Tech Talk Gadget: Add Some Bass To Your iPhone With Two Little Devices!
If you haven’t purchased a pair of nice head phones yet don’t rush you have an alternative. Check out how to pimp out the sound on your iPhone after the jump.
I’ve reviewed my share of portable headphone amplifiers, but ALO’s new Rx-MK3B just might be the best on a number of counts. First, the amp is compact, just about the same size as an iPhone, but twice as thick. ALO invested two years of engineering and development time in the Rx-3B, and makes it in the U.S.
The Cypher Labs AlgoRhythm Solo is a portable digital-to-analog converter designed only for use with iPhones, iPads, and iPods, but it won’t work with computers (it’s not a USB DAC). There are precious few portable DACs that can accept the digital output of Apple iDevices, so it made sense to review the Rx-Mk3B and AlgoRhythm Solo together, with my iPod Classic. ALO sells a special carry bag that holds all three components, and that’s how I brought the system with me on the street and NYC subway system.
The amp and DAC are designed to be used with higher-end in-ear and full-size headphones, so if you have a nice $100 set of headphones, don’t even consider these; buy yourself a pair of great headphones instead.
The Rx-MK3B’s connectivity suite is a little unusual; it has a 3.5mm port and balanced Kobiconn inputs and outputs (all analog connections). Right now, there aren’t any portable balanced DACs, but ALO’s founder, Ken Ball, expects to see them coming in the next year or two. The balanced output jack can be used with some high-end headphones from Sennheiser, Hifiman, and Audeze right now. The lithium polymer battery provides 10 to 14 hours of playing time.
The AlgoRhythm Solo digital-to-analog converter has a special USB input, a 3.5mm analog output (that goes to the Rx-MK3-B), and a RCA digital output you can connect to a home DAC. The Rx-MK3B and AlgoRhythm Solo are made in the U.S.A. The amp’s metal bass and volume control knobs are machined in Portland, Ore.; they’re very cool!
I started my Rx-MK3B/AlgoRhythm Solo auditions listening with a pair of $350 Sony XBA-4 in-ear headphones, and was amazed by the sonic transformation, compared with plugging them straight into my iPod Classic. The amp and DAC together made the XBA-4 sound like a much more expensive set of headphones. Bass definition was dramatically improved, and midrange and treble clarity showed strong improvement. I didn’t have to jack up the volume to appreciate the differences the amp and DAC were making to the sound; it was like looking through a window after it was cleaned. Returning to the iPod on its own was a letdown; it didn’t sound bad, just boring. The XBA-4 was nowhere as transparent-sounding plugged directly into the iPod Classic.
I continued listening with my Jerry Harvey JH-13 custom (molded to my ear canals) in-ear headphones. The sound was substantially more vivid and pure than it was with the Sony XBA-4s. Drums’ dynamics and impact were more viscerally realistic; there was less standing in the way between my ears and the music. Quiet details, like the subtle reverberation on some of my favorite classical music albums, were easier to hear. And not-so-subtle stuff like James Brown’s screams and grunts jumped out of the mixes with more power than I’m used to.
I’ve listened to the JH-13s for years, but they were sounding much better than I’ve ever heard them before. When I wasn’t playing music I heard a small amount of hiss over the headphones coming from the Rx-MK3B, but the noise wasn’t audible when I played music. The bass control knob doesn’t add a lot of bass, but it’s nice to be able to add a little extra oomph when you feel like it.
I also tried the amp and DAC with my old Sennheiser HD 580 full-size headphones, and was knocked out by the sound. Again, it was the transparency gains that made each instrument and voice stand out in bold relief that grabbed my attention. I also played the amp and DAC with the Audeze LCD-3 headphones, which sounded great, but not up to the standards of a big home headphone amp like the Hifiman EF-6 (review to come).
You can, of course, hold off on the DAC and just get the Rx-MK3B amp and see how that rocks your world. I want to stress that it’s not just about playing music louder; better amps sound better at all volume levels.
