As promised, Fiio started the process of updating its X-series players. As is traditional, the models do not change their indexes, only the revision number is added. I think in future Fiio will simply switch to using the year number in the model, if the release of the players will be annual. But this is not so important as the hero of today's review - Fiio X1-II.
Changes in the player a lot, they touched and appearance, and the iron filling, and software. For starters, the player received a modified case with rounded sides, it looks good enough, the player seems noticeably smaller than the first generation device, although in reality the size has decreased by only a few millimeters. Updated and materials of the case, it is now all-aluminum (the first version was with a plastic cover), with a glass front panel. On this very panel is located, perhaps, the main innovation of the model - the touch wheel navigation. Opinions about this change on the Internet are polar, I will describe below.
Also changed and stuffing, as a DAC PCM5242 is used, which by specifications is a bit better than PCM5142 in the first generation. The sound also improved a bit, but this is also lower. The second change in hardware is the addition of the Bluetooth function, which will become the default option in all similar devices in the near future.
The changes and firmware did not pass by, but visually they are not so noticeable yet. Fiio switched from μC / OS, a real-time operating system popular with portable devices manufacturers, to Linux with its own shell. It has not given any special advantages, on the contrary, there are some shortcomings that I think will be corrected, but its own code base over the open kernel is a serious step that will bear fruit in the future.
The recommended price for this, expectedly, has not changed, the player still costs exactly $ 99, but in some countries price fluctuations due to local features are possible.
Specifications
- SoC: JZ4760B
- DAC: PCM5242
- LPF: OPA2322
- Amplifier: ISL28291
- Output power: > 70 mW @ 32Ω
- Frequency range: 5 Hz - 60 kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: ≤0.003% @ 1 KHz
- Signal to noise ratio: ≥113 dB
- Channel separation: ≥72 dB
- Maximum voltage: > 4 Vp-p
- Maximum current: > 130 mA
- Linear Output: 1.7 Vrms
- Output Impedance: <1Ω
- Recommended load impedance: 6Ω ~ 100Ω
- Battery: 1800 mAh
- Charging time: <3 h (5 V, 2 A)
- Operating time per charge: > 12 h (load 32Ω, medium volume, off display)
- Screen: color TFT 320 × 240
- Bluetooth: 4.0
- Supported formats: APE, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, WMA, ALAC, MP3, AAC, OGG
- Maximum resolution: up to 192 kHz / 24 bit (some formats are smaller, WAV supports 32 bits)
- Dimensions: 97 mm × 55.5 mm × 12 mm
- Weight: 102g
Packing and delivery kit
The box is clearly improved compared to the small box of the first generation X1, now it's a solid enough box of white cardboard, hiding inside another box with thick walls, protecting the contents from damage. In the box you will find the player itself, as well as a good set of accessories.
- Stickers HighRes (I do not know why, but suddenly they really improve the sound, as it's about joking)
- Two sets of stickers on the player - black and white carbon, they cover all sides of the player for protection from adversity
- A pair of protective films on the front panel, Fiio promised that in the next revisions the protective film will be glued immediately from the factory, but while it is necessary to glue it yourself, after unfastening the protection from the screen
- MicroUSB cable
- Plastic protective cheholchik on the back panel, it is good to protect it from scratches. However, if he had slightly protruding sides, he could protect the front glass in case of a fall
- Different instructions and warranty cards
As you can see, the package bundle is very good for an inexpensive budget device, and over time Fiio will certainly present and various additional cases and straps on hand.
Design and management
Briefly about the design, I have already said above, if something is missed - they cut the pictures. I would like to emphasize once again that everything is subjective, but the new appearance symbolizes the transition from a "small audiophile small" style design to a more "mass" appearance, and the combination of glass and plastic is what consumers love. Judging by the photos on the box, the player will come out in at least three colors: silver, black and notorious rose gold. I think, black, will look best, but silver is also quite good. It should be taken into account that the back panel is made of aluminum, which, as you know, is soft and can be scratched. Therefore, aesthetes immediately need to either stick a film, or use a cover. However, with accurate handling, almost certainly you can do without it.
The ends of the device are practically devoid of control elements. On the left side there is an on / off button, it also serves as a combination for blocking, as well as a "rocker" for volume. On the underside there are: a slot for microSD cards, a USB input for charging, as well as an output to the headphones, combined with a linear one (switching is carried out in the menu). The innovation of this version is the automotive mode of the MicroUSB-connector, when activated, if you connect the X1-II to the on-board network, then when the ignition is turned on, the player will automatically turn on and off when turning off. You can only connect the player to the radio, and optionally buy the RM1 (yes, the player will work with it).
