FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player Evaluation Report

, as the flagship model of Feiao player products in 2015, FIIO X7 was officially released in October this year and officially launched in November. X7 is Feiao's first Walkman product with Android operating system. Compared with X3, X5 and X1 players, the hardware architecture of X7 player has also changed greatly due to the change of operating system. Android system brings the possibility of convenient touch control and extensible software support, and is also the only way for Walkman to be "intelligent. The X7 is also the first model that Feiao supports a replaceable headset amplifier output module. Its overall positioning is higher, and DAC and other configurations are also upgraded. At present, the official price of FIIO X7 and AM1 ear module [IEM module] is 3998 yuan RMB.

Location, appearance, and function

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player

product positioning: About a year ago, there was news that FIIO would launch its flagship model X7 player after the release of the X5 second generation player, and the core of its change was to choose a software platform based on the Android [Android] operating system. Why should Walkman choose Android operating system? We think there are probably the following aspects.

, the interaction of touch screen is very expected by users. At present, only Android software and hardware platforms are the most mature and the development cost is lower. Second, the file management software and hardware scheme of Android operating system is mature and has almost no development cost. Third, although it cannot be supported by top processor manufacturers such as Qualcomm and Samsung, the hardware performance of ARM SoC processors from MTK, Ruixinwei, Quanzhi and other manufacturers is more than enough for audio players. Fourth, the Android system has unparalleled scalability in applications such as network playback and Internet audio sources. The advantages of Android operating system in multimedia are as powerful as the Android mobile phones we use.

However. There is only one important problem to be solved in using Android for Feiao X7 player, that is, whether the "sound quality" can be done as before. As long as this problem can be solved, then we believe that the use of Android operating systems for Walkman in the future will be an inevitable trend, and it is not limited to mid-to-high-end products.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Press the Right Button

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Left Button

appearance: Because the touch screen is used for control, and the size of the touch screen is not as easy to negotiate with panel manufacturers as a mobile phone for a walkman product, FIIO X7 uses a 4-inch IPS touch screen [3.97 inches, 800x 480 resolution], and the ppi of the screen actually reaches the 233. As shown in the picture, the screen occupies the entire front of the fuselage. There is a dark blue light on the bottom edge of the screen when it is turned on. In addition to playing the role of decoration and indicator light, it is not difficult to find that this is also the connection boundary between the host and the ear module.

Feiao X7 is cut from a whole piece of aluminum. The width of the fuselage is 64mm, the thickness is 16.6mm, the length is 130mm, and the weight is 220 grams. In terms of size, it is smaller than the width and length of a 5-inch smartphone, but the thickness and weight are relatively large. Although this 4-inch screen cannot be compared with the narrow frame of the current smart phone, and there is a 3cm or so ear module below, there is no problem with all its touch control and key control on both sides using one hand.

Feiao has always had a relatively good industrial design in the domestic brand Walkman player, and the appearance technology of the product is also at a relatively leading level. The FIIO X7 's integrated fuselage, solid internal frame [disassembly] and 220g of weight in hand still make people feel good texture. In the surface treatment of the shell, the side and bottom surfaces of the X7 use a very detailed matte texture oxidation process, while the front shell of the "ear module" under the front screen is a very smooth brushed surface. The edges and corners of the machine are currently more common high-gloss cutting edges and corners.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Replaceable Ear Module

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Ear Module Needs to Be Fixed with Screws

fuselage, and the keys are carefully brushed with turning tool patterns. It is worth mentioning that although the ear module is to be removed and fixed by screws. However, the appearance of this 6-angle plum blossom screw is still very beautiful. At the same time, the nut fixing the screw on the body is welded with all copper material to ensure durability. The matching accuracy between the earring module and the main body after installation is very good, and there is no obvious feeling of irregular installation.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Close-up of Right Button

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Left TF Card Slot

. from the appearance, it is a little narrower than the slot of X3 and X5 players, and the installation accuracy is obviously better. after the SD card is inserted, it may not be slightly protruding like X5 and X3. In terms of appearance and technology, X7 inherits many advantages in X5 and X3 players. At the same time, it also improves the assembly accuracy of machine keys, card slots and module installation, making the whole product look more delicate.

