FiiO EM3 Open Earbud Earphones with In-Line Microphone (Black)

While these are good, they are not much better than many others available out there. I tried and returned, the lack of bass was just to annoying. Not enough sub-bass for classical without amping. Honestly, I retried my Philips SHE2005s and found them as good across the spectrum of ranges and sound, and the bass noticeably superior. Also warm without being muddy.I wear the the Philips with no foam and they fit well, the EM3 was loose fitting. Yes slightly louder thanks to the 47 Ohm rating, but overall not a reason to keep. So I don't get the hype on these. They are good, just not good enough.

 

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Preamble:

Earbuds – well, I actually like earbuds. Many inexpensive DAPs and most smartphones come with included earbuds, and sometimes they aren’t even too bad at all. For the average non-audiophile consumer, earbuds even have benefits over in-ears because of the lack of having to fiddle with the right eartip size, which is mandatory to get a good sound and seal with in-ears.
Earbuds don’t isolate. This can be both positive as well as negative – positive in the way that one will hear their entire environment, but negative in the way that if there is too much environmental noise, it will mask the music (which leads many people to increasing the volume and using their earbuds to molest the people around them with their music, but I have also seen people that pumped up their in-ears’ volume so high that the music could be heard even a few meters away (it doesn’t only destroy their hearing within no time but also molests everyone around)).
I like using the inexpensive but quite decent Apple EarPods for running; but also occasionally at home for relaxation, I plug in earbuds for listening to music, though to less critical tracks.

FiiO doesn’t require greater introduction anymore, as the Chinese audio company has really expanded especially in the past few years. And now, they are offering their third headphone in their product portfolio – the first was the EX1 (“earphone for X1”, a rather inexpensive killer-combo below $200 when used with the X1), an OEM collaboration with DUNU; the second were the white earbuds that came included with their low-budget DAP M3. Headphone number three is the EM3 (can you guess what the name stands for? ), which is basically identical to M3’s stock earbuds, but sports a black colour scheme, angled jack as well as higher impedance and is no OEM product but FiiO’s own creation. To address many people, FiiO has set a very low MSRP – worldwide, the EM3 is supposed to retail for less than $20 and has an MSRP of $9.99.

On Head-Fi, FiiO have started an announcement thread where they were looking for 20 reviewers for their newly introduced EM3 earbuds. I applied and was selected – thank you, FiiO! Subsequently, I received the earbuds free of charged for an honest, unbiased test, which however has no influence on my opinion – generally, all of my reviews mirror my own, honest opinion on a product without any bias.


Technical Specifications:

http://fiio.net/en/products/52
Worldwide Price: < $20; MSRP is $9.99
Drivers: dynamic, 14.8 mm
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance: 47 Ohms
Sensitivity: 109 dB
Weight: 13.6 g
Cable Length: 120 cm


Delivery Content:

With such an inexpensive product, there is not too much to expect in terms of packaging and accessories, but the EM3 is a pleasant surprise. The retail packaging is relatively small as well as elongated and shows a product picture on its front. The EM3 logo is quite cleverly designed and also displays “EM3” when horizontally mirrored.
On the right side, one can find the FiiO-typical authenticity check scratch query; the cleanly designed back displays the technical specifications as well as QR codes that lead to FiiO’s web and social media sites.
 

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Opening the matte, uncoated cardboard packaging, one can pull out the container with the earbuds like a drawer. Taking off the semi-transparent plastic lid, one will find the earbuds, a quick-start guide plus a small cardboard box that contains a plastic bag with three pairs of foam covers.
 

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Although the EM3 is an inexpensive product, one can see that the unboxing experience is well-made and that the designers had something in mind when creating the product.


Looks, Feels, Build Quality:

“Stealth mode” – nothing on the earbuds gives a hint that they are from FiiO, solely small side markers in form of classical L & R letters are present.
The cable that is a basic model could be slightly more flexible, but appears very sturdy. The 3.5 mm connector is angled, appears very sturdy and has got excellent strain relief that is also present directly at the earbuds. Unfortunately, the y-split has no strain relief.
About at the height of my neck is the built-in single-button remote control with a microphone. It is easy to operate and has got a pleasant pressure point.
The earbuds are quite simply designed and have got a metal mesh in front of the driver that looks like the one used for the old Apple earbuds.

“Form follows Function” is the name of the game.
 

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Comfort, Isolation:

Just like with all headphones, the comfort of these earbuds will vary individually from person to person. In my ears, the EM3 earbuds sit quite securely and relatively comfortably, although Apple’s EarPods and the Pai Audio earbuds are even slightly more comfortable for me.
Fit is good and the earbuds sit securely enough so that I can even do a handstand.
Microphonics (cable noise) are rather average, but can be eluded by regularly inserting the earphones and then guiding the cable around the ears.

Isolation is logically about nothing, as earbuds are not supposed to block out exterior noise because of their design.


Sound:

For listening, I used my FiiO X3, iBasso DX90 as well as the DX80 and AGPTek C05.
Just in case, although I don’t really ship the burn-in theory for headphones, I played 50 hours of white noise through the earbuds before first casual listening started.

Tonality:

Without Foam Covers:
With earbuds, the tonal balance can vary quite starkly in dependence to how well the earphones seal the ear canals. With the EM3, this effect can be heard as well: inserting the earphones deeper so that they firmly seal my ear canals, the sound is very bassy, dark and with mids that are way too much on the dark, coloured side (the lower mids are very thick). Loosening the seal a little so that the EM3 still sit securely in my ears but not as deeply fitting/strongly sealing, bass quantity becomes a bit lesser (but is still obviously on the emphasised side), the treble gains some level (but is still on the undeniably recessed side) and the mids sound somewhat less coloured, while still maintaining their dark and warm character. So without an EQ, there is no way to get flat, natural mids or some upper range sparkle.

Listening to sine and noise signals, tonality can be described like this: between 50 Hz and 1.2 kHz, a bass hump can be found that adds fullness and body to the sound and fattens the lower mids. The bass is really strong for earbud levels (speaking about around 12 dB wouldn’t be unrealistic), and something very positive about it is that even around 50 Hz, there is still a good amount of bass, so extension to the bottom is really good, however the real sub-bass below 40 Hz will surely not reach sealed in-ears’ levels at all. That’s quite a remarkable bass performance for earbuds, especially as the bass doesn’t roll off too quickly above 100 Hz but rather quite evenly.
Above 1 kHz, everything is audibly in the background (except for very even level enhancements at 3, 5.7 and 10 kHz in my ears that are however still clearly below the ground line), which adds darkness and relaxation to the sound. Above 12 kHz, level is rolling off.
Noteworthy is that there are no narrow peaks or dips, however the tuning lacks some naturalness, being more on the thick and somewhat muffled side.

Who knows me should be aware of that I don’t really judge bass and treble quantity of a headphone (as long as it isn’t overdone, annoying and doesn’t affect naturalness), as this is simply just a matter of personal preference. However, the midrange plays a role for my tonal and percentual evaluation and shouldn’t show too much shifting to the dark or bright side. And here is where the EM3 loses some points, as vocals and instruments in the centre frequency band are audibly shifted to the fuller, darker side. A somewhat lower starting emphasis of the root without too much spillage into the lower mids along with more upper midrange presence would result in the fullness, bass level and impact to remain along with the dark treble, however the tonal balance in the mids would be more correct and realistic. For a more balanced sound with better midrange naturalness plus more neutral lows and highs, I would apply an EQ curve with similarities to an f(x)=sin⁡((x/4)+1/2)→Df={-14,…+10} mathematic function.

Friends of a warm, dark, bassy sound and really thick lower mids could really like the EM3. EM3’s tonality reminds me of an even bassier, warmer plus darker Koss Porta Pro.

With Foam Covers:
Midbass and upper bass slightly loose presence in my ears as soon as the foam covers are installed, which makes the bass and root sound more even. Unfortunately, so I have to say, the use of the foamies has some disadvantages as well, so the treble becomes even darker, along with even darker sounding mids. Just as expected, the overall sound presentation is also getting a bit foggier.
Therefore, all of the ensuing evaluation of sound quality was done without the foam covers.

Resolution:

For the price, the overall level of details is quite solid – neither the “super big bang for the buck” nor “too disappointing”. Over the entire frequency range, there is a certain veil, which is however not too bothering, and the EM3 earbuds sound overall cleaner and with less audible distortion than my BlackBerry WS-430 that I bought for around €18, which is already a good sign.
The bass is actually quite well controlled, but appears a bit matte plus dull and could be faster (here, a bit more control with less rumble at the same bass impact level wouldn’t be too bad). Bass quality is relatively solid and I cannot hear any distortion; in addition the bass body is pleasant, however not as well defined as the much more DUNU Alpha 1’s (which however faces the problem of only sounding well when seal and fit are good).
Vocals are not the most refined and the upper frequencies could sound a bit more differentiated, but overall, what the EM3 delivers is quite solid, especially for such an inexpensive earbud with remote control and a retail packaging.

Although the sound isn’t the most detailed, fastest or most natural, it can indeed be pleasant and appealing and lacks any annoying attributes but delivers good fatigue-free sound.
However, in case of doubt, I would rather stick to an in-ear in that price range (e.g. the KZ HDS1 or ATE, Xiaomi Piston Colorful Starter Edition), as long as one can handle silicone tips and and isn’t primarily looking for an earbud’s advantages.
For around $10, one shouldn’t moan about the performance too much though.

Soundstage:

The offered spatial room is quite round, open and appears large, with a good balance between width, depth and height. Razor-sharp instrument placement or a portrayal of emptiness between single instruments shouldn’t be expected though, but that was quite predictable at an international price below $20.

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In Comparison with other Earbuds:
 

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BlackBerry WS-430 (bought myself for ~ €18):
EM3’s cable is better by a large amount and has got the more effective strain relief.
The BlackBerry earbuds are the comparatively most neutral ones out of the four compared earphones, however also the ones with the least bass extension (comparable to the old Apple earbuds).
WS-430’s mids sound more correct, with just a very slight hint of warmness.
W-430’s bass is more arid and cleaner, but in the other frequency bands, the FiiO is the one that sounds slightly more detailed, although that is somewhat held back by the fundamental bloom.
WS-430’s soundstage is slightly narrower but deeper and has the more precise instrument placement.

Pai Audio 3.14 Flat (bought myself for $20):
The Pai’s cable is better (more flexible).
The FiiO is audibly more bass-centric (upper bass, fundamental range) and also overall darker and warmer sounding. Comparing the Pai with the FiiO, the first sounds brighter and more natural, although the 3.14 Flat already is a more dark than neutral sounding earbud in the treble.
In my review of the Pai, I already criticised that its mids sound a bit dark to appear natural, wherefore it kind of reminds me of a Koss Porta Pro with better balance. The EM3 sounds quite a bit bassier, with the even darker mids and the more muffled treble.
As for the bass, the Pai’s shows less emphasis and therefore appears cleaner and more arid, with the more natural body, however in terms of bass control, both are about comparable. Midrange resolution is pretty much identical with both in-ears, but EM3’s treble sounds slightly more differentiated despite being darker. 3.14 Flat’s soundstage is somewhat wider and less deep than EM3’s, but more precise, with the better layering and instrument placement.

Apple EarPods (bought myself for ~ €28):
The EarPods sound more v-shaped (upper bass, lower root and lower treble emphasis), but have less bass quantity.
The EarPods’ mids are tonally better made, however also a bit artificially sounding with brighter voices (slightly metallic and a bit brighter than neutral). The EarPods’ mids sound more distanced, while EM3’s sound more direct and intimate. In the treble, the EarPods show a slightly metallic character as well, something the EM3 totally lacks – it sounds more even, but also more muffled and way less airy.
EM3’s bass emphasis is stronger and has got the somewhat better extension, but the EarPods’ is better controlled, faster and shows the more realistically appearing body. EarPods’ soundstage is slightly wider with identical depth, and instrument placement and separation are superior to the EM3’s.


Conclusion:

The FiiO EM3 are solid and especially inexpensive (the MSRP is set at $9.99, with an international price below $20) beginners’ earbuds with a smooth, dark, bassy, impactful, rumbling and fatigue-free sound signature with a bass extension that is really good for “just earbuds”. They show some good attributes, but could use more refinement here and there, especially in the midrange. Though, FiiO has always heard to their customers’ needs and for an entry-level product, the EM3 fits right in.
What I’d appreciate would be if they could take some of the criticism into account and to create a more higher-end earbud with better overall refinement and a somewhat more realistic midrange.

61% or 3 out of 5 stars with a recommendation to audio beginners and the people who like a smooth, bassy and rumbling sound with warm, thick (lower) mids.
My suggestion would be to tame the upper fundamental tone/lower mids and raise the level in the upper midrange to create a flat and natural, realistically appearing midrange presentation – the bass slam and treble smoothness would remain but the centre frequency band would be more accurate.

Disclaimer​

The EM3 was a review unit provided in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion. I have tried my best to record my thoughts and impressions on how I found the EM3 to sound. These thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone and I reserve the right to change my opinion as time goes on. These are my personal findings and should be taken as such, and as always YMMV. 
 
 

Introduction​

This is my review of the EM3 earbuds from fan favourites, FiiO.
 
As a company, FiiO has amassed a legion of loyal fans around the world, and not undeservedly so. From their humble beginnings, FiiO has always maintained one principle, to give you the best bang for your dollar/euro/crayons/yen, and this is clearly reflected in their product line up. And I truly mean that in the best way possible.
 
One thing I have always admired about FiiO is their willingness to engage with fans (Facebook, Head-fi etc) and actually listen to what people really want, which is rarer than one might think! 
 
And now they are entering the earbud market with the introduction of the EM3. I think we all remember the stock earbuds that have come bundled with our phones over the years. I certainly do, and it wasn’t all that long ago when stock apple earbuds were all that I had in the way of headphones, and I suspect that a vast majority of people fall into this category as well. FiiO has set out with the intention of creating something that will be a clear upgrade to stock earbuds, and address this segment of the market. So have they succeeded in their endeavour?
 

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About me​

Before I get into the nitty gritty of things, I want to provide a little background information in the hopes that it can help put my views in perspective and provide some context for the content of this review.
 
So with that out of the way, lets get on with the review!
 
 
 

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“There are not that many high-quality earbuds on the market, never mind one that is so cheap and comes with a mic and remote. Hopefully we’ve found a little unfilled niche in the market?”  - FiiO ​

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Build quality, Design and Accessories​

Not surprisingly, FiiO’s presentation game is on point; Whether you are buying a $20 item or a $200 product from them, you can always expect a classy presentation and well thought out packaging. Taking out the innards you are greeted by a nice frosted paneling, removing which reveals the earbuds and a small compartment housing 3 sets of full cover foams. I do wish that FiiO included doughnut foams as well.
 
From a hardware perspective, the EM3 has a rather handsome design, utilizing a more futuristic looking design instead of the tried and true stock earbud shells. Fear not kiddies, these are not your daddy’s earbuds!
 
The EM3 shell size is on the smaller side compared to something like the Venture Electronics Monk Plus. Consequently the EM3 is quite comfortable to use for long stretches at a time, especially when using the full foam covers. In fact, after a few minutes you will forget they are there. 
 
 
 

What is it like to use on a daily basis? ​

I should first note that the EM3 is quite easy to drive with portable devices such as cellphones and laptops. While it did sound better with better sources and amping, given its intended use it would defeat to be using an amp for it on the go.
 
I thought that the cable was rather well done, especially since FiiO is positioning the EM3 as a replacement for stock phone earbuds. The EM3 cable is soft, supple and easy to roll up into a bundle without having the wires tangle in my pocket, all the while retaining great build quality.  When running to catch the bus or train, it was all too easy to stuff it into a pocket and then take it out again on the bus without having the wires putting up a fight (I am looking at you apple EarPods grrr). The EM3 overall has a sturdy physical build that will surely stand up to the rigours of daily life, both in and out of home. 
 
I feel the EM3 is worth the price of admission for the microphone alone, I was truly impressed by how well it performed. For everything from Skype calls to long distance phone calls, people often commented how clear my voice sounded and how easily the mic picked up details. I would also like to point out that the EM3 mic is quite a bit better than the apple ear pods mic. The EM3 mic is more sensitive, has better clarity and is better suited for calls outside since it is more sensitive. In fact I always find myself reaching for the EM3 whenever I have to take a call. 
 
These earbuds do leak sound, which becomes noticeable at higher volumes (which I of course had to find out the hard way). I was listening to my favourite Britney Spears and Taylor Swift tracks while enjoying a cup of coffee at starbucks when I noticed people at a nearby table giving me weird looks and staring. 
 
Turns out they were enjoying my music too! My mother did always tell me that sharing is caring. Anyways being the alpha male I am, I proceeded to stare down a soccer mom and someone who I presumed to be her mother, until they were forced to divert their eyes down at their own drinks (clearly in awe of me flaunting my alpha prowess). As they should. I then of course continued to enjoy my Caramel Macchiato, Venti, Skim, Extra Shot, Extra-Hot, Extra-Whip, Sugar-Free. But I digress. Point being If you like to listen to music at loud volumes, don’t use these in libraries or similar settings.
 
