Crutchfield SpeakerCompare™ Listening Kit Rental 30-day rental kit for use with Crutchfield's SpeakerCompare tool

SpeakerCompare Overview
Headphone Features
DragonFly Features
USB Adapters

SpeakerCompare Overview

Kit Contents: The Crutchfield SpeakerCompare Listening Kit includes the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones and the AudioQuest DragonFly Black digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier. Three USB adapters (USB-C, Micro-B USB, Apple Lightning) are also included for Android and iOS devices to connect them to your source device.

Headphone Features

Design: The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones features a closed design that attenuates ambient noise up to 32 dB. These lightweight headphones adjust to the shape of your head for a comfortable fit, and to seal out unwanted room noise. The soft, elliptical circum-aural ear cushions, and padded, adjustable headband provide maximum comfort, even during long listening periods. The ear cups swivel and the headphones fold for easy storage.

Single-Sided Cord: The coiled cable attaches to the left ear cup, to keep the cable out of your way. The cable features a gold-plated 3.5mm straight plug.

Specifications:

• Frequency Response: 8 Hz - 25 kHz
• Power Handling Capacity: 500 mW
• Impedance: 64Ω
• Sensitivity: 113 dB
• THD: < 0.1%
• Coiled Cable Length: Min: 39" Max: 9.8'
• Connector: Gold-plated 3.5mm plug
• Ear Cup Dimensions: Width 3.365" Height 4.282"
• Weight: 10.05 ounces
• Warranty: 2 Years

DragonFly Features

USB DAC + Preamp + Headphone Amp: The AudioQuest DragonFly Black is a sleek, flash-drive sized USB DAC + Preamp + Headphone Amp that delivers far superior sound by bypassing the poor quality sound card that is built into your Apple iOS and Android smartphone/tablet or Windows and Mac laptop/desktop computer. Its 3.5mm port is designed specifically to connect to an external audio system such as headphones, powered desktop speakers, or your HiFi audio system. DragonFly Black carries a 1-year warranty.

• Apple Compatibility: It is compatible with Apple iOS 9.2+ devices with a Lightning connector. (It is not compatible with 30-pin devices). The preferred method for connecting an Apple iOS device is using Apple's Lightning to USB camera adapter (included in the Listening Kit). Your Apple iOS device's battery will be charged while it's connected.
• Android Compatibility: It is compatible with most Android devices running Jelly Bean 4.1 or newer using the DragonTail USB adapter (included in the Listening Kit). If the DragonFly Black seems to have too little output, you should download the the USB Audio Player Prop app which includes its own USB audio driver. This application is compatible with various audio formats and will manage music on both the Android's internal memory and inserted microSD card. Additionally, with your Android phone connected to a Wi-Fi network, this app can find and connect to DLNA servers/libraries, plus support playback of Tidal (UAPP does not offer support for any other 3rd-party applications).
• Windows Compatibility: DragonFly Black is compatible with Windows PC (XP/7/8.1/10). No additional drivers are required to operate with a Windows PC.
• Mac Compatibility: Compatible with Mac computers (OS X 10.6.8-up). No additional drivers are required with Mac OS X.

High-Performance Microcontroller: AudioQuest and DragonFly designer Gordon Rankin worked alongside Microchip Technology to develop a new high-performance, full-speed USB microcontroller solution that delivers improved signal-to-noise ratio and significantly lower power consumption. Drawing 77% less current than the previous microcontroller, the new Microchip PIC32MX microcontroller enables true compatibility with Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad and Android smartphones/tablets. In addition, the Microchip's ultra-low-noise power supply minimizes the sound-degrading effect of high-frequency interference on the critical audio signal.

32-Bit ESS Sabre 9010 DAC: At the heart of DragonFly Black is a 32-bit ESS Sabre 9010 DAC that uses a sophisticated minimum-phase digital filter to provide more naturally detailed and dynamic music. This high-performance DAC is typically found in today's higher-end CD and Blu-ray players. DragonFly Black can accept audio and music files ranging from MP3s (128/256/320kbps) and CD-standard 16-bit/44kHz to native 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution, regardless of music file format. DragonFly Black will accept almost any audio you want to play on your computer and make it sound dramatically better, whether your listening pleasure is iTunes or streaming music services such as Pandora, Spotify, Amazon, or Tidal.

Streamlength Asynchronous USB: Timing errors such as "jitter" have long been the plague of digital audio playback; never more so than in recent years as computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones have been pressed into service as audio source components. Rather than sharing crucial audio "data clocking" functions with your source device, DragonFly Black uses a very sophisticated Streamlength Asynchronous USB audio data transfer protocol which takes command over the timing of the audio data transfer, dramatically reducing digital timing errors. As a result, you get low jitter, low resource load, minimal packet errors, world-class audio playback, and reliable connectivity between the DragonFly Black and your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

Hybrid-PLL Clock System: The DragonFly Black employs a unique clock system called a Hybrid-PLL. While not discrete, the Hybrid-PLL performs equal to, or better than, many discrete clock systems.

