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FIIO FP3 is the company's foray into the planar IEM fray. I bought this at a discounted price from Ali (list price $89 USD).
It is an open secret that most of the current CHIFI planar IEMs use a similar planar driver, probably sourced from the same factories (or are OEMS). In contrast, Fiio markets that the FP3 utilizes an in-house 14.5 mm driver with a dual coated titanium and aluminum ultra-thin diaphragm.
The FP3 contains the TESLA valve bass enhancement tech - seen in the Fiio FD15 - which deliberately elongates sound tubes so as to filter away higher frequencies and boost bass.
Weighing 6.5 g apiece, the housings are light and ergonomics are quite comfortable despite the slightly longer nozzles. The faceplate features a rosewood or black walnut design, depending on your preference during ordering.
It is moderately difficult to drive, and would benefit from a dongle DAC/amp at least. Accessories are quite generous with multiple tips and a transparent plastic carrying case.
The FP3 sports a bright V-shape tonality, graphs below (8 kHz is a coupler peak). Generally, planar graphs may not correspond 1 for 1 to single DDs, as the planar drivers are usually faster in transients and the peaks are more exaggerated on planar graphs compared to actual listening.
The FP3 has a very clean sounding profile, with fast transients and stellar technical chops. Soundstage is wide with excellent layering, detailing and imaging. The bass is quite big but is not at outright basshead levels, with good texturing and speed. Upper mids hit about 11 dB which is just at the border. There is great clarity and resolution in the treble region, with just slight sibilance (I'm treble sensitive and find the FP3 is not overly splashy in the highhats and cymbals, which is much worse in other planars).
There is some planar timbre (probably due to the very fast note transients cutting off tail-end of notes), which is a usual issue with planar IEMs, but it is not the worst offender timbre-wise.
Will do some more tests against benchark planars and report back. For sub $90 USD, this is probably one of the more technical planars as of the time of writing, one for trebleheads and analytical junkies.