Isolation wise, the EM3 performs about as well you would expect, meaning they isolate like earbuds, meaning they don’t isolate that well. But for someone like me who wants to maintain awareness while walking outside, earbuds are perfect in that regard.
 
 

How do they sound?​

For many people sound quality is very important, if not the most important quality they look for in a headphone, whether the cost is $30 or $300.
 
Sources used
Macbook Pro 
iPhone 5S
BlackBerry Z30
 
I will be mainly commenting on how the EM3 sounds using the included full cover foams, as most customers are likely to do the same, so please keep that in mind as you read my findings.
 
I would overall describe the EM3 as a v-shaped smooth sounding earbud with a warm and full midrange that still manages to be engaging and non fatiguing.
 
Treble extension is average with no noticeable roll off, retaining just enough detail to make cymbals and high hat crashes sound interesting without being strident. I didn’t come across any harshness nor any sibilance while listening with it to wide variety of music on my phone and laptop. I would characterize the treble as smooth and easy to listen to for hours on end (with the full foam), which combined with how comfortable it is to use, makes it perfect for keeping it on while working or studying for long stretches at a time. Depending on which type of foam cover you are using, you can try "foam-rolling" to tailor the sound to your tastes. If the sound with the stock foam covers is too dull or not to your liking, consider the thin full foam covers found in the Venture Electronics Monk Expansion Pack. The sound is decidedly more energetic with this combination and might be more suited for Top 40 music.
 
The EM3 sounds “big” for lack of a better word. The soundstage sounds spacious and diffuse (foam gives a better seal), wider than it is tall with a shallow sense of depth.  Instrument separation and layering was average, but enjoyable nonetheless. When it came to more complicated or intricate music tracks, things tended to get smeared and jumbled together.
 
The EM3 midrange is my favourite, sounding warm, full, dry and engaging. Distortion guitars sound sublime and I find myself listening to a lot of hard rock and metal music as a result. I find the midrange resolution to be more impressive than its treble, decently detailed and not in your face. 
 
Before listening to the EM3 for the first time I had assumed that FiiO would have gone for a bass heavy signature with lots of bloat. It was anything but! While the bass is emphasized (definitely helps when out and about), it is not bloomy nor bloated. The bass could use a bit more kick and impact in my opinion. It however still manages to rumble and is emphasized in a way that is rather tasteful. Kudos to FiiO for not going overboard with bass. There definitely was some bass leakage into the lower midrange, but it all added to thick and fun sound.
 

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How does it compare?​

 
                                                                                
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
EM3 vs Apple Earpod
To start off with, the EM3 has a better feeling and a more manageable cable that doesn’t tangle easily. The Apple EarPod cable tangled almost each and every time I stored them in my bag or pockets. Apple fairies at work perhaps?   Not a fun thing to deal with when you just want to pull it out of your pocket quickly for a call outside.
 
Microphone wise, as I touched upon earlier, the EM3 mic is noticeably better: Better clarity and more sensitive at picking up sounds. The EM3 has quickly become my go to earbuds for phone calls, making my EarPods obsolete. 
 
I am not a fan of the EarPods and how they sit in the ear. The EM3, with its smaller than usual shell size, is noticeably more comfortable when used with a full cover foam.
 
Compared to the apple EarPods, EM3 sounds more detailed and spacious sounding. The EM3 has better treble extension and resolution with better instrument separation and layering. When it comes to the low end, the EM3 has arguably better quality bass, especially when it comes to punch and impact. 
 
And all of this at less than half the price of what a fresh pair of apple ear pod costs!
 
 
 
 
 

 
EM3 vs VE Monk Plus
The EM3 has a thinner and easier to manage cable. The Monk Plus has a thicker but sturdier cable that is also not prone to tangling and a cable cinch/slider as an added bonus.
 
I should also mention that the Monk Plus is a bit harder to drive than the EM3 and it has no mic. The Monk Plus shell is also larger than the EM3, so it might be an issue for people with smaller ears. Again its manageable if using a full foam cover. Sonically speaking, the Monk Plus has better resolution all throughout the range, a bigger and more defined soundstage and noticeably better instrument separation and layering. The Monk Plus also has better clarity and imaging, along with a bass that rumbles more, has more of a punch and is also tighter.
 
Again, the Monk Plus does have a bigger shell and no microphone (as of writing this review) so the EM3 does have its advantages which appeal to people. 
 
For people with smaller ears the EM3 might be a much better match. As they say, comfort is king, and for many people comfort trumps sound. The EM3 is also readily available from traditional retail stores and popular online sites such as amazon.
 
 
 
 
 

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Bottom line​

 
The EM3 is FiiO’s first earbud release, designed to be an upgrade for common stock earbuds that come bundled with cellphones. And to that end, FiiO has put out a great product. I would pick the EM3 over my pair of EarPods anyway of the week and twice on Sundays.
 
It has an enjoyable v-shaped sound that is  easy to listen to for hours on end. Sure it might not have the treble extension that your neighbours pet llama might enjoy, nor is it a detail monster, but for what it has set out to do it has done well.
 
The Em3 is an astonishingly comfortable earbud , sporting a microphone that has fantastic clarity, and great sensitivity making it a delight to use for phone and skype calls. The EM3 comes equipped with a soft and supple cable that is not prone to tangling, allowing it to be easily bundled up and stuffed into pockets with minimal fuss. All of this and more make the EM3 very easy to live with and use on a daily basis, making it a fantastic and affordable option for those looking to graduate from their EarPods or other stock earbuds. The EM3 truly is more than the sum of its parts.
 
A great first effort from FiiO and I am truly excited to see what they have in store for future releases.
 
Thank you for sticking with me thus far and not falling asleep! Ymmv as we all have different preferences and ear anatomy, but I hope I have helped get across what the EM3 offers and whether it would be right for you. The only way to figure out whats best for you is to ultimately hear it for yourself! 
 
I do still have a lot to learn so I welcome any and all feedback! 

 
Happy listening  

 

Earbuds in general have fallen out of the public eye in recent years. The lack of a seal as well as ample amounts of sound leak have left this product sitting on your table at home while you take out your in-ear earphones instead for portable use.
 
Though there are caveats to this design, I also believe there are benefits to wearing an earbud in place of an in-ear earphone.
 
The EM3 is the new ‘budget friendly’ offering from Fiio. If you’re not familiar with Fiio as a company, they hit well above their price bracket for the majority of their products including portal and desktop amp/DACs as well as dedicated DAP devices and a few earphones to balance out the mix.
 
This low cost earbud give no reason for you now not to replace your default phone and ipod earphones. They are amazing value and the review below will discuss their qualities in more detail.
 
Just a disclaimer: This product was sent to me by Fiio to conduct an unbiased review. I have not been given any information to convey from them and will give my honest personal opinion
 
Specs:
 

 
 
Packaging:
 
For such a cheap product they actually do come with decent packaging. The box is solid, is structurally very sound (since there are things inside to hold it’s shape). The material is a recycled-paper feeling box with standard card folded inside to house the earbuds and extra foam cushions.
 
I will provide a picture only for the sake of it. In my opinion for a product of this price range, I couldn’t care less about the packaging. Of course it has to look decently appealing to the consumer, but I’d like the majority of the cost to go into the sound quality and the build of the product itself.
 
The inclusion of 3 foam cushions in total is a good touch though. They do wear out/ stretch and fall off over time I’ve found from other earbuds. So spares are a must.
 
 

 
 
Build Quality:
 
When I first unboxed these earbuds, after thinking ‘hmm, that’s pretty good packaging’ is ‘damn, these don’t feel hollow like other cheap earbuds’
 
That’s exactly it. They don’t feel cheap at all. They are weighty for an earbud and there is no hollowness or rattling at all. Very good build. Even when I flick them with my fingernail it doesn’t make a hollow noise. This either means they used pretty thick plastic for the housings or the insides are jam packed. The drivers inside are 14.8mm in diameter so there must not be much room left in there.
 
The cable is a mix between a rubbery feeling cable and a smooth plastic one. It’s got a rubbery texture, but it isn’t as soft and flexible as a full rubber wire if you know what I mean. I don’t think of this as a bad thing. Overly soft cables tend to tangle easier, and these I’ve not yet had an issue with tangling.
 
The mic and controls are decent feeling too. Less so than the earbuds themselves but nowhere near cheap feeling.
 
Lastly the cable is terminated in a right angled, gold plated 3.5mm plug. There is ample strain relief on both the earbuds and especially the right angle connector. I don’t see myself fraying this.
 

 
 
Design/ Comfort:
 
The EM3 has a dual ported design. One port directly behind the driver facing out of the ear. As well as a skinny long port down the shaft of earbud, above the Left and Right indicator letters. The lower port definitely makes less of an impact on sound.
 
This design gives the EM3’s more of an open listening experience as well as a very good bass response. But I’ll go delve further into that later.
 
In terms of style. It’s a plain black earbud. It has some styling on the back to look not too plain. For me it’s inconspicuous, which I like.
 

 
 
The comfort of these is great in my opinion. With earbuds you can’t really go wrong unless you make an oblong shaped bud. As long as it’s round and not too large, it’s going to be comfortable. The EM3 is no exception. It’s very comfortable and I forgot I was wearing it after a little while.
 
Sound Quality:
 
What everyone has been reading these reviews for. Now for sound quality I will be comparing these with the earbuds that accompanied the Galaxy Note 5, and the Sennheiser OMX 980 (yes I know this is not fair).
 

 
 
 
 
I assume, may it be wrong of me or not, that these earbuds will be a doorway to the audiophile world for many unsuspecting people who just want to replace their standard phone earbuds and get a little more sound quality without paying the big bucks. This is why I’m comparing them to the Samsung earbuds that came with a recent high end flagship, the Note 5. Bear in mind that I am only comparing sound. Nothing else.
 
Hands down the EM3 trumps the Samsung earbuds. They were more open. Strangely they actually even sealed better. Also the bass and was much smoother and boomier. The treble and mids were quite similar. Both slightly more in the background compared to the bass. But the soundstage on the EM3’s were considerably better than the Samsung. One thing to note on the Samsungs is that I heard distortion. Not even at a loud volume, but just standard listening volume. I could hear echos. This means the EM3’s are much better designed and dampened internally.
 
EM3 vs Samsung earbuds - EM3 Wins!
 
Now a toughy. Dethroning a top of the line earbud (currently on Amazon for 500USD)... Sadly it’s not happening. The extension, imaging and separation on the OMX 980 is just superb in comparison. The difference is definitely there. I got my GF to try both (she doesn’t know much about earphones/ headphones at all). She was like ‘These (OMX 980) are way better’.
 
The thing is. Is the difference worth 490USD. The answer is no. Here is how I put the difference. The OMX 980 is just an all round beast. Treble, mids and bass are spot on. Very musical but also very clear and open. Everything is extended to give punch but also separate very well.
 
The EM3 on the other hand has very comparable bass response. However the mids and trebles sounded veiled in comparison. I mean veiled as in through a sheet of sponge. This can be alleviated by taking the foam off. However the OMX 980’s manage to push through while also having them so I don’t know…
 
EM3 vs OMX 980 - OMX 980 Wins! (Big surprise)
 
Treble:
 
Laid back and smooth. Not to the point of no highs, but they tend to take a back seat to the bass. No spikes that I can hear up to this point.
 
I’ve found that removing the foam really opens up the top end. However the bass is just gone as a result.
 
Mids:
 
Sadly similar to the treble. Takes a back seat unless the volume is turned up quite high. Luckily there is decent separation between the highs and mids. Very good effort.
 
Bass:
 
The earbuds time to shine. The bass is just wonderful. It’s smooth, has punch and rumble. Also it is never overbearing or inflated. Sounds great with pretty much all modern music.
 
Soundstage:
 
The soundstage really did surprise me on this. It’s really great. Much wider than I was expecting. The earbud in general is very musical and listening to jazz was very enjoyable. This is to be expected since this is an open earbud. Comparable to many open headphones.
 
Imaging:
 
Quite accurate. Not as much as a closed earphone. But it does very well even compared to the OMX 980.
 
 
 
One thing I will mention is that I wish Fiio included some donut shaped foam covers. Like another reviewer stated. I cut the centre out of one of mine and the sound is definitely improved. The highs and mids are more extended while the foam around the edges still seal enough to give very good bass.
 
A must I’d say when getting these. But learn from me and cut the holes slightly smaller
 

 
 
Conclusion:
 
Fiio is onto a winner in my opinion. Another product that manages to punch above its weight. Sure it doesn’t beat an earbud 50 times it’s price. But who really expected it to. You should really be marvelling at what 10 bucks can get you now. It is considerably better than both the Apple earpods (compared in another EM3 review), as well as the Samsung equivalent. This gives absolutely no excuse as to why you shouldn’t get these to replace your stock earbuds for pleasure listening.

If you’re commuting on a train or public transport of another kind. I’d say these don’t isolate too well. But for home, office or general indoor use it’s a done deal

BACKGROUND

I needed a pair of mobile headphones. I wanted to use something while walking to the transport station or while commuting. I needed something that are not very isolating so I’m still aware of my surroundings. I value safety more than sound in this case. I also needed something with at a mic button so I can take in calls while listening (this pauses the music of course). With these considerations, an earbud fits the bill. And among the budget earbuds, the Fiio EM3 may be the best choice at the time of this review. I owned the X1, A3 (E11k), and the E12 prior to this purchase and I can say that I’m a fan of the quality and value of their products. Let’s get to the review then.


PACKAGING

The EM3 comes in a decent package given its price. What you get:

1. The earbuds
2. 3 pairs of full foam covers (total of 6)
3. A warranty certificate
4. The box can be used as storage if you want. The item is pretty secure inside.

For the price point, the packaging looks well thought off, which is very good.


BUILD QUALITY, DESIGN, AND COMFORT

Build quality is above average, at least compared to original earbuds from Samsung or Apple. The wires are thicker overall and strain reliefs are present. The wire, as Fiio indicates, is tension-protected. I presume it can take a beating but I can’t confirm that since I’m always careful with my gear. The L-shaped jack is a welcome addition too.

Isolation is below average, which is good for my uses. I believe that it’s always good to be aware of your surroundings to avoid accidents (e.g. hear a car honk when crossing the street, etc.). If complete isolation is important to you, this is something you need to consider.

The mic works well and can also be used for pausing and playing music. Play and pause functions are not very reactive and you need to press a little bit harder and longer than usual, which could be a design demerit.

Comfort is excellent. The earbuds are on the smaller side but the shell themselves are very evenly smoothed out that you won’t feel any pain wearing them for hours. For larger ears, they sit in more securely with the full foams but for small to average ears, wearing them naked will be ok.


SOUND

Burn-in: 50 hours (can’t detect much difference in the sound so they may not need too much burn-in)


SET-UP USED:

1. Lenovo K4 Note Smartphone (with Wolfson 8281 Audio Hub)
2. Dolby Atmos engaged (gives a more accurate perception of soundstage)
3. Stellio music player EQ is off

LOWS

I believe this is where it lacks the most. Bass is there but it’s barely there. The expectation is it should be able to provide some slam with rock and other faster music genres but it doesn’t really. The bass is a bit slow. To its merit though, this is highly “EQable”. And it will also benefit with an amp that has a bass boost. I imagine it would sound nice with those.


MIDS

Mids have decent clarity and smoothness. It’s not forward, nor it’s recessed. If anything, I believe it’s flat or not boosted, which is good.

NOTE: Using the full foams can muffle or suppress the mids quite considerably. If you can find donut foams for these, they might benefit from those more. To their merit though, the foams included are very durable and you can stretch them confidently when putting them on.


HIGHS

Same quality as the mids, I believe they’re not boosted. They’re just right. They sound natural but not very detailed. A little bit more detail and extension would’ve been nice.


SOUNDSTAGE

This is where the EM3 really shines. Separation is better than any earbud I have tried. And the soundstage is really wide. It’s an out-of-the-head experience similar to open-back, full-size headphones. Because of this soundstage, these earbuds are really good for movies too. The Dolby Atmos technology really shines with these.


OVERALL PRESENTATION

I can say that the EM3 is tuned more for the masses than it’s tuned for audiophile. As a result, you get a sound that is easily likeable by a lot of people, but may be less engaging for listeners who has more experience with other gear. On the other hand, it’s a fatigue-free sound that you can enjoy music with tirelessly for long hours. They’re very easy to drive but might benefit from bass boost from portable amps.


CONCLUSION

The EM3 is a very good value given it’s added mic feature and a likeable sound overall. Highly recommended for someone looking for a fatigue-free, reliable daily driver.

Happy listening every one!

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I would like to Thank FiiO for providing me with a review sample in exchange for my honest opinion.
 
Manufacturer link: http://fiio.net/en/products/52, also available on Amazon.
 
* click on pictures to expand

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I've never been a fan of earbuds for two simple reasons - most of them don't fit me well and many I tried have a sub-par sound quality.  There is nothing I can do about the fit (it's my ear anatomy), and as a result of the fit - the sound quality is often compromised due to lack of seal.  Thus I try to stay away from earbuds all together, but recently made an exception when I discovered VE Monk and Zen.  Those restored my faith in earbuds sound quality, though don't have the most ideal design, just like majority of other common earbuds.
 
