In-ear headphones should be designed as light and small as possible due to the system, this is the only way to guarantee comfortable use even for hours.Nevertheless, it is important to offer the best possible sound, especially for those models that are aimed at a particularly demanding group of customers.Modern in-ear headphones are therefore often a true masterpiece of miniaturization, such as those made by the Chinese company FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd.developed.It is always amazing and remarkable what the developers of FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd.to pack technology into their headphones.The Chinese company is rightly regarded as one of the technology pioneers in the field of in-ear headphones.This is also proven by the latest model, which is now being presented in the form of the FiiO FD5 Flagship Dynamic In-ear Monitor.State-of-the-art equipment features should ensure that these are in-ear headphones that perform at the highest level.The specialist for personal audio devices talks about having a small miracle of sound on offer with the FiiO FD5 Flagship Dynamic In-ear Monitors.To express this at first glance, the new FiiO FD5 flagship dynamic in-ear monitor presents itself with a really first-class industrial design that makes it a valuable, timelessly elegant solution.The fact that it is particularly solid is ensured by a stainless steel housing, which is obviously flawlessly processed down to the last detail.The special feature of the new FiiO FD5 Flagship Dynamic In-ear Monitor is primarily due to its driver, because a dynamic driver with a very special membrane is used here.The manufacturer speaks of a beryllium-coated DLC diaphragm, with DLC standing for diamond-like carbon.This special choice of material is intended to provide a constantly controlled deflection without disturbing natural oscillations and thus an absolutely accurate reproduction free of distortions.It has a diameter of at least 12 mm, a remarkable value when you consider that it is the central element of an in-ear headphone.It is powered by a very complex structure, in the center of which is an N52 magnet with a magnetic flux of at least 1.5 Tesla, as well as a special Japan DAIKOKU copper-clad aluminum voice coil.And that's not all, on the back of the driver, the developers are using a very special construction as the basis for a semi-open design, a so-called Volcano Field, as the manufacturer calls it.Of course, this is primarily intended to equalize the air pressure inside the driver chamber, but in such a way that no standing waves occur in the lowest frequency range and thus accurate imaging in the bass range is guaranteed.The construction in front of the driver is similarly sophisticated, because here an acoustic prism is used, which ensures precise control of the air flow and thus also contributes to realizing an optimal image over the entire frequency range.It is interesting that the developers of the new FiiO FD5 Flagship Dynamic In-ear Monitors offer the user the opportunity to influence the sound character via interchangeable sound tubes.Two variants are included with the headphones and, due to their tiny dimensions, can be replaced relatively easily with a little sensitivity.Small and Large, these two options are available, with the longer of the two sound tubes being designed for a very balanced, neutral reproduction, while the shorter one is designed for a very lively, somewhat bass-heavy reproduction.In this regard, the manufacturer also recommends individual adjustment using the countless ear tips included in the scope of delivery.Above all, there are separate bass ear tips – small, medium and large – as well as balanced ear tips, also in the three sizes mentioned, especially for the two sound tubes.There are also other options such as vocal ear tips, foam tips and tripe flange tips, each in different sizes, so that you can always find the best version for your own needs.The new FiiO FD5 flagship dynamic in-ear monitor is of course a Hi-Res audio solution with a frequency range of 10 Hz to 40 kHz and has an impedance of 32 ohms with a sensitivity of 109 dB.Like almost all in-ear headphones from FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd.the new FiiO FD5 Flagship Dynamic In-ear Monitors is also designed as a so-called over-the-ear solution, i.e. the cable is routed from the front behind the ear to the back.This special construction ensures an optimal hold at all times.Of course, the cable is detachable, although the developers of the FiiO FD5 Flagship Dynamic In-ear Monitors rely on MMCX connectors.In order to guarantee easy replacement, the manufacturer even includes a special tool with these in-ear headphones, namely a so-called Final MMCX Assist from Final Inc.Of course, one is not satisfied with just any cable here, rather one relies on a special twisted structure with eight strands of high-purity mono-crystalline silver-plated copper, in which each individual strand has a diameter of 0.08 mm and in which each 19 strands were twisted into one strand.Each strand is also individually insulated.According to the manufacturer, this is the best choice for full detail imaging and maximum dynamics.While the said MMCX connectors can be found at one end, the other offers a full range of different connection options.Not only is there a 3.5 mm stereo mini jack for an unbalanced connection, but also a 4.4 mm 4-pin and a 2.5 mm 4-pin for a balanced connection.The ingenious thing is that it is not simply an adapter in the conventional sense, but rather different attachments that are screwed into the connector housing to guarantee a reliable connection.Of course, all the accessories can be stowed away in a suitable transport box, whereby a particularly elegant solution made of leather was chosen here, which is also designed in such a way that it corresponds to the modern lifestyle.According to the manufacturer, the first delivery of the new FiiO FD5 Flagship Dynamic In-ear Monitor will soon be sent to distributors worldwide, but it is not yet known when the new headphones will ultimately be available in this country.Neither is the local selling price.The manufacturer himself gives US$ 299 as the first guide value for the new FiiO FD5 Flagship Dynamic In-ear Monitors.It is always amazing and remarkable what the developers of FiiO Electronics Technology Co. Ltd.to pack technology into their headphones.The Chinese company is rightly regarded as one of the technology pioneers in the field of in-ear headphones.This is also proven by the latest model, which is now being presented in the form of the FiiO FD5 Flagship Dynamic In-ear Monitor.The most modern features should ensure that these are in-ear headphones that perform at the highest level.Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of semper-audio.at |The HiFi Blog - The HiFi Magazine and HiFi BLOG, has been working as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics for years.The most important news from the industry in your mailbox every Monday morning!