Page 4 - Conclusion
After my inspections and testing, it is clear the Kiwi Ears Altruva hits many correct notes while delivering solid value. At the time of this review, these headphones are available for $70. For this price, you get a well-constructed pair of open-back cans, an extra pair of ear pads, and a long 3m braided cable. The Altruva's physical design is strong and light. At 311g, its larger size is balanced nicely with sufficient clamping pressure and thick cushions for longer listening periods. The 50mm drivers are easy to drive with their low impedance. In our audio testing, the Altruva punches above its price class. The result is a fun-sounding V-shaped signature that is decently detailed without causing fatigue after long listening periods. It may not fit for critical listening or monitoring, but the Kiwi Ears Altruva proves to be a satisfying pair of headphones for music enjoyment. That is not to say they are perfect, as there are still some flaws. I think the soundstaging could still be improved, especially in terms of its depth. The lack of pivoting earcups may strike a nerve for some, even with its larger earcups, as you may not always get a good seal. The long 3m cable may also be an annoyance. Finally, it would have been nice to see an included carrying or storage case, even if the Altruva is not meant to be for on-the-go purposes. Even so, it is hard to deny the solid price-to-performance. If you are looking for an economical but capable pair of open-back headphones, the Kiwi Ears Altruva is worth trying out.
Kiwi Ears provided this product to APH Networks for the purposes of evaluation.
APH equal.balance Award | APH Networks Review Focus Summary:
8/10 means Definitely a very good product with drawbacks that are not likely going to matter to the end user.
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks, but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Networks Numeric Rating is 7.4/10
Please note that the APH Networks Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other publications.
The Kiwi Ears Altruva is a budget-friendly pair of open-back headphones that offer a comfortable and fun listening experience.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Hardware
3. Subjective Audio Analysis
4. Conclusion
