greetings, i currently own the Moondrop Kato and am looking for a new pair from that baseline, i don't have any preferred signature as such, so i narrowed it down to Aful Explorer, Kinera Relentless and SM4, Considering they are PRICED SIMILARLY in my region, which one should i choose or like what different flavours does each of them bring to the table ? are any of them an upgrade to KATO or are just sidegrades ? would like your advice as i have a limited Sale period in my region and you are only 1/3 reviewers who have reviewed all 3 🙏
Just so Jay can have easier time to answer your question i'll ask : What don't you like in KATO that you'd like to be improved? Are you just looking for a sidegrade/just to buy something because you feel like it/something different. Most sense as a straight upgrade would make the SM4, imo. If you just want to shake it up with something different/less analytical/fun go for the Explorer. But yeah, if you can get SM4 for 120 like the Explorer, it is a nobrainer tbf, with very adequate drivers you can EQ it to whatever you want.
@@3ildcard i like the resolution/details of my KATO, but sometimes i wish it had a tad bit more bass and slightly less treble energy during long listening sessions. During those moments i use my Meze 99 Neo which is quite warm-smooth-bassy. So i am looking for something in between, i listen to above average volumes so thought Explorer would be a good pick since i heard it scales better with more power and volume, but if it lacks techs/resolution compared to my KATO i would avoid it. SM4 seems to me an enhanced version of KATO. it has extra base but it might be even brighter, with better techs. Then there's Relentless, which graphs similar to KATO but is V shaped with better accessories, but i don't know whether its better than SM4 or Explorer. So basically, i am open to all 3 as a sidegrade but which one is better among the 3 is the info i am looking for. JAY states that Sm4 is 8.1 but upper mids gets a little off but kinera at 7.9 a fun V great upper mids. But puts explorer at 8.2 with he owned 2 and likes them so his ranking makes me confused as well.
@@Jaytiss Yeap especially for an all-day driver.. Spicy ones are not for too long except if they have some great virtue..For example my Hydro despite the fact has all the upper range elevated has very good instrument separation and stage when I need critical listening but it's not an all-dayer..keep the good work 👍
This is a tastefully done V-shape sounding set. Love the pair.
I love this set. Very fun v shaped set!
"Fiery" review! (pun intended).
XD Dragon!
A $629 single DD 😮, the tuning looks pretty good though.
It’s solid! Very fun.
Holy mother that shell is beautiful
right!?
greetings, i currently own the Moondrop Kato and am looking for a new pair from that baseline, i don't have any preferred signature as such, so i narrowed it down to Aful Explorer, Kinera Relentless and SM4, Considering they are PRICED SIMILARLY in my region, which one should i choose or like what different flavours does each of them bring to the table ? are any of them an upgrade to KATO or are just sidegrades ? would like your advice as i have a limited Sale period in my region and you are only 1/3 reviewers who have reviewed all 3 🙏
Just so Jay can have easier time to answer your question i'll ask : What don't you like in KATO that you'd like to be improved? Are you just looking for a sidegrade/just to buy something because you feel like it/something different.
Most sense as a straight upgrade would make the SM4, imo. If you just want to shake it up with something different/less analytical/fun go for the Explorer. But yeah, if you can get SM4 for 120 like the Explorer, it is a nobrainer tbf, with very adequate drivers you can EQ it to whatever you want.
@@3ildcard i like the resolution/details of my KATO, but sometimes i wish it had a tad bit more bass and slightly less treble energy during long listening sessions. During those moments i use my Meze 99 Neo which is quite warm-smooth-bassy. So i am looking for something in between, i listen to above average volumes so thought Explorer would be a good pick since i heard it scales better with more power and volume, but if it lacks techs/resolution compared to my KATO i would avoid it. SM4 seems to me an enhanced version of KATO. it has extra base but it might be even brighter, with better techs. Then there's Relentless, which graphs similar to KATO but is V shaped with better accessories, but i don't know whether its better than SM4 or Explorer.
So basically, i am open to all 3 as a sidegrade but which one is better among the 3 is the info i am looking for. JAY states that Sm4 is 8.1 but upper mids gets a little off but kinera at 7.9 a fun V great upper mids. But puts explorer at 8.2 with he owned 2 and likes them so his ranking makes me confused as well.
I like the explorer a lot. It’ll also probably be the cheapest of the three.
@@Jaytiss if all 3 cost the same which one would you pick ? in my region all (3 explorer, sm4 and relentless) cost around 120$
I won't buy again iem that has more than 9 dB of pina gain..end of story sorry 🐉
Try before buying, graphs don’t tell everything
@@SharinganNin I have a lot of iems and I like most the one with the lower one..
To know your preferred signature is the hobby. Sounds like you are winning.
@@Jaytiss Yeap especially for an all-day driver.. Spicy ones are not for too long except if they have some great virtue..For example my Hydro despite the fact has all the upper range elevated has very good instrument separation and stage when I need critical listening but it's not an all-dayer..keep the good work 👍