Ifi Audio ZEN Air Blue

Adds excellent versatility to speaker systems, but limited ironically, by cables

I love ifi. To me, they parrallel FiiO in providing products across segments for budget, mid-fi all the way to the high end. Here are some of the newer releases, all of which look promising.


By and large most of these products are reliable, and priced competitively enough depending on how far in you are on your audio journey. I am stuck in the mid-fi region, complete with 4.4mm balanced cables, bookshelf speakers and headphones. I didn't like the uno or the Hip Dac 2. And while I love the Zen Dac v1, it's largely overpriced now. I'll wholeheartedly recommend a clean sound DAC from any company of your choosing, and pair with the affordable, USB powered Zen Air Can. I myself am not much of a dongle guy, but the Go Bar, while expensive, sounds great too! As does the iBasso DCO4 pro if you have access to it.

If your budget is higher, and your ears that much more golden, the Zen Air Blue may be of little interest to you. But for someone who wants to add basic bluetooth functionality to a speaker system? You only have this or FiiO BTA30 to choose from. I'm not counting in the Aiyima stuff as it's mostly available on Aliexpress with no warranty.

Anyhoo, enough of the preamble. Let's get into the TL;DR


Great sound quality out of LDAC
Attractive unit and small. Sits comfortably on top of a speaker
Competitively priced, given limited amount of products available, with FiiO BTA30 being the other option.

Short DC 5V cable is extra inconvenient. More so than their usual short RCA cables. You can't replace a DC 5V cable as easily, and it won't work with some types of mains powered DC 5V power cables. And with ifi's usual short length, you can't even connect it to a wall outlet on the floor. You literally need an extension cable then a USB power head, and then the DC 5V cable to connect the Zen Air Blue to a speaker
I love my Zen Air Can for how easy it is to use with a standard USB power bank but for some reason, the Zen Air Blue cannot be powered off a power bank consistently. It switches off on its own. Tried with a few different power banks. You can't bring the Zen Air Blue around as a portable unit with a power bank, the way I do with my Zen Air Can for trialing new headphones and systems at shops.
No 3.5mm or optical outs limits you to ONLY RCA capable speakers. Bookshelves will have this, but I like optical too for when the option is there on speakers. Edifier E25HD for example, sits on my desk and uses coaxial.
No RCA cable. Good luck if you bought this and are in a university trying to work this with speakers.



ifi Zen Air Blue
There is a slightly older product that combines both bluetooth and USB DAC in the Zen One Signature, and a now discontinued albeit poor measuring Nano iOne. I was drooling out the mouth for the ifi Zen One Signature at launch, but now that I have Zen Air Blue, I am relieved I didn't drop the cash for it.

The biggest downside for the Zen Air Blue for me? Battling corporate ifi cost saving measures.

You can't use the Zen Air Blue easily because the cable is just too damn short. AND THEY DIDN'T INCLUDE RCA CABLES. Who does that?? It's like supplying a bed without pillows. I guess ifi heard everyone complaining about their short purple RCA cables and said, you know what? Hope you like zero cables better. 20 bucks later, I've finally got to adding it into my setup.

I was wrong ifi. You got me good. Put the RCA cables back in the box with the Zen Air Can, the Zen Air Blue please...

Corporate ifi cost savings department is truly villainous

Use Scenarios that worked for me

• Connecting to a barely Edifier R2000DB in storage. This speaker has bluetooth already, but it transmits at SBC. Also, the sound is colored through Bluetooth compared to RCA or optical. Sound quality is largely indistinguishable from wired in with RCA, and with Wavelet on mobile, you can tweak EQ. With Netflix and watching some movies, the bluetooth lag is also not too noticable. Good enough for shows, perfect for music.
• Connecting to Zen Air Can for a distraction free work setup. Without the multitude of things on PC to do, focusing just on music from my phone has been quite liberating. I can see this being a coffee table setup if you want to read on an armchair and playing ambient/rain noise through full sized headphones.

Both of these scenarios worked like magic. Simple, stable connection, with sound quality that was only slightly worse than using the Zen Air Can with the Zen Dac v1. At most you are losing 3-5% sound quality, weird as it is to quanitfy "quality loss".

I just ended up not using the Zen Air Blue when it sat on my table. But moved it around with the Zen Air Can as and when I needed it. It's charm is in it's portability and how it tears me away from the PC.

I haven't sat down to just listen to music in a long while, and with the Zen Air Blue freeing me from using my PC as a source, I found myself using it often while I did chores or read.

Click to expand...

It's not always about measurements, or the highest end DAC chips or tech specs. The Zen Air Blue just makes music more assessible to me. Headphones? No problem. Speaker while I exercise? No problem. Ambient sleeping music? Sure.

