Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.1/5 (#215 and #216 of 450 in-ear headphones), so choose on features and fit.
The case for the FiiO FH5s: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 75, and across seven hobbyist measurements on squig.link every band from 20 Hz to 16 kHz lands within 2 dB of the Harman target. The catch: A 6.6 dB peak near 8 kHz in the squig.link measurements can make cymbals and sibilant vocals sharp, followed by a 4.3 dB dip near 11.9 kHz that trims some air.
What the ThieAudio Legacy 2 does well: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 75, and the median of 13 squig.link measurements keeps sub-bass, bass, low mids and upper mids within 0.7 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound clean and correctly weighted. Watch for: Presence runs about 2.9 dB and air about 3.4 dB below target, with a 6.8 dB dip near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals lack some sparkle and the top end feels slightly reserved.
Buy the FiiO FH5s or the ThieAudio Legacy 2 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| FiiO FH5s | ThieAudio Legacy 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $254.99 | - |
| Ranked | #215 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #216 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 75 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.01 dB standard deviation | 2.10 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 2 x dynamic (12mm + 6mm) + 2 x balanced armature | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 40 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/mW | 108 dB |
| Weight | 0 lbs (8.8 g) per earbud | - |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.4 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
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- AUNE Jasper vs FiiO FH5s
- FiiO FH5s vs Tanchjim Origin
- AUNE Jasper vs ThieAudio Legacy 2
- ThieAudio Legacy 2 vs Tin HiFi C3
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The Two Headphones In Full
FiiO FH5s: $254.99 Amazon AliExpress eBay
Pros: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 75, and across seven hobbyist measurements on squig.link every band from 20 Hz to 16 kHz lands within 2 dB of the Harman target. Sub-bass stays within half a decibel of target at 30 Hz, so kick drums and synth bass hit with full weight. At 40 ohms and 106 dB/mW it runs well from a phone, and it rates above the Samsung Galaxy Buds2 and the Shuoer S12 Pro.
Cons: A 6.6 dB peak near 8 kHz in the squig.link measurements can make cymbals and sibilant vocals sharp, followed by a 4.3 dB dip near 11.9 kHz that trims some air. The AUNE Jasper matches its rating for slightly less money.
Full FiiO FH5s review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.01 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 2 x dynamic (12mm + 6mm) + 2 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 40 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.34 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (8.8 g) per earbud |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -3.2 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 | +2.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 883 Hz | +3.4 dB | 0.35 |
| Peak | 1,614 Hz | -7.4 dB | 1.64 |
| Peak | 196 Hz | -2.0 dB | 0.64 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +1.7 dB | 0.65 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,307 Hz | +2.5 dB | 5.92 |
| Peak | 4,444 Hz | -1.6 dB | 5.97 |
| Peak | 3,652 Hz | +1.2 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 7,146 Hz | -1.1 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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ThieAudio Legacy 2 AliExpress eBay
Pros: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 75, and the median of 13 squig.link measurements keeps sub-bass, bass, low mids and upper mids within 0.7 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound clean and correctly weighted. The hybrid pairing of a 10mm dynamic driver with a balanced armature holds deep bass to 20 Hz, and 108 dB sensitivity at 32 ohms makes it easy to drive from a phone.
Cons: Presence runs about 2.9 dB and air about 3.4 dB below target, with a 6.8 dB dip near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals lack some sparkle and the top end feels slightly reserved. A 4.4 dB peak near 10.3 kHz just below that dip makes the upper treble a little uneven.
Full ThieAudio Legacy 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.10 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 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 | +2.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 223 Hz | -2.5 dB | 1.18 |
| Peak | 1,933 Hz | -2.7 dB | 1.52 |
| Peak | 9,528 Hz | +4.3 dB | 0.46 |
| Peak | 225 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.37 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 858 Hz | +1.1 dB | 2.58 |
| Peak | 7,553 Hz | -3.0 dB | 5.71 |
| Peak | 6,208 Hz | +2.3 dB | 5.96 |
| Peak | 4,888 Hz | -1.8 dB | 5.37 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons