Headphones Review
iFi AC Review: Not a Headphone, AC Power Filter
The iFi AC is not a pair of headphones or earbuds. It is an AC power filter that reduces mains noise by over 40dB, offers surge protection, and includes LED diagnostics for polarity and grounding. This review explains why it cannot be evaluated as a headphone and what it actually does.
Our Verdict
The iFi AC is not a headphone or earbud, so a conventional headphone review cannot apply. It is an AC power filter that plugs into a wall outlet to reduce mains noise by over 40dB, provide surge protection, and show polarity and grounding status via LEDs. Because it does not have drivers, ear cushions, Bluetooth, or a battery, it cannot be scored on sound, comfort, or portable features. The listing does not publish physical dimensions, weight, or whether it has a pass-through outlet. As a power conditioning accessory, its published feature set appears useful for audio systems, but it is irrelevant for anyone seeking headphones. Therefore, the headphone performance score is zero, and this product should not be considered by headphone buyers.
Editorial research score based on published specifications and documented features, not a customer rating or lab test.
iFi
iFi AC
Best for: Owners of audio or AV systems who want cleaner AC power with visual diagnostics and surge protection.
Skip it if: Avoid this product if you are shopping for headphones or earbuds, because it is an AC power filter and cannot play audio.
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Listing verified: October 2026
Who Should Buy It
Buy it if
- Owners of audio or AV systems with audible mains noise
- Users who want visual diagnostics of polarity and grounding
- People needing surge protection for their equipment
- Those who want a parallel power filter that does not limit current
Skip it if
- You need headphones or earbuds
- You want a device with headphone drivers and Bluetooth
- You expect battery-powered portable audio
Key Specifications
| Type | Not published in listing |
| Driver | Not published in listing |
| Noise cancelling | Not published in listing |
| Bluetooth and codecs | Not published in listing |
| Battery life | Not published in listing |
| Wired option | Not published in listing |
| Controls and app | Not published in listing |
| Water resistance | Not published in listing |
| Weight | Not published in listing |
| Included accessories | Not published in listing |
Overview
The product in this listing is the iFi AC, also described as the iFi Audio AC iPurifier 2. It is not a pair of headphones or earbuds. Instead, it is an AC power noise filter aimed at audio and AV systems. The listing states that it uses ANC III technology to reduce AC mains noise by more than 40dB, which is a 100x reduction.
The device uses parallel technology, meaning it does not restrict system performance by sitting in series with the power line. It also includes LED diagnostics for mains polarity and earthing status, surge protection, and a bypassable LED indicator. A 4mm port is provided for a supplementary earth connection. These features are for power conditioning, not for audio playback.
Because this is not a headphone, this review will not evaluate sound quality, comfort, battery life, or other headphone-specific traits. The following sections clarify what the listing actually describes and how it may be relevant to audio system owners. Headphone buyers should stop reading here.
Sound Quality
The iFi AC does not have headphone drivers, so there is no sound signature to assess. It cannot produce audio and cannot be worn. Any discussion of bass, treble, or soundstage is impossible for this product.
The listing does claim that the device reduces AC mains noise by over 40dB. That is a specification related to power line interference, not acoustic output. If used with an audio system, it might reduce background noise caused by dirty mains power, but the listing does not provide before and after measurements.
On paper, the noise reduction figure suggests significant filtering of electromagnetic interference. However, because this product is not a headphone, it cannot be scored for sound quality in the traditional sense. The sound score in this review is therefore zero.
Comfort and Fit
Comfort and fit do not apply to the iFi AC because there are no earcups, headband, or eartips. It is a small device that plugs into a wall outlet. The listing does not publish its physical dimensions or weight, so even its size cannot be assessed for portability.
Since the product is not worn on the body, there is no risk of ear fatigue, headband pressure, or fit issues. Buyers who care about comfort in a headphone sense will find nothing to evaluate here.
The listing does not mention any materials used for the housing, so build quality and ergonomics remain unknown. For a power filter, comfort is irrelevant, but the lack of published dimensions is a gap in the listing.
Noise Control and Features
The iFi AC offers noise control not as active noise cancellation for headphones, but as reduction of AC mains noise. The listing states that ANC III dramatically reduces AC mains noise by more than 40dB, equivalent to 100 times. This is a parallel filter, so it does not restrict current flow to the connected equipment.
Additional features include LED diagnostics that display mains polarity and earthing status, automatic single-phase detection, and surge protection. The LEDs can be bypassed to minimize visual distraction, which is useful in a dark listening room.
The 4mm port provides a supplementary earth connection, which may help with grounding issues in some systems. These are practical features for audio and AV setups, but they are not headphone features.
