Wired IEMs
FiiO FX17
83Outstanding
$1,500
Full review dataFiiO FX17 vs Noble Audio Kaiser 10 (K10): which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the FiiO FX17 vs Noble Audio Kaiser 10 (K10), side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
FiiO FX17 leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- FiiO FX17
- Noble Audio Kaiser 10 (K10)
HearWiki score
83
-
Sound
9.0
-
Value
6.0
-
Price (USD)
$1,500
$1,600
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The FiiO FX17 is 12 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 12 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- FX17202612 yr newer
- Kaiser 10 (K10)2014
Specifications
FX17Kaiser 10 (K10)
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $1,500
- $1,600
- HearWiki score
- 83
- Not scored
- Released
- 2026
- 2014
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1DD + 4BA + 8EST tribrid
- 10× balanced armature
- Driver type
- tribrid
- balanced-armature
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 4BA + 8EST
- -
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 13
- 10
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 35 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 99 dB/mW
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 12.2 g
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- -
- Connector
- 4.4 mm balanced
- -
What reviewers said
FiiO FX17
The FiiO FX17 is a premium wired tribrid IEM that combines a 10mm dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and eight electrostatic drivers per side for a detailed, multi-layered sound. Its titanium shell and five-way crossover aim to deliver a refined, high-resolution listening experience, while the included 4.4mm balanced cable offers versatility for audiophile setups.
- Pro:Precision-milled titanium shell for durability and resonance control
- Pro:Hybrid driver array (1DD + 4BA + 8EST) offers expansive treble and dynamic bass
- Pro:Swappable plugs on the cable provide flexible connectivity
- Con:No active noise cancellation, requiring a quiet environment or isolation tips
- Con:High price point may limit accessibility
- Con:16-ohm impedance may need a powerful source for optimal performance
Noble Audio Kaiser 10 (K10)
The Noble Audio Kaiser 10 is a flagship universal IEM with ten balanced armature drivers per side, arranged in a four-way crossover for detailed and cohesive sound. Its handcrafted acrylic shell and detachable two-pin cable add to its premium, durable design, making it a top-tier choice for audiophiles seeking high-fidelity wired listening.
- Pro:Exceptional detail and clarity from 10-driver setup
- Pro:Coherent four-way crossover for balanced sound
- Pro:Handcrafted acrylic build with premium feel
- Con:Pricey at around $1599
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Requires a good source to drive optimally
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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