The FiiO FT1 Pro is one of the most exciting headphone releases in recent years for two main reasons. Firstly, it’s affordable. There are plenty of open-back planar magnetic headphones worth checking out – but there are surprisingly few options in the same price range as the FT1 Pro at $200. Secondly, the frequency response:
The measurements behind these headphones are interesting, but require a more detailed explanation before they will make sense in the context of the review.
If you are new to reading/evaluating headphone frequency response charts, here is a quick and dirty guide to making sense of the squiggles in question: The horizontal axis represents frequency in hertz from the lowest frequency that humans can hear, 20 Hz (think subwoofer rumble and 808 bass lines) all the way to the highest frequencies that humans can hear at 20 kHz (think instrument overtones and insects buzzing).
The vertical axis represents amplitude (or volume) in dB. The light gray range in this particular graph represents the range that the reviewers at Headphones.com have found to fall within the bounds of preference for average headphone listeners.
The yellow line is a measurement taken from one pair of FiiO FT1 Pro headphones. It’s worth noting that measurements vary slightly (sometimes not-so-slightly) from pair to pair, even if they’re the same model of headphones.
In terms of falling within the preference bounds sweet spot, the frequency response on display is truly exceptional even compared to the tuning of headphones at many times the price of the FT1 Pro. While frequency response is only a part of the puzzle in determining long-term compatibility with a headphone, the FT1 Pro’s tuning is so well-executed that the buzz it’s generating in the headphone community feels entirely justified.
As a recording & mixing engineer / record producer, a headphone with such a universally appealing frequency response has the potential to be an invaluable reference tool in the studio.
Before we dive into the details, let’s step back and consider the key questions that will shape this review.
- Does the FiiO FT1 Pro deliver on the hype in terms of sound quality and value?
- Who is the ideal listener for the FT1 Pro?
- And most intriguingly – what impact could the FT1 Pro have on the future landscape/soundscape of the headphone community?
Design
Visual aesthetics are highly subjective but I think FiiO really knocked it out of the park with the look of the FT1 Pro. They look simple without looking boring, ergonomic without looking too industrial, classy without looking gaudy. At the end of the day, a sane and respectful person is only really ever going to listen to a pair of open-back headphones alone in a quiet space… so the appealing visual presentation is really a nice bonus.
Comfort
The comfort of the FT1 Pro on my head is decent but leaves room for refinement. Compared to the HiFiMan Sundara and HiFiMan Edition XS – both of which use similar planar magnetic driver technology and weigh a similar amount – the FiiO feels less effortless. The 374 grams is definitely manageable for those who may use them during longer listening sessions.
FiiO has gone with a suede fabric material on the underside of the headband and there are 11 adjustment notches to make it easier to find a sizing that works for your specific head size. The 3-axis adaptive headband permits a free range of rotation at multiple angles.
I regularly wear my Sundara comfortably during marathon studio sessions but the clamping pressure of the FT1 Pro became hard to ignore after about 30 minutes. Your mileage may vary.
Sensitivity
Compared to those same HiFiMan headphone models, the FiiO takes first place in sensitivity. I was able to drive the FT1 Pro to satisfying levels and beyond just using less than half of the available headphone output power of my MacBook Pro; the impedance is 20 ohms with a sensitivity rating of 112dB/Vrms @1kHz.
Comparing the FT1 Pro driven by the MacBook Pro’s built-in DAC/AMP versus my studio stack made up of the RME ADI-2 DAC and the Ferrum Oor + Hypsos amplifier, there is a noticeable improvement out of the studio setup to the headphone’s sound such that the low end sounds more firm and the spatial details more exacting. But the improvement is subtle and does not reflect the studio setup’s increase in cost – a huge credit to FiiO’s engineering.
Extras
The FT1 Pro also takes the cake in the goodies department. Unlike the HiFiMan options which arrive in a cardboard box with a single cable, the FiiO comes with two braided cables – 3.5mm (with 6.3mm adapter) and 4.4mm balanced – along with a wonderfully ergonomic and protective zipper case that fits comfortably in a backpack. At $200, this is a really impressive package of premium feeling and looking accessories. Hats off to Fiio!
Sound
The FT1 Pro is easily the most neutral sounding headphone I’ve heard at $200 – if a little mid-forward. Based on the frequency response graph pictured above, it does make sense that the low mids between 200 Hz and 400 Hz are a little more prominent than the surrounding ranges. Based on my listening, I would guess that this pair is even more skewed in that direction such that some mixes can come across relatively congested in that frequency range where the fundamental tones of vocals often take center stage.
At the frequency extremes, the FT1 Pro delivers a solid performance. The bass is deeply satisfying in its dynamic punch and linearity all the way down to the lowest perceptible octaves without sounding bloated or over-done. While the bass might not satisfy the hardcore bass junkies among us, its low end accuracy and speed are outstanding. With the FT1 Pro, FiiO has raised the bar for low-end performance, redefining what’s achievable at $200.
The high end does sound rolled off approaching the highest treble zone resulting in a less airy and textured presentation than that of other planar magnetic headphones in my studio. What’s really interesting, is that the high frequency roll-off is present and noticeable without diminishing the perceived resolution/level of detail delivered by the FT1 Pro.
