FiiO E3 & E5 Portable headphone amplifiers

Frederik S · Feb 19, 2009, 10:46 AM

To read this review go to: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/H...ect/FiiO/E3E5/

Sasqui · Mar 11, 2009, 06:38 PM

Way interesting - I was shopping around for a headphone amp about 3 years ago and came up blank with the exception of expensive jury-rigged looking ones, bulky ones... and one I finally found at radio shack (which also is a line splitter).

For $8 & $20, totally worthy of a "value" award!

oli_ramsay · Mar 11, 2009, 07:00 PM

I have them both and they're awesome. They add a lot of bass and widen the soundstage slightly.

Random Murderer · Mar 11, 2009, 07:04 PM

i was considering the e5 a few weeks ago, but i'm not too sure i would hear a difference over my cmoy...

Frederik S · Mar 11, 2009, 07:23 PM

I do not think it will be an upgrade compared to a CMOY, in terms of sound quality. I have only heard the CMOY one time for like 10 minutes, and to my ears it was a wee bit better, of course the FiiO is smaller than a CMOY so if you want a more portable solution.

Random Murderer · Mar 11, 2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frederik S

I do not think it will be an upgrade compared to a CMOY, in terms of sound quality. I have only heard the CMOY one time for like 10 minutes, and to my ears it was a wee bit better, of course the FiiO is smaller than a CMOY so if you want a more portable solution.

eh, my cmoy is in an altoids tin, so it's pretty portable.
besides, it only drives my grado sr80 which doesn't need amplification anyway...

thebeephaha · Mar 11, 2009, 10:22 PM

I have the E3 and use it with my cheapie Sennheiser HD201's on the go. Kickass combo.

Random Murderer · Mar 11, 2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebeephaha

I have the E3 and use it with my cheapie Sennheiser HD201's on the go. Kickass combo.

what's your main setup?
just wondering...

thebeephaha · Mar 12, 2009, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Random Murderer

what's your main setup?
just wondering...

Azentech X-Meridian with upgraded opamps connected both digitally and via analog (which ever I prefer at the push of a button) to my Pioneer Elite VSX-54TX receiver with Sennheiser HD280's (critical listening) and also some Sony MDR-V700's (gaming, casual listening).

But I use my speakers more than I do headphones.

Link to pic.

Frederik S · Mar 12, 2009, 10:23 AM

Hahaha thebeephaha, that is one massive PC rig

Very nice.

Cold Storm · Mar 12, 2009, 11:37 AM

I'm with you RM. I'd rather have the homemade thing over this. It is a good thing. But, for those who know how to make one... Not worth it!

Great review Frederik.

Noobia · Mar 13, 2009, 08:05 AM

Hi Frederik,

What was the setting on your D2 when you tested both of the amp?

Thanks in advance.

Frederik S · Mar 14, 2009, 01:35 PM

I had a flat EQ with all effects turned off, and the output level set to 34 for best sound quality.

Feb 19, 2009, 10:46 AM	#1
Frederik S Staff Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Søllerød, Denmark Posts: 1,033 (0.40/day) Thanks: 44 Thanked 297 Times in 204 Posts System Specs	FiiO E3 & E5 Portable headphone amplifiers To read this review go to: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/H...ect/FiiO/E3E5/ Last edited by Frederik S; Mar 12, 2009 at 10:30 AM.

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Mar 11, 2009, 07:04 PM	#4
Random Murderer Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Florida, where it's hot as hell. Posts: 4,094 (1.73/day) Thanks: 1,001 Thanked 674 Times in 505 Posts System Specs	i was considering the e5 a few weeks ago, but i'm not too sure i would hear a difference over my cmoy... __________________ “People just need a reason to live. Some peoples reason is to bitch on the Internet. W1zz is just giving these sad souls a reason to live. Hes like a saint. Saint W1zzard.” -TheMailMan78 Mars: Apparently I have been there before, but I don't recall. Not all who wander are lost...

Mar 11, 2009, 06:38 PM	#2
Sasqui Eligible for custom title Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Manchester, NH Posts: 6,060 (2.22/day) Thanks: 823 Thanked 909 Times in 742 Posts System Specs	Way interesting - I was shopping around for a headphone amp about 3 years ago and came up blank with the exception of expensive jury-rigged looking ones, bulky ones... and one I finally found at radio shack (which also is a line splitter). For $8 & $20, totally worthy of a "value" award!

Mar 11, 2009, 07:00 PM	#3
oli_ramsay Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK Posts: 2,679 (1.29/day) Thanks: 577 Thanked 592 Times in 450 Posts System Specs	I have them both and they're awesome. They add a lot of bass and widen the soundstage slightly.

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Mar 11, 2009, 07:23 PM	#5
Frederik S Staff Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Søllerød, Denmark Posts: 1,033 (0.40/day) Thanks: 44 Thanked 297 Times in 204 Posts System Specs	I do not think it will be an upgrade compared to a CMOY, in terms of sound quality. I have only heard the CMOY one time for like 10 minutes, and to my ears it was a wee bit better, of course the FiiO is smaller than a CMOY so if you want a more portable solution.

Mar 11, 2009, 10:22 PM	#7
thebeephaha Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle/Shoreline WA Posts: 992 (0.45/day) Thanks: 170 Thanked 103 Times in 95 Posts System Specs	I have the E3 and use it with my cheapie Sennheiser HD201's on the go. Kickass combo. __________________ <--System 1 Specs "Holy crap! Disco shit!" -Thrackan -->System 2 Specs: ASUS G50VT-A1 Notebook (X5 Case Mod) w/ T9400 2.53GHz, 4GB, 2x250GB 7200RPM Seagates in RAID0, 9800GS 512MB, 15.4" 1650x1080, Intel 5300 AGN, 6 & 9 Cell Batteries, 7 Ultimate 64 -->System 3 Specs: Norco RPC-4020, ASUS M2N32-SLI DLX, AMD Phenom X4 9150e, 4GB PC2-6400, 19 HDDs = 15TB, Windows Home Server w/ remote web access, FTP access, proxy server, BT server, & more!

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Mar 12, 2009, 10:23 AM	#10
Frederik S Staff Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Søllerød, Denmark Posts: 1,033 (0.40/day) Thanks: 44 Thanked 297 Times in 204 Posts System Specs	Hahaha thebeephaha, that is one massive PC rig Very nice.

Mar 12, 2009, 11:37 AM	#11
Cold Storm Battosai Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In a library somewhere on this earth Posts: 10,566 (5.14/day) Thanks: 4,239 Thanked 3,047 Times in 2,493 Posts System Specs	I'm with you RM. I'd rather have the homemade thing over this. It is a good thing. But, for those who know how to make one... Not worth it! Great review Frederik. __________________ The only way success is before work, is in the dictionary Support for the mind. Support for your hardware

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Mar 13, 2009, 08:05 AM	#12
Noobia Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1 (0.00/day) Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Frederik, What was the setting on your D2 when you tested both of the amp? Thanks in advance.

Mar 14, 2009, 01:35 PM	#13
Frederik S Staff Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Søllerød, Denmark Posts: 1,033 (0.40/day) Thanks: 44 Thanked 297 Times in 204 Posts System Specs	I had a flat EQ with all effects turned off, and the output level set to 34 for best sound quality.

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