Few events cause in the world of portable audio such a stir, like the release of a new player from Fiio. The company does not need much in presentations, its products are sold in huge numbers, each time setting a new bar of value for money. Introduced almost two years ago, the Fiio X3 player also became a landmark in the world of portable audio, but time is ticking and you can not stand still for a long time, so Fiio released the second generation of this player, which I will tell you about.
For a start about the title. Traditionally, Fiio called the updated models, adding a letter after the model index, for example E17K, E11K and so on. This player also had to be called Fiio X3K, but at the very last moment the company changed its mind and decided that the player will be called Fiio X3 of the second generation, almost everywhere for convenience it is written as Fiio X3-II. I do not know what caused such a decision, but, perhaps, it's the least that excites in this device.
The first Fiio X3 was really a hit. Despite a flurry of criticism, it was sold in huge quantities and to the credit of Fiio received a long support. For almost 2 years of life X3 received a number of firmware updates that increased its working time, added a new menu and a number of functions that were not available at the start of the model, but later became necessary for almost any self-respecting player: work in USB-DAC mode, support for DSD, support USB-OTG.
The second generation X3 was designed with an ambitious scope, in which Fiio decided to fix everything that the first X3 put in the claim: from design to sound. To do this, in the novelty changed almost everything, from the body and ending with the filling. Now, CS4398 from Cirus Logic (probably the most popular chip in modern players) is responsible for the playback, the amplifier uses the OPA1642 and LMH6643, as in the older X5 model, but is slightly simplified in circuitry.
The price tag of the novelty is planned around $ 200 (this is the recommended Fiio price, what it will be for the final sellers - it's not known), and this is another strong step sweeping out competitors, among other things, by dumping prices. Sales player is scheduled to begin in late March - early April.
Specifications
Amplifier
- Output power: 224 mW @ 16Ω, 200 mW @ 32Ω, 24 mW @ 300Ω
- Output level: > 2.5 V
- Recommended load impedance: 16Ω - 150Ω
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: <0.0015% (at the headphone output with a load of 32Ω)
- Signal to noise ratio: > 113 dB
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 KHz (± 0.1 dB)
- Output Impedance: <0.2Ω
- Maximum output voltage (peak-peak): > 7.5 V
- Maximum output current: > 84 mA
DAC
- Output level: 1.45 V
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: <0.0009%
- Signal to noise ratio: > 113 dB
- Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 KHz (± 0.1 dB)
Player
- SoC: JZ4760B
- DAC: CS4398
- Amplifier: OPA1642 + LMH6643
- LPF: OPA1642
- Support for DSD formats: DSD64, DSD128, DSF, DFF, SACD ISO
- Support for lossless formats: APE Fast: 192/24, APE Normal and above: 96/24, FLAC: 192/24, WAV: 192/24, WMA Lossless: 96/24, ALAC: 192/24
- Support for lossy formats: MP2, MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG
- USB DAC mode: asynchronous, up to 192/24
- Battery: 2600 mAh
- Operating time per charge: > 11 h
- Charging time: <3 h (charging 5 V, 2 A)
- Dimensions: 96.7 mm × 57.7 mm × 16.1 mm
- Weight: 135g
Packing and delivery kit
The box that I visited on the review is not yet final, even the polygraph on it says about the Fiio X3K, which will obviously be changed, but not in the title of the essence. The box is standard for Fiio, with a red-black print and a black box of dense cardboard inside. On the box there is a sticker, scraping off the protective layer from it, you can find out the authentication code. Enter it on the Fiio website, and you'll find out whether you have the original device. It is unlikely that someone will undertake to forge the X3, but with simpler models there were precedents.
The box contains everything you need to work, besides the player you will receive: several protective films on the screen (one already glued from the factory), a silicone case, a microUSB cable, a cable for coaxial output, three sets of stickers for customizing the player and various instructions with warranty coupons. In general, everything you can wish for is included.
Design and management
The second generation of design is almost a full copy of the X1, the older brother is slightly thicker, slightly heavier and made entirely of metal (in X1 the back cover was plastic). Also, the X3-II got a new color, a dark gray graphite, like the Fiio E12A. In general, the move is very reasonable, since the design of the X1 was already close to the ideal, and to deviate from it in search of something "better" meaning is not enough. The size of the player is very compact, all competitors of similar level are the largest, ergonomics are convenient, they can be controlled with one hand, and in addition - many accessories X1 will be compatible with the new X3 (except, perhaps, covers, there will be increased thickness).
