Battery Life
The FW5 offers up to 7-8 hours of playback on a single charge, which is great for a 3-driver TWS IEM. The earbuds have a 65mAh battery inside each of the shells and the charging case comes with a 380mAh battery. The charging case provides an additional 14-15 hours of battery life, allowing for a total of 20-25 hours of listening time before needing to recharge the case. This should be more than sufficient for daily use or extended periods of travel. The charging case can be charged via the included USB-C cable, and a full charge takes approximately 1.5 hours.
App Support
The FW5 comes with FiiO Control app integration. The app can be downloaded from the iOS and Android app markets. The FW5 supports over-the-air updates, so you can update firmware wirelessly. This is a very nice feature as FiiO has a good track record for support and they release hotfixes on a regular basis. My review unit is on v1.26. This is the latest FW at the time of writing. The application has quite a few tweakable options. These include disabling the indicator LEDs, setting the battery limit (%85) for healthier cells, activating game mode, and setting an idle power-off timer. There is also a codec selector menu, which is especially handy if you want to force your Android source to stream a certain codec.
The FW5 also has 4 low-pass filter options to choose from, thanks to its independent AK4332 DAC chip. Channel balance and the volume of each mode can also be adjusted in the app. Lastly, the APP offers 10-band adjustable EQ, which is useful if you want to fine-tune the FW5 to your liking. This is pretty much all the app has to offer and I find these options quite useful. The game mode decreases the latency by a noticable margin and the codec selector tool is great if you don’t want to mess with Android’s developer options. I especially congratulate FiiO because of their battery limit feature, I find it especially important for improving the lifespan of the TWS IEMs. A must use in my opinion!
Call Quality
Like many rod-less TWS IEMs we’ve tested, the FW5 has two cVc noise-canceling microphones positioned near the front of the headset. I ran a few call quality tests, and they do a good job of delivering your voice cleanly to the receiving party in quiet places. As the ambient noise increases, the headset’s ability to pick up your voice doesn’t deteriorate, but it does tend to pick up high-frequency ambient sounds on top of your voice. Despite all this, when we consider the form and factors, we can say that FiiO has done a good job with the FW5’s mics. Of course, it would be appropriate not to expect an Airpods Pro 2 level of performance from a rodless TWS.
Sound & Performance
FiiO’s expertise in the audio domain shines through in the sound performance of the FW5. For its first proper TWS, FiiO chose an independent AK4332 DAC and a 3-driver configuration, which is a quite good setup for a 149 USD TWS. The 10mm DLC diaphragm dynamic driver and two Knowles balanced armatures deliver an engaging sound signature that caters to a wide range of musical genres. It sounds slightly warmer than neutral to my ears, with its low-end elevation. Note that tips change the sound signature quite severely, HS18’s reduce the mid-bass quantity resulting in a more neutral midrange, while the other silicone set offers a warmer, bolder signature.
The 10mm dynamic driver is capable of producing a clean and impactful bass response. The bass is controlled, providing a solid foundation without overpowering the mids. Bass isn’t the fastest when it comes to the PRaT but when FW5’s requirements are met, such as proper fit and source, the IEMs are quite capable, performing above its price tag. The midrange of the FW5 is slightly warm and features a good instrument body with the black silicone set. With the HS18 set, the vocals and instruments take center stage. The upper midrange is prominent and easy to follow. The cymbals and hi-hats are definitive, clean, and clear, without sounding harsh. The treble is crisp and detailed, enhancing the perceived spaciousness and adding airiness to the overall presentation. The FW5 with HS18 feels pretty balanced to my ears, the bass takes a step back, especially mid-wise, allowing the midrange to shine better. I prefer the black silicone set for EDM and other bass-dependent genres. The HS18 set is for everything else. The FW5 is a good all-rounder, its balanced warm signature can make the audiophiles quite happy, especially with the budget price tag.
In terms of soundstage and imaging, the FW5 performs quite well for a TWS earphone. The stage width is surprisingly good. The instrument separation is impressive, allowing for easy identification of individual elements in the track, especially with the LHDC & Qobuz combo. On a side note, the amplification is quite impressive, the earbuds can reach unbearable volumes and I recommend limiting the volume inside the app.
Comparison
vs. 1More Evo ($169 USD)
1More’s EVO is their flagship model, featuring a 2-driver hybrid configuration with 1 dynamic driver and 1 balanced armature driver. It also boasts full ANC and LDAC support, a rare feature set in its price range.
In terms of build quality, the EVO offers a sleek matte design with an attractive shell, albeit with a shorter nozzle that can make tip rolling a bit more challenging. In my humble opinion, the Evo has a better build with its soft textured finish and oval shape. Both the FW5 and EVO offer similar features, with the exception of the EVO’s ANC capabilities.
When comparing sound quality, the FW5 impresses with its spacious and airy soundstage, which is wider and deeper than that of the EVO. The FW5 has the upper hand when it comes to imaging and accuracy, too. It also offers a bigger sub-bass compared to the EVO. Additionally, the FW5’s treble response is more controlled compared to the EVO. Both models offer similar PRaT with adequate agility, making them great for TWS and competitive with wired alternatives. While the EVO has an advantage with its ANC, the FW5 competes head-to-head with its sound quality, despite having fewer features. Both of the IEMs perform reasonably well for their price point and it is down to personal preferences deciding between both.
Last Words
In conclusion, the FiiO FW5 is an outstanding TWS option for audiophiles seeking a high-quality audio experience in a compact and light package. With its impressive sound performance, comfortable fit, and user-friendly features, the FW5 is well worth considering for those in the market for a sub-$150 TWS earphone.
Considering the exceptional performance-to-value ratio of the FW5, we believe it’s only fitting to include it in our Recommended Buy List!
Pros
+ Great sound
+ Great soundstage & imaging
+ FiiO’s companion app
+ Mics
+ Price
Cons
– Shell is not the smallest
– Tip dependency
Page 1: FiiO, FW5, Packaging & Accessories, Design, Build & Fit, Controls, Wireless & Connection Stability
Page 2: Battery Life, App Support, Call Quality, Sound & Performance, Comparison, Last Words
