FiiO FG3 Review: Gaming Headset With Hi-Fi Sound and DSP

FiiO is best known for its Hi-Fi headphones, earphones, DACs and portable audio products, but the company is now expanding into gaming with the FiiO FG3. Priced at around $60–$70 depending on the market, the FG3 takes a slightly different approach to the typical gaming headset.

Rather than focusing on RGB lighting or an elaborate gaming aesthetic, FiiO has combined a conventional over-ear headphone design with a detachable boom microphone, USB audio processing and built-in DSP controls. The result is a headset that can serve as both a gaming solution and a general-purpose wired headphone.

We spent time using the FiiO FG3 for music, gaming, movies and voice communication to see whether its combination of audio hardware and gaming features delivers a worthwhile experience.

Design and Build Quality

The FiiO FG3 has a relatively understated design. There is no RGB lighting or aggressive gaming styling, which makes it easier to use outside of gaming. The overall construction is predominantly plastic, while the headband uses a metal frame that provides additional flexibility and structural support.

The construction does not feel premium, but it also does not feel excessively cheap for a headset in this price range. The 315-gram weight, including the microphone, keeps the FG3 reasonably manageable for longer sessions. The ear cups use a distinctive D-shaped design and are fitted with breathable fabric-style earpads. The pads are removable and replaceable, which is useful for a headset intended for regular gaming use.

The headband has generous adjustment range and accommodates a variety of head sizes. The ear cups can also fold, making the FG3 easier to store or transport.

One of the more practical design decisions is the detachable boom microphone. It connects directly to the left ear cup through a 3.5mm connection and can be removed when the microphone is not required. This effectively allows the FG3 to function as a conventional pair of headphones.

Comfort

Comfort is one of the stronger aspects of the FG3. The combination of the lightweight construction, adjustable metal headband and fabric-covered earpads makes the headset comfortable for extended periods. The earpads provide enough room around the ears for a proper over-ear fit, while the headband distributes the weight without creating significant pressure points.

We did notice that the clamp force could be slightly stronger. The headset can move a little when looking down, although it remains secure during normal gaming.

There is also a small caveat with the ear cups. Depending on the angle at which the headset is positioned, the cups can occasionally create pressure around the ears. This was not a major issue during our testing, but comfort will ultimately depend on head shape and fit.

Overall, the FG3 is comfortable enough for extended gaming and listening sessions, although it is not necessarily the most comfortable headset we have tested.

Detachable Microphone

The detachable microphone is one of the features that makes the FG3 different from a conventional pair of headphones. The boom uses a flexible stem that can be positioned close to the mouth and retains its shape reasonably well. A foam windscreen is included, and the microphone can be removed completely when it is not needed.

FiiO also incorporates environmental noise cancellation into the microphone system. The microphone does a good job of keeping background sounds under control during voice communication, particularly for keyboard and nearby audio noise. Voice quality itself is adequate rather than exceptional. It is perfectly usable for gaming chat, Discord and general communication, but it does not approach the clarity of a dedicated desktop microphone or a high-end boom microphone.

For a headset in this price category, however, the microphone is functional and practical.

USB Audio and Controls

The FG3 uses a USB-C connection through its inline control module. The system incorporates the necessary audio hardware, including the DAC, amplifier and DSP processing, so there is no requirement for a separate headphone amplifier or external DAC when using the USB connection.

The control module provides a volume rocker, microphone mute button and mode button. The microphone mute button is particularly useful during gaming. A status indicator also provides a visual confirmation when the microphone is muted.

The mode button switches between three primary sound profiles:

• Music mode: Green
• Gaming mode: Blue
• Movie mode: Orange

These modes make noticeable changes to the sound rather than simply changing volume levels. The DSP is therefore an important part of the FG3’s overall presentation. FiiO officially rates the USB implementation for up to 24-bit/192kHz audio, and the headset is designed to work across computers, mobile devices and gaming platforms.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is where the FG3 becomes more interesting. The headset uses two coaxially arranged dynamic drivers: a 50mm unit and a 16mm unit, with a crossover at 4kHz. FiiO also incorporates a dedicated DSP system into the USB control hardware.

Out of the box, the FG3 has a mildly V-shaped presentation with an emphasis on the bass and upper frequencies. The result is an energetic presentation that works reasonably well for gaming, although it is not particularly neutral.

Music

For music listening, we preferred the Music mode. It provides the most balanced presentation of the three available profiles. Bass has reasonable weight and texture, while the overall presentation remains energetic.

