FiiO FT1 Closed-Back Headphones

[VSG]

FiiO's latest entry to over-ear headphones brings us the closed-back FT1, which uses wooden ear cups and a well-designed chassis combined with one of the better tunings seen in closed-back sets to appeal to audiophiles and gamers too. It's also quite comfortable, comes with good accessories, and is affordable enough to merit attention.

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[Onasi]

It is what it is. You say you’re not fully loving the FT1, and I absolutely get your point, but the closed-back market was so barren of options that it’s kind of a one-eyed king in the land of the blind, stupid and quadriplegic. Besides the venerable AKG K361/371 and maaaaaaybe some Shure offerings there just really wasn’t anything else to recommend to someone wanting a good closed set without raping their wallet. Shit was desperate. And FT1 fills that niche. It may not be perfect, but there is little compromise here and for 150 bucks you genuinely have nothing else that comes even close. And, frankly, even above that price. Like, what’s the clear closed back upgrade, DCA E3 at a cool grand? So yeah, props to Fiio.

They absolutely must offer the pads for sale tho, you are right to bug them about it. You have your own store and you are your own OEM essentially, pads themselves aren’t even nonsensically complex with regards to mounting mechanism - no silly clips and plastic pieces. No excuse not to make them available.

 

[VSG]

It is what it is. You say you’re not fully loving the FT1, and I absolutely get your point, but the closed-back market was so barren of options that it’s kind of a one-eyed king in the land of the blind, stupid and quadriplegic. Besides the venerable AKG K361/371 and maaaaaaybe some Shure offerings there just really wasn’t anything else to recommend to someone wanting a good closed set without raping their wallet. Shit was desperate. And FT1 fills that niche. It may not be perfect, but there is little compromise here and for 150 bucks you genuinely have nothing else that comes even close. And, frankly, even above that price. Like, what’s the clear closed back upgrade, DCA E3 at a cool grand? So yeah, props to Fiio.

They absolutely must offer the pads for sale tho, you are right to bug them about it. You have your own store and you are your own OEM essentially, pads themselves aren’t even nonsensically complex with regards to mounting mechanism - no silly clips and plastic pieces. No excuse not to make them available.

Well, there's Audeze Maxwell at $250-300 too but yes, the FT1 kinda makes a lot of gaming headsets redundant if you get a boom mic cable or USB microphone. The DCA E3 is actually $2000, although the new Noire X is $1000 and apparently very good too.

 

[Onasi]

@VSG
Maxwell is a BT set though, if I recall correctly? Price aside, that makes it by itself another kettle of fish entirely, not everyone wants wireless for various reasons.
And even besides gaming - there are legit people who just prefer closed backs for music listening even in their homes. At least there’s an option for them now. You have no idea how many people I know running DT770, SRH840 and *spits* M50s. HiFiman can dump the price of the Sundara or XS all they want - just not everyone is into open-backs.
And yeah, E3 is indeed 2000. Doesn’t really change my point still, but I was off here.

 

[PLAfiller]

How do these compare to Beyerdynamic DT770/ 880 -> 32/80/250 Ohm?? In my country they are all the same price. I checked the Ali store and right now on Black Friday the Fiio FT1 are ~€154, which is exactly cent-to-cent as the Beyerdyanmic.

 

[VSG]

@VSG
Maxwell is a BT set though, if I recall correctly? Price aside, that makes it by itself another kettle of fish entirely, not everyone wants wireless for various reasons.
And even besides gaming - there are legit people who just prefer closed backs for music listening even in their homes. At least there’s an option for them now. You have no idea how many people I know running DT770, SRH840 and *spits* M50s. HiFiman can dump the price of the Sundara or XS all they want - just not everyone is into open-backs.
And yeah, E3 is indeed 2000. Doesn’t really change my point still, but I was off here.

You can use Maxwell wired too, but if anything it's the wireless use with built-in DSP that makes it sound good for gaming and music listening.

