The KATO KILLER IEM Is Not What I Expected

[@HangoutAudio]

Check out da Squiggy Moondrop Kadenz: graph.hangout.audio/iem/5128/?share=JM-1_Target,Kadenz&bass=2&tilt=-1.1&treble=0&ear=0

[@iisakei2369]

I hope that not only moondrop, but other companies will also allocate more resources to software development. Ease of use greatly changes the value of a product.

[@timmyvangtans]

I agree!!

[@miscwork-qb7pd]

I would say yes for moondrop, since they're deep into TWS market and has their own phone that can take advantage of software. But other companies, stick to driver development and tuning first

[@holdenhodgdon3756]

Sadly, we are most going to be seeing a lot of AI generated programs.

[@Manupassero]

These are the great reviews we all missed since you left the Gizaudio channel. Thanks :)

[@paulmckira5902]

i will buy this in 355 years

[@pmdthewizard]

Wiser move 👍

[@RNeeko]

Despite having gotten several more expensive IEMs I still love my Starfield which I got when it launched. Seeing how the Kato stacks up against JM1 on the more accurate 5128 measurement rig compared to the 711 measurements that were out at the time I feel like this much more closely resembles how it actually sounds to my ears. There's just something special about it that makes it such a pleasant IEM.

[@xspaniki]

i still love my kato ❤

[@Simon-vt1zp]

I love my KATO. Plays well on majority of music styles. Don’t know what I will do if my Katos break

[@250kmonths]

you guys should really include a gaming section in the videos, like how good they are for directional audio in gaming especially footsteps in FPS games.

[@AronAddams7]

This isn't the Kato upgrade I was looking forward to.

[@sarahpark5768]

“You might have to hope and pray two or three times” 😂

[@FilinMXr]

This feels more like a usual Gizaudio review than a Hangout.Audio showcase 🤔

[@deadxobbit]

I still love my not-so-mirror-anymore KATO. Not sure that a KATO side grade was what people wanted the K series send off to be

[@spamcan9208]

The fact that they don't give you a modular cable at that price is unacceptable. Instead you get an unwieldy chungus of an adapter. It's obvious they're trying to wring every last bit of investment from the Kato. That's not to say it's a bad thing or that I take issue with it, I don't. But it appears minimal effort was made to differentiate it from the previous model and nothing of significant value was added to justify the same price. I don't think it's competitive or compelling in 2024. Feels like moondrop is resting on their laurels.

[@Hijynx87]

At least it's 4.4 and a nice cable.

[@3ildcard]

180$ for a single DD. People were already not recommending the KATO because of its price in 2024 and they just re-released it with different name and DSP. Could've competed with Kima 2 and Explorer. For 110-120$ it'd be a lot more appealing. For almost 200, its a no-no anyways. With or without modular cable.

[@Hijynx87]

@@3ildcard that and the really good single dd are just slightly more, and go on sale for around $180. Tanchjim origin, dunu falcon ultra and ea1000.

[@haomingli6175]

aria 2 has modular cable. not sure what they are thinking.

[@rene837]

Moondrop also has bad build quality, at least in my experience. On both my Kato and Variations, the 2-pin connections on the IEMs loosened over time and one of my Kato earpieces even stopped working shortly after. At least Moondrop sent a replacement for the broken Kato, but I will not buy another IEM from them any time soon, and especially not an expensive one.

[@FolstrimHori]

Good to "hear" that I have no reason to upgrade from my Katos. Also you could easily clean up yours with some polish.

[@Nightjar726]

I had the Kato and I loved the deep bass and texture. But it’s attack was pillowy soft and the treble had grain I couldn’t dial out with EQ without it getting too dull.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

Aria 2 is great with an impedence adapter! The accessories are top-notch, too.

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@m_yy_m 220 Ohm

[@m_yy_m]

👌

[@kado3661]

What impedance did you use?

[@ReverendDr.Thomas]

@@kado3661 220 Ohm.

[@m_yy_m]

220 ohms

[@JiajuChen]

Let's just call it Moondrop returned to their beloved vocal forward tuning.

[@Simon-vt1zp]

I love my Katos . What would be a worthy upgrade when they break ?

[@hs3204]

Where is blue 2???

[@mohamadanas6203]

Moondrop releases products just for the sake of releasing them. They dont even try to release an awesome product. The iem industry right now is becoming like the smartphone industry - changing a little bit but still similar to the previous models

[@RainbowSun0529]

Ok I think I could talk a little about the whole new “meta” tuning. After listening to Dusk(dsp), Mega5, Cp622, I believe this new meta tuning has nothing to do with neutral compare to the old standard. Basically, this new “meta” tuning emphasizes the extra energy in 3k region, while making the 1-2k region a little recessed. That results in the midrange sounds “younger”, both male and female vocal become much more lively. Meanwhile, in the old fashion neutral tunings, the vocals are more realistic, just like what we hear in real life. For me that makes this new “meta” tuning inferior to the old neutral tuning cause I want hi-fidelity sound that true to real life but not colored in any ways.

