Moondrop Space Travel 2 TWS Earphones

A Budget TWS Revolution - PEQ comes to a budget TWS

The Moondrop Space Travel 2 represents a significant evolution from its predecessor, bringing significant upgrades in nearly every aspect while maintaining an incredibly accessible price point of just $29.99.

What makes the Space Travel 2 particularly impressive is the sheer amount of technological advancement Moondrop has packed into such an affordable package. From the upgraded 13mm beryllium-plated dynamic driver to the improved ANC implementation and the completely revamped Moondrop app, this is a product that punches far above its weight class.

Having been listening to “Space Travel 2” for a few weeks now, and compared it to many other TWS, including the original Space Travel. I think it is one of the best deals in Audio, and I hope within this review I can share why I feel this is the case.

But before I get into the details, let’s look at the packaging:

Unboxing and Build Quality

The Moondrop Space Travel 2 comes in a clean, minimalist package that efficiently houses the earphones and their accessories:

The back of the box provides detailed specifications and feature information:

Opening the box reveals Space Travel 2:

Inside the box, you’ll find:

• Moondrop Space Travel 2 TWS earphones
• Charging case
• USB-C charging cable
• A limited amount of silicone eartips
• User manual and documentation

There are minimal accessories, so the best I will say is Moondrop focused on the essentials:

The build quality of Space Travel 2 is similar to the original model:

Here’s a view of the earphones with the larger eartips installed:

The charging case is also very similar to the original with an ‘open’ design that might ultimately be problematic as it will get more dirt and dust than a closed design:

I do like the extra space provided in the carry case which allowed me to use some classic ear tips with the Space Travel II — for example, here are the Dunu XL ear tips within the case:

The back of the carrying case:

And underneath you get the usb-c charging connection:

Note: I believe there are options to buy a separate carry case that will provide extra protection over this very open design and I feel it might be worth it for some people who want to store this case in their pockets.

Fit and Comfort

The Space Travel 2 like it predecessor and the “Golden Ages” TWS features an ergonomic design that fits comfortably in most ear shapes. The earphones are lightweight and provide a secure fit that remains comfortable during extended listening sessions. The included silicone eartips come in multiple sizes to ensure a proper seal, which is crucial for both sound quality and ANC performance.

Isolation is excellent, especially with the ANC enabled, making these suitable for commuting and travel despite their budget price point. The secure fit also makes them appropriate for light exercise, though they don’t have specific sports-oriented features.

Features and Performance

Upgraded Driver Technology

The most significant improvement in the Space Travel 2 is its driver technology. The new 13mm dynamic driver features a composite flexible suspension diaphragm with a beryllium-plated dome, offering excellent treble extension and fine detail, along with exceptional bass response and superior low distortion.

The optimized driver assembly includes an imported CCAW voice coil and an N52 magnetic assembly, delivering faster response times and more consistent dynamic timbre compared to the original model. This technical upgrade forms the foundation for the Space Travel 2’s impressive sound quality.

Advanced ANC Implementation

Unlike most ANC TWS earphones that use a hybrid feedforward-feedback scheme, the Space Travel 2 adopts a single feedforward solution. While this approach is more difficult to implement effectively, Moondrop has managed to achieve impressive noise cancellation without the bass loss typically associated with feedback ANC systems.

The result is a natural, wide-band ANC that effectively reduces environmental noise without negatively impacting sound quality. This is a remarkable achievement at this price point and represents a significant improvement over the original Space Travel.

AI Noise Cancellation for Calls

The Space Travel 2 features a built-in Neuron Processor Unit (NPU) core equipped with an AI ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) algorithm that has been extensively trained and optimized. Compared to traditional ENC algorithms, this advanced technology effectively eliminates background noise during calls while enhancing vocal clarity.

This makes the Space Travel 2 an excellent option for those who frequently use their earphones for calls in noisy environments.

