In May of this year FiiO pleased its Russian fans with a new audiophile player - in the range of portable players the company appeared . The main difference of the novelty was a new chip Samsung Exynos 7270 - so the manufacturer decided to maximize the player to the platform of the smartphone (also Android installed, yes, yes). The player has just entered the Russian market, and the novelty has already appeared in our editorial office - we will talk about it today.
The tiny Exynos 7270 chip is no bigger than the nail, and at the same time it aggregates all the functions of the system. Not only is it a dual-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with a working frequency of 1 GHz, it also integrates DRAM, eMMC, Bluetooth, FM-receiver and much more into the chip. And time for a smartphone such a chip will be enough, than the player is worse? That's what FiiO thought and in a couple of the Exynos 7270 added an audio-audio DAC built on the ES9018Q2C chip. It turned out a player with the inclinations of a smartphone, but at the same time with a corresponding sound level (Hi-Res, DSD and others come to cheers).
How does all this prove itself in operation?
Specifications
- Processor: ARM Cortex-A53 1 GHz, 2 cores
- OS: Android 7.0
- DAC: ES9018Q2C
- Bluetooth: V4.2 + AptX-HD, LDAC
- Screen: 3.2 "800 × 400 touchscreen
- RAM: 2 GB
- ROM: 2 GB
- Memory cards : MicroSD up to 512 GB
- Battery: 40 days standby time
- Supported DSD formats: DSD64 (.dsf, .dff APE Fast, Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF, WAV - up to 192 kHz / 24 bit WMA Lossless - up to 96 kHz / 24 bit; DSD128
- Supported lossy formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG
Packing and delivery kit
FiiO keep the brand and once again decided to do without excessive pretentiousness. There are no boxes in the package made of wood, leather trim and other nonsense, which immediately increases the price tag of the device 2-3 times. Under the cover is a minimalistic white box with the manufacturer's logo - everything is simple and discreet. Without a traditional scratch-sticker with a code to check the device is not done.
In the box we found a USB-C cable for charging, as well as a convenient silicone case designed to keep the player from external influences. By the way, on the screen already from the plant glued matte film - it should be noted, very carefully.
The case is simple, but reliably protects the player from all sides, access to the controls and charging port is not broken. However, a nice-looking metal case and stylish design of the M7 still make it carry this player without any protection. Risky, but beauty requires sacrifice.
As for the equipment, it is not too rich, built on the principle of "nothing superfluous."
Design and management
Appearance of the M7 is respect. Someone may notice the similarity of the player's design with the same Astell & Kern AK70 Mk II (and will even be right), but this is not so important, because the cost of the players FiiO is much lower. Therefore, the fact that the Chinese managed to make a device of this level, on the contrary, makes us happy.
The case is made of durable aluminum and falls sharply into the hand due to sharp edges. More precisely, it seems to merge with it. The main control element is the touch screen, which has a resolution of 800 x 400 - for a diagonal slightly more than 3 inches this is very good. The screen impressively conveys colors, has good color rendition and good viewing angles. With readability in the sun is also good, although the brightness, of course, has to be twisted to the maximum.
Do not forget in FiiO and about the control buttons. Almost all buttons are located on the left side of the player. The unit consists of a volume wheel, two side buttons (used to navigate tracks) and one to activate play / pause. On the right side there was additionally a place for the microSD slot.
On top is a 3.5 mm headphone port and a power button with a LED indicator that shows the different modes of the player.
The rear panel is devoid of any functional load - it's just a smooth metal with the manufacturer's logo. Due to the matte coating, fingerprints practically do not collect.
The build quality is already traditionally for FiiO at the highest level, without the slightest flaws in the assembly, there are no creaks, backlashes or hints of chatter.
To all this, quality software is also attached. In FiiO decided to take as a basis one of the latest versions of Android 7, which thoroughly shoveled for audio, removing all unnecessary. In the firmware, Google and Google Play services are not installed by default, and third-party applications are not installed.
The main menu consists of six main sections - Music, Radio, Explorer, Gallery, Technical Support and Settings. The music management menu is intuitive and understandable - there is sorting by artists and albums, playlists and so on. There are even some possibilities for setting up a sound like an equalizer, but it's rarely worth it.
All management is done reasonably and conveniently, it is easy to understand and use. The same settings resemble those of Android, but everything is done so that you first saw the player in front of you, not a smartphone. Well and on sweet - USB with OTG and DSD128 mode support.
As for battery life, according to the manufacturer, the battery capacity should be enough for 20 hours of music playback or 40 days in standby mode. It can be safely confirmed, and thanks here it is necessary to say not so much the capacity of the battery, as the chip Exynos, which is very economical in terms of battery life.
Sound
To listen to the player used time-tested headphones Audio Tehcnica MSR7. In this model, the company decided to show its achievements to the maximum, starting with the improved 45 millimeter emitters and ending with a cunning system of damping and ventilation, providing an optimal airflow.
The headphones are not bad either, and the materials in them are used quite well, and the characteristics are pleasing:
- Emitter: dynamic, 45 mm
- Frequency range: 5 Hz - 40 kHz
- Maximum input power: 2 W
- Sensitivity: 100 dB / mW
- Impedance: 35Ω
- Weight: 290 g
- Cable: interchangeable, complete 3 m, 1.2 m, 1.2 with headset
- Plug: 3.5 mm
- Microphone: condenser, 50 Hz - 4000 Hz
Together with MSR7 player M7 pleases with excellent resolution and versatility. This couple produces audiophile sound, but many people will understand it. The bass is pleased with the speed characteristics, the midrange is good unconditionally, and the upper ones are detailed and clean. In the case of MSR7, it is necessary to select a well-controlled RF source, and the M7 does an excellent job of this task.
Traditionally, several tracks in the role of example.
Thirty Seconds To Mars - "AMERICA". In the new album, the vocal of Jared Leto has not changed at all, although a lot of time has passed. One of the striking proofs to this is the track Walk On Water, which is on the first place in the list of compositions of the album "AMERICA". Summer perfectly speaks the voice, and this couple perfectly conveys this.
Felix Jaehn - Is not Nobody. One of the brightest novelties of recent months, we can definitely name the long-awaited album of the German DJ and producer Felix Jen. Two years ago the dance floor of the world was won by the song "Is not Nobody (Loves Me Better)" with the participation of singer Jasmine. And just try to say that you have not heard it!
DeadLock - Darkness Divine. A cheerful and energetic metal is always a good test for the player. Do not turn it into a dull lullaby, smoothing all the emotions, but it does not burn out the listener's audacity and bright sound may not all devices. M7 succeeded.
conclusions
FiiO has an interesting and versatile player that will be appreciated not only by the fans of the brand, but also by ordinary listeners who want to touch the audiophile sound. And the new chip has become an excellent addition and increased the performance of the player - it's not for nothing that this platform is used in smart watches Samsung Gear S3 frontier and Gear S3 classic. And the price of 16-17 thousand rubles was an excellent bid on the market for the M7.
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