Sound General
The R9 proves to be a versatile powerhouse in the desktop realm, offering a plethora of functionalities. Yet, its true worth hinges on its sound quality. Fortunately, the R9 delivers an exceptional audio experience, excelling in both tonal accuracy and technical prowess.
In terms of presentation, the R9 conjures a sonic landscape reminiscent of FiiO’s flagship M17. However, being a desktop unit, it benefits from unrestricted size and increased power, resulting in enhanced dynamism, resolution, detail and separation.
Overall, the R9 exhibits a neutral sound signature with an uncoloured approach. Its sharp and clear presentation is accompanied by top-tier technical performance, with particularly noteworthy treble reproduction characterized by intricate detail and impressive extension.
The main aspect of the R9’s sound performance lies in its remarkable transparency and resolution. Its clarity is nothing short of exceptional, and the level of detail retrieval is truly impressive. From a purely technical standpoint, the R9 unquestionably delivers a top-tier performance, showcasing its prowess in rendering audio with precision and fidelity.
Bass
The R9 impresses with its ability to deliver impactful lows that are rich in texture. The bass hits with a satisfying punch and kick, providing a visceral listening experience. Particularly noteworthy is the abundance of sub-bass, ensuring there’s no shortage of depth, atmosphere, or realism in the soundstage.
What sets the R9 apart is its exceptional decay and recovery, contributing to a clean and precise sound reproduction. The bass exhibits the necessary quickness to accurately render each note, highlighting the device’s capability to excel in delivering a detailed and engaging audio performance.
The R9 navigates the separation between lows and mids, striking a balance that ensures a neutral sound presentation while still delivering impactful bass. The bass quantity is calibrated to complement the overall sound profile, with the rumbling sub-bass adding depth without overpowering the mix. This approach to the bass is characterized by its cleanliness, speed, and dynamism. The mid-bass performs nicely too, offering sufficient presence, while the sub-bass delivers a satisfying rumble when called upon, all while maintaining good separation and texture.
Beyond music listening, the R9’s good sub-bass reproduction enhances the immersive experience when watching movies or playing games—especially considering its HDMI capabilities for direct connection to gaming consoles. The tightness of the bass further amplifies the enjoyment, making the R9 an ideal companion for dynamic driver headphones or active speakers that thrive on precise and impactful bass reproduction.
Mids
The mid-range of the R9 is characterized by its clean and neutral presentation, boasting good body and fullness. However, it may lack a certain degree of musicality commonly associated with this DAC + Amp configuration, consistent with FiiO’s other products. At times, the mids can sound slightly cold, lacking the organic timbre that some listeners may desire.
Nevertheless, the mid-range offers exceptional clarity and cleanliness, with remarkable transparency and resolution. If your priority lies more with detail and crispness rather than musicality, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the level of precision and clarity that the R9 brings to the mid-range.
The R9 impresses with its level of detail, with good stereo imaging and separation. Its presentation is characterized by an assertive and in-your-face nature, delivering a dynamic and engaging listening experience. The micro-detail performance is truly outstanding, showcasing clarity and precision that reveal nuances in the music with remarkable clarity.
While the R9 excels in many aspects, its presentation leans towards the intimate rather than relaxed, with a sense of immediacy that draws the listener in. The dynamism is commendable, featuring good attack and speed that enhance the overall energetic performance.
However, it’s worth noting that the R9 may come across as slightly sterile and analytical, with a hint of coldness compared to gear with a more musical sound signature. The timbre could have been improved to offer a warmer and more organic presentation. It’s important to consider that the connected headphone or speaker setup may significantly influence the overall sound presentation, so individual experiences may vary depending on the setup used.
Treble
The treble performance of the R9 stands out as its strongest aspect, characterized by a technical yet controlled presentation that avoids excessive brightness. While undeniably energetic, the treble maintains impressive extension, particularly when paired with high-quality speakers or headphones. Despite its lively nature, the treble remains free from excessive sharpness or edginess.
The R9 reproduces treble with a delightful crispiness, offering excellent definition and abundant detail. If you prefer your treble to have a sharp, well-defined quality, the R9 delivers just that. Moreover, the treble exhibits superb resolution, with highs extending gracefully and providing ample airiness to the soundstage. The timbre in this region is exceptional, boasting openness and clarity that contribute to an immersive listening experience. Overall, the transparency of the treble is on par with the rest of the spectrum, further enhancing the R9’s stellar performance across the frequency range.
Page 1: Info, Package, Design, Build
Page 2: Scenarios, Operation, User Experience, Hardware
Page 4: Technical Performance, Comparisons, Conclusion
