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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality is your top priority, and you listen to music in quiet environments, the Etymotic ER4XR would be a solid choice due to their sound accuracy and isolation performance. However, they may not be as comfortable for long sessions and aren't the best for exercising due to their fit. On the other hand, the Moondrop Chu, being significantly less expensive, offer better overall value with good sound quality, a more comfortable fit, and a microphone, making them a versatile option for calls, gaming, and watching TV. The ER4XR has a detachable cable which implies better durability, while the Chu does not, but has a better build quality and is more comfortable. Keep in mind that neither of these options are wireless, both are closed-back earbuds with sound isolation, and neither supports features like active noise cancelling or water resistance. 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 ER4XR
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Moondrop Chu
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
8.0
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.7
8.8
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
6.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Moondrop Chu is only fair.
Cost
$234
$18
$0
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$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Moondrop Chu costs $18.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Moondrop Chu has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.0
7.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to be very good for music, while the Moondrop Chu is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
7.6
The Moondrop Chu and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
7.4
7.5
The Moondrop Chu and Etymotic ER4XR are both good for TV and video.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Moondrop Chu compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Moondrop Chu |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $18 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | April 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 8.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 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 ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
Moondrop Chu
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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 ER4XR 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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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