Review: FiiO Q5 – The Step-Up

Sound performance

All my impressions were with the AM3A module and since it’s the one by default I preferred to stick with it. Also it works really well.

Headphone output (unbalanced)

Clean and quiet. The FiiO Q5 isn’t prone to hiss, even with ultra sensitive CIEMs like my Onkyo IE-C3 you barely notice anything, unless you’re a bat but your should not use a FiiO Q5 then. Push the High Gain switch and you still get a silent background, the Low-Pass filter making a pretty good job.

Sound wise, it’s a real step-up from the previous generation. The FiiO E18 sounds really thin compared to the Q5, as if a whole layer of music was secretly hidden behind some mysterious veil. The volume control is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time, it’s a massive improvement from the FiiO DAPs too and I doubt anyone will ever complain.

As silly as it may be, the Q5 doesn’t sound like a FiiO. The sound signature is flat and there is no bump like with the previous AKM players from the brand. It’s precise and dynamic but the sound isn’t lushful and forgiving as the FiiO X5iii is/was and with bad recordings it can really be harsh. As I was expecting a mid-forward signature, it’s a pleasant surprise to discover this linear approach, more suited for a modern DAC/Amp.

The double AK4490EQ is easily recognisable with a good, balanced sound. Nothing too fancy here, the sound never overwhelms you as a Sabre DAC can do, yet you’re always fully immersed in your music. Like a good car, even if on hard track the Q5 makes you enjoy the ride, as effortless as possible. If one adjective could specify this DAC, it would be “poised”.

With the AM3A, the FiiO Q5 is a very solid contender in the most polyvalent DAC/Amp battle. It’s powerful enough to drive the Sennheiser HD800S in TRS, even in low gain if you want to keep more dynamic range. In low gain, the bass is less audible on big cans, so you might have to activate high gain to really push the drivers.

The soundstage is good but seems a little narrowed compared to its direct competitors, the IFI xDSD gets more praise from me on this one. It’s not bad in any way, it just feels a bit too frontal and there is no DSP to modify this, even on the FiiO Music App. It’s more obvious with In-Ears, as they can focus your attention even more and exert this impression.

Compared to the FiiO X7 Mark II, the Q5 sounds – again- more linear overall and it’s even more flagrant if you compare it to the FiiO X5iii, the latter lacking the clarity of the Q5.

Balanced headphone output (AM3A)

Once connected to the balanced output, you can’t unhear how much the soundstage widens on the FiiO Q5. To be fair, I used to hate it on the first listening, it was too wide for me as if I was using some speakers. The numbers tell the story, channel separation gained a whoopy 26dB upgrade. Insane !

But as for good headphones, when you go back to the unbalanced headphone output, you feel like you’re missing something important. On some tracks like Time – Pink Floyd or Time is the Enemy – Quantic, it’s brilliant, and you obtain a full new experience with 3D sound, in your head. With my UM Maestro I still feel a dead stop at 12am, but it’s an acceptable trade-off.

The new volume knob, combined with the balanced output, may outperform some high end portable DACs. It’s a continuous flow of power, fully controlled and strongly addictive : I ended up way above my usual playback volume more than once. Again, in this mode you’ll have enough power to seriously damage your ears, the lack of distortion leading to higher volume than you can perceive.

For me, the FiiO Q5 is a major upgrade from the FiiO X5iii in TRRS. The old DAP lacking both in resolve and fullness, lows are more present but tend to be vague. The mids are pretty much identical but the highs are more delicate, on most cymbals you can feel how much this device has evolved in just a few months.

Last but not least, the bass boost works whether you’re in balanced or unbalanced mode, pushing the low mids. I didn’t feel a massive difference under 30Hz, but starting from 60Hz you can definitely hear more “oomph” on bass lacking headphones. As with gain switches, the noise does not raise, nor the distortion so you can activate them without guilt.

Overall, if you can, use the balanced output instead of the more traditional unbalanced output, there is a lot to gain here at almost no cost and the battery life is nearly the same in each mode. The only drawback is a little more hiss, but that’s common.

Conclusion

Available for less than 400 bucks, the FiiO Q5 is a fully comprehensive DAC/Amplifier, packing everything the brand has to offer. Sound wise, it’s one of the best device you can get in this price range, and the best sounding FiiO device at the moment. It can outperform the competitors once the balanced output is in use, none of them being capable of offering a soundstage this wide.

Virtually, you can connect almost anything and the Bluetooth transmission works really well. You can even watch some movies with the Q5, the delay being reasonably low thanks to the strong Bluetooth chip. On the go, it’s easier to connect and if you need the best quality, you still get USB-in.

If you already own a FiiO X7 Mark II, it would be hard to advise you to buy the new Q5, even if it sounds a tad better at half the price. But if you want a powerful DAC/Amp for your smartphone or aging DAP, the FiiO Q5 is the way to go. You really can’t go wrong here, trust me on this.