FIR Audio M5

Sound Analysis.

I analyzed M5 sound performance paired up with different sources while playing a variety of test tracks, such as Agnes Obel “The curse”, Sandro Cavazza “So much better” (Avicii remix), C-Bool “Never go away”, Ed Sheeran “Shape of you”, Alan Walker “Darkside”, Galantis “Hunter”, Iggy Azalea “Black widow”, Indila “Boite en argent”, Counting Crows “Big yellow taxi”, David Elias “Vision of her”, and Michael Jackson “Dirty Diana”. Also, considering hybrid nature of M5 design, I let it burn in for about 100hrs to make sure its dynamic driver is fully conditioned. The only change I noticed was the bass settling down.

Eartips selection.

In many cases picking the correct eartips size is important for the best seal, which affects the bass impact. Or you can try eartips from different materials (silicone vs foam) to reduce upper end sparkle. With M5, I discovered different types of tips to actually control the bass impact. Here is what I found.

Foam marshmallow tips with longer stem (stock) – more balanced sound sig with less boomy bass (reduces bass slam), neutral organic detailed mids, and well controlled and defined natural extended treble.
Generic silicone with longer stem – more v-shaped sound sig with more low end emphasis, neutral organic detailed mids, and brighter and crisper treble.
Whirlwind turbo silicone with shorter stem – more L-shaped sound sig with more low end emphasis, neutral organic detailed mids, and well controlled and defined natural extended treble.
Symbio hybrid tips – more balanced sound sig with emphasis on low end (punchier bass), mids (more forward presentation), and treble (more crisp sparkle). You get all the enhancements with this one!

My original M5 review from 6 months ago had a detailed sound analysis based on the pre-production prototype unit. I reviewed it as is, but also provided my own personal feedback to Bogdan and his team. I believe, while attending CanJam SGP, they also received a similar feedback from other audiophiles and reviewers, and as a result the new final production M5 unit has an updated sound sig. As a matter of fact, the update was so noticeable that I had to completely rewrite my review.

Based on what I’m hearing with foam eartips and stock cable, M5 has a balanced sound signature with a little more emphasis on low end impact. That’s where eartip selection comes in play because you can skew this sound sig to more L-shaped or even mildly V-shaped. For my own personal preference, I choose foam eartips to keep the sound balanced with a neutral natural tonality where I hear a nice retrieval of details and pretty good natural resolution for this type of sound tuning. The biggest noticeable change between the prototype tuning and this final production tuning is a more forward presentation of mids/vocals with a more transparent natural resolving tonality, not as smooth and colored as it was in prototype.

Soundstage has a more holographic expansion with a wider L/R spread and more out of your head depth. It’s not exactly 3D holographic staging, but the depth is no longer as intimate as it was in prototype, pushing the sound a little farther. Positioning of instruments within the space is good, resulting in a pretty accurate imaging without any congestion. For 5 drivers, covering Dynamic, BA, and ESTAT, to my big surprise I found this hybrid tuning to be quite coherent with a smooth transition of analog quality lows into neutral natural mids, followed into well-defined extended treble.

Low end has a deep sub-bass extension with a balanced rumble, not too overwhelming. The same with mid-bass which hits stronger and has an average attack/decay speed, a typical dynamic driver performance. The bass is not too aggressive, but punches through the mix nicely, has more of an analog flavor, tastefully elevated, but not on the basshead level.

Lower mids are more neutral, yet still with enough body to make the transition from bass more linear and coherent. Upper mids are natural, detailed, with a slightly forward presentation. Mids/vocals sound very natural, realistic, clear, non-fatigue. Retrieval of details is good, but not on micro-detail level, and with above average layering. The sounds and vocals are nicely separated, just not too much air between the layers. In comparison to prototype, the final tuning has more emphasis in 2k-3k region which improves the sound balance and gives more clarity and better definition to vocals.

Treble is well controlled, with plenty of clarity and a nice definition, good extension but not a lot of air (despite what some would expect from ES drivers). Treble has a very natural tonality, with more controlled peaks, never fatigue. I do hear (and measured) 7k peak, but it’s very non-aggressive and provides better clarity and definition without any sibilance.