The second generation Fiio X3 player review is a masterpiece of the budget segment. Why is he interesting
Yandex.Market data
| Main functions | |
| Type of | Hi-Fi player |
| Max. bit depth / sampling rate | 24/192 |
| Video playback | No |
| View graphic files | No |
| Voice recorder | No |
| Work as a USB DAC | there is |
| Carrier | |
| Type of | Flash |
| Memory card support | one microSD slot |
| Maximum memory card size | 128 GB |
| Screen | |
| Screen | LCD color, diagonal 2 inches. |
| Screen resolution | 240x320 |
| Interfaces | |
| PC connection | USB 2.0 |
| Interfaces | line-out, coaxial-out |
| Format support | |
| Audio Format Support | MP3, WMA, OGG, AAC, FLAC, APE, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF, DSD, DFF, DSF, SACD ISO |
| Nutrition | |
| Batteries | own Li-Pol |
| Maximum run time | 11 h |
| Battery charging | from USB |
| Charging connector type | microUSB |
| Frame | |
| Body material | metal |
| Dimensions (WxHxT) | 57.7x96.7x16.1 mm |
| The weight | 135 g |
| Additionally | |
| Digital equalizer | there is |
| Signal to noise ratio | 114 dBA |
| DAC | Cirrus Logic CS4398 |
| Peculiarities | sleep timer, firmware option |
| Additional Information | 10-band equalizer; two quartz oscillators; low pass filter |
Reviews of mp3 player Fiio X3 II
Yandex.Market data
Rating: 5 out of 5
Mounie Devam
Pluses: Great, realistic, detailed sound. OTG and DAC modes. Mechanical control (subjective). Convenient, well-thought-out interface. Excellent workmanship (It looks like it was made in Japan. Chinese can do it when they want!)
Disadvantages: No built-in memory, dim screen.
Commentary: The sound is great! Compared X1, X5II, HIFIMan HM-700 and X3II in Sennheiser headphones HD 555, settled on the X3II. In my opinion, the X5II wins only with two card slots and screen quality. The sound of the X5II and HiFiMan is different and seriously, but not for the worse or for the better, just a different sound - I decided not to overpay. You take it in your hands - you sweep a thing! Very pleasant to the touch. The back panel, by the way, is also metal, but for some reason it is covered with a film the same as on the screen, from which it seems that there is plastic there. The rubber cover was only on the X1, which at first upset, but then I made sure that the plastic cover is still better (IMHO). Regarding the absence of the "home" button and similar nagging - read the manual, he has everything, extremely user-friendly interface... Playback without pauses was very pleasing, although it works flawlessly on FLAC, and on MP3 there is a leap that is not found on software players. Well, okay - the lossy format is an option here and there is no desire to listen to it on such a device. The screen is the only serious and annoying drawback - on a sunny day, on the street, even with full brightness, you cannot make out anything. Strange charger requirements, 2 amps! With a fright, I began to charge from the USB 3.1 port. But it seems that this is too much for them - one ampere should be enough. It heats up noticeably during playback, this is not a drawback, but rather a feature, because the body is metal. But on the whole - a wonderful device - I advise everyone! Disadvantages fade before merits.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Pluses: Size, appearance, simplicity and ease of use, created for one thing - the thrill of music, period. And its purpose is fully justified, not a bad bundle, support of the manufacturer, release of firmware with improvements and fixes, support for micro-sd up to 128 GB. (you need to take a high-quality card), the ability to play in folders, the ability to adjust the volume with the scroll wheel, a good margin of autonomy, settings for locking buttons and sleep mode, the presence of a linear and digital coaxial output, the ability to edit the memory card via usb connection, support usb OTG, the presence of physical buttons allows blind control, which is very convenient in contrast to the touch screen, the presence of several interface themes to choose from, the presence of low and high gain, for different types headphones, good output power, swings headphones up to 150 ohms. In my opinion, a perfectly balanced sound, rock plays just divinely, the equalizer is off!
