Introduction
A few months back, we at Audiomonsta had the chance to review a new upcoming brand from China named FloAudio with their debutant Calla and honestly it is a good product in terms of sound, build and with a low price as well. Recently, they have released a new in-ears that rocks a single balanced armature along with a stunning design and keeping the same 3D printed design named Lily. FloAudio gas kindly sent us a pair in return for an honest take on how they fare and we thanked them for the opportunity. How will they fare with only a single balanced armature? We shall find out.
Functions & Specifications
Before we start the review, here are the specifications of the FloAudio Lily;
- Driver Type : Single custom made full range balanced armature
- Shell type : 3D printed resin shells with purple theme
- Cable type :2-core OFC cable with standard C pin 0.78mm connectors with 3.5mm termination
- Impedance : 24Ω
- Sensitivity : 108dB
- Frequency Response : 20Hz-22kHz
- 30 db isolation
Retail Price & Where to Get
The FloAudio Lily can be purchased at
FloAudio Aliexpress : https://a.aliexpress.com/_mqJF2IE
Packaging & Accessories
Packaging of the Lily is a straight forward packaging that is simple but looks rather premium similar to the Calla. They came in a purple box with a cable, 3 pairs of eartips and a basic C pin cable similar to QDC ones. They do lack a carrying case but users can select the type of package that includes a case but with a slightly higher price.
Design
The design of the Lily has a similar shape like the Calla with a 3D printed resin shell but they are beautiful and look professionally made. They are very solid and finished like well made in-ears that cost 2 to 3 times their asking price. It has a purple coloured theme with an iridescent faceplate. Amazing design that combines great quality along with great looks.
They are installed with a metal nozzle and they seem to have a small vent at the sides and I am unsure of the functions for the sound but they seem to relieve some ear pressure which is great. They also have one of the best sound isolation due to their perfect fit and a fully closed system.
The Lily is driven with a single custom made balanced armature that provides a full range sound.
The cable included is a 1.2 meter, 2 core copper cable with a 3.5mm termination and has a standard C pin 0.78mm plugs. The cable is quite basic and a braided cable will be great, however, given the low price of these in-ears, it is acceptable.
Gears Used for Comparisons
FiiO M17
Questyle M15
Hidizs S9 Pro
LetShuoer D13
Celest Gumiho
TinHifi P1Max Panda
Tanchjim Tanya
Rose Technics QT9 MK2
Hidizs MD4
Dunu EST112
Songs list
Tone and Presentation
The tone of the Lily is surprisingly a head scratcher as they perform like a dynamic driver sound as they are full sounding, warm and organic without any cold, dry sound that usually derives from balanced armatures. They have a rather big dynamic bass along with a thick overall sound that is inoffensive and suitable for a prolonged listening session. The Lily has an intimate sound that is quite lush and organic but they do lack a detailed signature. Coloration is quite evident here with coloring mainly at their midrange.
Soundstage
The Lily has a rather closed soundstage and this area certainly isn’t their strength. They have a rather small width and height but they are still acceptable for music but they do lack some headroom. Air is decent, especially in their bass and high regions. But with a rather small soundstage, you do gain some intimacy in their sound suiting some genres like EDM or hip-hop.
Separation and Timbre
Separation is great as they are a single driver doing all the job and they seem to work pretty well across all frequencies without any major gaps. Their left to right separation is decent for their price but they lack width in this region as they are tuned more to an intimate sound. They have a natural timbre that is smooth sounding along with a thickish sound signature that gives music a lush sound.
Drivability
Rated at 24 ohms with a 108db sensitivity, they are easily driven and a simple setup like a dongle is sufficient and perform better with a great DAC/amplifier, dedicated DAP or any more powerful source but their scalability is rather low, therefore, a simple setup will do for Lily. They are forgiving with the type of files played as they are not very revealing in flaws but they do perform better with well mastered tracks with higher bitrates like DSD or MQA with better resolution and details brought forth.
The Bass (Low)
The bass surprisingly is good as they are meaty, thumpy and have a decent mid-bass lift that is similar to a dynamic driver along with a great slam. They have a slight emphasis on the bass frequency in their overall presentation but they certainly are not overpowering and keep a decent energetic vibes. Details and clarity here is rather mediocre but still able to present a good sense of clarity for their price. Sub-bass have good extension with a deep rumble that is suitable for a wide range of genres. Bass texturing is good as they do present layers of the bass quite well without any bleed present. Overall, amazing bass response that sounds like a dynamic driver with great sub-bass but they do lack definition and clarity.
