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.
Hey, just curious but how would ft1 pro compare to hifiman he500. It had really good mids and bass too.
That is actually a good comparison to make. I would say the HE500 is like a direct upgrade here. It is smoother, more liquid, and more refined as a whole. But the fit is much better on the FT1 Pro, and you can achieve a similar tuning at a fraction of the cost. That is not even mentioning the fact that you can hardly find an HE500 nowadays.
Read some reviews describing he500 as a “smoother” and warmer he6 with kinda the same bass impact. Is NAN7 the most similar to he500 considering how both are, again, similar to fiio? Why did hifiman even discontinue he500 and he6? High production costs? Or the power requirements? Unfortunately, got into this hobby too late for answers.
Calling the HE500 a smoother and warmer HE6 makes sense. I do think the bass impact is heftier on the HE6. You can think of NAN-7 as an HE6 with toned down treble. It has less aggressive detail, which also means less air and clarity than the HE6, so it feels a lot more like the HE500 in that sense. But it has noticeably better dynamics than the HE500. It sits right in between the two in terms of style.
I can’t really say why Hifiman discontinued them. It likely just comes down to various business decisions around profit margins and their usual product iteration cycles.
Hey, Anan actually mentioned he’s working on a successor for this year but it’ll be about twice the price. The NAN7 is still a decent option given the build, comfort and well-rounded tuning. It’s definitely a significant upgrade from the FT1 Pro.
For bass, the LCD-X has more density out of the box. But the NAN-7 and HE6 OG have better sheer impact and tactility with EQ. The LCD-X relies heavily on pad seal. The HE6 OG has the least stock bass, but with EQ it’s the best of the three, followed by the NAN7. The LCD-X has great control but less physical impact for me.
I don’t usually recommend specific amps. Anything that fits your setup and outputs a clean 5 watts or more into 32 ohms will be plenty.
The FT7 review is in the pipeline but I have other ahead of it so I’m not sure when it’ll drop. In short, it’s a great all-rounder without any special tricks. It was a bit average stock but the FT7A upgrade pads Fiio released last year make it a much better value. With those pads the tuning is excellent, competing well even with the HD600/6XX. Its planar technicalities are less outstanding than the NAN-7, but it’s undoubtedly a big step up from the FT1 Pro. Comfort and build are top tier, making it a strong option if you can get it at around 500 USD.
I think I’ll stick to buying the NAN 7 out of all these even with a potential successor because of the 2x price as you said. NAN 7 with import duties would easily be a $1000-1100 in my country. Anyting more is simply out of budget. Do you think it is possible to make the NAN 7 which is already close to HE6 OG, even more closer to its sheer tactility and aggressiveness?Any mods, pad swap or EQ that you recommend?
I heard the FiiO FT7 (stock) in an audio shop recently and it was definitely good but it surprisingly felt like my EQ’d FT1 pro + wider headstage.
Please do drop a review when the successor of NAN 7 comes out. The headphone audio rabbit hole never ends🫠, haha.
I’m not surprised to hear your impression of the stock FT7 haha. Technically, the only headphone that might come close to the HE6 OG is a unicorn/golden sample HE6se. I can’t say for sure if that is just a myth but some people believe the early production units of the HE6se used leftover stock from the HE6. I haven’t come across a pair to verify this myself. I wouldn’t suggest hunting for one since there is no confirmation.
If you want similar bass tactility and impact, the NAN 7 is probably your best bet. Another option is the XK Audio Serene. But it’s about $100-200 pricier and creates a strong seal in the front volume to enhance bass impact. It almost feels like a suction effect. The fit and build aren’t as good as the NAN 7 either. The Serene does have an advantage in aggressiveness and sharper edges, while the NAN 7 leans more toward effortless impact.
I’m definitely interested in reviewing the NAN 7 successor. I’ll keep you posted for sure.
😮… Thanks for the insightful info. Would you say that the NAN 7 is an “upgrade” or a sidegrade to the Hifiman Arya Organic/he 1000se in terms of detail retrieval and speed (only these 2 parameters). How close does it sound to the Susvara and the Susvara Unveiled regarding the treble timbre?
I’d love for it to feature a realistic and natural timbre like the FT1 pro. Auditioned a Sennheiser HE 1 too (only 10 minutes). I was shocked by how close the timbre sounded in comparison to the Ft1 pro. Insane!
