can spend a little money to improve the sound quality of mobile phones? Experience two "small tail" earphones
with mobile phones have been quite popular in the past two years. It is actually a nickname for a kind of portable decoding earphones, because compared with the portable decoding earphones that are generally known to be close to the size of mobile phones, the current mainstream "little tail" is smaller in size, similar to flash drives, and some are slightly larger. In today's most new mobile phones have no 3.5mm headphone interface, like to use mobile phones to listen to music users, many turn to real wireless headphones. For users who want to continue to listen to songs on their mobile phones with wired headphones in their hands, buying a "little tail" is the main choice.
The early "little tail" product was more like a USB-C To 3.5mm patch cord with a built-in DAC chip and a simple structure. However, with the expansion of the market size of such products, consumer demand for their sound quality is getting higher and higher, manufacturers have also begun to "roll" up-adding better performance, a larger number of DAC chips, balanced interface, ear chips are also arranged ...... Now on the market "small tail" products, focusing on the Hi-Fi market, most of the various brands have such products, prices ranging from 100 or 200 to thousands of dollars. So, the price is not too high "small tail" in the end for the improvement of mobile phone sound quality role how much? Below we will use two less than 500 yuan "small tail" new experience.
let the phone "Hi-Fi" up
Feiao KA3
Feiao KA3 specifications
DAC chip: ES9038Q2M
input interface: USB-C
output interface: 3.5mm single-ended/4.4mm balance
output power: 130mW@ 32Ω(PO)
235mW@ 32Ω(BAL)
signal-to-noise ratio: ≥ 122dB (32ΩA weight)
decoding specifications: up to PCM 32Bit/768kHz, DSD512
System Support: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac
size: about 56.3mm × 20.2mm × 12mm
weight: about 17.5g
reference price 499 yuan
Although KA3 is Feiao's first "little tail" in the real sense, in fact, as early as 2009, Feiao introduced E1 earphones, as well as i1, K1 and other products that have been launched one after another. According to the current standards, it can also be classified into the category of "little tail. Although we have reported more headphones and music players in recent years, looking back on its development history, it is Feiao that took the lead in laying down the country in the Hi-Fi circle. So you might be curious. Why is it that Feiao, which has been operating for many years, is a brand that launched "Little Tail" relatively late in the circle.
, this is because the "little tail" is mainly used with mobile phones. In the past few years, there were many mobile phone brands and the USB output standard was not standardized enough, which easily led to various compatibility problems. This situation has improved in the past two years, on the one hand, the relevant USB chips, DAC chips in the software and hardware compatibility improvement is not small; on the other hand, mobile phone brands after reshuffle, market share has gradually gathered in several head enterprises, USB audio output protocol is becoming more and more standardized. Therefore, it is natural for Feiao to launch KA3 at this time.
dual brand, dual interface
KA3 is similar in size to a slightly larger U disk, with a square strip shape and a pull groove decoration running through the body. The shell is made of magnesium aluminum alloy material, the surface is sandblasted, solid and durable, and the weight is only 17.5g. Its front has the logo of FiiO Logo, product model and decoding ability, so that users can see its strength at a glance. There is also a ring indicator next to it, which shows the sampling rate of the current music by displaying different colored indicators when working.
fuselage, there are Hi-Res Audio small gold logo and ESS logo, and the Logo of JadeAudio (Philippe) is also marked. It is reported that this is Feiao's first attempt at dual-brand operation. JadeAudio (Fei Sheng) is Feiao's fashion and technology brand for young people. Feiao hopes to enhance its popularity.
is different from the black color of the main body of the body. The two ends of KA3 are made of light gold, one end is the USB-C input interface, and the other end is the key point-including the 3.5mm single-ended interface and the 4.4mm balanced interface, which not only solves the problem of the earphone interface on the mobile phone, but also brings its output to a higher level and can be matched with more earphones.
hardware specifications are good
, in fact, from seeing that KA3 has single-ended and balanced dual output interfaces, I knew that Feiao should have made another great move of "stacking materials. In the small volume of KA3, Feiao has built a multi-chip professional audio circuit architecture: from USB interface chip to DAC to ear amp, the chips on KA3 are not only complete, but also of good specifications, and the peripheral circuits adapted to them are also uncompromised. First, let's take a look at the DAC chip that everyone is most concerned about. KA3 uses ESS ES9038Q2M, which is the same as the K5 Pro ESS desktop decoding earmuff that costs over 1,000 yuan. Look at its specifications: PCM supports up to 32Bit/768kHz, and native hard decoding DSD512. It can be said that its decoding capability has touched the ceiling of the current "small tail.
