Just a month before its release, we were lucky enough to try out the FiiO X7 high-resolution digital audio player, the Chinese brand’s new flagship device, which is both PCM 32 bit/384 kHz and DSD compatible. FiiO has, for a long period of time, made a name for itself with its range of portable devices, headphone amps and high end connectors at highly competitive prices. The FiiO X1, FiiO X3 II andFiiO X5 portable players have all enjoyed resounding success, highly deserved when you look (and listen) to the high quality components used. DACs and OP amps are carefully paired to ensure exceptional sound delivery.
With the FiiO X7, FiiO has clearly chosen to make a breakthrough by offering its first touch-screen DAP and also the first with an on-board ESS Sabre 9018S DAC, often considered, and quite rightly so, as the Rolls Royce of digital-analog conversion chips (dynamic range of 133 dB). We still remember the extraordinary musicality of the Audiolab 8200CD CD player, also using the ESS 9018S DAC and handling CDs better than most HD players. Let’s not, however, stray off the point. Another highlight of the FiiO X7 is that its amplifier module can be replaced (2 removable screws and screwdriver supplied). FiiO should therefore offer alternative modules in the coming months. A balanced output sound card has also been announced.
Test: FiiO X7 ? features
The FiiO X7 high-resolution DAP is fitted with a SoC (System on a Chip), which is well known among smartphone and tablet users ? the Rockchip RK3188 with quad core processor (ARM A9) and graphic unit (Mali400). These components ensure the player’s smooth use under all circumstances. The built-in 3500 maH battery offers 9 hours battery life for audio purposes. The 32 Gb internal memory can store up to 28 Gb of music with the option of extending it using a microSD card (up to 128 Gb, confirmed by FiiO but not checked during this test).
Hundreds of FLAC and DSD files can therefore be stored (up to 32 bits/384 kHz).
The FiiO X7 also features WiFi and Bluetooth (SBC) controllers for listening to music shared on a local network (DLNA servers), installing applications (offered by FiiO) and wireless listening using headphones, an amp or a Bluetooth speaker. As well as its 3.5 mm mini-jack headphone output, there is also a line output with a coaxial digital audio output.
Test: FiiO X7 ? design
Whilst it doesn’t equal the extremely precise design of the major players in its category (for example Astell&Kern), the FiiO X7 is nevertheless manufactured using high-quality materials. Brushed aluminium is the main material and the DAP is clearly very solid. The 4? touch screen displays 480×800 pixels, an adequate size in order to read menus with ease as well as a precise viewing angle. On the left side of the player are the volume and screen lock controls while the pause and track change buttons are on the right.
If the FiiO X7 cuts an imposing chunky figure, it’s down to the components needed for the ESS Sabre 9018 DAC as well as the interchangeable nature of the player whose amplifier card can be replaced. The section under the screen can be detached.
Test: FiiO X7 ? ease of use
The Fiio X7 features a version of Android minus certain features. There is no Google Play Store here and FiiO only enables the downloading of apps agreed by its services. Don’t think therefore of installing Qobuz or Deezer on the FiiO X7 even though, thanks to our contact with the group, we know that FiiO is clearly attentive to their customers’ needs. They will most likely offer these updates in the future. An update app is already featured in the device.
FiiO has developed a home audio playback app, which is compatible with all current audio formats, particularly FLAC and DSD files. This app handles Bluetooth listening as well as DLNA server support (not activated in this Android pre-version).
Test: FiiO X7 ? test conditions
We transferred dozens of FLAC and DSD files to the internal memory of the FiiO X7. What’s good is that the writing rate is close to 12 Mb/sec. All files were indexed straightaway by the playback app. We used the FiiO X7 with a variety of headphones ? Audeze, Audio Technica, Sony in order to make sure that the player could power them correctly, which proved to be the case, by simply adjusting the gain. The test was mainly carried out with our trusty Sennheiser PX-100.
Test: FiiO X7 ? listening impressions
This player delivers an absolutely astounding sound. Right from the very first notes, we immediately picked up on the distinctive and natural sound signature of the ESS 9018S. Everything is very melodious and simple. The FiiO X7 is at home with all styles of music, whether they are well or poorly recorded, carefully dissecting each sound layer with precision while delivering an absolutely coherent audio message to listeners’ ears. We hadn’t heard such a miracle since testing the Antelope Audio Zodiac.
The same energy is delivered from bass to treble without the dominance of a particular range. The use of the low-medium is exceptional and offers listeners a wealth of well organised details. There is no sound coloration and the balance of each recording is respected.
Proof that the FiiO X7 is excellent is that any female or male voice can be extracted from the recording and protected from any interference along with the audio message. This applies to both CD and studio quality files. We discover new instruments or voices which we hadn’t noticed before. Robert Plant’s vocal chords can clearly be heard wavering on Kashmir (?Let me take you there?).
