FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player AM5 Ear Module Evaluation Report and Feiao X7 Evaluation Summary

a few days ago, we just evaluated Feiao's AM3 balanced output module. The balanced output of AM3 module brings very strong output power. For Walkman, the balanced output of Feiao X7 + AM3 can make the sound thickness and force of HD800 and HD650 intermediate and low frequencies have a good performance. For low sensitivity flat-panel headphones HiFiMAN HE-560, it can also have good enough dynamics. The AM3 balanced output is matched with HD800, and the sound is somewhat hard and tight, but it is even more overdone to let AM3 drive the small earplugs. Therefore, the best combination of AM3 balanced output has become a low-sensitivity balanced headset. We don't know which headphones were selected for tuning the balanced output of AM3 at the beginning of design?

AM5 High Power Ear Mask Module

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module

Of course, in addition to balanced output, AM3 also supports a common 3.5mm unbalanced output interface. This set of outputs is converted from balanced output. Theoretically, the previous level provides a large enough dynamic reserve. How does it perform? Today, we are here to evaluate the AM5 module and compare the unbalanced output interface of AM3. The prices of AM3 and AM5 are both 698 yuan. In addition, a mistake is corrected here. It is said that a screwdriver was given away when the Feiao X7 mainframe was purchased, so screwdriver accessories are no longer included in the earpiece module. If so, the ear module does not match the screwdriver's behavior seems environmentally friendly, but it is still not humanized enough. The screwdriver attachment attached to the earring module will bring a better experience. Or simply designed to be tool-free, because I found that this ear module is simply hot-swappable and barrier-free.

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Disassembly

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Disassembly-TPA6120A2 Ear Amplifier Output

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Disassembly-TI TPS61088 Boost Converter

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Dismantling-JRC MUSE02 Operational Amplifier

Go to the topic. Feiao X5 ear amplifier module, the main accessories are the same as Feiao AM2 ear amplifier module, using JRC MUSE02 operational amplifier for voltage amplification. However, the output power of AM2 earpiece module is small, and the BUF634 used in the current amplification buffer part is small. On the AM5 module, it is TPA6120A2. Recently, Soomal evaluated that many earpiece outputs use TPA6120A2 as extended current output, and the overall performance is good, much better than the equipment TPA6120A in the impression a few years ago. Recently, the equipment that has performed well includes the sound M1 Pro, the sound A280, and the NX3 earpiece. The output power of Feiao AM5 is larger than that of AM3 balance module in unbalanced mode. More importantly, the sound style of MUSE02 op amp is very bright, and on AM2, we think it is the result of hearing good performance with MUSE02 op amp. How will AM5 perform.

objective test

objective test, the headphone output of AM5 is measured and analyzed. The test cannot reflect the performance of headphone output under high power without adding load. But for the objective analysis of the details of the data indicators, it has a significantly stronger reference value.

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Frequency Response Curve

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Noise Distribution

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Dynamic Test

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Total Harmonic Distortion

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Intermodulation Distortion

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Separation Curve

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Frequency Scan

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Separation Test

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Frequency Scan @ 96kHz

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Module-Separation Frequency Analysis

From the test results, the performance of AM5 is not surprising. Its various indicators and even the performance of the spectrum are the perfect level among the objective indicators.

subjective hearing

In the subjective hearing test, we mainly compared the performance under the unbalanced output of AM5 and AM3. In addition, the reference object chose M1 Pro with sound enjoyment and Minibox gold card with HiFiMAN HM-901. Headphones select AKG K701, K702, K812, iron triangle M50x, Philips SHP9500, etc. as references.

Ai Technology AKG K812 Headset

Love Technology AKG K701 Headset [2014 Domestic Edition]

FiiO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player AM5 Headset Power Amplifier Modular-AM3, AM2, AM5 Family Portion

SOUNDAWARE enjoy sound M1 Pro[Esther] portable audio player

overall impression:MUSE02, an operational amplifier, has a very prominent sound style in portable devices, because MUSE02 is often used in these small-volume devices to obtain somewhat unexpected low-frequency strength and thickness, and even intermediate-frequency thickness and tension. Of course, on AM5, this feature is also very obvious, and the degree is greater than the performance under AM2. However, compared with the balanced output of AM3, the sound of AM5 is not so tight under high power output. Of course, driving HD800 with AM5 seems to be completely incomparable with the dynamic in the balanced state.

