I think both the Katana and Encore are good. For me the Katana has more warmth, and bass in its presentation than the Encore; while being less detailed and analytical. Anyway, if you can try with your ears first that would be better. Good luck.
Just sharing. Here is my personal take on the Kaiser Encore, in comparison with my MASON 2. Mind you that your experience may vary. For me, the Encore presents high clarity, and details in its tonality - especially midrange. If you're a classical music listener, or like orchestra music, the Encore is very suitable, and can satisfy many soundstage cravings. It feels really immersive when listening to Encore, the stage is wide, tall, and spacious. The atmosphere presented is airy; due to Encore's clarity, separation and lean note size. Female vocals, and piano are detailed, and articulate, which is another of my favourite aspect listening with the Encore. I was mistaken before when I first listened to the Encore - playing a bass heavy electronic music. Not a surprise that the Encore was not specialized in that, and didn't sound to my liking. I think the Encore soars very well when you're listening to music which requires presenting a lot of specific details, and clarity.
https://www.head-fi.org/f/showcase/unique-melody-mason-2.22391/reviews#review-18609
Noble Kaiser Encore ($1850, 10 BA):
K10E has a bit more width, and height in its dimension. The stage feels more spacious and airier, due to its lean/lighter note size. The MASON 2 however is deeper, and has better layering ability. K10E can be highly transparent. But it's pretty sensitive, so you'll need to select the right source.
K10E is brighter, colder, and more analytical. It displays as neutral, but with more bump in mid-bass, and upper-mid frequency. The MASON 2 feels warmer, smooth, and more natural. You can hear this in each musical notes. The K10E, sounds more precise, and detailed. It is bright, and cleaner. While the MASON 2 sounds lively, and more engaging. Still, both have good resolution, and imaging.
Bass on the K10E is boosted more in the mid-section. While its sub-section can be found lacking in volume. The MASON 2 has a more satisfying overall bass. Its bass is denser, and more dynamic. That being said, the K10E's leaner bass has better control, and quicker speed.
Midrange is highlighted more in the K10E. It has a brighter presentation which exposes a lot of micro-details. Notes are leaner and more articulate. While the MASON 2 has a better balance between warmth, and clarity. This balance, allows the MASON 2 to produce notes with a more natural timbre - closer to reality. They both have good technical abilities, with the K10E excelling in separation, and transparency.
Upper-mid, or lower-treble is both the K10E's strength, and also its weakness (at least for me). It has this distinct lift in it, which is good for providing clarity to the whole sound. But also unpleasant for some sensitive listeners. The MASON 2 has a smoother, less-fatiguing tone. It displays better control in this area.
Both treble extends very well. They both recreate details nicely.
Noble Kaiser Encore ($1850, 10 BA):
K10E has a bit more width, and height in its dimension. The stage feels more spacious and airier, due to its lean/lighter note size. The MASON 2 however is deeper, and has better layering ability. K10E can be highly transparent. But it's pretty sensitive, so you'll need to select the right source.
K10E is brighter, colder, and more analytical. It displays as neutral, but with more bump in mid-bass, and upper-mid frequency. The MASON 2 feels warmer, smooth, and more natural. You can hear this in each musical notes. The K10E, sounds more precise, and detailed. It is bright, and cleaner. While the MASON 2 sounds lively, and more engaging. Still, both have good resolution, and imaging.
Bass on the K10E is boosted more in the mid-section. While its sub-section can be found lacking in volume. The MASON 2 has a more satisfying overall bass. Its bass is denser, and more dynamic. That being said, the K10E's leaner bass has better control, and quicker speed.
Midrange is highlighted more in the K10E. It has a brighter presentation which exposes a lot of micro-details. Notes are leaner and more articulate. While the MASON 2 has a better balance between warmth, and clarity. This balance, allows the MASON 2 to produce notes with a more natural timbre - closer to reality. They both have good technical abilities, with the K10E excelling in separation, and transparency.
Upper-mid, or lower-treble is both the K10E's strength, and also its weakness (at least for me). It has this distinct lift in it, which is good for providing clarity to the whole sound. But also unpleasant for some sensitive listeners. The MASON 2 has a smoother, less-fatiguing tone. It displays better control in this area.
Both treble extends very well. They both recreate details nicely.
Overall, the Encore is an amazing IEM worthy of being the top of its line. Not as versatile in playing some genres of music, but it plays certain genres very well. I have to compliment and thank John for creating. It is not an easy feat to complete such a highly technical IEM. No need to say much about the build quality, the universal Encore is very tough
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