Disadvantages: The material of the case is good and pleasant, the buttons are too, but the scroll wheel, although it is convenient and generally without any special claims, is still not tactile so much that you do not want to take your finger away from it .. not that a disadvantage, rather there is where else to improve , the glass of the screen protrudes a little from the body - it is not very pleasant to the touch, but it remains unnoticed during use. The lack of a "home" button - you have to press back several times, this causes discomfort .. not the fastest battery charging even from the outlet, the exact remaining battery charge is not displayed on the screen, the display lacks brightness even at maximum, on a bright day it is not convenient ... There are problems with displaying track names when displaying a disc through a cue file - you have to split into separate tracks in foobar.
Comment: I chose for a long time, I never buy a thing "for myself" impulsively, even for $ 200)), I slowly reread a bunch of articles, the circle of choice was reduced to three models, Fiio x3ii / x5ii, Ibasso dx80, Astel
Rating: 5 out of 5
Matvey Sergeevich
Pros: Balanced sound, even in sony MDR the XB series with their low frequencies turned into the ceiling. The ability to use it as an external audio card instead of the almost ubiquitous PC realtek with its disgusting resampling and microsoft direct sound. Exceptional omnivore including DSD and apple losless. The amplifier gives at the output 224mW at 16Ohm, which means - take care of your ears. However, fans of indirect brain massage should like it. Refusal from everywhere fashionable touch control will show its best side in winter, when snow falls from above and instills evil spirits into every device with a capacitive sensor. A complete set from caring Chinese. 3 films per screen, one of which has already been carefully glued by a caring Chinese person (do not forget to tear off the applicator). To the heap, the set comes with a silicone case, so as not to poke around, but in the case the device hardly fits into a pocket. In a word, to cover or not to cover is up to you. For lovers of perversion, the kit includes 3 sets of decoration stickers, and from the useful, in addition to usb, the Chinese put an adapter on the coaxial output.
Disadvantages: In the long term, the mechanical wheel is not encouraging, however personal experience, expected that the cowon E1 "keychain", worn in a keychain for 4 years, would die from mechanical damage(the buttons will fall off), in the end he is still alive, although he rubbed himself. The kit does not include a usb-network adapter, and this is with the declared charging time from the network 3 hours versus 8 hours from the PC. When installing drivers on win8.1 for an external DAC, I had to tinker with an unsigned driver.
Commentary: This is my first decent sound source. Before that, there was a mobile phone and a cowon E1 (the Korean answer to the Apple clothespin). The first time with X3 I heard everything! No mess, in some of the compositions I found backing vocals, which I did not suspect. Hidden earlier in a chaotic heap, the jazz bass rhythm sounded like a separate instrument. The scene feels incredibly clear, even if you're practically deaf to one side. We close our eyes and hear what sounds from where. I can't say anything about the battery, because when used outdoors, and at home as a DAC, the device does not have time to discharge. For long trips, the declared 11 hours, with a 2600 mAh battery, should be enough.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Alexander Shleenkin
Advantages: The sound is quite detailed, transparent, in my opinion it beats up its money by 200%, who needs to eat the X5 II even more, but this is for absolutely sound aesthetes. I liked the amplification function, I don't need it, but it's nice to have it. I really liked the lack of picky about monitors, I highlight this separately, for me this is important. There are no questions at all about bass and averages, there were concerns, but it turned out that the problem is in the headphones, in Sonya everything is much better.
Disadvantages: I tried to use it as sound card, like I even picked up an ASIO emulator in my sequencer, it is difficult to achieve minimum delays as in studio soundtracks, but it will work, it is unnecessary to reproduce this, but I’m already meddling in my sound affairs.
