Today we finally take a detailed look at the FiiO FH7, the company’s new flagship In Ear Monitor.
Disclaimer: The FiiO FH7 was given to me by FiiO at CanJam London 2019 show for this review. The price of the FH7 is 450$ at this time. The Sony WM1A Walkman is the source used for sound evaluation.
Intro
To be frank, when it comes to price/performance, it’s hard to beat FiiO. It has been a company which helped many audiophiles to improve in their hobby and that includes me. However, when I review their IEMs, either something is missing or something is too much. Have they got the job done this time? We will find out very soon.
About FiiO
FiiO doesn’t need an introduction. Everybody knows them. You don’t? Then you can go to FiiO’s website here. They now produce almost everything when it comes to portable audio. They want to be competitive in every field they’re operating, and I personally respect their work. To be honest, it has been one of the few companies which hasn’t driven up their prices to Mount Rushmore.
They even released a new Bluetooth Headphone which is named EH3NC. So they’re in the BT Noise Cancelling game now as well. I bet that headphone will again have a lower price than the competitors. I’m sure we will be hearing a lot about the EH3NC quite soon.
About FH7
The FiiO FH7 is the new flagship hybrid IEM from FiiO. It contains 4 Balanced Armature Drivers and 1 Dynamic Driver inside. The configuration and the technology behind the FH7 is similar to the previous FH5. However, every little detail is improved with the FH7 including the acoustic design, the cable and the drivers.
FiiO FH7
The dynamic driver in the FH5 was a 10mm polymer nanocomposite, which is now replaced by a 13,6mm beryllium coated driver. FiiO continues to use Knowles BAs for the other frequencies and they’re quite transparent about it. You can find what exact drivers were used in their product page here. With this new model, FiiO targets an even better sound and I will get to that shortly.
Package
FiiO retains the classic packaging and the content for the FH7 with a few extras. The box and shape is exactly the same, but you now get additional nozzle filters (more on that later), SpinFit and Bi-Flange tips. Those are the additional supplements that FiiO provides you with the FH7.
There’s one more difference though and that’s the carrying case. To be truthful, that plastic carrying case was getting old with FiiO IEMs. But this time FiiO have come up with a whole new case with a premium, “personal touch” feeling. The case is made from leather (not sure if it’s genuine) and it opens and closes beautifully with magnets. There’s plenty of room inside to fit your IEM, and a small compartment for other small accessories. It’s a nice, fresh and stylish solution from FiiO which finally gives a high quality feeling.
Design
FiiO continues to use their “wave” design language with their new FH7 and I admit it looks pretty cool. I pretty much like FiiO designs recently and this one is no exception. They use the same pattern in all of their earphones now and that helps them to create a distinctive look. It’s easy to recognize any FiiO IEM from other brands nowadays and I think that’s a good thing.
FiiO FH7
Making big waves from tiny ripples
In the design, there are two different aspects though and one of them is the MMCX sockets. With the FH7 the sockets are moved outwards with an external body part surrounding them. As a result you have elevated connection areas, which can be beneficial for some in terms of fit. This may have something to do with the space requirement inside the shells.
Another aspect is the nozzles. The FH7 has replaceable nozzle filters for different sound signatures and you have 3 different types to use. The nozzles are also a little longer with the FH7, further enhancing the fit. I found this change thoughtful as it provides a more secure and flush fit.
The cable is also improved with a new 8-wire structure and it also feels better than the FH5 cable. The unflexible nature was the point that I criticized about the cable in the previous model. It’s good to see FiiO improved this aspect as well.
Build Quality
Once again, FiiO has created the chassis with a 5-axis CNC machine with 21 different steps. A final sandblasting and hand polishing is performed to give the shells their final look. The whole chassis forms with aluminum & magnesium, and they’re brought together perfectly with a great assembly process. The result is smooth, rigid and seamless.
There’s nothing short in terms of build quality, except the nozzles. It’s just my guess, but the screwable nozzle concept can cause some problems in the long run if you like to change them back and forth. I don’t think this can happen easily, but to me this design choice might accompany some risks as well. Other than that, the IEM feels rock solid just like the FH5.
FiiO FH7
The review continues on PAGE 2 by clicking here using the page numbers below
Dennis_Hawks
Great review of very good sounding earphones!
