FiiO FT1 Pro Review

Today we review the FiiO FT1 Pro, their latest open-back planar headphone. It is a new model priced at $199 USD.

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

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 JM21 we had the chance to review a little while ago.

And if that line-up already seemed complete to me, the brand took things a step further by launching an entirely new range of headphones, complementing their well-established IEM catalog :

• the FiiO JT1: an open-back dynamic headphone sold for less than $100 carrying the brands in-house 50mm driver
• the FiiO FT1: an closed-back dynamic headphone sold for less than $150 enjoying their whole new in-house driver and wooden backplate – one of my favorite headphone from the past months with the Shanling HW600
• the FiiO FT3: a boosted JT1, displaying a futuristic design and a whole new 60mm wide dynamic driver? And if the look didn’t fit my taste, Berkhan still found this headphone quite interesting
• the FiiO FT5: an headphone packing all of FiiO’s best components, with their first in-house planar magnetic driver and the same high-end build found on much pricier headsets

And, to all of that, you can now add the new FiiO FT1 Pro, an open-back, planar version of the lovely FT1.

A new banger? Time to find out

The FiiO Series

If we pull apart the Jade-Series, comprising of the JD1, 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 Pro we are reviewing today

FiiO FT1

Affordable but powerful, the FiiO FT1 is one of the best closed-back headphone you could get in the sub-$200 USD bracket – in my opinion. An headphone carrying 60mm wide dynamic transducers, wooden earcups, a whole new, simpler et better headband system, perfected by a dual 3.5mm TRS socket letting you plug most balanced headphone cables in one go.

I did review that one headphone a few months ago, so here’s an excerpt:

To put it in a nutshell, the FiiO FT1 is a true bang for your buck: an over-ear headphone standing out as one of the best options in its category. For less than $150, it’s one of their most versatile option, combining exceptional value, great comfort, premium material and an expansive bundle – thanks to the addition of a second, balanced cable

Sound wise, it might appear a bit to flattery for some, but as far as I’m concerned, I’d say that FiiO nailed the sound signature of the FT1, offering the right balance between fun, and accuracy – as did the earpads

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 Pro.

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

Page 1: About FiiO

Page 2: Design & Build Quality, Comfort, Isolation, Specs

Page 3: Bundle, Sound, Conclusion, Summary, Full specs