Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-Kato-Frequency-Graph
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Mirror-Silver
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Dark-Blue
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Dark-Blue
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Dark-Blue
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Frequency-Graph
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Dark-Blue
Moondrop - KATO
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Dark-Blue
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Dark-Blue
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Matte-Steel
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Matte-Steel
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Matte-Steel
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Matte-Steel
Headphone-Zone-Moondrop-KATO-Matte-Steel
Moondrop

Moondrop - KATO

In-Ears With 1 Dynamic Driver
Sale price₹ 17,499 Regular priceMRP: ₹ 19,999
Sold out
GET 18% GST INPUT

One of the reasons headphones and earphones in India are more expensive than overseas is because of the Goods & Services Tax in India.

Don't let the GST input go to waste especially if you can avail an offset.

All products sold on Headphone Zone carry a GST compliant invoice and all products sold include an 18% GST.

Simply enter your GST number at the time of checkout.

Browse EMI Plans

Low Cost EMI Options through Credit Cards


Other EMI Options through Credit Cards
Color: Mirror Silver

Talk to a Headphone Guru

Club Audiophile

Join Club Audiophile to begin your pursuit of great sound. Earn points and save on every purchase.

READ MORE

While this product is out of stock, consider...

Why Moondrop is Special

🇨🇳

Designed in China
Established & Reputed

Trust us, our reputation in the audio world speaks for itself!


This headphone or gear comes from a well-respected brand known for its high-quality audio equipment, so you can be confident in your purchase.


If you see a product marked as “🎖️ Established & Reputed”, it means you're getting a top-tier device from a brand that's earned its stripes in the audio industry.
Revered by Audiophiles

Audiophiles can be really picky and tough to impress and if the audiophile community says something sounds good, you can bet it's great!


This headphone or gear has gained recognition and admiration from audiophiles, who are known for their discerning taste in high-fidelity audio. They appreciate its precision, attention to detail and its ability to deliver an immersive sonic experience.


If you see a product marked as "🙌🏻 Revered by Audiophiles", it means that it meets the highest standards of sound quality and performance, making it a top choice for anyone who values exceptional audio experiences.
🐣

Born in 2015

Why we love this IEM

For Enthusiasts on a Budget

We are here to help you find the best bang for your buck.


This headphone or gear is made for all passionate hobbyists who want top-notch gear without breaking the bank.


If you see a product marked as “🪴 For Enthusiasts on a Budget”, get ready to indulge in your music with high-quality, affordable products that keep your wallet happy and your enthusiasm alive!
Premium Economy

Sensible spending and class above in quality. 


This headphone or gear offers top-notch sound and performance without much impact on your pocket, promising a delightful experience that exceeds your expectations at an economical price point.


If you see a product marked as “💎 Premium Economy," it indicates that you're getting a high-quality audio product with exceptional sound clarity and reliable performance, all at a budget-friendly price.

Built like a Tank

No need to worry about durability.


If you're seeking a headphone or gear with a strong, rugged build, this snapshot indicates that this is the one for you.


If you see a product marked with “🪖 Built like a Tank", it means this product is crafted with metal in its design, ensuring exceptional robustness and durability.
Upgradeable Cable

Not happy with your current cable? Swap it out!


If you're searching for an in-ear monitor with a detachable design, these IEMs fit the bill.


If you see an IEM marked with "🔌 Upgradeable Cable," it means it comes with a detachable cable. You can easily swap or upgrade the cable, allowing for customization or maintenance whenever you desire.

Why it Sounds Amazing

Dynamic Driver

The dynamic powerhouse of your sound


This headphone or gear houses dynamic driver speaker unit that produces sound, delivering a punchy and energetic audio experience.


If you see a product marked with “🔈 Dynamic Driver” you're in for lively bass, clear mids and vibrant highs, making your music come alive with every beat!
Warm & Smooth Sound Signature

Warm & smooth sound signature to suit your cosy time music listening.


This headphone or gear is designed to deliver a sound signature that's both rich and silky, making your listening experience soothing and enjoyable.


If you see a product marked with "🧈 Warm & Smooth Sound Signature", it means this device offers a pleasing audio profile perfect for those who appreciate a mellow, inviting sound that enhances every note.
Thick Bass / Kickass Bass

There are some headphones that just knock your socks off with high and impactful bass. There’s only one way to describe it - Kickass.


This headphone or gear is engineered to deliver powerful and thumping bass that adds an extra punch to your music, making every beat come alive.


If you see a product marked with "💣 Kickass Bass", it means this device is perfect for bass enthusiasts for an immersive audio experience that will make your music feel more intense and impactful.
Ultra-Wide Sound Stage

Do you wish to bring the concert hall to your ears?


This headphone or gear offers an ultra-wide soundstage, giving your music a spacious and immersive feel as if you're right there in the middle of a live performance.


If you see a product marked with "😳 Ultra-Wide Soundstage," it means this product is designed to deliver expansive audio, making your listening experience feel grand and enveloping, perfect for those who love a broad and detailed sound.
Smooth & Sweet Treble

Seeking something that sounds smooth to your ears and devoid of harshness?


This headphone or gear is designed to deliver high frequencies that are gentle on the ears, offering a listening experience that's both refined and delightful.


If you see a product marked with "🍦 Smooth & Sweet Treble," it indicates that this device offers treble that is smooth and sweet, ensuring your music is free of harshness and full of clarity, perfect for those who love crisp and detailed highs.
Perfect to Layback & Relax

Looking for something that matches your lay-back-and-relax mood?


This headphone or gear provides a soothing and immersive audio experience, perfect for those moments when you want to unwind with your favourite tunes.


If you see a product marked with "🥃 Perfect to Lay Back & Relax," it means this device is designed to offer a relaxing sound profile, making it perfect for those moments when you just want to kick back and let the music wash over you.
The Moondrop KATO is among the best single dynamic driver IEMs in this price segment. In fact, it’s one of the best in its price range regardless of driver configuration. The level of sonic fidelity delivered here is a steal. The build quality and comfort are excellent and the included accessories are a good mix of quality and quantity.
RAGHAV SOMANI

About RAGHAV SOMANI

Raghav Somani is the Founder & CEO of Headphone Zone. An avid audiophile and musician since 2008, his choice of headphones include STAX Electrostats, Audeze LCD 3, and for music on the go, the JH Audio Roxanne + Astell&Kern SP1000 is never too far away. On his playlist, you'll find A.R. Rahman, Michael Jackson, and the Eagles.

EQUIPPED WITH THE ALL-NEW ULTRA-LINEAR DYNAMIC DRIVERS FOR EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO

The team of acoustic engineers at Moondrop have spent over two years in research and development for the all-new ULT (Ultra Linear Technology) Super Linear Dynamic Driver for the KATO. This newly engineered driver is a 10mm driver unit that features a DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) composite diaphragm coil. The driver features a composite magnetic circuit that creates a powerful magnetic force inside the cavity allowing for swift movement of the driver coil. It also has a larger brass cavity, an imported CCAW coil, and a high-frequency waveguide system to provide nothing else but exceptional sound.

Headphone-Zone-kato

3RD GEN DLC COMPOSITE DIAPHRAGM WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH ULT DRIVERS

The Moondrop KATO is equipped with the latest technology in the audio domain. Featuring a 3rd generation DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) composition diaphragm coil, this diaphragm is made using three materials with different characteristics to form various parts of the diaphragm. It has high rigidity, a high damping coefficient, and is extremely lightweight. Its comprehensive acoustic performance even exceeds that of a beryllium diaphragm. This in conjunction with the ULT drivers delivers precise audio reproduction.

