Fiio E11 Portable Amplifier

Fiio E11 Portable Amplifier

May 9, 2011 |  by  |  $1-$100, Portable Amps  | 

Never ending innovation from Fiio has brought us the Fiio E11, the latest and perhaps most mature amplifier from Fiio yet. I think Fiio deserves to get some credit not only for continuing effort to push the quality of their products, but also on several aspects of the design of the Fiio E11. Most noticeable is the volume knob design which protects from accidental turning of the knob (it happens, believe me), yet still providing easy adjustment of the volume. Then you have the easy to open battery compartment, similar to the battery compartment design on mobile phones. The use of removable Nokia-style Lithium Ion batteries is also the first I’ve seen on portable amplifiers. Although many portable amps these days come equipped with Lithium Ion batteries, the E11 is the first one that offers easy exchange of the batteries, so you can carry spare batteries and easily double the battery life. The dimension of the amp is small and compact, with a high build quality plastic enclosure giving a very solid and lightweight packaging for the amplifier circuitry. Ergonomically, this is one of the best portable amplifier I’ve used.

Very modern design with great features, including a battery and power on LED.

I can see some flexing on the panel, but overall the build is very good.

3.7 Volts Lithium Ion battery.

High and low gain covers sensitive IEMs and hard to drive orthodynamics. The EQ switch is another word for bass boost.

Continuing in the tradition of the previous Fiio products, the E11 also comes with a bass-boost switch, though labeled as “EQ” on the E11. They also added a Low/High gain switch, as well as a low/high current switch (located below the battery on the battery compartment). The level of power you get from the E11 is really shocking as I find this amplifier to have enough power to drive the newly released Hifiman HE-500 Orthodynamic headphone (89dB, 50 Ohms) to ear deafening levels.

 

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  • Kiwidave

    Hi, came across your site only on Monday — but boy, what a resource. So much information  - am going into overload now re selecting an appropriate set of Sennheiser’s.

    Anyway – I have just purchased a Fiio E11 an am impressed big the with it’s performance. So far have tried it with my Nuforce uDac 2 –> rca to 3.5 mm / Macbook Pro using Audirvana Plus and 24 / 96kHz files — the E11 improves the sound majorily. (Am driving into my iPhone Bose  MIE2i’s — looking g for replacements as these are “worn out”).

    Have also being trying it out with a gen 2 iPod shuffle :-) — no contest re sound. Will be using it with my iPhone 4 once I can find a LOD that fits with my case.

    This is the second Fiio product I own, I also have a Fiio D3 dAC am using with an Apple TV2 to drive into some B&W MM-1s. Also impressed by it’s performance — and it’s price.
     

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Good to hear you’re enjoying the site and the E11!

  • Tavs

    Hi Mike,

    I consider buying a Beyer DT 880 (600 ohms version). Do you think E11 can get enough “power” to feed it?
    If not will it be better with the 250 ohm version?
    (source will be a macbook or cowon j3 according to your advice)

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      I didn’t try it specifically with a 600 ohms Beyer, but since it was able to power the heavier HE-500 headphone (much heavier than a 600 ohm beyer), I think it should be good for the DT880. 

      What I’m worried about is the refinement of the amplifier. It may not be refined enough for the DT880.

      • Tavs

        Thanks. I may give a try. I will upgrade then for sure (if not satisfying).
        Once again thanks.

        • Tavs

          In fact my question comes from your article about E10 where you wrote: “The 600 Ohms Beyerdynamic T1 sounded good at level 5 on the volume control”. As amplification part on E11 is better than on E10 it lead me to my 1st question.
          Do you think it is a “non working” thought?

          • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

            In that case I did try it with the T1. 

