Fosi Audio V3 Amplifier Review

[gasolin75]

Hey, what do you think of the v3 compared to the Wiim amp ultra ? (Amp section)
I'm hesitating with an amp based on hypex ncore NC252MP too.

My speakers are focal profile 918 and the v3 is ok for listening at low volume but lack or details when i push it. I think i need more power.

I have now v3 stereo with dac aiyima t8.

Thanks for your thoughts

48 volt power supply ?

Or https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/prod...er-v3-mono-amplifier-ap-wire-rca-p-20525.html

 

[MajorTom]

Yes 48v

 

[gasolin75]

get the monos from audiophonics

Fosi Audio V3 Mono Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio V3 Mono class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company. The price with the power supply I tested is US $139.99. I must say the concept of a "monoblock" amplifier in such a small size runs foul of any expectation a longtime...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Or a wiim amp pro

 

[peng]

Yes 48v

Regardless, the recommended amp power is 24-175 W, so if you pick an amp that can do 175 to 300 W 4 ohms, then you have done your best for those speakers whether you would get more details when you push it, would depend on how loud you listen to and from how far. The V3 Mono should be able to do a good job, so I assume when you said "but lack or details when i push it" I guess you push it too hard, and in that case, a power amp rated 300 W into 4 ohms may not do it either as it would only let you listen at 3 dB higher spl than at the point when the V3 mono would sound detailed enough for you.

 

[MajorTom]

Thanks guys
My speakers are 8ohms
Pushing too hard, not really, just listen a bit loud. Anyway, my room is not so big, so it could match with the mono blocks

 

[peng]

Thanks guys
My speakers are 8ohms
Pushing too hard, not really, just listen a bit loud. Anyway, my room is not so big, so it could match with the mono blocks

Focal Profile 918 Speaker System Measurements

Measurements Most of the measurements shown here for the Profile 918 and Profile CC908 were made with the grilles removed. It's usually an article of audiophile faith that grilles degrade the sound (more often than not they do). But here the grilles do not cover the tweeter. Instead, they fit...

www.soundandvision.com

The specs say 8 ohms, but bench measurements show that they are actually more like 5-6 ohms, and around 4 ohm from 80-350Hz:

The impedance of the Profile 918 dropped to a minimum of 3.3Ω at 97Hz. The ported cabinet is tuned to 36Hz. I would rate the speaker's nominal impedance, conservatively, at 5Ω. It does remain below 4Ω from 80Hz-356Hz, however, a power-demanding region on must music. But the impedance phase angle remains relatively benign across the audible frequency range. The speaker should not be overly fussy about the amp used with it, but the amp should be able to drive 4Ω without difficulty. The Profile 918's sensitivity measured approximately 88dB/2.83V/meter.

So the key is how loud you listen to and how far, though I do think a pair of the V3 mono should be able to do justice for most use case. Those amps are quite transparent, I have 2.5 pieces of the stereo version so I know they sound as good as just about any amps I have owned, including the ones that cost more than 50-70 times.

 

[gasolin75]

Focal say min 3.2 ohm at 110hz According to another thread it can be demanding that a speaker goes all the way from a normal (easy load) 8 ohm down to a much lower harder to drive impedans, compared to a 4 ohm speaker that only goes up or down by very little

 

[saberger0357]

get the monos from audiophonics

Fosi Audio V3 Mono Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio V3 Mono class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company. The price with the power supply I tested is US $139.99. I must say the concept of a "monoblock" amplifier in such a small size runs foul of any expectation a longtime...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Or a wiim amp pro

Or the 3E Audio A7 or A7E if you want power in a single box rather then mono blocks. I have both the A7 and V3's and to my ears they are basically equal in terms of quality of sound and power.

 

[john61ct]

Without experience just reading forums

The difference between a pair of 3eAudioA7 or V3 monos and the WAU's power output will be marginal, all three are pushing that architecture's limits.

Of course the WAU features is an entirely different aspect.

I dunno about how much more that Hypex delivers into that speaker

 

[paulgyro]

Hey, what do you think of the v3 compared to the Wiim amp ultra ? (Amp section)
I'm hesitating with an amp based on hypex ncore NC252MP too.

My speakers are focal profile 918 and the v3 is ok for listening at low volume but lack or details when i push it. I think i need more power.

I have now v3 stereo with dac aiyima t8.

Thanks for your thoughts

I own and use.both amps you mentioned. The Fossi is good but anything Hypex is a step up and very good.

 

[Ropeburn]

Focal say min 3.2 ohm at 110hz According to another thread it can be demanding that a speaker goes all the way from a normal (easy load) 8 ohm down to a much lower harder to drive impedans, compared to a 4 ohm speaker that only goes up or down by very little
View attachment 483275

I really wouldn't call it demanding at all. It's utter standard behaviour of a 4 Ohm speaker, just mislabeled often as 8 Ohm, as so many speakers. 3.2 Ohm is NOT super low in any way.

Any half-proper amp can drive these just fine, speakers like that have existed for decades. Pump 10V into these and you end up with ~30W around the minimum impedance frequency, which together with the good sensitivity is nicely loud already.

Your problem isn't power but something else.

 

[MajorTom]

Thx guys, it is always a pleasure to read your interesting posts

I get in touch with Focal and they recommend an amp between 80-175w, (their exemple is an amp Naim (of course) class d 2x150w)

I can say that at low volume it is quite ok, but I had a fuller sound with an old class a technics (2x90w) that I borrowed.
I replaced an fda alientek d8 with this v3 stereo and I get a better result, so I was thinking that I could go further with a more powerful amp. Audiophonics recommandation goes to an hyper core.

