We reviewed the Fiio FD5 earlier this 12 months and beloved its large bass and highly effective, detailed sound that additionally labored for video games on account of its semi-open again design. We weren’t alone: the FD5 has been extensively acclaimed however at $299, it was out of attain of many shoppers. This month, Fiio launched its successor, the Fiio FD3. It brings again a lot of what we beloved concerning the FD5 — that nice single dynamic driver sound and extensive soundstage for music and gaming — beginning at solely $99.
Specs
- Present Value: $99 Customary (Amazon), $139 Professional Model (Amazon)
- Driver: 12mm dynamic
- Driver Coating: Diamond-like Carbon
- Design Precept: Semi-Open Again
- Entrance Acoustic Prism
- Interchangeable Sound Tube (Bass or Treble)
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Frequency Response: 10Hz-40kHz
- Sensitivity: [email protected]
- IEM Materials: Aluminum-Magnesium Alloy
- Connection: MMCX
- Cable:
- Customary FD3: 4-strand, 120-core high-purity single-crystal copper cable, single-ended 3.5mm termination
- FD3 Professional: 8-strand 152-core silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable; interchangeable ends: 3.5mm single-ended, 2.5mm, and 4.4mm balanced
Fiio FD3 – Unboxing and Overview
The Fiio FD3 is a hanging little earphone. Fiio has actually been on a roll with creating distinctive designs for its IEMs (just like the Dragonscale FH5s) and the FD3 isn’t any completely different. Whereas it options the identical round form because the FD5, it leaves the polished aluminum design in change for marbled faceplates with bronze and silver-toned accents. Regardless of the differing look, each bit is milled from an aluminum-magnesium alloy, so it’s sturdy and sturdy. The FD5 was unmistakably aesthetic in its personal proper, however I choose the extra intricate design of the FD3. It’s uniquely stunning.
The Fiio FD3 is, in essence, a extra reasonably priced FD5 and that’s an excellent factor. It options the identical 12mm dynamic driver because the FD5 and the identical 1.5 tesla magnetic flux, so you’ll be able to rely on this speaker shifting a number of air and delivering a robust sound. On paper, it options the identical 10-40,000Hz frequency response, in addition to the identical 16 ohm impedance and 109dB of sensitivity. Just like the FD5, you’ll discover that you could simply drive it utilizing a smartphone however that it scales nicely with extra energy and better tier gear — together with increased output gaming PCs, interfaces, and desktop amp/dac setups just like the Schiit Fulla.
Huge dynamic drivers like this will generally wrestle with distortion. With the ability to drop to low, highly effective bass hit (vital for each music and video games) after which instantly leap into detailed excessive frequency noise isn’t any small feat, however is a vital functionality for having the ability to hear all that your supply has to supply. The reply is to use metallic coatings to the motive force itself, growing its stiffness and velocity. Whereas the FD5 used a beryllium coating to perform this, the FD3 makes use of a diamond-like carbon diaphragm with carbon nanotubes alongside the rim.
The FD3 adopts different parts from the FD5. In entrance of the motive force is Fiio’s proprietary acoustic prism. Earlier than reaching your ear, the sound passes by means of this filter, and enhances the diffusion between the soundwaves. Across the rear, beneath the MMCX connector, is a vented port to scale back strain for the listener and improve soundstage. I discover the soundstage enhancement to be barely lower than the FD5 the place the open-back was actually embedded into the face of the shell.
The Fiio FD3 is offered in two variations. The usual FD3, which I’ve in for review, retails for $99 and features a fundamental, 4-strand 3.5mm copper cable. The Professional model is identical earphone however contains an upgraded cable with interchangeable ends, just like that of the FD5. This cable lets you unscrew the three.5mm termination and plug in your selection of two.5mm or 4.4mm balanced connectors. This improve raises the value to $139 however is sweet worth as this kind of cable alone routinely sells between $50-100.
As common for Fiio merchandise, there’s a beneficiant assortment of equipment included within the field. You could have a strong, pelican type case, eight pairs of silicone ear suggestions and two pairs of reminiscence foam for one of the best sound isolation. The following tips are damaged into bass, balanced, and vocal kinds based mostly on the diameter of the internal tube. Apparently, the nozzles themselves will be swapped out to additional tune the sound. Fiio contains bass and treble set that merely screw onto the housings. Like the ideas, these improve sound based mostly on their diameter. All advised, the enhancements supplied by the nozzles and suggestions are refined however if you pair bass with bass or treble with vocal, it does make for a noticeable enhancement. I additionally like that the diameter of the substitute nozzles is identical because the originals, so that they’ll work with any of the included suggestions as an alternative of the multi-flanged silicones on the FD5.
