FiiO - FX17

Yu9 que, Fiio fx17, are the best I've tried. I have top pro, only use it for 1week and sold it.

+1 I prefer it over my annihilator and mest mk2

Now try fiio fx17, and u will be blown away

Yeah, for music I prefer my FX17 (more than my MKIII), but for gaming I prefer my HD800s.

I also value uniqueness of design and other things like accessories, the Fiio are titanium, beautiful but they lack that unique part in my opinion. They are excellent in sound and value of drivers.

Mest MK2 ests are hardly noticeable, there’s something about legacy iems with first gens of est that they’re not even on par with BAs . (If not mistaken current gen is 3 or 4) I would say my experience with: prestige LTD( amazing, there’s so much air and anything from mid to upper range is just magic) Monarch mk3 was not as good as Prestige Volare (I have, is good, very nice punchy bass too, but remember it’s like 649$ in retail) Worth mentioning: Fiio FX17! 8 ESTs and price is 1499$ (it’s a lot, yeah) but all the reviews and comments are extremely good.

I guess this is not an absolute scale, but based on price/performance? I have the FX17 and had a DK3001BD. I don't think it's in the same league, though it's a far better bang for the back (esp in China where a DK3001BD can be had for 2800 RMB)

Even at $1500 , I've seen plenty of people claim the FX17 is actually a really good value for the money. I guess they must be TOTL good, considering it's becoming really hard to justify buying IEMs over $500 mark, based on audio quality alone. I'm normally a headphone guy, but I jumped on the FX17 because of how well it was reviewed, and thought I might as well have at least 1 IEM, and might as well buy the " best" one (without going into the absurdly priced category) In terms of build/feel, i was really impressed with the braindance. I actually prefer how it felt in the hands over the FX17. It's a bit heavier, and the ceramic coating is lovely. The FX17s are very light as they're made from Titanium. Fancier material, but doesn't feel as interesting in the hands as the ceramic coated braindance

Fx17, bc it’s my only IEM Super tempted by the Valhallha or Monarch IV as a side grade though

FX17, it is now my dream set.

**Merry Xmas ya'll!** Here's a quick list of the best IEMs I've heard that **came out** in 2025. Full video breakdown [here](https://youtu.be/jnNvbrCh8Yg). IEM Ranking List [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZHVib50XFQW4up3SwOZUTbI-hZB6Ir5LX6XnZblIM6o/edit?usp=sharing). \--------------------------------------------------------------------- **Under $25 (Sales Included)** * TangZu Waner 2 (Balanced/Clean) * Tanchjim Bunny/Zero Ultima DSP/3.5 (Balanced/All-Rounder) * HM: KZ Duonic (Bassy All-Rounder/Sub-bass focused) * HM: GK Kunten (Bassy All-Rounder) * HM: Kiwiears Belle (Warm/Bassy/Thick/Smooth) **Under $50 (Sales Included)** * 7Hz Elua Ultra (All-Rounder/Dynamic/Slight V) * KZ Zenith (Balanced/Clean/Smooth) * HM: Truthear x Crinacle Zero Blue 2 with 5 Ohm Adapter (Basshead) **Under $125 (Sales Included)** * Simgot EG280 (All-Rounder/Bright Leaning/Vocal Forward) * Tanchjim Fission (Neutral/Balanced/Smooth) * Kiwiears Airoso (Warm/Airy) * Kefine Quatio (Bassy/Dynamic/Versatile) * HM: JUZEAR Defiant (All-Rounder/Slight V/QC issues) * HM: Kiwiears Etude (Bouncy Bass/Scaling/Bone Conduction Drivers) * HM: 7Hz Diablo (Warm/Bassy/Thick/Dark) * HM: 7Hz Divine (Clean/Balanced) **Under $200** **(Sales Included)** * LETSHUOER S12 ULTRA (All-Rounder/Slight V/Bassy) * Crinear DayBreak/EPZ P50 (Balanced/Smooth/Vanilla) * Kiwiears Aether (Balanced/Airy) * Ziigaat Lush (Balanced/Warm Leaning/Scaling) * MYER CK2V (Bright/Sparkly) * HM: Punch Audio Portazo (Basshead) **Under $300 (Sales Included)** * Kiwiears Astral (All-Rounder/Slight V) * EPZ K9 (All-Rounder/Fuller-Less Shouty Harman 2019) * Softears Volume S (Balanced/Warm) * Ziigaat Crescent (Warm/Sparkly) * Punch Audio Martilo (Basshead) * Kiwiears Orchestra 2 (Neutral/Vocal Forward) * Yanyin Canon Pro/YU9 Que (Neutral/Smooth/Scaling) * HM: Kiwiears Septet (Bright/Airy) * HM: Tanchjim Force (Vocal forward/Clean) * HM: Juzear Defiant (Smooth/Scaling/Mid-Range) * HM: Dunu 142 (All-Rounder/Slight-V/Sharper Kiwiears Astral) **Under $500 (Sales Included)** * Thieaudio Hype 4 MK2 (Bright/Energetic/Clean) * Xenns Tea Pro SE (Balanced/Natural) * Xenns Top Pro (Balanced/Clean/Sparkly) * NICEHCK ROCKIES (Balanced/Full/Airy) * Ziigaat Luna (Warm/Airy) * Ziigaat Arcanis (Vocal Sauce/Mid-Range Scaling) * HM: HiSenior MEGA 7 (Balanced/Smooth/Neutral) **Under $2000** * Thieaudio Monarch MK4 (Clean All-Rounder/Bassy with Switch) * Thieaudio Valhalla (All-Rounder/Dynamic/Bassy) * LETSHUOER MYSTIC 8 (Neutral/Bright/Airy) * Softears RSV MK2 (Bassy All-Rounder/V-Shape) * FIIO FX17 (Warm All Rounder) * HM: AFUL DAWN-X (Sub-bass/Smooth/Scaling) * HM: BGVP SOLOMON (Bright/Slight V)

