FiiO FD3 Review

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Sound performance

My main sources were: iBasso DX300 / FiiO M11 Plus LTD / EarMen Sparrow. Trusted sources from trusted brands that I used extensively for the past weeks.

As usual, files were played from either Apple Music / Spotify or my own music library. Some tracks will be highlighted, just so you can try them home too!

Overall signature

So, how does the FiiO FD3 fare compared to the FD5 or FH3? Pretty good actually.

In fact, the FiiO FH3 sounds a lot like his sibling, with a tad less finesse. Even though on a daily basis, the difference isn’t striking and it’s mostly discernable with high-quality sources, like the iBasso DX300.

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Out of the box, I just plugged them into my iPhone and the TC35i, to see how they’d cope with a “simple setup”. And honestly, this went far better than I expected. You get the typical FiiO sound signature, with deep lows and a slight emphasis on highs – especially with the aforementioned tips – which makes the FD3 a nice all-rounder that should fit most listeners. 

Voice clarity is excellent and, as with the FD5, distortion levels are minimal. Add to that an increased sensitivity and there is an immediate sense of fullness as soon as you start pushing the volume. But, what’s really impressive with the FiiO FD3 is how natural and inoffensive it sounds. Even when I cranked up the volume, or played my usual Techno tracklist, the IEM never threw me back. 

If not as « magical » as the FD5 in this aspect – the big brother really feels like an open-back – the FD3 kept the upper hand on its hybrid counterpart, the FH3. In a nutshell, stepping down from the FH5, you’ll enjoy the same soundstage and impeccable layering, keeping the voice upfront all of the time, but trade the clinically clean highs for goods-but-not amazing one.

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Bass, on the other hand, remains superb. It’s deep, pure, and dwells deeply into my eardrum, without overpowering the rest of the spectrum. It’s a cool rumble, one that carries you through your musical journey and leaves you in a better shape than you were when you embarked. Even with a low-budget source like the FiiO’s M3 Pro, or my old iPad, the FD3 hits right, but pair it with something like the FiiO M11 Plus, and you’ll be knocked out.

What’s uncanny, however, is the level of sound pressure that IEM was able to output, never to display any distortion, even on complex tracks like Manipulator from Infected Mushrooms. Helped by the low impedance and high sensitivity combo, those ears are able to extract a lot of details and sweet gems. Of course, the more the merrier, and the FD3 really shines when paired with a good source, even more, if you can go balanced. In this regard, I think everyone should get the FD3 Pro, for the cable alone.

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  • Is it better than the FiiO FH3? For me yes!
  • Better than the FH5? I’d say different, with cleaner lows and a wider soundstage.
  • Better than the FH7? Nope, this one still offers better textures, if a bit less natural.

It’s a question of taste and I’d suggest that you take some time listening to both ears, so you can narrow your choice, depending on your tastes. Overall, resolution and clarity are sublime, but that’s not surprising anymore. It’s quick, clean and you can immediately feel the brand touch, where vocals take a really special part. 

The FiiO FD5, shoehorned, that’s the FiiO FD3.

The review continues on Page Six, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.

Page 1: About FiiO

Page 3: Comfort & Usage

Page 4:Sound performances

Page 5:Tonality and conclusion

4.2/5 - (152 votes)
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A nerdy guy with a passion for audio and gadgets, he likes to combine his DAC and his swiss knife. Even after more than 10 years of experience, Nanotechnos still collects all gear he gets, even his first MPMAN MP3 player. He likes spreadsheets, technical specs and all this amazing(ly boring) numbers. But most of all, he loves music: electro, classical, dubstep, Debussy : the daily playlist.

1 Comment

  • Reply November 6, 2021

    john

    hi!!!

    does fd3 SURPASS fh1s in ANY WAY?

    thanks!!!

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