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Tech Reviews

KiwiEars Ellipse Headphones Review: Affordable Sound

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Disclaimer

Kiwiears sent me a a free pair of the Ellipse headphones to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Belle earbuds and the Serene headphones. I will also be using my Amazon affiliate link where possible. It really helps me out if you use it before you buy anything.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Kiwiears Ellipse Headphones
  • Detachable 3.5mm Cable
  • 6.3mm Adapter
  • User Manual

Features

The Kiwiears Ellipse is a powerful budget headset that promises the features and soundscape you want in for your listening needs.

Design

The Ellipse are a stylish headphones with a light and ergonomic design for comfortable listening. The plush vegan-leather pads are not only for elegance, but provide the headphone’s signature comfort. The detachable cable 3.5mm makes it easy to store and gives it a longer lifespan than the typical headphones. This means you can always trade your cable for something that better fits your style.

Performance

The wired design is key for any lossless audio experience, and you don’t have to worry about charging another gadget. The headphones themselves are tuned to take advantage of their premium 50mm dynamic drivers to deliver a finely tuned soundstage. The KiwiEars Ellipse promise to deliver the beautifully balanced high fidelity at a very affordable price.

Review

You aren’t doing much better at this price point than the KiwiEars Ellipse. These headphones not only look cool, but they deliver an impressive sound that is worth buying into. Whether you need some everyday beaters or an upgrade to your existing setup, I would argue that the Ellipse headphones are a decent place to start. That’s if you aren’t willing the little extra it costs to pick up the Altruva.

Quality

KiwiEars makes fantastic headphones, and the Ellipse are no exception. Out of the box, I was impressed by the cleanly manufactured high quality headphones. They are made with sturdy material that offer a good amount of flex that I have confidence that they will survive some hard traveling. The vegan-leather accents don’t look cheap, and the cushion is underneath is soft and bouncy. They may be on the cheaper end of headphones, but they definitely don’t have that look or feel.

Comfort

The Ellipse headphones are incredibly comfortable. They offer a strong enough hold to stay in place, but they don’t squeeze my giant head. I wouldn’t go running with them, but they will survive a daily commute. I like how the cushion snuggles at my head and ear, but the cushion does get a little hot. It is winter here so the added warmth is welcomed, but I am not sure how these will be in the summer. Either way, I dare you to find a more comfortable set of headphones at this price range.

Performance

The sound is fine. You aren’t getting studio quality hi-fi sound, but most people aren’t going to notice. The soundstage is full enough to get you through the day. Music sounds good without the overcompensating bass you get in cheap headphones, voices come clear for those who want something for podcasts or YouTube, and they offer a solid ASMR experience. You get a better sound with the Altruvas for a little more money, but the Ellipse is still a very strong contender at this price point.

Conclusion

If you are looking for an affordable pair of headphones that deliver a good sound, check out the KiwiEars Ellipse. They look cool and sound great at a very good price point. While they are overshadowed by the Altruvas, most people won’t notice the difference. you’re getting a solid pair of headphones either way.

You can pick up the KiwiEars Ellipse headphones on the official KiwiEars website, or through my Amazon Affiliate link if you want to help me out.

Tech Reviews

Kiwi Ears Belle: Best Budget Earbuds for Workouts

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Disclaimer

Kiwi Ears sent the Belle earbuds for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you also check out my reviews for the Serene and Ardor headphones.

Table of Contents

What’s in the box?

  • Belle Earbuds
  • Ear Tips S/M/L in Black
  • Ear Tips S/M/L in Transparent
  • Type-C or 3.5mm cable (Depends on What you Choose)
  • Warranty Card
  • Instructions

Features

If you’re looking for a budget friendly in-ear solution for your music listening, the Kiwi Ears Belle earbuds might just be for you.