Revamped Moondrop Link App

The new Moondrop Link app represents a significant upgrade from previous versions, featuring a more attractive interface, faster performance, and a broader range of functions. It offers rich customization options and a newly developed second-generation interactive DSP function.

The app’s home screen provides easy access to all key features:

The configuration section allows for detailed device management and settings:

One of the standout features is the comprehensive ANC settings control:

The app includes built-in EQ presets for different listening preferences:

For advanced users, there are detailed PEQ targets available:

The app also supports firmware updates to ensure optimal performance:

Through the app, users can customize and fine-tune the parameterized equalizer in the Space Travel 2’s DSP using a professional tuning interface that is both precise and user-friendly. This interface allows adjustments to parameters such as filter type, frequency point, gain, and Q value. Additionally, the original frequency response is available for reference during the tuning process, enhancing usability and accuracy.

The editing interface for PEQ targets is intuitive and powerful:

Here’s an alternative view of the PEQ editing interface:

Battery Life and Connectivity

The Space Travel 2 offers impressive battery life, with approximately 7 hours of playback from the earphones themselves (using AAC codec) and a total of 24 hours with the charging case. This is more than sufficient for daily use and even long trips.

Connectivity has been upgraded to Bluetooth 6.0, providing a stable connection with support for SBC and AAC codecs. The working distance is rated at 10 meters in barrier-free environments, and the earphones are compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Sound Impressions

The Moondrop Space Travel 2 delivers sound quality that defies its budget price point, offering performance that rivals TWS earphones costing several times more.

Bass

The bass response is one of the most impressive aspects of the Space Travel 2. The 13mm beryllium-plated driver delivers deep, controlled bass with excellent extension and minimal distortion. Unlike many budget TWS earphones that rely on bloated mid-bass to create the impression of good low-end performance, the Space Travel 2 provides genuine sub-bass presence with proper texture and detail.

The bass is punchy and dynamic without bleeding into the midrange, maintaining clarity across the frequency spectrum. This is particularly impressive given the price point and represents a significant upgrade over the original Space Travel.

Reference track: “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish – The deep bass line is rendered with impressive weight and control, maintaining clarity without overwhelming the rest of the mix.

Midrange

The midrange presentation is natural and well-balanced, with excellent clarity and detail retrieval. Vocals are rendered with proper presence and articulation, neither recessed nor overly forward in the mix. The midrange has a slight warmth that adds body to vocals and instruments without coloring the sound excessively.

Instrument separation in the midrange is impressive for a TWS earphone at this price point, allowing complex arrangements to remain clear and distinct. The improved driver technology is particularly evident here, providing better resolution and more natural timbre than the original model.

Reference track: “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac – Stevie Nicks’ vocals are presented with natural texture and emotion, while the acoustic guitar maintains proper body and detail.

Treble

The treble response is well-extended and detailed without becoming harsh or fatiguing. The beryllium-plated dome contributes to excellent high-frequency extension, providing air and sparkle to recordings without introducing sibilance or stridency.

Cymbals and high-hats have natural shimmer and decay, and the overall treble presentation strikes an excellent balance between detail and smoothness. This is an area where many budget TWS earphones struggle, but the Space Travel 2 manages to deliver treble that is both detailed and pleasant.

Reference track: “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck – The cymbal work is rendered with natural texture and decay, maintaining detail without becoming harsh or piercing.

Soundstage & Imaging

The soundstage is surprisingly spacious for a TWS earphone, with good width and decent depth. Imaging is precise, allowing for accurate placement of instruments within the soundstage. The improved driver technology and acoustic design contribute to a more immersive listening experience than is typically found at this price point.

While the soundstage isn’t as expansive as what you might find in high-end open-back headphones, it’s impressive for a sealed TWS design and represents a significant improvement over the original Space Travel.

Reference track: “Hotel California” (Live) by Eagles – The live atmosphere is well-captured, with instruments properly positioned across the soundstage and audience sounds creating a convincing sense of space.