Main functions: In order to realize one-handed control, Feiao X7 has two pairs of keys symmetrically placed on the left and right sides of the fuselage. By default, the single button on the left is the power-on/screen lock key, and the double button is the volume adjustment key. The single button key on the right is the play/pause key, and the double button key is the track up and down selection key. According to the usage habits, the left and right functions of the double button keys can be switched. The above groups of keys all support blind operation when the screen is turned off.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Composite Interface of Top Line Output and Coaxial Output

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Headset Output and MicroUSB Interface

X7 body. Like the new generation X5 player, this interface is output by a 4-segment 3.5mm plug. The coaxial S/Pdif signal output is supported through the patch cord, and the line output can also be made through the standard 3.5mm three-segment plug [Lineout].

The AM1 ear module currently in use is functionally designed with small ear plugs. The ear module is printed with the word IEM, and AM1 is its model. The earphone module provides a 3.5mm unbalanced three-segment earphone output, and has a standard Micro USB interface for charging and data transmission with the computer.

Core hardware architecture

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Disassembly-Motherboard

SoC processor: choosing a Android system naturally requires choosing a high-performance ARM core processor to support it. Thanks to the rapid development of smart phones and smart devices in the Chinese market, in addition to Qualcomm, MTK and Samsung, there are still many good choices. Feiao chose the RK3188 processor Rockchip Ruixinwei for the sake of the reliability and development cost of the overall technical solution support. From the perspective of performance and Android system support, RK3188 is beyond doubt, because this quad-core 1.4G Cortex-A9 core processor appears on many intelligent multimedia devices, and the software and hardware packaging scheme provided by Ruixinwei is sufficient to ensure its stability in Android common applications.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Disassembly-Motherboard Partial

! Enthusiasts who are familiar with Rockchip brand and care about audio equipment should know that their sound quality performance is generally not ideal on players dominated by several entry chips of Ruixin Micro in the past, which is related to the performance of the I/O part of the audio subsystem of Ruixin Microprocessor in the past. Although we have not tested the related products of RK3188 processor, this issue still deserves attention before testing. Of course, I believe you can rest assured that there is not much need to pay attention to the conventional performance of this chip. If you need to know, you can study it yourself.

Haibei Music Mysterious Chip: When Feiao X7 Player was in the testing stage, Soomal Mysterious Netizens said that Feiao X7 Player would use Haibei Music to solve the management problem of digital I/O channels under Android operating systems. We know that Feiao has been using Junzheng JZ4760B MIPS main control chip since X3 first generation player, but between the main control chip and DAC, a SA2000 FPGA is used to take over the audio signal management between the system and DAC. But on X7, is this plan impossible to continue?

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Hiby Music Mysterious Chip

obviously cannot be continued, because X3 and X5 players do not use Android operating systems. However, judging from the X7 final plan, just like X3, X5 and other products using JZ4760B players, this digital signal receiving management chip cannot be saved to achieve higher quality I/O management. On X7, we saw a chip with the word Hiby Music printed on it. Its function is theoretically the same as that of SA2000 FPGA in the JZ4760B scheme. In fact, the chip is very similar to SA2000 in appearance, except that the printing on the surface of the chip is different.

can confirm that Hiby Music is indeed the company that launched the "Haibei Music" player, and we don't seem to see the business of making hardware equipment or customizing FPGA chip development on the official website. And this mysterious chip, we confirmed with Feiao and Haibei Music, is still an FPGA chip. However, Haibei music staff [Soomal's netizen] said that the chip does not have clock management function. It seems that we overestimated the function of the FPGA. It may only be to take over the digital I/O management of the main control chip and avoid the problem of Android sampling rate switching. It is not as powerful as the FPGA of Le Zhibang and Chord, and its technical content seems to be much lower than the above two.

The upgraded DAC: As a player with 4000 yuan level, it seems that there is no choice in looking at DAC chips in recent years. It must be the standard version of ES9018, a ES9018S of ESS company with extremely high selling price. It supports 8-channel DAC output and can reach 135dB dynamic range when used as a dual-channel DAC. The ESS ES9018 series also has a built-in asynchronous clock function to choose from. At the same time, ESS company can also deeply customize the working status of digital filters, which provides great convenience for designing high-quality audio equipment. However, to give full play to these advantages, it is by no means possible to DIY a decoder or "stacking.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Disassembly-ESS ES9018S DAC Chip

the high cost of ES9018S DAC makes it the darling of high-end audio products, but from the decoders, sound cards and players we have heard, ES9018S does not mean that it has a proportional improvement in sound quality over CS4397 and PCM179x DAC, and there are many ES9018S finished products with disappointing performance. Before we heard of Feiao X7, we were not really interested in ES9018S such upgrade.

analog output: In the analog circuit part, Feiao still has no "stack", but it does not use the ES9018S's built-in I/V output. It also uses two OPA1612 op amps to realize I/V conversion, and adds a OPA1612 op amps to do LPF low-pass filter output.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Disassembly-TI OPA1612A Op Amp [Part Lineout]

AM1 ear amplifier module: Let's take a look at the ear module of Feiao X7. Judging from the official plan, a set of products currently sold by Feiao X7 is matched with a module model AM1. The module is positioned as IEM, which is a low-power ear module designed for small earplugs [in-ear earplugs].

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Disassembly-Earring Module

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Disassembly-AM1 Ear Module-TI OPA1612A Op Amp and ADI AD8397 Op Amp

AM1 ear amplifier module uses OPA1612 op amp for voltage amplification, and ADI's AD8397 op amp for current amplification at the end. Inside the body, the headphone output also has high and low gain switching.

As can be seen from the disassembly, the shell size currently designed by X7 for the earpiece module is basically the same as the thickness of the fuselage. Feiao said that the AM1 earpiece module only uses a small part of the internal volume, while the high-power earpiece module can use larger components or the design of multi-layer daughter card PCB in the future. According to the plan, Feiao may launch more ear modules in December, which may include a high-power module and a balance module.

Other configurations: Feiao X7 finally has built-in storage space this time, with a capacity of 32GB and 32GB(THGBMBG8D4KBAIR, Toshiba particles). This Flash chip supports eMMC 5.0 standard and is manufactured by 19nm process. It is an eMMC high-specification chip and can theoretically achieve 270MB/s read-write and 90MB/s write capability in HS400 mode. But for some reason, FIIO X7 is connected to a computer via USB, and the writing speed is only about 8MB/s.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Dismantling-Toshiba Flash Particle 32GB

In terms of batteries, Feiao X7 uses a 3500mAh lithium battery with unknown power supply voltage, but it can still be charged with a 5V 2A charger. The X7 official nominal battery life with AM1 earpiece module is 9 hours. We measured the normal volume of AM1 earpiece connected to small earpiece, and the battery life is about 8 hours.

In terms of wireless network support, FIIO X7 can support 802.11b/g/n mode, but only supports 2.4G frequency band. The network function is indispensable for X7 to support cloud playback and DLNA playback in the future.

Main functions and control experience

Feiao X7 uses Android 4.4.4 system kernel, UI and audio functions are deeply customized, the overall control and touch smoothness are satisfactory, and the system responds very quickly after touch. Under this deeply customized system, Feiao X7 also played a lot of tricks. Therefore, it takes a little learning cost to fully master these tricks. However, with the current operating system of smart phones, the most basic control is very convenient to get started.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Track List

Two modes: Feiao X7 provides Android mode and "pure tone mode" two boot modes. In Android mode, WiFi setting and software app installation can be carried out. There are common app list interfaces and general setting interfaces for Android operating systems. If you want to play music, start FIIO Music in the application.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Top drop-down menu settings [right drop-down]

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-General System Settings

we, like most Android systems, postpone the drop-down menu from the screen and see that the first shortcut is the switch mode switch. It should be noted that the current working mode will be displayed here. After clicking, you can switch to another mode. The system will not prompt to restart, but it will take effect after restart.

in pure tone mode, the system will not be able to return to the Android desktop startup program, but will only stay in FIIO Music's working interface. At this time, you can enter different working states and functions through gesture operations at multiple different positions in the interface.

Gesture: As shown in the figure, we can easily enter the track playback interface. In the cover display state of the track playback interface [not to have a cover picture, but in this layout]. The left and right sides of the screen are divided into different areas. The left screen edge triggers an inward slide to enter the track list. On the right side, pull up and down to enter the state of touch adjustment volume. In the center of the track cover, click and drag the cover, which is the choice of up and down songs.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Multifunctional Operation in Different Touch Areas

FIIO Feiao X7 portable smart audio player-functions related to sliding left and right for a single project

, in the top drop-down shortcut menu mode commonly used in Android mentioned earlier, FIIO X7 is also slightly different from ordinary Android phones. In the drop-down menu on the right side of the machine, you can get a list of common shortcut settings such as mode, audio, and network. On the left side of the drop-down menu, you will get a list menu like the Android system notification center. if you have multiple apps running here, you can see the app status running in the background and drag it off.

