Three months ago, Essential announced an Audio Adapter HD accessory for the Essential Phone that would include a DAC, 3.5mm headphone jack, and other audiophile goodies. We haven't heard much about the device since, but today Essential gave us an update on it.
In its monthly AMA on Reddit, the Essential team confirmed that the Audio Adapter HD is "nearly ready for release". The device is in the final stages of certification, and Essential plans to share launch and pricing info soon.
Here's Essential's full statement:
"We can confirm that Audio Adapter HD is nearly ready for release. We're in the final stages of certification with the FCC (we've been told this process takes approximately 6 weeks) and will share more information on release dates and pricing soon. The team has been working hard and we're excited to deliver one of the best mobile audio experiences available. In the meantime, here's a photo of me using Audio Adapter HD to listen to the Master Quality playlist I curated on TIDAL(check it out here). - Marcus"
The Audio Adapter HD is an accessory that'll attach to the back of the Essential Phone, like the Essential 360 Camera add-on. It includes a high-res ESS Sabre DAC with hardware Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) rendering and an audiophile-grade amp to support high-impedance headphones. And of course, there's a 3.5mm headphone jack included.
While we don't yet know how much it'll cost, the Audio Adapter HD looks like it'll be a nice add-on for Essential Phone owners that care about high-quality audio. Stay tuned for more on this accessory as we get it.
