REVIEW: AX95 DB an Android TV-Box featuring the SoC Amlogic S905X3-B

AX95 DB is the new TV-Box of which we present today in our review. A model that presents us as a novelty the inclusion of the Amlogic SoC S905X3-B with support for several multi-channel audio codecs, this SoC has four cores ARM Cortex-A55 CPU.
This smart box has the Android 9 operating system that allow us smartize our TV with Android and the specifications included are quite interesting for the price. Let’s see in our review how this device behaves and how it defends itself against its rivals.
  • AX95 DB is available at Geekbuying.com for a price of only $51.99 (€45) for the 4/23GB variant with free shipping.

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PRODUCT DETAILS

AX95 DB
SoC: Amlogic S905X3-B Quad Core 4x ARM-A55 @ 1.9GHz (64bit) / GPU Mali-G31 MP2 / 12nm
System: Android 9 Pie (32bit)
RAM, storage and network:
– 4GB RAM DDR3 + 32/64/128GB eMMC / Wifi ac Dual + BT 4.2 (RTL822CS) / Ethernet 10/100
Ports: HDMI 2.1 4K@75fps / AV jack / SPDIF / 1x USB 2.0 / 1x USB 3.0 / MicroSD / Reset / Power button
Extras: IR remote control / HDMI cable / Manual / DC 5V 2A adapter
Materials and dimensions: Plastic / LEDs front / 130 x 130 x 45 mm / 160 gr.

Unboxing

The small Android TV-Box AX95 DB comes in a generic cardboard box with a image of the device in the top, inside we found the TV-Box, IR remote, HDMI cable 4K@60fps compatible, Manual and a DC 5V 2A adapter.

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Description

On the front of the AX95 DB we have several LEDs that light up when connected. We have all the connections available on the sides and the back area, it highlights its red on/off button on the back. With this box a simple IR control is included that allows you to use some functions of the TV-Box right out of the box.

  • Remote Control: Basic IR Remote / NO microphone / We can choose other alternatives.
  • Alternate control: Does not have its own control app / We can try Cetusplay in our smartphone.

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On the motherboard we can see the Wifi aC Dual + BT 4.2 chip (RTL822CS) which has two internal wifi antennas. The cooling system is an aluminum heatsink attached to the processor, very basic. Near the microSD card reader we have the update button useful in case the firmware needs to be updated

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SYSTEM AND PERFORMANCE

Environment and Android system

We connect to the current the AX95 DB that starts automatically, we arrive to a simple launcher based on rectangles, it is valid to be used with the remote control included and it has favorites section that we can personalize with the icons of the apps that we want. In the installed apps we can highlight Airscreen, Miracast, Netflix, Disney+ and QTTMC (KODI) with several add-ons installed. Android 9 performance is quite good at desktop level or with heavy apps, it works stable and without hangs in the apps. The system comes with Google Play for Android TV installed by default, which limits the use of many apps, a fairly common error among low-cost Chinese firmware.

  • Launcher: As an alternative we have Pixel launcher to use mouse / Android UI rendering at 10800p.
  • Multitasking and access: Multitasking NOT available / NO lower or upper Android bar.
  • Languages and Google Play: All the international Android classics / Google Play for Android TV installed.

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System

We check the system data and the options it includes as far as root is concerned, we also observe what ignition systems this device allows us. When we start the TV-Box we are surprised by an OTA update that corrects bugs.

  • On/Off Controls: Off and Sleep mode / Off from rear physical button available.
  • System version and root: Android 9 (32 bit) / YES rooted / NO root menu / Build 20200925 / Model ax95.
  • Support: AX95 DB don’t have a site with firmware / NO firmware available yet.

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Network, storage, RAM and ports

This new Android TV-Box AX95 DB has eMMC memory for internal storage and DDR3 RAM, it has two USB 3.0 port and SD card reader. In the network section it has a wireless adapter Wifi b/g/n Dual – No BT (XR819) and Ethernet 10/100 port. As we can see in the tests the results are very poor, the wifi does not reach decent speed figures and the adapter never connects good speed in 5G.

AX95 DB test eng 03 Streaming min

  • Storage: Total 32GB  – Free 24GB / Expandable with a USB or SD external memory.
  • RAM: Total 4GB – Free 3GB / DDR3.
  • Network: Low speed with two internal wifi antennas / Range 42dBm, low. / Bluetooth NO.
  • Read/Write Ports: USB 2.0 = 24/18 MB/s / USB 3.0 72/40 M/Bs
  • We recommend reading our Tutorial SAMBA on Android networks if we are going to use files from our network PC.

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Power and performance

In terms of performance the mini TV-Box AX95 DB has the new SoC Amlogic S905X3-B Quad Core with ARM Cortex-A55 processors and in the graphics section a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU which is in the mid-range. This SoC is a variant of the classic S905X3 that only changes for including installed multichannel audio licenses.  In performance we have the same figures as with a conventional S905X3.

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This SoC is manufactured in 12nm, has a fairly low power consumption and although the cooling system is basic low temperatures in normal use. The processor manages the speeds correctly so as not to heat up excessively.

