The KATO would probably be the end of the line of audiophile gear for me. My Aria's already sound so good that I can't justify spending more than what the KATO cost for the extra ~5% improvement some reviewers say. I only wish that Moondrop offered the same laser-etching treatment as the Blessing 2 for some extra personalization.
No doubt that's the entire point of the video! And I can say for sure these do not just give 5% improvement over Aria, due to the improvements in depth and precision 😁 I do agree on the personalization part tho haha
You really have to listen to the Kato's to really understand that extra 5%. Maybe that extra 5% is worth the extra cost as this iem as able to produce something special other iems can't. Maybe that extra 5% is something you really needed and never realized that you needed. Imo I feel like the Kato's bass is much more tamed and controlled and there's much more resolution and detail compared to Aria's but that's just my limited experience with the Kato's. I feel like the Kato is worth that extra $100 but to each their own.
Mate, theres just a BIG BIG difference in detail from something like Aria/Kato to a Timeless/S12 Kato and Aria do sound on the same ball park, but these new new planar magnetic IEMs are just in another league
In my experience, the brass gives me deeper lows and mid bass. The silver are much brighter to me. I much prefer the brass. I love my kato, definitely my favorite iem
@annemio7525 there is a group of people that appreciate reviewers that say they don't notice differences/changes in audio products, for example if they are on the fence between 2 headphone amps where one is more expensive than the other they can confidently go for the cheaper one because they wouldn't even hear a difference saying he is unqualified because he can't hear the difference in a iem BARREL MATERIAL is crazy tho
I just got mine today. I'm shocked by the quality of the audio. It's really amazing. Hands down, and its one of the most comfortable headphones I ever used. Thanks for the review!
Had KATO since October 2021 and it still is very good. Really excellent sound details. Easy to clean. For the weight, I use it everyday while working and I work for 9 hours it starts to feel heavy for me if I wear it for like 7 hours straight. The case still sturdy. I have the glossy silver one, it has a bit of scratches but only noticeable when looked at closely. 💜
@@RoxyandChris It would hurt at the top of my ears where the wire clings. When I was new to it , it was uncomfortable to wear after like 3 hours. I got used to its weight soon so I can wear it easily for longer times now. When it starts to hurt, resting my ears for about an hour works.
I recently purchased the Moondrop Blessing 3 as well as the Kato and I prefer the sound of the Kato even though it's cheaper, the Blessing 3 sounds kinda muted and dull compared to the more vibrant sound of the Kato, I don't understand why something cheaper sounds so much better, I did all my testing on the same DAP (Digital Audio Player) and used the same dongle Dac/amps and the Kato had better imaging, soundstage and sounded more clear with about the same detail on both.
agree, i recently bought the kato after using the blessing 3 for a while... All i can say is the kato tonality feels more balanced, less shouty, more bass, compared to the thin sounding blessing 3 that really makes my ears tired But on the technical part i kinda disagree tho, the blessing 3 still gives me a better resolution and treble extension , better separation , well the soundstage is pretty much similar i guess
@@Hatano_Rin Yes definitely, I find it the Kato more tonally agreeable with a more balanced sound, the Blessing 3 even though it is kinda muted in dynamics sounds like it has more distortion because of the BA driver's vs the single dynamic driver's of the Kato. I recently swapped out the cable for a better quality one on the Blessing 3 and applied some EQ and now find it a bit more tonally agreeable and a bit more dynamics than with the previous cable.
5:05 i do experience that too, left ear get perfect seal, meanwhile right ear's seal is very wonky, even with other medium size tips, i need to use slightly larger than medium size to get a perfect balance seal.
As a fellow Aimer enjoyer, I appreciate the fact you spoke about her music, even just for technicalities. かたおもい is another favorite of mine. But it's hard to pick a favorite from her ngl.
I've read so as well! I previously had Shanling UA1 but ended up selling it because I can't hear any difference, currently considering something else maybe BTR5 🤣
I enjoy the Moondrop Variations.....They are the ones that will open your eyes and make your lips pucker !!!!! Listening to Marvin Gaye What's going on you can hear a guy asking a girl in the background "hey babe what's your name"........and this happens while the song is playing and Marvin gaye is up front and the backup singers are singing high vocals what's going on......and you hear the bongo's on the left side playing low ..... You can hear how hard the piano keys are being struck.....It's sick !
I am considering to upgrade my IEM experience to avoid Headphone over my head. THinking of anything can sounds big as Headphone sound quality. How is Moondrop Kato Flagship vs Sennheiser Ie600 ? I am planning to go All the way of my End Game in IEM journey if Senn IE 600 is superior than all the Chi-fi out there. Grateful if anyone have experience on both of these or have better recommendation from others brands too... Just not Campfire Audio which is too pricey with their Great sound model.
The Kato sounds way more natural to my ears compared to the IE600. The IE600 is v-shaped while the Kato is closer to neutral. My issues with the IE600 is that there's a sibilance on the upper treble and there's so much bass that it's distracting. If you've tried cheaper IEMs with v-shaped sound and you don't mind it that much then I'd recommend the IE600 but you will not go wrong with going for the Kato since it has great tuning and it's frankly a much better value compared to the IE600 to me.
I’m looking for my first high end IEM and I want to get the best… After do some research and review from friends, they recommend the Moondrop Kato… I picked my first TWS after watching your videos and I just know that you review IEM also now… Currently waiting for my Moondrop Kato in shipping and I hope it will amaze me as reviewed in this video… :)
Haha well 64audio would be like the endgame of all endgame tho 🤣 but for now the KATO would be more than enough for you! I really hope you'll like it 😁
KATO should be in your wish list, period 😆 Watch more: - Moondrop KATO Unboxing ua-cam.com/video/K2nM5h4ZY_o/v-deo.html - Dolby Atmos Explainer ua-cam.com/video/ULlhr10vAhI/v-deo.html
@@STAYCBias I'll definitely put it high up in my list to check them out! They're slightly more expensive though no? In any case mind sharing your DAC that you're using to drive it?
My personal experience with kato just playing save try to be all rouder. With short treble .. without extension. The problem with DD .. with less money we got another planar that simply more fast and good imaging.. best thing about kato and other moodrop products they are easy to drive even with smartphone But very very good reviews Kenneth..👍 Sound its about personal taste
I totally agree with the mmcx buds lmao. So hard to remove. Im excited to try these once they are available in a store I follow. Its sold out as of the moment. Thanks for this!
Sold the KATO for the SSR ($39.99). SSR are more neutral/diffused, faster/transient, more comfortable, better forward midrange and much wider soundstage.
This seems like an entire different level of sound, i would like to try them. Be careful with this videos tho, if you bring iem's to the channel, the haters and audiophiles will come too, and they will criticize you for everything 😅
What would you all suggest for an iem that presents at least similarly to the openness of the Moondrop Kato, but that is a lighter body and cable (still good quality tho), and maybe grey or black (not a dealbreaker), with just as much, if not a touch more bass. Around $100, but willing to go up to $120 or $140. I have the Kato and I love it...for home listening. When I'm singing I need something lighter with a lighter cable, but I need smooth mids and highs, in order to stay as least fatiguing as possible, and like I said, just as much bass, or more. Ideally black for wedding gigs, but that's less crucial cuz I'm currently using the Kato mirror finish and they look slick, it's just the cable is on the heavier side, so that contributes to the iems slipping out little by little when doing even simple dance moves. Any recommendations? Been looking at the Linsoul Tangzu Vudu Verse 1, Truthear x Crinacle Zero Red, Simgot EA500LM, 7hz Sonus, Kefine Delci and Shanling Sono. Are any of those decent options for what I'm looking for? Sorry for the long question. Lots to be explained. Currently using SpinFit W1's. They seem to be a good balance for me.
