Nice review 🎉 keep it up. Honestly i watch your reviews from starting till end which i can’t always do with many other reviewers. I get bored, but your explanations and comparisons great . 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sticking around for the whole review! I'm glad to hear that you find the explanations and comparisons helpful. I'll keep working hard to provide content that keeps you engaged. Thanks again for the wonderful feedback. Here's to many more reviews to come! 🎉🥳
Frankly, for the money and performance, the KZ AZ09 Pro and CCA BTX are, in my view, a much better value at around $30~35. The newer KZ AZ20, at ~$20 less than the Moondrop EVO, brings the addition of a more current and superior Qualcomm QCC5171 chipset, BT5.3, AptX Voice, CVC 9.0, Snapdragon Sound, AptX Adaptive, AptX HD, AptX LL, SBC, AAC. I own both the AZ09 Pro and BTX (over the last three years)...the form factor is very comfortable and a much lower profile on the ear than the Moondrop. The BTX and AZ20 fit snugger than the AZ09 Pro, as they are better suited for active wear (sweat resistance, etc). I usually get up to 6 hours on a single charge for the AZ09 Pro/BTX; about 5 hours in Power Mode for the harder to drive planars (e.g. S12, MP145, T10). The case holds another 8x charges. These KZ/CCA earhooks, in addition to Power Mode (3 successive clicks to left earhook button), offer a low latency GAME mode (3 successive clicks to right earhook button). Can these compare to my BTR5 or MUSE Hifi M4 (with IEM cables)? No, as these devices deliver more power, LDAC, and offer better DAC/AMP circuitry. However, what do I use more...these KZ/CCA earhooks, definitely. Very good sound, comfort, long battery life, good call quality, hands-free CONVENIENCE. PS: Modding the earhooks, from QDC C-pin to standard B-pin, is easy.
Thanks for the info. 👍I checked online and I found they have a QCC3040 chipset. Modding is another inconvenience for most users including myself. I want something like the Moondrop EVO that just works out of the box with my IEMs.
I think the fair comparison of TWS Adapter for Moondrop Evo are FIIO UTWS-5 and TRN BT30, both have mini amplifier build-in to each earpiece. TRN BT20 series and KZ TWS Adapter are below them in sound quality. But as a TRN BT30 user, I stick with my TRN BT30 coz that Dual DAC in Evo only drains battery than providing better sound quality. I got 4-6 hours with my BT30 depending on how power hungry the IEM connected to it, ie Moondrop SSR can only have 4 hours with BT30 co it's so power hungry for a small IEM.
@@Atechreviews I would recommend you to do A-B Test Moondrop Evo with BT30 and/or UTWS-5, that would be worth waiting for. Those 3 are are the best IEM to TWS Adapter available in the market right now. Although, some IEM enthusiasts have been talking about the possibility of FIIO UTWS-7 coming to market either end of 2024 or early 2025. For TRN, we'll never know what they cook up in their kitclen
Excuse me, can I ask you something? I think the Moondrop Evo have an app to change DSP settings right? (I think Little white have em) Does the app provide meaningful change? Also does it able to change the L/R sound balance of the iem, I'm thinking if buying these kind of tws adapter to "fix" the inbalance issue of my Noble Katana.
Thanks for the review Sorry if I missed it, but how much does the battery last? I’ve seen in sites that it lasts 2 hours but I’m really hoping it’s just typos or that those sites are copying and pasting info
You're welcome and thanks for tuning in to the review! It seems I forgot to mention the battery life details, my bad! So, from 100% to 40%, it lasted a solid 3 hours with Hi-Res FLAC music files at max volume using the AptX Adaptive codec. And from fully charged to 0%, it gave me around 5 hours of playtime, give or take. So, don't worry, it's definitely not just 2 hours as some sites claim! Hope this clears things up for you!
@@Atechreviews although that’s at least comforting to listen, I still find it’s way too little for the size of those modules But I won’t listen to lossless music with them and my phone only has normal aptx, so I guess I’ll see if I buy them or not, thanks!