  • Thermals: Min. 51ºC / Working 62 ºC / Max.79ºC / Maintains performance up to 87% / Heat zone on the top / Noise 0db
  • Consumption: Off 0.1W / Min 2.3W / Working 3.5W / Max.6.4W
  • Games and emulators:  IS possible to play titles such as PUBG / Emulators up to Wii / NO Vulkan support.
  • Controls: Compatible with Gamepads BT or cable.

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VIDEO AND AUDIO TEST

Video playback test

We tested this TV-Box in its video playback aspect, the AX95 DB has the classic SoC Amlogic S905X3 performance and an Advanced Video Engine Gen10 VPU supporting most modern video formats like h.265 and VP9 with native 4K HDR resolution support and even supports 8K@60fps, it does not have a video quality adjustment app. We can use players like KODI or PLEX without the slightest problem and the system comes by default with a KODI version full of addons that we recommend uninstalling. At audio level we can play DD and DTS sound up to 7.1 through the HDMI port.

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Video and audio results

Formats Result
h.264 / 1080i / 8bit OK
h.264 / 1080p / 4K / 8bit OK
h.264 / 1080p / 10bit (anime) Frameskip (SW)
h.265 / 1080p / 8bit OK
h.265 / 1080p / 10bit (anime) OK
h.265 / 4K@24fps / 8bit OK
h.265 / 4K@60fps / 10bit HDR OK
VP9 P1 / 4K@24fps / 8bit OK
VP9 P2 / 4K@60fps / 10bit HDR OK
VP9 P2 / 8K@60fps / 10bit HDR Small rameskip (Only with Kodi)
AV1 / 4K@24fps / 10bit Frameskip (SW)
Max. Bitrate 100 Mbps = 12,5 MB/s.
  • The maximum bitrate depends on the port used to connect or the limitations of SAMBA Networks.
  • SW = does not have hardware acceleration and may have have some frameskip in very heavy files.
Audio Formats Result
Dolby 5.1 / Plus = OK || Atmos = Core || True HD = PCM
DTS 5.1 / MA = OK || HR / X = Core
  • PCM – Stereo only doing downmix from DD or DTS
  • Core – Only the core of the format is played back with what we passed to the Dolby or DTS base system / More info

Streaming services

We perform several tests on streaming services to check how the most popular services work. The AX95 DB has the classic configuration without certificates which limits us in quality in several services. In addition, when bringing installed Google Play Services from Android TV we have compatibility problems with several apps.

Streaming service Calidad / Audio
Youtube 4K (2160p) / Stereo
Google Play Movies HD (720p) / Stereo
Netflix SD+ (540p) / Stereo / Installing the apk with mouse / Netflix Guide
HBO No compatible / HBO Guide
Disney+ HD (720p) / 5.1 / Supports Dolby audioy / Disney+ Guide
Amazon Prime Video No compatible / Prime Video Guide
DAZN HD (720p) / Stereo
IPTV FullHD (1080i) / Stereo

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CONCLUSIONS AND BUY LINKS

Score

Opinion

After making our analysis to AX95 DB we can say that we are in front of a cheap Android TV-Box that only stands out for its multi-channel audio support thanks to the new SoC S905X3-B. A model that has enough power to move any app, powerful games like PUBG, emulators up to 16bit, IPTV apps or use KODI where we can play 4K video without problems. It is also compatible with some streaming apps we have tested like Netflix in SD+ quality and Disney+ with Dolby audio, but we have problems with other apps because of the unfortunate idea of getting Google Play from Android TV.

As for connectivity, the AX95 DB has a Wifi aC Dual Band adapter with correct speeds, although if we want to connect it via local network, we must take into account that its port is only Ethernet 10/100. As we have seen, this box does not get too hot while playing video or in normal use. As a system we have Android 9, which is generally very stable and moves very smoothly, unfortunately does not include lower or upper Android navigation bar.

In conclusion, the AX95 DB is a cheap TV-Box that only stands out for its audio support, we also find disadvantages such as Googe Play of Android TV that limits the compatibility of many apps. We recommend consulting other Android TV-Boxes that offer us more for a similar price.

Where to buy

  • X95 DB is available at Geekbuying.com for a price of only $51.99 (€45) for the 4/23GB variant with free shipping.

Add-ons

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X95 DB

0.00
5.1

Design

6.0/10

Hardware

6.0/10

Conectivity

4.5/10

Support

4.0/10

Price

5.0/10

Pros

  • S905X-B with multi channel audio support
  • Wifi ac
  • Nice for media playback
  • Android 9 stable

Cons

  • Google TV store with incompatibilities
  • Limited for streaming apps
  • No android navigation bars
  • Ethernet 10/100
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Reza-D

Hi Kim
But you have been reviewing that supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound.

Kim

Downmix to core, no certification.

Reza-D

Hi
Does this device support Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, Dolby Vision and HDR+ well?

Kim

No, if you want this quality, go for nvidia shield or high end model.

Kim

Reinstall a firmware using a pc, if we don’t have it published ask your shop for the file.
If don’t help open a dispute and claim your money back.

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