FiiO FF5 Review – Headfonia Reviews

admin

January 19, 2023

5 Views 0

SaveSavedRemoved 0

Today we review the FiiO FF5, the latest earbud from the Chinese brand. It’s a new model selling for $159 USD.

Disclaimer: the FiiO FF5 was sent to us free of charge by the brand, in exchange for our honest opinion.

About FiiO

Founded in 2007, FiiO is one of the biggest companies in the audiophile world, thanks to an extensive range of (usually) affordable but (mostly) excellent products. IEM, headphone amps, DACs, and obviously DAPs, they did it all and did it well. So much that when a new player comes out, it usually becomes the benchmark that other brands have to refer to, like the mighty FiiO M17 or the whole new FiiO Q7.

But, today, we are not reviewing a DAC, a DAP, or even an IEM. No, today, we’re getting a(nother) blast from the past with the FiiO FF5, an audiophile… earbud. A new addition to the ever-changing catalogue of the brand, that follows the FF3 – which we reviewed a few months ago – and aim to replace the old FiiO EM5.

A new model packing lots of new features like a “carbon-based diaphragm” or an innovative “acoustic resistance pipes” for extended bass – something I find hard to believe but, who knows, the FF3 was already some kind of magical… Let’s find out!

The FiiO Series

If we pull apart the Jade-Series, comprising of the JD3, JH3 and JD7 (terrific one for the price) FiiO’s in-ears range splits into three different categories:

FAx, for balanced IEMs, like the FA7S I reviewed last time,
FHx, for hybrid IEMs, like the FH7 Berkhan received
FDx, for dynamic IEMs, like the FD7 or FDX
and finally FFx, for the earbuds like the FF5 we are reviewing today

So, as usual, I’ll point out the most interesting models available at the moment, in FiiO’s IEM range. If you’re not interested in that, you can already go to page two of this article.

FiiO FD3 / FiiO FD3 Pro

The FiiO FD3 is the brand entry-level dynamic IEM. It sports the same 12mm DLC Beryllium coated driver found on the FD5, minus some premium features. But all in all, it’s a shoe-horned FD5, in a nicer box – in my opinion – and a smaller price. I really like the regular version, but if you’re interested in this model, get the pro version: for just a few dollars/euro more, you’ll get the premium cable, with exchangeable plugs.

“Once again, FiiO did what they do best: produce a new model, cheaper than the previous one, but carrying almost, if not, all its features. For half the price, the FiiO FD3 offers almost the same prowess as the FD5. Sound performances are better than the FH3 (…) and the better the source, the wider the gap, even if upper models like the FH7 keep the upper hand.”

FiiO FD3 Review

FiiO FD5

If you’re not into hybrid nor balanced IEMs, but still eager to get the “flagship” experience at a reasonable cost, maybe should you look at the FiiO FD5. Packed with a single 12mm Berrylium-coated DLC diaphragm, a front acoustic prism, and a semi-open acoustic design, the FD5 looks like a high-end version of TinHifi T2 and T3.

FiiO sent me a pair for review, and if I was a bit dubious at first, the FD5 ended up being as good as advertised. Here is an excerpt of that review:

“Once again, FiiO achieves great lengths and delivers exactly what they promised: a flagship dynamic driver IEM for a relatively low price. The new volcanic system works as intended, giving you a nice, relaxed, sound signature that should suit any genre and any source. The new shell looks equally good, outshining the FH5 and FH3, even if some might find the FiiO FD5 a bit too glossy. It’s a robust design that didn’t neglect style and, once again, those IEMs look as good as they sound.”

FiiO FD5 Review

FiiO FH7s

Following the FH5s, you have the FiiO FH7s, a 4-BA + 1DD IEM that was given the same visual revamp with a more aggressive look. It’s a tad more expensive, with more drivers and different tuning, but as usual, the price difference makes a big difference in terms of performance.

Berkhan got this new model for review, and here is a quick excerpt of his thoughts:

“The FiiO FH7S is a great alternative to the FH9 flagship. For 179$ less, you get the same bass performance, good tonality, a great soundstage for the price, and a great set of accessories with hard-to-beat packaging for the money. I appreciate the effort and the technology FiiO is putting forward.”

FiiO FH7S Review

FiiO FD7

If hybrid and armatures aren’t your cups of tea, the brand also has the FiiO FD7, a new flagship topping the FDX series. When the FD3 gets a diaphragm equally stiff to beryllium, and the FD5 a beryllium-coated one, the FD7 gets the real deal and was given a pure-beryllium diaphragm.

I reviewed this one recently, and if I didn’t find the difference with the FD5 striking, it’s still a very potent IEM. Here is a quick excerpt:

“It’s a good upgrade from the FD5, like Apple did with the iPhone 13, compared to the 12: everything has been enhanced, and we’re even closer to perfection. The new shell looks stunning even more compared to the glossy FD5. It’s a robust design that didn’t neglect style and, once again, those IEMs look as good as they sound.”

FiiO FD7 Review

FiiO FA7S

Topping the brand’s armature IEM range, the FiiO FA7S has all the bells and whistles you could ask for: 6 balanced armature drivers, a 3-way crossover system, 316L steel chassis, and a whole new tuning for exceptional sound performances.

I got one for review a few months ago, and here is an excerpt of that review:

“It’s a definitive upgrade from the classic FA7, both inside and outside: everything has been enhanced, and if better looking, the new FA7S is also better sounding. The new setup works exactly as intended, giving you a precise, balanced, sound signature that should suit any genre and any source. The sound stage is amazing, the mids are great and all of that is neatly packed inside a superb, 316L stainless-steel shell. Going fully balanced really did the job and that is one of the best options in this price range.”

FiiO FA7S Review

(bonus) FiiO JD7

Released in late 2022, the FiiO JD7 is one of the best sub-$150 dynamic in-ear monitors I tried recently. Packing a dual magnetic circuit dynamic driver in a dual-layer housing, the IEM also sports a top-of-the-line shell made of 316L stainless-steel designed the same as the FA7S – the brand top-dog.

It’s an IEM that I really appreciated, and here is an excerpt of that review:

“With the FiiO JD7, the brand tops up its Jade line-up quite nicely. Superb in their 316L stainless steel shell, those are the perfect upgrade for anyone who owns the lower-model and want to dip a toe into the mid-tier audiophile pool. For less than $100 USD, you’ll get solid lows, exquisite voices and impressive dynamic range, even with small affordable sources like an USB dongle.”