iFi Zen Blue 3 Review: A Wireless Wonder for Budget Audiophiles

iFi Zen Blue 3 Review: Introduction

In today’s world of wireless audio, Bluetooth receivers have become increasingly popular, offering a simple way to play music from your smartphone through your hi-fi system. Furthermore, they can upgrade your amp’s built-in Bluetooth receiver, offering higher bandwidth and improved sound quality. The iFi Zen Blue 3 ($299) is advertised as a premium example, as it’s not only a Bluetooth receiver with the latest “hi-res” Bluetooth codecs, but it’s also a transmitter, sending high-quality Bluetooth signals back out to a compatible pair of wireless headphones.

In addition, iFi has added wired DAC capabilities (via USB-C and SPDIF connections) to round out the high-fidelity listening experience. This review will delve further into the features, performance, and overall value of the iFi Zen Blue 3, exploring why it’s a compelling choice for audiophiles seeking wireless freedom without compromising sound quality.

Design and Build Quality:

The iFi Zen Blue 3 boasts a sleek and modern design that adds a bit of pizzazz to your audio setup. Its two-tone front panel, featuring a black textured top, silver bottom, and gold buttons, adds sophistication. The compact device is approximately 6.2 inches wide, 1.4 inches high, and 4.5 inches deep, making it easy to integrate into your space.

Crafted with a durable aluminum chassis, the Zen Blue 3 feels solid and well-constructed. The high-grade gold-plated connectors on the rear panel further enhance its premium feel. The front panel houses a user-friendly interface with clearly labeled buttons and knobs for easy control.

Features:

One thing that makes the Zen Blue 3 stand out is its versatility. As stated, it functions as a Bluetooth receiver and transmitter, allowing you to stream music wirelessly from your phone to your stereo system or send audio from a connected source out to Bluetooth headphones.

The Zen Blue 3 utilizes the latest Qualcomm QCC518x Bluetooth chip, supporting Bluetooth 5.4 for a stable and reliable connection. It’s compatible with many Bluetooth codecs, including aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, HWA/LHDC, and, most notably, aptX Lossless, which is becoming more popular, especially on wireless headphones.

The inclusion of aptX Lossless makes the Zen Blue 3 capable of streaming CD-quality audio wirelessly. Keep in mind, that getting the highest bitrate transmission for truly lossless signal transfer requires what Qualcomm calls “perfect” conditions. This means the Bluetooth chip can lower the bitrate without notice to ensure a stable signal.

In addition to its wireless capabilities, the Zen Blue 3 also functions as a wired DAC. It features USB-C and a hybrid optical/coaxial digital input, enabling you to connect it to a computer or other digital sources for high-quality audio playback. It also has a hybrid optical/coaxial digital output, which allows you to use the Zen Blue 3 with devices like a CD transport.

Function:

Operation is straightforward with the unit going into Bluetooth Paring mode as soon as you turn it on. Unlike past models, I like that they added an on/off button to the front of the unit so you can better control its use.

When you pair the Zen Blue 3 to a device for an incoming signal, it announces the codec in use through the connected speakers, which is a nice touch. If you miss that announcement, the iFi logo also lights up in a color that signifies the codec for further confirmation. Next to the iFi logo is another multicolor LED that denotes the music’s sample rate. By the way, the color key for both is included on a sticker affixed to the top of the unit, which is a nice touch.

Alongside the two LEDs, you have a mode selection button to switch between Bluetooth (TX and RX) and DAC modes. There’s also an input channel selection switch that lets you use the Zen Blue 3 as a basic preamp, which is a cool feature. Lastly, there’s a button that turns off the LED in the front, which is a good thing if you plan to listen to music in a darkened room. I’m happy about this feature because the original Zen Blue had no way to turn the light off, which was a pain point.

While I was pleased with the Zen Blue 3’s operation overall, I noted some quirks during my evaluation. First of all, I had an issue connecting my Samsung S23 Ultra phone to the unit via LDAC, as it constantly defaulted to aptX. This was despite LDAC appearing in the developer menu as an option. On the other hand, my Fiio DAP connected with LDAC, HWA, aptX, AAC, and SBC with no problem, so I’m not sure what the hangup with the Samsung was.

Secondly, I thought the unit was a touch slow when switching between modes and inputs, which initially made me think there was a problem with the buttons. However, once I got used to the second or two that it took for functions to operate, it seemed less of an issue.

Audio Performance:

The Zen Blue 3 delivers an impressive audio performance that is the best I’ve heard from a Bluetooth receiver. The sound is marked by transparency and detail, no matter the codec in use. That said, you should hear a distinct improvement with the higher bitrate options like aptX Adaptive, HWA, or LDAC.

Additionally, when compared to a wired connection, the Zen Blue 3’s Bluetooth audio quality holds its own remarkably well. While subtle differences may be discernible to discerning ears, the overall listening experience remains delightful and engaging. I listened to a bunch of test tracks with the Zen Blue 3, and while I could tell I was listening to a Bluetooth signal, it was close enough to a Wi-Fi signal that I could spend many hours listening to well-recorded music and not feel like I was missing much.

Furthermore, I noticed a significant improvement in clarity and detail compared to the built-in Bluetooth of my test amplifier (compared using a common codec- AAC). The soundstage was wider, and the instruments and vocals were more distinct. I particularly enjoyed the improved dynamic range, which made the sound more lively and musical.

While it wasn’t a huge focus of my review, I did try listening to my Sony Headphones using the LDAC transmission feature, and that sounded good with plenty of detail and dynamics. It actually made them sound like I was listening over the wire, which was remarkable. The connection between the Zen Blue 3 and the Sony Headphones was quick and easy, with the unit going into pairing mode and picking up the headphones as soon as Transmission mode was selected.

On the other hand, I have to say the best sound came when I used the Zen Blue 3 as a wired DAC, which makes sense. I quite enjoyed this DAC connected via USB-C to a laptop, as this connection added quite a bit of focus and depth to the music. If you have an older amp with no digital facilities, I think this product is a no-brainer based on its quiet noise floor which provides excellent transparency for the price.

iFi Zen Blue 3 Review: Value For Money

Priced at $299, the iFi Zen Blue 3 offers exceptional value for its performance and features. It’s competitively positioned within the market, considering its high-quality DAC, versatile connectivity options, and support for aptX Lossless. While the iFi Zen Blue V2 is a more expensive Bluetooth receiver than some other options on the market, I believe the sound quality justifies the price. It is a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to improve the sound of their existing audio system wirelessly.

iFi Zen Blue 3 Review: Conclusion

The iFi Zen Blue 3 is a remarkable Bluetooth receiver that blends convenience and audiophile-grade performance. Its versatile functionality, robust build quality, and impressive sound quality make it an excellent addition to any audio setup.

If you’re looking to add Bluetooth connectivity to your existing hi-if stereo system or seeking a high-quality DAC with wireless features for the desktop, the Zen Blue 3 is a strong choice.

---

Hifitrends is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase through links on our site. Prices are subject to change at any time.