In-Ear Fidelity

Moondrop KXXS: Unboxing

Introduction

Moondrop has been gaining quite a bit of traction lately, their (now discontinued) Crescent and Kanas Pro dynamics taking the audio world seemingly out of nowhere. It’s not my first rodeo with them either; in fact you could argue that I was one of the first few to bring them into the spotlight almost a year back.

Yep, you heard it right. The ultra-popular Kanas Pro has already been discontinued, just as it was chugging along full steam ahead. Tagging in to replace it is the KXXS, a more-similar-than-different model with much more striking faceted lines and a packaging that appeals to the more… Japanese-inclined.

Due to this new fact, I’ll more than likely simply combine my review of the Kanas Pro with the KXXS considering that you probably can’t get the former in the future. So now the big question remains: how will the new update fare in the gladitorial ranking pits?

Product page: https://www.linsoul.com/product-page/moondrop-kxxs-iem

MSRP: $190

Driver configuration: single DD

This KXXS has been kindly provided by Linsoul.

NON-AUDIO OPINIONS

My unboxing posts are pretty much the only times I’ll ever talk about build quality, accessories and the like. I’m not really the person to ask about these things as I don’t really care about them that much.

Accessories: tips, filter replacements (+ tweezers), cable, soft pouch and hard case.

Cable: 4-wire round braided cable. Rough to the touch and not very premium feeling. Somewhat stiff as well.

Connection: midly recessed 2-pin. Should fit most conventional 2-pin cables.

Build: metal. Pictures say everything.

Fit: nothing feels out of the ordinary. It fits.

Isolation: above average, could be better but enough for outdoor use.

Initial Impressions

  • Instantly prefer the KXXS over the Kanas Pro. 
  • Well-balanced “V-shaped” type signature. No area of the FR sounds overly emphasised but it’s still pretty obvious that the bass and treble are boosted.
  • No tonal anomalies to speak of. Sounds proper.
  • Still below the Blessing in terms of technicalities.
  • Less warm and blunted compared to the Kanas Pro.

Measurements

Choice comparisons
Harman Target compensated
Kanas Pro versus KXXS

Comparisons courtesy of the Graph Comparison Tool

August’s IEM giveaway coming soon on Patreon! And of course shoutouts to my big money boys: “McMadface”, Denis, Nicholas, “caravan” and Justin. 

2 thoughts on “Moondrop KXXS: Unboxing”

  1. Hi,
    Got a Pinnacle p1 and it does everything right except for the bass response, a bit too weak for my taste. I am looking for something with good clarity (like the p1), decent midrange for vocals and better / fuller bass response. Would you suggest these KXXS at 150usd?

    Thank you for your time.

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