Today, Lynn reviews the FiiO FT1 Pro, a new set of open-back 95mmx86mm self-developed planar magnetic driver headphones priced at $199.99.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank FiiO for their support.
You can click here to learn more about the FiiO audio products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This post follows our current scoring guidelines which you can read in more detail here.
When I reviewed the FiiO FT1, I was impressed with its looks and performance, especially the 60mm dynamic driver and excellent build qualities.
I did think that the headphone adjusting mechanism was a bit below par, but I appreciated the tuning, which delivered deep-reaching bass and excellent midrange.
The $199.99 FT1 Pro uses a planar magnetic driver instead, so other than the namesake this is a slightly different model.
Geared towards potential studio use, the FT1 Pro purports to be natural-sounding headphones that can double as a useful studio tool.
Features
The FiiO FT1 Pro is a set of open-back planar driver headphones equipped with a 95mm x 86mm in-house developed planar magnetic driver and a rounded corner dual magnet array to create a more evenly distributed magnet field for this size of the driver.
Sapphire and aluminum coat both sides of the driver for an excellent sonic response, while the 1µm thin diaphragm results in a fast musical response.
The 20Ω lower impedance means the FT1 Pro isn’t that inefficient though its 95 dB/mW | 112 dB/Vrms rating might mean pushing the volume a bit more on weaker sources than you are used to.
Otherwise, I would consider this headphone not that difficult to drive from a decent DAP or modest desktop setup.
Design & Comfort
There is no mistaking the open-back look, with an ornate aluminum faceplate built into the cup shell. Aluminum helps to keep the headphone light, continuing into the stanchions and yoke with what looks to be pressed shapes.
The all-black cups and pads are countered by the steel yoke, stanchions, and connecting hardware giving the FT1 Pro a smooth upscale look. The FiiO logo on an aluminum inlay is above the yoke, while small lines on the inside of the stanchions let the user know if each side is pulled out evenly.
The single headband of the FT1 Pro has six separate “pillows” underneath for padding cut in a suede-like material, with a soft black pleather top. Usually, a single headband does not work well for me since I prefer a suspension system, but the FT1 Pro fits well and stays put.
The thick pleather and suede ear pads are very comfortable, and the whole unit grabs with the right amount of pressure. Only those with very large heads may feel it to be too much. The rear of the pads are slightly thicker, canting the cup forward a bit, but not noticeably so.
I found I could wear the FT1 Pro for long listening sessions, going over 5 hours at one point, without issue.
Packaging & Accessories
The FT1 Pro comes in the typical sleeved square box, with the case inside protected by a cardboard insert. Within the case, you will find the 3.5mm se and 4.4mm balanced cables (in separate plastic bags), and a 6.35mm se jack.
The look is premium, and the case reminds me of Focal’s iterations with the tweed-like pattern, but in brown patterns this time. A quick start guide is present, too.
The premium presentation belies what FiiO is trying to achieve with each successive model, whether it be headphones or an amplifier. Quality offerings exude a look, and the FiiO products have the goods to back that up.
Case
The brown tweed patterned case feels of quality as you grab it, but that case is not perfect. Where a case such as Focal has an indentation, which helps to act as a grip spot when picking it up, the FiiO case is smooth instead. This leads to losing grip on the case when you pick it up.
It seems that FiiO took to heart my subtle complaints about the case and a lack of tactility.
The brown patterned fabric is still present (smooth and good-looking to boot), but the top (where the headband resides) does seem to be a smidge thinner, resulting in a good grip. I still wish for a thicker, rougher fabric to alleviate both problems.
Sound Impressions
The following impressions were made using the HiBy R4, Astell&Kern AK120 Titan, and Shanling M6 Pro. Comparisons were made to the FiiO FT1, FiiO FT3 (32Ω), and the Meze Audio 99 Classics.
The FT1 Pro was allowed to play continuously for 75 hours before critical listening occurred. This is my standard protocol for all devices tested.
Summary
The FiiO FT1 Pro promotes an exuberant signature, with enough verve to satisfy those that like a speedy signature. It also carries a melodic, natural tonality to it, exemplifying the planar driver within.
Bass reach while not too deep is taut with control and matching attack and decay. The midrange sits behind both ends but comes across as organic and natural. Succinct transient responses also highlight the midrange, giving it excellent weight characteristics.
The treble note extends further than many planar driver units I have tried lately. The sapphire coating shows its mettle here with very good extension and tight control over the high end.
Never lacking in note weight, the signature also does not become saturated with thickness, either.
Timbre
To me, planars tend to have excellent acoustic response but seem a bit lacking (thinner note quality) in the midrange, with a commensurate price. The FT1 Pro counters that with a richness and warmth typical of planars, but also carries excellent note weight.
Much like the dynamic driver FT1, the note accuracy comes across as realistic, such as the pluck of a guitar string. The similarities are almost eerie, but the differences do become apparent. The richness in note quality becomes prominent and easily identified between the two as a result.
The levels of detail present in the FT1 Pro make for an almost ideal studio partner, with male vocals showing excellent weight and accuracy; even if a bit darker than a typical planar response.
Female vocals come across as melodic and natural with a wonderful depth to them, giving an accurate representation of the clarity within the song.
Easily picked out were the breathiness when called upon, or the depth with which detail retrieval was portrayed. That breathiness filled the air with aplomb, begging for more as the listener anticipated each verse within a song.
The same can be said for the overall character of the FT1 Pro. The accuracy is there, as are the levels of detail presented within a framework of rich character, which would certainly be defined as “studio quality.”
Staging & Dynamics
This is where the FT1 Pro separates itself from its kin, the closed-back FT1.
There is no denying the spatial representation emitting from the FT1 Pro, with the width protruding especially far. But not so far as to disconnect from the overall signature. No, the height and depth characteristics work to keep the whole in check, without imposing an atmosphere that is too open or too expansive.
The combination allows for the very good placing of instruments within the stage if stretched wide a bit too much. This presentation does not diminish the overall character, but rather gives the listener a bit of an extra show; much like a holographic effect would on some headphones.
I mentioned above the speed at which the bass attacks and decays. This sets the tone for the whole signature, laying down a foundation upon which the others lie, as opposed to building upon it. The whole signature is one of dynamic expressions that carry the richness mentioned above.
The open-back nature of the FT1 Pro works to its advantage here, presenting a highly musical sound, that can be enjoyed for long sessions without bother.
Synergy
Efficiency
There was never a lack of power using any of the DAPs mentioned above, with all providing enough headroom to drive the FT1 Pro to painful levels.
The scaling across platforms and high levels of volume shows that the FT1 Pro carries a quality of note that transcends many options, even with the expansive width of the stage.
Pairings
Using both the Shanling M6 Pro and the HiBy R4, the FT1 Pro performed impressively.
The Shanling presents an even darker signature than the R4, but the dual DAC usage makes for a very impressive pairing, and my favorite of the lot. Especially when the power is considered in “Turbo” mode.
The HiBy R4 has become a regular in my rotation, and for good reason. It provides a quality to the sound, that is neither too bright nor too dark, and with sufficient levels of detail to satisfy the needs of most tested equipment. Plus, it can drive most of the higher-impedance headphones I have tried of late.
The A&K AK120 Titan is a DAP from a few years ago, that still presents excellent sonic characteristics. I found of the three used DAPs that the A&K carried the most clarity when paired to the FT1 Pro, with excellent reach up top.
The bass was a little shy of the other DAPs, but the level of detail present more than made up for that.
