Intro:
Since the very positive experience I had with the Fiio FT1, I couldn’t resist when the FT1 Pro came out and ordered one straight away. As I mentioned in my earlier FT1 review, I wasn’t a fan of the FT5, Fiio’s first and more expensive planar magnetic headphone. The FT5 felt too warm and laid-back, lacking the bite and clarity that many expect when stepping up to planar headphones around the $500 mark.
Both being planars, the FT1 Pro costs only a fraction of the FT5’s price. Can it surpass the exceptional value proposition of the FT1? Does it bring something unique to today’s competitive market with its touted ‘sapphire + aluminium dual-coating’? Let’s find out.
I’ve also posted this review on Reddit, along with some additional notes. Feel free to check out my post there if you’re interested in more insights and perspectives.
For those interested in detailed measurements, check out the final section of this article.
Specs & Comfort
RRP: US$ 199/ AU$ 349
Driver size: 95*86 mm (advertised)
Transducer type: planar magnetic
Sensitivity: 95 dB/mW @1kHz
Impedance: 20Ω @1kHz
Connector: dual 3.5 mm TS
Weight: 375 grams
Clamping force: light
Comfort: 8.5/10
Measurement & Sound
link to the frequency response measurement & more comparisons
Tonal balance:
Fiio’s advertising, backed by its included frequency response graph, set my expectations for a neutral sound, and the FT1 Pro largely delivers. Its tonal accuracy is excellent, but there are a few things to note.
The FT1 Pro reminds me of the HD650/6XX. If “planar timbre” is something that bothers you (by which I mean the splashy quality often associated with elevated treble as some have noted in certain Hifiman headphones), you’ll be pleased to know it’s not here. Despite Fiio’s claims about their innovative ‘sapphire + aluminium dual-coating’, the tuning feels rather conventional here, although I mean it in a pleasant way.
The treble is smooth, free of excessive glare or sheen. You may think there’s a bit of extra energy in the upper mids and lower treble given the FR, but to me, it’s doesn’t sound grainy or overdone. The mids-to-treble transition is very linear, and the energy there feels evenly distributed. There’s an adequate sense of air, but the extension feels somewhat subdued due to the safe tuning. Overall, it reminds me of conventional dynamic headphones where the balance of harmonics lean more towards the lower orders and fundamental tones. A more ‘earthly’ tuning, if you like.
The bass has a good sense of body and rumble. Despite measuring like a flat line, it feels slightly warmer to me compared to typical planar headphones like the Sundara. Bass extension is excellent — similar to the NAN-7, the lowest frequencies are subtly boosted, delivering an impactful ‘planar bass’ experience.
Even with a slightly compromised seal, the FT1 Pro maintains a solid sense of punch. While it doesn’t quite reach the Audeze LCDs or Hifiman HE6se, it’s a step above what you’d expect from most open-back dynamic headphones in the mid-fi range, which often lack the subbass extension offered here.
The midrange is one of the FT1 Pro’s strong suits. Vocals come through full-bodied, while instruments sound mostly natural and smooth. You won’t get the delicate or ethereal quality that some planars are known for. The one quirk you’re likely to notice is the somewhat recessed 1-2kHz range, which is pretty common among open-back headphones. Vocals and instruments are slightly pushed into the background. Timbral accuracy, however, remain largely unaffected.
If the FT1 Pro were a planar HD6XX, the Sundara feels more like the HD600, with noticeably more energy in the upper frequencies. Cymbal crashes on the Sundara are sharper and more defined, whereas the FT1 Pro takes a more restrained approach. Audeze’s MM100 Pro, which is marketed as a monitoring headphone, falls short in timbre accuracy for most vocals and instruments when compared to the FT1 Pro.
Other qualities:
As for the more intangible qualities, the FT1 Pro is good but not exceptional.
The soundstage is adequate — neither overly confined nor particularly expansive. Compared to the Edition XS, the FT1 Pro delivers everything in a more intimate manner. Spatial definition and positioning are decent, offering a noticeably more holographic presentation than the HD6XX, though it doesn’t quite match the sharper imaging of the Moondrop Para.
Clarity is middle-of-the-road for planars in the sub-$300 category. It does outperform typical dynamic headphones in this range, such as the HD6XX, but the Moondrop Para clearly betters the FT1 Pro in this aspect. The FT1 Pro isn’t a “detail monster,” so if razor-sharp resolution is your priority, you may want to look elsewhere.
In terms of dynamics, the FT1 Pro shines with its excellent impact and slam, feeling more weighty than the Sundara. However, it falls slightly short in microdynamics. It doesn’t feel as snappy as the Moondrop Para, and percussion instruments can come across as slightly muffled compared to the Sundara.
Value and competition:
Priced at US$ 199, the FT1 Pro marks a strong entry into today’s market. However, while the FT1 Pro is solid, its value proposition is probably not as groundbreaking as the FT1, which stands out with its closed-back advantages and wood aesthetics. The FT1 Pro is simply a more conventional open-back planar design.
As such, the FT1 Pro faces stiffer competition in its price range, with options like the Hifiman Sundara and Moondrop Para offering similar ‘planar tech’. Also, the Hifiman Edition XS is now discounted to around $250, making it another compelling contender. Although, some of these models are known for QC issues, so if the FT1 Pro proves to be more reliable, it could gain an edge.
That said, the FT1 Pro excels in one key area: natural timbre. It may well be the most natural-sounding planar in the mid-fi range. Even some higher-end models lack the smoothness and fullness the FT1 Pro delivers. If you’re looking for an HD650-like presentation with excellent timbral accuracy, the FT1 Pro is an excellent choice with the added benefits of planar tech and subbass extension.
That’s all for now. If you have any questions or comments, drop them below, and I’ll get back to you when I can.
Pros: Well-balanced tuning; smooth and easy to listen to; decent technical performance; generous accessory bundle.
Cons: A more expansive soundstage would be preferable; not very incisive or snappy.
Value Grade:
Notes on Ear pads
Those familiar with my reviews know I have an extensive collection of ear pads. I’ve tested several aftermarket options, as Fiio doesn’t currently sell the stock pads publicly so finding replacements can be tricky. Luckily, despite the stock pads and chassis being oval-shaped, generic round pads with a 100–105mm diameter fit just fine.
One thing to note: the stock pads on the FT1 and FT1 Pro are actually different. The FT1 Pro’s pads have perforations on the inner wall, while the FT1’s do not. The measured FRs reflect these differences. If you prefer a more HD650-like experience with a forward midrange, swapping to the FT1 pads achieves this quite well.
For those interested in seeing the frequency response, I have uploaded them to squiglink.
Notes on EQ
The FT1 Pro requires little EQ, as it is already very well-tuned. That said, there is one caveat to consider when EQing this headphone. The FT1 Pro’s excursion limits might be slightly lower than those of higher-end planars like the Audeze LCD-X/LCD-5 or the HIFIMAN HE6se V2, which can handle extreme SPLs of 110–115dB without issue. This particular pair of FT1 Pro begins to clip around 98–100dB in the bass. While this should be more than sufficient for most listeners, serious bass heads pushing extreme levels may find the headroom slightly lacking. Whether this is a general design limitation, specific to my unit, or due to QC variations, I can’t say for certain at this stage without access to multiple units.
EDIT 05/02/25: More users have reported bass clipping and distortion issues at high SPLs on their units. If you tend to listen at louder volumes or boost the bass with EQ, you may want to reconsider whether this is a risk you’re willing to take.
