Short answer: the FiiO FH5. It ranks #393 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.0/5, at $1,138.53; the Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 ranks #420, rated 2.4/5, and costs $1,200, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The FiiO FH5 is the better-sounding option. In oratory1990’s measurement the bass and low mids sit only 0.6 to 1.4 dB above the Harman target, so kick drums and bass guitar have a warm, full body without bloating. The catch: Presence between 3 and 6 kHz runs about 7.3 dB under target, with a 9.6 dB dip near 4.7 kHz, so vocals, snare and guitar attack sound recessed and distant.
What the Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 does well: 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.
Buy the FiiO FH5. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| FiiO FH5 | Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,138.53 | $1,200.00 |
| Ranked | #393 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #420 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 61 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 54 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.96 dB standard deviation | 3.30 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.55 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.7 dB at 30 Hz) | - |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 3 balanced armature) | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 3 x balanced armature | 1 x 9.8mm dynamic + 1 x 8.8mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 19 ohms | 5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0 lbs (8 g) per earbud | - |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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- Sennheiser IE 900 vs FiiO FH5
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- FiiO FH5 vs DUNU DK4001
- FiiO FH5 vs Westone MACH 80
- Westone MACH 80 vs Audio-Technica ATH-IEX1
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
FiiO FH5: $1,138.53 Amazon eBay
Pros: In oratory1990’s measurement the bass and low mids sit only 0.6 to 1.4 dB above the Harman target, so kick drums and bass guitar have a warm, full body without bloating. The hybrid design pairs a 10mm dynamic driver with 3 balanced armatures, and the 19 ohm impedance and 112 dB/mW sensitivity mean a phone or dongle drives it easily. Sub-bass is slightly lifted by 0.8 dB, which suits warm and bassy tastes.
Cons: Presence between 3 and 6 kHz runs about 7.3 dB under target, with a 9.6 dB dip near 4.7 kHz, so vocals, snare and guitar attack sound recessed and distant. Air above 10 kHz is down about 3.2 dB, which takes some sparkle off cymbals. A preference score of 61 and an uneven response with a 2.96 dB deviation leave it behind the HIFIMAN RE2000 for tonal accuracy.
Full FiiO FH5 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.96 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 3 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 3 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 61 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 19 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (8 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 | -2.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,870 Hz | +6.6 dB | 1.63 |
| Peak | 191 Hz | -2.7 dB | 1.11 |
| Peak | 1,347 Hz | -1.8 dB | 1.19 |
| Peak | 9,899 Hz | +2.5 dB | 2.75 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 69 Hz | +0.9 dB | 1.61 |
| Peak | 122 Hz | -0.6 dB | 2.38 |
| Peak | 6,634 Hz | -1.7 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 5,997 Hz | +1.5 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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