FiiO FT3 Review

Sound Quality

The FT3 is a 350Ω headphone, so first things first; it needs proper power to shine those 60mm drivers. So I think you need to have a proper desktop system to fully utilize the character and performance of the FT3. Portable systems would do well also, but only powerful ones.

The FiiO FT3 is a well-balanced and crispy-sounding headphone with good resolution, good body, good dynamics and good imaging. It has a clean and coherent signature with a good sense of warmth and immersive performance. Considering FiiO’s track record, I didn’t expect this kind of serious audiophile headphones from them, but they have a good one in their hands.

Bass

The bass response of the FT3 depends on the earpads you use, as each affects the bass performance considerably. With the suede pads, the bass hits deep, recovers well, and has a great impact. There’s a good mid-bass body, and sub-bass rumble together when the recording asks for them. There’s good punch, good texture, and good resolution here.

With the leather pads, the bass becomes quicker, with lesser impact and rumble. It’s a tighter bass with better PRaT and recovers quickly. The decay here is good, although the texture of the bass takes a slight hit when compared to the suede set-up.

Overall, the FT3 has good bass quantity, so I’m sure warm sound lovers would love the mid-bass performance in particular, with the suede pads. It performs like a planar headphone here, with good texture and definition.

However, the bass could’ve been quicker with better decay and clarity, and more depth. Sometimes I felt the bass a bit hollow, without much fullness.

Midrange

The mids of the FT3, again, sound different with different ear pads. If I start with the suedes again, the mids are forward, warm, and definitive. It sounds clean enough for the price, with fairly good resolution and separation. The tonality is very likeable with the suede earpads, as the mids sound very organic and full with this set-up.

The leather earpads take the mids a bit to the back, though overall the mid-range is still a bit in your face and definitive. Yet, I think the soundstage is more realistic this way, sounding natural, fluid and smooth with good positioning. There’s a good definition here, especially with vocals. There’s also a good timbre but I think the instruments and vocals are a bit shouty at times. But it overall is realistic and lively. The tonal accuracy, although just a bit off, is good and the vocals are especially good and breathy.

The clarity and transparency aren’t great, though it’s not unexpected from the price range. However, it’s overall an easy-to-listen-to mid-range, with good body and definition.

Treble

With suede pads, the higher treble range is inoffensive, forgiving and smooth. However, the lower treble range is surprisingly pushed forward, which is unexpected. When it comes to leather pads, the treble is more balanced with better consistency. The extension is nice, although it’s not exceptional.

The treble presentation is something I would call relaxed but well-defined. It reproduces the treble in a crispy way, but there’s no harshness whatsoever. Highs have a very good definition with plenty of detail. If you like your treble crisp, but effortless, the FT3 would give you that. The treble has a very good resolution as well.

Highs are also nicely extended. The timbre is excellent in this region, and the openness and clarity of the treble are very good for the money. The treble transparency overall is better than what’s in the mid-range, with natural, realistic delivery. 

Overall with the leather pads, the FT3 has excellent treble performance with great balance and definition, together with good resolution.

Page 1: Info, Package, Design, Build, Comfort

Page 3: Technical Performance, Comparisons, Conclusion