My personal EQ setting for this headphone:
Preamp: -2.5 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 25 Hz Gain 2.5 dB Q 1.000
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 400 Hz Gain -0.5 dB Q 0.500
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1650 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 2.100
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 5500 Hz Gain -1.5 dB Q 2.500
If your goal is to EQ the response to match the Harman Target, consider the AutoEQ function provided by Squiglink as a convenient starting point. I personally recommend customising the filters to better suit your own hearing, especially in the treble. While the AutoEQ provides a useful baseline, individual adjustments can opften significantly improve your listening experience.
MEASUREMENTS
Frequency Response Average (unsmoothed):
The response is obtained by an average of 5-6 positional variations. The FR shown on the graph is unsmoothed.
Note: my unit seems to have some minor QC issues. There’s a resonance in the right channel around 3.8kHz that’s absent in the left. This does not come across as noticeable imbalance during regular listening, though.
Positional Variation:
This graph illustrates how headphone placement on the head affects perceived tonal balance. The FRs shown on the graph are unsmoothed.
Leakage Tolerance:
This graph demonstrates how leakages to the front volume can result in FR change with thin arm glasses (purple) and thick arm glasses (red). The FR shown on the graph is 1/12 octave smoothed.
Impulse Response:
The impulse response measures the initial response, overshoot, and decay that a transducer produces upon a signal.
Channel Matching:
Channel matching graphs do not relate to the perceived sound profile. A specialised configuration is used in this test to capture differences between channels, mitigating interference from positioning on the rig and the asymmetry in the GRAS pinnae design, a legacy of KEMAR. The left (blue) and right (red) channels are measured using a flat plate coupler with an IEC60318-4 ear simulator.
Total Harmonic Distortion & Group Delay:
Supplied per request. For Group Delay charts, peaks/dips around 9kHz and up should be ignored as they are generally caused by the pinna, not the headphone. Note that the IR function setting for the Group Delay charts have been modified and should not be compared to previous versions. These measurements are conducted in quiet, normal room conditions (as opposed to an anechoic chamber), meaning there may be some influence from ambient room and external noise. These results should be considered a preliminary assessment of performance, primarily for identifying major issues, and do not reflect the best-case performance scenario.
Electric Phase & Impedance:
The above graph shows the measured impedance (green) and electric phase (grey).
END OF THE ARTICLE
Disclaimer: This review is not sponsored or endorsed by any business or related entity. The headphones reviewed are my own unless stated otherwise. Any links or recommendations included are purely informational and do not involve any financial affiliation or endorsement on my part.
EDIT 02/12/24: updated to a full review
EDIT 03/01/25: there seem to be reports of these to have broken/dettached headband hinges upon arrival, so potential buyers be mindful as this can happen to your unit. If you want to buy a pair my advice would be to buy locally or through retailers with good return/customer service. This issue has been fixed by Fiio.
EDIT 05/02/25: More users have reported bass clipping and distortion issues at high SPLs on their units. If you tend to listen at louder volumes or boost the bass with EQ, you may want to reconsider whether this is a risk you’re willing to take.
Very unfortunately my unit encountered some channel imbalance after a week of use. This would be the first time and very likely the last time I purchase from Fiio ;(
So sorry to hear that. I hope Fiio takes care of you… It’s starting to seem like Fiio has some QC issues, at least with the FT1 Pro. I had hoped they would be better than Hifiman in that regard, but alas.
It’s also interesting that the issue appeared after some use. It makes me wonder if it’s related to oxidation or exposure to air/moisture, possibly indicating that the traces aren’t well protected. I’ll keep an eye on this to see if more reports pop up in the community.
Hey, what’s your favorite pad swap for these things? I noticed you measured a ton of them.
These sound good but aren’t quite doing it for me. I think it’s either too much of a hifiman dip, or the high treble, which is kind of elevated and not that great. The Dekoni elite looked good but maybe too bright, and the FT1A pads looked kind of HD650ish which might be a better way to go with these.
Hey there!
