The FiiO FG3 is a gaming headset aimed at audiophiles, but after several weeks, I'm not totally convinced

Date:
Mon, 31 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Description:
The FiiO FG3 looks promising on paper, and works well for certain titles, but some weak areas let it down.

FULL STORY ======================================================================FiiO FG3: one-minute review (Image credit: Future) As an audio journalist, Ive covered FiiO plenty of times; the brand is known for beloved digital audio players like the JM21 and digital-audio converters like the FA15 . But I was surprised to see the brand enter a totally different market, trying its hand at a gaming headset.

The FiiO FG3 is the resulting device, and it clearly bears some of the audiophile DNA that FiiO is known for. It offers a coaxial dual-driver
set-up, which is uncommon in games-focused headphones, and also totes a lightweight DAC control module to jump between audio presets. So it should be a gaming gem, right? Right? Well, I think something was lost in translation. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

FiiOs hardware is fantastic for music, and the FG3 is the same, with the dual-driver set-up and handy EQ modes working well. However, its not quite as good for gaming, which isnt ideal for a 'gaming' headset.

Audio is often too muddy and rumbly to do justice to the layered sound design of an immersive environment or frantic battlefield. Its largely the low-end which lets the side down, with higher-pitched sounds cutting through pretty effectively. This wont affect all games, and dialogue-heavy or rhythm ones will benefit massively from the tuning.

The fit of the headphones isnt perfect either. While the cups are incredibly soft, the headphones squeeze and the headband is too firm. I had to take breaks from long gaming sessions to avoid my head hurting.

That all may sound like a series of criticisms, but theres a lot to like here too. The cans are easily portable, and the control app being online-only is a breath of fresh air in this bloatware-riddled world (even if it rules out EQ control when youve got no internet). Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals,
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The FG3 is also, crucially, pretty affordable, and I can see a discount or
two making it an absolute bargain. If youre reading this when theyre even $10 / 10 off, theyll be an absolute bargain.

So its easy to look past some of the more annoying elements, or rougher
edges, of FiiOs sound tuning and design. But I cant help but hope that the brands second foray into gaming headsets makes some improvements on what weve currently got. (Image credit: Future) FiiO FG3 (Black) at Amazon for 63.84 FiiO FG3: Price and availability List price: $69.99 / 69.99 (around AU$140) Available in the US, UK and Europe Matches RIG R5 Spear Pro HS, undercuts other rivals The FiiO FG3 sells for $69.99 / 69.99 (about AU$140, though at the time of writing, its not on sale in Australia), and was unveiled in June, 2026.

At that price, it undercuts many of the best wired gaming headsets , though
it matches our top-rated pick: the catchily-titled RIG R5 Spear Pro HS . That makes it fairly good value for a gaming headset, with many alternatives going for three-figure sums.

For your money, you get the headset as well as a removable microphone,
control cable and USB adaptor (which lets you plug the USB-C control cable into a USB-A port, if thats what you have available). FiiO FG3: specs Swipe
to scroll horizontally

Price

$69.99 / 69.99 (around AU$140)

Weight

0.69lbs / 0.31kg

Drivers

50mm dynamic + 16mm dynamic

Compatibility

PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC

Connection type

Wired (3.5mm or USB-C) (Image credit: Future) FiiO FG3: design and features The FiiO FG3 comes with a non-removable cable, which connects into a 3.5mm jack. Its not long, but itll reach a hand-held controller. However, its best to connect it to a control module which comes in the box; this offers you the ability to mute, change EQ or modify volume, and has a much longer cable
which connects to a device via USB-C (or USB-A, thanks to an included adaptor).

These cans arent particularly unique-looking, although the cups are slightly canted, which helps them fit a head shape better. They rotate a little horizontally and vertically, which also helps with the fit, though some other elements like the thin metal headband or certain cheap-feeling plastic elements discourage any notion of these being premium headphones. There are
no on-cup controls either.

While the ear pads are soft and comfortable, I did find that the padded headband wasnt padded enough. Longer gaming stints ended in growing aches;
the FG3 fit isnt as comfortable as other gaming headsets Ive used. A slight squeeze offered by the cans didnt help either.

You can fold the cups in on each other, and remove the microphone, transforming the headset into a compact unit which is easy to transport (though it doesnt come with any kind of carry case). Combined with a feature well get to later, its a great headset for people who game in different venues. (Image credit: Future) Now onto the feature set. A potentially-divisive feature of the FiiO FG3 is that you dont need to
download a control app to clutter up your PC. Instead, FiiOs website offers the ability to change EQ and flick between presets.

I loved the fact I didnt need to download more bloating software onto my rig, and that I could tote the FG3 between different systems and locations and still customize them, but it does mean that you get no control while offline.

The control site lets you choose three presets, which the control module lets you change between: a gaming mode, a cinema one, and a music one. The latter list, which includes the custom mode, is the one I found myself using most.

This module also means you can still jump between your EQ presets when you're on a console or handheld, so your decision to play on a Switch, PlayStation
or Xbox doesn't mean you're banned from customizable sound.

