Preface:
You can purchase Allegro Pro at the following link (not an affiliate link):
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-allegro-pro?_pos=1&_psq=allego&_ss=e&_v=1.0
I’m not the one to usually focus on specifications and numbers. I focus more on how happy I am with the equipment’s sound and that’s it.
Disclaimer: This is a review unit from Linsoul however I retain full editorial control and the opinions expressed here are solely my own. I have not been paid or compensated by Linsoul, Kiwi Ears or any other entity for this review. My assessment is based solely on my personal experience with the product.
I do get to keep the unit after review but that had no influence over the opinions expressed below.
IEMs used for evaluation:
Kiwi Ears has carved a respected niche in the audio community, earning praise for their innovative and often value-leading IEM designs. From the impressive sonic landscapes of the Cadenza and Orchestra Lite to the intricate detail of the Quintet and the engaging KE4, their IEMs have consistently captured my attention. Now, while Kiwi Ears ventures into the realm of over-ear headphones, my focus today is on their latest DAC/AMP offering – the Allegro Pro, which appears to be the successor to their earlier Allegro Mini.
Box Contents:
Design and Build:
The Allegro Pro features a sleek and minimalist design like it's predecessor, prioritizing portability with its compact form factor that slips easily into a pocket. The aluminum chassis feels reassuringly solid and well-constructed, suggesting good long-term durability. The device sports a clean and understated aesthetic with a matte finish. Its small size is a significant advantage for on-the-go listening without having the dongle dangle.
The physical layout of the Allegro Pro is functional. The USB Type-C connector is conveniently located at the top of the device. On the bottom face, you'll find a single multi-function button accompanied by an LED indicator. This button serves the purpose of cycling through the different sound modes offered by the Allegro Pro, with the LED providing visual feedback on the currently selected mode. On the right side of the device, you'll find the 4.4mm balanced headphone jack, catering to those who prefer a balanced connection. Conversely, the left side houses the more traditional 3.5mm single-ended headphone jack, ensuring compatibility with a wider range of IEMs and headphones.
Battery Drain (Used with Pixel 9 Pro XL & iPhone 16 Pro Max):
I tested the Allegro Pro with both my Pixel 9 Pro XL and my iPhone 16 Pro Max, and the battery drain was noticeable but not excessive. With the Pixel 9 Pro XL, using the Allegro Pro for a couple of hours of music playback using Apple Music and Tidal at moderate volume resulted in a roughly 15-20% battery decrease on the phone. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, fared slightly better, showing a similar percentage drop over a longer listening period. Of course, battery drain will vary depending on volume levels, the type of IEMs used, and other factors, but these figures give a general idea. It's safe to say that using the Allegro Pro will impact your phone's battery life, so you'll want to keep that in mind if you're planning on extended listening sessions away from a power source. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's something to be aware of.
Driveability:
My experience evaluating the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro's driveability, focused exclusively on my Softears Volume S, FiiO FH19, Sennheiser IE900, and Letshouer Mystic 8 IEMs, reveals a generally competent power delivery. A significant positive was the remarkably low noise floor I observed with sensitive IEMs like the Softears Volume S and Sennheiser IE900. Even at higher volume levels without music, the absence of audible hiss was notable, ensuring a clean backdrop for critical listening and quiet musical passages. This clean power delivery across the audible spectrum was another positive, as the Allegro Pro provided a smooth and stable output without any discernible frequency imbalances across the IEMs in my collection. The likely low output impedance, inferred from the silent background with sensitive IEMs, further contributes positively by ensuring a faithful frequency response unaffected by the IEMs' impedance curves.
However, pushing the Allegro Pro with the slightly more demanding FiiO FH19 and Letshouer Mystic 8 at higher listening volumes hinted at a potential limitation in headroom. While sufficient volume was achieved, the dynamic range seemed to compress slightly during very loud and complex segments, suggesting that those who frequently listen at high SPLs or demand the utmost dynamic expression might find the Allegro Pro approaching its power ceiling. Additionally, a minor negative for users with exceptionally sensitive IEMs could be the granularity of the volume control at the very low end, where finer adjustments might be desired to pinpoint the ideal listening level, although this wasn't a significant issue with the IEMs I used.
During my testing, I also noticed that the Allegro Pro can get noticeably warm even at lower listening levels and when driving IEMs at higher volumes. However, this warmth seemed to stabilize and didn't become excessively hot during prolonged listening sessions, which I would consider within the realm of normal operation for a compact DAC/AMP.
Sound Analysis:
Tonality:
The Allegro Pro establishes a generally warm tonal foundation, lending a comforting character to extended listening sessions. This warmth doesn't overshadow the higher frequencies entirely; a touch of sparkle up top prevents a dull presentation. For instance, in Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me," the richness in her vocals and the piano's lower register is pleasing. Yet, the cymbal work, while present, might possess a slightly subdued brilliance compared to a more neutral presentation. On the other hand, Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" showcases the warm bassline effectively, and the crispness of the synthesizers and hi-hats remains discernible, though their ultimate airiness could be more pronounced.
Sub-Bass:
The Allegro Pro demonstrates commendable depth in the sub-bass region, capable of producing a satisfying rumble. This low-end extension adds a tangible physicality to tracks. Take Massive Attack's "Teardrop;" the deep bass pulses are felt with good presence, and they don't unduly intrude on Elizabeth Fraser's vocals. That said, the finest nuances in the texture of those ultra-low frequencies might be slightly smoothed over. In Kendrick Lamar's "Alright," the 808 hits with satisfying impact, and the decay is reasonably controlled, though perhaps lacking the absolute tightness and definition some of us might seek in this region.
Mid-Bass:
The mid-bass offers a satisfying punch, contributing to the rhythmic drive and providing weight to bass guitars and drums. This characteristic can be quite engaging for many genres. In Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way," the kick drum has a solid impact, and the bassline provides a good sense of groove. One could argue, however, that this region exhibits a hint of extra emphasis, which, while enjoyable, might subtly veil the lower midrange in exceptionally busy mixes. Similarly, Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Can't Stop" benefits from the energetic punch of the bass, yet the rapid-fire notes could possess marginally greater separation and definition.
Lower Midrange:
The Allegro Pro's lower midrange imparts a pleasant warmth and body to male vocals and instruments like cellos. This can add a richness and fullness to the sound. Listening to Johnny Cash's "Hurt," his voice resonates with a deep presence, and the acoustic guitar has a pleasingly organic quality. A potential trade-off of this warmth is that it occasionally softens the articulation and the finer details in this frequency range, potentially making complex passages sound a touch less distinct. With Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car," her voice has a grounded quality, yet the subtle nuances in her vocal texture might not be conveyed with absolute transparency.
Upper Midrange:
The upper midrange generally presents vocals and instruments with good clarity, avoiding overt harshness. This contributes to a fatigue-free listening experience. In Adele's "Someone Like You," her vocals are largely clear and understandable. Nevertheless, the utmost crispness and definition in the higher registers of her voice might be slightly rounded off. Similarly, with Yo-Yo Ma's Bach Cello Suite No. 1," the higher notes of the cello are smooth, but the very sharpest attacks might lack a touch of their inherent bite.
Lower Treble:
The lower treble contributes to a sense of detail and the initial crispness of percussive hits and guitar attacks. This region provides some of the perceived sharpness in the sound. In Steely Dan's "Peg," the hi-hats and guitar attacks are reasonably defined. Yet, the subtlest nuances in their decay and the air around them might not be as apparent as on more resolving systems. With Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," the cymbal crashes have decent presence, but their overall texture and complexity could be more fully realized.
Upper Treble:
The Allegro Pro offers some extension into the upper treble, contributing to a sense of air. Sibilance is generally well-managed, which is a definite plus. In R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion," the mandolin's shimmer is present, contributing to the track's atmosphere. However, the uppermost air and the delicate trailing ends of notes might feel somewhat truncated. With Diana Krall's "Peel Me Slowly," the brush strokes on the cymbals have a gentle sparkle, but the sense of open space and the finest micro-details in their decay could be improved.
Soundstage:
The soundstage presented by the Allegro Pro is more intimate and focused, rather than expansive. Instrument placement within this space is generally discernible. In Miles Davis' "So What," the instruments occupy distinct positions within the stereo image. However, the overall width and depth of the soundstage feel somewhat limited. Similarly, while Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" creates a sense of movement, the sonic landscape doesn't extend far beyond the listener's head, resulting in a less immersive experience compared to DAC/AMPs with a wider and deeper presentation.
Layering and Separation:
The Allegro Pro generally provides good layering and separation of instruments in moderately complex arrangements, allowing individual elements to be distinguished. In The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever," the various instrumental and vocal layers are reasonably well-defined. As the complexity increases, however, such as in Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," the individual layers can become somewhat less distinct, leading to a degree of congestion during the most densely packed passages. While the musicality remains, the ultimate level of separation in highly intricate mixes isn't its strongest suit.
Timbre:
The timbre of instruments and voices is generally natural, making for a pleasant listening experience. However, a subtle underlying smoothness can slightly alter the inherent character of some sounds. In Rebecca Pidgeon's "Spanish Harlem," her voice and the acoustic instruments sound largely realistic. Yet, the sharpness of percussive attacks might be subtly softened. Conversely, with Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name," while the raw energy comes through, the utmost grit and edge of the guitars might be slightly diminished by this smoothing effect.
Coherence:
The Allegro Pro offers good coherence, with a relatively smooth integration across the frequency spectrum. The different frequency ranges blend together without obvious discontinuities. In Beethoven's Symphony No. 5," the transition between different instrumental sections feels relatively seamless. That being said, a subtle emphasis in the bass and lower midrange might occasionally give those frequencies a slightly more prominent role in the overall mix. Similarly, in Radiohead's "Paranoid Android," the various sonic elements work together cohesively, though the lower frequencies might possess a touch more weight than absolute neutrality would dictate.
Detail Retrieval:
The Allegro Pro provides a decent level of detail retrieval, allowing me to appreciate the core elements of the music. However, it might not unveil the most subtle micro-details present in the recording. In Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing," the fingerpicking and vocal nuances are discernible. Yet, the faintest ambient cues and the subtle textures of the recording environment might be less apparent. With Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," the interplay between instruments is conveyed, but the subtlest breaths and instrumental artifacts might remain somewhat veiled.
Microdynamics:
The Allegro Pro handles microdynamics reasonably well, allowing for the perception of subtle volume variations that contribute to musical expression. In Debussy's "Clair de Lune," the gentle swells and fades are noticeable. However, the finest gradations in volume might not be rendered with the utmost precision. Similarly, in Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," the shifts in his vocal intensity are conveyed, but the most delicate dynamic nuances might be somewhat compressed.
Macrodynamics:
The Allegro Pro delivers macrodynamics with good punch and engagement, effectively handling large-scale volume swings. In Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," the crescendos and loud passages have a satisfying impact. However, the subtlest gradations at the extreme ends of the dynamic range might be slightly less nuanced. Similarly, AC/DC's "Back in Black" has a good sense of raw power, but the subtle dynamic variations within the loud sections might be somewhat flattened.
Conclusion:
Well, if you're primarily an IEM user looking for a noticeable step up from the basic type c to 3.5mm dongle, the Allegro Pro definitely presents a compelling case. Its strongest suit, without a doubt, is its remarkably clean output and that it doesn't dangle around. That inky black noise floor, especially with sensitive IEMs, is a real treat, allowing those subtle musical nuances to shine through without any annoying hiss creeping in. Plus, it packs enough punch to drive a good variety of IEMs, from easy-going single drivers to more complex multi-BA setups, delivering a smooth and generally well-balanced sound. The inclusion of both balanced and single-ended outputs is a thoughtful touch too, offering flexibility for different IEM terminations. And let's not forget its compact and sturdy build – it feels like it can handle the rigors of being tossed in a bag.
However (you knew there was a 'however' coming, right?), it's not without its quirks. Those sound modes? Honestly, they feel a bit…underwhelming. I struggled to hear any significant differences, and I kind of wish that button did something more impactful, like toggling gain levels. Also, while it gets IEMs plenty loud, pushing it to the extreme with some models did hint at a ceiling in dynamic headroom. And yeah, the battery drain on my phone was noticeable, something to keep in mind for those long listening sessions on the go. Oh, and it does get a bit warm sometimes!
So, why consider the Allegro Pro over other options? If a super clean noise floor with IEMs is high on your priority list, and you appreciate a compact, well-built device with both balanced and unbalanced outputs, it's a strong contender. It offers a tangible sonic improvement over basic sources for IEM enthusiasts. But, if you're chasing dramatic sound signature alterations through EQ presets or need massive power reserves for demanding IEMs (though most aren't!), or are particularly sensitive to battery drain and device warmth, you might want to explore other avenues. For me, the Allegro Pro offers a solid and clean listening experience in a portable package – just don't expect those sound modes to be game-changers!
Linsoul Store links (None of them are affiliate links):
Linsoul website: https://www.linsoul.com/
Linsoul Aliexpress Store: https://ddaudio.aliexpress.com/store/2894006
Linsoul USA Amazon Store link: https://www.amazon.com/s?me=A267P2DT104U3C&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER
You can purchase Allegro Pro at the following link (not an affiliate link):
https://www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-allegro-pro?_pos=1&_psq=allego&_ss=e&_v=1.0
I’m not the one to usually focus on specifications and numbers. I focus more on how happy I am with the equipment’s sound and that’s it.
Disclaimer: This is a review unit from Linsoul however I retain full editorial control and the opinions expressed here are solely my own. I have not been paid or compensated by Linsoul, Kiwi Ears or any other entity for this review. My assessment is based solely on my personal experience with the product.
I do get to keep the unit after review but that had no influence over the opinions expressed below.
IEMs used for evaluation:
- Softears Volume S
- FiiO FH19
- Sennheiser IE900
- Letshouer Mystic 8
Kiwi Ears has carved a respected niche in the audio community, earning praise for their innovative and often value-leading IEM designs. From the impressive sonic landscapes of the Cadenza and Orchestra Lite to the intricate detail of the Quintet and the engaging KE4, their IEMs have consistently captured my attention. Now, while Kiwi Ears ventures into the realm of over-ear headphones, my focus today is on their latest DAC/AMP offering – the Allegro Pro, which appears to be the successor to their earlier Allegro Mini.
Box Contents:
- Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro
- User Manual
Unboxing Experience:
The unboxing experience was fairly straightforward. The Allegro Pro came in a compact and cleanly designed box. Inside, the device itself was securely nestled in a foam insert, which gave a good first impression of protection. Alongside the Allegro Pro, I found some basic documentation, though nothing particularly extensive. The overall presentation was functional and efficient.
Design and Build:
The Allegro Pro features a sleek and minimalist design like it's predecessor, prioritizing portability with its compact form factor that slips easily into a pocket. The aluminum chassis feels reassuringly solid and well-constructed, suggesting good long-term durability. The device sports a clean and understated aesthetic with a matte finish. Its small size is a significant advantage for on-the-go listening without having the dongle dangle.
The physical layout of the Allegro Pro is functional. The USB Type-C connector is conveniently located at the top of the device. On the bottom face, you'll find a single multi-function button accompanied by an LED indicator. This button serves the purpose of cycling through the different sound modes offered by the Allegro Pro, with the LED providing visual feedback on the currently selected mode. On the right side of the device, you'll find the 4.4mm balanced headphone jack, catering to those who prefer a balanced connection. Conversely, the left side houses the more traditional 3.5mm single-ended headphone jack, ensuring compatibility with a wider range of IEMs and headphones.
Battery Drain (Used with Pixel 9 Pro XL & iPhone 16 Pro Max):
I tested the Allegro Pro with both my Pixel 9 Pro XL and my iPhone 16 Pro Max, and the battery drain was noticeable but not excessive. With the Pixel 9 Pro XL, using the Allegro Pro for a couple of hours of music playback using Apple Music and Tidal at moderate volume resulted in a roughly 15-20% battery decrease on the phone. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, fared slightly better, showing a similar percentage drop over a longer listening period. Of course, battery drain will vary depending on volume levels, the type of IEMs used, and other factors, but these figures give a general idea. It's safe to say that using the Allegro Pro will impact your phone's battery life, so you'll want to keep that in mind if you're planning on extended listening sessions away from a power source. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's something to be aware of.
Driveability:
My experience evaluating the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro's driveability, focused exclusively on my Softears Volume S, FiiO FH19, Sennheiser IE900, and Letshouer Mystic 8 IEMs, reveals a generally competent power delivery. A significant positive was the remarkably low noise floor I observed with sensitive IEMs like the Softears Volume S and Sennheiser IE900. Even at higher volume levels without music, the absence of audible hiss was notable, ensuring a clean backdrop for critical listening and quiet musical passages. This clean power delivery across the audible spectrum was another positive, as the Allegro Pro provided a smooth and stable output without any discernible frequency imbalances across the IEMs in my collection. The likely low output impedance, inferred from the silent background with sensitive IEMs, further contributes positively by ensuring a faithful frequency response unaffected by the IEMs' impedance curves.
