DX5, DX7, DX6, i3200 – the names get used loosely, prices differ sharply, and a lot of the claims made about them are marketing. Here is the specification comparison, and an honest look at which differences actually change what comes off the printer.
The Numbers
| Head | Nozzles | Rows | Plate width | Drop size | Firing freq. | Ink |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DX5 (F186000) | 1,440 | 8 × 180 | 1 inch (25.4 mm) | approx. 5-21 pl | approx. 8 kHz | Eco-solvent, mild solvent, UV |
| DX7 (F189000) | 1,440 | 8 × 180 | 1 inch (25.4 mm) | approx. 5-21 pl | approx. 8 kHz | Eco-solvent, UV |
| DX6 (Roland 6701409010) | 1,440 | 8 × 180 | 1 inch | 1.5-21 pl | approx. 8 kHz | Eco-solvent, mild solvent |
| i3200 (A1 / E1 / U1) | 3,200 | 8 × 400 | 1.33 inch (33.8 mm) | 3.8-12.3 pl | up to 43.2 kHz | A1 aqueous, E1 eco-solvent, U1 UV |
Figures are the published manufacturer and distributor specifications. Distributor datasheets for DX-series heads are not always consistent with each other on droplet sizes, so treat those two columns as indicative and confirm against the manufacturer datasheet for the exact head.
What Actually Differs
Nozzle count: 1,440 versus 3,200
This is the biggest real difference, and it is the one you feel as speed. The i3200 packs more than twice the nozzles into a wider plate. For the same pass count, more nozzles means more ink laid down per pass, which means either faster printing or more passes at the same speed for better quality.
Plate width: 1 inch versus 1.33 inch
The i3200’s wider nozzle plate covers more of the media per pass. On a machine with multiple heads, that also means fewer passes to cover the same area.
Droplet size and grain
The i3200’s minimum droplet is smaller than the DX-series minimum, and its grayscale levels let the RIP choose between several drop sizes. In practice this shows up as less visible grain in skin tones, gradients and light solid colours. It does not make a DX5 or DX7 machine print badly – it makes a good i3200 machine print smoother.
Firing frequency
The i3200 fires far faster than the DX-series heads. Combined with the nozzle count, this is why i3200-equipped machines are simply quicker. The trade-off is that the DX-series heads have a long-established reputation for durability in harsh solvent environments, and the aftermarket for them is enormous.
The Differences That Are Not Quality
- Resolution marketing. Printers advertise 1440 dpi and higher, but that is achieved through interlacing passes, not by the head having that many nozzles per inch. Two machines advertising 1440 dpi can produce very different results.
- RIP and profile quality. A well-profiled DX5 machine will beat a badly profiled i3200 machine on most jobs. Profiles and ink quality often matter more than the head generation.
- Ink compatibility. The i3200 comes in ink-specific versions – A1 for aqueous, E1 for eco-solvent, U1 for UV. Using the wrong variant destroys the head. DX-series heads are also ink-specific in practice; a DX5 is not a UV head in the same way a T3200-U is.
- Maintenance. Whichever head you run, cap, wiper, damper and cleaning discipline decide how long it lasts. See our printhead cleaning guide.
DX6 Is Its Own Conversation
The DX6 is the head behind Roland’s DX6 family – VS, RA, RE, RF, XF-640, XR-640, XT-640, EJ-640, RT-640 and the BN-20 – plus some Mutoh models. It has 1,440 nozzles in 8 rows of 180, a native resolution of 360 dpi, and a minimum drop of 1.5 pl.
The DX6 and DX7 are not interchangeable. Different generations, different nozzle plates, different drive requirements. If you are replacing a head in a Roland DX6 machine, the part number is 6701409010 – confirm it against your serial number.
Which One Should You Buy?
- Maximum throughput: i3200-based machine.
- Long-established reliability and the deepest aftermarket: DX5 or DX7 platform.
- Replacing a head in an existing machine: the head the machine was designed for. Do not upgrade generations inside a chassis – the electronics, dampers and ink system were designed around the original head.
FAQ
Is DX7 better than DX5?
They share the same nozzle count and arrangement. The DX7 is the later generation with refinements for wide format work and is the head used in machines like the Mimaki JV300 and JV150. In day-to-day print quality on the same printer and profile, the difference is small – the machine and the RIP matter more.
Can I fit a DX7 into a DX5 machine?
Do not treat them as interchangeable. Even where they physically fit, the drive requirements and calibration differ. Follow the machine’s specification.
Is the i3200 the same head used in the Mimaki JV330?
The JV330 series uses Epson i3200-class heads in a staggered two-head layout. Note that the earlier JV300 and JV150 use DX7 heads, so the two generations take different parts.
How do I know which head my printer uses?
Check the head label and the service menu. If you are not sure, send us your model and serial number and we will confirm – before you buy.
Printheads and Matching Parts
We supply Epson DX-series, i3200, Ricoh, Konica and Kyocera printheads, plus the dampers, cap tops, wipers, cleaning liquid and spare parts that should be changed at the same time. Our printhead replacement guide covers the procedure. Tell us your machine through the contact form and we will confirm compatibility.