An event that has been waiting for more than a year. An event that will change the world of audio. An event that all connoisseurs of high-quality sound can not pass by. Forgive for the pathos, but otherwise it will not work, Fiio presented its long-awaited flagship X7, which has not yet become the best in sound (although it is close to this), but it is guaranteed to be the most successful in sales. Now I will tell you why.
Rumors about the flagship Fiio went for a long time. The company itself actively heated them, periodically giving out "on the mountain" then a 3D render of the next concept, then a strictly measured portion of rumors. Somewhere towards the beginning of autumn the device appeared entirely: ESS9018 in the role of DAC, Android as OS, plug-in amplifier modules. It is the latter, in fact, that will become the engine of Fiio X7's success, the company rightly decided that freedom is better than its absence, and invited all willing (and able) to make these same modules. To do this, Fiio will provide all specifications, starting with the description of the interface connector and ending with the physical dimensions of the board. In addition, developers will be able to buy ready-made chassis for modules, and after passing a simple certification procedure - even sell their creations through a network of Fiio distributors. This step is very similar to Apple's approach, the Chinese, like the Cupertino people, are building a symbiosis with add-on developers. These same developers get a new big market and advertising and marketing support, instead they increase the value of the flagship product-locomotive, offering additional scenarios for its use.
The Fiio X7 began shipping to distributors to make it to the Christmas season of sales, so already at the beginning of next year we will clearly see a lot of solutions.
Another reasonable step was the use of Android as an operating system, as well as equipping the device with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. This opens up access to streaming online services and DLNA / UPnP (not currently implemented, but support is claimed), and also allows you to use not only wireless headphones, but also portable (and not so) speakers.
Naturally, Android in the role of the OS required a fairly serious by the standards of the players of iron. In addition, a classy case made of aluminum, a top-end DAC with high-quality binding and a very good screen also contributed to the price of the device. Nevertheless, Fiio did not start to wind up the price tag and made the X7 price very good relative to its competitors. The recommended price in the US is $ 650. Information about the availability of the player in Russia is looking for .
How does all this prove itself in operation?
Specifications
Are common
- Processor: RK3188 @ 1.4 GHz, 4 cores
- OS: Modified Android 4.4.4
- DAC: ES9018S
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 b / g / n
- Bluetooth: V4.0 + EDR
- Screen: 3.97 "IPS TFT, touch (up to 5 touches at a time)
- Resolution: 480 × 800 (233 ppi), 16.7 million colors
- Viewing angles: 178 °
- Sensors: light, accelerometer
- RAM: 1 GB
- ROM: 32 GB (available to the user about 27 GB)
- Memory Cards: MicroSD up to 128 GB
- Battery: 3500 mAh
- Operating time on one charge: up to 9 hours (with an IEM amplifier and headphones at 32Ω)
- Charging time: <4.5 h when using 2A charger
- Housing material: aluminum
- Dimensions: 130 mm × 64 mm × 16.6 mm
- Weight: 220 g
- Supported DSD formats: DSD64 / DSD128 ("iso", "dsf", "dff"), DXD: 352.8K
- Supported lossless formats: APE to 384/24, APE Extra High to 192/24, APE Insane to 48/24, ALAC to 384/24, AIFF to 384/24, FLAC to 384/24, WAV to 384/64, WMA LOSSLESS up to 96/24
- Supported lossy formats: MP2, MP3, AAC, ALAC, WMA, OGG
Line Output Parameters
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: <0.0007% (10KΩ, 1 kHz)
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Channel separation: > 100 dB (10KΩ, 1 kHz)
- Signal to noise ratio: ≥115 dB
- Signal level: > 1.4 Vrms (10KΩ, 1 kHz)
IEM Amplifier Parameters
- Output power (@ 1 kHz): 200 mW @ 16Ω, 100 mW @ 32Ω, 10 mW @ 300Ω
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Signal to noise ratio: ≥115 dB
- Output Impedance: <0.2Ω
- Channel separation: > 73 dB (32Ω, 1 kHz)
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: <0.0008% (32Ω, 1kHz)
- Peak output voltage: > 5.2 Vp-p
- Maximum output current (approx.): > 250 mA
Packing and delivery kit
In the design of the box Fiio decided to do without excessive pretentiousness. No boxes of wood, no leather caskets. The usual black cardboard, the jacket of a black color, everything is simple and discreet. On the box there is a traditional scratch-sticker with a code to check the device for authenticity.
Inside the box you will find the player itself, and under it - additional accessories. In the kit for X7 put:
- MicroUSB cable
- Adapter for coaxial output
- Screen protector (one already glued from the factory)
- Screwdriver for changing amplifier modules
- Replacement screws for mounting the amplifier module
It is very touching the caring Fiio, they as always tried to provide that the user can lose or spoil, and put in the kit "spare". It is very unfortunate that there is no cover in the kit, he would not be very disturbing here. I think the company just did not have time to do something sensible, and in the near future the covers will appear and with a high probability will be added to the delivery.
By the way, the first accessories have already appeared, for $ 8 in the official Fiio store on AliExpress you can buy a set of stickers to customize the player, and for 10 - tempered protective glass on the screen.
Design and management
The appearance of the device is one of its strongest sides. Of course, the X7 is big enough, but when you realize how much everything is hidden inside, you realize the fact that it is much smaller than it could be. "Seven" balances on the edge when the device from the category of pocket passes into the category of bricks, without passing it. The case is made of durable aluminum, falls perfectly into the hand and, thanks to the balance of weight, does not tend to slip out of it.
The main control element is the touch screen, the company clearly did not greedy with its quality and used a very decent module, which would not be a shame to put in a mid-budget phone. The screen has beautiful expressive colors, good color rendition and good viewing angles. He even remains readable in the sun (although not as good as we would like). Stable, and the sensor, in the past there were terrible resistive screens, here we have a capacitive sensor and even there is support for multitouch (nowhere, however, not used). The screen is slightly raised above the level of the front panel, so in case of a fall the device will clearly take on the first impact with all the ensuing sad consequences. While Fiio (and other manufacturers) have not released the covers, I recommend at least stick a protective glass on it. 100% guarantee it will not give, but sometimes it will be able to save.
Under the screen there is a strip of LED indicator that shows different modes of the player. Fortunately, the latest firmware version has the ability to configure it or permanently disable it.
For the splendor of the touch screen, they did not forget about the control buttons. The player received two sets of symmetrical buttons located on both sides of the device. Each of the button blocks consists of a "rocker" and a single button. Rockers are used to adjust the volume and navigation of tracks, single buttons - to turn off the screen and power, as well as play / pause. The functions of the buttons (except for turning off), if desired, can be changed in the settings (the function is promised in the future). This care allows you to control the player without looking at the screen. On the left side, there was also a place for the microSD slot.
Interface connectors are placed on top (linear output, combined with coaxial) and from below (headphone output and MicroUSB). The headphone output depends on the amplifier module, in the current version it is a normal 3.5 mm TRRS supporting headset control, other amplifiers may have other connectors (at least the balanced module will be exactly). MicroUSB serves for charging, access to the microSD and the device's own memory, as well as to connect to the docking station, in whose role will be announced the recently announced desktop amplifier Fiio K5. In the near future, the player will still get the USB-DAC function, so one more one will be added to the tasks of the USB-connector.
It is already obvious that in the not too distant future Fiio will present other dock stations besides the K5 - after all, the compatible line of their players now has a compatible line of players. The first renderers have already been shown on Head-Fi.
The lower part of the case of the device is removable, it is there that the amplifier module is located. To replace it, you need to unscrew the two screws on opposite ends. This design is advantageous from the HiFiMan solution, in which to change the amplifier it was necessary to climb as much under the battery.
The rear panel is devoid of any functional load, in its upper part there is a small bevel and a plastic insert behind which the antennas of the wireless modules are hidden. The bottom part contains information about the model and serial number.
Of course, the whole device is executed at the highest level, without the slightest flaws in the assembly, there are no creaks, backlashes or hints of chattering. Everything is as it should be with the flagship model.
To all this, of course, quality software should be attached. In Fiio we decided to rely on the fairly old version of Android 4.4.4, which was thoroughly shoveled for audio purposes. Of course, I would like the OS fresher, but I doubt that this will happen, too much work has been done "under the hood." In the firmware, there are no Google and Google Play services by default, although the installation of programs from APK-files in the company allowed. I think in the future the services will still be tied, although I'm not sure that it will be official firmware. Update: one of these days, firmware 1.5 was released with the Google Play store built into it.
A remarkable feature of the X7 firmware is that it has a so-called "pure music" mode. When you turn it on, after downloading the device immediately launches the Fiio branded player, and you generally do not have to think about the presence of Android on the device. If you, unlike me, like the Android OS, you can use the full mode with the launcher, third-party applications and everything else. In this case, the player will be a normal application.
Actually, it is the player that is the basis of the basics of X7. Over his creation in the company pretty much worked, it has everything you can think of. Create a media library, random search, view artists, albums and genres, create and manage playlists. Even to delete files there was a place. All management is done reasonably and conveniently, it is easy to understand and use. In addition, the player can bypass the built-in Android mixer and resampler and works directly with the DAC, which also positively affects the sound quality.
The player has two interesting features that I did not immediately discover. Svayp from the left edge to the center opens the current list of tracks, allowing you to select the desired one, and the svayp from the right edge allows you to adjust the volume.
