Overview headphones FiiO F9 Pro is the strengthening of the position of

FiiO decided clearly to make 2017 a year of strong market entry IEM. Starting with , they continued another , extending it up to three modifications. The normal F9 I have already described, F9SE anything except the cable, not different from it, but that's about F9 Pro we will discuss today.

The Main feature that stood in the way F9 to «world domination», was a pronounced peak in treble around 7 kHz and, depending on the personal preferences of the listeners reviews on headphones ranged from «masterpiece» «the horror». Traditionally, the voices of people who confuse «I do not like» «not like anyone», sounded louder than others, but learn to filter those wishing to give a subjective opinion for the ultimate truth — the key to successful information gathering in the Network.

FiiO decided that the peak of HF can be smoothed, and generally — hybrid headphone not much happens, and there F9 Pro, the main difference of which was the use of perhaps the most famous reinforcement «parenica» Knowles TWFK, which gave change the sound on upper half frequency response. Also, improved delivery, and the price tag grew to about $ 140. What did that do to the ordinary listener — we now try to understand.

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specifications

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• Transducers: dynamic + 2 × balanced armature (Knowles TWFK-30017)
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• frequency Range: 15 Hz – 40 kHz
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• Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW
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• Impedance: 28Ω
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• Maximum input power 100 mW
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• Cable: 2 × 1.2 m, exchangeable with MMCX connectors
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• Plug: 3.5 mm TRRS, TRRS 2.5 mm balanced
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• Weight: 3.76 g (1 headphone, without the wires)

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Packing and delivery

Externally the box is almost the same as the previous model F9, and other FiiO products it differs a little: sealed in plastic outer box made of black cardboard inside another cardboard, but more dense. The earphones themselves are fixed in the insert of soft material that protects them from any damage. The accessories kit is also very good, except F9 in the box are:

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• plastic storage box
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• comfortable padded soft cover with zipper for quick winder earphone
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• 3 sets of three pairs of silicone ear tips
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• three pairs foam nozzles
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• balanced wire with 2.5 mm plug

«set» wire with three-button remote control

Here we can make two observations. The first tips here is not regretted, in theory, they should affect the sound, but in practice the difference is quite weak (although not zero). Second FiiO all the forces pushing users out of the balanced output, and because now, two of the most successful companies of the market of portable audio (FiiO and A&K), I think, can be considered a 4-pin 2.5 mm plug of the winning format.

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Design and usability

Appearance is expected has not changed compared to the normal version F9, the same metal oval case with a stylish wave pattern, the same ergonomic shape, sits perfectly in almost any ears. The level of performance is also very good, no obvious flaws is not observed.

The Earphones are designed to be worn behind the ear, and put their cable down would be problematic. Soundproofing in the typical for this form factor level, in other words — for the street or public transportation will suffice, but in the subway or airplane noise will interfere.

FiiO has considered the complaint in the first revision F9, consisting in the fact that their cable is very hard to detach (usually with Chinese headphones complaints rather consist in the fact that the cable disconnects too easily), so they changed the MMCX connectors, complete wiring, making them slightly larger and adding a «notches» improves grip. In this situation, it really helped, and the cable now detaches much simpler, but, of course, only if the necessary effort. The connectors here are quite tight, and if they do not deliberately undermine, spontaneous shutdowns can hardly wait. Was also changed slightly the angle of exit of the wires from the body of the earphone, which improved fixation of cables behind the ear. Those changes were not only Pro-version, but the new revision of conventional F9.

Complete wire traditionally two pieces. Set — the most simple, but reliable, he has good thickness in the cold to harden a little, the microphone effect is weak. Three-button headset that will please owners of fresh players FiiO that can work with all the buttons, MIC quality is slightly better than average.

But, of course, the main complete wire — balanced. It is soft, twisted, very easy to operate. Plug was changed from direct to angular, which should benefit the longevity of the cable and socket of your player.

