Introduction
FiiO has been on a spree lately with their innovative design team producing great audiophile products that are well received all around the globe. They are now putting their focus on the higher end of the spectrum with flagship worthy products releases such as the FD7 beryllium in-ears, their desktop level portable digital audio player, the M17 and many more are coming your way including the one we are reviewing today, FiiO’s flagship hybrid, the FH9. The FH9 is a continuation of their successful hybrid line and it is produced to surpass the performance of the FH7 which is already a great product itself. The FH9 is a product that is 2 years in the making by the FiiO team and they are designed with their same innovative mind aiming for an audiophile perfection. Red Ape is the official distributor of FiiO here in Malaysia and they kindly gave us the opportunity to review the all new FH9 which we are truly grateful for. How will the FH9 fare in the hybrid arena of today’s tight market? We shall find out.
Functions & Specifications
Before we start the review, here are the specifications of the FiiO FH9;
- Drivers: 1 13.6mm DLC 2nd gen dynamic + 6 Knowles balanced armature (3xSWFK-31746).
- Shell: Semi open back made from Titanium alloy in grey or black.
- Tuning option: 3 types of nozzle with different sound profiles.
- Impedance: 18Ω@1kHz.
- Sensitivity: 108dB.
- Frequency Response: 10Hz-40kHz.
- Max input power: 100mW.
- Single unit weight: 12.8grams.
- Cable: 8 core single crystal monocrystalline pure silver cable with interchangeable plugs
- Cable length: approx 120cm.
Retail Price & Where To Get
The FiiO FH9 can be purchased at Red Ape – Headphone Store or Official FiiO AliExpres for only RM2,899.00.
Purchase Link :
Red Ape – Headphone Store Shopee : https://invol.co/cl7swg1
Red Ape – Headphone Store LAZADA : https://invol.co/cl7swm5
FiiO – Official AliExpress : https://invol.co/cl7swoq
Packaging & Accessories
The packaging of the FH9 is similar to the FD7 and I shall say it again, GLORIOUS! Still the best unboxing experience of any earphones by a mile that I have ever experienced and only bested by the limited edition FDX . The FH9 is boxed in a large holographic theme box that is premium and the content inside is well presented with the now FiiO’s trademark. The package is complete with all the necessities like 16 pairs of eartips including 3 pairs of spinfit, a manual booklet, a HB5 leather case, 2 pairs of tuning nozzle, magnetic cable clip, a small brush, a MMCX remover tool, a flagship 8 core pure silver MMCX litz cable with replaceable plugs including 2.5mm and 4.4mm plugs. FiiO has packaged the FH9 generously with all those extras included and it presents itself lavishly like a true flagship product.
Design
The design of the FH9 shape is bigger than the FH7 and they now possess a semi open back similar to the FH5S for the drivers to have some breathing room increasing the soundstage of the in-ears. It is made from a hypoallergenic titanium alloy so it’s lighter and stronger than the usual aluminium based shell. It feels ever so premium and solid with the grill at the back very well designed.
The package includes 3 pairs of nozzles where the balanced nozzle is pre-installed and they include a nozzle for a more bassy response and another nozzle for treble enhancements. They have a slight difference in their presentation (not as big a difference in the FD7) where the bass nozzle gives the bass a larger quantity and a more boomy effect while the treble nozzle gives a slight more sparkle in the treble but I would prefer the bass nozzle as I find them the most fun sounding while still holding their quality in sound.
The FH9 is equipped with a 2nd generation 13.6mm DLC dynamic and 3 pairs of dual Knowles SWFK-31746 making them a total of 6 balanced armatures all packed into an open back titanium alloy shell that is just beautiful to hold and to look at. Pictures don’t do them justice as they are fabulous on hands.
Cable included is an upgrade from the 4 core single monocrystalline pure silver cable with a litz geometry cable in the FD7 to an 8 core cable with the usual replaceable plugs licensed from Fabrilous Audio and they are very well designed. The cable is the best stock cable seen in this price range and they sounded sublime with great extension on both ends. Cable is rather thick but they are soft to the touch and very flexible with angled MMCX connectors so they can only be used with over the ears wearing style.
Gears Used for Comparisons
- FiiO M11Plus LTD
- Audio GD 28.38, dual clocks, Amanero USB
- Questyle M12
- Hidizs S9 Pro
- Beyerdynamics Xelento
- Intime Kira
- JH Audio JH13V2 Pro
- KBear Aurora
- Etymotic ER3SE
Songs list
Tone and Presentation
The tone of the FH9 is a well balanced, detailed and full sounding type of profile that is inoffensive. It possesses a superb clarity that is simply amazing due to the Knowles balanced armature that is famous for that. The pace of these in-ears are a fast sounding presentation that is both fun and energetic at the same time. They have a neutral performance with a dynamic bass response and they are quite accurate. The FH9 possesses no extra added colouration to their signature and they are able to push out an organic sound without any metallic sound from their balanced armature driver while possessing a dynamic bass response from their dynamic driver with great coherency for a hybrid in-ears.