When FiiO announced EM3, right away I had a deja vu moment since I recently reviewed their M3 budget audio player which came bundled with a pair of an identically looking earbuds, down to in-line remote/mic, though in a white color.  Before I received my review pair of EM3, I revisited M3 earbuds just to refresh my mind, and was pleased to reconfirm their comfortable fit.  Now I just had to wait for EM3 to arrive so I can hear how they sound.
 
Unboxing and accessories.
 
Consistent with all of their releases, regardless if it's a flagship or an entry level, these sub $15 budget earbuds arrived in a nice sturdy packaging box with a clear picture of EM3 on the cover and a detailed spec on the back.  I'm sure without the box or maybe using clamshell sealed plastic packaging, price could have been easily under $10, but FiiO likes to keep a consistent image across their product line without cutting the corners.
 
With a top cover off, unboxing continuous with a nice presentation of EM3 under a frosted cover and a small accessories box with 3 pairs of foam ear sleeves, the only included accessory.  I didn't expect anything more or less considering budget price, and as a matter of fact I personally would have been OK with just a plain plastic packaging to bring down the price even lower for a more shocking price/performance ratio.  Just my personal opinion.
 
 
 
 
 
Design.
 
Starting with a headphone gold-plated jack, I'm glad they decided to implement L-shaped type.  It's so much easier to deal with, especially when you have a smartphone or a DAP with a headphone jack at the bottom, meaning less wire bending.  The housing of the jack has a nice rubbery grip and a decent strain relief.  The cable is thin but strong, with a nice rubbery shielding.  Y-split is small and rubbery as well, but lacks strain relief.
 
The left side of the cable after the split has in-line remote with a mic.  It's universal with just a single multi-function button, making it independent of Android and iOS different volume control implementation.  Here you have a standard single click Play/Pause which also controls picking up the phone call, double click to skip to the next track and triple click to go back to the previous track.  I verified it with both my Note 4 and my kids iPod touch, and everything works as expected though triple-click worked more consistently with iPod rather than Note 4.  Play/pause is also compatible with video playback apps, including YT, as well as FiiO DAPs which support it.
 
Going up to earpieces, you have a traditional plastic neck/tube which blends into the shell and usually functions as a handle to assist in insertion/removal of earbuds due to their small earpiece.  You will also find a small rubbery strain relief in there, and each side is marked with corresponding L/R designator.  This marking is very hard to see since it's stamped into the black plastic, rather than painted, and even the right side ID bump is hardly noticeable when you touch it for blind id.  In this case I'm just using in-line remote as a designator since it's located on the left side.  Perhaps making ID bump more noticeable would be a good idea.
 
The shell design actually looks pretty cool with some sexy slim lines, definitely not like standard earbuds.  I see there is a pinhole on the inner side and another vent on the top of the shell.  FiiO calls these earbuds "open", and these vents should be contributing to both low end control and soundstage expansion.  One thing I also assumed is that vents should take care of driver flex.  Unlike some other earbuds with a plastic driver cover, here you have a metal mesh.  Metal mesh by itself is more prone to flex, and coincidentally after awhile I started to notice an intermittent driver flex in my right earpiece.  Sometime I have to push it into my ear a few times until I hear the pop which fixes the channel imbalance due to flex.  Coincidentally, I still have an old pair of original iPod touch earbuds that have the same metal mesh cover and they have a similar driver flex which causes intermittent imbalance.
 
Last, but not least, is a very important part of the design - the fit.  Here, I happy to say that EM3 is just perfect!!!  I wasn't born with ears intended for a traditional earbuds fit, but the slim design of EM3 fits them like a glove.  There is no need for any foam sleeves or sports fins - the fit was comfortable and it stayed secure in my ears.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The fit.
 

 
Sound analysis.
 
As I mentioned before, I'm a bit skeptical about earbuds sound quality, and part of it has to do with a poor fit where I can't get a good seal and end up with a lack of bass.  With EM3 slim design, this is no longer a problem because they go deeper into my ears and form an acceptable seal with ear canal.  I found no need to use foam sleeves, and as a matter of fact they muffle the sound.  Also, I did put these earbuds through about 50hrs of burn in to exercise its dynamic drivers.
 
After the burn in, I hear a warm, thicker sound, with a good amount of sub-bass rumble and a nice mid-bass impact.  Not the most articulate bass, definitely on a looser side, but I was happy to hear a bass coming out of earbuds!  Lower mids have fuller body which along with more bass makes sound a little more congested but not muddy, and upper mids are clear and smooth, making vocals sound natural and very pleasant.  Treble is clear and well defined, though not crisp, lacking some airiness, and not as extended.
 
Soundstage is above the average in width and only average in depth and height, making sound presentation more intimate.  But overall sound is open and wide, just keep in mind they have next to nothing isolation and a little bit of sound leakage - typical for earbuds.  While some might consider it as negative, this is one of the benefits of earbuds where you can hear music while still being aware of your surrounding.
 
I was a bit worried about EM3 spec and their 47 ohm impedance, and I did notice it required a few extra clicks of volume in comparison to other IEMs, but it wasn't too bad and I had plenty of volume adjustment headroom with my Note 4.  Obviously, no issues with any of the DAPs.  In terms of pair up, EM3 sound signature has better synergy with neutral and brighter sources, while my "darker" laptop output made sound a bit more congested.
 
Comparison to other earbuds.
 
I don't have too many earbuds for comparison, but very fond of VE Monk and Zen, where it obviously makes more sense to compare with a budget Monk.  Also, I still have an old iPod earbuds, and I thought to add FiiO's M3 earbuds for comparison would make sense as well.
 
In comparison, FiiO earbuds included w/M3 sound warmer, have narrower (in width) soundstage, a touch less treble, but otherwise they are very similar, including an identical design with in-line remote, just in white.  Also, due to impedance difference, M3 requires lower volume setting in comparison to EM3 when playing from the same source.
 
 
 
In comparison, Monk sound is more transparent, cleaner, has less sub-bass (due to seal because of a slightly large shell) but still a fast punchy mid-bass without any spillage into lower mids, lower mids are leaner, upper mids are as smooth and more detailed with natural delivery of vocals, treble is clear with a little more sparkle, a little better definition, and slightly more airiness. Soundstage is as wide, but also taller and deeper than EM3.
 
 
 
In comparison, Apple iPod earphones soundstage is narrower, bass is not as tight, sound is not as detailed, and overall I hear it being more congested.  EM3 really steps it up in a comparison, opening up the soundstage, having more punch in the bass, better retrieval of details in mids, and more definition in treble.  I can't compare new earpods because they don't fit me well.
 
 
 
Conclusion.
 
I'm definitely warming up to earbuds, but only consider them for convenience rather than long term use.  I still prefer IEMs due to their better seal, more secure fit, and higher res sound.  But earbuds are very convenient when you are in a situation where you want to listen to music or to pick up a call and need to be aware of your surrounding environment.  Having a good sound quality is just a bonus, and when you factor in a budget price, now you are also talking about price/performance ratio where FiiO EM3 definitely scores high!  I do have to be honest, $5 VE Monk Plus is still hard to beat, especially in sound quality, but EM3 offers a damn good alternative with an addition of in-line remote/mic and a slimmer more comfortable design.  As a matter of fact, I would recommend to get both!

Disclaimer
I received these earbuds from Fiio as a review sample in exchange for my honest opinion on them. I did not receive any other compensation for this review.
 
Intro:
Today’s audio market is kinda like a corporation. Big fat executives in expensive suits calling in meetings to pat themselves on the back and discuss million dollar audio equipment as if it was weather. Young employees with outfits and hairstyles straight out of Vogue suck up to their bosses, exclaiming their eternal love for 512x DSD and cable holders. And then there is Fiio, with his tats and ponytail quietly sitting in the back, refusing to participate in this giant circlejerk. Well, at least that’s how I like to imagine their position on the market. As the voice of reason in a world that descended into madness a long time ago.
Fiio’s latest product, the EM3 is exactly that - a voice of reason. Let’s take a look.
 
Package:
The EM3 comes in a plain, white, cardboard package that aside from the earbuds themselves, contain the warranty card, three pairs of foam covers, and a little bit of clear plastic for additional protection. I’m glad Fiio didn’t spend any more money on additional accessories or an elaborate box. 10$ is not a lot of money to go on and it was clearly spent on the earphones and not the package. Good job Fiio!
 

 
Build
Simple black housing, short cable ending in 4-pole minijack and an inline microphone. It’s easy to mistake the EM3 for earbuds that come with a smartphone or an mp3 player. I’d like Fiio to include their logo somewhere on the earbuds to make them stand apart more but that’s just a minor gripe. They sit comfortably in my ears and have only fallen out twice, which I consider a good score. Aside from that nothing bad can be said about them. Okay, let’s move on to the sound quality.
 

 

 

 
 
Highs
The EM3 does an okay job as far as the highs go. They’re not bad or awful by any means, I just feel like they’re lacking extension. This became apparent the most when I listened to Ne Obliviscaris’ “And Plague Flowers The Kaleidoscope”. As this is one of my favourite songs of all time, I’ve heard it hundreds of times and pretty much have it memorized. The two minute violin intro is, to me, a thing of beauty and could be used to evaluate the performance of much higher-priced equipment. Naturally I played it on loop in order to test the quality of the EM3. Sadly, I was a little bit disappointed. It’s as if part of the appeal of the violin was gone when listened to through the EM3. The notes sounded just dull and lifeless. The same can be said about Mina Spiler’s voice in Laibach’s We Are Millions And Millions are One. Totally listenable but not really engaging. Reproduction of percussion instruments is also pretty mediocre (most audible in An Infinite Regression and To Sirius). Drums and cymbals sound artificial and caused me to check whether something was wrong with the earbuds the first time I heard them. Overall, I’d rate the highs as 6/10.
 
Mids
You have no idea how surprised I was when I heard the mids coming out of these little things. They aren’t just great as in “great for a 10$ earbuds”, those are actually great mids. Most of my evaluation playlist is composed of rock and metal music and after going through it all I was left deeply satisfied. Tosin Abasi’ guitar in The Woven Web was tight and engaging. Every note was clearly defined and, something I did not expect whatsoever, sounded better on the EM3 than Koss Porta Pro, which are my current portable headphones. Synthesizers on Wild International were just splendid and a joy to listen to. I had no idea something so tiny can produce sound so nice. Great work Fiio!
All things considered I can give these earbuds a well-deserved 9/10 for the mids.
 
Bass
Bass is the trickiest part of the audio spectrum to reproduce on dynamic earphones. Small driver enclosed in tiny plastic housing has a much harder time reproducing those lower frequencies than a full-size driver in a big earcup. In order to challenge the EM3 I decided to use Leonard Cohen’s Popular Problems album. A while ago i’ve noticed that Mr. Cohen’s voice on this album is so low that turning the Bass Boost on in my E18 actually makes the vocals seem louder. Naturally I wanted to check how the EM3 will handle such amount of bass. Unaltered, both the bass guitar track and vocals sounded rather thin and lacking, without a proper punch. The situation changed the moment I decided to turn the Bass Boost on. With Bass Boost engaged both vocals and the bass track sound meaty, with proper impact throughout the entire album. As I feel that all EM3’s deficiencies in the bass region can be corrected with an EQ and are not an inherent driver issue, I’m fine with rating the bass as 8/10.
 
Isolation
If You’d like to isolate yourself from the rest of the world and just listen to music without being bothered then boy, you’re in for a disappointment. The EM3 will stand aside and do nothing while outside noise penetrates your ear canals. Moreover, it will let your music escape said ear canals, and annoy people in your close proximity. Seriosuly, it's bad. The isolation/leakage is the only major gripe I have with these earphones.
They are clearly designed for mobile use and mobile users most commonly use earbuds while commuting. I can’t really imagine people using these buds in the comfort of their own home, where bigger and better gear is readily available for them (lol, that’s exactly what I’m doing as I type this but that’s an exception). The majority of the prospective buyers will use them outdoors and guess what happens if you use them outdoors?
 
Amazing mids I’ve mentioned?
GONE
 
Nice bass?
GONE
 
Mediocre highs?
That’s all you’ll be able to hear on your way to work.

 
I don’t know how loud the public transport in Hong Kong is, but in Warsaw it is pretty bad. As in “sometimes I can’t hear what people standing 0.5m away from me said”. Most Polish people use closed-back headphones for this very reason, to isolate themselves from our noisy buses, noisy subway and noisy streets. Headphones with nice isolation are simply mandatory here and that’s where the EM3 disappoint the most. And it kinda makes me sad because I genuinely like how they sound. But I only like them when I’m alone in my room, not when I’m on my way to work and that’s where they are supposed to be used the most. When I raised my concern about the isolation of these earbuds, the Fiio rep suggested covering the vents with a piece of rubber. I've tried that and found that it helped a little but did not solve the issue, moreover the mid-range sounded as if someone smothered it with a pillow.
Okay, I may be blowing the leakage out of proportion. After all, these are open earbuds so poor isolation was to be expected. I just hate the fact that 90% of the time these buds will perform in sub-optimal conditions that may cause the buyers to misjudge them.
 
Conclusion
All in all, I really like the EM3 earbuds. Despite the isolation problem (which may or may not be such an issue in “quieter” cities) I do enjoy listening to them. I have a small list of improvements I’d like to see in future/higher-priced models if Fiio ever decides to make them:
 

1. For the love of God, please make them closed
2. Over-ear sleeving or hooks would help as they fell out of my ears once or twice
3. Another variant without the microphone and with a regular 3-pole jack

 
And I have a feeling that Fiio will make a higher-priced earbud model. After all, if that’s what they can do with 10$, imagine what they will be able to do with a 100$.
 

Disclaimer –     These were provided to me by Fiio in exchange for my honest review.
 
Others have introduced Fiio and gone through a lot of the background so I’m going to dive right in.   I’m a music lover, an engineer by trade (not a sound guy) and a hobbyist.  I make no claim to have a golden ear, nor do I pretend to know anything.  I took on this review with the idea that these headphones are being marketed at a price point that puts them in the category of “replace and improve the earphones that came with my phone”.   These are not high-end, even with an MSRP of $49.99 they would be in the budget section and at $10 they certainly fall into the ultra-budget category.  As such, I did all my testing using an I-phone 6s+ and an HTC M9
 
Packaging – The box is very plain and does little to tell the user what to expect.  It certainly doesn’t help “Sell” the product as if seen on the rack at the big box store I’m not sure someone would know it was earbuds made by Fiio without taking some time to do so.  When opening the box, it does have a nice slide-out tray that makes accessing the contents and re-use of the box more practical.
 

 
Build – Plain black plastic housing and rubber coated cable.   The cable is nicer than most in that it doesn’t seem to want to kink and tangle, nor does it feel tacky to the touch. It would be nice if donut foams were provided and if the left and right were more clearly marked as they are on the stem of bud itself and are simply a raised letter on the plastic.  In direct light the glare obscures the lettering entirely. Cable to connector and earbud fit is good with no gaps or puckers.  The inline mic is fitted nicely and not bulky but again the button on it is completely unmarked and is the same color as the housing so if it weren’t for a tactile click when pressed people might not know it was there at all.   As promised, I will run these through the washer and dryer in a jeans pocket on Friday.  Problem is, I like these so I had to order a 2^nd set from Amazon tonight.
 

 
 
Sound – First off, my impressions are sans foams since I saw no reason to muddy the sound with them. Also, after listening briefly straight out of the box, I put the buds on a 24 hour burn-in with pink noise.  These buds definitely need burn-in time so don’t judge them until they are truly broken in.
 
Bass – Good bass depth and extension but quantity is a bit lacking.  The bass quantity can be corrected with bass boost or EQ but is deficient when used without EQ adjustment.
 
Mids – This is the heart and soul of the EM3.  These have one of the best mids of any iem, earphone, or headphone I own.  This includes Grado, Sennheiser, and Fostex models.  Mids are full, well stated, and clean.  
 
Highs – Treble is a bit rolled-off but well behaved with no sibilance.  This is a balancing act and it would be easy to fault them for this but the alternative is a forward aggressive treble that makes long listening sessions painful.   I do feel cymbals resonated well and were reasonably accurately reproduced which is hard at any level but beyond expectation at the $10 level.
 
Comparisons –
 
Vs Apple Buds (I-phone 6s+) Build quality of the EM3 is better with the cable on the I-buds being terrible.  Sound is more open but thinner on the I-bud.  The EM3 has a smaller soundstage but a much fuller sound.  The I-buds are much thinner sounding in the mids and highs.  
 
Vs HTC Buds (M9) Build quality of the EM3 is way better.  The HTC with its flat cable just looks cheap in comparison.   The HTC has a very V-shaped profile with harsh treble and a lot of sibilance in female vocals.  The EM3 is much more balanced and easily more listenable.
 
