Most new true wireless earbud modes nowadays come with ANC function to appeal to the mass consumers, especially when noise-cancelling audio chips become affordable. The new FiiO FW5 is the first true wireless earphones fully developed by FiiO and it excludes ANC feature to focus on sound quality. The earbuds are fitted with high-end Qualcomm QCC5141 Bluetooth chip, high-performance AK4332 independent DAC, and a meticulously designed audio circuit, which all contribute to elevated quality without breaking the bank. The FW5 retails in Singapore for S$239.
The FW5 comes with 6 sets of ear tips, including HS18. It also comes with cleaning brush with sharp tip to remove dirt build-up on the charging contact points. The charging case is plain without any branding, and made of lightweight plastic. The earbuds can last 7 hours with one charge, and additional 14 hours from the charging case.
The companion smartphone app, FiiO Control, offers a handful of adjustments like L-R balance, independent headphone volume level, call volume, and even the tone prompt volume. It also lets you choose a lowpass filter, a premium DAC chip feature which should not be unfamiliar to digital amplifier enthusiasts. However, EQ adjustment is not available, and I reckon it is a conscious choice from FiiO to minimise unnecessary audio signal distortion.
The FW5 comes with two physical buttons on each ear instead of touch controls to prevent accidental touches, but I ended up getting the controls mixed up: the primary button is identical on both earbuds, while the secondary button also has similar controls to the primary. Despite spotting a breathable mesh on the faceplate, the FW5 is IPX4 rated for water protection with all the openings covered with water-resistant sound-permeable cotton.
The FW5 is quite large and thick, as each earbud is fitted with 10mm dynamic drivers made of DLC diaphragm and PU gasket, as well as two high-frequency Balanced Armature drivers that are positioned in the sound tube near the ear. This 3-driver layout delivers the audio characteristics of the FW5 which is airy, detailed treble. The bass is lean, disciplined, and at the same time intense, but the upper frequency remains the strength and focus of FW5. Instrumental genres like jazz and classical are delightful, while modern genres demanding more raw bass might not sound as satisfying. High-quality wireless audio is transmitted over QCC5141 with dual DSP and supports high-res codecs like LHDC, aptX Adaptive, and Snapdragon Sound.
Verdict
If you like your earphones to sound sparkling and snappy, the FW5 will be your cup of tea. The lack of ANC may sway potential buyers who need to kill urban noise during daily commute, but the price-value is probably worth the compromise, especially if you put audio quality above all other features. FiiO products are distributed in Singapore by AV One.