            Been doing so many reviews it’s hard for me to remember which amp/cans I use during the review. Sorry

  • Nicolai Schill

    Hi Mike,

    first of all congratulations for your fantastic website! I really appreciate it. Now my question:

    I own an ipod classic 160 GB and Klipsch Image x1 (or Image S2) IEMs and think of buying a Fiio E11. Does this make sense with such “cheap” IEMs (but for my ears very good sounding)? Would the sound be better or just louder?

    Many thanks in advance and many greetings from Germany

    nicpizza

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Hi Nic, 
      I think the amplifier wouldn’t be necessary. The IEMs are extremely easy to drive, even an iPod would do fine.

      • Nicolai Schill

        Hi Mike,

        thanks for your response.

  • http://twitter.com/janitra Janitra Ezra Putra

    Hi Mike!

    I would like to ask about your opinion if I pair this one up with my MS1i.
    Do you have any experience with that?

    Thank you.

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Janitra,
      I haven’t tried that, but I think the pairing should be good.

  • asvestion gipson

    Hello ,recently bought a pair of Audio-Technica
    ATH-M50 for home music production but i am also using them as main
    headphones for my desktop.
    I never owned before a good pair of headphones so i never used
    headphones amplifiers before thus i am not really aware how much
    improvement would have and what amp will be good for my case. Does the E11 is good enough for my ath-m50 or do you have anything better to suggest at near the same price?
    Also am not sure if it’s important but i would like to mention that since i
    am using them as monitoring headphones i wouldn’t want the amp to colorizing my headphones, my first priority is a close to natural
    sounding.

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Hi,
      So you’re plugging the M-50 directly to your mixer? Usually that works fine enough and yes that’ll give you a more direct signal path hence less coloration.

      • asvestion gipson

         no unfortunately, i am using them direct from my on-board sound-card

        • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

          Alright. I think if you’re getting a good sound out of it, I wouldn’t bother adding the E11.
          The thing is these portable amps are primarily designed for music listening. So they would color the sound a little bit. What you want is a transparent headphone amp and that usually costs a lot of money. $1K+

          • asvestion gipson

             Thanks alot for the response Mike, Do you think it would be better if i bought a portable audio interface? do you have any suggestions?

            • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

              A friend I know uses a Focusrite box for his recording stuff, and it was quite a transparent system:
              http://www.focusrite.com/products/

              The one he uses is no longer listed there though, perhaps an old product.

          • asvestion gipson

            well, thanks alot for the the help..

            The FocusRite Saffire PRO 14 seems like it is a real value for money as I’ve seen from reviews

            • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

              Awesome. Sorry couldn’t give you much help.

  • Romain Martin

    Hi,

    First, thank you very much for all your work and reviews !I am new in the world of IEM, head amp…etc. I used to have entry level head like the Klipsch S4i.I really want to invest in a very good quality system when I travel and move. I want to use my Iphone 4 with Spotify (160 to 320kb mp3′s). I listen mostly electronic music (not hard one) and rock (Stones…etc).At the moment and according to many tests and reviews, I am planning to invest on Earsonics SM1/SM2 with a Fiio E11 (Iphone dock connected with the Fiio L9 cable).What do you think about this setup ? Do you have any suggestion or better ones for in-ear or amp with an Iphone with a correct budget ?Thanks in advance,

    Regards,

    Martin

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Hi Romain, 
      That sounds like a good set up. I’m not too familiar with the SM1/SM2. I’ve only listened to the SM3. You have to remember that each IEMs have a different sound signature and you need to find out what’s best for your type of music. 

      What type of electronic music, specifically?

      • Romain Martin

        Thanks for your reply Mike !

        I listen to middle range RPM electronic music with deep bass and distorsion like Digitalism, Pantha du Prince, Justice…
        It is just a question of money actually and I read that SM3 could be a bad choice if the player is not a perfect one (like the Cowon J3). Many people told that Iphone was not that good but I can’t change it right now, all my music is HD streamed (Spotify….).

        That is why I chose SM1 or SM2 !

        Regards 

        • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

          I have no experience with the SM1 or the SM2 but generally the bass will be stronger on the three drivers model so I think you should go for the SM3, or the UM3X. Personally I think the bass on the UM3X is better than the SM3 for those electronic music.
          I would disregard the comments about needing a perfect player for the SM3.

  • internetshortage internetshort

    Hey Mike,

    Would there be a noticeable deference if I pair my E11 which aim about to buy with my Sennheiser HD 448 ? 

    Because it is not a really powerful headphone compared to other headphones.  

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Maybe just a little difference? I’m not sure the HD448 is very easy to drive.

      • internetshortage internetshort

        Well it is. It has very little impedance. It is optimized for iPod. 32 ohms :/ 

  • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

    Yes I’ve used the HD448 before. As I’ve said, maybe just a little difference.

  • ebm_electro_industrial_lover

    I’m planning on getting the e11 to use as a bass booster more than as an amp as my headphones are quite easy to drive (Koss portapro , yeah I know kinda cheap and not that much “audiophile” but , I love them…).
    The thing is that my Ipod Classic , whereas it gad a good storage capacity is really anemic and sick-ey sounding and the EQ’s on it are quite crappy.
    Do you think it’s a good idea for me to buy the e11 just to use it as a bass booster ?
    Or is their any device on the market that are specificaly designed to serve as a bass booster/EQ ?
    Thanks , best regards for France.

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Try the Digizoid Zo. It’s not a pure bass booster like what you ask, but it’ll give you more flexibility.
      http://www.headfonia.com/the-smartvektor-digizoid-zo/

      • ebm_electro_industrial_lover

        Many thanks to you Mike , the Zo looks really interesting from your review , it might really be something I could like.
        Now , I juste have to find a seller who stocks it here in France …
        Do you know if the Zo is even available to the europeen market ?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ceyer-Solomon-Waki/1454420202 Ceyer Solomon Waki

    Hey Mike,
    I’m coming from the Digizoid Z02, would this be a good step up in terms of sound stage, cleanliness, and clarity. Also, does this have any background dampening effect? I’m looking to pair this with the M50, HD25, Miles Davis tribute, Se215, and maybe soon the upcoming m-100.

    BTW, a non-secular question, do you have anything planned for the M-100?

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      If you really want to improve the soundstage, try the JDSLabs Cmoy instead of the E11. The E11 is more powerful but the JDSLabs Cmoy has a better soundstage and clarity. The Zo actually sounds cleaner than both of them (if you use the word clean the same way I do).
      What is background dampening? Sorry I’ve never heard that before.

      The M-100 we’re still not sure.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jorelle04 Jorelle Marquez

    Sir, what can you say about matching this E11 with my Shure SRH550dj?
    What headphone amp do you suggest I use? I only have around 50-80 dollar
    budget. Thanks!

    • http://www.facebook.com/jorelle04 Jorelle Marquez

      And I’ll be using it with my iPod Classic. Thanks sir! :)

  • http://twitter.com/e30ernest Ernest Ramos

    Hi Mike,

    Good review! I only recently learned of portable headphone amps and it got me interested. Do you think this would pair well with my Shure SE425 driven by an iPod or an Android phone? I’m looking to boost some of the bass and treble a bit and hopefully improve clarity and soundstage. The earphones are great but on this device they sound a bit muffled and I’m wondering if an amp would be the answer.

    Thanks for your input!

  • http://www.facebook.com/doorlessgamer DoorlessPlastic Di

    would e11 enough to “drive” akg k702??I just want to know it have enough volume for gaming or not serious music listener??
    sorry if i have bad english : D

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      I’ve never tried it with the K701/2, however the E11 was able to drive the Hifiman HE-500 which is a much, much harder headphone to drive.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003992054760 Copper David

    Hi Mike, I just discovered your website few days ago. It is great and infromative. I have a question about headphone amplifier. Crrently I have Apple iPod Classic and I listen with a genuine Beats Pro headphone. Will E11 improve my listening experience ? Or you have better suggestion?

