FiiO FD7

FiiO FD7 Pure Beryllium Diaphragm Dynamic Driver IEM Review​

Introduction:

FiiO announced last year in August their Brand New Dynamic Driver Flagship IEM the FD7 together with the FDX, which is their 14th Anniversary Limited (Collector’s) Edition In-Ear Monitor. The FD7 features a top tier Single Dynamic Driver with a 12mm Pure Beryllium Diaphragm and utilizes a front acoustic prism & semi-open acoustic design. Moreover, it comes with an anti-standing wave “volcanic field” system and offers 3 pairs of interchangeable sound tubes.

• Product Website: FiiO FD7 IEM

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank FiiO for providing the FiiO FD7 as review sample. I am not affiliated with FiiO beyond this review and all these words are reflecting my true and unaltered opinions about the product.





Price & Availability:

The actual price of the FiiO FD7 is 599,99 USD, which is pretty attractive compared to other IEM’s with Pure Beryllium Diaphragm Dynamic Driver, for example the Final Audio A8000 (1.999 USD) and the Dunu Luna (1.699 USD), especially if you are curious about a product with this type of driver technology.

More information’s can be found under the link below;

• FD7 Pure Beryllium Diaphragm Dynamic Driver IEM

Package & Accessories:

The packaging of the FD7 looks pretty similar to those of the FD5 that came also inside a rectangular black box that shows the product illustration and the motto of the company, which is “Born for Music“ on the top.



This box has been wrapped with a fancy cardboard sleeve that features some product related brandings and the illustration of the FD7 on the top.





Inside the box are the following contents/accessories;

• 1 pair x FiiO FD7 In-Ear Monitors
• 1 pcs x Detachable cable with MMCX connectors
• 3 pcs x Interchangeable Headphone Jacks (3.5mm SE, 2.5mm Balanced, 4.4mm Balanced)
• 3 pcs x Interchangeable Sound Tubes (Bass, Balanced, Treble)
• 3 pairs x Bass Ear tips
• 3 pairs x Vocal Ear tips
• 3 pairs x Balanced Ear tips (1 pair came preinstalled)
• 2 pairs x SpinFit Silicone Ear tips
• 2 pairs x Triple Flange Silicone Ear tips
• 2 pairs x Memory Foam Ear Tips
• 1 piece x HB5 Storage Case
• 1 piece x Cleaning Brush
• 1 piece x SK1 Magnetic Cable Organizer (can also be purchased here separately)
• 1 piece x FiiO MMCX Assist Tool
• 1 piece x Warranty Card and User Manual

The FiiO FD7 offers a very rich ear tips collection that is placed in a foam layer that shows some short descriptions about the sound effects and the size of the tips. The collections includes 3 pairs of SpinFit silicone tips (S/M/L), 3 pairs of balanced ear tips (S/M/L size), 3 pairs of vocal ear tips (S/M/L size), 3 pairs of bass ear tips (S/M/L size), 2 pairs of memory foam ear tips (M/M/ size) and 2 pairs of Bi-Flange ear tips (M Size).



The HB5 storage case is another highlight of the FD7, which has a pretty luxurious appearance.



The accessories package includes also some useful additions such like the SK1 Magnetic Cable Organizer, a cleaning brush and FiiO’s new MMCX Assist Tool.









Design & Build Quality:

The FD7 is a solid looking In-Ear Monitor with its rigid monitor shell made of metal material in combination with a black finish. The appearance is pretty similar to those of the FD5, which was the first IEM of the company that had such a cylindrical shaped design. The FD7 does in fact implement many of the design elements we saw on the FD5 and takes them further, such like the semi-open & front acoustic prism design, volcanic field and many more.



The color scheme of the FD7 reflects the Chinese landscape paintings such like gold flake rivers and vast black mountains. On the front is the faceplate of the FiiO FD7 with its semi open back design and the so-called volcanic field system behind it.



The rear part has a curved cylindrical shape same like the FD5, FD3/FD3 Pro and the FA7S.



Here are the L (Left) & R (Right) markings and a small vent for the huge 12mm diameter Dynamic Driver that is located near the unscrewable sound nozzle area.



The monitor sports a protruding part with the MMCX (Micro Miniature Coaxial) female connectors on the top. The left MMCX female connector has a blue and the one on the right monitor has a red color indicator.



The sound nozzle has an “Interchangeable Sound Tube” design same as the one we have seen on the FD5.





The FD7 comes this time with 3 different Interchangeable Sound Tubes, which are Bass, Balanced and Treble. The treble tube has the largest diameter, while the Bass tube has the smallest diameter.