In the first versions of the firmware, the player did not hang for a while when turned on, but with this problem they are actively fighting in new versions of the software.
Naturally, the firmware of the player offers certain possibilities for tuning the sound. The channel balance can be adjusted within ± 10 dB, the volume is controlled by an analog IC with digital control and has 120 steps. There was a place for a 10-band equalizer, it's especially convenient to adjust it on the touch screen, although I still think that it's better not to use it because of the negative effect on the sound.
Firmware version 1.3, with which the player will be initially sold, provides an update "by air", which greatly simplifies the further maintenance of the device. It is already known that the next updates will be devoted to the functions of USB-DAC and to the improvement of software stability.
By the time of operation everything is close enough to the claimed one, with the wireless modules in the "Pure Music" mode with Oppo PM-3 on the FLAC 44/16 the player played for 8 hours and 45 minutes. He was recharged after 4 hours and 20 minutes. Naturally, active use of the player interface will significantly reduce the time, but still it's just an excellent indicator.
Sound
To listen to the player, the following headphones were used:
- ZMF Omni
- Oppo PM-3
- Dunu DN-2000J, Titan 1, Titan 3 and Titan 5
- Lear LHF-AE1d
- Ambient Acoustics AM10
So it turned out that the X7 was presented with the most "weak" of all planned amplifiers. IEM-module does not differ power even on the background of younger Fiio models, leaving space for promised upgrades in the future. At least in the company they promise a balanced amplifier and a module for full-sized headphones with increased power. It is rumored that a balanced amplifier can even get the new OPA1622 from Texas Instruments.
In the meantime, it should be taken into account that the current modification of the X7 is the "worst" sound option, and in the future we should expect even greater sound quality growth. At the moment, the presentation of the player can be described as light-colored, very detailed, technical, with a bias in the monitored sound. There is a small shade of academic dryness, which is sometimes perceived as "simplicity", the player does not try to decorate the sound, soften it, or somehow color it. After a longer listening, it becomes clear that in fact it is not simplicity, namely the absence of gags.
For the test, I connected the X7 to my Fiio E12DIY, making sure that the main limitations in the sound are caused by the amplifier and with good gain the player will achieve even more.
The bass of the player is dry, fast and sufficiently accented. Naturally, the texture of low frequencies and the nuances of instruments falling into this range are well transmitted, but with bass earphones, there is a risk of getting an overabundance of bass. Strong and powerful blows to LF - it's good, but when the bass drum drums into the brain without mercy, it tires. Fortunately, there are a lot of headphones without excess bass, and you can just enjoy high-quality bass.
Medium frequencies - absolutely no complaints. Here Saber traditionally shows itself from the best side, conveying all the smallest nuances available on the record. This leads to incredible criticality in terms of material selection, but this is clearly not a minus device. Emotions, volume - all this X7 can not be better. The imaginary scene is very wide, drawing into the depth allows you to easily track different plans for complex compositions. The main problem of the player is that it does not add anything to the MF from itself, so dry and boring recordings will be just as boring with it. Such is the payoff for neutrality.
HF is the part of the range that will cause the most controversy about the player in the future. This range is fed without the slightest smoothing, and attempts to take it to the back burner, combined with the easy simplicity of high-frequency - this on some headphones gives the very "sharpness" that some are afraid of as a fire. So if you are an RF fob, it's best to look for another player by selecting a model with reduced RFs. For the rest of the people, the X7 will sound quite airy and easy, with the proper number of after-sounds.
In general, there are flaws in the sound of X7. But, firstly, it still plays more than well, and secondly, it is worth remembering the replacement amplifiers, it is in them lies the main secret of the success of the X7.
Update: in foreign forums, users complain that when using sensitive headphones, you can hear tips from the WiFi module when using streaming services. In the course of writing the review, I listened quite actively to Yandex.Muzyk and did not come across tips (for comparison, the WiFi noise of HUM Pervasion is audible all the time). Whether I have not enough sensitive headphones, whether the guidance is still dependent on the settings of the router. Representatives Fiio recommend to turn off the wireless modules for maximum sound quality.
Naturally, we can not do without comparisons.
L & P L5 Pro. Suddenly bursting into the Olympus hi-end players, L5 Pro is in many respects the antipode X7. Slightly softened, more smooth, more velvety sound. This is an interesting option for those who want to buy the player "once and for all" and does not plan to deal with interchangeable amplifiers, firmware and other bustle.
Questyle QP1R. Another rising star of the world Hi-End. Unlike other solutions, the current amplifier, which is the pride of Questyle, allows this player to display excellent synergy with many headphones. QP1R has better developed high-frequency, although the bass, at my ear, slightly lacks texture. Unfortunately, QP1R kills terrible ergonomics, so I advise you to hold it in your hands before purchase.
