Budget BEAST!! - FIIO K11

[@humanbass]

I love the form factor of this dac-amp. Glad it finallly got a review. Interesting it has a UAC 1 mode, so PS4/5 compatible.

[@thecomputergamer6446]

I don't know why ps5 outputs such low volume though. Cause when I connect my FiiO btr15 directly to the ps5 the volume output is so low on my ps5 and yes I did max out the volume on my ps5 and on the FiiO btr15. But when I use HDMI to connect to my android tv and connect my dac directly to the tv to extract the audio signal from the ps5 the volume is higher and better. I don't know what's up with that

[@taidee]

Thanks Dave. Basically Fii0 is covering all ground now, they are trying to have something for everyone. I hope they get to use that chip inside something more powerful, I like the sound of the CS chips (I know implementation matters).

[@ginom407]

Great Review Dave! I do enjoy your work. 👍👍👍

[@Gizaudio]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@vacefron7835]

Thank you for this absolutely outstanding review.

[@MrDomq22]

So glad you compared this to the K7. I for one, did not really enjoy the K7 compared to my Topping stack. I thought the K7 would have been a great alternative but I found it to be flatter in presentation and lacking somewhat in dynamics + the power output was very strange on the K7. On paper it looks to be a beast but my topping L30 seemed to out out far more power with better control as well. Anyways / thanks for the vid Dave

[@dragonsbreath8653]

I can say the same about FIIO K7. FIIO K7 is no different in sound from Realtek ALC1200 and FIIO K7 is a bad choice. If FIIO K7 sounds terrible, then FIIO K11 is even more so, since its characteristics are worse than those of FIIO K7. When I listened to FIIO K7, FIIO K9, FIIO K9 PRO and EarMen ST-Amp, what I liked most was the sound of FIIO K9 PRO and EarMen ST-Amp. It was difficult to choose FIIO K9 PRO or EarMen ST-Amp, but after 40 minutes the EarMen ST-Amp failed shamefully, the EarMen ST-Amp began to click when changing rewind or changing the track. The clicking sound is loud, as if someone is knocking on the microphone, but FIIO K9 PRO plays clearly, powerfully and without clicks. Thanks to FIIO K9 PRO and Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm and Dolby Atmos, I experience Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora with powerful audio pleasure and cinema-like sound. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora has a very rich soundtrack and great soundtracks. Thanks to the FIIO K9 PRO and Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm, I hear a lot of sound detail in the game. Viperwolves not only rustle in the thickets in search of prey, but also howl, you can hear the sounds of moths, wasps, calves, stomping large animals, exoskeletons, and the sounds of lightning strikes are so powerful that you can shit yourself if lightning strikes nearby two steps from the player, the sounds of rain , the rustle of leaves, the purr of water, the sounds of wingtails and much more. Remember how there was a cool scene in the cinema where Jake Sully met with a hammer (in the game this is a hammer-headed titanotherium), what a roar there was when he stomped his paws, how he growled, it’s exactly the same in the headphones in the game, where the hammer-headed titanotherium stomps and growls and begins to attack. When in the game an avatar jumps onto an Icarus, how powerfully it makes sounds, what cool sounds of flapping its wings, when on the Icarus we touch the water with our belly, we hear splashes of water, how the Icarus clicks its teeth, grabbing food in flight, and what a gorgeous soundtrack during the flight, I can’t put it into words, but the built-in Realtek ALC1200 sound card spoils the sound very much and you don’t experience audio pleasure. Sound like TV, flat and poor

[@nonleggolerisposte5921]

Pay to win?

[@hanwagu9967]

my 300 Ω headphones are not wanting for more power. I haven't found the K11 straining or clipping my headphones. The K11 for me just kicks but. I think you definitely need to play around to match filter with your IEM or headphone, though, for whatever sound curve you prefer. I would also recommend updating to the newest v114 firmware. FiiO didn't include a change log to note what changes were made, but I feel the sound detail and staging improved, plus the highs in my favored filter 3 seems to be smoother.

[@BassDad8]

I love my zen Dac v2, but the K11 definitely outperforms it for certain headphones and IEMs. For example, I use the zd2 for my Venus and Elegia, but the K11 for Sundara CB and Athena. On the other hand, the K11 really allows my Quintets to shine technically, but the zd2 warms them up nicely. It’s good to have options I guess. Anyway, super happy with the performance of the K11 so far.

[@yugao2]

if fiio can remove that bulky power adapter and just use usb as power like th zen, if will be an insta sell for me.

[@noisevoyager7307]

Do you know any portable solution for Sundara CB to recommend?

[@BassDad8]

@@noisevoyager7307 I use my iFi HipDac 2. The OG HipDac would probably also work as the only difference between them is the HD2 was a full MQA decoder. lol. So that's what id rec. it works great with my Sundara CB. Plenty of power, bass boost if you need it and that slightly warm Burr Brown sound signature. great pairing.

[@raphaelldsantos]

I definetily love your videos!!!

[@andrewcutts3197]

A great video. I’ve just ordered one to go between my Brennan B2 and a pair of Bowers and Wilkins P7s

[@Raphy2730]

Sorry i know its been two months, could you write a little how you feel about it? :)

[@DeeMa777]

I purchased K11 2 week ago and it's perfect! I'm very happy with it!

[@GenoMusic]

Is there a big difference in sound quality between the balanced and unbalanced? Would be pairing them with an HD560s

[@DeeMa777]

@@GenoMusic I can't check this, I have only 4.4 balanced stuff

[@dieseldust27]

What about the filters? Do they make a huge difference in sound quality?

[@DeeMa777]

@@dieseldust27 Yes, you can hear the difference between the filters on good earphones. My favourite is number 6 (Non-Oversampling filter). It has more balanced sound than others, I used the same filter on my FiiO KA5.

[@dieseldust27]

@@DeeMa777 cheers🍺

[@beepover]

Jriver full wave files ASIO and WASPI into Asus STX. Also tested foobar ASIO and WASPI. After watching many youtube reviews I Bought the K9 Pro ESS for my vast Chifi IEM collection. I was hoping it was my endgame desktop unit for IEMS. I have a few daps including Q1, M6 Pro, Two r3 Sabre Pro. I used a optical connection and a coxial connection into the K9 Pro ESS. The K9 runs lean which I would say is good for IEMS but the note weight on the K9 ESS is not full. I felt like I was missing 20% to 30% of each played note. It felt like notes were cut on each end. I constatly felt like I was missing the music. Also I did not hear the bass reach ghetto deep when called for on a test track such as Warren G Regulate. The one thing the K9 ESS has was resolution and layering but to me more important first is the note weight. Also The K9 Pro ESS did not have synergy with any of my IEMS including the OG Monarch, OG Clairvoyance or OG Oracle. Other IEMS tested, OG Olina, TFZ Live 3, and Mele. I didnt bother to test my HD600 or HD650 since I knew I was going to return the K9 Pro ESS. The way you describe the K11 Fiio sound, that must be a lightweight on the notes. I do like Fiio and I have the FH3 and that is a very good IEM, but now that I have heard the Fiio sound signature it is not for me. In addition, I cant say the Fiio sound is realistic. If you played in any type of band or played an instrument or listened to live music, I have never heard any musician play 80% of a note. They will play a full note. Not sure why they choose this sound signature but they did years ago and are stuck with it.

[@josephw7950]

Had my ka13 portable come in today and after A/Bing for about an hour I'm likely going to get rid of my Smsl sl-8s and Thx 789. These new releases from FIIO are crazy good value. Using everything from Arias to MESts and U12t's along with Aeon Noires and HE1000SE's and it's just good.

[@andyduffield8208]

Ordered mine this morning

[@rage0exe]

This with my Truthear zeros is perfect

[@GarrisonKeller]

I was able to sufficiently power the 350 ohm ohm ft3 and 470 ohm r70x just fine out of this through the balanced output, even on low gain

[@dootdoloodoot]

Hey i have a question, is the r70x good for gaming? And how does it compare to hd 600?

[@GarrisonKeller]

@@dootdoloodoot There have been discussions/studies that show headphones don't really influence gaming skills if you're competitive. I don't have the hd600, but the r70x are good for games. I, however, don't do any competitive gaming; I mostly play third person story games. They sound wide and the imaging is decent so I don't think you'd have any trouble. If you want to save some money, get the Sennheiser hd560S. The R70x might be more comfortable, but the earpads are small

[@MrSnapy1]

A good friend bought me this along with Hifiman headphones for letting him van life on my land. I build gaming pcs for friends but like he said this is HD for your ears!! I am forever ruined its got serious power for the price.

[@TheKineticworx]

What's the intro tune? Digging it.

[@KAGamerKyle]

Phenomenal video. Happy to see you on this channel as well from Audio-In Reviews - really supplements the Gizaudio content with another flavor! Anyway, I was happy to finally see a review on the K11 as I could hardly find any reviews on it online when purchasing it. It provided me the solution I needed as a first Dac/Amp for around 100 dollars. So far, I have been pleased.

[@dawidz9511]

Anyone know what the IEMs at 4:35 are?

[@iisakei2369]

Like K7, FiiO knows that audiophiles love the 4.4mm balanced. Topping should also realize that.

[@humanbass]

There are many Topping products with 4.4mm.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

its on different level thats for sure, just that fiio apparently 'overclock' the portable audio to whole different level

[@bentobox3140]

Not enough comparisons or gear matching with headphones. I mean you do talk about it a little but it feels too glossed over. Is it better than a zen stack? Does it struggle with planars? Is there noise through usb? Is it a clear step up from K5 and K7?

[@MaskedChieff]

Is the output a 3.5mm?

[@CollegeTakeTwo]

Thoughts on this vs the K3? I need something with a digital out for when I use my speakers, looks like those two have them.

[@enthusiast9432]

Update: I have now both K11 and Xonar DX and low impedance headphones better sounds on Asus Xonar DX. Fiio k11 has more artificial sound, while Xonar DX sounds more naturally, and give deeper immersion. But Xonar DX can't drive high impedance headphones but I don't have those. But if you have high impedance headphones I think it is a good buy If you compare this K11 to internal sound cards for PC what card it would be Asus xonar DX?

[@komi1834]

this is much better, Xonar DX is comparable to $20 Tempotec Sonata HD II, just that D1 and DX output impedance is about 100 Ω, which is not quite ideal for driving headphones, and also limits the maximum power output to less than 10 mW, for comparison Sonata HD II does around 70, 7x power is not 7x as loud, 10x as loud is twice as loud so this is maybe 80% more loud with 7x more power, but that's $20, this K11 does 1400mW compared to 10 of D1 and DX, only modern device that sounds good that is weaker than that is Sony Walkmann 306 which does miserable 1.1mW 😭😭

[@exactom6320]

This is more than most people will ever need but we audio nerds are never satisfied

[@netanahum7317]

what are those feather decorated iems?!! they are beautiful

[@nootillae2183]

Hi there, I'm considering purchasing either a used Fiio K7 or a new Fiio K11. Given that they are around the same price, I'm unsure which would be the better choice. I understand the K7 is a higher-tier model, even though it's older. Additionally, it has approximately twice the power output compared to the K11. My headphones are the Sennheiser HD58X and HiFiMan Sundaras. Which would you recommend based on these factors?

[@Oatmeal_TVx]

I wouldn’t know what settings to put it on for my kiwi quartet for call of duty lo

[@derzemel]

Are the line outs on the back variable? Can you select the output and does it remember the volume for each output? I have powered/active speakers on my desk but leaving the headphones connected would be ideal.

[@DavidAnderson-se1or]

Great review. Does this have native volume control on the Mac? I would like to control volume with the Mac volume control without using the volume dial on the DAC.

[@pwn3426]

I got the k11 a few days ago and I dont know if mine is just a dud but i'd call it junk. It clips so bad it is unusable and at a pretty low volume even. Retronik by the swing bot clips all through the song at pretty low volumes at bitrate 24 or 32 at anything above 48k hz format. Even at 48k hz there is the occasional clipping at moderate volumes. I know I am not alone too for I have seen many complaints while doing some research to see if I was doing something wrong.... FiiO still crickets despite reaching out twice so far to them at this point. Will be sending the unit back to amazon and moving on to a topping dx3 pro+.

[@dewittfiala5021]

How do you like the Topping in comparison? Just got the K11 with a pair of Elex, and I'm getting some clipping, I ordered something else from Amazon to compare.

[@RizqiAngga]

Can i juice sundara pretty well with this dacamp?

[@mentalman1369]

Cool video! Just with your sound comparisons to the other amps, do you blind ABX test/compare them against the K11?

[@nguyenphan5718]

Just from the sound aspect alone for IEM, how does this K11 compared to dongles of the same price range ($100-$130), specifically the Onix Alpha or KA17? Do you think the K11 is an "upgrade" to those dongles? Since I only listen to IEM, does this give me any more value than a typical dongles (soundwise) within the same price range? Thank you!

[@thetechthingguy5281]

Can i turn off the display while playing? I think its disturbing me with some lights on my desktop while everything else is dark.

[@cassini7677]

Hmmm interesting dekstop dac, 300om too

[@markwade2667]

is this good for ananda stealth?

[@gabrielcolaco1094]

Nice review! Considering the lineouts, can you choose between pre out(volume variable) and full line out(volume fixed)? That's a major question for me when using with amps for speakers that have their volume control.

[@berryvr7184]

I'm looking at purchasing a beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO Open Studio Reference Headphones and trying to look for a AMP for it (connecting to my PC) was wondering what your opinion on this would be for those high end headphones, or should I look at something different. I'm not wanting to spend too much on an AMP, but if I require an expensive one to get the full potential of these headphones, I might spent a little more.

[@BleepBloop-rl2pv]

would you recommend this for the dt 990 pro?

[@calvinyip364]

can it drives the hd600 and he400se?

[@erikcajulis9944]

Will this pair well with a meze 109 pro? Or is k7 better?

[@cryptok9185]

If you have to chose woud you use this or a zen dac v3? both the same price and using with sennhiser 490 pro on a PC?

[@shopzGG]

What's the best filt setting to use?

[@cryonic.]

so apparently my monitor has a stuffy sounding optical out. however from what ive read, this is from people plugging their peripherals directly into the monitor with no audio system. will this device solve that, since my iems would be using its audio instead of the output from the monitor?

[@ronald0122]

my headset also has a microphone. does it work when i connect it to this device?

[@Christian-cy2pn]

How will this match with Fiio sp3 speakers? Thanks for the video!

[@GgG-71494]

what do you mean by 'drop down'? sorry im new to this audi thing :D

[@john0416]

Did you review the ifi micro black label? As I've seen a used one for only 100 bucks no issue whatsoever, is it still a good buy? Or just save more for newer gen Thanks

[@Error_4x5]

Its still a great buy.

[@pappsa8]

And what about the pure dac mode,the aux out on the behind?

[@alpinab14]

Can anyone tell me the jazz intro tune please ? This has been asked quite a few times i see but no answers , thanks in advance

[@hxbvtw3760]

Can you source mix with this? Like can I hear my pc and console at the same time?

[@0nemoa]

Honestly the Fiio K7 is going to be the better buy. I understand it is slightly out of this price range. But the K7 will power HD6XX with ease and this will barely do so. The Audio quality is also not nearly as good as the K7. Is it a decent dac/amp, sure. But you can get a K7 for not much more. Or if you are into stacks, you can do that for not much more as well. The deal breaker for me is the sound quality and the lacking abity to power hard to drive headphones.