However, pushing the Allegro Pro with the slightly more demanding FiiO FH19 and Letshouer Mystic 8 at higher listening volumes hinted at a potential limitation in headroom. While sufficient volume was achieved, the dynamic range seemed to compress slightly during very loud and complex segments, suggesting that those who frequently listen at high SPLs or demand the utmost dynamic expression might find the Allegro Pro approaching its power ceiling. Additionally, a minor negative for users with exceptionally sensitive IEMs could be the granularity of the volume control at the very low end, where finer adjustments might be desired to pinpoint the ideal listening level, although this wasn't a significant issue with the IEMs I used.
During my testing, I also noticed that the Allegro Pro can get noticeably warm even at lower listening levels and when driving IEMs at higher volumes. However, this warmth seemed to stabilize and didn't become excessively hot during prolonged listening sessions, which I would consider within the realm of normal operation for a compact DAC/AMP.
Sound Analysis:
Tonality:
The Allegro Pro establishes a generally warm tonal foundation, lending a comforting character to extended listening sessions. This warmth doesn't overshadow the higher frequencies entirely; a touch of sparkle up top prevents a dull presentation. For instance, in Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me," the richness in her vocals and the piano's lower register is pleasing. Yet, the cymbal work, while present, might possess a slightly subdued brilliance compared to a more neutral presentation. On the other hand, Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" showcases the warm bassline effectively, and the crispness of the synthesizers and hi-hats remains discernible, though their ultimate airiness could be more pronounced.
Sub-Bass:
The Allegro Pro demonstrates commendable depth in the sub-bass region, capable of producing a satisfying rumble. This low-end extension adds a tangible physicality to tracks. Take Massive Attack's "Teardrop;" the deep bass pulses are felt with good presence, and they don't unduly intrude on Elizabeth Fraser's vocals. That said, the finest nuances in the texture of those ultra-low frequencies might be slightly smoothed over. In Kendrick Lamar's "Alright," the 808 hits with satisfying impact, and the decay is reasonably controlled, though perhaps lacking the absolute tightness and definition some of us might seek in this region.
Mid-Bass:
The mid-bass offers a satisfying punch, contributing to the rhythmic drive and providing weight to bass guitars and drums. This characteristic can be quite engaging for many genres. In Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way," the kick drum has a solid impact, and the bassline provides a good sense of groove. One could argue, however, that this region exhibits a hint of extra emphasis, which, while enjoyable, might subtly veil the lower midrange in exceptionally busy mixes. Similarly, Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Can't Stop" benefits from the energetic punch of the bass, yet the rapid-fire notes could possess marginally greater separation and definition.
Lower Midrange:
The Allegro Pro's lower midrange imparts a pleasant warmth and body to male vocals and instruments like cellos. This can add a richness and fullness to the sound. Listening to Johnny Cash's "Hurt," his voice resonates with a deep presence, and the acoustic guitar has a pleasingly organic quality. A potential trade-off of this warmth is that it occasionally softens the articulation and the finer details in this frequency range, potentially making complex passages sound a touch less distinct. With Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car," her voice has a grounded quality, yet the subtle nuances in her vocal texture might not be conveyed with absolute transparency.
Upper Midrange:
The upper midrange generally presents vocals and instruments with good clarity, avoiding overt harshness. This contributes to a fatigue-free listening experience. In Adele's "Someone Like You," her vocals are largely clear and understandable. Nevertheless, the utmost crispness and definition in the higher registers of her voice might be slightly rounded off. Similarly, with Yo-Yo Ma's Bach Cello Suite No. 1," the higher notes of the cello are smooth, but the very sharpest attacks might lack a touch of their inherent bite.
Lower Treble:
The lower treble contributes to a sense of detail and the initial crispness of percussive hits and guitar attacks. This region provides some of the perceived sharpness in the sound. In Steely Dan's "Peg," the hi-hats and guitar attacks are reasonably defined. Yet, the subtlest nuances in their decay and the air around them might not be as apparent as on more resolving systems. With Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," the cymbal crashes have decent presence, but their overall texture and complexity could be more fully realized.
Upper Treble:
The Allegro Pro offers some extension into the upper treble, contributing to a sense of air. Sibilance is generally well-managed, which is a definite plus. In R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion," the mandolin's shimmer is present, contributing to the track's atmosphere. However, the uppermost air and the delicate trailing ends of notes might feel somewhat truncated. With Diana Krall's "Peel Me Slowly," the brush strokes on the cymbals have a gentle sparkle, but the sense of open space and the finest micro-details in their decay could be improved.
Soundstage:
The soundstage presented by the Allegro Pro is more intimate and focused, rather than expansive. Instrument placement within this space is generally discernible. In Miles Davis' "So What," the instruments occupy distinct positions within the stereo image. However, the overall width and depth of the soundstage feel somewhat limited. Similarly, while Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" creates a sense of movement, the sonic landscape doesn't extend far beyond the listener's head, resulting in a less immersive experience compared to DAC/AMPs with a wider and deeper presentation.
Layering and Separation:
The Allegro Pro generally provides good layering and separation of instruments in moderately complex arrangements, allowing individual elements to be distinguished. In The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever," the various instrumental and vocal layers are reasonably well-defined. As the complexity increases, however, such as in Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," the individual layers can become somewhat less distinct, leading to a degree of congestion during the most densely packed passages. While the musicality remains, the ultimate level of separation in highly intricate mixes isn't its strongest suit.
Timbre:
The timbre of instruments and voices is generally natural, making for a pleasant listening experience. However, a subtle underlying smoothness can slightly alter the inherent character of some sounds. In Rebecca Pidgeon's "Spanish Harlem," her voice and the acoustic instruments sound largely realistic. Yet, the sharpness of percussive attacks might be subtly softened. Conversely, with Rage Against the Machine's "Killing in the Name," while the raw energy comes through, the utmost grit and edge of the guitars might be slightly diminished by this smoothing effect.
Coherence:
The Allegro Pro offers good coherence, with a relatively smooth integration across the frequency spectrum. The different frequency ranges blend together without obvious discontinuities. In Beethoven's Symphony No. 5," the transition between different instrumental sections feels relatively seamless. That being said, a subtle emphasis in the bass and lower midrange might occasionally give those frequencies a slightly more prominent role in the overall mix. Similarly, in Radiohead's "Paranoid Android," the various sonic elements work together cohesively, though the lower frequencies might possess a touch more weight than absolute neutrality would dictate.
Detail Retrieval:
The Allegro Pro provides a decent level of detail retrieval, allowing me to appreciate the core elements of the music. However, it might not unveil the most subtle micro-details present in the recording. In Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing," the fingerpicking and vocal nuances are discernible. Yet, the faintest ambient cues and the subtle textures of the recording environment might be less apparent. With Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," the interplay between instruments is conveyed, but the subtlest breaths and instrumental artifacts might remain somewhat veiled.
Microdynamics:
The Allegro Pro handles microdynamics reasonably well, allowing for the perception of subtle volume variations that contribute to musical expression. In Debussy's "Clair de Lune," the gentle swells and fades are noticeable. However, the finest gradations in volume might not be rendered with the utmost precision. Similarly, in Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," the shifts in his vocal intensity are conveyed, but the most delicate dynamic nuances might be somewhat compressed.
Macrodynamics:
The Allegro Pro delivers macrodynamics with good punch and engagement, effectively handling large-scale volume swings. In Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," the crescendos and loud passages have a satisfying impact. However, the subtlest gradations at the extreme ends of the dynamic range might be slightly less nuanced. Similarly, AC/DC's "Back in Black" has a good sense of raw power, but the subtle dynamic variations within the loud sections might be somewhat flattened.
Conclusion:
Well, if you're primarily an IEM user looking for a noticeable step up from the basic type c to 3.5mm dongle, the Allegro Pro definitely presents a compelling case. Its strongest suit, without a doubt, is its remarkably clean output and that it doesn't dangle around. That inky black noise floor, especially with sensitive IEMs, is a real treat, allowing those subtle musical nuances to shine through without any annoying hiss creeping in. Plus, it packs enough punch to drive a good variety of IEMs, from easy-going single drivers to more complex multi-BA setups, delivering a smooth and generally well-balanced sound. The inclusion of both balanced and single-ended outputs is a thoughtful touch too, offering flexibility for different IEM terminations. And let's not forget its compact and sturdy build – it feels like it can handle the rigors of being tossed in a bag.
However (you knew there was a 'however' coming, right?), it's not without its quirks. Those sound modes? Honestly, they feel a bit…underwhelming. I struggled to hear any significant differences, and I kind of wish that button did something more impactful, like toggling gain levels. Also, while it gets IEMs plenty loud, pushing it to the extreme with some models did hint at a ceiling in dynamic headroom. And yeah, the battery drain on my phone was noticeable, something to keep in mind for those long listening sessions on the go. Oh, and it does get a bit warm sometimes!
So, why consider the Allegro Pro over other options? If a super clean noise floor with IEMs is high on your priority list, and you appreciate a compact, well-built device with both balanced and unbalanced outputs, it's a strong contender. It offers a tangible sonic improvement over basic sources for IEM enthusiasts. But, if you're chasing dramatic sound signature alterations through EQ presets or need massive power reserves for demanding IEMs (though most aren't!), or are particularly sensitive to battery drain and device warmth, you might want to explore other avenues. For me, the Allegro Pro offers a solid and clean listening experience in a portable package – just don't expect those sound modes to be game-changers!
Linsoul Store links (None of them are affiliate links):
Linsoul website: https://www.linsoul.com/
Linsoul Aliexpress Store: https://ddaudio.aliexpress.com/store/2894006
Linsoul USA Amazon Store link: https://www.amazon.com/s?me=A267P2DT104U3C&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Attachments
Introduction
Kiwi Ears is continuing its unstoppable career and diversifying. Now it's the turn of Kiwi Ears to renew its T-shaped dongle: the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro. This is the advanced version of the Mini model. Its design is similar, but it is now slightly larger and also more expensive. The new model has more power, thanks to the two SABRE ES9603 operational amplifiers. In addition, it has a button for switching sound modes, an RGB LED and is Nintendo Switch compatible. Of course, there are two headphone outputs: one 3.5mm and one 4.4mm. Designed for gamers, the Allegro Pro ensures effortless one-click connectivity with Nintendo Switch. No additional setup is required: simply connect them together. The Allegro Pro features three different sound modes tailored to specific use cases: Game mode for an immersive gaming experience (blue). Movie mode offers cinematic sound (green) and Music mode for high-fidelity music playback (red). The DAC used is a custom high-performance model, no brand name specified. In this review, as usual, I am going to perform power measurements of this small dongle, as well as a full sound analysis and other relevant issues.
Specifications
Packaging
The Kiwi Ears Allegro PRO comes in a hard cardboard box measuring 80x80x31mm. The main side shows a real photo of the dongle on a light blue background. At the top left, the product features are shown. At the top right there is a short description, just like on the bottom of the box. On the back side there is more information. Here you can find the logos of the certifications it complies with, the brand and importer's contact details, a sketch of the top and rear view of the product and some warnings. On the sides of the box are the specifications of the product and its features. After lifting the lid, the dongle can be seen inside a black foam mould. In theory, an instruction manual should accompany the product, but there is nothing else, and no USB adapters. Just the product. As you can see, the contents are minimal.
Construction and Design
The Allegro PRO is T-shaped, but with some changes. It is slightly larger than the Mini version: the dimensions of the tablet are 42x15.5x12mm, but if we count the USB interface, the shape changes to 42x24x13mm. The full size of the Mini version was 38x24x12mm. Now, the colour is the same for all sides. On the top side is the brand logo, in a round plateau with a slight concave depression. On both sides there are similar structures, but instead of a concave part there are two fake metal buttons. They look like they might have some functionality, but they are only beautifiers because they do not click. The button is on the back of the USB connector. It is oval and is on one side; further to the left is a small hole with an RGB LED inside. On the underside is engraved the model name, as well as the maximum formats it plays (32B 384K). The USB Type-C male connector is located at the bottom of the front face and is elongated. It is mounted on an oval base. Seen from this side, the 3.5mm output is on the right and the 4.4mm output on the left.
It's a bit odd the way the top face looks, with those fake buttons. But it's a distinction from the Mini model, as well as having a darker metallic colour and lacking the black face that the Mini model had. It's correct and minimalist and includes the back button and the small RGB LED.
Connectivity
Not much is said about the compatibility of the product. I have only been able to test it with my Windows 10 computer and my Android mobile phone. It does specify that it is fully compatible with the Nintendo Switch when plugged in. My computer recognises it without any problems and it even has a microphone input, so it can be used as a sound input interface for gaming, talking, video conferencing, etc. It doesn't need drivers, but it doesn't have ASIO drivers either.
It has 3.5mm and 4.4mm BAL outputs.
It supports audio formats up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD128.
Operativity
Operation is very simple: plug and play. Tested on Windows 10 and Android. I don't own Nintendo Switch, which is immediately compatible after connection.
It has a rear button to switch between the four sound modes. Yes, because there is actually a fourth mode, which I'm going to call Standard Mode, because it seems to be devoid of filters:
Measures
As mentioned, there are 4 sound modes: Standard, Movie, Game and Music. The following measurements have been made with the mode I call Standard. I call it this way because the shape of the pure sine waves of fixed frequencies is not altered. In the rest of the modes, alterations in the waveforms are observed, as a result of the equalisation received. In the final section on Frequency Response, the influence of each sound mode can be observed.
On the other hand, unfortunately for my taste, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro does not have a flat frequency response, but has a clear drop in the low frequencies, which makes it a clearly bright dongle. The drop is 8dB at 20Hz compared to the flat curve, which does not reach up to 500Hz. At 100Hz the difference is almost 7dB and at 40Hz 4dB. For my taste and despite the fact that the Allegro Pro has 4 sound modes, at least one of them should be a reference and it is not the case. I understand that this is due to the DAC used. I don't like to call hi-fi those sources that don't have a flat response from 20Hz to 20KHz. Where has the bass gone?
As far as output impedance is concerned, SE is very low and tends to zero. A strange thing happens at BAL, it literally goes negative. This is due to the fact that a higher voltage is reached with a 100Ω load than without load. In this aspect it is very good.
No load SE
The output voltage at 20Hz is 720mV, at 100Hz 1.33V and at 1kHz 1.445V. The power drop in the bass is clearly visible.
15Ω SE
It is not possible to reach maximum volume at this impedance without visible distortion in pure sine waves.
The output voltage at 20Hz is 527mV, at 100Hz 1V and at 1kHz 1.076V. The power is 77mW and 72mA. Good.
33Ω SE
In this case, the maximum volume can be reached with this impedance.
The output voltage at 20Hz is 715mV, at 100Hz 1.335V and at 1kHz 1.439V. The power is 63mW and 44mA. Correct, when the specified power is 68mW. This would have implied an output voltage of 1.48V. The difference is minimal, we can leave it to the margin of error of the measuring devices, sources and measurement methods used.
100Ω SE
Again, it is possible to reach maximum volume with this impedance.
The output voltage at 20Hz is 719mV, at 100Hz 1.340V and at 1kHz 1.448V. Power is 21mW and 14.5mA.
No load BAL
The output voltage at 20Hz is 1.363V, at 100Hz 2.547V and at 1kHz 2.75V. Quite a steep drop in the sub-bass.
15Ω BAL
It is not possible to reach maximum volume at this impedance without visible distortion in pure sine waves.
The output voltage at 20Hz is 629mV, at 100Hz 1.234V and at 1kHz 1.331V. Power is 120mW and 89mA. Very good. Almost reaching the mythical value of 90mA and exceeding the value of the SE output.
33Ω BAL
It is not possible to reach maximum volume at this impedance without visible distortion in pure sine waves.
The output voltage at 20Hz is 1.104V, at 100Hz 2.106V and at 1kHz 2.262V. The power is 160mW and 69mA.
The specifications say it should be 170mW. With this value the voltage should be 2.33V. Same as above: very little difference and actually justified.
100Ω BAL
In this case, the maximum volume can be reached with this impedance.
The output voltage at 20Hz is 1.427V, at 100Hz 2.676V and at 1kHz 2.881V. The power is 83mW and 29mA.
Frequency Response
I measured the frequency response of the Allegro Pro from 5Hz to 40kHz. Surprisingly, there is no drop in the high frequencies. But there is a strong drop in the low frequencies. Between 5Hz and 1kHz there is a difference of almost 19dB, a world of difference. It should be noted that there is no noticeable difference between channels.
The different sound modes offer variations in frequency response. Standard mode is flat from 400Hz to 40kHz. The roll-off at 20Hz is 8dB.
The different modes have a difference in bass, with the Standard mode having the least bass. The others generate a bass gain that is maximised at 100Hz, while the Music mode has a hump above the flat response between 100 and 200Hz. However, it also has another clear gain hump around 8kHz of almost 1dB.
