FiiO FP3 TC - Black Walnut

Description

FiiO's first in-house planar driver

For its first foray into planar magnetic in-ear monitors, FiiO bypassed off-the-shelf components to engineer its own 2nd-generation 14.5 mm planar driver entirely in-house. Every element — from conductive trace width to magnetic-circuit fine-tuning to standardized bracket fixings — is tailored to maximize the speed and resolution inherent to planar technology. This clean-sheet approach lets the FP3 deliver a remarkably wide soundstage and excellent horizontal imaging, a spacious and immersive acoustic presentation that competes well beyond its price point.

1 µm ultra-thin diaphragm and patented dual-coating

At the core of the driver sits a remarkably thin 1 µm diaphragm on a high-performance PET substrate — the thinnest in its class. FiiO applies a patented dual-coating process to this surface, combining aluminum and titanium. The aluminum layer, lightweight and conductive, reduces impedance and power requirements. The titanium layer significantly enhances rigidity, which translates to improved treble resolution and overall high-frequency transparency. Built with a 28 nm-grade manufacturing process inspired by the semiconductor industry, with conductive traces 0.055 mm wide (as thin as a hair) for a total length of 486.5 mm.

Symmetrical matrix-style magnetic control

To drive this diaphragm with authority, the FP3 employs an array of 14 high-performance N52 neodymium magnets arranged in a 7 × 2 matrix, placed on both sides of the diaphragm. This symmetrical magnetic structure ensures forces are distributed evenly across the entire surface. This push-pull operation keeps the driver well-controlled and linear, lowers distortion and resolves rapid transients and dense mixes with the speed planar enthusiasts expect.

Patented Tesla Valve bass enhancement

Planar drivers are often praised for their speed but can lack physical bass impact. To solve this, FiiO implemented its F.T.B.S. (FIIO Tesla Bass Sound) patented “Tesla Valve” acoustic technology, also used in the FD15. By specifically calculating the lengths, angles and number of channels within the acoustic cavity, the fluid structure manages internal air pressure to deeply extend the low-end response. The result is a textured, substantial mid-bass presence that gives modern genres a satisfying physical weight.

Real wood faceplates and lightweight shell

The FP3 balances acoustic engineering with organic aesthetics: the lightweight 6.5 g per-earpiece shells are capped with solid real wood faceplates, available in rosewood or black walnut. The grain pattern makes each pair visually unique. The front shell is high-precision 3D-printed, hand-polished and UV-coated for a luxurious texture. A dedicated support structure in the concha area improves fit stability, while a reduced contact surface minimizes pressure on the earlobe for fatigue-free extended listening.

Premium detachable cable and Hi-Res certification

The FP3 comes paired with a high-quality detachable cable of 4 strands totaling 392 wires of silver-plated copper, about 1.2 m long. Terminated with standard 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors and a copper-plated gold 3.5 mm plug, it preserves signal integrity while making it easy to integrate the FP3 into any portable hi-fi chain. 

True balanced output via Type-C

The USB-C cable takes advantage of the connector's L+, L−, R+ and R− pins to deliver a true balanced audio output from the DSP. This architecture eliminates crosstalk caused by shared ground paths and improves separation between the left and right channels. The result: a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 122 dB and a noise floor down to less than 0.8 µV — a dark background on which every detail of the planar driver stands out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What's the difference between the FP3 and the FP3 TC?

The FP3 and FP3 TC share exactly the same 14.5 mm planar driver, the same acoustics and the same ergonomics. The difference is the cable: the FP3 ships with an analog detachable 0.78 mm 2-pin cable terminated with an unbalanced 3.5 mm plug (analog source required). The FP3 TC adds a USB-C cable with built-in DSP (384 kHz / 24-bit decoding, 8-band PEQ, true balanced output via L+/L−/R+/R− signals, inline microphone) to plug directly into a smartphone or computer with no external DAC.

Can the USB-C cable be replaced with an analog cable?

Yes. The FP3 TC uses the same standard 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors as the FP3. You can swap the supplied USB-C cable for any compatible 0.78 mm 2-pin analog cable to use the earphones with a digital audio player, headphone amplifier or traditional external DAC. This modularity lets the FP3 TC adapt both to portable USB-C use and to analog HiFi chains.

Does the 8-band PEQ work on iOS?

The 8-band PEQ works on every platform supported by the built-in DSP (Windows, macOS, iOS and Android). However, the cloud sharing feature for custom curves (upload and download from the “Featured” section of the FiiO Control app) is currently supported only in the Android version of the app. iOS users can still create, save and load their own presets locally.

Are these earphones compatible with recent USB-C iPhones?

Yes. Since iPhone 15 and later models now use the USB-C connector, the FP3 TC plugs in directly with no adapter. No drivers required. On older iPhones with a Lightning port, a USB-C to Lightning adapter (not included) will be needed, or you can replace the supplied USB-C cable with an analog cable for use with a portable DAC or a Lightning-to-3.5 mm adapter.

What's in the Box

FiiO FP3 TC planar magnetic in-ear monitors

USB-C cable with built-in DSP

HB11 clear storage case

Balanced silicone eartips (S/M/L)

Treble silicone eartips (S/M/L, M pre-installed)

Quick start guide