@@MorriganHXA Considering you won't be listening to lossless music, won't listen at max volume and your phone has normal aptX, you might expect the battery life to be a bit longer. However, keep in mind that the charging case can recharge the earbuds up to 8 full times. I hope you find the perfect product for your needs.
Just got kz az20 which has highest bt codec & bt chip & sounds great with easy to drive multi driver iems. It rocks with the cheap cca rhapsody & the all out canon 2 but it won't drive legato to fullest & probably (if you manage to convert 2pin to mmcx) won't drive timeless as well. I'm using it with Samsung s23u & aptx hd works (as kz supports both aptx hd & adaptive unlike bose ultra headphones) but phone doesn't support aptx adaptive but with my creative btw5 it is exceptional sound for 70 bucks. I still think that would be better or should i say best option unless you need super power then wait for fiio update to utws5 coming later this year confirmed. But that still won't support aptx lossless unlike kz az20.
Thank you so much for sharing all this fantastic information! I had no idea about the KZ AZ20, and it sounds like a really impressive device, especially with its codecs. I agree, the Creative BTW5 setup seems like a fantastic option, especially for the price. I'm curious, is the AZ20 heavy? I ask because the EVO is super lightweight. Also, thanks for the heads up about the UTWS5 update-it sounds like you really know your stuff! I am glad to have you onboard! 👍👍👍
@@Atechreviews i bought the trn bt20xs & i won't recommend that shit show to even my enemies that was heavy af too. Az20 is the lightest in its class & epic for gym use Infact it's so light 90% of iems are heavier than that thing. The range in gym with 100s of people isn't great on s23u ( using creative w5 it's slightly better) But it's great in non busy areas especially with creative w5 it's just insane. Also battery life isn't great one side dies far quicker than other, mic quality isn't groundbreaking but much much better in non noisy scenarios than bt20xs. But i would rather buy a kz product than getting anything from fiio. Their batteries used are shit. I had btr5 for just 1.5yrs & its battery swell & damaged the entire thing & ofc started dying in mins. So i won't trust any fiio bt dongle probably considering the earhooks have even smaller battery & more power it might not last long for the price. Also will not have Qualcomm sound/lossless. & ldac is all over the place & with creative w5 you can really feel the difference even on bose ultra headphones & this az20. Ofc none of this is anywhere near my shanling h5 or epz tp50 dongle but thats another can of worms we shouldn't open here 😂
Judging by the specs it seems like this is more for the casual listener as opposed to the Fiio UTWS5, which can play LDAC and LHDC. Bummer, I was hoping this would be the next step up for BT hooks but it seems the UTWS5 is still the value king in that segment, the iFi Go seems hella overpriced for what you get.
I agree, the FiiO has the advantage of supporting both LDAC and LHDC. However, the EVO is significantly more comfortable. I was never a fan of ear hooks because they felt bulky and impractical, but after trying the EVO with the Kato, I now always use the EVO with the Kato. AptX HD still sounds great. The iFi Go offers the best sound quality, but it is more expensive and requires a phone that supports Snapdragon Sound to fully benefit from its capabilities.
Value king? What about the KZ AZ09 Pro or CCA BTX ($30-$35). These have QCC3040; BT5.2, CVC, TWS+, and AptX, AAC, SBC, LL Game mode, Hi Gain Power mode. 6 hours per charge with 8x charges in case. Hi Performance Value King: KZ AZ20 ($65-$70); QCC5171; BT5.3, CVC 9.0, TWS+, and AptX Adaptive, AptX HD/LL, AAC, SBC; LL Game mode, Hi Gain Power mode. 6 hours per charge with 8x charges in case.
Dude HOW are you getting them to pair correctly EVERY time I try and get them to sync to 1 device only 1 poece or the other does it not both. Even on my pc not just my phone wtf....
It does resemble the UTWS3! Maybe lighter and more flat. Hopefully, they've improved the durability of the charging pins in the UTWS5 to avoid that issue.
