
Meze Audio
Meze Audio ALBA S
$129
Wired In-Ear Headphones · RANK 06

Moondrop
Replaceable nozzle filters set the CHU II apart below $30, where clogged meshes often end an earphone’s life. Zinc-alloy shells and a detachable 2-pin cable extend the ownership case.
$20 typical
For around €25, the CHU II puts money into a zinc-alloy shell, CNC brass nozzle with replaceable filters, aluminum-magnesium diaphragm and standard 2-pin cable. Those are concrete maintenance and construction benefits, not prestige cues.
More impact-resistant and substantial than typical ultra-budget plastic.
Allows wax-filter maintenance instead of treating a clogged nozzle as terminal.
Light stiff diaphragm supports controlled budget-DD performance.
The cable can be replaced independently.
Compact polished-metal capsules with an understated, jewelry-like finish. The low mass and over-ear cable make them easy to place; metal can feel cold initially and isolation is not class-leading.
This is the budget model to buy if you value maintenance: replace cable and nozzle filters rather than discarding it. Dry the shells after use and clean filters gently to avoid pushing debris inward.

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Part of Wired In-Ear Headphones · Edition 01 — see the full ranking