FiiO FD3From real comments

Name: FiiO FD3
Rating: 2.8 (12 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 12 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment50%

PROS 50%

CONS 50%

Rank based on 12 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want energetic mids and treble for rock, metal, or orchestral tracks
You like tinkering with swappable sound tubes and tips to shape the sound
You're shopping in the budget/entry-level IEM bracket and want a well-regarded tuning

What users love

Energetic, detailed tuning0 mentions

Strongly positive

Great for rock, metal, and orchestral genres0 mentions

Widely praised

Daily-driver pleasantness0 mentions

Widely praised

Strong value in the budget bracket0 mentions

Widely praised

Fun tinkering with swappable sound tubes0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You have tight ear canals and struggle with large nozzles
You need USB-C connectivity instead of a mini jack
You're bass-sensitive or dislike a forward treble without EQ

What users complain about

Treble can feel forward0 mentions

Generally negative

Bass perceived as offensive or overwhelming over time0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Default tuning needs EQ to sound natural0 mentions

Generally negative

Large nozzle causes fit problems for some ears0 mentions

Frequently criticized

No USB-C connector0 mentions

Generally negative

MMCX connector reliability concerns in the FiiO lineup0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Premium

Tanchjim Darling

Elegant, Premium DesignComfortable Final-Style WearExcellent ImagingPoor Value at Price PointHigh Price Relative to Sibling ModelFatiguing Treble Peak

Tanchjim Darling

Elegant, Premium Design

Comfortable Final-Style Wear

Excellent Imaging

Poor Value at Price Point

High Price Relative to Sibling Model

Fatiguing Treble Peak

Campfire Audio Alien Brain

Versatile TuningBalanced Overall SignatureFantastic Bass

Campfire Audio Alien Brain

Versatile Tuning

Balanced Overall Signature

Fantastic Bass

3Mid

FiiO FD3 Pro

Striking Design and BuildStrong Brand LoyaltyFlagship-Style Driver TechConnector Compatibility UnclearPossible Treble ImbalancePrice Uncertainty

FiiO FD3 Pro

Striking Design and Build

Strong Brand Loyalty

Flagship-Style Driver Tech

Connector Compatibility Unclear

Possible Treble Imbalance

Price Uncertainty

4Premium

Shure SE846

Rich, Detailed SoundExcellent for Live MusiciansLong-Term Durability and ConsistencyHigh Price Relative to CompetitionComfort and Fit IssuesDurability and Build Quality Concerns

Shure SE846

Rich, Detailed Sound

Excellent for Live Musicians

Long-Term Durability and Consistency

High Price Relative to Competition

Comfort and Fit Issues

Durability and Build Quality Concerns

5Premium

Moondrop Illumination

Attractive, lightweight designRefined HD650-like tonalityGood comfort and fitExcessive $800 priceUnderwhelming technical performance for priceCheap stock cable and case

Moondrop Illumination

Attractive, lightweight design

Refined HD650-like tonality

Good comfort and fit

Excessive $800 price

Underwhelming technical performance for price

Cheap stock cable and case

6Premium

Campfire Audio Astrolith

High Resolution and DetailRich, Balanced BassComfortable FitHigh PriceBoosted Bass and Harsh TrebleInconsistent or Dark Tonality

Campfire Audio Astrolith

High Resolution and Detail

Rich, Balanced Bass

Comfortable Fit

High Price

Boosted Bass and Harsh Treble

Inconsistent or Dark Tonality

7Premium

Shure Aonic 3

Detachable MMCX cableAdjustable, customizable fitFull-spectrum sound tuningInconsistent sound quality for the priceComfort limitation for side sleepingPrice value concerns

Shure Aonic 3

Detachable MMCX cable

Adjustable, customizable fit

Full-spectrum sound tuning

Inconsistent sound quality for the price

Comfort limitation for side sleeping

Price value concerns

8Mid

Moondrop KXXS

Strong overall sound qualityImproves with burn-inGood bass responseVery similar to cheaper StarfieldIsolation and fit concernsNot always a meaningful upgrade

Moondrop KXXS

Strong overall sound quality

Improves with burn-in

Good bass response

Very similar to cheaper Starfield

Isolation and fit concerns

Not always a meaningful upgrade

Best value

9Budget

FiiO F1

Excellent value for moneyPositive sound quality impressionsSecure, stay-in fitPrice perceived as slightly high by some