The lower frequencies do not deliver the deepest physical rumble we have heard from a gaming headset, but there is enough presence to give drums, bass guitars and electronic tracks some weight. The mids are less impressive. Vocals and instruments can sound slightly hollow, while the overall midrange lacks some of the natural body we would expect from a more refined headphone.

The treble is also somewhat uneven. There is enough energy to prevent the presentation from sounding dull, but it can occasionally sound slightly thin or artificial. Treble extension is not particularly impressive either. This means the FG3 is enjoyable for casual music listening, but it does not compete with dedicated headphones in the same general price range when music quality is the primary consideration.

Gaming

Gaming is where the FG3 makes more sense. The headset produces a relatively wide soundstage for its price, while imaging is particularly good. Directional information is easy to follow, making it possible to identify footsteps, gunfire and other positional cues with reasonable accuracy.

Interestingly, the Gaming mode was not always our preferred profile. It reduces some of the energy in the presentation and can make the sound comparatively restrained. The Movie mode can be more engaging during games because of its stronger bass and more energetic treble. However, the upper-midrange can become more forward, which may become tiring during longer sessions.

For competitive gaming, we preferred a more balanced profile, while Movie mode can be enjoyable for single-player titles where immersion is more important than absolute accuracy.

Movies and Video

The FG3 is perfectly usable for movies and television, although none of its three profiles is ideal for every type of content. Music mode provides the most balanced overall sound, while Movie mode places greater emphasis on dialogue and impact. The downside is that the resulting presentation can become somewhat exaggerated.

Gaming mode is comparatively restrained and does not provide the same level of impact. For general multimedia use, Music mode is therefore the profile we would recommend leaving enabled.

DSP and FiiO Control

The FG3’s DSP functionality is one of its biggest selling points, but it is also one of the areas where our experience was mixed. FiiO provides access to additional configuration through its FiiO Control web interface. The system allows users to adjust EQ settings and access additional sound profiles.

When functioning correctly, the flexibility is useful. Users who prefer a particular sound signature can tune the headset rather than being restricted to the factory profiles. However, software support was inconsistent during our testing. The mobile implementation did not reliably recognise the FG3, and the web interface was not always straightforward to use.

This is disappointing because the hardware has considerable potential. A more polished software experience would make the FG3 considerably easier to customise. FiiO has continued to support the FG3 with firmware updates, so this is an area that could improve over time.

Connectivity and Compatibility

The USB-C connection makes the FG3 convenient for modern devices. FiiO also includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter, allowing it to be connected to older PCs and other equipment. The company states that the headset is compatible with common computers, gaming consoles and mobile devices.

The wired design also means there is no battery to charge. For desktop gaming, this is a benefit because the headset is always ready to use. The main issue is the cable itself. It is fairly thick and retains some of its shape, which makes it less flexible than we would prefer. The cable can also produce some microphonic noise when it moves against clothing or a desk.

The shorter headphone-side cable combined with the longer control section works well for desktop use, but an additional extension cable would have made the package more versatile.

FiiO FG3 Microphone Quality

For gaming communication, the microphone is competent. Voice reproduction is clear enough for conversations and multiplayer gaming, while the noise-cancellation system does a good job of reducing unwanted background sounds. During testing, background music and keyboard noise were not particularly intrusive through the microphone. This is useful for anyone gaming in a shared environment.

However, microphone volume can be relatively low depending on the device and software configuration. Users may need to increase the input level in Windows, Discord or their preferred communication software. The microphone should therefore be viewed as a convenient gaming solution rather than a replacement for a dedicated microphone.

Verdict

The FiiO FG3 is an interesting first attempt at a gaming headset from a company with a strong background in personal audio. Its strongest qualities are the physical design, comfort, detachable microphone, USB audio implementation and gaming performance. The wide soundstage and accurate imaging make it particularly useful for games where positional information matters.

However, the FG3 is not a perfect gaming headset. The sound can be inconsistent between its different profiles, and the DSP implementation is more complicated than it needs to be. The software experience also needs refinement. For music, the FG3 is competent rather than exceptional. Music mode provides the most enjoyable presentation, but the somewhat hollow mids and uneven treble remind us that this is ultimately a gaming-oriented headset.

At around $60–$70, however, the FG3 offers a lot of functionality. It combines a wired headphone, USB DAC/amp, DSP system and detachable microphone in one package, without requiring a battery or additional hardware. For users looking for an affordable wired gaming headset that can also handle everyday music and media consumption, the FiiO FG3 is worth considering. Its biggest strength is versatility, while its biggest weakness is that some of its more advanced features are not as polished as the hardware itself.

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