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 Shure SE535 ranks #421, rated 2.4/5, at $499. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 450 in-ear headphones, so if sound quality matters, consider the Truthear Nova instead, ranked #2 at $169.99.
The FiiO FA9 is the better-sounding pick. 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. The catch: 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.
Why pick the Shure SE535: Its very high 119 dB/mW sensitivity means it gets loud from any phone or laptop with little effort. The catch: In oratory1990’s measurement presence runs about 8.6 dB low and air about 8 dB low, with a 12.6 dB dip near 11.7 kHz, so detail and sparkle are subdued and the sound turns dark.
Buy the FiiO FA9. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $0.99 you would save on the Shure SE535 does not close the gap.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| FiiO FA9 | Shure SE535 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $499.00 |
| Ranked | #403 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #421 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 59 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.22 dB standard deviation | 3.86 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.61 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 60 Hz (-8.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 6 x balanced armature | 3 x balanced armature (2 woofers + 1 tweeter) |
| Sensitivity | 110/113 dB/mW | 119 dB SPL/mW |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6.2 g) per earpiece | - |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 18Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 16 ohms (switchable to 32 ohms) | 36 ohms |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How FiiO FA9 compares with other leading options:
- Yanyin Mahina vs FiiO FA9
- HiBy Crystal 6 vs FiiO FA9
- FiiO FA9 vs Jabra Evolve 75e
- FiiO FA9 vs Kinera Skuld
- Kinera Skuld vs Shure SE535
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
Shure SE535: $499.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Its very high 119 dB/mW sensitivity means it gets loud from any phone or laptop with little effort. Low mids sit slightly above target, so listeners who like a warm, relaxed tone may find it easy to listen to. Three balanced armature drivers split the work between two woofers and a tweeter.
Cons: In oratory1990’s measurement presence runs about 8.6 dB low and air about 8 dB low, with a 12.6 dB dip near 11.7 kHz, so detail and sparkle are subdued and the sound turns dark. Sub-bass is about 7 dB below target and falls 6 dB short at 60 Hz. The FiiO FA9 is rated higher at a similar price.
Full Shure SE535 review and specifications →
| Released | 2010 (16 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.86 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 3 x balanced armature (2 woofers + 1 tweeter) |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 18Hz - 19kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 54 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 36 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 119 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 60 Hz (-8.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.6 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 | +5.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 276 Hz | -3.0 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 5,384 Hz | +6.6 dB | 0.84 |
| Peak | 9,692 Hz | +0.7 dB | 5.96 |
| Peak | 24 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.86 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +5.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,376 Hz | -2.9 dB | 4.07 |
| Peak | 730 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.50 |
| Peak | 223 Hz | -0.3 dB | 1.19 |
| Peak | 1,223 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.44 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons