Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #420 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.4/5, at $1,200. The FiiO FA7S ranks #433, rated 1.9/5, at $947.19, $252.81 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 450 in-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the ThieAudio Monarch MKIII instead, ranked #1 at $999.
The Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 is the better-sounding choice. A hybrid design pairing two dynamic drivers with two balanced armatures, and its 102 dB/mW sensitivity makes it easy to drive from a phone. Watch for: A preference score of 54 in crinacle’s measurement places its tuning far from what most listeners prefer, a weak result for a flagship in ear.
Why pick the FiiO FA7S: Six balanced armature drivers per side at 18 ohms and 111 dB/mW make it very easy to drive from a phone or a small dongle. Watch for: Crinacle’s measurement yields a preference score of just 48 with a 3.7 dB spread around the target, a poor tonal result at a flagship price.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $252.81 saving on the FiiO FA7S is not enough to make up the difference.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 | FiiO FA7S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,200.00 | $947.19 |
| Ranked | #420 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #433 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 54 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 48 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.30 dB standard deviation | 3.72 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.55 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.89 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 1 x 9.8mm dynamic + 1 x 8.8mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature | 6 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 5 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW | 111 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Weight | - | 0 lbs (8.4 g) per earbud |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 compares with other leading options:
- FiiO FH5 vs Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1
- Westone MACH 80 vs Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1
- Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 vs Fidue A91 Sirius
- Fidue A91 Sirius vs FiiO FA7S
- FiiO FA7S vs Campfire Audio Dorado 2020
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1: $1,200.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: A hybrid design pairing two dynamic drivers with two balanced armatures, and its 102 dB/mW sensitivity makes it easy to drive from a phone. It is rated above the Fidue A91 Sirius and FiiO FA7S.
Cons: A preference score of 54 in crinacle’s measurement places its tuning far from what most listeners prefer, a weak result for a flagship in ear. The Audio-Technica ATH-CK2000Ti is rated higher and costs less.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2019 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.30 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 9.8mm dynamic + 1 x 8.8mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 54 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.55 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.9 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -2.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 641 Hz | +5.0 dB | 1.22 |
| Peak | 1,454 Hz | -7.5 dB | 1.77 |
| Peak | 5,117 Hz | +7.4 dB | 1.56 |
| Peak | 3,198 Hz | -6.2 dB | 3.37 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +0.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 154 Hz | -2.2 dB | 1.07 |
| Peak | 67 Hz | +1.0 dB | 1.34 |
| Peak | 373 Hz | +1.2 dB | 2.14 |
| Peak | 6,320 Hz | +0.9 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
FiiO FA7S: $947.19 Amazon eBay
Pros: Six balanced armature drivers per side at 18 ohms and 111 dB/mW make it very easy to drive from a phone or a small dongle. At 8.4 g per earbud it is light for a multi-driver in-ear.
Cons: Crinacle’s measurement yields a preference score of just 48 with a 3.7 dB spread around the target, a poor tonal result at a flagship price. The Fidue A91 Sirius rates higher at a similar cost, and there is no inline microphone for calls.
Full FiiO FA7S review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.72 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 6 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 48 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 111 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.89 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (8.4 g) per earbud |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +1.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 192 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.57 |
| Peak | 2,618 Hz | +6.2 dB | 1.61 |
| Peak | 9,159 Hz | +5.6 dB | 1.14 |
| Peak | 388 Hz | -1.1 dB | 1.47 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,349 Hz | -2.4 dB | 4.22 |
| Peak | 5,384 Hz | +2.5 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 940 Hz | +0.8 dB | 3.02 |
| Peak | 3,246 Hz | +1.3 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons