FiiO FT1 Pro Open-Back Planar Magnetic

[solderdude]

You can turn up the bass really loud without distortion (needs some power) and remains 'clean' where most others start to show some issues.
What also helps with Audeze (no EQ) is the substantial dip above 1kHz so when playing loud they do not become shouty.
What I don't like about Audeze is the 'suction cup' seal they have and pricing.
Not heard the latest models, talking about LCD2-3-4.

 

[Soria Moria]

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

When I had Audeze (LCD-2 classic and LCD-X closed) all I heard were bad/mediocre headphones. Never feel like I heard anything that can be called "Audeze bass".

 

[sai]

I'm with Solderdude on this one. Despite some similarities in the FRs, which isn’t too surprising given that both are planars with similar acoustic impedance and earpad material (which matters a lot), the Susvara sounds noticeably clearer, airier and more articulate.

The main differences are in the upper treble, where the Susvara has significantly more sparkle and an overall greater sense of extension. That said, I’ve personally always found the Susvara’s upper treble a bit zingy especially in the 11-13kHz region, though it’s much better controlled than some of the more notorious egg-shaped HIFIMAN models.

The FT1 Pro on the other hand feels quite a bit warmer to me, which might have to do with how they fit on my head. That said, both are very well-tuned headphones in their own right.

I even measured both with the same ear pad, which tells us a bit about the differences in the drivers tuning.

 

[AdrwM3]

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.


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.

I have the he400se, I think it's great for the price, but sometimes it seems too bright to me, that metallic sound, do you think the FT1 pro is different?

 

[solderdude]

The FT1 PRO has less of that.
For both HE400SE and FT1 PRO that can be removed with parametric EQ or a passive filter if EQ is not an option.
It also depends a bit on one's HRTF whether or not treble peaking between 8kHz and 12kHz is audible/objectionable to you.
It seems in your case it is objectionable (it is to me too) and FT1 Pro has less of that and has a different 'nature'.
When the peak is removed I still have a preference in tonality (without EQ) for the FT1 PRO also in comfort. I don't like the way the HE400SE sits on my head.

 

[AdrwM3]

The FT1 PRO has less of that.
For both HE400SE and FT1 PRO that can be removed with parametric EQ or a passive filter if EQ is not an option.
It also depends a bit on one's HRTF whether or not treble peaking between 8kHz and 12kHz is audible/objectionable to you.
It seems in your case it is objectionable (it is to me too) and FT1 Pro has less of that and has a different 'nature'.
When the peak is removed I still have a preference in tonality (without EQ) for the FT1 PRO also in comfort. I don't like the way the HE400SE sits on my head.

So, I feel that 400se sounds better on certain types of music, especially if it has a predominance of vocals, but over time it leads to fatigue, because it has too much brightness, sometimes I feel that it is too very aggressive, very detailed; I like that, I like how everything sounds separate, but what I mean is that it's a lot!, do you think I would adapt better to a more "dark" or "warm" sound? I would like something that has fast bass and detailed mids, at the same time it sounds "fun", I don't know if the fidelio x2hr would be something for me, for example, But It may be that v shaped signature makes the voices become sibilant or not so resolute, also saw people talking about the hd6xx (hd58xx would be more suitable?), but that would be a specific headphone for jazz and not so much for rock edm or pop, maybe a closed headphone like some akg k712 pro, but It seems they have no advantage over their competitors other than the soundstage. hd560s It sounds neutral and the least "boring" of all the Sennheisers I think. Perhaps i should just equalize 400se to my liking, but sometimes it's really discouraging, it's a sound that makes you tense and not so relaxed.

 

[AdrwM3]

So, I feel that 400se sounds better on certain types of music, especially if it has a predominance of vocals, but over time it leads to fatigue, because it has too much brightness, sometimes I feel that it is too very aggressive, very detailed; I like that, I like how everything sounds separate, but what I mean is that it's a lot!, do you think I would adapt better to a more "dark" or "warm" sound? I would like something that has fast bass and detailed mids, at the same time it sounds "fun", I don't know if the fidelio x2hr would be something for me, for example, I also saw people talking about the hd6xx, but maybe that would be a specific headphone for jazz and not so much for rock edm or pop, maybe a closed headphone like some akg, but they can sound claustrophobic, maybe i should just equalize 400se to my liking, but sometimes it's really discouraging, it's a sound that makes you tense and not so relaxed.

Damn, I hope that wasn't confusing

 

[solderdude]

maybe a closed headphone like some akg k712 pro

K712 is open.

do you think I would adapt better to a more "dark" or "warm" sound?

Hard to say what someone may prefer or not.

 

[AdrwM3]

K712 is open.


Hard to say what someone may prefer or not.

Oh, You are right, I am confusing it with akg k371

 

[solderdude]

FT1 > K371

 

[Human Bass]

 

[Merey]

Thought about buying one, have one from a local seller for the same price as on Aliexpress. I really like the looks. But my greed says, buy Hifiman HE400SE V1 for 5 times cheaper or V2 for 3 times cheaper from China (or for 100 dollars with warranty from local seller). Why is it so complicated?

 

[AdrwM3]

Thought about buying one, have one from a local seller for the same price as on Aliexpress. I really like the looks. But my greed says, buy Hifiman HE400SE V1 for 5 times cheaper or V2 for 3 times cheaper from China (or for 100 dollars with warranty from local seller). Why is it so complicated?

I have he400se, and I would like to test fiio ft1 pro because they say it has a warmer sound and it still remains neutral, more "fun" sound, i guess

 

[chronic]

I have he400se, and I would like to test fiio ft1 pro because they say it has a warmer sound and it still remains neutral, more "fun" sound, i guess

I also think they sound pretty warm, but in a good way, they have a full and likable sound signature. Compared to my previous cheapo Samson SR850, I don't need to EQ anything but the bass (I'm a basshead!) because the rest sounds as clear as it should be. My only problem is that sadly these planar drivers don't seem to have alot of excursion available for the bass, as they start making a flapping sound when more pure bass notes are playing with my EQ on - but they can be driven at high volumes with basically to me no audible distortion, and it's incredible how detail just stays alive even at very high bass intensities.

 

[DEALUX]

They're great with a bit of EQ (treble timbre is a bit tinny). Can't think of anything better at $1K or less (I hate the HD800) except for the Moondrop Cosmo, which is more expensive but has smoother treble.

This ended up being my EQ for it.

Preamp: -3.9 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 120 Hz Gain 4.0 dB Q 0.500
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 910 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 2.000
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1800 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 1.500
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3000 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 2.000
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 5800 Hz Gain -4.0 dB Q 1.800

I think it's a much better headphone than any Sennheiser or the Sundara. In fact, like I said, I can't think of a better bang for buck headphone that is so easy to EQ into a proper monitoring headphone with excellent bass and mid/treble clarity.

 

[Merey]

I have a stupid question: is it possible to use FT1 PRO with Apple dongle (A2049)? I'm going to buy Topping DX1/SMSL D12/SMSL DS100 later.

 

[johny_2000]

I played with the 5128 DF target and adjusted the PEQs to match the RME ADI-2 EQ settings.
* These are the results of the simulator, I haven't had a chance to listen yet.*

Preamp: -8.7 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 12.0 dB Q 0.70
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 49 Hz Gain -8.0 dB Q 0.60
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 1800 Hz Gain 4.0 dB Q 2.0
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 3400 Hz Gain -2.0 dB Q 3.40
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 4400 Hz Gain 4.5 dB Q 4.40
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 5900 Hz Gain -4.5 dB Q 1.60
Filter 7: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 0.70

 

[DEALUX]

I have a stupid question: is it possible to use FT1 PRO with Apple dongle (A2049)? I'm going to buy Topping DX1/SMSL D12/SMSL DS100 later.

I'm not sure it has enough power. I use a different dongle, the Fiio KA11 which can power them well with EQ.

 

[solderdude]

I have a stupid question: is it possible to use FT1 PRO with Apple dongle (A2049)? I'm going to buy Topping DX1/SMSL D12/SMSL DS100 later.

No problem, it just won't play impressively loud.
You can reach 115dB peak SPL so about 100-105dB average which is pretty loud.

 

[johny_2000]

Interesting results can be seen if the measurement rig is GRAS 43AG-4.
I used the frequency response of @sai from [email protected] and ran AutoEQ to the Harman OE 2018 target.

*Aligned to closest RME ADI-2 DAC settings*
Preamp: -4.8 dB
Filter 1: ON LSC Fc 105 Hz Gain 4.5 dB Q 0.7
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 240 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 0.8
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 940 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 2.0
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 1860 Hz Gain 6.0 dB Q 1.4
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 2900 Hz Gain -5.0 dB Q 2.0
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 5700 Hz Gain -3.0 dB Q 5.0
Filter 7: ON HSC Fc 10000 Hz Gain 1.0 dB Q 0.7

These EQ results look very different than my previous post with the 5128 DF target and the B&K 5128 measurement rig.
Now I'm confused and don't know which one is better.