At CanJam NYC, February 25-26, 2023, iFi Audio will introduce the Diablo X portable DAC/Amp, which is the first to support xMEMS — a ground-breaking solid state monolithic speaker technology.
The Diablo X, when paired with IEMs featuring the xMEMS’ monolithic micro speaker, claims to provide audiophile-level resolution with lightning-fast transient response, near-zero phase shift, and +/-1° part-to-part phase consistency. Ultimately, making earphones sound natural with the most accurate time domain music reproduction.
According to our Senior Editor, William Jennings, “Finding a way to eliminate phase shift across the whole audible range while maintaining a near neutral signature is a very big accomplishment if they have actually found a way to do so. A single full-range driver with no big dips or spikes and no phase issues would truly be a big deal.”
iFi audio will be showcasing the Diablo X alongside new in-ear monitors from Singularity Audio at CanJam NYC 2023. Singularity Audio will be releasing their xMEMS In-Ear Monitors, the first IEMs to feature xMEMS solid state speaker technology. Paired with the iFi Diablo X, the two become a perfect bundle, because one cannot be properly utilized without the other.
xMEMS micro-speakers are voltage-driven, not current-driven like coil-based speakers. A compatible amplifier should be capable of driving up to 30V peak-to-peak to drive xMEMS speakers to max loudness. In addition, a DC bias must be applied for the silicon speaker diaphragm to work properly, which is also handled seamlessly by Diablo X.
What makes Diablo X unique and compatible with Singularity Audio IEMs is a mode switch that toggles between xMEMS, Turbo and Normal. That ensures Diablo X is also compatible with a wide variety of headphones and earphones. The original iDSD Diablo ($999 at Amazon) had Turbo, Normal and Eco modes for pairing with low or high sensitivity IEMs.
Just like the original iDSD Diablo, the Diablo X delivers reference level sound by using two BurrBrown DAC chips and a 16-core XMOS chip to process the data received via the USB and S/PDIF digital inputs, meaning the Diablo X can handle up to PCM 768, DSD 512, 2xDXD. It also provides full MQA decoding, like its predecessor.
Price and Availability
TBD.
This post will be updated as we learn more.
About xMEMs
Founded in January 2018, xMEMS Labs is reinventing sound with the world’s first solid-state True MEMS speakers for TWS and other personal audio devices. xMEMS has over 90 granted patents and over 100 patents pending for its technology. The monolithic architecture implements both actuation and diaphragm in silicon resulting in unmatched part-to-part frequency response consistency and reduced speaker matching or calibration time at manufacturing. This innovative transduction mechanism has also produced the worlds’ fastest and most precise µspeakers, eliminating spring and suspension recovery of coil speakers which improves audio quality and sound field reproduction.
About Singularity Audio
Incorporated in 2022, Singularity Audio’s mission is to create audiophile products Singular in design and purpose. From conception through design and fabrication, Singularity Audio products embody a purity in design, harmonizing advanced materials with an unwavering commitment to accurate sound reproduction.
Singularity Audio’s first product is a flagship IEM which utilizes the fastest and most phase accurate µSpeaker available, the xMEMS Labs Montara Piezo-MEMS transducer. Using reductive principles, an elegant industrial design using a minimal number of components was realized. The outer shells are machined from titanium, with each IEM weighing <5 grams and under 19mm in length, resulting in featherweight IEM that the user will forget they are wearing, allowing them to be fully immersed in music.
Related reading: See more coverage from CanJam NYC 2023
