FIIO SP3 High Fidelity Active Desktop Speakers (Black)

Product Information

Many know FiiO as a manufacturer of portable audio players (DAPs), headphone amplifiers, DACs and IEMs. With its all-new R7 system, the Chinese company is taking aim at desktop and, potentially, small room loudspeaker listening. The R7 is fast and dynamic with great transparency in the mid range, it is articulated, resolving and detailed with plenty of clarity and luminosity in the treble without any associated brightness and sharpness, you can use your already bright headphones without the fear of crossing the harshness line. Sonos ERA 100: the new Sonos recently replaced some of my One at the house, thanks to their extended low range and dual tweeter system. On my desk, a pair of ERA 100 output a crazy wide soundstage, but head to head with the FiiO SP3, it immediately felt artificial, almost chemical. That said, the bass of the Sonos is a world above what FiiO has to offer and in my multi-room setup, I’d never exchange the ERA100, for the SP3. Mids : great layering and good dynamic. Voices have always been good on FiiO players, and the SP3 are no exception to the rule. This is especially true with classic jams like the Beatles or Paul Simon, who love the smooth mids. Pair them with a good source, and the FiiO will reward you 10 times fold.

FiiO will be launching the SP3 active monitors seen in the R7’s press shots sometime later this year. Pricing on those remains TBC. There is a lot going on with the R7, so I will do my best to cover most of the basics but there will be a lot of stuff I end up skipping (or forgetting) in my review, so please forgive me if I don’t answer whatever your specific query may be. The presentation of FiiO SP3 is sweet, clean, relaxed. They play inspired and soft, you can feel the characteristic cheerful colors of FiiO, a common breed with other devices of the brand. The tonalka is balanced, even, it is devoid of sharp peaks, but these are definitely not dry monitors, without strict analytical or emphasized detachment. SP3 has its own way, they are atmospheric, juicy, very alive and carefree. They add some weight and singing to the notes, they like to decorate the picture with pronounced dynamics. Not that for fans of analog mutedness and completely vintage velvet timbres, some crystallinity is present, but the setting still leans towards warm. The R7 has a rectangular, almost square, shaped body with the shorter surface sitting at the desk and the longer one featuring the portrait oriented display. Modes: Android Mode/Pure Music Mode/USB DAC Mode, Bluetooth Receiving Mode, Airplay Mode, COAX Mode, Optical Mode, Roon Ready.My only regret? The absence of a subwoofer output – a must for all small speakers in my opinion – for those who might need a little more bass, as the speakers stop at 80Hz in practice. But apart of that, if you just want a pair of versatile, compact active speakers on the cheap, and don’t want to end up with those cheap looking plastic PC speakers, I can wholeheartedly recommend the FiiO SP3. Damn FiiO, what can’t you do now… Appearance matters when it comes to something that will be displayed prominently on your desktop. For this reason, the FiiO SP3 has LED lights at the base of its cabinet. The moment you turn on the SP3, light floods the bottom of the device, instantly transforming the atmosphere of your desktop. The SP3 will automatically enter a pulsing light mode when in use. It cycles through its 24 different colours. Exclusive Silicone Stand With 7-Degree Elevation The FiiO SP3 is dominated by a very dense appeal to the elements used in the construction meaning, they are heavy for being so tiny. The innovative double-diffused S-shaped porting tube enhances bass extension and control, resulting in fast bass transients and superior bass quality. This design allows the SP3 to remain compact while still delivering high-quality sound. Efficient 2-Way Active Crossovers

The product is returned in original condition (with brand’s/manufacturer's box, MRP tag intact, user They are very compact sized but also sturdy and well dampened against vibrations and resonances. Premium materials are used throughout and build quality is excellent. They aren’t as dense as monitor speakers, but head-to-head against multimedia speakers, I think the vast majority of you will be more than pleasantly surprised by the perceived quality of the SP3. In my opinion, those are one of those speakers that look better in real life, than in picture, which is no small feat.Gamers will love the SP3 speakers. I know I did. Explosions and deep rumbling bass on near-field sets like this are so yummy at times, but without shaking your entire desk and dorm, or house, or enough to have the neighbors call the cops on you. In terms of I/O, the FiiO SP3 is surprisingly conservative and you only get two inputs: a RCA and a 3.5mm line input. A layout that might seem a bit light for many users, as you usually get a phono in, and some digital inputs on this kind of speakers. It has been a while since I’ve seen a hard-core dedicated desktop speaker this small before. I think the last one might have been RIVA Arena speakers from 2018.