In this article we review the FiiO SP3, the brand’s first desktop active speaker selling for $329 USD.
Disclaimer: FiiO sent us the SP3 free of charge, for the purpose of this review. In exchange, we’re going to give our honest opinion, as always. Don’t forget to sign up for the FiiO KA5 giveaway here.
About FiiO
Founded in 2007, FiiO is one of the pillars of the portable audiophile world, with companies like Astell&Kern, iBasso, or even Meze. IEM, headphone amps, DACs, and obviously DAPs, they did it all and did it well, filling each and every corner with an endless list of multi-awarded devices, like the K9 Pro, BTR5, KA5, or the M17.
And if the brand began as a chi-fi maker, with cheap but nice products, lately they’ve constantly been moving upmarket with players like the FiiO M11 Plus ESS or the mighty FiiO R7.
A fantastic player nonetheless, designed to become the sole digital source for every modern audiophile, thanks to its wide array of inputs/outputs, high-end ESS Sabre DAC, a dual THX-AAA chipset and an uncompromised streaming experience, thanks to the Android OS.
Berkhan had the chance to get a review unit for… review purpose, and was more than pleased by the device, granting the R7 the highly sought-after HFN recommended award. A quote for your reading pleasure:
“It’s no doubt a great device and when you check the price, it’s not too expensive at all for what it does. And at this moment, it would be safe to say that there’s no device in the market that can be compared to this one. Sure, you have incredibly expensive standalone desktop units, but even then, they don’t have this much versatility and freedom. So, I think the new R7 deserves a spot in our DAC/AMP Combo Recommendations.”
But the R7 was just the first brick, one designed as the cornerstone for audiophiles in search of a complete, minimalistic setup. A DAC/Amp/Streamer that missed one thing only: a set of speakers, to create the ultimate desktop combo.
So now, please welcome the FiiO SP3, FiiO’s first – ever – set of active speakers, and by a matter of fact, our first – ever – speaker review on HFN!
Build Quality & I/O
Casing
Designed to match the R7 aesthetics, the FiiO SP3 takes a lot from there siblings, which is a very good thing.
Tiny, but mighty, those speakers left a very good impression out of the box, kicking way above what I thought they would.. Not because of their (small) size – 163 mm tall, 120mm wide and 132mm deep – but rather because of their build, the R7 mimicking the like of Genelec or Neuman in many ways.
Sure, they don’t feel as good as those – there’s a reason why a Neuman set costs five to ten times more – but quite honestly, for the price, it’s hard not to get impressed by the full-aluminum chassis, made of just two die-casted parts. Put them side to side with similarly priced speakers like AudioEngine or Triangle, and I’m pretty sure that most people will believe that the FiiO sits in the upper range.
As usual with the brand, build quality is absolutely flawless, with no gaps and premium materials everywhere your eye can see, and your hand’s touch. From the impeccable lines contouring the case, to the pierced grill protecting the tweeter, everything was precisely designed and assembled.
They aren’t as dense as monitor speakers, but head-to-head against multimedia speakers, I think the vast majority of you will be more than pleasantly surprised by the perceived quality of the SP3. In my opinion, those are one of those speakers that look better in real life, than in picture, which is no small feat.
Of course, not everyone will be a fan of its geeky design, even more with a RGB illuminated base, but that’s also why it’s one of my favorite designs, it goes “all-out” – like the FiiO Q7. And, for those that might find the black a bit too gloomy, know that the SP3 also comes in a (wonderful) black and white finish. Sadly, I got the black one, but I still love them very much.
How about the layout then ?
Layout
In terms of I/O, the FiiO SP3 is surprisingly conservative and you only get two inputs: a RCA and a 3.5mm line input. A layout that might seem a bit light for many users, as you usually get a phono in, and some digital inputs on this kind of speakers.
But counting the fact that those speakers were designed to be paired with the FiiO R7 – which gets a baffling numbers of inputs/outputs – and the actual retail price, that’s not a real issue after all
And, in addition to that, at the back of the primary speaker, you also have :
- a volume knob
- a bass knob, ranging from -8dB to 0dB
- a toggle that allows you to invert the left and right channel (quite useful)
- an input selector
- and finally, an RGB selector because, yes, the SP3 do come with RGB lighting
Last but not least, at the bottom you have :
- a power button
- a DC input, the SP3 need a a 24V/4.2Ah power supply in case you lose the out provided
- a din port designed to carry the signal through the main to the secondary speaker
A good layout that misses one and only thing: a subwoofer output. An unforgivable oversight in my opinion, especially on a desktop speaker, but maybe that’s just my opinion…
Let’s check what’s inside the box now.
The article continues on Page Two, after the click here
Page 1: about FiiO, design, layout
Page 2: UI, Usage, Bundle, Specifications
Page 3: Sound performances
Sean
If these were meant to pair with the R7, couldn’t you just run one off one of the other outputs on the unit?
Frank
Is there a difference in which speaker is left and which right? Because that is mentioned on the back of the speakers. But that doesn’t really matter, or does it?