Selected independent coverage

When great sound
gets noticed.

A selection of what specialist reviewers have said about products in our range. Read the original coverage and its full context at the source.

Astell & Kern

Astell & Kern SE300 Music Player

3 press reviews£1,899.00

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Headfonia
the sound quality is satisfying, especially in terms of mid-range tonality and layering

Berkhan

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Major HiFi
The SE300 keeps up with Astell & Kerns's high standards while implementing new technology that keeps things fresh

Alex Schiffer

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eCoustics
What sold me at the end of the day was the tonal balance and fluidity of the sound

Ian White

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Astell & Kern

Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000 Digital Audio Player

7 press reviews£3,799.00

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a luxuriously designed DAP with an impressive sound performance that is neutral, crisp, and detailed

Joshua

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Headfonia
you get a very high-end portable player with a unique design, perfect build quality and excellent performance

Recommended Buy Award

Lieven

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Major HiFi
the SP3000 showcases why it is at the top of the market

Alex Schiffer

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eCoustics
the SP3000 is the best potable digital source we have ever tried and that's no exaggeration

Ian White

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Astell & Kern

Astell&Kern KANN MAX Digital Audio Player

3 press reviews£1,199.00

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Headfonia
The MAX doesn’t only sound good (typical AK style), it also is beautiful, well built and very easy to use

Lieven

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Major HiFi
The MAX hosts a fantastic sound signature, with a pure reference quality that is hard to beat.

Alex Schiffer

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eCoustics
I think is the best option for those who want a truly reference caliber portable digital source device

Ian White

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a brilliant new way to explore your music with fresh ears

Ryan Waniata

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these can be a great all-rounder offering flexibility in tuning allowing it to appeal to those who demand perfect objectivity

Aldous

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Headfonia
the most comfortable pair of high-end headphones I’ve ever experienced

Matty Graham

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Major HiFi
The Audio Techinca ATH-ADX5000 are wonderfully comfortable, light, and great sounding headphones.

Steph Durwin

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Audio-Technica

Audio Technica ATH-S220BT Headphones

2 press reviews£60.00

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Headfonia
It's a first-rate pair of closed-back hifi cans with far more use-cases than it's bulkier and more expensive brethren

Matty Graham

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Major HiFi
sounds so tight and clean (not to mention the fun soundstage) that it’s hard not to enjoy

Gabby Bloch

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It offers a faster, slicker OS, improved technical capability from an updated DAC, and re-tuned timbre modes

Marcus

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Headfonia
Cayin N3Ultra DAP delivers an exceptional combination of versatility and audio excellence
Ear Fidelity
reviewed Cayin N3Ultra sounds absolutely spectacular, surpassing the original N3Pro by quite a margin

Paweł Szachno

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it can effortlessly drive any of my headphones, including the high-impedance ones, to high volume levels with good sound

Marcelo

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Porta-Fi 8.2 / 10
it is an excellent all-rounder for listeners who value power and flexibility as much as portability

Goh Beng Yeow

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the RU7 is probably the best of the lot, both in terms of agreeable timbral coloration and technical prowess

Marcus

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Headfonia
delivers a precise and immersive sound, with a wonderful timbre and lovely harmonics

Lieven

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eCoustics
The Cayin RU7 is the best Dongle DAC we've tried yet

Ian White

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Mobile Audiophile
the Cayin RU7 stands as a competent, high-quality dongle that delivers on its promises

Mobile Audiophile

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impressive, yet very 'tweakable' sound, excellent power output, and all inside a low-profile yet extremely sturdy design

Marcus

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Headfonia
in this price-range it might be one of the best solution on the market

NanoTechnos

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Ear Fidelity
it is one of the best mobile DAC/Amps currently on the market

Wildly Recommended

Mateusz Chmura

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eCoustics
Its versatility isn’t a marketing bullet point—it’s the product.

eCoustics

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Dan Clark Audio

Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Headphones

3 press reviews£899.00

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makes this probably one of the best fitting planar headphones out there today