Soundstage
Soundstage that the FH9 pushes out is well above average for an in-ear monitor and due to their open back design, they are able to sound airy in their presentation. Height and depth the FH9 are able to produce is great and they are able to give a holographic soundstage with a rather big headroom for an in-ears. 3D representation is superb as instruments and vocals placing seems to be on point.
Separation and Timbre
Separation for a hybrid usually is not decent if they are tuned badly, but the FiiO’s team has done a great job in the crossover in the FH9 as they are very coherent and all the 7 drivers are working in tandem harmoniously. From the bass to the midrange to the high range, they all sounded full and no gaps can be heard. Timbre is decent and they seem to be on point but not as good as the FD7’s single beryllium driver.
Drivability
Though rated at only 18 ohms, the FH9 are a little power hungry and they will work at their fullest with amplification. With weak sources such as laptops or smartphones, their dynamic range seemed a little restricted especially on their bass response. They work well with a decent dongle but they do scale up quite significantly with a dedicated digital audio player or a DAC/amplifier. The FH9 are not that forgiving in poorly mastered tracks and they do show flaws in the music played but it is not that audible.
The Bass (Low)
Bass that the FH9 is one of the main selling points of the FH9 in my opinion. They are not really bass cannons but they are a high quality type of bass performance. Bass is clear, tight and very accurate to begin with. They have a superb slam and details in the bass are great without sounding veil or hazy. Sub-bass is present but extension is average at best. Bleed is not present in the other frequencies and they blend nicely into the midrange. For bassheads, they are almost there with the bass nozzle but they still lack the earth shattering impact. Bass that they have is a very dynamic and fast responsive low end. Overall, they are pure, clear and energetic to listen to especially with the bass nozzle.
The Mids
The midrange present in the FH9 is neutral type and does not have any peaks in their presentation while sounding a little bright. They are a well balanced midrange that has the clarity and details intact with a full range presentation. They are not thick or too thin sounding but have the right balance between both making vocals, male or female, sounding great without any hint of dryness. Vocals are slightly intimate but lack a little emotion for their price point but they still manage to sound lush. Resolution on the midrange is superb and they are able to handle busy tracks without any congestion. Micro details are quite present in their presentation and they handle the macro details with top notch precision.
The Highs
High range of the FH9 is average for the price but they crisp and they extend very well. High range is very clear and has details with a slightly bright signature. They are also smooth to listen to without harshness, peakiness or shout present but i do feel that they lack extension. They have a decent sparkle making music played very enjoyable and vocals sound sweet. Treble on the FH9 is average but they perform very accurately and naturally without any metallic sound that usually plagues balanced armature drivers. For treble lovers like me, I feel that the high range is a little too polite or safe even on the treble nozzle as I prefer a sharper, airier and crisper high range but treble sensitive users might love this region as they are smooth and inoffensive.
Comparisons
VS Beyerdynamics Xelento
Xelento is one of the best fun sounding dynamic driver earphones from the German producers, Beyerdynamics. They are priced and cost almost twice the asking price of the FD9 though the price of them has dropped for overseas sellers. They are way smaller in size than the big shell of the FH9 but both of them are very comfortable. The FH9 has a balanced performance while the Xelento has a mild V shaped tuning.
High region of the Xelento has a better presence and they sounded a little more energetic but both of them have the crispness and they sparkle decently. Highs on the FH9 are smoother to listen to as they are more neutral while the Xelento highs are more fun and more aggressive. Extension is better on the Xelento while accuracy on both are almost similar with the FH9 sounded a little airier.
Midrange on the FH9 sounded fuller and blended a little better with their bass and treble versus the slightly boosted bass and treble of the Xelento. Clarity of the midrange is better on the FH9 but Xelento’s midrange sounded thicker and has more emotions to it. Resolution on the FH9 is a tad bit better.
Bass on the Xelento is bigger, deeper, has more thump to it and they possess a better sub-bass presence. FH9 bass has better clarity and details. Bass extension on the Xelento is better.
Soundstage on the FH9 is slightly better by them sounding a little wider and taller with an airier performance but the coherency of the Xelento is better.
VS JH Audio JH13V2 Pro
The legendary 8 BA in-ears by JH Audio with a great crossover system that they are famous for. The JH13V2 Pro has a warmer sound signature with a slight boost in their bass performance. Coherency on both is similar and their multiple drivers are very well implemented. The JH13V2 Pro retailed at almost twice the price of FH9.
