The FiiO FP3 was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the FiiO FP3 is $89.99 and you can buy it from here.
FiiO FP3
FiiO is a brand that makes numerous in-ear monitors that come with all shorts of driver configurations. From single dynamic driver ones like the FD11, to multi-driver set-ups like the flagship FX17.
However there was still something missing from this extensive catalog, FiiO had never made a planar magnetic driver earphone. Well, until now because the FiiO FP3 stands out as the brand’s first ever IEM with a planar magnetic driver. The FP3 is a modestly priced debut targeting the budget conscious audiophiles.
Technical highlights
The FP3 is equipped with FiiO’s self-developed second-generation 14.5mm planar magnetic driver, featuring a 1μm ultra-thin diaphragm made of PET. The diaphragm utilizes a patented dual-coating of aluminum and titanium, enhancing conductivity, rigidity, and treble clarity.
Unique is FiiO’s self-developed Tesla Valve Bass Enhancement, an acoustic technology delivering deep bass without compromising overall sound quality. In order to achieve a comfortable and lightweight design, the development team decided to place an array of seven N52 high-performance neodymium magnets on each side of the FP3’s driver, totaling 14 in all.
You can read everything about the FiiO FP3 here.
Design and build quality
The FP3 is FiiO’s first earphone to come with a wooden faceplate, available in rosewood or walnut finishes. The faceplates are covered with a thin resin film to protect the wood. These are the most beautiful looking earphones ever made by FiiO thanks to the natural appearance and the unique grain patterns of the wood. Both finishes are equally impressive but my personal preference goes for the black walnut one.
The main body of FiiO’s FP3 shell is made from medical grade resin material with the aid of high precision 3D printing technology to achieve an anatomical shape. This part of the shell has a reduced contact area with the ear to minimize pressure. The faceplates are bonded to the ear-shells with a shiny metallic ring. The build quality and the looks of the FiiO FP3 are absolutely fantastic far surpassing its asking price.
Wearing comfort
The earbuds have a rounded shape and while they might appear as a little bulky at first glance, they are actually very lightweight and comfortable to wear. Each earpiece weighs about 6.5g and despite not having a custom-like shape, they fit well without causing any discomfort on the long run. Noise isolation is good but not class leading as it should be expected from this particular shape of the ear-shells.
Cable and accessories
The earphones are equipped with a 0.78mm 2-pin detachable cable system that follows a natural curve to maximize wearing comfort. The 1.2m long cable uses silver-plated copper wires in a four twisted strand design.
This is a well made cable with an aluminum splitter and a plastic L-shaped 3.5mm plug. It looks durable and doesn’t make much friction noise but it is a little stiff. It should also be noted that most of the competition now comes with higher quality cables that have modular plugs.
The package also includes FiiO’s entry-level plastic and bulky storage case that has a drawer and resembles a LEGO brick. Not the most beautiful looking or practical case, the competition has much better cases to offer. Two types of silicone ear-tips (treble and balanced) in three sizes each are also included.
Sensitivity
Some planar magnetic earphones are notoriously difficult to drive but with a 36Ω of impedance and 105dB/mW of sensitivity, the FiiO FP3 is a rather easy load for most portable sources. However, low power output sources like the Violectric Chronos or the FiiO JA11 that I have tested, were marginally sufficient. The FiiO KA15 proved much more skilful in driving the FP3 from its balanced output and this is why FiiO should have equipped the FP3 with a balanced cable.
Listening impressions
FiiO’s first planar magnetic earphone has a rather mainstream tuning that is intended to appeal to the wider public, something not that surprising considering its affordable price. Going for a specialized tuning could have compromised the sales, so FiiO did very well to follow this route.
The tuning of the FiiO FP3 is yet another Harman target curve variant that does with a more present mid-range and brilliant treble. What also stands out as FP3’s greatest strengths are the outstanding clarity and the planar magnetic technicalities of the bass.
The low-end starts with an impressive sub-bass extension and then follows the common practice of emphasizing the mid-bass to make it sound more fun and pleasing rather than neutral reference. Still FiiO has opted for a cautious approach without overdoing it, so the bass doesn’t bleed into the mid-range and retains an acceptable tonal balance for occasional critical listening.
The bass of the FP3 sounds punchy enough but it is nearly impossible to match the physical impact and the dynamic swings of competitive earphones with large dynamic drivers. It is widely known that someone will have to invest considerably more amount of money in order to find a planar magnetic earphone that has the brute force of a dynamic driver IEM and textures that are not dry and lean.
What you get in exchange though is a technical performance that is pretty much unobtainable by similarly priced dynamic driver IEMs. The bass of the FP3 is super tight and controlled with class leading layering and definition. Lighting fast, it can follow the pace of the most busy and demanding tracks. For a relatively low amount of money the FiiO FP3 offers a good taste of high quality planar magnetic bass.
More listening impressions
The mid-range retains good presence with a tonal balance that favors the upper mid-range portion that can sound particularly strong but not too strident. The clarity and the transparency are outstanding for the category, the FP3 might not have that lush textures or effectively capture the intricate harmonic variety of a track but it excels in articulation and definition.
The sonic profile is generally speaking fast and energetic with a certain aggressiveness but not piercing or fatiguing. Some overtones sound a little muffled compared to others but not that much to make the sound uneven or the timbre too artificial. This is a “youthful” tuning more suitable for modern music than reference listening.
The treble is bright, crisp and sparkling but it doesn’t cross the lines to become tiring and unlistenable. Let’s not forget that most people are going to use the FP3 in noisy surroundings and this kind of tuning helps to overcome the background noise and keep the treble clean and well defined with good detail retrieval.
Back at home, the FP3 may sound a little bit sharp depending on the recording but most of the time it is just airy and energetic, shedding plenty of light into the music without making it thin or metallic. The timbre might not be that natural and organic but it never sounds artificial or fake.
The soundstage is rather flat but surprisingly well extended and spacious with better than expected imaging and positioning accuracy. The FP3 is not that effective in recreating the real scale of the music but it doesn’t sound congested.
In the end
With the FP3, FiiO has made an affordable planar magnetic earphone that is exceptionally well made, beautiful looking and especially comfortable to wear. For a modest amount of money it offers a good taste of the unique planar magnetic sound within a modern tuning concept that is ideal for everyday casual listening.
A good first attempt by FiiO, that it could be even more competitive if they had paid more attention to the cable and the accessories. The FP3 is a great entry-level planar magnetic earphone that makes us hope for even better models as the FP series starts to grow up.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2025.
+ Casual tuning ideal for modern music
+ Great sub-bass extension
+ Planar bass technicalities
+ Present mids and crisp highs
+ Very good clarity and definition
+ Wide soundstage with great imaging
+ Very well made and beautiful looking
+ Lightweight and comfortable
+ Detachable cable and many accessories
- Not that dynamic or impactful bass
- Slightly lean and dry textures
- Can't fully capture the harmonic variety of music
- Not the most organic or natural timbre
- Upper mid-range and treble emphasis can become tiring
- Most of the competition now comes with modular cables
- Plastic and bulky storage case
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