REVIEW! Fiio FD5 - IN with the Bass (OUT with...)

Hot on the heels of their (I think) stellar FH3, Fiio has the new FD5, a premium single-DD IEM with a stunning build... and a lot of bass. What can this earphone deliver with 12mm of beryllium-powered thrust? Let's talk about it.
00:00 Product info
02:20 What's in the box
03:45 Build quality & Aesthetics
05:20 Swappable cable terminations
07:35 Swappable nozzles
09:15 Sound signature
10:20 Bass
11:55 Treble
13:20 Midrange
15:30 FD5 vs. FDX1
17:00 FD5 vs. Blessing 2 Dusk
18:24 FD5 vs. FH3
19:30 Conclusion & Rating
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
#FiioFD5
#beryllium

[@SuperReview]

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[@pavlopr92]

What about 150 dollars for these earphones ?

[@j1nftw1n]

Soundstage and imaging on these are unbelievable and music sounds so good coming from these IEMs. Works great as gaming IEMs as well, highly recommended!

[@princesmith8008]

Could you recommend me the best portable amp-dac from these options? 1) Shanling UA 2 Plus 2) Shanling UA3 3) IBasso DC06 4) Earmen Sparrow 5) Fiio KA3 I'm thinking of buying a solid IEM but really confused which one of these dongles would provide the best sound quality.

[@AryanC130]

@@princesmith8008 dc06/fiio k7

[@patrickdanneker5480]

Excellent and honest review. Enjoy your laid back style of reviewing.

[@dipstick555]

These IEMs are pretty dope. They win out with the entire package IMO at the price. Thanks for letting me know that I need to pull super hard to switch tips!

[@mrfrosty3]

The design looks a little art deco to me. I really like it. Another great review.

[@SuperReview]

That's a good way to describe it, damn I should've used it :) Looks kinda Bioshock.

[@uglyfate1326]

Nice review! So tough competition at this price bracket like LZ A7, Fearless Tequila which are for me superior to Blessing 2. Anyway, still gonna try FD5 cuz heard so many good stuff about them.

[@SuperReview]

If you like Tequila better than Blessing 2, you might like FD5 more than I did 👍 Curious to hear what you think.

[@princesmith8008]

@@SuperReview Could you recommend me the best portable amp-dac from these options? 1) Shanling UA 2 Plus 2) Shanling UA3 3) IBasso DC06 4) Earmen Sparrow 5) Fiio KA3 I'm thinking of buying a solid IEM but really confused which one of these dongles would provide the best sound quality.

[@zeissiez]

The FD5 has a huge soundstage that probably only the iSine series open back IEMs could match. That’s the appeal for this iem. Another strength is the delicate and never fatiguing treble, which is quite special. I agree with the mid is not it’s specialty.

[@princesmith8008]

Could you recommend me the best portable amp-dac from these options? 1) Shanling UA 2 Plus 2) Shanling UA3 3) IBasso DC06 4) Earmen Sparrow 5) Fiio KA3 I'm thinking of buying a solid IEM but really confused which one of these dongles would provide the best sound quality.

[@SriRamaKrishnaD]

Nice and very detailed review but your forgot the most important part of the FD5, that is soundstage. It's semi open and it does very well in staging.

[@SuperReview]

IMO staging is just OK on it.

[@j1nftw1n]

@@SuperReview what would you say has better staging than this?

[@SugaFree2387]

These are insane for gaming by the way. I prefer them over every open back headphone I own. The imaging is so precise that I can zero down the location of any enemy.

[@princesmith8008]

Could you recommend me the best portable amp-dac from these options? 1) Shanling UA 2 Plus 2) Shanling UA3 3) IBasso DC06 4) Earmen Sparrow 5) Fiio KA3 I'm thinking of buying a solid IEM but really confused which one of these dongles would provide the best sound quality.

