"Features Outstanding Input Versatility, Remote Operation, and Durable Tank-Style Design: Review of the Fiio SP5"] - Guitar | Technique

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What is it?

Fiio is best known for its portable audio products such as IEMs and the R7 desktop streamer. Its first desktop monitor, the SP3, caused quite a stir, and we now have their new larger SP5 on the test bench.

The SP5 is a rear ported two-way desktop-sized nearfield and is available in black or white. Built around a 5.25” composite fibre LF driver and 1” silk dome tweeter, the SP5 features a die-cast aluminium enclosure. It also employs a primary and secondary speaker configuration, so is accordingly sold in pairs. Unlike many of the primary/secondary style speakers, however, each SP5 unit has its own twin class-D amplification (60W LF, 20W HF) and its own mains power connector.

The two-part die-cast aluminium enclosure is somewhat reminiscent of Genelec’s smaller speakers, such as the 8030C. Even so, and much like the SP3, the SP5 has a very distinctive ribbed surface finish. This is both stylish and eye-catching, but does seem an odd choice for the wave guide area, which on most speakers is smooth.

The SP5 has an impressive selection of inputs, including analogue (phono, mini jack, XLR), USB (up to 96kHz) and Bluetooth 5.1, and supports a wide choice of high-resolution Bluetooth codecs. It also includes a dedicated handheld remote control for switching sources and adjusting volume. You can also pair your mobile device via Bluetooth and use Fiio’s multi-device control app.

In terms of onboard controls, there’s a front panel multifunction push button encoder with a multicoloured halo. This is used for source selection, on/off and volume. Meanwhile, on the back, you have three mini switch EQ options (bass, treble and low bass) as well as a USB-C connector, RJ45 ethernet connector, ground lift and channel select (left/right). This switch selects whether the primary speaker is the right channel (the default) or the left channel.

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(Image credit: Future / Matt Lincoln)

Performance

The SP5 enclosure is weighty and has heavy-duty integrated rubberised feet, which we found ideal for desktop or meter bridge positioning. That said, there’s no tilting facility and you also won’t find any stand mounting points, both of which are limitations.

Connecting up the SP5 depends somewhat on which audio connections you’re using. In most cases you connect your stereo source to the primary speaker, and use the enclosed phono to phono cable to supply the secondary speaker. For an XLR connection you connect directly to each speaker. Whichever connections you use, the speakers also need to be connected via the included Ethernet cable. This allows control of both monitors from the primary unit.

For testing, we positioned the SP5 pair directly on our desktop, connecting them up via phono, USB and Bluetooth. Selecting the audio source requires referencing the manual, which explains the various halo colours. Alternatively, and much simpler, is to grab the included remote, which has dedicated source selection buttons.

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Fiio SP5 — (Image credit: Future / Matt Lincoln)

Sonically, we found the SP5 did need a bit of breaking in and sounded quite brittle out of the box. With a few hours on the clock and with flat EQ settings, it clearly has a pronounced mid-range and sounds quite light in the low frequencies. However, the stereo image is good and the sweet spot quite broad. Nevertheless, we did feel the need to increase the low frequencies, selecting both the +3dB bass setting and the 50Hz low boost, which is a compensatory curve designed to help extend the very low frequency delivery. In contrast, we found the higher frequencies good in the flat setting. With these settings, we achieved a workable monitoring balance. That said, and much like a number of smaller nearfields, the low mid frequencies feel lacking. Couple this with the very forward mid-range, which we found quite fatiguing on guitar-heavy music, and we feel the SP5 lacks a bit of finesse.

Price	£709 / $749 per pair
Key features	Design: 2-way rear ported LF driver: 5.25” composite fibre HF driver: 1” silk dome Frequency Range: 65Hz to 20kHz (+/-2dB) Crossover frequency: 3.1kHz Max SPL: 104dB EQ: treble (-2dB/0dB/+2dB), bass (0dB/+3dB/+6dB), low frequency adjustment (50Hz/60Hz) Audio inputs: RCA, XLR, 3.5mm mini jack Bluetooth: audio input and remote control USB input: 24-bit up to 96kHz
Dimensions	280(h) x 170(w) x 185(d) mm
Weight	6.01kg (main), 5.94kg (secondary)
Contact	Fiio