The Moondrop Kato and the Sennheiser IE200 have become some of the reference IEMs in their price range. They are both utilizing a single full-range Dynamic Driver. The Kato has the biggest driver with a diameter of 10mm vs the IE200’s 7mm.
The Sennheiser IE200 is made of plastic and uses the same 7mm True Response dynamic driver as the IE300, IE600 and IE900, the difference between them lies mainly in the housing material and, very importantly, how they handle their internal acoustics.
The Moondrop Kato’s all-metal brass body houses a 10mm dynamic driver. The diaphragm is made of a composite material including DLC (Diamond-Like-Carbon). It comes with two replaceable nozzles made of brass or steel.
The IE200 is smaller and lighter, while Kato’s metal construction indicates long-term durability. Both IEMs are comfortable to wear.
My full reviews here:
Sennheiser IE200 review (coming)
MOONDROP KATO SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver: Single 10mm-ULT dynamic driver
- Diaphragm: 3rd generation DLC composite diaphragm Impedance: 32Ω ±15%（@1KHz）
- Sensitivity: 123dB/Nrms (@1KHz)
- Distortion: < 0.15% (@1khz, AES17 20khz, A-weight)
- Socket: 0.78-2Pin sunken design
- Cable plug: 3.5mm stereo single-ended plug
- Frequency response range: 10Hz-45kHz
Price on Linsoul: Moondrop Kato
Price on Amazon: Moondrop Kato
SENNHEISER IE200 SPECIFICATIONS
- Single dynamic 7mm extra-wideband True Response transducer, the same as in the IE 300, IE 600 and IE 900.
- Frequency range: 6 – 26,000 Hz.
- Impedance: 18 Ohm.
- Sound pressure level: 119 dB.
- 1.2 m MMCX cable.
- 3.5 mm stereo mini jack (angled, gold-plated)
- Braided cable with MMCX connectors and 3.5mm plug
- Adjustable ear hooks and choice of ear tip adapters.
Price on Amazon: Sennheiser IE200
COMPARISONS
Vicarious by Tool
They do not sound too far apart and both are very good sounding with this massive track. The IE200 does sound a bit more detailed and articulated but it is also dryer sounding. Keenan’s vocals are a bit recessed compared to the Kato. The bass and the electric guitar riffs are less meaty sounding. It does not sound as organic and fully bodied as the Kato. The Kato does have a lot of detail but it is smoother and more sublime.
Richter: Summer 3 – Vivaldi Recomposed
Again they are relatively similar sounding but the IE200 has sharper cut edges and presents detail in a less smooth manner. The strings have more rawness and bite with the IE200, the Kato is smoother. There’s more space between instruments with the IE200, the Kato offers a more liquid presentation.
Maple Noise by Greene Serene
This sounds very dynamic and engaging with the Kato. The instruments are rendered in a very natural and organic way with great timbre, especially Per Jørgensen’s trumpet.
With the IE200, this extremely dynamic piece sounds even more dynamic. The percussion is snappier, the bass is better textured. There is a bit more space between the instruments.
Young Vivaldi – Violin Concerto RV813 III by Ensemble Modo Antiquo
The violins have fantastic timbre with the Kato. It sounds very natural and organic with great dynamics and a good soundstage.
With the IE200, the violins sound sharper and thinner. They sound more raw and edgy. In direct comparison with the Kato, I find them to sound a bit sharp, but it still sounds very good.
Escape Route by Boris Blank
The IE200 presents a deep and powerful bass, all instruments and ambient sounds are well separated and popping out, giving a quite sparkly presentation.
The Kato delivers once again a more organic experience with the instruments not as well separated. It still delivers a high amount of detail, presented in a smoother way.
It Could Be Sweet by Portishead
Beth Gibbons’ vocals are beautifully rendered by the Kato. They sound good with the IE200 as well, but more brittle. The bass is more dominant with the IE200, especially in the lowest regions. It also sounds snappier and crisper than the more organic and liquid-sounding Kato.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The IE200 sounds more V-shaped than the Kato, with more emphasis on the lower bass and highs. The Kato has relatively speaking more mid-bass, midrange and a more polite high end.
Treble
The IE200 has a crisper and more present treble with more articulation and in-your-face detail. The Kato is by no means recessed but it is more relaxed and liquid sounding with a smoother and less edgy presentation.
Midrange
The Kato has a fabulous midrange timbre. It is smooth and organic and has more presence and body than the mids of the IE200. The IE200 also has a great midrange but it is a bit drier and less present in direct comparison. However, it is at the same time slightly clearer and more textured sounding.
Bass
The IE200 has a more present deep bass and generally sounds bassier. The mid-bass is relatively more present with the Kato, which can make it sound fuller and more powerful with some tracks.
Soundstage and Imaging
They have a similarly wide, tall and deep sound stage. Since the IE200 tends to have more space between the instruments it more often than not has slightly better imaging.
Dynamics and Detail
They are both very dynamic and detailed sounding. In terms of macro-dynamics, I would say they are equal although not identical. In terms of micro-dynamics, I find the IE200 to be more articulate. The Kato is also very detailed but in a much smoother and more liquid way than the more crispy and textured-sounding IE200. In absolute terms, the IE200 is a relatively smooth-sounding earphone, but in direct comparison, the Kato is smoother.
AMPLIFIERS
Running them off my Topping A90, the IE200 requires more power than the Kato to reach the same listening level.
The Moondrop Kato is not especially difficult to drive. It sounds very good from my 2023 POCO F5 phone’s 3.5mm jack with volume at 70% with Tool’s Jambi, and even better from the THX Onyx USB dongle with volume at 50%. My desktop rig is hard to beat but the difference is relatively small. With regards to amplification, I thus consider the Moondrop Kato to be very versatile.
The IE200 reaches just barely a decent listening level with Tool playing with my POCO F5’s headphone jack at full volume. With the THX Onyx USB dongle, it needs 70-80%. It sounds quite good but the desktop rig is definitely better.
Although both sound better with a desktop amp than with a dongle, the Moondrop Kato is significantly easier to drive than the IE200 and requires less to reach its full potential.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the Moondrop Kato and Sennheiser IE200 offer distinct sonic signatures and build qualities. While the Kato boasts a smoother, more organic sound with a durable all-metal construction, the IE200 provides sharper detail and a bassier profile in a lighter, plastic design. The Kato offers a more relaxed listening experience with fantastic timbre. The IE200, although still quite so smooth, delivers a crisper, more articulated sound.
Buy on Amazon: Sennheiser IE200
Buy on Linsoul: Moondrop Kato
Buy on Amazon: Moondrop Kato
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