Current testing methodology is v1.2
March 18, 2021
$12.99
4.6 oz
5.24 x 4.49 x 1.54 in
The FAAEAL Poppy is an ultra-budget IEM with a sleek bullet-style design and 6mm micro drivers. It’s manufactured by FAAEAL, which is a Chi-Fi brand known for its past IEMs like the FAAEAL Iris and Hibiscus.
I was browsing online shops one day, and the name “Poppy” intrigued me.
I ordered it because of its unique name and classic look which is funny since the name implies something more floral-related. Let’s find out how it does in this review.
FAAEAL Poppy
Great inclusions, sleek design, and warm sound for under $15.
TL:DR;
The FAAEAL Poppy is a great unit for audiophiles looking for a safe sound signature at an affordable price.
Despite the underlying issues, I think the FAAEAL Poppy can compete with other IEMs within the same price range.
It has great mid-bass even though it’s produced by a 6mm micro driver, a safe midrange that gives flavor to the overall mix, and a recessed treble that seeps into the mix, creating a warm sound profile.
I also find the inclusions a great addition, taking into consideration of its affordable price.
The Specs
- Driver: 6mm Micro Dynamic Driver
- Cable: 3.5mm Line Type
- Cable Length: 1.25m
- Frequency: 20 – 38,000Hz
- Impedance: 16Ω
- Sensitivity: 106dB
What’s in the Box?
- FAAEAL Poppy earphones
- 4 x pairs of silicone ear tips
- Small carrying pouch
- Cable clip
- User guide
Stuff I like
- Sleek and simple design
- Durable build and comfortable fit
- Sibilance-free
- U-shaped sound
- Great inclusions
Stuff I like less
- Slow bass response
- Weird tonal balance
- Poor separation
- Powerless treble
Where to get it
Comparable products to consider
If you’re looking for classic-style earphones that still compete up to this day, the FAAEAL Iris Commemorative Edition is a great option.
The KZ Ling Long is a pair of bullet-style earphones with balanced V-shaped sound for under $20.
The Tanchjim Zero is an affordable non-detachable pair of earphones with a classic look.
Review Metrics
First Impressions
The FAAEAL Poppy came in a box that’s smaller compared to the usual IEM boxes from other Chi-Fi brands such as KZ and QKZ.
I’m not really sure why the box shape intrigued me but at first, I thought it was a square box. I took the time to measure it (which, in my defense, seems like something a regular person would do), and its dimensions are 8cm by 9cm, making it a rectangular box by default.
The front of the box features an image of the earphones, while the rear side of the box shows the product specifications. I noticed some typing errors on the box, like their catchphrase “Rodefine The Listening” which should be “Redefine The Listening”.
Opening the box revealed the inclusions, such as the ear tips, user guide, clip, and a free gray pouch containing the earphones themselves.
The FAAEAL Poppy’s design amazed me because of its simplistic yet premium-ish feel. It has a nice zinc coating for the earphone and something similar to stainless steel for the mic parts, along with its thick cable. This build and design hint at durability.
The included ear tips are the generic ones you’d get from other budget IEMs but are still able to fit the earphone’s elegant appearance.
Overall, I think the Poppy’s design is one of its main selling points.
Build Quality
Considering its budget price, the FAAEAL Poppy’s build quality surpassed my expectations. I also think that it looks like a mini hairdryer.
Its zinc coating gives a shiny look which may collect scratches and wear over time, but I guess that’s not much of a problem since they seem durable enough to withstand minor impacts from day-to-day use. It may look dainty at first, but if you get the chance to hold it, you could feel some weight.
Additionally, the cable splitter, multi-function button, and 3.5mm are less shiny, indicating that a different material was used. I believe it’s made up of stainless steel.
The cable of the Poppy shows similarities to the cable used with Moondrop Quarks, but a lot softer.
Another thing is the provided ear tips. They’re generic but do well with the Poppy.
Lastly, the provided pouch feels like it’s made out of a thick and durable material which helps store the earphones safely. I like how they incorporated a gray-colored pouch to keep up with Poppy’s silver and gray theme.