Nevertheless, over the management of the Fiio have worked, and the wheel on which the entire interface is built, in the new generation X3 is better than its predecessors, the menu responds more accurately to the rotation (although there are still errors), it has benefited the perception interface.
In my subjective opinion, the X3-II is one of the best players in ergonomics. Surprisingly small size, thoughtful management, excellent build quality - all this gives the player a complete and complete look.
On the top panel there are two outputs, earphone and line, combined with a coaxial one (you can choose one of the two in the menu), it is good that in X3-2 did not repeat the experience of X1 and combine the output with headphones with a linear one. On the left panel are located buttons for volume control and off / lock. The bottom panel contains a MicroUSB connector, probably combined with a dock connector for future devices. The right panel contains a slot for MicroSD cards. The player supports cards up to 128 GB and does not have its own memory.
The front panel is also familiar to the X1, at the top is a good screen for players, under it - the control wheel with a button inscribed in it and 4 additional buttons located diagonally. The two lower ones are responsible for switching tracks and rewinding, the upper right serves to return to the menu, the upper left opens the submenu in playback mode. The screen is the same as in X1 (more precisely, it's better, because in the new X1 the screen became a little worse due to lack of accessories), the resolution and viewing angles are good, but the brightness in the direct sun is not enough. I hope one of the manufacturers of players will take a bold step and will start using LCD or eInk-screens in their devices, because for the music player is no longer necessary.
I do not have the final version of the firmware installed in my player, so something may change slightly to the release, but now the player works very, very stable, there has never been a hang.
The interface is simple and already familiar from the previous Fiio models. The main menu consists of 5 items: return to the playback screen, view the library, view the contents of the card, adjust the playback and configure the player.
The playback screen is thought out and convenient, the album cover and brief information about the current track are shown. Pressing the upper left button opens a submenu in which you can add a track to your favorites or playlist, delete it, or change the playback order.
The music library allows you to view the contents of your map, ordered by album, artist and genre. There you can also see favorites, playlists and all files in one list.
If you have a mess in the tags and the library does not cope, the map will come to the aid of folders, the third one in the menu.
In the playback settings, you can select the repeat mode, enable recalling the current track and the position in it, turn on the playback without pauses, select the volume limit and save the selected level, switch the gain, adjust the balance and 10-band equalizer. Immediately you can turn on the mode, in which the player in the process of playback, having exhausted the current folder, moves to the next in the list. Just note that the equalizer is software, so the sound with it is changing for the better, so I'm against using this feature. This is inherent in all Chinese players, Fiio is no exception.
In the player settings are selected: language, theme, USB mode, lock screen options, brightness, sleep and sleep timers.
The company has optimized the power consumption, so from 1 charge the player works surprisingly long for its size. In the tests, I got 11 hours and 20 minutes. The player has a deep sleep mode, so in idle time, the X3-2 consumes a battery much less than usual, so you can even not turn it off, it's a very convenient feature that allows you to "wake up" the player in a split second and immediately enjoy your favorite music.
Sound
To listen to the player, the following headphones were used:
- HiFiMan HE560
- Dunu DN-2000 and Titan 1
- Lear LUF-4F
- Rhapsodio RTi1
- Ambient Acoustics AM10
In X3-2, Fiio tried to keep the sound that they "groped" in X1, but improving it in areas where it was necessary. To say that it turned out the player with the best sound - it will be an obvious exaggeration, but in its price category the new X3, perhaps, bypasses all competitors. In general, the feed of a beginner can be characterized as dynamic, with good energy and drive.
If to X1 it was possible slightly (I emphasize, slightly) to carp for lack of shock on LF, then in X3-2 it is more than corrected. The bass is not only well controlled, but also served with pleasant energy and density. Simple selection of headphones to your taste, you can achieve almost any bass feed, starting with a roaring wave of sound and ending with an intelligent elastic background for the melody. Starting with intelligent electronic music Daft Punk and ending with unbridled neo-hardcore players Royal Republic - X3-II shows itself from the best side.