Detachable Cable:

The FiiO FD7 comes with a high quality 4 core detachable cable made of 224 strands of high-purity Monocrystalline Silver wires.



The cable has a Litz braided design that features an environmental friendly medical grade TPU insulation with very low amount of microphonic effect.



The FD7 utilizes angled expanded MMCX connectors, which went through many ergonomic iterations and improvements, in order to achieve maximum comfort.



The cable features a metal Y splitter with the FiiO branding on the top and comes with a metal chin slider made of the same metal material in black (gunmetal) color.



The detachable cable comes with an Interchangeable Headphone Plug that has a unique twist and lock mechanism same like the one we have seen on the FD5. It offers 3 (three) plug variants, which are the 3.5mm Single Ended (TRS) plug, 2.5mm Balanced (TRRS) plug and the 4.4mm Balanced (TRRRS) Pentaconn plug.



The housing of the headphone plug has a strait profile and is made of the same metal material in black color.









Isolation & Comfort:

The passive noise isolation of the FiiO FD7 is on an average level, since it features a unique semi-open-back design. However, the isolation is efficient enough for the use it in fairly noise environments such like a metro, bus or train.

The FiiO FD7 offers a quite ergonomic fit thanks to its curved cylindrical shape. This shape makes it pretty ideal for the use for longer listening periods without to hurt my ears with an average sized ear concha.









Drivability & Pairing:

The FiiO FD7 has an impedance of 50Ω (Ohm) and a sensitivity of about 111dB @ 1mW. It can be driven with relative weak sources such like Smartphone’s or Tablets. However, I do highly recommend to pair the FD7 with more powerful and detailed devices such like DAP’s (FiiO M11 Pro / M11 Plus) DAC/AMP’s (FiiO Q5s, BTR5), or DAC/Amplifier Dongles (FiiO KA3) to hear the true potential of this wonderful sounding In-Ear Monitor.







Remarkable Features:



A) 12mm Diameter Pure Beryllium Diaphragm [Edit]:

The FiiO FD7 utilizes a 12mm diameter pure beryllium diaphragm dynamic driver. Beryllium material is 4 times more rigid than steel while only weighing ¼ as much as titanium and has 3 times the transient performance compared to titanium drivers for a faster overall sound response.





B) Volcanic Field & Semi-Open Design:

The “Volcanic Field” reduces standing waves and distortion, and overall improves the diffusion of bass waves in the FD7 wired earphones. In addition, the FD7’s semi-open design relieves pressure on the ear for more comfortable listening.





C) Acoustic Prism:

The FD7 features an acoustic prism system that effectively changes and precisely controls the way sound waves travel through the monitors to enhance how high frequency waves propagate and to ensure audio phases are correct.









Technical Specifications:

• Driver Type : 12mm Pure Beryllium Diaphragm Dynamic Driver
• Frequency response : 10Hz-40kHz
• Impedance : 50Ω@1kHz
• Sensitivity : 111dB@1mW
• Max input power : 100mW
• Cable : 4 Core High Purity Monocrystalline Silver Wire Cable
• Cable length : 120cm
• Weight : 11 grams (single unit)

Sources used for this review:

• IEM : FiiO FD7, Final Audio B1, Metalure Wave
• DAP/DAC/AMP : FiiO M11 Pro, FiiO Q5s, FiiO BTR5, FiiO KA3

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Adele – My Little Love (Spotify)
• Randy Crawford – On Day I Will Fly Away (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Mariah Carrey – Without You (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Hayley Westenra – Odyssey Album (Dezzer HiFi)
• Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• B.B. King – Riding With The King (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Really Slow Motion – Deadwood (Deezer HiFi)
• Jo Blankenburg – Meraki (Spotify)
• Lorde – Royal (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• GoGo Penguin – Fanfares (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
• Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Photek – The Hiden Camera (Spotify)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush – YYZ (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Rush – Leave That Thing Alone (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)s
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)

The Sound:

The FiiO FD7 is a very fluid, highly controlled and detailed sounding In-Ear Monitor, which shows a slightly warmer than neutral tonality and a pretty natural timbre that satisfied me immediately. The FD7 has a quite expansive and airy soundstage atmosphere that reminds me more to those of headphones rather than regular In-Ear Monitors. The bass shows a decent level of layering an impressive sense of speed and control. The midrange is highly transparent, organic and detailed, while the treble area is quite energetic but surprisingly controlled, and has a good grade of extension.



The FD7 comes with FiiO’s latest Interchangeable Sound Tube design. The package includes three (3) pairs of filters, which are the Bass, Balanced and Treble Tubes. The Balanced Tube offers the default tuning of the FD7, which is my favorite pair since it offers the most realistic, balanced and natural/uncolored presentation of this system.

Right below are my impressions and comparison of the Bass & Treble Tube, directly compared to the Balanced Sound Tuning Tube (Default/Reference).





Bass Tube:

The Bass Tube is the one with the smallest diameter. It shows the warmest tonality and helps to increase the lower frequency response. It has the highest amount of coloration and shows the most entertaining sound signature of all tree Sound Tubes. The subbass region shows more depth and rumble, while the decay remains unchanged, which impressively fast for a dynamic driver IEM, thanks to the use of the Pure Beryllium Diaphragm. The midbass sounds slightly ore impactful compared to the Balanced and Treble filter, while the sense of speed and control in this are still unchanged. Moreover, the lower midrange shows more intensity compared to the balanced and treble filter, especially when I do listen to male vocals or strings like cellos and acoustic guitars.



Treble Tube:

The Treble Tube is the one with the brightest tonality. It is not a night and day difference but the still audible. The upper midrange and lower treble region sounds more highlighted compared to the Balanced Tube, especially the in direct comparison to the Bass Tube. The upper midrange shows a tad more transparency, while the lower midrange is losing some body and depth. The transitions from the upper midrange towards the treble region do still sound controlled. The lower treble region offers a bit more clarity, while the upper treble are gains some additional airiness and sparkle.



PS: This review has been written after a burn-in period of 160 hours since the Pure Beryllium Diaphragm needs some time to show its true potential. My impressions below are based to my impression with the Balanced Sound Tube that has been carefully installed to the FD7, which offers in my opinion the most realistic, versatile and pleasant to listen to sound profile. I have used the stock cable and the Balanced Silicone Ear Tips. My main sources are the FiiO M11 Pro and the FiiO Q5S. The list of tracks I have listen during this review are listed above for your information.





Analyzing the Frequency Response of the FiiO FD7:

Bass:

The FD7 utilizes a 12mm Pure Beryllium Diaphragm Dynamic Driver offers an impressive grade of bass speed and control. It is not as impactful like previous FD Series In-Ear Monitors such like the FD5, however the resolution, clarity and layering is on a TOTL level.

The subbass region of the FD7 has a moderate level of depth and extension, while the rumble is suitable for most genres especially when you use it with the Bass Tube. Bass heavy genres such like EDM, House music, Glitch hop, etc. are not the strength of the FD7, so if you prefer an IEM with thunderous subbass rumble instead of control and technicality in this area, the FD7 wouldn’t be the best choice.

The FiiO FD7 offers an outstanding performance in terms of authority when I do listen to songs with complex bass passages such like Gogo Penguin’s “Raven” and Photek’s “The Hidden Camera”.

The midbass region is a bit more pronounced compared to the subbass area. The tonality of this region is slightly warmer then neutral, while it shows an impressive sense of control, tightness and realism tanks to highly capable 12mm Pure Beryllium Diaphragm Dynamic Driver. Instruments from contrabass to drums, from def to bongo’s all have been reproduced in a pretty natural and realistic manner. The quality and intensity of the midbass is neither too low nor too much when you use the Bass Tube.





Midrange:

The FiiO FD7 shows a fluid, petty organic and natural midrange character and offers a nicely smooth and quite lively presentation in this area that got immediately my attention, especially when I have listen genres like jazz, blues and classical music. This area shows slightly warm tonality and a coloration that is there but not overdone. The midrange atmosphere is pretty transparent and airy, while the level of resolution is quite close to much more expensive Top Tier In-Ear Monitors.



Vocals & Instruments:

The general vocal presentation of the FiiO FD7 sounds quite realistic and detailed with both male and female. There is a slightly coloration in this area that helps to create a fluid and special timbre, which is quite exciting to listen to. The lower midrange has just the right amount of depth and body to create a pretty intimate and emotional male vocal presentation when I do listen to voices like Isaac Hayes, Sting or Barry White.

Female vocals do sound more detailed and lifelike compared to previous FiiO IEM’s including the FD5 and FH7. The tonality is a tad warmer than neutral, while the sense of clarity and resolution is top notch. What the FD7 makes so special in this area is that it is able to produce a decent level of vividness/brightness without to sound unnatural, to have negative conditions such as sibilance or sharpness, when I do listen to female voices like Edith Piaf, Sertap Erener or Mariah Carey.

The midrange of the FiiO FD7 shows an excellent sense of transparency and airiness, so that instruments are well separated from each other, which is an advantage when I do listen to songs with complex and instrument dense passages such like GoGo Penguin’s “Fanfares”. Instruments from pianos to cymbals, from flutes to cellos are reproduced in a pretty detailed and energetic yet nicely controlled manner, thanks to the well adjusted upper midrange that is produced by the Pure Beryllium Diaphragm Dynamic Driver.





Upper midrange & Treble:

The FiiO FD7 has offers a pretty rich and technically competitive upper midrange and treble performance for an In-Ear Monitor at this price category. It is more forgiving to poor recorded songs compared to the FD5, since it has a precise adjusted yet not overdone roll-off around the 3 kHz region that gives it a nice sense of smoothness in this area.

The upper midrange transitions are quite clear and highly controlled when I do listen to instruments such as cymbals, drums or to guitars. For example, the guitar solos played with high distortions such like those in Megadeth’s “Sweating Bullets”, Slayer’s “Angel of Deaths” and Rush’s “Leave That Thing Alone” are reproduced with a good level of authority and clarity.

The treble range of the FD7 sounds noticeably more controlled compared to the FD5, which sounded a bit sharp and also less forgiving to poor recorded songs. It still able to produce an excellent sense of clarity and resolution in the lower treble region, and is also able to create a decent grade of airiness and sparkle in the upper treble register.

Instruments such like cymbals or hi-hats in both jazz and metal music do sound nicely pronounced, detailed and are shown with a good level of extension. The FD7 is able to produce a decent sense of resolution and sparkle in this area, when I do listen to a wide variety of instruments from pianos to flutes, from violins to synthesizers.





Soundstage & Imaging:

The FiiO FD7 shows a pretty realistic soundstage atmosphere with a decent sense of airiness and transparency thanks to the semi-open back design, which creates ideal conditions for a precise placement of instruments and vocals. The soundstage shows an above average wideness and pretty good level of depth and height.





Some Comparisons:



FiiO FD7 versus Final Audio B1:

The Final Audio B1 has a warmer tonality and shows a higher level of coloration compared to the FiiO FD7 that offers a more natural tonality and organic timbre.

The subbass region of the FD7 shows a slightly better level of depth and is superior in terms of authority and decay. The midbass area of the Final Audio B1 is more highlighted, warm, dens and impactful, however it can’t hold up with the FiiO FD7 when it comes to the clarity, resolution and overall layering in this area.

The midrange of the Final Audio B1 shows a warmer tonality and is also a bit more laid back in tits presentation, when compared to the FiiO FD7 that shows a more transparency and airiness in this area. The lower midrange of the B1 sounds pore pronounced and full-bodied, while the FD7 has the upper hand in terms of clarity and resolution. The upper midrange of the FiiO FD7 is more highlighted and detailed, while both IEMs do sound pretty controlled.



Both In-Ear Monitors are successful in the treble region in terms of technical performance.

The FiiO FD7 shows a more balanced, natural and controlled treble tuning, and offers also a better sense of clarity and definition in the lower treble region, while the Final Audio B1 has the slightly edge when it comes to the upper treble extension.

Both IEM’s are successful in terms of soundstage performance. However, the FiiO FD7 offers in general a better sense of airiness and spaces between instruments as well as vocals. The FD7 has the upper when it comes to the wideness of the stage, while the difference for the depth is quite minimal.





FiiO FD7 versus Metalure Wave:

The Metalure Wave is a pretty musical sounding In-Ear Monitor with a relative warm tonality that shows a mildly V shaped sound signature. The Wave is the IEM with a higher grade of coloration and shows a noticeably warmer tonality in direct comparison to the FD7.

Metalure Wave is slightly more successful in terms of subbass depth and quantity and shows more midbass intensity. The FiiO FD7 on the other hand is superior when it comes to the speed, control and layering in lower frequency region. The FD7 offers also better grade of clarity and has the slightly edge when it comes to the overall resolution.



The midrange of the Metalure Wave is warm and soft, while the level of transparency and airiness are on an average level. FiiO FD7 on the other hand, shows a more balanced, natural and transparent midrange presentation. The Wave has the upper hand in terms of lower midrange depth and male vocals, while the FD7 is superior when it comes to the general clarity and resolution of the midrange, especially in the upper midrange register.

The treble range of the FiiO FD7 offers a better sense of extension, clarity and definition while both IEM’s are controlled in this area. The upper treble region of the Metalure Wave sounds less airy and energetic compared to the FiiO FD7.

When it comes to the soundstage performance, I can say that the FiiO FD7 has the upper hand in terms of both wideness and depth.