Commentary: Let's compare: I don't consider Sansa Clip + as an audio player on any firmware, much worse than Fiio X3 II. ASUS Zenfone 2 on realtek gives more low frequencies than Fiio X3 II, but the delivery is worse, since ASUS has some mess, Fiio has everything in place. Fiio X1, in my opinion, loses very much at low frequencies, X3 is not so picky about monitors, X1 had to be matched, which is not a good indicator, if you take studio equipment X1 loses immediately on the low and high, the middle is almost par. Cowon J3 listens well only with software refinements, so the sound quality loses to X3. For those who are looking for a Cowon "ovsky sound, I recommend Asus smartphone Zenfone 2 and install Cowon's JetAudio there you will get sound even better than in the famous J3, but again this is not "better" for which sound is usually appreciated. The sound is appreciated for its linearity, purity, transparency, and evaluations of how it yells or how bass it is already beyond the sound quality, I hope I explained it clearly. I listened to DSD on "live" music, good, but Flac 24bit is more functional, in my opinion there is no point in spending money on volumes, and if you are not listening to "live" music, then at all. In terms of dimensions and weight, we are hardly distinguishable from the X1, as if I were using the old X1. I am satisfied with the purchase, what was missing in the X1 I got in the X3, and this is exactly what I need.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Konstantin Luchin
Advantages: - Very good sound - Easy navigation, nothing superfluous - Ability to use as an external DAC - Playback from folders - Support for 128 GB memory cards - Build quality - Body materials
Disadvantages: Bad screen, on which nothing is visible in the sun Small print in the menu The control wheel "jumps"
Commentary: The player makes a good impression with its appearance. Assembled well. Nothing strumming and staggering. Sound. Listening with sennheiser ie60, fostex tn-05 and audio-technica ath-50x. Genre dependent. Perfectly copes with techno, trance, house, light rock, jazz, orchestral music. Worse with severe. On some heavy metal recordings, the guitars sound too bright, loud. Bass. Accentuated, powerful, crisp, energetic. Medium frequencies. Smooth. detailed, emotionality is present. The voices sound a little dry and a little harsh, but not distant, but rather the opposite. High frequencies. Crystal clear and truly tall. Detailed and voluminous. For someone there will be a lot of them. It already tastes and colors ... Highs sound enchanting in a trance, help build the stage, add volume. But at the same time, say, in Slayer, the guitar riffs are not brutal enough, and the hats and cymbals tire with their sonority and quantity. The sound delivery is very honest. Background noise How is it suppressed by software or hardware - I do not know. From the silence, the sounds of a melody appear. Not for you hissing, not crackling, at first it is already surprising. The sound is delicate, neat, subtle. There is dynamics and pressure. Music does not play in the background. But in this regard, it is far from even before the multi-bit. The scene is drawn in all directions, the volume is felt. If you don't listen to heavy metal, I can safely recommend it! For 11,500 he has no shortcomings. I would also like to write about the possibility of using it as a DAC. If you have a native built-in or some kind of cheap sound system, then the difference will be striking. For example, I had an external Asus Xonar U7, I was happy until I connected the player. Immediately such pressure, dynamics, stage width ... The speakers should only be of a normal level (microlab solo 6c, 7c, sven royal 2, I have an edifier 2600). Happiness and good luck to everyone!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Alexey Valiullin
Pluses: SOUND! Metal case, control without sensor. Only physical buttons.
Disadvantages: Not found yet
The Chinese company FiiO was popular for its high quality and inexpensive DACs. Seeing the explosive growth in the popularity of high-quality portable audio players, FiiO decided to start creating its own models and just over a year and a half ago it released its first X3 player, expected by fans of good sound. It was not perfect, but thanks to good ratio the price / quality beat many competitors and became very popular. We also did not miss the chance to take it for review, after which I got it too. Later, the top-end and entry-level appeared. Now we will get to know the new second generation X3, the commercial name will be X3 2nd gen as stated on the official website (or FiiO X3 II, for simplicity). We got our hands on a sample not for sales with the name X3K.