Fit and Comfort
Wearing the FAAEAL Poppy is a different experience compared to my other IEMs because of its size and form. The comfort I felt compensated for the other shortcomings it presented later on.
I felt some weight during my early usage but as time passed, I’ve gotten used to how heavy it is and it wasn’t an issue for me anymore. However, the fit and comfort of this IEM may vary for other users due to different ear shapes and sizes.
Using the included medium ear tips gave a perfect seal in my ears. Later on, I switched to larger ear tips because of preference.
Another thing we always take for granted is the included cable clip which is an excellent help for multitaskers like me. Clipping the cable on the shirt, collar, or pants helps stabilize the IEMs to prevent them from popping off from the listener’s ears after crouching or other similar actions.
Sound Quality
The FAAEAL Poppy’s sound signature feels warm due to its recessed mids and treble. It has a U-shaped sound signature with a bit of elevation in the bass region.
There’s a good amount of bass in this unit, especially in its mid-bass but there are still certain setbacks to note which I’ll discuss more later. Its midrange section has a bit of thickness, giving energy to the rest of the mix.
Moving on to the highs – the highs are the main problem as it lacks air and is completely lost in the rest of the mix.
Personally, I feel like the soundstage of the FAAEAL Poppy is somewhat lacking as it feels narrow and focused on one space but not to the point that it suffocates the whole mix.
Bass
The bass of the FAAEAL Poppy is good but could be a lot better. I’d give a round of applause to this IEM for having powerful bass, considering it only runs on a 6mm micro driver.
It’s also noticeable that the Poppy focuses on the mid-bass rather than the sub-bass. Despite being mid-bass prominent, there’s still a good quantity of rumble and power that complements the overall bass without dominating the rest of the region.
Considering the price, the bass detail of the Poppy is surprisingly good. The only issue I encountered with Poppy’s bass is it bleeds into the midrange.
Midrange
The FAAEAL Poppy’s mids presentation is smooth but doesn’t remove the fact that it’s recessed.
Its timbre is somehow thick, contributing to its warm sound signature. This gives the Poppy the power to be suitable for most genres without causing fatigue to the listeners with long periods of usage.
A problem with the midrange is more pronounced when it’s used for the busiest tracks, where it loses its smoothness. It struggles to produce certain details and starts to sound congested because the different musical elements clash with each other.
Treble
Unlike the other issues I’ve encountered, the FAAEAL Poppy’s treble is where it falls short. Yes, it’s sibilance-free, but it also lacks details and energy in the highs.
Issues with the highs vary with the instruments, especially with mixes that have highlighted guitars and cymbals.
The guitars lack the usual airiness I look for, though it provides substantial detail it misses the required thickness for it to be noticeable. With the crash cymbals, I’ve encountered a similar issue to the guitars where it starts splashy and lasts too short to be appreciated.
It’s worth noting that the treble contributes to the warmth of the overall sound signature. Because of this, it provides less fatigue when listening to most genres.
Conclusion
Reviewing the FAAEAL Poppy introduced me to a new experience with IEMs. For earphones that cost less than $15 – or $12, to be exact, it would make a great addition to your collection of warm-sounding earphones.
It exhibits a warm sound signature, which would be a good recommendation for treble-sensitive audiophiles. Its bass has nice power that gives good rumble. Another feature to commend is the amount of detail it exhibits on most tracks. Mids and treble are okay-ish but could be better if you ask me.
Another thing that I like about the Poppy is its inclusions. You get a lot for a $12 set, which makes it a steal. This is rare since sets at this price point don’t include that much.
I’d recommend the FAAEAL Poppy if you’re looking for an affordable pair with a safe, sound signature and a lot of inclusions.
Shaik, a college student, part-time musician, and proud fur parent. Currently pursuing his degree in architecture.
As a part-time musician, Shaik enjoys expressing his self creatively through music. Whether it's writing original songs or performing covers, music is a significant part of Shaik's life
This post was last updated on 2024-10-31 / Some images from Amazon Product API & some links may be affiliate links which may earn us a commission from purchases.