Wired IEMs
FiiO FX17
83Outstanding
$1,500
Full review dataFiiO FX17 vs Westone ES40: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the FiiO FX17 vs Westone ES40, 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 3 of 4 measures.
- FiiO FX17
- Westone ES40
HearWiki score
83
-
Sound
9.0
-
Value
6.0
-
Price (USD)
$1,500
$1,000
Specifications
FX17ES40
- Type
- Wired IEMs
- Wired IEMs
- Price (USD)
- $1,500
- $1,000
- HearWiki score
- 83
- Not scored
- Released
- 2026
- 2018
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 1DD + 4BA + 8EST tribrid
- 4× balanced armature
- Driver type
- tribrid
- balanced-armature
- Driver configuration
- 1DD + 4BA + 8EST
- -
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 13
- 4
- Frequency response
- -
- 10 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 16 Ω
- 28 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 99 dB/mW
- 112 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- -
- Controls
- -
- buttons
- 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
Westone ES40
The Westone ES40 is a premium custom-fit in-ear monitor tailored for professional audio work, delivering detailed and accurate sound through a quad balanced-armature setup. Its personalized shell ensures comfort and isolation, while the 28-ohm impedance and 112 dB sensitivity make it easy to drive from a variety of sources.
- Pro:Custom-fit comfort and isolation
- Pro:Detailed, balanced sound from four drivers
- Pro:High sensitivity for use with portable devices
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Requires custom fitting process
- Con:Limited to wired use only
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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