Fiio FD3 – Match and Consolation
They could not look it, however the FD3s are a comfortable earphone. Their round form at first appears prefer it won’t sit nicely, however the internal contouring is exacting and I discovered them to nestle into my ear comfortably and securely, even over a number of hours of use. I didn’t expertise any soreness or inner-ear irritation utilizing these earphones.
Fiio FD3 – Listening Impressions
At solely $99 to start out, the FD3 is extraordinarily spectacular. The sound profile is kind of near the FD5. Bass is highly effective and full, vocals and detailed and sultry, and there’s a pleasant stage of element within the highs. They aren’t precisely the identical, however in the event you had been on the lookout for an FD5 with out paying such a premium, this comes daringly shut. A broader comparability is extra apt, nevertheless, as this is without doubt one of the finest single dynamic driver earphones I’ve heard at this worth, interval. As an all-in-one IEM that you should utilize together with your smartphone on the go, plug into your laptop computer for music or video games, or linked to your good balanced amp, this IEM is up for the problem.
Beginning with low-end, that is the place you’ll anticipate the FD3 to shine and it doesn’t disappoint. Dynamic drivers are nice for bass and with just a bit little bit of quantity, these earphones fill out fantastically. Even listening to softer tracks, like the beginning of The Gentle and the Glass by Coheed and Cambria, when the bass guitar is available in, the music has a width and presence that may generally be missing. Add the kick drums within the pre-chorus and so they actually appear to thump.
This additionally makes the headphone enjoyable for gaming too. There’s a particular sense of affect and energy behind explosions. I used to be additionally struck by the richness it supplied soundtracks that may often fade into the background.
Vocals are lush and don’t have a tendency into harshness, even for increased pitched singers. Vocals and dialogue pop proper to the entrance of the combo, making them simpler to listen to. There’s sufficient element right here that you could clearly hear layered voices (which is extra widespread than you may assume in songs!) and harmonies that may in any other case mix collectively.
Treble element can be good, although falls again in comparison with good balanced armature designs just like the Fiio FH5s. The place that earphone might generally sound sharp when performed too loud, the FD3 makes for a better, extra relaxed pay attention. Nothing fades away or decays unnaturally, nevertheless, which ends up in a extra pure sound signature.
Altering tubes enhances this considerably. As you’ll be able to see within the frequency response graph above, the treble nozzles elevate the response between 2-10kHz, which additionally encompasses some mid-level element. To my ear, this didn’t end in harshness as the rise is pretty modest in observe. Nonetheless, for a extra outlined “u-shaped” tuning, these nozzles open the door to enhanced mid and high-frequency element.
For avid gamers, the improved low-end response is likely to be interesting however wouldn’t imply a lot if that’s all of the FD3 supplied. Despite the fact that they’re an important match for the full-bodied whereas gaming, the bass doesn’t detract from the mids or highs. There may be nothing muddy about these earphones and that low-end exists alongside the opposite particulars, not on prime of them.
Lastly, just like the FD5, the soundstage right here is spectacular and outperforms closed-back IEMs for a extra “out of the pinnacle” sound. The general presentation remains to be extra intimate than an open-back headset and even the FD5 correct, however the FD3 nonetheless presents a pleasant sense of house and separation between sounds. As I alluded to earlier than, I imagine the slight discount in house is said to the place of the vents. They nonetheless bleed a bit extra sound, and let extra in, than true closed-back earphones however it’s very minor general. I might don’t have any difficulty sporting these in an workplace setting if there was every other surrounding noise.
Remaining Ideas
The Fiio FD3 is an impressive worth and is a pleasure to take heed to. Whether or not you’re going for the single-ended normal model or the interchangeable cable of the Professional model, it outperforms its worth level soundly. For those who’re available in the market for a full-bodied, single dynamic driver IEM and don’t need to break the financial institution, this is a wonderful selection for gaming and music alike.
The product described on this article was supplied by the producer for analysis functions.https://ift.tt/3Di8YR6 | Fiio FD3 Overview | MMORPG.com
https://ift.tt/3sKMG5J | Fiio FD3 Review | MMORPG.com
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