Kiwi Ears Allegro - Retro Look, Modern Sound

4 ⭐️ 

+ Fun design - not just another black rectangle

+ Compact size (seriously small)

+ Competitive price

+ Both 4.4 and 3.5 connections

+ Independent volume control

+ Crisp, energetic sound

- Not the most refined sound

- Face buttons not functional 😞

- Might not pair best with bright tuning

- Barebones accessories and function

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Best in class/buy it now

☆☆☆☆ - Highly recommended 

☆☆☆ - Sound for thee, not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was provided to me by Linsoul in exchange for my impartial and honest review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A special thanks to Carina at Linsoul for coordinating this unit for review.

Gear used: 

● LG v30+

● Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

● Samsung dongle

● Hiby FC4

● Various iems

Source:

Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:

The release of the Allegro marks Kiwi Ears' first release outside of iems. It is currently priced at $59.99. Kiwi Ears is following in the footsteps of other companies that have released DAC/amps like Moondrop (Dawn Pro), Truthear (Shio), and Aful (Snowy Night). The budget DAC/amp market is quickly growing and there are a ton of choices under $100. Let's see if the Allegro can carve out a space for itself among the competition. 

Build and features:

The Allegro sports a ES9028Q2M DAC chip which, according to Kiwi Ears' description, is "known for its high signal-to-noise ratio and low distortion, guaranteeing an unmatched audio clarity". When i first opened the box I was surprised to see just how small it is. Despite it's size, the construction feels solid and robust. The face design is that of a retro video game controller. Its a fun aestetic that sets the Allegro apart from its competitors. I do wish the face buttons were functional though (maybe as the volume control). On one end of the unit you'll find a USB-C port for connection to a smartphone, DAP, PC or your source of choice. On the other end are the 3.5mm and 4.4mm connections. There are also + and - volume buttons on what I'd consider the top of the unit. The volume control is independent from the source device and it stays at the last level between uses which is super handy. On the back is a small indicator light that shows the sample format. It displays blue for PCM and red for DSD. I do wish they could have incorporated the light to the face design. The overall package, accessories, and function are simplistic. There's only the dual sided USB-C cable included and Kiwi Ears doesn't have any companion app for EQ or filters.

Power consumption:

Some audiophiles prefer to use a DAC/amp with its own internal battery as to not drain their source device. I do mostly prefer the dongle DAC/amps as its one less thing to worry about charging. The Allegro's output power is 70mW@32 ohms and 155mW@32 ohms for 3.5 and 4.4 respectively. To test how much power the Allegro draws from a device I ran a short trial. With my devices in airplane mode, I left my library to play on a medium high volume. Here is the battery drain results after 1 hour:

●29% on LGV30+ through 4.4 and 23% through 3.5.

●12% on Galaxy S22 Ultra through 4.4 and 8% through 3.5.

Sample track breakdown:

The following impressions were made using the Softears Volume, Simgot EW200, Kiwi Ears Dolce, Truthear Zero: Red, and Aful Magic One.

● "Animals" - Maroon 5

The guitar and bass strums in the intro have a little more separation. Midbass slam has more punch but also sounds a bit bloated with slight bleed. That could be a limitation of the iem itself though. Snares and cymbals have more energy and are more prominent with a bit more air. 

● "Closer" - The Chainsmokers [feat Halsey]

The piano in the intro has a fuller sound with more energy. Claps and hi-hats are quick and precise. Notes are snappier with quicker attack and decay. This leads to better note separation and a slight boost in technicalities. The vocals are maybe the only thing that doesn't pick up any added energy which can make them sound a bit recessed. 

●"Think of You" - Chris Young [feat. Cassadee Pope]

The kick drum in the intro is much punchier but the quicker decay helps keep them from sounding bloated. The guitar strumming throughout the first verse has great separation and sounds more technical. The entire song has more energy and a more "in your face" sound almost like you're at the concert. 

● "I Alone" - LIVE

Guitars in the intro again have better separation and individual plucks are more apparent. When the chorus comes in, there is an added energy injected in the entire frequency response. The Allegro adds a nice addition to the bass shelf while also giving the treble a definite bite and edge. Cymbals in particular are more refined and less sibilant prone.

● "The Way I Am" - Ingrid Michaelson

The bass line hits deeper but also sounds cleaner. The bongos hit with a quicker attack and are better defined. Ingrid's vocals are as pleasant as ever but theres a tiny bit of sophistication and technical chops that wasn't there before. Guitar plucks and claps have more bite but stay free of sibilance.

Comparison:

●Hiby FC4 ($79)

Both are very compact and weigh about the same however the FC4's body is longer, slimmer, and overall a little more cumbersome. Both the Allegro and FC4 accentuate the lower frequencies and add more rumble however the Allegro adds more overall energy to the whole spectrum. The FC4 tends to smooth any troublesome treble peaks where the Allegro allows the treble to play to it's natural tuning. To my ear the Allegro sounds a bit more technical with better note separation. For a more full and organic sound, I'd recommend the Hiby FC4. If it's more energy and bite you're after, the Allegro is an excellent choice.

Summary: 

The Allegro is a very fun and interesting new release from Kiwi Ears. It sports a playful aestetic and energetic sound. Throughout my critical listening, the Allegro takes the tuning of the iem and pushes it one step further. It adds a fast attack and quick decay making the entire spectrum sound a bit snappier. Also there's a bit of a crispness to the notes and music sounds more technical but still lively. I'd recommend the Allegro to anyone wanting to add a bit of sharpness and energy to their favorite tuned iem or headphones. It should synergize best with a warm or neutral tuning but it really sounded great with anything I threw at it. Personally I prefer a more organic and warmer sound; however, the Allegro is very nice for what it offers and at $59.99 it's a fantastic buy.