What is it?
X3 II is a portable Hi-Fi player with high-quality sound and a pleasant price tag compared to competitors, the model is perceived not as just an improvement of the original X3, but as a full-fledged one. new model that will fill the niche in FiiO's lineup between the entry-level X1 and the top-end X5.
Why is it interesting?
The player can play all (or almost all) popular lossless and compressed formats and audio high resolution up to 24 bit / 192 kHz, used for music storage microSD cards up to 128 GB. Can be used as a USB DAC. The player is made of polished metal and has a very nice design.
What's in the box?
FiiO X3 II is packed in black and red packaging, which is standard for all the company's players (with the exception of the first batches of the first generation X3), inside which there is a black box made of thick embossed cardboard:
As usual, FiiO generously bundles its players. In the box: FiiO X3 II, black silicone case, 2 spare protective films on the screen (one is already glued), MicroUSB-cable, 3 .5mm S / PDIF coaxial adapter and three sets of body decals. Solution for an amateur: I would not spoil the appearance of the player with them.
Does it look pretty?
Externally, the FiiO X3 II has nothing to do with its first generation predecessor. It is similar to FiiO X1, but it has larger dimensions and a different color. In this case, a dark gray polished metal. All controls are in the same places. On the front panel there is a display, a control wheel, a button inscribed in it, and four more in the corners of the wheel. The first one is responsible for calling the menu, the second one - returning one level in the menu. The lower buttons are responsible for switching tracks. They protrude enough from the body and it is very convenient to switch tracks in your pocket. There is a LED at the bottom, which glows blue when working, red when charging and green when fully charged:
On back cover- FiiO logo and standard information about the model and manufacturer:
On the right side there is an open microSD slot. The connected card is slightly recessed into the case, everything fits well, unlike the first X3, where the memory card protruded and was fixed a little crookedly (in any case, some copies had such a situation, including mine), although this did not affect the performance :
Headphone and line-out (coaxial) are located on the upper part of the case. The desired item is selected from the menu:
At the bottom there is a MicroUSB connector:
On the left side there are round power / lock and volume control buttons. They also feel good in a pocket, even in a case. To avoid confusion, the manufacturer has marked the volume up button with a bulge:
Comparison with the first generation X3:
And this is how the player looks in a case. All controls, LED and headphone and MicroUSB jacks are available. Linear / coaxial is covered with a cap that can be turned off if necessary:
The player looks very solid and perfectly assembled; a silicone case is provided for a longer preservation of the presentation. The player does not look so impressive in it, but it will be more complete. All parts are adjusted, the buttons do not wobble.
Is it convenient to use?
The player controls are implemented similarly to the budget X1: all physical controls are in the same places, a similar control wheel. The controls seemed to me very convenient and more logical compared to the first X3, where it was completely push-button, the buttons themselves were quite small and at times were missed when controlling without getting out of your pocket. In this case, the buttons are larger and are located so that switching tracks or adjusting the volume blindly is easy and simple, both in a case and without it.
The interface is also similar to FiiO X1 and you can see more details in the corresponding review: in the main menu there are 5 items: playback, track library, something like a file manager, playback settings and player settings. The playback screen displays all the basic information and the cover of the track, right on this screen you can open the menu and add a track to the playlist or delete it. In the library, you can sort your tracks by artist, album, playlist, and so on. File manager allows you to view content by folder. In the playback settings there is a standard set of modes (repeat, Shuffle, and so on), you can enable playback without pauses, gain level (low and high for high-impedance headphones) and equalizer. Calling the interface a convenient language does not turn out to be, although devices of this class have never been famous for them.
How does it sound?
