iFi GO Blu Air Review: More Powerful Than The Original?

iFi Audio's GO Blu is a highly regarded portable DAC/Amp that people have picked up to upgrade their audio game for years. As far as Bluetooth DAC/Amps go, it is a fan favorite amongst audiophiles. 

Now, iFi has decided to take a good thing and make it more accessible. For people that are on a tighter budget and are looking for a high-quality product, the iFi GO Blu Air is an excellent choice to get upgraded sound at an unbeatable value. Is this is the next upgrade you should get for your portable listening setup? Or should you just go for the more expensive original? This review will go through all the details from accessories, features, and sound quality. 

The iFi GO Blu Air has a device that everyone will instantly recognize from the original model. The shape is small and compact, made from solely a polymer material with a silicone control dial. It's a darker color scheme than that of the original GO Blu, which had aluminum plates and copper highlights to stand out. The GO Blu Air has a transparent back to allow you to see all the tech inside, and while it is slightly heavier, it is still lightweight enough to keep in your pocket without issue. The silicone dial is smooth to rotate and adjust volume with, and the buttons are easy to find and press to activate all your included features. 

On the back of the GO Blu Air, you also have the option to attach a magnetic clip. This is a feature you normally see as an additional accessory that you would need to purchase separately. The GO Blu Air puts this in the included accessories, allowing easy travel right out of the box. The magnet is quite strong and clips in as well, so you don't have to worry about the GO Blu Air potentially falling off. 

iFi Audio has consistently delivered practical and enjoyable features that enhance your listening experience. Like the original, you get two filters of XBass and XSpace on the GO Blu Air. You can use these one at a time or simultaneously, boosting the bass response or giving yourself some more top-end room for acoustic recordings. Outside of those features, there isn't much else the GO Blu Air has to offer in terms of sound. These features aren't anything particularly new in the GO Blu Air, but they still stand out for their excellent execution and reliable sound. 

In terms of connectivity, there are a few changes that are worth noting. The GO Blu Air has an updated Bluetooth version (5.2) and all the same codecs as the original. This device doesn't allow for wired listening, and relies solely on Bluetooth to connect to your music source. The USB-C port is for charging only. Users who like the adaptability may not be a fan of this limitation, but it definitely will benefit people who prefer simplicity above all else. 

• Bluetooth Chipset: Qualcomm QCC5144
• Input: Bluetooth 5.2
• Codecs: LDAC, LHDC/HWA, aptX Adaptive, aptX LL, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC
• Headphone Outputs: 4.4mm Balanced, 3.5mm S-Balanced
• 4.4mm Output (RMS): ≥262mW/2.9V @ 32Ω; ≥52mW/5.6V @ 600Ω
• 3.5mm Output (RMS): ≥165mW/2.9V @ 32Ω; ≥14mW/5.6V @ 600Ω
• Output Impedance: <1Ω (Both Outputs)
• SNR: ≥110dBA (Both Outputs)
• DNR: ≥110dBA (Both Outputs)
• THD+N: ≤0.009% Bal (600Ω, 2V); ≤0.03% S-Bal (16Ω, 1.27V)
• Battery: Lithium-Polymer 450mAh; ~10h Battery Life
• Power System: 5V/≥1A, Charging via USB-C
• Dimensions: 53.5 x 33.7 x 19.5mm
• Net Weight: 31g

While listening to the iFi GO Blu Air, I was using a lot of different headphones and IEMs to test the power and coloration of the device itself. During my testing, I used: 

• Noble Audio Van Gogh
• Beyerdynamic DT 1770 MKII
• Campfire Audio Bonneville
• Sennheiser HD 650

The sound that the GO Blu Air provided was clean and crisp. In headphones like the HD 650, there was ample power to drive the headphones and bring out naturalness in the sound signature. The Beyerdynamic sound signature with its harder-hitting bass and wide soundstage was a great match for the power provided from the GO Blu Air. You definitely get a smoother profile that becomes more dynamic when you add in the GO Blu Air, turning two very analytical headphones into something a little more fun and entertaining. 

Using something that already had a fun sound signature was a nice experiment with the GO Blu Air. I am a huge fan of the Noble Van Gogh IEMs and how their recessed midrange makes an interesting listening experience. Pairing them with the GO Blu Air made the signature even more jarring and accentuated that curve in the frequency response. When you turn on the XBass and XSpace filters, that dynamic difference becomes even more noticeable. With IEMs that were more balanced like the Bonneville and the Sennheiser IE 600, you get more emphasis on the intimate detail IEMs provide and a boost in dynamic flair. 

Throughout this review, I've made quite a few references to the original GO Blu while talking about the GO Blu Air. What makes the two so different? Are they really just the same device? 

In short, the two share a lot of similar quality. There is a lot of overlap in features and functionality, and their on-paper technical specifications hold a lot of similar numbers. Sonically, you'll be able to hear all the similarities. The main difference comes in the connectivity, where the iFi GO Blu Air does not allow for wired connection in listening. You have to use the Bluetooth 5.2 to connect to your music source. For people that like a bit more flexibility, this may be a little frustrating. However, this limited input option makes connecting simple and easy. You don't have to worry about any other way to get your sound other than the Bluetooth connection with the GO Blu Air. . 

The iFi GO Blu Air is an excellent, affordable audiophile upgrade. for the listener that needs simplicity and travel convenience, this portable DAC/Amp has all you need. XBass, XSpace, Bluetooth convenience: the GO Blu Air is a one-stop shop to take your headphones to the next level. At $129, it's cheaper than the original and gives all the same good sound quality you'd expect out of this company. While it's wired listening option may have been taken away, the Bluetooth version is updated to bring you good sound.

The iFi GO Blu Air is available today at Audio46.