Each new Fiio product is often doomed, if not to resounding success, then to occupy a decent niche in the market. This is not surprising, since most often it is Fiio that defines these niches, each time forcing users to reconsider their views on what they can get for their money. Their players Fiio X3 and Fiio X5 have gained popularity around the world. Now a new, budget model Fiio X1 with a planned price of $ 100 is entering the market. What do the developers of the company offer for this money?
The initial rumors about the Fiio X1 suggested that the player would be built on a simple codec instead of a full-fledged DAC chip, which made it stand out in a number of already existing good players, but then Fiio managed to squeeze a pretty good stuffing into the narrow price frames. PCM5142, of course, is not a top model, but still a very good DAC, and OPA2322 as an amplifier and ISL28291 as a buffer result in a very good gain for a portable device.
Specifications
- Output power: 70 mW @ 32Ω, 120 mW @ 16Ω
- DAC: PCM5142
- OU: OPA2322 + ISL28291
- Power amplifier part: ± 3,3V, without output capacitors
- Outputs: 3.5 mm headphone, combined with linear, switching through the menu
- Inputs: micro USB
- Built-in memory: no
- Memory Card Support: MicroSD up to 128 GB
- Screen: 2 ″ TFT, 320 x 240
- Battery: 1700 mA / h
- Operating time on one charge: from 12 hours
- Dimensions: 96.5 mm x 57 mm x 13.5 mm
- Weight: 108 gr.
Package and Delivery
My Fiio X1 is not a pre-production pre-production sample, so it came to me in a completely white box, but in form it is clear that the packaging of the latest version will be used: a flat square box that is slightly smaller than a compact disk and about 1 centimeter thick. The box traditionally has a scratch section with a code for checking your device for originality.
Inside you will find a player immediately placed in a black silicone case (a good step, since the translucent case that Fiio used before looks worse), a USB cable and a pair of spare screen protectors (another one is already glued).
Traditionally, there are no headphones in the set, as the poor headphones will not reveal the potential of the player, and the good ones will increase the price tag by a factor of two. In addition, most of the target audience probably have good headphones.
Design and management
The Fiio X3 was a "trial ball" of the company in the player market, its design was developed long before the release last year and therefore did not particularly surprise. After the success of the X3 in the company realized that the market is eager to continue, and the X5 has already developed with a modern design, taking the source of inspiration for the most popular player in the history of mankind, iPod Classic. To its credit, Fiio should say that the X5 turned out to be quite unlike the iPod, but at the same time retained its best ergonomic solutions. Of course, it was foolish to discard successful developments, so the X1 uses an idea similar in design to the X5.
The X1 itself is considerably smaller than the X5 (although the latter is generally quite large), it is exactly the size of a deck of playing cards. Thanks to the well-chosen size, the player falls into the hand like a glove, and you can easily reach any control with one hand without having to intercept the device.
The body is completely aluminum, very solid and fitted with high quality. Promised a lot of color options, I also got silver. Fiio designers neatly worked with the form, it is very laconic: the back side is completely flat, the corners and the front side are slightly rounded.
The main controls are on the front panel. In the upper part there is a good screen for a 2 ″ player, it is made using TFT technology, so it pleases with good viewing angles and color reproduction. The lower half is occupied by the control wheel. It is not touch, as in the iPod, as Apple defended this idea with a patent, but a mechanical one. Fiio took into account complaints about the free wheeling of the steering wheel in the X5, in X1 it is tighter. The wheel is plastic, slightly rough. I think it was possible to make it with more pronounced notches, but, apparently, Fiio decided that this option would be rubbed off or clogged with dirt. Or, maybe, stock up with a grooved wheel for a special version (like the X5). Wheel center - a button responsible for the selection of menu items and play / pause.
There are control buttons on four sides of the wheel. In X1 they are round, and, taking into account the claims against X5, they are signed. The functions they have remained the same. The upper left button is used to open the context menu during playback, the upper right button returns, the lower two buttons rewind and skip between tracks, you can also use them to navigate the menu.
At the bottom of the front panel is a LED indicator (although it is not visible in the complete case).
On the left side of the device there are volume control buttons and an on / off button, it also locks / unlocks the device when pressed briefly. And then the designers showed attention to detail. The power button is more recessed into the case, and there is a small protrusion on the volume up button, so the buttons are not confused even by touch.
On the top panel there is a headphone output jack, it also serves as a linear output (switching is done through the menu). On the right panel there is a slot for Micro SD cards, in contrast to the X5 - not closed by anything. At the bottom is a Micro USB connector and a pair of screws for a pentalobe screwdriver that you need to unwind if you decide to lose the warranty and disassemble the player. Although now I can already say that for certain the lovers of improving the sound will make mods in the hope of getting more than what the player has built into.
The menu has also been redesigned compared to the X5 in the direction of greater consistency. There are only five points left, and they are all displayed simultaneously. The active menu item is highlighted. Funny touch - if you use the wheel to navigate through the menu, then a part of the circle is shown at the bottom of the screen, if the bottom buttons are shown, it is removed, so the player displays the current control metaphor. In general, there is no logic failure like the X5 with its inverted circle.
Menu items from left to right: return to the playback screen, browse the library (there is a grouping by albums, artists and genres, right there are a list of all the songs and a list of tracks added to favorites), browsing music by folders on the map, playback settings and system settings. The settings in general coincide with the X5, except for the external DAC mode and “only” 7 equalizer bands. It is worth noting, however, that the equalizer is programmed here, as in X5, and it is better not to use it to preserve the sound quality. You can choose from six menu color options.
In general, player control is very simple and logical, the playback screen contains all the necessary information, you can figure it out in a few minutes. The firmware is very stable, for all the testing time no problems were found. There is no Russian language in the firmware, but it is not difficult to learn a couple dozen of the necessary words in English. In addition, unofficial russifications will almost certainly appear.
I fully charge the battery for 3 hours 12 minutes when using an external charger, while working on one charge during playback 44.1 / 16 FLAC - 12 hours 41 minutes. Given the size, these results can be considered very good.
Optional accessories
As for the Fiio X5, for the X1 promised mass of accessories.
- Transparent hard polycarbonate case
- Leather Case
- A desktop amplifier, in which the X1 will be inserted from above (like the E07K and E09K), the same amplifier will be used with a future top player
- An adapter to USB, which will allow you to get a linear output at the same time as the headphones (the X1 uses an 11-pin microUSB, so a linear output is also provided)
- Carrying case for player on hand
- Mount for use in the X1 car
- Kit for using the X1 with an external amplifier (like the X5 Stacking Kit)
As you can see, there are accessories for all occasions.
Sound
To listen to the player used the following headphones.
The sound of the player is quite neutral, a little lukewarm, without sharp distortions and strong coloring. The nature of the sound is more musical than analytical.
The bass is clean, sharp and fairly controllable, although some compositions lack grip and impact, this is clearly seen, for example, on the hybrid Dunu DN-2000 compared to sources of a higher level. Taking into account the price of the player, it is impossible to write this down to shortcomings, since players who do not have this problem are several times more expensive. But with the exception of this - the woofers in the Fiio X1 are good, they are quite comparable with many players of a higher price category.
The mids are normal. They have a good resolution, although if you forget about the price, you can find fault with microdetails, which is not beneficial for complex symphonic compositions, but, again, this drawback is felt only by relatively much more expensive models. The player copes well with the transfer of volume, although the separation of tools may suffer.
The upper frequencies are not tiring, their number is very carefully dosed, so there is air and lightness in the sound, but there is no sharpness and sibilants, except for very bright headphones.
The player is quite versatile in terms of headphones, but I liked it more with dynamic inserts. There is enough power reserve for overlay models that are normal in sensitivity, there are no special miracles to expect.
Also, you shouldn’t demand breakthroughs and victories over your older brothers from the Fiio X1, although I would say that the difference in sound between the same X1 and X3 is less than the difference in price.
Definitely, the X1 bypasses with a good margin all the players built on codecs, even the absolute favorite of sound lovers SanDisk Sansa significantly loses in resolution and macro dynamics.
It should be noted that the external amplifier solves most of the problems. The recently introduced Fiio E11K is simply a great companion for the X1, especially since they are similar in size. The use of an external amplifier corrects most of the shortcomings voiced above: the bass gets the right whip, and the micro dynamics improves. Thus, somewhere for $ 170, you get a very good portable bundle (maybe a bit thick). Of course, you can also use E12, but it is noticeably larger, and the “sandwich” with it will be very inconvenient, especially since the player will not reveal the full potential of the E12 (although there will be enough energy for even very tight headphones).
findings
Once again, Fiio outlined a new niche market. When you hold the X1 in your hands, it's hard to believe that it costs only $ 100 (the price is for the American market, there may be taxes or duties in other countries). The player is perfectly assembled, there are no complaints about the design. The sound, taking into account the price, is also simply excellent, it is well suited for most music lovers who do not suffer from audiophilia. While other manufacturers storm sky-high peaks with players from 1000 "green" and more expensive, Fiio thinks about our wallets and offers great solutions for those who are not ready to change their (or someone else's) kidney to the player.
Sales of the player around the world begin in the 20s of September, but now we can say that we have received another bestseller.
The article is based on materials .
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