At this time, Meldrick opinions the FiiO FP3, the corporate’s debut self-developed single 14.5mm planar magnetic driver common IEM priced at $89.99.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in alternate for my trustworthy opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I thank FiiO for his or her help.
You possibly can click on right here to be taught extra concerning the FiiO audio products we have now beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
This publish follows our present scoring guidelines which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
For many transportable audio lovers, FiiO wants no introduction. Nevertheless, with their latest IEM, the FP3, marks their debut entry into the planar magnetic IEM house.
Famend for superior decision efficiency, the planar IEM house is flooded with choices such because the Hidizs MP145 and LETSHUOER S08. The FP3 sits in the direction of the center of FiiO’s IEM line up, retailing for $89.99 making it an inexpensive planar choice.
Sporting a singular picket construct and an in-house planar magnetic driver, learn the remainder of the evaluation under to see if the FP3 has what it takes to maintain up with its friends.
Options
Regardless of being FiiO’s first entry into the planar IEM house, the FP3 makes use of an internally developed second-generation 14.5mm planar driver.
After two years of R&D, FiiO was in a position to combine a 1μm diaphragm into the driving force. This lighter diaphragm is claimed to ship sooner response whereas enhancing general dynamic vary response.
This driver is housed in a placing picket shell. The physique of the IEM is primarily constructed out of 3D printed resin, however its picket faceplate steals the present. In keeping with FiiO, the wooden used on the FP3 is just like that utilized in high-end cars.
Lastly, the FP3 additionally comes with FiiO’s new “FiiO Tesla Bass Sound” expertise. In keeping with FiiO, channels have been exactly constructed into the cavity to type a one-way tesla valve. This design is claimed to ship deeper hitting bass with superior texture efficiency.
Design
The very very first thing that stands out with the FP3 is its fantastically crafted picket faceplate. The FP3 is available in two finishes: Black Walnut and Rosewood, with our evaluation unit being the Black Walnut model.
The picket portion of the faceplate has a concave form that raises above the metallic ring wrapped across the wooden shell’s circumference.
The faceplate’s picket end displays wooden grain in a delicate but pleasing method, offering simply sufficient texture to raise the look of the shell. Every faceplate has a stylized FiiO brand painted on prime of it, adopted by a resin layer positioned above.
The resin used has a pleasant shiny end that’s fairly immune to fingerprints and micro scratches. All through my testing, I discovered that it did job preserving the match and end of the wooden materials used.
The metallic ring across the shell’s circumference is sandwiched between the picket faceplate and the 3D printer resin physique.
The resin shell has a shiny black end that simply highlights fingerprints, however this isn’t an excessive amount of of a problem since this portion of the IEM is often contained in the listener’s ear.
Aesthetic style is at all times subjective, however I for one fairly recognize how the FP3 breaks away from the monotony of pure resin or machined aluminum IEMs. Whilst somebody with a set of various IEMs, the FP3 simply stands out with its stylish but delicate picket end.
Consolation & Isolation
When making an attempt on the FP3 for the primary time, what instantly stands out is how gentle it’s. Maybe this can be a results of the thinner diaphragm materials, however nonetheless, I discovered that its weight alone made it one of many extra snug IEM’s I’ve tried.
The form of its shell isn’t as ergonomic as different full resin IEM’s such because the Open Audio Witch Pro, nevertheless it doesn’t have any apparent strain factors or any sourced of discomfort.
This, along with its exceptionally gentle construct, triggered me to generally neglect that I had IEMs on within the first place, making it excellent for complete day utilization.
For a vented IEM, the FP3 has first rate isolation efficiency. With no music taking part in by means of them, I might barely right here conversations round me however sounds from air conditioner items nonetheless make their means by means of.
With music taking part in, the FP3 does a greater job blocking background. Its isolation efficiency is on-par with its friends within the worth vary.
Inventory Cable
The FP3 comes with a normal 4-core silver plated copper cable coated in enamel. The wires have a gun-metal bronze shade with a delicate sheen to them, terminating to three.5mm on one finish, and to 2 0.78mm L-shaped jacks on the opposite.
The cable is of excellent high quality and by no means exhibited any microphonics all through my blended on-the-go and stationary listening. The cable additionally didn’t tangle or develop any reminiscence even after bundling them right into a circle with the included Velcro cable tie.
In a vacuum, the FP3’s case is extra that serviceable. Nevertheless, it’s laborious to disregard the way it’s opponents throughout the worth vary such because the DUNU Titan S2 and LETSHUOER S08 include prime quality modular cables out of the field.
Whereas not being strictly mandatory, modular cables present customers with the power to pair their IEM’s with extra highly effective 4.4mm BAL sources without having to buy an extra cable.
Packaging & Equipment
In typical FiiO vogue, the FP3 comes with a high-quality black field with an image of the unit embossed in entrance. The FP3’s unboxing expertise is kind of good in comparison with different Chi-Fi IEMs within the worth vary.