Headphone-Zone-kato
Headphone-Zone-kato
Headphone-Zone-kato

FEATURING THE NEW 3RD GEN ACOUSTIC FILTER AND A INTERCHANGEABLE EAR NOZZLE

The Moondrop KATO features some of the company’s latest innovations in terms of design and build. Moondrop KATO comes with a brand-new third-generation patented anti-blocking filter integrated on the ear nozzle. It prevents oily ear wax from blocking the filters and is more conducive to mid and high-frequency sound. In addition to this, Moondrop has designed KATO with a replaceable ear nozzle design. They have included two sets of sound nozzles in the package, made with different materials(Steel & Brass). Both the Steel and Brass provide different characteristics to the sound, users can switch between them easily. The nozzle can easily be replaced by a quick-release structure with a screw.

Headphone-Zone-kato

PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED SHELLS TUNED FOLLOWING VDSF TARGET RESPONSE

The team of acoustic engineers at Moondrop have gone to lengths to deliver an accurate sounding earphone. To achieve this the front acoustic cavity of the Moondrop KATO is designed with the help of volume and structure simulated by FEA (Finite Element Analysis simulation). It’s designed in such a manner to maintain a balanced tuning profile with a sound that will complement different genres well. Combined with the high-frequency phase guide components on the driver, the front cavity arrangement in KATO is superior to other so-called special tuning components. The pair is tuned by professional acoustic engineers following the VDSF target response.

Headphone-Zone-kato
Headphone-Zone-kato

EXQUISITELY DESIGNED SHELLS WITH A THREE DIMENSIONAL LOOK

The Moondrop KATO has been designed with utmost precision and delivers a stunning visual aesthetic. Moondrop has designed KATO with a modern design using MIM Stainless Steel material. MIM is a process by which powdered metal is mixed with a binder to form a resin in the desired shape and applying high-temperature sintering to achieve the form. There is a high degree of freedom in moulding the resin into the same shape as the cast, making it possible to achieve a complex internal design even with metal. The earphone shell is cast by the MIM powder metallurgy process. Every section of the surface is made smooth by a manual grinding process.

Headphone-Zone-kato

BUNDLED WITH THE NEWLY DEVELOPED SPRING SILICONE EAR TIPS

The Moondrop KATO features ear tips that are designed from soft silicone for superior comfort and noise isolation. Moondrop KATO comes bundled with the newly developed Spring Tips, which suppresses weak resonance through special diffusion structure and significantly lowers the high-frequency linear distortion caused by nozzle resonance, making the high-frequency timbre more natural. In addition to this, the ear tips offer a snug fit and sit comfortably in the ear canal without being sticky. The ear tips feature a special reinforcing rib support design to prevent bass loss caused by sound leakage.

Headphone-Zone-kato
Headphone-Zone-kato
Headphone-Zone-kato

HIGH-QUALITY CABLE WITH 2-PIN CONNECTOR AND GOLD PLATED PINS

The Moondrop KATO comes with a high-quality thick silver-plated copper cable. This cable has been coated with high-permeability mixed material which provides an ultra-low dielectric coefficient. The cable provides smooth signal transmission with low internal resistance ensuring a pure sound output for the users. The cable has a standard 0.78mm 2-pin connector allowing for upgradability and replacement. The pins for the cable have been gold plated to offer a clean audio signal.

Headphone-Zone-kato
Headphone-Zone-kato
Headphone-Zone-kato
1 Year Warranty

Don't sweat it, this Moondrop - KATO comes with a 1 Year warranty from Moondrop that covers manufacturing defects. All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.

Read more about Moondrop's warranty in India.

MOONDROP Labs : Integration of Design & Technology

Established in 2015 by Herbert Zheng, MOONDROP quickly gained recognition in the audio industry for its dedication to developing high-performance earbuds. Starting with the VX model, MOONDROP expanded its lineup with the innovative "Liebesleid" in 2017, setting new standards for sound quality and design.

With a focus on constant improvement, MOONDROP ventured into in-ear monitors (IEMs), releasing iconic models like the "IX" and the acclaimed "kanas" series. As the brand evolved, it solidified its position as a premium IEM manufacturer with releases such as the "Blessing," "A8," and "Reference." With a commitment to innovation and technology, MOONDROP continually pushes the boundaries of sound engineering, investing in research to optimize performance without following trends. Critically acclaimed models like the MOONDROP Starfield and MOONDROP Blessing2 showcase the brand's expertise and dedication to excellence, making MOONDROP a staple in many audiophiles' collections.


Explore Collection
The Verge

"Whether you’re just starting or upgrading from a sub $100 monitor, the Moondrop KATO will impress with its comfortable treble tuning paired with deep lows and pleasant midrange."

Read More
Headfonia

"I did not expect this kind of layering, staging, and technical prowess from a sub 200 earphone, and I am surprised. Therefore, it is really easy for me to recommend you the Kato."

Read More
What Hi-Fi

"Mature Moondrop signature - bright and balanced, Rich note-weight and timbre that is consistent across the frequency, Scales positively with DAP power, Wealth of accessories."

Read More
Inner Fidelity

"The Moondrop KATO is among the best single dynamic driver IEMs under $200. The build quality and comfort are excellent and the included accessories are a good mix of quality and quantity."

Read More
The Verge

"The KATO is a solid piece of audio gear with its beautiful polished “Stainless Steel” monitor shell, which shows a pretty unique appearance due to the irregular shape that looks very classy."

Read More
Headfonia

"The KATO is a super smooth performer with a superb overall presentation. It is technically and tonally good enough to please both analytical and recreational listeners."

Read More
What Hi-Fi

"KATO wants to be remembered as life-like and organic sounding. Their natural tonality bypasses notions as system matching, but please uses dedicated audio sources for the best results."

Read More

Customer Reviews

Based on 34 reviews
76%
(26)
15%
(5)
6%
(2)
3%
(1)
0%
(0)
S
Smd . (Kalyan)
Design and Comfort:
Great
Poor
Sound Quality:
Awesome
Awful
Value for Money:
Bang On!
Not at all
Price is weird

Why is $220 7hz timeless priced so accurately at ₹18k but $190 moondrop kato priced at ₹20k ??
The price just not makes sense.

S
Shameer Mohamed (Chennai)
Design and Comfort:
Great
Poor
Sound Quality:
Awesome
Awful
Value for Money:
Bang On!
Not at all
Iem end game at affordable price

Update : simply superb, Bass mids highs everything perfect according to my taste, nothing over powers , it's a clean awesome sounding

Bought this over oh10 and Timeless

Updated review - Now it's selling at right price here

But I bought this at some other site , (because it's out of stock here when I planned to buy this )and also they give instant 5% discount

Now am waiting for Tripowin HBB Olina...let's see what you HPZ guys are planning

Hope HPZ will quote the price reasonable

User picture
S
Siddhant Deep (Mumbai)
Design and Comfort:
Great
Poor
Sound Quality:
Awesome
Awful
Value for Money:
Bang On!
Not at all
The Dynamic King under 20k

Seeing all the reviews(literally nothing in them about the sound) I was a little worried but hearing all the great review from people I trust pushed me to check it out and I was not disappointed.
I will be comparing it to the Moondrop Blessing 2 which I have.
This is a neutral sounding iem which has bass capability if used with eq or ifi xbass without distorting or overshadowing the other frequencies. At this price range it's a pain to find a Dynamic Driver iem which is not bass boosted or V-shaped.

Sound signature : Neutral/ warm Neutral

Detail: Compared to the Blessing 2 it has less resolution but the details present(very hard to explain but you can make out the different sounds of unique instruments if you listen carefully but they are not as apparent/forward as the blessing 2 because of its Hybrid design).

Sound quality/tamber: This is where the Kato excell. Being a Dynamic Driver(DD) the tamber of these IEMs are very natural and has no harshness which is displayed by the blessing 2 for certain vocals. Blessing 2 can become nasally, harsh, shouty or sibilant when the recording or mastering of the music is sub par(most of the music in the world). These do not plague the Kato dude to it's DD design(above problems generally present in BA iems).