Conclusion:

I am a lucky audiophile that has had the opportunity to review almost any FiiO IEM. Every new product of this company surprised me with its high value for its price, when it comes to the sound, esthetics and build quality. However, the FD7 is FiiO’s most natural, realistic and mature sounding IEM. It offers a very fluid, quite organic and detailed overall presentation from the lows up to the highs. This sound is packed in to a pretty comfortable and very esthetic looking monitor shell that comes with FiiO’s new interchangeable sound tube design, and a high purity silver cable with interchangeable plugs, which are part of the very rich accessory package.

Thank you for the Read!​

The FiiO FD7 was kindly provided free of charge and I only covered import taxes and fees.
FiiO never asked for a favorable review and this is my honest and subjective evaluation.
The links are not affiliated and I don't get commission by clicking on them.
The FD7 selling price is €599.99 and you can buy it from FiiO.eu

Introduction

There is an on going frenzy about single Dynamic Driver iems, it seems to be the vogue now and FiiO is already into the game.
They have inaugurated their FD line with the FD5 (review), followed by the entry level FD3/FD3 Pro (review) and now they have released the flagship FD7 together with a special collectors edition called FDX.



Technical highlights

FiiO FD7 is equipped with a large 12mm dynamic driver unit that utilizes a pure Beryllium (and not beryllium coated) diaphragm coil.
Pure Beryllium Diaphragm offers splendid performance with swift mobility and sturdiness.
The new flagship 12mm pure beryllium diaphragm dynamic driver, due to beryllium being 4 times more rigid than steel while only weighing 14 as much as titanium, has 3 times the transient performance compared to titanium drivers for lightning-like speed and thunderous explosive sound.

Close to the pure beryllium driver in the FD7 is an acoustic prism system that addresses issues that come with the time delay between different sound waves.
It effectively changes and precisely controls the way sound waves travel through the FD7 to enhance how high frequency waves propagate and to ensure audio phases are correct.

The ingenious "volcanic field" system developed by FiiO takes advantage of how sound waves work to noticeably improve its sound.
The "volcanic field" reduces standing waves and distortion, and overall improves the diffusion of bass waves in the FD7.
In addition, the FD7's semi-open design relieves pressure on the ear for more comfortable listening.



Interchangeable sound tubes

Befitting of its flagship status, the FD7 comes standard with three pairs of interchangeable sound tubes, each with a different inner diameter for different sounds.
The large inner tube presents a vast soundstage, the medium inner tube impresses with its balanced sound, while the smallest inner tube serves up explosive bass.

Build quality and appearance

The FD7 shells are made from a solid block of stainless steel, carefully carved through a 5-axis CNC-milling process.
The build quality is top notch, the MMCX connectors look very sturdy and the finish is smooth without any visible spots.
In contrast to the glossy design of the FD5 the FD7 features a matte black "gunmetal" color with golden accents at the mesh.
They are very beautiful looking, reminding more of a jewel than an iem plus they offer a discrete fit.



Fit and isolation

The shape and dimensions are the same as with the other FD series iems, weighting 11gr per earpiece that is the same as the FD5 and a little heavier than the 7gr of the FD3.
Despite being rounded with that barrel-like design they actually fit very well and are comfortable, offering a stress free listening experience.
If there is a drawback is that you can't get a very steady fit so I wouldn't recommend them for exercise but anyway I don't see many people buying them for this use.
The bass enhancing tube is of narrower diameter so it may not offer the same kind of fit and some users would reach for the triple flange ear tips to get a better fit.
The semi-open design results in medium passive noise attenuation but it is not that bad as it sounds and increasing the volume a little will compensate for it but anyway you should get the most of the FD7 in a quiet environment.



Cable

The FD7 comes standard with a high-purity monocrystalline pure silver cable in Litz braided style.
Four large strands in a total of 224 wires are braided together in one cable.
The wire sheath is made of environmentally friendly medical grade TPU to resist yellowing after long-term use and against stiffening when in low-temperature environments.
And it comes with twist-lock interchangeable audio plugs for the 2.5/3.5/4.4mm sizes for ultimate convenience.
The twist-lock system is the most sturdy and future-proof design so I prefer it over twist or snap to fit.
The cable of the FD7 was designed with angled expanded MMCX connectors which went through many ergonomic iterations and improvements in order to achieve maximum wearing comfort.
The cable is absent from microphonic noise and offers excellent handling experience, it is a very high quality cable worthy of a flagship iem and some aftermarket cables of this quality cost more than the FD7 itself.

Accessories

Accessory pack is premium and with the FD7 you get the LC-RE(+) cable with 3.5mm, 2.5mm, and 4.4mm termination plugs, the new HB5 high quality storage case, three sound tubes screwed in a metallic card, an MMCX extraction tool, 6 bass eartips, 6 balanced eartips, 6 vocal eartips, 6 Spinfits, 2 triple-flange tips, and 4 foam tips all organized in a foam holder, a cleaning brush
and a magnetic cable organizer.



