Fosi Audio V3 Mono Amplifier Review

[restorer-john]

I’m personally of the opinion that hi-fi listening is moving to desktop set-ups. Not entirely, but I think there’s been a large and relatively rapid shift.

Just my opinion, but based on what I experience at these forums.

I think you are most likely correct.

Pretty much all the vagaries can be reasonably controlled in a desktop system. EQ comes free in the PC, the placement is near field and precise. And the amount of time people spend on their computers is only increasing, not decreasing.

When people are watching entire movies at their "worskstations" with headphones, and critically listening to music on their gaming chair in front of a large LCD monitor, you know there is a paradigm shift. Couple that with less space for a dedicated HiFi system and times are definitely changin'.

 

[Sokel]

I’m personally of the opinion that hi-fi listening is moving to desktop set-ups. Not entirely, but I think there’s been a large and relatively rapid shift.

Just my opinion, but based on what I experience at these forums.

Desktop set-up is far easier and better with actives though.
Some of them are even made with the obligatory desk-bounce in consideration and that's one thing you can't avoid.

 

[Tell]

And what is the deal with that cute little miniature size form factor, is it meant to be a desktop amp?

I'm wondering what the deal is with all these ginormous amps, why would anyone want a big box in the middle of their living room when you could just stash an amplifier that's as small as possible in the bookshelf?

 

[antcollinet]

How do 2 of these compare with stereo balanced amplifier, Topping PA5 II (about US$250 now)?

In other words, which is the better option, for which use case.

Thanks.

Double the power. No volume control.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

I just think that a lot of our listening is, and frankly always has been, a solo affair. I just don’t think families sit down to listen to Dark Side of the Moon together.

In ye olde dayes of rampant misogynism, and having to pay minimal attention to WAF, you could base your hi-fi in the lounge.

But those days are long gone. Lockdown was, I’m sure, a big driver. We’ve had Topping, SMSL, Fosi Audio, WiiM, all making kit primarily in desktop form - even kit which initially looks more ‘full size for hi-fi rack’ is actually a tad smaller (Bluesound Node, anyone?). And we’ve seen an explosion of interest in desktop studio monitors - Genelec used to be viewed as strictly for the studio, they’re now a domestic hi-fi component.

Just look at our discussion here. The products we talk about are often desktop models. I’m not sure if it’s over 50%, but it’s far more than it would face been 10 years ago.

Finally, the advantages of nearfield listening are now well documented and understood, whilst SWMBO cares far less about room treatment wall panels in your office than she would on the walls of her lounge.

Overall, desktop gets you better sound for less.

Sorry, rant over.

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Desktop set-up is far easier and better with actives though.
Some of them are even made with the obligatory desk-bounce in consideration and that's one thing you can't avoid.

A very slight disagreement from me. I have small speakers in stands either side of my desk. Doing the mirror test, it’s impossible for me to see my desk surface in the mirror. If your speakers are on your desk, whether or not you get first reflections from the desktop depends on how far back or forward they are, and how high you raise the, I think.

 

[DSJR]

This is a totally academic concern really, but the 30kHz 3dB peak may well not matter, but as some here will regard this as a higher end product due to the otherwise good performance and partner this amp with speakers using metal dome tweeters with *massive* peaks around this frequency already (KEF, B&W and others), any source noise would be magnified even more perhaps?

Like I said, an academic concern only, but I'd rather the response rolled away gently over 20kHz myself if it can't stay flat at these frequencies....

 

[Sokel]

A very slight disagreement from me. I have small speakers in stands either side of my desk. Doing the mirror test, it’s impossible for me to see my desk surface in the mirror. If your speakers are on your desk, whether or not you get first reflections from the desktop depends on how far back or forward they are, and how high you raise the, I think.

The mirror test stands for the higher freqs,as you go lower it would still be bounce by the omni pattern of the lower freqs.

 

[Kimbrough Xu]

98w into 8ohms for $280/pair.

Very impressive.

I hope fosi can develop a stereo version with a price no more than $200.

 

[daniboun]

Not bad, the price is right even if we would have preferred a Stereo version...

Now two things:

1) The DC connector is too close to the binding post and we mentioned this to Fosi on the prototyped version...what a pity !

2) About the Current VS Voltage controversy (Note that this mono block has two main competitors, the 3E Audio module 3e audio 480-1-29A and the Sylph Audio FB360 module). As you can see, for this type of Mono PBTL configuration, there is no need for a PSU above 48V/5A, it hardly adds anything...

 

[audioje]

wow, this IS good... Half the price of PA7 and it can truly compete with it.

 

[Sokel]

Not bad, the price is right even if we would have preferred a Stereo version...

Now two things:

1) The DC connector is too close to the binding post and we mentioned this to Fosi on the prototyped version...what a pity !

View attachment 360799

2) About the Current VS Voltage controversy (Note that this mono block has two main competitors, the 3E Audio module 3e audio 480-1-29A and the Sylph Audio FB360 module). As you can see, for this type of Mono PBTL configuration, there is no need for a PSU above 48V/5A, it hardly adds anything...


View attachment 360807

First pic to the left is Fosi and it's labeled as 3E,numbers are the same,I know,but correct it for the visuals.

 

[DSJR]

I just think that a lot of our listening is, and frankly always has been, a solo affair. I just don’t think families sit down to listen to Dark Side of the Moon together.

In ye olde dayes of rampant misogynism, and having to pay minimal attention to WAF, you could base your hi-fi in the lounge.

But those days are long gone. Lockdown was, I’m sure, a big driver. We’ve had Topping, SMSL, Fosi Audio, WiiM, all making kit primarily in desktop form - even kit which initially looks more ‘full size for hi-fi rack’ is actually a tad smaller (Bluesound Node, anyone?). And we’ve seen an explosion of interest in desktop studio monitors - Genelec used to be viewed as strictly for the studio, they’re now a domestic hi-fi component.

Just look at our discussion here. The products we talk about are often desktop models. I’m not sure if it’s over 50%, but it’s far more than it would face been 10 years ago.

Finally, the advantages of nearfield listening are now well documented and understood, whilst SWMBO cares far less about room treatment wall panels in your office than she would on the walls of her lounge.

Overall, desktop gets you better sound for less.

Sorry, rant over.

I noticed 'herself' out of a couple starting to exercise serious control over what she wanted in her lounge as far back as the 90's. I didn't understand at all - and then I got married!

 

[daniboun]

First pic to the left is Fosi and it's labeled as 3E,numbers are the same,I know,but correct it for the visuals.

3e Audio TPA3255 Amplifier Kit 480-1-29A Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the 3e Audio 480-1-29A, TPA3255 based class D amplifier module. It was sent to me by the company in a reference design for ease of testing: The module is the PCB to the right and costs US 89.99 from company Aliexpress store. This is the mono...

www.audiosciencereview.com

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

@4R both channels driven, they achieve the same performance ) 192W@ the knee (48V/10A vs 48V/5A)
I think you understand where I'm going with this)

Update done my bad :

 

[Golf]

The DC connector is too close to the binding post and we mentioned this to Fosi on the prototyped version...what a pity !

A tiny 1 kg amp is a tiny 1 kg amp

 

[delta76]

3e Audio TPA3255 Amplifier Kit 480-1-29A Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the 3e Audio 480-1-29A, TPA3255 based class D amplifier module. It was sent to me by the company in a reference design for ease of testing: The module is the PCB to the right and costs US 89.99 from company Aliexpress store. This is the mono...

www.audiosciencereview.com

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

@4R both channels driven, they achieve the same performance ) 192W@ the knee (48V/10A vs 48V/5A)
I think you understand where I'm going with this)

Update done my bad :


View attachment 360821

not sure what's your point but Fosi V3 is like half the price, not including DIY time/cost for the other project. I would be fine with the slightly higher yet inaudible distortion

 

[timiambeing]

Thanks! Just filled out the early bird discount form!

I don’t get a discount form, just the page with all the details of the amp? I did get an email saying sign up for early bird discount but again the link just goes to the product page, it form or signup link on there?

 

[timiambeing]

Fosi Audio V3 Mono Monoblock Power Amplifier

The V3 MONO is a monoblock high-power amplifier integrated with the Texas Instruments TPA3255 amplifier chip, suitable for speakers of 2Ω to 8Ω impedance. It implements Post-Filter Feedback (PFFB) technology, addressing the long-standing issue of load-dependency in Class-D amplifiers.

fosiaudio.com

look for:

View attachment 360762

That’s interesting I don’t get that… is it because I am I the UK maybe?

 

[dan_uk]

That’s interesting I don’t get that… is it because I am I the UK maybe?

I get the discount box and I'm UK based.

 

[Ken Tajalli]

I like this one.
A cheap100W mono-block?
And the distortion pattern does not worry me because playing music, the content at 10kHz and above are naturally down by 30dB or so, meaning When bass is at 0dB, 10kHz and above are at -30dB, so that distortion pattern flattens out.