CCA CRA wired IEM review

04 July 2022
Best budget in-ear monitors you can get today.

Sort by:

I got the Chu's a few months ago, and they're great, but then I got these and they are way more comfortable and fit much better in my case.

I suspect that part of their sound quality is due to the good fit.

I alternate between the Chu's and these according to my mood. Both are great in different ways and both were cheap, so why not?

I'd say that if you enjoy listening to the very popular Koss Portapro headphones, then you'll probably enjoy these CRA IEM's as well.

Similar v-shaped EQ, and both have a lot of energy and detail.

I also found the included ear tips to be better for me than the Spin Fit ones that are included with the Chu, in spite of those being considered to be of much better quality than those bundled with the CRA's, but these things are very personal and your milage may vary.

    Anonymous, 05 Jul 2022i'd recommend the Moondrop Chu over the Quarks; they a... moreChu has cable over air, which I can't stand, ordered tanchjim tanya in the end

      Anonymous, 04 Jul 2022If you don't mind cables that aren't removable yo... morethat's all great, but it cost nowhere close to Piston 3 price 15USD, anyway order tanchjim tanya

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • 6wN
        • 06 Jul 2022

        zodiacfml, 06 Jul 2022i have ended my madness and saved some e-waste, I found tha... moreIt may have flat sound profile so it can be boring but clear. I prefer bass heavy sound. So I use equalizer all the time even if it is bass heavy one. Different earphones handle that equalizer differently. For rock flat sound profile is better. But for pop I prefer bass heavy one.

          Anonymous, 06 Jul 2022I have these ones. Skullcandy Crusher Evo. Sony MDR-XB550AP... morei have ended my madness and saved some e-waste, I found that out that Samsung AKG earphones that came with my old phone is as good!😅 I never bothered to use or research it until now. the CRA is superior on measurements but doubt I could tell the difference if I get one. The AKG is well balanced than my other IEMs, no surprises or harshness in particular frequencies. Nothing stands out, maybe boring, but that is the point.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • 6wN
            • 06 Jul 2022

            zodiacfml, 06 Jul 2022true. I have around five wired and one cheap, old wireless ... moreI have these ones. Skullcandy Crusher Evo. Sony MDR-XB550AP. Jabra Elite 85t. Philips TAT2206. JBL Tune 125BT. Fiio FH3. Sennheiser CX300s. Remax RM-535. They are very different but I love them. I use wireless with my phone when I go somewhere. But at home I use wired. I want to try bone conducting headphones too.

              Anonymous, 05 Jul 2022Man I understand you. I also have 8 pairs of earphones/head... moretrue. I have around five wired and one cheap, old wireless and I want to control buying earphones because it is a waste that I dont use them much. back then, I used to commute and fly a lot. do you have an QKZ Ak6? I found graphs that it performs like the CRA except high frequencies.

                John, 05 Jul 2022I have both the CRA and AK6 and the two are nowhere similar... moreinteresting. im leaning into the Ak6 already because it is dirt cheap and I don't need the high frequencies that is available/very good on the CRA.
                I guess I need to look for reviews of the ak6. in the graphs, doesn't look much different from the CRA except 3db peak higher than the CRA around 5khz.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • 6wN
                  • 05 Jul 2022

                  Aan2007, 05 Jul 2022yeah I wouldn't mind the cable, but the price is not c... moreNo problem. For cheaper price you can check Sennheiser CX100. It it's similar but cheaper.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • 4X}
                    • 05 Jul 2022

                    I would argue that the Chu is still the overall better IEM. If you prefer a V shape sound signature, and detachable cables are a must for you, then yes get the CRA. But Chu, IMO, is better tuned and resolves better than the CRA.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • H0v
                      • 05 Jul 2022

                      Aan2007, 05 Jul 2022will look into Moondrop Quarks, they look interesting, than... morei'd recommend the Moondrop Chu over the Quarks; they are better in almost every aspect

                        • A
                        • Anindya
                        • 7km
                        • 05 Jul 2022

                        Lasted just 6 months for me

                          • J
                          • John
                          • 7kn
                          • 05 Jul 2022

                          zodiacfml, 05 Jul 2022appears i have no idea on the latest IEMs after KZ's r... moreI have both the CRA and AK6 and the two are nowhere similar. Both V shaped yes but the cra is much much more refined

                            NeonHD, 04 Jul 2022Yes, I'd say the Moondrop Quarks have a similar sound ... morewill look into Moondrop Quarks, they look interesting, thanks

                            as for KZ after buying I realized I can't stand cable over air, must be down

                              Anonymous, 04 Jul 2022If you don't mind cables that aren't removable yo... moreyeah I wouldn't mind the cable, but the price is not competetive, I can see 300S for 40EUR min., that's more than double what I am willing to spend for some 15USD Piston 3 replacement, thanks for recommendation though

                                • R
                                • Rkm
                                • FY0
                                • 05 Jul 2022

                                Anonymous, 05 Jul 2022Man I understand you. I also have 8 pairs of earphones/head... moreThe trick is to buy something that is very good which will make your current gear sound bad. It may be a little bit expensive but you will actually save later because you will stop buying.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • 6wN
                                  • 05 Jul 2022

                                  zodiacfml, 05 Jul 2022coming back to this review. turns out this one is ridiculo... moreMan I understand you. I also have 8 pairs of earphones/headphones but I buy more and more. I just love them. I think you can't have too many. You will find great ones and buy them anyway.

                                    zodiacfml, 05 Jul 2022coming back to this review. turns out this one is ridiculo... moreappears i have no idea on the latest IEMs after KZ's rise a few years ago. Turns out there is a an QKZ AK6 for $3 that performs slightly better than my Shure SE215 which I bought in 2015 for $100!🤯 The Ak6 is similar the CRA until 10Khz, where the Ak6 only to drop high frequencies starting at 10khz.

                                      coming back to this review. turns out this one is ridiculously good IEM. it is so balanced with more low bass and only a peak around 8Khz which can be EQd easily. very little can be improved on this; earphones has peaked and China did it, and at this price.🤯 maybe the ultra thin diaphragm technology in the driver/speaker made it possible.
                                      im buying this today which I should not do since I have enough earphones.

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • 6wN
                                        • 04 Jul 2022

                                        Aan2007, 04 Jul 2022is there anything with same sound as Xiaomi Piston 3.0 ? I ... moreIf you don't mind cables that aren't removable you can buy Sennheiser CX300s. It has amazing balanced sound. Treble is there but it isn't sharp. Bass is there but not overpowering. Mids are pretty clear too. In other words it has natural sound and it is easy for your ears. Build quality is great. It comes with 4 pair of eartips and a small porch. Make sure to fit them well and you will get amazing sound and good noise isolation.