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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Moondrop Chu excels in overall sound quality and call clarity, suitable for music aficionados looking for value, and offers a wired connection for zero latency which is great for gaming or video. However, they are less comfortable for extended wear and don't support wireless use. The Sony WH-CH520, being over-ear headphones, provides superior comfort and longer battery life for prolonged use, with the convenience of wireless connectivity and better performance for calls and meetings, though at a somewhat higher cost. If active noise cancelling, app customization, and sweatproof features are a priority, neither of these options will suit those needs. 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 Moondrop Chu
- Very good for phone calls
Advantages of the Sony WH-CH520
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
8.0
8.8
The Sony WH-CH520 and Moondrop Chu are both very good for gaming, though the Sony WH-CH520 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
8.8
6.7
The Moondrop Chu is very good for phone calls, while the Sony WH-CH520 is only fair.
TV and Video
7.5
8.2
The Sony WH-CH520 is very good for TV and video, while the Moondrop Chu is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
4.6
The Moondrop Chu is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sony WH-CH520 is poor.
Battery
N/A
52.0 Hours
The Moondrop Chu does not have a battery. The Sony WH-CH520 has 52 hours of battery life.
Cost
$22
$40
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Moondrop Chu has a price of $22 and the Sony WH-CH520 costs $40.
Build Quality
8.5
7.0
The Moondrop Chu has very good build quality, while the Sony WH-CH520 has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.9
7.6
The Moondrop Chu and Sony WH-CH520 are both good for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.6
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WH-CH520 to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Moondrop Chu is good.
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How the Moondrop Chu and the Sony WH-CH520 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Moondrop Chu | Sony WH-CH520 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$22 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Moondrop | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.1/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 52 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 4.6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 8 Grams | 147.41 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | Integrated | |
Shopping
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."
Sony WH-CH520
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | September 2023
"If you’re looking for headphones that simply do what you ask them to: the Sony WH-CH520 is a decent option, even if it isn’t very exciting. Sony’s WH-CHXXX line fits this role quite well, and the WH-CH520 offers a decent raft of quality-of-life updates over its predecessor that should keep listeners happy. If the Sony WH-CH520 were a car, it’d be the boring-but-safe commuter compact."
Get a great deal on the Moondrop Chu or the Sony WH-CH520
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).
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
124,100
Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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.
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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