FiiO E3 & E5 Portable Headphone Amplifier

Frederik S · Feb 19, 2009

When it comes to portable headphone amplifiers one brand that has everybody talking is FiiO. Their inexpensive portable headphone amplifiers shook the market and has gained immense popularity. Read on as we take the E3 and E5 out for a spin.

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Sasqui · Mar 11, 2009

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

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

Random Murderer · Mar 11, 2009

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

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

Frederik S said:
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

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

Random Murderer · Mar 11, 2009

thebeephaha said:
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

Random Murderer said:
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

Hahaha thebeephaha, that is one massive PC rig

Very nice.

Cold Storm · Mar 12, 2009

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.
:toast:

Noobia · Mar 13, 2009

Hi Frederik,

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

Thanks in advance.

Frederik S · Mar 14, 2009

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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Processor	Core i7 4930K @ 4.5GHz \| Core i5 6600K @ 4.5GHz
Motherboard	Asus X79 Rampage IV Extreme \| Asus Z170i Pro Gaming
Cooling	Custom water on CPU and GPU, dual 360mm radiators \| Corsair H80i
Memory	4x 8GB G.Skill TridentX DDR3-1600 \| 2x 4GB G.Skill RipJaws 4 DDR4-3000
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FiiO E3 & E5 Portable Headphone Amplifier

Frederik S

Sasqui

oli_ramsay

Random Murderer

The Anti-Midas

Frederik S

Random Murderer

The Anti-Midas

thebeephaha

Random Murderer

The Anti-Midas

thebeephaha

Frederik S

Cold Storm

Battosai

Noobia

New Member

Frederik S

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Case	Cooler Master Cosmos II
Power Supply	Cooler Master V1000
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Software	Win10 Pro
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