Listening set-up, power requirements

The FD7 is rated at 50Ω with a sensitivity of 111dB so while it is more difficult to drive than the common iems it isn't much of a challenge and all medium powered devices should be enough as long as they can provide some extra headroom.

Quality of course is another matter and make no mistake the FD7 is very demanding of it because it scales incredibly well and it is very transparent so you are going to need a high quality source in order to fully exploit its potential.
Give it something mediocre and it will sound as such, then switch to something great and you will be impressed with the results.
In other words you are going to need at least something mid tier like the EarMen Sparrow and the THX Onyx and then work your way up to higher tier like the FiiO M11 Plus and iBasso DX300 or even better something like the Cayin C9 which I was fortunate enough to have it on a loan and I was blown away with the performance.



Burning time

A few notes about the burning process, be a believer or not the company suggests that the FD7 pure beryllium driver needs at least 150 - 200 hours in order to break in and sound as intended.
Don't jump into rushed conclusions and please follow the instructions before you reach your final verdict.

Sound impressions

As per my usual practice, I avoid browsing into frequency response graphs since they tend to be deceiving and negatively affect my subconscious so I prefer the old school reviewing method of intensive music listening.

While waiting for the FD7 driver to break in I couldn't help myself reading various FD7 performance impressions to discover the hype that was building around it so I decided to forego my usual test tracks for a hardcore and stronger first challenge.

Nothing more stretching than Mahler's second symphony in this interpretation by Daniele Gatti.



The first opening bars were enough to establish a deep and strong impression about the FD7 personality and pave the way for what it was going to follow in the next few weeks.

The symphony starts with an ominous tremolo on the violins followed by cellos and low C double basses marching arpeggios that pose a great challenge regarding the low end performance.
In tune, full bodied, with weighty notes and exemplary layering, sharp attacks into the strings, well defined bowing, all these combined with top notch clarity which helped the following contrabassoon single-note statement to be clearly heard instead of being mashed by the double basses.

Then they enter solo cor anglais with oboes in a duet singing a mourning melody supported by blazing and glowing muted brass, leading after a short episode of violin lyricism into the first climax where we can hear the cymbal decaying with perfect timing and weight.

Throughout the whole symphony all instruments sounded with the most natural and convincing timbre that I could imagine, very close to reality not only in respect to the tuning but also for the textural quality.

The symphony's intensive harmonic complexity was clearly reproduced with exemplary coherency throughout the whole frequency range.
I was able to follow the multi-layered instrumentation and enjoy the myriads of tone colors that flooded my head, pouring out from dozens of different instruments from the bigger timpani, to the singing flutes, the pastoral bells and the well articulated voices that entered in the last two movements.

All instruments sounded clear and defined while the FD7 was resolving and detailed enough as not to miss a single note.
The masking effect was totally absent and every single instrument was clearly heard even while soloing pianissimo notes in the background of a large orchestra.

An orchestra, one of the largest available but the FD7, was able to stress the scene into a three dimensional plan with holographic projection and pinpoint accuracy, not only between individual instruments but also clearly defining the various instrumental groups.
Dimensionality aside, we also need to stretch our vision into time and the FD7 proved able to do so by communicating the sense of inner space and reverb of the recording venue, capturing the past and applying it into the present.

Another favorite piece that I use for checking dynamics is the percussion concerto "Siedi" by Kalevi Aho.



The concerto opens with a dialogue between solo djembe and the grand bass drum.
And the FD7 was able to capture all the thunderous dynamics of the bass drum hits and not only the control of the crushing strikes but also the reverb of the concert hall, while at the same time maintaining excellent clarity and speed to correctly present the lighting fast and well defined finger tapping of the djembe soloist.

The examples can continue for ever and make this review quite long but I can't help not mentioning a couple of more.

The Carmen Fantasy by Pablo de Sarasate was a good test to check the decay of the high pitched percussion instruments with the introductory tambourine hits that sounded brilliant, shimmering, full bodied and not too rushed.
Then after some chords on the harps enters the solo violin that was reproduced with plenty of harmonic wealth and a clear rendering of the various bowing techniques that are used throughout the piece.



The next example is a vocal quartet "Voglio Tempo" by G.F Handel for soprano, mezzo - soprano, alto, tenor and orchestra, a good track for checking vocal integrity and timbral saturation of the mid range.



