iFi audio EarBuddy - your hiss busting best friend!

[AMR/iFi audio]

Folks, what do you think this little critter might be?

 

 

 

 

 

[left channel]

Right angle adapter with a stress-relieving wire. 

 

New-and-improved! Relieves your internal stress too.

Including the stress of reading MQA threads on CA.

[Ralf11]

it is a deconvolution device -- the right angle bend removes blur 

[AMR/iFi audio]

 

The friendly tech note…

 

The EarBuddy gets rid of hiss and buzz and improves audio quality.

 

It works on the same principals as the iFi audio iEMatch released in 2016 but its functionality has been adapted to suit a wider audience. Its complex name is an ‘attenuator’ which just actually means a device which reduces the strength of an audio signal.

 

For those of you into the mysterious technological workings of the iEMatch, you can find out more in the Tech Notes at https://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/data/iEMatch-Tech-Notes(June17).pdf

 

However, if you like the background tech stuff, but not quite as much as some of us, then read on.  And if you are a newbie, just joining the iFi revolution, these quick explanations might help!

 

Bits                              In digital audio using pulse-code modulation (PCM), bit depth is the number of bits of information in each sample, and it directly                                              corresponds to the resolution of each sample -  imagine pixels on a computer screen or pieces in a jigsaw.

 

16Bit audio                  CDs have digital audio that has a bit depth of 16Bits and a sample rate of 44.1 kHz. 

 

Dynamic range           In music, this is the difference between the quietest and loudest volume of an instrument, part or piece of music.

 

 

EarBuddy regains what the (digital) volume loses

Basically, a smart device like your iPhone or tablet or a DAP (Digital Audio Player),  uses a digital volume control and most of us typically use just 60% of the available volume.

 

On most headphones or IEMs (in-ear monitors) any louder than 60% would blow your head off. And it normally increases annoying background noise in the form of hisses or hums.

 

 

 

The trouble with this is that you are not getting the sound quality that you expect/deserve.

 

Dynamic range is effected so the distinction between the  quietest and loudest parts of the music is blurred. And resolution is distorted – it’s like a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces – you just don’t get the complete picture.

 

In an everyday context…

If you are streaming music via Tidal or Spotify, you pay for and expect to be listening to music at 16Bits – CD like quality.

 

What actually happens, because you aren’t listening at optimum volume, is that you lose 2Bits of resolution, so you are only listening to 14Bits – less than CD quality.

 

Now, add in the EarBuddy and crank up the volume.

 

 

The EarBuddy ‘moderates’ the digital volume with an adjustment of -15dB. And at same time gets rid of annoying hisses or buzzes.

 

Effectively, you are allow your device to run at a higher volume without going deaf! You immediately get the 2Bits back and benefit from better resolution and an increased dynamic range, vocals may seem clearer and background hiss has disappeared.

 

It’s a bit of iFi magic. Give the EarBuddy a try and get your Bits back.

 

The retail price of the Ear Buddy is US$20 (ex-tax) or €24 /£20 (incl. VAT)

 

[asdf1000]

Any chance of a balanced version @AMR/iFi audio

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

18 hours ago, Em2016 said:

Any chance of a balanced version @AMR/iFi audio

 

 

Has been out for a while, it's called iEMatch. Please take a look here:

 

https://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-iematch/

[One and a half]

Why the cable is included instead of the usual solid 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter?

 

For portable use the 1/4 inch end is heavy, and will put strain on the 3.5 mm end unless it's made from Carbon Fibre?

 

@Ralf11 - relevance?

[jventer]

Cleaning up device or an amp?

[left channel]

4 hours ago, jventer said:

Cleaning up device or an amp?

 

Give that man a cigar! OK, I guess we can stop making fun of it now.

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

And here's a bonus for you guys: Ashley from the Echobox crew used our EarBuddy at this year's IFA!

[jventer]

That was luck

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 9/8/2017 at 11:49 AM, jventer said:

That was luck

 

Cheers jventer! 

 

There is an official Ear Buddy thread already. Please click down below to join.

 

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

Check out Sam, Chief Commercial Officer, from Echobox Audio explaining how the Ear Buddy works. He's found his new best friend!

 

Thanks Sam. 

 

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

Some exciting news that we at iFi audio will like to share with you!

 

The Ear Buddy is on a roll!

 

https://www.whathifi.com/news/ear-buddy-ifis-ps20-dongle-better-sound

[hdo]

I am interested in noise removal adaptors that can filter FM radio hiss noise problem. One of my favorite station is located between my place and large mountain range. So it causes constant hiss noise. Can iFi ear buddy be used to remove this kind of noise between FM radio and external speakers of headphones?

[AMR/iFi audio]

16 hours ago, hdo said:

I am interested in noise removal adaptors that can filter FM radio hiss noise problem. One of my favorite station is located between my place and large mountain range. So it causes constant hiss noise. Can iFi ear buddy be used to remove this kind of noise between FM radio and external speakers of headphones?

 

It doesn't hurt to try. The product is affordable and if it doesn't do what you'd like, our return policy is generous. Feel free to ask your local iFi audio representative.

[hdo]

1 hour ago, AMR/iFi audio said:

It doesn't hurt to try. The product is affordable and if it doesn't do what you'd like, our return policy is generous. Feel free to ask your local iFi audio representative

 

My local retailers don't have this product yet. If it works to reduce FM hissing noise, I have to request my retailer to have a stock.

 

FM hissing sound very common. It sound like "zzzzzz....". If ear buddy works, then there can be large demand for this product. Why don't you test this in your lab and let us know?

[AMR/iFi audio]

1 hour ago, hdo said:

 

My local retailers don't have this product yet. If it works to reduce FM hissing noise, I have to request my retailer to have a stock.

 

FM hissing sound very common. It sound like "zzzzzz....". If ear buddy works, then there can be large demand for this product. Why don't you test this in your lab and let us know?

 

EarBuddy was designed to combat headphone out hiss audible on i.e. sensitive IEMs. So as long as headphones fronted by this product are involved, the improvement will be there. 

[hdo]

Does this work for headphones whose cable work as antenna? There can be two types of usages. One is for FM radios with dedicated antenna. Ear buddy should work with no problems. The other is when headphone and IEM cables work as antenna. This is for most mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. Will ear buddy works for these devices?

[AMR/iFi audio]

17 hours ago, hdo said:

Does this work for headphones whose cable work as antenna? There can be two types of usages. One is for FM radios with dedicated antenna. Ear buddy should work with no problems. The other is when headphone and IEM cables work as antenna. This is for most mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. Will ear buddy works for these devices?

 

You have a PM.