Two Sub $25 USD IEMs Reviewed: Moondrop CHU II and KBEAR Flash

Okay, How do they sound?

I listened to both of these sets over several weeks, with the same cable, and on five different amplifiers. On both I used Spinfit Omni XL silicone tips, as I have found they fit my ear shape better than any other tips that I have tried. I did check fitment with the included tips on both IEMs. None of the tips included with the CHU II fit me well enough to either provide a seal, or even be comfortable. On the Flash, the largest set of the white silicone tips (which also have a very large bore) did fit, and I actually liked this set a lot on the Flash, though they were not quite as comfortable over long listening sessions as the Spinfits.

As I had the CHU II first, I will start with them. These have a slightly warm, soft sound signature. They just don’t seem to do anything wrong. The driver isn’t the fastest responding, or most precise driver, but it’s still quite good. Moondrop went for a modified Harmon Curve sound profile, and that’s what the CHU II gives you. I found the bass to be decent, perhaps elevated slightly, although not very tight. Vocals and woodwinds instruments are slightly recessed but still present in the music. Brass and guitars were presented quite well and very forward. At the very high end, symbols and piccolos were pulled back. The CHU II would most likely never be a fatiguing IEM to wear. The detail and high end never get to be too much.

I called them “soft” and that really seems to me to be the best word to describe them. They are detailed enough, but not so detailed that poorly recorded (or low bitrate) audio is going to sound like crap. Everything sounds just fine, and the music is enjoyable. Considering the price, I think the CHU II are pretty amazing.

Then I listened to the KBEAR Flash. These are ASTOUNDING!  The Flash present very strong, and very tight bass, giving the feeling of real impact from drums. They also have a lot more detail than the CHU II. High end is much more forward with the Flash. Symbols and Piccolos are present, but somehow they never seem to be too much. Actually, the high end on the Flash is almost perfect to me. It is very present, but never harsh or sibilant, unless the harshness or sibilance was present in the original recording. Brass and Guitar are just as forward with the Flash as they are on the CHU II, but again, there is more detail. This is most apparent on plucked stringed instruments. Much like the CHU II, vocals and woodwinds on the Flash are slightly recessed, but again, there is still more detail. I also found that vocals had a bit of airiness to them, almost as if you could hear the environment of the studio.