Vs VE Monk Build quality is a tie with both being solid designs.  The monk is harder to drive than the EM3 usually requiring about 8% more volume to achieve equal listening level.  For that extra input power, the monk does deliver a slightly larger soundstage than the EM3.  The monk does have more fatiguing treble than the EM3 and the EM3 is a better all-around bud when considering more aggressive genres in the mix.
 
Wrap Up –
            Would I buy this product to replace what came with my phone?  Yes.
           
            Would I buy this product to upgrade from the earphones that came with my phone? Yes.
           
            Would I recommend these to others looking for an inexpensive, non-fatiguing bud? Yes.
           
            Are they perfect?  They are closer than they deserve to be for a $10 earbud.
           
            Is Fiio going to have trouble keeping up with demand? Probably

Fiio sent me the retail version of the EM3 to review a while ago. I’ve had these earbuds for over a year so I am quite familiar with the way they sound. They retail for $10.

Setup for this review:
Source: HP laptop running on battery and with wireless LAN turned off.
Media player: Foobar 2000 with full RAM buffering running in native ASIO mode.
DAC: LH Labs Geek Out 450 with 15dB to 18dB digital attenuation and FRM filter (Frequency Response Mode is a linear phase slow roll-off filter).
Headphones: Fiio EM3, Apple earbuds and earpods, Edifier H180, VE Monk, Blox BE3.

EM3 fit and finish:
Overall packaging is excellent. There is a unique code to verify that the earbuds are genuine. Three pairs of full foam earpads are also included. The connector is an L-shaped jack and there is a one-button microphone / remote (which I never used). The shell has the shape of a rocket exhaust nozzle. I am not a big fan of this design option: it’s not uncomfortable but the earbuds do not fit as snuggly as they would with something like a standard Sennheiser shell.



EM3 sound signature:
With full foams, bass is overly boosted and boomy, vocals are muffled, soundstage is very distant and tiny. Why on earth is Fiio including foam earpads in the packaging? Many people will put them on without afterthoughts and will be robbed of the sound potential of the EM3. If you intend to use foams, stick with Apple earbuds.

Without foams, tonal balance and clarity improve quite markedly. Highs can show some trace of sibilance. Bass is now snappy but lacks some weight (not a good match for EDM or rap lovers). Bass and treble extensions are nothing to write home about. Soundstage stays stuck between the ears (no outsized outward projection). Vocals seem a little bit recessed. The overall sound signature can be described as clean and neutral.

With donut foams, one could hope that this is the miracle solution that lands on middle ground between full foams and no foams but this is unfortunately not the case. The results with donut foams are much closer to full foams than without foams so the sound takes a turn for the worse. Since donut foams are not as sturdy as full foams they are also more likely to fall and get lost. This configuration is not recommended either.

I tried an easy mod to see if I could improve the sound of the EM3. With vents taped over and without foams, the soundstage increases dramatically but the treble gets boosted and vocals are pushed forward. The resulting sound is very fatiguing. With vents taped and full foams, bass is further increased but vocals are again pushed forward. The sealed enclosure gives a certain “boxy” coloration to the sound. The overall tonal balance becomes unnatural. In a nutshell, no luck on finding a quick fix.



Comparison of EM3 without foams to other earbuds:
Apple earbuds without foams and earpods:
This one is straightforward: except for build quality, the EM3 are simply better earbuds than the Apple ones.

Edifier H180 with full foams:
In many ways, the H180 sounds like what the EM3 with foams should have been: a fun v-shaped sound signature. The bass is elevated and a bit boomy but it gives more body to the sound. Treble is not overly refined but it's by no means harsh either. It is not as boosted as the bass and gives the impression of clarity. The form factor of the earbuds is extremely comfortable and fit snuggly against the ear concha. Edifier packaging, fit and finish is on par with Fiio. Price is also equivalent.

VE Monk with full foams:
This comparison is for the original Monk (now discontinued), not the current Monk+. The Monk is more mid-centric than the Monk+. Compared to the EM3, the soundstage is wider and vocals are more natural. There is a bit more clarity. Bass and treble are more extended. The cable seems sturdier and the use of standard Sennheiser shells makes the Monk more comfortable to wear. At the same price as the EM3, the VE Monk (and Monk+ for that matter) is the better buy.

Blox BE3 with full foams:
This is not exactly a fair comparison since the Blox costs about four times what the EM3 goes for. It is also a rather artisanal product with very limited distribution. However, I wanted to include it in the review to understand what the next level in quality brings to the table. The overall sound signature is relatively similar but clarity is improved and details become more readily apparent. You also get an easier sense of flow in the music, everything sounds less forced and more natural. These earbuds are a little more dynamic and better controlled.

Fiio EM3 review takeaway:
Were it not for the VE Monk, the EM3 would have been a perfectly acceptable product at its $10 price point. A much better option is looking into Fiio IEMs line-up which delivers excellent sound and really good value (much better than what Xiaomi / 1More has to offer at comparable price points, but that’s a story for another review).

INTRODUCTION
 
Over a month ago, I became curious about the Fiio EM3 because of the great feedback it was getting. So there was a review sign up for the EM3 and I decided to get involved to give my feedback on the Fiio EM3. Thank you Sunny from Fiio for making it possible me to obtain the review unit for my feedback. 
 
Once I got the Fiio EM3, I used my Xuelin 770C w/the Topping NX2 amp to audition it for a few hours. Then I memorized the initial sound quality. Afterward I had the Fiio EM3 burn in for over 50 hours through my PC. The Fiio EM3 sounded a bit claustrophobic at first. Then it really opened up after 50 hours. The bass was very dominant too, but then it settled down quite a bit. Making the rest of the frequency sound clearer. I will get into that more soon, but first I need to talk about the build quality. 
 
ABOUT FIIO: 
 
For over nine years. Fiio has provided great customer service and excellent audio items at an affordable price. Their most quality items mostly come from their line of DAPs, Amps and DACs. Recently they have dabbled in the line of IEMs and Ear buds. Their latest Ear bud is the Fiio EM3. 
 
 
 
DESIGN/BUILD QUALITY 
 
I must admit. Pretty impressive. I have owned a few earbuds in the past. The JVC Gummies, Sony MDR Earbuds and Sansa Fuze Earbuds. Their sturdiness pales in-comparison to the EM3. The cables are thicker and the strain reliefs are thick and more flexible. So basically I'm not concerned about using them on a daily basis. The Fiio EM3 also has an In-Line Remote and Mic on the left cord above the Y-Split cables. Due to that placement, it will be very easily to know which is the left side or the right side. The earbuds also have a L or R marking engraved on the bottom of each earbud. The a distinct bump on the left side and right side of the earbuds that's placed just below the L and R engraved markings. The earbuds are arched at a 100 degree angle for maximum comfort and better fit. The jack is a 3.5mm Gold Plated Stereo Jack and the cable is made out of TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) for enhanced durability. 
 
FIIO EM3 ON THE AURAL LIFE EARPHONE STAND

 
LEFT EAR BUD

 
RIGHT EAR BUD

 
 
IN-LINE REMOTE AND MIC W/GOLD PLATED 3.5MM STEREO JACK 

 

 
 
FIIO EM3 PACKAGING 

 

 
FIIO EM3 MANUAL

 
FIIO EM3 ACCESSORIES

 
 
 
 
NOISE ISOLATION
 
Obviously not that great. The EM3 are earbuds, so they do not block out external sound away from your ear canals. So do not push the volume too high for the EM3. The SPL is at Rock Concert Levels (109 dB). Speaking of which.
 
SPECIFICATION
 

 
The Fiio EM3 has a large 14.8mm Dynamic Driver. Comes with extra foam ear pads and along with a very responsive In-line remote and mic. I used the In-line remote on the ASUS ZenFone 2 with Poweramp and it came in handy. I pressed it three times for previous track. Two times for next track and one time for pause or play. The mic is very good as well. I pressed the button once for beginning or ending a call and my voice was heard pretty well through the mic. The impedance is 47 ohms. For my ASUS ZenFone 2, that really wasn't much of an issue. It was still able to drive it. Although at times I desired more volume, so I used my Topping NX2 for better results. Otherwise the ASUS ZenFone 2 has a sufficient amount of power for the EM3.  
 
COMFORT
 
The comfort is excellent. Just as good as the Titan 1 and it sits firmly against my ear canal. Sometimes I don't even notice that it's there. Thanks to the foam ear pads. 
 
SET-UP USED
 
Initial: Xuelin 770C>Topping NX2>Fiio EM3
Afterward 50 hours of burn in: Xuelin 770C or ASUS ZenFone 2 w/Poweramp>Topping NX2>Fiio EM3 NO EQUALIZER USED.
 
SOUND QUALITY: 
 
Bass: It has very good extension. The bass can often go deep in the sub bass region and doesn't sound muddled or distorted in anyway. The impact is strong with music that requires strong bass slam. Otherwise it's controlled and has a good amount of rumble. 
 
Mids: The mids are clear, but most of the time it sounds like there's a layer of fog in front of the vocals and instruments. The details in the mids didn't take too much damage from the veiled mids. Whenever I listen to The Rippingtons, I can hear the natural tone of the guitars and saxophones very well. Towards the upper mids, there is no sibilance to be found. It's mostly like due to the warm nature of the airiness and the relaxed demeanor of the midrange.
 
Treble: This region is fairly smooth and extended. Like the mids, it's not peaky nor is it sibilant. It also sounds a bit dull, but it gets the job done. The rendering of detail is rather nice. Not overly impressive though. It's just above the $20 price tag. 
 
SOUNDSTAGE
It's quite wide and large. The airiness makes the EM3 feel roomy and the movement of airflow can be quite dynamic. The depth is quite limited though. Making the sound presentation 2D-ish (2.5D) and intimate.  
 
ACCURACY
Due to the slightly thick warmth of the sound and the shallow stage depth. The accuracy is good, but not mind blowing. Fast paced music is sluggish with transitioning at different positions throughout the stage. Otherwise it's acceptable. 
 
CONCLUSION:
Once again Fiio proved that you can get premium quality for an affordable price. The EM3's nature of smooth and full bodied sound can be complimented well both my 770C and ZenFone 2. The comfort is quite good, yet the noise isolation can be troublesome in noisy environments. The stage depth is very close and upfront and the mids are veiled. Besides all of that, the Fiio EM3 is quite the budget tier performer and should not disappoint for bassheads. Those that are into heavy treble or demand for better noise isolation may not enjoy this. Otherwise for $15, it's hard to complain with what the Fiio EM3 is capable of. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Disclaimer: 
I received these earbuds from Fiio in exchange for a fair review which I intend on giving. 
 
Introduction:
I have to admit, until not too long ago, I despised earbuds.  Why?  Whenever I heard earbuds, they were the kind that were packaged with an inexpensive electronic item of some sort.  I seemed to find them at the bottom of drawers around the house and, every so often, I would try them.  I really had little respect for earbuds and did not like the way they seemed to just loosely lay inside your ear. 
 
What changed?  Well, having a 13 year-old daughter that hates IEM’s or anything inside her ear canal, she continued to defy me by using horribly cheap earbuds.  I would see her lying in her room with a set of no-name earbuds attached to her MP3 player.  When she would go to sleep, I even checked the sound to see if I was missing something—I wasn’t.
 
Anyways, the poor sound was really bothering me, so I ordered a used, inexpensive pair of Yuin PK3’s.  These seemed to be a significant upgrade as were the Apple earbuds we found lying around.  Shortly after the PK3’s arrived, one of the ears went out and I was frustrated with the build quality (and still am, it seems to be a common complaint). 
 
I have since purchased used earbuds in a group that have opened my eyes to the possibility of how good earbuds can actually be.  I have yet to try high-end earbuds, but I have tried some good sounding earbuds.  These earbuds are the Blox BE3 and the Baldoor E100—and now, the Fiio EM3.
 
Purpose:
My purpose in this review is to focus on reviewing the Fiio EM3’s, primarily in the sound.  For $9.99, I really don’t want to spend a lot of time on accessories and want to keep that section brief.  After reviewing the sound of the EM3’s, I then want to compare the EM3’s to several other pairs of earbuds I have on hand.  I will focus on listing from greatest to least in various sound categories and will comment on any areas that stand out.  My hope is that people will get a good feel for the sound of the Fiio EM3’s, which are a fantastic value for the performance to cost ratio.  I also hope people will understand how other pairs stack up against each other in different areas to better help people choose an earbud they might like. 
 
All comparisons will be at the end of this review, under the “Comparison” section.
 
Packaging:
I have to admit, I really don’t care much about packaging, especially for an earbud that has an MSRP of $9.99.  I often get headphones used or open-box as I’m more concerned about sound than anything.  I can say that the small, thin box (about the length of a pen) is easy to open and looks professional.  The clear window showing the earbuds has a frosted look that is more appealing, but overall it’s pretty basic.  It looks like something that hangs from the pegs from a large box store, much like I see Skullcandy or Sony doing.  This seems to be a great idea if Fiio is aiming at a younger, more mainstream demographic.  I can say that I would much rather grab a set of Fiio EM3’s off the rack than the other choices I often see in the same price range (not that I’ve ever seen Fiio at a box store).
 

 

 

 
 
Accessories:
In terms of accessories, you don’t get much.  Inside the small box you will find a manual and a small box containing three pairs of foam covers inside a small, Ziploc bag.  The foam covers are standard and no doughnut style covers are included.  Due to the warmer and darker sound of these earbuds, having doughnuts might help as I can’t imagine they would add considerable cost on Fiio’s end and may brighten up the sound.  Also, there is no case included which would have been nice considering the cord tends to curl up and get tangled.
 

 
Design/Build Quality:
According to Fiio, the EM3’s have 14.8mm diameter dynamic drivers with a 47ohm impedance designed to sound the same regardless of source.  I definitely found this to be true as I tried the EM3’s with my Fiio X3 (1^st Gen.), LG G3, and Ipad 2.  The EM3’s are tuned for popular music and are said to produce powerful bass. 
 
Fiio also claims that they tested the fit of the earbuds with numerous artificial and real ears for long-term comfort and fit.  They are easy to find a good fit but I did need to have the felt covers on to really hear the bass.  Also, I found the metal mesh covering the driver to be uncomfortable after awhile if I didn’t use a foam cover.  Just a side note on the metal mesh: it seems to be very similar looking to the metal mesh design on the Awei ES10.  I don’t know if Awei had anything to do with Fiio on this project, but I thought it worth mentioning.  The black high-gloss plastic blends with a duller finish black plastic that seems to be of high-quality and I don’t have any concern for these falling apart or the earbuds pulling apart, exposing the driver.  The strain reliefs seem to be decent and the stems are fairly long, so I would imagine the connection to last (but I have no way to confirm this right now). 
 

 
There is also a one-button inline remote that is compatible with Android and iPhones and various series of clicks produce various functions to include next track, previous track, play/pause, call answer, and end call.  The strain reliefs going in and out of the inline mic concern me some as they really don’t tighten around the thin cord and the cord moves around considerable as it enters and exits the mic.  Since I have had numerous issues with mic/cord issues over the years, I might be concerned about long-term reliability.   The inline remote seemed well placed near the mouth and my wife received calls that were clear, even on a windy day.  One of the problems I’ve had with inline remotes are mics that lie lower on the cord and rest on my shoulder.  This has caused microphonics and static and can be difficult to hear.  I had no problem with this on the Fiio EM3’s.
 

 
As for the cord, Fiio has a picture of hands pulling the cord apart and Fiio claims the cord has high-elasticity and high tensile strength.  I don’t think I’ll try pulling on the cords like Fiio did, but I do like the feel of the cord.  Below the Y-split, the cord has a nice, solid feel without being sticky.  There does seem to be some memory but nothing too bad.  Above the Y-split, the cords are thinner but feel solid and well made.  I have seen some cords above the Y-split that are very thin and give me concern about reliability—these do not.  In addition, I listened to these while moving around on a windy day and did not notice much in the way of microphonics, which was surprising. 
 

 
There is a 3.5mm gold-plated L-shaped jack that has a flexible strain relief that seems to be very well made.  I played with the jack connection at the strain relief and it moved freely and did seem effective in removing stress from the jack and cable connection.  This is a nice design as I found the Yuin jack poorly made and it seems to be a common source of failure (in other brands/designs as well).  Overall, the jack seems to be made for the long haul.
 

 
Sound (with standard foam covers):
I would describe the sound of the Fiio EM3 as warm and dark with a boost in the lower region and laid back treble.  The mids are clear and enjoyable and seem to stand out despite the tuning towards popular music.  The detail level is mediocre and tends towards a “one-note” feel across the spectrum.  Before I move on to each area of the sound, I would like to mention that I am nitpicking a $9.99 earbud.  Overall, I felt these are excellent in terms of price to performance ratio.
 
Bass:
The sub-bass extends well and is present on most music I listened to, which was surprising for an earbud.  I have found it difficult to find an earbud with much in the way of sub-bass.  The sub-bass region seems to have more “slam” or “punch” compared to the mid-bass and seems boosted in comparison to the mid-bass.
 
