To help us provide you with free impartial advice, we may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site. Learn more
I was a big fan of the original Rock Jaw Alfa Genus. As a budget pair of in-ear headphones, they were tough to beat for value. So it was with a degree of dismay that I first listened to the new Alfa Genus V2. It’s OK though, Rock Jaw hasn’t ruined the V2s, it was just that for my tastes the ‘wrong’ tuning filter is fitted as standard.
As with the previous version, and the RHA T10i, here you’re able to change the tuning filters in order to change the sound profile of the headphones. Out of the box, the Alfa Genus V2 has its ‘Enhanced Bass’ tuning filter attached. I wasn’t fond of these with the original and this continued with the new model. The sound becomes muddy and overly-warm.
Like before, my favourite tuning filter is the gold Natural pair, providing the most balanced, flat sound signature. They also apply themselves better universally to different genres. Listen to acoustic, classical or jazz and the mids and trebles have an excellent degree of crispness for budget headphones. While Hip Hop still had enough impact in the lower frequencies to not make me wish for the Enhanced Bass filters. The black filters, which emphasise the treble, are slightly bright. So in a Goldilocks-style scenario, the middle-ground Natural filter provided the most favourable listening profile. Still, it’s a personal preference and being able to tweak the sound to your own personal taste is a welcome return.
The main change over the original Alfa Genus is around the build quality of the cable. While the original had a glossy snakeskin-like texture, it was relatively thin and lightweight. For the replacement model, Rock Jaw has opted for a thicker, matt cable. It feels far more robust but it is also heavier for the added thickness. I personally prefer the outgoing cable, as the newer thicker cable tends to get twisted more often. They also feel more rubbery meaning they rub on your clothes more. The cable terminates in an L-shaped jack and terminates on the other end into symmetrical cables to each earphone. The left earphone cable has a one-button remote and microphone that you can use to skip tracks and answer calls. There’s no volume adjustment.
Visually, not a lot else has changed but new aluminium casing has in fact been used. The same variety of tips come included, including three sizes of silicone, two sizes of memory foam and a set of double-flange silicone tips. It means finding a size that fits shouldn’t be too difficult for all but the most awkward of shaped ears. You also get a soft pouch for storage and a clip to attach the cable to your clothes.
Overall, the Rock Jaw Alfa Genus V2 is a solid in-ear pair of headphones. The construction has been improved in terms of robustness but it’s at the expense of weight. They still sound great for the money, though. For alternatives, have a look at our list of the best headphones.
