In the present day, we have a look at the Fiio FX17, the corporate’s new tribrid In-Ear Monitor. It’s promoting for $1,499 USD.
FiiO
In the event you haven’t heard of FiiO (maybe you haven’t?), take a look at their retailer right here. I don’t assume we have to introduce them anymore.
They now manufacture a variety of moveable and desktop audio merchandise, striving for competitiveness in all their fields of operation.
I love their dedication. Their observe report speaks for itself.
In 2023, we posted the evaluate of the earlier FX sequence IEM, the FX15, as follows. It was the primary Fiio IEM that utilised the EST drivers.
Aside from that, we’ve reviewed dozens of Fiio gear over time, and you may test them out right here.
FiiO FX17
The Fiio FX17 is Fiio’s new tribrid flagship monitor. I imagine it’s the most costly Fiio IEM in historical past, so it has huge sneakers to fill.
The configuration consists of 1 dynamic driver, 4 BA drivers, and eight EST drivers. So this occurs to be FIIO’s most complicated and busy IEM inside, ever.
When it comes to its IEMS, Fiio continues to push ahead, releasing a considerable variety of IEMS every year.
It’s a bit troublesome to comply with their present tempo, to be trustworthy, however this IEM is the first-ever try within the Excessive-Finish market.
For the dynamic driver unit, Fiio utilises a 10mm “Giant-Sized Lithium-Magnesium Alloy Diaphragm” with a patented “S.Turbo” acoustic tube.
The BA drivers are from Knowles, as standard, and the EST drivers are from Sonion. Total, all sides has a complete of 13 drivers. This setup incorporates a five-way crossover design.
A 3d-printed cavity ensures correct placement of every driver unit.
Fiio has dampened the rear air vents to exactly management the airflow and obtain an air-damping stability system between the entrance and rear cavities of the dynamic driver.
In accordance with Fiio, it enhances the low-frequency depth, leading to improved readability for midrange frequencies.
When it comes to materials high quality, the brand new FX17 has an entire titanium development. The shells are hand-polished and handled with vapour deposition, which supplies the pair a shiny, premium end.
The IEM is fitted with, in response to Fiio, a flagship-grade cable that includes gold, silver, and copper wire cores, in addition to MMCX connectors.
It options an interchangeable termination plug design with 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm plugs.
With the brand new FX17, Fiio has determined to not embrace any tuning switches, as they did with the FX15, nor any nozzle filters to change the sound.
I imagine this transfer is the right one. In the event you assume you will have a flagship-grade IEM in your arms and need to promote it to the market, you ought to be assured {that a} single tuning will enchantment to critical audiophiles.
Altering nozzles or switching tuning knobs/switches is just not one thing I’ve ever achieved in any time. You normally modify it to 1 single setting and depart it’s anyway.
Package deal
The packaging of Fiio merchandise exudes a premium really feel and high-end presentation. It comes with an array of equipment, together with an expensive carrying case with a leather-based and suede texture.
The bundle is compartmentalised with three drawers containing the case, ear suggestions, and the cable connectors.
As remarked, the headphone jack is interchangeable, permitting you to modify between the traditional 3.5mm jack and the 4.4mm jack, relying in your supply gadget.
Fiio has additionally added a USB Sort-C connector for smartphones.
The bundle features a whopping assortment of twenty-two ear suggestions. Fiio HS18 and HS20 suggestions are included, together with SpinFit and Fiio’s customary set of 12 suggestions.
These consist of froth, silicone and bi-flange suggestions. Total, the FX17’s bundle affords each doable ear tip kind obtainable available on the market.
It’s easy to establish the ideas by their distinct colors. When you bear in mind which color corresponds to which tip, you’re good to go.
Fiio has achieved an incredible job with the equipment, offering all the things you want, together with an MMCX device to make working with the removable cable simpler.
The eye to element is spectacular, leading to glorious packaging and presentation general.
Design
The brand new Fiio FX17 has a simple, modern and premium design. It definitely appears nice, and though it’s a departure from Fiio’s latest fashions by way of design, I appreciated this strategy extra for its simplicity and magnificence.
It displays a extra refined language with a smoother displaying, differentiating itself from traditional Chi-Fi fashions. Some may say this can be a design that’s too easy and lacks complexity.
I might agree, but it surely nonetheless appears imposing in individual, and I’m not a man who enjoys loopy or extravagant design languages.
The shiny floor is, in fact, liable to scratches and finger smudges, but it surely’s not as horrible as I feared, and you should utilize the included mushy material to wipe these away.
Nonetheless, I might advise you to guard and child these shells as a lot as doable.
Web page 2: Construct, Match, Sound High quality
Web page 3: Extra on Sound, Technical Efficiency, Comparisons, Conclusion
