IS THE FOSI AUDIO ZA3 OUR BEST IN CLASS FOR SUB $150 CLASS D AMPS??? WE THINK SO.... 😍😍😍 Here are the purchase links of ZA3 - Amazon US - amzn.to/3RKX2jX Aliexpress - s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oCb... Fosi Audio Official - bit.ly/za3influtrack 15% off promo code：FAZA3MKT15 (This code will expire on 27th December) THE WORLDS ONLY NON-PROFIT CHARITY REVIEWER!! 100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO YOUTH MUSICAL PROGRAMS OVER $4900 DONATED TO CHARITY IN 2023 🔥😍💪 NEW WEBSITE - abxaudiophiles.org/ PATREON - www.patreon.com/user?u=81133993 INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/abxaudiophile/ UA-cam - ua-cam.com/channels/SHz.html... ABX-Audiophiles Playlist on all your streaming services - sdz.sh/eBTib5
I am a big FOSI fan and when I needed, contacted support with schematic to change an on/off toggle. I have 3 for small systems and I did a pre-order for the ZA3 to marry to my Marantz 2240B as a poweramp. I like to experiment and while I restore vintage gear, I cant help but be impressed with FOSI. Thanks for the review and I am subscribing to support your channel.
Another differentiator is the true Sub Out feature on the ZA3 versus the "aux out" on the V3. The ZA3 controls the sub volume right along with the speaker volume.
So can you have left and right plus sub from the same app. Also, is the sub just crossover or amplified? I don't think my tannoy Sub has inputs to take in amplified signal as it's active speaker only .
ONE big advantage is the built in SUB out...now yes,I can pull it off the pre-out (Ido that now) but I hate splitting those signals (pre-out/main in) with RCA splitter...and I may get a second one and try the mono block route 🙂
I have two. Got in on the Kickstarter. 😂 You beat CAM to it I always get the 48 volt GaN power supply You can 100% roll the two V3 op-amps as well Will link to Fosi group. Excellent content as always
@@theman-pc2ej swap, replace or roll op amps or whatever you think is the best terminology All these terms and more are applied to op amps. So you can call it whatever you want as you get to do you
Thank you, I am intersted in hearing the opinion of the noise floor in monoblock especially using the XLRs out of a Schitt or Emotive PreAmp/DAC from someone that knows midfi and higher end gear. Also are these 2 ohm stable?
I put these on my Forte II with the 48V power supply and cranked it to 100% volume and it was DEAD quiet, and when I mean dead quiet, I mean NOTHING... Not sure about 2ohm, but I put these on the EVOKE 50 and went bass heavy and it was fine.. Although, as all of these cheap class D amps do, get cranking up around 80+ db spl and they become diffused and start to fall apart. Just the nature of Ultra Budget Class D amplification. As I have spoke about in other FOSI reviews. But, in the sub $150 space for new, you won't beat it...
Problem is, from what I’ve heard, all the Aiyima, FOSI, DOUK, RSL etc all for the most part run the same style chip. I wouldn’t classify at of them as warm really. For 300 I’m going used or saving, I have yet to hear a single class D amp sound warm and I’ve had the $4000 orchard audio class D GaN amps, NAD purifi class D, all the way down the line. I will say out of all the budget class D, DOUK is the king of sound quality in my mind.
I heard on another review that the ZA3 volume controls both the speakers as well as the sub woofer volume, where the other doesn't. Would that make a difference?
Great review!! I already have the Fosi and am thinking about buying the Dynaudio Emit 30. I know dynaudio's require a lot of power and many claim that they dont sound good in relatively low volumes, but I am curious to hear your opinion. Generally I don't listen to very loud volumes. You wrote in the comments that you managed to drive the emit 50, which is amazing. Do you think it could work for the Dynaudios smaller brother? Great review again, keep on :)
Thank you! Yea, the ZA3 with 48v power supply would be plenty for the Emit 30. I ran the Emit 50 of a 20 watt Class A amp and it was awesome. 👏🏼. Most all box speakers struggle with low level listening regardless if it’s a 20 watt amp or a 1000 watt amp. It’s my opinion, that the best low level listening is highly sensitive speakers (95db or greater) and tube amp. 😊😊
It is a great option, although I will say with the 48V it is GOBS of power for even my most power hungry speakers.. :) But yea, you will NEVER be lacking with mono set up
@@Exgol2005 for one, we ran it on 85 db Dynaudio Emit 50 towers and with the 48v power it SCREAMED… I would really just start with one and scale up if needed. On my forte I couldn’t even get the volume up past 25% 😅😅😅
Great review. Question since you have experienced so many different sets of equipment. If not driven too far beyond its limits, how does the ZA3 sound compared to most class AB amps? I understand warmth of the sound might be different, but if you are into soundstage like depth and width, are you able to tell how the ZA3 compares to more conventional amps? Resolution overall? I have some larger Legacy Audio speakers that are efficient but also a more difficult load as their impedance dips in the lower frequencies and curious how this would work on them. My amp is growing older, so I am looking for a great sounding amp value. Thank you for the review as a new subscriber.
I’ll say this, if your MAX budget is $200 or less for an amp, and you need the features the ZA3 provide, then it would be hard to do better. I try to always keep my reviews on context to the unit, its price point, and its intended user. But you your not in that budget restraint, I would recommend something else. These are not giant killers. They are simply one of the best choices in the price point. If kept at lower volumes they sound decent, image well, and are relatively detailed. Overall tho, I find them veiled, slightly diffused, and fall apart quickly at higher volumes. It’s the ol case of, you get what you pay for. If you’re not opposed to the used market, or spending more, I think you can do better. But hey, order the ZA3 on Amazon and if it doesn’t work out, return it. They’re great for this kinda stuff. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Yea, nobody talks about it, but they ALL run the same damn TA class D amp chip... There is VERY little difference in any of them really. And if people say there is, then it is very very slight... Like I said in the review, stick with the V3 unless you need all the features, cus they sound identical basically speaking.
I would not advise placing these with any speaker of value. And I don’t think that would be an affective pairing, but hey, won’t know till ya try 🤣🤣. Use at your own risk. Hehe. 😜
Honestly man, all these cheap, budget class D amps are pretty much all the same. My best advice to all my viewers is skip them all and buy something used in your local area. Any AVR that was $600-800 new and now selling for $100 will destroy any of these things. 👌👌👌
@@theman-pc2ej It doesn't make much difference so long as we know what the two terms mean ... _"Messing around in the guts of a device they do not understand."_
I’m sitting here thinking. Why on earth would you not do affiliate links? It costs the buyer nothing at all. You’ll get the money, and then you can give it to charity. Whenever I go to buy stuff I try to remember to use one of them just to help someone out, because it costs me nothing. And it will help someone if I do. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who likes to share this way. But here’s the thing. If it’s for charity. People will be even more inclined to do so I feel. I know I would. Anyway, just an idea. Thanks for all you do. ✌️
Thanks man… I struggle with that one a little. Some view being an affiliate as sort of a sell out, and gives less credibility to the review. But would generate a little more revenue for charity. So I’m a bit conflicted. I’ve never done a paid or influenced review and I don’t want to be “that guy”…. 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤔🤔🤔
@@abxaudiophilesI get it. But just some generic links with the caveat being it’s for charity would be fine I feel. That’s what Erin’s Audio Corner does. Just throw up generic links for stores that do it, like Amazon, and such. And if people want to help out. They can use them. It’s not directed at a specific product that way. Either way. Really appreciate you guy’s, and the channel. ✌️
Good stuff James! This is the kind of thing that makes me wonder, if you went back 10 years ago and put this head to head with the average $1k amp, how would they compare based just on sound quality alone?
The older $1,000 amp would DESTROY the ZA3.... My reviews and opinions are 100% in the context of new retail amps under $150... I have talked about in my previous reviews how these cheap class D amps break up and get diffused sounding REALLY fast once you start to push 80db spl
mine old still better, m11 sound kind of reminds me of the apple x blox experience, which is great, and better, its highend sound as for iems, prob susvara will win, yeah its not iem
Yea, like I said, they all sound the same. Watch any of my reviews on these cheap class d that use the TI chip.. They all fit inside a nut shell.... Sorry, I was just getting burned out at a new FOSI each week, same stuff, different box. They are neutral, harsh highs on a revealing system, decent for the money, decent bass punch, nothing to write home about. Fast forward to today and the DOUK H7 pro is actually one that stands out from all others... Cheers.
Appreciate your feedback, but if you actually watched my content you would know that we don’t do paid reviews, we don’t do affiliate links, we don’t get compensated in any way….. Cheers and enjoy the show man, we’re on the same team.
IS THE FOSI AUDIO ZA3 OUR BEST IN CLASS FOR SUB $150 CLASS D AMPS???
