iFi audio GO pod + IEMs = brilliant wireless sound on the GO!

[O11111]

Qualcomm’s top-tier QCC5144 module. Are these the same as the QCC5141 that the UTWS5 is using?

Yes, it's the same chip with different packaging. Internally it's the same.

IF they are approx. the same, does this mean that LDAC will have the same issues as the UTWS5 has?

I would be highly surprised if it will be any better.
They probably got LDAC code from Sony directly, can't see how the same code would behave differently.

 

[Nick24JJ]

Yes, it's the same chip with different packaging. Internally it's the same.

I would be highly surprised if it will be any better.
They probably got LDAC code from Sony directly, can't see how the same code would behave differently.

I see.

Okay, I respect your opinion but no one here has ever complained about the sound quality of the GO Pod. In contrary, they are all praising it. True, the sample is really small, like 5 - 6 people. But still... If the GO Pod would have sound quality issues, like electrostatic artifacts or weird noises or a significant emphasis on the high frequencies, like the UTWS5 has with its experimental LDAC, someone here would have definitely reported it.

No one has.

Finally, I am not a Software Developer but, maybe, the Team has something to do with it, as well? I mean, maybe they are all getting the same code from Sony directly but iFi are (much more) capable in implementing this code better on their product?

 

[O11111]

Finally, I am not a Software Developer but, maybe, the Team has something to do with it, as well? I mean, maybe they are all getting the same code from Sony directly but iFi are (much more) capable in implementing this code better on their product?

I highly doubt iFi could press Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V any better.
Jokes aside, UTWS5 can have basically the same experience as GO Pods in terms of LDAC. Highly doubt iFi did anything to that code.

significant emphasis on the high frequencies

Isn't it a good thing? Most codecs usually drop high frequencies like completely, i.e. AAC does that.

Okay, I respect your opinion but no one here has ever complained about the sound quality of the GO Pod. In contrary, they are all praising it

If it was same price as UTWS5, everyone would be complaining a lot. Because there would be more than 6 people using it. It really depends on which smartphone is used, so those who got QCC514x (which are about 4 years old by now) buds for 400$ are probably not using some old phone without QHS.

Actually, I don't even know which version (yes, there were more than one) of Sony code is used by iFi. Can someone measure latency between buds? Initial version had relatively high latency AFAIK (don't ask me why I know), and the fix for that introduced problems with playback on older devices (all of them were non-QHS, but not all non-QHS devices are affected).

 

[PixelSquish]

Your points are valid. Not to really defend the pricing since $400 is a lot to ask, but most equipment in this hobby has a lot of diminishing return. Like a $1k IEM is not 3-4x times better than a $300 IEM or whatever, but the kilobuck IEM is probably better which is what justifies the price. The Go Pod is better sounding than the UTWS5 which is what really justifies the price. For me, I can't fit my custom IEMs in the UTWS5 because the 2-pin version doesn't support recessed 2-pin and my IEMs won't fit with a MMCX + 2pin adapter. So my only option is the Go Pod and despite its unnecessarily big case, it still barely fits. Maybe FiiO will add recessed 2-pin with the UTWS15 or maybe a slightly bigger case with the UTWS7 if that happens.

Generally speaking, connection and controls are pretty good in my experience with the Go Pod (I get little small issues here and there). In terms of sound, when I use my IEM + Go Pods, I don't really have a urge to use my IEM + wire + DAP because it sounds good enough and I can dance without the added weight which is a big positive for me. I do have issues with my Go Pod case and I think the UTWS5 case is better built. My hinge squeaks and is actually kind of loose since I can turn the top a little bit. The case design doesn't look that great imo and is awkward to pick up due to the angled front.

Yes that is very true and I said it poorly. I do understand that at certain price points there are diminishing returns, in this and pretty much any hobby. SoO 4x as good was a poor statement on my part. But yes, it seems we agree, these are overpriced with some clear cutting corners on things. And getting an app or even firmware updates are going to be a crap show, which is pretty sad in the TWS world for premium priced products. It's the exception really. Most products at top price in their class look and feel and act like it. These don't, in multiple ways. And we'll be lucky if we get a firmware update or two.

