Description
FiiO Q3 MQA THX Portable Balanced Headphone DAC/Amp
Q3 MQA Portable DAC and Amplifier
All-new XMOS XU316 chip | Efficient AK4452 DAC THX AAA-28×2 amps | Fully supports MQA decoding Dual power supply design | ADC volume adjustment All-new strapping kit | RGB indicator | Two gain levels
Inside and out, absolute brilliance
The Q3 MQA Edition is equipped with the next-generation XMOS XU316 controller chip, among the latest for use in USB DACs. The XU316 features 16 cores made in an advanced manufacturing process, bringing high-performance processing and allowing support up to PCM 384kHz/32 bit and DSD256 high-resolution audio formats.
Meticulously tuned, classic relaxed sound
Due to the disrupted supply of AKM DAC chips, the Q3 MQA employs the AKM AK4452. Through numerous adjustments, this chip was tuned so that its performance is similar to that of the DAC in the original Q3 and with even slightly improved power output. The Q3 MQA still features the same charming sound that made the original Q3 so beloved.
Extraordinary sound, THX AAA-28×2 amplifiers
Featured in the Q3 MQA Edition are two THX AAA-28 amplifiers, allowing for a max power output of 330mW (370mW when using Line in mode). Experience hugely powerful, extraordinary sound.
At the audio forefront Fully supports MQA decoding
Thanks to the powerful XMOS XU316, the Q3 now fully supports decoding the MQA format, allowing you to unfold and render any MQA folder when using a player that supports MQA.
Vivid life Dual power supply design
Comfortably use the Q3 MQA Edition in any scenario, whether as a portable device or a static device on your desk. Quickly switch between how the Q3 MQA Edition is being supplied power using the Charge switch on the bottom. Using AUX in the battery life is up to 23+ hours, and when using USB in the battery life is up to 12+ hours.
Experience upgraded All-new strapping kit design
The all-new strapping kit designed to bundle together the Q3 MQA Edition to your phone greatly improves upon the experience from before. The innovative X-shaped straps no longer block the display of your phone, and the intermediate films protect your device and prevent the Q3 MQA Edition and your phone from being misaligned when strapped together.
Colorfully cool RGB indicator light
The RGB indicator light is not only striking, but also instantly lets you know the current audio track’s specs and sampling rate.
Blue: PCM
Green: DSD
Magenta: MQA
Smooth experience Thanks to ADC volume adjustment
The ADC curve reconstruction method for adjusting volume not only effectively solves the problems of channel imbalance and noise, it also greatly improves the accuracy when adjusting the volume. Relish in making the volume just right for you.
Feel richness of music
Two gain levels & BASS boost
The gain and BASS boost buttons allow you to tailor the sound to different styles and to your liking, letting you better appreciate the richness of music. The BASS boost is achieved in hardware, allowing a bass boost up to 6dB without affecting the higher frequencies.
Listen the way you want
Numerous audio outputs
Listen to your music the way you want through either the 3.5mm single-ended output or through the 2.5/4.4mm balanced outputs.
Generous accessories
- USB A to Type-C data cable*1
- 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable*1
- Type-C to Type-C data cable*1
- Lightning to Type-C data cable*1
- X-type silicone strap*1
- Silicone straps (long)*2
- Silicone straps (short)*2
- Silicone anti-skid feet*1
- Post-sale warranty card*1
- Quick start guide*1
Parameters
| General specifications | |||
| Name/Model | Q3 |
Hardware scheme |
DAC: AK4452，USB: XMOS XU316，AMP：THX_AAA_28*2 |
| Color | Black |
Volume Scroll |
Potentiometer+ADC Sampling |
| Weight | ≈110g | FiiO Control |
No |
| Dimensions | 105mmx59mmx12.5mm |
Samplig rate indication |
Blue＝PCM Green ＝DSD Magenta＝MQA |
| MQA full decoder | 8x |
Recommended headphone impedance |
PO:16~100Ω BAL:16~300Ω |
| Maximum supported sampling rate/DSD | PCM384kHz-32bit/DSD256 |
Firmware upgrade |
System firmware and XMOS can be upgraded via USB |
|
Buttons and interfaces |
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| Button | One button for Gain, Reset and UAC1.0 |
USB |
TYPE C USB |
| Switches | Charge switch, bass switch |
Headphones ports |
3.5mm(phone out/line in), 4.4mm, 2.5mm (Bal to unbal adapters are prohibited) |
|
Power parameters |
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| Power supply | 5V 2A | Battery capacity | 1800mAh |
| Charging time | ＜2h | ||
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Battery life and test conditions |
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3.5mm output：≥13h | 2.5mm/4.4mm output：≥12h |
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| Audio in | USB IN | Gain | Low |
| BASS | Off | Tracks | MP3 44.1KHz/16bit |
| Charge | Off | Load | 32Ω |
|
2.5mm/4.4mm output：≥23h |
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| Audio in | USB IN | Gain | Low |
| BASS | Off | Tracks | MP3 44.1KHz/16bit |
| Charge | Off | Load | 32Ω |
| Audio parameters | |||
|
Headphone output performance parameters （3.5mm output） |
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| Output power | 175mW(16Ω,THD+N<1%) |
Output impedance |
≤ 1 Ω |
| 160mW(32Ω,THD+N<1%) | Crosstalk | ≥ 76dB | |
| 18mW(300Ω,THD+N<1%) | Output level | 2.3Vrms | |
|
THD+N |
<0.0012%(1kHz/-6dB@32Ω) |
SNR |
≥ 115dB (dbA) |
|
Frequency response |
20Hz~50kHz: (±:1.5dB) |
Noise floor |
Gain = H,≤ 5uV(dbA) |
| 20Hz~20KHz:(±:0.3dB） | Gain = L,≤ 5uV(dbA) | ||
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Balanced output performance parameters（4.4mm/2.5mm，UAC IN) |
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| Output power | 280mW(16Ω,THD+N<1%) | Output impedance | ≤ 2.6 Ω |
| 330mW(32Ω,THD+N<1%) | Crosstalk | ≥ 99dB | |
| 40mW(300Ω,THD+N<1%) | Output level | 3.3Vrms | |
| THD+N | ≤ 0.001%(1kHz/-4dB@32 Ω) | SNR | ≥ 118dB (dbA) |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz-50KHz: (±:1.8dB） | Noise floor | Gain = H,≤ 7.5uV(dbA) |
| 20 Hz-20KHz: (±:0.3dB) | Gain = L,≤ 7.5uV(dbA) | ||
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Balanced output performance parameters（4.4mm/2.5mm，Line IN) |
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Output power |
265mW(16Ω,THD+N<1%) |
Output impedance |
≤ 2.6 Ω |
| 370mW(32Ω,THD+N<1%) |
Crosstalk |
≥ 100dB | |
| 105mW(300Ω,THD+N<1%) |
Output level |
3.5Vrms | |
|
THD+N |
<0.0007%(1kHz/1.15V@32Ω) |
SNR |
≥ 120dB (dbA) |
|
Noise floor |
≤ 3.5uV(dbA) | ||
|
Frequency response |
20Hz-20KHz:(±:0.2dB) |
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Comparisons
| Product Model | Q3 MQA | Q3 | Q5s | Q1 Mark II / FQ1222 |
| General Specifications | ||||
| Color Available | Black | Black | Titanium | Black |
| Dimensions | About 105mm x 59mm x 12.5mm | About 105mm x 59mm x 12.5mm | About 124 mm× 64 mm× 16 mm | About 99mm x 59mm x 12.5mm |
| Weight | About 110g | About 110g | About 195g | About 101g |
| Display | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Analog Audio Input | Standard 3.5 mm Jack | Standard 3.5 mm Jack | Standard 3.5 mm Jack | Standard 3.5 mm Jack |
| USB Port | Type C USB | Type C USB | Micro USB | |
| Micro USB | ||||
| Digital Audio Input | N/A | N/A | Coaxial/Optical input | N/A |