I find the FT1 Pro pretty versatile when it comes to pad-rolling, so it’s hard to pick just one favourite. The stock pads already offer a well-balanced tuning, so I look for different flavour changes with aftermarket pads.
If you’re after something smoother and more in line with Sennheiser-style tuning, the FT1A pads are indeed a great pick. They keep that planar resolution while taming the treble a bit, and they’re also cheap, made of real leather, and quite durable, so I’d definitely recommend them.
On the other hand, if you want a more exciting tuning with a larger soundstage, the Dekoni Elite Velours are a solid choice.
Is you need to change the stock pads to make it sound good? How difference between different pads tô FT1 Pro?
Nah, I don’t think you need to change the stock pads – the FT1 Pro sounds great as-is. Pad-rolling is definitely not a must.
That said, if you’re looking for a more V-shaped sound or a larger soundstage, certain aftermarket pads might help achieve that.
does an amp help with these?
It always helps but these are pretty sensitive and you can drive them easily with modern entry-level amps of today.
Hi, I would like to know how it compares to he400se? I own the Hifiman, but I find their sound too clinical and sterilized, almost metallic, it would be a bit interesting to have a warmer sound signature with more bass for genres like EDM, Power metal, pop, etc. Do you think fiio ft1 pro or non-pro would solve this problem?
Hi there. Based on what you’ve described, the FT1 Pro seems like a good fit for your preferences. It avoids the clinical, sterile, and metallic qualities you mentioned with the HE400se, offering a warmer, smoother sound signature with fuller bass that should work well for genres you mentioned.
The FT1 by comparison is more v-shaped, with a stronger bass punch and sparkly highs. It’s more ‘exciting’ than the Pro and might suit you if you want something with extra energy. Ultimately, it comes down to what you prefer.
Thanks!
Got mine today and cannot be happier. I have more expensive cans but I see myself using these very often.
Glad you like it! Yeah it’s not about how much they cost but if you enjoy the sound.
Hi Sai. What do you think the upgrade path would be like from this headphone? I wonder if I should give planars a try but I am not sure what I can upgrade to after this.
Good question! The first headphone that comes to mind is actually the Hifiman HE6se V2. It has a sound profile that’s quite similar to the FT1 Pro: very well-balanced and versatile across genres. The HE6se V2 takes it up a notch in areas like soundstage, clarity, and dynamics, making it a solid upgrade. But it’s notoriously difficult to drive, so you need a really capable amp for it.
If you’re looking for something easier to drive, the Focal Clear could be a great option. It’s a dynamic headphone with its own unique character, offering a slightly different flavour while still being an upgrade in terms of overall performance.
Another interesting option is the NAN-7, which in fact comes very close to the FT1 Pro in terms of tuning but offers an even bigger step up in some ways compared to the HE6se V2. It’s alsp quite a bit easier to driver than the HE6se V2. However, it’s a bit niche and tricky to find, as it’s sold on Taobao (and a few resellers on Aliexpress).
Ultimately, I suppose it depends on your preferences and use case, ie. whether you prioritise planar sound, ease of driving, or specific tuning characteristics.
Hey John, thanks for the kind words!
I’ve had more time to thoroughly test the FT1 Pro, and based on my measurements, there’s nothing dramatic in terms of distortion. THD at 94dB stays low around 0.1%, so I’d expect no significant issues with a bass boost of +6dB, as many apply with Harman EQ. Typical listening levels around 80dB (though I personally listen at 70-73dB) should handle the boost comfortably.
That said, I did notice that the FT1 Pro’s excursion limits might be slightly lower than some of the higher-end planars like the Audeze LCD-X/LCD-5 or the HIFIMAN HE6se V2, which can perform well even at extreme SPLs of 110-115dB. My FT1 Pro pair starts to clip around 98-100dB in the bass. Additionally, someone messaged me mentioning that their unit exhibited some resonance or crinkling when replaying loud subbass, which might be linked to similar excursion limitations (although Fiio has promised to send a replacement unit so I suppose they’re saying this is a QC issue).
