Hisenior Mega5-EST VS Fiio FX17

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Hisenior Mega5-EST (Anniversary Edition) hits with a rare mix of slam and finesse: a single DD + 2BA + 2EST that pours out a chest-pressing low end yet keeps the mids and treble startlingly natural. The magic is in the space—not fake wide, but convincingly three-dimensional, with instruments stepping forward, drifting back, and snapping into place. Tracks that should sound “live” actually feel like a venue, with reverb and air rendered uncannily well. Call it “neutral” if the graph says so, but the tuning is exciting, never sleepy, and it scales from an affordable dongle/amp to tubes without losing its character.

Build and kit are delightfully weird in the best way: the cable is a stout two-wire with fixed 4-pin hardware, the case is hilariously oversized (and oddly practical), and the box stuffs in a mountain of tips—foam and multiple silicone sets—so fit is basically guaranteed. Cosmetic quirks (“Febos” branding on the shells, Anniversary shells looking plainer than the regular version) are the only eyebrow-raisers. None of it matters once the music starts: the imaging is knife-sharp, dynamics pop, and that sub-bass rolls in like weather.

At around $550—aka Moondrop Variations money—this thing doesn’t just trade punches; it outperforms for the same reasons Variations became a benchmark, then adds more body, more staging, more goosebumps. The verdict is not coy: this is a straight 10/10, the kind of IEM that makes changing tracks feel painful because the current one sounds too good to leave.

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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.

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Fiio FX17 packs a wild driver stack—8x EST plus 1x dynamic and 4x BA—and a price that hovers around $1,500–$1,700. The shells are large and a little heavy, yet comfortable with solid isolation; the matte-steel finish looks slick but is a fingerprint magnet. MMCX sockets sit in a blue-ringed collar, and the included cable is genuinely nice: chin-slider equipped with swappable 4.4 / 3.5 / USB-C ends. Packaging is classic Fiio with a generous spread of ear tips (including SpinFits). Overall fit and finish scream audio-jewelry, in both the good and the pricey senses.

Sonically, this is a very wide, “open” presentation with impactful bass and noticeable warmth—sometimes veering toward mud rather than cleanliness. Upper-mids energy is restrained, while the 8 kHz region pops, and treble air extends well; the net effect leans neutral / deadpan-neutral with a slightly warm tilt and not a ton of bass heft. The tonality mirrors Truthear Pure more than many top-end sets, which will delight listeners who crave that profile but leaves others wanting more sub-bass punch and less incisive 8k. Technicals—detail, slam, and stage—are strong, yet the value is debatable when alternatives like Fiio FA19 / FX19 (more bass, less 8k bite), Dunu Glacier (more sub-bass and fun without losing correctness), Softears RSV / RSV MK2 (similar upper-mids with calmer 8k), Aful Dawn X (less warmth, better air for the price), or NiceHCK Rockies (cleaner treble) exist for less. Recommended for those chasing Fiio’s neutral house with a grand soundstage; everyone else may want EQ (a gentle clean-up of warmth/8k) or to shop the cheaper powerhouses.

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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.

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Hisenior Mega5-EST brings a tidy, understated shell with a semi-custom fit that sits secure and comfortable on medium-small ears. The box is loaded—foam and silicone tips, a microfiber cloth, and a chunky Pelican-style case—but the included cable is a mixed bag: it looks great and handles well, yet comes only in 4.4 mm balanced, which will annoy single-ended users. Build is clean, nozzle a touch long for a slightly deeper seal, and overall ergonomics feel sorted.

Sonically, this is top-tier tuning. The FR hugs a neutral target with a tasteful sub-bass lift under ~150 Hz, midrange sits right where it should, and treble is polite rather than hot. The result is a warm-neutral, low-contrast presentation that’s easy to listen to for hours with solid imaging and separation plus a nice sense of front-to-back depth. The trade-off: initial transients don’t bite—bass and string attacks are clean but not snappy—so the technical “zing” is more good than great.

Against peers around $550, Mega5-EST slots between flavors: DUNU SA6 is warmer and sparklier up top but softer through the mids; Yanyin Canon 2 delivers chunkier, more physical bass and standout vocal texture; and Moondrop × Crinacle Dusk (on its analog cable) sounds cleaner, more clinical, with sharper bass attack and a tick more resolution. As a daily-driver tonality, Mega5-EST is excellent—the kind of curve that just feels “right”—held back only by middling incisiveness. Verdict: a solid 4/5 for sublime tuning, ergonomic ease, and relaxed refinement, with the caveat of the 4.4-only cable and merely moderate macro-dynamics.

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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.