REVIEW: FIIO X7 – FIIO’S NUMBER ONE
Author：Lieven
Review from：Headfonia
→→ Read the original article on Headfonia：>> Click here
Disclaimer: The sample of the Fiio X7 DAP was sent to us free of charge. Fiio is a site advertiser but if you’re read our reviews you know we will always look at a product in an objective way.
Fiio
Fiio is a company that is hard not to like. Check Head-Fi or Facebook and you’ll find thousands of Fiio fans of which I am one. No, they might not always make top level/high end products but Fiio listens to the “consumers” and they always give you the best bang for your money even for those who are on a very low budget. Fiio has released a whole number of awesome products of which the HS2 signal switcher, the E10K amp/dac and now the X7 DAP just to name a couple are among my favorite units. I have enjoyed the Fiio products since the beginning and I can’t see myself falling out of love any time soon.
A few years ago Fiio launched the X3 DAP, their first entry in the DAP segment. The X3 was quickly followed by a whole series of other DAPs and their revisions: X1, X3SG, X5 and X5SG. Now Fiio is back with their Top Of The Line (TOTL) X7, a DAP that took two years of research and Fiio again worked with the users to give them what they wanted. Of course Fiio couldn’t do anything (like a double MicroSD card in example) but the X7 is a very complete and well working package, let me tell you that already.
I’ve been using the X7 for quite some time now and I had a hard time putting down the L&P L5Pro as my daily DAP. Then when I was finally ready to post my review, Fiio released the AM2 module and it got pushed back again. I really should apologize to Fiio for that. Next DAP reviews in the pipeline are the Cayin N5 and the L&P L3 IEM DAP. DAPs keep popping up every minute and I would have never thought I’d be doing this many DAP reviews, and the end isn’t in sight just yet.
The X7
While I quite like the X5SG tonality-wise, Fiio up till now never managed to really convince me with their DAPs. It wasn’t an easy job either with the full iBasso range, the L&P L5Pro, a Cayin and the AK120ii/240 laying around. I think the AK120ii still is the DAP I have used most in total but when the L5Pro arrived the AK went to my nightstand. The X7, especially with amplifier module AM2, is a direct competitor to the L5Pro and with its more user friendly interface it might even out best the L5Pro, but more on that later.
Fiio decided to go for the Sabre ESS9018s chip and I personally think they made an excellent choice. The quad Sabre (2 x 4 in this configuration) does DSD64/128 and PCM up to 64/384 as a USB DAC. Fiio’s X7 comes with 1G of internal RAM and 32GB of internal storage. While some people complain about that (the AKs easily have over 100GB), I find it perfectly normal for the price range it is in. Besides, you can always expand your storage up to 128GB by inserting a MicroSD card (the 200GB seems to work fine too) on the side.
For the X7, Fiio selected the 3500mAh battery. It’s not the absolute best but I manage to get around 8 to 10 hours on it depending on the amp module, gain setting, screen usage and the ear/headphone used. I do still stick to my point a “new” DAP should easily provide ten hours of play time, but looking at the specs of several recent DAPs, that isn’t the case. Nathan does seem to have found an especially well performing DAP in this area though.
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me more specs:
Dimension: 128 * 16.5 * 64 mm
Screen: 3.97 inch 800*480 full touch IPS
Battery: 3500mAh.
Input/Output interface: Micro SD slot X 1
Build in Memory: 32 GB .
Wifi/Bluetooth: 802.11g/b/n, Not APT-X.
DAC chip: ESS9018 X 1, ESS9018 includes 8 channels DAC so it doesn’t need 2 DAC chips. L/R both are quad DAC
Output power : 100mW/32 ohms, 200mW/16 ohms ( Stock IEM module ).
