Page 63 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

REVIEW

Fantastic FiiOs

FiiOs latest flagship FH5 in-ear monitors are affordable yet refined and impressive, says Jon Myles.

iiO are best known for There’s one 10mm polymer
their affordable range of dynamic driver allied to three
high-resolution digital audio balanced armature devices – one
players (DAPs) and por- for midrange and two for high There’s
table DACs – but recently frequencies. These go through some
Fthey’ve been making a big three discrete tubes which warmth to the
impression with some value-for- FiiO claims filters out unwanted mid-range but it
money in-ear monitors. resonances. is not over done. Playing
Its FH1, F9 and F9 Pro models The supplied cable is also better St Etienne’s ‘Tales From Turnpike
received Hi-Fi World’s seal of than most. Just over a metre long, it House’ (24/96) the separation FiiO FH5 £230
approval a few months ago (see is made of silver-plated copper inside between the instruments was £
review in the July 2018 issue). Priced a transparent insulation, terminated excellent. Sarah Cracknell’s vocals OUTSTANDING - amongst
at £74.99, £109.99 and £139.99 with MMCX connectors. Thick and had a sweet, vibrant tone to them. the best.
respectively they were capable of weighty, over-ear guides help reduce My reference Noble K10 in-ears did
matching headphones costing signifi- strain on the ears. extract more detail from the same VALUE - keenly priced.
cantly more in terms of sound quality. A variety of ear-tips are included songs but they are significantly dearer.
Now the Chinese company has to make sure buyers can get the With Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke On VERDICT
upped the ante with a flagship FH5 required fit and sound isolation; the The Water’ I was also struck by the One of the best in-ear
monitors you can buy at this
in-ear monitor costing £230. And supplied carrying case is robust. overall musicality of the FiiOs. price. Superb construction
again this model includes features Putting the FiiOs against similarly and a smooth sound.
usually reserved for some dearer SOUND QUALITY priced in-ear monitors from the likes
designs from other manufacturers. Playing ‘Ocean Beneath The of Sony and Sennheiser they had the FOR
For a start the FH5 has a striking Waves’ by The War On Drugs via edge every time. If you are looking - design
- quad drivers
design. Its all-metal housings are an Astell&Kern DAP it was bass for a brilliantly built, good sounding - price
made from an aluminium-magnesium response that hit home first. IEM at this price then these new - comfort
alloy with a ripple design on the This track has a rolling bass line FiiOs fit the bill.
outside. Good as that looks it’s the that often sounds rather muddy AGAINST
internals that really matter – and through in-ear monitors. Not with CONCLUSION - rather heavy
here FiiO has introduced a truly these FiiOs though. It punched hard A quad driver, quality in-ear monitor Advanced Players Ltd
different design featuring a quad without any overhang. The snare for just £230? FiiO has raised the bar +44 (0)343 289 6880
driver arrangement. drum was also crisp and sharp. with their FH5s. www.advancedmp3players.co.uk

www.hi-fiworld.co.uk JANUARY 2020 HI-FI WORLD 63