Fischer Audio is at it again! Before you discount these headphones as another Fischer Audio plot, please allow me to explain why you might absolutely love them. Be prepared…it’s a long review as I truly want to explain the sound on these as best as I can. Keep in mind that these are strictly my opinions and are based on many hours of listening. Always try to seek out the product yourself and try it before you buy it.
 
[size=19.5pt]SPECIFICATIONS:[/size]
Design: open
Housing: nautural wood
Frequency range: 18-22000 Hz
Sensitivity: 98 dB
Impedance: 160 Om
Input power: 0.4 W
Plug: 3.5mm
Length of a cable: 2.5 M
Cable extension: 3.2 M
Color: athracite/black
Box: carton box
Set: cable extension: 3.2 M
 
[size=19.5pt]THE PACKAGING/BUILD QUALITY:[/size]
The headphones came packaged in the usual cardboard Fischer Audio box. Nothing fancy except for what is inside. Unlike other times, this time the box came nearly destroyed – as if a soccer team got hold of my package and decided to play a game with it. Thankfully, the headphones were ok. This is a testament as to how good the simple box is at protecting the headphones during shipment. I know this is not Fischer Audio’s fault but it is worth mentioning. The box was in such bad shape, I couldn’t even salvage it for storage.
 
The headphones are another matter all together. Visually, they are stunning to behold. The cups are beautiful and the overall design is very aesthetic and very pleasing. The wife acceptance factor on these is easily rated a 10 out of 10. My wife saw them and for the first time since I have known her, she actually mentioned how beautiful they were. If any audiophile gear can get that kind of praise from my wife…I know it’s a thing of beauty and the FA-011’s certainly are just that…a thing of beauty.
 
Moreover, the FA-011’s are extremely comfortable…up there with the Sony R-10 or Sony CD-3000 but lighter and comfier. I believe I can wear these for hours upon hours with no fatigue whatsoever. They don’t heat your ears up, probably due to the open design, and they don’t cause any pain on your head due to the super light and comfy headband. I can honestly say that the FA-011’s are the most comfortable headphones I have in my possession at the moment.
 
[size=19.5pt]EQUIPMENT USED IN REVIEW:[/size]
For the equipment used, please see my profile. I used the FA-011 with everything I own and even some stuff I don't.
 
[size=19.5pt]SOME NOTABLE MUSIC USED IN REVIEW:[/size]
“Graceland” by Paul Simon – NON-REMASTERED VERSION
http://www.amazon.com/Graceland-Paul-Simon/dp/B00000E9O7/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1300269526&sr=1-3

 
“More Of Other Worlds, Other Sounds” by Esquivel
http://www.amazon.com/More-Other-Worlds-Sounds/dp/B000002MWF

 
“Inception” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Hans Zimmer
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ODL004/ref=dm_dp_cdp?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1300269895&sr=8-4

 
“Discoveries” by Gustavo Dudamel
http://www.amazon.com/Discoveries-Gustavo-Dudamel/dp/B002NOYX04/ref=sr_1_5?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1300269981&sr=1-5

 
“Moanin’” Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (Analogue Productions SACD)
http://www.amazon.com/Moanin-Art-Blakey-Jazz-Messengers/dp/B002ALKZLG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300278441&sr=1-1

 

[size=19.5pt]THE SOUND:[/size]
The sound quality straight out of the box is very good. As always, I decided to let these beauties burn in for at least 48 hours before I started my review. How much the sound changed I can’t really say as the initial listen was less than a minute long.
Now…I love the comfort…I love the looks but I am not truly in love with the sound. Why? Did Fischer Audio fail? NO! Were the headphones bad? NO…absolutely not! So why am I not in love with these beauties? Well…I love a neutral sound signature. That is what I look for in my gear. So let me point this out from the very beginning – THESE ARE NOT NEUTRAL SOUNDING!!! This just might be a godsend for many of you!
 
Is that bad? NO…. Do they sound bad? NO…absolutely not…
 
In some way, I feel Fischer Audio is responding carefully to the criticisms it has received from products like the FA-003 and the FA-004. If the FA-003/002W mated with the FA-004 and was raised by the Sony R-10, the result would be the FA-011. For the people who have complained that the FA-004 might be a bit too muddy, the FA-011 resolves that issue perfectly. For the people who feel the FA-003 has no bass impact, the FA-011 resolves that issue perfectly as well. The comfort level, as mentioned before, is up there with the R-10. In other words, the FA-011 sounds mostly like the FA-003 with the bottom end of the FA-004 but tighter and much more emphasized.
 
What does that mean? Well, for those of you who are familiar with the Senn HD-650 – take the sound of the HD-650 and remove the veil, remove the muddy bass and replace it with deep, tight bass and you have the FA-011.  For those of you familiar with the FA-003 – take the sound of the FA-003 and add a subwoofer and a wee bit of high end and you have the FA-011. Grado fans, take your John Grado model of preference, refine every aspect of the sound, add supreme comfort and add more bass and you have the FA-011.
 