Measurements and Frequency Response

The Space Travel 2’s frequency response measurements reveal why it sounds so impressive for the price. The default tuning shows excellent balance that’s much closer to the JM-1 target than traditional Harman curves:

The tonal balance is remarkably well-executed, with a nice diffuse field approach that avoids the common pitfalls of budget TWS tuning:

When compared to the Golden Ages, the Space Travel 2 shows similar characteristics but with its own refined approach:

The comparison with the original Space Travel reveals significant improvements, particularly in the mid-treble region where the Space Travel 2 has better control and less energy:

Custom EQ to Match Truthear Pure

One of the most exciting aspects of the Space Travel 2 is its ability to be EQ’d to match premium IEMs. Through careful tuning, I was able to create a custom EQ profile that makes the Space Travel 2 sound remarkably similar to the acclaimed Truthear Pure, though with typical treble differences between devices:

This demonstrates the incredible flexibility of the Space Travel 2’s DSP capabilities. With some time spent in the Moondrop Link app, you can transform these $30 earphones to sound remarkably close to IEMs costing several times more. Here’s the EQ curve used to achieve this transformation:

The fact that a $29.99 TWS can be tuned to sound this close to a highly regarded $90 IEM is nothing short of remarkable and speaks to both the quality of the underlying driver and the power of the DSP implementation.

Comparisons

Moondrop Space Travel 2 vs. Original Space Travel

The Space Travel 2 represents a significant upgrade over the original model in virtually every aspect. Here’s a direct visual comparison between the two generations:

Another angle showing the design evolution:

And a third perspective highlights the differences:

The new 13mm beryllium-plated driver delivers better bass extension, more detailed midrange, and improved treble performance. The addition of effective ANC and the revamped app with DSP functionality further widens the gap between the two generations.

Build quality has also been improved, and the overall user experience is much more refined. The measurements clearly show the improvements, particularly in the treble region where the Space Travel 2 has better control and less problematic energy peaks.

Here’s a direct comparison with some golden age TWS models:

Considering that the Space Travel 2 is priced similarly to the original model at launch, it represents an exceptional value and a clear upgrade path for owners of the first generation.

Moondrop Space Travel 2 vs. Budget TWS Competitors

Compared to other TWS earphones in the sub-$50 price range, the Space Travel 2 stands out for its superior sound quality, effective ANC, and comprehensive app support. Most competitors in this price range make significant compromises in at least one of these areas, while the Space Travel 2 delivers strong performance across the board.

The combination of the beryllium-plated driver, feedforward ANC implementation, and DSP capabilities through the app creates a package that outperforms many earphones costing two or three times as much.

Specifications

Rating

The Moondrop Space Travel 2 earns what is honestly the easiest 5-star Pragmatic Rating I’ve given to any TWS earphone. At just $29.99 without the extra case or $36 with the premium transparent case, this represents one of the most incredible bargains in all of audio.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Sound Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Exceptional for any price, let alone $30 - rivals IEMs costing 3x more)
• Build Quality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (While not premium it is excellent for the price)
• Features: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Comprehensive feature set including effective ANC, app integration, and DSP capabilities)
• Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Simply unmatched - this is the definition of exceptional value)

Conclusion

The Moondrop Space Travel 2 represents what I can only describe as a revolutionary achievement in budget audio. Including full PEQ in an TWS at this price is fantastic and something I hope other companies will now follow both with their TWS but also with their bluetooth headphones.

At $29.99, Moondrop has created something that shouldn’t exist: a TWS that is genuinely comfortable for extended wear, offers total sound configuration flexibility through the excellent Moondrop Link App, and can be tuned to sound remarkably similar to premium IEMs like the Truthear Pure.

While the Space Travel 2 doesn’t compete with $100-$200 TWS in terms of ANC performance, it absolutely destroys them where it matters most: configurable sound quality.

If you are a fan of PEQ this is an revolutionary TWS but even if you are not the default audiophile neutral sound signature provide at this price point make the Space Travel 2 an easy recommendation from me.