Apparently, Fiio decided to take as close as possible all available niches on the recently acquired second-generation audio player market. Starting once with X3 of the first modification, the company managed to develop success and create a line of popular devices in price categories from $ 100 to $ 700. In this line at the moment are not occupied a few niches, the first of which - budget devices at a price of about $ 50, that's where the recently launched .
When developing this player in the company decided to move away from their traditions of "audiophile" devices and make a more "mass" solution. In place of metal in the body came the plastic "cheerful colors", and the package bundle pleases with unexpected accessories, such as a cord for carrying around the neck and earbuds.
Naturally, Fiio almost 2 times lowered the cost, the recommended retail price M3 is 55 dollars, which is almost 2 times lower than their most affordable player X1. How successful was the new model?
Specifications
- Codec: CS42L51
- Screen: 2 "TFT, 240 × 320
- Frequency range: 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz
- Recommended load impedance: 16Ω ~ 100Ω
- Output Impedance: <0.4Ω @ 32Ω
- Output power: > 50 mW @ 16Ω,> 30 mW @ 32Ω
- Signal to noise ratio: ≥95 dB
- Channel separation: > 70 dB @ 1 kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise: <0.008% @ 1 kHz
- Maximum output voltage: > 2.8 Vp-p
- Battery: 550 mAh
- Charging time: <2.5 h
- Operating time from one charge: > 24 h (MP3-file at volume 22, without equalizer in complete headphones)
- Support for lossless formats: APE (fast, normal, high): 48 kHz / 16 bit;
FLAC: 48 kHz / 24 bit; WAV: 96 kHz / 24 bit
- Support for lossy formats: MP3, WMA, OGG, M4A (except Raw AAC and ALAC, packaged in M4A)
- Dimensions: 74 mm × 39.7 mm × 9.1 mm
- Volume control: digital, 60 steps
- Equalizer: 5-way, ± 6 dB
- Built-in Memory: 8 GB
- Memory Cards: MicroSD up to 64 GB
- Input: MicroUSB
- Output: 3.5 mm TRRS with headset support
- Weight: 40g
- Complete headphones: inserts, 27Ω
Packing and delivery kit
M3 comes in a simple box of loose cardboard, inside the plastic "pallet" is the player and everything that is included in the package. To the M3 in Fiio put a USB cable, a protective film on the screen, a lanyard for carrying around the neck and unpretentious in-ear headphones. The presence of the latter allows us to draw conclusions about the positioning of the model. If in "audiophile" (of course, I use this term with a stretch) models the headphones are not included in the set, since their target audience obviously already has headphones, and sometimes not alone, then from the mass player, buyers expect a "full" package delivery. In the sense that buying a player it immediately can be used.
In general, outwardly, of course, the packaging of the imagination does not strike, but the delivery kit is very, very good.
Of the additional accessories to the player Fiio offer a good belt for wearing the player on hand when playing sports.
Design and management
The reduced price forced Fiio to go to the abandonment of metal in the case, the new player is made entirely of plastic. The developers have tried to maximize the available materials and made a nice design. In M3, three different plastics are used at once. The side parts are made of glossy plastic (there are several different colors, I got milky white), the back part is matte and slightly darker. The front panel is black. Given the quality of assembly and miniature size, the player looks good.
Control elements are scattered on different sides of the case. On the right side is a mechanical locking switch, the absence of which many do not like in older models. On the left side there is an on / off button and a locking button, as well as an eyelet for attaching the lace. The bottom end contains a MicroUSB connector for charging and data access, a headphone jack and a microSD card slot.
There are 6 control buttons on the front panel. They are made by a single unit, but they have a fairly good click, and therefore the player is normally controlled even by touch. The buttons have a red backlight, so that they can be seen in the dark.
The purpose of the buttons is quite obvious.