high frequency performance:Feiao X7 + AM5 is matched with AKG K701 and K702, the high frequency is slightly restrained. However, because the high frequency of K701 is relatively unrestrained, it can still feel that the driving force of AM5 is large enough to bring good high frequency dynamics, medium and high frequency density, and relatively neutral style. Unlike the high-frequency style of AM3, the high-frequency introversion of AM5 does not have too many edges and corners, and the transient speed is slightly slower than that of AM3. However, we talked about the high frequency of AM3 being too hard and too tight. After careful consideration and comparison, it should be said that the speed of its transient sound is too fast. Fortunately, in the unbalanced mode of AM3, when matching AKG K701, the sound no longer has the impression of being tight when matching various earphones in the balanced mode. The sound is relatively neutral, relatively stretched, and has a relatively more balanced sound with AM5, and a high frequency with better resolution. But compared to the transient speed, AM3 is still a little faster. If matched with K812, this earphone is obviously much better than K701 or even M50x and Philips 9500. Both earphones perform well enough. Because they can all provide good enough resolution, dynamics and sound fields. On the whole, AM5 has better sound intensity and slightly restrained extremely high frequency. The resolution of AM3 is better, but there are still some glitches at very high frequencies.

IF performance:The intermediate frequency of AM5 has a typical MUSE02 flavor, which is slightly prominent and slightly warmer. Since it is matched with several open headphones [M50x single said], it does not feel that the intermediate frequency sound is more tense. Compared with the unbalanced output of AM3, the intermediate frequency of AM5 will be slightly restrained, warmer and softer. The intermediate frequency of AM3 is more neutral, dynamic and sound resolution is better. Relatively speaking, the intermediate frequency of AM5 is obviously more pleasing to the ears in terms of vocal performance, while the intermediate frequency and medium and high frequency of AM3 are more balanced, suitable for instrumental or classical music performance. It is worth mentioning that M50x shows a very positive neutral style on AM3, and the dynamics of the intermediate frequency is good enough [M50x intermediate frequency is not easy to push], this set of collocation shows a very clean and neutral sound. While AM5 is matched with M50x, it is a bit of a rush, and the connection between the medium and high frequency parts is a bit tight. As for several AKG earphones, intermediate frequency shows that both earphones can be competent, and the styles are different as above.

low frequency performance:Low Frequency Because the low frequency styles of different earphones are quite different, the performance of the earphones is also quite different. However, AM5's MUSE02 still brings a significantly more powerful low frequency, which is menacing, fast and powerful in entry [fast frontier transient speed], but not in a hurry. Such low frequencies often give people a strong and powerful style. It is more suitable for fast low-frequency percussion. For the low-and medium-frequency cello, it is not soft enough. However, AM3 's unbalanced ear release has low frequency, the strength of the front is moderate, and the delayed harvest is faster than AM5. So it feels too straightforward in equilibrium and relatively stretches a lot in non-equilibrium mode. When matched with K812, both earphones performed well and could tap the low frequency potential of K812. When matching K701 and K702, the low frequency of AM5 is obviously more powerful. If users of these two earphones feel that the low frequency is insufficient, AM5 is very suitable. In other words, AM5 is very suitable for listening to pop music with these two headphones. However, the low frequency of M50x enclosed headphones is not easy to serve, and the low frequency of relatively neutral AM3 will be cleaner.

vs. Xiangsheng M1Pro and Minibox Gold Card:the two objects of comparison are actually more difficult to be proud of, because the sound of Feiao is still a certain distance from the real warm and soft sound. Compared with the driving force and dynamics of sound, the unbalanced state of AM3 and AM5 are basically equivalent to M1 PRO when matched with the above earphones, and the power of AM5 should be much larger [there is little difference in normal use]. However, M1 PRO still shows a softer and calmer side. Although the low-frequency explosive force is lower than AM5 when matched with K701, the soft listening feeling in other aspects is obviously what HiFi fans should pursue. Of course, the overall hearing and quality of Feiao X7 + AM3 or AM5 are also quite good. Compared with headphones that are easy to drive, such as SHP9500 and K812, they will perform more calmly. K702 is second, while K701 is the most difficult to deal with [compared with M1 PRO, soft hearing is obviously more suitable]. However, the gold card with HM-901 matching Minibox has greater output power, stronger sound style, and more inclined to the thickness and warm style of intermediate frequency. Although it is not dominant in analytical power, such a strong "old taste" is still quite a good set of sound sources. It's a pity that the HM-901 itself is not strong enough, which makes the details and hierarchy slightly worse. Appreciation of human voice and intermediate frequency is still very strong.