WE THINK SO.... 😍😍😍
Here are the purchase links of ZA3 -
Amazon US - amzn.to/3RKX2jX
Aliexpress - s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oCb...
Fosi Audio Official - bit.ly/za3influtrack
15% off promo code：FAZA3MKT15
(This code will expire on 27th December)
THE WORLDS ONLY NON-PROFIT CHARITY REVIEWER!!
100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO YOUTH MUSICAL PROGRAMS
OVER $4900 DONATED TO CHARITY IN 2023 🔥😍💪
NEW WEBSITE -
abxaudiophiles.org/
PATREON -
www.patreon.com/user?u=81133993
INSTAGRAM -
instagram.com/abxaudiophile/
UA-cam -
ua-cam.com/channels/SHz.html...
ABX-Audiophiles Playlist on all your streaming services -
sdz.sh/eBTib5
Is it a typical issue for Class D amp that a drum beat can easily distort the smoothness of the vocal?
I am a big FOSI fan and when I needed, contacted support with schematic to change an on/off toggle. I have 3 for small systems and I did a pre-order for the ZA3 to marry to my Marantz 2240B as a poweramp. I like to experiment and while I restore vintage gear, I cant help but be impressed with FOSI. Thanks for the review and I am subscribing to support your channel.
Thank you 🙏🏼
Wow......... 1/2 a dozen Fosi ZA3 U-tube reviews drop in about an hour!
Reggae, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊
Release day.. Not surprising.. :) HAHA.. Wink Wink...
Another differentiator is the true Sub Out feature on the ZA3 versus the "aux out" on the V3. The ZA3 controls the sub volume right along with the speaker volume.
A great feature!! Thanks for highlighting that. 🤗🤗. Happy holidays and thank you. 🙏🏼
So can you have left and right plus sub from the same app.
Also, is the sub just crossover or amplified? I don't think my tannoy Sub has inputs to take in amplified signal as it's active speaker only .
ONE big advantage is the built in SUB out...now yes,I can pull it off the pre-out (Ido that now) but I hate splitting those signals (pre-out/main in) with RCA splitter...and I may get a second one and try the mono block route 🙂
Hell yea!!
I have two. Got in on the Kickstarter.
😂 You beat CAM to it
I always get the 48 volt GaN power supply
You can 100% roll the two V3 op-amps as well
Will link to Fosi group.
Excellent content as always
Ha!! Nice! Gotta get up early to beat the ABX to it. Hehe. Feel free to share the link to any and all FOSI fans!! Cheers.
@@abxaudiophiles link done
I have two V3s and two of these
Love Fosi Kickstarter Campaigns
@@middleearthltdHell Yea bro!! That’s what’s up. 🎉❤🎉❤
Roll?..
@@theman-pc2ej swap, replace or roll op amps or whatever you think is the best terminology
All these terms and more are applied to op amps. So you can call it whatever you want as you get to do you
These xlr inputs look different to standard xlr .. Do I need a different cable for these?
Normal XLR cables work perfectly.
Sounds like it's more for a home studio with the xlrs, etc?
@@benbryson6598 cheap secondary system is really all it’s good for.
What’s a source of *affordable* balanced speaker cables?
Worlds Best Cables (WBC) is what I use. They are on Amazon, cheap, and built well.. I run the WBC 2549 Mogami.
I'd like to see Fosi add more inputs to this amp. Perhaps two more - optical and coax. Of course that would likely increase the price.
Totally. It’s all a cost. 😊
Thank you, I am intersted in hearing the opinion of the noise floor in monoblock especially using the XLRs out of a Schitt or Emotive PreAmp/DAC from someone that knows midfi and higher end gear. Also are these 2 ohm stable?
I put these on my Forte II with the 48V power supply and cranked it to 100% volume and it was DEAD quiet, and when I mean dead quiet, I mean NOTHING... Not sure about 2ohm, but I put these on the EVOKE 50 and went bass heavy and it was fine.. Although, as all of these cheap class D amps do, get cranking up around 80+ db spl and they become diffused and start to fall apart. Just the nature of Ultra Budget Class D amplification. As I have spoke about in other FOSI reviews. But, in the sub $150 space for new, you won't beat it...
@@abxaudiophiles good to hear and interesting. I could see a few situations where these could be a nice solution.
IYO, what's the most warm Tube-ish sounding chip amp under $300?
