Fiio Q3 Review (THE POWER IN YOUR PALM, OUTSTANDING!!)

[@db4448]

Most useful of all the Q3 reviews I have seen. No BS and straight to the point... Thanks!

[@Chopped86]

My FiiO Q3 came in today. I am very impressed. It can drive the Argon to screaming levels out of SE. Right in time as I am moving literally across the country and my desktop setup is boxed up. I am excited to compare this little guy to my full on THX 789.

[@herseyberry4655]

Thanks for the heads up. I am saving for some Argons this amp could be in my future set up for traveling,which I don't do much.

[@Chopped86]

@@herseyberry4655 I have argon’s. I can try them on the Q3 and see what’s what.

[@herseyberry4655]

@@Chopped86 Thanks,let me know its sounds.I appreciate your help.

[@Chopped86]

@@herseyberry4655 My argon’s are on Loan right now so it won’t be too soon. Just keep in mind they want current and a THX based amp delivers voltage.

[@herseyberry4655]

@@Chopped86 Okay buddy, let me know your opinion of everything.

[@Dyonivan]

I'm building my first gaming computer and wanted to get an external DAC for the rig for gaming purposes. Since I don't know much about audio, I asked around and was told to get this Fiio Q3 instead of a "gamer" DAC. Glad to see I'm not being completely stupid by following this advice. I plan to get this and a pair of KZ ZAS IEM as my main source of audio for the computer. Might buy a quality sound bar later down the line.

[@HooliganKONVERSE]

I paired this with my HD 6XX it did a good job and sounded oh so clear and nice. The bass switch made the bass a bit too much for my liking, but I actually liked how it sounded with bass switch off enough to not even care about the bass switch. however for me the overall sound of the FiiO Q3 was a bit too piercing to my ear, almost a bit too much to fully enjoy them. After a month I ended up returning and going with something else. But That was just my experience I’ve read from a lot of people that are really happy with their FiiO Q3 and it works flawlessly with your iPhone and with Apple Music’s new lossless streaming upgrade to their service. Just sharing my experience!

[@vonStalhein2]

Really? I did the same thing and it didn't sound very nice. Bass boost was muddled

[@lcph94]

What did you get to replace it?

[@HooliganKONVERSE]

@@lcph94 the Qudelix 5K is goated

[@MrEmotional33]

Great headphone amp, will try it with my Fiio M11 Plus for directly using the AKM DAC for a warmer sound signature..

[@Lukas_Miglioranza]

Hi! Doyou think is Q3 enough for a AKG K361 32ohms? And for AKG K271 MKII 55 ohms? Thanks for your time! Nice review!

[@DroidLocks6971]

On Sept. 11 2020 I purchased my BTR3K it and it's clip case are still going strong . I Skipped Getting The BTR5 . On March 9 2023 I finally took the plunge and got the BTR7 And WOW It's A Bluetooth LDAC Codec Beast But In Wired DAC Mode Is Where The BTR7 Really Shines . I Am Hard Pressed To Tell The Difference Over My Hidizs S9 Pro DAC AMP DONGLE And BTR7 When In Wired DAC Mode Of BTR7.

[@kevinkraftable]

do you have an audiophile playlist to share?

[@evankaisercatimpuhan9230]

can this be paired with hd660s?

[@CalvaoFps]

Q3 convert a 3.5 single ended in a balanced port? Help me, pls

[@aqwandrew6330]

Does this and other "portable" dac/amp have a delay when being used with windows/PC? for you tube, Netflix etc. love your video btw

[@chuckolatte600]

Not that I noticed. And I did use it for various tasks throughout my time with it!

[@donpatrickgacutan7972]

Hi! Great review! Just wanna ask your opinion if the Q3 can appropriately power the Hifiman HE400SE? Thanks so much and more power! 👍😊

[@carlhil2]

Using the 4.4 balanced out worked well with my HD600. I currently use it with my phone and IEM...

[@accordiontv1]

What’s the difference between the q3 and the q3MQA? Which should I get?!?

[@larsstougaard7097]

???

[@MrEmotional33]

Plain and simple: If you own a source device which supports MQA coding, you should get the second version, if not use the first one..

[@Daniel-oe5dz]

This or BTR5 2021?

[@conandrum74]

With the Q3 plugged to my phone, and a headset connected to the DAC, can I make phone calls? I do not mind if the mic used is the one on my phone, but I want to listen to the caller in my headset. What phones have you tried?

[@chuckolatte600]

I'm sure you could def do that. Should work with any phone you connect it to. FTR I have the iphone 13 pro rn

[@thorpsy100]

I'm planning on buying the Walkman WM1AM2 and I need my portable amp for my NW-ZX2 otherwise I just don't get good volume or bass out of my headphones (Sennheiser HD8, Audeze LCD-X). It already boasts 250mW output, is it necessary to consider an amp like this to get enough volume on that thing?

[@chuckolatte600]

Volume, probably not. Quality, I'd say so especially for those LCD X

[@InDueTime25]

Okay so am I crazy for doing this? I have the Topping A70pro. I only have the Topping dx3 pro. I connected my Samsung tablet to the q3 through usb c and then connected the other end of the q3 to a 4.4mm to xlr y cable and plugged that into my amplifier. Does this sound crazy? It sounds better than using DX3 pro+ as a dac. Haven't seen anyone do this or talk about it yet.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

one might find it sounds better than dx3 indeed

[@Dormatekno]

I hope I can have this soon❤️❤️

[@michaelwalker552]

Would this be able to power the HD6XX well? I currently have the Fiio K3 using it for the DT770 80Ohm and I wanna get a pair of openback headphones

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

it will, its quite powerful

[@shadouxg7150]

Review the Ibasso sr2, some say that it compares to the Ananda

[@chuckolatte600]

You have my attention...

