(May 21, 2025) For fans of great sound on the go—or just anyone who’s ever wished they could untether their favorite in-ear monitors—iFi Audio has launched the GO Pod Air, a more compact and accessible version of its original GO Pod system. Think of it as a miniaturized passport to audiophile-grade Bluetooth: same sonic DNA, less pocket bulk, and easier on the wallet at $249.
True to its name, the GO Pod Air is designed to bring high-end wireless audio to any pair of IEMs. The premise is simple but powerful: snap your favorite monitors into the included 2-pin or MMCX ear loops, and the GO Pod Air transforms them into a portable, hi-res streaming system. No dongles. No adapters. No sacrificing sound quality just because your day has you passing through TSA. And if you use T2, A2DC, or Pentaconn connectors, iFi has you covered there too—those loops are available separately.
Despite weighing just 10 grams per pod, each GO Pod Air is stuffed with tech. The signal chain is built on a Qualcomm QCC514x Bluetooth chip paired with a Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI DAC, a combo that handles Bluetooth decoding and digital-to-analog conversion, while amplification is found in separate stages for maximum fidelity. Balanced output, automatic impedance matching (16, 32, or 64 ohms), and a dedicated clock for signal coherence are all here, essentially turning your humble earbuds into a mini hi-fi rig.
Battery life clocks in at seven hours per charge, with the travel case bringing the total to 15. That case, by the way, is 40% lighter and 20% smaller than the one bundled with the original GO Pod, making this setup much more pocket-friendly.
As for Bluetooth codec support, iFi doesn’t mess around. The GO Pod Air supports SBC, AAC, aptX (Classic, HD, Adaptive), LDAC, and LHDC/HWA. It doesn’t matter whether you’re rocking an Android flagship or standing pat with a fruit-branded device—there’s a high-quality codec in the mix for you.
Calls and commands are handled by dual microphones with Qualcomm cVc echo and noise suppression, and the touch-sensitive controls support everything from playback and volume to summoning voice assistants. For outdoor runs or sweaty gym sessions, the IPX5 rating and touch-disable mode ensure you can keep the music going without accidental skips.
Priced at $249 and available now through iQ-audio.com, the GO Pod Air takes iFi’s well-regarded Bluetooth adapter concept and packages it into a travel-friendlier, lower-cost option without compromising what matters: sound quality.
If you’ve got a favorite set of IEMs and a grudge against Bluetooth buds, the GO Pod Air might just be your new favorite travel companion. No wires, no trade-offs—and no more excuses for bad audio on the go.
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