FIIO Q3

amazon FIIO Q3 reviews

Fiio continues to upgrade and change headphone amp/DAC products with many new models. Fiio Q3 is an upgraded product from the popular Q1 gen two that many audio players have well received.

FiiO is always at the forefront of applying high technology from the low-cost to high-end segments, bringing good configuration and connecting many different devices.

Build

The traditional packaging, similar to Q1 gen 2, looks friendly. It highlights outstanding features, such as the connection port and the on/off button that draws electricity from the phone.

The front has prominently printed product connection ports, with an additional 4.4mm balance port.

The back is printed with size and weight parameters and supported IP models with Q3.

The headset includes Fiio Q3, 3.5mm plug, type-c cord, type-c to lightning cord, type C charging dock, one cloth bag, and four rubber rings.

External design

DAC/Amp FiiO Q3 is a new generation model upgraded from Fiio Q1 gen 2; the external appearance remains the same. The upper part is printed with the Fiio logo and the hires audio appraisal logo.

The high-strength CNC aluminum housing is also equipped with nickel-copper shielding and a 360-degree RF interference shield around the FiiO Q3 to limit radio interference by smart mobile devices.

The volume control key is smoother than rotating. The charging port is a type C plug, a button to switch bass, gain or charge modes. In our connection control introduction, we will introduce these features in more detail.

We can easily replace the 2.5-factor balance switch with a quality 4.4mm port compatible with many high-impedance headphones up to 300ohm.

The feeling of holding in hand is very nice, has a roughness, and is also 10g heavier than the Q1 gen 2, the weight of the Q3 is 110g, excluding the battery.

With the same size as the IP5, you can easily carry it anywhere; it’s compact; the company also calculates the same, including a few transparent rubber sheets to insulate the case.

Connect and control

As a versatile DAC that can be connected to many phones and wireless devices through connections such as type C, Lightning, USB-A, Fiio Q3 prioritizes connection with models using IOS systems such as iPhone, iPod, Ipad.

So the included cord is also quite enough from 3.5mm-3.5mm, type-C – type-C, type-C – lightning, type-C – USB-A.

It is also easy to connect the product via the OTG connection on other devices, but you should use a genuine jack for stability.

Adjust Gain, Bass Boost easily directly on the product body with just an easy-to-use intuitive switch.

I like this product because the FiiO Q3 can turn Charge ON / OFF to use the Fiio’s battery without using another power source from the music player. With previous devices like Q1 or Q1 gen 2, Samsung or iPhone devices often sucked the battery when listening to music, so it more or less caused the listener to miss the size.

The Dac/Amp FiiO Q3 has RGB LEDs on the volume knob, making it easy for users to distinguish between different sampling codec formats and standards.

Battery life

The battery life of the Fiio Q3 is also significantly increased. Q3 has a 1800mAh battery capacity that provides time to use with a USB port on PO port formats of 10H, BAL 8.5H, AUX-in: BAL 19H.

Using the charging source through the power source: DC 5V 2A, you can be assured of the fast and safe charging of the Q3.

Hardware configuration of Fiio Q3

Dac/Amp FiiO Q3 has a powerful amplifier circuit: The amp module of the THX AAA-28 helps reduce distortion and increase the amp’s interoperability.

Dac/Amp FiiO Q3 uses a high-end decoder chip from AKM: AK4462 is much more bearable than AKM4452 of the Q1 Mark 2 model.

Next is the XMOS XUF208 Receiver chip that can decode high formats such as DSD 64/128/256/512 and PCM 32bit/768kHz.

There are three headphone OUTPUT ports, including one single-ended 3.5mm port, two balanced 2.5mm, and 4.4mm ports.

Dac/Amp FiiO Q3 has an output power: 3.5mm is 160mW (32Ω, THD + N ＜ 1%, USB IN), 2.5mm is 300mW (32Ω, THD+N＜1%, USB IN) to 4.4mm is 325mW (32Ω, THD+N＜1%, AUX IN):

-2.5mm is 180mW (16Ω, THD+N＜1%, USB IN) and 300mW (32Ω, THD+N＜1%, USB IN), 35mW (300Ω, THD+N1%, USB IN) respectively Output impedance 3Ω (32Ω load）

– 4.4mm is 190mW (16Ω, THD+N＜1%, AUX IN) and 325mW (32Ω, THD+N＜1%, AUX IN), 100mW (300Ω, THD+N＜1%, AUX IN) respectively Output impedance 3Ω (32Ω load)

– 3.5mm is 150mW (16Ω, THD + N 1%, USB IN) and 160mW (32Ω, THD + N 1%, USB IN), 19mW (300Ω, THD + N 1%, USB IN) equivalent output impedance 1.2Ω (32Ω load)

The Dac/Amp FiiO Q3 can pull a wide range of high impedance headphone models with recommended headphone impedance levels: 16 ～ 100Ω (PO), 16 ～ 300Ω (BAL).