KA3 has a dual independent amp configuration, single-ended output power of 130mW@ 32Ω, balanced output power up to 240mW@ 32Ω, the power is even larger than some larger earphones and music players. It can be said to be a "small steel gun" with a lot of thrust ".
can also be connected to PC and MAC computers using Windows systems, thus achieving full platform support. Not only can be used with mobile phones, but also can be used as a small earpiece in desktop environment, which can be used with PC and notebook computer.
audition experience
, I specially found a mobile phone with 3.5mm interface, and compared the different listening senses under the 3.5mm interface of the mobile phone and the 4.4mm balanced interface of KA3 with FH9. FH9 itself has high sensitivity and low impedance, which is not difficult to push. Only when the volume is 50% ~ 60% under the 3.5mm interface of the mobile phone can the audible sound pressure be obtained, but when matched with KA3, the volume of about 15% is enough. The difference in sound quality is even more audible. Under the 3.5mm interface of the mobile phone, even FH9 is unable to cope with it. The sound is relatively flat and dry, the sound field shrinks badly, the layering feeling is basically out, and the sound is confined to a small space.
was changed to the 4.4mm interface of KA3, and the sound suddenly became vivid and full. The entire sound field is opened, the front and back spaces are supported, and the layers in the music can be better felt. The quality of the three frequencies is also completely like changing a pair of earplugs: the low frequency has a solid strength and a certain sense of quantity, which can provide enough sense of atmosphere without blowing one's head; The intermediate frequency voice becomes more close to the ear, the sound details are enriched, and the singer has a certain sense of knot image. The high frequency is bright and thorough, with good resolution and no burr. I paid special attention to the bottom noise, there is no obvious feeling, this part is well controlled.
worth mentioning that I used KA3 to connect a variety of Android phones for trial use, most of which can be plug and play, but the real self V25 used for testing needs to open OTG connection in the system settings first. So if you connect KA3 to your phone and there is no response, you can go to the settings to find out why.
Summary
KA3, as Feiao's first real "little tail", although the price is not high, it still maintains Feiao's tradition of "doing something as soon as it moves into a new market segment. Whether it is the configuration of single-ended and balanced dual output interfaces, or the internal professional audio circuit architecture, as well as independent decoding and ear amp chips, KA3 has put enough pressure on competitors at a price of less than 500 yuan. Judging from the actual audition experience, KA3 performed really well, allowing Hi-Fi headphones to have a good sense of listening on mobile phones. Coupled with its extensive platform support, it can even attract some consumers who originally planned to buy music players or traditional portable earphones.
mobile phones can also be more beautiful
Feiao KA1
Feiao KA1 specifications
DAC chip: ES9281AC PRO
input interface: USB-C or Lightning
output interface: 3.5mm
output power: 45mW(32Ω,THD + N<1%)
signal-to-noise ratio: ≥ 114dB (32ΩA weight)
decoding specifications: up to PCM 32Bit/384kHz, DSD256
System Support: Android, iOS, Windows, Mac
size: about 40mm x 15mm x 8mm
wire length: about 70mm
weight: about 10g
reference price: 299 yuan
Compared with the previous experience of KA3, Feiao KA1 is its second "small tail" product. Judging from the name and price, KA1 is positioned lower. So whether its performance can meet the needs of entry users to listen to music on the phone?
is smaller and lighter, the texture is still good
can see the difference in positioning between KA1 and KA3 at a glance from the volume. The volume of the former is much smaller, and the input line of the USB-C is directly connected to the fuselage. The shape and size are more like the "little tail" that everyone is most familiar ". KA1 is designed like a scaled-down replica of KA3. It is made of the same magnesium-aluminum alloy material and sandblasted on the surface. However, KA1 has an extra dark green color matching version, which is quite nice. Limited by the smaller area, only FiiO Logo is retained on the front of KA1, and the ring indicator beside it is retained.