Average frequencies are worked out at a level worthy of the price category. Of course, the top players bypass the beginner by these parameters, but there is already a completely different category with a different price level. The middle frequencies are quite lively and emotional, the separation of instruments at a decent level. The development of background sounds is very decent, thanks to this the imaginary scene is built in depth well, the width also leaves much to be desired. "Holographic" effect, characteristic, for example, QLS360 is not here, but the volume is transmitted, and the three-dimensional effects are also fascinating.
The high frequencies are worked out and fed in normal quantities. This can upset the owners of bright headphones and people sensitive to HF, but there is actually "what is", so if there is a lot of high frequencies on the recording, the player will play them. Detailing of the upper part of the range is very good, percussion, plates, high notes are easily distinguishable, as well as damping. Tracks, which are inherent in the volume of this very much, sometimes you can even guess the parameters of the room in which one or another track was recorded.
A little bit about subjective comparison with other players, for starters from Fiio. X1 lags behind the sound, especially in the bass region, although with a successful selection of headphones to hear the difference is not so simple. X5 still retains leadership in the sound, it is even more dynamic, even better plays out macrodynamics, although its supply of RF to many may seem even sharper than X3-2. Now with respect to competitors. iBasso DX50 is left behind due to boring and lifeless filing. iHiFi 770 loses in detail, but wins a little bit in musicality, but because of the confusing control it is recommended only to very patient users. Aune M1 wins by sound, but loses the rest of the performance, and therefore stands silent mansion. HiFiMan 603 has a specific sound, and therefore I do not take it directly to compare it with other sources, since it depends a lot on headphones and personal tastes.
Compatibility
The Fiio X3-II has no pronounced problems and is quite versatile in all respects. The increased power allows him to manage well with most headphones, including overhead models (naturally, without fanaticism). Therefore, the selection of headphones to it must be carried out on the basis of personal preferences in sound, it is difficult to give general advice. I would generally recommend avoiding blatantly bright headphones and choosing options that can open the player's potential. It's the headphones that determine the character of the player's sound, and an option that does not fit your tastes can ruin the whole impression of the source.
Several combinations that I tried, and they seemed worthy of mention to me (do not take them for mandatory recommendation, tastes may vary). Of course, these are not all good options, there are many more.
Etymotic ER-4P - surround sound, with a fairly intelligent bass, a detailed mid and slightly brighter HF, a good option for chamber recordings, instrumental music, rich nuances and binaural records.
Dunu DN-2000 is a dynamic drive with elastic bass, good vocals and non-annoying HF, a very good option for old rock and live music.
Dunu Titan1 - headphones, do not cease to amaze, if you like their harsh and detailed feed, their potential is able to grow with the source just to infinity. With the Fiio novelty, they give a detailed sound with pleasant aggression, well suited for almost all types of metal.
Ostry KC06A is an option, which in English is called "all-rounder", that is a universal solution. Excellent detail and power of a typical dynamic radiator make them a good choice for almost any genre and style. If you do not like bass, you can see the usual version without "A", but I like the option "fatter".
HiFiMan Re600 - after reducing the price in 2 times, these headphones have become one of the best options among all dynamic insert models. Sound comfortable as home slippers, musical and with good resolution - all this is in this model in combination with the X3-2.
HiFiMan HE-560 - I tried them more for the experiment. This bundle is quite tolerant, but the potential of these (and most other) isodynamic headphones is much higher.
If you want some "big" headphones, then a very good option is Focal Spirit Classic . Despite minor problems with the design of the case, the sound "focal" is very good, especially for the closed model. The sound is typically music loving, fascinating and musical.
The genre player is also not fastidious, but, of course, for complex music, more expensive players will do better, especially in terms of volume transfer and the construction of an imaginary scene.
The quality of records for X3-2 is critical, but not prohibitive. You, of course, will hear all the flaws of the track, but you will still be able to listen to it. Nevertheless, quality remasters and music with the right mix for the X3-2 is recommended.
conclusions
Fiio confidently reinforced its status as a leader in the personal audio segment. Of course, the new revision of the X3 is not a panacea for all problems and not a player with an ideal sound. He plays in his niche, not trying to climb to a higher level, but in the price category in which he performs, competitors are burned as napalm. The new X3 of the second revision is cheaper than its competitors (that's why it's worth waiting for the price reduction from other manufacturers), it's better for sound, it's more convenient to manage, smaller in size, richer in functions. In general, it is little, but bypasses all of any of the possible parameters.
The article is based on materials .
Comments
Post a Comment