The front panel houses a screen, a touch control wheel and 4 traditional mechanical buttons. On the latter, I will not go into detail, they perform the same functions as the rest of the company's players, I will only say that they are distinguished by a nice click and tactility. In the touch circle is inscribed one more button, responsible for playback and pause. The screen in X1-II is not bad, it even remains more or less readable in the sun, but there is a feeling that it contrasts specially for creating the effect of a juicy picture. Plus, fonts in the firmware are noticeable pixelation, but this is probably the consequence of the new OS, because the fonts in Linux have already become almost a meme. However, given the price, finding fault with the screen is stupid, it is much better than what many manufacturers put in top models.
The sensor wheel is the main source of controversy surrounding the novelty. Fiio has long gone to the management as in the iPod Classic, not hiding its respect for the device Apple, and here, perhaps, they were able to repeat the same user experience. With mechanical "twirls" of Chinese manufacturers, traditionally things are developing with varying success. Fiio took almost a year to update the firmware of its devices, making the work of the scroll wheel really comfortable, but this scourge touched and other manufacturers, often in a much more expensive segment (yes, I'm talking about Questyle). However, no, even the ideal firmware does not save from problems with mechanics, inevitable in the case of using an encoder. So, in principle, the sensor is a guarantee of longevity and stability of your device. Such solutions, of course, lack the "tactility" of the mechanical "twist" to compensate for this, X1 publishes a click (a familiar solution) when scrolling. If the click gets you, you can turn it off in the menu. However, one drawback of this solution at the moment is, the wheel, in my opinion, is slightly more sensitive than necessary, because of this I sometimes miss past the necessary menu items and lists. Fortunately, it's easy to fix the firmware, maybe the company will even make a sensitivity adjustment that will allow everyone to adjust it to the desired level.
TL; DR: I've seen complaints on the touchscreen on the Internet, but I do not understand them at all, for me it's a step forward in terms of convenience and reliability.
Still on the front panel there was a place for the LED indicator located at the very bottom.
In the user menu, the same familiar 5 items are waiting: playback screen, media library, file browsing, playback settings and system settings.
The first menu item is expected to return you to the playback screen. There the track cover is displayed (if available) and different information about the file itself. High-resolution files are marked when playing with a special icon, I do not know why, maybe to please the owner. The upper left button allows you to bring up a context menu in which you can select the playback mode, delete the file, add it to the playlist and so on.
Media Library allows you to view your files by artists / genres and albums. There are also favorites, playlists, all songs in one list and recently added tracks. One of the disadvantages of the new firmware is the rather slow time of scanning a new card for new files. The 32-GB card was processed for about 2 minutes, however, the result depends heavily on the file format and the speed of the card itself. I think in future Fiio firmware will improve this setting.
Navigating through folders is the simplest point that does not require special explanation. By the way, the left upper button here also opens a submenu, here you can delete the whole folder or send it to the whole.
Playback settings allow you to select the playback order and repeat, turn on and off the memorization of the current position and volume, fade between tracks, and twist the 7-band equalizer and balance. There are also line output settings and the ability to switch to the next folder during playback.
System settings - the most extensive of the menu items, fortunately, the names here speak for themselves, and the player is well enough localized. There is everything from the switching of the media library update mode (manually and automatically) to the selection of one of the 6 themes. Bluetooth settings are also located here. Turning on the wireless module requires about 10 seconds, but I think this can also be improved by firmware. The player can not only connect to the speakers and headphones (AptX, unfortunately, no), but also controlled from the RM1. Coupled with the DK1, this gives a good option for home use.
The player has a fairly large battery, so in the first tests it gave me 11 hours and 40 minutes of operation (volume of 40, FLAC 44.1 / 16, MeeAudio P1 as a load). Most likely, after several cycles of charge, this figure will improve. Charging the battery 2A charger from the iPad takes 3 hours and 10 minutes. The player has a deep sleep mode, which allows you to save battery, but almost immediately turn on, without spending about 15 seconds on the initial boot.
Of the flaws in the firmware that were noticed during testing, I can note a pause, sometimes happening at the beginning of the playback of a newly-selected track (usually a couple of seconds, but there were more) and lack of a gapeless function. The latter is not important for me, but many for some reason can not live without it.
Initially, the player came to me with the firmware version 1.0, which was somewhat slow, but the upgrade to 1.2 fixed almost all the problems. Over the next month Fiio promises another update, which clearly solves all (or almost all) of the remaining problems, but already now 1.2 is fully usable.
Sound
To listen to the device used the following headphones: Meze 99 Classics, Lear LHF-AE1d, Ambient Acoustics AM10, Audio Zenith PMx2, Noble Kaiser K10AU, Campfire Audio Jupiter, Dita Audio Brass and others.
