FLC8S Review – Hybrid Filter Multi Signature Earphone

FLC8

USD350

8.6

Sound Signature

8.7/10

Build Quality/Design/Accessories

8.4/10

Value

8.7/10

Pros

• Impressive packaging and selection of tuning options
• Compact size and form factor fit. Flc8s is lightweight and comfortable in the ear
• A variety of well tuned options and solid bass impact. The sound is excellent for a lower to mid-priced IEM

Cons

• That cable even though its been upgraded since the Flc8 the cable is still to springy and tangle prone.
• The filters although excellent are too small and fiddly to keep changing

I am happy to have the privilege to test these diminutive IEMs with a big reputation, I have heard a lot about these IEMs and from the moment you unwrap them you know they are something special.

FLC Technology is one of the earliest companies in China to explore the hybrid balance armature and dynamic driver technology. In 2011, it is the first company to launch a hybrids custom. The FLC 8S is the first universal hybrid balance armature and dynamic earphones by FLC technology. Due to FLC Technology’s extensive experience in the hybrid technology, the FLC 8S features excellent cross over technology which creates a coherent sound between the dual balanced armature drivers and the dynamic drivers.

FLC 8S recognises that there is no one size fit all sound signature for all users. Hence, it is designed to be highly tunable so that users can tune it according to their sound preference. While tunable earphones are not new in the market, the FLC 8S represents the pinnacle of this technology as it allows for 36 variations of sound unlike most tunable earphones which allows only 3 different sound signatures at most.

The FLC 8S comes with improved built quality and comes with braided cables as compared to the FLC 8.

Specs and Measurements

Driver unit: 8.6 mm dynamic drivers+ dual balanced armature

Rated Impedance: 11 Ohm

Sensitivity: 93 dB/mW

Frequency response: 20Hz- 20KHz

Plug: 3.5mm gold-plated plug

Cable: 1.30 mm TPU cable

Below is the filter table with what each filter achieves

For my review I used

ULF greyplug,

Lf black plug,

MF/HF Gunmetal filter bore.

I found this arrangement to be best with all genres of music.

The periodic Filters table of the Flc8s and how they sound

Unboxing/Accessories/Cables/Tips

The Flc8s impress from the offset, they come in an origami type box, where each unfold reveals a hidden compartment filled with audio goodness, the opening of the lid reveals the Flc8s in all their glory a blue sponge neatly seating the pair of iems in a turquoise blue shimmer, underneath the blue sponge is the cable which I believe is a 2 pin 3.5 mm cable at 0.75mm so not all replacement cables will work going forward however the supplied cable is excellent just very tangle prone.

With the next turn of the box if you pull the tray the iems are seated in outwards 90 degrees reveals a lower tray where there is an alloy tin neatly finished with an anodised finish to my eyes which will allow for transportation of the Flc8s.

My review is for the metallic blue looking ones but these are also available in red.

Next up there is a metal tube finished in an electric blue paintwork this house a selection of tuning filters ( Along with four interchangeable nozzles to adjust the mids and treble, the sleek-looking FLC8S is equipped with three sets of plugs for the sub-bass front ports and three more for the bass rear-tuning ports).The Flc8s will allow for crystal-clear performance across the spectrum, with isolation that’ll stand up to your daily commute, and wearable comfort thanks to the ergonomic cavity design, and ear tips aplenty.

And finally, you get a set of plastic tweezers to allow for fitting tuning filters into iems.