How do these compare to Beyerdynamic DT770/ 880 -> 32/80/250 Ohm?? In my country they are all the same price. I checked the Ali store and right now on Black Friday the Fiio FT1 are ~€154, which is exactly cent-to-cent as the Beyerdyanmic.

It's been a long time since I've listened to any beyerdynamic headphones tbh, they just ignore my emails so I gave up.

 

[Onasi]

@PLAfiller
With Beyers what you have to ask yourself is this - do I like an unreasonable treble spike? Because that’s what you will get. Alongside fairly recessed mids.
The FT1 is better tuned. It’s not even close.

 

[Fungi]

I really hope replacement cables start showing up soon, they're probably the worst thing about the FT1 which is otherwise a really great value. K361 will stay part of my collection though since nothing comes close to being as lightweight.

 

[Aynsley]

That must have been a difficult review to write, but the attention to detail and the careful listing of merits and demerits for different users are much appreciated.

Your comment about the headband mechanism not scratching the paint made me smile. I hope Hifiman takes the hint. One click on my then-new set of Sundaras left a silver track on the metal band. It made absolutely no difference to the sound but it did make me wince.

 

[VSG]

I really hope replacement cables start showing up soon, they're probably the worst thing about the FT1 which is otherwise a really great value. K361 will stay part of my collection though since nothing comes close to being as lightweight.

Thankfully there are so many compatible cables available from other brands already.

 

[Space Lynx]

@VSG the FT1 Pro custom planar headphone by Fiio just went up for pre-order on headphones websites, open back. Any chance that will be reviewed soon? $199 (and i am tempted, considering how good Fiio's track record has been recently)

 

[VSG]

@VSG the FT1 Pro custom planar headphone by Fiio just went up for pre-order on headphones websites, open back. Any chance that will be reviewed soon? $199 (and i am tempted, considering how good Fiio's track record has been recently)

It's on the way, but note that there will be a waiting period to wrap up the others already here and then a further waiting period for publication (unless you are a patreon reader with early access).

 

[qlum]

Have used mine for a while now and will say comfort wise, a lot can be done by careful bending of the metal. You can adjust the pressure on different points quite well.

I will also say it may not be the best fit for certain small heads, as I have the adjustments very close to all the way to the top. Once adjusted they are great for me, especially for the price.

 

[Onasi]

@VSG
Too late now, but someone should have probably advised Fiio on a less stupid naming scheme. The FT1 is a closed-back dynamic set with a warm-neutral sig. The FT1 Pro is just that, but better, right? Oh, what’s that, it’s an open-back planar with a more flat sig? Uh, okay, makes sense.
I mean, I guess I kinda can see their point since the chassis is essentially the same sans the grill instead of wood cups, but still. I did hear people describe the Pro as an “HD650/6XX, but planar”, so for MSRP might be a contender.

 

[VSG]

@VSG
Too late now, but someone should have probably advised Fiio on a less stupid naming scheme. The FT1 is a closed-back dynamic set with a warm-neutral sig. The FT1 Pro is just that, but better, right? Oh, what’s that, it’s an open-back planar with a more flat sig? Uh, okay, makes sense.
I mean, I guess I kinda can see their point since the chassis is essentially the same sans the grill instead of wood cups, but still. I did hear people describe the Pro as an “HD650/6XX, but planar”, so for MSRP might be a contender.

Oh don't worry, I'll complain about the naming scheme in the FT1 Pro review also. Their justification is that the FT1 line is supposed to be the light-weight headphones line, as if that's a viable metric for product names.

 

[Onasi]

@VSG
I also like the Pro addition. Sure, not like most professional grade headphones are specifically closed-back because, y’know, they are meant for studio use. There are exceptions, sure, but the rule IS kinda there.
What I am saying is that Apple running the Pro name into the ground and it basically not having a meaning at all anymore is to blame for everything wrong with modern product releases. Joking… mostly.
Should have called it the FT1 Pla. Because planar. Me smart, me bang rocks together.

 

[VSG]

It's on the way, but note that there will be a waiting period to wrap up the others already here and then a further waiting period for publication (unless you are a patreon reader with early access).

Just arrived