It seems odd, but Game mode is the mode that most closely resembles Standard mode, while Movie mode has a flat response distance that diverges from 500Hz, to a distance of 0.5dB at around 2kHz and 1.5db at around 10kHz.
Certainly, the music modes are to be able to test and enjoy those differences. But not having a Standard mode with a flat frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz and having such a steep drop at 20Hz (8dB!!!) is not to my liking, nor is it a reliable source to be taken as a reference.
Finally, I have had to apply a soft filtering on the frequency responses of all modes, except for the Standard mode, because the signals show up as ‘noisy’.
Sound
It is clear that having filters (remember that in this case there are four different and different quantifiable modes) always makes reviews difficult and lengthy. That's why I prefer to concentrate on just one position and give a slight impression of the other modes. I am going to review the Allegro Pro in its non-described mode, the one without the LED on, which I have called Standard Mode as it has a ‘flatter’ response. The Game mode is quite similar to the Standard Mode and has a slightly wider soundstage and a more exalted bass. The difference between the two modes is only a few tenths of a dB, so it is difficult to find any real sonic differences. Movie Mode is the most exciting of the modes, as it gives a slight bass boost, but it also gives a distinctly brighter and splashier profile, something that may not be necessary in a dongle whose sound is already heavily bass-reduced. Finally, the Music mode seems to be looking for a bit more fun within that cooler sound. It adds a bit of upper bass and only raises the treble to its fullest extent. In my opinion, the Music mode should be the flattest, because of its name, but it is not.
On the other hand, it is good that the filters can be changed during playback to be able to check the differences between them.
To demonstrate that the differences in frequency response can also be extrapolated to the connected headphones, I used the Kiwi Ears Quintet as a reference. As can be seen in the graph, the differences in the filters are real.
But going back to the reference mode, which I call ‘Standard’, it is clear that this is a dongle intended for headphones with amplified bass. In the very low-frequency pure tone test, you can audibly see that the lower tone receives very little power. As can be seen in the comparative frequency response with the Kiwi Ears Quintet, used as a reference, there is a clear difference of 8 dB at 20 Hz, 4.5 dB at 30 Hz and 3.5 dB at 40 Hz. The curve evens out at approximately 150 Hz. When the waves start to become audible, with the Quintet this happens at 25 Hz, it can be observed that this first note is not very real and a clear audible coloured and wavy character is perceived. This effect is corrected at 30 Hz, showing a more realistic, natural and less coloured and vibratory sonority, although there is still this slight effect (I have looked for IEMS with low vibratory/ondulatory behaviour in my previous tests). At 40 Hz, the result is already much more appropriate and realistic. The translation of these results to real music is perceived as a lack of depth, volume and punch. The bass feels drier, more sterile and more responsive in the low-mid range. However, they still maintain a slight level of texture and appropriate elasticity. It is clear that, when using IEMS with a high sub-bass, the end result is not critical in any case. However, when using much more bass-neutral IEMS, the response is less satisfactory. In these cases, there can be a distinct lack of body, depth and volume, as well as a greater imbalance between bass, midrange and treble.
In the dirty, complex and unfiltered bass test, it is shown that the lower bass gives a greater sense of control to the set, while the loudness is not affected too much. It is true that the lack of body, depth and physical component is noticeable, but it is also true that the choice of headphones connected will minimise the effects greatly, so it is better to use headphones with full bass.
The mid-range of the Allegro Pro is enhanced by the lightness of the bass. The midrange is very explicit and feels clear, transparent and crisp. However, it is also perceived as slightly splashy, cold, somewhat sharp and lacking in body and physicality. This highlights the shortcomings of some IEMS in the first part of the media. In that respect, I prefer to pair the Allegro Pro with warmer IEMS, such as the Kiwi Ears KE4 or Aether. With other IEMS, such as the Quintet, its technical and brighter side is elevated, but its high sub-bass is also compensated/neutralised. On the negative side, the more technical IEMS can be more abrasive in the upper mids and treble without a gain in detail. Thus, male voices sound very clear and technical, but with a light base. However, the female voices gain in transparency, presence and energy. Although their sibilant character is also enhanced.
The Allegro Pro's treble is extended and boosted in all modes (to my ears, even in Standard mode), evident, energetic and full. There's a crisper, more vivid, splashy enhancement that excites most headphones I've tried. Without a doubt, the high range is a party for the treble-heads.
All modes improve the sense of soundstage spaciousness over the flatter-sounding Standard mode. Even in Game mode, this improvement is noticeable. In Music mode, you gain depth, and in Movie mode, in addition to the extra body in the base, you also gain volume and a clear improvement in the projection of the notes, which promotes a more expansive expressiveness and a more ethereal and volatile perception of the whole.
The positioning of the elements is clear and the separation is quite good. This type of characteristic is favoured by the lower volume and depth of the lower part of the ensemble.
Comparisons
EPZ TP35
Currently, the EPZ TP35 can be had for around $55, while the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro has a starting price of $60. Roughly the same price. It's clear that the TP35 is a classic dongle, with a little window inside and a status LED. The Allegro Pro is T-shaped, with the audio outputs on both sides and the connection in the middle. It has a status button and an informative RGB LED, as well as four music modes. On the other hand, the TP35 has two buttons for adjusting volume, gain, filters and other functions. The size of the TP35 is small, with an almost identical length, but a larger width. In terms of power, the ET35 is more powerful for 100 Ω, while the Allegro Pro is more powerful for 15 and 33 Ω. The output impedance of both systems is very low. The fundamental difference is that the TP35 has a completely flat frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, while the Allegro Pro does not, as demonstrated in this article. As for the chips used, the TP35 uses a dual CS43198 with no associated amplifiers, while the Allegro Pro uses a custom high-performance DAC and two ES9603 amplifiers. It is clear that, while the DAC used by the TP35 is better, the power amplifier is superior in the Allegro Pro. In both cases, there is a sense of cost-cutting to meet the price point.
I have performed the sound tests with the standard mode activated on the Allegro Pro. The TP35's filters have no effect.
The sound differences are evident, even in Standard mode activated on the Allegro Pro: the low end of the TP35 is more natural, full, realistic, powerful and deep, while the upper mids and treble are more energetic, present, clear, crisp and crisp on the Allegro Pro.
In the very low-presence pure tone test, the Allegro Pro has very little presence compared to the TP35 below 40 Hz. Above that frequency it starts to be audible, but its behaviour is not as realistic as with the TP35, which sounds almost reference-like, natural, powerful, physical and deep. On the other hand, the Allegro Pro has a coloured oscillatory character that takes it away from a realistic representation. In real music, the TP35 presents organic, natural, deep, full, energetic, powerful and elastic bass with excellent performance. On the other hand, the Allegro Pro feels much drier, shallower, lacking in energy, coloured, undulating and vibrating, and with less volume. One misses a more natural elasticity, stickiness and texture.
In the mid-range, in its first half, there are differences in physical presence and body. While the Allegro Pro accentuates the hollowness present in the headphones at this stage, the TP35 demonstrates it without further ado, showing more warmth and a more organic, natural feel.
In the upper mids and treble, the Allegro Pro is more pronounced, lifted, clear, crisp and energetic. The TP35 is more restrained and balanced, but lacks the crisp, thin, energetic and extended brilliance of the Allegro Pro.
In itself, the Allegro Pro already has a clear expansive component to its sound, although it lacks the punch, breadth, volume and depth of the TP35's low end. The Allegro Pro comes across as cooler, more volatile and ethereal, even more gaseous, with more sparkle and brilliance. But it also feels a little more forced, slightly more unreal, both in its timbre and in the overall sonority of the music. The TP35 is more organic and natural, and feels more realistic, though also more muted and a little flatter. Although the level of detail seems more obvious, the micro-detail in the lower layers is just as visible in both elements. This means that bass does not mask detail and the layering of the TP35 is very good. With less depth, body and physicality in the low end, detail should appear more naked in the Allegro Pro, but it seems just as resolving. The sharper micro-detail is more vivid, clearly due to its greater presence and energy.
Conclusion
Enthusiasts who have read me know that I am very critical of sources that do not have a flat frequency response or that have high output impedances. That's because, in my opinion, an ideal source should be as faithful as possible to the input signal without altering it and should not alter the frequency response of the headphones connected to it. In the case of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro, I am faced with a source that has very low output impedance, but a clear and obvious 8 dB drop at the audible low end, which only smooths out at 400 Hz. It is true that at 90 Hz this difference with the flat response is less than 1 dB, but even so, this is a source that obviously modifies the signal response of the connected headphones. However, the Allegro Pro seems to have been designed for this purpose, as it has four sound modes that directly alter the frequency response over the entire audible range. These modes are Movie, Game and Music, plus the LED-free mode, which I call Standard because its FR is the most ‘normal’. Each sound mode alters the FR of the system in one way or another, and that is something that makes me value this dongle positively, not as a reference source, but as a source with a distinct and intended use. Its clear connection to the Nintendo Switch and those sound modes for gaming, movies and music imply a more specialised use that goes beyond just enjoying music.
On the other hand, the mini model has gained in power without increasing in size. The Allegro Pro is still a T-shaped dongle well suited for use with smartphones, as it has a microphone input and both 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm BAL audio outputs. Its sound is vibrant, bright, detailed, crisp, expressive and informative. However, it is also somewhat cold and dry. Thanks to the sound modes, these characteristics can even be improved, gaining in stage, projection, clarity and transparency.
In conclusion, I think the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro can be a very good value secondary dongle for those who want to experience a different sound in their everyday life, as an alternative to the exclusive use of playing music.
Earphones and Sources Used During Analysis
Purchase Link
You can read the full review in Spanish here
Kiwi Ears is continuing its unstoppable career and diversifying. Now it's the turn of Kiwi Ears to renew its T-shaped dongle: the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro. This is the advanced version of the Mini model. Its design is similar, but it is now slightly larger and also more expensive. The new model has more power, thanks to the two SABRE ES9603 operational amplifiers. In addition, it has a button for switching sound modes, an RGB LED and is Nintendo Switch compatible. Of course, there are two headphone outputs: one 3.5mm and one 4.4mm. Designed for gamers, the Allegro Pro ensures effortless one-click connectivity with Nintendo Switch. No additional setup is required: simply connect them together. The Allegro Pro features three different sound modes tailored to specific use cases: Game mode for an immersive gaming experience (blue). Movie mode offers cinematic sound (green) and Music mode for high-fidelity music playback (red). The DAC used is a custom high-performance model, no brand name specified. In this review, as usual, I am going to perform power measurements of this small dongle, as well as a full sound analysis and other relevant issues.
Specifications
- DAC chip: Custom high-performance DAC.
- Operational amplifiers: 2xES9603.
- THD+N: < 0.006% (@32 ohms).
- Output power (3.5mm): 68mW @ 32 Ohms (THD+N <1%).
- Output power (4.4mm): 170mW @ 32 Ohms (THD+N <1%).
- SNR: ≥113dB (@32 ohms, A-weighted).
- Frequency response: 20 Hz - 40 kHz.
- Supported formats: PCM (up to 32bit/384kHz), DSD (DSD128, DSD64).
- LEDs: Blue: Game Mode. Red: Music mode. Green: Movie Mode.
- Input interface: USB-C.
- Output interfaces: 3.5mm single output, 4.4mm for balanced output.
- Starting price $53.99
Packaging
The Kiwi Ears Allegro PRO comes in a hard cardboard box measuring 80x80x31mm. The main side shows a real photo of the dongle on a light blue background. At the top left, the product features are shown. At the top right there is a short description, just like on the bottom of the box. On the back side there is more information. Here you can find the logos of the certifications it complies with, the brand and importer's contact details, a sketch of the top and rear view of the product and some warnings. On the sides of the box are the specifications of the product and its features. After lifting the lid, the dongle can be seen inside a black foam mould. In theory, an instruction manual should accompany the product, but there is nothing else, and no USB adapters. Just the product. As you can see, the contents are minimal.
Construction and Design
The Allegro PRO is T-shaped, but with some changes. It is slightly larger than the Mini version: the dimensions of the tablet are 42x15.5x12mm, but if we count the USB interface, the shape changes to 42x24x13mm. The full size of the Mini version was 38x24x12mm. Now, the colour is the same for all sides. On the top side is the brand logo, in a round plateau with a slight concave depression. On both sides there are similar structures, but instead of a concave part there are two fake metal buttons. They look like they might have some functionality, but they are only beautifiers because they do not click. The button is on the back of the USB connector. It is oval and is on one side; further to the left is a small hole with an RGB LED inside. On the underside is engraved the model name, as well as the maximum formats it plays (32B 384K). The USB Type-C male connector is located at the bottom of the front face and is elongated. It is mounted on an oval base. Seen from this side, the 3.5mm output is on the right and the 4.4mm output on the left.
It's a bit odd the way the top face looks, with those fake buttons. But it's a distinction from the Mini model, as well as having a darker metallic colour and lacking the black face that the Mini model had. It's correct and minimalist and includes the back button and the small RGB LED.
Connectivity
Not much is said about the compatibility of the product. I have only been able to test it with my Windows 10 computer and my Android mobile phone. It does specify that it is fully compatible with the Nintendo Switch when plugged in. My computer recognises it without any problems and it even has a microphone input, so it can be used as a sound input interface for gaming, talking, video conferencing, etc. It doesn't need drivers, but it doesn't have ASIO drivers either.
It has 3.5mm and 4.4mm BAL outputs.
It supports audio formats up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD128.
Operativity
Operation is very simple: plug and play. Tested on Windows 10 and Android. I don't own Nintendo Switch, which is immediately compatible after connection.
It has a rear button to switch between the four sound modes. Yes, because there is actually a fourth mode, which I'm going to call Standard Mode, because it seems to be devoid of filters:
- Game Mode: Blue LED.
- Movie Mode: Green LED.
- Music Mode: RED LED.
- Standard Mode: LED off.
Measures
As mentioned, there are 4 sound modes: Standard, Movie, Game and Music. The following measurements have been made with the mode I call Standard. I call it this way because the shape of the pure sine waves of fixed frequencies is not altered. In the rest of the modes, alterations in the waveforms are observed, as a result of the equalisation received. In the final section on Frequency Response, the influence of each sound mode can be observed.
On the other hand, unfortunately for my taste, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro does not have a flat frequency response, but has a clear drop in the low frequencies, which makes it a clearly bright dongle. The drop is 8dB at 20Hz compared to the flat curve, which does not reach up to 500Hz. At 100Hz the difference is almost 7dB and at 40Hz 4dB. For my taste and despite the fact that the Allegro Pro has 4 sound modes, at least one of them should be a reference and it is not the case. I understand that this is due to the DAC used. I don't like to call hi-fi those sources that don't have a flat response from 20Hz to 20KHz. Where has the bass gone?
As far as output impedance is concerned, SE is very low and tends to zero. A strange thing happens at BAL, it literally goes negative. This is due to the fact that a higher voltage is reached with a 100Ω load than without load. In this aspect it is very good.
No load SE
The output voltage at 20Hz is 720mV, at 100Hz 1.33V and at 1kHz 1.445V. The power drop in the bass is clearly visible.
15Ω SE
It is not possible to reach maximum volume at this impedance without visible distortion in pure sine waves.
The output voltage at 20Hz is 527mV, at 100Hz 1V and at 1kHz 1.076V. The power is 77mW and 72mA. Good.
33Ω SE
In this case, the maximum volume can be reached with this impedance.
The output voltage at 20Hz is 715mV, at 100Hz 1.335V and at 1kHz 1.439V. The power is 63mW and 44mA. Correct, when the specified power is 68mW. This would have implied an output voltage of 1.48V. The difference is minimal, we can leave it to the margin of error of the measuring devices, sources and measurement methods used.
100Ω SE
Again, it is possible to reach maximum volume with this impedance.
The output voltage at 20Hz is 719mV, at 100Hz 1.340V and at 1kHz 1.448V. Power is 21mW and 14.5mA.
No load BAL
The output voltage at 20Hz is 1.363V, at 100Hz 2.547V and at 1kHz 2.75V. Quite a steep drop in the sub-bass.
15Ω BAL
It is not possible to reach maximum volume at this impedance without visible distortion in pure sine waves.
The output voltage at 20Hz is 629mV, at 100Hz 1.234V and at 1kHz 1.331V. Power is 120mW and 89mA. Very good. Almost reaching the mythical value of 90mA and exceeding the value of the SE output.
33Ω BAL
It is not possible to reach maximum volume at this impedance without visible distortion in pure sine waves.
The output voltage at 20Hz is 1.104V, at 100Hz 2.106V and at 1kHz 2.262V. The power is 160mW and 69mA.
The specifications say it should be 170mW. With this value the voltage should be 2.33V. Same as above: very little difference and actually justified.
100Ω BAL
In this case, the maximum volume can be reached with this impedance.
The output voltage at 20Hz is 1.427V, at 100Hz 2.676V and at 1kHz 2.881V. The power is 83mW and 29mA.
