FiiO FH11 IEMs – Entry-Level Bionic Conch Back On The Menu

FiiO FH11 IEMs – Entry-Level Bionic Conch Back On The Menu

FiiO FH11 is a 55 USD pair of IEMs or In-Ear Monitors, with a Hybrid driver design, with 1 Dynamic Driver and 1 Balanced Armature driver. Given the price point, today we will focus on it and its sound, comfort, and we will together check out whether it is worth it to invest in an entry-level IEM. We will be comparing FH11 to IKKO OH300 Lumia (49 USD), Moondrop Stellaris (94 USD), and Dunu Kima (99 USD). 

 

Introduction

FiiO is one of the most popular companies with audio fans that need to stay on a level-headed budget, but who still want to get the best sonic experience possible. Usually, FiiO offers a more likable sound compared to entry-level Chifi brands such as KZ, as FiiO invests more time and money into making the midrange as acoustically pleasing as possible. When purchasing FiiO products, it is best to rely on local dealers, or the best source, Amazon. Although as an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, I want to mention that purchasing from other places is completely risky, I recently ordered a pair of speakers from a Romanian shop, and now I am in the process of returning them after having contacted the Romanian authority for consumer protection, as the company sent me a visibility damaged pair that was reboxed multiple times, even though they were advertised as new. Stay safe and always get your products from a trustworthy and reliable source. 

I’d like to thank FiiO for providing the sample for this review, in exchange for my honest opinion. We are not receiving any incentive for this review and Audiophile-Heaven has no affiliation with FiiO beyond this review. This review is a description of my personal experience.

 

Product Link

You can grab one from www.amazon.com here: https://amzn.to/3SUZeXc

If you’re in the UK, you can grab one from www.amazon.co.uk here: https://amzn.to/3sF7UX8

And if you’re from Europe, you can grab one from www.amazon.de here: https://amzn.to/3SXPDyP

 

Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

FiiO FH11 is named as such because it has 1 dynamic driver, and 1 Balanced Armature Driver. We have one of the largest 10mm Carbon-based dynamic drivers in IEMs, with a custom made Balanced Armature Driver. The main reason all those audio companies keep using Carbon based dynamic drivers is that Carbon has 9 times the tensile strength of steel, but it is 1 / 4 lighter than beryllium. 

We also have a  Balanced Armature, which is placed right in the sonic bore, a design which is known to bring voices, resolution and details forward quite well. FiiO made sure that while you hear the raw output of the balanced armature, the dynamic driver has three separate sonic chambers, with a damping control system that ensures the air pressure changes between those chambers is even and they don’t interfere with each other. I can confirm that there is no driver flex with FH11, and the sound is super pleasing with no problems. 

To keep the IEMs light, FiiO opted for Zinc for the shells of FH11, and they are indeed rather light and comfortable, with a rounded shell design that is then electroplated to be as comfortable and look as good as possible. Although you’d think the shape is done just for the design, there’s actually a sonic chamber that follows the shell, in a C Shape acoustic flute that enhances the mid bass and sub bass quality. 

We have a 0.78mm 2-Pin detachable cable that is of a good quality, and it has soft ear guides that offer good support for the FH11 IEMs too. Overall, the FH11 feels lightweight, comfortable, it isolates well from the outside noise, with a ~20dB of passive noise isolation. You will hear noise around you with quieter music, but it is muted, and with louder music you won’t hear a thing. The cable has a 1.2m length, a pretty standard length, and the impedance is 24 OHMs, with a sensitivity of 111dB / mW. Each unit weighs 10 grams, and the connector is 3.5mm gold plated copper. 

 

Sound Quality

Since we’re dealing with a low impedance, and high sensitivity, it is easy to drive the FH11, and the list of sources I’ve used for today’s review includes Shanling UP4 2022, FiiO Q15, Aune S17 PRO connected to an Aune S9C, JDS Labs Element III MK2 Boosted, Hiby R3 II, FiiO K9 PRO, and Audioengine D1. All of those sources can drive FH11 just well, this is an IEM that is not sensitive to hissing or background noise, and it is easy to pair them with any source you may already have, even dongles like iFi Go Bar, or iBasso DC04 being rather excellent for FH11. 

The overall sonic signature of FH11 can be described as super clean, somewhat voice centric, bright, brilliant, with a controlled, but deep and punchy bass. FiiO quotes this as being the ideal IEM for ACG, or Anime Comic Game content, and I think that’s spot on, FH11 sounds ideal for Mori Calliope, Soundtracks, Gaming and just generally enjoying music where voices, especially female voices are important. In fact, it works well for rock, metal, bands like Linkin Park or Incubus, and FH11 feels like a good generalist IEM for basically any music style, minus rap, which tends to be better with a warm, bass-heavy IEM. 