Marcus

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Headfonia
The Aeon 2 has a nice slightly warm sound, that makes a lot of tunes very enjoyable
Major HiFi
the AEON 2 Closed sets a new record for just how good a closed-back headphone can sound

Carroll Moore

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Dan Clark Audio

Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Headphones

2 press reviews£899.00

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Major HiFi
Elegantly balanced and multidimensional, with a classy level of warmth and color

MajorHiFi Gold Award

Gabby Bloch

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makes this probably one of the best fitting planar headphones out there today

Marcus

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I have not heard something in this price range that maintains the slam, detail, airiness, and sparkle of the MK2.

Rabi J Sank Jr

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Headfonia
It delivers a smooth yet detailed sound signature that harmonizes well with a wide array of music genres
presented what was played without overriding the underlying sound of the source music

Lynn

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Headfonia
you are getting massive I/O options and top-tier connectivity with a proper flagship wireless chipset, DSP & parametric EQ
Porta-Fi 8.8 / 10
it offers a different kind of appeal

Goh Beng Yeow

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HiFi Oasis 9 / 10
The sound has a certain organic quality to it that keeps music sounding lively and full of soul

HiFi-Dawson

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a feature-rich Bluetooth DAC/AMP with substantial power for its price, offering options like Parametric EQ, an app, and mic passthrough

Meldrick

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Headfonia
a good entry point into wireless audio, with a smoother, fairly balanced sound and practical features
HiFi Oasis 9 / 10
I see no comparable portable Bluetooth DAC at that price

HiFi-Dawson

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Mobile Audiophile
it really stands out as a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a versatile on the go device

Mobile Audiophile

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Its ability to power sensitive headphones effectively while delivering pleasing tonality and quality

James

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Headfonia
its core attributes stand out: solid sound quality, a great feature set, and an excellent design, all at accessible pricing
Major HiFi
With tons of power and a clean, detailed delivery, the BTR15 is the perfect device

Gabby Bloch

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is a formidable and versatile dongle DAC that can fill many audio needs and is a step above its predecessor sonically

Louis

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Headfonia
an impressive all-in-one solution for those who want the flexibility of using a single device both at home and on the go

Recommended Wireless Buy

Major HiFi
the overall sound experience and build quality make it a worthy investment

Alex Schiffer

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eCoustics
It delivers clean, controlled power with a slightly warm tilt that adds welcome body without sacrificing clarity

eCoustics

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Audio Reviews
worth the price of admission solely for its design and engineering merits

Loomis T. Johnson

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Mobile Audiophile
the BTR17 is a fantastic Bluetooth DAC/AMP. It's powerful, portable, and sounds amazing

Mobile Audiophile

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FiiO

FiiO CP13 Cassette Player

5 press reviews£109.99

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Headfonia
Well-built, beautiful, easy to setup and delivering good sonic performances, this player is more than a gimmick toy

NanoTechnos

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The FiiO CP13 is a unique and exciting product release that taps into a bygone area using a modern and fresh approach.

Lynn

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Audio Reviews
it is cheaper and has a superior headphone amplifier

Jürgen Kraus

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delivers a weighty and powerful warmish tone that is easy on the ear

Marcus

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Headfonia
for the price, you’d be hard pressed to find anything as good

NanoTechnos

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HiFi Oasis 9 / 10
At its core, the DM13 plays CDs, and it plays them well

HiFi-Dawson

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Audio Reviews
it is the best value of all portable CD players

Jürgen Kraus

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a relatively smooth, analog-sounding portable CD player with a powerful, dense low end and full-sounding vocal performances

Marcus

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Headfonia
You get a compact CD player that can also act as a USB DAC/AMP, a Bluetooth transmitter, and even a ripping tool
HiFi Oasis 9 / 10
the DM15 R2R lives up to its promise

HiFi-Dawson

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Audio Reviews
the DM15 RDR is an excellent CD player at a reasonable price