The ALO/Cypher Labs stack raises the bar for battery-powered sound quality over a wide variety of headphones. The Rx-MK3B ($649) and AlgoRhythm Solo ($579) are sold direct on the ALO Web site with a 30 day money-back guarantee, so you can hear for yourself how they can transform the sound of your headphones. ALO makes a few different portable amps, and its National amp sells for $299. Warranties run one year, and after that ALO will provide service or a heavily discounted price on a replacement unit. ALO has been in business for six years.
THE BLOG
HOT 97
LINKS
MUSIC
Bobby Konders Presents: Massive B Legacy, Vol. 1
Release Date: November 19th, 2018 Bobby Konders Presents: Massive B Legacy – Volume 1 is now available and includes ten features on ten tracks. Burro Banton, Vybez Kartel, Bounty Killa, Sizzla, T.O.K., Elephantman, Richie Spice, Chezidek, Chronicle, and King Kong. You can listen on Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal.
#MusicStillMatters New Music: A Boogie – Nice For What
A boogie gave fans a snippet of this one via his instagram. Finally after all the request to drop the full version from fans – here it is. Check A Boogie’s version of “Nice For What.” Listen below.
#MusicStillMatters New Music: Dave East – Imagine
Dave East is set to release the 2nd installment of his “Karma” series, next week on July 27. Check out this new one off the tape called “Imagine.” Listen below.
#MusicStillMatters New Music: 070 Shake – Accusations
The G.O.O.D. Music rookie 070 Shake releases a new one called “Accusations.” Listen below.
(Video) Tony James – Sweat Slow
Toronto’s very own Tony James has released his major label debut single and visual for “Sweat Slow.” Tony says this one “Is about the one that got away, so we wanted to show the beautiful, happy women representing the ex-girlfriends of the men who took them for granted.” Look out for more from Tony this…
#MusicStillMatters New Music: Childish Gambino – Summertime Magic / Feels Like Summer
Childish Gambino aka Donald Glover follows up his video/song “This Is America” with not only one, but two records for the summer. The “Atlanta” creator tweeted “summer pack,” with a link to his songs, “Summertime Magic” and “Feels Like Summer.”
#MusicStillMatters Stream: Meek Mill – Legends Of The Summer
Meek Mill decided to treat his fans to new music when he dropped a new EP called “Legends of the Summer.” the 4-track tape features Swizz Beatz, Jeremih and PNB Rock. Stream below.
#MusicStillMatters Stream: Future – Beast Mode 2
Future links up with Zaytoven for the follow up to 2015’s “Beast Mode” titled “Beast Mode 2” which includes 9 tracks with a feature from Young Scooter. Listen below.
#MusicStillMatters New Music: T-Pain – Boo’d Up (Remix)
First it was Nicki Minaj and Quavo who put their touch on the track to mixed reviews. Then Fabolous laid his verse on the hit single. Now, T-Pain decided to give his take on the track. Listen below.
TECH TALK
We Know What YG’s Next Purchase Will Be: This ALL RED Special Edition iPhone!
An all red iPhone is on the way – I’m sure much to the delight of the Bloods. LOL! A special edition red version of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have been introduced, in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Apple’s partnership with HIV/AIDS organization, (Red).
(Video) Apple Unveils New Spaceship Campus Called “Apple Park”
One of Steve Jobs projects he left behind before his untimely death from pancreatic cancer, was the Apple spaceship campus. Take a look.
(Video) Lil Wayne Featured In EA’s ‘Need For Speed: No Limits’ Game
While we still have no Carter 5 in sight, we can at least get SOMETHING from Lil Wayne in the form of EA’s new mobile game, Need For Speed: No Limits. Players can drive as Weezy in the game, and both his voice and likeness are there for fans to enjoy. Tune is also working…
Sprint Purchases 33% Stake In Jay-Z’s Tidal
Power moves on power moves on top of power moves. Hov just struck a big deal for Tidal and the artists who have stake in the company as well, through Sprint.
(Video) Travis Scott Previews New Heat On Snapchat
Looks like Travis Scott is cooking something up…Astroworld this year?
Azealia Banks Has Been Banned From Facebook
AzealiaBanksVEVO Well, that took longer than expected.
