Greetings!
Today we're checking out
something truly special, that being the flagship for FiiO's
armature-only lineup, the FA9.
While probably best known
for their amps, dacs, and DAPs, FiiO has been humming along nicely
with their earphone releases. Single dynamic, hybrids, and
armature-only models abound. The FA9 is their new armature only
flagship with some features that help set it apart from other
products in the price range, like the use of all-Knowles armatures
(one of which was custom designed for FiiO), a unique 80.6mm long
sound tube, and an electronic tuning system via three switches built
into the rear of the earphone.
I've been using it regularly
over the last three weeks and have come away quite pleased with the
performance, especially upon comparing to some strong competitors.
Let's take a closer look, shall we?
What I Hear I
didn't really know what to expect from the FA9 going in. While I've
got plenty of experience with tunable earphones, they all use various
physical filters to mask or release frequencies. Since the FA9 alters
from the crossover itself, I was curious to see how effective it
would be, and if it would end up as more of a gimmick than a useful
feature. And since it's much easier to flick a switch than fumble
with tiny filters, would it be something that is actually used on the
regular. I can tell you now that the switches are not a gimmick and
ended up being useful, even if they were left alone more often than
not.
Tuning
Switches The FA9 features a
tuning system that is still fairly novel. Unlike most which require
swapping out various filters, the FA9's sound can be changed with the
mere flick of a number of very tiny switches, three in total. The
first makes the FA9 easier to drive but also raises the noise floor.
Personally I just left it off the whole time since I listen quietly
and the FA9 doesn't need a ton of power to get up to volume anyway.
The second switch handles treble response. It doesn't do much to the
presence region but does add a few extra dB of life to the brilliance
region making the FA9 a bit more lively and improving the sound stage
slightly. The final switch handles midrange and bass perception. When
off it raises the low end making the midrange feel less prominent.
When combined with the 2nd
switch in the on position, gives off the closest thing to a v-shaped
signature the FA9 will output. Turn the 3rd
switch on and the bass drops bringing forward the mids to make the
FA9 a vocal powerhouse. Overall the switches do not make massively
sweeping changes to the signature, but the alterations are definitely
enough to be noticeable, especially if you make changes to one side
and forget to alter the other. I'd be very curious to see just how
far a company could take this tech if they wanted to make a truly
flexible, jack of all trades earphone.
Listening
with my preferred settings (1:off, 2:on, 3:off)
Set up like this, the FA9 provided a very engaging sound that offered
just enough low end thump and upper range sparkle to keep me
entertained, regardless of what I was listening to.
Starting with the treble the FA9 provides a very smooth and refined
experience that is not unlike what you would expect to hear from
products a step up the price ladder. The brilliance region is subtly
elevated and gives the FA9's presentation clear sparkle and shimmer,
though not to the point of nuking note weight or leading to ear
fatigue. Lower treble sees a polite bump that compliments the upper
range energy. Everything is presented with plenty of detail and
excellent clarity with no smearing or bleeding of instruments/effects
into each other, but falls short of being overly analytic. Notes are
presented with a satisfying speed that sits somewhere been the uber
quick attack and decay typically experienced with armatures, and the
slower, more natural feel of a dynamic driver. Overall it is pleasant
and just as capable with Eminem's “Monster” as the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra's rendition of “Night Ferry”.
The
midrange sits slightly back compared to the treble and in line with
the low end, unaffected by any form of midbass bleed. With a small
upper mid bump, vocals have a satisfying warmth to them and remain
very coherent with neither male or female vocals getting preferential
treatment. Such balance can be heard on the mellow, relaxing duet
“Quando, Quando, Quando” featuring Michael Buble and Nelly
Furtado. Alongside this, you can add the more varied vocal stylings
of the RTJ boys, Big Boi, and Phantogram's Sarah Barhel on Big Gram's
awesome “Born To Shine” and “Run For Your Life”. The good
times continue thanks to the FA9's outstanding timbre which is absent
of the plasticy texturing or breathy dryness (a quality I actually
like) common to armatures. Instruments sound as they should. Pianos
have the right body with notes subtly lingering, guitars have the
right amount of grunge and zip, and drums feel plenty rich.
Bass performance is where that 80.6mm long sound tube comes in, at
least according to the marketing material. While I don't have a
version of the FA9 without that monster sound tube available for
comparison, I can say that the FA9 kicks nicely when called upon. I'm
generally somewhat underwhelmed with the low end presentation of
Knowles products, but FiiO dialed the 31618 in very nicely. Extension
is great for an armature with the FA9 able to provide a sense of
visceral feedback often missing from armature-only earphones. While I
find the texturing and detail fairly smooth, I could use a bit more
grunge with bands like Tobacco and The Prodigy. For the most part
there is enough information and depth provided to satisfy across
various genres. In typical armature fashion things move quickly,
though again not quite as fast as I'm used to from armatures, thereby
giving the FA9 a slightly more natural presentation. This doesn't
hinder articulation though, with the FA9 easily taking on the crazy,
messy bass lines oft found in heavy metal tracks.
Sound stage is where the FA9 pulls things back a bit. Sizing is good
with plenty of width and moderate depth. This gives the FA9 adequate
room to toss sounds off into the distance, but limits layering
capabilities leading to tracks sounding less dynamic and diverse when
facing some of the competition. Separation is quite good though, and
I never came across any instances where the FA9 sounded congested or
compressed. Imaging is about the only area where I could levy the
term 'underwhelming' at the FA9. Just off centre (ex. eye-to-eye)
there isn't a lot of movement so subtle tracking from
channel-to-channel lacks nuance. Move past this and it cleans up
quickly. I personally don't think any of this matters all too much
with music, but if you're planning to game with the FA9, or enjoy
watching movies with earphones, it can be slightly distracting in my
experience.
Overall I find the FA9 a pretty stellar performer. Their
implementation of Knowles drivers for the low end has been handled
very well, and the treble quality is outstanding. The sweet midrange
is also plenty satisfying on vocal-centric tracks. Start playing
about with the tuning switches and various ear tips and you can get a
lot of mileage and variety out of this earphone.
Compared To A Peer
(volumes matched with Dayton iMM-6)
Fearless
S6 Rui (389.00 USD): Like the
FA9, the S6 Rui features 6 balanced armatures per side, though
Fearless left out any form of tuning system so you're left to
experiment with tips and EQ for that. Treble out of the S6 Rui
doesn't place as much emphasis in the brilliance region resulting in
a less airy, less sparkly sound. More emphasis is found in the
presence region giving the S6 an edge in detail and clarity at the
expense of a drier sounding presentation with a hint of grain. The S6
sounds faster and more aggressive with instruments having more
initial impact and a shorter decay, though it handles complicated
passages no better. Mids on the S6 Rui are more forward compared to
the FA9 (though you can bring emphasis more in line with the 3rd
switch in the up position) where they do a better job of sharing
space with bass and treble frequencies. The FA9's mids are warmer and
smoother with a slightly leaner feel. Where the S6 has the edge in
detail in the treble region, the FA9 easily matches it in the mids,
while also touting a more natural sound and realistic timbre. Bass on
the two is very similar though I hear the FA9 as more linear with
better extension, less mid-bass presence, more physical sub-bass,
though neither offers dynamic driver levels of feedback. The S6 Rui's
low end doesn't offer quite as much warmth and has a meatier,
slightly slower feel to it. Texturing is pretty similar in that it is
quite good. Sound stage size is comparable, though strengths are
different. The S5 Rui lacks the width but provides more depth. It
images better than the FA9 (due to that off centre vagueness) but
doesn't quite layer or separate instruments as impressively.
When it comes to build the S6 Rui is outstanding, but the FA9 has an
edge in a couple particular areas. First is the connectors. Fearless
went with a 2-pin system and while that is generally my preferred
connector, this one is unreliable with a right earpiece that
routinely detaches unexpectedly. Not an issue with the FA9's rock
solid MMCX connectors. The other area I prefer the FA9 is in the
housing construction itself. The S6 Rui is just as neat and tidy
inside, but it's hollow. The FA9 is solid providing additional
protection from drops and crushing. The FiiO's metal grills also
offer more protection from ear wax and gunk than the S6 Rui's open
sound ports. Fit an comfort is pretty much a wash. The S6 is a little
thicker but not quite as long so it might offer a slightly better fit
for smaller ears. The FA9 isolates outside noise more effectively.
Overall I prefer the FA9 thanks to it's more natural sound and innate
tuning capabilities.
Dunu
DK-3001 Pro (469.00 USD): The
DK-3001 Pro is a five driver hybrid so it's not surprising to hear it
bests the FA9 in the bass department, though the FA9 puts in a pretty
darn good showing. I perceived the Dunu to have more emphasis in both
mid and sub-bass with slightly better extension, impact, and texture,
likely due to lack of treble to counter. The FA9 is slightly faster
and more articulate with rapid bass lines. The Dunu's midrange is
thicker and more linear with a better balance in the presentation of
male and female vocals. The FA9 sounds cleaner and more articulate
though. Timbre is close with the Dunu's armatures doing a better job
with instruments versus the FA9's more accurate vocal renditions.
