FiiO K9 & FiiO FT3 Double Review

Double reviews of FiiO K9 and FT3.
Sections:
00:00 Intro
01:08 K9 Specs and Build
02:47 K9 Features & Usage
08:55 K9 Sound Impressions
14: 34 FT3 Overview & Sound
20:48 Wrap Ups
Shot On:
- Canon EOS R6 Mark2
- Canon RF 15-35mm F2.8 L USM
- ATOMOS Ninja V (Canon CLOG3 ProRes HQ 4K50P)
My Tidal Playlist:
tidal.com/browse/playlist/ba3...

[@frederf69]

well done to fiio for using no nonsense approach; dual 3.5 mm connectors & a decent length cable. good review, thank you ✌😎👍

[@marcelpfeiffer6587]

Hi Andy, great review! I absolutely like Fiio.

[@hokagoteatimereviews]

Nice detailed review Andy, what a lovely setup!

[@donglemadness]

Thank you!

[@jackfein8914]

Yessss finally. I cant watch the vid its to late but definitely going to tomorrow night. Thanks for listening😁.

[@fiddlix]

Great review. The FT3 is definitely on my shortlist. Hope you are doing well.

[@donglemadness]

Thanks, you too!

[@MILKWynn]

Glad to see a fellow msian on audio. Plus near KL. Easy to meet up if there a chance.

[@donglemadness]

Thanks. There's an Audio meet up on 18 November. Check the details on DongleMadness FB

[@user-mk2xe8ss4z]

Cool review. as always interesting and understandable. Hello from Ukraine!

[@donglemadness]

Thank you

[@kweekeongthen8470]

ft3 is my favourite headphone

[@_UnknownEntity]

Sounds like it's a digital volume pot there. So I think that 60% position won't compare to the same percentage/position of an analog pot. Good reviews Andy. 👍👍 I enjoy watching them. Was wondering why you were missing for two months.

[@donglemadness]

Thanks

[@peterscrace3530]

You do realise analog pots can have a linear scale of resistance or logarithmic scale of resistance? So your theory doesn't hold true.

[@cimen9793]

which one giving bigger soundstage and better imaging K9 AKM(using AK4191EQ+ AK4499EX) or K9 PRO ESS(9038pro chip using) ? My headphone is hifiman edition xs.

[@donglemadness]

I wish I know, haven't tried the AKM version of K9 AKM or K9 Pro. Without hearing them I can't compare, sorry

[@mirzarazwan07]

Do Review Emergency ............Moondrop Dawn Pro - Im really looking for it 💛💛

[@donglemadness]

Once I have it, of course

[@siddhesh2888]

Hello. Need your expert opinion here. I like my music with bass with overall relaxed/warm nature music. Thats why I have QKZ AK6 Pro, QKZ X HBB and QKZ X HBB KHAN IEMs. Now, between VE Avani and VE Abigail Pro, which DAC will compliment my IEMs the best if not atleast be neutral without altering the IEMs overall sound profile?

[@donglemadness]

For your preference, I would say Avani fits the bill closer

[@siddhesh2888]

@@donglemadness Thanks for your response and time

[@WD877]

Hello! thanks for the video) what do you think, should I switch to K9 from K7 bt (+ separately bought a linear power supply for it)? I will use Fiio FT5 headphones. Will I get enough improvement in sound that I can confidently say that the money I spent was worth the upgrade from the K7 BT? Thank you)

[@donglemadness]

Thanks!. It will be hard for me to advise on this as I haven't tried K7 personally. How much of a difference I can only speculate and I don't give recommendations on speculations. Sorry I can't be much of a help here

[@WD877]

​@@donglemadnessok, thx

[@nanshingteo6304]

I assume it's safe to say that the K9 will be a significant upgrade over using a dongle like the DC04Pro (which I had bought based on your past review) for IEM + desktop PC usage?

[@donglemadness]

Significant is not what I would say moving from DC04Pro to KA9. The current crop of dongles has advanced so much that they are quite capable to match most desktop DAC/Amps - for as long as your usage are kept at under 150 Ohm. The value of bigger DAC/Amp is evident when you start pushing for something beyond 150 Ohm or under 91 dB of sensitivity - where KA9 would appear offering denser note weight. But the thing is, DC04Pro has wider sense of soundstage compared to KA9 when driving IEMs or efficient partners. So we are talking about marginal differences here

[@nanshingteo6304]

@@donglemadness Thanks for the insights! The K9 while "budget" in the audiophile world, is still pretty expensive. For me, this might not warrant the cost then, and I'll stick with the dc04pro. Save some money 🤑

[@dex4sure361]

@@nanshingteo6304 I mean FiiO K7 exists...

[@matusjurcik6974]

in what aspects the k9 can beat your VE stack?

[@donglemadness]

K9 offers higer resolution, Prime DAC only plays PCM up to 96K. Also R2BFE is 1000 mW more powerful than K9. As far as I can tell, I am enjoying both equally, so you will not hear me say which one is better than the other, they have their own beauty. K9 is about Hi-Fi sound done right, Prime DAC is for the love of analog goodness - whichever suits the mood of the moment, I am perfectly happy with both

[@jhuneclarino]

How does it compare with topping DX5 pro

[@donglemadness]

I hope someone who has DX5 Pro can help you with the answers, I personally haven't tried DX5 Pro

[@rishabhs2010]

Fiio is producing great stuff these days. After owning k7 I was considering ft3, but they r releasing a planar soon ft5, so I'm on hold. 🫠 and yea k7 also have non linear volume curve, but it doesn't bother at all. However Andy you prefer 650 over ft3?

[@donglemadness]

Tough call between FT3 and HD650, both have similar traits yet the subtle differences makes them special in their own way. FT3 surely wins on comfort for long listening sessions and HD650 has a bit of warmth for certain music. Yes though one