For levels under 100dB, though, the FT1 Pro keeps things in check, and I’ve had no issues in normal use or when I crank it up louder for test purposes. This should be more than sufficient for most listeners, but for serious bass heads pushing extreme levels, there may be slightly less headroom than ideal. Whether this is a general design limitation or specific to my unit (or QC variations), I can’t say for certain yet. I bought this unit with my own money and do not have access to multiple testing units like some reviewers might do. It’s something I’ll keep an eye on if I update it into a full review.
Hi Sai,
Thanks for this mini-review! I like your professional approach and attention to small details. I was looking for the response of these FiiO FT1 Pro to EQ, especially in the bass range. Basically, the EQ to Harman OE 2018 with a bass boost of +6…+8 dB. Will there be noticeable distortion at this level or will they cope well?
In this regard, I am looking for a comparison with the Audeze LCD-X / LCD-5, which have a neutral bass response to begin with, but have very low harmonic distortion and can cope quite well with the impressive bass boost of EQs.
Best regards,
John.
I experienced the same distortion with very loud subbass, so i don’t think there is a lot of headroom, depending on your listening levels. bass is well represented in their stock tuning, but i honestly don’t believe there is a lot more that can be done. listening to something like dolby atmos demos loudly and they will distort.
i don’t think they are defective, its just a thing with planars, that you can easily drive them hard enough to distort
Thanks for sharing your experience. It does now seem like this could be inherent to the design. It’s not ideal, as some other planars can manage to keep distortion in check at higher volumes. Though I suppose it still offers enough for most people.
Could you comment on how well the FT1 Pro handles busy sections of music? (Do the sounds tend to blur together?) As a planar, I would expect it to perform better in this respect than similarly priced dynamics. Is this your impression? Thanks.
Sure, it’s something I’ve been paying closer attention to since writing the review. The FT1 Pro doesn’t sound blurry or smeared in busy passages and maintains a good sense of control. However, it does fall slightly behind in clarity and separation compared to the Moondrop Para and Edition XS, which I’d consider benchmarks under $500.
That said, when compared to dynamic headphones in a similar price range (like the HD560S, HD6XX, Beyer DT series, AR5000, etc.), I think the FT1 Pro generally performs better overall.
Thanks for the insight. Unrelated question: I noticed that some measurements of the FT1 Pro vary quite a bit in the treble after around 3.5k. For example, GadgetryTech’s unit (https://gadgetrytech.squig.link/headsets/?share=Harman_2018_Target,FiiO_FT1_Pro) has a ~7db dip at 4k whereas yours actually has a peak. Do you think this is mainly caused by unit variation or different measurement rigs/methodologies?
Glad it helped. Yep that’s mostly due to rig differences. Some degree of unit variation is always a possibility, though.
XS is now under $300 !
Yeah I know, you can even snag an open-box pair for $249! If you get a blemish-free unit, the value is pretty insane. That said the FT1 Pro isn’t entirely comparable since they offer very different sound signatures, particularly in timbre and treble presentation.
Yeah totally agree. I have tried Ananda and I feel it has too much metallic timbre. I saw your I graphs of XS and FT1Pro; they are not much different. Can you give more information and comparison about these pairs? In terms of technicality, sound stage, etc, …thx in advance
The Ananda already has one of the more agreeable tones within the Hifiman eggshaped family haha. But yeah some still find it too bright.
As for the differences between the XS and FT1 Pro, the biggest one lies in the treble and upper treble. The XS has significantly more energy in that range, making it sound shimmery and sparkly, but it can also come across as zingy or even shrill depending on the track or listener preference. So if you didn’t like the Ananda I don’t think you’re gonna like the Edition XS either. On the technical side, the XS has the edge. It’s generally more resolving, more dynamic, and has a slightly larger soundstage overall.
