Description
ifi GO Pod
The ifi GO Pod is a unique and innovative product from ifi Audio, it’s a pair of audiophile over-ear wireless amplifiers that work in conjunction with your favourite IEM’s to offer a powerful and flexible solution for music on the go!
The GO pod is a pair of wearable Bluetooth DAC/headphone amps designed to make any pair of corded in-ear monitors (IEMs) wireless.
Given the quality of the GO pod’s circuitry, when combined with a well-chosen pair of high-performance IEMs, the resulting sound is far in advance of any ‘true wireless’ earbuds or Bluetooth headphones.
Using a pair of GO pods is simple. First, detach the cable from your favourite IEMs and connect the earpieces to the left and right pods. Then, pair the pods with your source device (a smartphone, for example) and hook the ergonomically designed ear loops around your ears to ensure a comfortable fit… the result is unrivalled TWS (True Wireless Stereo) headphone sound.
Distinctly different
True wireless earbuds rely on SoC (system on a chip) solutions to integrate the requisite tech into a tiny space. Crucial stages like Bluetooth decoding, digital-to-analogue conversion and amplification are amalgamated to save space and reduces cost. This compromises sound quality.
The GO pod is distinctly different. Each critical stage is designed separately and optimised individually to ensure excellent sound quality – Bluetooth, DAC and amplification.
Much like top-level hi-fi loudspeakers, high-quality corded IEMs are engineered for sonic excellence, combining multiple hi-tech drive units to transmit sound directly into your ear canal.
Given the high-level of audio engineering in both, connecting a pair of these IEMs to the GO pod results in sound that is so much better than regular true wireless earbuds.
Connected, in more ways than one
IEM manufacturers use a variety of connection types, but whichever is used by your favourite brand iFi has it covered. The GO pod’s detachable ear loop contains the IEM connector, and these are interchangeable – iFi has made ear loops for MMCX, 2pin, Pentaconn, T2 and A2DC connection types.
Voice clarity
A built-in microphone utilises Qualcomm’s cVc noise suppression technology for excellent voice clarity, whether you’re making a hands-free phone call, chatting on a video call, speaking to the connected device’s voice assistant or even playing a game online.
The aluminium panel on the front of each pod works as a touch control; simply tap to play or pause audio, skip forward or back, answer or reject a phone call, or engage the connected device’s voice assistant.
Charge!
The GO pod comes with a smartly designed charging case, with softly lined internal compartments and sufficient room to accommodate connected IEMs as well as the pods themselves. A 1500mAH rechargeable battery is built into the charging case; a pair of GO pods will play for up to seven hours on a single charge, while the case provides multiple recharges to enable up to 35 hours of playing time. The case supports both Qi wireless charging and USB-C fast charging.
Hi-res Bluetooth
Bluetooth stage
Qualcomm’s 24-bit aptX HD and aptX Adaptive formats are also covered, offering sample rates of up to 48kHz and 96kHz respectively, with the additional benefit of QHS (Qualcomm High Speed) providing an extra 300kbps of bandwidth. Other supported codecs include aptX Low Latency, regular aptX, AAC and SBC. This means that every possible source device is handled at the highest audio resolution its Bluetooth specification allows.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound
Bluetooth stage
We always go to great lengths to ensure our Bluetooth technology is state-of-the-art. The GO pod continues this uncompromising approach, including certification for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound platform and Bluetooth 5.2 for optimum range, speed and reliability. Bluetooth processing is handled by Qualcomm’s top-tier QCC5144 module, with its 32-bit, quad-core architecture and low power draw delivering excellent wireless audio performance whilst minimising drain on the GO pod’s battery.
LDAC and LHDC
Bluetooth stage
The GO pod is compatible with an impressive array of high-definition Bluetooth formats. LDAC and LHDC (HWA) are both supported to their maximum
32-bit/96kHz specifications, with LDAC’s highest 990kbps bitrate available to users of Android devices that support Snapdragon Sound (660kbps with other LDAC-enabled devices).
Balanced
Amplification stage
Delivering a balanced output signal to each connected earpiece, the GO pod’s amp stage has been carefully deigned to ensure ultra-low distortion and a silent background with high-sensitivity IEMs. With a power output of 120mW into 32 ohms, and an output voltage of 4V into high-impedance 300-ohm loads, each GO pod supplies plenty of gas to drive any connected IEM with consummate ease, without rapidly draining the internal battery.
To ensure its output perfectly matches the connected IEM, each pod auto-detects the IEM’s impedance and adjusts power accordingly. There are four settings – 16 ohms, 32 ohms, 64 ohms and 300 ohms – with the setting most appropriate to the connected IEM selected automatically.
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