Design

The Belle Earbuds are Kiwi Ears’ budget solution for in-ear music listening. The Belle features a durable CNC-machined metal plate for a durable design ready to withstand the most intense drops or workouts. The Belle’s lightweight design make them the perfect travel companion. These are wired earbuds that come with a high quality, stylish cable that not only looks good, but is sturdy enough to do some hard traveling. The cable loops over the ear for a bit of added security. These aren’t coming out of your ear unless you really want them to. The Belle has three cable options to choose from:

  • 3.5mm Standard
  • 3.5mm With Mic
  • Type-C with Mic

Tuning

The Belle’s 10mm DLC Dynamic drivers have been tuned to give users the high performing sound stage they’ve been looking for. The Diamond-like Carbon Diaphragm gives the earbuds its high speed accurate sound for gaming and all genres of music. Tuned to 3kHz peaks, the Belle earbuds promises to deliver a clear and sound with a wide and full sound users have been craving.

Review

If you’re in the market for a budget set of earbuds you for working out or ones you can knock around without worrying about them dying on you, the Kiwi Ears Belle earbuds are a fantastic solution.

Quality

The Belle earbuds are made with the high quality and care that I’ve come to expect from Kiwi Ears. The buds have a sleek design, and the clear wire give it a flare of elegance. I like that the branding doesn’t disrupt the aesthetic. Most importantly, the earbuds don’t feel cheap. The machining is clean, and they appear sturdy enough to take a beating. You don’t have to worry about them getting knocked around in your bag when traveling for example.

Comfort

Comforwise, the Belles are fine. The stock ear tips were a little too big, but switching to the smaller ones made the experience better. I wouldn’t choose these over an over the ear solution like the Atruva, but that is just personal preference. The Belle earbuds are great in a binch, and make for fantastic workout earbuds because they won’t come out and perform great. Most importantly, the wire gives enough slack for a wide range of motion without leaving too much excess.

Performance

The Belles sound good for budget earbuds, but they won’t deliver the the premium audiophile it advertises. The sound is very flat, but good enough at this price range. The Belle handles most genres fine, but don’t expect rich sound or even a deep bass. These are not the move if you want to enjoy some ASMR or utilize 3D sounds in gaming. I recommend the Aventus for something like that. What you do get, is pretty decent noise cancellation. While the Belle does not offer active noise cancellation, the seal it creates is good enough to block out most ambient sounds. While you aren’t getting an audiophile experience, you are getting a good enough experience to get you through your next workout.

Conclusion

The Kiwi Ears Belle are pretty solid earbuds. They are a good quality solution with a workable sound stage that you don’t have to worry about knocking around. Whether you are using them for travel or working out, these lightweight buds will be reliable. You can definitely do worse at this price.

The Belle earbuds better than your average option at this price point. While you may not be getting the most accurate of sound stages, it works fine. If you need a wired in-ear solution for travel, working out, or to knock around, check out the Kiwi Ears Belle.

You can pick up the Kiwi Ears Belle earbuds on the official website.

video game reviews

Afterlove EP Review: A Journey Through Grief and Healing

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Disclaimer

I was a free copy of Afterlove EP to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self-Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my latest reviews for the Epomaker TH85, Epomaker HE68 Mag, Cypher81 or the KiiBoom Moonshadow V2. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. If you’re buying anything from Amazon, feel free to use my affiliate link. It really helps me out if you do. If you’re looking for a VPN for some added protection, check out NordVPN through my affiliate link.

What is Afterlove Ep?

Afterlove EP is a stylistic slice of life visual novel out now on Steam.

Rama was a promising musician when tragedy strikes. Rama loses his girlfriend suddenly, and weight of her absence upends his life and everyone else who knew her. Play as Rama as he struggles through his grief, mends the relationships he pushed away, and tries to find the inspiration for his next great song. With the help of friends, music, and a little bit of therapy, Rama just have what it takes to move forward and achieve the his dreams. All he has to do is get through it.

Review

If you enjoy visual novels, Afterlove EP should be in your library. I could not put this thing down. The quirky art style and animation make the game feel cozy, even though the subject isn’t. The soundtrack is fantastic. There is not a bad song in the batch, and I loved playing the rhythm games as Rama worked on discovering his new sound. Most importantly, the story is fantastic.

I haven’t been captivated by a story like this in a while, and I am very glad I picked it up. The story is sad, and it depicts grief in such a realistic way that I have to leave you with this trigger warning: don’t get this if you’ve lost someone and it is going to make you sad. I cried, but I am in the stage of my grief where it felt revealing. It was kind of nice to experience grief through someone else because it felt less lonely. A lot of Rama and the people around him feel after Cinta dies mirrors what I’ve felt. It is a very nice wholesome story about grief that I recommend to everyone, but there are parts that will make you sad. But there are also parts that will make you smile. I think the art style plays a huge roll in taking away some of the darkness that can come with grief so that people can focus on the process and not just the tragedy.

Afterlove EP is a must read for anyone who likes the genre and doesn’t mind feeling a little sad while reading it. I would even argue that you should read it if you do mind because it might help you go through it.

Do yourself a favor, pick up Afterlove EP for $19.99 on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. It is Steam Deck certified, and it looks great on the Steam Deck.

Tech Reviews

Kiwiears Ardor Headphones: Unmatched Noise Cancelling & Comfort

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Disclaimer

Kiwiears sent me the Ardor wireless headphones to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. Make sure you check out my review for the Aventus headset.

What’s in the box?

  • Ardor Wireless Headphones
  • Carrying Case
  • USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable
  • Aux Chord
  • User Manual

Features

If you’re looking for a high quality wireless headphones with effective noise cancelling and a solid sound stage, then you might be looking for the Kiwiears Ardor wireless headphones. These active noise cancelling headphones are ready to provide up to 72 hours (140 without noise cancelling) of uninterrupted listening. When the battery eventually runs out, users can continue to enjoy the headsets amazing quality though the wired connection and built in DAC/AMP chipset.

As for the sound, the Ardor has been tuned to high quality audiophile standards to provide the most impressive sound stage possible at this price range. With its impressive 5-microphone array to block out about 35dB of ambient noise, you are only hearing what you want to.

Mic Check

https://churapereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ardorsoundtest.mp3

Review

If you want an impressive opening experience, pick up a pair of Kiwiears. I am always impressed with the presentation and how well everything is packaged. The included case feels very good quality, and I like that there is space for the cables.

As far as quality goes, the the Ardor heaphones feel good. They have a sleek design and are cleanly manufactured. They don’t feel or look cheap, which is always a plus. The leather padding is soft, comfy, and they don’t get hot. They do feel a little loose on my head, but as long as I am not running, they work great. Most importantly, there is an appropriate amount of flex.

The headset does have a built in microphone, but the quality is disappointing. I like that it is discrete, but it does sound far away and there is some echo. It’s usable, but I wouldn’t us it for content creation. I guess its nice to have, but I would have done without it. Regardless of this flaw, the sound quality more than makes up for the mic quality.

The Ardor has two listening experiences: Wireless and Wired. The wireless experience is fine, but I was a little disappointed. The sound stage feels a little flat, and there doesn’t seem to be enough bass. It is serviceable, and you can definitely hit a worse sound at this level. The headsets long battery life (even with noise cancelling on) does make up for it. The noise cancelling on these headphones is amazing. I would argue that these are better at blocking out ambient sound than my airpods. You are not hearing anything around you unless you really want to, and that more than makes up for the mid sound. The headset does have an impressive amount of noise cancelling without having to turn on anything, which means you will probably never need to charge these things. The headset has a passthrough mode for when you need to hear things around you. It works fine, but it did make some of what I was listening echo a bit.

I would argue that the true listening experience starts when you plug in the Ardor through the include wire. I was not ready for how much of a difference the built in DAC and wired connection would make. I won’t be using these wirelessly unless I absolutely have to. The sound through a wired connection feels fuller, and the bass packs the necessary punch. You are getting a very good sound at this price range.