Feiao X7 Player Evaluation Summary

With this evaluation, we have evaluated the functions, digital output, sound card mode, and ear cards such as AM1, AM2, AM3, and AM5 of the Feiao X7 player. The time spans nine months, which is much later than the launch schedule of the earring module predicted when Feiao X7 was evaluated in November last year. Therefore, it is necessary for us to summarize this player here.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player

Feiao X7 player is based on Android operating system, providing touch screen operating experience and the possibility of software scalability under Android system. It has a different hardware architecture from Feiao's previous player. It uses Ruixin Micro RK3188 main control chip. The host uses ESS ES9018S DAC chip and a brand-new FPGA chip to manage the clock. Under the brand-new software and hardware core architecture, Feiao X7 realizes high sound quality under Android intelligent player, and can also realize USB DAC function. In addition to the current bugs in CUE track management and some track management, the overall performance is stable and reliable. It is worth mentioning that the behind-the-scenes hero at the core of its technology is actually the company "Haibei Music", and they will have more products with different solutions from the past.

Of course, Feiao also realized the modular design of earphones on X7. Multi-modularity is fundamentally designed to provide solutions suitable for different earphones. Compared with a single earpiece, multi-module may not pursue adaptability so much, but should highlight its characteristics more. From AM1 to AM5, Feiao uses different chips according to power and has introduced four earphones.

as a player of this level, AM1 is too conservative in design and may only be suitable for small earplugs with moving coils with very high sensitivity, while AM2 should be the real standard. For most in-ear small earplugs, AM2 performed satisfactorily, and its matching with X7 really played the X7's proper level for the first time.

AM3 beats the much more expensive HiFiMAN balance card in terms of power, who is used for balance? Is there any tuning for the balanced output of a certain earphone? At least from the result, it is not very ideal. However, we believe that the balanced output of AM3 is not suitable for existing small earplugs, including multi-unit moving iron. For headsets with high impedance and very low sensitivity headsets, AM3 has an obvious effect and is irreplaceable in the Walkman. For the well-known HD800, the sound style adjustment and matching is still not hot. However, the unbalanced output power of AM3 is not small, and the sound performance is good.

AM5 is believed to be prepared for users who cannot achieve balanced output or are unwilling to increase the cost of accessories for balanced output [AM3 can actually be used, but AM5 has more power]. For this type of application, for the first time, Feiao allows users to have modules of the same grade and different sound styles to choose from. AM5's MUSE02 has a more solid and powerful voice, and is more introverted and younger. The unbalanced output of AM3 is relatively neutral and delicate, but the control force of high frequency is slightly weak. In addition, AM5 is slightly dominant in low-frequency sense and strength [also depends on different headphones].

on the whole, Feiao's earpiece module should have completed its established tasks and gave full play to the playability of the X7 player's interchangeable earpiece module. AM3 balanced high power is irreplaceable, and the unbalanced output performs well. The price of this earpiece module is also only 698 yuan, which has a high cost performance. Compared with AM1 module, AM2 module has obviously better dynamic and relatively wide earphone adaptability, and is also the standard choice for X7.

in the evaluation of Feiao X7 at the end of November last year and the description of the annual products for this year's New Year, we all mentioned that Feiao X7 did not have a rating at that time because its accessories and functions were far from expectations. By July 2016, most of the functions of X7 had been basically realized. For example, X7 could not support USB DAC function at that time [in fact, many people think that Android system and ARM can support this function?], and today USB DAC has a "genuine" driver under Windows. No matter as a Android or ES9018S DAC, we think there are still many excavatable functions of Feiao X7. The fancy themes in Beta version, ES9018S filter modes and so on are all worth looking forward. However, whether the earring module can be more inclined to the listening feeling of enthusiasts to introduce models with more sound characteristics is also what we want.

Feiao X7 player is not matched with any earpiece module, which is 3698 yuan [originally matched with AM1 is 3998 yuan], and the price of AM2\3\5 earpiece module is 698 yuan. Although there is still some gap with our expectation in the sound performance of high-power modules. However, as a whole, it is obviously worthwhile to obtain any of the above combinations with headphones at a price of less than 4500 yuan, and perhaps more valuable for users who need high-power output. The functions of Feiao X7 itself and the relatively complete USB DAC function are not available in the same type of player. After a 9-month evaluation cycle, Soomal gave Feiao X7 smart audio player a recommended rating. Give AM2 and AM3 ear module, recommended rating.

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