At first I thought the cable was super nice and premium. But I realized how heavy it was while wearing and a bit springy when I tried to roll it up. I’d replace the cable but other than that yea it’s a great iem.
I'm excited for more wired review from you sir.. you'll be the only reviewer that have both wireless and wired thorough reviewer making it a good benchmark for both 👌
Just got my matte katos today and just plugged them to my hiby mp3 player then put on a k-pop song called stay with me as it has both male and female vocals and to me the brass nozzles expands the feel of the bass parts with a slight expansion to the roomy feel whilst the steel nozzles sound more isolating or cold but makes the treble area sound a bit more pronounced. But yh really love these katos after watching dozens of videos about IEMs and the fact that I can change the nozzles suits my way of listening to songs as I tend to obsessively listen to a single track on repeat for weeks. Now I wonder how they'd perform with anime and movie background soundtracks :p
I got the blue ones of them. After experimenting with different equipment for hours. I came to the conclusion that I just don't like the way they sound. It may be because they don't fit my ears right. I've tested all the included ear tips. None of them fit my ears right. It feels like these are an open back iem. They don't isolate the sound at all. The nano tubes are very cheaply made and it's easy to cross thread and damage the tubes. Even though I tested both tubes. They don't provide the bass that I'm looking for. The cable and the IEMs themselves are built well. But none of that matters when they don't fit or sound good. Not saying they sound bad. Just not to my liking.
Nice review! I haven't had the chance to try the slightly more expensive moondrop models yet (laziness to go down to audio shop and try really), but based on reviews and FR graphs, the tuning for the KATO & Aria looks like it might suit my taste. Their new budget 'Chu' seems to have a somewhat similar tuning too (but closer to harman IE target?), so that's kinda tempting. But well, no plans to spend more money on IEMs considering already have too many. Gotta get out of the rabbit hole. 🤣
Been a while eh Alex 😆 but yeah I bet you'll love these! Curious about their latest Chu too though, perhaps you could sell some of your current ones and change them? Hahaha
That's great! I already own the Aria which is already a pretty solid iem! Do you think it is worth the upgrade considering the price difference? And also, is it an upgrade from the aria in the same direction of tuning or is there a different flavor in there?
No doubt the Aria is a very solid choice, but trust me the KATO is really worth the upgrade! I would say the bass is less boosted than Aria so might wanna see if it suit your taste, but overall detail and that depth perception (!) is something you really don't get with the Aria
mmcx is much more durable & secure fit. Also it doesn't become loose like most of 2 pin in long run(search internet you are not only one facing this loose 2 pin with time). Also 2 pin is fixed while mmcx can swivel around axis even when it is securly fit to give more comfortable fit. For that reason only I avoided moondrop & like Fiio or Shure. How this sounds compared to Fiio FH3 or Shure Aonic 4 ?
Fiio FH3 is a great iem has extra bass boost I still listen to these. I bought the Moondrop Kato Blue recently these sound more controlled in all areas my new favourite.
With the apple dongle, unlike what crinacle said, soundstage will fall flat,no matter what earphone you use. As 1 DD vs multi drivers/BA, the latter will always lack cohesiveness
Hey. Glad u finally tried Kato. Everyone says that they are astonishing and I hope that sometime in the future I'll have them too. I know how to compare them to the TWSes. Try out KZ AZ10 or KZ AZ09PRO with them. I really need to hear your opinion on this. Thanks in advance :)
KZ claims to have multiple drivers in different models but most models have just one working dynamic driver. It is a controversy happened earlier this year.
@@daronz sorry I didn't make my point clear. I mean they are dishonest as a company and maybe it is good to stop supporting them until they are proven to have rectified themselves. Fiio have products of same functionality like UTWS5 or 3.
@@gigihanmandarin I don't know if that is true (I know about the research but I dont trust it too much). I have kz zs10 pro for 2 yrs now, and they are not bad. And AZ series, acording to the reviews and tests are not bad option for the price, to transform IEMs in to the TWS.
Speaking about the recent drama about KZ, while I think it is wrong for them to do what they do, but they've issued a refund to everyone and most importantly sound quality is what speaks right? I think when people like how they sound, it's a sign that they're doing something right (truth be told I have only tried KZ EDX which I'm hesitating to review since this whole thing happened, but it is fantastic for the price!) Anyway accidents happen, and I hope they're going to learn from their mistakes 😁 Anyway Daron, speaking about AZ series as I've said in another comment I am super keen to try them out, especially when they use QCC3040 now but the problem is they use a female 2 pin connector which only works with their IEM and CCA ones, not sure if they sell the other type of connectors tho!
Problem with UTWS3 is they still use QCC3020 and that is a big reason why I still hesitate to get it til this date, and UTWS5 is just probably as expensive as the IEM itself 🤣 I know a lot goes onto the proper set of hardware so these IEMs can sound the best they could, and I could treat the price as an "investment" but when battery is a factor, the product life is always going to be limited so I don't know... KZ also has these stuff but with QCC3040, problem is they use like a female 2 pin connector which is just urgh, and since the price is much lower perhaps they are less capable in driving higher end IEMs? Well everything is just speculation at this point I need to try them out haha
Hey I'm looking for my first IEMs and was initially interested in KZ earbuds until I saw the scandal about the drivers. Then I found Moondrop and that's how I came across your video. I'm not sure if I want to pay over $120 for my first IEMs. Are the Kato also good for gaming? I mean for well audible footsteps and good sounding shots and explosions? Or should I rather go with the Aria or even the Chu? As you can see, I'm not that familiar with IEMs and all the brands. So I'm open to suggestions for other IEMs.