[@itsarqum8086]

The new "meta" tunings are based on the JM-1 Target which is essentially the Diffuse field of the 5128 with the adjustment of treble of 3k to 6k based on the population average of how their ears sound. That's what the new meta bases itself on. Keeping all of that in mind, everyone has their own preferences so the new meta IEMs aren't tuned exactly 100% to this Target because people have their own preferences due to their own unique HRTFS. The new meta IEMs aren't 100% new meta is what I'm trying to say so I'd not dismiss them as the old IEMs were tuned based on measurements from the 711 coupler which didn't accurately measure IEMs compared to the 5128. The 5128 needs more work so it's not the perfect representation of FR either but it's better than the 711. If the older tuning styles sound more natural then you do you since you're the best judge of yourself and audio is subjective. Hopefully I didn't ramble too much. Cheers.

[@angelovalentin6032]

Timmy left reviewing due to burnout to do reviews on another channel. Nice!

[@nok460]

Hey man, what happened to gizaudio ? I'm kinda late to the party, also glad to hear kato still rocks. I own a pair of Variations and cannot ask for more lml

[@hl_hohohaha]

If strictly comparing kadenz and TE nova, which one is a better buy in the end of 2024? I am more towards the vocal and bass is not that important to me. Mainly listening jpop, kpop, mandopop and anisong. Thanks in advance.

[@zyvixm]

(mental note) Demo next Canjam. Especially with the EQ presets. Sounds like a good time.

[@Nightjar726]

Pardon, but can you do a video on the quality of Drivers used in IEMs and if they really differ or are mostly OEM Chinese cheap drivers? Basically besides the tuning and shell, what are we paying for? I’m assuming like in speakers and over ear headphone drivers driver quality matters. And with all these Chinese companies I have no idea what we are getting. Much appreciated.

[@ariathyf144]

It looks like the DSP introduce a new problem : - Lazy tuning Or maybe it's just moondrop house sound that reminds me a bit the blessing 2 with clear emphasis on treble.

[@timmyvangtans]

I don't mind if the DSP has preset tunings that are not possible with the driver setup. For example, the Kadenz is a single DD, there are many tunings that are not achievable in analog.

[@guybrushtwood]

Kato does come with 3.5mm fyi. Cable looks nice but isn’t great for such a heavy iem

[@saincoat]

Can someone explain to me pls, why single dd costs almost 200 usd?

[@studynowPH]

I wanna try these with the dusk eq

[@notsocool2646]

A little bit disappointed in moondrop … btw when xenns mangird tea pro review?

[@callmemr.f5370]

Vocal lover... The Question... ORIGIN or KADENZ? or KIMA 2?

[@timmyvangtans]

Personally, the Origin has more of the "special sauce" for me as a vocal IEM. The treble is quite detailed and the extra midbass makes it sound more fun as well. Though it is quite a bit more expensive. Haven't tried Kima 2

[@3ildcard]

Renamed IEM, same price, single DD, 2024. Could've been competitive at 110-120 with Explorer, Kima 2 but nah, they went full greed.

[@HobbyTalk]

Kima 2 the real killer

[@Hijynx87]

I ended up getting one despite owning an origin. It's nice, especially with azla origin tips.

[@gabech2789]

Kima2 eating the Kato lunch 😅

[@chimika5025]

wth moondroop 😢

[@Ardeact]

hello

[@rzkrdn8650]

Timmy is chonk

[@estebanmorales3699]

I rather buy a Kefine Delci or Klean for that price

[@miscwork-qb7pd]

People will still buy this just because it's the last K-series, and there won't be as many scratch or paint chip issues. Will be interesting to see what moondrop moves onto next

[@adarshdhandayuthapani4027]

How does this 5128 graphing work? It isn't as intuitive as the 711 graphs

[@PollutersInc]

Only 3 views in 29 seconds? Bro fell off.

[@sindroomxo]

npc

[@sindroomxo]

get a job

[@CookinBeatloaf]

Too much churn

[@garychan927]

well said. the app is truly horrible. bought the May as the first Moondrop and I will never purchase another Moondrop until I can successfully connect the May at least 90% of the time.

[@teamlulquit]

Just don't buy the DSP IEMs tbh after all of this the Blessing proves that it may not be the best but it is the best non-DSP thing Moondrop still provides.

[@garychan927]

@@teamlulquit nope, not buying an iem without lip on the nozzle either.

[@kaavik47]

I have no issues with my Moondrop May, and the sound is great for the price.

[@garychan927]

@@kaavik47 good for you

[@GL0_WER]

Just watched, now you can delete it

[@hardtobearit]

Single driver for 100+ yeah unless it's a planar this is a joke.

[@rekire___]

Kandeeznuts

[@DumbOrangeFrog]

audeze nuts