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

[Nizi123]

  Sorry if this was asked previously.
 
I'm looking at buying a DAP mainly because my music library is too large for my smartphone. I'm stuck between waiting for the X3II or getting a X1.
 
I won't be using the DAC feature much and I don't have any DSD files to play. I also won't be driving any high impedance phones.I'm looking strictly at the sound quality from the players and the little details such as the metal back and better scroll wheel. I guess what I'm asking is, are these factors of  the X3II worth paying double the price of the X1? I'm completely new to the hi-fi DAP game and I don't know if I will regret buying a X1 when the X3II is right around the corner.

Whether or not it's worth it depends on if you will utilize the extra features of the X3 II and want to/can pay the extra $100. From what I've read, the main differences are the X3 II can be used as a stand alone DAC, slightly larger battery, slightly better SQ, better scroll wheel, more powerful, deep sleep mode, 10 band EQ..etc. If any of those features are really important to you and you are able to, then get the X3 II.
 
I don't think you'll regret buying either one. In your situation I think the X1 would be a good buy. 

 

[Pikapi]

  Whether or not it's worth it depends on if you will utilize the extra features of the X3 II and want to/can pay the extra $100. From what I've read, the main differences are the X3 II can be used as a stand alone DAC, slightly larger battery, slightly better SQ, better scroll wheel, more powerful, deep sleep mode, 10 band EQ..etc. If any of those features are really important to you and you are able to, then get the X3 II.
 
I don't think you'll regret buying either one. In your situation I think the X1 would be a good buy. 

 
Thanks! I want to accompany my incoming VSD5s with a DAP. Leaning towards the X1 because of the value.

 

[Skullbox]

Whether or not it's worth it depends on if you will utilize the extra features of the X3 II and want to/can pay the extra $100. From what I've read, the main differences are the X3 II can be used as a stand alone DAC, slightly larger battery, slightly better SQ, better scroll wheel, more powerful, deep sleep mode, 10 band EQ..etc. If any of those features are really important to you and you are able to, then get the X3 II.

I don't think you'll regret buying either one. In your situation I think the X1 would be a good buy. 

I will go for X3K for many reasons stated here in this thread!

 

[cireyay]

   
B3 P1 sounds weak even from HO of X5,  It's a well known fact that Havis are borderline neutral with some low end tilt and need amplifier to bring them to life, so your results are expected.  If your only intent in getting a DAP to power up your B3 P1, Cayin amp is your best choice even from HO of a smartphone

well the HO of the X5 with B3 P1 sounded much much better. and I did recall the older X3 seemed to drive them quite well too. I'm not just looking to power up my B3 P1, I'm just looking for a good overall DAP to make my music sound good on the go! better than my smartphone! lol
 
My benchmark is my home's Dacport pairing with my B3. So at the moment, the X5 HO is the closest to it. Speaking of high gain, Cayin on high gain feeding the B3s was good stuff too! The thing from holding back a possible Cayin purchase is 1. I don't like strapping it to my smartphone and hence covering the smartphone's screen and 2. I'm replacing my current phone with a LG G3 (buying the G3 from my buddy as he switched phones) and I tried it out last week just stock with my B3 and I didn't like the sound sig at all, it was too bright and fatiguing so I don't think adding a C5 would change the overall sound sig.

 

[Brooko]

 
Hope you don't mind - quoted both of you here - because I totally disagree.
 
First, let's look at the specs on the Havi B3 Pro 1 ->  32 ohm, and pretty low sensitivity.  So what it's needing is more current rather than higher voltage.  Much like the AKG full sized headphones.
 
Now, let's look at what both the X5 and X3ii deliver into a 32 ohm load:
 
X5 = 255 mW
X3ii = 200 mW
 
Now yes - a C5 will deliver 800 mW into the same load, but the Havi doesn't need it.  Both the X5 and X3ii are putting more than enough current into the Havis to drive them properly.  It's not voodoo here gentlemen.
 
So I tested tonight the Havi out of my NFB-12 (which can deliver > 2000 mW into 32 ohms), then the X5, and then the X3ii.  Same track, same format, same master file with each.  But more important - volume matched with a dB meter.
 