The mid-bass region, which I have found many manufacturers to boost for popular tuning, actually seems more neutral than the sub-bass.  That being said, the mid-bass is still very present but doesn’t have the same “slam” as the sub-bass.  In my opinion, if the mid-bass was boosted more, the overall sound would sound muddier and would interfere with the clarity of the mids.  The mid-bass is still present enough that it gives the EM3’s a warm presentation that leans toward a darker sound.  I also noticed the bass lines in blues and rock had good quality and was very enjoyable.  Overall, I would say the mid-bass had more quality and the sub-bass more quantity.
 
Mids:
The presentation of the EM3’s mids are very enjoyable to me.  They have a warm presentation with nice detail and smooth vocals.  I enjoy the sound of electric guitars with these but would prefer more in the upper-mids and treble for rock music.  The EM3’s are still very enjoyable for about every type of music you could listen too, though.  I would say that the lower-mids are more of a positive than upper-mids.  Male voices had good detail and were very smooth whereas female voices were a little too rolled off for my taste.  It just seemed that there was less detail and crispness in the upper-mids.  I can say that these are not going to be too “hot” for anyone and will generally be very enjoyable for most people.
 
Treble: 
I can hear details in the mids but they seem boring to me.  There isn’t a crispness and they seemed tuned to be smooth and inoffensive.  The mids seem to stand out more than the treble and may be an indication of the mids overpowering the treble.  If you are sensitive to treble, these earbuds will be a good match as I really didn’t get any sibilance and found them to be very smooth and lack any shimmer in cymbals and brighter sounds.  I personally prefer a little more crispness in the treble, but overall the treble is well done, especially for a $10 earbud.  In fact, considering the price, these are pretty remarkable.
 
Soundstage:
I found the soundstage to be good but less than others I’ve heard.  The instrument separation is good but falls behind some other sets like the Blox BE3 in my opinion.  With songs panning from left to right or songs that lend towards soundstage, these are going to be middle to upper pack (at least out of the earbuds I have).  Maybe more treble presence would increase the soundstage. 
 
Sound (no cover): 
Forthcoming
 
Sound (donuts):
Forthcoming
 
Comparisons:
This section will compare the Fiio EM3, Blox BE3, Baldoor E100, Awei ES10, Sansa earbuds (came with Sansa Clip Zip), and Apple earbuds.  Initially, I will have the EM3, BE3, and E100 and will add the others later.  Once the Yuin PK3 cord is repaired, I will also include that one.  In addition, I will try to do comparison using felt pads, donuts, and no pads.  This section will be simple as it will be greatest to least with a few key observations.
 
W/Felt Pads:

1. Sub-bass:                         EM3 > BE3 > E100
2. Mid-bass:                         E100 > EM3 > BE3
3. Bass Quality:                    BE3 = E100 > EM3

 

1. Lower mids:                      BE3 > EM3 > E100
2. Upper mids:                      BE3 > E100 > EM3
3. Mids Quality:                    BE3 > EM3 > E100

 

1. Treble                               BE3 = E100 > EM3

1. Just a side note, the treble is very different between the BE3 and E100.  The E100 is much brighter and boosted whereas the BE3 is smoother but very clear.  They seem equal but in different ways to me.

1. Treble Quality:                  BE3 > E100 > EM3
2. Sparkle:                           E100 > BE3 > EM3

 

1. Soundstage                      BE3 > EM3 = E100
2. Separation:                       BE3 > EM3 = E100
3. Detail:                              BE3 > E100 > EM3
4. Comfort/Fit:                      EM3 > BE3 > E100

 
As you can see, I am quite impressed with the Blox BE3’s in comparison to the other earbuds.  The BE3’s have a very musical and immersive sound that I really enjoyed.  One thing to consider is that the BE3 costs about $35, the E100 $20, and the EM3 $9.99.  I can’t say that the BE3 is three times better than the EM3, it’s just smoother and more detailed with a larger soundstage.  As for the E100, I prefer the EM3 to the E100 due to the E100’s brightness.  The E100 seems like every area of its’ sound has been boosted, especially in the upper regions, which seems to boost detail but seemed unnatural at times.  In fact, there were some times that the E100 sounded strange, which my daughter described as “digital sounding”. 
 
W/ Donuts:
Forthcoming
 
No Pads:
Forthcoming

Intro
 
 
First and foremost, I would like to thank Fiio for this review unit from a reviewer application on Head-Fi where they were looking for 20 reviewers! Luckily for me, snagged a spot and received a review unit in exchange for my honest opinion and review of these earbuds.
 
Probably the most popular earbuds in the market are the Apple EarPods, where most non audio enthusiast users just use them for everyday use. Users who seek to upgrade from that pair of EarPods would normally seek to purchase In-Ear Monitors(IEMs), not Earbuds. Why? Probably from classical conditioning that IEMs will give better sound and when tested with a bassy track, the reaction would be “Whoa, this **** is good. BUY”. Interest for earbuds seemed to have dipped over the years with the rise of IEMs and people love them for the bass extension, noise isolating properties. With the general public being more aware of hearing safety, many IEM companies market their IEMs with good seal, providing good noise isolation and thus reducing the volume of music played while commuting, to shut off the droning noises of our surroundings, resulting in the decrease in popularity of earbuds.
 
However, some people still love the airy sound, the fuss free fit when they put on the earbuds.. and a more natural representation of music. Similar to open headphones with a airy, spacious sounding sound signature. In recent times, the company Venture Electronics came up with the ‘Monks’, a $5 pair of earbuds which swept the audio community off their feet and love was in the air for earbuds. Then came the EM3’s, Fiios answer to the Monks (In my opinion). With a $10 price tag, the company is set to target the budget user, who also demand quality music from the equipment they purchase. Would you buy it? Lets see in the review below.
 

 
 
Packaging, Build Quality
 
 

 

 

 
 
These Earbuds are made from a single dynamic 14.8mm driver with a weight of 13.6g and a normal cable length of 120cm. On the cable of the left side of the earbuds, there is a mic unit, with a single button to control the play/pause. I would not delve into the specifications as they would be stated on the packaging and on the official website.
 
These come in a small paper box packaging, which features the earphones on the front cover. Nothing to shout about here and within the box contains the earbuds, a quick start pamphlet and 3 pairs of black foam covers. Everything is neatly packed and organized, a real pleasure to slowly take them out bit by bit.
 
The earbuds themselves are completely black, giving off a bit of the batman vibes. The finishing is not completely matt or glossy though, with a mix of both all round. It is matt finishing until the Y splitter. Following which, the mic unit is glossy and almost the entire earbud unit is matt black except the top part which features a glossy finish. They sport a vertical bass port along the shaft of the earbud, with another opening towards the top of the earbud, which looks like another bass port too. Overall, the Earbud unit looks and feels solid and svelte, with a slim shaft and a nice strain relief at the end of the unit. There are also strain reliefs at the both ends of the mic unit, which is a nice touch and adds to the durability of this product.
 
The EM3’s terminates to a L plug, with a flexible and robust looking strain relief. Certainly feels like it could last awhile with proper care
 
If I could suggest any improvement, would be the inclusion of a chin slider to keep it more s secure for those who might want to do some activities in it.
 

 
Sound Impressions
 
Source: Apple Ipod Touch 4G 64GB
 
Songs:
1.     童话- 光良 (FLAC)
2.     小幸運 – Hebe Tian (FLAC)
3.     LIKE I WOULD – ZAYN (320 CBR)
 
 
 
These earbuds with the foam pads, fit really comfortable in my ear, the fit is really secure too. A few other Head-fiers have reported pushing on the top of the earbuds to get a better seal and better fit, but for some reason, these just sit snugly and have no major sonic difference or difference in comfort however I adjust them.
 
When playing 童话by 光良, the mids seem to be forward sounding, warm and smooth. There is still detail in the voice and I like the soundstage I'm hearing, decent width, can’t distinguish height and depth though. While listening to the popular 小幸運 by Hebe Tian, the opening instruments and strings on the guitar sound sweet, and has a nice energy to it. The female voice sounds good, but they sometimes sound a tad too warm and smooth, and it doesn’t sound that crisp, I think I can describe it more towards the darker side. Let’s go on to one of my favorite tracks recently, LIKE I WOULD by Zayn, it is these kind of tracks that the EM3 excel in, a nice low end that makes the song enjoyable, albeit on a earbud. The forwardness of the mids and the slightly dark signature of the earbuds gives the song more groove and that’s the way I enjoy it.
 
 
Comparisons
 
VE Monks
 

 
 
Straight up, these muds are more comfortable than the VE monks. I wore both with the foam pads and I believe the Monks have a slightly wider diameter, thus pushing against the ear, making It slightly more uncomfortable. I found the Monks to have a bigger soundstage and it has a slightly airier feel to the music coming out from it. It also sounds more laid back, not as mid centric as the EM3’s. Bass wise I would say the EM3 trumps it, giving the songs I listen to more oomph into it. The monks are also less dark, and sounds slightly clearer and more spacious overall.
 
Hardware wise, the monks lack strain reliefs on the earbud unit and does not have a mic. It also terminates into a straight plug and it seems that the cables on the monks are thicker, a more industrial/OEM feel to it. The monks also lack a chin slider..Design wise, the EM3 also trumps the monks, with a slimmer profile, and subtler branding (or no branding). If it matters, the EM3s are slightly harder to drive compared to the monks, but difference is very minor.
 

 
 
Conclusion
 
Overall I would say that these are great buds’ for the price, a definite upgrade from the EarPods you have been hearing. One might just wanna try these out to open their world up on earbuds, if you (like me) have given up on earbuds awhile back. Honestly, I still prefer the sound of IEMs due to the natural basshead in me, but I would really like to throw these in the bag on some days while doing my revision at the library, with less ambient noise. For those interested, these can be had for $10 on amazon.

Greetings Head-fi!
 
Today we are going to be taking a look at the new EM3 from the good people at FiiO!
 
The EM3 is an earbud, just like those basic earphones that usually come included with your average audio device. Unlike those cheapo freebies it seems FiiO actually put some effort into the development of the EM3. As a result you have a solid, mass-market earbud that's actually worth putting down your hard-earned cash on.
 
Disclaimer:
 
The EM3 was provided in exchange for a fair and impartial review. The comments and thoughts within this review are my opinions and not representative of FiiO or any other physical or spiritual entity on this or any other plain of existence. I am not receiving any monetary or residual compensation for this review. Instead, I get the pleasure of listening to a cool piece of kit and sharing my experiences with you, the reader.
 
A little about me:
 
As with many who include this section, I'm not claiming to be an audiophile with golden ears. I don't base my opinions on numbers or graphs, though I have to admit that those things are always nice to have around. I still like to think of myself as fairly new to this hobby; green you might say. My gear is basic and my musical tastes somewhat funneled or biased towards EDM, hip hop, classic rock, and various combinations of the three. For the most part I am a very low volume listener (at least compared to my friends, family, and colleagues), only cranking the volume for that special song now and then. I tend to gravitate towards products that many consider bright, though I prefer the term "energetic". In the end, I just love music, earphones, and writing about them.
 

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Packaging, Accessories, and Features:
 
The EM3 is a budget-minded product, ringing in at less than 20 USD 'round the word. The packing and accessories reflect this low-cost approach, which I appreciate. Unfortunately, Customs or Canada Post were just as excited to check these out as I was and took the opportunity to open the packaging before they were delivered. As a result my images (and unboxing video) fail to reflect the raw opening experience. Sorry about that, mates.
 
Packing for this wonderful little earbud is an elongated, rectangular box measuring in at 14.5 cm x 4.5 cm x 2 cm. Printed on the box are some attractive soundwaves rippling behind an image of the buds, with a scratch n' sniff (sans sniff) sticker used to check authenticity, on the side. Open it up to a pull-out tray containing the EM3 itself, an instruction booklet, and another, smaller box holding three pairs of spare foams.
 
All-in-all this presentation is clean, basic, and a little nicer than what you would expect for something in this price range. It's nice enough for someone like myself who keeps packaging for display purposes (though I have a box full of empty boxes in my closet...), but not so nice that you would feel bad tossing it out.
 
Build Quality, Features, and Comfort:
 
The EM3 is a well-built earphone. It doesn't feel as if FiiO used low quality plastics or a sub-par cable. Neither does it feel like they broke the bank. Let's start with a look at the housings.
 
Personally, I find this to be a fairly attractive little earbud. There isn't anything particularly unique about the design, though the swooping rear edge of the housing looks nice and is helpful when installing and removing the bud from your ears since the tip of your finger slots in nicely. I would prefer if the vent was shifted down and into the swoop so it wouldn't be covered by foams, since as-is you need to be careful not to cover it. Doing so can affect the sound greatly, and not necessarily in a good way. This driver needs to breath.
 
The EM3 features an inline mic with a single button remote. As with everything else, it is made from substantial feeling plastic. The button feels good in hand and has just the right amount of resistance preventing unwanted or accidental presses. It worked well skipping back and forth through tracks on my HTC One M8, and with answering and ending calls.
 
While I only took a few calls with the EM3, I noticed an odd little quirk that was easy to replicate. The mic would pick up wind noise quite easily, but it could only be heard by me. My callers said I was loud and clear, hearing none of the interference. I'm curious if anyone else has run into this oddity. Since it doesn't affect those on the other line, I would say that this is something to highlight, but not be concerned about.
 
The light weight and clean smooth design of the EM3 meant it sat comfortably in my outer ear. There are no sharp edges or odd angles to work around. A huge plus, and one that many may overlook, is they sound pretty much the same no matter how they sit in your ear. I have a feeling this will make them very versatile for a variety of ear types. Big ups to FiiO here!
 

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Sound and Comparisons:
 
FiiO called the EM3 the top-bang-for-your-buck earbud on the market. Venture Electronics makes a very similar claim with the Monk, and I have a pair of those earbuds on hand to compare the EM3 with. Since the EM3 made a good showing in the previous categories, let's see how it tackles sound quality, arguably the most important metric.
 
*Please note that I found the EM3 very stuffy and muddy when using the included foams. I was not a huge fan of them in this orientation. Naked, they clean up nicely offering up good detail and clarity while maintaining some acceptably tight, punchy bass. That said, with donut-shaped foams they really shine, maintaining the clarity of going foamless with the sub-bass performance of the stock foams. All further testing and comparisons was done using donuts, ironically enough, from the Monks.*
 
One of the first things that captured my attention when first hearing the EM3 was their bass. Prior to hearing the Venture Electronics Monk, there wasn't another bud I had heard with such prominent bass. The EM3's presentation is forward, thick, quite warm, and actually manages to dip it's toes into the sub-bass frequencies before rolling off, pulling out, and getting too wet. They offer up a quantity of bass that should please most consumers, even those demanding big bass. I listen to a lot of EDM, and these perform admirably with my favorite tracks. There is a bit too much midbass for my personal preferences, occasionally making them sound bloated, but it's nothing a touch of equalization can't address.
 
Mids are often an area where earbuds shine. For the most part, the EM3 is no exception. The only qualm I have here is that the overly prominent midbass often peeks it's head up over the fence to interfere and sap some energy, especially from vocals. In general their mids are forward, cleanly done, and pleasing to the ear.
 
Treble on the EM3 offers up some good energy without ever sounding strident or simblant. They lack the sparkle of some other products I've heard in this price range and as a result come across a tad dull at times, but it's not distracting or unacceptable. I'm a little picky when it comes to treble presentation, generally shying away from the splashy, uncontrolled, and recessed. The EM3 meets all my needs here.
 
Soundstage was another aspect of the EM3 that put a smile on my face. I found them to sound wide open and with good separation. Stereo transitions and instrument placement are also well done, especially for something budget-minded like these are.
 
The EM3 overall offers up a cohesive sound that runs a bit thick in the upper-bass, lower-mids. For critical listening this isn't adequate, BUT, these are meant to be used when out and about. Take that into consideration when using the EM3 in their expected element, and this no longer becomes an issue. This is a similar experience that I had with the Ausdom M05, a set of over-ear Bluetooth headphones. The stock tuning wasn't the best for listening in a quiet environment, but take them outside and things balance out nicely.
 

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Some select comparisons:
 
Venture Electronics Monk (w/ Sennheiser MX470 foams) vs. EM3
 
The Monk has been taking Head-fi by storm, and rightfully so. They cost around 5 USD and carry the title of "Best Bang for Your Buck". Heck, they're shipped with a VE business card that states it front and centre. To top it off, they sound stellar and are worth way more than their meager asking price.
 
This is the EM3's most dangerous competition and while I think the Monk is the better sounding of the two, the EM3 may just have the advantage. When it comes to sound, the Monk is more balanced, detailed, spacious sounding, and has tighter, snappier bass with better texture. The EM3 sounds v-shaped in comparison, and a little rough around the edges. The Monk is shockingly smooth and refined. While I found it's treble to be less prominent than the EM3's, it sounds more natural.
 
The EM3 doesn't lay down without a fight, however. They nearly match the Monk in soundstage presentation, will appeal more to those that want quantity in their bass, and well, just look at them. The Monk's housing is from a bygone era, straight out of the 90s. The EM3 looks modern and sleek and is much more comfortable to wear, at least to my ear. The kicker is that the EM3 offers an inline mic, something sorely missing at least as an option when ordering the Monk.
 