Dont expect any Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) here. I found that the
Passive Noise Cancellation (PNC) or natural ear cup blocking, managed to cut out annoying background sounds from my street, as did the closed-back design. But it wont save you from louder interruptions. (Image credit: Future) FiiO FG3: performance True to its audiophile heritage, FiiO has packed the FG3
with two drivers per cup: one 50mm dynamic driver designed to handle mid- and low-end, and a smaller 16mm dynamic driver for higher-end sounds. The benefit of dual drivers, rather than the sole unit found in most gaming headsets, is twofold: firstly, each being dedicated to different frequencies means that they can be better catered to them. Secondly, simultaneous sounds can be delivered with better clarity.

This latter is certainly true of the FiiO FG3, which has a distinct V-shaped sound profile; that means that bass and treble are well-defined and clear, though mids are a little lost. This isnt a huge issue for gaming, as most sound effects are low or high ones, but its audible in music (including game scores).

Its also clear that the high-end dynamic driver does its job well. Dialogue
is easy to make out, even in frantic battles, including in-game audio and friends voice chats during gameplay. Its also easy to make out nearby footsteps or the twinkle of a distant collectible. (Image credit: Future) However, Im not as sold on the bass capabilities of the larger driver. In music its scooping and well-defined, but while gaming it lacks the power or oomph of some other headsets Ive tested. This means the chatter of your gunfire sounds a little dulled, nearby explosions lose a visceral edge, and roaring monsters sound like they have a sore throat.

Perhaps most importantly, the background rumble of a city or busy landscape which so often defines an alive-feeling open world felt a little too rumbly for me. Some of FiiOs equalization modes go some way to fix its issues, but not the whole way; I never found a way to stop the sound feeling a little muddy, and sometimes even made it worse.

A much-touted selling point of the FG3 is the use of Virtual 7.1, an
algorithm which spreads sound to give a feeling of surround sound, without using 8 speakers (which would simply be 7.1 sound). It helps a little in spreading environmental and atmospheric sounds about you, though youll never forget that youre simply getting spread-out headphone sound.

The removable microphone is fine for purpose, but wont deliver especially crystalline audio. Even recording onto my PCs own voice recorder app, speech is a little crackly. However, I appreciate how dexterous the strut holding
the microphone is: you can move it to different angles or heights, and theres far more versatility than in many other headsets Ive used. (Image credit: Future) Should I buy the FiiO FG3? Buy it if...

You need something easily portable Between the removable microphone, the foldable build, and the fact that you can use the control app anywhere, this is perfect for going to a friend's LAN party.

You like customizing your sound The online EQ platform offers you loads of presets and plenty of control over your sound. Plus, the DAC control panel lets you jump between them easily. Don't buy it if...

You need something suited for long gaming stints After a few hours with the FG3, my head and ears were asking for a break. It's not the ideal headset for day-long binges, or even a full workday.

You want the best video game sound If all you care about is the sound of
your games, then the FiiO will disappoint you. It's not bad, but its muddy sound profile means you're never getting the best audio possible. FiiO FG3: Also consider (Image credit: Future) Here are two more gaming headsets that we've given positive reviews to, if you're not sold on the FiiO FG3. Swipe to scroll horizontally Row 0 - Cell 0

FiiO FG3

RIG R5 Spear Pro HS

Turtle Beach Atlas 200

Price

$69.99 / 69.99 (around AU$140)

$69.99 / 69.99 (around AU$140)

$59.99 / 49.99 (around AU$100)

Weight

0.69lbs / 0.31kg

0.74lbs / 0.34kg

0.62lbs / 0.28kg

Drivers

50mm dynamic + 16mm dynamic

40mm graphene

50mm Nanoclear

Compatibility

PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, PC

PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, Switch 2, PC

PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, Switch 2, PC

Connection type

Wired (USB-C)

Wired (3.5mm)

Wired (3.5mm)

RIG R5 Spear Pro HS This same-price rival offers great sound and a more comfortable fit. However, there's no way of customizing your sound, and you can't remove the microphone.

Read our full RIG R5 Spear Pro HS review

Turtle Beach Atlas 200 For even less than the FiiO, this Turtle Beach alternative offers a well-designed mesh headband and great mic quality. But its feature set is weighted towards PC gamers.

Read our full Turtle Beach Atlas 200 review How I tested the FiiO FG3 Used for three weeks Tested for gaming and other tasks Mainly connected to gaming PC I tested the FiiO FG3 for roughly three weeks in order to write the
review. Through this time, I used the headset while connected to my gaming
PC; I tried to plug it into my Android phone, but the connection was
stuttery.

The majority of the testing was done gaming; predominantly Nioh 3 and Total War: Pharaoh , but with time also spent on Old School Runescape , Isonzo , Slay The Spire , Crying Suns and the Mortal Shell 2 beta. I also used the headset to stream music while at work, and watch YouTube videos and TV shows.

Since I review audio products for a living, I have plenty of experience testing gaming headsets (and using other headphones for gaming purposes).
I've also tested other FiiO products.

First reviewed August 2026

Read more about how we test FiiO FG3: Price Comparison 63.84 View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by



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