FIIO ECHO REVIEW

>>I am brazilian and I speak portuguese, so forgive my english, I’ll use translation tools to help<<

INTRO:

The world has changed a lot in the more than 30 years I’ve been around, and certainly the way we listen to music has changed too. Back in the day we had cassette tapes, and today we have DAPs – Digital Audio Players. In my opinion, this evolution has been for the better… but there’s always a touch of nostalgia. Today I have the opportunity to test a DAP with a retro aesthetic that takes us straight back to the past: the FiiO / Snowsky ECHO.

The ECHO is an update of its predecessor, the ECHO Mini. The Mini version is a bit cheaper and, let’s say, inferior to the new ECHO. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to review the Mini version.

For those who don’t know, Snowsky is a company created by FiiO with the aim of making more affordable audio equipment with this retro appeal.

Price: $ $74.99 USD
Colors: Black, Orange, Sky blue, Green

FiiO Reviews: FH3, KA1, HS18, JD7, KA5, FD11, Q11, M11S, KA11, JT1, BTR13, BTR11, JM21, FT1, QX13, JT3, JT7.

FIIO LINKS:

https://amzn.to/4tv1GlS (US)

https://amzn.to/4dpT1LB (UK)

https://amzn.to/42qVWP7 (DE)

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4nxqqEF (PC)

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3IHSDzV (APP)

SPECIFICATIONS:

– DAC: Cirrus Logic CS43198*2
– Bluetooth 5.3
– BT codec: SBC
– Sampling rate: 192kHz/24bit, DSD 64/128/256
– Files: DSD, WAV, FLAC, APE, MP3, OGG, M4A, WMA
– Display: 2.39 inch 222×480 IPS HD colored
– Input: USB-C
– Card input: Micro SD up to 256GB
– Output: 3.5mm SE + 4.4mm Balanced

3.5mm SE output:

– L+R≥130mW+130mW (16Ω)
– L+R≥120mW+120mW (32Ω)
– SNR: ≥127dB (32Ω)
– THD+N:＜0.0006% (-5dB @ 32Ω)

4.4mm Balanced output:

– L+R≥150mW+150mW (16Ω)
– L+R≥260mW+260mW (32Ω)
– SNR: ≥131dB (32Ω)
– THD+N:＜0.0004% (-5dB @ 32Ω)

– Battery: 1100mAh lithium
– Playtime: 14 hours
– ECHO size: 8.5cm [C] x 5.7cm [L] x 1.9cm [P]
– ECHO weight: 84.5g
– Total weight (packaging, etc): 198.4g
– Packaging size: 13.8cm [C] x 9.3cm [L] x 4.2cm [P]

Full specs here: https://www.fiio.com/echo_parameters

UNBOXING:

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Construction:

• Metal construction: aluminum-magnesium alloy.
• Aesthetically very appealing: retro design reminiscent of the Walkman.
• MicroSD card slot, USB-C port, 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced headphone jacks, reset hole, lanyard hole.
• 5 buttons: On/Off, directional arrows <> (volume, navigation, or track advance), Play/Pause, Menu, and Return.
• Excellent build quality. Very portable and lightweight. Fits anywhere.
• No sharp edges.
• All buttons are firm and don’t make any loose noise.
• Note: isn’t touchscreen. All commands are via buttons.
• Comes with a screen protector film installed.
• No case included, are very expensive – imo (about $15-20 USD).
• Protective case: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mPk9fDl

Characteristics:

• It didn’t present abnormal heating.
• Initialization is fast, about 5 seconds.
• Library scanning takes about 4 minutes (I have about 75GB on the card).
• Folder scrolling can take a while (the more folders, the longer it takes).
• Start playing an album takes about 5 seconds to start.
• You can charge or transfer files via cable, or use it as a DAC.
• It has support for standard CTIA in-line controls.
• It has a function to read e-books (TXT files).
• It also has a function to display song lyrics (LRC file).
• EQ presets: disabled, retro, bass, heavy, pop, jazz, unique, custom.
• 120-step volume scale.
• It remembers the last volume set before turning off.
• I only use FLAC 16-bit-44.1/48kHz.
• Navigation isn’t the fastest, but for the price…
• The interface isn’t the best, but for the price…
• The FiiO JM21 is a superior alternative to the ECHO (but it comes at a cost).
• Good battery performance. I listen to music in short bursts (2-3 hours a day).
• Something I’d like is a battery percentage display, like: 20%, 30%, etc.
• Unfortunately, it doesn’t read the album covers (I have the JPGs in the folders).
• I updated the firmware to the latest version V1.5.0.
• Firmware updates are made via cable.
• Firmware page: https://forum.fiio.com/note/showNoteContent.do

