The FiiO X3 2nd gen (ex X3K, X3II) Thread : 192K/24B, CS4398,Native DSD, USB DAC with LO and inline remote

[Brooko]

It's not as warm as the X1 - most reviews agree that so far.  Personally I think its pretty tonally similar to the X5.
 
If you've heard either of those DAPs, that should give you a start point.

 

[x RELIC x]

A little of topic for the X3 II, but Tyll at Innerfidelity posted his review on the Pono and it's a fantastic read regarding sound and perceived differences. Brooko, you in particular I think would be interested in the subjective vs objective merits of music enjoyment and his comments on abx and dbt. Also, he's done measurements of frequency changes based on output impedance that shows how it changes some IEMs frequency response. Not that's it's an issue with the FiiO DAPs with their less than 1 Ohm output impedance, but fascinating regardless.

LINK

Back to the X3 II.............

 

[Skullbox]

It's not as warm as the X1 - most reviews agree that so far.  Personally I think its pretty tonally similar to the X5. f you've heard either of those DAPs, that should give you a start point.

" It's not as warm as the X1" Are You talk about the X3 ii ? Sorry for my limited english understanding, you mean that X1 is tonality similar to the X5 ? I Have only heard X1.
Sorry for my confusion! :rolleyes:

 

[Brooko]

Sorry for my limited english understanding, you mean that X1 is tonality similar to the X5 ? Have only heard X1.

 
No need to apologise - I din't state it clearly enough 

 
The X1 is warmer than the X3ii.  Most (if not all) reviews I've read so far agree with this.  So the X3ii is leaner, and more neutral than the X1.
 
To me, tonally the X3ii and X5 are pretty close.  The difference is in overall refinement - where the X5 is a little smoother and gives a slightly grander sense of space (instruments stand out a little more).  The difference is noticeable - but not large.
 
My X1 gets very little use since the X3ii arrived. 

 

[Skullbox]

No need to apologise - I din't state it clearly enough 

The X1 is warmer than the X3ii.  Most (if not all) reviews I've read so far agree with this.  So the X3ii is leaner, and more neutral than the X1.

To me, tonally the X3ii and X5 are pretty close.  The difference is in overall refinement - where the X5 is a little smoother and gives a slightly grander sense of space (instruments stand out a little more).  The difference is noticeable - but not large.

My X1 gets very little use since the X3ii arrived. 

X3 II with my W4r will be a good match then! My FiiO X3 II will be ordered as soon is made available ! From Canada Computer.

Thx mate!

 

[twister6]

 

No need to apologise - I din't state it clearly enough 

The X1 is warmer than the X3ii.  Most (if not all) reviews I've read so far agree with this.  So the X3ii is leaner, and more neutral than the X1.

To me, tonally the X3ii and X5 are pretty close.  The difference is in overall refinement - where the X5 is a little smoother and gives a slightly grander sense of space (instruments stand out a little more).  The difference is noticeable - but not large.

My X1 gets very little use since the X3ii arrived. 

X3 II with my W4r will be a good match then! My FiiO X3 II will be ordered as soon is made available ! From Canada Computer.

Thx mate!

 
Didn't test with my W40 (and I know it's similar but not the same as W4R), but I think it will pair up nicely with X3ii.  W40 is smooth/lush, not necessary warm/bassy or analytical/vivid.  With headphones you can't categorize everything in terms of black and white since a lot falls in a gray area   As many of us reviewers mentioned already, X3ii is closer to X5 than X1, so it should pair up better with X3ii than X1.

 

[Paulus XII]

Guys, I need your best help here. My purchase will depend of this answer (or answers).
 
Is the software EQ (10 band EQ) better implemented than the X3 I 5 band EQ? Because I think it does nothing in the X3 I. It's kind of a useless feature. Because hardware EQ gone in the X3 II, right? So one has to rely on the software EQ... This information is crucial for me in order to upgrade to X3 II or not.
 
Since I think it's some sort of hardware limitation in the X3 I causing that, I have high hopes the software EQ does something noticeable in the X3 II like Sony EQ does, Sansa Clip EQ does, so many Windows EQ's do, etc. I'm a EQ guy and I need a good, working equalizer.

 

[hakushondaimao]

A little of topic for the X3 II, but Tyll at Innerfidelity posted his review on the Pono and it's a fantastic read regarding sound and perceived differences. @Brooko, you in particular I think would be interested in the subjective vs objective merits of music enjoyment and his comments on abx and dbt. Also, he's done measurements of frequency changes based on output impedance that shows how it changes some IEMs frequency response. Not that's it's an issue with the FiiO DAPs with their less than 1 Ohm output impedance, but fascinating regardless.

LINK

Back to the X3 II.............

 
That was a great review (even though, as a newb, I didn't understand half of the technical stuff he was talking about). Read it a few days ago, and am quoting his review in my write-up of the X3 2nd gen. as his subjective/objective discussion really hit home for me.

 

[justjag]

Can anybody clarify if using the x3ii as a USB DAC + amp draws power from the USB or from its internal battery? I am concerned about USB noise.

And for the record, has anybody tried the x3ii with akg k7 series of headphones? If nobody knows I will have to wait another 2 more weeks to receive my unit and find out for myself

 

[Skullbox]

Didn't test with my W40 (and I know it's similar but not the same as W4R), but I think it will pair up nicely with X3ii.  W40 is smooth/lush, not necessary warm/bassy or analytical/vivid.  With headphones you can't categorize everything in terms of black and white since a lot falls in a gray area   As many of us reviewers mentioned already, X3ii is closer to X5 than X1, so it should pair up better with X3ii than X1.

Thx Twister, ur so kind!

 

[yoyorast10]

I can't decide between this and the X1. Is this worth the 100 dollars more? And do they have a long life span?

 

[394216]

Does the Fiio X3II recognize replaygain tags? or do i have to use some software to level the volume of my tracks? 

 

[JamesFiiO]

  Does the Fiio X3II recognize replaygain tags? or do i have to use some software to level the volume of my tracks? 

 
not yet. it is in our plan but there are couple features still waiting to be updated to our X3/X3 II/X1/X5. 

 

[x RELIC x]

not yet. it is in our plan but there are couple features still waiting to be updated to our X3/X3 II/X1/X5. 

This is good news!

 

[Wokei]

not yet. it is in our plan but there are couple features still waiting to be updated to our X3/X3 II/X1/X5. 

Impressive to hear that update and feature are still in the pipeline for X3..Cheers