[@lanyijin]

Hello, I don't know if you remember but under your QDC Neptune review, I said I purchased japanese iems. Here is my quick opinion on the CWS02a from Canal Works, it's been a few days I have them: Fit & design: I have small ears so sometimes it's complicated to find earphones that suit me. With these CW even if I shake my head, they stay in place. It's a mono driver so the housing is tiny, it's cute haha. The shell is very well built, the nozzle is made of metal and it's a recessed 2 pin connector. For the design, I asked for "Galaxy Gold". Sound: Isolation from external noises is pretty good. The soundstage is quite wide, I like that. Unfortunately, I won't be able to say if they tend to be warm or cold (so, maybe neutral?) To me, the bass-range is thick enough for a single BA. However, if you're a bass-head I don't think I would recommend you these iems. The midrange is very smooth. With musics I listened to, I didn't notice any enhanced spike to create a fake clarity. I think they have been tuned to fit with asian voices (not surprising from a japanese brand). More generally, I liked them the most when I listened to soprano and mezzo-soprano voices. (especially japanese songs) In the trebles, I didn't hear any cringe noises: good point. I also tried the iems with my FiiO utws1 true wireless adapter, I was surprised, parasitic noises created by Bluetooth have been attenuated. Conclusion: I will keep them because they correspond to my needs for a mono driver. They aren't tiring even after prolonged listening. Personally I tend to a prefer a clear & SPARKLING sound where you can hear all the subtle details of a melody but I suppose it's harder to reach that with only one BA (If you have any recommandations, I am interested). To finish, I can't say if they are worth the price (almost $400 without the custom faceplate) because it was my first try with an single BA iem. Yesterday I bought the new audiosense dt100 for $69 to compare. If these one are better than the CWS02a I think I'd be a little bit disappointed lmao.

[@SuperReview]

Thanks for the lengthy review. I can't seem to find any other English info on Canal Works earphones. Are you familiar with banbeu.com/? He's in Japan now.

[@lanyijin]

@@SuperReview Yeah, I didn’t find any complete reviews in English on CW ! To be honest it was not easy to get them, the website is written in Japanese and I used blackship.com to import my purchase. Nice, for banbeu! I don’t know him but if he moved to Japan he will be able to test Japanese brands that are unknown from the western part of the world 🤗

[@Sandeeprudram]

Great set of iems but they require EQing. I bought these pair of iems and I was very impressed with the sound. I previously owned a pair of Fiio F9. The F9 has a V shaped tuning with a slight extra sibilance. The Soundstage of F9 has great width at the back as compared to depth and height and not so accurate 3D localisation. Now coming to the Fiio FD5: The tuning is a slight V shaped with dark sounding exaggerated bass. I find it to be too muddy. I use the wavelet app to EQ it to the Harman curve and it sounds excellent!! The best part about it is the soundstage. It has equal amount of width, depth and height, a very holographic sound. You can easily pinpoint each instruments and there is adequate separation between them I have the Bose QC35 and the Soundstage of the FD5 is almost comparable to the Bose. P. S. : I have only used the stock wide nozzle.

[@naomih2498]

Great review! Can you do Basn Bmaster or Basn Metalen? I can't find and good reviews for these

[@SuperReview]

Sorry Jordyn but probably not.

[@andy.w]

Slightly off-topic, but watching you struggle to maintain those pesky jacks to be in order is hilarious. Thanks for the good review!

[@samuelezrag]

I got to say that Fiio's interchangeable cable system looks better than the Dunu's one. It's less bulky

[@SuperReview]

Definitely less bulky. As long as you're not swapping often, might be preferrable.

[@ShadelessDen]

Randomly found your content while browsing for earbud suggestions. I am looking for a pair of earbuds that are close to the DT 990's. I am sure that is hard as it is like comparing apples and oranges, but I just wanted to know what you'd suggest! Thanks man! Great content!

[@SuperReview]

TBH not sure, I don't think I've heard that Beyer. Based on Crinacle's graphs, it looks like it has a mild mid-bass boost and quite a bit of lower & mid treble energy.

[@ShadelessDen]

@@SuperReview oh okay! Would their be any IEM’s similar? I ordered some TIN T4’s based off your review. I am hoping they workout well.

[@SuperReview]

Midbass bump and trebly? I dunno, maybe Tin T2.

[@ahmedwael3019]

Someone said that the narrow nuzzle tames the lower treble a bit. Try them with vocal tips.

