[mmkzero]

I just received the Kato. The shell is sitting comfortably in my ears. But the only problem is the cable with its metal parts are weighing on the upper part of my ear which is causing some discomfort. Does anybody know a solution to this. Can we attach a clip to the cable and hook it to the shirt or something?

One solution could be a different cable. You could get a quality one for cheap, and wanted to get a balanced cable as well, right?

A standard 2-pin to 2.5mm balanced cable should fit the Kato.

Do you want some recommendations?

 

[venky]

One solution could be a different cable. You could get a quality one for cheap, and wanted to get a balanced cable as well, right?

A standard 2-pin to 2.5mm balanced cable should fit the Kato.

Do you want some recommendations?

Yes, please. But I have already ordered BQEYZ C9.

 

[AmericanSpirit]

I just received Nekocake!

Size comparison with AirPodsPro:

Initial impression:
-SQ Not far from Sparks, and the balance is refined IMO. Sparks had rolled off treble, of which is somehow refined on Nekocake

-Not too far from Apple’s AirPodsPro on resolution too, but APP has better diffusion field articulation l, Nekocake/Sparks is not far too

-The Moondrop LINK let users to custom tap functionalities which is a HUGE plus. Becuase the default setting basically crippled the TWS, when you accidentally touch the stem, it pause/play the music. Or side sleeping is basically impossible, however if you redefine play/pause as “double tap” this usability issue will be gone.

rthe LINK app has preset EQs, of which it’s mostly self explanatory except the last “Wennebostel” one. Which, to my ear it sounded like “Sennheiser veil” HD650 mod. You get good chunk of warm bass floor and inoffensive/pleasant Senn style tonality

Overall, I feel Nekocake is a good cheaper alternatives to AirPodsPro, the ANC isn’t anywhere near APP level, but it’s the thing that works, it cuts off the noise floor, a bit turn down is that it somehow trades some 4-5k clarity to ANC. But yes the 42USD price tag is justifiable over those compensations.

Tonality: Moondrop house curve with further vocal emphasis
Technicalities: just regular single DD, nothing short.

It’s a good buy except unless AKG winter holiday sales for N400 at $47.99 keeps permanently which is unlikely.

 

[kmhaynes]

I just received the Kato. The shell is sitting comfortably in my ears. But the only problem is the cable with its metal parts are weighing on the upper part of my ear which is causing some discomfort. Does anybody know a solution to this. Can we attach a clip to the cable and hook it to the shirt or something?

Hmm. The cable on my KATO doesn't have any metal going over / around my ear -- if is a soft sheath around the white / silver cable, pre-formed to bend but flexible. Maybe you could post a pic pointing what you address referring to??

 

[venky]

Hmm. The cable on my KATO doesn't have any metal going over / around my ear -- if is a soft sheath around the white / silver cable, pre-formed to bend but flexible. Maybe you could post a pic pointing what you address referring to??

No, it is the same cable and there is no metal going over the ear. But since the cable is going over the ear, the metal part and the entire cable is weighing on it. I guess it could be because I am use to very light cables in the past. I will just use a earphone clip to hook the cable to my shirt. Hopefully that will fix the problem.

 

[r31ya]

Is there a new Moondrop Spaceship?
"Moondrop Spaceship with new "anti imbalance" filter"
This start to pops out in local online store as i browse for Quarks for chirstmas gift.

 

[MOONDROP]

Is there a new Moondrop Spaceship?
"Moondrop Spaceship with new "anti imbalance" filter"
This start to pops out in local online store as i browse for Quarks for chirstmas gift.

Oh well, it’s just the version with filters updated after we received considerable amounts of complaint for channel imbalance.

The actual sound is the same.

 

[kmhaynes]

No, it is the same cable and there is no metal going over the ear. But since the cable is going over the ear, the metal part and the entire cable is weighing on it. I guess it could be because I am use to very light cables in the past. I will just use a earphone clip to hook the cable to my shirt. Hopefully that will fix the problem.

Ah, gotcha, yeah the KATO cable is fairly hefty and really should come with a shirt clip. The cable on the Ikko OH10 is very light weight and feels a little fragile. I'm waiting on a replacement cable with phone controls, and hope it is more substantial than the OH10 stock cable.

 

[Ace Bee]

I managed to put together my last review of 2021, the Moondrop Kato. Have a read to find out how I like, or did not like in it:

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/moondrop-kato-new-single-dynamic-driver-iem.25413/review/27533/

 

[littlenezt]

i just purchased the KATO as a self gift for my birthday, and noticed that the molding on my unit kinda inconsistent, the left IEM shell is smooth like the KXXS meanwhile the right one have more pronounced 3D geometric(?) lines, i also have sent an email to @MOONDROP support asking is this normal or is this some kind of defect that can be replaced under warranty, apart from the IEM shell, really liking the sound a lot

Spoiler: but, why?

edit : anyone else have glossy KATO ver. and can confirm on this?

 

[Random Lunatic]

Has anyone by chance compared the KATO to the Final A8000?

 

[baskingshark]

Has anyone by chance compared the KATO to the Final A8000?

The A8000 is much harder to drive and has better transients and technicalities than the KATO.

However, the A8000 has a jarring peak around the 5 - 6 khz region which is fatiguing. The KATO has a thicker and lusher note weight and tonally I much prefer the KATO, as it is less fatiguing and smoother. KATO has a tuning nozzle to give a slightly different flavour too.

 

[MOONDROP]

i just purchased the KATO as a self gift for my birthday, and noticed that the molding on my unit kinda inconsistent, the left IEM shell is smooth like the KXXS meanwhile the right one have more pronounced 3D geometric(?) lines, i also have sent an email to @MOONDROP support asking is this normal or is this some kind of defect that can be replaced under warranty, apart from the IEM shell, really liking the sound a lot

Spoiler: but, why?

edit : anyone else have glossy KATO ver. and can confirm on this?

picture credit to VLAYAR

As these shells are handcrafted... some inconsistence in the shell is expected(in fact my set look the same way as yours, even though it was a matte finish)
This difference is normal among KATO units, which makes each set somewhat unique.
Sorry for the confusion it may cause.

 

[Random Lunatic]

The A8000 is much harder to drive and has better transients and technicalities than the KATO.

However, the A8000 has a jarring peak around the 5 - 6 khz region which is fatiguing. The KATO has a thicker and lusher note weight and tonally I much prefer the KATO, as it is less fatiguing and smoother. KATO has a tuning nozzle to give a slightly different flavour too.

Interesting - I loved the heavy build of the A8000, and its sound was very coherent/liquid and detailed/precise... but it was too bright. I was hoping the Kato might provide something similar, without paying a premium for the Final brand.

 

[baskingshark]

Interesting - I loved the heavy build of the A8000, and its sound was very coherent/liquid and detailed/precise... but it was too bright. I was hoping the Kato might provide something similar, without paying a premium for the Final brand.

I found the A8000 too bright for me too.

Perhaps a cheaper and baby A8000 (not as bassy though) would be the HZsound Heart Mirror. It is a neutral bright set which is quite analytical and technical. Needs amping though to scale better. It can hit around 70% technical performance of the A8000 for much less coin.

The Tanchjim Oxygen is also quite a technical single DD set, the Oxygen and KATO both have very good timbre and tonality, but the Oxygen has the edge slightly in the technicalities department (soundstage, imaging, instrument separation, and details) and the Oxygen also has more air and treble energy. The KATO on the other hand, has more sub-bass extension, a fuller note weight, and more heft to the music, when compared to the Oxygen.