FiiO - Wind

TL;DR for those short on time or not inclined to read the entire review # Pros * Good technical chops * Super lightweight and very comfortable * Good build quality and flexible materials * One set of spare pads included * In-line microphone is the icing on the cake * Affordable price # Cons * V-shaped with some treble peaks means not the most natural-sounding headphones * Koss competitors are still more refined \---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- # Introduction Snowsky, as many of you probably already know about, is a new FiiO sub-brand that’s focusing on old-school looking portable gear. Together with the Snowsky Echo Mini and Retro Nano, the Snowsky on-ear headphones were released targeting those who like vintage-looking headphones like the ones that used to be shipped with older walkman players. In this review, I’ll be sharing my own opinion on the Snowsky Wind and I will try to compare it with some of its peers. >*Disclaimer: the Snowsky Wind were sent to me by FiiO so that I could write an honest review. This review represents my personal opinion on the set, it isn't promotional or paid content and I don’t get any revenue from the sales of this product.* *At the time of the review, the Snowsky were sold for $19.99 at FiiO’s Official Aliexpress Store.* https://preview.redd.it/fu5gzkql8pme1.jpg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=81f7374f498c3c45599d74e9f0334b126c0e7d11 # Technical Specifications * Driver Configuration → 1 x 40mm Dynamic Driver (Japan Imported PET Composite Diaphgram) * Impedance → 32 Ω * Spec-sheet Frequency Response → 20Hz-20kHz  * Sensitivity → 116 dB/Vrms@1kHz * Cable → 1.25m braided fixed cable * Plug Type → 3.5mm # Packaging The packaging of the Snowsky Wind is very colored yet pretty basic inside. In fact, it only contains: * The Snowsky Wind * A pair of spare/replacement pads * User manual I want to add that some brands include very few tips or no accessories, yet Fiio still included one pair of spare pads for such a cheap price (and this is a big plus). https://preview.redd.it/vomjdutq8pme1.jpg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b4f28a99cc425e56ae4f0d2f6ab2dfdbac6b375 https://preview.redd.it/mhervcor8pme1.jpg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fb39c5e1ecf45d8d68ed62923756e034c518b062 # Design, Build Quality, Comfort and Isolation The combination between the plastic ear cups and the metal headband makes up for a good looking, lightweight and sturdy set for your everyday usage. The design kind-of reminds me the old Sony MDR-3, a vintage pair of headphones that were sold together with their TPS-L2 cassette player (curiosity: this is the cassette player from which Moondrop has designed the case of their Golden Ages 1979 TWS set).The pads can swivel a bit, the clamping force is not a problem at all, the comfort is amazing and they don’t become uncomfortable on the head even after very long sessions. Isolation is not a thing, just like with any other on-ear headphone. If anything, despite the very light pressure applied on the ears can seem like an overly positive thing, having a bit more clamping force would help keeping the headphones in a more stable fit while running or doing some activity that involves moving.Since I use this set mostly when I am sitting at my desk, this doesn’t bother me and instead I’m super happy that they gently stay on my ears without bothering me even after very long sessions. https://preview.redd.it/zygn308t8pme1.jpg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=32161b2d81a83d8c4adf81593dc37bcad339b946 https://preview.redd.it/0r1crz7t8pme1.jpg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8720ad4a709b24ead739fcc81fb253a7c146f8d4 https://preview.redd.it/97fb878t8pme1.jpg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c9cd19837cd3e844f74d1e7ffb9a0d7379d2d5f1 # Cable The cable is fixed, it’s very flexible and lightweight and my only complaint is that there isn’t any strain relief near the earcups. I am very careful with every set that I get my hands on, but those who aren’t should be careful while carrying these in a backpack without any sort of case/cover (and, well, I am not going to complain for the absence of a case, especially considering the price of the Wind).There is a remote mic on the cable and I will try to include a test in the sound section so that everyone can have an idea on its recording performance (don’t expect studio-grade recording capabilities, so keep your expectations on the lower side). https://preview.redd.it/5vhs338u8pme1.jpg?width=6000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=730a2ceba62bfd2da16184f62cc8070f3ce81ec4 # Sound **GEAR USED FOR THE TEST** * DAC: Topping E30  * AMP: Topping L30, FiiO A3 * Mobile phones: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Xiaomi Mi A3, Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra * Moondrop May’s DSP cable with PEQ=0 * Wired Dongles: Apple Type-C dongle, Fosi DS2, RZ200M dongle * Bluetooth DACs: Snowsky Retro Nano * Portable DAPs: Snowsky Echo Mini, Benjie S8/AGPTEK M30B * Bluetooth Adapters: KBEAR S1, KZ AZ10  * Other sources: Presonus AudioBox iONE, Elgato Wave XLR **Amplifier needed?** No, it’s not strictly needed, even though using a good source is always a good idea. **Let’s speak about the sound.** The Snowsky Wind are V-shaped with some emphasis on the bass and treble regions. Since these are on-ear headphones, the sub-bass isn’t as visceral as it is on some closed-back cans or IEMs, but it’s there and you can hear it even though you don't really “feel” the rumble. The bass, instead, is punchy and adds some proper dynamism to the overall sound. It’s not the fastest or most textured bass around, but it sounds fun. The midrange is slightly scooped in but this doesn’t really cause any coherency issue whatsoever; the main issue is that the vocals are pushed backwards so if you’re searching for a pair of on-ear cans to listen to your favourite singer’s voice, then these are not for you (or, better said, these could be for you if you’re able to accept this compromise). The treble is spicy and this adds some air and sparkle to the overall sound, but I think these could and should have been smoother. The detail retrieval is pretty good too, but this comes at the expense of a slightly more fatiguing treble. The main point isn’t about these being brighter, the point is having some mid-range recession and then some treble peaks, which cause some spiciness that doesn’t translate in a constantly bright sound (which would be somewhat “smoother”). I honestly like them anyway as treble peaks don’t really bother me if the sound is still fun and far from being like a sewing needle in my ears, but I get that some may not like the treble tuning here. The **soundstage** rendering is pretty wide yet with very limited depth and height, and the **imaging** is fairly precise as well, especially considering the price range and the type of product. **Is “Grado Pads mod even a thing here?”** No, it isn’t. The Wind become very sibilant, super bright and the bass decreases so much that they become unusable, at least in my opinion. **Are they something I would use considering my taste and preferences?** Yes. The fun-oriented tuning and the exceptional comfort make up for a great day-to-day set, especially when you don’t need outstanding performance or when you need to have a soft music background while doing other things. Low volume daily companion, this is what I consider them. # Sound **Snowsky Wind vs ROSESELSA Distant Mountain** >The Wind play in a league on their own when it comes to comfort, since the Distant Mountain have a lot of clamping force and become uncomfortable after about 15 minutes of listening. Sure, you can always stretch them over books for some time, but if we speak about the out-of-the-box experience, the Wind are much more comfortable. If we speak about pure technical performance, the Distant Mountain take the lead: better low-end punch and textures, faster bass, superior resolution, and even better imaging. The Wind, instead, have a wider soundstage and they are slightly less weird when it comes to vocals, even though they still have a pretty spicy treble that treble-sensitive folks aren’t gonna like. If you like EQing, the Distant Mountain are very good since the driver quality is superior, but if you want a ready-to-play set, then the Wind are very good for the price (the Distant mountain costs about 3.5x times the price of the Wind, so…). The build quality of the Distant Mountain is a lot better than the Wind, but we’re talking about a much higher price as well.The Distant Mountain come with better packaging and accessories and a better cable, which is also detachable (the Wind, instead, have a fixed cable). **Snowsky Wind vs Koss KSC75** >Everyone wants to know if the Wind can beat the budget on-ear king aka Koss KSC75, and the short answer is “nope”. The Wind provide for a more traditional wearing experience thanks to the flexible metal headband, but if you don’t dislike clip-on earphones the true advantages of the Wind end here. The Wind are more V-shaped, with a more recessed midrange and a spicier treble. The KSC75, on the other hand, still have some low-end, but the fact is that the midrange isn’t as recessed as on the Wind so they end up having less “body” in the low-end. The KSC75 still dominate when it comes to the midrange and treble, with more forward and more lively vocals, better resolution and slightly superior detail retrieval, along with a more coherent response that is constantly on the brighter side without true peaks, so they end up being smoother and more natural overall. The Wind seem to play in a more open sound field because the midrange recession helps in this regard, and the low-end is a tad punchier, but the KSC75 win on every other aspect in my opinion. The build quality is better on the Wind, that also look and feel more flexible for the day-to-day usage. Comfort is great on both, depending on what you prefer. The cable of the KSC75 is worse and doesn’t even have an in-line microphone (which is a missed opportunity). The Wind come with a better packaging and a pair of spare pads, whereas the KSC75 come with nothing else in the box. **Snowsky Wind vs Koss KPH30i** >The KHP30i are warmer, they have better note weight and slightly superior textures, and this mostly because the more polite treble makes up for a warmer, more mature and slightly fuller sound. The midrange is less recessed on the KPH30i, with slightly leaner vocals and a more mature yet less detailed treble response. The Wind, on their side, play in a wider soundstage and can extract a few more bits of information, but this comes at the expense of a more fatiguing sound overall, especially if you listen at medium to high volumes. The imaging is mostly on par with a slight advantage for the Wind, mostly because of the more emphasized treble and the wider soundstage. When it comes to comfort, the Wind are easier to like because they have very little clamping force, whereas the KHP30i have some clamping (even though it’s not dramatic), but I like the fact that the KPH30i clamp a bit more because this gives the bass more weight (the driver pushes a bit more on the ears) and the headphones are a bit more stable on my head while I am walking or doing something at home. Isolation is not a thing on both, maybe the KPH30i insulate a tad more because of the slightly stronger clamp. The build quality is so-so on the KPH30i and the Wind look and feel more flexible and less delicate for daily usage.Packaging and accessories are better on the Wind, since they also come with a set of spare pads, whereas the KPH30i’s in-line microphone is better. You can do the Grado Pads mod on the KPH30i, you can’t with the Wind. The KPH30i cost almost twice as much as the Wind, at least here in Europe, but I would honestly spend what I’ve spent for the KPH30i again, again and again. **Snowsky Wind vs Shini S520** >It’s surprising to see the Shini S520 compared with pricier on-ear sets, especially because it costs as much as a coffee-break. Even though you can’t expect the same level of performance of the Wind, I’d say that the S520 are a great starting point, with a very respectable tuning for such a low price. I am not even going to discuss about the technical aspects since the Wind completely delete the S520 when it comes to soundstage, imaging and detail retrieval, but if I have to give the edge to the S520 on something in particular, then it’s the midrange, which is more forward and more natural than on the Wind. The Wind sound a bit more “old-school”, more V-shaped, more technical yet less neutral. The S520 come in a plastic bag, so packaging isn’t even a thing. Comfort goes to the Wind hands down, isolation is non-existent on both sets. # Final Thoughts If we consider that the Wind are the first on-ear headphone from Snowsky, I can only say that they’ve done a good job: this vintage-looking set sounds fun, it’s super lightweight, the technical performance is pretty good for the price and the price itself is very attractive. I don’t think it’s a perfect set because of the spicy treble and the recessed midrange that cause some timbrical inconsistencies, especially at higher volumes, but everything else makes up for an affordable set that is correctly priced and that sounds fun enough to be worth picking up. In my opinion, the KSC75 and KPH30i still dominate in their respective price tags, but the Wind is a breath of fresh air and I really hope to see Snowsky releasing an upgraded/improved version of the Wind, trying to face and beat Koss’ products that are still the undisputed kings of the affordable on-ear market.