Anyhoo, let's dive into some use case comparisons:

"Why not BTR3 and IEMs?"
The BTR3 is somewhat underpowered, and while it is fine with the Moondrop Kato I have on hand. I prefer the Kato with the Zen Air Can for xBass. I don't really like using the Kato when I am not sitting down anyways. Even if I am not using a speaker or HD600, I will use the Kato with this Zen Air Blue and Zen Air Can pairing.

"Why not VE Megatron or just use a USB C adapter and connect the Zen Dac v1?"
Megatron is one of the dongles I have used that doesn't come loose if you shake the phone or lose connection. However, it just flat out doesn't play nice with IEMs. If I'm sitting down, the cable to connect the Zen Dac can come loose if you are touching the phone. Zen Air Blue is just more convenient and with the gain, xBass and audio out features on the Can, I have more use cases covered for speakers if I want.

"Does it hum when you slot the Schitt Lokius in between the Zen Air Blue and Zen Air Can?"
I placed Schitt Lokius in between a wood shelve to isolate hum or other intereference. I don't hear noise through headphones with this chain. But of course, isolating Lokius or having longer cables to move the Lokius further away is always better.

Let's Conclude!
I like the Zen Air Blue. I certainly don't love or appreciate what it comes with, or rather without, in the box. But once you get setup and have bought your spare cables? The Zen Air Blue is easy to pull out and plug in with whichever speakers you have in the house. I actually got mine at a huge discount, about 50% off, and foresaw myself keeping it in storage or returning it.

Yet, I found myself integrating it with other older gear I don't use as often, and embracing the PC/laptop free life. It makes me think back on days when I would use an iPod and FM tuner to tinker with whatever speaker I had in the house.

I find myself just reaching for music more with speakers that can fill the house or room I'm working in, not listening objectively and really, just enjoying full on albums and unwinding time. When was the last time gear made you do that?

Anyhoo. Completely arbitrary rating of 3.5 stars, which translates to about 70%. B+? I'm not in the habit of giving a 5 star review just because something works and works well, as in the world of audio, great products are a dime a dozen and truly excellent ones practically barely exist.

I long for the day I can give a full 5 stars to any truly musical product. But till then...

Easy recommendation. Buy some cables. Grab a coffee. Happy listening.


I just didn't end up using this much. If I'm on the PC, I might as well just use the USB DAC. On bluetooth, I'm normally playing music through a phone or watching a show through the tablet. If I'm already sitting up on the desk, just turn on the PC.


The use case I ended up with. A redneck like setup to push music through the entire house. I can see it being a great setup for a cafe speaker system.

Hello,

Thanks to the Ifi Zen Air Tour, some members here had the opportunity to participate in the tour that took place here in the forum.
I would like to thank Rowan for organising this tour and Ifi for agreeing and providing the products.
I must also apologise for the length of the tour, unfortunately I had some private problems which delayed the whole thing unnecessarily.


You had to register for the tour, Rowan wrote to you personally and told you that you were on board.
The rest went 1 to 1 as described in the tour, the products were sent and arrived personally at the familiar home.
Personally, I don't get a fee or anything like that, the tour was absolutely voluntary.
And the products have to be sent back.

Why am I doing this?

I have always been interested in Ifi products, starting with the Ify Hip Dac 2 which I bought a few months ago.
when I am on the road and am very happy with it.
Since then I have continued to be very interested in their products where they develop for the community.
Somehow I had always been interested in testing their small budget products.
And the opportunity was just great to be able to test something without having to spend money.
Of course, it's also a hobby of mine, so why not?

The Ifi Zen Air Blue contents:

The Zen Air Blue unit was neatly packaged with dust protection caps, a hollow plug cable with a USB connection.
Rca cables are unfortunately not included, these must be purchased separately.

I assume that the cable is simply used to power the Zen Can with a charger power supply plug.
I tested whether it also works via the USB port on the PC and it worked, great surprise.
I connected all the devices to the Audioquest Powerquest 3 via the USB port, which seemed to me to be a very sensible solution.
The cable could have been a bit longer for my taste, I had to use my own as it is a bit longer.
I can't say whether it was intentional not to include a power supply or the true content of the purchase.

Visually, it looks very elegant, and there's not much to it either.
The black/grey plastic casing enhances the look, but the feel is not mine.
But it's okay if you want to offer the customer something.Since Chinese products are also partly strong Konquerenz.

Setup:

Headphones: ZMF Auteur, Audeze Lcd 2 C 2019 , Letshuore Z12
Amplifier Feliks Euforia and Vintage Hamran Kardon 880 Vxi
Software player Audirvana 3.5 linked with Tidal account the MQA renderer is activated in Audirvana.

Setup:

I plugged the Rca output into the Felkis Euforia amplifier as well as the harman Kardon amplifier.
Switched it on and waited a short while.
I took out my ipad and established the bluetooth connection, opened Tidal and off I went without any problems.

