The company HiSound Audio has always been different, its special approach to creating players. Their RoCoo-P was my first serious source and for a long time served me as "faith and truth". Despite the cheap pile, the player was very nice sound and compact size. After many years in the company decided to release a new, more modern model, and was born Studio S6.
The design of this player is also dominated by an unusual look at the things developers and marketers of this company. I did not disassemble the player and I do not know how true their statement is, but that's what they say. The player does not use the DAC and is built on some codec, on the one hand, it's clearly a drawback, but on the other hand - the sound is still good, and about 30 hours of operation on one charge is a weighty argument. Also in the player are implemented two different amplification schemes, one for sensitive headphones-plugs, the second for full-size. The creators of the player say that the amplification works in class A, although this is perhaps doubtful. The fact remains, the player offers two amplification modes, and they really sound different. In addition, you can listen to the player from the line-out jack, since the "linear" of this device has an adjustable volume, in total it gives 4 different sound handwriting (although I do not like listening with line out). In addition, according to the developers (and I checked it), the player works well even with 300-ohm headphones. Despite the low power at 32Ω load (up to 12 mW on TTX, although I suspect one lost at the end here), at 300Ω the player gives out 10 mW, and this is enough for a lot of full sizes. But about this below.
As usual, HiSound Audio appreciates its work, so the price tag on Studio S6 is quite impressive, can be approximately for 34.5 thousand rubles. This is certainly a lot, but for my taste, this player is one of the leaders in the ratio of price and quality. Read this review next, and you'll find out why.
Specifications
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz (+0 -0.5 dB)
- Signal to noise ratio: > 105 dB
- Dynamic range: > 105 dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: <0.03%
- Channel separation: > 101 dB @ 1 kHz
- Linear output: up to 3 VRMS
- Nominal output power to headphones (per channel): 12 mW @ 32Ω, 10 mW @ 300Ω
- Maximum power: 120 mW
- Built-in Memory: 32 GB
- Memory Cards: MicroSD up to 128 GB
- Supported resolution: up to 192 kHz / 24 bit
- Supported formats: DSD, WAV, FLAC, APE, AAC, OGG, MP3, WMA
- Battery capacity: 3200 mAh
- Dimensions: 92 mm × 58 mm × 19.5 mm
- Weight: 140g
Packing and delivery kit
The box of the player was made from recycled cardboard yellow in the spirit of the latest fashion traditions. On its lower side lists the TTX player and describes the main features. Inside, in addition to the player, you will receive several papers (instructions and guarantors), a white MicroUSB cable and a clip like the one that comes with the Apple hardware. The fact is that in S6 for MicroSD cards the same tray is used as for SIM-cards in the iPhone.
Of course, I would like to see in the kit even at least a cover, but what is not, that is not.
Design and management
The player decided to make a whole metal, and it went to his advantage. The S6 is slightly smaller than most modern players, but a little thicker, because of this it seems plump. The design is fairly simple and concise, although thanks to the metal in the case and high-quality assembly, the player looks very good.
On the top panel is a tray for MicroSD cards and a MicroUSB connector, on the bottom there are two 3.5 mm outputs. All other controls are located on the front panel. At the top of it is a 1.5-inch OLED screen. Of course, in our time in a player for 500+ dollars a similar screen looks an anachronism, but on the other hand - it completely displays the basic information and remains moderately legible in the sun. The lower part of the front panel is allocated for 5 round buttons. Two more buttons are placed on the sides of the convex separator, located between the screen and the keys. Buttons are very clearly pressed and loud enough to click, I met on the Internet complaints about this, although I personally like this click. In the upper right corner above the screen there is a multi-color LED indicator.
The control is made slightly odd, but it is far from "masterpieces of ergonomics" in the face of Onn X5 or iHiFi 770. A long press on the right button under the screen serves to turn on and off, a short one brings up the menu. The left button returns from the menu to the playback screen, and on the playback screen turns on and off the screen or hold (short and long press, respectively). The central 5 buttons on the playback screen work as expected: the top and bottom change the volume, the left and right buttons - navigate through the tracks, the middle one serves for playback and pause.