Frequency Response
I measured the frequency response of the Allegro Pro from 5Hz to 40kHz. Surprisingly, there is no drop in the high frequencies. But there is a strong drop in the low frequencies. Between 5Hz and 1kHz there is a difference of almost 19dB, a world of difference. It should be noted that there is no noticeable difference between channels.
The different sound modes offer variations in frequency response. Standard mode is flat from 400Hz to 40kHz. The roll-off at 20Hz is 8dB.
The different modes have a difference in bass, with the Standard mode having the least bass. The others generate a bass gain that is maximised at 100Hz, while the Music mode has a hump above the flat response between 100 and 200Hz. However, it also has another clear gain hump around 8kHz of almost 1dB.
It seems odd, but Game mode is the mode that most closely resembles Standard mode, while Movie mode has a flat response distance that diverges from 500Hz, to a distance of 0.5dB at around 2kHz and 1.5db at around 10kHz.
Certainly, the music modes are to be able to test and enjoy those differences. But not having a Standard mode with a flat frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz and having such a steep drop at 20Hz (8dB!!!) is not to my liking, nor is it a reliable source to be taken as a reference.
Finally, I have had to apply a soft filtering on the frequency responses of all modes, except for the Standard mode, because the signals show up as ‘noisy’.
Sound
It is clear that having filters (remember that in this case there are four different and different quantifiable modes) always makes reviews difficult and lengthy. That's why I prefer to concentrate on just one position and give a slight impression of the other modes. I am going to review the Allegro Pro in its non-described mode, the one without the LED on, which I have called Standard Mode as it has a ‘flatter’ response. The Game mode is quite similar to the Standard Mode and has a slightly wider soundstage and a more exalted bass. The difference between the two modes is only a few tenths of a dB, so it is difficult to find any real sonic differences. Movie Mode is the most exciting of the modes, as it gives a slight bass boost, but it also gives a distinctly brighter and splashier profile, something that may not be necessary in a dongle whose sound is already heavily bass-reduced. Finally, the Music mode seems to be looking for a bit more fun within that cooler sound. It adds a bit of upper bass and only raises the treble to its fullest extent. In my opinion, the Music mode should be the flattest, because of its name, but it is not.
On the other hand, it is good that the filters can be changed during playback to be able to check the differences between them.
To demonstrate that the differences in frequency response can also be extrapolated to the connected headphones, I used the Kiwi Ears Quintet as a reference. As can be seen in the graph, the differences in the filters are real.
But going back to the reference mode, which I call ‘Standard’, it is clear that this is a dongle intended for headphones with amplified bass. In the very low-frequency pure tone test, you can audibly see that the lower tone receives very little power. As can be seen in the comparative frequency response with the Kiwi Ears Quintet, used as a reference, there is a clear difference of 8 dB at 20 Hz, 4.5 dB at 30 Hz and 3.5 dB at 40 Hz. The curve evens out at approximately 150 Hz. When the waves start to become audible, with the Quintet this happens at 25 Hz, it can be observed that this first note is not very real and a clear audible coloured and wavy character is perceived. This effect is corrected at 30 Hz, showing a more realistic, natural and less coloured and vibratory sonority, although there is still this slight effect (I have looked for IEMS with low vibratory/ondulatory behaviour in my previous tests). At 40 Hz, the result is already much more appropriate and realistic. The translation of these results to real music is perceived as a lack of depth, volume and punch. The bass feels drier, more sterile and more responsive in the low-mid range. However, they still maintain a slight level of texture and appropriate elasticity. It is clear that, when using IEMS with a high sub-bass, the end result is not critical in any case. However, when using much more bass-neutral IEMS, the response is less satisfactory. In these cases, there can be a distinct lack of body, depth and volume, as well as a greater imbalance between bass, midrange and treble.
In the dirty, complex and unfiltered bass test, it is shown that the lower bass gives a greater sense of control to the set, while the loudness is not affected too much. It is true that the lack of body, depth and physical component is noticeable, but it is also true that the choice of headphones connected will minimise the effects greatly, so it is better to use headphones with full bass.
The mid-range of the Allegro Pro is enhanced by the lightness of the bass. The midrange is very explicit and feels clear, transparent and crisp. However, it is also perceived as slightly splashy, cold, somewhat sharp and lacking in body and physicality. This highlights the shortcomings of some IEMS in the first part of the media. In that respect, I prefer to pair the Allegro Pro with warmer IEMS, such as the Kiwi Ears KE4 or Aether. With other IEMS, such as the Quintet, its technical and brighter side is elevated, but its high sub-bass is also compensated/neutralised. On the negative side, the more technical IEMS can be more abrasive in the upper mids and treble without a gain in detail. Thus, male voices sound very clear and technical, but with a light base. However, the female voices gain in transparency, presence and energy. Although their sibilant character is also enhanced.
The Allegro Pro's treble is extended and boosted in all modes (to my ears, even in Standard mode), evident, energetic and full. There's a crisper, more vivid, splashy enhancement that excites most headphones I've tried. Without a doubt, the high range is a party for the treble-heads.
All modes improve the sense of soundstage spaciousness over the flatter-sounding Standard mode. Even in Game mode, this improvement is noticeable. In Music mode, you gain depth, and in Movie mode, in addition to the extra body in the base, you also gain volume and a clear improvement in the projection of the notes, which promotes a more expansive expressiveness and a more ethereal and volatile perception of the whole.
The positioning of the elements is clear and the separation is quite good. This type of characteristic is favoured by the lower volume and depth of the lower part of the ensemble.
Comparisons
EPZ TP35
Currently, the EPZ TP35 can be had for around $55, while the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro has a starting price of $60. Roughly the same price. It's clear that the TP35 is a classic dongle, with a little window inside and a status LED. The Allegro Pro is T-shaped, with the audio outputs on both sides and the connection in the middle. It has a status button and an informative RGB LED, as well as four music modes. On the other hand, the TP35 has two buttons for adjusting volume, gain, filters and other functions. The size of the TP35 is small, with an almost identical length, but a larger width. In terms of power, the ET35 is more powerful for 100 Ω, while the Allegro Pro is more powerful for 15 and 33 Ω. The output impedance of both systems is very low. The fundamental difference is that the TP35 has a completely flat frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, while the Allegro Pro does not, as demonstrated in this article. As for the chips used, the TP35 uses a dual CS43198 with no associated amplifiers, while the Allegro Pro uses a custom high-performance DAC and two ES9603 amplifiers. It is clear that, while the DAC used by the TP35 is better, the power amplifier is superior in the Allegro Pro. In both cases, there is a sense of cost-cutting to meet the price point.
I have performed the sound tests with the standard mode activated on the Allegro Pro. The TP35's filters have no effect.
The sound differences are evident, even in Standard mode activated on the Allegro Pro: the low end of the TP35 is more natural, full, realistic, powerful and deep, while the upper mids and treble are more energetic, present, clear, crisp and crisp on the Allegro Pro.
In the very low-presence pure tone test, the Allegro Pro has very little presence compared to the TP35 below 40 Hz. Above that frequency it starts to be audible, but its behaviour is not as realistic as with the TP35, which sounds almost reference-like, natural, powerful, physical and deep. On the other hand, the Allegro Pro has a coloured oscillatory character that takes it away from a realistic representation. In real music, the TP35 presents organic, natural, deep, full, energetic, powerful and elastic bass with excellent performance. On the other hand, the Allegro Pro feels much drier, shallower, lacking in energy, coloured, undulating and vibrating, and with less volume. One misses a more natural elasticity, stickiness and texture.
In the mid-range, in its first half, there are differences in physical presence and body. While the Allegro Pro accentuates the hollowness present in the headphones at this stage, the TP35 demonstrates it without further ado, showing more warmth and a more organic, natural feel.
In the upper mids and treble, the Allegro Pro is more pronounced, lifted, clear, crisp and energetic. The TP35 is more restrained and balanced, but lacks the crisp, thin, energetic and extended brilliance of the Allegro Pro.
In itself, the Allegro Pro already has a clear expansive component to its sound, although it lacks the punch, breadth, volume and depth of the TP35's low end. The Allegro Pro comes across as cooler, more volatile and ethereal, even more gaseous, with more sparkle and brilliance. But it also feels a little more forced, slightly more unreal, both in its timbre and in the overall sonority of the music. The TP35 is more organic and natural, and feels more realistic, though also more muted and a little flatter. Although the level of detail seems more obvious, the micro-detail in the lower layers is just as visible in both elements. This means that bass does not mask detail and the layering of the TP35 is very good. With less depth, body and physicality in the low end, detail should appear more naked in the Allegro Pro, but it seems just as resolving. The sharper micro-detail is more vivid, clearly due to its greater presence and energy.
Conclusion
Enthusiasts who have read me know that I am very critical of sources that do not have a flat frequency response or that have high output impedances. That's because, in my opinion, an ideal source should be as faithful as possible to the input signal without altering it and should not alter the frequency response of the headphones connected to it. In the case of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro, I am faced with a source that has very low output impedance, but a clear and obvious 8 dB drop at the audible low end, which only smooths out at 400 Hz. It is true that at 90 Hz this difference with the flat response is less than 1 dB, but even so, this is a source that obviously modifies the signal response of the connected headphones. However, the Allegro Pro seems to have been designed for this purpose, as it has four sound modes that directly alter the frequency response over the entire audible range. These modes are Movie, Game and Music, plus the LED-free mode, which I call Standard because its FR is the most ‘normal’. Each sound mode alters the FR of the system in one way or another, and that is something that makes me value this dongle positively, not as a reference source, but as a source with a distinct and intended use. Its clear connection to the Nintendo Switch and those sound modes for gaming, movies and music imply a more specialised use that goes beyond just enjoying music.
On the other hand, the mini model has gained in power without increasing in size. The Allegro Pro is still a T-shaped dongle well suited for use with smartphones, as it has a microphone input and both 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm BAL audio outputs. Its sound is vibrant, bright, detailed, crisp, expressive and informative. However, it is also somewhat cold and dry. Thanks to the sound modes, these characteristics can even be improved, gaining in stage, projection, clarity and transparency.
In conclusion, I think the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro can be a very good value secondary dongle for those who want to experience a different sound in their everyday life, as an alternative to the exclusive use of playing music.
Earphones and Sources Used During Analysis
- Xiaomi 13T.
- Hidizs AP80 PRO-X Red Copper LE.
- Kiwi Ears KE4.
- Kiwi Ears Quintet.
- Kiwi Ears Airoso.
- Kiwi Ears Aether.
- Yanyin Canon Pro.
- LetShuoer Mystic 8.
- LetShuoer Cadenza 4.
- Simgot EA1000.
- Simgot ET142.
- KiiBOOM Evoke.
- NiceHCK Himalaya.
- 7Hz Timeless II.
Kiwi Ears offered me this model, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product.
Purchase Link
You can read the full review in Spanish here
cqtek
For me the best mode is Standard mode, or Pure, as I like to call it, because there is no filtering that alters the signal (except for the drop in the low end).
Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro
Kaitlyn Wu from Linsoul Audio invited me to review the new Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro DAC/AMP. The Allegro Pro is the upgrade to the original Allegro mini and retails for £60.
Product link:
www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-allegro-pro
The Packaging
The Allegro Pro is presented in a neat square box with a teal-coloured background. The front bears an image of the product along with branding and a list of the salient features. Specifications and other product details are printed on the other faces of the box. Inside, the dongle nestles in a foam cut-out.
Build and Design
The Allegro Pro has an all-metal construction and is very well made. The top features a 3D Kiwi Ears logo with what appear to be functional buttons but they are purely decorative. There are two outputs, 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced. There is a small button on the underside which toggles between the various digital filters (see below).
The unit can also be used in standard mode with the function switched off.
The unit connects via a male USB-C plug and derives power from the host device.
Internally there are two ES9603 op-amps, and a "high quality digital to analogue converter" (type not specified). The unit is compatible with DSD up to DSD 128 and PCM up to 32bit/384kHz and features Nintendo Switch compatibility.
In Use
The unit was auditioned with a Hidizs AP80 Pro X DAP and various IEMs, principally the Kiwi Ears Airoso, via the 4.4mm balanced output with a pure copper cable. The power drain was very low compared to my other dongles and resulted in a much more extended play time. The Kinera Celest CD20 and Penon OS133 both depleted the AP80 Pro X's battery much more quickly. The Allegro Pro proved to be very efficient with even the most demanding IEMs such as planars being powered adequately at moderate settings of the volume dial. The sound Impressions below were auditioned with the sound modes switched off.
Sound Impressions
Right from the first few bars of music the Allegro Pro displayed an extraordinary level of detail and information. There was a notable sense of immediacy and speed in the reproduction which surprised me and transformed the sound of the IEMs used with it. Based on a powerful transient attack, the bass was deep, tight and impactful, midrange was open, informative and natural and the treble was highly transparent and extended with copious levels of detail. There was a touch of "spice" in the upper range which was rather addictive and the vocal performance was outstanding with both male and female voices clearly projected above their accompaniment and displaying impressive clarity. This also applied to solo instruments which were full of detail with a natural timbre.
The soundstage and imaging were first class and there was a good balance between the technical and musical. The overall sound profile was neutral/bright and airy with a wonderful "freshness" in the presentation.
Sound Modes
In addition to the standard mode, the Allegro Pro features three switchable sound modes which are indicated by different coloured LEDs. These are as follows:
Game Mode: Blue LED
Movie Mode: Green LED
Music Mode: Red LED
The differences between the various modes were subtle but audible. This is what I found, compared to no selection.
Game Mode:
The most noticeable change was in the soundstage which became wider but more shallow, emphasising left to right movement but reducing depth. There was a slight brightening of tonality which sometimes became thin in nature.
Movie Mode:
There was an increase in atmosphere with a more immediate impression. The tonality was warmer and more natural with a larger soundstage. I preferred this setting to the others.
Music Mode:
Transient response was a little softer, and there seemed to be a reduction in treble energy leading to a loss of detail, although the overall effect was more relaxing to listen to, with the final result similar to a "meta" style tuning.
Partnering IEMs
The Allegro Pro was revealing and neutral in character and was able to display the individual sound of different IEMs in an authentic fashion. Due to its inherent tonality, IEMs with a warmer sound were the best match whereas cooler-tuned models lost a little in musicality with the technical aspect magnified by the Allegro Pro's own character.
Kiwi Ears Airoso
The Airoso was the principal model used in testing, although the similarities between the IEM and source were sometimes "too much of a good thing", with a laser-like transient performance, high levels of detail and a bias towards the upper part of the spectrum and I found myself wishing for a little more depth and weight. However the excitement factor and engagement were addictive and I frequently returned to the Airoso after auditioning other models.
KZ PRX
Planar models are notorious for their thirst for power and the PRX was no exception. However the Allegro Pro proved more than capable of driving it to high volume levels where its abilities became more evident. The profile was more balanced than the Airoso above with a deeper and warmer bass region. Mids were a little recessed but still displayed good projection and the treble was nicely judged with plenty of detail and no trace of aggression or harshness. The staging was expansive with high levels of separation and precise imaging.
KZ Zenith
The "New Meta" style tuning of the Zenith blended very well with the assertive and detailed nature of the Allegro Pro. This resulted in a natural easy going and relaxed sound yet not lacking in detail and enjoyment. There was a little more bass presence which added some welcome weight and the rest of the frequency range was well balanced with a gently rolled off treble. There wad a little less detail here but the pleasing balance encouraged extended listening.
Fiio FD3
This powerful single DD proved to be an excellent match for the Allegro Pro. Its warm, mild V shaping received some extra life and verve which lifted its performance to a higher tier. The inherent authentic timbre of the FD3 lost none of its authenticity but gained in speed and impact with improved levels of detail. The overall profile was more well balanced with the recessed mids becoming more forward and producing a very satisfying result.
Tin Hifi T3
This model is now approaching six years old but the Allegro Pro breathed new life into it with the end result very similar to the Kiwi Ears Airoso. Bright, immediate, speedy and detailed were the keywords here with an extra bit of depth and power not present in the Kiwi Ears model. Staging and other technicalities also improved and there was a high level of enjoyment. This served to remind one of the importance of a quality source, which the Allegro Pro most certainly is.
Comparisons
As not all the models compared below have a balanced facility, these comparisons were made using a single-ended 3.5mm termination. The Hidizs AP80 Pro X DAP was used as a transport.
Penon OS133
This dongle employs the CX31993 DAC chip and is a simple USB-C plug and play design. It has a high quality cable and is well made. Its power drain is fairly modest giving a decent length of play time. In contrast to the Allegro Pro, the OS133 has a warm, musical presentation with a very spacious stage. Although not overtly or obviously detailed, close listening reveals that nothing is really missing in comparison with the Allegro Pro, it is just presented in a less assertive fashion and the music has a more flowing character with less emphasis on the technical aspects.
Kinera Celest CD20
This DAC/AMP uses the latest ESS chip, the 9039Q2M, and is more fully featured than the Allegro Pro, having a gain control and volume buttons. It has a 4.4mm balanced output in addition to a standard 3.5mm single-ended socket. The CD20 is very powerful and has a broadly similar sound to the Allegro Pro, being clean, bright and technically adept with a speedy transient response. Where it differs from the Allegro Pro is in the bass where there is a weightier presentation and a fine texture. The staging is deeper with a fine representation of studio ambience, the Allegro Pro having a shorter decay. In mids and treble, they are equal in quality with a very similar tonality. The CD20 draws a lot more power than the Allegro Pro and as a result, the play time is shorter.
Fiio KA11
This simple USB-C dongle is equipped with the CS43131 DAC unit and, like the Penon model above, is a plug and play device. It has a robust output and is capable of driving IEMs of low sensitivity very well. It does draw more power than some other dongles and gets quite warm in use. The sound profile is very different from that of the Allegro Pro, having a noticeable mid-bass emphasis, a forward midrange and a bright treble which is not as refined as the Kiwi Ears design. The staging is not as expansive as the other models here and extended listening sometimes results in fatigue. It is more suited to rock and modern music than classical or ambient material.
Conclusion
Well made and competitively priced, the Allegro Pro acquits itself very well across a range of genres. Its lively, impactful, highly detailed and resolving delivery both enchants and entertains in equal measure. It is very economical in drawing power from the host device, resulting in extended play time. If a gain facility and volume controls had been featured, the Allegro Pro would have been almost unbeatable in its price bracket. However, it is still a high-performing DAC/AMP with a neat and convenient form factor and is highly recommended.
Kaitlyn Wu from Linsoul Audio invited me to review the new Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro DAC/AMP. The Allegro Pro is the upgrade to the original Allegro mini and retails for £60.
Product link:
www.linsoul.com/products/kiwi-ears-allegro-pro
The Packaging
The Allegro Pro is presented in a neat square box with a teal-coloured background. The front bears an image of the product along with branding and a list of the salient features. Specifications and other product details are printed on the other faces of the box. Inside, the dongle nestles in a foam cut-out.
Build and Design
The Allegro Pro has an all-metal construction and is very well made. The top features a 3D Kiwi Ears logo with what appear to be functional buttons but they are purely decorative. There are two outputs, 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced. There is a small button on the underside which toggles between the various digital filters (see below).
The unit can also be used in standard mode with the function switched off.
The unit connects via a male USB-C plug and derives power from the host device.
Internally there are two ES9603 op-amps, and a "high quality digital to analogue converter" (type not specified). The unit is compatible with DSD up to DSD 128 and PCM up to 32bit/384kHz and features Nintendo Switch compatibility.
In Use
The unit was auditioned with a Hidizs AP80 Pro X DAP and various IEMs, principally the Kiwi Ears Airoso, via the 4.4mm balanced output with a pure copper cable. The power drain was very low compared to my other dongles and resulted in a much more extended play time. The Kinera Celest CD20 and Penon OS133 both depleted the AP80 Pro X's battery much more quickly. The Allegro Pro proved to be very efficient with even the most demanding IEMs such as planars being powered adequately at moderate settings of the volume dial. The sound Impressions below were auditioned with the sound modes switched off.
Sound Impressions
Right from the first few bars of music the Allegro Pro displayed an extraordinary level of detail and information. There was a notable sense of immediacy and speed in the reproduction which surprised me and transformed the sound of the IEMs used with it. Based on a powerful transient attack, the bass was deep, tight and impactful, midrange was open, informative and natural and the treble was highly transparent and extended with copious levels of detail. There was a touch of "spice" in the upper range which was rather addictive and the vocal performance was outstanding with both male and female voices clearly projected above their accompaniment and displaying impressive clarity. This also applied to solo instruments which were full of detail with a natural timbre.
The soundstage and imaging were first class and there was a good balance between the technical and musical. The overall sound profile was neutral/bright and airy with a wonderful "freshness" in the presentation.
Sound Modes
In addition to the standard mode, the Allegro Pro features three switchable sound modes which are indicated by different coloured LEDs. These are as follows:
Game Mode: Blue LED
Movie Mode: Green LED
Music Mode: Red LED
The differences between the various modes were subtle but audible. This is what I found, compared to no selection.
Game Mode:
The most noticeable change was in the soundstage which became wider but more shallow, emphasising left to right movement but reducing depth. There was a slight brightening of tonality which sometimes became thin in nature.
Movie Mode:
There was an increase in atmosphere with a more immediate impression. The tonality was warmer and more natural with a larger soundstage. I preferred this setting to the others.
Music Mode:
Transient response was a little softer, and there seemed to be a reduction in treble energy leading to a loss of detail, although the overall effect was more relaxing to listen to, with the final result similar to a "meta" style tuning.
Partnering IEMs
The Allegro Pro was revealing and neutral in character and was able to display the individual sound of different IEMs in an authentic fashion. Due to its inherent tonality, IEMs with a warmer sound were the best match whereas cooler-tuned models lost a little in musicality with the technical aspect magnified by the Allegro Pro's own character.
Kiwi Ears Airoso
The Airoso was the principal model used in testing, although the similarities between the IEM and source were sometimes "too much of a good thing", with a laser-like transient performance, high levels of detail and a bias towards the upper part of the spectrum and I found myself wishing for a little more depth and weight. However the excitement factor and engagement were addictive and I frequently returned to the Airoso after auditioning other models.
KZ PRX
Planar models are notorious for their thirst for power and the PRX was no exception. However the Allegro Pro proved more than capable of driving it to high volume levels where its abilities became more evident. The profile was more balanced than the Airoso above with a deeper and warmer bass region. Mids were a little recessed but still displayed good projection and the treble was nicely judged with plenty of detail and no trace of aggression or harshness. The staging was expansive with high levels of separation and precise imaging.
KZ Zenith
The "New Meta" style tuning of the Zenith blended very well with the assertive and detailed nature of the Allegro Pro. This resulted in a natural easy going and relaxed sound yet not lacking in detail and enjoyment. There was a little more bass presence which added some welcome weight and the rest of the frequency range was well balanced with a gently rolled off treble. There wad a little less detail here but the pleasing balance encouraged extended listening.
Fiio FD3
This powerful single DD proved to be an excellent match for the Allegro Pro. Its warm, mild V shaping received some extra life and verve which lifted its performance to a higher tier. The inherent authentic timbre of the FD3 lost none of its authenticity but gained in speed and impact with improved levels of detail. The overall profile was more well balanced with the recessed mids becoming more forward and producing a very satisfying result.
Tin Hifi T3
This model is now approaching six years old but the Allegro Pro breathed new life into it with the end result very similar to the Kiwi Ears Airoso. Bright, immediate, speedy and detailed were the keywords here with an extra bit of depth and power not present in the Kiwi Ears model. Staging and other technicalities also improved and there was a high level of enjoyment. This served to remind one of the importance of a quality source, which the Allegro Pro most certainly is.
Comparisons
As not all the models compared below have a balanced facility, these comparisons were made using a single-ended 3.5mm termination. The Hidizs AP80 Pro X DAP was used as a transport.
Penon OS133
This dongle employs the CX31993 DAC chip and is a simple USB-C plug and play design. It has a high quality cable and is well made. Its power drain is fairly modest giving a decent length of play time. In contrast to the Allegro Pro, the OS133 has a warm, musical presentation with a very spacious stage. Although not overtly or obviously detailed, close listening reveals that nothing is really missing in comparison with the Allegro Pro, it is just presented in a less assertive fashion and the music has a more flowing character with less emphasis on the technical aspects.
Kinera Celest CD20
This DAC/AMP uses the latest ESS chip, the 9039Q2M, and is more fully featured than the Allegro Pro, having a gain control and volume buttons. It has a 4.4mm balanced output in addition to a standard 3.5mm single-ended socket. The CD20 is very powerful and has a broadly similar sound to the Allegro Pro, being clean, bright and technically adept with a speedy transient response. Where it differs from the Allegro Pro is in the bass where there is a weightier presentation and a fine texture. The staging is deeper with a fine representation of studio ambience, the Allegro Pro having a shorter decay. In mids and treble, they are equal in quality with a very similar tonality. The CD20 draws a lot more power than the Allegro Pro and as a result, the play time is shorter.
Fiio KA11
This simple USB-C dongle is equipped with the CS43131 DAC unit and, like the Penon model above, is a plug and play device. It has a robust output and is capable of driving IEMs of low sensitivity very well. It does draw more power than some other dongles and gets quite warm in use. The sound profile is very different from that of the Allegro Pro, having a noticeable mid-bass emphasis, a forward midrange and a bright treble which is not as refined as the Kiwi Ears design. The staging is not as expansive as the other models here and extended listening sometimes results in fatigue. It is more suited to rock and modern music than classical or ambient material.
Conclusion
Well made and competitively priced, the Allegro Pro acquits itself very well across a range of genres. Its lively, impactful, highly detailed and resolving delivery both enchants and entertains in equal measure. It is very economical in drawing power from the host device, resulting in extended play time. If a gain facility and volume controls had been featured, the Allegro Pro would have been almost unbeatable in its price bracket. However, it is still a high-performing DAC/AMP with a neat and convenient form factor and is highly recommended.
Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro Review
By: Chris Love
Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro Review
Intro
Well hello ladies and gents, this review and feature covers the latest from the audio brand Kiwi Ears named, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro ($59). The Allegro Pro is actually the follow-up from the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini. I gotta tell you all, I have been up and down seeking out a device which does away with the dangling cable of a dongle dac. There are a few brands which have come up with similar designs. For example, the Ddhifi TC44Pro or the Hidizs SD2 (SD2 Review). I’ve tried a few, and while those devices were great for what they are, I’ve yet to be truly happy with the end result. At any rate, I cannot begin to express how happy I was to see Kiwi Ears reach out requesting that I feature the Allegro Pro at Mobileaudiophile.com. I will receive the Allegro Pro in a couple days along with a couple of their latest earphones. Again, there are a few non-cable dongle dacs out there within the Audioverse, but none of those feature the power I’d like to fully express the sound of my earphones. Or, they don’t have a 4.4 balanced connection, they don’t fit super well with phone cases, or they just had plain “meh” reviews. In comes the Allegro Pro. Of course, there’s also some competitive devices in this form factor as well. So, the Allegro Pro does have some competition.On to something
Folks I truly feel that Kiwi Ears is on to something spending their resources, time, R&D and sound engineering on creating a solid “non-cable” dongle dac which can provide the same output as a cable wielding dongle dac. Yet without being too much of a bother stuck to the bottom of your phone, or dap, or whatever you choose to connect it to. It’s definitely a niche kind of device. I suppose anyways. But I also feel that it could be much more than a “niche” style, and the demand for such a form factor may just grow some legs. I personally think it’s great. Now, I will learn a lot more about the Allegro Pro in a couple days and can’t wait to report back my thoughts.Kiwi Ears
I have always enjoyed Kiwi Ears. They are a truly respected brand within the community as their products are always top notch in their respective price points. So, it seems. I just finished my reviews for both the Kiwi Ears Airoso as well as the Kiwi Ears Aether and I gotta tell you folks… Kiwi Ears came to play! Both sets are truly wonderful at their prices. I try to speak on brands which bring a price to performance element to their releases within my reviews and thus far I have only spoken glowingly of the brand Kiwi Ears. I mean, if you only put solid products to market at reasonable prices then the cream will eventually rise to the top and the market will respond. Let’s just say… they’ve responded. I’ve said amazing things about so many brands that I respect, the Aful’s, the Simgot’s, the Letshuoer’s of the world. Brands which pursue every tech advantage they can find, and they don’t let a product come to market without that product being absolutely finished, complete, and without some distinguishing feature that helps that product to stand out. There’re many more brands which take this approach. They don’t just ‘throw spaghetti at a wall to see what sticks’. No doubt about it Kiwi Ears is right up there with the best of those brands which actually care about their products and what they put their name to. I wish I could give a long and drawn-out round of applause for them all. But today, Kiwi Ears gets a warm and friendly pat on the back along with that applause. I say that because I have truly enjoyed every Kiwi Ears product that I’ve reviewed and owned. As always, nice work Kiwi Ears.This’ll be a good one
I’ve reviewed and featured more than a handful of Kiwi Ears products and I have yet to turn down a review. Remember, I only review that which I truly enjoy, or that which I feel a large chunk of the audio world would enjoy (whether I like it or not). I can speak about the quality of a thing in a subjectively-objective manner even if I don’t perfectly enjoy something. This hobby isn’t centered around me after all. That said, I have yet to not enjoy any Kiwi Ears product that my hands and my ears have tested. I actually just received the Allegro Pro and folks; it is exactly as I thought it was going to be. Without question this one will get a review and without question I will take it everywhere with me getting to know it. I have to feel a sense of joy in what I write about or else it’s just time wasted for me. The Allegro Pro is certainly a device which brings some joy to my listening. It fills a gap, a need, and does so with quality sonics. With that all said, I am definitely ready to cut this intro short and get into my feature of the Allegro Pro. This’ll be a good one. So, without further ado, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro everyone…Non-Affiliated Purchasing Links:
–Kiwi Ears–Concept Kart
–Aliexpress
–Amazon
–Linsoul
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
There is never much to explain with a source review when it comes to the unboxing. This is always a few sentences long because sources rarely come with any accessories. Especially with a dongle such as the Allegro Pro. Let me explain. So, the Allegro Pro showed up at my home in a very small turquoise blue box. Maybe 3″x3”. On the cover is a simple picture of the Allegro Pro along with some specs. On the back is some aimless info, some specs as well. Open the box lid and you’ll see the Allegro Pro sitting in foam cut-outs and under that is the manual…and that’s about it. No cable (obviously), no adapters, no nothing. Of course, does the Allegro Pro even need one. In fact, the Allegro Pro doesn’t need anything at all. I suppose that’s what makes this dongle dac special. It’s more like an addition to your phone. At any rate, there isn’t much to say here. I guess I could say the box design is nice. That’s something.
Specifications
–Brand: Kiwi Ears –Model Name: Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro
–Dac/Amp Chips: Dual ESS9603 Sabre chips
–THD+N: 0.0006% (@32 ohms)
–Output Power 3.5 single ended: 68mW @32 ohms (THD+N<1%)
–Output Power 4.4 balanced: 170mW @32 ohms (THD+N<1%)
–Signal to Noise (SNR): 113db (@32 ohms, A-weighted)
–Frequency Response Range: 20hz – 40khz
–Supported Formats: PCM (up to 32bit/384khz) DSD (DSD128, DSD64)
–Indicator Lights: Blue (Game Mode) Red (Music Mode) Green (Movie Mode)
–Input Interface: USB Type-C
–Output Interfaces: 3.5 single ended & 4.4 balanced
Build / Design / Internals
Build Quality
No doubt about it, the build quality of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro is certainly a key feature of this dongle dac, let alone one of its strengths. So, the Allegro Pro is made entirely out of what appears to be aluminum. Without question the Allegro Pro is extremely lightweight. This is a huge thing for fans of portable audio as the weight will not degrade or put any undue pressure on the type-c port on your phone, dap, or computer. Especially mobile phones. So often we see usb-c ports failing over extended dongle dac usage and you simply don’t have that problem to the same degree with the Allegro Pro. At least not that I’ve seen thus far. The Allegro Pro is also very small. Similar to its predecessor, the Allegro Mini. You’ll also notice a design on the front of the Allegro Pro, they look like buttons, but I can assure you they aren’t. The only button resides on the bottom of the Allegro Pro. There is a small multi-function button right next to the indicator light. On the left side of the body, you’ll notice the 3.5 single ended port and on the right side you’ll find the 4.4 balanced port. On the top is the type-c connector with which you plug straight into your phone with. All things considered the Allegro Pro is a very well-built source device. Truly a nicely made dongle dac.
Design
I suppose I could’ve wrapped this section up in the build section and killed a couple birds with one stone. Oh well, it deserves a dedicated “design” section. I say that because the Allegro Pro is a gorgeous piece of portable equipment. I adore the sleek look. The all-metal design language helps it to not just for its durability, but also for its aesthetic. You’ll notice on the side there is a nice little Kiwi Ears logo protruding out of the body along with the two volume button protrusions. It’s not a bad look, I guess. It also isn’t anything to write home about, but I think the appearance of the Allegro Pro is neat. Especially attached to a smartphone. Nice job Kiwi Ears.Internals
Now let’s go over some of the internal components. Actually, I really don’t have a lot to say because Kiwi Ears doesn’t divulge a lot of info into what the Internals are. The only thing that I can tell you is that the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro uses dual ESS Sabre ES90603 dac/amp chips. Kiwi Ears didn’t go with a separate amplifier as the ES9063 actually has an inbuilt amp section. As with most dac chips. That’s about it folks.Controls/Button
Just as I’ve mentioned the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro does have one small multi-function button located at the bottom of the chassis. You’ll also notice a very small indicator light right next to it as well. These two work hand in hand. Basically, the lone button gives the user the ability to switch between modes on the Allegro Pro. You can cycle through each mode (which I’ll explain later) with every click. The indicator light will react accordingly and indicate exactly what mode you are on. Those being “Blue: Game Mode”, “Red: Music Mode”, and “Green: Movie Mode”. That’s about all the button does though it’s a nice option to have.
