Whether this is a blessing or a curse depends almost entirely on personal preference as well as one’s musical library.

Excellent balanced tuning with 2 nozzle filters balanced and enhanced treble nozzles which is improved from their previous FD5. That the problem might be with tips/cable/my source or even the tuning nozzles I used during this review.Leaving frequency response aside, the FD5 has the upper hand in all technicalities and various sound performance qualities. The FD3 standard cable by contrast is light, supple, thin, and has a much more normally constructed L-shape plug; the ear hooks are comfortable and flexible as well. The middle frequencies are outlined, structural and occupy only the position assigned to them, without mixing with the upper and lower spectrum. My one complaint is that the MMCX cable connectors spin somewhat easily out of box, which gives me a bit of cause for concern regarding longevity. TONALITY is a well balanced and energic warmish W shape signature, with thumpy boosted mid bass, thick mids with fowards presence and upper mids and treble boost mostly focus on texture richness and high harmonic presence boost.

Fiio always seem to incorporate some type of treble spike in the treble tuning but this time around not so much. The FiiO FD3 has a very robust monitor shell that is made of aluminum-magnesium alloy material, which has been processed with the latest five-axis CNC process that was finally hand polished.I used the Tenhz SPC cable since I didn’t have any mmcx good SPC cable with me, there was increased depth, better balance in the notes, better separation and good air. Bass on the FD1 ( review) rolls a little earlier although lows are tuned more neutrally with less mid bass coloring while there is a certain upper-mid emphasis that can make them sound a little forward and harsh. TIMBRE is gently bright, with condensed texture and good density, timbral balance is cohesive in a opaque way and transparency is rather non-existent.

FD3 Pro: 152-core silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable with interchangeable termination plugs; 3.

The cable is certainly better than the one found in the FH3 and furthermore if you have opted for the Pro edition then you get an upgraded silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable with interchangeable termination plugs. I left them to burn in for about 50 hours — generally I do not find burn-in to make a difference in most IEMs, although some DDs do seem to attain a better bass control after they are broken in. The lower midrange region of the FiiO FD3 shows a good sense of depth and warmth and body, which makes the male vocal presentation more musical and pleasant, when I do listen to voices like Elton John or Sting up to Barry White and Isaac Hayes.