Introduction

Guangzhou FiiO Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., more commonly known simply as FiiO, has been a mainstay of affordable, good quality audio gear for well over a decade now. Its desktop amplifiers in particular have often challenged gaming-branded sound cards for available features while costing far less for an equivalent offering. We have covered a set of FiiO in-ear monitors before, and I have also finished testing a Bluetooth DAC/amp from the brand that may or may not be published before this article goes live. When the company offered a first look at not only its new, more budget-friendly IEMs, but also an update to a popular desktop amplifier, I decided to combine the two in a single, longer review. Thanks to FiiO for providing review samples to TechPowerUp!


Seen above is FiiO's new FD3, a new single dynamic-driver set which takes a lot of the parameters from the highly recommended FD5 to a lower price point. It comes in two color options—black and gold or silver—as well as in a Pro version that is only available in the black and gold color scheme at this time, but switches the cable for a more customizable one. It is paired to what FiiO refers to as the "New K3," which I maintain can be a confusing name. The FiiO K3 is one of many products that have fallen prey to the ongoing chip shortage issues, especially with the previously used DAC from AKM further being affected by the big fire at the AKM factory late last year. As such, the new K3 goes with ESS Sabre instead, and we will examine it as an accessory in this article which otherwise uses the FD3 as the focal point and begins with a look at the specifications of the FiiO FD3 in the table below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Packaging for the FiiO FD3 certainly follows the same design language as what we saw with the FiiO FH5s, but has been toned down and is smaller. There is a plastic wrap over the primarily black product box, which makes for a blank canvas other colors are used on generously. On the front is the company logo and a Hi-Red audio certificate with renders of the ear buds over abstract art. On the back is the company contact information as well as a brief summary of the product, which had me chuckle as I read that the product will probably be upgraded. It is on the sides where there are more technical drawings akin to what we saw with the FH5s, and I am a big fan of these. There is also the customary FiiO genuine check sticker that can be used to ensure you have an authentic FiiO product.


We see two magnets holding the clasp of the lid on the side in place, which opens up like a book as seen above. Plenty more black with thick cardboard for protection here. A fairly generic booklet greets us first; it is written in multiple languages and goes over how to use recently released FiiO IEMs correctly in terms of plugging the cable in, having the cable over the ears and back, and using the provided MMCX detachment tool to disconnect the cable itself. It is clearly meant for all FiiO IEMs henceforth and does not cover anything solely specific to the FD3. Below this is a two-part unboxing experience with the IEMs at the top and an accessory box underneath, which is also composed of cardboard.


Inside this box is the case itself, which is an updated take on FiiO's HB1 hard case. It has a see-through polycarbonate lid, but is practically no different from the HB1 in providing for a sturdy, element-resistant storage and travel option. FiiO claims it is waterproof, but that by itself is a generic claim without any mention of the testing conditions, and the lack of an O-ring seal also makes it harder to believe. Regardless, this case with a sturdy hinge and a lock on the side is a very good option for daily use.


Open the case and you will see the use of thermoplastic polyurathane (TPU) for the lining material. It's relatively soft to allow for the IEMs to be placed inside without being scratched and has enough give to create a decent seal with the lid in the absence of a full O-ring seal and pressure-equalization akin to the more expensive Pelican/SKB offerings. There is plenty of room for the IEMs with the cable and some accessories, as evident by FiiO having all the accessories inside the case by default. These include a cleaning brush and the same MMCX detachment tool we saw with the FH5s that prevents imbalanced pressure when tugging on the MMCX connectors and thus minimizes potentially damaging these. There are also two replacement sound tubes, which we will get to on the next page, as well as four sets of ear tips in multiple sizes, ranging from balanced, vocal-optimized, bass-optimized, and memory foam in order from left to right above. These are adopted from the FH5s, which costs a lot more, so I am happy to see FiiO retain its status of being the king of IEM accessories.


The FiiO FD3 IEMs come with the cable pre-installed and have a foam layer for protection, with cutouts to host the ear buds as well as the contoured cable. The cable then heads underneath, where it is placed inside a cardboard cutout, and removing the collective assembly is best done from the bottom up. At this point, I used the provided tool to detach the cable from the ear buds for a closer look at the two separately.