FiiO FH11 Carbon Based Diaphragm In Ear Monitors (Box opened)

The FiiO FH11 is a hybrid in-ear monitor from FiiO’s “Bionic Conch” series, designed to punch above its price in both looks and sound. A 10mm carbon-based dynamic driver borrowed from FiiO’s high-end FH15 and FF5 and a custom balanced armature work together in a three-chamber shell with a C-shaped acoustic channel, for detailed, powerful bass that suits rock and pop, with clear, sparkling treble. The die-cast zinc alloy shell is shaped like a conch, and the 0.78mm 2-pin cable detaches. It is Hi-Res Audio certified and won a VGP 2024 Summer Life Style award.

The “Bionic Conch” series

FiiO created the FH11 and its sibling, the FD11, as a new series that aims to beat its price class. High-end techniques give their shells a distinctive sense of flow, and innovations such as the C-shaped acoustic channel aim for a truly cohesive, unified sound. The two have different characters: the FD11 focuses on dynamic-driver timbre and vocals (vocal music, folk, anime and game soundtracks), while the FH11 focuses on detailed, high-quality bass that immerses you in the music, suiting rock, pop and similar styles.

10mm carbon-based dynamic driver

The diaphragm material is crucial to how a dynamic driver sounds, and FiiO’s team drew on the materials of its high-end FH15 and FF5 earphones. Carbon-based material is lighter than aluminium, beryllium and other materials, with nine times the tensile strength of steel, so the driver responds quickly to transients and breaks up very little, keeping distortion low and detail high.

A custom balanced armature for the treble

The treble is handled by a highly resolving custom balanced armature, chosen to complement the carbon driver. It sounds clear but with just the right amount of warmth, so the FH11 sounds powerful and easy to enjoy.

Three chambers and a C-shaped acoustic channel

To let each driver work at its best, the rear of each earpiece is divided into three chambers, with a damping system that stops pressure changes in one from affecting the others. Each driver moves more freely, with less distortion, better bass extension and quicker response. The C-shaped acoustic channel inside also targets the bass: as air moves through it, the channel increases the air’s viscosity and lowers the resonant frequency, improving both mid-bass and sub-bass, so you feel the power and cohesion of a drum beat.

Tuned to work as one

FiiO’s team took particular care that the balanced armature and dynamic driver blend smoothly into an easy, cohesive sound. The carbon driver provides robust, atmospheric bass, and the balanced armature has specially tuned emphases around 14kHz and 18kHz that bring out the brilliance of flutes, xylophones and cymbals.

A conch in zinc alloy

Inspired by a conch shell, the zinc alloy body is liquid die-cast, then polished and electroplated, for a look and feel rarely seen in this class. Its triangular ergonomic shape maximises contact with your ear, forming a three-point support so it stays secure whatever you are doing.

Detachable cable

The cable uses recessed 0.78mm 2-pin connectors, so you can upgrade it later, and its curved, elbow-shaped connectors are easy to use and comfortable around your ears. The supplied cable has four strands of 120 oxygen-free copper wires each, is about 1.2m long and ends in a gold-plated 3.5mm plug.

Good to know

• At 24Ω and 111dB/mW the FH11 is easy to drive from a phone, dongle or portable player.
• Two kinds of ear tips are included: balanced tips and bass tips (bass tips in size M are fitted).
• Prefer a single dynamic driver with a vocal focus? See the FiiO FD11.
• In the box: FH11, 3.5mm to 0.78mm 2-pin cable, balanced ear tips (S/M/L), bass ear tips (S/M/L, M fitted) and user manual.