Sound Feliks Euforia with Zmf Auteur+Audeze Lcd 2C

The tubes stayed as before also in my other review with the Ifi Zen Dac and Zen Phono and it sounds very good and satisfying.
Everything necessary was there similar to the Zen Dac if you take the conversion into account.
I had the impression that they were very close.
For headphone amplifiers there is nothing wrong with using the Zen Blue.
The Zmf Auteur and Lcd2 C reproduced everything cleanly and in a fluid manner.
Bass, midrange and treble were surprisingly good for a Bluetooth connection.
Vocally as well so had nothing to object to in that respect where negative stood out.
It's like having a dac in front of it with no interruptions or interference which I really liked.
However, I'm not exactly sure if the Zen Air Blue can be considered a Dac, as there was occasionally something missing here and there that a Dac can handle better.
Rather, it offers a way to play music better in a good technical way.
After sending the units it occurred to me that I could also have compared them with the Zen Can, which made me a little angry that I hadn't thought of it and reported on it.
I think both units Zen Blue+ Zen Can make a good combination for a bedroom setup or for students, teenagers or when the budget is limited.
As the Zen Can is a very good SS amp for the price and also offers a lot of magic moments.

The next setup goes back into the living room where my Harman Kardon 880vxi stands with the 2 Elac Edition One speakers.
A Matrix Audio ipro mini 2S has been connected to the Harman for years and has already provided me with several hours of enjoyment.
By enjoyment, I have to take a moment to define it.
The Ipro 2S somehow brings something that is totally relaxing and gets under your skin when listening to music.
With super resolution and a very good sound stage for a stereo system.
It doesn't matter if the music is coming from the living room and you're in the kitchen cooking, or just sitting down and enjoying it.
Let's see if the Ifi Zen Blue will beat it.

I've been using the Ipad for both units as a player for years.
Personally have high expectations for the If Zen Blue,also because as a Tidal user and in certain things Mqa is not necessarily a bad thing I was curious to see how much it would work on stereo.
At first sound I didn't notice anything that made me frown, but I immediately noticed that something was different.

At first I didn't know exactly what it was that was different.
For a direct A/B I switched on both units and plugged them into different line ins on the amplifier.
When I switched to the Ipro 2S with the same song it was there again, that magic, the sharp edges and the tonal weight.
Also the bass impact and effect with proper weight was back which I somehow missed on the Zen Blue.
Even the hi-hats when I'm one room away were not as prominent on the Zen Blue as they were on the Ipro 2S.

Nevertheless, it has to be said that the Zen Blue is an entry-level unit and perhaps had to make some sacrifices somewhere on the sound side.
The Ipro 2S was also a bit more expensive to buy back then.
Funnily enough, I don't use it as a dac because it's too sharp for me, but its Bluetooth properties are intoxicating.
Nevertheless, the Ifi Zen Blue is a good unit from a sound point of view, especially for beginners or those who want to improve.
Nothing is missing and it is well balanced, it runs smoothly and is very easy to set up.
What I have criticised is not a fault of the Zen Blue, but rather a personal preference for which no one can be held responsible.
It may be that it did not fit 100% with the amplifier in terms of synergy.
My sound system is already vintage, you could say.
I think on modern amps or again on amps that are 20 years old it looks different and the ball is passed on.
Even audiophiles, whether stereo or headphones, should try the Zen Blue and decide for themselves.
As I said, there was nothing else to complain about, it sounded musical enough, the sound was rather warm and fluid.
The voice reproduction was quite good and the rest of the bass, midrange and treble were well filled. I would say that it depends on the rest of the setup and the room.

On my own behalf:
As I had my own expectations, I was not disappointed when it did not live up to them, but that is the way it is, to look at it objectively.
What bothers me about Bluetooth devices is that you can't see where you are in the resolution.
Ifi has solved it very well with the coloured circle where it says whether it renders Pcm, Mqa or Mqa or not etc... The colour scheme can be found in the manual for those who are interested.
What I would have liked to have or have been missing for a long time is access to the resolution instead of advertising.
Hd,Aptx,Acc all good gladly and I take with me even if I only use one codec of it.
Only one thing is forgotten,and the approach is this:
In almost every streaming provider app, the resolutions are limited to 16/44,1/48 khz.This is reproduced 1 to 1 in such apps from the streaming providers.
Since I don't use Roon, I can't say whether it can be set.
I don't know about Audirvana.
The point is that I would love to be able to access it with an app and control the Bluetooth box for example and also set it to upsample.
Or if possible you can choose the best codec to convert it to, even if the iPad offers maximum Acc.
You also have to add that Apple is still behind the times and holds on to their Acc codec. On Android systems you have more possibilities than with the Usb Pro Player.
Whether it actually upsamples I have failed to test myself.
That's a point I wanted to make here, also because I have devices that offer HD resolution but don't drive it.
For mobile use 16/44.1/48 bit/khz I'm happy to put up with that but not for home use when the possibilities are greater.

