INTRODUCTION

    High-end TWS has come a long way, from basic wireless buds to full-fledged audiophile systems. Today’s top models feature custom DACs, advanced codecs, and tuned DSPs for serious sonic performance. Brands like Sony and Sennheiser lead the mainstream, but niche players push deeper into fidelity and modularity. It’s no longer just about portability, it’s about precision, tuning, and control and the latest GO pod Max Wearable Lossless Bluetooth DAC by iFi Audio aims to deliver on all the above.

    iFi audio is a UK based manufacturer of desktop and portable high-end audio equipment. Innovative high-end audio should be available to everyone, everywhere, so iFi uses the latest technology, materials and consumer feedback to provide an audiophile quality listening experience at an affordable price. You listen to music, we listen to you.

    The GO pod Max by iFi audio basically allow people to use their favorite wired detachable IEMs wirelessly, virtually without loss of audio quality (24bit/96kHz). To achieve this iFi audio has given the Go Pod Max broad compatibility and so its ear loops are interchangeable, supporting MMCX, 0.78mm 2-pin, T2, and Pentaconn connectors, making it universally adaptable to most IEMs on the market. At the heart of the GO pod Max is a dedicated hi-fi architecture that separates the Bluetooth receiver, DAC, and amplifier stages, unlike typical all-in-one wireless solutions. This modular design allows each component to operate at optimal performance, ensuring minimal signal degradation and maximum fidelity. So, inside the CNC-machined aluminum and textured polymer IPX5 certified (rain and swat resistant) housings iFi audio has packed the MasterHIFI Cirrus Logic CS43131 32bit DAC, balanced amplifier stage that delivers up to 4.4V output (can drive IEMs from 16, 32, 64 and up to 300 Ohms thanks to auto impedance matching), Qualcomm QCC5181 DSP (Bluetooth v5.4 with support for AAC, aptX Classic, aptX HD,  aptX Lossless/Adaptive, LDAC, and LHDC/HWA / 10Hz-40kHz frequency response), 180mAh lithium-ion rechargeable batteries (up to 7 hours per charge), dual microphones with cVc noise suppression for clear calls and touch-sensitive controls. iFi audio has also equipped the GO pod Max with JVCKENWOOD's K2HD technology, which enhances audio resolution and clarity (near mastering result), and offers long battery life for extended listening sessions. One more thing that makes the GO pod MAX stand out in the market is the included charging/storage case which features plenty of interior space, 1500mAh rechargeable battery pack (35 hours of extra play time), Qi wireless charging and UV sterilization, adding a hygienic touch to the storage solution.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

The front of the box typically has a product picture right under the company logo.

All primary features are listed on the right side of the box.

At the rear we find a few words about the product, bundle contents and both the features and specifications lists.

Inside the box iFi audio has placed the two wireless DACs (pods), charging/storage base, 2 sets of interchangeable ear loops with MMCX and 0.78mm 2-pin connectors, USB-C charging cable, after sales support paper, warranty and warning information paper, sticker and a quick start guide.

THE GO POD MAX

Each pod weighs 24.5g (without any IEM attached) and measures 47.5mm in height, 16.1mm in width and 9.5mm in thickness.

At the exterior side of each pod, we find the touch controls (play/pause, answer/reject/end calls, next/previous track, touch controls on/off, volume up/down, wake up voice assistant and Bluetooth pairing) and an small activity LED (steady red for charging, flashing blue when awaiting connection and alternately red and blue when ready to pair).

By default, the pods come with the MMCX connectors attached.

Each of the two cVc noise suppression microphones are located at the lower front of the each pod.

Several labels along with the registration number are located at the rear of each pod.

The interior of both pods has the company logo imprinted on it and two charging contacts (the blue sticker of course needs to be removed prior to using the pods).

Most of the body of the charging/storage case is made of plastic except for the top (and the front between the top and bottom pieces) which is made of CNC machined aluminum. It weighs a total of 185g and measures 116mm in length, 76mm in width and 47.8mm in height.

There are 4 charging LEDs on the left side of the case (each represents roughly 25% charge).

The USB-C charging port is located at the rear while at the base there's a Qi wireless charging area.

