The audio dongle craze may have cooled in recent years, replaced in part by more portable Bluetooth DACs and more powerful compact desktop-style options. Still, the humble dongle remains relevant and it is a simple yet affordable way to boost audio quality on the go.
Today, we’re looking at two new compact, budget-friendly contenders from Kiwi Ears, the Allegro Mini (USD 24) and the AD1 (USD 9.99). Both are compact, both feature independent DAC chips and both have sufficient driving power for most IEMs on the market giving a solid budget option at a wallet-friendly price. But how do they hold up in the current portable audio landscape? Let’s find out.
Firstly, a huge shout-out to the team of Kiwi Ears and Rosie for providing a sample of the Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini and the AD1 for an honest take. We are not affiliated nor taken any form of monetary exchange for this review and this review is solely an honest view of the product.
Functions & Specifications
Before we start the review, here are the specifications of these products;
Allegro Mini
- DAC Chip: Built-in DAC/Amp chip
- THD+N: < 0.004% (32Ω load, A-weighted)
- Output Power: L+R ≥ 30mW + 30mW (32Ω, THD+N < 1%)
- SNR: ≥ 114dB (32Ω load, A-weighted)
- Frequency Response: ±0.2dB (20-20KHz)
- Background Noise: < 3μV (A-weighted)
- Supported Formats: PCM (up to 32bit/384kHz), DSD (DSD128, DSD64)
- Output: USB C to 3.5/4.4mm
AD1 (KT02H20 DAC chip)
- Frequency Response: ±0.2dB (20-20KHz)
- PCM Specifications: 32Bit/384kHz: ADC Specifications
- 48kHz/24bit
- Earphone Jack: 3.5mm TRRS (CTIA Standard)
- Plug: USB-C
- DNR@1kHz-60dBFS Typ: 100dB
- THD+N@1kHz 0dBFS Typ: -85dB
- Crosstalk@1kHz 0dBFS Typ: -60dB
- THD+N: <0.004% (32Ω load, A-weighted)
- Background Noise: <3μV (A-weighted)
The Kiwi Ears AD1 & Allegro Mini Pro can be purchased Kiwi Ears site as well as other platforms online like Linsoul.
Packaging & Accessories
Simple paper box packaging with manual for the Allegro Mini only, as expected as most of the funds are funnelled towards the product itself. 
Design
Allegro Mini
Inspired by the older, bigger brother, the Allegro with a low profile T shaped, aluminum alloy body that is lightweight and compact. The build is solid and their fully enclosed metal shell does give protection from RF interference. With certain long plugs, they do protrude on the sides making them slightly hard to be pocketable albeit still possible. 
It has 2 outputs, 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced outputs that suit a wider range of gears. The 3.5mm does not support microphone controls.
The Allegro Mini supports high-resolution audio formats, including PCM up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD up to DSD128. No LED indicators are present but on the other hand it does help by not draining power from the source. Power efficiency is superb and no major battery drainage is present. 
Kiwi didn’t specify the DAC chipset but it seems to have a dedicated DAC chip with separate amplification. They boast a low harmonic distortion with excellent signal to noise ratio and it is audible as background noise is black and no noise is present on most of my sources.
AD1
A simple, compact wired audio dongle in all black with 2 core twisted cable and all metal parts. Pretty solid plugs and well made worthy of their mere asking price of USD 9.99. Only 3.5mm are available and they have CTIA standards built in for microphone and Android in-line control support, perfect for on-the-go audiophiles. 
Using a KT02H20 DAC chip that is widely used for budget DACs and it supports up to 32 Bits /384 kHz but no DSD support. Power efficiency is superb as expected from this simple dongle and power drain is non-existent.
The AD1 features ultra-low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD+N) at -85dB which gives them a slightly black background noise and they aren’t prone to pick up interference. 
Gears Used for Comparisons
Questyle M15
FiiO KA3
EPZ TP35 Pro
Hidizs S8 Pro
VE Devastator
Surfans X10
Angel Ears x Muse Nexus
Kefina KA1
Songs list
Scorpion – Hurricane
Ella – Standing In The Eyes Of The World
Cheat Codes & Kris Kross Amsterdam – Sex
Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You
Adele – Chasing Pavements
Josh Groban – You Raised Me Up
Slander, CRANKDAT & Asking Alexandria – Kneel Before Me
Blink 182 – Adam’s Song
Metallica – Fuel
Tone, Presentation, Timbre
Allegro Mini
The tone is fairly neutral, slightly bright with a mild warmth added in the midrange. No major emphasis on any frequencies and they are a well balanced audio dongle. They do sound similar to a Cirrus Logic type of sound with a full-bodied sound that is smooth without any offensive peaks that creates fatigue. Technicalities here are great with a wide, clean and clear sound with a natural, organic timbre. Separation here is superb with no crosstalk issues present that gives a wide, airy extension.
AD1
The tone present here is a little dark with a warm, lush sound that is smooth all around. There is a mild emphasising on the bass that gives a touch of energy in the lower region with a clean and clear midrange alongside smooth highs that is slightly laid-back but present. Technicalities here are decent but for their asking price, they are more than worthy. Timbre is organic with a natural overall sound and despite sounding a little dark, they are accurate. Separation here is decent without crosstalk issues but they do not possess a wide dynamic range like on the Allegro mini.
Soundstage
Allegro Mini
The soundstage here is average but still capable of producing good width and height with a good sized headroom that is free of boxiness effects. Sound placement here is accurate with a good 3D, immersive, holographic soundstage suited for gaming and movies. Though being mediocre here, they do excel in producing an airy effect with their extension on both ends of the spectrum. Given the USD24 retail price and although being average here, they are competent by besting most competitors in this range.
AD1
The soundstage here is actually pretty similar to the Allegro Mini but it doesn’t feel as spacious in the headroom but still isn’t boxy by any means. Width is good with a mediocre height but given the low price of this dongle, it is worthy and improvements are audible compared to off the shelf products. Soundstage has decent accuracy and immersiveness that makes it suited for light gaming and movies.
Drivability
Allegro Mini
Rated at 30 mili watts each channel at 32ohms, they aren’t a big pusher in power delivery but sufficient for most standard IEMs and some hard to drive ones like the Sivga Nightingale Pro but not suited for the power hungry like the TinHifi P1. Headphones with low impedance and high sensitivity can be driven with ample volume but lack dynamics.
AD1
No rated power is stated but they are surprisingly powerful given their miniature size, capable of driving most IEMs with some planar IEMs but struggling with harder to drive ones and though giving ample loudness but not so much for dynamics. These are not recommended for headphones except for those highly efficient ones as the AD1 are designed to provide studio-esque sound quality on the go at a rock bottom price.
The Bass (Low)
Allegro Mini
Bass here is mostly neutral flat with a mild peak in the mid-bass that gives a slightly punchy bass slam with a decent amount of energy. They do provide a good improvement in terms of giving extra texture to the overall bass response for a cleaner presentation. Details of the bass are intact and they do produce a clearer bass increasing the transparency without altering the naturalness of the bass. Sub-bass dives deep but the rumble amount remains mostly the same. The sub-bass does sound a tad cleaner and it may clean up some bloat present in certain basshead IEMs. These aren’t for those who want to add bass amount, instead are for those who want their bass to stay mostly the same amount and give some improvements in clarity.
AD1
The AD1 here has mildly boosted lows that gives some lift in the mid-bass region for a meatier bass slam while still staying in the realm of accuracy. They do add some amount in the quantity but it doesn’t interfere much in the transparency of the bass and they produce a rather deeper bass effect that makes music more musical. Details and clarity stayed mostly the same but they do give an extra touch of details and texture in the bass. These pair well with bass light IEMs as well as bassheads who want more amount added in the overall bass. Sub-bass depth is slightly deeper with a stronger rumble being introduced, giving a push in their immersiveness without overcooking the overall bass.
The Mids
Allegro Mini
Midrange has a neutral flat approach that is balanced without any major peaks present. Transitions from the lower mids into the upper mids are smooth that gives a full-bodied midrange that is natural and accurate. Details have improved in the macro region but minimal in the micro details part. Clarity is great and they have a clean midrange reproduction that isn’t hazy or muddy. Resolution here is vivid with minimal colouration and their transparency is great, producing mids as intended. Vocals are well balanced with great depth and decent brilliance in the upper mids for a livelier vocals. Same goes for instruments and most instruments sound correct without any major changes in timbre.
AD1
The midrange here has a slightly forward sound that has some thickness and warmth in their presentation. They do add some body in the mids that gives a full-bodied sound but with some colouration present. The mids have a focus at the lower midrange with a smooth transition in the upper mids giving a more laid-back style of sound. Details and clarity stayed mostly the same but there are some improvements in their clarity. Resolution here is great with vivid mids but with an average transparency due to their mild colouration. Vocals are lush and sweet with great depth but lack brilliance for their smooth upper mids. Instruments sounded great on percussion and woodwind but on certain strings, it lacked bite.
The Highs
Allegro Mini
Highs are neutral flat and they are inoffensive yet present without major spikes present. They do give a sparkly highs with a small touch of crispness for a livelier high range. They do not add amount in the overall high range but they do provide refinements in terms of clarity and smoothening out some piercing sound and sibilance in some IEMs. Not much changes are made due to their neutral flat presentation except for the refinements. Treble here is balanced with a lean towards the intense side that gives a push in the overall clarity without sounding harsh or too polite. Trebleheads may yearn for a bolder sound here but for most users, the high range is pleasing.
AD1
The highs here are quite similar to the Allegro Mini with a neutral flat presentation with a mild roll off at the end. Sparkle here is sufficient and natural but may lack a crisp decay. Highs here are smooth and inoffensive without any sibilance or shout present but for those who want a strong, bold high presentation may find these a little unappealing. Although having rather laid-back highs, their transparency here is great with a natural high range with decent accuracy. Treble remains balanced, maybe slightly less intense and they are smooth to listen to with a good push in the overall clarity.
Comparisons
Allegro Mini VS Angel Ears x Muse Audio Nexus
Both are similarly built with metal encased shells with the Allegro being slightly shorter but a tad wider. The Nexus only has 4.4mm output and they have a LED indicator to show connection status only. Priced at circa USD40 which is pricier than the Allegro Mini.
- Similar neutral flat tone
- Allegro Mini has bigger power
- Highs on Nexus is tad sparklier
- Mids on Allegro Mini is thicker
- Bass on both very similar but Nexus is a little deeper
- The soundstage on the Nexus is slightly wider but both possess similar headroom.
- Value definitely on Allegro Mini’s side
Kiwi Ears AD1 VS Kefine KA1
Both are a compact wired dongle with the KA1 costing rather similarly at circa USD10. The looks of the KA1 is slightly more appealing for the silver plated cable but both wire thickness is similar. The KA1 does have a better DAC chip on paper with a CX31993 but the overall specs are similar.
- The KA1 have a slightly brighter tone
- Driving power on both are similar
- AD1 has less noise
- Bass impact is higher on AD1
- Details are similar but the KA1 has more clarity
- Mids on AD1 is thicker
- KA1 has less colouration
- Highs on KA1 is crisper
- Soundstage on AD1 is slightly wider
Who Is It For?
Suitable: Casual audiophile, travel, workouts, gaming, movies, IEMs, portable headphones.
Not suitable: Monitoring, critical listeners, power hungry gears.
Genres
Allegro Mini: Classicals, acoustics, pop, rock, metal, ACG.
AD1: Modern pop, EDM, hip-hop, classicals, metal, rock.
Final words
Kiwi Ears has delivered exceptional value with these products, offering rock-bottom pricing without compromising on build quality or musical performance. Both models are compact and power efficient, ideal for on-the-go use. For the price, there are no major drawbacks, though the Allegro Mini’s shape can make it less pocket-friendly when used with straight plugs, and the AD1’s lack of a 4.4mm balanced output option may deter some audiophiles users. Overall, they’re versatile, highly recommended options that punch well above their weight. Thumbs up.
Allegro Mini (4½ stars)
- Solid, lightweight all metal built
- 3.5mm and 4.4mm output
- Fairly powerful and highly efficient
- Zero noise
- Decent soundstage
- Neutral flat tuning with a boost in details and clarity
- Slightly warm, inoffensive sound
- Decent resolution
- Smooth high range
- Thick, accurate mids
- Linear clean bass
- Deep sub-bass extension
- DSD support
- Wallet friendly
- Too wide to be pocketable with straight plugs inserted
- No LED indicators (nit-pick)
- May come off as a little polite (subjective)
- No in-line control
AD1 (4 stars)
- Decent build with metal plugs
- Fun, musical presentation
- Compact design with in-line control
- Neutral with a slight bass boost
- Decent details and clarity
- Boosted bass
- Thick, forward midrange
- Smooth, inoffensive high range
- Decent power efficiency, zero power draw
- Adequate driving power for efficient gears
- Wallet friendly
- Cable is basic (nit-pick)
- Only 3.5mm (nit-pick)
- High range may lack excitement
- Mild colouration on midrange
- No DSD (nit-pic)
- Driving power just for efficient IEM (nit-pick)