The bass of FH11 is controlled, clean, but mostly neutral-ish in quantity, as this is an IEM that has more focus on how detailed the bass is, and how clean it is. To put it into perspective, it has the kind of bass that won’t distort with volume, and will show nuance quite nicely, and it is generally pleasing for all music styles. FH11 works well for music like Dubstep, the bass extends nicely as low as 40 Hz, below which it rolls off gently. The bass has most energy in the mid bass, around 80 Hz, where it has a bit of extra warmth and substance. If the song has extreme amounts of sub bass and impact, FH11 can paint that well and does not struggle, but it does not add bass or show bass in songs that are recorded and mastered to be lighter. This means that Apashe can sound really neat, but so will some good old fashioned Kesha or Lady Gaga. 

The midrange is clearly the central element in the sound of FH11, and this means it will work well for Classical, ACG music, and Rock as well. The midrange sounds rich, has excellent details and is generally super vivid, vibrant and dynamic. I love the kind of super energetic, detailed sound, the soundstage is natural, it extends naturally in both width and depth, and FH11 does well with orchestral – fusion pieces like the Renaissance 2.0 live concert of Apashe, or songs from Haggard, having a rich texture for all blow and stringed instruments, but keeping control for a clean voicing. The maximum volume is controlled well and nicely, plus instrument separation is very good. 

The treble of FH11 is natural, slightly on the brighter side, and it has a good extension up to about 13 kHz, after which it rolls off gently. The treble is clean, has a smoother texture and it feels relaxed, allowing the midrange to bear most of the energy in the sound of FH11, also allowing the bass to be smooth and clean. All in all, the sound is very pleasing, acoustically pleasing, and the most important aspect, that there is no coloration in the midrange, is kept in the highest of respects. What I am trying to imply is that voices, both male and female, sound natural, and there’s no boxiness, veil or weird dips or peaks in the sound. It is a good old fashioned natural sounding IEM, something I could enjoy greatly, it sounds as you’d expect that song to sound. 

 

Comparisons 

FiiO FH11 vs IKKO OH300 Lumia (55 USD vs 49 USD) – The design is super good for both, but FH11 is smaller in size, slightly lighter in weight, and just feels more comfortable to use long-term. The sound of OH300 is more V-Shaped, the midrange of FH11 sounds more natural, FH11 has a wider soundstage, with more detail and a richer sounding midrange. Overall, FH11 is the more natural sounding option, especially for female voices, ACG music, and just generally the midrange being more natural makes most music more enjoyable. 

FiiO FH11 vs Moondrop Stellaris (55 USD vs 94 USD) – This has to be a good one because Stellaris always received high praise for its sound. You may wonder how is FH11 going to win this one, and it is most certainly going to be thanks to its more ergonomic, more comfortable design. By comparison, Stellaris feels hard and edgy, it is larger and much heavier, FH11 is rounded, light, comfy, and the sound is more natural, cleaner, warmer, with a bigger bass, which is also more controlled. Stellaris is a bit more detailed, but the soundstage is narrower, and it has a brighter tuning that sounds less natural. Both are good options for their prices, but FH11 is easier to recommend to most listeners, especially thanks to the design which will inherently be more comfortable in the long run. 

FiiO FH11 vs Dunu Kima (55 USD vs 99 USD) – Dunu Kima is as comfortable as FH11 is, and at times it is even more comfortable, but the sound of FH11 is considerably more natural, cleaner, warmer, with a much less fatiguing treble, and it is generally more likable. Even though FH11 is more affordable, it is going to be the better choice for everyone. I cannot deny that Dunu Kima has a higher resolution, but it is a bit false sounding at times, so my vote clearly goes to FH11 here. 

 

Value and Conclusion

It is easy to say that FH11 has an excellent value, and looking at the performance, especially relative to the alternatives, you simply can’t do better for 50 USD, and this is the kind of IEM that makes an excellent starter or backup option for anyone serious about audio. Not only this, but it has excellent comfort, a good package, and most important, is actually pleasing to use.

At the end of the day, if you’re looking for an excellent IEM but at an entry-level price, something that sounds natural, clean, punchy, but also bright and open, which is especially good for voices, both male and female, and an IEM that is actually super comfortable to use, FiiO FH11 is one of the best choices you could get yourself for 55 USD. 

 

Product Link

You can grab one from www.amazon.com here: https://amzn.to/3SUZeXc

If you’re in the UK, you can grab one from www.amazon.co.uk here: https://amzn.to/3sF7UX8

And if you’re from Europe, you can grab one from www.amazon.de here: https://amzn.to/3SXPDyP

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Full Playlist used for this review

We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature.  I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7

https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5

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