FiiO FD11 In Ear Monitors - Type C Edition

The FiiO FD11 Type-C Edition (FD11 TC) brings the FD11 to phones, tablets and laptops without a headphone socket: its USB-C cable has its own DSP decoder, supporting up to 96kHz/24-bit. The FD11 is a single dynamic driver in-ear monitor from FiiO’s “Bionic Conch” series, built to punch above its price in sound and looks. Its 10mm carbon-based driver uses the same diaphragm material as FiiO’s high-end FH15 and FF5, with a dual-cavity design and FiiO’s second-generation asymmetric magnet system, in a conch-shaped die-cast zinc alloy shell. Tuned with a focus on vocals and timbre, it suits vocal music, folk and anime and game soundtracks. It is Hi-Res Audio certified, won a VGP 2024 Summer Life Style award, and comes with a detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable.

A DAC in the cable

To keep hi-fi simple and direct, the FD11 TC has a DSP audio decoding chip in its USB-C plug, supporting up to 96kHz/24-bit and handling most streaming music without any extra device. Rather than relying on the integrated audio chip in your phone or computer, it takes the digital signal over USB-C and decodes it independently, for a more faithful sound. It is plug-and-play with iOS, Android, Windows and Mac.

Carbon-based 10mm driver

The development team chose the materials of FiiO’s high-end FH15 and FF5 for the FD11’s diaphragm. Carbon-based material is lighter than aluminium, beryllium and other materials, with nine times the tensile strength of steel, so the driver is highly responsive and detailed, handling fast transients with minimal break-up and distortion.

Asymmetric internal and external magnets

FiiO’s second-generation asymmetric magnetic circuit, optimised with finite element simulation, uses magnets both inside and outside the voice coil. Compared with the single internal or external magnet of a typical dynamic driver, it creates a denser and wider magnetic field, driving the diaphragm harder for a more robust sound, better transients and lower distortion with dynamic music. N52 neodymium magnets give a sensitivity of 111dB/mW, so the FD11 is easy to drive.

A dual-cavity driver

The back of the driver has a unique two-layer cavity, with damping in both the inner and outer chambers to control the airflow precisely. That reduces distortion and lets the diaphragm move freely without break-up, for more detailed treble and especially more robust, resolving bass that reproduces low-frequency detail with real speed.

C-shaped acoustic channel and tuning

Inside the conch-shaped shell, a C-shaped acoustic channel increases the viscosity of the moving air and lowers the resonant frequency, improving both mid-bass and sub-bass, so drums sound cohesive and powerful. FiiO tuned the light carbon driver with specially optimised emphases around 14kHz and 18kHz to bring out detail. Compared with its hybrid sibling, the FH11, the FD11 puts less weight on the bass and more on realistic vocals, for a more forward sound with a clearer sense of space. The tuning was measured on a B&K head and torso simulator and an APx555 audio analyser.

Die-cast zinc alloy, shaped like a conch

Inspired by a conch shell, the zinc alloy body is die-cast, polished and electroplated for a high-end look and feel rarely seen in its class. Compared with the FD1, the FD11 is made entirely of high-end materials and techniques, so it is stronger and more durable for daily use. The die-cast inner surface is very slightly uneven, just enough to break up converging sound waves and standing waves for a purer sound. The triangular, ergonomic shape maximises contact with your ear so it stays secure.

Detachable 2-pin cable

The 0.78mm 2-pin cable detaches for easy upgrades, with curved, elbow-shaped connectors that are comfortable around your ears. It has four strands of 120 oxygen-free copper wires each for smooth, low-resistance signal transfer, is about 1.2m long and ends in the USB-C plug with its DSP decoder.

Good to know

• Using a player, amplifier or computer with a 3.5mm socket? Choose the standard FiiO FD11.
• Prefer more bass? The FiiO FH11 adds a balanced armature and focuses on detailed bass.
• In the box: FD11, USB-C 2-pin cable with DSP, ear tips (S/M/L, M fitted) and quick guide.