If you are looking for a pair of high quality headphones that look good, give you the sound you want, and won’t break the bank, go pick up a pair of the Ardor. You get a long lasting wireless headset with unrivaled ANC and access to a dynamic sound stage when you need it.

You can pick up a pair of the Ardor headphones from the official website for $99.99.

video game reviews

Headbangers Rhythm Royal already needs a discount

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I was sent Headbangers Rhythm Royal for free to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee.

Headbangers Rhythm Royal is a quirky rhythm game out on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and Steam. Play as stylish pigeons just groovin’ and trying to have a good time. Compete against people around the world in a series of rhythm-based party games. Do you have what it takes to be the grooviest pigeon in town?

There is no denying that Headbangers Rhythm Royal is a cute game. It has a fun art style, cute characters, and a solid soundtrack. When you get past the charm, you are left with a game that isn’t worth $20.  

Headbangers Rhythm Royal promises this massive party game experience that pits 30 people against each other in quirky and fun mini-games. The game fills the game with bots if not enough humans queue up. Most of the games you play will be full of bots, except for the few humans grinding for accessories. A lobby full of humans wouldn’t have made this game any more fun, but it would make the stakes real. Most of the time you’ll make it to the top 5 unless you’re unlucky and get a room with six or more people. This game isn’t dead, but it desperately needs more people.

Games are split into four randomly selected mini-games. Half of the round’s population is eliminated based on performance. Once you get into a game, you might get trapped in a minigame you hate. Not all of the games are fun, but that is to be expected from the genre. I wish there were a way to vote for a game, but the amount of bots would complicate this system. Nothing is worse than being stuck in a boring mini-game, waiting for it to be over, only to be trapped in something worse. There are a few delightful and fun games, but not enough for $20. 

Headbangers Rhythm Royal is a cute party game that you’ll play until the novelty wears off. It’s not bad, but it isn’t worth $20 either. You can pick it up on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and Steam, but I’d wait for it to go on sale.

video game reviews

Dance Dash, a new unique VR rhythm game you play with your feet

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I was sent Dance Dash and the remote straps for the Meta Quest 2 to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game. If you’ve been enjoying my reviews, make sure you like, comment, and share this with your friends. I’ve got a bunch of games lined up for future posts, so don’t forget to leave me a follow as well!

While you don’t necessarily need the straps to play Dance Dash, the experience is better with them. The straps are a solid build quality and are sturdy. They both held the Quest remotes snugly and securely to my feet without incident. It did take some time to become comfortable with having the controllers on my feet, but even at my wildest, there wasn’t much danger. That said, be careful when using these accessories and playing this game. I recommend you use shoes as instructed for added security. Playing barefoot didn’t allow enough clearance to between the sensors and the floor to play this game safely. 

The only real issue I had with the straps was when the game made me jump over obstacles. While the remotes were secured safely, there was always enough of a shift during the jumps to make me uncomfortable. Investing in dedicated feet trackers might be the optimal way to play this game, but I only recommend that route if this becomes the only game you daily drive. Otherwise, the straps (or something creative like it) will suffice. 

Dance Dash is a solidly built game. It runs fine for a rhythm game, but make sure you play in a well-lit room to ensure proper tracking. I also recommend turning off-hand tracking. I found that the game would often confuse the controls and stop tracking my feet. This would turn the game into a sort of drumming game which can also be fun with a bit of tweeking. The graphics are fun and good enough, the hands-free controls work well, and the mechanics left me breathing a little harder than Beat Saber. The music is fine, but you can always use the free Dance Dash Beatmap Editor to make and upload your own.

 

Dance Dash is fine if you are looking for a new rhythm game and don’t mind buying into the accessories. They aren’t required, but they make a difference. You can pick up Dance Dance for Steam VR for $19.99. You can also pick up the bundle with accessories for Meta Quest 2 ($29.99), Vive (49.99) and Valve Index ($29.99)

video game reviews

Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition

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Rise of the Triad is getting a pretty impressive reboot and new features. If you like retro shooters or want to relive some nostalgia, this game should be on your wishlist.

Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition is a fast-paced retro shooter with zany weapons, a fun story, and an epic soundtrack. The remake will have a jukebox feature so you can listen to your favorite song as you create carnage and mayhem. But the jukebox isn’t the only change you should be hyped for. This game will perform better with up to 4k resolution with more frames for a smoother gaming experience. 

If you like PVP, there will also be online multiplayer with new sprites to choose from. If that isn’t enough, there is also a pretty comprehensive map maker. Now you can make your levels and share them with your friends. If you are like me and don’t have any, there will be Steam Workshop support. You will be able to download community-made levels or share some of your own. I am not creative, but very excited to see what the community has in store.

If you have already played this game, it might be time to relive the experience. There will be a new story, designs, and features to make this a fresh experience.

Rise of the Trian: Ludicrous Edition is releasing on the Xbox, PlayStation, Steam, and the Nintendo Switch for $19.99. There is no release date yet, but make sure to wishlist it on Steam. A demo will be available on June 19.  

video game reviews

Strayed Lights

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If you like action-adventure games, you might want to look into the upcoming title, Strayed Lights. This game looks beautiful, and the bit of music I’ve heard is amazing! You play as this being of light and dark as you travel over this dreamlike world on a quest to become awakened. But the path is full of angry monsters. Use your powers to soothe the beasts and free them of their inner demons.

This game looks so pretty and promises a new form of combat that I am interested in trying. The soundtrack is composed by Grammy-winning Austin Wintory, so it might be at least worth the listen. I’ll be getting my review copy soon, and I can’t wait to hop on in.

Strayed Lights is releasing on April 25th for $24.99 on the PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC through Steam, Epic Games, and GoG. If you preorder from the official website, you will get a cool digital art book and a copy of the soundtrack. There is also a demo you can try on Steam.

To stay up to date on all the news, make sure to join the official Discord and follow the socials: YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Don’t forget to add it to your wishlist!

Images taken from the press kit

video game reviews

IGF’s Big Winner: Betrayal at Club Low

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Betrayal at Club Low is a strange little indie game that took home this year’s Nuovo Award and the Seumas McNally Grand Prize. This game is a surreal journey through a silly story that is sure to delight its players.

An old acquaintance goes missing in the town’s new nightclub. You must put your skills of deception to the test as you go undercover to bring him back. Do you have what it takes to sneak in without being noticed?

The game borrows from mechanics from tabletop RPGs that are well-implemented. Outcomes hinge on the luck of the dice, and your decisions matter. The game promises 11 different endings, securing its replay value. I only got to play this game a bit during GDC, and I liked the vibe it gave out. It was weird, silly, and it has a fantastic soundtrack.

If you like tabletop RPGs and want a unique experience, check out Betrayal at Club Low. I’ll be trying to get myself a copy to review, but you can buy it on Steam for $9.99.

video game reviews

Excellence in Audio: The Forest Quartet

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This year’s winner of the IGF award for Excellence in Audio was a delightful little puzzle adventure game, The Forest Quartet. Take control of a recently deceased singer, Nina, as she travels into the minds of her old bandmates, attempting to reignite their love for music as they grieve for their lost friend. Can you solve the puzzles that will help the band move through the stages of grief?

The Forest Quartet’s minimalistic style and music score create a soothing gaming experience, but one that leads to a powerful narrative. While I was only able to play the game for a bit, I was struck by its pleasing art and music. I love Jazz, so there might be some bias in my assessment. If you love jazz or are in the market for a new puzzle game, The Forest Quartet is worth looking into. I didn’t play it enough to be able to critique it, but I am at least interested to try it out. Hopefully, I can find the time. The Forest Quartet is available on Steam and PlayStation for $9.99. PlayStation has it on sale for $7.49 ($5.99 for gold members) until March 29, 2023.

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