Is Centrance Hi-Fi Skyn a Game Changer and a Truly Innovative Product?
Yes! I think so and here's why ...
I've had the Hi-Fi Skyn iPod / iPhone 5 edition for a while now. I actually own an iPhone 6 Plus, but instead of getting the iPhone 6 version, I got the iPhone 5 version and repurposed my iPhone 5 as a dedicated audio player. Eventually, I ended up selling my iPhone 5 and thanks to an Apple employee discount from a friend, got the iPod Touch at a great price. Hence, now the iPod Touch 6th Gen along with my Centrance Hi-Fi Skyn is my dedicated portable hi-fi system ... and I couldn't be happier!
This setup has completely change the way I listen to music at home and outside.
Centrance Hi-Fi Skyn @ Home
Prior to the Centrance Hi-Fi Skyn, my main setup was the Centrance Hi-Fi M8 along with my Oppo PM-2 headphones. There were 2 main issues with this setup.
1. The Hi-Fi M8 needs a proprietary charger and hence can become a bit of a pain lugging the charger around the house
2. The Hi-Fi M8 setup itself is bulky and not optimal compared to the sleek Hi-Fi Skyn to carry around the house.
So, most of the time the M8 sat on my desk and I ended up listening to music with my headphones directly hooked up to my iPhone. I used the Hi-Fi M8 setup only during times I was sitting at my desk.
Since getting the Hi-Fi Skyn and the iPod, I can listen to great quality music anywhere in the house, even when I'm at the kitchen, sorting some paperwork, cleaning, etc. etc. It gives me great flexibility and the entire setup fits in my pocket! Also, since the charging is via USB (thank god for that!), I can pretty much charge it anywhere and can also use my charging station for charging the device.
In summary, I'm listening to high quality music a lot more often now with a lot more flexibility and without needing to lug around a whole bunch of devices and cables.
Centrance Hi-Fi Skyn Outdoors
I enjoy nature walks / hiking. I live in Singapore so there aren't too many places to go hiking but there are a few nice quiet nature walks:
http://www.ladyironchef.com/2015/06/singapore-best-nature-walks/
Up until now, I've used my favorite outdoor headphones, the Beyerdynamics T51p, plugged in directly to my iPhone while hiking. To be perfectly honest, it sounded great! I'm listening to music in a quiet but not super quiet environment, while walking or at time running. So this is not a bad setup. At times, I tried using my FiiO E12 to get slightly better sound, but the overall setup was way too bulky and completely unusable after 5 minutes (I tried put the FiiO in 1 pocket, the iPhone in another, connected through a longish wire etc. etc.).
Enter the Centrance Hi-Fi Skyn! The iPod edition of the Hi-Fi Skyn is just about the right size to fit into my trekking shorts/ pants without it being too bulky or uncomfortable. It does need a bit getting used to though. A few weeks ago, I tried this setup for the first time - iPod touch, Hi-Fi Skyn, Beyerdynamic T51p, while on an outdoor nature walk. The result was stunning to say the least. Even though the listening environment wasn't super quiet, the sound was super clear and sounded alive. The overall volume was turned way down (to ensure that I'm paying attention to my surrounding environment) but despite that, it sounded way better than when plugged into my phone directly. Overall, it was a fabulous experience.
Singapore has great 4G coverage everywhere but since my iPod touch only has WiFi, I was limited only to music I had previously downloaded. That was the only down-side to this setup. But, for once, I was able to listen to really good quality music, while outdoors, while in a nature trail, enjoying 2 things I really enjoy! ... and while the Skyn is large, it wasn't that uncomfortable after getting used to it after a short while.
While running, this setup wasn't optimal, so I switched back to the iPhone + running headphones instead.
I cannot wait to try this setup when I go on a longer hike, not in Singapore, of course!
Centrance Hi-Fi Skyn While Traveling
This was another situation where I couldn't even think of taking my M8 along, even though it is considered a portable solution. I tried it a few times and then ended up traveling just with my headphones, just because the M8 was too bulky and not super convenient while traveling. Worst of all, I needed to carry that massive charger when taking the M8 on a trip. The Hi-Fi Skyn changes that since I don't have to carry a dedicated charger and it's a sleek enough gadget to carry as a dedicated audio device on my trips. I can also load up some movies while on the go if I want and I can listen to great audio while viewing video.
So why not buy a dedicated and sleeker hi-fi portable system from Sony, FiiO or Astell&Kern
The answer is simple. Personally, I like iOS and the iOS interfaces. I like the apps - the music apps, the video apps, YouTube etc. etc. I have tried out the portable all-in-one systems from FiiO, Astell&Kern etc. and while they sound delicious, I hated the interface. Maybe, hate is a too strong word. I just like the iOS interface. I have been using iOS ever since the Gen 1 iPod touch and I'm used to it.
I use Spotify (high quality) for 90% of my listening and plan to give Tidal another shot after hearing recommendations on this forum. I also listen to YouTube primarily because a lot of awesome new bands that play awesome cover songs are only available on YouTube (for now).
So, the Skyn enable the iPod to become like having a Astell&Kern device, but with the iOS software and user interface. Best of both worlds! Ok, ok, the Skyn looks down right ugly compared to the Astell&Kern and is actually quite bulky. But its better than anything else that's out there, isn't it? And that's why in my opinion, the Skyn is a game changer.
As an added advantage, I can also watch movies etc. on this device, which I cannot on a dedicated high end portable audio system.
Summary
The fact that the Centrance Hi-Fi Skyn is a great sounding product is not in doubt. Everyone agrees that it sounds at least as good as the Hi-Fi M8, which has received great reviews in the past. Which is why I haven't focused on the sound quality but the utility of the gadget.
In summary, the Hi-Fi Skyn makes it a lot more convenient to listen to hi-fi music using a device that I already like, i.e. an iOS device. As a result of this, I'm listening to high quality music a lot more often.
I cannot see myself using a "Skyn-ed" iPhone as my primary phone as I cannot see myself carrying this setup to the office, restaurant etc. and taking a phone call using this setup. And taking the phone in and out of this device all the time would be too troublesome.
That does mean that I still have 2 devices - my iPhone 6 plus, which is my mobile phone and a separate audio device, the iPod Touch with the Skyn. So it's not exactly the solution that Centrance is trying to provide. They're trying to sell an integrated solution.
But for me, having the Skyn to turn my secondary iOS device into a dedicated high quality audio player is a good option since it gives me a lot more flexibility than carrying another device hooked up to my iPhone such as the Chord Mojo or Centrance Hi-Fi M8.
Is it a finished product? I would say No! There are a lot of areas for improvement and the product itself doesn't seem as solid compared to the Hi-Fi M8. The plastic is ... well, plasticky and flimsy! The little rubber bit, that is there to make the iPod Touch fit properly with the Skyn, is not so nice and I've dropped it several times and I'm afraid of losing it. The switches as just not that nice either. Overall, it seems like a demo unit or a Beta unit. I suppose that's what it is and all the contributors to the Indiegogo campaign helped pull together a product that has great future, but not, in my opinion, a polished, product. The campaign itself has had its share of issues and hopefully its close to getting resolved so that everyone can see how truly remarkable a product this is.
So it's not a perfect solution by any means. But is it a game changer? Is it a truly innovative product? I would say yes - simply because it provides and all-in-one solution to convert your iOS device into an incredible audio player without needing to carry additional devices, wires etc. It allows you to continue to use iOS instead of compromising and using a different UI (with another device from Sony, Astell&Kern etc.) and it also allows you to watch movies on your iOS device with great sound!
I'll be posting some pictures soon.