Comparison X5 III Evaluation of Feiao New Machine M9: They are like a couple

portable high-fidelity music players have been sharpening their swords for many years and eating them for many years. The models are usually relatively single. However, Feiao FiiO has always been doing the opposite, sharpening many swords a year, developing new product lines while continuously updating classic models, and focusing on the popular consumer market. Feiao's most expensive model is only in its early 4000 yuan, but it has the same hardware performance as those 10,000 yuan models, which is one of the reasons why they are popular.

more than half a month to review Feiao's M3K and saw the news of M9 listing. The M series is a newly developed product series by Feiao. The positioning of the series is slightly lower than that of the X series. At present, three products have been introduced, including M3K priced in 349 yuan, M7 priced in 1198 yuan and M9 priced in 1798 yuan.

From the hardware performance, especially the model of the decoding chip, it is not difficult to see that M9 corresponds to X5 III generation. Two AK4490EN decoding chips are also used, supporting 3.5mm standard and 2.5mm balanced dual output, and integrating Line OUT and optical fiber output functions. One of the official selling points is full-format Bluetooth audio compression protocol transmission support, including HWA, AptX, AptX HD, LDAC, SBC. Sharp-eyed friends may see that there is no AAC. This is because the Android system does not support Bluetooth audio AAC well. Even those who claim to support on the market can distinguish between earphone models and can only work with some AAC Bluetooth earphones.

In addition to Apple AirPods, Bluetooth headsets that provide AAC transmission support usually also support one of the AptX series or LDAC. There are very few simple AAC SBC headsets, so they are relieved. Because whether it is AptX, LDAC or HWA, its compression efficiency is higher than AAC.

we know that the price of X5 III generation is 2198 yuan, which is a whole 400 yuan more expensive than M9. Reflected in the intuitive basic hardware, the screen is smaller, the memory is smaller, and the body is smaller. The screen has changed from 3.97 inches in X5 III generation to 3.2 inches. Fortunately, the resolution remains the same as 480 × 800 pixels, and LG IPS is fully attached to the screen. The memory of X5 III generation is 1GB, while the memory of M9 is reduced to 768MB. The storage space has also been reduced from 32GB of X5 III generation to 4GB. Another is the size of the body, M9 should be small and lean. In terms of workmanship, M9 and X5 III generation are basically at the same level, but the hand feel is obviously much better, and it is very comfortable to hold with one hand.

by the way, another important point is that M9 has finally changed to Samsung's main control chip. The previous X7 II generation and X5 III generation all used Ruixin micro RK3188 main control chip without exception. This time M9 was replaced with Samsung Exynos 7270 main control chip. The 14nm manufacturing process and 1.0GHz operating frequency are far better than RK3188.

M9 is only 2350mAh, but its endurance is equivalent to that of X5 III generation, both of which are about 10 hours. You should know that the built-in battery capacity of X5 III generation has reached 3400mAh. Although this is not all due to the low energy consumption of Samsung's main control chip, the main control chip also accounts for about 80% of the factors. In addition, there is a deep standby of M9, which can reach up to 45 days. Finally, there is no need to switch on and off frequently. Because the startup of the Android system really takes time.

Although both M9 and X5 III generation are Android systems, the Android systems running on M9 are more customized. At first glance, they thought it was the interface of iPod Nano. One of the characteristics of Android system is that APP can be installed freely. APP can be installed on M9, but it is not installed freely. Feiao's limited list of apps that can be installed includes NetEase Cloud Music, MOOV, Tidal, KKBOX, Spotify, Quobuz, Roon, Deezer. Except for the above APP, nothing can be installed.