I received news that the FX17 had just arrived to my country, so I immediately went to a physical store to demo it. I compared it with some ultra-flagship IEMs and ended up buying it outright. The sound quality at this price point is an absolute steal – it absolutely nails female vocals and orchestral pieces, which happen to be my main music preferences. It literally felt like it was calling out to me to take it home. Haha. The tri-frequency integration is seamless, with a great soundstage. The bass is clean and never overpowers the mids, maintaining just the right amount of presence. Midrange sits naturally without being overly forward, yet retains excellent detail retrieval. The highs are ethereal with that signature EST sound and superb extension. Fiio's tuning game is seriously on point! The flagship iem I compare against: elysian annihilator Ice Lab Spectrumica Hercules Audio Moses For people look for better review, this video do a better than me. https://youtu.be/gf12cK0yY5U?si=xkmoNK1YOhq15YPZ

The Fiio FX17 is the best release of 2025 so far and second best I’ve ever heard next to the Canpur CP622B, but I’m currently waiting for the Asteria to arrive.

I have several favorites for different situations and moods. For critical listening and the best sound I’ve heard, it’s the Canpur CP622B. The only problem with this IEM is the fit, I’m unable to wear them for more than a couple of hours. For just fun and exciting music it’s the Ziigaat Estrella with the Shortbus Audio tape mod. For sleep it’s either the Dunu Glacier or the Xenns Tea Pro. And for everyday listening it’s the FiiO FX17. I truly believe FiiO created a masterpiece with this set and I know it sounds crazy, but at $1500 I think it’s a bargain.

I personally think the Fiio FX17 is the best IEM so far in 2025.

I 100% agree. I have commented many times that the Fiio FX17 is an absolute Masterpiece. I purchased blind because of Zeos review of it, and I am totally satisfied with the set. The only IEM I have heard that sounds better to me is the Canpur CP622B, which I can only wear for a couple of hours before it starts irritating my ears.

I only recommend sets I personally have tried or own and currently own north of 200 sets. A few of my current favorites that I own are the Thieaudio Origin, Dunu Glacier, Fiio FX17, and Canpur CP622B.

My current endgame is the Canpur CP622B, unfortunately I can't listen to it for more than a few hours because of fitment issues. The Fiio FX17 is my go-to when I'm not able to listen to the Canpur. For your endgame IEM I would suggest you check out the Symphonium Europa, it's a neutral set with great technicalities. Or for something under $1K, I would recommend the YU9 Que. It is definitely an IEM that punches above it's price point.

The Glacier is a fantastic IEM, a vee shaped set that is fun and has great soundstage, but the timber can sound a little unnatural at times. The FX17 is a warm set with some of the smoothest treble I've ever heard while still being very detailed. To me, it is a miracle that Fiio can sell the FX17 for the price they do. Titanium shells and 16 EST drivers by themselves should cost about what the whole package sells for. All that to say that the FX17 is my favorite all-around IEM and it would probably be a toss-up between the Que and the Glacier as to which would be my second.

2025 was a great year for IEMs. My favorite releases are the Melody Wing Venus, YU9 Que and the Fiio FX17. All of these are standouts in their price bracket. I really don't know how Fiio can sell the FX17 at the price it's selling for, it seems like they are losing money on it.