$600-700 IEM Round-up: FiiO FH9 vs Meze Advar vs HiFiMan RE800

[@geereesh77]

You deserve more subscribers. Your presentation, both subjective and objective analyses are spot on.

[@PassionforSound]

Thank you! 🙂🙂

[@stevenkoos]

Great review. I wound up purchasing the FH9 based on your input. The versatility that they offer with the many tips and “filters” were appealing to me. I run them off of my iPhone via the FiiO KA1 dongle via 3.5 and 4.4 Balanced on the KA2 dongle as well as the iFi Gold GoBar. They sound best off the GoBar, but the KA2 drives them nicely, is so small it blends right in with the cable and is more compact for when I want less bulk to carry around. Thanks for your time on these and review. 👍🏼

[@PassionforSound]

My pleasure. Glad you're enjoying the FH9 🙂🙂

[@carminedesanto6746]

Greetings from Toronto ☕️☕️ I had the chance to listen to the ADVAR…and I very much loved what I heard..this may be my endgame IEM for me. Thanks for the reviews and the new intro is awesome. Have a great day 🍻

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you got to try them and I agree they're a lovely IEM. All three in this review are extremely enjoyable. Glad you like the new intro. Thanks for letting me know 🙂🙂

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@PassionforSound I’ve given up on the Dioko IEM’s..there’s no helping these be musical ..yes, I know …but “flat” for me doesn’t equate to fun 😋 Take care

[@PassionforSound]

That's interesting to hear. I enjoy Crinacle's reviews, but my tastes don't align with his at all so that makes sense if he's guided the tuning

[@feloniusdrunk]

Late to the party as ever, I'd like to mention that I have the RE800 and I feel it's a steal at the price. The fact that it can be compared to the other 2 IEM's pretty much backs up my experience. I had been considering changing them because I just couldn't get tips I was happy with. I have now though and yeah, the sound is just incredible. Yours is the first review that has considered them and I agree with what you've said about it.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Ian. It's always nice to get confirmation of these impressions, particularly when there's such a price gulf!

[@jlemaster1157]

Lachlan excellent review. Based on this I ordered RE800, for $99 on Amazon. Unbelievable fit and bass quantity, noticed immediately. As it is a single DD I expect that the bass will tone down after 50-60 hours of burn in

[@PassionforSound]

I didn't find any change in the bass over time on mine, but it's a great IEM. Enjoy!

[@DB-Lackaufbereitung]

Thanks. I would like to upgrade my FH5s, to FH9. I'm curious.

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't tried the FH5, so I'm not sure if they're the same in sound quality, but the FH9s are very nice. The Xenns Mangird Top and Oriveti OH700VB are two others that you might also want to consider.

[@esperla123]

Finally someone mention the Hifiman RE800, it is a champion in sound quality, and it is really good for the actuall retail price, and compete with USD 700 category. It was initially launched price was on 700 USD.

[@PassionforSound]

I totally agree. Great IEM

[@PassionforSound]

Clearly the OP has a similar experience to mine and yet your expert ability to interpret a single measurement that doesn't factor in driver speed and decay, internal resonance of the ear canal is more valid? Also, I hope you're not judging this from my measurement graph which is non-standard and should only be compared to my other measurements using the same rig and same compensation curve.

[@PassionforSound]

That's interesting. So you'd also agree with Sean Olive when he said that the Harman curve is preferential for about 64% of people. That's hardly a 100% measurement for good vs bad.

[@sebanambrus9265]

I now realize that re800 silver is 99 usd right now but was 600 usd back then. I have the ie600 can you compare the 2 ? It seems re800 has crazy value now

[@PassionforSound]

I think the IE600 is the better earphone. I haven't tried them side-by-side, but at full price, I'd choose the IE600. That said, for $99, the RE800 is brilliant!

[@ceeluh]

I could not agree more about the FH9. A great video regardless of what your choice is. Very well done as always man.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks Chris. The FH9 is brilliant, isn't it?

[@ceeluh]

Most certainly

[@ruffandruff]

Impressive work mate! It was a surprise to know that FH9 lags behind RE800 in soundstage, despite being semi open back. A scenario where theory doesn't always translate to real world performance. Thanks for your insights.

[@PassionforSound]

My pleasure. Yes, there are so many factors that go into soundstage. The FH9 is no slouch and is the better IEM IMO, but the RE800 is nuts at its current pricing

[@Permitmon]

Very interesting. Thank you. How would the Sennheiser IE 600’S stack up against these three models that you have discussed?

[@PassionforSound]

I'll be able to answer that soonish. I've got the IE600s here now for a review and will compare to the FH9, maybe RE800 and also the IE900

[@yooanto9465]

@@PassionforSound I'm looking for new iem. Prefer big tall deep soundstage, full texture bass not lean or light, clear vocals if possible emotional with some air, treble clear extended some air laid back with no harshness. Which iem match my taste ? Thanks

[@PassionforSound]

That sounds a lot like the IE900s, but what's your budget?

[@geereesh77]

Would love to see a shootout between ‘all’ hybrid IEMs by FiiO.

[@PassionforSound]

That would be cool. I don't have any others here yet, but I'm working on some more

[@ericburgos]

I listen to about 85% dance music (Drum n Bass more than anything), and I absolutely ADORE my FH9. I have to wonder why there isn't more talk about them?

[@PassionforSound]

They're a great IEM and super versatile. I don't know why either. It seems FiiO only get the love for their source devices

[@ericburgos]

@@PassionforSound Perhaps it's the M17 driving them that's providing the magic, then? lol

[@PassionforSound]

Haha. Perhaps! I'm still keen to try an M17 too

[@squirtmph]

Thanks for posting, I'm searching for headphones 🎧 Same gender sound

[@squirtmph]

@@PassionforSound I own F17, to get full power sound Required being connected to power source

[@neilsnyder7915]

Love the way you tossed the ear hooks on the floor.

[@PassionforSound]

I try to have a little fun when I can... 😉

[@valmirseog276]

Comprei o Hifiman RE-400 há poucos dias por ridículos USD 10.00 e estou espantado com o poder deste pequeno fone e com o quanto ele é superior, em sonoridade e tecnicalidades, a fones muito mais caros. Não sei qual mágica a Hifiman fez pra conseguir colocar algo tão poderoso dentro de um fone tão minúsculo. Se o tivesse descoberto antes, muito provavelmente, eu não teria gastado tanto dinheiro com outros à procura de uma sonoridade audiófila. Ele não fica devendo nada para o HE400se, guardadas as devidas proporções por motivos óbvios. Fico imaginando o quão melhor pode ser o RE-800. Parabéns pela sua análise!

[@PassionforSound]

I'm so glad you're enjoying your RE-400s! I haven't tried them to know how they compare to the 800s.

[@MrSiddthecampionite]

I have been using the FH7 of a few years I really like them but felt that the vocals could Use more body And also I found the coherence to be lacking. would FH9 be a substantial upgrade? Thanks in advance

[@MrSiddthecampionite]

Also apart from you all other reviews that I have watched or read say that it's a v-shaped I am that rounds the mids. Or that the mids are metallic. is that accurate?

[@PassionforSound]

It's been a while since I listened to the FH9 so I can't answer in detail, but I'd say you can probably do better by looking at options like the Xenns Top

[@michaelshaffer4005]

How can you leave the Sennheiser IE600 off this list? #askingforafriend

[@PassionforSound]

Simply because I didn't have it at the time... But I do now! Stay tuned 🙂🙂

[@djhmax09]

@@PassionforSound just a friendly reminder to try them on a quality tube amp if you can. Well, I personally have the 900 so not sure about the 600 but I'm assuming they'll scale accordingly.