Despite the emphasized bass, the FA-011 does surprisingly well with most genres. It’s fantastic with rock, most classical pieces, most jazz, hip-hop/rap, electronic and vocals. The obvious characteristic that defines the FA-011 is the deep bass. However, the mids are typical Fischer Audio. Lush, life-like and vivid. Those of you who love the Fischer Audio house sound fear not for the critical mid range remains intact and beautiful as always. Also take note that the high end is tweaked a bit though. I found that the FA-011 sounded too bright at times with improperly mastered recordings and ever so slightly bright with well mastered ones. My guess is that the high end has been tweaked a slight bit to compensate for the huge amount of bass these things can put out.
 
Another promising feature of these headphones is the huge soundstage. I found that the soundstage is not 100% accurate but boy does it sound amazing. Imagine taking a 180 degree view of the soundstage and spacing it out proportionally to about to about 200-220 degrees. The FA-011 provides a huge soundstage that remains relatively accurate while providing good depth and even a sense of height. Binaural recordings truly shine with these headphones in a way they shine with few other headphones I have heard.
 
More Sound Specifics….
 
Classical:
I found the FA-011 aptly suited for most classical music – especially well mastered and well recorded albums. I played “Danzón No. 2” as played by the Simón Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. This piece is very dynamic and it has some very light as well as some very heavy and dynamic parts. The opening theme is light and airy on the FA-011. At 1:14 the bass section comes in and the bottom end is clearly heard on the FA-011. I guess the best description I can find is that instead of being dead center, you have the entire orchestra dead center but the bass section is about 10 feet closer and to the right. For me, it’s not the most accurate presentation but the few people I played it for absolutely LOVED it. Orchestral pieces and chamber pieces were just as impressive. However, the homerun on these were pipe organ recordings. Playing some recordings by Virgil Fox were not just impressive - they were down right jaw dropping.
 
On the Inception soundtrack the notes were airy and the bass was DEEP. The low end on this soundtrack can really be appreciated with the FA-011’s. The drum hits on Mombasa were low and deep bringing along with them a sense of space and depth. Needless to say, it sounded very impressive. You haven't heard the low notes on this soundtrack until you hear them with the FA-011!!
 
Pop:
The FA-011 is perfectly suited for this genre. Playing “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga was a true pleasure. For those seeking a hi-fi club sound, the FA-011 provides that in spades. Lady Gaga’s vocals just floated above the music as they should and the bass was thumping along making me bop my head while enjoying the song. Truly fun headphones for listening to this genre…be it Lady Gaga, Madonna or Michael Jackson.
 
Listening to Paul Simon's "Graceland" is just amazing on the FA-003/FA-002W. With the FA-011, you appreciate another dimension. I kept telling myself "I know this isn't accuarate...but man, does it sound good!". From track to track, it just sounded so good - especially the parts that have a prominent bass part or parts where there are drum hits.
 
Jazz:
Due to the amazing mid-range, the FA-011 does well in jazz as well. Playing “Moanin’” was a delight. The bass was very prominent (a good thing) on the SACD while listening with the FA-011. This is good in this case because the bass is a little weak on this particular mastering of the recording and the FA-011 displayed the great bass playing proudly. Very enjoyable.
 
On “More Of Other Worlds, Other Sounds” the huge dynamic swings were very impressive and the FA-011 handled every dynamic jump with ease. If you guys need a recording with great sound quality and awesome dynamics, get this recording by Esquivel. On the second track, "Chant To The Night" there is a nice dynamic intro followed by some nice mellow trumpet playing on the left, piano in the middle and the percussion section and chorus on the right. The trumpet sounded very accurate and airy. The piano remained lifelike and the drums on the left exhibited a nice bit of heft which goes missing on most headphones. The bass, while much more prominent than other headphones, didn't overpower anything and remained pleasant throughout.
 
Rock:
I played “Hotel California” from the DCC release mastered by Steve Hoffman. As with the rest, it was very enjoyable. The bass was very prominent but didn’t overshadow any other instrument. A very pleasurable listen.
 
Hip-Hop/Rap/Electronic:
One word: WOW! I haven’t heard bass thumping like this since I had the HD-650’s! The vocals and rest of the instrumentation on various tracks came across very well but the bass was thumping along better and clearer than at most local clubs. If this is a genre you love, you need to experience your favorite songs with the FA-011!
 
GAMING!!!!
While not a music genre, I thought I would mention the superb performance of the FA-011 while gaming. Explosions are intense, placement is accurate and the comfort level just makes this the ultimate gaming headphone. I played some Call of Duty for well over 2 hours and my ears didn’t get sweaty, my head wasn’t sore from the headband and the aural intensity of the experience just made it all that more fun! The FA-011, as is, is an awesome gaming headphone! If the FA-011 had an optional headset microphone attachment for voice, I would not hesitate to recommend it as the ultimate gaming headphone. It’s that good!! Fischer Audio…take note.  
 
