jj69 said:

reihead: Are you saying the X5's sound is even warmer and less neutral than X3? That is not good.

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mython said:

   
 
I very much extremely doubt that will be the case. Right from the beginning, James has been saying the X5 will be tuned to be more 'neutral', as it is intended to be a more serious audiophile-oriented DAP.
 
I'm guessing reihead's use of the term 'warm', within the context of his first impressions, more probably relates to the X5 perhaps having quite a 'full-bodied' sound.
 
I'm like you, though, jj69, I'm hoping the X5 won't have a noticeably coloured sound.
 
 

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fleasbaby said:

I am hoping for neutral too...could have been the iems he used. One Japanese review (read via Google Translate, so take it with a pinch of salt) seemed to suggest that the unit allowed headphones and isms to show their own coloration without imposing any of its own...

Guess we need more reviews

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You are right, sounds more neutral, a complete easy to listen sound

saidear said:

   
Quick question!

How does the wheel compare to scrolling through files with the X3, faster?
How about scrubbing through long songs (like say an hour-long podcast)?

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It's way faster, definitely a big improvement.
I guess you mean scrolling, the wheel can't be use for fast forward on a long song.

reihead said:

   
 
 
 
 
You are right, sounds more neutral, a complete easy to listen sound

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that is what we tried to do and very happy we did it . ( we hope we have the ability to develop something and make it sounds as what we want )

reihead said:

   
It's way faster, definitely a big improvement.
I guess you mean scrolling, the wheel can't be use for fast forward on a long song.

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You can't use the wheel to fast forward through a long song?  Bah!

saidear said:

You can't use the wheel to fast forward through a long song?  Bah!

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Perhaps with further feedback from users, we may decide to make the 1-second hold on the OK button do fast forward / reverse using the scroll wheel instead of volume control when the Now Playing screen is shown? Right now the 1-second hold function of the OK button seems a little redundant to me as a quick press of the volume keys brings up the same volume control dialog.

Please note that there will be firmware updates between now and the international release of the X5 at the end of March. I will put up a list of known issues to be addressed before March soon.

That'd be nice, Joe - right now my biggest issue with the X3 is the scrolling and how it handles longer files WRT Memory Play. If the X5 does this a bit better, I may find myself arguing for the upgrade once it becomes available.  

My poor FiiO amps are currently on sabbatical given how much I enjoy using the X3, so the X5 can only make me more impressed.

saidear said:

 

My poor FiiO amps are currently on sabbatical given how much I enjoy using the X3, so the X5 can only make me more impressed.

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Be sure to dust them often.
 
Also, names are recommended.
 
I named my X3 already
 
I'll give names to my other units right now while I'm at it.
 
Hermes Hulkman FiiO
Drew Droid FiiO
Syllvester Rocky FiiO
Andy Multiman FiiO
Fanda Xavier FiiO
 
I'll give you a cookie if you can match these names with some FiiO units in the correct order

bowei006 said:

  Be sure to dust them often.
 
Also, names are recommended.
 
I named my X3 already
 
I'll give names to my other units right now while I'm at it.
 
Hermes Hulkman FiiO
Drew Droid FiiO
Syllvester Rocky FiiO
Andy Multiman FiiO
Fanda Xavier FiiO
 
I'll give you a cookie if you can match these names with some FiiO units in the correct order

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Hermes Hulkman FiiO: E12?
Drew Droid FiiO: E18?
Syllvester Rocky FiiO: E02i?
Andy Multiman FiiO: E07K?
Fanda Xavier FiiO: X3?

skybleu said:

  Hermes Hulkman FiiO: E12?
Drew Droid FiiO: E18?
Syllvester Rocky FiiO: E02i?
Andy Multiman FiiO: E07K?
Fanda Xavier FiiO: X3?

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You got it all right......
 
So here's a cookie (doughnut). Already got a bite out of it though.
 

 
 
But man, I'm surprised you guessed the X3 and the E12. 

bowei006 said:

   

Spoiler: Panda #1

You got it all right......
 
So here's a cookie (doughnut). Already got a bite out of it though.

Spoiler: Panda #2

But man, I'm surprised you guessed the X3 and the E12. 

