Full review can be found at: https://www.samma3a.com/tech/en/fiio-x5-3rd-gen-high-res-player-review/

Rating
The NO BULL rating system is designed to take as many aspects of the device into account as possible. As such, we have a basic rating, as well as a final rating. The basic rating rates the product purely as a high quality portable audio device, and is generally a good indicator of how it stacks up to its rivals in terms of standard features and specs. The final rating, however, grants bonus points for any extra features and specs that aren’t quite as common, and is a great way to judge the product as a complete package.


Packaging
Look and feel: 7 / 10


Included Accessories
Screen protector: YES
Protective case: YES
Cables: YES


Build
Quality control: 8 / 10
Seems durable: YES
Screen quality: 7 / 10
Intuitive interface: 9 / 10
Responsive interface: 8 / 10
Comfortable button layout: 7 /10
Internal storage: YES
Accepts external storage: YES
Relative silence when inserting cables: 5 / 10


Sound
Sound stage: 8 / 10
Detail retrieval: 8 / 10
Sibilance: 9 / 10
Instrument separation: 8 / 10
Neutrality of sound signature: 8 / 10
Ability to EQ: YES
Plays lossless audio: YES
Plays 24-bit: YES
Hiss: 7 / 10


Portability
Small size: 7 / 10
Relatively low weight: 7 / 10
battery life more than 8 hours: YES


Value
Competitive price-point: YES
Relative value: 9 / 10


Manufacturer
Released the device with relatively bug-free software: 9 / 10
Is prompt with software updates: 7 / 10
Is active and prompt on forums/social-media: 9 / 10

Basic Rating: 7.7 / 10


Bonus points
Bass boost: -
Various digital filters: 4
Allows 3^rd party apps: YES
Number of cables included: 2
Number of gain positions: 2
Fast charging: YES
Premium case: -
Bluetooth: YES
Apt-X: YES
Premium look and feel of the device: 9 / 10
Number of digital connections: 2
Number of analogue connections: 3
Power adapter included: -
Balanced output: YES
Dual card slots: YES
Touch screen: YES
WiFi: YES
Dual DAC setup: YES
Premium DAC chip(s) used: YES
Screen protectors included: 1
Use of metal and/or glass: YES
Plays DSD: YES
Plays 32-bit: YES
Ultra low power-saving mode: -
Wireless connection quality: 9 / 10
Gapless playback: /10

Final Rating: 9.2 

Fiio has been around for roughly 9 years now, and have made very steady progress with their products. Their latest release, the ‘ALL NEW X1’ is an updated version of their best-selling player, the original X1.

The new X1 brings a whole host of updates and additions to the table; some are only minor updates, whilst others are completely new.
 
 
Specs
•  Headphones impedance: 16~100 Ω
•  Output Impedance: ＜1Ω（32Ω loaded）
•  Frequency response: 5 Hz~60 kHz (-3dB)
•  SNR: ≥113 dB (A-weighted)
•  THD+N: ≤ 0.003% (1 kHz)
•  Crosstalk: ≥72 dB (1 kHz)
•  Lossless formats supported: 192kHz/32bit (WAV and Aiff); 192kHz/24bit (APE fast, FLAC, Aif,
    Apple Lossless); 96kHz/24bit (APE normal, APE high); 48kHz/24bit (WMA Lossless)
•  Lossy formats supported: MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG
•  Power requirement: 5V DC, 2A


Packaging 
All of Fiio’s products are always packaged, at the very least, decently. The packaging for their Xseries devices, however, have always had a premium edge to them, and the new X1 is no different. It doesn’t feel quite as premium as the higher tier X-devices, but it doesn’t seem like they made any silly cost cuts either. Usually, I’d say “you get what you pay for”, but that simply isn’t the case here. Compared to other devices I’ve purchased in this price range, the new X1’s packaging doesn’t disappoint. Something I did note, though, is the colour of the devices printed on the box. I haven’t personally seen the Rose Gold coloured X1, but the one on the box looks more Copper than Rose Gold. The reason I mention this is because these images are usually a customer’s first glimpse at what they’re about to buy (or considering to buy). So if there is a rather large difference, they might be left disappointed when they open the box. The silver version on the box also looks darker than what the actual device is.


 
 
What's in the box? 
Fiio X1ii 
2x Screen protectors (1 already applied to the device) 
USB cable 
Clear case 
3x ‘Hi Res’ stickers 
2x body stickers (1 x 3D black checked, 1 x 3D white carbon) 
Warranty card 
Quick start guide 
 

 
Accessories 
Fiio always includes a few interesting and appreciated accessories in their device boxes. However, there is something I feel I have to nail Fiio on. Granted, I am quite a detail orientated person (you’ll notice in my reviews that I often pick up on very subtle imperfections), but just have a look at the ‘Hi Res’ stickers. The black part of the logo isn’t centred at all. When I first read about them including these stickers in the box, I thought it might look pretty cool to stick one on the back. But after seeing them, I definitely won’t.

 
Something I should applaud them on, though, is the clear case. The first X1 just had a black silicon cover; but the new X1 comes with a very minimal and unobtrusive hard clear case. I MUCH prefer this over the black silicon.  
 
Sure, it won’t protect the device the same way that a full silicon case would, but if you’re not prone to dropping your devices you’ll appreciate this minimalistic approach. It sits nice and snug, and doesn’t seem like it’ll easily pop off. It can be a little bit finicky to remove, but not overly so.

 
The only minor issue I can see is that the sides that “wrap” around the sides of the device do not sit higher than the screen; meaning that if you were to place the device face down on a surface, it would be resting entirely on the 4 buttons. 

 
Also included are 2 body stickers which cover all sides of the device. Personally I don’t care much for such accessories and I’m a little underwhelmed with the included ones. If I absolutely had to put a sticker kit on, I would’ve preferred a wood grain design as was included with the original X1. But that’s purely a personal preference.  
 
 
Also something to note is that the 2 screen protectors that are included as extras cover the ENTIRE glass section of the front of the device, whereas the one that’s already applied only covers the screen area. Unfortunately, the screen protector is incredibly easy to scratch, and there is no protective layer on top of it (meaning that it’ll get scratched when you’re pushing out bubbles after applying it). I specifically wanted to try the larger screen protector to see if it had any negative impact on the touch scroll. Thankfully it doesn’t seem to have done so.
 




Design:
Body and layout 

First up is Fiio’s new design; and what a beauty it is. It looks and feels MUCH more modern than the outgoing X1, and in fact more modern than any of their X3 or X5 iterations too (which all share most of the original X1’s design). In terms of volume, the new X1 is nearly 2.5 times as big as the M3, but 18% smaller than the old X1 model 



One of the biggest changes are the curved sides. I remember when I wrote a review about the M3 I noted that the device felt too boxy, and that rounded edges would’ve felt more premium and comfortable. Well, it seems my suspicion was correct, and the new X1 definitely feels more comfortable.



The new X1 is also a touch smaller and lighter than the outgoing model, but oddly enough it ‘feels’ just a touch heavier than its predecessor. I think this is due to the fact that it’s more compact. The old one just felt kind of hollow, whereas the new X1 just feels more solid and premium. The front is also almost entirely made of tempered glass, apart from the rather small aluminium bezels of the body and the 5 mechanical buttons. And yes, it’s a total fingerprint magnet, as you’d expect. Even though the body is aluminium, the coating they’ve put on is a very smooth matte finish, which makes it sort of look as if it’s made of polycarbonate. In fact, the entire design, from the curved edges to the design of the power and volume buttons, feels rather reminiscent of Nokia’s Lumia models such as the 1020. 
It’s only once you pick the device up and feel the coolness of the metal that you realise that it’s actually metal. I actually like that, as I feel when a device is too shiny it can sometimes make the device look cheap.



The other major design change is the scroll wheel. I was never a fan of their scroll wheels, and this time they’ve dropped it completely; sort of. This is where I have to give major kudos to Fiio’s engineers, as they’ve managed to give us a ‘touch scroll’ experience. If that sounds vaguely familiar to you it’s because that is what Apple did with their classic iPods. What Fiio managed to do is some very deep and clever thinking: they figured out how to give us those controls, but without infringing on any copyrights. I have to admit that I MUCH prefer the new controls over the old mechanical scroll wheel. 


 
The old X1 just looks and feels like a rush job, as though it was created out of left over bits and bobs. It kind of reminds me of the Objective2 AMP kit; where things are kind of put together by screws, like a big boy Lego kit. The new X1, on the other hand, looks and feels like it went through careful and deliberate considerations…that it was designed and engineered. In short, compared to its predecessor, the new X1 is miles ahead as far as build quality and design is concerned. Seeing as the current X3 and X5 iterations share most of the old X1’s design, I’m tempted to say that the new X1 is Fiio’s best built device yet…or at least almost on par with the X7 (in my opinion).  I must admit, though, that the touch-wheel control that was found on Apple’s devices is far superior to the one found on the new X1. The X1’s just isn’t as responsive, and at times seems quite inaccurate, inconsistent, and sometimes quite sensitive. So much so that I often found myself having to concentrate on just how much I have to move my thumb; and even then it can be a hit or miss experience. It will take some getting used to. 
 
Other changes include the headphone/lineout port which is now at the bottom, and the card slot which has also moved to the bottom (it was previously on the side). The volume and power buttons are still in the same place, but their shapes have been changed. 

 
A minor issue I have, however, is their choice of paint colour for the headphone/lineout and card slot logos on the bottom. They had the same issue with the first X1. Perhaps this is only an issue with the silver model, but white on silver really doesn’t work very well. It’s rather difficult to see the logos, and if you hold it at just the right angle, they disappear completely. The headphone/lineout one isn’t that big of a deal, but for the card slot it’s incredibly difficult to see which way the card is supposed to be inserted. 

 
It seems an old ghost is still haunting Fiio in terms of quality control, though. If you look carefully, the centre button is a little bit off centre; or perhaps the button is bang in the centre, but instead the cutout is off-centre. I called this ‘an old ghost’ as I’ve found this on other devices too. My first generation X5 had this issue, as well as the original X1. 
 

 
As you can see from the pictures, it’s not nearly as noticeable as on the original X1, but it’s still there. 
 
Something else which bugs me (but this is entirely subjective) is that the headphone/lineout, card slot, and USB port don’t line up with one another. It just seems a bit odd (to me at least)



Design:
Screen 
 
To some extent the new screen seems much better than the old one. It’s placed closer to the glass, and just looks far more vibrant and brighter, whereas the old one looked VERY washed out. The new screen is also “colder” (whites have more of a blue tint), whereas the old screen was warmer (orange tint). The new X1 also has a much larger contrast ratio (perhaps too much contrast). However, the new screen seems to be of a lower resolution. By that I mean that album art and text looks VERY pixelated compared to the old one. Or perhaps extremely over-sharpened is the more correct term to use. Here’s a comparison photo to show what I mean. Notice how the colours look great on the new screen, but the “Random Access Memories” text on the album art looks horrible, pretty much unreadable. To be perfectly honest, it reminds me of what some of the first colour screens on mobiles looked like over 10 years ago. 


 
 
User Interface 

In the past I’ve been rather vocal about my thoughts on Fiio’s UI design. There are 2 parts to good UI design; firstly, is how easy and intuitive it is to navigate through the various menus and screens. Fiio actually does this reasonably well. And the second part is how good it looks. This is where my criticism of their UI design comes in. It just seems a bit underwhelming, nothing that makes you say, “hey, that’s kinda cool”. In short, they’ve utilised a very “safe” approach to the UI design. In fact, it looks almost identical to the UI used on their X-series devices (except for the X7). So whilst it’s not terrible, it just doesn’t seem very good either. But let’s be honest, this isn’t a smartphone, you’re not going to be looking at the screen and interacting with it all the time. The menu structures doesn’t seem to have changed much (a few icon changes here and there), so if you’re coming from the first X1, you’ll have no problem switching over.  But, the UI does seem slower on the new model. Everything, from boot up, shut down, playing songs, updating the library, almost everything is slower (some minor, others considerably so). Unfortunately, it seems that users won’t able to create their own themes for the new X1. I tried using the same firmware unpacking tool that was used with the previous X1, X3 and X5 iterations, but this didn’t work. Perhaps Fiio will release a different tool for this in the future. 
 
 
Sound


As you can see, the new X1 has a slightly flatter frequency response as compared to the old X1, with the biggest difference being apparent in the frequencies above 10kHz.  Please note that the frequency axis of the graph is not scaled linearly, it is intentionally set up to visually exaggerate the dB difference in the sub-bass, low, mid, and high regions of the audible frequency spectrum. Both devices showed a mere 2.5dB maximum difference between 10Hz and 20kHz. 
  
Initially I felt that the new X1 sound rather harsh and sibilant compared to the old X1. I’m happy to report that after a firmware update it doesn’t have that same harshness anymore. Below is an FR graph that compares the 2 firmware versions.
 

So not a great deal of difference apart from slightly increased dB starting from about 16Hz (which is probably completely inaudible), but the FR graph doesn’t seem to give any obvious reasons as to why or how the harshness was fixed…but regardless, I’m glad the sound has been improved.  
 
If I were to sum it up, I feel the new X1 still has a slightly warm sound signature, but compared to the old X1 it is more analytical (which may be attributed to the flatter FR). Details in the upper frequencies come across a bit more detailed, and overall it just sounds that little bit more balanced. So if you’re wondering whether or not to upgrade from the old X1 and the added hardware features aren’t convincing you quite enough, the improved sound will sweeten the deal ever so slightly.  
Comparing the frequency response between headphone out and lineout, we can see a near identical graph. Lineout seems to be ever so slightly flatter, with the biggest differences showing up in the subbass region between 4Hz and 30Hz.

 
 

Bluetooth 

This is an all new feature for the X1, and I think this is a major attraction for many prospective buyers. Simply put, it does what it should, for the most part. It sounds perfectly fine, but it just doesn’t support the Apt-X protocol. This isn’t really Fiio’s fault as they meet both the hardware requirements and have the licensing in order to implement Apt-X, but unfortunately Qualcomm (the owner of the Apt-X technology) does not support the operating system used by the new X1. So technically, all that’s needed is for Qualcomm to give Fiio the go ahead to implement the Apt-X protocol. Who knows, perhaps in the future (hopefully) this is exactly what will happen. But bear in mind that if you don’t have any Bluetooth speakers or headphones which support Apt-X, having Apt-X on the new X1 will be of no benefit to you.  As far as Bluetooth range is concerned, I connected the new X1 to my JBL Charge 2 speaker, and the range seems to be ok. If there are no obstructions I can get the specified 10 metre range, but if there are any obstructions (walls, doors, furniture, etc), then the range seems to lean more towards 5 metres. I should note, though, that on firmware 1.0 The new X1 had a major flaw. It simply wouldn't play any high resolution tracks over bluetooth (or perhaps it was just 24 bit files). This to me is simply unacceptable as one would think that this is something that would have been tested by Fiio before releasing it to the public, but it has been fixed in firmware 1.2.
 

Will it improve my audio experience? 

As mentioned, if you’re coming from the old X1, the new version is definitely an improvement in almost every respect. The only area which I’m a bit unsure of is with regards to the screen. The oversharpening isn’t exactly pleasant to look at. But again I come back to the point I made earlier; this isn’t a smartphone, you’re not going to be staring at the screen for extended periods of time. So perhaps the screen isn’t a major issue after all. 
 
However, if you’re the type of person who is on a rather tight budget and venturing into the high resolution portable audio device territory, or upgrading from something like Fiio’s M3, you’ll be delighted with the device. It really is quite interesting and packs in a lot of useful features. Honestly, for the price, I can’t think of a more complete, better sounding device. 
 
Just like the original X1, the new X1 doesn’t have a notably wide sound stage (not that it’s narrow by any means), nor does it reproduce the absolute finest of details with crystal clear clarity, and the lows do bleed a little bit into the mids. But to be perfectly honest, since installing the new firmware, I didn’t really enjoy listening to the new X1 any bit less than my E18+E12A setup. But isn’t that precisely the point of all this? There are numerous tech specs that we could end up chasing; forever looking for that tiny bit less distortion, that little extra stereo imaging, a bit more dynamic range…the list goes on and on. Sure, it's got a narrower sound stage, feels a bit more congested, and bass isn't as well controlled. But in the end, all that truly matters is how much the device makes us enjoy the music. There comes a point where all these tiny little difference simply don’t matter anymore. It’s kind of like trying to compare 2 cars of near identical weight and drivetrain, one with 500hp and the other with 520hp. That extra little bit just isn’t going to make a great deal of difference (if any). 
 
The other thing you should consider is how often, and where, you would use the device. If you don’t plan on using it very often (perhaps only once or twice a week) then I genuinely don’t think you’ll need anything more than what the new X1 offers. Heck, even if you plan on using it for a few hours on a daily basis (as I have), the new X1 is still a fantastic device. But perhaps more importantly is your listening environment. Unless you’re listening in an extremely quiet environment, using a player which can reproduce the finest of details (notably louder than what the new X1 can) it simply won’t be of any benefit to you. 
 
 
Value 

Sure, it’s not quite as good as the current X3 or X5 models, but it’s quite a price leap to those devices (neither of which offer Bluetooth or the same excellent design and build quality). Of course, the price of the old X1 will now drop; so if you’re only concerned with sound quality, the old X1 might seem very tempting. But I really do feel that the new X1 is worth the extra cost.  
 
But let’s compare the new X1 to Fiio’s other ‘ultra-value’ player; the M3. The new X1 has a better UI, can play higher resolution files (48kHz/24bit vs 192kHz/24bit), offers Bluetooth, higher power output, along with a much better design and build quality. So does that make the new X1 worth roughly double the price of the M3? I definitely think so. I guess the other way to look at it is to say that the level of difference, in terms of sound, between the new X1 and my current E18+E12A combo is almost the same level of difference I found between the E18+E12A combo and the Chord Mojo. It really is pretty darn close…not to mention it’s considerably more portable. Moreover, this leads me to believe that Fiio have positioned the new X1 almost perfectly on the balance point between ‘bang-for-buck’ value and the point of diminishing returns.
 
 

Rating 
Packaging
Look and feel: 4 / 5
Total: 4 / 5 
 
Included Accessories
Screen protector: YES
Protective case: YES
Cables: YES
Total: 3 / 3 
 
Build
Metal body: YES
Use of glass: YES
Comfortable to hold: YES
Comfortable button layout: YES
Premium look and feel: YES
Excellent quality control: -
Screen Quality: 7 / 10
Touch screen: -
Multiple colour options: YES
Total: 13 / 18 
 
Sound
Plays lossless audio: YES
Plays 24bit resolution: YES
Sound Quality: 9 / 10
Total: 11 / 12 
 
Portability
Small size: 9 / 10
Relatively low weight: 9 / 10
Battery life more than 10 hours: YES
Has ultra-low power consumption mode: YES
Total: 20 / 22 
 
Connectivity
Bluetooth: YES
Apt-X: -
WiFi: -
Can be controlled via headphone remote: YES
Can be controlled wirelessly: YES
Can be controlled wirelessly while connected to other wireless device: YES
Lineout: YES
Digital output: -
Balanced output: -
USB DAC functionality: -
Universally accepted PC connection: YES
Accepts microSD card: YES 
Multi Gain: YES
Total: 8 / 13 
 
 
User Interface
Easy to use: 4 / 5
Intuitive: 4 / 5
Responsive: -
Interesting design: -
Multiple themes: YES
Total: 9 / 13 
 
Value
Competitive price-point: YES
Relative value: 9.5 / 10
Total: 10.5 / 11 
 
Manufacturer
Has good reputation: YES
Sells useful optional accessories for the device: YES
Provides software updates for the device: YES
Total: 3 / 3 
 
Final Rating: 8.2 / 10

Recently I started looking around for an "ultra portable" music setup to use primarily for when I go cycling. I was looking at geeing one of the Sansa Clips (it's the first one that came to mind, and I was curious to try Rockboxing it), and had completely forgotten about the M3. Actually, I can't remember how I stumbled upon the M3 again, but I'm really glad I did. I became a big Fiio fan ever since I got my first Fiio product, the E6. After that I progressed to the X5, which I later on paired up with an E12. I eventually sold that setup in favour of an E18+E12A setup to use with my phone (which is still my main portable rig). Unfortunately the Fiio distributor in the UAE had decided not to import the M3, and I searched all over the net for anyone else here that had it in stock, but to no avail. Eventually I had to order it from Amazon.com on the 14th of June, and today (a week later) I finally got my hands on it.
 
