MOONDROP - KATO Wired IEM

KATO is equipped with a new, independently developed 10mm ULT (Ultra-Linear-Technology) super-linear dynamic driver, which was developed for two years. It features a composite magnetic circuit with internal and external magnets and a linear air circulation structure, as well as a larger brass internal acoustic cavity, a lighter extra-fine imported CCAW sound coil, and a high-frequency phase waveguide. The model shows excellent dynamics and abundant details, as well as amazing performance in nonlinear distortion and linear distortion through FEA finite element simulation combined with repeated experimental verification, combining multiple technologies.

The acoustic front cavity of KATO is shown and estimated based on the characteristics of the driver, using FEA finite element simulation to simulate volume and structure, and repeated experimental verification and improvement. The front cavity acoustic performance of KATO is far superior to other so-called special tuning components once combined with the high-frequency phase waveguide components installed on the driver, presenting an excellent frequency response and high-frequency phase performance, which is the hardware guarantee for natural balanced tuning.

KATO adopts modernist aesthetic design combining light and shadow, and continues this design elements from Kanas to KXXS. Thanks to the brand-new MIM technology, the almost all surfaces of KATO has been able to inject light and shadow design, showing a three-dimensional and rich layering.

MIM powder metallurgy is used to produce the earphone shell, which achieves a high-intensity and irregular appearance. MIM has an inner surface that is fine and irregular, which suppresses standing waves positively. Every section of the surface is smooth as a mirror by the manual repeated grinding.

The ULT KATO's super linear unit also features a high-performance diaphragm with DLC composite technology, which combines three materials with different characteristics plus DLC to form different parts of the diaphragm. The properties of DLC are high rigidity, high damping coefficient, light weight, as well as comprehensive acoustic performance exceeding that of beryllium. The brand-new 3rd generation DLC composite diaphragm is designed based on the demonstration combination of acoustic characteristics of materials, and its vibration modality is simulated by FEA finite element and experienced repeated adjustments, its special material application and ratio can enhance the extension details in high-frequency and the dynamic range, build up the system damping and increase the transient details. It can reduce the nonlinear distortion by at least 80% after comparing with the previous generation DLC composite diaphragm.

KATO uses a replacement sound nozzle design with a quick-release construction with screw thread that can be readily replaced, as well as sound nozzles made of two different materials (steel and brass). By replacing the nozzle, users can not only hear different sounds for different materials, but they can also replace the blocked sound nozzle more easily.

The nozzle of the KATO is equipped with a third-generation upgraded patented anti-blocking filter that has a superior anti-blocking effect, can prevent oily earwax from clogging the filters to a greater extent, and is more conducive to middle high frequency sound quality than the previous generation.

KATO is equipped with the newly self-designed and developed Spring Tips, which suppress weak resonance through special diffusion structure, and significantly lower the high-frequency linear distortion caused by nozzle resonance, thus making high-frequency timbre more natural. At the same time, the special material of earplug tips cap can better fit the ear canal without being sticky, and featured with the special reinforcing rib support design to prevent the bass loss caused by sound leakage.

With the combination of multiple new technologies, KATO has seen a significant improvement in various indexes, resulted in even better performance. It not only has a frequency response curve that is very close to VDSF Target Response [1], as well as a straight full-frequency phase, but it also has nonlinear distortion comparable to a full-size electrostatic headset, and total harmonic distortion in the middle low frequency is even lower than 0.05 %.[1] VDSF Target Response curve is a target frequency response curve based on the HRTF (head-related transfer function) of B&K HATS under diffusion field and the ideal preference curve, the closer the frequency response curve measured by earphone under B&K HATS is to the target frequency response curve, the more the earphone can restore timbre and soundstage images in terms of frequency response.

KATO includes a high-purity copper thick silver-plated cable with a 4-core star stranded structure that effectively reduces the skin effect and proximity effect while also acting as an anti-interference device. At the same time, the cable is coated with improved high-permeability mixed materials that have a pleasing look as well as an ultra-low dielectric coefficient.

KATO matches a gold-plated 0.78 2pin connector, and the female socket adopts sunken design, which can prevent the pin damage caused by bending to a great extent, and has excellent compatibility. To expand the usage, users can replace the majority of 0.78 2pin cables in the market or Bluetooth neck-hanging module.