The upper left serves for calling up the menu, a short press shows the selection menu for tracks, there is also a preview of artists, genres and albums, and viewing tracks by folder. Unfortunately, Fiio has not yet sorted the folders alphabetically in the file browser, they are sorted by the time of the last modification (the utility fat sorter solves all the inconveniences). There is also support for playlists that can be created directly on the device. The same button serves to return back from the submenu. Long press on this button while playing music opens the track menu in which you can change the order of the playback, add the file to the playlist, select the equalizer settings, view information about the current track, delete it and change the settings. In the settings there is all the usual: the choice of language, the mode of memorizing the position and the volume when turning off. You can turn the attenuation on pause, update the library, adjust the brightness. Immediately there are sleep and turn-off timers during idle time and the choice of a theme (as long as there are exactly two of them). From the additional - the ability to format the memory card, update the firmware and choose whether the buttons unlock the screen. In general, the firmware is normal, although not as licked as in older brothers, there are also minor problems such as bad fonts (Russian traditionally is not so hot, and the localization irritates the eye with an abundance of abbreviations). The first versions of the firmware had more serious errors, but in 1.7 of them they mostly got rid of.
The upper right button acts as a confirmation of the selection in the menu, it also starts playback and pauses it. Two central buttons serve for navigation and volume control, lower right and left buttons - select tracks and rewind them.
The screen is, of course, quite budgetary, with a color scheme that resembles old mobile phones, but it has a good enough brightness, although in the strongest sun the device still has to be covered with a hand.
The working time for me with the test on FLAC-files with an average use of the screen was 16 hours 40 minutes, charging time - 2 hours 10 minutes.
Of the flaws in the firmware it is worth noting the lack of support for CUE files.
In general, despite the plastic, the player does not look frankly cheap, nothing creaks anywhere, does not hang out, and even the eternal scourge of budget China - the fumbling buttons - has bypassed the M3 side. Due to the fineness, the device fits perfectly in any pocket, and even the Labuten holders can place the player in the pocket of their pants.
Sound
To listen to the player, the following headphones were used:
- Oppo PM-3
- Dunu DN-2000J, Titan 1, Titan 3 and Titan 5
- Lear LHF-AE1d
- Ambient Acoustics AM10
- VE Monk and Asura 2.0
- Complete
Actually, we turn to the most interesting - the sound. On the one hand, it is, of course, simplified against the background of more expensive devices. There is a certain lack of speed, the imaginary scene is not so well worked into the depth, the high frequencies are rude, and the bass is specially emphasized. In general, this player is not for thoughtful critical listening sessions, but it was not designed for that. The target audience of M3 is not audiophiles, it's a player for simple music lovers, it's likely to be heard on the move, in general - a model for those cases when the ideal sound is not needed, but rather "tasty".
And this is the taste of the player is obtained. First of all, this is accentuated by the emphasis on LF, and there is not a rough rise in AFC, but a more subtle emphasis, creating the effect of a rather powerful bass, not only in strength, but in depth. I was surprised to connect to the M3 headphones Trinity Audio Techne with medium filters - on electronic music there is almost no shortage of "power". Of course, the resolution is not the most record, and the study of the LF texture is not prohibitive, but the bass has power, there is a blow, so with the creation of the desired effect, the M3 copes very well.
Medium frequencies are good, not remarkable, but good. In general, they are pure, detailed, emotions and energy transmit, and even good, but not enough for them to work out the depth. The imaginary scene sounds a bit flat, although it has a normal width. Of course, this player is not very focused on listening to large symphony orchestras and audiophile binaural records, so lack of depth is not so critical.
The upper frequencies are a little bit sharp, in combination with the fact that they did not take them to the background in the M3, it's best to use not very bright headphones with the player. On the other hand, the HF of this player is quite legible and detailed, so there is not that clamor of sound that is obtained from many manufacturers trying to "add comfort to the top".
Of course, one can not do without a comparison in such a survey. I will not compare the M3 with the players of the middle and more expensive segments, since they are certainly better, as they say, "in all". In addition, please note that any comparisons are subjective and rely solely on my preferences, tastes and perception of sound. You can have a completely different taste, and perception, so the only reliable source of information for you can only be your own experience.
Fiio M3 against the Fiio X1. At first glance, X1 seems a bit "boring", he does not have this funny accent on bass, so it seems that he has less bass. After a slightly longer comparison, it becomes clear that in fact, the X1 has better resolution and a more natural feed to the LF, and the MFs have better depth and microdetails (although, in general, they also do not hold up to expensive solutions).