Highs on both units have the same politeness and they both are smooth to listen to without any fatigue. Details on the treble are better in the JH13V2 pro and they sounded airier with slightly better extension. High range in the JH13V2 pro has a better crispness.
Mids on the JH13V2 Pro sounded thicker and lusher. The JH13V2 Pro sounded more accurate but the midrange of the FH9 is clearer and brighter. Resolution here is better on the JH13V2 pro by a small margin. JH13V2 pro sounded more intimate with vocals.
Bass on JH13V2 Pro has the edge by having a bigger impact with a better sub-bass extension. FH9 bass is clearer and has better detailing. Air on bass response is slightly better on the FH9 and they sounded less offensive.
Soundstage in the FH9 sounded a little wider and taller than the JH13V2 pro by a small margin.
VS FiiO FD7
The flagship dynamic series of the FD7 that I have reviewed last month or so and I have had it for a solid month of listening with it before returning it. It houses a single beryllium driver that is super cohesive, precise, wide and accurate, in fact i still think it is the best performing in-ears that FiiO produces.
Bass on the FD7 is cleaner and has better accuracy with an airier performance. FH9 bass has a larger thump and more sub-bass presence. FH9 bass is more fun to listen to and the FD7 is more accurate.
Midrange of the FD7 is simply better by being more organic and sweeter sounding. Clarity on both are on the same level but the FH9 sounded a little more forward and brighter. FD7 midrange is lusher and sweeter to listen to especially in vocals.
High range on both has the slight laid-back feel to it but the FD7 and both sounded crisp and sparkled well. FD7 treble is more accurate and airier also they extend better than the FH9. Both are inoffensive and smooth to listen to.
Soundstage in the FD7 sounded wider and airier by a small margin.
Overall it all depends on your taste where the FD7 is cohesive, accurate and sounded wider in their soundstage while the FH9 has the better fun signature with a better bass impact, sub-bass and a fuller sounding performance. They are both on the same level but with a different taste in their presentation.
Synergy
FiiO M11Plus LTD
The M11Plus LTD is my go-to portable setup for a critical listening as they do pair well with most in-ear. Inside the M11Plus is equipped with a now discontinued AKM AK4497EQ with THX amplification and they are neutral to warm type of signature. With the FH9, bass is extended with a slightly tighter slam while sub-bass presence remains intact. Midrange of the FH9 sounded a little thicker with better clarity and resolution. High range sparkle and crispness remained the same but they sounded smoother. Treble sounded more organic and more accurate overall. Soundstage sounded wider and deeper with a bigger headroom. Overall a decent pairing supplying ample driving power and the FH9 sounded slightly more refined.
Hidizs S9 Pro
The Hidizs S9 Pro is a powerful dongle DAC/ amplifier that is ultra portable that is small in size. They have a neutral sound signature with great clarity. Bass on the FH9 is tighter, clearer and sounds more accurate with a slight extension on the sub-bass region. Midrange sounded the same mostly but it had better resolution and they sounded more dynamic. High range has a better presence by sounding a little more forward and they are crispier by a small margin. Soundstage on the FH9 is better especially on the 2.5mm balanced output by sounding wider and deeper. Overall, they are a great pairing and they are very portable.
Who Is It For?
FiiO has created an in-ears that compliments the FD7 as they are more fun and enjoyable for genres such as EDM, hip-hop and pop. Though not as accurate and cohesive as the FD7, they sounded fuller and had a bigger bass response that is just simply fun while being accurate as well. The FH9 is also suitable for details loving users as they are very good in their resolution and clarity. They are smooth sounding and inoffensive in-ears that are suitable for long listening as they do not incur any fatigue and they are very comfortable to wear as well.
Final words
FiiO has been very active lately with their releases and the products they are able to produce has been very consistent with their build, packaging and most importantly, their sound. The FH9 though being a hybrid in-ears, they are quite coherent and they are tuned professionally. Build is exquisite and they are very comfortable to wear even for a long listening session. Soundwise they are full sounding in-ears that are packed with details along with a great bass response that is just fun to listen to. Soundstage is expansive by giving a deep and big headroom thanks to their semi open design. Though the treble region may lack some extension and the midrange sounded a little lacklustre, they still have a performance that is a staple house sound of FiiO’s products. The FH9 is priced quite aggressively but they are able to go head to head with other flagships soundwise and they are packaged lavishly along with a flagship 8 core pure silver cable. They are in my opinion a sidegrade for the awesome FD7 by being the fun and bolder brother.
I would rate this product a solid 4 over 5 stars
