iFi UP Play Max Adds Lossless Bluetooth To Phones And Computers

Wireless headphones can support better Bluetooth formats than the phone or computer sending the music. The iFi UP Play Max is a tiny USB-C transmitter designed to close that gap by adding a wider range of codecs to a compatible source device.

It costs £89 and works with more than music. Low-latency audio, a built-in microphone and the ability to connect two pairs of headphones also make it useful for games, films, calls and shared listening.

Quick Reference

• What it is: A compact USB-C Bluetooth audio transmitter.
• Price: £89.
• Main codecs: aptX Lossless, LDAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC.
• Extra features: Low-latency mode, built-in microphone and dual-headphone pairing.
• Best for: Improving Bluetooth compatibility from a phone, tablet or computer.

Why Bluetooth Can Be The Weak Link

Bluetooth audio uses a codec to compress and transmit sound. The sending device and receiving headphones must support the same codec, otherwise they fall back to a more basic shared option. That means expensive wireless headphones may not use their best available format when connected directly to some phones or computers.

The UP Play Max takes over the Bluetooth transmission from the source device. It plugs into USB-C and offers a broad choice of codecs, including aptX Lossless for compatible receiving equipment.

What The UP Play Max Adds

AptX Lossless is designed to transmit CD-quality audio without losing music data when wireless conditions and the receiving device allow it. LDAC and aptX Adaptive provide other high-quality options, giving the transmitter a better chance of matching the codec supported by a particular pair of headphones or Bluetooth DAC.

The device also includes iFi’s implementation of JVCKENWOOD K2 processing. This is optional and controlled through the iFi Nexis app, which also manages active codecs, operating modes and wireless firmware updates.

Sharing And Low Latency Listening

Two pairs of headphones can connect at the same time using the SBC codec. This is useful when two people want to watch or listen together without sharing a single pair of earbuds.

A low-latency mode works through aptX Adaptive to reduce the delay between a picture and its sound. That matters for games and films, where ordinary Bluetooth delay can make speech and on-screen action appear out of sync.

Auracast support is also planned through a firmware update shortly after launch. Auracast is a Bluetooth broadcasting system that lets compatible headphones join a shared audio stream. Buyers should remember that this function is not enabled until the promised update arrives.

What You Need To Know

The UP Play Max improves the transmitting side of a Bluetooth connection, but it cannot add a codec to the headphones receiving the signal. To use aptX Lossless, for example, the headphones or Bluetooth DAC must support aptX Lossless too.

The transmitter measures 27.6 by 20.8 by 8mm and weighs only 3g. A built-in microphone with Qualcomm noise and echo suppression handles calls and in-game chat when the phone or computer is connected through the dongle.

Price And Availability

The iFi UP Play Max costs £89 and is available through iFi’s official store and authorised dealers. It connects through USB-C and draws power from the source device.

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