FiiO FT1 Pro Open-Back Planar Magnetic

[Jeromeof]

More measurements of the FT1 Pro

Fiio FT-1 Pro Measurements & Official Discussion

This is the place to discuss all things to do with the Fiio FT-1 Pro, which is a $200 open back planar magnetic headphone. Fiio were kind enough to send DMS and I each a unit for review, which we’ll be working on soon. In the meantime, here are the measurements: Frequency response (HpTF...

forum.headphones.com

 

[johny_2000]

Both reviews come to the same conclusion: performance is excellent up to 94dB SPL. Then distortion starts to increase and becomes unbearable after 110dB SPL. Overall, bass extension is better than the HD6xx and seems to have room for a +6dB low bass boost up to the 2018 Harman OE curve without noticeable distortion. Also, the mids seem a bit face forward, but this can be mitigated with EQ to suit personal taste.

Absolute loudness without distortion is lower than the Audeze LCD and HIFIMAN HE6se V2, but with sound pressure levels kept below 100dB, the FT1 PROs seem like a good choice for the money.

 

[majingotan]

What do you mean with 'planar timbre' ?

I'm guessing @Human Bass meant that the bass that lacks impact while at the same time overly smooth and unnatural timbre. Overtones lacking tactility. Either the fault of driver technology or housing design/damping.


On the side note, the FR is extremely close to my Hifiman Susvara headphone

 

[johny_2000]

On the side note, the FR is extremely close to my Hifiman Susvara headphone

It's too good to be true for headphones under $200.

 

[solderdude]

It's too good to be true for headphones under $200.

And if something looks to be too good to be true it usually is ..

Nah... there are several (5 to 10 here and there) dB's differences here and there which are definitely audible.

Even using acoustic smoothing they differ between 1kHz and 15kHz.
The FT1 PRO lacks 'smoothness' and the 'airy' sound of the Susvara.
Its not competition to the Susvara nor LCD5.... it is to HE400i/400SE/Sundara/XS
Both are a bit 'mid centric' but have different treble response.

FT1 and FT1 PRO are good attempts from FiiO in the cheaper market segment.
FT1 PRO is an improvement over the FT5 and FT1 is an improvement over the JT1.
I hope they will keep improving and not resort to HIFIMAN pricing in the process.

Both FiiO are high VFM and sound good but not TOTL.
Susvara has some desirable qualities ... the price is not one of them.

 

[johny_2000]

Susvara has ... the price is not one of them.

Yeah, that's the first thing that dropped my jaw when I searched for HiFiMan Susvara...
But what someone else said: "If you can get 90+% of the results for 3% of the cost, I'd say it's a great deal!"
They even have slightly better bass reproduction, which is what excites me most about open-back headphones.

 

[solderdude]

When one is looking for entry level planar magnetics with a good and realistic sound signature (not Harman bass) the FT1 Pro should definitely be on the list next to the Sundara.

People that don't really care about 'hifi' and not knowing the price will like the FT1 PRO just as much as the Susvara but the differences between them in actual sound reproduction are bigger than the plot posted by Majingotan suggests....

The only thing is that if the pads give up (and they will every bit as quick as hifiman pads) you have to search and buy aftermarket pads which could change tonality a bit.

 

[Grabby]

I'm looking to upgrade from the He400i, so I guess, from what you guys are saying, the ft1 probably probably is not an improvement. Do you think the edition xs or hd6xx would be a worthwhile step up from the He400i? What would you suggest? my budget is about 250 to 300usd. Thanks.

 

[solderdude]

The real question is what aspects you want upgraded.

Those headphones are more side-grades than upgrades. If I had none and would have to choose at this moment between HE400i/SE/Sundara and FT1-PRO and could only have one my choice would be the FT1 PRO followed by Sundara.

I currently own HE400i, Sundara and FT1-PRO (have owned HE400SE in the past)
Edition XS is very different in comfort (very large pads).

HE400i and SE can be found much cheaper.

 

[thewas]

@solderdude thank you for the great as always review, seems to be a really great mid class contender, the only thing that worries me is that both your and the other review showed a varying issue around 4 kHz which hopefully won't have a big tolerance width between different samples and even more left and right sides.

