Polaris – that’s the name of Campfire Audio’s newest IEMs priced at 599 USD. How do these hybrids (dynamic+BA drivers with dedicated sound chambers) perform?

Polaris are the second hybrid IEMs in Campfire Audio’s portfolio, but first featuring dedicated sound chamber for a dynamic driver. Angular shells made from anodized CNCed aluminum are already well-known, but these babies come with innovative faceplates with Cerakote coating too. Polaris is the second cheapest model (after Orion) in the company’s lineup, but it’s about to offer engaging tuning with clear highs.

Accessories
No surprises in this aspect – the accessory set is rich and includes:

● protective case
● MMCX to ⅛ jack cable
● two velcro bands
● set of single-flange tips (S, M, L sizes)
● set of thermoactive tips (S, M, L)
● set of SpinFit tips (XS, S, M, L)
● cleaning tool
● shirt clip
● manual
● warranty card

This time the protective case is made of faux leather. Its inner part is filled with shearling sheepskin imitation. The included cable is a copper-one (Litz geometry), braided, with black isolation. MMCX sockets are beryllium-covered to improve their durability. Single-flange tips are just average – similar ones can be found in many cheap IEMs. Foam tips look similar to T-series from Comply, but are also different from the foams added to Campfire Audio Andromeda. There’s also a set of SpinFit tips (moving ones) included.

Construction
At first glance, Polaris look as if they are more expensive than Andromeda. Lower price can be guessed when looking at the cable, which lacks transparent isolation and is not silver-plated. It still looks and works fine, though.

Polaris consist of three parts: black nozzles are glossy, blue anodized aluminum shells shine in an effective way and faceplates with Cerakote-coating attract one’s eyes with their grainy texture. Such a finish is known for its durability and, because of that, it’s used in space or armaments industries. For me, the overall looks is great – the combination of colors is extraordinary and no bad words can be said regarding build quality too.

Shells are deeply angular. Nozzles are dual-bore (one per each driver). Inside the shell, there are two 3D-printed chambers – the well known TEAC (Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber) for the BA driver and PTC (Polarity Tuned Chamber) which supports the dynamic speaker.

Gold-plated MMCX connectors are located at the top of the shell. They got letter (L and R) and dot (blue and red) indications. Braided cable features elastic ear hooks. Splitter is metal and equipped with a slider. The jack plug is gold-plated and angled.

Ergonomics
In practice angular Polaris work worse than oval, tear-shaped IEMs produced by e.g. Noble Audio, Heir Audio or Westone. An user needs to adapt, but it’s easy to get accustomed to it after a while.

First contact might cause discomfort – the IEMs are quite heavy, metal and, therefore, cold. Nozzles are appropriately shaped and the silicone and foam eartips hold safely. Level of isolation highly depends on the eartips choice – it’s best with foams and worst with single-flange tips. Spin Fit tips are elastic, but their flanges are narrow and, because of that, the application depth is crucial. I needed to put them more shallow than foam or single-flange tips and the level of isolation was inferior.

Cable works great! I enjoy such braided cords because they are light and elastic. Earhooks might be shaped to one’s needs and the given form is remembered. In case of Polaris, microphonics is not an issue. Angled jack plug is quite bulky, but special narrowing makes it compatible with devices put in additional cases.

Specs
● Balanced Armature driver + Tuned Acoustic Expansion Chamber and 8.5 mm dynamic driver + Polarity Tuned Chamber
● made of anodized CNCed aluminum ; Cerakote-coating faceplates
● frequency range: 5 Hz - 27 kHz
● sensitivity: 107 dB/mW
● impedance: 15 Ω
● Litz Copper Cable, beryllium-plated MMCX sockets

Sound
IEMs/Cans: Campfire Audio Andromeda, Noble Audio Savant i Noble 4, Etymotic ER-4PT, RHA CL750, Brainwavz B200, FiiO F5
DAC/AMP and AMPs: Burson Conductor Virtuoso (Sabre), RHA DACAMP L1, AIM SC808, ODAC i O2, Leckerton UHA-760, Zorloo ZuperDAC
DAPs: iBasso DX200, FiiO X5 III, iBasso DX90, OnePlus 5
Interconnects: Forza AudioWorks Copper Series, Klotz
Music: various genres and realizations, including 24-bit and binaural tracks

I mainly used thermoactive foams, which, in my opinion, work best with the IEMs, but silicone tips also offer proper signature.

Polaris sound like a hybrid IEMs, but the soft low-end perfectly combines with the stronger mid- and high tones. Unlike Andromeda, Jupiter or Orion, the IEMs in focus don’t concentrate as much on the midrange. Both edges are accented, but it wouldn’t be fair to call Polaris V-shaped. If someone insists on such an expression, though, then Polaris is mild V-shaped earphone, which doesn’t lack resolution, clarity and details. The bass isn’t overwhelming and music genres choice isn’t limited. Overall, the tonality of the IEMs is very clear and direct. It’s fun, but served in a pretty analytical way.

Bass needs a short warm-up. At first, its response is evidently emphasized, but then it weakens. Low tones amounts are not extreme – they are a bit accented, but without exaggeration. Subbass and midbass are more powerful, but aren’t dominating and don’t bleed into other ranges. Low tones are typical for a dynamic driver: massive and soft. Bass isn’t hard or raw, which is characteristic for Balanced Armature speakers. The signature is more fun, very dynamic and well-controlled. It works well with both digital samples or live instruments – a double bass won’t become a subwoofer. The amount of details is also high and the texture of instruments is clearly differentiated.

Although midrange is not a priority, it’s still impressive: clear, transparent, studio-like. This frequency range isn’t too warm or too cold and it isn’t too dark or too sharp either. Polaris indeed offers crystal-clear tuning. The sound is fresh and direct, without any distance – everything stays forward. At the same time, the tuning isn’t very natural – Andromeda or Jupiter offer stronger midrange, more vivid sound. In case of Polaris one can hear some declines in upper bass and lower midrange, especially when it comes to male voices. The latter remain close, but become more flat. The same can be said about the tones of low guitar strings or a piano. Modern electro music benefits from such a tuning, but, luckily, jazz, blues or various rock sound good as well. Sound source is, however, also of high importance.

Transition between mid and high tones is smooth (more than in case of bass and lower midrange). The highs are strong and bright, of no lower priority than the lows. Top range is extended and enhanced, but the sibilance is not present. High tones make the sound very clear – Polaris won’t suit a basshead or a treblehead, but someone who values both great lows and extended highs. Trebles are also well-controlled, clear and precise – separate hits of the percussion can be distinguished. Highs don’t merge and blur, don’t hiss or rustle. Bows, clarinets, wind or keyboard instruments are not subdued and female voices also climb high, while samples level of ‘digitiality’ is appropriate.

Holographics also need to be appreciated. The soundstage is wide, with clearly distinguishable stereophony – the sound is clearly splitted between the two channels. Depth is also fine – individual sounds are put in front or around listener’s shoulders. There’s also a lot of air, so instruments are clearly separated, with a lot of distance between them.

Campfire Audio Polaris vs Andromeda vs other IEMs
A clash between hybrid, dual-driver Polaris vs 5xBA Andromeda is not as self-evident as it might seem. In technical terms, Andromeda performs better with fuller and closer midrange, more complete, natural and balanced signature. They provide great bass as well as close and vivid midrange plus extended highs. Their sound is more technical and more audiophile-like. On the contrary, Polaris offers quite special, original tuning – a combination of dynamic lows with armature-like highs works perfect! The bass is juicy, with rumbling subbass. I love Andromeda and I can say the same about Polaris – the choice depends on certain conditions. Andromeda is much more expensive, but at the same time more universal – it will perform well in new or old, soft and hard music. If, however, someone is looking for a more energetic tuning with powerful lows, then Polaris is a better choice.

At this moment, other comparisons should be more or less obvious. Etymotic ER-4PT/ER-4S offer much more forward and more even midrange, thinner bass, more analytical and less airy signature. The same might be said about Noble Audio 4 and Noble Audio Savant, which provide closer midrange, but lack some bass and the provided sound is not as ‘fun’. Campfire Audio Jupiter prioritize the midrange and the edges, when compared to Polaris, are not so extended. RHA CL750, on the other hand, offer similar clarity, space and soft bass, but Polaris feature softer mids and more accented lows.

Campfire Audio Polaris vs sources
Polaris pairs well with both smartphones and expensive DAPs. It scales with the gear and is sensitive to its signature. Neutral and more bass-heavy sources will work fine – low tones of Polaris aren’t extremely strong, so pushing them up isn’t harmful. I would, however, pay attention to sharp and bright sources as further accented highs could be fatiguing or cause lower midrange recession.

Leckerton UHA760 worked great with Campfire Audio IEMs using Balanced Armature drivers, but it’s performing a bit worse with hybrids -– the sound is at times too thin. Lighter, more mid-forward music turns out better and the bass in new electro music is not as strong. RHA DACAMP L1 is a better choice for goa trance, psychodelic trance or drum’n’bass - the bass rumble was stronger plus more massive and the highs weren’t harsh at all.

There were no surprises regarding cooperation with various DAPs. Massive lows in iBasso DX200 led to improvement of dynamics and speed while mid- and high tones remained non-fatiguing. Resolution and soundstage were impressive too. FiiO X5 III’s lows weren’t disappointing either, but mids and highs have become smoother and softer. Overall tuning has become more pleasant, but with smaller soundstage. In case of FiiO DAP the hiss between tracks was more audible, but not very intense. On the contrary, iBasso DX90 offered clearer signal with stronger midrange, accented lows and non-exaggerated highs. Polaris+OnePlus 5 tandem also worked fine, but the sound was thinner than in case of DAPs offering reduced subbas and a bit brighter tuning.

Campfire Audio Polaris + silver-plated Litz cable
Stock cable doesn’t limit Polaris’s capabilities, but the IEMs also work well with the silver-plated cable that’s added to Campfire Audio Andromeda. The sound doesn’t alter much – subbass seems yet deeper and more massive. Bass and midrange are not as soft, which can make the sound less pleasant. High tones response is improved, as if the Balanced Armature driver received a bigger share.

Verdict
Campfire Audio Polaris successfully combine two types of drivers. If someone enjoys fun tuning, the effect is sensational. Polaris is also a great choice for music lovers who lack bass in pure-BA IEMs. Campfire Audio’s IEMs seem to link the opposites – the sound simultaneously delights with its edges (deep bass and strong highs) as well as with clear mids. I find mid tones to be of lower priority and there are some shortcomings in the lower midrange, which show in male vocals. Paradoxically, this issue doesn’t limit the choice of genres – vocals remain direct and clear, but their character gets a bit different.

Polaris are not cheap, but are almost twice cheaper than Andromeda. In technical terms, their sound is impressive and the same can be said about their looks. I would choose Polaris instead of Jupiter and I would also consider spending more money on Polaris rather than choosing Etymotic ER4XR. In the last case, the decision will depend on one’s demand on midrange (ER4XR) and bass (Polaris).

maciux - Maciej Sas

N3 is Cayin’s newest and cheapest DAC. Its specs seem very promising: AKM 4490EN DAC and two-way Bluetooth 4.0 chip with aptX codec support.

Nowadays the category of DAPs for advanced users mainly consists of expensive and big devices with touchscreens and streaming feature. Cayin N3 is all different – it’s a smaller, more classic piece of gear with a non-touch screen. Nevertheless, it still offers plenty options like USB DAC, Bluetooth transmitter+receiver, DSD-decoding and USB Type C input. The price is also fair – 149 USD.

Accessories
The device is packed in a small, aesthetic, white box. The accessory set is as follows:
● rubber case
● 100 cm USB to USB-C cable
● silicone band to wrap around the cable
● screen protector
● user’s manual
● 2 pcs of Hi-Res Audio stickers

The quality of the case is average. The material is matte and exposes the screen, the buttons and the bottom edge. The USB cable is rather stiff, but one can put a band which helps winding it up. Screen protector is already placed on the screen and there’s also a spare one in the box.

Construction
Cayin N3 is a bar-shaped device with rounded edges. Its housing is made of aluminum while the screen and the operating buttons are surrounded by plastic. The back of the device is lined with faux leather. N3’s dimensions are 100 mm (H) x 54 mm (W) x 13 mm (D). In general, the DAP is just a little bigger than FiiO X1 II.

The front side is mainly occupied by a 2.4-inch non-touch screen. It’s a IPS panel with 400x360 px resolution (224 ppi). It’s colorful and the backlight is strong. Colors are fine, fonts and album covers are sharp. Viewing angles are wide enough for a DAP.

Below the screen placed are 5 buttons. The middle one is a physical one, big and round. The other buttons are flat, touch-operated, separated by white lines which indicate charging process.

Other buttons are arranged on sides. The right flank is filled with 3 buttons that control the playback while on the left edge there are power and volume buttons. The bottom part of the right flank has microSD reader installed and there’s also reset hole on the left edge.

Sockets are all located on the bottom edge. There’s a 3.5mm jack/line out on the very left, USB type C port in the middle and SPDIF out on the right.

Build quality is high. N3 is not a toy-DAP, but a serious device. Its design, though simple, is also likeable. There are two color options available: blue and matte-black, while cover cases are available in various colours.

Ergonomics and handling
Using a small, 0.1 kg DAP is a very pleasant experience, especially after operating bulky DAPs like iBasso DX200 each day. Cayin N3 is not as tiny as Sandisk Sansas or FiiO M3, but it’s a 100-percent portable device that would squeeze in every pocket. Ergonomics is high – thumb operates the front buttons and easily reaches the side ones. Handling is easy – arrow-buttons are used for scrolling, back button is used for returning one screen up or – when hold – to the home screen. Menu button opens additional options and shortcuts.

Memory card slot can be easily accessed – it’s protected by just a plastic cover. Physical buttons are precise and touch buttons ‘answer’ with a vibration. Their contact area is wide, but it’s a pity that they are not illuminated. In addition to that, they are also placed too close to one another, but you can easily become accustomed to it.

Changing between headphone and line out is done via settings. USB type C port supports USB On The Go and can also transfer digital audio signal.

MicroSD reader supports 256 GB cards, but there’s no internal storage. N3 also works as a USB DAC. In ‘minimum latency’ mode the audio-video synchronization is proper.

Bluetooth options are really impressive – aptX codec is supported and N3 can work both as a BT transmitter or receiver. Therefore, one can either pair N3 with earphones and with a smartphone and transfer music from Spotify or Tidal app to IEMs or cans that are connected to the Cayin.

Even though Cayin N3 is a simple device with a simple screen, the battery life is mediocre – up to 12 hours with the screen off. Typically the device can be powered on for 8-10 hours. Charging with a 5V/2A adapter takes around 2 hours.

Operating system
N3’s operating system is basic and resembles the one used in non-Android FiiO’s DAPs. Home screen consists of 6 icons: library, folders, now playing, music settings, Bluetooth and general settings.

The first section provides access to playlists, favorite tracks and library. Another section lets you browse TF card files or USB OTG device ; it can also scan these medias. ‘Now playing’ screen displays covers and useful information on the upper status bar. Music settings allow changing the gain (3 steps), replay gain, gapless, EQ (8 presets + manual mode), 5 digital filters and advanced settings of playback and volume. Bluetooth section features pairing mode with an option to disable aptX. Settings menu offers changing language, themes, USB mode, brightness and firmware update. Menu structure is logical and no options are lacking.

Specs
● Asahi Kasei AKM4490EN DAC
● 2,4” IPS screen, 400x360px
● Bluetooth 4.0, aptX, Duplex function
● USB type C (OTG support), USB DAC (asynchronous USB Audio 2.0), SPDIF out
● 3-step gain, compatible with 16-200Ω headphones
● battery life: up to 12 hours (screen off), charging time: 2 hours (5V/2A adapter)
● microSD slot (up to 256 GB)
● dimensions: 100 x 54 x 13 mm
● weight: 100 g

Sound
Headphones/IEMs: Audeze LCD-2 (Double Helix Fusion Complement4, PlusSound X8), MrSpeakers Ether 1.1 oraz Ether C Flow (Forza AudioWorks Noir HPC mk2, DUM), Final Sonorus III, AKG K612 Pro, Focal Spirit Professional, AKG K551, Noble Audio Savant i Noble 4, Etymotic ER-4PT, Brainwavz B200
DAC/AMPs and AMPs: Burson Conductor Virtuoso (Sabre), RHA DACAMP L1, AIM SC808, ODAC i O2, Leckerton UHA-760, Zorloo ZuperDAC
DAPs: FiiO X5 III, iBasso DX200, iBasso DX90
Interconnects: Forza AudioWorks Copper Series, Klotz
Music: many genres in various formats including 24-bit and binaural tracks

N3 was tested with v1.1 firmware.

N3’s sound does not disappoint – it offers high dynamics and high resolution. It’s a neutral DAP, a bit warm, soft and smooth. N3 is also musical and allows for easy-listening – upper midrange or highs aren’t exhausting. The sound is also not dark, slow or distant. On the other hand, the tuning is also not ideally balanced and not very analytical. The amount of details is fine, the resolution is rather high and musicality is more important than music-analysis.

Bass is a bit accented in its mid-range – you can’t expect tremendous transition into subbas, but it’s still fine. The lows are not enhanced, but the bass isn’t lacking either. This region is dense, well-controlled, with diversified texture. The lows aren’t dominating and don’t cover other frequency ranges. The sound isn’t also boring – the attack of the lows is good, the bass is fast and dynamic. Music is soft and engaging.

Midrange is also smooth, soft and a bit warm. Its lower range is not very highlighted and upper regions are softened, but not rolled off. The tuning is pleasant and non-fatiguing – upper midrange isn’t rough or hissing. The sound is rather natural than neutral – it’s not very analytical, but vivid, revealing many details. Everything stays close, without sharp edges. I prefer neutrality, but N3’s naturalness is also likeable as it works seamlessly with many music genres.

High tones are not reduced – N3’s tuning is not dark and not covered. Upper treble are audible, but soft, not harsh at all. The highs are not prone to sibilization and aren’t grainy, but remain smooth. This frequency range is not sharp either. Trebles are well-controlled, precise, not very extended and not very accented.

Cayin N3’s tonality is impressive, but the soundstage is not. The latter is circular, with optimal size and proportions. Separation is fine, but the sound is not very airy – distances between instruments aren’t huge. The space isn’t very wide and the crosstalk is average. It’s easy to notice that there’s a single DAC only, but it’s hard to expect more at this price tag – the holographics is good for this market segment.

Cayin N3’s line out
The sound via line out is almost the same – it’s hard to distinguish line out and a headphone out. Leckerton UHA760 made the sound harder, less smooth. With RHA DACAMP L1 low tones were thickened and soundstage was bigger. Line out, therefore, can tune the sound or add more power. The line out is not raw, not neutral.

Cayin N3 vs other DAPs
N3’s quality is not on par with iBasso DX90, FiiO X5 III and far worse than iBasso DX200. But in comparison with the two first DAPs, the differences are not as huge as the price gap between them.

Both X5 III and DX90 are neutral-sounding DAPs, while in case of N3 a pinch of warmth, smoothness and softness can be observed. FiiO’s device is brighter and offers better channel and instrument separation. Dynamics is similar, but X5 III is more airy and the resolution is higher. DX90 provides deeper, more dense bass ; midrange plus treble are also stronger. DX90 uses a dual DAC, so channel separation is improved, the distances between the instruments are bigger and the resolution is higher. N3 sounds more narrow and both channels blur into one, but it’s only noticeable when you got a better DAP to compare.

I find Cayin N3 more interesting than FiiO X3K or X1 II. It sounds natural, not digital. X1 II is cheaper, but offers smaller soundstage and lower resolution. X3K (X3 II) is similar to N3 in terms of quality, but with different tuning: brighter, with more accented highs and less present midrange. Cayin’s sound is more pleasant with more forward mids and smooth, soft highs. Moreover, N3 is also smaller and offers Bluetooth connection with aptX support, while X3K doesn’t have BT at all.

Cayin N3 vs headphones/IEMs
Due to its quite high power and 3-step gain control, Cayin N3 is quite elastic regarding headphones/earphones choice. It will work fine with more-demanding headphones as well as with sensitive IEMs using Balanced Armature drivers (if they are, however, of very high sensitivity, some hiss is audible). N3 doesn’t shine paired with high-end full-size cans, but it performs well with premium portable headphones or IEMs. Nevertheless, it may not work fine with very warm or very dark headphones/earphones, but should communicate well with those neutral. A bit of synergy is required, though.

I really like Cayin N3 + AKG K551 tandem. Upper midrange and treble are a bit softened – the sound is more smooth and soft, which I find favorable. Soundstage and instrument arrangement is impressive, dynamics is high and the sound is fast.

Focal Spirit Professional also work well with N3 – they become more musical, engaging, with improved dynamics. The situation is worse with Final Sonorus III (but these are very specific headphones) - highs were harsh at times.

Etymotic ER-4PT sound a bit warmer, smoother and softer, but remained very detailed and forward. With ER-4S adapter the results were also fine with precise bass, dense mids and well-controlled highs. The sound was still analytical and hi-res, but the tuning has become more natural and musical. The soundstage was, however, average, close and small.

Noble Audio 4 featured close midrange, tight bass and rather soft highs. Softening and smoothening helped – syblization (a common issue for Noble 4) decreased. Light hiss was audible (even with the low gain), but wasn’t disturbing, even in more quiet parts of music tracks.

Noble Audio Savant are less prone to hissing, but, because of that, their bass is also a bit too tempered. I like Savants paired with other, more neutral DAPs – with Cayin N3 they sound a bit too warm, too soft, too smooth and too calm. Such a tandem still works fine, but not as engaging as iBasso DX90 or FiiO X5 III.

Brainwavz B200 are not a good companion either. They are dark, warm, with forward mids and when connected to the N3, they become too dark and too smooth.

Verdict

Cayin N3 is a very good DAP. It’s of compact size and offers many options like USB DAC and two-way Bluetooth module with aptX codec support. Handling it is easy, software is fine and the device provides quite a lot of power and pairs well with miscellaneous IEMs/headphones. The sound is great for the price tag: natural, a bit warm and smooth, with proper dynamics. N3 sounds soft, but is not boring - the sound is detailed and energetic – the music is engaging.

Let’s not exaggerate, though. Cayin N3 won’t win with another more expensive midrange devices – it loses to FiiO X5 3rd gen and iBasso DX90. A potential buyer also needs to remember that touch buttons require getting used to and that there’s no separate line out and digital out. N3 also lacks internal storage and battery life is just average. It’s still worth the price, no doubt.

maciux - Maciej Sas

Alien+ is Shozy’s newest DAP. The Asian brand focuses on sound quality, therefore the device in focus is powered by AKM AK4495SEQ DAC.

Shozy is known for its ‘displayless’ DAPs. Alien+ is the first unit to break this trend – it has screen and operating system installed. Nowadays there are many multifunctional devices with touchscreens and advanced OSs, while Alien+ offers just a set of basic features. The manufacturer focuses on the sound – Alien+ is said to compete with other flagship DAPs, but it costs merely 439 USD.

Accessories

I received just the device, without any box or accessories.

The looks
Alien+ in a way resembles other Alien-series devices – the casing is angular and quite aggressive in shape. It’s made of matte black aluminum with sloping edges. The workmanship is fine – the device is massive. One can, however, notice that the looks and the built quality were not as important as the sound – the quality of FiiO’s and iBasso’s devices is higher.

Front is occupied by an ordinary screen covered by a mirror. The fonts are displayed in blue and are usually sharp and legible, but not always, due to light reflections. Under the screen placed are 3 enigmatic buttons and the manufacturer’s logo.

That’s not the end of mysteries, though. The left flank is filled with three buttons, two of which protrude, while the last one is flat. The right side is occupied by just a volume wheel and the bottom side by a microUSB socket only. The top side includes another flat button, microSD slot and two 3.5 mm jack outputs.

Ergonomics and handling
For a device with a screen which occupies less than half of the front, Alien+ is quite bulky. The dimensions are: 115 mm (height), 65 mm (width) and 13 mm (depth) whereas the weight equals 168 g. The DAP, nevertheless, still remains handy, especially when compared to other big and heavy flagship music players. It’s a shame, though, that the edges are sharp and prickly.

I value minimalism, but not when it requires big compromises. Therefore I don’t understand why Alien’s buttons don’t have any labels, especially that the layout is not intuitive.

The front is equipped with 3 buttons: previous/next track (and menu scrolling) and play/pause (which also works as ‘OK’ button). It’s a pity that holding the buttons doesn’t speed up scrolling. The middle button is also inactive with the screen off, while left and right buttons can still be used. You also can’t fast-forward or rewind tracks using the same buttons.

Two buttons on the left side handle ‘back’ (lower one) and scrolling menus (one page up). The third button located at the very top would work well as a power button, but instead it’s used as ‘Reset’ or ‘Instant Power Off’.

The microSD reader works fine, but I only tested 32 GB cards. Prospective buyer, however, needs to remember that Alien+ won’t start without a SD card installed. Additionally, connecting the device to a PC won’t let you transfer data to microSD storage.

Two 3.5 mm outputs can be distinguished when the device is on – the left one that’s glowing red is the optical out. The use of analogue volume wheel needs to be appreciated – it moves smooth, without any steps. No hiss or cracks are audible, but channel imbalance can be noticed with low volume. One shouldn’t also power the device with earphones/headphones connected – a loud cracking sound can be observed.

Operating System is primitive, based on simple vertical lists. There aren’t much options available: screen brightness, screen timeout, gain level (min/low/medium/high/0dB) and digital filters (short delay roll-off, short delay sharp roll-off ; slow roll-off filter, sharp roll-off). Music can be played via folders or playlists or shuffled. USB DAC functionality is about to be added soon.

Despite limited features and a non-touch screen, Alien+’s battery lasts for just around 5.5 hours. Battery life is thus worse than in many touch-operated advanced DAPs with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. Well, you can always carry a powerbank with you. Charging process is, however, not signalled by any diode - the only sign is the icon on the screen, but it... doesn’t indicate full battery!

In general, operation is quite simple, but needs getting used to. The OS is maximally simple and the choice of options is limited.

Specs
● DAC: AKM AK4495SEQ
● supported formats: 24-bit/192 kHz (WAV)
● SNR: 121 dB
● compatible with FLAC, WAV, APE, MP3 files
● Muses & Texas Instruments OPAMPs
● CNCed aluminum shell
● microSD reader, optical out
● battery life: 5-6 hours

The sound
Headphones and IEMs: MrSpeakers Ether 1.1 (Forza AudioWorks Noir HPC mk2, DUM), Audeze LCD-2 (Double Helix Fusion Complement4), Meze 99 Neo, Final Sonorus III, AKG K551, Focal Spirit Professional, AKG K612 Pro, Campfire Audio Andromeda, Etymotic ER-4PT, Noble Audio 4, Noble Audio Savant, Brainwavz B200, RHA CL750, FiiO F5
DAC/AMPs and AMPs: Burson Conductor Virtuoso (Sabre), RHA DACAMP L1, AIM SC808, ODAC i O2, Leckerton UHA-760, Zorloo ZuperDAC
DAPs: iBasso DX200, FiiO X5 III, iBasso DX90, Cayin N3
Interconnects: Forza AudioWorks Copper Series, Klotz
Music: various genres and formats including 24-bit and binaural tracks

The device was tested with July 2017 firmware.

The sound does not disappoint – the Shozy guys really worked on it. Nonetheless, Alien+ didn’t make my drop my jaw, at least not from the beginning. The ‘WOW’ effect is not present due to Alien’s manner of sound: analytical, technical, detailed and direct. Resolution is extremely high and so are dynamics and holographics. If one is seeking for such a tuning, they might have found their Saint Graal. The sound is not colored or very musical, but this also depends on one’s preferences and connected gear. The choice of digital filter is also important – in case of Alien+ the sound alters significantly. I prefer short-delay filters that sound clear and make the DAP in focus sound neutral, perhaps a tad bright. Slow roll-off and sharp roll-off filters soften high tones too much, make the sound warmer and darker – I don’t enjoy such tuning, so I tested Alien+ with short-delay filters.

If somebody prefers fun sound signature, then Alien+ might be too bass-shy for them. If one enjoys analytical sound, low tones are hard to find fault with. Bass is linear and not pumped – its quantity depends on the used earphones/headphones. The tuning is more analytical than musical – details and coherence are of the utmost importance. Instruments’ texture is clearly diversified and bass is perfectly-controlled, but not limited.

Midrange is neutral, balanced, very forward and of high resolution. It sounds fresh and clear, without any distance. The sound is very precise and not coloured. Upper midrange isn’t raw or grainy. Despite transparent tuning, the sound is non-aggressive and non-fatiguing. On the contrary – it makes you want to dig into music, divide it into smaller bits, listen intently to details. Alien+ is a great choice for those who enjoy analysing music, but people who seek more fun signature with exaggerated lows, warm and soft tuning might take Alien+ as too technical, too raw, cold and energyless.

At first I found treble a bit disappointing. In some pairings high tones seem sharp and a bit artificial. I got used to it after a while, but I still rate this frequency range as a bit digital and a tad bright, which should not be considered as a vice. For me trebles are just unnatural. The sound is extremely analytical and the resolution is pushed up, which makes trebles sound crystal-clear. For my taste, the quantity of the highs might have been lowered, but their character fits the analytical tuning. Again, the sound won’t please those enjoying analogue, tube-like signature. The slow-roll of and sharp-roll off filters are better for that.

Soundstage is also impressive, which applies to both its size and holographics. Depth is also fine, but stereophony is of more importance. The sound is also airy, separation is strong and instruments are distanced from one another. At the same time, everything stays close to the listener.

Shozy Alien+ vs headphones/earphones
First pairing and first blooper. Campfire Audio Andromeda are not a good partner – their bass has been reduced while trebles have become sharper. Hiss was audible, even with the minimum gain.

Next, I connected Etymotic ER-4PT, first with the S version adapter and then without it. The results were totally different – the sound was stunning! The IEMs were at the peak of their capabilities – resolution was cosmic, the sound totally direct and precise.

Then I moved to Noble Audio Savant and this combination also turned out fine. Savants are smooth and balanced, their bass is not very deep, but they are detailed and precise and so they were with the Alien+. Effects were worse in case of Noble Audio 4, whose trebles are harsh. When connected to Alien+, the highs have become too strong and the bass too weak.

RHA CL750, also a bright pair of IEMs, appeared to work fine with foam tips – the sound was of top quality, clear, precise, spacious. Cheap FiiO’s in-ears - F5, gained clarity, resolution and space. Brainwavz B200 also became more transparent, with clearer midrange.

Having connected over-ear MrSpeakers Ether 1.1 earphones, I needed to set high gain, but the DAP worked great with these planars. The headphones didn’t lack dynamics, holographics or bass and the resolution was high. Alien+ also pairs well with Audeze LCD-2, which received stronger treble response, but still offered great lows, mids and imaging. Analytical-sounding AKG K612, that require high power, also work fine. The same is true about AKG K551 and Meze 99 Neo, Final Sonorus III and Focal Spirit Professional.

Shozy Alien+ vs other DAPs
Despite the low price, Alien+ sounds similar to much more expensive DAPs. When it comes to technical, detailed and hi-res sounding, Shozy’s device really shines. If, however, someone prefers more musical tuning, the choice is not as obvious.

iBasso DX200 costs a lot more and is much more feature-packed. The sound is also different, with emphasized lows, while Alien+ favours high tones. Thus, DX200 is darker, with deeper bass and softer trebles. Soundstage is wider in Shozy’s device and dynamics and speed are on par. Alien+ is analytical while DX200 is musical.

FiiO X5 III is inferior in terms of soundstage, holographics, resolution, dynamics and speed. It sounds much softer and less spacious. iBasso DX90 seems to offer more bass and the soundstage is also of comparable width but lower depth. DX90 is also not as detailed. Astell&Kern AK70 and AK300 provide different signature. The first one exaggerates lows and sounds ‘fun’, but is not very spacious. AK300 offers lush mids, well-controlled bass, more analogue sound. Alien+ is brighter, flatter, with more emphasis on resolution and holographics.

Verdict
In terms of SQ/price ratio, Alien+ performs extremely well, provided that someone enjoys analytical, bright-neutral tuning or warm and laid back with other set of digital filters. Resolution is outstanding and the sound is clear, detailed, precise and spacious. For me, Alien+ sounds neutral with a pinch of brightness. If someone prefers deep bass, forward mids and tube-like highs it’s better to choose slow or sharp roll-off filters.

Focusing on sound quality only, it’s easy to forgive other flaws. People looking for a DAP that is more balanced in every aspect can be, however, irritated. Handling is not complicated, but awkward. Battery life is poor and number of features is low.

maciux – Maciej Sas

Third generation of FiiO X5 offers plenty of features. It utilizes dual AKM AK4490 DAC, quad-core SoC, a 4-inch touchscreen and runs on Android OS.

Third revision of X5 brings a lot novelties. Rotary dial has been replaced by a touchscreen and it comes with a single-band Wi-Fi module added. Moreover, streaming is supported and there’s a Bluetooth transmitter with aptX codec support. New X5 version is powered by dual Asahi Kasei DAC and the Chinese company decided to restore the internal memory (32 GB), which can be further expanded via 2 microSD slots (up to 256 GB each).

Accessories

The device is packed in an aesthetic box. The accessory set is as follows:

• silicone case
• faux leather case
• USB-microUSB cable (100 cm)
• coaxial adapter
• card slot opening tool
• quick start manual

Silicone case is thick, smooth and elastic. The included faux-leather case exposes the bottom flank and the volume dial.



Construction

New X5 looks completely different than its predecessors. It more resembles FiiO X7 or Astell&Kern DAPs. X5 III is a device that reduces the gap between high-class digital audio players and smartphones.

Front is occupied by a nearly 4-inch IPS display, which is further reinforced by hardened glass. The borders are rather wide and the screen resolution is 480x800 pixels (235 ppi). Color reproduction is fine, viewing angles are wide and contrast is just average. Housing is made of CNCed aluminum.

Build-quality is awesome, better than in 1st gen X7. The device is massive and built like a tank. Materials are of high quality and the device’s also pleasant to look at. For me, it’s the sexiest FiiO’s device (it won the Red Dot Design Award) and I like it more than Astell&Kern’s products.




Ergonomics and operation

Comfort of handling is fine, with some minor inconveniences. One also needs to remember that X5 III is a decent-sized device (11,4 x 6,6 x 1,5 cm), which weighs almost 200 grams.

X5 is meant to be held in the left hand. User can then comfortably operate the volume or navigate the tracks, while the right hand can be used to use the touchscreen. Elements are placed favourably, but the buttons are too soft, yet offer precise click. Accidental presses happen when lifting the device, but it’s easy to block that function (with the screen turned off) in the options menu.

All connectors are grouped at the bottom flank, which is a convenient decision as they can be easily distinguished and their position easily remembered. Card slots are placed on the right side and this time FiiO decided to use trays (like in smartphones ; a special tool is required for opening) instead of slots. Luckily, there are also 32 gigs of internal memory, while two microSD slots are compatible with microSD cards up to 256 GB.

Battery life is average for an audiophile DAP – up to 10 hours when using a headphone output. During intense tests X5 lasted for 7-8 hours with 3 hours Screen-on-Time. I used various headphones and earphones, played music from internal and external storage, streamed via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and switched between miscellaneous modes and functions.

During playback the device does not heat up much. Even after a long-lasting playback it is barely warm.



Operating system and benchmarks

3rd gen X5 is powered by Google’s Android 5.1.1 Lolipop. The operating system is therefore outdated – it’s a shame that FiiO didn’t use at least 6.0 Marshmallow version, which features Doze sleeping algorithm.

Booting takes a long time, but when the device is finally ready to use, the system works fine. Android is almost clear and adapted for a DAP function. System is stable, but can be laggy, especially when launching an app. X5 scores 26322 points in AnTuTu 6.2.7 and GeekBench rates it at 500 points in single-core test and 1004 points in multi-core benchmark.

Graphics looks like stock Android. Memory is filled with essential apps only (including Google Play store). Notification drawer is adjusted to a DAP function and includes useful shortcuts (e.g. analogue/digital line out, gain level, USB connection type, digital filters). There’s also Pure Music mode which works as high-priority fullscreen application (enabling it doesn’t require a restart). Android settings offer basic options plus disabling the buttons when the DAP is locked.

Music player in Pure Music mode has been developed. Left flank of the app is filled with options like gapless, balance and gain adjustments etc. The app also includes ViPER Effect sound enhancements, most of which aren’t free. Home screen of the player is highly adjustable and features handy shortcuts. Music files can be launched via library or folders. I enjoyed Pure Music mode much and used it more frequently than PowerAmp.

One needs to remember that X5 III is not a smartphone and it has its limits. WiFi is not very fast and the same applies to FiiO’s OTA update servers – applying updates via microSD card is usually much quicker. The performance of internal memory and card slots is not very impressive too (in case of internal storage transfer rate is typically between 5 and 13,5 MB/s). Luckily, sound cracks do not appear and the overall performance is still decent for an audio player.

When using dynamic-driver IEMs hiss is not audible, but noticeable when using low-impedance and high-sensitivity Balanced Armature IEMs. Wi-Fi module doesn’t disrupt the sound and Bluetooth supports aptX.



Specs

● SoC: Rockchip RK3188 (4x1,4 GHz)
● RAM: 1 GB
● OS: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop ; Pure Music mode
● screen: 3,97 inch, IPS, touchscreen, 480x800 px
● DAC: 2x AKM4490, 32-bit/384 kHz
● LPF: 2x OPA1642
● OP: 2x OPA426
● USB DAC (24-bit/196kHz), Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n (2,4 GHz), Bluetooth 4.0 aptX
● 32 GB internal storage, two microSD slots (up to 256 GB)
● 10-band equalizer, 120-step analogue volume control
● battery: 3300 mAh (up to 10 hours of life)
● balance control: +/- 10 dB
● 2 gain levels
● dimensions: 114,2 x 66,2 x 14,8 mm
● weight: 186 g

Sound

Cans: Audeze LCD-2 (Double Helix Fusion Complement4, PlusSound X8), MrSpeakers Ether 1.1 (Forza AudioWorks Noir HPC mk2, DUM), Final Sonorus III, AKG K612 Pro, Focal Spirit Professional, AKG K551, Noble Audio Savant i Noble 4, Etymotic ER-4PT, Brainwavz B200
AMPs + DAC/AMPs: Burson Conductor Virtuoso (Sabre), AIM SC808, ODAC i O2, Leckerton UHA-760, Zorloo ZuperDAC
DAPs: iBasso DX200, iBasso DX90
Interconnects: Forza AudioWorks Copper Series, Klotz
Music: various genres, different bitrates (including 24-bit), binaural tracks

X5 III surprised me with the sound quality and its signature. Applied DAC is known for warmer, mid-forward sound, while X5 III is neutral, bright and direct-sounding. FiiO’s sound signature, however, is still audible. X5 III resembles X7 1st gen, its smooth, a tad digital tuning, but the overall quality is a one step up. The sound is universal, detailed and surround. It allows for both analytical and relaxing listening. The signature has its flaws, though.

Bass is not dry, very hard and precise. It also doesn’t offer much attack and dynamics. Lows are vigorous and don’t get muddy and rumbling. It’s neither very fast nor very slow. It’s well-controlled – low tones are nicely separated from one another. The sound is not boring - when needed, a bass drum enters or midbass becomes stronger. Bass reveals many details, but not all of them. FiiO’s devices are often associated with emphasized midbass, but with X5 III the lows don’t overtake, are rather even, with appropriate transition into subbas. Bassheads won’t enjoy such signature, which is rather neutral and transparent. The sound is not thin, though – the bass is present, but not exaggerated.

Midrange is neutral and even. It’s not recessed and not forward either. This range is direct, clear and bright, not dominated by bass and not covered by trebles. Again, there’s no sign of harshness or dryness – the sound is smooth and pleasant, but without losing much resolution and details. Live instruments don’t impose, female vocals don’t hiss and the level of details isn’t overwhelming. The sound is fairly detailed, put somewhere between being analytical and musical. Lower midrange is not emphasised and not overlapped by bass. Midrange is close and non-aggressive. It works well with music genres featuring vocals and live instruments, but synthesizers and modern music also sound fine. Signature is not very natural, not warm. On the other hand, it may also not satisfy people seeking very analytical, highly-contoured tuning.

Upper midrange fluently turns into treble. This frequency range is solid, but – just as bass and midrange – also smooth and soft. It’s bright, but not syblilant. High tones seem a bit artificial, digital, but still at acceptable level – it’s more annoying in other FiiO devices and in two older generations of X5.

Holographics is impressive. One can actually hear that the device is using separate DACs for each side – channel separation is strong, the sound is airy with distinctly separated instruments. Soundstage size is optimal – it’s neither a hangar nor a concert hall. The device clearly exhibits instruments in all directions. The listener is plunged into music, but there’s no effect of discomfort, crampedness, aggressiveness. X5 III doesn’t sound distant – the user is placed in the middle of the scene, next to musicians.

Line out

Line out works awesome, which is in a way… disappointing. This is because when you add a better amplifier, you start to notice some vices of the chip that FiiO uses. When you pair X5 with such a great device as Leckerton Audio UHA760, it is then hard to return to the headphone output – the sound improves a lot. It remains smooth, but gains better dynamic and higher resolution. It seems that the internal amplifier makes the sound smoother. When using a line out, one can hear more details, soundstage also improves and bass is fuller and tighter.

On one hand, X5’s sound can be further improved by adding a high-quality external amplifier. On the other, if you find a decent combination, you may not want to use the headphone out anymore.

FiiO X5 III vs other DAPs

In its price range, the newest X5 is a very good sounding DAP. However, the sound quality is not as good as in Astell&Kern products. iBasso DX80 is also superior, not to mention the DX200. When using the line out, the differences are smaller, yet the FiiO device still loses. Naturally, X5 III offers a whole lot of features, but I wouldn’t call it a killer-DAP.

For me, X5 III performs on par with iBasso DX90 and Astell&Kern AK70. The first one offers harder, more raw and analytical tuning, which is not as easy to listen, but makes the sound more dynamic. X5’s tuning is more calm, less vigorous, but also speedy. FiiO’s device is smoother, musical, with better instrument separation and more air. If one prefers details, DX90 will be a better choice. X5 works better for neutrality in a musical version. Last but not least, one needs to remember that DX90 is much less feature-packed.

AK70’s tuning is more musical and coloured. The DAP offers more midbass and not as transparent and direct midrange. It sounds warmer and offers smaller soundstage, less air and worse separation.

iBasso DX200 provides much higher resolution and dynamics, bigger soundstage, deeper bass and trebles. By contrast, X5 is smoother, thinner, with softer tuning and lower dynamics and a smaller soundstage.

In case of Astell&Kern AK300, which utilizes the same DAC, but just a single one, the sound is more natural, but warmer. Midrange is closer and bass is more tight and massive, trebles are softer and the resolution is a bit higher.

FiiO X5 III vs headphones/earphones

X5 III pairs well with the majority of headphones and earphones, but not all. I much enjoyed it with Etymotic ER-4S and ER-4PT, which have become softer. FiiO works surprisingly great with AKG K551, but not as great with Focal Spirit Professional – the sound is too smooth. Noble Audio 4 hiss quite a lot, but in general sound good. X5 also pairs well with Noble Audio Savant and Brainwavz B200, so with both neutral and darker IEMs. I wouldn’t pair it with very bright and thin earphones/headphones. The device won’t add the lows or cut the highs.

Verdict

FiiO X5 III is not a perfect device and not a killer of much more expensive DAPs. As a whole, it’s, however, an excellent piece of gear, which I enjoy a lot. I prefer it over FiiO X7 1st gen with a standard amplifier and it’s also much better than the previous generations of X5. 3rd gen X5 is perfectly-built, easy to use and packed with a lot of features. Android OS works fine and allows streaming and connecting Bluetooth devices. It’s a fantastic all-in-one device that also offers great line out sound.

Personally I think that the performance of internal storage and card readers as well as Wi-Fi transfers are not limiting. I wouldn’t call X5 III a cheap DAP, especially that its 3rd generation is more expensive than the previous two. For its price, new X5 is for sure worth recommending.

maciux - Maciej Sas