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The Moshi Keramo:
~ All Photos Taken By Me, No Stock Material From the Manufacture Were Used for this review ~
This is the 2nd Moshi Earphone I have had the pleasure to review in the last month.
You can find my review of the Moshi Vortex Pro here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/moshi-vortex-pro/reviews/14287
The reason I mention the Moshi Vortex Pro is that it actually shares the same XR9 full range 9mm neodymium driver with the Keramo. Though they do both have a neutral sound, there are some variations in overall signature, specs and construction that I will get into shortly.
*Packaging*
The simple box is well thought out and displays the beautiful shiny Keramo nicely. Though, they look even better when they are removed and in your hand.
*Accessories*
You get a lot of tips. Lots of silicon tips. Six sets of tips to be exact, 5 extra and one set installed. There should be a size here for everyone. Though I will say I was slightly disappointed that there was no set of foam tips included. Luckily I did have an extra pair of the Comply T500 laying around and they fit the Keramo perfectly.
Also included is a felt covered open carrying case. The case is well built and has an interesting design. Though on Moshi’s site, you will see they show the cable wrapped around the outside of the case, but for me, I found it best to wrap it on the inside. This will leave the braided cable less exposed to being frayed.
*Build*
Wow, these Keramo are EXTREMELY nicely built. The polished ceramic housing is more beautiful in person than any picture can do justice. There is also quite a surprising weight to the earphones as well. I accidentally dropped them onto our brick floor, I cringed thinking I might have broken them. The Keramo did not even show the slightest hint of a scratch, it took the drop like a champ.
Like the Vortex Pro, the Keramo does have one build issue and that is the thin braided cable. While I found the Keramo’s cable to be slightly better, it still would tangle and kink. Plus even though it was a new unit, there are already signs of fraying. I personally think a nice, soft, thicker cable would be much better for both products.
The rest of the headphone, including the strain reliefs, microphone and the 3.5mm plug are all built with the greatest detail and quality.
*Fit*
One issue I had with the Vortex Pro, is that the housing was so round and slippery that it could be difficult to get a good grip to insert into the ear. While the Keramo is also very slippery and small, the overall shape helps to give a slightly better grip for placement. Though I will still fight with it from time to time to get it properly sealed.
Once I did find a good seal, I found the Keramo to be extremely comfortable in the ear. Initial testing, I wore them two hours straight with minimal discomfort. These are a great earphone for extended use.
*Function*
The Keramo comes standard with a microphone, that I found to work very well. Callers were able to hear me loud and clear with minimal distortion, even with other noises surrounding me. The Keramo does not come with any in-line controls.
Moshi provides is a Burning Tool App (Android, Apple). Inside the App you will find a specialized burn in sequence for all of the Moshi Products. Just select your model and hit burn in. It should be noted that you are responsible for the volume of the burn in, so make sure that you have it set a reasonable level before you start.
*Sound*
Like I’ve mentioned before, the Vortex Pro and Keramo share the same driver and an overall neutral sound, but that is not the end to the story. The two do not sound exactly the same because of differences in housing and impedance.
Bass – Bassheads not need apply. Down low you will find to be fantastically controlled and smooth. You will never find the Keramo’s bass to creep up in the mids, not a chance. Though, I would never call these bass light, more like bass neutral. Nowhere in the low range will you find a spike or imbalance. Sub-Bas and Mid-Bass are both represented equally.
Mids – Vocals are pure and presented with great clarity, just like the Vortex Pro. I found that the Keramo might be just a tad more pronounced in the middle, though while still staying well on the side of neutral.
Highs – Like the mids, I found the highs to be the smallest amount more pronounced than the Vortex Pro, though I never felt the Kermo to be overly extended or harsh. Highs are always controlled and of a neutral feel.
Isolation – Like the Vortex Pro, the Keramo isolates noise VERY well. The ceramic housing is great at blocking of sounds you may or may not want to hear. Also there is virtually no chance others around you will hear what you are listening to, no matter at what volume. The Keramo is a great earphone for public travel.
Sound Signature - The Keramo follows the same signature type as the Vortex pro, but does it in a cooler crisp way. When listening to the two back to back, I found myself wanting to use the Keramo a little more, but this is just a personal preference and nothing to do with quality of sound.
*Overall Thoughts*
I like the Keramo a lot. I like the design a bit better than the Vortex Pro; the dark ceramic housing just looks so cool. I also like the overall tone throughout the range. Though, it would be nice if the Keramo came with in-line controls and foam tips like the Vortex Pro. I think this might be part of the reason the Vortex Pro is slightly more expensive because of these added features. I found the Keramo to be easier to insert, though comfort level was on par with the Vortex Pro.
Moshi has two great earphones on their hands; a buyer could not go wrong with purchasing either model.
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The Moshi Keramo:
~ All Photos Taken By Me, No Stock Material From the Manufacture Were Used for this review ~
This is the 2nd Moshi Earphone I have had the pleasure to review in the last month.
You can find my review of the Moshi Vortex Pro here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/moshi-vortex-pro/reviews/14287
The reason I mention the Moshi Vortex Pro is that it actually shares the same XR9 full range 9mm neodymium driver with the Keramo. Though they do both have a neutral sound, there are some variations in overall signature, specs and construction that I will get into shortly.
*Packaging*
The simple box is well thought out and displays the beautiful shiny Keramo nicely. Though, they look even better when they are removed and in your hand.
*Accessories*
You get a lot of tips. Lots of silicon tips. Six sets of tips to be exact, 5 extra and one set installed. There should be a size here for everyone. Though I will say I was slightly disappointed that there was no set of foam tips included. Luckily I did have an extra pair of the Comply T500 laying around and they fit the Keramo perfectly.
Also included is a felt covered open carrying case. The case is well built and has an interesting design. Though on Moshi’s site, you will see they show the cable wrapped around the outside of the case, but for me, I found it best to wrap it on the inside. This will leave the braided cable less exposed to being frayed.
*Build*
Wow, these Keramo are EXTREMELY nicely built. The polished ceramic housing is more beautiful in person than any picture can do justice. There is also quite a surprising weight to the earphones as well. I accidentally dropped them onto our brick floor, I cringed thinking I might have broken them. The Keramo did not even show the slightest hint of a scratch, it took the drop like a champ.
Like the Vortex Pro, the Keramo does have one build issue and that is the thin braided cable. While I found the Keramo’s cable to be slightly better, it still would tangle and kink. Plus even though it was a new unit, there are already signs of fraying. I personally think a nice, soft, thicker cable would be much better for both products.
The rest of the headphone, including the strain reliefs, microphone and the 3.5mm plug are all built with the greatest detail and quality.
*Fit*
One issue I had with the Vortex Pro, is that the housing was so round and slippery that it could be difficult to get a good grip to insert into the ear. While the Keramo is also very slippery and small, the overall shape helps to give a slightly better grip for placement. Though I will still fight with it from time to time to get it properly sealed.
Once I did find a good seal, I found the Keramo to be extremely comfortable in the ear. Initial testing, I wore them two hours straight with minimal discomfort. These are a great earphone for extended use.
*Function*
The Keramo comes standard with a microphone, that I found to work very well. Callers were able to hear me loud and clear with minimal distortion, even with other noises surrounding me. The Keramo does not come with any in-line controls.
Moshi provides is a Burning Tool App (Android, Apple). Inside the App you will find a specialized burn in sequence for all of the Moshi Products. Just select your model and hit burn in. It should be noted that you are responsible for the volume of the burn in, so make sure that you have it set a reasonable level before you start.
*Sound*
Like I’ve mentioned before, the Vortex Pro and Keramo share the same driver and an overall neutral sound, but that is not the end to the story. The two do not sound exactly the same because of differences in housing and impedance.
Bass – Bassheads not need apply. Down low you will find to be fantastically controlled and smooth. You will never find the Keramo’s bass to creep up in the mids, not a chance. Though, I would never call these bass light, more like bass neutral. Nowhere in the low range will you find a spike or imbalance. Sub-Bas and Mid-Bass are both represented equally.
Mids – Vocals are pure and presented with great clarity, just like the Vortex Pro. I found that the Keramo might be just a tad more pronounced in the middle, though while still staying well on the side of neutral.
Highs – Like the mids, I found the highs to be the smallest amount more pronounced than the Vortex Pro, though I never felt the Kermo to be overly extended or harsh. Highs are always controlled and of a neutral feel.
Isolation – Like the Vortex Pro, the Keramo isolates noise VERY well. The ceramic housing is great at blocking of sounds you may or may not want to hear. Also there is virtually no chance others around you will hear what you are listening to, no matter at what volume. The Keramo is a great earphone for public travel.
Sound Signature - The Keramo follows the same signature type as the Vortex pro, but does it in a cooler crisp way. When listening to the two back to back, I found myself wanting to use the Keramo a little more, but this is just a personal preference and nothing to do with quality of sound.
*Overall Thoughts*
I like the Keramo a lot. I like the design a bit better than the Vortex Pro; the dark ceramic housing just looks so cool. I also like the overall tone throughout the range. Though, it would be nice if the Keramo came with in-line controls and foam tips like the Vortex Pro. I think this might be part of the reason the Vortex Pro is slightly more expensive because of these added features. I found the Keramo to be easier to insert, though comfort level was on par with the Vortex Pro.
Moshi has two great earphones on their hands; a buyer could not go wrong with purchasing either model.
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