Last but not least, the Fiio X7ii comes delivered with a brand new version of their balanced AM module, named the AM3A. Being a fan of balanced sound, the old AM3 module is my favorite one and this AM3A performs even better. The AM3A still has the double single ended and balanced output but it respectively delivers 200mW and 380mW (at 16Ω) which are both lower than the what the AM3 module put out (250mW & 420mW). The AM3A module uses the AD8620 operational amp as well as a tailor made OP1926 opamp. All the old X7 modules can be used with the new X7ii.
Fiio also made this excellent comparison between the X7 – X5iii and X7ii, you can check that out right here: http://www.fiio.net/en/products/71/comparisons
Accessories & Price
The new Fiio X7ii this time round comes with a leather case with red stitching, the original X7 didn’t come with a leather case if I remember well. The new leather, although I’m not a fan of its black & red looks, works really well. There a nicely cut out part for the volume wheel but all the other buttons have to be clicked through the leather. To be honest I’ve been mostly using the X7II without its leather case.
Next to the case, the Fiio X7ii comes with the typical USB charging cable, coaxial adapter, warranty and quick start guide. Where you before got a tiny little screwdriver to replace the AM modules, you nog get a bigger, easier to handle screwdriver.
You get all this for the official price of $669.99 via Fiio in their Aliexpress shop.
Firmware/ User Interface/ Usability
The Fiio X7ii uses Android 5.1.1 and basically – a part for some little changes – it works just like the X7 and the X5iii. So if you really haven’t seen or used any of these players yet, I suggest checking out our previous reviews of both the X7 as the X5III to read up on their usability:
Fiio X7: https://www.headfonia.com/review-fiio-x7-fiios-number-one/
Fiio X5iii: https://www.headfonia.com/review-fiio-x5iii-3rd-generation-the-one-that-could/
Button and lay-out wise the Fiio X7 is easy to handle and you can even perfectly do so with just one hand when using the external buttons. Of course that’s just the case when you’re listening to music and only need to pause the track or switch songs and change the volume.
Just like with these models, the X7ii does updates on the fly (OTA) and it has the handy option to switch between the Android and Music mode. New is the fact that you can access some of the menu options by clicking the 3 dots in the now-playing screen (right next to the fwd button). Using the X7ii is easy and straightforward and after five minutes you’ll pretty much where everything is hidden.
Some things I don’t like at the moment are the fact that the X7ii on each reboot switches off the shuffle setting and that it reads my 200gb card really slow. When reading songs from the card you easily have to wait for a second or more before the song to switch, and it takes even longer for the screen to update with the new song that’s playing. This doesn’t seem to be the case when playing songs from the internal memory, so I’m hoping a next firmware upgrade will solve this issue. Or maybe it’s just an isolated case with my review unit, that can always happen.
Because of the Fiio X7ii using the latest Android version, you can easily access the google store and download all the software you want/need. You can of course also transport any APK files on to the X7ii and install them. I myself installed Tidal, Spotify, Last.fm (scrobbler) and Hiby player. I actually also use the Fiio X7II as a sound recorder with my Rode microphone.
A feature I really love (it isn’t new) is the fact that the Fiio X7ii allows you to (automatically) search and download the album art & lyrics information when connected to the internet over Wifi. Like before the tool isn’t perfect but it does allow you to delete the art/lyrics or simply choose different ones. Another cool thing is the new VU meter Fiio incorporated in the software. I hardly ever use it as my screen is off most of the time, but when it is on, it’s the VU meter (or the lyrics) which I’m looking at.
New with this DAC chip – and we’ve seen this in other DAPs already – are the digital filter quick settings which allow you to tune the sound to your preference. You have six different options: Fast Roll Off Linear Phase, Slow Roll Off Linear Phase, Apodizing Fast Roll Off, Fast Roll Off Minimum, Phase, Slow Roll Off Minimum Phase and Brickwall. My personal favorite is the first one but it depends on your hearing and the headphone used in what degree you will hear the impact of the filters on the sound.
In general the Fiio X7ii is easy to use and the user interface is easy and fast (beside the track switch issue described above) and there really isn’t anything to complain about. At the same time, when you’re used to the performance and speed of the AK SP1000 in example, then the Fiio X7ii and all of its rivals at that level still are relatively slow.
One issue I haven’t figured out yet is that some of my songs sometimes get played in fast forward. I think it’s related to the type of compression used but I haven’t gotten to the bottom of it yet. If you’ve experienced the same thing, do let me know in the comments.
Curious how it sounds? Then click HERE to go to Page Three of the review
HBB
Nice work.
I put a link to this review under my vid with disclaimer I have no affiliation. It’s a good read and this is for FiiO.
Swsko
Great reviews as usual. Was just wondering you said you tried the x7 ii with the mojo and it worked, my question is did the mojo indicate it was playing upsampled tracks??what apps did you use to listen?
ElTejano
” this X7ii has a fat chance of winning the sub 2017 $1000 DAP award. It’s that great.”
fyi- we usually use the phrase “fat chance” ironically, as in there is little chance.
keep up the great reviews, I’ll go back to lurking
Longanizo
Thanks for the review.
I am looking to upgrade my desktop headphone DAC/AMP setup. Currently I have the TEAC UD-301 + iFi ICan SE to drive my AKG 712 PRO and Fostex – TX-X00. I got very interested on the Hugo2 you also reviewed, but then came the Fiio X7 II which only costs a third of Hugo2. Is it possible to compare FIIO X7 II vs Hugo2 as Headphone DAC/AMP or do they really belong to different leagues?
Lieven
Yes., different league. And you can’t compare a DAP to a dac / Amp either. But if you would it would have to be ak380/SP1000 level
Niel
Hi Lieven,
Im a newbie in the world of audiophiles and need your advice.
I have only 2 cans at the moment, and akg k271 miii closed back (55 ohms) and an akg k7xx open back (62 ohms), and a cheap in ear Philips TX1 (32 ohms). Am possibly also looking to purchase a fiio f5 or f9 for a starter iem.
I am looking to purchase
1. either an x5 iii to be stacked with either a fiio a5 or an rha-l1
2. or just the x7 ii.
Am planning to listen to flac/alac, mp3 320kbps, and possibly some higher quality files. Am more of a rock, metal, blues and classical guy, with slight preference to techno and electronica. My preference is tight bass, but not muddy, clear mids and highs, hoping for a flexible EQ adjustment to suit diffrent genres.
Based on my available cans and possible purchase of a starter iem with balanced cable, which setup would you recommend?
Thanks in advance!
– Niel
dale thorn
I’m a little biased, but I lean toward one-box solutions instead of separates, especially with portable gear. This review, the reviews at headfonics and headphonelist, all good – and good value. Whathifi liked it OK, but thought it was too expensive for them. I looked at all the reviews on Amazon, but there were only 10 reviews, and the early ones looked like they were stacked toward FiiO generally. But taking the specific objections from a few Amazon reviews, and vetting those against the other major reviews, I could sell a million of these easily. But just to be sure, if yours has any glitches or accessories that don’t look like the FiiO originals, make sure you can return it for credit or exchange.
Glenn
Hello,
I need some help and honest advice. I am currently in the process of upgrading my portable music player. For the last 12 years I have been using a iPod classic 7th gen 80gb and it has done me a great service.
About 2 years ago i discovered the power of FLAC and lossless music via a friend. For me it was like listening to music again for the first time and i instantly became addicted asking my friend if i could listen to this song and that album. It has become “musical crack”.
So the past two years i have started to invest in gear to allow me to get my fix. Bought some Sennheiser momentum 2.0’s, invested in a Flac & lossless cd burner etc.
I always do some research into products before i buy them and during these two years i have been looking and following FiiO, the x7 to be exact. After hearing mixed reviews i decided to wait and see what else was coming out.
Roll onto 2017 and i am in stuck. I have come to a cross roads and i don’t know what road to take. The three DAP’s im looking at at the x7 mkii, x5 mk 3 and the ak70 mk ii.
Obviously i want to get the best bang for my buck. but i have no idea what to get, i guess you would want to know what i would manly use it for and what i would listen too.
If you could give me some advice and pointers that would be great!
dale thorn
Are you still using the Senn Momentum?
Ken
will X7ii enable me to log into wifi servers that require additional information. Like in a hotel or cafe. Most wifi connections will automatically open up a browser and ask for your name or require that you check a box. Smartphones have no problem handling this. But My current DAP (AK70) cannot perform this extra step.
I’d like to be able to stream Tidal while traveling for work.
Love any assistance!
Lieven
yes, annoying issue with a lot of DAPs
Karel
Does not play better than my iphone 6
Not worth it !
Danvell John
I wan to win these gear! And I will pair it up on my Kz Zsn because that is only what can I afford.
Catalina Radulescu
I want to win these for my boyfriend. He know the specs.