[@svahn1]

So does this thing drive hd600s or do you need another amp for that? I've been looking into getting a pair and this seems like a good budget DAC/amp to use for them.

[@chuckolatte600]

Well they'll get the HD600 loud enough, so I'd say it's a good place to start. It'll also give you something to look forward too, since your HD600 will DEFINITELY scale with better equipment :)

[@lancewood1410]

How would this compare to the BTR5?

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

its better than any cheaper options

[@mattimeyer5371]

Is this little guy powerful enough for a dt1990 ?

[@villageroma]

Nice review. Subbed and liked

[@FabioKasper]

Thanks for the video. Can this drive the HD800S?

[@chuckolatte600]

Although it CAN drive them, the HD800s would really benefit from a more powerful source, preferrably something like a BAL output or a tube amp like the DV

[@limmingjun7930]

Hi, can this fiio drive hifiman sundara to its full potential?? Love the portable aspect.

[@RizqiAngga]

Not recommended if u run it on single ended,, you need to crank up Volume until 80% until it sounds properly. I buy balance cable to use q3 + sundara with the best condition hahaha

[@limmingjun7930]

@@RizqiAngga what do u recommend budget portable amp/dac that can drive Sundara??

[@audiofile1178]

@@limmingjun7930 I'd say XD-05 Plus and iFi xCAN (Balanced) will have enough power for Sundara. You could also get by with XD-05 & Q5s TC

[@RizqiAngga]

Xduuo xd05 series or ifi series

[@josaphcj7199]

@@RizqiAngga does xduoo xd05 sound better than q3 For hifiman he400se

[@gilangadrian6004]

if im gonna use it as desktop dac will it shorten its lifespan? whats ur opinion? or do you have better alternative with same price range?

[@chuckolatte600]

regardless of what you use it for, battery degradation is a thing with pretty much any device

[@sockhopsinger]

Now the real question. The question that will change the world! The question that will ... never mind. ... How does this compare to the Hip DAC? Another great presentation.

[@chuckolatte600]

Great question! Hope to try that out myself very soon :)

[@larsstougaard7097]

Q vs hip ?

[@limmingjun7930]

Love ur channel 😘

[@fiddlix]

Just bought based on your review. Thank you 🙏.

[@Glaxes]

6:10 please do not change your shared sample rate to anything above 48khz some applications can have compatibility errors if you set it to anything above 48khz

[@chuckolatte600]

You're right about that. In my experience though, that point was anything above 192k. That's why I've stuck to setting most of my DACs to 192k through USB.

[@redclaw72666]

192k works for most apps lol especially on most games besides a few, if it doesn't drop it by one k simple enough or just pure laziness

[@goodnightmoon]

lovely review!

[@exley51]

Can anyone tell me if the 3.5mm output on this device is suitable to connect to a receiver via a 3.5mm to stereo rca cable?

[@chuckolatte600]

A receiver? Like for a home theater setup? Although I'm sure it would work, it seems like too much of an inconvenience what with having to deal with keeping the battery charged.

[@diegomaat7050]

can be used as desktop dac?

[@chuckolatte600]

Well sure, you'd just have to remember to either keep it permanently plugged into the wall or to keep it charged.

[@j1nftw1n]

This or the iFi Hip DAC/AMP?

[@chuckolatte600]

Not sure, haven't taken a look at the Hip dac yet

[@barberismeable]

I have gone through many reviews on both. Conclusion is iFi hip dac for power hungry headphone. FiiO Q3 for IEM. I am gonna buy Q3 today. For my iem FiiO FH3. Take note iFi hip dac cable management is a little bit ugly. And Q3 is smaller a bit

[@j1nftw1n]

@@barberismeable Picked up the Hip DAC before I got into IEM's, and now I'm in the IEM game rabbit hole as well and got the Fiio FD5 😁. If you're ever looking for an upgrade to the FH3, the FD5 is the way to go. Amazing soundstage, separation of detail, and clarity 😙🤏

[@barberismeable]

@@j1nftw1n I just bought FiiO Q3 secondhand this afternoon. Sounds better than iBasso DC03 dongle. Haven't test iFi hip dac, but most reviews says it is warmer, which is not my preference. FiiO Q3 is more expensive 2.7X than iBasso DC03 in my country. But I expect more performance. To me iBasso is pretty powerful considering its price. If you use EQ tuning like me, both are quite comparable in sound quality. But non-tuneable apps such as KZbin, the sound difference is huge. Q3 > DC03. Dongle has best portability, other than bluetooth. Anyway, I decide to keep Q3 until I get bored. Will upgrade to iFi nano black label or better IEM in future. Thanks for your suggestion

[@JogieGlenMait16]

i wanna get this and compare it with my ifi hip dac

[@chuckolatte600]

LMK what happens if you do

[@badabingbadabongdingdong]

00:25 nice speedy

[@jaroslavfricek7772]

Two months and the lighting is broken normal usage...🙃🙂

[@murselYavuz934]

better than nokia n91?

[@davidcoons89]

I see Bowie!

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

seem longer

[@MichaelSiroshtan]

It's not RGB, - it's RGBY light.

[@Chopped86]

TABLE

[@skurd721]

I agree

[@V1kt0rS0]

please don't shake things in front of a camera. It makes watching your video hard and unpleasant

[@redclaw72666]

Fix your eyes lol seems fine on my end just pretend your blind and not deaf

[@IronDiamondMan]

Get over it.