On the menu screen, you must first select the section with the left and right buttons, then navigate using the vertical buttons. Pressing the left button serves to return to the level above, and pressing the right button opens a submenu for the current item.
There are exactly three items in the main menu.
The first one allows you to view the contents of the player's memory and the external card by folders. Here we must take into account one feature. If you just select the desired file and press the central button on it, it will be added to the current playlist, and playing it, the player will not play the following files in the folder. If you want to listen to all the tracks sequentially by selecting a file, press the right button and select "Start Play" in the appeared submenu. In this case, everything works exactly as expected. In the same menu, you can add a file to your favorites or delete it altogether.
The second menu item contains favorites, as well as all files from the memory card and the player's own memory one large list for fans to listen to everything.
The third point is settings, there are not many of them. Basically here you can change different timers (sleep, off when idle, backlight) and also select the playback mode. It is also possible to change the amplification modes for the headphone and line output, although when reconnecting the headphones, the player will still show the mode selection menu.
Initially, the menu seems a little confusing, especially if you unblock the protective film, on which the functions of the keys are signed, but you quickly get used to the S6 control, after which it is quite convenient to use.
By the way, it should be taken into account that the player does not work with 4-pin headphones with a headset, without an adapter in them the sound disappears. This is especially funny on the background of the fact that HiSound themselves published a photo of the player with its hybrid headset.
The time of work is one of the strongest aspects of the player, I usually go out with it from 25 to 28 hours of playback, given that the player I listen to mostly on the go, one charge is enough for me for a month or more.
Sound
To listen to the device used the following headphones: ZMF Omni, Oppo PM-3, Titan 3 and Titan 5, Lear LHF-AE1d, Ambient Acoustics AM10, VE Monk and Asura v2, HiFiMan HE-400S, Audio Zenith PMx2.
Modern devices start to change the trend, if before the player with the codec was synonymous with a totally flat scene and low detail, then here is the second device, which, despite the codec, sounds very, very good (the first was Lotoo Paw 5000). Studio S6 is characterized by a dense and fairly energetic feed, which is quite comparable with the players that have a more serious iron. In terms of formats, the player is quite omnivorous, but does not yet support the DSD promised in the features. I still think support for this format in the portable is absolutely unnecessary, but connoisseurs of card clogging will have to wait for the firmware update, in which they promised to support it.
Subjectively for me the main problem of players not using DACs is insufficient separation of musical plans and as a consequence - a bad depth of an imaginary scene. In especially neglected cases, there is still a problem with VHF. Fortunately, Studio S6 managed to avoid almost all these problems. Of course, many amateurs judging by the device about the filling will tell that the device on the codec for such money is very expensive, but really, in a blind test the S6 shows itself very, very well.
In the course of the experiments, I found out for myself that I prefer mode A, which offers a more energetic sound with the slightest touch of aggressiveness, so the basic description of the sound refers precisely to this variant.
The bass is vigorous, energetic and slightly accented. Resolution and speed characteristics are above average, but slightly below the tops. With reinforcing headphones, this will do good, compensating for their dryish pitch, with poor dynamos can give a slight plaque of imposing, but in order to notice this, one must either listen for a long time or take really slow headphones. The player copes well with the development of LFs in depth, although here the main role, of course, is given to the headphones.
Average frequencies are fed more closely, without a deeper microdetachment. This gives a typical "musical" presentation, characterized by an emphatic emotion and non-straining presentation. Traditionally, codecs have problems with an imaginary scene, but they are very small, and subjective. Instruments sound a little less than they should, plus, as I wrote above, the depth suffers a bit, although the width is much larger than the average.