First Impressions & Design
Holy damn this thing is tiny, not exactly iPod Shuffle tiny, but tiny nonetheless. I think the closest "high end" competitor ,in terms of the design, to the M3 would be the iPod Nano. The Nano is roughly the same length and width as the M3, but almost half the thickness (5.4mm vs 9.1mm), and the Nano also weighs a bit less (31g vs 40g). The weird thing about the M3, however, is that it actually feels quite solid. So much so, that it almost "feels" heavier than what my brain expected 40g to feel like.
he Nano has double the storage capacity, lnger battery life, and a bigger screen, but both have roughly the same pixel density (albeit the Nano has a touch screen). The Nano does have a better quality screen though, as the M3's screen isn't exactly very nice to look at it, and pretty much useless in sunlight. This doesn't really bother me too much though, as I specifically got the M3 for when I go cycling, so the vast majority of the time the M3 is being used, I won't be looking at it anyways. The Nano is also better put together, but that's partly why the Nano costs nearly 2 TO 3 TIMES as much as the M3 ($105-149.99 vs $55). Speaking of how it's put together, something that really annoys me about the M3 (at least the one I received) is that the screen isn't straight and centred. You can actually see (rather easily) that the screen isn't in the centre, and that is sits at an ever so slight angle. The USB port too isn't quite straight. C'mon Fiio, better QC, please.

So on paper, yes, the Nano seems to be a better device (not taking price into account), and in some cases it is; but the M3 offers you something the Nano simply couldn't....FREEDOM. With any Apple device, you're locked down to the Apple system, but with the M3 you don't need to install an app on your PC to copy over music files to the DAP. And speaking of files, the M3 supports more formats than the Nano, namely FLAC.
The other thing I'm not so sure of is the glossy button panel. That thing is such a fingerprint magnet, and I feel it might have been better if this had a matte finish instead....but that's minor.
I guess my only real complaint in terms of the design itself is the screen and Fiio's QC; the rest of it I can easily accept due to the price of the unit. 


Portability
There isn't much to say here to be honest. As I mentioned, this thing is tiny, and about as portable as it's gonna get. What I particularly like is the fact that it fits so nicely in the case along with my MEE M6 Pros (see pics at the end). I suppose the other thing to note would be the battery life. Fiio says it'll last for 24 hours...which for me is great, as it means that I wouldn't have to charge it more than perhaps 3 times a month. 


User Interface
Oh dear. The UI is something that has always bugged me about Fiio's products. I have never used any of their devices and though to myself, "oh yeah, this is well thought-out and intuitive UI design". I do like the fact that Fiio will (apparently) offer a number of themes for the device, but as it stands right now Theme 1 is the only usable one in my opinion. The firmware version that my M3 came with is the latest version (1.7) which also has a 2nd theme. But I find this theme to be almost totally unusable (in comparison to Theme 1) due to the red text on the blue background on the Now Playing screen and some other menus. Actually, now that I think about it, Theme 2 has a bit of a Windows XP feel to it.


Pairing
The only headphones I'll be using with the M3 is the M6 Pro, and I'm happy to report that it makes for a wonderful listening experience. The M6 Pro has a very slight v-curve signature, but due to the rolloffs in the FR of the M3 you get a fairly balanced sound coming out of the M6 Pros. I can hear a little bit of hiss when music isn't playing, but really nothing worth protesting about.


Sound
This is definitely the saving grace for the M3. I've read and watched a number of reviews, but the M3's sound still surprised me. For such a tiny, inexpensive device, the sound is certainly better than what I expected. But heck, this is Fiio, they always do the most important thing well...not always brilliant, but never terrible or even mediocre. What I did find quite interesting is that the M3 sounded better, more balanced and detailed than my LG G3. It's obviously not as good as my E18+E12A setup, but I'm totally ok with that. Remember, I'm going to be using the M3 almost exclusively when I go cycling...hardly a critical listening session. So for my use, I honestly don't have a single complaint about the sound; for me it's perfect.


Accessories
The M3 does come with 2 extra screen protectors (one already installed) which I quite like. Also included is a grey linyard and some earbuds. I don't particularly care for the linyard or earbuds, so don't really have anything to say about those. I did, however, also order the armband at the same time, and I quite like it. There's nothing fancy about it, but it seems well constructed and fairly unobtrusive. Something I am unsure of, however, is how well the finish of the M3 will hold up from taking it in and out of the armband...but I guess only time will tell.


Conclusion
Overall the M3 is a device that holds fantastic value. Yes, I feel like Fiio compromised (and to some degree perhaps even overlooked) on a few things, but the portability and sonic performance totally makes up for. If you're in the market for an audio setup to use while doing exercise or pretty much any other kind of non-critical listening session, I highly recommend the M3. In fact, my entire "exercise setup" (DAP, armband, and headphones) comes to a grand total of $120, which to me is a superb bang-for-buck value setup. 



 

 

 

 

Keep checking the bottom of this review for updates!

As of writing this review, I've only listened to the M6 Pros for about an hour, and I'm happy to report that I'm completely blown away by the value of this product.

About me: I don't own a huge collection of audio products, but that is simply because I am extremely diligent with my purchases. I always do weeks of research before I buy any sort of gadget so that I can be confident that I'm spending my money wisely. For that very reason, my only other set of headphones are the ATH-M40X, which have, for me, become the gold standard by which I compare all other headphones due to their exceptionally flat and accurate sound. Oh that's another thing, I'm one of those guys....I want my headphones to have as little impact on my listening experience as possible. By that I mean, I don't want them to change the music, but rather to produce it as faithfully as possible (within financial reason). And the M40X has proven to me that you honestly don't need to spend a small fortune to achieve precisely that.
My reason for wanting a set of buds simply comes down to travelling. The M40Xs are full sized cans, so they take up a lot more space than what a set of buds do. 

M6 Pro Initial Impressions: Taking into account what I said above about wanting accurate audio products whilst keeping absolute value in mind, I have become a huge Audio Technica fan, which is why I was initially planning on getting the ATH-IM02. From all of the reviews I've read and watched, the collective feedback is that they are balanced and accurate, which sounded perfect to me. My only concern was the price. Let's face it, compared to the cost of other in-ears, $150-200 isn't a lot of money for a great performing set....but that is still quite a bit of money to be spending on such a tiny product. So I was concerned about whether or not I'm spending my money wisely. Would the ATH-IM02 fit the bill perfectly in terms of getting the best value for money? The M6 Pros are shouting: NO! 

Seriously, how could a $50 set of buds be this good? I can't stress this enough...$50!!! I genuinely don't have an answer for you...it must be witchcraft. Granted, I haven't had a chance to listen to the ATM-IM02, but that's not the point. The point is that I trust the M40X, and will compare any headphones to them alone. So that being said, the M6 Pros really make me (and my wallet) smile. 

Do they sound every bit as flat and true as the M40X? No, not yet anyways. It is for this reason that I'm leaving this review as merely an impression for now, rather than drawing any concrete conclusions for now. Most reviews seem to say that they get better with burn in. Now, you might be a believer or non-believer with regards to burn in, but personally I have not seen any concrete evidence to say that burn in absolutely does or doesn't work. So I've set them aside and I'll be playing the Frybaby track through them over the next 2 days or so.

So, how did they sound within the first hour? Honestly, even though I read and watched a ton of reviews, they still surprised me. Yes, they can be a bit sibilant (again, perhaps just for now) and it does seem to have an ever so slight v-shape sound, but the detail and clarity is fantastic. And keep in mind this is from a single dynamic driver, yet there was not a single sound missing. I previously had a set of FXZ200s (a $190 set), which was a dual BA + single dynamic setup, but they couldn't hope to provide as much clarity and detail as the M6 Pros. I also wonder if those who have complained about the highs have simply done so because they aren't accustomed to a relatively flat response. Because while I do (initially) hear a bit of sibilance, it's nowhere near as bad as others have reported.  

Other things I like: I really, really like the form factor. That (other than the price) was the main thing that put me off of the ATH-IM02. I much prefer how the M6 Pro has a negative profile. I also like the fact that you get so many added bits and pieces with it. This shows that MEE really thought about giving customers a total package, to cram as much value into it as possible.

Things I don't like: I've never liked Comply tips, but that's simply because I've never found them to be comfortable for me. I tried the Comply ones that came with the M6 Pros, but unfortunately they ripped when I tried to take them off again. So if you're gonna test out the tips, make sure to test the Comply ones last. None of the other tips gave me both a comfortable feel and perfect seal, so I ended up using my trusty Sony Hybrids. The M6 Pros also have a fair amount of microphonics going on with the standard cable (the one without the mic and remote).

So that's it for the initial impressions. I'll update with a more detailed review as I spend more time using them.

*UPDATE*

Continuing on from my initial impressions, I've allowed these to burn in for roughly 2 days, and I'm happy to report that I simply couldn't be happier with them. The highs have been tamed, and the bass smoothed out. It still doesn't have a flat frequency response, but it is awfully close. At my listening levels I don't hear any distortions or anything else that stands out to me as a considerable flaw. I'm seriously still astounded at the bang-for-buck value of these.  

What I particularly like about these is that I popped them in when I went cycling, and I experienced no discomfort, nor did their seal get broken at all. I previously mentioned that I didn't end up using any of the included tips and instead opted to use the Sony Hybrids; however, I've actually found that the "double bubble" tips included worked best for me in terms of maintaining a perfect seal. As mentioned, they don't have a perfectly flat response, it does have a slight v-curve sound (and I do mean VERY slight)...which, as it turns out, is spot on perfect for what I need. I've got a whole bunch of "beast mode, cycling, fitness tempo" compilations, of which all tend to have an emphasis on rather powerful bass, and the slight v-curve sound pairs perfectly for this. The only thing I noticed is that, while cycling, I do tend to pick up a bit of wind noise, and as such, bass response is reduced. My best guess is that this happens because the housings aren't completely sealed (due to the dynamic drivers). But, in all honesty, this is probably a good thing in terms of safety whilst cycling. 

I've also just ordered the Fiio M3 and the arm band for the M3, which I think will give me a fantastic budget friendly exercise audio setup.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with these. They sound absolutely fantastic, they're super comfortable, they maintain their seal whilst exercising, they look great (which is the least of my concern), and they're super budget friendly. If I absolutely had to mention a single downside, I'd say that I'd want them cheaper (heck, who wouldn't?)...but that's just being greedy.

For me, these are perfect for exercise and the occasional travel use.

Absolutely, unequivocally, without a doubt, HIGHLY recommended. 

Following on from quite a line of portable and desktop audio devices, Fiio has now released the X7. This is now their flagship device and a whole new beast at that. This beauty runs Android (a first for Fiio) and is equipped with some very interesting features.
First there is the ESS9019 DAC chip made by Sabre. This is not your usual run-of-the-mill DAC chip, this thing is desktop grade hardware, and is well revered for its audio quality.
But perhaps the most interesting concept is the amp-module. Here Fiio has tried something different, allowing users to swap out amp modules in order to drive more power-hungry cans, and, of course, make some adjustments to the sound signature. You see, in a perfect world an amp would only be there to provide varying levels of power output…but this is the real world, where few things are quite so black and white. Often I see people on forums asking about this or that amp, and it would seem that most of the time the recommendations tends to focus on the power output; often forgotten is the impact that an amp will have on the sound signature. And this is where I feel the amp modules will be of the greatest interest…the ability to cater to your specific sound signature requirements; whether this be to offset the signature of your cans, or to simply get a specific type of sound which complements the listener’s taste in music.
So, before I dive into the review, let me give you a little background info on myself as to better understand what it is that I look for and what my position on the X7 is.
If I had to describe my taste in music, I guess I’d say that I’m an audio purist. By that I mean my aim is to listen to the music the way it was intended; pure and unadulterated. My taste reaches far and wide, everything from jazz to classical, hip-hip to rock, acoustic to RnB. Whilst I fully understand some (perhaps most) people generally only listen to one or a few genres, it makes sense for them to get an audio setup which complements the music the listen to.
But when you’re looking to get the purest sound, it’s a whole other ball-game. This means that my setup needs to be as neutral as possible, to not emphasize or depreciate, to not add nor take away any of the sounds. I wouldn’t go out and buy a painting, and then decide “you know what this needs? More blue”...and then proceed to make my own adjustments. I treat music the same way. I want to hear what the artist wanted to portray, not to do their job for them and try to make the music better. Some people will get that and some won’t, but nobody is right or wrong either way; it’s all a matter of taste.
But, I’m also on a sensible budget. Unless I can hear a clear difference between different setups, I see no point in spending extra cash on something which is “technically better”, but doesn’t add to my experience in reality. Again, to each their own and there’s no right or wrong way.
 
So, the X7; let’s get on with it.
This is the second time I’m takin part in a Fiio world tour, the first having been with the X3 Gen 2. I think it’s a great concept to allow people to review upcoming products and it is indeed quite exciting to take part in. What I particularly like about taking part in these world tours with Fiio is the fact that they don’t try to sensor the reviews. They want users to give their honest opinions, and I respect that greatly.
Those who have been following the X7 thread on Head-fi may have noticed my rather strongly opinionated first impressions of the device, so this time round I will attempt to exercise more, umm, diplomacy.
 
Packaging
I must say, I prefer the new packaging. It seems more modern and classy. Up until now much of Fiio’s packaging were red and black bokes…nothing wrong with them, but nothing that really said “premium” either. I’m not going to spend any time describing the extra bits in pieces in the box, since the main focus here is the device.
 
Design
The X7 is genuinely a beautifully crafted device. Everything about it looks premium. It doesn’t look like it was designed by some Chinese audio device manufacturers, but perhaps rather a German car maker. When I first held the device, it felt solid. Be sure to hit the gym before picking it up though, as it is deceptively heavy, tipping the scale at 220g.
But for me, this is where the positives of the design end. The screen sits about a millimetre or two higher than the rest of the chassis, and just looks a bit quirky. The thickness of the entire device also doesn’t make it feel natural in the hand (granted, I don’t have large hands). On the back there is quite a “hump” which makes placing your fingers on the back feel rather awkward. I guess the weight, added with the form just makes it feel rather unstable in the hand.
Along the top of the device you’ll find a 3.5mm line-out and coaxial out combo jack. On the right is the play/pause button and a forward/back rocker. Along the bottom is the micro-USB port and the 3.5mm headphone jack (which is part of the swappable amp module). And finally on the left is the micro-SD slot, power button and the volume rocker.
The side buttons do annoy me a bit. The logos printed on the device for the volume and forward/back rockers are exactly the same. One would think that Fiio would’ve used the usual “double arrows” to indicate the function of the forward/back rocker, but instead the same single arrow logo is used for both rockers. Not a major deal, but just a little detail that seems like a bit of an oversight (forgive me, I’m a detail Nazi)
 
Interface
Here Fiio has done something rather interesting too. You get the full on android experience, but they’ve also developed what they call “PureMusic mode”. When this is selected, the device reboots into an interface specifically designed just for music. Basically, the only app that is allowed to run is Fiio’s own PureMusic app. All other unnecessary apps and services do not run in the background…well, that’s the idea anyway. In reality this has not been implemented properly. When you have other music apps installed, for some reason they still start up in PureMusic mode when you plug in the headphones. Not the end of the world, you just quit the app…but that’s not what is supposed to happen. At first this proved to be quite confusing to a new user since 2 songs playing at the same time throws you off.
This proved to be the start of my frustration and confusion with the device. When I first loaded music onto it, for whatever reason it would scan and then display all the songs twice. So instead of showing 24 songs, it was showing 48. When playing songs as well, the timer would start at 30:00, instead of 00:00. Very odd. A factory data reset did correct this eventually.
But to be really honest, the whole PureMusic app just frustrated me. It’s not the worst interface I’ve ever dealt with (not by a long shot), but as a graphics and web-designer, I am incredibly picky about how intuitive the interface is and whether or not specific design elements make sense (have a purpose). Don’t get me wrong, things seem functional, but the whole point of a good interface is to minimize the learning curve and to not leave the user feeling confused to any extent.
A pretty UI has never been Fiio’s pride and joy, and this is definitely their best looking one to date, but I fear that a number of people would not want to use the device purely based on their experience with the UI.
In Android mode things are quite familiar. You get the usual home screen, app drawer, and settings look and feel of KitKat. Thanks to the latest firmware update (version 1.5) the Play Store is now also available so you can download your favourite players and streaming apps…but I wouldn’t bother, not with alternative players anyways.
 
Sound
Let’s first get the testy stuff out of the way first. I used a 48Khz 24bit 10-20,000 Hz pink noise wave to record some frequency response graphs, and the results are quite interesting. All graphs have a ½ octave smoothing applied.
 
Pure Music Mode

 
 
Android Mode – HibyMusic

 
 
Android Mode – Neutron

 
 
Android Mode – Onkyo Player

 
 
Android Mode – Poweramp

 
 
As you’ll see, the low and mid frequency range seem to be identical, but it’s in the highs that we see a drastic difference. HibyMusic and PureMusic mode seem to be extremely similar, however, you’ll notice that the volumes are quite different between Android and PureMusic mode. I did try to get the volumes the same, but my recording equipment picked up a lot of clipping at higher volume levels in Android Mode, and so I had to reduce the volume.
Neutron and Hibymusic seem quite similar, although it looks like Neutron has a slightly sharper roll off above 10kHz. Onkyo has an even sharper roll off, whilst Poweramp had the worst FR of all of them.
I wanted to use the Rockbox app as well, but couldn't as I couldnt see anything other than this screen when launching the app.

 
 
For the sake of another comparison, here is the FR graph of my E18+E12A stack connected to my LG G3 running Lollipop and HibyMusic

 
 
Since the E18+E12A stack is my main setup, I will compare it to the X7.
First off, the X7 does sound great, as is shown by the graphs, the FR is pretty damn good. But they also somewhat confirm what I was hearing. The X7 sounds wonderfully smooth, but just doesn’t quite have the sparkle of the E18+E12A in the higher frequencies, and as such highs seem just a tad pushed back. Instrument separation did seem a bit better on the X7 though, but the sound stage seemed a bit wider on the E18+E12A.
Honestly, that’s all I can say really, both setups sound incredibly similar, and if I wasn’t able to test them side by side, I genuinely wouldn’t be able to tell them apart. Heck, even with testing them side by side, I have to really concentrate on what I’m hearing to discern a difference between them.
 
Battery Life
This has always been a concern of mine. As much as I love Android, it’s not what I would call battery friendly. I did some drain tests (until roughly 10%) in PureMusic mode to see the effects of leaving WiFi on and off.
 
On


 
Off


 
As you can see, not a big difference, about 15 minutes. I noticed something really strange though; for some reason it is not displaying the battery usage correctly. Each time it showed that the screen was the highest battery drain, but in both tests the screen was on at most for just over 5 minutes…very strange indeed. So, a battery life of approximately 8 hours doesn’t give me much hope for the device in terms of the battery. I say this because it is currently equipped with the IEM amp module. How much faster will it run out of juice when the higher power modules are connected?
Perhaps with further firmware improvements we’ll see the device become more efficient, but who knows?
 
Final Thoughts
Let me be clear, I’m in a very weird state of mind right now with regards to the X7.  Before I was able to get my hands on the device I read through other peoples’ impressions and reviews, and I couldn’t help but get really excited to try it out. Talks of how great it sounded, and the very “holographic” presentation it gave. I’m not saying they’re wrong, It’s just that when I compare it to my current setup, I don’t get the same sensation of awe. So when I finally got to plug my headphones in to get my fix of this awesomeness, I was left rather underwhelmed. Again, I’m not saying it doesn’t sound great, because IT DOES! But compared to my E18+E12A stack, there is absolutely nothing that makes me want the X7. I’m having a really hard time trying to justify why I would want to forget about my $320 stack in favour of a $650 device which doesn’t seem to provide me with any type of sonic improvement.
One the forum members mentioned something along the lines of “you can’t judge the sound of a device after only a few hours with it, you have to really listen to it for a longer period of time”. Personally, I couldn’t agree less. The best analogy that I can come up with is, let’s say you drive a French car, and someone hands you the keys to an Audi. The moment you climb into that car you just know it’s better put together. Everything just feels well thought out and engineered to precision. You don’t have to sit in the car for days on end to realise that, but you will appreciate it more as time goes on, and you start to realise why the German has the higher price tag. And I guess that’s where my disappointment with the X7 really comes in…there isn’t enough about it that screams at me “I’M WORTH MORE!”.
This is why I have a very weird state of mind right now. I feel both quite disappointed, and exceptionally relieved at the same time. Disappointed with what the X7 has delivered (or not delivered), and relieved that my humble E18+E12A setup still holds, what is in my opinion, the best bang-for-buck. Of course, the X7 does have a much more portable form factor, but it also couldn't hope to compete with the E18+E12A's 20+ hour battery life. But upon further reflection, perhaps the X7 is impressive after all. Perhaps it's a matter of the IEM amp module holding it back far more than I realise, and with the introduction of better modules it'll really bring the X7 to life.
The whole experience has left a rather bitter-sweet taste in my mouth. As I was discussing with a fellow reviewer, the X7 just feels incomplete. Almost as though there was a rush with the device, perhaps a deadline of some kind (maybe Christmas?) which was deemed more important than polishing the UI and ironing out the bugs. Fiio had a real chance to do something completely different here, to make a device like none other (and to some extent I suppose they have), but instead they sent out what feels to be a blueprint. What particularly annoys me is a buggy UI. UIs can be changed and perfected, so (in my opinion) there is no valid reason as to why they can’t properly test and sort out the UI before releasing the product to the consumers (especially for a $650 device). I’m talking about taking pride in one’s work, to do it to the very best of your ability. Taking pride doesn’t cost a penny.
I genuinely, honestly, truly hope that Fiio will take all the negative feedback and surprise us with a right hook to the jaw. Fiio is still, without a doubt, my favourite audio company and I will keep my hopes up that they will go up from here.
 
Last but not least I want to give a special thanks to Samma3a.com. For the purpose of this review I wanted to compare the X7 to the E18+E12A stack, and Samma3a gave me a 25% discount on the E12A. So thanks a lot Samma3a, it proved it be one of my best purchases yet!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm a huge fan of Fiio products. I've had the E6, X1, X5, E12, and took part in the X3 2nd Gen world tour (and soon the X7 tour). To me they produce device capable of stunning sound at a very reasonable price point. 

A few weeks ago I decided that I'm in the mood for a change. As I started travelling more I got tired of lugging around 2 extra devices for my music; it take up extra packing space, and it's extra stuff to charge. I genuinely liked my X5, E12, M40X combo...but I needed something a bit more practical in terms of travelling. 
 
So I decided to give the E18 a try, and boy am I glad I did. To me, it just makes more sense to hook up the E18 to my LG G3, rather than the X5 and E12, seeing as I'd have my phone with me anyways. 
 
 
* Build Quality *
 
At first glance, I liked the build quality. Pretty much identical to the E12. I also liked the fact that the volume knob wasn't as stiff as that of the E12. But, this is where I started getting annoyed. That plastic silver band that runs along the top of the control panel. This is a request to Fiio (in fact, to all manufacturers)...please, PLEASE for the love of all that is holy, stop using chrome painted plastic. It looks cheap and tacky. You might think it gives your devices a more premium look..but it doesn't, it gives it the exact opposite effect. The only place that chrome is ever acceptable is on old muscle cars. 
 
My other slight annoyance was with the play and skip buttons. While they do give a really solid click, perhaps too much so. It's difficult to describe it...it's almost as though the click is so solid that it makes the rest of the device sound empty, like the click is echoing in the body. 
 
The jack holes also don't line up quite perfectly with the cutouts in the shell.
 
But perhaps the thing that annoyed me the most was the fact that this device is marketed for use with phones. Yet this thing picks up a whole load of wireless interference. This (to me at least) says that this device was not well designed. One of the most crucial elements was completely overlooked. 
 
 
* Sound *
 
However, when we get to the sound aspect, the device shines. 
Compared to my X5 and E12 combo, the E18 sounds more detailed, and each instrument can be heard more clearly. It also provides a great sense of space. I actually never noticed how warm the X5 and E12 combo was until I listened to the E18. Thankfully, though, the E18 doesn't sound overly bright, there's no harshness in the upper frequencies. 
Bass does sound more pronounced and deeper on the X5 and E12 combo though, but the E18 just sounds more natural. If you've ever listened to an acoustic guitar or drums being played live (not amplified in any way), the E18 sounds like it has a more honest reproduction of those sounds. 
 
 
* Conclusion *
 
I like it, and I'm going to keep it. It's a pity that the device was so poorly designed, both from an aesthetic and practical standpoint. But the clarity and detailed sound makes me smile, and that's the final deciding factor. I enjoy it so much so, that I've sold my X5 and E12 combo.
 
Something I'm quite unsure of, however, is how the DAC is supposed to work. I had assumed that when you plug it into the phone OTG style, that the E18 would be handling everything with regards to sound. However, I can still adjust the volume from the phone, and also the equalizer settings. That, to me, says that the sound is still being decoded and running through the phone's amp. Perhaps I'm wrong (hopefully someone with knowledge on this subject can inform me of what's going on).

Firstly, a HUGE thanks to Fiio for selecting me to participate in the X3 2nd gen's world tour reviews. It's the first time I've had the opportunity to be involved in something like this, and it definitely makes me an even more loyal Fiio customer than ever before.
Honestly, if I was the head of Fiio, I don't know if I'd trust people enough for this world tour kinda thing, and it makes me a little nervous to know that I've been trusted to take care of this device. I almost feel like I'd have to feed it and change its nappy.

Right, let's get to the review.

I'll break it up in the following categories:

Intro
Packaging
Design
Interface
Drop and Submersion Tests
Sound
What I Like
What I Don't Like
Final Thoughts
 

Intro

The X3 2nd gen is an updated and redesigned version of the original X3. The X3 is the DAP that started it all for Fiio; a relatively affordable DAP possessing high quality music playback. Unfortunately I do not have an original X3 to compare it against, but I do have the X1 and X5.

Please keep in mind that the X3 2nd gen model that I received is not completely representative of the final production model, so some things might very well change
 

Packaging
 




 
The packaging is exactly what I have come to expect from Fiio, very nice, or rather premium.
Although, I do hope that they change the black box somewhat, as it is incredibly tedious to take off the lid (due to it being very tight fitting and the bottom sitting flush with the sides of the lid. Getting the X3 2nd gen out from inside the box was also rather difficult, as there was no space to grab onto it.  
As you can see, the box still says "X3K", as that was the name given initially, but the final product on units will have a different name on their boxes
Also in the box you will find 2 additional screen protectors, a COAX cable, a USB cable, and 3 "body stickers" to give it a different look, of which you can choose between a wood finish, carbon fibre, and USA flag.
 
 
 
Design
 







 
Firstly, look at that colour...just look at it! I absolutely LOVE the colour. It's a real shame that, in order to protect it, you'd have to cover it up with the silicon protector.
The brushed metal also feels really good, very premium and modern.
In terms of dimensions it is almost identical to the X1, the X3 2nd gen is around 2 - 3mm thicker than the X1 though. It's also heaver than the X1 (by 29g), tipping the scale at 135g.
As you can see from the images, it's considerably smaller than the X5.
It also has a smooth, Apple-ish back. I'm not entirely sure if it has a very thin pane of glass, or if it is just the metal that has been crafted that way, but it does look and feel substantially more premium than the X1
The scroll wheel feels vastly more robust than both the X1 and X5. It has some solid clicking going on and does require a bit more effort to turn.
The whole thing just feels better built than any of their previous DAPs. The X1 I have has a slightly off centre scroll wheel, and the same can be said for my X5.
One thing I absolutely must praise Fiio on is putting some logos next to the buttons to indicate their purpose. Now, I know the X1 has it too, but due to the colour of the X1 these little logos almost seem invisible. But that's not a problem for the X3 2nd gen, as it has a nice contrast with the darker "titanium" colour. 
Along the top of the DAP you will find a headphone jack, along with a Line / COAX Out combo jack.
 
 
 
Interface
 


 
There's not much I can say about the interface really. The UI of the X3 2nd gen is pretty much identical to that of the X1. It's simple and intuitive...it simply works. I do like the more "Fiio" colour schemes as compared to the X1, and it does feel vastly more mature than the theme found on the X5.
 
 

Drop and Submersion Tests
 
For these tests I wanted to see just how much abuse the unit can take. Let's face it, accidents happen out in the real world, and hopefully this review will allow you to get a deeper understand of just how much care you need to take of your (potentially) new Fiio device. 
I will break these tests down into a few categories:
Drop - 1m
Drop - 1.5m (average height when holding the device)
Drop - 3m
Submersion - Shower
Submersion - 1m for 30 mins

So, did you see me mentioning this section in the first part of the review, and couldn't possibly believe that I'd do these tests? Lol. I wouldn't do a drop or submersion test on any of my own devices, let alone a review unit...heck I didn't even take the protective sheet for the screen protector off!
Hopefully you'll take enough care of your device to not have to find out how it would fare in such circumstances. 
 
 
 
Sound
 
The X3 2nd gen has a lovely, smooth sound to it; but warmer, less analytical than the X5. Finer details (such as cymbals) are more pronounced on the X5.
When listening to someone like Amy Winehouse, you get a real sense of her raspy voice on the X5, whereas on the X3 2nd gen you don't get that same presentation, but you gain a very buttery smooth sound.
I guess my best description would be that the X5's sounds like its audio signature was sculpted in a laboratory, flat and refined; whereas the X3 2nd gen's sound was created in a very expensive home studio.
Ok, perhaps that's not the most accurate or clear description, but hopefully you catch my drift.
Rest assured, however, the X3 2nd gen is better than the X1. The X1 does sound flatter than the X3 2nd gen, but at the same time rather congested, as the X3 2nd gen has better instrument separation, and the sound seems cleaner than that of the X1. The X3 2nd gen also gives you a much better sense of space.
Honestly, for a MSRP of $200 for the X3 2nd gen, I'd be very surprised if you could find a better sounding DAP at the same price point.
I suspect that, due to the brighter (read flatter) sound nature of the X5 as compared to the X3 2nd gen, the latter would be less fatiguing. The X3 2nd gen just has a really comfortable sound to it and would perhaps be more suited to someone who likes to listen for hours on end.
 
When hooking the X3 2nd gen up to an external amp, such as the E12, things do improve. You hear more details, and it's not quite as warm as through the headphone jack. But again, when compared to the X5+E12, it's not quite as good, but definitely not far off! 
 
 
What I Like
 
The colour, as I've said before, is phenomenal, and the brushed metal look is definitely a winner in my book.
The bang-for-buck value of this player is also a huge plus. The sound is not THAT far off from the X5 (albeit noticeably warmer and less detailed), but at a much cheaper price this DAP won't disappoint.
Again, keep in mind that this is a review unit, and the final sound might very well be improved to the point where the sound difference between the X5 and X3 2nd gen might not be so clear anymore. 
I truly appreciate the time and effort that Fiio has put into redesigning the X3 2nd gen. It feels more premium, better thought-out than the X5. When compared to the original X3, the X3 2nd gen blows it out of the water in every way (especially the ridiculously awkward button layout of the original X3). 
 
 
What I Don't Like
 
To be honest, I'm in two minds about the design. Whilst I do like the design, the X3 2nd gen just looks like a darker coloured X1. There is nothing, just by looking at it, that would make you think that it's a better player than the X1. I have the same problem with Porsches..they all just look too similar.
But, from a business perspective, I get it. Keeping a similar overall design between a range of products helps to reduce manufacturing costs, and also serves to create brand recognition.
Of course, a better looking player certainly does not mean better sound quality, but looks can have a significant impact on our perception of a product.
And then there's the glass-like back. It feels premium, but it also feels like something that would pick up scratches rather easily.
It also feels too Apple-ish because of that back. Granted, I am rather biased against Apple products, so take this part of my opinion with a grain of salt.
I also don't particularly like the scroll wheel. It definitely feels a heck of a lot more robust than the one used on either of Fiio's other players...but a clicking wheel just doesn't quite make sense to me. I'd much prefer a slightly stiff but smooth scrolling wheel. Again, that's just my personal preference.
 
 
 
Final Thoughts
 
I honestly, truly, genuinely like the X3 2nd gen. Fiio have come a long way since the DAP that started it all for them, the original X3, and the X3 2nd gen gives me high hopes for Fiio's future in the DAP market (and portable audio in general), especially their upcoming X7. 
I've always felt that Fiio made products that had the perfect balance between sound quality and affordability...but I was wrong....very, very wrong. The X3 2nd gen pushes the envelope yet again, with the same sound quality that I've come to expect from Fiio, but now in a much more premium and compact package.

Over the last few days I've grown to really like this little gadget, and the sound signature has really grown on me.
I do still prefer the X5, but as I've said before, that decision might very well not be as easy to make if Fiio improve the sound in the final production units. 
I still cannot get over just how good the device looks, and I'm almost tempted to keep it. But, alas, it must continue its journey to the next reviewers, who I am certain will appreciate the look (and sound) as much as I do. 
As I prepare it for shipment and cleaning it up with alcohol swabs (due to the fact that I am a much-feared spy who's fingerprints and DNA must not be leaked...P.S pm me for details on Area-51) and tucking it away in its neat little box, I'm left feeling a bit confused.
I know I don't need the X3 2nd gen, the X5 sounds better...but there's just something about it...something special. 
The X5 sells for around $350, and if that's your budget, I'd say you should get the X3 2nd gen and the E12 amp. Overall that's just a better value package
 
 
 
**EDIT** I have been told (and confirmed by Fiio) that the back of the device does not have a glass pane, but instead it is just a clear protective film. The reason I thought it was glass is because all the usual product text on the back of the device was actually printed onto that film.
So, ignore my "Apple-ish" complaint

I did quite a bit of research when I got these. I wanted a true, flat response, and I got exactly that. My main source of info on these was Sonic Sense Pro Audio. They've developed a way to compare the sound of headphones without physically handling them. Of course, the method cannot represent the true tone of the cans, but that's not the point of their method; instead, it is to showcase how true headphones are as compared to the original source of the music. With that in mind, it is mind-blowing how accurate these are...far more accurate than cans that cost even 10 times more. I couldn't be happier 

I absolutely love these. They sound phenomenal. I recently got the m40x, and was a little scared that it might make me frown at the JVCs....but I'm happy to say that the m40x for home use, and the JVCs for travel is an awesome pairing. Bass is deeper with the buds, but the clarity that I enjoy with the m40x is definitely present and I enjoy both equally for the intended purposes. 
 
One thing to note, the deep bass and comfy fit really becomes evident when I swapped the stock tips for the Sony hybrids.