The orchestra was widely arranged and the singers were precisely positioned from the left to the right with plenty of space between them.
All four were tonaly presented with the same gravitas and I was able to hear and enjoy the specific tone color of each singer.
The da capo section starts with the high soprano improvised cadenza reaching the limits of her vocal register, a stress exercise that can easily expose sibilance, harshness and ringing but the FD7 was absent of them and reproduced the full tessitura of the voice without sounding dull or muted.

One final example is the second scherzo in B flat minor by Chopin, a very challenging piano piece not only for the performer but also for the transducer.



The FD7 proved one more time to be excellent sounding as it reproduced the rich harmonic palette of the grand piano, the intense hammering of the strings, the fast arpeggios, the sudden dynamic changes, the pedaling effect, the furious scale runs, the attack and decay plus the timbral complexity of the instrument.

So to sum everything up, the FD7 offers a flagship level performance that concentrates around coherency, realistic timbre, natural tonality and texture quality without giving up too much in technicalities.

The overall tuning is close to the objective ideal by the means that all acoustic instruments must sound close to reality.
This is a subjective hobby and we all have our welcomed preferences but there must be an undeniably established objectivity about how transducers should be able to reproduce voices and unamplified instruments as close to the truth as it is possible.
This is the reference point from where we must start and then deviate according to our tastes and the FD7 sits very close to this ideal.

As you have noticed the review concentrates around classical music and this is done on purpose to highlight the musicality and organic nature of the FD7 but rest assured that it can easily cope and satisfy with all kinds of music as long as you don't like a mannered and manipulated sound approach, in such case you should look for something else.



A few notes about the sound tubes

The three sound tubes share the same overall sound signature with some differences here and there to tailor the sound to your needs.
I have decided for the reference tube with the balanced ear tips but the other two also yielded interesting results, sacrificing something in favor of something else.
The larger nozzle adds just a little bit of treble emphasis and sparkle at top giving the impression of a more open and detailed sound but slightly losing on timbral quality and texture.
The narrower tube doesn't enhance the bass but rather greatly rolls off the treble to give the impression of a boosted low end.
The takeaway is that it robs the highs of their energy, becoming more dull and also negatively affects the quality properties of the bass that becomes a little boomy and less controlled.
Further combinations can be done together with the various ear tips to micromanage the sound in order to better suit specific sound preferences and music genres.



Compared with the Sennheiser IE900

Disclaimer - The IE900 was returned before I started the FD7 evaluation but since I used it for more than two months continuously I feel confident to do a brief comparison.

The IE900 (review) is tuned with a gentle emphasis on the low end that adds real sub - bass extension, that is lacking from the FD7, and at the same time slightly boosts the lower bass above the reference point.
As such it can sound more lush and full bodied - compared to the leaner FD7 - and it will offer more satisfying experience with electronic bass, greatly pleasing the fans of the genre but at the expense of acoustic low bass instruments that will sound quite off tone and slightly mask the higher pitched members of the family like the cello.

The IE900 is amazing and top notch when it comes to quality characteristics and technical performance of the bass but the FD7 holds on its own without lacking either while there is a certain point where it takes the lead.
The FD7 larger driver can move great amounts of air and despite all the high - tech tricks that are employed inside the IE900, I am afraid that it comes second when we examine dynamic contrast and thrust with the FD7 giving more thunderous and slamming bass effects that fill not only the ears but the whole head of the listener.

Another key difference in tonality is that the IE900 has a more V-shaped tuning with recessed upper mids, as a result it sounds more distanced and not so engaging as the FD7 which in contrast feels more liquid and saturated in this region.
There is some brilliance emphasis that is used to add clarity, treble sparkle, enhanced detail retrieval and compensate for the extra bass boost tuning of the IE900.
The tuning is very ingeniously executed by the IE900 designers, so it manages to sound considerably more detailed, finer and resolving than the FD7 - without becoming analytical - but the penalty is that it slightly loses in timbre, gaining a metallic hue, becoming thin and with rushed decay while it is prone in becoming hot with certain material when the FD7 remains always smooth and controlled.
Both earphones share the same musical approach and excellent timbral qualities but in my opinion the FD7 has a small lead as it sounds more cohesive and natural from top to bottom.



Lastly there is a key difference between the two regarding the overall sound projection so when we compare them, the IE900 gives the impression of a reduced scale, the listener is like seated in the gallery watching to the spectacle from a distance and above while with the FD7 is positioned about third row in front of the orchestra and the experience feels certainly grander and larger in scale with more natural proportions.