| Headphone Output | Standard 3.5mm Jack | Standard 3.5 mm Jack | Standard 3.5 mm Jack | Standard 3.5 mm Jack |
| Line Output | N/A | N/A | Standard 3.5 mm Jack | Standard 3.5 mm Jack |
| Balance Output | 2.5mm /4.4mm Jack | 2.5mm /4.4mm Jack | 2.5mm /4.4mm Jack | 2.5mm Jack |
| Recommended Headphone Impedance | 16~100Ω (PO) | 16~100Ω ( PO) | 16~150 Ω (AM3E, PO) | 16~100Ω ( PO) |
| 16~300Ω (BAL) | 16~300Ω (BAL) | 16~300 Ω (AM3E, BAL) | 16~150Ω (BAL) | |
| Volume Control | Analog potentiometer (ADC sampling) | Analog potentiometer (ADC sampling) | Analog potentiometer (ADC sampling) | Analog potentiometer (ADC sampling) |
| Bass Adjust | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Treble Adjust | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Balance Adjust | 0.2 dB | 0.2 dB | 0.1 dB | 0.2 dB |
| GAIN Control | Yes(High/Low) | Yes(High/Low) | Yes(High/Low) | Yes(High/Low) |
| Bluetooth | N/A | N/A | Bluetooth 5.0，supports AAC/SBC/aptX/aptX HD/ aptX_LL/LDAC/LHDC | N/A |
| Operation | Volume knob + Physical button + Toggle switch | Volume knob + Physical button + Toggle switch | Volume knob + Physical button + Toggle switch | Volume knob + Toggle switch |
| Replaceable AMP Module | N/A | N/A | Yes | N/A |
|
Hardware scheme |
DAC: AK4452 USB: XMOS XU316 AMP:THX_AAA_28*2 |
DAC: AKM4462 USB: XMOS XU208 LPF: OPA1662 AMP: THX_AAA28*2 |
DAC: AK4493 * 2 USB: XMOS XU208 Bluetooth： CSR8675 |
DAC: AKM4452 USB: XMOS LPF: OPA1662 AMP: OPA2323+OPA926 |
| LPF：OPA1642×2，Volume IC：NJW1195 AMP：AD8620+OPA92 | ||||
| Extended functions | ||||
| APP control | N/A | N/A | Yes | N/A |
| Sampling rate indicator | Yes | N/A | Yes | N/A |
| Deep-sleep | N/A | N/A | Yes | N/A |
| Audio Performance (DAC Section) | ||||
| DSD Support（USB IN） | DSD64/128/256 | DSD64/128/256/512 | DSD64/128/256/512 | DSD64/128/256 |
| USB Sample Rate Support | 384kHz/32bit | 768kHz/32bit | 768kHz/32bit | 384kHz/32bit |
| SPDIF Coaxial Sample Rate Support | N/A | N/A | 192kHz/24bit | N/A |
| SPDIF Optical Sample Rate Support | N/A | N/A | 96KHz/24bit | N/A |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz ~ 50 kHz (±1.5dB) | 6Hz~90 kHz(-3dB) | 5Hz~90 kHz(-3dB) | 6Hz~80 kHz(-3dB) |
| THD+N | 0.0012% | <0.0012% (1 kHz/32Ω) | <0.001%(1 kHz/10kΩ) | <0.003%(1 kHz/10kΩ) |
| SNR | 115dB(A-weighted USB DAC IN) | ≥ 114dB(A-weighted USB DAC IN) | ≥ 117dB (AUX IN) | ≥ 110dB (A-weighted) |
| Headphone out specifications (3.5mm headphone out jack) | ||||
| Output Power | 175mW(16Ω,THD+N<1%) | ≥150mW(16Ω / THD+N<1%, AUX IN) | ≥280mW(16Ω / THD+N<1%, AUX IN) | ≥112 mW(16Ω / THD+N<1%, AUX IN) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz ~ 50kHz: (±1.5dB) | 20Hz~65kHz (-3dB) | 5 Hz~50kHz (-3dB) | 6Hz to 80kHz (-3dB) |
| SNR | ≥ 115dB (dbA) | ≥ 114dB (A-weighted, AUX IN) | ≥115 dB (A-weighted) | ≥115 dB (A-weighted, AUX IN) |
| Output impedance | ≤ 1 Ω | <1.2 Ω(32 Ω loadde) | ＜1.2Ω（32Ω loaded） | <1.2 Ω |
| Crosstalk | ≥76dB (1 kHz,AUX IN) | ≥75dB (1 kHz, AUX IN) | ≥75dB (1 kHz,AUX IN) | ≥79dB (1 kHz,AUX IN) |
| THD+N | <0.0012%(1kHz) | <0.0012% (1 kHz) | <0.001% (1 kHz) | <0.002% (1 kHz) |
| Power and Battery | ||||
| Power/Charger | DC5V 2A | DC5V 2A | DC5V 2A | DC5V 2A |
| Low Battery Warning | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Battery Capacity | 1800mAh | 1800mAh | 3800mAh | 1800mAh |
| Battery Life | 3.5mm output: ≥ 13h | >19h (AUX IN) | >24h (AUX IN) | >20h(AUX IN) |
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2.5mm/4.4mm balanced output: ≥ 12h(USB DAC) |
>10h (USB IN) | >9.5h (USB IN) | >10h (USB IN) | |
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2.5mm/4.4mm balanced output: ≥ 23h(Line in) |
>9.5h (OPT IN) | |||
| >9.5h (COAX IN) | ||||
| >9.5h (Bluetooth IN) | ||||