Soc: RK3188
RAM: 1GB
Weight: 220g ( With IEM module )
S/N: 117dB
THD+N: 0.002%
Output impedance: < 1 ohms
Crosstalk: > 72dB ( PO ), > 110dB ( LO )
Output level: 1.5V ( LO )
Design
In the looks department I can safely say that the Fiio X7, design wise, is the first Fiio DAP I actually like. Saying I “like it” actually isn’t doing it justice, the Fiio X7 is simply gorgeous. I have to admit it isn’t the smallest size and weight wise (128 * 16.5 * 64 mm for 220g) but the X7 looks sexy, slick and classy all at the same time. Looks are a personal thing though but to me the X7 can easily be put next to AK, L&P, Cayin (not the N6) and iBasso units. I’ve in fact had several colleagues asking me if it was my new phone and where they could get one.
The X7’s build quality is very good and right up there with the best. As a matter of fact it takes Fiio quite a while to make just one unit: 160 minutes to cut out of the aluminum block (CNC machining), 80 minutes for color anodizing, 100 minutes for buttons machining and 50 minutes for the amplifier module machining. Phew! First thing you notice when holding the X7 are the soft edges, the symmetric button layout and the slightly lifted 3.97 inch full touch TFT screen (480 x 800). The lifted screen makes the X7 look special but I wouldn’t recommend dropping it (screen first). In fact I always use Fiio’s proprietary leather case when on the go.
On the left side of the player you’ll find the volume buttons and the lock screen switch while the buttons on the right side of the player have to be used to skip tracks and play/pause. On the left side you’ll also find the microSD slot. The Coax Out is on top as the Headphone Out, like in most DAPs nowadays, is on the bottom. The advantage of the symmetric buttons is the ease of use but then again it isn’t always as easy to differentiate left from right in the dark or when the player is in your pocket. In one of the next firmware it actually should be possible to reprogram the button settings (like the L&P L5pro partially offers). I also have to mention the buttons are light to the touch and I have had many involuntary track switches happen to me with the X7 in my back pocket.
On the front, right under the screen, you’ll find Fiio’s pulsating blue light which shows you the player is “active”. When using the leather case however, this light unfortunately can’t be seen. The only “design thing” I don’t like is the fact that the amplifier modules don’t have the same color. AM1’s color is identical to the X7’s but AM2’s grey is very different from the original. Luckily it isn’t visible when using the superb leather case. The case, made by Fiio itself, is quite nice and it fits the player perfectly. I’d say it’s about the same quality as the AK cases but the L&P case, to me, still is the best. Overall, I’m very happy with the design choices Fiio made.
On Head-Fi there are rumors already a new version of the X7 with more internal storage and some updated internals. No idea if those rumors hold any truth but Fiio, with the “SG” versions of the X3 and X5, has proven before they like releasing new versions. Personally I think it’s rather unlikely this will happen anytime soon (besides maybe a version with more internal memory) as not even all the X7’s amp modules have been released.
Firmware/ User Interface
Fiio’s new X7 runs on … Android. Yay! It actually comes with 2 specific modes: Pure Music in which only the basic/core DAP functions are available & the Android mode where a whole lot more apps are available for download such as Spotify, Tidal and so many more. Because the X7 runs on Android it is highly configurable and going over all the possible features is as good as impossible. This review focuses on the normal usability/features of the X7 when using Fiio’s Pure Music mode, using Fiio’s proprietary music app on FW 1.8. I personally find the Pure Mode to sound a little better than the Android mode but that is extremely hard to prove.
In Android mode, as explained, you can install other apps either via Fiio’s own app approved store or by transferring APK files directly on the X7. Some of these apps are: ES FileExplorer, Onkyo HF player, Joox, Poweramp, Rockbox, Tidal, Spotify, Neutron and Swiftkey. I’m sure many more will follow over the next months.
