Moondrop Kato VS Tanchjim NORA

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

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Moondrop Kato and Tanchjim NORA are 1DD in-ear monitors. Moondrop Kato costs $190 while Tanchjim NORA costs $110. Moondrop Kato is $80 more expensive. Tanchjim NORA holds a clear 0.7-point edge in reviewer scores (6.3 vs 7.1). Tanchjim NORA has better bass with a 0.8-point edge, Tanchjim NORA has better mids with a 0.5-point edge, Tanchjim NORA has better treble with a 0.7-point edge, Tanchjim NORA has slightly better soundstage with a 0.3-point edge, Tanchjim NORA has significantly better details with a 1-point edge and Tanchjim NORA has significantly better imaging with a 1-point edge.

Insights

Metric Moondrop Kato Tanchjim NORA
Bass 5.5 6.3
Mids 6.4 6.9
Treble 5.9 6.6
Details 5.7 6.7
Soundstage 6.5 6.8
Imaging 5.7 6.7
Dynamics 4.3 7.1
Tonality 6.5 7.2
Technicalities 6.2 6.6
Take these comparisons with a grain of salt—we don't have enough Tanchjim NORA reviews saved yet to provide an unbiased result.

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

Tanchjim NORA Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Paul Wasabii Z-Reviews
Web Search
Head-Fi.org

Average Reviewer Score:

7.1

Generally Favorable

Reviews Comparison

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

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Price: $189.99

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Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Head-Fi.org

Head-Fi.org 8.4 * score rescaled + normalized
13 community members have rated the Tanchjim NORA at an average of 4.5/5 on Head-Fi. Overall sentiment: Outstanding.

URL to full Review

Head-Fi.org original ranking

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Price: $109

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Moondrop Kato (more reviews)

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

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 Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 6.5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel 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 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 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 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 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 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+

Tanchjim NORA (more reviews)

Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Paul Wasabii

Paul Wasabii 6.6 * Score computed by IEMRanking.com
B Tuning
B+ Tech
YouTube video thumbnail
Vocal-leaning single-DD that returns to Tanchjim’s roots: crisp female vocals, lively treble and open stage, but bass/upper-mid contrast can sound inconsistent. Energetic female vocals with good clarity, lightweight shell and open staging. Upper-mid sharpening and a lowered sub-bass make transitions feel inconsistent, and smoother vocals can sound too edged.
Youtube Video Summary

Nora goes back to Tanchjim’s roots: a single DMT5 DD, vented pressure relief, no switches/nozzles/DSP — just a clean execution of the house target around ~$110. The tuning leans a touch more vocal-centric than recent releases, with a slight sub-bass dip and a sharpened 3–4.5 kHz focus from the Hemholtz resonator, creating stronger contrast between bass and mids and a more U-shaped impression than the graph suggests.

Female vocals carry a crisp leading edge and cut through mixes with ease; energetic singers shine, while softer, breathier voices can come off a bit over-sharpened. The bass shelf is present yet carefully lowered to keep balance, though the transition between sub-bass and mid-bass isn’t always seamless and can make the set feel inconsistent track-to-track.

Treble is lively and extended without obvious peaks, staging is big and open, and the small, lightweight shell with the modular cable makes for easy daily use; detail retrieval and imaging are snappy enough to make gaming a surprisingly good fit. Overall, Nora prioritizes mid presence and clarity over warmth and texture, delivering a clear, vocal-forward listen that fits the brand’s DNA while staying within budget constraints.

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

Paul Wasabii original ranking

Paul Wasabii Youtube Channel

Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 6.2 * score rescaled + normalized
YouTube video thumbnail
Youtube Video Summary

Tanchjim NORA lands as a monitor-tuned set: a single dynamic with dual magnets aimed at mixing/mastering, not Friday-night fun. The presentation is flat, neutral, low-energy—the “plain hamburger” of IEMs—delivering the track as-is without sauce, sparkle, or party tricks. Expect honesty over hype: music quality and recording flaws show up immediately.

It’s very sensitive, revealing amp hiss on noisier chains yet taking power without complaint; bass stays dead flat and the treble avoids harshness while refusing to sweeten anything. This is a homework IEM: great for students or engineers who need a budget reference to judge balance, timbre, and mix decisions rather than to vibe out. Pleasure listening isn’t the brief; accuracy is.

Build is neat: a tiny, see-through shell with a glass back, a big nozzle for the size, and an interchangeable-termination cable (balanced or single-ended) that’ll puzzle some studio folks but proves handy. Fit can be quirky—small body/large nozzle means tip rolling, with even SS tips included for smaller ears. At around $120, it’s a respectable, purpose-built tool: boring by design, and the right kind of boring when the job is to tell the truth.

Z-Reviews original ranking

Z-Reviews Youtube Channel

Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Web Search

uses AI-Search to turn user, reddit and head-fi reviews into clear, concise summaries.
Web Search 7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
B+ Tech

Tanchjim NORA aims for a monitor-leaning, balanced presentation using a single dynamic driver (1DD) built on the brand’s fifth-gen DMT5 dual-magnetic, dual-cavity architecture. Official materials describe it as their first “HiFi monitoring” tuning with a balanced sound profile, and it launches at $109.99.

Tonally, NORA reads as neutral/monitoring with a tidy low end, even mids, and clean but non-piercing treble—bass is described as smooth with decent texture and good coherency into the mids, while micro-detail is fair for the price. Separation and layering are competent, giving a clear sense of placement without exaggerating stage width.

It’s easy to drive—rated at 16 Ω with high sensitivity—so phones and basic dongles are plenty, though a clean source helps it keep that “monitor” clarity. The trade-off is that while treble is well-behaved and non-fatiguing, ultimate air and micro-nuance trail some pricier single-DD peers.

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Moondrop Kato User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Tanchjim NORA User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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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

Tanchjim NORA Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.8

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.

Tanchjim NORA Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • A smooth, agreeable balance keeps the presentation engaging without obvious flaws. Only sensitive ears will nitpick the bumps.

Average Technical Grade

B+
  • An honest, middle-of-the-road performance preserves structure without chasing micro-detail. It's respectable for everyday listening sessions.
Bass B
Low end hits with respectable impact while staying reasonably tidy. You get a healthy sense of rhythm.
Mids B+
Midrange presence is good, delivering clear vocals and solid texture. Voices come through with pleasing clarity.
Treble B+
Treble is articulate and clean, adding excitement without harshness. It adds sparkle without harshness.
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+
You hear inner textures easily, even when the arrangement piles on layers. You can hear subtle studio effects.
Imaging B+
Good imaging with precise instrument placement and clear front/back localization. Positions snap into place convincingly.
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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