FiiO FX17 Review

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Treble

The Fiio FX17 delivers a reserved and conservative treble performance, featuring a smooth and easy-going response which is comfortable.

I find that the treble is generally well-controlled. Despite its silky and soft character, the treble also delivers impressive articulation and extension.

In my opinion, the treble tuning is ideal for those who appreciate a detailed presentation without it being too bright.

If you’re looking for a clear, precise, but smooth sound in the treble region, the FX17 can deliver precisely that.

This exceptionally well-balanced presentation is undoubtedly the highlight of the new FX17.

The EST drivers utilised in this IEM produce a smooth, precise, and extended treble that is both expressive and articulated.

The level of detail and transparency achieved in this aspect is well done. There is a lot of detail, with a transparent and resolving sound that exhibits good refinement. 

Even after an extended listening session, the treble performance doesn’t tire the ears. Fiio has hit the sweet spot in the treble range here.

The previous FX15 was too bright in the treble region, and I might say it was essentially a consequence of the EST drivers’ excessive detail and treble crispness, which, of course, also depended on your tip selection and sources.

Regardless, the treble performance of the FX17 is excellent, and I’m not sure if there’s anything better out there for this price bracket in terms of smooth sound character.

Technical Performance and Source Matching

In technical terms, we continue to witness the excellent capabilities of the FX17; however, some aspects need refinement in the future, in my opinion.

The soundstage is quite good, but due to the mid-bass issue I mentioned, staging suffers, which in turn limits spaciousness and overall airiness in the presentation.

The layering performance, however, is quite impressive. I could only imagine what might have happened if they had developed a better dynamic driver performance with improved refinement.

The FX17 boasts excellent imaging capabilities, with impressive instrument separation and definition across the spectrum.

Its excellent detail and articulation, combined with noteworthy detail pickup, allow for an exceptional level of nuance detection in any given song.

Additionally, its resolution is also impressive, further solidifying its status in the Fiio IEM line-up.

If you require a higher-end technical performance with pure transparency, micro details, and resolution, it is necessary to invest more than $1,499 USD.

This is the law of diminishing returns in our hobby. 

Driving the FX17 is relatively easy; I believe every type of source can be driven smoothly without any issues.

I would recommend pairing it with analytical or neutral character sources, which would tame down the mid-bass and create a neutral atmosphere.

Other than that, I wouldn’t provide any specifics here, because the FX17 is essentially an all-rounder that can sound very good with any given gear. 

Comparisons

If you’re considering whether the FX17 justifies its premium price over the FX15, the answer isn’t straightforward.

While the FX17 comes at a significantly higher price point—approximately double that of the FX15—the performance doesn’t reveal incredible differences. 

Nevertheless, the FX17 excels across all parameters, offering superior imaging, soundstage, and tonal accuracy.

For audiophiles seeking to experience Fiio’s pinnacle IEM technology and achieve optimal musicality, the FX17 is undoubtedly the recommended choice.

The mid-range has a better timbre and higher resolution, while the treble is smoother and much more controlled.

Most importantly, the FX17 provides a more transparent and fuller sound together, which is a rare combination to see in the market. 

The Elysian Apostle is the latest Elysian creation, featuring a tribrid setting similar to the FX17.

It boasts premium build quality, excellent packaging, and industrial design. So these two share some common points.

To me, the Apostle’s bass is a bit more balanced in terms of sub/mid-bass quantity, although its focus is on sub-bass.

The FX17’s mid-range is more musical, with a smoother transition from bass to treble, while the Apostle is more vivid and crisp.

It also boosts the upper mids, making female vocals stand out in particular, but the FX17 has a better timbre and great naturalness in its sound.

Another difference is imaging. The Apostle provides sharper and more focused imaging with improved separation and clarity, and excels in the soundstage department with a more spacious sound environment.

The difference is that the Apostle sounds wider, and the FX17 sounds a bit deeper. Both are great IEMs, and you should pick one depending on your sound preference.

It’s a mid-range timbre and musicality versus treble crispness, resulting in a V-shaped sound with vividness and air. Or ultimate coherence versus pooping vocals.

These two are very different, but they both perform great. 

Conclusion

The Fiio FX17 is the most advanced Fiio IEM to date, and it proves it with excellent performance.

I also liked the FX15, but this one is two steps above in my opinion. The technical performance is on a level that we only see from flagship IEMs in the market.

It can be improved for better sub-bass/mid-bass balance, or the overall clarity/resolution, so it’s not at the level of TOTL monitors to me, but the way it sounds is very, very good.

The price tag of this particular IEM from Fiio may exceed your usual expectations, but this is due to the level of quality and effort invested in its development.

In my opinion, Fiio has accomplished an impressive feat in delivering a product of such ambition. The sound is notable for its excellent mids, tonality, and naturalness.

Furthermore, it comes with a valuable set of accessories and is packaged impressively.

Pros:

• Great packaging
• Good build and fit
• Premium design
• Excellent tonality
• Exemplary mid-range response
• Good resolution

Cons: 

• The bass is not the best part
• Slightly ramped staging (horizontally)
• FiiO should work with established cable makers for flagship units

Page 1: Packaging, Design

Page 2: Build, Fit, Sound Quality