FiiO F1

Excellent value for money

Positive sound quality impressions

Secure, stay-in fit

Price perceived as slightly high by some

10Premium

Tanchjim Soda

Eye-catching translucent designDetailed, crisp treble presentationGenerous accessory packageHigh $300 price point questionedCable quality complaintsOverly bright tuning for some listeners

Tanchjim Soda

Eye-catching translucent design

Detailed, crisp treble presentation

Generous accessory package

High $300 price point questioned

Cable quality complaints

Overly bright tuning for some listeners

You are here

31Budget

FiiO FD3

Energetic, detailed tuningDaily-driver pleasantnessFun tinkering with swappable sound tubesBass perceived as offensive or overwhelming over timeDefault tuning needs EQ to sound naturalLarge nozzle causes fit problems for some ears

FiiO FD3

Energetic, detailed tuning

Daily-driver pleasantness

Fun tinkering with swappable sound tubes

Bass perceived as offensive or overwhelming over time

Default tuning needs EQ to sound natural

Large nozzle causes fit problems for some ears

Overpriced
1. Shure SE846arrow_downward11
2. Moondrop Illuminationarrow_downward16
Detailed sound
1. Shure SE846arrow_upward7
2. Moondrop KXXSarrow_upward5
Design
1. Tanchjim Darlingarrow_upward6
2. FiiO FD3 Proarrow_upward5
High price
1. Campfire Audio Astrolitharrow_downward4
2. Tanchjim Sodaarrow_downward6
Value for money
1. FiiO F1arrow_upward4
2. Tanchjim Darlingarrow_downward3
Build quality
1. Moondrop KXXSarrow_upward2
2. Shure SE846arrow_downward3

Overall Impression

The tuning stands out as lively and detailed for its price. Commenters describe the FD3's 'acoustic prism' waveguide as giving it more energetic mids and treble compared to the Starfield/Aria, and note it sounds closer to FiiO's pricier beryllium FD5 driver than typical entry-level carbon drivers. It's called a favorite for rock, metal, and orchestral genres, and one listener enjoys it daily for its pleasantness, though the default tuning is occasionally described as slightly nasal or vocal-forward until EQ'd.

Comfort and fit vary sharply between users. Several users appreciate the nozzle design and swappable sound tube system for genre tinkering, but at least one commenter with tight ear canals says the nozzle looks 'monstrous' and impossible to fit, having given up on similarly sized IEMs before. Questions about shell fit and whether part of the housing sticks out of the ear suggest fit is a real concern for prospective buyers.

Bass and treble character divide long-term opinions. Some praise the FD3's bass rumble and sub-bass presence, while a former owner says the bass became 'very offensive' after switching to other IEMs like the Aria and Timeless, needing EQ with sub-bass boost to feel balanced. Others separately flag the treble as somewhat forward, though not necessarily harsh, making it a tuning that rewards personal preference and possible EQ adjustment.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

graphic_eqEnergetic, detailed tuning

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple commenters note the FD3 has more energetic mids and treble than the Starfield/Aria, and its 'acoustic prism' waveguide makes it sound closer to FiiO's pricier FD5 beryllium driver than typical budget carbon-driver IEMs.

@brunoibanes3617

Hi, Mark!\n\nSo, for female vocals, would you recommend the FD3 or the FH3?\n\nI love Aurora Aksnes. Have you ever heard anything from her? I have her as a reference. If you can listen to \"Aurora - Animal (Live at The Current)\", available here on YouTube, I would appreciate it.\n\nI already have Aria (your review helped me choose, you even answered a question about him). However, I want an IEM that has more \"impact\" on bass, but also has better mids and highs for female vocals. I think I'm looking for a different tonality compared to Aria.\n\nFor example, I just saw in a review that the FiiO FD3 has much more energetic mids and trebles than the Starfield (so the same thing applies to Aria). Maybe that's what I'm looking for. After all, energetic mids and highs should sound better for female vocals like Aurora (or not).\n\nI accept other recommendations as well (as long as they are under $200)...\n\nThanks!

smart_display

September 8, 2021

@popzeus3000

I really like this set. More than the IT01x. The tuning and air venting is spot on. I think the “acoustic prism” is just a fancy term for a wave guide. It probably helps makes the DLC sound less like other entry level carbon drivers, hence it sounds closer to the FD5 beryllium driver.

smart_display

August 10, 2021

music_noteGreat for rock, metal, and orchestral genres

1 mentions

Widely praised

One long-term user says the FD3 complements rock and metal perfectly and also works well with orchestral music, especially when paired with an aftermarket cable and tips.

