INTRODUCTION

   I may not use headphones and earphones (IEMs) while at home or at the office much (testing aside of course) but i do just about everywhere else and as a matter of fact since i really happen to enjoy that I’m always looking for new models to test. When it comes to earphones especially, I’ve been on a "quest" since well over a decade ago to find the best and although to date several top-end models have reached my hands there always seems to be something better out there. FiiO may well be known to be the leading "force" in the Hi-Res music player industry but they've actually also released several Hi-Res audiophile-grade earphones over the past 5 years or so and the FA9 IEMs which i have here with me today are their brand new flagship model.

   FiiO was established in 2007 and has experience in researching and developing countless portable music products of different types, and sell FiiO-branded products through sales agents worldwide. The brand name FiiO is composed of Fi(fidelity from HiFi) and iO(number 1&0), representing the real feeling and convenient life that digital brings to life. Meanwhile, the Chinese “飞傲” is the transliteration of FiiO, indicating the positive and innovative spirit as thriving as spring. FiiO is focused on product quality, adheres strictly to ISO9001 standards in quality management and works hard to attain the lowest repair-related product returns rate.

   The FA9 IEMs are unlike any other earphones I’ve tested to date and that's not only due to one feature but several special (and quite unique) ones. For starters each of the two DLP 3D printed shells of the FA9 house a total of 6 Knowles BA armature drivers (SWFK-31736/EJ-33877/HODVTEK-31618) together with 4-way electronic crossovers and 80.6mm ultra-long sound tubes (act as low pass filters). Thanks to this innovative combination FiiO has made it possible not only for consumers to be able to configure the FA9 IEMs with up to 8 different audio results (can focus on highs, mids or bass via 3 switches located on the exterior of both enclosures/shells - combinations are also possible) but the resulting numbers are nothing short of impressive as well (frequency response of 15Hz-40KHz with 16-32KOhm impedance and 110/113dB sensitivity). Other features that really stand out from the crowd include a diamond-cut faceplate, shells made out of EU IIA medically certified translucent black resin, ergonomic shape engineered from thousands of ear scans/models, detachable 8-strand monocrystalline silver-plated copper cable and MMCX gold plated connectors. If all of the above weren't enough the FA9 IEMs are also shipped with the most impressive bundle I’ve seen to date, this however i will cover later on.