Problem is, from what I’ve heard, all the Aiyima, FOSI, DOUK, RSL etc all for the most part run the same style chip. I wouldn’t classify at of them as warm really. For 300 I’m going used or saving, I have yet to hear a single class D amp sound warm and I’ve had the $4000 orchard audio class D GaN amps, NAD purifi class D, all the way down the line. I will say out of all the budget class D, DOUK is the king of sound quality in my mind.
Sub out is an absolute necessity these days, so I'm glad they gave us a true sub out.
Me too. 🤙🤙😊
I heard on another review that the ZA3 volume controls both the speakers as well as the sub woofer volume, where the other doesn't. Would that make a difference?
It would
Great review!! I already have the Fosi and am thinking about buying the Dynaudio Emit 30. I know dynaudio's require a lot of power and many claim that they dont sound good in relatively low volumes, but I am curious to hear your opinion. Generally I don't listen to very loud volumes. You wrote in the comments that you managed to drive the emit 50, which is amazing. Do you think it could work for the Dynaudios smaller brother?
Great review again, keep on :)
Thank you! Yea, the ZA3 with 48v power supply would be plenty for the Emit 30. I ran the Emit 50 of a 20 watt Class A amp and it was awesome. 👏🏼. Most all box speakers struggle with low level listening regardless if it’s a 20 watt amp or a 1000 watt amp. It’s my opinion, that the best low level listening is highly sensitive speakers (95db or greater) and tube amp. 😊😊
Thanks for your observations James. A great value product !
Thank you! :)
I think the main reason to get the Za3 is to use them as mono blocks. Which is why I ordered 2 of them
It is a great option, although I will say with the 48V it is GOBS of power for even my most power hungry speakers.. :) But yea, you will NEVER be lacking with mono set up
@@abxaudiophilescare to share your hungry speakers? I am thinking of LRS and if just one would be enough.
@@Exgol2005 for one, we ran it on 85 db Dynaudio Emit 50 towers and with the 48v power it SCREAMED… I would really just start with one and scale up if needed. On my forte I couldn’t even get the volume up past 25% 😅😅😅
@@abxaudiophiles massive power!
@@Exgol2005 I love massive power, as long as it’s CLEAN power. 😊😊😉
Hard to believe that they sound the same when V3 is about twice the power of ZA3, they only come close when it's used as monoblock, max. 300W.
When db matched they’re basically identical. The tonal sound signature of the amp comes from the overall network, not really the “watts”.. 👍🏼✊🏼
Can’t wait to try these as monoblocks with a balanced preamp and Magnepan LRSs
Heck yea!! Someone recommended a 48v GaN PSU for it as well…. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers. 🥂
@@abxaudiophiles that would be a good comparison video -regular 48v vs 48v Gan
I am interested if i can use this amp for my SMGa. So did you already test?
@@hansgaulhofer8742 Not sure what an SMGa is referring to. But this is like any standard amplifier for a stereo and can be used the same way .. 😊😊
This is a small magnepan.
Great review. Question since you have experienced so many different sets of equipment. If not driven too far beyond its limits, how does the ZA3 sound compared to most class AB amps? I understand warmth of the sound might be different, but if you are into soundstage like depth and width, are you able to tell how the ZA3 compares to more conventional amps? Resolution overall? I have some larger Legacy Audio speakers that are efficient but also a more difficult load as their impedance dips in the lower frequencies and curious how this would work on them. My amp is growing older, so I am looking for a great sounding amp value. Thank you for the review as a new subscriber.
I’ll say this, if your MAX budget is $200 or less for an amp, and you need the features the ZA3 provide, then it would be hard to do better. I try to always keep my reviews on context to the unit, its price point, and its intended user. But you your not in that budget restraint, I would recommend something else. These are not giant killers. They are simply one of the best choices in the price point. If kept at lower volumes they sound decent, image well, and are relatively detailed. Overall tho, I find them veiled, slightly diffused, and fall apart quickly at higher volumes. It’s the ol case of, you get what you pay for. If you’re not opposed to the used market, or spending more, I think you can do better. But hey, order the ZA3 on Amazon and if it doesn’t work out, return it. They’re great for this kinda stuff. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
PS- Welcome and thank you for the sub. 😎🤙
Wish it had an optical output, need it to connect my pc
I feel ya
Always Pros and Cons
I would really like to know if anybody has compared it to the Aiyima A07 Pro which is still my no.1 choice when it comes to class D mini amps.
I did... It was very similar.
@@abxaudiophiles That's great to know. I hope both with stock opamps. Thanks a lot that I really don't have to replace my beloved A07 Pro...
Yea, nobody talks about it, but they ALL run the same damn TA class D amp chip... There is VERY little difference in any of them really. And if people say there is, then it is very very slight... Like I said in the review, stick with the V3 unless you need all the features, cus they sound identical basically speaking.
Are any of these in mono or otherwise capable of 2 ohm loads, like Magnepan LRS?
I would not advise placing these with any speaker of value. And I don’t think that would be an affective pairing, but hey, won’t know till ya try 🤣🤣. Use at your own risk. Hehe. 😜
Thanks James
You bet Ben... :)
is SMSL A300 better ?
Honestly man, all these cheap, budget class D amps are pretty much all the same. My best advice to all my viewers is skip them all and buy something used in your local area. Any AVR that was $600-800 new and now selling for $100 will destroy any of these things. 👌👌👌
FWIW ... you can roll op-amps in the V3.
Correct. 👍🏼
Roll?
@@theman-pc2ej
Taken from "tube rolling" people are now "rolling op-amps" ... personally I like the term "Chip Flipping" better.
@Douglas_Blake_579 yea that would be a little more understanding
@@theman-pc2ej
It doesn't make much difference so long as we know what the two terms mean ...
_"Messing around in the guts of a device they do not understand."_
I’m sitting here thinking. Why on earth would you not do affiliate links? It costs the buyer nothing at all. You’ll get the money, and then you can give it to charity.
Whenever I go to buy stuff I try to remember to use one of them just to help someone out, because it costs me nothing. And it will help someone if I do.
And I’m sure I’m not the only one who likes to share this way. But here’s the thing. If it’s for charity. People will be even more inclined to do so I feel. I know I would.
Anyway, just an idea. Thanks for all you do. ✌️
Thanks man… I struggle with that one a little. Some view being an affiliate as sort of a sell out, and gives less credibility to the review. But would generate a little more revenue for charity. So I’m a bit conflicted. I’ve never done a paid or influenced review and I don’t want to be “that guy”…. 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤔🤔🤔
@@abxaudiophiles Love that attitude and appreciate that you approach the whole range of audio in a balanced way. Thanks
@@toddwmac Thanks Todd. Much appreciated. Happy Holidays my friend.
@@abxaudiophilesI get it. But just some generic links with the caveat being it’s for charity would be fine I feel. That’s what Erin’s Audio Corner does.
Just throw up generic links for stores that do it, like Amazon, and such. And if people want to help out. They can use them. It’s not directed at a specific product that way.
Either way. Really appreciate you guy’s, and the channel. ✌️
@@amb3cog. Good points!!! Thank you for the perspective. ❤❤
Sold Out Today 12/22/23.
Yea, they sold out in less than 24 hours... DAMN...
Good stuff James! This is the kind of thing that makes me wonder, if you went back 10 years ago and put this head to head with the average $1k amp, how would they compare based just on sound quality alone?
The older $1,000 amp would DESTROY the ZA3.... My reviews and opinions are 100% in the context of new retail amps under $150... I have talked about in my previous reviews how these cheap class D amps break up and get diffused sounding REALLY fast once you start to push 80db spl
Cool, makes sense, but it’s nice that $100 can buy something so good, not everything is 17 times more expensive than it should be, yay!
@@Brian_Romska 100% Agree.. :)
mine old still better, m11 sound kind of reminds me of the apple x blox experience, which is great, and better, its highend sound
as for iems, prob susvara will win, yeah its not iem
i wont buy the s series if its me
Too little about the sound
Yea, like I said, they all sound the same. Watch any of my reviews on these cheap class d that use the TI chip.. They all fit inside a nut shell.... Sorry, I was just getting burned out at a new FOSI each week, same stuff, different box. They are neutral, harsh highs on a revealing system, decent for the money, decent bass punch, nothing to write home about. Fast forward to today and the DOUK H7 pro is actually one that stands out from all others... Cheers.
The original is the AIYIMA classD amp....but you got paid only from fosi....😉
Appreciate your feedback, but if you actually watched my content you would know that we don’t do paid reviews, we don’t do affiliate links, we don’t get compensated in any way….. Cheers and enjoy the show man, we’re on the same team.
I just purchased the ZA3. I'm looking forward to hearing it.
Cool little amps.
Youll love it.. super quiet at full volume and sound quality is so nice