Treble out of the DK-3001 Pro offers less extension and sparkle in
the brilliance region instead focusing more on the lower treble. The
FA9 ends up with more space between notes and provides a lighter,
more detailed, and airy experience against the DK-3001 Pro.
Personally I prefer nearly every aspect of the FA9's treble
presentation, which is slightly more nimble to boot. Sound stage is
also in the FA9's camp providing a wider experience, though depth is
pretty similar. Imaging is cleaner and more nuanced out of the Dunu
and I found it to be slightly more layered but with similar levels of
instrument separation.
When it comes to build they are both class leading examples so in my
opinion it comes down to your preference for metal or acrylic, and
your ear size. The Dunu makes the FA9 look positively massive and
defies logic cramming by cramming five drivers (one of which is a
relatively large 13mm dynamic), MMCX hardware, and a crossover into
such a tiny housing. The FA9 is more stable and better isolating,
though the size will limit who can wear it. The DK-3001 Pro is the
more universal of the two in that regard. Each earphones' cable is
also outstanding. I prefer the FA9's tighter braid and generally more
durable feel, though Dunu's Quick-Switch modular system gives it a
clear edge in terms of flexibility. Instead of changing the cable
entirely to access 2.5mm or 4.4mm balanced options as needs to be
done with the FA9, you just swap plugs. FiiO has a similar modular
cable out now, the LC-RE. It would be great if the FA9 came with it
or a variant out of the box.
Overall I find these two to compliment each other quite well. The
Dunu's low end provides an experience the FA9 can't match, while the
FA9 provides improved treble quality and the flexibility of it's
inbuilt tuning system. My pick would be the Dunu, but it lines up
slightly better with my personal tuning preferences.
HiFiMan
RE800 Silver (599.00 USD): The
RE800 is a single dynamic earphone with a signature that matches up
nicely with the FA9 in the 1:down, 2:up, 3:up tuning setting, so I'll
be comparing in that layout. Starting with the low end, the FA9 is
warmer and more emphasized with the RE800 besting it in terms of
impact, extension, and texture. It also feels a bit quicker and even
more articulate on rapid passages. The RE800 has slightly leaner,
more detailed mids with very similar emphasis, until the upper mids.
The FA9 brings in a hint more warmth and with it a slightly more
natural tonality. The FA9 has a cleaner, better controlled treble
presentation with a more even balance of upper and lower regions. The
RE800 is more detailed and has a more accurate attack and decay
pattern that really resonates with live recordings. Sound stage also
goes to the RE800 which sounds slightly wider and deeper. Imaging out
of the Hifiman's single dynamic is cleaner and more nuanced with
better instrument separation, though layering is in the FA9's camp.
The RE800 is nicely constructed and made with nice materials but it
wouldn't feel out of place on the 50 USD product. The FA9 bests it in
every way except fit which comes down to the RE800 being extremely
small, light, and of a more traditional barrel shape. It can't
compete with the FA9 in terms of isolation or stability during heavy
movement.
Overall I prefer the FA9's slightly warmer, smoother, and more
refined presentation.
Campfire
Audio Andromeda (1099.00 USD): The
Andromeda features five armatures per side and is one of my reference
armature-only models. The FA9's low end is slightly warmer and more
emphasized with better extension. It has a smoother texturing and
lesser impact when compared to the Andromeda, but it a little
snappier and more responsive. Midrange presence is very similar with
the Andromeda's vocal clarity and coherence being a step up though
slightly thinner. Timbre is also in the Andro's court. Treble on the
Andromeda is cleaner and but less linear with a heavier presence in
the brilliance region. It provides more space and air without relying
in a leaner, lighter note weight, and in general just sounds better
controlled and more crisp. Sound stage is also firmly in the
Andromeda's camp, which is no real surprise given it's somewhat known
for it. The FA9's stage isn't quite as wide nor as deep, with imaging
that falls behind (quite a bit just off centre). The Andromeda's
improved note spacing also helps it really stand out in terms of
layering and separation, areas in which the FA9 is no slouch.
When it comes to build we find ourselves in a similar situation to
the Dunu; it comes down to your preference for metal or acrylic, and
your ear size. Both are basically flawless in terms of fit and finish
and the Andromeda has that iconic design, oft copied but never
replicated. For me the Andromeda is the better fitting earphone
thanks to a more compact design and shallow fit. The angular edges
lead to no discomfort. The FA9 isn't far off though, and with its
superior isolation and stability during movement might be better for
you. The FA9's cable is thicker and more durable and looks much more
impressive, but I'm one of those weirdos that like thin, light cables
which the Andromeda has. The FA9's cable is the better of the two
though, hands down.
