FiiO FA7S

The review sample was kindly provided free of charge and I only covered import fees and tax.
This is my honest and subjective evaluation of it.
The retail price is $359.99 and you can buy it using the following (non-affiliate) link FiiO.eu.

About the FiiO FA7S

The FiiO FA7S is a new 3rd gen industrial design universal IEM housing six balanced armature drivers.
It is part of the FA line with the top model being the FA9 (review).
The "A" stands for a fully balanced armature set-up and the FA7S is a redesigned successor to the FA7.



Features and technical specifications

The FA7S adopts a multi Balanced - Armature driver configuration featuring six high-performance balanced armature drivers on each side.
FiiO has partnered with Knowles to design high-quality BA drivers for the FA7S.
It features HODVTEC-31618 set for an impactful lower end, RAD-33518 for a smooth, non-fatiguing treble response, and a custom-developed Knowles BA set for rich midrange response.
FiiO has arranged the drivers for the FA7S in a three-way frequency crossover.
Each frequency segment is handled by a set of two Balanced Armature drivers, ensuring peak performance with lower interference with each driver.
The pair maintains a 1:1:1 ratio between the drivers with 2 drivers for each low, mid, and high-frequency range.
The FA7S has an impedance of 18Ω with a sensitivity of 111dB.



Design and build quality

FiiO has redesigned the ear cavity structure for the "FA" series.
They now feature a 3rd gen industrial design similar to the "FD" series of single dynamic driver earphones by them.
The pair is made using high-quality stainless steel material with a powder metallurgy process.
Each ear cavity undergoes PVD electroplating for improved rigidity. The face covers are crafted using a five-axis CNC machining process.
The FA7S is available in both a gold and a black edition.
Build quality is top notch, nothing more to comment here.

Stainless steel is a great material and I prefer it over the synthetic resin.
Aesthetics is subjective but if you ask me, I find the FA7S industrial looks very cool and modern, I love the minimalist design and the "Y" shaped colored elements.



Comfort and isolation

The new form factor, which is similar to the "FD" series, is less bulky and more discreet.
The fit is tight, stable and very comfortable, suitable for extended listening sessions and use during exercise.

The FA7S sound isolation is excellent and they are doing a good job in blocking outside the external noise.
While fitting them and choosing the right ear tips you must be careful not to squeeze too deep to avoid blocking the sound tube.



Cable

When it comes to the cables, FiiO are the leaders of the industry for including some excellent quality cables that are always of far better quality than the earphone price would suggest.
The FA7S comes bundled with high-purity silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable.
It consists of 152 wires made with 19 wires in 8 strands.
Each wire is individually isolated and braided together with each other in a Litz pattern.
It has angled MMCX connectors that help in a comfortable fit with the pair. Another attraction with this cable is the swappable termination plug design with FiiO's newly developed Twist-Lock technology.
Three plugs are available, 3.5mm, 2.5mm and 4.4mm.
The cable itself is not too heavy, it never tangles and has very low microphonic noise.



Accessories

FiiO is always generous with the included accessories.
Inside the box you are going to find the following:
A plastic case with a transparent lid,
a tool for easy MMCX plug removal
6 bass eartips, 6 balanced eartips, 6 vocal eartips, 2 triple-flange tips, 4 foam tips, a cleaning brush and a magnetic cable organizer.



Sound impressions

I love the simplicity of the FA7S, no sound tubes to fiddle around, no complex electronic crossover switches to adjust.
Just the earphone and the eartips of your choice, great sound out of the box, an iem suitable for the lazy listener.

So after the usual 100 hours of burn in, I fitted the balanced eartips and started listening to my favorite music.

The FA7S is easy to drive but I do not recommend using it straight out of your phone's 3.5mm output.
First of all you are never going to find out what it is capable of and then it is going to be noisy as hell for a sensitive iem like the FA7S.
The truth is that the FA7S scales incredibly well and I would strongly suggest using at least a quality USB DAC/amp dongle or even something better.
I got some great results with the iBasso DC05 and FiiO KA3 but FA7S was begging for more so I switched over to FiiO M11 Plus, iBasso DX240 and iFi Gryphon.