That said, the FT1 Pro offers a much more natural tone and a smoother presentation, which makes it better suited for a wider range of genres. So it really comes down to what kind of sound you prefer.
Thanks. Go with Ft1Pro and look forward to your next review.
Could you please share experience of pad rolling? Do Moondrop and Dekoni provide any SQ benefits? Does the angled pad of Dekoni improve soundstage?
Yeah I was planning to cover pad rolling more in the full review, but here’s a quick overview. Pad rolling with these is super easy. The pads latch onto the chassis with their elastic rim. The stock pads already sound very balanced and work well, but if you’re after a different tuning, pad rolling is definitely worth exploring.
I haven’t had time to thoroughly test every aspect with all the pads. From what I’ve tested so far, the Dekoni velours and hybrids seem to give a slightly wider soundstage and a slightly more u-shaped tuning.
This may be a dumb question. But if someone got this headphone, what would be the upgrade options?
Hi, thanks for the review, i was just wondering, do these leaks sound to the outside world as much compared to the other planars like sundara/edition xs?
Pleasure! I haven’t done any rigorous testing on leakage, but I’d say it’s pretty similar to other open-back planars. Maybe slightly less than the Edition XS, which practically shares your music with everyone nearby haha.
Great review and helped a lot to understand the headphone on many aspects. Could you please help to guide if the Pro model is usable in the workplace. Little sound leak is tolerable but if too much then need to get the FT1 instead maybe
Alas, I don’t think the FT1 Pro is ideal for workplace listening: it leaks quite a bit, as you’d expect from an open-back planar. Unless you play at very low volumes, people around you will likely hear your music. I’d go for the FT1 instead if sound leakage is a concern.
Hey thanks for the review, i was considering buying the Aune AR5000 then this fiio came out and made me hesitate. how does this ft1 pro compare to the AR5000 ?
Hi mate! Both are excellent headphones with balanced tuning.
Personally, I’d give the edge to the FT1 Pro, mainly because it’s a planar, which brings the usual technical advantages. Tuning-wise, they trade blows in the mids, but the FT1 Pro pulls ahead slightly with better extension at both ends of the spectrum. And the fact that the FT1 Pro actually costs less is a big plus.
yeah the nerd inside me wants to try out planars for the first time so i’m veering towards them. how is the imaging on both ? i also read that the AR5000 is very comfortable, how does the ft1 pro compare comfort wise ?
Haha I see. Imaging is excellent on both. The AR5000 has a slightly stronger sense of directionality, while the FT1 Pro feels more “holographic” (for lack of a better word).
Comfort-wise, the AR5000 is a bit lighter on the head, so it edges out slightly. That said, if you have larger ears the AR5000’s ear cups might feel shallow, and your ears could touch the drivers.
Your questions have already been answered by sai so let me just add that since I own all three, I would say that SQ-wise the FT1 falls in-between the Sundara and the Edition XS. For a mid-fi planar that’s no slouch, and it’s a better value than the other two to boot.
I meant to say I own the FT1-Pro not the FT1, sorry about that.
Thank you for the review! I wonder how they compare to the FT1s, if isolation were not a concern?
Yeah I probably should’ve gone into more detail on that haha.
If isolation isn’t a concern, it really comes down to what kind of sound you’re after. The two don’t sound alike, though both are well-tuned. The FT1 has a more V-shaped sound with heftier bass and sparkly treble, making it great for modern genres, cinematic music, and gaming.
The FT1 Pro, on the other hand, has a flatter tuning with the added benefits of planar tech. This makes it, IMO, better suited for vocals, acoustic music, and a more neutral reproduction of the music in general.
I spent a most enlightening one hour plus – maybe 90 minutes auditioning a brand new FT1 Pro @ Richer Sounds in Cardiff, Wales, UK, a few days ago. Really excellent place with a wonderful room and courteous sales reps. The item was unboxed for me to hear the headphone.