In the interface for managing the list of individual files or individual items [which can be a folder, a type of file], FIIO X7 also uses the currently popular left-right drag multi-function menu. As shown in the figure, we slide a track to the left and you can see that the delete function label is "marked out". Sliding to the right can realize the functions of Bluetooth, collecting, customizing track list and viewing track information like in the normal playback interface.

The playback interface: In the traditional playback interface, we can easily select the tracks to play. The track's time progress bar can be dragged smoothly and casually. Next to the playback interface, there are functions such as equalizer, Bluetooth output, collection, playback sequence selection and custom song list. Due to the addition of touch screen, we believe that in terms of custom song list and collection function, it has obviously more efficient function than in the previous UI of X3 and X5. I believe it will be used more often when using it at ordinary times, just like using Foobar2000, custom track menu is my favorite function.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-CUE File Display Style

In the management of the CUE index file corresponding to the entire track, X7 does not omit the CUE file to directly display the track-divided track like X5 and X3 systems. As shown in the figure, it is necessary to click before the relevant song-divided track is displayed. There is no problem in operation, but it seems that it is not as efficient and intelligent as the previous player system. The management of CUE tracks is also applicable to SACD ISO files. After clicking on the ISO file, the track splitting information will pop up, and then select Confirm Play again.

related settings: When entering the first level operation interface in pure tone mode, a setting button is displayed in the upper left corner. Click Enter and the system will slide out the relevant menu from the left. Including timing shutdown, curve library update, theme interface display content, wire control switch, gain switch and other functions. The multi-layer and multi-faceted UI brought by the Android system makes similar settings very convenient, but it still takes a little learning time.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Play Related Settings [Left Slide Out Menu]

Third-party app: In Android mode, Feiao X7 has a built-in app download management wizard program. This seemingly app mall software does not allow you to download various Android applications. Here are several player software authorized by Feiao that can be downloaded. However, the design of this wizard app is still very crude. For example, click to download QQ music. It just downloads an apk file like the most crude Android. Then it has to pull down the top menu, click apk, and then install it. We believe that although this function may not be commonly used and there are very few app to be installed, Feiao should make him more decent. In addition, the input method app should be added here. By default, Feiao X7 does not have a Chinese input method, which is not convenient for customizing the song list and searching tracks. Of course, FIIO X7 also has a built-in web browser. If you want to install more app, you can download apk through the browser to access the download page and then install it.

functions not implemented: In the current firmware of Feiao X7 1.0 version, there are still some functions that have not been implemented. First of all, the function of supporting USB DAC in USB mode has not been realized at present. Feiao promises to support it through firmware update and can support 64bit/384kHz and DSD128, which sounds very worth looking forward. Second, the support of network functions cannot be realized by firmware at present. Support for commonly used cloud spaces and DLNA support should be one of the functions that everyone expects, but it seems that the real support has not been used several times?

In addition, there are some functions that are not officially announced on the official website, and we speculate that they will also be implemented. What we are looking forward to most is to ES9018S the realization of the timbre adjustment function of multiple filter modes of DAC, which is not difficult in theory. Even on ES9018K2M smart phones, it can be realized by brushing the machine [currently only internal firmware, mobile phone manufacturers do not intend to open this function]. However, we very much hope that the mobile phone manufacturer and Feiao X7 can support this function as soon as possible, or partially open relevant options.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Custom Track List

Experience Summary: Generally speaking, Feiao X7 has very good control smoothness, continuous and fast control will not have jamming and delay, and the operation, reading and playing of a single large file [SACD ISO] are smooth and stable. However, in terms of system operation stability, it is still somewhat similar to today's Android phones. There may be a very small chance of interface confusion [mainly the overlap of the top drop-down menu and the playback interface] and the unresponsive exit of FIIO Music. In addition, when multiple DSD files are played in the same directory, there is also the problem of invalid and chaotic selection of clicking to play tracks [no problem in order to play them by yourself]. These are the three small bugs of FIIO X7 that we encountered. The third bug has a high probability of occurrence and the other two are rarely encountered.