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for the reminder!

[@anncleverley4721]

What a brilliant reviewer you are. I will purchase the FH9. I was going for the Meze but your review is so good and informative. I want to go with my Cayin N6ii. Thank you again

[@PassionforSound]

So glad you liked it Ann, but hold off if you haven't already purchased! The XENNS Top have arrived since this review (they're brand new) and I think they're a better IEM again and they're cheaper. The review is coming very soon.

[@taidee]

It turned out that those horrible looking ear-hooks have their place in this hobby. You see, a little while back I bought the Shouer S12 and could never get it's cable to sit comfortably behind my ears, using heat to reshape its sleeve didn't help either, so I bought another cable and later swapped with another good cable but the same issue always seem to come up. The S12's 2 pin connector is situated on the outer part of the shell and this seems to be the culprit probably because of the size of my ears (they might be below average in size and sit my closer to the head). So what to do? I like the sound of the S12 but I could not comfortably wear it, so I finally decided to try these ear-hooks from Amazon (the bundle that has 2x black pair and 2x translucent pair - I'm using translucent pair). These hooks they feel more comfortable than I had feared they would, even though do remember that they are there. This means that they actually work for some people, I didn't know I was of those people until recently.

[@PassionforSound]

That's great news! Thank you for helping to restore my faith in the good old ear hook 🙂🙂

[@criticactual]

Hi! In terms of spacial habilites like soundstage, imaging and separation which one is better ?

[@PassionforSound]

I'd say Advar and RE800 were stronger in this area

[@redradoa]

Hello, can you use the Hifiman 800 with a desktop headphone amp? If so, would you recommend an adapter from the small jack to the large one?

[@PassionforSound]

That will depend on the amp and whether it gives you sufficient volume range before it gets too loud, but in general terms yes, you can use it with desktop amps. As for the adapters, there's no inherent benefit in using the 6.3mm over 3.5mm so no need to adapt if you have both options

[@anatol1204]

Nice review as always.. Please do an elysian diva review if you can.People say they are very good ,i think they are exactly your taste..Do you think fh 9 is suitable for music production or they lack information?I personally search an ATC sounding type iem i like this type of sound

[@PassionforSound]

I've reached out to Elysian so let's see what happens... As for the FH9, I think they're great. There are more resolving earphones if you spend more money, but at the price, the FH9 are excellent and very versatile thanks to their tuning nozzles and cable with swappable plugs. What do you mean by ATC sounding?

[@anatol1204]

@@PassionforSound That s good news!Don t you know the famous audiophile and studio monitors ATC ? I heard them once in the recording room of university and o was blown away.Dead flat ruler with no harshness at all and amazing level of information and detail and optimum depth of field ..Superb..I don t like hyped sound products with too much tremble or bass.You have to hear a pair of ATC speakers !PSI audio also are in the same league.Even the small 4 inch driver ones would leave you very very impressed imagine the big ones.The problem is they both cost..and they are not portable! 😉

[@PassionforSound]

Ah yes. I do know of ATC monitors. I'm just not a big monitor user so they weren't front of mind 🙂

[@aaronlespron2089]

Hello my friend great reviews! Are the fiio fh9 better then sa6 mike2???

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't tried the SA6 so I can't say. Sorry.

[@SuperEnforcer88]

Just another awesome review!

[@PassionforSound]

So glad you liked it!

[@My_In-Ear_Monitor_Fetish]

Watching this review soon. Does Meze Advar have the soundstage of IE600 or IE900? I know IEMs do not have big soundstage but they do have soundstage as I have my first IEM Sony IER Z1R the depth is very good with good with 3d is I think is the best to describe but the prob with z1r is the BA timbre and it is 3 drivers and Meze only have one so it will be more coherent

[@PassionforSound]

From memory, I think the Advar does have good soundstage, but not sure if it will match the Sennheisers as I haven't compared them directly

[@LandsPlanes]

Honestly, how much sonic difference is there between the R800 and the Fh9? In my country the Fh9 costs more than 500€ and the Hifiman R800 about 100€. I don't know this. It is important.