Cayin N6. My favorite in the category of "upper-middle" segment. The player is distinguished by its musicality, which is given to it at the price of a small loss of resolution, and this is the main difference from the X7. The latter is better by permission and much more impartial in the filing.
Fiio X5-2. The former flagship of the company is now moving into the middle segment, freeing the place of the top model in the lineup. Nevertheless, the second revision of the X5 remains very relevant, offering the user a less detailed sound and a lower depth of the bass, but given the price of this, one should expect. In addition, owners of a large library will appreciate the presence of two memory slots.
iBasso DX90. IBasso now has no flagship. The upcoming DX200, designed to become the main competitor to the X7, has not yet come out, the DX80 is clearly an average model, the DX100 is long overdue, and it's not really possible to find it new. Therefore, the only thing that you can oppose the X7 from iBasso is the DX90, which is also discontinued, but still a lot of where it is sold. The DX90 does not hold up to X7 in its naturalness and bulkiness, although its HF is slightly better drawn.
HiFiMan HM-901 Balanced. Another "antipode" X7, however, in the other direction. 901-й — плеер энергичный, со своей, очень драйвовой подачей. X7 от него отличается строгостью настолько, что кажется оперной певицей на фоне панк-рокера.
Compatibility
В текущем варианте X7 покупателю придется потратить некоторое время на подбор наушников. Поскольку X7 не предлагает почти никакой отсебятины, именно наушники будут определяющим звеном в звучании. Кроме того, при подборе наушников надо избегать моделей с сильным акцентом на бас или ВЧ, чтобы не получить «перегрузки». Запас по мощности у плеера не феноменальный, поэтому тугие наушники ему не подойдут, в будущем новые усилители исправят это, но сейчас надо учитывать этот факт. Я по необходимости просто подключаю к X7 свой Fiio E12DIY.
Традиционно хорошо плеер показал себя с Dunu Titan 1 (но не 3 и 5), Lear AE-1d, Rock Jaw Alfa Genus v2, наушниками Trinity Audio Engendering. Из накладных моделей очень неплохо звучали с ним Oppo PM-3. Для изодинам в лице ZMF Omni плееру не хватило мощности (E12 тут пришел на помощь).
Жанрово плеер, естественно, универсален, но стоит учитывать его придирчивость к материалу, старые записи с плохим мастерингом ему явно противопоказаны.
По традиции несколько треков-примеров.
Annihilator — Ritual. Говорим «умный треш» — подразумеваем Annihilator. На альбоме «Waking the Fury» Джеф решил показать, что, в отличие от коллег по цеху, даже на запредельных скоростях он способен выдавать оригинальные мелодии и цепляющие рифы. Ritual — скоростной, злой и цепляющий трек из этого альбома. Естественно, для того чтобы сыграть его как следует, нужен такой же быстрый плеер, и X7 вполне справляется с данной задачей.
Ozric Tentacles — Oolong Oolong. После этой группы жанр space rock должен прекратить свое существование, все равно никто ничего к уже созданному этими британцами добавить не сможет. Сложные, многогранные мелодии напоминают полную шкатулку драгоценных камней, постоянно меняющих свою окраску и играющих отражениями. Их хочется переслушивать раз за разом, открывая для себя то, что в прошлый раз не заметил. Тут X7 с его объемной сценой и разделением планов тоже показывает себя как нельзя лучше.
Arena — Tears In The Rain. Один из самых почитаемых альбомов в творчестве классиков нео-прога является действительно сложным для плееров материалом. Отменные клавишные соло Нолана дополняются гитарной работой Митчелла и весьма плотными ударными Пойнтера, давая вместе очень многоплановые и разносторонние треки. Из всех групп, играющих в этом сложном жанре, Arena, пожалуй, самая строгая и не позволяющая себе никаких «излишеств»: кристальной чистоты звук, сложные мелодии, чистейший вокал. Стоит ли говорить, что и тут X7 показывает свои сильные стороны, позволяя насладиться каждым мельчайшим нюансом звука?
conclusions
В общем, история повторяется вновь и вновь: Fiio сделали плеер, предлагающий массу интересных новшеств, недоступных у конкурентов, и предлагают его за очень честную цену. Плеер традиционно будут хвалить на западных сайтах и форумах и ругать на наших, но это ни в коей мере не помешает ему занять лидерские позиции в продажах. Конечно, X7 не вышел идеальным устройством, сходу затыкающим всех за пояс, у него есть недостатки, особенно заметные с учетом немаленькой цены, но у него есть и уникальные плюсы, которые с лихвой перевешивают все минусы.
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