Features
Modes
One of the key features of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro happens to be the filter modes present on the device. As I just spoke on just a moment ago, the small button and indicator light at the bottom of the chassis can be used to cycle through the filter modes that the Allegro Pro comes equipped with. Again, the Allegro Pro has a “Game Mode”, a “Music Mode”, and a “Movie Mode”. I’ll be very quick with this explanation but to my ears, there isn’t some huge difference between these filters. Now, I do find the music mode is easily the best for actual music listening. I noticed that I accidentally changed the mode on the Allegro Pro and all of a sudden, my music sounded even thinner in body and a hair more edgy. Next, I wondered what the issue was until I figured it out. Also, I don’t remember which filter I was on at the time. However, the difference between the filters is negligible at best. I haven’t spent enough time gaming or watching movies to hear a real huge difference or hear the efficacy of each filter. I’d just keep it in music mode while listening to music and use your own discretion when gaming or watching videos or movies.Output Power
Another worthy thing to speak on is the output power of the Allegro Pro. Now, as far as dongle dacs go, the power is on the lower side. However, as far as dongle dacs go with this form factor the Allegro Pro is certainly one of the most powerful. The Allegro Pro is rated for about 170 mW @32 ohms which is way more than enough for almost any iem not named Final Audio E5000. I had no trouble whatsoever with any set in my collection. Even harder to properly drive planar sets. I used the Kiwi Ears Aether (Aether Review) for quite a lot of listening with the Allegro Pro and it sounded great. Same can be said of the Hidizs MP145 (MP145 Review), Letshuoer S12 2024 Edition (S12 2024 Edition Review), Letshuoer S15 (S15 Review) as well. So planars generally had enough juice provided from the Allegro Pro to sound dynamic. Actually, whatever iem I used worked very well as far as actual output is concerned. Now, I don’t have any full-sized cans to test and so for that I am sorry. I’m assuming that the Allegro Pro will have some trouble driving many of them. Still, at the end of the day the Allegro Pro is going to be able to bring quality dynamics to your iems.Battery Draw
One issue that usually rears its ugly head when dealing with dongle dacs is the draw in your phone’s battery. I have quite a few dongle dacs on hand and quite a few of them draw on the battery quite a bit. Especially those dongle dacs which you can bring to high gain, using the balanced output. I don’t think it’s a huge issue, but it’s an issue, nonetheless. However, one of the many bright spots of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro is that it really does a tremendous job at not being a battery drainer. Of course, it does borrow energy from your phone’s battery, but it is to a degree that you hardly notice. I have no stats to back that up whatsoever, I simply have the hours upon hours of usage in comparison with other dongle dacs. I would liken the battery draw to something like the Simgot Dew4x, or the EPZ TP35. Both are dongle dacs known for not draining a huge amount of power. Certainly, the Allegro Pro is in that camp.No Cable
Now we get to the number one and a half reason that anyone is going to be attracted to the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro. That is… form-factor. Unlike many dongle dacs…there’s no cable. Yes, for me this is a huge thing. While I deal with the cable of a normal dongle dac just fine, and I’ve never really seen it as a huge drawback. However, once you begin using a quality dongle dac that doesn’t have a cable, it really does become a nice quality to have. I actually reviewed the Hidizs SD2 and while it has no cable and sounds great, it also doesn’t have a ton of power and no 4.4 balanced port. Also, the Ddhifi TC44 Pro is another solid non-cable dongle dac that I enjoyed, but it had some issues that I’m not going to get into. Basically, there’s always a reason why I don’t review something. I should also mention that I haven’t tried all dongle dacs with this form factor. Just full disclosure.Convenience
At any rate, the Allegro Pro brings both the convenience as well as the performance to the table. I really do feel it’s a huge selling point that the Allegro Pro has no cable and simply sits right at the bottom of your device. It’s almost freeing in some ways. There’s something to not having to worry about the usb-c port breaking or worrying about the dangling dongle dac. I don’t need a special case, or some sort of a clip to take the weight and make it so the dongle dac isn’t a bother. It’s just cool. I hope that Kiwi Ears goes further with this design language. I hope they further enhance its sonic capabilities, add buttons, add gain modes etc. Because they could really change the game. However, the Allegro Pro is great in its own right.
Sound Impressions
Sound Characteristics
Once again, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro has a neutral/bright tonal color with a slightly energetic demeanor. There’s that last little tinge of vivacious influence from the Allegro Pro. It’s tight in its transient behavior, it’s swift with an agile ability to render more complicated tracks well and with a fair amount of expressive dynamism as well. Without question the Allegro Pro is a highly resolving dongle dac for the cost. Very much in line with the EPZ TP35 in that regard. Don’t expect high levels of musicality, or warm, rich, and lush timbre. The Allegro Pro instead leans analytical and clean across the board yet does so without coming across as cold or sterile sounding. It’s pretty much uncolored and won’t add or incite any warmth of the low-end or coldness of an overly boosted treble. The Allegro Pro basically leaves all the tonal coloration to your earphones and does a good job at providing a fairly faithful representation of the attached earphones. Perhaps a hair more rambunctious than natural, or organic, but the tonality is nice.Edited: I need to add that I did hear a very slight hissing with my most sensitive iems after my initial review. It is not a bother to me, but I did notice it. Just something to consider.
Sonic Pairings
I suppose one of the more important tidbits of knowledge to have prior to purchasing the Allegro Pro is “What source tonalities work best with the Allegro Pro”? To answer that question, we first have to know what tonality the Allegro Pro has. What’s its flavor? In my opinion the Allegro Pro comes across as pretty much dead neutral yet with a touch of bright timbre. The Allegro Pro clearly has some elated and lustery energy. So, with that thought in mind I’d most certainly say that the Allegro Pro works best with warmer to neutral earphones. Now, I said the Allegro Pro has a touch of bright energy and so brighter sounding earphones can come across a hair too vibrant at times. However, I really don’t feel that it’s so lopsided to the bright side that the Allegro Pro influences earphones in a way that makes them harsh. Again, it’s closer to neutral than anything else. However, warmer and richer earphones will certainly shine with the Allegro Pro’s slightly brighter and dryer timbre.Pairings cont…
I used many iems with the Allegro Pro. Too many to list here. However, there are some notable sets which may help to explain the sound to a degree. Sets like the Aful Explorer which are warm, rich, bass heavy, and musically gifted. I found this pairing very nice. You see, the Allegro Pro is not going to “change” the Explorer. It remains warm and rich. However, I notice the sound gets a hair snappier, more vibrant at the edges (to a very slight degree), a hair crisper. The Allegro Pro provides a very nice contrast tonally to sets such as that. Another set is the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite. To my ears the Orchestra Lite gained some slight edge to it. I found the Allegro Pro provided a more detailed approach to this wonderfully smooth iem. Again, it’s not going to drastically change the overarching sound. Like most source devices, the Allegro Pro just nudges the sound in a certain direction. Almost like a mildly aggressive suggestion. The Allegro Pro seems to cut the fat, so to speak. Now, with sets which are already more analytical in nature. You could say a hair brighter. Sets like the Letshuoer Mystic 8 for example. The resolve is quite great. There is a very clean transparency to the sound. Perhaps at times the sound can get a hair sharp, but a lot of that has to do with the Mystic 8 in that regard. The Aful Explorer 8 is another brighter sounding set which never seemed to force more actual glare, which is at least marginally surprising. Still, for my ears I feel the Allegro Pro really does perform admirably with anything warm, warm/neutral, and neutral
In a nutshell
The fact that we can get a device such as the Allegro Pro at $59 says so much about the industry as a whole. Basically, the hobby has come a long way. In all honesty, I put the Allegro Pro right up against the best in the price point when it comes to analytical style dongle dacs. By-and-large the Allegro Pro has a very clean-lined sound, great timbre, with a very succinct replay of my music. I do hear a slightly dry timbre, but it comes packaged in a dynamic presentation. Now, the low-end is certainly snappy with a less robust presence, but a very precise punch. Not that it doesn’t have any low-end oomph either, it’s just that the Allegro Pro isn’t going to add any undue weight. In the same breath, the Allegro Pro isn’t going to necessarily dial back the bass of any set either. Really, it simply displays exactly what it’s given. The midrange seems to have the most accentuations, but that is somewhat debatable. In my opinion, the midrange generally has great clarity, it’s neutral, and every micro dynamic shift is met with a certain promptness. It’s a very forward, lively, and energetic midrange which does so without adding copious amounts of upper-mid sharpness or glare. Just a touch of thinly layered shimmer. The treble is the same story; it’s snappy, precise, tight, and not overly exaggerated. The treble has some added bite, some crispness, some slight sparkle. I enjoy that the Allegro Pro doesn’t push the limits on treble brightness. Unless of course you have a bright sounding set of earphones. Obviously, then you may get a bit too much treble sheen for comfort.Technically speaking
One area where the Allegro Pro seems to shine (at least a little bit) is in its ability to harbor a slightly more “technically astute” atmosphere. I find that the Allegro Pro helps my listening sessions come across a bit better resolved from some other dongle dacs within its price point which are tuned differently. Of course, we are talking about small incremental differences here. That said, the Allegro Pro is only going to help most any iem (to ‘at least’ a slight degree) come across a hair cleaner sounding. Stuff like detail retrieval, instrument separation, transient response, and just general clarity will likely be improved, especially with a warmer and more rich sounding iem. Now, I don’t feel that the soundstage makes any monumental difference. Really, it will come down to your earphones. I mean, like I said, it’s got so much more to do with the iems in your ears to influence what sound makes it to your ears. However, the Allegro Pro does have a clean and resolute sound and does promote a more detailed listen. Overall, it’s a very nice sounding product with solid technical abilities.
Is it worth the asking price?
As always, I suppose I can just answer this for myself and say that without question $59 for the Allegro Pro is very well worth the cost. I have many dongle dacs under $75 and each one has its pluses, its minuses, pros & cons, but not every dongle that I have I’ve chosen to review. In fact, the industry has boomed of late and the under $75 price point is a key price demographic. It doesn’t take much to entice the buyer with an under $75 source device. Full disclosure, I don’t feel that there is a very large difference with dongle dacs today and dongle dacs… let’s say… from three years ago. There just isn’t. I’ve spent good quality time with many of them and rarely are under $100 dongle dacs “set apart” in the sound quality department. There are a few which stand out and provide something marginally different than the rest of the pack. However, most of the time a dongle dac around this range is a cash grab. That’s not to say these brands are producing bad dongle dacs either. A lot of them are solid devices. However, there just isn’t much which sets them apart. Personally, I look for form factor in conjunction with sound quality 1st. Then I’d say features are a not-so-distant 2nd. When I look at sound quality, I simply want something which will provide my listening ears with a different flavor. Why did I just say any of that? Well, because the Allegro Pro nails two out of three.The Why…
Because the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro costs only $59 for one. That is a very reasonable price for a dongle dac such as this. However, for me the form factor is just awesome. I cannot express to you how much I enjoy plugging the Allegro Pro into my Fiio JM21 and just chilling, going to the market, doing house chores etc. It has so many upsides and I truly hope Kiwi Ears expounds upon this build even further. I suppose a hair more power would be welcome, but also, 170 mw on balanced is way more than enough for portable usage with iems. It would make zero difference in my listening sessions if the Allegro Pro had double that. Not even a little bit. So, I’m happy with the power output for my purposes. I could also use some volume switches, and I really would like to see a gain switch too. Lord knows I use them when I have them. With all of that said, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro most persuades this answer because of the actual sound quality. I love the fact that the Allegro Pro brings something a little different which also gives me more options to use for my personal experience. The sound is very peppy, it’s detailed, it’s very well resolved, and clean across the board without adding undue glare or sharpness. I hear very nice control over the spectrum, and I have been very pleased with this little device. Folks, I have zero reservations in saying the Allegro Pro is worth every penny, in my opinion.
Final thoughts on the Allegro Pro before I conclude
Just a quick little blurb before I am done. I want to stress to any potential buyers that there are most certainly some caveats that you should have before purchasing. For one, the Allegro Pro has no volume switches. I wish it did, but it doesn’t, so you’ll have to use your device for that. Also, there are no gain switches, no partner APP, and it doesn’t have any indicator light showing sample rates etc. That said, I feel that for this cost some of this should be expected. I could also say that devices like the EPZ TP20 Pro “does” have all of those things. Another caveat is the form factor itself. You have to want this type of device, no cable, and not a lot of room for the type-c plug to fit a fatter phone case. Some things to think about. Lastly, I’d consider the sound. This is not a super fun, bass enhanced, treble lifted jam fest. This is a more mature sounding device. However, if those minor “caveats” are “caveats” that you can deal with, well then, I’d say the Allegro Pro should at the least be a consideration at the under $75 price point. Truth is, I really enjoy the Allegro Pro and over the course of the time I’ve been listening to it that enjoyment has only grown. This section is really only part of this review so that I can day this; For $59 the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro is an easy recommendation. 
Conclusion
To conclude my full written review of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro, I 1st have to Thank the gracious people of Kiwi Ears for providing the Allegro Pro. You’ve made a solid product Kiwi Ears. Nice work! Also, I’d like to thank you for clicking the link which brought you here and thank you for sticking around and reading this review for a while. Clicks and views are our currency at Mobileaudiophile.com. For us, it’s about keeping the doors open so that we can do what we enjoy. We don’t get money or anything else. It’s harder for smaller websites to thrive in the Google Algorithm. At any rate, thank you. We hope this review and every other review at Mobileaudiophile.com helps you out with any purchasing decision. Other Perspectives
Okay, so you’ve read my review of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro, now do some due-diligence and read, or watch a few more opinions about the Allegro Pro. All I can do is give you my exact thoughts. However, I may not have the same thoughts as the next guy. Where I live in the US there’s no place anywhere to test any of these products. They just don’t exist here. I have to rely on other people’s opinions. I know many of you do as well. So, before you hit the “Buy Now” button, maybe… make sure the Allegro Pro is right for you. We all have different ideas about what “good” is, and what “good” isn’t. To me, the Allegro Pro is great and a solid buy, but to the next person that may not be the case. Okay, with all of that said I think I’m finished in this one. Another great job by Kiwi Ears. So, please take good care, stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!Non-Affiliated Purchasing Links:
–Kiwi Ears–Concept Kart
–Aliexpress
–Amazon
–Linsoul
Introduction
Kiwi Ears is no slouch when it comes to IEMs, as we have seen with the KE4, the Arioso, the Aether and so on, but this is the first time I’m able to try a type-C dongle DAC from them and I’m quite excited.In this review, I will be speaking about the Allegro Pro, and I will share my own thoughts on it providing brief, yet hopefully useful, comparisons with similarly priced products.
Technical Specifications
- DAC Chipset → ES9603 * 2
- Frequency Response → 20Hz - 40kHz
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) → ≥ 113Db (@32 Ohms, A-Weighted)
- THD+N → < 0,006% (@32ohms)
- Power Output:
- Single-Ended: 68mW @ 32Ω
- Balanced: 170mW @ 32Ω
- Decoding Capability:
- PCM: 32Bit / 384kHz
- DSD: DSD128, DSD64
- Indicator Lights:
- Blue: Game Mode
- Red: Music Mode
- Green: Theater Mode
- Input Interface: USB Type-C
- Output Interfaces:
- 3.5mm Single-Ended
- 4.4mm Balanced
Packaging
The box is very simple and compact, containing:- The Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro
- User manual and warranty card
Design, Build Quality and Buttons
The Allegro Pro sports a rather unique design, which is a definite plus. Its aluminum frame and form factor pair nicely with devices like the Nintendo Switch (which I don't own, but it's marketed for that), with the 3.5mm and 4.4mm ports on opposite sides. The build quality is solid, with no real complaints.The circular elements on the top are just for aesthetics; the only button is on the side, used to switch audio modes, with a small LED indicating the active mode.
Performance
GEAR USED FOR THE TEST- Mobile phones: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Xiaomi Mi A3
- Windows PC and Lenovo Ideapad Duet Chromebook
- Earphones: SGOR Luna, KZ PRX, Tanchjim Origin, Tanchjim Zero Ultima, Sony MH755, Kiwi Ears Aether, Simgot EA1000, Celest Pandamon, KBEAR KS2, Final E3000
- Over ear headphones: Koss KPH30i (with and without Grado Pads mod), Koss KSC75, Hifiman HE400SE, Cooler Master MH751, Sennheiser HD25-1 II, Meze 99 Neo, Snowsky Wind, Roseselsa Distant Mountain
To get straight to it, while it's not the most powerful dongle out there, especially for its price, it should satisfy most users. 170mW @ 32Ω is plenty for the majority of headphones and IEMs. I had no trouble driving various headphones, though I don't own any extremely demanding models.
