Elysian Apostle VS Fiio FX17
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Elysian Apostle and Fiio FX17 use 1DD+2BA+2EST and 1DD+4BA+8EST driver setups respectively. Elysian Apostle costs $1,799 while Fiio FX17 costs $1,500. Elysian Apostle is $299 more expensive. Fiio FX17 holds a slight 0.1-point edge in reviewer scores (8.9 vs 9). Fiio FX17 carries a user score of 9.1. Fiio FX17 has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge and Fiio FX17 has better dynamics with a 0.8-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Elysian Apostle | Fiio FX17 |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 8.9 | 8.3 |
| Mids | 9 | 9.1 |
| Treble | 8 | 9 |
| Details | 8.9 | 9.2 |
| Soundstage | 8.5 | 8.6 |
| Imaging | 8.9 | 9.1 |
| Dynamics | 8 | 8.8 |
| Tonality | 8.7 | 7.9 |
| Technicalities | 8.8 | 8.8 |
Elysian Apostle Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Fiio FX17 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Elysian Apostle Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+2BA+2EST
Tuning Type: V-Shaped
Brand: Elysian Top Elysian IEMs
Price (Msrp): $1,799
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Fiio FX17 Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA+8EST
Tuning Type: Warm-neutral (mild U-shape)
Brand: FiiO Top FiiO IEMs
Price (Msrp): $1,499.99
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Elysian Apostle User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Fiio FX17 User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
9.1Outstanding
Elysian Apostle Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.3Gaming Grade
A-Fiio FX17 Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.5Gaming Grade
AElysian Apostle Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
S-- Highly polished technical execution. Excellent frequency synergy creates an immersive experience. Enhances musical content.
Average Technical Grade
S-- Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Fiio FX17 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.
Average Technical Grade
S-- Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Elysian Apostle Reviews
9.4
Reviewer Score
Instrument separation is good, and is a nice darkness, but can be silbilant. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
9
Reviewer Score
Exceptional in every way. Incredibly textured bass, forward vocals, top-tier EST treble, and insane detail.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
8.5
Reviewer Score
Clean, neutral, and clear vocals. Reminds me of a cleaner Volume S or slightly better OG Oracle, but very expensive, maybe if you can find one around $1000 since it's more of a sidegrade to RSV, Mystic 8, and Arcanis vocal wise. If you want clean vocals Monarch MK2 does the same thing but for $700 less. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
8.5
Reviewer Score
The Elysian Apostle delivers a V-shaped signature with a powerful, sub-bass-focused low end that offers substantial rumble and physicality, though some listeners might find it occasionally overwhelming or lacking in tight control. Its dual electrostatic drivers provide crisp, extended treble with good air and minimal harshness, while the midrange remains clear and natural despite slight recession, particularly excelling with vocal clarity and emotional delivery.
Comfort is mixed due to the large nozzle diameter, which demands extensive tip-rolling for a secure fit, though the lightweight aluminum shells are ergonomic for extended wear once settled. The Pentaconn ear connectors offer stability but limit third-party cable options, and the included accessories like the Divinus Velvet tips are functional but basic for the price tier.
Positioned as an "Annihilator Junior", the Apostle captures much of Elysian’s energetic house sound at a lower cost, offering strong technical performance like wide staging and solid resolution. However, its bass dominance and fit quirks make it less versatile across genres, appealing mainly to those seeking a fun, dynamic listen rather than strict neutrality.
Fiio FX17 Reviews
10
* score normalized
The FiiO FX17 is a mind-bending flagship IEM priced at $1,500, packing an absolutely hilarious 13-driver configuration per side: one dynamic for bass, four balanced armatures for midrange control, and a staggering eight electrostatic drivers for the highs. The sheer number of electrostats isn't a gimmick; FiiO explicitly states they're necessary to achieve sufficient sound pressure and avoid being mere "decoration," throwing serious shade at competitors. The result is nothing short of wild. Forget typical soundstage descriptions – the music doesn't feel like it's coming from two points in your ears or even from speakers in a room. Instead, it creates an entirely internalized, coherent performance happening inside your head, like the band is set up within your skull. It’s a cognitive living experience prioritizing placement and realism over simple frequency response graphs.
This psychoacoustic magic translates into pure, infectious enjoyment. Tracks feel aggressively present yet controlled, with kick drums hitting the back of your eyewall and intricate details like tap dancing percussively located behind your eyes. The separation and realism are phenomenal, making everything from the Beastie Boys to complex techno feel immediate and utterly engaging. While physically large with a fingerprint-prone mirrored finish and using the less-favored MMCX connectors, the FX17 is surprisingly comfortable and not overly heavy. Criticisms like the connector type are dismissed as irrelevant noise compared to the sonic achievement. Plugged into anything from a high-end stack to the included USB-C dongle DAC, the FX17 delivers its unique, immersive magic consistently.
The unboxing experience screams flagship, absolutely justifying the price tag visually. It arrives in a luxurious British Racing Green case with magnetic closure, featuring gold-accented packaging, a wooden storage plaque (unit 240 shown), a cleaning cloth, MMCX tool, ear wax brush, magnetic cable clip, and a mind-boggling 22 pairs of various eartips. Add in a very nice cable with interchangeable terminations (3.5mm & 4.4mm included, 2.5mm adapter not included) and the aforementioned USB-C dongle, and the package feels comprehensive and premium. Ultimately, the FX17 stands out dramatically in the crowded $1,500 IEM field. It’s declared worth every penny of $2,000, delivering a unique, transformative listening experience that prioritizes how the sound is presented over traditional audiophile checkboxes. It earns full, emphatic marks as FiiO's best audio reproduction product to date.