Main Menu:

• File browser: Check files in the local storage and microSD card.
• Media Library: Music library, classified files and songs can be found.
• Music Playback: Enter the music playing page.
• Text: Supports reading e-books and other document files.
• Music settings: Set the music loop mode, volume limit, EQ style, filter type, and other functions.
• System Settings: System settings, language, screen on/off timer, etc.

System configuration::

• Bluetooth: On/Off, search for devices, paired.
• Screen: Screen time, brightness.
• Shutdown: Power off time, power off to save power.
• Date and time: Clock (screen saver), day/time setting, screen saver time.
• Interface: Light (white) or dark (black).
• Language: English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, etc.
• UAC mode: Mobile mode, computer mode, normal mode.
• Information: Hardware, firmware, internal memory, microSD card.
• Supported files: DSD, WAV, FLAC, APE, MP3, OGG, M4A, WMA.
• Reset device.
• Format internal memory.
• Format microSD card.

Music configuration:

• Music Styles: Cassette tape, album, VU meter, cadence.
• Volume Limiter: Limits the volume to a set level.
• Loop Setting: Repeat (random, etc.), skip to next album.
• Equalizer: EQ presets – off, retro, jazz, bass, pop, etc., custom = 5-band EQ.
• Filter: DAC filters with 5 available filters.
• Gain: High or low gain setting.
• Button Switching: Changes the setting (forward/rewind, volume up/down).
• Volume Button Style: Inverts the volume position.
• Lyrics Switch: Mode A or Mode B.
• Channel Balance: Sets the balance between the left and right channels.

Bluetooth connectivity:

• It’s just a Bluetooth transmitter (it only sends the signal, it doesn’t receive).
• It recognized the TWS without difficulty. Pairing went smoothly.
• After the first pairing, it reconnects automatically, even after being turned off.
• The connection stability was very good.
• It has a range of about 5 meters or more from the earphones.
• I found the sound to be very low (at max vol) (it might be something with the TWS).
• It could have an LDAC codec.

Content:

• ECHO player.
• USB-A to USB-C cable.
• Warranty certificate.
• Manual.

SOUND ASPECTS:

• Implemented with the Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC.
• Excellent audio quality. Fiio standard.
• Clean, transparent, and high-definition sound.
• No background noise (or inaudible noise).
• No coloration or distortion.
• Regarding the DAC filters, I personally don’t hear any difference.
• A major advantage of this DAP is its balanced output.
• It’s a low-cost DAP, and it worked perfectly for listening to music.
• The idea is to be an “old” music player adapted to modern times.
• If you’re looking for more performance, the JM21 is the alternative.

Amplification:

• I always used the ECHO on High Gain.
• Earphones: Kiwi Ears Quintet on the 3.5mm and FiiO JT7 on the 4.4mm balanced.
• The Quintet is known to be easy to drive. The ECHO handled it very well.
• At 90 volume steps it was already perfect for me.
• The JT7 is a headphone that needs a bit more amp power.
• I was impressed that the ECHO managed to drive the JT7.
• At 105 of the 120 available steps, it played loud and clear.
• From 110 to 120, I started to feel that the JT7’s sound began to distort.
• The JT7 performed well, not as well as with the QX13, but satisfactory (for me).
• The KA11, for example, couldn’t drive the JT7, but the ECHO could on the 4.4mm.
• The ECHO can push 99.9% of IEMs (in my opinion).
• It will also work with many headphones (simple or mid level).
• It might not be the best choice for very demanding headphones.

PROS AND CONS:

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