is there significant sound improvement when u change cable 3.5 SE to 2.5 bal? what brand? Iām thinking to upgrade my FH3 cable FiiO LC3.5B to LC4.4C (or Faaeal litz copper). But should I concern if in future I want to use adapter 4.4female-3.5male? u mentioned might damage dac/amp. Thanks in advance
Balanced ā single ended works, single ended ā balanced does not work.
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Also keep in mind unless you need the extra output power, IEM cables are usually not long enough to really need balanced output.
thanks. I understand now
IMO, no there is not a significant difference. I use the faaeal litz cable because I like it more than the included cable, and Iāve used a balanced cable before. I donāt hear a significant difference between the 3.5mm and 2.5mm output of my BTR5. I changed back to 3.5mm because i sometimes also use it on a different source, and only the btr5 has the 2.5mm.
noted. If thatās the case. I wonāt look for an upgrade cable then. Keep it low and enjoy my FH3 ,for now. But look for upgrade IEM in future. Thanks.
That is a good choice, you get a lot more out of your money on upgrading the transducer itself rather than the other compoments.
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So in future, should I start looking for iem frequency response based on FiiO FH3 (with a bit enhancement I expect) - a bit more bass, a bit forward vocal? Read reviews, then go audition . Is this a correct way to do?
If you can audition, ignore reviews and try everything you can lol.
But from what I know, it might not be possible to get something with more bass AND forward vocals than the FH3ā¦because the FH3 already has quite forward vocals along with a lot of bass. You will be able to get either more bass or more forward vocals, but I doubt you can get both at the same time.
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I trust your experience and knowledge. Just read through your research excel file. also HeadConcertās. Prior to my purchase of FH3, HeadConcertās review is actually the most influenced me, stamped and sealed! I also read in Faaeal copper review (in your AliExpress link), someone said it enhances SQ of FH3ās stock cable. Since its price is quite cheap, I think iām gonna try it in future. And also ear tips (maybe JVC spiraldot or Azla Sednaearfit). Both will only cost $20++
yeah, no lol.
Tips are the nr 1 priority after the iem, bad seal = bad sound.
Those jvc and azla are pretty expensive though and I prefer the Radius Deep mount tips to them that is also a lot cheaper.
Sorry I donāt understand. U mean that cable wonāt improve SQ? Ok I wonāt buy another cable then. I follow your advise. You are my sensei. For ear tips, I found someone sell unused Ortofon tips for cheap price $5. Will get the M size. Iām using stock tips (red-grey small), best for me (among stock tips). Comfortable is good enough but not best. Just try my luck with Ortofon, since the bore size is identical. Will not jeopardize my sound setting. Radius deep mount ā¦i can;t find this in my country, Iāll try ask in fb group
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You might want a different cable if you donāt like the FH3 default cable. I can understand how some people may like it and also how some may hate it. It does not really kink or tangle, which is good, but it is kinda heavy and stiffer then other cable designs.
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I didnāt notice any change with a lower resistance cable on the FH3ā¦
But I hated the stock cable. Great speaker wire, not so good IEM cable. WhY yOu So THICC? And the earhooks were my number one complaint with the comfort.
i get your point. A bit stiff and microphonics but not much issue to me. Earhooks no issue, suitable for my small ears. Guess Iāll just change to a new cable once damaged . Focusing on another ear tips now. Will buy Radius Mount Deep as senseiās advise Son Goku @Rikudou_Goku . can get from Shopee Indonesia
I agree with this statement. For what the FH3 does, itās not easy to find anything in the marketplace that does it better. I think other forum members trying to climb the upgrade tree past the FH3 will tell you its a very difficult journey.
Just get the FH3, enjoy it, forget how much money you saved and donāt question it. I think most FH3 owners feel they got away with highway robbery it so good for the price.
For cables, this is what I use on my FH3ā¦
https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-LC-4-4D-High-Purity-Monocrystalline-Replacement/dp/B07RYTSRC6/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=fiio+silver&qid=1624881870&sr=8-3
Hello all, bit of a lurker on this forum but just got a set of FH3 to pair with my Shanling MW200.
WOW!! What a combo.
Funnily enough, I originally got FH5 to go with the Shanling but decided they were ātoo goodā (and didnāt want to keep plugging and unplugging MMCX connectors) so use them on my desktop setup instead. But holy hell, the FH3 are close, maybe even better for out and about. Was listening to Run the Jewels while I shopped earlier, man the FH3 get low!
So, a happy owner then!
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Glad you liked them and welcome to the HFGF 
For everyone considering to buy Fiio FH3 (and I own them), also check Legacy 2 that just dropped. Thereās a BGGARās video about it
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Oh man. No wonder many people said donāt bother to upgrade FH3 to FH5. But I read FH5s is a beast though, with the tuning switches. What do u think?