I myself am using the green filters and JVC Spiral Dots++ ML size and FiiO X7MkI+AM3.
Need to buy the balanced cable FiiO 2.5D.
Berkhan
Nice setup, enjoy.
Törehan Türel
Hi Berkhan,
You didnot mention bass perfomance comparisons with it04 and OH500. Can you compare?
Berkhan
The FH7 has better bass than the IT04 since it has a better midbass performance. The OH500 is very good in that regard but the FH7 is slightly leaner whereas the OH500 has a fuller bass with more authority.
Noel
Hello,
Would you be able to give a comparison between this and Fearless S8Fs?
Thank you!
Berkhan
I don’t have the S8F, sorry.
LLK
May I just in my humble opinion state that Berkhan’s writing has improved so so much in the time he has been writing for headfonia? This was honestly one tasteful read!
This site has always been my most trusted review site and its great when you guys finally review headphones I secretly want to buy. Like you guys are the reason why I got a well-informed headstart into the audio game ( and because I never will have money for drugs or alcohol :p ) and its just reviews like these that are going to cost me another 500 quid even though strictly speaking I dont need them.
Thanks again for this great review!
Berkhan
Many thanks for your kind words. We’re trying our best to improve in each article and it’s good to see people recognizing that.
Well, for 450$, this is one bloody good IEM.
Dilip vishwanath
Can u compare the s8f and the fh7 ,dont know which to get ? I’ll be upgrading from the beyerdynamic dx160ie
Berkhan
I have no idea, sorry.
Johann
heavily considering upgrading to this, it04 or dm7 from it01s. Which one would you recommend pairing with a fiio m11?
Al F
Nothing sounds mid-fi about these and as a matter they sound better than some $1000+ IEMs.
Dilip Vishwanath
hi,will i get good performance out of mobile phones like the s9+ or should i get a dap ??,can u tell how much of a difference would i expect?
Alex
Difficult to say. On S8 with bass filters FH7 offers quite good performance. Don’t know about s9+.
But only on good dac+amp you get from FH7 the most. I use Shanling M5s (good bass and resolution – sound is slow but deep and clean) and considering Fiio Q5 or M11 ( they are more engaging and dynamic) . You can always upgrade later.
Maarten
Is it worth it to get Fiio’s LC-4.4D upgradecable or would you recommend others (also using the WM1a as a source)?
Berkhan
It’s up to you to decide if you want to spend money on a cable. Try it and see if it makes a difference for you.
Mike
Man your review seems nice but please cut the crap.
We all should have read the website.
Personally what I want to read is what isn’t on the website.
If you have to make a college essay that needs to be a certain amount of words minimum… at least make the important part in bulk or stand out. I literally skipped 80% of your text and I’m sure I missed some good info hidden in “rambling” for lack of better words.
Berkhan
I’m sorry, what?
Lieven
Reading, it’s not for everyone I guess…
Peter
would like to ask you for advice 😉 read few reviews from you and the question is 🙂 – Fh7/DK-3001 pro/DK-4001? any advice here? music listened to – mainly d’n’b, hip-hop, rock…..and another one, which one works best with smartphones pairing? i have also another 2 separate players, just asking to know…thanks
Berkhan
I’m afraid I don’t know the other IEMs you mentioned.
Justin
Regarding the sound field comparison between Fh7 and Fd5, could you please provide some comments? Currently, I own and really enjoy Fh7 with LC-RE cable listened by using DX160. However, I am looking for the other IEM which has wider soundstage similar to Xelento can be used for listening
symphony. Do you suggest to spend extra money to buy Fd5? Thanks for your professional reviews and comments.
Berkhan
Hello Justin. Unfortunely I’ve never tried the FD5 but Nano published his review so you can rely on that.
I can recommend the Shozy Black Hole for symphony listening myself.
Michael Mariñas
hi, i would to thank you guys for giving great reviews. i always read your articles first. im torn between fiio iems fh7,fa9 and fd5. all scored 4.1 in your readers scores. im more of a all rounder music person with a hint of bass. rock,pop, acoustic, rnb, techno. can you reco me a good choice between the 3? thank you and keep up the good work guys.
Berkhan
Hi Michael,
Thank you for the kind words. As the above comment, I can’t comment on the FD5, but I think for you favorite genres the FH7 is a very good choice.