FiiO FX17 (1 Dynamic + 4 Balanced Armature + 8 Electrostatic Driver) Flagship In-Ear Monitor

At the moment, what you are about to unveil is the masterpiece of FIIO acoustics.
Condensed from 18 years of acoustic expertise,this specially crafted acoustic unit,
gathers the highest acoustic technology,embodies the understated design aesthetics,
and interprets the ideal sound in your heart.
18 years of essence comes in one creation, where all sounds converge, just for you.

1 DD 4 BA 8 EST design per side
To get the best sound quality possible, the FX17 features a design of one dynamic driver, four balanced armature drivers, and eight electrostatic drivers per side. A five-way crossover has been precisely tuned to balance energy distribution among the driver and ensures each unit operates in its optimal state, resulting in a grander soundstage and more natural sound.

Eight electrostatic drivers with a truly airy feeling
Electrostatic drivers have exceptional high-frequency extension easily reaching 50kHz and sense of air that gives the listener a grander soundstage. Their downside is that their sensitivity is only 99dB/mW, which is low compared to the 110dB/mW sensitivity typically found in balanced armature and dynamic drivers - leading to the 'masking effect.' Thus, the FX17 uses 8 electrostatic units to increase sound pressure levels in order to make the electrostatic drivers more audibly perceptible as they handle the high and ultra-high frequencies above 6kHz, rather than just be for decoration.
*The masking effect refers to the phenomenon where the human ear's sensitivity to high-frequency signals within the presence of high-volume level low-frequency signals is reduced.

Four custom Knowles BA drivers
The FIIO FX17 uses two Knowles balanced armature driver composite units that handle the mid and high-frequency sounds. Each of the composite balanced armature driver units is divided into two parts, one part responsible for mids and the other for mid-high frequency – leading to denser mids and a more transparent sound and allows them to transition seamlessly into the electrostatic drivers. To achieve higher flagship-level vocal performance, FIIO, in collaboration with Knowles, custom-developed a 'Midrange Enhanced Balanced Armature Unit.' Acoustic vents have been added to the rear cavity of the balanced armature, which provide more sound energy reserves for the mid-frequency balanced armature unit to further tap into the driver’s advantages. The overall result is lush, mellow vocals that make the singer’s alluring voice seem as if it's truly right next to you.

Lithium-magnesium alloy diaphragm dynamic driver High-impedance material second only to beryllium
Lithium-magnesium alloy is lightweight, rigid, and has a density of 1.6g/cm³ - making it an ideal material second only to beryllium for a dynamic driver diaphragm. When reproducing high-frequency signals with rapid vibrations, the lithium-magnesium alloy diaphragm has excellent mechanical properties thanks to its high internal damping – leading to significantly reduced intrinsic frequency resonance and distortion. It allows distortion to not exceed 0.2%, for a truly clean sound.

Surging sound Patented S.Turbo acoustic design
Inspired by the turbos found in supercars, the FIIO Acoustic Center has meticulously developed the patented S.Turbo turbocharged acoustic design. It cleverly guides sound through a turbo-shaped structure to enhance the bass, making it robust and deep-extending. At the same time, it skillfully filters out excess mid and high-frequency information from the dynamic driver to ensure a smooth tonal transition between low and mid-high frequencies for a more powerful and rich sound.

Resonant back cavity, acoustic balance
The FX17’s back cavity has been optimized for better sound. By damping with vents that have a diameter of only 0.2mm, the FX17 precisely controls the airflow and thus achieves air damping balance between the front and back cavities of the dynamic driver. Not only does this enhance the Q factor and amplitude of the dynamic driver, it also improves low-frequency extension, as well as enhancing mid-frequency clarity and transparency.

Electronic and physical five-way crossover
"On the FX15 there is a switch to turn on and off the electrostatic drivers, to prove they are not just for decoration but are important in handling a wide high-frequency response range. I believe many audiophiles have already experienced highly resolving treble that electrostatic drivers are capable of. The FX17 increases the number of electrostatic drivers – responsible for handling frequencies above 6kHz - to 8 per side, reducing the power requirements. The FX17 also adopts an electronic and physical dual-system five-way crossover design for precise control over the drivers. This not only ensures a smooth frequency response curve but also a flat impedance curve for broader adaptability. Such a crossover design ensures balanced energy distribution and smooth transitions between drivers, at both low and high volumes."

Pure titanium construction
The FX17 features a minimalist aesthetic, with a classic and natural curved cavity. The FX17’s shell ear shell cavity is made of high-density, high-strength titanium that is precisely milled from a single block and meticulously hand-polished. It is treated with vapor deposition which hardens the surface and gives it a lustrous finish, making for a beautiful display of light and shadow intertwined.