FiiO FH7S Review

Treble

The treble performance is satisfying with good extension and breath. Although it’s not fantastic, it’s quite nice and easy-going overall. It presents a natural and airy treble that feels relaxed. There’s good clarity and sparkle here, with good micro detail.

Older FiiO models had either a too aggressive treble or a too polite and rolled-off one. The FH7S manages to present a great balance there. There’s a good amount of sparkle, air and breath together with nice articulation. With those, there’s also a nice smoothness and easy-going nature.

Yet, if you’re after a very crisp and definitive treble, the FH7S is not the answer. In terms of extension, articulation and resolution, there are better IEMs out there, for bigger pockets of course. For its price bracket, the FH7S performs quite good.

Also, I liked the treble performance with treble filters attached. It’s still smooth and easy-going, but you get more air and sparkle so use it as you wish if you like to have your treble with a bit more presence. It doesn’t take away the balance and coherency but adds a good definition.

Technical Performance

Here we see the biggest feat of the FH7S. With its semi-open design, it presents a very wide and deep sound stage. I don’t think it’d be easy to find a better staging performance around this 400$ price bracket. I liked the staging performance especially with the treble filters since the sound become more spacious and airy. Overall the sound stage might be the best you can find in this price range. The acoustic design FiiO has come up with, ended up nicely on their part.

The IEM’s imaging capabilities are high. There’s good instrument separation and definition across the spectrum. It has very good balance and articulation as well. The resolution is good for the price but not spectacular. The FH9 would suit you better if you want a higher-end technical performance in terms of pure transparency, micro details and resolution.

Transparency however is better with green (treble) filters. Detail retrieval is fairly good, and overall control is satisfying. For a hybrid IEM, the presentation is coherent and well-balanced. The bass response steals the show sometimes with its texture and rumble, but it’s not that apparent when you fit in the treble filters and attach a pair of SpinFit tips.

Overall the technical performance is quite good for the price, and apart from the overall resolution with white filters, I can’t say anything negative here. With greens, it’s not much of an issue.

Comparisons

You might wonder if the FH7S is worth the price when there’s the FH5S with a similar semi-open design approach. Well, it does. Sure, you need to pay more for it, but if you want to experience a good hybrid IEM from FiiO, the FH7S is a great option.

The bass of the FH7S, especially in terms of texture and control, is a level above the FH5S. The mid-range has better transparency and resolution, and the treble has a better definition. Above all else, the FH7S sounds much more cohesive and balanced, much closer to the flagship FH9. If you have the budget, don’t hesitate for the FH7S.

Here’s the other member of the FiiO’s hybrid lineup. I hear you say “OK, the FH5S is not comparable, but what about FH7?”. Well, first of all, the FH7S has a better design, a much better carrying case and more accessories. It has better build quality as well.

As for sound, both are well-balanced, coherent and controlled. Both offer a good and smooth hybrid experience. What the FH7S brings to the table are a better soundstage, more resolution with the treble filters, and transparency. The definition in the treble region is also better.

Another striking difference is the sound stage. The FH7S provides a much wider and deeper staging performance with better separation and imaging. The FH7S also has better tonality and bass texture. So I say, instead of the FH7, save more and get the FH7S.

Conclusion

The FiiO FH7S is a great alternative to the FH9 flagship. For 179$ less, you get the same bass performance, good tonality, a great soundstage for the price, and a great set of accessories with hard-to-beat packaging for the money. I appreciate the effort and the technology FiiO is putting forward.

I recommend using the treble filters with the FH7S. You’ll have a spacious and highly resolving presentation with good definition and transparency, as well as balance and bass texture. I guess FiiO could’ve just left the IEM with the treble filters and released it as it is. After this review, I decided to remove the FH7 and replace it with this new FH7S. Another best gear recommendation for our Best Universal IEM list. Well done to FiiO.

Page 1: Packaging, Design

Page 2: Build, Fit, Sound Quality