Opening the field reveals the FP3 IEM’s and the included cable. Opening the accent field under reveals a drawer-style clear plastic laborious case, in addition to 3 pairs every of “Treble” and “Balanced” ear suggestions in S/M/L sizing.
The drawer type plastic case is exclusive in comparison with different IEMs I’ve tried; nonetheless, the shortage of a journey case is a baffling inclusion.
For somebody selecting up the FP3 as their first IEM, the power to maintain them protected whereas on the go is a better precedence than having a handy technique to retailer them whereas on a desk.
The information, cable and case inclusions are sufficient for day by day use; nonetheless, the shortage of a journey case implies that listeners with out an additional case mendacity round could need to buy one moreover to take their IEMs on the go.
Sound Impressions
For my sound impressions under I paired the FP3 with the ddHiFi TC35Pro E2, FiiO BTR13, and 7Hz Artemis39 dongle DACs. For desktop use, I paired it with the FiiO K11 and K11 R2R through their SE output.
Bass
Being a V-shaped IEM that leans in the direction of the intense facet of the frequency response, the FP3 delivers stable sub-bass amount that hits deep with good authority.
Regardless of a good quantity of bass amount, the FP3 underwhelms with its bass high quality. Whereas not sounding fully flat, the FP3 is unable to articulate the feel of acoustic kick drums or extra nuanced 808s.
This doesn’t completely detract from the listening expertise; the deep influence of the sub-bass does job offering vitality to the monitor; nonetheless, it masks some particulars that different IEMs within the worth vary haven’t any drawback highlighting.
The sharp V signature of the FP3 additionally implies that it doesn’t have an excessive amount of mid-bass emphasis. Bass strains in funk tracks nonetheless come by means of clear, however they don’t have the velvety thickness of different hotter sounding IEMs.
Regardless of this leaner sounding mid-bass, I nonetheless discovered that the sheer influence of the sub-bass had the tendency to bleed into mid-range, often drowning out extra delicate sounds within the combine.
Mids
With the FP3’s V-shaped tuning, he midrange on the FP3 takes a backseat to the elevated bass and treble, resulting in a recessed and fewer outstanding presentation.
Vocals, notably within the decrease midrange, typically really feel pushed behind the bass. When vocals do come by means of, they exhibit a metallic timbre that lacks heat and pure tonality, making them sound synthetic in sure tracks.
Feminine vocals are offered with good vitality and articulation, nevertheless it nonetheless shares the identical metallic sounding tonality. In S and T tones, the FP3 can get particularly sibilant.
In tracks with poorly mastered vocal recordings, these S and T tones trigger a fatiguing sound signature that may be painful after a number of hours of listening.
This metallic high quality extends to midrange devices akin to strings, which, whereas detailed and ahead, lack the natural tonality one may anticipate from acoustic recordings.
Electrical guitars specifically stand out even in complicated mixes, nonetheless the metallic supply of particular person strums can depart it sounding shrill.
The steadiness feels notably disjointed in tracks with complicated preparations, the place the totally different devices within the mid-range can sound each muffled and sibilant relying on the recording.
Regardless of these shortcomings, the FP3 does render micro-details nicely, particularly in upper-mid devices, however the general presentation feels inconsistent and overly vivid.
Treble
The FP3’s treble is vivid and energetic, standing out as essentially the most emphasised area of its tuning.
Excessive frequencies are crisp and detailed, bringing distinctive readability to cymbals, chimes, and different treble-centric devices. Imaging and separation on this vary are notably spectacular, permitting particular person parts to occupy distinct areas throughout the soundstage.
Nevertheless, the treble’s aggressive nature typically veers into sibilance. This brightness may be fatiguing over longer listening periods, with snare drums and hi-hats generally sounding overly sharp and grating.
Whereas the treble provides sparkle and pleasure to the general sound, its depth may not swimsuit listeners delicate to harsh or overly ahead excessive frequencies.
Imaging
The FP3’s imaging efficiency was first rate general however fell brief within the midrange and bass areas. String devices within the mid-range and bass devices exhibited solely first rate to sub-par imaging, notably in additional complicated pop tracks.
Layers of strings and vocals felt compressed, with devices overlapping with each other, making it difficult to place them distinctly inside an area.
In distinction, treble devices like chimes and cymbals displayed wonderful imaging efficiency. In pop and acoustic tracks, these parts have been exactly positioned, including a way of realism to the treble presentation. Even when the midrange felt congested, treble devices remained clearly outlined and simple to find.
The FP3’s soundstage is decently vast, to be anticipated for a planar magnetic IEM throughout the worth vary. It doesn’t supply a completely immersive 360-degree expertise, however it’s vast sufficient to position totally different devices and vocalists inside a soundscape.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
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