FIRST LOOK! Fiio FD5

Will this be the year of the single-DD earphone? Fiio thinks so. Their latest, the FD5, is a mid-tier IEM with a beryllium-coated dynamic driver. In this video, I'll unbox the FD5 and test it on my frequency response measurement rig. This is NOT a review.
See the Fiio FD5 on Amazon: amzn.to/3bzKyqL
On Fiio.com: www.fiio.com/fd5
FYI: I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Disclosure: This video is NOT sponsored, however Fiio did provide this IEM to me free for review. Check them out at www.fiio.com/
Music by Birocratic. Check him out on Soundcloud: / birocratic

[@SuperReview]

- Wanna support the channel? Buy merch here: super-review-merch.myteespring.co - Join the Super* Discord: discord.com/invite/ZBpXZnp - Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/fakesuperreview

[@adrnik19]

Yes yes yes! Been looking forward to this one!

[@HiFiGOAudio]

Hearing many good things about it!! Waiting for your review!!

[@SuperReview]

It's not bad, I think I like Hana better though :P

[@speedking8546]

@@SuperReview FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF RIP

[@Van-kl1in]

That yellow tool is use to remove the mmcx plug from the buds

[@danrdey]

Thanx , Ryan , that measurement was useful !

[@SuperReview]

✌️

[@danrdey]

@@SuperReview Can i kindly ask you which one is your dynamic preference , i mean this one or JVC HA-FDX1 ? Or you say i should wait for a review ?

[@SuperReview]

Too early for me to give an evaluation on this.

[@samyg123]

I've had one for a few weeks, super impressed with the tonality soundstage and detail. Haven't found anything that matches it's technical ability in the price range. Only issues is the trebble can be a bit sharp some times and I don't think the ergonomics are very good. They need to be adjusted every so often.

[@mrfrosty3]

I don't know why but I somehow found myself favoring single DD IEMs recently. I don't seek them out, the models I'm drawn to all happen to be single DD I will be buying this model, I like the Fiio products I have. It seems like a mature, well put together product.

[@nalditwisterron]

For me too, a well tuned single dynamic driver can sound very good and balance with nice tonality compared to multi-driver hybrid especially on iems of the affordable price range. I do understand why traditional audio company price these multi-driver iems at a significantly higher price, it's quite hard to tune them to work seamlessly with each other

[@alstonmaccow9386]

I got FH5 and I love them

[@SuperReview]

It's a good set.

[@harackmw]

I hear the background music in my head all day....

[@mattialemboluscari8774]

That's good, Birocratic makes amazing stuff XD

[@DarkWish98]

looking forward to the review, hope you compare with FH7, im thinking of getting them

[@SuperReview]

Review will be soon, but sorry to disappoint, I don't have FH7 to compare.

[@phetmoz]

@@SuperReview very excited and looking forward to your review of these. They're the same price as the Blessing 2 so I'm curious of how they compare.

[@SuperReview]

That comparison will be made 👍

[@mobilepsycho]

I need these IEMs to go with my 4 other IEMs.

[@SuperReview]

You have more ears than I do.

[@joaopedroaguiarfmatos1473]

the fiio em5 launched a few months ago got the cable with the changeable ends

[@SuperReview]

Oh cool, didn't know.

[@blorg8206]

The yellow thing is a MMCX tool, for removing the cables. It's really great for that. I think Final Audio may have come up with the idea with their "MMCX Assist", there are also generic versions on AliExpress/Shopee. I have MMCX cables that are virtually impossible to get out but with this little tool they just pop straight off. www.mtmtaudio.com/products/final-audio-mmcx-assist-for-in-ear-monitor-iem-earphone

[@SuperReview]

Good call 👍 Fiio's website even calls it "Final MMCX Assist."

[@realegt]

Hi sir! Which measurement rig is that? Can you share how much it costs? I'd like to get one but I hear they are thousands of dollars.

[@Masononi]

It's called an IEC-711 coupler 🙂 the "real deal" is made by GRAS and is quite expensive, quotes and order forms and all that. What he's using is a type that can be had for somewhere around $150, though they all look pretty much the same so his may be a nicer one, or the $150 Taobao ones that custom IEM makers like myself use. Cheers!

[@SuperReview]

This is the one I use: www.aliexpress.com/item/4000789796521.html + Apple USB-C dongle

[@mosa8311]

Are you still recommend it.. or another one? Which one the best give highquality of music details worthy clear

[@SuperReview]

This is my full review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5aqZJ6gqMaojNU It's not bad, but would not be my first rec at this price. Check out Moondrop Blessing 2.

[@mosa8311]

@@SuperReview Thanks for you Can you recommend me one ( wired or wireless) for music ( give me more details worthy clear high quality music) I love music too much 100 or 150 $ price

[@younusyounus3873]

Good job. I have fh3 & fh1s. Is desire it to buy fd5. Thanks

[@SuperReview]

I take it you like the FH3 and FH1s?