These are products intended to be used on the move, and in many cases straight out of a mobile phone. Taking this into account the EM3 offers a more comprehensive experience. Oh yeah, the EM3 is also much easier to drive from a basic source. 1/2 volume out of my HTC One M8 is equivalent to about 1/3 volume on the EM3. I listen at such a low volume that this doesn't really matter to me, but it may affect those that listen at louder volumes.
 
When would I take the Monk over the EM3? The Monks are a technically more proficient earbud and as a result are more pleasant for general music listening when in the comfort of your home. Leave the house, and the Monks are set aside.
 
Philips SHS3200 (w/ Sennheiser MX470 foams) vs. EM3
 
Yup. I'm comparing the EM3 to the age old SHS3200. "Why?" you might be asking. The SHS3200 is an earbud that I've owned at one point or another pretty consistently over the last 15 years. I've always enjoyed the combination of comfort, build quality, and solid audio performance they've offered to buyers for years and years at a price hovering around 10 USD. Their design has aged very well in my opinion, and of the three earphones I find them to be the best looking and quite comfortable, though I suspect the massive housings will probably cause hotspots in those with smaller outer ears.
 
The EM3 feels like the more bass heavy of the two due to it's much more notable mid-bass presence, but the SHS3200's big 15mm drivers offer up some sub-bass depth that the EM3 lacks. They aren't as warm as the FiiO, especially in the mids. Treble presentation is pretty similar between the two, making it tough to decide which offers up better performance here. Where the EM3 and SHS3200 part ways is in soundstage. The Philips sounds more like an iem with a notably more confined stage. They just lack the spaciousness and depth of the EM3 and can come across congested.
 
When would I take the SHS3200 over the EM3? Well, they're a sports earbud and the earhooks keep them in place quite well. During activity they are much more secure than the EM3. Other than that, the EM3 is hands down the one I would pick up and take with me. Sorry old chum, but you're outclassed nowadays.
 

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Recommendations for improvements:
 
What could FiiO do to improve upon the EM3? I would love to see some donut foams included, or at the very least full foams that are less dense. The cable is great, but a little thin above the y-split. The SHS3200 uses the same gauge of cable above the y-split and is similarly relieved going into the housing, where they almost always end up failing. Finally, I would love to see the vent on the back of the housing moved to a location where it is not impeded when using foams.
 
Summary:
 
The EM3 surprised me with their bass-heavy signature, spacious sound, and versatility. They look good, feel good, and are priced well for the overall performance on hand. The Monks are still the bang-for-your-buck champs, but they make some sacrifices to get there; ancient housing, no inline mic, few accessories. I will note that some of this, especially accessories, is addressed by the new Monk +, though the price jumps considerably if you want more than the basic package. The EM3 on the other hand sounds almost as good while being something that should be easier to purchase, plus it brings to the table an inline mic.
 
FiiO has brought to market a great earbud, and one that should help to further dispel any thoughts that earbuds are obsolete. Earbuds are amazing, and this is a great entry level offering. I hope FiiO follows these up with something focused more on providing an even better audio experience.
 
Thank you FiiO for giving me the opportunity to review these. I hope you enjoyed my review, and for those that buy them, enjoy the EM3!
 
- B9Scrambler
 
***** ***** ***** ***** *****
 
Sources: HTC One M8, Topping NX1, Plantronics Rig USB Amp out of an Asus G73J gaming laptop
 
Some test tracks:
 
Aesop Rock - Cook It Up
Gorillaz - All Alone
Gorillaz - Empire Ants ft. Little Dragon
Between the Buried and Me - Three of a Perfect Pair (King Crimson cover)
King Crimson - Starless and Bible Black
Gramatik - Bluestep (Album Version)
Skindred - Death to all Spies
Steely Dan - Haitian Divorce
Supertramp - Rudy
Haywyre - Sculpted
Radiohead - Jigsaw Falling Into Place
 
I also listened to long EDM mixes by SubSil3nt Podcast and Going Quantum Podcast on a daily basis.

Pros: $10…TEN DOLLARS, inline mic, 14.8mm driver, smaller size bud
 
Cons: Thin cable, forward mids, trouble staying in my ears, $10…TEN DOLLARS
 
Introduction: The Head-Fi website is a place for many good things related to headphones, amplifiers, Digital Audio Players (DAPS), along with many more items. Manufacturers will often promote their new items on the site, and many of the experienced reviewers will get pre-production or first-run items. This is a good thing. A “trickle-down” effect of this is that other items from those same manufacturers will be opened up to “mini contests," lottery-type giveaways or a semi-interview process. This is also a good thing. While providing many more subscribers the opportunity to review their products, companies are smartly calling on people with a shared passion for quality music products.
 
 

Initial package, before opening
 

Back of package, complete with QR codes
 

With full foams-very good sound with these
 
 
It is through this route, that I was lucky enough to be chosen to review Fiio’s new EM-3 earbuds. Sunny, the Fiio contact was nothing but pleasant to work with via messaging, and a true professional who represents Fiio well. Providing quality customer/reviewer service is a good thing to have in a business that can be built further by word of mouth, or word of paper. It is beneficial in this regard, and just plain good business. I anxiously answered the required questions, put up onto the Head-Fi site another review so that Sunny could read my work, and waited. I was thankful, excited and honored to be chosen for this review product.
 
 
Disclaimer:
I have no affiliation with Fiio, other than the conversations related to the ordering of this review product, the EM-3. I do own several Fiio products ranging from the X3ii, to the A3, and E6 amps. I like them very much. My review will be an honest assessment of the EM-3, as I believe constructive criticism is as much a part of a good product review and will help the company not only address potential downsides of their product, but will also give the company an idea of the upsides of their product as well.
 
Biography:
I lost my Klipsch s4ii's....I was despondent. I had no good headphones as a result. Through a search of the Internet, I was led to Head-Fi, and my "reentry" into the personal-portable music world began. Through much reading and research, I was led first to the MEElectronic (now MEE Audio) m6 Pro's. I followed those with the excellent Dunu Titan 1's (excellent fresh sound). I then jumped on the VE Monk train (excellent little wonders they are!), followed by the intriguing RHA ma750's (which up until my review of the MEE Audio Pinnacle P1’s were my favorites, and are still quite good). After conversations with Sunny, the product was delivered via DHL…and I anxiously awaited their arrival.
 
Through no error of Fiio, I was unable to retrieve the EM’s on a Friday, as I was unaware (actually forgot…) that DHL would need to have a customer signature to finish delivery. I was highly disappointed, because I had the weekend planned for the review process. Oh well, I worked on another pair I am in the process of reviewing. In the mean time, I kept reading & researching, delving deeper into the Head-Fi world, leading to the findings which will be reviewed here and with the other phones in my possession...in due time...including the above mentioned product which I used over the weekend of wait.
 
I am no sound expert. I like good music, and appreciate excellent products as well as excellent valued products, such as the EM-3’s. My listening style varies from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Lyle Lovett, to Dave Matthews, to Bob Marley to Magic Slim & the Teardrops, to Coldplay, to Adele, and everything in between. As a result of too much loud rock and roll as a kid with $ and a car stereo of envy I now have hearing loss, mostly in the upper end. Anything sibilant or overly bright can and does bother me. That said, I am also a Wildlife Biologist/Earth Science teacher who studied songbirds in a different life...This allows me the ability to pick out a sound which should not be in that environment or is new to that environment...such as hearing a songbird on our surveys which had not been heard yet on our routes. I prided myself in that ability to pick out the sounds of what was not there upon our initial arrival. I like to think that this will help with my reviews, but I cannot guarantee it. I am post 50, but love good music and good sound quality. All opinions are mine and mine alone. I may reference others fine reviews, but only to draw a point of comparison. I do not own any sound testing equipment, nor am I a Sound Engineer. I am simply going off of my own interpretations and listenings. I do love going over the analytics of graphs and tone diagrams, etc, but my own seat-of-the-pants interpretations are what I have. YMMV.
 
 
 
Review
 
Packaging:
 
Almost shy, unassuming packaging greeted me when I opened the well packed ePacket from China. It was well protected. A simple black and white package with the ear buds prominently displayed on the front greets the new owner. Simple packaging matches the $10 price. Nothing fancy, just minimal packaging. I like it.
 

Simple black and white packaging, highlight the Fiio EM-3.
 
 
 
 
 
Opening the package you are met with a “smoked-glass” like cover over the wrapped cord and buds. Again, simple but I like it. One of the previous reviewers mentioned that this gave the Fiio’s a hidden upscale look. I cannot disagree.
 
 

Smoked cover adds allure!
 
 

The Em-3’s appeared well made, and after close inspection, they are very well made.
 
 

L-plug, a welcome part, which fits through Smartphone cases.
 
 
 

Full foam, again with thin cord, above "Y" splitter
 
 

Three sets of full foam covers are included.
 
 

 
Fiio’s motto: “Born For Music & Happy” a nice motto.
 
 
 
 
Technical Specs:
 
 

 
A large 14.8mm driver coupled with fairly high impedence (47ohms) and high sensitivity (109dB), mean that this pair is easy to drive with the average Smartphone. Volume was no trouble for the pair and my iPhone 6+. Wearing cargo pants or shorts, the cable is too short for me. Placed in regular pockets, I had no problem, though.
 

Interior of the bud, itself
 
 
Commentary:
 
Design/Build:
 
The EM-3 harkens back to a simpler time, when buds shaped like these were included in most early Smartphones. A Slight mimic of the old Apple earbuds, they do share a similar shape. That is the only similarity, thankfully. I would call then elegantly simple. Reinforced housing areas help where the cable comes out, and where the cable goes into the L-jack. Not overly huge, but well appreciated protection. As stated in my CONS, the cables are thin, but they are strong. They tend to tangle more so than other buds I have owned, but with careful wrapping, this can be handled. I’m not sure how well this pair would handle being shoved in a pocket repeatedly, but if the “abuse” @Wiljen put his pair through (excellent review: http://www.head-fi.org/products/fiio-em3-open-earbud-earphones-with-in-line-microphone-black/reviews/15696) in the washing machine and drier (they still worked!) is any indication, there should be no worries with the cable or connections.
 
For a $10 earbud, these are built very well. Fit and finish is top quality, something we have come to expect from pretty much all of our earphones, and these deliver. No loose seams, no mismatched screen covers, just evenly matched and well built.
 

Smaller sized bud, which fits my ear better
 
 
Features:
 
The only accessories included are three sets of foam covers. Nothing earth shattering, but quite stark in comparison to other similarly priced buds or IEM’s. At this price point, this is the norm. Again, no qualms from me.
 
Use:
 
The EM’s are meant for on-the-go use from mowing, to running, to listening in the evenings. My use will be of similar character, though I doubt I would use these for mowing or running…I simply cannot get ear buds to stayin my ears. Some might say Earhooks would solve this problem, but I am of the opinion, that if the purchased bud is inexpensive, it is almost a disservice to spend more money on them. The whole reason they are inexpensive is that the focus is on the sound, not the accessories. Many in the Head-Fi community do not have the problem I do, with buds, they fit perfectly fine, or are willing to pay a bit more for accessories that help with the fit. I am not one of those that will do that.
 
 
The Sound
 
Sources:
 
During burn in, I used the Fiio’s mainly through my iPhone 6+, playing music all night, then a good solid 16 hours of pink noise. I also played these through my excellent Fiio X3ii, and A3 amp. Kind of a Fiio tri-fecta, if you will. Also used with my iPhone was the small Fiio E6 amp. A nice little amp which, can give your Smartphone that little bit of “oomph” if needed.
 
Music chosen:
 
Long Black Veil-Johnny Cash
Every Street-Dire Straits
Oya Mamacita-Los Lonely Boys
Don’t Drink the Water-Dave Matthews Band
Cold Shot-Stevie Ray Vaughan
The Scientist­-Coldplay
Clocks-Coldplay
Adventure of A Lifetime-Coldplay
Set Fire to the Rain-Adele
He Won’t Go-Adele
Lazarus-David Bowie
Senorita-Los Lonely Boys
 
*Many Others!*
 
 
Initial:
 
My first impression was that it is hard to believe this cost $10…but it was a tempered “believe”…I often garner a first impression which can taint further judgment of my phones. My relationship with the excellent MEE Audio Pinnacle P1’s is a case in point. I REALLY did not like them upon my initial several hours. But, after approximately 50+ hours, they are simply fantastic, and I won’t give them up.
 
The EM-3’s on the other hand had a much happier beginning. I liked them right out of the box, but tempered with a slightly veiled sound. Let’s be honest. When most people (please don’t take this as elitism) purchase headphones, they are looking for affordable eadbud/IEM’s which they can just plug and play. Burning in the latest/greatest product is not on their mind. They simply want sound. I am happy to report, that the EM’s would pass this test. A decent full sound, which was not too forward, not too overpowering was had with my initial hours listenings. I was happy.
 
 
Overall:
 
I am enjoying the Fiio’s with full foam covers as I write this. I very rarely use full foam covers. I feel that the covers temper the sound too much for my personal taste. I am also happy to report, that using the foam cover allows the bud to stay in my ear much better. The highs are brought down a level, but do not cover them. Listening to Adele’s wonderful Set Fire to the Rain is quite nice. Her voice carries through the foam nicely, much like looking through a fine satin sheet at a wonderfully backlit scene. You very much enjoy the unencumbered view, but looking through the veiled/satin scene is simply serene. The EM-3 just does not disappoint when it comes to the sound. Bass is solid and tight, mids are where they should be to me, a support of the overall sound. Treble is present, making its note heard, but not overly so…just a hint of “look at me” comes from the highs, and the bass/mids do not mind. A thoroughly satisfying sound from an economical earbud.
 

 
 
Bass:
 
This is by no means a basshead bud, but it does not shy away from bass. This would be the equivalent of a Mazda Miata showing up on a fine canyon road to engross itself in the twists and curves. Certainly not the fastest, but enough to earn the respect of others present and put a smile on your face. Bass is there, with a roll off just shy of deep bass, but certainly present. Enough bass to satisfy the casual user looking for a Samsung/Apple replacement bud. Tight enough for the seasoned audio aficionado.
 
Mids:
 
As stated above, the mids are definitely present, but not overbearing. Too often (in my short review history…) the mid sound is pushed very far forward and the main part of the headphone. I’m not sure if the respective manufacturers are pushing this as a selling point of their buds, or it is a sound consumers demand/like; but I am very satisfied with the slightly recessed mids of the Fiio's. That said, on Coldplay’s very dance-worthy Adventure Of A Lifetime, the mids take center stage. They do so, because the musician WANTED them to. Besides DEEP bass, it is the mids that take center stage in a dance room. The Fiio’s do not disappoint, providing just what the musicians want. Bass is there, but mids take the front in this song. A solid sound, which is not overpowering. Another song which highlights the mids is the powerful Oye Mamacita song from Los Lonely Boys. If any group can bring out the limitations of a headphone, I would put Los Lonely right up there. From their varied guitar licks, to the piercing vocals, they run almost the full gamut of a testers dream. I am happy to report, that even with the full foam, the 3’s do not disappoint. Good solid sound.
 
Treble:
 
From my limited experience, the treble of inexpensive headphones is the easiest to screw up, either sounding way to bright and sibilant, or lacking completely. The included Samsung is a case of the former, and the current Apple buds the latter. The 3’s best both by being just right. Not bright, certainly not sibilant, but announcing their presence with that aforementioned slight “look at me” sound. Never too bright (and my ears are sensitive to that), Fiio has managed to get this just right. I will not say perfect, but quite good, regardless of the price. Cymbal clash is where it should be; either at the front if the song asks, or as support to the vocals. Not once did I experience sibilance. A worthy sound from the highs, especially with sensitive ears.
 
Soundstage/Separation:
 
I like a wide soundstage. As stated in my other reviews, my home system has a sound stage the size of New York to Boston (almost…), and I like it this way. Good separation of instruments, gives my aging ears the ability to hear and separate instruments, hearing all, which are present. If the recording jumbles all sounds together, then that is what the Fiio’s present. Not the fault of the headphones. While the soundstage is wide, it is not Dunu Titan 1 or Pinnacle P1 wide. I had no expectation of that going in, so I was pleasantly surprised with what I did find. A nice fairly wide sound which can be enjoyed. Especially when you can envision by the sound where the instruments are on stage such as with Los Lonely Boy’s live Senorita from Colorado Springs. The drums are behind the acoustic guitars as support and they should be. Intimate, yet wide enough to enhance your sound to imagine that you were there. I won’t say front row, but I have always found those seats overpriced anyway! A good seat well within the imagination of all present. That is how I would describe the EM’s.
 
 
Isolation:
 
This is one of the few down sides of the EM-3’s, I would say. While these are in no way meant to be completely isolated, the sound leakage means that using them at higher volume would hinder your friends in a quiet environment. Also the outside sound can be heard. This means you must turn the volume up to counteract that…a cycle which might be repeated. These would work for commuting, and active sports where you would like to hear the outside world for safety’s sake, but a definite hindrance in quiet settings.
 