Super* Review
2025-08-23
9*
* score normalized
This is the best IEM Fiio has ever made. Very powerfull sound.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
The Fiio FX17 emerges as a worthy flagship and a significant improvement over its predecessor, the FA19. This tribrid IEM boasts a unique driver configuration of one dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and a staggering eight electrostatic drivers, all housed within a solid, lightweight titanium shell. While its aesthetic is considered a bit plain, the build quality is excellent. The package is loaded with a massive assortment of accessories, including seven different styles of ear tips and a cable with a clever built-in DAC adapter for smartphones.
Sonically, the FX17 delivers a warm, powerful, and engaging sound signature. Its bass is a particular standout, described as meaty, well-textured, and highly engaging without bleeding into the mids. The overall tonality is natural yet contrasty, offering a dynamic and punchy listen. The treble provides excitement and definition, though it can be slightly aggressive or "crashy" for those with high sensitivity, making it far from a "safe" tuning.
In direct comparisons, the FX17 is deemed superior in every way to the FA19, which was criticized for its bloated bass and splashy treble. It trades blows with competitors like the Dunu Glacier and ThieAudio Monarch Mk IV, offering a denser, more tactile experience than the Monarch's airy presentation and a more natural vocal tonality than the Glacier's more exaggerated V-shape. Ultimately, the FX17 is declared not only Fiio's best IEM to date but a compelling and engaging option in the high-end market.
Gizaudio Axel
2025-08-09
8
Reviewer Score
Warm, non-fatiguing listen. Punchy mid-bass, warm, lush mids, smooth, detailed treble, wide soundstage. Warm sound signature may not suit everyone.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
The FiiO FX17 packs a hybrid 13-driver configuration featuring one dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and eight EST drivers, priced around $1,500. Unboxing reveals a generous accessory suite: a premium leather case with magnetic closure, an MMCX removal tool, cleaning brush, cleaning cloth, and a magnetic cable holder. The highlight is the included modular cable with 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations plus a specialized USB-C dongle enabling parametric EQ and firmware updates. Buyers also receive a staggering 22 pairs of ear tips – including SpinFits, liquid silicone, foam, bass-enhancing, vocal-focused, balanced, and double-flanged options – neatly organized across two cases. The cable itself earns praise for being soft, tangle-free, well-behaved, and featuring a functional chin slider.
Built from chunky titanium shells, the FX17 feels premium but substantial. While weight distribution prevents ear fatigue for some, its large size may cause fit issues for those with smaller ears, making a demo advisable. The nozzle diameter is 6.1mm. Sonically, the FX17 delivers a powerful, mid-bass focused slam described as punchy and meaty, though sub-bass rumble takes a backseat. The mid-range is warm, lush, and slightly relaxed, offering surprising clarity and excellent detail retrieval without shoutiness. Treble stands out as smooth, highly detailed, and non-fatiguing, providing ample air and shimmer without sibilance. Technical performance is strong, with great detail and separation, but the true star is the exceptionally wide, immersive, and realistic soundstage, particularly noticeable in the upper mids and treble.
Compared to the FiiO FA19, the FX17 offers a significant upgrade in bass physicality, smoother treble refinement, and superior soundstage. It also surpasses the Unique Melody MEST MKIII CF in detail, separation, stage width, and bass weight/texture. Against the pricier Elysian Apostle, the FX17 is warmer and more relaxed; the Apostle boasts tighter bass, clearer vocals, and sparklier treble, while the FX17 counters with a wider stage. This IEM is strongly recommended for mid-bass lovers seeking physical slam, listeners desiring warm, lush, non-fatiguing mids with clarity, treble enthusiasts wanting detail without harshness, and soundstage aficionados. It's not ideal for those with small ears due to shell size, listeners prioritizing deep sub-bass rumble over mid-bass impact, or anyone seeking a neutral or bright tuning. The FX17 earns a four-star rating for its standout qualities.
IEMRanking AI
2025-09-15
8.9
Reviewer Score
The FiiO FX17 is a 13-driver tribrid with a 10 mm lithium-magnesium DD, four custom Knowles BAs, and eight Sonion ESTs in a five-way crossover, housed in a polished titanium shell. It’s rated at 16 Ω / 104 dB/mW and includes a swappable-plug cable plus a compact USB-C DAC in the box; MSRP at launch is around $1,499.99. These design choices target high treble extension and low distortion while keeping sensitivity reasonable for an EST set.
Tonally, the FX17 comes across as warm-neutral / mild U-shape: bass is tight and controlled rather than boosted, mids are natural with good timbre, and treble is smooth yet extended without obvious glare. Reviewers consistently highlight a slightly elevated mid-bass that adds body but can modestly constrain lateral staging, while the EST treble remains articulate and airy. Overall resolution and separation are strong for the price class, with high micro-detail retrieval that doesn’t tip into sibilance.
Technical performance is a clear strength: imaging is precise, layering is clean, and dynamics are punchy at moderate volumes; soundstage is spacious with more depth than width. The 16 Ω/104 dB spec translates to easy drivability (even from the included dongle), though higher-end sources can extract a touch more control and air. At ~$1.5k the FX17 prioritizes refinement and treble quality over sheer bass weight; listeners wanting sub-bass dominance may find it polite, but those seeking a balanced, resolving flagship with fatigue-free highs will consider it competitive.
Elysian Apostle User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
- Example pro 2
Cons
- Example con 1
- Example con 2
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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewFiio FX17 User Reviews
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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewA technical marvel offering flagship-tier sound with lifelike realism and effortless musicality, justifying its premium status despite minor fit quirks.
Pros
Exceptional detail retrieval with natural yet engaging tonality, premium titanium build, and versatile accessories including hybrid cable and USB-C DAC.Cons
Large shells may challenge small ears; mid-bass warmth occasionally masks midrange clarity for analytical listeners.Buy Fiio FX17 on Aliexpress
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