In terms of endurance, the actual use experience is basically the same as the official nominal. Although it uses Android operating system, we don't have to worry about it stealing traffic or electricity like Android mobile phones. On the one hand, FIIO X7 operating system has made the greatest simplification of player functions, and there are not many services residing in the background. On the other hand, the Walkman does not need to be turned on and standby for a long time like a mobile phone. We can set the automatic shutdown state like using a player. Of course, X7 performs far less than X5K and X3K in terms of deep sleep function.

In terms of earphone output and line digital composite output functions, FIIO's earphone output interface still supports the function of wire control and control [software internal switch]. In different output connection states, the corresponding icon is also displayed at the top of the app. In fact, this function has been implemented on X5K, but on FIIO X7, perhaps because the screen is used more, this small detail also looks very interesting.

objective test

E-MU 1616M PCIe Digital Audio System

This time, we conducted multiple sets of objective tests on the Lineout, S/Pdif out and AM1 earphone output of FIIO X7. The test was conducted in the form of professional sound card entry and combined with common analysis methods to provide intuitive measurement results. The output level of AM1 module headphone is -1.2dBm in high gain state and -7.2dBm in low gain, while the line output voltage is 1.4Vrms[-3.2dBm]. The coaxial digital output is at-1dB standard level.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Frequency Response Curve @ AM1 Earphone Module Headset Output

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Frequency Response Curve @ Line Output Lineout

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Noise Distribution @ AM1 Ear Module Headset Output

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Noise Distribution @ Line Output Lineout

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Dynamic Test @ AM1 Earphone Module Headset Output

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Dynamic Test @ Line Output Lineout

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Total Harmonic Distortion @ AM1 Ear Module Headset Output

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Total Harmonic Distortion @ Line Output Lineout

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Intermodulation Distortion @ AM1 Ear Module Headset Output

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Intermodulation Distortion @ Line Output Lineout

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Separation Curve @ AM1 Earphone Module Headset Output

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Separation Curve @ Line Output Lineout

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Separation Curve @ AM1 Ear Module Headset Output High Gain

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Frequency Scan @ Line Output

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Frequency Scan @ AM1 Ear Module Headset Output High Gain

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Separation Test @ Line Output

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Separation Test @ AM1 Ear Module Headset Output High Gain

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Separation Frequency Analysis @ Line Output

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Separation Frequency Analysis @ AM1 Earphone Module Headset Output High Gain

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Frequency Scan @ AM1 Ear Module Headset Output Low Gain

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Separation Test @ AM1 Ear Module Headset Output Low Gain

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-Separation Frequency Analysis @ AM1 Earphone Module Headset Output Low Gain

Judging from the objective results, the performance of several sets of outputs of FIIO X7 is in the "off the charts" state, which basically reaches the ideal state of the objective index corresponding to the sampling accuracy, and is also close to the limit level of the current recording test of this system in the intermodulation distortion project. A careful observation of RMAA's spectrum also shows that its performance is also ideal. But from the details, there are two things that are not good enough. First, the 1kHz shoulder does not seem to be straight enough. Second, there are signs of slight deterioration in high-frequency separation, which may be related to the quality of the 3.5mm plug itself.

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Frequency Scan 48kHz @ AM1 Ear Module Headset Output High Gain

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Frequency Scan 96kHz @ AM1 Ear Module Headset Output High Gain

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Frequency Scan @ S/Pdif Out

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Frequency Scan 96kHz @ S/Pdif Out

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Intelligent Audio Player-DSD Frequency Scan [20Hz-48kHz]

The index of S/Pdif digital output is perfect. And in terms of frequency scanning, there is nothing to be picky about. In DSD frequency scanning, the design of low-pass filtering is also normal without problems. From the perspective of objective indicators alone, we have eliminated the bad impression of RK series chips in the first step. Of course, if nothing happens, the FPGA chip printed with Haibei music plays a very important role, and the credit should be not small. At least, if this chip is not used, the result may not be imagined.

subjective hearing

FIIO Feiao X7 Portable Smart Audio Player-Compare FIIO X5K

Edifier rover S1000 active speaker

Weston Westone W4R In-Ear Moving Iron Headset

Because the AM1 earpiece module pin of FIIO X7 is an IEM module, which is designed for small earplugs, we mainly refer to some headphones commonly used by us. Mainly select Westone W4R, Vsonic GR07 MKII/Classic, Vsd3s, UE900, and Sennheiser and other entry-level models as references. Headphones have also chosen some easy-to-drive headphones that are being used recently, including Sennheiser's Big Steamed Bread 2.0, Rambler H840, etc. In the line output part, the main comparison is made with the walker S1000 speaker system. The digital output part is matched with Le Zhibang MD11 decoder, Holo Audio Tyrannosaurus Rex decoder and Chord Hugo decoder as references. In this part, we also use desktop earphones and HD800, K812, K701 and other earphones for reference comparison. For the contrast player, we mainly chose FIIO's own X5 second generation [X5K].