Let’s Groove, Earth, Wind & Fire (FLAC 16/44)
The complex nature of the sound stage (synthesizer, guitars, percussion, backing vocals and the range of voices) is handled with ease. The dynamics of the instruments are constantly surprising. Timing is close to perfection.
Locked Out Of Heaven, Bruno Mars (FLAC 16/44)
Despite the strong dynamic compression, we’re carried along with the power of the drums which don’t smother the final charge. A credible mix.
Ma Benz (live), NTM (FLAC 16/44)
We’re transported to the concert venue thanks to the pulsating atmosphere. The crowd sings along with the three singers and this comes across with great subtlety on the FiiO X7. Excellent sound take.
Born in the U.S.A, Bruce Springsteen (FLAC 16/44)
This is a major test for the FiiO X7 as a poor delivery would make the snare drum sound sharp and overpowering, thus making the track unbearable to listen to. The track isn’t at all calm but the FiiO X7 skillfully reproduces the drums without compromising the space devoted to the guitars and synthesizer.
Hysteria (live, HAARP), Muse (FLAC 16/44)
Another major test which often turns into a racket. With the FiiO X7, however, it’s simply perfect. The timing of the bass guitar is well respected and we follow it from beginning to end even when the guitar roars. The density of the sound stage is impressive. When listening at a high volume, we come away with our ears ringing but we’re totally taken by it.
The same applies to Knights of Cydonia on the same album where, for the first time with our test headphones, we finally hear a clear foot pedal sound coming from the drum kit.
Chambre avec vue, Henri Salvador (FLAC 16/44)
A softness is constantly present. Percussion is extremely precise and we can clearly hear the micro-dynamics (the brushes on the snare drum). The bass groans without affecting the whispering wind instruments. Truly magnificent.
L’aigle noir, Barbara (FLAC 16/44)
You could almost be disappointed by the mixing of this track which places the artist’s voice further back in the sound stage. The interpretation is full of emotion and the vocals deserve to be much closer. Barbara’s phrasing is a real delight.
L’amour est un oiseau rebelle, Maria Callas (16/44)
Again the qualities of the FiiO X7 stand out. This 1964 recording is very difficult to deliver. Macro dynamics and clear gaps in volume follow each other. Mediums are sometimes pushed harder than the rest of the sound spectrum and a weak analysis of choirs affects the restitution of the singer?s voice. The FiiO X7 isn’t overpowering at all and succeeded in delivering a deep and consistent sound stage. We were transported right to the heart of the opera.
Absolute beginners (live at the BBC en 2000), David Bowie (FLAC 16/44)
A fantastic concert in a small venue but one with a deafening volume. The dynamic gaps are marked by all the instruments. The piano occasionally whispers but its sound can still be clearly heard despite the incessant drumming. Bowie’s voice in the centre is carried along by the female backing vocalists.
Bennie and the Jets, Elton John (24/96)
Once again, the atmosphere of the concert venue is delivered with success. The applause and whispers of the crowd are remarkably smooth. The sound stage is surprisingly wide.
FiiO X7 – what we liked
- The sound is fantastic
- The choice of the ESS Sabre 9018S DAC (a delight for listeners’ ears)
- The handling of FLAC 32/384 and DSD files
- Internal storage is quick and microSD cards of up to 128 Gb are supported
- The line output is doubled with an S/PDIF output (not tested)
- The (announced) possibility of replacing the amplifier card for balanced cable headphones
- The 7 hour battery life during our tests
FiiO X7 ? what we would like
- A more user-friendly interface
- An Android version with Play Store (to install an audio playback app, Qobuz or Deezer)
- An external USB DAC (FiiO is currently working on this)
FiiO X7 ? Conclusions
The FiiO X7 DAP allows users to listen to music simply with a level of detail and consistency reminiscent of the golden age of warm vinyl and headphone amplifiers. The level of pleasure offered, regardless of the headphones used, is surprising, be it with CD or HD quality files. The FiiO X7 sounds miraculous and this is no exaggeration on our part. Its design and ease of use could, however, be improved. The firmware of the definitive version (scheduled for the end of November) will offer these improvements.
Don’t hesitate in asking us about the FiiO X7. We’ll keep our ear to the ground regarding any further developments.
could u compare me between fiio x7 and calyx m?? i reaaly confusing to choose between them or could u any recommendation?
The Calyx M user interface is more friendly. In terms of sound, the Calyx M uses a 2 ch ESS DAC (9018K2M) while the FiiO X7 uses a 2×4 ch ESS DAC (9018S), which is known as the “king DAC”. The FiiO X7 is better sounding, with much more details and deep soundstage. Hope this helps.
Hi, Is the X7 much better sounding than the X5 II?
Yes, a lot more.