The X5 (on low gain) sounded virtually identical to the NFB-12 (amazingly good really).  For reference - the volume was only about 60/120 on the X5 - so plenty of room.  
 
The X3ii was only slightly higher in volume required (so still almost half of the pot left) on low gain - dynamics were all there.
 
Where the Havi needs amping is with DAPs that don't deliver enough current (X1 / iPhone5).
 
Both the X3ii and X5 handle the Havi with copious amounts of current to spare.  It's not magic.  It's current and impedance.
 
 
 
Quote:

  Ok, so I went to audition the X3K...and I just have to say I was disappointed. It (with my Havi B3s) just sounded too flat for me, it was like bordering on analytical which I didn't enjoy. It was even worst imo than the older X3 and it was closer to the X1 than to the X5 in my opinion. I don't know if its because its a test unit or it has't been properly burnt in but i just couldn't get into the music. I couldn't feel any musicality. Maybe its a bad match with the Havis I don't know Brooko, I read your post above that you tested battery life with the Havi B3s, was your earlier comparisons/review based on pairing the Xs with B3? 

I thought it might be my ears so I tested a cayin C5 portable amplifier with my phone as source and my B3s sounded fantastic. I even tried a hifiman RE-400 IEMs with my phone and it sounded great too. 

Well I don't think the X3K is the one for me, I was hoping it would be and the extra cash saved from buying a X5 can be put towards getting a headphone. Oh well...I got decisions to make..

cireyay[12:26if its cos its a demo unit

 

   
B3 P1 sounds weak even from HO of X5,  It's a well known fact that Havis are borderline neutral with some low end tilt and need amplifier to bring them to life, so your results are expected.  If your only intent in getting a DAP to power up your B3 P1, Cayin amp is your best choice even from HO of a smartphone

 

[Brooko]

  well the HO of the X5 with B3 P1 sounded much much better. and I did recall the older X3 seemed to drive them quite well too.

 
Yep - and I bet if you had the X5, X3, X3ii, Cayin, and even your Dacport all volume matched and playing the same track (preferably with a switch box so you could change rapidly) you'll find the differences would be simply if one source was warmer or brighter than the other.  As far as dynamics go - all would handle the Havi with no issues. 

 
Oh - and I really like the Havis with the X3ii - nice combo for my music.  Plenty of bass punch.  Very enjoyable.

 

[Brooko]

  I think that I might have asked this question a couple of weeks ago, but I don't remember anyone answering. How is the SQ of the X3 ii compared to the X1 with the E11k amp. I read your X1/E11k review that you did before the X3 ii came out, but I have not seen a comparison between the X1/E11k and the X3 ii.

 
Sorry about being a bit late back to you on this.
 
First - let's look at the specs.
 

Headphone Load	Fiio X1	X1 + E11K	Fiio X3ii
Into 16 ohm	100 mW	450 mW	224 mW
Into 32 ohm	65 mW	270 mW	200 mW
Into 300 ohm	8 mW	not stated	24 mW

 
Although the E11K current delivery into a 300 ohm isn't stated, common sense says it should be very similar to the X5 output - so around 27-28 mW
 
So as far as power delivery goes - the X1 + E11K should be very similar in power capability to the X3ii as a stand alone unit.
 
For a side-by-side, I used the Havi B3 Pro1 (relatively neutral, and needing amping), and just ran through some of my test tracks after volume matching first (using a 1kHz signal and dB meter).  As far as SQ goes - they are both pretty similar. But I'd say that the X3ii is slightly smoother / has less grain / more refined - whereas the X1 + E11K has slightly more forward mid-range, with a touch more edge in the vocals / guitar etc.  We're talking minor differences though, and I don't trust myself enough to say that it is easily noticeable.
 
For anyone trying to work out which way to go - I'd suggest looking at budget and what your needs are.  X1 + E11K is cheaper, delivers a little more power, and has the hardware bass boost.  X3ii is an all in one, has ability to be used as stand alone DAC, has 10 band graphic equaliser - and IMO sounds slightly better (more refined).  The deep sleep option (instant on) is a killer feature too.
 