Dac/Amp FiiO Q3 easily connects to all user devices and is certified by Apple to be fully compatible with iOS devices.

Dac/Amp FiiO Q3 uses Thesycon’s drivers via USB Audio 1.0 and 2.0 protocols, making USB DACs deliver high-quality audio decoding.

In addition, Sony Walkman music players can also connect to output signals easily; users use the FiiO Q3 driver through the FiiO Music application.

Sound quality

To evaluate the sound quality of this Amp/Dac Fiio Q3 series, I used songs like Long After You’re Gone, Go Home, Hello, Alone, Let It Go.

The devices used for testing include Apple iPhone 11, Apple Ipad Pro, Apple Macbook Pro, and Ibasso IT01 headphones (16 ohms), Beyerdynamic DT990 pro (250ohms).

After listening to it for about a week, I have a few comments about the sound bands of this Fiio Q3 as follows:

THX AAA28 Amp + Dac AK4462 chip and XMOS XUF208 allow Q3 to decode almost all high-standard music today.

Q3’s Bass range is generally quite round, delicate, has high precision, space is just right, listen on The DT990 pro 250ohm still ensures enough space and volume of the Bass range, but on Ibasso IT01 bass does not The liver will be more concentrated. The high bass is very strong, extending the mid-range quite well, so the bass is created in a very good listening area.

The Mid-range through the Hello or Let It Go song benefits the high mid part; the sound is clear, smooth, and fresh. The music is inspirational and has a strong emphasis on the back part. When combined from iPhone 11, even though the source part is a bit weak, you are completely assured of the ability to push the mid-range of this amp/DAC.

The mid-range after being burned enough will make the sound much clearer and softer, enough for fastidious people to be satisfied with its price.

The Treble strip is bright, the saxophone or violin sound is quite sensitive, and the fast response speed. I think the treble part is quite good, but not as good as mid vs. bass.

Who has a 4.4 balance headphone port? The company has also added it in Q3 to expand the connection.

The overall sound range is well detailed; the sound is clean, the space is dynamic, can pull many headphones with impedance up to 300ohms suitable for vibrant music, dance. For those who do not have enough money to upgrade to Dac/Amp Q5s, the Q3 is a good idea and choice when the Q1 gen two does not satisfy you.

Summary

It can be briefly said that the sound of the Q3 is superior to its second-level brother, the Q1 gen 2. You have a stronger hardware configuration, more connections, longer battery life.

So what are you waiting for without researching and experiencing this Dac/Amp?

Advantages

– Powerful hardware

– Add 4.4mm Balance port

– There is work to disconnect device charging

– The sound quality is outstanding compared to the old version

Defect

– Body hasn’t broken through yet

– Wireless Dac connection is not supported yet.

– The volume key is a bit small

where can you get a FIIO Q3 online

FiiO Q3 Headphone Amplifier DSD512 | 768K/32Bit AK4462DAC with THX AAA amp Technology for MobilePhone &PC with (2.5/3.5/4.4mm) Output: Buy it now

FiiO Q3 THX Balanced Amplifier & DAC for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android Mobile Phones Bundle with Blucoil 5000mAh Portable Power Bank, and USB Wall Adapter: Buy it now

FiiO Q3 Headphone Amplifier DSD512 | 768K/32Bit AK4462DAC with THX AAA Amp Technology Bundle with Blucoil Earbud Case, Y Splitter Cable, 6′ 3.5mm Extension Cable, and USB Wall Adapter: Buy it now

FiiO Q3 Headphone Amplifier DSD512 | 768K/32Bit AK4462DAC with THX AAA Amp Technology Bundle with Blucoil Hard Shell Case, 6-FT Headphone Extension Cable (3.5mm), and 5000mAh Portable Power Bank: Buy it now