Fosi Audio, the undisputed “affordable Hi-Fi” lords on Amazon, are turning heads ahead of CanJam SoCal 2025. The company will make a splash at the premier Southern California audio show on September 13–14 at the Irvine Marriott, showcasing their i5 Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones and giving visitors a first look at two highly anticipated launches: the ZH3 Balanced DAC/Headphone Amp/Preamp and Fosi’s very first in-ear monitors. Buzz is already building around these new releases, and audiophiles won’t want to miss experiencing them firsthand at Booth F4-F5.
“CanJam SoCal is the perfect venue to bring Fosi’s latest innovations directly to the passionate audiophile community,” said Ryan Huang, Founder and CEO of Fosi Audio. “With the i5 headphones, our first in-ear monitors, and the upcoming ZH3 DAC/amp, we’re expanding into new categories while staying true to our mission of making HiFi accessible.”
Expanding Fosi Audio’s Affordable Hi-Fi: i5 Planar Headphones
Fosi Audio’s i5 Planar Magnetic Headphones combine planar magnetic drivers with an ergonomic open-back design for spacious, immersive sound and long-term comfort. Already praised by audiophiles and reviewers for their precise imaging and punchy bass, the i5 offers a high-end listening experience without breaking the bank. Priced at $549.99, the i5 will be available for demos at CanJam SoCal, giving attendees a chance to hear them firsthand.
The Fosi Audio i5 Planar Magnetic Headphones are engineered for both precision and comfort. At the heart of the design is a 97mm large-diaphragm driver with an ultra-thin 2-micron diaphragm, delivering detailed, dynamic sound with minimal distortion. Fosi’s Target Sputtering Technology ensures the diaphragm responds evenly and accurately, further reducing distortion and improving clarity. The acoustic damping rear chamber controls airflow and limits unwanted vibrations, resulting in a clear, well-defined soundstage with accurate tonal balance. Performance is boosted by 44 high-strength N50 neodymium magnets, which generate a strong, stable magnetic field to improve efficiency, dynamic range, and transient response, revealing fine details across the frequency spectrum.
Comfort is equally considered: the headphones feature breathable, skin-friendly earpads that minimize heat and pressure for long listening sessions, even for glasses wearers, while a memory metal headband adapts to different head sizes without losing its shape. Stepless silicone adjustments allow precise, personalized fit.
In terms of specifications, the i5 is a full-size open-back wired headphone with a frequency response of 10Hz–50kHz, sensitivity of 98dB/mW, impedance of 28Ω, and THD under 1% at 100 dB SPL. It can handle power above 250mW(minimum recommended 100mW) and produces sound pressure levels exceeding 120 dB SPL. Weighing 550g, the i5 is noticeably substantial—not lightweight—but despite the size, its low impedance and solid sensitivity make it easy to drive from most modern headphone amplifiers or portable devices, combining robust build quality with approachable usability.
Fosi Audio i5 Headphones – Key Specifications
- Model Name: i5
- Device Type: Full-size Open-back Wired Headphones
- Transducer Type: Planar Magnetic Drivers
- Maximum Sound Pressure Level: >120 dB SPL
- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 50kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <1% @ 100 dB SPL
- Sensitivity: 98dB/mW @ 1kHz
- Impedance: 28Ω
- Recommended Power: >250mW
- Minimum Recommended Power: >100mW
- Weight: 550g
Fosi Audio ZH3 DAC/Headphone Amp/Preamp
Fosi Audio is giving audiophiles a first look at the ZH3 DAC/amp/preamp at CanJam SoCal 2025. Built for both desktop and studio use, the ZH3 pairs XMOS and AKM flagship decoding with four high-performance dual op-amps, delivering crisp, precise, and transparent sound.
At $199, it promises audiophile-grade performance with low noise and wide dynamic range. CanJam attendees will get hands-on access and exclusive technical overviews before the ZH3 officially launches later this month, giving a rare chance to hear Fosi’s latest in action.
Fosi Audio’s ZH3 is a no-nonsense, high-performance all-in-one desktop HiFi DAC, headphone amplifier, and preamp designed for anyone who takes sound seriously. Part of Fosi’s Z series, it pairs a minimalist yet refined design with serious technical firepower, making it a natural partner for the ZD3 and ZA3 in a complete desktop HiFi setup.
Under the hood, the ZH3 packs an audiophile-grade AKM 4493SEQ DAC, XMOS XU316 audio processor, and four OPA1612 op-amps, supporting ultra-high-resolution audio up to PCM 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512.
Fosi’s custom dual-power push-pull fully balanced amplifier circuit, combined with 11 ultra-low-noise LDOs and fixed capacitors, keeps the noise floor down to 1.9μV, letting even the smallest details in your music breathe.
