Moondrop KATO review – Scion

Comparisons –

Moondrop Aria ($79): Both are clearly cut from the same cloth; the Aria is slightly leaner and brighter leaning with less technical ability overall. The differences in the bass range are most noticeable, as the KATO provides a much more affirmative sub-bass pressure and slam. It sounds notably bassier despite both measuring quite closely due to this. The KATO has more defined notes and better separation. The midrange is slightly leaner and more forward on the Aria while the KATO is a touch smoother and sounds more coherent.

However, the tonal changes are not huge, the KATO does have a noticeably more spacious sound, and this is appreciated most in the midrange. Up top, the Aria is brighter with a crisper lower-treble. However, it is also thinner and less defined, the KATO once again boasting the technical advantage in addition to being more linear. The KATO extends better and retrieves more background detail, it has a larger, more nuanced soundstage presentation.

Dunu Falcon Pro ($219): The Falcon Pro is a warmer, more relaxed earphone with more tunability options. I will be comparing using the reference filters. The KATO has a more dynamic, cleaner sub-bass boosted tuning while the Falcon Pro is warmer and fuller with more mid-bass bias. The KATO hits harder at the very bottom but the Falcon portrays similarly strong driver quality, delivering a pleasantly textured response. The midrange is more laid-back on the Falcon Pro and it has a warmer character.

The KATO is cleaner and has greater clarity and balance. The Falcon Pro has a brighter treble making it more articulate, but this isn’t hugely noticeable due to its greater warmth. The KATO does resolve slightly better here. Treble is brighter and airier on the Falcon Pro, the KATO has more accurate body and greater texture. Both have similar bite and note definition, similarly, neither has a large extension advantage. The KATO has a slightly wider soundstage and layers better.

SeeAudio Bravery ($250): The Bravery is a more coloured earphone with a more u-shaped character. The KATO has an advantage on sub-bass extension and slam while the Bravery has a faster, punchier mid-bass. The Bravery’s bass is faster and warmer while the KATO is cleaner and more dynamic. The Bravery has a slightly more laid-back midrange and it has a touch more clarity in addition to warmth. Overall, it’s a more contrasted and engaging presentation. On the flipside, the KATO is tonally cleaner and more progressive. Its voicing is slightly more natural and even-handed between male and female vocals.

The Bravery has a noticeably brighter and more energetic treble. Its lower treble is a touch smoother but energy ramps up in the middle-treble giving it a thinner but higher-clarity voicing. The Bravery has more bite and a sharper leading-edge while the KATO feels more focused and grounded. It has more accurate body, texture and decay while the Bravery has better separation and brings small details more to the fore. The KATO has a slightly larger stage overall and better layering while the Bravery actually has slightly better separation.

Moondrop Blessing 2 ($319): As the KATO has received a sizeable technical bump and a new tuning, some may be curious whether the price jump to the venerable B2 is still justified. The KATO is slightly bassier and just a touch smoother in the treble, overall making it more forgiving. The KATO has a more weighted sub-bass with greater slam and pressure. It also has a bit more mid-bass fullness. The B2 is light-warm but cleaner and more progressive than the KATO giving it the advantage on cleanliness and separation. The B2 does sound a bit more controlled and articulate in the bass. Mids are slightly more forward on the B2 relative to its less present bass and it has less contrast and higher coherence.

The B2 has smaller vocals but they are equally clean and well-bodied. Both have a very natural timbre, the B2 has slightly higher resolution but the difference is not huge. Treble is slightly brighter on the B2 despite measuring darker due to its BA-drivers. It has a noticeably sharper attack albeit a slightly less natural timbre due to quicker decay and less instrument body. The B2 is more detailed but compared to the KATO it is no longer a night and day difference. The B2 does extend better, background detail and air are both noticeably more apparent which is likely the biggest technical differentiator. The KATO actually has a slightly larger stage, however, the B2 does have noticeably sharper imaging and better layering. Its direction is sharper which gives it a more organised image.

Verdict –

Time and again Moondrop deliver solid products making them one of the most trusted names in audio. While their high-end gear has achieved similar acclaim, their bread and butter remains the KXXS-inspired platform as this has been most accessible to a wide range of consumers. The KATO is its best incarnation yet. Though the price has increased, so too has the audio performance in a substantial manner. The tuning is even more linear, refined and forgiving whilst upholding the superb cleanliness and balance that was beloved on previous models. This has now been realised with a far more capable driver that takes dynamics and note definition to the next level. A new cable and tasteful tuning nozzles makes this a more complete package than before. While the KATO isn’t a perfect earphone that won’t suit those wanting a warmth or the most energetic top-end, it is a versatility specialist that leaves little room for complaint as an overall package. For this reason, it is my pleasure to recommend Moondrop’s latest single-DD IEM.

The KATO is available from Apos Audio (International) for $189.99 USD at the time of writing. Please see our affiliate links for the most updated deals and pricing!

Track List – 

Billie Eilish – dont smile at me

Bob Seger – Night Moves

Courtney Barnett – Rae Street

Cream – Wheels of Fire

Dire Straits – Communique

Dirty Loops – Next To You

Eagles – Hotel California

Elton John – Honky Chateau

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

H.E.R – I Used To Know Her

Jasen – BYE

John Mayer – Continuum

Kanye West – Ye

Missy Higgins – The Sound of White

Radiohead – OK Computer

TALA – ain’t leavin` without you

The Beatles – Abbey Road

The weeknd – After Hours

Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride