Comeback To The V-Shaped Scene – FiiO FT1 PRO Open-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones Review
FiiO FT1 PRO is a $199 USD pair of Planar Magnetic Over-The-Ear Headphones, being FiiO’s actual comeback to the headphone scene. While the company had many attempts to create high-quality headphones before, this one is the first that I can actually classify as excellent, and today we will take a deep dive in the design, comfort, and sound and see how FiiO went from creating some of the best DAPs to also creating headphones now.
Introduction
FiiO is now one of the largest Chinese Audiophile tech manufacturers, and they have created many products that won Hall Of Fame awards both from us and other review outlets as well. FiiO products are now sold not only directly by FiiO but also through countless other shops, even at times on big markets like the Romanian Tech Giant Emag, Aliexpress, and the best platform I know, Amazon.
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. Huge thanks to FiiO for providing the sample for this review, in exchange for my honest opinion.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4gJ3Ojn
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_olKEPfK
Build Quality / Aesthetics
FiiO FT1 PRO is a pair of high-quality headphones with an entry-level price, but the company still managed to create their own 95 * 86mm planar magnetic driver, with a 1um thin diaphragm. This driver is a self-developed 2nd generation from FiiO, and it has a dual coating patented technology, with Sapphire + Aluminium, and with a Uniform magnetic field design. Those drivers come with Dual-Sided Magnets, and from the looks of the graph shown on FiiO’s page, the signature they share is a highly vocal or bright one, but measurements done by companies tend to not always be a reliable indicator of the final sound you’ll hear from the headphones.
The process node used for FT1 PRO is 28 nm, and they have a highly sensitive design, from an impedance point of view, having just 20 OHMS of impedance. FiiO made FT 1 PRO lightweight with just 374 grams of weight, and with 12 levels of adjustments, along with an open-back design. Complementing the low impedance, we have an SPL of 112dB / Vrms and 95dB / mW, which on paper should make the FT 1PRO reasonably easy to drive.
We get a breathable fabric earpad, comfortable for long listening sessions, and Dual TRS connectors at the headphone side, with 3.5mm standard connectors. We also get a headphone storage case, and FiiO includes two cables, one that is ended in a 3.5mm connector and one that is ended in a 4.4mm balanced connector, both having a 392 wire silver-plated copper material in the build.
Fit / Comfort
Starting with the flexibility, FiiO offers a 38mm sliding travel for the size adjustment, with a 35 degree horizontal rotation angle and with 45 degrees of pitch rotation freedom for FT1 PRO. When being worn, FT1 has a rather natural pressure at the earcup level of 4.5N, but we typically do not measure this for most headphones in N so a direct comparison is not possible just with numbers. The actual wearing comfort is very good, although clamping force is on the slightly high end of things.
We get fairly high-quality earpads, the texture material contact is natural, and FT1 PRO is a fully open-back pair of headphones, so there is no passive noise isolation, and they leak at almost full volume what you’re listening to.
On the other hand, FiiO made a really high-quality cable that I don’t see myself replacing any time soon, but I am not sure I could replace it easily as they have 3.5mm mono connectors at the headphone side, which is different from the 3.5mm stereo connector used in most HIFIMAN headphones and others that go for the 3.5mm format. I have the FT1 PRO set at medium, so they will work really well for both smaller and larger heads than mine.
Sound Quality
Pairings – I have paired the FT1 PRO with multiple sources, including the new Shanling EC Smart CD Player, FiiO BTR17 Bluetooth Receiver, Sparkos Gemini combined with Dethonray Listening M1, Creative Sound Blaster G8 Soundcard, FiiO M11 PRO Music Player, Astell&Kern Activo P1 DAP, iBasso Nunchaku Tube DAC/AMP and Hiby R6 PRO II Music Player. You need a medium driving power to handle the FT1 PRO, and most sources do very well, including the low-power ones like Hiby R6 PRO II. FiiO really made the FT1 PRO easy to drive and easy to handle, so even entry-level dongle DAC/AMPs will work just fine.
Overall Signature – FiiO includes a graph that should describe the sound of the FT1 PRO, but that graph makes them look very bright and fatiuging, while the actual sound is balanced, slightly V-Shaped with a slight emphasis on both the bass and treble, and with a natural voicing. There’s a slight emphasis in the treble and FT1 reveals details nicely, but it is not quite as bright as HIFIMAN Ananda Nano or SoundMagic HP1000 or other bright sounding headphones. Female voices are extra sweet, while male voices have a slightly thinner presentation.
Bass – Starting with the low-end, FT1 PRO has a strong impact, with a good extension in the sub-bass, down to about 40 Hz, below which the bass tends to roll-off slightly. There’s a preference for mid bass, although the upper bass is kept under control and there’s no veiling. Bass speed is natural-quick, although it can create a long decay in jazz and slower music styles. The strong impact gives rock and metal music a really lively and powerful presentation.
Midrange – I would say that here’s where the beauty is at with FT1 PRO, it can create some of the sweetest and most pleasing voicing I’ve ever heard, especially for female voices. This fits in perfectly with FiiO’s main public, which typically listens to quite a bit of J-Rock and J-Pop and where you’d want this sweet and emotional presentation. FT1 PRO shines with artists like HimeHina, and it works best for Pop, J-Rock, J-Pop, even dare I say K-Pop, and classical music as well. With Metal and Rock, the upper midrange shows an emphasis that gives cymbals a special brilliance and air, strong extension and a slightly bright presentation.
Treble – While not quite as emphasized as the graph shown on FiiO’s own page, FT1 PRO has a strong extension up to 20 kHz, and a fairly strong, bright and airy treble. This being said, thanks to the strong voicing and natural treble extension, I find it hard to call the entire headphone tuning bright, rather it is V-Shaped thanks to the powerful bass countering the treble.
PRaT / Textures – A big part of how you want a headphone to sound is with a strong extension, but to avoid sharp or edgy textures, as those can make sound fatiguing. FT1 PRO has a natural texture, which helps a lot with their resolution and detail revealing ability, so you can expect to hear actual textures, but FT1 PRO does not exaggerate the textures and does not sound fatiguing or aggressive. This being said, if the song is extra aggro, FT1 PRO can render that rather nicely, presenting the aggressive edge without making things too harsh.
Dynamics – FT1 PRO has the dynamic level of a dynamic headphone, and while Planar Magnetic tech, especially the entry-level options have a reputation for having a slightly lower dynamic and more compressed sound, FT1 PRO defies that expectations and definition and has a highly dynamic, impactful and playful sound, the same way HIFIMAN Ananda Nano has. In fact, this is the second time I mention Ananda Nano because FT1 PRO has a signature and general sound that resembles the Ananda Nano, at least partially. This is not a bad thing, most of the time companies tend to learn from each other, and FT1 PRO is considerably more comfortable than Ananda Nano, if you ever heard it and could not get it as it is tight.
Loudness Saturation Gradient – If you like to listen loud, FT1 PRO really comes alive louder, having a stronger impact, stronger bass, more V-Shaped / U-Shaped sound, and with a higher level of dynamics too. Generally, I prefer the loud sound of the FT1 PRO considerably above how they sound at quiet volumes, especially because I prefer the smoother texture when they are brought loud. Extreme volumes show no added distortion or sonic problems so they’re perfectly fit even if you want to go above 110 dB – 120 dB, but they already reach peak performance at around 95dB. Below 70 dB, the sound becomes sharper, brighter and loses the impact / dynamics, although certain sources that have a different loudness saturation gradient could pump a higher level of bass at lower volumes.
Soundstage – A big part of why you’d want a pair of open-back headphones is for a wide and holographic soundstage, so you’ll be happy to learn that FiiO made FT1 PRO really wide sounding, while offering a similar level of depth to the sound. Instrument separation is excellent, with a good resolution and detail level. Different from most other headphones, FT1 PRO’s soundstage increases in width and depth at higher volumes, and the resolution also increases at higher volumes.
Value and Conclusion
While FiiO always made convincing headphones with a high price / performance ratio, FT1 PRO is in a space of its own, having a performance really close to headphones that are currently priced around 500 USD, but with a tag of 199 USD.
Award – Before the end of today’s review, FiiO created a pair of headphones that is as impressive as they come, with a highly pleasing sound, perfect for J-Rock, J-Pop and even western pop, electronic, EDM, and most commercial music. Add to this, two cables, with a balanced one included in the package, the low price point, and the excellent comfort, and we have to add FT1 PRO to the Audiophile heaven Hall Of Fame.
At the end of the day, FiiO generally makes some of the best sounding dongle DAC / AMPs, and now even desktop equipment, but if you’re looking for an affordable pair of headphones with a strong impact, a highly dynamic sound, and excellent wearing comfort, FT1 PRO is a fully recommended model, especially at their rather affordable price point.
PROs
- Excellent build quality
- Comfortable
- 2 Cables included in the package
- Transport case included in the package
- Strong impact
- Dynamic sound
- Fairly Easy to drive
- High resolution
- Strong value
Cons
- Not compatible with most aftermarket 3.5mm cables
- Strong treble presence / bright top end
- Sounds better loud than quiet
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4gJ3Ojn
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_olKEPfK
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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