"there must be an undeniably established objectivity about how transducers should be able to reproduce voices and unamplified instruments as close to the truth as it is possible"

This!

Tnx for the excellent write-up Ichos.

drftr

Agreed with drftr. Well written and enjoyable read. Kudos!!

Another excellent review Ichos, thanks.
FD7 meets my preferences and I am going grab it as soon as it's available in India.

Καλημέρα Πέτρο! Thank you for the very detailed review, as always. May I ask if the BTR5 can drive these well? It's a very practical piece of equipment for me, can't go to desktop dac/amps... Also, as I have the FH3 and I enjoy them immensely would it make much sense to go for the FD7s? Not an easy question to answer I am sure but give it a go please.

Καλή συνέχεια,
Ηλίας

@ilianto

Ηλία καλησπέρα, ευχαριστώ για τα καλά σου λόγια.

The BTR5 can drive the FD7 very well, I have done a lot of listening with it while at work.
The FD7 is way better than the FH3 when we talk quality of sound but if you like the FH3 tuning you are going to miss the elevated bass and the slight difference in the treble response.
For something more "reference" the FD7 fits the bill but if you like your bass you should give a chance to the FD5.

Πέτρος

@Ichos

Is it possible for you to make a comparison with the HA-FWX1 as well? I am mildly interested in that one as well.

@Ace Bee
They are fundamentally different, the FWX1 is sub - bass , bass boosted following a V shaped tuning.
Actually it very close to the FD5 at least up to the mids, then it sounds considerably more recessed up to the highs.
It is a tastefully done V shaped bass cannon without masking the rest of the frequencies.
And it is considerably more claustrophobic than the FD7 and the FD5.

So there is much more soundstage, air, and detail on FD5? Which has better imaging?

@CT007 I guess that you meant to write the FD7?
Imaging is very close but if I remember correctly the IE900 is just a pinch better.

@Ichos No, I meant FD5, having a more expansive soundstage and better air/detail/extension(treble+bass) than FD7. Because FD5 is incredible at those things, and FD7 seems to be a toned down experience from that(as a user who deals with live 3D environments/spaces in video games).

@CT007
I thought that you was asking about the IE900 comparison.
No, the FD7 is more expansive and 3D sounding than the FD5 and it also images better.
The FD7 for me is technically better and I would choose the FD5 if I preferred it's tuning.

Absolutely love the FD7. Got them after work, brought them back to my work to finish a few things up, and they didn't really leave my ears until I went to bed.
Such a velvety smooth texture, quite balanced. A tad of bloat to the bass, but vocal tips helped balance things out for me. Tried Spinfits, and didn't like them for how they felt or sounded.

The details presented are impeccable. I was listening to a piano piece, and hurt the pianist breathing. In another song, not sure which now, I heard the tambourine softly rattling in the background

The bass will settle down and become very tight after an extensive time of use.

I'm also hearing the highs brighten. Not shrill, but sparkling

Patience it will settle down and become very balanced.

I'm patient. I do believe in burn in, at least for DDs. Over the the last few days, I've noticed mids and highs come out more, sub bass bloat is going down

The FD7 is the best single DD I have heard. It’s quite a big step above the FD5 and more musical than the technically brilliant Turii.