Moondrop Kato VS Tanchjim Origin

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

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Moondrop Kato and Tanchjim Origin are 1DD in-ear monitors. Moondrop Kato costs $190 while Tanchjim Origin costs $280. Tanchjim Origin is $90 more expensive. Tanchjim Origin holds a clear 0.9-point edge in reviewer scores (6.1 vs 7). Tanchjim Origin has significantly better bass with a 1.5-point edge, Tanchjim Origin has better mids with a 0.7-point edge, Tanchjim Origin has significantly better treble with a 1.5-point edge, Tanchjim Origin has significantly better dynamics with a 1.8-point edge, Tanchjim Origin has better soundstage with a 0.8-point edge, Tanchjim Origin has significantly better details with a 1.1-point edge and Tanchjim Origin has significantly better imaging with a 1.1-point edge.

Insights

Metric Moondrop Kato Tanchjim Origin
Bass 5.5 7
Mids 6.4 7.1
Treble 5.9 7.4
Details 5.7 6.8
Soundstage 6.5 7.3
Imaging 5.7 6.8
Dynamics 4.3 6
Tonality 6.1 7
Technicalities 6 7.1

Moondrop Kato Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Nymz
Precogvision Audionotions Jays Audio Tim Tuned
Gizaudio Axel Crin Jaytiss Shuwa-T
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

6.1

Mixed to Positive

Tanchjim Origin Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Shuwa-T Audionotions Jays Audio Precogvision
Jaytiss Tim Tuned Gizaudio Axel Z-Reviews

Average Reviewer Score:

7

Generally Favorable

Reviews Comparison

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

Tanchjim Origin reviewed by Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 7.5 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
Smooth, detailed, and vocal-centric sound. Cohesive, vocal-focused tuning with dynamic bass, smooth extended treble, and excellent detail. Could use more sub-bass.

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-

Tanchjim Origin reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 7.8 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
Great Clarity, exceedingly tip sensitive.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

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

Tanchjim Origin reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 6.7 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
B+ Tech
One of the more balanced sounding Tanchjim iems, vocal centric Quantity in the bass region, more noticeably the subbass

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

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

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

Tanchjim Origin reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 6.5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
B+ Tech
Japanese flavor of tuning (mid-bass and upper-mid focus) finally done justice. Strong technical chops and slightly forward.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: B Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Details: B+ Imaging: A-

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. Previously Owned

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Tanchjim Origin reviewed by Audionotions

Audionotions 6.5 Reviewer Score
Yes, it's expensive for a single DD imaging and separation is top tier with very good layering - frankly, I haven't heard many sets near this price that have done the same. There is a bit of subbass roll off but midbass hits hard. It's on the brighter side but never becomes shouty or sibilant. Timbre is good with vocals a bit forward in the mix. Tuning nozzles are a gimmick - they all sound the same. A better Kato in every way. I had a lot of trouble with fit on with this set - did not have the same problem with Hana 2021. Previously Owned

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

Tanchjim Origin reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 6.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A- Tech
Just buy Fission. A cleaner/less warm LM, smoother EA1000 (fermats a little more resolving), very balanced, clean, and neutral sound. Very tough competition.

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-

Tanchjim Origin reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Beautiful timbre and treble Bass can use a bit more...volume

Tim Tuned original ranking

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

Moondrop Kato (more reviews)

Moondrop Kato reviewed by Super* Review

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

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

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 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 Origin (more reviews)

Tanchjim Origin reviewed by Z-Reviews

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

Z-Reviews original ranking

Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Moondrop Kato User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

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Tanchjim Origin 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

Gaming Grade

B

Tanchjim Origin Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.1

Gaming Grade

A-

Moondrop Kato Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B
  • Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.

Average Technical Grade

B
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Bass B-
Average bass performance - present but unremarkable. Has reasonable texture but lacks depth and physicality.
Mids B
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble B-
Decent treble with acceptable extension and detail. Can sound slightly unrefined but avoids being harsh or sibilant.
Dynamics C-
Average dynamics - passable but unexciting. Transients are rounded and micro-dynamics lack refinement.
Soundstage B+
Good soundstage with proper width and depth. Instruments have clear positioning with reasonable front/back placement.
Details B-
Decent detail retrieval. Handles most textures adequately though micro-details and ambient cues could be more pronounced.
Imaging B-
Decent positional accuracy. Good left/right placement with acceptable center image, though depth positioning is approximate.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues.

Tanchjim Origin Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Pleasing tonal balance with good technical control. Minor quirks present but not distracting. Demonstrates decent genre versatility.

Average Technical Grade

A-
  • Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Bass A-
Strong, well-defined bass with good texture. Delivers satisfying punch and rumble without overwhelming other frequencies.
Mids A-
Excellent midrange with natural timbre and great detail retrieval. Vocals are forward and emotive with lifelike instrument reproduction.
Treble A-
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Soundstage A-
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Details B+
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances. Reveals recording nuances and maintains clarity in complex passages.
Imaging B+
Good imaging with precise instrument placement. Clear localization within the soundstage including front/back positioning.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Value-to-cost may not be optimal for gaming-focused users.

Moondrop Kato User Reviews

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Tanchjim Origin User Reviews

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