On this characteristic, Kurt opinions the MOONDROP Kadenz, a brand new ULT-Gen2 10mm single dynamic driver in-ear monitor and the successor to the KATO. It’s priced at $189.99.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in change for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an unbiased web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or standing. I thank MOONDROP and Shenzhen Audio for his or her assist.
Click on right here to learn extra about MOONDROP products now we have beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This text follows our current scoring guidelines which you’ll be able to learn right here in additional element.
The MOONDROP KATO was one of the vital beloved merchandise from MOONDROP, praised for its value, aesthetics, and sound high quality, making it an IEM recognized amongst rookies and skilled audio lovers alike.
Three years after its launch, MOONDROP has launched the $189.99 MOONDROP Kadenz, which is taken into account the “non secular” successor to the KATO.
Nonetheless, with many nice choices accessible as we speak, is the MOONDROP Kadenz a compelling selection? I discover this in my full 11:11 overview beneath.
Options
The MOONDROP Kadenz encompasses a single dynamic driver much like that within the MOONDROP KATO, with a big 10mm dynamic driver.
Nonetheless, the Kadenz’s dynamic driver is a sophisticated model developed over two years of design, testing, and enchancment. MOONDROP calls it the ULT Gen-2 super-linear dynamic driver, that includes new irregular magnetic circuits.
This driver makes use of a TAC diamond-coated dome composite diaphragm. Whereas the bottom stays an LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer), the diamond coating enhances rigidity, treble extension, and bass dynamics, and reduces distortion.
Design
The MOONDROP Kadenz’s design is paying homage to the earlier MOONDROP KATO, nevertheless it has extra outlined edges and a sturdier construct.
The end has shifted from KATO’s shiny look to a easy matte metallic shell. The phrase “Kadenz” is aesthetically printed in cursive, including a premium really feel like a signature on a portray.
The internal shell features a vent to stop stress build-up, and the matte end resists fingerprints, so no fixed cleansing is required. The Kadenz additionally continues the KATO’s characteristic of replaceable nozzles, providing three sorts—another than the KATO.
Consolation & Isolation
Customers contemplating the MOONDROP Kadenz for every day use ought to word that its sharp corners might trigger discomfort.
The sting close to the Kadenz emblem has induced some irritation to my ears as a result of its metallic tip. I first seen the problem after feeling slight ache as a result of fixed stress from that nook.
To keep away from discomfort, I adjusted to a shallow match, affecting each consolation and isolation. Nonetheless, I switched to the DUNU S&S tricks to accommodate the lengthy but shallow match, preserving the sound high quality.
Ear Suggestions
The MOONDROP Kadenz comes with two units of ear suggestions: customary black silicone suggestions and MOONDROP’s standard Spring Suggestions.
The black silicone suggestions present a typical listening expertise, however the Spring Suggestions supply a greater match.
These wide-bore suggestions have a sticky but grippy texture, guaranteeing the IEMs keep in place. They don’t dampen bass or treble and are appropriate with quick, lengthy, vast, and slim nozzles on the Kadenz.
Inventory Cable
The Kadenz cable is one in every of my favourite equipment. Aesthetically, it resembles jewellery with its white and silver accents, and bodily, it’s a high-quality cable product of high-purity single-crystal copper with silver plating.
Notably, the Kadenz comes with a 4.4mm cable, as MOONDROP seems to favor DSP and 4.4mm codecs over 3.5mm.
For individuals who nonetheless want 3.5mm, MOONDROP consists of equipment to accommodate them. The cable is neither stiff nor tangly, making it an appropriate daily-use cable for the Kadenz.
Packaging & Equipment
MOONDROP offers an entire package deal with the Kadenz, akin to a recreation launched with all DLCs included. Contained in the field, you’ll discover a carrying case, the IEM, and an equipment field, all neatly organized to showcase the carrying case and Kadenz faceplate.
The equipment field comprises two additional nozzles, a 4.4mm to three.5mm adapter, a 4.4mm to USB-C adapter, ear suggestions with a pouch, and guarantee playing cards.
The carrying case holds the premium cable, with ample area for suggestions, a DAC dongle, and the IEM with its cable.
The 4.4mm to three.5mm adapter fits those that want 3.5mm, whereas the 4.4mm to USB-C dongle, named ECHO-B, is a high-performance 32-bit adapter supporting 32-bit/384kHz PCM audio.
