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iFi audio ZEN Blue - The Official Thread
Jun 3, 2020 at 7:19 PM Post #226 of 493
I just published my ZEN Blue review!

https://www.headfonia.com/ifi-zen-blue-review/

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Jun 4, 2020 at 2:29 AM Post #227 of 493
Jun 4, 2020 at 3:42 AM Post #228 of 493
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Jun 22, 2020 at 6:17 PM Post #229 of 493
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
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Jun 22, 2020 at 6:26 PM Post #230 of 493
Jun 23, 2020 at 8:39 AM Post #232 of 493
iFi audio said:
Can you elaborate and tell me please what's off? Thanks!
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Sure, it’s the repeatedly having to connect and reconnect Bluetooth for every use, having to keep pushing the connect button vs just connecting on its own. But understand this is not a deal breaker for me, or as much of an inconvenience as it has become for some. At this price level, the product punches, as they say, way above its weight class, it’s the best BT connection devise I’ve ever used. Now if Apple would just give us better audio resolution reproduction! 😉

So with all that said, should I do the software update in any event? Any benefit?
 
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Jun 23, 2020 at 9:11 AM Post #233 of 493
daytrader said:
Sure, it’s the repeatedly having to connect and reconnect Bluetooth for every use, having to keep pushing the connect button vs just connecting on its own. But understand this is not a deal breaker for me, or as much of an inconvenience as it has become for some. At this price level, the product punches, as they say, way above its weight class, it’s the best BT connection devise I’ve ever used. Now if Apple would just give us better audio resolution reproduction! 😉

So with all that said, should I do the software update in any event? Any benefit?
Click to expand...
Are you having to “pair” your iPhone every time? I haven’t had any problems with fast and easy “connection” with my iPhone, once it has been “paired”. The zen blue will automatically connect to the last device it was paired to. Here are steps that I take to ensure fast and easy connection every time, and I don’t have to “pair” it again:
-when disconnecting, turn off Bluetooth from iPhone- you will hear the queen mum say “Your device has disconnected.”
-for fast and easy automatic connection: turn on Bluetooth of your iPhone first, make sure it isn’t connected to another device. Then, a single short press on the zen blue button will establish a connection with the last device that was connected- your iPhone. You will hear the queen mum say “You’re device is connected... AAC.”

hope that helps
 
Jun 23, 2020 at 10:53 AM Post #234 of 493
Tinysota said:
Are you having to “pair” your iPhone every time? I haven’t had any problems with fast and easy “connection” with my iPhone, once it has been “paired”. The zen blue will automatically connect to the last device it was paired to. Here are steps that I take to ensure fast and easy connection every time, and I don’t have to “pair” it again:
-when disconnecting, turn off Bluetooth from iPhone- you will hear the queen mum say “Your device has disconnected.”
-for fast and easy automatic connection: turn on Bluetooth of your iPhone first, make sure it isn’t connected to another device. Then, a single short press on the zen blue button will establish a connection with the last device that was connected- your iPhone. You will hear the queen mum say “You’re device is connected... AAC.”

hope that helps
Click to expand...
This is helpful, thank you. I guess pressing the button at the start of each listening session is normal operation after a previous shutdown. I was under the impression that only iPhones had to go through this procedure but after looking around the internet, I find it applies to Android as well. In essence each time I want the Zen Blue to be connected to my phone, the button must be pressed unlike an auto connection like to my Peachtree via B1 or getting into my car. The aforementioned Audioengine B1 doesn’t require a button push after the initial BT pairing, it’s just automatic when I turn on my phone connection and in close proximity.

And yeah, wish Apple could do better than AAC, maybe in the future it will improve? I will repeat as it’s worth saying again, the Zen Blue is a great product that does a wonderful job adding BT functionality to my STAX headphone system without any perceived degradation in sound reproduction.
 
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Jun 23, 2020 at 2:58 PM Post #235 of 493
daytrader said:
I will repeat as it’s worth saying again, the Zen Blue is a great product that does a wonderful job adding BT functionality to my STAX headphone system without any perceived degradation in sound reproduction.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

daytrader said:
it’s the repeatedly having to connect and reconnect Bluetooth for every use, having to keep pushing the connect button vs just connecting on its own.
Click to expand...

I know exactly what you mean. In modern cars there's no need to do anything, they auto-connect with our cars. But in case of ZEN Blue one still needs to press that button to connect.
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Jul 7, 2020 at 9:32 AM Post #238 of 493
smallcaps said:
Just picked up the Zen Blue with a 4.4mm to dual XLR interconnect to hook up my balanced amp in my bedside Listening Station. Looking forward to sharing impressions once I've had some time with it.
Click to expand...

That’s how I use mine with the 4.4 mm to dual XLR connection. Sounds perfect, so happy iFi offers this connection. Again we see yet another example of iFi ahead of the group offering its customers exceptional options at great pricing. Now if you could only bring an electrostatic all in one box amplifier for my Stax earspeakers at a “very reasonable price point”. 😜
 
Jul 7, 2020 at 5:15 PM Post #239 of 493
smallcaps said:
Just picked up the Zen Blue with a 4.4mm to dual XLR interconnect to hook up my balanced amp in my bedside Listening Station. Looking forward to sharing impressions once I've had some time with it.
Click to expand...
I look forward to it! :beerchug:

daytrader said:
That’s how I use mine with the 4.4 mm to dual XLR connection. Sounds perfect, so happy iFi offers this connection. Again we see yet another example of iFi ahead of the group offering its customers exceptional options at great pricing. Now if you could only bring an electrostatic all in one box amplifier for my Stax earspeakers at a “very reasonable price point”. 😜
Click to expand...

Thanks :)

And you probably know that we have iESL :) Not an electrostatic integrated, but does the job!
 
iFi audio Stay updated on iFi audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://twitter.com/ifiaudio https://www.instagram.com/ifiaudio/ https://ifi-audio.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@iFiaudiochannel comms@ifi-audio.com
Jul 7, 2020 at 5:46 PM Post #240 of 493
iFi audio said:
I look forward to it! :beerchug:



Thanks :)

And you probably know that we have iESL :) Not an electrostatic integrated, but does the job!
Click to expand...
Yes I do. But a one box esl solution with built in amp, and dac for that matter since I know you can, would be easier to live with. Not everyone needs a Pro iDSD & Pro iCAN stack set up if we are only using ESLs. With the prices of Class D amplification and dacs being what they are today, think Zen Blue as inspiration, you guys could kill it! 😋
 
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