Fiio x3 v Fiio x5 v I basso DX50

ethan · 8 Dec 2014 at 18:49

Going around in circles with which to buy. If only the x5 console had been fitted to the x3? Are there any alternatives to the above mentioned worth considering? Thanks.

rids57 · 8 Dec 2014 at 19:40

Isn't the X1 more like the X5, just a hell of a lot cheaper?

ethan · 8 Dec 2014 at 20:14

I'm unsure to be honest? I know there is relatively little or no difference between the x3 & the x5 apart from the user interface after the firmware update. I'd better do a like for like comparison.

Edit: After a quick look the differences can be minimised by using decent phones. The x1 doesn't do DSD but for £70.00 quid or so cheaper I don't imagine that to be much of an issue. The interface on the X1 is better than the x3 and x5 and so it's itchy fingers time.

rids57 · 8 Dec 2014 at 23:06

The X1 is what I'll be going for, I could care less about DSD as I don't have any files in that format and I don't see it ever taking off.

Ninja Pirate · 8 Dec 2014 at 23:31

I've got the X3 and X5 (the 3 doesn't get much use anymore) so if you have any specific questions I can try and give you an answer when I have time.

To get a few things out of the way:

Buttons/layout/UI on both are pretty mediocre (the X3 is horrible, and imo the new UI is worse than before...).

Battery life is ok on both, not great but you should get ~10 hours depending on the load.

X3 is more of the typical FiiO sound (slightly warmer/thicker), X5 is pretty neutral.

The X3 is the most powerful DAP that FiiO makes (yes, the X5 outputs less power) if that is important to you.

Both act pretty well as a portable USB DAC for your laptop (I probably used the X5 for this more than anything else).

As for the DX50, last time I tried it I noticed the UI was slow to respond (or maybe the touchscreen was just crap) and the sound was a bit more neutral/uncoloured when compared to the X3.

ethan · 8 Dec 2014 at 23:52

The X1 is what I'll be going for, I could care less about DSD as I don't have any files in that format and I don't see it ever taking off.

Yeah I think you are right.

@Ninja Pirate: What headphones do you use and can anybody recommend a good quality pair of IEMs? I have some Amperior's and the AHD2000's but would prefer something a bit lighter or portable.

Cookeh · 9 Dec 2014 at 00:22

Depends on one's budget really. RE400s/RHA 750s are excellent at ~£80. The former is more neutral-biased than the 750s, which are rather warm sounding.
Dunu DN-1000s are epic if you want a V-shaped sound at around £150, as are the VSonic GR07s. A similar price will get you the Fischer Audio DBA-02 Mk IIs which are fantastic as far as balanced IEMs go.

ethan · 9 Dec 2014 at 22:53

Cookeh said:
Depends on one's budget really. RE400s/RHA 750s are excellent at ~£80. The former is more neutral-biased than the 750s, which are rather warm sounding.
Dunu DN-1000s are epic if you want a V-shaped sound at around £150, as are the VSonic GR07s. A similar price will get you the Fischer Audio DBA-02 Mk IIs which are fantastic as far as balanced IEMs go.

Hmm I don't think/ wouldn't like to have to spend as much as or more than what I paid for the X1 when I have £500+ worth of headphones at home. I have some £80.00 Sony IEM's but don't rate them at all so I think I had better consider the best budget/bang for buck option. Thanks for the suggestions Cookeh.

Ninja Pirate · 10 Dec 2014 at 19:22

ethan said:
Yeah I think you are right.

@Ninja Pirate: What headphones do you use and can anybody recommend a good quality pair of IEMs? I have some Amperior's and the AHD2000's but would prefer something a bit lighter or portable.

With the X3/X5?

Mostly IEM's (I've had quite a few), but these days it's pretty much just the InEar SD-2 (which are fantastic by the way, kind of like a mini HE-500).

I've also run my LCD-2 and HE-500's out of the X3 (haven't tried it out of the X5) and various higher sensitivity stuff (D600, HP50, L2, etc).

ethan · 10 Dec 2014 at 23:09

I was looking at a pair of Sound magic E10's or Denon AH-C120 for portable use .The latter go down to 5hz-24hz @30 ohms. I don't know if anybody would consider them a good price @ below £90.00?

Cookeh · 11 Dec 2014 at 01:13

Interesting review on the X1 here that may change your mind.

To quote directly from it:

ClieOS Head-Fi said:
So how is the actual sound quality? Well, it is a solid upper entry DAP. Even though it is the latest of FiiO DAP, it is not going to be as good sounding as the mid level X3 or top level X5. Overall, you are looking at a DAP that is roughly on par to iPod nano 7G and Sandisk Clip+ / Fuze.

With this in mind, and assuming you arent using any high-demanding headphones you may well be better off saving your money and getting a Clip+ w/ Rockbox.

rids57 · 11 Dec 2014 at 01:26

The next bit is important though...

The major difference are of course the high resolution support as well as a more powerful amp section, but neither of them instantly translate to class smashing performance. If you are not listening HD music or using a fairly demanding headphone, you might not be able to hear any distinctive quality difference between X1 and other solid DAP around the $100 mark.

So if you are listening to HD music, use demanding headphones and need a lot of storage space then it makes a lot more sense.

james.miller · 11 Dec 2014 at 01:31

rids57 said:
The X1 is what I'll be going for, I could care less about DSD as I don't have any files in that format and I don't see it ever taking off.

its been around for over a decade, so no it probably wont now

ethan · 11 Dec 2014 at 10:37

Cookeh said:
Interesting review on the X1 here that may change your mind.

To quote directly from it:

With this in mind, and assuming you arent using any high-demanding headphones you may well be better off saving your money and getting a Clip+ w/ Rockbox.

There is always this: http://www.headfonia.com/fiio-x1-99-dap/2/

So what does all that finally mean? Is the X1 a bad DAP? No it certainly is not, not for the price it is selling for. The thing to remember is that the X1 looks great and has a really good User Interface. At the same time it plays all High Res files and it gives you a very enjoyable and fun sound in return. What other DAP does that for only $99?! That’s also what I think Fiio means with the DAP for the young: Fun sound with good bass for an affordable price.

Looking at the X1 in an objective way I can only say it’s no high-end sounding DAP. For the price it is selling for there however is nothing wrong with that. No one expects it to have AK level sound for $99 although I had hoped for a better headphone out. When you switch the X1 to the Line Out however and use it in combination with an external amp, a whole new world opens up and it becomes this awesome little source with a great UI for only $99. I love it!

So who can I recommend this DAP to then? Well that’s simple: to a whole lot of people. I’m pretty sure the normal music and iBud loving people would enjoy the X1 as an MP3 player. It would also be a great first DAP for starting young*audiophiles*or for those on a small budget. I don’t think this is the DAP to get when you’re a more experienced listener, the X3 doesn’t cost that much more nowadays. Too bad the UI isn’t like this one. If, like me, you will be using it just as a source with the Line Out, the X1 is an excellent buy: if you get a chance to try the X1 in this combination, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

I have been using my X1 & Picollo combo on a daily basis. Yes, the Astel&Kerns of this world sound better but I do feel so much more comfortable using the Fiio when on the go. I really love it and like I said in the*podcast: for this price everyone should get an X1, I’m sure you’ll find a way to use and love it.

Cookeh · 11 Dec 2014 at 11:15

rids57 said:
The next bit is important though...

So if you are listening to HD music, use demanding headphones and need a lot of storage space then it makes a lot more sense.

Yup, it is, which is why I put this clause in...

Cookeh said:
With this in mind, and assuming you arent using any high-demanding headphones you may well be better off saving your money and getting a Clip+ w/ Rockbox.

rids57 · 11 Dec 2014 at 18:53

Although the Clip does FLAC it doesn't do 24/96 or 24/192 and I have a few of those in my collection, plus I would want more than 32GB of storage space.

I currently still use my old Cowon D2 and although it doesn't do FLAC you have to love the 50 hour battery life, plus it powers my HD650 and K702 without any problems.

ethan · 17 Dec 2014 at 02:14

Well I opted for the Fiio X1 and what a fantastic little player it is. Best £100.00 I spent on an mp3 player ever. Using some old Sony Nwz phones and Denon Music Maniac AHC-120M phones. The latter were reduced from just under £90.00 to £40.00 @ HMV.

rids57 · 17 Dec 2014 at 03:06

If it wasn't for this damned christmas thing I'd be joining you

ps. they are only £89 in that rainy, foresty place

marc2003 · 17 Dec 2014 at 10:39

rids57 said:
Although the Clip does FLAC it doesn't do 24/96 or 24/192 and I have a few of those in my collection, plus I would want more than 32GB of storage space.

u wot m8? a clip+ has 8GB onboard and takes a 128GB microSDXC card. last time i checked, 128+8 is more than 128+0.

also, the whole notion of hi-res on a portable is ridiculous. people can't tell on high end equipment in dedicated listening rooms. there have been studies to show this so i'm not going to believe anyone who thinks they can hear anything on a few hundred quids worth of kit on their daily commute. i presume people are buying these to take outside??

edit: i'm not going to dispute it can drive better headphones than the clip can. that's a valid reason enough to get one.

ethan · 17 Dec 2014 at 14:22

You also have the option to select "line out" which, after listening to it, could be another reason.