iFi Audio Go Pod

Joining iFi's GO series of ultra-portable headphone boosters, the GO Pod is a pair of portable Bluetooth DAC/headphone amplifiers designed to make any pair of wired in-ear monitors (IEMs) wireless. Given the quality of the GO pods' circuitry, when combined with a well-chosen pair of high-performance IEMs, the resulting sound is far ahead of any "true wireless" headphones or Bluetooth headphones.

Using a pair of GO Pods is very simple. First, disconnect the cable from your favourite IEMs and connect the headphones to the left and right pods. Then pair the pods with your source device (a smartphone, for example) and clip the ergonomically designed ear loops behind your ears to ensure a comfortable fit... the result is unparalleled TWS (True Wireless Stereo) headphone sound.

To launch the GO Pod, iFi has partnered with some of the world's best high-performance IEM manufacturers to create "GO Pod + IEM" packages. These special collaborations, which encompass new and established models from 64 Audio, Craft Ears, Meze Audio, symphonium and Westone, have resulted in six pairs of first-class TWS in-ear headphones.

Comparing a true wireless headset with the GO capsule combined with a pair of high-performance IEMs is like comparing a smart speaker or an all-in-one music system to a hi-fi system with a pair of well-chosen speakers. Sure, a smart speaker is compact and convenient, but a stand-alone system offers a completely different sound quality.
True wireless headsets, even the most expensive ones, rely on SoC (system-on-a-chip) solutions to integrate the necessary technology in a tiny space. From a high-performance audio point of view, this is not ideal; amalgamating critical stages such as Bluetooth decoding, digital-to-analogue conversion and amplification saves space and reduces costs, but compromises sound quality.

The GO capsule is distinctly different. Each of these critical stages is separately designed and individually optimised to ensure excellent sound quality, like an audio system made of individual hi-fi components. And just like high-end hi-fi loudspeakers, premium wired IEMs are designed for sonic excellence, combining multiple high-tech drive units to transmit sound directly to the ear canal. Connect a pair of these IEMs to the GO capsule and it's no surprise that the resulting sound is far better than regular wireless headphones, given the level of audio engineering involved.

iFi has gone to great lengths to ensure that its Bluetooth technology is the most advanced across its entire product range, earning it a class-leading reputation. 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 QCC5144 module, with its 32-bit, low-power, quad-core architecture, which delivers excellent wireless audio performance and minimises the GO Pod's battery consumption.

As always with iFi Bluetooth audio devices, the GO pod supports an impressive range of high-definition Bluetooth formats. LDAC and LHDC (HWA) are supported at their maximum specifications of 32-bit/96 kHz. 32-bit/96 kHz, with LDAC's maximum bit rate of 990 kbps available to users of Snapdragon Sound-compatible Android devices (660 kbps with other LDAC-compatible devices).

Qualcomm's aptX HD 24-bit and aptX Adaptive formats are also covered, offering sampling rates of up to 48 kHz and 96 kHz respectively, with the added benefit of QHS (Qualcomm High Speed) providing an extra 300 kbps of bandwidth. Other supported codecs include aptX Low Latency, aptX normal, AAC and SBC. This means that all possible source devices are handled with the maximum audio resolution that their Bluetooth specification allows.

Another Qualcomm technology enabled on the GO pod is TrueWireless Mirroring. Although they appear as a single device when paired, both the left and right pods can receive Bluetooth signals, but only the one with the stronger connection acts as the receiver, while the other mirrors the connected pod. If the listener changes position and the connection to the mirroring pod becomes stronger, they swap so that the mirroring pod becomes the receiver without interrupting the audio signal. Similarly, if the receiving pod is removed from the listener's ear, the other pod becomes the receiver, ensuring a true uninterrupted wireless stereo experience.

In addition to Bluetooth processing, Qualcomm's QCC5144 chipset can be configured to also perform digital-to-analogue conversion and headphone amplification, but this is not the way iFi works. Although more complicated and costly to design, the sonic benefits of separate, individually optimised DAC and amplifier stages are far more valuable to iFi than the savings of single-chip, all-in-one solutions.

