Marcus reviews the PLUSSOUND Allegro II, a new flagship dynamic, bone conduction, planar, and BA driver hybrid universal in-ear monitor. It is currently priced at $3999.00.
Disclaimer: I received this sample in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links. I thank the team at PLUSSOUND for giving me this opportunity.
Click here to read more about PLUSSOUND products that have been previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
The original PLUSSOUND Allegro high-end multi-driver IEM marked the beginning of a new phase for the company, branching out beyond high-end cables into premium earphones.
Since then, we have had the likes of the VOLTA and the SONORA, two equally exotic IEMs reviewed by Thomas for the website.
I thought the original Allegro sounded competitive, but with a few caveats, feedback that I hope was considered when the new Allegro II arrived on my doorstep a few weeks ago.
With a new tuning and improved note body for a more natural sound, and a smaller form factor for enhanced comfort, the Allegro II is a definite step up from the older model.
However, at an SRP of $3999, it’s pitched at a high-end audience, mixing with the likes of the Vision Ears EXT MKII and Noble Audio’s new Shogun, especially with bone conduction drivers now included.
A new player at the head of the audio table? I found out how the Allegro II performs and competes in more detail in my full review below.
Features
The PLUSSOUND Allegro II is a ‘quad-brid’ multi-driver flagship universal in-ear monitor with 13 drivers per side.
It utilizes a combination of dynamic, planar, BA, and bone conduction drivers in an 8-way crossover, with the dynamic drivers arranged in a dual isobaric configuration (one behind the other in a sealed chamber).
The precise configuration is a 10mm dual dynamic isobaric driver for the lows, dual bone conductors for sub-bass presence and spatial enhancement, 8 BA drivers for the mid-lows, mids, and highs, and a 6mm planar driver for the ultra-highs.
All of those drivers are connected with good-quality internal wiring, as you might expect from a cable specialist. This is an upgrade from the original Allegro’s internal Copper XS wiring with an enhanced blend of Copper XS and Silver XS in a cryogenically treated UP-OCC Litz geometry.
The Allegro II is rated at 15Ω and 116 dB/mW @1kHz, so there should be no issues driving it from moderate source power from DAPs or dongles.
Design
Aesthetically, the Allegro II is a looker with its 7-axis CNC’ed two-piece angular dark, copper-toned faceplates, a solid matte-black shell, and copious amounts of curved etching throughout the design. This is a step up in intricacy over the original’s polygonal, glossy finish for the plates.
However, the biggest change is in the form factor, with PLUSSOUND shrinking the main shell considerably, giving it less of a bulbous look compared to the original.
This allows PLUSSOUND to get the monitor ‘closer’ to the concha basin of your ear and consequently a better, more comfortable fitting experience.
The Allegro II nozzles have also been lengthened, meaning superior penetration and reduced reliance on the ear tips doing all the work, as was the case with the stubbier nozzles from the Allegro MK1.
Overall, the Allegro II shells feel solidly built and very durable, and though still slightly on the large side, they are ergonomically more agreeable to my ears.
Stock Cable
PLUSSOUND always makes fantastic cables, and the new stock version that comes with the Allegro II is no exception.
Technically, this is the same Copper+ wiring from the original Allegro, but with improved handling and a superior external finish.
The Copper+ is a 4-wire high-purity 24AWG gauge UP-OCC copper cable with a fairly complex coaxial geometry and unique handling properties compared to more traditional Litz-type aftermarket cables.
The Copper+ uses the company’s PS Shielding just under the outer PS Insulation to protect the signal from potential EMI interference, as well as operating as a ground layer. This means less noise from wireless signals from smartphones, dongles, and DAPs.
One of the negative sentiments from the original Copper+ I received with Allegro MK1 was that it came in a twisted format, which I found to be a bit stiff and awkward when handled.
PLUSSOUND always offers options for their cables, so this time I got the braided version, complete with an exclusive matching matte-finished black and bronze splitter. This version is more supple and easier in day-to-day handling compared to the twisted format.
The only benefit of the twisted format is that it is not as wide as the braided design, but the difference to my eyes is marginal and not a deal breaker. Just bear in mind that the coaxial geometry of the wiring means it is not quite as supple as some softer PVC-jacketed alternatives.
The finishing is excellent, however. Everything is neatly tucked into the hot-stamped rose-gold metallic heat shrinks with the barrels screw-locked, which I much prefer over internal glue and protruding silicone strain reliefs.
Comfort & Isolation
A smaller shell, a longer nozzle, and a new selection of tips make the Allegro II a comfier-to-wear IEM with a lower profile compared to the original.
The size reduction reduces the perceived weight in the ear of the Allegro II, which, combined with the slimmer profile, reduces physical ear fatigue for longer listening sessions. They also sit flatter in my ear compared to the originals, which stick out a lot more.
Granted, I used foam tips with the first version due to my sound preferences, and they can add some unwanted length. The Allegro II’s more natural sound means I can switch to pliant and less bulky silicone tips, allowing the shells to further reduce in length and weight.
Ear Tips
Speaking of tips for the Allegro II, the Symbio W tips from the original have been replaced with a new hybrid silicone and foam tip, and packaged along with the same Comply and in-house silicone ear tips from the last version.
The new hybrid versions are not quite as dense as the Symbio designs, with the foam insert only going down about halfway, leaving the edges fairly loose and pliant to the touch.
I find them slightly less comfortable in the ear than the stock silicone tips, but they offer superior passive isolation and a much firmer, more engaging sound signature from the Allegro II.
The silicone tips I can wear all day long, but they are more porous, allowing a bit more background noise to leak in. They also deliver a more relaxed and slightly lighter note quality from the Allegro II than the hybrids, particularly on the bass response.
The foams I just avoided. I am not a fan of foam tips anymore and find them uncomfortable, as well as diluting the sound signature in terms of detail and contrast. Sure, they work well for bright IEMs, but the Allegro II is not that kind of IEM.
Packaging & Accessories
For such a small box, the PLUSSOUND Allegro II comes with a lot of very useful accessories, things I would genuinely use rather than paperweights and anime ornaments.
You get a huge leather zippered case with a soft fabric inner lining, a leather carrying pouch similar to the Quad-Copper version, with a matching protector pouch for the shells, a leather cable organizer strap, and a dark metal ear tips tray.
All of that is above or below a beautiful, tanned leather organizer tray that allows you to wrap the cable around a single pillar and the IEMs nestled just above and protected from damage by ‘half shelves’ made from matching leather.
Aside from that, you get a little cleaning cloth and a cleaning brush, and some paper that includes your warranty card. It is an impressive ensemble
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
