REVIEW FIIO F5: A GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY IEM

Pros - : SOUNDSTAGE, AIRY SOUND,
BASS RESPONSE,
VOICES REPRODUCITON( IN PARTICULAR WITH FEMALE VOICES)

Cons - CAN BE A BIT HARSH WITH SOME SOURCES

Fiio is a company well known in the audiophile community, not only for its DAPs and DAC/AMP, but In the latest years they focused in making some great IEMs with affordable price. Today we are going to have a look at their F5 model: a natural evolution of their ex1 2nd gen model. F5 shows a “titanium driver diaphragm, which is lighter yet harder than the typical diaphragm. This allows the F5 to be more capable in transient response and to be more dynamic, making for a wonderfully rich yet delicate sound”.  Plus it comes with both a 3.5mm single-ended audio cable with in-line control( that supports playing and pausing of songs, switching track, and even calls with android and apple smartphones)  and a 2.5mm balanced cable.  This review will be shorter than usual, cause this models shares many similarities with the older model, so want to focus more deeply on the main differences and if it represents an upgrade over fiio ex1 and ex1 2nd gen model.

F5  unit was sent me as a sample unit, I am not affiliated with the company and all observations and opinions will be only my own. Would like to thanks  fiio  team for sending me this unit giving me the opportunity to test this great sounding product.


PRICE:  79,99 USD

OFFICIAL SITE : https: http://www.fiio.net/en/products/69

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/FiiOAUDIO/?ref=br_rs


PACKAGING: packaging for this model is quite rich and premium, considering its low official price. Fiio always focuses on the quality of their packaging that are minimalistic, but nothing more is necessary. On the black box you can find the f5 image, with the hi-res logo and Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad” image at the bottom. In the box you can find  a Storage case, 1x 3.5mm single ended cable , a 2.5mm balanced cable, 3x Pairs of silicon eartips and 3x Pair of Hybrid silicon eartips. Storage case is quite useful and comfortable for the “on-the go” listening session. What I really loved  are the quality of the eartips:   for universal models, eartips are very important not only for the right fit, but they can drastically change the sound signature of the IEM; so as always, I suggest to try different ones, with different materials and only at the end enjoy your new product. With the stock silicon eartips with green bore I found my perfect match( I was able to use the smaller silicon eartips of my fiio ex1 2nd gen on this F5 model too). Build quality is quite great for this price range and thanks to the angled bore, this model like the older one are one of the most comfortable IEMs I have ever used. In the shell you can find three bores  that will help to have a hairier sound with a better soundstage and holographic space perceived( in comparison with fiio ex1 2nd gen, soundstage is a bit less wide, but with better isolation).  The most valuable accessory is the 2.5mm balanced  cable that not only significantly reduces left and right channel crosstalk, but also reduces external  interface to your audio signal and improves the signal-to-noise ratio.  Most of my audio session was made with the balanced cable, with different DAPs and can surely tell you, that Fiio F5 has a overall better and more bodied sound with this configuration. In single ended mode, sound signature is quite similar to the older model fiio ex1 2nd gen, but used with 2.5 terminal you can easily notice a huge sound upgrade over the standard one: sound will be more natural and full bodied, with fuller bass response and with a more natural, deeper and wider soundstage. Obviously all the improvement margins depend on the DAP you will be using.

Speaking of isolation, it is quite good in this department( considering is a semi-open IEM)  and if you can find the right eartips you will enjoy your playlist without any annoying external noise.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: as usual, before 100/150 hours of burn-in,  I want to listen to new products, just to see how they improved in “perceived sound quality” over the time. At the beginning F5, can result a bit harsh and fatiguing, but with a brain burn-in, just after few hours got used  to its sound signature( fiio f5 has a more controlled and less fatiguing sound than the ex1 2nd gen model).

SOUND: All my sound consideration has been made after  100 hours of burn in as suggested by Fiio company, with different DAPs such as  AK KANN, Opus 1s, fiio x3, x5, iFi Nano Idsd black label. I tried this IEM for many hours  on the go and does very good with Tidal and my iPhone too. Obviously with better sources sound has better dynamic, a more refined bass  response and a fuller sound. After 100 hours of burn-in I noticed a less harshness on top end, with better vocal presence. Overall this Fiio F5 makes a great job for its price range, giving a natural and controlled sound( f5 has still a v-shaped sound signature like ex12nd gen, but with more controlled treble and bass response and fuller voices reproduction, this is a great improvement over the older model, cause I always felt too much recessed mids on the ex1 2nd gen.

This IEM has a natural approach to music with good  definition and excellent transient response.

Bass response is great for this price range: with good impact and speed( it s not for bass-heads listener, but has a more audiophile tuning).

Voices are well reproduced, in particular female ones with good emotional feeling, with male ones can lack a bit of body. Overall F5 shows a great upgrade over the ex1 2nd gen model on these frequencies range.

Highs are very clear and defined with good amount of sparkles, giving an airy sound and good instrument separation. They  can be a bit harsh and fatiguing, but all depends on the pairing with your source. For this,  I truly suggest you to use F5 with a warmer sounding DAP and in balanced mode.

Transient response is excellent thanks to the titanium diaphragm. F5 will give you great dynamic, but at the same time a more mature sound against  the older model ex1 2nd gen.

Soundstage is quite wide, this IEM is able to portrays quite a good holographic space around you. With single ended mode, soundstage is wide, but lacks depth and height. With balanced connection, soundstage improves a lot, with a more coherent instrument reproduction and a deeper soundstage.

Overall f5 model is capable to reproduce a mature and natural sound, but at the same time with great fun and rhythm.


PAIRINGS:

F5 WITH AK KANN: astell and kern kann has a great synergy with this IEM, in particular in balanced mode. Thanks to the smooth and musicality sound signature of this DAP F5 gains more body with great instrument separation and  wide soundstage. With  balanced cable soundstage improves a lot with a great imaging and holographic space around you. I just tried with IEMatch 2.5 of iFiAudio and noticed a good improvement in hiss problems. KANN with IEMatch2.5 makes a great combo with this IEM giving you a natural and airy sound with great dynamic without any listening fatigue.

F5 WITH OPUS 1S: this DAP has a natural sound signature with a hint of warmth, this thing helps to smooth a bit treble response giving you a less fatiguing audio experience. Bass gains impact and rumble and voices are well portrayed with a more organic feeling. Soundstage is quite wide, but can’t compete with three dimensional space of ak KANN. Dynamic and transient response is excellent. In balanced mode I have to push the volume to 90 to get a satisfying pressure level.


F5 WITH AUNE M1S 10TH: this is not a great combo, since this desktop DAC/AMP has a clean sound that can give you a bit of harshness and sibilance issues with this IEM. I truly suggest you to pair f5 with a natural/warm source. Vocals can be a bit thin with this combo and may sound a bit unnatural.

Soundstage is quite good with a good instrument separation.

F5 WITH IPHONE 6 PLUS AUDIRECT WHISTLE DAC/AMP: this is a very  good portable setup: voices are more in focus and very detailed with a great near to life feeling. Highs are clean and detailed, but never harsh or fatiguing.  Audirect WHISTLE makes a good job with treblish IEMS. Soundstage is quite good, but not so pleasing and extended like on the AK KANN or OPUS 1s.

F5 WITH IPHONE 6: my iphone can drive quite good this IEM and never found any driving issues. Sound is quite clean and detailed with very wide soundstage. Obviously this paring can’t compete with high quality DAPs. Overall you will great good sound with f5 directly connected to your smartphone, but you will surely lack the body, dynamic and soundstage of better sources.

COMPARISONS:

F5 VS FIIO EX1 2ND GEN:  F5 shows a more mature sound, in particular with balanced cable. Voices are more full and more detailed, on the other side EX1 has a more recessed voices reproduction. Treble on EX1 are more sparkly, but can result more harsh and fatiguing. Bass response on F5 is fuller with more “omph”. Soundstage is wider on ex1, but less coherent with less depth and height.

F5 vs NOBLE AUDIO EDC VELVET: EDC has a more smooth and warm sound signature with less sparkle, so Velvet is more suitable for relaxing audio session. On the other side F5 has a better transient response and soundstage. Bass on Velvet is more rounded and with more body, on the other side F5 has better speed and decay. These two IEMs have different approach to music, there isn’t a clear winner, so all depends on your needs and sound signature preferences.

F5 vs SHOZY HIBIKI: hibiki has a darker sound signature, on the other hand f5 has a more reveling sound, with more clean and defined treble response. Soundstage is quite on par, but F5 has a hairier sound with a better holographic soundstage. Bass on F5 has better attack and decay.

F5 vs PERIODIC AUDIO  Mg: Mg has a more natural sound signature with a more audiophile tuning. F5 has a more engaging and fun sound signature with better instrument separation and wider soundstage.

F5 vs IBASSO IT01: IT01 has a stronger bass impact with more impact and fullness, voices are a bit less recessed. Overall, IT01  has a more fun and v-shaped sound signature. On the other side F5 has a more mature and natural approach. Soundstage is great on both of this IEM, but F5 results more holographic to my ears.  


CONCLUSION: f5 is a great product for this price range and surely can compete with IEMs that costs 2x its price. F5 has a natural sound signature, but still can give you a lot of fun and excitement. For me is a good and natural improvements over the older model ex1 2nd gen, capable of giving you a more mature sound, with better voices reproduction and stronger and fuller bass response, in particular if used in balanced mode.

PROS: SOUNDSTAGE, AIRY SOUND, BASS RESPONSE, VOICES REPRODUCITON( IN PARTICULAR WITH FEMALE VOICES)

CONS: CAN BE A BIT HARSH WITH SOME SOURCES


Fiio F5 Specs

Impedance: 32Ω

Driver size: 13.6mm

Frequency response: 20 Hz ~ 40 kHz

Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW

Cable length: 120cm

Cable connections: MMCX

Weight (incl. cable): 21g