Thank you Tristan.
do u know if the x7 has a multichannel output? for multichannel dsd if it has a digital output to connect to an home ampli with 5.1 superaudiocd ?
Hi Tristan,
I love the Fiio X7 and I want to get it. The only thing I am wondering is that if it supports Poweramp (Full Version). That is the primary audio software I use, since it allows me to save individual EQ profiles for each individual songs. Please let me know if Poweramp works properly and how I can activate the full version since there is no Google Play Store.
Thankyou.
Full version of PowerAMP may not be properly installed since Play Store is not yet integrated to the FiiO X7 firmware. FiiO is still testing Google Play Store at the time being. Shipment is dued by this month, so I hope we have news very soon.
Hi Tristan,
Is the X7 better sounding than the Sony NWZ-X2 ?
Hi Tristan,
Is the X7 better sounding than the Sony NWZ-X2 ?
The Sony NWZ-X2 is a very delicate sounding DAP. So is the FiiO X7, with warmer sound. Sony is using digital amplification instead of DAC + analog amplification as FiiO. X2 sound is a bit shyer, maybe less embodied. But both DAP are excellent.
Hi Tristan ,
what a great review !
i would like to ask how this fiio x7 compared to qp1r ?
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to listen to that Questyle Audio DAP.
Hi I use B&O H8 bluetooth headphones and play much of my music from my Samsung Galaxy S6 edge via bluetooth to a B&O A2 speaker, does the X7 lose much quality over bluetooth? Would the X7 sound better than my S6 which sounds quite good, I don’t mind paying the premium price for the X7 if it is worth it sound wise over my S6.
Hi Tristan, is it possible to sideload / install apk to the device?
Yes, last version of firmware allowed installation of APK to the device.
Great review, thanks. How do you replace the battery when it dies?
You have to return the product to the seller or FiiO for internal replacement. We haven’t checked if the battery is soldered or not, sorry for that.
I’m deciding between the Fiio x7 and the Sony NW-ZX100.
I know the Fiio x7!is android based. Big selling point.
But love the extras Sony offers, battery life and noise cancellation.
I’m stuck. Sound and ergonomics is most important.
Please advise.
Noise cancellation only works with provided headphones, since they carry the mic. Sony NW-ZX100 will always be more pleasant to use and yes that can be a key point.
Thanks for your comprehensive review to the X7. I recenty bought a Pioneer xdp-100r which has the same price of 750 EUR and includes the same ESS-Sabre DAC as well like the X7. Pioneer has included an android version 5.2 with a full PlayStore functionality. Unfortunatly the Pioneer Music Player-App is crap like the software of the excellent sounding streamer-solutions like the Pioneer N-70A. You can’t sort a compilation with various artists. In the library you would get only a list of every single track of any certain artist for a compilation-album. Thats terribly poorly implemented. But one big advantage is a second micro SD-slot. So you get 32 (25 free) GB built-in memory and 200 gb via each micro SD-slot (in total 425 GB memory). That’s fantastic to take a huge amount of high-resolution tracks with you. The bluetooth aptx codec works properly in my car and sounds excellent for a bluetooth-streaming solution. On my GRADO PS-500 the xdp-100r definitly sounds loud enough. If Pioneer will fix the library-problem, the xdp-100r might be a good alternative for the X7.
The Pioneer XDP-100 is a very attractive DAP. We may review it in the coming weeks. But the DAC chip is different : Pioneer chose the ES9018K2M which is a low consumption stereo DAC, while FiiO retained the ES9018S (flagship 8 channel DAC).
Currently have a Fiio X5. Contemplating upgrading to either Astell and Kern 100 mk2. Or Fiio X7. Any thoughts, please……help!
AK100 would be a very different user experience since UI is way better than FiiO’s. Anyway, FiiO X7 delivers a more exquisite sound.
I am new to the world of audio , I would buy a music player , which you think is better ? Sony nw Zx100 or Fiio X7
That would be better headphones , Sony MDR Z7 or Momentum 2.0
Hi Tristan
Whichone is better sounding Fiio X7 or L&P L5 Pro.
Never listened to the L&P, so I really couldn’t tell. It would be an interesting comparison, since AK4490 DAC has excellent reputation.
hi, I have three iPod classic (5 and 6 gen), do you think sounds better the X7 or iPod classic? thanks
Paolo
FiiO X7 sounds way better. ES9018S chip is a flagship DAC.
Hi Tristan, I am considering the x7 to be used with my car’s Bose speakers. Would the output be sufficient or that is taken care by the car’s amplifiers?
Also, do I lose any sound quality by using the 3.5mm jack in the car? Thanks!
Hi…one question, can i use this item as a dac by connecting the fiio to a samsung laptop ? i have an LG fb164 micro hifi system ,and many flac files. thanks