Inside FiiO X3 II, in comparison with the first model, almost everything has changed. Only the Ingenic Z4760 600 dual-core SoC remains at the MHz. Cirrus Logic is now used as a DAC CS4398 instead of Wolfson M8740. Used as amplification OPA1642 and LMH6643 Low Pass Filter - OPA1642. Such changes definitely benefited the player, it sounds much more interesting than its predecessor. From the headphones, in-ear hybrids T-Peos H-300, dynamic Ostry KC06 and closed studio monitors Sony MDR-7506.
The player produces very detailed, dynamic sound with a wide stage and good separation of instruments. Low frequencies are worked out much better than their predecessor: they are elastic, deep, rich and detailed. On the first generation X3, the bottoms were somewhat oiled. The mid and high frequencies are also worked out at an excellent level, detailed and lively. The player sounds smooth and "musical", there is no protrusion of high frequencies (at least with the headphones used), which is sometimes observed in some players, especially on reinforcing headphones... With all the models used, the player has shown itself perfectly, even with finicky Sony MDR-7506, who love to highlight any flaws in the source and the recording itself. There is enough power to drive most portable headphones; a portable amplifier may also be useful for high-impedance monitors.
The player is largely dependent on the quality of the reproduced material. To a much greater extent than X3, so it is highly recommended to listen to Lossless and not force your ears with MP3 and other shaken formats.
How long does the battery hold?
The Fiio X3 II has a 2600 mAh lithium polymer battery. In practice, the player will run for about 12 hours on a single charge at medium volume and low gain. Used for charging Charger from the tablet. A full charge takes about 3 hours. From USB, the manufacturer promises to charge in 8 hours.
In the dry residue
FiiO X3 II is an excellent and improved update of the super popular player in all respects. Considering that in the new model there is practically nothing left of its predecessor, the player is rather perceived as a new model that complements the lineup. The player produces a sound that is excellent by the standards of its price range (about 5000 UAH), it definitely sounds better than the first generation X3, the current state employee X1 and a competitor in the person of iBasso DX50. There is no limit to perfection, but for better sound will have to pay more amount. FiiO X3 II is the best average option for those who want to get high-quality sound, but are not ready to pay a much more impressive amount for top-end players, the price tag of which can go up to 30,000 UAH. In addition to high-quality sound the player boasts an omnivorous format, metal casing and the ability to be used as a USB DAC. Of the unpleasant moments, it is worth noting the still inconvenient interface.
5 reasons to buy FiiO X3 II:
- excellent (within the price range) sound quality;
- high-resolution audio playback (up to 192/24 inclusive);
- support for all lossless formats;
- the ability to use as a USB DAC;
- nice design and metal body.
1 reason not to buy FiiO X3 II:
- inconvenient interface.
| FiiO X3 | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core Ingenic Z4760 600MHz |
| Operational amplifier | OPA1642 and LMH6643 |
| Display | 2 ", TFT, 320x240 pixels |
| Memory | microSD memory cards up to 128 GB inclusive; |
| Channel balance | ± 5 dB, step 0.5 |
| Equalizer | ± 10 dB (hardware) |
| Supported formats | DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSF, DFF, SACD ISO, FLAC 24/192, WAV 24/192, APE 24/192 (Fast), APE (Normal) 24/96, APE (High) 24/96, WMA Lossless 24 / 48, Apple Lossless (ALAC) 24/192, MP3, MP2, OGG, AAC; gapless support |
| Battery | lithium polymer, 2600 mAh, up to 12 hours of play |
| Interface and outputs | USB 2.0 (microUSB), 3.5 mm output (headphones), 3.5 mm line / coaxial |
| Dimensions and weight | 96.7x57.7x16.1 mm, 135 grams |
| Headphone out |
|
Few events in the world of portable audio are as hype as the release of Fiio's new player. The company does not particularly need introduction, its products are sold in huge quantities, each time setting a new bar for the relationship between price and quality. Introduced almost two years ago, it also became a milestone in the world. portable sound, but time passes, and it is impossible to stand still for a long time, so Fiio released the second generation of this player, which I will tell you about.