This adapter can also be helpful for DSP, because the Kadenz affords totally different tuning choices within the MOONDROP app, together with Regular, Bass+, Bass++, Treble+, and Soundstage+ settings.
My most popular tuning is Bass+, because it makes minimal compromises, whereas the Bass++ setting scoops the mids excessively.
Sound Impressions
The MOONDROP Kadenz was examined solely utilizing the 4.4mm regular tuning. The assorted tuning choices within the app had been solely used for comparisons with the traditional setting.
Bass
With its upgraded dynamic driver, the bass has additionally been enhanced. Almost each side of the bass efficiency is improved in comparison with the MOONDROP KATO. The Kadenz not sounds muddied, and the readability enchancment may be very noticeable, with extra outlined bass.
Whereas it might not be the strongest or most impactful bass, it’s adequately detailed and of wonderful high quality. Bass-heads might discover it missing with out utilizing the Bass+ or Bass++ EQ with the dongle.
Nonetheless, the bass is well-defined, with no bleed, clear separation between sub-bass and mid-bass, and a cohesive integration with the mids and treble.
The sub-bass offers a superb rumbling impact, although it may gain advantage from a bit extra presence. There are occasions when it doesn’t adequately stability the brightness of the Kadenz.
Utilizing the Bass+ EQ will help with this if it sounds too shiny. Though some mid-bass will likely be scooped out when utilizing this setting, usually, the mid-bass is sufficiently thick, offering a full-bodied sound expertise.
Mids
The mids are the spotlight of the MOONDROP Kadenz, and they’re maybe its greatest characteristic.
Just like the MOONDROP KATO, the timbre is excellent, rivaling its opponents. The vocals sound splendidly musical, with no lack of word weight. They’re additionally ahead, shiny, and exceptionally clear, providing plenty of vitality with out being shouty.
Some listeners may discover this degree of brightness fatiguing, however the Bass+ EQ will help mitigate this. Moreover, the mids have sufficient heat to stop the sound from changing into too dry or analytical.
Treble
The MOONDROP KATO had some considerations relating to treble element retrieval, however the Kadenz improves on this space with higher treble extension and air, due to the motive force upgrades.
Nonetheless, whereas it outperforms the KATO, Kadenz’s element retrieval continues to be simply above common. The transients are pure however slower than preferrred.
The treble emphasizes vocals and devices, lending the general sound a shiny character with out being overly so. Sibilance is managed properly, leaving simply sufficient to make the sound pop.
For individuals who wish to hear each intricate element of their music, the Treble+ EQ is an choice, although it does scale back bass noticeably to realize better treble extension.
Staging & Dynamics
The soundstage and imaging of the MOONDROP Kadenz are the subsequent greatest features after the midrange. Enhancements over the KATO are instantly noticeable.
The Kadenz affords an actual sense of depth within the soundstage, with well-placed decrease and better stage ranges that improve imaging.
Vocals are centered, whereas devices and different sounds make the most of the bigger stage successfully, attaining exact imaging with out sounding cluttered. The dynamics are well-balanced, with no components overpowering each other.
Synergy
Effectivity
The MOONDROP Kadenz comes solely with a 4.4mm cable, although a 4.4mm to three.5mm adapter is included within the field.
Utilizing the ECHO-B dongle, the Kadenz just isn’t tough to energy, although it does require a slight quantity increase.
With a sensitivity of 122 dB/Vrms and an impedance of 35Ω, the Kadenz has higher-than-average sensitivity and impedance for an IEM. My utilization was solely with the 4.4mm cable; I didn’t take a look at the three.5mm adapter.
Pairings
The MOONDROP Kadenz reveals glorious scalability with energy, and the variations in DAC chips additionally affect its sound to a level. I sometimes pay attention at round 70dB on Apple Music, which offers a balanced expertise with out risking ear harm.
Utilizing the Kadenz with the ECHO-B and no EQ on my telephone supplied a stable expertise, with minimal battery drain and no overheating points.
When paired with my Colorfly CDA-M2, which has a CS43198 chip, the vocals sounded hotter, although the bass was barely muddier.
My greatest expertise was with the HeartField R1, an R2R DAC & AMP, the place I used to be genuinely impressed by the elevated readability within the Kadenz’s bass, midrange, and treble.
