Moondrop Kadenz Review

In the crowded world of in-ear monitors, standing out requires a blend of innovative engineering, striking aesthetics, and immersive sound quality. The MOONDROP Kadenz IEMs are a stellar example of this balance, offering audiophiles and casual listeners alike a unique listening experience. With their refined design, advanced audio technology, and exceptional build quality, the Kadenz promises to elevate your audio journey. Let’s delve into the key features, sound profile, and overall performance of the Kadenz IEMs, exploring what makes them a compelling choice in the competitive budget IEM market.

What You Get

• MOONDROP Kadenz IEMs
• Ear tips (S, M, L) + Spring Tips (S, M, L)
• High-quality Litz Cable
• Replaceable Nozzles (A, B, C)
• 4.4mm Balanced USB-C Decoding Cable
• Leather Case, Manual, Service Card, Certificate

Look & Feel

The Kadenz has a similar design to past Moondrop IEMs like the Kato. Its shell is 3D printed and uses stainless steel materials with a matte finish. Holding the Kadenz I noticed the shell has some weight to it, and overall the build quality is fantastic. The hand-polished craftsmanship gives the surface a nice gloss even with the matte design. It makes for a striking aesthetic while keeping an ergonomic shape for a great fit.

Design

The Kadenz uses a 10mm ULT GEN2 dynamic driver that uses pressure-balanced channels for optimal signal flow. Its diaphragm is made from a TAC diamond-coated dome composite with a high-rigidity diamond layer that aims to enhance dynamics in the frequency response. Advanced internal acoustics help suppress phase interference, which also supports dynamic range. The Kadenz also comes with a USB-C decoding cable called ECHO-B, which allows for higher sample rates up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM with a 4.4mm balanced headphone output.

Soundstage 

Moondrop always impresses me with its soundstage and spatial imaging capabilities even with their budget IEMs. With the Kadenz, you get more than just a traditional stereo field at times. I was quite impressed with its ability to showcase dimension, allowing instruments and effects to explore a more open headspace. Everything still sounds in your head though, but it can sometimes leak around a barrier pushing the sound forward. While it doesn’t stretch very wide, the depth makes up for it. It’s one of the most live-sounding IEMs I’ve heard from this price range in a while, as the Kadenz can unfold complex layers and position them above and behind others with surprising articulation.

Low End

It’s a bit strange to hear a budget IEM from Moondrop lacking this much bass punch. It’s not that key frequency content is missing, it’s just that the Kadenz goes for a more neutral presentation, which I wasn’t expecting. After listening to it for some time, I became more accustomed to its timbre and came away appreciating its restraint. The bass is clear and balanced, and while there’s not a ton of impact to it, I wouldn’t call it boring. It still has a certain smoothness and vibration, adding flavor to the sound signature. It’s like a slight lift that compliments instrumental clarity rather than warms the tone and directly grips you with a bombastic response.

Mids

With the bass’s more relaxed and balanced tuning, the midrange is allowed to show off more dominant features. Cleaner artifacts, especially from acoustic instruments, are on display. This makes the timbre appear detailed but also very natural. It lacks some attack on notes, though, as the mids smooth out transients for a more laid-back response. Vocals have the most liveliness to them, supplying the sound signature with transparency. There’s some peakiness in the upper-mids that can get hot sometimes, but It’s not consistent enough to deter you from the sound.

Highs

There’s a lot to like about the relaxed sound of the Kandez, which is expressed well into the highs. These frequencies are well-controlled but feature a muted sizzle. It’s passable for a pair of IEMs like these though, and it still exhibits nice details and height. You don’t get a lot of color in the treble, but the response is not dull and barren. The highs aren’t very exciting, but there’s enough presence to them that satisfies me enough.

Summary

The MOONDROP Kadenz IEMs encapsulate the essence of thoughtful audio craftsmanship, delivering a well-rounded experience that prioritizes sound quality over sheer bass power. While they may lean towards a more neutral sound signature, the balance and clarity across the frequency spectrum make them a pleasure to listen to, particularly for those who appreciate intricate musical details. The stunning design and high-quality materials further enhance their appeal, making them not just a tool for listening, but a work of art. For anyone seeking a pair of budget IEMs that excel in soundstage, mids, and overall build quality, the Kadenz IEMs deserve serious consideration.

The Moondrop Kadenz is available from Audio46.