While reviewing the first version of the X1, I noted that it sounds very good for its price. The main drawback of the sound was that the LF had a little weight and a little more concentration. For some reason, this was later interpreted as "X1 has few LFs," although quantitatively everything there is quite normal, the problem was precisely in the elaboration. The modified audio track X1-II generally corrects this problem. Of course, the new X1 does not become a basshead player, so for those who need to get "more bass", it's worth looking at other models. Feeding Fiio X1 is close to neutral, with a slight bias in the darkness, the player does not tend to unnecessary detail and detached sound.
As always, when speaking about the sound of a budget device, it is worthwhile to distinguish between relative and absolute. In the relative version, the second-generation Fiio X1 sounds just fine for its price, at the moment it's probably the best sound in this price range from what I've heard. The filing is musical, it is quite concise, without pronounced problems.
If to compare with more expensive devices, of course, it becomes clear that X1 is a budget solution, and for sound improvement it will be necessary to pay.
The bass is moderately fast, with a good depth for the price category and consistency. Very nice texture is being worked, although, of course, there is no ideal separation of low-frequency register instruments. The player normally works through the attacks, but it is possible to quibble slightly to attenuation, sometimes they are slower than required, which is why, in fact, there is an imperfect separation. However, the players that do not have such problems begin in the segment more than three times.
Medium frequencies are moderately detailed. There is no microcontrast and resolution of older models of the X-series, but the rear players in this respect do not. Given that this model is clearly not positioned for ultra-sophisticated technical styles of music, the shaving sharpness of the player is not needed. The reverse side of the medal is the player's tolerance to the quality of the recordings and a pleasant feed slice. The vocals are taken out a little forward, which adds a little depth to the imaginary scene, however, the depth still remains average. The width is also about average. The development of tools is not bad, but without small nuances, the size of the instruments is slightly less than average.
RF is expected for this price category to be simplified, without rich after-sound. However, in comparison with X1 of the past, HF made a step forward in naturalness and elaboration. Quantitatively, they are well balanced and confidently contribute to the music.
Naturally, you can not not write a few words of comparison.
Fiio X3-2. Expected, the average model sounds better, although the gap is less than between the old X1 and X3-2. The difference is best heard on the HF, as well as in the construction of an imaginary scene.
xDuoo X3. Rough and colored version of the sound, X3 adds more aggressiveness and drive, but it does not always benefit the material. X1-II as a consequence sounds more neutral and balanced.
iHiFi 800. An unusual player for connoisseurs of detailed and light feed. X1-II offers the listener a more tight and collected LF, but at the same time worse in resolving and working HF.
Hidizs AP100. At the moment, the ratio of price and quality is one of the best players. On filing it is darker than X1-II, it offers a better study of midrange, but its HF range sounds dirty. In addition, but noticeably larger in size.
Compatibility
Of course, 70 milliwatts is not the highest power, however, for a budget player focused on IEM, this is more than enough. The near-zero output impedance allows it to work well with multi-drivers, both purely reinforcing and hybrid. Expectedly well player is combined with Fiio EX1, also models from Trinity Audio and other one-dyad dynam are quite good.
The genre player is omnivorous, but it is worthwhile to understand that for a full disclosure of complex styles such as progressive metal or, for example, orchestral classics, devices of a completely different price level are needed. To poor records, the player is tolerant, I would give him a little less than 6 points on a 10-point scale of "pickiness".
As usual, several tracks in the role of example
Uriah Heep - Beautiful Dream "Typical" hip song - choral singing, interesting reef, solo synthesizer, catchy melody, everything for which we love the band. The player copes well with the transfer of the nuances of the track, realistically transferring both guitar parts and lyrical singing.
Orphaned Land & Amaseffer - Akeda As I waited a long time for a new album Amaseffer. Even if the new album is mostly the work of other geniuses of the Israeli prog-stage Orphaned Land, the influence of Erez Yohanan is clearly audible here. An amazing mixture of complex progressive parties and Middle Eastern music, combined with classical biblical history, give an unequivocal hit. Fiio X1-II, of course, is not an ideal player for this kind of material, but it reveals it at a very decent level.
Leonard Cohen - Treaty Would you like to darken? Leonard Cohen will give you a portion of such a coveted darkness. Despite a very advanced age, the voice of this outstanding artist sounds the same as many years ago. Hallelujah! We have another album for long winter nights, when the only thing that warms up is a cold whiskey in the glass and a voice in the headphones. The novelty of Fiio copes well with the track, betraying all the timbral variety of vocals.
conclusions
In the audio world, the truth "you must run hard to stay in place" is true as anywhere else. Fiio took a cheerful pace and did not slow it down. X1-II - very good update of their younger model. Of course, there is no mega break that will force you to sell the current player and rush to buy this one, but for those many who are just looking for a suitable device for accessing the world of high-quality sound, X1-II will be the final point in the choice. Of course, it has several flaws in the firmware, but they will be fixed in time, and a stylish appearance, good sound and affordable price will stay with us for a long time. Until next update in a couple of years.
The article is based on materials .
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