[@SuperReview]

It does, but also the midrange and IMO sounds a bit underwater. Here's the frequency response comparison: imgur.com/EfFwi0O

[@gabrielcolaco1094]

Anyone has the FH7s to compare ( i know it uses a different driver setup) - but i just wanted to know

[@phetmoz]

It's very surprising to me that you found the imaging and stage kinda meh as it is supposed to be one of its biggest strengths. Did you get a good fit? 9/10 times it's the fit. Everyone also recommends a good copper cable, foam tips and a warm source in order to tame the treble and bring the mids & lower mids up. Great review though, thanks!!

[@SuperReview]

It's good with separation and decent at depth, just a bit jumbled up and less steady in positioning than things like Dusk. IMO.

[@phetmoz]

@@SuperReview that sounds about right, I can definitely see that being the case. Multi driver setup loses out on coherency but gains image stability & delineation since the workload is divided up among drivers and can draw from a greater pool of bandwidth essentially.

[@jonb5150]

It’s likely more the way the reviewers amp is tuned. You can easily bring up the mids w a proper EQ.

[@younusyounus3873]

Hello, good review. which better sound fd5 or ikko oh10 can you answer me please ? 🙏

[@SuperReview]

Ikko OH10 IMO.

[@nhuphuchoang2734]

About a bass emphasize iem, something neutral but warm, you can try Flare Pro 2HD which also has bellyrium driver inside. Compared with Fdx1, Flares have so much better subbass, but are still completely controled, a little laid back but better resolution. Highmid is smoother than Fdx1 but still clarity and crispness, treble/upper treble is so airy on Flares while a little roll-off on Fdx1. Also, Flares have a very good soundstage (width and deepth). Flares look like share a similarly sound signature with Fiio FD5, but better in resolution, clarity, transparency. It worths to give it a try. Unfortunately, my Flares was broken and cannot fix anymore, still miss their sound...

[@SuperReview]

Interesting, never heard of those. Unique shape.

[@nhuphuchoang2734]

@@SuperReview yeah, it is quite hard to find a pair now, it is simply the best DD with me. Btw, you use Azla Sedna l LightShort tip on FDX1 right, how this tips compare with spiral dot?

[@SuperReview]

Yeah, using the Sednas for the extra length -- lets my ear hold onto it a bit better, easier fit for me.

[@nhuphuchoang2734]

@@SuperReview im waiting for my Sedna Light Regular (nozzles are longer than short version), let see how it goes

[@nhuphuchoang2734]

@@SuperReview i just tested Sedna Light (long, MS) with the FDX1. When i wear it down, thess tips fit my ear perfectly, very secure, very comfortable. I cannot wear the earphone like this with other eartips. Even i wear over ear, there is no eartip give me this secure. So, if someone has fit issue with FDX1, i think you guys should try this eartip. In term of sound, there is no difference from Spiral dot.

[@samyg123]

Definitely a bass heavy, V-Shaped earphone. Personally I am very impressed with the imaging on the FD5. But the metallic highs and loose fit make it a no-go for me. Have you tried the advanced sound Furai? I think it's a really underappreciated earphone with more mature tuning, amazing fit, and an unworldly soundstage. If you happen upon one, try the treble filter 😉

[@SuperReview]

I've heard of it, but haven't heard it no -- no graph on Crinacle's site, but the rest of their IEMs graph like 👀

[@nikolaygramchev]

Still waiting for the JVCs to arrive, so cannot judge on your comparison. But please, advice, do you think these are better than Ikko OH10 which you reviewed and I love? I agree the Dusk is far better (I choose the Dusk vs Classic due to you, thank you for explicit comments and vampire reference) but are they better vs OH10?

[@SuperReview]

I like the OH10 better than the FD5.

[@nikolaygramchev]

I like it very much and find only the Dusk definitely better. So thank you for your advice. Keep the cool reviewing!

[@Jewelerus.]

👍

[@JosePerez-ok8ez]

I'm new to this stuff but is it a big difference between my qc 35 ii

[@SuperReview]

Yes I think so. I would prefer to listen to these or other IEMs over QC35 personally. Especially with good music tracks.

[@trulogic]

Have you tried the simgot en700?

[@SuperReview]

A while ago, haven't heard it recently though. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaC7hqyohtuthrc

[@V1ralB1ack]

Highly recommend these iems. They're like headphones without having to wear headphones. They're dynamic and have huge soundstage and they image perfectly. Honestly fantastic and comfortable.

