The MOONDROP KATO are in-ear monitors (IEMs) that are the successor of the MOONDROP KXXS. Their name stands for KXXS Advanced Technology Optimized, as they're advertised to use a newly designed super-linear dynamic driver, which is supposed to help reproduce details in mixes and reduce distortion. In the box, they come with several pairs of ear tips in foam as well as in a silicone-like 'spring tip' material to help you get the best fit. The buds' nozzles are replaceable, and swapping between the included pair of brass and pair of steel nozzles lets you adjust your listening experience based on how these materials carry sound. Using their spring tips and steel nozzles, they have a fairly neutral sound profile for reproducing vocals and lead instruments clearly and accurately. However, they lack a thumpy low-bass.
Our Verdict
The MOONDROP KATO are decent for neutral sound. They come with lots of swappable parts like foam and silicone-like ear tips to help you get the best fit, as well as brass and steel nozzles, which slightly change how your audio sounds based on how the materials carry sound. When using their spring ear tips and steel nozzles, they have a neutral sound profile with a flat mid-range, so vocals and lead instruments are reproduced clearly. Thanks to their balanced treble range, tracks have detail but aren't overly bright. However, they lack a thumpy, punchy low-bass. Since they have an in-ear design, they also can't create a very immersive passive soundstage with a wide separation of objects like instruments.
- Consistent audio delivery.
- Small, closed-off passive soundstage.
The MOONDROP KATO are disappointing for commute and travel. Although they have a portable design and come with a carrying case to help protect them when you're not using them, they struggle to block out the low rumble of bus and plane engines. Their carrying cable can also snag on something, although the cable is detachable. That said, they have a comfortable fit and are well-built.
- Comfortable and very well-built.
- Don't leak much audio at high volumes.
- Small, closed-off passive soundstage.
- Don't block out bus and plane engine noise.
- No controls.
The MOONDROP KATO are passable for sports and fitness, although they're not designed for this purpose. They have a comfortable fit, feel well-built, and their audio cable is designed to go over the top of your ear, which helps keep them stable as you move. While their cable could snag on something and pull them off your head, it's detachable, which limits the overall damage possible. However, they lack an IP rating for water resistance.
- Comfortable and very well-built.
- No controls.
The MOONDROP KATO are disappointing for office use. These buds have a comfortable fit and can help passively block out ambient noise like office chatter. However, they don't have a mic, which may be frustrating for some users who need to take calls at work. They also lack controls, so you have to pull out your phone or use your PC to adjust the volume or play and pause audio.
- Comfortable and very well-built.
- Don't leak much audio at high volumes.
- No mic.
- Small, closed-off passive soundstage.
- No controls.
The MOONDROP KATO are wired headphones, and you can't use them wirelessly.
The MOONDROP KATO are acceptable for wired gaming. While they don't have a mic, meaning you can't communicate with teammates, their neutral sound profile is well-suited for reproducing dialogue and instrumentals in cut scenes. They also have a comfortable fit and have a great build quality. However, they struggle to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, which could cause issues if you want to emphasize sound effects like footsteps while gaming.
- Comfortable and very well-built.
- Consistent audio delivery.
- No mic.
- No controls.
The MOONDROP KATO don't come with a mic, and you can't use them for phone calls.
Changelog
- Updated Jul 06, 2023: We've added a comparison between these IEMs and the MOONDROP Blessing 3 in Bass Accuracy.
- Updated Jan 27, 2022: Review published.
- Updated Jan 24, 2022: Early access published.
- Updated Jan 19, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The MOONDROP KATO come in two color variants: 'Mirror Silver' and 'Matte Steel'. We tested the 'Mirror Silver' variant, and you can see our model's label here. If you come across another variant, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The MOONDROP KATO are the improved sibling of the MOONDROP KXXS IEM. They have similarly great build quality as the TIN Audio T3 and come with a braided, detachable two-pin to 1/8" TRS cable, several pairs of ear tips to help you get the best fit, and two sets of nozzles: one in brass and another in steel. Although they're a bit heavier than other IEMs like the Shure SE215 due to their buds' steel casing, they have a comfortable fit. Using the steel nozzles with the spring tips, they have a fairly neutral sound profile that produces vocals and lead instruments accurately. That said, they lack a thumpy low-bass, which could be disappointing if you listen to genres like EDM and hip-hop.
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The MOONDROP Aria are better in-ear monitors than the MOONDROP KATO. The Aria are more comfortable, and they have a slightly more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. The KATO are better built, and you can swap out the nozzles if you want to slightly tweak their sound.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA are a better choice for most people than the MOONDROP KATO, though these IEMs share many similarities and are both well-made. The MOONDROP are made of metal with a removable, chunky cable. You can even swap their nozzles out to extend their life. So why choose the TRUTHEAR? They block out much more sound and are significantly cheaper than the MOONDROP. Still, if you prefer one tuning over the other, then that's the dealmaker.
The MOONDROP Blessing 3 are better IEMs than the MOONDROP KATO. While both buds are comfortable and well-built, the Blessing 3 have a more balanced sound with a flatter bass, which some users may prefer, and they can block out more background noise.
The MOONDROP KATO and the 7HZ Timeless have different strengths. The MOONDROP are in-ear monitors (IEMs) with a dynamic transducer that are more comfortable and have a better build quality. They also come with two pairs of nozzles made in different materials to help you customize their sound. However, the 7HZ are planar magnetic IEMs that deliver audio more consistently and come with more ear tip options.
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