The FA7S has an accurate and balanced tonality with an easy going character combined with a generous amount of technicalities.
As a matter of fact it is the most neutrally tuned FiiO earphone till now, with a smooth treble response, something not usually synonymous with balanced armature drivers.
Don't even think that the FA7S is boring or clinical, you are going to be genuinely surprised to discover the level of engagement and the sheer musicality of it.

Sub - bass extension is good and suitable for bass heavy music just slightly shy on the kick and rumble.
Don't expect anything exaggerated though, the tuning is reference - type and linear, gently downsloping to the lower mids without any spotted mid - bass bloat or associated muddiness.
The presentation is rather on the technical side than visceral, a touch lean but tight, well controlled, crystal clear with exemplary layering and much resolving.
You are not going to miss a single note, the bass line is absent of masking while the dual drivers are fast in their recovery with excellent timing properties.
The FA7S bass might not be as hard hitting as it's dynamic driver cousins but it never fails to convince with it's contrast during the music climaxes.

The midrange is a little dialed back, so you are not going to experience projected vocalists and flashing solo instrumentalists.
The FA7S is quite humble when it comes to the midrange presentation as the region is not given any front-stage prominence, this is a collective show, the mids are not the star per se but they are treated with equal intensity.
This doesn't mean that they sound suppressed or suffocated.
On the contrary, they are lush with the finest articulation, open and spacious, warm and present while the timbre is natural, realistic and harmoniously full.
Just listen to the following album and get a taste of the FA7S combined bass and mids performance.



Treble on the other hand is smooth and controlled but still crisp, crystal clear and resolving.
There are no alarming peaks that could lead to harshness or brightness but it doesn't sound muted either since there is no shortage of energy and agility.
There is a steady flow of low level information without the FA7S becoming analytically tiresome.
The sound is shimmering and natural with the right amounts of reverb and decay.

The FA7S various drivers are masterfully integrated together without leaps in the crossover transition points nor phase delay issues with the result of an extremely cohesive sound presentation.
Body intensity and textural qualities remain the same and intact from the top to bottom of the frequency range.



The soundstage is miraculously open and extended with a surplus of air around the instruments plus some excellent positioning accuracy, never becoming unnaturally stretched.
Depth layering and dimensionality are somewhat restricted but in the end, the FA7S is very good in communicating the ambience of the recording place.
Sit back and enjoy some great jazz music.



Compared to the FiiO FD5

Twins with different personalities.
Form factor is identical and both earphones share the same comfortable fit.
When it comes to the tuning it is the mildly V - shaped FD5 vs the more neutral FA7S.
The FD5 is deeper extended in the sub-bass and a touch more prominent in the bass / mid - bass region which results in a slightly boosted, fuller and warmer lower end tuning.
In contrast, the FA7S has a reference tuning, it is more resolving, detailed with better layering while clarity is on a higher level.
On the other hand the FD5 beryllium coated - larger dynamic driver - hits definitely harder, dynamics are far better contrasted and the presentation is considerably more visceral than the leaner FA7S.
Upper mid range is more forward and present on the FD5, a different kind of tuning with prominent vocalists that sound slightly stepped at the front of the stage.
FD5 is more lush, fuller sounding with thicker notes but while it doesn't lack in openness the FA7S is still the most resolving and detailed with better clarity between the lines.
Treble is smoother on the FA7S where the FD5 has a couple of alarming peaks that can give a brighter, sharper tone.
Again the FA7S is more detailed and clear with some finer articulation.



Interestingly enough the FD5, as a single dynamic driver iem, ought to be the most cohesive of the two but surprisingly the FA7S multiple drivers are so well implemented that it sounds equally cohesive and with slightly better separation.
The soundstage on the FA7S is more open sounding, airy and wider with slightly better positioning and clarity between the instruments.
The FD5 can be finely tuned thanks to the interchangeable sound tubes. In the end it is the more fun, warmer and fuller sounding FD5 vs the more neutral, detailed, leaner and technically superior FA7S.
Different strokes for different folks.