The FT1 Pro’s standout strength lies in its exceptional resolution. It effortlessly outclasses the HiFiMan Sundara in clarity and precision, while holding its own against the pricier HiFiMan Edition XS with remarkable incisiveness. That is to say, the FT1 Pro does a notably better job than the Sundara and other headphones at the same price at separating out elements in a mix and revealing their exact location in the soundstage as rendered by the artist / producer.
Listening
To illustrate the FT1 Pro’s sonic strengths and limitations, I explored a selection of tracks from my reference playlist which you can find on Spotify here:
“Fall Into a Dream” by Foxwarren:
The FT1 Pro delivers a wide, well-structured soundstage with excellent tonality and resolution that’s more reminiscent of how the song comes across on my Focal studio monitors than on either the HiFiMan Sundara or Edition XS. The layered harmonies that hit at 1:36 emerge with impressive separation and depth, notably better defined than on the Sundara.
The breakdown at 2:30 which tends to sound a little a ride cymbal forward on the Edition XS remains much more smooth and coherent on the FT1 Pro. While the Edition XS presents a more expansive feeling soundstage from left to right and top to bottom, the FT1 Pro sounds deeper from front to back. Dry elements in the center of the mix which sound a little more diffused/distant on the Edition XS sound more up front and immediate on the FT1 Pro.
Overall, the FT1 Pro sounds more natural on this song than either of the more expensive HiFiMan alternatives – though I enjoy the unique ways all three models reproduce the song.
“ICU” by Phoebe Bridgers:
The FT1 Pro sounds a little congested on this track. The mix, which is already particularly dark and natural sounding, becomes a little overly dark when coupled with the rolled off and mid-forward tonality of the FT1 Pro. I much prefer the way this whole Phoebe Bridgers record sounds via the HiFiMan Sundara and Edition XS which make for a more balanced and nuanced presentation.
“Indica Bike Ride” by Louis Prince
Just like the previous track by Phoebe Bridgers, this mix is on the darker side and becomes a bit congested feeling coupled with the FT1 Pro versus the HiFiMan headphones. On this one, though, I still find the FT1 Pro highly enjoyable even though the vocals sound a bit more chesty and closed-off than what I’m used to hearing.
“Feels Right” by Biig Piig
This track’s dynamic shifts and punchy rhythm make it a perfect showcase for the FT1 Pro’s strengths and capabilities. The low-end impact, of the tight, punchy four-on-the-floor kick that enters for the first time at 0:55, is exceptionally well-rendered on the FT1 Pro which handles the mix’s bass and sub-bass reproduction with impressive depth and control.
FT1 Pro vs. Sennheiser HD600
Switching between the FT1 Pro and the Sennheiser HD600 – a long-revered choice among producers and engineers for music production and mixing – reveals stark differences that ought to call into question the HD600’s established reputation as the go-to open-back studio reference for the price.
While the HD600 offers a dynamic presentation with decent slam and a tonally neutral midrange, it simply doesn’t deliver the same level of low and sub-bass extension or punch as the FT1 Pro. The HD600 feels lighter in the choruses lacking the foundational weight that the FT1 Pro delivers with authority. Spatially, the FT1 Pro also takes a clear lead. Out of the HD600, the entire mix sounds more compressed and reductive – instruments and effects overlap and pile up in the soundstage congealing into a relatively condensed reproduction of the mix.
The FT1 Pro presents the mix with an obviously superior sense of spaciousness – better reproducing each musical element’s specific and unique placement within the stereo field. Ultimately, the FT1 makes the song sound more weighty, immersive, and detailed than the esteemed studio staple.
The Bottom Line
Q1: Does the FiiO FT1 Pro deliver on the hype in terms of sound quality and value?
A1: At the $200 price point, the Fiio FT1 Pro absolutely delivers on the hype in terms of sound quality and value. In my opinion, the FT1 Pro is an easy recommendation for anyone with $200 who is looking to experience music closer to the way that artists and producers do while they’re recording and mixing in treated/calibrated environments.
Q2: Who is the ideal listener for the FT1 Pro?
A2: Putting “Pro” in a product title rarely signifies that a product is actually intended for professionals. In this case, however, that is exactly what I think FiiO is suggesting – or at least what they ought to be suggesting. The demographic that would benefit the most from a pair of FT1 Pros is going to be professional audio engineers seeking a tool for mixing/post production. $200 has never sounded more neutral – especially in the low end. To that end, anyone looking to hear what music sounds like in the studio where it’s created should consider checking out the FT1 Pro.
Q3: And most intriguingly – what impact could the FT1 Pro have on the future landscape/soundscape of the headphone community?
A3: At the end of the day, the most exciting thing about the release of FiiO’s FT1 Pro is that they’ve raised the bar (or lowered the price of entry) for studio level neutrality and resolution in headphones. FiiO – a company relatively new to the headphone game, have come for everyone’s lunch with their new open-back FT1 Pro and their new closed-back FT1 which have both demolished so much of the competition in their respective segments – and they’ve done it in premium fashion. I can’t wait to see what’s next for FiiO and the headphone world at large.
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