Sound and more after the CLICK
e X7, in the standard Fiio music app, supports playing by folders, all songs, albums, artists, genres, favorite songs and custom playlists. On rebooting the X7, if wished, will take off where you shut it down (it remembers the track and its position). Starting up and shutting down the X7 – on FW1.8 is really fast and up to now FW1.8 is the most stable FW of them all. It still has some issues with special characters etc (which Fiio is working on, check Head-Fi) and it from time to time does crash on me but it fortunately doesn’t happen a lot. The one thing that maybe annoys me most is that I can’t seem to fast forward when the screen is locked. Well that and the fact the buttons sometimes don’t immediately react when the screen is locked. The 1.8 firmware version, besides serving as a laptop DAC, also allows Over The Air (OTA) updates when connected to your Wifi network. Fiio has been very open about the FW updates and their communication on the matter has been very good. I’m sure Fiio will get everything sorted out soon. They’re even planning on including a couple of VU meters in one of the upcoming updates, something I look forward to myself.
The X7 is extremely easy to use and it’s very intuitive and logic. If you’ve ever worked with recent Android phones you know how the top down swiping works. If you haven’t, you’ll learn in just a few minutes. All the options and other menus really are as straightforward as it gets. Besides swiping down you can also swipe left to right to bring up the “next song” overview. Swiping on the right side of the screen will increase (up) or decrease (down) the listening volume. The X7’s menus and on screen buttons are as clear as they can be and the X7 is a pleasure to work with. Creating favorites and adding songs to a certain playlist is as easy as it gets. For a full overview of the different menus, I suggest checking out Paul’s extensive UI review as he did a great job on that. The main categories to navigate are: All Songs – Artists – Album – Genre – Folder View
Other X7 features I like – besides the play list function – are the gapless playback, the play through folder possibility and the auto-pause function when disconnecting headphones. The X7 also has an easy search function which comes in very handy when you have a few thousand songs stored on your SD-card and you want to listen to a specific song without having to browse through all the folders, artists, etc. I use it a lot and so far the only other DAPs offering this search were the AKs but I think it should be mandatory in each DAP. Several readers will also be happy to see that Fiio also integrated a 10 band equalizer in its firmware. The EQ has several pre-configured settings and a customizable one where you can adapt the EQ just the way you want.
With a player of this level there of course is Wifi and BlueTooth. BT is actually BT4 and not APT-X, a specific choice made by Fiio as they wanted to focus on the Wifi implementation. Wifi on the X7 works very well but I can confirm my X7 also has the “interference noise” when streaming from Spotify or youtube over Wifi. Fiio confirmed this might happen but luckily for me I hardly ever stream, this however, is something to take into account. The X7 also very easily streams songs from my DNLA network drive (NAS). It’s also supposed to work with DropBox and Cloud but I haven’t tested that.
Sound
The X7 works with AM amplifier cards just like the Hifiman DAPs do. I’m not really sure why Fiio decided to go that route, but that’s the way it is now. The AM module that comes delivered with the X7 is the AM1 which works especially well for IEMs. AM1 uses OPA1612+AD8397. AM2 is the Medium Power module (Muses02 + Buf634) and it is available for around $99USD. Later AM3 (with balanced 2.5TRRS) and AM4 (high power) will be released.
Switching the AM modules with the supplied screwdriver actually is very easy. I have two left hands and I manage to swap the modules in less than one minute, it’s that easy. At the same time the modules bother me as well: I don’t feel like carrying AM modules and a screwdriver with me all the time. For now I use AM2 at all times, even when only using IEMs. One of the things I love about the L5Pro from L&P is how well it manages and drives everything from IEMs to full sized headphones. And you don’t have to swap its internals for it to do so. Did Fiio do the right thing with the AM modules? I don’t know. It can either be seen as annoying because of having to switch them or as sublime because of the X7’s modularity. My final verdict isn’t out yet, it bugs me but at the same time I love being able to have the SE output, the balanced one, etc.
