1 Dynamic Driver 4 Balanced Armature 8 Electrostatic Driver Flagship IEMs, FIIO FX17

[paramac]

I think this puts the price, which some people probably considered too high, into perspective. In terms of sound, the FiiO FX17 reaches a significantly higher and more prominent level, and overall, it's almost worth the price.
If I hadn't already ordered it and taken a risk, I would have done so by now.

 

[Tobit]

What do you mean by "almost worth the money?" The FX17 is worth every cent. It performs at the absolute high-end level, some of which cost over €5,000.

 

[paramac]

I think there will always be people who still find the price too high, whose demands also have something to do with money, regardless of whether it's available or whether they have different values. Damir mentioned in his review that there are comparable products that go in exactly the opposite direction and, for a fraction of the price of an FX17, still come pretty close.

In that sense, there are ways in both directions, and I can't judge for others how they see it.

 

[Tobit]

Of course, there are always people who think something is too expensive. In my opinion, however, it always depends on the performance and whether you're willing to invest in a certain level of performance. I've owned IEMs for €4,000 that didn't give me the same satisfaction as the FX17. You also have to acknowledge the effort that goes into developing such an excellent IEM.

 

[akhna]

good

 

[pmichaelro]

@FiiO-Yellow
I have just discovered this thread and combed through all of it + watched video reviews and also read written ones.

I have been fortunate enough to be able to tour Letshuoer Cadenza 12 (MSRP $1999) through AudioGeek (still on tour with me) and the FiiO FX17 does resemble the C12 quite a lot.
I have decided to pull the trigger on the C12, however FX17 can make things interesting, perhaps even challenge my decision, if it's not too late to reconsider. Who knows, maybe I could grab both? C12 is definitely No.1 on my list as of right now.

Has FiiO put some thought into allowing a unit of the FX17 to go on a Demo Tour?

A lot of people might be inclined to purchase it, but at these price points an audition makes all the difference + word of mouth is really powerful, especially from audiophile enthusiast rather then established review websites/channels.
Trust me when I say this (and others have as well, not only in this thread, but in general), having an interest in purchasing a high-end/flagship/TOTL IEM is one thing, actually making the purchase is another.
It just so happens, that at this very moment, I'm also touring the Forte Ears Macbeth (MSRP $3999). I wouldn't have dreamt of shelling out that amount of money on something that I haven't been able to test out/demo first.

Being able to preview it is a statement, that customers come first, and that the manufacturer is actually targeting the enthusiastic group of consumers, such as Head-Fi'ers, rather then the general masses, and at a price of 1590 euro in EU, this is definitely not intended for the masses.

Please let us know if FiiO is willing to entertain a Demo Tour, you have yourself a couple of EU enthusiasts that can't wait to try it, myself included.

Best,
Mihai

 

[FiiO-Yellow]

"The FiiO FX17 is a delightful tribrid IEM that’s robustly built, well-accessorized, and tuned for those who are looking for high levels of detail but do not want to sacrifice musicality."FX17 review from Headfonics. Click below to read the full text.
https://headfonics.com/fiio-fx17-review/

 

[RedCurry]

My audio store has a demo set. Time to pay them a visit!

 

[paramac]

I would have preferred a demo unit instead of having to buy blindly. Since it's a hygiene product, returns are unfortunately not possible once you open the packaging - that's what it says on the packaging itself and in the terms and conditions.

I don't know if FiiO is available in well-stocked hi-fi stores, but there's definitely none near me that carry the brand. The only chance would probably have been the HighEnd in Munich, which is taking place there for the last time this year in just under three weeks before it unfortunately moves to Vienna, Austria next year. It would have been near me and possibly the only chance to hear the FX17.

FiiO certainly has demo units, otherwise official testers wouldn't be able to give a verdict. Unfortunately, this doesn't apply to private individuals. However, it would be nice if they also had the opportunity to register on a list to receive a demo unit for a small fee, which would then be refunded upon purchase. Furthermore, the interested party would of course have to provide a security deposit in the amount of the purchase price, which would be refunded after the return.

 

[mikaik]

I would have preferred a demo unit instead of having to buy blindly. Since it's a hygiene product, returns are unfortunately not possible once you open the packaging - that's what it says on the packaging itself and in the terms and conditions.

This is not going to help with the sales. In the past I've bought open box products, for example from Projekt akustik, including a return unit of Andromeda Solaris, which I had to send back because of serious fit issues.
If on top of not being able to demo the product, the returns are not accepted, I don't think I will ever muster the courage to buy it. While I trust Fiio to deliver good products, no matter how good the IEM is, if the fit is not right, there isn't much one can do. I will patiently wait for used units to emerge.

However, it would be nice if they also had the opportunity to register on a list to receive a demo unit for a small fee, which would then be refunded upon purchase.

Indeed, this could be a solution. Many audio shops offer this home testing possibility, including headonist.fr, audioessence.ch and many more.
Meanwhile, I will keep an eye on the FX17 reviews. They seem promising.

 

[firesign]

I don't understand why there isn't even a single graph of the FX17 in all of Squig... it's really weird

 

[Tobit]

After burning the AMP16 along with FX17 I went back and tried AMP15, I also like AMP15 more, it resolves better and is more detailed, in turn the bass is even cleaner and faster, so it will stay by default.

Likewise I have tried Fusion 1 and I can say that it brings a palpable bass improvement to the table so I am really happy, now I am looking forward to trying Aristotle when I receive it and compare which of the cables fits better even though it is already great right now

I've now switched back to the AMP16. Tube Mode, DAC Gain High, AMP Gain Medium, and Harmonic H4. I like it best this way at the moment. At least, it's the most musical.

 

[baneand]

https://www.headfonia.com/fiio-fx17-review/

I will be receiving my unit next week, but wandering what other guys think of the bass description here - looks like not perfect and mid-bass focus, does that match what others hear? I usually don't consider reviews seriously because there is tons of subjective info and gear dependend info and also repetitivenes, but just discussing until I get it in my ears

 

[paramac]

There's no such thing as a perfect system, and the reviewer took a somewhat more critical look at the bass range. He's not actually saying it's really bad, just that he feels it could be better.
Personally, I have nothing to criticize; it blends harmoniously into the soundscape of the FX17.

 

[Yefry]

https://www.headfonia.com/fiio-fx17-review/

I will be receiving my unit next week, but wandering what other guys think of the bass description here - looks like not perfect and mid-bass focus, does that match what others hear? I usually don't consider reviews seriously because there is tons of subjective info and gear dependend info and also repetitivenes, but just discussing until I get it in my ears

Let me tell you that as a lover of extended bass and sub-bass in particular, the Fiio FX17 is very close to fully satisfying my needs, with a change of cable the sub-bass easily gains even more weight, also the other day I tried a very slight increase of 0.6 db on a low shelf from 60 to 20Hz and it is perfect, I will also say that the FX17 benefits from a prolonged burn in period, finally I think the soundstage does not suffer at all from its bass presentation, the soundstage is really very wide, at least with the Ibasso DX340

@Tobit Unfortunately I have not been able to spend quality time with my FX17 in the last week but all my first impressions were made with the AMP16 and it is really very nice