Sorry for the barrage of questions. Nan7 is a very niche product and would like your opinion before purchasing, rather importing it.
No worries at all mate. Specifically regarding detail and speed, the NAN-7 is on the safer, more conservative side. That makes it closer to the HE6/HE6se or even the HE500 than the Susvara or Susvara Unveiled. The Susvaras are still more effortless when it comes to treble shimmer and detail. Timbre wise, the NAN-7 handles poorly mastered recordings better, but that also means it doesn’t have the same level of air and sparkle.
If you enjoy the FT1 Pro’s timbre, the NAN-7 will likely fit you better. Some people, including myself, find the treble timbre on the Susvara a bit exaggerated, even though it’s done very tastefully.
Haha I actually still haven’t heard the HE-1, but it’s cool to hear you found them similar to the FT1 Pro in some ways.
Gotcha! Thanks for taking your time for the replies.
The Senn HE 1 was definitely insane. It did resemble the tonality and the timbre that the FT1 pro has, but that’s about it. Very interesting headphone (a piece of art I’d rather say) HE 1 is – the bass hit hard, mids were crystal clear and everything in the headstage was naturally “spaced out” and did not feel artificial, although I found the treble to be a bit harsh for my tastes.
Extremely overpriced for its sound quality regardless (imo). Two cents from my side.
Having listened to the FiiO FT1 pro (for quite some time) and other expensive headphones too, I have grown to appreciate the intimacy, natural timbre and
the heaviness or the “meat” of the sound much more.
Hey there Sai! Hope you’re having a great day. I recently read your article on the Anan Audio NAN 7 planar headphone. Do you think it is still worth the purchase in 2026? I was considering importing it into my country, but the import duties would eat my wallet alive. Is it a worthwhile upgrade from the ft1 pro? Could you also please compare the bass punch and rumble of NAN 7 to Audeze LCD – X and HE6 OG? Please do recommend an amp that would suit this headphone as well. Thank You!
PS: When will the review of FiiO FT7 drop from your side?
Hello. How would you say the ZMF Ori lambskin or the ZMF Eikon Lambskin pads affect the Ft1 pro’s bass? Will these give it more “meaty” sound?
Hi there, unfortunately I don’t have those ear pads.
Oh. I was planning to buy a leather earpad for the Ft1 pro for more bass and increased comfort. Would those earpads I mentioned do the job? I have also got to know the quality of ZMF pads are really good. Thank you for your reply!
No worries glad to help. It might be true that for a lot of headphones (traditional dynamic drivers), leather pads tend to increase the bass by creating a fully sealed front volume, but it’s not neccessarily the case with planars like the FT1 Pro, which can typically move a lot more air therefore may benefit from a more ventilated ear pad or even leakages. So, again, I can’s speak for sure unfortunately.
Out of the ones I tested, the Dekoni Elite Hybrid pads and the ZMF Auteur Suede Solid pads give a bit more bass while preserving the linearity of the mids and treble. However, they might not give you as more bass as you’d expect. The most effective way to boost the bass on the FT1 Pro is still EQ – I recommend trying that before going with ear pads.
Did you listen ananda nano ? how it stacks up ? it uses hifiman’s high end thin diaphragm but placed in a lower price bracket. it seems to be in the same family as arya organic considering it’s electrical and tuning properties.
The Nanos sound very similar to the Arya Organics, so the price performance there is really great. That said, they are very bright headphones, so it really comes down to what you prefer. The major downside is the fit, it’s simpy nowhere as comfy as the Organics or any Arya/HE1000 family headphones with the upgraded headband for that matter.
Hi there,
I am interested in the FT1B Pads. Looking at the comparison graphs, I noticed that the ECOS D5000 leather pads and the HXT Beyer cooling gel pads (compared on the JT7 graph) both show frequency responses quite similar to the FT1B.
What are your thoughts on these three pads? Also, could you please provide the purchase links for them?
Thank you!
Hey there, I’ve updated the earpads page for these specific products. Let me know if you have issues finding them. Based on my brief impression, I prefer the FT1B oer them for comfort, overall clarity, and less upper-mids shout.
Thanks for the update.
I just realized I already have the HXT Beyer cooling gel pads.
I didn’t try them initially because the inner holes were a bit too small, making them uncomfortable to wear.
