Fiio did all the fitting issues with the planar FT5 after which the FT3 headphones, however as is the case with these items, it wasn’t till the budget-focused FT1 confirmed up that I spotted the magnitude of what the model achieved. These closed-back headphones are simply among the many best-sounding I’ve examined, and so they’re an unbelievable worth.
You may get your arms on the FT1 for $149 on Amazon, and that is unbelievable when you think about the sound high quality is in keeping with headsets that price twice as a lot — it goes up towards Meze’s 99 Classics. The headphones are offered in walnut and beech wooden shells, and whereas I obtained the walnut mannequin, Fiio is predominantly promoting the beech wooden possibility globally.
Design is the plain place to begin with these headphones; whereas Fiio does an honest sufficient job on this space, the model tends to concentrate on usability quite than aesthetics. With the FT1, it managed to nail each; the utilization of strong wooden shells to cowl the surface of the headphones offers them an class that you simply simply do not get with the FT3 and even the FT5, and so they look fabulous.
I am not exaggerating once I say that that is the best-looking Fiio product by a substantial margin. The FT1 look simply as evocative because the 99 Classics, and the construct high quality is among the many greatest on this class. The FT1 function a metallic headband with sliding rails, and also you get good adjustability. The headscarf is cushioned and has a cloth end, and the headphones are gentle sufficient that there is no difficulty with fatigue even after prolonged use.
What I like probably the most concerning the FT1 is the outsized ear cups, and truthfully, they make utilizing the headphones that rather more pleasing. There’s nothing concerning the FT1 that their price ticket, and Fiio deserves full credit score relating to the design and luxury.
On that word, you get an honest set of equipment as nicely. Fiio bundles two cables — one with a 3.5mm plug and the opposite with 4.4mm — and also you get a tough shell carrying case. Though the FT1 do not fold flat, the inclusion of the case means you’ll be able to take these wherever.
After two months of in depth use, I did not have any points with the design or consolation of the FT1, and if something, these are among the many most comfy headphones I’ve used on this class. There’s no extreme clamping power, and the earpads are beautiful; they’ve beneficiant padding and are very comfy.
You get good passive isolation because of the closed-back design and respectable seal with the earpads. General, the design is decidedly retro, however that is what makes the FT1 so engaging — they’re differentiated sufficient that they instantly seize consideration.
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Coming to the sound, the FT1 function a 60mm dynamic driver alongside a nanowood fiber composite diaphragm, and Fiio clearly made quite a lot of tweaks to the sound over the FT3. The result’s that the FT1 sound completely unbelievable; I examined the headphones with the Fiio BTR13 and M23, and the K19 DAC when utilizing my Home windows machine.
Bass particularly is pleasant, with the FT1 managing to ship terrific sub-bass and mid-bass. There are occasions when the bass will get a bit exaggerated, but it surely simply provides to the liveliness of the sound — these aren’t reference materials. Mids are heat and pleasant, and vocals shine by means of with loads of readability and vigor. You get a very good sparkle with the treble, however there’s no harshness.
I desire the sound of the FT1 to the 99 Classics and even the FT3, and so they maintain up extremely nicely for informal listening classes. There is not something to criticize as such, and whereas they are not as impartial as Fiio’s different merchandise, the musical nature of the FT1 makes them a standout possibility.
Fiio simply launched the $199 FT1 Professional, and they need to be equally nice — I will be getting began with these shortly. However if you happen to want closed-back headphones with a particular look and wonderful sound, the FT1 ought to be your go-to possibility within the sub-$300 class — the reward they have been getting is well-deserved.
Fiio did a improbable job with the design of the FT1, and the sound high quality is well among the many greatest on this class.