleaner timbre. Stock tuning is a bit bright, but with that simple tweak Zero Ultima becomes a very pleasant, well-behaved daily set.

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Tanchjim Zero Ultima comes in dirt-cheap and unapologetically simple: an attached 3.5 mm cable with inline mic, featherweight shells (~2.3 g), and hilariously oversized nozzles for such tiny housings. Build cues scream budget—y-split quirks and all—but the box stuffs in a plush pouch, a stack of tips, and a manual with more pages than dollars. Under the hood sits a 10 mm double-chamber DD (DMT4), and it can want a bit of juice, yet nothing a normal source can’t handle.

Sonically, this is shock therapy for the price bracket: huge, cinematic soundstage that projects like a mini “screen” in front, with a surprisingly balanced tuning—not a bass cannon, not a treble sabre. Kick drums land with a clean thump, strings float way out without turning sharp, and the overall presentation stays cohesive instead of “fake-detail” crispy. It’s the kind of set that makes $20–$25 feel like a typo, happily chewing through AC/DC, Barry White, Pink Floyd, and Deadmau5 without crying mercy.

Value play is off the charts: call it a $40 performer sold for pocket change, perfect as a daily beater or keychain set. If a detachable cable is a must, the Bunny sibling stands by, but Zero Ultima’s stage and easygoing balance are the party trick here. Bottom line: audiophile nonsense in the best way—ridiculous width, no harshness tax, and an infectious fun factor that embarrasses pricier toys.

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Moondrop Quark 2 is a very affordable pair of IEMs around 17 USD that focuses on practicality, combining a fixed USB C cable with an integrated DAC, mic and simple bullet shaped shells. Build feels surprisingly solid for the price, with a sturdy USB C plug that inspires confidence and a light, comfortable fit that can be worn straight down or over ear. Isolation is a major highlight: the seal is so strong that office noise, fans and even mechanical keyboard clatter are largely blocked out, making this a compelling option for commuting or noisy environments, although potential pressure build up should be kept in mind for sensitive users.

On the tuning side Quark 2 delivers a smooth and safe response with a sub bass focused lift that keeps the low end clean but on the lighter side, so bass quantity and slam will not satisfy those who want a heavy hitting presentation. Midrange is the clear star, with male and female vocals rendered cleanly and without shout or harshness, helped by controlled bass and relaxed upper treble that let voices sit a little forward in the mix. Treble provides enough energy to prevent the sound from becoming dark and cymbals and high frequency instruments are present without sibilance, but extension, air and sparkle are modest, giving an overall character that is more relaxed and easygoing than bright and exciting.

From a technical standpoint Quark 2 is solid for its price but not a detail monster, with detail retrieval and dynamics sitting around average, an average to slightly below average stage and imaging that still places sounds clearly to the left and right. For budget listeners the mix of clean tonality, good channel matching and the integrated USB C DAC makes the overall sound quality feel excellent at the price, yet when compared directly to the Moondrop Chu II the Quark 2 reaches only around sixty to seventy percent of its performance in bass impact, naturalness, separation and micro detail. Quark 2 clearly wins on cost, isolation, comfort and cable durability, while Chu II still takes the lead for pure sound quality, versatility and accessories, so the better choice depends on whether maximum isolation and convenience or higher technical performance matter more.

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The Moondrop Quark 2 is an ultra budget in ear monitor that comes in around 17 dollars and focuses on practicality and convenience as much as sound. The tiny bullet style shells are easy to wear, the materials feel simple but sturdy enough for daily use, and the built in microphone and USB C termination make it a grab and go option that hobbyists can toss in a bag without worry. At this price it already brings a sense of value before any music starts.

Sonically the tuning leans toward a neutral signature with mid range forwardness, putting vocals and instruments front and center while bass and treble sit slightly in the background. Upper mids are shaped in a way that makes voices and many instruments sound fairly natural, but the lower mids and mid bass sit below a more typical preference, which can leave notes a little thin and lacking weight. Sub bass is emphasized more than mid bass, keeping things clean and avoiding bleed into the mids, yet the overall bass level is still lighter than ideal and does not fully balance the upper mid energy.

The top end has enough treble presence to hear cymbals and higher frequency information, but there is not a lot of shimmer, sparkle or air, so extension and micro detail are limited and the presentation stays on the relaxed side. Technical performance is about what can be expected at this price, with some detail and a stage that is not wide but also not overly intimate. While several rivals like the Chu, Waner and especially the Celest Wyvern Abyss offer a tuning that lines up closer with a typical preference for bass and treble, the Quark 2 still makes sense for vocal focused listeners who value its tidy form factor, built in features and are happy with a slightly leaner and more easygoing sound for seventeen dollars.