Moondrop Space Travel 2 Review: Best Budget TWS Earbuds for Audiophiles

Moondrop, a brand renowned for its audiophile-grade wired in-ear monitors (IEMs) that punch above their weight, has been steadily expanding its presence in the true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market. The original Space Travel earbuds gained a reputation for offering surprisingly good sound quality at an ultra-budget price point. Now, with the release of the Moondrop Space Travel 2, the company aims to refine that formula. Does this successor manage to elevate the budget TWS experience while retaining Moondrop's signature sound philosophy? Let's dive in. 

Moondrop Space Travel 2 Sale on Amazon

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Design and Build Quality

The Space Travel 2 largely retains the minimalist and somewhat understated aesthetic of its predecessor. The earbuds themselves are compact and lightweight, often featuring a simple stem design. The build quality feels adequate for the price, primarily utilizing plastic, but without feeling overly flimsy. The charging case is similarly compact and pocketable, designed for practicality over premium aesthetics. While it won't turn heads, the design is functional and discreet.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort is a strong suit for the Space Travel 2. Their lightweight nature and ergonomic design allow them to sit snugly in most ear canals without causing fatigue, even during extended listening sessions. They provide a reasonably secure fit for casual use, commuting, or light exercise, though they might not be ideal for vigorous workouts due to the lack of dedicated sports-oriented features like ear hooks. The passive noise isolation provided by a good seal is decent, helping to block out some ambient noise. 

 

Sound Quality: Moondrop's Signature in a TWS?

This is where Moondrop typically shines, and the Space Travel 2 aims to deliver on that promise within the constraints of a budget TWS.

• Tuning Philosophy: Moondrop is known for adhering to the "VDSF Target" (Virtual Diffusion Sound Field) or similar Harman-like targets, which aim for a balanced and natural sound reproduction. The Space Travel 2 largely follows this, offering a relatively neutral-bright presentation.
• Bass: A noticeable improvement over the original Space Travel is often found in the bass response. The Space Travel 2 provides a more satisfying low-end presence, with a good balance of sub-bass rumble and mid-bass punch. It's not overly boomy but offers enough impact to make genres like pop, electronic, and hip-hop enjoyable without bleeding into the mid-range.
• Mid-range: The mid-range remains clear and articulate, a hallmark of Moondrop's tuning. Vocals sound natural and present, and instruments are well-defined. This allows for an engaging listening experience across various genres, from acoustic to rock.
• Treble: The treble is generally well-extended and detailed, providing a sense of airiness without being overly harsh or fatiguing. There might be a slight peak in the upper treble for added sparkle, which can sometimes highlight sibilance on poorly recorded tracks, but for most content, it contributes to clarity.
• Soundstage & Imaging: As with most budget TWS earbuds, the soundstage is relatively intimate, but the imaging is decent, allowing for a reasonable sense of instrument placement within the stereo field.

Overall, for its price point, the sound quality of the Space Travel 2 is remarkably good, offering a balanced and enjoyable listening experience that often surpasses many competitors in its category.

Features and Functionality

Being a budget-friendly option, the Space Travel 2 keeps its feature set relatively basic to prioritize sound quality and affordability.

• Connectivity: It typically features a modern Bluetooth version (e.g., Bluetooth 5.3) for stable connectivity and low latency. Standard codecs like SBC and AAC are usually supported.
• Controls: Touch controls are generally intuitive, allowing for playback control (play/pause, skip tracks), call management, and activating voice assistants. Customization via an app is usually absent.
• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Don't expect active noise cancellation at this price point. Passive isolation from a good ear tip seal is what you get.
• Battery Life: Battery life is generally respectable for the category, offering several hours of playback on a single charge from the earbuds, with the charging case providing multiple additional charges.
• Microphone Quality: Microphone performance is usually adequate for casual calls in quiet environments. In noisy surroundings, clarity can suffer, which is common for budget TWS earbuds.

Overall Value

The Moondrop Space Travel 2 positions itself as an excellent value proposition. It doesn't aim to compete with high-end TWS earbuds packed with features like ANC, transparency modes, or advanced codecs. Instead, it focuses on delivering a surprisingly refined and balanced audio experience for its price. For casual listeners, students, or anyone on a tight budget who prioritizes sound quality over extensive features, the Space Travel 2 is a highly compelling choice. It serves as a great entry point into Moondrop's tuning philosophy in a convenient wireless form factor.

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Conclusion

The Moondrop Space Travel 2 successfully builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, offering an even more refined sound signature with improved bass response, all while maintaining an incredibly attractive price point. While it's a no-frills earbud in terms of advanced features, its comfortable fit, decent battery life, and especially its impressive sound quality make it a standout in the budget TWS market. If you're looking for an affordable pair of true wireless earbuds that prioritize audio performance and adhere to a balanced, natural tuning, the Moondrop Space Travel 2 is undoubtedly worth considering. It's a testament to Moondrop's ability to deliver audiophile-grade sound even in its most accessible products.