Page 3 - Subjective Audio Analysis
Reviewing audio devices require extensively trained ears, lots of experience, and sufficient technical knowledge. Even for the experienced auditioner, it may prove challenging at times to obtain an accurate evaluation of a product without a thoroughly familiar product to use as a simultaneous reference. Furthermore, many self-proclaimed audiophiles are susceptible to biased write-ups due to placebo effects from false advertising. While I am not going to even try to claim that I am the only trustworthy or best evaluator for sound, it is fact that most computer review sites have editors who are insufficiently trained in reviewing audio equipment. Give them anything and all you will read about goes along with the line of "good bass, nice midrange, impressive treble, really clear sound, 10/10". While there are many knowledgeable audio reviewers at various respected online media outlets, they are by far the minority.
As I have mentioned in my past audio reviews, there are really no true objective measurements for sound quality. As the evaluator, however, I will put it through a series of subjective tests to try to produce the most objective rating possible. Yes, it sounds like a paradox. For all tests, I connected the headphones to my Focusrite Scarlett Solo, which was connected to my computer over USB. After over 120 hours of break-in time -- well above typical required time -- I put the Kiwi Ears Altruva to the test. All tracks are uncompressed or high bitrate audio files. I also conducted all my tests with the velour pads.
We can first start looking at the low-end region of the Kiwi Ears Altruva. There are times where open-back headphones will be less present since the sound is not sealed in, but with the Altruva, this region was present. The sub-bass was a bit lesser compared to the mid-bass. This translates into a bottom end that felt a bit like it was missing. Bass drum kicks were not as powerful as one might like. They were still relatively round in sound. Moving up in the same region, instruments like the electric bass guitar provided groove and punch, which was satisfying to hear. I would not say it is too boosted, but the mid to upper bass was more apparent in this range.
In the midrange, the Kiwi Ears Altruva was slightly recessed, especially near the upper end. Vocalists felt pushed back a bit and overwhelmed at times by the upper bass. The lower portion of this middle region followed a similar boost from the bass with a sufficient amount of richness and detail. Instruments like pianos or guitars came through clearly with a decent amount of resonance and natural wooden sound. With the leather pads, I found the Altruva's midrange to be even more recessed, due to its seal and slightly increased presence of the lower range.
In the upper region, the Kiwi Ears Altruva was present without being tiring. Electric guitar solos came through, as did instruments like violins and flutes, as well as percussive elements like cymbal crashes and hi-hat hits. They were bright enough to overcome the mid-bass increase without being clashy or grating. Sibilance was not a problem here, even in songs where it is used for an effect. I would describe this as more relaxed than tight or crisp.
In summation, the overall sound character of the Kiwi Ears Altruva with the velour pads was a fun V-shaped signature. With the leather pads, the V-shaped character was a bit more obvious. This meant there was a noticeable emphasis on the low-end and highs, while the midrange was recessed. Its overall relaxed sound makes the Altruva preferable for longer periods of listening, as its sound did not cause fatigue over time.
In terms of soundstaging, the Kiwi Ears Altruva had a physical edge of an open-back design. It was able to take advantage of this with music sounding open and larger than just being directly in your head. This translated into a wider soundstage overall. However, it also lacked a bit in height and depth of sound, making the sound feel more on a plane than in a sphere. Live music felt directional with voices and instruments coming from different directions, but the stage was narrow. Imaging on the Altruva was still realistic, but different voices felt close together.
As for layering and frequency separation, I found the Kiwi Ears Altruva to be solid in ensuring different instruments were easily identifiable, even with more voices and sounds added on top. In busier tracks, I was still able to hear everything clearly. While sounds were identifiable, they felt closer together. The minor details such as guitar fret noises were audible, but the Altruva did not overtly emphasize every small detail, which lends this more towards a pair of headphones for enjoying music rather than critical analysis. Everything sounded coherent with the Altruva, even with the V-shaped balance. Transitions between the three regions were smooth and everything sounded like they belonged together. The sound was clean overall throughout the bass, midrange, and trebles.
In terms of sound isolation, the Kiwi Ears Altruva should not be your pick if this is a priority. Its open-back design means external sounds will come through and any audio streaming through will leak out. Given this and its long 3m cable, I would not recommend going out with the Altruva. Even in the office, your coworkers may quickly get annoyed with the music leaking out of your headphones. Instead, these are a pair of headphones to keep at home and enjoy your music. Combined with its light weight and large, plushy ear cups, the Altruva are wonderfully comfortable to listen to for longer periods. The lack of pivoting ears may be an annoyance to some, but it is compensated for by large ears to create a seal, even if it does not sit perfectly on your head.
Overall, the Kiwi Ears Altruva delivered a fun and comfortable listening experience, both in a physical and audible sense. Its V-shaped sound is enjoyable with its punchy bass and clear trebles. It is not tuned for critical listening, with a relaxed and comfortable sound that did not overemphasize the details or lead to fatigue. Its wider soundstage was not complemented with a deep sound, but we still had a detailed and smooth sound in its layering and frequency separation.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Hardware
3. Subjective Audio Analysis
4. Conclusion
