Moondrop Kato VS Moondrop Kadenz

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

Home Ranking Hidition NT6 Compare IEMs

Moondrop Kato and Moondrop Kadenz are in-ear monitors. Moondrop Kato costs $190 while Moondrop Kadenz costs $190. Moondrop Kadenz holds a clear 0.6-point edge in reviewer scores (6.3 vs 6.9). Moondrop Kadenz has significantly better bass with a 1.4-point edge, Moondrop Kadenz has better mids with a 0.6-point edge, Moondrop Kadenz has significantly better treble with a 1.4-point edge, Moondrop Kadenz has better dynamics with a 0.8-point edge, Moondrop Kato has slightly better soundstage with a 0.4-point edge and Moondrop Kadenz has better details with a 0.6-point edge.

Insights

Metric Moondrop Kato Moondrop Kadenz
Bass 5.5 6.9
Mids 6.4 7
Treble 5.9 7.3
Details 5.7 6.3
Soundstage 6.5 6.1
Imaging 5.7 6.9
Dynamics 4.3 5
Tonality 6.5 6.6
Technicalities 6.2 6.7

Moondrop Kato Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Nymz
Precogvision Audionotions Jays Audio Tim Tuned
Gizaudio Axel Crin Jaytiss Shuwa-T Yifang
Kois Archive Head-Fi.org
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

6.3

Mixed to Positive

Moondrop Kadenz Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Tim Tuned
Jays Audio Gizaudio Axel
Paul Wasabii Z-Reviews Jaytiss
Super* Review Head-Fi.org

Average Reviewer Score:

6.9

Cautiously Favorable

Reviews Comparison

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 8.5* * score rescaled + normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

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Price: $189.99

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Moondrop Kadenz reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 8* * score rescaled + normalized
Nice physicality and punch. Better bass as most basy IEMs. Okay technicalities. Image Separation is not the widest but decent.

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

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Price: $219

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Moondrop Kato reviewed by Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 6.5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
B+ Tech
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Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel

Moondrop Kadenz reviewed by Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 6 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 6.3 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
C+ Tech
For $200, I'd probably recomend other iems. But it's solid.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: B Treble: C+ Dynamics: C- Soundstage: A-

Moondrop Kadenz reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 7 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
A- Tech
Great Cohessiveness and tonality. Upper air is very nice.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: B Treble: A- Dynamics: C+ Soundstage: B
YouTube video thumbnail

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 5.5 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
Good detail, clarity, and imaging, but can sound thin. Similar tuning as Hana, but I found Hana to have better note-weight and bass.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Moondrop Kadenz reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 6 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
B+ Tech
Literally a more fancy Tangzu Xuan NV. Sounds basically the same but just with better packaging, cable/case, and build... but for $100 more?? Nah

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 5.5 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
A- Tech
KXXS with better vocals and details

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: A- Mids: A+ Treble: A-

Moondrop Kadenz reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 5.5 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
A- Tech
check links for more info:

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A+

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 7.9 * score rescaled + normalized
25 community members have rated the Moondrop Kato at an average of 4.2/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Very Positive.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Moondrop Kadenz reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 8.5 * score rescaled + normalized
2 community members have rated the Moondrop Kadenz at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

Moondrop Kato (more reviews)

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Kois Archive

Kois Archive 7.2 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Rating: A- | Value: ⭐⭐ | Comfort: 9 nice female vocals treble a little lacking

Kois Archive original ranking

Kois Archive Youtube Channel

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Crin

Crin 6.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 6.2 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B Tech
Comment: Moondrop's best "budget" single DD iem. Solid tuning, backed with surprising clarity that is a step up from the kxxs bunch Lower mids thin sounding

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: B Mids: B Treble: B+ Soundstage: B Details: B+ Imaging: B

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Yifang

Yifang 6 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
B- Tech
check links for more info:

Yifang original ranking

Yifang Youtube Channel

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 5.8 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
C+ Tech
A slight improvement over the KXXS all-round in the technical department.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: C+ Mids: A- Treble: B Dynamics: C Details: B- Imaging: B
YouTube video thumbnail

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Audionotions

Audionotions 5.5 Reviewer Score
Decent bass, decent mids, vocals presented nicely (tastefully forward), treble is non-fatiguing but a little darker but maybe a bit weird. Sounds a little blunted to my ears. Fit may be an issue for some, but tip-rolling can fix that. Build quality is excellent. The replaceable nozzles are a gimmick - they don't sound any different. Matte one is beautiful - it's a literal work of art - but be wary of the sharp edges if you have large conchas. Better than Aria, but not by much.

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Nymz

Nymz 4.9 Reviewer Score
C Tuning
C+ Tech
A bit thin, pillow light bass. Treble and stage could use some more refinement. A tecnical upgrade to Aria.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: C- Mids: C+ Treble: C+ Details: C+ Imaging: C+

Moondrop Kadenz (more reviews)

Moondrop Kadenz reviewed by Paul Wasabii

Paul Wasabii 7.2 * Score computed by IEMRanking.com
A Tuning
B+ Tech
YouTube video thumbnail
Neutral, timbre-first single DD with natural mids and pulled-back bass/treble; great for acoustic and slower tracks, less engaging for EDM. Stage is intimate and resolution is not the focus. Natural, emotive mids with coherent neutral-neutral tuning; three nozzle lengths help fine-tune treble to ear geometry. Upper-treble energy and sub-bass lift are restrained, making resolution, dynamics and stage feel smaller; heavy shells may challenge comfort for some users.
Youtube Video Summary

Kadenz targets a timbre-focused presentation with a neutral-neutral balance. The shells are hefty with a matte finish, and the kit includes three nozzle lengths that subtly shift treble interaction at the ear. The aim is natural tone over spectacle—ideal for listeners who value correctness rather than bass slam, etched detail, or airy sparkle.

Bass follows a gentle sub- to mid-bass arc that stays neutral—full enough for weight yet never boomy. The mids are the centerpiece: emotive, convincingly natural, and free from bass bleed. Lower treble is crisp without spikes, while the upper treble is rolled back, yielding an easy-listening, coherent sound some may label as “boring,” but which serves timbre and vocals well.

Technicalities lean modest: the stage sits mostly inside the head with some depth and no bright spots, and overall resolving power is less resolving than detail-chasing sets. It excels with acoustic and slower material where vocal expression shines, but it's less suited to high-energy genres that rely on air and treble drive. A specialist tuning that prioritizes natural mids over fireworks.

Bass: B+ Mids: A+ Treble: B+ Soundstage: B Details: B

Paul Wasabii original ranking

Paul Wasabii Youtube Channel

Moondrop Kadenz reviewed by Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 7.2 * score rescaled + normalized
check links for more info:

Z-Reviews original ranking

Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

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Price: $219

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Moondrop Kato User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Moondrop Kadenz User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Moondrop Kato Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.2

Gaming Grade

B

Moondrop Kadenz Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.7

Gaming Grade

B+

Moondrop Kato Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B+
  • The tuning leans easygoing, yet occasional unevenness nudges it away from greatness. A bit of EQ polish can smooth things nicely.

Average Technical Grade

B
  • Technical ability is serviceable, keeping basic detail intact across simpler tracks. It keeps up with acoustic tracks without much fuss.
Bass B-
The bass offers steady support without stepping into the spotlight. There's just enough punch for everyday playlists.
Mids B
Expect a confident midrange that keeps details audible without harshness. Acoustic arrangements sound engaging.
Treble B-
The top end is tidy and serviceable, adding air without overdoing it. Extension is decent for casual listening.
Dynamics C-
Volume swings are adequate, though they rarely feel dramatic. It won't offend, yet it won't thrill.
Soundstage B+
Good soundstage with proper width and depth, placing instruments in clearly defined positions. Instruments sit in their own lanes.
Details B-
Plenty of nuance surfaces, just not the last layer of shimmer. It balances clarity with an easygoing tone.
Imaging B-
Complex mixes stay organized thanks to the improved spatial discipline. Complex passages stay intelligible.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues.

Moondrop Kadenz Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B+
  • A mostly enjoyable signature keeps things listenable despite a handful of quirks. It handles most playlists without major complaints.

Average Technical Grade

B+
  • The presentation is steady if unspectacular, holding onto essential details when the music stays simple. Fine details occasionally slip through the cracks.
Bass B+
Low end hits with respectable impact while staying reasonably tidy. You get a healthy sense of rhythm.
Mids A-
The mids sound lush and articulate, capturing emotion effortlessly. Strings and keys shimmer with realism.
Treble A-
It provides outstanding treble finesse, balancing brightness and control gracefully. It's engaging yet remarkably controlled.
Dynamics C+
Dynamics feel competent, bringing energy without the finest detail. It carries energy without sounding aggressive.
Soundstage B
The presentation supplies a believable venue outline where each instrument owns its pocket of space. The stage opens up nicely for live cuts.
Details B
Recordings feel well sorted, with supporting details snapping to attention. Small articulations remain intact.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance.

Moondrop Kato User Reviews

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Moondrop Kadenz User Reviews

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Price: $285

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