[@andrew8121]

You just need to unscrew and pull it out to change the 2.5 /3.5 head,same goes to earphone tip filter channel just need to unscrew

[@SuperReview]

Gotta pull pretty hard to remove the termination.

[@phd-audioreviews3922]

How is the difference in L/R loudness (dB) of this DD?

[@SuperReview]

I didn't measure both, but no difference perceived to my ear. It would be unusual if there's a difference.

[@phd-audioreviews3922]

@@SuperReview Noted. I knew a custom IEM maker told me about this issue usually suffered in DD. BA drivers has better quality and precise control in loudness. If look into Crinacle IEM ranking into the fre/dB grpahs, also notice DD has bad L/R loudness difference, some upto 10dB difference and that is faulty. Standard is that L/R difference should not more than 3dB. Even Beyerdynamic Xelento (USD999) premium iem also suffered from that. Therefore, I'm not confident with DD iems unless the manufacturer is taking quality control seriously. I'm still very much interested in knowing how Fiio FD5 single DD iem in this L/R loudness control.

[@ahmedwael3019]

Any first impressions and how it compares to the fh3?

[@SuperReview]

I have my FH3 on loan right now so can't directly compare. But think I prefer FH3.

[@phetmoz]

@@SuperReview Does that say more about your preferences or more about the performance of the FH3?

[@SuperReview]

Probably both.

[@arthurhaywood2184]

Just a suggestion: Listen first, graph last. By graphing first, you've already pre-biased yourself. In fact you already made judgements on how you expect this iem to sound based on the graph. Your judgement now, whether you want it to or not, is going to be subconsciously predisposed to match your graph. Not good.

[@SuperReview]

If I'm not graphing for a video, that's generally what I prefer. But the people👏 demand 👏 graphs 👏

[@SuperReview]

To be a bit more serious, I think it's good practice, but I'm not too concerned about it personally influencing me.

[@ahmedwael3019]

I think that that the driver is made purely from beryllium, not just a coating.

[@SuperReview]

Fiio's description: "Beryllium-coated surround + DLC diaphragm"

[@phetmoz]

@@SuperReview FiiO actually clarified this on Head-Fi - it is a beryllium dome with a DLC surround. Scroll down in this link and you'll see the representative answer: www.head-fi.org/threads/fiio-fd5-1dd-flagship-from-fiio.949578/page-3

[@chintoki]

AFAIK, the only pure beryllium driver IEM is the Dunu Luna.

[@mclement052164]

@@chintoki there's the KBear BELIEVE IEM out now. It has mixed reviews.

[@ipchiwai]

@@chintoki Including Final A8000 as well.

[@maro3600sho]

I just want to say I bought the Dusk based on glowing reviews, it's the most unnatural thing I have ever heard. So this hobby is very subjective, nothing can be at taken face value I think. The reviews can be helpful but also misleading unfortunately for someone who is not experienced enough.

[@blorg8206]

I'm surprised you'd describe it as "unnatural". What aspect of the sound signature in particular? The sub-bass shelf? That would be the only bit that sticks to me out as emphasised, but it is IMO done very well.

[@SuperReview]

What's an example of an earphone that does sound natural to you?

[@maro3600sho]

@@blorg8206 I like the bass actually, the rest sounds thin , bad treble timbre , shouty upper midrange ,high pitched and shouty vocals. It evokes zero emotions.

[@maro3600sho]

@@SuperReview my IMR IEMs. Semper and Opus Mia, the most natural . Then Blon Bl03 , Pebon Orb sound natural somewhat. I have also the Clairvoyance and the UM Mest, they too sound a bit high pitched and unnatural in vocals but nothing like the Dusk.

[@mattialemboluscari8774]

@@maro3600sho Could you do me a favor and describe the signature of the Orb and compare it to the other earphones you got? I was thinking of buying them

[@rajeshbabulu]

Time to unsubscribe this channel seriously are you kidding, 50mins video for a first look🤷. Don't know who asks for live interaction. Review also sucks with live interaction simply not getting the point distracted by comparison with other iems.

[@Mask242]

Glad to see you leave... I enjoyed this vid. Thanks Super review for this interesting vid.

[@AeyGee]

Mate, have you even seen the full video? He has also included the QnA part, which is pretty helpful. That's why its a 50 mins video. If you don't need in-depth first look, you're free to read just the specifications off Fiio's website and be happy about it 😀

[@soundninja99]

Feel free to find a channel with a format you enjoy more. The rest of us will stay and enjoy this one. Also, it's only about 15 minutes of actual first impressions and 35 minutes of q&a. He usually edits these down afterwards to be more like "normal" first impressions and review videos

[@ilcarnifex]

We want "live interaction". Don't like it,leave.

[@nicolascloutier3199]

In my case I listen as if it was a podcast and I love listening to the QA. It is very informative!