Temperature management is good; it only gets slightly warm during prolonged use, which is normal.
Sound
The Allegro Pro delivers an almost uncolored sound, and if I had to trust my ears and my brain only, I’d say that there’s just a very tiny touch of added sparkle, even if very subtle. It could be a placebo, that’s for sure. When using the KBEAR BK2, which is very sensitive, I could hear a subtle yet noticeable background hiss when nothing was being reproduced. This disappears when reproducing music and luckily there aren’t any issues when it comes to plugging/unplugging earphones.
Honestly, I really struggle to spot differences between the game, theater or music mode, and there also isn’t any indication about the sound differences on the official product page; count that this may be me or my setup so your mileage may vary.
Some comparisons:
Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro vs Fosi DS2Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro vs Tanchjim Stargate 2
Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro vs Dunu DTC480
Final Thoughts
The Allegro Pro is a solid product with good sound quality and adequate power for most devices. Its form factor is well-suited for devices like the Nintendo Switch, and the dual outputs add versatility.However, it faces tough competition, particularly from the Fosi DS2, which offers superior performance at a similar price thanks to its 2*CS43131, which is able to peak at a whopping current of 510mA@32Ohms.
While the Allegro Pro's design and DAC configuration are quite unusual nowadays, since the market is basically filled by standard-looking CS43131 and CS43198 dongle DACs, the overall value proposition is comparable to that of the Dunu DTC480: both are very solid products that would seriously benefit from a price cut or discount. Ultimately, in a price-conscious and mature market, where consumers have a plethora of options, they are likely to gravitate towards the most powerful device within their budget.
Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro - The Pocket Powerhouse Saga Continues!
Disclaimer
- The reviewed IEM is a sponsored unit by Kiwi Ears in exchange for a review. Nevertheless, all opinions remain original ideas of my own, there was zero influence from any 3rd party or external opinions throughout the review.
- No EQ or filter presets were used during the entire sound evaluation.
- Sound evaluation are kept neutral and does not include 3rd party accessories (ie; filters, eartips, cable, irreversible/reversible mods)
IntroductionWhile other brands are building more ridiculously powerful and heavy dongles, which some nowadays capable of reaching beyond 500mW in a standard dongle size. There are also brands who went back to its roots of a dongle, prioritizing the essentials such as portability rather than its luxuries. Thus, when we're talking about the ultra-compact dongle segment, Kiwi Ears, Audirect and ddHiFi always come to mind. Which brings me to today's review, we'll be talking about Kiwi Ears and in recent weeks they have announced the new upgrade to the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini, their first ultra-compact dongle DAC/AMP which till today I still regularly use as my reference DAC.
This time, I'll be reviewing the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro which still features the ultra-compact design. But now, it has been updated with the addition of two new amplifier modules providing amplification for the Allegro Pro. That is the ES9603 from ESS Technology. For your information, the ES9603 amp has been featured in some dongles before such as the HiBy FC5 and the more uncommon YongSe BS-1. Apart from that, Kiwi Ears have also implemented digital filters which users can toggle via a button. Hence, I would love to take this opportunity to send my regards to @EvelynZ , the marketing representative from Kiwi Ears, for offering me an opportunity to review the Allegro Pro.
Packaging and AccessoriesKiwi Ears has given the Allegro Pro a whole new package and presentation compared to the it's predecessor, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini which came barebones in a white printed cardboard box. The graphics looked a lot more flashier and combined with the blueish colour which instantly grabs my attention. To make it more appealing, Kiwi Ears decided to place the outstretched spiky elements taken from their brand logo which I think was a clever move.
In front of the box, we have the illustration of the dongle itself alongside some marketing points and the Kiwi Ears branding. Similarly on the right side of the box displays the functionality of the Allegro Pro, meanwhile on the left side is located the specifications of the dongle. At the back side of the box, are printed the details about the company and there's also a technical drawing/package drawing of the Allegro Pro.
Similarly to the Allegro Mini, the Pro version does not come with any accessories and only the dongle DAC/AMP itself sits snug inside the foam cutout. So far, I don't find anything lacking about the presentation considering the price.
Design and ErgonomicsKeeping the same design principle as the previous model, the Allegro Pro still features the ultra-compact design which quickly grows into me. The Allegro Pro now is entirely made using metal compared to the Allegro Mini which uses plastic for the 4.4mm and 3.5mm jack housing, I don't find it to be lousy or will break anytime soon but the all metal build does certainly appear to be much better in terms of durability and aesthetic value as well.
Photo above shows the size comparison of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini (top) and the Allegro Pro (bottom).
Comparatively side by side, the Allegro Pro is slightly longer than the Allegro which might be due to the new components inside of the dongle and a tad heavier too but only by a minimal difference. On the face of the dongle, Kiwi Ears has redesigned the notch which made pulling the dongle after use to be much easier compared to the older version. Though I personally don't have much complaint on the Allegro Mini, nevertheless it was a nice upgraded feature on the Allegro Pro.
Photo above shows the side-by-side size comparison of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro (left) and the Allegro Mini (right).
On the bottom of the dongle, there is a small button which allows you to scroll between the digital filters. According to Kiwi Ears, there are three colours representing different digital filter options which we'll talk more about in the features and sound impression. Other than that, the button feels solid when pressed and does not feel mushy or stuck. Compared to the other dongles in the market, I love the shape of the Kiwi Ears Allegro series since it is just a solid piece of rectangular metal dongle which allows me to turn it into a 90° phone stand. I jest, although I myself regularly do it, it's not recommended or you might bend your charging port.
FeaturesDespite the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro is tiny in size, this dongle has come with a bunch of interesting features compared to the previous gen such as;
- One-click Nintendo Switch Compatibility
According to Kiwi Ears, it allows users to use the Allegro Pro through PnP (Plug and Play) without worrying about compatibility issues.
- Dual ES9603 operating amplifiers
The Allegro Pro now features two ES9603 amplifier modules which allows it to power from efficient, up till moderately demanding IEMs and headphones. Based on my testing, the Allegro Pro indeed boasts a much higher driveability when compared to the Allegro Mini. To give an idea, a single volume increase on the Allegro Pro was equivalent to three or four volume increase on the Allegro Mini.
- Digital filters
The button located under the Allegro Pro allows users to access three types of digital filters which are individually colour coded. Such as the Game Mode (blue), Music Mode (red) and Theater Mode (green) by pressing it repeatedly. Users could also turn the feature off by pressing the button till the indicator does not light up and the dongle will work in its normal state as I could confirm with one of the representatives from Kiwi Ears.
Specifications
- DAC Chip: Custom high-performance DAC
- Operational Amplifiers: 2 x ES9603
- THD+N: < 0.006% (@32 Ohms)
- Output Power(3.5mm): 68mW @ 32 Ohms (THD+N <1%)
- Output Power (4.4mm): 170mW @ 32 Ohms (THD+N <1%)
- SNR: ≥113dB (@32 Ohms, A-Weighted)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40kHz
- Supported Formats: PCM (up to 32bit/384kHz), DSD (DSD128, DSD64)
- Indicator Lights:
Blue: Game Mode
Red: Music Mode
Green: Theater Mode
- Input Interface: USB-C
- Output Interfaces: 3.5mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced
Sound EvaluationSound evaluation was done by pairing the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro with my reference in-ear, Audio Technica ATH-IM02. Alongside other IEMs to see whether there are possible sonic changes or effects caused by the source to my IEMs. Hence, resulting in a shorter narrative compared to my usual sound evaluation to other equipment. This is a purely subjective opinion, based on what I hear and experience as well as my bias.
Moving onto the sound evaluation, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro was very much a similar sounding device with its neutral with a slightly bright timbre and dry tone especially in the midrange. Although that being said, there are some noticeable changes and refinement when compared head to head with the Allegro Mini. I do have to note that, the Allegro Pro when plugged with a sensitive pair of IEMs such as my ATH-IM02
Based on my listening, the Allegro Pro now delivers a much flatter, cleaner and livelier presentation which focuses more towards delivering resolving sound compared to the Allegro Mini which was slightly more on the musical side. Bass was slightly more tighter, punches slightly harder but with shorter transients on the Allegro Pro. Midrange still slightly has that dry tonality similarly to its predecessor but the Allegro Pro somewhat accentuates the mids and upper-mids, bringing it forward with greater clarity by a noticeable difference. So when switching back and forth between the two, I always noticed that the Allegro Mini sounded a tad recessed compared to the Allegro Pro.
I also heard some difference in the treble region on the Allegro Pro, such as a crisper, livelier sound and slightly more treble presence in the top-end especially when paired with warmer IEMs such as the final B3. However, all that said the Allegro Pro does not accentuate any aspects of technicalities apart from resolution which is the main difference between the Allegro Mini. Hence, if you think the Allegro Mini was not resolving enough to highlight the small nuances and low-level details inside your music, then the Allegro Pro is the suitable replacement. Other than that, the Allegro Pro slightly reduces dynamic range which was quite noticeable to my ears especially on dynamic-driver IEMs.
The Allegro Pro as I mentioned came with three different filter settings such as the Game mode, Music mode and lastly Theater mode. To be completely honest, I could not hear any huge differences between each of the filter settings, if there was indeed any difference the sonic changes would be so small that only when listened in a totally quiet environment and having a pair of sensitive ears would justify it. For example, I could not hear any audible difference between Game mode and Music mode. However, when switched to Theater mode, I could hear my IEMs sounded slightly recessed in the upper-mids and slightly smooth in the treble but yet again, the changes are so subtle it wouldn't make any night and day difference. That said, I prefer it turned off for most of the time.
Synergy Pairing
- Kiwi Ears Airoso
A good pairing although the Kiwi Ears Airoso was already a brighter yet still smooth version of the previous Kiwi Ears KE4. However, the addition of the Allegro Pro allows the bass on the Airoso to be much tighter and punches harder when compared to driven through the Allegro Mini. Vocals and upper-midrange harmonics are slightly brought forward with better resolution and clarity while still sounding quite natural. Treble became slightly a bit more crisper and lingers slightly slower through this pairing. I could not hear much of a difference or change from a technical aspect other than the Airoso gained just a tad more resolution.
- final B3
The previous Allegro Mini was a good pairing with my final B3, hence I thought the Allegro Pro would serve as an upgrade. Based on my listening, the Allegro Pro enhances the low-end quality from the B3, rumbles are much more present with the subtle textures are much defined. Other than that, the Allegro Pro does also bring more presence, clarity and resolution especially in the midrange and treble. However, there are some harshness I could hear in the upper-mids which can be quite intense to my ears. Additionally, the B3 lost a bit of its lushness in the lower-mids, so when combined with the accentuated upper-mid it created this dry and slightly coarse texture, which occasionally could be quite unbearable especially with vocal tracks.
- NiceHCK B80
So far I have been enjoying the smooth, lush sounding B80 and have been quite regularly getting some play time other than my IEMs. In short, the B80 was a great pairing with the Allegro Pro due to the resolving nature of the dongle, I could now hear much more details and resolution coming from the B80. Lower-mids sounded a tad less warm, however it remained forward, sweet and lush. Plus, I could hear much more clarity, especially when speaking of vocals and stringed instruments.
Comparison(s)
- MUSEHIFI M3 II
Overall, the M3 II was much more intimate sounding dongle and warmer in terms of timbre and tonality, hence it accentuates bass quantity in contrast to the Allegro Pro which has a brighter tonality. Additionally, M3 II appears to have warmer, thicker midrange however, slightly more recessed compared to the Allegro Pro. Trebles were also much more laid-back, less detailed and smoother when compared to the Allegro Pro. That said, in terms of resolution both dongles are very much equal and capable of delivering a clean presentation with very good clarity, however the Allegro Pro does have a higher noise floor when paired with much more sensitive IEMs.
- Venture Electronics Odo
Both have a pretty similar amount of amplification, perhaps slightly louder on the Allegro Pro. Nevertheless, the VE Odo was a much warmer, laid-back sounding dongle compared to the Allegro Pro. Low-end has more quantity especially in the mid-bass but not as clean and resolving as the Allegro Pro. Midrange sounded much more natural and organic on the Odo, vocals also sounded much thicker and richer on the Odo combined with the smoothness hence, the upper-mid does not feel as intense as in the Allegro Pro. Similarly, as with the other frequencies, the Odo does not accentuate treble unlike the Allegro Pro. It was much smoother and overall inoffensive, less resolving which does also translate to a slight loss in detail retrieval and a tad splashy in my opinion.
Purchasing Links and Where to Get?Kiwi Ears Official Website (non-affiliated)
Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro
ConclusionTo conclude, Kiwi Ears has done a great job with the Allegro Pro by upgrading the amp modules to a much more powerful dual ES9603 while still keeping the sound signature of the previous model. As it definitely allows the Allegro Pro to be able to provide more than sufficient amplification to power demanding IEMs, such as planar magnetic drivers which have become more common among the latest IEMs. The ultra-compact design not only allows the Allegro Pro to be highly transportable, but also unobtrusive when plugged to your portable devices likewise to its predecessor the Allegro Mini.
However, the Allegro Pro does not exist without its flaw as I mentioned that the digital filters do not bring any audible sonic difference among all three modes. In my opinion, Kiwi Ears might've been better opt for a bass enhancement implementation switch such as in iFi devices which they refer as XBass. Apart from that, the upgraded amp modules have also appeared to introduce an even higher noise floor when playing music. Hence, I wouldn't recommend users to pair the Allegro Pro with sensitive IEMs. Nevertheless, I would still recommend the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro if you're looking for a powerful ultra-compact source. That delivers a neutral, clean and resolving source especially for efficient headphones and moderately demanding IEMs without burning a hole in your pocket. With that marks the end of my impressions of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro and I will see you in the next review!
J
jaspervanbrian
Hi mate, I just got my Allegro Pro as well. When I plug in my IEM, I am getting a slight hiss on the 4.4 slot. Is this expected, or is the unit defective?
-
Disclaimer
- The reviewed IEM is a sponsored unit by Kiwi Ears in exchange for a review. Nevertheless, all opinions remain original ideas of my own, there was zero influence from any 3rd party or external opinions throughout the review.
- No EQ or filter presets were used during the entire sound evaluation.
- Sound evaluation are kept neutral and does not include 3rd party accessories (ie; filters, eartips, cable, irreversible/reversible mods)
IntroductionWhile other brands are building more ridiculously powerful and heavy dongles, which some nowadays capable of reaching beyond 500mW in a standard dongle size. There are also brands who went back to its roots of a dongle, prioritizing the essentials such as portability rather than its luxuries. Thus, when we're talking about the ultra-compact dongle segment, Kiwi Ears, Audirect and ddHiFi always come to mind. Which brings me to today's review, we'll be talking about Kiwi Ears and in recent weeks they have announced the new upgrade to the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini, their first ultra-compact dongle DAC/AMP which till today I still regularly use as my reference DAC.
This time, I'll be reviewing the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro which still features the ultra-compact design. But now, it has been updated with the addition of two new amplifier modules providing amplification for the Allegro Pro. That is the ES9603 from ESS Technology. For your information, the ES9603 amp has been featured in some dongles before such as the HiBy FC5 and the more uncommon YongSe BS-1. Apart from that, Kiwi Ears have also implemented digital filters which users can toggle via a button. Hence, I would love to take this opportunity to send my regards to @EvelynZ , the marketing representative from Kiwi Ears, for offering me an opportunity to review the Allegro Pro.
Packaging and AccessoriesKiwi Ears has given the Allegro Pro a whole new package and presentation compared to the it's predecessor, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini which came barebones in a white printed cardboard box. The graphics looked a lot more flashier and combined with the blueish colour which instantly grabs my attention. To make it more appealing, Kiwi Ears decided to place the outstretched spiky elements taken from their brand logo which I think was a clever move.
In front of the box, we have the illustration of the dongle itself alongside some marketing points and the Kiwi Ears branding. Similarly on the right side of the box displays the functionality of the Allegro Pro, meanwhile on the left side is located the specifications of the dongle. At the back side of the box, are printed the details about the company and there's also a technical drawing/package drawing of the Allegro Pro.
Similarly to the Allegro Mini, the Pro version does not come with any accessories and only the dongle DAC/AMP itself sits snug inside the foam cutout. So far, I don't find anything lacking about the presentation considering the price.
Design and ErgonomicsKeeping the same design principle as the previous model, the Allegro Pro still features the ultra-compact design which quickly grows into me. The Allegro Pro now is entirely made using metal compared to the Allegro Mini which uses plastic for the 4.4mm and 3.5mm jack housing, I don't find it to be lousy or will break anytime soon but the all metal build does certainly appear to be much better in terms of durability and aesthetic value as well.
