The Fiio FH3 are my first foray into the world of true audiophile grade IEM's having only used the Sabbat E12 TWS for my portable needs until now. The E12's are actually really good for a Bluetooth headphone but the FH3 are in a whole different league! It looks like I might have picked a real gem right off the bat by picking the FH3 as my first choice. In fact I may just have found my "endgame" "do everything" headphone and at a price way less than I expected! Sure if I spent £300+ I might get better technicalities like larger soundstage or better micro details, but with this tuning, comfort, build and pure enjoyment factor do I REALLY need any more!
Previously coming from high end over-ear headphones for my audiophile needs these relatively cheap IEM's bring something unique to the table which in my opinion even allow them to compete with my far more costly 'open back' Audeze LCD-2C!
What makes these stand out is the near perfect tuning, the high level of detail, and the superb imaging, let alone the gorgeous design, supreme comfort, and rock solid build!
The bass is deep but at the same time tight and punchy, the mids are lush and well suited to vocals, and the highs are detailed enough without ever feeling fatiguing or sibilant. In comparison the LCD-2c actually lack a bit of bass presence in my opinion even though they do have great bass extension. The LCD-2c do respond well to EQ and with a boost to the bass have a similarly smooth tuning to the FH3, however the FH3 has better midbass and a nice punch to the sound that's very addictive!
The open back nature of the LCD-2c obviously give a more open sound which is a joy to listen to but despite the FH3 having a relatively narrow stage I never felt the music lacked room to breath. The imaging is simply stunning on the FH3 and although staging certainly feels different to the LCD-2c it's definitely not lacking, in fact in some ways I prefer it!
Everything is closer but still well separated allowing me to pick out details that weren't always as obvious on the LCD-2c. I think by the very nature of iems blasting music directly down the ear canal this can give them the real advantage of getting details to sound more in your face and ultimately more present.
I actually think the Fiio FH3 and the Audeze LCD-2C compliment each other quite well. They are both similar enough in signature but different enough in use case to work side by side. I still love the open sound of the LCD-2C, and for a home setup they're great for what they are. However the FH3's are a much better all rounder; they have the portability and isolation needed for when I'm out and about, but also the closer more intimate staging for when I'm in the mood at home. For their ease of use and lack of wires the Sabbat E12 will still be used for exercise.
I kind of feel that had I discovered the Fiio FH3 prior to my search for the ultimate over-ear I may have never started that journey and would have been perfectly satisfied by the amazing sound this £100 IEM gave me! True I would never have discovered the LCD-2c and that openness you can only experience from a large open back planar but at £900 are they really that much better?...I would say not!
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I only used a Pixel 4a for them... probably helps that I do Photography for a living though! 
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