FiiO FH5 In-Ear Monitor Review: FiiO's FH5 is a high-end IEM through and through.

The FiiO brand is really synonymous with high bang-for-buck value in the personal audio world. For many people, FiiO is a launching pad – the first "audiophile" amp or DAC they ever own. For me personally, it was the FiiO E6 – just a tiny little pocket amp that was supposed be an improvement relative to my phone's headphone jack. Viola, my first dedicated headphone amp!. I would later pick up the E17 amp/DAC, the E09K amplifier, X3 II DAP and finally X5 III DAP. For the most part all of these products shined at their price point.

In recent years, FiiO has been working to expand their portfolio to include a wide range of IEMs. The new FH5 ($259) is their most ambitious design to date, and has taken the place of the flagship in their growing lineup.

The FH5 is a 4-driver hybrid design with a 10mm polymer nanocomposite dynamic driver handling the low frequencies, a Knowles ED30262 balanced armature handing the midrange, and a pair of Knowles 31082 balanced armatures to handle the treble and ultra high frequency treble. These are contained in a beautiful precision-machined alloy shell that offers one of the best ergonomic fits of any universal shell I've encountered (more on that later).

While $259 is an extremely accessible price point, relative to most companies' flagship IEMs, it is certainly a bold step up for a value driven company like FiiO, so it caught my interest. And I'm happy to say the FH5 most definitely continues FiiO's tradition of delivering solid bang-for-buck products.  From the moment I first opened the box, could tell the humbly-priced FH5 was going to over deliver, big time.

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Author: Dave Hanson; From: Enjoy the Music

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