[shutterbox]

@shutterbox - if you get the chance - drop 2 kH by about 4 dB and 1 kHz by about 2 dB (with EQ) and see if that helps.

If I get the chance, I'd try that out

 

[haoyuan]

Hello, does anyone have any comments comparing these the XBA-z5? Are the similar in sound, or does the Z5 still have some special sauce?

I used to have the Z5 now am on Andromeda, but really miss the hybrid sound.

 

[ledzep]

yes, we have change the mmcx connector from FH5 to get the best connecting. BTW, the mmcx is still a big challenge to us. maybe we will have to change a better connector in the future.

Mmcx's are a tricky connector regarding different cables fitting tight or loose on different iems, the connection of the stock cable is a solid one and nothing wrong if your not going to change or unplug them much but as most mmcx's they will become loose over time due to wear. You can slightly open the ring washer to get a firmer hold ( if your careful ) . We use mmcx's in certain PCBs and power boards in my job but if they get unplugged more than 3 times when we are testing finished units we automatically change for new before shipping to customers due to reliability issues.

 

[billbishere]

I have been thinking about trying a Quad and Triple driver IEM. This one is high on my list.

 

[JamesFiiO]

Mmcx's are a tricky connector regarding different cables fitting tight or loose on different iems, the connection of the stock cable is a solid one and nothing wrong if your not going to change or unplug them much but as most mmcx's they will become loose over time due to wear. You can slightly open the ring washer to get a firmer hold ( if your careful ) . We use mmcx's in certain PCBs and power boards in my job but if they get unplugged more than 3 times when we are testing finished units we automatically change for new before shipping to customers due to reliability issues.

Yes, in fact, the mmcx is not designed for IEM connector, but most detachable design choose MMCX so it become a standard.

 

[JamesFiiO]

Do consider 2-pin in the future. Not ideal, but most people who cable roll have a collection of 2-pin connector cables.

Depended on our research, most detachable IEM used MMCX connector, and there are too many different kinds of 2-pin connector , so if we don't care about our IEM can use some 3rd party cable. we will design a special connector which only for us.

 

[Dsnuts]

Yes, we also found that the FH5 will benefit from a pure silver cable , that is the interesting part for the user to find !

I agree with Brooko that it is very much subjective on how we hear minor changes to sound using cables and tips but for me I found out a long time ago having the right tips for a particular iem is of the utmost importance for ME. I notice most manufacturers include a variety of what they think is universal for tips. For the most part included tips are usable but I have seen too many earphone included tips that are second thought or basically throw aways.

I honestly believe manufacturers don't really think things over when it comes to just how much variety of ear shapes and sizes their audience will have. Fiio actually does a good job, more than others that include their tips in the box. But even with the nice variety of tips. My FH5 sounds infintely better to me with a longer tips in the way of a double flange tips they did not include in the box. They sound more realized to me with a deeper incertion in my ears using a different tip. I tried every type of tips they included in the box and they work but don't sound or fit as good as my double flange tip I am currently using. In the same token. This same tip is useless on other earphones I own. This is the reason why as many earphones as I own I actually own more tips. I have a tool box with more different type of tips than I can count. Just for this reason.

Then there is the topic of cables. This is the most subjective of all but for me I can definitely hear a cleaner sound overall with a better textured bass end, better dynamic range using my silver cable on the FH5. I can go right back to the stock cable and it just don't sound the same. Same sound balancing and tuning but, just don't have that same sound from the silver cable. I have done this back n forth several times and I will most definitely stick to my silver cable. Guys have asked me if my cables I use cost more than the earphones themselves.

I have a basic rule of thumb when it comes to cables. No way am I gonna spend more than the earphones themselves on cables. That's just me. Aliexpress has cables that cost a fragment of what boutiques charge. My silver cable only cost me $65. But they make every single earphone they are attached to sound better in one way or another.

There is nothing wrong with using the stock cable. The FH5 sound perfectly fine with the stock cable. It is just that my silver cable it sounds better to my ears. Apparently James here agrees.

 

[mhoopes]

Depended on our research, most detachable IEM used MMCX connector, and there are too many different kinds of 2-pin connector , so if we don't care about our IEM can use some 3rd party cable. we will design a special connector which only for us.

Going to 2-pin doesn't automatically guarantee connective integrity, though it does mitigate the rotational wear factor inherent in non-threaded coaxial connectors. I recall the 2-pin implementation of Sennheiser over the last 20+ years; the HD 5xx 3.5 mm cables had notoriously flaky connections, which were improved with the 1/4" HD 650 cables.

I think the MMCX implementation in the FH5 is pretty good. I was able to detach the stock cable with what felt like an appropriate amount of effort (as opposed to the F9, which required the help of a tool). Though it detaches much more easily than the F9, the connector feels snugger (higher static friction after it's connected).

I see more choices in MMCX cables, by far (though I haven't done a proper survey) - I surmise Shure's influence has something to do with that.

 

[chupacabra314]

My "average joe" review of the FH5 is up : https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/fi...id-in-ear-monitors.23184/reviews#review-20688

 

[Mouseman]

Depended on our research, most detachable IEM used MMCX connector, and there are too many different kinds of 2-pin connector , so if we don't care about our IEM can use some 3rd party cable. we will design a special connector which only for us.

Please don't do that -- I think most people want the option of changing out cables for another option. Having proprietary connectors might cause me to not buy headphones -- I don't buy ones with non-detachable cables now, and this would be a similar kind of decision.

 

[snellemin]

I tried @Brooko 1k and 2k EQ dip and like the sound a lot with some other tips I found in my stash. I forgot where I got these tips from, but the sound is really nice with them. Funny how I have to EQ differently with Foam tips on.

 

[Dsnuts]

Those look like whirl wind tips.

 

[snellemin]

I like the MMCX connectors over the 2 pin. Unless you are cable rolling all the time, I don't see the MMCX being an issue. Worst case, I just solder a new MMCX set.

 

[chupacabra314]

Those look like whirl wind tips.

These used to come bundled with the Dunu DN1000. I miss them...

 

[Dsnuts]

They are cheap enough. Look on Aliexpress. I prefer my Spiral Dots over these every time. The only issue with the Whirlwind tips is that they have a very short stem on them so not very optimal for all earpones I have tried them on. But if they work on a phone they work.