I would go as far as to say that unless you use only Flac and Tidal like services and actively search for only well recorded music then you can go with Blessing 2 otherwise I would say Kato has enough detail to be a better value for general/spotify/youtube music.

Sound stage: Not as wide as the Blessing 2

Build: It's built like a tank. Full metal shell and a smooth finish. Its lighter than the blessing 2 somehow even though it metal. And is smaller in size to the blessing 2. The included wire is also amazing with a tight braid and a metal splitter.

Power: It is pretty efficient the driving power required is a little less than the blessing 2

It's a recommend for me

User picture

HI Siddhant Deep
We are so happy you took out time & elaborately reviewed the product with a comparison. We are sure this will help our customers to make an even better & informed decision.

A
Abhitej Velore (Hyderabad)
Design and Comfort:
Great
Poor
Sound Quality:
Awesome
Awful
Value for Money:
Bang On!
Not at all
5 star sound but 3 star quality.

I love the Kato's, they're one of the best IEM's I've used, and I've had my share of the hype train, all the way from the Chu's to the IE600's. No, they're not better than the IE600's but for the price, they absolutely nail it.

If sound is your only concern, and you want something that can do well with any genre you throw at it, Kato is you answer. Sure, there are alternatives like the Timeless or the S12, which do better in some areas, but fall flat in others. Kato is different. It excels at most. And doesn't disappoint in anything.

HOWEVER. Moondrop has always had QC issues. Particularly, when it comes to their filter problem and condensation problems. Just look up threads for Moondrop channel imbalance on reddit of headfi, you'll find many tales of tired owners and broken IEM's. Now most of these are user addressable. You see, this is not a QC issue, but a design issue. Because of how Moondrop designs its driver chambers, they get the sound, and along with that, above issues. This is what makes it hard to recommend these for people, who will only have 1 pair of IEM's.

I initially wanted to return my set, until someone recommended a strange way of fixing my channel imbalance, and it worked. The folks and Headphonezone were very responsive and I cancelled my return after deciding, despite all its flaws, I love them, and will keep them in my collection. I don't intend to daily drive them, but when you just want that smooth sound, with delectable details and just the right amount of bass, I know I'd want these in my collection.

tldr; If these are going to be your only pair - pick something else, they sound amazing, but have a poor track record of being a hassle free experience. But if you are a sound above all else kind of guy/gal. And you have a small shop in your wardrobe with IEM's, then these deserve to be in any one's collection.

PS: Keep in mind that even when it comes to Moondrop, its only their metal ones, that go through these issues. The issue is very rare when with their non metal earphones like the Quarks, the Blessing 2's or the Variations. Ironic that they build their most expensive sets with plastic, but go full metal jacket for their mid tier.

Thanks a lot for your detailed and genuine feedback, we're glad that you have such positive thoughts about the product and we'll share your thoughts with the brand as well. It'll also help our fellow customers to make the right choice!

S
Srikrishna Royal Kunadharaju (Hyderabad)
Design and Comfort:
Great
Poor
Sound Quality:
Awesome
Awful
Value for Money:
Bang On!
Not at all
Quality Stuff

Amazing IEM, Unboxing experience to sound everything is bang on! Thank you headphone zone for super fast delivery & wonderful customer service!

User picture

Hey, always a delight to hear that our customers are happy with the purchase & it is up to their expectations. Thank you for the review & ratings. Cheers!

Read More

Talking To Us Is Easy

Get in Touch with Our Team directly - We're Here to help

Request a Callback

Our team should be able to call you back

Request a Callback

Write to Us

Prefer to drop us a line? Our team will get back to you via email within a working day.

Write to Us

Join the Discussion

We're not the experts on everything, but our community is. Join The Indian Audiophile Forum.

Join community