To negotiate the best possible price for our customers, we agree to hide prices prior to logging in.
1.8K requests
·
1.2k Sold
Frequently bought together:
add
Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones
add
Drop 2-Pin IEM Cables
Product Description
Improving on the well-reviewed Kanas Pro IEM, Moondrop takes things up a notch with the KXXS: flagship earphones featuring a redesigned zinc-aluminum alloy housing. Taking that design a step further with a new black satin finish, Moondrop has unveiled the KXXX IEM—and it’s only available here on Drop Read More
Hey all, just wanted to let everyone know that Crinacle made a comparison between the Starfields, Kansas Pro, and KXXS (https://crinacle.com/2020/02/22/the-midfi-moondrop-shootout-kanas-pro-vs-kxxs-vs-starfield/). This is what he said about the differences between the Starfields and KXXS:
“The big head-scratcher would be between the KXXS and the Starfield. There are differences mind you, for instance the KXXS is a tad more upper-midrange-forward and thus just a hair shoutier as a result. But at the end of the day, the differences simply aren’t as significant as with the Kanas Pro and so I’d consider the two as ‘functionally identical’.
Yes, you heard that right. The $190 KXXS is basically the same sound-wise to the $110 Starfield.“
I got out of the headphone game a while back, otherwise I would. I settled on Stax L700 and Ether C Flow 1.2s lol. Took MANY headphones to get there. I don't think I'll go beyond these KXXXs for IEMs though because I don't use them that often. I had sets 2-4 times the price of these and I was always worried I'd damage them. Koss KPH30is are also amazing for portable. Those Moondrop S8s are tempting as hell though!
Agree. The differences are minor. However when the lower price of the Starfield is factored in, it makes them the better of the 2. I can hear the differences and all of my criticisms of the KXXS tuning seemed to be addressed with the Starfield.
We offer 1yr limited warrant+6 month replacement on this item instead of typical 1 month replacement+1year warranty, if you have any concerns, please email support@moondroplab.com, we'll be happy to assist you.
Assuming the sound is unchanged, the differences seem to just be the black paint job and the new cable.
The new cable being not only black but also braided which does bring some concerns to my mind about microphonics. I think this new cable is what will make or break this version of the KXXS. The braiding will make it more interesting to your general consumers, but if its to stiff and transfers too much noise up the cable it will be an issue for most people who are going to consider this IEM.
Overall it looks good, id love to get one in and check if it does sound the same as the KXXS.
Starfield still looks like the value king, but the looks and the cable (if it is very good) could sway many to spend the extra $70 for this.
LifelongCabooseYou can buy a replacement cable for $15 that would better than anything packaged with most sets. A Yinyoo 16 Core cable for $15 is a great match.
I went from the Kanas Pro to the JVC HA-FDX1. I really enjoyed the KP, but found the midrange a bit recessed and didn't like the inevitable fingerprints (part of why I didn't get the KXXS). Does anyone have any feedback as to how the KXXS/KXXX compares to the JVCs?
So I would actually recommend the starfield... way better for the money and the same drivers. For me at least, the weight of the kxxs is a bit too much.
Sweet! I think will depend on personal tastes. The KXXX is an interesting and popular IEM in its own league. Recently, they hinted that a gold (?) brass color version is coming out. For those who like shiny objects.. the gold color one might appeal too. Fundamentally, it's the same IEM.
Really? I stand corrected. The instagram looked like it was a gold version of the Kxxx. Similar shape I guess from the angle it was shot in. Can't wait to see the next flagship!
I did not leave any official reviews on these two because they've been widely covered. They deserve their reputations as two of the best IEM's in the $200 range. Short summation:
The Timeless is deceptively light while still being well-made. The bass can be a touch on the bloomy side but it does extend deep with fairly good definition. It exhibits a lot of the typical characteristics of a planar driver, good speed & resolution. I would classify it as neutral leaning with a bass bump & excellent micro detail. Treble extension is just a little bit less than ideal for me. You lose just a bit of spatial info depending on material. To me, the weak point is the cable. Yes, it's beautiful & handles well, but it is the choke point in the Timeless' performance. I switched the cable to a gold-plated monocrystalline OCC copper Litz cable with good results. It tightened up the bass & extended the treble. I also feel that a balanced cable gets the best out of the Timeless.
The Kato is built like a tank. I would describe it as being on the bright side of neutral. It exhibits low distortion & very good clarity. It tiptoes right up to the line of being sibilant without unnecessarily crossing it. The upper midrange & the treble are presented a little more forward when compared to the Timeless. The bite from brass instruments or a tenor sax or a cymbal strike are presented better especially on live material. A big plus is that accessory-wise, the Kato is gtg straight out of the box! The Spring Tips have quickly become one of my favorites & I've ordered more to try on other sets. I pre-ordered my Kato so I have the free cable upgrade but it's still sitting unopened in its box. The stock cable is great & cable swapping did nothing to improve the Kato's performance.
Honestly, it's not a situation of one being better that the other. I truly appreciate them both. Which one I prefer will depend on my mood & the material I happen to be listening to. If I had to choose, I'd probably pick the Timeless because I tend to be treble sensitive but that's a personal thing. FTR, neither is my favorite. That title still belongs to my Drop x JVC HA-FDX1 with the 50% filter installed.