Because FIIO’s name rings most in the realms of DACs, DAPs, and amplifiers, some might be surprised by their extended roster of IEMs. Said lineup recently expanded with the release of the SNOWSKY Oak Nano, packing a single dynamic driver into its durable titanium shell. With its included customization options, FIIO appears to want the Oak Nano to be a jack of all trades with enough flexibility to handle any setup or sonic taste. How well does it achieve this goal? What can listeners expect to find in its array of ways to listen?
Package Contains
- Oak Nano in-ear monitors
- 0.78mm 2 pin detachable cable
- Swappable 3.5mm, 4.4mm and Type C DSP plugs
- Red and black tuning nozzles
- 22 pairs of eartips in 3 styles
- Cleaning Brush
- Carrying case
Build Design
The Oak Nano’s visuals ensure its material quality is not understated. Sticking purely to different metals and polygonal patterns, FIIO underlines its titanium shell and structurally illustrates industrial strength. I particularly like the nut-shaped gold outline, which both diversifies its color scheme whilst further enunciating the theme. Overall, the Oak Nano aims to look as durable as it is advertised to be.
Now, does Fiio follow through on this promise? Certainly. While felt a bit in its weight, this is a solid IEM figuratively and literally. Individual parts of the titanium shell comprise a very sturdy, reliable whole that is built to last. The Oak Nano’s included cable physically feels average for the price range, at least in comparison to the IEMs themselves.
Fit was equally promising. The shell is perfectly rounded, absent any width or abrasive extensions to impede comfort. Its aforementioned weight might be a concern to some, but it was merely something I noticed and adjusted to almost immediately. Padding on the cable’s ear made a crinkly noise when adjusted, feeling artificially cheap among.
Audio Design
At the forefront of the Oak Nano’s sound is its 13.8mm external magnet dynamic driver. FIIO declares the IEM a successor to their FD7 model, opting to increase both its driver and magnet size to increase its speed and lower distortion. Additionally, FIIO advertises a separated beryllium diaphragm, designed to increase its available vibration space and improve detailing. Paired with the FD7’s front “Acoustic Prism” chamber is an airflow-controlled rear chamber, contributing to stronger overall polish and low-mid strength respectively. These specs then connect to your device with a cryogenically treated silver-plated monocrystalline copper cable, which establishes a strong and varied connection with an input swappable plug.
Where its sound gets really interesting is with its additional pieces. Particularly, its tuning nozzles and USB-C adapter. Included with the Oak Nano are two nozzles with differing acoustics. The black nozzle, which is preinstalled, focuses detailing and precision. The red nozzle, by contrast, prioritizes musical scope and scale. Beyond these choices, the Oak Nano’s USB-C adapter grants access to a BES3001-SP DSP audio decoding chip, as well as the FIIO Control app for an 8-band PEQ.
Specifics regarding the tuning nozzles’ frequency response curves can be found on FIIO’s website.
- Frequency Response: 10Hz-40kHz
- Impedance: 50Ω@1kHz
- Sensitivity: 112dB/mW@1kHz
Soundstage
The Oak Nano impresses in its placement and scale, with a slight caveat. Both channels feel distinct, and stretch to a pretty far width. Depth and verticality exist to a lesser degree, but keep layering from being too cluttered. In terms of diagonal expansion, I unfortunately found these to be a bit lacking, especially with the black nozzle. Using the red nozzle will make the stage feel a bit more rounded, so those seeking a more musical presence might prefer their soundstage. Either way, the Oak Nano has a large stage from which instruments and vocals can sprawl outward.
Low End
Bass on the Oak Nano is pretty excellent for a comfortable listen. With more of a flick than a punch, the range keeps a tight presence in the mix without bloating independently or conquering holistically. Both the detail-oriented black and musical red nozzle have much to contribute, but I think the added precision of the black’s tuning gave it a slight edge personally. Dedicated bass-heads might skip this IEM for its smaller sub presence, but the Oak Nano is a tough one to beat for upper warmth.
Midrange
Moving into what is easily the best part of the Oak Nano, the mids are a standout in the ~$500 range. Effortlessly detailed and musically gratifying, the midrange composes its vocal-forward presence with an uncompromising balance. It was here where I found the Oak Nano to be a hip-hop machine, with smooth instrumentals from artists like Nas and Joey Bada$$ gliding alongside impactful vocals and aforementioned bass presence. Any fan of their style should give these IEMs a serious look. Those outside of it can certainly get plenty from these strengths, especially with their preferred nozzle style.
Highs
Where I found the nozzles to have their own merits in the mid and low ranges, I actively preferred the red nozzle’s treble. Much of the promising detailing consistent within the black nozzle is absent in its highs, making the faint sparkle it does have feel misplaced. For me personally, I found vocal sibilance and brightness to be a bit sharp, giving the more musical red nozzle a bit less harshness. Though, using the USB-C adapter for EQ access could address the problem whilst maintaining its detailing. As EQ might feel almost necessary for some, I have to say this is a slight low for the IEM, especially for those uninterested in micromanaging their sound.
Final Verdict
Thinking back to its mission statement, I believe the Oak Nano to be a very strong case for customizable IEMs. FIIO’s included nozzles and EQ capabilities grant the IEM stronger variety for differing listening styles, gathering differing strengths for listeners with broad catalogues. Lush mids and smooth bass stand out within the price range as seriously competitive. For audiophiles interested in fine-tuning their IEM experience, there are few at this price range that grant this level of freedom. For listeners uninterested in customization and looking for a bit more treble, I would point them in the direction of the Xenns Mangrid Top Pro.
The FIIO SNOWSKY Oak Nano is available at Audio46.
