REVIEW - Fiio M3K
Website - Fiio
Official M3K info
Specifications
Design & Build Quality
The new Fiio M3K surely classifies as a very portable player, and close to fit the ultra portable category if it wasn't for the so compact previous M3 model, the ongoing Sandisk Clip options or more advanced Shanling M0 (and would include the Lotoo Pico too), and still compares well against some xDuoo smaller players (X3 or D3). Super compact players are cool but of course present some limitations. The M3K is just right with the longer design and the usual convenient physical buttons, not to mention the internal room for a better processor and battery.
On the build quality, the M3K is quite great with the all aluminum body and tempered glass at the whole front panel. The device is made by a single metal piece in a completely smooth finish and rounded sides. Moreover, Fiio gave the M3K a more modern look, similar to the X1-ii version (with some hints of the upper Sony players too). The player weight is also very optimal of just ~70g and quite pocket friendly as well.
The button and connections are well arranged. On the left side there are four physical buttons, upper one for power on/off which also works for turn screen on/off, below the volume up and down long button, and then the play/pause button. The play button can be also set for A-B repeat function (if anyone ever cares about that feature). Worth noting that the volume and playback buttons also work when the screen is off and won't turn it on unless the upper button is pressed. However, it is not possible to lock any of them, at least on the current firmware version.
At the bottom, the micro-USB slot for charging and data management, and also to use the M3K as external DAC. In the middle, the micro SD card slot and the 3.5mm headphone jack nicely covered by gold colored ring. At the top there is just the microphone small dot as the player supports voice recording. There is no internal storage on the player, so the recording will be saved to the micro SD memory.
The rectangular front panel is divided for the screen and sensor touch pad which consists of a vertical sliding bar and one touch button on each corner.
User Interface & Software
Apart from the four buttons at left side of the player, all the navigation and settings adjustment is done by the touch pad, and feels very intuitive. A full implemented touch screen would be asking too much, especially a good quality one. Instead, the touch controls are more inspired on the X1 ii and X3 iii designs. In the middle, a vertical sliding touch bar for fast menu and folder scrolling, similar to the touch wheel on the above X1 and X3 versions. Single touch on the bar is for play/pause or confirm.
The display is just of 2" with 240x320 of resolution. Angle view is decent and the colors are enough for the simple album art when available.
There is one touch button on each of the four corners. Lower left and right are used for previous and next, and rewind and fast forward on the playback screen, and can be also used for up and down navigation. Upper left icon is for shortcuts menu, if applied on the current screen, while the upper right icon is the back button or return to the home main screen if held a few seconds. The touch pad brightness may be also set on the settings options.
Getting used to the different interface may take some time, but the response is fairly accurate and relatively fast. If anything, navigating through long file lists can be annoying with the short vertical bar, less convenient than when using the touch wheel.
On the current firmware the system is very stable, way better than many other Chinese portable players at this price point, with no bugs to mention so far. The boot takes a few seconds to finish, but it shuts down much faster. Overall, everything looks simple and easy to use.
Battery
Very good, indeed. Rated to work to 24 hrs, and in practice it is around 20 hrs or more. The battery indicator bar is not the most accurate with just 5 bars, but the M3K can be easily used continuously for some days without caring about recharging it.
"SQ" icon is shown on high quality files (Flac, Wave, etc.)
Sound Quality
Overall the M3K has a rather neutral sound presentation in a very smooth and linear way. It is not a warm sounding DAP but there's a faint sense of musicality and hint of sweetness that goes on the midrange with some emphasis on vocals, and little bit elevation on the lower treble.
Bass is very neutral and linear with decent grade of resolution for the price. Quantity wise, it is small with not much impact and attack power, easily perceived with dark or warmer earphones; a good thing as it doesn't add color to the sound, but does limit the fun factor. As for quality, it has very good control and flat texture, average layering with no much dynamics. The speed is normal with quick decay, but not to be paired with fast balanced armature drivers or higher end stuff. The extension is decent without much rumble. Overall it is clean and detailed bass response.
The midrange is probably the most favorable part out the M3K. Well balanced on the whole from low to upper mids, mostly neutral if just a little bit north of. Clean thanks to the softer bass emphasis, fairly natural in timbre and very smooth. Clarity is good, not missing much of micro detail considering the price; not cold or leaner type of tonality, with a bit of musicality flavor. Separation is decent, nothing outstanding but fair enough, though instruments can sound too soft and light. On the other hand, the M3K adds some delicate hint of sweetness to vocals; not too thick with more mid-centered sets and yet less distant with more v-shaped options. More enjoyable, nonetheless, especially with female singers, and good for modern pop or rock, if less favorable for classic or orchestral pieces.
The treble continues the neutral formula, not as reserved as the bass, but overall smooth and safe. Limited on the upper extension, yet keeps good level of resolution. Balanced giving a slight brightness to the lower treble region. The control is surprisingly good; not missing the attack and bite when paired with brighter earphones but retains the overall musicality.
Sound stage is about average, which is fine for a budget player. Not my option for open headphones or mid-level IEMs, but okay for closed sets and many IEMs on the $200 and below. With the bit of forward midrange the presentation is more intimate; again, great match for vocal oriented music. Nevertheless, the overall natural timbre and delicate sense of musicality make a good deal out of the M3K.
Driving power is good for anything that's easy to drive. The specs are more 'honest' with the recommended impedance going just up to ~100 ohm, not overrating the player capabilities. The M3K can get loud enough with most of the IEMs I could try (some listed above) with just 20 volume steps. With larger headphones like the Meze 99 had to raise the volume to around 35~40, and still didn't reach half of full volume steps. The differences from one to step to another are easy noticed, and with more sensitive IEMs it may be either a bit too loud or too low, but apart from that it's comfortable with most gears used on the go.