This is the review of the Nuforce Icon Mobile ($99).
After reviewing the Nuforce UF-30 headphones, we got our hands on the Nuforce Icon Mobile and got to play around with it. Here’s what we thought about it.
Nuforce Icon Mobile Amplifier
The Nuforce Icon Mobile is a portable amplifier and USB DAC with support for Skype, MSN messenger or similar microphones. The Nufore Icon Mobile comes in 3 different colours blue, silver and black and sells for $99.
Portability:
Originally before actually seeing the device, my only thoughts were would I really carry around an extra piece of, what I thought was, heavy machinery which would increase the sound quality of my music by only a little bit? But now that I have actually had time to play with it my opinion may very well have been swayed.
First things first is the portability. Unlike what my assumptions where, the Icon Mobile is as small as a playing card and weights next to nothing.
A small but great features that was included in the box is a silicon band which can be wrapped around your iPod and the Icon Mobile to keep them together and form a compact package. This obviously wont work with the iPhone as the band would obstruct the screen but for other iPods it’s great.
Sound:
For this I did the obvious test of trying the same song with both the Nuforce UF-30 and the Nuforce Icon Mobile and once without the Icon Mobile and comparing the differences. And you may think I’m just saying this but there is definitely subtle difference.
The music when played through the Nufore Icon Mobile simply seems a lot more crisp and clear. I notice small details in the song that I didn’t notice before.
However, I am not sure the difference IS enough to actually make me carry around another device but when you see the other features it includes I start to get convinced.
Extra Details:
One of the things I LOVE about the Nuforce Icon Mobile is the fact that it has two output headphone jacks meaning you and your friend can listen to the same iPod at the same time without any reduce in sound quality or loudness. There have been so many long trips with friends where this feature would have been so helpful.
The Nuforce Icon Mobile actually has it’s own volume control which is useful. Also, because of it’s 20 hour battery life it greatly reduces the amount of battery sucked up in your Mp3 player meaning you will be able to use your device longer.
The audio imputed into the Nuforce Icon Mobile can either be done through USB (for computers) or through the two way headphone jack included in the package.
Here are additional details outlined on Nuforce’s very own website:
Features:
- Two headphone/line outputs: a 3.5mm 4-pin mini stereo (with mic) jack and a 3.5mm 3-pin mini stereo jack for driving earphones and line-level sources such as active speakers.
- A 3.5mm mini stereo external input.
- A high-quality rotary volume pot for maximizing USB and iPod signal-to-noise ratios.
- A Gain Select switch provides compatibility for a wide range of headphones and earphones.
- A built-in, rechargeable Lithium Ion battery with USB featuring a 2.5 hour charge-time for 13 hours of continuous playback with maximum power.
- Support for USB audio input and output.
- The Battery-Low indicator blinks when the battery requires recharging.
Headphone Amp:
- Power output: 80mW x 2 @ 16-Ohm
- THD+N: 0.054% @ 25 mW, 1 kHz
- S/N: 98dB @ 40mW
USB DAC:
- USB 2.0 compatible
- Supports 44.1kHz and 48kHz native sampling rates
- Microphone input: 16-bit ADC 4-pin mini stereo compatible headsets
Bundled Accessories:
- 3.5mm stereo cable
- USB cable
- Silicone band
- Plastic tool for adjusting gain setting
Want one?
The Nuforce Icon Mobile sells for only $99 and is available in three different colours.
[...] these. The headphones are the UF-30 headphones and the new Nuforce Icon Mobile amp (view review HERE). Check out our views on the headphones after the [...]
I thought it very beautiful.