In the end

While writing these lines, I have been wondering why the FA7S doesn't get the attention it deserves.
I don't know.
Maybe because dynamic drivers are in vogue now and the FA7S is squeezed between two fine examples of the line, the FD5 and FD7.
What I do know is that the FA7S is one of the best tuned earphones I have ever tested, with a neutrally balanced and smooth sound signature, aided by an excellent technical performance yet not lacking in sheer musicality.
I find myself using it more and more, not only as an excellent reference tool but also for everyday music listening.
It is not a secret that the FD7 is my most beloved FiiO iem but the FA7S has managed to become the second one, more close than i could possibly imagine.

Test playlist

Copyright - Laskis Petros 2022.

Fiio FA7S


Fiio is on a roll this year. I do believe 2021 has seen an increase in earphone production from the group. It was not too long ago they brought out their dynamic series of earphones in the FD5, FD3 pro, FD7, FH5s pro hybrids and today we will take a closer look at their newest the FA7S. The FA7S utilizes the same shell design of their dynamic series this time using 4 Knowles BAs used on their higher end FA9 and 2 customized BAs made specifically for Fiio in a closed all metal housing design. BAs don’t need venting like dynamics do so it was designed to be sealed inside the closure of the housing. I am a huge fan of this particular housing design Fiio first used on their FD5 and the rest of their dynamic line up. They are excellent in ergonomics, top flight build and are all very comfortable for everyday use.

Standard disclaimers. The FA7S was provided for the purpose of a review by Fiio. You can purchase you a set from their Aliexpress page here or if you live in the US from Amazon here. They have been burned in for a week's time and are ready for evaluation using my sources. IBasso DX300Max, Fiio M15, Shanling M6pro, M5s, M3s, IBasso DX160, Sony ZX300, Fiio K3 2021, Fiio KA3, IBasso PB3, IFI Black label for amping.

The Package.
Fiios packaging shows a level of commitment from the group. The accessories package thrown in their larger box is no different from a $100 product to a $600 product. The consistency of the higher level of accessories is something I appreciate. You're getting top level of accessories for the FA7S. This is something I can’t say with other IEMs I review. As a reviewer of IEMs I have had 100s of packages that all include some level of accessories thrown in and some manufacturers just do it better than others. Most in my opinion fail at including a similar satisfactory level of accessories for an earphone. Ultimately it is the sound of the given IEM that matters the most but there is nothing wrong with including a wealth of tips, a solid case and a cable removal tool, and most importantly a modular cable. It just shows that Fiio cares what you get with your purchase.

Others can learn from Fiio and it doesn’t have to be in a large happy box like Fiio does but how nice would it be if others threw in the same quality accessories. I have reviewed flagship products that don’t include half as much. The FA7S includes a good variety of tips, 13 pairs to be exact a solid waterproof HB1 case with an included higher end monocrystalline copper plated in silver modular Fiio cable, aka LC-RC with all terminations in single and balanced plugs. A very nice mmcx separator tool, something that should come with every mmcx based earphone. You're getting more than your money's worth when it comes to accessories. In the end what truly matters most is if the sound was worth the money paid. Some earphones sound great but barely include anything worth noting. Fiio on the other hand, has a great sounding product and then on top of that they include a wealth of accessories you're actually going to use. You tell me what is better.

Onto the sound
The FA7S is an all-BA design this time, you get 4 high precision Knowles and 2 custom made BAs throwing out the sound of the FA7S. That is two added BAs from their previous FA7 resin design. The sound design utilizes 3 crossovers with three distinct zones of sound. Two Knowles BAs covering the trebles. Two specialized BAs for mids and two Knowles bass BAs for the lows. All fit snug using their tried-and-true universal barrel design you will recognize from the FD series of earphones. The back of the housing incorporates an all-metal polished cap with no vents. This closed in design provides one of the best passive isolating earphones in an all-metal housing that I can think of. It is equivalent to a solid all resin design in isolation, at least 26dbs of passive isolation if not a bit more. It is very good for outdoor use due to the above average isolation.