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Oh ma gawd. I thought I was going to be humiliated, but yay! Go me! ^__^
 
For my efforts, that cookie should be expressed shipped to me!

bowei006 said:

skybleu said:

 
Hermes Hulkman FiiO: E12?
Drew Droid FiiO: E18?
Syllvester Rocky FiiO: E02i?
Andy Multiman FiiO: E07K?
Fanda Xavier FiiO: X3?

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You got it all right......

So here's a cookie (doughnut). Already got a bite out of it though.





But man, I'm surprised you guessed the X3 and the E12. 

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It wasn't that hard. XD

reihead said:

  You are right, sounds more neutral, a complete easy to listen sound

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Have you (or anyone) tried connecting the X5 from lineout to a serious home audio system preamp?  Is the sound still neutral, or does it have the same mid-bass bump that plagues the X3? 

bowei006 said:

  Be sure to dust them often.
 
Also, names are recommended.

Click to expand...

Well, the E06 gets some loving to manage the audio on my Vita when it is docked (no volume control when routed through the connector) but the E12 is lovingly packed up for now.   It may get resurrected if we ever get the lady's old classic repaired. 

I got home a bit earlier and have been listening to the X5 through my Flat 4 Suis.... I love this player. Sounds very good. Fiio surpassed my expectations. Silky smooth sound. Spacious, detailed, slightly warm but on the neutral side to my ears. Just love the contrast and texture of the sound. Separation is good. Vocals really stand out for me. Very natural, easy on the ears yet not rolled off or overly smooth. Very well done Fiio.
 
The build quality is also pretty impressive. The unit feels sturdy and well put together. A substantial amount of this player consists of metal. The UI is easy to use and functional. It's pretty quick.. Love the scroll wheel. I am a bit disappointed in the rubber/plastic tabs used to cover the micro SD slots. I feel with use they probably will break off. Then again most players don't even have a covering for their SD slots. But something like the AK series would have been better. I'd still purchase a unit even with this flaw. The sound more than makes up for that .
 
The accessories are a bit novel. They actually give you 3.5 plugs which you can use to protect the ports you are not using. Quite smart indeed . There is also a usb stick included (I'm not sure if that has HD music on it or not?) along with some extra screen protectors, a usb plug and some sort of makeshift plug (guessing to be used with the LO or Coaxial?). The included rubber protective casing is a nice touch. It will help to keep the player in great shape and you don't have to break the bank purchasing a case.
 
I wasn't planning on buying anymore players but I honestly think I will be grabbing an X5 for myself to use on the go .
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

lee730 said:

I got home a bit earlier and have been listening to the X5 through my Flat 4 Suis.... I love this player. Sounds very good. Fiio surpassed my expectations. Silky smooth sound. Spacious, detailed, slightly warm but on the neutral side to my ears. Just love the contrast and texture of the sound. Separation is good. Vocals really stand out for me. Very natural, easy on the ears yet not rolled off or overly smooth. Very well done Fiio.

The build quality is also pretty impressive. The unit feels sturdy and well put together. A substantial amount of this player consists of metal. The UI is easy to use and functional. It's pretty quick.. Love the scroll wheel. I am a bit disappointed in the rubber/plastic tabs used to cover the micro SD slots. I feel with use they probably will break off. Then again most players don't even have a covering for their SD slots. But something like the AK series would have been better. I'd still purchase a unit even with this flaw. The sound more than makes up for that .

The accessories are a bit novel. They actually give you 3.5 plugs which you can use to protect the ports you are not using. Quite smart indeed . There is also a usb stick included (I'm not sure if that has HD music on it or not?) along with a usb plug and some sort of makeshift plug (guessing to be used with the LO or Coaxial?). The included rubber protective casing is a nice touch. It will help to keep the player in great shape and you don't have to break the bank purchasing a case.

I wasn't planning on buying anymore players but I honestly think I will be grabbing an X5 for myself to use on the go .

Click to expand...

Got my kit too, truly impressed with the player, it has surpassed all my expectations, I feel like you it's on the neutral side and the vocals, oh my the vocals are amazing on the player.

By the way the USB plug is actually a microSD card reader, sorry to disappoint you, no music on it. It is used for transferring files and possibly using it in a OTG function. It is quite thoughtful because one absolutely needs to buy one to actually take advantage of their speedier transfer properties.

We are in for a treat, pretty sure you'll miss the player when your ten days will be over.

Enjoy!

Throwing a few pics just to wet your appetite: