A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Focal Elex offers an immersive audio experience with a large soundstage, suitable for critical listening but it's significantly pricier, has an open-back design that doesn't isolate noise well, and isn't portable. In contrast, the Moondrop Chu is more affordable, provides strong overall sound quality with better voice call clarity, and is designed for portability with noise isolation features, making it versatile for various uses including travel and exercise, but it's less suitable for a spacious soundstage experience. Neither model is wireless nor features active noise cancellation. 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 Focal Elex
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Moondrop Chu
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Gaming
6.9
8.0
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the Focal Elex is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
8.8
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.1
7.6
The Moondrop Chu and Focal Elex are both good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Moondrop Chu is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.3
7.5
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Moondrop Chu is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Moondrop Chu is only fair for noise reduction, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Cost
$749
$22
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Elex has a price of $749 and the Moondrop Chu costs $22.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Elex has excellent build quality, while the Moondrop Chu has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
7.9
The Moondrop Chu and Focal Elex are both good for music.
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How the Focal Elex and the Moondrop Chu compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Elex | Moondrop Chu |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$749 | $22 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2017 | April 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
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 | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 450 Grams | 8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | In-Line | |
Shopping
Focal Elex
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Dig into reviews and images
Golden Sound
Golden Sound | October 2021
"The Focal Elex are an excellent pair of headphones for the money and a great all-rounder that will suit many tastes. They’re an easy recommendation for anyone looking for something comfortable, well built, that looks good, and will work with just about any genre."
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 Focal Elex or the Moondrop Chu
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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Why trust us
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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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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.
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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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