The midrange is more forward, with a slight shout.
The ECOS Denon D5000 URL is missing the “.html”.
I also found that there’s another type of ECOS for Denon:
/item/1005008551400082 (.html)
I checked all the URLs on the earpads page and found the following two links don’t work:
– Earpads Experts Store
– ATH A900x Velvet Leather pads
Thanks for the heads up! I’ve fixed the links.
Yes, those pads as well as the ECOS Denon pads tend to sound a little shouty to me as well. I suppose that’s in part the effect of less treble, along with added 3kHz energy.
The other typc of Denon pads are built for the newer Denon ie. DX200 series, so they are smaller than the older ones (100mm vs 105mm in diametre, while also having a smaller front cut out). But yeah, I should probably grab one of those as well.
Hey sai. I would like to ask you regarding the driver matching of ft1 pro. How is it according to you? Is the imaging precise? I own the newer batch and I want to improve the imaging on this. Any tips on how I should EQ the frequency so as to improve imaging?
Hey man. I’ve only tested one pair, so I can’t really speak much on QC. My pair is fine for matching and imaging, but if you’re finding yours a little fuzzy, it might be the upper mids scoop. Try bringing up the 1-2kHz range with the EQ: 1600Hz, 3dB gain, Q=2.
Hello. How would you rate the ZMF auteur or ZMF caldera pads for the FiiO FT1 Pro? I am looking for a pad change as the FiiO digs into my head and gets uncomfortable after some time (I’m on the skinny side). Would it change the sound as well? Thank you :).
Hey. Yes, changing pads will certainly affect the sound.
The ZMF Auteur hybrid perforated pads work well on the FT1 Pro, keeping a tone very similar to stock while improving the spatial presentation (airiness and width). I haven’t tried the Caldera pads though.
Since you’re feeling pressure on the top of your head, I am not sure a pad change might solve it. ZMF pads are thicker, which could actually increase the clamping force, so be aware of that.
Okay! I have been researching some things myself. Is there a pad you would recommend is more comfortable, which also increases the airiness and bass response (or more authoritativeness) significantly? I find this headphone to be a bit uncomfortable and anemic to my ears.
Hi. I’m torn between the FT1 and the FT1 Pro. Which one brings out more detail?
Thank.
Hi there. The short answer is the FT1 Pro, especially if you plan on using EQ.
On the surface, you might find details particularly in the treble elements seem to jump out more distinctly with the FT1. However, the FT1 Pro actually offers a more refined, even-handed delivery that, to me, is more faithful to the source and ultimately resolves more detail overall.
Hi there! Hope you’re having a lovely day. I’d like to enquire something regarding the Ft1 pro. Is the soundstage/imaging really that bad in it compared to its competitors like sundara and Edition XS by hifiman? I own the ft1 pro and find the soundstage to be overall good. Some people even say that the soundstage is even smaller/on par with iems (which is very interesting lol). Sadly I don’t have any other open-back to compare to. So I’d like to ask, how is the soundstage compared to the Hifiman XS? Is it a night and day difference? Or is the Ft1 pro obsolete due to the Edition XS going below $200 on sale nowadays?
Hi there! I hope you are having a lovely day too. Yeah I do tend to feel those qualities, like soundstage and imaging, are better on the Edition XS. I’d not say the FT1 Pro is only as good as IEMs, though; it is definitely better than that. It is not a night and day difference between the FT1 Pro and the XS, but it is noticeable. You can think of it as a matter of trade-off. The FT1 Pro has a much smoother treble, while the XS is more exciting with its treble elevation and expansive stage. So, I would not say the FT1 Pro is obsolete. Both are excellent value for money.
I see. On another note, will Audeze LCD 2 be a good upgrade over Ft1 pro? How is it compared to other bassy open backs such as the hifiman he6, fostex th9? How will it be compared to the LCD X? And if possible, a little comparison to ft1 pro as well please.
Yes, the LCD-2 would be a good upgrade pathway. It features a more romantic, laid-back midrange presentation. I wouldn’t classify it as a neutral or balanced tuning headphone, but it’s very pleasant to listen to and suits many modern genres. It’s definitely not as technical as the HE6 or the LCD-X.