- ANC III reduces AC mains noise by over 40dB (100x)
- Parallel technology does not restrict system performance
- LED diagnostics for mains polarity and earthing status
- Surge protection shields against voltage spikes
- 4mm port offers supplementary earth connection
Battery, Bluetooth and Connectivity
The iFi AC is not battery powered and has no Bluetooth or wireless capability. It is designed to be plugged into an AC wall outlet continuously. The listing does not mention any battery life, charging, or wireless codecs.
Connectivity is limited to the AC plug and the 4mm earth port. There is no audio input or output, no USB port, and no headphone jack. This is a power conditioning accessory, not an audio playback device.
Because there is no battery or Bluetooth, battery life and wireless performance cannot be scored. The device is intended for use with a stationary audio system near a power outlet.
Build, Design and Portability
The listing does not specify the dimensions, weight, or materials of the iFi AC. Without that information, it is impossible to judge build quality or portability from the published data. The product is presumably a compact plug-in unit, but that is an assumption.
The design includes LED indicators that can be turned off, which suggests some thought given to aesthetics in a listening environment. The 4mm earth port is a specialized feature not typically found on basic power strips.
Portability is not a priority for this device because it needs to be connected to AC mains. It is not meant to be carried around like a pair of headphones. Build quality remains unverified from the listing.
Call Quality and Daily Use
The iFi AC has no microphone, no Bluetooth calling, and no voice assistant support. Call quality is not applicable. It is purely a power filter and cannot be used for phone calls or video conferencing.
In daily use, the device would be plugged into a wall outlet near an audio or AV system. The LED diagnostics can be checked to confirm correct polarity and grounding. The bypassable LEDs are useful for reducing light in a dark room.
The listing does not state whether the device has a pass-through outlet for other components, so it may occupy a wall outlet without providing an extra socket. That could be a limitation in daily setup.
Who Should Buy It
This product is for owners of audio or AV systems who are experiencing audible noise from dirty mains power, ground loops, or voltage spikes. It may be useful for anyone who wants visual confirmation of mains polarity and earthing status.
It is not for headphone users. If you are looking for a pair of headphones or earbuds, this product is completely off target. It cannot play music, take calls, or provide any personal audio.
The parallel design and surge protection make it a potentially useful accessory for stereo or home theater setups. However, the listing's lack of physical specifications makes it hard to assess fit in a crowded outlet area.
Alternatives Worth Considering
Because the iFi AC is not a headphone, headphone alternatives such as the Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort 45, or Apple AirPods Pro are irrelevant. Those products serve entirely different purposes.
If you are shopping for headphones, you should look elsewhere. This listing is a power filter and should not be compared to any headphone model, regardless of price tier.
Within the category of AC power filters, there are other products on the market, but this review does not have listing data for them. Without published specifications, it is not possible to recommend a direct alternative here.
Verdict
The iFi AC cannot be reviewed as a headphone because it is an AC power filter. It has no drivers, no ear cushions, no battery, and no Bluetooth. The headphone-specific scores in this review are all zero because the product cannot perform those functions.
As a power conditioning accessory, the listing describes a useful feature set: ANC III noise reduction of over 40dB, parallel operation, surge protection, LED diagnostics, and a 4mm earth port. These could benefit audio systems with mains noise or grounding issues.
However, the listing omits physical dimensions, weight, and whether it has a pass-through outlet. Without in-person testing, we cannot verify the effectiveness of the noise reduction. Buyers should understand exactly what they are purchasing: not headphones, but a power filter.
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- ANC III reduces AC mains noise by over 40dB
- Parallel design does not restrict system performance
- LED diagnostics for mains polarity and earthing status
- Surge protection shields against voltage spikes
- 4mm port offers supplementary earth connection
Limitations
- Not a pair of headphones or earbuds
- No headphone drivers or audio output
- No Bluetooth or battery operation
- Listing does not state physical dimensions or weight
- No call or microphone functionality
How We Scored It
Scores reflect published specifications, documented features and value against the alternatives below. They are editorial research scores, not laboratory measurements.
Alternatives to Consider
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Read the JBL Live Beam 3 review →
Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction Open-Ear
Runners and cyclists who want open-ear situational awareness in a budget-friendly sport headphone.
Read the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction Open-Ear review →
iFi Hip-dac2
Listeners who want a portable DAC and amplifier to improve smartphone audio with both balanced and single ended headphone outputs.
Read the iFi Hip-dac2 review →Questions Buyers Ask
iFi AC
See the current listing, price and included accessories.
About This Review
Mandrillis Team
The Mandrillis editorial team researches and compares audio and music gear using manufacturer documentation, verified specs and real buyer feedback, so you can make a confident purchase without wading through marketing claims.
Read our full research methodology.