, like KA3, there is a Logo of JadeAudio (Philippe). It seems that this product is also operated under dual brands. It is worth noting that in addition to the Hi-Res Audio gold table and ESS logo on the back like KA3, KA1 also has an MQA logo. It uses MQA Renderer technology to support MQA full rendering. In the current "small tail", it is rare to support MQA.
On one side of the fuselage, it can be seen that KA1 has only one 3.5mm single-ended interface, which is not difficult to understand from the positioning and its size. On the other side is a fixed input cable, which is available in USB-C and Lightning versions. At the same time, a USB-A adapter is provided. The prototype we received is the USB-C version.
is smaller and has fewer interfaces than KA3, KA1 still provides full platform support for Android phones, iOS phones, Windows PC and MAC computers, and also supports software update and upgrade. At the same time, the internal multilayer board shielding optimization design and anti-interference strong metal shell are consistent with the higher positioning of KA3.
chip "quite can play"
In the selection of internal components, KA1 is an entry-level model, but it is not sloppy. In the decoding chip part, it uses ESS ES9281AC PRO. In addition to being used as DAC decoding, it also integrates USB processor and AMP amplification function. With HDI multilayer gold plating process PCB wiring, it can achieve higher efficiency, lower crosstalk and purer sound quality with lower power consumption. I even found this chip on some "little tails" of more than 1,000 yuan. In terms of audio specifications, KA1 can support up to 32bit/384kHz PCM decoding and DSD hard decoding (DoP mode supports up to DSD128 and Native mode supports up to DSD256).
, as an entry-level small tail with less than 300 yuan, KA1 can even support MQA. It has passed the official test of MQA in the UK to verify the genuine license and supports MAQ full rendering. It uses the MQA Renderer technology to connect to the MQA Core signal and complete the final expansion of the MQA file. In addition, Feiao has specially customized a Windows of ASIO drivers for it, which can play Native DSD through ASIO channels. KA1 is ahead of the current "small tail" at the same price. It also supports drive-free work, but at this time DSD only supports DoP mode, up to DSD128.
audition experience
, I still experienced Feiao KA1 on the same mobile phone, comparing the different performances of FH9 under the 3.5mm interface and KA1 3.5mm interface. The performance of FH9 under the 3.5mm interface of the mobile phone will not be repeated, see the comments in the previous KA3. Tell me directly about the audition feeling under KA1. From the 3.5mm interface of the mobile phone to KA1, the performance of FH9 is still significantly improved. Its sound style is more popular. It can obviously feel that FH9 is a little warmer, but it is not too warm. The low frequency becomes more flexible and the sense of quantity increases, which can create a better atmosphere. The addition of a "warm tone" voice does not affect the restoration of the timbre, and the singer's image and the fullness of the voice become better. The extension of high frequency is more comfortable and the amount of information is greater. In the case of three frequency to maintain a relative balance, the proportion of low frequency slightly prominent. Considering the users who choose "small tail" at this price point, this style should be more to their liking.
KA3 3.5mm interface output power of 130mW@ 32Ω, compared to KA1 45mW@ 32Ω is a little lower. Even so, KA1 can already push FH9 to a sound pressure suitable for listening at a volume of about 30%. Compared with KA3,KA1 is slightly inferior in analytic power and sound density. Like KA3, KA1 has a very clean sound bottom. Even if it "pricks up its ears", it cannot find the shadow of the noise.
Summary
, as a standard "small tail" with a mini body, Feiao has created as many possibilities as possible on KA1-excellent decoding and amplification chip, good decoding specifications, complete support for MQA ...... This makes it not only bring users a clear listening experience compared to the audio output of the phone itself, but also has certain advantages in comparison with similar products. For users whose wired earphone products are in the category of entry-level Hi-Fi, Feiao KA1 will be a choice that can better adapt the earphone in their hands and meet their listening needs with mobile phones.
Author:Microcomputer Official Microblogedited at 05-27 10:53
web site:https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404773690679361889
