Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro

The Allegro Pro is a decent DAC/AMP but could have been a game-changing EQ device

The Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro is a powerful DAC/AMP that builds upon the foundation of the original Allegro, adding dual ES9603 amplifiers, a 4.4mm balanced output, and customizable sound modes with RGB lighting. This device is designed to deliver high-resolution audio with crystal-clear highs and deep bass, making it an excellent choice for both gaming and music on the go.

The Allegro Pro stands out with its three distinct sound modes, each paired with a different colour from the light, allowing users to customize their audio experience based on their current activity.

However, while the EQ presets are a welcome addition and I will show the subtle differences each make, I do feel the Allegro Pro is a missed opportunity as it does not ‘save’ any custom presets rather every time you press the ‘Sound mode’ button, it resets
the sound signature to the default for each sound mode, loosing any personalised PEQ, unlike the original Allegro which will save a custom PEQ.

Unboxing Experience and Box Contents

The Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro comes in a clean, professional packaging:

The back of the box provides key specifications and features:

Opening the box reveals the Allegro Pro and its accessories:

Design and Build Quality

The Allegro Pro features a robust build with a premium feel. The device has a USB-C input on one end:

And both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs on the other end:

One of the standout design features is the EQ button that allows you to switch between the three sound profiles:

The Allegro Pro is slightly larger than its predecessors but remains highly portable:

Here’s how it compares to other models in the Allegro lineup:

Key Features

Dual ES9603 Amplifiers

The Allegro Pro is powered by dual ES9603 amplifiers, which provide decent power output and audio quality for its size. This dual-amp configuration ensures a clean, detailed and balanced sound signature.

Three Preset Sound Modes and the missed opportunity of the Allegro Pro

One of the most distinctive features of the Allegro Pro is its three optimized sound modes:

• Game Mode (Blue): Optimized for immersive gameplay with enhanced spatial awareness
• Music Mode (Red): Tailored for high-fidelity music playback with balanced frequency response
• Theater Mode (Green): Designed for cinematic audio with enhanced dialogue clarity and bass impact

The indicator lights provide a clear visual cue of your current setting, making it easy to identify which mode is active at a glance. You can switch between modes with ease by pressing the button.

So you might be wondering what the missed opportunity is, well, each of these ‘modes’ is actually a PEQ profile and can be changed and customised (by my ‘devicePEQ’ tool) but once you press the button to switch, it resets the customised PEQ to the default again wiping any customizations.

If the Allegro Pro allowed each of 3 different sound modes to be customised (and saved that customisation) it would allow a simple device which could be utilized to A/B test PEQ profile, fix tonality issues with multiple devices and basically be a general purpose EQ device all with a nice switch (and light) to switch between the profiles. So I am a bit disappointed as I did spend a few weeks seeing can I find the right usb ‘commands’ to get it to save new EQ profiles.

For those who are interesting in these things here is a ‘dump’ of wireshark capture of the HID from the Allegro Pro: hid_data_summary.txt

Nintendo Switch Compatibility

The Allegro Pro offers seamless compatibility with the Nintendo Switch, making it an excellent choice for gamers who want to enhance their portable gaming audio experience.

Sound Impressions

The Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro delivers impressive audio performance across all three of its sound modes, with each mode offering a distinct sound signature tailored to specific use cases.

Bass

The bass response on the Allegro Pro is deep and well-controlled, with excellent extension into the sub-bass region. In Music Mode, the bass is balanced and natural, while Game Mode adds a slight emphasis that enhances explosions and environmental effects in games. Theater Mode provides the most pronounced bass response, adding weight to movie soundtracks without becoming overwhelming.

Midrange

The midrange presentation is clear and detailed across all modes. Vocals are rendered with natural timbre and excellent separation from instruments. In Music Mode, the midrange is neutral and transparent, while Theater Mode enhances dialogue clarity, making it easier to follow conversations in movies and TV shows.

Treble

The treble is extended and detailed, with good air and sparkle that never becomes harsh or fatiguing. Game Mode emphasizes higher frequencies slightly to help with positional audio cues, while Music Mode maintains a more balanced approach that works well across various genres.

Soundstage and Imaging

The Allegro Pro creates an impressive soundstage for a portable DAC/amp, with good width and depth that enhance the immersive quality of both music and games. Imaging is precise, allowing for accurate placement of sounds within the stereo field. This is particularly noticeable in Game Mode, where positional audio cues are rendered with excellent accuracy.

Specifications and Measurements

EQ Mode Measurements

This is a measurement of the Kiwi Ears Astral connected to the Allegro Pro, so you can see the are only subtle changes for ‘sound mode’:

Specifically for those interested in the specific filters values below, is what I got for each ‘sound mode’:

** Off (no light) **:

Note: below you will see the subtle gain differences below match the subtle difference I measured with the Astral using the Allegro Pro above:

Blue Light: :

Red Light:

Green Light:

Comparisons

When compared to its siblings in the Allegro lineup, the Allegro Pro offers significantly more power and features:

Compared to competitors like the Fosi Audio DS2, the Allegro Pro offers unique features with its sound modes and RGB lighting, though the DS2 provides slightly more power output. The Allegro Pro’s balanced output power of 170mW @ 32Ω is sufficient for most headphones, though not quite as powerful as the DS2’s 510mW.

Rating

The Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro earns a 4-star pragmatic rating. It offers excellent sound quality, build, and versatility with its three sound modes. The balanced output provides ample power for most headphones, and the device is compatible with a wide range of sources.

However, while the preset sound modes are well-implemented with subtle changes, the lack of customization options may frustrate users who want to fine-tune their audio experience to their specific preferences.

Conclusion

The Kiwi Ears Allegro Pro is a powerful and versatile DAC/AMP that builds upon the strengths of its predecessors while adding unique features like customizable sound modes and RGB lighting. Its dual ES9603 amplifiers deliver excellent audio quality with both single-ended and balanced outputs, making it suitable for a wide range of headphones.

The three sound modes—Game, Music, and Theater—each with their own RGB lighting effects, provide a tailored audio experience for different use cases. While the inability to permanently customize these EQ settings is a drawback, the preset modes are well-tuned and cover most common scenarios.

For those looking for a portable DAC/AMP with both style and substance, the Allegro Pro is an excellent choice that offers a compelling combination of features, performance, and value.