 

[McCol]

Yes that is very true and I said it poorly. I do understand that at certain price points there are diminishing returns, in this and pretty much any hobby. SoO 4x as good was a poor statement on my part. But yes, it seems we agree, these are overpriced with some clear cutting corners on things. And getting an app or even firmware updates are going to be a crap show, which is pretty sad in the TWS world for premium priced products. It's the exception really. Most products at top price in their class look and feel and act like it. These don't, in multiple ways. And we'll be lucky if we get a firmware update or two.

Bear in mind that this is your opinion

In my opinion they are worth every penny of the £400 due to the excellent sound quality, ease of use, excellent build quality of the Pods themselves which are very light yet feel well built.
The case is the only part that slightly disappoints but isn't a deal breaker for me.

That's not to say I don't sympathise with yourself and others with issues as I've been there products in this hobby.

I remember having a DAP a few years ago that I had terrible issues with but was in a tiny minority of those who had issues or were bothered by them. Others had simialr issues but the line seemed to be that I just to accept the issues, in the end sold it and never used that company again

 

[Nick24JJ]

...UTWS5 can have basically the same experience as GO Pods in terms of LDAC...

For me, a GO Pod cannot/will not be the same experience. Besides the supported codecs (LDAC, LHDC) from day 1, I believe it has better components so it must sound better. FiiO's LHDC is still a beta which does allow to set it to 990kbps and their LDAC implementation is a failed experiment.

But the most important thing is that, IF the GO Pod will not fulfil my expectations after 24 full hours of auditioning, I will return it and get a full refund.
I have a feeling I will fully enjoy it, though!

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

PS: By "iFi attitude" I am not referring to the very helpful @Mr BubbaHyde

The iFi attitude is one of the reasons why I left the company - it's not going to change any time soon.

As always, I am open to being pleasantly surprised if they pull a 180 and do change.

There are good people there, like Bubba, who have immense patience and talent to manage a thread like this.

Nice to see you. Don't be a stran.......

Oops he's already left.

The person running the brand account has many responsibilities far past just this one thread and this one forum.

This is Bubba's thread and it's not a primary responsibility for the brand account - that doesn't mean the brand isn't interested.

One thing iFi does better than anyone else - and by that I mean ANYONE else in the industry - no matter what account is responding is that they are always watching and listening. They are applying all your feedback into the current and future products that results in a million moving parts.

I understand that you guys would appreciate more engagement but as brands reps, we are only human and can cover so many basis at once.

Hope that clarifies and helps someone understand a little more how things are done in our world!

 

[O11111]

For me, a GO Pod cannot/will not be the same experience. Besides the supported codecs (LDAC, LHDC) from day 1,

I mean... UTWS5 already have LDAC and LHDC and are being sold worldwide. Can you say the same about GO pod?

I believe it has better components so it must sound better.

If price doesn't matter for you then go for it. Not sure how to realistically measure that difference tho. Honestly speaking, QCC5144 isn't a great choice in 2023, and I can't see any reasons not to use QCC5181 except greed (well, at least QCC5171, but they are completely interchangeable).

FiiO's LHDC is still a beta which does allow to set it to 990kbps and their LDAC implementation is a failed experiment.

LHDC is 900 kbps max, LDAC is 990/909. You'll still have to get phone with QHS for those bitrates to reliably work. And with QHS UTWS5 already works fine.

 

[gryffe]

The iFi attitude is one of the reasons why I left the company - it's not going to change any time soon.

As always, I am open to being pleasantly surprised if they pull a 180 and do change.

There are good people there, like Bubba, who have immense patience and talent to manage a thread like this.



The person running the brand account has many responsibilities far past just this one thread and this one forum.

This is Bubba's thread and it's not a primary responsibility for the brand account - that doesn't mean the brand isn't interested.

One thing iFi does better than anyone else - and by that I mean ANYONE else in the industry - no matter what account is responding is that they are always watching and listening. They are applying all your feedback into the current and future products that results in a million moving parts.

I understand that you guys would appreciate more engagement but as brands reps, we are only human and can cover so many basis at once.

Hope that clarifies and helps someone understand a little more how things are done in our world!

