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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality and an expansive soundstage are priorities for listening to music at home, the HifiMan Sundara will provide a premium experience with superior sound reproduction, but it lacks a microphone for calls and isn't as portable. The Moondrop Chu, being more affordable, offers good overall sound, a decent microphone, and increased portability, making it versatile for calls, gaming, or when you're on the go. The Sundara's planar drivers typically deliver richer detail, yet open-back design offers minimal noise isolation, while the Chu's closed design provides some isolation from ambient noise. Choose the Sundara for high-fidelity listening in quiet environments, or the Chu for a more all-round performance including outdoor use. 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 HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Moondrop Chu
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Music
9.3
7.9
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Moondrop Chu is good.
Gaming
7.2
8.0
The Moondrop Chu is very good for gaming, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
Phone Calls
4.9
8.8
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
7.5
The HifiMan Sundara 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 HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Cost
$279
$22
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Moondrop Chu costs $22.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
7.6
The HifiMan Sundara and Moondrop Chu are both good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The Moondrop Chu and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the Moondrop Chu compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Moondrop Chu |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $22 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | April 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | In-Line | |
Shopping
HifiMan Sundara
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
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 HifiMan Sundara or the Moondrop Chu
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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
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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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