 

[Mulder]

The real question is what aspects you want upgraded.

Those headphones are more side-grades than upgrades. If I had none and would have to choose at this moment between HE400i/SE/Sundara and FT1-PRO and could only have one my choice would be the FT1 PRO followed by Sundara.

I currently own HE400i, Sundara and FT1-PRO (have owned HE400SE in the past)
Edition XS is very different in comfort (very large pads).

HE400i and SE can be found much cheaper.

How do these (FT1-PRO) compare soundwise to OLLO S5X?

 

[solderdude]

Comfort and fit is better on FT1 PRO (X1 is on its way to me, review probably next week)
Sound quality goes to S5X.

 

[solderdude]

@solderdude thank you for the great as always review, seems to be a really great mid class contender, the only thing that worries me is that both your and the other review showed a varying issue around 4 kHz which hopefully won't have a big tolerance width between different samples and even more left and right sides.

Its the infamous 'orthowall' and depends on the testing method and membrane tension how this turns out.

 

[Human Bass]

I'm guessing @Human Bass meant that the bass that lacks impact while at the same time overly smooth and unnatural timbre. Overtones lacking tactility. Either the fault of driver technology or housing design/damping.


On the side note, the FR is extremely close to my Hifiman Susvara headphone

View attachment 410105

I like planar bass, the high mids and highs that are usually problematic

 

[Human Bass]

And if something looks to be too good to be true it usually is ..

View attachment 410116


Nah... there are several (5 to 10 here and there) dB's differences here and there which are definitely audible.

View attachment 410117
Even using acoustic smoothing they differ between 1kHz and 15kHz.
The FT1 PRO lacks 'smoothness' and the 'airy' sound of the Susvara.
Its not competition to the Susvara nor LCD5.... it is to HE400i/400SE/Sundara/XS
Both are a bit 'mid centric' but have different treble response.

FT1 and FT1 PRO are good attempts from FiiO in the cheaper market segment.
FT1 PRO is an improvement over the FT5 and FT1 is an improvement over the JT1.
I hope they will keep improving and not resort to HIFIMAN pricing in the process.

Both FiiO are high VFM and sound good but not TOTL.
Susvara has some desirable qualities ... the price is not one of them.

Imo, the main issue with the Susvara is the comfort. Very small cups, feel like a badly design on ear for those with medium to big ears.

 

[A Surfer]

Imo, the main issue with the Susvara is the comfort. Very small cups, feel like a badly design on ear for those with medium to big ears.

How about the price? Not a problem?

 

[johny_2000]

@solderdude,
I saw you mentioned the cable being stiff. I noticed the same thing with the FT5 I had in the past. The quality was good, but the feel of the cable around my body wasn't great.
After a while I found OpenHeart cables which are really nice and soft and very well made. I replaced all my headphone cables with them.

 

[Human Bass]

How about the price? Not a problem?

I mean, for pra the time it was considered pretty good for the price.

But the FT1 looks more comfortable, smoother sounding and quite cheaper. So I guess it is the new entry planar

 

[solderdude]

I like planar bass, the high mids and highs that are usually problematic

I associate 'planar bass' only with Audeze headphones.
The hifiman never feel as 'solid' in the bass.
FT1 Pro is a bit like hifiman in that area.

Mids and highs are 'a bit better' to me in the FT1 Pro.

@solderdude,
I saw you mentioned the cable being stiff. I noticed the same thing with the FT5 I had in the past. The quality was good, but the feel of the cable around my body wasn't great.
After a while I found OpenHeart cables which are really nice and soft and very well made. I replaced all my headphone cables with them.

I use a home-made cable myself which is low in microphonics.
Has to be 4-wire all the way up to the connector (low headphone impedance)
The plug diameter must be smaller than 9mm because the connectors are going into the cups.
Rean connectors fit in any case.

 

[johny_2000]

I associate 'planar bass' only with Audeze headphones.
The hifiman never feel as 'solid' in the bass.
FT1 Pro is a bit like hifiman in that area.

Can you elaborate on this a little more?
I've never owned Audeze headphones, but I've heard a lot about their bass capabilities.