Photo above shows the size comparison of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini (top) and the Allegro Pro (bottom).
Comparatively side by side, the Allegro Pro is slightly longer than the Allegro which might be due to the new components inside of the dongle and a tad heavier too but only by a minimal difference. On the face of the dongle, Kiwi Ears has redesigned the notch which made pulling the dongle after use to be much easier compared to the older version. Though I personally don't have much complaint on the Allegro Mini, nevertheless it was a nice upgraded feature on the Allegro Pro.
Photo above shows the side-by-side size comparison of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro (left) and the Allegro Mini (right).
On the bottom of the dongle, there is a small button which allows you to scroll between the digital filters. According to Kiwi Ears, there are three colours representing different digital filter options which we'll talk more about in the features and sound impression. Other than that, the button feels solid when pressed and does not feel mushy or stuck. Compared to the other dongles in the market, I love the shape of the Kiwi Ears Allegro series since it is just a solid piece of rectangular metal dongle which allows me to turn it into a 90° phone stand. I jest, although I myself regularly do it, it's not recommended or you might bend your charging port.
FeaturesDespite the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro is tiny in size, this dongle has come with a bunch of interesting features compared to the previous gen such as;
- One-click Nintendo Switch Compatibility
According to Kiwi Ears, it allows users to use the Allegro Pro through PnP (Plug and Play) without worrying about compatibility issues.
- Dual ES9603 operating amplifiers
The Allegro Pro now features two ES9603 amplifier modules which allows it to power from efficient, up till moderately demanding IEMs and headphones. Based on my testing, the Allegro Pro indeed boasts a much higher driveability when compared to the Allegro Mini. To give an idea, a single volume increase on the Allegro Pro was equivalent to three or four volume increase on the Allegro Mini.
- Digital filters
The button located under the Allegro Pro allows users to access three types of digital filters which are individually colour coded. Such as the Game Mode (blue), Music Mode (red) and Theater Mode (green) by pressing it repeatedly. Users could also turn the feature off by pressing the button till the indicator does not light up and the dongle will work in its normal state as I could confirm with one of the representatives from Kiwi Ears.
Specifications
- DAC Chip: Custom high-performance DAC
- Operational Amplifiers: 2 x ES9603
- THD+N: < 0.006% (@32 Ohms)
- Output Power(3.5mm): 68mW @ 32 Ohms (THD+N <1%)
- Output Power (4.4mm): 170mW @ 32 Ohms (THD+N <1%)
- SNR: ≥113dB (@32 Ohms, A-Weighted)
- Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40kHz
- Supported Formats: PCM (up to 32bit/384kHz), DSD (DSD128, DSD64)
- Indicator Lights:
Blue: Game Mode
Red: Music Mode
Green: Theater Mode
- Input Interface: USB-C
- Output Interfaces: 3.5mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced
Sound EvaluationSound evaluation was done by pairing the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro with my reference in-ear, Audio Technica ATH-IM02. Alongside other IEMs to see whether there are possible sonic changes or effects caused by the source to my IEMs. Hence, resulting in a shorter narrative compared to my usual sound evaluation to other equipment. This is a purely subjective opinion, based on what I hear and experience as well as my bias.
Moving onto the sound evaluation, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro was very much a similar sounding device with its neutral with a slightly bright timbre and dry tone especially in the midrange. Although that being said, there are some noticeable changes and refinement when compared head to head with the Allegro Mini. I do have to note that, the Allegro Pro when plugged with a sensitive pair of IEMs such as my ATH-IM02
Based on my listening, the Allegro Pro now delivers a much flatter, cleaner and livelier presentation which focuses more towards delivering resolving sound compared to the Allegro Mini which was slightly more on the musical side. Bass was slightly more tighter, punches slightly harder but with shorter transients on the Allegro Pro. Midrange still slightly has that dry tonality similarly to its predecessor but the Allegro Pro somewhat accentuates the mids and upper-mids, bringing it forward with greater clarity by a noticeable difference. So when switching back and forth between the two, I always noticed that the Allegro Mini sounded a tad recessed compared to the Allegro Pro.
I also heard some difference in the treble region on the Allegro Pro, such as a crisper, livelier sound and slightly more treble presence in the top-end especially when paired with warmer IEMs such as the final B3. However, all that said the Allegro Pro does not accentuate any aspects of technicalities apart from resolution which is the main difference between the Allegro Mini. Hence, if you think the Allegro Mini was not resolving enough to highlight the small nuances and low-level details inside your music, then the Allegro Pro is the suitable replacement. Other than that, the Allegro Pro slightly reduces dynamic range which was quite noticeable to my ears especially on dynamic-driver IEMs.
The Allegro Pro as I mentioned came with three different filter settings such as the Game mode, Music mode and lastly Theater mode. To be completely honest, I could not hear any huge differences between each of the filter settings, if there was indeed any difference the sonic changes would be so small that only when listened in a totally quiet environment and having a pair of sensitive ears would justify it. For example, I could not hear any audible difference between Game mode and Music mode. However, when switched to Theater mode, I could hear my IEMs sounded slightly recessed in the upper-mids and slightly smooth in the treble but yet again, the changes are so subtle it wouldn't make any night and day difference. That said, I prefer it turned off for most of the time.
Synergy Pairing
- Kiwi Ears Airoso
A good pairing although the Kiwi Ears Airoso was already a brighter yet still smooth version of the previous Kiwi Ears KE4. However, the addition of the Allegro Pro allows the bass on the Airoso to be much tighter and punches harder when compared to driven through the Allegro Mini. Vocals and upper-midrange harmonics are slightly brought forward with better resolution and clarity while still sounding quite natural. Treble became slightly a bit more crisper and lingers slightly slower through this pairing. I could not hear much of a difference or change from a technical aspect other than the Airoso gained just a tad more resolution.
- final B3
The previous Allegro Mini was a good pairing with my final B3, hence I thought the Allegro Pro would serve as an upgrade. Based on my listening, the Allegro Pro enhances the low-end quality from the B3, rumbles are much more present with the subtle textures are much defined. Other than that, the Allegro Pro does also bring more presence, clarity and resolution especially in the midrange and treble. However, there are some harshness I could hear in the upper-mids which can be quite intense to my ears. Additionally, the B3 lost a bit of its lushness in the lower-mids, so when combined with the accentuated upper-mid it created this dry and slightly coarse texture, which occasionally could be quite unbearable especially with vocal tracks.
- NiceHCK B80
So far I have been enjoying the smooth, lush sounding B80 and have been quite regularly getting some play time other than my IEMs. In short, the B80 was a great pairing with the Allegro Pro due to the resolving nature of the dongle, I could now hear much more details and resolution coming from the B80. Lower-mids sounded a tad less warm, however it remained forward, sweet and lush. Plus, I could hear much more clarity, especially when speaking of vocals and stringed instruments.
Comparison(s)
- MUSEHIFI M3 II
Overall, the M3 II was much more intimate sounding dongle and warmer in terms of timbre and tonality, hence it accentuates bass quantity in contrast to the Allegro Pro which has a brighter tonality. Additionally, M3 II appears to have warmer, thicker midrange however, slightly more recessed compared to the Allegro Pro. Trebles were also much more laid-back, less detailed and smoother when compared to the Allegro Pro. That said, in terms of resolution both dongles are very much equal and capable of delivering a clean presentation with very good clarity, however the Allegro Pro does have a higher noise floor when paired with much more sensitive IEMs.
- Venture Electronics Odo
Both have a pretty similar amount of amplification, perhaps slightly louder on the Allegro Pro. Nevertheless, the VE Odo was a much warmer, laid-back sounding dongle compared to the Allegro Pro. Low-end has more quantity especially in the mid-bass but not as clean and resolving as the Allegro Pro. Midrange sounded much more natural and organic on the Odo, vocals also sounded much thicker and richer on the Odo combined with the smoothness hence, the upper-mid does not feel as intense as in the Allegro Pro. Similarly, as with the other frequencies, the Odo does not accentuate treble unlike the Allegro Pro. It was much smoother and overall inoffensive, less resolving which does also translate to a slight loss in detail retrieval and a tad splashy in my opinion.
Purchasing Links and Where to Get?Kiwi Ears Official Website (non-affiliated)
Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro
ConclusionTo conclude, Kiwi Ears has done a great job with the Allegro Pro by upgrading the amp modules to a much more powerful dual ES9603 while still keeping the sound signature of the previous model. As it definitely allows the Allegro Pro to be able to provide more than sufficient amplification to power demanding IEMs, such as planar magnetic drivers which have become more common among the latest IEMs. The ultra-compact design not only allows the Allegro Pro to be highly transportable, but also unobtrusive when plugged to your portable devices likewise to its predecessor the Allegro Mini.
However, the Allegro Pro does not exist without its flaw as I mentioned that the digital filters do not bring any audible sonic difference among all three modes. In my opinion, Kiwi Ears might've been better opt for a bass enhancement implementation switch such as in iFi devices which they refer as XBass. Apart from that, the upgraded amp modules have also appeared to introduce an even higher noise floor when playing music. Hence, I wouldn't recommend users to pair the Allegro Pro with sensitive IEMs. Nevertheless, I would still recommend the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro if you're looking for a powerful ultra-compact source. That delivers a neutral, clean and resolving source especially for efficient headphones and moderately demanding IEMs without burning a hole in your pocket. With that marks the end of my impressions of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro and I will see you in the next review!
J
jaspervanbrian
Hi mate, I just got my Allegro Pro as well. When I plug in my IEM, I am getting a slight hiss on the 4.4 slot. Is this expected, or is the unit defective?
-
IntroductionWhile other brands are building more ridiculously powerful and heavy dongles, which some nowadays capable of reaching beyond 500mW in a standard dongle size. There are also brands who went back to its roots of a dongle, prioritizing the essentials such as portability rather than its luxuries. Thus, when we're talking about the ultra-compact dongle segment, Kiwi Ears, Audirect and ddHiFi always come to mind. Which brings me to today's review, we'll be talking about Kiwi Ears and in recent weeks they have announced the new upgrade to the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini, their first ultra-compact dongle DAC/AMP which till today I still regularly use as my reference DAC.
This time, I'll be reviewing the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro which still features the ultra-compact design. But now, it has been updated with the addition of two new amplifier modules providing amplification for the Allegro Pro. That is the ES9603 from ESS Technology. For your information, the ES9603 amp has been featured in some dongles before such as the HiBy FC5 and the more uncommon YongSe BS-1. Apart from that, Kiwi Ears have also implemented digital filters which users can toggle via a button. Hence, I would love to take this opportunity to send my regards to @EvelynZ , the marketing representative from Kiwi Ears, for offering me an opportunity to review the Allegro Pro.
Packaging and AccessoriesKiwi Ears has given the Allegro Pro a whole new package and presentation compared to the it's predecessor, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini which came barebones in a white printed cardboard box. The graphics looked a lot more flashier and combined with the blueish colour which instantly grabs my attention. To make it more appealing, Kiwi Ears decided to place the outstretched spiky elements taken from their brand logo which I think was a clever move.
In front of the box, we have the illustration of the dongle itself alongside some marketing points and the Kiwi Ears branding. Similarly on the right side of the box displays the functionality of the Allegro Pro, meanwhile on the left side is located the specifications of the dongle. At the back side of the box, are printed the details about the company and there's also a technical drawing/package drawing of the Allegro Pro.
Similarly to the Allegro Mini, the Pro version does not come with any accessories and only the dongle DAC/AMP itself sits snug inside the foam cutout. So far, I don't find anything lacking about the presentation considering the price.
Design and ErgonomicsKeeping the same design principle as the previous model, the Allegro Pro still features the ultra-compact design which quickly grows into me. The Allegro Pro now is entirely made using metal compared to the Allegro Mini which uses plastic for the 4.4mm and 3.5mm jack housing, I don't find it to be lousy or will break anytime soon but the all metal build does certainly appear to be much better in terms of durability and aesthetic value as well.
Photo above shows the size comparison of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini (top) and the Allegro Pro (bottom).
Comparatively side by side, the Allegro Pro is slightly longer than the Allegro which might be due to the new components inside of the dongle and a tad heavier too but only by a minimal difference. On the face of the dongle, Kiwi Ears has redesigned the notch which made pulling the dongle after use to be much easier compared to the older version. Though I personally don't have much complaint on the Allegro Mini, nevertheless it was a nice upgraded feature on the Allegro Pro.
Photo above shows the side-by-side size comparison of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro (left) and the Allegro Mini (right).
On the bottom of the dongle, there is a small button which allows you to scroll between the digital filters. According to Kiwi Ears, there are three colours representing different digital filter options which we'll talk more about in the features and sound impression. Other than that, the button feels solid when pressed and does not feel mushy or stuck. Compared to the other dongles in the market, I love the shape of the Kiwi Ears Allegro series since it is just a solid piece of rectangular metal dongle which allows me to turn it into a 90° phone stand. I jest, although I myself regularly do it, it's not recommended or you might bend your charging port.
FeaturesDespite the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro is tiny in size, this dongle has come with a bunch of interesting features compared to the previous gen such as;
Specifications
Red: Music Mode
Green: Theater Mode
Sound EvaluationSound evaluation was done by pairing the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro with my reference in-ear, Audio Technica ATH-IM02. Alongside other IEMs to see whether there are possible sonic changes or effects caused by the source to my IEMs. Hence, resulting in a shorter narrative compared to my usual sound evaluation to other equipment. This is a purely subjective opinion, based on what I hear and experience as well as my bias.
Moving onto the sound evaluation, the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro was very much a similar sounding device with its neutral with a slightly bright timbre and dry tone especially in the midrange. Although that being said, there are some noticeable changes and refinement when compared head to head with the Allegro Mini. I do have to note that, the Allegro Pro when plugged with a sensitive pair of IEMs such as my ATH-IM02
Based on my listening, the Allegro Pro now delivers a much flatter, cleaner and livelier presentation which focuses more towards delivering resolving sound compared to the Allegro Mini which was slightly more on the musical side. Bass was slightly more tighter, punches slightly harder but with shorter transients on the Allegro Pro. Midrange still slightly has that dry tonality similarly to its predecessor but the Allegro Pro somewhat accentuates the mids and upper-mids, bringing it forward with greater clarity by a noticeable difference. So when switching back and forth between the two, I always noticed that the Allegro Mini sounded a tad recessed compared to the Allegro Pro.
I also heard some difference in the treble region on the Allegro Pro, such as a crisper, livelier sound and slightly more treble presence in the top-end especially when paired with warmer IEMs such as the final B3. However, all that said the Allegro Pro does not accentuate any aspects of technicalities apart from resolution which is the main difference between the Allegro Mini. Hence, if you think the Allegro Mini was not resolving enough to highlight the small nuances and low-level details inside your music, then the Allegro Pro is the suitable replacement. Other than that, the Allegro Pro slightly reduces dynamic range which was quite noticeable to my ears especially on dynamic-driver IEMs.
The Allegro Pro as I mentioned came with three different filter settings such as the Game mode, Music mode and lastly Theater mode. To be completely honest, I could not hear any huge differences between each of the filter settings, if there was indeed any difference the sonic changes would be so small that only when listened in a totally quiet environment and having a pair of sensitive ears would justify it. For example, I could not hear any audible difference between Game mode and Music mode. However, when switched to Theater mode, I could hear my IEMs sounded slightly recessed in the upper-mids and slightly smooth in the treble but yet again, the changes are so subtle it wouldn't make any night and day difference. That said, I prefer it turned off for most of the time.
Synergy Pairing
Comparison(s)
Purchasing Links and Where to Get?Kiwi Ears Official Website (non-affiliated)
Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro
ConclusionTo conclude, Kiwi Ears has done a great job with the Allegro Pro by upgrading the amp modules to a much more powerful dual ES9603 while still keeping the sound signature of the previous model. As it definitely allows the Allegro Pro to be able to provide more than sufficient amplification to power demanding IEMs, such as planar magnetic drivers which have become more common among the latest IEMs. The ultra-compact design not only allows the Allegro Pro to be highly transportable, but also unobtrusive when plugged to your portable devices likewise to its predecessor the Allegro Mini.
However, the Allegro Pro does not exist without its flaw as I mentioned that the digital filters do not bring any audible sonic difference among all three modes. In my opinion, Kiwi Ears might've been better opt for a bass enhancement implementation switch such as in iFi devices which they refer as XBass. Apart from that, the upgraded amp modules have also appeared to introduce an even higher noise floor when playing music. Hence, I wouldn't recommend users to pair the Allegro Pro with sensitive IEMs. Nevertheless, I would still recommend the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro if you're looking for a powerful ultra-compact source. That delivers a neutral, clean and resolving source especially for efficient headphones and moderately demanding IEMs without burning a hole in your pocket. With that marks the end of my impressions of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro and I will see you in the next review!
I would say it is subjectivity based on real measurements... hahaha.