It should be no surprise to hear that I prefer the Andromeda, but the
FA9 serves to highlight the law of diminishing returns and how good
products in the 500 USD price range really are. You get near TOTL
performance at half the price, and in the case of this comparison
with more features and flexibility thanks to that handy tuning
system.
In The Ear The
FA9 takes on what has become a very familiar silhouette within the
last few years with its custom-like shape. This is a good thing
because such designs have been crafted from the average of thousands
of ears and as a result provides as close to a universal a fit as it
gets, at least for a large, low profile earphone. The FA9 is a fairly
hefty earphone, understandable given what has been crammed inside
each 3D printed shell; 6 Knowles armatures, 4-way crossover, tuning
switches, 80.6mm long sound tube (plus two shorter tubes), and the
MMCX hardware. Even being as large as it is, the FA9 fits
wonderfully. It fills the outer ear ensuring an even weight
distribution and therefore a stable and secure fit. Since it fills so
much of the ear and is a sealed design, passive isolation is
outstanding. Note that there is a small vent on top of the FA9 by the
face plate where the earphone tapers in. I suspect it is an artifact
of the printing process because the vent seems to arch into the back
of the face plate and end there. Since the rest of the shell is solid
acrylic, I don't see how it can be used to ease pressure, hence
saying the design is sealed.
As I'm
writing, a lawnmower is going full bore outside my apartment window
and I can barely hear it, with no music playing, preinstalled medium
Spinfits in place. Trade those out for some foam tips and the FA9
becomes one of the most highly isolating earphones I've used to date.
The only trade off is pressure build up upon initial insertion thanks
to that sealed design. This is a pretty common observation with
fully-sealed, armature-only earphones and can be mitigated a few
different way; foam tips, putting the FA9 in slowly, and/or pulling
on the top of your ear with your mouth open while inserting. Sure you
look ridiculous for a few seconds, but it eases the pressure so you
can listen comfortably.
When it
comes to build quality, the FA9 is top tier. Their budget minded FA1
is one of the cleanest looking 3D-printed earphones I've seen. The
FA9 builds on this foundation resulting in an even more impressive
product. The acrylic is completely transparent allowing you to
clearly see all of the innards, where the FA1 was semi-transparent
with a cloudiness to it. The layout of the drivers, crossover,
switches, and various tubing is extremely neat and tiny with zero
sloppiness or misaligned units. The switches are positively tiny
though, hence why FiiO suggests using the prong on the included
cleaning brush to move them. The nozzle is well formed with a small
lip, though it's not quite prominent enough to hold on tips of every
style. All the included tips stay in place though, and since you get
so many of them, and of varying designs and styles, I don't see any
reason beyond curiosity to dip into third party options. The MMCX
ports on the FA9 are very firm, though not so much so you feel like
you're going to break something when attaching and detaching the
cable. This firmness is welcome because it keeps the cable oriented
in the position you set it. The earpieces cannot freely swivel around
on their own which can be very annoying and wears out the connectors
faster than normal. Overall fit and finish is basically flawless. Not
complaints about how this earphone is constructed.
That
goes for the 8 strand monocrystalline silver-plated copper cable too,
which is every bit as premium as the rest of the presentation. The
silver shines through the clear sheath giving off visual appeal in
line with the price tag. In addition to looking great, the sheath is
soft and flexible with effective tangle and noise resistance. The
chosen hardware is of good quality too. The MMCX plugs are smoothly
angled with red and blue metal rings at the base ensuring right and
left channels are clearly marked. The preformed ear guides that lead
out of them are smooth and flexible, much nicer than the stiff
plastic tubes used for the FA1's otherwise excellent cable.
Travelling down towards the y-split we find a metal chin cinch. The
cinch is just tight enough around the cable to remain in place when
used, but not so tight as to make moving it a challenge. Some are so
tight they pull uncomfortably at the cable which is not an issue
here. The y-split is a simple aluminum ring with FiiO laser-etched on
it. It acts purely as a place where the 8 strands divide and lead up
to each ear piece. The 90 degree angled jack is another solid piece
of aluminum with pronounced knurling and a hefty protective strain
relief. While the jack is definitely thicker than average, the 3.5mm
output is extended so you shouldn't have to worry about your phone or
DAP case getting in the way.
Overall
a gorgeous looking earphone with outstanding build quality both
inside and out.