The sound tuning is a variation of Fiios house balanced tuning with a very mild neutralish v shaped signature but this time around has more neutrality for the sound design and its tonal character than being a warm bass or brighter treble heavy. A neutral Fiio? These are the closest earphones I can think of that are closer to a neutral design than anything I have heard from the group. But neutral does not mean it has weak dynamics or has a limp sound to the signature

On the contrary, despite what you have heard from other neutralish IEMs. The FA7S shows it has the right blend of accuracy, outstanding detail and imaging with a sound balancing trend that has been Fiios new house tuning from reviewing their last 3 earphones. FH5s pro, FD3 pro and the FD7. The FA7S seems to continue the newer Fiio tuning trend. From what I understand and hear these newer earphones have clear improvements in sound balancing, and extension on both ends of the sound tuning from their previous FA7.

I appreciate that Fiio is clearly ticking all the boxes and continues to improve when it comes to earphone design and sound. They have their dynamic series and their hybrid series you all are aware of, the FA7S represents one of their best all BA designs. Using specialized BAs and 4 higher end Knowles drivers for the design means you're getting the benefits of what 6 high precision speakers do for your earphone sound.

Trebles.
One of the best treble presentations from a Fiio product. The Trebles for the FA7s is clearly playing at a higher level. Detailed, crisp and clean, it has good extension with an excellent resolve. Its treble design I am happy to report hits an excellent balance of details with the right emphasis for just about all types of music types and genres. I am hearing the standard Fiio designed lower to mid treble emphasis with a gradual tapering of emphasis toward the upper trebles. Trebles have a knack of floating/hovering to the far right or the far left. When I say float, I am talking about dimensional airy trebles.

Treble notes have their own space, micro details with quick agile transients; the treble aspect of the FA7s is actually a stand out this time in a good way. Fiio is known for its bass and mids. Now I am hearing a refined treble end from the FA7S that is different from their previous offerings. I usually hear this type of detailed and refined treble presentations from much higher end earphones and we get that in the FA7S treble presentation. Utilizing two higher end Knowles treble BAs tonality and treble separation, imaging is superb.

The trebles this time are presented just right and blended seamlessly with the upper mids emphasis. Trebles as detailed as it is, is non-fatiguing and does not cause an influence for the tonality of the FA7S to be bright or does it have undue glare or too much splashiness. The inclusion of their LC-RC cables which are the pro cables that came with the FH5s pro and the FD3 pro was a great choice for the sound design which has more influence on a sound based on its monocrystalline copper properties. Copper cables add a bit of warmth and smoothens an otherwise metallic aggressive brighter overtones from the BA design, Aka BA timbre. Adding the LC-RC cable gives body to a sound presentation and smooths out the tonal character of the FA7S while retaining all of its glorious technical strengths. So the match up fits perfectly here and it shows in how excellent the treble presentation is. I have to admit the treble this time has to be one of my all-time faves coming from a Fiio IEM. This design clearly shows Fiio is using a much more higher end driver for the trebles. I did get word they are using the same drivers that they used for their top end FA9 for both trebles and bass.

Mids.
The Mids BAs were customized for Fiio to meet their specs. You can say out of all the BAs in an all-BA design the mids BAs are arguably the most important. The mids of the FA7s is where you get the bulk of your music. The FA7S tonal character and presentation sound natural with a spot-on imaging. Its presentation has a solid moderate note weight and is not lacking in fullness. One of the more negative aspects that can happen to poorly optimized BAs in an all-BA design. Folks expecting a digital like or a stiff tonal angle to how some BAs can sound will be surprised to hear just how natural full bodied the sound is from the FA7S.

Its mids reminds me of the tonal character and note weight from another Fiio earphone; their FH5S, which the FA7S mids share almost identical tonal character, FH5s is slightly more fuller sounding for the mids but tonally very close. Even with a touch of the FD7 mids tonal character as well but not quite as organic. Ya I am comparing an all BA mids performance to both of these earphones that are using either a Beryllium plated dynamic and the latter a pure Beryllium dynamic for its mids. And yes, this was what was surprising for me.