Upper frequencies, in spite of a good resolution, are slightly inadequate and post-sound, the attenuation is a little faster than it should be. On some models of headphones this gives the effect of spillage, not much, however, noticeable. On the other hand - the HF player is not sharp, does not emphasize the shortcomings of headphones and recordings, which also contributes to the overall perception.
In the B mode, the player slightly changes its pitch: the bass accent becomes smaller, the MFs slightly reduce their fusion, but gain a higher resolution. In general, just what is needed to emphasize the merits of good IEM-models.
As usual, few comparisons
Cayin N5 - in comparison with S6 offers a more detailed sound with a better depth and better HF. On the other hand, S6 wins on emotionality and less noise.
Fiio X5-2 - even more pronounced emphasis on LF and HF, designed to give the composition an emotional effect, but on some tracks this is already busting.
Fiio X7 + AM2 - in general, what would this player become if you remove from it the flaws and emphasize the dignity. Slightly softened, melodic pitch, giving the composition a single canvas without trying to divide it into plans.
Cayin N6 - we take the player from HiSound, we add permissions and microdetails, we subtract LF, we improve HF, Cayin N6 turns out.
Compatibility
Initially, the developers' statement about the support of 300-ohm models I took with skepticism, well, for the sake of the experiment I connected to the S6 Sennheiser HD600. Of course, this player does not hold out until a good desktop hospital, but it's quite possible to listen to high-wits with him. Also good enough (not perfect, of course, but acceptable), he copes with Audio Zenith PMx2 and ZMF Omni. On the back of the scale there are top IEMs, in the face of which Campfire Audio Orion and Noble Audio K10U performed this time, with them the player also shows itself well, no noise is heard. Of course, listening to this player with taut full-size is not particularly justified, but on the other hand, there is a possibility, and this is clearly a plus.
The player is also universal with respect to genres. Of course, for 100% of the disclosure of something complicated like orchestral classics or sympho prog there need devices better and more expensive, but Studio S6 very well for its price digests all styles. To the quality of the record, he is average-critical, somewhere 7 points out of 10.
A few traditional examples
Luciferian Light Orchestra - A Black Mess in Paris. When Christopher Jonsson of Therion said that he wants to release an album of songs that he composed for many years, but they turned out to be too "retro" for Therion - I reacted with this with caution. Where is even more retro, after Les Fleurs du Mal? But the album from the side project turned out to be actually very cheerful. Despite the retro sound, it sounds really entertaining, such a Balck Sabbath 70s crossover with Therion zero. Slightly dirty guitars (when this stoner-fashion will pass?), Choirs, a little hoarse vocals - in general, music for the rest of a typical metal worker. Studio S6 excellently pulls this track, delighting both with drive and overall submission.
Jethro Tull - Cold Wind to Valhalla. Last year's remaster (or rather remix) of the classics of Jethro Tall "Minstrel in the Gallery" continues to be a frequent guest of my play list. There is everything for which we love this group: melodism, unexpected moves, vocals. Player from HiSound also contributes to immersing in this great song, which has found a new birth in the hands of Stephen Wilson.
Magnum - Gipsy Queen. And once again I will recommend this very little-known group. At such a venerable age (a joke, more than 40 years on stage), it's not just everything that can do that. More precisely, very few people, even at the peak of a career, are able to create such downhill hits in the style of arena-rock. These Englishmen know exactly how to raise the crowd and make her wiggle their head in time with the music. Smooth keyboard intro that makes the tantrums of anticipation run through the skin, then drums enter, the guitar and in a second these riffs cling to you, but then again there is a slow verse, but you are already looking forward to the next chorus ... HiSound S6 with its emphasis on emotions adds this track more more drive, increasing its punching power.
conclusions
In general, HiSound made a really interesting player. Despite a number of shortcomings, it has a really good sound, good appearance and compatibility with most headphones. Well, 30 hours of work are not even a cherry, but a huge melon on the cake, pleasing the long-forgotten freedom from the need to constantly charge the player.
The article is based on materials .
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