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      I am going to suggest trying different headphones first. The Beats headphones have always been very efficient and easy to drive. I think you’re not going to need an amplifier for them.

      If you like bass, then you can start with something like the:
      http://www.headfonia.com/bass-to-the-power-of-two-pro700-mk2/

  • Benjy

    Hi Mike,
    This is a great review and I was wondering if you would suggest that the E11 is much better than the E6 for my system- running a Cowon c2 through Shure 440s, which I got as I felt they were the most versatile (in my budget) and I only want one pair of ‘phones. I would like a little more warmth and power for rock music and a slightly livelier sound when listening to recordings from the 20s. It’s a £30 difference here in the UK.

  • http://www.facebook.com/lightlibulb Light Lotus Lettuce Li

    hello. i would like to ask if the e11 is compatible with Sony MDR-XB700 headphones. i usually listen to linkin park and the script. can fiio e11 give me better output (sound quality) to my sony headphones?

  • http://www.facebook.com/AllanDaluz Allan Daluz

    hi mike can i hook these amp to my ipod shuffle?

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Yes definitely

      Sent from my mobile device. Sorry for any mistype.

  • Paul

    How’s the sound of the HD 25-1hooked up to fiio e11? Can that amp make the HD 25 fuller sounding?

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Paul it should add some bottom end and low midrange body.

      Sent from my mobile device. Sorry for any mistype.

      • http://www.facebook.com/paul.labsan Paul Ignacius Labsan

        Ah thanks for the reply! Got another question though, will it tame the highs quite well? I’m having problem with its highs, it kinda piercing my ears ’til it bleed (just an exaggeration)..thanks in advance!

        • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

          Yes it happens to tame the highs as well

          Sent from my mobile device. Sorry for any mistype.

          • Paul

            Thanks a lot!

  • http://www.facebook.com/tylan.carino Tylan Cariño

    is this good for ath-m50? to boost the bass?

  • Vincent

    Hi mike, I have been reading your reviews for a while, I think they are very good.

    I bought a pair of k242 hd and I am trying to understand if I need an amp.
    My main source is my laptop. I borrowed an e7 for a couple of weeks and surprisingly I could not ear any differences between the following configurations:
    -headphone out from the laptop
    -laptop usb > e7
    Is it possible that my laptop is so good? Am I already getting the best out of my cans with the laptop?
    Would I benefit from the e1 or e17?
    Thanks

    • dalethorn

      The E17 will not improve the laptop sound much. But a good mini-DAC like the Microstreamer or Audioengine D1 will be much better.

      • Vincent

        That’s a different price range though

        Would you use no amp at all with the microstreamer?

        • http://www.facebook.com/dave.ulrich.7 Dave Ulrich

          No. The microstreamer has a build in amp. Although, to be honest with you, I preferred the e10 to the D1

          • Vincent

            All the suggested device are more expensive than the e17. Some even 3x. But not within my budget.
            I recently read some reviews on the HUD-mini do you think is powerful enough for my headphones?

            • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

              The Fiios are actually more powerful than the HUD-mini

        • dalethorn

          Same answer on amp as Dave, although I found the E17 to be clearly inferior sonically to the Headstreamer, the Audioengine D1, the Dragonfly, and the Microstreamer, all of which sounded similar to each other.

    • icecoffemix

      Have you tried using E7 exclusively for some days then switch back to your laptop?

    • http://www.headfonia.com Mike

      Hi Vincent,
      I can’t say what exactly happened with the laptop and E7 comparison. Maybe the laptop is great yes.

  • George Lai

    Hi, what is the purpose of the low/high current switch under the battery? And how does this work with the low/high gain switch on the outside? Thanks.

    • Mark Ferrosa

      You get a smoother sound with better mids on (internal switch) high set. Mike wrote about it.

      • George Lai

        Thanks Mark. I missed that. Cheers

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