Presentation:
 
For $10, these are quite good. Expect for complicated music. This is the biggest falling down of the buds. With complicated music, the sound can get lost, and distracted. This is also my main reason for downgrading these overall. This reminds me of the Bill Nye episode of Electrons in one of his Weather videos…the Electrons are all jumping around in the elevator, as he explainsthe concept of lightning and when the door opens, they scatter every which way….This is what happens when the Fiio’s are asked to accommodate complex music. This does not happen often, and it is not a deal breaker, but it does happen.
 
Comparisons:
 
The natural competitors are the supplied earbuds of Smartphones, along with the $5 VE Monk. I fell for the Monk train, and am quite smitten with them, even though I cannot get a good fit due to their size.
 
 
Fiio EM-3 vs Samsung supplied:
 
The Fiio is the clear winner here…no contest. While the supplied Samsung’s are a decent headphone (my daughter really likes hers which is OK with me, they are not nearly as complete as the Fiio. Overly-bright is how I would describe the Samsung’s. Not that bad, but certainly not in the same class as the Fiio’s. That bright sound overshadows all other sound, to the point where almost all you hear is the highs. Soundstage is narrow, mids are non-existent, and bass is on the light side. Just a cheap throw in for those that want immediate sound.  The Samsung’s do not fit my ear well, either.
 
Fiio EM-3 vs Apple supplied:
 
Again, a pretty clear winner here. The only part where the Apple’s trump the Fiio’s is the deep bass, but at the cost of sound. As overly bright as the Samsung treble was, that is how overbearing the bass is with the Apple’s. Where the Fiio manages to make the bass part of the overall sound, the Apple's shout BASS, BASS, BASS, at the expense of everything else. To me, if they toned down the bass, this would not be that bad of a sound. But it is just too much to bear. Fit is better than the Fiio’s, and less fatiguing over time, but the sound is just not up to the par of the EM’s.
 
 

 
 
Fiio EM-3 vs VE Monk
 
And now the one you all turned in for…as did I when I found out that I was lucky enough to review the EM’s. At half the priceof the Fiio, the Monks really are a bargain, which should be experienced by all who would listen. My daughter really likes her pair, while my son and his girlfriend enjoy them, too. I really think that “gift-giving” should be on the business card, which is included with the Monks. You can read for yourself the excellent, LENGTHY thread dedicated to them on the Head-Fi website (http://www.head-fi.org/t/783669/venture-electronics-ve-monk-a-5-earbud-that-seriously-deserves-a-place-here).
 
Listening to Adele’s wonderfully sensuous He Won’t Go, I am hard pressed, VERY hard pressed to choose between these bargains. While the Monk’s provide slightly more detail, the Fiio’s are a very full, warm sounding bud. The Monks do provide more detail, though. Listen to the above song through both and you will immediately notice the tambourine present with the Monk at the beginning of the song. You overlook that instrument through the Fiio’s. I had to listen three times to make sure, but the Monk clearly brings out the subtle support instruments better than the EM-3’s, but that is counteracted by a slightly less warm sound. The Fiio’s fit my musical taste better, with that warm sound. The Monks are a more open (but not warm) sound to me, and this is truly astonishing. To think that I am debating the finer merits of a $10 bud versus a $5 bud, and having a REALLY hard time, just belies how the industry (and the smaller companies) are trying to provide the maximum sound/$ ratio. I for one am truly happy that this is happening. Both of these would compete and DO compete at prices closer to $50. Respectively 10x and 5x their prices…wow.  Those few of you reading this (my hope is it is quite a few!), will probably want me to make a decision here…and I will not. To close this comparison, I will explain in the conclusion…
 
The Fiio’s do fit my ear better, which is huge to me. Comfort is better, due to the smaller size.
 
Sound ratings:
 
Samsung supplied: 6/10-too much treble brings this down significantly.
Apple supplied: 6.5/10—BASS, BASS, BASS brings this down, with better fit.
VE Monk: 8/10-$5…FIVE FRIGGIN’ DOLLARS!!! And sound of IEM’s costing 10x their price.
Fiio EM-3: 8/10…TEN FRIGGIN’ DOLLARS!!! Sound matching the Monks, and buds which cost 5x their price solidify this bud.
 
 
Conclusion:
 
Coming into this review, I thought long about what I wanted to test, and how to test the buds listed. Taking a part from @Brooko, I withheld final judgment until I burned all pairs in. A total of about 16 hours of pink noise, coupled with 50+ hours of music, allowed me (in my mind) to limit my time with them (so I could not judge any of them prematurely) and thus limit painting my judgments either way. All this meant is that I had to put up with my Pinnacle P1’s…oh…darn…
 
That Fiio is only onto their second in-house bud is a testament to their dedication to the music which we all listen. Running their own version of the excellent Titan 1 (EX-1), allowed them street cred, which garnered more listeners. Many on Head-Fi purchased the EX-1, knowing it was a cooperative effort, and cost less than the Titan’s (which I dearly love). Smart business acumen, while affording time to develop their own buds. And I will say that the EM-3 is definitely something to consider when making the choice to replace the included Smartphone buds. Many reviewers state that they will purchase these as stocking stuffers. I would add that throwing these along with a pair of Monks into anyone’s stocking would bring gleeful child-like delight to those lucky enough to receive them. These are good earbuds…REALLY good. As mentioned on the Head-Fi thread, I let one of my peers listen. She immediately hit an online store to purchase a pair herself…after less than a minute. I have also given her a pair of Monks, which she like too.
 
I keep mentioning the Monks, not as a disservice to Fiio, but as a compliment to both respective companies. A natural inclination I have learned in my short time back into the head listening arena, is that companies WANT to be compared to the standard bearers, they WANT to know how their product racks up against the latest flavor (which is damn good btw), and consider it a compliment to be mentioned with those said products. That Fiio has made this product for $10, simply means they take their business and sound seriously and genuinely care what we purchase, and why. Good customer relations is almost a foregone era, and I find this refreshing to be thought of as a long-term customer, who can help spread their message. With all of this gibberish writing said, if I had to choose, between the two, I lean towards the Fiio’s. The mix of even warm sound, quality build and especially fit makes this the SLIGHT winner to me. Buy yourself a pair, listen to it, enjoy it for what it is…a $10 earbud which makes you want to enjoy your music more and an entry past the stock earbud/cheap quality dime store junk which too many people purchase. Good stuff, Fiio. My compliments to the Chef.

Introduction
Of course you’ve heard of FiiO. Nearly every audiophile I know who works their way up the chain has owned or heard a FiiO product before. They are the cherry-poppers of head-fi, luring you into giddy audio goodness with promises of “value for money” and “price-performance ratio”. I had my cellphone, and then my cherry was popped with the X3. Good DAP, fond memories… you never forget your first one. Now FiiO is branching out to new terrain with the EM3 earbuds, with a jaw-dropping price tag. The EM3 was provided as a sample to me in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Sunny of FiiO for the opportunity.

Equipment Used:
Astell & Kern AK100ii
Chord Mojo
FiiO EM3
KZ ED3c “The Acme”
KZ ED9
 
Albums Listened:
Amber Rubarth – Scribbled Folk Symphonies
Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
The Eagles – Hell Freezes Over
Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
Jacky Cheung – Black and White
Miles Davis – Kind of Blue
 
 

 
 

Packaging and Accessories
Straightforward and simple. FiiO EM3 comes in an attractive little rectangular white box. Slide it out to reveal the earbuds, 3 pairs of foam covers and a manual. Bare bones, but on par with $10 KZ earphones (also a box with some tips). Would have preferred a case or even a small pouch, but alright I’ll get my own. Pfft.

Design, Build Quality and Cables
“You can have any colour as long as it's black.” They have a low-profile, understated elegance about them. Matte and glossy plastic make up most of the earpieces, easily the best-looking part of the buds. The Y-split, microphone and jack look generic, with no signs of FiiO branding anywhere. Not one to show off to your friends then. The cables tangle easily, and the thinner cables above the Y-split kinks after some use. Not sure how it will affect longevity, but build quality does not inspire confidence. Positives? Unlike Apple earbuds, they won’t turn grey after prolonged use.

Fit, Isolation and Comfort
These are my first earbuds since throwing away the Apple ones nearly 5 years ago. Wearing the EM3 for the first time my mind raced like Doge. Much comfort. So lightweight. Very like. Wow. No wonder an earbud revival has been going on. These feel like nothing in your ears and I can go about my housework while wearing them. Unless you are an actress in a shampoo commercial, they will stay put in your ears. Isolation is not an issue with earbuds because there isn’t any. But marks won’t be deducted of course, same way you can’t ask a cat to bark. Meowarf.

 



Overall Signature
The EM3 has a neutral and balanced signature. The overall presentation is forward, with a wide soundstage but very little depth. The mids have a slight lift for more tonal body and luscious vocals. The lower treble is also boosted for clarity and excitement. Positioned as an all-rounder, for long pleasurable sessions. That’s what she said. The following impressions are made with the foam covers off. Absolutely leave the foam covers in the box. EM3 works best au naturel. When worn nude the mids are nice and centre, treble is light and airy, and well, the bass, uh, does its job. With the foamies, everything is muffled and the sound is sluggish and boring, a literal veil across the audio spectrum. Our opinions might differ depending on foams on/off but to me foams on was unlistenable.

Bass
Going in I knew the bass couldn’t go toe-to-toe with IEMs. Earbuds are fundamentally different after all. But I was surprised to hear a good quantity of bass for earbuds (the only point of reference I had were Apple earbuds after all). Quick and smooth, they have good detail and layering, but definitely not for bassheads. The bass slam is heard but not felt at all, and decay seems rushed. Not too fun, but in return, no bass bleed. In Daft Punk’s “Giorgio by Moroder”, the bass sounds flatter compared to the dynamism and immersion I was used to. I can even say the bass takes a backseat compared to the mids and treble. Subbass is soft and gentle, you feel it just a bit, like Antman’s role in the Avengers. Doesn’t make a true impact, but at least you can tell if he’s gone.

Mids
Well-done mids are gorgeous. In ballads, acoustically-driven tracks or anything with vocal emphasis, they shine. Upper and lower mids are smooth and emotive, with a natural timbre. Vocals male and female are sublime. Jacky Cheung, a veteran balladeer from Hong Kong (whose fanbase consists mostly of 30-something Asian dudes like me) sounded so real he gave me manly, mustachioed chills. Amber Rubarth sounds rich and welcoming. Pianos, violins and guitars sound full and luscious. Details lack ever-so-slightly in service of smoothness however, but the tuning in the mids itself is already worth the price of admission. Like a softened photograph, charmingly inoffensive but calming and soothing. Well done, mids are gorgeous!

Treble
FiiO could have gone for a safe, all-too-accessible tuning and smoothed out their treble so everyone would go home happy with an inoffensive sound. But us sparkle-seekers, we have needs too, and I’m glad FiiO didn’t ignore us. This all-rounder has quite the treble! Thanks to its thin notes, clarity and articulation of individual notes are very good. The thin notes also lend airiness into the sound, but can contrast with the full mids sometimes. There is quite some sparkle and shimmer, which can get tizzy and hot, but only rarely. The treble brings some urgency and excitement, Fleetwood Mac’s “Secondhand News” sounded very sprightly. The tuning is likeable, but will turn some treble-sensitive listeners off, you do have the foams to augment the sound though. I wouldn’t, but you already know that.

Soundstage and Imaging
Earbuds have a wide soundstage built-in. Me likey. Largely aided by the prominent treble, the soundstage is left-to-right spacious, think GR07 wide and you’re not far off. The forwardness of the signature means the sound is in-your-head, par for the course in budget-fi. Notes vary from the thinner bass and treble versus the fuller mids. This might take some getting used to, but the good news is the EM3 rarely sounds congested or slow. Imaging is decidedly 2D, with good space and definition in instruments from left to right, and that’s it. No depth nor height to speak of to my ears. All in all satisfyingly wide, but no miracles.
 
 

 

Comparisons (aka the ultrabudget-fi shootout):
KZ ED3c “The Acme”
The Acme is, to me, the perfect execution of $10 earphones. A small soundstage, but the tonality, balance and tuning is spot-on. Bass has tons more quantity than the EM3, boosted to super fun (too fun?) levels, and the subbass rumble really makes its presence felt. There’s quite some bass bleed to the mids, but it’s much too addictive for me to defend it. The mids are forward too, and despite the bass bleed carves out a prominent sound of its own. Notes are slightly thinner and not as euphonic as the magical mids of the EM3, but I would never call the Acme “V-shaped”. On its own it’s pretty good, but the EM3 really showed how much better budget-fi mids can be. The treble is thicker but harsher than the EM3. Decay is slower, so the hotness can get out of line sometimes. The boomy bass takes some weight off the treble, and it’s a balancing act which succeeds for the most part. For soundstage, the Acme is no match for the airy and wide EM3. The fullness of the Acme’s entire spectrum congests things. Overall though, both are well-balanced IEMs and I’m happy with either. EM3 is obviously more proficient with mids and soundstage, but the Acme’s bass, balance and fun factor shows them a thing or two.

KZ ED9 (Gold nozzle)
For comparison, ED9 takes the Acme sound and attempts to make it airier. The result is a lift in the mids and lower treble, a decrease in the midbass hump, thinner notation overall for a more spacious presentation. It largely succeeds but a few sacrifices were evident. Against both the EM3 and Acme, ED9 sounds like the over-caffeinated one. Very exciting but with a hot treble that’s too fatiguing for long sessions. EM3’s treble sounds subdued next to it. The ED9 mids suffer the most, sounding unnatural because of the emphasis in the upper mids. They tend to sound hollowed out and lacking body, not a match for either the EM3 or Acme by a long shot. The bass though, strikes a perfect balance between the flat EM3 and aggressive ED3c and comes out on top. No bass bleed to speak of. The separation and imaging is the best of the bunch due to the thin notes and fairly wide stage. The stage size is nearly as wide as the EM3 and slightly deeper. Think of the ED9 gold nozzle as the middle road between Acme’s tonality and EM3’s airiness, but the mids do take a big knock.

These are my impressions for the mini ultrabudget-fi shootout. They cost less than $15 apiece so all offer tremendous value. The ED9 even comes with tunable nozzles for two distinct signatures! My mind boggles at how that was accomplished.

Bass: ED9 > ED3c > EM3
Mids: EM3 > ED3c > ED9
Treble: ED3c = EM3 > ED9
Soundstage: EM3 = ED9 > ED3c
Separation/imaging: ED9 > EM3 >ED3c
Balance/tuning: ED3C > EM3 > ED9
Overall: EM3 > ED3c = ED9
 
 

 

Conclusion
The earbud revolution is ongoing, arguably kickstarted by the $5 VE Monk, followed by a host of challengers, pretenders and usurpers. I’m glad to have tried the EM3 for perspective, to be able to see how far they have come along since the days of stock Apple earbuds. The EM3 is a wonderful pair of earbuds with fantastic mids, good treble, and a wide stage. For my taste if the bass quantity is increased slightly they’d be perfect. But there’s no doubting that for the astonishing price tag they are well, well worth your money. Aw heck, get all three pairs from the shootout, with spares too! The <$15 segment has never been more varied or exciting, and the EM3 is one of the ultrabudget earbuds you should give more than a second look.

Introduction – 

Once seen as cheap throwaways, earbuds seem to have become the new phenomenon in the audio landscape. Since they don`t produce a strong seal and have a very loose fit, they are seen as having very limited uses, but these attributes can also permit a unique sound that`s not too dissimilar from the in-ear equivalent of open back headphones. As such, we are seeing a rapid increase in the number of quality earbuds on the market, mostly from upcoming Asian brands employing innovative technologies such as hybrid driver setups commonly used in much more exclusive and much, much more expensive western flagships.



 
Fiio is probably the best recognized Asian Hi-Fi company, and constantly impress with affordable and innovative products. The Fiio EM3 is a high performance budget earbud with an RRP of $10 USD that represents Fiio`s first step into earphones using their experience with sources and amps. They use a custom Fiio designed driver and an extensive filter system to deliver a sound that is “warm and full-bodied”. Fiio have specifically aimed these earphones at the pop loving mass market with an integrated mic and multi-function button and sound signature focused on vocals. In this article, I`ll be looking at the Fiio EM3`s, which were sent to me by Fiio for review (thanks so much!) however I`ll try to be as objective as possible in my verdict. For reference, I`ve owned my Earpods for about 2 years and my E100`s for just under 1 year.

 

Accessories – 









The EM3`s come in a minimalist box with well designed graphics, authenticity sticker and basic specifications. Inside is a slide out tray, manuals and a small box containing three foam covers. A matte film incites allure with the earphones lying behind the frosted cover.











I would have preferred for Fiio to include at least one pair of doughnut foams since they have a lower impact on midrange clarity, but the stock covers are easily modified with a hole punch.

For $10 I wouldn`t expect much more, Fiio did a great job  and I`m glad they invested more in the earphones themselves which are of great quality. The packaging is a step above other Chinese buds such as the Baldoor E100 Earbell`s but it is still less refined than the Apple Earpods molded cable winder, they are almost five times more expensive however.