overall impression: The first time I heard FIIO X7 was at the Beijing Audio Exhibition. Feiao and Dayinke exhibited the multi-unit flagship headset officially released. The performance of X7 feels that the sound is still neutral, not as warm as X5K, but the sound details are better, and the overall dynamics are better, and the sound is relaxed and delicate, which belongs to the neutral style of ES9018 A category with better hearing. However, ES9018, which often performs poorly, has poor sound and dull sound. After getting the X7 under test, I once again confirmed that the output sound of X7 headphones is relatively loose, which is more relaxed than any previous player. Perhaps many Feiao users are still using the first generation X3 and X5. At that time, Feiao's voice would be relatively tight, and X5K has become obviously warm and soft, but X7 is more relaxed than X5K, and the sound style is very different from X5K. Next, we will mainly talk about the performance of AM1 headphones with small earplugs. The line output and digital output will be discussed separately.

high frequency performance: The high frequency of Feiao X7 shows good control and sound level, and the resolution performance is better. Compared with the PCM1792 X5K, the high frequency of X7 is more neutral, and the traces of modification become small. For the performance of some fast plucked instruments, the graininess of X5K is stronger [most PCM1792 have a similar trend], while the sound of X7 is cleaner. Compared with the hearing of many ES9018K2M, X7 has a more vivid high-frequency hearing, better analytical power and dynamics. Its high-frequency is not stiff, and it does not obviously pursue the extreme high-frequency density [more relaxed than AKM's, but seems to be slightly less dynamic], and the overall sound is more natural. With the high-resolution dynamic iron unit, it can show good details and control. What is more rare is that its extremely high frequency extension and high frequency sound field are obviously better than X5K, and the dynamic aspect is also slightly better than X5K. Under the big dynamic, the hierarchical sense of sound and the amount of information brought by the high resolution of sound are indeed higher than those of X5K players, and of course, they are also much higher than those of mobile phones using ES9018 K2M players. Compared with the Lepi L5Pro we are using, Feiao X7 high frequency is better.

intermediate frequency performance: The intermediate frequency style of Feiao X7 has the typical taste of "neutral" ES9018. Why should we talk about "neutral"? Because the filter settings of ES9018 are different, its intermediate frequency, medium and high frequency styles will change greatly. Judging from the current hearing, this filter scheme should be neutral or Sharp style. It is definitely not a Slow-style filter. It is obviously not as warm as X5K when expressing human voices, and its voice is relatively thinner. For some mature human voices, it seems to be slightly lighter. However, when matched with high-quality earplugs, it is obvious that X7 has better analytical power than X5K, the voice is more transparent, and the dynamics will be better. However, I have to say that the intermediate frequency of X5K is warmer in human voice performance, and it will be more full and thick when matched with GR07 series and VSD series, but X7 has obvious dynamic advantages. The control force and details of the low frequency part in the mid-frequency bias are better than X5K.

in the performance of classical music and symphony, X7 player has relatively better resolution and better sound level under large dynamics. In the middle and high frequency and medium frequency parts, the dynamic advantages of sound are more obvious than X5K. With some headphones that are relatively loose, such as VSD3s, the dynamic advantages in this respect are more prominent. When matched with moving iron earplugs, it can better reflect the analytical power advantage of X7 sound, thus bringing more stretched sound details. However, on the whole, the intermediate frequency of X7 shows high quality. AM1 earpiece module has good enough dynamics when matched with small earplugs, as well as a relatively relaxed and relaxed sound style, and has good hearing resistance. However, in terms of vocal performance, it is still slightly tight, which should be one of the places where the ES9018 filter mode adjusts the timbre to show its skills in the future.