First, about the name. Traditionally, Fiio called updated models by adding a letter after the model index, for example E17K, E11K and so on. This player was also supposed to be called Fiio X3K, but literally at the last moment the company changed its mind and decided that the player would be called Fiio X3 of the second generation, almost everywhere for convenience it is written as Fiio X3-II. I don’t know what caused such a decision, but, perhaps, this is the least that worries in this device.
It really became a hit. Despite a barrage of criticism, it was sold in huge numbers and, to Fiio's credit, it received long-term support. For almost 2 years of its life, X3 received a number of firmware updates that increased its operating time, added a new menu and a number of functions that were absent at the start of the model, but later became necessary for almost any self-respecting player: work in USB-DAC mode, DSD support, USB-OTG support.
The second generation X3 was designed on an ambitious scale, in which Fiio decided to fix everything that the first X3 claimed: from design to sound. To do this, the new product has changed almost everything, from the body to the filling. Now CS4398 from Cirus Logic is responsible for playback (perhaps the most popular chip in modern players), the amplifier uses OPA1642 and LMH6643, as in the older X5 model, but slightly simplified in circuitry.
The price tag of the new item is planned at around $ 200 (this is the recommended Fiio price, what it will be at the end sellers is unknown), and this is another strong step that sweeps out competitors, among other things, by dumping prices. the player is scheduled to start in late March - early April.
Amplifier
- Output power: 224 mW @ 16Ω, 200 mW @ 32Ω, 24 mW @ 300Ω
- Output level:> 2.5V
- Recommended load impedance: 16Ω - 150Ω
- <0,0015% (на выходе для наушников с нагрузкой в 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):> 7.5V
- Maximum output current:> 84 mA
- Output level: 1.45V
- 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
- DSD support: DSD64 ， DSD128, DSF, DFF, SACD ISO
- Lossless format support: APE Fast: 192/24, APE Normal and above: 96/24, FLAC ： 192/24, WAV ： 192/24, WMA Lossless ： 96/24, ALAC: 192/24
- Lossy format support: MP2, MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG
- USB DAC Mode: asynchronous, up to 192/24
- Battery: 2600 mAh
- Operating time on one charge:> 11 h
- Charging time: <3 ч (зарядное 5 В, 2 А)
- Dimensions: 96.7 mm × 57.7 mm × 16.1 mm
- The weight: 135 g
Packaging and delivery set
The box that I reviewed is not yet final, even the printing on it says about Fiio X3K, which will obviously be changed, but the essence is not in the name. The box is standard for Fiio, with a red and black print and a black box made of thick cardboard inside. There is a sticker on the box, by scraping off the protective layer, you can find out the authentication code. Enter it on the Fiio website and you will find out if your device is original. It is unlikely that anyone will undertake to counterfeit the X3, but there were precedents with simpler models.
The box contains everything you need to work, in addition to the player itself, you will receive: several protective films on the screen (one is already glued from the factory), a silicone case, a MicroUSB cable, a cable for a coaxial output, three sets of stickers for customizing the player and various instructions with warranty coupons. In general, everything you could wish for is included in the kit.
Design and management
The second generation in design is almost a complete copy of the X1, the older brother is slightly thicker, a little heavier and is made entirely of metal (the X1 had a plastic back cover). Also, the X3-II received a new color, dark graphite gray, like the Fiio E12A. In general, the step is very reasonable, since the design of the X1 was already close to ideal, and it makes little sense to deviate from it in search of something “better”. The dimensions of the player are very compact, all competitors of a similar level are large, ergonomics are convenient, it can be operated with one hand, and besides, many X1 accessories will be compatible with the new X3 (except, perhaps, covers, this will be affected by the increased thickness).
Nevertheless, Fiio has worked on the controls, and the wheel, on which the entire interface is built, in the new generation X3 has become better than its predecessors, the menu responds more accurately to rotation (although there are still errors), this benefited the perception interface.
In my subjective opinion, the X3-II is one of the best players in terms of ergonomics. Amazingly small size, thoughtful controls, excellent build quality - all this gives the player a coherent and finished look.
On the top panel there are two outputs, headphone and line, combined with coaxial (you can choose one of the two in the menu), it's good that the X3-2 did not repeat the experience of X1 and combine the headphone output with the line one. On the left panel there are volume control and power off / lock buttons. The bottom panel contains a MicroUSB connector, probably combined with a dock connector for future devices. The right panel houses a microSD card slot. The player supports cards up to 128 GB and does not have its own memory.
The front panel is also familiar from the X1, at the top there is a screen that is not bad by the standards of the players, under it there is a 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 one serves to return to the menu, the upper left one opens a submenu in playback mode. The screen is the same as in the X1 (more precisely, it is better, because in the new X1 the screen has become a little worse due to the lack of components), the resolution and viewing angles are good, but the brightness in the direct sun is not enough. Hopefully, some of the player manufacturers will take a bold step and start using LCD or eInk screens in their devices, because there is no need for a music player anymore.
I have a non-final version of the firmware installed in my player, so something may change slightly by release, but now the player is working very, very stable, there have never been any freezes.
The interface is simple and familiar from previous Fiio models. The main menu consists of 5 items: return to the playback screen, view the library, view the contents of the card, playback settings and player settings.
The playback screen is thought out and convenient, showing the album cover and brief information about the current track. Pressing the top left button opens a submenu where you can add a track to your favorites or playlist, delete it, or change the playback order.
The Music Library lets you browse the contents of your map, organized by album, artist, and genre. Here you can also see your favorites, playlists and all files in one list.
If you have a mess in tags and the library cannot cope, viewing the map by folders will come to the rescue, the third in the menu.
In the playback settings, you can select the repeat mode, enable the memorization of the current track and the position in it, enable playback without pauses, select the volume limit and save the selected level, switch the gain, adjust the balance and 10-band equalizer. You can also turn on the mode in which the player during playback, having exhausted the current folder, goes to the next one in the list. I note right away that the equalizer is software, so the sound does not change for the better with it, so I am opposed to using this feature. This is inherent in all Chinese players, Fiio is no exception.
In the player settings, you can select: language, theme, USB mode, lock screen options, brightness, sleep and shutdown timers.
The company has well optimized power consumption, so the player works surprisingly long on 1 charge for its size. In tests, I got 11 hours and 20 minutes. The player has a deep sleep mode, so when idle X3-2 consumes much less battery than usual, so you don't even have to turn it off, this is a very convenient feature that allows you to "wake up" the player in a split second and immediately enjoy your favorite music.
Sound
The following headphones were used to listen to the player:
In the X3-2, Fiio has tried to keep the sound that they "got" in the X1, but improve it in areas where it was needed. To say that the player with the best sound has turned out would be a clear exaggeration, but in its price category the new X3, perhaps, bypasses all competitors. In general, the beginner's presentation can be described as dynamic, with good energy and drive.
If the X1 could be slightly (I emphasize, slightly) to find fault with the lack of percussiveness on the bass, then in the X3-2 this is more than corrected. The bass is not only well controlled, but also delivered with pleasant energy and density. By simply choosing headphones to suit your taste, you can achieve almost any low frequency presentation, from a roaring sound wave to an intelligent elastic background for a melody. From the intelligent electronic music of Daft Punk to the unbridled neo-hard rockers of the Royal Republic, the X3-II is doing its best.
The mids are worked out at a level worthy of the price category. Of course, top players bypass the newcomer in these parameters, but there is already a completely different category with a different price level. The mids are quite lively and emotional, the separation of the instruments is at a decent level. The elaboration of background sounds is very decent, thanks to this, the depth of the imaginary scene is built well, the width also leaves nothing to be desired. There is no “holographic” effect inherent, for example, in the QLS360, but the volume is conveyed, and the three-dimensional effects are also fascinating.