Compatible Sampling Frequencies: DragonFly Black will play music or audio data at 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, or 96kHz. However, for the best sonic results your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer should be configured so that it sends music and audio data to DragonFly Black that matches the "native rate" of the music. For example, since all CDs and music files purchased from iTunes are at a 44.1kHz sample rate, for many people 44.1kHz will be the best sample rate since this is the "native rate" of most digital music. Choosing a higher sample rate will convert your native music and audio data using mathematical approximations that can potentially decrease the sound quality. Conversely, if you have purchased high-resolution music files (96kHz), such as those available from HDtracks.com, configuring your computer for 44.1kHz (or any other lower sample rate) will cause the computer to down-sample your music to a lower resolution. When possible, always configure the computer to output the native sample rate of the music you are listening to.

MQA Firmware Update: The latest firmware update (1.06) will provide the DragonFly Black with the capability of rendering Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) files. This means that now the DragonFly Black lets you experience your favorite albums and songs in the highest audio resolutions available. As an MQA-rendering DAC, the DragonFly Black must be used with an MQA-approved playback application, such as Tidal or Audirvana (with more to come), in order to unlock the full resolution of an MQA file.

64-Step Analog Volume Control: The AudioQuest DragonFly Black is equipped with a 64-step analog volume control. With DragonFly Black connected to a PC or mobile device, adjusting the host's system volume control will, through proxy, control the DragonFly Black's onboard volume. This ensures maximum resolution and the highest sound quality, regardless of volume setting

Direct Coupled Analog Circuits: DragonFly Black's analog circuits are direct-coupled from the ESS converter chip's output, avoiding the need for any extraneous, sonically degrading components in the signal path.

Stereo Minijack Output (1.2-Volt): DragonFly Black is fitted with a stereo female minijack (3.5mm) output and will output 1.2-volts, which is enough power to successfully drive most preamplifier input circuits and a wide range of today's medium-to-moderately efficient headphones. The DragonFly Black's 3.5mm output can be used as a Headphone Jack, a Variable Out, or a Fixed Output.

• Headphone Out: DragonFly Black is versatile enough to drive virtually any headphone on the market today. DragonFly Black can drive any headphone from 12-ohm impedance on up. DragonFly Black has enough output to drive even the lowest efficiency headphones.
• Variable Out: DragonFly Black can be used in "variable" output mode with computer-controlled analog volume control when connected directly to powered speakers or a power amplifier.
• Fixed Out: Connecting to a traditional preamplifier or AV receiver, DragonFly Black can be set to a "fixed" output mode by turning the volume to maximum, allowing it to behave like a CD or Blu-ray player.

LED Indicator: A smart LED indicator behind the DragonFly Black icon shows the resolution of the incoming signal - 44.1kHz (green), 48kHz (blue), 88.2kHz (amber), and 96kHz (magenta). Red indicates standby mode.

Firmware Software Upgrades: The DragonFly Black is firmware/software upgradeable through a complimentary Windows PC or Mac OS X desktop application. As new developments arise in music player applications, streaming protocols, or other associated software; DragonFly Black users will be able to incorporate those updates to their existing devices.

USB Adapters

DragonTail USB Adapters: The DragonTail USB-C and Micro USB adapters included in the Listening Kit activate the USB Host Mode for many Android devices, allowing the devices to transmit USB digital audio to an outboard digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Using the DragonTail adapters to connect to the AudioQuest DragonFly DAC will provide greatly improved audio performance. The DragonTail adapters are covered by a 5-year warranty.

High Quality Construction: The DragonTail USB-C and Micro USB adapters for Android devices offer high-quality construction:

• Solid 5% silver conductors eliminate inter-strand distortion.
• Hard-cell foam insulation maximizes geometry stability.
• Carbon-based noise-dissipation system minimizes RF interference.
• All conductors controlled for RF noise directionality.
• Length: USB-C adapter: 6", Micro USB adapter: 5.25"

USB Connectors: The DragonTail USB-C adapter has a male USB Type-C connector for connecting to newer Android USB-C devices. The DragonTail Micro USB adapter can be used with those Android devices equipped with a Micro USB port. Both adapters feature a female Type A USB connector for connecting a standard Type A USB cable.

Apple Lightning/USB Camera Adapter: The Apple Lightning-to-USB Camera Adapter (MD821AM/A), included in the Listening Kit, features a male Lightning connector on one end, and a female USB Type A port on the other end. This allows you to connect the AQ DragonFly Black directly to your Apple device. The Lightning-to-USB Camera adapter is 4.75" in length, and carries a 1-year warranty.