AM1
The X7 is very user friendly and the great thing is it sounds really good too. Of all the Fiio DAPs, the X7 is the one with the most detail, the best layering, the widest sound stage and the best dynamics. The overall sound signature is more to the neutral side like the AK’s but with that touch of smoothness making it a very musical player. Maybe even a bit more so than the AKs, but those have other things going for them. Besides a reasonably wide sound stage, the X7 impressed me especially with its depth and layering. To me this is the first Fiio DAP that reaches this level and that is very noticeable when using CIEMs, the X7 sounds natural and effortlessly does everything and all formats. The X7’s sound is clean, very clear and the separation is good. The level of detail is also up there with the other well-known players and I actually think it performs above its price point. Bass is nicely layered and goes reasonably deep. The mids are clear, detailed, layered and have just enough body to get that impactful and engaging sound. To me the mids are what makes the AM1 module shine. Treble is extended but it certainly isn’t its strongest point, I’d say it’s about the same level as the X7’s bass.
Fiio’s original AM1 module shines when using inear monitors but it also powers easy to drive full size headphones. Just don’t expect your HD650 to sound as good as it can sound (and should).
AM1 vs AM2
AM2
AM2 reminds me of the L&P L5pro where you get a full bodied sound, a very dark background, a lot of depth, clarity and more than enough power to drive most full size headphones. AM2 delivers the dynamics, detail and musicality of AM1 but with more power. Last year the L5Pro came out on top of the X7 because the X7 only had amp module AM1 and at that time the L5Pro did the full range of headphones in a “better” way. On AM2 the sound signatures of both DAPs are very similar but I still give the L5Pro the edge over the X7 for what depth and layering is concerned. The L5Pro also has a little more body in the bass and mids and sounds a bit tighter, showing more authority. The X7 easily wins on user friendliness though. The great thing about AM2 is that it works almost as good with IEMs as well. I’ve been using it with the Unique Melody Maestro (12-driver), the CustomArt Harmony 8Pro and the Warbler Audio and while you won’t get the same level of finesse, detail and layering like with AM1, the level still is very good to say the least. AM2 powers my HE-400i very well and I can even live with it powering my HD650. I out of curiosity also hooked up the HE-1000 and HD800 directly to the X7 and I have to say I was surprised to hear them sound reasonably good. I expected both headphones to sound a lot worse and I still wouldn’t advise using them with the X7 but it does show the potential the X7/AM2 combo has.
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C & Others
With firmware 1.8 the X7 also became a USB DAC and in combination with the Fiio K5 that makes the X7/K5 a desktop quality (mid fi?) setup. I have to admit I’m a sucker for the Sabre chips but at the same time I don’t really see myself using the X7, or any DAP for that matter, as a DAC in a desktop system. That being said, the DAC is pretty darn good and Sabre is known for its detail and clarity, so a quality sound is guaranteed should you go that route.
The X7 can of course also be connected to a Hugo/Mojo or any other external DAC by Coax. That way you’re actually bypassing the X7’s DAC and I myself only do that when I really feel like using the Hugo with full sized headphones like the LCD-2, HE-1000 and HD800. I don’t use the Mojo in this way as the internal DAC and amp of the X7 is just as good, if not better. The only time I use a DAP as a source connected to a DAC is when my laptop isn’t at home, then I tend to use the AK120II and V850 DAC connected by optical. When the misses is out, I spin records on the 1Xpression Carbon Classic by Pro-Ject Audio using my speaker setup.
The Fiio X7 DAP is very versatile and you can use it as DAP, DAC or as a transport. No matter how you use it, you get a top quality sound that, to me, often surpasses its $650 price tag. The Earphones I used most with the X7 are the Maestro, the Aether, the Warbler and the Jomo5. I can’t really say there was one specific monitor I especially liked with the X7 as I found them all to sound really good. Full sized headphones used are the Hifiman Edition X, the good old LCD-2, the Sennheiser HD650 and the HE-400i. While some combinations surprised me more than others I can’t say I used the full sized headphones for anything but testing. With a Violectric V281/V850 setup and the K5 in your living room, you tend to use that instead of the X7.
Comparisons with other DAPs
Fiio X5SG: The JZ4760B+SA2000+PCM1792A+PGA2311A chip combination in the X5SG works great and the X5SG up to now was my number 1 Fiio DAP as it has the best detail, clarity, best sound stage, best separation off all Fiio DAPs and it sounded most neutral. Well the X7 does all that and more, especially in the layering and timbre category the X7 scores big. The difference between both players, to my ears, isn’t small and comparing it directly against the X3SG wouldn’t be fair. The X5SG is available for around $339USD and that still makes it the recommended player if you’re on a smaller budget.