Fiio M3 against xDuoo X2. I purposely wear ergonomics and other things like UI / UX for brackets, so it's clean by sound. xDuoo X2 has a more powerful amp (for which it pays very less time), so it works better with more tight headphones, especially full-size, which allows it to better work on bass and lower midrange. On more sensitive headphones this advantage almost fades, and the main minus X2 - the upper frequency range becomes more noticeable. With HF X2 is something strange, and in different versions of the firmware this strangeness is different, for example, in 6 HF somewhere pushed quantitatively, at 7 they were returned, but they are very illegible sound. So personally I like the sound of the M3 more, it is less drivey, but for me it is closer to the natural.
Fiio M3 vs iPhone 6 Plus. I took the phone from Apple as an example of a "typical smartphone", because it was at my fingertips. Against the backdrop of the smartphone, the M3 performs better in almost everything: detail, speed, LF and HF. The difference is not so great as to cause a straightforward "wow effect" at the first listening, but having used M3 for a while, you perceive a return to the phone with a negative.
Fiio M3 against SanDisk Sansa Clip +. It's time for the budget champion of the past to retire. Opposing the newcomers "clip" can not do much: a more booming bass, synthetic upper frequencies, all this could be forgiven in the absence of competitors, but not now.
Compatibility
To start a few words about the complete headphones. They are normal and with the player show themselves well, but to something more or less decent do not hold out and close. The replacement of these inserts with something better justifies itself. I like this good player with good dynamic headphones of the same Techne, Fiio EX1 and Titan 3, from cheaper options it's worth mentioning VSonic. Such headphones emphasize the best sides of the player and are not so capricious as hybrid and reinforcement models. The capacity of the player is not so great, but with sensitive overhead and full-size models, it is also not bad. The same Koss Porta Pro, many not loved, it shakes without tension (and after a fashion headphones it all sounds good).
By the way, the player, traditionally for Fiio supports playback control from the headset, which also adds convenience in everyday use.
The genre player is versatile enough, except for complex styles. Critical to the quality of records - 6 points out of 10.
By tradition - several examples. I specially select for comparison difficult compositions to try to describe, where there is a limit of possibilities M3. Usually I'm only praising this section of the device, but this time it will be a little different.
Arne Domnerus - Jeepers Creepers. Yeah, the very "Jazz at the Pawnshop", a masterpiece of quality recording and even better music. Of course, M3 skukozhil scene to a very small size, so from audiophile recording, conveying the slightest nuances of the room, these same nuances disappeared. But the emotions of the musicians remained, the bouncy bass contributes to the creation of a very lively melody base, and a good division of the MF allowed to convey the sound of the entire collective without serious problems.
King Crimson - Moonchild. Master class on the use of percussion in progressive rock. Of course, the depth training is again hampered here, background drums are pushed forward, which somewhat disrupts the usual construction of the scene, but the development of the HF allows the player to play well all the "hardware", which in this melody is very much, small nuances are lost here, but not much. Normal MFs convey the emotions of the vocals, so the track remains sufficiently "listenable".
Mekong Delta - Inside the Outside of the Inside. Virtuosos of the brutal genre have long proved that they know how to play difficult and multifaceted. Unexpected melodic moves, complex riffs, fast percussion, an abundance of iron in music - in general, the task is difficult even for a top player. The main problem of the M3 here is straight-line high-frequency, too far forward plates, which in the track is assigned a considerable role. This draws attention to itself, although the rest of the player almost copes with zubodrobitelnyh percussion, and with complex guitar riffs and solos.
conclusions
Interesting in Fiio turned the player. Good looks, tiny size, light weight, long working time and reasonable price. This player, of course, is not for owners of more expensive solutions spoiled by high-quality sound. This kind of "iPod Shuffle" from a well-known audio equipment manufacturer, which allows you to start your journey into the world of high-quality sound without a lot of money, and judging by the plans for M1 and M5 players, the budget line is seriously interested in Fiio, and we'll see there others, no less interesting model.
The article is based on materials .
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