Output is impressive: 650mW at 32Ω through the 6.35mm single-ended, and up to 2570mW at 32Ω via the 4.4mm balanced output. Three gain settings cover headphones from 16–300Ω, so the ZH3 can drive everything from delicate IEMs to demanding over-ear cans without breaking a sweat.
It’s versatile, too. Users get bass/treble adjustments, six digital filters, and EQ bypass, giving full control over tone—or the option to hear music exactly as recorded. The bypass function ensures any internal EQ can be skipped, preserving the original signal. Fosi even included a 12V trigger input/output to sync with the ZD3/ZA3 for automatic power on/off, no manual juggling required.
Connectivity covers every base: USB (UAC 1.0 for consoles like PS5, UAC 2.0 for high-res audio), coaxial, optical, and RCA inputs, plus 4.4mm, 6.35mm, RCA, and XLR outputs. That means the ZH3 can function as a DAC, headphone amp, or preamp and integrate seamlessly into any desktop HiFi setup—or even a gaming rig—without compromise.
In short, the ZH3 is a serious desktop HiFi powerhouse: high-resolution decoding, massive output, near-silent background, and the flexibility to handle nearly any headphones or connected device you throw at it. Fosi Audio keeps its promise to make premium sound accessible, while giving audiophiles the tools to explore every nuance in their music.
Fosi Audio ZH3 – Key Specifications
- Chipset: XMOS XU316 + AKM4493SEQ DAC + 4× OPA1612 op-amps
- Inputs: Coaxial, Optical, USB, RCA
- Outputs: 4.4mm balanced, 6.35mm single-ended, RCA, XLR
- Headphone Compatibility: 16–300Ω impedance
- Max Sampling Rates:
- USB: PCM 32-bit / 768kHz, DSD512
- Optical: PCM 24-bit / 192kHz
- Coaxial: PCM 24-bit / 192kHz
- Power Supply: DC 12V / 2A
- 4.4mm Balanced Output:
- Max Output Power: 2570mW ×2 (32Ω / THD+N <1%)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): ≥119 dB
- Dynamic Range: ≥119 dB
- THD+N: ≤0.00018%
- Noise Floor: ≤4.9μV
- 6.35mm Single-Ended Output:
- Max Output Power: 640mW ×2 (32Ω / THD+N <1%)
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): ≥121 dB
- Dynamic Range: ≥121 dB
- THD+N: ≤0.00024%
- Noise Floor: ≤1.9μV
Also making their debut at CanJam SoCal 2025 will be the IM4, Fosi Audio’s first foray into universal in-ear monitors. Details on the IM4s are still scarce, but we’ll update with specs, pricing, and availability as soon as Fosi makes them official.
In the meantime, Fosi Audio will have a broad lineup of their current gear available for hands-on demos, including:
- GR70 Tube Headphone Amp/Preamp
- K7 HiFi Gaming DAC/Headphone Amp
- DS1 Dongle DAC/Headphone Amp
- DS2 Dongle DAC/Headphone Amp
- PH05 Five-Channel Headphone Amp/Splitter
- SK01 Headphone Amp/Preamp
- SK02 Desktop DAC/Headphone Amp
- VOL20 Multimedia Volume Control Knob
- AH-01A Music Spectrum Visualizer
Whether you’re chasing planar magnetic headphones, desktop DACs, or your first IEM from Fosi, the booth will be stacked.
The Bottom Line
Fosi Audio is making a serious play in the affordable HiFi space with the i5 headphones, ZH3 DAC/amp, and IM4 IEMs, giving audiophiles hands-on access to solid performance and full-featured desktop solutions. The competition is stiff—Schiit Audio and iFi focus on amps, while FiiO offers both amps and headphones at similar price points—so Fosi will need to stand out on sound, features, and value to make a lasting impression.
Where to buy:
- Fosi i5 Headphones – $549 at Fosi Audio
- Fosi ZH3 DAC/AMP Check Fosi Audio
- Fosi IM4 IEMs (coming soon)
Related Reading:
- Fosi Audio Spins Into Vinyl With Luna3 Entry-Level Turntable On Kickstarter
- Top Affordable Hi-Fi Brands Leading The New Golden Age Of Audio In 2025
- Fear And Loathing In Class D Amplifiers: What $130 To $50K Actually Buys You
- De Minimis Exemption Crackdown: Could The New Rules Choke Off Affordable Hi-Fi Gear From China To America?
Anton
September 12, 2025 at 1:42 pm
Very interested in learning if this stuff is actually good. Will you guys be reviewing these products this year?