Review of FiiO player M3K — beginner connoisseurs

specifications

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• Processor: Ingenic X1000 @ 1 GHz
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• DAC: AK4376A
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• frequency Range: 5 Hz ~ 90 kHz (-3 dB)
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• Output impedance: <1Ω
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• output power: ≥42 mW @ 16Ω, ≥25 mW @ 32Ω
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• Recommended load impedance: 16Ω ~ 100Ω
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• the Ratio signal/noise: ≥117 dB
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• Total harmonic distortion + noise: <0.004%
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• noise: <2uV
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• Scope of voltage: 2.46 Vp-p
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• Memory: MicroSD up to 2TB
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• Screen: 2″ IPS TFT, 240×320 @ 262K
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• Entrance: Micro USB2.0
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• Output: 3.5 mm TRS
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• Battery: Li-Po, 1100 mAh
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• hours on a single charge: >24 hours
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• charging Time: <2.5 hours
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• Support format: DSD (ISO, DFF, DSF), FLAC, APE, WAV, AIFF, WMA, ALAC, MP3, OGG
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• Max resolution: up to 192kHz/24-bit, DSD64
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• Dimensions: 91 mm ×44 mm × 12 mm
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• Weight: 78 g.

Packing and delivery

Design and control

In appearance, the player is more reminiscent of the last reincarnation X1 — the same aluminum body with rounded ends, like the black insert on the front panel. The difference is mainly in size and in a slightly different line up control, but about it below. The player, of course, were bigger than the last M3, but it is still very compact and lightweight, making it a good candidate for the role of a source for «active lifestyle».

FiiO understands the target audience, so to deprive the player hardware buttons did not. On the left side is «rocker» the volume, if hold it — it allows you to switch tracks. It has been placed «programmable» button, whose function can be changed in the menu. On «the rocker» power button is traditionally also used for screen lock.

Management is done a bit unusual, the developers finally abandoned the circles in all their forms and made vertical touch strip, swipe which allow the user to navigate, and taps is to select the corresponding menu item or start playback. There are also four buttons located around the Central strips standard: back, submenu, and navigation tracks (she also works in the menu).

Overall, after a little getting used to, to use the management convenient, so I don't understand the disturbance of mass sensors, the more basic functions are duplicated side buttons.

Firmware

The Firmware in General is made very traditionally, FiiO did not invent any innovations and broke it down into several sections, each of which corresponds to a large icon on the home screen.

File browserViewing the contents of the memory card in folders, allowing you to enjoy your media library exactly in the form in which it has been created.

Category Advanced media library shows your music by artists, albums, and genres. Here are the list of all the tracks at once, favorites, playlists and recently added tracks. It is particularly gratifying that the artists have a two-level grouping, that is, selecting the contractor, you will see a list of his albums. Other points — sibling and immediately lead to a list of tracks.

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• the playback Order of tracks
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• Memorization of the track or position when you turn off your player
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• gapless Playback
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• Maximum volume
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• memorize the last volume when turned off
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• Balance
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• Equalizer
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• Automatic jump to the next folder

System settings the same settings, but this time more «». These include:

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• Update the media library
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• screen Brightness
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• Timers turn off the backlight, switch to standby mode and sleep
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• USB Mode
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• Act «universal» button. While there are only two options: play/pause or change the playback order. Hopefully in the future the list will be expanded
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• whether to Show the clock on the lock screen
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• set date and time
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• Choice of language (Russian present)
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• Formatting a memory card
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• factory Reset
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• system Information

The playback Screen is also quite standard: the large album cover, under it — the track information and progress. There is a context menu with most frequently used options.

In General, the firmware leaves a good impression, everything is working quite fast and stable, noticeable bugs I found. In the first version, which came with the player, I somehow subliminales tracks in my favorites, but after the upgrade this problem is gone.

Sound

Bass normal resolution, it is not super-detailed, but for this price it is quite good. In General, the adjustment cost here is to do almost always, players price in 2-3 times above are expected better sound. Bass has good texture, depth normal, but not extraordinary. Fans of focus on the bass player, probably will not work, as he plays just the right amount of bass that there is in the record.

The Average frequency is made a neutral without trying to play microdialysate or add emotion. The resolution is normal, but not record, however, the loss of significant details here. Imaginary scene about medium in depth and width, but the three-dimensionality of the player could normally. Instruments are well separated, their character is transmitted with good accuracy.

FiiO Players If you discard the difference in power, then according to the General flow of M3K is somewhere on the path from X1-2 to X3-3. «Troika» more detailed, but more light that does not always favor the bad records. «Unit» more bassy and massive, for fans of this style of feeder. Compared to the M3 the first generation player comes out noticeably ahead in almost everything, starting from natural and ending with the construction of an imaginary scene.

xDuoo X3-II Another comparison, demanding to remove from consideration the difference in power. With headphones that require more «strength», X3-II shows better, but on the sensor plugs, leveling this option M3K proved to be much more natural sound, especially in HF.

Compatibility

By tradition, the last time a player has high capacity, so that high-impedance headphones and not the most sensitive full-size model it is contraindicated. If you look at it from the perspective of the optimist, the amplifier M3K is enough for most portable headphone and low power gives us the low levelbackground noise and long working time.

The Player is quite versatile in genres, but, of course, for the full «disclosure» complex music needs a top-end device. The quality of the recording M3K moderately critical on a 10-point scale «capricious» I'd give him 7 points.

Traditional tracks-examples

a Great track showing the capabilities of the player in building a scene and exploring midrange. Minimalism allows us not to be distracted from these aspects, and the atmospheric and dramatic, well passed M3K, just fascinating.

Well, finish selection something really beautiful and traditional. In General, Marcus Miller for the role perfectly, especially because M3K good for your price with this track to cope, reacting to everything from vocals to guitar laces.

Insights

In General, the player was very expected: convenient, inexpensive and compact. The sound is certainly not a flagship killer, but to the outsiders, the player also misses. In General, the optimal companion for wealthy music lover or a person listening to music on the go.