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ILS (Focus System)

How do I test my ILS (Focus) Headphones?

This article will guide you to test your headphones to determine if it is performing as intended. It is important to follow the steps in order. Headphones that are not working correctly may cause one or more of the following issues:

Static in the headphones
Improper isolation between left and right headphone channels
Low or no volume in the headphones
Low or no bone conduction

Step 1: Fully charge your Amplifier

Plug the amp charging cable into the DC port at the back of the unit. Plug the other end of the cable into a wall outlet. A green light indicates it is charging and turns off once fully charged.

If you’d like further instructions please see How do I charge my ILS (Focus) Amplifier?

Step 2: Connect your Headphones to the Amplifier

Match the headphone cable up with the four-pin connector on the amplifier labeled ‘Headphones’
Push the cable into the ‘Headphones’ port and you will notice a soft click.
Apply forward pressure while tightening the headphone connector (clockwise) to ensure the connection is securely screwed into the headphone port.

NOTE: You will be able to tighten your headphone connector a half to 4 full rotations depending on when you received your equipment.

Step 3: Connect your Device to the Amplifier

There are three different types of devices you can use with your Focus System. Please click on the link that represents yours to proceed to Step 4.

Current (Focus Digital) - ie, iPhone or Android mobile device
Legacy (iPod)
Legacy (MP3)

Step 4: Connect your Device - Current (Focus Digital)

Fully charge your device
Connect one end of the ‘audio to amp’ cable to the amplifier port labeled “Audio”.
Wrap the ‘audio to amp’ cable underneath and around the headphone cable into your device's headphone port (“horseshoeing it” around the headphone cable).

NOTE: You may need an adapter to connect your mobile device to the amp. This adapter is not included but widely available.

Step 5: Headphone Tests - Current (Focus Digital)🛠️

Left & Right Ear Headphone Test:

Turn the AC knob on the front of the amplifier to 0.5. The blue light should come on and remain solid, indicating the power is ‘on’ and sufficient charge is available.
Set the BC knob on the amp to 0.
Put your headphones on (take note that they are labeled left and right)
Open the Unyte-iLs app on your device and select Programs > Focus Headphone Tests > Left Ear Headphone Test
Start and end the volume test, this is not the test you will perform. You should now see ‘Focus Headphone Tests Left Ear Headphone Test’ on the screen
Set your device to maximum volume.
Press play. Music will begin playing in the left ear only. You may need to adjust the AC volume on the amp to hear depending on your level of sensitivity as well as ensuring the headphone cable and audio to amp cable are fully plugged in and secure.
Once confirmed, navigate back to the previous screen and select the Right Ear Headphone Test.
Repeat steps 5-7 for the right ear.

If music plays in the left and right ear only during each test your headphones are performing as intended. ✅

❌ If there is any static in your headphones, sound coming out of both left and right at the same time or no sound at all, try the steps below during the Left and Right Ear Headphone Test:

1. Wiggle and press on various parts of the headphone cable and audio to amp cable.

If the issue resolves it may indicate the corresponding cable is faulty.

2. Tighten and loosen the headphone connector cable while the test is playing

If the issue resolves it may indicate your connection was too loose, or sometimes too tight.

3. Ensure the four pin connector on the headphone cable is not bent, missing or damaged.

If any of these components are damaged it may be the source of the problem.

Bone Conduction Test:

Turn your AC knob on the amp as low as it will go (0.5) without turning off the amplifier. The blue light should come on and remain solid, indicating the power is ‘on’ and sufficient charge is available.
Turn your BC knob on the amp to 1 (maximum)
Open the Unyte-iLs app on your device and select Programs > Focus Headphone Tests > Bone Conduction Test
Set your device to maximum volume.
Start and end the volume test, this is not the test you will perform. You should now see ‘Focus Headphone Tests Bone Conduction Test’ on the screen.
Press Play and Hold the center of the headband on the headphones close to your ear to hear the music through the bone conductor. You may also hold the bone conductor between your fingers and feel it vibrating slightly off and on with the music.

NOTE: *The bone conductor is located at the center most point of the headband and felt most prominently from the underside of the headband*

If you feel slight vibrations going in and out with the music your headphones are performing as intended. ✅

❌ If you don’t feel any vibrations, try the steps below during the Bone Conduction test. Please note, the Bone Conduction Test uses a portion of the most prominent level of Bone Conduction from Focus programs. It is normal if you notice the bone conduction level is low or non existent while completing a regular listening session

1. Ensure your device volume is set to maximum, AC knob on the amp 0.5 and BC knob on amp 1 (full).

2. Wiggle and press on various parts of the headphone cable and audio to amp cable.

If the vibrations appear it may indicate the corresponding cable is faulty.

3. Tighten and loosen the headphone connector cable while the test is playing.

If the vibrations appear it may indicate your connection was too loose, or sometimes too tight.

4. Ensure the four pin connector on the headphone cable is not bent, missing or damaged.

If any of these components are damaged it may be the source of no bone conduction.

