To understand iFi audio and where it's going, you first need to understand where it's been, and how the company got to where it is today. In 2001, the founders of AMR (Abbingdon Music Research) came together through a shared passion for the power and emotion of music, and through their steadfast belief that they could find a way to improve the listening experience for other like-minded enthusiasts.
After the success of the prestigious 77 and 777 series, the team at AMR turned its attention to the growing market for portable audio devices, creating the iFi audio brand in 2012 to bring their uncompromising design philosophy to this new community of listeners. Since then, the iFi audio brand has continued to be synonymous with award-winning portable devices.
Trickle down tech
The philosophy that drives iFi’s efforts is deceptively simple. The iFi audio team truly love music – its ability to emotionally move a listener and indelibly imprint itself upon moments of your life. With this love comes an innate desire to share with others, and to break down the barriers that exist between listeners and what the artists and engineers originally intended for the music.
For the team at iFi, breaking those barriers requires a pragmatic approach; iFi audio’s mission is to allow even more listeners to access these high-end features, bringing them closer to the music that they love. From the extensive Hi-Res compatibility of the micro iDSD and its successors, to the balanced circuitry design of the ZEN range, to their current efforts to bring exciting new technologies such as Lossless Bluetooth to more music enthusiasts, iFi audio take pride in offering advanced features in devices that are affordable, accessible, and desirable.
At the tip of the spear
The trajectory of iFi audio has always been driven by perpetual curiosity. From the earliest days of the iFi team has been fascinated with hidden or underutilised technologies and design approaches, while also advocating for new and emerging developments in audio.
For example, iFi’s analogue 3D sound staging model, XSpace, was inspired by audio research performed by the Ministry of Radio and TV in East Berlin in the 1980s. Meanwhile, their in-house GTO digital filter is the result of years of research into authentic transient responses in audio, first started at AMR.
Additionally, iFi audio have been trailblazers in the development of Lossless Bluetooth receivers and transmitters, with a growing range of products that make this feature available at ever more affordable price points.
Where will iFi go next?
Wherever their curiosity finds more ways to break down the barrier between the listener and the music; wherever they can eliminate gatekeeping and bring innovation and quality to a wider audience; and wherever they can share and grow the love of music that forms the core of this industry we all care for so deeply.
IFi Go Bar Kensei The iFi GO Bar Kensei will appeal to anyone who wants to elevate the listening experience from their smartphone, tablet, or laptop with wired headphones. It sits squarely in the premium end of the market, but those who want cutting-edge technology in a truly portable device that screams quality will understand and take this hefty price tag in their stride.
IFi Neo Stream If you plan on using the Neo Stream in a way that gels with the functionality; by Tidal Connect or Roon in particular, very little else anywhere near the price can get close to how it sounds although some of those rivals are rather more flexible and user friendly.
IFi iDSD Valkyrie Musically and in terms of detail, precision and timing, this is truly excellent and works with every type of headphone/IEM I have at my disposal (except my electrostatics, obviously) - which can’t be said of all players. The Valkyrie looks like nothing else, does an awful lot, and is very powerful - so even owners of power-thirsty planar cans will be very happy.
IFi iDSD Diablo 2 You have to love your headphones, as many of us do, to splash out £1300 or so on this remarkable device. But if you decide to go for it, make no mistake: you are going to be richly rewarded for years to come. The quality from such a diminutive device is truly captivating, especially with all but the ropiest of recordings.