The Mids
The midrange in the Lily is a rather forward, thick midrange that has an emphasis towards the lower end giving them a fun presentation. They have decent clarity and details here with great macro details but their micro details sounded mediocre for a balanced armature. Resolution wise is also average but they do have good imaging and accuracy without any blurriness or haziness. They indeed have some coloration to their sound making music sound more towards a fun sound instead of a clinical sound but with that, certain music may sound a little over the top and they certainly aren’t suited for critical listening. They perform well with vocals and instruments but at times they do sound a little too thick and unnatural. Overall, a very fun mid-range that reminds me of the sound of Shure in-ears back in the days where they are fun sounding but they do lack some micro details and the coloration might not be suited for some users out there.
The Highs
The high range in the Lily has a slightly recessed sound to them giving them a pure fatigue free experience for users who are treble sensitive. Though being slightly recessed, they do have a good degree of details and clarity to them making them a smooth operator. Hiss and sibilance are non existing here, making them great for a wide range of genres. But with that toned down treble, some music does lack energy and bite, making them sound a little dull at times. Sparkle is audible but they lack a crisp presentation. Treble is on the lower side of the spectrum making them suitable for a long listening session even on loud volume. Overall, though their high range is on the low volume side, they still do have a good quality high range that extends pretty well and possess good details and clarity that is suitable for a long period of listening.
Comparisons
VS Celest Pandamon
The second release of Celest, the Pandamon. They are equipped with their own SPD driver and work in full frequency range.
The high range on both of them are similar in quantity but the Pandamon have a more lively sparkle to them. Lily sounds smoother and more relaxed.
Midranges on the Lily have a thicker sound with a lusher presentation. Details and clarity is better on the Pandamon but in a small amount. Vocals sound more detailed on the Pandamon while the Lily sounds sweeter and fun.
Bass quantity on the Pandamon has a meatier presentation while the Lily has a more dynamic forward bass. Details and clarity here are on par with each other. Sub-bass extension is better on the Pandamon while the Lily has a deeper rumble.
Soundstage on the Pandamon has the edge in being wider and higher but air is on par with each other.
VS Tanchjim Tanya
The Tanya from Tanchjim is their entry level in-ears that houses a single dynamic driver and they are similarly priced. Packaging of the Tanya is perfect for their price but the Lily has a way better build quality.
High region quantities of both are very similar with both having a roll off high range but still maintaining their details and clarity. Sparkle is slightly better on the Lily
Midrange on the Lily is more forward tuned. Both have a thick mid-range but details and clarity is better on the Tanya. Both have good thick and lush vocals but Tanya sounds more open.
Bass on Tanya has a meatier presentation with a better slam. Sub-bass in the Tanya is deeper and extends better. Details and clarity in this region are similar.
Soundstage in the Tanya is wider, higher and airier.
Synergy
FiiO M17
The desktop level DAP of FiiO, the M17 and they are packed with superb driving power along with high end features. Though the price range of the M17 doesn’t do justice for Lily, it is good to know what good driving power does for them for scale.
The M17 is to give a cleaner bass response with a slight increase in their clarity and details. Sub-bass seems a little deeper with a clearer rumble.
Midrange in the Lily sound clearer with vocals sounded more forward. Details and clarity has also increased with better definition.
High range has still remained a little rolled off but it has better extension with greater sparkle. Air remains the same here but the treble seems a little higher than usual.
Soundstage has improved but only a little but air has been added by a small margin.
Overall, the Lily does have some improvements with the M17 but scale does not really reflect the flagship price range of the M17.
Hidizs S9 Pro
The S9 Pro is a legendary product from Hidizs providing a clean, neutral sound with a massive driving power for their size.
Bass on the Lily has a better impact in their slam with greater clarity and details. Sub-bass remains mostly the same.
Midrange has been pushed slightly forward with better clarity and details. Vocals sounded better with greater definition.
High range seems livelier with more clarity and details. Sparkle remains the same amount but possesses greater air.
Soundstage to my ears remains mostly the same.
Overall, a great companion for Lily and synergizes pretty well due to their neutrality.
Who Is It For?
Lily is suited for those who want the best of both worlds in dynamic driver and balanced armatures as they have the accuracy of BA while also having a thick dynamic sound. They are suitable for a fun listening session as they are smooth sounding and provide a fatigue free experience. They are not detail tuned in-ears and more suitable for a relaxing listening. Most importantly they are one of the cheapest single balanced armature in-ears around with no slouch in performance along with great isolation.
Final words
FloAudio has certainly impressed me with the Calla and the Lily achieved the same goal with a well built, thoughtfully designed and tuned all in a professional manner. They are eye candy for those who love the color with a design that fits my ears like a glove. Their sound might be a little confusing as they sound like a dynamic driver instead they are equipped with a balanced armature but when push comes to shove, they sound great to my ears with a dynamic sound along with great clarity and a thick sound presentation. Though they do lack a pure balanced armature resolution and they are a little behind in their technicalities, they certainly punch well above their asking price. Great job once again FloAudio!
I would rate this product 4 stars over 5 stars
