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

[thedanadamsusa]

Got mine!

Sounding great with Traillii, Mason FS, Trifecta and Ronin. very happy with them and how they work with my iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Also, are you successfully using LDAC at its highest setting?

Thanks!

 

[ClieOS]

Hmmm… I have my Go Pods set for 990 and stereo, connected to my S22 Ultra. Other than the odd cutout (which I have come to expect with any LDAC item), it is working fine for me…. What symptom should I be looking for?

No idea how Samsung smartphones work as I haven't had one for over a decade, but my Go Pod just suffers from completely stuttering when switching to SQ Preferred (with Xperia 1 IV). As said in the previous post, the same happens with Shanling M0 Pro and M1s. Also just tried with FiiO M6, the same thing as well - completely stuttering with SQ Preferred but fine when switched to Best Effort.

I can think of a few possibilities in your case: Somehow Samsung has either 1) a more efficient LDAC transmission rate that allows it to circumvent Go Pod limitation, 2) internally lower the bitrate to 660kbps without notifying the user or 3) sending out mono or even joint stereo signal.

Anyway, I think you can try playing back some left/right channels' test music (plenty on youtube) and see if it reveals anything noticeable.

 

[jsmiller58]

No idea how Samsung smartphones work as I haven't had one for over a decade, but my Go Pod just suffers from completely stuttering when switching to SQ Preferred (with Xperia 1 IV). As said in the previous post, the same happens with Shanling M0 Pro and M1s. Also just tried with FiiO M6, the same thing as well - completely stuttering with SQ Preferred but fine when switched to Best Effort.

I can think of a few possibilities in your case: Somehow Samsung has either 1) a more efficient LDAC transmission rate that allows it to circumvent Go Pod limitation, 2) internally lower the bitrate to 660kbps without notifying the user or 3) sending out mono or even joint stereo signal.

Anyway, I think you can try playing back some left/right channels' test music (plenty on youtube) and see if it reveals anything noticeable.

I will try to connect with my R6 Pro II and see if I have a different experience.

 

[newworld666]

I got a reply for why my Go Pod is so unstable when running LDAC 990kbps, and I am both shocked and speechless.



Don't mind the link that said NEO Stream, it actually does point correctly to GO Pod manual, which you will find on the footnote on page 5:



Just WOW. Only mono is supported on LDAC 990kbps? Seriously? I have UTWS5 (same QCC5xxx series chip) on LDAC 990kbps with Stereo without any issue, so what is iFi excuse for not supporting it? I didn't even find that footnote anywhere on Go Pod's product page on iFi Audio website. Arguably it SHOULD have been front and center on the product page and served with a warning sign no less, but nothing instead. True shame.



The sad part is perhaps my Xperia 1 IV doesn't even support mono with TWS (True Wireless Stereo, oh the irony there), so no luck for me on LDAC 990kbps.

Really strange and surprising .. unless all my Android 13 connexion info are wrong.
I can see that in developer's mode it's impossible to select Mono option when it's sert to optimized for audio quality.

And With bluetooth Codec Changer all parameters are identical as developer's mode

For years now, I don't have any drops/cuts or with any of my Z Fold 2 Z Fold 3 and Z fold 4 or NW-WMA1
I use the Go Pod in a part of my office which is more or less 200m², and I can go almost in any places without cuts with the Go Pod with such bluetooth settings.
Bluetooth Scanner's app don't show more info in real time than that transmission is set permanently at 96Khz, 32 Bits..

When I switch Bluetooth Mode in A/C comparison mode between AAC and LDAC with Bluetooth Codec Changer => there is a clear instant effect on sound quality..
Though I can't manage to do a real A/B comparison, so it can be a placebo effect, I still think sound quality is better when using the same IEM (Kiwi Ears Quintet or Sony IER-M9) in wired mode connected to a NW-WM1A (even when the DAP is connected in LDAC BT receiver mode to the Z Fold 4).

The Go Pod does a really decent Job, but I feel there is still a margin in favour of the WM1A (which I prefer over my Kann Alpha, M8V2, M11, R6Pro) => probably due to the amp part and Sony's special internal sound processing..


PS .. I jsut controlled again, but with my Z fold 4 at any new connection of the Go Pod parameters are set automatically to LDAC adaptive .. with Z Fold 2, with the Go Blu I think the behaviour is different and parameters are keeping sound quality preference and don't change from 990Kbps => So iwould think that actually, there is a possibility internal bitrate connection of the Z Fold 4 is in best effort and switching between 660Kbps and 990Kbps when needed though all screens are showing the Best audio quality is selected.

 

[slumberman]

Also, are you successfully using LDAC at its highest setting?

Thanks!

Iphone doesn’t support LDAC, only AAC.

 

[slumberman]

I’m very tempted to try these with my Trailii. How much of a difference are you hearing between using the Go Pods and with the PWAudio cable connected?

Hard to tell, since I use the Go Pods on the move and cables when I am using my DAP.
I am not interested in comparing them really, since the use case is different, so I’m just relying on how good they sound when I am using either (and I am happy with them!)

 

[Ati1979]

Regarding the codes, worth trying the aptx adaptive if your phone supports it. The connectivity and the bt range is much better the provided SQ is about the same compared to LDAC.

 

[aphex]

actually yes, IF you get a pair with their newer revision mmcx cable. I just emailed support, they said MOST of the mmcx cables out there are the newer revision that works with the IE series, but if yours doesn't, they will send you one under warranty. The initial batch did not work with the IE series, but they fixed it during manufacturing.

I am finally getting mine sent to me actually.

Let us know when you Sennheiser compatible adapter arrives - would love to see a photo with the IE 600 connected.

I sent a message to ifi support. Got a swift reply and again efter they had checked with their EU Service Centre, that they would be able to send out an updated adapter, if the one I got in the set was incompatible with my IE 900. Just placed an order for the Go Pod - Looking forward to using them with my Sennheisers when I want to go wireless.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

These concerns have been asked about for you guys, and I will report back as soon as I have the info to relay to you.

In the meantime, could we all try to treat each other with respect? For those of us looking to participate in this thread as users and helpers, and also product folk talking down at one another to make a point is not what anyone would like to see here...

Respect others, please!!

Cheers!!

 

[thedanadamsusa]

Iphone doesn’t support LDAC, only AAC.

I see - think I misunderstood, you’re only using the GO Pods with you iPhone? If using your DAP, it’s always a wired connection?

 

[slumberman]

Yes, only with iPhone. If I have a DAP with me, it’s always using a wired connection.

 

[Nick24JJ]

My experience with my 2 phones. Listening to WAV via UAPP.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Bluetooth Codec: LDAC 990/909kbps, stereo, no connection drops or sound degradation, it plays fantastic!
Bluetooth connection range: Excellent! I live in a 3 story (floor) home and I can move all around without carrying my phone with me.
Perhaps it's worth mentioning that, besides the initial visit to the Developer Settings to set LDAC-990, I have later switched to aptX and then reselected LDAC 990/909kbps. I have also changed the Bits Per Sample to 24. The result is the same: fantastic sound quality without any connection drops or any other issue, in every corner of my property.


Xiaomi POCO F2 Pro
Bluetooth Codec: LDAC 660/606kbps and LHDC 500/560kbps, stereo, no connection drops or sound degradation, it plays fantastic!
Bluetooth connection range: Mediocre! I need to carry the phone with me or be in the same room.

These are the best Bluetooth codecs available on my devices. Any claims regarding Samsung are completely unsubstantiated.

 

[PhenixS1970]

We have a winner . These OE adapters resolved my comfort issues and still fit the case with this iem (read here about possible impendance implications by adding adapters but as the impedance is set by putting them briefly in the case I assume a non issue. Anyway I do not hear any difference with/without adapters).

 

[iFi audio]

We have a winner . These OE adapters resolved my comfort issues and still fit the case with this iem

That's good to know, thanks for sharing

 

[newworld666]

Though, my actual tonal reference is the IER-M9 with more over a very good wearing comfort ... so I use them for any critical listening

I have these last days to play to find my top of fun toys with more lower frequencies...
The contenders are now :
-> Sony XBA-N3
-> Kiwi Ears Quintet...

I still need to burn a bit more the Quintet ( maybe more my brain than the IEM itself), but they seem to be more and more convincing to my ears, though available mid high/high frequencies details are still clearly behind the IER-M9 ..
I am afraid the Go Pod are not powerful enough to move properly the XBA-N3.. Impacts seems to suffer a bit when used with N3