Choose Comparisons
LETSHUOER S12 2024 Version
Technical
The LETSHUOER S12 2024 Version is a refreshed model of the favored LETSHUOER S12, utilizing a customized 14.88mm planar magnetic driver.
It was made to commemorate LETSHUOER’s eighth Anniversary, with an upgraded driver primarily based on the earlier S12 and S12 Professional.
The S12 2024 has been extensively tuned utilizing information from the sooner S12 sequence, and this time it’s restricted to 2,024 items on the market.
Design
As a commemorative IEM, the LETSHUOER S12 2024 Version is gold-colored with a titanium alloy shell. The design retains the basic S12 form however with further sharpening for a refined look.
The shiny gold coloration of the shell is easy to the contact, with a semi-opaque black design that’s barely extra slippery than the faceplate.
The form is rounded with no sharp corners, and every IEM is labeled with its unit quantity from manufacturing.
Efficiency
The bass distinction between the LETSHUOER S12 2024 Version and the MOONDROP Kadenz is minimal, with the same sub-bass expertise.
The primary distinction lies within the mid-bass, the place the Kadenz outshines the S12 2024 with its punchier, fuller sound.
The Kadenz additionally excels within the midrange with its implausible timbre, which the S12 2024 can not fairly match, even with enhancements over the earlier S12 mannequin. The S12 2024 has a breathy timbre that doesn’t sound as pure because the Kadenz.
When it comes to treble, the S12 2024 demonstrates its strengths, delivering extra element and nuance. There are delicate sounds within the music which can be solely audible when utilizing the S12 2024, which the Kadenz doesn’t reveal as clearly.
Whereas staging and imaging are comparable, the Kadenz offers extra depth and precision, making a extra immersive expertise. Nonetheless, sibilance management is dealt with higher with the S12 2024, whereas the Kadenz might have some spiciness within the treble that could possibly be bothersome for some listeners.
Kiwi Ears Quintet
Technical
The Kiwi Ears Quintet is a novel hybrid IEM that includes a single dynamic driver, 2 balanced armature drivers, 1 planar driver, and a piezoelectric driver.
The dynamic driver is a 10mm DLC driver, the balanced armatures are 2 Knowles BAs, the planar driver is a brand new MPT (micro planar transducer) formed like a BA, and the piezoelectric driver acts as a bone conduction driver.
This distinctive setup provides the Quintet a novel sound, although it comes with its personal set of execs and cons.
Design
The Kiwi Ears Quintet sports activities a standard black and white coloration scheme with a 3D-printed resin shell and a metallic faceplate.
The left faceplate has the “Quintet” title engraved whereas the proper faceplate shows the Kiwi Ears emblem and model title. The faceplate is immune to fingerprints and minor scratches, guaranteeing sturdiness to guard the drivers housed inside.
Efficiency
Initially, the MOONDROP Kadenz and Kiwi Ears Quintet sound comparable, however their variations develop into extra obvious over time.
The Quintet has a stronger sub-bass presence, whereas the Kadenz emphasizes the mid-bass. Total, the Quintet’s bass is extra impartial and balanced, offering higher assist for the treble than the Kadenz.
The Kadenz, nonetheless, performs higher within the midrange, due to its superior timbre. Whereas the Quintet avoids the everyday BA timbre, it has a lighter word weight in comparison with the Kadenz, which provides the Kadenz a extra musical high quality.
Within the treble, the Quintet has extra extension however is significantly brighter and extra susceptible to sibilance. The Kadenz’s treble is smoother and higher managed however not as prolonged because the Quintet’s.
For staging and imaging, the Kadenz has the sting, with better depth and layering. The Quintet, regardless of its planar driver, lacks layering and depth, which might detract from the general soundstage expertise.
My Verdict
The MOONDROP Kadenz is a correct successor to the beloved MOONDROP KATO. It retains the allure of the KXXS and KATO with an eye catching and interesting design.
Not solely is the motive force upgraded for higher bass and treble, but in addition the full-on bounce to 4.4mm and USB-C DSP make the MOONDROP Kadenz a correct improve.
MOONDROP Kadenz Technical Specs
- Driver Sort: One (1x) 10mm dynamic driver
- Plug: Modular 4.4mm balanced (4.4mm to three.5mm connector and 4.4mm to USB-C dongle)
- Frequency Response: 8Hz – 21kHz
- Impedance: 35 ohm @1kHz
- Sensitivity: 122 dB/Vrms
Trending Merchandise