Can i give you some recommendations? I got a perfect setup combination for Moondrop Kato, 1st Upgrade Your Cable to Tripowin Altea 4.4mm, then use Azla Sednafit Crystal Eartips, that's the best combo I got soo far, the vocal more sweet and thicc, the bass is well defined punchier and rounded, and the treble smooth but still detailed, very good for long listening session ☺
hi kak @kenneth.. I already purchased soudpeats trueshift2 after I watched your review,, unfortunately, after 1year and 5 months, the one of the bud are dead and can't be charged.. so i need your help kak.. for budget Idr 500~600K, which TWS you recommend? with note, I really like sound quality & characteristic of soudpeats trueshift2.. but i also need upgrade quality of the mic for meeting when WFH.. could you help me? ☹
oh no, Ken has entered the IEM Rabbit hole. Sir, the only way from here on out is further down; the Blessing 2, the Variations, the Illuminations, then you go into Thieaudios like the Monarch and Clairvoyance. There is simply no escaping 12:10 I'd assume you're either referring to BA Timbre which is a very common thing or just the outright coherency between the different driver types
Let me put an emphasis to *there is simply no escaping* 🤣🤣🤣 I can’t wait to try out the even more expensive IEMs, really curious what they sound like especially on Variations that has EST drivers, or planar ones as well… Anyway I think you’re right! I didn’t really use the word timbre since I’m still wondering what does it really mean (like how the sound is different), and now that you pointed it out I think I know where to look at (okay not look but you know 😆) Thanks, I’m learning more by the day here haha
@@namedkenn you should consult back to your friend with the Hip DAC 2 and the Blessing 2 because he definitely knows what he's doing 🤣 Yeah, the Shuoer S12 and the 7Hz Timeless should be in your consideration for the planar IEMs. The Variations, from what I've read, could be considered a "supercharged" Blessing 2 in terms of sound signature. As for other suggestions, I'd say try the Tripowin X HBB twins, the MELE & Olina, The Thieaudio Legacy 4, the Seeaudio Yume and Yume: Midnight, maybe the Tin T3+ and T4, or even Moondrop's own Aria and CHU, just to name a few
@@namedkenn really late update. Finally managed to get my hands on the KATO and the 7Hz Timeless For the same price (roughly), IMO the KATO doesn't hold a candle to the Timeless. The Timeless was just that much better
Hi, can you review 1more pistonbuds pro? and maybe a comparison with comfobuds pro. I'm confused on what to get. Thanks. Appreciate all your hard work!
Bro luv your vids trying to find the best wireless earbuds for me. I just wanna ask you does 40 bucks wireless earbuds like realme air 2 sounds better than some 15 bucks wired Sony ones?
Do you think Kato is better enough than Aria to justify the price difference? I'm thinking of getting one of them, but not sure which one to get. Aria is about half the price but I heard someone say the performance is not extremely different.
I'm thinking of upgrading my kato's cable. And it also need to be interchangeable plug cable. Will moondrop pcc cable ok? And also eartips, I'm ok with springtips but also want a pair of foam tips. Which foam tips ll be the best for kato as well?
hi, should i buy aria or kato?, cuz i got a limited budget for the IEM. for the preference, im the "balance" head. i dont really care about bass, as long the clarity and separation is good. after seeing your video, i was interested in aria. but seeing this video makes me think, should i save more money for this or buy the aria (my budget is at aria price rn). what do you think?
I've watched many reviews and I've come to this conclusion about both: Kato has cleaner base but with less quantity, the Aria is the slightest bit more bassy... The only other big distinction between the both is in construction some people report the paint stripping of the Aria or even bubbling (specifically in humid climates) Hope this helps, also if you've already picked anyone of these up I'd love to hear your opinion on their sound
I have the Tin T2 plus, Blon BL03 & the KZ ZS10 Pro, falling for the hype train, I've ordered the 7hz Timeless and the KATO....will be arriving in a couple of days, How much of a sound quality jump can I realistically expect from these two compared to the dirt cheap ChiFi's that I already own? I use apple music Lossless on my Sony A105 and a Shanling M3X...
A quick question, what do you think about comparing the KATO and the variations? I have the KATO right now and I want to upgrade to Variations and I wanna know what you think about it. If you do find time to reply to this comment my preference is focused on female vocals if this may help you help me, thank you!
Another great video 😍Btw can I ask this, between Fiil T1 Lite and Haylou W1, which one is better? One of these 2 is gonna be my first TWS so hope u reply to this. Thank you so much ^^
Thanks for watching Thang! Like what MK said I personally choose the Haylou W1 since it has a slight edge over the sound quality but I don't think you'll be disappointed with any really!
I know you have a Freebuds 4i unit (saw it on mic test video) but you didn't made a review of it yet. I believe you already did some testing, would you recomend the Freebuds 4i over Comfobuds Pro?
Yeah I really wanted to review it but didn't have much free time lately, honestly I'd go for 1More, the 4i's controls are too limiting, and of course ANC Transparency is better on 1more
Great review as always. I hope you review Tripowen Olina. It's a $100 IEM that's using same driver and tuning of a $300 IEM (Oxygen) and it's got hyped in the community..!
Thank you so much! Lots of cool stuff going on in this price point yeah, and I mean since I'm new to all this I'll take my time checking them out one by one, hopefully haha
Hey Kenneth. I really appreciate the fact that you’ve put out this review of the KATO. I watched one of your earlier unboxing videos of the KATO and was really waiting for a more detailed review of the KATO compared to other TWS options. Even though I already own the Airpods 3 which I consider to be a well rounded TWS option, I also want to experience the KATO as I’ve never owned an IEM before. Hopefully they sound significantly better than the TWS options I have tried in the past. Do you find the KATO comfortable for long listening sessions because they seem to be quite heavy?
Hey Andrew, I’m glad I put out the review on time! Trust me, you will get a *huge* upgrade in sound quality compared to practically *any* TWS, and yes they are comfortable to wear for hours and hours, the weight doesn’t bother me as much when worn it’s just when you hold them in your hands they’re quite heavy
@@namedkenn Hi Kenneth, thank you so much for your reply! I have heard other reviewers say that the Katos are a leaner sounding IEM, and that the KATOs lack bass thump. Do you think this is something I should worry about? Do you find the bass on the KATO adequate and enjoyable?
@@andrewnguyen5878 For me, I find the Kato's bass is more controlled and clean. It's more than adequate for me and my tastes, however, I really suggest you try it out before jumping the gun. Everyone's ears and taste in music is different. This hobby is vast and you should test the waters to understand what YOU like before purchasing. Maybe see if a friend has a pair or if it's on display at an audio store. There's also ways to make iems wireless but that's another rabbit hole. Hope this helps
Hey just found this channel after searching for videos about the buds live after I purchased them and they sucked to wear. Anyways, I know this is just a niche thing of mine and probably isn't a giant thing people look for, but I was wondering if you would ever consider making a tier list of the most user repairable wired/wireless earbuds or something along those lines since there's really no information out there besides older ifixit videos and articles aimed at mainstreamed brands. Ehh this probably wont go noticed but if you do happen to read this thank you for what you do. I'm by no means an audio guy, but I'm just happy there's people actually reviewing other non-widely known brands.
Hey there! I try to read all the comments so thanks for the idea 😁 unfortunately I can't talk about this myself as the availability of spare parts, or even the feasibility of even opening say a wireless earbuds is pretty low. I have myself a couple of dead earbuds, and I know a battery swap would fix it but I guess I don't know where to look for it, and as much as I am a DIY guy, I usually only go as far as cleaning or transferring parts from the same model And in that regard all the true wireless earbuds I review will be on the same "bad" tier and for wired ones I dunno, are we talking about cracking the IEMs open or something?
@@namedkenn yeah it was a kinda dumb idea. I should've thought about it a bit more. They're probably all around the same difficulty due to their ip ratings and obscure part sourcing. I'd be shocked if any used an available button cell battery within them. I do appreciate the reply and again thank you for doing what you do. There's a lot of people that I know that would shy away from products just because they're not as well known as apple or Samsung and don't have that track record. Have a good one
Haha as I've said towards the end yes I did compare this to the Blessing 2, and honestly they both shine in their own ways, but I think I might prefer the timbre of the single dynamic KATO
Yeah with IEMs I don't test latency since they're basically near zero, but that depends on the phone because some still have like sub-100ms latency even when used on wired
Hello, I’m new around here and not an expert by any means with audio. I bought the Kato recently and I just can get satisfied with the bass. Is there any config out there that I should be using that I’m not aware?
For the same price, the Shuoer S12 is actually technically better than Kato, but they sound very different because of different types of drivers being used.
@@namedkenn Depends on the IEM. Tin HIFI P1? You need a full energy plant lol. Shuoer S12? get a lot more than enought power from a cellphone, but doesnt get the full potential on it tho, compared to something better. It scales very well with power, but decent dongle is more than enought. Im using the new Tempotec Sonata HD V btw...
@@namedkenn The S12 is not difficult to drive, they do require a little more power than hybrid IEMs, but a dongle DAC or a BT DAC will do. However, they do scale well with better amps.
@@namedkenn needing more power dont really make a headphone/iem better. The P1 is very neutral, some people dont like because dont really have that bass that planars can do. They are launching the new Tin Hifi P1 MAX now, easier to drive, almost certain better (cant know until reviews tho) and looks really nice, im interested just waiting for some reviews before buy it xD Also, there is another 2 others Planar IEM`s that are being launch, the Muse HIFI Power and the Raptgo Hook X. Im interested on the Raptgo in specific because is a Planar + Bone conductor, and its open back. Never head an open back IEM before...
I am super intrigued that is for sure, unfortunately it's not here in my local marketplace yet, hopefully I could get in contact with QCY to help me with that
A friend bought a unit, the postal card did not come in the box. Should he worry? I don't think they are fake because they don't include the postcard, right?
@@namedkenn Thanks for the prompt response. I have read that all moondrops include the QC card, should this be enough to verify them? In any case, I will contact the seller. Very good video, I subscribe, I am learning from the world of audio.
They’re really not worth it. They are mad expensive for a mid sound. Don’t be lured. They sound thin and metallic sometimes. Yeah they were really good 2 years ago and still sound nice, but a lot of IEMs will sound nicer and lower prices
Actually behind my few IEM review videos I've bought a lot of stuff from different price points and I could definitely say each of them are worth recommending! Please stay tuned as I will get to them eventually 😁
@@noxalbus eh sorry I thought I was replying to a comment on the Klee Buds Pro! (you used that name as well 🤣) Yeah unfortunately the only finish available is the mirror one I see 😔
so...guys i wanna ask and i hope i get reply fast from all of you...between aria.....kato and blessing 2 wich is more good....i dont know much about tuning....i just plug in in my phone without setting or anything wich is better choice guys?
Of course it’s gonna be Aria < KATO < Blessing 2 but it really comes down to your budget and sound preference Aria is the least expensive, of course it has the least amount of details and all that but it’s also one with the most bass so for most people it should be satisfying enough Between KATO and Blessing2, both of them are really amazing, I think if you watched the video you’ll know my thoughts because I’ve gone through it there
I have the same issue with Aria not able to pinpoint positions. I auditioned the Kato and knew already it was way better (but it was more than twice the cost). Now am deciding between Kato and 7Hz Timeless. Gonna try audition them both,
The KATO would probably be the end of the line of audiophile gear for me. My Aria's already sound so good that I can't justify spending more than what the KATO cost for the extra ~5% improvement some reviewers say. I only wish that Moondrop offered the same laser-etching treatment as the Blessing 2 for some extra personalization.
No doubt that's the entire point of the video! And I can say for sure these do not just give 5% improvement over Aria, due to the improvements in depth and precision 😁 I do agree on the personalization part tho haha
You really have to listen to the Kato's to really understand that extra 5%. Maybe that extra 5% is worth the extra cost as this iem as able to produce something special other iems can't. Maybe that extra 5% is something you really needed and never realized that you needed. Imo I feel like the Kato's bass is much more tamed and controlled and there's much more resolution and detail compared to Aria's but that's just my limited experience with the Kato's. I feel like the Kato is worth that extra $100 but to each their own.
Mate, theres just a BIG BIG difference in detail from something like Aria/Kato to a Timeless/S12
Kato and Aria do sound on the same ball park, but these new new planar magnetic IEMs are just in another league
i have both aria and kato and there's no way they only have 5% improvements lmao
@@enzotibirica8458 I’ve had the Kato and the Timeless and I honestly didn’t notice much difference as far detail goes
In my experience, the brass gives me deeper lows and mid bass. The silver are much brighter to me. I much prefer the brass. I love my kato, definitely my favorite iem
@annemio7525 there is a group of people that appreciate reviewers that say they don't notice differences/changes in audio products, for example if they are on the fence between 2 headphone amps where one is more expensive than the other they can confidently go for the cheaper one because they wouldn't even hear a difference
saying he is unqualified because he can't hear the difference in a iem BARREL MATERIAL is crazy tho
I just got mine today. I'm shocked by the quality of the audio. It's really amazing. Hands down, and its one of the most comfortable headphones I ever used. Thanks for the review!
That's so great to hear! Thanks for sharing 😁
expected reaction
Had KATO since October 2021 and it still is very good. Really excellent sound details. Easy to clean. For the weight, I use it everyday while working and I work for 9 hours it starts to feel heavy for me if I wear it for like 7 hours straight. The case still sturdy. I have the glossy silver one, it has a bit of scratches but only noticeable when looked at closely. 💜
Does it still work properly?
@@stunnareht still good. The wire it came with oxidized though. Just this year. Then i upgraded to the line k cable
@@dianne42O is it painful when you said “heavy”
@@RoxyandChris It would hurt at the top of my ears where the wire clings. When I was new to it , it was uncomfortable to wear after like 3 hours. I got used to its weight soon so I can wear it easily for longer times now. When it starts to hurt, resting my ears for about an hour works.
I recently purchased the Moondrop Blessing 3 as well as the Kato and I prefer the sound of the Kato even though it's cheaper, the Blessing 3 sounds kinda muted and dull compared to the more vibrant sound of the Kato, I don't understand why something cheaper sounds so much better, I did all my testing on the same DAP (Digital Audio Player) and used the same dongle Dac/amps and the Kato had better imaging, soundstage and sounded more clear with about the same detail on both.
agree, i recently bought the kato after using the blessing 3 for a while... All i can say is the kato tonality feels more balanced, less shouty, more bass, compared to the thin sounding blessing 3 that really makes my ears tired
But on the technical part i kinda disagree tho, the blessing 3 still gives me a better resolution and treble extension , better separation , well the soundstage is pretty much similar i guess
@@Hatano_Rin Yes definitely, I find it the Kato more tonally agreeable with a more balanced sound, the Blessing 3 even though it is kinda muted in dynamics sounds like it has more distortion because of the BA driver's vs the single dynamic driver's of the Kato. I recently swapped out the cable for a better quality one on the Blessing 3 and applied some EQ and now find it a bit more tonally agreeable and a bit more dynamics than with the previous cable.
5:05 i do experience that too, left ear get perfect seal, meanwhile right ear's seal is very wonky, even with other medium size tips, i need to use slightly larger than medium size to get a perfect balance seal.
Yep, just the things that makes us human haha
I have that issue with my left ear not sealing as it should. But other than that it's been a really great experience so far for these iems.
Was looking for the right reason why I should but the Kato, and I stumbled on your video. Add to cart!
Haha awesome! Hope you’ll enjoy it 😁
It's 2024 and the moondrop Kato is still the best all rounder IEM price to performance ratio ever
@@TheDigitalcrack Do you know if there's a noticeable difference in ear comfort from the angled steel vs the smooth silver?
As a fellow Aimer enjoyer, I appreciate the fact you spoke about her music, even just for technicalities. かたおもい is another favorite of mine. But it's hard to pick a favorite from her ngl.
The Apple dongle is actually one of the best DACs you can get! It only loses out on power, but it's extremely good for its price.
I've read so as well! I previously had Shanling UA1 but ended up selling it because I can't hear any difference, currently considering something else maybe BTR5 🤣
What about IBASSO DC05, have u tasted it ?
Been using the Moondrop Kato Blue for about a month sounds amazing, I also think Fiio FH3 sounds really good for the price
Is the blue worth an xtra $50 over the silver?
Is FH3 comparable to the kato? Which is better
What he said pls
I enjoy the Moondrop Variations.....They are the ones that will open your eyes and make your lips pucker !!!!! Listening to Marvin Gaye What's going on you can hear a guy asking a girl in the background "hey babe what's your name"........and this happens while the song is playing and Marvin gaye is up front and the backup singers are singing high vocals what's going on......and you hear the bongo's on the left side playing low ..... You can hear how hard the piano keys are being struck.....It's sick !
Can you hear that on a budget meal? Like aria or something else?
I am considering to upgrade my IEM experience to avoid Headphone over my head. THinking of anything can sounds big as Headphone sound quality. How is Moondrop Kato Flagship vs Sennheiser Ie600 ? I am planning to go All the way of my End Game in IEM journey if Senn IE 600 is superior than all the Chi-fi out there. Grateful if anyone have experience on both of these or have better recommendation from others brands too... Just not Campfire Audio which is too pricey with their Great sound model.
The Kato sounds way more natural to my ears compared to the IE600. The IE600 is v-shaped while the Kato is closer to neutral. My issues with the IE600 is that there's a sibilance on the upper treble and there's so much bass that it's distracting. If you've tried cheaper IEMs with v-shaped sound and you don't mind it that much then I'd recommend the IE600 but you will not go wrong with going for the Kato since it has great tuning and it's frankly a much better value compared to the IE600 to me.
Excellent work! Have you tried the Timeless yet? It's roughly at the same price point and possibly the most popular under $300 right now.
From the looks of things, that's the route he's going to take
Down the IEM Rabbit Hole we go....
Thanks for stopping by! Unfortunately I haven't but I would really love to try one 😁 and my goodness Danestyan, wish me luck 🤣
Send review unit mam hehe kidding 🙏😂
I’m looking for my first high end IEM and I want to get the best… After do some research and review from friends, they recommend the Moondrop Kato… I picked my first TWS after watching your videos and I just know that you review IEM also now…
Currently waiting for my Moondrop Kato in shipping and I hope it will amaze me as reviewed in this video… :)
High end would be 64 audio u12t, i knew some ppl who endgamed on that
Haha well 64audio would be like the endgame of all endgame tho 🤣 but for now the KATO would be more than enough for you! I really hope you'll like it 😁
@@namedkenn 64 audio u12t is the end game... for my wallet
KATO should be in your wish list, period 😆
Watch more:
- Moondrop KATO Unboxing ua-cam.com/video/K2nM5h4ZY_o/v-deo.html
- Dolby Atmos Explainer ua-cam.com/video/ULlhr10vAhI/v-deo.html
7 hertz timeless beats them! strong resolution at 200$ wow! I love my 7 hertz timeless!
@@STAYCBias I'll definitely put it high up in my list to check them out! They're slightly more expensive though no?
In any case mind sharing your DAC that you're using to drive it?
@@namedkenn , i use ibasso dc 05, you can use any dac pretty much gonna work just fine.
My personal experience with kato just playing save try to be all rouder. With short treble .. without extension. The problem with DD .. with less money we got another planar that simply more fast and good imaging.. best thing about kato and other moodrop products they are easy to drive even with smartphone
But very very good reviews Kenneth..👍
Sound its about personal taste
I totally agree with the mmcx buds lmao. So hard to remove. Im excited to try these once they are available in a store I follow. Its sold out as of the moment. Thanks for this!
Sold the KATO for the SSR ($39.99). SSR are more neutral/diffused, faster/transient, more comfortable, better forward midrange and much wider soundstage.
Cap
This seems like an entire different level of sound, i would like to try them.
Be careful with this videos tho, if you bring iem's to the channel, the haters and audiophiles will come too, and they will criticize you for everything 😅
He seems pretty humble. Not totally in his element at least not yet.
Relax, he's dipping his toes into the IEM scene. the only way is further down the rabbit hole from here on out LOL
Let me tell you ricardo, it's a whole new world of sound quality ahaha and yeah thanks for the warning 🤣 I'll get prepared and learn along the way
What would you all suggest for an iem that presents at least similarly to the openness of the Moondrop Kato, but that is a lighter body and cable (still good quality tho), and maybe grey or black (not a dealbreaker), with just as much, if not a touch more bass. Around $100, but willing to go up to $120 or $140. I have the Kato and I love it...for home listening. When I'm singing I need something lighter with a lighter cable, but I need smooth mids and highs, in order to stay as least fatiguing as possible, and like I said, just as much bass, or more. Ideally black for wedding gigs, but that's less crucial cuz I'm currently using the Kato mirror finish and they look slick, it's just the cable is on the heavier side, so that contributes to the iems slipping out little by little when doing even simple dance moves. Any recommendations? Been looking at the Linsoul Tangzu Vudu Verse 1, Truthear x Crinacle Zero Red, Simgot EA500LM, 7hz Sonus, Kefine Delci and Shanling Sono. Are any of those decent options for what I'm looking for? Sorry for the long question. Lots to be explained. Currently using SpinFit W1's. They seem to be a good balance for me.
At first I thought the cable was super nice and premium. But I realized how heavy it was while wearing and a bit springy when I tried to roll it up. I’d replace the cable but other than that yea it’s a great iem.
Appreciate your comment Rob! 😁
I'm excited for more wired review from you sir.. you'll be the only reviewer that have both wireless and wired thorough reviewer making it a good benchmark for both 👌
I'm so glad to receive this feedback! Will keep on reviewing more IEMs in the future and focus on my strengths!
Just got my matte katos today and just plugged them to my hiby mp3 player then put on a k-pop song called stay with me as it has both male and female vocals and to me the brass nozzles expands the feel of the bass parts with a slight expansion to the roomy feel whilst the steel nozzles sound more isolating or cold but makes the treble area sound a bit more pronounced. But yh really love these katos after watching dozens of videos about IEMs and the fact that I can change the nozzles suits my way of listening to songs as I tend to obsessively listen to a single track on repeat for weeks. Now I wonder how they'd perform with anime and movie background soundtracks :p
I got the blue ones of them. After experimenting with different equipment for hours. I came to the conclusion that I just don't like the way they sound. It may be because they don't fit my ears right. I've tested all the included ear tips. None of them fit my ears right. It feels like these are an open back iem. They don't isolate the sound at all. The nano tubes are very cheaply made and it's easy to cross thread and damage the tubes. Even though I tested both tubes. They don't provide the bass that I'm looking for. The cable and the IEMs themselves are built well. But none of that matters when they don't fit or sound good. Not saying they sound bad. Just not to my liking.
Nice review! I haven't had the chance to try the slightly more expensive moondrop models yet (laziness to go down to audio shop and try really), but based on reviews and FR graphs, the tuning for the KATO & Aria looks like it might suit my taste. Their new budget 'Chu' seems to have a somewhat similar tuning too (but closer to harman IE target?), so that's kinda tempting. But well, no plans to spend more money on IEMs considering already have too many. Gotta get out of the rabbit hole. 🤣
Been a while eh Alex 😆 but yeah I bet you'll love these! Curious about their latest Chu too though, perhaps you could sell some of your current ones and change them? Hahaha
That's great! I already own the Aria which is already a pretty solid iem! Do you think it is worth the upgrade considering the price difference? And also, is it an upgrade from the aria in the same direction of tuning or is there a different flavor in there?
No doubt the Aria is a very solid choice, but trust me the KATO is really worth the upgrade!
I would say the bass is less boosted than Aria so might wanna see if it suit your taste, but overall detail and that depth perception (!) is something you really don't get with the Aria
Need review of moondrop chu, kenneth senpai
I'll try to communicate with Moondrop and see if they could help with that! 😆
mmcx is much more durable & secure fit. Also it doesn't become loose like most of 2 pin in long run(search internet you are not only one facing this loose 2 pin with time). Also 2 pin is fixed while mmcx can swivel around axis even when it is securly fit to give more comfortable fit. For that reason only I avoided moondrop & like Fiio or Shure. How this sounds compared to Fiio FH3 or Shure Aonic 4 ?
Fiio FH3 is a great iem has extra bass boost I still listen to these. I bought the Moondrop Kato Blue recently these sound more controlled in all areas my new favourite.
With the apple dongle, unlike what crinacle said, soundstage will fall flat,no matter what earphone you use. As 1 DD vs multi drivers/BA, the latter will always lack cohesiveness
For those looking for an upgrade, the Softears Vision is quite a bit more comfortable than the Blessing 2 for me
Hey. Glad u finally tried Kato. Everyone says that they are astonishing and I hope that sometime in the future I'll have them too.
I know how to compare them to the TWSes. Try out KZ AZ10 or KZ AZ09PRO with them. I really need to hear your opinion on this. Thanks in advance :)
KZ claims to have multiple drivers in different models but most models have just one working dynamic driver. It is a controversy happened earlier this year.
@@gigihanmandarin em... Do u actually know what KZ AZ series are?
@@daronz sorry I didn't make my point clear. I mean they are dishonest as a company and maybe it is good to stop supporting them until they are proven to have rectified themselves. Fiio have products of same functionality like UTWS5 or 3.
@@gigihanmandarin I don't know if that is true (I know about the research but I dont trust it too much). I have kz zs10 pro for 2 yrs now, and they are not bad. And AZ series, acording to the reviews and tests are not bad option for the price, to transform IEMs in to the TWS.
Speaking about the recent drama about KZ, while I think it is wrong for them to do what they do, but they've issued a refund to everyone and most importantly sound quality is what speaks right? I think when people like how they sound, it's a sign that they're doing something right (truth be told I have only tried KZ EDX which I'm hesitating to review since this whole thing happened, but it is fantastic for the price!)
Anyway accidents happen, and I hope they're going to learn from their mistakes 😁
Anyway Daron, speaking about AZ series as I've said in another comment I am super keen to try them out, especially when they use QCC3040 now but the problem is they use a female 2 pin connector which only works with their IEM and CCA ones, not sure if they sell the other type of connectors tho!
if Moondrop turned Kato into a TWS but change the body into plastic to reduce weight and add gaming mode and EQ it's pretty much perfect for me
What do you use for?
They react great to true wireless conversion too. Kick the crap out of any premade tws setup so long as you don't care about ANC.
100%
get those Fiio UTWS3/5 and you got yourself a really good TWS experience
Problem with UTWS3 is they still use QCC3020 and that is a big reason why I still hesitate to get it til this date, and UTWS5 is just probably as expensive as the IEM itself 🤣
I know a lot goes onto the proper set of hardware so these IEMs can sound the best they could, and I could treat the price as an "investment" but when battery is a factor, the product life is always going to be limited so I don't know...
KZ also has these stuff but with QCC3040, problem is they use like a female 2 pin connector which is just urgh, and since the price is much lower perhaps they are less capable in driving higher end IEMs? Well everything is just speculation at this point I need to try them out haha
I thought I was the only one with the left ear problem but looks like its kinda common make me relieved :)😅
i love that the noozle is removable as it makes it easy to repair
Exactly! That's a really nice feature
Great review! Do you think it's good for EDM songs, electronics? Skrillex, David Gueta, 50cent, Avici...
Hey I'm looking for my first IEMs and was initially interested in KZ earbuds until I saw the scandal about the drivers. Then I found Moondrop and that's how I came across your video. I'm not sure if I want to pay over $120 for my first IEMs. Are the Kato also good for gaming? I mean for well audible footsteps and good sounding shots and explosions? Or should I rather go with the Aria or even the Chu?
As you can see, I'm not that familiar with IEMs and all the brands. So I'm open to suggestions for other IEMs.
Can i give you some recommendations? I got a perfect setup combination for Moondrop Kato, 1st Upgrade Your Cable to Tripowin Altea 4.4mm, then use Azla Sednafit Crystal Eartips, that's the best combo I got soo far, the vocal more sweet and thicc, the bass is well defined punchier and rounded, and the treble smooth but still detailed, very good for long listening session ☺
Hi, wanted to ask what the 4.4 mm is for, is it the plug? Thank you 💙
hi kak @kenneth.. I already purchased soudpeats trueshift2 after I watched your review,, unfortunately, after 1year and 5 months, the one of the bud are dead and can't be charged.. so i need your help kak.. for budget Idr 500~600K, which TWS you recommend? with note, I really like sound quality & characteristic of soudpeats trueshift2.. but i also need upgrade quality of the mic for meeting when WFH.. could you help me? ☹
oh no, Ken has entered the IEM Rabbit hole.
Sir, the only way from here on out is further down; the Blessing 2, the Variations, the Illuminations, then you go into Thieaudios like the Monarch and Clairvoyance.
There is simply no escaping
12:10 I'd assume you're either referring to BA Timbre which is a very common thing or just the outright coherency between the different driver types
Let me put an emphasis to
*there is simply no escaping*
🤣🤣🤣 I can’t wait to try out the even more expensive IEMs, really curious what they sound like especially on Variations that has EST drivers, or planar ones as well…
Anyway I think you’re right! I didn’t really use the word timbre since I’m still wondering what does it really mean (like how the sound is different), and now that you pointed it out I think I know where to look at (okay not look but you know 😆)
Thanks, I’m learning more by the day here haha
@@namedkenn you should consult back to your friend with the Hip DAC 2 and the Blessing 2 because he definitely knows what he's doing 🤣
Yeah, the Shuoer S12 and the 7Hz Timeless should be in your consideration for the planar IEMs.
The Variations, from what I've read, could be considered a "supercharged" Blessing 2 in terms of sound signature.