Jürgen Kraus

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It is a proper integrated tube amplifier with plenty of detail, warmth, and a rich, holographic presentation

Lynn

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Headfonia
the FiiO EA13 is the best amplifier I've had in my living room in a very long time

NanoTechnos

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Audio Reviews
In contrast to the usual sold-state fare, the EA13 plays more nuanced and delicately

Jürgen Kraus

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an enjoyable and competitive wireless headphone for its price, with a trendy retro design, pleasing tuning

Meldrick

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Headfonia
The EH11 delivered a warm, full-bodied, and genuinely musical presentation that caught me completely off guard.

NanoTechnos

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Porta-Fi 8.4 / 10
Sound is warm, enjoyable, and surprisingly capable for the money

Goh Beng Yeow

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HiFi Oasis 8 / 10
it made something with a clear identity. It is stylish, simple, mostly comfortable, and more capable than its retro appearance suggests

HiFi-Dawson

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Mobile Audiophile
the mids come alive with a small boost, and the highs are smooth.

Mobile Audiophile

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presents a competent signature, with a better top end countering the lack of sheer grunt down low

Lynn

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Headfonia
packs noise cancellation, LDAC, wired mode, dual-device connectivity, exceptional battery life, solid microphone quality, and a competent app with parametric EQ

NanoTechnos

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Porta-Fi 8.1 / 10
Battery life stands out as a real strength

Goh Beng Yeow

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HiFi Oasis 8 / 10
Battery life is simply excellent.

HiFi-Dawson

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restored my faith in the modern-day BA driver’s capacity to produce a great bass performance

Louis

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Headfonia
giving you a precise, balanced, sound signature, with lively mids and deep bass

Recommended Buy winner

NanoTechnos

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Mobile Audiophile
the FA19 shows how high you can achieve in the world of IEMs

Mobile Audiophile

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FiiO

FiiO FD11 In Ear Monitors

2 press reviews£36.99

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one of the most significant budget IEM sellers of the summer due to its crazy-low price

Michael

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Headfonia
you get a very compelling sound, with solid lows and great staging, in a life-lasting shell

NanoTechnos

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FiiO

FiiO FD3/FD3 PRO In Ear Monitors

3 press reviewsFrom £84.99

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the FD3’s semi-open back nature presents a wide soundstage width and a natural even-handed tonal balance

Jarvin

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Headfonia
the FiiO FD3 offers almost the same prowess as the FD5

NanoTechnos

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provides good value with its ability to produce IEM levels of bass using an earbud-style design

Meldrick

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Headfonia
these earbuds are nothing short of impressive, delivering sound quality that rivals similarly antic headphones

NanoTechnos

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Mobile Audiophile
their value is in their excellent build quality, great accessories and decent sound quality

Mobile Audiophile

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managed to sonically and cosmetically improve on one of the company's best-selling hybrid IEMs and made this happen without a price increase

Louis

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Headfonia
The FiiO FH19 stands out as the most coherent and balanced IEM from FiiO that I have tested to date.

Berkhan

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Mobile Audiophile
The detail retrieval is spot on, capturing every little detail in the music

Mobile Audiophile

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FiiO

FiiO FH3 In Ear Monitors

2 press reviews£99.99

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the overall tonal balance is very good. The imaging is a strong point with a relatively coherent sound signature

Jarvin

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Headfonia
Performances are on par, if not better than the FH5 for almost half of the price.

NanoTechnos

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FiiO

FiiO FH7s Hybrid In-Ear Monitors

3 press reviews£369.99

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A tight, well-defined bass, a smooth midrange that envelopes the listener and never becomes harsh

Louis

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Headfonia
you get the same bass performance, good tonality, a great soundstage for the price

Berkhan

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eCoustics
The warm tonal balance of the FH7S makes it a good match to a wide range of DAPs

eCoustics

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There’s a nice amount of mid-bass punch, a crystalline top end, and a very smooth midrange section

Louis

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Headfonia
The FiiO FH9 is the best FiiO IEM I've reviewed in terms of sound performance.