Anyone comparing to az earhooks the 2pins are really short not working with Linsoul 7Hz x and if you look on reviews or reddit one side is prone to fail like mine did. The trn are good you can change out the tip to fit almost all iem but there not powerful and arnt loud at all
I very much doubt the aptx adaptive implementation on a QCC3040 can reach the higher bitrate supported by newer versions of aptx adaptive. Most likely it caps out at 420Kbps instead of the 860Kbps or 1200Kbps of newer revisions supported by the QCC5XXX series. I'm also not a fan of them only halfway committing to a recessed 2 pin connector. It will work with partially recessed connectors but there will be 2 to 3mm of pins sticking out of more recessed female connectors.
I'm not exactly sure about the bitrate choice, but it might be because the chip is power-efficient, which could lead to a longer battery life. Regarding the 2-pin compatibility, it's designed to work with most of Moondrop's IEMs, so it's not a universal 2-pin connector for all IEMs out there. Many people feel that the recessed connector is safer in terms of durability and stability, which could explain why they went with this design.
I didn't hear the low battery warning on mine, so I'm not sure if it can be removed. Maybe there will be a setting for it when the EVO is added to the Moondrop Link 2.0 app.
It seems like the EVO isn't available on the Moondrop Link app just yet. The app's name is on the EVO's box, so it might be added in the future. As for what functions it will have, like setting PEQ, we'll have to wait for Moondrop to give us more info. Fingers crossed for some exciting updates!
It won't be compatible with every 2-pin IEM out there, but it should work with most, especially those with a flat/flush or recessed female connector. Moondrop mentions that it's compatible with most of their IEMs.
From 100% to 40% battery, it lasted a solid 3 hours with Hi-Res FLAC music files at maximum volume using the AptX Adaptive codec. From fully charged to 0%, it provided around 5 hours of playtime, give or take.
you compare this to the dongles, not to the tws. Obvious that kato for 180 bucks + evo 90 you compare with 270 dollars tws, and still I think evo+kato will be better. Thats all the question how much you lose when go bluetooth
And is the feeling of compression is really bad? And positioning, as you said. My ears can't fit the usual tws. I want something with fit of usual iems
Taking the Moondrop Kato as an example, it outperforms the FiiO FW5 and Sony XM4. The unique aspect is its ability to scale up with higher-quality IEMs; the sound improves as long as the IEM isn't difficult to drive.
The compression feeling isn't bad. However, the sound quality is slightly lower compared to LDAC and wired options. The same IEM sounds superior with LDAC and wired connections, a difference I've noticed. This discrepancy is due to the bandwidth limitations of the codecs. The sound remains impressive and better than most TWS IEMs. Regarding fit, if your IEM fits well with your ear tips, you'll find a good fit here too. The fit is good with a small ear hook and the device is flat and lightweight. Unlike regular wired IEMs, there's no downward pulling sensation while walking.
no anime. no like. 👎
Hahaha, OK, more anime. 👍
@@Atechreviews okay, you get a like! 👍
@@NullusTristis Yaaay! 😄
should be the top review on youtube reviews, the comparisons to the dongles etc, brilliant
Thank you so much for the kind words.
Nice review 🎉 keep it up. Honestly i watch your reviews from starting till end which i can’t always do with many other reviewers. I get bored, but your explanations and comparisons great . 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sticking around for the whole review! I'm glad to hear that you find the explanations and comparisons helpful. I'll keep working hard to provide content that keeps you engaged. Thanks again for the wonderful feedback. Here's to many more reviews to come! 🎉🥳
Got them 3 weeks ago , sound nice
👍
Frankly, for the money and performance, the KZ AZ09 Pro and CCA BTX are, in my view, a much better value at around $30~35.
The newer KZ AZ20, at ~$20 less than the Moondrop EVO, brings the addition of a more current and superior Qualcomm QCC5171 chipset, BT5.3, AptX Voice, CVC 9.0, Snapdragon Sound, AptX Adaptive, AptX HD, AptX LL, SBC, AAC. I own both the AZ09 Pro and BTX (over the last three years)...the form factor is very comfortable and a much lower profile on the ear than the Moondrop. The BTX and AZ20 fit snugger than the AZ09 Pro, as they are better suited for active wear (sweat resistance, etc).
I usually get up to 6 hours on a single charge for the AZ09 Pro/BTX; about 5 hours in Power Mode for the harder to drive planars (e.g. S12, MP145, T10). The case holds another 8x charges.