Need more help?

If your headphones did not pass any of these tests and you’d like further support please fill out the Technical Support Form.

Step 4: Connect your Device - Legacy (iPod)

Plug the USB end of the white iPod cable into the green wall plug. Insert the wall plug into an outlet and the other end of the white iPod cable into the bottom of the iPod. NOTE: The iPod has an on-screen icon indicating its current charge level. *Do not charge your iPod using a laptop/desktop as this could disrupt and/or remove Focus programs*
Connect one end of the ‘audio to amp’ cable to the amplifier port labeled “Audio”.
Wrap the ‘audio to amp’ cable underneath and around the headphone cable into your device's headphone port (“horseshoeing it” around the headphone cable).

Step 5: Headphone Tests - Legacy (iPod)🛠️

Air Conduction Test:

Turn the AC knob on the front of the amplifier to 0.5. The blue light should come on and remain solid, indicating the power is ‘on’ and sufficient charge is available.
Set the BC knob on the amp to 0.
Put your headphones on (take note that they are labeled left and right)
Set your iPod to maximum volume.
On the iPod select the music icon > Playlists > Headphone Test > Air Conduction Test > Left Ear Test
Music will begin playing in the left ear only. You may need to adjust the AC volume on the amp to hear depending on your level of sensitivity as well as ensuring the headphone cable and audio to amp cable are fully plugged in and secure.
Rotate and apply pressure to the cables to see if there are any changes in the sound quality.
Once confirmed, press the back arrow in the upper left-hand side of the screen and select the Right Ear Test.
Repeat steps 6 - 7 for the right ear.

If music plays in the left and right ear only during each test your headphones are performing as intended. ✅

❌ If there is any static in your headphones, sound coming out of both left and right at the same time or no sound at all, try the steps below during the Left and Right Ear Air Conduction Test:

1. Wiggle and press on various parts of the headphone cable and audio to amp cable.

If the issue resolves it may indicate the corresponding cable is faulty.

2. Tighten and loosen the headphone connector cable while the test is playing

If the issue resolves it may indicate your connection was too loose, or sometimes too tight.

3. Ensure the four pin connector on the headphone cable is not bent, missing or damaged.

If any of these components are damaged it may be the source of the problem.

Bone Conduction Test:

Turn your AC knob on the amp as low as it will go (0.5) without turning off the amplifier. The blue light should come on and remain solid, indicating the power is ‘on’ and sufficient charge is available.
Turn your BC knob on the amp to 1 (maximum)
Set your iPod to maximum volume.
From the Headphone Test playlist select Bone Conduction Test > Bone Conduction Test
Hold the center of the headband on the headphones close to your ear to hear the music through the bone conductor. You may also hold the bone conductor between your fingers and feel it vibrating slightly off and on with the music.

NOTE: *The bone conductor is located at the center most point of the headband and felt most prominently from the bottom side of the headband*

If you feel slight vibrations going in and out with the music your headphones are performing as intended. ✅

1. Ensure your device volume is set to maximum, AC knob on the amp 0.5 and BC knob on amp 1 (full).
2. Wiggle and press on various parts of the headphone cable and audio to amp cable.

If the vibrations appear it may indicate the corresponding cable is faulty.

3. Tighten and loosen the headphone connector cable while the test is playing.

If the vibrations appear it may indicate your connection was too loose, or sometimes too tight.

4. Ensure the four pin connector on the headphone cable is not bent, missing or damaged.

If any of these components are damaged it may be the source of no bone conduction.

Need more help?

If your headphones did not pass any of these tests and you’d like further support please fill out the Technical Support Form.

Step 4: Connect your Device - Legacy (MP3)

Plug the MP3 USB cable into a computer, laptop or USB wall charger. Plug the connector end into the bottom middle of the MP3 Player. The MP3 Player has an on-screen icon indicating its current charge level. Leave it plugged in until fully charged.
Connect one end of the ‘audio to amp’ cable to the amplifier port labeled “Audio”.
Wrap the ‘audio to amp’ cable underneath and around the headphone cable into your MP3’s headphone port (“horseshoeing it” around the headphone cable).

Step 5: Headphone Tests - Legacy (MP3)🛠️

Air Conduction Test:

Turn the AC knob on the front of the amplifier to 0.5. The blue light should come on and remain solid, indicating the power is ‘on’ and sufficient charge is available.
Set the BC knob on the amp to 0.
Put your headphones on (take note that they are labeled left and right)
Set your MP3 Player to maximum volume.
On the MP3 Player select the music icon > folder icon > Headphone Test > Air Conduction Test > Left ear Test
Music will begin playing in the left ear only. You may need to adjust the AC volume to hear depending on your level of sensitivity as well as ensuring the headphone cable and audio to amp cable are fully plugged in and secure.
Rotate and apply pressure to the cables to see if there are any changes in the sound quality.
Once confirmed, press the back arrow in the upper left-hand side of the screen and select the Right Ear Test
Repeat steps 6 & 7 for the right ear.