Berkhan

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Major HiFi
The improved depth and bass extension were definite highlights of the FH9

Alex Schiffer

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Mobile Audiophile
The Fiio FH9 are bold, slick looking, comfortable and sound fantastic

Chris Love

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FiiO

FiiO FP3 In Ear Monitors

4 press reviews£85.99

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High frequencies are crisp and detailed, bringing exceptional clarity to cymbals, chimes, and other treble-centric instruments.

Meldrick

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Headfonia
The FP3 has excellent bass performance for the money, surprisingly wide staging, and good imaging

Berkhan

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HiFi Oasis 8 / 10
it delivers on most of its promises without the usual budget compromises

HiFi-Dawson

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With a competitive and enjoyable sound signature, the FiiO FT1 is a thoroughly impressive set of closed-back dynamic driver headphones

Lynn

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Headfonia
FiiO nailed the sound signature of the FT1, offering the right balance between fun, and accuracy

NanoTechnos

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I found the FiiO FT1 Pro open-back planar headphones to have a smooth character, which became more pleasing the longer I listened.

Lynn

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Headfonia
an over-ear headphone standing out as one of the best options in its category

recommendation list

NanoTechnos

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eCoustics
The FT1 Pro’s standout strength lies in its exceptional resolution

eCoustics

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Porta-Fi 7.4 / 10
delivers fast, tidy transients and a warm-neutral tuning that suits long listening sessions

Goh Beng Yeow

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Audio Reviews
It is built well, has no tonal quirks and is enjoyable for hours

Jürgen Kraus

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FiiO

FiiO FT13 Closed-Back Headphones

4 press reviews£289.99

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The FT13 is nonetheless a pleasant listening experience when paired with the proper amplification and genres.

Lynn

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Headfonia
the FT13 remains an excellent closed-back headphone: elegant, solid, comfortable, and easy to enjoy across a wide range of genres

NanoTechnos

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Porta-Fi 8.3 / 10
stands out with its purpleheart wood cups, generous accessory pack, easy drivability, and spacious, bass-rich sound

Goh Beng Yeow

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resolving and immersive bass experience with rich nuances and textures

James

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Headfonia
The FT5's large planar driver provides excellent bass quantity, dynamics, mid-range fullness, and natural treble with good definition

Berkhan

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Major HiFi
Its huge planar driver boasts a great sound that's not hard to power

Alex Schiffer

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The bold material usage, understated luxury, premium accessories, and a mature and natural tuning, come together to create a delightful user experience.

James

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Headfonia
It provides a secure fit that seals well without creating hot spots

Headfonia Recommended

Major HiFi
the FT7 offers an articulate and immersive sound profile that adapts depending on which pads you prefer

Alex Schiffer

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Porta-Fi 8.8 / 10
Its bass is textured and controlled, its midrange stays clear without sounding thin

Goh Beng Yeow

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I’m incredibly surprised with how expansive the soundstage is, which I think can compete with IEMs at this price point

Cheryl

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Headfonia
offering a balanced and fun sound profile that rivals more expensive counterparts
I was blown away by the FW5's soundstage

Cheryl

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Headfonia
the FiiO FW5 is an outstanding TWS option for audiophiles seeking a high-quality audio experience

Recommended Buy List

Mobile Audiophile
Fiio brought out the best in this price point and used all their tricks and came away with a nice product.

Mobile Audiophile

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They're fun and pleasant to listen to, they come well-accessorized, and are versatile as far as synergy and overall sonic versatility goes

Louis

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Headfonia
The FiiO FX15 might be the best FiiO IEM I've tested to this day

Berkhan

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Major HiFi
The bass and separation are definitely highlights for me, as well as its great design and wealth of accessories

Alex Schiffer

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More press reviews

Quotes are short excerpts from each publication’s review and scores are shown on the publication’s own scale. Follow the link to read the full review.