Firstly I would like to thank KiiBOOM for sending me this Allure sample to review.
*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings
Driver Information – Single Beryllium Plated Diaphragm Dynamic Driver
Impedance – 18ohm
Sensitivity – 112db
Cable Connector – 0.78mm 2PIN
Frequency Response – 20-40kHz
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories
The Allure come in a green box with an outline sketch of the earphones on the front and technical info on the back along – there is also a cartoon on the back which is quite fitting with the brand image they are going for. Open the box and you’ll find the case with the earphones nearly inside – it’s very simple packaging but it does catch your eye which is good.
Build quality seems to be very impressive, for their first IEM’s they have spent some time making sure the housings are well finished along with being smooth and aesthetically pleasing. The shell has a visible join, but it’s smooth, the shell is aluminium and the faceplate is green which makes them stand out a little. The cable is coated in fabric, there is a mix of black and green which matches the earphones colour scheme well, it feels rugged and well built but has a habit of tangling a bit.
Accessory wise you get quite a large carry case, this is great if you want to fit your DAC/Amp or DAP in with the earphones, but it’s a bit too big for daily use and I’d like to seem them include a smaller clamshell case within the big one. You also only get a single set of silicone tips in the usual S, M and L sizes – whilst they’re good quality tips I would like to see a wider range included.
Comfort, Fit and Isolation
The cable is soft and the housings are well shaped which leads to a comfortable fit. I found it easy to find tips that fit my ear canals, and once inserted they were secure yet comfortable. The moulded earhooks are just right and I found it easy to wear the Allure for long periods of time.
Isolation is a little worse than normal, there are 2 vents in the housings which does affect the isolation a little, however I did find them to perfect for general day-to-day use, I’d only want more if I were using noise transport a lot.
Sound
Lows: The Allure have a slightly warm and full low end which gives the overall sound a little bit of added body. The bass region is very well controlled and the driver is responsive, never sounding slow, they don’t get easily congested and handle most genres with ease. They are not overly exaggerated down low, and certainly won’t appeal to bass-heads, however their easy going and even-handed nature means they will be enjoyable to many listeners. The quality is also impressive, especially for their price, there is texture to the bass, it’s articulate and tonally accurate too. These are fun, but without sounding forced, they have a natural groove that is very addictive to listen to.
Midrange: The slight lift in the low end doesn’t end up bleeding in to the midrange, allowing vocals and guitars to cut through with clarity and detail but without sounding forward in their presentation. Electric guitars have good power, acoustic have realistic tonality and body to their sound, both male and female vocals are impeccably presented with plenty of detail but without sibilance of any signs of harshness. These are fatigue free and well separated, much like the low end, the midrange doesn’t ever come across as hazy or compressed – there is always space around each instrument.
Highs: The treble region is quite polite, this means they are fatigue free and there is no unwanted sibilance either. But don’t mistake this polite take on treble as lacking in sparkle or detail, there is a little bit of a dip in the lower treble that perhaps robs a little energy overall, however going further up the range and there is good presence and sparkle, they roll off gently and smoothly. I never found myself wanting more here, the balance and tonality is just right to be smooth yet without sacrificing finer detail, these are a pleasure to listen to for long periods at a time.
Soundstaging and Instrument Separation
The KiiBOOM Allure have a wide soundstage, instruments are always easy to pick out in the mix and each instrument occupies it’s own space with excellent cohesion overall. Vocals are always dead centre with instruments well defined around them – there is a real sense of air to the soundstage that it allows every part of the mix to breathe, however they never sound detached or distant.
Instrument separation is superb – the drivers are responsive and snappy and you never lose track of any part of the mix, no matter how fast or complex it gets.
Conclusion
I’ve reviewed a couple of earphones in this price range over the past year, but I will comfortably say the KiiBOOM Allure are going to be my main recommendation for anyone looking for a $100 earphone. They just don’t seem to do anything wrong, they are fun yet well balanced – the sound has a slight warm tilt but without compromising on detail retrieval or transient response.
Throw some jazz at them and they will delight with a super smooth and lush sound with snappy snares and well-defined trumpets, yet play some metal and the double kicks hit hard without drowning out the midrange. The treble is polite yet has excellent transparency and tonality.
The Allure are truly alluring, their tonality is extremely good – this is a very technically competent yet sonically enjoyably earphone that I can easily recommend to anyone – I honestly cannot fault them (well a few more ear tips and slightly less tangly cable would be nice).
Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (One of the best earphones I’ve heard in a while, does nothing wrong and has a convincing and real sound that’s incredibly fun to listen to)
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