Aside the left and right markings found inside the case iFi audio has also placed 4 high intensity UV lights which make sure the pods and IEMs are sterilized between uses.

For testing I used a total of 6 different IEM pairs, including the FA9, FH9 (only managed to dig them out from the warehouse shortly after I took these pictures), FD1 and FH5s by FiiO, Orchestra Lite by Kiwi Ears and the Falcon-C by Dunu.

No matter what IEM you attach onto the GO pod Max they look great.

Also, there's plenty of room inside the charging/storage case for even the largest IEMs out there.

IFI NEXUS APP

Using the iFi Nexis app from iFi audio is a must, if anything just so that you can update the firmware of the GO pod Max (in my case v1.86 was available, so this is what I used for this review).

The main tab of the software has a product picture, firmware version, connection status and battery life for the pods.

You can head in the settings tab to enable/disable compatible codecs, change the name of the GO pod MAX, adjust the filters, set the touch latency and adjust controls, enable safe volume (limits volume to 70%) and enable/disable battery health mode (limits charging to 80-90% to extend battery lifespan).

CONCLUSION

    Testing the GO pod Max with multiple IEMs had a single goal, for me to check how close wired audio performance was with wireless and well, the FA9, FH9 and Orchestra Lite IEMs helped a lot with that. All 3 of these IEMs feature armature drivers arranged in such a way that they emphasize clarity and separation, so even small shifts in imaging or micro-detail like those introduced by switching from wired to wireless can become more noticeable. The GO pod Max’s CS43131 DAC, JVCKENWOOD's K2HD technology, automatic impedance matching, and high output voltage let all 3 IEMs operate at their full potential and the result was nothing short of impressive. All 3 delivered crisp treble, accurate mids, deep, controlled bass and a wide high resolution soundstage the likes of which I’ve never encountered before with any TWS model. There are some subtle differences when using the GO pod Max wirelessly with a good hi-res music player like the M15, M23 and R9 by FiiO but to notice them you’ll need to focus and wait for them and well, that’s hardly what most people listening to music will be doing. As for build quality the CNC machined enclosures look and feel great and even though the charging/storage case is made of plastic it’s certainly a lot better compared to what we get with regular TWS models (and let’s not forget the 4 UV lights used for sterilization). Battery life according to iFi audio is set at around 7 hours but that depends a lot not just on volume levels and even audio codec, it also depends on the filters you’ll be using from the iFi Nexis app. After adjusting everything to my needs I couldn’t surpass even 5 and 1/2 hours of music playback, which again is not a bad number considering everything these pack. Also, inside the bundle of the GO pod Max iFi Audio has placed ear loops with two-pin and MMCX connectors but if those aren’t good enough for your IEMs you can also purchase ear loops with Pentaconn and Estron T2 connectors from their website. When it comes to the dual cVc noise suppression microphones they did a very good job, something which I hardly ever expect from TWS models (their positioning certainly helped). My sole issue with the GO pod Max is that the pods are quite large, long and heavy (always compared to regular TWS models) but that’s something you get used to quite fast so I can hardly call it a drawback (some people however will probably not like that).

    At the time of this review the GO pod Max already count 4 months in the global market and currently retail for USD599 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 624.17Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de). Yes, the GO pod Max may not come cheap, but they are clearly aimed towards audiophiles who already own one or more high-end IEMs and would like to also use them wirelessly and since they clearly outperform every TWS model I’ve used to date the Platinum Award is in order.

PROS

- Build Quality (IPX5 Certified CNC Machined Aluminum Housings)
- Audio Performance (Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI CS43131 DAC / Automatic Impedance Matching / JVCKENWOOD's K2HD technology)
- Audio Codec Compatibility (aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, aptX Classic, aptX HD, LDAC, LDHC/HWA)
- Dual cVc Noise Suppression Microphones
- Battery Life (Up To 7 Hours Of Playback Per Charge)
- Touch Controls
- Charging / Storage Case (Up To 30 Extra Hours / 4 UV Lights / USB C & Qi Wireless Charging)
- IEM Compatibility (MMCX & 0.78mm 2 Pin Connectors Included / Pentaconn and Estron T2 Available)
- iFi Nexis App

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Size (For Some)