FiiO LL-RC 2024

Introduction to the FiiO LL-RC 2024 Review

We all know them. FiiO has been one of the leaders in the space of affordable (and not too cheap) audio for quite some time. Recently we tried some of their heavy hitters: M15S and  BTR7. It’s time to look on the other side. While the SR11 streamer’s review is still cooking, I want to show you a hidden gem in their offer. At least I think it is. The LL-RC 2024 is the newest cable from their repertoire, featuring all the must-have options for a cable in 2024, namely: switchable plugs, good materials and excellent build quality.

It also sits on the top spot in FiiO’s lineup, promising the best quality they can deliver. Available in two lengths: 1,5m and 3m, you can find it online and via FiiO dealers. Let’s take a closer look at this cable and you’ll see why I am so excited about it.

Packaging

The simplest packaging possible aside from a plastic bag. The red outer sleeve hides a simple box with a closed-cell foam interior. There isn’t anything more to add. It’s clear that all of the budget went towards the product. Inside, you’ll find the cable with a spare swappable plug. That’s it, really. What else do you need?

Design, Build Quality and Tech

Well, this cable is a looker. FiiO decided to go tame with the design and they opted for a black braided sleeve and blue titanium plugs/splitter. It looks really nice. Well better, than you would expect for the price. Plugs are swappable 4,4mm and 3,5mm for source and fixed 3,5mm for headphones. Shame, even though switchable 3,5mm for headphones would drive the cost a bit. Swapping plugs is easy: just unscrew the body of the plug and replace the insert. Easy and no chance for disconnection. You might say “Wait a minute, where is a 4-pin XLR plug?”. Well, not here. I do think it should be included at a reasonable price bump (maybe as an option?), but there is a simple solution: FiiO has a 4,4mm to XLR adapter that fixes the problem. The LX-4.4M goes for around $12. The only downside is the length of a 4,4mm plug with the adapter on.  Plugs for headphones have a locking indentation matching the ones in their headphones. Those plugs are pretty wide, so they won’t fit all headphones. It works with sockets that are not recessed (e.g. HiFiMan), or with dedicated FiiO headphones. No compatibility with Meze headphones sadly. It would be amazing to have smaller plugs for headphones to create bigger compatibility, but it is primarily made for FiiO products. 

Let’s talk about the inside. FiiO has utilized the famous Furukawa copper from Japan. How did they do it at such a price point? They bought a TON of it to get the best bulk pricing. The cable uses a complex coaxial design with very fine strands ranging from 0,05mm to 0,08mm. Totalling 560 strands it’s not something I wish I did with my hands. The overall thickness per wire is around 21AWG. The cable is soldered with silver-containing tin. There is a picture on the website, showing a solder connection, but it is not the best connection, so I’m hoping they do better in production. No way for me to see that in the reviewed cable, but the picture clearly does show a different cable. You might wanna change that FiiO…

The comfort of this cable is good. It is a little stiff and heavy (I have the 3m version), but after you settle comfortably it’s all right. Doesn’t tangle much and the braid has a nice feel to it.

The sound of the reviewed FiiO LL-RC 2024

So, all that fancy copper… Does it mean anything? Let’s start with the overall: it delivers a direct upgrade over most stock wires. In my experience I have compared it to HiFiMan’s stock “used condom” and FiiO came on top not only in sound quality. Many of us know how uncomfortable to touch that HiFIMan cable is. Back to the sound quality. This cable presents a warm and dark tone. Thickens the sound and adds more weight and heft. It provides a big and bold sound. I heard that “thick cables allow more music to flow” and while I disagree with that statement, it does feel at home in this case. 

Bass

It gets really bouncy with this cable. If you’re a bass-head, you should be sold already. The heft is undeniable. Whether you prefer EDM, metal, or any other genre with a solid foundation in the lowest octaves. Take for example Waking The Deamon by Bullet For My Valentine. The drums are one of the best parts of this song and giving them extra power brings a nice excitement to the sound. They have a nice punch that corresponds well with BFMV’s aggressive sound. While adding quantity to the bass, you can also expect to lose some resolution. You don’t feel it compared to stock cables, but in comparison to some more expensive models, it becomes apparent. Excellent result in its class.

Midrange

For this test, I listened to Dua Lipa’s latest visit at Tiny Desk by NPR Music. For those, who don’t know it’s contemporary MTV Unplugged, but even smaller and more intimate. Her first Tiny Desk show was excellent and the second one is also nice. In the song Houdini, I enjoyed her pleasant, warm voice, slightly more weighty thanks to the LL-RC 2024. It gave more liveliness to the whole thing and masked the taint of YouTube compression (AFAIK the only way to enjoy Tiny Desk). This cable adds its touch to the sound and with it brings warmness and musicality. 

Treble

You already know how this will go. Since the cable is focused on the bass, the treble will be rolled off. In this range, I felt the least change from HiFiMan’s stock cable. The song tested was Come Rain or Come Shine by Bill Evans. Some parts of piano and cymbals felt a little veiled, or recessed. I think that in comparison HiFiMan’s cable showed more detail, but at the cost of sharpness. The LL-RC 2024 still performs nicely in relation to the price, but the treble is the least impressive of the ranges.

Soundstage

Back to the good part. Father and Son, a track from my favourite Cat Stevens album has a really nice airiness to it. The FiiO’s latest cable didn’t disappoint. It really drove the sense of space home. It brought a nice amount of separation between instruments. Its influence ended up giving a bit more space, the precision and positioning were paired with the stock cable.

FiiO LL-RC 2024 Review – Summary

In my opinion, the LL-RC 2024 is a very pleasant surprise from FiiO. It has an exciting and ever-so-popular warm tone with emphasis on the bass. Even if you don’t believe in cables making a difference in sound, it still is a well-built, convenient, and universal cable.

Swappable plugs are becoming the best headphone trend of 2024. If you want moar bass it’s a no-brainer. If you’re looking for a nice cable that won’t drain your pockets, it’s worth your consideration. Just check the compatibility with big 3,5mm plugs.