But as you say Ropeburn, I could work on others issues. I suspect mainly the room acoustic to be bad. I get an echo if I clap my hands above the speakers for example. I m looking into it to get some microfiber panels to hang on the walls (and on ceiling too).

 

[burkm]

I really wouldn't call it demanding at all. It's utter standard behaviour of a 4 Ohm speaker, just mislabeled often as 8 Ohm, as so many speakers. 3.2 Ohm is NOT super low in any way.

Any half-proper amp can drive these just fine, speakers like that have existed for decades. Pump 10V into these and you end up with ~30W around the minimum impedance frequency, which together with the good sensitivity is nicely loud already.

Your problem isn't power but something else.

An impedance of 3.2 Ohm ist not "super-low" as this is nowadays quite standard for speakers, even when stated as "8 Ohm". To my knowledge a minimum of 3 Ohm is specified by 4 Ohm speaker as within the standard and "normal". As many user and my own experience proofes, the V3 Mono amp (with PFFB) is as "transparent" as probably any known better amp is, its lowest impedance is specified at 2 Ohm, if I remember it correctly. Power is present (enough) for either "8 Ohm" and "4 Ohm" speakers of any provenience even when listening "louder" as long as the speaker's efficiency is "ok" and follows common standards. Just check the measurements of Amir for this amp...

Subjective amp and speaker evaluation does carry many known obstacles and I will therefore not comment additionally on this.
Even when listening to speakers in an uncorrected room with enlarged ("bloated") bass response might follow this subjective listening experience.

 

[Sokel]

Focal say min 3.2 ohm at 110hz According to another thread it can be demanding that a speaker goes all the way from a normal (easy load) 8 ohm down to a much lower harder to drive impedans, compared to a 4 ohm speaker that only goes up or down by very little

Generalizing never ends well.
Have a look at a tiny speaker here:

We also consider phase angle each time, EPDR makes more sense as a metric.

 

[nathan]

I suspect mainly the room acoustic to be bad. I get an echo if I clap my hands above the speakers for example. I m looking into it to get some microfiber panels to hang on the walls (and on ceiling too).

That sounds like a good idea. Chances are good, when you increase the volume in the room you are in, you are hearing LOTs of distortion -- not because of the speaker or the amp, but because of the ROOM.

Add some 3" or 4" thick acoustic panels made from insulation like fiberglass or rock wool to the wall behind you and the ceiling, etc, and then see what you think. I bet you'll be surprised.

 

[gwing]

Thx guys, it is always a pleasure to read your interesting posts

I get in touch with Focal and they recommend an amp between 80-175w, (their exemple is an amp Naim (of course) class d 2x150w)

I can say that at low volume it is quite ok, but I had a fuller sound with an old class a technics (2x90w) that I borrowed.
I replaced an fda alientek d8 with this v3 stereo and I get a better result, so I was thinking that I could go further with a more powerful amp. Audiophonics recommandation goes to an hyper core.

But as you say Ropeburn, I could work on others issues. I suspect mainly the room acoustic to be bad. I get an echo if I clap my hands above the speakers for example. I m looking into it to get some microfiber panels to hang on the walls (and on ceiling too).

Hey, you used the Alientek D8? That was a fantastic little amp that did a really good despite the rather high measured distortion levels - I absolutely loved mine and it was my favourite FDA amp.

However the Fosi V3 monos I have now are much more capable and a treat to listen to. If your speakers were OK with the D8 any of the good reasonably priced amps mentioned here will be great and probably indistinguishable from each other - they might not be as 'full' sounding as some older amps but that's the price of transparency and accuracy. That said, having a Wiim or something with room correction in the audio chain may help more than chasing results from different amplifiers.

 

[MajorTom]

I'd be curious to try the room correction from wiim or from yamaha rn 800a...

And yes, alientek d8 was very good fda paired with bookshelf focal aria 906. Too bad that with the floorstand speakers, it lacks of power.

 

[MajorTom]

I've got a question :
My set up is v3 + dac aiyima t8:
Where to connect the wiim mini (or pro) ?
Better in rca directly to the v3 or by optical to the dac ?

 

[realign]

I've got a question :
My set up is v3 + dac aiyima t8:
Where to connect the wiim mini (or pro) ?
Better in rca directly to the v3 or by optical to the dac ?

You need to decide if you prefer the DAC in the Wiim or the DAC in the t8.

If the former then Wiim to T8 via RCA in, the T8 to V3 via RCA out
If the latter than Wiim to T8 via Optical, then T8 to V3 via RCA out

note - i don't know if the T8 messes with the RCA in or if it's just passes through to RCA out.

 

[antcollinet]

You need to decide if you prefer the DAC in the Wiim or the DAC in the t8.

If the former then Wiim to T8 via RCA in, the T8 to V3 via RCA out
If the latter than Wiim to T8 via Optical, then T8 to V3 via RCA out

note - i don't know if the T8 messes with the RCA in or if it's just passes through to RCA out.

It is exceptionally unlikely there will be a difference to be heard. Although the T8 has tubes so there is the possibility it will introduce audible distortion - in which case if you value accuracy, you should connect the Wiim directly to the amp.