Review: AKK FX2, X2 and X2P – Cheap SmartAudio VTX

by Oscar

In this review we will take a look at some new video transmitters from AKK, which are affordable VTX’s that come with SmartAudio.

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. I receive a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these affiliate links. This helps support the free content for the community on this website. Please read our Affiliate Link Policy for more information.

If you don’t know what “SmartAudio” is, it’s basically a feature that allows your to change your VTX settings in Betaflight OSD or even from your Taranis Screen using LUA scripts.

Here is a tutorial how to set up VTX Control.

Changing VTX settings in your OSD

Changing VTX settings in your Taranis LUA Script

Check out our VTX guide to learn about the basics of 5.8Ghz video transmitters for quadcopters.

Different Form Factors and Connectors

AKK has already released several VTX’s of different form factors and antenna connectors. The ones that support SmartAudio at the moment are the X2, X2P and FX2. That’s pretty cool as you can choose whichever works for your particular build.

Update (Nov 2017) – AKK recently released a new VTX called the FX3, it’s similar to the FX2 but has a smaller profile that uses 20x20mm mounting pattern, in the cost of lower max output power, which seems to be designed for smaller micro builds.

AKK FX2 VTX

You can find this product at:

It comes with the VTX, a 10cm RP-SMA to MMCX pigtail, power/signal cable, manual and some stickers.

The Specification is:

  • Supports SmartAudio
  • Switchable output power: 25mW, 200mW, 500mW and 800mW
  • 5.8Ghz, 48 channels
  • Input Voltage: 7V – 24V
  • Built-in BEC – 5V@300mA
  • Supports PitMode
  • Built-in Mic
  • Weight: 7.9g or 12.5g with RP-SMA pigtail
  • Size: 36mm x 36mm x 5mm (WLH)

One cool feature about this VTX is that you can mount it on top of your FC/PDB stack thanks to the 30x30mm mounting pattern.

The FX2 comes with MMCX antenna connector, and a pigtail extension lead with RP-SMA connector.

I am happy to see AKK is using MMCX connectors on their VTX, as people are having so much trouble with U.FL connectors on the Unify Pro and the Tramp VTX’s. MMCX has more mating cycles and is more robust.

But I wish they could provide users the option to choose between RP-SMA and SMA for the pigtail, at the moment it comes with RP-SMA by default.

 

I like the design of the FX2 VTX a lot.

In case you can’t use SmartAudio to change VTX settings, you can still do so with the push button on the VTX.

It has an easy to read LED display so you know exactly what output power, which channel and band you are on.

 

AKK X2 VTX

You can find this product at:

It comes with the VTX, power/signal cable, manual and some stickers.

The Spec is very similar to the FX2, except the smaller size.

  • Supports SmartAudio
  • Switchable output power: 25mW, 200mW, 500mW and 800mW
  • 5.8Ghz, 48 channels
  • Input Voltage: 7V – 24V
  • Built-in BEC – 5V@300mA
  • Supports PitMode
  • Built-in Mic
  • Weight: 7.3g
  • Dimension (PCB): 30mm x 20mm x 8mm (LWH)
  • SMA antenna connector (you can choose MMCX connector)

Again it has the same push button and single-digit LED display we saw on the FX2.

AKK X2P VTX

You can find this product at:

Not much to say about the X2P, because it’s exactly like the X2, except it’s using a SMA pigtail, which I believe that’s what the letter “P” means in the name.

The pigtail has a SMA antenna connector.

The pigtail is about 6cm long.

Audio not working…

Although all of these VTX’s have built-in Microphones, none of them seems to work in my testing and only static noise was recorded. Not sure if these are just faulty mic I have or I’ve done something wrong, I will come back and update once I hear from AKK.

SmartAudio

I can confirm SmartAudio is working as expected on all 3 VTX’s, on both Betaflight OSD and LUA script. Here is how to set up VTX Control.

But one thing I should point out is, SmartAudio is developed by TBS, and as far as I know AKK is not licensed by TBS to use SmartAudio on their VTX’s. I asked AKK about this issue, and here is their reply:

Many AKK customers suggested that we should make a VTX with FC Uart at the beginning of this year, they sent us the smart audio protocol and we were told it was Open Source, we were never told that TBS might be the holder of smart audio patent, thus we will make adjustment on this protocol, AKK will make their own VTX Support betaflight OSD

I am surprised that they didn’t go find out more about the protocol they are using, and just took the words of some “customers” for it.

