Welcome to a New Standard in Bluetooth Audio
The Internet environment is evolving. While cable outfits have ruled the roost for most of the last decade, Bluetooth audio is finding its niche. Thus, with the introduction of lossless Bluetooth audio, the differences between wired and wireless audiophile solutions are as small as never before.
What the ZEN Blue 3 does is combine these two worlds in what can only be described as a conclusive manner. Having successfully introduced the consumers to the ZEN Blue, we said to ourselves, ‘now let’s top that’, and went to the drawing board to come up with the next best thing. Included aptX Lossless as our ‘small step. ’ Our ‘giant leap’ was when we incorporated USB DAC and Bluetooth functionality. USB for PC connections, Optical and Analog, there are more ways than ever how to tap in to your favorite tunes and take part in the wireless Hi-Res revolution.
Cut the Cord. Keep the Quality.
The ZEN Blue 3 has non-wireless audio and is not compromised with lossless Bluetooth audio with the use of Qualcomm’s Flagship QCC518x Bluetooth audio chip and aptX Lossless codec.
AptX Lossless provides up to 1,200 kbps of audio data and is the only Bluetooth codec at the moment that is capable of transmitting and receiving music at CD quality and without losing data through compression. For instance if your phone supports aptX Lossless then by merely streaming your phone to your hifi system it plays high quality lossless music.
Unlike these streaming giants, Aux has not quite decided to jump on the lossless party yet. Do not fret we are here to help you out. The ZEN Blue 3’s extensive backwards compatibility ensures that all current major Bluetooth codecs are supported: AptX Lossless, LDAC ™, LHDC / HWA, aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, and SBC.
Bluetooth Max Bitrates Compared
- aptX Lossless: 1,200kbps
- LDAC: 990kbps
- aptX: 352kbps
- SBC: 328kbps
Forging New Connections
As more devices get wireless, Hi-Res enabled Bluetooth headphones and TWS earbuds are must-haves for the audiophile crowd. But what many of them require a Bluetooth connection, that can become an issue with your home audio system.
The ZEN Blue 3 knocks down this wall with Bluetooth transmission in all supported codecs, including the aptX Lossless that has a codec of CD quality.
Get your ZEN Blue 3 charging and connected to music performers like laptops, mobile phones or TVs with USB-C, SPDIF, or RCA inputs, and invite your top Bluetooth headphones/earphones to the rest of the audio universe. Whether it is rocking the turntables well past midnight with a set of speakers not connected, getting through work on your aptX Lossless headphones and laptop, or binge-watching your latest Netflix obsession on the speakers via headphones, the ZEN Blue 3 opens up new ways of listening.
Versatility Breeds Possibility
Yet all this and the ZEN Blue 3 is not even close to running out of tricks yet; it has even more under its sleeves. It uses advanced features of the Qualcomm QCC518x chipset combined with an ESS Sabre DAC and Hi-Fi dispatching features in order to overpower most Bluetooth transmitters and receivers.
The ZEN Blue 3 is also function as fully wired DAC, it can do 96kHz/24Bit over USB-C or 192kHz/24Bit over SPDIF which can output over 4. 4 balanced or RCA analog. Sure – wired and wireless – if I can’t have both options what choice do I have? We believe not.
Let That Sync In
Regardless whether one is watching an amazing movie or engrossed in a video game few things pull one out of that reality more drastically than a delayed audible clue. This is a common problem with other Bluetooth devices but for this ZEN Blue 3 the extra space is yet another opportunity for improvement.
AptX Low Latency function if combined with ZEN Blue 3’s Low Latency mode when transferring audio to a device receiver, the time taken is significantly cut short. When your eyes view it, your ears hear it – taking you straight back to the scene of the offense, as it were, where you rightly belong if ever there is a designated ‘place’ for learners.
Balance in All Things
Thanks to the multitude of Hi-Res audio options that could be available to the ZEN Blue 3, making balanced circuit available to users is more crucial now than ever before. Electronic equipment owners who have a balanced line output should be able to benefit from all the ClearSounds CS46A’s promised clarity without the noise crosstalk that accompanies multi-channel systems.
They are SilentPower iPower2 power supply which is optional, possessing Active Noise Cancellation II technology to increase performance.
The Future of Audio
What the ZEN Blue 3 shows is just how far Bluetooth audio has come in the course of its short and relatively brief history. Counted as a viable choice and not a mere secondary solution for an audiophile anymore. Getting to know the aptX Lossless and many other features, we can state that the wireless sound has a new leader.
Final Thoughts
IFI ZEN Blue 3 is a hybrid DAC/amplifier that performs wired and wireless audio connectivity seamlessly and provides the listeners with lossless Bluetooth audio quality. It’s easily recognizable as an absolute breakthrough for the world of wireless audio doe to its compatibility, rather high compatibility and intuitiveness.
