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Fiio is one of the most well-known names in the high-resolution audio industry; yet, despite the fact that its portable DACs and in-ear monitors (IEMs) are held in high respect, the company has not had a significant impact in the market for wireless earbuds. This is going to change now that Fiio has released the FW5; the company has already experimented with this market before, but the FW5 is an overhaul of the UTWS5 from the bottom up, and it contains a variety of new capabilities in addition to improved connection and new drivers.
While Bose, Sony, Samsung, Jabra, Google, and other popular audio firms provide the best wireless earbuds, Fiio has a rich tradition in enthusiast audio thanks to its in-ear monitors (IEMs), and it knows how to tune earbuds to deliver the best possible sound. Despite the fact that Fiio is the clear underdog in this competition, it has a long history in the audio industry.
FiiO FW5 Specifcations
Fiio is one of the most well-known names in the high-resolution audio industry; yet, despite the fact that its portable DACs and in-ear monitors (IEMs) are held in high respect, the company has not had a significant impact in the market for wireless earbuds.
Specification | FiiO FW5 |
---|---|
Audio Chip | ESS Sabre 9018Q2C |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 |
Display | 3.5-inch touchscreen |
Storage | 32GB (expandable via microSD) |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
Audio Formats | DSD, FLAC, WAV, MP3, and more |
DAC Function | Yes |
Wireless Connectivity | Wi-Fi |
Design, Build and Fit
The FW5 comes in the most recent iteration of Fiio’s packaging, which means that it comes in a very sizable container that contains the charging case, earphones, and any other accessories that are necessary. Now, the case isn’t really fascinating, and the design feels quite strictly utilitarian. There is no branding or unusual design flourishes, and the only things you’ll find on the underside are the Fiio logo and regulatory labels.
When you open the case, however, you will find one of the wireless earbuds that has a look that is unlike any other product now available on the market. The FW5 maintains the same appearance as Fiio’s wired in-ear monitors (IEMs), which makes perfect sense given that the company is known for reusing tooling for multiple products in order to reduce overall production costs, such as with the K5 Pro and the K7. You can buy this earbuds from its official website
FiiO FW5: Sound Quality
When it comes to sound quality, the FW5 simply destroys every other product in this category; the imaging and soundstage that you get here is far more similar to that of a connected IEM than it is to that of a wireless product. Because the FW5 employs a separate AKM AK4332 DAC to handle audio decoding rather than the built-in Bluetooth DAC, the sound quality is much improved as a result of this choice, which is a significant contributor to the overall improvement in sound quality.
Each earbud incorporates Qualcomm’s high-end QCC5141 Bluetooth technology, as well as a 10mm dynamic driver, two Knowles balanced armature drivers, and a Knowles balanced armature driver linked together. The FW5 has been given the Snapdragon Sound badge since it utilizes the complete set of audio capabilities that Qualcomm has to offer.
FiiO FW5: Battery Life
The cradle itself has a matte black appearance, and it appears to be no different than any other object. There is no other indication that it is a FiiO product, other for the specifications that are printed on the bottom. We did see that the surface of this case does not nick or scratch very easily. Although I’ve carried it around in my bag quite a bit, it still hasn’t acquired any scratches.
There are white lights that illuminate the path in front of you. It was very simple to determine whether or not the device had been charged. Although the magnetic fastener makes the hinge of the clasp feel like it is made of plastic, it is still good enough to open with just one hand. A single charging port that is compatible with USB-C can be found on the cradle’s reverse side.
Final Words
The FW5’s only focus is on providing superior wireless audio. These headphones have a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and three speakers built into each earphone. Because of this, they have a unique sound that surpasses all others I’ve heard in this genre.
The soundstage is expansive, and the fidelity is comparable to that of wired IEMs. The earphones also have a longer life than the majority of similar products. You may change the volume, playback speed, and more using physical controls, high-resolution audio codecs, an IPX4 rating, and ten-band equalization.
FiiO FW5 review: The good and The bad
The sound quality in and of itself is astounding. The FW5 produces a bass that is really interesting to listen to, with a respectable amount of rumble and vibrancy.
The Good
- Rock-solid Bluetooth connectivity
- IPX4 ingress protection
The Bad
- Case looks plain
Questions and Answers
True wireless earbuds, in contrast to wireless earbuds that still require a cable for signal transmission between the left and right earbuds, do not need a cable between the earbuds.
Depending on the Bluetooth codec, gain, volume, and headphone output, the battery life can last anywhere from seven to nine hours. A 2A charger can fully charge a device in one to two hours. Using the FiiO Control App with the BTR7.02-Feb-2023 is a seamless experience.