Flight Testing

I will put these VTX on a quad and see how if they perform reliably in my next test, coming soon.

Leave a Comment

By using this form, you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. Note that all comments are held for moderation before appearing.

21 comments

Maciej 8th July 2022 - 9:10 pm

Hey – what is the practical difference between FX2 and X2 ? what difference does this additional “F” in the name bring?

Reply
Oscar 9th July 2022 - 11:47 am

Just the shape/mounting difference.

Reply
Jim 8th June 2021 - 5:43 am

Did you find a fix for the microphone not working? Mine doesn’t work either on my AKK FX2-Dominator

Reply
Jako 11th March 2021 - 10:05 pm

Hello!
Does the numbers(for channel,band,power) on the display also changes when changing it via smartaudio?

Reply
Ondra Župka 30th October 2018 - 8:30 am

audio ? still dont work ?

Reply
Ondra Župka 30th October 2018 - 8:24 am

if they are from china they dont need patent … just coppy what you want China laws.. but this is why china went so forward last years :)

Reply
Slawek 21st June 2018 - 6:07 pm

Hello.
I have matek 405ctr so BEC give me 5V. Can i connect my AKK X2 to lipo 3s?

Reply
Oscar 30th June 2018 - 2:05 pm

Yes you can power this VTX directly from 3S lipo (4s and 5s will also work).

Reply
kite buggy 14th May 2018 - 6:47 pm

I fly in with ear plug but the mic is defective?
What can I do to resolve this.
Request a new one?
Or can I use the mic of my runcam split.

Reply
Chris 21st January 2018 - 12:14 pm

my signal pin is grounded, is that normal?

Reply
Montis 2nd January 2018 - 8:34 am

Oscar, have you got any reply from AKK about audio (onboard MIC) not working ? I have tested my X2P unit and found that there is no sound conning from it. Some sort of the design issue.

Reply
Oscar 3rd January 2018 - 1:57 pm

Yea they said it’s a faulty batch of microphones.
There is no fix to the current ones, unless you know what microphone to buy and replace it.
There is no ETA for this to be fixed, but hopefully this will be fixed in their future VTX’s.

Reply
Kent 15th November 2017 - 9:16 pm

Oscar, AKK is the company that racedayquads engaged to manufacture than Mark 2 video transmitter. Akk took the designs and started selling their version of the vtx before they released the retail units back to race day quads. It was a pretty blatant move and is probably even worse than cloning seeing as they were supposed to be a trusted partner. I wouldn’t recommend you endorse them

Reply
Oscar 18th November 2017 - 7:47 pm

Thanks for the info! I was not aware of that at all. I wish Racedayquads can reach out to the community, or at least some of the “big voices” to spread the news.

Reply
Alex 24th November 2017 - 2:21 am

I was told the truth that all these are commercial speculation from RDQ and Joshua, AKK has released these items before RDQ asking AKK to OEM Mach2, and RDQ are still cooperating with AKK and asking them to OEM more vtx, if it’s true that AKK copy their idea, why RDQ still work with them?

Reply
Ali 15th January 2018 - 1:06 pm

Having spoke to akk and trappy, apparently they are wanting applying to get the Tbs licence

Reply
kabturek 13th November 2017 - 6:08 am

SmartAudio is a protocol. It’s not patented in any way (and cant be now as its known). “Smartaudio” as a word isnt licensed by TBS.
Why do you think they have to license anything?
Did you do the research ?

Reply
Oscar 18th November 2017 - 7:25 pm

You should argue that with TBS with your comprehensive research :)

Reply
George 7th November 2017 - 9:54 am

can you test the output power please? Thanks.

Reply
Oscar 12th November 2017 - 4:24 pm

Sorry i don’t have the equipment to do this yet.

Reply
Gons 5th November 2017 - 4:37 pm

It’s known that some VTX transmits audio in for example R channel and the receiver uses L channel…

Reply