[@MML66]

Some people may want a thinner version or they do not need a lot of power, just a source that does not consume the batteries of their devices. Also, I prefer the K7 if FIIO updates it and calls it the K7Pro or K8 and they add some updates to it, such as a screen. Also, it will become a monster in its category.

[@yanava]

Can someone explain why higher impedance is more difficult to drive?

[@cjit26]

Higher impedance means there is a higher resistance through the headphones and cable itself, so the DAC/AMP needs to send more energy to the aux port in order to feed them the needed power for them to work properly or reach certain volume levels. It's something like wattage requirements for PC hardware such as a GPU which needs at least a 750watts power supply, you can theorically use a lower wattage power supply but will start having problems the moment you start more power when gaming etc, so basically the higher the impedance the more power sent through the port it needs.

[@yanava]

@@cjit26 impedance does not work that way. Most DACs are voltage controlled and load dependant. Meaning you set the voltage and the load will set the current output, right up until the amplifier current limit, following V = ZI. The larger the impedance, the smaller the current that will be required of the amplifier to maintain a voltage through the headphones. Also I sense people miss sensitivity altogether, which is a very important component. A headphone can be low or high impedance, but that will not tell you about the ability to produce sound. I think overall the industry has propagated these myths and they stuck.

[@An_Enraged_Pig]

How does this stack up against the gc7?

[@ManoharSingh-dg8ih]

Anyone know how desktop Dac-amp compares to say FiiO - KA5? Is there difference in warmth of tones in music?

[@portugasanwa]

Fiio K11 or Ifi Zen Dac V2?

[@GgG-71494]

How long is the type c cable? Tnx

[@GgG-71494]

Do i still need to install drivers in pc for them to work? Or just plug & play?

[@hellyeah_tv]

but if I have 250 and 300 Ohm headphones and I searching something similar? would be enough? or offer your option?

[@minnami778]

Does it have it option for pure Dac and preamp mode ? Thank you.

[@ChaoticFoxxie]

How does this compare to something like the ifi zen v2

[@jaimeespinoza3557]

Do you prefer k11 or topping dx3 pro?

[@Adniwhack]

Hi, would you be reviewing Fiio BR13?

[@sushantsoni]

Can i connect with pc also as a sound card?

[@avalanche9142]

Does it receive audio via bluetooth?

[@portugasanwa]

Fiio K11 or the Ifi Zen Dac V2?

[@cookiewoody105]

Hello, can I use it with sensitive IEM ?

[@RobViguurs]

Ordered HD 490 Pro from Sennheiser and FiiO K11. Will these 2 go together just fine? HD 490 pro is 130 Ohm, so I thought I didn't need anything major to power them I assume?

[@stefanmiller7920]

Considering this combo, how did it work out for you?

[@RobViguurs]

@@stefanmiller7920 Very good! works like a charm! I use gain on low, and filter 6 and volume between 60 and 70 Also the HD 490 is still the best pair of cans I ever had. Comfort is insane, and sound is in the top 4 of all headsets on rtings, so yea imagine.

[@YoloVib3s]

Can you recommend a decently priced balanced cable to use with this?

[@SammerJammer]

For what headphones?

[@2snoopy2snoopy]

I need help..this or k5 pro ess? Thanks

[@liljdmef]

How is it for console?

[@krammis76]

Any chance you can try this with the ps5 at all? Fiio have a habbit of lowering volume output when connected to a playstation console. Even Fiio wouldn't tell me the output volume when connected to the ps5.

[@audie-cashstack-uk4881]

Yes pc ps5 switch all supported

[@krammis76]

Thanks for the reply. Being suported and actually working well is 2 different things with Fiio though. Some dacs are gimped when being used on the ps5. I had the fiio q11 and even at max volume it was way too low. @@audie-cashstack-uk4881

[@jonathanbataller6285]

compared to topping dx3 pro+?

[@onlyyou1974]

Can this amp play directly from phone?

[@LM-pg9hy]

So I i recently got a smsl dl200, how does this fiio compare.

[@MobuFPS]

Curious about this as well

[@Anox99]

@@MobuFPS about to make a decision on those two, any updates?

[@MobuFPS]

@@Anox99 I have the Smsl dl200. It works great for me, no issues. Can't compare to K11 though!

[@DinoFancellu]

How does it compare to the only slightly cheaper K3? Or the slightly more expensive K5 pro ess?

[@Monsterxze]

I'm using Fiio K11, should I update to Fiio K7?

[@kakashi99908]

Fiio k7 has a very annoying volume knob what lags when turning it up or down. It would only be an upgrade if the K11 does not get loud enough. The K7 will not sound better only louder.

[@Monsterxze]

@@kakashi99908 Is it true ?, the K7 costs more than the K11, double DAC chip and has a THX788 amp, I think it should be quite a bit more expensive?

[@sandychow94]

for Sundara?

[@BassDad8]

Yes! I mean I have run the CB Sundara through it and they sound great!

[@sandychow94]

@@BassDad8 thanks , best budget

[@nonleggolerisposte5921]

Better to k7?

[@rashidjohan5300]

can it run in both mode PO+LO ?

[@seanner69]

This or the SMSL C200?

[@Autodriveband]

I think RGB is too much. But it seems a great amp.

[@whthppndndnwll]

Dave, apologies for the off-topic question: What's the music under the "Sound" title sequence/montage in the video?

[@avavaviv1]

Why compare with K7 PRO? This is K5 PRO replacement.

[@junyy8gonn299]

fiio k11 or g6

[@RickPollux]

Needs a remote!!

[@avavaviv1]

imo it's a step back from K5 PRO. This by Fiio's own standards not enough power output standard to be considered a desktop class dac amp. Using balanced should not be a condition for high power.

[@Kevin-sh1sx]

What is the power range of desktop level decoding headphone amplifier?

[@ImAWSMDanny]

I want this but I don't need it.

[@IsisRutenberg]

256 Janie Glen

[@endrizo]

fiio entering smsl and topping territory.. too bad it lacks bluetooth.(LDAC)

[@kevinc8827]

You didn’t talk about how shitty the filters are and it doesn’t default to neutral sound settings. Very angry!

[@neobobik]

So is fiio k11 better than k7 in terms of sound quality???

[@BobMarley-zu5sc]

I doubt it's possible to tell them apart, it comes down more to in/outputs and functionality

[@Tssukiii]

It should be worse

[@BobMarley-zu5sc]

@@Tssukiii why and what exactly should be worse?

[@Tssukiii]

@@BobMarley-zu5sc sounds not as full, less detail, more hiss and less power output

[@philmccracken2012]

I know this video has been out for a few months but, the music that you have edited into your videos is too loud and super annoying. Extra long B-roll shots that are unnecessary as well

[@tai6188]

Couldn’t disagree more 😂

[@Qboro66]

Every reviewer has their own format. If you don't like it, you move on, end of story...

[@potatto907]

Zero attention span

[@psysword]

Nah weak. Easy pass for smsl offerings

[@ufopulse]

these CS chips just lack punch and weight.. they suck

[@ufopulse]

I would be absoluately shocked if this sounded as good as my FC4... it probably is more technical/resolving.. but again.. note weight and punch gunna be lacking just like the rest of these CS units... Unless u wanna do *cough* OCTO CS chips *Cough unnamed brand's new Dac *Cough* I dont even think 8 of these chips gunna sound as good as a single 4493s

[@beepover]

It is not the CS Chips, it is the Fiio sound signature. The K9 Pro ess has two high end sabre chips. I am not impressed with the Fiio sound. It reminds me of bluetooth with resolution and layering.

[@SalimiAkumanda]

Can we use c to c for connecting to phone?