Short answer: the FiiO FA9, though neither ranks well in its class. It ranks #403 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 2.8/5, at $499.99. The Jabra Evolve 75e ranks #410, rated 2.7/5, at $399.95, $100.04 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, and the Truthear Nova, ranked #2 at $169.99, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
Why pick the FiiO FA9: Six balanced armatures per side and sensitivity of 110 to 113 dB/mW make it easy to drive from a phone, with an impedance switch between 16 and 32 ohms to tune the match with a source. Watch for: oratory1990’s measurement shows presence averaging 6.8 dB below target with a 9.6 dB dip near 3.4 kHz, so vocals and lead instruments sound pushed back and lack clarity.
What the Jabra Evolve 75e does well: It brings wireless convenience with active noise cancelling, a built in microphone for calls, 14 hours of claimed battery life and IP54 resistance to sweat and splashes. Watch for: In oratory1990’s measurement a 15.9 dB peak near 10.7 kHz and air about 10 dB above target make cymbals, hi hats and sibilance harsh and fatiguing.
Buy the FiiO FA9. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $100.04 with the Jabra Evolve 75e does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| FiiO FA9 | Jabra Evolve 75e | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $399.95 |
| Ranked | #403 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #410 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 59 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 58 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.22 dB standard deviation | 3.21 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.61 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.81 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wireless |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 6 x balanced armature | 1 x 15mm dynamic |
| Sensitivity | 110/113 dB/mW | - |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.2 g) per earpiece | 0.1 lbs (50 g) |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms (switchable to 32 ohms) | - |
| Active Noise Cancelling | - | Yes |
| Battery Life | - | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
| IP Rating | - | IP54 |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to FiiO FA9:
- Yanyin Mahina vs FiiO FA9
- HiBy Crystal 6 vs FiiO FA9
- FiiO FA9 vs Kinera Skuld
- FiiO FA9 vs Shure SE535
- Jabra Evolve 75e vs Kinera Skuld
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
FiiO FA9: $499.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Six balanced armatures per side and sensitivity of 110 to 113 dB/mW make it easy to drive from a phone, with an impedance switch between 16 and 32 ohms to tune the match with a source. Each earpiece weighs just 6.2 g. Bass and low mids sit at or slightly above target, which suits listeners who like a warm, smooth balance, and it is rated above the pricier Kinera Skuld.
Cons: oratory1990’s measurement shows presence averaging 6.8 dB below target with a 9.6 dB dip near 3.4 kHz, so vocals and lead instruments sound pushed back and lack clarity. Sub-bass runs about 3.7 dB under target, so electronic music has less low rumble than the specs suggest.
Full FiiO FA9 review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.22 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 6 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 59 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms (switchable to 32 ohms) |
| Sensitivity | 110/113 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.61 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.2 g) per earpiece |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.6 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 | +2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 182 Hz | -3.9 dB | 0.55 |
| Peak | 2,946 Hz | +5.3 dB | 1.88 |
| Peak | 1,302 Hz | -2.0 dB | 1.48 |
| Peak | 7,001 Hz | +2.9 dB | 0.83 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,655 Hz | +1.3 dB | 2.14 |
| Peak | 4,276 Hz | -2.3 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 5,231 Hz | +3.0 dB | 5.93 |
| Peak | 6,241 Hz | -1.8 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Jabra Evolve 75e: $399.95 Wireless Amazon eBay
Pros: It brings wireless convenience with active noise cancelling, a built in microphone for calls, 14 hours of claimed battery life and IP54 resistance to sweat and splashes. Bass is boosted about 6 dB above the Harman target down to 20 Hz, which suits bassy and V shaped listening tastes.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement a 15.9 dB peak near 10.7 kHz and air about 10 dB above target make cymbals, hi hats and sibilance harsh and fatiguing. Bluetooth 4.2 is an older version, and the Etymotic ER4XR rates higher for less money.
Full Jabra Evolve 75e review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 14 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 3.21 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 15mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 58 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+4.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.81 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.1 lbs (50 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.3 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 | -4.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,163 Hz | +5.3 dB | 1.54 |
| Peak | 164 Hz | -2.0 dB | 1.25 |
| Peak | 3,000 Hz | +1.7 dB | 1.85 |
| Peak | 1,969 Hz | -1.7 dB | 4.51 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -7.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,669 Hz | -4.7 dB | 1.19 |
| Peak | 6,130 Hz | +4.5 dB | 4.26 |
| Peak | 4,336 Hz | +1.5 dB | 2.06 |
| Peak | 6,938 Hz | -2.9 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons