iFi Go Blu REVIEW! vs. Qudelix 5K and Fiio BTR5
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- iFi's Go Blu is the latest new Bluetooth DAC & amp made for audiophiles, and like other similar products it's got a lot of utility. I've been using the unit for over a month, and in some ways it's a bit step up from its competitors. But is it definitively the best? Let's talk about it.
See the iFi Go Blu on Amazon: amzn.to/3D5KzwK
FYI: I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
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DISCLOSURE: This video is NOT sponsored, but iFi did send me this unit free for review. Check them out at ifi-audio.com/
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Audience Q&A is here: ua-cam.com/video/Kg2cSeq2dmg/v-deo.html
We can coopeate now?
I found your channel looking for hands-on impressions of various portable bluetooth headphone/earphone amps.
Your video was really informative and entertaining! I picked up the Qudelix 5k based on the built-in clip and range. I'm very happy with it based on that and the sound quality is very good too!
Great channel, I’ve watched a bunch of other videos since. I’m thinking of getting some Kato’s.
🤙
Spot-on review. Great mention on the balanced output hiss. I noticed that as well and for me (on latest firmware at least, not sure about before) the hiss is only noticeably present when one of the sound modes is activated. Its pretty much not noticeable even on sensitive IEMs when the EQ modes are off.
Also with the factory firmware when connected via cable to Windows PC the volume control/display is bugged and almost blew out my eardrums when I tried to adjust it past 0%. It is fixed in late firmware updates, however; though they do need an Android phone to update.
Also, forgot to mention I think recently iFi released a leather protective case for the Go Blu with a clip on the back. It both improves the portability and I guess somewhat alleviate the range problem as you no longer need to store them inside your pocket. Its not the Ebay leather one (those don't have the clips) though very few stores have the iFi case yet (last time I checked only Bloom Audio and Audio46).
dude firmware update is so complicated
Thanks for saying "single ended" instead of "unbalanced".
Nice review as always, was considering about its pure power performance but seems like I should wait a bit for more information, while enjoying my Qudelix.
Ah also, auto-generated Korean subtitle was hilarious, it legit tried to project how all entire video sounded like in Korean. Google's still trying I can see.
This has higher-rated power than Qudelix, but for my headphones it's kind of moot -- both devices drive my stuff just fine. RE: Korean subtitles, That's amazing.
Hey, thanks for your honest take on the GoBlu. At the price and for what it does when compared to the Qudelix, I'll take a pass. With basically only 4 EQ options, no app, poor Bluetooth range and no clip...I find both my Qudelix-5K and Radsone ES100 a better choice for me and my use case. No clip on a device this small is a total no sell for me, since I like to clip my dac/amps to my earphone cable and wear it around my neck like a pendant.
EQ I can live without. Clip would definitely be nice. Bluetooth range is a bummer.
So they haven't fixed the range? I got one when it first came out and the connection was awful. Returned it
Agree..... owning both Qudelix-5K and Radsone ES100 (Mk2) still using both!!!
How man? How do you use the Q5 when the battery dies
@@dilbyjones If battery dies take the device to competent phone/laptop/electronics service/repair shop and ask them for a battery change. Easy job for small $. Don't throw out, Re-use :)
Thanks for this review. First time getting a DAC for me and this has swayed me to the Qudelix-5K.
Good choice 👍
@@SuperReview Actually, it wasn't! Don't know whether i got a dud unit, but despite connecting to my phone ok first time around, it refused to connect ever again. Wouldn't go into pairing mode. Can't change the settings unless it connects to app via bluetooth it seems, so I sent it back. Surprised me that bluetooth has to be on even if you only want to use USB-C.
Got any recommendations for another option in similar price bracket? :)
@@CraigWrightStraygoat I would highly recommend contacting Qudelix support, very responsive to community stuff. The other options are not on the same level IMO.
@@SuperReview Too late, it's back in the post! Thanks though.
@@residentzero I opted for a Fiio K5 in the end. Not as customisable but I like it.
I just trashed my iFi. The Bluetooth range is absolutely terrible, and that i could live with, but after 6 months of use the battery got terribly swollen to the point of ripping the case apart. If you liked what you hear about GoBlu, I wish you receive a better unit.
Rough.
Wow, I heard that issue with the battery of the Go Blu several times now, which makes me believe that the whole stock is affected, not just some bad units. Obviously, ifi picked some real cheap batteries for their Go Blu...
I use the Go Blu, had it for almost a year and works perfectly fine. I use it for my Focal Utopia, Focal Radiance and Focal Celestee (my 3 wired headphones)
Just a bad experience.
@@dilbyjones
Wrong. Not just a bad experience, but obvious design flaw and the result of cheap parts (battery). Just because many users are simply not aware of the issues of their own devices doesn't make them acceptable technically.
The one thing I really wish the Go BLU came with was a clip, like the BTR5 does. Apart from that, it's totally replaced my BTR5 for most cases.
Where my integrated clip at.
Is it better than Btr5?
Agreed I returned the BTR5 its controls too wonky for me.
@@adaboy4z its pretty easy for me to use i really like the btr5
i don't know what these companies are thinking, clip should be mandatory, i have BTR5 and ifi , was annoying had to buy a case with clip for ifi and it doesn't clamp properly so i don't use it
I will probably buy the 5k for the price and because I will use it only to turn an X2HR into a wireless headphone.
Eq and clip can be easily added but power, fast settings and practical controls are the real added value for such a portable device, ifi has done a good design job.
I forgot, "normal" people prefer hide this type of device in their pocket instead hanging it and looking nerdy, adding the clip in this case is just added bulk.
Hi, which among btr5, up5, quedlix 5k, ifi go blu. Did you like. Can I get atmos through iPhone 12, via Netflix, if connected through any Bluetooth DAC. Thanks
the cost/performance ratio for IFI comparing to 5k or BTR5 is not better or even equal; therefore, it is a no-go. One thing i like about IFi is the 165mW power for 3.5 jack comparing to 80mW for 5k but still not enough to justify the cost. If it costs about the same, then I might buy for variety.
Do you have any headphones that the 5K can't power sufficiently?
nope... I have blon03, oxygen iems, and crusher 360... like to buy 7hz timeless, thieaudio monarch, and bluetooth dac with more power (more headroom just in case)... I like to listen to loud music. any recommendations? thanks in advance.
@@SuperReview NX7 portable NFCA headphone amplifier is available on Shenzhenaudio for $179. the spec is very impressive. you might want to review it.
I think it totally depends on who you are. I don't like EQ, maybe I'm "special" or something, but that amount of customisation always drives me insane. It's like trying to keep a guitar in tune, it's never just perfect. Also range is no big deal for me, I plan to use this with my phone in pocket as well, I wanted the hip DAC but didn't want the mess of cables
Well We'll Well, I must Say with my note 20 ultra 5g I can reach from my living room to my kitchen with no interference of Bluetooth, an I also have poweramp eq from the Google store and OMG what a difference. Like WOOOOOW. I Purchased power Amp 4 years ago. I'm using hifi man 560- v4 cans and monoprice monolith can and shure 1440 cans.
Thanks for the report 👍
Would you recommend using this with the Bose Quiet Comfort headphones? Would it noticeably improve sound quality? I mostly use the Bose headphones on flights. Thanks for the great video!
Not sure how this would improve the sound quality of your headphones, no.
Hey, nice review. Can you compare the sound quality of the UTWS5 to the ifs Go Blu? If the ifs Go Blu has 100% sound quality, how much does the UTWS5 have? Thank you very much in advance! Kind regards, Chris
Nicely Done.
Go Blu wifi with iMac was 6 to 10 feet , I had to return it.
At close to twice the price GO Blu $199 vs Qudelix 5 $109 - not sure that the Ifi internal components justify it .
Yeah my iMac's Bluetooth is not great either -- MacBook is way better.
It’s not wifi. It’s Bluetooth
well....ifi Go Blu still made in china....... Qudelix 5k made in Korea
Can't wait to get mine. Ordered one earlier this month from Audio 46. Guess they're still waiting on shipment.
Seems the same for a lot of things lately :(
Hello, I have the Monarch MKii on the way, I will only be using the 3.55mm jack, which of these would you recommend just for the 3.5mm?
EQ not being really important fore
Thanks in advance
They will all work well. If range is most important, Qudelix, if buttons/knob, then iFi.
Using my Samsung phone with SoundAssitant+, I get 150-steps of volume control on Android. No idea for other Android phones.
Yeah, that's a good benefit of using Samsung.
Great review, any thoughts on the actual sound output vs the other devices, Although bluetooth range, functionality, eq, etc are important, the sound quality/output is #1, thoughts?
They sound 99% identical. The iFi might have the loudest noise floor with really sensitive IEMs, but also has the most output power for headphones.
Peq isn’t really an hifi thing or is it?
This thing is the only one that comes with Cirrus Logic chip like the Apple dongle and the first and only Cirrus dac in iFi line up. On the rest of the line up iFi uses Burr Brown, and that is an hifi thing.
It can easily drive big cans because is a power house. It’s the only one that can uncover the full potencial of planar iems and is fantastic with iems that scale well with power like the Tanchjim Tanya for example.
This little dac/amp is the demonstration that a well implemented AAC BT sounds as well if not better than all other codecs considering that the theoretical limit of AAC is 24/96 that’s a huge plus.
The no clip issue I believe is a choice from the company to make clear that this is not a conveniente toy but a proper desktop portable dac.
I can state that this destroys the other 2 in pure sound fidelity hands down.
Just my 2 cents for those complaining about the clip or the bt range on a fancy and not well implemented bt. On AAC sounds magnificent.
Yeah the clip wasn't an issue for me. I put it in my pocket when listening to Tidal. It's powers my Planars pretty good. It really shines connected to the loxjie P20 tube amp.
I've been trying to find new bluetooth headphones for like 1/2 year now,and i've watched countless bluetooth headphones,most of these reviews point me to 3 headphones,The Sony xm3(Highs are muddy),the Bose 700 and QC 35 ii(Both compressed and a bit unbalanced)
So i decided to joined the r/headphones discord server,i asked a couple of people and they all led me to one bt headphone,the AKG N700nc M2,they seem a lot more balanced than the others and nearly no one has realised in the YT community it,it seems like a hidden gem waiting to tower over the xm3's(or maybe i'm overreacting lol)
I'm getting these at christmas and it would be the world to me if you made a review about it...
PS:Loving the videos and keep up the good work!!!
I haven't tried the AKGs and no plans to, sorry.
Great video, thanks!
🤙
Very useful information, thank you so much!
Volume control, better buttons and it drives headphones. Wow nice.
What is your thought between GoBlue and Astell&Kern HB1?
Nice case for the BTR5 🤣
Having both Qudelix 5K and Radsone EarStudio ES100 Mk2(micro-B) both having its own characteristics both do have clip .......which i like them (iFi Go Blu and Fiio BTR5 ....both don't have clip....so there is a minus) Qudelix 5K i agree with the button thing......
BTW iFi Go Blu, Fiio BTR5 and possibly Radsone EarStudio ES100 Mk2 are made in China , while Qudelix 5K are made in Korea ....
Audiodirect Beam 3 Plus having same problem as iFi Go Blu and Fiio BTR5 ....don't have clip
From what I understand, xSpace also adds a small amount of crossfade on ifi products. Do you happen to have any way of verifying that?
Presumably you could disable L channel in a music / sound app and see if you still hear from both channels through the iFi, yeah?
so finally which one is best? someone ple help me out!
I just bought fiio Btr5 but some features i doesn't like it 1) whenever we connect type c to mobile the multifunction buttons can't work, & 2) is too much bulky for hanging kindly request you please tell me Which is the best in terms of all over performance.
Can I charge it and use it as an amp/dac at the same time by connecting to my phone USB?
Parametric EQ is such a killer feature. The others are dead to me based on the lack of this feature.
I want to use parametric eq ,but it's to complicated for me can use share some parametric eq settings ?
@@realfunfunkers8852 there should be some auto eq presets in the Qudelix app that you can use. You go to the DSP tab and choose auto EQ at the top. There’s a list of devices and the preset made for them
Go Blu with USB connected to my iPhone sound a lot better than Quedelix 5K. Yes, poor connection but it's not a point for me. I use it as BT when I am on train and use as USB DAC when I sit at desk. I use WF1000XM if I need to walk around and do things.
again, the sound quality part is absolutely missing.
Has a bit of hiss and lots of power. Anything else is imagination.
@@SuperReviewWhatever makes you sleep at night 😉
@@thepickyaudiophile It doesn't make me sleep at night, it makes me not delusional.
Which one of these have better audio output? Can any of u guys tell me what is the sound of each mentioned dac in the video plez🙂
They sound 99% identical. The iFi might have the loudest noise floor with really sensitive IEMs, but also has the most output power for headphones.
@@SuperReview Bro hi, this is the first time u have replied me. I'm really happy. And have to say ur videos are one of my few reviews that i look forward 👍. And i think Qudelix is the safe option. As btr5 has some issues and Fiio costly😅. And in future if possible please review budget dongles as well like ibasso DC05 and colorfly CDA m1. And thanks for the reply bro🙂. And wanted to ask y u did not review T3+? And do u have discord channel?
grado sr80x/ifi go blu is good sinergy? Thanks
I need a battery that when it dies. I don’t have to throw the device away!
any1 can help me decide which one to buy? as im eyeing for my first dedicated android dap vs this ifi go blue.
I'm really impressed with this little amp/ dac. I connect it to my Loxjie P20 tube amp with Hifiman 400se headphones for desktop listening. FII0 JH3 IEM for on the go. Enough power for both. Bluetooth range is meh, but LDAC sounds great.
Do you use it with an iPhone
@@edenconnell4322 android
Which is the most powerful ?
On paper, I believe the Go Blu is. All of them power every headphone I have without a challenge.
How does the Go Blu's mic compare to the others? I know you tested it with the Sony which you don't use as a phone. Did you ever test it on your other phone or the Mac for calls? I don't know why every reviewer skips over the mic on the Bluetooth dacs. They are a feature, just like the volume knob. Do the mics on these little dacs just suck that bad?
"I don't know why every reviewer skips over the mic" I can't speak for every reviewer, but for me it's just not a use case that matters.
The bt connection range doesn't have much to do with the receiver though.. A bit, sure. But not much. Well at least it should be like that..
On the same phone, the iFi can't reach my kitchen 15 feet + 1 wall away, but the Qudelix CAN reach my office about 30 feet + 3 walls away.
How does the Qudelix compare, sound-wise with the typical $10-$20 USB-DAC dongle, when used wired, rather than via BT?
Versus an Apple dongle, I don't think I could hear a difference apart from volume.
Can you pleaae tell me this. So with thos device, qudelix lets say, wired headphones sound better than they would if they were pluged in samsung or iphone? Tnx!!!
@@imerovic the key factor is the Qudelix custom EQ capability. You can tailor the sound to each headphone and definitely improve the result.
I had a dozen custom EQ's for my various devices, developed over some time, but lost them in the recent firmware upgrade. Qudelix admitted they screwed up and didn't carry over the custom EQs. I lost hours of work in a few minutes! 🤬
You can tailor your devices to your own sound preference with the Qudelix. Other dongles sound like the engineer wanted, which may not be to your taste. Headphones are the same. I've never liked any headphone out of the box. I have a couple cheap USB dongles. They are okay, but not for serious listening. One has more bass than the other. One has a nicer treble reproduction. The Qudelix can be made to sound just right for me.
Hello! I have a problem, my fostex t20rp is with low volume when I use the BTR5, my doubt is if with the IFi it will have a better performance and will allow me to listen to music with a more satisfactory volume
Can't say, I don't have that headphone and understanding power requirements is still kind of black magic to me. Have you tried a balanced cable? You'll get more power out of the BTR with that.
@@SuperReview I haven't tested it yet, a 2.5 mm adapter solves it or does it need to be the cable?
Need a new cable.
nice blade, if its the gerber, i got 2.
It be a Gerber.
I'll have you know, I owned two different ifi go blu and both broke after around 6 months. The battery bloated to the point where it would split open the shell and stop holding charge. This happened on two seperate units, while my fiio btr5 easily lasted 2 years. Don't get the ifi for longevity.
Bummer. FWIW, my battery isn't bloated yet.
But that pocket knife though
I want a complete package all-rounder performer bluetooth Balanced output, powerful DAC and AMP. I am Plug and play kinda person, I don't mess or tweak settings/or EQ much.
WHICH ONE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?
1. Qudelix 5K
2. BTR5 2021 Android
3. iFI Go blu
Did you watch the video?
@@SuperReview ah the similarities we have 😄 ifi go blu is cool for me. 👌🏼
Strengths:
1. Great for simple people who don't eq (nice bass boost and space options)
2. More power for driving headphones than the other alternatives
3. Can be used as a wired usb dac for android and computer
Weaknesses:
1. No Clip (deal breaker if I can't find a 3rd party clip).
2. Bad Bluetooth range (don't care much about this as my phone is always with me (at least in my pocket).
3. No eq (don't really care much about this as I use poweramp app for my parametric eq)
4. Kinda expensive
Sounds about right.
No parametric EQ? No thanks. I’ll hang on to my Qudelix. I refuse to buy any gear nowadays that won't let me tune to my taste.
For my desktop setup, I use the RME Adi2Pro with its gorgeous 5 band parametric EQ.
Exactly my thoughts!
Love the Qudelix 5k. Wish they'll include 4.4mm pentacon on the next one. That'll be dope.
Is the review from the elysian annihilator coming soon?
No, I only had a short time with it, not enough to do a full review.
@@SuperReview can you share some 1st impressions? 🙏
From my notes: "Holy air. Treble has a satisfying bite, if maybe a little digital. Can be a bit raspy but not toooo harsh. Bright. [Does not sound EST, but it is.] Midrange tuning is phenomenal. And clean. Great resolution. Very good layering, but on a single-axis (horizontal). Staging kind of small. Bass quality is solid. DD texture with appropriately quick decay, I don’t mind at all that it’s this elevated. Actually pretty good levels to balance out the forward mids and treble. Slam not great on “I Am One.” Fit... leaves something to be desired. Not terrible, not super bulky, but doesn’t feel shaped for ears. Maybe the mask talking. [Mask adjusted, OK that’s not so bad.] Sound is so tight with “Break for Lovers.” Loads of detail, sharpness, but no harshness. Goosebumps with “Suffer” - attack on guitars is tactile, cymbals ringing with a delicate, tangible decay. Not quite as weighty with cymbals as Fourte, but not far off. Satisfyingly bright with Fleetwood Mac. 5/5"
This is a product that I really wanted to love but in the end was a total disappointment. First off, the background noise. It is ever present and gets worse with sensitive headphones. I’ve tried it with Solaris LE, Xelento, SE846, 64 Audio DUO and NIO. The only one that does not hiss is the DUO which is actually super insensitive. If this is not a dealbreaker then the sound quality certainly is - it is simply muddy and uninspiring. The Qudelix beats this product by miles when it comes to a silent background and superb sound quality. Oh, then there is the usability- the firmware update app on iPhone is simply horrendous. It just cannot get any worse. Yes it sort of worked eventually but only after a lot of trials and errors. This product has a beautiful look and the build quality appears quite superb. But the issues as mentioned simply cannot be ignored. Buyers should be made aware of these!
Subtitle language is wrongly set to Korean.
Interesting, that's auto-generated.
Hi sir final e500 buy or not buy yes and no please please please reply
squig.link/list/?search=e500|tanya|quarks
offtopic: what's your wallpaper? :)
It's a screenshot from a screensaver on MacOS called Drift. Here are a few: imgur.com/a/lXgCa5e
@@SuperReview thanks mate! :)
That rubberised material will end up a sticky mess in around 5 years. As it breaks down. The number of electronics gadgets I've thrown because of the way that stuff breaks down is distressing. Why can't they just stick to high quality plastics of even metal. Metal will Oxidise over time. It's that strange white Powdery effect on the Surface. High grade plastics is the best material to use preferably Glass fibre reinforced like they use on high quality tools. That way these gadgets would still be good in 10 to 15 years from now.
Not all rubber does that -- I recently bought a camera from 2008 and the rubber grip is still perfect. Curious to know what leads to that sticky ickiness -- all my old PlayStation controllers are like that.
I lost smth or you didn't compare the sound?
The iFi has audible noise floor, otherwise there's not much to say about sound differences.
@@SuperReview no noise floor on the other two?
Would it work with UE pro IEM's?
Using a pixel phone
Do they have a 3.5mm or 4.4mm audio connector?
having go blue for a week and it is really good dac BUT, u will never have stable connection, it is as bad as it can be, i mean 2 meters away and connection lost, u have your go blue in front pocket and phone in back pocket and connection lost! Dont buy!
Which phone?
The fatal flaw in these BT devices is that they still require a wired connection. It’s a little more convenient than a wired connection to your phone, but not much more imo. I don’t get the $200 price on go blu
They are an interesting middle ground for Bluetooth, TBH for portable music I still prefer DAPs. But I have found Go Blu useful for connecting to my MacBook.
@@SuperReview yes, I see how in that situation it’s a lot more convenient not being tied down to your computer
Its a million times better than having a dac/amp wired into your phone to play tidal, which then makes your phone super bulky and adds clips or bands to attach both together that affects the usage of your phone screen.
I pretty much gave up on audiophile portable listening in 2016, since you either had to have an unwieldy set up or spend thousands on buying physical copies of music to burn onto a dap.
With these little bluetooth units, listening to high end gear with tidal is far less hassle and range matters not as both devices simply sit in different pockets of the same coat!
Why u always throw expensive product in the intro? 😂 it's so hard to watch, cause i can't afford it 😅
To see how well it spins 😅 I promise I don't damage anything.
This review is useless... God you're reviewing a DAC and don't talking about the sound excepted for 5 seconds.... EQ shouldn't be a point for a DAC ... So disappointing
OK
Short Bt range is irrelevant This device is attached to your headphones and your phone is supposed to be in your pocket.
I mean, I explained the scenario in my life where that's not true.