As for other suggestions, I'd say try the Tripowin X HBB twins, the MELE & Olina, The Thieaudio Legacy 4, the Seeaudio Yume and Yume: Midnight, maybe the Tin T3+ and T4, or even Moondrop's own Aria and CHU, just to name a few
@@namedkenn really late update. Finally managed to get my hands on the KATO and the 7Hz Timeless
For the same price (roughly), IMO the KATO doesn't hold a candle to the Timeless. The Timeless was just that much better
Hi, can you review 1more pistonbuds pro? and maybe a comparison with comfobuds pro. I'm confused on what to get. Thanks. Appreciate all your hard work!
Bro luv your vids trying to find the best wireless earbuds for me. I just wanna ask you does 40 bucks wireless earbuds like realme air 2 sounds better than some 15 bucks wired Sony ones?
Do you think Kato is better enough than Aria to justify the price difference? I'm thinking of getting one of them, but not sure which one to get. Aria is about half the price but I heard someone say the performance is not extremely different.
I'm thinking of upgrading my kato's cable.
And it also need to be interchangeable plug cable. Will moondrop pcc cable ok?
And also eartips, I'm ok with springtips but also want a pair of foam tips. Which foam tips ll be the best for kato as well?
hi, should i buy aria or kato?, cuz i got a limited budget for the IEM. for the preference, im the "balance" head. i dont really care about bass, as long the clarity and separation is good. after seeing your video, i was interested in aria. but seeing this video makes me think, should i save more money for this or buy the aria (my budget is at aria price rn). what do you think?
I've watched many reviews and I've come to this conclusion about both:
Kato has cleaner base but with less quantity, the Aria is the slightest bit more bassy...
The only other big distinction between the both is in construction some people report the paint stripping of the Aria or even bubbling (specifically in humid climates)
Hope this helps, also if you've already picked anyone of these up I'd love to hear your opinion on their sound
I have the Tin T2 plus, Blon BL03 & the KZ ZS10 Pro, falling for the hype train, I've ordered the 7hz Timeless and the KATO....will be arriving in a couple of days, How much of a sound quality jump can I realistically expect from these two compared to the dirt cheap ChiFi's that I already own? I use apple music Lossless on my Sony A105 and a Shanling M3X...
looks I am going the same route as you from BL03 and ZSX and now Aria to most likely Timeless :)
A quick question, what do you think about comparing the KATO and the variations? I have the KATO right now and I want to upgrade to Variations and I wanna know what you think about it. If you do find time to reply to this comment my preference is focused on female vocals if this may help you help me, thank you!
Can you tell me which one you prefer kato or rai solo?? Which one you will choose with reason?
Another great video 😍Btw can I ask this, between Fiil T1 Lite and Haylou W1, which one is better? One of these 2 is gonna be my first TWS so hope u reply to this. Thank you so much ^^
U can go with Haylou W1
Bought it 10 days ago
Awesome stuff
Bass is big but smooth doesn't destroy eardrums
Battery backup others is awesome
@@mkoutofmymind5902 thank you ~~
Thanks for watching Thang! Like what MK said I personally choose the Haylou W1 since it has a slight edge over the sound quality but I don't think you'll be disappointed with any really!
I know you have a Freebuds 4i unit (saw it on mic test video) but you didn't made a review of it yet. I believe you already did some testing, would you recomend the Freebuds 4i over Comfobuds Pro?
Yeah I really wanted to review it but didn't have much free time lately, honestly I'd go for 1More, the 4i's controls are too limiting, and of course ANC Transparency is better on 1more
Great review as always.
I hope you review Tripowen Olina. It's a $100 IEM that's using same driver and tuning of a $300 IEM (Oxygen) and it's got hyped in the community..!
Thank you so much! Lots of cool stuff going on in this price point yeah, and I mean since I'm new to all this I'll take my time checking them out one by one, hopefully haha
Is the kato stock cable 3.5ft long or 4ft? Wondering if I need to buy a longer cable.
Hi, I mainly use android phone (YTmusic) to listen to my musics, do I need portable DAC for Kato?... thanks
Hey Kenneth. I really appreciate the fact that you’ve put out this review of the KATO. I watched one of your earlier unboxing videos of the KATO and was really waiting for a more detailed review of the KATO compared to other TWS options. Even though I already own the Airpods 3 which I consider to be a well rounded TWS option, I also want to experience the KATO as I’ve never owned an IEM before. Hopefully they sound significantly better than the TWS options I have tried in the past. Do you find the KATO comfortable for long listening sessions because they seem to be quite heavy?
Hey Andrew, I’m glad I put out the review on time! Trust me, you will get a *huge* upgrade in sound quality compared to practically *any* TWS, and yes they are comfortable to wear for hours and hours, the weight doesn’t bother me as much when worn it’s just when you hold them in your hands they’re quite heavy
@@namedkenn Hi Kenneth, thank you so much for your reply! I have heard other reviewers say that the Katos are a leaner sounding IEM, and that the KATOs lack bass thump. Do you think this is something I should worry about? Do you find the bass on the KATO adequate and enjoyable?
@@andrewnguyen5878 For me, I find the Kato's bass is more controlled and clean. It's more than adequate for me and my tastes, however, I really suggest you try it out before jumping the gun. Everyone's ears and taste in music is different. This hobby is vast and you should test the waters to understand what YOU like before purchasing. Maybe see if a friend has a pair or if it's on display at an audio store. There's also ways to make iems wireless but that's another rabbit hole. Hope this helps
Moondrop Kato or Kinera Freya for everyday listening??????
. Thank you :))
Hey just found this channel after searching for videos about the buds live after I purchased them and they sucked to wear. Anyways, I know this is just a niche thing of mine and probably isn't a giant thing people look for, but I was wondering if you would ever consider making a tier list of the most user repairable wired/wireless earbuds or something along those lines since there's really no information out there besides older ifixit videos and articles aimed at mainstreamed brands. Ehh this probably wont go noticed but if you do happen to read this thank you for what you do. I'm by no means an audio guy, but I'm just happy there's people actually reviewing other non-widely known brands.
Hey there! I try to read all the comments so thanks for the idea 😁 unfortunately I can't talk about this myself as the availability of spare parts, or even the feasibility of even opening say a wireless earbuds is pretty low. I have myself a couple of dead earbuds, and I know a battery swap would fix it but I guess I don't know where to look for it, and as much as I am a DIY guy, I usually only go as far as cleaning or transferring parts from the same model
And in that regard all the true wireless earbuds I review will be on the same "bad" tier and for wired ones I dunno, are we talking about cracking the IEMs open or something?
@@namedkenn yeah it was a kinda dumb idea. I should've thought about it a bit more. They're probably all around the same difficulty due to their ip ratings and obscure part sourcing. I'd be shocked if any used an available button cell battery within them. I do appreciate the reply and again thank you for doing what you do. There's a lot of people that I know that would shy away from products just because they're not as well known as apple or Samsung and don't have that track record. Have a good one
Might as well ask but have you used blessing series? How does it compare? Iirc blessing use harman tuning
Haha as I've said towards the end yes I did compare this to the Blessing 2, and honestly they both shine in their own ways, but I think I might prefer the timbre of the single dynamic KATO
Can't find the latency timestamp
Yeah with IEMs I don't test latency since they're basically near zero, but that depends on the phone because some still have like sub-100ms latency even when used on wired
Hello, I’m new around here and not an expert by any means with audio.