[size=19.5pt]MORE NOTABLE NOTES….:[/size]
 
On most headphones my volume knob rarely goes past the 10 o’clock position. With some headphones, it can get to the 11 o’clock position. With the FA-011 the knob got to 4 o’clock!! The only other headphones to push the knob further were orthodynamic headphones.
Make no mistake, these babies require more power than your average headphone to drive them properly. The more juice you throw at them, the better the dynamics, impact and overall sound will be. If you are considering these for your next purchase and do not own a headphone amp, portable or home, you might want to consider ordering one to power these power hungry babies as listening to these without proper amplification should be a crime. They will still sound very nice but nowhere near the level of performance you will get with proper amplification.
 
[size=19.5pt]CONCLUSION:[/size]
Here is where the rubber meets the road…
 
The FA-011 is a great headphone but it’s a headphone I can see many having a love/hate relationship with – especially if it’s your only headphone. The bass emphasis and ever so slight treble emphasis are what will cause this. Whenever you emphasize a particular frequency range you also emphasize many problems inherent in those frequencies. Due to bad monitoring and bad mastering, many, many recordings have problems in the bass region and in the high treble region (~10,000 Hz +). If your recordings have these problems, they will be greatly emphasized with the FA-011. The slight bump in the highs will also emphasize any and all signs of hiss in a recording as hiss tends to reign supreme right around 10,000 Hz and when you have a hissy recording that will become even more prominent – it’s no fun.  A perfect example is the RVG version of “Moanin’”. The hiss is very prominent and every trumpet blow produced a thump which made the RVG simply unbearable to listen to. The Hoffman/Gray SACD of the same title, in contrast, was sublime on the FA-011.
 
This isn’t to say it’s the fault of the FA-011 for placing a bump on certain frequency ranges – quite the opposite. If producers had access to monitors of this quality they might notice the glaring problems in the crap they are making. These problems are noticeable on the FA-003 and FA-002W but they are much more noticeable on the FA-011. This isn’t to put down the FA-011 but you should all be aware that if your music has any problems in the low end or high end, it will show up with a vengeance on the FA-011.
 
On the other hand, on great recordings or great remasters, the FA-011, like all Fischer Audio headphones I have heard, shine in their own special way. Listening to XRCD’s, Hoffman/Gray SACD’s, Steve Hoffman DCC remasters, MFSL’s, Chesky recordings, Audio Fidelity remasters and my binaural recordings was a true pleasure….like taking a well cooked steak and seasoning it with some flavor.
 
The rule to follow with the FA-011 is this: CRAP IN - MAJOR CRAP OUT...QUALITY IN - MAJOR QUALITY OUT.
 
I think the FA-011 might just be the sweet spot in the Fischer Audio line up. I say this because the same people who heard the FA-003, FA-002W and FA-004 absolutely loved the FA-011 but didn’t quite love the others for one reason or another. The FA-011 seems to be pleasing to a wide range of people in my brief experience with them. If you are like an engineering friend of mine, and are a stickler for natural sound and neutrality, then stay away from the FA-011 as your ultimate purchase. If you are like me and can enjoy different types of sound signatures for different genres, the FA-011 should be on your must buy list.
 
In all honesty, I think that if you have a pair of FA-011's and FA-003's, you will have a listening tool for anything and everything in your audio arsenal. It’s no secret that I love the FA-003 and a natural and neutral sound signature. That’s the only reason I don’t absolutely love the FA-011…but hey…that’s what the FA-003 is for!!!
 
So, to conclude a lengthy review, this is what I honestly opine about these headphones:
 
I remain in love and married to my FA-003 and FA-002W due to their neutral and natural sound signature. However, the FA-011 makes a very nice mistress. Beautiful looks, amazingly supreme comfort, fantastic soundstage and a great "fun" sound…I can honestly say that I like these very, very, very much…why…you could say that it’s almost like being in love!
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR BASS HEADS, GAMERS, LATE NIGHT MOVIE FANS AND MUSIC FANS WHO ENJOY DEEP, TIGHT BASS, LIQUID MIDS AND AIRY HIGHS. A wonderful mistress to the FA-003 and/or FA-002W!!!
 

 
 
SPEC’S:
 

1. Frequency “flatness”: +/- 0.5db
2. Dynamic Range: 110 db
3. Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.001%
4. Intermodulation Distortion: 0.005%
5. Stereo Crosstalk: -85 db
6. Max. Undistorted Output (50 Ohm load): 1.5 W
7. Included Accessories: Mini to mini cable, charger.

 
EQUIPMENT USED ON THIS REVIEW:

1. Sources: Rockboxed Clip+, Rockboxed iPod 5.5G, Sony D-25s, Denon DCD 1560, computer
2. Cables: ALO Cotton Dock, UE Mini to Mini, Fischer Audio Mini to mini, DIY
3. Other amps: Joe Grado HPA-1, RSA Hornet, RSA Shadow, Heed Canamp, EMU-0404 USB, Yamaha Receiver, Fisher 500-C.
4. My mastering rig
5. Music: Way too much to list…..

 
 
The portable world has been filled with options since way back when. Today, the options are virtually limitless with so many options available in the DIY world as well as on the manufacturing end. Portable amps are one of those options that seem limitless.
 
Enter the Fischer Audio Mystify. The Fischer Audio Mystify is small and fairly light. Housed in an extruded aluminum chassis with a screw-on faceplate and rear panel, it measures roughly 3.5” by 2.75” by .75” and weighs less than an ipod. It feels light, especially when compared to other portable amplifiers of the past. However, there are even lighter and smaller amps available so why do you want to spend your money on this new kid on the block? Well…let’s find out why you should or should not….
 

 
Fischer Audio…the crowd pleasing company!
 
If you’re not familiar with Fischer Audio then you must be hiding under a rock. Fischer Audio might be new to Head-Fi but they have been causing a stir worldwide with many of their IEM’s and headphones. Not only do they sound good but there is an IEM or headphone for every individual and at every price point. This doesn’t mean they charge a whole lot either….all of their products are priced very competitively.
 
As of today, they not only carry headphones and IEM’s, but are also introducing a portable amplifier, the Fischer Audio Mystify, to their Master Series line-up.
 
The Fischer Audio Mystify doesn’t really look impressive. The dimensions do not make it the smallest nor does it qualify it for one of the biggest. It’s also not the heaviest nor the lightest. Battery life is about 8-9 hours with full size headphones. The toggle switch has three positions, On, Off and Charge. The volume knob might be a little long, the LED’s are rather standard and the toggle switch looks awkward and the design is more DIY than German engineering. However, if you know anything about Fischer Audio, you know that packaging isn’t their main concern.
 
 

 
A rose by any other name…..
 
What’s in a package? Trick question so don’t answer! I don’t care much for the looks of components and audio gear. If I did, I would probably own Dr. Dre Beats or Skullcandy headphones to impress people with my fashionable gear. I would probably also own a Bose home theater system. Why don’t I own such fashionable gear? The answer should not surprise anyone here. I only care about the sound quality!   
 
The sound of the Fischer Audio Mystify is great….really great. I connected the Fischer Audio Mystify to my Clip+ using the included (…that’s right…Fischer Audio includes a mini to mini) mini to mini powering my beloved Grado HP-1000 headphones. I was shocked by just how good the music sounded. Not wanting to believe the great sound from such an amp, I switched it up using different headphones and IEM’s. The shock took a while to go away.
 
I decided to plug in my favorite IEM’s at the moment, the DBA-02’s, and the result was just magical synergy. I was instantly transported to Capitol Studio’s back in the 1950’s. The ambiance, the energy and people were all there…I swear I could almost smell them.  I know it sounds like hyperbole, but I guess you just had to be there. Regardless of whether the Fischer Audio Mystify has a miniature flux capacitor within it and whether it will work for you or not, it completely worked for me, taking me back to a time when real musicians worked with real talent. I could visualize Harry “Sweets” Edison taking a solo, I could see Frank singing with style, I could feel Dean Martin smile while singing. O….M….G..!
 
Well, sure we know it’s a portable amp and it will do well with IEM’s but what about full size headphones. Could the experience with the HP-1000’s be a fluke? I rushed over and pulled out my new FA-002W-OW headphones to see just how well the amp would synergize with those. Once again…O…M…G..!
 
If you think this small amp will make a full size headphone sound tinny and craving power, you haven’t heard the Fischer Audio Mystify being played with FLAC files. With the Fischer Audio Mystify and natural sounding full size headphones like the Fischer Audio FA-003, the Fischer Audio FA-002W-OW and the Senn HD-600 , music takes on a body that any man or woman with a passion for music would crave. The naturalness and dynamics within certain pieces of music is special and something that the Clip+ and iPod lack on their own. You don’t really notice it either until it’s pulled out from under you! The Fischer Audio Mystify does indeed mystify, especially when you notice how much the bass response is improved upon. Some of that natural ambiance and bloom that goes away is completely restored. This isn’t to say that these things are EQ’d for but rather it takes an already great sound and gives it a much needed push to bring it from great to amazing much like a high-end tube amp.
 
The bass and ambiance are the ends of the spectrum. What about that crucial mid-range where the soul of the music lies? The Fischer Audio Mystify really impresses with its naturalness. In other words, it doesn’t hype up the midrange or obscure it. I think the Fischer Audio team knows that the midrange is critical and focuses on preserving that natural sound. It’s almost as if they want that to be their sound signature. Vocals sound amazing and completely natural. For example, listen to Susan Wong’s “Close To You” and you will notice that it sounds great on any system. However, with the Fischer Audio Mystify and some natural sounding headphones, Wong’s voice is exquisitely delicate, airy and carries across some analog warmth that most people are hard pressed to find even with some tube amps. Without the Fischer Audio Mystify in the signal path, great recordings still sound great but include it in the signal path and the clarity once thought not to exist is sure to impress not only for seemingly appearing from nowhere but also for how natural it actually sounds.
 
Not to be fooled by superb recordings, I put on some mediocre recordings. I played “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. It’s not mediocre but the master tape apparently went through so many dubs that its actual physical quality was degraded quite a bit. The result is that there is quite a bit of distortion on the master tape. You can’t really tell unless you have a good system or really pay close attention with IEM’s. I played it going from my Rockboxed Clip+ -> Fischer Audio Mini to Mini -> Mystify -> FA-003’s. So, was the distortion there? Yes, it was there and completely present in the same amount as my mastering system.  That doesn’t say much until you consider the fact that my mastering system is worth a whole lot more than the small semi-portable combination. It sounds even better with the DBA-02’s!
 
I decided to listen to some of my demo material and some other amps I have available and do some comparisons. Some of these amps are considered state of the art and some are still beloved by many here on Head-fi. Time and time again I played the same song on different set-ups. My conclusions are that the Fischer Audio headphones definitely have some synergy with the Heed Canamp. I have said this before. However, with the Fischer Audio Mystify that special synergy is taken to another level. I don’t know why and I wish I knew more about electrical engineering so I could understand why. Keep in mind that most of the amps I own are home amps. While some of the portables I own and have borrowed are great, what puts the Fischer Audio Mystify above them all is the natural synergy they have with natural sounding headphones. The UE-10, the DBA-02, the FA-003, the FA-002W-OW, the HP-1000 and the Senn HD-600 all sounded so darn good with the Fischer Audio Mystify.
 
Fischer Audio hasn’t come out and said that the Fischer Audio Mystify is in the same league as X or Y amp. In fact, a careful Google search reveals they haven’t said anything at all about the Mystify. I’ll be the first to say that the Fischer Audio Mystify is in the same league as some dedicated home headphone amps and when used with natural sounding headphones, it’s in a league which few combinations have reached for me.
 

 
Shut up and tell us the sum of it all……
 
As with everything, which portable amplifier is the best really depends on your requirements and budget. If you’re not listening to music on the go and have power hungry headphones like the HD-800 or AKG-1000’s, the Fischer Audio Mystify is obviously not for you.
 
If you’re like me and frequently find yourself on the road or stuck at the mall waiting for your wife, having a great sounding portable headphone amplifier that can easily fit in your pocket is a real blessing.
 
The cherry on top of this sonic treat is just how darn good the Fischer Audio Mystify sounds. I have yet to hear another portable that synergizes so well with natural sounding headphones and IEM’s. Even among all the options out there, I truly believe there is a place for an amp that sounds this good. Even better is that you can take this thing anywhere and enjoy it to your hearts desire.
 
How much does it cost? I have no idea because Fischer Audio hasn’t answered my emails (probably busy cooking up other nice stuff). I don’t know the details but I would personally value it at between $375.00 - $450.00 USD. Would I recommend it at those prices? NO. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! Owners of the DBA-02, JH-13, UE-10, FA-003 and fans of natural sound signatures take note! You must, MUST, give this amp a try. It really does have a special flavor with natural sounding IEM’s and headphones. If it’s less than $350, then IMHO, it’s a bargain considering I have heard much more expensive tube amps that do not sound this good. If it’s more than $450.00, then Fischer Audio has missed the “bargain” mark in my opinion.
 
I also want to point out that while the little power toggle switch looks awkward and weak, it’s actually quite functional and very strong. It’s also very easy to find in your pocket and when there is a mini to mini plugged in, it’s unlikely that something in your pocket will be small and strong enough to break it. I found it super easy to reach in without looking and turn it off when I was done. I really love this little amp! I really wish this thing had a DAC so I could use it with my laptop on the go. Now that would be phenomenal!
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
 

This might seem like an attractive portable digital recorder BUT there are better options available. I would urge everyone to carefully consider the alternatives available as there are better recorders at this price point.
 
The only positives I see about this recorder is the affordable price, the big screen, decent sound quality with external mics and 4GB internal memory. THAT'S IT!
 
Battery life is fantastic...well...yes and no. It's long lasting if you record on the lower settings. On high resolution settings, you get about 6 hours or less of recording time. However, there are more cons to this recorder that make it a no deal for me, especially if you consider the other options available at similar price points. A lot of consumers feel this Sony, and it's bigger brother, the D-50, are the top of the heap but this is simply not true. While this recorder might fit the bill for some people (business execs recording meetings, news reporter doing indoor interviews, etc), it simply will be a rip-off for musicians and amateur recordists.
 
If you are hell bent on buying this thing just know the following:
 
1. The mics are extremely sensitive to wind noise.
(the accessory to eliminate wind noise is pricey too!)
2. No XLR inputs.
3. The covers are flimsy - I almost broke one.
4. Mediocre field recording quality mostly due to no. 1.
5. The limiter doesn't prevent mic overload (and they overload easily).
6. The mic's produce phase shifting which kills image localization.
7. Does not come with a case!
8. No overdubbing.
9. Lacks many tracking options.
 
EDIT: Apparently it does use Micro SD too! My friend who let me borrow it told me it only used Sony memory cards. Fixed my review and associated ratings! Thanks for the correction!

 
SPEC’S:

1. › Frequency range: 10-26500 Hz
2. › Sensitivity: 105 dB
3. › Impedance: 64 Om
4. › Input power: 120 mW
5. › Length of a cable: 3.0 M
6. › Color: bronze/black
7. › Etc: additional cushions, 6.3mm screw-on jack adapter.

 
EQUIPMENT USED ON THIS REVIEW:

1. Portable set-up: Sansa Clip+ (Rockboxed) ->UE Mini2Mini ->RSA Shadow
2. Portable set-up: Ipod 5.5G -> ALO Cotton Dock -> RSA Shadow
3. Home Rig 1: Sony D-25S -> UE Mini2Mini from Line out-> Heed CanAmp
4. Home Rig 2: Denon DCD 1560 CD Player – RCA -> Heed CanAmp
5. My mastering rig

 
BACKGROUND & FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
 
When I received this new package the rush of fear set in. I started to sweat at the thought that my box might be empty and someone may have stolen the headphones that were destined to be reviewed by me. Luckily that wasn’t the case.
 

 
When I opened the box I was greeted with the FA-003 among other headphones. The FA-003 came packaged in a cool black carrying case. On opening the case you find the FA-003, the cable, warranty and some replacement cushions. How awesome is it to get replacement cushions along with your initial purchase?!?!?! Kudos to Fischer Audio for that added generosity!
 

 
The feel of the FA-003 surprised me. No wonder I thought I had been robbed! These headphones weigh nearly nothing! They look heavy and well built but are surprisingly light. The cushions are soft and the metal coverings look really nice. Just for prep work, I hooked up the FA-003’s on one of my rigs along with my custom test disc and let it be for 48 hours.
 

 
THE MUSIC & THOUGHTS ON SOUND:
 
1. Paul Simon – You Can Call Me Al from the album “Graceland” 
The sound is just awesome. Detail is there. Air is there. No sibilance. No boomy bass. VERY NICE!
 
2. Paul Simon – Homeless from the album “Graceland” 
The voices sound natural, as natural as my HD-600’s.
 
3. Nat King Cole – Stardust from the DCC release of “Love Is The Thing” 
Nat’s voice  sounds natural, the strings are as airy as they should be but they aren’t bright or suppressed. The sound is very natural. 
 
4. Danny Elfman – This is Halloween from the soundtrack “Nightmare Before Christmas”
The voices are all distinct. Bass is very tight. The soundstage and imaging on this track is better than most and is quite impressive considering they are closed headphones.
 
5. Absolute Silence – custom demo track made by myself.
Except for a slight pop the Clip+ added when the track finished, it was completely dead silent for the entire duration of the track.

6. Bach – Solo Cello Suites from the Mercury Living Presence release feat. Janos Starker
The cello sounds as natural as could be. On par with my HD-600’s. Ambiance and detail are fantastic.

7. Ella Fitzgerald – Sweet & Lovely from the album “Sings Sweet Songs For Swingers”
Nice. Ella comes across very natural. The bass is really tight and extends very naturally.  The dynamics and transients are quick. Imaging is superb. Listened to entire album!

8. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication & Scar Tissue from the album “Californication”
The bass is nice and tight. The distortion and clicks can be heard quite clearly. Very impressive.

9. Lady Gaga – Poker Face from the album “The Fame”
The bass is awesome without being over-powering or bloated. Once again, the bass is very tight with nice extension. Vocals are also very nice. The detail is all there. Nice imaging for such a monoraul sounding track.
 
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS
 
Where to start!? I wish I could shake someone’s hand over at Fischer Audio and congratulate them for having such great sounding headphones and IEM’s. Much like the DBA-02, I found myself listening to track after track and album after album. The sound is very neutral while maintaining a touch of fun. I gotta be honest and say that I am rather enamored with the FA-003’s. They are light, comfy and sound fantastic. These are mastering grade headphones and I wouldn’t hesitate for one second to recommend them for such critical sound applications. The sonic picture the FA-003’s painted time after time never failed to impress me. By the way…Ella Fitzgerald on the FA-003’s is like a fine wine at the end of the day – just awesome.
 
The actual FA-003 case is very cool. I hope Fischer Audio decides to keep this packaging as it is very attractive. It’s not only attractive, but it also helps protect your investment and to carry your headphones to Head-Fi meets! I hope to see them keep this packaging with their more expensive headphones and leave the boxes for other models.
 
The actual sound of the FA-003 is very open and sounds like an open headphone design. However, the isolation is very good. I was able to listen to music while my wife was asleep without even a single track waking her up from three feet away. This is truly the best of both worlds. If you have heard an HD-600, then you know for the most part what to expect from the FA-003. It has a very balanced, neutral sound without ever being sibilant or boomy.
 
While waiting for these headphones I was informed that they are often compared to the HD-650’s and that the quality was not considered to be that good because Fischer Audio did not design the actual headphone casing. This would lead to poor bass and a veiled sound. This did bring some concern to me but upon handling them and most importantly, hearing them, I can say that these concerns have no basis whatsoever. They sound nothing like the HD-650’s and are built very well as far as I can tell.
 
The mids are beautifully positioned, front and center right where they should be. Positioning isn’t an issue either as it presents a very accurate soundstage. Soundstage depth is very good as is soundstage width. This in turn makes the FA-003 a very holographic sounding headphone – as good as the HP-1000 in terms of positioning. The treble is smooth and moderately extended without being bright or sibilant. The bass is extended but very tight and controlled. The only time the bass was boomy was when a recording had boomy sounding bass.
 
What about that veiled sound? My response: What about it? It’s none existent in the FA-003. I hate a veiled sound and I am happy to say that there is no veil here.
 
Although the FA-003’s do not require an amp, I would highly recommend you listen to them with an amp. While the volume may be sufficient coming straight out of the Clip+ or an iPod, the authority and presence of the FA-003 only increase when an amp is added in the mix. I felt the FA-003’s had particular synergy with the Heed CanAmp.
 
Another cool thing are the actual headphone cables. They are removable and user replaceable. I can already see a ton of people making custom cables for the FA-003's. They connect at the base of the headphone cups using a mono jack for each side. The cable is soft, provides no microphonics and is held securely in place. A cool design IMHO.
 
THE VERDICT:
 
It will now be harder to pick a favorite headphone: HD-600, HP-1000, FA-003, RS-1, CD-3000, R-10 or others. Yes, this headphone is now one my favorites. Is it the end all, be all? No, but it is worthy of being considered along with other great headphones.
 
It will also be much harder to recommend only one Fischer Audio headphone or IEM to you guys and gals. I was having a hard time before but now, it’s just become harder still. Fischer Audio is really on their game and the products show it. I have no doubt that if these products were better known, they would have no hard time usurping the throne of many famous or popular headphones. Yes…they are that good!
 
The killer as always is the price/performance value of the FA-003’s. MSRP is under $200! If someone told me they paid $600 for the FA-003, I wouldn’t call them liars nor would I call them stupid if they were indeed worth such an amount. Considering the price, the sound and the build quality, everyone here should have a pair of these.
 
The only recommendations I would have for Fischer Audio is to keep the carrying case and maybe include some velour pads along with the attached leather pads instead of a second set of leather pads. Extremely minor quibbles for what I feel are some amazing headphones at an unbelievable price. Now…GO GET A PAIR!
 
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

NOTE***These are my subjective opinions and should be taken as such. I always recommend you listen for yourself before you decide to make a purchase.***NOTE

SPEC’S:
•› Frequency range: 20-20000 Hz
•› Sensitivity: 104 dB
•› Impedance: 32 Om
•› Input power: 180 mW
•› Length of a cable: 1.25 M
•› Colors available: black (Bk), brown (Br).
•› Includes: 6.3 mm jack adapter.

EQUIPMENT USED ON THIS REVIEW:
•Portable set-up: Sansa Clip+ (Rockboxed) ->UE Mini2Mini ->RSA Shadow
•Portable set-up: Ipod 5.5G -> ALO Cotton Dock -> RSA Shadow
•Home Rig 1: Sony D-25S -> UE Mini2Mini from Line out-> Heed CanAmp
•Home Rig 2: Denon DCD 1560 CD Player – RCA -> Heed CanAmp
•My mastering rig

BACKGROUND & FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

After reading a few reviews about Fischer Audio I couldn’t help but to feel curious and take the reviews with a grain of salt. However, the temptation was a bit too strong so I contacted Fischer Audio through another reviewer and to my surprise, Fischer sent me a box of their products for me to listen to.

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On first glance the FA-004 looks like another OEM product you might find at Fry’s. The packaging is simple and it serves it purpose.
Once you open the packaging you will find the headphones with an attached adaptor.

The look of the FA-004 is pure retro. It looks like those old elementary school phones you would use during certain English exercises or when listening to things at the library. In my opinion, the look is awesome.

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THE MUSIC & THOUGHTS ON SOUND:

1.Paul Simon – You Can Call Me Al from the album “Graceland”
The sound is pleasing. The soundstage is quite large and the bass is pronounced. Good detail.

2. Paul Simon – Homeless from the album “Graceland”
The voices sound natural. The ambiance is there and the soundstage is very good. The baritones come out a bit more.

3. Nat King Cole – Stardust from the DCC release of “Love Is The Thing”
Nat’s voice sounds natural, the strings are as airy as they should be but they aren’t bright or suppressed. The sound is very pleasant.

4. Danny Elfman – This is Halloween from the soundtrack “Nightmare Before Christmas”
The voices are all distinct. Bass is very nice. The soundstage and imaging on this track is better than most.

5. Absolute Silence – custom demo track made by myself.
Except for a slight pop the Clip+ added when the track finished, it was completely dead silent for the entire duration of the track.

6. Bach – Solo Cello Suites from the Mercury Living Presence release feat. Janos Starker
The cello sounds ever so slightly boomy. The ambiance and detail is present.

7. Ella Fitzgerald – Sweet & Lovely from the album “Sings Sweet Songs For Swingers”
Nice. Ella comes across rather natural and a bit more upfront. The bass is really showcased here and the soundstage is once again very nice. Imaging is superb. Very airy but not exaggerated.

8. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication & Scar Tissue from the album “Californication”
The bass is really shining through. The distortion and clicks can be heard but are not as clear as they should be.