 

Design – 

Fiio hasn`t used generic earbud housings like Yuin and Venture, instead they have designed a custom shell that seems like a shallower fitting Earpod with larger vents. The bold mesh fascias tease the audio prowess of the 14.8mm drivers they protect and the housings leave a positive impression both visually and kinaesthetically with a matte finish and gloss accents. The Earbells also use custom housings, but they are large and not particularly well shaped which is why many resort to the rotated fit.

Thicker plastics and less creaks result in a better feel than both the E100`s and Earpods. They are also lacking the long stem of the Earpods and protruding housings of the E100`s, making them more ergonomic to use when sleeping (lying on the side). They are not very stable in the ears, but no earbud is without foams or rubber wings. This loose fit will benefit those who do not like the sensation of iems, and they work very well at home or in a quiet area.

The cables are the nicest I`ve seen on a budget earbud, avoiding the tacky feeling and springiness that most low quality cables possess. They are noticeably thick below the y-split and still generously thick above it, all the while remaining decently supple. The highlight is the particularly well relieved right angle plug. All junctions are solid, well molded and thickset, the plug is gold plated for less crackling and is case friendly. I don`t see the EM3`s failing any time soon but the remote and y split could be better relieved. The Baldoor E100`s by comparison have a cable that resists tangles well with a triangular design, but is tacky and quite springy, refusing to accept a case or stay put in my pocket. And despite having the thickest cable of the lot, minimal strain reliefs on the earbuds and jack produce spots of tension (the jack failed on mine after a few months). The Apple Earpods are even worse. The cable by far the thinnest and has a very rubbery texture. It is prone to splitting and the strain reliefs are too soft to adequately alleviate stress (Mine have a sheath over them due to splitting). The jack is a very common point of failure so Fiio have put in extra effort to make sure you won`t have to re-terminate down the road.

All EM3`s have a mic and multi-function button that works with  both android and ios, it looks to be a three button controller but there is only one. Only the E100 "a" model has a remote, it is of the three button with mic variation but only works on android, and for some reason the muti-function button doesn`t work reliably on ios. Moreover the triangular remote is hard to distinguish as all sides are smooth and the buttons are all part of a single piece of plastic. The Earpod remote is similar design wise to the EM3`s but has volume buttons too. Through the single button on the EM3 you can play, pause, skip forwards and backwards. It`s a nice feature to haveFiio knows their target demographic well.

The EM3`s use a custom driver with a filter system that reminds of the renowned JVC FX lineup. They have a 47ohm impedance to prevent sound digression from sources with high output impedance (it should sound the same from all sources). They are using a dual vent system to augment bass and treble response, somewhat like the Earpods, but the vents are much larger and resist blockage better. Fiio is pursuing a full bodied signature and the design elements they have chosen are well suited towards their desired sound.

 

Sound – 

I agree with Fiio 100%, full bodied and mid-centric is an accurate description of the EM3`s sound signature. They sound smooth, organic and rich but slightly veiled. I would not use the included covers as they are already very full sounding and ere on congestion with foams. Doughnut foams provide a happy medium between bass response and clarity but they are still too bassy for me, they sound rich enough without any covers at all. It`s nice to have the option in case you prefer more bass slam

The earphones immediately impressed me with a very spacious soundstage, much more so than the Earpods or E100`s which are already quite good on account of their form factor. They did sound dull and a little too full-bodied at first, but after some listening, they are growing on me. I realize that they sound just good for most genres but downright great for others, they are more specialized than the Earpods or E100`s, and remind me of lower range Westone earphones. The sound is practically the opposite of the E100`s and they should be a good alternative for those who find its sound too fatiguing but want an earphone with similar technical proficiency. While the E100`s are V-shaped with abundant clarity, the EM3`s are more laid-back, full bodied and dark. The Earpods are more neutral than either, but the quality of the sound is only mediocre.

They are actually decently sensitive despite their impedance, about one volume notch less than the Earpods, but the E100`s are quite a bit louder at the same volume. They benefit from amping or at least a decently powerful source; They sound strong from my HTC M8 for example and produce a cleaner sound from my Fiio Q1, but struggle a bit with congestion on my iPod nano 7G.

Bass –

The EM3`s have good bass extension for an earbud, even without foams there is still rumble and slam. They are very similar to the E100`s (w doughnut foams) quantity wise without foams, the E100`s have a stronger sub-bass response and also extend more (with foams they will create decent sub-bass), whilst the Earpods with their half in ear design just about match the EM3`s but roll off stronger. The E100`s are more textured and punchier, they have the best bass quality of any earbud I`ve tested. The EM3`s on account of their midrange focus are a little less direct with their bass, the quality is much better than the Earpods and only slightly behind the E100`s. They have decent slam and punch without foams but far too much even with doughnut foams. They still have very good texturing but decay times are slow. The lower-bass is over-boosted for me whilst the mid-bass is relatively neutral. Elevations in the mid and especially upper-bass responses warm the mids. This signature is befitting of a weak sealing earbud and produces a somewhat powerful sound.

Mids –

Although the E100`s impress with oodles of clarity and detail, the EM3`s overall portray the mids just as well. The Earpods are not even close, they are very grainy and tinny sounding, lacking in refinement, detail and body. The E100`s and EM3`s provide a much smoother listen. However of the three, the EM3`s portray the most detailed listen. Vocals are smooth and detailed, this is their forte. Their large soundstage further enhances the listen; acoustic and string instruments sound fantastic and jazz/pop is well rendered. Rock music is less flattered, sounding a bit overbearing and more suited towards the E100`s. The midrange is slightly too full and warm and will take some adjusting, the cooler, brighter sounding E100`s and Earpods can make the EM3`s sound congested by comparison. The E100`s can also overdo it at times, they occasionally sound a bit harsh and over bright. The EM3`s have a slight recess in the upper midrange which explains the dull sound description. It depends on preference but even for fans of brighter earphones such as myself, they can be an interesting, less fatiguing listen. Ultimately I think they work well for what Fiio has intended and that is pop and vocals which sound superb. Quality wise, they are similar to the E100`s, they just pursue a different kind of sound. They don`t have the typical clean audiophile sound, but it`s not offensive, I think the general consumer will enjoy the sound. 

High –

This is where most earbuds falter, either at the high end, the low end or both. The treble response is the harmartia of the  E100`s and Earpods. Both of their treble responses are brittle and grainy and they do not portray great resolution. The Earpods roll off at the very top whilst the E100`s are more airy and shimmery. Although the E100`s have such a characteristic, the EM3`s are by far the best in the treble region. They can initially sound dull, but their treble, like their mids, is smooth and very textured. It is neutral in quantity and well extended, but can get overwhelmed by the mids. Although it does not achieve the air of the E100`s, they do carry more information. The treble response is top quality for an earbud.

 

Verdict – 

With the EM3`s, Fiio gives you a lot of product for not a lot of money. Because the EM3 is in house designed (whilst other earbuds are generally much more generic), I don`t see how Fiio could have made them any cheaper. The only problem is that the competition is, in fact the E100`s can be had for under $10 shipped and the VE Monks are even cheaper. Overall Fiio have provided a great alternative to these budget wonder buds, they have a less audiophile friendly sound, but it is a sound with certain appeal and I do think that they Fiio have done a good job. The build is by far the best of all budget earbuds and the added functionality from the remote is welcome. I found that their full sound actually works really well with movies and videos so they make from a great all purpose bud. The combination of build, sound and practicality result in a well rounded product, something that many Chinese manufacturers don`t provide. It may not be the best sounding $10 earbud (it still sounds good), but it very well may be the best. 

My sound ratings do not take into account price, it is on a scale of 1-10 where 1 is un-listenable and 10 is as close to my perfect sound as possible. My final verdict will factor in price and all other qualities. 

 

Accessories - 

EM3 - 9/10, Well done, could come with doughnut foams or a simple case, I wouldn`t even expect that for the price.

E100 - 9/10, Comes with a pair of regular and doughnut foams plus a small storage bag. They are of poor quality but at least they offer the functionality.

Earpod -8/10, No accessories per say, but the packaging doubles as a decent cable winder/case.

Design - 

EM3 - 10/10, Well designed and ergonomic. Visually pleasing everything seems well thought out. The cable is fantastic for a budget bud. Remote is easily found and operated.

E100 - 7.5/10, They may look interesting, but they`re not very ergonomic, the housings stick out from the ears too much and the faceplates pop off too easily which can result in driver damage (irreparable). The cable is thick enough, but strain relief is not adequate. The controller is impractical.

Earpod - 7/10, Ergonomic, but cables are terrible. The remote works well but the mic is muffled. Could do with a gold jack.

Bass - 

EM3 - 5.5/10, Good extension, quality is also good. Decent slam and impact is easily increased with foams. Takes a back seat to the lower midrange presence.

E100 - 6/10, Great extension, amazingly textured and punchy. Foams are a must.

Earpod - 4/10, Good extension. Fast decay times and rounded bass notes work well. Due to the unorthodox design, foams cannot be used, they can be cut to fit but fall off too easily.

Mids - 

EM3 - 5.25/10, Smooth, detailed and focused but on the periphery of being overly warm and full bodied. Works for some things better than others, but are technically proficient. Laid back and dark but still carry plenty of information.

E100 - 5.75/10, Lots of clarity and decent detailing. Can be overly harsh/bright at times.

Earpod - 3.5/10, Tinny and thin, I don`t like the midrange performance at all.

Highs - 

EM3 - 6/10, The highs are top performers for an earbud and best plenty of iems too.

E100 - 5/10, Airy and extended, shimmery but too brittle.

Earpod - 2.5/10, Roll off at the top end, very grainy and lacking detail.

Soundstage - 

EM3 - 10/10

E100 - 8/10

Earpod - 7.5/10

Verdict - 

EM3 - 8.5/10, Very good overall, well balanced between design and sound. Fiio needs to tune the EM3`s a bit more, tone down the upper-bass and increase the upper mid presence very slightly to add more clarity and it`ll be a gem. The build seems strong so far, the cables and strain reliefs are the high points, they are very cost effective. They are my new favourite earbud for podcasts and casual music around the house. At around $20 USD shipped or less, the EM3 are a great earbud you can just impulse buy and add to your collection simply for convenience.

E100 - 8.5/10, The build is good, but they do have points of failure. It doesn`t matter if they sound perfect if they only last for a month. The sound is very strong for a budget earbud but ergonomics are unreliable. My set had slight channel imbalance and the plug broke after a few months which was disappointing. I did like them a lot when they worked. They are about equally cost effective as the EM3.

Earpod - 5.5/10, They are decently ergonomic and have good bass performance, the rest of the sound is lacking however and the build quality is very weak. They are not cost effective at all and there are abundant fakes.

 

This review was taken from my blog, please have a look for more reviews and guides, thanks for reading:

https://everydaylisteningblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/23/fiio-em3-versatile-budget-bud-review-with-comparisons-to-the-baldoor-e100s-and-earpods/

Introduction:
Most people reading this need no introduction to FiiO as a company. They have firmly established themselves in the audio market with their DAPs, DACs and amplifiers that are top quality at affordable prices.
 
Website: http://www.fiio.net/fiio
http://www.fiio.net/en/products/52
 
Originally made for the FiiO M3 portable DAP, the EM3 is a budget oriented earbud that comes with an inline remote and microphone. Designed primarily for use with low powered DAPs and smartphones I was curious to see how it compared to the venerable VE Monk. Let’s see how it fares.
 

 
 
 
Disclaimer:
The FiiO EM3 was sent free of charge for the purpose of this review. I’d like to thank Sunny and FiiO for the chance to test these earbuds.
 

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Packaging, build and accessories:
 
The EM3 comes in a slim, compact, white box. On the front is a picture of the earbuds along with the FiiO slogan “Born For Music and Happy”. On the back you will find specifications and some QR codes which will take you to the website and Facebook pages.
 
Inside the box you’ll find the earbuds, 3 pairs of foam covers and an instruction booklet.
 
As for the earbuds themselves, they’re a glossy black plastic that feels fairly durable and of higher quality than you might expect from something of this price. They look like most typical earbuds but from certain angles remind me of something you might see in a science fiction movie – like alien stingray-shaped spacecraft. However, they’re fairly low-key as appearance goes, from a distance they look like most other earbuds.
 
There are strain reliefs attached to the bottom of the earbud’s stem, leading to the cable which is feels durable and doesn’t tangle too easily. On the left side is the inline single button remote and microphone. Using the microphone with my Samsung Galaxy Note 5 the quality is good with voice coming through loud and clear.
Just below the microphone is a hard rubberized Y-splitter and at the end of the cable there’s an L-shaped 3.5mm plug that also has a good strain relief.
 

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Fit, comfort and isolation:
I find the EM3 to be very comfortable as many earbuds are. They’re just the right size for my ears and with the included foam covers stay in place really well without ever feeling like they will fall out. The stems on the bottom of the earbud make it very easy to adjust the position when putting them in your ears.
 
Being an earbud the sound isolation is almost non-existent. This can be a problem if you’re in a noisy area or in transit but at the same time it’s this aspect that makes earbuds sound so airy in their presentation and gives them a large soundstage.
 
Sound:
The sound of the EM3 is V-shaped, warm and non-fatiguing. While not the cleanest of sounds it’s perfectly suited to long listening sessions.The bass on these is well done, having some weight behind it but remaining controlled and in good proportion to the other frequencies. It’s a little on the woolly side but never gets out of control. Mid-bass is perhaps a little too forward and can sometimes dominate the music and muddy the midrange. The midrange is warm and inviting in the EM3, though at times it struggles with the slightly bloated mid-bass. There is a good amount of detail present here and I find these well suited to rock music and electric guitar.The treble plays a very passive role on the EM3, being slightly too recessed for my preference. Extension is decent but I would like the highs to be more forward to add some liveliness and sparkle and also to help balance out the exaggerated mid-bass.
 
Comparison:
EM3 vs VE Monk.
Well you all saw this coming I’m sure. The VE Monks have stormed the globe with their low price and great sound. With the EM3 FiiO is targeting the same demographic so a head to head was inevitable.
The Monk doesn’t have a microphone which might be a major factor for people deciding between the two. I find the Monk to be more forward in the mids and having a bit more clarity but the EM3 carries a stronger bass. The VE Monk sounds a bit more natural but the two have many similarities. The EM3 comes in a nice retail box compared to the Monk’s plastic bag which would in my opinion make them better suited as a gift and it also has the advantage of the inline microphone which is an important aspect for smartphone users. They both offer excellent value and it most likely would come down to personal preference and features (remote/microphone).
 

 
Conclusion:
The FiiO EM3 is an excellent value earbud that should be an upgrade over most of the ones that come bundled with smartphones. It has a great microphone which is a big advantage for many in its target demographic along with a warm and inviting sound. As always, price is a significant factor in my review scores and the EM3 comes in at a budget friendly $10-20 range. If you like the comfort and airiness of earbuds and like to have a microphone handy when using your smartphone then these are a great companion to have.

Intro:
 
I'm not all too technical about sound (which explains only the bass/mid/treble; I still need to add my thoughts on soundstage though). It's pretty much whether I like a product or I don't. Pictures may come.
 
I listen to a little bit of everything but more so in Pop, J-Rock/J-Pop, Electronic, and Hip-Hop.
 
This time around, I do like this product.
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Build/Design:
 
Decent. But of course nothing spectacular. Plastic housings seem sturdy enough and cable although thin doesn't seem like they will break on you. They have a bit of cable noise though.
The cable is long enough for my needs (since I'm really short). Taller people may find the cable to be a lot shorter than what they would like.
Really like the right angle jack, it has a nice strain relief though the strain relief on the earpieces leaves a little bit to be desired. At least there IS some sort of relief to the earpieces.
 
As for design, meh. Looks like any other earbud. I like the mic though I don't use it unfortunately. It works for playing and pausing my music though which is nice (Android phone).
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Fit:
 
Excellent! They fit my ears extremely well having not fallen out even once even with lots of head movement. They are very comfortable with and without the foams.
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Isolation:
 
FORGET ABOUT IT. Not faulted because earbuds offer no isolation as is.

Sound:
 
Very good. I've tried the Venture Electronics' offerings and will have brief comparisons of them at a later time (when I'm not lazy). They seem to be ever-so-slightly mid focused although that doesn't mean they sound nasal or very congested. Vocals don't necessarily sound very realistic though but that's kind of nitpicking at this price.
The bass is there but of course will never become fatiguing nor will really satisfy you, but it's not non-existent. Very bass light. A good seal does give you a bit of thump so be sure to get a good seal.
The treble is fairly laid back. Great for long listening, but music doesn't sound really engaging nor does it give it the feeling that it sounds big.
All in all, they sound ever-so-slightly warm with a slight focus on the mids.
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Conclusion:
 
I think it's a great first offering and really like how they really stay in your ears even with lots of head movement. Sound does leave just a little bit to be desired but then again you're paying like 10 bucks.
 
Sources: Sony Xperia Z3V
 
Also, please do leave feedback on how I can improve on my reviews. Telling me that I suck isn't helping me improve 8C