I bought the Kato recently and I just can get satisfied with the bass. Is there any config out there that I should be using that I’m not aware?
No, they’re lacking bass. That’s why this isn’t a good iem imho it has qualities but bass isn’t one
For the same price, the Shuoer S12 is actually technically better than Kato, but they sound very different because of different types of drivers being used.
Interesting, what I always wonder though is planar IEMs harder to drive?
@@namedkenn Depends on the IEM. Tin HIFI P1? You need a full energy plant lol. Shuoer S12? get a lot more than enought power from a cellphone, but doesnt get the full potential on it tho, compared to something better. It scales very well with power, but decent dongle is more than enought. Im using the new Tempotec Sonata HD V btw...
@@namedkenn The S12 is not difficult to drive, they do require a little more power than hybrid IEMs, but a dongle DAC or a BT DAC will do. However, they do scale well with better amps.
Thanks for the insight Zeis and Matheus! I'll put this into consideration when getting my first DAC, also man that TinHiFi P1 piqued my interest now 😆
@@namedkenn needing more power dont really make a headphone/iem better.
The P1 is very neutral, some people dont like because dont really have that bass that planars can do. They are launching the new Tin Hifi P1 MAX now, easier to drive, almost certain better (cant know until reviews tho) and looks really nice, im interested just waiting for some reviews before buy it xD
Also, there is another 2 others Planar IEM`s that are being launch, the Muse HIFI Power and the Raptgo Hook X. Im interested on the Raptgo in specific because is a Planar + Bone conductor, and its open back. Never head an open back IEM before...
From tfz s2 planning to buy moondrop aria or kato.
Should i go to aria or shoud i go to kato or other iem in that tier?
Qcy t18 seems like a good model. Doing review on it ? It has Qualcomm 3050 chip
I am super intrigued that is for sure, unfortunately it's not here in my local marketplace yet, hopefully I could get in contact with QCY to help me with that
relax, wait and listen
A friend bought a unit, the postal card did not come in the box. Should he worry?
I don't think they are fake because they don't include the postcard, right?
Not necessarily, but I can't say for sure I think it's best to consult the seller
@@namedkenn Thanks for the prompt response.
I have read that all moondrops include the QC card, should this be enough to verify them?
In any case, I will contact the seller.
Very good video, I subscribe, I am learning from the world of audio.
YOu have to Try KZ AS10 and AS16 and As20 .. BALANCED ARMATURES
You can compare this to airpod pro?
That is good to use in spotify through mobile as a player?
try the moondrop blessing 2 for your opinion to change on the kato.
How does it compare to Shure SE535 ( clear)?
Kato is better than apple air pod pro?
the last time i watched your reviews is only tws now your into iems 😄😊👍
Haha yeah always trying to check out more stuff moving forward!
Where do you find the Dolby Atmos trucks?
It comes with Apple Music subscription
Kenneth, can you please review the new Redmi Buds 4 pro???
Hello kenneth, could you please review the jabra elite family? 😄😄 hehe thanks
How'd this compared to KZ x CRN since it's supposed to have similarly balanced tuning as well.
Different realm bro... KZ CRN is $20 and Kato is around $200.
Haha that's true, but keen on trying those out anyway!
U should try planar iem shuoer s12 and 7hz timeless
I'll buy these if they release the matte version
hifigo
im thinking to buy it new, but the price for me is stikl over budget, is it still worth if i buy a second hand Kato?
They're worth it at full price. I got them for $190 back in 2022, worth every penny!
@@airrick10 yeah i think im gonna buy it at full price
They’re really not worth it. They are mad expensive for a mid sound. Don’t be lured. They sound thin and metallic sometimes. Yeah they were really good 2 years ago and still sound nice, but a lot of IEMs will sound nicer and lower prices
Kato megumi waifu
fax
You should try the tripowin Mele or the newest tripowin olina
More affordable and good quality iem reviews please 🥰 thank you...
Actually behind my few IEM review videos I've bought a lot of stuff from different price points and I could definitely say each of them are worth recommending! Please stay tuned as I will get to them eventually 😁
Just how did you get it in that finish...... I believe it was a limited release and it will never be restocked
Well it's something that you can get anytime now (at least in the near future) as POCO is gradually launching them worldwide!
@@namedkenn thanks for the reply, but unfortunately it's not the Poco kleebuds I'm talking about, it's the moondrop kato
@@noxalbus eh sorry I thought I was replying to a comment on the Klee Buds Pro! (you used that name as well 🤣)
Yeah unfortunately the only finish available is the mirror one I see 😔
if i didnt like my starfields, would i like kato?
I haven't tried the starfields yet but I heard that Aria sounds similar, what didn't you like about it?
How these compare to aria?
Aku rencana mau ganti iem tahun ini, di tahun 2023 Moondrop Kato apa masih Worth it?
You think it’s good basshead iem?
What would be a entry level Moondrop?
Moondrop Chu just came out, is $20, and is getting a lot of praise right now
kinda sad my matte kato got a few chips T_T dropped it
Please make a video about soundpeats free 2 classic and comapare it to haylou or redmi buds
I'll definitely do that in my Free2 Classic review!
so...guys i wanna ask and i hope i get reply fast from all of you...between aria.....kato and blessing 2 wich is more good....i dont know much about tuning....i just plug in in my phone without setting or anything wich is better choice guys?
Of course it’s gonna be Aria < KATO < Blessing 2 but it really comes down to your budget and sound preference
Aria is the least expensive, of course it has the least amount of details and all that but it’s also one with the most bass so for most people it should be satisfying enough
Between KATO and Blessing2, both of them are really amazing, I think if you watched the video you’ll know my thoughts because I’ve gone through it there
@@namedkenn tq for reply boss...but if i have enough budget for blessing 2...which one do u think the best to get between those 3?
Do you have a tier list?
Haven't tested much in the IEM world so I don't have one yet 🙌🏻
can you make a review about Starfield ?
I'll see what I can do! 🙌🏻 I have reviewed the Aira though and heard that it sounds very similar ua-cam.com/video/zzUkfvqJgoU/v-deo.html
Hello EarFun® Free Pro Bluetooth 5.2 or EarFun® Air Pro in 2022 or other for 50-70 dollars? amazon
its shouty
I have the same issue with Aria not able to pinpoint positions. I auditioned the Kato and knew already it was way better (but it was more than twice the cost). Now am deciding between Kato and 7Hz Timeless. Gonna try audition them both,
That's great! Now I will also have Timeless soon so I'm looking forward to hear what it's all about 😁
@@namedkenn just got Kato and Tin T2 evo today, auditioned the 7Hz, prefered KATO :)
@@RajeshRavindranathan thanks for the update! Let's see how it goes with me haha
do they have that in wireless??
No
if kato is this good for you..blessing 2 going to blow your mind
Haha yeah I've listened to it as well, but only for a couple hours is never enough 🤣
how can you continue reviewing cheap TWS sets now? :p hard to enjoy now?
Hahaha nah man it's alright, each price point has their own charm (and trust me the cheaper ones are surprisingly enjoyable!)
Coba review produk dari anker yg terbaru bang. Soundcore Life Dot 3i. Makasih bang
Woke thanks input nya ya!