To achieve this, the GO capsule incorporates two MasterHIFI chips from Cirrus Logic: one in the left and one in the right capsule. This high-resolution 32-bit DAC chip is dedicated to single-channel digital-to-analogue signal conversion in the GO Cartridge's circuit design, combining with a precision clock that eradicates jitter to deliver ultra-low distortion and high dynamic range - one of the key reasons why the GO Cartridge delivers better sound quality than wireless headphones.

Another factor is the hardware-based analogue volume control. GO Pod does not rely on software-based volume controls on connected digital devices, which can have a detrimental effect on audio resolution. Instead, the volume setting on the connected device controls the volume level on the DAC, rather than on the phone, tablet or computer.
To minimise pre-echo and ringing artefacts, the DAC is designed with proprietary digital interpolation filters that support multiple digital filter responses. This allows the GO Pod to offer five filter settings, selectable by the user to suit personal taste, musical style and format type.

Providing a balanced output signal to each connected earphone (another first on the TWS in-ear headphone scene), the GO pod's amplifier stage has been carefully designed to ensure ultra-low distortion and a quiet bottom end with high-sensitivity IEMs. With an output power of 120mW into 32 ohms, and an output voltage of 4V into high impedance 300 ohm loads, each GO pod delivers enough gas to drive any connected IEM with consummate ease, without quickly draining the internal battery.

To ensure that its output is perfectly matched to the connected IEM, each capsule automatically detects the impedance of the IEM and adjusts the power accordingly. There are four settings - 16 ohms, 32 ohms, 64 ohms and 300 ohms - with the most appropriate setting for the connected IEM automatically selected.
Those familiar with iFi audio devices will know that the company uses high-quality discrete components in its circuit design, and the same is true of the GO capsule. Devices such as TDK C0G multilayer ceramic capacitors and inductors from Taiyo Yuden and Murata offer qualities such as low ESR (equivalent series resistance) and high linearity, resulting in great sound quality.

Whatever type of connection your favourite IEM brand uses, 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 connectors.
Weighing just 12g, each capsule is designed to be lightweight and comfortable, yet sturdy and durable. The ear loops are mouldable and water and sweat resistant (IPX5), so there's no problem wearing them to the gym or in the rain.

The built-in microphone uses Qualcomm's cVc noise-cancelling technology to deliver excellent voice clarity, whether you're making a hands-free call, chatting on a video call, talking to the connected device's voice assistant or even playing an online game. The aluminium panel on the front of each pod functions as a touch control; simply touch to play or pause audio, fast forward or rewind, answer or reject a phone call, or activate the connected device's voice assistant.

The GO pedometer comes with a sleekly designed charging case, with softly lined internal compartments and enough space to accommodate connected IEMs as well as the pedometers themselves. The charging case includes a 1,500 mAh rechargeable battery; a pair of GO pods can run for up to seven hours on a single charge, while the case offers multiple recharges to allow up to 35 hours of playback. The case supports Qi wireless charging and USB-C fast charging.

Characteristics:

• Cirrus Logic Master-HiFi 32-bit DAC processor chip.
• Latest generation Qualcomm QCC5144 5.2 Bluetooth HD: LDAC*, LHDC/HWA*, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX LL, aptX, AAC, SBC.
• Dynamic and expressive sound with minimal battery consumption.
• Fully balanced amplifier: ultra-low distortion and no background noise.
• Four selectable digital filters and automatic impedance matching (16O / 32O / 64O / 300O ) for a sound tailored to the headphone.
• Compatible with MMCX, 0.78 mm and Pentaconn connections (optional).
• Built-in noise-cancelling microphone for ultra-clear voice calls.
• Firmware upgradeable for future feature expansions.
• Water and sweat resistant
• Touch control
• Lightweight and ergonomically shaped for a comfortable fit
• The charging case includes a 1500 mAH battery that ensures up to 36 hours of operation.
• Supports fast wireless charging.

Headphones not included.