[@princesmith8008]

Could you recommend me the best portable amp-dac from these options? 1) Shanling UA 2 Plus 2) Shanling UA3 3) IBasso DC06 4) Earmen Sparrow 5) Fiio KA3 I'm thinking of buying a solid IEM but really confused which one of these dongles would provide the best sound quality.

[@V1ralB1ack]

@@princesmith8008 I'd go with either Shanling or fiio ka3. Personally I'd get a fiio btr7 or btr5 because they allow you to use Bluetooth as well. And the new btr7 is pretty powerful and competes with mid tier digital audio players while these dongle dacs won't do too much but they're nice to have. For convenience the btr5 is phenomenal and will power any iem. Iems use almost no power still power makes a difference. The btr5 and btr7 are also nice because they are self powered by their battery instead of relying on another device.

[@princesmith8008]

@@V1ralB1ack But which Shanling you're talking about? UA2 Plus or UA3??

[@V1ralB1ack]

@@princesmith8008 there's almost no difference at all. pick either or. if it makes you feel better pick the newer model but these dongle dacs don't really do much because they lack their own power transformer and they lack a lot of stuff that goes into a fully operating dac. These are minimal designs meant to be something better than what comes on your phone or computer but they won't blow your mind or power any headphones sufficiently. Iems yes because again iems use almost no power at all.

[@princesmith8008]

@@V1ralB1ack So among the options I listed above, none of them will make a significant difference in sound quality?? Actually I'm looking for something portable which I could easily carry anywhere (along with my IEMs) but it also needs to be powerful at the same time.

[@Pure69.]

Im looking at these then was recommended the fh3 i do want something with decent bass kinda punchy where u feel it.

[@SuperReview]

FH3, Hana, Starfield, OH10

[@Pure69.]

@@SuperReview thanks! Im actually going with the fh3 because of your videos! Thanks a bunch!

[@ahmedwael3019]

OH10 vs FH3? Which would you choose?

[@SuperReview]

I like FH3 for the midrange.

[@chowonmin]

hi! which do you prefer fh3 or fd5?

[@SuperReview]

15:30 I like FH3 better.

[@chowonmin]

thank you!

[@peace7680]

How its compare with Meze Rai Solo?

[@SuperReview]

Not sure, never heard it.

[@zeissiez]

Very different sounding. The FD5 has a much bigger and airier soundstage. And it has a V-curved voicing, while the Solo is more neutral, and the Solo has more focus in the mids. The FD5 has very refined treble, and higher fidelity than the Solo. In terms of fidelity, the closer match for the FD5 is the Rai Penta.

[@Weareonenation303]

Bought these due to the amazing bling-bling factor. Sound wise, these are not bad but that upper midrange peak gives vocals and crash cymbals noticeable sibilance. Best thing of the FD5 is arguably the soundstage size, these have more depth than pretty much every other IEM currently own (Except the EST 112.) I assume the FD7 is basically a more "mature" FD5 with somewhat better resolution but that price tag is too steep IMO. I'd maybe buy these in the future if they were around $400.

[@Razz511]

Fd5 or Fh5s Plz suggest... I am very confused I need good , clear, balanced sound.... Or any other recommendation in this budget ? Currently using Rha t20i

[@SuperReview]

These are my favorites at that price: squig.link/list/?price-zone=6

[@Razz511]

@@SuperReview thanks dear :)

[@tupchurch]

The FH3 is my favorite listening device. I also love the $50 CCA C12 and that makes me ask the question, is a single dynamic driver just not capable of the range you get with DD+BA IEMs?

[@SuperReview]

I wouldn't say that's necessarily true of all dynamic drivers, no. Check out Sennheiser IE600.

[@tupchurch]

@@SuperReview Thanks, the IE600 is $600, if it is that hard to compete with a $50 C12 then what would $400 C12 design sound like?

[@princesmith8008]

@@tupchurch Could you recommend me the best portable amp-dac from these options? 1) Shanling UA 2 Plus 2) Shanling UA3 3) IBasso DC06 4) Earmen Sparrow 5) Fiio KA3 I'm thinking of buying a solid IEM but really confused which one of these dongles would provide the best sound quality.

