Picture Sunday: FiiO FH5

FiiO FH5

The FiiO FH5 is FiiO’s new hit to the in-ear market. Before we go with the full review, we share Berkhan’s initial thoughts on it.

Disclaimer: We received the FiiO FH5 as a review sample from FiiO directly. The price of the FH5 is around 260$. You can see all of the recent Picture Sunday posts HERE.

FIIO FH5

This is FiiO’s new hybrid in ear monitor, which aims to bring some fresh design and ergonomics to their IEM line up. Its configuration is formed with 3 Knowles BA drivers with an addition of a 10mm dynamic driver for bass. It’s certainly an exciting product for FiiO and budget IEMs overall.

Particularly when we think about FiiO and their recent IEMs that they have released to the market, they just don’t have that extra flavor to sound special. This recent addition to the lineup can change that perception I believe, and to be honest it’s also a great improvement in terms of design.

The new FiiO has a great build, much better than their F9 & FH Series, and has a great shape for ears. It’s quite round, like the previous models, but the difference is this time is that it’s designed for a fuller fit. The fit feels more complete and ergonomic for a universal ear shape.

FiiO FH5

FiiO FH5

Sound wise I didn’t have much time for listening yet. Nonetheless, with a few songs I can easily tell you that this is the best IEM FiiO has released ever, period. Effortless sound with wide staging, very well controlled and shaped overall. It’s very well balanced in its spectrum delivery and has a very good bass.

An IEM’s smoothness and overall control is very important in my book, and finally they’ve done it this time. This is a great effort from our Chinese friends to finally make a name for themselves in this crazy IEM market. This one is a cracker.

You’ll of course see a full review of this beautiful IEM in detail, and a comparison with its obvious rival, the iBasso IT04. Let’s see how that one will go. See you next time.

4.7/5 - (19 votes)
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A keen audiophile and hobby photographer, Berkhan is after absolute perfection. Whether it is a full-frame camera or a custom in-ear, his standpoint persists. He tries to keep his photography enthusiasm at the same level as audio. Sometimes photography wins, sometimes his love for music takes over and he puts that camera aside. Simplistic expressions of sound in his reviews are the way to go for him. He enjoys a fine single malt along with his favourite Jazz recordings.

11 Comments

  • Reply September 9, 2018

    BRSxIgnition

    Wide staging? Obvious rival in the IT04 which is almost double the price?

    Errrr…

    • Reply September 9, 2018

      Berkhan

      Yes, wide staging.

      Yes, IT04 is one of its rivals.

  • Reply September 11, 2018

    Kailee

    So it’s a quad with a price tag of $260… Not half bad! I own the FH1s, and while it’s a dual, it doesn’t disappoint, even with it’s price tag of $75! You heard that right folks, 75 buckaroonies. 10/10.

    • Reply September 12, 2018

      Berkhan

      Thanks for the comment. Yep, good price / performance products from FiiO.

  • Reply September 14, 2018

    John Churn

    Can this cracker compare with Campfire Andromeda sound wise please? Looking for Balanced sound sig that can go head2head with Andro but dont mind if its abit watered down version to save me some dough. Im using Cayin i5 Dap. Thank you.

    • Reply September 14, 2018

      Berkhan

      I don’t have any idea about Campfire IEMs.

      • Reply September 15, 2018

        John Churn

        Thank you for fast reply. Cheers.

  • Reply September 15, 2018

    John Churn

    Any idea when Oriolus Finschi review will be out please? If possible please kindly do comparison along with FH5, Ibasso it03, it04 & AK BJ. That will be awesome. Please keep up the good work.

    • Reply September 15, 2018

      Berkhan

      I arranged it but not sure when it’ll arrive, and also when I can publish the review. I think it will take quite a long time.

      I can compare with FH5 and IT04, I don’t have the others with me.

      You can check out my IEM List on Head Fi and check when I update it once I add the FH5 and the IT04: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/iem-score-list-constantly-updated.815852/#post-12757178

      • Reply September 15, 2018

        John Churn

        Amazing!!! Thank you that score list made my day & shall wait patiently for the upcoming reviews but cant believe my eyes the Top 4 have so little BA count lol. Glad im not missing out much for highend its just slight incremental only. Warbler mere 1BA kinda defy logic, need to audition this beast.

        • Reply September 15, 2018

          Berkhan

          Yep, High End sound has nothing to do with driver count.

          You’re welcome 🙂

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