In this article, I review the FiiO FP3 planar driver IEMs. The FP3 is FiiO’s first foray into planar IEMs and features an ultra-thin second-generation 14.5mm planar driver. It lands in the budget range with a price of 89 USD.

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by FiiO for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.

FiiO FP3

Specifications

Driver: 14.5mm 2nd-gen planar driver
Frequency response: 10Hz – 40kHz
Impedance: 36Ω@1kHz
Sensitivity: 105dB/mW@1kHz

Design

The FiiO FP3 features a compact, ergonomic design that’s lightweight and comfortable for extended listening sessions. The shells have a glossy finish, giving them a sleek and polished look, while the wooden faceplates add a touch of elegance (even if I’m not a fan of the rose gold highlights on the rosewood colour variant).

The included cable isn’t the softest, but it’s flexible, and tangle-resistant, with a braided design that feels premium. It’s also detachable, which is great for durability and customization.

Sound

Gear used for testing includes the FiiO KA17, FiiO Q15 and iFi ZEN DAC V3. The FiIO FP3 is an efficient IEM, so it doesn’t require much power to drive. You can plug it into just about any audio source and it will perform.

FP3 has a V-shaped sound signature, characterized by an elevated bass response, a slightly recessed midrange and a vibrant treble. It has a slightly thin note size, compensated by an above-average technical performance.

Bass

The FP3’s lows offer a hefty, impactful slam with a tastefully elevated mid-bass. Thanks to the planar driver’s speed and agility, the bass doesn’t cause any smearing in the mids. Bass attacks are clean and precise, with a satisfying amount of texture. While the sub-bass is less emphasized in quantity, the extension and depth are excellent.

Midrange

The FP3’s V-shaped tuning results in a slightly recessed midrange, causing the lower mids and male vocals to sit back in the mix. Despite this, they retain excellent clarity and texture. The boosted upper mids bring female vocals to the forefront, adding brightness and definition.

Snappy transients contribute to the midrange’s sense of space and cleanliness, with no signs of congestion. The note weight leans towards the thinner side, giving the FP3 more articulation than warmth or richness.

Treble

The treble performance is the only factor that makes me hesitant to fully endorse the FP3. It’s lively and detailed but skirts the edge of sharpness. However, while sibilance is present, it’s only noticeable on certain recordings, with podcasts and YouTube videos being more prone to it than music tracks. The treble is crisp and sparkly, though some cymbals can occasionally sound a bit thin.

Soundstage & Technicalities

Fast transients help maintain clarity in the soundstage, preventing any blurring. The stage dimensions are fairly average, with a neutral positioning. Instrument separation is excellent and imaging is solid, as you can determine the placement of instruments easily. Micro-detail retrieval is very good and the FP3 often picks up minutiae that other IEMs miss.

Comparisons

Letshuoer S08

The Letshuoer S08 has more sub-bass extension and weight in the lows. This combined with a more relaxed upper midrange gives it a warmer tonality but it compensates by pulling the upper bass back slightly. Its soundstage is narrower than the FP3’s but both IEMs have a similar level of resolution.

Kefine Klanar

The Kefine Klanar is another V-shaped IEM. It has better sub-bass extension but less punch in the mid-bass. It has less lift in the presence region, making it a bit warmer than the FP3. Klanar’s treble is more even, giving it a similar level of detail retrieval but with more note weight.

Verdict

All in all, the FiiO FP3 is a fantastic value IEM that performs well for the price. It’s got that fun, V-shaped sound with a bass that slams hard, mids that stay clean and detailed, and a treble that’s lively and sparkly—though it can get a touch sharp on certain tracks or podcasts.

The planar driver keeps things tight and fast, so everything sounds crisp and well-separated, even if the soundstage isn’t the widest. Sure, the mids are a bit recessed, and the treble might occasionally flirt with sibilance, but for the price, it’s hard to complain. If you’re after an energetic, engaging pair of IEMs without breaking the bank, the FP3 is definitely worth a listen.