In The Box The
FA9 arrives in premium packaging befitting it's stature in FiiO's
lineup. At first glance it looks like nothing more than a large black
box. There is a very cool aspect to it though, which is the rainbow
colouring that appears when light hits at an angle. The face of this
otherwise large, unassuming package is adorned with nothing more than
the FiiO logo in silver foil dead centre with a Hi-Res Audio logo
present in the top right corner. On the left is a lone authenticity
sticker. The back contains visual representations of the the FA9's
switch-based tuning system and how each switch affects the sound
output, along with logos for Knowles, HeyGears, and Spinfit. The
entirety of the right side is an opening to slide out another
textured black box contained within, this one adorned with only a
glossy black FiiO logo centred on the lid. It's all very reminiscent
of a high quality book tucked into a decorative sheath.
Upon
removing the lid from this inner box you find the FA9 with cable
attached, neatly stored in a thick foam insert. Lifting out the
insert reveals the rest of the accessories. In all you get:
- FA9 earphones
- 8 strand monocrystalline silver-plated copper MMCX cable
- Spintfit tips (s/m/l)
- Vocal tips (s/m/l)
- Balanced tips (s/m/l)
- Bass tips (s/m/l)
- Bi-flange tips (m)
- Foam tips (m x 2)
- Faux leather, hard shell carrying case
- Soft shell cloth carrying case
- Magnetic cable tie
- Cleaning multi-tool
Overall
a pretty darn impressive and extensive accessory kit. You get a ton
of tips with no redundancies so surely you can find something that
fits well without needing to dip into third party options. If they
all fit you can use them in conjunction with the switch system to
further tailor the sound to your preferences. I also love how they
are neatly stored and displayed in their own, fully labelled foam
insert. You don't have to mess with any tiny plastic bags and risk
dropping a tip, or hunting for two of the same size. This insert may
seem like a relatively insignificant deal but as someone that has
tested hundreds of earphones, it greatly improves the user experience
and I would love to see this become the standard. Lastly, the
inclusion of two different storage cases is appreciated. You can use
the large hard case while at home, and take the smaller soft case
with you on your travels.
Final Thoughts The
FA9 has shown itself to be a well-rounded and versatile earphone
thanks to it's strong low end performance, natural midrange, and
refined treble. It is all controlled by a tuning system that, while
subtle, makes enough of a difference to frequency emphasis to enable
users to tailor the sound to their preferences. Imaging just
off-centre could be better, but this is all that mars what is
otherwise a very refined and capable auditory experience.
Build on that
solid foundation with an attractive, well-built design, a quality
cable, and an extensive accessory kit that is packed with various
tips and useful extras like two different carrying cases, a cleaning
tool, and a handy magnetic cable tie, and the FA9 is a package that
should ensure you don't need to spend extra “upgrading” or
compensating for cheap add-ins out of the box. About the only thing
FiiO could have improved upon is that nice cable, instead providing
one that takes advantage of their new modular plug system.
Overall the FA9 is
a very strong mid-range offering. While it doesn't quite hit the same
high marks as your typical kilo-buck flagship, it gets very close at
half the price. That is something FiiO should be very proud of, and
potential customers should be happy to hear. This one is absolutely
worth adding to your auditioning list if hunting for a new product in
this price range.
Thanks for
reading!
- B9
Disclaimer Thanks
to Sunny with FiiO for reaching out to see if I would be interested
in reviewing the FA9, and for sending over a sample for the purposes
of review. The thoughts within this review are my own subjective
opinions based on almost a month of testing. They do not represent
FiiO or any other entity. At the time of writing the FA9 retailed for
499.99 USD: https://www.fiio.com/fa9
/ https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001035600968.html
Specifications
- Impedance: 16~32 Ohms @ 1KHz
- Sensitivity: 110~113dB @ 1mW
- Frequency Response: 15Hz~40kHz
- Maximum Input Power: 100mW
- Drivers: SWFK-31736 (highs) EJ-33877 (mids), HODVTEC-31618 (lows)
Gear Used For Testing LG
Q70, FiiO M3 Pro, Earstudio HUD100, Earmen TR-Amp, Asus FX53V, TEAC
HA-501
Some Test Tunes
Supertramp – Crime of the Century
Slipknot – Vol 3 (The Subliminal
Verses)
Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid
King Crimson – Lark's Tongues in
Aspic
King Crimson – Starless and Bible
Black
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the
Black Shawarma
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy
Steely Dan – The Royal Scam
Porcupine Tree – Stupid Dreams
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors
Tobacco – F****d Up Friends
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