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Sound

To listen To the following equipment was used.

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• and the role of the DAC and amplifier
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• Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as the source
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• the role player
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• , and the other in the role of portable players
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• Recording high-resolution Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky have The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)

Before listening headphones were heated for 48 hours.

I start by discussing the perception of sound F9 Pro «», and then write what you think about them relative to «common» version.

Bas «proshek» — quite fast, a little stressed-shock with a slight accentuation of elasticity and hlestkost that adds glamor, especially bass-oriented styles. The texture and separation of instruments is good for its price level, the depth is also satisfactory, bass is very linear, without strong dips and climbs.

As the frequency response of the headphones kept everything the same small V-shape, the lower midrange is slightly lowered relative to the midbass, but the difference is only about 10 dB and kompensiruet unevenness of sound perception by hearing, so talking about «taste feeding» or «saviotti mid» there is a clear stupidity. In nature this is a typical reinforcing good mid-range with emphasis on upper mid: neutral, detailed, with a slightly accelerated attacks and a nice underlining emotions high votes. Imaginary scene a little more than average in width and depth, with a clear division of plans and tools.

HF is still accented, and, as in the case of conventional F9, this will become a major stumbling block. For me, for example, HF F9 have not passed the threshold of what is permitted, unless, of course, choose a very bright source, and frankly poor quality recording, on the contrary, the peak on the treble is often added to the airiness and lightness to many compositions. The offset of this peak and decrease sharpness, to my ears, even more improved the situation, the treble sounded more natural and comfortable, although typical for expensive models of separation of instruments and study of the attenuation still not enough. Just in case I will repeat the obvious — I'm talking about my personal perception of sound, which may not coincide with yours, so if you're sensitive to treble region — listen to the headphones before buying.

If we talk about the comparison of the normal version and F9Pro, you must make a small digression.

The World of audio (including portable) seen different cranks, one of the most interesting varieties which are «audience charts» users who love to draw conclusions about the sound of headphone measurements, while hiding behind this «objectivity». Especially funny are those who relies only on one graph the frequency response. Of course, the graphics and the measurements are important, but, first, only one frequency response is clearly insufficient to draw conclusions, and secondly — still a personal audition will not replace anything, because our auditory apparatus is still subjective. Don't be like Patricia Vetinari, who enjoyed the music «perfect form» — reading sheet music.

F9Pro well demonstrate that one AFC not make conclusions. Judging by the measurements, the difference between the regular and Pro version is the minimum, below 1 kHz, their schedules are generally identical (though a speaker is to have the same, so it's not surprising). Above 1000 Hz the difference is not too drastic, the Pro is a little above the region of 2-4 kHz, and the peak on the treble became smaller and shifted in the frequency response slightly higher (7 to 8 kHz), plus a little more detailed treble above 10 kHz, it would seem that sound should be almost identical, but in fact the difference is still noticeable.

If you compare two versions of hybrids FiiO, then changed the emphasis on VSC and RF had helped to open up the bass, it has become a bit drier and adarna. Telesna sound a little midrange and a little less critical of the quality of the recording and the treble became more comfortable and naturally.

Of Course, in this price range there are other good models.

Ostry KC09. Perhaps the «universal» the sound of the model I boldly just would recommend to take without a wire. They do not have a pronounced wow effect, but play it all in confident level. A little dark flow with smoothed treble makes them a good choice for poorly recorded music with a surplus «top». Compared to F9 Pro serve slightly smooth and dark.

MEE Audio Pinnacle P1. F9 Pro is a small step up from the usual F9 to side «pinnacle». P1 have a very characteristic sound with the unusual length of the high frequency range, and slightly elevated above 10 kHz HF F9 Pro and make them sound closer to P1. In General, the flow model MEEAudio more linear and has a pronounced V shape frequency response.

12 Meze Classics. A good example of a good dynamic model with comfortable, not very bright presentation. Here, of course, no resolution and scene study F9...