The FiiO FT5 is going to be a more divisive set of headphones than I suspect most people think. The previously released FT3 is a good example of the warm-neutral tonality which, given the safer tuning and the bass shelf, is an excellent buy for most people getting into good quality headphones. Given the use of a dynamic driver with decent timbre too, the FT3 can be more of an all-rounder even if it's not necessarily the best looking set or perhaps the most comfortable one depending on your head size and ears. The FT5 is a marked improvement over the FT3 when it comes to comfort and build quality too. It addresses a lot of the complaints people had there, even with often ignored things such as having angled cable connectors now as well as contoured pads which help a lot. The FT5 certainly looks and feels premium and I dare say those who tried on the Meze Elite/Empyrean and liked it only to realize they could not justify purchasing one would be pleased with the FT5 which costs significantly less at $450. I suppose this adds more context to my opening statement here though—the Meze Elite/Empyrean is also not for everyone and the FiiO FT5 shares this by going for a deliberate warmer tonality which works very well for certain music genres at the expense of others.

This can be a good thing if you were looking for something out of the usual neutral/bright tuned planar magnetic sets coming out seemingly each month. The likes of HIFIMAN have been joined by newer participants such as MOONDROP and ThieAudio and there are now many options with very similar tonalities at very different price points. FiiO bucks that trend by trying something different, as it did with the FT3, and the FT5 can be exactly what you were looking for if your music library primarily consists of rock, grunge, country, hip-hop tracks. The FT5 is also a great set to consume movies and podcasts and, given it's relatively easy to drive compared to typical planar magnetic sets, can be paired to your phone or laptop via a decent portable DAC/amp too. It's also quite feasible to make this a "wireless" set using Bluetooth ear hook solutions meant for IEMs with some aftermarket adapters but I digress. The point I wanted to make is that the FT5 is well down the colored and fun sound signature route to be aware of lest it not be to your preference. I see this being more a piece of a larger collection rather than a single endgame to leave the hobby with. Given the build quality and accessories, you could do much worse for sure.