At the end

The FiiO FD7 is an audiophile's dream; musical, engaging with superior timbral and textural qualities yet transparent and technically accomplished, it offers a holistic listening experience very close to reality.
If you have associated a flagship iem with extreme technicalities, hyper detail retrieval or some kind of specific tuning then the FD7 is not meant for you.
All others rest assured that the FD7 is worthy of an end game, flagship status and that comes at a very modest asking price.
Music listening is about sentiments, the continuous two way communication between the recorded performance and the listener with the headphone as the intermediate and the FD7 is a master of the trade.

Test playlist

Copyright - Laskis Petros 2021

Originally posted at FiiO’s FD series share the same driver? & FD7 brief review
Recently, I saw a rumor on the Internet that FD3 and FD5 are using the same drivers. I also have such doubts, so, keen to explore the truth, I borrowed an FD5 and an FD7 from the headset store to compare them together, and in order to distinguish FD3 from FD5 from the front, I also borrowed a black FD3Pro.


FiiO’s FD series iems remind me of another series of products from a famous brand: Sony’s EX series. FD3, FD5 and FD7 are just like EX600, EX800st and EX1000 ---their products of the same series have similar appearances, similar drivers, and similar sound tuning, but their pricing ranges are very different. Sony's EX1000 used to be the most distinctive iem I have ever heard.(Original Image on crinacle.com)


Back to FiiO’s FD series, when I borrowed them, the first thing I did was to remove the sound tube and check the drivers. I did not unexpectedly find that the three earphone drivers are indeed different. The diaphragm of FD3's dynamic drivers has the lowest transparency, and I can see the red coil; from the FD5, I can see the beryllium-coated dome diaphragm like a mirror. Its transparency is lower than that of the FD3 drivers, which may be related to the amount of beryllium-coated. And the structure is different, more differences I found on FiiO’s official website: the texture of FD5’s diaphragm and FD3’s are also different; and the FD7 diaphragm has the lowest-transparency diaphragm, which seems to be opaque. And the diaphragm surface, which does look like a piece of metal, does not have the same smoothness as the FD3’s and


Of course, the difference between their drivers is not convincing in terms of appearance alone. For me, I am not willing to look at the various words in the advertisement. Its sound determines whether I will choose it. So I tested them with non-professional equipment. I have used the same sound tube (black), the same ear tips, and the same cable (the original FD7 cable) to test them.


It can be seen that the sound between them is indeed different, and this difference is not obtained by low-level tuning techniques such as damping in the sound tubes. They do change the drivers. It is commendable that FiiO's earphone products have extremely high quality control, and the left and right ears match extremely well. Speaking of the sound, the actual experience of the differences between these three earphones is more impressive than the measurements below. When I switch to FD3 after listening to FD7, I can immediately feel that the bass of FD3 is not as tight as FD7, and the treble is brighter than FD7 (the fact is that I prefer the treble of FD3). Yes, the pure beryllium drivers brings a softer sound to the FD7.


So can fd7 become a thunderous product like ex1000? I would say my answer first, I think it can. The first earphone in my memory that uses pure beryllium diaphragm is the Final a8000, but it is a pity that its price has reached 1999 USD, which is unaffordable for an average worker like me who are not rich enough, so it is a pity , I was not lucky enough to try this earphone. But the price of FiiO FD7 is less than one-third of the price of final a8000, and at the launch event, the slogan of "Young People's First Truly Pure Beryllium Earphone" even appeared on the screen. Because I haven't listened to a8000, I can only guess the sound differences between it and FD7 based on the frequency response diagram: the overall sound style is similar, but the bass of FD7 may be less than A8000, the resolution of a8000 may not be as good as FD7 as the very high frequency part of a8000 is lower than FD7. Of course, it is just a guess. Similar frequency response diagrams may have different sense of hearing. But if I pay more than three times the price, but only get a small difference in sound, even a higher price may be exchanged for weaker resolution, which will be really surprising to me.(Original Image on crinacle.com)


During this time, another new product also attracted me, Dunu Zen Pro. It has a round shape appearance similar to the FiiO FD series, a pure metal diaphragm driver, also, similar to FD7. Dunu claims the Zen Pro to be the "most worth buying earphone within ten thousand yuan" (Although Dunu may have this confidence, I don’t think it’s a good idea to say so).


Compared with FD7, Zen Pro has a richer bass, provides a stronger sense of atmosphere, closer vocals, and is more suitable for popular songs. The sound of FD7 is more flat, because it has a softer bass, I will not feel the mids and treble overwhelmed by the bass. In short, the Zen Pro sound is warmer, and the FD7 is colder and flatter, and their sound quality is comparable and are all very good, however, the price of Zen Pro is too high (Zen Pro=FD7+discounted FD5), and it does not support replacing of the sound tube, even if I used to be a fan of Dunu (from Titan1 to DK3001), it also dispelled my desire to buy.