Hi Resolution, Iāve been following the FD5 for a few days and lurking here. I see you and Goku really liked it but in another thread on this site (FD5 - Have you heard better for FPS gaming / positional accuracy?) you seem to not like it at all anymore. Can I ask why? I was really eyeing the FD5 because itās the only single DD IEM I can get here in the $200-300 range.
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If you like extra bass, you could try FiiO FHE. Or of course 7HZ Timeless, for a much better balanced sound(for music) than FD5. But, if you want the ultimate āhear the enemyā IEM for FPS games at that price, you want FD5. : )
FD5 will have better bass quality than Timeless, but Timeless bass is still very nicely emphasized as a planar. Timeless has better tone, but not quite as big of stage size, air, detail, bass extension(both are excellent). Timeless has better fit, and an awesome case. Both are bright, but Timeless is moderately less fatiguing than FD5. I vote Timeless for music/gaming/general, and FD5 for serious FPS gaming. The semi-open vents in FD5 really do make a huge difference, in the areas where FD5 excels(positional accuracy, air, spaciousness, separation, etc).
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It depends on what you want on the FD5. The soundstage is something else as well as the imaging. Itās also pretty darn good for Rock. Itās also bright if you can handle some of the treble spikes.
It all comes comes down to the IEMs that comes after the FD5 this year. The FH3 is still being the current favourite Fiio IEMs for most users is due to the price and what it offers. Itās light, itās comfortable to wear and the sound, while it can be bassy for some, I personally find it to be a great all-rounder.
I do criticized the FD5 from time to time due to itās treble spikes and vocal sibilances in some tracks (Female Kpop) that I love, but when it clicks (like the entire Dreamcatcher discography for example), it truly clicks super well with the FD5.
The FD5 can be quite unforgiving and itās a bit hard to recommend it to someone unless they are able to demo it first.
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Thanks for the responses. I got it at a nice discount directly from FiiO and honestly itās a nice upgrade from my IT00. I got the FH3 earlier in 2021 and I guess either the tuning was off or Iām just very sensitive to BA timbre, but I didnāt like it the second I put it on, it just sounded disjointed. The FD5 is, thankfully, quite good. I didnāt feel harsh treble or sibilance normally (itās there in a distracting way only if I crank up the volume which I donāt). Imaging is amazing and reminds me of the FH3 in a good way, soundstage is so, so good and Iām hearing people precisely in FPS games, little things alerting me like a guy switching from his primary weapon to a secondary, the sound of someone reloading nearby, itās insane.
The bass is ridiculous, I was never a basshead but Iām loving how the bass asserts itself without overwhelming the music. I can see why people donāt like it for music because I feel vocals arenāt very strong here but itās still better than what Iāve heard before so Iām happy enough and the rest of it is so good Iām not gonna complain. Music aside these are absolutely perfect for gaming and movies. I was watching Shadow by Zhang Yimou and the way the FD5 presented the music sections and the battles was just stellar. It felt very much like I was in a movie theater, Iām so glad this blind buy didnāt disappoint. Iām using them with my trusty CP145 tips and have no issues with fit or comfort.
That said, Iām powering them through my E10K with the volume on 3 on the dial. Will I benefit from getting something beefier? Iāve read anecdotal stuff of people saying they get wider soundstage and better highs depending on their gear and I donāt know how much of that is just subjective preference.
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Happy listening, Cp145 for me also best tips for fd5. Fd5 really for their price are amazing.
They are v shaped so vocals are not their best part but bass is amazing and with corect tips like cp145 good controlled. Treble really extended and for some can become too much but for me also never had problems. So good buy and not always reviews can answer all, need to hear and validate for yourself.
Yes, I will keep buying and trying different IEMs as time goes on. FD5 for now, and later this year something in the $700-$1000 range. Itās too bad I canāt try and buy anything in the upper tier because Amazon doesnāt carry them here but itās all part of the experience. For now Iām trying to decide what to pair my FD5 with. What amp/dac do you use? I would have just blind bought a Mojo to use with everything down the line but those arenāt available here anymore.
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Using now mainly with few daps such ibasso dx160, fiio m11plus, and amps/dacs such topping a50s/d50s. Tried with otjer also and few ifi daps. For me they are good with neutral and balanced amps. I like when bass is controlled so good amp with not boosted bass is ok for them as they have good bass from dd. Actually they will sound good from many sources but still likes a little more power and clear balanced tuning.
Very easy fix (if youāre not comfortable with adding your own dampers), the RHA filter set; when itās back in stock
Link to RHA filters
RHA vs FD5 stock tube
DIY, foam/damper inserts
Apologies for bumping this thread cause the FD5 is the only IEM that Iāve been using mainly lately ever since going back to office is a must now.
Iāve come to appreciate my FD5 much more now. Either Iām being bias or just using it daily, but bringing this IEM outdoors really does help lighten a bit of the spikes. Itās still there but it feels more bearable now. Iām probably getting used to the open-back āfeelā of it and didnāt mind playing it in decent volume during my daily commute.
My Variations have been mostly chilling at home now unless during āwork from homeā days, which is only on Thursdays and Fridays.
Iāve also been going out more so the FD5 + Shanling M3X have been a great combo for me, plus itās small enough to fit in my jeans comfortably.
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