FiiO has previously released metal-shell earphones like the FiiO FD5 and FiiO FH9, which stood out for their unique hollowed-out and engraved designs, leaving a deep impression on me. The earlier FiiO FX15 adopted a resin shell, but its design lacked distinctiveness. The recently launched FiiO FX17 returned to the metal cavity design, and is currently the most expensive among FiiO headphones.
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Appearance Design & Comfort & Cable & Accessories
The FiiO FX17 features a triangular-shaped shell without any additional patterns. The pure titanium CNC-machined cavity has a mirror-like finish, creating a striking contrast between light and shadow.
The cavity is relatively large, which may make it less stable for users with smaller ears. However, thanks to titanium’s low density, the FX17 is well-controlled in weight, with each unit weighing only 12.2g – there’s no feeling of heaviness when worn.
The FX17 comes with the LC-RE PRO cable, which FiiO previously sold separately. The cable is an 8-strand, 360-core gold, silver, and copper mixed braided design, enhancing the sound texture across all frequencies.
The cable features an interchangeable plug system, offering 3.5mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced, and a Type-C headphone amplifier plug. The Type-C plug has a built-in DSP chip that, when connected to a smartphone, allows users to simulate the phone’s frequency response curve via the FiiO Control app, offering a rich array of customization options.
Additionally, the FiiO FX17 includes up to 22 pairs of eartips in various types/sizes, such as HS20, HS18, and SpinFit. The package also includes a commemorative plaque engraved with a unique serial number.
Audio Architecture & Driving
The FiiO FX17 features one lithium-magnesium alloy diaphragm dynamic driver, four custom Knowles mids and highs balanced armature drivers, and eight Sonion highs and ultra-highs electrostatic drivers per side. A precisely tuned five-way crossover balances energy distribution among the drivers, ensuring each operates in its optimal state for a grander soundstage and more natural sound.
The FX17’s high-frequency response extends up to 50kHz. With eight electrostatic drivers to significantly boosts sound pressure levels and handles frequencies above 6kHz, making the electrostatic drivers’ tonality more prominent and perceptible.
The FiiO FX17 is not particularly hard to driving – flagship player, mini headphone amplifier, Type-C adapter, they all driving very well.
When paired with the Type-C amp, the sound emphasizes mid-low frequency. The vocals are slightly forward, and the bass output is more pronounced. This tuning sacrifices some of the excellent highs. To fully appreciate the electrostatic drivers on a smartphone, adjusting the EQ curve via the FiiO Control app is a great option.
My idea is to apply a -1dB gain reduction to the boosted mid-low frequency and compensate with a +0.6dB gain increase for frequencies above 2kHz. This adjustment improves transparency, allowing the delicate texture of the highs to shine through, while keeping the mid-low frequency well-controlled and maintaining an overall balanced sound signature.
Sound Descation of the FiiO FX17
Bass: Clean, transparent, and layered, without muddiness. Excellent extension and elasticity, with natural reverberation. The bass is relaxed and ample in quantity.
Mids: The vocals are moderately thick and solid density. The vocals are at a normal stage distance and are well separated from the accompaniment background. The sibilance is preserved but smoothed out to avoid harshness.
The tone isn’t the common restoration style, it carries a little coloration that enhances appeal without altering the core sound characteristics. The imaging is moderate, full and three-dimensional. The edges are delicate, retaining enough information while removing the rough parts.
Highs: The FiiO FX17 seems to break free from the constraints of traditional electrostatic headphones. The highs are light, transparent, and has a strong airiness. When the overtones of the instrument extend to the ultra-highs, the ethereal sound texture is particularly outstanding. The highs are bright and not piercing, the details are rich, and the sound lines are smooth but not sharp.
Soundstage/Resolution: The soundstage is expansive, with remarkable depth in the vertical dimension, making complex compositions sound layered and distinct. The FX17 amplifies even the subtlest musical details, allowing listeners to effortlessly uncover hidden nuances in songs.
The FiiO FX17’s sound exudes a calm and elegant demeanor. It adapts well to most music genres but excels in two areas: classical music and female vocals. Its transparent background and refined vocal rendering perfectly capture the essence of songs. For electronic dance music, K-POP, or J-POP, it might not deliver the same level of excitement.
Comparison: FiiO FX17 vs. FiiO FX15
Compared to the FiiO FX15 with its electrostatic switch activated, it’s clear that FiiO has made significant strides in tuning electrostatic drivers.
The FX17’s highs and ultra-highs are brighter and more refined than the FX15’s, with smoother transitions into the midrange.
The FX17’s resolution, density, and dynamics are noticeably superior to the FX15, and its sound imaging is far more polished.
Conclusion & Specs
The FiiO FX17 is priced at just under $1,500, maintaining its reputation as a great budget option among audiophiles. The FX17’s sound isn’t about “outperforming” competitors in raw technicality but rather in its innovative use of electrostatic drivers and auditory presentation. I personally think that in terms of pan-pop and other music listening needs, FiiO FX17 is one of the most suitable HiFi earphones at this price.
FiiO FX17 Specs and Features:
- 13-driver (1DD + 4BA + 8EST) design
- Electronic and physical five-way crossover
- Patented S.Turbo acoustic design
- Titanium constrution & 3 audio plugs design
- Mixed gold, silver, and copper cable
- Comes with 22 pairs of eartips, cable, audio plugs, storage case, tools, and more
- $1494 – Check latest price on AliExpress (Official Store)