Buzz
After years of research, development, and numerous successes in areas like headphones, portable DACs, and Bluetooth DACs, FiiO proudly presents the SP3, its first active speaker product.The SP3 boasts a compact size with a sturdy construction, delivering ample power to fill small rooms. Ideal for bedroom setups or desktop computers, this speaker, priced at around $8,000,000 VND, offers both aesthetic appeal and impressive sound quality. While lacking Bluetooth connectivity, likely due to its intended pairing with the R7, the Fiio SP3 still manages to impress listeners with its volume, detail, and musical cohesion. Throughout this review, I tested the SP3 with various sources, though unfortunately, the R7 was unavailable as it had been borrowed 😌Design and Sound
FiiO's manufacturing quality is unmatched, exemplified by the flawless construction of the SP3's body with virtually no gaps or machining errors, demonstrating meticulous craftsmanship and inspection.
The speaker's base is adorned with a minimalist LED light strip, visually appealing and easily complementing desktop computer cases with RGB LEDs. Personally, I prefer keeping the lights off or simply having a single white hue. As mentioned earlier, the SP3 pairs exquisitely with the FiiO R7, available in black or white.
Behind the speaker lies a bass reflex port, enhanced with a double diffused S-shaped tube, transmitting sound from the woofer chamber to the speaker enclosure. Fiio dubs it the Double Diffused S-Shaped Porting Tube.
The SP3 surpasses the A2+ Wireless when playing 'Vũ Trụ Có Anh' by Phương Mỹ Chi or 'Anti Fragile' by LE SSERAFIM.The SP3 impressively renders the intricate and dense low-end spectrum in the opening track of the legendary metal album 'Ride The Lightning' (Metallica). Compared to the A2+, when listening to this track, the bass is lighter and clearer on the A2+, lacking the depth and essence of the bass guitar. Conversely, the SP3 delivers profound bass, vividly illustrating its depth without leaving room for speculation. In this regard, the A2+ Wireless truly struggles...
The 3.5-inch bass driver is tasked with handling the low and midrange frequencies, providing excellent sound performance thanks to the acoustic properties of carbon fiber material (with each fiber measuring only about 0.007mm thick). The carbon fibers are woven into an extremely flat diaphragm surface to minimize unwanted vibrations. Inside the bass driver, asymmetric magnetic circuitry technology is employed, featuring a primary magnet wrapped around the voice coil along with an additional secondary magnet to enhance magnetic flux, achieving a maximum magnetic flux density of 1.2 Tesla.
The treble range is handled by FiiO's exclusive 1-inch silk tweeter, featuring a construction with a copper-clad aluminum voice coil and a soft dome that absorbs sound, extending down to approximately 800Hz. In reality, the tweeter's diaphragm is placed within a shallow dish, allowing the SP3 to produce a much wider soundstage even with a distance of only 80cm between the two speakers and 50cm from the listener. This setup is familiar to many when working on a computer, and the SP3 effectively fills the room with exceptional detail in a 30m2 space.The FiiO SP3 boasts a bright, vibrant sound signature that suits various music genres, excelling in classical, jazz, slow rock, electronic, EDM, pop, and hardly revealing any significant flaws unless the music is poorly mastered, such as some older albums by Lệ Quyên or Mr. Đàm. The SP3 can (and should) be placed near a wall for better bass response.Metallic sounds in percussion, film effects, and game audio all deliver a satisfying punch, with strong intensity that quickly decays, maintaining crispness. Dynamics are well portrayed, hardly affected by distortion even at high volumes. Additionally, the layering ability is excellent, combined with detailed stereo imaging, minimizing ear fatigue during prolonged listening sessions.The midrange is distinctly layered with excellent dynamics. Vocal delivery is expressive and full of emotion, particularly evident when listening to classic works by the Beatles, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Mark Knopfler, and Sĩ Phú, all known for their melodious and sweet midrange tones.
As a two-way active speaker model, the SP3 is equipped with an analog crossover circuit, emphasizing that it operates precisely without relying on passive crossover networks or DSP to control the individual speaker units. This crossover circuit enables each speaker to reproduce frequencies independently, avoiding interaction commonly found in traditional passive crossover networks. It represents a fresh and innovative approach within its price range.
The FiiO SP3 utilizes a Class-D 2-channel amplifier with 10W (high) + 30W (low) power output, delivering a maximum total output power of 80W.Connection Protocol
The FiiO SP3 features 2 RCA inputs and a 3.5mm input, adequately meeting standard requirements. It does not integrate USB DAC or Bluetooth functionalities. On the back of the speaker, various controls are arranged, including a volume knob, a bass adjustment knob (-8dB - 0dB), channel switch (L/R), input selection button, RGB LED color adjustment button, power button, DC 24V/4.2Ah power jack, and a signal connector from the main speaker to the subwoofer.
You can pair the SP3 with a turntable for a wonderfully warm analog sound.
However, the SP3 does not have an output for a subwoofer, but when listening up close, you don't really need a subwoofer as the bass hits hard and resonates effortlessly.Setup Process
Setting up the FiiO SP3 is a breeze. Users simply need to plug it in, connect the main speaker to the subwoofer, then select the corresponding audio source (using the input selection button), and they're good to go. The controls are also very intuitive, from the volume knob to the bass adjustment knob, making it extremely user-friendly even for non-technical users.
The speakers can be placed on flat rubber feet or tilted at a 7° angle, depending on the listening position, providing a personalized sound experience. Accessories included with the purchase of the FiiO SP3 include a DC power adapter, a sturdy braided cable (for connecting the main speaker to the subwoofer), an RCA-3.5mm cable, and two pairs of rubber feet (flat and tilted 7°).Overall Evaluation
In summary, let's reiterate a point made earlier: the FiiO SP3 stands out as a unique and unparalleled speaker in the sub-10,000,000 price range, both in design and sound quality. However, the lack of a subwoofer port may leave some users unsatisfied, especially those who enjoy deep bass.Technical Specifications
- Product Name: FiiO SP3
- Speaker Design: Active
- Rated Power: 40W per speaker (10W + 30W)
- Driver Setup: 1 3.5-inch carbon fiber woofer + 1 1-inch silk tweeter
- Crosstalk: 84dB
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 96dBA
- Frequency Response: 65Hz – 20kHz
- Sensitivity: 85dB
- Dimensions: 165mm x 120mm x 130mm
- Weight: ~ 3.4kg (1.8kg + 1.6kg)
