Disclaimer:
Good morning, readers! Today we are here with a brand new product from Fosi Audio, a DAC/AMP with very interesting specifications, the Fosi Audio K7. I just reviewed the Creative SoundBlaster G8 so the comparison becomes very interesting indeed. Products like the Fosi Audio K7 can be appreciated even more because they fully express the efforts of a smaller brand to compete with the giants. We are not on par in terms of extra features but everything else is actually superior in quality. Calling this product suitable for gaming is wrong because the audio quality of the K7 is far beyond. Despite the lack of “surround” technologies, the K7 creates an immense stage.
The review, as always, will be completely unbiased, uninfluenced, and free of affiliate links.
I would like to remind you that I am just a person who enjoys trying out new items and listening to a lot of music; I am not an expert.
My opinions are obviously subjective.
Tech Specs:
- AKM AK4493S DAC: High-resolution audio with low distortion, enhancing in-game sound effects and delivering studio-grade music quality.
- XMOS XU208 USB Controller: High-speed digital audio processing for synchronized game audio and visuals, plus clean signal transmission for music.
- OPA1612 Op-Amp: Improves positional audio accuracy in games and provides low-distortion sound with rich detail for music.
- TPA6120 Headphone Amplifier: Powerful headphone-driving capability for both low- and high-impedance headphones, ensuring impactful sound and pure audio quality.
- Qualcomm QCC3031 Bluetooth Chip: Supports aptX LL low-latency for gaming and aptX HD lossless for near-wired HiFi wireless listening.
4.4mm Balanced Headphone Output:
- Rated Power Output: L+R ≥ 2100mW + 2100mW (32Ω/THD+N<1%)
- SNR: 121dB
- THD+N: 0.0002%
- Dynamic Range: 121dB
- Noise Floor: ≤ 6.5μV
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.2dB)
3.5mm Single-Ended Headphone Output:
- Rated Power Output: L+R ≥ 600mW + 600mW (32Ω/THD+N<1%)
- SNR: 122dB
- THD+N: 0.0005%
- Dynamic Range: 121dB
- Noise Floor: ≤ 2.5μV
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.2dB)
RCA Output:
- Output Level: ≥ 2Vrms
- SNR: 121dB
- THD+N: 0.0005%
- Dynamic Range: 121dB
- Noise Floor: ≤ 3μV
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (±0.2dB)
I hope this list is helpful! Please let me know if you need any further clarification or information.
System Requirements:
I have not found specific information but what I can tell you is that the product works without problems with OSX but that it has a totally independent volume not controllable by Mac. I think it can be solved with a firmware update to be done probably using a Windows PC where the drivers are installed. In general it works with any device because it does not need to be powered.
Packaging:
The Fosi Audio K7 packaging is very simple, all black but the product is well protected. Inside it is everything you need to put it to work right away.
- Fosi Audio K7
- BT antenna
- Power Supply 12V 2A
- 1 Cable Type C to Type C/USB
- Mic + Aux splitter
- User Manual
Much more intelligently than Creative, Fosi has put a cable with a built-in USB adapter (it has been using it for a long time) and it is the most wonderful accessory you can find. The Fosi Audio K7 has its own power supply of 12V 2A. We also find a BT antenna.
There are no other cables but what is there allows anyone to use it immediately.
Build Quality/First Impressions:
Since I also own the old Fosi Audio K5 Pro, I wonder if it’s really the same company. The leap in quality is so huge that I can hardly believe it’s still them. The K5 Pro compared to the K7 is a toy. Even taking the more recent Fosi SK02 as an example, you can perceive a further evolution in the care of their products. You can tell that it’s a company that listens to its customers and that carries out surveys regarding the features they want.
The Fosi Audio K7 is a high quality product, all in CNC machined metal, I don’t think there is anything plastic. The weight of the product itself is an indication of the amount of metal that has been used. Compared to the Creative G8 where even the knobs are plastic. The attention to detail can be seen in the precision that the buttons have in their seats, how precisely the volume knobs rotate and the rubber feet underneath that bear the Fosi branding (perhaps even excessive as a thing). But honestly, it’s nice to see a brand put so much effort into it, especially knowing where they started from.
On the upper part we find in the middle a small but use OLED display, two knobs the first for the volume and the second for the adjustments.
Below we have 5 buttons for the management of the Fosi Audio K7:
- UAC Mode
- Input
- Output
- Bypass/Direct
- Tone/mic adjustments
On the front we have microphone input, 3.5mm output and 4.4mm output. The presence of the balanced output makes me extremely happy.
On the back the comparison with the Creative Sound Blaster G8 is not on par. The Fosi Audio K7 has Bluetooth though. For the rest we have Coaxial, Optical and RCA outputs
Special Features:
Let’s say that the features are definitely basic if compared to the Creative but for my non-gaming use, the ability to adjust the highs and lows is already very interesting. The thing I like is that you don’t need software but everything is manageable with the buttons and knobs.
Even the microphone can only be adjusted in its volume. Compared to the Creative SoundBlaster G8, the gaming features for modern games are limited. But if you use it at an audiophile level or for some old-school games or films, the story is completely different.
Sound Signature & EQ:
The AKM AK4493S combined with the TPA6120 does a perfect job; in fact, right away it seemed to me that the stage compared to other models tested was particularly more accurate. The sound is basically very detailed and analytical with a warm note. Everything sounds extremely coherent and if there was a need for more brightness or anything else, you just need to correct the tones. I personally really like it in direct mode and I think it will become my reference DAC/amp for the tests from now on.
Unfortunately, there is no real full equalizer or presets you can use.
Power:
Power is more or less comparable to the Creative SoundBlaster G8. I don’t know how it’s possible in reality but in terms of power, the Creative is more impressive, which, from a simple USB brings out capacities far superior to many of the competition. The Fosi Audio K7 has its own separate power supply so there is absolutely no lack of current. I simply believe the volume control is more precise and therefore does not give you “slaps” of volume like the other. So I believe it is only a matter of acoustic perception but in both, it is difficult to reach the maximum volume. In my case, the maximum I have tried is the EPZ x Tipsy Starn One with 64 OHM of impedance and at most you can reach 30 of volume out of 62. Regardless of what is connected to it, it is powered and driven perfectly.
Considerations after a month of use:
In the new setup that I will do in a few months this product will have a key role on the desk. In the future it will become a point of reference for my future reviews, its sound and the possibility of controlling the tones quickly and quickly allows you to test the IEMs and headphones that I will have the opportunity to test. The sound, even if you should not notice big differences with other dac / amp, has a care and precision that I had never heard on the others. The totally silent background even with very sensitive IEMs like the Simgot EA100 Fermat make it suitable for any user. Compared to the Creative, the gaming DNA takes a back seat, this product is in all respects first and foremost a high-level HI-FI product. You can perceive the care and research that they are employing in improving their products. The definition that the Fosi Audio K7 brings out adds points to the soundstage.
The only downside might be the audio jacks on the front. This requires more desk space than is necessary on the front.
Fast Comparison:
Looking at the past of Fosi Audio and the present of other brands, the comparisons become interesting.
I seriously have a hard time believing it’s the same company. The K5 Pro is a product that borrows a standard size chassis with minimal customization. You’ve probably seen a thousand amplifiers with the same chassis on AliExpress. A product that has a totally different quality that can’t even be compared. In terms of input and output, it can still be improved, but in terms of design, functionality, and build quality, it has made giant steps.
I’m not telling you about the sound because the K7 sounds 1000 times better.
A more recent product from Fosi but that still, even if perhaps a year old, makes it clear how the company is growing and in which direction. I find the SK01 brighter but not for this reason: it is more detailed and suitable for critical and analytical listening. In terms of construction quality, you can perceive a connection with the two products. In terms of sound, the K7 is a few steps above and is also much more powerful.
A fusion or joint venture between the two brands would create the definitive product for gamers and audiophiles. It will probably never happen but if the Creative features were to be merged with the Fosi Audio build quality, it would produce a definitive product for most users. Undoubtedly the versatility of the inputs and outputs is superior on the Creative, even the app support and the features designed for gamers or streamers are very advanced. If all this is not what you need, the Fosi Audio is really well made. I have no particular needs for gaming so I probably don’t see the real limitations that a gamer might experience.
Conclusions:
In the case of minimal desks, I think a product like the Creative Soundblaster G8 could be very appealing. I am not a person who can identify with a desk with a minimal setup but surely in the near future I will have to drastically reduce the complexity of the setup I currently use. The thing I liked the most is the possibility of maintaining a single sound card for both my PCs and also sharing the two Pebble X speakers via wired connection. Before, I used them via USB only with one of the two and the other had to make do with the BT connection. The features with the DSP activated are multiple but I am more of a purist in that sense. Usually my favorite mode is the direct mode, where there are no colorations of the sound. Great that they finally managed to bring an update of the Creative APP on OSX but there is still a long way to go for it to be on par with the Windows one. As for gaming, the features present are more designed for streamers or creators.
In my opinion the Fosi Audio K7 has a sound that is anything but gaming but very Hi-Fi, I think one of the most complete and full I have heard so far. Are we sure it is a gaming DAC?
9.4/10
Pros:
- Pretty big boy
- AK Sound Signature—Touch of Warmth
- Extra Powerful—62 volume steps
- Improved stage and details
- Mature & polished sound
- L & H Gain switch for easy IEMS
- Treble & Bass Adjustments
- No APP direct & easy controls
- Dedicated power supply
- OLED display
- Total Independent volume (on OSX)
Cons:
- More Hi-Fi than Gaming (i’m more audiophile than gamer so this is a pro.)
- No PEQ
- No dedicated Software (i’m fine with it)
- No fancy RGB lights (not really a cons)