Fair do's

 

[Nick24JJ]

I mean... UTWS5 already have LDAC and LHDC and are being sold worldwide. Can you say the same about GO pod?

If price doesn't matter for you then go for it. Not sure how to realistically measure that difference tho. Honestly speaking, QCC5144 isn't a great choice in 2023, and I can't see any reasons not to use QCC5181 except greed (well, at least QCC5171, but they are completely interchangeable).

LHDC is 900 kbps max, LDAC is 990/909. You'll still have to get phone with QHS for those bitrates to reliably work. And with QHS UTWS5 already works fine.

The GO Pod has not sold worldwide now because it is not available even in the UK, yet. Let's speak again after one year.

Personally, I will measure the difference very realistically as soon as I will put them on my ears. Right now, all I can say is that there is at least one owner here who has already reported equal or even better sound quality than the FiiO BTR7. That is enough for me to at least try the GO Pod. Because I am using the BTR7 on a daily basis and I am supper happy with it.

You say that with QHS the UTWS5 already works fine. Have you tried it, yourself? If so, can you tell which smartphone exactly have you used?
But even IF it works fine, how many phones support QHS right now?
My flagship smartphone does not support it but I am sure the GO Pod will function flawlessly with it. Because all the current owners have complained about connection issues but no one has ever complained about sound quality issues. like stutter, muteness or electrostatic noise.

 

[gryffe]

Question for @Mr BubbaHyde and/or @iFi audio

What is the warranty situation if I was to purchase a used set of Go Pods from a guy that is selling them privately but he wants to keep the IEM's that he bought as part of a bundle?

 

[Nick24JJ]

The iFi attitude is one of the reasons why I left the company - it's not going to change any time soon.

As always, I am open to being pleasantly surprised if they pull a 180 and do change.

There are good people there, like Bubba, who have immense patience and talent to manage a thread like this.



The person running the brand account has many responsibilities far past just this one thread and this one forum.

This is Bubba's thread and it's not a primary responsibility for the brand account - that doesn't mean the brand isn't interested.

One thing iFi does better than anyone else - and by that I mean ANYONE else in the industry - no matter what account is responding is that they are always watching and listening. They are applying all your feedback into the current and future products that results in a million moving parts.

I understand that you guys would appreciate more engagement but as brands reps, we are only human and can cover so many basis at once.

Hope that clarifies and helps someone understand a little more how things are done in our world!

Thank you very much for your insight! I appreciate your input.

I hope they do, watch and listen.

What I need, personally, is the GO Pod to just work. I do not need an App, EQ, PEQ or stuff like that. Never use them. And, if I would wish to admire an App, I can always open the Qudelix App and admire the work of a brilliant Developer.

 

[O11111]

You say that with QHS the UTWS5 already works fine. Have you tried it, yourself?

I've tried other QCC5144 earbuds with LDAC running the same firmware. Does that count?

If so, can you tell which smartphone exactly have you used?

Red Magic 8 Pro.

But even IF it works fine, how many phones support QHS right now?

A lot. Basically any non-Samsung 6/7/8g1, 7g+2, 8g2.

My flagship smartphone does not support it but I am sure the GO Pod will function flawlessly with it.

Can't say for sure that you will be disappointed, but it's highly likely. It's still QCC514x, which has all those problems.

 

[gryffe]

Question for @Mr BubbaHyde and/or @iFi audio

What is the warranty situation if I was to purchase a used set of Go Pods from a guy that is selling them privately but he wants to keep the IEM's that he bought as part of a bundle?

Anybody help? the offer of these Pods is for short period only
I'm hoping there will be one warranty for the Go Pods, and one warranty with the manufacturer of the IEM's. The bundle was bought from the iFi website originally.

 

[jsmiller58]

Anybody help? the offer of these Pods is for short period only
I'm hoping there will be one warranty for the Go Pods, and one warranty with the manufacturer of the IEM's. The bundle was bought from the iFi website originally.

You should rely on an official answer from iFi. But, I did a search and came up with the following page that SEEMS to answer the question in a manner of speaking:

https://ifi-audio.com/about-ifi/war...udio warranty is,sale and is not transferable

Entry number 4 seems to say the warranty is not transferable.