(Video + Photo) Ariana Grande Got Her Own Character In “Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius” Game
Soon you’ll be able to play as Ariana in Final Fantasy and she broke the news to her fans yesterday.
SoundCloud Makes A Major Update That MANY People Will Be Happy About!
When SoundCloud first came out, it quickly became a hub for DJs, uploading their mixes and gaining a decent following because of it. However, as labels became more hip to the new site, they began issuing copyright infringements left to right, and DJs began leaving the streaming website in droves – especially because their accounts…
MARISA EXPLAINS IT ALL
Marisa Mendez x Jamal x Tunisia – Marisa Explains It All [Episode 16: “Holiday Hangover”]
We’ve made it to episode 16 of my podcast, Marisa Explains It All, and I finally decided to share it with you guys here. LOL! On this episode, we pre-gamed before the Ebro In The Morning holiday party…and uh, yeah. Drunk talk and feelings were at an all time high. Our music picks are as…
Behind The Lyrics: Lil Wayne Admits To Botched Suicide Attempt As A Child On “London Roads”
Lil Wayne has long recounted a story of “accidentally” shooting himself when he was 12, playing with a 9 mm handgun. Thankfully, an off-duty cop was around to help young Tune, and he survived to become the rap star he is today. Apparently, that wasn’t the whole story, though! On “London Roads”, a song from…
(Video) Machine Gun Kelly Finally Opens Up About Amber Rose
Machine Gun Kelly is one of my favorite artists and has been a good friend of mine for years now, so it was double the blessing to make my Hot 97 interview debut with him on Ebro In The Morning today! The Bad Boy rapper stopped by to discuss his new single and its powerful…
Behind The Lyrics: Wiz Khalifa Comes For Amber’s Neck On “For Everybody”
Last night, Juicy J dropped his Wiz Khalifa-assisted single “For Everybody,” and boy did Wiz have some choice words for his ex Amber Rose on the track! And to drive the point home, they included a photo of themselves at his wedding to Amber as the song’s artwork.
(Video) Honey Cocaine Plays A Hilarious Game Of Taboo
Toronto-bred raptress Honey Cocaine made her rounds at Hot 97 a few weeks back, promoting her latest mixtape Like A Drug, and its 2 singles, “Gwola” featuring Kid Ink and Maino, and “None Of My Business” with Kirko Bangz and Constantine. Following her dope interview with Jen From BK for Jen’s “Ladies First” segment, I…
Interview: Machine Gun Kelly On Debut Film: “I hope that it kind of strikes a social issue…” [PLUS Details On Sophomore Album!]
This Friday, Colson ‘MGK‘ Baker will make his big-screen debut, starring as Kid Culprit in the romantic drama, Beyond The Lights. Since his 2012 Bad Boy/Interscope debut Lace Up and his breakout single “Wild Boy,” Kells has toured the world and shot not only Beyond The Lights, but two more as-of-yet unreleased films as well.…
Elijah Blake Gives 7 Tips How NOT To Act Around A Celeb, Plus Talks New EP, His First Big Check & More!
Singer/songwriter Elijah Blake has worked with a majority of the biggest names in the music business from Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Usher, Mary J and more, either having written for them or being featured on their songs. Now with his recently released Drift EP (available on iTunes here,) the talented Def Jam signee sat down to…
IFWT Exclusive: Maino Gives Us The REAL Story Of What Happened With The Porn Star!
Maino is currently being sought out by the NYPD for questioning, after an adult film star accused him of assaulting her inside of his truck after they partied at Griffin on Monday night with Drake, Ashanti, JR Smith and more. According to the police report filed by the porn star, Mellanie Monroe, “he started punching…
Mila J Reveals The Real Deal Between Her & A Rumored Beau, Plus Talks New EP, Diet/Workout, Her Mains & More!
Gorgeous singer/songwriter/dancer Mila J finally released her debut EP M.I.L.A. (Made In L.A.) yesterday, after years of trying out girl groups, various solo ventures, random day jobs and the like. She’s finally found her niche now though, and has seen success with her latest singles, “Smoke, Drink, Break-Up” and the Ty Dolla $ign-assisted, “My Main.”…