FiiO FT1 Review – Headfonia Reviews

Today we review the FiiO FT1, the latest closed-back headphone from the brand. A new model priced at $149 USD.

 

Disclaimer: the FiiO FT1 was sent to us free of charge by the brand, in exchange for our honest opinion.

About FiiO

Established in 2007, FiiO has become a powerhouse in the audiophile realm, offering an impressive line-up of affordable and high-quality products. From IEMs, headphone amps, DACs, to DAPs, FiiO has consistently delivered top-notch devices, setting benchmarks for other brands to follow like the FiiO M23, the mighty FiiO Q15, or the everlasting E10K, which has remained on the market for over a decade.

An unceasing saga of success, propelled not only by a steady flow of high-end devices but also by the introduction of smart, budget-friendly products. Their latest series of USB DAC/Amps being a prime example – compact dongle-sized gadgets that hark back to the venerable FiiO E5 and E3, first revealed over a decade ago. An expansive range that includes the delightful FiiO KA13, the formidable FiiO KA5, the diminutive FiiO KA1, and KA2, and the amazing KA17 we had the chance to review a little while ago.

And if that line-up already seemed complete to me, the brand still decided to go a step further, with a complete range of headphones : namely, the FT3, FT5 and JT1, now followed by the FiiO FT1.

A closed-back dynamic headphone – a first time for FiiO – packing all of the latest features they developed across the last years, at a very conservative price. As they always do.

A new banger? Time to find out

The FiiO Series

If we pull apart the Jade-Series, comprising of the JD1 (review pending), JD3, JH3, and JD7 (terrific one for the price) FiiO’s in-ears/headphones range splits into three different categories:

• FAx, for balanced IEMs, like the FA7S I reviewed last time,
• FHx, for hybrid IEMs, like the FH7 Berkhan received
• FDx, for dynamic IEMs, like the FD7 or FDX
• FFx, for the earbuds like the FF1, FF3 and FF5
• and finally, the FTx, for headphones like the FT1 we are reviewing today

FiiO FT3

First of its kind for the brand, the FiiO FT3 introduced their first Beryllium-plated 60mm large driver, encased inside an open-back gamer-looking headset, available in two versions like the Beyerdynamic DT-770 – 32 ohms, or 350 ohms. An oddball in many ways, advertised as a premium headphone, than won many VGP awards and even got some praise from Berkhan, who reviewed it a year ago.

Here’s a quick excerpt for reference:

“The new FiiO FT3 performs better than I expected. The huge dynamic driver provides great bass quantity, dynamism, mid-range fullness, and natural treble with good definition. Its mid-forward style together with its excellent body makes it an easy-to-like headphone, with great musicality. So I think FiiO made the right choice about the tuning, which appeals to a bigger, a bit more ”general consumer” crowd.”

FiiO FT5

If you were seeking for something higher-tier than the FT3, FiiO got you covered with the FT5. Another open-back headphone that was given a futuristic design and body, but with a planar driver instead of a dynamic one. It’s a tad more expensive, a tad more heavier on the head, a little more complete in terms of bundle, but miss the same magic found in its little brother.

B. also reviewed them, so here’s another excerpt:

“The new FiiO FT5 is a great addition to the planar market, and it’s exciting to see FiiO entering this space. However, there are some areas where improvements can be made, particularly in the mid-bass region and mid-range clarity. While other aspects of its sound are very good, the competition in this market is tough. The FT5’s large planar driver provides excellent bass quantity, dynamics, mid-range fullness, and natural treble with good definition”

And now let’s take a look at the FT1

The article continues on Page two, after the click here, or after the jump

Page 1: About the brand

Page 2: Comfort, usage

Page 3: Specifications, Bundle

Page 4: Sound performance