@mascisken

Compliments rock and metal genres perfectly. Works quite well with orchestral music as well. Using these with the Pro cable (LC-RC) as I didn't really like the default cable and wanted to see what the said cable can bring to the table. CP145 tips make the overall sound even more immerse. Overall, one of my favourites until I decide to get the Dunu Falcon Pro.

smart_display

October 19, 2021

favoriteDaily-driver pleasantness

1 mentions

Widely praised

One owner reports using the FD3 every single day, finding it consistently pleasant to listen to over time.

@asotomayor

I use my FD3 every single day! It’s just so pleasant to listen to music. I still like my FH5s too :)

smart_display

June 7, 2023

attach_moneyStrong value in the budget bracket

1 mentions

Widely praised

Commenters frequently rank the FD3 among the best recommendations under $100, grouping it with the Aria and Etymotic ER2XR as top budget picks.

@haziee3108

you should try the etymotic er2xr's. I feel like these, the fd3s and the arias might be the goat recs under 100$ (add in mele's possibly if you're feeling freaky😉). would love to see comparisons of these.

smart_display

August 10, 2021

tuneFun tinkering with swappable sound tubes

1 mentions

Widely praised

A user likes the design and interchangeable sound tube system, which lets listeners tailor the sound to different music genres.

@hanquah

Hi the non pro is also gave those 3 type eartip set and all 3 type sound tube? As u shown in vids? I like the design and tube style to tinker with different songs genre's. Lastly the bass rumble like bass head iem too? L2 is my target also

smart_display

January 5, 2022

warningTreble can feel forward

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter asks specifically whether the FD3's forward treble becomes harsh during long classical listening sessions, implying it's a known characteristic worth double-checking before buying.

@siddhuy315

Sir, as you have said in the video that the treble is somewhat forward, does the FD3s feel harsh or more trebly on the top end when listening to classical orchestral music for long time? There won't be any discomfort on the top end right?

smart_display

August 19, 2022

volume_upBass perceived as offensive or overwhelming over time

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A former owner says that after acquiring other IEMs like the Aria, Titan S, and Timeless, they could no longer tolerate the FD3's bass, calling it very offensive to their ears.

@guisado1002

at first a love my fd3 now i have other iem like aria titan s and timeless. i can't listen to fd3 longer now bass is very offensive for me

smart_display

June 9, 2022

equalizerDefault tuning needs EQ to sound natural

1 mentions

Generally negative

One listener found the stock tuning weirdly nasal, with instruments sounding vocal-like, and only found it satisfying after EQ'ing to a target curve with sub-bass boost.

@erdUha

Totally agree with your review. I eq'd them to jm1 target with sub bass boost and now they're not as wierd now. They do be eq'ing well. Default tuning is wierdly nasal and all instruments sounds like vocals for some reason

smart_display

August 8, 2026

errorLarge nozzle causes fit problems for some ears

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A commenter with tight ear canals describes the nozzle as monstrous and impossible to insert comfortably, drawing a comparison to painful past experiences with similarly sized IEMs.

@williamdacic

How do people fit those gigantic nozzles into their ears? I know my ear canals are freakishly tight but that looks monstrous. I bought some KZs 2 years ago. Tried every type of ear tip under the sun but I simply couldn't fit them in. Had to gift them to a friend. My ears hurt just by looking at these. Great video as always, but they are just not for me.

smart_display

September 6, 2021

cableNo USB-C connector

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user is frustrated that the IEM comes with a mini jack instead of USB-C, limiting compatibility with phones like Samsung that lack a headphone jack.

@Zloty09

This pisses me off in the IEM that it has a mini jack and not USB-C. I can't use it on Samsung. Very stupid. I want an IEM with USB-C!!!!

smart_displayTranslated from Polish

February 25, 2024

buildMMCX connector reliability concerns in the FiiO lineup

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter reports connector problems on the related FD5 model, describing recurring issues getting the MMCX connection to stay fitted, raising build-quality concerns across FiiO's dynamic-driver IEMs.

@ivain1291

IEM of Fiio very problematic in terms of MMCX connectors. I got problem with my FD 5 I bought one month ago.\nIt is not connected good and fails every time I try to fix my FD5 in the ear.

smart_display

August 25, 2021

FiiO FD3chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Overpriced

Detailed sound

Design

High price

Value for money

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

FiiO FD3From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression