Kiwi Ears Ellipse -Neutral, Natural Open-Back Headphone for $75? - Honest Audiophile Impressions

Summary

In this review of the Kiwi Ears Ellipse headphones, Dave from The Honest Audio File breaks down the features, build, and sound quality of these $75 open-back, over-ear headphones. With a neutral, analytical sound profile, the headphones offer excellent bass, mids, and treble, though the soundstage is modest and imaging isn't pinpoint precise. Despite being marketed for monitoring and DJ use, the open-back design makes them better suited for casual listening. The build is lightweight and comfortable, and the included cable is durable. Overall, the Kiwi Ears Ellipse impresses with its value for money and natural, well-balanced audio presentation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Kiwi Ears Ellipse is a $75 open-back, over-ear dynamic headphone with 50mm drivers, 32 ohms of impedance, 98 dB sensitivity, and a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
• 😀 The unboxing experience is simple, with minimal accessories: a 3-meter fabric cable, which is well-built and comes with a 3.5mm input and a screw-on 1/4-inch adapter.
• 😀 The headphones are lightweight, comfortable, and durable, with a good clamp force, providing hours of comfortable listening without discomfort.
• 😀 The isolation of outside noise is limited due to the open-back design, but it does block out slightly more than other open-back headphones.
• 😀 The Kiwi Ears Ellipse is somewhat picky about the source powering it, as it sounds bloated or sluggish if not driven properly, particularly on low-power dongles.
• 😀 The sound signature of the Ellipse is neutral and analytical with a hint of naturalism. The bass is well-controlled, mid-bass punchy, and treble has a slight sparkle without being fatiguing.
• 😀 The mids are well-balanced and cohesive, with no forwardness, making vocals and instruments sound natural and accurate.
• 😀 The treble is energetic, with nice air and detail retrieval, staying controlled and balanced with no harshness or graininess.
• 😀 The soundstage is natural, not grand or overly wide, but it does a good job of portraying different venue sizes and following sound across the stage.
• 😀 The detail retrieval is impressive for a $75 headphone, with good resolution and clarity, especially in the upper frequencies, without being too bright or gritty.

Q & A

What is the price of the Kiwi Ears Ellipse headphones?

The Kiwi Ears Ellipse headphones are priced at $75.

What type of headphone is the Kiwi Ears Ellipse?

The Kiwi Ears Ellipse is an open-back, over-ear dynamic headphone.

What are the key specifications of the Kiwi Ears Ellipse headphones?

The headphones feature 50mm dynamic drivers, 32 ohms of impedance, 98 dB of sensitivity, and a frequency response range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

How is the build quality of the Kiwi Ears Ellipse?

The build quality is good for the price, with a lightweight design that includes metal yolks and plastic cups. The headphones feel durable and are designed for comfort.

Are the Kiwi Ears Ellipse comfortable for long listening sessions?

Yes, the Kiwi Ears Ellipse are very comfortable, with plenty of padding and a lightweight design, allowing for long listening sessions without discomfort.

What are the isolation and leakage characteristics of the Kiwi Ears Ellipse?

Since they are open-back headphones, the isolation of external noise is not great, and the music leaks out significantly. However, they offer slightly better isolation compared to some other open-back models.

Do the Kiwi Ears Ellipse headphones require a powerful source to drive them effectively?

Yes, the Kiwi Ears Ellipse are somewhat picky with power. While they work well with desktop gear and soundboards, lower-powered dongles may struggle to drive them properly, leading to bloated bass and unclear mids/treble.

How does the sound quality of the Kiwi Ears Ellipse compare to other headphones at the same price range?

The sound quality is impressive for the price, offering a neutral and balanced sound signature with good resolution, natural tone, and a controlled bass. However, the soundstage is not as expansive as some other open-back headphones.

What are the strengths of the Kiwi Ears Ellipse's sound profile?

The strengths include a balanced bass, neutral mids, and well-controlled treble. It provides good detail retrieval, natural tone, and accurate reproduction of vocals and instruments.

Are the Kiwi Ears Ellipse suitable for professional monitoring or DJing?

While the Kiwi Ears Ellipse are marketed as suitable for monitoring and DJing, the reviewer does not recommend them for these tasks due to their open-back design, which does not isolate sound well. They are better for casual listening or post-performance review.

What is the overall impression of the Kiwi Ears Ellipse headphones?

The Kiwi Ears Ellipse offers great value for $75, with solid build quality, comfortable fit, and a neutral, natural sound. While it has some limitations like a narrower soundstage and less precise imaging, it excels in its price range for casual listening and music enjoyment.