These KZ/CCA earhooks, in addition to Power Mode (3 successive clicks to left earhook button), offer a low latency GAME mode (3 successive clicks to right earhook button).
Can these compare to my BTR5 or MUSE Hifi M4 (with IEM cables)? No, as these devices deliver more power, LDAC, and offer better DAC/AMP circuitry. However, what do I use more...these KZ/CCA earhooks, definitely. Very good sound, comfort, long battery life, good call quality, hands-free CONVENIENCE.
PS: Modding the earhooks, from QDC C-pin to standard B-pin, is easy.
Thanks for the info. 👍I checked online and I found they have a QCC3040 chipset. Modding is another inconvenience for most users including myself. I want something like the Moondrop EVO that just works out of the box with my IEMs.
@@Atechreviews Not the AZ20...it carries the QCC 5171.
@@jb678901 OK, thanks for the info. I will check the Amazon page again.
I think the fair comparison of TWS Adapter for Moondrop Evo are FIIO UTWS-5 and TRN BT30, both have mini amplifier build-in to each earpiece.
TRN BT20 series and KZ TWS Adapter are below them in sound quality.
But as a TRN BT30 user, I stick with my TRN BT30 coz that Dual DAC in Evo only drains battery than providing better sound quality. I got 4-6 hours with my BT30 depending on how power hungry the IEM connected to it, ie Moondrop SSR can only have 4 hours with BT30 co it's so power hungry for a small IEM.
You're right. I just had the TRB BT20 on hand. Thanks for sharing.
@@Atechreviews I would recommend you to do A-B Test Moondrop Evo with BT30 and/or UTWS-5, that would be worth waiting for. Those 3 are are the best IEM to TWS Adapter available in the market right now.
Although, some IEM enthusiasts have been talking about the possibility of FIIO UTWS-7 coming to market either end of 2024 or early 2025. For TRN, we'll never know what they cook up in their kitclen
@@nightringer9815 OK, I will try and get them to do a comparison. I heard that the UTWS-5 is discontinued but I will check.
@@Atechreviews Wow
great review! Thanks! Viewer from brazil here!
Thank you for the kind words! It's awesome to hear from a viewer in Brazil! 👍
Excuse me, can I ask you something? I think the Moondrop Evo have an app to change DSP settings right? (I think Little white have em)
Does the app provide meaningful change? Also does it able to change the L/R sound balance of the iem, I'm thinking if buying these kind of tws adapter to "fix" the inbalance issue of my Noble Katana.
I don't have these with me right now, but when I was using them, they weren't yet included in the Moondrop app.
Thanks for the review
Sorry if I missed it, but how much does the battery last? I’ve seen in sites that it lasts 2 hours but I’m really hoping it’s just typos or that those sites are copying and pasting info
You're welcome and thanks for tuning in to the review! It seems I forgot to mention the battery life details, my bad! So, from 100% to 40%, it lasted a solid 3 hours with Hi-Res FLAC music files at max volume using the AptX Adaptive codec. And from fully charged to 0%, it gave me around 5 hours of playtime, give or take. So, don't worry, it's definitely not just 2 hours as some sites claim! Hope this clears things up for you!
@@Atechreviews although that’s at least comforting to listen, I still find it’s way too little for the size of those modules
But I won’t listen to lossless music with them and my phone only has normal aptx, so I guess I’ll see if I buy them or not, thanks!
You have any idea of how much it would last using aac btw?
@@MorriganHXA Considering you won't be listening to lossless music, won't listen at max volume and your phone has normal aptX, you might expect the battery life to be a bit longer. However, keep in mind that the charging case can recharge the earbuds up to 8 full times. I hope you find the perfect product for your needs.
@@Atechreviews also considering that I will use kiwiears cadenza with them
Yeah I’ll probably squeeze more hours
Thanks for the comments, very kind!!
