UK’s iFi Audio has announced the Go pods, a pair of Bluetooth-enabled DAC/headphone amplifier modules designed to transform in-ear monitors with detachable cables into high-performance wireless earbuds.
The company is doing a great job of enhancing audio output from smartphones and computers in the form of portable USB digital-to-analog converters (DACs)/hip-dac-like headphone amplifiers and bringing Bluetooth streaming to any hi-fi setup. The iFi Go pod caters to mobile listeners who want sound that is “much more advanced than ‘true wireless earbuds’ or his Bluetooth headphones.”
Initially, the company suggests pairing the Go Pods with in-ear monitors from “the world’s best IEM makers,” but the DAC/amp solution is also offered as a standalone product, allowing buyers to pair it with any IEM. You can choose any combination. Lock detachable cable.
Either way, each package includes two units and a charging case. The listener removes the cable from each IEM, and instead he attaches her 12-gram (0.4-ounce) IPX5-rated Go Pod and hooks it to the corresponding ear. The Go Pods are considered good for up to 7 hours of continuous Bluetooth playback on a single charge, and the case offers a total of 35 hours before the 1,500 mAh battery needs to be refilled via USB or Qi wireless. To do.
iFi audio
So why plump up with iFi’s new gadget instead of TWS earbuds? “From a high-performance audio standpoint, this is not ideal. Key stages such as Bluetooth decoding, digital-to-analog conversion and amplification,” the company explains. Integrating saves space and cuts costs, but at the expense of sound quality.The iFi Go pod is clearly different.Each of these important stages is designed and optimized separately. , which guarantees excellent sound quality.”
Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity and processing is handled by Qualcomm’s 32-bit, quad-core QCC5144 module. This module is compatible with high resolution codecs such as LDAC with 990 kbps bitrate for Android devices that support Snapdragon Sound or 66 kbps for other LDAC capable devices. Qualcomm’s 24-bit aptX HD and aptX Adaptive formats are also on board, along with aptX Low Latency, regular aptX, AAC and SBC.
That chipset can handle digital-to-analog conversion, but iFi chose to leave that sort of thing in the capable hands of each pod’s 32-bit Cirrus Logic MasterHiFi chip. According to the company, one of the reasons why the Go pod solution offers better sound quality than the TWS earphones is that “Hi-Res DAC chip is specialized in single-channel digital-to-analog signal conversion in the Go pod’s circuit design. jitter-eradicating precision clock for ultra-low distortion and high dynamic range.” Another is hardware-based analog volume control. Five digital filter presets are also available to fine-tune your listening experience “to suit your personal taste, music style and format type”.
The final element in our enhanced listening recipe is an amplifier stage that boasts 120 mW power output into a 32 ohm load and 4 volt output voltage into a 300 ohm load, and can automatically detect the impedance of the IEM and adjust the power. . match.
An aluminum panel on the exterior of each pod is used for touch controls, and a built-in microphone utilizes Qualcomm’s cVc noise suppression technology to hear your voice during calls, video chats, or using your paired handset’s digital assistant. Clarify.
iFi audio
Go pod + IEM flavors are limited to just 1,000 packages. The cheapest option is the Go pod + Symphnium Meteor IEM at $799 USD. The Go pod + Meze Audio Advar and Go pod + Westone Mach 60 packages are $999 each. Next is the Go pod + Meze Audio Ria Penta for $1,199, then the Go pod + 64 Audio U4s for $1,299, and finally the Go pod + Craft Ears Aurum for $1,399. Sure, it’s an expensive prospect any way you look at it, but iFi says the combined package saves you money on buying individual products.
The standalone Go Pod will be available beginning in early June with a suggested retail price of $399. This includes ear loops for MMCX and 2-pin IEM connectivity. Ear loops compatible with Pentaconn, T2, and A2DC connections cost an additional $29 each.
Product Page: iFi Go Pod
