FiiO continues to expand its line of full-size headphones, and this time it has introduced two models at once – FiiO FT1 Pro and FiiO FT1. Both new products differ in design, emitter type, and sound character, but retain the brand’s recognizable style Let’s take a closer look at their features, ergonomics, and sound and compare the models with each other.
Content
The headphones are delivered in identical two-layer cardboard packages, only with different printing and model pictured, as well as the same set. The package includes:
The wires are of good quality, with a strong layer of protective coating, although they lose flexibility because of this. Metal connectors are of non-standard shape. In general, the cables are convenient to use and it is especially pleasant to find a 4.4 mm interchangeable balanced wire in the package, thanks to which you can use headphones with a balanced sound source out of the box. The only disadvantage for stationary use is the length of the cables. Both wires are 1.5 meters long, which may not be enough for most users who will listen to music while not sitting at their desks.
The protective case, with a branded metal logo on the lid, is also of good quality and has several dividers for comfortable and safe transportation of not only headphones but also accessories.
Visually, the FiiO FT1 Pro and FiiO FT1 look a bit pricier than their price, which is typical for FiiO — they have always been able to make their equipment pleasant to use even in the entry-level segment.
There are two versions of FiiO FT1: dark and light, which is the one we reviewed. The ear cups are decorated with real wood, which is very rare for this class of headphones — thanks to this, FiiO FT1 look much more interesting than competitors, and natural materials are more pleasant to the touch.
The overall design of the headphones is the same. The headband adjustment mechanism is comfortable and holds firmly, although it doesn’t look too reliable, as it’s essentially a flat metal plate that can be easily bent.
The headband itself is equipped with soft inserts that hold the headphones well and do not put pressure on the head.
Ergonomically, both models are comfortable, but it is the heavier FiiO FT1 Pro that feels more balanced, weighing 374 g, compared to 340 g of the FiiO FT1, which is probably due to the open design of the FT1 Pro. The headphones do not press on the head and do not interfere, even during prolonged use. The ear cushions of both models are also identical: leatherette on the outside and fabric on the inside, with a soft material inside that fits nicely against your head.
| Type | Open planar headphones |
| Driver | 95×86 mm planar driver |
| Diaphragm thickness | 1 micron |
| Magnetic system | Patented uniform magnetic flux |
| Impedance | 20 Ω |
| Weight | 374 г |
| Headphone jack for connecting headphones | Two 3.5 mm TRS |
| Cable material | Oxygen-free copper with silver plating |
| Cable length | About 1.5 m |
| Audio cable plug | 3.5 mm / 4.4 mm |
| Headband | Lightweight portable design, 12 levels of adjustment |
| Type | Closed dynamic headphones |
| Frequency range | 10 Hz — 40 kHz |
| Driver | 60 mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW @ 1 kHz |
| Maximum sound level | 113 dB/Vrms @ 1 kHz |
| Weight | 340 г |
| Headphone jack for connecting headphones | Two 3.5 mm TRS |
| Audio cable plug | 3.5 mm / 4.4 mm |
| Cable material | Oxygen-free copper with silver plating |
| Cable length | About 1.5 m |
| Headband | Lightweight portable design, 12 levels of adjustment |
| Material of the cups | Black walnut / Beech |
The headphones are equipped with a 95×86 mm planar driver developed by FiiO. This driver is claimed to provide accurate and detailed sound reproduction thanks to its ultra-thin 1 micron diaphragm. The double-coated sapphire and aluminum technology increases rigidity and improves conductivity, which contributes to dynamic and clear sound.
The FT1 Pro utilizes a patented uniform magnetic field system that produces a consistent magnetic flux across the entire diaphragm area. This is claimed to reduce distortion and improve overall sound quality.
The headphones have a frequency range of 7 to 40,000 Hz. This allows you to reproduce both deep bass and high frequencies with high fidelity. With an impedance of 20 ohms and a sensitivity of 112 dB at 1 kHz, the FT1 Pro easily works with various audio devices without the need for an additional amplifier.
The headphones weigh 374 grams, which means they are relatively lightweight and comfortable for long periods of use. The headband is adjustable with 12 levels of customization.
Cups FiiO FT1 are made of North American walnut or beech. Each wooden cup has a unique structure.
It features a 60 mm large dynamic driver with a wood fiber composite diaphragm. This material is claimed to provide accurate and natural sound.
The manufacturer says the closed design with W-shaped suspension gasket helps reduce unwanted vibrations and improve acoustic performance.
The FiiO FT1 Pro delivers a balanced and natural sound that emphasizes the speed and melody of the planar driver. High frequencies are well separated, which is especially noticeable at ultra-highs. Middle frequencies sound organically, with excellent reproduction of instrumental parts. The bass is not too deep, but it is clear and controlled, with fast attack and decay.
The FiiO FT1 has a more pronounced V-shaped character with an emphasis on bass, which adds energy and dynamics to the sound, but negatively affects some instrumental parts. The high frequencies are emphasized, which adds brightness and detail to the overall sound, but can overemphasize strings and wind instruments. The middle recedes a little into the background, but in general, the information content is at a rather high level. The bass is deep and rich, which adds additional weight to the music, especially noticeable on tracks with a lot of low end.
Both models were tested with Chord Mojo 2 DAC and FiiO M11S audio playerusing high quality files, Audirvana Studio Pro and Apple Music streaming service. Under these conditions, the FiiO FT1 Pro demonstrated a more linear and technical sound with excellent detail.
When listening through smartphones, the headphones do not reveal their full potential, as the power of the smartphone is not enough for their drivers to work properly. This is especially noticeable in FT1 Pro, where the sound becomes less controlled and the dynamics are smoothed out, which is natural for demanding isodynamic drivers. The FT1 also loses low frequency depth and overall vigor. To fully unleash the headphones’ potential, we recommend using an amplifier or a high-quality audio player.
The price of the headphones is UAH 10,590for FiiO FT1 Pro and UAH 7,990 for FiiO FT1.
The brand’s flagship isodynamic modelFiiO FT5 will cost the buyer about UAH 21,800 (a review of which is available for link). Among the closest competitors Meze 99 Neo for UAH 9,288, AKG K371 for UAH 9 199, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x for UAH 7,389 and Sony MDR-7506 for UAH 6,966.
Also noteworthy are the monitor Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Om for UAH 8,722and Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO 250 Om for UAH 9,804, which, despite their equal presentation, are often used for listening to music (by the way, a comparison of both models is available in the review by link).