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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If audio quality is your top priority, especially for music, the Etymotic ER2SE offers superior sound but at a higher price. However, the Moondrop Chu might be preferable for calls and meetings due to its better microphone quality and is more affordable. The Moondrop Chu also seems to have better comfort and is slightly lighter, with larger earbuds, which can affect fit. Neither has wireless capabilities or active noise cancelling, but the Etymotic has higher noise isolation. The ER2SE has a detachable cable, which could be beneficial for durability and serviceability, whereas the Moondrop Chu does not. It's important to consider these differences when selecting between high sound quality and better call clarity versus comfort and affordability. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Etymotic ER2SE
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Moondrop Chu
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
8.8
7.9
The Etymotic ER2SE is very good for music, while the Moondrop Chu is good.
Gaming
6.2
8.0
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER2SE is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.9
8.8
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER2SE is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.0
The Etymotic ER2SE is excellent for noise reduction, while the Moondrop Chu is only fair.
Cost
$100
$18
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Etymotic ER2SE has a price of $100 and the Moondrop Chu costs $18.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER2SE has excellent build quality, while the Moondrop Chu has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
7.6
The Moondrop Chu and Etymotic ER2SE are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.8
7.5
The Etymotic ER2SE and Moondrop Chu are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER2SE and the Moondrop Chu compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER2SE | Moondrop Chu |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $18 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2019 | April 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 4.4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | In-Line | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER2SE
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | April 2022
"Etymotic isn’t playing around: it takes audio seriously and has mastered the art of the noise-isolation earphone. Sure, the fit of the earbuds looks silly but it’s a signature Etymotic thing and could be considered charming by some. If you’re looking for best-in-class audio for a realistic price, the ER2SE is it."
Moondrop Chu
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2022
"These budget buds put the pressure on those premium priced in-ear monitors to really justify the cost disparity. Offering excellent sound quality at any price, the Moondrop Chu is both a perfect entry into the audio enthusiast hobby, and an all around good pick for music fans."
Get a great deal on the Etymotic ER2SE or the Moondrop Chu
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
About Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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