It seems that FiiO is increasingly adopting Apple's behavior pattern, it is noticeable in everything, from the trend of opening monobranded offline stores to the manner of presentations for the announcement of key products. Summer Keynote pleased us with the announcements of the FiiO X7 Mark II, X3 Mark III, the new F9 headphones and the entry level Q1 Mk2 handheld harvester. I did not have time to "finish" all the novelties of this presentation till the end (I promise, Q1 Mk2 will be soon), how the company organized a new presentation, we will talk about it today.
This time, the novelties of "iron" were less, but it did not become less interesting, because the company decided to firmly perform on the software front, introducing its own software player for iOS (already released) and Android (in active development). In general, the step is quite logical, since FiiO produces portable DACs / amplifiers aimed at using with smartphones, then providing them with a corporate "experience of use" similar to the players of the company is a useful thing.
Of course, on both platforms there are already solutions for audiophiles, both cross-platform type Hiby Music, and exclusive ones like Neutron and so on. But I can not say that one more competing free solution here will prevent, especially if it is made by the developer of iron. The presence of its software player opens up a lot of opportunities for FiiO, starting with some software "improvers" for their devices and ending with a branded music store (but I doubt that they will do it). While most of the ideas lie in the hypothetical plane, but even what is now, it pleases.
The interface of the player is already familiar to those who used the Android-solutions of the company, everything is organized very familiar (and, in my opinion, convenient). At the first start, the program will prompt you to scan your device for music availability, both the device's own folder and the iTunes library are scanned. FiiO Music for iOS understands most common formats (FLAC, ALAC, APE, etc.) with a resolution of up to 384 kHz / 24 bit. Since such standard formats are not understood by the standard library, files must be uploaded directly to the program folder, this can be done either via iTunes File Sharing, or by using some file manager. I, for example, very conveniently poured music on Wi-Fi .
Of course, the main task of this player is to output music to connected via USB-DACs, and everything is fine, all resolutions are supported, including Native DSD, which will please owners of DACs with this format support.
I can not but draw another parallel with Apple, but at the presentations of the company from Cupertino, too, first of all something is coming from the software before going to the "main program number", also in FiiO, the key event was the presentation of the new flagship portable DAC / amplifier Q5. For starters - a movie made in a familiar style.
What is before us? Portable DAC, which allows the use of amplification modules from X7, with support for Bluetooth and two AK4490 in balanced mode. This is accompanied by a stylish design, a good package and support for almost any format.
"In the package" is promised a full set of inputs and outputs, including balanced. The price of the novelty will be $ 350, which is generally not bad, because according to the "level" Q5 should, perhaps, correspond to the X7 Mark 2.
Of course, for the sake of one Q5, even with a new softphone, no one would collect the whole presentation, so that two models of headphones were also introduced. As I mentioned in the reviews, FiiO has long had some confusion in the names of the IEM models, and they decided to figure it out.
The first of the two presented models was FH1, according to the scheme above it is clear that these are two-driver hybrids with dynamic and reinforcing radiators.
For its 75 dollars, the buyer will receive two cables in the kit: a balanced 2.5 mm of silver-plated copper and 3.5 mm with a headset, a good set of baits and a reliable cover. For fans of fashionable colors will be able to choose the desired option.
In general, taking into account the tuning, the headphones promise to be interesting.
Well, for a snack, FiiO left a presentation of the flagship model of their IEM. The three-driver F9 hybrids were very warmly received by the market, although their peak in the HF region did not appeal to all users. This is, first and foremost, designed to improve the model, simply called F9 Pro.
In general, the recipe for the novelty is simple: other radiators for MF / HF, smoother frequency response, improved delivery and ergonomics, a new silvery-titanium hue. The price tag of the improved model will be $ 140, and if FiiO manages to cope with the peak on the high frequency - we are waiting for the potential hit of the segment.
Such was this autumn presentation, I, perhaps, I will not pretend to be an analyst and try to draw some conclusions from photographs, but I'd rather wait for the devices themselves and tell them more about them.
The article is based on materials .
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