Disclaimer: This article about the Fiio X7 is part of the new Wayback Wednesday series which is replacing our “Favourite album of” series. Check out the other Wayback Wednesday articles HERE.
The Fiio X7 for the moment still is Fiio’s flagship portable player. Sound wise I still find it to be Fiio’s best DAP but ever since the new Fiio X5 was released, I’ve preferred playing with the latter. The Fiio X5’s design is smaller and it looks a whole lot sexier. While the UI is more or less the same, the Fiio X5 is easier to work with as it lays better in your hand. One of the conclusions of our X5 & X7 review was that the X7 in an X5 design would be the best of both worlds.
We all have noticed that Fiio these last years likes to launch second revisions of their DAPs rather quickly and it is just the same for the X7. During my meeting with Fiio’s big boss James at High End in Munich he showed me a whole lot of upcoming new products that’ll see the light over the next two months, but the most interesting one just might be the next X7.2.
It looks like Fiio has been reading our reviews because the new X7.2 is indeed a mix of the X5 and the X7. It looks like a crossover model with the style and button layout of the X5 and the sound of the X7 but it can still use the AM (amplifier) modules of the original X7. I didn’t get a chance to listen to it and I couldn’t take pictures of the pre-production/prototype model, but it looked damn fine.
That does mean that the original X7 DAP will probably be phased out and replaced by its successor. Personally I think that’s a good move from Fiio as the new Fiio X7.2 brings the best of both worlds. It’s a logic move as well as a lot of people are buying the X5 just because it looks nicer. With the new X7.2 that issue is solved as well.
Fiio will also be launching Bluetooth units, new amps, iPhone 7 accessories, portable amps, etc etc. Keep an eye on Fiio, I’m pretty sure there’s something interesting in the new gear for everyone. So should you update to the new Fiio X7.2? That’s too soon to tell but it does look a whole lot sexier. Personally if it has the X7’s sound and the X5 looks, I’d upgrade right away. Not convinced yet the X7 sound wise is the DAP for you? Then check out our review!
Tomorrow we’ll be publishing another review and on Friday and Saturday you’ll get the full High ENd Munich debrief here on HFN!
Christian
Exciting news – since you’ve had a chance to look at it, is it smaller in size than the original?
I agree with you that while my X7 sounds better than my previous X5iii, the latter its just more fun to operate and feels better in the hand- so that’s what I’m hoping for.
Himanshu
hey! I’m looking to buy open headphone i have narrow down my choices to beyerdynamic 1990 pro,Audeze el8 open,Audeze lcd 2 rev2 which one should i pick…
Lieven
That depends on a while lot of other things. Where are you using it? How? Source? Amp? Music? Etc
Dealer
I don’t think it’s OK to leak such information online, it hurts worldwide sales. Potential X7 customers now will wait for the updated version that may come this fall or holiday season.
James didn’t tell you it was confidential info? He did to me
Lieven
No he actually did not at all. I wouldn’t have posted it if he did. And it will be out within 2 months as well.
I do think the renewal/revision rate at Fiio is too high, and it’s exactly that what is bothering the customers.
Lieven
Just Checked with Fiio. We’re all good, it was allowed to post, just no pictures. So yeah, I was right 🙂
Dealer
In this case I take my words back.