Just got kz az20 which has highest bt codec & bt chip & sounds great with easy to drive multi driver iems. It rocks with the cheap cca rhapsody & the all out canon 2 but it won't drive legato to fullest & probably (if you manage to convert 2pin to mmcx) won't drive timeless as well. I'm using it with Samsung s23u & aptx hd works (as kz supports both aptx hd & adaptive unlike bose ultra headphones) but phone doesn't support aptx adaptive but with my creative btw5 it is exceptional sound for 70 bucks. I still think that would be better or should i say best option unless you need super power then wait for fiio update to utws5 coming later this year confirmed. But that still won't support aptx lossless unlike kz az20.
Thank you so much for sharing all this fantastic information! I had no idea about the KZ AZ20, and it sounds like a really impressive device, especially with its codecs. I agree, the Creative BTW5 setup seems like a fantastic option, especially for the price. I'm curious, is the AZ20 heavy? I ask because the EVO is super lightweight. Also, thanks for the heads up about the UTWS5 update-it sounds like you really know your stuff! I am glad to have you onboard! 👍👍👍
I wait Fiio too I had the previous the sound was good the EQ was..😢
@@Atechreviews i bought the trn bt20xs & i won't recommend that shit show to even my enemies that was heavy af too. Az20 is the lightest in its class & epic for gym use Infact it's so light 90% of iems are heavier than that thing. The range in gym with 100s of people isn't great on s23u ( using creative w5 it's slightly better) But it's great in non busy areas especially with creative w5 it's just insane. Also battery life isn't great one side dies far quicker than other, mic quality isn't groundbreaking but much much better in non noisy scenarios than bt20xs. But i would rather buy a kz product than getting anything from fiio. Their batteries used are shit. I had btr5 for just 1.5yrs & its battery swell & damaged the entire thing & ofc started dying in mins. So i won't trust any fiio bt dongle probably considering the earhooks have even smaller battery & more power it might not last long for the price. Also will not have Qualcomm sound/lossless. & ldac is all over the place & with creative w5 you can really feel the difference even on bose ultra headphones & this az20. Ofc none of this is anywhere near my shanling h5 or epz tp50 dongle but thats another can of worms we shouldn't open here 😂
@@Atechreviews kz az20 look smaller and lighter
@@kalimantap Good to know 👍
Judging by the specs it seems like this is more for the casual listener as opposed to the Fiio UTWS5, which can play LDAC and LHDC. Bummer, I was hoping this would be the next step up for BT hooks but it seems the UTWS5 is still the value king in that segment, the iFi Go seems hella overpriced for what you get.
I agree, the FiiO has the advantage of supporting both LDAC and LHDC. However, the EVO is significantly more comfortable. I was never a fan of ear hooks because they felt bulky and impractical, but after trying the EVO with the Kato, I now always use the EVO with the Kato. AptX HD still sounds great. The iFi Go offers the best sound quality, but it is more expensive and requires a phone that supports Snapdragon Sound to fully benefit from its capabilities.
Value king? What about the KZ AZ09 Pro or CCA BTX ($30-$35). These have QCC3040; BT5.2, CVC, TWS+, and AptX, AAC, SBC, LL Game mode, Hi Gain Power mode. 6 hours per charge with 8x charges in case.
Hi Performance Value King: KZ AZ20 ($65-$70); QCC5171; BT5.3, CVC 9.0, TWS+, and AptX Adaptive, AptX HD/LL, AAC, SBC; LL Game mode, Hi Gain Power mode. 6 hours per charge with 8x charges in case.
Dude HOW are you getting them to pair correctly EVERY time I try and get them to sync to 1 device only 1 poece or the other does it not both.
Even on my pc not just my phone wtf....
I only use it with my phone, so it always connects without any issues. Maybe try pairing with just one device and see if that helps?
@@Atechreviews It doesn't sadly
@@TokenCast You could give it a shot with other devices. If that doesn't work, you might consider reaching out to Moondrop.
Какие лучше kz az20 или эти?Which is better kz az20 or these?
I didn't try the AZ20.
Just for confirmation.. as you said it's better than utws5.. in what regard is it better?
They offer superior sound quality and comfort. Their lighter weight and flat design make them feel more comfortable for me.
Looks just like the Fiio UTWS3 which I have with the same charging pins that will eventually stop working.
It does resemble the UTWS3! Maybe lighter and more flat. Hopefully, they've improved the durability of the charging pins in the UTWS5 to avoid that issue.
That's why I think the charging contacts are on the outside so they're not touching your sweaty oily skin all the time and corroding.
@@Lead_Foot That makes sense. 👍
Anyone comparing to az earhooks the 2pins are really short not working with Linsoul 7Hz x and if you look on reviews or reddit one side is prone to fail like mine did. The trn are good you can change out the tip to fit almost all iem but there not powerful and arnt loud at all
Yeah, the TRN aren't that loud. But they are a great value IMO.
I very much doubt the aptx adaptive implementation on a QCC3040 can reach the higher bitrate supported by newer versions of aptx adaptive. Most likely it caps out at 420Kbps instead of the 860Kbps or 1200Kbps of newer revisions supported by the QCC5XXX series. I'm also not a fan of them only halfway committing to a recessed 2 pin connector. It will work with partially recessed connectors but there will be 2 to 3mm of pins sticking out of more recessed female connectors.
I'm not exactly sure about the bitrate choice, but it might be because the chip is power-efficient, which could lead to a longer battery life. Regarding the 2-pin compatibility, it's designed to work with most of Moondrop's IEMs, so it's not a universal 2-pin connector for all IEMs out there. Many people feel that the recessed connector is safer in terms of durability and stability, which could explain why they went with this design.
Do know how to remove the battery low reminder sound/or the setting for it, thanks
I didn't hear the low battery warning on mine, so I'm not sure if it can be removed. Maybe there will be a setting for it when the EVO is added to the Moondrop Link 2.0 app.
how about moondrop link, can we set PEQ ?
It seems like the EVO isn't available on the Moondrop Link app just yet. The app's name is on the EVO's box, so it might be added in the future. As for what functions it will have, like setting PEQ, we'll have to wait for Moondrop to give us more info. Fingers crossed for some exciting updates!
The ESS DAC and lack of LDAC killed it for me
The ESS DAC implementation in this device is actually quite impressive, and the sound quality is excellent.
No LDAC.....WHY????
thx for the review, I guess I won't be buying these and look to see what they have to offer from Fiio
You're welcome. I'm not certain whether it doesn't have LDAC. It could be to reduce the cost or improve battery life.
Look like a hearing aid…they should improve the design. Do you know what is the max mW at 32ohm?
I'm not sure, as they didn't include that specification. However, it can drive the Kato and similar IEMs to a loud volume.
So, I can use it with any iem that has 2pin connector?
It won't be compatible with every 2-pin IEM out there, but it should work with most, especially those with a flat/flush or recessed female connector. Moondrop mentions that it's compatible with most of their IEMs.
between moondrop little white and evo, which one do you recommend?
EVO.
what about battery life?
From 100% to 40% battery, it lasted a solid 3 hours with Hi-Res FLAC music files at maximum volume using the AptX Adaptive codec. From fully charged to 0%, it provided around 5 hours of playtime, give or take.
you compare this to the dongles, not to the tws. Obvious that kato for 180 bucks + evo 90 you compare with 270 dollars tws, and still I think evo+kato will be better. Thats all the question how much you lose when go bluetooth
EVO+ Kato = Better than any TWS I have ever tried.
Just wonder how it will compare to fiio fw5 or sony wf1000xm4
And is the feeling of compression is really bad? And positioning, as you said. My ears can't fit the usual tws. I want something with fit of usual iems
Taking the Moondrop Kato as an example, it outperforms the FiiO FW5 and Sony XM4. The unique aspect is its ability to scale up with higher-quality IEMs; the sound improves as long as the IEM isn't difficult to drive.
The compression feeling isn't bad. However, the sound quality is slightly lower compared to LDAC and wired options. The same IEM sounds superior with LDAC and wired connections, a difference I've noticed. This discrepancy is due to the bandwidth limitations of the codecs. The sound remains impressive and better than most TWS IEMs.
Regarding fit, if your IEM fits well with your ear tips, you'll find a good fit here too. The fit is good with a small ear hook and the device is flat and lightweight. Unlike regular wired IEMs, there's no downward pulling sensation while walking.
No ldac 🙃
Yeah.
KATO not kayto
Haha, okay, maybe you're right. 👍