The high frequencies are worked out and served in normal quantities. This can upset the owners of bright headphones and people sensitive to high frequencies, but there is actually "what is - that is", so if there are a lot of high frequencies on the recording, the player will play them. The detail in the upper part of the range is very good, the percussion, cymbals, high notes are easily distinguishable, as are the decays. Tracks, which are characterized by volume, benefit greatly from this; sometimes you can even guess the parameters of the room in which this or that track was recorded.
A little about a subjective comparison with other players, for starters from Fiio. The X1 lags behind in sound, especially in the low-frequency range, although it is not so easy to hear the difference with a good selection of headphones. The X5 still retains the lead in sound, it is even more dynamic, it plays back macrodynamics even better, although its high-frequency delivery may seem to many to be even sharper than the X3-2. Now for the competitors. is left behind because of the boring and lifeless presentation. loses in detail, but wins a little in musicality, but due to the intricate control it can only be recommended to very patient users. wins in sound, but loses in other performance, and therefore stands aloof. has a specific sound, and therefore I generally will not undertake to directly compare it with other sources, since here a lot depends on headphones and personal tastes.
Compatibility
Fiio X3-II has no pronounced problems and is quite versatile in all respects. The increased power allows it to operate well with most headphones, including overhead models (naturally, without fanaticism). Therefore, the selection of headphones for it must be carried out based on personal preferences in sound, it is difficult to give general advice here. In general, I would recommend avoiding overtly bright headphones and choosing options that can unleash the player's potential. It is the headphones that determine the character of the player's sound, and an option that does not suit your tastes can ruin the whole impression of the source.
Several combinations I have tried and they seemed to me to be worth mentioning (don't take them as a 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, detailed mids and slightly brighter treble, a good option for chamber recordings, instrumental music, rich in nuances and binaural recordings.
Dunu DN-2000- driving energetic presentation with elastic bass, good vocals and not annoying high frequencies, a very good option for old rock and live music.
Dunu Titan1- headphones that never cease to amaze, if you like their sharp and detailed presentation, their potential can grow with the source just to infinity. With the new Fiio, they give a detailed sound with a pleasant aggression, well suited to almost all types of metal.
Ostry KC06A- the option, which in English is called "all-rounder", that is, a universal solution. The excellent detail and energy of a typical dynamic driver makes them the perfect choice for almost any genre and style. If you don't like bass, you can watch the regular version without the "A", but I love the "fatter" version.
HiFiMan Re600- after a 2-fold price cut, these headphones have become one of the best options among all dynamic insert models. The sound is as comfortable as house slippers, musical and with good resolution - this model has all this in combination with the X3-2.
HiFiMan HE-560- I tried them more for experiment. This bundle plays quite tolerably, but the potential of these (and most others) isodynamic headphones is much higher.
If you want some kind of "big" headphones, then a very good option is Focal spirit classic... Despite minor problems with the case design, the focal points sound very good, especially for a closed model. The sound is typically music lover, captivating and musical.
The genre player is also not picky, but, of course, for complex music, more expensive players are better suited, especially in terms of conveying volume and building an imaginary scene.
The recording quality for the X3-2 is critical, but not prohibitive. You, of course, will hear all the flaws of the track, but it will still be possible to listen to it. However, quality remasters and well-mixed music for the X3-2 is highly recommended.
conclusions
Fiio has firmly established itself as a leader in the personal audio segment. Of course, the new X3 revision is not a panacea for all problems and not a player with perfect sound. He plays in his niche, not trying to climb to a higher level, but in the price range in which he performs, competitors are burned out like napalm. The new X3 of the second revision is cheaper than its competitors (therefore, it is worth waiting for a reduction in prices from other manufacturers), better in sound, more convenient to operate, smaller in size, richer in functions. In general, it is a little, but bypasses everyone in any of the possible parameters.
