Moondrop Kato VS ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews

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

Home Ranking Compare IEMs
My Ranking My Favorites

Moondrop Kato and ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews use 1DD and 1DD+4BA driver setups respectively. Moondrop Kato costs $190 while ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews costs $249. ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews is $59 more expensive. ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews holds a decisive 1-point edge in reviewer scores (6.1 vs 7.1). Moondrop Kato has slightly better mids with a 0.4-point edge, Moondrop Kato has significantly better treble with a 1.9-point edge, ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews has significantly better dynamics with a 2.8-point edge and ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews has better soundstage with a 0.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric Moondrop Kato ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews
Bass 5.5 7.1
Mids 6.4 6
Treble 5.9 4
Details 5.7 7.1
Soundstage 6.5 7
Imaging 5.7 7.1
Dynamics 4.3 7
Tonality 6.1 7.3
Technicalities 6 6.2

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

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Jaytiss Gizaudio Axel
Fresh Reviews
IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

7.1

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

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews reviewed by Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 6 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
Great gaming IEM. Clean sound, accurate mids, clear vocals, great soundstage, precise imaging. Bass quality.

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-

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 6.8 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
C- Tech
Fantastic simple tonality. Lacks in trebble extension but is a nice earphone.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

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 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 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. 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

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+

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews (more reviews)

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews reviewed by Fresh Reviews

Fresh Reviews 7* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
Collab IEM

Fresh Reviews original ranking

Fresh Reviews Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews reviewed by IEMRanking AI

IEMRanking AI 8.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A+ Tech

The ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews IEM delivers a meticulously balanced tuning that excels for both music and competitive gaming. Its hybrid 1DD+4BA configuration produces deep, controlled sub-bass with a 9dB shelf for impact without muddiness, while neutral mids ensure vocals and instruments remain natural and engaging. The smooth, non-fatiguing treble and cohesive crossover design create an immersive yet analytical listen across genres, making it exceptionally versatile.

Comfort is a standout, with lightweight resin shells and ergonomic shaping allowing marathon gaming sessions without fatigue, though the basic stock cable and tips benefit from aftermarket upgrades. For gaming, the Arete shines with precise imaging and a spacious soundstage, letting players pinpoint footsteps in FPS titles like Valorant or CS2, while cinematic adventures feel richly atmospheric.

Buy ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews on Aliexpress

Ad
Using this affiliate link for ordering your ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews or any other IEM helps fund our free service at no extra cost to you.

Price: $214

Buy ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews on Aliexpress

Moondrop Kato User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

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

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

7.2

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.

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews 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

B
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Mids B
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble C-
Average treble performance - present but lacking refinement. Some graininess or splashiness affects clarity.
Dynamics A-
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage A-
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations.

Moondrop Kato User Reviews

Example User Posted on ...
0.0

"This is an example review"

Pros
  • Example pro 1
  • Example pro 2
Cons
  • Example con 1
  • Example con 2
No User-Reviews Yet

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review

ZiiGaat Arete x Fresh Reviews User Reviews

Example User Posted on ...
0.0

"This is an example review"

Pros
  • Example pro 1
  • Example pro 2
Cons
  • Example con 1
  • Example con 2
No User-Reviews Yet

Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.

You need to be signed in to write your own review

Find your next IEM:

IEM Finder Quiz

new
Use this quiz and answer a few questions to get your individual IEM recommendation list
(1/2) How much are you willing to spend on the IEM?
(2/2) Which sound characteristics are particularly important to you?

Recommended Pages

Page
Available IEMs (in stock)
Best IEMs under $50
Best IEMs under $100
Best IEMs under $200
Best IEMs under $600
Best IEMs under $1000
Best bass quality IEMs
Best dynamic range IEMs
IEMs with widest soundstage
IEMs with most details
IEMs with best imaging
Best value IEMs from below $50
Best value IEMs from $50 - $100
Best value IEMs from $100 - $200
Best value IEMs from $200 - $400
Best value IEMs from $400 - $600
Best value IEMs from $600 - $1,000
Buy

Footer