Packaging and Accessories

FiiO operates a web shop by itself, but the FiiO x Crinacle FHE:Eclipse I will henceforth simply refer to as the FHE:Eclipse is exclusive to SHENZHENAUDIO, an online retailer who also shipped me the product. As such, we begin with product packaging, and note that it was plenty adequate. The product box for the FHE:Eclipse comes with a plastic wrap around the black cardboard box, which in turn has a plastic hang tag that is redundant for this online-only item. On the front is a clear sign that this is a product borne out of a collaboration between FiiO and Crinacle, with the In-Ear Fidelity logo making a showing at the top to go with the now-customary Hi-Res Audio badge. The product name and a render of the right channel IEM also make an appearance here. Turning things over to the back, we see contact information for FiiO, a typical frequency response curve, and the Knowles logo to confirm the use of Knowles balanced armature drivers. As expected from a FiiO product, the box itself is substantial, with an authentication sticker on the side and a magnetic clasp holding the box shut.


Unboxing is on the simpler side thus, and we see the box unfurl from the side akin to a hardcover book. A multi-language quick start guide greets us right away, and I encourage those new to IEMs to go through it if only to better understand how the IEM shells, ear tips, and cable come together. Below is a two-part packaging with the IEMs already connected to the stock cable, placed in machined foam cutouts in two layers of its own, as well as a cardboard box that contains the other accessories provided with the FHE:Eclipse. The packaging is taken directly from the FiiO FH3 and hasn't been updated to match the newer FiiO IEMs released this year.


FiiO provides an updated take on its HB1 hard case with a see-through polycarbonate lid. It makes for a sturdy, element-resistant storage and travel option FiiO claims is waterproof, but that by itself is a generic claim since testing conditions are not mentioned, and the lack of an O-ring seal also makes it harder to believe. Regardless, this case with a sturdy hinge and lock on the side is a very good option for daily use given ample storage room inside. Open the case and you will see the use of thermoplastic polyurathane (TPU) for the lining material. It is 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 more expensive Pelican or SKB offerings.


The same case came with the FiiO FD3 released earlier this year, but the FHE:Eclipse gets a second case inside the first one! It happens to be a soft carry case with the FiiO logo stitched onto the side of the canvas bag, and stitching and zipper quality is plenty satisfactory. This smaller case can also fit the IEMs with the cable, though it is a tighter squeeze than with the harder plastic case. Inside, four wax paper pouches contain ear tips, so we don't get the MMCX extraction tool or a cleaning brush as with the newer FiiO IEMs. I would have certainly wanted FiiO to include the former at the very least, especially as many struggle with MMCX connectors on IEMs and IEM cables.


Another point of contention I have here is FiiO not labeling the different ear tips this time around, instead leaving it to the customer to waste the time and figure out which of the three types of silicone ear tips are balanced, vocal-optimized, or bass-optimized—refer to this page for more on that. The various silicone tips come in S/M/L size options, with the M-sized balanced tips pre-installed on the IEMs. We also get two sets of memory foam tips, which makes for a handsome assortment of ear tips and is as expected from FiiO.


Seen above is visual confirmation of the IEMs coming with the M-sized balanced ear tips out of the box, and the cable pre-installed. While this has the FHE:Eclipse ready to be listened to right away, it is not conducive for our separate inspection of the cable and IEMs. To do so requires separating the two, meaning you need to hold an IEM shell in one hand and carefully tug at the MMCX connector on the accompanying cable channel without wiggling it around much. Do the same for the other side and we can proceed.