Excellent review. I would add to the advantage of the mojo that the battery is easy to change (4 screws and a connector). It is also a standard battery format (identical to the 8 year old mojo 1) unlike the gryphon which is a specific model for this device. In addition, the mojo can operate without a battery. This is a major advantage for durability.
Very nice review. Just one point, isn't the x-space on ifi fundamentally an implementation of crossfeed too? Also, quoted from reddit, "please make sure you have the USB Dual Port Charge switched on, on your xDSD Gryphon and connected via the Type-C. As at this point it will bypass the battery to power the system directly with the Type-C and can input the audio signal normally. The battery will also be checked and charged to full capacity, but it will stop charging once full", so the gryphon seems to be able to bypass battery too.
Thanks for the questions and the kind words. 1. X-Space - it wasn’t described that way in the literature, at least to my understandings. It was described as opening up the sound some (more of the “on the stage” separation, to help closed-back headphones sound more open.) Crossfeed, on the other hand, feeds a bit of the left channel to the right and vice versa with a microsecond delay to make it act more like speakers in front of you. (If anything, it closes the sound some because of that bleedover.) Regardless, the biggest takeaway for me was that they sounded very different, and while I didn’t enjoy X-Space, I love Crossfeed. 2. Battery - possible, and it would make sense that it does. I hadn’t seen any information to that effect in the literature, which is where I would have expected it. Still, If I got that wrong, then my apologies. Unfortunately, I can’t verify it now, since I no longer own the Gryphon.
I owned both for portable, sold the gryphon within a few months, exchanges it for mojo2, never looked back. Gryphon had way too much issues with sensitive high end in ears, and the iematch settings I hated.
Not sure I agree that the Mojo 2 is analytical and less of a 'lean in' sound. I've found it to be extremely enjoyable across quite a range of headphones. Also you missed the Poly also having the ability to play media from it's SD card slot (up to 1TB). Also also, crossfeed is highly dependent on your headphones and depending on the music you're listening to, will not always have a more than subtle impact.
EDIT:Also, also, also the reason the micro USB ports were left is largely due to backwards compatibility with the Poly. Without that, buyers of the Mojo 2 and those who wanted to upgrade would not be able to use the Poly since it was made to utilize the two micro USB ports.
Good observation on the backwards compatibility. I touched on the Poly as more of an off-handed remark, but now that I own the Mojo 2, I'm considering it. I ended up returning the iFi and getting the Chord, so I definitely agree with you on it being enjoyable! And yeah, the cross feed definitely depends on the headphones, but my observations was based now what I had on hand. (Honestly, this wasn't a review I'd planned to do. I just happened to have them both at the same time and thought someone else might find it useful, so thanks for the additional info and perspective!)
Nice review ... I was about to buy the iFi xDSD Gryphon but now I have serious doubts. How does the FiiO Q15 stack up against the Mojo 2? For the record, I listen to music on Spotify with the Meze 99 Classics headphones and the Chord Mojo (1st version). I'd like to move towards open headphones and I'm very interested in the Meze 109 Pro. With the option of the Meze 4.4 mm balanced cable. Hence the interest in having a new DAC with 3.5 and 4.4 mm outputs. Greetings from Belgium
Hey there! Lots of stuff here. Let me see… 1. Haven’t used the FiiO, so can’t say. I’m totally happy with the Mojo 2. 2. The Meze 109 Pro is great. I did a review of it a few months ago, and really enjoyed them. 3. The balanced vs unbalanced debate is a complex one. Without getting into a bunch of details, (1) look for a high quality cable, and (2) power matters more. Balanced vs unbalanced matters less with headphones than standard speaker, provided the power levels are similar. (Balanced outlets usually have more power for obvious reasons.) If you just listen to Spotify, there’ll be some difference between the amps, but it’ll be less evident than if you’re using a higher quality source. Even then, how big of an impact this is depends on how picky you are. My recommendation: 1. If you like the sound of the Mojo 1 then you mostly know what to expect out of the a Mojo 2. If you’re happy with the Mojo 1, why not get something different? Unless there’s a technical issue (like if you need USB-C) and if it still works fine… why fix what’s broken? 2. If you *need* Bluetooth then iFi is the way to go. (Again, I haven’t used the FiiO, so take what I say with caution.) 3. Go for high quality cables, no matter the plug type. (I love the Meze copper, btw, which I talk a bit about during my review of the Liric II.) 4. Headphone quality is what matters most. If you can save a bit on cables and amps then put that toward the headphones, you’ll get more value for the dollar. The 109 Pros are excellent. If you can save up for the Empyrean or Empyrean II, that’s a better choice. If you’re OK looking outside the House of Meze, I’m a big fan of the Focal Clear (which is about the same price now as the 109 Pros): it’s an upgrade over the 109 Pro, but it’s not as comfortable. I hope this helps
CORRECTION: 6:48 - It’s a Coax input, not 3.5mm analog.
Excellent review. I would add to the advantage of the mojo that the battery is easy to change (4 screws and a connector). It is also a standard battery format (identical to the 8 year old mojo 1) unlike the gryphon which is a specific model for this device. In addition, the mojo can operate without a battery. This is a major advantage for durability.
Thank you! I hadn’t known about the swappable battery, so that makes it even better!
Great comparison, great video!
Thank you!
Very nice review. Just one point, isn't the x-space on ifi fundamentally an implementation of crossfeed too? Also, quoted from reddit, "please make sure you have the USB Dual Port Charge switched on, on your xDSD Gryphon and connected via the Type-C. As at this point it will bypass the battery to power the system directly with the Type-C and can input the audio signal normally. The battery will also be checked and charged to full capacity, but it will stop charging once full", so the gryphon seems to be able to bypass battery too.
Thanks for the questions and the kind words.
1. X-Space - it wasn’t described that way in the literature, at least to my understandings. It was described as opening up the sound some (more of the “on the stage” separation, to help closed-back headphones sound more open.) Crossfeed, on the other hand, feeds a bit of the left channel to the right and vice versa with a microsecond delay to make it act more like speakers in front of you. (If anything, it closes the sound some because of that bleedover.) Regardless, the biggest takeaway for me was that they sounded very different, and while I didn’t enjoy X-Space, I love Crossfeed.
2. Battery - possible, and it would make sense that it does. I hadn’t seen any information to that effect in the literature, which is where I would have expected it. Still, If I got that wrong, then my apologies. Unfortunately, I can’t verify it now, since I no longer own the Gryphon.
Loved the review it was interesting and it was funny kept me captivated ❤ from India
Thank you!
I owned both for portable, sold the gryphon within a few months, exchanges it for mojo2, never looked back. Gryphon had way too much issues with sensitive high end in ears, and the iematch settings I hated.
Not sure I agree that the Mojo 2 is analytical and less of a 'lean in' sound. I've found it to be extremely enjoyable across quite a range of headphones. Also you missed the Poly also having the ability to play media from it's SD card slot (up to 1TB). Also also, crossfeed is highly dependent on your headphones and depending on the music you're listening to, will not always have a more than subtle impact.
EDIT:Also, also, also the reason the micro USB ports were left is largely due to backwards compatibility with the Poly. Without that, buyers of the Mojo 2 and those who wanted to upgrade would not be able to use the Poly since it was made to utilize the two micro USB ports.
Good observation on the backwards compatibility. I touched on the Poly as more of an off-handed remark, but now that I own the Mojo 2, I'm considering it.
I ended up returning the iFi and getting the Chord, so I definitely agree with you on it being enjoyable! And yeah, the cross feed definitely depends on the headphones, but my observations was based now what I had on hand. (Honestly, this wasn't a review I'd planned to do. I just happened to have them both at the same time and thought someone else might find it useful, so thanks for the additional info and perspective!)
Nice review!
Thank you!
Nice review ...
I was about to buy the iFi xDSD Gryphon but now I have serious doubts.
How does the FiiO Q15 stack up against the Mojo 2?
For the record, I listen to music on Spotify with the Meze 99 Classics headphones and the Chord Mojo (1st version).
I'd like to move towards open headphones and I'm very interested in the Meze 109 Pro. With the option of the Meze 4.4 mm balanced cable. Hence the interest in having a new DAC with 3.5 and 4.4 mm outputs.
Greetings from Belgium
Hey there! Lots of stuff here. Let me see…
1. Haven’t used the FiiO, so can’t say. I’m totally happy with the Mojo 2.
2. The Meze 109 Pro is great. I did a review of it a few months ago, and really enjoyed them.
3. The balanced vs unbalanced debate is a complex one. Without getting into a bunch of details, (1) look for a high quality cable, and (2) power matters more. Balanced vs unbalanced matters less with headphones than standard speaker, provided the power levels are similar. (Balanced outlets usually have more power for obvious reasons.)
If you just listen to Spotify, there’ll be some difference between the amps, but it’ll be less evident than if you’re using a higher quality source. Even then, how big of an impact this is depends on how picky you are.
My recommendation:
1. If you like the sound of the Mojo 1 then you mostly know what to expect out of the a Mojo 2. If you’re happy with the Mojo 1, why not get something different? Unless there’s a technical issue (like if you need USB-C) and if it still works fine… why fix what’s broken?
2. If you *need* Bluetooth then iFi is the way to go. (Again, I haven’t used the FiiO, so take what I say with caution.)
3. Go for high quality cables, no matter the plug type. (I love the Meze copper, btw, which I talk a bit about during my review of the Liric II.)
4. Headphone quality is what matters most. If you can save a bit on cables and amps then put that toward the headphones, you’ll get more value for the dollar. The 109 Pros are excellent. If you can save up for the Empyrean or Empyrean II, that’s a better choice. If you’re OK looking outside the House of Meze, I’m a big fan of the Focal Clear (which is about the same price now as the 109 Pros): it’s an upgrade over the 109 Pro, but it’s not as comfortable.
I hope this helps
Hey Norb! Hope your weekend is restful!
Thank you! Yours, too!
Mojo2 and Clear works great for me❤
If you want wireless get poly for mojo 2
Probably will, TBH. But it definitely adds a bit to the price tag!
@@NorbReviews I think you can find it used for fairly cheap now, both together for about 800?
The Chord trounces the iFi by a country mile...Seriously get your ears cleaned