L&P L5pro: As I already mentioned, the X7 with AM2 sounds a lot like the L5Pro. The L5Pro has a little more body in bass and mids and sounds a bit tighter, showing more authority. I still give the L5Pro the edge over the X7 for what depth and layering is concerned but AM2 does a great job of sounding almost just as good. The L5Pro is priced around $800.
L&P L3: Luxury & Precision’s new L3 is a DAP made especially for IEMs. That means it in theory should be compared to the balanced AM module but, just like the L3, it hasn’t officially been released yet. L3’s balanced output is very good (even right out of the box) and it reminds me a lot of the Cayin N5’s balanced output. These both have excellent layering, the right amount of space, good separation and a wide and deep layered sound stage. The L3 excels in “holographic soundstage”, delivering a very natural sound. On some devices (like the AKs in example) I often find the balanced output to be bass light and even more often the mids and bass miss body but this isn’t the case with the L3 and N5 and that’s why they’re so addictive. In my non review time I most often find myself using a balanced output and I really look forward to see how Fiio implemented it as it will be their first time (if I’m not mistaken). The L3’s price is still to be confirmed but it will be somewhere between $300 and $400.
Cayin N5: I think the Cayin N5 goes for about half the price of the X7 and it resembles the sound signature of the (L5pro and) X7 on AM2. The N5 has more body in bass and mids but the X7 is more refined, has better detail from bass to treble and has better layering with more space between the instruments. The Cayin N5 is a really good sounding player but the difference in price does show the difference in sound quality as well. The N5 goes for $349 on Amazon.
AK120ii: The big advantage the X7 has over the AK120II is that it has AM2 and AM4. I often find myself using external amps with my AK DAPs where I don’t have to do that with the X7. We don’t know yet how well AM4 will do with the orthos or other harder to drive headphones but I’m sure it’ll be easier for the X7 than for the AK120II. The AK still has the edge over the X7 for what detail, precision, sound stage and layering is concerned but the X7 simply drives your headphones better. The X7 will also sound more musical because it sounds just a tad more smooth/warm than the AK120II which rather has a “light” presentation. I’ll be very interested to see how the balanced module does against AK’s balanced output (which to me is just a tad bass light). The 120II still goes for over $1500.
iBasso DX80: For the moment the DX80 isn’t here. My first unit unfortunately had some issues with clicks, plops and playing at an accelerated speed and the second unit hasn’t gotten to me yet. With all these great new DAPs I’m not really in a hurry though, the DX80 didn’t impress me as much as any of the DAPs mentioned in this review. It’s a shame really as I really like their discontinued DX90. The new DX80 goes for $389 on Amazon.
End Words
The Fiio X7 is great player: it sounds oh so good (even in its leather case), it’s extremely user-friendly, it’s well built, it’s customizable because of the Android system and behind it there’s a company that listens to the consumers. Fiio also keeps improving the X7’s performance by regularly releasing new firmware updates and the support for the X7 is guaranteed seeing they most likely will release an X7SG at one point in the future. The use of AM modules can either be seen as brilliant or annoying but that depends on what you want your DAP to do. The Fiio X7 is also versatile as it can be used as DAP, DAC or just as a source. Then there’s also the K5 DAC/AMP that transforms the X7 in a desktop system, and that’s something that will convince a whole lot of fans to get the $650USD X7.
The Fiio X7 to me isn’t the ultimate or end game DAP as others have called it but it is a very² good DAP and it certainly performs better than its $650USD price point would suggest. With the X7, Fiio voluntarily stepped down the “Budget King” throne as this DAP clearly is no longer budget friendly in Fiio’s norms. If you look at the fact that the X7 sounds extremely well for the price it’s going for, it takes that throne right back though.
Now when is that AM3 coming out?
