Audio Hardware

Ifi Announces The UP Play & UP Play Max Bluetooth Audio Transmitters

24Sep

By JasonNo Comments

News & Updates

Ifi Announces The UP Play & UP Play Max Bluetooth Audio Transmitters

iFi Audio has been at it again; this time the British company has targeted the world of compact and portable lossless Bluetooth audio transmitters. Coincidentally, arriving just in time for the new iPhone launches. The UP Play and the UP Play Max are made to upgrade the audio capabilities of any device; and feature a range of codecs made to enhance music, gaming and productivity. Apple finally gets a taste of what hi-res sounds like! While the UP Play and UP Play Max enhance Android devices, the experience on iOS devices is touted as "transformative." The UP Play triples the level of detail in audio sent from Apple devices by services such as Apple Music, Spotify Lossless, Qobuz, and others, while the UP Play Max quadruples it. So if you are investing in the newest iPhone, don’t b...

18Sep

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

iFi iDSD GR 2 Portable DAC review

I’ll start this review with a little confession. Unlike some of the others, I’m not an audiophile. I enjoy music. A lot. I’ve spent years playing in bands, playing bass, standing in front of loud speakers, listening to music through headphones and generally having some form of music following me around wherever I go. So while I’m probably not the person who is going to tell you that a particular electronic component has transformed my favourite song, I do know when something sounds bloody good. That brings us to the iFi iDSD GR 2. Currently retailing for £529. The GR 2 is a portable DAC and headphone amplifier designed to sit somewhere between your phone, computer or other audio source and your headphones. It is effectively the middleman responsible for taking that digital audio s...

1Jul

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Soundcore Space 2 Headset Review

Finding a pair of over-ear headphones that balances a realistic price tag with premium performance usually feels like a game of compromise. Soundcore has consistently challenged this narrative, and their Space 2 headphones push the envelope even further. Aimed at everyday commuters, remote workers, and tech enthusiasts alike, this headset delivers robust active noise cancellation, impressive battery endurance, and unexpected software integrations. Design Visually, the Space 2 headset embraces a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that looks right wherever you wear it. The construction leans on lightweight, high-grade matte plastics supported by a durable internal metal headband, keeping the total weight at a highly manageable 261 grams. The Space 2 is available in jet black, linen white a...

1Jul

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

Soundcore Sleep A30 Earbuds Review

Finding a decent pair of sleep earbuds is surprisingly difficult. Traditional wireless earbuds tend to stick out too far, making them uncomfortable for side sleepers, while basic earplugs often block sound without offering any additional features. Enter the Soundcore Sleep A30, a pair of earbuds designed with one goal in mind: helping you get a better night's sleep. Soundcore, the audio arm of Anker, has built a strong reputation for producing feature-packed products at competitive prices. With the Sleep A30, the company is taking aim at restless sleepers, light sleepers, frequent travellers, and anyone who has ever been kept awake by a snoring partner. My wife is staring at me as I type this. The Perfect Night's Sleep? Unlike conventional earbuds, the Sleep A30 focuses less on delive...

11May

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

iFi Audio GO link 2 DAC Review

In the rapidly evolving landscape of portable audio, the transition from dedicated bulky stacks to "dongle DACs" has been nothing short of a revolution. Among the titans of this industry, iFi Audio has consistently carved out a niche for itself by blending quirky British engineering with high-fidelity performance. The original GO link (review here) was a runaway success, praised for its affordability and surprisingly mature sound signature. Now, with the release of the iFi GO link 2, the company aims to solidify its dominance in the entry-level ultra-portable market. The Ultra-Portable Powerhouse Redefined The GO link 2 arrives at a time when competition is fiercer than ever. With rivals from FiiO, Moondrop, and Hidizs flooding the market with sub £100 options, a sequel needs to be more ...

30Mar

By StuartNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

iFi iDSD Phantom Review

With what could possibly be the most expensive piece of tech we've ever reviewed here at Thumb Culture. The iFi iDSD Phantom is not only priced at £4,499, it is also an incredible piece of engineering. Now I'm not an audiophile, but I've been around sound equipment for years, so I know what sounds good. From being in numerous bands, through to running a sound desk for other artists playing music. My life is always accompanied by music of some sort. So I hope that I've got the credentials to bring my thoughts to you. Phantom Power, or Powerful Phantom? So having released earlier this year, we've been testing this out for a couple of months. Just to make sure that we got the most out of it, we paired it with a set of bookshelf speakers from Edifier, the R1280DB that we have covered here. F...

3Feb

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

ifi GO blu Air Review

If you are the kind of person who still carries a dedicated wired setup because "Bluetooth just doesn't hit the same," prepare to have your world gently shaken. We have all seen those bulky portable stacks that make your pocket look like it is carrying a vintage scientific calculator. But what if you could shrink that fidelity down to the size of a matchbox and clip it to your lapel? Going Wireless with Your Favourite Wired Device The ifi GO blu Air is the slimmed-down, ultra-portable sequel to the legendary GO blu. It is designed for the audiophile who wants to cut the tether to their phone but refuses to sacrifice the soul of their music. At £129, it is a lighter, more affordable gateway to high-resolution wireless audio that manages to be both a tool and a toy in the best possible way...

2Feb

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

ifi GO pod Air Review

If you are an audiophile, you know the struggle. You have spent more money than you care to admit on a pair of high-end in-ear monitors that sound like an angel whispering secrets into your brain. But then, you step outside. Suddenly, that glorious one-metre braided copper cable becomes a liability. It snags on door handles, tangles on the zip og your clothes, and makes you look like a human telephone switchboard from 1922. You want the freedom of wireless, but you refuse to settle for the compressed, muddy sound of standard Bluetooth buds. ifi Lets Go! Enter the ifi GO pod Air. This is the younger, leaner, and more affordable sibling of the original GO pod. It promises to turn your favourite wired IEMs into a pair of true wireless powerhouses without murdering the sound quality in the p...

10Apr

By JasonNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

iFi Zen DAC V3 Review

Few products in the world of desktop audio gear have made as much noise in the budget audiophile space as iFi's Zen series. Known for delivering excellent sound quality at a price that doesn’t scare off newcomers, the Zen DAC line has steadily evolved. Now, with the third iteration—the iFi Zen DAC V3—the company brings modern updates while keeping the spirit of the original intact. But does this compact DAC/amp combo still deliver enough value to justify the upgrade? Let’s dive in. Design & Features At first glance, the Zen DAC V3 doesn’t stray far from the now-familiar silhouette of its predecessors. The curved metal chassis still sports that premium, sturdy feel and fits neatly on any desktop without hogging space. It’s stylish enough to blend in with minimalist setups, yet distinc...

2Apr

By CharlotteNo Comments

Hardware & Tech

NZXT Capsule Elite Microphone Review

My NZXT Elite collection is complete with the addition of the NZXT Capsule Elite. Just as with the NZXT Lift Elite Wireless and the Function Elite MINITKL I got sent the wonderfully sleek white edition of this new microphone. There is also a black edition if you prefer a moodier colour set up. For those based in the UK the NZXT Capsule Elite can be purchased from the official NZXT Amazon store for £85. Hear Me Now Having previously used the Streamplify Mic Pro I was excited to try this latest NZXT offering out. So let's get into it. Design As with the rest of the NZXT Elite collection, the NZXT Capsule Elite looks beautiful. There's no denying the design team know what they're doing. I loved the square design as it visually pairs really well with the Function Elite MINITKL. Again t...