The new iFi ZEN CAN 3 can drive IEMs using the latest xMEMS drivers, a speaker technology that looks … [+]
The British company iFi Audio is one of my favorite brands of headphone amplifiers. Now iFi Audio is launching the ZEN CAN 3, a high-performance headphone amplifier with an xMEMS micro-speaker amplification mode, numerous EQ modes including settings for gaming and movies, and an output power of up to 2,000 mW.
The new iFi ZEN CAN 3 can drive IEMs with the latest xMEMS drivers, a speaker technology that looks set to be the next big innovation in headphone performance.
xMEMS speakers are made from silicon in a process similar to producing computer chips. These next-generation speakers have near-zero phase shift and vibrate up to 150 times faster than traditional drivers. By integrating this technology into the new ZEN CAN 3, iFi Audio claims listeners will notice greater clarity and fidelity.
In addition to the two new EQ modes, the ZEN CAN 3 has numerous additional EQ modes for customized sound. … [+]
The iFi ZEN CAN 3 has two new analog EQ modes specifically tailored for gaming and movies. Movie mode improves dialogue clarity, while Game mode makes low-level sound effects clearer.
In addition to the two new EQ modes, the ZEN CAN 3 has numerous additional EQ modes for customized sound. XBass+ and XSpace options provide more accurate bass response and a spacious sound field.
Another improvement to the ZEN CAN 3 is an increase in power to drive more difficult headphones with a continuous output power of up to 2,000 mW, which should be more than enough to drive any headphone on the market. The ZEN CAN 3 also has adjustable gain from 0–18 dB in +6 dB steps to match any headphones.
The iFi ZEN CAN 3 has balanced and unbalanced inputs for working with a wide range of devices.
The ZEN CAN 3 has an updated design to match other ZEN 3 series products in the iFi Audio range. A two-tone design stands out and the revised volume meter and Sunlit Bronze hardware provide a contemporary look and feel. Finally, the buttons on the device’s front panel are arranged in a smiley arrangement, which gives the ZEN CAN 3 a bit of character
iFi Audio has carefully selected high-quality electronic components for the circuitry of the ZEN CAN 3. Components come from Panasonic, TDK, MELF, Texas Instruments and muRata. The amplification stage uses iFi/AMR’s own ‘OV’ series op-amps. iFi says the amplifiers perform better than commercial chips that use low-grade copper and cheap aluminum interconnect wire.
Prices and availability: The new iFi ZEN CAN 3 is available from fi-audio.com and costs $229 / £229 / €229.
The ZEN Blue 3 can send and receive High-Resolution Audio via Bluetooth. It also functions as one … [+]
iFi Audio’s next launch is the ZEN Blue 3, a high-resolution Bluetooth DAC that offers wireless connectivity with CD-quality lossless audio transmission and audiophile-grade circuitry.
New to the ZEN Blue 3 are three innovative operating modes, including Bluetooth RX, TX and DAC. The device uses Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless Bluetooth codec to receive or send lossless CD-quality and Hi-Res audio over Bluetooth, plus there’s a switchable low-latency mode for games and movies.
iFi Audio claims the ZEN Blue 3 is the world’s first wireless DAC that can both transmit and receive lossless CD quality without data loss. The new DAC uses the latest Bluetooth 5.4 with support for the aptX Lossless codec and AAC. There’s also support for Hi-Res 96kHz audio via LDAC and LDHC/HWA codecs.
iFi Audio claims the ZEN Blue 3 is the world’s first wireless DAC that can both transmit and … [+]
The aptX Lossless falls under Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec, which offers multiple codecs with different transmission speeds and bitrates. This means that the ZEN Blue 3 can stream CD-quality lossless music from a mobile phone to a hi-fi system. Home theater enthusiasts can also enjoy high-quality audio using Hi-Res Bluetooth headphones when watching movies or playing games at home.
When the ZEN Blue 3 is in transmission mode for watching video content or gaming, there is a low-latency button on the front of the device. This is ideal for intense gaming sessions or movie nights. Low latency mode solves the delay problem between video and audio, so that the sound is always in sync with the video content.
The iFi ZEN Blue 3 has three new function modes: RX for receiving Bluetooth, TX mode for transmitting Bluetooth, and a Wired DAC mode that bypasses Bluetooth, allowing the ZEN Blue 3 to function as a traditional wired DAC using USB-C or S/PDIF inputs.
The iFi ZEN Blue 3 has three new function modes: RX for receiving Bluetooth, TX mode for … [+]
iFi Audio says the ZEN Blue 3 features audiophile-grade circuitry rather than a System-on-a-Chip design. This means there are separate Bluetooth, DAC and Op-Amp chips for better sound quality. A balanced line output provides users with a balanced audio setup with significantly less signal noise and crosstalk between channels.
Like the rest of the ZEN 3 product range, the ZEN Blue 3 has an attractive two-tone front panel and smiley button layout. As with other ZEN models, iFi says it has sourced high-quality electronic components from manufacturers such as TDK and Texas Instruments. The amplification stage uses iFi/AMR’s proprietary ‘OV’ series op-amps, which iFi claims can outperform commercial chips that use low-grade copper and cheap aluminum bond wire.
Prices and availability: The iFi ZEN Blue 3 will be available from July 9 from fi-audio.com for $299 / £299 / €299.