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

[Nick24JJ]

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

I have been told the same about my IMR Elan+
That the GO Pod might not be powerful enough to drive them. Indeed, when I am listening to them using my FiiO BTR7 (4.4mm balanced) they sound better. With my Mojo 2, they sound perfect!
I asked @iFi audio about this, as I am suspecting impedance mismatch. They said, they will look into it.

Does anyone know the output power of the iFi GO Pod?

 

[PhenixS1970]

• 16Ω： ≥0.98V/60mW
• 32Ω： ≥1.96V/120mW
• 64Ω： ≥2.77V/120mW
• 300Ω：≥4.0V/53mW

 

[Nick24JJ]

Ah, yes, thank you.

From the website:

FiiO BTR7

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

I have been told the same about my IMR Elan+
That the GO Pod might not be powerful enough to drive them. Indeed, when I am listening to them using my FiiO BTR7 (4.4mm balanced) they sound better. With my Mojo 2, they sound perfect!
I asked iFi Audio about this, as I am suspecting impedance mismatch. They said, they will look into it.

Does anyone know the output power of the iFi GO Pod?

That’s odd. The GoPod can drive the Symphonium Helios and FatFreq MSE, which are two of the most power hungry IEMs I know of.

Must be an impedance mismatch / incorrect reading indeed.

 

[PhenixS1970]

That's good to know, thanks for sharing

Question: on the 2 pin to mmcx adapters I got there is an indication which pin is +. How does that translate to connecting to the L & R earhooks?

 

[toomasg]

Question: on the 2 pin to mmcx adapters I got there is an indication which pin is +. How does that translate to connecting to the L & R earhooks?

Use this to test correct polarity https://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_polaritycheck.php

 

[PhenixS1970]

Thanks a lot

Use this to test correct polarity https://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_polaritycheck.php

 

[Nick24JJ]

That’s odd. The GoPod can drive the Symphonium Helios and FatFreq MSE, which are two of the most power hungry IEMs I know of.

Must be an impedance mismatch / incorrect reading indeed.

Yeah, might be. Here's the best explanation I've heard, so far.
The GO Pod synergises superbly with every other IEM you can see in my signature.

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

First time traveling with this setup, we shall see how it goes over LAX > SFO.

 

[ClieOS]

Proof of concept exercise

Will fit the case and charge

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Proof of concept exercise





Will fit the case and charge

Love to see what folks like @ClieOS can accomplish! It lets me know as the GO Pods go forward when faced with small issue the community has great interim solutions!

Thanks for sharing this!

Cheers!!

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Firmware update news...

Hey all, There is a new GO Pod firmware available on the download hub here...

https://ifi-audio.com/support/download-hub/

The notes of what's inside are included with Zip file but I will post them here for quick reference...

================================================================================================================================



Go Pod firmware update V1.39>>V1.49

• 1) Add QHS (Qualcomm High-Speed Link) support. Added QHS support, with a frequency response up to 40K.
• 2) Optimize the 990K code stream of LDAC. Note: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 or above CPU (high code stream
  requires high processor) can be supported.
• 3) Add high-definition 32K calls. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 or above CPUs (high requirements for processors) can now support this.
• 4) Fix voice assistant wakes up occasionally with only one ear hanging output. Voice assistant wakes up occasionally with one unit without output.
• 5) After successfully repairing the Bluetooth connection, occasionally one ear loop blue light remains on.

After successfully connecting to the Bluetooth connection, occasionally one ear loop blue light does not turn on frequently.

6) Automatically shuts down the device after 10 minutes of ear hook removal. If there is no playback (no data stream) and no functional operation after 10 minutes of removal, the device will automatically shut down.

After switching off, you can short press the touch key once to switch on immediately. Note: Playing, touching the button, and re-entering and exiting the compartment will be re-timed.

7) Add a touch switch for shielding/un shielding. Short press the touch button 4 times (with an interval of less than 0.5 seconds) to enable the shielding/un shielding touch function.

Attention: After turning on the shielded touch button, the volume adjustment, pause, resume playback, switch between up and down tracks, repair, and other functions will be disabled. After removing the shielded touch function, it can be restored.

8) Optimize the volume synchronization on/off logic. Adjust to turn on the volume synchronization switch and focus on Go pod volume and synchronize the volume. Attention: Please ensure the Go pod volume

After the safe volume range is reached, volume synchronization can be enabled (audio devices need to confirm the volume before connecting to headphones for monitoring).

9) Performance optimization and bug fixing.

================================================================================================================================

Cheers!!

 

[twister6]

Firmware update news...

Hey all, There is a new GO Pod firmware available on the download hub here...

https://ifi-audio.com/support/download-hub/

The notes of what's inside are included with Zip file but I will post them here for quick reference...

================================================================================================================================



Go Pod firmware update V1.39>>V1.49

• 1) Add QHS (Qualcomm High-Speed Link) support. Added QHS support, with a frequency response up to 40K.
• 2) Optimize the 990K code stream of LDAC. Note: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 or above CPU (high code stream
  requires high processor) can be supported.
• 3) Add high-definition 32K calls. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 or above CPUs (high requirements for processors) can now support this.
• 4) Fix voice assistant wakes up occasionally with only one ear hanging output. Voice assistant wakes up occasionally with one unit without output.
• 5) After successfully repairing the Bluetooth connection, occasionally one ear loop blue light remains on.

After successfully connecting to the Bluetooth connection, occasionally one ear loop blue light does not turn on frequently.

6) Automatically shuts down the device after 10 minutes of ear hook removal. If there is no playback (no data stream) and no functional operation after 10 minutes of removal, the device will automatically shut down.

After switching off, you can short press the touch key once to switch on immediately. Note: Playing, touching the button, and re-entering and exiting the compartment will be re-timed.

7) Add a touch switch for shielding/un shielding. Short press the touch button 4 times (with an interval of less than 0.5 seconds) to enable the shielding/un shielding touch function.

Attention: After turning on the shielded touch button, the volume adjustment, pause, resume playback, switch between up and down tracks, repair, and other functions will be disabled. After removing the shielded touch function, it can be restored.

8) Optimize the volume synchronization on/off logic. Adjust to turn on the volume synchronization switch and focus on Go pod volume and synchronize the volume. Attention: Please ensure the Go pod volume

After the safe volume range is reached, volume synchronization can be enabled (audio devices need to confirm the volume before connecting to headphones for monitoring).

9) Performance optimization and bug fixing.

================================================================================================================================

Cheers!!

Just realized I'm a bit behind; when entered s/n of my review sample, it shows V1.39 and V1.49 available. I assume the update is not incremental like in some DAPs where you have to step through every update, and I can just download and install V1.49?

 

[Mr BubbaHyde]

Just realized I'm a bit behind; when entered s/n of my review sample, it shows V1.39 and V1.49 available. I assume the update is not incremental like in some DAPs where you have to step through every update, and I can just download and install V1.49?

You aren't behind, just a big jump in numbers

Upgrade away!

Cheers!!

 

[Nick24JJ]

Firmware update news...

Hey all, There is a new GO Pod firmware available on the download hub here...

https://ifi-audio.com/support/download-hub/

The notes of what's inside are included with Zip file but I will post them here for quick reference...

================================================================================================================================



Go Pod firmware update V1.39>>V1.49

• 1) Add QHS (Qualcomm High-Speed Link) support. Added QHS support, with a frequency response up to 40K.
• 2) Optimize the 990K code stream of LDAC. Note: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 or above CPU (high code stream
  requires high processor) can be supported.
• 3) Add high-definition 32K calls. Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 or above CPUs (high requirements for processors) can now support this.
• 4) Fix voice assistant wakes up occasionally with only one ear hanging output. Voice assistant wakes up occasionally with one unit without output.
• 5) After successfully repairing the Bluetooth connection, occasionally one ear loop blue light remains on.

After successfully connecting to the Bluetooth connection, occasionally one ear loop blue light does not turn on frequently.

6) Automatically shuts down the device after 10 minutes of ear hook removal. If there is no playback (no data stream) and no functional operation after 10 minutes of removal, the device will automatically shut down.

After switching off, you can short press the touch key once to switch on immediately. Note: Playing, touching the button, and re-entering and exiting the compartment will be re-timed.

7) Add a touch switch for shielding/un shielding. Short press the touch button 4 times (with an interval of less than 0.5 seconds) to enable the shielding/un shielding touch function.

Attention: After turning on the shielded touch button, the volume adjustment, pause, resume playback, switch between up and down tracks, repair, and other functions will be disabled. After removing the shielded touch function, it can be restored.

8) Optimize the volume synchronization on/off logic. Adjust to turn on the volume synchronization switch and focus on Go pod volume and synchronize the volume. Attention: Please ensure the Go pod volume

After the safe volume range is reached, volume synchronization can be enabled (audio devices need to confirm the volume before connecting to headphones for monitoring).

9) Performance optimization and bug fixing.

================================================================================================================================

Cheers!!

Thank you for bringing this to our attention, I do not think there is any other way for us to be notified about a new firmware, besides checking the Download Hub.

I've installed the new firmware successfully. After that, I performed a factory reset and placed them back into the case.

I've started testing them right now and I have to say that the GO Pod sounds differently now! It is like the soundstage is wider, bigger, and it sounds fantastic! I am using the 7Hz Timeless. LDAC 990/909kbps.

I also observe that the Bluetooth connectivity range has slightly improved for me! I leave my phone on my desk on the 1st floor and go upstairs, near the bathroom window where I used to get the first connection issues, but not anymore!

Shielded button touch works great, too! I appreciate this feature as it prevents me from accidentally pausing the playback when I touch them.

I am using the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and listening to WAV via UAPP.

Thank you!