Fantastic packaging. Two cables, balanced and unbalanced. And nice to know that there are pad replacement options from Fiio and third parties.
Excellent looking product that looks more expensive than the purchase price. It was easy to extend to fit my head, and I have my hair cut really short, maybe 3 or 4 mm max from my scalp. So the headphone sat on my headskin almost. I never once felt the weight of the headphone. Relatively light, but substantial enough in weight and size to stay firmly on the head without moving all over the place.
I tend to notice channel imbalances, with a fair number of headphones and IEMs, sometimes wondering – could be my own hearing. In this case, the center panned elements in the mix were dead center. Furthermore, the headphone is pretty forgiving of placement round the ear, and is not so large that varying the position round the ear up and down or moving it forward nearer the face or closer to the back of the head, did not noticeably vary the sound. Now that is a relief. Cos in the good old days my AKG K702, was so inconsistent, with positioning. I had to struggle with getting it centered properly and try to move it around to get the best tone. With the FT1 Pro, I can place it around my ears and avoid such rigmarole. Pretty much put it anywhere and it sounds right and stays where it has been placed. I think the headphone placement is really good.
It looks solid, and well made, a fair bit of plastic, but not any worse than the AKG K702. The FT1 Pro evokes a whole lot more confidence and is more substantial.
How does it sound? This was my 1st listen to a planar magnetic Over ear headphone. I am familiar with planar magnetic in the IEM space with the KZ PRX and the ARTTI T10.
Was playing back via a TempoTec Sonata BHD dongle – also an excellent device, via the balanced output, at max volume on the dongle, connected via USB-C to a Samsung Android smartphone, which needed no more than 50% volume, which was more than anyone can bear to listen to, i.e loudness was not an issue, pretty much any decent dongle can drive this FT1 Pro. except maybe an Apple dongle may struggle a bit to play really really loud, next time, I’ll take my Apple dongle with me. But the Apple already has power limitations on Android, so that may be the limitation, maybe I’ll take my laptop and listen through the Apple dongle via that device.
Amazing, Impressive. I could not stop any song in the middle of the song. I had to listen to every song from start to finish. Some songs I had to listen to a few times. It provided a compelling portrayal of every song I heard. And easily showed how different songs were produced, and how music has evolved in production standards over time.
The lasting impression was one of every song being a bit larger than life, especially modern productions. The highlight of the FT1 Pro is the bass, which is not disconnected with the rest of the frequency spectrum, like some subwoofer placed far from the rest of the drivers. It remains cohesive, but opens up everything in the audio – Huge like Trump would say – yoouggge. Without the H. Pretty expansive without disconnecting the extreme left from right. Fantastic depth, front to back. I’d say its a bit V shaped, with some sparkle in the highs, but more emphasis clearly on the bass. I definitely had no desire for any more bass. I might turn down some of the bass with EQ, or try out the different pads or both. In my case I have EQ on most of my listening, which is at a desktop computer, so that is not a big deal. This way I can have different EQ presets and switch through them depending on my listening priority for the day.
I may have wanted a bit more solidness and definition in the bass, which was not wooly and uncontrolled, but it was bass you hear, and wonder – am I hearing any reflections from the driver surrounds and pad enclosure. I am more accustomed to a bit more precision with some IEMs, with a tighter more accurate quicker bass. You definitely feel the bass on the FT1 Pro, it is more than anyone would ever need,. without getting into Beats by Dr Dre territory. Clean bass sure, a visceral experience. Made me hear how anaemic the bass on my IEMs were, in comparison. I have had to EQ the bass up quite a bit and change eartips on some IEMs, to attempt to get closer to the solid bass of the FT1 Pro.
Vocals – more than good enough.
I have noted this on some planar IEMs, they seem to want to add a bit more space round the audio, until I switched to foam eartips, which dried up that concern.
So presentation of reverbs on the F1 Pro – excellent, spaciousness very good.
