FiiO FF5 Review

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Specifications  

For the nitpickers and nerdy ones here, I’m giving the specs and technical sheets. For all the others, you can just go to the next page to see how the FiiO FF5 performs.

Carbon-based diaphragm + acoustic pipes

With the FiiO FF5, the brand keeps the same ultra-wide 14.2mm dynamic driver. 

First introduced on the EM5, then redesigned for the FF3 with a Beryllium-plated diaphragm, this driver now comes with a carbon-based diaphragm – which differs from the Diamond Like Coated diaphragm I’m usually accustomed to. Lighter and stiffer, this new diaphragm allows deeper lows and quicker transients for an “excellent treble resolution”, something that FiiO has been working on for the last decades as it seems.

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Upstream, FiiO also uses a whole new driver’s gasket, specially designed for this super-large driver, for a more detailed and textured low-end. To enhance that, the FF5 also comes with “acoustic resistance pipes”, a small vent located at the top of the stem that diverts the air moved by the driver in a specific manner, improving bass response – like a bass-reflex on a speaker.

And, if the FF3 came with an ultra-fine copper-clad aluminum Japanese Daikoku voice coil – a long name to say that the magnet sports a super-fine coil, just shy of 0.033mm wide – FiiO doesn’t go on lengths with the FF5, on that aspect. But, there’s a 99% chance that you get the exact same coil.

Aluminum shell + Diffuse open-design

To my surprise, the FiiO FF5 doesn’t carry the 316L Stainless Steel lineage of the FF3 and FA7S, but prefers to rely on aluminum instead. Why? To reduce weight while maintaining high durability and, quote:” simply disappear in your ear and let you be fully immersed in your ear high-fidelity music”. 

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Again, I’ve to outline how large the transducer is: 14.2mm. Even compared to the FD7/FD5/FD3, this makes the FiiO FF5 the second most endowed earphone from all of the brand’s range, with the FF3. A driver so big, that FiiO had to develop a “blossoming flower” back-end to ensure optimal airflow at the rear-end of the earphone, allowing the FF3 to reproduce frequencies as low as 90Hz in regular condition, and 44.5Hz with deep insertion.

Last but not least, the diffuse open design features an acoustic damping device that allows some of the air pressure within the earphone to diffuse to the outside – resulting in less unwanted internal reflections and standing waves, for a purer sound and improved bass response.

A nice curiosity!

Bundle

Inside the box

The FiiO FF5 comes with an improved bundle compared to before. In the box, you get:

  • the FiiO FF5
  • a silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable
  • two terminations with 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs
  • a crystal case 
  • 12 bass foam tips, 12 balanced foam tips, 12 vocal foam tips, 12 anti-slip silicone rings (M/L)
  • the handy MMCX remove tool

A basic bundle that puts the FF5 more in line with the JD7 than the FD3 Pro.

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Additional accessories

Honestly, the FiiO FF5 comes with everything you might need. So, the only thing that you could add, would be a good DAC or DAP. Personally, I chose the ddHiFi TC44C as my main source and the FiiO M11S on the go (or almost), but any audiophile source should make it work.

Full specs

  • Model:  FiiO FF5
  • Type: earbuds
  • Style: dynamic drive earbuds
  • Drivers: proprietary 14.2mm dynamic driver with carbon fiber diaphragm
  • Socket: MMCX
  • Cable: High-purity 392 wires monocrystalline copper, silver plated
  • Shell: aluminium
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz- 20kHz
  • Impedance: 45 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 106dB
  • Sound Isolation (up to): none
  • Cable length: 120cm
  • Weight: 3.4g per ear
  • Price: $149 USD

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

4.4/5 - (55 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 January 19, 2023

    Jason Moonchild

    Thank you, I have been looking for review of these buds. Charts would have been nice for comparing them. My preference is pretty much neutral bass like etymotics or studio monitors. Mids and highs should be resolving with good separation. I don’t mind imaging, 3D, soundstage or depth. I think those attributes are more preferable when listening through speakers. But that’s me. Best earphones I have never owned were Sony MDR-E888 with 16mm bio cellulose elements and neodymium drivers. They were too neutral for today’s bass-biased listeners, sadly and way too expensive to manufacture. I found a pair few years ago but they were fakes. Seems like it is impossible to find them anymore -at least authentic ones. If you want to make them perfect, remove that paper-thing under the grill and the sound is heavenly. Only earbud, earphone, iem etc. where the sounds are not coming inside your head.

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