[@PassionforSound]

They sound quite different in their presentation and tonality, but I think they're pretty close on performance. The RE800 once cost a lot more, I believe.

[@LandsPlanes]

@@PassionforSound overall technicallities (dynamics, soundstage, resolution, texture, separation...) wich IS better of the three?

[@PassionforSound]

I think the Advar and then the RE800 would be stronger in those areas

[@tecno4u31]

Fiio Fh9 is an "upgrade" over timeless?

[@PassionforSound]

That's an interesting question. I love the Timeless, but you do get better technicalities from higher priced IEMs. Whether or not that translates to more enjoyable sound is another question and hard to answer...

[@LandsPlanes]

FH9 is "better" than Timeless or IE600?

[@PassionforSound]

Maybe better than Timeless, but that's a tough call. Not better than IE600 IMO

[@KartikoKurnianto]

No Moondrop S8, ThieAudio Clairvoyance, Senny IE600?

[@PassionforSound]

I didn't have access to any of those at the time, but the IE600 has since arrived so I'll be covering that one soonish

[@onlyspace9813]

Could you compare Mangird Top vs Fiio FH9?

[@PassionforSound]

I can't go back and directly compare, but the Top is my preferred IEM of the two. The FH9 is a little bit too polite with some things. It's a lovely IEM, but the Top does everything better I think.

[@aodhanmorrissey]

Crazy to think the RE800 trades blows with these for the price!!

[@PassionforSound]

They're super impressive!

[@PassionforSound]

My experiences in this review would suggest that they absolutely compete. The only clearly better option I can think of is the IE600, but it's also a different presentation of sound and tuning.

[@gsv9773]

FH9 is a beast

[@PassionforSound]

Great IEM for the price

[@shahkhan110]

an excellent, comprehensive review with significant comparisons. May I ask for other comparisons of fh9 with moondrop S8, variations and oracle, etc. regards

[@PassionforSound]

If I get my hands on any of those, I'll gladly compare them, but it depends on what I get sent by manufacturers, retailers, patrons or viewers

[@meaganonyeji]

I find it odd that you didn't mention the sheer visceral bass impact of the Advar ! Also , perhaps you are quite treble sensitive as "overly bright " is not a word I'd use to describe the Advar but I guess iems more than anything are quite subjective

[@PassionforSound]

IEMs are definitely the most subjective item in this hobby I think because we all have very specific and different ear canal shapes, lengths and diameters. I find the Advar only a tiny bit bright, but in my ears I'd prefer a little less treble. The bass impact is nice and it's part of what I was referring to when I discussed how the Advar and RE800 are a little more tactile than the FH9. You can feel the Advar and RE800 more than the FH9.

[@villageroma]

You got the 3 worst of the bunch to do a comparison!.. lol

[@PassionforSound]

I work with whatever I can get 🙂

[@illustrious420]

I hate the re800, not because it bright but that dirty mid bass just mask everything else, I try to test on 10+ different song from different genres and I would take a good 20$ iem over it every single day. The technically aspect I disagree, soundstage I don't care or really feel it because realistically, iem barely have soundstage unless it's something like audeze open back planar "iem" or something like that. Re800 to me have no detail, even lower-res than a good kz iem because that mid bass just mask everything else.

[@squirtmph]

It would be nice of you could speak normal voice of tone... I couldn't find it, honestly review Without honest integrity

[@PassionforSound]

I used to have to be very quiet when recording because my son was sleeping in the room next door. That's no longer an issue these days so newer videos aren't as quietly spoken

[@criticactual]

Main difference between Fiio Fh9 and Mangird Top?

[@PassionforSound]

They're completely different IEMs. I don't think I can boil it down to a main difference.