Mids are ever so slightly recessed, but this is in order, cos of Fletcher Munsen phenomena. So one can listen to them at low volumes, with ease.
Highs, I sense a bit of graininess and was wondering about any possible distortion in the drivers, however slight. Nice airy top end, but this headphone is carefully calibrated to tuck out any sibilance (Between 5kHz and 8khz )so the clear top end remains warm and smooth, without being grating especially on vocals. I have had to dial that region down in some of my IEMs. via EQ, otherwise vocals can sound too forward. Whatever this pronouncement of the higher frequencies is well controlled. The headphones remain “analog” and smooth rather than become shouty. That bass is about the best I have heard, in recent times, but I don’t listen to that many playback systems, any more.
This is a headphone you do not want to take off. You can spend a whole day, moving from one song to another, or playing back hours and hours of music. And forget to eat. Yes this is the perfect solution for anyone wanting to lose weight. You will forget to eat – I assure you. It was a truly engaging experience, that none of my current IEMs can quite match, in the heft of the sub bass which extends low – to frequencies you did not know existed, a solid bass, and upper bass that glues the rest of the audio.
Detail – in my opinion adequate. After hearing the FT1 Pro, I cannot listen to anything without that bass, ever again. Cos this is what is missing in many playback devices – real bass, not an impression, but real bass. Bass that you never ask for more of. Satisfactory bass. That is the FT1 Pro, Bass forever. More than sufficient bass, but not excessive. More bass than the dynamics like the AKG K702 – actually far far more. Proper bass, likes some only have to imagine, until they hear the FT1 Pro, for themselves.
In conclusion, this is the kind of headphone, that 90% of folk will be far more than satisfied with for casual and critical listening.
Only reason I’m planning to listen to it again, is compare with other options like the usual planar suspects from Audeze, Hifiman and Moondrop., and any other dynamic pretenders to the budget throne.
It is a phenomenal achievement, far ahead of the old guard like the AKG K702. Definitely in the sub $300 – planar is king. Just choose the one you vibe best with.
Sadly the Internet has reports of QC issues with headband. I do not play loud, so the clipping, may not be audible. For me the advantage compared to IEMs, is that IEMs need a very exact fit, otherwise the bass is lost. And it takes a few seconds and some ear canal surface pressure to achieve this proper fit, each time one wears them on. With the FT1 Pro – its a fit and forget.
IEMs are a bit more intimate in their soundstage, the FT1 Pro is definitely wider., and more spacious, more lifelike., but maybe not as precise with the distinctive advantage of a more natural larger than life soundstage, and no need to fight sibilance with EQ, that’s done for you at the factory. Smooth top end, predominantly.
Go listen to an FT1 Pro please. You may just buy one immediately cos it is very impressive. Engaging. And excellent value for money if you can afford it.
Hey mate, I absolutely love your writeup! Your impressions line up perfectly with my own. the FT1 Pro is a fabulous headphone, especially at that price point, and it fills a massive void in the market right now.
Where a lot of the other budget planars tend to lean bright and clinical, this one really nails that engaging, fuller tonal balance. Like you noticed, there are definitely a few little quirks and flavors in the top end (like that slight grain) but they don’t detract from the merit of the tuning. And since you’re already comfortable using EQ, those minor tweaks are a non-issue anyway.
I found your point about the channel balance and fit really interesting, especially since you often experience placement issues with other sets. That forgiving nature is actually one of the hidden benefits of large planar magnetic drivers because the sound wave is being produced more uniformly across such a large surface area, it interacts more evenly with your outer ear compared to a smaller dynamic driver.
Plus, my experience with FiiO’s left/right driver matching has generally been very solid, so it sounds like you demoed a stellar unit.
Honestly, you should seriously consider cross-posting these impressions on Reddit or Headfi! A review this detailed deserves way more eyes on it than just sitting in my comment section haha. Please do share it around!