Just one thing re the LCD series. You need to be aware of the specific version you’re buying. The memory foam ear pad version has a very subdued upper midrange presence and dark treble, which some listeners dislike. Anything between the 2016-2018 versions or the latest revision should be fine.
Hey, thanks for the reply man. I’m also sorry for the late reply. Had tons of work to do these past few weeks.
I’ll definitely keep your advice in mind. Also, how is the He6 (original) compared to the Audeze LCD – X? I want to opt for a single headphone and never look back again.
If your goal is a single, do-it-all headphone, then I think the HE6 original might be the better choice as an all-rounder. While I personally consider it to be the superior headphone overall, choosing a single unit that does everything well still comes down to your preference and budget. For example, someone could be just as happy with something like the Edition XS paired with EQ.
It just seems that even the best-tuned headphones often need a bit of EQ or pad-swapping to truly become that single, perfect all-rounder for every person and every genre.
Thanks for sharing your notes. That lines up with what I’ve seen too. Your math looks right, and in practice most music should be fine unless they have loads of subbass.
I would like to contribute my own anecdotal experience with the bass distortion/clipping/loudness issue. I don’t have any test equipment other than my ears and what my bluetooth dac/amp reports, but I did do some sine wave testing in the deep subbass, 20-40hz. Audible distortion starts when my bluetooth dac amp reports an output voltage larger than 159mV, which if I understand the math right, implies a wattage of 1.26 milliwatts at 20 ohms, which with a sensitivity of 95db/mW, implies a volume of 96 decibels. In practice, youtube and streamers are noise normalized to being half volume, which means I can double the volume (ie, add 10db on my dac/amp) for real music and its perfectly loud enough, even in my living room with the TV on, no distortion or clipping heard.
Hey there. Natural is tricky to define, but I’d call the FT1 Pro well-balanced. They do sound closer to traditional dynamics like the HD650 than most planars or estats, though I wouldn’t say they get truly lifelike compared to live music or good speakers in a treated room. EQ can defintely get you much closer to that. If you’re after a planar that’s easy to EQ and sund closer to traditional headphones, the FT1 Pro is indeed a good choice.
Yeah, speakers are a different category altogether in my opinion. Thanks for the reply. I’ve heard many praises of the HD6xx/650 and the HD600 of senn. They have a “natural” and non-fatiguing mid-range that is not only easy to listen to but also sound very close to how they sound in actuality (sadly, they lack treble) than the usual “flavor” of the headphone. I wanted to gauge how close does this planar (FT1 Pro) sound similar to those. The new Hifiman edition xv also has the same qualities (I’ve read some comments and saw your post). What would be your recommendation for that (lifelike midrange possible by headphones)?
This may come off as me asking too many questions but thank you for bearing with me.
No worries! In terms of timbre, the HD6 series still does mids and lower treble a bit more naturally that’s why they’re such a benchmark. They do lack extension on both ends. The XV can sound even more natural than the FT1 Pro, with more effortless staging too. Both are good, but they don’t quite hit the HD6 level of “lifelike” mids, even though they’re more linear up top.
Are you specifically set on planars? If not, the HD6 line is still hard to beat for timbre, and you still have the new HD505/550 for that matter. If you are, the Sundara, Edition XS, and Moondrop Para 2 could also be worth a look depending on your budget.
Ohh. I am looking for something that has really that “lifelike” with a well balanced treble. What do you think about the AR5000 and the HD550/505 for that? I’ve also heard really great things about the ZMF Atrium (I think that was the model) and how it is just a HD6 without any major caveats.
They’re all solid options. Whether they will feel realistic enough depends a lot on your listening preferences and setup. If you want something close to flat studio monitors, these headphones can get you there without breaking the bank.
The HD490 Pro with producer pads is one I would also add to the mix. With those pads it sounds a bit warmer but still neutral, so if you are chasing more of a speaker-like presentation it is a good fit. The Atrium works in that way too. I would indeed describe it as an improved HD6XX with better bass and more natural staging, although some treble regions can be a bit overly polished ie. lacking fine detail, just like the HD6XX. My main complaint is just the price.
Hi! This may be a bit weird but how “natural” does this planar sound? Is it on par with dynamic driver headphones such as hd600/650? Will the sounds be really close to how they are in real life? Also, does any EQ change the “natural” sound that it has? Even if one fills up the 1khz-2khz dip using a parametric eq?