Time to get downvoted for my honest opinion:
The Moondrop Kadenz
Yes, single driver, but if you read reviews people compare it with the Blessing 3.
I've gone above 1000$ twice and regretted it both times. Single DD coherency cant be beat for me'
Hi guys, a few months ago I saw an interesting format in the watches sub and I decided to take inspiration from it.
I recorded the hours of my IEMs used in the last 2 months, in total I stopped at just over 400 hours, it was an interesting experiment especially to understand what I can sell and what is not used.
I'll leave you some impressions and comments:)
* Punch audio Martilo: In the end they were my most used between Work, Music, Gym and Gaming. I must say that lately I listen to a lot of phonk
* Tangzu Tianpeng: They replaced my Bajie, excellent quality and accessories for more refined listening at home or excellent for gaming
* Tanchjim Force: They are becoming my favorites, already heard at various fairs and lent by a friend, excellent aesthetic and design, sound similar to my beloved Meteor, but they are less goofy and therefore I can also wear them on trains or at work, I will definitely increase the hours
* Moondrop Kadenz: Great all-rounders, simply top, but I'm using the Forces more for a similar sound. They're perfect for work.
* Moondrop Meteor: Among my favorite flagships, but I'm more comfortable with the Tanchjim as they are more discreet, I listen to the Meteor at home in peace
* Fatfreq Deuce: They were the most used for the same reasons as the Martilo, but I prefer the Punch Audio for design and comfort. The bass is perfect in both.
What's your budget? I don't listen to these artists much, but similar-ish artists like Sheena Ringo, Hikura Utada.
My go to pair for late 90s-00s j-pop is Moondrop Kato (which is discontinued, and replaced by extremely similar Moondrop Kadenz). These are vocal forward with some bass, but not overpowering. On upcoming sale they should be available in the $150-170 range. Moondrop Aria 2 is much cheaper, but a bit more v-shaped, but should still be a good choice. Full price is around 99usd, and should be able to get a decent discount with 11.11 sale or black friday.
I would say Kadenz is a very good DD but it is bit overpriced in the current market. It's resolving and neutral but comes with the usual Moondrop 1DD criticism that that tuning is too safe and that it's not significantly different from the many other 1DDs that came before it like Kato. Really depends on how much you like Moondrop VSDF tuning to be honest. But I think most people would say it does not have the detail and wow-factor of other high-end DDs like Origin, EA1000, FD15, etc. And $200-ish dollars can buy you a hell of a hybrid these days.
Maybe try something cheaper first. I think Zenith, EA500/LM, Unicrom, 4U give the Kato a run for it's money and maybe it's wrong to judge the Kadenz by the Kato but it really is 90% the same IEM. Try the Aria 2 or better yet a used/on-sale Kato.
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7Hz
7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2
76% positive of 493 users
Budget gaming pick, but poor cables and polarizing bass.
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