Both set-ups sound incredibly good though.  I'd be happy with either one

 

 

[yellowbirdfly]

Brooko,

Can you compare X3ii vs X3ii + E11K? Does the E11K bring any improvement in sound over the X3ii's internal amp?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Brooko]

OK - I'll tear my self away from PONO and go an check it (borrowed a PONO for a few days, so listening to that as well 

).  Give me half an hour.

 

[Brooko]

OK - back again.  Quite hard to do - because there is a bit of a delay swapping cables (around 7-10 sec) so it is a bit stop start.
 
Thus time used HD600's (thought since we were amping I should give it a more difficult load).
 
Volume matched - and queued up a medley of test tracks.  In the middle of the first one, thought the bass was different (What?), so checked the setting to make sure bass boost wasn't on with the amp - then a light shone, and I rechecked the SPL again.  Amp was slightly louder (must have nudged it) - wasn't much, just 1-2 dB according to the meter, but enough to make a difference. So reset everything, then back to "work" listening (after that I checked periodically).
 
For refs sake - I had the X3ii at 74/120 ampless, and the E11K about 1/4 to 1/3 past 3 (out of 9 on it's pot).
 
From my half hour listening - they sounded pretty much the same. The E11K just has more additional room on the pot.
 
What it does tell me is that the H/O on the X3ii is pretty darn good - and the line-out is equally as capable.
 
Take above with a grain of salt though - my hearing is not perfect (I'm no golden-ear!), and while I'm as objective as I can be with the volume matching, it's still a sighted test.

 

[needmoretoys]

   
Sorry about being a bit late back to you on this.
 
First - let's look at the specs.
 

Headphone Load	Fiio X1	X1 + E11K	Fiio X3ii
Into 16 ohm	100 mW	450 mW	224 mW
Into 32 ohm	65 mW	270 mW	200 mW
Into 300 ohm	8 mW	not stated	24 mW

 
Although the E11K current delivery into a 300 ohm isn't stated, common sense says it should be very similar to the X5 output - so around 27-28 mW
 
So as far as power delivery goes - the X1 + E11K should be very similar in power capability to the X3ii as a stand alone unit.
 
For a side-by-side, I used the Havi B3 Pro1 (relatively neutral, and needing amping), and just ran through some of my test tracks after volume matching first (using a 1kHz signal and dB meter).  As far as SQ goes - they are both pretty similar. But I'd say that the X3ii is slightly smoother / has less grain / more refined - whereas the X1 + E11K has slightly more forward mid-range, with a touch more edge in the vocals / guitar etc.  We're talking minor differences though, and I don't trust myself enough to say that it is easily noticeable.
 
For anyone trying to work out which way to go - I'd suggest looking at budget and what your needs are.  X1 + E11K is cheaper, delivers a little more power, and has the hardware bass boost.  X3ii is an all in one, has ability to be used as stand alone DAC, has 10 band graphic equaliser - and IMO sounds slightly better (more refined).  The deep sleep option (instant on) is a killer feature too.
 
Both set-ups sound incredibly good though.  I'd be happy with either one

 

Thank you. That's very helpful. Since I already have the X1, adding the E11k would cost a lot less than getting the X3ii, but the X3ii would be better. You guys now have me interested in those Havi earphones, but then I'd need to add the E11k. I wonder how much more I can spend before my wife gets to collect my life insurance money.

 

[Wokei]

Thank you. That's very helpful. Since I already have the X1, adding the E11k would cost a lot less than getting the X3ii, but the X3ii would be better. You guys now have me interested in those Havi earphones, but then I'd need to add the E11k. I wonder how much more I can spend before my wife gets to collect my life insurance money.

Depend on how big the insurance money is ....?

 

[jenia1]

 
Thank you. That's very helpful. Since I already have the X1, adding the E11k would cost a lot less than getting the X3ii, but the X3ii would be better. You guys now have me interested in those Havi earphones, but then I'd need to add the E11k. I wonder how much more I can spend before my wife gets to collect my life insurance money.

dont fall in to that, they got me interested into Havi b3 pro1as well, but then ive found theres also:

NVX EX10S

VSONIC VSD3S
 which makes things even harder

 

[dylanmcbean0819]

Do i still have to use a dac with this. Sorry im a noob to this

 

[Im2spec1al]

If you own a higher level dac than that which is already inside the X3ii, then you should use it. Otherwise there is no need for an external dac.