iPod firmware update could damage headphones

The problem is only said to affect the iPod Classic range of 80GB and 160GB players

A number of contributors to a leading audiophile forum have warned that the latest 1.1 iPod firmware update comes with some potentially nasty side-effects.

According to several members of head-fi.org, the 1.1 update affects the power circuit of the 80GB and 160GB iPod Classic models, causing DC offset in both the headphone jack and the docking port. One member claims to have measured this at 500mV – even when the iPod had been manually shut down.

Clearly, the consequences of an iPod sending electrical impulses through its two external ports aren’t going to be good. If the reports are indeed true, then affected iPod owners could experience a reduction in battery life, plus a loss of sound quality. Several forum members have already reported hearing 'hiss' and 'buzzing' on their updated devices.

The most worrying aspect though is the affect the alleged power surges could have on sensitive headphones or hi-fi equipment. As one member puts it, “it could cause permanent damage. You generally wouldn't connect your headphones to a headphone amp unless it had less than 10mV of DC offset – 500mV is really a lot.”

And, of course, if you regularly connect your iPod to an expensive hi-fi system through its docking port then you probably don’t want your amplifier and speakers spiked with up to 500mV of DC current at regular intervals either.

As usual, Apple remains tight-lipped about the alleged bug. But iPod owners may well want to hold off any firmware upgrades until the situation becomes clearer.

Latest in Portable Media Players
FiiO JM21 portable music player on a white surface
I tested the FiiO JM21 portable music player and it's hard to believe an entry-level digital audio device can sound so good for so little outlay
Shanling M8T Hi-Res Music Player laid out on wooden table, with black headphones nearby.
This portable Hi-Res Audio music player has a tube amp and Android, for a serious mix of the retro and modern
We Are Rewind cassette player at CES 2025 on the show floor
This modern cassette player with Bluetooth (and matching retro wireless headphones) might've been my favorite music experience at CES 2025
FiiO M23 on a wooden table
FiiO M23 portable music player review: delicate yet muscular, assertive yet subtle, lavishly detailed and vaultingly dynamic
Activo P1 on a mustard-colored blanket
Activo P1 music player review: Astell & Kern audio quality for considerably less cash
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000T portable music player playing Chick Corea on a white surface
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000T portable music player review: another huge step forward in energetic, open sound
Latest in News
Garmin clippd integration
Garmin's golf watches just got a big software integration upgrade to help you improve your game
Robert Downey Jr reveals himself as Doctor Doom to a delighted crowd at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
Marvel is currently making a major announcement about Avengers: Doomsday's cast on YouTube, and I think it's going to be a long-winded reveal
Samsung QN90F on yellow background
Samsung announces US prices for its 2025 mini-LED TV lineup, and it’s good and bad news
Nintendo Switch Lite
Forget the Nintendo Switch 2, the original Switch is getting one last hurrah in a surprise Nintendo Direct tomorrow
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge colors seemingly revealed in new video, and there’s another sign of an imminent launch
Microsoft Copiot Studio deep reasoning and agent flows
Microsoft reveals OpenAI-powered Copilot AI agents to bosot your work research and data analysis