If the BAs sound more natural and do not sound off due to BA timbre or off characteristics then that is a pure win in my book. The mids throw out imaging to a nice higher degree and for fans of vocals and instruments alike. The detailed and precision elements of a nicely tuned mids BAs firing off in unison, these are showing top level performance in that regard. In fact, based on other 6BA iems i have reviewed I have to say the FA7S easily holds its own in sonics and we are talking about BA sets that cost almost double the price of the FA7S. Therefore, I can honestly say the price to performance level of the FA7s is truly an excellent value.

Bass
BA bass is an acquired taste. BA bass characteristics are different from that of a well-tuned dynamic driver. Even at same db levels the BA bass just does not have the same impact or deep rumbly texture of a well vented dynamic. This being said the surprising aspect of the FA7S is that it has a solid bass end for an all-BA design. Again, quite comparable to much higher priced sets when it comes to BA bass.

Bass this time has a moderate impact and presence. I have yet to see a graph of the FA7S but I am going to guess bass emphasis having a moderate 8dbs of mid to lower subbass. Which is not exactly neutral for the bass but enough for a track to sound complete in just about any genre of music. Sure, it could use a bit more physicality and that is the air that pushes that dynamic punch to happen. But for how the bass is presented. It is just enough bass to make the FA7S sound engaging and certainly not lacking in emphasis. The surprising aspect is I am not hearing a roll off in the sub bass at all. Bass detail is actually done quite well.

The clear benefit of a moderate BA bass emphasis here is that you get the ultimate in speed and tightness for bass notes. If you are into your speed metal the FA7S is calling your name here. I am going to doubt there will be a dynamic driver that can match the sheer speed of a well implemented BA bass driver. FA7S is not only speedy with a moderate emphasis and decay in the sub regions but its bass is well defined. Reason I say the FA7S is closer to a neutral presentation is while there is clearly enough bass presence to make just about every genre sound complete. It is nowhere near basshead territory however. But for its tuning and balancing, bass is not only done well but it shows very nice quality in the region for bass. Bass sounds more accurate than exaggerated and due to that moderate bass emphasis the mids gets a wider percentage of your head space. I would have liked just a bit more bass here especially for the sub bass region at 10 dbs but otherwise the sound is truly a balanced experience.

Technicals.
You will not hear a Fiio made earphone with a narrow flat stage. Expect a spacious well imaged headstage that is wider than average in earphone designs. Very good even height to depth ratio meaning it doesn’t sound flat and it doesn’t sound anemic in any aspect of the sound signature. BAs can do dimensional 3D imaging better than dynamics. One of the benefits and strengths to a pure BA design is that you have several drivers firing off at different angles inside the housing and that provides a wider more expansive coverage for imaging and with better sound separation in the process. Imaging of the FA7s is simply outstanding if you're a music imaging freak. There is such a thing, try these for the price they are just as good as all BA designs double the price. Due to its well imaged spacious well balanced signature you're getting proper details in the mix here. The FA7S does micro details as good as it will get for the price range, another strength of the pure BA design.

Overall
Fiio has done an outstanding job with this one, the FA7s Is a fantastic high level all BA offering and one that is using superior BAs to achieve its sound. It is one of the more natural sounding all BA designs that I can think of with an excellent balanced versatile tuning. I have heard plenty of hybrid designs that use BAs for its mids and treble that fail due to the quality of the BA drivers being used just seem lacking, especially for its tonal character. You won’t have that problem with the FA7. It shows in its technicalities which are superb, from its very natural full bodied tonal character, to its nicely imaged stage with good height and depth to the sounds. You are looking at one of the better 6BA designed earphones at the asking price. With the recent onslaught of premium earphone releases from Fiio, this one might be the red headed step child of the group. Most will gravitate toward their hybrid and or dynamic offerings and maybe this one might be overlooked. The sound quality and workmanship is capped off with a clear value statement at the price. What it lacks in physical bass makes up for it easily in how refined the treble and mids are for its sound. Not to mention it has to be one of the very best all metal isolating earphones. Fiio brings out yet another compelling product. As always, thanks for taking the time to read.