[baskingshark]

How good is KATO, technically? Is it close to Blessing 2? From the review of Precog, I have the impression that it is not that good, still plagued by the over dampening (pillowy bass, slightly mushy note attacks)

Well comparing different transducers (single DD like KATO versus a hybrid Blessing 2) is gonna be an apples to oranges comparison as the different transducers have their own pros and cons.

But FWIW, the KATO is definitely inferior to the Blessing 2 in technicalities (agree with @RikudouGoku ), but the Blessing 2 has a less natural timbral accuracy than the KATO. So depends what you prioritize more for the music.

Even among midFI single DDs, the KATO is not class leading in technicalities. Stuff like the Tanchjim Oxygen beat the KATO in technicalities.

So, I made a right choice not to buy it

Btw: Oi, it’s you! I have read your posts here and there since my first days in this hobby. i bought FD5 because your comments. We finally “meet”

Speaking technical performance, have anyone tried Hidizs MD4? I am putting it through its pace. Super impressive resolution and effective tuning switches. I haven’t had such fun with an IEM for a while.

The Hidizs MD4 is indeed very technically proficient, with tuning switches to change the sound signature.
I think it can be a good stage monitor as such, as it has great isolation too.

Graphs pf the Hidizs MD4 via IEC711 compliant coupler. Measurements above 10 kHz are not accurate.


My beef with the Hidizs MD4 is the BA bass is quite unnatural, lacking movement of air and extension. So there are some tonal flaws, and it can be shouty on some switches. There's also BA timbre and it is quite fussy for source pairing (based on audiophile rules of 8ths) due to the low impedance of 8 ohm.

 

[o0genesis0o]

Well comparing different transducers (single DD like KATO versus a hybrid Blessing 2) is gonna be an apples to oranges comparison as the different transducers have their own pros and cons.

But FWIW, the KATO is definitely inferior to the Blessing 2 in technicalities (agree with @RikudouGoku ), but the Blessing 2 has a less natural timbral accuracy than the KATO. So depends what you prioritize more for the music.

Even among midFI single DDs, the KATO is not class leading in technicalities. Stuff like the Tanchjim Oxygen beat the KATO in technicalities.




The Hidizs MD4 is indeed very technically proficient, with tuning switches to change the sound signature.
I think it can be a good stage monitor as such, as it has great isolation too.


Graphs pf the Hidizs MD4 via IEC711 compliant coupler. Measurements above 10 kHz are not accurate.


My beef with the Hidizs MD4 is the BA bass is quite unnatural, lacking movement of air and extension. So there are some tonal flaws, and it can be shouty on some switches. There's also BA timbre and it is quite fussy for source pairing (based on audiophile rules of 8ths) due to the low impedance of 8 ohm.

Yup, low impedance but not very sensitive, not as easy to pair as one would expect.

BA bass is what it is. Tight and “clean” but quite textureless. I found bass resolution falls behind the rest of the frequencies. Not very inspiring in the bass region. I miss my FF3

Funny that you mention shouty. I personally don’t hear shoutiness (I managed to enjoy Ed Sheeran’s “equal” album with MD4, so no upper midrange problem to me), but any setting with the first switch on is unbearably boxy and stuffy to me. Luckily there is no metallic tint to the sound. I’m still shocked by how resolving and flexible this set is. Since Dunu SA4 is taking forever, I can fill in the “full BA daily driver” gap with this one.

 

[baskingshark]

New TRN single DD:

The MT3. Titanium 10 mm DD




Is that you Tangzu Shimin Li?

 

[Ceilidh]

New TRN single DD:

The MT3. Titanium 10 mm DD




Is that you Tangzu Shimin Li?

how dare you ! Shimin Li uses hexagons and are obviously bee themed, whereas the MT3 uses triangles and is an obvious reference to Deus Ex!
Joke aside, they sure do look quite similar. The Shimin Li is supposed to use a single DD using N52 neodymium magnets, I don't think the material used for the diaphragm was ever mentioned, but they're quite good for the price, if you're looking for something bright.
I'm new to this hobby but afaik, TRN most recent products were quite good for the price, so maybe another good addition to the single DD catalogue, which does feel really competitive due to some recent additions like the Salnotes Zero.

 

[thanosreviews]

Hi all! I am new here. Thanks for having me. Any recommendations for $50usd? Maybe planars?

 

[Ceilidh]

Hi all! I am new here. Thanks for having me. Any recommendations for $50usd? Maybe planars?

most if not all planar are over that price barrier, with one exception, the Kinera Celest Gumiho which is priced at $49 +taxes but is using a different and simpler planar technology.
That being said, the "under $50" segment isn't lacking in options, and maybe you could tell us about what you're going to use the IEMs for ?
Also maybe your favorite music genres ?

 

[thanosreviews]

most if not all planar are over that price barrier, with one exception, the Kinera Celest Gumiho which is priced at $49 +taxes but is using a different and simpler planar technology.
That being said, the "under $50" segment isn't lacking in options, and maybe you could tell us about what you're going to use the IEMs for ?
Also maybe your favorite music genres ?

thank you. I think maybe I want to up my budget and get the new Moondrop. Maybe $50usd not enough thanks!

 

[Dsnuts]

Hi all! I am new here. Thanks for having me. Any recommendations for $50usd? Maybe planars?

Dont know if there is a $50 planar but I can say you would like these.


https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/reecho-ova-sg-01.25823/review/28427/

These come with some of the best included tips in the industry too. Cost is $55

 

[SartWaiting]

Has anyone done a comparison of reecho sg01 ova and trn ta1 max? Interested also compare sound stage, afterglow and air.

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Has anyone done a comparison of reecho sg01 ova and trn ta1 max? Interested also compare sound stage, afterglow and air.

Afterglow?

 

[SartWaiting]

Afterglow?

Damned autotranslation problem.
Maybe soynd decay?

 

[JAnonymous5150]

Damned autotranslation problem.
Maybe soynd decay?

I wasn't trying to correct you, I just hadn't heard the term afterglow used before. I think you're right and you're referring to decay. Thanks for clarifying!

Sorry I can't help with the comparison you were looking for.

 

[BigGearHunter]

Kato tech is on the Titan S level to me. Far away from the B2.
And yeah, it might be overdampened for some, lacking in dynamics and texture overall.

I have Kato, Blessing 2 and Titan S in my collection and I would agree with your assessment 100% - the Kato is not a technical marvel like the Blessing 2 is.

 

[SartWaiting]

I wasn't trying to correct you

No problem. English - not my language. Only with google translate. Therefore, I can sound special terms and slang incorrectly

 

[Carpet]

So, I made a right choice not to buy it

Unfortunately the right decision is usually not to buy it. Even if the new shiny thing is the "best", in this hobby it will remain there for a very short space of time. Too easy to keep blowing cash on tiny incremental improvements that are barely discernable!

My wallet doesn't believe in my sincerity. It keeps raising the point that I have three IEMs and four cables in the mail!