The general conclusion is that the Zen Blue is very good for what it offers.
It has a good sound, is very easy to set up and is beginner-friendly, even for older people. it completely upgrades your older system, if you have one, in 5-10 minutes. rca out to cd, aux and you're done.
There are also other possibilities to enhance your living space or room directly.
It also runs smoothly and without interruptions, which is also very good.
Apart from that, it is technically modern, state of the art and visually aesthetic.
For the price, you can't go wrong buying it and testing it because it does what it's supposed to do.
Of course there are other Bluetooth speakers or Dacs with Bluetooth support, but it's a question of budget and purpose.
If you want more, you can also look at the Zen Blue V2, which offers optical and coax out as well as Pentacon out in addition to the Rca out.

About Myself: I was a lone audiophile, finding my place where I belonged. Then I became a member of Head-fi in 2010, and still an active member. I even joined Headphonesty for a year back in 2020, but unfortunately, my studies were in the way of the deadlines in 2021, so I was quietly dismissed. It's been more than a year since that fateful day, and my writing skills are somewhat rusty. So I'll put some effort into this review.

Before we start, I need to mention that I didn't get enough photos for the ZEN Air Blue. I only managed to get one because I was so busy enjoying using the device that I forgot to take some good pictures. I only managed to get one usable photo.

Also, thank you, Rowan, from iFi Audio, for selecting me for iFi USA Tour, so I could review this remarkable device.

Here we go!



Let's start with the basics of the iFi Audio ZEN Air Blue:

List of codecs:

• AAC
• aptX HD, aptxLL, and aptX Adaptive
• aptX
• LDAC
• LHDC
• SBC

This extensive array of codecs allows the ZEN Air Blue to connect to many devices, including Apple, Android, PC, Laptops, Tablets, etc.


The ZEN Air Blue's Input/Pairing mode is quite simple. Just press and hold the selector button for a few seconds and ensure the receiving device is also in pairing mode. I first used the ZEN Air Blue with my Edifier R1700BTs speakers, and the hookup was simple. Input=>Output. The LED "On" is blue by default and will change color depending on what the device is doing or its connections.

Here is the list of LED indicators for the ZEN Air Blue:

• SBC = Off
• AAC = Yellow
• aptX = Blue
• aptX HD = Magenta
• aptX Adaptive = Green
• aptX LL = Red
• LDAC = Cyan
• LHDC/HWA = White

I'm not an expert on circuit board engineering, so I've decided to show this diagram from iFi Audio:



Build: The housing is made out of a white sturdy and lightweight plastic housing. The imprints of the ZEN Air Blue. It's like a tightly woven net. The old-school style housing for the ZEN series makes the Air Blue visually pleasing. It's carried on from their older ZEN devices, and consistency is critical for stacking these devices, and iFi found an excellent footing for simplicity and stackability. I wish the ZEN Air Blue had a power on/off button for even easier access, but that might also require a remote.





Firmware upgrades: The iFi ZEN Blue Air was easy to update. It only took a few minutes and involved using my Samsung Galaxy S22.

Accessories: The ZEN Air Blue came with a 5V to Type-A USB connector. I wish it weren't so short because I had to redo my desk layout to connect it to my PC. The more troubling issue is the lack of an RCA cable. Good thing I already had one before I received the review unit.

Connectivity: This is one of ZEN Air Blue's strong suits. The connectivity is relentless and does a much better job than my ASUS PCE-AC58BT network card in my Gaming PC. I can stand behind a wall and a closed door 10 feet away with my source device connected; still, Zen Air Blue's connection will not budge. I almost forgot that the Air Blue could go into sleep mode without an active connection. I find that very useful because I'm too exhausted to unplug it most of the time.

Sound: Clean and stable signal for higher-end Bluetooth codecs. My Edifier R1700BTs received the most benefits from the ZEN Air Blue. When I mean clear sound, I mean clean and transparent. The Air Blue handles lossless files well when paired with Apple Music and Tidal. No grain and static were detected when paired with my S22, but I saw some Bluetooth static and grain when connected to Nintendo Switch. To be fair, The Switch uses an SBC codec.

Conclusion: The ZEN Air Blue is a potent entry-level high-resolution Bluetooth Streamer. With the large array of codecs and the easy use of the device. The ZEN Air Blue will stay relevant for many years to come.

Final Grade: 4/5

Pros:

• Clean sound and stable connectivity with an extensive array of codecs make it future-proof
• Easy to update
• Has a sleep mode
• Easy to use

Cons:

• The power cable is too short
• No RCA cable is included
• No power on/off button is present