We today take a detailed look at the FiiO New K3, the company’s new USB DAC/Amp.
Disclaimer: The FiiO New K3 was sent to me by the company itself for this review. The price of the unit is $119,99 USD at this time.
About FiiO
FiiO doesn’t need an introduction. Everybody knows them. You don’t? Then you can go to FiiO’s website here. They now produce almost everything when it comes to portable audio. They want to be competitive in every field they’re operating, and I personally respect their work. To be honest, it has been one of the few companies which haven’t driven up their prices to Mount Rushmore, yet.
About FiiO’s New K3
This is FiiO’s new 2021 edition of the highly successful K3 model. FiiO has upgraded the device with a new high-quality XMOS USB chip, a new flagship-grade ESS DAC, and dual crystal oscillators. FiiO K3 2021 still manages to keep the price in the affordable area with a price tag of 119.99$.
FiiO K3s
The switch from the AK4452 to ESS9038Q2M results in a Signal Noise Ratio improvement of 14dB, whilst the distortion is reduced by 13dB. This means an overall of %12 performance increase by FiiO’s claims. You can see the figures below.
Let’s start now.
Package, Design & Build Quality
The box of the new K3 is nothing new. It’s identical to the previous model. In fact, it’s impossible to tell if this is the new K3 model from just looking at the box. Well, actually you can’t tell the difference by looking at the unit either. There’s nothing on the box or on the unit to tell you that this is the K3″s”. The box and the unit are printed as “K3”, so I don’t know how a consumer would possibly identify this product as the new K3. Maybe I received an old box so I really don’t know.
The design is also the same. It’s very small and it has rounded edges for better handling when in use. It is a well-designed unit with a good button and port layout as you have everything you need in the correct and convenient positions. Compared to the E10K, this design is much sleeker and very premium. I liked the Hi-Res audio print on the device instead of the sticker. I’m also impressed by the small footprint.
FiiO K3s
At the front, you have your 2.5 and 3.5mm outputs. The gain and bass switches are also there, next to the volume knob and the LED indicator. On the back, you have a line-out, coaxial and optical outputs, a USB 1.0/2.0 switch, and the USB Type C socket for PC/Smartphone connection.
The build quality is very good. The aluminum casing feels very solid with a cold touch and the volume knob looks & feels excellent. For a device at this price, the build is very very good and that also applies to the audio output sockets, switches, and inputs.
For more information about the device regarding no-sound topics, you can also check Nano’s 2018 review below:
FiiO K3s
Sound Quality
The new FiiO K3 is a very clean-sounding and very impressive device in terms of sound. The performance is simply excellent for the price. It’s a fantastic companion for stopping by a coffee shop and listening to music from your laptop. Sure, it has its limitations but that’s only normal for the form factor and price. The sound is very detailed, sharp, clear, and crisp.
Of course, the sound would depend on your headphones as always, but no matter what headphone I tried with the new K3, it played beautifully and consistently. I’m personally very impressed by the performance and let me tell you why.
Bass
The bass with the new K3s is very very impressive. It’s very tidy, controlled, and rumbling with good body and slam. The resolution of the bass is very good as well as the attack. Its decay is also quite impressive as it doesn’t spread the bass around. Of course, that’s only the case when you don’t open the bass switch.
I’m not quite a sound effects guy so I really don’t like these types of additions. Sure, some people would benefit from the lifted bass response but I think in this device that only makes the bass worse. Much worse, if I have to be precise. All of those qualities I mentioned above disappear, and you’re left with a boomy, dispersed, and disjointed bass response. Would I use that just for the sake of more bass quantity? I would definitely say, no. The switch is a bit better when you use the device with full-size headphones, but still, I would prefer not to use the switch.
FiiO K3s
Apart from the switch, the bass performance of the new K3s is excellent. Lows are very clean sounding just like the rest of the spectrum. The quantity is just right in terms of mid-bass and sub-bass balance. I suppose the upgraded DAC chip works wonders here. Maybe it’s a bit lifted at times with popular songs, but it’s reference-like when you listen to Classical and Jazz recordings. This is great stuff from FiiO.
Page 2: More About Sound Quality, Comparison with E10K TC and Conclusion
Ronson
One correction: the original K3 also is USB C, so you won’t be able to tell the difference there.
Berkhan
Corrected, thank you.
Albert
Hi, thank you for the review,
How I can physically recognize a new version of the old one.
Thank You
Berkhan
I have no idea. There’s nothing to identify.
Albert
Thank you
pyXelr
According to a Reddit user [1], it seems like “the barcode on the lower right of the box shows the chip. So if it’s the new version it would be “K3 ES9038Q2M”.”
[1] – https://www.reddit.com/r/FiiO/comments/ppvt7u/comment/hdfc3y9/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
10basetom
How does this compare to the E07K DAC + E09K amp combo when driving 300 ohm cans like the Sennheiser HD 650?
Berkhan
I don’t have that combo, sorry. But in terms of pure output power the combo should be a bit better.
kmyk
Just got it myself but the box seems to be the same as the old K3, even the model number. How do I know it’s the new one before opening it so I can return it if I got sent the wrong product?
Daniyal
How does it compare to the BTR5 on sound quality alone ?
Berkhan
I don’t know unfortunately.
Daniyal
Also i forgot to ask, how does it compare to Q3 in SQ ?
Berkhan
No idea.
George
If you turn it on and use the 384k sampling rate, the light on the new version would be yellow instead of green like the old one. That’s the second difference from the old K3
Berkhan
Thank you for the info.
Miguel Medina Vicente
Hi Berkhan, nice review.
I had the IFI Zen DAC v2, I bought it from amazon, but I had strange ‘clicks’ when changing songs, so I returned it. Probably it was a bad unit.
I’ve just got the Fiio new k3, and I’m quite happy. I used it with a Meze 99 classics on my laptop(The meze 99 does not need more amplification). The only question I have is, am I missing something with respect to the IFI ZEN DAC v2 or are they similar in sound. (I don’t think I use more than CD tidal quality or spotify quality).
Berkhan
I never tried the Zen DAC v2 but if you’re frequently using Spotify, the K3 should be enough for now.
Ben
Im wondering if it is worth the upgrade from the original K3?
I use mine to drive my Sony MRD7506’s
Jaime Espinoza
Will it work to connect to Helix DSP Mini optical input?
I need cable coaxial mini to optical
[email protected]
Hello, I have two questions. You mentioned that new k3 sounds better than e10k, is it a big difference or a marginal difference? You said that e10k is better for basic tuning, what do you mean by basic tuning? Thanks a lot.