low frequency performance: When X7 is matched with AM1 and small earplugs, the low frequency is still the relatively neutral style of the ES9018S on X7. The low frequency maintains a good balance and style consistency with the medium and low frequency of the intermediate frequency. The low frequency has better analytical power and control power. When matched with W4R, the low frequency of the earphone itself, which is not so fresh, is better converged, retaining the characteristics of better analytical power, and the dynamic performance is also good. However, on some in-ear headphones with heavy low frequency, X7 will better control their low frequency sense. For example, the performance of VSD3 will greatly converge in low frequency, while the dynamic performance of medium and low frequency will be greatly improved, which is obviously better than the performance with X5K. Generally speaking, X7 has improved low-frequency dynamics and resolution compared with X5K, but the style is no longer significantly warmer, but more neutral.

line output performance: Feiao X7 is output to the audio system in player mode. Its neutral style is more obvious than AM1 earpiece output. However, the earphone output of AM1 is not suitable for connecting speakers. At least when it is matched with the walker S1000, the sound output of the earphone is much drier than that of the Lineout. This is not recommended.

Compared with X5K Lineout, X7 has a more neutral voice, and its vocal performance is much thinner than X5K, especially the performance of male voices is obviously better than X5K. However, in terms of large dynamic performance, the medium and high frequency part X7 has significantly better tension and resolution. In terms of overall dynamics and analytical power, the Lineout of X7 also has a slight advantage. However, the X7's Lineout quality is still difficult to match with high-quality sound cards and desktop DAC.

digital output performance: In terms of digital output, we connect different decoders for comparison. From the digital output style, we also hear some differences between it and X5K digital output. The overall resolution of the digital output of X7 is slightly better than that of X5K, but the thickness of the intermediate frequency part is also slightly weaker than that of X5K. Compared with X7, the resolution of the intermediate frequency and low frequency of X5K is obviously different [the difference is obvious compared with the digital sound source, and the difference is still relatively small]. In terms of relatively fast sound performance, X5K is slightly obvious and the resolution is not. The X7 sound is cleaner. But on the whole, the digital output of X7 is slightly better than X5K without significant improvement.

summary

when Soomal saw that vivo could install the desktop DAC scheme into vivo X1 mobile phone, we looked forward to the emergence of a more powerful Android system player. Although there are many digital players or walkman players, which are developed based on small Linux systems, their charm is obviously incomparable with Android. A few years ago, perhaps Qualcomm chipsets, MTK chipsets, Ruixinwei and other chipsets could not provide high-quality audio signals, and the cooperation of Android systems and these chipsets is still a problem. However, since more and more mobile phones have joined the HiFi function, I believe it has increased everyone's confidence in using Android to build a high-quality audio player platform.

we originally thought that vivo or Meizu might launch a similar high-quality player. After all, it is really difficult for a company like Feiao to get the support of Qualcomm and MTK chipsets. Indeed, Feiao had no choice and could not choose Qualcomm and MTK. The worrying Ruixinwei appeared on FIIO X7. However, if we understand the related problems such as digital I/O in the hardware system of the Android audio subsystem, the problem that the traditional Android hardware equipment does not do well in sound quality will be solved by more than half. Feiao X7 is such a high-quality audio player based on Android system. Android has not become a stumbling block to high sound quality. X7 has no problem surpassing X5K. Although X5K's warm intermediate frequency and PCM1792 unique high frequency have certain charm, the level of X7 with AM1 module and high-quality earplugs is still one level higher than X5. At the same time, X7 also brings better control and a rare small improvement in digital output quality for enthusiasts, which was originally unimaginable under Android systems.

Android build equipment like X7. There are many bright spots. The advantages of manipulation are easy to understand. The advantages of content sources are also attractive to many users, and it is likely to attract some beginners or junior users. The cooperative construction of Internet content may be a challenge for Feiao, but it is undoubtedly worth investing and cultivating. Content-based applications will no longer affect hardware enthusiasts, it will cultivate a wider user group The usage habits of the entire music industry have a pulling effect on the progress of higher-quality basic experience.

Just as Feiao released X3 and X5 players a few years ago, we saw firmware updates bring more and more perfect functions to X3 and X5 players in the following 1-2 years. However, X7 player forecast and unknown and predictable functions are still many. The implementation of wider content source support on the software side and higher quality sound performance on the hardware side should be the two main directions.

FIIO X7 3998 yuan is currently the price frequently chosen for domestic high-end players. Touch screen, intelligent operating system and player interface design experience accumulated in the past are all satisfactory in the overall experience of X7. However, more ear modules and the improvement of network functions in the future will make the price of about 4000 yuan more worthwhile.

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