The new M9 or the factory-restored M9 has its own NetEase Cloud Music, KKBOX, TIDAL, and MOOV. These apps can be uninstalled separately. There is NetEase Cloud Music, which is worthy of praise. Many domestic enthusiasts are using NetEase Cloud Music. Compared with QQ Music, NetEase Cloud Music has more user-friendly operation logic and more free music resources.

in the support of music format, we can think of M9 can basically be played. For example, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, APE and Apple Lossless formats can support up to 24bit/192KHz. In addition, there are DSD formats that support DSD64 and DSD128 standards. The highest DSD resources in my hand are DSD128 standards. The higher ones are simply made for testing, not real native master suppression.

M9 has a bright spot in its design, that is, multi-color indicator light. When playing different audio formats, the color of the indicator light will be different, which is quite novel and practical. In addition, sliding from the position of the light to the direction of the screen can realize the function of Home, which seems to be a "tribute" to the current full-screen mobile phone Home operation.

the other is that the data/charging port of M9 has finally been replaced with a Type-C, and a data line will be enough to go out later. For many users, this is a happy thing.

when buying M9, you need to buy an additional TF card. this is the case with M3K. fortunately, TF cards are all priced for cabbage, and 32GB is only 40 yuan. Why do you want to carry out the TF card? Because recently I found a problem when I upgraded the system for X7 II generation OTA. Although X7 II generation comes with 64GB of storage space, OTA cannot be upgraded without inserting TF card. The upgrade program must be downloaded to TF card to update the system. OTA upgrade can be performed without card insertion, but an error will be prompted when the adb command is reached. Therefore, in the strict sense, the X7 II generation cannot be separated from the TF card. Is there a balance in my heart? Besides, the M9 is finally no longer designed with a card drag. It is much more convenient to plug and unplug than X7 II generation and X5 III generation.

Feiao M9 is two Ti OPA1622, which can output 77mW of power under 300 ohm impedance, and can output at the same time with balanced and single-ended, so the thrust cannot be underestimated. The sound quality of M9 is basically the same as that of X5 III generation, belonging to the same level, but slightly different in style. Some people say that the sound quality of M9 is close to the performance of Q5, but there is nothing wrong with it. For the average enthusiast, M9 is really enough to listen.

when pushing low impedance small headphones, M9 has a huge amount of information, which has many more details than M3K. It's as big as the price gap between the two. Only one ear is needed to know which one you should buy. Of course, for fungus, you can also know which one you are suitable.

before, when I connected M3K to the Line in port of the car, I always felt that the sound was not strong enough, the details of the sound were secondary, and the weak sound was the most fatal. The same connection wire, replaced with M9 push, instantly brightened at the moment and even felt that everything in life was suddenly enlightened, the gap is bigger than pushing headphones. By the way, I changed the audio output to LO mode before connecting, and the thrust was really fierce. Although the sound details experienced on the car horn are not as many as on the earphone, the low-frequency quality of the fist to the meat and the high-frequency quality of the high-pitched and loud are unforgettable in several days.

, I also deliberately made a simple comparison between M9 and X7 II on the headset. There is indeed a distance. At present, the sound field and layering of M9 are not as good as that of X7 II generation, but the gap is certainly not as much as 2000, and high-quality earphones must be used to listen. If ordinary earphones are used to listen, the gap may only be a few hundred.

M9 menu can set the gain of sound output. The default is low gain. Last night, I inadvertently adjusted the high gain somehow, and then I felt wrong. At first, I thought it was my ears tired. I changed four pairs of earphones, which is a strange smell. Later, when I turned over the menu, I found that it would be better to go back. In high gain mode, the sound "iron smell" is obvious, and it is a nightmare to listen to the chance of moving iron ears. In addition, there is a balanced boost option, which can be considered to be turned on when pushing up the impedance headset, and the hearing will be improved. For low impedance headphones, it is recommended to turn them off.

in my eyes, M9 and X5 III generation are like a couple. The latter is masculine and atmospheric, the former is feminine and beautiful. In terms of sound quality, they are all very close. It can be said that they are playing against each other. If time can go back ten years, I think I will buy one each, X5 III for myself and M9 for her in my heart.

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