9. Lady Gaga – Poker Face from the album “The Fame”
The bass is awesome without being over-powering or bloated. Vocals are also very nice. The detail is present as well.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

The one thing I noticed while listening to the FA-004 is that it does well with all types of music. It sounds similar to the Enigma IEM but with more authority across the entire range and superb imaging. The bass is pronounced yet the FA-004 has more accurate and articulate bass than your average headphones this size. It really shines with all tracks but especially with rock, pop and hip-hop. Like the Enigma, it has a very pleasing and fun sound signature. While the FA-004 definitely isn’t a transparent headphone, it is very, very pleasing while still retaining an over-all natural sound signature. Is it a monitor grade headphone? No. Is it near monitor grade? YES!

One of the most difficult things I find is describing the exact thing I am hearing because sound is so subjective and so intangible. The sound signature of the FA-004 is fun but natural. Imagine what an RS-1 and HP-2 would breed if they had a child that was adopted by the HD-600 and you have the sound of the FA-004. Complicated? Yes, I know. Let me dive into this further with the help of Frank Sinatra.

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The CD pictured above is one I cherish for it’s sound quality. One of the best, if not the best official Frank Sinatra release you will find. The prices on Amazon are also great! Now, let’s cue up track 11, “Love & Marriage”. This track has some nice bass in the intro and Frank’s voice is fabulous. On the HP-2’s, it’s just pure mellow and warm magic. Same with the HD-600’s, just a little less warm with Frank a bit more up front. With the RS-1’s, you get quite a bit more hiss and a slightly leaner sound. With Fischer Audio’s FA-004 you get a warm sound with a tad of hiss and a slightly more forward sounding Frank Sinatra. The FA-004 certainly doesn’t have such an open sound as the above headphones but you have to consider that the FA-004 IS NOT an open design. It’s certainly has better isolation that the above headphones but then again consider it IS NOT an open design. They are very comfortable for me and they isolate extremely well. My wife is not a deep sleeper and wakes up at the slightest of noises. I was listening to all types of music, about 3 feet away with the FA-004’s late at night and she never once woke up! For me, that alone makes these worthwhile!!!! Married guys…I know you understand this part.

Now, using the same CD, let’s cue up track 13, “How Little We Know”. The track starts out with an outtake. With the HP-2, the sound is warm and natural with almost no hiss. The HD-600 also gives out a natural sound with a wee bit of hiss. The RS-1 definitely lets you know that there is a tape playing as the hiss is all too noticeable. The FA-004 gives the natural presentation of the HD-600 with a hiss level between the HD-600 and RS-1.
If anything, for me at least, the above suggests that the FA-004 is a natural sounding dynamic headphone with a slight emphasis on the bass and highs. This give the FA-004 a very fun natural sound with a good sense of space and soundstage which only confirms my initial impression using the track “Homeless” from Paul Simon’s album “Graceland”.

For being a full size headphone, it did sound quite good without an amp – much better than the HD-600 or HP-2 un-amped. Plugged straight into my ipod or clip+, the sound was quite satisfying. However, I would highly recommend it be used with an amp to bring out its full potential. With an amp, the bass becomes tighter and more articulate and the entire frequency range plays with more authority and a clear, fuller body. When it was plugged into the Heed CanAmp, the synergy between the FA-004 and the CanAmp made for an eventful night of pleasurable listening. I listened to about 4 albums from first to last song with a big smile on my face. With the RSA Shadow the sound was just as impressive. Not quite as much synergy as with the Heed but still amazing considering its portability and power.

Not surprisingly, I found that these headphones upscale quite nicely as you move up the equipment chain. They sound great straight out of my ipod. They sound better on the Denon DCD 1560 CD Player going through the CanAmp and really impressed me coming out of my mastering rig. Not shabby at all!!! Certainly better than some Sony headphones I own that cost double the amount these do!

Once some of you handle the headphone and see it, you might think it’s a cheap quality headphone. I have had a few comments from people who have seen the one I have. I think the looks are subjective but if you are in the “cheap looking” camp, I urge you to reconsider owning this headphone as the sound quality it puts out is certainly not cheap at all. I would never have imagined that a headphone with this sound quality would be in the sub $100 market. That’s right…under $100.00 USA!!!!

So...considering everything, do I have any problems with the FA-004? YES. THE ONLY PROBLEM I FOUND: The included 6.3 mm jack adapter wasn't working so well. Easily fixed and frankly, I could care less if the jack adapter broke considering the great sound these put out.

Once again what gets my attention with Fischer Audio’s products is the price/performance ratio. All the prices I was able to find for these were under $80.00 US! If I had paid $150 for these, I wouldn’t be upset at all. I really do think these would be a good deal at $150.00. At $80 or under, these are an amazing deal. Just look at the headphones I was comparing them to and the difference in price! If anything, these could be the new entry level to high end sound and for many outside of head-fi'dom, probably an end point as well.


HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

After all these years, these continue to be considered among the best headphones ever made. I would agree. They are the most neutral headphones I have ever heard and certainly understand why they command such a high price.