[@theraccoon123]

subscribed bc hot :P

[@theodorezurla496]

Legacy 4 review please 🙏

[@ChrisHeld1989]

Did you gave them a proper burn-in? Mine has around 80 hours and the bass and mids are much better now as well the imaging and resolution. Out of the box the upper mids was way to sibilant for me, now the sharpness disappered. Because it is a single DD iem it needs a long burn-in. The sound changes two or three times in some cases. The most single DDs needs around 200 hours till they sound the best. I had many single DD iems (KPE, KXXS, Oxygen for example) and all of them had some changes and they get better and better. Tanchjim Oxygen was my favorite iem and now it is the FD5. :)

[@emperordarthjarjarsnoke7596]

I don’t know much about IEM burn in, but from my experience, mist headphone burn in is just my ears adjusting to the sound signature.

[@strykerking]

@@emperordarthjarjarsnoke7596 OH wow insightful never heard this before thank you funny star wars name btw:)

[@snozzmcberry2366]

Burn-in in headphones isn't real. There is absolutely ZERO empirical, verifiable evidence for the existence of physical burn-in in headphones. "But I can hear a difference" - there's more evidence for the existence of placebo than there is burn-in. Your brain changes, the hardware of the headphone/IEM does not.

[@SuperReview]

I did not do any intentional burn-in, no. But I've been listening to them for a couple of weeks.

[@magik97]

@@snozzmcberry2366 I'm skeptical of burn in too, but what confuses me is some headphone manufacturers, and I mean high end ones costing 1k+ recommend burn in on their products. This isn't a reviewer or user recommending burn in, but a high end company itself.

[@FlaccidSoft]

FD5 vs IE300 from sienheiser?

[@SuperReview]

Boughtta find out.

[@j1nftw1n]

Tried the ie300 and ie900 and still prefer the tonality and soundstage of the FD5.

[@FlaccidSoft]

@@j1nftw1n damn, even the ie900 cant match up to the FD5? i know what im getting then

[@j1nftw1n]

@@FlaccidSoft I find the tuning to my personal preference and I'm beyond happy with them. If they ever broke I would buy another as a replacement. Tip and sound tube rolling helps achieve different sound profiles. Overall a very flexible unit. Lmk if I can answer any questions you may have about them.

[@elyad67]

@Jeffrey How have the FD5 been holding up for you? I have a OH10 and S12 but because the OH10 giving me a very QC problem, the right pair gives at times random electric static and I want to take them out instantly, only with grounded sources like PCs or a laptop, portable daps work fine with it, the S12 i am overal happy with it's detail retrieval but not soo much with the average soundstage. Just purchased the FD5, after also considering the FH7, got the FD5 for only 200 bucks and could've gotten the FH7 for only 85 bucks more. I heard the FD5 have some of the best soundstage even better compared to it's pricier counterparts like the FH7, FA9 etc... just wonder if it's still worth it getting the FH7 as a upgrade to the OH10s if I got the FD5 and S12

[@dagohoyting2417]

There is no 2.4mm only 2.5 🤣. You probably kinda mix it up on the 4.4,3.5 and 2.5

[@SuperReview]

So. Many. Numbers.

[@cupcakeobsession]

Similar design with tequila but better

[@SuperReview]

TFZ?

[@cupcakeobsession]

@@SuperReview yup

[@arrowzen7433]

More like 44% bigger driver (surface area).

[@SuperReview]

I'm bad at geomtry.

[@johnellison3173]

As soon as i heard the words. Metalic, Shrill and Sibilance I was like nope! Thanks man. You just saved me being dissapointed and also a decent amount of cash 👍

[@lucian5246]

After testing them both I have to agree FH3 sounds way better than FD5 at half the price. There is something about the FD5 midrange definition that ruins everything.

[@user-hi6fb3oy6j]

even fh 7 sounds worse than fd 5 ! fx 3 is much worse))

[@urbanistgod]

Where tf is the Galaxy Buds Pro review? Lol

[@SuperReview]

Case is worse and the touch controls are still too sensitive.

[@trulogic]

Lol @ super. Nice and easy.