FiiO has introduced their newest in-ear monitors, the FP3 planars, available in natural black walnut or rosewood finishes. Unlike traditional earbuds that utilize cone drivers, the FP3 employs planar drivers which provide a sound that is more natural and expressive.
Sound Quality Comparison
Full-sized headphones using planar drivers, like those from Audeze, can deliver an incredibly warm and natural sound when paired with strong amplifiers. On the other hand, conventional cone drivers might distort when pushed hard, as the outer edge of the cone does not move in sync with the center, even with stiffer materials.
Advanced Diaphragm Design
The FiiO FP3 features an ultra-light diaphragm that is just 1 μm thick, coated in aluminum and titanium for added stiffness. This diaphragm is produced using a 0.28 nm process, which forms 0.055 mm conductive traces on its surface. The diaphragm is driven uniformly from both sides by 14 strong magnets, resulting in a powerful and responsive sound.
Impressive Specifications
The FP3 is Hi-Res Audio certified, boasting a frequency response range of 10 Hz to 40 kHz. With an impedance of 36 ohms and a sensitivity of 105 dB/mW at 1 kHz, sound is transmitted through 392 silver-plated copper wires bundled into four strands. Each earbud connects via a detachable 0.78 mm 2-pin connector, leading to a gold-plated 3.5mm stereo jack.
The FiiO FP3 in rosewood or black walnut is priced at an MSRP of $92.85, available at FiiO's stores on AliExpress and Amazon. For those looking for compatible devices, the FiiO CP13 portable cassette player or the FiiO R7 desktop digital audio player (with a 5-inch display) can be purchased on Amazon.
Custom Driver Development
The FP3 boasts FiiO's second generation, self-developed 14.5mm in-ear planar driver. Every aspect, from the diaphragm to the patented dual-coating, conductive trace width, and magnetic circuit fine-tuning, has been designed by FiiO. This customization allows for a sophisticated acoustic system, resulting in notable improvements in sound quality compared to standard off-the-shelf drivers.
