FiiO FP3 Review

FiiO FP3 Review – 14.5mm Planar Driver – FiiO’s First

FiiO dives deeper into the world of Hi-Fi in-ear monitors with the brand-new FiiO FP3. After two years of meticulous research and development, FiiO has developed the FP3 with a self-developed 14.5mm large-sized planar magnetic driver unit. It adopts an ultra-thin 1um diaphragm with FiiO’s patented dual-coating technology. The driver here is crafted using nano-level exact craftsmanship to ensure quality sound performance. FiiO FP3 combines a super-powerful Tesla-Grade magnetic architecture with a strong magnetic circuit featuring 14 N52 Neodymium magnets.

It is a dual-sided design featuring 7 magnets on each side of the driver. FiiO FP3 promises impressive sound performance with clarity and excellent dynamics across a wide frequency band. FiiO FP3 looks supremely beautiful as the pair is crafted using Rosewood/Black Walnut solid-wooden face covers. The FP3 takes your listening experience to the next level with its class-leading performance.

FiiO FP3 has a self-developed second-generation 14.5mm large-sized planar magnetic driver. It has been developed from the ground up by experienced acoustic engineers at FiiO. It adopts an ultra-thin 1um diaphragm with a dual-coated patented design. With professional tuning adjustments by FiiO, the FP3 achieves a big stage, deep bass response, and a detailed, extended treble reaching up to 40kHz frequency response. The driver is precisely crafted with nanometer-level precision. It has been crafted using a 28nm-grade process.

FiiO FP3’s planar magnetic driver adopts an ultra-thin 1um diaphragm. It is made using high-performance PET as the substrate material for the diaphragm. It is extremely light in weight, and combined with its ultra-thin design it achieves lightning-fast movement speed resulting in faster transients, enhanced dynamics, and low distortion in the sound output. The driver adopts a FiiO’s self-developed patented dual-coating system. The planar driver adopts a PET diaphragm substrate with aluminum and titanium material coating forming a dual-coated driver unit. The first layer is aluminum, while the second coating layer is titanium.

FiiO FP3 features a strong, high-power magnetic architecture. Each driver has 14 high-power N52 Neodymium magnets, seven on each side of the driver. The balanced placement of these magnets allows the dual-coated driver to have an evenly distributed, uniform diaphragm. The diaphragm experiences balanced forces on both sides, resulting in consistent movement, enhancing sound efficiency, and reducing distortion.

FiiO FP3 features the same “Tesla Valve” patented bass enhancement technology as in the highly-acclaimed FD15 IEMs. The length, angle, and quantity of the channels within the FP3’s cavity have been optimized to achieve a Tesla valve fluid structure. This technology greatly enhances the bass response with a deeply textured, impactful bass response.

 

FiiO FP3 brings you a comfortable wearing experience with its precisely crafted ear shells. The pair has a 3D-printed front shell design made using high-quality material. The shells have a specific support structure in the concave auricle area which improves the wearing comfort for the users. On top of it all, we also have beautiful looks with solid stabilized wooden face covers available in Rosewood and Black Walnut color options. Each earpiece weighs in at just 6.5 grams.

FiiO FP3 comes with a high-purity silver-plated copper cable. It is a 4-strand cable totaling 392 wire cores of high-purity silver-plated copper material. Each strand is individually enameled and insulated for smooth signal transmission and rectifying any microphonic issues. The wires are braided together in a Litz structure. The cable adopts 0.78mm 2-pin connectors and features an interchangeable plug system with 3.5mm single-ended+4.4mm balanced plugs included in the package.

The first thing I noticed about the FiiO FP3 was its natural tone. Another thing that stuck out was the level of detail and clarity present. I’d call the overall tonality neutral-bright; the midrange sounds natural and organic while the treble has an accurate timbre but has a forward presentation which is where the brightness comes from.

Lows

The bass is tight and fast. Hidizs tuned the bass for maximum openness and resolution and MP145 achieves that with aplomb. Listeners who favor detail and transparency will appreciate FiiO FP3’s lows. Like the mids and highs, the bass tone is accurate and unblemished.

The lower bass region is emphasized, while the mid-bass to lower midrange is flatter. This has the benefit of keeping the midrange reasonably free of bleed and creates a full, lush response in songs that favor this area.

The bass remains reasonably articulate. Its tuning focuses on rumble over punch and will appeal more to some listeners than others.

Since the FiiO FP3 uses a planar driver, the bass is expectedly fast and detailed. You can hear plenty of texture in lingering bass notes, and the speed they start and stop is realistic and impactful. The quality is there.

Mids

FiiO FP3’s midrange is, in a word, exquisite. It’s near perfect in tone, timbre, and note weight. Vocals and instruments sound natural and organic and are delivered within a clean stage with a black background.

If you’re looking for overall tonal balance and multiple music genre compatibility, the FiiO FP3 holds up very well. For the most part, it delivers a delicious, clear, and organic midrange.

Vocalists sound forward and aren’t artificially recessed either. There is very good texture and resolution in this range, as you would expect from a good planar driver, which makes it easy to pick out small details that might be lost in the “cohesiveness” of a dynamic driver. The tuning here is great for rock and metal.

Treble

One of the standout features of the high-frequency response of the FiiO FP3 is its ability to handle complex and busy passages with ease. Even in the most frenetic and layered recordings, the highs remain clear and articulate, allowing you to hear every nuance and detail in the music.

There is enough treble energy to present a clear sound that, while not expansive, still sounds crisp and airy. The treble has an accurate timbre and tone. Both in balanced and high mode, the treble maintains a natural timbre, despite being pushed forward. It’s crisp and precise, widening the soundstage and adding exactness to vocal and instrument positioning.

Technicalities

The soundstage on the FiiO FP3 is quite impressive as it feels very extended, especially in terms of width. The forwardness of the center and upper mid-range plays into the wide soundstage and creates an immersive effect. Imaging is very good, and vocals and instruments are placed accurately around the soundstage. Layering is very good with a decent amount of separation and excellent cohesion between instruments and vocals.

Planars are well known for their ability to draw out the different layers of music and games, allowing you to hear each on its plane. That’s the case here, with very good layering and details throughout.

The FiiO FP3 is a good pair of IEMs for gaming. The soundstage is wide enough, and positionality close enough, that these work well for competitive gaming and RPGs. They are very responsive to Dolby Atmos and open right up when it’s enabled.

Sum-Up

The new FP3 is FiiO’s first IEM with a Planar driver inside. Interestingly, it came in the budget segment. It has a beautiful stock cable and the wooden faceplates look really amazing, no need to think twice. For the asking price, the FiiO FP3 is a steal.