Brief Summary
The Moondrop Space Travel 2 is a $30 TWS earbud and successor to the original Space Travel. The review covers its unboxing, build, fit, features like touch controls, ANC, Bluetooth, app integration with PEQ, battery life, and mic quality. It also compares it to the original Space Travel and the Tanchjim Mino, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses to determine who it's best suited for.
- The Space Travel 2 features responsive touch controls, dual Bluetooth connectivity, and extensive sound customization via the Moondrop app.
- It offers a natural, balanced sound profile with adjustable bass and solid technical performance.
- It is recommended for those seeking a budget-friendly TWS earbud with good sound quality, customizable EQ, and dual-device connectivity, but not for those prioritizing strong ANC or a closed-top case design.
Intro
The video introduces the Moonrop Space Travel 2, a $30 TWS earbud with a single dynamic driver, positioned as the successor to the original Moonrop Space Travel. The review aims to determine if it should be the default recommendation in its price range.
Giveaway
The channel is hosting a giveaway for its subscribers, where three random winners will each receive a Moonrop Space Travel 2. To enter, viewers need to be subscribed to the channel and leave a comment below. The winners will be announced on the YouTube community tab in 10 days.
Unboxing & accessories
The unboxing experience is straightforward, including a charging case, two earbuds, three pairs of silicone ear tips, a USB-C cable, and a manual. The Space Travel 2 is available in white/orange and black/green color options.
Build, fit, & comfort
The build is similar to the original Space Travel with updated styling. The case is an open-top design, light, and pocket-friendly, with a USB-C port and LED indicator. The earbuds maintain Moonrop's stem design with oval nozzles and magnetic charging contacts. The fit is comfortable and secure for the reviewer, suitable for various activities.
Touch controls
The touch controls are more responsive than the previous model, and a clicking sound confirms input registration. However, there is no volume adjustment available directly on the earpieces.
ANC & Bluetooth
The active noise cancellation (ANC) is mild, reducing background noise but not providing strong isolation. Transparency mode is functional but picks up some noise. The Bluetooth range exceeds 10 meters without dropouts, and there is a low latency mode for gaming. Notably, the device supports dual Bluetooth connectivity, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices, a feature enabled via the Moonrop app.
Moondrop app
The Moonrop app is smooth, responsive, and frequently updated, offering features like battery readout, ANC control, firmware updates, gain levels, sound profiles, dual device toggles, and a five-band parametric EQ.
PEQ
The custom EQ is a standout feature, allowing users to load official or community profiles without needing an account. The app provides a five-band parametric EQ with adjustable frequency, Q factor, and gain (-12 to +3dB), along with a live frequency response graph.
Battery life
The battery life is improved, offering 7 hours of playback on a single charge and over 24 hours total with the charging case.
Mic test
The microphone quality is clear and suitable for phone calls. A microphone test is included, comparing the Space Travel 2 to the original Space Travel 1 with ANC turned on in a quiet room.
Sound
Turning ANC on or off does not affect the sound quality. The device offers three gain levels and built-in sound profiles: Reference (natural, vocal-focused), Bass Plus (moderate bass boost), and Bass Minus (vocals sound thin). The Space Travel 2 has a natural, mid-focused sound signature with adjustable bass. The technical performance is solid, providing a fatigue-free listening experience that can be customized via EQ.
Comparison: Moondrop Space Travel
The Space Travel 2 is an upgrade over the original, offering louder volume, three gain levels, longer battery life, better microphone, more responsive touch controls, Bluetooth 6.0, dual device connectivity, and more sound customization. The Space Travel 2 sounds more natural and mature, especially with the bass plus profile. Some may find the original Space Travel more lively due to its more pronounced bass, treble, and forward vocals in the reference profile.
Comparison: Tanchjim Mino
Compared to the Tanchjim Mino, which is in the $42 price range, the Space Travel 2 offers better value under $40. Both fit well and have custom EQ, but the Mino features a 10-band parametric EQ with a wider gain range. The Mino is brighter with more clarity, while the Space Travel 2 is more relaxed. The Mino has a lid and IPX4 protection but uses older Bluetooth and lacks dual device connectivity. Battery life is comparable. The Space Travel 2 is the default recommendation under $40, while the Mino is a tempting option over $40 for specific features like volume control by tapping.
Who I recommend it to
The Moonrop Space Travel 2 is recommended for those seeking a TWS under $40, those who like to customize sound with EQ, those who want long battery life and dual device connectivity, and those who prefer a balanced, natural sound.
Who I don't recommend it to
The Moonrop Space Travel 2 is not recommended for those who want strong ANC or dislike the open-top case design and don't want to purchase a separate case.
