Joining iFi's GO series of ultra-portable headphone boosters, the GO Pod is a pair of portable Bluetooth headphone/DAC amplifiers designed to turn any pair of wired in-ear monitors (IEMs) wireless. Given the quality of the GO pods' circuitry, when paired with a well-chosen pair of high-performance IEMs, the resulting sound is miles ahead of any "truly wireless" earbuds or Bluetooth headphones.
Using a pair of GO Pods is very simple. Firstly, unplug the cable from your favorite IEMs and plug the headphones into the left and right pods. Next, pair the pods with your source device (a smartphone, for example) and hook the ergonomically designed ear loops behind your ears to ensure a comfortable fit... the result is TWS (True Earbuds) sound. Wireless Stereo) without equal.
To launch the GO Pod, iFi has partnered with some of the world's best manufacturers of high-performance IEMs to create "GO Pod + IEM" bundles. Spanning new and established models from 64 Audio, Craft Ears, Meze Audio , Symphonium and Westone, these special collaborations have resulted in six pairs of world-class TWS in-ear headphones.
Comparing a true wireless earphone with the GO capsule combined with a pair of high-performance IEMs is like comparing a smart speaker or all-in-one music system to a hi-fi system with a well-chosen pair of speakers. Sure, a smart speaker is compact and convenient, but a standalone system offers a totally different sound quality.
True wireless earbuds, even the most expensive ones, rely on SoC (system on a chip) solutions to integrate the necessary technology into a tiny space. From a high-performance audio standpoint, this is not ideal; Amalgamating critical stages such as Bluetooth decoding, digital-to-analog conversion and amplification saves space and reduces costs, but compromises sound quality.
The GO capsule is clearly different. Each of these critical stages is designed separately and individually optimized to ensure excellent sound quality, like an audio system made from individual high-fidelity components. Additionally, like high-end hi-fi speakers, high-quality wired IEMs are designed for sonic excellence, combining multiple high-tech drive units to transmit sound directly to the ear canal. Plug a pair of these IEMs into the GO capsule and it's no surprise that the resulting sound is much better than regular wireless headphones, given the level of audio engineering involved.
iFi has gone to great lengths to ensure 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 optimal range, speed and reliability. Bluetooth processing is provided by Qualcomm's QCC5144 module, with its low-power 32-bit quad-core architecture, delivering excellent wireless audio performance while minimizing GO Pod 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/96kHz, with the maximum 990kbps LDAC bitrate available for users of Snapdragon Sound-enabled Android devices (660kbps with other LDAC-enabled devices).
Qualcomm's aptX HD 24-bit and aptX Adaptive formats are also covered, offering sample 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 are aptX Low Latency, aptX normal, AAC and SBC. This means that all possible source devices are driven at the maximum audio resolution allowed by their Bluetooth specification.
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 strongest connection acts as a receiver, while the other mirrors the connected pod. If the listener changes position and the connection to the mirror pod becomes stronger, they are swapped so that the mirror pod becomes the receiver without interrupting the audio signal. Likewise, if the receiving pod is removed from the listener's ear, the other pod becomes the receiver, ensuring a true wireless stereo experience without interruptions.
In addition to Bluetooth processing, Qualcomm's QCC5144 chipset can be configured to also perform digital-to-analog conversion and headphone amplification, but this is not the way iFi works. Although more complicated and expensive to design, the sonic benefits of independent, individually optimized amplifier and DAC stages are far more valuable to iFi than the savings of single-chip-for-everything solutions.
To do this, the GO capsule incorporates two Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI chips: one in the left capsule and one in the right. This 32-bit high-resolution DAC chip is dedicated to single-channel digital-to-analog signal conversion in the GO capsule's circuit design, combining with precision clocking that eradicates jitter to deliver ultra-low distortion and high performance. high dynamic range, one of the key reasons why the GO capsule offers better sound quality than wireless headphones.
Another factor is the hardware-based analog 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, adjusting the volume on the connected device controls the volume level on the DAC, rather than on the phone, tablet, or computer.
To minimize pre-echoes and ringing artifacts, the DAC is designed with proprietary digital interpolation filters that support multiple digital filter responses. This allows GO Pod to offer five filter settings, user-selectable to suit your personal tastes, musical style and format type.
Providing a balanced output signal to each connected earbud (another first in the TWS in-ear headphone scene), the GO capsule's amplification stage has been carefully designed to ensure ultra-low distortion and quiet background with the high-end IEMs. sensitivity. With a power output of 120mW at 32 ohms, and an output voltage of 4V at high impedance 300 ohm loads, each GO pod supplies enough gas to drive any connected IEM with consummate ease, without quickly draining the internal battery.
To ensure its output is perfectly matched to the connected IEM, each capsule automatically detects the IEM's impedance and adjusts power accordingly. There are four settings – 16 ohms, 32 ohms, 64 ohms and 300 ohms – with the most appropriate setting for the connected IEM selected automatically.
Those familiar with iFi audio devices will know that the company uses high-quality discrete components in its circuit design, and the same goes for 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, which translates into great sound quality.
Whatever type of connection your favorite IEM brand uses, iFi has you 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 light and comfortable, yet robust and durable. The ear loops are moldable 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 suppression 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 gaming. to an online game. The aluminum panel on the front of each pod functions as a touch control; Simply tap 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 an elegantly designed charging case, with softly lined internal compartments and enough space to accommodate the 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:
Does not include headphones.
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